Trista Smith is a Washington native who traded CrossFit competition for navigation charts and off-road rally racing, carving out a name for herself as one half of Team Velocity in the grueling all-women Rebelle Rally.

EARLY YEARS

Growing up at her family’s owned and operated go-kart track in Washington state, Trista was surrounded by the squeal of tires, the rev of engines, and the unmistakable smell of racing fuel from an early age[1]. She’s been training in some capacity since she was four years old, though her athletic path initially led her away from traditional motorsports[2].

As a kid, she split her time between gymnastics and CrossFit before eventually ditching the balance beam for the barbell[3]. Her parents, Tim and Tammy Smith, owned FallOut CrossFit since 2009, making fitness quite literally a family affair[4]. For Trista, CrossFit wasn’t just a hobby—it became a lifestyle.

OTHER INTERESTS

When she’s not strapped into a rally vehicle or crushing workouts, Smith is a full-time van-lifer juggling the roles of mom, wife, and multi-sport adventurer[5]. She’s a cycling enthusiast who thrives on learning and mastering new skills, and she finds fulfillment in camaraderie and competition with friends[6]. Her hobbies lean decidedly outdoorsy: she’s a jam maker and mushroom seeker who clearly knows how to live off the grid with style[7].

Trista also has a knack for talking people into endurance events. She once convinced her rally co-driver Karisa Haydon to compete in a triathlon—despite Karisa not knowing how to swim at the time. Spoiler: they both completed it, rocked it, and went on to finish many more triathlons after that. She also persuaded Karisa to tackle a 24-hour mountain bike race, because apparently regular bike rides are too boring[8].

EARLY SUCCESS

Before rally racing entered the picture, Trista made waves in the CrossFit world. As a Richland High School student, she was crowned the third fittest teen in the world for her age group and competed for the title of “Fittest Teen on Earth” at the CrossFit Games[9][10]. At just 15 years old, she was already a force to be reckoned with.

By age 10, Smith had set her sights on becoming a CrossFit Games athlete—a childhood dream she eventually conquered under the tutelage of two-time Fittest Man on Earth Justin Medeiros and coach Adam Neiffer[11]. She placed first in the Girls 14-15 division at the CrossFit Open in 2021 and continued to dominate in her age group through her teen years[12].

Her transition to rally racing came about a year after meeting Karisa Haydon, and the two quickly discovered they were a perfect match for the demanding world of off-road navigation[13]. They started training together on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, where they honed their map-reading and off-road driving skills in preparation for the Rebelle Rally[14].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2021: Placed 1st in Girls 14-15 division at CrossFit Open[15].
• 2022: Named X-Cross Rookies of the Year at the Rebelle Rally alongside Karisa Haydon[16].
• 2022: Won Stage 7 at the Rebelle Rally[17].
• 2023: Competed for Ford Performance in the 4×4 category at the Rebelle Rally, earning the Bone Stock award[18].
• 2023: Finished 7th overall in a 2023 Ford Bronco Wildtrak with 1239 points and 82% completion[19].
• 2024: Placed 2nd overall at the Rebelle Rally in a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor with 1679 points and 89% completion[20].

INSPIRATIONS

Smith finds energy and fulfillment from learning and mastering new skills, thriving on the blend of camaraderie and competition[21]. Her upbringing in a fitness-focused household and around motorsports laid the foundation for her drive to constantly push boundaries, whether in the gym or in the desert.

REPUTATION

Trista has built a reputation as a versatile athlete who refuses to be boxed into one discipline. From being one of the fittest teens on the planet to becoming a standout navigator in the punishing Rebelle Rally, she’s proven she can adapt and excel in wildly different arenas[22]. As part of Team Velocity, she’s earned respect not just for her raw talent but for her ability to stay cool under pressure and master the complex art of off-road navigation.

She’s also known as someone who gets people to do crazy things—like convincing non-swimmers to do triathlons and turning friends into 24-hour mountain biking maniacs. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she’s become a go-to name in both the CrossFit and rally racing communities[23].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Smith continues to compete at the highest levels of off-road rally racing with Team Velocity, representing Ford Performance. In 2025, she and Haydon returned to the Rebelle Rally, aiming to build on their impressive second-place finish from the previous year[24]. She’s also involved in the World Fitness Project and remains active in the CrossFit scene, balancing her multi-sport lifestyle with her growing family and van life adventures[25].

REFERENCES

Team Velocity – Trista’s Full Bio
CrossFit Games Athlete Trista Smith – YouTube
Trista Smith | The New Era is Here – The LEVEL 1
Richland Student to Compete for World’s Fittest Teen Title Next Week
#131 – Team Velocity – Rebelle Rally 2023
Team 131 – Team Velocity – Rebelle Rally 2025
Team Velocity Official Website
#131 – Team Velocity – Rebelle Rally 2024
Washington Girl To Compete For ‘Fittest Teen On Earth’ Title
Richland Teen Will Compete To Be “The Fittest Teen on Earth”
Trista Smith Conquers Childhood Dream Under Tutelage of Justin Medeiros and Adam Neiffer
Trista Smith – CrossFit Games
Team Velocity – About Formation
Off-roaders Map Out Road to Rebelle Rally – KDLL
Trista Smith CrossFit Open Results
Team Velocity Prior Years and Awards
Team Velocity Stage 7 Win 2022
Team Velocity Bone Stock 2023
2023 Rebelle Rally Results
2024 Rebelle Rally Results
Team Velocity 2025
Offroad Duo Races to the Top – KDLL
Team Velocity Training and Achievements
Team Velocity 2025 Competition Plans
Trista Smith – World Fitness Project