Staying mentally alert and physically fit has had its rewards for 24-year-old Orion Township resident Kristel Coronado.
The 2000 Lake Orion High School graduate blends an active physical fitness routine with an equally disciplined work ethic to achieve success as an engineer at the GM Tech Center in Warren.
When her work day is over, Kristel is a competitive athlete who likes to go to the gym to maintain her physical edge, working out regularly at Great Lakes Athletic Club on Baldwin Road.
While training for a recent triathlon, she was encouraged to try out for a new fitness-based reality television show, ‘X-Treme Warrior,? which features women from Michigan, California and other locations.
After passing an audition at Bally Fitness in Troy, Kristel was selected as a participant on the program, which was taped in August and is scheduled to be aired on the local Comcast cable channel sometime in January.
Although Kristel can’t reveal the results of the competition, she is proud of having taken part in the show, primarily because of its focus on fitness.
‘It was an amazing experience,? said Kristel. ‘I truly believe it will be a highly motivating show for other women.?
Kristel began working out and lifting weights at the age of 14, usually during the morning hours before school.
‘I was a little heavy at the time, and I wanted to get in shape,? she recalled. ‘I also started doing it to bond with my dad. That was about the only time I could spend with him.?
Although she was an athlete in high school, Kristel said it wasn’t until later that she began to adopt physical fitness as a way of life.
‘I work out just about every day,? she said, ‘and I race just about every weekend.?
An advocate of ‘extreme? and ‘adventure? racing, Kristel’s modes of travel include canoeing, bicycling, rope climbing, trekking and ‘orienteering,? a fitness discipline that requires one’s ability to navigate around various tracks.
‘We use compasses to find our way to specific points on the racetrack,? she said, adding that global positioning equipment is considered a ‘no-no? in the sport.
An adventurist at heart, Kristel is considering relocating to either Australia or Europe, where she can continue her active lifestyle as an engineer/athlete.
‘I spent some time in England and really enjoyed it,? she said. ‘It would be good to do it now before I start a family.?
Kristel said she had to go up against some outstanding female athletes in the ‘X-Treme Warrior? competition, and the experience was both challenging and inspiring.
‘Most of the other girls were in great shape and very competitive,? she said. ‘These girls just amazed me. Some of them were dancers and aerobic instructors and body builders.
‘They were very inspiring to me, and I think this show will be inspiring to a lot of other women,? she added.
Leona Larson, executive producer of ‘X-Treme Warrior,? said Kristel and all of the participants had to be able to endure an intense workout to pass the audition.
‘The tryout is very difficult and Kristel did a phenomenal job,? said Larson. ‘She is an exceptional athlete.?
Larson stressed that viewers of ‘X-Treme Warrior? will also find themselves challenged by the program.
‘It challenges viewers to get up off the couch and go from being passive observers to active participants,? she said ‘An ‘X-Treme Warrior? is someone who is not afraid to go beyond whatever they thought was possible to become their personal best — both physically and mentally.?
Larson credited Omar Akil, former world military boxing champion and now a personal trainer, with having been instrumental in training and supporting each of the contestants.
‘Omar is a phenomenal motivator,? said Larson. ‘He brings out the best in anyone.?
Based on the early reviews of some fitness insiders, Larson believes the program could eventually be picked up by a major network, possibly ESPN.
‘A lot of people have told us ‘X-Treme Warrior? is the best fitness show they’ve ever seen,? said Larson.
Kristel agrees, adding that the program is designed for people of any age and physical ability.
‘Anyone can get stronger and better through physical training,? said Kristel, who will soon be back on the race course.
This coming Saturday (Dec. 2), she’ll take part in the ‘December Chill,? an 8-mile race that takes place in Milford.