Athlete Spotlight: Priya Nair of CrossFit Encinitas

Five years ago, Priya Nair walked into CrossFit Encinitas not sure what to expect. Now she's one of the most decorated female athletes in San Diego County.

The Background

Priya grew up doing gymnastics — competitive through high school. That foundation shows every time she steps onto a pull-up bar, a set of rings, or a gymnastics piece in a competition. "Gymnastics is just movement patterns," she says. "CrossFit is just gymnastics with a barbell and a clock."

She found CrossFit during college and immediately connected with the community. "The whiteboard," she says, laughing. "I was obsessed with the whiteboard from day one."

The Training

Priya trains five to six days a week under head coach Sarah Chen. Her weak point has historically been heavy barbell work — specifically the snatch. She's spent the last year addressing it.

"I used to dread heavy snatch days. Now I look forward to them. That shift was big."

Her 1RM snatch has gone from 95 lbs to 135 lbs in 18 months. Her clean and jerk sits at 165 lbs. Numbers that let her compete at the top of the RX field.

The 2026 Season

Priya entered the 2026 season without specific goals. She left it as Pairs Clash champion and a 3rd place finisher at the North County Spring Open. "I stopped trying to predict outcomes and just competed in each workout," she says.

Her partnership with North County athlete Jordan Calloway in the Pairs Clash showed a chemistry that impressed coaches and competitors alike.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Priya enters the 2027 Affiliate Cup season as a marked woman. She knows it.

"People know what I'm good at now. They're going to program against it. That's fine. It just means I have to keep getting better everywhere else."

Watch for her at the North County Opener on April 17 — and every event that follows.