280. From CrossFit to the ER: My Rhabdo Story and the Power of Awareness

"I've trained harder, pushed further, and partied bigger — but this was the perfect storm that reminded me: health is wealth. You can't pour from an empty cup." -Kristen Olson In this candid solo episode, Kristen Olson, host of Turmeric & Tequila™, opens up about her unexpected journey from the CrossFit competition floor to a four-day hospital stay with rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) — a rare but serious condition caused by overexertion. Kristen breaks down what led to the diagnosis, how her competitive mindset both helped and hindered her recovery, and the gratitude and life perspective that emerged through the experience. From balancing fitness, entrepreneurship, and mental endurance, to finding calm in chaos, this episode is a raw reminder to listen to your body, protect your health, and stay grateful even in the tough moments. Plus — a shout-out to Colorado Clownfish Swim School and Declan James Watches, two local mission-driven sponsors supporting the T&T community! Time Stamps: ·  00:00–01:15 | Welcome to Turmeric & Tequila + sponsor shoutouts (Colorado Clownfish Swim School, Declan James Watches) ·  01:15–03:00 | Recap: What rhabdo is and why every athlete should know about it ·  03:00–08:00 | Kristen's athletic background: D1 athlete, CrossFit Games competitor, and "varsity human" mindset ·  08:00–14:00 | The Fossil Games workout: 100+ pullups, dehydration, and the "perfect storm" ·  14:00–21:00 | Post-competition celebrations and early warning signs (swelling, fatigue, cramping) ·  21:00–31:00 | The ER experience — waiting, diagnosis, and gratitude for healthcare ·  31:00–36:00 | Lessons in mindset: calm under pressure, gratitude, and recovery perspective ·  36:00–End | Takeaways for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone pushing their limits Kristen M. Olson is a lifelong athlete, entrepreneur, and performance coach based in Denver, Colorado. She's the founder of KO Alliance, LLC, a consulting agency specializing in culture marketing and strategic partnerships, and host of Turmeric & Tequila™, a globally ranked top 2% podcast exploring mindset, mission, and modern leadership. A former Division I athlete at George Mason University and 5x CrossFit Games competitor, Kristen blends the worlds of wellness, business, and human optimization with humor, authenticity, and heart. @madonnashero @KOAlliance @TurmericTequila   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