Catching Babies, Catching Gains: Kiersten Smith

July 1, 2026

JULY ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

When she’s not catching babies, she's catching gains… Kiersten Smith is our July Athlete of the Month! Kiersten joined Blackbird CrossFit after years of traditional gym workouts, looking for something more challenging and engaging after the birth of her daughter, the adorable and sparkly Murphy. But what started as a goal to lose weight quickly evolved into a passion for getting stronger and pushing her limits. Since then, Kiersten has celebrated major milestones, including a 265-pound deadlift, her first pull-ups and rope climb, and welcoming everyone’s favorite cuddle-bug, Zane into the mix. Kiersten’s consistency throughout her second pregnancy and post-partum period, including the smart ways she scaled to meet herself where she was at, makes her an amazing example of what dedication and trusting the process looks like. 


What keeps Kiersten coming back is the Blackbird community. She values the encouragement from coaches and fellow athletes, as well as the confidence CrossFit has given her both inside and outside the gym. It wasn’t long before she shared her love for Blackbird with her husband Michael, now a regular and fitness enthusiast in his own right. As a mom to Murphy and Zane, Kiersten takes pride in showing her children that women can be strong and accomplish anything they set their minds to. No matter the workout, no matter if it's after a 12 hour night shift, or with kids in tow, Kiersten shows up, works hard, radiates kindness, and inspires those around her. We love being in Kiersten’s orbit!


Read About Kiersten!


Tell us about yourself

My name is Kiersten Smith, and I’m 32 years old. I am a local certified nurse midwife (CNM), and I’m married to Michael with two kids, Murphy and Zane, and a fur baby, Potter (yes after Harry Potter). 


What made you start CrossFit? What has kept you doing it? Has your motivation changed from when you first started?

I frequented the gym for several years starting around nursing school, but after I had Murphy, I was looking for something more than a regular gym and the random weightlifting regimens I’d put together. I eventually found the courage to go to a class at Blackbird, immediately got hooked, and was trying to figure out the next time I could go. When I first started, my motivation was to lose weight, but then it eventually shifted to just getting stronger. 


What have you learned about movement, fitness, and yourself since joining Blackbird?

I’ve learned that fitness truly is for everyone, especially CrossFit. I initially was so intimidated, but now stepping foot into Blackbird, every movement is scalable and it’s not as intimidating as it seems. 


What is your proudest moment in the gym?

Either my 265lb deadlift, first pull up, or my first rope climb. 


What is your favorite CrossFit movement, lift, or WOD? Is there something you dread seeing on Wodify?

Anything with a barbell is my favorite thing to see on Wodify, specifically back squats and deadlifts. Bike, pull ups, or rope climbs I dread seeing on Wodify. 


What do you enjoy most about Blackbird or CrossFit in general?

The community. People that don’t do CrossFit laugh at me whenever I tell them my answer, but the CrossFit community, especially at Blackbird, is unmatched. 


What impact has CrossFit had on you inside and outside of the gym?

CrossFit has definitely helped me with confidence and being able to show Murphy and Zane that women can also be strong and do anything they put their mind to. 


What are your CrossFit or fitness goals? How close are you to reaching them?

Eventually figure out kipping pull ups and string some toe to bar. Getting close! Just have to find some sort of rhythm.


When you are not in the gym what is your favorite thing to do?

My little old lady activities, reading a good book (likely on Kindle) or hand embroider, or catching babies. 


What is one fun thing about you that we may not know yet?

When I get tired or really concentrate, I hum. No real tune, just one monotone hum. I’ve done it all of my life, and I can’t tell you why. 

What is the one tip you would give someone considering CrossFit or new to CrossFit?

There’s a scale for every movement, and CrossFit truly isn’t as intimidating as it seems.


What was your experience like working with a Blackbird Nutrition Coach?

I had such a good experience working with Jackie! I participated in a group nutrition session and felt supported and held accountable without feeling punitive. 


What is your favorite workout fuel? What’s your favorite indulgence?

Love some good Bucked up preworkout and a barebell protein bar for workout fuel. 


Dairy free strawberry cheesecake Ben and Jerry’s is my favorite indulgence, that is if Michael doesn’t eat it before I get to it. 


Let's celebrate some of your wins! Tell us about any results, milestones, or moments that made you proud!

Getting my first (couple) pull ups together is a big win of mine! The toe spot pull ups definitely helped build that necessary strength that the bands didn’t. As well as maintaining my fitness through my pregnancy with Zane and immediately postpartum. 


Anything else you want to add?

Blackbird CrossFit has changed my life. The coaches are the best with knowing where I’m at and challenging me or critiquing me when necessary. (Shoutout to Mark catching me whenever I try to go too light 🙈🤣). Everyone comes to move and get better with each lift and Metcon. It also helps that Murphy and Zane love coming to all the community events Blackbird hosts, and we look forward to even more!


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Our May Athlete of the Month is none other than John Leach! John has been a fixture at Blackbird for the last decade - proving that longevity and intensity can be achieved with the right formula of consistency, nutrition, and body awareness. As many of us were, John was introduced to CrossFit by a coworker, and the rest is history. Most recently, John’s drive and dedication has landed him in the 2026 CrossFit Games Semi-Finals after finishing in the top 200 competitors worldwide in his division during Quarterfinals. When John started CrossFit in 2016, he was looking for a way to engage his daughters in a healthy lifestyle and quickly developed into a passion for functional movement, a love for the intensity, and the joy of finding his people. Nowadays, John uses his hour in the gym to center himself from life’s stresses, push himself through long workouts, and working out with and competing together outside of Blackbird with his fiancee Michele, another resident Blackbird powerhouse. 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Training for Life: How Jami Karper Found Strength, Balance, and Longevity

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