How to get comfortable with putting on weight Let me guess. "Petite" is the word that comes to mind when you think of Bikini competition. Chances are you even visited a social platform to peruse through some competitor's dazzling photos to just have a clearer picture of how you ought to look. Then you put yourself through rigorous and strict training for a couple of weeks, and you are ready to hit the stage. Then the big day comes and all you see is perfection in your body.  Now imagine stepping on stage with confidence but getting this comment as a reward for your hard work: "You need to be much fuller. You need to put on a lot more muscle." You probably will wake up to a group of people surrounding you, with your feet elevated above your head for some first aid episodes. Haha…I'm just kidding. I know you are a strong woman, well prepared to handle any kind of critique that you receive from the judges.  But honestly, how do rise above such critiques, get comfortable and work towards that? Monica Ellis has been through similar experiences - And I mean multiple. She'll be helping us on how best we can handle and respond to such critiques.  Monica Ellis is an IFBB Bikini Pro. She began competing in 2014 and earned her Pro Card on her 4th national show in 2015. Her relentless nature has seen her constantly keep at the show with 23 shows under her belt. She qualified and competed in her first Olympia in 2018.  Besides competing, Monica work as a Client Renewal Advocate for IBM where she negotiates contracts renewals for customers. She loves inspiring other upcoming women competitors.   In today's episode, Monica talks to us about her struggle with putting on muscle. She also talks about her mental methods of competing back to back, how she keeps her weight within five pounds of stage weight, and how to completely separate personal life from competing life. Finally, she shares what has kept her growing strong in the sport for the last five years.  Let's go!   Takeaways You get to decide who we are, what you want to do in life, and who you want to become Don't stay stagnant, push yourself  Do what you need to do in order to get where you want to be Accept yourself and love your body Be disciplined Be patient It may be slower than others, but you will eventually get there You shouldn't make competing your end all be all Have the right mindset It's the journey that gets us there that brings us happiness Stay persistent and stay the course Your journey is meant for just you Keep your end goal in mind, but just keep going Take it one day at a time but don't give up   Important question [00:07:49] How many years have you been competing? [00:10:55] Why do you compete?  [00:15:43] What drew you into becoming a bikini competitor?  [00:17:40] When did you get that critique that you needed to put on muscle, and how did you actually process that in your brain? [00:19:52] What methods have helped you gain weight? [00:31:05] What do you think are the major struggles that you have faced when trying to put on the weight? [00:32:10] How many shows have you done?  [00:32:24] What would you say is the hardest thing about competing? [00:39:32] What do you think holds people back from actually putting in 100%? [00:43:06] What are the things that you experience when you're getting close to a stage? [00:45:30] What do you think is the mental thing that really puts us down?  [00:52:46] How would you say that competing has impacted your life a positive way? [00:54:06] What opportunities have come your way as a result of competing? [00:55:58] What would you say about sponsors?  [01:03:02] What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a professional in the sport?   Follow Monica Ellis IG:@monica_ellis_   ----->Head HERE for your FREEBIES, coupon codes, and other links! https://vibe-athletics.mykajabi.com/links