Alyssa Valentyn, June Spotlight

Meet Alyssa — lab researcher by day, Graviton athlete by 4:30 p.m., and proud pet parent to three rats: Guinevere, Noodle, and Mots. 

Alyssa joined Graviton in 2021 after the pandemic, when she was looking for a way to get back into movement and community. “I was looking for group fitness classes in the area,” she said. “The advertisement was for a place that former athletes could go to reconnect with their love of active movement [and that] was really appealing to me.”

That connection to movement runs deep. “I work out because I love how it feels to move my body,” Alyssa says. “I always was told ‘hey I need a strong boy to do this one thing’ and as a young girl who could lift just as much as the boys I wanted to prove myself and so I continue to do that to this day.”

Alyssa finishing the Ride to End ALZ in 2024.

Over the past four years, Alyssa has built impressive endurance — and right now, she’s training for the Ride to End ALZ. The Ride is a fundraising effort by the Alzheimer's Association to support caregivers and support research in finding a cure. There are 30-, 62-, and 100- mile options along Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. “It’s in two weeks, hoping to slide into the 62 miles so I will report back!”

When she’s not at the lab or on her bike, Alyssa’s favorite way to recharge is outdoors — hiking, cycling, and walking in the woods (sometimes with dogs, sometimes solo).

But what keeps her coming back to Graviton is more than just the workouts. “The biggest benefit to being a member at Graviton is the community — I love everybody that’s here all the time… and also the coaches. The coaches are so friendly, so encouraging, and are always there if you need to ask them a question about a movement or just talk about life.”

Alyssa’s pet rats!

We’re so grateful to have Alyssa (and her rats!) as part of the Graviton community. Good luck on your ride — we’ll be cheering you on!