My new obsession with Olympic Lifting

I love this sport!  What a fantastic way for women to feel strong, sexy, confident, and of course a badass.  I started this journey last year having never done a snatch or clean and jerk.  I was introduced to these lifts while working out at Crossfit Belltown.  I started taking their Olympic lifting classes with Coach Lincoln Brigham.  After the first class, I was hooked.  I was on a mission to learn the technique of each lift and of course I wanted to lift more weight.   I started taking private sessions and what a difference that has made.  My technique will always need work but with the help of Coach Lincoln and lots of drills I have definitely improved.  Lincoln convinced me to compete in my first weightlifting meet which happened to be on my 37th birthday.  I placed 2nd in my weight class(53kg).  I have a long way to go but thats what it's all about, the journey.   I love getting in the gym or lifting outside and just grinding it out, getting reps in, and being better.  With this blog I will keep you updated on my quest to lift more weight!

A black lab named Dr. Leo Marvin

 I had been looking for awhile online at animal rescues and was having no luck at my application being "accepted" for a lab puppy because I lived in Philly and didn't have a backyard.  I really feel this a bunch of "bs", a dog can be very active and healthy without a backyard.  Anyway, I ran into a guy on the street with a black lab puppy and the next day I was in Jersey picking up Dr. Leo Marvin.  I took one look at him and knew this was the perfect name for him.  If your not familiar with the classic movie, What About Bob, I highly suggest you take a couple hours and check it out.  Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus are hilarious together.  

Leo Marvin is now 5 1/2 years old and we are inseparable.  He has lived in Philadelphia, Washington, and soon Montana.  When Bob and I reconnected a few years ago I made it clear that Leo Marvin was part of the deal being with me.  I did compromise on getting Leo his own bed and not sleeping in ours.  Leo Marvin loves hiking, backpacking, swimming, playing with his buddies, sleeping on the couch, and of course eating.  Here are a few pictures of Dr. Leo Marvin's adventures so far...

Mountain girl at heart

Hi, I'm Kimberly.  I grew up just outside of Philadelphia and fell in love with the mountains at the age of 14.  I spent many summers with my family, especially my aunts in Wyoming  hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, and dreaming of cowboys.  This love for the West & a running scholarship brought me to the University of Montana in Missoula.  I spent a glorious 5 years majoring in hiking, running, beer drinking, mountain boys, and finally getting a degree in Organizational Communications.  My first love in life was Wyoming, then Montana stole my heart along with a boy from Butte, but it would take us 16 years to figure it out....  

After college I moved to Colorado for more mountains and started my career in the fitness industry.  

I have always been an athlete.  I started with gymnastics at the age of 4 and continued for 8 years, then I played field hockey & lacrosse and finally found my niche in running.  Being an athlete your body eventually breaks down and injuries happen, this is how I found pilates.  I have been teaching pilates for 12 years. I ran the University of Pennsylvania Pilates Studio for 6 years and was a Teacher Trainer for 4 years for Power Pilates, NYC.  I have studied yoga, ayurveda, and I'm a certified health coach.  

So, how does an endurance athlete/pilates instructor become an Olympic weightlifter?  I moved to Seattle 3 years ago to finally be with my Butte, Mt mountain man.  During this time, I was struggling starting a pilates business and I had a lot of free time on my hands so I finally tried Crossfit.  I found Crossfit Belltown which has the most amazing training staff.  They focus on the basics with their athletes and drill the technique of the lifts while pushing you to your capability.  With Crossfit, I have become stronger inside & out, feel and look healthier, and it's really awesome lifting heavy weights and doing pull-ups.  During this time I was introduced to the Olympic Lifts, the Snatch and Clean and Jerk.  These lifts are all about technique and its just you and the barbell.  I have been working with a coach for a year and competed in my first weightlifting meet on my birthday.   It was a great way to turn 37!

I have moved a lot in the last 15 years and lived in many amazing places such as Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Washington.  In a month, I will be finally settling down with my husband in Big Sky Country.  It was worth the wait and its where we belong....