IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
March 2008
  we have all been anxiously awaiting this moment...the John Stutz Book FIT GIRLS is finally here.  Katie is proud to be one of many featured models in this first edition. 
Click here for details.

MARCH 2006

FEATURED STORY BY TOMNINE AS SEEN ON WOMEN'S PHYSIQUE WORLD 

At an age when most of us are filling out AARP applications, Katie Madden is learning new gymnastic moves, competing in fitness contests with girls as young as 15, and getting attention from men of all ages. Born on February 7, 1959, Katie is a walking (and jumping and flipping) advertisement for the anti-aging powers of fitness.

An Illinois native, Katie now enjoys the fitness lifestyle near Scottsdale, Arizona. At 5’4”, Katie last competed at 123 lbs. She continues a long career in banking and is also a personal trainer.

“To compete against younger girls is rewarding,” says Katie, “ It allows me to feel quite fortunate that I am physically able to walk (or do crazy stunts) on the same plank with some that are half my age. A lot of times they are not aware of my age, but if it comes up in conversation, they are extremely encouraging, while in quite a bit of SHOCK!”

A self-professed tomboy in her youth, Katie played volleyball and other sports. “It was as I was going through a divorce that I got into fitness. It started out as bodybuilding.” Katie lifted for ten years before competing in bodybuilding. In 2002 she competed in five shows, starting with four overall wins leading up to her first national-level show, where she failed to make the top 15.

“I shifted from bodybuilding to fitness after competing in the NPC Bodybuilding Nationals in 2002,” Katie explains. “I felt that aesthetically I did not wish to continue my travels down that road. I felt better connected with the look of a fitness competitor. Since I had no fitness, cheerleading, dance, or gymnastics background I knew the road would be tough, but that did not stop me. It took me a year and a half to prepare for my first fitness show.”

Katie competed in fitness once a year in 2004, 2005, and 2006. While fans and photographers can’t get enough of Katie’s muscularity and conditioning, those traits are not helping her with current fitness judges. “At the 2006 Nationals I was at my best, but in comparison to most of the other competitors I stood out because I was ‘harder’ than most. This works against me in such a line up, so it is a fine line how to present my conditioning in the one and two-piece rounds. Also, my lack of dance skills and facial drama on stage has held me back from presenting a killer routine. I get a little better each time, and will continue to do so!”

What about the recent trend of “too muscular” fitness and figure girls returning to bodybuilding? “I would probably switch to figure masters division before I would do bodybuilding again.”

Katie is passionate about her sport and is working with IFBB pro Adela Garcia to improve her performance and physique. “My mental determination to learn skills, and my overall physical package is fairly strong,” Katie says. “I have learned some strength skills that not many others can do in this sport.”

Forty-something competitors are common in bodybuilding and figure, but are rare in the high-impact hip-hop world of fitness. Did Katie miss the memo explaining she should be knitting cookies and baking mittens for her grandchildren by now? “I love to create homemade chocolates,” she says. “My craft skills are quite good, and I'm very creative. I have often thought about developing a chocolate line and marketing it. You just never know what tomorrow will bring!”

In 1978, the first album by The Police included a song called “Born in the ‘50s,” announcing the cultural arrival of the final wave of baby boomers. In the 2006 Nationals the fitness competitors included Victoria Larvie, born in 1991. Victoria didn’t have her learner’s permit to drive yet, probably never listened to a vinyl album, and might not know Sting used to be in a band. As long as Katie keeps sipping from that fitness fountain of youth, girls born in the ‘90s will have to share the stage with at least one woman who remembers Woodstock.

Katie travels back to her hometown in Bloomington/Normal Illinois to visit many friends and reconnects with her roots!

Katie out with friends for New Years Eve

Christmas time 2007, Katie spends time with partner and friend Jerry Sanstead (and family).  Jerry is owner of Macrotherapy here in Scottsdale - www.macrotherapy.com   Also pictured here is Katie out with girlfriends for a birthday celebration, plus Katie's little buddy Stormin' Norman - enjoying a little holiday too! 

November 13, 2007
Katie enjoys a November evening out with girlfriends Mona, Karen and Kim as they celebrate the grand opeing of the new Scottsdale restaurant called "South Beach" 

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July 12, 2007 New photos

Katie at the 2006 Nationals in Miami  - click on photo for gallery

ROUTINE REHERSAL PHOTOS

ROUTINE ELEMENT PRACTICE PHOTOS FROM 10/8/06

Photos from the Arnold Classic 2006

"Katie says goodbye to her beautiful friends from Finland Kaisa and Joni...and Kaisa shares a pic of she and Joni on Christmas 2005 after they return home to Finland!"
Photos from the NPC Nationals 2005 ( Routine ) Photos By Tom Nine
Photos from the NPC Nationals 2005
A RECENT PRACTICE SESSION ON OCTOBER 19 To see more training photos- JOIN THE MEMBERS SECTION
Sample Training Photos 2 weeks out from the Nationals
ROUTINE PRACTICE PICS NOW POSTED IN NEWS SECTION, KATIE AND COACH WORK OUT ON OCTOBER 5TH, AND DRIVE THE ELEMENTS HARD!  THINGS ARE IMPROVING...WITH ONLY 5 WEEKS TO GO.
Kaisa starting on a training program to learn the elements of fitness
Kaisa and I outside my condo
Performing a radical "fly"push-up and the start and finish of a phlanche
Katie and new friend, future figure competitor from Finland, Kaisa. Photos taken 8/20/05
Katie posing at Jr. Nationals 2005
Katie practicing her fitness routine for upcoming show
Click on image to open FULL GALLERY