Iceland Annie: The Evolution of a Crossfit Games Legend

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.

Author: Annie Thorisdottir
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 07/07/2026
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.20w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9781250284143


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2026
Library Journal 06/01/2026 pg. 103
Booklist 07/01/2026

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.