At RARR we desire to have amazing partnerships with athletes who embody the built for movement mindset in everything they do. Emma Baumert is a CrossFit Athlete, Weightlifter and Bobsled Pusher who became a RARR athlete in September of 2022. We love to watch her functional athletic ability across so many different sports. Learn more about her upcoming trip to Germany to represent Team USA.
Tell us about your athletic background?
Emma: In 5th grade, I was persuaded to run cross country. From the pre-race pasta parties, bus rides, singing Taylor Swift on long runs, I immediately fell in love with the sport. Following high school I decided to not participate in collegiate athletics but still had a restless desire to stay active - that's when I found CrossFit.
How did you get into Bobsled and Skeleton?
Emma: During my second year of graduate school I was completing research on elite weightlifting female athletes. To recruit participants, I would slide into the athlete's DMs, one who competed in weightlifting as well as bobsled. She asked if I wanted to get connected with her coach and I immediately said 'yes' thinking it was for the research. Later that day I got a call from the bobsled coach asking me if I wanted to try out for the bobsled and skeleton team.
How do you train for bobsled?
Emma: 1. Watch Cool Runnings.
2. Focus on speed and power. These two components of fitness are trained everyday in CrossFit and Weightlifting. From power cleans, sled pushes, to track sprints - the focus is to become as explosive as possible so I can push the sled and sprint on ice for less than 10 seconds.
What does it mean to you to get "the call" to step in and represent Team USA?
Emma: Honored and humbled. This race is an opportunity beyond my wildest dreams and I am whole-heartedly thankful for the endless support from my family, friends, peers, and community. Thank you to my friends who encouraged me to try a new sport.
What inspires you?
Emma: Sport. Sport is a right to all and this has become more possible because of so many game-changing female athletes that have come before. Their beautiful demonstration of tenacity, leadership, and strength inspired me to dedicate my life to sport and deepened my gratitude for having the opportunity to participate in athletics.
How can we support you and follow along on your journey in Germany?
The U.S. Olympic Committee is a non-profit and all athletes are self funded, so any support is greatly appreciated and makes participation in sport possible for so many athletes. Rarr put the USA Collection together to help fund my race in Germany. From gear to messages of encouragement, I am endlessly grateful for all of the support.
You can follow Emma on Instagram @emma.baumert