After losing 135 pounds, the new Mrs. Minnesota is living out a dream

From the moment she was crowned Junior Queen of Spring Lake Park at the age of seven, Katina Schroeder's dream was to become Mrs. Minnesota America.

The road to get there was arduous however.

After years of competition, Katina decided to become a mother. But after the birth of her  daughter, she spiraled out control.

"My weight completely got out of control," says Schroeder. "I was on a runaway train. I was so scared it wasn't going to stop. I didn't know how to stop myself. I felt so ashamed, so embarrassed. Here I was a former pageant queen and look at me now."

She sought medical intervention, dedicated herself to a healthy lifestyle, shed 135 pounds and returned to the stage.

"I am such a tenacious person," she explained. "I came back one more time this year, in 2024, and I was finally crowned Mrs. Minnesota America on June 2nd."

Competing in pageants has always been in Katina Schroeder's blood. After watching the Mrs. Minnesota America competition on TV, she set her sights on her next goal.

But it seemed unattainable when she weighed 300 pounds.

"Take 250 pound bags of rock salt, put that on your shoulders," she says. "Now, add 35 pounds more of that and that's what I was carrying around every single day. I mean, there was a point in time where I couldn't even walk down to the end of the street and back."

Katina took a hard look in the mirror and significantly changed her lifestyle. She lost the weight and returned to the stage and after her fourth attempt, was named Mrs. Minnesota America.

Next up for Katina, the Mrs. America competition August 28th at the Westgate Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

(Ed. Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Mrs. America contest was scheduled for August 18.)