Kirsten Blend’s reason for being active is the sense of accomplishment after each training session and the “endorphin rush”. It’s the feeling of purpose that comes with setting her alarm for 5am to get up and run, swim, or ride her bike. She loves the sense freedom that comes with being outdoors.
Having started with swimming at the age of 4, she swam competitively throughout school and it is the memory of her mom attending her first Interschool Championship Night Gala that really stands out. While she had won 2 silvers and 2 gold medals at one of the biggest swimming events in the A league, having her mom be there with her, means the most.
Now, age the age of 30, exercise specialist in strength and conditioning and multisport endurance coach, uses to her own sporting experiences in her work on a day-to-day basis, to improve her client’s goals.
“Looking a bit bigger, sport is incredible how it brings people together and creates tight knit friendships and communities of like-minded individuals sharing a common interest or goal. Sport creates healthy competitiveness that drives athletes to get stronger, go faster and then to break ultimate human barriers that were never thought to be possible.”
Her biggest challenge has been dealing with cycling induced Iliac Artery Endofibrosis. It has taught her patience, gratitude, mental health, and trusting the process. It has been 3 years, and she is still not sure where or what the end point will be but leans on the fact there is a reason for having to experience it.
“My dad is the reason I am who I am today. He was there for it all and taught me very valuable lessons about sportsmanship from a very young age that I still repeat to myself today.”
Follow
@kirst_jay_blend
