Fit Model Over 50: What It Was Like To Compete for the First Time [Ep 62]

Ever wondered what it’s really like to step on stage for a fitness competition in your 50s? In this episode, host Lisa DuPree pulls back the curtain on her very first FIT Model competition experience, from backstage jitters and early-morning glam to surprising results.

You’ll hear what it takes to prepare for a fitness show, how different competition divisions work (like True Novice, Masters 35+, and Open Class), and why Lisa believes midlife is the perfect time to go after bold, body-confident goals. If you’ve ever felt the pull to reinvent yourself, challenge your limits, or just feel strong and empowered again, this one’s for you.

Ready to chase your own big goal or need support to get your mojo back? Hit follow, share this episode with a friend, and check below to learn how you can work with Lisa for weight loss/fitness coaching, mindset support, and real midlife transformation.

Key Moments 

[01:30]  Competition day details: divisions entered, results, and what they mean

[03:20] Backstage buzz: last-minute prep, suit glue, and a funny number mix-up 

[06:00] Walking on stage for the first time: emotions, confidence, and dancer energy 

[08:00] Post-show reflections, and what’s next

💪 Ready to Get Your Mojo Back? 

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📲 Connect with Lisa on Instagram: @lisadupreecoaching

Thanks for listening!

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Transcript

Lisa DuPree: Hello. Hello. Welcome back to Midlife Mojo. I'm Lisa DuPree, and today's episode is a fun one because this past weekend I did the dang thing and stepped on stage for my very first fit model competition. I've been talking about this goal for a while. So if you're just now finding the podcast, you can go back and listen in.

I started doing weekly updates about 10 weeks out from the competition. And you can also hop on Instagram at Lisa Dupree coaching if you wanna check out some more behind the scenes details. I've got more posts over there on Instagram. So this episode is a recap. Of how the competition day went, how I placed, and just what I was feeling like when I was walking out in front of the judges and also what's next.

Let's get right into it. The show I competed in was in Orlando, so I had to travel a little bit, not too far.

And for the show, it was actually their 30th anniversary, and [00:01:00] that was really special. It was it was really well organized. I enjoyed it. Everybody I met there was incredibly kind, very nice, very open which was amazing for me as someone who is just a complete newbie in this area. The FIT Model division, is a brand new division for 2025.

I competed in three classes, so true novice, which is for first timers, people that have never competed before. Master's over 35, which is age group.

And then in the open class. And the open classes are based on height and so. Dun drum roll. I placed fourth in true novice third in a master's over 35. And first in my open class, like what you know that first place finish may have actually qualifi qualified me for nationals, which is just wild to even.

[00:02:00] Say out loud. I need to get some confirmation on that because it just really wasn't on my radar too much. So I need to find out more about that. But that's pretty cool. It's pretty exciting. I. So the day of the show which was, it was on a Saturday I got up, I woke up at 5:00 AM 'cause I had to get hair done, makeup done, I had to get tan touchups.

And I had to eat at least one meal. I had five meals for my competition day. So I had to eat at least one meal to get started and then go to the competitor's meeting. So it was from the time I got up at 5:00 AM it was just like, go, go, go. 

FIT model was the third division to go in the lineup. And so right after the competitors meeting, we went right back into the backstage area. Once I got up and got moving, it was just like. It was nonstop. And honestly, I was nervous, I was anxious, but more than [00:03:00] anything, like at this point, I, I was ready, I was ready to show off like nine months of work and discipline.

And the intention that I had poured into this goal. And I was really ready to step into that moment that I had been visualizing for weeks and practicing for weeks, even months, you know? My daughter flew down to be there, which was so special. My significant other was right there as well. So they were actually like right behind the judges in the closest row behind the judges.

And yeah, that just meant the world to me. Truly meant the world to me. It was just, it was amazing. I, and then as I got backstage, it was such, such an interesting place. It was just a big room and everybody had their little areas set up. I had my suitcase full of all the things I would need.

I left with that when I left my room, my hotel room at five in the morning. So I had everything, everybody setting up. Everybody was super friendly. [00:04:00] But really, you know, backstage, everybody's in their own zone and they're doing things like getting their last minute touchups on their tan.

They're getting their suits adjusted and actually glued in place. So that was interesting. But yeah, it makes sense because you don't want any suit, mishaps. Everybody was out there doing pump up exercises and practicing their last minute posing.

So you could really just feel that pre-stage intensity in the air. And then, so get this, this is interesting. There was a moment when the expediter, they kept calling for this one competitor, competitor number 89, and nobody was answering. And so we're all like, where'd they go? Are they here? Did they not show up?

What happened? It turned into a full on hunt for this person. Everybody was scrambling trying to figure out, who this person was. Because it's a big deal. If you miss the morning pre-judging, you are out. You're done. You don't get to go on in the evening for [00:05:00] finals. So yeah, like it's a big deal.

Anyway, turns out the guy was in the room the whole time. He thought he was number 68 because he had his button. When you have a button with a number on it that gets clipped to your suit. And his number was upside down. And so he thought he was number 68, but he was actually 89. And thank goodness they caught it in time, just in time to rush him across the hall.

And he was able to make his call time and get on stage for the morning pre-judging, but oh my gosh, like that was that was interesting. So some fun stuff backstage. And then for my division, it was up really soon after that, and as luck liquid have it, I was the first one to go on, and so I didn't get to see anybody before me.

But also it was, I think that was good because I didn't get to see the reaction to anyone that was before me. So I was just the first on in my division. And for me, getting out there and stepping on that stage, like it was, all [00:06:00] these things hit me all at once, right? Like, I felt so proud. I was fired up.

I actually felt pretty comfortable up there on stage. I pulled into kind of like my, more of my dancing experience, my dancing persona and I felt confident. I was really, really grateful that as soon as I stepped onto the stage, I saw my two favorite people in the world right there behind the judges smiling, cheering me on, and I really loved every second of it, like every second.

And it went by so quick. It went by in a flash. Yeah, so everything that I practiced for it seemed like it went by in just seconds, but I know it was several minutes, but it was super, super cool, super amazing. And if I really think about it. And I'm being really transparent.

I have to admit that I was a tad disappointed with where I placed in a couple of the categories. I really felt my presentation was good, whenever you're doing something, you're so invested in it. [00:07:00] It's always tough when the outcome doesn't really met like. The effort that you put in.

But that was, that's it for everybody, right? Everybody that's there, everybody that's competing, everybody that's going for a big goal like this, like everybody's putting in the effort, and somebody's gotta come in first and everybody's gonna place after that.

But you know, the women that I was up on stage with that were in my division, they were amazing. Every single one of 'em, they were gorgeous. They were super fit. And while I was very proud to be holding my own on that stage.

I would really love the chance to compete alongside more women in my own age range, because I was in the Masters over 35. So it was just that one group. And it's not because that I don't feel like I would be competitive or 'cause I can't hang it's because I know how powerful and strong and incredible women over 50 are, and I wanna share the stage with more of them. Overall I [00:08:00] am absolutely thrilled how I showed my performance, my overall presentation. I brought the best that I could, the best version of me that I could and that just stoked the fire in me. And it reminded me what's possible when you set a big goal and you commit to it and you go for it. Like you just trust the process and you go for it, and you do what needs to be done, even when you're not sure how it's gonna turn out.

Because honestly, it was really a success, like the moment I stepped on that stage, like it was a success. And now this week I'm relaxing. I'm just relaxing a bit. I got some sort of, I think cold there this weekend. It didn't hit me until a couple days later when I got home and it's just laid me out this week.

So really, I'm just kinda chilling out this week. I am really. Curious to get the feedback from my coach. She's got my videos, she's got pictures and then also gonna be reaching out to [00:09:00] the judges, so they'll give you feedback as well, like how, like what was the rationale for how they placed you and what their recommendations are for going forward for improving.

So I'm really looking forward to getting that information. I'm gonna keep training. Absolutely. I personally, regardless of the feedback from the coach and the judges, I personally want to put on a little more muscle and fine tune my conditioning a little bit. And I'm really looking forward to doing another show in September or early fall.

So I'm on the lookout for a competition that includes Masters over 50 or Masters over 55 categories because I really do wanna stand shoulder to shoulder with other like powerful, strong, inspiring women in my age range. And, not necessarily be flexing next to someone who still looks like they get carted when they go out.

 Because really empowering women to. Crush it and flourish in midlife. Like, that's my jam. That's my jam As a coach and exercise physiologist, that's [00:10:00] what keeps me going, and that's what this podcast is all about. So if you've been sitting on a goal or a dream that just feels a little wild, it feels a little out there, feels like maybe your time has passed, like this is your reminder that it hasn't.

You're not too old. It's not too late and you don't have to do it alone. So whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, have more energy, take on a new challenge, push yourself out of your comfort zone. Do new things, just, feel like yourself again. I see you. I believe in you, and I know, I know it can happen for you.

So if this episode gave you a little spark, I'd love for you to share it with a friend who might need a reminder that she still got it or maybe that she's just getting started. And if you haven't yet, hit the follow button so you never miss a new episode. And hey, if you're ready for more support with your workouts, nutrition mindset, or just getting your mojo back, check out the show notes for [00:11:00] how we can work together.

I've got a few coaching spots available and I would love to work with you. Until next time, go for what lights you up and keep your mojo rising.