Affiliate Spotlight: Vince and Jenai D’Orazi’s CrossFit Acclivity
In October 2022, Vince and Jenai D’Orazi moved from their home in Boise, ID, to the small mountain town of McCall, 100 miles away.
- Popular with runners, hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, and skiers, McCall attracts an influx of seasonal tourists each year. Many are drawn to Payette Lake, the Payette National Forest, and the nearby Salmon River.
However, the year-round population is just about 4,000 people — not a place most would picture as an ideal spot for a CrossFit gym.
The D’Orazis have years of experience as CrossFit athletes, competing at the Semifinal level, and extensive coaching experience in Boise. When the couple moved, they knew CrossFit would still play a significant role in their lives.
- “We wanted to start a CrossFit affiliate because we are CrossFitters through and through and wanted to share our passion and skill set with our community,” the D’Orazis told Morning Chalk Up. “We have been lucky to be part of some amazing gyms with amazing coaches in our lives, and their impact on our lives has been invaluable. We wanted to create that for others.”
But establishing a gym with a permanent clientele in a place like McCall presents its own set of challenges.
First, the community is small to begin with, and many residents are already dedicated athletes in various sports with their own training routines.
The second challenge was that the D’Orazis didn’t even have a gym space; all they had was their home. Turns out, that’s all they needed.
- They outfitted their garage with barbells, ergs, dumbbells, and mats, and even mapped out a running route on their property to accommodate different distances. The couple also decided to keep their house open and unlocked during class so members could easily use the restroom and shower. Throughout it all, the D’Orazis found creative ways to work within their limited space and adjust when harsh winters made outdoor training impossible.
So, with a little ingenuity and more than a little passion, CrossFit Acclivity was born.
The gym officially opened its doors on January 1, 2024. What began with a few members training in the D’Orazis’ home has grown into a very tight-knit community of 90 members. Classes are held six days a week, and a new downtown location in McCall is set to open in a few weeks.
Better. Adventures. Together.
When the D’Orazis established the gym, they also created a motto: “Better. Adventures. Together.”
To them, “better” means seeking challenges and feedback, and identifying growth opportunities. This was why, upon opening the gym, the couple pursued their CrossFit Level 3 certifications —a huge accomplishment for them and a source of pride for the entire gym community.
- “Passing the L3 test means that you have read and understood the methodology and science behind why CrossFit works, which we both loved to nerd out on anyway,” the D’Orazis said. “And, the big takeaway is that CrossFit works. Period. We knew that before studying for the L3, but being able to explain what, why, and how it works made us even more passionate about CrossFit. This shines through to our coaches and members.”
The Acclivity Community
Rebecca was one of Acclivity’s first members and is someone who the D’Orazis agree embodies the “Better” component of their ethos.
- “She came to us timid but willing to learn. She was often the only member at the 7:10 a.m. class in the beginning, and she still showed up,” the D’Orazis said. “She has been the most consistent member, never missing Commitment Club in the almost two years she’s been with us. She has become a strong, capable, and much more confident human. She is also one of our coaches now, and just got her first strict pull-ups last week.”
Another member, Cory, blew out his knee while snowboarding and came to Acclivity wanting to get back to his hobbies, like hunting, fishing, and rafting.
- “What started as ‘I’m just going to join until my knee is better…’ led to him seeing his adventures feeling easier and more fun with some fitness behind them,” the D’Orazis said. “He is now a staple in our 7:10 class. We can always count on Cory to add some laughter to class, as he comes with a great attitude and the best jokes. Cory embodies our ‘Adventure’ value.”
Another Acclivity member, Elise, has become a staple at CrossFit Acclivity’s 6:00 a.m. class, and the D’Orazis said she excels at bringing people from diverse backgrounds together.
“Elise has had a very tumultuous year,” they explained, “but has been investing in herself and her fitness on good days and on bad days. She is surrounding herself with a new group of friends who are also working on improving their lives. She embodies our value of ‘Together’ extremely well.”
The grand opening of CrossFit Acclivity’s new space will take place on January 1, 2025 – exactly two years after their very first class, held in their home.
Featured image: @crossfitacclivity / Instagram
