Her Story
About Alexis
Alexis Velasquez-Smith serves as a high school teacher and head coach in Amarillo, Texas. She is in her sixth year overall in the field and 3rd year as head coach, having started as an assistant coach under a mentor who encouraged her growth. Alexis earned her degree in kinesiology in just 3 years after recognizing her passion for fitness, she brings additional background as a personal trainer for six years and delivering individual lessons for nearly a decade, along with earlier roles as a Medical Assistant and multiple jobs while attending college as an athlete. Her typical schedule involves early morning gym time followed by school hours from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and practices until 6 or 6:30 p.m., with added demands on game days. Through her work, Alexis focuses on the opportunity to impact young lives by helping students recognize and push past self-imposed limits while instilling strong work ethic and life skills. She notes the challenge of separating her coaching identity from her personal self but finds the rewards outweigh the difficulties.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alexis
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, resilience, and the support system I’ve been fortunate enough to have around me. My family has always encouraged me to pursue big goals, challenged me to keep growing, and supported me through the difficult seasons as much as the successful ones. I’ve also learned to hold myself accountable, stay consistent, and not be afraid to step outside of my comfort zone. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, but I also know I didn’t get here alone. The people who have supported me, along with my willingness to work hard and keep learning, have played a huge role in my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t let comfort become your ceiling. Keep learning, take risks, and don’t be afraid to outgrow what once felt like your drea
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you're young, you have to be stern. Set the tone, set the standard first. And then ease up later on if you see it fit. But at the end of the day, understand that these are kids, they are human, and just be the person you wish you had at that time, and better. Also, you're human, so give yourself some slack. You can't take care of these kids if you're not taking care of yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The opportunity of impact you get to make on people's lives, and showing them how successful they can be, and how their limits are limits that they've just set within themselves. It's not their barriers, not their stopping point, it's just something to reach and push past. Struggles would be being able to separate Coach versus Lexi.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My core values are family, integrity, growth, accountability, and genuine relationships. I believe in working hard, continuing to grow, owning my actions, and being honest—even when it’s difficult—when it comes from a place of wanting the best for others. To me, success is not just what you accomplish, but who you become and the impact you have on the people around you.
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