In Motion with Riley Estrada on Community, Consistency, and the Power of Showing Up
At Voli, we believe movement is momentum. For CrossFit athlete Riley Estrada, movement isn’t just about competition. It’s a way of life.
Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Riley first used CrossFit as a way to train for water polo. It wasn’t until she moved to San Diego for college that CrossFit became something more. Without a team sport to ground her, Riley turned to the gym, not just to stay active, but to chase the feeling of purpose that competition once gave her.
“I fell in love with competing and CrossFit,” she says. “And I continue to chase those dreams now.”
A Training Life, Fueled by Purpose
Riley’s routine is no small feat. She trains five days a week, with two sessions each day. One session is strength-focused and the other is cardio-based. She also builds in an active recovery day and a full rest day. Over time, her approach has evolved from following general class programming to working directly with a coach who targets her specific performance goals.
But what stands out about Riley isn’t just her discipline. It’s her sense of connection. For her, movement is more than training.
“It’s a lifestyle choice that allows you to be fit and healthy as we grow older,” she explains. “It doesn’t even necessarily need to be CrossFit. Getting outside and being active helps to enhance life quality in so many ways.”
The Power of Community
Riley’s path has been shaped by the people who surround her: coaches, friends, training partners, and family. She credits the CrossFit community for lifting her up through the most demanding seasons of training.
“Every CrossFit gym you go into, you’re always going to have people surrounding you and lifting you up,” she says. “This pushes me to be better not only for myself, but for them as well.”
That connection is what keeps her grounded, especially on the tough days. It also connects to the name Voli, which was inspired by Volare, the Latin word meaning “to fly.”
“To me, Volare (the inspiration behind Voli) means pushing past limitations and doubts,” Riley says. “To move forward is to constantly be striving to reach your full potential. Not only in the gym, but also in everyday life.”
Showing Up for Herself and for Others
Even when the grind is hard, Riley reminds herself that it’s not just about her. “At this point, I’m showing up for everyone who’s supported me along my journey. For my coaches, my family, my friends. They’ve poured so much into me to help me become the athlete I am today.”
For anyone just starting out, her advice is simple and powerful. “Just start.”
Whether it’s a 20-minute walk or a new class, any movement counts. “We all have to start somewhere. Just building up the courage to try makes all the difference.”
Looking Ahead
Riley is currently in the thick of training for upcoming qualifiers in October and January. Her season kicks off in February. The grind is real, and so is her momentum.
At Voli, we’re proud to support Riley and remain inspired by her. Riley hydrates with Sunset Strawberry Lemonade and uses Voli Recovery every day. Our clean ingredients, better tasting, and better performing drinks help Riley reach her goals every day. Follow Riley's journey here: @riley.estrada
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