Iceland Annie: The Evolution of a CrossFit Games Legend

by Annie Thorisdottir, Christine Bald (Editor)

Overview

An inspiring memoir by CrossFit legend Annie Thorisdottir, the first woman to win the CrossFit Games twice.

In 2011, Annie Thorisdottir earned the title “Fittest Woman on Earth” after winning the CrossFit Games in only her third year as a competitor. In 2012, she did it again, becoming the first woman to ever win the Games twice, solidifying herself amongst the CrossFit greats.

Iceland Annie is the story of how she got there, and everything that happened after. From bursting onto the CrossFit scene at the 2009 Games and famously hitting her first-ever muscle-up mid-competition, to becoming a two-time champion and mentor to athletes like Katrin Davidsdottir, to surviving the traumatic birth of her daughter and the battle with postpartum depression—culminating in a stunning 2021 comeback, when she placed third at the Games less than a year after giving birth.

Now, for the first time ever, Annie shares the intimate details of her career, delving into her mental resilience, determination, and the struggles and triumphs she’s faced as a top-level competitor over three separate decades.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250284235
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/07/2026
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352

About the Author

Annie Thorisdottir—or Iceland Annie, as she’s often called—is a two-time CrossFit Games champion (2011-2012) and twelve-time CrossFit Games veteran. Of those appearances, she’s stood on the podium six times—she took second in 2010 and 2014, third in 2017 and 2021, less than a year after giving birth. With the exception of 2015, when she was forced to withdraw due to heat stroke, she has never finished below the top 13. First recognized at the 2009 CrossFit Games, when she famously performed her first muscle-up mid-competition, Annie competes with a smile and has been celebrated throughout her career for her positive, never-say-die attitude. She lives in Reykjavik, Iceland with her partner Frederik Ægideus and their two children, Freyja and Atlas.

Christine Bald is a Boston-based author and journalist whose work blends sharp storytelling, deep research, and emotional insight. She has coauthored bestselling memoirs including Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, and Resilient, and her writing has appeared in some of CrossFit’s most iconic moments through her behind-the-scenes coverage of the CrossFit Games. Iceland Annie is her fourth book.

Editorial Reviews

"An honest, substantive, insightful memoir about the pursuit of greatness—not just the wins, but the physical and mental battles that evolved Annie as both an athlete and a person. Her story is a powerful reminder that even the strongest among us are still human, and that’s exactly what makes this book so inspiring. Proud to have shared the floor (and a few laughs) with her along the way.” —Tia Clair Toomey, 8x CrossFit Games Champion

“Annie didn’t just win; she redefined what winning means. For three decades, she competed with power, with grace, and a heart big enough to lift everyone around her. This book is the Annie I know: fierce, generous, and living proof that the impossible is within reach." —Katrin Davidsdottir, 2x Fittest Woman on Earth

“Annie’s true fitness isn’t just in what she can lift, it’s in how she adapts. She can take a lesson from anywhere, make it her own, and deliver when it counts. This book is Anníe at her core: resilient, curious, and relentless in finding a way through competition and life.” —Carl Paoli, Performance Coach & author of Free+Style

"This book is proof that greatness isn’t just what you achieve—it’s how you evolve. Annie’s story left me fired up, cracked open, and full of awe." —Mat Fraser, 5x CrossFit Games Champion

From the Publisher