Today we present the newest recipient of the Positivity Award, Sally Roach! What amazes us about Sally is her thoughtfulness around helping the NPDC community. When we announced that we would be celebrating our fifth birthday last fall, Sally — an incredible baker at The Hamilton — immediately reached out, unsolicited, and offered to bake us a cake for the birthday. There were A LOT of people at that event; we didn’t finish the cake until the end. That was one BIG CAKE. And then when we had Show & Tell at REI last month, Sally baked hundreds of cookies to help keep folks warm and content during the outdoor event. Those gestures, totally unnecessary but greatly appreciated, plus Sally’s constant good energy and exuberance at workouts are why she received the PA. OK, I’ve written long already. Get to know Sally below and find her at a workout!read more
I feel guilty for not writing 25,000 words about this guy. After all, he did 25,000 crunches — in one day.
Yes, that is not a typo. In the days leading up to last month, a challenge was posted to the November Project universe — Abvember. The premise was pretty simple: challenge yourself to do at least 10 minutes of planking one day, 10 sets of 10 push-ups the next day, and then 10 sets of 10 crunches the following day. And then repeat the rotation 10 times throughout the month’s 30 days (or however many days you could). read more
There comes a time in every NPer’s life where you’re going to start experiencing urges. Urges to pull the covers up, to stay inside, to not show up, to disappear. Yesterday might have been that day for you. It was COLD, the first feels-freezing day of the season. The group photos — ehh, they were a bit small. Some folks were missing. Those urges…read more
I met Jason and Anne the Friday before the Marine Corps Marathon in late October at Canal Park for our Friday workout. I welcomed them. I tried to remember their names (it usually takes me two to three times, TBH). I figured, them having just moved to DC, I’d see them again soon (turns out, it was already their second workout and I saw them again Friday at the post-MCM party). Since then, I’ve seen this new NP Power Couple over 50 times because Valentines Day was the first workout they missed. The first! They have yet to miss a social event. They’re regulars at post-workout coffees. They’re UBIQUITOUS! And as much as they love each other, they are always striving to meet others at each workout.
Folks, when we talk about how NP allows one (or a couple) to join and embrace and become fully engaged in a community, Anne and Jason embody this. And I have no doubt that just because they received this stick, this oar, this Positivity Award, they will stop coming consistently.
OK, I’ll shut up now. Get to meet them in writing, compare their answers (what is this, The Newlywed Game??), and then introduce yourself at a workout!
1) How and where were you introduced to November Project?
J: We were in DC for an advocacy event and while Anne and I were out running, someone from NP came up to her and said we should join and she even showed me a photo. We had never heard of it before but there wasn’t one in San Antonio so I kind of forgot about it. Then, I heard Brogan’s interview on Rich Roll’s podcast and I really wished there was a tribe in San Antonio. Fast forward and I accepted a job in DC, so while we were in the process of moving, I thought about how now we would actually be able to check it out.
The day A & J discovered NP!
A: We were in DC on an advocacy trip we did each year, and decided we’d get our run in around the National Mall on Wednesday morning that week. This was back in 2016. I was running past Lincoln when a guy ran up next to me to stop me and introduce NP and invite me to the next workout. I remember taking a photo of all the people running up and down the stairs and thinking it must be so cool to workout there at the memorial. (Turns out it IS really cool.) There isn’t a tribe in SA, (SA has a big after work/evening running scene) so I didn’t really think about it again until we were all moved in here; and agreed we would come see what it was about in person. (Turns out it’s pretty awesome in person.)
Oh! I am pretty darn sure it was Tom who stopped me back then, too. Thanks!!! ️
(and I found said picture: April 13, 2016)
2) What do you remember about your first workout or thinking at/after your first workout?
J: It was the Push Up Challenge on Wednesday. I remember the bounce and how I went from sleepy, you know having just moved cross country, to getting pumped to workout! I knew immediately that this was the group for us, an energetic positive group working out in the morning.
A: It was a Wednesday and that first workout there were lots of hugs and SO MANY PUSH-UPS! The workout was when there was a push-up challenge with another tribe. I couldn’t believe how encouraging and strong everyone was, and I knew I wanted to be apart of it. We hadn’t even been here a week and I was stoked about the prospect of waking up early to join you guys again.
3) What motivates you to keep you coming back?
J: Well, it is no secret I love to run but running and working out with this great group of people is even better. I love the idea of being weatherproof and no matter what the weather is, everyone is in a great mood and ready to workout. I love the team atmosphere at NP, everyone is high-fiving and encouraging each other, it is a great and fun way to stay accountable. Oh and the coffee afterward is not bad either.
A: The bounce, the people, & the workouts! On the mornings that I’ve been sore or extra tired, the bounce is when my mood changes and I’m so happy we showed up. The people to push myself with and to laugh with, and that post-workout feeling is always good.
4) What does winning the Positivity Award mean and represent to you?read more
