So there I was at 7:15 in the morning last Thursday, the only man surrounded by 140 women doing yoga, most of them young enough to be my daughters. And I was thinking, “Did I take a wrong turn?”
The answer I decided by the end of my four days at IDEA World Fitness Convention, was “absolutely not.” But it took me a while to know that.
IDEA World brings together fitness professionals — especially personal trainers — from all over the world to exchange ideas about getting people in shape.
This year it included an optional two-day seminar on fitness blogging, essentially a meeting of 140 people within the larger meeting of 12,000.
Pink Sports Bra
When I signed up, I knew I was in for a feminine experience. The Twitter hashtag was #sweatpink, and the image on the website was of a 20-something in a pink sports bra thumbing her cell phone.
When I checked out some of the blogs of the presenters, I was puzzled by the content. Mostly these bloggers were posting stories of their daily lives. Why, I wondered, would anyone want to read about someone else’s breakfast or Pilates class? In my blog, I’ve tried to offer solid health tips based on scientific research.
Still the program promised me that these presenters are connecting with thousands of readers… and sometimes making money in the process. So I signed up.
After yoga class, we took our places in a meeting room where gifts awaited: A pink workout towel and matching shoe laces. A fluorescent green headband. A size small tank top. I reminded myself of the immortal words of Lao Tzu: “Embrace the feminine way.” But how? I knew I wasn’t going to fit into that tank top.
The answer gradually dawned on me. One speaker after another talked about what they do to inspire their readers.
“Project personality,” said Kelly Olexa.
Cassey Ho said what’s most important is to “make sure you put your heart and soul into helping people.”
But it was Jillian Michaels whose advice went deepest:
- Make detailed plans
- Know what you’re bad at
- Ask yourself, “Why not me?”
- You’re never going to be without fear, but you can be without regret.
The comments were aimed at encouraging an audience of bloggers. But I’m bringing them up here because they hold true for people trying to improve their fitness and avoid sports injury.
Knowing which exercises will help prevent an ACL tear or tennis elbow won’t help you much if you don’t do the exercises. The same goes for any fitness goal, whether it’s building your abs or trimming your thighs. Most people don’t do the exercises that would benefit them because they can’t overcome the emotional hurdles.
Let’s face it: working out is usually boring, painful and dirty. It takes time from other things you’d like to do. So you have to think about what motivates you. Plan a time when you can fit a workout into your schedule. Analyze what’s stopping you from meeting your fitness goals. And face your fear.
Women Who Can Help
Many of the bloggers I met this week had deeply personal stories about how they struggle with these challenges day-to-day, and mostly overcome them. I commend them to you:
Jennifer can help you with “discovering a fun new workout, finding the comfiest fitness clothing, winning the battle of the bulge, featuring inspiring athletic personalities, or simply sharing yummy recipes that won’t break the nutritional bank.”
Michelle will explain how overcoming fitness challenges can lead you to helping other people all over the world.
Nicole can help you lower your stress, find balance, shed pounds, and cook healthier meals
Christiana can tell you about good recipes, and being present in the midst of chaos.
Beth will remind you to stay positive and remember to breathe.
Pamela can tell you her inspirational weight loss story and help you meet your own fitness goals.
Christina will regale you with stories of competitive ice dancing and, if you live in San Diego, lead you in a graceful workout.
Larissa will inform you about new fitness products and also train you personally (if you’re in the Atlanta, Georgia area).
Debbie has years of experience to help you through any sort of running challenge.
Alena can help you “make the most of the air we are breathing right now in this very moment.”
I learned a lot from them and my other new sisters in the past few weeks. And I even managed to wriggle into that tank top.
Great post Laird, glad you changed your mind about the “wrong turn” 😉 Sorry we didn’t get more of a chance to talk during the conference, I was a bit busy running around and projecting (ie yelling) at everyone about what session was coming next. hahah.
No worries, Jamie. The conference was fabulous, and might not have been if you hadn’t done all that running around!
Dear Super Star,
It’s the new you and I love it.
DLH
I’m just lucky you raised me with an open mind.
This hits home. I need a group like this to encourage my patients. Everyone has good intentions, but I can’t tell you how often patients come in for a follow up appointment and have not taken their medications, have not worn their brace, nor done their exercises. If I have recommended something to read, often they have bought it or copied it, but not read it. Sometimes they’ve read it, but not followed the program! Even my own family members sometimes fail to follow my instructions to help them get to wellness, and they have their own personal orthopedic surgeon to cheer them on! You can only lead a horse to water.
The more I get into personal training, the more I realize that it’s a challenge of psychology rather than physiology. People mostly already know what they should be doing. They just can’t make themselves do it. How do we help them recognize and overcome these emotional obstacles?
Dr bergin, I’m also secretary at a phys therapy clinic so I know what you mean!
To my new blogger bro thanks so much you’re so kind! It was great meeting you!
Great meeting you, too. Let’s stay in touch!
That tank top looks good on you! It fits about as well as mine, which is too small, but I didn’t want to give up because there weren’t any in my size that said “Never Never Never Give Up.” That saying seemed so appropriate as a theme to the whole event, that I kept the shirt and just plan to squeeze into it. It was good to meet you. Thanks for the shout out.
We should all post pictures in our tank tops, whether or not we fit into them!
No thanks on the tank top selfies for all, but I’m happy to look at you modeling yours! (Did Rachele have to help you out of it?)
Luckily it sort of stretches.
Love this post, Laird! Thanks for including me. I can imagine that it was a bit intimidating being one of the only men in the group – an enthusiastic, girlie group at that. I’ve certainly been out of my comfort zone being one of the only women within a big group in the past, so I can relate. But it’s nice to hear that you were glad to have participated, and it was good to meet you!
PS – I’m laughing at the fact that your shirt was one of the most feminine of them all… Mine says, “Today is a great day” which seems a lot more gender neutral haha
It was actually a really good experience for me to be in a minority that way. I don’t often have to deal with being in a setting where the default pronouns are “she” and “her,” for example, and so it helped me feel what women have to put up with all the time.