E. 116 How PEDs Are Changing Women’s Bodybuilding (& What It Really Takes to Win) With Renee Harshey

In this episode, I sit down with IFBB Pro and coach Renee Harshey to talk about her journey from Bikini to Wellness — and back again. Renee shares what it was like being part of the very first Wellness Pro show, how the division evolved, and why she made the bold decision to step away at the peak of her success.

We dive deep into the realities of PED use in women’s bodybuilding, the blurred line between “enhancement” and health, and how social media has changed expectations across divisions. Renee and I also discuss how the industry’s standards have shifted — from conditioning and muscle density to the pressure of staying competitive — and what it takes to succeed long-term as an athlete and coach.

If you’re an athlete navigating division transitions, debating enhancements, or figuring out how to balance ambition with health, this episode gives you an honest, experienced perspective from both sides of the stage.

Timestamps:

- [00:00 – 02:01] – Intro and Renee’s competition background

- [02:01 – 05:28] – How Wellness began: the first U.S. shows and early division evolution

- [05:28 – 08:13] – Competing against international athletes and the shift in Wellness standards

- [09:18 – 12:24] – Why Renee stepped away from Wellness and took three years off

- [12:24 – 15:08] – Returning to the stage: transitioning from Wellness back to Bikini

- [15:08 – 20:00] – The conversation around PEDs, health, and knowing personal limits

- [20:00 – 23:53] – Competing again: feedback from judges, physique adjustments, and next steps

- [27:05 – 31:05] – Coaching insights: balancing athlete goals, show selection, and new Olympia qualifications

- [33:02 – 35:59] – The growing concern over PED escalation in Bikini and Wellness divisions

- [38:20 – 41:24] – How coaches should approach athlete enhancement with responsibility

- [42:09 – 45:03] – Unsafe compounds, underregulated drugs, and female-specific risks

- [45:25 – 49:12] – The most common PEDs in female bodybuilding and setting boundaries with clients

- [51:06 – 54:14] – The truth about PEDs as “shortcuts”

- [54:14 – 56:41] – Renee’s next show, what’s changing with her physique goals, and closing remarks

Links & resources:

Follow Renee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee_ifbbpro/

Work With Renee: https://link.apisystem.tech/widget/survey/t8OwYuxGoXo2IsdQuJ6m?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacUV9oYLzSPg6DxfkfZ-i3lKwIodmhVQ4xxgmcp4MgsjzpjQ8XglIcl7kLuWA_aem_8d9sgUL2bai0GpP-Z0_qYw

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