HELLO! Mel G here with my last bliggity blog as a leader!
WHAT THE WHAT?!
How does one quantify 6 years of leading?
How do I break this down into words?
How do I take a culmination of hundreds of moments that I won’t forget?
I can’t.
I mean, I could, but that would be WAY TOO LONG and quite frankly some things are best left unsaid.
Those moments are mine; most shared with others, but if you weren’t there, you won’t really grasp the absolute awesomeness of said moment and trying to convey the experience, well, my words won’t do it justice… you had to be there.
And that’s just it, I HAD TO BE THERE. November Project sparked an immense feeling of #FOMO that I have never felt in my entire life.
I HAD TO BE THERE.
EVERY WEDNESDAY.
TAKING IT ALL IN.
Never missing a workout, whether here in Vancouver or in another city.
I based a lot of my travel around going to other cities so I wouldn’t miss a workout.
I went to NYC, got up at 4am, walked to the subway, took the subway, walked from a stop to their meeting place in the dark hours of a February morning because I COULD NOT MISS A WORKOUT.
This is the effect it had on me. I couldn’t miss out on who was going to be there, what jokes were being thrown out, or funny thing to happen.
I have somewhat racked my brain trying to come up with something to say, something meaningful, not necessarily profound, but meaningful. I thought about Love Languages.
Everyone has their own – what they prefer to receive and what they prefer to give.
I prefer to give Gifts, Words of Affirmation, and Acts of Service (and of course all the High Fives). Applying these to NP is easy, but I shall break them down for you.
Words of Affirmation: Naturally, yelling encouraging words using my mouth hole or with help from my MEGAPHONE is my jam. Cheering on my peeps while they’re working out or racing or being awesome – LOVE IT.
Gifts: I am that person who will come across something that reminds me of another and I have to send it to them. I love collecting free swag for my city and giving it out to them because without them showing up, we wouldn’t be here. At my last workout, I had personalized Pumpkin Spice stickers made for all who dragged themselves out – they are EPIC.
Acts of Service: Lastly, this love language. THIS IS NP LEADERSHIP. This is our love language.
After one year of being a participant and then coming on as a leader, I had soooo many things I wanted to do. Not only give back to the group with challenging and fun workouts, spicing things up with some good ol’ Mel G sarcasm/jokes/laughs, but give back to our beautiful city with fundraising/food drives/clothing drives/etc.
It took 6 years and I truly believe I did all I could do.
As I walked away from Queen Elizabeth with a book full of beautiful words and hilarious photos, flowers, gifts, my heart was full. I knew this was the right choice.
It was the right choice to say “YES!” when Richard and Graham asked me to be a leader.
It was the right choice to ask Verner to be a leader. He is, without a doubt, a force to be reckoned with. What he has created OUTSIDE of NP is fantastic! Friday Hills/Flats and Iguana Run Fast TC are growing and he is creating community within the community. Now, if he could find another exercise other then burpees to fall in love with, that would be great.
It was the right choice to ask Dave to be a leader as well. He is a scene stealer from day one and quite frankly, it was one of THE BEST BOUNCES! hahaha The fact that even when everyone looked at him like “who the f*ck is that guy?” and still went along with it, just goes to show you to always come as you are, we embrace you, and sing at the top of your lungs because we love it.
November Project is in exceptionally great hands and I cannot wait to see the direction it goes.
(Maybe get a calendar to stay organized, boys)
I will leave you all with my final POEM:
“Over 7 years ago
I was feeling pretty bleh
Then I got dragged by my bestie
To this group who yelled “FUCK YEAH!”
It was stupid o’clock
But I didn’t seem to care
I was immediately hooked
This crew had some flare
I took the reigns
And did what I could
I will forever love the answer
To “Y’ALL GOOD?!”
You’ve all become close friends
And my family
You have no idea what
That means to me
I was going to try
Something experimental
And get all gushy
And sentimental
But I just can’t do it
So I’ll stick with my tactic
And keep things light
And sarcastic
I will say this YOU ARE ALL
IMMENSELY INSPIRING
… BUT PEACE OUT, FUCKERS,
I’M RETIRING!”
From the bottom of my cold, black, dead heart… This has been a truly life changing experience.
I am so glad NP exists.
Much Love,
#ROAR
Mel G xo
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