About Me
Hi, I’m Marissa! I’m a Level 1 RRCA Certified Running Coach who’s passionate about helping people get strong, fit, and happy through joyful, sustainable movement. I come from an education background, and coaching lies at the intersection of my two lifelong passions: teaching and health & fitness.
I love supporting clients as they work toward their running and strength goals, while also teaching them along the way and helping them uncover confidence they didn’t know they had!
“Movement should feel like something you get to do, not something you have to do.”
My Coaching Philosophy
My coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every body deserves movement that feels supportive, empowering, and joyful, not punishing. My approach is warm, encouraging, and educational. I prioritize teaching clients the why behind their training so they can build confidence, understanding, and long-term skills rather than simply following a plan.
I believe coaching should be flexible and individualized, adapting to real life, whether that includes work, family, school, or other commitments. Together, we’ll build something sustainable through a collaborative process that evolves as you do!
I’ve loved movement for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing just about every sport, including soccer, basketball, softball, and track, and found movement to be one of my biggest tools for managing anxiety and stress.
When I got to college at UConn and stepped away from organized sports, I missed the structure and sense of community. That is when I found running and began logging miles around Horsebarn Hill (my fellow Huskies know this spot well)!
In 2017, I signed up for my first half marathon with no plan, no strategy, no fueling knowledge, and shoes from the discount rack at TJ Maxx that looked cute but weren’t really made for running (great idea, Marissa!)… and yet, somehow I still loved every minute of it!!
My Running Background & Journey
After college, I stepped away from running for a time to focus on strength training and to meet the demands of teaching, which took quite literally ALL of my energy. Roughly 4.5 years later, I ultimately decided to leave the classroom. Feeling a little uneasy during this major transition, I decided to step back into something familiar: running.
Coming back to running felt like coming home.
I think the time away made me realize just how integral running is to who I am and helped me develop an even deeper appreciation for it.
After training for my first full marathon, I knew I wanted to support others in finding that same sense of strength, confidence, and joy through running and movement. Now, I balance coaching with my own training for marathons and triathlons, connecting with friends in the running community, and exploring new routes with my rescue dog Maverick. Outside of running and fitness, I enjoy reading, cooking, exploring new hobbies, traveling, and spending time with loved ones!
My Personal Bests:
5K: 21:54 | 10K: 44:07 | Half Marathon: 1:38:17 | Marathon: 3:33:50