About Me Karla Podewils

Stats
Height: 5’31/2”
Weight: 117 contest / 125-130 off season
Measurements: 34x23x33
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Blonde
Skin: tanned

Contest History

2008

August 16 NPC Debbie Kruck Classic, Daytona, Fl Level V (NQ)
1st medium class
Overall Figure Winner

August 2 NPC Dexter Jackson Classic, Jacksonville, Fl Level IV
1st short class
Overall Figure Winner

April 26 NPC Gateway Classic Lake City, Fl Level IV
2nd short class

2007

November 3 NPC All South Bodybuilding Championships, St. Augustine, Fl Level V (NQ)
3rd short class

July 28 NPC Ancient City Classic, St. Augustine, Fl Level IV
2nd tall class

June 15 Deke Warner's NPC Mid-Florida Classic, Orlando, Fl Level III
Short class, no placement

My Story

Four years ago I drove to Florida from Wisconsin in a 1993 Topaz with $200 in my pocket.  Four years ago, my daily routine included smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and eating McDonalds.  I hadn't always been that way. In high school I played soccer, tennis, basketball, and was on the Varsity Cheerleading squad. The contents in my locker were another story.  12 pack of Mountain Dew a day (drank it warm) and CANDY, CANDY, CANDY!  My first year in college I played tennis and danced on the Wildcat Dance team.  My lunch?  Fried cheeseballs and a salad drenched in dressing.  I played on these teams for fun.  I wanted to be a part of something.  I always gave it my best, but I never excelled or grew as an athlete.  At least I wasn't sitting on the sidelines!  Competing in figure, I never sit on the sidelines. I am both the ally and the opponent, offense and defense.  I create and present my best physique possible. I place or I don't, but either way each show I compete in becomes a landmark of progress.

     I was first introduced to the industry in June of 2006 when I attended the Ancient City Classic as a spectator.  The show opened with guest poser IFBB Pro Shannon Dey's fitness routine. Her performance was spectacular!  The auditorium was filled with such positive energy it immediately ignited my curiousity for the sport. I thought, "Hey, I could do that!" It seemed like the perfect opportunity to be the hambone I've always been.  Throughout my life I've continuously been drawn to the stage whether it was performing in my high school orchestra or reading lines from a script of a play.  I thoroughly enjoy  being entertained  as I was the night of Ancient City, but I much prefer to be the entertainer!  I had finally found my calling, but until this point I had no idea the amount of time, energy, will power, and dedication this sport would take.  I was in for a BIG surprise! As I left the auditorium that night I made a commitment to myself.  Realizing the genuine impact it made on me, I promised myself to turn my life around. Not just for my family,friends, or vanity, but because I deserved to. 

     I was already smoke free, so I was headed in the right direction.  I cut back on drinking with my friends.  I started to change my eating habits.  I read anything and everything I could get my hands on pertaining to health and wellness.  It didn't happen over night, but I began to see changes in myself.  I lost weight.  I also lost the bad attitude and the negative self image.  As my muscles grew, so did my confidence.  It became a win-win situation.  What was once a curiousity is now a way of life for me.  I still hit road blocks.  I still face obstacles, discouragements, and plateuas.  What carries me through is knowing that I can use my dedication to help influence and encourage others to live a healthier, happier life.  When I am on that stage I don't think about myself.  I don't reflect on all of the sweat, tears, and hunger I worked through.  I think about who is sitting in that audience, who is ready to step up to that plate like I was two years ago. Somehow, 12 weeks of hard work are reflected for only a few short minutes.  Could I inspire just one member of the audience to make a change?  It happened to me.  If one person walks out of the auditorium and pledges to change their life, than that is worth more than any trophy, medal, or title I ever possess. 

    I find my motivation in all of this.  I see it in the candy bar in the checkout line at the grocery store.  I find it among all of the wonderful competitors I have the privalege of competing with.  I discover it in the hopeful eyes of human beings who want to live their best life possible.  This sport has brought so many blessings to my life. I am excited and anxious for the road ahead, but as a wise man once said, "it is not the final destination that matters; it's the journey."