Today's guest is Kassie Enriquez, IFBB Fit Model Pro, online fitness coach, former in-person trainer, and someone who has been involved in competitive sports from a young age
She grew up playing soccer and doing gymnastics before finding the gym at 16, eventually becoming an in-person trainer at 20 and later transitioning into online coaching with Team Fitbliss.
Her bodybuilding journey started in 2022 when she stepped onstage for the first time at Wasatch Warrior, winning her Novice class and taking second in Open in the bikini division. She followed that with her first national experience at USA's, which she describes as a humbling experience that only made her want to work harder
But In 2024, while preparing for a competition, this competitor was diagnosed with her second blood clot, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. She underwent surgery to have her first rib removed and was unable to train for several months.
Two weeks before competing in 2025 at Cydney Gillon's Peach Classic she decided to give Fit Model a shot despite thinking she was going to do bikini
She won her Open class, took runner-up overall, went to Jr. Nationals, won her class—and earned the Pro Card she'd been dreaming about proving that it was a great change for her.
She's since completed her first Pro season, taking every piece of feedback, refining her physique and posing, and ultimately ending the season with her best look and best placing at the Gold's Gym Classic where she received a top 5 placing.
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/h3_SgWyfFKQ
Competitive Experience and Preparation Rituals
Celeste interviewed Kassie Enriquez about her competitive experience and preparation rituals. Kassie described her approach of "locking in" before competing and shifting from nerves to excitement, noting that more stage experience this year helped her refine her physique, posing, and overall performance. Kassie attributed her growth to practicing more frequently and using her own experiences to better coach her athletes in the fit model division.
Fit Model vs Bikini Division
Celeste and Kassie discussed the balance between attaining an attainable physique and promoting growth in the fit model division compared to bikini. Kassie shared her experience transitioning from bikini to fit model, noting that the fit model division allows for more achievable improvements without the same level of discomfort required in bikini. They acknowledged that while fit model may not require the same extreme leanness as bikini, it still demands significant effort and muscle development, with Kassie citing examples like Courtney King to illustrate the division's difficulty.
Fitness Division Transition Discussion
Kassie explained her decision to transition from the bikini division to fit model, citing her genetic physique that better suited fit model competition and the feedback she received about her muscle mass. She described the mental challenge of switching divisions after being committed to bikini, but found the transition validating as it allowed her to compete at a higher level while maintaining her natural physique. Celeste acknowledged the difficulty of admitting challenges while experiencing success, noting that many competitors face similar decisions about transitioning between divisions.
Model Competition Switch Decision
Kassie explained her decision to switch from bikini to fit model competition at the last minute, citing feedback from her team and her own assessment that she wasn't muscular enough for national bikini competition. She described her experience at USAs as humbling, noting she was smaller than competitors and placed in the last call-outs, which led her to take a couple of years off to intentionally build more muscle before returning to competition.
Bodybuilding Journey and Transition
Kassie discussed her journey into bodybuilding, starting as a college student who began competing during her final year while working as a personal trainer. She described how her first prep with coach Carrie Hennessy introduced her to the intensive nature of the sport, and how she later transitioned from client to coach with FitBliss. Kassie explained how she managed competing while getting married and moving across country by taking strategic time away from the stage, emphasizing that the sport can be integrated into life rather than taking over it completely.
Blood Clot Recovery and Coaching
Kassie discussed experiencing a second blood clot in 2024 during a bodybuilding prep, which required surgery to remove her first right rib due to thoracic outlet syndrome. The condition caused her to miss her competition that year, but she recovered within 6-8 months and returned to training with precautions. Kassie explained how she used the setback as an opportunity to focus more on coaching and exploring her new city, maintaining a positive mindset while continuing to prepare for future competitions.
Athlete Timeline and Competition Adjustments
Kassie discussed how she had to adjust her original timeline for competing as a pro athlete due to her body's response to PrEP and the need for more time to lean out properly. She explained how taking two months off between shows allowed her to recover, reverse, and come in tighter for her final competition where she achieved a top five placement. Kassie shared her current focus on growth and health while aiming to qualify for the Olympia next year, and offered advice for new competitors to be flexible with timelines and trust their coaches, while pro candidates should focus on delivering consistent improvements and enjoying the journey.
CONNECT WITH KASSIE:
https://www.instagram.com/fitnesskass22
https://fitblissfitness.com/apply
YOUTUBE
CONNECT WITH CELESTE:
Website:http://www.celestial.fit
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/
All Links:http://www.celestial.fit/links.html
