Samantha Briggs is a 29-year-old firefighter from Manchester who beat thousands of super-fit hopefuls from around the world to fourth place at the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games. She spent three days in the Californian sun working her body to the max (think squatting, lifting, rope climbing, and swimming in the ocean - to name just a few) all in a bid to be crowned the 'Fittest Woman on Earth'. Here she talks about the buzz of competing and why next year she has the title firmly in her sights...
How did you get into CrossFit and end up competing for the ultimate title?
A personal trainer at my gym told me to Google CrossFit and if I liked the sound of it, he'd take me to the 'box' (CrossFit gym) where he was a member. I went along to two taster session, fell in love with it, so promptly quit my normal gym and signed up for CrossFit instead. That was back in May 2009, by the end of that year I was persuaded to enter a UK CrossFit competition - I've loved the buzz of competing ever since.
What are the benefits of CrossFit for women?
Personally, I'm fitter than I've ever been before. Other women I work out with say that CrossFit has helped them learn to love their bodies. Instead of trying relentlessly to drop a dress size, they're trying to lift extra pounds above their heads or shave a couple of seconds off their run times, which really boosts their confidence. It's a really positive environment, plus you make loads of new friends!
How did you feel about going to California as a finalist in the 2011 CrossFit Games?
I was over the moon, I competed in 2010 and really caught the bug. And rather than psyching each other out, the athletes were all so encouraging of each other. I was pretty wiped out by the time I got home though. I train two or three times a day normally, so I'm used to the number of workouts at the Games [competitors complete three competitive workouts a day during the competition] But in the days leading up to it, I tried to taper down my training so by the time the Games started I was raring to go!
How did it feel to win the final event on the last day in front of a stadium full of people?
I couldn't believe it at first, I had to look twice to make sure no one else had finished before me. While I was competing, I blocked out the noise of the crowd, but afterwards I looked around and saw the crowd shouting and cheering. I will remember that moment for a very long time, it was an incredible feeling.
What are your plans for next year's competition?
Well, I'm competing in the World Police Firefighter Games in New York next. But when I return from my trip, my training for the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games will really start in earnest. I want to concentrate on fine tuning all my lifts and the gymnastic side of CrossFit. I've managed to muscle my way through most lifts, so now it is time to really perfect my technique. I can't wait for next year's competition - bring it on!
For more information about Reebok CrossFit, check out the January 2012 issue of Zest magazine. Click here to read more about Sam's achievements at the 2011 CrossFit Games.
