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
MATT PHELAN
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
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
Hi Team! My name is Hailey! I am originally from outside Boston but recently moved to Philly from NYC. I studied Civil Engineering at Michigan (Go Blue!) and spent a couple of years working in the construction industry. While in college and throughout my first couple jobs I got really into running. I ran my first marathon my junior year of college and I was hooked. So hooked that I later on decided I wanted to quit my corporate job and pursue a full time career in fitness.
In 2022, I quit my consulting job and started working full time at a strength & conditioning gym in New York. I was still running marathons at the time but quickly realized I would rather be in the gym so I sought a way to make strength & conditioning competitive. Enter CrossFit.
In 2023, I joined my first CrossFit gym and instantly fell in love. The CrossFit methodology really resonated with me and I loved the community that my gym provided. I knew immediately that I wanted to be able to coach CrossFit so I pursued my L1. Having personally found CrossFit to be so empowering, I love being able to share that with others through coaching. I love helping other athletes celebrate wins whether it’s a PR clean or your first kipping pull up or even just the fact that you made it to class that day!
Certifications:
CrossFit L1
USAW L1
NASM CPT
RRCA Run Coach
RYT 200
HAILEY PORTER
TREY GORDON
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 Chester Arthur
Stanton Community Partners