What a twist our 18 months has been with Lis (Alicia) on board at Alexandria Wellness! Referred to me by amazing Phyllis Patterson in late 2019, Lis has been a breath of fresh air and a source of determination to keep our AW members feeling amazing about their wellness. When we met, Lis owned a fitness business in Virginia Beach and was planning a move to Alexandria in January 2020 because of her husband's job. She moved her husband and young children and dove right in - not only to coaching clients on wellness and fitness, yet she had her hands on almost every aspect of the business. After Stay at Home orders were announced, her determination to help our community stay strong, no matter what it took, was unmistakable. Since then, Lis's constant source of strength and calm has been a huge part of the success of our community.I can't think of anyone with whom I'd want to share this community other than Lis. I've worked with dozens of talented coaches. She has been one of the greatest blessings for me and for all of us at Alexandria Wellness. This is what our community has to say about her! 

"Lis is fantastic—so knowledgeable, fun, and generous in her support. She really helped me get through the pandemic and end up in better shape than I started! As a teacher, she has an easy way of challenging and encouraging me and also of acknowledging my progress."  - Kay

"Lis’s workouts are well-thought-out and very effective. She has a unique gift for stringing movements together, so I feel powerful during the grand finisher. I love how her Pilates and yoga background show up in her workouts." - Jan

"Lis is a one-of-kind instructor. She is so knowledgeable about exercise and wellness. She teaches from the heart and genuinely cares about each one of her clients. I learn something in every class and always walk away feeling “strongHER.” Lis has been a wonderful addition to Alexandria Wellness, and I can’t imagine the special community without her! "  - Holly L

“Lis isn’t just a trainer. She’s my partner in staying on track and healthy. When things get crazy and stressful, Lis is always there like an anchor in the storm - creating a safe space to focus and reenergize so I can get back out there and do what I need to do. I don’t know how she does it. She has her own busy life managing work and kids, yet she seems unflappable - a constant and positive force for her clients.” - Jenn A.

Lis is styled by Mint Condition and Mint Collective. 

 :Sarah Marcella Creative

ABOUT YOU

How do you spend your time? With my family – my husband, my two girls, and our 3, yes I said 3, dogs. We are outdoors a lot. Other than that, I’m planning workouts, doing workouts, and training clients. When I have time to myself, I like to lay quietly on our hammock listening to the birds and looking at the trees and the sky.Neighborhood: Fort HuntHow long have you lived in Alexandria: Just over a year, but I feel like we just moved here in some ways because we were able to explore for about two months, and then COVID hit…What is your hometown? Great question, I was born in Mexico City, but I moved around my whole life, living in South Africa, California, Mexico, and the UK.What brought you to Alexandria? My husband’s job – the Navy.What would surprise people about you? I’m a British-Mexican-American!You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? To take away sadness and painFavorite cocktail: Gin and tonic -fever tree, but I love a good cocktail of different varietiesLast book read or movie seen: Haha – I have a three and a 5-year-old, so… Tangled lol. Otherwise, ‘My Octopus Teacher.’Guilty Pleasure: Several iced coffee or mocha from a coffee shop, for some reason, it just tastes better!  Pastries and chocolate.Phrase you overuse: “No worries.”Facebook or Instagram? Facebook, #s intimidate me!Latest binge-watch: BridgertonBucket list travel destination: So many! The Maldives or the Galapagos islandsIf you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? coffee

FASHION

Define your style in three words or less: simple & comfortable with a little bit of spice (bright colors/prints)The go-to piece in your wardrobe: my workout pants, haha jk! I have a pair of athleisure crops from Athleta that I love because I can dress them up or dress them down, they are fitted in all the right places, and I own them in every color they made!Favorite trend ever: LeggingsFavorite current trend: Cheetah/leopard print – my girls love it, and now it’s become our thing. My daughter says we are in the ‘cheetah club.’Beauty product you can’t live without: MascaraFavorite fragrance: Coco de Chanel and Blue Crystal by VersaceHeels or flats? It depends, flats 80% of the time, but I love wedges or a good heel on occasion 

HOME

Favorite room in your home: my studio/workout spaceAntiques, modern, or a mix? MixLast item bought for your home: goodness, probably café lights for our outdoor living space -does that count?Next planned purchase: Probably a new bed (bunk/trundle) for my daughterFavorite way to entertain: Outdoors with a charcuterie board and a good G&T!Clutter-free or well-lived in? well-lived in, but a bit of both, we purge fairly frequentlyWallpaper -- yes, totally modern or no, so dated: no, not for me 

FITNESS

Your go-to workout: ha! So many! I love a good full-body routine, gentle yoga, bodyweight, or with bands and kettlebells and pilates. I used to teach spin and run, too, but it’s been a year or so since I’ve done either of those.Most fun way to exercise: with people that inspire you and good tunesGroup exercise or solo: dependsFitness goal: Pull-ups and Handstands, more than 1 or 2.Haven’t yet but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Vaulting, I used to do it when I was little, and I’d love to try again. Gymnastics fascinates me, and I’ve been a horse rider since I was four, so the two together are very exciting to me.Proudest fitness achievement: Postpartum recovery. I had two c-sections and a hernia surgery. It’s a process, and it’s still a journey, but I’m proud of where I am.  

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: We are just getting out and about now, but I love walking Old Town down by the water during the week when it’s quieter, I don’t like lots of crowds.Last purchase in Alexandria: my beautiful Bernado winter jacket from Kiskadee – it was my COVID winter treat for myself. Oh, and the Lavender Cupcakery.Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: We just went to Le Fontaine for brunch, and that was lovely and delicious, I love crepes! I also stumbled upon For Five Coffee Roasters and loved their coffee and food. Swing’s coffee shop is another fav. Looking forward to happy hour/date nights soon, hopefully!Favorite charity: several, St. Croix Animal Rescue (2 of my three pups are from there), American Widow Project, St. Jude’s, each year we try to pick something more local or personal to us to donate to.Favorite annual Alexandria event: no idea, open to suggestions! ;)  I’ve heard July 4th in Fort Hunt is fun, looking forward to it this summer, hopefully.