Karen Smith

Name: Karen Smith

Age: 40 yrs. old

Location: Dallas, Texas
 

What’s your athletic background? I was active from a very early age. My mom still jokes to this day about how I never walked any place, but I would flip, tumble or walk on my hands every place we went. I did gymnastics and cheerleading throughout my School year. Got back to tumbling with my daughter and decided to set a goal to get my Back Handspring again by my 40th Birthday. Goal accomplished!

What are you currently doing for your own training? Currently I am working on regaining strength in a few area after a long break due to some overuse injuries.
What does a sample workout look like for you? My workouts normally consist of a PULL, PUSH, SQUAT, HINGE and short finisher after my strength training.
 

What’s your favorite exercise or movement? My favorite exercise…well that is a hard one! I’m currently programming Deadlift and OAPU (One-Arm Push-ups). I also love pull ups but have had to take a break from them for about 6 months.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist: Believe it or not…I don’t really have a playlist. I love all kinds of music but mostly tune out the music around me when strength training. It’s more like back ground noise. However lately if I am doing a difficult finisher after a very heavy session I will put on, “Turn Down For What.”

Top 3 things you must have with you at the gym/in your gym bag:

1. SPARK
2. Cute workout attire
3. Extra hair ties
 

Do you prefer to train alone or with a training partner? Why? Alone or Training Partner varies…I enjoy having a training partner most of the time because we can push each other and feed off each other’s energy. However, if I am working on a very HEAVY goal then at times I like to just focus and be in my zone alone.

Most hilarious pick-up line you’ve heard at the gym: I don’t usually get any pick up lines as the only time I am in a regular gym is when I am teaching a workshop or certification.

Most embarrassing gym moment: Most embarrassing moment would have to be having a TRX break while I was doing a demo for one of my classes and I landed flat on my back and knock the wind out of me. But better me than one of my students.

Favorite meal: Healthy – eggs avocado and black beans and Cheat – Pizza or Mexican
 

Favorite way to treat yourself: Massage or ice cream

Favorite quote: Whatever the challenge, whatever the test, whatever you’re striving for….give it your BEST!

Favorite book: Don’t really have a favorite book, and mostly read work related material. But do love all of Nicholas Sparks novels.

What inspires and motivates you? It inspires me to see others reach their goals, and my daughter motivates me to always work toward being my best because I want to be a great role model for her.
 

What does a typical day look like for you? (From waking up to bedtime)

6:30am – Wake, normal routine (brush teeth, wash face, get dressed in workout gear)

6:45am – Wake daughter to get ready for school, prep her lunch and make breakfast

7:00am – Make sure daughter takes dog out for quick walk and has backpack and lunch

7:30am – Leave to school

8:15am – Back from school and begin my workout for the day

9:15am – Prepare protein shake

9:30am – Begin work (Conf calls, emails, distance coaching calls, designing programs, blogging, social media, prepping/editing videos, writing articles for my blog or others I contribute to, and coach any private students)

12:00 – Lunch break/ Shower

1:00pm – Get in some house work or run some errands

3:00pm – Pick up daughter from school – snack, homework etc.

4:30pm – Train some more students or take daughter to cheer/gymnastics

6:30pm – Dinner

7:30pm – Relax – spend time with daughter

8:30pm – Make sure daughter gets showered, everything prepped for school and off to bed

What’s the coolest “side effect” you’ve noticed from your training? The stronger I get the easier everything else becomes.

Next training goal: RE-GAIN all the following … 24kg MP, 250lb Deadlift, 3/3 OAPU and 13 pull ups. I had attained all of these prior to injury set back and felt great when my strength was at that level.

What’s your biggest accomplishment in the fitness industry thus far?

1. Professionally – being promoted to Master SFG
2. Personally – obtaining the title of Iron Maiden (a physical challenge that I worked very hard to achieve)

What’s your biggest accomplishment outside the fitness industry thus far? By far…becoming a mom to an amazing daughter who loves strength and fitness as much as I do.
If you had to choose 3 words to describe yourself, what would they be? 

1. DRIVEN
2. LOYAL
3. KIND

How has training changed your life? Training has changed my life because I feel it give me purpose… I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up until I began training and coaching others. Besides my daughter, helping others is what keeps me going every day.

What do you want to say to other women who might be nervous to start working out? Don’t be afraid, just do it! It can change your life also. We are all here to help you through your new journey.

What would you like to be remembered for in regards to your impact on the health and wellness industry? I would live to be remember by those who come in contact with me for my passion and giving nature and for helping them become a stronger, healthier and happier version of themselves.
 

Karen Smith is a coach, writer, entrepreneur, fitness expert, and mom. It’s her passion to empower, motivate and mentor others to reach their true potential, either in person or through online distance coaching and program design.

Karen is currently a Master instructor with STRONGFIRST, and is an advisory board member for Nike and Girls Gone Strong.