Deep Dark Secrets of Coach Meagan – Coach Spotlight

Coach Meagan has been a “go-getter” from the first time I met her. From the pre-interview process to today, I can always count on Meagan to get things done. When she suggested that we help you get to know our team better, I knew she wouldn’t disappoint when I asked her to go first. As a veteran myself I want to thank Meagan for her service. It takes a special person to do what she has done. There is more here than meets the eye! – Coach Dean

As most of you know, I am Coach Meagan Sbat. I coach the “Morning Motivators” with Coach Dean. I have had the privilege of working with Get Fit NH since October of 2012. When we decided to do a weekly “Coaches Spotlight” for the month of February I was excited and a bit nervous to share my extended background with you all.

I will start with the basics and get in to the juicy stuff in a bit. First off I was born and raised in Weare, NH. I graduated from John Stark Regional High School when I was 16 years old. I was one of those geeky kids who crammed all of my credits into three years and passed on the study halls so I didn’t have to stay in high school any longer than I had to! After graduation I went to New Hampshire Technical Institute for Hotel and Restaurant Management. At the time my full time job was at the Holiday Inn in Concord and I thought that’s what I would do when I grew up (wrong!) After two years at NHTI I was accepted to Penn State. So in 2008 I packed up and moved to PA on my 18^th birthday and found myself a beautiful 1 bedroom apartment in an old farm house. I lived there for 6 months before I got home sick and called it quits.

When I returned to NH I got my old job back at the Holiday Inn and returned to my old life. As I am sure you all remember in 2008 the economy was on its way down. There was a lot of talk about the hotel industry laying off employees because travel would be cutting back. I panicked and knew I had to figure something out sooner than later. So I did what any sane human would do and joined the Marine Corps (sarcasm intended.) I had absolutely NO clue what I was getting myself in to. I had no family and only a handful of friends who had ever joined the service. I only chose the Marine Corps because a “friend” had laughed at me when I told him I was thinking of joining and told me these exact words, “You would never make it a day in the Marines.” Well, let’s just say I am thrilled to say I proved him wrong.

I served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps and that is by far my proudest accomplishment. I did two 7 month tours overseas; one in Djibouti, Africa and the other in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  I have traveled through countries I didn’t even know existed and have met some of the most incredible heroes. I have lived in spaces smaller than most people’s bathrooms and thoroughly enjoyed (almost) every second of it. I have had the opportunity to see people and places that make me truly grateful for the life we have in America. In 2012 I had to make a decision. Do I get out or stay in? I really struggled with this decision.  I loved my job. I loved the people. I loved the financial stability. I loved traveling. But I wanted to start a family. The Marine Corps life was not the place to start a family in my opinion. I couldn’t imagine having children and then having to leave them for 7+ months so I denied my re-enlistment and moved back to NH with my husband (Justin- 4 years married this year!). There is still not a day that goes by where I don’t think about what our life would be like if I had stayed in. I don’t necessarily regret getting out, but I miss it more than I could ever express.

I got in to the fitness industry because I wanted to see people reach their goals. Training is what I love to do. It is one of my only hobbies. I am not an athlete- never have been. I don’t enjoy sports. If you throw a ball at me, I will most likely duck.  I decided I wanted to be a trainer while I was in Afghanistan. The Marine Corps has height and weight standards and I was in charge of physically training the Marines who were not within standards. I had 12 Marines training with me and every single Marine was within standards by the time we left Afghanistan. It was at that moment that I realized I would love to do that over and over again. That wasn’t work- that was fun and they were so grateful. I always tell people that I have the best “job” in the world. I feel beyond blessed to be a part of Get Fit NH and there is nothing I love more than pushing you guys to reach your goals! 🙂

Meagan Sbat holds an Associates Degree in Exercise Science, and is a Certified Fitness Trainer, Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, Youth Fitness 1, Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and Specialist in Senior Fitness with the International Sport Sciences Association.