Real sporty women: Kristy Petrillo

Name: Kristy Petrillo

Age: 34

Involved in: Triathlon, Trapeze, Swimming, Biking, Running, Surfing, Snowboarding, Wakeboarding, Water skiing

A life of competitive discovery

I’ve always been involved with athletics in some way. When you grow up playing a sport, it’s more about being with your friends, and it's almost an expected childhood right of passage. I think most kids play soccer, go to dance or gymnastics class, play basketball, etc…because it’s just part of being a kid. However, somewhere in your late teens to mid twenties, priorities change, and for most people, sports fall by the wayside. I think it’s during this time period that you make a decision about what direction you want your life to go.

I was in my late twenties when I took up the sport of triathlon. I hadn’t ridden a bike since high school and certainly couldn’t swim more than a lap or two without stopping. I signed up for my first race to keep me motivated and to give me a purpose to work out. I treated that first race like a long workout and didn’t really “race” it per say, but rather blundered along. Within a year though, I was hooked and the competitor in me took over. After every race I found myself looking at my times and knowing that I had a little left in the tank that would have placed me higher in the rankings. It’s that competitiveness that keeps me racing every year.

About a year ago I also discovered another passion: my love for the flying trapeze! I had traveled to California to compete in a triathlon. While I was out walking on the pier one night I stumbled across a trapeze rig offering lessons. Thoughts of my childhood jungle gym and monkey bars filled my head. I gave it a shot and was hooked! Trapeze is an amazing core, back and arm workout, and the beauty of it is that anyone can do it. There’s such an adrenaline rush when you step off the platform 50 feet in the air and an even bigger rush when you fly to the catcher to complete a catch. Now, wherever I travel, I always look to see if there’s a trapeze around. You don’t have to be a kid to have fun and swing from bars!

Staying motivated and challenged

GirlsGoneSporty (GGS): What is your motivation for staying active?

Kristy Petrillo (KP): Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t say to keep a fit physique. But, along with a trim shape comes a healthy lifestyle that transfers into a positive attitude towards work, a clear head, energy, the ability to sleep soundly at night and a great outlook on life.

GGS: What sports or fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?

KP: Being named one of FILA’s “Real Women in Fitness” and modeling for a national ad campaign. Fila uses real women as models for their Body Toning System line of clothing. I was flown to NY for a photo shoot and got to meet four other athletic girls from across the country that I’ve since become great friends with. The ads ran in OK magazine and other national publications.

GGS: How do you keep challenging yourself to improve?

KP: With triathlon you’re always in competition with yourself and you can always be better. I keep track of my times and I'm always trying to improve them. With trapeze there are an endless number of tricks to learn. I’ve only just begun to touch on a few.

Tools of the trade

GGS: What’s your favorite healthy food or dish?

KP: Chipotle Chicken Dip made with low-fat cream cheese.

GGS: What's on your workout playlist?

KP: Black Eyed Peas, Pink, and to mix it up I’ve recently started running to Pandora’s Dance Club station. This way I don’t know what’s going to be played next.

GGS: What’s in your gym bag?

KP: Peanut Butter GU, Rae Cosmetics Mineral Tint, Body Glide, my SOAS Racing shorts, an elastic headband with rubber backing, headphones and all the shampoos and conditioners I take from the hotels I travel to for races.

Live the sporty life

GGS: What does the phrase “live the sporty life” mean to you?

KP: It means to live a healthy lifestyle, to keep moving and above all, keep it fun! I like to describe myself as a “Girly Jock” - I love to get down and dirty, but also love to clean up and put on a pair of stiletto’s!