Giovanna Rowan: Leading by Example, One Workout at a Time

Taylor is the kind of athlete who embodies what it means to just show up … and then keep showing up, even when things feel hard. Since joining Blackbird in 2023, Taylor has brought a steady, positive presence to our community, consistently putting in the work and trusting the process. With her quiet humor and consistent effort, Taylor’s growth has been a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. One of the most impressive things about Taylor is her mindset. She approaches challenging movements with patience and grit, knowing that what feels difficult today won’t feel the same tomorrow. That perspective has led to some big wins, including conquering the fear of kicking up into a handstand on the wall and making huge strides in lifts in the ever exciting snatch. While daunting to some, Taylor loves to see a workout with mixed movements pop up on Wodify, and is always willing to scale, learn, and improve, which makes her a smart athlete with lots of longevity. As Coach Justin Metzger said, “We love Taylor because she works hard, tries new movements, challenges herself, and most importantly … makes great choices!” Beyond the physical gains, Taylor truly shines as a member of the Blackbird community. She’s encouraging, appreciative, and genuinely grateful for the people around her, both coaches and athletes alike. She’s a staple of our evening classes, and a reliable member of Committed Club month after month. Her pride in putting in the work each day perfectly captures the spirit of CrossFit. We’re thrilled to recognize Taylor as Athlete of the Month and celebrate the strength, consistency, and heart she brings to the gym every single day. Meet Taylor... Tell us about yourself (name, age, education, family, work, etc.) Hi, I'm Taylor! I'm a 32 year old Pet Relocation Agent and I live in Winfield with my boyfriend, Kevin, and our 2 cats, Punk & Dobbins. What made you start CrossFit? What has kept you doing it? Has your motivation changed from when you first started? I joined Blackbird with my sister, Katie, in 2023. She took the first steps and feeling that it was now or never, I hesitantly took the leap with her and I'm so glad I did. What started as telling myself to ""just show up"" has easily become the best part of my day. What have you learned about movement, fitness, and yourself since joining Blackbird? Since joining Blackbird, I've learned that I am capable of so much. Movements that are hard today, won't be as hard tomorrow and that's a mindset that I try to keep in everyday life. What is your proudest moment in the gym? My proudest moment was totally the first time I kicked up into a handstand on the wall lol it's wild to think of how scary that was at first! What is your favorite CrossFit movement, lift, or WOD? Is there something you dread seeing on Wodify? Days with mixed movements like box step-overs, machine cals, lunges, etc. are my favorite. I used to dread snatches but they're getting better! What do you enjoy most about Blackbird or CrossFit in general? I really enjoy sharing the experience with everyone and the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. What impact has CrossFit had on you inside and outside of the gym? CrossFit has shown me that I CAN do hard things and feel better for it afterwards. What are your CrossFit or fitness goals? How close are you to reaching them? I just want to keep getting stronger while moving well but if I had to pick a specific goal, it would be strict pull-ups! When you are not in the gym what is your favorite thing to do? I'm a homebody! It's reading, crocheting and video games for me. But in the summer, I'm always down for a kayak trip! What is one fun thing about you that we may not know yet? Probably that I love kayaking. Moving water is my favorite! What is the one tip you would give someone considering CrossFit or new to CrossFit? To just try it. Show up, learn the movements and the lifts, and just give it a chance. There's always someone cheering you on and there's always a scale. The mottos of "Don't be intimidated, be inspired" & "Just show up" really helped me in the beginning. What is your favorite workout fuel? What’s your favorite indulgence? I love my Frog Fuel pre-workout pouches. After class, its a big ole coffee or smoothie! I'm all around just proud of myself for coming in and doing the thing. Every day is an accomplishment and I'm proud of that! Let's celebrate some of your wins! Tell us about any results, milestones, or moments that made you proud! I'm beyond grateful for CrossFit and Blackbird as a whole. Since the start, coaches and members have always been so welcoming and supportive and I would not be at this point in my journey without this community. I truly appreciate everyone here 💜

When you think of dedication, perseverance, and a quiet-but-unshakable commitment to self-growth, you think of Liz Moore . A Blackbird member for six and a half years, Liz embodies what it means to show up for yourself, even when the road gets hard, even when life gets busy, and even when the drive is 45 minutes each way.