Balancing Mom Life and IFBB Goals

For many people, balancing work, parenthood, and personal goals feels like a juggling act. For Talia Fiege of Orange County, California, it’s a way of life—and a powerful example of what’s possible when you commit to yourself without sacrificing your family or career.

Talia didn’t grow up with dreams of becoming a professional bodybuilder. In fact, her journey into fitness didn’t begin until adulthood. After playing volleyball throughout high school, life took her in a different direction—college, marriage, and eventually a job in the car sales business. It wasn’t until her husband at the time built a gym near her workplace that weightlifting found its way into her life. “He built personal training sessions into the contract,” Talia said. “That’s how I got started—and I fell in love with it.”

From there, fitness became a part of her identity. She dabbled in kickboxing and even flirted with the idea of bikini competitions before life steered her in another direction. Years later, after recovering from a knee injury, she found herself deep in the world of physique training. “When people kept asking if I competed, I figured—why not?”

Talia’s first competition was nothing short of impressive. She placed first twice and snagged a second-place finish as well. Fast forward to last year, and she earned her IFBB Pro Card after a series of major wins at the North American Championships. “I’m still ecstatic about it,” she said. “To know how much time and dedication I’ve put into this sport and to accomplish so much so quickly makes me happy. My kids think it’s cool that I’m a professional athlete, too.“

These days, Talia has her sights set on stepping on stage for her pro debut—and qualifying for Olympia. She’s also launching a YouTube channel focused on training tips and healthy meals, aiming to inspire others to find their strength inside and outside the gym.

Early Mornings and Full Plates

Talia’s schedule would make most people dizzy. Working full-time in the car sales business as a finance manager with demanding shifts, she still carves out time for her two children (ages 8 and 10), her training, and her nutrition.

Her mornings start at 3:45 a.m. with a gym session before getting her children ready for school. Then it’s off to work, sometimes until 10 p.m. or later. Days off are reserved for quality time with her kids. She meal preps all her food, and her kids eat a lot of what she makes. When she has to do afternoon cardio, her little guy will go to the gym with her and do homework while she runs.

“I get up before my kids to train so I don’t miss out on time with them in the mornings,” she explained. “I prioritize them in that way but myself as well just by getting it done.”

Talia sees fitness not as something separate from motherhood but woven into the fabric of their daily lives. “My kids know why we eat healthy. I explain it’s not about being mean—it’s about protecting their health,” she said. “Even my son noticed. He once said, ‘Mommy, you don’t look like the other moms.’ That made me proud he could see and acknowledge that at such a young age.”

Strength, Resilience, and Real Life

When Talia talks about strength, she isn’t just talking about muscles. “Strength to me is resilience,” she said.

It’s the kind of strength that helped her walk away from an unhappy marriage with two young children. It’s the kind of strength that carried her through the loss of her father and the challenges of repairing family relationships. “I learned to always find a way,” she said. “It’s not about how you look—it’s about being able to take care of yourself and the people you love.”

Talia hopes to pass these lessons on to her kids: the importance of goal-setting, healthy habits, and the belief that no matter what life throws at you, you can move forward.

Advice for Moms Feeling Overwhelmed

For moms who feel torn between taking care of themselves and taking care of their families, Talia offers simple but powerful advice: start small, but start, even if it is only a 20 minute workout. “There’s no reason to feel bad for prioritizing your health,” she said. “If you don’t, your kids are watching—and chances are, they’ll pick up the same habits.”

Her approach is practical: prep meals ahead of time, pack a cooler for the day, and involve your kids whenever you can. “It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being consistent and making better choices when you can.”

Connecting with BodyKore

Talia’s passion for fitness led her to connect with BodyKore, where she found not just high-quality equipment but a community that shares her philosophy. “Their equipment is built to last, and you can tell they take pride in what they do,” she said. “It’s been great getting to know the people behind the brand. They really care about helping others get stronger.”

Through her work with BodyKore, her own training, and now her YouTube channel, Talia is focused on lifting others up—showing that no matter where you start, or how busy life gets, strength is something you can always build.

And sometimes, it all starts with setting that alarm for 3:45 a.m. and deciding you’re worth it.