Since I joined 212 in 2016, I have felt like a student in the classroom, hoping the teacher would not call on me to be in the ‘spotlight,’ but when Kerry sent an email asking if I could write something for March, the timing felt perfect. I turn 50 in March this year. No more hiding in the back of the classroom! There are things to say about the fabulousness that is 212 and how it has fit into my life.
I didn’t play a lot of sports or work out until I hit my twenties. It started when a friend invited me to join a small group of women who ran after work. I accepted and was hooked after a few 5 and 10K’s. I knew I wanted to keep going to see what I could do. Throughout my 20’s and 30’s I ran and swam for exercise. I joined a couple of different gyms, but they never felt quite right to me. My fitness ebbed and flowed depending on what was happening in my life around stress, injuries and growing my family.
At 38, I had my second child and was grateful to have time at home with her and her big sister, but after a few months, I began to feel listless and isolated. A good friend had great things to say about Suzanne Cadge and her fitness group that lit up Blackstone Boulevard with jog strollers several times a week. I was fortunate enough to be able to join her amazing group. Challenging physical movement combined with good counseling services righted my ship and gave me an incredible gift of lifelong friendships. I was lucky to be able to find myself again with this combination of care. I know that other people have much more difficult struggles that aren’t as easily improved.
Suzanne joined 212 and started talking about this amazing gym. (She also started incorporating new moves into our workouts. Hello, super plank and beast hold!) I heard many stories about the vibe of the place and the team assembled there. When I was ready to move on, I gave 212 a call and have never looked back!
Kerry did my 212 orientation, taking a careful history of my injuries and giving me the encouragement I needed. I felt safe using kettlebells for the first time, despite being super clumsy! As I met more trainers, I was impressed by how quickly they really seemed to know me and helped me focus my attention and energy to improve my form and work with injuries. Being part of a community of all ages, shapes, sizes, strengths and abilities felt and still feels really good. The focus required to push myself while maintaining good form allows me to block out external stressors, making the movement a bit meditative and putting those stress hormones in check!
When Covid hit, I was impressed by the way 212 loaned equipment to members and created virtual access to training. The stress at the time was almost insurmountable. My work as a midwife and nurse practitioner at a community health center put me right in the crossfire of this scary virus, which we poorly understood at the time. I kept the medicine ball in the back of my car and some co-workers and I took turns whaling on the brick walls outside the clinic. My small group cohort started doing twice weekly FaceTime sessions, too. We pushed one another physically while venting about what was happening in our daily lives. I will forever have a special place in my heart for you people, Melissa, Sharyn, Elle and Neile. I am eternally grateful to 212 and the friends I have made there for seeing me through the past two years. The mind-body connection is so strong. I can’t have one without the other. And as we move through this time, I feel excited to come back stronger. No more hiding in the back of the class. Fifty, I see you. Let’s go!
