Kelsey Hackem
CrossFit Level 1
Where are you from? Highland, Michigan
Any Occupation (in addition to coaching at i1uvit): Operations and Development Director at the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition
Where did you go to school? What did you study? I went to college at the University of Florida and I attended law school at Villanova University.
What coaching credentials do you have? CrossFit Level 1, and I'm also a Level 1 certified mountain bike coach through the Bike Instructor Certification Program.
How long have you been CrossFitting? I started dabbling in CrossFit at my local YMCA back in 2009/2010, joined a gym that did not go well in 2013 so I quit, and then started at CrossFit Scioto in Columbus, Ohio in 2014. I've pretty much been CrossFitting since then.
What is your athletic/fitness background? I love sports, so I will try anything. I played basketball, competitively and recreationally, until I was 30 years old. I was a thrower (discus and shotput) in high school, and I've been mountain biking (a lot!) since 2019. I just picked up hockey this year, so now I'm trying to do that too!
Favorite WOD: Anything with hang power cleans or hang power snatches and biking or rowing. The more power required, the better!
Favorite lift or movement: Snatch
Least favorite WOD: Anything between 9 and 21 minutes.
Least favorite lift or movement: Running
Favorite food: Pork chops and bread with butter!
Favorite quote: "Great moments are born from great opportunities." -Herb Brooks
How has CrossFit changed your life/lifestyle/level of fitness? I'm pretty competitive in general, and CrossFit fills that void for me now that I'm older. I like continuing to push and surprise myself. I CrossFitted when I was younger, during chemotherapy and surgery for breast cancer, and now as an older adult, and I can say that it has made me more resilient in general, which is pretty incredible.I find that having a community makes the push to be the best version of yourself so infectious and fun. Gym friends become forever friends because your lifestyles align.
Who or what motivates/inspires you? The ability to take my fitness and go outside and do whatever I want is a huge motivator. I will pretty much say yes to any outdoor activity (except trail running!). I love knowing that the work that I've put in will allow me to go out and be comfortable doing things outdoors, whether that is backpacking or swimming all day with my nieces or doing a mountain bike ride on an unknown route.
What is your proudest CrossFit achievement(s)? The fact that I'm still CrossFitting almost 13 years after I started is a pretty big deal to me! I also haven't actually gotten a strict pull up yet, but I'm REALLY close and I never thought I would be able to one, EVER. So I'm going to get that soon and then that will be my proudest achievement!
Name one goal you are working to achieve through CrossFit: My goal is to continue to train to be more resilient and be able to bounce back after a crash on my bike or falling down on the ice. CrossFit makes me durable, and that is awesome.
Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit: I mountain bike a lot and I love traveling with Henry to ride bikes in new places! I also love to read, cook, and play games with friends.
Any advice for new members? Don't take yourself too seriously. At the end of the day, fitness should be challenging and fun! Keep showing up and trying your best and good things will happen.