The 2024 Bikini Olympia champion and CELSIUS athlete discussed her silver finish in Columbus and confirmed her next show.
By Roger “Rock” Lockridge, Managing Editor
2024 Bikini Olympia champion Lauralie Chapados has been on a road to redemption since her surprising sixth-place finish at the 2025 Olympia. That road began in November with the addition of Damian Segovia to her team, and it most recently included a stop in Columbus, OH for the 2026 Bikini International, where the three-time winner took second to new champion Aimee Delgado.
Chapados clearly didn’t step on stage to take anything besides first, but she showed great improvement between the Olympia and Arnold Classic. In an exclusive interview with Muscle Insider CEO Andrew Bukowsky, Chapados reflected on how she did in Columbus and shared her thoughts on what head judge Tyler Manion said about the contest.
“It was a tighter call than some people may want to think, but Tyler said that I was 99 and a half (percent) and that Aimee was 100. We’re all splitting hairs at this point.”
The CELSIUS athlete has taken notes of what Manion said and confirmed she is wasting no time on giving him another chance to judge her physique. Chapados confirmed that she will be competing in the 2026 Pittsburgh Pro in May.
“I can’t wait for the rematch in Pittsburgh,” she declared. “We’re going to be ready for that one for sure.”
THE SEGOVIA ADVANTAGE
Chapados confirmed that there was no complete coaching switch. She still relies on the eyes and experience of the great Kim Oddo, but Segovia has worked with several elite champions on the women’s side of the stage, including eight-time Figure Olympia champion Cydney Gillon and six-time Ms. Olympia Andrea Shaw. That experience was what Chapados felt she needed to bring something new to the stage following losing her Olympia title.
“I needed to make a change that was about building my body back fully,”
The caliber of champions that Segovia is connected to also serves Chapados in terms of mindset. She has one Olympia win but wants more. As far as she is concerned, working with someone that has that pedigree of working with repeat champions serves as a new asset.
“It’s a different grit, and it’s a different grind, and I really faced that at the Olympia. That was why I made that switch.”
Bukowsky also asked Chapados about habits that have served her well throughout her career, the confidence and effort she puts into posing, and how CELSIUS has been a part of her success by providing energy when it counts. You can see the full exclusive interview in its entirety over at the Muscle Insider YouTube channel. Make sure you subscribe and check out our other exclusive interviews with greats such as Andrew Jacked, Jay Cutler, Derek Lunsford, and more. For more on CELSIUS, go to www.celsius.com.
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