Jul 31, 2020
In this episode Celeste speaks
with Suzanne Fargo, an athlete who has overcome major adversities
through her two regional and two nationals shows to achieve the
success she has today and who is a true representation that age is
not a limiting factor in the sport of bodybuilding.
As always, Celeste kicks off the episode by asking Suzanne about
her pre-stage ritual. Next, Suzanne goes on to describe her
experiences at her national show, where the morning of her
competition did not go as expected. With the make up artist running
late and a mix up of when her class was being called, Suzanne
explains the anxiety she felt as she rushed to get ready, only to
find out that she was ready early as the Pro class for her age
group was being called instead of the amateurs.
From there, Celeste asks Suzanne to recount her experiences and
journey to that national stage, including the show where the two
women were able to meet in person, Gold Coast Classic, which was
Suzanne’s first show. Suzanne shares what her feedback was from the
judges and what she worked on to improve her physique for the
national stage.
Before diving into the challenges and
obstacles Suzanne has dealt with throughout her journey, Celeste
asks Suzanne what inspired her to get into the gym to start
lifting. Suzanne shares that she was diagnosed in December 2016
with Osteopenia, early osteoporosis, meaning that she had weak
bones, which was a condition she was unaware of having. She
explains that for four years before her diagnosis she experienced
various broken bones, which led her to get a bone density
scan.
Suzanne’s doctor recommended she
start weight resistance training to prevent more serious problems
in the following years and she found out that her Osteopenia was
genetic given that was not deficient in Vitamin D or
Calcium.
Being that she is half Taiwanese,
Suzanne also learned that both osteopenia and osteoporosis are
common conditions throughout the Asian community. With her doctors
advice in mind, Suzanne sought out a trainer at a local gym and
after a few months she really began to see her body change. It was
then that her trainer at the time suggested she try prepping for a
bikini competition. Celeste asks Suzanne about if she ever had any
pain in her bones when she began lifting weights, as it was
something her body was not used to and had broken so many bones in
the past.
Next, Celeste opens the conversation
to the topic of age. Celeste asks Suzanne to share her thoughts on
getting into competing at her age and if she ever felt she was too
old, which leads to Suzanne revealing her age. Suzanne shares that
she has never felt that her age has been something to hold her back
from going after her goals. Celeste asks Suzanne if she knew she
would want to turn pro after her first experience on stage. Suzanne
reflects on her experiences as a collegiate athlete and states that
she knew that if she wanted to reach the next level she would have
to reign in the necessary discipline and mentality to do
so.
Since Suzanne first started training
in the gym and getting into competing she has had the opportunity
to work with more than one coach. Celeste has Suzanne share the
different approaches and techniques each coach has taken, how her
preps have differed, and if Suzanne prefers one particular training
method or style over another. Suzanne notes that each coach has
served a particular purpose in her journey and talks about if she
had any doubts or fears while transitioning between coaches. She
then shares how she likes working with her current coach, Shane,
and what she likes most about working with him.
Celeste asks about the influence
Shane’s belief in Suzanne and her abilities has had on her journey
to achieving her pro card. Suzanne shares that her coach never once
doubted her potential to go pro and the importance of strategic
planning they discussed when it came to competing at the national
level. Celeste has Suzanne share her favorite part of her road to
pro between the experiences with her different coaches, the methods
she personally liked most, and what she’s learned along the
way.
Suzanne talks about Shane’s “old
school bodybuilding” approach when it comes to training, using the
same workout plan over years yet progressing in each individual
movement. From there, the two women further discuss that strategy
and its benefits instead of constantly switching up ones workout
routine.
After discussing training Celeste and
Suzanne talk nutrition. Suzanne explains her reasoning behind
eating a pure plant based diet for a portion of the week along with
her meat based meals. The two women talk about their favorite
preferred animal proteins yet that they can appreciate and enjoy
fully plant based meals from time to time.
Celeste discusses the psychology between positive and negative
reinforcement with behaviors and how that translates to nutrition
and bodybuilding and seeing the physical results one desires. They
then discuss the difference between actual cravings and perceived
cravings and the perceived norms associated with post show
treats.
Switching gears, Celeste asks Suzanne
about her career prior to competing. Suzanne dives into her 25-year
career in retail fashion and how she fell into that industry after
majoring in Sociology, a degree she decided on after not feeling
called study subjects she did not enjoy, such as math. She shares
that now she would love to become more involved in the health and
fitness industry and focus on working with women over 40,
encouraging them to believe in themselves and break the belief that
age is a limiting factor on ones goals.
Next, Celeste asks Suzanne to share
some of the setbacks and obstacles she experienced throughout her
competing career. Suzanne shares that her first national show
experience was delayed because of a surgery her doctor refused to
let her put off after fighting through a hernia to step on stage at
her two regional shows. Suzanne walks us through her journey of
fighting through various injuries and sicknesses while doing
everything in her power to step on those national stages and
achieve her pro card.
Suzanne shares the impact her coach had while she was going through
these tough times and how, no matter what, he encouraged her “not
to let anyone beat her” and to push through the struggles. While on
the topic of all things competing, Celeste asks Suzanne about her
plans to step on stage for her pro debut, which leads Suzanne to
share her plans and setbacks she is currently working through.
Concluding the episode, Suzanne shares her best advice for new
competitors and girls on their road to pro.
Connect with
Suzanne: https://www.instagram.com/suzannefargo_ifbbpro/
Connect with Celeste: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/
Episode
Time Stamps:
[1:40] Suzanne shares her pre-stage
ritual with listeners.
[3:00] Celeste asks Suzanne about the
morning of her national show and what happened that made it such a
crazy experience.
[8:30] Suzanne shares the feedback
she received from the various judges she competed in front before
hitting the national stage.
[10:50] Celeste asks Suzanne to share
what inspired her to start lifting.
[12:00] Suzanne explains what
Osteopenia is and how she came to be diagnosed.
[15:35] Celeste asks if Suzanne had
any pain in her bones when she started lifting due to her
Osteopenia.
[17:15] Suzanne talks about feelings
she had regarding her age; did she feel she was too old when she
got started in competing?
[18:15] Celeste has Suzanne share her
age with listeners.
[19:45] Suzanne shares her original
thoughts on whether or not she would become an IFBB pro.
[25:00] Celeste asks Suzanne to share
her experiences and approaches to preps with the different coaches
she’s had throughout her career and if she’s found more enjoyment
with one method in particular.
[28:40] Celeste asks Suzanne about
her experiences switching coaches and if she had any doubts or
difficulties leaving one to work with another.
[30:40] Suzanne shares how her coach,
Shane, had an influence on her because of his strong belief in her
abilities.
[32:00] Celeste and Suzanne discuss
the importance of strategic planning with ones coach, especially
while on the road to pro.
[34:15] Celeste asks Suzanne about
what aspects she has enjoyed most about the approach she’s taken
with her various coaches during her preps while on her road to pro
and now starting her pro career.
[40:00] Suzanne talks about her
nutrition and her method of taking half the week to eat a fully
plant based diet.
[43:00] Suzanne talks about how she’s
not one to crave sweets; her and Celeste talk about honoring your
body’s cravings and not stressing over what to eat, especially post
show.
[46:40] Celeste asks Suzanne about
her career prior to finding competing.
[50:00] Suzanne talks about wanting
to help women over 40 not let age be a deterring factor from them
competing and her hopes that one day there will be a Masters Arnold
& Olympia.
[54:00] Celeste has Suzanne share
some adversities and difficulties she overcame while on her road to
pro.
[56:30] Suzanne talks about how a
hernia surgery impacted her post show plans after her second
competition.
[60:00] Suzanne shares how she got
ready for North Americans despite not being able to do any cardio
due to bronchitis.
[63:15] Celeste asks Suzanne about
her recovery after North Americans.
[64:40] Celeste asks Suzanne if she’s
currently in prep for her pro debut and Suzanne shares what
setbacks she’s been working through.
[70:30] Celeste has Suzanne share if
there's anything else she’d like to tell listeners.
[71:30] Suzanne gives her best advice
for first time competitors and girls on their road to
pro.