Kennedy J. Gilbertson
by Rodney Wayne Branche
Publisher/CEO, Copa Style Magazine
Copa: Where are you from?
Kennedy: I was born in Marshall, a small town in the southwest corner of Minnesota. I moved around a lot when I was younger but always stayed within the Midwest, predominantly Minnesota. I call Minneota, MN my hometown as that is where I attended junior high and high school, as well as lived for several years after graduating college.
Kennedy: I was born in Marshall, a small town in the southwest corner of Minnesota. I moved around a lot when I was younger but always stayed within the Midwest, predominantly Minnesota. I call Minneota, MN my hometown as that is where I attended junior high and high school, as well as lived for several years after graduating college.
Copa: What schools have you attended?
Kennedy: I graduated high school from Minneota, MN, home of the Vikings – a powerhouse in both football and wrestling. I attended a local university in the town he was born, Southwest Minnesota State Univeristy. I received a B.A. in Business Administration with Concentrations of Finance and Management. I also had a successful wrestling career in college – lettering all four years and also a National qualifier. I had the privilege to wrestle for one of the greatest motivational and inspirational coaches – Hall of Fame Inductee, Iron Mike Sterner.
Kennedy: I graduated high school from Minneota, MN, home of the Vikings – a powerhouse in both football and wrestling. I attended a local university in the town he was born, Southwest Minnesota State Univeristy. I received a B.A. in Business Administration with Concentrations of Finance and Management. I also had a successful wrestling career in college – lettering all four years and also a National qualifier. I had the privilege to wrestle for one of the greatest motivational and inspirational coaches – Hall of Fame Inductee, Iron Mike Sterner.
Copa: Did you have any specific interests early in life?
Kennedy: Early in life, as a child and while becoming a young man, I spent a significant amount of time with my grandparents. I adored both of my grandfathers – Grandpa Johnny and Grandpa Don. They were both farmers. My Grandpa Johnny was also a bar/restaurant owner and bartender for 50+ years. I had always thought that if I could do what they did, I would be a happy man. I didn’t realize until later on in life that what I saw was not only happiness… but joy and appreciation. They literally just enjoyed and loved their life – beginning with the love for their family! So many of my earlier interests, and interests of today focus on family and experiencing the simple things of life with family.
Aside from family… early in life I enjoyed, and still do enjoy art, poetry, sports, music and gazing at the sky whether it be finding and making shapes of the clouds during the day or star gazing at night. I didn’t find much interest in sports and fitness until later on in my teens and during college.
Kennedy: Early in life, as a child and while becoming a young man, I spent a significant amount of time with my grandparents. I adored both of my grandfathers – Grandpa Johnny and Grandpa Don. They were both farmers. My Grandpa Johnny was also a bar/restaurant owner and bartender for 50+ years. I had always thought that if I could do what they did, I would be a happy man. I didn’t realize until later on in life that what I saw was not only happiness… but joy and appreciation. They literally just enjoyed and loved their life – beginning with the love for their family! So many of my earlier interests, and interests of today focus on family and experiencing the simple things of life with family.
Aside from family… early in life I enjoyed, and still do enjoy art, poetry, sports, music and gazing at the sky whether it be finding and making shapes of the clouds during the day or star gazing at night. I didn’t find much interest in sports and fitness until later on in my teens and during college.
Copa: What major developments happened in your life that changed your perspective on your future?
Kennedy: The major and most significant development that changed my perspective on my future, and life in general is when I chose to make Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.
When I was younger and most of my adult life, I was chasing what I thought were the measures of what made a man successful and great. I always had this vision that once I made a certain amount of money, had these possessions and reached a certain societal status… I’d have made it and achieved greatness. But as I’ve matured, traveling through the peaks and valleys... the struggles and the triumphs... the joys and the pains of life have changed my perspective and philosophies on many things. And coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ changed all that. It flipped everything upside down but in actuality – right side up. It no longer is about what’s in it for KG; it’s about what can I do to honor and glorify JC. Please don’t mistake me, I may be Christian but I’m not perfect! Each day, I simply want to be a better man in this moment than what I was the last; never being satisfied with the me of yesterday, today. And while striving to be a better man, I strive to have a positive influence and impact on the world – one person at a time. To help people achieve their goals and realize their personal significance; to add value to others while helping them along their path in becoming a better person today than what they were yesterday. It’s not about perfection… it’s about progress. We’re here to do life together as imperfectly perfect as we are.
Kennedy: The major and most significant development that changed my perspective on my future, and life in general is when I chose to make Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.
When I was younger and most of my adult life, I was chasing what I thought were the measures of what made a man successful and great. I always had this vision that once I made a certain amount of money, had these possessions and reached a certain societal status… I’d have made it and achieved greatness. But as I’ve matured, traveling through the peaks and valleys... the struggles and the triumphs... the joys and the pains of life have changed my perspective and philosophies on many things. And coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ changed all that. It flipped everything upside down but in actuality – right side up. It no longer is about what’s in it for KG; it’s about what can I do to honor and glorify JC. Please don’t mistake me, I may be Christian but I’m not perfect! Each day, I simply want to be a better man in this moment than what I was the last; never being satisfied with the me of yesterday, today. And while striving to be a better man, I strive to have a positive influence and impact on the world – one person at a time. To help people achieve their goals and realize their personal significance; to add value to others while helping them along their path in becoming a better person today than what they were yesterday. It’s not about perfection… it’s about progress. We’re here to do life together as imperfectly perfect as we are.
Copa: What are your hobbies and other interests?
Kennedy: By biggest interest is my kidlets and being the father and daddy they need me to be, and also the type of man I desire to be. So any free time which we have together, I want to spend it doing something that they enjoy doing. And obviously as a parent, doing things that also help instill good morals, values and principles which will build their character.
When I have free time apart from my children, there are only a few things that I really have time to do. As I previously mentioned I do enjoy art, poetry, sports, music and sky gazing. Being a fitness model, it’s not just part of my regimen but I also enjoy running, mountain biking, hiking, swimming and bodybuilding.
What I really enjoy, and it’s not really an interest it’s simply part of my life – is Church and going beyond the walls of Church to spread and show the love of Jesus Christ.
Kennedy: By biggest interest is my kidlets and being the father and daddy they need me to be, and also the type of man I desire to be. So any free time which we have together, I want to spend it doing something that they enjoy doing. And obviously as a parent, doing things that also help instill good morals, values and principles which will build their character.
When I have free time apart from my children, there are only a few things that I really have time to do. As I previously mentioned I do enjoy art, poetry, sports, music and sky gazing. Being a fitness model, it’s not just part of my regimen but I also enjoy running, mountain biking, hiking, swimming and bodybuilding.
What I really enjoy, and it’s not really an interest it’s simply part of my life – is Church and going beyond the walls of Church to spread and show the love of Jesus Christ.
Copa: Are you excited about all of the glitz and glamour of the event?
Kennedy: I am absolutely excited! What really has me stoked about this event are the reasons why the glitz and glam are happening. We have aspiring models that are taking another step towards making their dreams reality. That in itself is AWESOME! But also, in the chasing of their dreams, these models have taken the initiative to use their platforms and make this event not just about them but about increasing the awareness of a heinous $150 billion industry which breathtakingly thrives on the exploitation of children, women and men – Human and Sex Trafficking. |
Copa: How did you become involved to become part of the WE Model 2018 competition in Washington, DC?
Kennedy: Patricia Watts, the Director of WEModel USA 2018, is a close personal friend of mine. We were introduced a few years ago through a mutual friend I met while attending a Red Carpet VIP Event for The Platform Magazine. Over the years, Patricia and I have developed a mutual respect, both personally and professionally, and discovered that we have many of the same interests. Because of that, Patricia asked me to serve on HERLife Magazine's (DC Metro) Project Planning Committee & Search Team for their International Model Search in 2016. That was a success and a privilege to be a part of. Patricia has an amazing servant heart and after hearing about the WEModel initiative, I knew this was something I wanted to help with and be a part of. |
Copa: What does the future hold for Kennedy J. Gilbertson?
Kennedy: I’ve never played the role of being a dead fish going with the flow. Life is always changing… transforming. The future is unfolding for me this very second and is unlimited for me right now. For example… this opportunity given me by Rodney Branche with Copa Style Magazine. Opportunities like this are always a hope, and a desire, but until they present themselves I just don’t know what awaits me! To me, that’s exciting and I love adventure!
I’m also a day dreamer and night time thinker so I have many future goals and plans. But as it relates to my calling… I remain focused on my ultimate goal of developing a platform that brings inspiration and hope to others by relating to them through my life experiences. Whatever my future holds, it will be something that is a result of my hard work, passion and determination to bring love, hope, faith and a positive impact and influence to as many people as I can. At the end of the day… it’s not about Kennedy. It’s about walking out my life’s purpose and doing what God has placed on my heart; which ultimately is to leave a legacy for my children and family that will be worthy and glorious to God.
Kennedy: I’ve never played the role of being a dead fish going with the flow. Life is always changing… transforming. The future is unfolding for me this very second and is unlimited for me right now. For example… this opportunity given me by Rodney Branche with Copa Style Magazine. Opportunities like this are always a hope, and a desire, but until they present themselves I just don’t know what awaits me! To me, that’s exciting and I love adventure!
I’m also a day dreamer and night time thinker so I have many future goals and plans. But as it relates to my calling… I remain focused on my ultimate goal of developing a platform that brings inspiration and hope to others by relating to them through my life experiences. Whatever my future holds, it will be something that is a result of my hard work, passion and determination to bring love, hope, faith and a positive impact and influence to as many people as I can. At the end of the day… it’s not about Kennedy. It’s about walking out my life’s purpose and doing what God has placed on my heart; which ultimately is to leave a legacy for my children and family that will be worthy and glorious to God.
~Copa