2022 NPC Emerald Cup Bikini Championships - Marlen Castellanos (Bellevue, WA - April 30, 2022) Our coverage of competitions extends beyond the stage, whether here or on social media, and Emerald Cup 2022 was no different. One of the real hotbeds of bodybuilding/fitness in Washington State (as we've found out from last year's shows) is the Tri-Cities area. Marlen Castellanos continues to improve from show to show, definitely trending to make an impact on the National stage. We caught up to her a few days later with an outdoor/gym shoot. Thanks to PAC gym for the shoot location! We've included a few photos from those sessions as well as some highlights from the stage, beginning with prejudging Wellness and Bikini, comparisons in the super tough Open Bikini 'C' Class (where she placed 2nd) and ending with a few photos from Bikini Finals. In her own words, "Speech Therapist by day and bodybuilder by night. After graduating with my Master's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences, I moved back to the Tri-Cities and started working as an inpatient and outpatient Speech-Language Pathologist. I put all my energy into rehabilitating my adult patients after their strokes and habilitating my pediatric patients who didn't have language yet. It only took a year before I was completely burned out and realized I needed to take care of myself in order to provide the best possible care for my patients. That was when I came across PAC. Rubi talked to me about the work her and Tino did and, although I was skeptical, I signed up. Looking back now, it was the best decision I could have made. PAC has transformed not only my physique, but also my mind. Before PAC I was insecure about my body and being so skinny. I could never gain weight no matter what I did. I would eat a lot of junk in hope that eventually it would catch up to me and I would gain a pound or two. My weight never changed. With Tino and Rubi I have been able to gain healthy muscle mass and am finally at a healthy weight. I feel confident in my own skin and have realized that for me, the best stress relief is a good workout. My very first show was only one year ago and the progress my coaches and I have been able to attain is amazing. We are where we are now after only a year of consistency so I'm eager to see our progress this time next year. I'm thankful that they saw potential in the skinny girl and for all of the guidance and support they have provided. I'm proud to say I am part of the PAC family today and for as long as they'll have me." Marlen Castellanos - Open Bikini Next Page Return