4 min
“When Shawn and Michelle Kiefer finally walked through our doors as members, it felt like it was always supposed to happen. They actually came to our grand opening party back in 2019, so in a way, they were part of RTC before they were officially part of RTC. When they joined, they fit immediately — no ramp-up period, no awkward adjustment phase. Just two people who were ready, coachable, and genuinely fun to have in the room. Shawn is one of the nicest people I have ever met, full stop. He checks his ego at the door, he shows up eager to learn, and he makes every class better just by being in it. We are so glad you found your way back, Shawn.”
Let’s set the scene. Years ago, Shawn and Michelle were living in North Carolina. Michelle had started doing CrossFit. Shawn — self-described “meathead,” lover of heavy weights, hater of cardio — was making fun of her for it.
Fast forward to today, and Shawn Kiefer is the RTC September Member of the Month.
Life comes at you fast.
Shawn came to RTC with real, specific goals: lose weight and get heart healthy. It wasn’t just a resolution — it was a wake-up call. He had been experiencing heart palpitations and went to the doctor, who told him plainly that he was overweight, out of shape, and needed to start moving.
He listened.
“Not long after starting my CrossFit journey, the palpitations went away, and I haven’t had them since,” he says. “I’m also down 25 to 30 pounds with the help of Erin and the nutrition challenges, as well as a four-day-a-week workout schedule.”
For someone who spent years only wanting to lift heavy, RTC asked Shawn to think about fitness differently. And he was open to it.
“It’s not just about getting my cardio and strength all in the same workout,” he says. “It has everything to do with the people. Everyone is very welcoming and supportive — the only thing they care about is that you are at the gym. This has helped me leave my ego at the door and avoid overdoing it.”
That coachability is one of the things that makes Shawn so easy and so fun to have in class. He’s not trying to be the best in the room — he’s trying to be better than he was yesterday. That mindset, combined with the structure of group fitness in North Canton, Ohio at RTC, is exactly what produced the results he’s seen.
And Michelle has been right there alongside him the whole time — a fellow member, a training partner, and the woman who was doing CrossFit first. She deserves full credit for that.
Shawn and Michelle have been married for 19 years, spent 12 years in North Carolina before moving back to Ohio to be close to family, and are the proud parents of Emma, 16, a junior at Lake High School who cheers for four different cheer teams and competes on the golf team. Shawn has worked in commercial fire sprinkler installation for years — first as a designer, and for the past three years in sales. He recently landed the contract for the new Cleveland Browns stadium project, which he calls the highest-profile project of his career. Not a bad year.
At home, the Kiefers run what they describe as “quite a farm” — 2 dogs, 4 cats, 1 bunny, 1 turtle, 5 fish, 5 chickens, and 1 duck. Michelle would take more if she could.
Favorite exercise: Deadlift.
Least favorite exercise: Anything involving squats — front squats, back squats, thrusters. Thrusters especially. He is very clear about this.
Favorite food: Pizza.
Favorite movie: Grandma’s Boy.
Favorite book: Honest answer — he hasn’t read one since high school. Respect for the transparency.
Best vacation spot: Florida Keys.
People would be surprised to know: He loves motorcycles.
Something that always makes him smile: Watching Emma nail a golf shot or hit a tumbling pass at cheer.
If he won the lotto: Buy a large property with acreage, build cabins, fill a garage with toys, and fund Michelle’s animal rescue. In that order.
Superpower he’d want: Teleportation.
Best thing about summer turning to fall: Football season. Everything else about fall — including the leaves — can wait.
Best thing about being a girl dad: Watching Emma grow into a hardworking, dedicated young woman — and learning more about cheerleading than he ever expected to.
A goal he’s working on: Getting good enough at golf to finally beat Emma.
Shawn came in because a doctor told him he had to. He stayed because a community made him want to. And somewhere in between, he went from making fun of CrossFit to being one of its biggest quiet advocates — 25 pounds lighter, heart palpitation-free, and genuinely happy to be in the gym four days a week.
That’s the story. And it’s a good one.
If Shawn’s journey sounds familiar, we’d love to have you come in and talk. RTC Fitness offers group fitness in North Canton, Ohio for every level — real coaching, real community, and a place where the only thing anyone cares about is that you showed up.
Book Your Free Intro at the top of our site!
Shawn — we are so glad you came to that grand opening party in 2019, and we are even more glad you came back. You and Michelle are exactly what this community is made of. Thank you for showing up, every single time. 💙
Chat with a coach to discover how our programs can fit into your lifestyle and help you achieve your goals. Let’s get you started on your fitness journey today!
