With less than a week left in the current round of the Ms. Health & Fitness competition, Newman native Katherine Pagni is making a final push to secure the top spot in her group — a requirement to advance. Pagni is currently in second place, and voting closes Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m., a cutoff she describes as the most pivotal moment of her campaign so far.
Pagni, a 2004 Orestimba High School graduate and former U.S. Marine, has steadily climbed the national rankings, reaching the Top 15 with what she calls “consistency, discipline and a whole lot of heart.” The competition blends public voting with personal storytelling, and Pagni said the community support behind her has been “overwhelming in the best way.”
Her fitness journey began during her decade in the Marine Corps, where she learned the discipline that still shapes her training. The deeper transformation came later, when she worked through an eating disorder and rebuilt her relationship with strength, health and confidence. “Fitness gave me my happiness, my confidence and my fire again,” she said.
Pagni trains six days a week in her garage gym using the Naked Training App by Brooke Ence, runs four days a week through Zunna Training as she prepares for a March half marathon, and supplements her routine with CrossFit and kickboxing classes. “Strength is the goal, but so is long‑term well‑being,” she said.
“If my dedication inspires you even a little I’d love your support. Let’s see how far we can take this,” she said.
After returning to Newman a little over a year ago, Pagni said the support from her hometown has fueled her progress. “There’s something about this town that stays with you,” she said. “Being back made me realize how much this community has always meant to me.”
If she wins the $20,000 prize, Pagni plans to put it toward buying her first home, with hopes of creating a backyard gathering space for friends and family. The competition also raises money for The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which supports families affected by childhood cancer. Free votes can be cast once every 24 hours, and paid votes benefit the foundation.
“This isn’t just about a title,” Pagni said. “It’s about showing what’s possible when you keep choosing yourself, even on the hard days.”
Voting is open at mshealthandfit.com/2026/katherine-pagni.
