#59 - Kari Pearce: Power Abs & PHIIT

In the 59th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest 6 Times CrossFit Games Athlete, creator of PowerAbs and PHIIT, Kari Pearce will talk about Kari’s origin story of going into gymnastics, getting into the University of Michigan, becoming Big 10 champion, competing in CrossFit and finishing 3rd in her last event, and more.

Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! 

In this chapter you will discover: 

(1:00) Introducing our special guest, 6 times CrossFit games Athlete Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit

(1:45) The defining moment in Kari’s life

(2:50) Kari’s origin story

(3:05) Doing gymnastics for 18 years

(3:10) About Kari’s parents

(4:40) Going to University

(5:45) Degree in Movement Science

(5:55) Getting into Strength and Conditioning

(6:10) First internship at the gym

(6:50) Gymnastics experience at the University of Michigan

(8:55) Importance of strength for gymnastics

(9:10) “Gymnastics is a sport of perfection.” - Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit

(9:55) Athletic endeavors before CrossFit

(10:15) Multiple injuries

(10:50) Physique competition

(13:00) Boring outfit

(13:50) Moving to Newyork city

(14:15) Working out for fun

(14:20) Powerlifting competition

(15:10) Getting approached by a CrossFit coach

(15:45) Why didn't Kari want to do gymnastics again?

(16:15) Getting an email

(16:45) Starting CrossFit

(17:10) Kari’s thoughts about Powerlifting

(18:10) Kari’s initial CrossFit goals

(19:30) Perfect background for CrossFit

(20:35) Qualifying for the Regionals

(23:35) Winning multiple workouts

(23:55) The final workout

(24:10) 3rd at the Regionals

(24:45) Evolution of Kari’s training

(25:00) Going to CrossFit games

(27:40) The mindset component

(28:20) The Chaos workout

(29:30) “Understanding and knowing your rate of perceived exertion and your cadence must be just as important as just building the strength up.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection

(30:10) “A lot of the factors between winning and losing might just not be the brute strength or just the endurance.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection

(30:20) “You have to know how fast you can go, but be able to sustain it” - Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit

(31:35) Benefits of having a coach

(33:40) Visualization

(34:50) Scouting the defense

(35:25) Losing the competitive drive

( Getting on the Podium

(36:30) Kari’s last memory

(38:15) About Kari’s different programs

(38:40) About PHIIT

(40:20) Retirement

(40:30) Focusing on business

(41:40) Benefits of PHIIT

(44:30) Just 10 minutes!

(45:40) Where to follow PHIIT?

(47:15) Where to find Kari Pearce? @karipearcecrossfit

www.powerabs.shop