Meet Kirsten

Seattle movement specialist Kirsten McCormick providing online personal training, orthopedic assessment, corrective exercise, and integrated nutrition consulting.

I'm Kirsten McCormick — a Seattle-based health and performance coach with over 20 years at the intersection of physiology and elite performance.

I founded McCormick Health & Performance around one belief: the most effective health system is one built entirely around your life — not an idealized version of it.

You've spent your life mastering your craft. Your health deserves the same level of expertise behind it.

Credentials & Areas of Focus

  • The baseline for any high-performance system must be rooted in objective, clinical data.

    • B.S. Clinical Exercise Science: The academic bedrock of human physiology and biomechanics.

    • Functional Movement Systems (FMS) & Functional Range Assessment (FRA): Standardized clinical systems for identifying movement asymmetries, joint-specific health, and establishing physical baselines.

    • Metabolic Diagnostic Oversight: Extensive experience with New Leaf and KOR metabolic testing to inform fueling and energy systems strategy.

    • Posture Pro: Evaluation of how nervous system patterns influence posture, pain, and performance.

    • Biomarker & Lab Data Analysis: Monitoring internal health markers to guide strategic, data-driven adjustments to your protocol.

    • Precision Nutrition PN1: Science-based nutrition strategies focused on metabolic health and sustainable habits.

    • Registered Yoga Teacher RYT 200: Integrating nervous system regulation and mindful movement for balanced health.

  • This is where we bridge the gap between clinical data and daily execution.

    • Strategic Nutrition Framework (PN1): Science-based protocols for body composition architecture, sustainable fat loss, muscle growth, and metabolic health.

    • Advanced Performance Fueling: Integrated nutrition support tailored for athletic performance and demanding executive schedules.

    • NSCA – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist CSCS: The gold standard for high-level athletic performance and strength programming.

    • Specialized Movement Systems: Certified proficiency in diverse training modalities, including Kettlebell Athletics (L1 & L2), Animal Flow, TRX, ViPR Pro, and Power Plate Training.

    • FRCms (Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist) & Kinstretch Instruction: Advanced training in joint health, mobility, and expanding movement capacity that bridges the gap between clinical rehabilitation and high-level training.

    • Cooper Institute – Biomechanics of Resistance Training: Applying rigorous mechanical principles to strength programming for maximum safety.

  • Designing the systems that allow your body to adapt, rebuild, and perform consistently over time.

    • Stress, Sleep, and Recovery Integration: Optimizing the physiological recovery systems that drive cognitive clarity and physical performance.

    • Specialized Physical Support: Pre & Postnatal Certified, Core & Pelvic Floor Strength, and Injury Rehabilitation & Prevention.

    • Lifestyle Constraint Mapping: Designing health strategies that work within the realities of frequent travel, high-stakes careers, and family.

    • RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher): Integrating nervous system regulation and mindful movement for balanced health.

    • Manual & Movement Therapies: Proficiency in Trigger Point Therapy, AIS (Active Isolated Stretching), and RYT 200 Yoga for balanced systemic health.

    • CIAR – Group Cycling Instructor: Technical foundations in cardiovascular conditioning and energy system management.

This technical foundation is what allows for true personalization.

If this resonates, the next step is a conversation.

Apply for Private Coaching
Seattle movement specialist Kirsten McCormick performing an orthopedic assessment and corrective exercise during a personal training session

Manifesto

Move your body because of how strong and empowered it can make you feel. Not as punishment, but as a celebration of what you're capable of.

Eat amazing, nourishing, sustainable, and locally sourced food because it’s good for your planet, good for your soul, and fuels everything else.

Indulge in the things that truly make you happy. Life is too damn short not to.

Have a physical practice that brings you to life, one that opens your eyes and mind to the beauty of life and reminds you that every moment has its purpose.

Through this balance — give more, expect less, eat well, and be happy.

Experience, Applied Thoughtfully.

From elite coaching in Los Angeles to building an integrated private practice in Seattle — every client, every challenge, and every season of my own life has informed the depth and precision I bring to this work.

  • My career began in the high-precision world of elite fitness in Los Angeles, where I spent nine years as part of Equinox's inaugural Tier 4 coaching team on the West Coast. While this era established my foundation in biomechanics and physiology, my work has always been informed by a deeper, lived understanding of resilience.

    After losing my father to suicide at 17, movement, nourishment, and daily structure became essential tools for my own recovery—shaping a lifelong respect for how physical practices support mental and emotional health.

    In 2009, this philosophy took a practical turn with the launch of Running With Forks, a personal chef service created for my training clientele because I realized even the most technical training fails without thoughtful nutrition and lifestyle integration. Since relocating to Seattle in 2014, my work has evolved into a long-term partnership model that prioritizes durability and balance—ensuring health feels like a supportive foundation rather than a second job.

    • One Integrated System: I don’t view your health in silos. By integrating movement, nutrition, and recovery into one cohesive system, we eliminate the "noise" of conflicting advice.

    • Adaptive Oversight: Your capacity fluctuates with life, stress, and biology. I monitor, adjust, and proactively recalibrate your protocols. This allows for progress without all-or-nothing pressure.

    • The Clinical Bridge: When needed, I act as a liaison with your healthcare providers to ensure every decision is medically informed and strategically aligned with your long-term goals.

    • Building Resilience: The goal is a body stable and strong enough to handle whatever life throws at you, so you can show up fully for what matters most.

    This is the B.A.S.E. Method — Baseline, Architect, Strengthen, Evolve — the framework that connects all of it.

  • We live in a world that demands more — more data, more discipline, more intensity. But this work is about something different: building capacity so health becomes a source of support.

    Life has seasons. Some you thrive in. Others you barely survive. The goal isn't to perform perfectly in the good ones; it's to have something steady enough to return to in the hard ones.

    I bring the strategy, the structure, and the tools. We do the rest together.

Kirsten McCormick designing a personalized health and performance plan — private online coaching for high-performing professionals

I live this work fully, and imperfectly. Like anyone, some weeks flow easily. Others, I have to work for it. What I've learned — personally and professionally — is that the goal was never perfection. It was building something sturdy enough to return to.

That's what I want for you. Not a flawless health record.

A foundation that holds.

Client Success Stories

  • "As a lifelong runner approaching midlife I wanted to find a sustainable way to continue to workout and move in the second half of my life. I was aware that to continue to do all the activities I enjoyed in my youth I would need to build strength and keep mobility. Kirsten has prepared an achievable workout plan that allows me to mix all the activities I love while playing the long game in life. She has taught me how to be smart about nutrition, work outs, and recovery. Highly recommend!"

    —Jill Korpita

  • "I started working with Kirsten because I was tired of being overweight and knew I needed help making real changes. Since then, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of nutrition and the importance of tracking my workouts and macros. One of the most valuable parts of the experience has been the support and accountability. Kirsten is always available if I have a question, and her advice is consistently spot on. Her feedback on my lifting form has also helped me train more effectively. I’ve learned that getting fit takes daily effort, but having the right guidance and accountability makes it possible. Kirsten provides exactly that."

    — Dave Hoyt

  • "Kirsten knows my body better than I do: Without strain or pain, her guided exercises have substantially improved my strength, stability and flexibility."

    — Jay Lapin

  • "I began working with Kirsten to build a sustainable approach to health, and my expectations were absolutely met. One of my biggest takeaways was realizing that daily movement and healthy eating can genuinely fit into a busy, hectic schedule. Kirsten designed an easy-to-follow plan that worked within my demanding days while also accounting for existing injuries. Before starting, I felt intimidated and worried about sticking with a fitness program. From our very first meeting, Kirsten made me feel comfortable and confident. She is a true professional whose passion for health is evident, and that support made all the difference. Overall, it was an excellent experience, and I truly look forward to working together again in the near future."

    — Melani Maxfield

  • "I love Kirsten!!! She is so knowledgeable, has great attention to detail, and answers all of my questions with several solutions. Because of her, I have a wide breadth of knowledge that I can use for both myself and my clients. I’ve been lifting with her for almost 10 years is the reason I am passionate about lifting today."

    —Keeley Cahill

  • “The experience of working with Kirsten has been therapeutic, tough, and transformative and has changed the way I view wellness as the whole. I was looking to start and MAINTAIN a healthier lifestyle long term and I’ve accomplished that. I now have a more holistic view of health - a view that suits me and my lifestyle. Kirsten helped me feel better in my own skin, helped me maintain the body I wanted, accept imperfections, and helped create mindfulness around all my lifestyle decisions (diet, sleep, exercise). If you’re looking to work with Kirsten, be willing to commit and maybe hear things you don't want to all the time. :)"

    — Courtney Arges

  • "Working with Kirsten was nothing short of extraordinary. After 5 years of pregnancy, I felt stuck in my body (my life, really) and longed for a holistic reset. With deep expertise and gentle intuition, Kirsten helped me clarify my goals and designed programs that fit the season of my life. In just 3 months, I achieved sustainable results I couldn’t have imagined even a year from now. She helped me build a foundation and the critical scaffolding for a true (and enjoyable!) lifestyle shift. These changes have come with powerful inner and outer transformations that are fueling other facets of my life. It’s not an overstatement to say working with Kirsten has been life changing. If you’re looking for a sign to say yes and invest in yourself, this is it: do it!"

    — Joanna Pawlowska

  • "Kirsten is an expert in her field and cares deeply about getting her clients great results in a way that works for their lifestyle."

    — Former Client

  • “I have been working with Kirsten for 7 years, primarily remotely. I wanted help with my aging body, which was arthritic, with a fused spine, two artificial knees and totally out of shape. She has toned me up, strengthened my legs, back and shoulders and has helped me rehabilitate after a knee replacement surgery. I could not walk without a cane or walker after my last knee replacement, and now I never use either around the house, and only a cane outdoors. She is always on my side, and her workouts seem to be perfect for me. I can walk a little better each week; I know how to handle muscle aches and pains, and she never pushes me beyond what I can handle. I'm looking forward to my 80th birthday next month and I feel so much younger than that. I think I can give you credit for that. If you are thinking about hiring Kirsten, I say "Go for it. It is so worth it." I am amazed by her patience, kindness, and professionalism.”

    — Linda Lapin

  • "Kirsten has helped me make major changes to my lifestyle — and helped me to understand how to optimally fit health, nutrition and exercise into my busy schedule. Results are shown by the #s — massive strength added, weight lost, and more consistent levels of exercise and sleep. Most importantly I now have confidence in knowledge and tools to make the right choices."

    — David Ufford

  • "Working with Kirsten has been a huge gift. She helped me understand what’s truly healthy for my body — not just what’s trending — and guided me through sustainable changes that actually stuck. I’m stronger than I ever imagined, especially as a former ballerina and distance runner, and I’ve completely shifted from doing “more” to doing what’s best for me. Kirsten is deeply knowledgeable, incredibly patient, and truly invested in her clients’ long-term health."

    — Ashley Gartland

  • "I worked with Kirsten while on a business trip and wanted to maintain my training during long days at a conference — while also getting fresh perspective from a new coach. My expectations were absolutely met. Kirsten quickly identified a long-standing weakness in my hip and offered strategies that helped me become more aware than I ever had before. My trainer at home has since noticed a clear improvement. Beyond the training, her positive energy made a real difference during a demanding work week. Five stars!"

    — Anna Lundh

  • "I have been working with Kirsten for 5 years both in-person and virtually and she has tremendously improved the quality of my life and I now feel 10 years younger. I came to Kirsten initially to simply improve my fitness, lose weight, and feel better. She has met all expectations and then some. Kirsten knows my body better than I do: Without strain or pain, her guided exercises have substantially improved my strength, stability and flexibility. While most of her clients are younger, Kirsten is knowledgeable and caring about working with older clients and has achieved remarkable results for myself (76) and my wife (80). Not to mention, she is a very nice person and fun to work with.”

    — Jay Lapin

  • "Kirsten is a great trainer. Very motivating and inspiring to get me working on my goals and making it an enjoyable experience. She knows how to push you to your limits, but also reads you to know when to lighten up. She also provided phenomenal nutritional advice and services. I used her food delivery service and it was fabulous. I would recommend her to anyone looking for both nutritional and physical training."

    — Amy Johnson

  • "Kirsten was a very personable and dedicated trainer who helped my wife and I as we prepared for our wedding to get fit and get in shape for the event of our life. I would recommend Kirsten to anyone looking for an expert in the field of physical fitness and if they want someone who is caring, thoughtful, and easy to work with while still getting the needed results you crave and want."

    — Lawrence Hsu

  • "I have known Kirsten for several years and she has been an excellent coach, trainer and friend. She understands the human dynamic and is able to structure a program that is designed to get the most from you in your workout. Despite being the taskmaster, she is very cool and a pleasure to be around."

    — Bradley Rose

  • "Have trained with Kirsten for over 5 years. Very knowledgeable about fitness; able to design workouts focused on my specific goals. Understands how to adjust the program in the event of injury. Incredibly personable -- really a pleasure to work with Kirsten. I recommend her highly."

    — Jeffrey Hogan

  • "I have worked with Kirsten for 5 or 6 years. She is a highly skilled fitness coach. I highly recommend her."

    — Robert White

  • "Kirsten is an incredibly dedicated, knowledgeable, personable and passionate coach. She has a natural ability to inspire and push her clients to the next level."

    — Moises Woldenberg

  • "Kirsten is an extremely effective personal trainer and yoga teacher who is fantastic at identifying your individual needs and teaching the correct way to exercise in order to get the best results. She is also very knowledgeable about nutrition. I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking to improve their fitness."

    — Aaron Allen

  • "Kirsten is an excellent personal trainer and yoga instructor. She listens to her clients to provide the training they need to achieve their personal goals."

    — Jeff Huron

  • "Kirsten is a true professional who customizes your workout to focus on areas where you want to gain strength. She is positive and insistent on working hard and constantly pushing you to the next level each workout."

    — Kristin Gibson

  • "I have several chronic injuries I'm dealing with, Kirsten adjusts the program to address those injuries. I had lost confidence in my body's ability to perform certain exercises after several months that confidence is returning."

    — Rosemary W.

Life is too damn short not to feel strong, energized, and at home in your body.

Apply for Private Coaching