My Story

Hi there!

My name is Meaghan. I'm a 23 year old recent university graduate. I am delighted that you took the time out of your day to browse my brain a little bit, organized for you in the form of online blogging (welcome to 2014, right!?) It is important to ME that you know about who the girl behind the computer is, and why I decided to start this blog up in the first place. 

So like I said, my name is Meaghan, and I just finished university. The first thing that I want you to know about me is that I absolutely LOVE to learn new things! Enrolling in university was one of the best decisions I ever made, and while the ambiguous "What are you gonna do with THAT degree?" questions are asked of me on the daily, I'd never regret the sleepless nights, intense essays and five hour studio classes that came with being a student! My passion for learning extended so deeply that I decided  to get my second degree in education, which I just (finally!) completed this May. Before that, I was a drama student.

DUN. DUN. DUN.

Yes! I have a bachelor of arts! Yes! People ask me frequently why I decided to study something so "pointless" that has no secure job guarantees at the end. And yes, getting a degree in theatre with NO intention of becoming a professional actor might seem a little bit random. The second thing I want you to learn about me, is that I have a deep unwavering passion for art. In EVERY sense of the word. I find something so authentic, personal and creative about putting yourself out there. Writing a song, and performing it for a crowd. Speaking a monologue, dancing a piece that you choreographed, or portraying it so beautifully even if the idea of it started in someone else's mind. Writing a poem, painting a picture, directing a play. 

All of these things require a few things. The first, to take risks, because not everyone understands the value of art and a select few will even demean and criticize it. The second, to give a little of yourself, because almost every creation comes from some deep part of your heart and soul that maybe you haven't fully tapped into yet. 

The result? When you create art you will INEVITABLY connect with someone else. Whether you collaborated with them or not, the off chance of them seeing your piece or hearing your song could lead to a small flicker of inspiration for them.. for that minute, you two, or four, or five hundred are completely connected. How beautiful is that? The third thing you should know about me, I am in the business of connecting with people. Whoever may be reading this now, I absolutely believe that you and I could learn a lot from each other, and I think that is wonderful. Studying drama encouraged me to take risks, step out of my comfort zone, go against the grain, and connect with amazing people. I will never be sorry for that! And I will probably write an entire blog on it later!

Studio performance class, 2013

So like I said, I'm an artist! And though I studied drama, my love of art derives from coming from a big awesome musical family! There are six of us in my immediate family, but I have a tonne of extended family that I am privileged to know, love and be loved by :) Here are some of the clan! 

My love for music that started with singing at big corny family get togethers with my cousins and singing at church with my sisters, resulted in me beginning to write songs and collaborate with other musicians frequently! So a few years ago my beautiful little sister Emilie and I decided to pursue music more frequently and created our own acoustic duo called "We Sisters Three." We play shows frequently around our hometown and in different cities in Southern Ontario, and are working on recording our first E.P this summer (fingers crossed)!

WS3 Performing Mahtay Cafe, 2013


Performing as a singer/songwriter and sharing my talent with the city, in combination with my work and studies in the drama department then lead me to one of the most thrilling and life changing experiences that I've had so far. In 2011, I  was asked (and chose) to embark on my first ever not-for-profit trip to Port Antonio Jamaica as a music teacher with an organization called the Turn Around Project. How do I even begin to describe an experience like that? My intention was to go down and offer free music programming for the 45-some  odd students and teach them a thing or two about singing. I came back being more confused and impacted by the unequal distribution of wealth in the world than ever. The students that I taught, in turn taught ME, more than I could have ever imagined. I committed to going back to offer my skills and get reciprocal skills from them for the next three summers. Some of the absolute best memories of my entire life, that I will cherish and take with me forever. 

Turn Around Project 2012


So all of this brings me here! But, this is a health and wellness blog!? So how exactly do all of these things relate?! There is such a huge connection between being physically fit and being an artist. I'm learning that more and more every day. There are so many connections between the cues you get as an actor, and as a person who works out a lot. Don't drop your intention. Focus. Bend your knees ever so slightly. Relax. BREATHE. My first year performance exam was a 10km run, when I was eating junk food every day and slowly gaining the frosh fifteen! I thought my professor at the time was INSANE, but really learned to appreciate and understand the value of doing that for a program like this. I would sometimes DREAD going to performance classes. You go to a 3 hour studio class with the hopes of role playing or reading a script and end up spending the first hour and a half running around the room, sweating like a banshee and twisting yourself into yoga positions that seem uncomfortable and impossible! I realized I could NOT continue being a drama student to the best of my ability without starting to take my fitness more seriously! It was a very personal choice. And apart from that, I did WANT the end result. I wanted to have a flat stomach, defined biceps, the heart endurance of a pro athlete (without ACTUALLY being athletic) and nice strong legs! The more I wanted it, the more I worked on it! And it has DEFINITELY had it's ups and downs! As you can notice, I didn't start actually seeing physical results until I decided to work at it consistently everyday for the last few months!

In that trip to Jamaica in 2012 I first learned about Insanity! One of the girls on the Canadian crew brought her laptop and a bootleg copy of Shaun T's revolutionary DVD exercise program and I started waking up with my two pals, Jacelyn and Lisa every morning that I was in Jamaica to do an Insanity work out! I needed the energy to keep up with the youth, for the long days and workshop leadership, and I wanted to come back to Canada feeling refreshed and looking great! That was my first interaction with BeachBody as a company.
Now, with two degrees under my belt, a passion for art and fitness, and dipping my fingers in the pool of at home workouts, I'm STILL as confused as ever as to what I'm doing with my life! But I'm getting stronger every day, I'm learning about myself more and more, and that is where I'm at now. I decided to take the plunge and do my best to make myself the biggest project for summer 2014, and hopefully coach others a long the way by signing up to be a free fitness coach!

I really appreciate the time you took reading this, and can't wait to hopefully connect with you soon.
God Bless, my fit fam!

xoMG

P.S If you are a Drama student, or are an artist PERIOD, please do stay tuned for my blog about the benefits of working out for the actor/artist. You might find some of the ideas and my observations useful in your journey!