After more than a decade of competing at the highest level, Lauren Fisher has announced her retirement from professional CrossFit.
The nine-time CrossFit Games athlete, who competed four times as an individual and five times on a team, reflected on her journey, the impact she hopes to leave behind, and her future beyond competition.
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From an Uncertain Beginning to a CrossFit Legacy
Fisher’s CrossFit career began in 2008, but her first major competition came in 2012 when she qualified for Regionals. A pivotal moment occurred when her mother drove her to CrossFit Invictus, where she was too intimidated to enter. That hesitation vanished as she stepped inside and met elite athletes like Camille Leblanc-Bazinet, Josh Bridges, and Val Voboril. From that moment, she knew she wanted to pursue the sport at the highest level.
Originally, Fisher’s motivation for CrossFit was to enhance her basketball performance, with aspirations of playing in the WNBA. However, the sport quickly became her primary focus, inspired by athletes like Julie Foucher and Leblanc-Bazinet.
A Career of Highs and Lows
Fisher qualified for her first CrossFit Games in 2014 after securing third place at Regionals. That year, she competed as an individual and proved herself as a rising star. Over the next several years, she faced both triumphs and setbacks, including a first-place finish at the 2016 Regionals and a challenging 31st-place finish at the 2018 CrossFit Games, her lowest placement as an individual.
In 2019, she transitioned to team competition, joining the Invictus super team alongside her husband, Rasmus Andersen, and fellow athletes Tommy Vinas and Regan Huckaby. The shift reinvigorated her passion, and later that year, Annie Thorisdottir invited her to compete with Team CrossFit Reykjavík, leading Fisher to temporarily relocate to Iceland.
Despite the camaraderie and strong performances, one event at the 2019 Games left her deeply disappointed. “It was probably the worst event of my career,” she recalled, saying she felt like she had let her team down. However, despite the setback, the team secured a fourth-place finish, demonstrating their resilience.
Personal Loss and a Shift in Perspective
Fisher’s decision to retire was also shaped by personal tragedy. Her mother passed away on October 10, a loss that deeply impacted her outlook. Just two weeks later, she competed in the Rogue Invitational after encouragement from her father, who reminded her that her mother would have wanted to see her compete.
That weekend provided clarity. Walking onto the competition floor without seeing her mother in the crowd was a turning point, shifting her mindset from focusing solely on results to embracing the broader impact she could have.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter
Beyond competition, Fisher has already started building her legacy through Grown Strong, a business she founded to empower women through fitness. With her retirement, she plans to dedicate more time to this mission, helping others discover their strength and confidence, just as CrossFit once did for her.
“There’s so much more to life than competing in CrossFit or tying my identity to it,” Fisher said. “If I can make an impact and change lives while doing it, then I know I’m doing something right.”
After 12 years of competing, Fisher leaves behind an inspiring career, but her influence on the CrossFit community is far from over.
“Thank you and good night.”
