McKenzie Flinchum
Tell us a little about yourself
I am a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer. I trained gymnastics for 15 years and am also a 3rd degree black belt in Karate. I have been training Crossfit for a little over 2 years, and am getting ready for my second Crossfit Regionals!
Where do you train?
Vero Beach Strength and Conditioning
What made you start Crossfit?
A friend recommended I try it out a couple years ago, so I did!
What do you enjoy the most about your sport?
There is always something new to learn or a new challenge. There is always room for improvement and growth, and I love the competition.
Do you have a favourite WOD and why?
I do not have a favorite WOD, although some of my favorite movements are handstands, anything on the bars/rings, and hang power cleans!
What’s your least favourite movement/what needs the most extra work?
I would say that long intervals on machines are my least favorite, but I have practiced a lot and come a long way!
What's your number 1 goal?
I want to qualify and compete at the Crossfit Games.
What’s your most memorable Crossfit memory/achievement?
I was super proud that I qualified for my first Crossfit Regionals after training Crossfit consistently for not even a full year. I was very motivated by that experience, and I am excited to be back again this year with another year’s worth of training under my belt!
How do you prepare yourself before a competition?
I train hard year round and especially hard the weeks leading up up to the event, making sure that I am well rounded and prepared as best as possible. I also work a lot on my mental focus and having a positive mindset. I really focus on enjoying the journey and being grateful for the opportunity.
How much do you focus on your diet, and what does this consist of?
Being a Dietitian, I have a good knowledge of food composition. I do aim for a specific calorie/macro range to enable me to feel my best and perform my best, but I focus mainly on food quality. I fill my diet with whole foods, such as whole grains and vegetables, and I eat a lot of plant based foods. I do not set restrictions for myself, and I do eat out or enjoy a treat occasionally.
Do you have any food weaknesses?
I love sweets, but I limit my intake of added sugar because I do not feel my best when I eat a lot of it. Like I said, I do not set restrictions for myself, but I put a lot of focus on food quality.
What advice would you give to any newbies starting out in your sport?
Consistency! Progress does not happen overnight. Some movements in Crossfit can take a lot of time to master, such as olympic lifts and gymnastics movements. Be patient, stay positive, practice, and stay consistent.
What’s something fun, or funny, about you that people don’t know?
I come across very shy and quiet at first, but I love sarcasm and like to joke around a lot of the time.
Where/How did you hear about King Kong Apparel?
They reached out to me before my first Crossfit Regionals last year, and I met the owners at their booth at the competition, and have stayed in touch since!
What made you want to be a King Kong Ambassador?
I love the products and the team!
What do you love most about King Kong Apparel?
The customer service is excellent, and the quality of the bags is exceptional.
What’s the first word that comes to mind when I say King Kong Bags?
Quality!