Next in our Inspiring People interviews we have the Lovely Kate who is an Iron(wo)man and designer of sports skirts for the active women, you can find out more about the Kori Kita range on Kate’s website. Kate speaks to us about her journey to completing the Ironman as well as the development of her sports skirts.
Hi I’m Kate. I have recently given up a steady life long career job to go out on my own to set up my own sportswear company. I worked as a high school technology teacher, I am mega obsessed about exercise and a healthy lifestyle and my business just grew from there.
Tell me about your journey to living a healthy lifestyle…
Back as a student at University I remember going out mountain biking, snowboarding and a bit of climbing. I don’t really remember doing it to keep fit – it was all about fun and the social side.
I moved to NZ (from the UK) about 13 years ago. The snowboarding stayed and I got into surfing. At 30 I had a bit of a mid-life crisis and realised I was actually unfit.
I started running. My first run was appalling. From then it snowballed into a half marathon, a couple of multi-sport events, adventure racing, orienteering, a marathon, mountain biking and a cycle round the lake.
In 2009 I moved to Taupo – the home of Ironman NZ. I could not swim at the time but somehow a year later I was there on the start line in 2010 and again in 2011. From there mountaineering and ultra-distance trail running took over my life. I can say now that exercise is a major part of my life now.
Tell us about Kori Kita and how you came to design the skirts?
Kori Kita came to me literally after a bad day at work in late 2011. I went home and started sketching on scrappy lined paper. I had been teaching product development and fabric technology in school (and over the years business studies, maths, food and computing) so I had a good understanding of what was involved to develop a product.
Also I was spending every single day in exercise gear. Sometimes 3 sets a day. It just seemed logical that sportswear would be it. My favourite thing to wear was skirts. I bought them on-line as they were not available in stores. I loved them but I started to feel a bit like a “little girl” running down the street in a pink or flowery skirt.
I started looking for colours and fabrics that were just not available to me and figured to get what I wanted I needed to make it myself. My colours came from the Tongariro National Park. I had spent a lot of time there and it is a special place to me. I took inspiration from what I gained there into my colours and designs.
What’s your approach to balance & moderation in life (and/or food)
I’m not sure if I am very good at balance and moderation. I tend to throw myself into projects or training for events with 100% passion. I think you have to if you want to do big things. Last year was a struggle mentally when I knew I was quitting my full time job and was trying to build my business.
I exercise every day of the week. At the moment that means a run or the gym or a walk with my dog. I’m very lucky with food – nothing I want is off limits to me. A lot of rich, fatty, sweet or bad food I find my body can just not cope with so I just don’t crave it.
What is your favourite form of exercise to do?
Running Trails. Plain and Simple. 🙂
What is your most memorable exercise moment?
Totally has to be crossing the finishing line of Ironman and having Mike Riley say on the microphone “Kate Townsley you are an Ironman” then to my surprise have a friend I work with at the time put a medal around my neck and a towel around my shoulders and hug me (thanks Christine if you read this).
Believe it or not – Ironman is not actually that hard to do. The year or training before hand is. The tears, injuries, punctures, frosty mornings and the sickness are. Ironman is your reward for the year of hard training.
What is your favourite healthy food/recipe?
I’m so boring – pain oats. I could eat them for every meal. I don’t actually. I find my body responds so well to them as an energy source.
I’m not a vegan or even a vegetarian but I love the recipes on No Meat Athlete.
What is your number one tip for those who want to live a healthier life?
Allocate time to yourself every day and be active. Anything that makes you happy.
Another is don’t keep poor food choices in your house. If it is not Ok for you to eat it is not OK for your kids. Good eating is for life. Train your kids young.
What is one piece of workout equipment or tool that you swear by (other than your Kori Kita Skirts of course ;))?
Yes it is very rare that I leave the house without a skirt on these days – however I would have to say my back pack and a rain jacket. I see far too many people out in the elements under prepared. For the safety of those who might possibly have to rescue you – always be over prepared.
What are your favourite healthy living blogs/websites or tools?
Health Yeah
Brendan Brazier
Thank you Kate, what an amazing story! Good luck with your business I’m sure you’re going to do amazing things!
You can find Kate:
On her Kori Kita Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Feel free to check out some of our other inspiring people interviews:
Nicole Joy – Why it is perfectly acceptable to eat desert for Breakfast
Lucia Oles – Optimum Nutrition Sponsored Fitness Competitor
Jane from KettleBells and Cookies
Laura from KettleBells and Cookies
Emma from Static Era
Leah from Naturally Leah
Emma from Embracing It
Lauren SAHM
Do you have (or know someone with) an inspiring health and fitness story that you would like to share? Get in Touch!