The Shoe that Started it All

The Shoe that Started it All

One of my senior friends had these shoes on the other day and they made me smile! I hope they do the same for you!

Shoes and Stories… I’m sure you’re wondering where this “shoe” thing came from!  Well if you ask my crew, they might have different thoughts, but since I’m telling the story, you will have to take my rendition! The first time I remember using shoes for a picture was around Easter, a few years ago. After one of our normal Saturday boot camp classes in my studio someone suggested taking a photo of our shoes.

They were definitely colorful and didn’t show the sweaty hair and faces. It seems as though some of our regulars were unable to attend the workout. Taking that picture would signify that we did, in fact, do our workout and that they, (and their shoe) were missing.  It was our way of showing commitment, community, and we miss you when you are gone!!  It also might be a gentle reminder that it would be a good idea to get your own workout in!!  No pressure or anything! Taking pictures of our shoes quickly became tradition. After one pre Thanksgiving morning walk we even took a picture of our mitten covered hands because they were more colorful than our winter shoes.  Our hands told the story better than our shoes on that particular day.  It was cold, but we toughed it out so we could eat our pumpkin pie guilt free later that day.

So lets talk about the “story” part of this explanation.  If we have determined that the “shoes” represent people, what I cannot stress enough after all these years in the industry is that every single person I’ve had the privilege of meeting has a valuable story. Much of the time they don’t think that way until I sit down and and say “tell me your story”.  Often the response is “what do you mean”? I explain that in order for me to help them reach the goal they want to achieve, it’s important to understand more about them. Too many people think their story is of no significance, but it is!  Your story matters. You are significant and unique and I want to hear about your fitness journey, but more importantly, your LIFE journey! Those questions cannot be answered within a fitness evaluation.  I make it my responsibility to try to know who the person is.  I genuinely want to get to know them, because the moment they walked into my facility, they mattered to me.  Often, walking into a gym is much harder than you think.

I no longer own the gym, but I still see many of the women who had memberships.   We had a very special connection in that place.  Women of all ages supporting one another and helping to lift each other up.  One of my favorite questions to ask them is “why did you come and why did you stay?  Those answers have uncovered some of the most inspirational stories I have ever heard. Because of those stories, my life has changed.  Now I would like to ask you….Why did you come??? Not too far in the future, I will ask you, why did you stay?

Remember always…Tall Proud Posture – Nancy

P.S.  You can submit your shoes and tell me your story.  Do you have a group?  Send us the picture and the story! I can’t wait to meet all of you!