A young woman with long, wavy hair standing outdoors by a lake with a forested background during winter, smiling at the camera, dressed in a yellow long-sleeve top and dark athletic shorts.

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.”
A person dressed in athletic gear tying their running shoes on the pavement outdoors

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!

Woman jogging on the beach near the water, wearing a light-colored long-sleeve shirt and dark shorts.
Person running on an empty road with running shoes, visible from the back.
Person wearing a smartwatch with a black face and white band, outdoors with snow-covered ground, adjusting or checking their watch.
A woman running outdoors on a paved path in a rural area with bare trees and snow on the ground at sunset.
A woman in workout clothes stretching outdoors near a river or lake, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

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

A young woman in running attire standing after a half marathon, smiling, with a medal around her neck, holding plastic bags, and wearing a bib number 7036. She is outdoors with trees, benches, and event tents in the background.
Young woman in purple jacket smiling and holding a 5K medal, standing on a trail with fallen autumn leaves and green foliage in the background.

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