Diva Dirt presents its annual selection of women who have been most newsworthy and talked about in 2012. The 12 women selected have embodied the zeitgeist of the year by hitting the headlines, breaking boundaries, stopping the show, and becoming trending topics. The Diva Dirt editors and contributors have picked one woman as the Diva Dirt Woman of the Year, as well as 11 runners-up who have helped define 2012. Join us as we count down our runners-up before unveiling the Woman of the Year on December 31st.
KIM NIELSEN
The Inspiration
She was called an inspiration by the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, after losing over 100lbs on NBC’s ‘The Biggest Loser’ at the start of the year.
Former TNA Knockout Kim Nielsen was one of the most inspiring women on television this year, taking us on a journey through her trials and tribulations as she worked hard to get into better health — for both herself and her children — and unlike many of the tragic stories we hear about wrestlers, she came out of the other side and turned her life around in front of millions of viewers.
Long out of the spotlight — Kim left TNA in 2004, suffering a broken back during a match — this former fitness fanatic’s weight ballooned to 252lbs. Feeling lost, she turned to the NBC weight loss competition and with the help of trainer Dolvett Quince found her inner killer instinct once more. As the weight began falling off, her beautiful looks began to shine through again, and her confidence began to sky rocket.
Kim made it to the finals of the NBC show, placing second but having the most overall weight-loss out of the contestants, losing 118lbs and winning a gym to be built in her hometown to help inspire others to get into shape, too.
Perhaps the biggest tear-jerking moment came when Michelle Obama called the former wrestler an “inspiration”.
Kim Nielsen is proof that accomplishments don’t just happen in the wrestling ring, and although some wrestlers may be long retired, they can still be role models.
Fans knew Kim Nielsen, the wrestler, during her TNA days, but this year Kim showed her heart, her fortitude and her tenacity — and if her journey influenced just one person to make a change in their own life, it would be a job well done, but we’re sure she inspired a great many.
Check back tomorrow for another Women of the Year post.
More Women of the Year: Lita | Saraya Knight | Brooke Tessmacher | Jazz | Ronda Rousey | Beth Phoenix
