Kayla Jemmott | The Power of Being While Becoming

Article originally written by Micaela Dunn for Goodlife Miami

Kayla Jemmott is a visionary who effortlessly bridges the gap between high-fashion modeling and elite physical conditioning. With six years of professional modeling under her belt and a fierce dedication to the gym, she recently stepped into the intense world of bikini competitions. Making her debut at the prestigious Queen of the Bay Street Yard contest in Fort Myers, Kayla didn’t just participate—she conquered, walking away with a spectacular second-place finish. For Kayla, the stage is not just about competing; it is a canvas for creating art, inspiring others, and mastering self-discipline.

Shifting the Mindset: Beyond the Glamour

Stepping onto the fitness stage requires a physical evolution, but the true battle is won in the mind. For Kayla, the ultimate challenge has been protecting her sense of self-worth in a highly competitive industry where rejection is part of the territory.

“The toughest battle I’ve had to break through is just remembering that I am good enough and worthy no matter the outcome,” she reveals. “As much as I would like to, I may not be chosen by a designer or win every competition. As long as I know I’m trying my best and giving 100%, I keep a strong sense of self-assurance.“

That self-assurance is what carries her through the grueling realities of prep. She openly admits that motivation is fleeting, and the pressure of being judged on appearance can trigger battles with body dysmorphia. When the cravings hit or the energy dips, it is pure self-discipline and a powerful piece of advice from her mother that keeps her grounded. “My mom always tells me to be good to myself,” Kayla says. “You are beautiful no matter what that tape measurer or scale says!“

Showdown in Fort Myers

The atmosphere at the Queen of the Bay Street Yard competition in March 2026 was nothing short of electric. Standing alongside top-tier athletes like Kensley Meeks, Kayla turned what used to be a childhood fear of competition into an empowering personal victory.

“The energy was very high! Walking in front of the crowd felt electric,” Kayla recalls, her passion unmistakable. “I always love hearing the crowd’s reaction as I’m strutting down the runway.”

Instead of letting the pressure intimidate her, Kayla used the elite field of competitors as fuel to push past her comfort zone. Minutes before stepping under the lights, as the adrenaline surged and butterflies took over, she used deep diaphragmatic breathing to center herself and reframe her nerves into pure excitement. “I know I was born to do this, so being in the spotlight feels natural to me. I have fun, be myself, and enjoy every second of it.”

Designing a Balanced Life

As an incredibly autonomous woman, managing a thriving modeling career, intense competition preps, and personal relationships is a delicate dance. Kayla masters this by staying meticulously organized with her calendar and surrounding herself with an unwavering support system. Her favorite strategy? Merging her two worlds by bringing her family or partner to share in the excitement of her live shows.

This holistic approach to life reflects her definition of true wellness, especially during the off-season. “I live by the fact that a healthy body looks different for everyone,” she explains. When she isn’t prepping for a stage, Kayla highlights the beauty of slowing down. Heavy weights are swapped for yoga sessions, sauna recovery, and professional dance as her preferred form of cardio. “At the end of the day, as long as you feel good in your body, that’s all that matters.“

Words to Live By: Kayla’s Mantras

On Self-Love: “Love yourself through every season you go through. Enjoy the journey instead of the destination.”
On Comparison: “It is important not to compare yourself to others. There is no rush! We are all on our own journey.”
On Growth: “There is beauty in being while becoming.”

“I want the world to know how genuine I am. I am a visionary who is meant to create, inspire, and uplift others.”

— Kayla Jemmott

Production Credits

Feature: Kayla Jemmott (@kaylajemmott)
Wardrobe: LB Fashion (@lbfashionbrand)
Photographer: Matthew Krivitsky (@notguiltyphotography)
Venue: Bay Street Yard | Fort Myers (@baystreetyard)
Event: Fantasy Fashion: Spring Break Edition (@smproductionsllc_)

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Q & A

1. Every athlete has a defining moment that transitions them from casual training to competitive sports. What was the exact catalyst that made you decide to step onto the fitness stage and commit to the lifestyle of a bikini competitor?

I have been modeling for 6 years now and in the gym for 2 years. As someone who is always trying to improve themselves and looking for a challenge, I thought it may be time to try something new. I’m grateful to have entered my first bikini competition at Bay Street Yard and came out with 2nd place.

2. The physical transformation required for competition is obvious, but the mental shift is where the real work happens. What has been the toughest mental barrier you have had to break through during your fitness journey?

The toughest battle I’ve had to break through is just remembering that I am good enough and worthy no matter the outcome. At the end of the day, we’re competing, so you have to have tough skin! As much as I would like to, I may not be chosen by a designer or win every competition. As long as I know I’m trying my best and giving 100%, I keep a strong sense of self-assurance and still feel proud of my efforts.

3. Social media often highlights the glamour of the stage or the peak moments of training.
What is one harsh reality about the daily grind of prep and dedication that your followers rarely get to see behind the scenes?
Honestly, I don’t always feel like working out or eating healthy, but as a bikini competitor who’s judged based on her looks and performance, it’s important for me to keep self-discipline. Motivation comes and goes, but remembering my why and how my future self will thank me keeps me going when I don’t feel motivated at the moment. And don’t get me started on body dysmorphia! I’m very hard on myself, but my mom always tells me to be good to myself. So I want to remind everyone that you are beautiful no matter what that tape measure or scale says!

Section 2: Showdown at the Yard (The March 2026 Competition)

4. At the Queen of the Bay Street Yard bikini contest in Fort Myers this past March, you placed as a top finalist alongside Kensley Meeks. Looking back at that specific weekend, what was the energy like backstage, and how did it feel to showcase your hard work in front of that Fort Myers crowd?

The energy was very high! I was so happy to be there. I could tell everyone was very positive and ready to have fun, yet there to get the job done! It felt inspiring being surrounded by so much talent and beauty. Walking in front of the crowd felt electric! I always love hearing the crowd’s reaction as I’m strutting down the runway. There was so much great energy at this event.

5. Competing against top-tier athletes brings out the best in everyone. How did the intense environment of the Queen of the Bay Street Yard competition push your own boundaries, and what did you learn about yourself as a competitor that night?

When I was young, I used to shy away from competitions. Now that I’m older, being in that exact moment made me realize I’m meant to push myself out of my comfort zone. I found beauty in the challenge of putting myself out there. Competing against other athletes only inspired and motivated me to go harder in every aspect and appreciate this experience. I’m very grateful to have competed.

6. Standing under the lights as a finalist requires immense stage presence. How do you prepare your mind in the final minutes before walking out to ensure your confidence matches your physical conditioning?

First, I like to take deep diaphragmatic breaths to regulate my heart rate. Nonetheless, when my adrenaline is rushing and butterflies are flowing in my stomach, instead of anxiousness, I like to think of it as excitement, so I lean into that feeling. I know I was born to do this, so being in the spotlight feels natural to me. I have fun, be myself, and enjoy every second of it.

Section 3: Balance, Community, and Personal Values
7. Fitness culture can sometimes lean toward extreme isolation during intense prep periods. How do you maintain a healthy social life, stay connected with your community, and balance your personal relationships while staying locked into your goals?

I’m a very autonomous person, so it has been hard over the years to find that balance within everything I have going on. I’ve been able to maintain everything by being intentional with setting aside time for friends & family, keeping a calendar on me at all times to organize plans, and surrounding myself with supportive and understanding people. I love when I can merge both worlds, like bringing family or a partner to a show or event with me!

8. For many women looking at your platforms, you represent peak physical conditioning.
How do you redefine the concept of ‘beauty’ and ‘strength’ for yourself when you are out of competition season and transitioning back to a more sustainable, everyday routine?

I live by the fact that a healthy body looks different for everyone. One diet and workout routine may not work for someone else, and that’s okay. Everyone has different fitness goals! During my off-season, I like to highlight the beauty in slowing down, resting, and self-care. Instead of heavy weight workouts, you may see me doing yoga more and relaxing in the sauna. I’m also a professional dancer, so I love using that as a form of cardio. At the end of the day, as long as you feel good in your body, that’s all that matters. Your results will show!

9. If you had to look back at the version of yourself who had never lifted a weight or stepped onto a stage, what is the single most important lesson you have learned that you would want to share with her?

I would tell her to love herself through every season she goes through. Enjoy the journey instead of the destination. There is beauty in being while becoming. It is also important not to compare yourself to others. There is no rush! We are all on our own journey.

10. When the lights go down, the spray tans fade, and the trophies are put away, what is the core message you want the world to remember about Kayla Jemmott as a person, beyond the stage placements?

I want the world to know how genuine I am. I love creating art in any way and finding beauty in the world around me. I am a visionary who is meant to create, inspire, and uplift others.