Samantha Briggs is Co-owner and Head Coach at Train Manchester. With a strong background in a variety of sports, Samantha has represented Great Britain in her age group in the World Duathlon Championships and has now chosen to focus her career on competing in CrossFit. Following a top 20 world placing in 2010 and a 4th place finish in 2011, she returned from injury this year to claim the winner’s title ‘Fittest Female on Earth 2013′ at the Reebok CrossFit Games in Los Angeles.
In addition to being a head coach at Train, on a worldwide level Sam is proud to represent Reebok as a sponsored athlete as part of their elite competition team. Sam is also sponsored by Rogue, Progenex UK, PurePharma & GLC-2000.
Sporting Achievements of Samantha Briggs
- Reebok CrossFit Games Female Champion 2013
- 1st place finish English Olympic Lifting Championship 2013 (58kg category)
- 1st place finish London Throwdown 2013 & 2012
- 8th (25-29yrs) ITU World Duathlon Championships 2010
- Lightweight British Indoor Rowing Champion 2010 and 2009
Samantha Briggs Qualifications
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer, CrossFit Gymnastics & Advanced Gymnastics Certified Trainer, CrossFit Power Lifting Certified Trainer. British Weight Lifting Level 2 Coach.
All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
Samantha Briggs is Fittest Woman on Earth and winner of 2013 CrossFit Games. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You played elite soccer in England in your younger days and competed in the World Duathlon Championships as an age group member of Team Great Britain. A firefighter by trade, you started Crossfit in 2009. You reached the pinnacle of success in CrossFit Games when you won 2013 CrossFit Games and earned the title of “Fittest Woman on Earth”. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
I’ve always enjoyed being active, soccer, kickboxing, mountain biking and running definitely kept me busy! This carried over into my career as a Firefighter where I thoroughly enjoyed having a physically demanding job. When I discovered CrossFit in 2009 it was perfect timing, as I’d just retired from soccer and started competing in Triathlons/Duathlons.
I originally started CrossFit to get stronger for Triathlons/Duathlons, but competing in my first Games in 2010 made me want to become a full-time CrossFitter!!! Concentrating on CrossFit for the 2011 season resulted in me placing 4th that year at the Games, which affirmed my decision!
Unfortunately a catastrophic knee injury in 2012 meant I had to sit that season out! Working hard in rehab and trying to strengthen other areas was my main focus for that year hoping I could come back in 2013 stronger! I made the decision to take a career break in the Games season 2013 to allow me to train full-time and commit everything I had to getting back to the Games!
This obviously paid off and resulted in me winning the CrossFit Games 2013! A lot of sacrifices were made in order for me to achieve that title but luckily all the hours spent in the gym were worth it!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You had a hard earned journey in CrossFit Games. You have finished 19th at the 2010 Games, fourth in 2011 and due to injury could not compete in 2012 and then went to win 2013 CrossFit Games. Tell us about your journey of tenacity, discipline and hard work that makes you a phenomena in CrossFit Games?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
2012 was probably the hardest year training wise for me. Being injured I had to be so disciplined in my training. Rehab is not the most interesting or fun thing to work on but my days consisted of over 50% of it!
When you’re focusing on a competition it’s easy to say no to nights out, but when you’re not even sure that you’ll be fit enough to compete the year after, those temptations become harder to say no to!
I tried to focus on what I could do instead of what my body couldn’t do!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
CrossFit mainly consists of olympic lifting, power lifting, gymnastics, plyometrics, sprinting and endurance exercises. In order to become a good CrossFitter you must try to become as efficient as possible in all the areas! This is one of the reasons I love CrossFitting, I don’t think you can ever truly master everything, you must balance out all the components of fitness. The key is not to specialise in one area!
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
I eat a clean diet. Which means trying to stay clear of processed foods. It mainly consists of eggs, meat, veggies, good fats, some nuts and fruit. I do have oats in my breakfast with whole milk, but then the rest of my meals won’t have any grains or dairy.
I’m not a grazer so I stick to the traditional 3 meals a day, but after each training session I have a protein shake.
I ensure I’m getting enough food in to fuel my body for my training sessions and competition as this is one of the main elements for recovery!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding CrossFit training girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of CrossFit Games ?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
Enjoy yourself! I think this is true when training and competing. I spend up to 6 hours a day in the gym if I wasn’t enjoying it then I think I would have to reconsider why I’m doing it! In competitions try to relax and soak up the experience, even if things don’t go to plan you can learn from these and change your training accordingly!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after you won the CrossFit Games in 2013?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
Coming back from an injury you always question if your back where you need to be, have other athletes surpassed you, has your training been enough! I had a good open and regional performance so I was hopeful that I could achieve my goal of top ten at the Games! I went into a podium position early on in the competition so then the thought was not to mess up all weekend! The top spot could be mine!
After winning the Games, it made all the time spent in the gym and sacrifices I made worth it! I don’t think it will ever sink in that I was crowned the Fittest on Earth 2013, but it’s an amazing title to have! I’m now working hard to try and get back on that podium!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You could not compete in CrossFit Games in 2012 as you had a painful knee injury that turned out to be a broken patella. A year of rehab, rebuilding and refocusing toward 2013 and finally winning the CrossFit Games in 2013. How you were able to overcome such a physical injury/setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
I surrounded myself with the best team possible and worked out a structured rehab phase and training program that allowed me to keep getting stronger for CrossFit without negatively impacting on my injury!
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your endeavour choosing the profession as a Fire Fighter?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
I always wanted an active career where I could actually help people and make a difference. Being a FireFighter ended up being the perfect choice. When I started competing in CrossFit the shifts meant I was able to dedicate a lot of time to my training and this benefited my fitness for FireFighting!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With exceptional hard work you are credited with all your achievements. Do you believe that does the hand of Providence (Supreme Being) played a role in your success?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
I believe some people are naturally more gifted in areas than others. But without hard work and dedications these talents may never come to light or ever shine!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive women CrossFit Games ?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
My biggest motivator to keep training is seeing the young girls taking up CrossFit because they’re seeing strong is beautiful. My biggest influencer has to be my mum, who taught me to always follow my dreams.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Samantha Briggs:
Have fun, exercise doesn’t have to be a punishment! Whether you choose to CrossFit, Zumba, run, cycle, swim or lift weights, living a healthy active lifestyle fills you with energy. Celebrate your achievements and take pride in everything you do! Most importantly … Smile!
To know the latest from Samantha Briggs, Check her out at:
- https://www.facebook.com/crossfitsamjbriggs
- https://twitter.com/BicepLikeBriggs
- http://websta.me/n/bicepslikebriggs
Women Fitness Team thanks Samantha Briggs for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.