“A whole lot of not normal” – Danielle Brandon’s unconventional path to becoming one of the fittest women on earth

Danielle Brandon is one of the world's best CrossFit athletes, but her journey to the top of the sport was unlike any other - (R.A.D Global)

Danielle Brandon can throw 100kg over her head, walk on her hands faster than many people can run and sprint 400m in little over a minute – skills that have seen her named among the “fittest on earth” in her chosen sport of CrossFit. But her journey to the top has been far from conventional.

The 29-year-old has only recently opened up about the challenges she faced during her childhood, including her mum’s battle with addiction and related stints in prison. “I wanted to be defined as this really great athlete and person, without the asterisk,” Brandon explains.