The Real Life Ken Doll

July 12, 2014

Jillian Tymchy

"My style really stems from elementary school where I started the comb over, wave style

Standing at 5-foot-8, weighing 180 lb., sporting brown hair, brown eyes, sun-kissed skin with a more-than-deeply-chiseled six-pack, and donning Lycra, SoCal’s veteran Games competitor Kenneth Leverich’s classic look has earned him the nickname “Ken Doll.”

While Leverich is best known for his fitness and physique, he’s also proving Barbie isn’t the only one who can wear multiple hats. Within the last year, Leverich has added to his résumé recipient of one of the awards for “Top 20 CrossFit Bods,” sportswear model, American Ninja Warrior participant, affiliate owner, and after standing atop the podium in Del Mar, California, fittest in his region, all while maintaining his nice-guy reputation.

The Look

In 2013, the media team at regionals nicknamed Leverich “Ken Doll” for his doll-like good looks.

“Not only is he sweet but his hair doesn’t move when he works out,” Landon LaRue explained. “Oh, and those dimples!”

Leverich gave a classic bashful chuckle at the mention of this comparison, blushing without comment.

He was also speechless about being featured in an article that surfaced this year throughout social media, naming him as one of the top 10 best bodies in CrossFit.  

“I don’t know what else to say but that I’m honored,” Leverich said.  

CrossFitters aren’t the only ones impressed with his chiseled mug; Leverich’s classical look nabbed him a sponsorship in which he’ll be featured in a future campaign for one of the biggest athletic brands in the world, which cannot be disclosed at this time. The photo shoot included top-notch athletes in major sports including the NFL, NBA and NHL.  

His growing reputation has also landed him an opportunity to compete on the televised “American Ninja Warrior” this year. After submitting a video to producers, Leverich was selected for the show but opted to put his ninja career on hold while training for the Games.

The Bod

“When I was in first grade I had to change my shirt for a run-a-thon. Later, my teacher told my mom that I had a very muscular back for a first grader ... I guess I’ve always been developed like that,” Leverich laughed.

Fast forward 20 years, and Leverich, an avid surfer, said, “People still freak out at my back because my spinal erectors are so big. It’s my shark fin.”

Leverich maintains his musculature as a result of training, ocean paddles and a very specific diet. This year, he began working with a nutritionist to refine his diet for optimal performance.  

“This first thing we noticed is that my fat intake was pretty low, so we upped it,” he explained. “Now I’m eating more fat and more carbs to support the volume of training.”

The Hair

Leverich’s slick, dark brown hair, which parts on the right and swoops to the left, has been known to rival the famous motionless hairdo of 2013 Games competitor Garret Fisher.

“Garret’s hair is immaculate every single time!” Leverich said. “Mine looks good sometimes, but he gets it perfect every time!”

Modesty aside, Leverich has had some practice working his locks into the perfect mold.

“My style really stems from elementary school where I started the comb over, wave style. It’s classy and easy,” he said.  

And let’s not forget his attention to facial hair. Leverich grows the traditional preseason beard and trims it for the big events.

“Without a little beard I have a baby face,” he said. “I like to grow a little something so I’m taken more serious.”

The Outfits

Along with the bod, the hair and the beard, compression pants are among Leverich’s signature look. The style stemmed from an old injury years ago he never had repaired.  

“I started wearing the compression pants because they provided support and stability for an LCL tear,” he said.  

After wearing them for a while, he soon realized the other benefits—and not just the attention from the ladies.

“The Lycra blend reduces swelling, increases circulation, keeps the body from cooling down too quickly, to name a few,” he said.  

Fellow SoCal Regional competitor and training partner Andrew Kong jokes about Leverich’s never-ending supply of compression pants.

“Sometimes I call him Peter Pan,” Kong said. “But then again, I wear compression, too.”

The Briefcase

Just weeks before the SoCal Regional, Leverich was presented an opportunity he couldn’t resist. The original founder of his home affiliate, Orange Coast CrossFit, left to pursue other ventures and turned to Leverich and Kyle Kell to take over the reins.

“We made a deal from the beginning that I would handle the behind the scenes and Kenny will focus on training,” Kell said. “He ended up winning the regional, so I’d say our plan was a success.”

View From the Top

After his fourth consecutive year as a regional competitor, Leverich finally stood atop the podium, earning his third trip back to Carson.

His first Games experience in 2012 landed him in 17th despite competing with a torn hamstring.

“After the 2012 Games, I was set back about six months with the hamstring so I only had six months to prepare (for the 2013 season),” Leverich recounted. “Going into last year, my body just wasn’t ready for the volume.”

During 2013’s Burden Run, Leverich pulled his groin overcompensating for the weak hamstring while dragging the Iditarod.

“I remember I was even with Rich Froning but when we got to the sled pull, I kept trying different ways to pull it that wouldn’t put too much stress on my hamstring. In doing so, I pulled my groin and struggled through the end of the event. Obviously, that didn’t feel good throughout the rest of the weekend events.”

He finished 28th overall that year and the injury only set him back two to three weeks this time around.

After the 2013 season and while at full strength, he decided to work with Dusty Hyland, his previous coach, to add more structure to his programming and prepare for the 2014 season.

“While working with Dusty, I’ve been on a streak on the competition scene,” he said. “It’s built my confidence. We had a specific strategy for regionals and I stuck to the game plan. We wanted to focus on good reps, no mistakes and that’s just what I did.”

Under Hyland, he also trains twice a week with 2013’s second fittest woman on Earth Lindsey Valenzuela. He said they are very different but with complimenting characteristics.  

“Lindsey is a leader and is very serious about what she does,” he said. “I like to talk to people while we train and have fun. I think she’s helped to keep me focused and I’ve helped her relax a little.”

Andrew Kong, who finished 13th at the SoCal Regional, said training with Leverich “takes all day but it’s a lot of fun.” “Obviously, he’s made it to the Games three years in a row now. That alone pushes me,” Kong said. “This year at the SoCal Regional was the first time we competed together on the big stage. Throughout the whole weekend he kept telling me to let him know if I ever needed anything. In my mind, I’m thinking, ‘What the heck? You have to worry about yourself making it to the Games again.’” 

The Whole Package

Kell said the entire Orange Coast CrossFit family will be behind Leverich at the Games with ‘shaka’ foamies and custom T-shirts. For those who can’t make the trip, they will be live streaming at the gym.

Leverich has earned that support. Kell recalled when he and Leverich recently ordered new “We Love Brutal Workouts” T-shirts and the XL shirts sold out the first day. Leverich took the new shirt off his back and gave it to one of the members who wanted one.

And that’s just the doll Leverich proves to be.