Novice Bikini Competitor Success - From Busy Mom to Bikini Champion!

The Road to Becoming a Novice Bikini Competitor

Each women I work with starts in a unique position. As you can see, Brandi began her road to becoming a novice bikini competitor already in good shape. At 39, this mom of 2 boys had been passionate about fitness for more than 5 years enjoying Camp Gladiator classes and running endurance races. She loved being able to push her body and see what it is capable. At the same time, Brandi wanted to expand her personal knowledge on health and fitness with the aim of encouraging and motivating others. With that in mind, she set a fun and challenging goal of becoming a novice bikini competitor and entering her first bikini competition.

Not sure where to start, Brandi decided to seek the help of a fitness coach. In our initial messages, she knew what she needed… “I would like to compete in a bikini fitness competition and need someone to walk me through from start to finish.” Of course, she wanted to compete in a way that would support her long term metabolism, help her gain muscle in the right places as she lost bodyfat, while gaining sustainable nutrition habits. Brandi had heard the stories about women going to extremes to compete and get super lean, only to blow their metabolism through ridiculous dieting and insane amounts of cardio only to end up in a worse place post show then they started! Who wants to make it all the way to becoming a novice bikini competitor only to gain everything back in the month after the show?

Over the course of 4 months, I guided Brandi to her novice bikini competition in my online contest prep program. Our focus to start was shaping her physique with lean muscle in the right places while decreasing overall bodyfat level. As with most women, legs and glutes where challenging areas that we paid special attention to. Keeping an eye on her metabolism and endurance, I balanced Brandi’s nutrition appropriately, with nutrition plans that kept her caloric intake in the 1,500 – 1,900 range, being careful to include plenty of protein, but to also balance in carbs and healthy fats. The macros changed over time based on how her body responded.

For exercise, I designed training programs that balanced into Brandi’s life where she would do strength training 4-5 times each week in addition to target cardio. As a busy mom, I was careful to make sure that the training we did still gave Brandi the time she needed to be there for her family.

The results are nothing short of remarkable! From June to October, Brandi lost 10+ pounds on the scale, while gaining what I would estimate to be 3-5 pounds of muscle for a true net change approaching a 15 pound bodyfat loss! She shaved 3 inches off her hips and 2 inches off each thigh.

I am proud to say, not only did she achieve her dream of stepping on stage, she rocked it in her first ever competition, the NPC Texas Cup.

🏆 2nd – Open Bikini C
🏆 3rd – True Novice Bikini
🏆 4th – Masters Bikini 35

True Novice Bikini Competitor NPC Brandi Newland Front Pose — The front pose for a bikini competition is very important as you will be in this pose for the longest period of time.

True Novice Bikini Competitor NPC Brandi Newland Front — As a true novice bikini competitor, you will be brought on stage initially alone to do your presentation and then as a group with the rest of the women in your class for comparisons.

The best part though was how much stronger, faster, and more fit she got during that time! Often when going to extreme measures for a competition, women will see drops in their fitness. THAT is a sure sign that you are doing the contest prep thing WRONG! Brandi’s fitness level skyrocketed taking her perfect form pushups from 20 to 36, seriously improving her flexibility and even shaving more than a minute off this endurance athlete’s already stellar run time.

Getting ready for your first bikini competition can be a great adventure… if you do it in the right way and have a coach with the heart of a teacher. Congratulations Brandi! I am so proud of you and look forward to seeing what you can do from here!

Novice Bikini Competitor Before & After Front Brandi Newland — While Brandi clearly started this journey in a solid place, she was keen to see what was really possible for her body through her journey to become a novice bikini competitor.

Novice Bikini Competitor Before & After Back Brandi Newland — Changes like this to legs and glutes are so hard to make! Especially tightening and defining that glute-tie in area. Brandi’s hard work her really paid off!

NAME, AGE, & HOMETOWN

Brandi Newland, 39, Sanger, Texas

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU, BRANDI!

I am a stay at home Mom, I partial homeschool my two boys, ages 8 and 9. They both play select baseball so we are on the go 5 out of the 7 days a week. I began my fitness journey when we struggled with infertility, trying for our first baby. It became and outlet, an area of my life I was able to control during a time when I couldn’t control the one thing my heart so greatly desired.

Fast forward a few years after my second son was born, I felt lost, and alone as a stay at home mom. Again, I needed an outlet and turned to fitness, I joined a local boot camp my friends were doing. I fell in love with the atmosphere and with fitness and nutrition on a different level. It was amazing to see what I was capable of. I started off very weak after having been on bed rest for 3 months with my second son, and after a year of dedication I started competing in Camp Gladiator games.

WHAT THINGS HAPPENED THAT LED YOU TO WORK WITH JULIE LOHRE AS YOUR BIKINI COMPETITION COACH FOR YOUR FIRST SHOW?

After 4 years of doing camp gladiator boot camp , the location and times didn’t work for my schedule any longer. I still had such a passion for fitness and nutrition so I began working out at my house. Between homeschooling and daily life I felt like I was giving to everyone but myself. There were some unique challenges that I faced as well. Never having had surgery before in my life, I had 3 different surgeries with in a year. That required lots of up and downs with my exercise and nutrition. I also struggle with anxiety and recently discovered I suffer from seasonal depression. I knew I needed something more. I desired that goal to works towards, something that was for me, totally and completely, for ME.

That was when a friend told me about bikini competitions. I began to google competitor requirements, not knowing there were multiple categories and not just bodybuilding. When I began looking for a true novice bikini competition coach, Julie’s website was the first website I found that broke down the difference of bikini, wellness, figure, etc. I filled out her questionnaire to see if I would be a fit and was so appreciative that she promptly and personally responded to me.

WHAT CONCERNS DID YOU HAVE WHEN YOU FIRST CONSIDERED ONLINE TRAINING?

My first concern was that I would be required to join a gym. I love working out outside and live 30 mins from town and a gym. I was also concerned about not having a coach with me when I went to the competition.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GIVE ONLINE BIKINI TRAINING A GO?

Once I sent Julie my initial information and photos, we set a time to talk over the phone. No commitment, just a conversation so we could learn more about each other and to see if we were a good match. My phone conversation with Julie directly made me feel very comfortable moving forward. She answered all of my questions and took time to really listen to me. She was professional yet warm and friendly.

True Novice Bikini Competitor NPC Walk — It is important to pay special attention to your presentation and walk during your time on the bikini stage.

NPC Bikini Back Pose True Novice Bikini Competitor — The NPC Back Pose is a make or break pose for most true novice bikini competitors because it is so difficult to both shape and lean out the glutes.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHANGES YOU HAVE MADE AND HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT YOU HAVE COMPETED?

The biggest change I’ve seen and enjoyed are the changes I’ve made in my legs and glutes. The meal plans Julie created made my sweet tooth subside and I’m also impressed with the ease I can do 30+ push-ups.

“I’m amazed at the changes my body made. I felt like I was in shape before starting this journey, but now I KNOW I am and I’m in love with my body. While I ate fairly clean before starting this journey, I still enjoyed whatever I wanted on the weekends. Now I don’t desire those extra sweets, or junk that I would give into on the weekends.“

DID NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR SUCCESS?

I use the UMP protein powder and 7-Keto Musclean supplement. I love the protein powder, the flavors are truly delicious, helping with curbing that sweet tooth and the texture is light and fluffy. I started the 7- Keto Musclean supplement 6 weeks into our program and noticed a much quicker shift in my progress.

WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST PART OF TRAINING ONLINE WITH JULIE LOHRE?

The best part about working with Julie is feeling like I am truly her only client. I have a ton of questions all the time and she answered every single one of them within 24 hours or less. The worst is that I can’t give you a hug to say thank you!

FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

Not necessarily a quote, but any time someone says they don’t feel like working out, or even if I am running low on motivation I always say, you will never regret working out!