Gridiron Champion And 21-Time Australian MVP: This Is Kristy Moran’s Story

Caitlyn Davey • April 2, 2025

A 21-time Australian MVP, International Player of the Year (2017), National League MVP, former first-team All-American, and an ex-Chicago Force playerKristy Moran has carved out a legendary career and is showing no signs of slowing down.


In Episode 49 of the Rebuild Health and Fitness Podcast, Kristy shares her incredible journey through sports, resilience, and the mindset that has propelled her to greatness.


How Kristy Got Into Sports

Growing up as an army brat, Kristy moved around Australia frequently. Being the shy kid, she credits sports for helping her make friends and settle into new schools.

"Sports is a great way to make friends when you’re a kid. It helped me establish myself every time I moved."
  • Early sports: Netball and little athletics
  • Parental influence: While her mum encouraged ballet, Kristy’s athleticism shone through, leading her to gymnastics as well.


Later, she transitioned from netball to track and field when she moved back to Brisbane, eventually competing in heptathlons (seven events including high jump, hurdles, javelin, and more).


Building a Relentless Work Ethic

Training for heptathlons instilled in Kristy a work ethic beyond her peers.

"I'd train for three events in an evening—arriving an hour early, training during the session, and staying an hour after—all while in high school."

This fierce dedication laid the groundwork for her future success across multiple sports.


Transition to Touch Football and Gridiron

After university, Kristy played touch football for nearly a decade. Then, at 32, she made an unexpected leap into gridiron.

Initially skeptical, a friend’s encouragement led her to attend a game—and she was hooked.

"I didn’t know any of the rules, got whiplash for two weeks, was bruised all over—but I still loved it."

Starting as a wide receiver, she later transitioned to running back, quickly rising through the ranks.


Taking the Leap: Moving to America

Kristy spent five years helping build women's gridiron in Australia:

  • Winning a national championship
  • Forming state and national teams


During training sessions with U.S. coaches, she was offered the opportunity to play in Chicago.

"It was a big step. I didn’t know if I’d last the training or if I was setting the bar too high. But I gave it my best—and had a great season."

Kristy's courage to take risks led her to become a standout player internationally.


Women in Sports: Breaking Barriers

Despite America’s deep football culture, Kristy observed that women’s football still struggles for recognition—even in the U.S.

"They have better equipment and staffing, but opportunities for women are still limited compared to men."

She passionately highlights how self-limiting beliefs are more common among women, especially in sports.


Fighting Self-Limiting Beliefs

Kristy shares a pivotal moment:

"A coach once asked me, ‘Kristy, what are you afraid of? Why do you train so hard?’ I told him I wasn’t afraid—I trained hard because I wanted to be the best."

Even when confidence wavered—like when she first moved to America—Kristy never let fear hold her back.

"If I had settled for being the best in Queensland, I wouldn’t have made the Australian team. If I had settled there, I wouldn’t have gone to America."

She now uses her experiences to push other women not to limit themselves—and to dream bigger.


Final Words: The Only Limit Is Yourself

Kristy's story beautifully echoes the words of Jackie Joyner-Kersee:

"The only person who can stop you from reaching your goals is you."

Through resilience, passion, and an unwavering belief in her potential, Kristy Moran has shown what’s possible—and continues to inspire others to push beyond their perceived limits.

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July 22, 2025
A lot of people have completed a marathon but how many people have collapsed at 40km?

Sometimes you do everything right, and shit still doesn’t go to plan.
 Last weekend I ran in the Gold Coast Marathon, my first ever marathon. I trained properly, my body felt relatively good (all things considered when preparing to run 42.2km), I carb-loaded, and my race day nutrition was dialled in.
 I was ready.
 We set off. Jess and the kids met me at different points on the course with signs, the atmosphere was great. I loved seeing the kids with their signs. Pacing felt on point. The first 21km? Easy. I felt great. Maybe I should’ve drunk more water, but I didn’t think too much of it at the time.
 At 25km, I felt slower, but pace wise I was still holding well. I’d kept telling myself throughout the day "The race starts at 30km." And let me tell you, it does.
 By 30km, the sun was out, and I was starting to struggle. My watch started glitching so I had no real idea of my splits. I thought I was slowing down a lot (turns out I wasn’t), but the effort to keep the same pace suddenly felt 10x harder.
 I hadn’t taken on enough water. Usually, I can get away with lower fluids. Not this time. Dehydration crept in. hard.
 At 35km I was in survival mode, one foot in front of the other, flicking between moments of pain and little short lived waves of “let’s go.” But by 39km I was delirious. I could see the finish line, I hit the 40km mark (where I thought enjoyment might return to finish), and I collapsed.
 I was gone. Scary stuff.
 The last few hundred metres were a complete blur. All I remember is the crowd, the medics, and about five paramedics suddenly around me. I was vomiting, shaking, confused, in and out of it. I had this overwhelming, indescribable feeling, and honestly, for a moment, I thought I could die.
 My memory went. I couldn’t recall the day, the year, where I lived, or how to spell. I only knew who Jess and the kids were, and that I didn’t want them to see me with wires in me. 
 My temperature had hit 40°C. Blood pressure crashed. Thankfully, the medics and paramedics were incredible, I had a drip running into me within 10 to 15 minutes.
 As I already knew, I’m stubborn. I wanted to run it all. Not walk. Not stop and breathe and In hindsight, I should have. 
 Seems like my mind was just a bit stronger than my body on the day. I never thought I could push myself there in all honesty. 

Am I gutted? Of course, I was only 2km away but I gave it everything I had on that day. Heat stroke, exhaustion, and dehydration got me. 

I am always reminded here of the quote ‘The man in the arena’ look it up if you need. 
 Will I run 42.2km again? Yes, I feel I need to. 

Would I do things differently, now I’ve run 40km under race conditions? You bet, lessons learnt. Always lessons. Never be scared to not succeed. Be scared to never try in the first place. 
 We go again.
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