Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
Personal stories shared by November Project members.
Our tales of the tribe continues this week (yeah, we know this was supposed to be a Sunday thing) with a post from one of our coolest, most badass, dedicated members of the DC tribe. The wiser of the mother-daughter duo that graces our presence every week, this woman has come full circle and recruits all her friends, random strangers on the mall during Arcade Motorcade, and anyone else willing to chat with her about NP.
This is Chris Payne! He’s been with BOS tribe for less then a year, but we feel like we know him since we were still peeing in our diapers (circa 2011). CRPayne is a solid dude. You should come and meet him!
If you had asked me a year ago if I wanted to wake up early and work out at 6:30am I probably would’ve said something like this! It just wasn’t even something I would consider. However, in the summer of last year I ran into a few like-minded amazing people, Rebecca Berger and James Broad, and between the two of them (though they both still claim to be responsible for my recruitment) they convinced me to just show up.
After weeks and weeks of seeing Cristina crush stairs, toss out hugs, and burp(ee) like it’s no ones business, I found out at one of our Wednesday workouts that Cristina was running the Rock and Roll Marathon the next weekend. Her first question to me was, “if I run to Lobsterman Memorial, is that considered tapering?” That relentless ATTITUDE, goal crushing mentality is what Cristina does day in day out and we’re happy to have her on our team. Cristina breaks down training with steps, training with new friends, training with smiles, and turboing through PRs, not just on PR Week. The VIBE is strong with @Cristina Lopez (G), she’s the shit. Boom. LOVE: Always.
Today in Indy, Lori showed up after working 14+ hours yesterday, the leader had another sleepless night (#everytuesdaynozzz), Heather made her newbie debut and Michelle…well…
Michelle Mislan bikes uphill both ways in a blizzard to #justshowup each week. Wait, what? Really? No. But seriously she drives 20 miles (from Greenwood, Indy peeps), even in the snowpocolypse, even when the mayor shuts down the city, to meet her tribe at the Bell Tower each week. She then showers at and her place of employment and #onward with her day. When she has early morning work meetings, she can be found running the Bell Tower steps before any tribe member has arrived, even her leader! #leadernowfeelslikeaslacker. Michelle’s dedication and positivity embody the November Project spirit. And she gives really good hugs. Hips in, y’all! Without further ado, I give you our first guest blog from NP Indy, Michelle Mislan.
You know those teenagers that you meet that rebel against every stereotypical belief that old people have about teens? They are polite, can hold a conversation, get along with their siblings and get their ass out of bed without their parents begging them to. Ya, we got some of those here at November Project Canada and that makes them the coolest teens we know. Jaden is one of our stars and she is guest blogging for us today. She brings her badass self to the workouts before heading off to high school for the day and in the process gives our older tribe members redeemed hope for the future of our glorious country. af
The continuation of our Sunday Series would not be complete without sharing the story of our next guest blogger. There isn’t much to say about him besides the fact that it’s not possible to go to a workout, social hour, or see him on the street without getting the biggest, most friendly, hello-and-great-to-see-you hug. We hope you like Italian food because this is Can of Spaghetti (Chris Cantergiani):
Legs burning and heart pounding, I cover the last few feet to the top of the hill. Waiting for me, on either side, is my November Project Tribe. They shout my name and give me high fives as I crest the hill, chest heaving. Bending over, I place my hands on my knees and catch my breath. As I look up, the sun has just finished cresting above the horizon, casting a beautiful orange glow across the whole city that is laid out so brilliantly before me. As I slowly rise and soak it all in, calmness sets over me and makes me smile.
This woman needs no introduction… but because that’s what we do with our guest bloggers at November Project, I’ll give it my best shot. There are some people you run into in life that you know have the stuff. When I first met Shanae and waved hello in passing on Summit Ave I realized that her nickname must become “Electric Smile.” Knowing little about her, what I did know is that she had the stuff. As an active student at Emerson College she comes to us in the mornings with very little sleep under her belt but never without her electric smile. She’s the winner of yesterday’s #PositivityAward and is aiming for her first Boston Marathon next month. Take your time as you read this post and please share it to the ones you love as inspiration for how to JUST SHOW UP. Ladies and gentlemen… Shanae Rebecca!
November Project DC is starting a Sunday series titled, “Tales of the Tribe,” with personal stories of our awesome (really fucking awesome) tribe members. The first week we kick off with Katie Corradini, a CORE member who has been #Verbaling since it was 75 degrees in the morning (a long time). Katie travels from Alexandria every single Wednesday & Friday to bring awesome energy, smiles, and a competitive drive. Next time you’re on the steps, be sure to give her a hips in. Ladies and Gents, Katie Corradini.
Nathalya is a super positive lady that does her workout before she sends her 4 kids to school. Her vacations are planned to include an NP workout. We are excited to have her as a part of our Boston group. Ladies and gentleman Nathalya Mamane…
A very good friend told me her story about how she managed her transition from her home town to Boston. She explained that the first thing she did was to get a job at The Gap. The Gap??? I asked. Her answer was that when you are part of the The Gap, you are part of a family. Everywhere you go in the country, you will find a store and as soon as you walk in the store, you feel right at home. This story was told to me years ago, but this week, I finally understood what she meant.