Nelsen grew up in Pine City, Minnesota. That is where she became involved in the fledgling sport of women's bodybuilding. She won the AAU Ms. America title in 1993 and the NABBA Ms. USA title in 1994.
At a height of 5'10" and an off-season peak weight of 225lbs, Karla was featured in videos where she wrestled much smaller men.
Karla is married to Al Blake. Al Blake is a retired American professional wrestler known as Vladimir Petrov.