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New IPL Fitness Angels Pro Kirsten Coté

Kirsten Coté is flying high after earning her Pro Card in the Fitness Angels Open class at the September 2024 IPL Golden Heart Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska. And it’s clear she’s just getting started! With her infectious energy, fierce dedication, and a touch of fun flair, Kirsten makes for an exciting new Pro. From overcoming challenges in training to nailing her stage presence, she’s proven that hard work and a bold, authentic personality can take you all the way. We caught up with this rising star to hear about the excitement of her win, the lessons learned, and what she’s got in store next.

"This whole experience has been unreal! I was astonished when I received the Pro Card for the Open class. Overall, just such a wonderful experience."

NATURALMAG: Congratulations on your success at the IPL Golden Heart Classic! Can you share what that experience was like for you, especially earning your Pro Card in the Fitness Angels division?
KIRSTEN COTÉ: Thank you so much! This whole experience has been unreal! I’ve only ever competed in other organizations, so this was all very new to me. I didn’t know what to expect going into this show, but just gave it my all. I was astonished when I received the Pro Card for the Open class. Overall, just such a wonderful experience.

“WELL, HONESTLY…WHO DOESN’T WANT TO BE A REAL-LIFE ANGEL UP ON STAGE?!”

NATURALMAG: What inspired you to enter the Fitness Angels division, and how does it differ from other divisions you’ve competed in?
KIRSTEN: Well, honestly…who doesn’t want to be a real-life angel up on stage?! When I first looked into the show, with a major push from our IPL Alaska Promoter Teresa Quakenbush, I knew I wanted to do as many divisions that I was comfortable with. Fitness Angels just seemed like a fun and less stressful division. A division I definitely felt I could show my fun personality in. This division was very different from anything I’ve experienced before. I felt a lot more relaxed and at ease compared to other organizations I’ve competed in.

“MY TRAINING WAS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME, BUT MY BIGGEST OBSTACLE WAS THE I-WALK AND THE POSING FOR EACH DIVISION.”

NATURALMAG: You competed in several divisions at the Golden Heart Classic. How did you manage your preparation and training for such a diverse lineup?
KIRSTEN: Yes, I did do several divisions, but it wasn’t too difficult. My training was pretty much the same, but my biggest obstacle was the I-Walk and the posing for each division. In other organizations that I’ve competed in, we only had a front and back pose. It took a lot of practice for me to get the quarter turns and the transitions down. I knew I wanted each division to look different and show off different features of my body. A huge shout out to Emily Peterson-Wood for helping me with posing.

"My main challenge was finding time to meal prep and get to the gym while also successfully running my business, among other events."

NATURALMAG: Did you face any challenges during your preparation for IPL Alaska?
KIRSTEN: Oh my gosh, so many challenges during the months leading up to the show. My main challenge was finding time to meal prep and get to the gym while also successfully running my business, among other events. Summers are always jam packed here in Alaska. My husband and I are avid hunters. Most of September was spent in the wilderness searching for sheep and moose. I just made sure to get some hiking in each day and did body weight exercises. While on the nutrition aspect, I just made sure to only pack what I SHOULD eat and not what I WANTED to eat.

"...they kept saying 'only 1 point between 1st and 2nd place'...when they called my name, I was ecstatic...it almost didn’t feel real."

NATURALMAG: How did you feel when you heard your name called for 1st place? Can you walk us through that moment?
KIRSTEN: It felt so awesome! I remember for the other divisions that I was in they kept saying “only 1 point between 1st and 2nd place” and then I would come in 2nd. Honestly, I half expected to come in 2nd in Fitness Angels too. So, when they called my name, I was ecstatic. I have competed in other organizations and had never placed above 5th, so it almost didn’t feel real.

"Go out there with your head held high, with determination in your eyes, and of course a little bit of a spicy attitude helps!"

NATURALMAG: In your opinion, what qualities or attributes are essential for success in the Fitness Angels division?
KIRSTEN: I definitely think you need to know how your body moves and what poses look best for your body type. I mainly just think you need to be yourself on stage. Go out there with your head held high, with determination in your eyes, and of course a little bit of a spicy attitude helps!

"This is just such a fun division! You get to go out on stage and show off your personality. Trust me, you’ll feel like a million bucks and have a huge sense of accomplishment..."

NATYRALMAG: What advice would you give to aspiring athletes who want to compete in the Fitness Angels division?
KIRSTEN: Ladies, this is just such a fun division! You get to go out on stage and show off your personality. Trust me, you’ll feel like a million bucks and have a huge sense of accomplishment when doing this division. Even if you don’t place, that isn’t what matters. What matters is that you went out there and accomplished something that many other people don’t have the guts to do.

"Planning to bring it all at my next event!"

NATURALMAG: How do you plan to build on your success from this competition as you look towards future events?
KIRSTEN: Planning to bring it all at my next event! I know I need to work on my posing and getting that I-Walk nailed down perfectly. Also, I realize that I need to come in a little leaner for my next show if I want to do better in the bikini division. NATURALMAG

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