We are excited to announce Meg R. as this week’s Sycamore CrossFit Athlete of the Week. Meg is passionate, competitive and does not know the meaning of the word “can’t”. She is up early and at the gym for the 5:30 am class most mornings, and she loves her morning crew. Meg came to us with a background in all kinds of fitness and sports, but has fallen in love with CrossFit in a different way than she has with any other sport. She has learned how important it is to fuel her body with food that helps her perform well during each WOD. Meg, we are with you in wishing we could have crispy french fries dipped in ranch and not have it negatively impact our progress! Meg most recently hit a PR with a 215 lb deadlift which was a 10 lb increase for her. Way to go Meg! You are definitely pushing hard and we know you have more PRs to come! We are happy to have you as part of the Sycamore CrossFit family.
How would you explain your occupation to a 5 year old?
I help factories, hospitals, schools, power plants, and oil refineries save lots of energy and money by convincing them to insulate big pipes!!
How did you get started with CrossFit?
My sister invited me to a little CrossFit gym in Crystal lake. After a million wall balls and sumo deadlift high pulls I couldn’t walk down the stairs the next day…I was hooked.
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
5 1/2 years
What are your hobbies and interests outside CrossFit?
I like to hang out with friends and family, do anything active (hiking, running, biking, SUP, kayaking, water-ski, downhill ski), fish, read, learn, and do any project Clay can think of that needs doing.
What is your fitness background?
I started as a runner. I was 4th in the state in the 400m for the AAU when I was 10. I was a jack of all trades in high school. I was on drill team, water-polo, track (800m), and golf. After having a few kids and getting fat I decided I wanted to start moving again. I trained in taekwondo for 10 years, competed in olympic sparring, and finally got my hard earned black belt. I had a severe sprain of my right ankle during some jiu jitsu training which ended my TKD training. 2 years later I started CrossFit.
Short-term training goal?
Handstand proficiency and Bar Muscle-ups
Long-term training goal?
Get stronger, faster, and better at all of it, and be able to do it until I wake up dead.
What is your favorite movement?
Pull-ups, hang snatch or clean, and deadlift, where my monkey arms come in handy.
What is your least favorite movement?
Push-ups…I know, I know, absolutely no surprise there.
Proudest moment in CrossFit so far?
Getting a 140# C & J during training for the 15.1 open WOD, and busting out 25 kipping pull-ups in one set. There are really too many to name…CrossFit is cool that way.
What was your biggest obstacle to starting CrossFit and how did you overcome that?
Having to wake up and drive a half hour to my box at 5am was tough, but having to change my diet in order to perform has been, by far, the hardest part about being a crossfitter. My cheats and bad nutrition just seems to be magnified during wod’s. Why can’t I just eat a plate of extra crispy french fries dipped in ranch and not have it negatively affect my performance and waistline? Is that too much for a girl to ask for? I overcame these hurdles through consistency. Getting up early is just what I do now, even when I’m not working out in the morning. And eating clean, whole, unprocessed foods in the correct amounts makes me feel good and gives me energy. And with 5 kids and a demanding job, energy is a very sought after commodity. Gutting it out when you’re brain is telling you to give in is the key…one choice at a time.
What kept you coming back?
It works…duh! Just kidding, sort of. I went from crashing and burning by 4pm, and having no energy to be with my family and do fun things, to having energy from the time my feet hit the floor at 4:30am to when I put my head on my pillow at 9pm. No other physical activity I’ve ever done could accomplish that.
Your advice for someone considering starting CrossFit?
If you’d like a magic pill that combines Prozac, Adderall, and Xanax in one….that pill would be CrossFit. Try it. Be consistent. Work hard for that hour you’re there. Make friends, and watch what happens.
How has Sycamore CrossFit changed your life?
Moving is hard, but changing CrossFit gyms is harder. Sycamore CrossFit has allowed me to land in another great community and make more amazing life long friends. There is nothing better then waking up and starting my day with the amazing, and strong group of people from Sycamore CrossFit… shout out to the 5:30am crew!! You guys keep me coming back for more. Thank you!