Alright people. The day is finally here. The dynamic duo is officially the triumphant trio. We couldn’t be more stoked. And there’s no better way to introduce the NEWEST CO-LEADER, GLENN BUCK, than by forcing him into putting all of his feelings into a blog post. So, without further ado, we introduce you to Glenn.
If you’ve been around NP Nola much in the past two and a half years, the new guy isn’t all that new but for those of you who haven’t been able to just show up yet, here’s my first run (pun intended) at this whole blogging thing. My name is Glenn Buck and I am not an ultra-conservative commentator, radio and television host…that’s Glenn Beck. I am a personal trainer, a runner and a native New Orleanian and unlike most, I don’t have a clear or profound memory of my first NP workout.
Sure, I was a little skeptical when I followed a running buddy who had been to this group a few times in her hometown of DC. I followed this friend who insisted I’d love this strange, fit workout group but I had questions…
Why “November”? Why so early? Why the hugs? Actually, why so many questions…? Stop asking and just show up; so I did.
My concept of a workout group could not have been further from whatever this was. I’d been leading group fitness classes since college and my expectation was one of blank but determined faces, there to keep to themselves and finish the workout that they ‘had’ to do before moving on with the rest of their real lives. November Project wasn’t a workout group; it was a family – a lively, welcoming, hugging, diverse family that was cheery at hours of the day when they ‘shouldn’t’ be and – wait a minute – this was supposed to be about a workout…
Being born and raised here in my favorite city in the world, I wasn’t longing for a sense of place or a new set of friends; New Orleans is and can be a small town and I already had family, running groups, college buddies and those long-time friends I’d grown up with. I might have been just fine if I’d never heard of you crazies, but I wouldn’t have been complete.
I don’t have a clear memory of my first workout because I never felt like a newbie. I don’t even remember being that impressed with the actual workout, but that’s not what it’s about. That first bearhug was like being embraced by a family I had already been a part of for a long time.
Years on now and NP still has never felt like it was supposed to be all about the workout. Sure, we’re all here to work hard, to get more fit and to encourage each other to push harder than we thought possible but that doesn’t even begin to explain this thing. It’s not not a cult. It’s overly campy and happy and hug-y but with a sprinkling of curse words and some shared blood, sweat and tears.
After this morning, I can now say that I am overjoyed to be helping to lead this strange krewe in building the strongest, friendliest, most welcoming and most resilient family the world has ever seen. It feels like such an honor to be bringing my community closer together and stronger in so many ways.
With all that sappiness now out of the way, it’s time to get back to doing what we do best… What’s that, you say? Why it’s the same thing we do every week, Pinky…try to take over the world!
BORING STUFF (announcements)
- Friday at Shelter 1, Lakeshore Drive, 6AM – WEAR WHITE WITH A HINT OF RED
- Sunday SOCIAL/Tagging – We’re going to go to Mid City Yacht Club and enjoy some drinks. There’s a park across the street where we can tag. SOCIAL FUN.
- THE NEW CALENDAR. Check it out. Nuff Said.
