Love & Marriage Fusion Hack: Supporting Your Partner Through Competition with Nikki & Josef Lagorio
Welcome back, FitFam!
Competition prep may look like an individual sport from the outside, but anyone who has lived through it knows there’s often an entire support system standing behind the athlete.
On today’s Fit Body Lifestyle Fusion Hack, Jami and Greg are joined once again by Nikki Lagorio and Josef Lagorio for a conversation every competitor—and every person who loves a competitor—needs to hear.
What does it actually mean to support your partner through bodybuilding prep?
It’s more than sitting in the audience on show day. It might mean making meals when your athlete is exhausted, walking the dogs when their energy is running low, remembering the coach’s instructions when prep brain kicks in, or simply sitting beside them when they need their safe person close.
But this conversation also highlights something equally important: support has to go both ways.
Competition is a choice, and while your partner may willingly make sacrifices to help you pursue your goals, their needs, interests, and happiness still matter. Learning how to communicate, recognize what each person needs, and stay connected throughout the process can make prep something that strengthens your relationship instead of creating resentment.
Because bodybuilding may be a huge part of your life—but it shouldn’t cost you the people who make that life meaningful.
5 Key Takeaways from the Episode
Support Looks Different for Everyone
There isn't one perfect way to support a competitor. For Nikki, Josef simply being at her shows became incredibly meaningful. Over time, that support grew into helping with groceries, meals, travel logistics, dishes, and other everyday responsibilities.
The lesson? Don't assume you know what your partner needs—ask them.
Some competitors want hands-on help. Others want space, companionship, reassurance, or simply someone cheering from the audience. Understanding your partner's version of support is where the real teamwork begins.
Show Up—and Be Present
There's a big difference between attending a bodybuilding show and truly showing up for your athlete.
Competition weekend isn't necessarily a vacation. The athlete may be managing meals, check-ins, tanning, posing, pumping up, coach instructions, and constantly changing schedules while also dealing with fatigue and hunger.
Sometimes the greatest gift you can give them is your presence.
Be the familiar face in the audience. Sit with them in the hotel room. Help them remember what the coach said. Keep them company when they're tired. You don't always need to fix something—sometimes knowing their person is there is exactly what they need.
Fill the Gaps When Prep Gets Hard
As competitors get deeper into prep, even simple responsibilities can begin to feel overwhelming.
That's where thoughtful acts of service become incredibly valuable.
Maybe it's meal prepping, cooking, cleaning, packing meals, carrying luggage, walking the dogs, or making sure everything needed backstage is packed and ready.
Nikki also shares how she became almost a "pseudo coach" when Josef competed for the first time, helping him remember the little things he didn't yet know he'd need backstage.
Pay attention to where your partner is struggling and ask yourself: What can I take off their plate today?
Sometimes the smallest gesture creates the biggest sense of relief.
The Competitor Still Has a Responsibility to the Relationship
This may be one of the most important reminders of the entire episode.
Yes, contest prep is demanding. Yes, there will be periods when energy is low and the athlete needs additional support. But choosing to compete doesn't mean your partner's needs disappear.
Nikki shares the story of sitting with Josef while he enjoyed a burger during one of her hardest preps. She couldn't eat the meal, but she could still give him her time and companionship.
Jami also discusses encouraging athletes during improvement season to intentionally make room for their relationships—whether that's going to dinner with their spouse or participating in activities that matter to them.
Your goals are important, but so is the person supporting you while you chase them.
Communication Keeps Prep From Becoming Resentment
Before prep gets difficult, talk about what the season might look like.
What will the competitor need?
What will the supporting partner need?
Which responsibilities may need to shift?
How can you continue creating moments of connection?
Josef points out that the supporting partner plays a major role in the journey too. There may be more cooking, cleaning, errands, or responsibilities as the competitor gets closer to the stage. At the same time, the athlete may need to give their partner more freedom to enjoy activities independently.
When expectations are communicated instead of assumed, both people have a much better opportunity to feel seen, appreciated, and supported.
