Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
EVERY MONDAY, at ROTATING locations at 6:00AM
(check social media on the Sunday before for the location)
& EVERY WEDNESDAY, join us at Champions Square at 5:15 and 6:00AM.
& EVERY FRIDAY, join us at Shelter 1 on Lakeshore Drive at 6:00AM.
Connect with NP – New Orleans via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
In our world, we have good days and bad days. We have unforgettable memories and painful experiences. We have wins and losses. We have good and evil. We have light and dark. But regardless of what we do or don’t have, there’s one thing I know for sure… When we show up to NP, we always have each other.
Jen Renjel, everyone. If you don’t know her, you must not show up to NP ever. Because she’s basically always there. And so is her soon-to-be-born baby girl. No matter what we task y’all with, Jen takes on every workout with so much grit & determination… AND SHE’S ABOUT TO FREAKING POP. I aspire to be like Jen and you all should too. Here’s her story. We’re so glad she’s here.
Today got me feeling some feels & I’m not sure why. But as I’ve sat at my desk today, my thoughts have continued to drift back to this morning and this week at NP NOLA. So as I try to dissect my thoughts, I figured it’d be best to share them with the world. Seems reasonable, right?
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!
I wrote something… I made some jokes (mostly about Mia), it was funny (in my opinion); all in all, I was trying to downplay the fact that I’m stepping down as co-leader. Then I lead the 5:15 and 6:00 workouts this morning; my final workouts as an NP Co-Leader. I decided to re-write this; entirely. I’m still not going to be all sappy, and try and jerk some tears out of you, but this second version is a little more heart-felt than the first.
Allison Rogers, everyone. She can be found strutting up the stairs on Wednesday mornings at 6am, motivating friends and strangers on Friday mornings before enjoying NPBK, or dressing up as Cinderella for Mardi Gras in order to finally catch her shoe. Allison’s vibe is unparalleled and we’re so sad to be losing her to NP Chicago. But law school awaits and we cannot wait to hear about all of the great things she accomplishes in ChiTown. But for now, please enjoy this farewell letter from her!
To (severely) paraphrase the great LL Cool J:
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?!
Last week, an important light was shone on the NP Culture. While very serious and somewhat difficult to discuss, we all recognize the fact that this story needed to be heard. And as I began to reflect and take steps towards helping implement this culture shift, my first thought was to reach out to one of our most consistent members in NOLA – someone who not only shows up to work outs but also shows up in life. Rosette Elghossain is one of the most genuine, kind-hearted, honest people I have ever met, and I am so honored that she is a part of our tribe (and my life). Her role as a clinical psychologist in NOLA allows her to connect with others in ways I can’t ever imagine. But I knew it provided her with an even-more honest view of the story we heard last week. I’m glad Rosette kindly agreed to share her thoughts on this family. Enjoy:
“I am not _________ enough.”
As you read the statement above, what word did you use to fill in the blank? Fast? Pretty? Strong? Smart? Courageous? Handsome? Fit? Or did you just remove the blank altogether? However you may have said the statement, I have one thing to tell you.
You are wrong.
Oh, PR Day. The most dreadful, but rewarding day of the month. Today, we set out to crush our PRs, create puddles of sweat, and even Bring Sally Up.
“But it’s so hot and humid in NOLA… I don’t know if I can do it,” some may say.
You know what our response is?
Oh, Dory – so inspirational, so positive, so happy. Today I witnessed multiple cases of that “just keep swimming” moment.
