Miss Universe Australia Qld finalist - Katie Martin

Well, it’s that time of year when the search to find Miss Universe Australia is well underway with state finals kicking off across the country.
Starting off our home state interviews is Katie Martin one of the contestants who will be competing for a place in the national final held later this year in Melbourne at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Wednesday, August 31st, 2016 where the nations finalists will be competing for the title of Miss Universe Australia 2016.

Congratulations on making it so far in the coveted Miss Universe Australia competition tell us a little about yourself..?
Thank you so much! It’s a dream come true & its sill feels so incredibly surreal! I love every minute of the journey with the girls.
I’m Katie! I’m 23 years old, born and raised in Brisbane. I’m currently a fitness instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach for women and have been for three years now. Helping women transform their lives, find their confidence, self-worth and newfound happiness every day is the best job in the world! Before being in the fitness industry, I worked in the creative industries in the dance industry & the film & TV industry. I’m just about to start my degree in Justice at QUT.

Who or what inspired you to get involved in the Miss Universe Australia pageant?
I have loved Miss Universe every since I was a little girl, every year I would sit down in front of the TV with glittering eyes! The main reason I was inspired to get involved with Miss Universe Australia is to advocate global issues to the next generation of women. I think it’s an incredibly amazing and powerful platform to be a voice, a role model and relatable ‘big sister’ to impressionable young girls. I want to promote body positivity, self-worth and self-love to girls and women all around the world.

Speaking of inspiration what inspires you most?
Having constant inspiration around me is integral to my personal growth through life. I’m incredibly blessed to have so many inspirational people in my life. I’m incredibly inspired by any compassionate, independent & liberated women, who have manifested strength, found their life purpose & turned oppression into opportunity. However, my biggest inspiration has always been, and will always be Angelina Jolie. Not only as an actress and director by reinventing ‘female roles’ in Hollywood, but as a mother, UN Ambassador and avid humanitarian. I am constantly in awe of her courage, compassion & humility in the process of actively changing this world & being a voice for others. I can only hope to be half the woman and advocate for global issues that she is.

What is something that you hope to bring out of the Miss Universe Australia pageant?
I would like to emphasise the importance of global issues and how much of an impact Miss Universe Australia can have in advocating them. Particularly, educating the upcoming generations of women on current global issues & encouraging them to be catalysts for change.

The Miss Universe Pageant has a long history of associating with charity are there any social causes that are particularly close to your heart that you would like to use the platform of Miss Universe to advance?

Absolutely! There are so many charities that I am involved with as a spokesmodel and ambassador; it’s hard to put importance on one over the other. I started up my not-for-profit organisation called The Healthy Beauty Movement. It’s a platform that celebrates women from all walks of life. I was able to expand the movement in Africa and hope to continue expanding it globally. I initially created my organisation to redefine beauty and its perceptions. My goal is for all women to feel secure, respected, celebrated, beautiful & most importantly, unapologetically themselves.

Other than my organisation, the closest charity to my heart is The United Nations Foundation. It takes all nations and all sectors to make progress on the most important and far-reaching international challenges. They are advocates for the United Nations and a platform for connecting people, ideas and resources to help the UN solve global problems.

Addressing the needs and rights of women and girls across the globe is essential to alleviating poverty, achieving social justice, and accelerating progress on all of our global development goals. The UN Foundation believes that empowering women and girls with educational and economic opportunities and securing their health and human rights is one of the best investments we can make for families, communities and the world. My passion lies within affirming & fighting for women’s rights including sexual violence, equity, education & empowerment – I would like to speak on a worldwide platform raising awareness also about child trafficking, poverty abolishment, peace resolution, economic empowerment, racial equality and the power of global democracy.

The rivalry between states is sure to be heightened this year why do you think Queensland is the best state to take out Miss Universe Australia?
I can only speak for QLD, but I believe we ‘re an incredibly cohesive & supportive team of women! That in itself is such a powerful thing! All of the QLD state finalists have such incredible life journeys to share, and I can’t wait for the rest of Australia to get to see them shine.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

What is something you find yourself always saying?

No words. Just laughing, a lot! ?

How would your closest friend describe you?

Determined, compassionate & happy!

What are your top three values that you live by?

Gratitude, passion and authenticity.

Something that makes you stand out from other contestants?

All of the girls are incredibly special! The thing that probably makes me stand out is my strong love of philanthropy and humanitarianism.

What does your current fitness regime look like in the lead up to the state finals ..?  Twice a day, six days a week. Consisting mainly of Muay Thai fitness, reformer Pilates, HIIT training and strength training. I’m also so lucky to get pushed to my limit by my Miss Universe PT & workouts with the girls with our fitness sponsor, Think 24 Hour Fitness!

Name five things you can’t live without?
Music, burritos, dry shampoo, dance & my loved ones.

What song would you say is your personal anthem or theme song and why?
That’s so hard to choose just one! Anything by Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, or MJ…..I love throwbacks!

Owen George

Owen George

Editor & Chief of Gold Coast Magazine is a lover of great coffee and sharing the stories of the people, places, and events that make the Gold Coast such a great city

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