Kari Pearce was the wonder kid at the 2015 CrossFit Games. She qualified through the East Regional, taking third place. In Carson, she competed against some of the best female athletes in the world less than a year after the first time she set foot in a box. She gave an impressive rookie performance, finishing in 21st place with a notable fifth place finish in Murph and a third place finish in Pedal to the Metal 1 — last year’s notorious peg board event.
This year, Pearce is back with a full year of training under her belt. She took fourth place in the East Regional, excelling at Regional Nate but struggling with wall balls. We caught up with Kari to learn a little bit more about what she’s doing to prepare for her sophomore trip to the Games.
FHQ: So last year was your first appearance at the CrossFit Games…after only a few months of training, which is incredible. Tell us a little bit about your life before CrossFit and how you got involved in the sport.
Kari Pearce: Thank you very much. I was a gymnast for 18 years and competed for the University of Michigan. After this, I got involved in weightlifting because I did an internship with the Strength and Conditioning program at U of M. Then I got into bodybuilding and powerlifting. Multiple people told me to start CrossFit and that I would be really good at it. The owner of the box I currently work at contacted me about becoming a CrossFit coach. I knew this was the perfect opportunity for me to give it a try. I started training for CrossFit in November 2014 and love it!!
Kari Pearce: Thank you very much. I was a gymnast for 18 years and competed for the University of Michigan. After this, I got involved in weightlifting because I did an internship with the Strength and Conditioning program at U of M. Then I got into bodybuilding and powerlifting. Multiple people told me to start CrossFit and that I would be really good at it. The owner of the box I currently work at contacted me about becoming a CrossFit coach. I knew this was the perfect opportunity for me to give it a try. I started training for CrossFit in November 2014 and love it!!
FHQ: You managed to take home 21st place last year during your rookie appearance. Now that you’ve got a full year of training under your belt, what are your goals for your sophomore appearance?
Kari Pearce: I took third place at Regionals and 21st at the Games (in 2015). This year my goal for the Games is top 15. I would also like two top 3 finishes in events.
Kari Pearce: I took third place at Regionals and 21st at the Games (in 2015). This year my goal for the Games is top 15. I would also like two top 3 finishes in events.
FHQ: At Regionals, you did extremely well on every event except 3 — was that intentional? If not, what happened?
Kari Pearce: Thank you for that! We knew going in that Event 3 would be a struggle for me. Wall balls are not my strongest movement, especially to the 10 foot target. I received a few more no reps than expected but that happens. Pull-ups are a good movement for me though the fatigue from wall balls made them much tougher than normal. Overall my coach and I were pleased with how the weekend went.
Kari Pearce: Thank you for that! We knew going in that Event 3 would be a struggle for me. Wall balls are not my strongest movement, especially to the 10 foot target. I received a few more no reps than expected but that happens. Pull-ups are a good movement for me though the fatigue from wall balls made them much tougher than normal. Overall my coach and I were pleased with how the weekend went.
FHQ: Your background is in gymnastics — with that, what movements are you hoping to see at the Games?
Kari Pearce: Since my background is gymnastics, I always hope for handstand movements whether it is push ups or walking. Bar muscle ups are also one of my favorite movements. Personally, I prefer strict movements over kipping as well.
Kari Pearce: Since my background is gymnastics, I always hope for handstand movements whether it is push ups or walking. Bar muscle ups are also one of my favorite movements. Personally, I prefer strict movements over kipping as well.
FHQ: On the other hand, are there any movements you really hope not to see at the Games?
Kari Pearce: I am hoping not to see wall balls again. Also, I would consider cleans and front squats two other weaknesses so I would be happy if there wasn’t a max clean.
Kari Pearce: I am hoping not to see wall balls again. Also, I would consider cleans and front squats two other weaknesses so I would be happy if there wasn’t a max clean.
FHQ: What changes are you making in your training and nutrition getting ready for Carson?
Kari Pearce: My training frequency has increased. My coach has also added a lot more odd object movements to my workouts including yoke and sandbag carries, sled pushes, d ball work, pegboard climbing and running.
Kari Pearce: My training frequency has increased. My coach has also added a lot more odd object movements to my workouts including yoke and sandbag carries, sled pushes, d ball work, pegboard climbing and running.
After Regionals, I started working with RPS for my nutrition. They wrote a specific plan for me including days I workout once, twice, active recovery, and complete rest days. It makes nutrition very easy. I am used to following a clean diet so it was an easy change to make. The biggest thing I have noticed since switching is more energy which is always a plus!
FHQ: What were some valuable lessons you took away from your appearance in the Games last year?
Kari Pearce: Lessons that I took away from the Games last year was to stay hydrated, more than you think and not just water but also electrolytes. Also increase my calorie intake because you are doing so much activity that your body is consistently burning calories. I’ve been trying to train outside more in preparation for the Games as well. Our gym is air conditioned which can be nice but workouts are completely different in the sun.
Kari Pearce: Lessons that I took away from the Games last year was to stay hydrated, more than you think and not just water but also electrolytes. Also increase my calorie intake because you are doing so much activity that your body is consistently burning calories. I’ve been trying to train outside more in preparation for the Games as well. Our gym is air conditioned which can be nice but workouts are completely different in the sun.
FHQ: Are you close friends with a lot of the female CrossFit athletes or more of a fan? What’s it like competing alongside them?
Kari Pearce: I have gotten closer with the other CrossFit athletes because I have seen some of them at different events since the Games last year. Its fun competing alongside them because you know how hard they work to get there so you have mutual respect for fellow competitors. It was definitely cool competing against them last year since the year before I was watching it on TV.
Kari Pearce: I have gotten closer with the other CrossFit athletes because I have seen some of them at different events since the Games last year. Its fun competing alongside them because you know how hard they work to get there so you have mutual respect for fellow competitors. It was definitely cool competing against them last year since the year before I was watching it on TV.
FHQ: What are your plans for after CrossFit? You’re only 26, so you definitely have a lot of competition time left under your belt, but is it something you want to do forever?
Kari Pearce: I definitely want to stay involved in CrossFit whether it is competing or coaching. My plan as of now is to compete as long as my body holds up. If there is ever a point in time where it isn’t fun anymore, I will also consider retiring. There is always the option to go team as well which would be fun. My teammates finished 16th in the Open so they were one spot away from going to Regionals. I bet they will be there next year though.
Kari Pearce: I definitely want to stay involved in CrossFit whether it is competing or coaching. My plan as of now is to compete as long as my body holds up. If there is ever a point in time where it isn’t fun anymore, I will also consider retiring. There is always the option to go team as well which would be fun. My teammates finished 16th in the Open so they were one spot away from going to Regionals. I bet they will be there next year though.