Checking in with the Locals: Valerie Morini

Charlottesville is a city filled with local-loving people, and a spirit of community and collaboration unlike anywhere else. Every week, Cville Niche will celebrate that spirit by featuring a local’s top 3 picks. Check out previous local check-ins!

Valerie Morini

Describe what you do in town.

I’m one of the owners of Fight Gone MAD, opening soon in the IX building, the president of FemCity Charlottesville (a femfessionals community), and the blogger behind Fuel Sweat Grow. I’m a UVa grad (go HOOS!) and chose to move back to Charlottesville for the amazing community, locavore focus, and amazing people that make this small town much larger than it is.

Describe yourself in 5 syllables or less.

Always on the go

Top 3 Local Picks

A favorite dish in town, what it’s called, where it’s at, describe what makes it special/different/one of your favorites.

I have too many favorites, but one that I am always up for is the goat cheese salad from The Local with pistachio crusted local CaroMont goat cheese, watermelon, apples, beets, and mixed lettuce. It’s awesome, and ALWAYS precedes any entree that I order.

A favorite weekly or monthly drink special, what’s the special, where’s it at, and why you love it.

Ayo hour at Bella’s is definitely a favorite. From 5-7 on weekdays, Ayo, the bartender, hosts a little happy hour at his bar, which is one of my favorite places to sit and meet people in Charlottesville. There’s always a great crowd in there, and special appetizers don’t hurt either – the food is amazing.

A favorite local fitness class, name of the class, fitness center, brief description of the class and why you love it.

I love what Dar [Malecki] has been doing with Cville bootcamp, integrating a more focused blend of functional fitness and high intensity interval training, as a prelude to Fight Gone MAD which we’re opening at the IX building very, very soon. The programming bridges the gap between the yogi or cardio junkie’s routine and the CrossFitter’s training to provide smart, safe, and intentional intervals and movements to challenge and push each individual’s capacity. The programming is intended to make each individual stronger in their own bodies and at their own level to make them better at their passions whether it be yoga, running, triathlons or a full time #MADlifestyle at Fight Gone MAD.

Tagged: ayo bella's, bella's, bella's restaurant, bella's west main, Caromont Farm, caromont goat cheese, charlottesville fitness, femcity, femcity charlottesville, fight gone mad, fuel sweat grow, fuel sweat grow blog, ix building, madlifestyle, the local, the local belmont, the local restaurant, val morini, valerie morini

Posted in: Checking in with the Locals, community, health & fitness