About Me
Hi, I’m Jessica Kisiel and I started Kisiel Koaching to share my knowledge and background in exercise, sports, and wellness with others. My desire is to help you experience the enjoyment and satisfaction of an active, healthy lifestyle.
My Athletic Story
My sport beginnings…
When I was five years old my parents enrolled me in dance and tumbling class. My mother hoped I would be an elegant ballerina; naturally I pursued tumbling and gymnastics, which I continued into college. When I was a child I also had the opportunity to participate in swimming, water skiing, golf, downhill skiing, soccer, and tennis.
Collegiate gymnastics and my first injury…
Gymnastics is a sport for the young and fearless. In my early 20s, during my second year of college at UCSB I suffered a mysterious shoulder injury that the doctors, physical therapists, nor athletic trainers could cure. This was to be my first transition to other activities. I took up gym workouts, social golf outings, bike rides, sailing, and rollerblading along the Santa Barbara beach.
New scenery brings new sports…
I moved to Tucson, AZ for graduate school where I taught weight training, hiking, and volleyball as a graduate assistant. To escape the oppressive summer heat I fled to the mountains and began to rock climb. After graduation I made my way to Los Alamos, NM. Living in a snowy climate for the first time I started cross-country skiing and snow shoeing in the winter and went rock climbing, mountain biking, road cycling, and trail running in the warmer months.
Competing in endurance sports…
Shortly after learning the basics of Nordic skiing I entered my first race. I was instantly hooked and my competitive nature quickly returned. Ski racing in the winter led to bike racing in the spring, summer, and fall. My goal was simply to keep up with my husband, a former pro mountain biker. With increasingly longer rides, harder training, and the assistance of a coach I also reached the pro level.
In 2004 I was privileged to represent the USA at the Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships in Austria.
Surgery and my second sports transition…
On my way to turning pro I had two knee surgeries on the same knee. After my rookie year while training for a triathlon, I had my third and most serious knee injury and operation. No longer able to run and not fully recovered from that set back I had hip surgery and found out I have severe arthritis.
My sports life is in transition and I am learning what and how much my body can do. I'm enjoying more causal and different exercise without the pressure of constant training and competition. I don't know what the future will bring and am trying to stay optimistic. Being active is an integral part of my life and I know I will keep moving any way I can.
My sports history has taught me…
- How to train, rest, eat, and peak for high-level athletics
- To listen to my body and not take it for granted
- Technique matters and can overcome fitness limitations
- Setting goals keep you focused, motivated, enthusiastic and are essential for success
- To be grateful for the opportunities and talents I have
- Celebrate victories and always learn from defeats
- How to physically and mentally manage injuries and pain
- Too much of one activity can lead to overuse problems and cross-training provides variety and balance
- Athletic victory is sweet but short-lived
- Mental preparation and attitude influences outcomes
My Professional Qualifications
Education
M.S. Exercise Science, University of Arizona
B.S. Biological Psychology, University of California Santa Barbara
Certifications
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, NSCA
Certified Health/Fitness Instructor, ACSM
Licensed Corporate Wellness Coach, Wellcoaches Corporation Inc.
Certified Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist, ACE
Licensed USA Cycling Coach, USAC
Certified Nordic Ski Instructor, PSIA
Work Experience
Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Physiologist
Corporate Health Promotion Program Manager
Physical Therapy Assistant
Corporate Ergonomist
Exercise Class Instructor and Coordinator
Corporate Fitness Specialist
Elite Athlete Fitness Tester
Outside Work
I enjoy spending time with my husband, Ken whether we’re cooking a new recipe, playing outside, planting a garden, walking our dog, sipping wine, watching the sunset, traveling, or just sitting close listening to the quiet. Our yellow lab, Coral is a constant source of entertainment. She reminds me to slow down and rest, enjoy the feel of the sun on my skin, smell everything, and show unrestrained enthusiasm for the people in my life.
