Alec Smith, Gay CrossFit Athlete, Talks Family Plans with Fiance

It’s been six years since Alec Smith bravely shared a heartfelt video with his over 300,000 Instagram followers, opening up to them and his wider CrossFit community about being gay.

His decision to come out was an inspiring moment for many individuals who had faced similar struggles of denial, fear, and ultimately, self-acceptance.

Back in 2018, Smith was actively competing at the highest levels in CrossFit, a sport that, at the time, had minimal representation of openly gay or bisexual men.

Recently, Smith has had to step back from competition due to arthritis in his hip. Despite this setback, he has found joy and love with his partner, Riley Hedstrom, a fellow fitness enthusiast. The couple has been engaged for three years, yet they’re in no rush to walk down the aisle.

Family First for Alec and Riley

Speaking on the "Out of Bounds" podcast, hosted by HYROX athlete Jake Williamson and Pridefit app founder Sam Leicht, Smith shared insights into his and Hedstrom’s priorities. While both look forward to their wedding day, their foremost priority is to start a family together.

"We actually started the process in 2022 — we had seven failed embryo transfers and then ran out of embryos," Smith reveals. The combination of emotional and financial strain from these setbacks has led them to reconsider their immediate plans.

"We’re still recovering and trying to figure out our next steps," Smith adds. "Weddings are not cheap… and I think that No. 1 for us is starting a family and then eventually having some type of celebration or ceremony or something."

Smith notes that their approach to marriage and family might differ from more traditional paths. "So, I think our order is a little different than traditional people’s orders are," he explains.

A Loving, Extended Family

Smith hails from Chesapeake, Virginia, while Hedstrom comes from Minnesota. Hedstrom’s "huge extended family" has its own set of expectations and traditions, which the couple must also consider when planning their future.

"They have yearly Christmas Eve parties that are well over 100 people… I’m still learning names after five years of going!" Smith jokes. He describes Hedstrom’s family as "super sweet… they’re all so loving and great. So that’s kind of what’s stopping us, the money side of it."

Despite these challenges, the couple remains optimistic and focused on their family goals.

Reflecting on Coming Out and Role Models

During the podcast, Smith also reflected on the impact of his coming-out video. In 2019, he received a flood of direct messages and inquiries about his sexuality, which felt overwhelming at the time. However, taking control of his narrative turned out to be a liberating experience, despite some negative reactions.

"The community was the biggest part… there were so many DMs and comments that just brought tears to my eyes and made me so happy that I had shared that video and shared that part of my life with them. It was great," Smith recounts.

While there were negative reactions, including unfollows from some close friends, Smith chooses to focus on the overwhelming support and positive impact of his decision to come out.

When asked about athletes he admires, Smith mentions Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy, particularly recalling Kenworthy’s public display of affection for his partner at the Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

"The first one that pops in my head is Gus kissing his boyfriend at the time on the Olympic stage. That was so cool to see because it was the first time an Olympian had done that publicly," says Smith.

Listeners can hear more about Alec Smith's journey and insights on the "Out of Bounds" podcast.

As Alec Smith and Riley Hedstrom navigate their journey together, their story continues to inspire many within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. They remind us that love, family, and authenticity are what truly matter.