Airman built for the stage

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Inspiration comes from many different people, whether from family members, celebrities or even friends it helps people to be creative in their own special way.

For Senior Airman Kati Lappin, a 354th Medical Support Squadron dental technician, it was the passing of a friend who believed Lappin could be a bikini fitness model.

"I remember it like it was yesterday, my friend and I were sitting down eating lunch and he joked saying I had the legs to be a bikini fitness model," said Lappin. "After he passed away I really wanted to live up to what he was joking about and started training."

Before going into any crazy or intense work outs Lappin researched steps to take to become a bikini fitness model. After spending a few hours looking into what it takes Lappin went to her trainer, Jean Paul Williams.

"After talking to my trainer and him explaining it was going to be a difficult process, I finally decided I was going to do it," said Lappin.

Lappin began her training by doing cardio twice a day along with an abdominal workout for seven days a week. Even after doing both cardio and abdominals daily Lappin still had to complete the workouts provided by her trainer.

"I started my training in March of this year because I needed as much time as possible to drop weight and to gain my muscle mass before my first competition in October," said Lappin.

The week before her first competition, Lappin went to the gym every day for about two to three hours to gain the maximum amount of training and extra muscle.

Lappin said she started to get nervous the day of her first competition.

"I remember just standing in the back room after getting my spray tan. I was getting ready to go up on the stage and be judged by people I've never meet before," said Lappin.

After getting up on stage with 11 other individuals Lappin placed second in the Alaskan Fitness Expo held in Anchorage which gives her the opportunity to compete in nationals within a year.

Lappin said she will continue to live a healthy and fit lifestyle despite its challenges.

"It's definitely an addicting experience and I just want more and more of this lifestyle," Lappin explained. "It is definitely not for weak-minded individuals. You can be physically fit but if you can't push yourself mentally, this kind of lifestyle will definitely break you down."

Currently Lappin is training to compete in another competition that will be taking place next March after she does a permanent change of station move to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.