Welcome back to our weekly celebration of our fantastic CFKI coaches! It’s been so awesome to write about my teammates, and also to be able to share their story in their own words. We have already highlighted eight coaches! We have two left to gush about, and this time we’ll go with… Alyssa! Who could be next??
Alyssa Stookey joined as a new member in 2012, just a couple months after we first opened our doors. Looking back at my records, Alyssa was member #14. In one of her first classes, we did a brutal shoulder workout called “Death by Handstand Push-ups”. In the first minute do one HSPU, then in the second minute do two, in the third minute do three, continuing until you can’t complete the required number of reps in the minute. I expected that some of my stronger athletes might get to minute 10, but that was a long shot. Alyssa did 20+ rounds, and the rest of the class including me was just watching. Eventually I said, “Alyssa you keep going, we’re going to move on to something else.” So, she’s a pretty good athlete.
Alyssa is our first full-time member to compete at the CrossFit Games, placing 12th in the Women 40-44 division in 2021! That’s 12th IN THE WORLD, just in case there’s any confusion. Alyssa’s ability to compete at the highest level in CrossFit was shaped early on by years of competing in elite level gymnastics and later at the University of Maryland. Alyssa is at the same time impressively strong and graceful, and in watching her move you would think that she’s not exerting that much effort! But then she just keeps going and going…
In addition to coaching CrossFit classes, Alyssa has created and coached CFKI athletes through specialty gymnastics seminars, working on higher skill movements like handstands, pull-ups and toes-to-bar. She also is a master programmer for individuals who can’t make it into the gym but have workout gear at home, and many CFKI athletes have seen great success by following her programs for strength-building, weight loss, and general conditioning. Reach out to Alyssa if you’re in need of a great coach!
Now here’s Alyssa’s CrossFit and coaching journey in her own words:
My fitness journey began when my parents enrolled me in a local YMCA gymnastic class at the age of 3 to help develop hand/eye coordination; the rest is history! I became an elite level gymnast and was able to compete at a high level in a sport I loved for 20 years (even obtaining a full, Division I Scholarship)! After retiring from a sport that defined who I was since I was 3, all of a sudden I felt a void. I tried to fill that void with running. I ran several full marathons and have ran over a dozen half marathons, but something was still missing. Then, in 2012, I found CrossFit and fell in love! CrossFit pushes me outside my comfort zone, both physically and mentally, but most importantly it allows me to be part of an amazing community of fitness. I knew I wanted to help impact this community and use my own expertise (I have a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology) to help others become better and healthier versions of themselves. So, in 2015, I decided to sit for my Level 1 and began my CrossFit coaching career. I enjoy accompanying others on their fitness journey, facilitating their ability to reach their goals and beyond, pushing them to do things they never thought they were physically capable of achieving, and helping them become the best version of themselves. Most importantly, I seek to help instill healthy functional fitness habits that will translate to real world application and healthy lifestyle choices. CrossFit is so much more than thrusters and burpees. It’s methodology allows us to live healthier lifestyles and protects against chronic disease. Having a small part in sharing this methodology with others and being a part of their CrossFit journey is the most rewarding part of coaching!
Thank you, Alyssa, for being a huge part of our CrossFit Kent Island family! We appreciate all of your contributions to CFKI over the years.
If you’d like to work with Alyssa or any of our coaching team, reach out at ryan@crossfitkentisland.com and let us know how we can help. We’ll get you connected to the best coach for you and get you on your way to achieving your goals!
Ryan