Victoria’s CrossFit Success: How a Love for Surfing and Travel Led Her to the Games
"At this level we train at every 1% improvement on your fitness matters. After getting sent an AIRWAAV mouthpiece, I followed the molding instructions, and tried it the next day. I could tell my heart rate was steadier and I was generating more power in my lifts. That 1% was enough for me to make sure I kept it in my routine."
Victoria’s path to CrossFit greatness began in her native Brazil, where she first discovered her love for movement through sports like surfing, skateboarding, and futsal. Her natural athleticism helped her transition into CrossFit, where she quickly stood out for her adaptability and passion for the sport. “Surfing and skateboarding were my favorite hobbies growing up, and I also played a lot of futsal and beach soccer during high school. Playing sports and competing were always fun, and I think that shaped me to face challenges in CrossFit and everyday life, without fear of failure.”
The thrill of learning new movements and tackling different workouts every day is what initially drew Victoria to CrossFit. “The everyday challenge with a wide variety of movements to learn and different workouts every day is what got me hooked,” she recalls. What started as a way to enhance her surfing and skateboarding soon became her primary focus, and she never looked back.
A Champion in the Making
Victoria’s commitment to CrossFit has paid off tremendously, especially in the South America Semifinals, where she ranked 1st for three consecutive years (2022-2024). Her impressive performances have qualified her for the CrossFit Games multiple times, but with limited spots available for athletes from South America, the pressure to perform at the highest level is always on.
“To be a top athlete in CrossFit takes a lot of dedication and hard work,” she explains. “Recognizing we all have different strengths and identifying shortcomings is a key part of preparing for the big competitions. With years of CrossFit experience, I’ve learned to prioritize getting better at what I struggle with and commit to leveling up my fitness. Mentally and physically, knowing that I’ve put my all into training lets me take on whatever CrossFit throws at us—that’s all I can do."
The Move to Mayhem
In 2021, Victoria made a pivotal decision in her career when she moved to Cookeville, Tennessee, to train under CrossFit legend Rich Froning at CrossFit Mayhem. “The gym I coached at signed up for the Mayhem program, so I tried it out in 2020 and fell in love with it. In 2021, I took third in South America and decided to move to Cookeville so I could become a full-time athlete. I knew I had to be surrounded by like-minded people who wanted to make it to the CrossFit Games too, so I made the move.”
Training at Mayhem has allowed Victoria to push herself further, both mentally and physically, as she prepares for major competitions. Her typical training day involves 5-6 hours split into two sessions, with a focus on strength, conditioning, and recovery. Thursdays are reserved for active recovery, which includes low-intensity cardio followed by sauna and cold plunge sessions. Sundays are full rest days, giving her body time to fully recover from the week’s work.
AIRWAAV: A Key to Success
One of the tools that Victoria credits for improving her performance is the AIRWAAV mouthpiece, which she first noticed when Rich Froning was using it during training. “At this level, every 1% improvement on your fitness matters,” she says. “After getting sent an AIRWAAV mouthpiece, I followed the molding instructions and tried it the next day. I could tell my heart rate was steadier and I was generating more power in my lifts. That 1% was enough for me to make sure I kept it in my routine.”
Victoria relies on the mouthpiece during longer workouts to maintain steady breathing and enhance her focus. “I rely on the AIRWAAV mouthpiece to keep my breathing constant. It grips onto my teeth, making me feel more grounded. Placing my tongue at the right spot makes it easier for my breathing to flow, and I can solely focus on getting the task ahead of me done.” For those who are skeptical about trying the AIRWAAV mouthpiece, her advice is simple: “Give it a couple of weeks and you won’t regret it. It does feel weird at first, but once you break it in, it will be life-changing.”
Adventurer at Heart
Victoria’s journey through CrossFit has taken her across the world, but she’s also an avid traveler with a love for exploring new places. “The world sure is my oyster, haha! There are so many places I’ve loved, but Hawaii and New Zealand definitely stand out. They have a very healthy and easy-going lifestyle. They prioritize quality time and nature. They know how to live.”
Looking ahead, Victoria’s goals extend beyond the CrossFit Games. While she continues to aim for peak performance in CrossFit, she’s also interested in trying other sports like HYROX in the future. “I’m a CrossFitter at my core, but I also love a challenge and exploring other sports. Being at peak fitness in my career, I’d love to see what else is out there that I could venture into.”
Beyond competing, Victoria has a passion for coaching and giving back to the CrossFit community. She’s working toward earning her L4 certification and is excited about the opportunity to help others achieve their fitness goals. “Apart from being a professional athlete, I LOVE coaching and being connected to my community. My goal is to achieve my L4 in the near future and give back to my community in any capacity I can.”
Victoria’s Journey is Just Beginning
As Victoria continues to rise in the CrossFit ranks, her dedication to the sport, commitment to improvement, and love for the community remain at the heart of everything she does. With her sights set on new challenges and goals, there’s no limit to what she can achieve. Whether it’s on the competition floor or in the gym as a coach, Victoria’s journey is one of hard work, passion, and the drive to be the best version of herself.
