Coaches
Josh
Coach, Competitor Programming
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Background: Star Wars enthusiast; sci-Fi fanatic; coffee fiend; meat-a-saurus; om nom all the nom noms. Oddly good at making laser sounds.
Biggest CrossFit challenge: Gymnastics stuff. Free standing hand stand pushups are the devil.
Biggest CrossFit achievment: I met Arnold Schwarzenegger one time.
Favorite girl WOD: King-Kong
Three words that describe me: Hungry, grumpy, weird
When I’m not at the box you can find me: Coaching high school football or in my lab.
Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1 Certificate
CrossFit Weightlifting Certificate
CrossFit Powerlifting
Masters in Applied Mathematics
Master Jedi

Mark
Coach, BA|KIDS Coach
Hometown: The Dirty T
Background: All around athlete. I grew up playing sports with 3 brothers and my father. Played football, basketball, wrestling, and track at Slope. Started Crossfit at Back Alley in Aug of 2013
Biggest CrossFit challenge: Form… had to relearn everything I though I knew.
Biggest CrossFit accomplishment: Still doing CrossFit.
Favorite girl WOD: Fran. Embrace the suck.
Favorite quote/ motto: God First, Family, then CrossFit.
Three words that describe me: Bearded, Hairy, ManBeast
When I’m not in the box, you can find me: At work. I work A LOT.
Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1 Certificate

Mike
Coach
Hometown: Phoenix
Biggest CrossFit challenge: Overhead anything, and recovering properly from injuries.
Biggest CrossFit accomplishment: Finishing a paleo challenge completely!.. I like beer.
Favorite girl WOD: Kelly
Favorite quote/ motto: “You want to change the world, start by making your bed.”/ “Tough Times don’t last, Tough People Do.”
Three words that describe me: Still developing __________.
When I’m not in the box, you can find me: At work, at home, or outdoors!
Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1 Certificate
Bachelor of Science in Management
Black Belt in Being Awesome
Kim
Coach
Hometown: Chandler, AZ
Background: I grew up playing sports, mainly softball, and running cross country. Now play recreational kickball, softball, hike, golf, and run!
Biggest CrossFit challenge: Feeling comfortable upside down, LOL, handstand push ups.
Biggest CrossFit accomplishment: 5:52 Fran, Fran is not my strength, but it is now!
Favorite girl WOD: Cindy or Barbara
Favorite quote/ motto: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” –Maya Angelou
Three words that describe me: loyal, passionate, energetic.
When I’m not in the box, you can find me: 30,000 ft up, hiking/outdoors, watching/playing sports, traveling, loving life!
Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1 Certificate
BA in Human Communication, Sign Language
Katy
Coach, Co-Owner, BA|HIIT and BA|KIDS Programming
Hometown: Phoenix
Background: As a Phoenix native, I grew up being very active! I was a gymnast, played softball, volleyball, and was always bouncing around. I started CrossFit after I had my daughter Ella. It didn’t take long to get addicted!
Biggest CrossFit challenge: Muscle Ups
Favorite girl WOD: Annie
Favorite quote/motto: “I love smiling, it’s my favorite!”
Three words that describe me: energetic, competitive, neurotic
When I’m not in the box, you can find me: Running around like a crazy with my amazing kids and husband!
Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1 Certificate
Mobility Certificate
Weightlifting Certificate

Stacy
BA|HIIT Coach, Personal Trainer
Hometown: I was born and raised in North Central Phoenix.
Favorite Quote: “Be the reason somebody smiles today!”
When I’m not at the gym you can find me: Outdoors with my hubs and babies, painting, or building stuff!
Certifications:
Group Fitness
Personal Training

Melissa
Coach, Personal Trainer, CrossFit Programming
“I love coaching at Back Alley because I get to be a part of a community that is always trying to get better. Not just faster and stronger but working to improve the quality of their lives.”
Background: I’m from Kingman, AZ, born and raised! I was pretty a pretty active little kid but after I tried out for basketball and volleyball in high school and was cut from both, I took a break from all things athletic. After high school, I started weight training and met some folks that introduced me to adventure racing. I eventually trained and competed in marathons and Ironman races.
I was a personal trainer and triathlon coach before I started coaching Crossfit in 2012.
Accomplishments: I have competed in sprint adventure racing and qualified for nationals in 2011 for the sprint triathlon. I competed in the Oceanside half Ironman, St. George Ironman and Silverman, half marathons and marathons. SICest of the Southwest 2013: 1st place in the team event.
Certifications:
Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF-L3)
Endurance Trainer
Gymnastics Certificate
Judge 2016 Certificate
Judges Certificate
Mobility Certificate
Powerlifting Certificate
Weightlifting Certificate

Sam Montini
Coach, Personal Trainer, Fitness Programming
“I enjoy coaching because it allows me to help people conquer themselves. Everyone has these preconceived notions of what they can and can’t do when they walk in the door. It’s our job to get them to see what they’re capable of. We take those limitations and break them. When someone does something they never thought possible, no matter what it is, its a great experience.”
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Background: I’ve always been an athlete by some definition. I played football and ran track during high school, played rugby for a bit at NAU. I joined Back Alley in 2013 as an athlete first. It was only after about 2 years that I began coaching. When I was a regular member, I enjoyed the atmosphere that the owners and coaches brought. I looked forward to going to the gym and seeing everyone there. The environment at Back Alley made me better a better athlete, and I became a coach so I could do the same for others.
Biggest CrossFit challenge: Proper lifting techniques. Basically, I had to start from square one because everything I’d been taught was wrong.
Biggest CrossFit accomplishment: Finally having strong legs. I was always weak in my lower body. Now I’m starting to even out.
Favorite girl WOD: Helen
Favorite quote/ motto: Work hard, stay humble.
Three words that describe me: Persistent, unyielding, destructionist (google it)
When I’m not in the box, you can find me: Hanging out with Mark or sleeping!
Certifications:
Crossfit Level 1 Certificate