Tia-Clair Toomey, widely regarded as the fittest woman in history, has shared insights into her approach to exercise. The 32-year-old CrossFit athlete has won the CrossFit Games an unprecedented six times consecutively, took a break in 2023 to have her first child, and returned to win twice more in 2024. She also represented Australia in weightlifting at the 2016 Rio Olympics, won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, qualified for the 2022 Winter Olympics in bobsled, and completed a Hyrox doubles race in 54 minutes 24 seconds.
Toomey emphasises the importance of balance and not trying to be perfect at everything. 'You can't be perfect at everything all the time,' she says. 'Trying to juggle too many things at once is where many people come unstuck.' She advises focusing on what truly matters, whether that's workouts, work, or family, and taking pride in giving your best effort.
Rather than setting lofty goals that often lead to disappointment, Toomey suggests aiming for 1 per cent improvement each day. 'If you can get 1 per cent better every day, you can't ask for any more than that,' she says. Small changes, like going to bed 15 minutes earlier, drinking more water, or eating extra fruits and vegetables, can accumulate over time to make a significant difference.
Toomey also encourages people to keep an open mind about exercise. She recalls initially not returning to CrossFit for two months because she didn't enjoy the coach, but later found a different gym with a more encouraging coach. 'Who knows where I would be now if I never went back because of that one interaction,' she says. She advises trying different activities or classes until you find something you enjoy, as enjoyment is key to sticking with a routine.
