Clark Middleton Gilmer grew up in Pawleys Island, South Carolina and began swimwear modeling at the tender age of fourteen. She later attended the University of South Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Science in Retail/Fashion Merchandising.
Modeling remained her dream however, so shortly after graduating she bought a one-way ticket to Milan, Italy where, as she puts it, she “simply made it happen”.
In addition to extensive appearances in catalogues, magazines, e-commerce and commercials, Gilmer has also made appearances in major motion pictures and primetime television shows.
Ben Affleck requested Clark by name to play a small featured role in his 2012 Oscar-winning film Argo and she has also appeared in major shows such as CSI and How I Met Your Mother.
What’s the best thing about being a GLORY ring girl?
I love watching fights and I love traveling and I love getting all dolled - working for GLORY combines all three, so what’s not to love?
What are some of the most memorable things you’ve seen while on tour with GLORY?
Well, we were in Tokyo in December and in true Japanese fashion, I experienced a 7.3 earthquake in a tall hotel tower, so that was fun…
I also got to walk the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul and sit in a rug shop dining on a traditional Turkish breakfast. It was surprisingly delicious. What an experience that was!
The best and worst things about constant travel around the world?
Just the general hassle of travel: packing, flying on long flights, and finding wi-fi in another country. The best part about it is that you’re traveling and seeing the world and getting paid for it. Not too many people can say that.
Have you got packing down to a fine art or is it still a case of trying on 400 outfits and trying to stuff too many clothes in?
Every trip I get better and better. This most recent trip I packed in a carry-on for 4 days; that was a huge accomplishment for me!
What would you advise the young women out there who aspire to be where you are now?
Follow your heart. If you want to model, understand it is by no way, shape, or form all glitz and glamour. Nor is it easy in the slightest. For some reason, so many people I speak to think that my job is all smiles and rainbows. I have to take that as a compliment because if they think its all so glamorous then I guess I’m doing my job right.
If you weren’t in this kind of career, what do you think you would have done instead?
I love psychotherapy so I can’t help but think I would be a psychotherapist. That or some kind of marketing/public relation gig. I have such a Type-A personality and have very strong management skills, I know I would dominate in a field like that.
Kickboxing is a high-octane, full-contact sport. Even though you’re not in the ring yourself you’re pretty close to the action. Have you had any bumps or scrapes while working for GLORY?
A fighter was being cornered in between rounds and his trainer was pouring water in his mouth and he turns to spit it out… right on me. Hit the right side of my face and my hair. That was so not cool.
Nice. On the other end of the scale, what are your favorite things to see in the ring?
I love seeing a technical fight and of course can be wooed by the fancy moves like a spinning back kick.
How do you feel when you see a big knockout. Do you get excited or upset?
It’s absolutely exhilarating. Are you kidding!? Definitely emotional to see. You can’t watch a KO and be indifferent, it’s impossible!
Do you do any kickboxing training yourself?
I’m about to start. My fiancé Kenny Florian is retired mixed martial artist so he casually teaches me a bunch of stuff. He says I’m really good at kicking.
Let’s say you’re competing in the first-ever four-woman GLORY Ring Girl Tournament. What color shorts/fight gear would you compete in and what would your finishing move be?
I would wear black and gold and my finishing move would be a superman punch.
Travel essentials - what do you absolutely have to have in your hand luggage?
Aquaphor. It’s the absolute best healing ointment for lips or dry hands, feet, anything. That and my BOSE limited-edition noise cancelling headphones!
And a quick beauty tip for the female readers who also have to travel long-haul a lot?
Drink a ton of water when traveling and clean up with a make-up wipe before landing to refresh your face and wake it up a bit.
And finally… give us three random tracks off your iPod and tell us why they are on there….
Tove Lo: All The Time - the beat is way too good to not play on repeat
Boyce Avenue: We Found Love - this is an incredible cover of Rihanna’s hit that is just so beautiful
Tracy Chapman: Fast Car - such a classic. I love 90’s music.
