2017 Goals - November Project

#EmC2 didn’t found November Project and we didn’t even start a tribe of our own– but we DO talk often and a lot about NP_BOS. We plan and create. We think and organize. We brainstorm and innovate. We may not have started it, but we were asked to lead this Tribe, as a part of this much bigger movement. The cool thing about being part of a movement is there’s a culture already in place. A well-established, cool-as-fuck, fun-to-be-a-part-of culture that helps guide how we do all the shit we do MWF mornings and all the days in-between. The cool (and sometimes challenging) part of leading a Tribe is that EmC2 is not BG and Bojan, and how we lead is unique. Some people love it, some may hate it, and a lot have never known anything different.

All this means is that we put our hearts & souls into this Tribe and what we do isn’t just goofy. It’s not all costume days, poop chat, and #littleboycone shenanigans. There’s a whole lot behind the curtain, and sometimes the inner-workings of the three weirdos up front are things the whole Tribe needs to know. Because #freefitness matters to you. Because #community matters to you. Because #showingUp day-in and day-out matters to you.

So here we go. We decided to share what really matters to us. Some things you’ve heard forever but it’s time to take a new fresh look at it and not just let it be another hashtag, but to make it really mean something to you, and to us as a Tribe.

#RaceEverything

What is it? “Race Everything” was a mantra from very early PR days when BG and Bojan were hyping the importance of racing hard on certain days, in order to see if people got faster from the training. Then it evolved into racing to catch trains or other people who don’t know you’re racing, as well as racing completely non-fitness related shit.

Why is it important? Because racing is fierce. And this movement is fierce. Who cares if you are first, best, or fastest? Seriously, who cares? No one cares if you’re first, best, fastest or not, but they do give a shit if you’re working hard. When we welcome a healthy dose of competition and challenge in our lives, we begin to expand our bounds of possibility. It’s why we workout together–we simply don’t go as fast or as far alone.
What can you do to help?
- Start racing or Keep racing, if you already do.
- Understand that racing IS NOT about finishing first.
- If you hate racing or feel like it’s exclusive, please read this: We believe that racing can and does make us better when the culture of racing brings us together as a Tribe and we allow it to bring out the best in each of us. Racing has far more to do with racing ourselves and bettering our own effort, time, or distance, than trying to crush everyone else. It’s about being committed to getting fastER. Putting your head down and working hardER. Racing is not dependent on winning.
- We will be focusing more on having a racing component to all workouts and bigger race/event goals for the tribe (participation numbers, representing at races, summit 5.0, sunrise 6k, etc.). Get ready for it.

#Weatherproof

What is it? “Weatherproof” simply means the weather does not determine whether we workout outside or not. We just do.
Why is it important? Especially in New England where the weather gets shitty cold, it rains, it snows, it gets slushy and gross, and it inspires almost no one to get outside for fierce fitness, being #weatherproof is the lifeblood of living healthy, fit lives. If we’re not weatherproof we’re just missing out on living.
What can you do to help?
- Get the right gear so you don’t have to complain about it being too cold/windy/rainy/snowy/humid/hot/warm/average/sunny/partly cloudy.
- Layer up and show up.
- Keep building the hype & recruiting new Bostonians. Talk about the weather with each other like “fuck yeah it’s gonna be freezing-rain tomorrow, I’m totally going with my 4 layers of glove-mitten-plastic bags.”
- Get excited and BE excited about being more extreme than the extreme weather. #nomatterwhat

Community

What is it? Community is having “your people.” A group where we feel included and a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Why is it important? Our NP community is connected due to the fact that we workout together, but a lot of us feel a deeper sense of affiliation–and just about every newbie wants to feel known and connected like they see others feeling. The greater culture of NP is about anyone and everyone being welcome.
What can you do to help?
- Talk to everyone, not just your friends. When you’re having a conversation before or after, (or even during the workout) see who else is around and bring them in.
- Notice new people (they always LOOK new–awkward, uncomfortable, and usually alone!). Tell them your name, and make an effort to find them again the next workout/week and say “Hi!” again (even if you have to ask their name again).
- Plan to get to workouts together. Some of the best accountabilibuddies and/or friends-for-life are made on those runs to and from destination decks. Not to mention the conversations you end up having while running the streets of Boston…they’re some of our favorite moments with cool people!
- Write a guest blog or suggest someone who should. We’ve been highlighting awesome tribe members and we’ll keep doing so weekly, let’s get to know each other!
- Organize and/or come to more social events. We may have big events like #BetterThanBedtime, but those happen infrequently. But we want to have more socials, more bar nights, more whatever–and we encourage you to think up, plan out, and make them happen too!
- Remember your friends. Take a scroll through FB and see the names of people you haven’t seen at a workout in a while. You never know why they’ve been away, so reach out to them. Maybe get together for coffee or meet up with them for the hills on Friday.

Fun AF

What is it? Fun as fuck, is how all NP workouts should be described. They are fun, playful & silly, and they give us an opportunity to be child-like, curious & to explore.
Why is it important? Fun things are more motivating to do. Playful movement is more enjoyable than monotonous movement. Silly, child-like things connect us to the wide-eyed child in all of us. And with curiosity and through exploration is the only way we learn and grow.
What can you do to help?
- BE FUN AF!
- Commit to exploring our city and go to Monday workouts. See “Community” about getting there together.
- Try new things both during workouts and beyond and keep a smile on your face.
- Wear the costumes and do the weird shit. Walking into a Dunkies dressed as a dinosaur is a way better conversation starter than “How ’bout dem Sox?”.
- See an awesome place you think would be super fun for a Monday workout? Take a photo and pin it on a map, and send it to #EmC2.
- Be the kind, fun, funny, encouraging, awesome-spirited person at the races/events you go to and when people ask you why you’re like that, tell them about NP, and why YOU show up.

#justShowUp

What is it? Reliability and regularity. We do this every MWF so you can rely on us being there. It’s a reason it takes so damn long for a pledge to become a new tribe. As a leader, if you’re only there every 3rd Wednesday, or you didn’t show up ’cause your kids had soccer practice, you’re doing it wrong. We show up every MWF because we need you all to know that we will be there. No matter what. And we want you there too. Do it. Show up in the rain. Show up in the snow. Show up in the sun. Just show up.
Why is it important? Because having somewhere you know your community will be, that you’ll get a free, fierce workout in, that will be weird and #funAF, and won’t fail you when the weather turns is WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.
What can you do to help?
- Show up.
- Tell your friends you’re showing up.
- Get them to show up with you.