Video Story
Watch VideoFemale bodybuilder claims world title
Story By: Andy Koen
Source: KOAA
Published Tue Mar 04, 2008, 10:53 AM MST
Updated Tue Mar 04, 2008, 12:41 PM MST
National health magazines have ranked Colorado Springs the fittest city in the country and it seems the city now has a new champion in the cause for fitness. Jill Kolivoski was recently named Miss Natural Olympia 2007, a coveted title in bodybuilding world.
Kolivoski first began bodybuilding ten years ago, motivated by a fascination of the body's natural ability to transform itself through building muscle. However, in her quest to become a professional, Jill discovered the dark side of the bodybuilding world.
"There came a point in that league where in order to go anywhere and get your pro card you would have to step across the border and start using drugs and the judges will tell you exactly what they want you to do,” Kolivoski said.
So, she moved away from the traditional muscle scene and set a goal of reaching the top naturally. Using a straight-forward combination of the diet and exercise, the massage therapist transformed herself over the course of a year to compete and win the Miss Natural Olympia competition last November in Greece.
"The only way I'm going to truly be worthy of getting this title on stage is to define what "natural" means to me, and defining that as not only non-steriod, but non-supplementation, non-artificial, completely pure," Kolivoski explained.
Beyond the spotlight of competition, Jill’s real passion is helping people. She is writing a book and making a documentary about her experiences. She even talks of one day opening her own gym to help other women reach their fitness goals.
"If you want to change the world, you do it one person at a time,” Kolivoski said. “And if I can help one person excel and help them realize what they can do with their body, then I'm on the right start."
Jill has also tried out for the NBC reality TV show American Gladiators. She says she has completed all of her interviews and on camera requirements and is now eagerly waiting for the show’s producers to call.
