10. EMBRACE YOUR COMPETITIVE SPIRIT
Annie Thorisdottir is both humble, yet open to admit that she wants to win whenever she competes. She is fiercely competitive, which helps you to improve in Crossfit, yet her ego doesn’t get in the way if she finishes in second place. For her she doesn’t lose, either she wins or learns a lesson.
‘Identify your finish line – and as soon as you get there find the next one. Having goals is essential to growing, essential to learning, essential to be better than you were yesterday.’
Annie always fights for first place
9. PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS. PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS. PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS.
Annie works like a Trojan when it comes to improving her technical abilities. She is humble about her weaknesses and honest about what she needs to improve. Do the same, know that whatever your level, you can always get better.
‘As with any other skill you need to break it up into smaller pieces.’
8. ANNIE THORISDOTTIR: ‘KEEP A POSITIVE MINDSET’
Annie Thorisdottir is famous for her beaming smile and optimistic outlook. She pushes her limits daily, and in competitions, her perspective is exactly the same. Taking time to work on having the right mental attitude can have huge effects on your performances.
Annie having fun and training with ‘Thor’ / the Mountain from Game of Thrones
7. MIX THINGS UP: GO OUT AND PLAY
Variety lies at the heart of Crossfit, so have fun with it:
‘Got the opportunity to go outside and play yesterday – we loaded up a few sandbags, 15kgs, 30kgs and one 45kg bag and had to move them across the parking lot. I think this might be one of my favourite things to do, get outside of the gym and put in work.’
A video posted by Annie Thorisdottir (@anniethorisdottir) on
6. APPROACH INJURY WITH THE RIGHT MINDSET: COME BACK STRONGER!
Annie Thorisdottir won the 2011 and 2012 Crossfit Games. Weeks before the 2013 Games, she suffered a serious back injury and made the decision to withdraw from competition. She had the foresight to think about her health in the long run, but had to watch from the side-lines as Sam Briggs won the Games and took her title.
She took recovery slowly, but used it to make her an even stronger athlete. Crossfit is not about short term fixes, and Annie’s return to form proves this. There is no way to sugar coat it: Injuries suck, but look at Annie’s incredible performances at the Meridian Regionals and you will see an athlete that is right back at the top of her game!
‘My goal was never to come back 100% it was to come back stronger!’
Pull pull pull pull pull pull ☀️? #posteriordomination @crossfitgames
A video posted by Annie Thorisdottir (@anniethorisdottir) on
5. NEVER REST ON PAST VICTORIES
Despite having two CrossFit Games wins and two second place finishes to her name, Annie Thorisdottir is still fighting for more. ‘I personally can’t wait to suit up again in Carson this summer – I think this will be the best one yet.’
She doesn’t let these accolades slow her down, or stop trying just because she has already achieved them. Those WODs at your box that you won? They are simply a stepping stone towards the next achievement.
‘Get better every day, one step at a time you will get closer to your goal. Never stop moving.’
A video posted by Annie Thorisdottir (@anniethorisdottir) on
4. ENJOY WHAT YOU DO
From mobility to endurance, technique to strength work, Annie always gives 100% and wears her heart on her sleeve. She does what she loves and loves what she does.
‘Throwing heavy things overhead has always been one of my favourites. That moment in time where the bar becomes weightless and you need to make a decision – make or break, drop under or drop the bar. I think the suspense is what makes this so exciting and fun to work on.’
3. FINISH SESSIONS WITH ACCESSORY WORK
One of her training maxims. Accessory work can often be overlooked, but from gymnasts to powerlifters, it is understood as an important way to augment your main movements and lifts. Make sure to get it done.
‘Love finishing up the session with a little accessory work – it’s a way you can put in more work without straining your body to much’
A video posted by Annie Thorisdottir (@anniethorisdottir) on
2. PUT IN THE WORK
‘You have to be willing to put in the work – whatever you are fighting for, it doesn’t happen without putting in work. Work is not always fun, but work that is hard will make what you are fighting for even sweeter when you reach that goal.’
Annie adopts the Crossfit recovery position
1. BE A GREAT ROLE MODEL
Annie thorisdottir has inspired a whole generation of world class Crossfit athletes, especially in her home country of Iceland. When you speak to athletes such as Katrin Davidsdottir and Thuridur Helgadottir, both multiple Games athletes, it is clear to see the way that these athletes look up to Annie (and enjoy competing with her) so much.
So maybe you’ve not yet quite at Annie’s level, but your performances affect those around you. Didn’t hit that Snatch PR you were aiming for? Instead of storming around in a bad mood blaming the chalk or the bar or the fact that you had the wrong straps on, be humble like Annie. Accept that you have work to do, smile, and treat it as a lesson learned. When you do hit it the PR it will be all the sweeter for it!
Annie is open and honest and shows exactly how far hard work can get you
