There are a number of titles that may be related to Kelly Curtis. She could possibly be referred to as an athlete, Olympian, Air Power servicemember, and now she will be referred to as a mom. Curtis lately introduced that she and her husband are anticipating their first baby. The prospect of parenthood brings up emotions of each pleasure and nervousness, however she revealed this was a deliberate being pregnant. So, she’s prepared for this life change.
“It is part of the plan, however it’s one factor to plan for it. It’s one other to really undergo with it.”
Curtis has had many experiences in her life, and she or he’s completed rather a lot as properly. The youngest of 4 youngsters grew up in New Jersey and described herself as a “tom boy.” Her father performed within the NFL within the Seventies and went on to change into an athletic director in New Jersey. Her mom labored in gross sales for industrial gyms and health facilities. All 4 of the youngsters grew up concerned in sports activities and had been energetic all through childhood. Younger Kelly was doing her greatest to carry her personal together with her two older brothers and older sister.
“I had entry to all these totally different athletic amenities, and I simply tried to maintain up with my siblings,” she recalled. “Sports activities was positively a giant deal in my household from a really younger age.”
As soon as she graduated, she began pursuing sliding sports activities resembling bobsledding and skeleton, which requires a single competitor to push a sled with one hand down the start of a course earlier than leaping on it and ending a slide course within the quickest time doable.
“I might describe it as an excessive slip and slide,” mentioned Curtis. “You’re going headfirst round 85 miles per hour together with your chin barely off the bottom. We’re hitting shut to five G’s and each course is totally different.”
One problem that comes with it’s that an athlete can solely do two to 3 runs a day at most due to the way it impacts the central nervous system. It might appear to be a wierd sport to somebody new to it, however Curtis excelled at it. That could be a high finish of 120 runs a yr. To make up for that lack of precise apply time, athletes do a number of visualization within the type of thoughts runs. Additionally they prepare as mini sprinters and Olympic weightlifters to develop the pace and explosiveness essential to carry out at their greatest.
“We’d like these for an explosive push begin.”
Whereas she was competing in sports activities, her brother had been serving within the Air Power. Curtis had considered navy service behind her thoughts, however she didn’t see a chance to serve. That was till she noticed the U.S. Military had a World Class Athlete Program. The barrier for entry was to make the Nationwide crew. When Curtis reached that time, a teammate advised her in regards to the Air Power opening up their program so extra athletes from totally different sports activities might acquire entry.
“I used to be the primary civilian that they let in,” she revealed. “I used to be introduced into primary coaching, then despatched to WCAP instantly.”
Curtis acquired to observe in her brother’s footsteps by becoming a member of the Air Power whereas she was pursuing her targets in skeleton. She felt honored to be within the place and wished to pave the best way for others to do the identical as properly. Certainly one of her teammates has gone via an analogous expertise as properly.
“It’s positively not for everyone, however for the correct particular person, it’s an unimaginable alternative.”
Curtis has made probably the most out of her alternative and climbed the ranks in her sport. She has gained the Intercontinental Cup championship, and she or he ultimately attain the most important stage in all of sports activities, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. She has not solely labored laborious for the success she achieved, however she’s made historical past as properly. When she started her first run within the Olympics, she grew to become the primary Black athlete to characterize her nation in her sport. She didn’t attain the rostrum within the Olympics, however she left an affect that others can profit from sooner or later. She was additionally named Athlete of the 12 months for 2021, which is an honor she could be very happy with. The template for her success in sport, service, and life has been the identical. Do the most effective she will in a approach so others can profit from her efforts. She’s simply dwelling life and profiting from the day in entrance of her, so the affect and distinction she makes isn’t one thing she has given a lot thought to. It goes past competitors alone. Individuals inform her they modify their day by day habits after seeing her do what she has achieved.
“From time to time I’ll hear in regards to the affect. Somebody will say ‘I noticed you on the Olympics, and it made me need to ensure that I begin consuming higher and figuring out extra.’”
She and her husband at the moment are getting ready for parenthood, however in addition they produce other plans. She nonetheless intends to compete as soon as she offers delivery, and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Curtis and her husband presently stay in Italy, which serves as a bonus as a result of she will get used to the local weather and be higher ready to compete when the time comes. Along with her husband additionally working as her coaching coach, they’re leaving no stone unturned in her quest to enhance and obtain much more success. Not everybody will get to serve their nation on the highest ranges, so Curtis is doing all she will to ensure she does her greatest and makes the most important distinction doable.
“I didn’t assume she can be on this place. It’s been an unimaginable journey, and I’m simply attempting to determine the place I greatest slot in and greatest give again.”
Comply with Curtis on Instagram @kellycurtisusa
