Showing Up during your Dark Season by Rachel (YEG)

In one week we will be screening “Showing Up” – 8 stories from around the November Project movement that “will remind you that fitness is merely the vehicle for connection, a framework for healing, acceptance, and above all, community.”

For this week leading up to the screening, we have the pleasure of introducing you to some of our NP Canada tribe members as they share why they show up. We’d love to hear your story too…take the time to ask someone while you make your way up the hill, to the stairs or during your 7 second hips-in-hug (you may have to hold it even a little longer than usual to get the whole story in).

So here we go, our first story in our NP Canada Showing Up series features a strong independent woman. Her mom will call her out on facebook when she doesn’t show up to the workouts, and she has a giant heart of gold… Meet Rachel

THE UPSIDE DOWN

Let’s pretend you’re going through a difficult season in life. Imagine your mom is learning to walk again after a life-altering spinal cord stroke, your dad is then laid off, and you live too far away to do anything useful. Next, maybe you find out your spouse has been super unfaithful. Let’s say in the moving process, while boxes consume your life, you also lose your job. Let’s pretend all these events happen within the span of a few months. What the f*ck do you do? Drown your sorrows in Netflix and Oodle Noodle for breakfast at 2:00pm, right!? Definitely NOT consistently drop five verbals at once and crush #stairsforbreakfast. Even though life was quite literally a disaster, that’s what I did to escape my version of the upside down. To regain any semblance of normalcy, I had to #justshowup.

I don’t share my story to make you feel sorry for me AT ALL; my life is now pretty f*cking awesome. I share this because you need to know — you’re not alone. We ALL have our #darkseason and story. I share this to encourage you to show up during the shitty times, and to celebrate you during the amazing times to come. That’s what my November Project tribe did for me.

My version of the upside down became slightly more bearable when kind strangers hugged me three times a week. I gained confidence after dancing in front of a few hundred tribies while wearing a Magnum P.I. moustache, and completing my first race — both in the same day. l discovered it’s difficult to be pissed off while laughing my face off on a pepperminty slip n’ slip with my best friends as the sun rises. I one day realized I shouted “Fuck yeah!!!” to the question “Y’all good?!” and truly meant it.

November Project operates similarly to Michael Scott who said, “I don’t care if you’re gay, or straight, or a lesbian, or overweight! Just get in here, right now!” We might not have a conference room, but we have our beautiful cities, and we want you. We want you if you’ve never owned a pair of runners, if you even lift bro, or are somewhere in between.

I invite you to November Project because I want you to experience the authentic and passionate community that welcomed me without hesitation. If you don’t think you’re fit enough — think again; my mom can barely walk some days, and even she’s shown up in TWO different cities.

November Project continues to challenge me athletically, and is responsible for my ass that just won’t quit! #buttsofNP Those rowdy mofos STILL make me feel valued, tell me they’re glad I made it, and compel me to be my best self. You can show up at ANY November Project in the world #worldtakeover, and I promise they will do the same for you.

My name is Rachel Persad, November Project Canada tribe member, and next level hips-in hugger.

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