Hey friend,
You may have heard the headlines: I earned my IFBB Pro Card on July 4th… then just two weeks later, took 1st place at my Pro debut in Chicago. And now, I’m headed to the Tampa Pro on July 31st—two days before my birthday—to go for the trifecta.
Wild? Yes.
Ridiculous? Also yes.
A dream come true? Absolutely.
But if you know me, you know this story isn’t just about the perfect tan, toned glutes and stage lights.
It’s about resilience. About rising.
About choosing joy—even in the mess.
It’s not about me. It’s about what’s possible—for you, too.
The Part You Don’t See
People see the muscles. The spray tan. The stripper heels.
What they don’t see?
The countless hours I spend managing workouts, dialing in nutrition, wrestling with my ADHD brain, and juggling client work, content creation, and writing my next book (it’s coming soon—you’re going to love it!).
What they don’t see is the chaos of prep… or the chaos before I ever stepped on a stage.
At 43, on paper, I had it all:
A seven-figure business
A handsome husband
Three beautiful children
But behind the curtain?
It was all duct tape and determination.
Financial stress.
A crumbling marriage.
Raising the kids… and the husband (if we’re being honest).
So I did something wild: I signed up for a bikini competition.
And I won.
I found something in that journey—clarity, control, confidence. Since then, I’ve competed in dozens of shows. But at 61, I wanted something more.
This time, I embraced a word I used to loathe:
Meticulous.
And that mindset shift changed everything.
Pro status. First place. Purpose.
Spray Tans & Doritos
Of course, bikini prep isn’t all glamour and grace.
There was the time I got spray tanned and ruined two sets of sheets. When my kids saw me on my first show day, they were aghast—and then burst out laughing.
My son shouted:
“Mom! You look like a Dorito!”
Still cracks me up.
And then—there are the stares.
Not in the gym (that’s where I feel most grounded and like myself).
But out in the world—airports, coffee shops, grocery stores.
People stare.
It’s not the tan.
It’s the muscle. The presence. The joy.
It’s because I don’t shrink.
Some people are inspired.
Some are confused.
Some are judgey.
That part? It’s hard.
But I’ve learned: that’s not mine to carry.
My strength makes others uncomfortable?
That’s their cue to do some reps—emotional ones.
3 Lessons From 4 Decades of Lifting
I first picked up a dumbbell at the age of 21. Four decades later, lifting still grounds me.
Here’s what bodybuilding—and life—have taught me:
Commit Anyway
You don’t need to feel ready—just called.
Start messy. The magic is in the doing.
Laugh at the Chaos
Grief and glam can exist in the same life.
Humor is the holy bridge between heartbreak and hope.
Live Boldly. Now.
You don’t need to be fearless—just faithful to the version of you that knows:
You were made for more.
This Is Your Stage, Too
Whether your “stage” is a competition platform, a boardroom, or the bathroom mirror…
Own it. Shine bright.
And if people think you’re too much?
Let. Them. Squint.
Because this life?
When lived on purpose?
Is one heck of a ride.
Thanks for being on it with me.With love,
Kate
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