Every four years, millions of viewers sit in front of their screens to watch the Olympics. Viewers are awed by the immense athletic gifts they see in front of them, stirred by medal ceremonies, and often walk away with the thought that one day the person on that podium could be them. But in reality, only a handful of people have what it takes to make that dream become a reality. It takes hard work, dedication, and a level of discipline that is unimaginable to the common person. 

My guest today is Anna Tobias, and she is one of the few who have sat, watched the Olympics, and decided that would be her destiny. A native of Dunkirk, England, Anna was exposed to the sport of sailing at an early age. It wasn’t, however until she landed in the United States did that interest transform into a passion, a passion that would lead to her becoming a fixture on the Olympic and World Championships stage. Today she stops by to talk with us about how she found her calling, the struggles she had along the way, and why she’s targeting the 2024 Paris Olympics for her comeback. It’s an amazing conversation with an incredible competitor.

In this episode

• (2:34) – Anna reveals that she has been sailing since the age of 2.
• (5:31) – Anna ran cross-country track and other sports during high school. 
• (11:51) – Losing her mental edge helps put everything into perspective. 
• (17:01) – Falling flat in her first international event. 
• (21:41) – The impact of the third-place finish on her Olympic dreams. 
• (25:31) – Just sail and go for it and get the Gold was her attitude!
• (30:00) – The London Olympics and retirement. 
• (30:40) – Anna laments the costly mistakes that cost her gold in 2012.
• (35:57) – Anna gets back into sailing and still competing in CrossFit. 
• (37:27) – Anna reveals how and why she got her sailing passion back. 
• (38:03) – Her desire is for an American to bring home the gold in 2024.

Our Guest

Anna Tobias, a successful American sailor and former Olympic gold medalist in the laser radial class (2008), transitioned to CrossFit in 2011 during her preparation for the 2012 Olympics. Although she qualified for the Southeast CrossFit Regional, Tobias opted to prioritize her Olympic training. In 2013, she made her CrossFit Games debut, consistently ranking in the top 22 in subsequent years, achieving her personal best of 9th place. Notably, Tobias claimed the overall victory in the Masters Class at the 2018 CrossFit Games. Today, she dedicates her time to training, coaching other athletes, and managing T2 CrossFit in South Fayette, Pennsylvania. 

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Anna Tobias

• https://www.instagram.com/atunnicliffetobias/
• https://www.ussailing.org/news/coach/anna-tobias/

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