CROSSFIT SOLARIA - Key Persons
Alex Benson has been involved in CrossFit since 2018. Though newer to this sport, Alex has been involved in countless others throughout her life. "At age 5 I started playing basketball and taking dance lessons; by age 8 I added competitive swimming to the docket; and by age 14 I had found yet another passion for volleyball and began playing competitively throughout the country, and on my high school team. I've always reveled in the physical challenges associated with mastering a new sport, and being able to push myself outside of my comfort zone.
" This is a sentiment she carries through to her coaching of others in CrossFit. "It's always so rewarding to see someone push past their self-defined capabilities. I often tell people to get out of their own head, to push past that feeling of "I can't possibly do xyz" - and once they take down that mental barrier, it's amazing what they accomplish."
In addition to her experience in sports growing up, Alex is fluent in Spanish, an avid yogi, a hiking fanatic, a bookworm, and a nutrition enthusiast to boot. She's passionate about continuing to evolve her knowledge of exercise science and nutrition, but above all, she's passionate about helping people become the healthiest and happiest versions of themselves.
Owner and Coach Greg Petersen has been CrossFitting for nearly a decade and is Functional Movement Screen certified. He loves seeing people accomplish things they never thought possible, while accomplishing their goals. Though he didn't play any sports in high school or college, he trained in Tae-Kwon-Do for 15 years and is a 3rd degree black belt. He started CrossFit in 2008, and became a Level 1 trainer a few years later. He took the leap toward opening CrossFit Solaria two years ago and hasn't looked back since.
Regina Petersen has been CrossFitting for seven years, and as a mobility coach loves seeing people push themselves to try a new skill or get a new PR. "Seeing them complete a weight or workout that they thought they couldn't do is something I really enjoy," she says. Regina has been active in martial arts for 24 years and is a 3rd-degree black belt. "I've been a martial arts instructor for 20 years," she says.
She also teaches martial arts to youth and adults at Montclair Community Center. What brought her to CrossFit? "I started CrossFit with my family and really liked it," she says. "I got my level 1 certification in January 2015 when Crossfit Solaria first opened."
Her favorite quote is: "Strong people are harder to kill than weak people and more useful in general." - Mark Rippetoe