5 months on from the Japan Pro Show, where she became the first-ever Fit Model athlete to earn an Olympia qualification, Emily Chanel continues to establish herself as one of the leading figures in the division.
Speaking with Foxy, Emily reflected on what has been a remarkable season. Among her biggest highlights were competing on some of the IFBB Pro League’s most prestigious stages, including the New York Pro and Pittsburgh Pro, while continuing to build her reputation within the rapidly growing Fit Model division.
Although every show taught her something different, Emily says Tokyo stands out as her favourite.
Not only was it a career-defining result, but it was also a historic event for the division. With a record number of competitors and extensive live-stream coverage, the atmosphere was unlike anything she had experienced before. Combined with her love of travel, it made for an unforgettable experience.
**A New Coaching Partnership ** Emily recently joined Neal Cash’s coaching team, and the transition has already had a significant impact on her development.
“Working with Neal has been an AMAZING transition. He’s helped me take a more strategic approach to my training, and focusing the meals around the training. Since the transition there has been an increase of food, strength, and very detailed on what I need to focus on.”
With 11 weeks remaining until the Olympia, Emily is currently in an improvement phase focused on re-building quality muscle. Neal quickly identified that she was struggling to recover from the intensity of her training sessions and adjusted her schedule to a two-days-on, one-day-off structure to optimise recovery.
While Neal oversees her programming, Emily’s fiancé, Stan, remains an integral part of her success. Far more than just a supportive partner, Stan acts as her personal trainer in the gym, ensuring every session is executed to the highest standard and constantly pushing her beyond what she believes she is capable of. As a high-level competitor himself, he understands the demands of the sport and the sacrifices required, something Emily says she is incredibly grateful for.
A firm believer in maintaining a clean improvement season, Emily expects to remain close to her stage physique before prep officially begins. For now, however, the focus is on making improvements across the board, bringing greater fullness to her physique and presenting an even more polished package when she returns to the stage.
**The Meaning of the Olympia ** Foxy asked Emily what stepping onto the Olympia stage means to her personally, and whether she has chosen her bikini colour.
“Stepping onto the Olympia stage means everything to me. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for years, to show dreams come true if you stay resilient, and believe.
Olympia means that every sacrifice, every early morning, every difficult prep, every setback, all worth it to be led to this moment. Being able to represent the Fit Model division on the biggest stage in bodybuilding is something I’ll never take for granted.
As for my bikini… I can say, it’s a custom color I chose, but I’m going to keep it a surprise. I think it’s something a little different, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it on stage.”
**Managing Expectations ** As one of the division’s standout athletes, there is naturally a great deal of expectation surrounding Emily. However, she remains focused on her own journey rather than external pressures.
“I try not to focus on expectations from other people. Instead, I focus on my daily goals (staying grounded is very important!) and what I can do today to become a better athlete. The only comparison I’ve made is to an old picture from when I first started; and am so proud of how far I have come.
I stay grounded by trusting the process – Cash’s expertise, sticking to my routine, and having gratitude for where I am and what I am able to do. At the end of the day, I can’t control judging or opinions, I can only control the effort I bring daily.
There definitely is a mental/emotional side of competing but I remind myself, regardless of who is on stage or the outcome; no one else has my background (military, mom of 2, working 3+jobs- therapist, sub teacher, posing coach,), no one has endured my struggles or my sacrifice, and to me stepping on that stage is a W.”
**Balancing Family, Career and Competition ** Emily's schedule is undeniably demanding. As a mother, therapist, substitute teacher, posing coach and professional athlete, she has learned to master the art of balancing multiple responsibilities.
She explains that structure and organisation are key to managing everything effectively. Family will always come first, and the rest of her commitments fit around that priority. Emily acknowledges that some seasons require bodybuilding to take centre stage, while at other times family demands more of her attention. Ultimately, what keeps her motivated is her genuine passion for everything she does. While life may be busy, she finds it incredibly fulfilling and is grateful to have built a life centred around her passions.
**Building Friendships Within the Division ** Emily recently launched Fit Model After Hours alongside fellow IFBB Pro Fit Model athletes Jane and Shea. The project has brought the trio even closer together and strengthened the sense of community that Emily believes makes the division so special.
She has also formed strong friendships with many other athletes throughout the sport.
“I’ve also built great friendships with so many other Fit Model athletes special shoutout to Liz x2 they were one of the first Fitmodel girlies I trained with and now team mates! Same with Britt S, always reaching out and chatting & even some international beauties I have built powerful connections with like Larissa and Gabi! Even though we’re competing against each other, everyone is incredibly encouraging and wants to see one another succeed. That’s not something you always see in every sport.”
On show day, Emily enjoys catching up with fellow competitors backstage and values the opportunity to reconnect with friends she may not have seen for months. However, once it is time to compete, she switches fully into competition mode, focusing on her mental preparation before stepping onto the stage.
**The Evolution of Fit Model ** Having competed from the very beginning of the division, Emily has had a front-row seat to its rapid growth.
“It’s been amazing to watch it grow so quickly. I was fortunate enough to compete in the very first shows at the NPC level, the first Fit Model Olympia qualifier in Japan, and to see where the division is now compared to then is incredible.
The athletes keep raising the standard every single show, but what I love is that the division has stayed true to its purpose. It celebrates balance, health, and femininity. I think there’s is more of a shift in muscularity, which is natural in bodybuilding.
I love that more women are realizing there’s a place for them in bodybuilding. It’s opening doors for so many people who never thought they could compete.”
**Advice for Aspiring IFBB Pros ** When asked what advice she would give to amateur athletes hoping to earn their IFBB Pro card, Emily emphasised patience and consistency.
“My biggest piece of advice is to be patient. Progress takes time, especially being a natural athlete. Don’t compare your timeline to someone else’s. We all have our unique own story and it’s important to remember how far you come and to be proud of the body we are creating.
Experience has made me a better athlete and eventually a better posing coach. When it comes to posing, don’t underestimate how important it is. You can have an incredible physique, but if you don’t know how to present it, the judges can’t reward what they don’t see. Practice consistently- not just the routine because that’s only a fraction of our stage time but practice callouts, the walk to the back., in different angles on the stage.”
**Looking Ahead to the Olympia ** As the countdown to the Olympia continues, Emily remains focused on bringing her very best to the sport's biggest stage.
When asked what she hopes people remember when they watch her walk off the Olympia stage, her answer perfectly reflects the values she has built her career upon.
“I want people to see someone who worked hard, took the feedback, applied it, stayed authentic, and represented the Fit Model division with professionalism and kindness on and off the stage. Winning is always the goal, but I also want to inspire other women to believe they can chase big goals without sacrificing who they are. You can make it to the Olympia naturally - peptide/drug free and be competitive.
If someone thinks, “She made me believe I could do this,” then that’s something I’ll be incredibly proud of.
I just want to say thank you to those who have supported me. Whether you’ve followed me since my bikini days, found me through my vlogs, booked a posing session, or just taken the time to reach out, your support truly means more than you know.
This journey isn’t easy, but knowing that people are cheering me on makes every challenge worth it.
I’m so excited to represent the Fit Model division at the Olympia and continue showing what this category is all about.
I promise to give everything I have, and I can’t wait to continue to share the journey with all of you.
Thank you for believing in me.”
