FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Social media superstar Karina Elle inspires her legion of followers by channelling emotion into fitness-and career success.

- STEVE MAZZUCCHI

WHEN IT COMES TO appreciating sweat equity, there are early adopters— and then there’s Karina Elle. “I remember in sixth grade using exercise to fix my mood when I was sad or mad or whatever,” recalls the budding fitness icon, 27, whose 1.4 million Instagram followers check in daily for workout tips, healthy recipes, humour, motivation, and more. “So from a young age I’ve had a grasp on how to transfer my emotions into energy.”

Growing up Elle had plenty of opportunities to do just that, excelling in everything from cross-country and track to cheerleading. Then a 10-inch growth spurt at 16 changed the game. Recruited as a model, the now statuesque French-Vietnamese beauty experienced that life in Miami, New York, and Singapore but quickly bristled at its unhealthy standards.

After studying communications at the University of Florida, USA and doing some soul-searching, she found her true calling. “I wanted to represent the hybrid girl, because I feel like girls were scared to be into modelling and fitness— and that’s achievable and universal for all women,” she points out. “Every girl can move and make muscles.”

It didn’t hurt that she got into the Insta-game early, with posts dating back to 2011. Still, Elle came into her own as a role model only in the past couple of years, as she began to embrace and evangelise the mood-boosting and life-changing benefits of fitness from the inside out.