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New Athlete Profile: PNBA Kayla Rowling


WHO IS Kayla Rowling? 

 

Kayla Rowling is a 2x Ms. Bikini Diva Pro Natural Olympia Champion (2020 & 2021). She is from East Alton, IL, and currently resides in Oak Park, IL. She is 29 years old and has worked full time as an Enterprise Account Executive at McKesson Pharmaceutical for the last 7 years. She most recently became a Posing Coaching helping others in bikini and wellness. 

 

Kayla has been bodybuilding since October 2018 when she met her coach Anthony Badejo and has been competing ever since. 

 

WHEN SHE BEGAN IN FITNESS

 

Kayla started her fitness journey when she was very young. She is an only child and enjoyed playing outside for much of her youth. As a teenager, she competed in a few pageants, was an active gymnast, dancer, and soccer player, ran track, and cheered in high school and college at Northern Illinois University where she graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Textiles Apparel and Merchandising with a certificate in Professional Sales. 

 

What inspired her to get into bodybuilding and fitness was when she attended a bodybuilding competition to support a friend and visualized herself on stage. She thought with the right coach she would do well. She says she had an intuitive feeling that she would be good at it as soon as she became aware of the sport. She learned from a young age that movement made her feel good and happy, and combined with her enjoyment of pageantry – it became the perfect sport to apply her previously acquired skillset. 

 

 

TRIUMPHANT AND VICTORIOUS MOMENTS IN HER LIFE

 

Kayla has competed at the Natural Olympia 3 years in a row (2019-2021). The first year she got 15th place and did not even make the top 10. She was a rookie and knew she had to earn it. She says coming back the next year and winning Olympia the first time was magical, especially after placing so low the previous year. 

 

She also shares that winning the 2nd time felt great! Other champs say nothing beats that first Olympia win.. but the 2nd time she won Olympia she had a perfect score from the judges. That is something to celebrate! 7 weeks prior to winning her 2nd title she competed at TEAM USA where she placed 3rd in Bikini Open. She said receiving 3rd place lit a fire inside of her that she only plans to grow. In order to beat herself year after year, she says she knows she can’t get complacent. Every time she struggles she tells herself that it’s supposed to be hard. She feels that part of her purpose in competing is to show people what’s possible and this drives her to push forward even on her worst days. 

 

Additionally, her full-time job is very stressful and demanding. She enjoys the challenge of ensuring she gets all of her meals, cardio, water, and workout in, as well as getting all her work done. It is a grind! 

 

 

KAYLA’S DIET AND FITNESS ROUTINE:

 

Off-Season NUTRITION: 6 meals/day in a caloric surplus. Each meal has a protein, fiber, and fat source in it. Kayla eats on a meal plan with a variety of foods depending on her goals and how much weight she is looking to gain in the off-season which can range from 20-40lbs. 

 

Protein sources: Bison, salmon, ground turkey, egg whites, chicken, sirloin 

 

Carbs: Oats, red/sweet potato, a variety of all vegetables 

 

Fats: MCT oil, yellow egg yolk, fat from protein sources, oil olive

 

Pre-competition NUTRITION: 6 meals/day in a caloric deficit. High lean protein, low to moderate fat/carb intake. 

 

Protein sources: Tilapia, egg whites, shrimp, tuna steak, cod, seabass, whitefish

 

Carbs: Oats, asparagus, peppers, mushrooms

 

Fats: MCT oil, yellow egg yolk, fat from protein sources, oil olive

 

FITNESS ROUTINE – Kayla trains 6/days a week on and offseason. She does not have a defined workout split where she does a certain muscle group on a specific day of the week. She does work every muscle group once a week but it is based on the guidance of her coach and what he thinks she needs. 

 

CURRENT LIFE AND FUTURE PLANS 

 

Kayla is really enjoying her new endeavor of becoming a Posing Coach, helping other women with their stage presentation and confidence. Kayla shared that the discipline and confidence she has gained from bodybuilding have helped her in all areas of her life and she would love to continue to help others gain confidence and realize their own power and potential. 

 

This year, she plans to compete in her first international show in Florence Italy in June 2022. This will be her first of 3 shows on the road to the Natural Olympia where she will compete in November to defend her title.

 

Kayla plans to continue training for her shows and coaching on the side while working full-time in the pursuit of winning the President’s Club next year with her company. 

 

 

Learn More About Kayla Below: 

 

FUTURE FITNESS GOALS:  To become the 3x Natural Olympia Bikini Champion

 

MAGAZINES SHE WOULD LIKE TO COVER FOR:

 

  • Iron Man Magazine
  • Sports Illustrated 
  • Women’s Health
  • Women’s Fitness

 

SHOWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMPETE IN 

 

  • Italy 
  • World Championships 
  • Natural Olympia 

 

AWARDS YOU’D LIKE TO WIN

 

  • Best Presentation 
  • Most Symmetrical 
  • Best in Show 
  • Hall of Fame 

 

FAVORITE FITNESS INFLUENCERS 

@trainwithtrina

@perlabuen0

@vytamin_c

 

 

AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

2021 Natural Olympia 1st Place Pro Bikini

2021 – Sex Appeal Award 

2021 – Evening Gown 2nd Place 

2021 – Team USA 3rd Place Pro Bikini 

2021 – PNBA Illinois State 1st Place Open Bikini

2020 – Natural Olympia 1st Place Pro Bikini 

2020 – PNBA North American 2nd Place Pro Bikini 

  • – Natural Olympia Pro Bikini 15th Place 

2019 – PNBA North American 1st Place Bikini Open  

2019– INBA Illinois State 1st Place Bikini Novice

2019 – INBA Illinois State 1st Place Bikini Open – Received the best presentation award and best overall 

 

FAVORITE EXERCISE

 

 Deadlift  – I love compound movements but this is my favorite. It makes me feel powerful and strong. 

 

FAVORITE CHEAT MEAL – Sushi or pancakes 

 

GYM SONG – Blessing – BIG SEAN feat. Drake 

 

IRON MAN MAGAZINE FEATURES – Not sure, would you be able to confirm? 

 

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION YOU COMPETE WITH

 

Coach & Train athletes to the stage 

Judge shows

Attend Clinics  

 

FAVORITE GO-TO RECIPE  – Egg whites and cinnamon in the microwave… if you are in a pinch! 

 

 

You can learn more about Kayla Rowling by visiting Generationiron.com

 

Kayla Rowling Profile & Stats

Bikini Divas Natural Olympia Champ Kayla Rowling Signs a Multi-media Contract

 

Kayla Rowling Praises Natural Bodybuilding for Balancing Yin and Yang

 

 

 

Instantized Creatine- Gains In Bulk

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