Karen Plum

I was born and bred in Nelson and lived there all my life! Many changes in circumstances effected my decision to give my huge change a go. Partly to be able to work over here with the best in my sport.

I decided it was 'time for Karen to spread her wings' and it was the time to give something new a go. Nelson is so isolated and to get the help I needed was costing a lot of money in travel, so why not have the help and support on my doorstep?

I had always liked the action of a bigger city, so made the decision to pack my bags and do it! I initially had a return ticket from the Asia Pacifics and was only coming over to do the show and check the place out. Not long before decided not to come back!

I started competing 5 years ago in New Zealand. I did 6 shows over 2 years and then had a year off to have calcification build up taken out of my shoulder. It was my return to the stage after this that brought me on my incredible journey in the Figure world to where I am now, something even I couldn't imagine where it has taken me!

Originally I came to Australia to visit the Gold Coast and compete at the ANB Asia Pacific Champs in 2010. But amidst my plans, I decided to make the big move and uproot myself to live in Brisbane instead. Not ideal preparation for a show, but somehow I managed to do both and came out a winner on the other side taking out the Senior Figure 35+ class in a tough field of 10 athletes.

Since the Asia Pacifics, I have continued to make an impact on the Australian Figure scene placing 2nd at the ANB Qld Champs and winning the 2010 National ANB Senior Figure Class. 2010 ended with placing top 10 in a huge class of 31 in the American Figure class at MuscleMania in Las Vegas.

Crazy with show prep, but the rest is history. I was offered a job before I left NZ so even had work on my arrival, but lived and prepped for my first shows here in a small granny flat with no kitchen and only my bench top grill, microwave and bar fridge which was a big challenge! Not easy, and not something I would recommend anyone attempt! I now am lucky enough to eat, sleep and breath the industry.

I work for and sponsored by Planet Max and also run my own Nutrition Consultancy Business 'Performance + Nutrition'.

I am very lucky to also be sponsored by a top supplement company – Flush Fitness, and also the lovely Jo Rogers of Style on Stage.

Keeping with my 'challenging' show lead in's, this year saw a major tragedy in my life with first my beloved Dad suffering a heart attach on the 1st of January and an emergency trip back to NZ to be with him while he had surgery, and then 1 week after my INBA show in Melbourne, a phone call telling me he had unexpectantly died, and other sudden trip back.

This threw me right off track, and thoughts of pulling out of the shows for the year were there, but I decided to go ahead and get back on track – A decision that has just paid off with my 3rd placing at the ANB Nationals. I love it over here and have never looked back! No regrets on my big decision.

It has been such a positive move for me and I wonder why I didn’t do it earlier. To be able to meet the top in the industry and work with them, also like mined competitors. The gyms are great and I am lucky to now be living down the Gold Coast where I train at the brilliant World Gym in Ashmore.

My Competition results have been as follows:

2006 NABBA Top of The South Championships -
Novice - 1st place and Overall Figure Champion
2006 NABBA South Island Championships – Novice Figure - 3rd 2006 NABBA New Zealand Nationals – Novice Figure Short - 4th

2007 NABBA Top of the South Championships
Novice Figure 1st & Overall Figure Champion
2007 NABBA South Island Championships – Novice Figure 3rd
2007 NABBA NZ Nationals – Novice Figure Short - 2nd Place
2009 NZFBB South Island Championships
Short Novice Figure Champion

2009 NZFBB Nationals - Short Novice Figure NZ Champion
2009 NABBA Top of the South Championships -
Senior Figure 35+ and over-all Figure Champion
2009 NABBA Nationals - Senior Figure 35+ NZ Champion

2010 ANB Asia Pacific International - 1st Masters Figure
2010 ANB Queensland Regional s - 2nd Masters Figure
2010 ANB Aust. Nationals - Australian Masters Figure Champion
2010 American Fitness Week - Top 10 American Figure

2011 ANB Asia Pacific International - 4th Masters Figure
2011 INBA All Female Classic -
4th International Figure, 3rd Open Figure Class 2
2011 ANB Australian Nationals - 3rd Masters Figure

FUTURE PLANS:

I am going to have a break after the INBA Universe Show to work with the brilliant Ash Mason of Xtreme Results Training and Tanning to build more size in my legs, and look at options for late 2012 or 2013.

After a few very intense years of ups and downs, I hope to have a more settled life, and spend some quality time with the fantastic friends I have been blessed with meeting since my arrival here.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way, my wonderful sponsors – Flush Fitness, Planet Max and Style on Stage.

Also my fantastic Coach, Ash Mason of Xtreme Results Training and Tanning for all his help and support. I look forward to working with him in the future to achieve some further fantastic results!