Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and our relationships with food.
Do you put food on a pedestal? Do you want to change your relationship with food? The hard truth is, no matter how much you try to diet your way to happiness, you'll NEVER feel better about yourself until you get to the root and heal what's going on inside of you.
Felicia Romero is an eight-time fitness cover model with a master's degree in exercise and wellness from Arizona State. She opened her first gym at 22, running it for 12 years before selling it in 2018 to focus on her online business and help women nationwide. Felicia has appeared on reality TV and national broadcasts, including Fit To Fat To Fit on Lifetime. She mentors entrepreneurs through her program, The Wealthy Wellness Coach, and hosts the Hi Felicia Podcast.
In this episode, Felicia and I have a juicy conversation about the "immediate result" diet culture bullshit and how to create a healthy relationship with food. You'll learn about Felicia's journey of healing and self-acceptance after her time as a bodybuilding competitor, why motivation alone won't get you lasting results, how you've been giving your power away by following restrictive diets and cheap coaches, and much more. If you're ready to eliminate that desperate energy and create a desire for real change, this episode is for you! It's time to do some emotional heavy lifting.
Topics Covered:
- Felicia's experience as an IFBB pro and the positives she took away from competing
- Her struggle with weight gain while shooting for a magazine and her new motivation for being healthy
- What made Felicia walk away from competitions, and how she overcame the "competition diet" and binge eating
- The importance of getting clear on your "why" for losing weight or reaching your goals
- Why making decisions from fear and scarcity leads to short-term results and what to do instead
- Why you're giving away your power by following restrictive diets
- The "immediate result" culture and how Felicia healed her relationship with food
- Why changing your environment and listening to your triggers is crucial to changing your reality
- Having radical responsibility for your life and who you attract
Did this episode give you the reality check you needed? I would love to know! 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.
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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 share in this podcast: actionable tips to help busy working moms be more present at work and 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
Nathalia introduces Felicia Romero, highlighting her impressive career in fitness, including competing as an IFBB Pro, opening her first gym at 22, being a fitness cover model, and her stint on Fit to Fat to Fit. Today, Felicia mentors fitness entrepreneurs and hosts the Hi Felicia podcast.
1. Felicia’s Journey into the Fitness Industry
Felicia started competing in 2004 after seeing a flyer for an NPC competition. As a former college athlete, she was drawn to the discipline and goal-setting aspects of competing. Without a trainer, she researched bodybuilding diets and prepared for her first show, where she placed third. This sparked a passion for competing, which she pursued until 2012.
Notable Anecdote:
Felicia's first competition involved DIY-ing her competition suit, which led to wardrobe malfunctions on stage—a humorous and humbling moment early in her career.
2. The Positives of Competing
Both Nathalia and Felicia reflect on the invaluable life lessons gained from competing:
- Discipline: The ability to commit to a goal, which translates into other areas of life, like business and relationships.
- Resilience: Developing mental toughness and grit.
- Opportunities: Traveling, speaking engagements, and connections with other athletes.
- Personal Growth: Learning to push limits and achieve things they didn’t think possible.
Nathalia: Competing taught her commitment and perseverance, which she applies to business, marriage, and motherhood.
3. The Dark Side of Competing
Despite the positives, both women candidly discuss the physical and mental toll of competing at an elite level:
- Unrealistic Expectations: The pressure to maintain a certain physique year-round for sponsorships and magazine covers.
- Extreme Dieting and Health Consequences: Both experienced thyroid issues and disordered eating habits, including bingeing and restricting.
- Identity Crisis: The fear of losing relevance or self-worth tied to competition success.
- Industry Pressures: Constant judgments and comparisons, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
Felicia’s Breaking Point:
In 2012, after a challenging shoot for a fitness magazine where she was told she wasn’t “cover-ready,” Felicia realized the toll competing was taking on her mental and physical health. This marked the beginning of her decision to step away.
4. Healing and Moving On
Felicia’s post-competition journey was a nearly two-year process involving:
- Therapy: To address disordered eating and self-worth issues.
- Changing Environments: Selling her gym, unfollowing triggering social media accounts, and distancing herself from toxic relationships.
- Shifting Focus: Prioritizing health, relationships, and long-term well-being over physical appearance.
Key Lesson:
Felicia emphasizes the importance of patience and allowing the body and mind to heal. Once she released the obsession with perfection, her weight stabilized naturally, and her relationship with food improved.
5. Toxic Body Positivity and Diet Culture
Both women critique the extremes in the fitness world:
- Toxic Body Positivity: Encouraging women to accept themselves while ignoring their unhappiness is dismissive and unhelpful.
- Diet Culture: Extreme dieting and quick-fix solutions perpetuate cycles of failure and poor health.
Nathalia: Coaches must educate clients to make informed decisions rather than imposing strict rules or “cheat meals.”
6. Environment and Boundaries
Felicia and Nathalia stress the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive, like-minded people:
- Environment Shapes Behavior: If your social circle revolves around competition or negative body image, it’s harder to heal and grow.
- Setting Boundaries: Felicia shares how leaving toxic relationships and environments was pivotal in her transformation.
Felicia’s Vulnerability:
She reflects on her past relationship with her coach, where her self-worth was tied to his approval. This led to a toxic dynamic she eventually broke free from.
7. The Role of Coaches and Intentional Change
Felicia’s Advice:
- Avoid coaches or programs that prey on fear and insecurity.
- Choose coaches who empower you to make decisions and focus on long-term health rather than quick fixes.
- Change motivated by self-love and a desire to thrive is more sustainable than fear-based decisions.
Nathalia: Women often default to old, damaging methods (like contest prep) because they’re familiar, even if they’ve caused harm in the past.
8. Key Takeaways on Personal Growth
- Radical Responsibility: Take ownership of your choices and patterns to break cycles of unhappiness.
- Patience is Key: True healing and sustainable results take time.
- Focus on Basics: Nourish your body, prioritize sleep, and find joy in movement.
Nathalia: Reinvention requires actively shaping your environment to align with your goals.
9. What’s Next for Felicia Romero?
- Mentoring fitness entrepreneurs through her program, The Wealthy Wellness Coach.
- Hosting in-person workshops, mastermind days, and retreats.
- Sharing insights and stories on her Hi Felicia podcast.
- Continuing her mission to help women achieve health and happiness without extremes.
Fun Q&A with Felicia
- Dessert for Life: A pizookie (a half-baked cookie with ice cream on top).
- Travel Destination: Switzerland, to run through the serene green mountains.
Closing Thoughts
This episode delivers raw, unfiltered insights into the fitness industry, self-worth, and the power of intentional growth. Nathalia and Felicia encourage listeners to embrace patience, take control of their environments, and seek change rooted in love rather than fear.
Where to Find Felicia:
- Instagram: @FeliciaRomero
- Podcast: Hi Felicia
- Upcoming workshops and retreats: Details on her Instagram.
