270. Hi, I'm Kristen Olson (KO) — Athlete, Entrepreneur & Podcaster

"If my core values aren't aligned, I can't just show up and perform—I literally can't do it. Knowing who you are and living in alignment is everything." – Kristen Olson In this special solo episode, host Kristen Olson (aka KO) reintroduces herself to the Turmeric & Tequila™ community. With over 250 episodes behind her, KO opens up about her journey—growing up in Colorado, competing as a Division I lacrosse captain, facing the challenges of injury and identity loss, and later becoming a 5x CrossFit Games athlete. She shares how sports shaped her resilience, why core values matter more than anything, and how her path led to launching KO Alliance, her consultancy building authentic partnerships between mission-driven brands and influencers. This episode is about grounding, remembering where you've come from, and embracing the messy, real, and powerful journey of becoming the fullest version of yourself. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, creator, or simply navigating life, KO's reintroduction is an inspiring reminder that leadership isn't about perfection—it's about showing up authentically. Tune in to hear the story behind Turmeric & Tequila™, KO's passion for human optimization, and why she believes in changing (positively inspiring) the world by first changing ourselves. Time Stamps 0:00 – Welcome & why this reintroduction matters 6:30 – Colorado roots & family background 15:20 – The drive to play D1 lacrosse & lessons from persistence 28:00 – Injury, ACL tear & redefining identity 39:00 – Coaching & building life skills through sports 50:45 – Transition into CrossFit & competing on the world stage 1:05:00 – From athlete to entrepreneur: KO Alliance beginnings 1:15:00 – Building brands, sponsorships & authentic partnerships 1:25:00 – The birth of Turmeric & Tequila™ 1:35:00 – Why core values and alignment are everything 1:45:00 – What's next: coaching, podcasting & community building Kristen Olson is a lifelong athlete, entrepreneur, and creator dedicated to human optimization and authentic leadership. A Colorado native, she is a former Division I lacrosse team captain, a 5x CrossFit Games athlete (including a team 2nd place finish), and the founder of KO Alliance, a consultancy specializing in culture marketing and strategic partnerships. She is also the host of the Turmeric & Tequila™ podcast, a top 2% global show that brings together mission-driven humans from all walks of life to explore leadership, disruption, and living with purpose. Kristen's work spans coaching, brand building, speaking, and facilitating conversations that challenge the status quo while embracing both the turmeric (health & discipline) and the tequila (fun & freedom) sides of life. Connect with T&T: IG: @TurmericTequila Facebook: @TurmericAndTequila Website: www.TurmericAndTequila.com Host: Kristen Olson IG: @Madonnashero Tik Tok: @Madonnashero Website: www.KOAlliance.com WATCH HERE MORE LIKE THIS: https://youtu.be/ZCFQSpFoAgI?si=Erg8_2eH8uyEgYZF   https://youtu.be/piCU9JboWuY?si=qLdhFKCGdBzuAeuI https://youtu.be/9Vs2JDzJJXk?si=dpjV31GDqTroUKWH