We sat down with professional golfer, CrossFit athlete and HYROX competitor Annabell Fuller to talk about her unique approach to training, the crossover between these demanding sports, and the mindset that drives her forward.
How would you describe yourself as an athlete in three words?
Annabell Fuller: Energetic, passionate, and varied—I do a bit of everything.
HYROX has a reputation for being brutal. What’s your favourite and least favourite workout station?
My favourite is burpee broad jumps, even though everyone seems to hate them. With CrossFit, we do so many variations of burpees that I’ve learned to enjoy them. My least favourite is definitely the sled pull.
What’s on your HYROX bucket list?
My first big goal was going sub-hour, which I achieved. Long-term, I’d love to qualify for Worlds. I’m still new to the sport, so right now it’s about racing more, getting experience, and consistently improving my times.
And in golf—what’s at the top of your bucket list?
Competing in all the majors. To play in every single one at some point would be incredible.
Do you have a go-to training song?
Not one specific track—it changes a lot. But I love sing-along songs with a good beat, especially when I’m running.
How did you first get into HYROX?
I’d been doing CrossFit for about three and a half years. I always loved the cardio and gymnastics more than the weightlifting, and I enjoyed long partner workouts. HYROX felt like a natural extension of that training. My CrossFit coach in the US even told me it would be perfect for me. He was right—I tried it and loved it.
Do you combine other training styles with CrossFit and HYROX for golf?
Mostly CrossFit and golf, since they overlap more directly. The endurance and mental toughness from HYROX is valuable, but CrossFit’s strength and plyometric elements benefit my golf game the most. They all feed into each other.
Some athletes say CrossFit lacks rotational work, which is crucial in golf. What’s your take?
I actually think the core stability from CrossFit helps my swing more than specific rotational drills. Movements like sled pushes and pulls build the stability you need. Overdoing rotation work isn’t necessary if you’ve got that strong base.
Has golf impacted your fitness training?
Yes—golf gives me lots of low-intensity zone 1–2 cardio through walking. It also sharpened my analytical side. In CrossFit and HYROX I don’t just “do random workouts”; I like to look at the stats and be strategic, which comes from golf.
How did you first get into golf?
My older sister played and was really good. I copied her, kept playing, and by around 13 I started improving a lot. That’s when the competitive side of me took over.
What does a typical training week look like for you?
At home, if I don’t have an event: three days of a run in the morning and a CrossFit workout in the evening, plus a couple of days with longer cardio sessions followed by CrossFit. Weekends often involve team workouts or active recovery.
When travelling, I cut to one session a day, five or six days a week. Golf: About 9–4 each day, structured like a work schedule, with range practice, putting, and nine holes every few days. I also have one or two lessons a week.
What’s been your best and toughest sporting moment so far?
Turning pro was exciting, but at first I struggled with consistency across tournaments and started second-guessing myself. I had to remind myself that ups and downs are part of sport—you can feel amazing one day and off the next, even if performance isn’t that different. That perspective helped me push through.
What advice would you give to someone considering their first HYROX?
Start running. CrossFit doesn’t prepare you for longer endurance, so that’s key. But more importantly—enjoy the process. Training with a race goal makes you more motivated, and once you’re in the event, the adrenaline makes it special.
Mentally, what was it like stepping up to compete as a pro?
I was definitely nervous, but nerves mean you care. My focus is always on what I can control—training, preparation, effort. That mindset helps in golf, CrossFit, and HYROX.
Is that mindset from experience, or also from coaches, books, podcasts?
A mix of all. “Control the controllable” is a mantra you hear often, but few people really live it. I think of it like exams—you can’t cram in the last five minutes. You prepare, then you trust the work you’ve done.
What’s a common misconception about professional golf?
That golfers aren’t athletes. People think it’s an older man’s game. But at the pro level, golfers are seriously strong and powerful. Swinging at 125mph takes real athleticism.
In your opinion, what separates a good athlete from a great one?
Discipline over motivation. Good athletes will train consistently, but great athletes still give 100% even on days they don’t feel like being there.
Final thoughts?
Just that I really enjoy the crossover of golf, CrossFit, and HYROX. They all complement each other and push me to be a better athlete.
