Kelie

About Kelie

I was born in Provo, UT and grew up mostly between Southern California and Utah. When I was 14 my family moved to Columbia, MO, and I've been here ever since (apart from going to college out west). I went to school at Brigham Young University (BYU) and majored in English Lit with a minor in American Sign Language. I run an executive search firm that specializes in hiring leadership level talent for private equity and other investor backed businesses. When I'm not working or doing CrossFit, I love traveling with my family, playing board games, reading nerdy books, and watching documentaries.

How I Found CrossFit

I had been doing CrossFit-style workouts on my own for a few years and had my Olympic Weightlifting certification - ever since watching Rich Froning win the CrossFit Games on ESPN in 2014. In 2017 I was working full-time at Wilson's on Forum when the CrossFit gym opened nearby. I went to check it out and ended up working out there for an our or two everyday...and I fell in love. I started coaching in 2018.

What I love most about CrossFit is that it's challenging. Anything truly worthwhile in life is tough, but the beauty of CrossFit is that it's tough for everyone in the class—it's the great equalizer. It never actually gets easier; instead, you become fitter and can push yourself harder.

As a coach, my favorite part is watching someone achieve something they didn’t think they could do. I love teaching people new skills or showing them familiar ones in a fresh way, and then seeing that moment when it all clicks for them. It's incredibly rewarding to watch people accomplish something they're proud of.

Motivation & Passion

I CrossFit because it combines all the things I love about fitness into one experience. I thrive on the energy of working out with others—it’s motivating and makes the journey more fun. I enjoy pushing myself to take on challenges, and CrossFit constantly provides opportunities to do that. Plus, the variety in the workouts keeps things interesting, and I love not having to plan out my gym routine every day—it’s all laid out for me, so I can just show up and give it my all.