Karen Kissell's Rising Figure, Dec 10

   
ANB Asia Pacific Champs

What was your goal at the start of 2010?
My goal at the start of 2010 was to do my first overseas show - being the ANB Asia Pacifics on the Gold Coast Australia at the end of May.  Ali Gascoine was getting a team together to go over, so I was very excited about being part of this.  I came over to watch this show the previous year and to meet the wonderful Jo Rogers of Style on Stage fame.  After seeing the calaber of the atheletes and the size of the show I was pretty keen to be up on the stage myself the following year!  This was the only focus for me at that stage, as I like to take things one show at a time.


What comps did you compete in and placings

In the previous year my results have been as follows:

2009 NZFBB South Island Championships - Short Novice Figure Champion

2009 NZFBB Nationals - Short Novice Figure NZ Champion

2009 NABBA Top of the South Championships - Senior Figure 35+ and over-all Figure Champion

2009 NABBA Nationals - Senior Figure 35+ NZ Champion

2010 ANB Asia Pacific International - 1st Masters Figure

2010 ANB Queensland Regionals - 2nd Masters Figure

2010 ANB Australian Nationals - Australian Masters Figure Champion

2010 American Fitness Week - Top 10 American Figure

How did you feel once you started winning and continued to win.. did you start to get nervous/stressed out about having to put your best look all the time?

I tend to underestimate myself and never go out on stage expecting to win.  I go out there to do the best I can and be the best I can be.  I am only competing with myself.  To me I am a winner just being on stage, and If I can see improvements from my previous show I really have acheived what I wanted.  You can't control the genetics of the other competitors, nor can you control the fact that they may have more time in the day to train or money to spend on personal trainers, etc etc.  Show time is stressful at the best of times and it is normal for even the most seasoned competitors to be nervous.  I love to be on stage and enjoy my time up there.

   
ANB Nationals

You also had a major change in life moving to Australia.  What made you want to move over?  and has it been the new lease on life you needed?

I sure had a major change!  I was born and bred in Nelson and lived there all my life!  Many changes in circumstances effected my decision to give my huge change a go.  Partly to be able to work over here with the best in my sport.  I decided it was 'time for Karen to spread her wings' and it was the time to give something new a go.  Nelson is so isolated and to get the help I needed was costing a lot of money in travel, so why not have the help and support on my doorstep?  I had always liked the action of a bigger city, so made the decision to pack my bags and do it!  I initially had a return ticket from the Asia Pacifics and was only comming over to do the show and check the place out.  Not long before decided not to come back!  Crazy with show prep, but the rest is history.

I was offered a job before I left NZ so even had work on my arrival, but since has also seen changes. 

I was sponsored by Nutrition Warehouse and Genetixs Nutrition after the Asia Pacifics and then offered work by them not long after, so now I work 4 days a week for them.  I typically work 2 days a week in their superstore down in Ashmore on the Gold Coast, then alternate managing one of their other stores in either Underwood, Greenslopes or the new store up at Lutwytche in Brisbane the other 2 days.  I also work as a P.A. for the amazing Jo Rogers, Style on Stage 1 - 2 days a week, and am also sponsored by her, and am very honoured to represent such a fantastic lady on stage.  Jo has taken me under her wing and been a huge influence on my success on stage.

I love it over here and have never looked back!  No regrets on my big decission.  It has been such a positive move for me and I wonder why I didnt do it earlier.  To be able to meet the top in the industry and work with them, also like mined competitors.  The gyms are great and I train at either FitnessFirst or the brilliant World Gym in Ashmore, where I am lucky to be under Jon Davies and Allison of 'Prepared to Win'.  Both again the top in the industry.

   
MuscleMania, USA

Have the Aussie competitors/organisations been accepting of you being on the scene?

The other girls I have met have been fantatic and I have met some wonderful people.  I have made great friends with like minded people.  I sure can't complain so far as to how the judges have accepted me! It has all been very possitive, as is the feedback I have received.

What next?? and do you think you'll ever top this year!

It sure will be hard!  Under the influence of Jon, Allison, Jo and Nutrition Warehouse look out next year for some great improvements!  I am working towards the Asia Pacifics again in mid June being my first show for the year, then will see how things go from there.  I would like to compete in another organisation to give them ago, and if my results follow this years I am aiming to compete in the States again. 

I am focusing on some more growth in my legs, and have been pleased with the improvements in them in the last year, as this was a focus for me. 

Next step is to get set up in a house, as I am in a small granny flat with no kitchen and only my benchtop grill, microwave and bar fridge which has made for big challenge with comp prep!  Not easy, and not something I would recomend anyone attempt!

I would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way, my wonderful sponsors - Nutrition Warehouse, Genetixs Nutrition and Style on Stage.  Also my fantastic training partner Eleanor, who has helped me settle in wonderfully and been a fantastic helper, supporter and good friend.

Thanks Lisa for this opportunity to share my adventures, and I hope to see you over this way again soon for a good catch up!  You do a fantastic job and it is great to be able to keep up with the news on the NZ scene from over here!....I am still a kiwi girl at heart from little old Nelson!