Wolverine Spotlight Q&A: Kari Pearce
7/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
July 29, 2016
Former University of Michigan women's gymnast and movement science graduate Kari Pearce '11 placed fifth in the 2016 CrossFit Games last weekend (July 19-24). During her time at Michigan, Pearce was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten (2009, '10, '11) selection, received three U-M Athletic Academic Achievement honors (2009, '10, '11), was named to the All-Big Ten second team (2008) and earned the U-M Unsung Hero Award (2008). Coming off the Games last weekend, Pearce chatted with MGoBlue.com about how she got into CrossFit and how gymnastics has helped her be successful.
Q. After graduating from Michigan what did you do?
A. I did an internship with strength and conditioning at Michigan under Bo (Sandoval) and Lew (Porchiazzo). Then I started personal training at Bally Total Fitness which got bought out by LA Fitness. Then I went to a studio gym. After that, I moved to New York City and I did personal training at the New York Health and Racquet Club before I was contacted by a guy who wanted to open a CrossFit gym. So I started working for him and then we opened our CrossFit gym last September in Manhattan.
Q. What drew you to strength training after gymnastics?
A. Lew (Michigan's strength and conditioning coach for women's gymnastics) was a big influence on me. I was talking to him and I was like, I enjoy working out. My parents met at a Bally Total Fitness, my mom ran cross country and my dad played baseball, so I'm from an athletic family. After gymnastics, I knew I wanted to keep working out, but I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do. Lew was like "well I can help you with some weightlifting." So I started weightlifting at Michigan. I knew I wanted to do something body related. I was looking into going to PA school, but then I started working at a gym and realized I didn't want to work at a hospital and that I really enjoyed being in a gym and the whole fitness lifestyle.
Q. How and when did you get into doing CrossFit?
A. I got into weightlifting and did a physique show, and shortly after that I moved to New York City and did a powerlifting competition. The guy who opened the CrossFit gym that I now work for contacted me, he found me online, knew that I was a gymnast for 18 years and now a personal trainer, and thought I would make a good gymnastics coach for CrossFit. So he contacted me about opening a gym. He offered me a salary and a set schedule, which was obviously a lot better than doing crazy hours and stuff at the gym, so that drew me in. I have a gymnastics background and then doing some weights afterward was a perfect combination for CrossFit. And actually one of my gymnastics teammates Lindsay Bourdon, now Lindsay (Bourdon) Menerey, had gone to the Games three times with a team from Georgia and she kept talking to me being like "Kari you need to get into CrossFit." It was always one of those, yeah I will, at some point. And then when the gym owner contacted me it was the perfect time to give it a try. So I started CrossFit in November 2014. I made it to the Games last year and got 21st. And this year I got fifth.
Q. How does being a former gymnast help you with CrossFit?
A. Being a gymnast definitely helps because there are a lot of handstand movements. In the two handstand events at the Games I took first in one of them and second in the other. Also, I know a lot of females struggle with upper body strength, they get lower body strength easily, but it's harder to get the upper body strength, which came a lot easier for me having the long gymnastics background. In addition to the physical, I also think that the mental aspect that I gained from gymnastics is a big one. Just getting used to competing and being in front of people. Being an individual sport it is very similar. I know at CrossFit there are some soccer players, water polo, different sports, that weren't necessarily individual -- I think having done gymnastics was really beneficial for me. CrossFit reminds me a lot about gymnastics in that there are so many different things that you have to do well in.
Q. Many athletes get the itch to do something competitive once they are done with their sport, did you get that itch?
A. I'm a very, very competitive person. I enjoyed just working out for fun for a little while, but I do enjoy the competitive aspect of CrossFit.
Q. How mentally and physically grueling were the 15 events over five days?
A. It was definitely very grueling in both ways. This year was a bit easier than last year because I knew what to expect. Being a rookie you have no idea what you are setting yourself up for. You see it on TV and you see what you have to do, but you don't realize how demanding it is until you actually go through it. So this year I was able to recover better from event to event. I actually worked with a nutritionist to help me figure out what to eat and when, just because it's such a big thing being able to recover. A lot of the times the top girls might not be the best physically but they can push through anything mentally, which is a huge advantage if you can do that.
Q. Was there anything that you experienced at Michigan that you could look back on that helped you with the CrossFit Games?
A. Just being part of the Michigan program, it's very competitive. All the girls on our team were phenomenal athletes. So being in that competitive environment and wanting to be the best, I think just helped me set the right mindset that whatever I do, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability. Michigan prepared me for that.
Q. CrossFit has been called one of the fastest growing sports in America. Do you see yourself as a role model for females interested in the sport?
A. I think I'm a role model and inspirational as well, just because last year I was pretty new to CrossFit and I was able to make it to the Games. I think I'm an example of if you work hard enough it will pay off and you can get wherever you want. Starting out at CrossFit, you're not going to be the best right when you begin, but just keep going, and try to make yourself better. Try not to compare yourself to other people -- which I know is often hard to do. But at the end of the day, it's you versus yourself and that's what matters -- if you can make yourself better, then the rest will come.
Q. Do you see yourself continuing with CrossFit for a while?
A. Yeah, I really enjoy CrossFit and I think it's a great way to keep me healthy and keep me going. I love every aspect of it -- it's challenging, it's rewarding. And I enjoy all the people I get to meet and all the traveling that I do. As long as I can stay healthy and keep grinding, I'm going to do it. I know my body will probably tell me when I'm done, but so far, I love every minute of it. I love the competitions, I love the training ... I love the process and everything that goes into it.
