Despite a recent injury, Winkler bodybuilder Kim Derksen was able to take part in her first competition as an IFBB Pro. The 2019 Midwest Championship was hosted by Fargo, North Dakota last weekend.

However, a pinched nerve in her back in December could've derailed Derksen's training leading up to the show. "I got out of the leg press machine and could tell something wasn't right... within minutes I could barely walk and I started to cry because I was terrified of what I'd done."

Derksen went pro in 2018Thankfully, the pinched nerve didn't leave any permanent damage and within three weeks Derksen was back in the gym training at full capacity. "I'm so thankful."

Derksen earned her pro status last September and now competes against women around the world. In the past, her competitors were kept to categories for weight, height, and age, as well as restricted to North America.

"As a pro athlete there's no more segregation, so it just makes it that much harder," she explains. "I'm 43, but I could be competing against someone who's 18, 19 or 20... if you're a pro, you're a pro. It makes it that much harder to place where you want to be."

However, the perk of reaching the peak of the sport was the all-star treatment. Derksen says athletes received a mountain of swag and were pampered by event staff all weekend. Backstage, she adds the competitors were not only in top form, but the maturity level and kindness was unlike amateur competitions.

"We all respect each other 100 percent because we've all worked so hard to get to this spot."

Approximately one percent of the population will ever compete as an IFBB Pro. "It's a very small group. It's really special."

Last weekend Derksen placed 12 out of 23 athletes and says it was an encouraging result for her first show, but she looks forward to incorporating the judge feedback back into her training. Her next pro competition will be in Toronto on June 1.

Winning a pro competition or placing in the top three multiple times would qualify Derksen to a coveted Olympia competition. The winner of the annual Olympia show is considered to be the best bodybuilder in the world.