Leaving it All on the Floor: Kendra Cross

February 16, 2013

Jamie Pepper

“The biggest lesson I've learned is I need to have fun. I get wound up in the competition factor ... This year, I'm going to go out there and leave it all on the floor, but not dwell on what doesn't go as planned.”


Kendra Cross (nee Johnsen) lives near a Canadian Forces base, and has been attacking her weaknesses with military precision.

Last year was the first time Cross has been able to travel and learn from other coaches, she says.

“While being the owner and head coach of CrossFit Poise, it was nearly impossible for me to seek out extra coaching during the first few years,” she explains. “This year, I've had the opportunity to compete in a lot of local competitions, and I have being traveling to Montreal for personal coaching and doing some extra gymnastics programming created for me by Sean Lind, along with some additional Olympic lifting coaching with Jacob Begin of Kanama High Perfomance North here in Pembroke."

Cross says she is proud of the work she’s accomplished thus far, but is excited to have a coach.

“I haven't had a coach here who watches me when I (workout) or lift, so it's a lot harder, but for what I've done on my own so far I think I've done pretty well.”

Since placing fifth at 2012 Canada East Regional, her offseason has been full of success, as she’s made the rounds in the local competition circuit. She’s finished in the top six in various competitions.

Competing drives her.

“The more you compete, the better you get because you will never push yourself as hard as you do when you are at a competition,” she says.

“The biggest lesson I've learned is I need to have fun. I get wound up in the competition factor and I set really high goals. This isn't bad, but when I don't achieve exactly what I want, I beat myself up. This year, I'm going to go out there and leave it all on the floor, but not dwell on what doesn't go as planned.”

Cross has some guesses on what may show up at this year’s Regional.

“I think we'll see something like the clean ladder since it was a Thruster Ladder in 2011 and Snatch Ladder in 2012, and I'm thinking some bar muscle-ups,” she speculates. “I wouldn't say I'm friends with some particular gymnastic movements, but we’re not enemies. For example, I'm not best friends with the muscle-up, but we're not enemies anymore.”

Both nervous and excited for the upcoming season, Cross can be considered a threat for many in Canada East.