Lianne Steeman x Baseline

Lianne is 29, trains at CrossFit Willemsoord in Den Helder, and has one of the most unique comeback stories in Dutch CrossFit in the making. Before CrossFit, she spent years competing in diving at a top sport level. She knows how to train on a high high level, how to stay disciplined under pressure, and how to keep going when things get hard.

That last part has been tested more than most athletes ever experience.

The transition from diving to CrossFit was not meant as a switch in competitive environment. After finishing her study and stepping back from her first passion, she started CrossFit at Willemsoord to ease back from competitions and learn a new sport. However, she quickly moved to competitive training after finding a passion for this new sport. Together with her coach, she’s been working on getting as fit as possible for the last four years, reaching the top 12 of the Dutch leaderboard in 2025. 

The background in diving gave her both a head start on gymnastics as well as body awareness and control. It also helped her get familiar and comfortable with the uncomfortable way of training that goes with becoming a top athlete.  

Last year brought a setback that changed her season completely. A health issue that had been building for months became very serious, and after multiple surgeries she was diagnosed with colon cancer. 

While this could wreck anyone’s dreams to stay in competitive CrossFit, Lianne stayed positive, and worked hard to stay as fit as she could within the possibilities. In the middle of her recovery, just days before the final surgery, she and Xinga even qualified for the upcoming Amsterdam Throwdown. A huge achievement given the circumstances.

With surgeries going well, she is now healthy again and on a determined road to recovery. Working together closely with her coach to adjust training day by day depending on the feeling pays off, with strength and endurance making big steps every week. She trains with a very clear goal in mind: get back to the competition floor fit, strong, and ready to perform. 

The biggest inspiration in this journey comes from Lianne’s incredible positivity throughout. No matter the setbacks, she stayed positive, with confidence that everything will eventually play out the right way. If there is one thing to take away from this story in your own training, or even life, this has to be it. 

Trust the process, even when it is slow, or when it feels like nothing is happening, is her advice to anyone struggling. This mindset has helped her push through, and actually brought her new skills too, as she learned to play piano during her days at home. Keep finding small things to focus on, to help you get through the harder days.

We have been waiting to introduce Lianne as the final member of the Baseline Athlete Team because her story deserved the right moment. She is exactly the kind of athlete this brand is built around. A true love for the sport, mentally strong and an honest and inspiring athlete, with big ambition to drive her further than ever. A legendary comeback story is in the making…

Watch the full interview with Lianne below.

Follow Lianne’s journey on Instagram: @lianne_st_

Lianne completes the current Baseline Athlete Team. Six athletes, six stories. Find more introductions in the Journal.