FITNESS: KRISTINE DUBA
October Accomplishment: Washington State Championships Fitness Overall Winner
Age 26
Height 5’3
Weight 117
Residence Panama City, Florida
NPC Contest History/Highlights 2012: Fit Stop 24 1st Figure Class B and Overall; Washington Stage Championships 1st Fitness and Overall, 1st Figure Class B and Overall; 2008: CJ Classic 2nd Fitness Class B; Southern States 1st Fitness, 5th Figure Class B
LOVING IT “I was a gymnast growing up. I used to watch fitness competitions on TV and was always interested in it. In college, I got interested in competing and finally decided to do it. After my first couple shows I fell in love with it so much I decided to become a personal trainer, teach group exercise classes and get my bachelors in exercise science.”
WATCH AND LEARN “When I first decided I was going to compete, I looked up everything online – I watched a lot of Youtube videos and did a lot of research. A lot of the big competitors from back then are still around now, but I really looked up to Tanji Johnson, Adela Garcia, Jen Hendershott – I used to watch all of their routines and think ‘Wow, they are so awesome! I want to be able to do that stuff.’”
RETURNING TO COMPETITION “The biggest motivating factor was having that drive and that motivation. I played sports my whole life and really missed being a part of something. Plus, I’ve always been a little competitive in nature. I really needed to feel that again. I always had the intention of getting back into it, I was just waiting for the right opportunity to really dedicate a lot of time to it and being able to pursue a pro card instead of doing it as a hobby.”
FITNESS-MINDED “Fitness is definitely where my heart is. It’s exciting, entertaining and a lot of fun. I get to challenge myself by learning new skills and new tricks. You think growing up, you reach certain again age and now you’re getting too old to make anything out of being a gymnast – where I can still do things that I love gymnastics-wise and still compete and have fun? To me that’s where fitness comes in. Figure really has been more to see if I can get my physique in the right shape for competition.”
HELPING HAND “I started training with Tanji Johnson and Save Fitness this year and it’s been amazing. She has really worked with me a lot on the flow of routines and skills. It’s like a huge support group. Tanji is very humble and gives so much of herself to all of us girls on the team to help us reach our goals.”
