Episode 26: A Day in the Life with Teresa McDonald

In this episode of Training Age, hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi welcome Teresa McDonald (@mrs.t_mac), a dedicated planning consultant and fitness competitor from California’s Central Valley. Teresa shares her inspiring journey, balancing a demanding career with her passion for fitness, all while managing family life with her supportive firefighter husband and energetic daughter. Her story offers listeners an intimate look at how fitness serves as both a passion and a therapeutic escape, providing insights into juggling professional, personal, and competitive commitments.

Heather and Valerie also explore the emotional and physical challenges of rigid dieting, including the notorious rebound effect. Drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned, they discuss the importance of maintaining a flexible approach to health goals, especially when dealing with issues like fertility that extreme dieting can impact. Their conversation underscores the significance of learning from past experiences and adapting strategies to promote long-term well-being and personal growth.

The episode delves into the nuances of bodybuilding, from the distinctions between divisions to the dynamics of competing individually versus as part of a team. Emphasizing the role of personalized coaching, Heather and Valerie highlight the importance of open communication and trust between coach and client, helping competitors stay grounded and positive through the ups and downs. Whether listeners are seasoned athletes or just beginning their fitness journey, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration, encouraging them to embrace personal progress, set realistic goals, and find joy in the journey.

Episode Summary

(0:00:08) - Competitor’s Daily Routine (13 Minutes)

This chapter welcomes Teresa McDonald, a client of host Valerie Lusvardi, to discuss her life as a fitness competitor preparing for a show. They explore Teresa’s professional life as a planning consultant in California’s Central Valley, a role involving significant public interaction and document management, which contrasts with her passion for fitness. Teresa shares how her training sessions serve as a form of personal therapy, providing an essential escape from the demands of her job. The conversation also touches on her family life, including her enthusiastic daughter, who embraces Teresa’s fitness journey, and her husband, a firefighter with a demanding schedule. Listeners gain insight into how Teresa balances her career, family, and competitive fitness pursuits.

(0:12:44) - Challenges of Rigid Dieting and Rebounding (5 Minutes)

This chapter delves into the challenges and lessons learned from following a rigid fitness plan, drawing from Valerie Lusvardi’s personal experiences and work with clients. Valerie shares her journey of preparing for bodybuilding shows, detailing the physical and emotional toll of extreme dieting and the consequences of not following a proper reverse dieting approach post-competition. The discussion highlights parallels between competitive athletes and lifestyle clients, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and a balanced approach to health goals. Valerie and Heather Adams stress the importance of holding goals gently, like holding a baby bird, to prevent burnout and sustain progress. Valerie also shares her experience with fertility challenges due to extreme dieting, her time off to start a family, and her return to competition with a more balanced mindset.

(0:17:43) - Competing in Different Divisions (4 Minutes)

This chapter explores the distinctions between the wellness and bikini divisions in bodybuilding, with wellness focusing on a more lower-body dominant physique (larger glutes and quads) and bikini emphasizing a leaner, balanced look. The discussion emphasizes the importance of aligning personal fitness goals and desired physique with the appropriate division, and the value of collaborative communication with a coach. Coaches should guide rather than dictate, and it’s essential for clients to feel heard and involved in their training. While trusting the process is important, trusting oneself and maintaining open dialogue that reflects personal aspirations and lifestyle preferences is equally crucial.

(0:22:00) - Choosing Individual vs. Team Competition (11 Minutes)

This chapter discusses the intricacies of bodybuilding coaching, focusing on the importance of open communication and trust between coach and client. They explore how a coach might experiment with different approaches without always knowing the exact outcomes, highlighting the unpredictability of individual responses to training and diet. Having a supportive coach who encourages questions and provides a safe space for venting is crucial for mental well-being during the demands of competition prep. The conversation also covers competing individually versus as part of a team, noting that while some find camaraderie in a team setting, others prefer the solitude of individual competition. Finally, listeners are encouraged to avoid comparing themselves to others on social media, focusing instead on personal progress.

(0:33:02) - Coach-Client Collaboration for Contest Prep (10 Minutes)

This chapter focuses on the benefits of personalized coaching in enhancing the training experience. They discuss how an individualized approach, considering preferences, goals, and time constraints, can impact motivation and performance. The value of a coach who listens and adapts to the client’s needs is highlighted, from substituting exercises to accommodating scheduling limitations. They also explore the importance of understanding client priorities and creating a program that aligns with their lifestyle. The conversation underscores the commitment and tailored support a good coach provides, especially when preparing for competitive shows.

(0:43:32) - Positive Mindset and Enjoying the Process (15 Minutes)

This chapter takes a deep dive into the mental and physical demands of prepping for a bodybuilding competition. They discuss the challenges of maintaining a calorie deficit and the importance of accurately tracking progress. A coach’s honesty in assessing readiness for the stage is crucial, given the financial and emotional investment involved. The chapter emphasizes the mental resilience required to stay committed through a lengthy prep, highlighting personal growth and the shift from self-doubt to self-confidence. Listeners are encouraged to focus on self-improvement rather than comparison, embracing the challenges of prep, including maintaining discipline during vacations, as part of an evolving, enjoyable journey.