Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Urmaza.
Hi Kim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When Mulan had first come out in 1998, I can remember running over to my mom and telling her I wanted to do Karate. The local recreation center had offered martial arts classes, and I shortly found myself tying a fresh white belt across my waist. “We don’t wash our belts,” my Sensei said. Your belt was a direct representation of your work and commitment to the art, and quite frankly, more respect was given to those with a belt muddled in dirt and sweat. I earned my blackbelt in Oct 2008 and began teaching at a local after-school program.
I had been an active kid for as much I can remember. I had served as team captain for both my high school volleyball and basketball teams and played a bit of tennis on the side. Heading into college, I knew I wanted to engage in a field that would allow me to continue my involvement in sports. I graduated with a degree in Athletic Training from Nova Southeastern University in 2013 and began working as an athletic trainer at a physical therapy clinic before transitioning to a Head Athletic training position at a private high school. However, shortly after college, I found myself deep in a dark hole of late-night drinking and frequent trips to the local bar and drive-thru. “Living invincible,” I liked to call it. I was unaware of the downward spiral my health had taken until I took a single glance at a photograph that was taken of me while on vacation in Turks and Caicos. I burst into tears. In 2 years, I had gained nearly 40 pounds.
As an athletic trainer at the high school, I had become close friends with teachers who also possessed a background in athletic training. “Come run a 5k.” A teacher candidly suggested I join her in a local 5k. “It’ll be great.” Little did I know that that single moment to running 3 miles alongside hundred of strangers would transcend to a full-time passion that saved my life.
I crossed the finish line to my first 5k in February 2019. Fast forward to July 2019, I purchased my first road bike in a spur-of-the-moment decision. I had no initial intention of racing at a competitive level, but found myself at the start line of the Mack Cycle Series Sprint Duathlon 2 months later. There was something special about the finish line. There was something special in knowing that you’re working towards something – something greater than yourself.
In November 2019, I qualified for the middle distance Duathlon World Championships and have completed a number of triathlons and running races since then. Although running and triathlon are individual sports, such sports offer entirely different opportunities for people of all ages, sizes, gender, and skill level to come together and work towards achieving the desired goal – be it to run a given distance, finish in a certain time, or to support a cause.
Fast forward 2 years, I booked a solo 1-way ticket to Salt Lake City to gain some new experiences alongside the beautiful Wasatch mountains.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road is never smooth. As I had mentioned in the introduction, I had struggled with poor habits that eventually turned into a problem with alcohol. I struggled with alcohol for a few years and found myself getting into a number of situations that no one would be proud of. Lacing up a pair of sneakers that day on Feb 11, 2019 inevitably changed my life forever.
Further, I had temporarily lost work at the peak of the COVID pandemic in 2020. The financial consequences from the pandemic forced me to get outside of my comfort zone and take that step to launch my own business, Uplift Performance Training.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently work as an athletic trainer at the University of Utah. Specifically, I work alongside pediatric surgeons in the orthopedic department to provide both pre and post-surgical care to the pediatric population.
Additionally, I hold a Master’s degree in Kinesiology and am a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As a health and fitness professional, it is my passion to guide people to live a healthy and fulfilled life. I combine both my expertise in athletic training and personal training to provide training programs inclusive of strength training and injury prevention through an online platform via my company, Uplift Performance Training.
How do you define success?
Success is entirely subjective. For me, success is being able to look in the mirror and find peace and fulfillment in knowing that you gave your absolute best effort.
Contact Info:
- Email: upliftperformancetraining@gmail.com
- Website: www.upliftperformancetraining.com
- Instagram: kimurmaza
