With so many new faces in classes...
It's no secret that our community has been growing and re-building.
And...
In an effort to get to know our community better, we are re-introducing our Coach and Member spotlights to showcase our amazing Gym Family. We're also so excited to have Coach Megan kick off this series for us, not only because it's her birthday, but because she exemplifies all the amazing qualities and core values we hold dearly at Reign Fitness.
Here is Coach Megan...
Name: Megan Mamiya
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer / Kick-ass Coach (haha!)
Age: 34
1. I know you have another job outside of coaching, can you share a little bit about that?
I work for Mistequay (based out of Michigan), where I design actuation systems (a thing that moves something else and reports feedback) for military, aerospace and space applications. I get to design from start to finish, do all the calculations, design test plans, tooling, test the designs to failure and then write up a whole bunch of very FUN reports! Love my job because it's just solving puzzles!
2. What inspires you to continue to train and live a healthy lifestyle?
My nieces and my future! The saying "health is wealth" is 100% true! I want to keep healthy and strong so I can always continue to help others.
3. What is one of your favorite memories at Reign?
Way too many to choose from between Friday Night Lights, Team Challenges, Christmas parties... There have been so many great memories made with the Reign Fam. But I think the one that tops it off for me is the Valentine's Day Throwdown some years ago when I first joined Reign.
There was one workout with a partner carry where my sister was carrying her husband PJ hanging upside down on her back! It was so inspiring to see her taking these big sumo steps down the path but never gave up!
4. Who is your Hero?
My Grandma Yoshi will always be my biggest hero. She went through so much at a young age, being separated from her parents during WWII and being held in the internment camps in Idaho. She always found a way to keep moving forward, completing her education, never complaining, and always helping others along the way.
She is the person I hope to be someday and walk in her footsteps.
5. Favorite Cheat Meal?
Lately it's been fish and chips from Nazes down in Kent! Everytime I have it, it makes me feel like I'm back in the UK eating by the waterfront. Highly recommend!
6. Favorite workout or movement? Least favorites?
Favorite movements are BB Cleans, BB Snatches and Pull Ups! Least favorite Thrusters or Man Makers!
7. Pineapple on Pizza?
Not a pineapple person... but if its there, I'll pick it off and still eat the pizza! :)
8. What's one of your favorite meals to make?
Love making a big pot of Japanese curry with chicken and lots of veggies! Always a warm comforting meal during the fall/winter.
9. Can you share a memory from your fitness journey that looked like a setback at first but was actually a blessing in disguise?
I've had a handful of setbacks due to random injuries (back going out, Hamstring tear, sprained ankle, wrist/thumb issues...). But with all of these "setbacks" I've learned that with any injury comes time for reflection and re-alignment of your goals. When I had a hamstring tear that affected any bending in my knee, I was able to focus on upper body strength and got really good at pull-ups during this time! So there is always something you can do, you just have to re-frame your way of thinking.
10. What are 5 things you can't live without?
My puppies/Family
Music
Friends
Homemade food
A good sweaty workout!
11. What is one thing you love about yourself?
I love that I am brave enough to say yes or to try new things. All the best things in my life I have, because I dared to say yes.
Go live in the UK by yourself for work?
Yes!
Would you like to try coaching at Reign?
YES!
Who wants a puppy?
YESSSSS!!!
12. Last TV Show you binged or a solid movie recommendation?
Lock & Key on Netflix is one of my latest binging shows.
But I like anything on Netflix or on Demand that has a crazy plot that keeps me guessing are my jam!
13. Can you share one favorite coaching memory you have at Reign?
One of my best memories was training all my teen girls and prepping them for their first CrossFit Competition.
They were some of my first semi-private clients and I was nervous about how I was going to be able to connect with them or coach them. So rewarding helping them mentally and physically prepare for this competition (and things life throws at ya), then day of they killed it and exceeded all of our expectations.
Through my years coaching them and watching them become young strong women ready to take on the world made me feel like such a proud coach/friend! Best part was the close relationships that I have had with them and now watching them go to college is crazy!
14. Please share something that people may not know about you.
I lived in the UK for 3 months doing an Engineer Exchange program where I was the first engineer chosen for the program. It was crazy, I was paid to live in another country and work.
I traveled to a new location every weekend and learned a ton about myself being completely alone in a different country. My favorite was visiting Oxford and London areas, or watching the sunrise over Stonehenge on Summer Solstice, while standing right underneath the rocks!
15. Would you rather dance or sing on stage in front of a crowd? What song would you dance or sing to?
DANCE!!! Song wise... anything with a really good beat that I can jam out to! Maybe one of the new Bruno Mars songs like 777?
16. What are your Health & Fitness Goals as you head into your new age?
Main goal is just to keep moving. I've learned from these past couple of years that with the roller coaster of life, as long as you stay consistent, you will make progress.
Maybe doing another competition to prove to myself I still got it?
Who knows!
17. Can you share one "Golden Nugget", tips, or advice with our community that has either helped you or been there with you along the way?
When you make excuses, you're only excusing yourself out of what you REALLY want. So if you say you're going to do something, make a plan, ask a friend for help, and continue to keep trying!
Along the way, you'll learn more about yourself and what you can achieve when you don't excuse yourself out of working for it.
