We believe barriers to fitness shouldn't exist, one of the reasons we are a free fitness group (no money in, no money out) and our members don't pay any fees. Because of this, we need your help.
Dear November Project Universe, the time has come for another NP Homework, and this one is going to be stellar. It involves bicyles, the great outdoors, painted #GrassrootsGear shirts, and of course, awards for the best submissions. This year, our friends from Bern Unlimited will reward 10 of the funniest, silliest, most creative, or as we call it “The X-factor’est”, submissions from around the world with Bern Helmet of the winner’s choosing. To be selected in the exclusive group of 10, you have to follow the rules below:
Post a photo on Instagram between Monday, August 6th, and Monday, August 13th. Photos posted after midnight EST on August 13, will not be considered eligible.
You must:
Be wearing #GrassrootsGear
Have a bicycle somewhere in the picture
Be Outside (spin bikes will not work, sorry Casey Winkler)
Tag @novemberproject @bernunlimited #NovemBern #StayOutThere
Phone filters that alter photo color, brightness, etc are allowed. Tools that can add or remove items that are not in the original photo (photoshop or bunny nose/ear filters) are not.
The winners will be selected by the panel of esteemed judges, whose identity shall remain anonymous to prevent any attempts at meddling. Our 10 winning photos will be posted on @novemberproject Instagram on August 16 and the winners will post photos with their Bern Helmets after they arrive.
So folks, get out, get on your bikes, and get creative. As of right now, the NovemBern week is officially open.
As you know, we’re in the heat of our July #RecruitEveryone CHALLENGE. This month we want focus on bringing in new folks and spreading everything GOOD about NPGR. Our motto for the year is Actify GR. We want to bring the city together through movement and early morning FREE FITNESS.
Now you may be thinking, but Matt, I can’t get anyone to come. No one wants to wake up so early and my friends don’t like working out. As much as Yoshi and I stand up to BS excuses, we know that some (a limited few) have legitimate reasons for not coming. That said, just because someone hasn’t joined us yet, doesn’t mean they never will.
I have a confession. When I first heard about November Project Minneapolis, I wasn’t sold. It was too early (it’s really not), it wouldn’t fit with my work schedule (it could if I made some adjustments), and that large group of neon-clad athletes was slightly intimidating (not untrue – MSP has some killer athletes, but they’re all super nice). Luckily, my friends who were involved with NP didn’t give up on me. Slowly, I warmed to the idea of waking up early and after a couple months of watching the facebook page, I told Heidi that I’d show up only if she promised to be there. Fast-forward a few hundred workouts and here we are today.
I get it. It’s not always an easy sell. Yes, it’s FREE, but that’s not always enough. We each have lives. Fears. Doubts. But, the best part about November Project GR is we will be here when you’re ready to take the leap. And we will be here for you through life’s ups and downs. That’s what #weatherproof and #justshowup are really about.
So our CHALLENGE to you:
Think about what November Project means to you. Think about what value it adds to your life. Think about why you keep showing up at 6:01 AM. As you go through your day/week, think about all the people you come in contact with and share NP with EVERYONE, but focus on two people who you think could benefit from NP. Whether it’s the free fitness, encouragement, hugs, or just the positive vibes.
Make a goal to support them, encourage them, and make sure that they attend the August 1st workout. We’d LOVE for you to recruit many more, but at the least, make sure those two people are there. We can make this world better, one sweaty morning at a time.
Oh yeah, we’re also giving away a bunch of sweet North Face gear at the August 1st workout and have a goal of BREAKING 100 people.
We’re glad you’re here. Thanks for growing this movement with us.
Amy DK is a longstanding member of November Project Chicago. Beginning her journey just over two years ago, Amy has never missed an opportunity to show how much the entire November Project community means to her. She loves us SO MUCH that she has donated one of her organs to recruit more people. Yes, she is that BAD-ASS! Now it’s our turn to show our gratitude for this wonder-full woman. Amy, you are amy-azing. You are so much more than amy-eer mortal. You literally can’t do amything wrong. Don’t think we have amy more puns? When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s Amyore! Ok, ok, we’re done. With no further ado, Amy take it away!
Where to start, where to start? I have tried to write this post a handful of times in my head and cried too many [happy and sad] tears in the process of writing. This tribe brings out all of the feels inside me, so just going to take a deep breath and go for it!
May 27, 2016 – Third Row, 6th from right, my first November Project Workout!
So to start at the beginning: Hey y’all! For those that do not know me yet, I’m Amy! For those of you who do know me: yes I may possibly bring back the glitter shirt for pride month, stay tuned.
Any-who, last week was my two year NP-iversary and as many of you may have seen via the social medias I decided to commemorate with a tattoo that speaks to my spirit [read on to see it]. AKA I mixed together my love of spontaneous travel, NP, story-telling and “jumbled-ideas-that-turn-into-fabulous-outcomes”. From the feedback I have received from NP-ers, my new tattoo is “bad-ass”, “amazing” and has gotten a lot of “fuck yeah! s”. From feedback I have received by non-NP-ers, they told me I need to hold myself to the quote and some have even been intrigued enough to #justshowup after I use my tattoo as a reason to talk about NP and attempt to recruit them.
To back it up just a bit for those who have not seen, last week I began one of my leg sleeve tattoos starting with all eight city tags I have received from various, random world travel, the date of my first workout and my favorite NP bounce:
I am FAST
I am FIT
I am STRONG
I am THE SHIT
I admittedly do not currently own any shorts, so the potential of seeing said tattoo at a workout near you may take a hot second until I find some quality running shorts! Also I am in the process of planning my next trip and am hoping to bring back some fresh new city tags which will be added to my new tattoo collection!
All of that being said, I am hoping to share a few bits of myself some of you may not know, so I am not merely known as “the girl with the November Project tattoo”. I like lists because I am a Virgo and life can get a bit messy without a good list.
I moved to Chicago June 1st 2015, which I never thought I would make it even a year here. Finding my tribe (aka my family away from my family) has kept me here and made me proud of living in this city.
Six months after I moved to Chicago, my best friend who I lived with all throughout college and then lived down the street from me here in Chicago unexpectedly passed away abroad. Consequentially six months after this happened I went to my first November Project workout. You all have shown, and keep showing me, that you can’t push others away forever. Instead you need to keep going, find your tribe, hug them close and love them hard.read more
Everyone in Indy celebrates Race Day in the month of May out at the track. We celebrate each and every month at the War Memorial. Next month (in fact next week) we’re combining the two. Short and to the point, here’s the breakdown of what the month of June holds for NP Indy:
Race Day ain’t no joke
6/01: Friday @ 6a, our standard (which is to say fantastic) workout behind the Statehouse (Bicentennial Plaza).
Over the last six and a half years, the co-founders of November Project, Bojan & Brogan, have been expanding the movement while it continues to grow organically through passionate and dedicated volunteer leadership, weatherproof workouts, and supportive communities, all at the cost of zero dollars. But with expansion comes evolution and November Project is proud to announce the next chapter of the movement, as a nonprofit organization. This year, with the support of everyone in our community, the structure of November Project (NP) will be one that involves more than simply two co-founders.
The goal of NP as a free fitness movement will remain the same. At our future and existing
locations around the world, we will continue to work hard at cultivating a culture of inclusivity, and will never stop proving that fun, fierce, free, and efficient morning workouts have the power to positively change the places we live in. The new arm of the NP nonprofit is one which we are incredibly excited about. We aim to use the spirit of NP to host our first community outreach plan that aims specifically at youth. After all, the NP rulebook for accountability, human connection, intense fitness, and support for all fitness levels could make an even larger impact if we use these tools to train a younger generation, creating healthy habits from an early age.
Financial resources to support the efforts of the NP nonprofit, the ongoing movement, and to keep great humans in the NP family at an organizational level, will come from personal
donations, grants, in-kind donations, and strategic partnerships. One of those partners, The North Face, has been powering November Project movement for the last three years and will continue to support NP at a global level through access to outdoor training gear, storytelling via various media outlets, leadership gatherings, and the annual November Project Summit. NP will pursue other partnership that will broaden the opportunities to bring free fitness to more people, but The North Face will remain the exclusive apparel, footwear, and equipment partner, and just like the last three years in this partnership, will be the reason November Project is able to continue the growth. Details on how you can directly support (aside from just showing up) will be revealed in the weeks to come.
The November Project team and the Board of Directors are ecstatic to progress this movement into the nonprofit space and set even bigger goals to achieve in the years to come. Hold onto your hats, folks, it’s about to get even crazier!
This morning we pulled off the first EVER NPGR birthday surprise (and it was awesome). Read all about it and then check out all our upcoming events.
Earlier this week we sent out a message to bring a single helium balloon to create a balloon bouquet for Yoshi’s birthday. As 6:01 approached, one by one, the balloon grouping began to grow while Yoshi watched, unaware of the birthday plans and slightly confused. By the start of the workout there was a diverse grouping of balloons including “40”, “Love You Grandpa”, and “Princess” (among other excellent balloon choices). Step 1 of Surprise Yoshi was underway.
After the patented Old McDonald had some rhymes bounce, we celebrated Yoshi with his favorite food, ice cream, and a create your own sundae workout.
To begin, everyone ran to a topping located at the top of the stairs, bottom of the hill, or top of the hill, brought it back to the start and performed the corresponding exercise. And repeat to your ice cream sundae limit. As time was called, we were all a little slow moving, stuffed with our theoretical ice cream sundae.
We concluded the morning with a human sundae relay between Yoshi and a very cooperative volunteer, Laura. Although we were missing the cherry on top, both participants were sufficiently covered in whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
A lot of work goes into creating workouts, editing pictures, posting on social media, and planning events. But, it’s so worth it. Being able to celebrate Yoshi in a way that only NPGR can is fitting.
As Yoshi walked away, bike in one hand, balloon bouquet in the other with a smirk on his face, I thought about what this all represents.
Each week, every person brings their own style (balloon) to the group. Some are quirky, some are serious, but we all are true to ourselves, and the collective bouquet is badass. And just like this assortment of balloons, most of us have met only because of NPGR. Without this group, we wouldn’t have these valuable friendships that add such a valuable spice to our lives.
And just like an ice cream sundae, we go through life acquiring varies toppings. Sometimes toppings are delicious like whipped cream from a can, but sometimes life throws us raisins, but we’ll get through it. In the end, ice cream sundaes are always better shared.
Happy Birthday Yoshi and THANK YOU for all you do to make our sundae better.
“You can’t accomplish anything without the possibility of failure.”
The majority of our workouts follow a similar format: complete a set of exercises as many times as you can before time is called. The time, exercises, and spice vary from week to week, but time is always the limiting factor. There is no completion of the workout, just a sense of knowing that you crushed it for 25-30 minutes. Today’s workout was different. The goal was to complete 40/30/20/10/1 burpees, push-ups, box jumps, mountain climbers, and dips with a hill repeat to seal each round. Every single person DNF’d. Are we proud of this? Fuck yea, we are. That was the goal: throw down a challenge, expect failure, and ask the tribe to rise up and prove us wrong; prove themselves wrong.
“At the Barkley, success is about over-reaching our abilities and living to tell about it. Sometimes success is getting our ass out alive.”
Every year around this time I spend a lot of time thinking about the Barkley Marathons, a 120ish mile ultramarathon in the backwoods of Tennessee. If you haven’t seen the documentary on Netflix, stop what you’re doing and watch it. The quirks of the race entry, Laz (the creator and race director) himself, and everything leading up to the race are interesting, but the real draw, for me, is the race itself. Since the first run in 1986, only 15 people (of over 1000) have finished all five loops. Many cannot finish three loops, known as the Fun Run. As Laz says, “For some people, to finish the Fun Run is the accomplishment of a lifetime. And for some of them to finish one loop is the achievement of a lifetime.” For those that get into the Barkley Marathons, it is almost certain that you will DNF. You will fail. And for those that manage to complete the course, there are no rewards/trophies/prizes. All that waits at the finish line is a handshake. And the next year, Laz makes the course just a little bit more difficult, attempting to be just on the edge of what is possible for a human being.
“I know the odds are against me, but I have to believe, who knows.”read more
As a new tribe, we will experience our very first #NPSUMMIT. What is NP Summit? Read all about it from a 2-time Summiter with facts added in from google and November Project the book. It’s about as accurate as wikipedia, probably.
The year was two thousand thirteen. As the story goes, NHL star and NP Edmonton co-leader, Andrew Ference, suggested that all the leaders (10 cities at the time) come to Edmonton for an Oilers’ game. Brogan and Bojan couldn’t turn down a party in a cold-ass city, so before they knew it, the leaders were visiting NP’s coldest city in the middle of winter for what would become NP Summit.
Word quickly spread about the good vibes, hugs, and shenanigans. The tribe members wanted a piece of the c0-leader’s action and in 2014, NP Summit 2.0 was held alongside The North Face’s Wisconsin race. This yearly event met two needs: an opportunity for the co-leaders to discuss all things November Project and an meet-up for tribe members from all over the world to connect. In 2015, NP Summit 3.0 was held in Utah, with NP Summit 4.0 (<— this video is sick) – at Blue Mountain in Ontario.
Last year, Summit 5.0 brought 43 tribes back to the mothership, BOSTON. On Friday morning, hundreds (probably more) bounced, hugged, and ran the steps of the historic Harvard Stadium. During the day on Friday, NP took over a brewery, went to a Red Sox game, and made new friends. On Saturday, NP raced through the rugged trails of Wachusett Mountain. That night, NP partied in Boston before everyone hopped on flights and went back to their normal lives.
But, NP Summit is more than a fun weekend. It’s a blending of people with a shared experience.
At Summit 5.0, I was at a random coffee shop, no where near the NP Summit festivities. My plans had fallen through and I was looking for a way to get across town to the brewery that had been taken over by 50+ November Project folks. This coffee shop contained an NP member from SF. We made small talk and next thing I knew, we were sharing an Uber, and all sorts of details about our lives. (She’s seriously badass)
After that, I followed up on a random Facebook post to get ramen at what was described as the best ramen noodles in town. As we waited in line, I met members from Utah (NP BOS badass), Amsterdam, London, and all over the globe. I shared my dreams in front of a room full of NP members.
These new friends have kept in touch and supported our tribe.
THIS is NP Summit. A connection made solely on a love of free-fitness. A connection that you’d never make if it wasn’t for NP.
So this is your HYPE notice. At the end of the week, the date and location for Summit 6.0 will drop.
Does it sound like something you’d love? Excellent. Get on it.
Does it sound terrifying or intimidating? Good. This is your chance to try something new. To get to know your fellow tribe-members at a deeper level. To see how big and powerful this movement really is.
Because this shit is so good. And it’s in 45 cities. Every Wednesday. And for one weekend a year, it all collides into a neon-colored pit of positivity, hugs, and awesome.
Last week we conquered a hill, workouts based on the eight different Lucky Charms marshmallows, and a floating potato with burpee penalties. Needless to say, it was a slightly chaotic, fun mess of a workout. Some of the best workouts are the ones that don’t go quite as planned.
So, this week we decided to Keep It Simple Stupid De Enstructions Are Too Hard. We warmed up with our good friend Sally, played rock/paper/scissors, ran the half hill, and did push-ups and box jumps.
It was simple. It was hard. Our legs are still sore. And it was so good.
We have some good shit coming up. Check it out.
UPCOMING
WE START AT 6:01 AM BEGINNING 4.18
3.28.18 – 6:14 AM – PR Day – We’re tagging! Bring a shirt and a can of spray paint
