Hello everybody, Pat Sherwood here in the Update Show Studio.
Joined by somebody who is one of the few people to compete
all three years at the CrossFit Invitational
as an athlete
and now she finds herself playing the role of coach.
Of course I'm talking about the 2013 fittest woman in the world
Sam Briggs.
Sam, thanks for joining us.
Thank you for having me, Pat.
So
Sam, how do you take in such a short period of time
four individual Games athletes
and try to mold them into one team?
I think that's one of the challenges that's
that we've always faced at the Invitational.
Uh.
Obviously when you're on a team as Europe
that doesn't take into account that everybody is
in completely different countries training
in completely different areas
and in some cases speak different languages.
But luckily, you know, you have an easy to understand accent
so I don't think they'll have any trouble understanding you as a coach.
Now, we've watched you compete as an individual for years and years
the role of the coach is a little bit new to you
what are you going to take from your years of experience as an individual
to make you a better coach?
Uh, I think that the experience that I have obviously competing on the team
the last three years
will help just
with the tactical decisions that we made
things that we found to work to our advantage
communication and
bonding as a team.
And
also I was in the fire service for 10 years
which is a massive part of being a team.
I was a commander, so
I'm used to being a leader.
So hopefully rather than being
just a coach, I'll be there
to work with
the athletes. And just kind of
lead them in what we need to do.
To put up a good performance.
Now you have a phenomenal team
on paper you look at their stats like we all can
they're all stand outs
but when you assess your four athletes
what stands out to you now as a coach?
Oh, I think that
not just their performance at the Games this year.
You look and we've got three podium finishers there.
And Koski was 9th, so
all four were top 10
individual athletes.
You look at their performances at Regionals as well
Koski ran away with the European Regionals
and so did Sara.
We've got some very strong athletes.
And I think that we can
definitely be a force to reckon with.
People will be taking the European team seriously no doubt
but when you look across the field
who do you see as the main competition?
I don't think you can discount anybody really.
Uh, I think that we proved that when it was
Team World.
The underdogs can win.
We came together as a team. We had fun.
And
we got the tactics right on the day.
You've competed against Rich Froning before
and now how is it going to be to battle off with him as coach versus coach?
Um, I think it will be interesting.
He's definitely ... it's going to be a new role for him as well.
I think that we're both going to be there as ...
... the same with Michele Letendre ...
um
We're all athletes. We're going to
want to be there and participate.
And I think we're going to be on the sidelines
itching to go.
So who knows? We might have a coaches throwdown back stage.
Alright, final question. Let's say
the coaches had a throwdown
who's going to win versus all the coaches?
Oh, um
well I'll obviously give it my best shot.
I think you have a lot of people pulling for you in that direction.
Thank you very much for your time, Sam, we wish you all the best.
No problem, thank you.
That was Sam Briggs. You've watched her for years
throwdown as an individual.
You'll get to see her coach the European Team
to what she hopes will be a victory
at the CrossFit Invitational
December 6, Madrid, Spain
tickets still available
at Games.CrossFit.com