The Hype Files
IFBB - unfiltered. I'm your host, Shannon - and I am here to bring you the stories, the moments, and the truth behind the athletes shaping the sport. Being an IFBB bikini competitor myself, let's dive into the highs, lows, backstage reality, and the future of bodybuilding in NZ. Expect athlete interviews, live show coverage, and a growing look behind the lens as the sport evolves. Big shifts are coming in 2026⌠watch this space.
Episodes

Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
You all KNOW I had to get this weapon back on the pod - Welcome Back to the Team Empire Podcast: Shea Crotty đď¸ ICYMI we had Shea on the pod back in May 2023 - and since that time, she's competed at the Ben Weider Natural Pro Show in the USA and placed 4th đ¤Żđ back in 2022, this queen placed 9th - so she beat her last package by 5 places (many other variables considered to placings - BUT SHE DID THAT!!!!!) New Zealand is extremely proud of our Natty Figure Pro chasing her dreams and being the most incredible role model we desperately need in this country ⥠#realtothebone-----Shop with our incredible activewear sponsor:www.infiniteaesthetics.co.nzAffiliate Code: EMPIREThank you for supporting the pod and shopping with the best! âĄ-----If you're watching on YouTube:Please consider giving us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!If you're listening on Spotify or iHeartRadio:Please consider giving us a â rating or review - TY!-----Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Shea: @shea_crotty-----For #TeamEmpire 1:1 Lifestyle or Competition Prep Coaching with Shannon:www.empirecoachingteam.comshan@empirecoachingteam.comwww.instagram.com/empirecoachingteam-----#SupportYourSport #IFBB #NZIFBBThank you for watching!

Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Welcome to our first episode of 2024! Kicking it off with guest, Rachel Mead - IFBB Bikini Athlete and Owner of @rachxbikinis (NZ's best and only 100% handmade custom Bikini, Wellness, Figure & Physique Suits and Rentals). We chatted about her competing career, competing goals, plans for 2024 season, tips for ordering/selecting your competition suit, everything about suits in general, reverse dieting and more!!-----Shop with our incredible activewear sponsor:www.infiniteaesthetics.co.nzAffiliate Code: EMPIREThank you for supporting the pod and shopping with the best! âĄ-----If you're watching on YouTube:Please consider giving us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!If you're listening on Spotify or iHeartRadio:Please consider giving us a â rating or review - TY!-----Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Rachel: @rachxfitlife-----For #TeamEmpire 1:1 Lifestyle or Competition Prep Coaching with Shannon:www.empirecoachingteam.comshan@empirecoachingteam.comwww.instagram.com/empirecoachingteam-----#SupportYourSport #IFBB #NZIFBBThank you for watching!

Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Happy New Year everyone - let's gooooo 2024! To kick the year off, I have a solo podcast for you today. And I'm diving in to the hot topics that are hugely talked about in the competing world and beyond. Reverse Dieting, Body Dysmorphia and tips on how to mentally get through a build phase. I really hope you enjoy this episode âĄLet me know in the comments (if you're watching on YouTube), what topics you'd like me to cover next! Thank you so much for tuning in today. Your time and energy is appreciated!-----Shop with our incredible activewear sponsor:www.infiniteaesthetics.co.nzAffiliate Code: EMPIREThank you for supporting the pod and shopping with the best! âĄ-----If you're watching on YouTube:Please consider giving us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!If you're listening on Spotify or iHeartRadio:Please consider giving us a â rating or review - TY!-----Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporter-----For #TeamEmpire 1:1 Lifestyle or Competition Prep Coaching with Shannon:www.empirecoachingteam.comshan@empirecoachingteam.comwww.instagram.com/empirecoachingteam-----#SupportYourSport #IFBB #NZIFBBThank you for watching!

Friday Dec 22, 2023
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Thank you for tuning in to the #TeamEmpire Podcast đ today I've got NZ's newest IFBB Figure Pro on the pod, Nikayla Lawrence! We obviously chatted about her incredible win at NZIFBB Nationals this year, the difference between winning her WFF Pro Card and IFBB Pro Card, her journey into bodybuilding, parenting while competing and a whole lot more!
Please give us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!
Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Nikayla: @nikaylalawrencefitnessÂ
#SupportYourSportThank you for watching!

Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Thank you for tuning in to the #TeamEmpire Podcast đ today I've got NZ's newest IFBB Bikini Pro on the pod (and 2nd time guest), Rochelle Lloyd! We obviously chatted about her incredible win at NZIFBB Nationals this year in the Bikini division and claiming her Pro Card - but I also got her advice on reverse dieting, body dysmorphia, achieving your goals and a whole lot more!
Please give us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!
Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Rochelle: @roxchelleÂ
#SupportYourSportThank you for watching!

Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Thank you for tuning in to the #TeamEmpire Podcast đ in today's episode, I have the incredible IFBB Bikini Pro, Kate Carroll back on the pod! We chatted about her recent International Pro Show (Shawn Rays Hawaiian Classic - where she placed 2nd to Ashley Kaltwasser), her two year offseason, feelings post-show, answering your IG questions and everything in between!
Please give us a cheeky five â
rating if you're enjoying the pod.
Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Kate: @kaatestaceyÂ
#SupportYourSportThank you for watching!

Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Welcome back to the Team Empire Podcast đ thanks for tuning in! Today I'm chatting to the incredible duo - Dean & Jasmine! (I was quite literally starstruck with this one)Dean is NZ's newest IFBB Bodybuilding Pro 2023 and Jasmine was our NZIFBB Figure Pro 2022. They are a Coaching team and couple also! So we have a LOT to chat about. While I pick their brains about their journey and what's next for them both - I had to ask Jasmine about her transition from Figure to Wellness. There two are ONES TO WATCH and are exactly the type of Pro Athletes we love and support here in NZ đđź
Please give us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!
Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Dean & Jasmine: @djl.coaching
#SupportYourSportThank you for watching!

Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Welcome back to the Team Empire Podcast đ thanks for tuning in! Today I'm chatting to Nader Ragheb - NZ's newest IFBB Mens Physique Pro Athlete. We're chatting about his journey into competing, whether Classic Physique or Mens Physique have his heart, posing, competing/winning against his teammates, when he'll have his Pro Debut, his natty status and sooo much more!
Please give us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!
Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Nader: @naderraghebb__
#SupportYourSportThank you for watching!

Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Welcome back to the Team Empire Podcast đ thanks for tuning in! Today I'm chatting to Sian Bennett - former WBFF Fitness Pro Athlete turned IFBB Bikini Athlete in the making! We're going to chat about Sian's decision to switch federations, how the process is going, her goals for the future, new business venture and soooo much more!!
Please give us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!
Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Bekah: @sianbennettnz
#SupportYourSportThank you for watching!

Monday Nov 27, 2023
Monday Nov 27, 2023
Welcome back to the Team Empire Podcast đ thanks for tuning in! Today we have Christel de Klerk on the pod - an NZIFBB Bikini competitor and Overall Winner of Moes Muscles 2023. I competed alongisde Christel at Moes Muscles and had to have her on for an episode to chat about her journey! We dive into a whole range of topics, including: battling an autoimmune condition while competing, reverse dieting, thoughts on Olympia, thoughts on NZIFBB Nationals, her future goals/plans and sooooo much more!!
Please give us a LIKE and hit SUBSCRIBE to support the pod - TY!
Follow us on IG: @teamempirepodcast Follow NZIFBB on IG: @nzifbb Follow Shannon: @shannonnporterFollow Bekah: @christel_deklerk
#SupportYourSportThank you for watching!


