I'm excited AF to have the one and only Dianna Dahlgren Bates on this episode of Unfiltered Fit Life!
Dianna is a mom of two, a wife, a former International Fitness and Bodybuilding pro bikini competitor, a five-time winner of Miss Supercross (you read that right!), and the owner of her clothing brand, Salty Honey. Dianna is my flex, she's my girl, and she's a total self-driven BADASS.
In this episode, Dianna and I get real, bold, and totally unfiltered as we talk about the good, the bad, and the downright fuckery of modeling and bodybuilding competitions. You'll also hear about her current lifestyle with her family and the ups and downs of married life.
Topics Covered:
- How Dianna got her start in modeling
- Dianna's struggle with an eating disorder
- Her journey with coaching and the BS of competitions
- Dianna's experience with pregnancy and why she chose to keep her first pregnancy private
- Her relationship with her husband and how they navigate frustrations and stay connected as a couple
- Dianna's advice for women who don't feel they can go after their goals
What was your fave part of my conversation with Dianna? Message me on Instagram to let me know and tell me what topics you want to hear more about or who I should have on the show.
Listen on:Spotify Connect with Dianna
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Thanks for joining us on the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple & Spotify to help us reach even more women ready to simplify their fitness journey so they can lose weight, regain their confidence, and feel sexy AF!
More about the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast
Ever wish you had a fit and straightforward BFF with over 15 years of experience to help you filter through all the information regarding fitness, nutrition, and life?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you listen to the Unfiltered Fit Life Podcast.
Join Former Bikini Olympia Champion, mom of 2, and fitness coach Nathalia Melo each week as she shares fitness, nutrition, and life tips to help busy working moms simplify their fitness journey so they can learn easy and simple strategies on how to lose weight and feel sexy AF.
After helping over 5000 busy working moms, Nathalia has found the blueprint to fitness, nutrition, and life success, which she will be sharing in this podcast: actionable tips that will help busy working moms be more present at work and at home.
This show is for you if you realize that nothing good comes from your comfort zone and are ready to challenge yourself to achieve great things. Follow Unfiltered Fit Life wherever you are listening to join us each week for a splash of sass, humor, and a whole lotta truth.
The podcast transcript for this episode of the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast follows
[Natalia Melo]
Hello, hello, everybody! Welcome back to another episode of The Unfiltered Fit Life Podcast. I’m your host, Natalia Melo, and today, I am thrilled to introduce you to someone who’s not just an incredible human but also my good friend and, honestly, a total badass.
Please welcome Diana Dahlgren Bates! Diana is a mom, wife, former IFBB Bikini Pro, five-time Miss Supercross, and all-around powerhouse. She’s also someone who shares my no-BS mindset, which is why I’ve been anxiously waiting to chat with her on this podcast. Welcome, Didi!
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
Thank you, Natalia! I’m so excited to be here. I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. Life really is flying by, isn’t it?
[Natalia Melo]
It really is! And listen, I need you to know—you’re my flex. Anytime someone mentions motocross, I’m like, “Do you know Diana Dahlgren?” And they’re always like, “Oh my God, yes!” And I’m like, “Yeah, she’s my girl.”
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
[Laughs] Oh, I love that. Supercross and dirt bikes, they have been such a big part of my journey.
Flashback to the Flex Magazine Shoot
[Natalia Melo]
Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember the first time we met?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
I think so—was it that Flex Magazine shoot?
[Natalia Melo]
Yes! It was me, you, Nicole, Amanda, and Kathleen in this huge mansion in California. It was freezing, and you ended up on the cover of Flex. Do you remember that?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
Oh, I remember. It was so cold, and I was doing this shot without a top—tasteful, of course. But I just went for it because I wanted that cover, and it worked!
[Natalia Melo]
It was iconic, and you nailed it. I’ve always admired how your work has been sexy but never crossed into trashy. That’s hard to do, but you’ve always maintained that balance.
From Boarding School to Bikini Competitions
[Natalia Melo]
You’ve had such a wild journey, from boarding school to bikini competitions to Supercross. Let’s start with boarding school—how did that come about?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
I was a rebellious teenager—stealing cars, partying, you name it. My parents sent me to boarding school when I was 15, and honestly, it changed my life. When I came back, I had no friends and spent all my time with my parents, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
[Natalia Melo]
So when did fitness competitions come into the picture?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
It was after I gained some weight from traveling for modeling gigs. I met a girl who introduced me to bikini competitions, and she told me about her coach, Kim Odo, who was local to me in Temecula. I went to him just to lose weight, but it snowballed from there, and I ended up turning pro in 2009.
Battling Eating Disorders
[Natalia Melo]
You’ve been very open about your struggles with eating disorders during your competition days. Can you share a bit about that?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
Oh, it was rough. I had severe binge-eating episodes, panic attacks around food, and a toxic relationship with my body. I’d walk through grocery stores, staring at desserts for 40 minutes, fighting the urge to binge. It got so bad that I’d steal single ice cream bars because I couldn’t trust myself with a whole box.
[Natalia Melo]
Same here. I knew every 7-Eleven near my house because I was too embarrassed to buy all my binge food in one place.
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
It’s such a dark place to be, but getting professional help changed everything for me.
Life After Competitions
[Natalia Melo]
Fast forward to now. You’re a mom of two, running a business, and thriving. Do you ever look back and think about trying to replicate your competition prep lifestyle with your current life?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
Not a chance. The extreme measures we took to compete just don’t fit real life, especially as a mom. My focus now is on sustainability and balance.
Love and Partnership
[Natalia Melo]
Let’s talk about your husband, Ryan. You’ve shared before that your relationship is built on a strong partnership. How do you two stay connected with everything going on?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
We prioritize each other. Our marriage comes first, even before the kids. That might sound controversial, but it works for us. We schedule regular date nights, and yes, sometimes we go out and party like we did when we first met. Keeping the fun alive is so important.
Motherhood and Business
[Natalia Melo]
You juggle so much—business, motherhood, marriage. What’s your advice to women who feel like they can’t pursue their dreams because of their kids?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
If you truly want something, you’ll make it happen. It’s not about finding time; it’s about making time. Yes, it’s hard, and yes, there will be sacrifices, but the rewards are worth it.
[Natalia Melo]
Didi, you are an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing your journey, your struggles, and your triumphs. Where can people connect with you?
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
You can find me on Instagram at @DianaDahlgren. I keep it real and share everything from family life to business.
[Natalia Melo]
Thank you again, Didi. This was such a fun and insightful chat. To everyone listening, don’t forget to rate and review the podcast, and I’ll see you next week. Bye!
[Diana Dahlgren Bates]
Bye! Thank you for having me!
