This year, when Kimiko Tanaka received the news that she had won the Greater Los Angeles Woman of the Year Award in the Communications Division, it came as a surprise to her.
This year, when Kimiko Tanaka received the news that she had won the Greater Los Angeles Woman of the Year Award in the Communications Division, it came as a surprise to her.
But it certainly wasn't a surprise to those who know her.
After all, this American Indian and Japanese beauty was an inspiration to millions as host of the ESPN's "Body Shaping," and "Muscle Magazine." And now, as the popular (and only female) sports reporter for KCBS-TV Los Angeles' Sports Central Team, she's on the fast track to a successful broadcasting career.
Now, Tanaka shares her amazing success story and gives you practical tips on how you can obtain your own fitness goals by getting back into (gasp) the gym.
Extra Credit
People say that Kimiko Tanaka has it all. Why with brains, beauty, and brawn, who can ask for anything more?
But she also has something else: class.
Tanaka's inner drive to succeed has never overshadowed her ability to draw the very best out of others.
Now, as one of Los Angeles' hottest new sports broadcasters, Tanaka is on yet another career rise, but her success is all home grown.
Tanaka grew up in Riverside, Calif. and says that, "My parents were an inspiration," to stay fit and healthy.
The family often participated in sports and maintained a very active lifestyle. So, while attending Cal State Fullerton, Tanaka continued to stay fit by cheering for the Rams football team.
She would continue cheering after college for the Raiderettes.
"I loved the aspect of performing and dancing around a large audience," she tells me.
Tanaka also brought a lot of sizzle and fun to the job and it caught the eye of some producers casting for a new ESPN show.
"A producer saw me with the Raiders. My girlfriend was actually cast for 'Body Shaping' before me," Tanaka says. "And they told her they were trying to get in touch with me."
The producers signed her immediately. Tanaka spent three years on "Body Shaping," and another two and a half as host of ESPN's "Muscle Magazine," before leaving the network for other opportunities.
Looking for a new challenge, Tanaka set her sites on a pro-fitness competition. And while other novices headed to the smaller tournaments to cut their teeth, Tanaka went for the nationals: "Miss Galaxy Fitness Competition" and "Miss Fitness America Competition."
Guess what? She was soon ranked within the top 10 in both contests.
But the intensive nature of the sport proved to have a negative impact on Tanaka.
Now, let it never be said that Tanaka is one to back away from a challenge.
But, she tells me, "I had trained diligently for three years and having been so structured in my eating, sleeping, and training schedule it was something I just lost interest in. Having been pushed by certain individuals, it just became a negative environment. It lost its flavor."
But life in the limelight wasn't over after pro-fitness, not even close.
Light's, Camera, Action
After leaving the pro-fitness circuit, Tanaka soon found herself on Los Angeles television.
"This opening came up for the U-Team," Tanaka tells me, referring to the KCBS-TV feature news unit. Tanaka was hired to create health and fitness segments. Shortly after the U-Team was cancelled, the station's famed Sports Central Team called her to be a reporter, where she continues to work.
"I love it. It's a passion," Tanaka says of her job.
Race To The Finish
So what does a sports reporter do in her spare time? Well, if you are Tanaka, you're not sitting on your butt.
Tanaka is about to take on one of the biggest physical challenges of her life.
"It's an Adventure Race, a mini version of an Eco-challenge," Tanaka says. "It's three days intensive endurance race. Four members are required. You have three days to complete several events. One is mountain bike riding. You have to carry all your gear and supplies."
Other challenges include hiking, navigating, rock climbing and repelling.
Tanaka says that many environmental factors also come into play.
"It will drop as low as 40 degrees at night and as high as 90 degrees, with 3500 feet to 7500 feet altitudes," Tanaka tells me.
Tanaka has only been training for two weeks and has only three more weeks before the competition.
She is also the only woman on the team and laughs when she says, "I'm out training with the boys."
Her training includes going to the gym and working on toning up as well as a two-to-three hour bike ride every day.
"Surprising, I haven't really trained or worked out in five years. It's incredible how fast the muscle memory comes back. I am so strong right now," Tanaka tells me.
How strong?
Tanaka laughs and says, "I am beating the boys. I just took one of the guys up the bike ride and had to wait 10 minutes."
Tanaka and her four colleagues are called Team Media because her male counterparts write for StreetZebra Magazine.
But what the race really comes down to is how strong Tanaka and her teammates are inside.
"I think it is going to be a test of will. They say because of sleep deprivation, muscle fatigue, and altitude, you will become delirious," she says. "You will reach a point of not knowing where you are. And it becomes a point of how much will you have to survive and cross the finish line."
Tanaka says she is taking the challenge because it's part of a pattern in her life.
"I've never done the easy things. I've always gone for the most difficult challenge. I don't take the conventional route," she tells me.
And that about sums up Tanaka; a woman who has made it to the top doing it her way.
Tanaka's Tips
The gym can be a scary place for a lot of people. The machines can be intimidating, not to mention those buffed dudes and toned babes. Tanaka offers her tips on how to get yourself into the gym and get moving.
Tanaka's Team Media begins their adventure on June 9. Their challenge will be chronicled by StreetZebra magazine.
Just Teasing:
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