In her latest YouTube video, Tia-Clair Toomey, the most decorated athlete in CrossFit history, opened up like never before.
Raw. Unfiltered. And ready to say goodbye.
“All these things that I think I need… I just want to be free.”
As the seven-time Fittest Woman on Earth prepares for her final competition at the 2025 Torian Pro, she reflects on the grind that forged her, the lessons that shaped her, and the freedom she’s finally stepping into.
This isn’t just a farewell to the sport that made her a legend. It’s a look at what it really takes to chase greatness—and what comes next when the chase is over.
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Addiction to the Hard Things
Tia doesn’t hesitate when asked what’s driven her for over a decade.
“I think I’m addicted to challenging myself,” she says. “I put myself in a position where I have to fight for it, and ask—how badly do I really want it?”
It’s that obsession—one most people don’t understand—that fueled her rise.
But it’s never been about beating others. It’s always been about beating herself, again and again, year after year.
And even now, she’s still asking the same hard question: Do I want this more than the person standing next to me?
Champions Are Made in the Quiet
While podium finishes and medals grab headlines, Toomey says the real work—the real separation—happens in silence.
“It’s those daily small decisions,” she explains. “What time you go to bed. What routine you have when you wake up. It all matters.”
According to Tia, greatness doesn’t show up in one big moment—it accumulates in thousands of tiny, unseen choices.
She calls them “micro to split decisions.” And it’s the athletes who stay consistent with those that eventually stand on top.
“Those small-impact decisions… they lead to success,” she says. “And they’re what separate a great athlete from a true champion.”
Redefining What Fitness Means
After 10+ years at the top of the game, has her definition of fitness changed?
Not really.
“It’s always been simple,” she says. “You work out to feel good, to get healthier, to have mental clarity, and to be physically prepared.”
But what has changed is how she applies her fitness. One year it’s Olympic weightlifting. The next, she’s qualifying for the Winter Olympics in bobsled. Now, she’s diving into HYROX competitions.
Each new challenge adds another layer of insight—not just into her body, but into what it means to train smarter, coach better, and live with more purpose.
“It’s about finessing your craft,” she says. “And we’ve been able to do that over and over again.”
From the Whiteboard to Real Life
When Tia talks about CrossFit, it’s never just about the gym.
It’s about what happens because of it.
“I was such a young, green little girl when I started,” she says. “But I’ve grown into someone I’m proud of because of what I’ve learned in the gym.”
For her, CrossFit became a metaphor for life.
Every whiteboard challenge taught her how to face uncertainty. Every brutal WOD trained her to push through discomfort. And every rep prepared her to face real-world adversity with calm and control.
“When you understand how to overcome challenges in the gym,” she says, “you can overcome them anywhere.”
What Comes After Greatness?
Now, with her final competition in sight, Toomey’s not focused on legacy.
She’s focused on family. And freedom.
“My sunset ride is my daughter in my arms, my husband right next to me, and an adventure ahead of us we don’t even understand yet.”
She admits—she has no clue what’s coming next.
But that’s what makes it exciting.
“We had no idea what was possible when we started this journey,” she says. “And we’ve created something so special. Now I just wonder—if we could do this, what else is out there?”
No Regrets, Just Growth
It hasn’t all been perfect.
“There are things I’d change,” she says. “Relationships, environments… moments I wish I wasn’t in.”
But every setback made her stronger.
If there’s one thing she’s certain about, it’s this: she wouldn’t be who she is today without the challenges that tried to break her.
“I’ve found better people. I’ve overcome things. And I’m more proud of who I am today because of those hard moments.”
Her advice? Stop clinging to the past. Focus on the now. Be ready for what’s ahead.
The Last Dance
On the surface, Torian Pro might look like another competition.
But for Tia-Clair Toomey, it’s the end of a story that started over 10 years ago—and the beginning of a new one.
“Competing to be the most dominant athlete in CrossFit history has been my life, my passion, my purpose,” she says.
Now, it’s time to come full circle. Back home. Back to where it all began.
“I just want to be free,” she says with a quiet smile.
And after everything she’s accomplished, she’s earned that freedom more than anyone.
