WELCOME BACK BADDIES + DADDIES!
This week’s Feature Friday is all about grit, growth, and turning pain into power. We’re honored to highlight, Emalee Fandel, our very own Virtual Assistant here at Pseudo Forece, a woman who didn’t just rewrite her story—she burned the old one to the ground and built something stronger. After years of battling mental health, she decided to take the step into becoming healthier for not only herself, but also her son. Now? After losing a 50+ lbs, she’s a competitive bodybuilder and a walking reminder that your past doesn’t define your future—your choices do.
Emalee embodies what it means to be a baddie: bold, resilient, and unapologetically powerful. We’re proud to have her in the Pseudo Force family and even more proud to help tell her story.
You can follow Emalee on Instagram @emgojim
"The only person standing in your way is yourself."
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE GYM?
Almost 7 years ago, I had reached my highest weight. I was battling depression and had become the unhealthiest I had ever been. I had reached nearly 200lbs and at 5'1"...that's a lot of weight on a little frame. I decided to take the (literal) step into the gym for the first time to not only better myself, but I had a 1-year-old who needed his mom to be able to live life with him. I could hardly play with him without losing my breath or being able to play for very long. Instead of turning to food like I had for so long, I turned to the weights.
I started out just wanting to lose the weight and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle. As I got deeper and deeper into the gym and this lifestyle, I turned to bodybuilding. I had hired a coach and it took off from there. I now have 2 shows under my belt with a 1st place win (my first show) and a 3rd place from this past December. Bodybuilding truly saved my life and gave me a reason to keep pushing forward, even when it's hard.
Not every day is easy and not every day I want to continue to push through, but knowing I have completely changed my life through this lifestyle, it makes me want more and more for myself. I have done some of the hardest things I have ever done in bodybuilding and it's made me realize that TRULY am that bitch. When I found Pseudo, I had found something that I so closely wanted to relate to...be yourself unapologetically. This brand has gave me my voice and brought me strength when I needed it most.
"You did not wake up today to be a weak ass bitch!" That's what I tell myself when I want to give up. You're stronger than your mind tells you.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
Right now, I am focusing on growing. Competing in the Figure division, it seems that it continues to get bigger and bigger...so I am all about that challenge. Call me crazy, but I will always say that bulking season is WAY harder than cutting/prep. I look forward to the next time we can lean down and get back on that stage!
WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO YOURSELF?
I always remember where I came from. I wasn't born with the "right" genetics for bodybuilding, nor is my personal life always the easiest to make this sport possible.
But, I always remind myself that the only person standing in my way is me. I'm the one who is in charge of what happens. I can make it through the tough times, the long cardio sessions, the pain and fatigue that comes with prep, etc. But, I can also make it through whatever life throughs at me outside of bodybuilding. It is up to me to make sure those things don't slow me down.
FAVORITE PSEUDO APPAREL
Literally all of it. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't have at least ONE thing from Pseudo on. But..if I had to absolutely choose, I'd go sweats. I have every single pair and I literally wear them every day.
I can't wait for Fall/Winter so I can be head to toe in Pseudo! Hoodies, sweats, and beanies are my go to - inside the gym and out!
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