Everyone knows that Cat Kom is simply one of the best motivators around, especially when it comes to burning it up during a workout! By starting Studio SWEAT & Studio SWEAT onDemand, Cat has not only inspired people in San Diego, but masses all over the world, converting anyone who takes a class into a spin-thusiast!

We know Cat Kom empowers women and men all around the world through health and fitness, but who is Cat outside of the studio?

Let’s find out!

1. What is your idea of perfect bliss?

Since my job and lifestyle require me to be constantly moving and in busy environments, my definition of perfect bliss is when my family gets together that one time of year to grab some snacks, and whip out the brainless board games, watch a comedy flick, play some muddy flag football or take each other on in leg wrestling competitions. We can keep ourselves laughing and entertained for hours. However big or small the family affair is, we keep the whole gang entertained by impersonating each other in a game of charades or playing countless rounds of “Heads Up” until we run out of categories. Every family reunion calls for a consistent set of rituals and for mine, it will always be engaging in quality family bonding around the living room, making fun of ourselves and laughing until tears come out. I truly can’t think of anything better than that!

2. What historical figure do you most identify with?

I don’t want to give the standard, “My Mom” answer. I loved my mom and miss her dearly, but I don’t think that’s what you’re asking here. And, most “historical figures” are men – thought that is changing. That does not mean, however, that women have not profoundly affected society at large. We so… have and recognizing the role that women have played in the world allows us to add our own force to the movement we’ve created. Although there are a plethora of women who challenged the status quo and laid out a framework of power and perseverance, one figure that sticks out to me is Oprah. Despite all of her adversity, Oprah stuck to her passions and made a huge difference in the world. While being born into poverty as an African American women, facing child abuse and undergoing teenage pregnancy, Oprah still managed to cherish small joys, be a positive influencer form girls from 9 to 90, and to make a huge impact on the world with countless philanthropic efforts.  I also LOVE how real she is and how she shares her personal struggles with her followers, while also drawing the line when it comes to her privacy, which we all deserve. Because of all this and more, she is an inspirational role model in my book and one of my favorite historical figures because she will go down in history.

3. If you had one superpower, what would it be?

If I could choose one superpower, it would have to be me turning into an eagle… hear me out! Eagles can fly as fast as 70 miles per hour, soar without flapping their wings and can travel anywhere their heart’s desire! No other animal can come close to attacking an eagle and when it comes to hunting, they have distinctive techniques that correspond to the size and speed of their prey. Plus, eagles build their nests in tall trees and mountain tops that land them a romantic view that they could revel in for hours. And last but not least, the eagle has earned a respectable reputation all throughout history. Come… on – that’s legit!

So now do you understand why the eagle is my spirit animal?

4. What’s your favorite kind of music and why?

Back in 7th grade, my mom tricked me into thinking we were going to live at the beach in California. Umm.. there was sand, where we went, but no ocean. 🙁 Instead, we moved to Palmdale, California. Home of the high desert and a complete departure from the sticks of rural Washington that were home before. I was SHOCKED! But, going to high school in Palmdale ended up having a lot to do with who I became. For the most part, it was a low income, rough “hood”. I had to get tough and get tough fast. To survive this new life I was told by my new neighbor friend that I better learn to dance. And since I was now a minority and new to the town, music was my way of uniting with strangers. No matter your walk of life, status, or age, you can often connect through music and dance the troubles away… and that’s just what we did! I even ended up doing most the choreography for my cheer team. I learned to love hip-hop. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! Now I gotta give country a shout out too though. When I was a kid in Washington and before I was getting down with my bad self and hip hop I religiously listened to country and still have a special place in my heart for it! I’m truly a cowgirl gangsta inside, ya know! Give me a hoodie and a cowgirl hat and it is ON! So, whenever I hear a song fused with a heavy base with some guitar and twang, I get all the feels and just have to play it during a workout! I love to see country music and hip-hop fused into one song so I’m thrilled to see more and more of that lately!

5. Which words or phrases do you overuse the most?

A word that people seem to catch me saying is “sis”, but I own up to it and have reasons for my overuse! It means one of 2 things, thing one… I look at you with love and adoration, like I do a sister. Thing two… well, if you’ve ever received an email from me with “sis” in it somewhere, like “Listen sis”, that means I’m either softening my agitation, insinuating that you messed up or calling you out on your wrongness! If you know me, you will undoubtedly receive a “sis missile” at some point so brace yourself for impact and just know, I ain’t kidding around. 😉 Other words that stand out to me are “tumultuous” and “ominous”, generally because of how they sound and how accurately they describe the definition. I LOVE those words. I use these words sparingly, but when I do, I’m wrapped up in how powerfully the feeling is described and how no other word could ever come close to depicting those distinct emotions.  

6. Describe the workout that you’ve designed that you love the most.

My favorite workout that I’ve designed would be Spin Sculpt, hands down. Way back in the day (about 2005), no one had ever combined strength training with spinning so I did the unthinkable and mixed the two together! By calling it STAR training, which stands for Spinning, Toning, Abs and Resistance Training, I implemented all the most important elements of any workout and compressed it all down to an hour session! All of a sudden I had so many more tools in my bag, and I was helping people burn it up and tone it up. And to this day, I’m still not bored with it and I’m pumped to see my other trainers (as well as trainers outside of Studio SWEAT) adopt this amazing workout and make it their own.

7. Which talent would you most like to have?

I always thought guitar players were part of an entire subculture of “cool”, and once a person picks up a guitar, chances are they’ll never put it down! Every time I see someone strumming along, I think, “man, I wish I could do that.” One day, I hope to pick up the right chords to a Sheryll Crow song in a matter of seconds, solely relying on my very own ability to hear, but until then, I’ll have to learn the basics and drive over to Guitar Center to pick up a Gibson.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Physically, probably my feet. They’re tiny but my second toe is longer than my big toe. It’s the strangest damn thing! But, in the end, my feet get me to where I need to go so I better “toe” the line and stop complaining! Hahaha! I know, not my best, but not bad, right!?