Sometimes you stumble across people who have amazing stories.
Kristen White is one of these people, losing a mountain of weight to now be part of a charity vehicle pulling team, 50′ Closer to a Cure.
Phil Burgess: How did you get involved in weights in the first place, and in particular strongwomen?
Kristen White: I was hospitalised for 2 weeks with blood clots in my lungs and legs, and was extremely overweight at about 317lbs (144kg).
Something had to be done to change my life, when the doctors told me I could have died. When I got out of hospital I contacted a friend of mine that is a trainer.
I started working out with Kettle Bells, joining a kettlebell gym, where i was introduced to Strongman.
About 5 months after starting at the gym, a friend of mine Kim Berg, asked if i wanted to compete with her in New Hampshire’s Strongest Show. I saw that I could pull a fire truck and said why not, it looks like fun.
After that first show i was hooked, the people were so helpful, and so nice and encouraging.
Phil Burgess: People often think that women cant be be physically strong and feminine? What would you say to that?
Kristen White: Women can be strong and feminine 🙂 I try to keep it “girly” hair and make-up done before each show, and a trademark of my mine is that my nails are always manicured 🙂 . I am feminine in between events but as soon as i hit an implement, it is like a switch gets flipped, and i put my game face on…
Phil Burgess: What are your best competition results, and which ones mean the most to you?
Kristen White: I have achieved good competition results across several shows, however one stand out was this past March at the Capitol Classic in Virginia, where I had to do a Husafell Carry of 140 pounds for distance and carried it 774 feet (258 metres). I took first in the event which I had never competed in before.
Also at the AVY5 Max Show in Philadelphia, I was able to press a 130lb (60kg) log, 305lb (139kg) Raw Deadlift and a 195lb (89kg) Farmers Walk.
Phil Burgess: You do a lot of Charity pulls, what do you love the most about doing this?
Kristen White: I love the fact that it is about being able to give back. to give back to the community and to give the people who come out to see us a show.
I am very thankful and blessed to be part of 50′ Closer to a Cure.
Each event which is put on is for a different cause and by the end of October we as a team will have raised over $10,000, since the organisation was founded in June this year, by Justin Sulham.
Phil Burgess: What Strongwoman do you admire the most? And why?
Kristen White: I wouldn’t necessarily say it is a famous strongwoman, the person i admire the most in the sport is Mary Jacobson. She is an amazing woman and her drive and determination, and her story is very inspiring to me.
She is a cancer survivor, and at the age of 56 is still competing. She is the person at the shows who is always cheering for everybody else, to inspire them to do their best.
Also Allison McWeeny, her drive and determination even after a bad accident is amazing.
Phil Burgess: What are your goals in the sport?
Kristen White: My main goal in this sport is to show people that women can do what men can do, that we can compete in a male dominated sport.
I would also love to be a part of the 2014 Arnold Classic event.
Phil Burgess: What gets you up every day?
Kristen White: The thing that gets me up every day is being thankful for everything I have and have accomplished. I try to stay positive when times get tough, and aim to be a positive role model for my 4 year old niece.
Phil Burgess: What is the biggest thing that you have pulled? And what tips do you have for other strength athletes who are looking to pull something BIG for the first time?
Kristen White: As a solo pull, I have pulled everything including a 12,000lb Monster Truck, 42,000lb Fire Truck, 28000lb Dump Truck.
As a team I recently pulled a 164,000lb Plane.
My advice for first time pullers , is to get low and trust your harness. Use your hip drive, and don’t stop until you reach the end. Push through the burning pain in your legs…it does eventually go away 🙂
Phil Burgess: What is your favourite event, and least favourite?
Kristen White: My favourite events are the carry and pulling events. My least favourite are the Conan’s Wheel and Yoke Carry.
Phil Burgess: Finally how often do you train, and what sort of diet do you follow.
Kristen White: I train heavy events once a week for about 3 to 5 hours.
I train 3 or 4 times during the week for about 60 to 90 mins a time.
During the week my training is focused around building my core strength, and other weak areas. My trainers at Way Hip in Cranston, Rhode Island have taken the time to explain why I am doing what I am doing, and the results have been amazing.
I went from a 285lb Deadlift in March to a 400lb Deadlift in June.
As far as my diet goes I eat a very high protein, low carb diet. trying to keep my food intake as clean as possible.
