A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Kill Cliff to interview one of their elite CrossFit athletes at the 2015 Kill Cliff East Coast Championships. Unfortunately, I was out of town and unable to attend the event, but I still had the chance to interview (via email) Valerie Voboril, a CrossFit Games athlete, mom, and kindergarten teacher. Incredible, right? She is such an amazing role model for women and inspires me so much.
At the age of 36, Val is one of the older competitors in the CrossFit field yet she consistently places at the top in every competition, including third place in the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games and fifth in 2012, not long after giving birth to a baby girl (via C-section) the year before. Also interesting: Val works out in her backyard and she started CrossFit all by herself, no coach. Read on for our interview!
You’re a mom, a teacher, and a Games athlete. How do you do it all?
I run a tight ship and have an organized scheduled. I am also lucky enough to have an amazingly supportive husband and family. A basic day involves getting up around 6:45, getting myself ready and my daughter ready. Reading a story, playing a game, or trying to find some way to have some quality time together, then I take her to her grandparents who drop her off at preschool at 8:30. I am in my classroom by 8am and work straight through lunch and recess. I leave work by 4 at the latest, pick up my daughter and head home to train. Sometimes she is great about working out next to me or playing on her own, other times she gets to watch a tv show.
When you’re in training season, what does a typical day look like for you?
A typical workout consists of strength work (squatting heavy for me), followed by some Olympic lifting (snatches or clean and jerks). After that I have a conditioning portion that can be interval training or an AMRAP.
What does a typical day of eating look like for you?
Breakfast is decaf coffee and crustless egg quiche (yam, spinach, egg, and a tiny bit of bacon). Lunch is a bottle of water and a Strawberries and Cream KC Bar from Kill Cliff. After my intense workouts it’s important that I provide my body the right micronutrients, vitamins and minerals to recover and be able to crush it the next day all over again so I drink a Kill Cliff Recovery Drink while I make my new favorite meal for dinner; a Paleo version of Shepherds pie with ground bison and mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes. Speaking of new favorites, I just got to try the new Kill Cliff Recovery drink flavor Berry Legit this past weekend ”” tastes like lemonade mixed with blackberries ”” so tasty!
What is your favorite go-to meal when you’re short on time?
The strawberries and cream KC Bar, because it tastes great, satiates me, and I can read all the ingredients!
What is your favorite type of CrossFit workout?
I prefer workouts that are for time, not those AMRAPs. The sooner I am finished, the sooner I am done.
What is your biggest goat?
Wall balls and OH walking lunges!
What is your favorite motivational quote?
Post Super Bowl commercials, my new favorite motivational quote is to train #likeagirl. Another is … Don’t stop when you are tired, stop when you are done.
What is something most people would be surprised to know about you?
Although I am competitive by nature, I don’t truly enjoy competing.
Question of the Day
What female athlete inspires you?
