Overcoming Adversity: Julia Kato's Journey in CrossFit
"AIRWAAV enhances my performance by optimizing my breathing, helping me stay controlled and efficient during intense training sessions. With better airflow, I can push harder, recover faster, and maintain focus when it matters most." - Julia Kato
Julia Kato, a Brazilian athlete, first made her mark in the CrossFit world when she qualified for the CrossFit Games in 2022 by securing second place at CrossFit Copa Sur. However, her path to success was far from easy. Kato's journey has been defined by resilience, overcoming injuries, and learning to listen to her body as she navigates the demanding sport.
From Swimming to CrossFit
Kato’s athletic journey began long before CrossFit. From 2010 to 2016, she was a professional swimmer specializing in the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke. Competing at national and international levels, she built a strong foundation of athleticism. After a two-year sabbatical from competitive sports, Kato discovered CrossFit in 2018 at a local bodybuilding gym. Around the same time, she began pursuing her Sports Sciences degree, blending her academic studies with her passion for training.
"I became an intern at an affiliate and started my career as a coach, and later, as an athlete," she recalls. This new path allowed Kato to channel her competitive spirit and drive into a fresh challenge.
A Rocky Road to Madison
Kato’s excitement for her first CrossFit Games appearance in 2022 was quickly tempered by a serious setback. Just before heading to Madison, she injured her tailbone in a fall from a water slide. The injury left her unable to squat or hinge properly—two fundamental movements in CrossFit. Despite the pain, Kato pushed through and competed, finishing 37th at the Games. Afterward, she sought medical treatment to address the lingering pain.
Unfortunately, her challenges didn’t end there. Later that year, in November, Kato tore a muscle in her shoulder during a team competition. Then, just before the Rogue Invitational Qualifiers in August 2023, she sustained another significant injury: a partial rupture of her infraspinatus in her elbow. Doctors attributed these injuries to overtraining and general muscle imbalances.
A New Approach to Training
In preparation for the 2023 Semifinals, Kato sought help from new medical advisors who provided a fresh approach to alleviate her chronic pain. They helped her relieve the tailbone and posterior chain issues that had been affecting her movements for over a year.
Kato now acknowledges that her previous training habits of constantly pushing her limits were unsustainable. "For a long time, I was addicted to training volume and intensity. It was never enough, and I would push through bad kinds of pain way too much. But it’s taking its toll now, and I learned my lesson listening to my body," she reflects.
Breathing Efficiency with AIRWAAV
An essential tool in Kato’s training and recovery process has been the AIRWAAV mouthpiece, which she credits with improving her breathing and focus during intense workouts. "AIRWAAV enhances my performance by optimizing my breathing, helping me stay controlled and efficient during intense training sessions. With better airflow, I can push harder, recover faster, and maintain focus when it matters most," Kato explains.
Kato first discovered AIRWAAV through Instagram, and from her first use, she was hooked. "It felt so good and so natural to me that I feel weird if I’m not using it now," she shares. Her curiosity about the product even led her to research jaw and tongue posture, which she found crucial to enhancing performance.
She enthusiastically recommends AIRWAAV to other athletes, advising them to start using it during lower-intensity workouts before incorporating it into more intense sessions. Her preferred model is the PX2 because, as she says, "I feel like I get a better tongue and jaw position with it."
As an experienced athlete, Kato knows the value of having the right equipment. Her top three training essentials? "A pair of good grips, knee sleeves, and of course, my AIRWAAV!"
Motivation and Daily Routines
Despite the numerous setbacks and challenges, Kato’s passion for CrossFit remains strong. When asked what keeps her motivated, especially on difficult training days, she credits her support system. "Thinking about my family, friends, and everyone who supports me so much through this journey. I would be nothing without them," Kato shares.
Her daily routine reflects her dedication to both her sport and her community. She balances coaching with intense training sessions that include running, cycling, weightlifting, and CrossFit-specific work. Her meals are simple but effective, often consisting of eggs, spinach tortillas, rice, chicken, and veggies, with the occasional indulgence of cereal before bed.
Looking Ahead
Kato’s goals for the next few years extend beyond CrossFit. She’s eyeing a 70.3 Ironman and even international weightlifting competitions, while continuing to push her limits in the CrossFit arena.
With her commitment to fitness, the support of her loved ones, and the tools she relies on—like the AIRWAAV mouthpiece—Julia Kato continues to rise in the CrossFit world.
