OpenBox Athletics was founded in 2017. Our ownership team came from varying business backgrounds and were united by a common passion for providing wellness and fitness to our community in Graduate Hospital, Point Breeze, and the greater Philadelphia area. We strive to create a facility that will have a lasting legacy in the Graduate Hospital and Point Breeze neighborhoods and reverberate in the health of our clients.

We have surrounded ourselves with coaches who are like-minded and client-centric—individuals who continue to be students of their crafts and seek to make everyone around them excel. Each coach has a different strength, but as a team enables us to offer our vision for OpenBox Athletics—varied programming for all levels of fitness. 

Our Team

Melody Schofield

My name is Melody Schofield and I'm a CrossFit Coach and Athlete! I took my first Crossfit class about 7 years ago and from there I fell in love with the sport, culture, and the fitness foundation it sets for the rest of our lives. I compete a few times per year but for me the training is what I love. The process of getting stronger physically and mentally and hitting personal goals!

My goals as a coach are to share the passion I have for the sport with others and to get others where they would like to be in fitness and health! I absolutely love setting and hitting goals, so if you're attending the classes I coach get ready to set a few!

I'm an optimist, believe in hard work, and am a lover of life!

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Weightlifting

Contact me - MelodyS@openboxathletics.com

Melody Schofield

Joey Tortora

After discovering Crossfit in the summer of 2012, Joey Tortora quickly fell in love with everything it had to offer. He was a runner and avid gym-goer looking for a new push. He saw a video of The Crossfit Games and was determined to have a future in this sport. In 2014, he began his competition career and qualified for at his first Crossfit Regional. Soon after this, he took his love of the sport one step further and started coaching. For the past 5 years, Joey has tied his two loves together and has been teaching people how to move and live well while at the same time becoming a 5-year Regional Qualifier and a 2-time Crossfit Games Team athlete.

The knowledge he has attained over the years, in both competing and coaching, continuously helps to sharpen his skills. He loves the group setting of a Crossfit class and believes that is where true fitness is created. Beyond the group classes, he has further used his skills in the areas of 1-on-1 training sessions and monthly personalized programming. Whatever your goals may be, Joey will back them 100% and help you attain them.

"Friends! That is the phrase I always use to start my class. I believe that at the core of a coach-to-client relationship, friendship is a must. Creating that friendship is an ability I pride myself on.”

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 3

Joey Tortora

Hey, y’all! I’m Mel. I am new to the Philadelphia area and I am originally from Florida. I went to FSU (Go Noles!) where I obtained my MPH and decided that I wanted to promote health, fitness, and the importance of taking care of yourself in order to have a better quality of life.

I started CrossFit in 2019 in order to help cope with depression and BPD. I quickly fell in love with the sport and the mental clarity it gave me post workout. CrossFit challenges me in the gym while simultaneously allows me to have a physical outlet to improve my wellbeing.

When I coach you, your partner, your friends, your neighbors, I want you all to feel like this is the best hour of your day no matter your fitness level or the type of day you’ve had. You can walk out of OBA feeling better both mentally and physically.

The friendships made within the CrossFit community can change your life; I know because they have changed mine. We all start somewhere and we are all works in progress. My goal as your coach is to help you where you are at, in order to get you where you want to be. Collectively, we can work towards a goal of being fitter, stronger, and happier.

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2

Melanie Marquis

Hey Gang! My name is Jean McGinley, I’ve been Crossfitting since 2008 and a long time resident of Philadelphia. I come from a team sports background and was missing that motivation and accountability that goes along with it. I eventually found that dynamic again with CrossFit and I was all in. Whether I was competing individually in the sport or in a group it was very apparent this sport created special bonds inside and outside of the gym.

Seeing that camaraderie and people working together towards a common goal is what made me want to make a career change. So, in 2014 I became a full time coach.

Since then I have coached all levels of athletes and acquired a particular love for Olympic lifting. I’m a 2x Masters National Qualifier and have coached other lifters to that stage as well.

In my classes my main goal is for every single athlete to have fun, learn something new, say hi to a new friend, and work hard!

CrossFit L2
USAW L2
CrossFit Kids
Head Coach of Local Steve’s Club Chapter

Jean McGinley

Hi All! My name is Emily Monigan and I have been a CrossFit athlete since 2018 and a coach since 2019. I am originally from NY moved to Philadelphia in early 2021.

Fitness wasn’t always a part of my life. I played sports throughout high school and was a part of the intramural ultimate frisbee team in college but outside of the occasional team workouts, I wasn’t concerned about fitness, nutrition, or finding balance within my lifestyle. That all changed during my

senior year of college in 2015 when I realized just how unhealthy my habits were. I tried so many kinds of gyms but none of them really stuck. That’s when I found CrossFit.

I am constantly inspired by the community around me and am always excited for the Workout of the Day. Working out is now something I look forward too and something I schedule into my day. I am constantly looking for new ways to push out of my comfort zone and get my athletes to do the same!

Since beginning my fitness journey, I have completed half marathons, Tough Mudders and Spartan races, a few weightlifting competitions and countless local CrossFit competitions.

After being an athlete for a little more than a year, I knew I wanted to become a coach and share my passion for CrossFit. I took on a full-time coaching role at OBA in September of 2023 and I have loved nothing more. My favorite thing is watching an athlete do something they didn’t think they could do: master a new skill, hit a PR, use a heavier weight or just step through the door and start.

Certifications:
CrossFit L2

Emily Monigan

Hi! I’m Emily! I started CrossFit in 2015 and absolutely fell in love with the community surrounding it. Going to the gym since then has been the best part of my day. I love being a part of something bigger than myself that aims to make the world a happier and healthier place. As a coach these are my main goals. I want all of my athletes to become the happiest and healthiest versions of themselves that they can be, and I also want the time my athletes spend in the gym with me to be the best hour of their day.

My specialties are in gymnastics and olympic weightlifting. I compete nationally for olympic lifting, and gymnastics movements help me to stay flexible and strong for my sport. I am obsessed with handstand walking so if you ever see someone upside down at the gym that’s probably me!

I share a fun fact before all of my classes, so if you know of any weird trivia come find me!

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1
USA Weightlifting Level 1

Emily Smith

Hi team!

I’m Mackenzie—feel free to call me Mack. I’m a nurse, a coach, and a fellow CrossFitter!

I started CrossFit in 2021 after an ankle injury from another sport. I quickly fell in love with how scalable everything was. Even when I was non-weight-bearing after surgery, I could still take classes at OBA thanks to the incredible coaches who showed me modifications and ways to move that supported my goals and abilities. Their guidance inspired me to earn my L1 and start coaching alongside them!

As a cardiac surgery ICU nurse, my mission is to help you unleash your inner beast while making sure you stay in one piece ;)

CERTIFICATIONS :

CROSSFIT LEVEL 1

Mackenzie SMith

Hello, I’m Sabrina! Originally from outside of Boston, I’ve moved around a bunch (San Francisco -> Chicago -> ) before landing in Philly at the end of 2021. After playing lacrosse in college, I wasn’t sure how to work out by myself. My coworker at the time introduced me to Crossfit in 2014 and I’ve been doing it ever since, equal parts because of the community and because of the workouts.

I started coaching in 2018 to help others find the same passion for fitness. I love getting to see people do things they never thought they could and feel stronger and more confident as a result. I’m happiest when I see people fall in love with the barbell but am equally excited to teach people new gymnastics skills.

I started my competitive journey when moving to Philadelphia to find out how good I could get because that’s what makes me feel my best! I’m also very passionate about food - both nutrition for fueling workouts but also finding the best pastries, burgers, etc.

Certifications:
Crossfit Level 2
Crossfit Gymnastics
Precision Nutrition Level 1

SABRINA GORDON

Looking for a new challenge and tired of doing the same things every week in the gym, Ben started Crossfit in 2019 and quickly became hooked. It was new, it was different, and it was the closest thing to the challenge that playing sports gave him in high school.

In 2021 in the middle of the pandemic, Ben’s coached asked him if he had any interest in coaching as well. At first he thought it was ridiculous, but friends thought he would make a solid coach. He signed up for his L1 and never looked back. 

Ben enjoys the challenges of coaching and finding cues to help athletes improve. His goal is to make the hour at OBA the best hour of your day!

Certifications
CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Weightlifting

BEN

I’m a Philly transplant after a ton of moving around. Some of the places I’ve called home include Germany, Hong Kong, Shanghai, LA, NYC, and Nashville. Having grown up abroad, I can’t get enough of international foods, so if you ever need a good restaurant recommendation in the city come find me.

I’ve always been involved in some form of sport or fitness, which is probably why I chose to study kinesiology and nutrition in my Bachelor and Masters programs. I don’t think it surprised anyone when I decided to become a Dietitian and Coach. Understanding how we can adapt our bodies via training and nutrition has always intrigued me. In the past I focused on sports performance training, having worked with both collegiate and professional athletes, and am excited to bring everything I know to the CrossFit world.

After spending my weekends competing on the rugby pitch, it’s easy to appreciate the importance of camaraderie and how working with a team can push your limits. That’s exactly what I’ve learned to love about CrossFit. Each day, we show up, and we support ourselves and our team/fellow-members to continue the work. And even though our reasons to train may be different, it’s amazing how this community consistently comes together to get the job done. To me, the time I spend training in the gym are some of the best moments of my day, and I hope every athlete that joins my class feels the same.

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1
Registered Dietitian (RD)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
ISAK Certified Anthropometrist L1

Tyler Preston

I’m Liv, and I got my L1 back in 2019 soon after joining my first CrossFit gym. My love for CrossFit is rooted in the community.  The people in CrossFit are what drew me to the sport back in 2018 and what keeps me coming back every day since.  

I’m committed to creating a space where athletes of all levels—whether new to CrossFit or seasoned veterans—can thrive. My goal is to help you push your limits, celebrate your progress, and achieve your fitness goals alongside a community that motivates and supports one another…all while having a ton of fun!

Fitness is a journey, and I’m excited to be part of yours!

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2

Olivia Pinciotti

CERTIFICATIONS:

CROSSFIT L1
USAW L1

CROSSLEY SIMMONS

I started CrossFit in 2012 at a globo gym in Northfield, NJ. My first workout was Fran – using terrible technique to do kipping pullups and thrusters with 25lb metal plates. Eight minutes and a meeting with Mr. Pukie later, I was hooked. I graduated from Old Dominion University in 2015 with a degree in Maritime and Supply Chain Management then moved to Philly in December 2015.

I love the constant challenges and community that CrossFit brings. My time in the gym is the best part of my day. As a coach, I love being able to help members reach their goals and lead them to better health and performance.

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Gymnastics

BILL HEWITT

Matt has always had a passion for fitness and it has led him to find purpose in coaching. He has played a variety of sports in his life and has always been someone who was most interested in the preparation and training that went into performing at your best. Since he has been a coach, Matt has worked with a variety of clients. Ranging from individuals trying to get out of pain to athletes looking to improve their strength and conditioning.

Education and certifications:

B.S. Exercise Science
Crossfit L2
Crossfit Aerobic Capacity
Active Life Assessment Seminar
Active Life Coach Immersion
Active Life Breathing Immersion

MATT PHELAN

Hello folks! 

My name is Alexa Woodward and I started CrossFit in 2015. I’m originally from Northern California, but am currently finishing my PhD in Genetic Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania. As a long-time student of the health sciences, I’m passionate about the benefits of CrossFit/functional fitness on health and wellbeing. You can find me in the gym most days, working on getting stronger and faster – as well as competing at the occasional local competition. Outside of the gym, you can find me playing in your local adult ice hockey league or at Home Depot prepping for my next DIY project.

I’ve been coaching for about 4 years, and am a big believer in mechanics > consistency > intensity. It’s rewarding to help new athletes master the basics and coach long-time members on high skill gymnastic and barbell movements. Whatever your goals are in the gym, I’m excited to help you reach them. Join us for the fitness, stay for the community.

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2

Alexa Woodward

Hi y’all, I’m Myk. I started CrossFit in 2019, and started competing recently. Having been a student for most of the time since my start, Crossfit training offers my favorite reprieve of the day. I’m a medical student at Thomas Jefferson and love the parallels between these two identities of student and athlete. I was a competitive dancer most of my life and taught dance for 5 years.

My goal as a coach is to help you be 1% better everyday, even if that means just showing up. I started coaching because I really enjoy working with athletes at all levels and trying my best to find the small details that can make a big difference.

I love this sport because the mental tenacity that CrossFit sharpens every day can carry over into every aspect of life. One of my favorite mantras is discipline over motivation, and i think that’s showcased so well by the athletes in this gym.

CERTIFICATIONS:
CROSSFIT L1

MYKAIHLA STERNICK

 

Friends of The OBA