Meet Member of the Month Arlo Eagle: “I feel like I found the thing” at Kea Athletics
When people think of CrossFit, some words that come to mind usually include intensity, competition, and, of course, PRs.
This isn’t what CrossFit is to this month’s Kea Member Arlo Eagle.
At 49, Arlo isn’t trying to beat anyone or prove anything. He’s simply chasing better overall health. Long term.
“For me, it’s about longevity and being able to maintain my strength in my 50s, and if I can build some extra strength or slow down loss, great. The only thing I’m competing against is time and myself,” Arlo said.
And he couldn’t be more thankful for the culture at Kea Athletics, as it allows him to do just this.
It began four years ago: Arlo discovered CrossFit, and Eric Sugawara was one of the coaches at the gym at the time.
So when Eric and Jo Sugawara took over the facility and became the owners of Kea Athletics nearly three years ago, Arlo didn’t hesitate to follow, as there was no doubt they were the right coaches for him.
Since then, Kea has become a core part of Arlo’s life, not just for his own health, but also as something he shares with his 13-year-old son, Keaton, who joins his Dad on Saturday classes.
“It’s amazing working out with my son. I can’t wait until he can beat me. He already has some movements that are much better than me, and for him it’s about building confidence, too,” Arlo said,
Keaton just started High School this fall, which can be a challenging time for any teenager, but Arlo thinks the confidence his son has built through fitness will make a big difference to him.
The Kea Difference
Before CrossFit, Arlo dabbled in running and was “in and out of the gym,” but it was challenging to stay motivated.
“I would look for friends to workout with, but they would come and go,” Arlo said. As a result, Arlo was never as consistent as he wanted to be.
This is why he appreciates the built-in accountability he experiences at Kea.
“When I sign up it’s expected I’ll come, and if I don’t show up they check in so there’s that accountability, too,” he said.
Further, it was always a bit of a challenge to figure out exactly what he should be doing when he was working out at other gyms, which is no longer the case.
“I love that I don’t need to think about or worry about what to do. Kea feels like a blend between personal training with a community vibe,” said Arlo, who works 12-hour shifts as a social worker supporting individuals facing mental health and substance abuse challenges.
He continued: “I think it’s good for my mental health in general, but it also fits into my life. I try to balance everything in my life and this fits my balance.”
One more thing that stands out to Arlo at Kea? The coaches don’t just coach. They practice what they preach and train alongside members.
“They workout with you, you can feel their knowledge and they care. They ask about you and how you’re doing. It makes it easy,” he said.
And so, Arlo will continue to show up, week-after-week, and will continue to embrace the long game.
“It’s everything you need…I don’t see an end to me stopping doing this. I feel like I found the thing.”
