May Featured Athlete- Kayla

Where are you from?

Grew up just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How long have you been in Ithaca?

3 years

What brought you to Ithaca?

College at Cornell

What is your education in?

Computer Science

What do you currently do for work?

I work at Cornell in the Engineering and Advising office and I tutor as well.

What is your favorite part of your job and least favorite?

Favorite: I like being able to mentor other students that are going through similar things that I went through.

Least: It can get boring at times.

Did you play any sports or compete growing up?

I was a level 9 gymnast growing up.

How did you find CrossFit?

Both my parents did it and forced me to do it, I hated it at first, I used to throw tantrums. This was middle school/early high school. Every Sunday morning it was Rock n Roll wake up and we all had to go to the garage gym to workout with my dad.

What brought you to Pallas?

I wanted to keep doing CrossFit while at college and I found Pallas and joined.

What keeps you motivated to keep coming to the gym? 

Knowing that I am challenging myself each day and everyone here is so nice and supportive, it makes you want to come back.

What’s your favorite and least favorite CrossFit movement(s)?

Favorite: Handstand walking

Least: Deadlifts/Goblet Squats

What would your ideal WOD consist of?

Handstand Walking

TTB

Dumbbell Snatches

Above WOD playlist/5 song max?

Labour by Paris Paloma

Mount Everest by Labrinth

You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home by Hannah Montana

Hot to Go by Chappell Roan

Viva La Vida by Coldplay

What’s your go to comfort food?

I love my dads matzo ball soup.

What is your go to outside the gym activity for self care?

Probably baking, I recently made zucchini muffins. I like to try to make healthier versions of not healthy things.

Go to post wod fuel?

Cottage Cheese.

Favorite place you have lived?

Home in Pennsylvania.

Where is the coolest place you’ve visited?

Iceland

What book would you recommend to a stranger?

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

If you could live anywhere and money wasn't an issue, where would you choose?

Hawaii

Item on your bucket list?

I want to run a half marathon!

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people?

I was my high school's mascot, a blue devil and I help out with Cornell’s mascot!

What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to start at Pallas?

When you tell people that you do CrossFit, they always say how cool, impressive and badass you are, so If you come to Pallas you can be cool, impressive and badass too.

Favorite thing about Pallas? 

I really love the people here, I come in and feel supported, motivated and encouraged. I walk out of here feeling proud of myself.