Phoebe Egoroff
Phoebe is an Australian natural IFBB Fit Model Pro based in the UK. After earning her pro card in one of the sport's newest and fastest-growing divisions, she's now documenting the evolution of Fit Model from the perspective of both a competitor and observer. Whether she's on the stage or behind a keyboard, Phoebe is passionate about helping grow the Fit Model division and giving fans an inside look at one of bodybuilding's most exciting new categories.
History Made: What We Learned From the First-Ever European Fit Model Pro Show
Well… What a Weekend! When I wrote my preview article last week, I mentioned that this wouldn't just be another pro show—it would be the first-ever Fit Model Pro competition in Europe. I don't think any of us quite realised just how significant that moment would become... rotating podiums aside! With 37 professional athletes taking to the stage, plus another three who earned their Pro cards at the amateur show the day before, this became the second-largest Fit Model Pro show we've seen so far (if I'm not mistaken). That's a pretty remarkable milestone for a division that's still very much in its infancy. If anyone was still questioning whether Fit Model has momentum, I think this weekend answered that. As expected, the standard was incredibly high. One of the things I was most interested to see was whether European physiques would differ from what we've already seen rewarded in the United States. While every athlete brought their own unique look, the judging reinforced a message that's becoming increasingly clear: balance remains king. Fit Model isn't about bringing the most muscle to the stage. It's about bringing the right amount of muscle, presented with symmetry, elegance and polish. Another thing that really stood out was the quality of presentation. Hair, make-up, stage confidence and posing are continuing to separate athletes in what is becoming an incredibly competitive division. When the physiques are close, presentation really does matter. Speaking of posing... One of the biggest highlights of my weekend was the response to my presentation. I was genuinely blown away by the number of people, both in the audience and online, who commented on my posing. As someone who spends hours practising and coaching posing, that feedback meant just as much to me as any placing. It's a reminder that, even in a sport judged on physiques, how you present that physique can leave a lasting impression. As for my own result, I finished in the third call-out. Of course, every competitor walks onto the stage hoping for a higher placing, but one thing I really appreciate about the IFBB Pro League is the opportunity to receive constructive feedback. The judges' message was clear: my upper body is exactly where it needs to be, but my lower body is currently carrying too much size for the Fit Model criteria. Specifically, my legs need to come down, and my glutes need to be tighter and more refined. For me, that's actually encouraging feedback. It doesn't mean I'm having to rebuild my physique from scratch (thank the Lord!). I simply need to refine what I've already built. Knowing exactly what the judges want gives me a clear direction for the rest of the season, and that's invaluable for any athlete competing in a brand-new division where the criteria are still evolving. Perhaps that's one of the biggest takeaways from this weekend. Every show is helping define what Fit Model looks like at the professional level. Athletes are learning. Coaches are learning. Fans are learning. Even those of us standing on stage are constantly building a clearer picture of where this division is heading. And that's exciting. The first European Fit Model Pro show is now in the history books, but I have a feeling we'll look back on this event as just the beginning. As for me? It's back to work. A few refinements. A little less lower-body size. A little more polish. Then it's onto the next one. The season is far from over.
Welcome to Europe, Fit Model!
This weekend I'll be making my IFBB Pro League debut in Portugal. So, no pressure (actually... a little pressure). Not because it's my first pro show (although my cortisol would like to remind everyone every five minutes), but because this isn't just another competition. It's the first-ever Fit Model Pro show in Europe. And that's a pretty cool sentence to write. When Fit Model launched, there were plenty of people who thought it was a ridiculous decision; an undermuscled division made for women who have “never stepped foot in the gym” (yeah, one internet troll really did say that). Fast forward a few months and here we are with 37 pro women stepping on stage this weekend. Thirty-seven. For context, that's an INSANE lineup for a brand new division. Thirty-seven athletes means first call-outs could genuinely end up looking like the queue for airport security. But, whatever your opinion on Fit Model, one thing is pretty obvious: people want in. Now comes the part I'm most excited about. We've already seen several Fit Model pro shows in the United States, so we've got a rough idea of what the judges are rewarding. But Europe is completely uncharted territory. Do European athletes present differently? Will we see a slightly fuller look? Leaner? Different posing? Different stage presence? It's almost like bodybuilding's version of comparing the Premier League with Aussie rules rugby. Same sport... just a completely different flavour. To make things even more interesting, we've got a US head judge overseeing the show, Rich Palmer. So this weekend almost becomes an experiment. Do European physiques naturally line up with what we've already seen rewarded in America, or will we learn something completely new about where this division is heading? Every show comes with its own storylines, and this weekend is no different. There are a handful of athletes many people will be keeping an eye on. Team Atlas athlete Faithlyn Derla arrives after impressive second and tenth-place finishes in her last two pro shows, while Jen Popatia heads into her third Open test after a hugely successful 2026 season that saw her claim three Masters victories and qualify for the 2027 Masters Olympia. Then there's Finland's Julia Heinio, who already secured her Olympia qualification in South Korea, making it fascinating to see how she matches up against this European lineup. And from the UK, Marnie Al-Saraf brings another interesting storyline, making the switch from Bikini to Fit Model and giving fans a chance to see how a physique built for a more muscular division translates under Fit Model judging. But while those names are generating plenty of conversation, one of the most exciting things about a lineup of 37 athletes is how much can happen once everyone steps on stage. There are more than 30 other women who have been quietly putting in the work, peaking behind the scenes and preparing for this moment. Some may be making their pro debut, others may be flying under the radar, but all it takes is one standout presentation to change the conversation completely. That's one of my favourite things about bodybuilding. The stage doesn't know who's been tipped as the favourite. It doesn't know who's got the biggest Instagram following or who's been featured in the pre-show predictions. Once the tan goes on and the heels come out, everyone starts from the same place, and that's exactly what makes this sport so exciting to watch. As for me, I'm just excited to finally step on a European pro stage! I've spent the last few months weighing out my food like it’s made of gold, saying no to basically every sweet treat known to mankind, and convincing myself that a crushed-up rice cake bowl is actually a personality trait... But now I finally get to do the fun bit. Whether I place first or thirty-seventh, this weekend is history for the division. The first European Fit Model Pro show. And I have a feeling it won't be the last time 37 women show up wanting a piece of it!
