Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
The following is a piece written by Joe Rieke. The above is a photo of Joe and his son, Jack. Joe didn’t request this photo. That was entirely my doing.
I want to talk about inspiration. I’ve been struggling lately to find my pace. Probably most of you find yourselves struggling to keep all your life balls up in the air, and right now my fitness/running ball is getting dropped more than I’m used to.
And just like that, two years.
Two years of fitness.
Two years of community.
Two years of weird.
Two years of support.
Two years of fun.
Two years of pushing limits.
Two years of getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
Two years of fierce.
Two years of welcome.
Two years of support.
Two years of positivity.
So much of the last month has been spent preparing for #NPSummit in Boston, MA and while it was a wildly successful weekend, we’re back in Seattle and the “to-do list” is, well, daunting. Brian, Jess, and I are back, incredibly motivated, beyond proud, and a little overwhelmed with what’s on the calendar for the next few weeks. Perhaps this is more beneficial for us to write it out, but regardless, we wanted to share what is in front of us and keep everyone on the same page.
March 23, 2016 – It was an overcast morning in Seattle, but nothing this city hadn’t grown accustomed to after its first winter as an official tribe of the November Project movement. However, that morning was different. Change was in the air. After exactly 7 months of regular attendance, a Positivity Award, and a handful of workouts already led, Brian was the obvious choice to co-lead November Project Seattle. For those of you who don’t remember, here’s Brian on that chilly Seattle morning.
While the rest of the world gets blasted with snow and record lows, we’re nestled into our temperate oasis that is the Pacific Northwest. 2017 is well underway and we couldn’t be more hyped. Like most of you, we have lofty goals for this year and because each of you are a valuable part of what we’re building, we want to offer full transparency. So, let’s talk goals.
As we close in on the feature presentation of Dooster’s film “Showing Up” powered by The North Face, we will feature four stories from November Project Seattle on their story, why they show up, and what #justshowup means to them.
This morning, we hear the story of Charles Kelsey.
When first asked, “Why do you just show up?” flashes of high-fives, hugs, and smiles, sounds of laughter, fuck yeahs, and cheers of support, and feelings of excitement, exhaustion, and joy bounce around my head in a rush of stimuli. To really put it into words in a simple, short and concise way is much more difficult than it seems. As I write this, I realize I have been coming to November Project for 6 months. Time sure does seem to fly, but I won’t soon forget the first time I just showed up.
As we close in on the feature presentation of Dooster’s film “Showing Up” powered by The North Face, we will feature four stories from November Project Seattle on their story, why they show up, and what #justshowup means to them.
Next up is Katie Fuller’s story.
Why do I show up? Sometimes I don’t know why I show up. The only thing I know is that once I get there I have never been sorry I did!! Habit, exercise, community, a reason to say the F word at the top of your lungs at 6:29am (I suppose this is a safe place to use the word Fuck). But the overlying reason is… It makes me a better person… AND I feel like an ass if I don’t go!!
As we close in on the feature presentation of Dooster’s film “Showing Up” powered by The North Face, we will feature four stories from Seattle on their story, why they show up, and what #justshowup means to them.
First up, we hear from Joe Rieke.
I show up because I spent so much time wanting to, only to be foiled by a newborn’s sleeping habits. I show up because seven months ago I timidly asked the lone figure at the top of a big hill if “this is where November Project meets?” and was greeted with “fuck yeah” and a hug. I show up because Casey’s got the best bounce in all the land. I show up because I love answering “…are you good!?” I show up because I am stronger now than I was before (that check can be cashed in so many different ways). I show up because the tribe is strong, whether you’re with all of them, a few of them, or by yourself running down a dark street. I show up for the faces I now call friends, and the faces I will soon call friends. I show up because I want to earn the grassroots gear that helps me better my mile time/pushes me further/gets me through the set/makes me say good morning to strangers. I show up because what-the-fuck-else-is-there-
Ned Stark said it best. Winter is Coming.
We’ve seen the not so subtle shift from bright to dark, warm to cool, dry to wet. And for anyone who was a part of the tribe this time last year, you remember what is to come.
Last year, the numbers dropped come November, there was no denying it. Maybe people got busy, maybe there was a particularly bad epidemic of S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), or maybe you just put the heat on too early and it made it impossible to get out of bed to go outside.
We did it! We made it one whole year. Congratulations to each and every person who made this possible. It was fun while it lasted and we can only hope something like November Project will come along again to fill the massive void that will surely ensue following today’s workout. I’m proud that we have accomplished all of our goals and we have left nothing left strive for. November Project was fun, but as we know, all good things must come to an end. Happy Birthday to all, and to all a goodnight!