Lessons From The 30x30 Project Tour: Cities 9-13
Welcome, Liz DiAlto fans! Hope you're soaking up our good vibes here. Please do take a sec to say hi in the comments below! If you missed my video with Liz, it's live here.Welcome back to the Lessons from The 30x30 Project Tour series! If you missed cities 1-8, check them out here and here to catch up.These next 5 cities proved to be an incredibly inspiring run. I'm really excited to talk to you all about Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Dallas.So let's not wait any longer; let's dive into it!
Denver: Don't Wait for Permission
It was still Spring Break when we hit Denver, so I was focusing on staying positive while expecting a lower turnout (Denver is highly affected by vacation weeks because of the surrounding mountains and popularity of outdoor fitness activities).Luckily, we were staying with some good friends that took it on themselves to convince us to move to Denver. They gave us the full Denver foodie experience! It was delicious.
The bootcamp went splendidly, though it was lighter on turnout as was expected. These yogis got down with it, though! We had some serious overachievers in this group!Denver was on my list from the very beginning of planning all thanks to a wonderful woman named Eve Whitaker, whom I was connected to through my super-awesome editor, Alex Gans. Thanks, Alex!Eve reached out in the very beginning to sponsor my mission through her company, Rowve. In fact, she's still donating 25% of profits from bag sales to To Write Love On Her Arms (just make sure you write "30x30" in the notes of your transaction), and $1 for every new Facebook like on the Rowve page. You can read all about Eve and her awesomeness in this post. My main lesson from Denver was learned through her commitment to taking action. I wrote quite a bit about Eve and her story in that post, so this section will be a little shorter than others.
In summary, Eve had a problem. She loves hot yoga, and hated how many plastic bags were being used, then immediately tossed after every single yoga class. So, she created a solution. She developed her own bag company that reduces waste, is produced in the USA, and doesn't LOOK like just a yoga bag; the styles and designs are quite cute.Eve didn't wait for someone to give her permission to create a solution. She just did it.Instead of waiting for someone to create a solution, create it yourself. [click to tweet]You don't need permission or someone to do it for you. You can be the solution.
Minneapolis: Be The Exception
Three words sum up my experience in Minneapolis: Lisa Van Ahn. This girl reached out to me while my campaign was still running to ask if I would come out to Minneapolis to teach, and she would host me. I checked out her site and was blown away. This chick kicks a**... literally.Lisa is a world class kickboxer. Beyond that, she is the epitome of what I always talk about: acting from a place of love.This girl is at one with herself and so supportive, encouraging and endlessly kind. To be in her presence is to feel like the sun shines only on you.Definitely check out her site if you need more inspiration for strength and confidence. She's a rock star at getting you to unleash both.
The work that Lisa does is what really sticks with me. Beyond her adult fitness training, Lisa just launched the "i am initiative," which are self defense seminars and parties for young girls (though she has options for adult women as well). She aims to raise confidence in girls just as they reach the age at which they start questioning their worth.From her site:
"The i am initiative is an empowering experience. It teaches self-defense from the inside out. Girls learn and practice self-love, confidence and responsibility. Every girl rules in the i am universe."
This initiative, this woman IS strong inside out, all wrapped up in one, beautiful, inspirational package of love and light. We need more work like what she is doing for girls. At an age when self-esteem plunges and doubt rises, we need people like Lisa to come in and remind those girls that they are strong and powerful. If I were in Minneapolis, I would have my 30th birthday party with the i am initiative, no question.I ended up staying with her and her hubby and am so grateful that I did. She even took me to her family's Easter celebration! Her family accepted and welcomed me (even though I'm pret-ty sure they didn't know I was coming) like I was one of them. It was so nice to be able to get some family time, even if it wasn't with my own family.
Early on Monday morning, Lisa's husband drove me to my 6 am bootcamp at lululemon athletica West End for a Bootcamp Battle with another inspiring woman, Britt Ringstrom. What an amazing, a**-kicking bootcamp we taught! Britt is one of the strongest women I've met (she's a CrossFit instructor at St. Louis Park CrossFit), and she was so supportive of the cause. The bootcamp went splendidly and everyone left feeling a little like they might pass out... which is usually my goal. ;)The next day, Lisa had set up a bonus bootcamp for me at her own studio, The Om Collective. She'd already set up a pre-donation system through PayPal and I took cash donations there as well. Thanks to Lisa, we had one rockin' bootcamp class, and we raised almost $500! And that was the bonus bootcamp.
If I had to choose one aspect of my Minneapolis experience to focus on (thanks to Lisa, there were many wonderful parts), it would be what Lisa does to raise confidence in girls.Every day of our lives, we have a choice to either tear others down, or lift them up. [click to tweet] When we meet people like Lisa, it serves as both positive encouragement and a reminder that most people choose the former.Be the exception. Be the Lisa in the lives of those who need encouragement and someone to tell them that they are strong enough, inside and out, to handle anything that comes their way.By the end of my stay, Lisa told me that my energy had worn her out. Girl, it's all your fault. Try not to be so inspirational and uplifting next time.
Chicago: Wake Up
Chicago was a blast the whole time through.First off, I was staying with my good buddy/Mr. Impossible/co-star/30th 30x30 bootcamp guest teacher, Joel Runyon. Thanks to him, I experienced deep dish pizza for the first time (well, real Chicago deep dish for the first time). Of course, we had to go by "The Bean" and film this (be sure to click for sound):
That video gives you an idea of the ridiculous amounts of fun we had. You'll hear more from him here very soon. :)The bootcamp was so much better than I ever expected. First of all, I coordinated with lululemon athletica's Rush and Walton location, and their running ambassador, David Coligado. This guy is such an inspiration for anyone who's trying to accomplish some major goals. He's lost over 100 lbs from finding his passion: running. I was awed by David's story, and by his positivity and support.
It was such a relief to see so many people working so very hard at this bootcamp (Erica Agran, a fellow Greatist Ambassador from EricaFinds, was one of them!).David and I split our group of 42 bootcampers and had them sprint between our stations at either sides of a track. Every time they reached us, they did a HIIT full-body circuit to balance out their runners-bodies. It was sooo much fun... for us... not really for them. ;)
Looking at David as he is now, you would never guess how much weight he's lost and how much he's struggled.David used to be 305 pounds, a chain smoker, and an all around unhappy person. After a doctor told him that he was at high risk for a heart attack, he got in the car to drive home, lit up a cigarette and thought to himself how he could lose the weight... he just didn't want to. It was only when his elevator broke down in his apartment complex that he had his real wake up call.With the elevator broken, David was forced to take the stairs. After climbing the three flights of stairs to his apartment, he was out of breath and dizzy to the point that he had to sit down. So what did he do? He lit up a cigarette.Over the next week, he couldn't shake the memory of that breathlessness, and his compulsion to partake in unhealthy habits for comfort.He had reached his breaking point, and he couldn't deny the fact that he feared for his life because of his own choices anymore.He turned his eating habits around, committed to working out 3x/week, and started losing 1-2 lbs/week. 1 year later, he hit a plateau at 235 pounds... which is when he discovered running.At first, he hated it (as most of us do in the beginning ;)), but when he finished his first race feeling triumphant and with a pace to brag about, his passion ignited and there was no looking back.
Now under 200 lbs, David is a running coach and an inspiration to anyone who thinks that their goals are too big to master.No matter how much weight you need to lose, how hopeless you may think recovery is, or how far off you think that dream job is, you can achieve it if you just start. Just go.It's daunting. It's scary. If you look at the whole thing it might seem like too much.So don't.Break your goals down into mini goals, and those into micro goals. Take each step at a time and know that by doing so, you're taking action to achieve the major ones.
Aiming for a big weight loss like David? Start with a commitment to work out 3 times a week (even if it's just walking), or take soda out of your diet like Ryan did.
Want to get a handle on a lifetime of anxiety or depression? Start with simply becoming mindful of your breath. Take deep breaths when you feel like stress will overwhelm you.
Climbing up (or off) the ladder in your career? Start by researching other options for income. Write out exactly the steps it would take to create your ideal lifestyle, and the most fun and fulfilling way you can think of to achieve that.
Everyone starts small. Those who make it big just don't stop. [click to tweet]
Milwaukee: Explore
This is another city I wrote a full post about, so let me keep this one short, as well. For the full details on my mind-blowing experience in Milwaukee, click here.I met so many amazing people who will be friends for life, 2 of which I did a video interview for recently (check out Berni and Phil's Shut Up Show here). They welcomed me with open arms and made this stop one I'll never, ever forget.What I was reminded of, and I think we can all practice a bit more of, is the magic of exploration.The reason we all get so jaded and bored with life is that we stop exploring it. We start seeing everything as a repetition and resist new experiences in our everyday lives.Explore possibilities. Explore new people and their stories. Explore the world like it's the first time you've ever seen it.Today, you can choose to rise above the jaded, boring life you think you're living. Just open up your eyes.Allow yourself to wander and explore. You may discover your life is quite miraculous. [click to tweet]
Dallas:
Thank GOD for my beauty of an ex-roommate, Priya, for letting me stay with her in Dallas... even if she did move into that new house that day. Even after I gave her outs, she insisted that I stay with her. She's a true friend.The bootcamp was held at Katy Trail with the help of lululemon athletica North Park. My fiance's good friend, Britt, showed up, which was a wonderful surprise. A few lulu girls came out to support as well, but I was missing at least 3 people who said they would try to make it. Life happens, right? We ended up being a small group situated right next to a very large racing group event.At the end of the bootcamp, I gave the speech about my story extra loudly. Heads turned, people smiled and nodded. Not a bad outcome for a small group, if I do say so myself.
Afterwards, at The Movement Meetup, I had the pleasure of chatting with Christy, a survivor and activist for suicide prevention herself. I can't wait to see the work she does in the future. She's brimming with potential, that one.I had never actually been to Texas before. Well, you know, like walked around outside the airport anyways.My honest truth? Texas was... different than anywhere I'd been so far.It's just not my cup of tea, I guess. It kind of felt like a bigger version of LA that's more spread out... The people I met were very kind and welcoming, but the city itself I didn't really resonate with.Thankfully, Priya was there with me.When I was living with Priya four years ago, she had just started dating this cute guy who she was really excited about. Little did we both know that by the time I reached her house in Dallas for the tour stop, she'd be married, moved into Texas, and preggers!Priya, if you're reading, I hope you're doing wonderfully, and I know you're gonna make one heckuva good lookin' kid. I'm so excited for you. (And just know, there are no pictures in here of you because you forbade me to use the only one I took! ;))To see her as she is now, fills my heart to the brim. That girl who I used to lounge around on the couch with and watch Jersey Shore and Say Yes To The Dress, is going to be a mama!It made me stand back and stare in awe at how much she has grown, and the life she's created for herself.We are all going through a growing process. As we speak, you're transforming. You're changing your mind. Your body is aging.You are changing, whether you like it or not.That may scare you. But think about this:
You can direct your transformation.
Priya created her ideal life because she on what was important to her, and took the actions necessary to get what she wanted. I remember how often she expressed gratitude often, and how she'd always present a bright side to me if I was feeling down. When the relationship reached the point where it was move or break up, she moved. She got out of a job she hated by finding something else that made her happier.Change will is happening, and that doesn't have to be a worrisome ordeal. The solution is simple:Focus on what you want more of in your life, and act on the opportunities presented to you.Replace your worry with action. Your transformation follows your lead.*****These 30x30 Lessons posts are making me miss the road! ...which makes me even more eager to get to Portland already!If you missed last post's big announcement, do take a second to read why #30 in Portland, OR is going to be unlike any bootcamp EVER TAUGHT. No joke. Click here and scroll down to the bottom....I'll wait.Awesome, right?! I'm so excited about it!I do hope to see you there, and if you can't make it, please tell some friends to come out and support! It's going to be one heckuva sweat-fest!Next week, we'll talk more about nutrition, the tour and lessons that you can apply to your own life. See you soon...With hope and fire,Amy