There are certain things which when ‘seen’ cannot be unseen. For example, while working out at the gym last week, cycling as if I was evading a pack of wild dogs, which is to say for my life, I looked up at one of the many T.V.’s mounted to the wall. What I saw shocked and amazed me. A woman was running up a steep hill with a huge medicine ball on her shoulders. Then, a second clip showed her squatting a massive amount of weight, which should have rendered her lame, but she did it while looking flawless.

I watched with rapt attention as she jumped up catching a pair of gymnastic rings, hoisted herself upward, and threw her entire body into the air with the precision of an Olympic athlete. I didn’t have headphones on while biking, but I saw the name, Annie Thorsidotter as the commentator showed her stats list.

Anyone who works out or coaches probably knows I was watching the highlights from the Cross Fit Games. A sport’s popularity which has skyrocketed over the past decade. Cross-fit is a high intensity work out with functional movements that will make or break you and includes weight lifting, running, rowing, and more. Thorisdotter is a depiction of the making – bigtime. She’s won the world Cross-fit championship. Twice. The Icelandic goddess who at first was called, “Thor’s Daughter” a play on her last name, later clinched another title “Fittest Woman on Earth” when she came in first in 2011 and 2012 at the CrossFit games.

Annie reminds me of a friend from high school who threw javelin and shot put. I was always felt awe watching these superhuman exercises that draw from an inner strength I’ve never known. A strength that goes beyond muscle and brawn. I never really understood where it came from, certainly somewhere deep and mysterious. Although I don’t track powerlifting or extreme sports like CrossFit, watching Thorisdottir reminds me strength is truly beautiful. You can’t watch her and not feel the same way.

Find Her Here:
@anniethorisdottir
CrossFit Games
Rogue Fitness