Kari Miller
Takes The Win In Pro Open Athletic At APEX IX
Some athletes find the division that fits them. Others discover the division they were meant to compete in. Kari Miller’s journey to the IPL Women’s Athletic stage is a perfect example of the latter. After earning her first IPL Pro Cards in Bikini, she quickly realized her strength, confidence, and stage presence were even better suited for Women’s Athletic. That realization led to an impressive run culminating at APEX IX, where she captured the Pro Open Women’s Athletic title in one of the toughest shows of the season. As we celebrate the incredible athletes featured in this special IPL Women’s Athletic Issue of Natural GAINZ Magazine, Kari shares her journey from a nervous first-time IPL competitor to Pro Champion, proving that sometimes the biggest victories come when you find exactly where you belong.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN YOSEF
Thank you! I was feeling pretty good! In fact, better than ever leading up to this show. I was feeling lean and overall health-wise feeling really good. It was one of the better preps I had done. I knew I was going to have tough competition, but I was ready!
That’s super awesome! And you looked really great at that show! So let’s take it back to the beginning…your first IPL show…the fall 2024 IPL Southwest Grand Prix. At that contest, you only entered the Bikini division where you earned your Pro Cards in Masters 40+ and Open. Then made your Pro Debut in Masters Bikini and placed 2nd. What was that first IPL contest like for you? What was it like earning those Pro Cards in your first IPL show and making your Pro Debut at that show? And why was it only the Bikini division that you entered?
"It wasn’t until I did a little more research that I realized I would do better in Athletic."
The 2024 show was my first IPL show. I was super nervous as it was also my first show in like seven years. I wasn’t sure what it would be like. But I put my head down and did the work necessary and ended up doing better than I ever imagined. Earning those Pro Cards was just a symbol of the work I put in. I was speechless, to say the least. Totally unexpected.
I only entered Bikini because I didn’t really know what the other divisions entailed. It wasn’t until I did a little more research that I realized I would do better in Athletic.
Your second IPL show just a few months later was 2024 IPL APEX VIII. At APEX, you entered Pro Masters Bikini again, landing another 2nd place finish, and you made your Pro Open Bikini debut, placing 2nd there. APEX VIII is also when you first entered the Athletic division, earning 1st place and a Pro Card in Masters 40+, and placing 2nd in Open. You were still doing well in Bikini at that point, so we can’t necessarily say Athletic was your stronger division yet. Why did you end up sticking with Bikini for APEX VIII? And what was it like entering Women’s Athletic for the first time and doing so well right out of the gate?
"This division is definitely my niche. I love the poses. I just feel so empowered up there on stage doing those poses."
I stuck with Bikini because it’s basically what I have done in the past, so it’s what I knew. But I’m not a fan of the posing for Bikini. I can get lean and do fairly well physique-wise, but posing was always a struggle for me. I guess my attitude is, if I’m going to do a show and get lean, I may as well get as much stage time as possible.
I loved Women’s Athletic. This division is definitely my niche. I love the poses. I just feel so empowered up there on stage doing those poses. It felt great doing so well right away! I had the confidence I needed to win that division. It was an amazing experience! Now you’re going to make me want to do another show just thinking about it. [laughs]
"I was feeling pretty competitive. Not completely confident, but I knew I would give my competitors a run for their money at least."
Let’s talk about why I signed up for APEX. I thought, yeah, this shouldn’t be so bad. I’ll self-coach and just kind of casually come in. So, I signed up. Then when the poster was made and I saw my competition I knew I had to step up my game. So, I hired a coach and gave it my all once again. I was feeling pretty competitive. Not completely confident, but I knew I would give my competitors a run for their money at least. This was probably one of the most fun shows I have done.
The prep wasn’t fun, but it was great competition. I entered Bikini basically to get more stage time. And to beat Valarie. [laughs] This was one of the hardest preps I have done. But the best I felt the day of competition. I felt healthy and ready to take on the world.
That was definitely your best look to date on an IPL stage! At APEX IX, you faced some tough competition, and one of your toughest opponents was Liz Shewfelt, formerly Liz Rodi. You and I talked briefly about Liz months before and agreed she’s a formidable competitor. And you’d actually mentioned that you’d love to go up against her. So when you were sizing up the competition, was Liz at the top of the list of athletes you felt would be hardest to face?
"I knew she would be tough and that’s exactly what I wanted."
Yes her and La’net. So when I found out she had also entered, it was even more competitive and fun! I knew she would be tough and that’s exactly what I wanted.
It was very tough competition no doubt. Which is what I wanted. I would say I was pretty confident going in though. I was shocked I earned a Pro Card in every class I have done now. But physically, no pressure. At that point, there isn’t a lot you can do. It is what it is. Now you’re going to make me want to do another one!
Love it! Well, like I said and like you already know, we have more shows coming up this year, so you definitely have an opportunity to hop back on that stage before the year is over! So let’s talk about placements in the Pro Athletic classes, starting with Pro Masters. There were four of you in that class. I’m going to say I felt going in that your toughest competition was going to be Liz. And then, of course, you have La’net who is solid as well. And then just for fun, you have Rochelle Matter in there who, again, just earned her Pro Card. So in that Pro Masters class, you placed 3rd, behind Liz in 1st, and La’net in 2nd. How were you feeling about that placement at the time? And how were you feeling as you were headed into Pro Open Athletic knowing you would be facing off with Liz again?
"I was super excited about this line up. Tough competition. This was one of the most fun shows I’ve done."
I was super excited about this line up. Tough competition. This was one of the most fun shows I’ve done. It does make me want to do another. With that said, will my Pro Credits still be good in 2027? [laughs] I honestly wasn’t sure how it would go, especially between Liz and I. But the stage was super high energy and was so fun. I knew La’net was on point with her posing and routines.
Liz and I were going to be a huge toss up. I think we threw the judges for a loop as well. They didn’t know what direction to go. Facing off with Liz again, since she had JUST beat me, I figured she would beat me again. This was the last Pro Card I needed so I really sought out for this one. But lo and behold I beat her in Pro Open and earned my last Pro Card for the divisions that I compete in. This is still a mystery how this works, but it just goes to show how close we were.
That was a super exciting lineup! Your Pro Credits are definitely good for 2027! But hopefully we’ll see you back on stage this season in 2026 though! [laughs] Yes, that was a serious toss-up and very competitive between you and Liz. In terms of her beating you and then you beating her, that can definitely happen. I would need to pull the scorecards, but if there’s only a couple points difference between you two in terms of overall totals, that can easily flip flop from class to class. Still an amazing lineup! When all was said and done, you walked away with your first pro title. What’s it feel like being an IPL Pro Champion? And how eager are you to add more titles to your name and get on that leaderboard? I’m assuming you have seen the document with the list of IPL Pro Athletes with the most titles?
Yes, I have seen the leaderboard. Hmmm not sure honestly. I am not sure what the future holds as far as shows. I’ll keep building and cutting and see what happens I guess. I’m just busy living life right now!
I am so thankful I found the IPL. It really is a fun league with great competition. I will be back! GAINZ
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