Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Marina Lefeldt.
Kirsten Marina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I can’t remember a time in my life, where I was not engaged in some form of outdoor activity.
I grew up in a small town in Northern Germany. The area is surrounded by a number of lakes and both, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea are close by. Naturally, I spent a lot of time outside.
After graduating from college with a degree in Civil Engineering, my thirst for adventure and new experiences led me to the United States. Initially, I came here to do a year-long internship in construction. It has now been 14 years and I call Chicago, my home.
I am a very curious person, I thrive on new experiences and always want to learn more. Over the years, my passion for movement and fitness led me to depart from my education in Civil Engineering. I found myself reading every book, about exercise science I could get my hands on. I attended conferences, obtained multiple personal Training Certifications and today, I am lucky to have the opportunity to apply this knowledge with my clients.
Outdoor activities are still what I enjoy the most. I believe we become better humans when we are outside in nature. I am happiest with wind and rain in my face, breathing fresh air.
I stumbled upon Stand-up Paddle Boarding (SUP) in 2014. It was just another thing to try out initially. After five times on a board, I was talked into trying my first race. It was a small event at Montrose Beach. I ended up wining my race, thinking to myself, “Wait, maybe this is something I can get really good at?”.
Destiny was on my side when I found Lincoln Park Boat Club in 2015. I call it Chicago’s Urban Oasis and best kept secret. With access to the Lincoln Park Lagoon, we have ideal training conditions, even when the lake gets too rough. Since discovering the club, I have spent a lot of time here, training and competing in the little known competitive sport of SUP. I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from the pros through numerous clinics and races. I am currently ranked #3 in the Midwest Female Elite SUP division. Last year, was a big year for me and I had the opportunity to compete in the Pacific Paddle Games in California and Surf to Sound in North Carolina.
Racing and trophies, however, are secondary for me. What brings so much joy with this sport is the community around it. When we get out for a sunrise or full moon paddle at Lincoln Park Boat Club with a group of people, it is such a feeling of connection, both with nature and with others, that is hard to put into words.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
If you meet me today, always outgoing, networking and always full of new ideas, you would probably find it hard to believe that I once used to be very shy and introverted. I was bullied throughout my high-school years. The kid that gets selected last on the team? Yep, that was me.
I was told, I can’t run and that my legs are crooked. It took a big toll on my self-confidence and sometimes, I think I am still rebuilding it. My escape after school was spending time outside, horseback riding. I believe, this is also the reason I feel most balanced outdoors.
But, I believe I wouldn’t be the same person if things had not been difficult in this regard. I developed a “I’m going to show you” kind of attitude. I got stronger. A lot stronger. My strength is something I can always fall back onto when life throws rocks into my way or when someone acts negatively towards me.
My goal as a Personal Trainer and SUP Coach is to empower others to become more self-confident through exercise. I want to show you that you are stronger than you think, that no matter what anyone thinks about you, even if that someone is yourself, you have strength inside you. A strength that, when it gets unleashed the most amazing things are possible. Move, take care of your body, get outside into nature and watch what else will open up in your life. You don’t have to go alone, there are communities that will welcome you with open arms and support you along the way.
what should we know about I provide my services at multiple locations: Personal Trainer at Brooklyn Boulders Chicago, Stand-up Paddle Boarding Coach at Lincoln Park Boatclub, and Personal Trainer at Morning Bird Studio? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Lincoln Park Boat Club, I offer individual and group Stand-up Paddle Boarding lessons. I can take you from never on a board before or even new to fitness in general, to competing in your first race. I combine functional fitness with training on the water. This means, we will go through exercises on land and I will explain how the movements relate to your paddle stroke. Aside from the technical aspects of paddle boarding, building a community where everyone feels welcome is my main focus. We frequently get out for Sunrise Social paddles. There is nothing like being out on the lake before the city wakes up. There are not many places in this big city where you can find this sense of peace and quiet.
At Brooklyn Boulders in the West Loop, I offer Individual Personal Training sessions. What many people don’t know is that we are a full fitness facility and not just a climbing gym. Community, once again, is what we emphasize. This is why it is the perfect place for me to offer my services. I will help you to find clarity about your health and fitness related goals and develop a program that will get you there. All in a very fun environment with lots of events and classes to try out. I call it my giant playground and if you visit, you will know why!
At Morning Bird Studio in Roscoe Village, I offer Small Group Training and Individual Personal Training sessions. Morning Bird Studio is a small, unintimidating space. Some clients prefer this over a bigger facility. The focus here is on functional fitness, moving the body as a whole instead of isolating muscle groups. The studio is beautifully decorated. The owner, Newt Cole, maintains the space meticulously. Definitely a hidden gem you should check out.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I strongly believe that the biggest barriers are in our own heads. I am very much used to being the only female in the room through my work in construction. In the end, we are all humans no matter what gender. Develop your skills as a communicator and doors will open up for you.
Is there gender inequality? Sure, I don’t deny that. But, I use it as a motivator rather than something that can stop me.
In the fitness industry, at first, I was worried if I could actually convince the strong male athlete type that I have something to offer, being naturally not as strong as a female. The size of your muscles though isn’t everything. I am good at identifying muscular imbalances and posture alignment issues that when corrected can elevate your fitness to new levels. Clients are always thankful when I point out things that they weren’t aware of. That and I have a couple of “Beast Breakers”, exercises that require a high level of coordination and balance that can be really hard to do trying them the first time even for those stronger types. Throw a couple of those at them and they will take you seriously! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lpboatclub.org , https://brooklynboulders.com/chicago/, http://morningbirdchicago.com
- Phone: 312-933-5461
- Email: kirsten.lefeldt@gmail.com
- Instagram: KirstenMarina7
Image Credit:
Mark Sumner, Doug Vojtko
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