What's Different About This Prep? - Arnold Here We Come with Phoebe Hagan

Welcome back, Fit Body Lifers. In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Fit Body Lifestyle, Jami and Greg sit down with the incredible Phoebe Hagan for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, rebuilding passion, and returning to the sport of bodybuilding with intention.

Phoebe opens up about stepping away from competing after years of pushing through prep after prep, realizing that while discipline can build champions, it can also quietly drain joy if the mindset isn’t right. What makes this episode so special is that it’s not just about getting back on stage—it’s about how and why you return.

Together, Jami, Greg, and Phoebe explore the importance of prioritizing mental health, embracing process over outcomes, and allowing yourself the space to rest before rising again. This isn’t a “push harder” conversation—it’s a “listen deeper” one. And for anyone who’s ever felt tired, stuck, or disconnected from something they once loved, this episode is a beautiful reminder that passion doesn’t disappear…it hibernates.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Burnout is a signal, not a failure
   Phoebe shares that her time away from the stage wasn’t quitting—it was listening. Burnout was her body and mind asking for care, not criticism.

2. Mindset must come before the macros
   One of the biggest shifts in Phoebe’s journey was fixing the mind before diving back into tracking, training, and prep. When the mindset aligned, the results followed naturally.

3. You don’t need to suffer to succeed
   This prep felt different because it wasn’t rooted in punishment. Phoebe proves you can honor the grind and enjoy the process at the same time.

4. Rest can be a strategic power move
   Taking time off allowed Phoebe to return stronger, healthier, and more fulfilled. Sometimes stepping back is exactly what moves you forward.

5. Process-focused journeys create lasting outcomes
   By letting go of rigid outcome-based pressure and focusing on daily habits, health, and joy, Phoebe found herself back on stage—without forcing it.

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