Bikinis After Babies

Ep 87: IFBB Fit Model Pro Brittni Shae: Switching Divisions, Motherhood & the Fit Model Mindset

In this week’s episode of Bikinis After Babies, we’re joined by Brittni Shae, an IFBB Fit Model Pro who proves that it’s never too late to pursue big goals in bodybuilding.After years in the Bikini Division, Brittni made the bold decision to transition into the new NPC Fit Model Division. In 2025, she earned her pro card at NPC Universe Championships in the Open Fit Model category, at age 41.  Like many women in the bodybuilding community, she balances the demands of prep with real life: motherhood, marriage, entrepreneurship, and the constant work of showing up online to educate and inspire others. Instead of letting those responsibilities hold her back, she’s used them as motivation to push her limits and keep leveling up.Now preparing for her Fit Model pro debut, Brittni shares the lessons she’s learned along the way- from training and posing to mindset and time management- and offers powerful advice for competitors who want to pursue their potential without waiting for the “perfect time.”Whether you’re a current competitor, a busy mom chasing ambitious goals, or someone curious about the new Fit Model division, this episode is packed with practical insight and inspiration.In This Episode We Discuss the key differences in training, physique expectations, and presentation between the bikini and fit model divisions, the judge feedback that helped her evolve her physique and presentation, how athletes can determine if the Fit Model division might be a better fit for them than Bikini and her stage presence and posing tips that help competitors stand out!We hope that you enjoyed this episode and if so, we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact this week’s guest, IFBB Pro Brittni ShaeInstagram:Athlete/personal page: https://www.instagram.com/bshaefit/Coaching page: https://www.instagram.com/teambshaefit/YouTube:httpshttps://www.youtube.com/@BShaeFitContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 15% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd

Ep 86: IFBB Bikini Pro Daraja Weidemoyer: Refining Strength From Olympia Stage to Motherhood & Back

In this week’s episode of Bikinis After Babies, we are joined by the lovely Daraja Weidmoyer, IFBB Bikini Pro, four-time Bikini Olympian and new mom!  Not long after her second Olympia in 2023, Daraja made the announcement that she would be stepping away from the stage to embark on a new chapter of her life sharing with the world that she and her husband were expecting their first child.  Daraja welcomed her beautiful daughter Azalea into the world in November of 2024, and she is now navigating this powerful new era of motherhood while continuing to inspire women everywhere.  Amidst becoming a mom, Daraja went all in as a part of the coaching trio “Refined Strength” with her friends Rachel and Jessica.   Through coaching and what she shares online, Daraja leads and inspires women — especially moms — to build confidence, strength, and a healthy lifestyle that fits real life.Daraja is one of the most respected athletes in our sport, and someone who truly embodies what it means to pursue excellence both on and off the stage.  In this episode we’re talking about her journey through the sport, her transition into motherhood, what it really looks like to rebuild mind and body after baby and how she’s using her platform to empower women in a whole new way.We hope that you enjoyed this episode and if so, we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact this week’s guest, IFBB Pro Daraja WeidemoyerInstagram:Athlete/personal page: https://www.instagram.com/darajaweid/Coaching page: https://www.instagram.com/coachdaraja/Website- Empowered to Pose: https://empoweredtopose.com/Contact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 15% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd

Episode 85: 5 Mistakes You Are Making In Your Fitness/Prep Journey That Are Stalling Your Results

If you feel like you’re doing everything right in your bikini competition prep or fitness journey training hard, eating “clean,” hitting your steps — but your body isn’t changing then this episode is for you!  In this week’s episode of Bikinis After Babies, we’re breaking down the most common bikini prep and fat loss mistakes women make and exactly how to fix them so you can start seeing the progress you’ve been working so hard for.In this episode, we cover:1. Training Hard… But Not Training Smart → You might be showing up consistently, but if you’re not training with progressive overload and real intensity, your body has no reason to change.2. Underestimating sleep + stress → If your sleep is inadequate, overstimulated, overtraining, and stressed out… your body will fight fat loss.  Recovery isn’t optional in prep/fat loss. It’s part of the plan.3. Inaccuracies in nutrition → You can eat clean foods and still eat too many calories.And yes… almond butter can stall your prep faster than a slice of cake. Food quality matters, but calorie intake still drives fat loss.4. Ignoring biofeedback → Digestion, cycle changes, inflammation, water retention, stress… these matter more than most women realize.  The scale doesn’t always tell the truth — your biofeedback does.5. Comparing your journey to someone else’s → The fastest way to ruin your progress is to copy another person’s plan without knowing their body, metabolism, or history. Comparison creates panic decisions — and panic decisions ruin physiques.Your results aren’t stalled because you’re not capable. They’re stalled because you’re repeating patterns that don’t match your goal physique….because most stalled results aren’t caused by bad genetics or a broken metabolism. They’re caused by small, repeated mistakes that add up over time… and keep you stuck in the same physique year after year.We hope that you enjoyed this episode and if so, we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 15% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd

Episode 84: Prep Through Beautiful Chaos: Babies, Teens & Everything Between

In this week’s episode of Bikinis After Babies, we are diving into the topic of how to navigate prep and personal fitness goals throughout the different stages of motherhood amidst the various challenges and constant changes to routines and schedules.  As active competitors with kids of various ages, we have walked the walk of juggling the responsibilities of motherhood while getting ‘stage ready’ and in this episode, we are sharing helpful insight and useful strategies to help our audience find balance while managing it all.From the newborn stage, to the messy middle and finally, the empty nesting phase, we stress the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle as a means of self care.  We know that as hard as it can be, embracing change while continuing to set new goals is the key to success in this sport and in life!  We hope that you enjoyed this episode and if so, we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!NPC Midwest  Seminar:NPC St. Louis Workshop, Sunday February 15th 1PM to 3:30PM.1st Phorm HQ 2091 Fenton Logistics PK BLVD, Fenton MO 63026NPC Kansas City Workshop, Saturday February 21st 1PM to 3:00PM.Beastified Gym, 8500 W 151st Overland Park KS 66223About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 15% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd

EP 83: Breaking Up is Hard

In this episode of Bikinis After Babies, we are BACK and sharing our personal updates, including a recap and future plans for Mandy in her IVF journey into a new season of her life, and Gillian’s plans for her second season in the IFBB pro league!  This week we are also answering audience questions including:coaching red flags how to choose the right coach and how to know if it’s time to make a coaching changebudget-friendly meal prep strategiesstrategies for selecting the competition(s) you want to compete in and how to plan your season. We apologize for the click-bait-jump scare!  We’re not breaking up!  Your babes in bikinis after babies are BACK and better than ever!  We hope that you enjoyed this episode and if so, we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 15% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd