BRITTANY HAMILTON

Confessions of a Bikini Pro

In this episode, Celeste speaks with Brittany Hamilton, an IFBB Bikini Pro who earned her pro card at Universe in 2019, works as a posing coach and is also a sponsored athlete with Natural Science and Angel Competition Bikinis. Celeste starts off the episode by asking Brittany if she has a routine or a ritual she performs right before her heel hits the stage. Brittany explains how she prefers to stand back and reflect on her prep and the process it took her to get to stage. Next, Celeste presents Brittany a “myth buster” question; asking her opinion on whether or not an athlete should win an overall title before deciding to hit the national circuit. Brittany shares her insight on the topic and afterwards, Celeste mentions how Brittany’s placings varied throughout her amateur career with little consistency. She then asks Brittany if she had any doubts in herself or her abilities because of the various placings between both first and second call outs. Brittany talks about the feelings that came with receiving different types of feedback on each physique she brought to stage and what she had to change to best fit the criteria the judges were looking for in bikini. Brittany shares the shocking detail that it has been two years since she last trained shoulders and she discusses the tweaks she’s made to her posing and overall presentation to try to compensate for her overpowering upper body. Celeste then asks Brittany what her current training split looks like since she’s had to refrain from training certain muscle groups. Despite the sacrifices Brittany has had to make to her physique to stay with the standards of the division, she shares why she loves competing in bikini. Next, Celeste takes Brittany back to her journey as an amateur and asks Brittany what gave her that drive and tenacity to go after and achieve her pro card. Brittany talks about the support from her coach, Adam, from Team See You Later Leaner, and she discusses what she has most benefited from by learning from him and having his guidance throughout her progression as an athlete. After hearing about her experiences thus far with her coaches, Celeste asks Brittany to share one of her favorite moments she has had with them. This question calls Brittany to reflect on this years competitions, and Brittany mentions her feedback from the Klash Championship. She discusses the physique she brought, her feedback, and what her and Adam discussed before building the game plan allowing her to make the necessary changes for the New York Pro. Brittany talks about the extreme changes her training took to bring the look the judges wanted from her. Celeste then guides the conversation in a different direction, asking Brittany about taking time off and when she knows it is her time to take a break from competing. She asks Brittany what she does and how she prioritizes giving her body the necessary rest before deciding to start another contest prep. Brittany explains how she takes breaks more for the mental aspect since she doesn’t need to focus on gaining muscle or putting on any more size. Brittany circles back to competing at the NY Pro and how it was the biggest learning experience she’s had this season. She shares how her and her coach really took the time and energy to discover the best nutrition and training plan for her to bring her best look to stage. Brittany talks about how self-reflection opened her eyes to what she sees as one of her weaknesses and the strategy she has to improve on this weakness. After hearing that Brittany’s plan involves cutting out all sugars and artificial sweeteners, Celeste asks Brittany to share her experiences so far and if she has done any specific testing to further educate herself. Because of all the highs and lows Brittany has experienced through her 2020 season, Celeste asks how she has handled everything both mentally and emotionally. Next, Celeste asks Brittany about her first season as a pro and what it was like to be backstage and surrounded by many seasoned athletes who she has admired and looked up to for years. Brittany also talks about her friendship with Lauren Adams, another IFBB bikini pro, and the positive impact it has had on her journey. Since Brittany is also a posing coach, Celeste has Brittany share what she feels are the most important aspects for a posing routine. After sharing her insight Brittany talks about what she has learned from her experiences working with Casey Samsel, another IFBB Pro who helped Brittany drastically change and improve her presentation. She emphasizes the importance of coaches needing coaches as well, especially when it comes to posing, as an outside eye can catch details that an athlete cannot see in their own routine. After talking competing, Celeste asks Brittany if she has any other hobbies or interests in life that give her fulfillment outside of bodybuilding. Brittany tells listeners about her current job outside of the fitness industry but that she wants to become more involved in fitness by getting her training and nutrition certifications. She talks about how she loves being outdoors and has interests in fishing and before finding bodybuilding was a golf professional. Celeste and Brittany discuss her former career in golf and Celeste asks if there are any similarities in mindset or approach between the two sports and if golf has had any influence on the athlete she has become in bodybuilding. Next, Brittany shares her advice for both first time competitors and girls on their road to pro and then tells listeners where they can find and connect with her further. CONNECT WITH BRITTANY: https://www.instagram.com/britthamilton_ifbbpro/ CONNECT WITH CELESTE: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ Time Stamps:[0:50] Celeste introduces Brittany. [1:40] Celeste asks Brittany about her pre stage ritual. [4:20] Celeste has Brittany share her opinion on competing at the national level before winning an overall at the regional level. [7:05] Brittany discusses if she had any doubts before earning her pro card as her placings varied between her regional and national shows. [12:00] Celeste asks Brittany about what she changed to make her shoulders seem smaller on stage. [14:15] Celeste asks Brittany to share her training split as she mentioned she doesn’t train upper body. [16:20] Brittany discusses why she loves competing in the bikini division. [18:20] Celeste asks Brittany what drove her tenacity and decision to go for her pro card. [20:15] Celeste asks about Brittany’s coach and if his support has benefited her progression as an athlete. [23:05] Brittany shares her most memorable moments with her coach thus far on her competing journey. [25:30] Brittany talks about the training changes she made between the Klash and NY Pro to bring the look to match the judges criteria for bikini. [27:10] Celeste asks Brittany if there was anything particular thing she did to prioritize giving her body a break before starting a new prep. [31:35] Celeste asks how Brittany and Adam, her coach, discovered the best nutrition and cardio plan for her to bring the right look to New York Pro. [34:00] Brittany shares what she feels is a weakness of hers and what changes she’ll be implementing to improve on this weakness. [36:20] Celeste asks Brittany about her decision to cut out all sugars and artificial sweeteners. [39:00] Celeste asks Brittany how the 2020 seasons lessons have been for her both mentally and emotionally. [42:15] Celeste asks Brittany about her experiences backstage and what she feels being surrounded by other women she’s admired and looked up to for years. [44:20] Brittany talks about her friendship with Lauren Adams and what it means to have such a good friend in the sport. [47:25] Celeste asks Brittany what she feels is most important in a posing routine & when stepping on stage. [49:20] Brittany talks about how she improved her posing and what she learned working with Casey Samsel. [54:00] Celeste asks Brittany how she finds fulfillment in life outside of bodybuilding. [56:00] Celeste asks Brittany if her career in pro golf has any similarities to her career in bodybuilding. [57:40] Brittany shares her best advice for first time competitors and for the girls on their road to pro. [61:00] Brittany tells listeners where they can find & connect with her. ​