A huge congratulations to our January 2026 Athlete of the Month, Meg Upton.
Kicking off January and the new year, we’re excited to celebrate Meg as our Athlete of the Month! From the moment she joined Tradewinds, Meg has shown a quiet determination and a genuine commitment to showing up for herself. She brings a positive attitude to every class, embraces the challenge of learning new movements, and consistently puts in the work—even on the tough days. What stands out most is her willingness to stay consistent, trust the process, and keep moving forward week after week. Meg is supportive, kind, and a great presence in the gym, and we’re so grateful to have her as part of our community. Congratulations, Meg—you’ve truly earned this!
TW: Where are you from?
Meg: I was born in Illinois but grew up in Westborough, MA.
TW: What do you do for work?
Meg: I’m an Occupational Therapist, and I also work per diem in clinical research on pediatric oncology trials.
TW: How long have you been at Tradewinds?
Meg: Almost 2 years!
TW: What motivated you to try Tradewinds?
Meg: I was getting ready for my first clinicals as an Occupational Therapy student, and the job can be pretty physically demanding. I wanted to ensure that I was strong and demonstrated good body mechanics to safely move myself and my patients. I was also getting bored with doing my own workouts at the gym, and I knew I wasn’t living up to my potential. I really wanted to see what my body could do!
TW: What classes do you usually attend?
Meg: When my schedule was more flexible, I loved the 11:30 am! Now I’ve been enjoying the 5:30 am, because by the middle of the day, you have forgotten you already worked out and are pleasantly reminded that you can go straight home after work!
TW: Did you have a fitness background prior to starting at Tradewinds?
Meg: I’ve played tennis my whole life and a little in college, but I’ve always loved group fitness classes and yoga since high school.
TW: If you could program your own dream workout what would it be?
Meg: When the weather is nice out, I love when a short outside run is incorporated into the workout. I also enjoy wall balls, gorilla rows, dead bugs, and banded rotations.
TW: What would your dream meal be?
Meg: A cozy winter night in the North End with carbonara, arugula salad, and a decaf cappuccino for dessert
TW: What’s your proudest accomplishment since joining TradeWinds?
Meg: Using the barbell for the first time! It used to be so intimidating, but having the guidance and support from coaches made me more comfortable with the new movements.
TW: How has Tradewinds helped you in everyday life?
Meg: As an OT, I have to safely move patients, sometimes for the first time after a major surgery or incident. I’m more confident in my strength to mobilize patients and in my body mechanics to keep myself safe.
TW:What do you do outside of the gym?
Meg: I like to read on my porch, go to breweries with my husband, friends, and family, and play with our Australian shepherd, Maple!
TW: What is your favorite song to workout to?
Meg: No Broke Boys!!!!!!
TW: What’s one thing you’d tell someone who is curious about trying Tradewinds but not sure if they could do it?
Meg: This is truly a judgment-free zone, no matter what level you are at. The coaches really get to know you and are always rooting for you. It’s consistently a supportive atmosphere, whether you want to push yourself that day or you’re just glad you showed up to move your body.
AOM Closing Thoughts…
I have truly enjoyed being a part of the Tradewinds community! I can see how my body is stronger, my confidence has grown, and I feel completely supported by the coaches and other athletes. I love that the workouts are preplanned and the class times can fit any schedule. I would recommend Tradewinds to anyone who wants to invest in their own health, no matter what that looks like for them.
