NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this powerful episode of the NDN All-Stars Podcast, host Bill Black sits down with competitive bodybuilder Juanita Anderson to talk about more than just muscles and medals. Juanita shares her deeply personal journey as a Native woman navigating faith, identity, abuse, single motherhood, and competitive bodybuilding. Raised in a strict Christian household by a Jicarilla Apache father and Dutch/French mother, Juanita opens up about the cultural and spiritual challenges she faced when stepping into a sport that celebrates the human body. From escaping an abusive marriage to reclaiming her strength and placing second in a major natural bodybuilding competition, Juanita’s story is about reclaiming voice, honoring heritage, and becoming the image she always needed to see.

Topics Covered:

• Juanita’s upbringing in a Christian Apache household
• Cultural and spiritual conflicts with competitive bodybuilding
• Her introduction to the sport through a gym friend
• The transition from church life to traditional Apache practices
• Surviving domestic violence and rebuilding as a single mom
• Competing naturally—without steroids or diuretics
• The emotional and physical recovery after losing her daughter
• Entering and placing 2nd in a natural bodybuilding competition
• Incorporating Indigenous identity into her stage performance
• Her mission to inspire other women, especially Native women

Guest Bio:

Juanita Anderson is a competitive bodybuilder with roots in the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Raised in a deeply religious home, she later reconnected with her Native traditions while facing—and overcoming—life’s biggest challenges. As a mother, survivor, and athlete, Juanita uses bodybuilding as a platform for healing, expression, and advocacy. Her journey reflects strength in every form—emotional, spiritual, and physical—and she continues to inspire Native women to honor their bodies and reclaim their power.

Resources & Mentions:

• Learn more about NDN All-Stars: ndnallstars.com
• Follow NDN All-Stars on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
• Subscribe to the NDN All-Stars Podcast: https://ndn-all-stars.captivate.fm/listen

If Juanita’s story moved you, share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Follow the podcast on your favorite platform, leave a review, and support our mission to promote great Native athletes—past and present!

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NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND

Hey there—I'm Bill...