Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
Nice work this morning, tribe! We had such a strong group, out there, busting ass, and really getting STRONG.
Speaking of BUFF, here’s the latest and greatest on our next order of buffs! As always, please direct all questions to Nadim if you have any questions. But read this list of FAQs first.
Since it feels like there are a whole bunch more NPSD babies that entered the world this year, I thought we could celebrate NPSD’s 5th birthday by reflecting on the CDC’s Developmental Milestones for infants, toddlers, and well…us.
Social and Emotional
YOUR “CHILD” BY YEAR 2:
Receiving the Positivity Award was very much needed as I was heading to South Lake Tahoe for my fitness competition. I have never tried my hand at body building until now and I was experiencing a lot of stress, doubt, and anxiety leading up to the competition. But, despite all of that, the members of November Project encouraged, supported, and motivated me through it. Like I said, receiving the positivity award came at the right time, because it was what I needed to push through the last few days until my competition.
Once a year, on an otherwise-ordinary Monday morning in the end of June or beginning of July, we ditch the black spray paint at November Project San Diego and break out a broader spectrum of colors for tagging. OK, so the six cans we use technically only represent a few discrete points along the visible color spectrum, and our elementary school art teachers are all shaking their heads at us because we don’t even honor the “I” in ROYGBIV, but I think we can all agree that those rainbow-tagged shirts look oh-so-fresh.
The stoke level is always high within the tribe to earn Pride #grassrootsgear, usually via a 5k (or sometimes 6k) race, and after having helped out with the tagging alongside some true NPSD heroines (special shout-outs to Audrey & S’Moers!) the last three years, each time seeing how excited y’all get for these shirts, I can say without a doubt that it is one of my favorite workouts to attend, even if I don’t get to run around with the rest of you crazies.
Colored spray paint. Some metal and wood stencils. A light-colored shirt of your choosing. Happy Pride! That’s all there is to it, right?
Wrong.
We all know that beyond the #freefitness, November Project’s ethos is heavily focused on building a welcoming and inclusive community. Workouts that are scalable and open to everyone are, of course, the means by which the foundation of that community is laid, but it extends well beyond our shared mornings at 6:29AM:
We race ECS and Ragnar events together. We get coffee together (and lots of it). We go camping and hiking and biking and swimming together. We support charities together. We experience love and loss, birth and death — life — together.
What starts with a good workout ends in a multitude of great new friendships, incredible memories, and open doors for growth in our individual and communal lives. All of this is available to each and every one of us, qualifier-free, if only we #justshowup ready to embrace all that NP has to offer. It’s why we call ourselves a tribe (see also: not not a cult) and ultimately, in many ways, the tribal and communal aspect of NP is too awesome to fully describe in a few-hundred word blog post. However, what can be pointed out here is that, at some point, it may become easy to take all of that awesomeness — that warmth, friendliness, encouragement, and love — for granted.
I’ll offer you first some Pride-related perspective on taking NP for granted and then, to bring it all full circle, a simple request for when you wear your Pride-tagged #grassrootsgear.
For members of our tribe who identify as LGBTQ+, I think we may have a slightly different take on how wonderful the feeling of acceptance is among a group of one-time strangers who are now lifelong friends. For us, that feeling may not always have been there in our lives, due to both external and internal reasons, such as where we grew up, our religion, what our family environment was like, or any number of other circumstances. Many of us have dealt with episodes of exclusion, or even hatred, on account of our sexual orientation or gender identity. At some point, many of us have even turned those same questions of self-worth and of place in the world against ourselves as part of the process of knowing, understanding, and accepting who we are. And for many of us, that process is still unfolding to this day.
As a whole, finding inclusion and acceptance has been something we and our allies have had to fight for, and while many battles have been won, there may yet be moments ahead where we’ll need to fight for and defend ourselves, with our allies at our sides, just as much as we ever have before.
Thankfully, and speaking personally, seldom in my life has there been a group like November Project within which I’ve felt 100% comfortable to be myself — a runner / cyclist / camper / hiker / photographer / enginerd… who also happens to identify as gay — from day one. This movement is about bringing all fitness abilities, all races, all ages, all sexual orientations and gender identities, all walks of life, all together, to first work out and then to use those good vibes to do something positive in the world. The sense of togetherness and welcomeness that this fitness community strives to achieve, acknowledging that we are more capable together on account of our diversity rather than in spite of it, is what truly makes November Project awesome.
So, in my mind, those Pride-tagged shirts are more than just a seasonally-appropriate wardrobe item for you to wear during this weekend’s festivities. They are symbolic of what November Project stands for as a safe space for anyone and everyone. They represent our collective commitment to love and to support each other for exactly who we are, or who we are intent on becoming. They reflect externally the unique vibrancy and diversity that we each contain within ourselves, and exemplify the entire spectrum of individuals that, when woven together through workouts, yields the colorful and strong fabric of our tribe.
So, about that request I mentioned earlier: when you don your Pride-tagged #grassrootsgear, let it remind you of how this movement makes you feel welcome, included, and loved for who you are, and that whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or as an ally, I’m glad you’re here.
Be bright, NPSD, and have a happy and safe Pride!
So today, amongst all the burpees, high fives, and hills, we focused a little extra time to leave our mark. We brought out a bunch of markers and let you draw on a blank canvas anything you felt at that moment. The drawings were a mix of funny, bright, weird, and heartfelt. Each one adding to the collective, making our own unique art of US. It’s a poster that represents something near and dear to my heart – how you’ve all made such an impact on my life.
When I moved to San Diego from Wisconsin, I didn’t know a single person. While I loved the beaches and warm weather, there was always something missing. It wasn’t until I found November Project that I truly found my sense of home. It’s been a source for best friends, the love of my life, countless examples of inspiration and joy, and a community I know is always there for me. I hope today served as a reminder that we all make a wonderful mark on this tribe and on each other’s lives. I know you have all made a life changing mark on mine.
Have a bright and wonderful day!
Justin
VERY IMPORTANT THINGS
Between rain, our selected venue being power-washed to hell, and getting moved out of our planned location, you all somehow managed to find your way, clear your own routes, and carry on the workout with massive smiles as if nothing had gone wrong. And THAT’S what makes NPSD so great.
You see, Shira and I do very little. Sure, we plan workouts, we lead bounces, we coordinate stuff and post on social media, but days like today remind us that the vibe, the excitement, the community is because of what the tribe brings. Without this tribe, Shira and I are just two weirdos standing in the rain singing Backstreet Boy lyrics by ourselves.
Take that into the world. It’s energy that you bring. And you get out what you put in. So keep smiling. It releases feel-good neurotransmitters and tells your body, “yo, shit is goooood.” And when it starts to rain on your parade, grab the rest of your boyband (or girlband, or coedband, or gender-fluid band), and just fucking dance it off.
You complete us, tribe. Be happy, San Diego.
REALLY IMPORTANT SHIAT
Coming back from Coachella, I kept thinking about a phrase that kept coming up at our camp – “This isn’t No-chella.” Aside from being a terrible double negative, it’s a good reminder to reflect on what experiences are about and to understand that every experience is different for everyone.
To be frank, today’s Coachella-themed workout wasn’t any particular grand plot to talk about community and connection and blah-blah-blah. I was just hyped on doing something relevant. But there are some lessons to be taken away from today, most importantly of which is the fact that we all did it together, with some of our best friends and favorite acquaintances.
That’s one of the most incredible things about November Project. You’re never alone. This is a family to many. And there are so many of us who have been able to get through some of the toughest times with love and support because of this community. And that’s a celebration worth attending every week.
Speaking of festivals, let’s also talk a little bit about #NPSUMMIT. Do it. Just. Show. Up.
November Project Summit is an opportunity to meet hundreds, if not thousands, of tribe members from across the 45 different tribes across the WORLD. This is a family that transcends borders and timezones, and it’s full of weirdos just like you and me. So if you have the opportunity, grab 1, 2, or 3 teammates for the Marathon Relay, or just show up, get some hugs, cheer people on, and soak in the energy. It’s worth it.
September 14-15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Details and DISCOUNT CODES are here. People from all across the 45 tribes planning housing, travel, and looking for teammates are here.
Be bright, tribe. We’re family.
Besos,
E
OTHER IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Alice Coachmen was the first black WOman selected to the US Olympic Team AND the first black woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in the high jump competition. Whaaaaaaa? It was conveniently a leap year that year, so [insert dad joke here].
2. Debi Thomas was the first black athlete to win any bling at any Winter Olympics (bronze in 1988 in Calgary). She was also the first and only African American Figure skating champion in the US. After skating, she went on to medical school, became an orthopedic surgeon (NBD), and then became a mo fo humanitarian.
3. Vonetta Flowers was the first African-American Winter Olympic gold medal winner!!! After failing to secure a spot on the U.S. Olympic team twice (1996: 100m dash and long jump, 2000: long jump), she retired from track and field and turned to bobsledding. After just two weeks of training in pushing a sled, Flowers and teammate Bonny Warner set a world start record in October 2000 at Park City, Utah. I bet she get at least an 7-hill-PR on her first day at NPSD. Other victories quickly followed, including a gold-medal performance at the World Cup. In 2002, she became the first black athlete to win gold at the Winter Olympics in Sal Tlay Ka Siti, and after having 3 kids, she returned to the 2006 Winter Games in Torino with the U.S. bobsled team and finished sixth overall. V strong mama.
4. Dr. LeRoy T. Walker was the first black president of the United States Olympic Committee in 1996 in the ATL. He was also the first African-American to coach a US team. Oh, and he casually earned his Ph.D in biomechanics at NYU and gave up his six figure salary position as the director of sports for the Atlanta Committe for the Olympic Games to take the unpaid, el presidente role. Ahhh the days of higher education preceding a presidential office.
5. Michael Johnson is the only athlete in HIS-TO-RY to win the 200m and 400m at the same [1996 Atlanta Summer] Olympics, aaaaaand get this: he’s also the only male to successfully defend his Olympic title in the 400m the following Summer Games in Sydney. Take that, Usain!
6. Florence Griffith Joyner also known as “Flo Jo” was the fastest woman alive. She has records in the 100 and 200 meters that STILL haven’t been broken in 30 f-ing years! Her women’s world record of 10.49 seconds in the 100m and 21.34 seconds in the 200m set in 1988 remain unbroken. Some of us have lived our entire lives and done like 6 school projects on her in that time, and she’s held on to that speed-studded crown the whole GD time. She also gave zero fucks about what people said about her flashy leggings, long nails, and #longhairdontcare ‘tude.
Well, I don’t have a gold medal for you, but I’ll give you a metaphorical gold star for making it this far. Strong work today, tribe. Whether or not you are an Olympic athlete, you showed up in whatever form you were in today, and that f-ing matters. Don’t quit your day jobs, though, because none of you are cut out for bobsledding.
*Not as entertaining as our resident historian, Antonette, but it’ll do.
Announcements:
MONDAY – hilly 5k + tagging. Bring ONE item to get tagged for #grassrootsgear. Check the tracker for location.
FUCK. THAT. Embrace it!
PR Day is a reminder of how hard we can push ourselves. And like in life, my friends, it never gets easier; you only become stronger.
The energy was amazing out there today. Thank you all for showing up and bringing it. November Project doesn’t exist without YOU, tribe… Here in SD, or in any of the other 42 cities across the WORLD.
Be STRONG, San Diego. Be bright, San Diego.
Kisses,
E
THESE ARE ACTUALLY SUPER IMPORTANT, REALLY AWESOME ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Read it. Share it. Learn from it. This is why we show up every week. For each other.
Introducing, Mona.
Dear Angelo, Ashleigh, and Eugene,
Thank you.
I was so inspired by reading your stories and how November Project changed your lives, that I wanted to share my story with you (I hope you don’t mind). I have fallen in love with this amazing community of people. Hard to believe that I’ve been part of it since September…. September 26th, 2016 to be exact. That is a date I will always keep close to heart. Although it’s only been 5 months, I’ve changed so much…physically, emotionally, and mentally.
To be completely honest, the original reason I came to November Project was in search of a distraction. Flashback to April. I was in what I considered a serious relationship with a guy. I was happy and excited to be in my first ever relationship. Then I was blindsided in August. He broke up with me via text message. We went from us making plans to go get ice cream, to him texting me it’s not a good idea for me to see him. Even though we only dated for a little while, I trusted him to not break my heart. I got the impression that he never actually cared about me. The way he broke up with me took me back to how I felt growing up…worthless.
I’ve been bullied my whole life. From grade school to high school I was always told negative things. Throughout high school, girls would tell me, “Who would want to date you when there’s so many better options?” “If you ever get a guy, you’ll just be a rebound.” “You’re dumb. You’re ugly. You’re boring.” And much worse things, but let’s not get into that. The point is, that my breakup brought me back to those negative thoughts. In my mind, I felt that the way he broke up with me validated everything I was told as a chubby teenager. I was at such a low point that I wanted to keep myself busy. The busier I am the less I’ll think about it. I knew my best friend, Gezell, went to a workout group, so I thought I’d go visit. He always said good things about it. Little did I know I would attend regularly.
I remember the first time I went to November Project. It was a “ninja workout” at the San Diego Convention Center. I overslept and was late (Whoops!). I was out of breath, exhausted, and thought I was out of my league trying to keep up with all these fit people. In my mind, I decided I wouldn’t come back, but then I met Andrew. He welcomed me with a hug and was so positive! He told me to just keep showing up, so I decided I’d give it another shot. I went the following Wednesday and it was PR day…’nuff said. ‘NUFF SAID. It was a hard workout! Even though I was worn out, I remembered the beginning of the morning by the fountain. Everyone gave hugs and expressed that they were happy you showed up. At first I thought it was awkward, but it’s not.
Even though I came because I wanted a distraction, I stayed for different reasons. First, we get to work out all around our gorgeous city, San Diego. Second, our leaders put in a lot of work and sincerely care about everyone that shows up. When I was struggling with my first 5k at Presidio, I told Ashleigh that I’m not a runner. She told me “You’re running, so you ARE a runner.” Angelo, Ashleigh, and Eugene, thanks so much for all you do. Seriously. Thank you. Third, the people at November project are fucking awesome! “High school Ramona” would’ve been too embarrassed to work out with a group, but I’ve changed because of November Project. Every single person at November Project is so loving and encouraging, but they still push you to give it your all in every workout. I’ll hear “Good job Mona,” but I’ll also hear “Even if it’s slow as shit, keep moving. You got this!” I find myself looking forward to seeing everyone every week. Also, November Project does so much for our community. Lastly, I get to wake up early and set the tone for my day. A good workout where you give it your all leaves a feeling that’ll push you through the rest of your day. You start off the day with some dope ass hugs and good vibes.
So even though the reason I came to November Project was “sucky,” the reasons I stayed are more important. I have changed so much in the past few months. I feel I have improved a little bit with my running. My approach to running has definitely changed for the better. In high school, I hated running to the field for volleyball practice because I was always trailing. Because of November Project, my mentality has changed. I don’t fucking care if I’m first or last. I’m proud of myself for finishing, as long as I give it my best effort. November Project changed my life. I went thinking I was visiting a workout group, I stayed because I realized it’s so much more than a workout group.
I hope you didn’t mind me sharing my story. I didn’t think it’d be this long. I guess it’s easy to write when you’re passionate about something. I’m sure the grammar isn’t perfect, but you get the point of what I was trying to say. Thanks for reading.
Be happy. Be strong. Be bright.
Mona
Boring stuff