The Secret Life of a Bikini Competitor

#48 Jess Leech WBFF Bikini: Grieving and prepping/competing, prep as a distraction, should you do back to back shows?

March 24, 2021 Robyn Challands Season 1
The Secret Life of a Bikini Competitor
#48 Jess Leech WBFF Bikini: Grieving and prepping/competing, prep as a distraction, should you do back to back shows?
Show Notes

This week’s episode is with the amazing Jess Leech who I’ve known for a while now through the Melbourne competing circuit!

Jess has been competing for a few years now and what I love about her journey is she’s tried a few different federations to see what both fits her body in its different stages but also to experience the different vibes.

The main theme for our chat today however was to discuss Jess’ experience of grieving while prepping having lost her dear mum Sue when she was just just 8 weeks out from show.  Having lost my dad to cancer shortly after my last show too, Jess and I had spoken before about how we felt it was important to open up dialogue around our own grief to help others experiencing something similar. 

We do talk at length about the loss of our parents and experiences with loss and grief so if you’re not in a a space to listen to this right now maybe save it for another time. Otherwise, we hope it helps you feel less alone in your grief.

In this episode we spoke about:⁠

  • How Jess got started competing
  • Competing secretly interstate for her first show
  • Bringing friends on the journey and how to talk about prep
  • Trying different federations 
  • The experience of three back to back shows
  • Importance of competing with no expectations
  • Loosing her mum 8 weeks out from her last show
  • How Jess got through it and why she decided to finish her prep
  • Remembering Sue, her funny quirks and how proud she was of Jess and her competing
  • Our experiences with grief and how we manage it
  • Jess’s competing plans and how she makes her bikinis!

And SOOO much more!⁠


If you want to follow Jess to learn more about her coaching services and follow her journey to stage in July you can do so at @jessleech_

If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠⁠

Until next time…⁠

Love you!⁠

R x