How Long Does It Really Take to Become a Top Athlete You made it to your first show, congrats. Do you now qualify to compete as a pro? Let's see. With no intentions of discouraging you, whatsoever, becoming a Bikini professional calls for determination, commitment, hard work and a lot of patience. I mean, that's the bare minimum - without which you're bound to lose. At this stage, the angled pose and huge smile are not enough since you are competing against best of the best. More is required.  First things first. IFBB stands for International Federation of Bodybuilders. And with your permissions, let me bring you to speed on the process of becoming a professional bodybuilder. For you to become an IFBB Pro, earning an IFBB Pro Card is prerequisite. And for you to earn the card, you must give an exemplary performance at a regional contest. This will earn you a place in the national championship (NPC national show), where depending on your performance, it will earn you the IFBB Pro Card. Sound easy on theory, right?  While turning pro in just one shot is possible - and most of us can do it - it isn't feasibly realistic. Besides the process to be followed, your effort is key to how fast you can turn pro. So what is the realistic time frame to achieve this desirable goal? Let's find out with Jessica Palmer. Jessica is an IFBB Pro and a coach at FitBody Infusion, a team of health and fitness professionals committed to helping individuals reach their fitness goals. She also works full-time as a licensed Dental Hygienist. Through hard work and consistency, Jessica has won a pro show, won overall in several shows including her very first show where she won the Novice Bikini Overall. She recently competed in the popular Arnold’s Sports Festival, and her goal is to go to the Olympia.    In this episode, we talk about what is a realistic time frame to turn pro, see physical changes, and the best tactics to do so. We also discuss macros meal timing and the best way to utilize your offseason. Please listen till the end for a chance to win a Bikini Diaries T-shirt.  Take it away!   Takeaways  Your dream doesn't have an expiration date; take a deep breath and try again Motivate yourself to achieve your goals Success doesn't always happen right away Make sure you have the right coach Everyone's build is different Learn and understand how your body responds   Find what muscle groups you need to develop  Work hard Ensure your blood work done frequently Don't mess up with your prep  In order to get your desired physique, you must be honest with yourself     Be patient and take the time Do your research thoroughly   Important questions  [00:07:45] How many years have you been competing?  [00:12:35] Why do you compete? [00:17:02] When did your fitness journey begin?  [00:19:37] How long does it take to get ready for a show?  [00:21:50] What would you say is a good, healthy amount of weight to lose in 16 to 20 weeks? [00:27:37] What would your approach be taking the year off?  [00:31:09] Can you describe the results you may get in your first show? [00:34:47] What do you think is a more realistic timeline to turning pro, or go to the Olympia or even the Arnold? [00:36:53] How many shows are these professionals actually doing before they make it to the top? [00:43:08] In relation to getting a fast metabolism, do you think this is something anyone can do or do you think this is only for specific body types?  [00:54:48] Is it realistic to count macros going into a show? [00:56:03] When you're counting macros, is there anything that you would have that wouldn't normally be in a structured plan? [01:01:51] Do you believe in a nutrient timing and do you ever structure your foods according to this? [01:03:02] Do you prefer carbs before you work out or after you work out? [01:04:57] I feel like you have a lot of carbohydrates in your diet. Should you share your macros like four weeks before a show, and then two weeks before a show? [01:07:49] What are your