Where are they now? Megan McIntosh

Dublin graduate Megan McIntosh has based her life and career on helping the people around her. “There’s a quote that I always go by that says, ‘If we’re not helping others make their lives better, then we’re just wasting our time,’” McIntosh said. “We’re put on this earth to make everyone’s life better, and to improve and to grow as a whole.”

McIntosh graduated from Dublin High School in 2010, and went on to Tarleton where she studied sports medicine. She worked alongside the trainers for the Tarleton football team and graduated in 2014 with a bachelors in kinesiology with an emphasis on sports medicine.

Her first job out of college was back in Dublin as an athletic trainer. She enjoyed the work, but after having her first son in 2015, she realized she needed a change of pace. “100-hour weeks were not really feasible having a little one,” she said.

McIntosh knew she wanted to stay in the health field, but wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to do. In 2021, after spending a few years staying at home with her children, she finally found the perfect position as a home health caregiver. She works with an agency called Cornerstone Caregiving, traveling to clients homes and helping them with everyday tasks such as shopping, bathing or cooking meals.

“It’s also just being a companion for them if their family can’t come and see them all the time,” she said. “I’ve gotten very close with several of my clients and it really makes me feel good when they appreciate everything that I do for them.”

Those relationships are McIntosh’s favorite part of the job. “[I like] just being there and seeing their smiles and hearing their stories,” she said. “Getting to look into life from their point of view and just seeing how the world really has changed, and seeing if I can take bits and pieces of their lives and make improvements in mine. They’re so wise and we need to soak in everything that they can tell us, and love on them as much as they loved on us.”

In the future, McIntosh is considering going back into sports medicine. She’s interested in working with kids, not just treating sports injuries but helping prevent them in the first place. That might mean going back to school to study physiotherapy.

“I’ve really considered going back to school and kind of adding to my knowledge on all that so that I can help my kiddos and all of their friends in their active sports,” she said. “My kids are very active in football and baseball, and they did boxing for a little bit, and I [want to] show them how we can do this a healthy way not just, ‘Let’s get out there and hammer this out.’” When she’s not working, most of McIntosh’s free time is spent with her family. “If I’m not working or camping or hiking or going on random road trips to wherever, we’re at my son’s baseball or football games or just relaxing here at home,” she said. “We’re really just easygoing these days. Just going with the flow.”

McIntosh has two sons from a previous marriage, Brinley, 8, and Easton, 6. Her parents, Darrell and Betty McIntosh, still live in Dublin.

McIntosh is engaged; she and her fiance, Jericho, will be married in November. “He’s an avid outdoorsman who has gotten me into hiking and enjoying all the national parks and things that I never thought I would really get into,” McIntosh said. “We take the boys camping and hiking and we like to be outdoors. [Jericho] is just a great guy all around. He’s very supportive of me and the kids and works hard daily, and we’re thankful for everything that he does for us.”

Throughout her life, McIntosh has found inspiration in her parents and sister. “They’re just hardworking people,” she said. “[My inspiration is] family and hard work and knowing what your core beliefs are and figuring out what they are throughout life. It changes from time to time but just keeping your eye on your goals and really letting go of the negativity and just growing with your bumps and bruises. Learn from it and just keep trucking along. That’s what they’ve always inspired me to do. And I try to instill that in my kids daily.”

Some of her coaches were also influential in her life. “Coach Clark really inspired me,” McIntosh said. “When I was in high school, she really took athletes in and worked them, molded them into great people. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her leadership, teaching me how to be a leader on the field or off the field, on the court or off the court.”

McIntosh’s advice to Dublin graduates is to stay true to themselves. “Don’t think about what everybody wants you to be,” she said. “Believe in your true core values and stick with them. Stick to your goals, stick to your values, and don’t don’t tear yourself down. This world’s gonna try to do it more than anything. Build yourself up, find your strengths and run with it.”

Editor’s Note: This column chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen.com.