Aging Strong: Michael Kilway’s Commitment to Longevity

June 1, 2026

June Athlete of the month

Our June Athlete of the Month is a 12:00 staple - Michael Kilway! A longtime Eldersburg resident, Michael joins us with a degree in electronic engineering and a practical approach to fitness. He started CrossFit with a simple goal: to be able to age with grace by improving his strength and endurance so he could continue doing the things he enjoys as he gets older. What keeps him coming back is the structure and effectiveness of the programming, along with the supportive environment at Blackbird. And while Michael can joke that one of the biggest things he’s learned since joining is that he had been doing many weightlifting movements incorrectly for years, the coaches at Blackbird agree that his smart scaling and coachability are a testament to how determination, effort, and commitment can make every workout approachable regardless of ability.


Over the last 5 ½ years, Michael has seen impressive progress, especially in movements he once struggled with. Learning the balance, coordination, and speed to jump rope, and building the strength to complete kettlebell swings at an incredible 60 pounds, Michael proves that your age is just a number and that the most important part of beginning a CrossFit journey is just focusing on your own progress. Outside the gym, Mike enjoys woodworking, DIY projects, and you can find him at 1623 on Wednesday nights for trivia. His advice for anyone considering CrossFit: ignore the stigma, make your own judgments, and don’t worry about being judged - everyone is too focused on their own workout to notice what anyone else is doing.


Get to know Michael:


Tell us about yourself: 

Michael Kilway, senior citizen, masters degree in electronic engineering, Eldersburg resident for over 30 years.

What made you start CrossFit? What has kept you doing it? Has your motivation changed from when you first started?

My reason for starting Crossfit is simple. I wanted to be stronger, more flexible and have more endurance. I keep showing up because it works for me. I like that there is a workout plan each day and each workout is part of a comprehensive, professionally designed fitness program. My motivation is and always has been the need to stay fit in order to do the things I enjoy. 


What have you learned about movement, fitness, and yourself since joining Blackbird?

I learned that I had been doing most weight lifting exercises incorrectly all my life. 


What is your favorite CrossFit movement, lift, or WOD? Is there something you dread seeing on Wodify?

They are all good. I don't really dread anything because no matter how potentially dreadful a lift, movement, or WOD could be, it can always be scaled to my ability. 


What impact has CrossFit had on you inside and outside of the gym?

Crossfit gives me the ability to do physical activities that become more difficult as I get older. 


What are your CrossFit or fitness goals? How close are you to reaching them?

My goals are simple. I want to consistently get stronger, leaner, more flexible and have greater endurance. After those have peaked, the goal is to maintain. Hopefully, they never peak. :)


When you are not in the gym what is your favorite thing to do?

I love to do DIY projects. Woodworking is a big part of that but not everything. I utilize CAD software and now AI for many projects. 


What is one fun thing about you that we may not know yet?

I can be found at 1623 Brewery Wednesday evenings for trivia night. 


What is the one tip you would give someone considering CrossFit or new to CrossFit?

Here are two:

I hear there is a stigma associated with Crossfit. Make your own judgements.

Don't worry that other members or coaches will judge you. (I have never felt judged.) Athletes, including myself, are way too focused on their own workout to even notice what someone else is doing. 


What is your favorite workout fuel? What’s your favorite indulgence?

I don't really fuel up before a workout. I avoid eating anything in the 90 minutes before a workout. I just make sure I am hydrated. Paleo chocolate chip cookies are a favorite indulgence. 


Let's celebrate some of your wins! Tell us about any results, milestones, or moments that made you proud!

I guess my greatest improvement has been in jump rope. I never could jump rope until Crossfit. My kettlebell swing has also improved. I started with 26 lb five years ago. Now I'm up to 60 lb. It is the only exercise I can RX. 


Anything else?

The coaches and members have always been friendly and helpful. The facility is outstanding!

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Athlete of the Month: John Leach’s Decade of Dedication

May 1, 2026
Our May Athlete of the Month is none other than John Leach! John has been a fixture at Blackbird for the last decade - proving that longevity and intensity can be achieved with the right formula of consistency, nutrition, and body awareness. As many of us were, John was introduced to CrossFit by a coworker, and the rest is history. Most recently, John’s drive and dedication has landed him in the 2026 CrossFit Games Semi-Finals after finishing in the top 200 competitors worldwide in his division during Quarterfinals. When John started CrossFit in 2016, he was looking for a way to engage his daughters in a healthy lifestyle and quickly developed into a passion for functional movement, a love for the intensity, and the joy of finding his people. Nowadays, John uses his hour in the gym to center himself from life’s stresses, push himself through long workouts, and working out with and competing together outside of Blackbird with his fiancee Michele, another resident Blackbird powerhouse. By smartly managing aches and pains, dialing in his nutrition, and balancing strength, speed, and intensity, John truly exemplifies what it means to be a well-rounded, intelligent athlete. You can catch John in the evenings, popping some Sour Patch Kids and giving it his all. Congratulations John! You raise the bar at Blackbird, and we love having you a part of our community. MEET JOHN... Tell us about yourself! Hi, I’m John Leach, 50 years old. I joined Blackbird in February 2016. I’m engaged to Michele Fetter and have three daughters—Jayden (21), Madi (19), and Sydney (Michele's) who’s 16. I was born and raised in Maryland, originally in PG County before moving to Sykesville in 2009. I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Finance. I’m currently the President/Partner of HBW Construction in Rockville, MD. What made you start CrossFit? What has kept you doing it? Has your motivation changed from when you first started? I had a co-worker who did CrossFit and I had watched the CrossFit Games, so I knew a little about it. One day I drove past the sign and noticed CrossFit Kids. Wanting to get my girls into deliberate exercise, I decided to stop in and see what it was all about. After realizing that CrossFit was not just for Games-level athletes, I signed up both my daughters, then 11 and 9, and myself. After a few months I canceled my membership with Athens (I was still going there on the weekends) and was hooked on CrossFit. What have you learned about movement, fitness, and yourself since joining Blackbird? You can't outwork a bad diet, and a good diet can dramatically improve your performance. And take rest days! I've learned that after 3-4 days in the gym, my body needs a break. What is your proudest moment in the gym? I'm not sure I can pinpoint an exact moment. Maybe now, being AOTM? Making Semi-finals this year? There are so many things I've been proud of over the years. But truthfully, I hope that moment hasn't happened yet. What is your favorite CrossFit movement, lift, or WOD? Is there something you dread seeing on Wodify? My favorite WODs are the long, chipper style. The ones that not only test your conditioning but make you question your sanity for why we choose to do this to ourselves. My least favorite, the Bike. What I absolutely dread is the Bike and Box Jumps in the same WOD. What do you enjoy most about Blackbird or CrossFit in general? The constantly varied workouts and the challenge they bring are what keep me coming back. But what really makes the difference is the coaches and the people—the support, energy, and community are second to none. What impact has CrossFit had on you inside and outside of the gym? It definitely has me in the best shape of my life, but the biggest impact has been what it does for me mentally. It gives me an hour each day to step away from the stresses of life and clear my head. What are your CrossFit or fitness goals? How close are you to reaching them? Be consistent and try to defy age as long as possible. And one day learn to do handstand walks. It's the only CF skill I have not been able to do. When you are not in the gym what is your favorite thing to do? Without a doubt, traveling. If that’s not in the cards, I enjoy hunting, hiking, relaxing by the pool or firepit with friends, or just grabbing a drink at 1623. What is one fun thing about you that we may not know yet? My daughter Madi and I travel to different cities to watch the Capitals. 7 cities down, 24 to go. And yes, we saw Ovi break the goals record in NY. What is the one tip you would give someone considering CrossFit or new to CrossFit? Just give it a try for a few months. Everyone starts somewhere. Focus on consistency, listen to your coaches, and don’t compare yourself to others. The results will come if you show up consistently. What was your experience like working with a Blackbird Nutrition Coach? I did 3 months of coaching back in 2020. It taught me how to meal prep and track macros. It's amazing how much dialing in your nutrition can not only help you lose weight but also improve your performance. What is your favorite workout fuel? What’s your favorite indulgence? Sour Patch Kids! I eat a few before every workout. Favorite indulgence(s) - Bourbon, craft beer, ice cream, Pizza, cake......... Have you rehabbed an injury? If so, what takeaways or insight into training for longevity has that taught you? Has your long term approach to your training changed as a result of your experience? Yes, shoulder surgery in 2022 as well as many other aches and pains over the years. I still enjoy pushing myself to my limits but understand now that you don't need to do it every day. Scale when you need to scale. Whether it's the movement, weight, or you just don't feel great that day, there is nothing wrong with scaling a workout. Let's celebrate some of your wins! Tell us about any results, milestones, or moments that made you proud! If I had to pick one, I’d say making the podium at Vector with Michele—we finished 3rd. It was my first competition outside of Blackbird. Blackbird has been a huge part of my life for 10+ years. It’s helped carry me through some of the toughest chapters of my life, while also bringing the best person into it. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of it and looking forward to what's to come in the next 10 years.