Karen Kryzanowski

Hello and thank you for taking the time to view my port!

My main interest is fitness-related shoots however I am open to creative shoots as well. My scheduling is a little tight right now due to training, so I am currently selective on the projects I will do. However, please feel free to send me a message with your thoughts and ideas and as my schedule clears up we can discuss arrangements. Looking forward to working with you!
K.


****** My Story ******

Growing up I was not athletic - in fact I struggled with my weight. Being overweight never really bothered me except when I was picked on by other kids at school for my appearance. Despite being teased, it was not until my doctor told me I had high cholesterol (at the age of 13) that made me realize I had to do something about my weight and health.

The first major step I took was I changed my eating habits. By the time I was 15, I had managed to get my weight down to a healthy weight, and had lowered my cholesterol to a normal level. However maintaining that weight was a challenge, and by the time I completed university I had put the weight back on and had high cholesterol again.

So the next thing I did was join a gym. I enjoyed working out on cardio machines, but I didn’t want to go near weights because I was scared to get bigger than I already was. When I realized I was not getting the results I wanted on my own, I decided to hire a trainer to learn about weight training and to help me get my health back on track.

Everything was going great until I was 26, when I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). PCOS is a hormonal disorder that causes the ovaries to produce higher levels of androgens. Some of the major symptoms include infrequent menstrual periods, high cholesterol, and weight gain/obesity (all of which I was experiencing). Although PCOS is not curable, it is treatable with medications and can be controlled through diet and exercise.

Initially, I had a difficult time accepting that I had PCOS. I went through the “why me” phase and I felt sorry for myself. Discovering that something is wrong with your body and knowing that you have to live with it for the rest of life is not a fun experience to go through. However, if anything good came out of this ordeal, the diagnosis finally provided me with answers as to why I was having all these problems with my weight and cholesterol.

Today, I have accepted and come to terms with having PCOS. It has shaped the person I have become, and gives me the determination to take this negative element in my life and transform it into something positive. Competing has become that positive. I have been “gifted” with something that makes me special and unique - rather than see the glass as half-empty, I will view it as half-full.

****** 2009 Competition Results ******
- 2nd Place, Figure, 2009 UFE Spring Bash
- 3rd Place, Fitness Model, 2009 UFE Spring Bash


****** 2008 Competition Results ******
- 2nd Place, Fittest Duo, June 2008 FAME World Championships
- 2nd Place, Fitness Model Short, May 2008 FAME Regionals
- 2nd Place, Muscle Model, May 2008 FAME Regionals


****** Sponsors ******
- ThermoLean
- Perfect Nutrition


****** Published in ******
Oxygen Magazine, ThermoLean Ad (June & July 2009)
Inside Fitness Magazine, UFE Spring Bash Summary (July 2009)


****** Special Events ******
2009 Toronto Pride Parade, Trojan Float


****** Collaborations with ******
Magda M, Photographer and Hair/Makeup, MM#65704
Joel Roberts, Photographer, MM#376411
DWProductions Inc, Photographer, MM#409305
Urban Stylz Photography, Photographer, MM#370375
Kevin Komlenovich, Photographer, MM#630266
Billy Archos, Photographer, MM#357618
Glen E. Grant, Photographer
Liana Saadi, Photographer
2 Nyce Photography, Photographer, MM#766763
Edward Parks Photos, Photographer, MM#1181932
Stacey Fox, Photographer, MM#376175


****** Special thanks to the following ******
- Thank you to my doctor for changing my life (for the better)
- Thank you to my family and friends for your love and support along my journey
- Thank you to my sponsor, and to those who have believed in me and given me opportunities to succeed
- Thank you to my trainer Tammy Strome (Cr8ion Fitness and Wellness Inc.) for helping me achieve my dreams
- Thank you JC for putting the idea in my head that I can compete and for teaching me that its ok not to be toothpick-skinny. You have helped me become a stronger person on both the inside and out
- Thank you DM for getting me through my darkest days and for always believing in me. Without you there to pick me up, I know I would not be where I am today
- Most of all, I would like to thank all those people who have put me down and made me struggle – your negativity is what drives me to succeed. Take the negative and turn it into something positive…