Daily Inspiration: Meet Lauren Gravatt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Gravatt.

Hi Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Soccer, softball, volleyball, cheerleading, running or lifeguarding, my youth was sports driven. I enjoyed the feeling of the physical demand, how I could escape my mind and drop into my body. After college, I trained for triathlons while working part-time as a seasonal firefighter. And while I had an active lifestyle and career, long term it wasn’t quite a match.

During this time, my older brother had started a Crossfit gym and was clearly in the best shape of his life. With some hesitancy (because you can’t just do whatever your older brother wants!) I dropped into a class. It was love at first, WOD. Not only did I find the physical challenges to be beyond compare to any sport I had attempted but it helped foster more confidence. I quickly passed my certifications and began coaching.

Teaching clients new skills, guiding them through tough workouts, helping them escape their mundane days with some good music and sweat really satisfies my soul. Alongside of coaching, I dialed in my own skills to compete multiple times at the highest level, The Crossfit Games. In 2021 I won 2nd place in my age division! Now I work privately with clients specifically on their needs and desires. My clients range from hopeful high-level competitors to older folks who want to remain feeling capable in their body to those who want a six-pack and nice triceps.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
With any physically demanding career, injuries and exhaustion will occur. Training to compete in between running high-energy classes proved challenging. Often I would find myself struggling to eat enough to fuel and catch up on sleep to keep up. Over the years, I transitioned away from classes into private lessons where I could focus my energies and still have the same rewarding feeling.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love my career! Training clients to reach their fitness goals and guiding them through their health and wellness journey. The most rewarding feeling is seeing someone smile proudly after setting a new personal record or receiving a text from a client sharing a story about how in a moment, they felt so strong from our training. Most importantly, I know I help build confidence in others, just as I found Crossfit did for me. My coaching was backed by my own training experiences. Leading by example, I dedicated ten years refining my skills and building capacity to compete amongst an international elite group of individuals. I tried many different types of training programs and worked alongside awesome training partners. In 2021 I aged up into the master’s division and took 2nd place at the Games. Above all the local wins, athletes I competed with or against, personal records I had set, this was my finest moment of achievement.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Trust yourself, listen to your body, get more sleep. But those are obvious, yeah? I think the best piece of advice I would give my younger self is to flow with what flows and let go of what goes. If the timing feels right and you aren’t killing yourself to be the best then ride those highs. Sometimes stars don’t align and hanging back to recalibrate is best. Anyone starting out coaching others, lead by example and follow your own advice. Learn each person for who they are and create a plan around them. Be flexible and empathetic.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgthunder/