Controlling your Environment: Difficult Decisions and Developing Resilience With Maria Acosta Part 2
Welcome back, my strong and beautiful souls! In this powerful continuation of our conversation with the incredible Maria Acosta, we go beyond the stage lights and competition prep to explore something much deeper—healing, mindset, and the quiet strength it takes to rewrite your story.
Maria shares her raw and heartfelt journey from battling eating disorders in her teens to becoming a professional bodybuilder and thriving businesswoman. She opens up about the toxic pressures of body image, the danger of online communities promoting disordered eating, and how bodybuilding became not just her sport, but her lifeline. With wisdom well beyond her years, Maria reminds us all that the journey to a healthy, balanced life is not about perfection—it's about progress, purpose, and choosing to show up for yourself every single day.
And mama, this episode hits deep. If you’ve ever felt trapped by unrealistic expectations or struggled with your relationship with food or your body, Maria’s story will speak to you loud and clear: you are not alone, and you are capable of healing.
5 Key Takeaways
1. Your Past Doesn’t Define You—Your Habits Do
Maria powerfully reminds us that while her struggles with bulimia and anorexia may always be part of her story, they don't own her. Through therapy, community, and new routines, she built habits that support a healthy mindset and body. It’s not about eliminating the thoughts—it’s about mastering your response to them.
2. Fuel is Not the Enemy—Food is Power
She breaks the myth wide open: eating more, not less, was the key to transforming her physique and health. By embracing proper nutrition (hello, carbs!), Maria not only improved her performance but completely reshaped her body and mindset.
3. Quick Fixes Create Long-Term Damage
Too many people, especially in Latin America, fall into the trap of crash dieting or extreme restriction for fast results. Maria stresses that sustainable change comes from consistency, not deprivation.
4. Bodybuilding Can Be Healing—When Done Right
For Maria, stepping into bodybuilding helped shift her mindset from “how little can I eat” to “how strong can I become.” When supported by the right coaches and community (shoutout to Fit Body Fusion!), the sport became a tool for empowerment rather than control.
5. You Win the Battle One Day at a Time
Whether it's managing disordered eating thoughts or staying focused on your goals, Maria lives by the mantra of winning each day. As she beautifully puts it: “You have a new opportunity to do better every hour.”
