Name: Krystal Cantu
Age: 25
Location: San Antonio, Texas
What does being a Girl Gone Strong mean to you?
Girl gone strong, to me, is a woman who finally realized that she was wonder woman all along. A woman who looked past what she read in magazines or saw on TV. A woman who took a look on the inside and found inner strength.
What does a sample workout look like for you?
My day-to-day workouts consist of a 10-15 minute warm up, a strength cycle that lasts about 20-25 min and a WOD that varies from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. Everything is programmed by my coaches, Ryan and Aaron Bielefeldt.
Favorite lift:
Squat Clean
Most memorable PR:
Most memorable PR was recently when I hit a 115-pound squat clean. I was in tears when I finally got it. I had been working on it on and off for 2-3 weeks. The feeling was unbelievable.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist:
Surprisingly, I have no playlist. I typically put my phone on 8tracks, which is an app where you choose a genre of music, and it goes from there. I mainly listen to EDM.
Top 3 things you must have with you at the gym/in your gym bag:
Rogue wrist wrap, rock tape knee sleeves, Reebok oly shoes.
Do you prefer to train alone or with a training partner? Why?
I’d much rather train with a group of athletes. It pushes me a lot more than if I trained solo. The more people I see, the more I get motivated to want to beat their times.
Most embarrassing moment in the gym:
I’ve fallen many times and tripped over myself, but none that I’m embarrassed of. I’m a pretty clumsy person and everyone is well aware of that. So I laugh it off and continue on.
Favorite meal:
Healthy or cheat meal? If we’re talking cheat meals, it is definitely pizza! Pepperoni and cheese.
Favorite way to treat yourself:
Typically I shoot for yogurt or ice cream to treat myself.
Favorite quote:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Favorite book:
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows. Yep, I’m that girl. Love fantasy books. My mind has a field day with these books.
What inspires and motivates you?
I look up to a lot of people. My parents, my boyfriend Daniel, crossfit games athletes, my coaches, the list goes on and on.
I admire people’s strength, not physically but mentally. The physical aspect of it is a plus. I’ve heard so many people say how they are inspired by what I do and how it’s helped them change their lives. I continue to better myself as an athlete for everyone in my life and more importantly, myself. I want to help people understand that it all starts on the inside.
If you can get your mindset right, you can move mountains. I’ve surpassed what many think is impossible to do with one arm. It’s not my physical strength, it’s my mental strength that got me where I am today.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Typical day starts at 6am. I get up, pack my meals for the day and get ready for work. I work from 7am-4pm, 5 days out of the week.
At 6:30pm I head to Ballistic Crossfit for training. I’m there till around 7:30pm or 8pm. I have dinner as soon as I get home, shower and get ready for bed. Bed time for me is usually around 11pm.
What is the coolest “side effect” you’ve noticed from lifting heavy?
Confidence. Probably the best side effect you’ll receive from Crossfit.
Every time you hit a PR, the confidence boost follows right along. You start realizing how amazing the human body is and how strong you really are regardless of what you thought the first day you stepped into a crossfit box.
Next training goal:
Next goal is definitely a 120-pound squat clean. I’d love my dead lift (now 215 pounds) to go up 20-30 pounds as well.
Three words that best describe you:
Competitive, Achiever, Stubborn. They all work hand in hand!
How has lifting weights changed your life?
It’s not just lifting weights that have changed my life. Crossfit is more than that. Crossfit is about community and mental strength. It’s something that I will never look back on and something I plan to do as long as I live.
What do you want to say to other women who might be nervous to start strength training?
Go into Crossfit with a positive mindset. Forget what you’ve read or heard. Leave it all at the door and know that you’ll leave a stronger and better person every day. Do your research and don’t just join any box. Look into and understand the programming and see that it fits your goals. Know your limitations and master your form before you decide to do a heavy lift. Crossfit is dangerous because YOU make it dangerous. You want to do a WOD RX on your first day or week. You want to lift the weight that the advanced athletes are lifting. You let your pride take over. Be aware that this sport is an amazing thing and you need to play it smart.
If you're inspired by Krystal, read on to learn more about—and join!—our community of strong, inspiring women...
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