Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kim Urmaza. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kim, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Purpose is driven by the ability to move forward in the presence of hardships and failures. Oftentimes, it’s easy to assume that success is driven by privilege – but that can be further from the truth. 2017-2018 were the most pressing years of my life. At that time, I unknowingly fell into depression and turned to alcohol in hopes of making time pass more quickly. My poor decisions led to a downward spiral, and I found myself in a number of situations that no one would be proud of.
In 2019, I laced up a pair of sneakers and started running. At that time, I was nearly 30 pounds overweight and as a pack-a-day smoker for over 8 years, I finally lit my last cigarette. Many people look at where I am now and are often in disbelief of the lifestyle I lived prior to running and triathlon. And to be honest, my story is not much different than anyone else’s. There’s power in finding something that you are so incredibly passionate about that the positives largely outweigh your current circumstances. Nonetheless, I knew that sharing my story would give other’s hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel as long as you’re willing to look up.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a board-certified Athletic Trainer and a NASM certified personal trainer. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training in 2013 and graduated with my Master’s degree in Kinesiology with a double concentration in Sports Performance and Orthopedic Rehabilitation in 2022.
I currently work as an athletic trainer at the University of Utah hospital where I assist in the post-operative management of pediatric orthopedic conditions alongside the care of acute traumatic orthopedic injuries. Prior to transitioning to a clinical setting, I served as the Head Athletic Trainer at the private high school in Hollywood, FL where I managed the prevention, recognition, and treatment of sport-related injuries among 200 athletes across 14 interscholastic programs.
In 2019, I earned my certification in personal training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and began working as an independent personal trainer. I launched my company, Uplift Performance Training, in 2020 to engage a larger audience in the health and fitness space. My services primarily revolve around online fitness and nutrition coaching, and programs are centered on four foundational principles: preparation, performance, prevention, and proactive recovery.
My vision is to bridge the gap between performance and rehabilitative systems and provide an integrated approach to training. I have worked with clientele of all ages and experiences and aim to meet people where they are and guide them to their best potential.
I currently offer 1-on-1 online coaching catered to all levels. Each program is fully customized with unlimited chat support with me through my app. As a distance runner and triathlete, I also offer strength training programs to complement endurance training.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities most impactful for my journey are:
1) embracing the boredom of consistency
2) surrounding yourself with better and like-minded individuals
3) not having the fear of asking for help
Surround yourself with people that make extraordinary goals seem ordinary. At the start of my running journey in 2019, I remember walking into a local running store for a group run and meeting individuals who were successful business owners, individuals who have completed a number of Ironman triathlons, and Boston marathoners. I was starstruck and ignorant to the insurmountable goals these individuals were pursuing. I thought, “WHY not me?”
I paused and thought again, “Why NOT me?”
Meeting and surrounding myself with those individuals changed my life.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents have played a pinnacle role to my development as a person, athlete, and healthcare professional. My family and I immigrated from the Philippines in 1993 to pursue a quality of life and education in the United States. From a young age, I watched both of my parents work 2 jobs at a time to ensure that we had the best potential to succeed in a new, unknown environment.
Throughout my life, my parents have continuously supported my dreams and endeavors, despite having been unconventional from traditional Filipino upbringings. From a young age, my parents have instilled the importance of family, selflessness, resilience, and having pride in one’s accomplishments.
In circling back to the how I found my purpose, I would not have been able to do without my parents. Through my costly mistakes, my parents have shown how the values of love, acceptance, and unwavering support can help a person overcome their hardships and propel them to a more positive space in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.upliftperformancetraining.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kimurmaza
Image Credits
Bruce Velarde FinisherPix
