1) Who is Kelly Baker? (where are you from, what do you do, a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc)
I’m a 26 year old elementary school teacher from Cinnaminson New Jersey. I have the absolute best support system in the world. My family, boyfriend, and coach constantly push me to be better everyday. To say I am blessed would be the understatement of the century. Outside of the gym I spend my free time at the beach or anything outdoors. I love to travel and find local breweries and coffee shops.
2) How many years have you been training?
I have been doing Crossfit for almost 4 years and have been competitively training almost 3.
3) Whats been the most challenging/hardest part of your journey so far? and how have you overcome them (set backs, rejections, injuries, basically anything difficult that you have had to overcome)
The hardest part of my journey has been mentally feeling like I am good enough. I went to the Crossfit Games with team Crossfit Parallax in 2016. In 2017 I made it to regionals as an individual. To be honest, I thought it could have been a fluke. So, heading into regionals my goal was just to stay relaxed and enjoy myself because the hard part was already over. The first event we ran on the assault runners so I could see the runners time next to mine. I looked over and saw I was about 350 meters ahead. I actually slowed down because I didn’t feel like I was supposed to be beating anyone. It wasn’t until after day 1 at Regionals that I believed I deserved to be there are very well could find a spot to the Games. I ended the weekend in 7th and trained the rest of this past year on my mental game even more than my physical.
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like?
Like most athletes in Crossfit I count my macros. I work with a 1:1 coach that keeps me accountable and dialed in to make sure my body is getting what it needs when it needs it. My training depends on the time of year. Right now we are prepping for regionals so we are pretty high volume 5 days a week. My coach and I write down all the things we wouldn’t want to show up at regionals in a workout then we hammer those for the next 7 weeks. It’s by far my favorite time of year!
5) What new knowledge have you learned over this past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition?
I learned that in order to do well you need to believe in yourself. Negative self talk will never make you better. I also learned that sometimes it’s enough. I would let it dwell on my mind all day if I cut out a workout from my programming or lowered my squat percentage because of how my body was feeling. I now spend more time focusing on how I feel. As far as lifestyle goes, I have learned balance. One piece of advice for athletes on their first trip to regionals is to surround yourself with people who have your goal in mind as well. I’m not talking about other athletes, I mean family and friends who want to see you be as successful as you possible can when regionals rolls around. I never have to give an excuse or no one ever makes me feel bad.
Right now, my priority lies in the gym. I have a whole crew of people who understand that. I’m also fortunate to date someone who has been to regionals and beats me in pretty much every workout.
6) Whats your favourite cheat/Treat meal?
I don’t love sweets so anything savory or salty. A burger or pizza is my go to following a competition! I also have a weird obsession with hard pretzels, so I make sure to have them fit into my macros daily.
7) One supplement that you could not live without?
Pretty much every product from Iron Army. Their intra carbs get me through 2 plus hour training sessions. Not to mention, it tastes like candy!
8) If you had to start out from scratch with your physique what would you do differently and why?
That’s a tough question. In our sport, every body type has a wheel house. To say I’d like to be taller for wall balls and rowing would of course help me, but then I wouldn’t be able to cycle hspus as fast. I could be lighter for toes to bar, but my squat wouldn’t be as strong. It’s a catch 22. If I would do anything differently I might hop into a time machine back to being 5 years old and join gymnastics.
9) Who do you look upto in the fitness industry and why?
Kara Webb. She is constantly on offense. I love watching her workout because she has literally one speed. She carries confidence but is also very humble. AND she doesn’t take herself seriously and it shows that while we all want to win, we need to remember that we do this because it’s fun.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
One piece of advice would be that nutrition is the key to meeting your goal. My favorite thing I have been told is that going to the gym for an hour is easy, it’s what you do for the other 23 hours that’s hard. Find someone who knows what they are talking about and change your thoughts on food (ex: carbs are GOOD). Lastly, your score doesn’t matter to anyone else in the gym. But, you cheating to get a better score does matter to everyone else 😉. Have fun and work hard and you are about to meet a whole new group of people who will quickly turn to family.
11) What new goals are on the horizon?
The obvious goal is to make it to the Crossfit Games as an individual. I met one of my first goals I wrote down for myself this year and that was to be the fittest woman in New Jersey. I am hungry and excited and I can’t wait for May.
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts)
You can find me on Instagram at @kelbakr928.
