It is common for a family member’s passion or career to be passed down to the next generation. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a third generation professional wrestler and his oldest daughter is currently a member of WWE’s NXT brand.
In bodybuilding, there are several second-generation stars such as Hunter Labrada, son of the great Lee Labrada, and Sergio Oliva Jr., whose father was a three-time Mr. Olympia.
Kailee Fessock has all of the above beats. Her family tradition of law enforcement goes back to her great-great-grandfather. A fifth-generation police officer, he currently serves as a school resource officer in St. Cloud, FL, and is the first woman in her family to follow this family path.
“It definitely runs in the family and I grew up in it,” Fessock said proudly. “I love it so much.”
Fesock also enjoyed sports and athletics as a child growing up in Baltimore, Maryland. The West Virginia University graduate discovered CrossFit while in college and has been hooked ever since. The different challenges and the common bond formed by the people at her gym are what established her love for the discipline.
“I like variety and I like people,” he said. “There was no community like CrossFit Ridgeline and I still miss it.”
CrossFit has helped her far beyond being in shape alone. She was also a Division I soccer player, and the combination of running and lifting heavier weights served her well when she took to the field.
“I was able to stand my height, move to the ball quicker, and I feel like it’s even helped me become a better team player,” Fessock said. “CrossFit has taught me not to give up.”
Obviously, fitness also benefits her in her career because her personal motto is “always be ready”. This is a lesson she tries to teach the students who attend her school. She embraces her position because she can show girls that they can be strong, fit and successful in whatever career they want. Her background and success in a predominantly male field serves as a testament to that. She never had a female role model to look up to in her schools, but she wants to be that role model for others. Kailee Fessock does her best to instill that confidence in every person she comes across both at the school she works at and across the country.
“A lot of women will ask me questions, and one in Berkeley, California asked me if I had time for a call. She thought I wouldn’t answer, but I did and I called her because that was one of the nicest things for me.”
Model in the making
Fessock stays very busy with her career in law enforcement and her commitment to education, but she’s not done there. Her goal is to be a full-time fitness model and she is well on her way to doing that. Her social media profiles showcase her work and it’s clear that she tries to stay ready for every opportunity that comes her way. She gives the same commitment to this passion that she has to everything else in her life. When she finishes her day shift, she goes to photo shoots.
Kailee Fessock is 13 years into her modeling career. It started with makeup, but has evolved into jewelry, clothing, and creative photography. She signed to an agency in April 2024 and has the opportunity to make her dream her new reality.
Although modeling is her personal dream, she hopes that she can also inspire and serve others.
“I want to be an example to other people in general that they can follow and achieve their dreams,” he explained.
Whether it’s police work, fitness or modeling, Fessock understands that everyone can use a mentor and hopes to be one for many people now and in the future. She understands that being a beginner in a new environment can be difficult because she has experienced it herself and knows how to make others feel comfortable when they feel challenged. Fessock’s example can be a role model for many young girls to follow, and she has embraced the responsibility that comes with it. Her advice to future beginners, models or fitness officers is to be ready to learn and not be afraid to ask for help.
“We all need a mentor at some point. Everyone starts somewhere. Being a coach is so big to being successful.”
Kailee Fessock’s tips for Master Murph
Kailee Fessock revealed her favorite CrossFit workout is the “Murph,” which is performed every Memorial Day in gyms around the world as a tribute to the late Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, who died in 2005 while serving in Afghanistan. The WOD consists of 100 pull-ups, 200 bodyweight squats, and 300 pushups, punctuated by two 1-mile runs. Fesock hopes so
more people will try it as a personal challenge and share tips to complete the grueling session.
- Set yourself up – “Take your time when you need it. Going all out at first can tire you out quickly.”
- Modify it if necessary – “You can always reduce it. If you can’t do pullups, do assisted pullups with a band or ring rows. Do whatever you can to finish.”
- Be around positive and supportive people – “The right people make it a better experience and I was blessed to have several who took me under their wing.”
You can follow Fessock on Instagram @xo_kailee .
M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this article.
