Time to get more acquainted with the savvy business owner, financier, fitness buff, and Influencer as she makes her MAXIM Australia debut…
Amazing MAXIM cover photo shoot, Katarina, congrats. How do you feel?
I feel very honoured, thank you! I have always looked to MAXIM covers as a motivation to stay healthy and fit. Whenever I don’t feel like going to the gym, I usually go to your Instagram and right away I feel empowered to get going!
Well, you look gorgeous. When do you feel you are at your sexiest?
I feel the sexiest at the gym. Honestly! I don’t drink alcohol often or go out to clubs. However, I do like to dance and play music. For me, the gym has been a transformative place. It’s a place I can go to when I am not feeling happy and then I leave feeling like a new person. I constantly push myself, and the gym is where you see results after a lot of hard work.
Tell us a little more about yourself, your background and life story so far.
My parents are immigrants from the former Yugoslavia, what is now considered Serbia. Serbian is my first language and growing up all I knew was Serbian music. My parents moved from Yugoslavia/Serbia for a better life for their future children – I am the youngest of three. When they moved to America, they had no money and did not speak a word of English, but they both worked very hard and had all three of us work just as hard in the rentals they owned. I am thankful they instilled this strong work ethic within us — it is what drives me every day. I always push myself a bit more and I love challenging the status quo. I’m lucky to have grown up in a household that didn’t hold me back. My parents always supported me and were always quick to show us how lucky we are. I had a great balance growing up and I am very thankful for that. It’s always interesting when people ask me to tell them my “story”. I usually tell people I have lived many “lives”, which confuses them. I say it this way because everyone wants to place you in a certain box and expects certain things based upon the way you look, the age you are or what job you have. I jokingly say, “I have these different ‘lives’” just to make others feel more comfortable that I don’t fit into any of their boxes or preconceived stereotypes.
What would people be most surprised to find out about you?
I love to read. I read 100 books last year, alone — almost all were non-fiction. I am so fascinated by learning new things that I am always reading. I have always been this way, too.
Your list of academic achievements is impressive! You have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, was the president of The National Honour Society for Psychology and also earnt a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 2015. What made you choose psychology?
Thank you! It’s that work ethic my parents instilled in me. Thank you, Mum and Dad! I chose psychology because I wanted to become a lawyer and, as part of the process, you typically have this as a degree before you go to law school. However, I worked at a law firm and decided it was not for me, and decided to go into finance. Upon getting into finance, I quickly realised I wanted an advanced degree, so I chose one of top five programs in the world. A lot of people, and I mean A LOT, told me I couldn’t get into the program. All of this negativity fuelled me more and I studied for a year for the entrance exam. I received a high score and applied to the program. I was interviewed and was accepted. I was so excited. It was a lot of hard work, but I was ready. One of the proudest moments of my life was having my family fly to Chicago to watch me graduate. Everyone there never doubted me. My little girl came and gave me flowers. I was one of 10 females out of 70 people in my class. I was glad she could see me achieve such an honour.
You’ve worked in finance for quite some time and have held high level positions at some very big financial companies. How do you juggle these roles with your modelling, fitness, influencer work, motherhood, etc…
I was in banking for quite some time, but found that it was not a good fit for me and my happiness, so I decided to quit and buy a bike shop — my newest and most exciting endeavour! It is very hard juggling being a mother, a business owner, staying fit and being an influencer, but I have realised that by cutting out certain things, I can get a lot done. I don’t watch TV often, I’m usually at the gym by 5:30am, drop my daughter at school by 9am and then I am at my bike shop by 9:30am. We open at 11am and close at 6 pm. After work, I cuddle with my daughter and our border collie and then I read up on what’s going on with the world or I read a book. I am constantly looking to improve myself and I always want to be mentally growing. I think that there are ways to optimise your time, but you still have to take time for yourself.
What’s the best advice you can give our readers on how to stay fit and healthy?
There is no “diet” that will keep you fit. You have to make a lifestyle change, and it doesn’t have to be big at first. Start with not eating out as much. Make your meals ahead of time. Do small things to get your body moving more. Park far away from your destination, take the stairs and be proud of your accomplishments. Take those selfies! It’s OK, you are not self-centred. Progress pictures are the best motivator. But, most importantly, make sure your mind and body are connected. Visualise what you want your life to look like. Visualise every day what healthy looks like to you. Catch your negative thoughts. If you can change your mindset and take the word “diet” out of your vocabulary, you will see big changes.
What is your best asset, physically and otherwise?
I have always been told my eyes are my best physical attribute. But I have to say my sense of humour. I love to laugh.
You have over 424k+ Instagram followers — what’s the toughest thing about being an Influencer?
The mean comments and dating. People will say some really mean stuff and judge you immediately. I have also found that it is very hard for men to date a woman who is an Influencer. I went off of Instagram for two years due to the bullying and the affect it had on dating. I was being bullied constantly by people and I started taking what they said as the truth. I had to realign myself but I also wanted to date and find a serious relationship. It’s tough to bring up on the third date, “By the way, I have an Instagram account and I am a swimsuit model.” They usually run!
What have you learnt about men over the years?
Haha… not much! I wish I could figure you guys out! Women are attracted to men’s personality. I have found I become more attracted to a man, or less attracted, based upon their personality. Negativity will turn off any woman. Talking about your ex, drinking a lot of alcohol and partying all turn me off. Deep down, I think most women want a man who will be loyal to them and drive them to be their best – I know I do.
What do you look for in a man?
Ask any of my friends, I have no “type”. If I were to say what I am attracted to, I would say it is someone who is secure, extremely loyal, very driven and loves a healthy lifestyle. My heart is big and is receptive – almost to a fault. He can surprise me with little things. I love flowers, I love when he helps me out and makes little gestures that make my life easier. If they take my dog to the vet or go grocery shopping for me, I am theirs! I hate grocery shopping. Haha…
Describe your ideal date.
My ideal date would be a nice dinner, with some wine, outside on a patio somewhere. I like low-key places. Don’t get me wrong, I love to dress-up, but sometimes simple can be better. I want to see if there is that “spark”. I think you need to have a genuine conversation. I hate the whole texting back and forth before you meet, so I don’t do it.
When you’re not posing for MAXIM, working or keeping fit, what else would we find you doing in your everyday life?
I love to paddleboard or do anything in water. I used to say I was a mermaid – any water I saw I wanted to be in doing something! I’ve surfed behind boats, paddle boarded to the middle of a lake, I’ve swum naked at midnight with my girlfriends and I’ve been dropped off in the middle of Adriatic Sea for a swim. I also like biking and go on trails – I love the outdoors and I love to travel. Otherwise, I am reading when it starts getting colder here. I love a cosy fire. I could lay on the couch all day with a fire going and be perfectly happy!
Lastly, what is your mantra in life?
Keep growing and exploring! Fill your mind with dreams and realise those dreams. My friend sent me a quote that reminded her of me, and I think she nailed it. The quote is, “She believed she could, so she did”. I am always believing and dreaming. I have been knocked down many times, but I keep getting back up! ■
Status Update
NAME: Katarina Elizabeth Miketin
BORN: November 17
HOMETOWN: Duluth, Minnnesota, U.S.A
CURRENTLY LIVES: Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
FOUR WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Kind, funny, loyal, traveller.”
BEST HIDDEN TALENT: “I can bake the best cakes you have ever had!”
PHOBIA: “Heights!”
LIFE MOTTO: “Always smile, you never know who needs to see it.”
INSTAGRAM: @katarina_elizabth
TIKITOK: @katarinaelizabethmiketin
SNAPCHAT: katarinaelizab
Photographed by DREAMSTATE (IG: @Dreamstatelive)
Interview by SANTI PINTADO (IG: @SPINTADO)
For the full article grab the December 2021 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
