Conversations with Holly Larson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Larson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After growing up in a happy family in the suburbs of Chicago, my career began with an undergrad psychology degree, followed by an MBA from CU Boulder. After a few years managing a local restaurant, I found my love of Sales, working 10 years for Case Logic followed by 13 years for Thule. Sports and Exercise were always a big part of my life, but it wasn’t until I signed up for a Bikini Competition, that I got excited about the fitness industry.

In the summer of 2018, I attended a Women’s Mastermind seminar, hosted by Happiness Expert, Steffani Fort LeFevour. During a goal-setting exercise, I committed to getting in the best shape of my life. One of the ladies suggested a Bikini Competition as a way of achieving this goal and while I knew nothing about it, I liked it and agreed. Turns out that Bikini Comp is another word for bikini bodybuilding! I found a local coach, Adam Bonilla of Team Elite Physique, and started prepping for my first show.

After 5 challenging months of strict diet, moderate cardio, and heavy lifting, at 48 years old, I found myself posing on stage, in a sparkly bikini and somehow winning the Masters Overall at this local NPC show. Mission accomplished. Fitter than I’d ever been, I assumed I was done with this chapter and onto something new. I went the next full year without a coach or a competition and ended up missing it! Dec 2019 I convinced two gym friends to join me and compete in Summer 2020 at the Denver Mile High Bodybuilding Show.

Three months into our six-month training plan, Covid hit and everything shut down. Thankfully, I had a small home gym, so I could keep training, but my friends were both out. I managed to do two more regional shows that summer and placed well at both of them. My coach said it was time for tougher competition and we agreed to do TCM Nationals in Orlando that Fall. As I was still relatively new to the sport, I had no idea that the goal of every National show is to win a Pro Card.

I just thought it was a bigger, tougher show. With over 1000 athletes competing over 4 long days, it was bigger and tougher… And, I happened to have my best physique yet, winning my pro card in both Masters 50+ and Masters 45+! I was over the moon! This big win just deepened my love for the sport and I decided to keep on going.

Over the next two years, I competed in 3 IFBB Pro Masters Shows, placing from 2nd to 9th, I committed to learning something new about the sport every single day, started an online nutrition and training business, wrote a humorous book and started a Facebook group called: “You might be a bodybuilder if…” I also attended multiple seminars, hosted a Luxury Women’s Bodybuilding Retreat in Mexico, and co-hosted a “Build More Than Just a Body” event in Denver, with my dear friend Celeste Rains Turk. It’s been a wonderful journey thus far! Just deciding what’s next!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The obstacles/challenges that I’ve run into are: -Most people love being on stage in the spotlight and hate the process/daily grind. I’m the opposite. I love the daily grind and the process, I just don’t love being on stage for the competitions.

-I had no idea that the very hardest part of bodybuilding would be the “posing”. SO difficult to look sexy, comfortable, confident, and strong in 5″ heels and a teeny bikini!

-Once you win your IFBB Pro card, you can no longer compete in local or regional shows, you can only compete in IFBB Pro shows, which are significantly more competitive and require a lot more travel.

-Like most sports, bodybuilding is evolving very quickly. The Bikini division is the smallest of 6 women’s divisions and is getting more muscular and more conditioned with each passing year. At 52, as a natural competitor, I question how large I can or even want to get. Without a lot of muscle, specifically; large shoulders and round glutes, it’s impossible to be competitive.

-Deciding what goals are next for me! I’ve accomplished a lot in this area which is just a fun hobby for me…

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Probably the biggest surprises/learnings to come out of all of this are;

1) just how fantastic the bodybuilding community is, I have made some new lifelong friends that I cherish. While it is very competitive, most athletes are kind and supportive of each other.

2) how good it feels to help others by sharing my knowledge and passion for health and nutrition. I’ve had close to 100 clients over the past few years and it’s very rewarding to see others succeed in their health and fitness journeys.

3) it’s been exciting watching my kids get interested in weight training and eating clean.

4) that it’s never too late to get in the best shape of your life!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hollyisticnutrition.com
• Instagram: @hollyfitatfifty_ifbbpro
• Facebook: @youmightbeabodybuilderif
• Other: @Holly Deam Larson

Image Credits
NPC News Online