To get to this point Newell played four years
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 3:47 am
“We race on the 15th and I’ll also be judging the event the entire weekend as well,” Newell said. “I luckily got one of my finals moved to take earlier so I could fly there, and then I have an online final Friday that I’ll have to take in between judging and prepping for my race.”
of soccer at Oregon Institute Of Technology and five years of study, finishing undergrad work in 2017. She then started veterinary school at Oregon State University in 2023 and will graduate in 2027.
“After graduating OIT I spent a few years coaching college and high school girls’ soccer while diving into Olympic weightlifting,” Newell said. “When I moved to Portland, I missed running, so I got into Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) and ninja training, think American Ninja Warrior, and I was instantly hooked, until Covid shut that down for a bit.”
Chrish Newell, right, and partner Jess Contreras, left, at the Ski erg station during the HYROX 2025 Atlanta Doubles in late April. They qualified for the World Championships scheduled Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Chicago. (Photo courtesy Chrish Newell)
Chrish Newell, right, and partner Jess Contreras, left, at the Ski erg station during the HYROX 2025 Atlanta Doubles in late April. They qualified for the World Championships scheduled Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Chicago. (Photo courtesy Chrish Newell)
At the same time Newell was also working full-time country wise email marketing list as a veterinary assistant, which led to vet school in 2023.
“Honestly, veterinary medicine started as my backup plan to becoming a professional athlete,” Newell said. “I’ve always had a passion for animals and medicine, so becoming a veterinarian felt like the perfect combination of both. I’m currently in vet school and while it’s a huge commitment, I feel called to serve both animals and their people in meaningful ways. What’s cool is that what once felt like an “either-or” dream — athletics or veterinary medicine — has turned into a “why not both” journey. I’m now chasing both passions at once.”
During this pursuit she has dabbled in strongman, sprint triathlons, ultra trail running and grip sport for fun.
“I found Hyrox after realizing I loved both running and lifting and started searching for hybrid fitness events,” Newell said. “I came across it one day and the moment I saw it included heavy sled work and weighted lunges between 1K runs, I was in. I signed up for my first race while recovering from a knee injury, and even though it nearly broke me, I was determined to try it again and do better…It blends endurance and strength in a way that’s raw and intense. You don’t have to specialize, you have to be a well-rounded, gritty athlete. I also love that it’s standardized worldwide, so you can compare your time with anyone, anywhere. The community behind it is pretty amazing as well. Racing inside a packed convention center, you’ll have complete strangers cheering you on.”
of soccer at Oregon Institute Of Technology and five years of study, finishing undergrad work in 2017. She then started veterinary school at Oregon State University in 2023 and will graduate in 2027.
“After graduating OIT I spent a few years coaching college and high school girls’ soccer while diving into Olympic weightlifting,” Newell said. “When I moved to Portland, I missed running, so I got into Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) and ninja training, think American Ninja Warrior, and I was instantly hooked, until Covid shut that down for a bit.”
Chrish Newell, right, and partner Jess Contreras, left, at the Ski erg station during the HYROX 2025 Atlanta Doubles in late April. They qualified for the World Championships scheduled Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Chicago. (Photo courtesy Chrish Newell)
Chrish Newell, right, and partner Jess Contreras, left, at the Ski erg station during the HYROX 2025 Atlanta Doubles in late April. They qualified for the World Championships scheduled Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Chicago. (Photo courtesy Chrish Newell)
At the same time Newell was also working full-time country wise email marketing list as a veterinary assistant, which led to vet school in 2023.
“Honestly, veterinary medicine started as my backup plan to becoming a professional athlete,” Newell said. “I’ve always had a passion for animals and medicine, so becoming a veterinarian felt like the perfect combination of both. I’m currently in vet school and while it’s a huge commitment, I feel called to serve both animals and their people in meaningful ways. What’s cool is that what once felt like an “either-or” dream — athletics or veterinary medicine — has turned into a “why not both” journey. I’m now chasing both passions at once.”
During this pursuit she has dabbled in strongman, sprint triathlons, ultra trail running and grip sport for fun.
“I found Hyrox after realizing I loved both running and lifting and started searching for hybrid fitness events,” Newell said. “I came across it one day and the moment I saw it included heavy sled work and weighted lunges between 1K runs, I was in. I signed up for my first race while recovering from a knee injury, and even though it nearly broke me, I was determined to try it again and do better…It blends endurance and strength in a way that’s raw and intense. You don’t have to specialize, you have to be a well-rounded, gritty athlete. I also love that it’s standardized worldwide, so you can compare your time with anyone, anywhere. The community behind it is pretty amazing as well. Racing inside a packed convention center, you’ll have complete strangers cheering you on.”