A Bodybuilders Journey To Sustainability w/ Ida Bergfoth

00:00Welcome back to the show, listeners, and to all of the new listeners. I'm glad to have you guys here. So instead of going through my normal opening that I do in every single podcast, I just want to kind of get right into it. So today is a very, very special day on the show. We have our very first guest here virtually with us. Woo-hoo! She is such an amazing woman, you guys. I met her a few years ago at First Forum headquarters.

00:30And she first struck me with her just freaking awesome Swedish accent. I can't wait for you guys to hear it. And then as I got to know her more, she just has the absolute biggest heart along with like the most amazing legs and most amazing arms, you guys. Just an incredible body all around. But she just has an amazing heart and wants to help so many people. And she's here on this earth doing amazing things like impacting the lives of so many women that she works with in her IB Fit coaching crew. And we'll talk more about that today. But I get to have her here on the show with us today.

01:04And so that you guys all get to experience a glimpse of her awesomeness firsthand. Ada, welcome to the show, girl. So excited to have you here. Thank you so much for having me. And that was a really huge introduction of me. Thank you for painting that picture like I'm having a big heart. That means a lot. Because, I mean, I look up to you. You are such a badass queen. I really love seeing other women that are super strong. And that really plays on the strength of women.

01:36And that you really uplift other women. It's just, yeah, you're a queen. Thanks, girl. Man, I appreciate you. I'm super stoked to kick this off. So I know that you've been doing all of the things, nutrition, fitness, for a really long time. Really long time. And you've done some incredible things back in Europe, back home. Like I said, she's from Sweden, guys. She's won, you know, incredible, like gold medals, championship titles. You did the bodybuilding world.

02:06You retired. You moved to the States. Now you're doing fitness for the passion that you have for it now. So do you mind taking the audience and myself? I just want to know more about your journey and more about you. So share your fitness journey with us and just why fitness is just so important to you. So, I mean, my fitness journey started when I was very, very young. I, just like anyone else in the teenage years, you try a lot of sports. You like them or you dislike them.

02:37And I just fell in love with lifting things. And that was like my top thing doing in school. But also, I had a neighbor. He had this huge yard. He was a trucker. So he always had a lot of stuff. And he always needed help. So I was like carrying his tires and logs and stuff. And I was just like, wow, I'm strong. I'm only 13 years old, but I'm strong. This is cool. And then I figured out that there was a gym in my small town.

03:08And it was like the only bodybuilder in town that owned that gym. And he was like the real deal. He knew his stuff. He was very, very like strict and like, oh, don't do that. And don't do that. And yada, yada. And he took me in when I was 15. And he started to guide me. And he said, well, you're going to turn 15 this year. So I will let you in. So I was actually 14. But I mean, who is consistent with anything really when they are during the teenage years?

03:42Like, yeah, I did a lot of things. But it always went back to me lifting weights or lifting anything because I just, I naturally just felt strong from the get go. And when I was 19, I moved from my mom and dad to really like show them that I could stand on my own two feet. I come from a very big family. And it was only my dad working. So we weren't like privileged to be able to play all sports.

04:14And we kind of entertained ourselves with a lot of things when I grew up. And being five girls growing up together, it's kind of like, I love being around my friends that was male. So I've always been a little bit more like, I have a really easy time to connect with guys. It's always been like that problem because I've always been surrounded by women. I don't know why that is. But when I moved, I just found a group of people.

04:45We met up in the nightclub settings. We all were party peoples because I was. I worked 10 years of my life from 14 to 20. That's 11 years. 14 to 15, 25. I worked in the restaurant business. So I was always in that kind of space too of partying and stuff like that. But every single day, I went to the gym with my boyfriends and my girlfriends that it was one or two. But we were like a crew. We were like a gym crew.

05:15And we had so much fun. And unfortunately, my dad passed away when I was going into my 20th year. And that was like a big turnaround of events for my life. But yeah, so like I just kept going really and working out a lot to kind of release the mental stress that I was going through of losing my dad after also losing a lot of other people in my life.

05:48There was like a couple of years where I just lost a lot of my closest people. And I guess that's how I coped with grief of actually just like building myself stronger from the outside and in, even though I always say like build yourself from the inside and out. But for me, I kind of did the reverse way. And I just fell in love with being in control of the weights because I felt like if I can control something that is working against me, I will feel so much stronger and more capable.

06:24So it just happened. And it just it's like an endorphin rush or a runner's high for other people. That's how I feel when I lift. So it is just my thing. It's just simply my thing. And man, is it your thing when you're inside? If you guys start following her, I'll put all the links to your socials in the description below. We'll talk about it at the end of the podcast. But if you guys start following her, man, is she making her thing. She is such a badass. When you guys watch her on Instagram doing your workouts, I'm like, I got to channel some of that energy into my workout.

06:58All the way across the states. Yeah, I feel like it really picks something up for me that I'm like, OK, I am capable and I'm going to lift this mother F from that point to that point. And I'm going to do it in such a good way because I'm really feeling it with all of my being. But yeah, I actually went up to like 2013. We went to look at a show together. Like it was not our first show going as a crew to look at other people competing.

07:30But it was like the first one that really hit home for me. And I understood that, wow, this is maybe something that I really want to do. Because we had just had this greatest, biggest buffet from the hotel that we were staying at. But it was because in Sweden, hotel buffets is a thing. Like you have to. And I was so full, like extremely full. And in the mid, like at the like the pause of the competition, they had like this an audience competition.

08:04And the guys didn't let me have a choice. So they kicked me up and stood me up when they asked, does anyone want to compete in the Mrs. Washboard? And they pushed me out of my chair. And I didn't even realize that, okay, a few moments later, I'm going to stand there on the stage showing my abs. That was the first time I won a trophy. No way. Wait, pause. Hold on a second. So your first time winning and getting on stage and having a trophy in your hand came from somebody pushing at your friends, pushing out of your chair and telling you to get on stage.

08:37Yeah. Yeah. They didn't give me a choice. Oh, yeah. See, there's a part of you from when you were younger pushing tires, which I need to pause on that thought really right there. Because right there at that age, you wanted to help people. You were helping him, right? And he took you under your wing to come into the gym and all that jazz, which that's just amazing. Because, guys, when I say she's the biggest heart, she has the biggest heart. But then, too, and then you knew from lifting the tires, you were like, dude, I'm strong. I know I can do anything, right? Basically, that mindset.

09:08And at such a young age, that's huge. And that carried you through to getting pushed by your friends to get on stage. Oh, man. Wow. Yeah. And I won 50 bucks and a trophy. And I still have the trophy at my mom's place. Yeah. It's such a big memory for me. Because, I mean, I was full. You know, like when you have a food baby full? And I still went up there and I showed my abs. And everyone was like, wow. Only you would be able to have a food baby.

09:38Get on stage and show your abs. I'm a foodie. The year after, I competed my first very show on that very stage, the same competition. Got the same amount of points as number one, but they placed me as number two. Politics, even there. Yeah. Yeah. But for me, it was just like, I did not even expect placing at all because I did it all

10:08on my own. Because at that time, I had been a coach for like three years, but I never coached anyone to the stage yet. That was still like super new to me. So I was like, I only like, I did all, everything on my own. I had no idea what I was doing, but hey, here I am. And then the woman that then came to coach me, she found me on that competition. And she said, I want to take you on my wings and we're going to do this together.

10:39And together with her, the next show, a couple of months later, I placed fifth, I think. Yeah. Fifth. That was such a bad experience. Such a bad experience. Like it was the craziest competition I've ever done because it was not well planned backstage. I didn't even have my shoes on when coming up on stage. So yeah, I understand my, my bikini bottoms were too low. So it didn't like take me my physique to a better state.

11:11Like, no, it was not good. Was that just because you were feeling rushed or was it because of the, yeah. Yeah. We were like running a little, got it. Yeah. It was not a good setup of a show at all, unfortunately, but it was still fun. Don't get me wrong. It was fun. But I totally get that I didn't place higher. A week later, I go to compete in the biggest, like novice competition there is in Sweden. And I won that in my category.

11:43That's awesome. Was that, was that, with categories for bodybuilding over there? Is it like, was it women's physique? No. Or was it like figure? No. More like figure. Yes. Figure. Got it. But in Sweden on that level, which is like amateur level, it is called body fitness, which doesn't really make sense because we don't have fitness. We have athletic fitness where you have to do different types of like bench, shins, and like, what do you call it?

12:17Like an obstacle course race, kind of. Oh, we don't have that flipping and gymnastic thing. We rather have like, you have to show that you're strong and that you're fit in. Got it. Yeah. So we have that, but I did the body fitness, which is the same posing and everything as figure. So I'm a figure, former figure competitor, I guess. Okay. And so that was that your last show that you did? No, that was my number three. And then I took a year off to like really build myself and get back into a good groove of homeostasis,

12:54you know, balance. It didn't go so very well, but I did it. But the year after that, or is it two years? Yeah, two years after that, I actually went back and competing and I did the Swedish national championships and placed first. And then I placed first at the Nordic, the Nordic championships as well. So I'm a Swedish and Nordic champion. And then I got invited to do the European championships.

13:27Or well, before that, I won a third one as well. So I have four wins in total. Um, and then I did the European and placed 10th and I shouldn't have competed that time. I was so close on pulling out because I didn't feel good. I wasn't in a good place. Um, so I just shouldn't compete at all, but I did because it was too late to withdraw from the competition. So I just put my mind to it and then I went and it still was good.

13:58I mean, 26 girls in my worst shape, place 10th. I'm kind of okay with that. It's, it's never been about winning for me. Not even once. Elaborate on that. What was, what was it all about? What, what, why, why compete? The glam. The glam. Okay. No, seriously. You pulled off well. The feeling, no, seriously though. The feeling of stepping up on stage, all made up all with your hair and in a very shiny,

14:30nice bikini showing off what you built. And you like, I don't know. I think I just, from the very get go was very, very aligned with the fact that people are different. And if you are one of those who actually make up your mind to go up on and stand there and say, Hey, judge me in comparison to the others, you need to be okay with that. And all I could do was, okay, just bring your a game. It doesn't matter how everyone else is looking like.

15:02If they like you, they're gonna give you good points. Love that. I just always enjoyed the feeling of having a date to kind of work really hard to, to get to my best shreddedness or just best shape. Because in figure, it's not always about being the most shredded. It's about having it. You need to be so symmetrical, so balanced. You have to have the, the way of being, you need to have the aura and that you have to

15:36be ripped on the right places. I guess I was never the most ripped. But for the four wins that you had, you were symmetrical though, right? Like you have, for the four wins that you did win, they, they judged you basically off of your symmetry. You're being symmetrical. And the level of leanness you did bring to the stage, obviously the other girls. Yeah. Yeah. So that just unpacked to pretty much your entire journey. They're pretty much badass from start to finish from being a teenage girl who was, you know, flipping tires to like, I'm going to go step on stage.

16:07I'm going to own my shit. I'm going to bring the glam. I'm going to bring the confidence. So I know there is a decent amount of people listening to this podcast who are interested in bodybuilding, have done bodybuilding. And they have questions in terms of, which you mentioned in some of those aspects there. So I want to unpack a couple of things. When you talk about like leading up to the show, you said that was one of the reasons why you love stepping on stage, right? Was second to the glam. It was, you're going to put in the work for the couple of weeks, months to get ready to

16:38step on stage. What do you experience in that timeframe? Ladies, are you feeling frustrated with body changes you're experiencing during menopause? It's time to take control. If you're between 45 and 65 years old and tired of struggling with body fat and muscle loss, Warrior Babe is here for you. At Warrior Babe, we've helped over 18,000 women just like you lose body fat, build toned

17:10muscle and understand their bodies better with personalized plans based on hormone and thyroid testing and more. Imagine knowing exactly what your body needs to see real results and results that last. Look, don't wait anymore. Take charge of your health and join our community of strong, empowered women. Visit warriorbabe.com forward slash apply today to start your transformation. That's warriorbabe.com forward slash apply. All right, let's get back to the show. Everything.

17:46You experience absolutely everything about yourself and about other people and especially about your body. Like our, our beings are so unique and so cool. And to, at some point in time, just really put yourself to the test of doing uncomfortable things. It is just like so self-developing that it's just like top tier level of, I don't know.

18:17It's just, for me, it was just like, okay, I'm going to challenge myself because that is what, what bodybuilding is about. Because you can never, as I said, compare yourself to others because you don't know what the judges will like. But during that time of getting there, there's going to be so much work on yourself to be able to cope with the different things. Because it's not only going to be days when you feel like, wow, I am not heading in the

18:48right direction. Or today I'm so tired and I still need to put in the work. I still need to do my normal daily job if you're not a professional. So it's just like, it's a lot, a lot to actually handle and take care of. And that's really hard. You're learning so much about yourself. You're learning so much about your mindset. You're learning so much about what you're fully capable of. And like, I think elaborating too on, it's a lonely road unless you have friends or a boyfriend

19:18or somebody who knows what you're going through. Like it's you versus you every single day. So I actually do think that many people rely too much on other people. We are an animal that moves in groups. Like I'm totally fine with that. And, but I just think that if we focus on ourselves first, that sounds very selfish. I know, but keep me, let's keep going here because it's not.

19:48If you just focus on the things that you need for your being to be feeling good, to be balanced, you will just take care of other people way better. And you will be able to, you will be able to handle problems that comes your way so much better. And stress will not agonize you in the same way as if you are not in a good place. And I think that people around you will always be super important.

20:19And I've always been so, so blessed with the people that I have around me, because they are such amazing human beings. But that also makes me want to be a better person too, which makes me need to focus on myself to make sure that I can greet them at the same way that they greet me. So during a competition diet, which is an extreme diet, it's not something that I recommend for,

20:50to anyone that is not willing to actually go the full length of uncomfortableness. Because it is uncomfortable. Amen, sister. It's freaking uncomfortable. Say that louder for the audience. It is so uplifting too. Because it is when you understand that you are capable of doing something like that, that you're like, holy shit, Sherlock, life ain't too bad. And this is something that shows for me. So I better not whine about it, honestly.

21:22Yeah. Dude. Oh my God, babe. Spot on. Spot on there. It's like, if there's anything to take away from a competition prep and the journey that you're on, it is definitely learning and uncovering your best self. Because, and also I feel like if there's one way that you, if you're going to take it seriously, like you said, like it's uncomfortable and you have to take it seriously. If you're going to go to the extreme, go to the extreme, full send, be proud of yourself for going that far, stepping on stage and doing all of the things. But if you do stick to the extreme, you do get ready in the right way.

21:53You're there giving your best when you step on stage. Not only do you learn so much about yourself, but man, there's so much discipline in those actions on a daily basis that you build for yourself that don't you feel like that can just like literally why you're so successful as you are now still maintaining your body. You've most likely built some of that discipline habits during competition that, that carry through your whole lifestyle, right?

22:25That is spot on from your end. Because honestly though, like I think that what, when it comes to discipline and creating this type of lifestyle that we live, both of us, and I feel like the people that find that really hard to find are the people that don't dare or don't aren't capable of pushing themselves to that, to that space in time when you can actually experience the wins from it. It's all about unexperienced.

22:56And everyone can get to exactly where we are being disciplined and going to the gym or eating the, some type of food that works well with your body, but they just haven't experienced it yet. And that's okay because there's so many things I haven't experienced yet, but I cannot be mad on myself if I don't try. And that is a big thing in a lot of people right now that they are not willing, they might be willing, but they might not know how to,

23:29and they might not feel totally ready for it. And when something is super unknown, it's even harder for us to get there. Absolutely. So to carry that thought there, we can lead into talking about, you know, coaching and you coach women. And so to carry that thought into this, what do you feel like is the biggest thing that, that women do struggle with that, you know, that can, we know we're on the other, we're on the other side, right? We've gone through all of the challenges.

23:59We've endured all of the uncomfortableness to changing our body composition, to building muscle, right? So we, we see the outcome that a lot of women want to accomplish, right? Cause we're there, we've done it. So what do you feel like is the biggest thing that the biggest hurdle, and maybe two, that you had to overcome or that you feel like women have to overcome to get to that other, to get to that result that they want to accomplish? I think that one of the pros and one of the cons of, being a woman is that we are very emotional.

24:32We are a being of more tenderness and more love. And especially on how other people see us. That is a really big thing for us. And our society is still in some weird way, in a, in a, in a age where women cannot have muscles, where muscles are seen as manly, even though newsflash men and women are human beings. Human beings is an art, not an art is a species,

25:04which has muscles. We are just women. And men has never been utilizing the same, same way. But nowadays women has a choice. We can go to a gym as well. We have never been able to do that before because it was a space for men to be able to be strong enough to do their work. If they had a very labor related work, women has been home taking care of household and kids.

25:36And I get that. And I'm not taking anything away from that because I think that we are really good for that because we feel so much. And we dare to feel, or we dare to express that we feel. But I also think that that is one of the things that holds us back a little bit because we care a little bit too much of what other people think, or that we think that they will think about us if we do. And I think that women hasn't yet, in general saying, yet experienced how uplifting and self-esteem hiring it can be to be physically strong.

26:16I got that. Yeah, I think that's spot on. I think that women hold opinions of others too closely. And like you said earlier, that we need to stop relying on people. We need to just start thinking for ourselves and what we want to accomplish and know that what we want to accomplish, we're fully capable of accomplishing if we put our minds to and let all of the opinions and judgments and criticism and all of the thing fade away. I mean, you know, I think that's so spot on. And I think coming, you know, it'd be an inspiration to hear this answer from you.

26:47How do you handle, I'm sure you get it. I mean, social media, social media, people have all of, there's like, what do they call it? Like the ninja keyboarders or the trolls, the trolls with the keyboard ninjas. They, man, they come in hot. But how would you, like, yeah, I'm sure you've gotten comments being like, you look like a man or, I know I do. So how, how do you handle that? Um, I mean, my 20 or 20 year old self would say,

27:20this sucks. This is not fair. And that would hold me back. But I'm in my thirties now and I am more comfortable with my own skin than I ever been in my whole darn life. And I could not care less of an insecure person on the other end says about my physique, because we obviously don't think the same. That is my, like, if I'm going to be a little bit aggressive and just get to the point. No, no, I love that.

27:52Because like, why do you think that? Why do you feel that way? Like, why do you feel that you just don't care? Because. I am so fed up with. Feeling the need to fit in. I, I can no longer relate to that girl that I once were always trying to please others. I still do. I am the biggest people. Please are not that. I know. I know a few that's even worse, but.

28:22I just kind of transcended that energy into. My business instead of actually caring for others. And. When. My. I feel like one of my jobs in life is to. Really encourage women to go out there and. Just be like, I ain't taking that. Cause. I am here for me. I am not here to please your eyes. And that is something. If I feel like I cannot. Kind of. Take on comments like that myself.

28:54How can I teach that to others? So for me, when someone says, Hey, you like. You look like a man or. Ooh, gross. Or. Oh, that's too muscly for being a female. I'm like. According to you. But according to me. And to biology. Muscles is something that we all have. And. And honestly, though, if we look at it this way, if they say that I'm a man, what do they say about the guys that don't have the muscles that I do?

29:25Are they called females? Because they don't have a developed physique. In my head, it just doesn't add up. So when people comments me stuff like that, I'm like. Oh, I wish you knew better. It's rather that I feel like sad for them. Or even worse. What, what I. Have found myself doing because when people. Give that to me. I am more worried. What that maybe.

29:55Teenager. 20 year old. Or. New to this lifestyle. Woman sees. When she reads that. Because I know how hard it was for me in the beginning. So if she sees. That insecure man. Writing that on my. My. My. Post. And she reads that. And she feels that it's directed to her. How can she handle that? And that makes me sad. And frustrated. Yeah. Spot on. You're so spot on. And. And to the women need to know that like the women. The people that are commenting that.

30:26The guys that are commenting that. Not only all of the things that you said. But in addition. They're just insecure. They're insecure. And wish they could look like you. They wish they could have the discipline. And the hard work. And the motivation. And the effort. To do what you've done. Right. And to transform your body. They wish they could do that. Because I bet you. If I've had people that are like. Yeah. Clipped on their. Their page. And you know. Sending love to these guys. I don't want to like bash them. But it's like. You know. Guys just put in the work. You know. Put in the work. That's what it takes. If you. Instead of.

30:57Shaming somebody. Like. That's like. We're here to lift each other up. Don't shame people. Because of the hard work they put in. To change their body. Right. Everyone is so differently built. And. Honestly. If I compare myself. To any other guy. That works out. As many hours. As I do. As hard as I do. He's going to be twice my size. And why is that? Why is that? Let's elaborate on that. Because I'm a woman. I don't have the same. Freaking hormone setup. As a guy do. But. That does not mean.

31:27That I can still look. The best that I can. Or that I can lift. The way that I can. But again. I am not trying. To become. Anyone else than me. So therefore. I'm also not. Annoyed anymore. The only reason. Again. Why I'm annoyed. When people write that. Is because I know. People are watching my comments. And I don't want a woman. That. Kind of. Wants to look like. The two of us. I don't want her to see that. Because maybe. She cannot. Cop with that. Just right now.

31:58It's. I love. That's your heart man. I love it. Ida. You're such a sweet. Like that. Nobody thinks about that stuff. Like as deep as. Like that's. That's deep. You're. You're concerned about. A woman who. It may be feeling insecure. Once all of these things. Aspires to look like. You or I. And they see that comment. And then that could. Easily deter her. From wanting to embark. On her journey. That's pretty much. How I feel. And. And I mean. Trolls will always be trolls. And again. It's just like. People will always. Also have different opinions.

32:29And I'm okay with that. I am not. Like. Just because I train the way that I do. Or teach the way that I do. Does not say. That I expect everyone. To look the way that I do. Or train the way that I do. I'm totally fine with that. Because. I cannot. In my wireless imagination. Even picture myself. Start to play soccer. For example. Because. I don't like. Football. Or like. I cannot even handle balls. Like. How do you even do that? I'm not. And.

33:00Whenever people can understand. That it's fine. To have different opinions. Things will go. Way easier. For everyone. So let's talk about. So you did all the bodybuilding. You went through all of that jazz. I know you mentioned there. That there was like a year. Where you're trying to get your body. Back to homeostasis. And just like. It was a tough year. And then. I want you to elaborate on that. A little bit. Because I know. That there's some people. That come off of a competition. And. They're like. You know. I mean. I came off of my. And I gained 25 pounds. Back in one month. I'm like. What the hell just happened?

33:31So. Elaborate. Share. Because I want. People. People will relate with that. That have competed. Or want to compete. So they can understand. What they could expect. What happened in that year? I mean. I think. Before I forget to say it. But I think the most important thing. Is when. Whenever you go into a competition. State of mind. And like. Okay. I'm going to compete. I'm going to find myself a coach. And I'm going to do this right. One thing that you really should consider. Is making sure that that coach. Will still be there. When you're done. It's so important.

34:01To have that person. That keeps you accountable. That helps you reverse diet. And helps you with your mental game. Because. Trust me. You're. For X amount of weeks. Are going to fight your hardest. To become your leanest. You're going to focus so much. On getting these stretch. Stretch. Shreds. And then. All of a sudden. All of a sudden. You're going to have to focus on. Returning. To a healthy body fat.

34:32Percentage. Because. It ain't. Healthy. To be in a competition. Body fat percentage. It's just not. Especially for women. Yeah. It is. Especially when you. You go through all of that. For all of the time. To lead up to show day. And you're like. Oh man. I just want to maintain. And keep my body. But. That's not good. It's not healthy. It's not sustainable. It's so extreme. Like you've mentioned earlier. That you just cannot maintain. That physique. So. What. Yeah. Share a little bit more.

35:03What happened. Like. How did you get your body. Back to homeostasis. What did you have to go through? I mean. I. Honestly though. I don't think that it ever. Went back to normal. Until like. A couple of years ago. Now. When it's so many years ago. Since I last competed. Because. I mean. I went off. I competed. The entire. 2015. Right. And then. I went off. And I. Did not. Keep my coach. As close to me. As I should have. And she did not really.

35:35Put an interest into that either. It's not. Not her fault. I use. I was just too new. Right. And I was like. I can do this by myself. Like. I'm a coach too. I know. But no. It doesn't matter. If you're a coach. Or. If you're well experienced. It's always good to have that person. But then. I started to compete again. Was it late. 2016. And that. Also went on. Because the first. Year. I competed. That was like. 56 weeks. Of dieting.

36:06Because I had so many competitions. Holy moly. If y'all on video. My jaw just dropped. Yeah. It was a long. It was a long. Long, long, long diet. So I was so over it. Like. I was so over being. In the state of. Pain. Because it's painful. And you're so tired. And just like. I don't know. It's a nice feeling. At the same time. But it's also a little bit dreadful. Um. But then. 2016. Also became very long. Because I won.

36:37And then I won again. Which took me to another one. That came. In 2017. In May. So my last. Competition was in. November. End of November. And then I did a big photo shoot. For a big magazine. In mid December. And then May. December to May. And you need to kind of. Either. Go off. A little bit. Or you keep going. A little bit. And that's when. It kind of got. A little bit. Not good for my body.

37:07But. It's always hard. To go from the state of. Okay. Let's. Let's first get shredded. And then. Let's get normal again. And it's not. It doesn't even matter. If you do it. Correctly. Or if you. Overeat everything. And gain all those. 25 pounds. In an instant. It will still be tough. What chose you to. You know. You. You did all those years. And then you. Decided to retire.

37:38You were. You know. I know we were. We were catching up. Before the podcast. And. You were like. I just. It's not. I'm just not extreme. Like. I'm not extreme. Like. I just. I'm leading this lifestyle now. Which. You know. We all admire. I admire so much. I see you. Living the life. Of going through an awesome cut. Then having the. The. Fit couples foodies. Which we'll talk about in a minute. But. You know. What. How is your lifestyle now. Compared to. When you were. A competitor. All honestly. As I said. Like. I never.

38:09Knew. That. It was. The end. When I stopped. Competing. In 2017. I did not say. The words. I'm done. Because I kind of. Expected myself. To go back. And compete. Because I meant. Like. I was not. Done. Because I was on the highest level. As an amateur. Like. I thought. And I felt like. The pro card. Could be a thing. But. Just. My entire. Just like. Focus. Shifted. And. I. I found. I got a dream job. That I loved.

38:39And I was like. I can absolutely do this. And compete at the same time. But. Am I willing. To put. To that extreme. I. I never got to that point. Because I didn't feel ready. And not because I placed. Tenth. Or not. Because again. It never bothered me. What I placed. Or not placed. It was not. Part of the. The idea. But. Going. Like. Really focusing. On my profession. And having my.

39:10Coaching business. On the side. And being like. I really. Needed person. At my. My normal job. I just. Try to find. Back to. Okay. But how. Can I eat. How should I. How should I. Play my. Plan my days. Around food. And eating. And training. And all of that. When. Other people. Plans my day. For me. It was just like. A lot of things. That was mix matching. And. And then. I mean. I moved.

39:41In 2017. Is that when you moved to the states? In 2017? No. 19. 19. So. For two years. I was really like. Going back and forth. Should I compete again or not? Or should I just focus on my job? Um. So. I mean. It took me. To honestly. Maybe last. Maybe two years ago. To find back. To a body. A physique. That I really loved. And. That is why. I kind of.

40:11Don't feel the love. For competing anymore. Because. You will never feel. As. Victorious. As you do. When you're at your leanest. Uh. Until. You actually. Become okay. With who you are. And stop. Identifying yourself. Depending on how many kilograms. You weigh. Oh my god. I just got the chills girl. I just got the chills. It's so true. It is hard though. Because. I mean. I am a figure. Online.

40:41I have. My social media presence. And I'm a bodybuilding girl. So I should be ripped. But again. And. I want to. I need to. Be balanced for me. I need to be balanced. For the women. And the men. That I coach. That struggle so hard. To just feel energized. I have. Plenty of energy. For everyone. That wants it. And I just want to share that. Like. How do you get to that state.

41:12Of being. So for me. Competing. Is not. What I turn to. Right now. Because. I just love. Feeling this balance. Of. Eating. Things. To perform. In a certain way. Not to look. In a certain way. And all of a sudden. I just look better. Than I done. In years. That is so powerful. That is so powerful. That is such an evolutionary. Process. Ida. Like. You. Everything you just said. Instead of doing it. You did it for you. Now you want to do it for others.

41:43And it's actually. I'm sitting here. I'm like. Oh wow. Like when I met you. A couple years ago. The timelines are aligning here. That it's been a couple of years. That you've been. Getting into this groove. Of this lifestyle. So. A couple. You were only in the states. For like. A year or two. When I met you. And so. Now I'm thinking. I'm like. Oh. And I remember having this conversation. With you. At first form headquarters. The first night of the event. Like when you were talking about. How like I just. I don't think I want to do this anymore. Like I.

42:13I'm. I'm found. Like I'm finding a balance. I'm starting. To find the balance in myself. And. It's. It's cool to hear this now. Like catching up two years later. After meeting you. And. And how evolved your journey. Has truly come. To just living this. Entirely. Instead of. Worrying about being the. You know. You're so much more than just a bodybuilding figure online. At least from. Like my perspective. I see you as. An inspiration to. Lead the healthy lifestyle. That you do.

42:43And. How you guys. Incorporate. The cheat meals. And you guys. You guys have to check out the. YouTube. Fit. Couple. Foodies. They got. They. They vlog. Their. Entire cheat meals. Which is so cool. And it isn't today. I see. That today is a cheat meal. Today too. As well. And so. We post the videos on Wednesdays. But we record it. Most commonly. On Saturdays. Because. Saturdays. My clients. Are always. Super busy themselves. To have calls and stuff.

43:13So that's where I have. Like time. Allocated. To actually film. And do our. Like. Because we. We bike ride a lot. Like we take our bikes. And we have seen. The entire LA area. On bikes. And it's super. Super fun. It makes you feel like. You really experience it. In a whole other way. Um. But. We love. Like. I have always been a foodie. As said. I have been. 10 years of my life. In the restaurant business. Right. And I come from a family. That really likes food. And.

43:43One is a chef. And. I mean. My mom always taught us to cook. And my dad had always fun experiments. Going on. When he was cooking. So. We had. Food is just a big thing. And. Yeah. Uh. So. And honestly. Every time. When I feel. My most. My best. Self. When I feel like. I'm working the best. Physically. Emotionally. And. Mentally. Is when I actually. Have a day. When I. Just eat. Whatever comes to mind.

44:14Sometimes that is. A sweet green salad. And sometimes. That might be. A super greasy. I don't know. Chili. Burger. Or whatever. I have no idea. I'm just. Or a. A big cheesecake. Or a brownie. Whatever that might be. I do not. Restrict food. What I do. Is that I choose food. That makes me feel. Good in my entire being. So. Monday. Through Sunday.

44:45Except then. Saturdays. Is when I eat things. That I know. My brain. And my body. My muscles. We work well at. Because if I. Eat sugar. If I eat processed food. If I eat too fatty food. My ADHD brain. Does not cope. I could not sit here. And talk to you. And be focused. If I did. So I have just chosen. To choose food. For my being. And for my profession. And for my. My lifting.

45:15So it's not hard for me anymore. To say no to sugar. In the weeks. Yeah. You eat. To fuel your body. Not really for like. You know. The taste. And enjoyment of it. You're like. Is this going to fuel me. The right way. Am I going to feel good. After I eat this. And when you ask. That type of question. Where you're like. Am I going to feel good. After I eat this. You don't. Like. If you. Trying to choose. Between like. Outside of your cheat meal days. You're trying to choose. Between a burger. Or you know. Chicken. Sweet potatoes. I mean.

45:46Just that question. Like. Am I going to feel better. After I eat. This. The burger. And cheeseburgers. Probably not. You're going to feel. A little bit. Slowed down. Right. So you choose. To eat. To fuel your body. And for a function. Which. I love that. But the good thing is. When you are. A foodie. And when you have experienced. So many different types of foods. You get an expert. In making that chicken. And rice. And that broccoli. And that sweet potato. To taste heavenly. Because you know the flavors. And you can enhance things.

46:18My life. Is not boring. But that's because. I love routines as well. And not all days. Will look the same. But. I want them to look. As similar. As they can. Because then I know. That I'm. Functioning well. And I think. That's what people. Forget to focus on. They focus on. Oh. How will this pizza. Or this burger. Make me look. No. How will it make you feel. Yes. 110%. 110%. And what you just said there too.

46:49Is that you. Elaborate. How. Because. People are always like. How do you eat the same thing every day. I'm like. How do you not eat the same thing every day. Sometimes. I just think that people have. Like. 500 hours per day. Because. It feels like they have too much. Time to choose. Can you imagine how many. Like I. How many times. How many. How many minutes. Or hours. People waste. On thinking. What they're going to have for lunch. Breakfast.

47:19And dinner. My ADHD brain. Again. Says no to that. Because the more choices I get. The more trouble I am in. Because. If you ask me. Hey. Do you want to have. Pizza for lunch. Or what do you want to have for lunch. Let's say that you ask me that. And I'm like. Yeah. I'm like. My brain. Starts to go. Fully. I'm up. It spreads all over the place. It gives me back. 500 different questions. On.

47:50Will I. Do I want to have that chicken from. That place. Or do I want to go to. Cheesecake factory and eat that. Or do I want to do that. Or do I. Or do I want to. No. How will I. No. That's how my brain goes. So I don't want to have the question. That's so true. I can't. So. You have to get to know yourself. So when you start your journey. In fitness and health. Or just like. I just want to feel a little bit better. Ask yourself. What would I feel better by.

48:22Tune in. Don't ask everyone else. And then when you know. Like. Maybe I can. Dig this. For a long period of time. Ask for help. How can I make this work. In my life. 100%. Spot on. Ask for help. Coaches need coaches. Too. You know. Even if coaches. Yeah. Coaches need coaches. People need coaches. There's a reason why you're professional in the space. Like. I always say. Stop trying to think. About how you should be doing all of these things. It's going to create a transformation for you. Buy the time.

48:54That a professional is put into learning all of these things. Learning all of the mistakes. That's literally what you're buying. You're buying that person's time. Education. And mistakes. That will literally accelerate. Your ability. To put in the work that she's telling you to do. And get the results. Right. So. And plan your meals ahead of time. So you don't have to think about it. Exactly. I even write you your shopping list. So you don't even have to think about that. Just go. So what are you guys having for your cheat meal this Saturday? So.

49:24This Saturday. We're not sure yet. If it's going to be Saturday, Sunday or Monday yet. Because we are finalizing the challenge that we have been doing. That's right. I saw that on your story. Yeah. You guys. This is the last week. Right? Yes. So it's going to be like the final check-in and stuff like this. This weekend. And depending on when we can. Do the trip to the facility that we have to go to. And etc. It's going to be a little bit. Depending on that. But. We are going to do. What we crave.

49:56Cheap day. So we're going to eat exactly what we're feeling like that day. Because now we have been holding back a little bit. Since we're trying to cut. If I just want to stay the same. I can eat whatever I want to on Saturdays. But lately. Since I want to cut. I just need to be a little bit more careful with my decisions. Um. But. On Saturday. Or whenever that's going to happen. I am going to eat. I'm definitely going to have my brownies. I think. Or cookies. That I have in my freezer.

50:27That looks really good. The big ass cookies. It's. Uh. Really big cookies. But. Yeah. I actually do not have refined sugar in them. So I'm really hyped for those. Uh. But I'm also really in a big mood. For a big sandwich. That's what I want to have. Like a nice. Like a nice. Like a nice. Like a nice. Italian. Like. I want to have like prosciutto. And. And brie cheese. And stuff. Yeah. That sounds. Brie cheese. Okay. That sounds bomb. Yeah. Yeah.

50:57I think that's going to be. Or maybe. Maybe. I can even go for a pizza. Just because I said pizza. Four times now. So maybe I'm craving a pizza. Pizza. So I will. I think I will wait. To say exactly. Until I wake up that day. And I will let you know. Yeah. Yeah. I'm going to watch that. You too. Definitely. And all you guys. Check it out. Fit couple. Fit couples foodie. Am I saying that right? Fit couples foodie? Fit couple foodies. So like a fit couple. Yeah. We have such a blast. When we're doing it. But.

51:28We did an Oreo challenge. Recently. So just a warning. Do never pair. An Oreo. With. Hamburger dressing. That's disgusting. Oh my God. Wait. I saw that. Like. What were you guys thinking? Why did you do that? Because. Everything in life. Cannot be of enjoyment. Just. Just. Kind of put it out there. Sometimes just. You just have to give. This is. That is just the.

51:59Oddest compaction. Like. Even the hot sauce one. Was better. Honestly. Oh. I still haven't had. Burger dressing again. Because I just. No. I did. I did. I have had her. Burger dressing. Oh. Since. Yeah. No can do. PTSD moment. Yeah. So. No. But it's going to be a fun.

52:29It's going to be a fun video. I do know that one of my favorite apple fitters. It's just around the corner from that place we're going to. So maybe that's going to be the start. Oh. Snap. Yeah. There's. There's so many more questions that I want to be able to ask. I know the viewers will want to know. You just recently touched on. The cut that you're in. And I know we caught up. Prior to starting to kick off this podcast today. About your cut. And you're like. I have to just be a little bit more careful.

53:01And I know you were like. Six out of the seven days. Oh. This is what I do. So. Elaborate on that. What does. What does a cut mean to you? What are you doing. In this cut. That may be. You know. Different from those. That think it's got to be extreme. So. Honestly. I am. Eating the same food. As I'm always eating. I'm even trying to. Change it up. A little bit more frequently. As well. Just to make sure. That I get everything that I need.

53:31But. The only thing that I have changed. Is the amount. That I eat. And I also withdraw. Two of my rice cakes. So instead of having. Four to five. I'm only allowed to have. Two rice cakes. With peanut butter on. For a day. Because that is my. I have that. Every single day. Even on my cheat days. Like. Honestly. It is my. Biggest. That's your kryptonite. That's your like. Favorite thing to eat. Rice crispy. What was that? Rice crispy trees and peanut butter? No. Just a rice cake.

54:02A caramel rice cake. Oh. Rice cake. A rice cake. Okay. With peanut butter on top. I just have to. It's just like. I don't feel whole. Without it. So. That's pretty much. The change that I've been doing. And like. I am not. Trying to get my super. Super leanest. Because I kind of. Wanted to take time. So I'm not doing an extreme. I'm just taking it very slowly. So that I can. Kind of adapt my body. To feeling like. Okay. It's okay to be hungry.

54:32Just drink a little bit more water. Take. Take a warm cup of tea. Take some coffee. Or whatever. Yes. You have. Done this decision for yourself. So you better own up to it. Be okay with it. But during like. Our cheat days. Normally I really don't even think about what I eat. Like. As I said. I might have a full tube of. Peanut butter and rice cakes. Together with everything else that I'm having. But. Now I'm like. I'm really trying to stick more to.

55:03Good. Better foods. Or just a very small amount of the good stuff. Like. This last weekend. We did a taste review. Between Shake Shack. And In-N-Out. And I took like. Three bites of each thing. And a few fries. Like. That is what I could do a normal day too. Which I absolutely would. If someone like. Hey. Can. Can we go and meet up on In-N-Out. And I was like. Yeah. But I don't really feel like I want to eat it. But. If they say. Oh. I'm full. Can you please have mine? I will say. Yeah. I mean. I will not restrict myself.

55:35I would eat it. But. It's not what I prefer. But. So yeah. So the cheat days. My Saturdays. Has been a little bit smaller. But the trick I do there. Is that. That I start my morning. Making sure that I get protein enough. And then. That I do not. Like. I kind of push together the meals. So I'm fuller. For longer. So I'm not overeating it. So. That's pretty much the tip. There. To make sure that I don't have the time. To eat more. Yeah. That's good stuff there.

56:05And how you said. Like. You know you're going to be hungry. So you just drink a little bit more water. I think a lot of people. Are afraid of. Being in a caloric deficit. Or going into a cut. Because they're going to be hungry. Well like. You can say. You're going to be hungry. Right. Like you're. That. You need to expect that. And some of your tips. Would be like. Drink more water. Or. Put your meals a little bit closer together. So you feel fuller longer. Right. I mean. And that is when I ask myself. Okay. What time of the day. Do I feel. It's easier for me to be hungry.

56:37For me. It's so easy to be hungry. In the beginning of the day. This is very like. What many others might not feel like. But I'm so busy. The first like. Eight hours of my day. So. For me. It's just like. I can just keep going. And do things. And get a lot of things done. And then. Get my meals a little bit closer in. Before I go to bed. So. It's all about. It's still calories. And you like. Make it float. Exactly. Yes. I love that.

57:07And you can have Oreos. And. Burger sauce. In your cut. Yeah. But don't. No. Seriously guys. I know you guys are going to check out. It is. Like socials. And Instagram. And all that jazz. She's done. You've done such a credible. And job. With your. With this cut. That you've been in. It's been so cool to see. The transformations that you share. And where you were at the beginning. And I know you guys just went through this challenge. And you're continuing on with this cut. And seeing your transformation now. It's just. Man. Talk about body goals. Like. You got. Your body is just amazing.

57:40Thank you. I know it's different. But I. I want it to be different. So. Hell yeah. Girl. I love that. You do you boo. Yeah. I will. I will have my big arms. Well. You are also Chica with big arms. I have seen them. The big arm club. Yeah. Some people just have that. Like. It is what it is. Yeah. For sure. No. I love. I love everything that you share with the audience today. Guys. Where can they find you?

58:11Can you share your Instagram handles? Like. The main ones that you're at? Yeah. So. I have. My name. Ida Bergfoot. I know it's a little bit tricky to. No. It's a. It's actually mountain foot. In. In English. So. It's a. Berg. I mean. It's a mountain. And. Oh. It's foot. So. Mountain foot. Oh. That's really cool. I'll. It's a save you. Because. Yeah. Spellings. And all that jazz. I'll put the links in the description below. For you guys. Definitely follow her.

58:41You're such an inspiration babe. Like. Truly. You have such a big heart. Like I said. And you want to help just so many people. So. And you have. Talk a little bit about your coaching. So that they know where they can check out. Your coaching links. And all that jazz too. So. My coaching. My app. Is called IB Fit. It is. I really find a power. It's a powerful name. Just like I love warrior babe. I always be like. She said she took that. It's good for you. I know. I love it. I love the. The entire nest of that name.

59:11But. It is IB Fit. And. On Instagram. That is. Team. IB Fit. If you want to see some transformation stuff. But. Otherwise. It's just IB Fit Coaching. Dot com. Is the website. Where you can see the. Reviews. And stuff like that. And the options that I have. Thank you so much for being on this show. I know that. So many people. In the bodybuilding world. And or women. That are just starting out. On their journey. That we spoke to the opinions. And all that jazz. To. Being able to enjoy. Being in the cut. All the things you elaborated on. Are going to help so many people.

59:42That are going to listen to this podcast. So. I appreciate your time. I appreciate your freaking energy. You truly do have energy. To give to. Tons of people. You're an amazing inspiration. So everybody. Go check out Ida. Ida again. Babe. Thanks for being on this podcast. I appreciate you. Thank you so much. For having me on. I feel blessed. Of being the first guest. To this podcast. Like. Collaboration. Parts. That you're doing. It's awesome. You're killing it. Thank you so much. All right. Guys. Peace out. Real quick. The only ask. I could ever have.

1:00:13Of you guys. Is to help spread the word. So we can help more women. Lose body fat. Build muscle. Reach their goals. And feel insanely confident. And the only way. We can do that. Is if you rate. Review. And share this podcast. So the single thing. I ask for you to do. Is if you could leave a review. It will take you. 10 seconds. And it will mean. The absolute world. To me. And may change. The world. Of someone else. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

This transcript was generated automatically and may contain errors.