Hometown:  Cinnaminson, NJ

Age:  30 (yikes)

I started CrossFit Turbocharged in February of this year. I attended the first class when turbocharged opened.

Cleans are my favorite crossfit movement. Although I do love front squats and deadlifts, cleans require much more technical work and I feel a greater sense of accomplishment when I hit new PRs.

I want to say that my least favorite movement are burpees however I absolutely hate running. Whenever there is a WOD that includes running I think about meeting these wod makers in a dark alley.

I have always been interested in fitness and for the last few years I have been working out in a local gym. But it had gotten to a point where my strength had plateaued.  I knew I could be stronger but I just couldn’t push past a certain point. My boyfriend/reluctant lifting partner told me that I needed to do crossfit, that if I wanted to get stronger crossfit would get me there. I don’t say this often but he was right.

I was so nervous the first time I did crossfit. I think the wod was something like 15-12-9 of wallballs and another movement. I wanted to throwup. There are still times during wods where I want to throw up or think I am going to die. Actually, I am usually convinced that I am going to die.  I obviously haven’t.  Your body gets pushed so far and when you think you have nothing left in your tank you’ve got a whole lot more that you realized. And that is an awesome feeling.

The physical changes that I have seen since starting crossfit have been tremendous.  I have gained muscle while leaning out at the same time. And the best part is that I eat more! But what I think is even better than the physical changes are the mental ones. I think most women obsess over what their bodies should look like. I have been able to let all of that go.  Being strong is sexy. And CF tubocharged has made all of us women very strong!

My most memorable crossfit moment was finishing the partner duo back in may with my partner Mandi.  The adrenaline that was going thru that place was unbelievable and the amount of people cheering you on is something I will not forget.

My six month goal is to become stronger. I hope to increase weights while still keeping my wod times down.  My other goal is to do what Coach Danielle lifts in kilos for me to do in lbs.

What I love most about CF Turbocharged are my coaches and peers.  There is no place else where everyone around you wants to see you succeed.  The place is filled with positive energy. The passion that our coaches possess makes us as athletes want to be better.  There is a high that you get after completing a wod that you cannot get anywhere else.

My advice for anyone starting crossfit is to trust the process. This shit works.

Outside of crossfit I love to cook and bake (I excel in non-paleo dishes). And my favorite thing to do is spend time with my dog Rosco.

“Alissa is a coach’s dream athlete as far as attitude is concerned. Her smile actually gets bigger the more she hates the movement. You should see her beaming while running. She is so coach-able and has made such great progress, even having come in pretty strong already. She’s been consistent since day one, and I can’t wait to see her progress further as time goes on.”
– Coach Danielle

“Alissa was one of our first members at Turbocharged, and I knew from her very first day that she was going to be a great addition to the program. She works her butt off every time she comes to class, which as a coach, is one of the greatest things to see. All we can ask is that you come and give it 100%, and Alissa never fails to deliver. Alissa never comes to class without a smile, and her positive attitude towards bettering herself and her teammates keeps up until the final second of each class. Her constant drive to keep improving and learn more is what every coach dreams of. Congrats Alissa!”
– Coach Ryan

“Have you ever smiled during a burpee, 400m run, or any workout in general? Well if you’re like me and most humans, you have not. Alissa on the other hand can’t stop smiling in ANY of her workouts! Her positive attitude during any movement helps elevate the class mood during those hellish 400m runs. Overall, strength can only get you so far. Having a positive attitude helps with that last little bit and Alissa easily has that covered!”
– Coach Jeremiah