We Love That Journey For You - Alida Farlaino

Welcome to our very first installment of We Love That Journey For You!

This is a series where we highlight awesome women at every stage of their fitness journeys. These profiles are meant to inspire you to get moving in whatever way feels good for YOU. 

This month, we are featuring Alida Farlaino. Alida is an amazing member of our Snark Squad. She is a personal trainer and Navy vet who’s also into snowmobiling, wake surfing, jumping into frozen lakes, and rucking! Did we mention she does all of this with two prosthetic discs in her neck?! 

Sit back, relax, and be inspired by Alida’s incredible life story.

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Tell us a little about yourself and where you’re from:

I grew up a military brat, born in Hawaii, but I have lived all over the world. I went to 3 different high schools on 3 different continents. I graduated from Nile C Kinnick School in Japan. I have a Bachelor’s in English and Journalism, an MBA, and I’m most of the way done with my LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)  I just need to find a little more money to help pay for the rest of it. I joined the Navy in 2004 and served 6 years as a PH (Photographer’s Mate).  

You told us you most identify with our Fierce & Fab tea, why is that?

I just think it’s my personality to get after things. When I commit to something I do it all the way. I’m only in competition with myself; to be better tomorrow than I was today. I love the saying, “My biggest enemy is me and even I can’t stop me.” I think when you learn how to get out of your own way you can achieve more and others see that as a force to be reckoned with. I think it takes someone fierce to pick up a 50lb pack and haul that thing 26.2 miles without ever setting it down just to see if it was something they could do.

What role does tea play in your fitness journey?

Tea is an inexpensive holistic medicine that has been studied much longer than any of the other “healthy” supplements on the market. We know that tea can heal, calm, energize, strengthen, improve circulation, detox... so many things. People spend copious amounts of money on supplements to do the same things tea does. To me tea is a healthy hack. It’s simple to make, easy to take with you on the go, hydrates you. You can drink it on ice on a hot day or hot on a cold day. At night when I’m thinking about eating junk, I can grab a cup of hot tea and it keeps my hands busy while giving me something to curb the craving. When it’s hot, I put it on ice and it keeps me from drinking sugary sports drinks or sodas. 

What motivates you to get up in the morning?

I am very driven to help other people and I have the joy of being a personal trainer. So basically I get to spend all day with people looking to improve themselves. These people open up to me, I get to see their strengths, their vulnerabilities and I get to hold their hands while they push towards their goals. I draw a lot of value in knowing that I’m helping to improve the quality of life in my corner of the world. If they’re willing to get up to do the work, I’m willing to get up and be their biggest fan. 

What’s your rucking origin story?

I discovered rucking (walking while carrying weight) while I was on active duty in the United States Navy. It’s definitely a military-related sport. I’ve always been into distance running so the endurance aspect of rucking was appealing to me right away. But I actually got more involved with rucking after I got out of the military because of a veterans group called TeamRWB. This organization has chapters all over the country and veterans and their supporters get together to go ruck and provide mental and emotional support to each other. I think it’s just very therapeutic for me to take part in a military-type activity with like-minded people who believe in serving something bigger than themselves. 

How do you train for your sport?

I typically lift weights 4-6 times per week and I rotate through programs that vary the weight and repetitions. I have been an endurance athlete my entire life so I have a solid foundation there, but I do cardio 5-7 days per week. I rotate between high and low impact options including running, an elliptical, row machine, spin bike, stair climber and HIIT. I practice with my pack 1-2 times per week on a typical week and bump that up to 4 times per week as I train for a specific event. 

Who is your biggest female role model?

I have been so blessed to have a lot of strong women in my life. I feel like it would be wrong to name just one. I really look up to authentic women, those women who aren’t afraid to speak about their mistakes, life lessons and plans for self-improvement. I feel like my mom set the example by being this type of person, empowering me to be like her, and encouraging me to seek like-minded friends and mentors to ensure I am in a constant state of growth.

When I need a power pep talk, I watch the Ted Talk “Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable” by Luvvie Ajayi Jones. I really connect with her idea about being the domino, being the person to affect change. Her thoughts about fear and speaking truth to power get me fired up. “Comfort is overrated.” Push yourself outside of your comfort zone in the gym, in life, in situations where speaking up or doing the right thing may have consequences.

What would you say to motivate other women to begin their fitness journeys?

No one is ever going to care about you the way you do. You have to be the one to start this. You have to be the one who recognizes your own value. Treat yourself like you are a person of value. Think about the fuel you put in your body and what that body is capable of. Have you ever tried to discover what it’s capable of? Have you tried to do a mile? A 5K? Powerlift? Let’s make a goal that has nothing to do with your weight. Let’s make a goal that has everything to do with finding your inner power and helping to release it. What makes you feel proud, happy, accomplished? 

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