Determination Spurs Success, Leadership For Kim McLaughlin

Kim McLaughlin did it all in high school.

Sports? Yep, she participated in swimming, track and field, soccer and tennis. 

Arts? Absolutely, she was in the marching band.

McLaughlin loved the activities, but she loved being around people even more. She dove head first into intramural soccer in college at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst among other activities, but the rugby team practicing nearby piqued her interest more than she could have anticipated.

University of Massachusetts, Amherst Women's Rugby Team

She wanted to know more.

“I could not think of a cooler sport. No pads, no anything, and you're tackling people!” McLaughlin said. “I tried out for the rugby team my sophomore year in college, and absolutely fell in love with it.”

She followed that up by playing rugby in Australia during her junior year, and upon her return, McLaughlin extended her studying program to include a fifth year, taking on two additional majors, just so that she could continue to play rugby.

After that, though, she wasn’t sure what was in store. “I had no idea what I wanted to do,” McLaughlin said. 

San Diego Surfers Rugby Team

Eager for a change of scenery, she joined her brother in San Diego, where he was stationed at the time with the military, and fell in love with the area, though she desperately needed a job.

She joined the San Diego Surfers rugby team. And, wouldn’t you know it, the rugby community came through.

“They got me my first job at a brokerage firm, and I played competitive adult rugby for the Surfers for the next 12 years,” McLaughlin said. “It is a very close-knit community, and the characters and personalities in the world of rugby are unlike any other sport I have ever been a part of. 

“It's special.”

After she stepped away from that sport in 2013, though, she knew she needed to find something else to take its place.

CrossFit Community Takes Center Stage

"Cross Fit is more than a competition, it's a community."

With rugby in the rearview mirror, McLaughlin started participating in triathlons, earning so much recognition that she eventually became a sponsored athlete.

But, much like swimming, triathlons were an individual sport, and she missed having a community. That’s when a friend invited her to a CrossFit gym, and though McLaughlin initially balked at the price of the membership, it took just one month – paid for by her friend – to fall in love with it.

Once that month was finished she didn’t think twice about joining, and then went on to compete in local competitions and qualifiers for the CrossFit Games over the next few years.

Cross Fit Competition

“I could not get enough of it,” McLaughlin said.

It wasn’t enough to simply be a member. McLaughlin wanted to be part of it all. She did anything she could to get more involved. 

First, she started working the front desk while still navigating her career at a brokerage firm. She earned her coaching certificate, along with many other certifications, and that led to personal training and coaching opportunities at Invictus.

That led to a management job, and after McLaughlin welcomed her son in 2020 while also helping the gym navigate the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, she came to a realization.

“As a three months postpartum woman, I was not going to just jump into throwing weights around but I still wanted the community and strength development that I had always found at Invictus. The limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic and a newfound desire to do more traditional strength and conditioning training in my post-partum state led to the creation of a functional strength and cardio class at the gym,” McLaughlin said. 

“As a leadership team, our staff got to do a lot of recreating the Invictus brand. COVID-19 restrictions had some silver linings. Our gym wasn’t just CrossFit style training anymore. The new class offerings could appeal to a wider audience in any stage of life. It was great.”

Opportunity Arises

When the original owner of Invictus, C.J. Martin moved his family to Oregon in 2024, the chance came up to be a partial co-owner at Invictus.

McLaughlin had already been a member, a front desk employee, a coach, and a manager so she understood the inner workings of the company and truly understood what resonated with members. She was passionate about finding ways to attract new people and this new ownership role would ensure that member needs were always at the forefront of any business decisions.

Along with co-owners Jorge Valdez and C.J. Martin, McLaughlin continues to work to implement programs that will impact the community. 

That’s the best part, after all. Just like rugby. The community is what makes it special.

“I love coaching people through workouts, but my favorite part is getting to know the individuals and their goals,” McLaughlin said. “I get to meet individuals, every day, who are like me - previous athletes searching for their “people” again. I get to remind them that, when surrounded by the right people, they can accomplish great things. 

McLaughlin said she hopes Invictus will continue to appeal to a wide audience as they continue to grow. “We've got a knowledgeable and enthusiastic coaching staff that continues to elevate the brand,” McLaughlin said. “If you’ve got goals and want a supportive community in your corner supporting you, Invictus is the place to be.”

Goal Five Mesh It To Me Tank & Excel Shorts

That community of people supporting each other is why she was so drawn to the Goal Five gear. It was a brand trying to accomplish great things. After trying on some of the Goal Five athletic wear, she was hooked.

“Goal Five is now in my permanent rotation. I have been introduced to a lot of brands of workout gear in my line of work and the Goal Five items are among my favorites. Not just because of the quality, but also because of their mission,” McLaughlin said. 

“The shorts they have are awesome. They don't ride up when I'm running. I can't say enough good things about the hoodies. The one I have is perfect for the Southern California spring weather. And the sports bra is awesome. It's now among my favorites. I know every time I wear that gear I’m supporting women in sports - a community I love to support.”