Athlete Feature
Alison Scudds
#TeamMVMNT
Alison Scudds is part of Team MVMNT, she is an incredible athlete and human being! We love her drive, intelligence and kindness and we wanted to share a little about her through a questionnaire that she completed. Below you will find fun facts, unique insights and amazing photos of Alison. We hope you enjoy her beautiful energy as much as we do. Alison was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Alison Scudds is a three time CrossFit Games Regional Competitor ('16-'18) who began her journey in competitive fitness in 2013. (Source: ascudds.com)
WHAT GOT YOU INTO CROSSFIT?
I got into CrossFit in 2013 because I had just retired from a 10 year career as a competitive AllStar Cheerleader, below is a link to my last performance ;)
I was a student at The University of Miami and looking for something to fill my physical and competitive void that was left after finishing cheer. I was doing workouts kind of like CrossFit and lifting but I didn't really hear about CrossFit until I went to go watch Wodapalooza in 2013. It was honestly like love at first sight. I knew this was exactly what I was looking for and I loved that I could train for competitions again.
“The big breakthroughs and accomplishments aren’t necessarily as tangible as ranking and PRs”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MVMNT VIDEO?
Ugh! There are so many. If I have to choose i'd say I've been loving the at home series and especially APOLLO (watch a preview of it on YouTube). Anything back and hips related is great for me and I especially love the breath work in this one. It's the perfect combination to help calm my nervous system before I call it a night.
WHAT CONTINUES TO MOTIVATE YOU IN YOUR TRAINING?
I absolutely love my life! There are many aspects that keep me wanting to continue to be an athlete. I love being able to push and test the limits of my mind and body. There are so many ways to dive deeper into all aspects of the physical training, recovery, nutrition, mindset. It is fun to do something for so long and still feel like you're learning and just scratching the surface. I love being able to travel around the world, meeting new like minded people in the CrossFit community and inspiring others to go for and reach their own goals!
“I love being able to push and test the limits of my mind and body. There are so many ways to dive deeper into all aspects of the physical training, recovery, nutrition, mindset”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CROSSFIT BENCHMARK WORKOUT/LIFT?
I love Fran, any thing with rope climbs and (love/hate) snatching.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN CROSSFIT? AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ULTIMATE ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SPORT?
There have been many mile stones in my CrossFit career so far that have each felt like great accomplishments along the way. My first time qualifying for regionals in 2016, placing 7th in 2017 regionals, competing in the Elite division for the first time at WZA in 2018 and winning a heat on an event, placing top 40 a couple times in the Open, placing just outside the qualifying games spot at a couple sanctionals. But my ultimate goal is to qualify for the games. Each day I try to focus on what I can do that day that is moving the needle in that direction. Anytime you set a HUGE goal for yourself, it takes so much patience and love of the journey to ultimately get there. My initial thought when I hear accomplishments are “placement on the leaderboard” but anyone who has done this sport and I’m sure others, knows the big breakthroughs and accomplishments aren’t necessarily as tangible as ranking and PRs.
“My sleep is always better when I do a restorative sequence before bed”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SNACK?
More of a big meal type of gal, but I love Shanti Bars and fresh fruit. If we are getting real crazy, Id have to say donuts or ice cream, or donuts in ice cream!
WHEN YOU'RE NOT IN THE GYM, WHERE CAN PEOPLE USUALLY FIND YOU?
Sleeping LOL! Or spending time outside! Luckily have some amazing weather pretty much rear round in california so I always take advantage of that.
IF YOU WERE ON DEATH ROW, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL?
Little morbid but ok, hahaha! I would have to say a huge perfectly marbled, perfectly cooked steak and some potatoes.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU KNOW WILL HELP YOUR PERFORMANCE, BUT HAVEN'T STARTED YET?
I'm not sure this exists. I kind of feel like I have at least dabbled in every (legal) possible thing that would help my performance. Some of this includes: Sleep (quality AND quantity), nutrition, training, breath work, recovery protocols like mobilizing, stretching, ice bath, sauna, PT work, Mindset work and journaling. Each of these components could of course always be optimized more, I’d say I’ve done the least amount of work in breath work and would love to incorporate that more.
WHAT BOOK SHOULD EVERYBODY READ?
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS IN YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THE GYM HAVE YOU NOTICED SINCE STARTING A REGULAR MVMNT PRACTICE?
Better recovery and far less aches and pains when I am staying consistent. Outside the gym, my sleep is always better when I do a restorative sequence before bed too!
