Prior to Wodapalooza, FITAID held a photoshoot with CrossFitter, Kelsey Kiel. Being that it was her first competition in almost 2 years, we thought we would catch up with her and see what she has been up to. Our manager of social, Dion, was able to get some behind the scenes content as well as ask Kelsey some interesting questions. Check out our Q&A brought to you by our Master of Social, Dion. Also, give our Instagram page, @fitaid, a follow to stay up to date with everything FITAID.
Being that this is your first competition in almost 2 years, why did it take you so long to come back to crossfit?
Kelsey: “I took almost a full year off from doing anything crossfit to bobsled and the last competition I did was in February of 2020. I took a lot of time off to focus on bobsledding. I missed Crossfit though so I decided to come back.”
What intrigued you the most about bobsledding?
Kelsey: “It was a different opportunity. They asked if i wanted to see if i’d be good at the sport so i decided to give it a go. I had a feeling that crossfit wasn't going anywhere but the opportunity to try and make an Olympic team was something I wanted to try to give a shot. They said it was going to be hard to do that in less than a year, and it was hard to do, and i didn't do it, so here i am back in the sport that i really love.”
What are you excited about the most for WZA?
Kelsey: “I feel like I am most excited to just get back out there. I get to compete with my best friend on my team. All three of us are just out to have fun. I've missed it. When they say WZA is a celebration of fitness, that's exactly what it is. There's nothing like it.”
What do you miss most about competition?
Kelsey: “The sport in general. Like when you're training for a very specific reason, to medal at the olympics, it's very sport specific. But with Corssfit, everyday in the gym is such a process and I missed that when I was training for bobsledding. Everyday im looking forward to going to the gym again and I am having more fun than i feel like i've ever had doing CrossFit. I'm just doing it for myself and enjoying every moment.”
Has this process of getting back into CrossFit brought you reminders of why you started CrossFit ?
Kelsey: “If someone told me I would be doing this (a photoshoot) when I started, I would have never in a million years believed you. I think that taking the year off and trying a different sport, trying something new, made me realize what I miss about this sport. It really took me back to the roots, the reason I started competing in the first place. I think I lost myself a little bit there. Not necessarily doing it for the wrong reason but it became a chore. Taking some time off and coming back makes it seem like a different environment and I've been having so much fun with it.”
What's the most frustrating thing about a photo shoot? Doing the same thing over and over again? Or just waiting for a long time?
Kelsey: “The lack of snacks that I brought HAHA”
How many times have you had to fake drink a FITAID?
Kelsey: “Too many to count!” (Proceeds to fake drink a FITAID)
Thin crust pizza or deep dish pizza?
Kelsey: “Thin crust because I just don't like deep dish pizza. I feel like it's very saucy.”
If you had to choose one, Outback Steakhouse or CheeseCake Factory?
Kelsey: “Outback Steakhouse because I really like Steak even though Cheesecake Factory has the biggest menu I have ever seen in my life. It’s like a book.”
Be sure to check our other blog posts for more exclusive interviews, WZA Competition content, and everything LIFEAID!
