…Badass Women: Kristie Iverson…
Name: Kristie Iverson
Age: 36
Instagram Handle: kristieiverson
Occupation: Product Planning, John Deere. (I work for the group that decides what products we will offer in each part of the world and when to take them to market)
How many events have you done? : More than I care to admit, it’s a sickness really
First GORUCK Event: 1st Miami All Woman’s Tough
Events coming up: 50 mi Star Course MN, Mog Mile maybe Operation Redwings in STL
What brought you to your first GORUCK Event? The worst friends 😜 Anger management issues. A chance to prove to myself that I am capable of anything.
Why do you keep coming back? On an elemental level, I like suffering a little bit. Really it’s the people though. You’ll never meet a group of strangers (outside of GORUCK) who would willingly dive into the ocean to save your pants from floating away after knowing them only 24 hrs.
What do you appreciate about being a woman in the GORUCK community? GORUCK teaches you about perseverance over adversity. I like that I get a chance to prove myself over and over. It really gives you confidence for the rest of your daily life.
What is challenging about being a woman in the GORUCK community? Menstrual cycles are a totally heinous part of life that I have the absolute worst luck with when it comes to events. I don’t think Cadre understand what toxic shock syndrome is! I seriously need an actual bathroom; not a bush on the side of the road and 35 seconds to do my business!!!
Favorite training exercise /event gear/rituals…etc that you want to share? I’m the worst at most exercises. Maybe the flutter kicks? I just go to my pain cave and block most of it out. Also when no one is looking I’m conserving energy (aka cheating like a MF)
Advice for other women? Train hard and be prepared, but try events you are scared of! This is supposed to be outside your comfort zone. If every event has been easy for you then you need to step up to the next level. Do that Heavy you think you can’t do, go for those bolts!
Any GRT women that you admire or love to be on a team with?
I love meeting new strong women at every event, but the people I tend to gravitate towards are the ones who, with all their weaknesses, try to lift someone up in their time of need. My experience is that everyone has something to offer during a GORUCK event; something you’re the best at-you might not even know it! But when the time comes, your team will be thankful to have you around. Those are the people I love to be on a team with. Not necessarily the strongest or fastest, but the hidden talents who remind us that we are all human and GORUCK is about team.
Any memorable stories with you and another GRT you want to share? There are so many memories it’s hard to choose but this one is dear to my heart. Puke and rally: of all the GRTs in this world, I’m most thankful to Dr. Dean Aiken’s for his electrolyte drink at Snowdrop last year. Flash thought it would be fun to have us fill a keg one cup at a time from a pond that was 99% raw sewage. We did this in the front leaning rest position with our faces inches from that nasty water. After puking my guts out to the point of dry heaving, Dean saved me from having to drop with his magic homemade electrolyte drink. I was even able to get on the log after a quick spell.