By Krystle J Bailey
Katie Squindo, a double Psychology and Political Science major at Stockton University, is taking her life by the reigns one workout at a time. The 21-year-old student lives with Ulcerative Colitis, an incurable autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the body resulting in chronic pain and fatigue.
Rather than slowing her down, Katie uses her health hurdles as power to fuel her dreams. The 21-year-old, soon-to-be, graduate student recently stepped onto the stage in her first fitness competition. Tired of feeling sick and unhappy, Katie began working out with locally known trainer, Kris Johnson and a group of women working together towards their health goals. One mini challenge inspired the next and this past February, she found herself donning a bikini on stage at the OCB Double Down Natural Competition in Atlantic City.
Working out was healing for Katie’s mind and body. Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at 15, she recalls missing four months of high school and weeks of hospitlization due to extreme pain and undiagnosed symptoms. At 21, she continues to manage her UC with monthly infusions, though she shares that it’s the fine-tuned nutrition plan and exercise regimen that keeps the majority of her symptoms at bay. Physically, after one month, tests revealed a significant improvement in her inflammation markers and she felt exponentially better in her body.
“My anxiety began to feel better,” explains Squindo. “My autoimmune symptoms felt better and school became more clear and productive. Life has just been better since I started at the gym.”
Making the decision to compete with an inflammatory disease fighting back against her, Katie, along with her trainer (An’ne Johnson) and coach (Kris Johnson) were challenged to create a unique and flexible plan that would work with her body.
“I was like a unicorn, Kris didn’t know what to do with me for a little bit,” shares Squindo about her nutrition plan.
After weeks of tweaking her diet and showing up for daily training, Katie stepped out with a fresh spray tan, a sparkling bikini, and a new sense of confidence in front of the judges at her first competition.
“It’s just you versus you up there,” explains Squindo. “ The prep is awful and hard but once I got my makeup, tan, and bathing suit on, the day turned out to be amazing. I’m just here now to show up for myself.”
While another show wasn’t in her immediate plans, coming off the natural high of competition, Katie leaped right into training for what’s next. She will be competing again on May 20th of this year with hopes for consistent improvement.
Katie looks forward to furthering her education at Stockton University this fall as she pursues a graduate degree in mental health counseling while also continuing to show up for her fitness journey.
