DAVID KIMMERLE-Interview with the model and body builder
The Reading Cafe recently interview illustrator Craig White. One of his favorite cover models to illustrate is David Kimmerle. The Reading Cafe would like to welcome model and body builder David Kimmerle.
NOTE: David Kimmerle passed away in 2018
TRC: Hi David and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?
David: I’m 34 years old, born in California and raised in Utah. My childhood was kind of crazy, my parents were less than perfect lol so I started over adopted with a new family at age 9; from there I learned a love for animals, sports, outdoors, & nintendo lol.
I spent my 20’s building homes and graduating from the school of hard knocks, when I turned 30 I woke up and realized I was living a nightmare and not my dream. I needed a change, building homes was not an option anymore because of the market so I became a fitness model. This transition towards my dream has created a whole new passion for life in me. So I spend most of my day sharing my passion and equation for success with others.
TRC: As a child, what were your dreams and aspirations?
David: When I was a kid, “HE-MAN” was big, I always wanted to be HE-MAN. As I got older that impossible dream turned into a more realistic body building fantasy, I decided I wanted to be Mr. Utah.
TRC: Who or what inspired you throughout the years?
David: My uncle was my first inspiration as a kid for bodybuilding, he was Mr. Utah. I also grew up watching Arnold Schwarzenegger on TV and it made me want muscles so bad I could hardly stand to be in my own skin. Also due to the fact that I had very few friends in school because of my social ineptness I had to find a way to be “cool” so there was definitely some inspiration there trying to build the “me” others would like; even if it was in a worldly way. Attached is one of my favorite pics in the world, Arnold holding my cover.
TRC: You have a very philosophical view on life, but at one time your attitude was very negative. What would you consider your defining moment that spurred your towards your current dream?
David: Even if I wanted to ignore the fact which I did for 10 years; I realized I was going to keep waking up every morning! I was doing things in my life that could’ve prevented that from being the case but either way every single morning I would wake up. So my big change really came from the fact that I couldn’t stand my reality and every day was the same. That’s being real.
TRC: What are some of the challenges and difficulties you have faced in life?
David: My real dad was a biker, drug selling poor example of a man and spent most of my life in prison or jail. My real mom was the same type of wreck and left early in my life. With that being my reality, the state took control of me at age 6 and I was not adopted till about the age of 9. Now as amazing as you think a new family would have been, and they were, I still had a really hard time negotiating my way through this “normal world.” I got terrible grades because of my social ineptness, I did not have any friends in school either and later in life turned to illegal substances to hide my emotions and heartache. I have others but those have been the most difficult to overcome taking years of my life to understand the lessons.
Bodybuilding? When I started bodybuilding I was 26% body fat, so I started in difficult situation and I also had a bum knee, ACL miniscus tear, couldn’t even run a mile.
TRC: Would you please tell us about your current daily workout regimen? Diet?
TRC: Does your routine change prior to competition or a cover shoot?
David: Yes, drastically. For a competition I have to be a little bit smaller because of the size they are looking for, for fitness models that includes a lot more cardio and carb cycling. For a photo shoot I kind of get to pick the size that I feel best represents the brands needs. That usually looks like me coming in more full, hard and vascular rather than smaller, leaner and tighter.
TRC: You were first brought to our attention through illustrator Craig White. Do you know how many of your covers Craig has illustrated?
David: I have no idea, but I know with me it’s over 20. In my opinion, if he can make me look good he’s got a really long career ahead of him in this industry lol.
TRC: The romance novel industry has dramatically increased in popularity over the past few years. Do you think the cover illustrations and ‘hero depictions’ have pushed the industry in such a way, that the reader’s imaginations can be fueled by the representation on the cover?
David: I would like to think so haha, but I honestly think it’s a combination of both. The artist choosing a model that fits the adjetives in the book, and the evolution of authors understanding the graphic design abilities artists have and writing in a way that allows him or her to create the image.
TRC: Do you know on how many romance covers you have appeared? Magazine covers?
David: I have just under 25 romance and exercise books, and just under 30 fitness magazine covers around the world. I’ve been doing this for 3 and 1/2 years.
TRC: There is some controversy surrounding nude photography, especially when the pictures cross from sensual and erotic to pornographic. What is your opinion on nude photography?
David: I don’t look at it and I’m not into it, I can see how others are but it’s just not my thing. I have chosen in my career to stay away from those opportunities mostly because of my mothers opinion and when I thought about it if and when I get married would I want naked pictures of my wife around the internet? Probably not, besides, when it comes to romance novels I feel like a stimulating yet somewhat conservative sensual cover or picture when attached to amazing adjectives and verbs will leave what is mostly desired in the reader and better than any picture, imagination.
TRC: What advice would you give to upcoming fitness and cover models regarding nude photography?
David: Don’t do it, I can’t tell you how many photographers told me and pressured me into the idea that presenting myself this way would expedite my career goals. So I guess I wouldn’t know the difference because I never took those pictures. Would I like to be more successful than I am now? Of course, but for me its not worth the trade.
TRC: Many photographers and models travel to exotic locals and destinations for shoots. What has been your most memorable shoot and why? Good or bad?
David: Recently I got to fly to a little island called Anguilla where I was able to shoot for 3 days in some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve laid my eyes on. Attached is a picture. My 2nd favorite was Paris, France where I was able to spend some time travelling the city and getting to know the culture. I was also there to shoot the cover and instructional pictures of the best selling anatomy book in the world.
TRC: On what are you currently working?
David: I am currently working on my membership site where for $10/month I will give away my equation for success and upload videos weekly on the evolution of training and the “how to’s” of either gaining or losing weight. I am also releasing my 1st fitness DVD and officially just launched my corporate wellness site.
TRC: Would you like to add anything else?
David: Fitness modeling is my job but sharing the equation for success is my passion. Follow me on my social networking sites & .com’s to get motivational, inspirational, and educational information and pictures. Thank you very much for reading and sharing my story. I will leave you with my call to the world.
To find David, please click on the following links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
I am an over-eater and I like things that are not good for my body. I acknowledge I have an eating problem that is difficult to control on my own. I am committed to change my ways and take control of my health, weight, and lifestyle. My wish is to acknowledge my weakness and strike balance between the healthy lifestyle I want to live and my needs as a human being to indulge from time to time. I will reach my peak physical potential by taking educated bites and steps. I will educate myself about every morsel of food I cram into my body and appreciate how many steps it will take to work off a muffin. To reach this objective I know that I have to own my behavior. Others in life will probably not share my goals and both of our achievements will reflect that. I will not be influenced to do anything that will prevent me from reaching and maintaining my goal of a fun and healthy lifestyle. I have no excuse, I will not excuse and I am not an excuse. I will reach my potential and am in continuous competition with myself to do so.
My name is David Kimmerle and I work everyday to be a success story.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food – Lasagna
Favorite Dessert – cookies and ice cream
Favorite TV Show – Simpsons
Favorite Movie – The original Terminator
Last Movie you saw – The original – Conan The Barbarian last night, I guess I really do like Arnold lol.
Dark or Milk Chocolate – Milk
Last book that you read – Extreme Muscle Enhancement
Last vacation destination – Alaska, deep sea fishing.
TRC: Thank you David for taking the time to answer our questions. We are looking forward to your future covers. We wish you all the best in your life choices. It is always a pleasure to meet the man behind the cover.
