When it comes to offseason dedication, Kate Martin doesn’t just dabble—she dominates. Fresh off being drafted by the Golden State Valkyries in the much-anticipated WNBA expansion draft, the 24-year-old Iowa basketball alumna is already making waves. And no, we’re not talking about casual pickup games or leisurely jogs on the treadmill. Martin is putting in serious work, and the receipts are all over Instagram.
On Sunday, fitness trainer Maxwell Schmarzo—known on Instagram as “strong_by_science” (because apparently, “mad scientist” was taken)—posted a video of Martin’s intense offseason grind. If you thought offseason workouts were all about light reps and long breaks, think again. This clip showed Martin hustling through competitive shooting drills, jumping exercises, and, of course, heavy lifting.
Schmarzo couldn’t resist gushing about Martin’s effort:
“Some awesome work with @katemartin. Competitive off-the-move shooting drills, heavy lifting, and some jumping! @katemartin really puts in the work. I think a lot of younger athletes could learn a lot from how pros approach their training. No wasted time, very focused, and a mindset with the intent to learn and get better.”
Translation: Kate Martin is not here to play around.
From Rookie to Rising Star
Martin’s rookie season with the Aces was, let’s say, “humble beginnings.” She appeared in 34 games, starting just two of them. Her stat line? A modest 2.6 points, 0.9 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game. Sure, those numbers won’t get you a parade, but every Cinderella story starts with a pumpkin, right?
Now, with the Valkyries ready to debut in the WNBA, Martin has a fresh slate and a golden opportunity (pun intended) to step into a leadership role. Under the guidance of head coach Natalie Nakase—who boasts championship-winning experience with the Aces—Martin seems poised to do just that.
Valkyries Fans Have Every Reason to Be Excited
Since December 9, Martin and Schmarzo have been on a mission. From high-intensity pickup games to gym sessions that would make even the Hulk sweat, the duo has been relentless. The trainer has been sharing snippets of their work online, complete with captions like:
“Back in the lab with @katemartin, one of the newest members of the @valkyries. We compete, we lift, and we get better.”
Can we take a moment to appreciate the “lab” metaphor? Because if this training lab produces wins, Valkyries fans might want to start sending Schmarzo cookies.
The Spark Before the Storm
The Valkyries open their inaugural season on May 17 against the Los Angeles Sparks, and fans are already buzzing about Martin’s transformation. She’s going from a role player to potentially the face of a franchise, and her offseason grind is proof that she’s taking the challenge seriously.
Will the hard work pay off? Can Martin lead the Valkyries to a fairytale first season? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: Kate Martin is setting the tone for her team, and she’s doing it with a smile, a sweat-drenched jersey, and maybe a little soreness.
For now, Valkyries fans can sit back, watch the offseason clips, and dream about what’s to come. After all, if Martin’s hustle is any indication, the WNBA’s newest franchise might just make some serious noise in 2025.
Stay tuned—this is just the beginning of the Golden State Valkyries era, and it looks like Kate Martin is ready to be their leading lady.
