Emma Lawson has never known a life without CrossFit.
Lawson’s parents, mother Cybil and father Pete, would bring their young daughter along when they did their own workouts.
By the time she turned seven, she was interested in embarking on her own journey in the sport.
“My parents started CrossFit and I would come to the gym to watch the classes and then joined CrossFit kids when I was seven,” Lawson said.
“I loved it and have been involved ever since.”
Now the 18-year-old is looking to improve on her 6th place finish at the 2022 CrossFit Games this August.
She earned the right to compete in the event after an extensive qualification process that began with the Worldwide Open where she recorded three weeks worth of her workouts and times. Those videos were then posted and ranked on an overall global leaderboard based on division.
From there, only 10 per cent of the competitors moved on to the quarterfinals that also took place virtually. At that event the top 60 men and 60 women from North America and Europe qualified for the semifinals. The top 30 men and women from Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America also qualified for the next round.
The semifinals were held in-person, with Lawson taking part in the North America East competition in Orlando, Fla.
Lawson was among the top 11 out of 60 women and qualified for the CrossFit Games this August in Madison, Wis.
As can be imagined with such a gruelling qualification process, the feeling of qualifying evoked many emotions.
“I felt overjoyed, accomplished, relieved, excited and motivated,” Lawson said.
To reach the summit of the sport, Lawson dedicates between five and six hours of her day, six days a week to training that involves aerobic exercises, metabolic conditioning and interval based workouts and resistance training. Her only rest day is Monday.
The intense training program ensures she'll be prepared when the stakes are the highest later this summer.
“My goal is to feel prepared for anything going into the weekend,” she said.
“I want to put my best effort forward and whatever happens, happens. It would be great to finish within the top five this year.”
To accomplish that goal, Lawson will continue to prepare physically while also getting her mind in the right space for the pressure she’ll be under. Part of that process includes time away from the sport spending time outside with friends and her pooch Ellie.
“I try to remind myself that I've done everything I can going into the weekend,” she said.
“I can only do what's in my control and not worry about what others are doing. Doing things outside of the gym helps to keep me balanced so when I come back to training I look forward to it and get excited.”