Interview with Annie Mist Thorisdottir: Where hard work leads to triumph

Annie Thorisdottir-paul volting

A couple months ago when I did the nterviews with different crossfitters I admire, there was one lady that was really nice and forthcoming. She was one of the top crosfit athletes in the world( and currently the fittest on Earth) but that hasn't changed her personality. She was still wishful to take the time and answer the questions I prepared for her. Reading her interview you will see why she won the Crossfit games in 2011- the combination of dedication, hard work and talent are only few of the things that could describe Annie! And instead of writing more words that only belittle what she truely is, I will let you read what she had to say...

Introduce yourself:
 Annie Mist Thorisdottir.

How long have you being doing crossfit?
I started doing CrossFit 2 months prior to the CrossFit Games 2009

Have you been involved in some other sports before that?
I was in Gymnastics for about 8 years, then Ballet, Pole vaulting, Bootcamp and now CrossFit…

How did people around you accept the fact that you are doing crossfit? Did they take a jaundiced view of it?
I have gotten a lot of support around me, of course you always get to hear different opinions about CrossFit but none of them to bad… =)

Annie Thorisdottir

Do you have a nutrition plan that you follow? If yes, do you meet disapproval from you friends? Or do they understand why you eat the way you do?
I try to eat healthy and little processed food, have a lot of high quality protein. I’m not strict paleo since I do eat dairy products (we have a lot of really clean dairy products here in Iceland) and some grains. My friends that train understand it and the others respect why I do it.

What does crossfit mean to you and did it change your life in some way?
It means a lot to me, I found something that I love and really enjoy doing. Definitely changed my life a lot in many ways.

Annie Thorisdottir's triumph at the games

What is your favorite WOD and which one do you hate the most?
I love heavy chippers, pull ups, push ups and something with a lot of Olympic lifts. In the benchmark workouts I like Grace, Isabel, Angie, DT and McGhee. Probably my least favorite is something that involves a lot of running and a lot of MUs. =)

Is it hard for you to combine your daily tasks with workouts? And have you ever used the excuse that you are too busy to workout?
Not really I try to go according to schedule and that usually involves training…

What is your biggest accomplishment in crossfit so far?
I would have to say 11th place on the Games 2009 and 2nd place 2010 and 1st place in 2011...

Do you remember some funny story with you and crossfit?
I have a lot of them… probably the most memorable one is how I got to the games 2009. I had never done a CrossFit workout before but decided to compete at the Regionals in Iceland. I had an oral math exam earlier that same day = Stress and 2 hours of sleep so I slept between workouts! Ended up as a lot of fun though and a trip to the Games… =)

What advice would you give to the beginner crossfiters?

Try to enjoy every workout and think positively especially for the ones that you dread the most. Remember that it will only get better… ;)