KAREN SUE MILLER | Profile Body-builder riding high via natural means

The Beaver Local/YSU grad is a Ms. Universe and a Ms. International body-building champion.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- In body building, the term "ripped" means a muscular body. That term applies to Karen Sue Miller, a Mahoning Valley native who competes at the highest levels of body building.
A resident of Austin, Texas, Miller is a graduate of Beaver Local High and Youngstown State University. She promotes a drug-free lifestyle for young people.
"If you are not natural, you are nothing," Miller said.
Her mission is "to promote women to be involved, not only in body building, but in all sports."
Accomplishments
Miller began a career as a body builder in 2001. She joined the International Body Building Federation and the World Natural Body Building Federation, and in June 2001 was a Ms. Universe winner.
In September 2002 in Las Vegas, Miller was first in the Ms. International contest and in November she will compete in the WNBF world championships.
"I always believed in natural body building; that is, without steroids," said Miller, who trains daily for 4 1/2 hours.
Miller is also writing a health and fitness book and makes videos which she says are tailored to groups of all ages and abilities. She also lectures on health, diet, stress management and exercise.
She reminds her groups that nutrition is vitally important.
"All of one's parts must be connected and in good working order," Miller said. Self-awareness, sticking to goals, managing time and maximizing energy "are actions we need to take for good results."
Miller describes herself as a "tomboy" growing up with two older brothers.
She was a standout basketball player at Beaver Local and says weights were always a part of her athletic training.
She graduated from YSU in 1982 with a B.S. in Exercise Science and Education.
Miller also began competing in distance running. She counts about 50 varied marathon races before injuries eventually sidelined her.
Her true love was the triathlon. Miller competed in more than 50 triathlons between 1982 and 1997 and won 22 of them. In fact, she tried out for the 1998 U.S. Olympic team in the event but was again slowed by injuries.
Miller will hold a health and fitness seminar Dec. 6 at Rocky's Fitness Center in the Pelican Plaza, Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman.