Lisa Neumann: The CrossFit star who got into the Wales team 'by chance'

Lisa Neumann, the 52-cap Welsh international, who has played in two World Cups and helped Gloucester-Hartpury to the Premiership Women’s Rugby title, has had an interesting rugby journey. A journey that came unexpectedly, as Neumann explains.

“Being a professional athlete was never part of my plan. I didn’t really have any female role models in rugby or someone that I looked up to growing up. I never dreamt of becoming a rugby player and never thought that I would be in this position that I am right now,” says the 32-year-old back.

Neumann played rugby in primary school and at university, but the oval-shaped ball was just one of many sports, with Neumann jumping from one to another. However, in 2018, her life would forever change.

“I sometimes say that I got into the Welsh squad by chance. I wasn’t necessarily a good rugby player. I was a good athlete and strong for my age, but I wouldn’t dare to say I was a polished player.

“However, a coach saw my athleticism and how hard I worked, and gave me the opportunity, selecting me to go to a camp. I didn’t have the most typical or traditional path into the sport, but here I am now, deep in the thick of it.”

In a matter of years, Neumann became a regular on the Wales team sheet, representing her country in multiple Six Nations, winning several individual and team accolades.

However, the Swansea native was always on the go, enjoying life off the pitch and embracing other sports like CrossFit, which would also help shape her journey.

“CrossFit positively influenced my game,” acknowledged Neumann. “For instance, the extent to which you have to push and grind through workouts to complete them is immense, and you find the same mindset in rugby.

“In CrossFit, your mind will regularly tell you to stop when the workout gets tough because you think you’ve reached your limit, but you just keep learning to dig deeper and keep going. It’s the same in rugby.”

Neumann’s social media is packed with rugby and CrossFit and Hyrox videos and pictures, showing her devotion to working out and proving that she can overcome any challenge.

 

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However, despite appearing to occasionally do sessions on the same days as training camp or even the night before a big game, the wing explains that those assumptions aren’t correct.

“So, when I have a rugby game on the weekend, I’m sensible and avoid CrossFit otherwise I’ll tire myself out completely. Although, there was a time when I was younger when I thought I could do both. In the lead up to a game, these two worlds don’t go hand-in-hand, for sure.”

Neumann was always sensible with her priorities, which was and still is rugby, being sensitive to her coach’s worries about overtraining and overstressing her body.

“I have never sacrificed my obligations and duties as a professional rugby player, even if I enjoyed doing CrossFit or another sport outside of my job as a pro player.

“Working out and training with other people helps me to mentally switch off rugby, as it is a different environment, different people, giving me the chance to rest mentally. I love being a rugby player, but my identity doesn’t start and end with it.

“Whether at the gym or training with my brother, I always loved working out: getting sweaty, pushing myself to the limit, and facing a challenging workout. CrossFit has all of that, plus the mental challenge of enduring those sessions. Again, much like rugby.”

While discussing identity and who Neumann really is, the winger opens up about the challenges of being a pro player and how she started preparing for life after the sport by starting her own personal training business.

“I now have my own online coaching business for the last few years. I am a very resilient person and someone who doesn’t give up easily. For me, it was important to have a purpose outside of rugby, especially because I started to lose a bit of my identity.

“Before becoming a pro player, I worked in clinical trials and had an office job. When I signed my first pro contract, I had to relinquish a good paycheck to be able to play professional rugby. However, I knew that a career in rugby wouldn’t last forever. I always knew I needed something more.”

In her journey through sports, rugby, CrossFit, and physical and mental conditioning, Neumann discovered that she had the power to help people find the motivation to believe in themselves and to be open to change.

“Every person has problems, but they are just packaged differently. Insecurities, lack of confidence, their worries about how they look, etc. My goal is to help people and show them what their bodies can do and to focus on the small habits that build up over time to improve and transform their lives.

“When you start exercising a bit more or eating a little bit better, you start feeling better and slowly start building a positive routine. All these things build your confidence as a person and will help to push you outside your comfort zone, in and outside the gym. That’s my goal.”

But do CrossFit and rugby work well together, even if a player is careful not to overwork themselves? Can both worlds coexist? In Neumann’s vision and personal experience, yes, as she breaks it down.

“The physical and athletic components you get and develop in CrossFit can translate into rugby, as it is also a power game. You aren’t just running straight; you are evading, stopping to accelerate again, carrying the ball, going down, getting back on your feet, etc. Being a winger in rugby isn’t only about endurance or being quick; it’s so much more than that.”

The Welsh regular only realised she had an impact on the world beyond the rugby pitch when her social media started to be flooded with comments and questions, as Neumann reveals.

“Bimba (Laura Delgado) shared with me the other day that someone from Spain had seen a viral video and found it incredible how I was able to do both, and how the fitness and strength lends itself to both sports.

“It is amazing to know that I can have some influence somewhere in the world, be it someone who feels inspired to try CrossFit or to be able to play rugby.

“It might be a comment about someone wanting to be just like you, or that they’ve seen you do a CrossFit session and wished they could have the same desire. You then realise how you inspire people and how you can help change lives. Especially if you are a woman, seeing one of us doing it might just be the push you need to want to become just like her.”

For Neumann, empowerment and control over her future were key to seeking something outside rugby, reforging her identity and finding new meaning in her life, sharing her learnings with those who are in the middle of their own journey.

“You never know when your last game is going to be. Sometimes you may have an idea in mind, but injuries do happen and life may change that plan. Being a woman also influences that – especially those wanting to start a family. However, if I can give a bit of advice, it is to also think about your life outside of rugby.

“Women’s rugby will continue to grow and more opportunities will come along, but that doesn’t mean we should limit ourselves and not prepare for life outside of sport. Be open-minded to opportunities off the pitch.”

While she acknowledges she has her hands full, Neumann admits she wouldn’t change a single thing, as she loves what she does on the pitch, in the gym, and on social media.

“I love helping people, and to hear them say they feel more confident and stronger brings me joy. To have that outside of rugby is crucial to me as a person, athlete and woman.”