Congratulations to Meghan Elgee – our November Athlete of the Month! Meghan is a Springfield transplant that came to Capital City CrossFit last winter. Since joining, she has been a consistent individual that frequents the afternoon classes, namely 5:30pm. Meghan shows up and shows out. She is a hard worker that rarely misses a day. She does not worry about what others are doing or where her name might land on the leaderboard. She just does what is right for her on that particular day, and she does very well. Since joining C3 last winter, Meghan has crushed it in the results department. She continues to get a stronger in her lifts and has refined her already strong gymnastic skills. Keep up the awesome work, Meghan!
In general, what is your background?
I grew up in Branford, Connecticut, a small town within walking distance to the beach. I have been involved in athletics for as long as I can remember, starting with my dad fighting to get me into the boys’ baseball league at age seven because the girls’ softball league in my town didn’t start until age nine.
I came to Springfield by way of Western Illinois University. I attended WIU for graduate school where I was part of a fellowship program called the Coverdell Fellowship which is available to returned Peace Corps volunteers. I qualified because I served in Peace Corps Albania from 2017-2019 as a member of the Health Education sector.
Age, Occupation?
I am 43 and work in research at SIU School of Medicine in the Department of Population Science and Policy. We work mainly with underserved rural populations in Southern and Central Illinois with a focus on increasing health equity and access to healthcare.
How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?
In 2010 a firefighter friend told me about it. He was thinking about joining in a few months and asked if I wanted to go with him. I looked it up and decided to start immediately rather than wait a few months. I began at Shoreline CrossFit in Branford, CT as part of their first ever onramp. CrossFit gave me a challenge I was never able to find at other gyms.
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
CrossFit has changed my life in so many ways. It gave me some of the best friends I’ve ever had. It taught me humility and gave me an outlet for the stress in my life. It gave me the understanding that I could finish anything I started, no matter how difficult. It not only put me in a great place mentally, but also physically. I am in the best shape of my life at age 43 and I run circles around my non-CrossFit friends in their 20s and 30s.
Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit.
To stay consistent and continue to work out even when I’d rather not.
Favorite CrossFit moment so far?
Every time I finish a workout that is my new favorite CrossFit moment.
What is your least favorite WOD to date?
Hard to choose just one. Anything with the bike.
What do you like most about Capital City CrossFit?
I like the programming, especially the consistency of the strength movements. Before I started at C3 in early 2021, I had not worked out regularly since 2016. The programming has allowed me to start to rebuild the strength I lost slowly and safely, helping me to avoid injuries.
Favorite exercise?
Double-unders and hang cleans.
Least favorite exercise?
The bike.
