NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
2021 is here, and January is flying by. With most of the world on lockdown, many of us figured out how to adjust and stay active. We kick off the year with a young lady who was wanted a way to get into shape, and it turned into a career as a trainer and fitness model. You can find her on the cover of magazines or on her YouTube channel; she also is a makeup artist to boot. We start 2021 with a trip to Canada and introduce you to Karen Pang!
Joe Cardoso: What got you into a gym when it all started?
Karen Pang: I was about 18 or 19 in college when I first joined a gym. Maybe it was pure vanity that compelled me to stay fit and not gain the freshman 15, but I was always intrigued with fitness and bodybuilding because of my older brother. He was into lifting weights, and often I would flip through his Muscle & Fitness and other bodybuilding magazines. From the first day of ever joining a gym, I don’t think I’ve ever NOT had a gym membership.
JC: How did you get involved in bikini competitions, and what was it like winning?
KP: After becoming a regular at the gym, girls would approach me, asking if I competed. I had no idea what that even meant, and after a few times, I would ask what “competing” was. They would explain it was like a bodybuilding/physique competition, and I was like, “oh no, that’s not for me,” but they told me I should consider it because I had the frame for it. I was friends with my old trainer and his girlfriend then, and I remember she mentioned she was planning on competing. Curious, I picked her brain about it, and that’s when it piqued my interest. Of course, I have no idea where to begin or what to do at this point, so I talked to one of the girls who approached me at the gym, and she referred me to someone who can guide me.
My first competition was for Fitness Model and…wait for it…Figure haha. After not placing in the top 3, I was discouraged but was convinced to enter another two where I placed top 3 in all of Canada and subsequently first in another federation. What was it like winning? I was super elated because all those hours of hard work paid off, and I also know what it feels like to lose. We all worked hard, which is the tough thing because there can only be one winner. Towards the last few years of my competitions, anything out of the top 3 to me was the same as last place. After all those years, I had to have that standard for myself.
Hardest Thing?
JC: Those first few months starting out, what was the hardest thing, and how did you overcome it?
KP: The hardest thing was perhaps eating a strict diet and that darn cardio. In a way, it was easy because you only had so much to eat, and there was no guesswork. But not giving in to cravings is difficult in normal life, so when you’re already deprived, it sucks even more! After a while, you get used to it, and watching cooking shows satiates those cravings.
Typical Week in Crazy Times
JC: What’s a typical week like for you?
KP: During these crazy times, I’m not as busy as I used to be, which is good and bad in its own way. Back when things were “normal,” I’d wake up and go for a short run before work a few times a week and hit the gym for weights after work. On my days off, I’d relax and get caught up at home, do a photoshoot or spend time with friends. These days, I’m doing home workouts and posting them online, working on personal projects, and doing more photoshoots since I have that extra time.
JC: How have you adjusted during COVID to stick with your goals?
KP: Since I don’t train as heavy because my gym is closed, my caloric intake is a little less, and I’ve been going on walks or running outside for my cardio. My workouts are only about 45mins to one hour max at home because there’s only so much I can do with light weights. Eating cleanly is key, but it’s just so hard sometimes due to the increased time at home!
Advice For Beginners
JC: For someone just starting out, what advice would you give them?
KP: EASE INTO IT! Very often, some people want to go hard and heavy immediately, and it burns them out and risk injuring themselves. Even for me, after taking it easy, I always start with basic exercises and lighter weights. It’s much more impressive to see the perfect form with light weights than heavyweights and atrocious form. If it’s in their budget, hire a trainer who you admire and think is knowledgeable. You’ll learn a lot from them!
JC: If you had to pick ONE assumption/stereotype people have about you that you hate, what would it be and why?
KP: It’s definitely that I only date fitness guys/meatheads. Sure, we may have the fitness and diet things in common, but there has to be more than that! If I made a collage of the guys I’ve dated, not one is the same as the other because it’s the personality that gets me.
JC: Favorite exercise and why?
KP: Barbell deadlift into a squat and into a military press. It works almost the entire body in one move!
Bonus Questions:
JC: Our female readers would kill me if I didn’t ask! What are the must-haves in the Karen Pang makeup bag?
KP: Great question! Definitely the creamy concealer (in custard) by NARS, Armani Neo Nude Fusion powder, Anastasia Dipbrow, Stila Bronzer, Marc Jacobs eyelash primer (because my lashes are so fine), and L’Oreal Voluminous mascara (best drugstore mascara in my opinion). These are my staples!
JC: What do you like the most? Competition, training, photoshoots, or makeup?
KP: I’ll place them in order for you: 1) Training 2) Photoshoots 3) Makeup (it was a close second) 4) Competition. Training and lifting weights will always be a part of my life, no matter what. I love it! Photoshoots are great because I get to be an alter ego of myself, and keeps me in check with training and dieting. I’ve always loved beauty and beautifying others because I get to bring out what nature gave them that they don’t realize they possess. It’s like art! Competing was my LIFE. I lived for it. I did everything I could to be the best I could be. Sometimes I toy about coming out of retirement, but I feel like I have nothing to prove, and there’s no need to chase that high again.
Who Are You?
JC: Who is Karen Pang?
KP: That has to be the most difficult question for me to answer! How I view myself is probably different than how other people view me! But I’d say I have a good heart, but slyly sassy. I’m a social chameleon, meaning I can usually adapt to my settings, and even though I’m a small little Asian girl, I have THE most “dad” -est of corny jokes that I’m even embarrassed by sometimes. That’s all I’ll give you because you’ve gotten me to talk about myself more than anyone else so far this year 
I want to thank Karen for sharing her story and make sure to follow her on social media! Who will be the next person put under the spotlight?
IG: @MissKarenPang
Twitter: @MissKarenPang
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/
