Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Bootcamp Effect

It's always a sign of a quality post to be able to start with a Wayne's World quote.  As Garth likes to say:  Let me tell you a little something I've learned about women...

I never was someone who operated in big groups of female friends - rarely did girls' nights out, never shopped in a pack at the mall, never had major pajama parties (apologies to the male fantasists out there.)  Instead, I tended to form close friendships - a tight group was more often my style.  As I matured through college and my early adult years, the number got even smaller. 

It has not been until recent years I've begun to understood the singular power of working within a group of women interested in what you do, not competing with what you do, wanting to encourage you in your efforts.  Shall we call it the Bootcamp Effect?

Three mornings a week, at Stupid O' Clock, I go to a Fitness Bootcamp.  I only knew one person there, when I started in January, but something about the class drew me in.  It isn't competitive - other women there cheer you on as you finished your set of wind sprints, other women are there to joke with about jump roping and birthing three kids [if you get it, you get it], other women are there to inspire you as they burn through a set of plank stands without quivering.  It is not about looking your best at 6 in the morning - it is about pushing your body to be its best.

Then in March I attended a Baltimore event called Bloggy Bootcamp.  It was designed on the same principles:  through meeting up with, and talking to other bloggers, we would somehow inspire each other, push each other, make each other better.  There were 100 bloggers in the room - all of us with individual goals, unique passions, varying 'angles'.  But all of us were there to push ourselves to be our best.

Here's what we need to know: there is power in a group of women.   It is a power that takes the positive, supportive energy that women seem so naturally to tap into, and that power then seems to generate more effort - more creativity - more strength, and not only that, it motivates us to continue.  To come back for the next workout, to post the next post even though only your grandmother and your OB/GYN read that last one.

This weekend, I attended a Momzshare event, and the same thing hit me:  this is a group of women who want nothing from me but to know that I am pursuing my passion.  That I am in pursuit of authenticity.  There is power in that, and that is the "little something" you need to know about women:  we can work together to make it incredible.

13 comments:

Varda said...

I really enjoyed this post, it totally does NOT qualify for "train wreck" status. My post, on the other hand......

One Photo said...

I am like you, never was a girlie big group person preferring a small number of close friends. But I am slowly changing by views too, not least because of this amazing blogosphere I am now inhabiting and all the wonderful friends and community I am finding amongst fellow mothers. So I really liked this post today.

DiPaola Momma said...

So cool that you'd mention Momz Share and Bloggy Bootcamp in one post! Tiffany is one of my heroes and pals. So glad you came to Momz Share and linked up!

Musings from Me said...

Like you I never traveled in a pack. Even now I drift in and out of groups of women friends. I think of myself as friends to all. Gatherings like Momzshare allow me to mingle at my own speed. Good to meet you on Sat.!

Cheryl said...

and don't forget your virtual bloggy buddies out here in the ethernet! ;)

hezro said...

I likey. :)

LoveFeast Table said...

We call it "Girl Power!" It's a natural synergy that makes things happen!

Lauree Ostrofsky said...

Well said! I've had a similar experience - realizing in the last couple years how important women are in my life. Especially groups of women. We have a unique opportunity to support one another as we grow, because only other women understand what we're going through.

dianeswords.wordpress.com said...

blogging can enable you to meet an incredible group of women. i've been amazed at the number i've met in the short time i've been blogging. and it's not that they are this AMAZING group because of any particular talent or set of skills...they are amazing because so many of them validate the simple things is life that make up the tapestry of what is really meaningful. it's phenemenal really how powerful it is. i regret this didn't exist when i was your age. i wonder how much more self actualized i might have been ...

Kat @ www.TodaysCliche.com said...

Love love love it! I feel like "I'm part of" your post, since I was sitting next to you at Bloggy Boot Camp!

I will be sure to follow you on a Reader now that I'm getting back to "reality" from my mom's passing... and I'll be back more.

Cheers, Kat

CaraBee said...

How awesome was MomzShare? And Bloggy Bootcamp, too. I loved hanging out with you on Saturday. We absolutely must do this more often. I'm going to make a Balto Bloggy GNO happen. How about mid-June? Interested?

Dumb Mom said...

I love Momzshare. And your profile picture. It speaks to me as pictures often do. Can't wait until the next one!

Amanda said...

Only 2 kids, but #2 was 9 lb...so I get it.

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