Propensity. It’s a word that floated in my head often during junior year of college. Particularly as it related to sleeping next to my best friend. It’d be the two of us on a twin-sized bed. Him on the outside, me on the inside. Our hands would always be clasped together. Always this propensity. And I always felt safe, tucked between the wall & my best friend.
In-Person Trial Workout (Bklyn)
This is the email we’ve sent out to the members that have signed up for tomorrow’s in-person trial workout. We are no longer accepting sign-ups for tomorrow, but here’s a peak at the social-distancing precautions we are taking for now–
Hi November Project Brooklyn,
First, thank you so much for signing up for our in-person test trial tomorrow, Wednesday, 10/14! We’re VERY excited to be together in-person, but want to ensure we’re creating the safest environment for everyone, our NP Bklyn family and the greater Brooklyn community. We kindly ask that you read this, in full, prior to attending tomorrow’s workout. IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR TOMORROW
Our Survey Gathering [Bklyn]
Last Thursday evening, we gathered virtually to discuss recent survey results. Here is a recap, in case you couldn’t make it or want to review–
OPENING
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Building Something I Need [Bklyn]
For this birthday blog, I couldn’t decide between two themes–
1) If you build it, they will come
2) Something I Need
So instead, here is a mashup of both.
“If you build it, they will come.”
This is a bounce we use in Brooklyn. It was most recently used by my coleader Jessica to kick off the Brooklyn Buster. For five mornings in the middle of winter, we met at 5:58AM. People came, no matter where we met or what the weather was like. We built it, and they came. Jessica crafted certificates for those that showed up all five days. We both signed them like we were official somebodies. Someone lamented that he would’ve shown up that one day if he knew there would be certificates. In reality, it was a piece of paper with ink. We built it, and they wanted to come.
Going For Broke on PR Day [Bklyn]
I confess–I avoided PR Day like the plague. Before I was a coleader, back when I was a dual citizen of NP Brooklyn & New York, I could skip PR Day without missing a Wednesday workout. If it was Brooklyn’s PR Day, I’d just take the train to Manhattan. If it was New York’s PR Day, then I’d be on the Brooklyn bound instead. Win, win. It was a great idea, I thought smugly.
I am here for you. [Bklyn]
This month–November, we celebrate November Project’s 8th birthday. More recently a slew of us gathered in Vegas for the 7th annual Summit. These occasions incite curiosity about this movement’s genesis. How it started. The roots. The very, very beginning.
It started with two guys making a pact to work out together at 6:30AM on November 1, 2011. Bojan Mandaric and Brogan Graham lived in Boston then. It was the time of year when mornings were shrouded in darkness, and winter was already unfurling its lash. How often have we ourselves skipped those kinds of mornings? Hitting the alarm with a heavy hand rather than summoning our feet to hit the floor? But if you knew that someone was waiting for you, out there in the whatever (cold, dark, humid, foggy), wouldn’t you get your ass up? Wouldn’t you show up to meet that one friend?
NYC Marathon 2019 [NYC & BKLYN]
The first weekend in November, prepare for the biggest block party there is. Get in that Empire State of mind. It’s THE New York City Marathon. Whether you’re running, cheering, coming in early, or staying a little longer…
Here’s the scoop on the NYC Marathon weekend. Brought to you by the combined forces of NP NYC & Brooklyn because #bettertogether.
A MOMumental Leadership Gathering [Bklyn]
Last week, co-leaders from the November Project world touched down in Seattle. This four-day gathering is also known as Meeting of the Minds, or more affectionately MOM.
Wednesday night, those of us that had already arrived, gathered on the field outside our dorms (yes you heard right, we stayed in the dorms of Seattle University). We went around, said our name and city. It took a heck of a long time. It’s a testament to how much this free fitness movement has grown. In a matter of 8.5 years, November Project has spread to 51 cities around the entire globe. That’s 51 places you can count on to wake up the sun on any given Wednesday morning.
Getting Grassroots WILD [Bklyn]
“If you want a gorgeous yard, don’t fluff the blades of grass, get down to work on the roots and soil.” That’s how grassroots is explained. Also explains what has been happening in Brooklyn.
Last year, Sierra and I talked about wanting to see more organic growth, more happenings outside the scheduled 6:28AM weekly workouts, more curiosity about interacting with someone you don’t yet know. Why? It tightens up the connections within this community we call November Project Brooklyn. Anyone remember from psychology class how neurons work? Neurons transmit messages. Neurons with myelin sheath (a protective covering of fatty tissue) transmit messages harder, better, faster, stronger. Yup, myelin sheath, that’s exactly what Sierra and I were looking for within the community.
Find a Group, Find a Love (Bklyn)
by Jeremy Willner
I hated to run. Running for running’s sake has never been its own motivation. Sure, I understand the health benefits and the positive impacts it has, but that wasn’t enough. Seems odd to read that on a blog devoted to a workout group, but for me, it has always been that way. Now, throw in an activity, that might also have to do with running and I am all in. I’ve always been that way.