Lauren Simpson — WBFF Champion

Lauren Simpson — WBFF Champion

As a long time BYS lover, and all-around inspirational human — it was a natural fit to welcome Lauren into the family. Read on for Lauren's biggest fitness inspo, her advice to anyone starting their journey, and her favourite pizza recipe!

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Q. Who or what inspired you to get involved in the fitness industry?

A. My mum has always been my biggest inspiration. She was always playing sport as I grew up and I remember hanging out with other kids while the mum’s did pump classes at the gym. I started off with group fitness training because of her. I fell in love with bettering myself and the feeling of progress. As I started to get more involved in the gym…Instagram also became increasingly popular - then I discovered the world of bodybuilding! I started to see these incredible physiques on my newsfeed. The girls were glamourous and their body conditioning was on another level…from that moment I knew I had to get up there too!

Q. Do you have an interesting fact about yourself that would surprise people to learn about you?

A. Here is a non fitness fact about me. I love learning about history. I studied ancient history in school. I then travelled all around Europe multiple times over the years to visit historical sites that were on my bucket list. I also read a lot of historical fiction and also a big fan of war movies (my favourite ever is Saving Private Ryan). I’m a bit of a nerd at heart!

Q. We love that you advocate for balance and enjoying food within your nutritional goals, what’s your current favourite dish? 

A. I’ve been making a lot of pizzas at home lately. They are super easy to make and you can really just top with whatever you feel like (or whatever you have in the fridge!). I’m always making different combinations and have it a couple of nights a week lately!

My go-to pizza recipe right now:
  • Woolworths high protein pizza base 
  • Peri peri roast chicken (from Coles) 100g
  • BBQ sauce to top
  • Mozzarella cheese 25g
  • Pizza sauce (garlic, onions & herbs - Leggo’s brand) 
  • Mushrooms
  • Capsicum
  • Corn
  • Cherry tomato
  • Spinach
(It’s approx. 570 calories for the whole pizza)

Q. Tell us about your proudest achievement?
 
A. 2019 winning the WBFF World Bikini Champion title in Vegas. This had been my ultimate goal since I fell in love with competing and the bodybuilding world. This was the highest level I could reach. Anyone who has done a competition prep before knows how much blood, sweat and tears goes into it. I don’t do anything to be ‘average’ so I worked my ass off to continue to improve my physique over the years, to learn, to evolve and to never stop or give up until I reached the top.

I’ve also had other very proud moments in more recent times such as buying a home on the water on the Gold Coast (it’s been a huge goal of mine to eventually move from Sydney to GC!) and also another is starting my fashion brand ‘RARE’ and hitting some pretty big goals in our first year of operation.

Q. What is your biggest goal that you’re working towards right now?

A. My goals in life are a lot less aesthetics/gym performance focused and a lot more on business driven these days. Successfully selling out RARE’s winter drops would be high on my list right now.

In saying that, I do want to get back to consistently strength training again so hitting a 150kg squat would be nice. Watch this space!!!

Q. If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their journey to improving themselves, whether that be with fitness, nutrition or their career, what would it be?
 
A. BE YOUR OWN BIGGEST HYPE GIRL! When you are just starting out your journey, it can be tough. There will be a lot of self doubt and that inner mean girl will start creeping in telling you that ‘you aren't enough’ or ‘you won't ever succeed’.

You need to push back at that inner critic.
Speak to yourself like you would your mum or bestie.
KIND, ENCOURAGING WORDS ONLY.

At the end of the day, you achieve nothing without taking action so start backing yourself every step of the way and being your own biggest cheerleader. 

Q. What’s at the top of your travel bucket list now the world is re-opening?
 
A. Oh my gosh, my list is so long right now for places to travel too! Before the pandemic I would spend almost half the year overseas…especially escaping our winter for the warmths of Europe and America. Top of my list is Hawaii, Dubai, Bali and Greek Islands. 

Q. And lastly, what’s your go-to Beforeyouspeak Coffee recommendation?

A. My absolute favourites are the Performance Coffees — Caramel and The OG. I have religiously been having these 1-2x per day for years! You will find sachets all over my car, in my handbag, in my gym bag... I’m always prepared!

Follow Lauren on Instagram: @laurensimpson