Today we’d like to introduce you to Trina Wiggins.
Hi Trina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Two distinct events early on in my life molded me into the person I am today. I vividly remember the summer of 1972 like it was yesterday. I was lacing my tennis shoes and getting ready to go and play kickball when something caught my eye on television. It was the 1972 Summer Olympics, and Olga Korbut was doing a no-hand back flip on the balance beam. I was instantaneously mesmerized! I remember yelling to my mom to come and see Olga. My mom was like who is Olga? We watched the entire gymnastic session. Immediately after, I began searching in the Yellow Pages for a competitive gymnastics program in my area. Unfortunately, there were no gymnastics clubs in Oakland. I asked my mom to take me to the Berkeley Public Library, where we searched through twelve Yellow Page books for cities nearby Oakland. I finally found Diablo Gymnastics Club in Walnut Creek, California. I couldn’t wait to get started! I practiced at the gym six days a week. I was fortunate to have parents who were invested in my dream of being a competitive gymnast, so much so that they purchased me a balance beam, which allowed me to practice at home on Sunday afternoons. I moved up rather quickly in the sport and was fortunate to compete for Stanford University. Being a competitive gymnast provided the foundation for me to stay fit through the decades. Gymnastics taught me discipline, toughness, grit, dedication, determination and consistency.
The second event occurred in 1976 when my dad was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I watched my mom spring into action, diligently researching information on using food as medicine. I tagged along when she attended health fairs, bookstores, and libraries throughout the Bay Area.
My mother purchased a wheatgrass juicer to juice wheatgrass and vegetables in the 70s. This life experience led me to become a physician, and my mother planted the seeds of health and nutrition in me at an early age.
Today, I am a board-certified pediatrician, fitness professional/competitor, author, speaker, mother, and grandmother. At this stage in my life, I want to educate the masses about achieving and sustaining a healthy lifestyle through my books and speaking engagements. I share my story about staying fit through the decades.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has had detours and obstacles.
At the end of my sophomore year at Stanford University, I sustained a season-ending ACL injury to my right knee. After a lengthy rehabilitation process, I had to make the decision to either return to gymnastics or put all my efforts into pursuing medical school. I chose to move forward with going to medical school.
Four years after completing my pediatric residency, I was blessed with twin boys. While holding both babies one day, my right knee buckled, and we all fell to the floor. I had once again injured that same knee, which required surgery.
Thirteen years after my residency and 21 years after doing collegiate gymnastics, I stumbled upon Ms. Fitness USA and Fitness America. Since I still had that competitive spirit, I found these fitness shows to be an excellent opportunity to maintain my fitness, utilize my gymnastics skills, and have fun creating a routine. I challenged myself to increase my flexibility, strength, and basic tumbling skills. After four years of competition, I pushed myself to do more. One day, while practicing a new trick, I performed it perfectly, but when I stepped off the tumbling mat, I heard a pop in my left knee. I instantly knew what had happened. The next day, the MRI confirmed that I had torn my left ACL. This injury occurred before the start of the fitness competition season. I had the surgery right away and began the rehabilitation process. I was determined to compete in the upcoming season.
For the past 20 years, I have competed in over 55 fitness, dance, and talent shows. I am still performing and plan to do my next show in April 2024. It will be a fitness tribute to the late great Tina Turner.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a retired board-certified pediatrician. Prior to COVID-19, I volunteered for Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada. Since retiring during COVID-19, I have written three books. Writing these books has opened up the doors for many speaking engagements. At this stage, I aim to educate the masses about simple ways to live a healthy lifestyle.
It is rewarding to see family and friends make simple changes to their diet and exercise program, resulting in weight loss or the discontinuation of certain medications.
My consistency in staying fit through the decades sets me apart. I was born in 1961 and will be 63 in May 2024. I don’t just talk the talk; I walk the walk and set the example.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
My husband says that there is always some good in bad. When faced with a bad situation, try to look for the good within that situation. Transform a negative into a positive. For example, after I injured my knee before the Ms. Fitness USA show, I decided to work on my handstands. The beauty of this was that I did not need to use my legs to do handstands. Once competition season rolled around, my routine ended up being much better with my added handstands.
1. Family time is precious. I was able to spend quality time with my young adult sons. Time is your most precious asset, so spend it wisely and prioritize your loved ones.
2. The possibility of food insecurity is real: At the onset of COVID-19, we planted a vegetable garden in our backyard. Be proactive and plant a vegetable garden for improved health and sustainability.
3. Time to reflect. Be sure to carve out time to reflect on what’s important in life and incorporate a spiritual practice.
4. Utilized Zoom to exercise with family and friends and educated them about staying well during COVID-19.
Don’t let your career and busy life sabotage your health. It is essential to take time to exercise. My prescription is 15 minutes twice a day or 10 minutes three times a day. Remember, exercise is cumulative and does not need to be done all at one time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.trinawiggins.com
- Instagram: @trina.r.wigginsmd
- Facebook: trina.wiggins.79
- Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/trina-wiggins- md-1990b410 - Twitter: @trinawiggins123
Image Credits
Perlablue Photography Blue Panda Photography Fitisin Photos/Gordon Smith Joao Americo
