Dear November Project DC community (and greater NP world),
I love you. I’m also not going anywhere. I’m simply ending my four-year term as a leader of this incredible movement (OK, I got the bad political parallel joke out of the way already). This Friday, 9/25/2020, marks four years since the first time I stood in front of you at Janney Elementary School in Tenleytown. The approximately 624 workouts since then plus some pretty hilariously crazy events have been a blur — the absolute best of blurs. In a chaotic, scary, uncertain world, NP has always been that steadying force, that constant reminder of good and happiness and connection. Every member of the community makes this a reality; I am so glad you are here!
…
Connection.
These past six months have made it so crystal clear to me why what we do is so special, because, in large part, it’s been taken away from us. In-person workouts have gone dormant. We’ve all been separated, and that’s been hard. What drew me initially to November Project nearly six years ago and what brought so many of you out for the first time, too, is the simple premise of NP — #JustShowUp, as you are (no questions asked), to an outdoor location and work out. No registration forms. Definitely no money. No catches. And no need to check the weather app, other than to know what to wear. Because this group is #Weatherproof and this workout is 100% happening. You won’t be alone.
Over those 624 workouts, I’ve seen so many people #JustShowUp for a first time — and for so many different reasons (not naming names here because it’s impossible; there are too many of you!). I’ve met folks who came for the hard workout. I’ve met others who wanted to see the sunrise from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, a view that could never possibly get old. I’ve met others who were peer pressured by a friend or coworker or classmate — in some cases, it took years to get them out but it worked! — and then became hooked. I’ve gotten to know others who were starved for social interactions and found their best friends through NP — I can relate to that, because that happened for me. For many, myself included, showing up to November Project was life-changing.
Regardless of why someone shows up to a workout or what their goals are in the NP universe, the most beautiful thing I have observed as the guy who did the weird bounces, shouted out workout instructions, took some decent photos and stood before you during announcements was that any person’s objective for being at Lincoln or at Meridian/Malcolm X Park or at an exploratory Friday could be met.
My favorite part of almost every single workout I’ve led/participated in is the end. Blame the endorphins if you want, but there is legitimately an NP High that rushes through the veins when one of us yells “TIME!” and we gather up for announcements. That high continues to course through the body during coffee afterward — hello, added elixir, caffeine! — and for hours later into the work day. Monday, Wednesday and Friday have been, and will continue to be, the BEST DAYS of the week because of that NP High. Nothing else compares. It doesn’t matter if one’s a leader or a community member — the NP High is real, and it’s addictive. I say this with absolute sincerity and honesty: I have never left an NP workout feeling down. That’s incredible, and a testament to you, the community, who make it that way. I hope you have similar feelings.
…
NPDC community members, this is my final ask as a leader going forward. And I’m going to ramble here for a bit, so bear with me. Think about what I’m going to call your “This is It” moment, the time when NP became a truly special community for you. It could’ve been the most glorious of Lincoln sunrises (see above); for many, it was a bonding bike ride to a Friday workout, or the coffee you shared afterward; for others, it was something outside of the MWF framework — a Saturday long run, a Sunday bike ride, a hike together, a trip to an NP Summit or a #Traverbal to another city’s workout.
There are so many ways we have connected, built bonds, created and strengthened friendships, and catalyzed community during now almost seven years of November Project DC. Think about that moment for yourself the next time you’re at a workout and you see a “newbie” who maybe looks a bit uncomfortable or unsure of why they got out of bed. Think about that moment the next time you can tell there’s someone at that post-Friday workout coffee who doesn’t know anyone’s name at the table. You could be making THEIR “This is it” moment with the smallest of gestures. Step outside your comfort zone, outside of the people who’re now your best friends, and create that new connection. Build a new bridge. You’ll feel good about it afterward.
November Project is ultimately about the people. When I asked Steve and Kaelan if I could write a guest blog about NP in February 2016, I had no clue that they’d trick me into meeting them seven months later to discuss “the state of NP” and then ask me to lead. But even if that hadn’t happened, what I wrote that February would still stand true today — through NP, I’d found the kind of community I’d been in search of for many years. I’d found a group that wouldn’t use excuses to stay inside, that would say, “Yes, let’s do it!” 99 percent of the time compared to, “Nah, not today.” I’d found a group that within minutes on a Monday raised over $200 to cover a fellow community member’s parking ticket, a group that within 24 hours galvanized to raise more than $2,000 for hurricane relief — forcing Dazzo and me to plunge into the Potomac (yuck!). I’d found a group with people who fixed four flat tires for each other during a cold, winter bike ride to and from a Friday. A group that has mobilized and inspired each other to meet every ambitious goal we’ve had as leaders, including eclipsing 500 people for Steve’s last day on Oct. 24, 2018.
During the past four years, we’ve shoveled out snowy sidewalks while running hills after huge storms; collected an insane amount of trash and recycling during the Great Trash & Recycling Race; raced dragon boats in a monsoon followed by a 5k in an even crazier monsoon; completed a Taco Mile one year and then a Custard Mile the next sans puke (thanks, Noli!); had World Cup champion Kelley freakin’ O’Hara (!!) reach out to us and then show up at a workout — along with ~400 fans — where we collected two packed car loads of winter clothing to donate; did a workout where we actually moved the belongings of an NP power couple, Rachel and Rosie, from one house to their new home in about 20 minutes; worked out in most nooks and crannies of DC on epic Fridays, including the absolute corners of the District; taken on -10 degrees workouts, frozen hands afterward be damned; held a birthday party outside in 30-degree weather (!!) where dozens upon dozens of people actually showed up, as well as a Show & Tell event outside at REI where more than 100 people spent a frigid Friday night. We’ve lost our voices at the best of cheer stations including during another DC monsoon last year; nearly lost our shoes many times in the mud of Algonkian State Park; and thrown several post-race parties only to get up the next morning in time for the bounce. It’s been exhausting at times, but only in the most exhilarating of ways. Knowing whom I’d be letting down if I didn’t get up made every early alarm clock easier to stomach. I could go on and on about the memories, but this post is already hitting the high word count.
…
November Project workouts might feel a little different whenever Emma and Maria — yeah, they’ll be leading into eternity! — bring us back to Monday hills and Wednesday stairs and Fridays exploring DC. But they’ll feel GREAT. Just this week, on Mural Monday, I felt that same NP High just from having 20 of you stop by an alley to sweat it out with me in front of a few murals. There was no bounce and there was nothing official about it. But the morning was quintessential NP to me — organic, silly and FUN.
Now imagine that at one of our usual spots, some 50 or 100 or 150 people beside you? That will be special. The wait will be worth it.
I’m excited about the future of November Project and being a part of it. I’m incredibly proud of the pivots NP Global has made and is making to be truly inclusive, diverse and welcoming to anyone here and across the globe. There is always work to do and improvements to be made, but we are heading in the right direction. If you haven’t yet, give NP’s Community Agreements a read. They are the pillars of what NP is all about. Also, if you’re new to DC, take some time getting to know the city and its history. When we come out of this pandemic, things might feel a little different but just know that it’s all for the better — and that NP High ain’t going away. We are doing big things, and the movement is strong.
Tomorrow’s retirement day will feel weird. I really wanted to be standing in front of all of you, giving a sappy speech while in a sweat-drenched shirt, the sun glistening behind me. But we live in different times, eh? Instead, I’ll see 49 of you at Anacostia Park tomorrow, and to the rest of you — I’ll see you soon. I’m not going anywhere. Before I go, thank you — thank you to Bojan and Brogan for starting NP some nine years ago; thank you to Steve and Danny for building the life-changing movement here in DC nearly seven years ago, and to Kaelan for continuing its growth; thank you to Dazzo and Steve and Emma for being the best, most fun, most dedicated and fierce co-leaders a guy can ask for; and last but not least, thank you to anyone who’s ever run a stair at Lincoln or given out a hug or high 5. You’ve made all this possible. I’m glad you’re here.
Be safe. Be well. Be strong. And continue to make the world a better place.
With love,
Jake
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