All athletes who compete in the NPC or IFBB Pro League start some where, but often the timing is a matter of whom they can find to help them through that initial prep as they get ready for their first competition. Kim Gutierrez didn’t have that issue, because she got help from within the family.
“My dad is a physical education professor and retired amateur bodybuilder, so he helped me,” she says. The daughter of Chilean descent saw the many benefits of competing, but there was one she didn’t count on. “I think that fitness allowed me to develop the courage to explore the world, take risks, and travel alone. Working hard to reach my goals and dreams of competing is a constant challenge. You discover what you’re made of.”
Between 2014 and 2016, Gutierrez competed in more than 30 contests in locales such as Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, and she even competed at the Arnold Classic in Ohio. She would attain IFBB Pro League status in September 2016 in Ecuador. “I am the first and only pro in my country, and I’m looking to do a lot more now.”
The bikini pro, fitness coach, and kinesiologist is always ready to help others who want to start their own fitness journey—and she offers advice that isn’t shared often enough.
“First of all, think positively of your self-image and self-love,” says Gutierrez, who, when this interview took place, was preparing for the Sheru Classic to start her 2018 season. “They have to be in balance because the way you eat, train, live, and look is extreme. You need to enjoy the process. If you want to compete, make it so that you can enjoy it within your soul. Also, make sure your coach considers longevity and not just the short term.”
