Kristi Haglund-Parrotte Interview

Q: First, Kristi, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: Thank you so much!! This is such an honor for me to do this interview.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I am a 41 year old mother of 3 beautiful children ages 18, 13 and 11 and have been blessed to be married to my soulmate, and best friend. I am the most fit now than I have ever been. Getting to where I am today still seems like a dream. I was born and raised on a farm/ranch in Eastern MT and have been through many different challenges in my life. One of which being born with a 2 inch leg length discrepancy, having to wear special orthotics for most of my childhood years, and pushing through 5 surgical procedures for corrections helped me to realize that if you have goals and dreams you can do anything in life. There are so many people out there that were worse off, children born without limbs or children that could not walk. I had my legs, I could walk.. I had a lot to be thankful for and I still do. Not only do I want to show my children that our tomorrows are created by what we dream today but I also want to show all women out there that their dreams and goals can be attained. It doesn’t matter if you are 40 or 50 or 60. Age is not a factor for fitness and health.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: I was actually very shy and kept to myself.. Not real athletic at all.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: My handsome Australian husband and I opened a Physical Therapy Clinic in 2000 and in 2005 he decided he wanted to spread his wings and open a Fitness Center along with it. We have always supported each other in everything that we want to venture out and do, so we did just that. It was very stressful and I found I needed some “me” time and the way I could do that was to start my day getting into the gym to clear my thoughts and to plan and dream for the future.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: Training was something that I started to love! I found it necessary to start my day and wanted to start helping others so 3 years ago I went through a Certified Personal Training course so I could do some training at our gym. It took over a year to start seeing results in myself and it wasn’t until I put the nutrition into play that everything really started to come together.

Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: I have this plaque hanging in my house.. it says “We Create our Tomorrows by What We Dream Today”.. This is something I have always put into my children's heads. I have always encouraged them to reach for the stars and to never give up no matter what it was in life because nothing is impossible, so competing for me was my way of showing my kids that you can do anything if you just try and to never give up until you have grabbed the star you have been reaching for.

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: My husband and my kids are my biggest fan group and support system. My parents on the other hand thought I was going through mid-life crisis (laughing).

Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: When I decided I wanted to compete, I wanted to make sure I gave it 110%. Growing up on a farm my Dad always said if you are going to do something do it right and give it your all. In order to do that I felt like I needed some outside training and that is when I came across who I think is obviously the world’s best and that is Danny Johnson from Las Vegas. She made the process fun, and exciting. I started to see changes in my body that I did not think were possible and when it came competition day I was so nervous I was shaking in my shoes, but she still managed to make me laugh. I wont ever forget her standing on the opposite side of the stage giving me the don’t ***k up face that you cant help but smile at!!! She is what makes me want to keep competing. She wanted me to have an amazing 1st experience and for that I will always be grateful.

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A: I have competed once in the Las Vegas Classic in November 2011 and exceeded past my expectations and with Danny's help am hoping to compete at the Emerald Cup in April 2012!!

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: Definitely my shoulders and arms. I love training them and they seem to be the first part of my body that I see definite progression with .

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: Shoulder are the definite favorite. My favorite shoulder exercise would have to be presses and lateral raises to make the caps really pop!!

Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: I do strength training with free weights four days a week for about 90 minutes and lift heavier during pre-contest and closer to contest time vary the weight and reps to get the lean muscle. My cardio varies depending on where my fat loss needs to be. As far as diet during non-contest months my calories and macros are different so I can put muscle on and then closer to contest lean out. Danny Johnson with “No Excuses” Fitness helps keep me right on track!!

Q: When someone sees your physique or hears you compete for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?
A: I get such a positive response from people. The support has been phenomenal. Everyone of course wants to know how it is done and wonder how on earth someone with my busy lifestyle can accomplish such goals. I am a mother of 3, I own a Physical Therapy Clinic, a Fitness Center and am Broker in a Real Estate Firm, but fitness is a lifestyle, it has become my time to reflect on myself and my goals. It is the cornerstone of who I am.. so when they ask “how do I get there” I always tell them that anyone can have the gift of fitness by believing in themselves and having self-determination and motivation.

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: Is that really you???

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: I think most people think that working out as hard as we do and are as dedicated as we are to our eating and diet think that we have an obsession with the sport or our bodies. They think we are out of the normal, but for me is my normal. This has become who I am and what I stand for. I have learned so much about myself both inside and out. People tend to underestimate the work that goes into preparing for a show. Not only are you working your body, but you are working your mind. You have to have your head in it to succeed, so to have people understand this, to have them understand that it is more than just coming to the gym everyday hopping on a piece or cardio equipment or lifting a few dumbbells. Fitness is a lifestyle and it is one that I dedicate my mind and body to 110% and enjoy every minute of it. “ You never know how strong you are until strong is the only choice you have”


Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: I love to see how far I can push myself to get me where I need to be, as far as the worst.. there are no worsts.. training for me is my release in life and without it I definitely could not be where I am today.

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: Definitely Danny Johnson. She has come so far and done good for so many, and for her the giving never stops. She is one of the truest, kindest hearted people that I have ever met.

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: My favorite cheat food is definitely Mussels with lots of white bread to dunk in the juices and a few glasses of a nice Australian white wine!!

Q: If another woman told you she wanted to start training, what is the one piece of advice you would most want to give her?
A: Keep going, never give up. Strive to achieve because with hard work and dedication anything is possible. One of my favorite quotes is by Harriet Tubman..” Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

Q: Do you think its becoming more common for women to use the weights as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: Definitely!! It just takes a few times to get them into the weight room and they are addicted. They start to see changes that you don’t normally see with just doing cardio.

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: I have 3 beautiful children so spending time with them and my husband, camping, hiking or just sitting around the table playing a board game are my favorite activities. It is all about making a memory, putting it in my pocket and never forgetting that special moment.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Kristi Haglund-Parrotte.
A: I get up at 5AM eat my breakfast, get my kids’ breakfast ready for them and school lunches set out , head to the gym for my workout and then back home by 7:30 before my beautiful 3 children get on the school bus and I can see them off to school. The early morning time is my time. By 9:30 AM I am off to work, some days it is the real estate office other days, it is the Fitness Center or Physical Therapy Clinic. Just depends on the day !! Keeping myself organized keeps me sane! I eat every 2-3 hours, finish my workday, home by 5 or 5:30 , make dinner, have some family time and bed by 9!

Q: Describe Kristi Haglund-Parrotte in five words.
A: Caring, Loyal, hardworking, dedicated, trustworthy

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I am very shy!!

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: I am Mrs Havre America 2012 and am in the Mrs Montana Pageant in March and am working towards the Emerald Cup in 2012 ! Reaching for the stars!

Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: Clean eating is key. Nutrition is a large part of being able to succeed. It took me a long time to learn this, but now that I have put this into a daily lifestyle I have seen changes in my body that I never thought possible.
The other thing would be to lead by example. Not only do I want to show my children that our tomorrows are created by what we dream today but I also want to show all women out there that their dreams and goals can be attained. It doesn’t matter if you are 40 or 50 or 60. Age is not a factor for fitness and health.
Remembering what your goals are and know NOTHING is out of reach as long as you give it your all!!

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you and what are they getting in Kristi Haglund-Parrotte the athlete and competitor?
A: Yes!! I would be so honored to be sponsored!! Competing has become something that I definitely want to keep doing and being sponsored would help make this dream a reality! I can be reached at klparrotte@gmail.com They would be getting an athlete and competitor that would be giving 110% all of the time no questions asked! I want to be an inspiration to others and show them the sky is the limit and to remember that they have within them that same passion and strength it takes to change the world they just need to find it!


Q: Kristi, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. ANY last words before you go?
A: Thank You !! I appreciate the opportunity you have given me! It truly show that all things are possible if YOU just believe.