Iron man Iron_Man_USA__September_2017 | Page 61

Tot al Knockout IRON MAN: Give us a snapshot of your youth. What were you like grow- ing up? Lindsay Christiansen: I’m a Midwest girl! I was born and raised in Iowa. Summers were spent running around outside, climbing trees and hiding in the corn fi elds! It was such an awesome place to grow up [with] lots of space, fresh air and freedom. IM: Were you always athletically inclined or were you a girly girl? LC: No, I really wasn’t an athletic kid at all. I tried a few sports, but I have this issue where I look like a badly maimed animal whenever I run. It’s really bad and no matter how hard I try to run normally, I can’t seem to make it work. I’m not a super “girly-girl.” But I’m not a tomboy either. I’m somewhere in between. I love camping, skateboarding, getting my hands dirty, power tools and I’m weirdly emotionally attached to my leaf blower. On the other hand, I also love mani-pedis, getting my hair done, 1,000 thread count sheets and 5-star resorts. IM: When was the fi rst time you did yoga? LC: It was on October 10th, 2007. I’m not kidding. I know the exact date of my fi rst yoga class. I remember that it seemed important to me. I connected with it and with myself in a way that felt very profound. I celebrate my yoga anniversary every year by being sure to practice on October 10th. It will be our 10-year anniversary next month so I guess you could say it’s getting pretty serious. IM: What is it about yoga that con- nects with you so much? LC: My life is really busy. Who’s life isn’t I guess? I feel like as a working single mom I’m go go go all of the time. Yoga is my pause – a place for stillness, mindfulness, refl ection and connec- tion. A time to check in. I go a little nutty when I go too long without it. IM: You made a career out of being fi t and making others fi t. How did you know that was your calling? LC: I started teaching group exercise classes while I was a sophomore in col- lege. Exercise really helped me deal with 58 SEPTEMBER 2017 | ironmanmagazine.com Lindsay Christiansen AGE: 35 LIKES: Coffee, dogs, spray tans, swimming in the ocean, Disneyland, froyo, Game of Thrones (I know, I’m basic.) DISLIKES: Sushi, cardio, high heels FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Baja, Mexico. I drive down every chance I get. LISTENS TO: Justin Bieber (I love him), The Eagles, Taylor Swift. The classics ya know? LATEST BOOK: The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein. Awe- some book. SCREENTIME: I don’t watch much TV. But if my smartphone counts I might be in trouble. FAVORITE QUOTE: “Practice and all is coming” – K. Pattabhi Jois SPONSORS: John’s Killer Protein. Amazing pure clean whey protein. INSTAGRAM: @lindsaychristiansenfi t- ness WEBSITE: www.lindsay- christiansenfi tness.com