What is Fit & Able?
Fit & Able is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds healthier communities one athlete at a time through organizing creative events, programs, and activities.
Events for Every Athlete
Open to the Public
Fit & Able's events are open to the general public – children, adults, seniors, families, and sometimes even pets!
Thirty Years of Sport
Although our current events focus on running, over the past thirty years we have provided events and training teams for swimming, cycling, and running sports, including track and field, cross country, road races, triathlon, and other multisport events.
Everyone Is Welcome
We welcome athletes of all ages, skill levels, and abilities and especially encourage youth, novice, and nontraditional athletes to participate.
Our Mission
Fit & Able's mission is to promote health, fitness, and wellness in Cary and surrounding communities. We believe these things are the bedrock to a high quality of life.
Starting the Mission
Where the Name Comes From
You might not believe it but “Fit & Able” actually goes all the way back to 1984 when Mike Wright Colopy created a cartoon short story. This was a story about a husband (“Fit”) and wife (“Able”) who took control of their destinies and reclaimed their health.
Those characters perfectly illustrated the Fit & Able philosophy.
No matter how old you are or how out of shape, it’s never too late to take back control and lead the healthy life you deserve. And, the transformative journey is always better when you have someone traveling that road with you.
Coming to Life in Cary
But Fit & Able really came to life in 1996 when the Wright Colopy family moved to Cary.
That year the CDC released a report that ranked all the states by their youth obesity rate. Of the reporting states, North Carolina came in dead last.
Worried about the unhealthy environment she was introducing her own young kids, Travis and Glen, to, Coach Alisa went into action. Combining her long background in public health programming and elite competitive racing, she set herself to getting kids and their families moving again.
Coach Alisa knew that she couldn't turn things around for everyone across the entire state. But she believed that she could have a positive impact on her own local community. Even if it was just one kid at a time, she would help them take hold of the healthy lifestyle they needed.
From the YMCA to Team Fit & Able
The earliest programs started while she was working at the Cary Family YMCA as the youth fitness coordinator. These programs quickly grew out into Team Fit & Able, a youth triathlon training team. Shortly thereafter Fit & Able staged its first youth triathlons, including the USAT Mid-Atlantic Youth Championship.
For nearly 30 years Fit & Able has continued to build a healthier community one person at a time through organizing creative events and programs.
It’s Never Too Late to Start
It doesn’t matter where you are in life’s journey or what your background with health and fitness may be. You aren’t alone and it’s not too late.
Today is the day to get up and start moving!
We are here to help you achieve the healthy life you want to lead.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself
If you don't know for sure where you stand on your goals, ask yourself these three questions:
Are you as healthy or as fit as you would like?
Are you living the life that you want?
If you were as healthy or as fit as you'd like, would you live the life that you'd want?
If you answered no to either question 1 or 2 but yes to question 3, then we have the resources to empower you to achieve your goal of living a fit and able life.
Your Guide: Start Here
We’ve created a Start Here page just for you! Let that page be your guide for your health and fitness journey.
There you will find the path through all the resources we have created to help you. Whether it's our events, training teams, articles, podcasts, or ebooks, we have something for you.
And if you can’t find what you need, let us know and we’ll get to work!
What to Expect
This isn’t a get fit quick scheme. This journey requires a lot of work. You’re going to sweat. Your body will be sore. You’ll want to quit.
But we promise you that if you keep moving forward the results will be nothing short of amazing. We’ve even got a page dedicated just to showcasing success stories to show you just how possible it is to transform your life.
The best part is that you don’t have to keep coming back to find out what’s new. Join our newsletter and we will send it right to you FREE!
Meet the Team
Alisa Wright Colopy - President
Coach Alisa Wright Colopy has been a life-long advocate for personal fitness.
With a background in healthcare and a passion for helping others, she has coached more than 5,000 athletes ages 5 to 95 in triathlon, cross country, and track & field. She has helped thousands more step up to the start line and cross the finish line.
No matter how fast you go you know Coach Alisa will always be waiting for you at the finish line with a big hug.
Email:fitandablecoach@gmail.com
Certifications:
- USA Track & Field (Level 1 Certified Coach)
- USA Triathlon (Level 2 Certified Coach, Certified Race Director, Certified Youth Race Director)
Travis Wright Colopy - Executive Director
Travis grew up with Fit & Able, serving as a race volunteer, camp counselor, and board member.
Following law school, he returned to Cary to be closer to family and build a business that was deeply involved in the community. In 2013 Travis took on the role of Executive Director. In addition to leading the organization, Travis has also been a coach for Team Fit & Able and is the head timer at events.
Email:travis@fitandable.net
Certifications:
- USA Track & Field (Level 1 Certified Coach)
- USA Triathlon (Certified Race Director, Certified Youth Race Director)
- Road Runners Club of America (Certified Race Director)
- Duke University (Certificate in Nonprofit Management; Certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership)
Questions About Our Story
When was Fit & Able Productions founded?
Fit & Able was officially formed on November 1, 1999. The roots go back further. Coach Alisa Wright Colopy started youth fitness programs in Cary in 1996, and the name comes from a 1984 cartoon by Mike Wright Colopy.
Who runs Fit & Able Productions?
Fit & Able is a family-run nonprofit. Coach Alisa Wright Colopy is President, and her son Travis Wright Colopy has been Executive Director since 2013. Travis is also the head timer at our races.
Is Fit & Able Productions a nonprofit?
Yes. Fit & Able Productions, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Cary, NC. Our mission is to promote health, fitness, and wellness in Cary and the surrounding communities.
Why was Fit & Able started?
In 1996, a CDC report ranked states by youth obesity rate, and North Carolina came in last. Coach Alisa had just moved her family to Cary and decided to get local kids and families moving. Her programs at the Cary Family YMCA grew into Team Fit & Able, a youth triathlon team, and then into the races we run today.
More questions? See our Event FAQ or email info@fitandable.net.