Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
Roughly three years ago, I graduated from college in Baltimore and moved back home to Dallas. By the time I was home and unpacked, I found myself feeling completely lost. I had no job prospects. I was craving community. And found myself constantly wondering: what now? how do I make friends as an adult? are you just supposed to feel this lonely all the time?
The ingaborg here, coming in hot with a little life lesson I’ve taken from November Project.
It probably wont surprise you guys that I was the kid who would talk to ANY random stranger. From the guy behind us at the deli counter to the new kid in the back of the room. Some call it middle child syndrome, but my dad always said it was that random, extra chromosome that I was born with.
Aug 27th – 31st was Hell Week for November Project Dallas with 50+ people in attendance everyday. The tribe was warned that it wasn’t going to be easy at all, yet they wanted to go through hell. Long time tribe member, Vicftoria Hernandez, shares her experience of the week, plus her gratitude for the tribe:
Over the past few months, NP Dallas has been in BEAST MODE! At the beginning of the year, it was declared that in 2018, we will focus on racing and beating our “best self” aka PR (For those of you unfamiliar with that). Tribe members have taken this to heart, and have signed up for various races not only in Texas, but across the US and into Mexico. There are members that are training for their first 5K, first half-marathon, even their first full marathon. They are taking to stadium runs, trails runs, and YOGA… This year the tribe is looking to take close to 30 members to The North Face Endurance Challenge Series in Wisconsin for NP Summit 6. Among them is a lone ranger signed up to do the 50 miler. Why anyone would want to run 50 miles or more is beyond comprehension, yet there are many in this tribe doing it. So, how does this community of badasses prepare for such greatness? They JUST SHOW UP! Check it!
Because that’s what my Monday was. I decided to try November Project Dallas, and today was my first workout. As it goes, I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I had was the time, location, and a recommendation from the New York Times to go on. So I rode my bike to the meeting spot and found Tywon, followed soon by Kevin, Hayden and Michelle. In a few minutes, a whole posse of folks arrived. They all seemed pretty stoked to be there even though it was 6AM and we were there to do something called the “stair workout”. Imagine running down 75 stairs, back up 75 stairs, across a short flat surface (somehow called a “break”) then repeat until your legs fall off or 40 minutes pass. Whichever comes first.
Alright, I get it. But what came next was a surprise to me. No sense of being the “new chick”. No “who is this stranger” vibe. Not even a “wonder who’s gonna kick whose booty” sentiment. Just support. And a sense of team. A real we’re-all-doing-this-togther feeling. What an amazing thing?! At one point, I slowed down to a walk, and Yolanda gently hooked her arm through mine. With a soft “you got this,” she picked me back up to a run, and stayed by my side. What a fabulous Day One!
Workout’s over, about to leave, but last thing the co-leader, Manny, asks is “anybody’s birthday?” In all honesty, mine was two days ago. And that’s where 19 people I’ve met 53 minutes ago come in and sing me “happy birthday”.
What’s it like? Let’s just say, I’ll be back later this week for Day Two!” — Jenni Stolarski, Realtor