Apr 24, 2020
In this episode host Celeste
Rains-Turk sits down with IFBB Pro Lexus Redmond. This Las Vegas
native is a posing coach, a trainer, holds a bachelor’s degree in
neuroscience.
Lexus talks about her personal struggle with depression and how
after watching her aunt compete in 2009 she decided that it was
something she wanted too. Her aunts glowing confidence and
happiness was what drove her towards the gym. Lexus talks about
being diagnosed with depression in her childhood and by working out
with her aunt she found happiness in a way she did not expect.
Lexus made the decision to forego her anti-depressants in favor of
movement to help her depression and she found it worked better than
any medication she had been prescribed.
After taking third place at her pro debut and collecting Olympia
points, Lexus and her coach had devised a plan to get her to the
Olympia stage but it was quickly disrupted with the COVID-19
cancellations. Lexus talks about the new plan she and her coach
have devised for her to step on that stage and how the lack of the
gym has affected her depression.
In an incredibly unsettling story, Lexus shares how the coach she
worked with for four years, and had known on an intimate level,
completely disappeared from her life, almost overnight, while they
were making decisions about pursuing her pro card at North
Americans. Lexus demonstrated her tenacity as she pushed forward,
however. Although she missed the cut off for North Americans, Lexus
talks about how she decided to take on the Amateur Olympia without
a coach. She did so with flying colors and ended up taking home her
pro card and a huge sense of pride in herself.
Like most competitors, Lexus has faced backlash from her family
regarding the pictures she chooses to post on social media
showcasing all the hard work she put into her physique. Lexus talks
about how she internally combats the disapproval, particularly from
her grandmother, and how she copes with family members who don’t
understand the bodybuilding lifestyle. “I’m not going to let
someone who doesn’t like me or what I’m posting get to me,” Lexus
says as she acknowledges the level of pride she experiences from
seeing her hard work displayed.
As the episode concludes, Lexus shares her best pieces of advice
for competitors in all different stages in the body building
journey, from stepping on stage to striving for a pro card. In this
insightful, inspiring and meaningful episode, Lexus shares how even
though your coach may leave you and things might feel bleak, the
best really is coming.
CONNECT WITH LEXUS: https://www.instagram.com/lexus_ifbbpro/
CONNECT WITH CELESTE: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/
EPISODE TIME
STAMPS
[1:55] Pre-stage Ritual
[2:52] Bodybuilding as an Antidepressant
[5:25] Recreating movement as an antidepressant without the gym
[6:59] Thoughts on the next Olympia
[8:22] A new show strategy after all the COVID-19 Cancellations
[10:14] A coach of 4 years and family friend disappears without an
explanation
[16:50] The MIA coach tried to take responsibility for her
success
[19:56] Prepping herself to her pro card
[22:22] Coaching yourself on a show day
[27:30] Maintaining her cycle at her lowest weight
[29:30] Differences between regional, national and international
shows
[34:32] Achieving 3rd place at her pro debut
[37:49] Favorite Exercises for Hamstrings, Glutes and Shoulders
[40:29] Handling Shame from Loved ones
[43:34] Monethos’ pro management team
[44:49] Overcoming Negativity and Facing Eternal Battles
[45:59] How a degree in Neuroscience has helped Lexus in her career
as a pro athlete
[48:04] Promoting the Power of Energy and Creating the Life you
Want
[49:34] Best advice to both new competitors and those on the road
to their pro card