IMPERIAL VALLEY — Traditionally considered a male sport or hobby, bodybuilding has come a long way in its cultural popularity and inclusivity. This is exactly the case for one local mother and fitness enthusiast who has taken this hobby and elevated it to a discipline.
Xochitl Robinson, a wife and mother, found a passion and purpose in the art of bodybuilding competitions. Originally from Mexicali, she was especially drawn to it after moving to the Imperial Valley and joining Joe’s Powerhouse when her daughter was still in elementary school.
“It was a way for me to meet people and a healthy way to network. I learned a lot about training and healthy eating habits. And I just liked it, so I kept doing it,” she said.
Her daughter is now a young adult, and Robinson has been happily married for many years. She works for her husband’s company. “We are farmers,” she said. “And we also provide farming services.”
She explained that she had been training since around 2014. Around her 40th birthday, she grew curious about nutrition and bodybuilding and started asking around. Her personal goal for that birthday was to get into the best shape of her life and participate in a show, simply to satisfy her curiosity.
“However, I was not able to achieve that goal because I lacked conditioning,” Robinson said. “So I went to a couple of trainers, I explained to them what I wanted to do, and they gave me a book. I followed my program, and by May of that year, I did my first show in San Diego. I got third place, and I just fell in love with it.”
Robinson explained that following those events, she completed two additional San Diego shows before deciding to prepare for nationals. She entered her first national competition in the summer of 2018, adhering to a structured program and incorporating posing classes. By that time, she was already aware of where to purchase her competition bikini and accessories.
Robinson took a leap of faith one day and said, “I went to my first national show without really knowing anyone, just because I wanted to see what it was like. But I was not ready to see roughly 1,200 competitors. These events are divided over four days, with male and female subdivisions. It was very exciting.”
Later on, she went to watch the Arnold bodybuilding show as a spectator and got excited to compete again. “I felt that if I had done it once, I could do it again,” she said. “But I went during 2020, a COVID year. We had to get ready, even though we didn’t really know if there was going to be a show or not. But eventually it did, and the show must go on.”
Robinson explained how the competitors got ready. But there was nobody in the audience. However, she was able to place 6th nationally. “Afterwards, I like to take a long break from them, to rest and replenish myself. I like to do a whole season of competition, rather than spreading them out,” she said.
The bodybuilder explained that they have earned various awards in their other shows. They competed in nearly 21 shows between 2018 and 2023, averaging roughly four shows per year. These periods are referred to as seasons, during which competitive seasons require a combination of dedicated training and specific nourishment to achieve a particular physical look.
Robinson says she has learned a lot from the sport. “Every hobby is pricey. But when I train, I do about 50 minutes of cardio per day. Weightlifting is around 1.5 hours a day,” she said.
Robinson says she likes to prepare her own meals at home. “I don’t really follow diet trends,” she said. “I’ve found that what works better for me is to be steady with what I eat. For the most part, I eat at home. When I’m preparing for a competition, I have to eat at home 100 percent of the time. But I’ve found my healthy balance.”
In order to maintain her physique, Robinson does a mix of gym training and at-home workouts. She holds three local gym memberships and takes occasional Pilates or other fitness classes too. She also likes to try new things, such as red-light yoga and Pilates in San Diego.
She has many fond memories of her competition days. “I learned that, like many things in life, it doesn’t really matter what other people think about you. And definitely not what you should look like. What really matters is that you accept yourself how you are. There is always room for improvement.”
“Just staying in shape is a lot of work,” she said. “You have to learn to say NO.” This can be particularly difficult in Mexican culture, where there is a lot of temptation to indulge in delicious homemade food and rich cuisine.
Self-discipline, self-assurance, and confidence are some of the traits that Robinson has learned via the sport of bodybuilding. “When you have a goal in mind, the only person that you have to listen to is yourself. So, this discipline applies to a lot of things in life. Sometimes you are your only fan,” she admits.
She still sees herself competing in the future. However, right now, she is giving priority to her family life. She would like to give herself enough time to properly prepare and train for the next competition.
Robinson says that her family has always been very supportive of her goals. She is flexible and realizes that plans can change, but she has the capability to adapt. “I changed my approach because I understood that there is always going to be someone ‘better’ than you. All the competitors look amazing, and they have amazing stories to tell. They are beautiful people, all of them.”
She explained that bodybuilding established a fitness foundation that she has maintained ever since, but she has also prioritized enjoying her life by offering herself grace when necessary and achieving a balanced routine.
Robinson has earned at least 20 medals and awards from her competitions. She said, “I cannot just be obsessed with the next show. You have to accept it for what it is. You can place really well at one show, and not so well at the next one.”
She explained that beauty depends on individual perception as she reflected on what life had taught her. She noted that she has learned not to take things personally, acknowledging that while you win at times and lose at others, you must occasionally accept defeat.
“I enjoy what I do,” Robinson explained. “But one of the things that I have learned is that you cannot impose your point of view or your way of living onto others, not even to the members of your family. If you want others to accept you as you are, you’ve got to learn to accept them as they are.”
She stated that the experience provided her with numerous opportunities, allowed her to connect with many people—including her idols—and enabled her to win the amateur Olympia title, travel, and compete across multiple states.
For Robinson, it opened doors for modeling. “I was featured in a magazine, and I love those pictures. I rented a flying dress for the occasion, and the pictures were taken around May 2022 during a strong sandstorm.”
She explained that while many people view physical training merely as a recreational activity or a way to prepare for the beach, her focus is on health, mobility, and longevity. She added that although the heat in the Valley limits outdoor exercise, fitness can still be achieved through simple activities like walking whenever outdoor conditions permit.
