Today we’d like to introduce you to Kait Lehmann.
Hi Kait, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started as a member of CrossFit Fairmount 10 years ago never having picked up a barbell. I met Goose through a mutual friend and immediately clicked. I loved the challenge of learning new physical skills and seeing myself progress quickly with the help and recognition of Goose along the way. I was completely committed to showing up every day to improve and learn. 7 years later, I became a coach simply because it was needed and had the time to help out. 1 year after that, there was a moment to consider closing the doors of CrossFit Fairmount. Goose had stepped back from running its operations and the space didn’t have a leader to bring it back to life. I was not ready to say goodbye to CrossFit Fairmount. I always thought it would be the other way around. My identity is anchored in the community of the gym and my belief that this gym is a means for people to be seen for everything they are and everything they can work hard to be. This community and space is meaningful to myself and so many others as they navigate hardships, relationships, and wonderful milestones as an anchor for growth.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Besides learning how set the timer in the beginning, yes there are many struggles along the way!
One of the biggest struggles was learning how to grow while protecting the culture that made CrossFit Fairmount special in the first place. It’s easy for gyms to become transactional or cliquey as they get bigger, and I’ve worked really hard to make sure people feel genuinely welcomed the second they walk in — whether they’re a longtime athlete, brand new to fitness, older, younger, competitive, intimidated, or just having a rough day. Building that kind of environment takes constant intention. I care deeply about belonging, consistency, and people feeling seen so I had to learn to trust my own leadership style by being completely devoted to my values.
There were also practical challenges behind the scenes that people don’t always see — wearing a lot of hats, balancing coaching with operations, navigating social changes, creating events and programming that actually bring people together, and trying to keep things sustainable financially without losing the heart of the community.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is really about building systems and communities that help people feel supported, capable, and connected — whether that’s in healthcare or in fitness.
Professionally, I work in clinical data operations at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where I help manage large-scale pediatric research data and collaborations for brain tumors A lot of my work focuses on social organization, problem-solving, data quality, and bringing different teams together around a shared mission.
At CrossFit Fairmount, that translates into how I approach leadership and community building. I care a lot about creating spaces where people feel genuinely welcomed, challenged, and valued — not just as athletes, but as people.
What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve created. We have members from all different backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels who truly support each other. Seeing people gain confidence, form friendships, overcome things they never thought they could do, or simply feel like they belong somewhere — that’s the part that matters most to me. CrossFit Fairmount is a special place with a wonderful community.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I am not sure I have one but I remember that I was an incredibly friendly kid who wanted to be friends with everyone, had a huge imagination, and loved to learn. I remember learning how to read was a huge deal to me!
Pricing:
- We have a two week trial for 50 dollars to try out CrossFit!
- Free On Ramp Lessons this summer only!
- Unlimited training is 179 per month!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.crossfitfairmount.com
- Instagram: Crossfit_fairmount
