How did your fitness
journey begin?
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I grew up a tomboy playing in the dirt, riding bikes, throwing the ball around, and hanging on the monkey bars with my two younger sisters and baby brother. My dad has always been active and encouraged his children to participate in athletics and challenging extracurricular activities.
As a teen, I played junior Olympic softball and trained on Christmas Day with my dad while the rest of the family was at the Christmas party. In seventh grade, my dad would drive me to practice an hour away from our house two nights per week from 6-9 p.m. on school nights. I trained with Olympic batting and pitching coaches at high intensities. If I do something, I put my heart into it.
I developed chondromalacia patella at age 13 and rotator cuff tendinitis at age 14 from playing at a high level at such a young age. I underwent physical therapy for my injuries and received a cortisone shot in my shoulder after an MRI determined that my rotator cuff wasn't torn. I played for two years after my injuries and eventually decided to walk away from the sport. The benefits of playing didn't outweigh the cost.
At age 18, I started to pursue a career in the music industry. While working in the music business as the singing voice for Barbie, songwriter for films "Beastly" and "One For The Money," and lead singer of the band Kristina and The Dolls, I met Heather Clay. Heather is a wonderful woman with an amazing physique and a huge heart. I spent lots of time in the gym to stay in shape for the music industry.
I lifted light weight and did lots of cardio. I was soft, skinny fit, and weighed 103-107 pounds. Heather tried to get me to compete, but I was too invested in music to devote the energy needed to compete.
In 2011, at age 28, I decided to exit the music industry and go back to school full time at the University of California, San Diego, for my bachelor of science in earth science. The academic lifestyle doesn't lend itself to health, regular sleeping patterns, and exercise. I ate junk food daily and drank sugar-filled energy drinks like they were going out of style. My 29-year-old body felt the effects and showed changes.
I asked my husband to help me find a program on Bodybuilding.com that worked for me and he introduced me to Jamie Eason's LiveFit program to get me started. When I started to get in better shape, people at the gym asked if I was competing. I gave it thought and decided to reach out to Heather who introduced me to my coaches Ryan Bentson and IFBB pro bikini competitor Taylor Matheny Bentson from Team Zero Gravity. Since then, I've fallen in love with the sport.
How did your passion for fitness emerge?
I've always enjoyed an active lifestyle, but it wasn't until I tried Jamie Eason's program that I stepped into the gym to hit the iron. Now I absolutely love training hard and lifting heavy. I enjoy seeing the changes in my body. It drives me to push harder.
What or who motivates you to live healthy?
I'm a driven dreamer. When I put my mind to something, I do it. I'm fortunate to have family members who stand by my choice to live healthy. The ultimate goal is to live a long, full, and healthy life with passion and enthusiasm.
Where did you go for inspiration?
When I have lazy days, I ask what else I would be doing with my time and what I would use my strength for outside the gym.
What are your future fitness plans?
I would love to win an IFBB pro card and compete at that level. It's a dream to compete at the Olympia and Arnold Classic. I'm currently nationally qualified and will work to make those dreams a reality. I plan to compete in the Junior USA Championships in South Carolina in May 2014.
hard work!"
What is the most important fitness tip?
When I first thought about competing, I thought I was crazy. I questioned myself and my abilities. I felt silly for considering it and thought I couldn't win because there are many amazing women who compete. Despite these thoughts, I did it because I wanted to. Anything is possible with hard work!
Who is your favorite fitness competitor?
Erin Stern trains hard and radiates positivity. Her story proves that when one door closes another opens. It takes strength to be honest with yourself and look at your abilities in an objective manner. Erin knows her strengths and weaknesses. She didn't let not qualifying for the Olympics bring her down. She found passion elsewhere and went for it.
How did Bodybuilding.com help you reach your goals?
Bodybuilding.com is an amazing resource. I used Jamie Eason's LiveFit Trainer, Tom Fuller's HRT: Animal Hellraiser Trainer, and Jim Stoppani's Shortcut to Shred. When I initially started thinking about competing, I read Bodybuilding.com articles about bikini competitors and competitions. I looked at competition results, photos, and videos to work on my posing.
Kristina's Top 5 Gym Tracks
- "The Fire" by The Roots
- "Discipline" by Nine Inch Nails
- "Survival" by Eminem
- "Work B**ch" by Britney Spears
- "Starts With One" by Shiny Toy Guns
Competition History
- 2013 NPC Southern California Championships - 4th Place Bikini C Class
- 2013 NPC Los Angeles Championships Bikini - 3rd Place C Class
- 2013 NPC Irongames Bodybuilding championships - 1st Place Bikini C Class
- 2013 NPC Border States Classic - 1st Place Bikini C Class
- 2013 NPC Pacific USA's Bikini - 1st Place C Class
Thanks
- To my husband, Nathan, for supporting and believing in me.
- To my sister, Kimberly, for being a great gym buddy and for inspiring me.
- To my coaches Ryan Bentson and IFBB Bikini Pro Taylor Matheny Bentson from Zero Gravity Fitness for taking me on, believing in me, and helping me with my diet, training, and posing.
- To Heather Clay for being inspirational and supportive.
- To Jon Lindsay and everyone at MuscleContest for throwing fantastic fitness events.
- To Eric Williams and Ron Avidan for great photos.