Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerryne Henich
Hi Kerryne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m 45 years old and grew up in Sandy, Utah, as the 7th of 9 children in a large family. My childhood was difficult. I learned early on that staying quiet and keeping to myself often meant fewer consequences. I didn’t feel supported in my hobbies or encouraged to shoot for the stars. In fact, I barely graduated from high school. There were never questions about grades or schoolwork at that. With so many kids, my parents had a lot on their plate, and I just didn’t need as much attention as some of my siblings did. I became very independent and extremely self reliant. I was one of 3 kids to graduate high school, and I was VERY proud of myself! Our home was chaotic, there was a lot of fighting and a lot of negativity. I struggled with anxiety from a young age. Even now, I tend to keep to myself to avoid drawing attention. I have always been afraid to speak up or ask questions and there is part of me that still struggles with this.
I moved out right after graduating from high school in 1997. I needed to be in a place where I felt safe. I have always been responsible, held a job, and been independent. In early 2000, I married at the age of 20 and welcomed my first child, a son, in October of that year. Despite my active high school involvement as a dancer and my enjoyment of working out, I struggled with severe body image issues that escalated early in my marriage into an eating disorder lasting several years. I never felt like I was “enough”, it became a coping mechanism, as it was the one aspect of my life I felt I could control.
My marriage presented its own challenges, and I often felt embarrassed and like a failure for what I was experiencing in those years. My eating disorder was my attempt at control, but it spiraled beyond my grasp. In October 2003, I celebrated the birth of my beautiful daughter. My children are my entire world; they mean everything to me. They have profoundly changed my perspective on life. I wanted to provide them with a loving environment, one where they feel cherished, safe and empowered to pursue their dreams every day. To achieve this, I realized that I needed to believe in myself as well.
My eating disorder lasted over eight years, and I knew I needed help. What began as a method to exert control spiraled out of control, leaving me scared. I was obsessively weighing myself more than ten times a day; even a slight change in weight would send me into a panic, making me feel like a failure. I was very underweight and aware of how unhealthy I looked, which motivated me to seek help.
In 2008, I hired a personal trainer who was an IFBB Figure Professional. I asked her to help me learn how to eat properly to build muscle. Although I understood how to work out and train, I wasn’t fueling my body, and that terrified me. I didn’t want to be “skinny fat”; I wanted to feel good and look good. Determination has always been a strong trait of mine; once I commit to something, I see it through. From a very young age, I knew what I didn’t want to be, and that drove me to strive for more.
My trainer and I set a goal for me to participate in a Figure competition just eight weeks away. I made it clear that this would be a one-time experience, as performing in front of others was another of my significant fears. We immediately began preparing for the competition, and I found motivation in having a specific deadline—I needed to grow, and grow I did! In just that short time, I gained about eight pounds, and I transformed both physically and mentally. I walked away with a fifth-place finish. I had pushed myself harder than ever and discovered a new passion—something I could control!
I competed in the Figure division for nearly two years, achieving significant success by placing in the top five and even winning a show and the overall title. I also participated in a national competition, which made me feel strong and proud of my growth. However, as the division evolved, I began to feel overwhelmed. I realized that I wasn’t willing to push myself further, and I struggled with my initial goals, especially since turning “Pro” wasn’t my original motivation for competing.
After taking some time off to try to live a “normal” life, I found myself feeling unfulfilled and began to spiral downward. My personal life was still very much out of control and no longer having something bigger to focus on, I was struggling mentally. To regain focus, I decided to transition to the Bikini division, which provided me with a new goal that felt more attainable. This is where I discovered my true passion.
I initially started competing as a way to regain control in my personal life, and it ultimately became a driving force behind my achievements. In 2015, I earned my IFBB Bikini Professional status at the NPC Jr. Nationals, transforming my self-image from feeling worthless to becoming an IFBB Bikini Professional and eventually a two-time Olympian.
Throughout this journey, I developed a respect and love for myself that I never thought possible. In late 2015, after nearly 16 years of marriage, I filed for divorce. It was a difficult decision, but I knew it was necessary in order for me to move forward.
Shortly after my marriage ended, I connected with the love of my life, Torrey. We grew up just a few blocks apart and had attended middle and high school together. Our relationship was everything that I always wanted but truly never thought I would find. Together we have 5 children ranging from ages 11 to 24 and we have been happily married for almost eight years. Torrey’s unconditional love and support both on and off the stage, has been invaluable. I couldn’t have achieved my goals or become the athlete and coach I am today without him.
During my qualification year for the 2018 Olympia (August 2017 to August 2018), I competed in 16 shows to secure my spot. I made history as the first Bikini Professional from Utah to win a pro show and qualify for the Olympia. Torrey has always been my biggest cheerleader, he has pushed me to be my best throughout all of the ups and downs of my athletic career.
I began my coaching journey in 2019 while still working full-time in a corporate job. With my husband’s support and belief in me, I made the decision to leave that job in 2020 and pursue coaching full-time. I have relished the flexibility to travel with my clients over the years. I am deeply passionate about this sport and grateful to be part of a community that helped me through so many difficult periods in my life. Being part of the journeys of others means so much to me.
However, in March 2023, my life took a painful turn. Our family faced ongoing challenges at home with one of our children, and then on April 1, my father passed away unexpectedly. We were not in a good place, and I hadn’t seen him in a long time. I received a call informing me that he had suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital, and we rushed there as quickly as we could. My dad had always been so strong and commanding in every room he was in, but when I saw him, he was frail and weak, striving to maintain his strength. I was able to say goodbye and kiss him on the forehead, and soon after he was gone.
My heart was broken amidst all the turmoil, and I found myself spiraling into a deep depression. 2023 brought some of the most profound pain I have ever experienced in my life.
On April 25, 2023, the IFBB announced the athletes chosen for the inaugural 2023 Masters Olympia in Romania — and I was one of them! With everything I had been navigating, this opportunity provided a much-needed new goal and a sense of control in my life. I began my preparation, finally feeling like I had a handle on something amidst the chaos. However, my stress levels were through the roof from everything that had transpired in such a short time. I focused on what I could control, and before I knew it, I found myself in Romania.
On August 27, 2023, I stepped onto the Masters Olympia stage and placed 4th in the world. Despite knowing I had put in the work, it was hard to believe I had achieved this after facing so many challenges. Afterward, my husband and I spent a couple of weeks exploring Eastern Europe before returning home. However, my health was deteriorating. I was struggling with Afib and just didn’t feel well. I was also battling depression and, at times, felt hopeless; like I didn’t want to keep going. I felt like a failure in many areas of my life and struggled to see a way back to “normal.”
Throughout the remainder of 2023 and into 2024, I shifted my focus to my family, my clients, and my health. I had to stop training entirely shortly after the Masters Olympia, and I started spending more time supporting my clients at their competitions, and living vicariously through their journeys. Watching my athletes grow both physically and mentally inspired me to be the best coach I could be. I have an amazing therapist that I have been seeing weekly for several years and she has really helped me navigate the things I have been dealing with and working with me to manage my depression.
On the health front, I attended numerous appointments with specialists and cardiologists to investigate my heart issues. Eventually, I was referred to a heart rhythm specialist who recommended heart ablation surgery. Given my family history — my father died from a heart attack, my mother had recent heart surgery, and my oldest brother passed away young due to heart problems — the odds were stacked against me. However, after enduring rapid heart rates and nausea for years, I knew this was my only option.
On September 11, 2024, I underwent surgery. The abnormality in my heart was in a challenging location, making the procedure a little more complicated, but I’m so glad I went through with it! I finally feel like myself again.
Fitness truly saved my life; it has given me the confidence to build a life I once thought was just a dream. While my physical transformation is remarkable, nothing compares to the internal transformation I’ve experienced. I’m proud of the woman I’ve become through hard work and perseverance. I have learned to embrace both my strengths and weaknesses. The challenges I have had have made me a better coach as I draw from my own journey to provide my clients a positive experience, both physically and mentally. Whether their goal is to get on stage themselves or to prioritize their health and finding balance, I want them to know that they can do anything with determination.
Goals for 2025: I was invited back to the 2025 Masters Olympia in Tokyo, Japan in August, and I am so excited to be back on track both physically and mentally! I am ready to put in the work to get back on stage better than ever!
Professional Competitive History
2015 NPC Jr Nationals 1st Place – IFBB Pro Card Win
2018 Olympian
11 – 1st place wins
13 – Top 5 placements
22 – Top 10 placements
55 – IFBB Professional Competitions
Professional Titles
2022 San Antonio Pro Masters 40
2022 Sasquatch Pro Masers 40
2022 Tahoe Pro Show Masters 40
2021 Baltimore Masters Pro 35
2021 Baltimore Masters Pro 40
2019 Iron Games Masters 35
2019 San Antonio Classic Masters 35
2018 Patriots Challenge Pro Open Bikini
2017 Sacramento Pro Masters 35
2016 IFBB Florida Grand Prix
2016 Orlando Pro
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road! Growing up was a challenge. I wasn’t encouraged or supported in anything I did. Common things us kids would hear were, “you will never amount to anything”, “you are dumber than a box of rocks”, “go play in traffic”. I did not have much self love or self worth. I always felt like I was worthless BUT I knew that I didn’t want to accept it and I didn’t want to fall short of what I was capable of. I had to break the cycle and I needed to be something!
Marriage, early motherhood, divorce. These were all hard for me to navigate without support. Divorce wasn’t an option until it was the ONLY option. In my marriage I was very disrespected and it took a long time for me to realize that divorce was the only option for me.
Navigating my eating disorder consumed all of my 20’s and I am very resentful for that. It wasn’t something that I wanted to have but it felt like the only thing I could control. It sounds very backwards but ultimately it kept me sane at that time of my life. There were things that I was dealing with that no one knew about and I guess in a way I was punishing myself for feeling stuck in a situation that was so painful.
Competing has always been easy for me. I LOVE it so much and as much as it is the opposite of how I am off stage it gave me that alter ego where I could be confident even when I wasn’t. There were some hard years where I was doing an outrageous amount of cardio and eating little to nothing but it was something I could control.
Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. I have had to manage my mental health while going through some very hard and heartbreaking things with my kids. We aren’t given a handbook or a manual and I did my very best to make sure my kids know that I love them indefinitely. Sometimes that falls on deaf ears, but I will never stop loving my kids.
My health took a huge hit in 2023 and that was very difficult mentally because I was going through some of the hardest things I have ever had to go through and I wasn’t able to use the gym as an outlet. I had to sit with my pain and work through it. Brutal!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a full time Online Fitness coach, I work with athletes and lifestyle / transformation clients. I would say that the majority of my clients are Competitors however I really enjoy working with women who just want to find balance and feel good. I think that it is very important for women to have time / space that is just for them. Most of my clients are mothers, have full time careers and they are finding ways to balance their professional life, and their personal life by doing something for themselves. We cannot feel guilty for taking care of ourselves. We need to put on our oxygen mask if we intend to help others right?
This is a hard concept for most women, but it is very accurate. Most of the women I meet are searching for something within themselves and I love being part of their journey.
This has saved my life so many times and although I don’t think everyone has to have the same story as me I do think that a lot of women just want to feel proud, heard and feel good in their skin!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Do not be afraid of being uncomfortable. Get uncomfortable and ask yourself the hard questions.
I have been told many times that I have changed a lot, but a lot has changed me. I am not the same person I was 5 yrs ago, 15 years ago, 25 years ago… there is a reason I am still here, I have a lot more to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bit.ly/KerryneFBF
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrynehenich_ifbbpro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AhZR7F4Qu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
