Name: Kristin Armstrong Savola
Nickname: Depends on who you talk to: Kik, Kiki, KStrong, Strongarm, Armstrong
Birthdate: August 11
Hometown: Boise
Education: B.S. Exercise Physiology, University of Idaho
Coaching Certifications: USAC Level 3, Safe Sport
Top 5 Professional Cycling Accomplishments:
2016 Olympic Gold Medal, Rio de Jamario, Brazil
2012 Olympic Gold Medal, London, England
2008 Olympic Gold Medal, Beijing, China
2009 World ITT Champion, Mendrisio, Switzerland
2006 World ITT Champion, Salzburg, Austria
2008, 2012 2nd Ronde Van Vlaanderen
About Kristin:
Kristin Armstrong is the most decorated U.S. women's cyclist of all time and the best time-trialist in the sport’s history. She is a three-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time World Champion and has won six U.S. National Championships. Kristin is a mom, wife, entrepreneur, public speaker, and cycling coach for high performance athletes at the world-class level—to athletes riding and training recreationally on Zwift—to those time-strapped cyclists looking for efficiency and effectiveness in their training. Kristin graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology and is committed to moving the dial on community health through her recently opened fitness facilities, PIVOT Lifestyle fitness to initiatives like KX3 Lifestyle + Coaching focused on bringing women together through community and group coaching. She is married to Joe Savola and they have an eleven-year old son, Lucas. Kristin and her family continue to reside in Boise, Idaho where she is working on her autobiography.
What inspired you to become a coach?
I absolutely love to win and help others win—the how, the process, the mapping, the journey. You don’t need to be a professional athlete to ‘WIN’. If you have a vision with a goal, you too can win. I like to work with others and help them grow—realizing their full potential both on-and-off the bike. The sport of cycling has brought me so much in life and I want to share my experiences and knowledge with others.
Best tip for a new bike racer?
It is not always about how strong you are. Be sure you don’t neglect bike handling skills, riding in groups, descending, cornering, eating, drinking— build this foundation.
Favorite ride food?
Homemade Cookies ☺
Favorite post ride/race meal?
After any race, event, or long ride you can always find 2x almond butter/jelly sandwiches in my backpack and 2x servings of my favorite recovery drink (RECOVER from PIVOT Nutrition).
Motivational warm up song:
Beautiful Day – U2
Follow me on Spotify for some fun playlists.
Best advice you’ve ever been given
There have been so many pieces of advice I have taken along my cycling journey. One of my favorites early on in my career was: “Kristin, you don’t need to get any stronger. You just need to learn to race your bike.”
Tell us something about yourself that people may not know:
I became a professional cyclist at the age of 29 and won my last gold medal the day before my 43rd birthday (during this time I had a child, 3x hip surgeries, 1x spine surgery, and came out of retirement twice).
Favorite words of inspiration:
“Hold the Vision. Trust the Process.”
How can you help a client reach their goal?
Goals are reached together. It starts with a vision, and we work from there. Goals are set, a blueprint is developed, and we map out the journey along the way. The key to a successful coach/athlete relationship begins with trust.
Trust is essential to an effective team.
