“Sport is mainly my hobby that has helped me grow as a person and become more confident.” – Rhian Pearson

AK – You are an athlete; can I ask what your journey to become one was? When did you start?

RP – I have been into Sport my whole life; swimming, playing lacrosse, Hockey, netball, squash, tennis and anything outdoors. 3 months after having my eldest daughter (now 9) I was introduced to CrossFit and haven’t looked back. I train 5 times a week for 2 hours and love the process of getting stronger and feeling good about myself.

AK – Did you always envision yourself as a sportswoman?

RP – No, not at all. I guess as I work full time as Meteorologist and Account Manager and I have two girls I never see myself as a Sportswoman as Sport is mainly my hobby that has helped me grow as a person and become more confident.

AK – If I would ask you, who you are, what would be the answer?

RP – I would say I’m a Mum first and everything else is second 🙂

AK – Why crossfit? What do you like about it? You are obviously in an amazing shape. When I see your trainings on instagram, first thing that comes to my mind is: ‘OMG, that’s hard’. But then: ‘I could do it too, it looks like fun’. You make it look easy, although I know it is really hard!

RP – I love the challenge of CrossFit. Although I have been doing it 9 years I am still learning new things every day! It can be frustrating at times but those are the days that count and you have to move through them to get stronger. CrossFit maybe not be for everybody but it is for anybody! 🙂

AK – You got two little girls, would you like them to join your trainings one day? Also, you are currently pregnant and you don’t seem to stop or make it any easier for yourself!

RP – My youngest loves training with me at the moment, she is my little limpet! She definitely keeps me going when sometimes I want to stop and lie down on the sofa! My eldest Jessie likes doing things too but more just in her own time and under her own management! They both love going on the gymnastics rings and doing toes to rings! I would love them to do CF with me one day.

AK – Many women worries about being too muscly after heavy lifting –  how can we convince them to try crossfit? Also, how do you convince them to not stop when they are pregnant?

RP – Women are not built to be muscly, we don’t have enough testosterone to look that way. Those women who are ‘hench’ and look more defined than most have trained hard for years and honed in their diets to reach their optimal performance, it doesn’t just happen by chance by lifting heavy weights! There is no reason why you should stop exercising whilst you are pregnant. As long as you have a good coach and guidance there is no reason why you should stop doing anything, it’s perfectly safe for both yourself and the baby as long as you listen to your body and advice given.

AK – What is your routine? What do you eat and how do you take care of yourself?

RP – I train 5 times a week for around 2 hours a session although I have cut down a bit now I am pregnant. I monitor my macros so I make sure I am eating enough to fuel my training, there is no point training hard if you’re not eating enough! I always take 2 rest days a week (as much as you can rest with 2 children) as when you train hard your body needs to recover!

AK – You are very inspiring woman, who is your inspiration? Who sets an example for you?

RP – People around me inspire me, every day people just getting on with their lives no matter what is thrown at them.

AK – What is your ‘must be’ or ‘must have’ every day?

RP – Happy! I like to laugh and smile a lot so that is my every day essential! Oh and hugs, I love hugs!

AK – Where do you want to be in 3 years time? Where can we see you?

RP – I would love to do more individual competitions after I have recovered from having baby no.3. My ultimate aim is to make it to the Master Online qualifiers which is the top of the competition in the world in CF for my age group.

Thank you Rhian! I think I will need to try Cross Fit myself! 😉 And good luck with baby nr 3, most of all – congratulations on doing so great both – as a parent and as an athlete, because for me you are definitely one.

“There is no reason why you should stop exercising whilst you are pregnant. As long as you have a good coach and guidance there is no reason why you should stop doing anything, it’s perfectly safe for both yourself and the baby as long as you listen to your body and advice given.” – Rhian Pearson