E. 29 Chanel Collette: The Challenges of Being a Natural vs. Enhanced Athlete

Welcome back to the Self-Selecting Podcast! In Episode 28, I sit down with Chanel Collette to discuss her experiences as a competitive athlete navigating the challenges of both natural and enhanced bodybuilding. Chanel shares her journey, including the pivotal moments that shaped her decisions about using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), the importance of functional health, and the balance between maintaining femininity and achieving competitive success. In this episode, we cover: - Chanel’s transition from natural to enhanced competition - The role of functional health in competitive sports - Managing the balance between athletic goals and long-term health - The importance of blood work and recovery in prep - How Chanel’s views on femininity influenced her decisions about PEDs Timestamps: - [00:00] - Introduction and welcoming Chanel Collette to the podcast - [01:30] - Chanel’s background and her start in competitive physique sports - [04:00] - Early years competing naturally and challenges faced - [06:15] - Transitioning from natural bodybuilding to NPC and what prompted the change - [09:20] - The pressures and expectations in NPC competitions - [12:05] - Chanel’s experience during the 2020 competitive season and its impact on athletes - [15:30] - The mental and physical toll of the 2020 season on Chanel’s competitive journey - [18:10] - Deciding to move towards enhanced competitions and the thought process behind it - [21:40] - The initial hesitation and considerations around using PEDs - [25:00] - Balancing the use of PEDs while maintaining a sense of femininity - [28:30] - The importance of functional health and how it influenced Chanel's decisions - [31:15] - Understanding the role of blood work in monitoring health during prep - [33:45] - Chanel’s approach to recovery and managing stress as a natural athlete - [36:20] - Transitioning to an enhanced athlete: What changed in her approach? - [39:10] - Managing long-term health goals versus short-term competitive success - [42:00] - The impact of PEDs on recovery and overall health - [44:30] - Chanel’s reflections on the balance between competitive ambition and health - [47:10] - The significance of maintaining femininity throughout her career - [49:50] - How Chanel’s views on PEDs evolved over time - [52:00] - The mental struggles associated with bodybuilding and PED use - [55:30] - Deciding to retire from competitive bodybuilding and the factors involved - [58:00] - Reflecting on her competitive career and lessons learned - [01:00:20] - Advice for aspiring athletes on managing health and competitive goals - [01:03:30] - Chanel’s thoughts on the future of bodybuilding and where she sees the sport heading - [01:06:00] - Final thoughts from Chanel and encouragement for athletes to prioritize their health Links and Resources: Chanel Collette Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanelcollette/?hl=en Connect With Chanel: https://www.chanelcollette.com/ https://coryfit.com/ Coaching: Let's Chat⁠ https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min Consults: Book a Call⁠ https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along: ⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink