Gia Griffith is a force to be reckoned with at the age of 12, which was apparent from the minute she began to speak about her athletic career. Gia cannot remember a time when she wasn’t an active child. Gia, who loves to climb, was a competitive gymnast between the ages of three and eight. During this time she also began practicing martial arts, which helped teach her discipline, along with her upbringing and family’s values.
The daughter of a personal trainer/CrossFit coach and U.S. Army Veteran, Gia said she was born competitive. Gia remembers going to work with her mom, at a CrossFit box, as a toddler. At only eight years old, Gia became a competitive CrossFit athlete. In order to become as well-conditioned as possible, Gia also began boxing, powerlifting, strength training, running track and playing soccer.
Gia still incorporates some of the exercises from previous sports into her CrossFit training, but only currently competes in CrossFit and soccer.
Inspiration and Ingenuity
When Gia enrolled in gymnastics over four years ago, her family took the opportunity to build a gym in their garage, which proved to be very useful during COVID. A few weeks ago, Gia started live streaming her WODs, which was presented by Canada’s functional fitness category at Junior Worlds. She recently live streamed the “War Frank” Hero WOD.
Gia’s inspiration largely comes from her parents, who she referred to as her heroes. Gia’s father is a US Army Veteran whose focus and determination helps guide her. The determination, discipline and consistency exhibited by Gia’s mom are incredible. Gia desires to emulate her mother and become a personal trainer or a sports psychiatrist when she grows up.
The only non-relative Gia credited with providing motivation is Tia-Clair Toomey, an Australian weightlifter, who earned her sixth consecutive title at the 2022 CrossFit Games. Tia-Clair has more CrossFit title wins than any other athlete in the sport.
(Almost) Teen Spirit
Gia is such an impressive young lady who has already accomplished so much, and she’s just getting started. With her thirteenth birthday in mid-December, Gia is excited for the year ahead. A glimpse of her inner child peeked through when she mentioned hoping for an XBOX, to play FIFA, to mark the milestone birthday.
She is currently completing a qualifier for the CrossFit competition “Fittest of the Coast,” scheduled to be held in South Carolina in January 2024. If invited, this will be Gia’s first CrossFit competition as a teenager. Gia is given a different workout weekly, listing exercises she is likely to see at the competition, which she can practice at her discretion.
We hope that you follow Gia on her whirlwind athletic journey throughout her teenage years and beyond.
