Kristin Wingfield, MD, CCFP, Dip Sports Med (CASEM)
Dream your dreams with eyes wide open and make them come true. ~ T.E. Lawrence
Leap and the net will appear ~ Zen saying
Team Role/Title: Sports medicine physician
Place of Birth: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Currently reside: Mill Valley, California
website: www.drkristinwingfield.com
Dr. Kristin Wingfield is a primary care sports medicine specialist, board certified through the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and fellowship trained at Stanford University. She currently practices at Post Street Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in San Francisco and Corte Madera, California.
Dr. Wingfield is a team physician for the TWENTY16 Presented by SHO-AIR Women’s UCI Cycling Team, Team Mike’s Bikes, and Dominican University in San Rafael. She has traveled extensively as team physician with the Canadian Alpine Ski team and Canadian Women’s Basketball team. Dr Wingfield worked as a host physician at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, treating athletes in the Whistler Polyclinic. She serves as a consultant for the dancers of the San Francisco Ballet and Ballet School, as well as the acrobats of Cirque du Soleil on tour in San Francisco. Dr Wingfield performed as an acrobat in Cirque du Soleil and was a gymnast on the Canadian Gymnastics Team, as well as national level springboard diver. She is also an avid cyclist, runner and skier.
What are some of the challenges females face when it comes to being a professional athlete
I think the reduced exposure of women's sports compared to mens still presents challenges for many female professional athletes. Unfortunately there are still fewer opportunities for female athletes, which I think is directly related to less exposure and support in the media and community. These challenges are improving slowly, with thanks to proactive teams, athletes and organization (like Team TWENTY16). Universal sports has been good about now showing more female sports like women's cycling and skiing, and extremely successful athletes like Lindsay Vonn (and Kristin Armstrong :) ) have brought more visibility to women's pro sports.
Who or what has been an inspiration in your life
My two mentors in sports medicine, Dr Jack Taunton and Dr Doug Clement, both Canadian and both international leaders in the field of sports medicine. I was fortunate to have them care for me when I was an injured elite athlete and also to train under them as a medical student and physician. My mother has also always been an inspiration to me, for her strength and encouragement to follow my dreams. My coach and choreographer in both gymnastics and Cirque du Soleil, Debra Brown, has always inspired me to follow my heart and keep dancing. I have been blessed with amazing people to teach and help me follow my dreams in life.
Top injury prevention methods/techniques or tools for cyclists
1. listen to your body
2. mix it up - stretch, open up those hips and back, try yoga or pilates
3. core strength
4. take a break in the off season, rest, get off the bike and try other activities
5. good warm up
What are some of the things you like to do when not working as a sports medicine specialist
1. spend time with my two boys, 4 and 2, and my husband
2. ride my bike
3. trail run on Mount Tam
4. travel
5. enjoy the arts, both visual and performing
TWENTY16 has an emphasis on education with the initiation of our Junior Scholarship program in 2015.
Why is it important for the athlete to go on to college ?
I believe that nothing is more important than education. Sports are great and are a very important part of life, but injuries and/or changing interests can lead to an end to a sports career. Education can enable one to pursue their dreams and even find new paths and goals.
Favorite Foods:
1. dark chocolate
2. sushi
3. salad, especially spinach and arugula
4. real gelato (only found in Italy)
5. breakfast in Europe
Top 10 playlist
1. right now it's all mainly kids music :) my playlists are old
