Meet Ali

Alison Portis, MS, CPT, is a certified wellness professional and military spouse with a love for nature and the outdoors. She holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion and has a background in Conservation Biology, which enhances her ability to help individuals achieve optimal health and wellness through nature.

Her passion for this work is also deeply personal. During college, Ali was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that was significantly impacted by stress. This experience deepened her understanding of the powerful connection between the mind and body and inspired her to explore sustainable approaches to physical and mental self-care.

As a military spouse, frequent moves over the past two decades have given Ali and her family the opportunity to experience many different locations and communities. While each move has presented its challenges, exercise and time spent in nature have always been central to how she explores and connects with new places. In addition to movement and nature connection, she has found that community and social engagement are powerful tools for managing stress and building resilience.

Having worked with military families for over 20 years, Ali is passionate about fostering connections among individuals of all ages and empowering them to lead resilient, mindful, and balanced lives. She believes that creating shared experiences and fostering connections helps individuals become the best versions of themselves.

Currently, Ali divides her time between wellness coaching and training at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington and serving on the Board of the Arlington Outdoor Education Association, where she supports the Outdoor Lab—a 200+ acre facility that provides outdoor education opportunities for Arlington Public Schools and the broader Northern Virginia community. In 2025, she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training and is excited to incorporate yoga into her nature-based experiences.

Through guided hikes, yoga, and community-based experiences, Ali hopes to help people slow down, reconnect with nature, and build resilience in their everyday lives.