A Boca Raton woman that was emotionally and physically abused as a child is helping others find the strength to overcome adversity and sculpt the life they dream of.
From the streets of Brazil to a children’s home in the United States, Karina Nascimento’s journey to the Olympia stage hasn’t been an easy one.
Now she hopes her story of survival inspires others.
“This is where I got my strength,” said Nascimento.
Before she ever stepped into the gym, to later become one of the top names in the fitness industry, IFBB Physique Pro Karina Nascimento carried a heavy burden of being abandoned and abused, both sexually and physically as a child.
“I just didn’t want to live anymore,” said Nascimento. “I was tired of trying really hard and being mistreated or abandoned.”
In 1986, Karina left Brazil and was living in a children’s home in Texas, coping with the shame and fear of being sexually abused by a neighbor.
It was then when she was first introduced to, what she calls, iron therapy.
“I was struggling so much to be accepted and fight for love and want to not have people touch me that I didn’t want to,” said Nascimento. “It was a tough time. I learned at that moment that I could be strong.”
With each repetition, Karina learned she was strong enough to overcome her past and sculpt a better life for herself.
Now the 43-year-old mother of three and IFBB Pro is setting the stage for others to become champions of their own lives with the inaugural Karina Nascimento Classic.
“I know there will be many athletes coming in and out of the show that have been through some of the same things that I have been going through,” said Nascimento. “I hope I can inspire them to continue in their journey.”
The Karina Nascimento Classic will be held February 20 at the PGA National Resort and Spa.
Courtesy of: CBS12