Tag: Free Fitness

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Spoiler alert: There wasn’t even any chocolate.

Diana Chocolate

So, I discovered November Project during one of the lowest times of my life. After going through several personally challenging events and living through, without a doubt, the hardest year of my life, I needed a change. I craved new experiences, new people, new ways to discover the city I got to call home for the past few years, and, most importantly, new reasons to smile. In my search, I came across a fundraiser for the Central Okanagan Hospice which was organized by this thing called November Project Kelowna. I had no idea what to expect, and on the night of the event, I debated not showing up. I made every possible excuse not to go, but let me tell you- I am so glad I did. read more

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WTF am I doing?

Kelona November Project

It’s Wednesday. It’s 5:45am. My Alarm clock is belting “Forever Young” by Alphaville. It’s minus too much outside. It’s snowing. WTF am I doing? Every part of my body and most of my brain is saying to me that the time for morning burpees was in the Alphaville days. Its not 1984 anymore. I’m not a kid anymore. It’s time to hit snooze and stay in bed. But that was only most of my brain saying that… there is that tiny voice that starts with a whisper and slowly grows with each electronic pulse belting over the speak until I can no longer hear “go back to bed” and can only hear “JUST SHOW UP!!!”. This is November Project. read more

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You want me to get up at what time???

erinrunning

Hi my name is Erin Brucker, otherwise known as mini-Brucker or Gary’s daughter (as I often live in the shadow of this guy…. its a pretty big one). But let it be known, I am indeed my own person and also do #justshowup Wednesday mornings.

I have been apart of the NP tribe for over a year now. I stumbled upon the great Roz Huber’s Instagram a while ago and followed along where I first was introduced to something called the November Project. I had no idea what it involved except for the fact that she would post about a free workout at 6:29am. It intrigued me but, like most other people, I am not a morning person, hence I never showed up. While being pace bunnies for the Wine Country Half that year, my dad met this awesome dude named Steve Morrison who introduced him to the idea of November Project. He brought it up to me and I was like, “Yea. that’s what this cool girl Roz does. We should go.” So we went the following Wednesday together (which Gary fails to mention in his blog post). Was it easy to get up that dark, early and cold October morning? Definitely not. Was it worth it? Most definitely yes. I definitely was not expecting the loud, obnoxiousness and excitement that was THE BOUNCE. But it is still by far one of my favourite parts of starting Wednesdays. I remember being partnered with the speedy Taylor Horsting the first day and pushing to keep up. I left feeling on a high and with more friends than I had the day before. read more

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Phoenix- Let’s Take it From “Cacti” to “Cactus”

Visitors often think the desert looks inhospitable. Well, they’re wrong. My family doesn’t just survive here, we thrive here. Heck, have you seen how my tribe packs the local hills and theater during the summer? True inspiration.

I’ve seen a lot of new years come and go. Think these buff saguaro arms grow overnight? Well, they don’t. I’ve been lucky that my tribe’s awesome workouts keep me looking young, but don’t be fooled, I’ve seen many moons. Between family photosynthesis sessions and binge watching my cousins on Planet Earth, I’ve had some time to reflect this holiday week. read more

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THIS IS NOVEMBER PROJECT

Doctors, lawyers, pilots, teachers, students, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, doesn’t matter who you are, what you believe in, what your ‘status’ is, you are or can be a part of the Kelowna November Project Tribe…and what a tribe it is…such a community based “person loving” group that our mayor declared a special day, November Project Community Day, on November 28, 2018…how far we have come!!! read more

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AM I SHOUTING??? IS THIS THING ON?

HELLO MY NAME IS …

 MICHELLE! MY NAME IS MICHELLE ANDI HAVE BEEN GOING TO NP FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE A TIME WITHOUT IT! LIKE WHAT EVEN WAS LIFE??  I lOVE NP IT’S CULTURE AND THE PEOPLE SO MUCH MY HEART COULD BURST! I LOVE THE CHALLENGE, THE FUN, THE COMMUNITY AND I LOVE THAT YOU CAN JUST SHOW UP AND BE YOURSELF! read more

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#500people (DCA)

On Wednesday, October 24, we’ll be celebrating 5 YEARS of November Project DC. What better way to celebrate than with AT LEAST 500 people working out together? Smiling together? Sweating together?

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Guest Blog by Jenni Stolarski: “What’s It Like?”

According to somebody or something, first impressions can decide the fate of a community as to whether a person will/wants to revisit it. At the same time, community can have a different meaning to anybody, anywhere. Well, at least in a city, like Dallas, which seems to be a melting pot for people from all over the world, that could very well be the case. However, November Project Dallas is doing something right in the first impressions and community departments. Here’s a guest blog by Jenni Stolarski, a Dallas based realtor, who decided to #justshowup to NP Dallas for this past Monday’s Stairs workout:
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“What’s it like to have 19 people that you met 53 minutes ago sing you “happy birthday”?

Because that’s what my Monday was. I decided to try November Project Dallas, and today was my first workout. As it goes, I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I had was the time, location, and a recommendation from the New York Times to go on. So I rode my bike to the meeting spot and found Tywon, followed soon by Kevin, Hayden and Michelle. In a few minutes, a whole posse of folks arrived. They all seemed pretty stoked to be there even though it was 6AM and we were there to do something called the “stair workout”. Imagine running down 75 stairs, back up 75 stairs, across a short flat surface (somehow called a “break”) then repeat until your legs fall off or 40 minutes pass. Whichever comes first.

Alright, I get it. But what came next was a surprise to me. No sense of being the “new chick”. No “who is this stranger” vibe. Not even a “wonder who’s gonna kick whose booty” sentiment. Just support. And a sense of team. A real we’re-all-doing-this-togther feeling. What an amazing thing?! At one point, I slowed down to a walk, and Yolanda gently hooked her arm through mine. With a soft “you got this,” she picked me back up to a run, and stayed by my side. What a fabulous Day One!

Workout’s over, about to leave, but last thing the co-leader, Manny, asks is “anybody’s birthday?” In all honesty, mine was two days ago. And that’s where 19 people I’ve met 53 minutes ago come in and sing me “happy birthday”.

What’s it like? Let’s just say, I’ll be back later this week for Day Two!” — Jenni Stolarski, Realtor

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Guest Blog: Stevie Makes DC Wanna Shout! (DCA)

Yesterday we shouted goodbye to our favorite Ironwoman, nutritionist, Buffalonian, Stevie. You’ve probably seen Stevie running, biking, or swimming her way through Washington–or petting a dog at workouts. Stevie, the enthusiasm you brought to NP workouts, in addition to your rock-solid work ethic have been an absolute joy to be around. There’s no replacing you, and we’ll miss you dearly.

 

I’ll let Stevie take it away:

 

How do you measure, measure a year (or six)?

In bounces, in sunrises

In miles, in doggos

In sweat, in hugs

In tears, in laughs

 

I always knew that someday, these would be the good old days.

Some of you know me very well, some of you know me as that crazy girl who races a lot of Ironmans, others know me as one of those girls that loves doggos, and some of you don’t know me at all. I’m not the fastest, I’m not the strongest, and I’m not the loudest at any workout, but what’s for certain is I give one damn good hips in hug.

 

As I enter my final days as a District resident after 6 years, it has been impossible to not reflect on what an impact and impression this chapter has left on me. I’ve lost myself and found myself in this city, I’ve learned what type of person I want to be and what type of people I want to have in my life. But most importantly in my time here, the last few years in particular, I’ve learned gratitude.

I’m grateful for the friend who convinced me to #justshowup three and a half years ago (hi, Doc!). I’m grateful to have the opportunity to cross paths with humans I never would have if it weren’t for the group of crazy yahoos who started and those who helped to grow this movement into what it is today. I’m grateful for fitness, movement, and what my body can do. I’m grateful for the consistency of this tribe when everything else in my life seemed to be uncontrollably chaotic. I’m grateful for every moment, every bounce, every hug, every sunrise, and every laugh along this crazy ride.

 

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was so lost when I first showed up to Lincoln that cold November morning in 2014.  And now as I begin to take some leaps of faith to follow my passions, I’m finally feeling found. NP_DC, thanks for being you and helping me to find that courage to believe in myself again as well as helping me find that inner-weirdo that got silenced.  I’m glad you’re here.

 

Until we meet again…..DREAM BIG, HUSTLE HARD, LOVE FIERCELY, AND PET ALL THE DOGGOS.

 

Oh and hi, SEE YOU SOON NP_BUFF!

 

It’s not goodbye, it’s see ya later!! Jason, YogaSteve–take good care of this gem.

 

Much love, DC

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Positively Charlie (DCA)

Friday, January 12, was a warm, humid morning in DC. Uncharacteristic after a few biting, wintry days. We hosted a workout at Barry Farm Rec, mere feet away from the Goodman League basketball courts, where legends like Kevin Durant and John Wall (reflexively flexes biceps) have honed their skills. So we had high temps, a historic location, and a SOLID workout–how could we possible top it off? Well, this was something we’d been planning for a while, but we decide the time was perfect to bestow the highest honor in NP history upon our boy, Charlie. If you don’t know Charlie, you should. SO take 5 minutes and get to know him:


1) How were you introduced to November Project?
I was introduced to NP by Yoga Julie.

2) What do you remember about your first workout or thinking at/after your first workout?
The first thing I remember about my first workout was getting winded during the bounce. It was a small miracle that I ran those hills by the Capital Building that day.

3) What motivates you to keep you coming back?
I really like the workouts, I don’t think I’d be running if it wasn’t for NP. I’ve made some good friends from the tribe and it’s nice to run with them.

4) What does winning the Positivity Award mean and represent to you?
While I am always happy for whomever receives the Positivity Award, it always seemed out of reach to me. I’m an introvert so I don’t always come across with the exuberance that NP is known for and sometimes I feel like I’m on the outside looking in when I’m there. So I guess winning the award means a change of perception for me, it’s nice to feel accepted, knowing that means I might try to open up  a little.

5) Favorite song to sing in the shower?
I usually listen to podcasts in the shower, anything from NPR or Crooked Media.

6) If you could travel to any NP tribe, which and why?
Hong Kong, I’ve always wanted to visit that city; why not get a workout in?

Boom. A man of few words, but valued contributions. Want to know more about Charlie? We did too, so we asked #YogaJulie and Chris Jolly to add in some testimonials:

Chris–
Charlie is one of the brightest individuals that comes to NP mainly because of his spirit and motivation. There are countless memories I recall where our group shared genuine laughs and good times while working out and struggling, mainly, because of good ole’ Charlie.  He’s the best!

#YogaJulie–
I am so freaking proud of this guy. Charlie and I were working in the same department when I convinced him to #justshowup, and his transformation from skeptical non-runner to diehard NP tribe member and positivity award winner has been so inspiring. He is constantly pushing himself, not to be better than anyone else but to be better than his previous self. Week after week, he would come up to me at work following a meridian workout or PR day and tell me that he’d run one more hill or lap than he ever had, and his presence and work ethic encourages me and everyone else to push just as hard (especially in sprints. I dare you to challenge Charlie to a sprint. You’ll probably lose). A few weeks after he started coming, he was gushing to me how much he was enjoying the workouts and ended with, “and we get hugs, too!” He even dropped a verbal that lasted for a month and a half for the sake of a school project, and he didn’t miss a single workout. He fully embraces everything that NP is about and he is such a wonderful addition to this tribe. This award is so well-deserved. Congrats, bud!

There ya have it. See you tomorrow, 5:25 & 6:20 AM @ the Lincoln Memorial. BE LIKE CHARLIE.

Much love, DC!