From 209th to 5th: Alissa Flynn

March 19, 2013

Kate Rose

"I came to them as I wanted something that filled the void of competing on a team for so many years."

From 209th place last year, Alissa Flynn has risen to fifth in Canada West after two week of the Open.

A competitive basketball player, Flynn was Athlete of the Year at Langara College in 2004.  She started CrossFit in November 2011, training with Sebastien Lavoie and Robert Farrer at a garage gym. When the pair opened Sheepdog CrossFit in May 2012, Flynn was one of their first clients.

“I came to them as I wanted something that filled the void of competing on a team for so many years,” Flynn says. “A colleague of mine referred me to them. Seb and Rob made CrossFit and training fun for me. They spent countless hours with me, teaching me new skills and what working hard really means.”

Last year, with only a few months of CrossFit under her belt, she competed in the Open. She finished in 209th.

The legendary work ethos at Sheepdog has helped push Flynn to open her own affiliate.

“Just recently, I and a couple of partners opened our own affiliate, CrossFit Maple Ridge, in January 2013,” she says. “I help coach and program.”

Though an partner in Maple Ridge, Flynn still trains with Sheepdog five days every week. She knows the ability to work hard and balance life demands are a strong attribute in the gym.

“Strength is a strong point for me, but overall I think that my work ethic is my biggest attribute,” she explains. “My weaknesses would be Olympic lifting and handstand walks, and I am not a big fan of running.”

Flynn managed 187 reps on 13.1, earning her 11th in the region, and 344 reps on 13.2, worthy of seventh.

“I am surprised with my results. And I would be shocked if I qualified for Regionals as an individual. At this time last year, I would have thought that was impossible,” Flynn says.

She adds: “Both 13.1 and 13.2 have been awesome so far. I thought going into the Open, that HQ would ease everyone into the first workout. But they threw snatches and burpees together in a 17-minute AMRAP.”

Flynn’s goal for the Open is to earn a trip to Regionals with the Sheepdog CrossFit team. Two workouts into the Open, her hard work is earning her that distinction.