Yessenia Cossio-Alonso, famously known as Yessenia Cossio, breaks gender stereotypes by taking on a different kind of job. When someone asks her what she does for a living, she proudly answers that she is a stunt woman. While other women would probably say that they are receptionists, construction workers, doctors, or retail employees, Yessenia can say something unexpected. “I do badass stuff for a living and get to see myself on TV,” she says with pride.
When Yessenia Cossio worked in Best Buy as a retail employee, she had a defining moment when she watched The Avengers playing on repeat. There, she said to herself, “One day, I will be there. I will work for Marvel.” Six years later, she would play a role in the Netflix Marvel TV show The Punisher.
Everything always started with a dream, a goal, and a little spark of passion ready to turn into a flame. Yessenia Cossio was born and raised in Miami. At the age of 9, she already had an interest in singing, so she enrolled in a music class where she sang at the local church. Her love for music did not remain persistent. She knew that something was lacking, but she didn’t know what it was until she was given a role to play in her English class about women’s rights. Her role’s execution impacted her teacher, and this experience changed her life’s trajectory.
After graduating, keeping her love for acting and performing was challenging since she worked full-time with Sears Telemarketing Center as a computer technical support specialist. After a year, she was promoted to human resources. After 7 years of life filled with different jobs, Yessenia Cossio passed through the threshold. She embarked on her acting journey by entering The Miami Acting Studio, where her life continued to transform. While following her dream, she worked side jobs as a brand ambassador. She also attended acting and parkour lessons.
In 2013, she participated in the bikini division for the National Physique Committee (NPC) in a bodybuilding competition. This endeavor was not enough to turn into a passion, although the exercise experience was pleasurable. But this experience helped her to execute the stunts easier. She already built up her skills in martial arts, wirework, high falls, stage combat, acrobatics, parkour, tricking, trapeze, and stunt driving.
Breaking the status quo is always challenging. Yessenia explains, “We have to perform all stunts such as car crashes, the fire burns, high falls, wrecks, fights, stair falls, wire gags under any weather, condition, and wardrobe including heels. Although we physically prepare ourselves as much as possible to take impact and avoid injury, we are always prepared for the worst and train in that same way to be preventative.”
“My goal has always been for people to remember me,” she says. “I also want to bring awareness to the world of strong women, the stunt industry, and everything we go through. I feel it’s not highlighted enough and or given enough credit for. I want to help be that change and be a voice to these communities.”
Visit Yessenia Cossio’s website to know her more.
