Author: Christian

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Chasing The Good: ATL Co-Leader’s Parting Thoughts

I write this message with a heavy heart. I am sitting on a plane making my way back from travels, making my way back to my love, making my way back to ATL. I’ve been looking back through hundreds of NP photos, seeing how this group has grown over the past couple years.

I can recall back to when I embarked on this crazy idea to bring November Project to Atlanta. I remember telling myself that I would only lead until it no longer needed me. All I wanted to do was get it to a point where membership was deep, friendships strong, NP events dope, and making unforgettable memories. read more

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Just Keep Showing Up!

Can you believe we are already at the end of April?! 2019 is flying by. How are you doing on the goals you’ve set for this year? Making progress or has it now become “one day” you’ll get around to it? That phrase has become a pet peeve of mine. We all have said it at one point or another. We all have friends we try to invite to the workouts or anything that challenges them to get out of their comfort zone. read more

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March Madness!!!

It’s a new month and we decided to kick off the first Wednesday workout by letting the tribe fend for themselves (kidding). Alexa is climbing some mountains in Colorado while Christian is in the arctic tundra of Canada. Not to worry though, Jordan Woodson and Chris Dillion are stepping in to lead the bounce and put together a badass workout. Still meeting at 6:27AM on the North Ave Bridge. To the veterans of the group, we ask that you show love and support to Jordan & Chris, it can be a little intimidating to lead a bunch of intense fitness enthusiasts. Help them out with the newbies by spotting them and making them feel welcomed. read more

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Oxytocin Is In The Air

February is the month of love which means people around the world are producing oxytocin, aka the “cuddle hormone,” at higher levels than normal. Personally it just seems like any other month. That is probably due in large reason to the safe environment we create weekly at November Project which leads to trust, friendship, all the warm fuzzies, unicorns, and shitting rainbows. (Chloe Martin knows what I’m talking about.) read more

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“Well As Giraffes Say, You Don’t Get No Leaves Unless You Stick Your Neck Out.”

That quote is from Sid Waddell, a sports commentator known for his cheesy jokes and tag lines. It is fitting because it reminds me of my fellow co-leader Alexa Lampasona. She loves giraffes, has a goofy sense of humor, and enjoys corny theme events. Over the past year and half it has grown on me and I have come to love her ideas of 80’s workouts, dressing up as animals, or putting on a onesie. read more

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Closing Thoughts On November

Dear Tribe,


This is to be read after the workout. So if you are hearing Alexa read this, I am proud that you did not let the freezing cold stop you and for keeping the dream of sweaty hugs and fuck yeahs alive. November is a special month because that’s when the dream all started in Boston, spreading slowly across the globe and eventually making its way to our very own ATL.  read more

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Hotlanta Summer

As I sit down to write about how PR Day went, I can’t help but think where did the month go? How’s it already the last Wednesday of August? Seems like only a few weeks ago we were gearing up for summer fun.


“Mom” was out of town so I was watching the kids solo this morning. As I called them in at 6:27AM to huddle up I could feel the humidity turning up. We brought the one newbie who showed up to the center of the group. (Shout out to Larnell Mays for having the courage to come solo). I gave him a quick intro about our weird little happy fitness cult that is taking over the world. read more

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Stadiums Will Rock You! (ATL)

There is something about Stadium Fridays that gives off an energy of excitement the night before despite the fact you know it’s going to kick your ass. I arrived at the stadium at about 5:45 this morning to get warmed up and help DJ Rob Sessions setup his equipment before the ATL Tribe showed up. At 6:10am I got nervous because the clouds in the sky looked mean and a few rain drops were starting to come down. The last thing I wanted was to get the DJ’s equipment wet considering he drives 30 minutes to spin for us out of the goodness of his heart. We rolled the dice and went for it anyway, and thank God the clouds started to part right at 6:27am.

It was our largest turnout at the stadium workout so far, somewhere around 80 people. Still trying to break that elusive 100 people at a single workout. I am confident it will happen next week 🙂 Our group bounce was so hype, and everyone was in good spirits because in the background was the epic music of Queen playing We Will Rock You!

A quick warm up lap around the track and then were we off to crush the stairs. The newbies got their first taste of NP, and you could tell they were having a blast even though they were suffering from a case of jello legs. DJ Rob Sessions killed it on the 1’s and 2’s, and all around you could see high fives and words of encouragement.

In Atlanta Pride Month is a big deal, and we at November Project support our community and welcome all. This movement is built on the idea of inclusiveness and building others up positively.

When we use words to build another person up, we are showing them honor. Our words are powerful and can either be constructive or destructive. Today I saw so many people smiling, laughing, and saying things like “you got this”. All around me I saw people being honorable to one another.
Every now and then our words may get the best of us and slip out before we give them much thought. Still, it’s no excuse when our words are used to cut another person down or make them feel uncomfortable. Rather than being quick to speak and slow to listen, we should do the opposite. Think for a moment if you had the opportunity to have coffee with the one person you would give anything in the world to meet. How would you act? Would you arrive on time? Would you open the door for them? What kind of thoughtful questions would you ask and would you pay attention to their response? Would you give them the respect that they deserve? That is what it means to show someone honor. We all deserve honor no matter our sex, age, race, religion, or status.

As our tribe grows Alexa and I want NP to be a culture where everyone feels welcomed and never scared to speak up if something makes them feel uncomfortable.

We are honored to be your tribe leaders.
 

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Welcome Back Warm Weather!

Today was our monthly First Friday workout at Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s biggest and one of the most popular parks. What a beautiful morning it was! We’re thankful for our partnership with the Piedmont Park Conservancy for hosting us each month!

It felt so amazing to just be able to wear a t-shirt and shorts once again. No more excuses of it’s too cold or too dark in the morning. We are so excited to see more people coming out to the workouts and so grateful to those committed tribe members that stuck with us through the cold winter months. 6:27 am struck and the sun was peaking out as we came together for the bounce led by the oh soooo chill and sooo popular Stein Esser.

We then jogged over to the Active Oval, a half-mile gravel track, and did a warm up lap. The workout consisted of 4 stations, 7 minutes at each station.

Station 1 was concentrated on abs and pull-ups. We did as many rounds of the circuit we could do until the time ran out.

We then headed to station 2 by the flag pole of the oval. Box jumps, decline push-ups, and dips for 7 minutes.

Station 3 was running up the stairs towards the botanical garden and burpees in between. Heavy breathing and sweating going on while “Eye Of The Tiger” was blasting on the boom box speaker AKA Elton John.

For the last and final station we took it the beach. Actually the closest beach is 5 hours away, so instead we went to the sand volleyball court. 15 count of Hoistees, sprint across the sandbox, and then 1o Bojans for each person.

The time ended and we came together for an epic beach body group pic! We then sang happy birthday to Tim LePage as he did push-ups. The tribe came together one final time and put their hands for a loud “ATL!”

It was truly the best way to start your day and kick off your weekend with people you care about. We still are trying to hit our goal of getting 100 people to a single workout and we are feeling good that it will happen in the coming weeks as the tribe continues to get stronger. We see the “World Take Over” of free fitness happening and the word is spreading that NP-ATL is one of the best workouts in town. Boom!

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Journey To The Mothership

Last night the forecast called for 5-8 inches of snow in Boston. The test of weatherproof at its finest! I was nervous and excited to finally experience my first NP workout in Boston, running the infamous stairs at Havard Stadium. My alarm went off at 5am this morning. Realizing I did not have to mentally prepare to lead the workout, I hit the snooze button.

At 5:55am I was out the door and running through Harvard’s campus to get to the workout about 2 miles away. No snowfall yet but still ice cold outside. It was awesome to see all the historic buildings and run over the bridge that crosses the Charles River. It reminded me of when I first learned about NP and watching the video of BG and Bojan making their way to the workout.

I arrive and see the stadium’s bright lights and music blasting some ATL rap music! On the field is the football team practicing. Then I look up to see the 5:30am NP group going hard up and down the stairs. As I’m walking up I see tribe leader Emily Saul and we give each other a big bear hug. I’m hype and ready to go!

http://www.facebook.com/o.christianlopez/videos/10105598931747718/?l=525754548153701311

We do the bounce, a good morning, a fuck yea, and more hugs. I then go to the newbie meeting with a smile on my face and listen to Emily tell us to take it slow our first time around. “And if your legs start shaking, don’t stop, just keep moving!”

http://www.facebook.com/o.christianlopez/videos/10105598933823558/?l=8397324799614289817

In my mind I figured I would be fine. Cocky thinking I’ve run marathons and stadiums in Atlanta all the time. After about 7 sections I was humbled and said holy shit these steps are steep. Emily and Chris don’t let me stop and tell me to keep moving. Damnit, I can’t make ATL look bad! My legs feel like jello but luckily my friend from middle school, Micah Risk, is there to encourage and pace me!

When time is called my legs are shot. Just days before I had run the Shamrock Half Marathon with Jeanie Tinnelly and Kelly Roberts at a steady 8-minute pace. That race kicked my ass, these stadiums kicked my ass even more.  Still the pain could not compare to the feelings of community and love on both occasions. When you think your body can’t take anymore, a tribe member is there to help push you through it.

Over the past week I’m so grateful for the sense of awe and experiences I had visiting the tribes of Virginia Beach and Boston. Every tribe is unique, yet we all share these common threads that bond us together. As a leader it’s important to remind ourselves of those feelings and visiting other tribes helps reignite that fire.

Hard to believe that tomorrow will officially be a year since “Fitlanta” first started pledging to become November Project. It’s been an incredible blur filled with so many wonderful experiences and people. NP came into my life at a time when I needed it most, as I’m sure is the case for so many others. To outsiders we might seem like a cult. Who cares! Let’s continue to be that cult that is always there for each other, that is silly and fierce, that is warm and welcoming, that starts their good morning with a fuck yea and a hug….“This shit is good!”

Love,

C-Lo

C0-Leader of NP_ATL, AKA “Fitlanta,” AKA 404 the 44th!