Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Flora.
Hi Megan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
After being active and playing soccer from high school through college, I found myself very out of shape and lethargic before my 30th birthday. Shortly after turning 30, I joined my first CrossFit gym and was hooked; the community, the fitness, the challenge all appealed to me! That was in May and by January 2012 I earned my first CrossFit certificate. By late fall that same year I officially left my “real” job to pursue personal training and CrossFit coaching full time. After years of coaching and personal training at other gyms, I opened my own CrossFit Affiliate, Angel Oak CrossFit in 2017.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think the only smooth road out there is one of avoidance. There have been many struggles along the way in regard to finances, friends, personal self-doubt and rediscovery plus just general lack of knowledge in business ownership. But, as far as we know we only get one shot at life, and the thought of never trying always has seemed worse.
We’ve been impressed with Angel Oak CrossFit, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
AOCF is truly something special and I have our community to thank. Like many CrossFit gyms we offer group classes and personal training. What defines us is our coaching, programming, and culture. I’ve spent the last decade continuing my education in fitness, functional training, and CrossFit. I am a Certified CrossFit Trainer (CF-L3) and hold my Opex CCP. Both are highly regarded in the functional fitness community. My Opex Certification is directed toward individualized training which has only helped me to better define how I can create meaningful and programming for our group classes. I also use this knowledge to provide top-tier personal training to those local in Charleston and remote programming for those throughout the country.
I’d love for readers to understand CrossFit beyond what they see on social media, etc. The CrossFit methodology has been in existence for over 20 years; it is tested and retested and works. Period. Next, not all CrossFit gyms are the same. As a CrossFit Affiliate, you pay an annual affiliate due. Beyond that, we operate as independent businesses in regard to programming, coaching, schedule, culture, etc. Most CrossFit gyms has their own “personality” and it is important that you try a few to see where you feel most comfortable and safe. A quality CrossFit gym has active and educated coaches there to teach and guide your workouts, not just cheer or sit on their phone. If you have a bad experience at one gym, remember that is a reflection of that single gym and not the CrossFit community as a whole. Additionally, most boutique gyms (fitness, functional fitness, Xfit, bootcamp, etc.) are using the CrossFit methodology (constantly varied, high-intensity functional movement across broad time and domains) they are just choosing to not pay an affiliate due. A good indicator to if that gym is going to be “CrossFit inspired” is to see if their owner/coaches hold CrossFit certificates.
I’m proud of what I have built at AOCF. I am proud of our welcoming, supportive, diverse, and fun community. I am proud of being a female business owner in the fitness industry, and I am proud of my female coaching staff. I am proud of the impact I have been fortunate enough to have on others in regard to specific goals, achievement, confidence, and general happiness.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Being genuine. I try to be clear and transparent with my coaches, community, and prospective members about who I am, what we are, and what we do.
Pricing:
- Unlimited membership starting at $159/month
- Limited Membership starting at $139/month
Contact Info:
- Email: megan@angeloakcrossfit.com
- Website: https://angeloakcrossfit.com/
- Instagram: angeloak_cf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floraengesserfitness
