Natural Bodybuilder, Ester Simões on Diva Wellness 2021, body image and confidence

It was two days after Christmas in 2019, when Ester and I first met in her family house – bright lemon-painted with crisp white trim, sitting on a mountain in the beautiful city of Lousã near Coimbra, in Central Portugal. Earlier that night, I had had some traditional grilled chicken at Borges on Rua Doutor Joao Santos, a local, family-run restaurant that has been there “for a long, long time”. The wine was fruity and clean, served in short stem glasses, very close to the rim. This was about two hours prior to me saying “Olá!” to Ester and receiving a massive hug from her. She was wearing a pink cotton candy-felt hoodie, her warmth melted the otherness away in a matter of seconds. Ester was home for her 28^th Christmas, a sweet retreat from her career adventure in London. This night, we were sitting in the Simões’ festive kitchen, when Ester introduced me to Bolo Rei (King’s Cake), Bolo Rainha (Queen’s Cake) and Bacalhau (salted cod), with tracks of expressive Fado music filling the house. This was also when I learned about Ester’s journey towards The World Beauty Fitness & Fashion (WBFF) 2021.  

Since October 2018, Ester has dropped 5kg (11lb) of body fat which now points at 25% of her 77kg body. Today, in her new apartment in Porto, she talks about her passion for Diva Wellness, her perspective on body confidence and the growth mindset. 

LoP: What is passion in your mother tongue? What is it in your life?
Ester Simões: Passion is “paixão” in Portuguese and it is a very powerful word. In my language, paixão is intrinsically connected to love, “saudade” (tragic longing) and Fado – the sadness, feeling of loss and the infatuation to feel your “fate” deeply.

I pursue my passion but it also pursues me. It is a match, then it becomes part of me. Passion is present as I breathe, when I’m awake and asleep both. Last night I dreamt about being on stage with a professional bodybuilder friend of mine; when I was in lockdown away from my family, I dreamt about going to Egypt with them.

You know for me, passion is fueled by risk-taking. The Portuguese were great explorers, we discovered Brazil and the maritime route to India in the 15th century. We were such a small country and had a lot to fear but curiosity and courage took charge. The sailors were not disheartened when they were rounding the Cape. Bodybuilding is my maritime route to India. The adventure has been a healthy, controllable obsession. 

What a fine line! How did you discover your passion for bodybuilding?
It was developed very naturally for me as a karate kid and now a grown woman who loves beautiful expressions and has a body-positive attitude. My background in martial arts taught me discipline and consistency, two key elements in the process of body transformation.

But I’d say the key was by becoming more aware. I’ve always enjoyed embracing and expressing myself through fashion, make-up and kinesthetics. I love walking naked at home because it helps me connect with myself when I’m in my own space and skin. I thought, how can I combine my love for these things and reach a higher form of self? Bodybuilding is the answer for me. It brings a new dimension to my entire being.

Why bodybuilding? 
I love bodybuilding because it is hard. It scares me, it intimidates me and it keeps me on my toes. Bodybuilding is conscious living that helps you question, prove and acknowledge yourself in a good way. We doubt ourselves all the time and having an exercise as such that reinforces our conviction, is good for the psyche. 

Aesthetically, bodybuilding fulfills my desire to look in a way I personally love, to grow muscles in perfect symmetry. There is a fine line between this passion and vanity that I’m aware of. It is the perfect research project to learn more about myself, the competition, health, emotions. It is a positive mindset that is displayed in one space but it can permeate your whole life. This journey is also an investment on health, being in control of my nutrition so I will still be in decent form when I enter my 40s and 50s. 

It takes tearing a muscle to build one. How do you view pain?
Pain excites me. I’m not adverse to it. I was doing walking lunges holding 17.5kg of dumbbells each side and 25kg with the farmer’s walk. I love the connection between pain, pleasure and achievement. It is fascinating.

I discovered the pleasure of pain when I had my first tattoo, the way the needles broke my skin and how I felt my physical existence that way. There is pain in all amazing things. 

What are some of the misconceptions out there about bodybuilding that you may want to talk about?
Last night I was just discussing this with a friend. First, Among women there’s a misconception about going to the gym and looking very masculine and how that is losing their femininity. I want to share that there is a spectrum of options on how you want to recompose your body shape. Also, bodybuilding does not have to involve testosterones and hormones. A female bodybuilder told me the other day someone said she looks like a man, but if she likes that and is nourished properly, then I think that’s better than an overweight person who has health problems or someone who eats a poor diet.

Also, bodybuilders are often judged by placing a value on looks, that we are superficial. How we look is what you see but ultimately it is the heart and mind’s work too. 

And oh, vegans and vegetarians can bodybuild too! I recently met one of my biggest role model, Ivonne Allonso (Instagram @myworkout_yvonne), in Copenhagen. She is a badass, an incredible woman.

It’s exciting you’re competing in the WBFF Amateur Worlds’ Diva Wellness next year in The Bahamas. How is it going to be like?
Bling bling and a lot of determined souls! It should happen at the end of August next year. It is when fashion meets fitness. There’s going to be a lot of smiley, perfectly tanned people. It’ll be energetic and the time for me to meet awesome people and learn. Most importantly, it’ll be a moment of truth and fulfillment.

Looking at the pictures of the contestants, whoa, it must be a lot of pressure to get into those shapes! 
For sure. Even if you are entering the amateur division, everyone still prepares the best for it. I am working with my coach, Tammie Sarkozy from Brisbane (Instagram @tammiesarkozy_wbffpro), and my next benchmark is to drop 3kg by November 15, meaning about 500 grams per week, while building muscles. I need to be super on-schedule. 

Tell us about your current diet. It must be so particular. 
It is precise. On training days I consume 1900 and 1800 on non-training days. Now I’m eating 200grams of full-skim fresh cheese that gives me 28 grams of protein and 200 calories. Later I will have some fruits, I like watermelon, apple, and banana. For lunch I’ll have mushrooms, peppers and eggs. Good variety is important. I eat 4 to 6 small meals a day and consume 2 gram of protein per kg of body weight to feed the growth of new muscles. The only supplement I consume now is whey protein powder. Around February, I’ll cut fat intake and start adding multivitamins and zinc. 

What about alcohol?
I could drink if I wanted to but I haven’t had any alcohol for about a year and a half now. 

You work full-time as a technical account manager and you just invested in a property. How do you manage to keep up with all the activities, and stress, if any?
Yesterday was rough, my laptop broke! Going to the gym to let off steam is actually conducive to my overall life performance. I go for walks sometimes too. 

What is your relationship with food? Is there any “good indulgence” for a bodybuilder like you?
There are some things I love a lot and now I need to measure…like, RICE, is my absolute favorite carb. You know, Portugal is a relatively heavy rice-eating country in Europe! Otherwise, professional bodybuilders actually have to eat a lot so starvation is not associated with this activity.

I could eat ice-cream anytime I want as long as it fits right with my macros. If I crave it, I’d eat Halo Top’s protein ice-cream, it has less sugar and fat, and it tastes amazing. A whole tub is 473ml (one pint) with 300-350 calories.

What is your view on breast implants and steroids? 
I don’t have a huge opinion on them and I think people should do what makes them feel good within reason. For example, living in a city compromises your health due to different kinds of pollution but are people talking about that? As long as people are resolved with the costs of what they do, it’s fine. I believe in less judgement, more joy.

What are you expecting from the competition? 
The competition already started psychologically. The growth and small victories already happened.  I’m super excited about all the steps I’m taking to lose body fat, challenging myself at the gym. It’s still a long way out but everyday I’m getting SO CLOSE. I feel scared too,“Do I have enough time to be ready for this!?” even though my coach said I’m more motivated than 99% of the people she knows…and to be honest I’m excited about failures sometimes.

I’m so excited about choosing my bikini, heels, nails, my lashes…I need to save money for all of these things. A tailor from Columbia is going to make my bikini! I also need a gown!

What color and texture do you want for the gown?
I have no idea yet! I also need to learn how to pose, I’m kind of terrible at it right now, but I’ll be okay eventually I’m sure. 

Let’s talk about body image for a second. How has your journey been like, constructing your self-esteem in the world we live in with heavy influence from social media, competing for beauty (literally), while retaining a sense of gravity?
When I was a kid I was a bit chubby. I was always bigger than my friends, taller with a bigger frame. For a while at that time, I wanted to be skinny, but for a while only. The sports I participated in since childhood have done me a “favor” in the sense that I always prioritize being bigger, stronger, more muscular. I think body image perceptions change as we grow with new mindsets. It was a process for me to land on a firm and steady state with myself. I have a few role models but I don’t compare myself to anyone really so I guess, look inside, not outside.

How can we avoid comparing ourselves to others? 
Focus, find out what you want, where you’re going, be upfront with that vision and do not get distracted by spending energy and time on things that are off the track. When you know what you want, focus on that and make no excuse. My mom always tells me I end up getting many things I want because of my tireless work ethic.

Whenever I can, I celebrate and praise others’ victory and I don’t associate my weakness to their highlights. I associate the old me with the new me. My mind isn’t so much like a balloon, my passion nurtures and gravitates me.

What’s your favorite Portuguese saying or teaching that you carry with you, or has positive meaning in this passionate life?
[Laughs] This is so interesting! Ok, it’s a bit arrogant, but funny-arrogant: Quem não gosta come menos. It means if you don’t like something, you eat less of it. If someone is criticizing you, judging you, this line urges them to do the right thing and stop giving out toxicity.

There are a few Portuguese sayings that I love, they all have the belief that there is a place for every individual in this universe, for us and for others, for everyone, there’s no hard feelings needed. We need to focus on what’s best for us, find our place and protect the sanctuary.

If you were born again and you could choose a passion, what would you choose? 
I love cooking so probably a chef! 

Lens of Passion exists to reflect stories, knowledge and weave the human fabric with our interviewees and audience, you. We hope Ester’s story is giving your life of art something nutritious, stimulating, or something to consider. If you wish to connect with Ester and begin your own dialogue, she is happy to be reached at ester.amaral.simoes@gmail.com and Instagram @lotrgirl

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