Alexis Raptis has quietly — and then loudly — become a force to watch in the CrossFit world.
From humble beginnings in gymnastics and soccer to wearing the Games leader jersey and standing on podiums, her journey hasn’t followed a straight path.
It’s been long, it’s been painful at times, but it’s also been deeply transformative.
Now, with the 2025 season on the horizon, Raptis says she’s “just getting started.” And after what she’s already accomplished, that might be the most exciting part.
Jump to:
A Start Without Expectation — And A Spark That Wouldn’t Quit
Raptis didn’t enter the CrossFit world to chase titles. Like many teenagers, she stumbled into it out of curiosity and a need for direction.
“I didn’t have anything I was passionate about after gymnastics,” she said. “Then I found CrossFit going into my sophomore year of high school.”
At first, it was just about learning how to train and get stronger. But that changed quickly. Within a year, she qualified for the Games in the teen division — a top 10 finish in the Open that left her both shocked and inspired.
“You get a little bit of success, and it’s addicting,” she said. “I thought, ‘Maybe I could be really good.’”
The Long Road to Individual Competition
Between the teen division and the individual competition field, there was a six-year stretch of missed opportunities, near-misses, and emotional ups and downs.
“There were years I just wasn’t even close,” she admitted. “I would train so hard and feel like I wasn’t getting anything out of it.”
But looking back, Raptis knows those were the most important years of her growth — mentally and physically. They built the base that would support her future success.
“It taught me confidence. That’s what I was missing,” she said. “I think I was actually fit enough some of those years, but I didn’t believe in myself.”
In 2022, the switch flipped. She qualified for the CrossFit Games and made it clear she belonged.
The Games Breakthrough
By the time she hit the floor at the Games, her mindset was different.
“I knew exactly what I needed to do. I knew I could do it.”
She not only showed up — she showed out. At one point, Raptis wore the leader’s jersey, one of the most coveted and symbolic indicators of dominance at the Games.
“I tried to live in that moment,” she said. “Only a handful of people ever get to wear that jersey.”
She finished sixth — a huge milestone — but for Raptis, it felt like just the beginning. The leader’s jersey wasn’t just a moment; it was a mirror into what was possible.
Battling Health Struggles in Silence
Behind the scenes, Alexis was dealing with something most fans never knew about: a chronic digestive condition called microscopic colitis. It caused severe inflammation in her large intestine, which worsened during intense training and stress.
“I’ve basically been competing sick my whole career,” she revealed. “Some weekends I was just trying to survive, not compete.”
But a new medication changed everything. After her first dose, she said it felt like a “new life.”
“For the first time, I could eat, recover, and actually feel like a healthy athlete.”
That one change reshaped her training, her confidence — and her love for the sport.
Garage Workouts and a Personal Rebirth
After a frustrating 2023 season — where a mountain biking accident sidelined her with a shoulder injury — Raptis retreated home to Georgia.
She wasn’t planning on staying long, but five months later, she was still there, training alone in her parents’ garage.
“I made more progress in that garage than I’ve made anywhere else,” she said. “It made me tougher. It reminded me how bad I want it.”
Her mental reset led to a renewed fire. She showed up to the 2024 Rogue Invitational with purpose and took third — a podium finish that felt like validation and a springboard.
Joining Proven and Leveling Up
Raptis has recently started working under Shane Orr and Tia-Clair Toomey’s Proven program — one of the most respected coaching groups in CrossFit. It’s still early in the process, but the impact is already clear.
“I’ve only been working with them for a short time,” she said, “but once we put some real training blocks together, I think people will see another level.”
Being around other high-level athletes has elevated her performance — and her expectations.
The Fire for 2025
With the new competition structure giving athletes more opportunities to get on the floor, Raptis plans to attack the season. She’s aiming to compete at both the WFP and the CrossFit Games.
“This year is about taking those opportunities and learning every time I step on the floor.”
Her performance at Rogue showed what she’s capable of. She overcame no-reps, a new training environment, and lingering nerves. She trusted herself and went heavy on the clean — hitting 230 pounds and finishing strong.
“This isn’t even close to the best version of me,” she said. “I know how dangerous I can be.”
Why She’s Just Getting Started
Now 26, Alexis Raptis has spent more than a decade building herself into one of the top contenders in the sport. And she’s done it the hard way — through persistence, failure, and learning.
“Every setback has made me who I am today,” she said. “It’s taken years to get here, and it’s taught me patience and how resilient I am.”
She’s healthy, happy, and clear on what it will take.
“No one wants to win as bad as I do,” she said. “I’m coming for it.”
Watch out — the best of Alexis Raptis is still ahead.
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.
