Prepping for a bodybuilding show appears simple on paper, but it is far from easy. The physical challenges of training hard and following a super strict diet for weeks or months at a time can take a toll on the body and mind.
Kristin Pope is one of the athletes competing in the 2025 Fitness International at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH, from Feb. 28 through March 1, 2025. She is in one of the most challenging divisions in bodybuilding. Fitness athletes must pose in one round and perform a captivating and athletic routine in the final round. The latter counts for two-thirds of the overall score.
The physical challenges that come from that are obvious, but Pope shared why it is as much a mental health matter as it is a physical one.
Pope acknowledged that she took extra time from filming her prep because of the mental aspect of stepping on the Arnold Classic stage.
“It was grinding me down,” she confessed. “I have to work hard on my mental game to keep my head on straight because this is such a prestigious show.”
Pope spoke about the pressure to put on the best performance possible but acknowledged that the pressure is self-inflicted. She focuses on taking each day as it comes and reminding herself this is not a “do or die” situation, which has helped her move forward. Therapy has been beneficial for her, stating:
“Depression is rooted in the past; anxiety is rooted in the future. How you can be aligned with your true self is to focus on the now, and that is what I am working on.”
—Kristen Pope
Pope gifts herself grace and time instead of beating herself up for not being ready yet.
“The show is on February 28th,” she explained. “I’m not supposed to be ready yet.”
The mental aspect, combined with the two hours of cardio daily while dieting, makes prep even more challenging. While many bodybuilders work with coaches, trainers, or nutritionists, it is an individual sport when they step onstage. Research has shown adverse mental health impacts athletes in individual competitions more so than those who play team sports. (1)
Pope’s mindset shifted positively during filming because of her work and the stage she was preparing to compete on, which helped her move forward. “I’m very excited about what I am about to put onstage. I’m proud of it. This is my favorite look of all time.”
Pope seeks to win the vacant championship in Columbus and qualify for the 2025 Fitness Olympia, set for Oct. 9-12, 2025, in Las Vegas, NV. She is not a stranger to the Arnold stage; she earned her pro card by winning the Arnold Amateur fitness title in 2022.
More Bodybuilding Content
- Top Bodybuilders Train With Drop Sets, and You Should Too
- Which Squat Is Better for Muscle Growth — Barbell vs. Smith Machine?
- 12 of the Biggest Men’s Bodybuilders of All Time
Reference
- Reardon, C. L., & Hitchcock, M. (2024). Mental health in individual versus team sports. International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England), 36(3), 284–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2024.2349079
Featured Image: @kris10pope on Instagram
