David Newman | Rx Smart Gear CEO
I first met Laura Horvath in the months leading up to the 2022 CrossFit Games.
She was training in Chesapeake, Virginia, at CrossFit Krypton, a renowned gym that is home to elite athletes, including her coach Ben Smith, who was the 2015 CrossFit Games champion, and her training partner Alec Smith, also a respected athlete in the CrossFit community. I had been excited to meet Laura ever since she burst onto the competitive CrossFit scene by taking 2nd place at the2018 CrossFit Games in her very first appearance. Very little was known about this young phenom from Budapest, Hungary, other than her background as a competitive rock climber. But her remarkable athleticism and calm, collected demeanor on the competition floor quickly caught everyone’s attention. I remember her seeming very stoic and composed the entire week, almost like she’d been there before—despite it being her debut. Since that initial breakout performance in 2018, Laura has proven herself to be a force to bereckoned with, amassing four podium finishes and eventually earning the title of "Fittest Woman on Earth & in 2023. It was a remarkable journey, and I was lucky enough to be a part of it for awhile.
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Meeting Laura in Person
When I flew out to Chesapeake, Virginia, my primary goal was to shoot media and coach Laura on various jump rope skills. As a coach, I’ve been privileged to work with many top athletes, but meeting Laura for the first time was still a moment I looked forward to. When she entered the gym, I couldn’t quite get a read on her. She didn’t show much excitement upon meeting me, and I couldn’t tell if she was aloof, reserved, or simply shy. Eastern European athletes often carry a certain air of stoicism; maybe it’s part of their cultural background—focused, serious, and all business with no fluff. I didn’t expect fanfare, but I’ve been around the CrossFit landscape long enough to recognize when an athlete is completely dialed in.
Whats in your bag with Laura Horvath?
Usually, when I encounter athletes of Laura’s caliber, there’s a bit of a barrier.
Athletes who have accomplished as much as she has tend to be set in their ways. After all, what they’ve been doing has clearly been effective, so why change it? This can sometimes make it challenging to introduce new ideas or techniques. But to my pleasant surprise, Laura was the opposite. From the very beginning, she was hungry for knowledge and keen on finding ways to improve, even if it meant only gaining a fraction of a percent advantage. That kind of mindset is what separates good athletes from great ones, and it’s why Laura has continued to excel year after year.
One of the standout moments during our initial meeting happened when Laura pulled out her jump rope. I wasn’t aware she was already using Rx Smart Gear products, but there she was, holding the original EVO speed rope that came in a unique round carry case—a version that was only available for a short time. That small detail spoke volumes to me. Whenever I see that round case, I know that person has been a strong supporter of our brand for a long time because they recognized the value of the EVO rope early on, even when it was priced significantly higher than others on the market. Before the EVO’s release, the most expensive speed ropes typically cost around $60. We more than doubled that with the EVO, pricing it at $125 because it truly was a game-changer—better engineered, more efficient, and a clear step up from anything else available. But it wasn’t something you could fully appreciate unless you tried it yourself, and those who did were hooked for good.
Hearing that made me realize how serious she was about her craft. She wasn’t just a competitor looking for an edge—she was an athlete willing to invest in herself, even if it meant spending more for the best gear. That story, along with her clear respect for the equipment and the sport, told me I was going to enjoy working with her.
Interviewing the 2023 CrossFit Games Champion
Training Sessions and the Art of Coaching
Coaching Laura was a unique experience. She was open, attentive, and receptive, which isn’t something you always see in athletes of her level. Many are stuck in their ways, but Laura welcomed new techniques, even if they seemed minor or tedious. We worked on various jump rope skills, from basic positioning and mechanics to more complex movements. But the biggest change was reducing her rope length by 6 inches to improve her efficiency. A lot of athletes are terrified of using a shorter jump rope because they feel it takes away all margin for error, especially when they’re fatigued. But Laura didn’t bat an eye. I then proceeded to teach her crossover double unders and triple unders within 30 minutes. Her focus and determination to learn those skills was a sight to behold.
During our sessions, it became clear why Laura was so successful. It wasn’t just her physical abilities; it was her mental approach. She approached each movement with a level of precision that I don’t often see. If something didn’t feel right, she would stop and ask for feedback, and she’d work on it until she got it perfect. She didn’t just want to complete the task; she wanted to master it. But surprisingly whenever she messed up or failed an attempt, she would laugh at herself and even crack a joke but then start again. It was quite refreshing to see someone so determined not take themselves so seriously and actually enjoy the process of learning.
The Evolution of an Athlete
Over the years, I’ve seen Laura grow, not just as an athlete but as a person. From that initial stoic demeanor, she became more comfortable, more open, and more engaged. She’s still incredibly focused, but there’s a warmth to her now that wasn’t there when I first met her. I’ve watched her handle the ups and downs of competitive CrossFit with a level of grace that’s rare. After finishing second in 2018, she had to battle through a few seasons where things didn’t always go her way. Lesser athletes might have crumbled, but she didn’t. She kept showing up, kept training, and kept pushing herself.
When she was crowned the Fittest Woman on Earth in 2023 followed by another 1 st place finish at the Rogue Invitational it felt like the culmination of everything she’d been working for. It wasn’t just a title; it was a validation of years of hard work, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in herself. I remember watching her that year, and she was different. There was a confidence about her that I hadn’t seen before, and it showed in her performance. She wasn’t just competing; she was dominating.
Reflections on Coaching Laura
Coaching someone like Laura is an experience that stays with you. It’s not often that you get to work with an athlete who is not only supremely talented but also incredibly driven and willing to learn. Every time I saw her step onto the gym floor, I was reminded of why I love coaching. It’s about helping athletes find that extra gear, that little edge that can make all the difference. This was on full display during the 2024 European Semifinals when Laura posted the fastest time in the double under, toes to bar, front squat work out across all Semifinals around the world.
She put on a master class of all the techniques we worked on together from the way she picked her rope up and started her first double under rep, to the smooth, relaxed tempo and then finishing each set with a toe catch and placing her handles in an organized fashion. Everything was textbook.
With Laura, I learned as much as I taught. Her approach to training pushed me to think
differently, to find new ways to communicate techniques and strategies. Every session was a dialogue, and I think that’s what made it so successful. She didn’t just follow instructions; she engaged with them, asked questions, and sought to understand the "why" behind every move.
It’s easy to look at Laura’s achievements and focus solely on her physical prowess, but what makes her truly special is her mindset. She’s relentless, curious, and always looking for ways to improve. That’s what makes her the Fittest Woman on Earth, and it’s why I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to coach her.
Laura's Double-Cross Challenge
Laura Horvath’s journey in the world of CrossFit is a testament to what happens when talent meets determination. From a young rock climber in Budapest to the Fittest Woman on Earth, her rise has been nothing short of spectacular. But behind every accolade is a story of grit, resilience, and an unquenchable thirst for growth. Coaching her has been one of the highlights of my career, and I have no doubt that she will continue to inspire athletes around the world for years to come.