Dominika Anna Podlewska
Hi, I’m Dominika.
I’ve been working at FINIDR for several months now. I work on the sewing line, and I’m also a wife and the mother of a six-year-old daughter.
I also have a great passion—sports—which has always been a part of my life. My interests have changed a bit over the years. In school, I loved basketball. During college, I tried pole dancing. For several years now, my activities in this area have been closely tied to the gym and strength training. I currently work as a personal trainer and fitness instructor. In addition to leading individual training sessions and group classes, I devote a lot of time to my own training. I started strength training based on my own knowledge. At a certain point, I realized that in order to continue developing in this area, I needed the help of a professional trainer. I began working with him, and under his supervision, I’ve made real progress. After our very first in-person meeting, the trainer determined that, given my genetic predisposition and body structure, I met all the criteria for bodybuilding training in the wellness category (wide pelvis, well-developed legs and glutes).
That’s how my preparations for bodybuilding competitions began. That’s how my passion was born.
A year later, in the fall of 2024, I made my debut and competed in a number of bodybuilding competitions in my category. I competed in the following season in the fall of 2025.
Even though I was just a beginner bodybuilder, I managed to achieve several achievements:
● 3rd place twice in the Polish Cup,
● 3rd place at the Greater Poland Region Championship,
● 3rd place at the Grand Prix in Opava,
● 3rd place at the Grand Prix in Prague,
● 3rd place at the Grand Prix in Luxembourg,
● 6th place at the Grand Prix in Malta,
● a top-6 finish at the World Championships in Spain.
Preparing for competitions and participating in them is very demanding and exhausting. On top of that, it involves enormous costs that the contestant has to bear—such as custom-made clothing, shoes, and other accessories. There are also costs for a hairstylist, a beautician, tanning, travel, and lodging. For this reason, I’ve decided to take a break from competing (we call it “off-season”). I’m focusing on building muscle mass for future competitions, restoring my health, and enjoying life.
I’m planning my next competition for 2028, but we’ll see how that goes. Work, family, and demanding training pose a major challenge.
Preparing for competitions is a long-term process full of sacrifices. Thorough physique preparation (known as “prep”) usually begins as early as 5 months before the first competition. So I started preparing for my first competition in September as early as May.
A “prep” involves a strict diet with a significant calorie deficit, intense workouts without any changes (in my case, 3 days of leg workouts and 1 day a week of upper-body workouts), possibly cardio, and meeting the daily step goal (usually 8,000 to 14,000). Sleep duration, dietary supplements, and check-ups are also extremely important.
It’s also essential to stay hydrated by ensuring an intake of clean water (usually 5–8 liters per day) and consuming the appropriate amount of salt, measured precisely to the gram (usually 4 to 10 grams per day).
Part of the preparation also includes weekly reports for the coach, based on which he or she evaluates the physique and posing ability (the most demanding element, which requires walking in stiletto heels, graceful movement, and constant tension to highlight the muscles). It is a very difficult and demanding period. You grow weaker day by day due to weight loss. Due to very low body fat levels, you start to feel cold. You’re operating in survival mode. You experience constant fatigue, your whole body aches, and “brain fog” occurs more and more frequently. All of this takes a toll on your health. Your thyroid begins to malfunction, and problems and hormonal imbalances arise.
For health reasons alone, taking a break from competitions was simply a necessity.
Despite the enormous effort and sacrifices involved in preparing for and participating in competitions, bodybuilding is my true passion, and every success—even the smallest one—brings me huge satisfaction.
