As the 2024 Olympic Games take place in Paris from 26 July to 11 August, we’re featuring some of Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) very own sporting stars.
Early morning and late night training often defines the routine of Frankston-based Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic Kim Parrott, who is a four-time World Champion Professional Bodybuilder.
Kim won her first World Championship title and tiara – the treasured prize for winning alongside a medal – in 2016, powering on to win three more by 2022.
Kim won two World Championship titles in 2022.
This level of success wasn’t in mind when Kim first considered taking up the sport.
“I was just going to a normal gym with some group training and personal training,” she said.
“I was gaining muscle really well so my coach said, ‘why don’t you give it a go?’, and I said I wasn’t interested at the time.
“But then I went to a workshop for one of the bodybuilding federations and I just fell in love with it.
“Everyone was so lovely and encouraging so I decided I would try it and now it’s about 10 years later and I’m still going.”
Kim is now a national judge for one of Australia’s Natural Bodybuilding Federations and competes herself in the Physique and Figure categories, which are two of the more muscular categories.
Kim with one of AV’s Peer Support Dogs.
The global nature of the sport has meant she’s been able to return ‘home’ to compete.
“I’m Canadian and there was the opportunity to go compete at the World Championships in Canada in 2016, which was a highlight,” she said.
“I was very successful over there, winning my first World Championship title which was in the Physique category.”
Kim now has an impressive collection of World Championship tiaras, which she said mean a lot to her.
“To me, the tiara represents the hard work, long hours, focus, meal prep, weight sessions, steps, shift work, grit and fortitude,” she said.
“It’s the tears of frustration, the laughter, the wins, the love and support, and the friendships made.
“It encapsulates everything I did to achieve my goal in bringing my best physique to the stage.”
Kim on the World Championships stage.
A challenge of the sport for Kim is fitting training in around her paramedic shifts, but she said she makes it happen and enjoys the discipline of training.
“I’ve been a paramedic for 16 years so I was already in the job when I started bodybuilding,” she said.
“I get up early in the mornings to train or I train straight after night shift – I just fit it in.
“I love that it gives me a focus with my training and a goal to work towards.
“In every avenue of my life, it’s made me more driven and focused.
“I also love seeing what the body can achieve when you push it to its limits.”
Kim said she is extremely grateful for the support of her AV colleagues, who understand what she does outside of work.
“The encouragement and support does not go unnoticed,” she said.
“Especially in the last months before my events, when things are quite intense with training, food and getting my steps in, while still working full time.
“I am so grateful for them.”
Kim receiving her 15 years’ service award at Ambulance Victoria.
AV Acting Team Manager Suzanne Constantinou said Kim constantly impresses her peers.
“Her medal tally along with her collection of treasured tiaras is impressive but it’s her dedication and disciplined approach to training that stands out,” she said.
“It would rival any other professional athlete, which is even more impressive when you consider she has achieved this while working as a full-time paramedic and without any sponsorship.
“Kim is inspirational to many of her peers on the Mornington Peninsula and her achievements should continue to be celebrated.”
Kim has been a paramedic for 16 years and a bodybuilder for about 10 years.
