These pictures are awesome! and the couple in these photos is even cooler! John and Meg’s involvement and commitment to the community since they joined up has been unrivaled. There was a good stretch there where they attended 3 or 4 intro classes in a row with a friend or multiple friends who probably only came to get them to stop talking about CrossFit!
More recently, John could be found around the box working diligently on his strength to gear up for the in house throw-down. To no surprise, Meg was right there alongside relentlessly working on her weaknesses.
I can not say enough about these two. They even went as far as to send the CFS staff a special delivery of fresh oranges while vacationing down south.
We are very blessed to have them as a part of our community and hope that all of you get the chance to know them, congratulate them and suffer beside them. More from the happy couple…
How did you get involved in CrossFit?
John: I started following the main Crossfit website in 2011 but thought I needed to join another gym to “get in shape” before I could join Crossfit (which I never did). Meg finally made me sign up in January 2012.
Meg: After months of incessantly hearing about how awesome Crossfit was, I joined in October 2012 and now I couldn’t agree more.
What was your first WOD/experience?
John: My first workout was Fran with Coach Berretta – what an introduction. Twelve minutes and thirty-six seconds later (with some serious scaling) I was hooked. To this day it is my favorite workout and I recently completed a sub 5 minute Rx Fran!
Meg: I did a Saturday intro WOD and the next day went to yoga with Steph. We were doing the warrior 1 pose when Steph asked me if I recently had shoulder surgery. I hadn’t. I told her I did the intro WOD the prior day and as a result couldn’t get my arms above my head. Needless to say, I was sore for days.
When did you start coming to CrossFit Southie?
John: I joined in January 2012
Meg: I joined in October 2012
Is this the first CrossFit you’ve worked out at / how long have you been CrossFitting for?
Meg: It is our one and only CrossFit. John has been at it for a year and five months and I have been working out for eight months.
When did you realize that CrossFit was right for you?
Meg: John immediately realized CrossFit was for him and never looked back. He loves the competitive nature of it! I, on the other hand, cried in the car ride home after every workout for the first month. Not because I was in pain or I didn’t like going to CF; more from the mental exhaustion of doing something that was so challenging and outside of my comfort zone. Since then I have toughened up.
What are you short-term and long-term CrossFit goals?
John: Short Term – Rx muscle-ups during WODs, general improvement in the handstand push-up department; Long Term – Rx STOH weight in WODs, sub-4:30 Fran
Meg: Unassisted pull-up by December, finishing a competition and generally increasing my strength over time.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
John: Convincing Meg to take up crossfit so I can spend more time with two things that I love!
Meg: I am most proud of doing 15 foot rope climbs. As a kid in gym class, I was always the one who would get on the rope and just hang there, not understanding how to actually climb it. When I did my first 10 foot rope climb I almost asked TJ to take a picture I was so proud. Then I realized that since I was only up to the 10 foot mark and I am five foot 8, I would probabaly be underwhelmed with how high I actually got off the ground!
What is your favorite / least favorite WOD/movement?
John: Fran is my favorite WOD hands down, but I like it all. If I had to pick a least favorite, it would involve an AMRAP WOD with overhead squats – those suck.
Meg: Most favorite – running, rope climbs, box jumps, sit-ups (really any sort of MetCon WOD). I don’t necessarily have any least favorite movements; I am just not as good at weight lifting movements and pull-ups/push-ups.
What do you do for a profession outside of CrossFit?
John: I am a CPA and work at a public accounting firm (KPMG)
Meg: I am an Assistant Vice President in the Affiliate Management group at Old Mutual Asset Management (a holding company of boutique investment management firms) where I monitor the business performance and strategic growth of our firms
What are your hobbies outside of CrossFit?
Meg: Anything outdoors/active! We like to run, golf, swim, boat at Lake Sunapee NH and hang out with friends. John also plays men’s league hockey and he is on a bowling team at Southie Candlepin.
Do you eat Paleo or Zone? What is your favorite paleo/non-paleo meal?
Meg: We try to stay Paleo during the week (although we do use non-paleo condiments and sauces because we are too lazy to make paleo versions – who has the time?!) and then we inevitably end up cheating at some point during the weekend.
Our favorite paleo snack is Trader Joe’s plantain chips with homemade guacamole. We eat it practically every day. The plantain chips are so good we buy at least 10 packages at a time.
I could go on for days about our favorite non-paleo foods: Smith & Wollensky’s rolls, burgers with buns, Bailey’s (on the corner of East Broadway and L Street) toasted everything bagels with chive cream cheese, beer, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, ice cream, mint milk shakes from Tasty Burger, mac and cheese… The list is never ending.
Fun Fact?
Meg: John and I will celebrate our two year anniversary on July 23rd!
Skill
Ball-up
Skin the Cat
WOD
100 Double Unders
400m run
15 Toes to Bar
50 Double Unders
200m run
20 Toes to Bar
25 Double Unders
600m run
25 Double Unders
20 Toes to Bar
200m Run
50 Double Unders
15 Toes to Bar
400m Run
100 Double Unders
Level 2 -50,25,15 Double Unders; 10,15 Toes to Bar
Level 1- 10,10 Toes to Bar