Getting to Know a Star Athlete: Meet Kaleigh Kurtz
Nuzest is pleased to introduce Kaleigh Kurtz as its newest ambassador. Kaleigh is a professional soccer player for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Let’s take a moment to get to know Kaleigh Kurtz.
Q. For those of us who don’t know you, who is Kaleigh Kurtz?
A. I am a professional women’s soccer player who has competed in both the United States and in Sweden. I am an extreme animal lover who has to stop and pet every dog I meet on the street.
Q. What does being a Nuzest sports influencer mean to you?
A. I think health and nutrition is an important part of everyone’s life, and I want everyone to get the most out of this life we are given. As a competitive athlete protein is an important supplement post workouts, and why would you not fuel your body with the best. I believe after many trials and errors that I have found the best protein supplement for after training and games.
Q. How do you make healthy choices and avoid temptations when it comes to your nutrition?
A. I personally don’t believe in cutting out all foods from your diet, and by that I just mean that the body craves certain foods for a reason. Some cravings could be essential to health if you listen close enough to your body and what the body needs. If I crave something that is known to be unhealthy however; I tell myself that if I can wait 48-72 hours before satisfying this craving it will most likely go away. If it doesn’t go away then I have zero issues physically and mentally indulging in that craving.
Q. What is your favorite indulgence?
A. I have a hard time turning down any type of fruity pie, so I usually don’t.
Q. What is your favorite healthy snack?
A. My favorite healthy snack is a homemade black bean hummus and carrots.
Q. When not on the field, how do you stay active and fit?
A. I love hiking and backpacking, and can never pass up a weekend in a tent when I have the time.
Q. What is your favorite form of exercise (besides soccer)?
A. My sister and I used to be competitive swimmers, it is exhausting getting back in the water but a good burn that doesn’t leave my muscles feeling that intense soreness.
Q. What are your favorite songs on your workout playlist these days?
A. I actually don’t listen to music while I exercise, I was taught young while doing cross country races that you change your gate when you listen to music so I have stuck with that through the rest of my sports and weight lifting sessions.
Q. Aside from being a soccer superstar, what do you do for fun?
A. I have recently gotten back into reading after college and try to finish a book a month. Besides that, I have a Border Collie puppy that takes up a lot of time and energy and I wouldn’t have it any other.
Q. What advice do you have for people wanting to kick-start a healthy lifestyle or to pump up their nutrition?
A. I would say that it's not a diet, diets are temporary. If you want to change your nutrition lifestyle, try and get the people you are closest with to make the changes with you. It is very hard to change by yourself with all of the peer pressure and cravings flying around but if you and your friends are involved together than you can influence each other's choices for the better. 