NEWMAN — For Katherine Pagni, fitness has never been just a hobby. It’s been a lifeline, a discipline and, in many ways, a homecoming.
Pagni, a 2004 graduate of Orestimba High School, has advanced to the top 20 in the national Ms. Health & Fitness 2026 competition — a contest that blends public voting with personal storytelling. The next round of voting closes Feb. 12, and Pagni said she hopes the community that shaped her will rally behind her once again.
Her path to fitness began long before the competition. Pagni spent 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where she said she learned the foundations that still guide her: resilience, consistency and the ability to keep showing up even when the work is hard.
“Discipline and mental toughness were built into everything we did,” she said. “Those lessons carried into my health, my training, my goals and even this competition.”
But her relationship with fitness deepened after she confronted and overcame an eating disorder — an experience she said reshaped how she viewed her body, strength and self‑worth. What began as a struggle became a turning point.
“Overcoming that changed everything,” Pagni said. “Fitness became something that grounded me and made me genuinely happy. It taught me resilience and self‑respect.”
Today, Pagni trains primarily in her garage gym, following a structured six‑day strength program through the Naked Training App by Brooke Ence. She also runs four days a week using Zunna Training as she prepares for a half marathon in March. Group classes — from CrossFit to kickboxing to Body Pump — round out her routine, along with hiking and a balanced diet.
“It keeps me challenged and consistent,” she said. “Strength is my focus, but so is maintaining a healthy mindset and long‑term well‑being.”
Pagni returned to Newman a little over a year ago after living in several places during and after her military service. Being back, she said, reminded her of the community that helped raise her.
“There’s something special about this town,” she said. “Coming home made me realize how much this community has always meant to me.”
If she were to win the competition’s $20,000 prize, Pagni said she would put it toward her first home — particularly improving the backyard to create a welcoming space for gatherings.
The competition also supports The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families affected by childhood cancer and funds research and advocacy efforts.
For Pagni, the contest is less about the title and more about the message.
“This journey isn’t just about fitness,” she said. “It’s about pushing through challenges, believing in yourself and proving that strength is built one choice at a time. If my story inspires even one person, that means everything.”
Voting is open once every 24 hours. Additional paid votes benefit the B+ Foundation. To vote, visit https://mshealthandfit.com/2026/katherine-pagni.
