03/23/2025
Athlete Spotlight: Kim F.
How were you introduced to CrossFit?
I first heard about CrossFit when it was taking off in SoCal, right as the "cult" stereotype was emerging (I guess that didn't detour me). A gym down the street caught my attention, so I decided to check it out. The regular gym was so boring, and as a former collegiate athlete, I was used to being told when to show up and what to do. CrossFit filled that gap perfectly. At the time, I was a graduate student and had just returned to masters water polo after a short hiatus. I was looking for something to build strength and CrossFit was the perfect fit. More than a decade later, my reasons for doing it haven’t changed much.
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I've been in and out of CrossFit since 2010. I was with my first box from 2009 to 2012. I took a 10-month break when I got pregnant with my son but returned in 2013 after a big move to LA where I found a box with a dedicated mom/caregiver hour, a truly special community where a college student watched over the kids while we worked out. Moms moved in and out of the WOD to nurse, feed, or tend to fussy babies, it was one of the most empowering, body-positive spaces I’ve ever been part of. I was with this box from till 2015. My biggest break from CF came when I was pregnant with my daughter, lasting until 2018. After another big move, I found the Seven Devils community (2018), and I've been consistent ever since!
What keeps me coming back to CrossFit?
The community, the friendships, and the built-in accountability. I love that I don’t have to program my own workouts—I just show up and put in the work. Additionally, while I hesitate to say it… functional fitness. My heart will always be in the pool, battling it out playing water polo, and CrossFit keeps me strong enough to keep doing what I love at a high level.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I’m a Sociology Professor and, as dorky as it sounds, a lifelong learner. I’m currently working on a Ph.D. in Education—because, why not? Outside of academia and water polo, my biggest passions are my family, friends, community, and advocating for and amplifying marginalized voices.
What advice would you give to a person who is interested in CF but they haven't tried it yet?
While the CrossFit Games are impressive, they can give a really skewed picture of what CrossFit is really like on the everyday. In reality, CrossFit is filled with people of all ages, abilities, and experience levels. It’s a fantastic way to surprise yourself with what you’re capable of while simultaneously forcing you to check your ego and occasionally eat some humble pie. The hardest part is just showing up, but once you do, you’ll find a supportive community that meets you where you are and helps you grow.
