Kansas State University

This week I spoke with another personal trainer here at the rec, Reilly Killeen. Reilly is a student athlete here at K-State. Read on to learn how Reilly’s life has been shaped by health and fitness, as well as what she hopes to accomplish in the future.

SN: “How long have you worked at the rec?”

RK: “About a year now.”

SN: “How many clients do you have right now?”

RK: “I only have three.”

SN: “What is your major?”

RK: “Kinesiology”.

SN: “What do you plan to do after graduation?”

RK: “I’m trying to become a graduate assistant for a volleyball program. I might get my masters in exercise science. I want to coach at the collegiate level. I knew I always wanted to be in the health industry, but it wasn’t until I got to college that I decided to make it my main profession.”

SN: “How long have you played volleyball?”

RK: “Since I was in second grade. My dad signed me up for some clinics and then started me in a little girl’s league. I did track- long and triple jump, and basketball.”

SN: “In high school, did you play volleyball for your school team or a club team?”

RK: “In high school I played for my school team in the fall, and the rest of the year would play club.”

SN: “Is it difficult to balance school, volleyball, work, and your social life? And do you have another job, as well as this one?”

RK: “It definitely was. You kind of get used to it. I couldn’t tell you how I did it sometimes. I don’t use the tutor, although that is available to us. Yes, I have another job too.”

SN: “How many hours do you usually take each semester?”

RK: “Usually about fifteen hours and then also go to summer school. We have to be here at the beginning of June. They give you a workout over the off season, but no official training. I was recruited to play, and my position is libero. There are twenty people on the team total.”

SN: “Are you going to graduate this year?”

RK: “I am a senior this year, so I’ll graduate in May. I am waiting to hear back from Creighton right now, and I might get my Masters. Ultimately, I want to be a head or assistant coach at a college.”

SN: “Can you talk a bit about the training you do, how you recover, and the time commitment involved in playing a collegiate sport?”

RK: “After four years of having to start weights at 6:15AM, I like feeling strong, so I do a lot of lifting. I do a lot of high weight at moderate reps. I do full body every time, and either mix in cardio along the way, or do a burnout or mile at the end. My dad started me training at ten, so I’ve always wanted to be strong. We have nutritionists that give us advice, and we are encouraged to ask them questions. There’s a dining hall in the complex, and there’s always something you can get that’s healthy.” I did a research assignment for one of my classes, examining why guys and girls don’t go to the gym. I found that girls don’t go to gym because they eat their feelings and don’t feel skinny, guys don’t go because they are self-conscious about not being big or strong enough.”

SN: “Have you always been active, even as a child?” If so, what are some of the different sports you’ve done?”

RK: “I love swimming, hiking, and surfing. I’m from Hawaii.”

SN: “I bet that was quite the transition from Hawaii to Kansas.”

RK: “Yes, I learned the hard way about ice scrapers.”

SN: “What is your favorite form of movement?”

RK: “Any sport, I’m very competitive so I like to play anything. I like trying new things.”

SN: “How has your interest in health and fitness impacted friends and family?”

RK: “Friends ask for workouts and family ask for health information. Me being active has inspired my parents to see it as more of a priority. Everyone in the family knows I’m the athlete of my family. I’m the only collegiate athlete in my family. I went to a high school reunion, and suddenly everyone wants to be my friend, now that I play volleyball at a college.”

SN: “Do you have any siblings?”

RK: “I have an older brother. He’s three years older. He went to UC San Diego, and then University of San Diego for law school.”