Holly Iglehart Interview: A Badass “Army Strong” Story
This Missouri beauty was born and raised in Kansas City. She was living in Parkville and then moved to Blue Springs at the age of 9. Growing up she was athletic and played various sports including volleyball and basketball through middle school. In high school, she was a cheerleader and then the high school mascot, “Willie” the Wildcat. Holly Iglehart attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa where she competed in cross country and college track throwing the javelin and doing the race walk. After attending Graceland’s Lamoni campus for three years she was accepted into Graceland’s accelerated nursing program located at their campus in Independence, Missouri. Iglehart will graduate January 2012 with a bachelor’s of science in nursing with a minor in health.
Holly Iglehart — Army Strong
One day while sitting in class in a brochure was being passed around about the Army Nurse Corps Reserve duty. Holly was interested in all of what the Army had to offer, called a recruiter that day and ended up deciding that active duty was the way to go. Holly Iglehart wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself, being able to give back and serve her country. She thinks it is a selfless and humbling service, and she has always looked up to others who have served for our Nation. Her Grandfather, Ray Snyder, who she has much respect and admiration for is a United States Army Veteran. She mentioned that is was going to be a privilege to follow in his footsteps. Holly plans on caring for soldiers who are serving this country with pride and patriotism.
A Different Kind of Competition for Holly Iglehart
Being that athletics and working out has always been in Holly’s blood she decided to try something a little different outside of just sports. She had reached a plateau in her training where she was no longer seeing results. Holly Iglehart came across the Hitch Fit website at 2 in the morning and saw that the WBFF competition was in 9 weeks in Kansas City. She thought to herself “hey, I could do this!” So, she signed herself up then and there at 2 am, and never looked back. Holly then signed up for posing clinics with Micah Lacerte and Diana Chaloux and to dial in her training for the competition she hired trainer, Jim Godwin, who is also with Hitch Fit.
Holly’s first competition was the WBFF Central US Championships. It was a life-changing and very memorable experience. When she signed up 9 weeks out Holly Iglehart had no idea how she was going to get where she needed to be by showtime — all she knew was that it was going to happen. Inglehart competed in both tall diva bikini model and tall diva fitness model classes not knowing which one she would do better in. She opted to do both for experience, exposure, and stage time. Holly Iglehart ended up placing top ten in diva bikini modeling which she realized is definitely more her thing. She doesn’t regret competing in fitness modeling because it was a great experience and she felt much more comfortable on stage. The theme-wear was also a lot of fun she mentioned. However, she feels that bikini will now be her focus.
Iglehart mentioned it was amazing seeing how everyone’s hard work had paid off. Following everyone’s progress via Facebook and then seeing how great they looked on stage at the Central US Championships was awesome. She had so much respect for all of her fellow competitors because of how much hard work, dedication, and drive they have in order to be in the best physical condition for when they step on stage. Holly’s next competition is the WBFF Worlds which is in Toronto on August 27 where she will be competing in Tall Diva Bikini Model.
When asked what the hardest thing about being in the industry she said it’s trying not to listen to all of the Nay-say-ers. “You come across them everywhere, no matter what you are doing, there will always be people who don’t agree with it”. She always looks at the positive side of things though and now that she is in the fitness industry she has been blessed enough to have met some of her best friends, fellow athletes, and competitors. All of which who are all working hard day in and day out, know what it’s like to be carb depleted, or if you’re having an off day. The people Holly Iglehart has met through the fitness industry have been one solid support system and without those individuals, things like “nay-say-ers” would have succeeded in bringing her down.
Holly Iglehart is lucky enough to be sponsored by Supplement Source which is a supplement company based out of Kansas City. It is locally owned and its core values are ones that align very closely to her own. Supplement Source is all about their local athletes and supporting the community. All of their prices are much lower than the national brands which are a great help to the KC community. As a sponsored athlete Holly represents Supplement Source at events and in return they represent her as an athlete and a fitness competitor.
Pageant Life and the Future
Now for another amazing part to Holly’s already fabulous story. She will be representing Kansas City in the 2012 Miss Missouri USA pageant. It is going to be held on November 4-6th in St. Charles, Missouri. Her pageant coach is Micki Fisher, WBFF Pro Fitness Model, who has been an amazing role model and inspiration. Through Micki’s guidance and inspiration along with Holly’s dedication, hard work, and drive she plans on taking the stage in November with confidence and grace to hopefully win the title of Miss Missouri 2012 and go on to compete for Miss USA 2012.
Being very structured with her life, Holly Iglehart has some goals set for down the road. 10 years from now she wishes to be a well-known role model in the health and fitness world. She doesn’t care to be “famous” per se, but Holly just wishes to inspire others and help people understand that they can accomplish anything they set out to do. It is all possible if you believe and put in the hard work to match.
Other goals she has are to: become a WBFF pro diva bikini model, Win Miss Missouri 2012, and go on to compete for Miss USA 2012, graduate college with above a 3.5 GPA, and while in the Army score above 100% on all of her PT tests.
When asked who all she would like to thank for helping her get to where she is today she paused and answered: “Where do I begin?” There have been many people throughout her life who stood by her and helped her achieve the things she has.
“I will start with the most important people in my life and that would be my parents Mark & Michelle. Without their support and love, none of this would have been possible. My sister Ashley who lets me stay at her house in order to be closer to training, my family, my trainer, my friend and my motivator- Jim Godwin with Hitch Fit. He agreed to help me with only being 1 month out from the competition to help me break through barriers I had not yet reached. With his help, inspiration and hard work, we worked as a team and I was able to make serious improvements which helped lead me to a top ten finish at the WBFF Central US Championships. Diana Chaloux and Micah Lacerte- without the promotion of the WBFF through the Hitch Fit website I never would have signed up for the WBFF Central US Championships, My good friends Mikki, Rachel, Matreena, Laura, Sarah, Molly, Tara, Gloria, Kim, Courtney, Tiffany, Micki, Lara, Geoff, Cara and Kallie for always cheering me on, understanding my busy schedule and always being there for me. My nursing school advisor Beverly. To my sponsor Supplement Source & Shane Sleeper for all of their support, River Market Crossfit for always having a great workout ready for me, support and cheering me on in all of my endeavors, Captain Dial for all of his support, hard work, and continued inspiration he provides me with because of his selfless service to the Army, Envy Salon, Heather Daniel Kent, Theresa Doss & Coconut Beach Tanning, Sarah Gacutan and Classic Touch for all of their help with my hair, make-up and tanning needs. Lastly I would like to thank LHGFX for the opportunity to shoot with them and to Fit Treasures for giving me the opportunity to be featured. This is such a long list because I believe that gratitude is something that isn’t expressed often enough. Each one of these individuals has inspired and supported me throughout my journey and continues to do so every day. Thank you.”
*I conducted this interview with Holly Iglehart on behalf of FitTreasures Magazine who has now gone out of business. The interview and title image was approved for use through its original use on the FitTreasure Magazine website.*
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