As a pioneer of the sports world, Krista Ford has broken gender and race barriers. She’s defied gender norms in the male-dominated sport of powerlifting for more than 40 years.
During this time she’s earned the title of national champion 14 times and world champion 7 times, setting national and world records along the way. Krista was the first black female bobsledder for the U.S. women’s team. She also was a part of the first women’s team to earn a silver medal at the international women’s bobsled cup-race 1998 (Winterberg, Germany).
While training others and competing as a professional powerlifter, Krista plays it forward in other ways. Her philosophy of talk, teach, coach can be seen in how she shares her experience, knowledge, and passion for living the magic of life. It is this philosophy she shares that has allowed her to be free, strong, and power-filled even through adversity. Krista’s book, Krista’s Promise, a self help/spiritual memoir that will inspire while sharing secrets to living the magic of life is expected in Fall 2024.
Krista believes that if you vibrate on a high level spiritually, mentally and physically you will have all the components you need to live a happy, healthy and wealthy life.
Name: Krista Ford
Company: Power By Krista
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Table of Contents
Before we begin, share your origin story with us.
Krista Ford: My story begins on August 30, 1966, a baby girl was born and put up for adoption at birth. 57 years later, I’ve gone from homeless to National Champion 14 times and World Champion 7 times in the beautiful sport of Powerlifting. I’ve been involved in the sport for over 40 years and still compete today.
Additionally, I’m a part of history as the first black female bobsledder to compete on the U.S. women’s bobsled team. I’m a sports pioneer.
My newest endeavors include being a first time author of my self-help/spiritual memoir releasing Early Fall 2024. Garnering interest from film producers to documentary directors, they want to turn my book into a live film.
Maintaining peak condition is incredibly challenging but a significant part of your role as a professional athlete. What are some key practices you follow to maintain your physical, mental, and spiritual wellness while competing at such a high level?
Krista Ford: Putting my spirituality at the center of my well-being keeps me well-balanced in all areas of my life: spiritually, mentally, and physically. Whether I’m in an on-season of training to compete or an off-season, I’m locked in and intentional with my thoughts and vision.
How did you navigate the challenges of breaking gender and race barriers in the male-dominated sport of powerlifting? How did the above practices help you accomplish your goals?
Krista Ford: I’ve been on auto-pilot with powerlifting. It wasn’t hard to jump into the male-dominated sport because powerlifting is truly one big happy family. From the biggest men to the smallest men, women are accepted as equal there and all races are treated equally.
Now Bobsled I had to do a lot of praying about because that sport was the test of my spiritual and mental strength– not so much my physical. Because for the first time in my athletic career, I experienced racism. I kept in constant communication with myself, friends, and God.
How have you stayed resilient in the face of adversity? Share a story.
Krista Ford: I have always had an innate ability always to keep my eye on the prize no matter what and I have never given up on a task put before me.
My most profound story would be when I was homeless. This was my true test of facing adversity in my life and I was only 18 years old. Each day, I told myself this wasn’t my end, only my beginning.
And I made a promise to God that day that when I get my first apartment I would always have a roof over my head no matter what. I knew right then and there God would never leave my side!
What inspired you to write your upcoming book, “Krista’s Promise”? How do you envision it changing lives? What do you hope readership will take away from your book?
Krista Ford: For many years my friends would say, “Krista: You should write a book about life and I would say I’m no writer– I’m an athlete.” But, then, a miracle came in 2019.
I have been journaling my entire life with daily entries and I spoke to a friend that offered to write my story. From there, the book came to life as I co-authored my story. Our collaboration was perfectly aligned and timed just right.
I hope to inspire the whole world through my faith-driven storytelling and through the demonstration of my resolve. Throughout all of the trials in my life, we all have purpose. Everyone who is walking this earth has that. We are all connected to one another.
If someone learned one thing from your journey, what is the one-piece of advice you would give someone?
Krista Ford: Never, ever give up on yourself in life. What you think about you will surely bring about to manifest in your life.
How do you balance the intense training required for powerlifting and bobsledding with other aspects of your life?
Krista Ford: I have a structured plan in place that I stay very consistent with. The plan ensures I maintain a perfect balance between my athletic life and my personal life.
This way of planning helps me to keep grounded and focused on the task at hand, whether it’s personal or professional.
How do you aspire to inspire the next generation of athletes, particularly women and people of color, to pursue their dreams in sports?
Krista Ford: By opening up that conversation of talking, teaching and coaching, you can use the discipline and truth to master your mindset. If you think, act, and live like an athlete, anchoring into your grit and resilience, there is nothing you can’t achieve.
How can our readership connect with you? Where can they pre-order your anticipated book?
Krista Ford: You can pre-order my memoir, Krista’s Promise, on my website: http://www.powerbykrista.com
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Name for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
Disclaimer: The WellnessVoice Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
