Today, I speak with IFBB Pro Ariel Barley, who earned her Pro Card less than a year after she started competing. She just made her Pro debut and placed 3rd. Then she won her second Pro show and qualified for the Olympia! Ariel talks about the team environment backstage at Pro shows and how she tried to focus on being in a good mood and making connections with other competitors. She likes to go into shows with expectations to help her motivation, but she doesn’t attach her emotions to meeting those expectations. Since bodybuilding is a judged sport, she feels it can be damaging to place too much emphasis on placings.   After prepping herself for her first show, she decided to start working with a coach to help relieve the stress of having to make all the choices for her own prep. Ariel says her ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympia stage. Ariel talks about having mental fortitude as a competitor and how the mid can influence the body. She works hard to embrace all parts of bodybuilding, knowing that the discomfort will bring results.   Focusing on her mindset and mental health has impacted her not only as a competitor, but also in her daily life. It allows her to take a step back and not jump to conclusions. It also allows her to deal with the stress of other people’s expectations in a health way.   Ariel shares how important mindset work is and shares so any great tips for competitors to use. Don’t miss this episode! ​ Topics covered include: -competing as a new Pro -expectations going into Pro debut -transitioning to working with a coach -setting goals as a Pro -facing different challenges of competing -normalizing bodies during improvement season -mindset work -loving to read -doing your best if you’re going to do something -dealing with pressure -handling feedback -analyzing things on a deeper level   CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html CONNECT WITH ARIEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariel.barley/ All links: https://msha.ke/arielbarley/#about TIME STAMPS [1:00] Introductions [2:25] Competing Pro versus Amateur [6:00] Going into shows with expectations [7:55] Deciding to compete [10:33] Working with a coach [12:15] Goals as a Pro [14:15] Facing different challenges of competing [16:10] Embracing different parts of the process [18:10] The importance of not “hiding” during an improvement season [20:00] Daily work on mindset [27:00] Using her competitive spirit [29:30] Dealing with pressure [34:30] Putting in the work to support your beliefs [39:45] How bodybuilding can be life-changing [43:07] Advice for competitors   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE