Do you feel like a fitness life isn’t complete without a balls-to-the-wall schedule or “Instahoe” confidence? Maybe you aren’t wanting all of that f*ckery, and you are simply craving a life that is simple, sustainable and leaves you feeling happy with yourself…for yourself.
In this episode, I am sharing my own challenges with the fitness industry and how, in hindsight, I now see what was healthy, unhealthy and straight-up nauseating. To be honest, this episode is for you if you want the tea (and a refill break for me to spill more tea) about competing, dieting and having a life that is suitable for those on the outside looking in.
Highlights from this episode include:
- Realizing I needed to do something more (1:57)
- Diving into the competitive world (3:48)
- Pushing the limits of being healthy and unhealthy (7:30)
- Meeting my husband (13:50)
- Setting a less extreme example for my kids (19:06)
- Life after winning the Olympia (19:45)
- Unfortunately, sex sells (25:48)
- Building a business that is good for life (28:29)
- Being led to step away (30:09)
What is your biggest hangup or roadblock when stepping into getting in shape? What is your starting point? We all start somewhere and I would love to know where your beginning is! Leave me a comment or voice message by clicking the link in the show description and follow me on Instagram to let me know what topics you want to hear more about or who I should have on the show.
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Thanks for joining us on theUnfiltered Fit Life podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple and 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
Hello, hello there! Welcome back to The Unfiltered Fit Life Podcast. I’m your host, Nathalia Melo, and I’m so excited to have you here for Episode Two.
In Episode One, I left you with a bit of a cliffhanger. I talked about the very beginnings of my fitness journey—how it all started back in Brazil, my early struggles, and what ignited my passion for fitness. If you haven’t listened to Episode One yet, I highly recommend you go check it out before diving into this one. But hey, you’re here now, so who am I to tell you what to do? My husband would probably be laughing at me right now, saying, “You’re really telling people what to do?” Love you, babe.
Setting the Scene: Feeling Lost
When I left off, I was bartending, feeling a bit lost in life. You know that feeling when you’re just going through the motions, waking up every day without a real sense of purpose? That was me. I was working in nightlife, partying way too much, and deep down, I knew this wasn’t the life I wanted. I needed something to light a fire inside me again.
At the time, I was going to the gym, and the receptionist happened to be an IFBB Pro. She kept telling me, “You need to compete. You’d be perfect for this new bikini division.”
Discovering Bikini Competitions
This was back in 2008-2009, when the bikini division in the IFBB was brand new. At first, I was skeptical. Coming from Brazil, bodybuilding had a bit of a stigma. It was often seen as extreme, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go down that path.
When I finally looked at photos of bikini competitors, I thought, “Okay, maybe this is something I can do.” But honestly, it wasn’t the look that attracted me—it was the challenge. It was so far outside of what I thought was possible for me, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.
The Beginning of My Competitive Career
So, I signed up with some coaches, and let me tell you, walking into that first prep camp was an experience. Picture this: women eating out of Ziploc bags, wearing waist trainers, and everyone matching in their workout gear. It was intense. I was like, “What have I gotten myself into?” But I loved it. The energy, the focus, the community—it all clicked for me.
My first competition was the 2009 Fort Lauderdale Cup. And guess what? I won. I was shocked. I remember thinking, “Okay, maybe I’m actually good at this.”
Pro Card and Early Wins
There was one problem, though—I didn’t have U.S. citizenship at the time, just a green card. That meant I couldn’t compete in a national show to earn my pro card. So, I had to petition for it. Thankfully, it worked out, and I officially became an IFBB Pro.
My first pro show was in 2010 at the Europa Orlando. I won that, too. Then came the Pittsburgh Pro—another win. My career was taking off, and I started getting sponsorships and magazine features.
The Glamour and the Reality
Let me share a funny story. When I got featured in fitness magazines, I thought I was so cool. I’d go to Publix, stand by the magazine rack, and wait for someone to recognize me. Spoiler alert: no one ever did. I’d even buy multiple copies and tell the cashier, “That’s me!” I was probably more excited than anyone else.
While there were glamorous moments, there were also struggles. Preparing for the Olympia, I was doing extreme cardio—running 10-12 miles a day and eating barely anything. I remember crying on the treadmill, questioning if this was worth it. Looking back, some of the methods I followed weren’t healthy, but I didn’t know better at the time.
The Downside of Extremes
Competing taught me a lot, but it also exposed me to unhealthy habits. The strict on-and-off-season mindset is just glorified yo-yo dieting. In the off-season, many competitors gain significant weight under the guise of “bulking.” I fell into that trap, too. I’d binge-eat cookies from multiple 7-Elevens in one night because my relationship with food was so broken.
It wasn’t just about food—it was about self-worth. I felt like I couldn’t take photos or enjoy life unless I looked stage-ready. That kind of pressure takes a toll.
Meeting My Husband and Finding Balance
Everything started to change when I met my now-husband, Roger, a professional rugby player. Watching how he lived—a balanced, healthy life—made me question my extremes. He didn’t let his career dictate every aspect of his life, and he wasn’t consumed by food or body image the way I was.
That shift in perspective planted a seed. I began to realize that I didn’t want to live my life tied to these extremes, especially as we started talking about having kids. I didn’t want my future children growing up in a home where “diet” was a daily word or where food was a source of guilt.
The Decision to Step Away
In 2014, I competed at the Arnold Classic, and for the first time, I didn’t feel excited. I wasn’t enjoying the process anymore, and that’s when I knew it was time to walk away. Competing had given me purpose when I needed it, but it was no longer fulfilling me.
Looking Back: Gratitude and Growth
I’m grateful for my competitive career—it shaped who I am today. But I’m also thankful I recognized when it was time to move on. Those experiences, both good and bad, have made me passionate about helping others find sustainable, healthy approaches to fitness.
What’s Next? Episode Three
In the next episode, I’m bringing on a very special guest—my husband, Roger! We’ll talk about how we met, how we survived two and a half years of long-distance, and what it was like to transition to living together. Spoiler: it involved a lot of patience on his part!
If you haven’t listened to Episode One yet, go back and check it out. And if today’s episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message on Instagram, share this episode with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
Thank you so much for listening, and I’ll see you in Episode Three. Bye for now!
