What do you get when you mix two energetic Co-leads who equally value silliness and mindfulness? To experience the magic, you’d have to visit Liz (she/her) and Steph (she/her) in Buffalo, NY. Today we check in with them as we continue our celebration of International Women’s Day/Women’s History Month (US).
- Who are some of the women in the world of running/sport that you look up to?
Steph: I haven’t ever really! Probably because I only just recently started to identify myself as a runner. But since being introduced to Alison Mariella Dèsir at MoM, and finding Laura Green through the NP IG algorithm, I’ve followed them and appreciated Alison’s realness and Laura’s keepin-it-real-funny in sharing their experiences in running.
Liz: Alexi Pappa, Simon Bile, Naomi Osaka. Not only are these women incredible in their sports, they are also leading important conversations around mental health and its importance to overall well-being as athletes.
- When did you first #JustShowUp to NP? How did you come across NP? What is it that you were looking for in a fitness group? How did NP provide that? What was an “extra” that NP has that you found value in?
Steph: I first #JustShowedUp to NP when a friend found a group called Run 716 that was hosting an early morning workout. We had recognized Yoga Steve from other workouts (yoga!). We didn’t know that this was a pledge group and we had never heard of NP. We liked the enthusiastic, positive energy with just the right amount of challenge to do more. It was fun and felt like playtime, which I don’t think I’d felt at any other workout.
Liz: I first showed up to NP Buffalo in August of 2017 after finally convincing a friend to go with me. I came across NP on the news and within social media platforms, and felt drawn to check it out. I wasn’t actually looking for a fitness group but showing up that day was a game changer and left me excited to see what the weeks to follow would bring. The accountability and support, the ‘free’ outdoor fitness and fun energy were all factors that drew me in initially. The connections I’ve made since that first time showing up are definitely the ‘extra’ that I continue to find value in.
- What apprehensions did you have as you considered coming for the first time? What was your first impression? Why did you keep showing up?
Steph: As a non-athlete and non-competitive person, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but the positivity and fun approach washed all of that away. It was a good challenge physically and mentally, and it’s led me to try things I never would have, and really changed me as a person.
Liz: The biggest apprehension coming to my first NP workout was that it would be hard to make connections and that I would be left out as a newcomer. My first impression however was complete elation. From the bounce, outdorphins, music, high-fives, I was happy to be there moving as a group and felt like this could be the thing I looked forward to every Wednesday.
The weeks following, I made a personal goal to approach someone new each workout as a way to help me connect more with individuals in the community. This was so impactful that I decided to ‘just show up’ to every workout for the entire year.
- What does it mean to you to be a woman Co-leader? What does it mean to your community? What does it mean to our global community?
Steph: I’ve been privileged to see Liz and previous co-leader, Lauren, in this role, as leaders in the larger Buffalo fitness community and see many female-identified leaders in Buffalo, so in some ways it is not as unique simply to be a woman in this role. What has been so great to see is the different styles of women in leadership – just as there is no one way to move or be an athlete that gives special qualifications to be an NP Co-leader, there’s no one type of leader. There can be so much comparison among women and expectation of how we “should” be and I think this is a really cool space and platform to witness the unique styles and layers of women and how that enriches and empowers everyone.
Liz: It helps show that women belong in fitness spaces and can play leadership roles. Being a Co-leader has empowered me to use my voice to expand myself and to lead, grow and encourage my community in an impactful way, and hopefully help inspire the next leaders in our community.
- How does being a woman influence your leadership? What was it like to be a woman in your community before you stepped into leadership?
Steph: I feel like I should have a more thoughtful response to this one, but it would only echo what I’ve shared in above responses?
Liz: When I first started, I didn’t know what to expect, but quickly felt like I belonged there. I felt supported by the current leadership and our community members. When Lauren came on as the first woman Co-lead in Buffalo, that really solidified the feeling of belonging. Now that I am a Co-leader, I am focused on continuing to create a space where people of all backgrounds and abilities feel comfortable to move.
- Did you have any apprehensions to lead this group? Did you experience imposter syndrome when you were asked to lead?
Steph: This is literally the one space where I don’t experience imposter syndrome! I felt weirdly ready going into this role – like, should I be this confident? My love of NP, how it’s empowered me in so many ways, plus my professional background with leading groups, it felt really natural and honestly like being the person who bid $1501 and then winning at The Price is Right. My main hesitation was can I really do this as a sleep deprived parent? And yes, yes I can.
Liz: I definitely had apprehensions on if I could measure up to the leadership that this community leaned on week over week, but even with those doubts I knew I wanted this opportunity. November Project Buffalo changed me, made me stronger, gave me space to grow and connected me with people I would not have otherwise met. If I could motivate, encourage and support this amazing community that helped me, I was all about it.
Yes, I had imposter syndrome and was unsure if I was doing it right in the beginning but felt supported by my Co-leader and community during these growing pains. I realized those feelings of uncertainty were normal and they were a sign that I care. I kept reminding myself that there was a reason I was asked into leadership and why I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
- How do you celebrate International Women’s Day? How can others celebrate you or celebrate with you this day? How can we celebrate you all year long?
Steph: To create space, appreciate and lift up others as active work. I have a colleague outside of NP who has embodied the concept of women helping women. To see how she routinely reaches out to pull other women in and up through professional opportunities, treating them as whole humans and not a means to achieving outcomes, acknowledging successes, being a supportive break when they are weary. After years of feeling the social conditioning of judgment, comparison and competition among women, it is so important to share and spread light with others without fearing it will dim our own light, but rather grow it.
Liz: It’s important to always show appreciation and gratitude to the women in your life. We need to support each other and uplift each other and make it known that our accomplishments, big or small, matter and should be celebrated.
- What else do you want people reading this to know? About being a woman in leadership or anything else you’d like to share.
Steph: We are tough! And funny! And smart! And thoughtful! And messy! And silly! And kind! And sweaty! We are so many things. And we can love a whole lot.
Liz: There is no cookie cutter way to embody leadership. I encourage each person to explore different styles and embrace the one that feels the best for you. Allow challenges to become learning opportunities and ways to better support your community. For me leadership has been embodying the qualities that are true to who I am, while holding space for others to do the same. People resonate the most when you show up authentically, and I know that this has been an integral part of my growth as a community member as well as a Co-leader.
