Mikko Salo

The original SISU Athlete…

In 2009, the Finnish born broken English speaking, Mikko Salo, took CrossFit by storm and earned the title of “The Fittest on Earth”.  That’s the entire planet…

During a post CrossFit Games interview, after peeling himself off the floor, in his broken English, he was quoted in saying, “it took a lot of SISU”.  To the Finnish people, SISU has a mystical, almost magical meaning. SISU (pronounced – see’-soo) is a unique Finnish concept. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity.

SISU is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage.  It stands for the philosophy that what must be done will be done, regardless of difficulty.  You might call it backbone, spunk, stamina, guts, or drive and perseverance.  It is a measure of integrity that surpasses the hardship and sees through to the end.

Mikko embodies the definition of SISU!