1) Who is Hilary Steele? (where are you from, what do you do, a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc)
I’m a competitive crossfit athlete who lives for the everyday grind to continue to be the best athlete she can be now in crossfit. I grew up in MA an moved to OH when I was 14 years old for gymnastics. My mom and I lived their while my dad, brother and sister held down the fort in MA. I have never been the most talented athlete but I love to work hard and grind through the challenges to reap the rewards.
2) How many years have you been training?
I have been training my whole life. I was a gymnast for 18 years where I was on the USA Nationals team for three years and got to compete for the USA all over the world. I then was a gymnast at the University of Georgia where I was a part of two NCAA National Championship teams. After gymnastics ended I needed to find something to fill a major void in my life. My boyfriend at the time (now husband) introduced me to crossfit and I never looked back. My first year in taking classes I made regionals and had no idea what I was doing and the level and competitiveness of the sport. After that year I realized this is somewhere I had the opportunity to get better everyday and continue to compete and thrive. I would say I didn't truely start training crossfit till about 2016. I loved the competition and realized what I could do in the sport. I wanted to create goals to chase after in this sport now that gymnastics was over. This year I have put everything into the sport. I have a coach (instead of trying to do it on my own all of the previous ears), nutrition coach, dialed in my recovery etc. Its about putting it all together and putting everything into what you want, and I have never felt more ready and confident than this year. I am so happy to have Starr Strength and Performance to keep my training and recovery where it needs to be.
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 most challenging part of this journey for me is trying to keep up with the big girls. I am a very small athlete, only 4'9", in gymnastics this was great, but in crossfit it has alot of disadvantages. There are advantages for sure but with weightlifting it is a constant challenge to keep up and not compare myself to others. I am constantly learning, it is so important to focus on me and what I am capable of. I have learned to be happy with my successes and steps forward regardless of where others stand. My 115lb, 4'9" stature will always be a challenge but I am choosing to use that as fuel to push me to be better everyday and to find challenges to overcome and be proud of.
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like?
My training and diet in pretty consistent but does change based on the time of the year and where we stand based off of season. Some days I have two sessions, some days one. I am actually an athlete who prefers one long session with a break in between. Once I get going I fill up with passion and energy to work and I don't want to stop. It is a blessing and a curse but I choose to use it to my advantage. I always wake up around 6:30-7am, relax with coffee, make a good breakfast and then walk the dog before heading off to the gym. I am usually there from about 8am-12-1pm if I am doing one session with a break, then head home to shower, eat lunch and rest before heading off to coaching gymnastics. If I am doing two I will train till about 11:30 then go home for lunch and to relax then head back about 2/2:30. I will also coach crossfit classes at the gym in the midst of alI this at Crossfit K Block where I train. I have been using meal prep from Good Clean Food Hawaii to help me stay on track and take away some of the time it takes to make meals and this has been a huge help. I also have Mike from M2Performance Nutrition to keep me on track with my nutrition making sure I am fueling properly and eating enough based on my training.
5) What new knowledge have you learned over this past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition?
As I said above it is so important to put it all together and establish a routine. I have learned that having the support and coaching is so important to my success. It takes a determined athlete and a team behind them to have the success you strive for. I have learned so much from my coaches and support systems, from how important it is to be fueling my body which means eating alot more than I have ever eaten, rest and recovery and the importance of it, have a plan for training and cycling of training, and how important it is to have those who you spend your most time with supporting you and understanding what it takes to be what you want to be.
6) Whats your favourite cheat/Treat meal?
I love enlightened and yasso ice cream, especially as my bedtime snack. Moderation is key, and timing in the season of whether its ok for that time or not.
7) Whats one supplement that you could not live without?
Im pretty minimal when it comes to supplements but I do take fish oil and BCAAs everyday. I am still on the lookout for a supplement company and products that I love and that help me feel my best everyday.
8) If you had to start your Journey from scratch with your health & physique what would you do differently and why?
Learning to eat for performance has been amazing for me in so many ways. It has taught me the importance of fuel and using food to help me become the best athlete I can. It has also taught me to love my body for what it is able to do and the ways it is able to perform. If I could go back I would have found a nutrition coach alot sooner and just trust. Trust the coach and the process and know it is for my best interest. I am so much happier and healthier now than I was and all of that creates the best results in and out of the gym.
9) Who do you look up to in the fitness industry and why?
In the crossfit world I have always looked up to Emily Bridgers. She was also a gymnast at the University of Georgia and did not make it to the games right away. it took 4 years of grit, determination, and hard work to make it to where she wanted to be and I use that to inspire me. I am able to keep in touch with her and chat about crossfit whenever and that is amazing to have that knowledge from someone so successful. I also look up to Aletha Boon. She is also coached by Luke Starr and watching her journey and getting to hang out with her and get to know her for a few weeks in Australia was so inspiring. This girl has got so much fight and determination, it sets me on fire. She always has a new goal and a way of getting there and she knows she will make it happen. No matter what is thrown her way she is ready to overcome it. She has been amazing this season giving me guidance and I am very thankful to have her in my corner.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
When something gets hard, don't quit, working through the challenges only makes you stronger. Quitting is easy, perseverance is not, but if you want it bad enough the hard times will pass and make you a better person. This will be my third regionals as an individual, 4th qualifying (I went team one year). I have climbed in the open and continue to get stronger and better but so does everyone else, so never settle. Regionals have not always gone as planned for me but this only makes me more determined to make this year the best year. Use the hard times to light your soul on fire.
11) What new goals do you have on the horizon?
I will make it to the Crossfit Games and my major step towards that is being in the final heat on the last day at regionals. This means consistency! It does not mean I have to be the best at everything, but I have to keep it together and stay strong, no matter if the workout is a challenge or a great one for me.
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts)
Instagram: hilpaigem
Facebook: Hil Paige
Nutrition: m2performancenutrition
Programming: starr_strength
