Calling all first-timers! Not sure what to expect? Confused about what you should be focusing on right now and what to even tackle first? This blog we cover it all as we chatted to our girl Helen who is a pro at helping first-timers navigate their first-ever competitive season and beyond.

Name: Helen Peebles

Competing Experience:

4 years competing in PCA (2017-2019), NFM (2019), Pure Elite (2016), UKUP (2017)

PCA

North East Bikini Champion 2017

North East Overall Female 2017.

2017 PCA Team GB / 3rd in British Finals

North East Bikini Champion 2019

NFM / GBO Pro Competitor & Team GB Athlete 2019 Overall Female NFM 2019 GBO Atlas International - 4th place GBO Atlas International - Winner of the best presentation

Occupation:

Online coach - I run this alongside my boyfriend Elliot Robinson. We work with lifestyle & competition clients. I’m also a self-employed beautician & sports therapist!

Can you remember how you first felt as a first-time competitor?

NERVOUS, to a point of shaking! I was completely out of my comfort zone and had no idea what to expect.

What were you most worried about as a first-timer?

Falling over! To be honest, just generally getting on stage in front of people! I’d always been really uncomfortable in front of a lot of people! I was the same at uni if I had to do a presentation, shaking like crazy!!

What key lessons did you learn in your first year of competing?

Practice, preparation and researching a suitable coach for you is ESSENTIAL. I had never even watched a show before!? I had 2 group posing sessions and was just generally CLUELESS, ha!

What did you worry about the most, when looking back it wasn't worth me worrying about it at all during your first show?

This one is a difficult one really. I would say “being ready” is the main thing as a competitor you shouldn’t spend time worrying about. Your coach’s job is guide you and advise you of that...mine didn’t. Looking back, I was nowhere near “ready” in terms of posing and body fat levels. Instead of my coach helping or advising, he waited until I got on stage and BEFORE I even had my results....he said “oh I thought you’d be more confident than that and maybe next time your legs might be lean enough! I actually ended up placing 4th, as you can imagine, I wasn’t interested when he was suddenly congratulating me. A coach should be proactive, not reactive. It’s safe to say, I didn’t use him as a coach again too!

What do you wish you knew back when you competed for the first time?

How important posing is!!! When I first competed, we weren’t as lucky to have all of this information (KOMPAK!!!!), help and posing coaches as we do now! The only one I knew about was in London and really expensive! It’s actually crazy to think that I felt stupid practicing posing and I actually dreaded it/barely gave it a thought! Luckily, I made a huge turnaround and I actually not only love doing it, I absolutely love teaching it too!

What advice do you give for your first-timer clients when looking to choose show(s)/federation(s)?

Follow the federation’s pages, go and watch the shows if you can, check show dates, take a look at the categories and their current successful athletes. All of the above will give you a feel for:- What the federation stands for/values - If you like the overall vibe- If you suit their style/criteria/physique preference - If their show dates would work for your time frame/current commitments

What should a first-timer be focusing on the most BEFORE they start prep?

Firstly, whether they can consistently stick to a plan - including training and nutrition. So many people look at the glitz and glam of competing and don’t realize the sacrifices and how difficult it can be to have the discipline that is involved. The more research you can conduct BEFORE starting a prep, the better! Speak to people, go and see a couple of shows and get an informed idea as to whether it is what you really want to go for.

What should a first-timer be focusing on the most DURING their first prep?

As well as the obvious (training and nutrition) ...posing!! Standing out on stage and showcasing a polished posing routine/I walk/quarter turns can really be the difference between placing and not. At the end of the day, you can have an amazing physique, but if you don’t know how to show it off, someone else can beat you to that first place with a lesser physique but with better skills/practice.

What should a first-timer be focusing on AFTER their first prep?

HEALTH. As much as you can do your best to keep on top of going through a “healthy” prep...it is an extreme form of dieting/training. You must work closely with your coach and have a plan in place to regulate your body back to “normal” levels in terms of hormones, weight and mental state. I’m sure most competitors would agree that post-show is the most difficult part. The worst thing you can do is to ignore your coach and let yourself go completely wild....trust me, I’ve done this before!! Establish small goals to keep you on track and put a plan in place to accomplish that. Whether you want to aim for a show the following season/year, you have a holiday, wedding etc or whether you just want to get back to a healthier weight and maintain it year-round. Set new goals and make them realistic. Do not put too much pressure on yourself. At the end of the day, everyone is totally different. Some people may need time off training and being crazy strict...others may need the routine of still being in a rigid routine to keep them from going crazy. It is for you and your coach to work together to figure out the approach that is best for you!

Connect me via Instagram:

@helenpeebles11 (my personal/fitness page)

@thecoachingcouple_ (online coaching page that I run with Elliot, my boyfriend)

@hlnbeauty (my beauty & massage page, if you are local to the North East of England)