Definition: Someone who doesn’t understand one sport is hard enough!
For as long as I can remember I’ve always been around, and participated in, different types of sporting activities. I started swimming and snow skiing as soon as I could walk, while growing up in Bulgaria. I did swimming and diving when I lived in Mexico. I played pickup basketball in the neighborhood park in Israel. I played pickup soccer and basketball at the Columbia University Gym after moving to the US. I played on the Volleyball team at Aviation High School. I even played pickup basketball and volleyball at Stony Brook University but one thing I certainly avoided like the plague was anything involving distance running. For some reason or another I couldn’t fathom how people enjoyed any running so much, let alone run 10Ks, ½ marathons, or marathons for FUN!!! read more
If you’ve been coming to workouts, social events or even just silently following the social media presence of any one of the 49 worldwide November Project tribes for any length of time, then you have undoubtedly heard these three little words: Just Show Up. It is one of our most ubiquitous tag lines, a hashtag slung across all media outlets and the defacto prayer for this thing that we keep insisting is NOT a cult. It’s simple and catchy and maybe bordering on corny, but I’m here to contend that there’s a depth to that simplicity more powerful than you might realize. “Power in simplicity?” you might say – ever heard of “Just Do It”?
Monica Winkel – coming soon to an NP AMS near you
For me, #justshowup is the bedrock behind this movement. The strength that can be derived from this simple phrase never ceases to amaze, and it’s been documented time and again what different strengths it can bring to so many. November Project was founded by two broke, recent college grads on the idea that there should be no barriers to fitness. It’s still the only thing that we ask of anyone who wants to join the workouts. No sign-ups, no money down, no long-term commitments and you don’t even have to tell a soul that you are coming: you just have to show up.
Leave your problems, your fears and whatever your backstory at the door and just show up, but what do you say we move the needle forward yet again? I believe that this whole thing, whether intended or coincidence, has moved well beyond just physical fitness and yet the tag line still fits. I believe that 6 years in, these three words still have a guiding light that we can follow. If this whole movement really means what it says, then we want to spread the message of acceptance, support and inclusion to everyone that’s willing to hear it. We want to help break down barriers and climb walls, but the hardest part of doing any of that is the simple problem of where to start. Recent reflections and conversations have led me to believe that we already have that starting point: just show up.
In our world today, there exists a small, but growing, and undeniable wave of acceptance; acceptance of individuality, of freedoms and choices. What I’ve come to believe about this movement of acceptance is that its truth doesn’t choose sides but is also certainly not for the weak and the indecisive. This truth isn’t left or right, dark or light and doesn’t land on either side of any of the other walls which we so often use to divide. It’s about accepting everyone and every difference as having its own, rightful place and purpose and realizing that as far from your normal as it might seem, each experience has something to teach and to offer. Everyone has a story.
If you think too long about the plethora of differences that surround you and what acceptance and change might really entail, no one can be blamed for being overwhelmed, even for being defensive at times. What I’m doing here is telling you not to spend too much time thinking: just show up. Don’t bring your prejudgments, unfounded fears or unerring beliefs in your own correctness. Instead, do something much more freeing. Bring nothing at all but an open mind and just show up.
Yes, the words still compel those of us who have already bought in to show up physically for every workout. They still hold us accountable to our goals, drive us to be stronger for each other, to show up for something larger than ourselves and to change each other’s lives for the better. The strength found in their simplicity, though, can also guide us in today’s most challenging situations. What do you say to the elderly man who has spent his life scrapping for every dime or to your city’s first female mayor, or to the wealthiest man in town? How do you preparefor that conversation? With what strategy are we supposed to approach it? I’m hoping to get myself and everyone still reading to step back and realize that maybe we don’t. Maybe everyone’s story doesn’t have to and can’t be understood right away. Maybe the absolute best thing to bring is a smile, an open heart and an accepting mind. Maybe all you have to do to connect is to show up.
So, for all those out there that have read this far, continue to just show up and to bring your best self to every aspect of your life and continue to spread this most complex of simple phrases wherever you go. #justshowup
— Please go HERE for info on our upcoming night with the New Orleans Pelicans! Really, there’s already 40+ of the tribe going and we’d love for any who can to join us and bring friends and family.
— Go VOTE on whether or not you would like a buff (or buffs) so we can make as accurate an order as possible.
— See you Friday, 6am @ Shelter 1 on the Lakefront for a kickass start to the weekend.
This morning, while the rest of New Orleans slept, Project November (or is it the other way around?) gathered to play games, to compliment each other and to work their butts off and caught it all on camera.
While my voice was only at a 4/10 today, the bounce must go on and it’s here that we find our first childhood game of the morning. 120 people started bouncing together as whispers spread round the crowd in the most successful game of Telephone ever! When the hushed voices ceased all yelled the mantra in unison, “Be good! Do good! Work hard!”. “Good morning!”s got louder and “y’all good?” was responded to louder still until even our friendly neighborhood cameraman wished he could join in the fun. Off they go for a lap and some stairs!
(Seriously, Patrick from WDSU, if you ever do get switched from the morning show gig we’ll welcome you back to be part of the workout. Until then, keep feeding live shots of these crazy/happy/loving humans to all those who wish they’d just shown up!)
“I really wish I could put this camera down and join.” -Patrick the (just as crazy as us) cameraman
Breakfast is essential and stairs are on our menu every Wednesday, but after a healthy portion we were all ready for a little fun and games. Time to enter the battle zone! After you lunge your way to zone 1, you must find a partner and challenge them to a Compliment Squat battle. Face off in a squat hold position and compliment your opponent until a winner emerges…You Laugh, You Lose!
The laughing side starts back at the beginning with burpees, lunges and then another shot at glory. Winners lunge their way up the stairs to tackle a new challenger – Rock, Paper, Scissors in Zone 2.
Rinse, lather and repeat as the winners lunged their way up more stairs to reach the high heights of Zone 3. A win here earns you 1 point and one less stair sprint at the end.
Enough with the dramatic explanations; if you’re still confused then maybe you just had to #justshowup to experience the laughs and chaos with us. Thanks again, tribe, for putting up with my voice and my goofy workout ideas…thanks for looking as beautiful and strong as ever for our live morning news spot…and thanks for being you.
“Be good! Do good! Work hard!”
Announcements:
Go here to see the WDSU spot about “Project November” from this morning. – Link has been disabled… we’re working on it. Stay tuned.
Follow this link if you’d like to sign up for the upcoming Gleason Classic. Use code NPNO for $8 off and register under the team name NPNOLA
Click on dis to help out our friends with the Non-Profit “Youth Run Nola” and do a fun run with them this weekend!
Lastly…Flock Up! Let’s all go to a Pelican’s basketball game together! Mark your calendars for November 1st and see the pinned post here for more info.
It’s like inch by inch(worm) and step by step
I’m closing in on your position, quad destruction is my mission
Thirty one is just for starters, now your quads are martyrs
It’s like burpee or bust
Now you’re whole crew is dust.
Burnout through my area, wall sits will bury ya
The real fast feet to the beat so neat
It’s like showdown on the range
Go tell me who wanna tangle with the
Champions Square witch-doctor superhero?!
See y’all Friday, 6am, Shelter #1 on Lakeshore Drive (across from Landry’s Seafood)
What do a shanked punt, a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors and a strange first date screening process all have in common…?
Football season may still be a ways away from drawing humans from all walks to Champions Square, but a pigskin and the spirit of competition drew travelers from 3 visiting tribes as well as rookies and veterans alike to the shadow of the Superdome. Maybe it was the impromptu punt, pass and kick competition that got the tribe excited…or maybe it was the way your pivotal choice of rock, paper or scissors dictated the flow of the game – uh, workout – but the humidity stood no chance at stopping the faithful this morning!
118 fearless souls chose to #justshowup this morning instead of hitting that lame snooze button. They were primed and ready to beat the heat, but Louis’ masterful play calling had them calling for time in record fashion. A sprint, 5 burpees and then a test of wits: lose and you start all over but the winner lives to play on. Jumping jacks and then another game of chance. Win enough and you might just make it to the famed Gleason Statue where to the victor does the squat jumps.
Starting to think I forgot about that whole first date thing? Nonsense… All Jack has to say is, “If she thinks it’s weird, there’s probably not going to be a second date.”
All the sweaty, happy, exhausted humans who showed up this morning knew the answer right off the bat. If you haven’t put together my riddle by now…c’mon man! But if you’re still curious, #justshowup on Friday and ask us all about it.
Announcements:
Friday, 6am @ Shelter 1 on Lakeshore Drive (across from Landry’s Seafood)
Baby Cakes pool party is coming soon (please fill out this poll)
Start planning/saving for NP Nola’s takeover of The North Face ECS in San Francisco the weekend of Nov. 18-19th
