Kristi Noem: Breaking Barriers in Bodybuilding Industry

Surprisingly, someone from the bodybuilding scene leaps into a career in a different industry. Many bodybuilders spend most of their time preparing for bodybuilding competitions or working out to maintain their physique. Kristi Noem, a bodybuilder, is different. If you have seen Kristi Noem's photos, you can notice that her arms are pretty sculpted, and her body figure is in shape.
Aside from lifting weights, she also made a name in South Dakota's legislature. She is the 33rd and first female governor of South Dakota. Kristi Noem was a member of congress from 2014 until 2018. After her term in congress, she became the 33rd but the first female governor of the state.
Because of being naturally active, she is an advocate of physical fitness. Some of her activities include 5k marathons, hunting, and softball games. She also does rodeo and farming as part of her active lifestyle.

Early Years: Childhood and Education​

Kristi Noem and her siblings are South Dakota locals. Her parents, Ron and Corrine Arrold raised them in a ranch and farm residence–no wonder Kristi Noem had rodeo skills. She experienced farming at a young age, which made her comfortable as a part of the Ways and Means and Agricultural Committees.
She also spent her high school at the state in Hamlin High School and a few college years at Northern State University in Aberdeen. However, Kristi Noem had to delay her college studies when her father died in 1994. She and her brother farmed and handled the family's lodging and restaurant business.
Noem eventually graduated from South Dakota State University, earning her degree in political science in 2011.

Bodybuilding Start​

In an interview with South Dakota Magazine, a fitness expo triggered Kristi Noem's interest in bodybuilding. As a female empowerment advocates from the beginning, females joining a male-dominated sport inspired Noem to start building her physique. She even ended her first competition as the top contender in her division. Because of her success, the farm girl became a household name in bodybuilding competitions.
There was only a little information about Noem's start in bodybuilding. Like other bodybuilders, she entered several bodybuilding competitions in 1998. She worked with a personal coach and developed a strict bodybuilding diet to maintain her figure before joining any bodybuilding competitions.
Kristi Noem credits bodybuilding for giving her the discipline and mental tenacity that have allowed her to thrive in her political career. She also appreciates the psychological and physical benefits of maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Training and Diet Regimen​

Kristi Noem follows a diet plan, making her lose weight. She actively participates in events held by the US Capitol, including the Annual Men's Health Month. As you can see, Kristi still maintained her balanced physique at 50 years old. She still goes to the gym and regularly does CrossFit to keep her figure.
A typical working day for Noem starts with a morning run to wake and stretch her muscles. This routine helps her to be mentally active during her day in the office. Sometimes, she does a complete arm workout to shape her arms with these workouts.

• Wood Chops
• Shoulder Press
• Planking
• Push Ups
• Pull Ups
• TRX Rows
• Triceps Cable Kickback

Aside from strength training and cardio workout, she also plays sports and joins different sporting events as part of her advocacy for having an active lifestyle. She even joins congress-hosted sporting events.
As someone who grew up on a farm, Kristi Noem gets plenty of fruits, vegetables, and meat. For a typical bodybuilder, this gives her the strength and recovery she needs in working out. These foods also help her maintain her mental alertness to respond to the pressures and issues as a public servant.
However, it has yet to discover if Kristi Noem is into bodybuilding supplements. She most likely takes multivitamins daily for her added nutrients.

Accomplishments in The Sport​

Aside from rodeo, one of Kristi Noem's lesser-known talents is her impressive bodybuilding career. Noem began her journey in the world of fitness and bodybuilding in the late 1990s, and over the years, she achieved several notable accomplishments in this field. Here are the few achievements of Kristi Noem before she entered the world of politics:

• 1998 NPC Upper Midwest Bodybuilding and Figure Championships - Middleweight Division (1st)
• 1999 NPC Upper Midwest Bodybuilding and Figure Championships - Lightweight Division (1st)
• 2000 NPC USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships - Lightweight Division (4th)
• 2001 NPC USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships - Lightweight Division (5th)
• 2002 NPC USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships - Lightweight Division (8th)

Kristi Noem found it easy to shift careers since being physically active and politics are her interests. Her first career made an impact on her political interests. In an interview with Yahoo! News, she mentioned that bodybuilding made her mentally sharp and disciplined.
Here is a sample meal plan of Kristi Noem's daily meals:
Breakfast: Hard-boiled eggs, tea or smoothie, and fruits
Lunch: Steak, mashed potato, steamed vegetables
Dinner: Roasted vegetables, grilled tuna, and fruits.

Challenges and Setbacks​

Because of a busy schedule, Kristi Noem sometimes needs more time to sleep or work out. The stress of her job can also affect her mindset in working out. Taking time to rest is better than hitting the gym.
Kristi Noem's workout routine is already part of her lifestyle. She must be consistent in her workout routine and choose healthy foods to keep her mindset.

Impact of Bodybuilding on Her Other Careers​

Although Noem's bodybuilding accomplishments are outstanding, they only represent a small portion of her tale. Noem has made public statements about how her bodybuilding experiences have shaped who she is and equipped her for a career in public service.
"I learned a lot about discipline, mental toughness, and hard work via bodybuilding," she said in an interview with Muscle & Fitness. "Those skills have served me well in every part of my life, including my job in politics."
Indeed, Noem's experiences in bodybuilding have helped her become a strong leader and a practical politician. She has been recognized for her leadership and dedication to public service, receiving numerous awards and honors.

The Bottomline​

Kristi Noem's career in bodybuilding may have stopped, but the foundation and her training mindset continue to this day. She ensures to provides time for her daily activities regarding her active lifestyle.