From the CrossFit Games to Pregnancy with Annie Thorisdottir + Camille Leblanc-Bazinet PH141

“Being a professional athlete, it’s a really selfish lifestyle that you need to lead. You’re number 1, 2, and 3.  You think about yourself -  it’s your life.  Like Cami said, it’s that extra percent that you put in that people don’t see.  It’s the sleeping during the night, the recovery in the evening, the food that you eat, the meal prepping, the training. It is everything, it’s the whole package.  So, all of a sudden - my body is my work tool and all of a sudden it’s not mine anymore.  I’m sharing this with someone else, and my body isn’t going to come first anymore.  She’s going to come first, no matter what, and I’m grateful for that, but it’s definitely something that you… It’s weird.  It’s a weird feeling.  It’s an incredible feeling, but it’s also really, really strange.”
- Annie Thorisdottir

 

Known as “Iceland Annie,” Annie Thorisdottir is a two-time Fittest Woman on Earth (2011-2012) and ten-time CrossFit Games veteran. With a background of gymnastics, pole vaulting, and boot camp, Annie made her Games debut in 2009 at 19 years old.  Since then, Annie has been a staple in our sport and she is known to train hard and always compete with a smile. After placing second in the world in the 2020 CrossFit Open, Annie declined her invitation to the 2020 CrossFit Games as she prepares for her next big event: she and her long-time partner, Fred Aegidius, are expecting their first child in August of 2020.

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet began her Crossfit Games journey in 2010, and she has competed every year since, ultimately earning the title of “Fittest Woman on Earth” in 2014.  In 2019 she made the transition from individual athlete to team competitor and took home silver as a member of Team CrossFit Krypton.  A former gymnast and Level 1 Seminar staff member, Camille has also been a member of the Canadian National Olympic weightlifting team and holds a chemical engineering degree.  She and her husband, Dave Lipson, recently announced that they are expecting their first child in September of 2020.

Annie, Camille and I recently caught up for a long overdue chat.  We compared notes on how their pregnancies are progressing, talked about how their training routines have changed, and discussed how their experiences as competitive athletes are helping prepare them for motherhood.  And, of course, we shared lots of laughs along the way!

 

 

In this episode we discuss:

• Camille’s intention to retire from competition, and Annie’s desire to compete again
• Camille’s pregnancy experience vs. Annie’s pregnancy experience so far
• How they shared the news with their partners
• How Camille and Annie’s training has changed  since becoming pregnant
• How every woman’s pregnancy is different and the importance of listening to your body
• Lessons Annie & Camille have applied from their competition days to support their pregnancies
• What it’s been like to experience pregnancy alongside their exceptionally fit and supportive partners
• The lessons they hope to instill in their children

 

 

You can follow Annie on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

You can follow Camille on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Links:

• I'm PREGNANT - 10 Weeks In, Annie Thorisdottir
• Camille's announcement to Dave
• Féroce Fitness
• Renaissance Periodization
• Dottir Project

Related episodes:

Ep 14 - Camille Leblanc-Bazinet on Moving Forward, Engineering, and Body Image

Ep 57 - Annie Thorisdottir and Fred Aegidius on Team Work and Individual Performance

Ep 81 - Postpartum Training and the Road Back to the CrossFit Games with Lindsey Valenzuela

Ep 82 - Training during Pregnancy and Healing Diastsis Recti with Lisa Ryan

Ep 83 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Julie Wiebe, PT

Ep 110 - Kara Saunders on CrossFit and Expecting Baby She-Bear

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

 

This post was originally published on April 27, 2020.