Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Sue Ward.
Kayla, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Honestly, I started out like a lot of other people, just wanting to be healthier, so I decided to give running a try. The good Lord knows, I wasn’t very coordinated when growing up. LOL! In High School I tried out for every sport that interested me but I just never made the teams, and while this led to disappointment and envy, overtime I learned to accept it and move on. So there I was, in my mid-twenties looking to get healthier, so I started small. I began with 5k and 8k runs and slowly graduated to half and then a full marathon. I found that I truly enjoyed running, but it wasn’t until my husband and I moved to Hawaii that I got really serious. After moving to the island, I quickly got sucked into all of the activities. My interest in triathlons started after I volunteered in the transition tent at the 2014 Ironman World Championships. It was INCREDIBLE and it was like the Superbowl of triathlons. I was in awe of all of these athletes and I got to see first-hand the dedication and perseverance that those athletes embodied, and from then on I was hooked. The very next day, I signed up for my first full Ironman, and I didn’t even know how to swim. For a full year, I trained as hard as I could. I took swimming lessons, joined groups for long-distance bike rides, and pushed my body harder than ever before. I completed my first full Ironman in 2015 in Louisville, KY and then my second in 2016 in Coeur d’Alene. There is no other way to describe my experience except to say it was grueling and there were times I second-guessed my ability to finish, but it truly was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Since I have started running, I have completed 2 Ironman’s, 10 Marathons, over 20 half marathons, and countless other races.
In 2017, I suffered a personal loss that made me take a look at my life and made me decide to go for my dream. In the fall of 2017, my father was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and within six months of his diagnosis he passed away at the age of 54. This made me realize that life is too short not to pursue your passions and dreams. He never got to those dreams he wanted to accomplish after serving his country for 20 years. So, I found ACE, a mentor, ordered books, signed up for the CrossFit Level 1, studying so much I cried and there were too many times to count when I thought about giving up. I just kept reminding myself that my father didn’t get his chance for all the things he wanted to accomplish, and that made me push through. After I got my qualifications, I quit my job as a front office manager and started “Kayla Ward Fitness” for beginner athletes new to endurance and personal training in the comfort of your own home. I also work as a fitness trainer at SEMPER Fit Fitness center on Miramar Base and Burn Boot Camp Poway!
My motto is Dream, Dedicate, and Do.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it DEFINETLY has not. I didn’t realize how much fitness was a man’s world. Women have to work so much harder for respect and acceptance. Men just get it. This is not me being a feminist, or complaining, this is the Gods honest truth. If I ambeing relentless or strict, I get classified as a ….well, a term you probably can’t use in this interview, lol! I once had a grown man call me a name because I kept coaching him to use his legs during a lift. Under his breath, he told another lady, “Kayla’s being a real b***tch today”. I wish I had the courage to ask him (he had a brand new baby girl) “What if someone called your daughter that while she was coaching? How would that make you feel?”
My advice is to keep being relentless and don’t back down. Be humble but know your worth. More importantly, don’t take things personally. This is still a hard one for me but I’m getting better at it one day at a time.
I failed in numerous ways getting to where I am… a test, trying different coaching styles, people, figuring out schedules, etc. but it’s okay to fail and its normal!I would’ve never learned from those failures to make me the person I am today. So, don’t be afraid to fail. Embrace it and then learn from it.
Who do you look up to or admire?
Who do I look up to? Personally, my sister Brandee. Growing up we fought like crazy. It wasn’t until we lost our father that our connection and relationship became the strongest it’s ever been. She is a mom of two boys, works a full-time job and married to a government contractor who travels a lot. She works her booty off to make sure those boys have everything and anything they need. She shuffles the boys to and from practice (sometimes 30 miles apart) with a smile because she knows her boys love it. I was with her when she gave birth to both boys and witnessing that is still the most amazing thing I’ve seen. She is an incredible mother and I pray I get to be like her when I am blessed with children one day.
Professionally, I admire the women of my gym. They come in every day wanting to be better than the day before. They work incredibly hard and don’t complain (unless I’m making them run, lol). I love how committed they are and it makes me want to do better and become an even better coach/trainer.
Contact Info:
- Website: KaylaWardfitness.com
- Phone: 808-343-6762
- Email: kaylaWardFitness@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kaylasue228
- Facebook: @kaylawardfitness
Image Credit:
Cheryl Polk
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