Alexis Raptis has quietly — after which loudly — turn out to be a drive to look at within the CrossFit world.
From humble beginnings in gymnastics and soccer to carrying the Video games chief jersey and standing on podiums, her journey hasn’t adopted a straight path.
It’s been lengthy, it’s been painful at occasions, however it’s additionally been deeply transformative.
Now, with the 2025 season on the horizon, Raptis says she’s “simply getting began.” And after what she’s already achieved, that may be probably the most thrilling half.
A Begin With out Expectation — And A Spark That Wouldn’t Give up
Raptis didn’t enter the CrossFit world to chase titles. Like many youngsters, she stumbled into it out of curiosity and a necessity for course.
“I didn’t have something I used to be captivated with after gymnastics,” she stated. “Then I discovered CrossFit going into my sophomore 12 months of highschool.”
At first, it was nearly studying how you can practice and get stronger. However that modified rapidly. Inside a 12 months, she certified for the Video games within the teen division — a high 10 end within the Open that left her each shocked and impressed.
“You get just a little little bit of success, and it’s addicting,” she stated. “I assumed, ‘Possibly I could possibly be actually good.’”
The Lengthy Street to Particular person Competitors
Between the teenager division and the person competitors discipline, there was a six-year stretch of missed alternatives, near-misses, and emotional ups and downs.
“There have been years I simply wasn’t even shut,” she admitted. “I might practice so exhausting and really feel like I wasn’t getting something out of it.”
However trying again, Raptis is aware of these had been crucial years of her development — mentally and bodily. They constructed the bottom that may assist her future success.
“It taught me confidence. That’s what I used to be lacking,” she stated. “I feel I used to be really match sufficient a few of these years, however I didn’t imagine in myself.”
In 2022, the swap flipped. She certified for the CrossFit Video games and made it clear she belonged.
The Video games Breakthrough
By the point she hit the ground on the Video games, her mindset was completely different.
“I knew precisely what I wanted to do. I knew I may do it.”
She not solely confirmed up — she confirmed out. At one level, Raptis wore the chief’s jersey, probably the most coveted and symbolic indicators of dominance on the Video games.
“I attempted to reside in that second,” she stated. “Solely a handful of individuals ever get to put on that jersey.”
She completed sixth — an enormous milestone — however for Raptis, it felt like just the start. The chief’s jersey wasn’t only a second; it was a mirror into what was potential.
Battling Well being Struggles in Silence
Behind the scenes, Alexis was coping with one thing most followers by no means knew about: a persistent digestive situation referred to as microscopic colitis. It brought about extreme irritation in her massive gut, which worsened throughout intense coaching and stress.
“I’ve principally been competing sick my complete profession,” she revealed. “Some weekends I used to be simply making an attempt to outlive, not compete.”
However a brand new remedy modified every thing. After her first dose, she stated it felt like a “new life.”
“For the primary time, I may eat, get better, and really really feel like a wholesome athlete.”
That one change reshaped her coaching, her confidence — and her love for the game.
Storage Exercises and a Private Rebirth
After a irritating 2023 season — the place a mountain biking accident sidelined her with a shoulder damage — Raptis retreated dwelling to Georgia.
She wasn’t planning on staying lengthy, however 5 months later, she was nonetheless there, coaching alone in her mother and father’ storage.
“I made extra progress in that storage than I’ve made wherever else,” she stated. “It made me more durable. It jogged my memory how unhealthy I would like it.”
Her psychological reset led to a renewed fireplace. She confirmed as much as the 2024 Rogue Invitational with goal and took third — a podium end that felt like validation and a springboard.
Becoming a member of Confirmed and Leveling Up
Raptis has not too long ago began working underneath Shane Orr and Tia-Clair Toomey’s Confirmed program — probably the most revered teaching teams in CrossFit. It’s nonetheless early within the course of, however the influence is already clear.
“I’ve solely been working with them for a short while,” she stated, “however as soon as we put some actual coaching blocks collectively, I feel individuals will see one other degree.”
Being round different high-level athletes has elevated her efficiency — and her expectations.
The Fireplace for 2025
With the brand new competitors construction giving athletes extra alternatives to get on the ground, Raptis plans to assault the season. She’s aiming to compete at each the WFP and the CrossFit Video games.
“This 12 months is about taking these alternatives and studying each time I step on the ground.”
Her efficiency at Rogue confirmed what she’s able to. She overcame no-reps, a brand new coaching setting, and lingering nerves. She trusted herself and went heavy on the clear — hitting 230 kilos and ending robust.
“This isn’t even near the perfect model of me,” she stated. “I understand how harmful I could be.”
Why She’s Simply Getting Began
Now 26, Alexis Raptis has spent greater than a decade constructing herself into one of many high contenders within the sport. And he or she’s finished it the exhausting approach — by way of persistence, failure, and studying.
“Each setback has made me who I’m as we speak,” she stated. “It’s taken years to get right here, and it’s taught me persistence and the way resilient I’m.”
She’s wholesome, comfortable, and clear on what it would take.
“Nobody needs to win as unhealthy as I do,” she stated. “I’m coming for it.”
Be careful — the perfect of Alexis Raptis continues to be forward.
ChatGPT could make errors. Examine essential data.
