Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kim Urmaza. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kim, thanks for joining us today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Athletic training in 2013 from Nova Southeastern University. I spent the majority of my undergraduate years buried beneath textbooks and completing mandatory clinical rotations to graduate. At the time, I was not 100% invested in the profession due to the possibility of attending graduate school to pursue physical therapy the following year.

However, upon graduation, I received a job offer to work as the Head Athletic Trainer at a private high school in South Florida and did not pursue physical therapy as I had intended. Through my years working as an athletic trainer in the field setting, I sought ways to streamline the healthcare process for my athletes alongside improve the tactical crafts of the profession.

In retrospect, I should have spent both the latter years of undergrad and the early years of my career to engage in more meaningful internships and workshops.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a board-certified Athletic Trainer and a NASM certified personal trainer. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in athletic training and 2013 and graduated with my Master’s degree in Kinesiology with a dual concentration in Sports Performance and Orthopedic Rehabilition in 2022. I currently work as an athletic trainer at the University of Utah hospital where I assist in the post-operative management of pediatric orthopedic conditions. Prior to transitioning to a clinical setting, I was the Head athletic trainer at a private high school where I managed the prevention, recognition, and treatment of sport-related injuries among 200 athletes across 14 interscholastic athletic programs.

In 2019, I earned my certification in personal training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and began working an as independent personal trainer. I launched my company, Uplift Performance Training, in 2020 to engage a larger audience in the health and fitness space. My services primarily revolve around online fitness and nutrition coaching, and programs are centered on four foundational principles: preparation, performance, prevention, and proactive recovery.

My vision is to bridge the gap between performance and rehabilitative systems to provide an integrated approach to training. I have worked with a variety of clientele of all ages and experiences and aim to guide individuals to reach their full potential relative to their current goals.

I currently offer 1-on-1 online coaching alongside 8-week training programs catered to all levels. Each program is fully customized with unlimited chat support with me through the app.

As a distance runner and triathlete, I also offer strength training programs to complement endurance training.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Zig Zigler wrote “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.” However, I would like to add that success equates to preparation, opportunity, and connection. The foundation to any successful career is to build and maintain meaningful relationships from which you can connect with your clients and meet them where they are.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2021, I booked a one-way trip to Salt Lake City, UT from Miami, FL to chase new experiences completely outside of my comfort zone. I thoroughly enjoyed my life and career as an athletic trainer in South Florida, but simultaneously felt that I had reached my professional ceiling at the high school setting. Some say that a cross-country move may be on the extreme end of the spectrum; however, relocating to Salt Lake City has been both the scariest yet best decision I have made to propel my personal and professional life forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.upliftperformancetraining.com
• Instagram: Kimurmaza

Image Credits
Bruce Velarde @mylensnotyours