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Exercise is not just about aerobic capacity and muscle size. Sure, it improves physical health and physique, heck, it can improve your sex life, and even add years to your life. But that’s not what motivates most people to stay active.
Exercising regularly (especially at REV, wink wink) also gives us an enormous sense of well-being. You feel energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have a sharper memory and feel more relaxed and positive. Sweat can even help you through a difficult time. When you're feeling vulnerable, it's the euphoria from class that often helps you cope.
This week, Noelle is here to share how REV helped her push through a challenging period in her life and continues to help her. Read below for Noelle’s story in her own words.
Sweat is a medicine. It's so powerful on so many levels, especially when you're feeling vulnerable and going through a tough time.
When I was in my 20's, my dad was diagnosed with preleukemia. Thanks to my brother, my dad received a bone marrow transplant which put him in "remission" for a little before it was determined that he had terminal leukemia. Throughout his multi-year roller coaster ride, my dad demonstrated tremendous courage, strength and positivity. He never--not even once--complained. I learned so much about his character, and I fed off of his courage and faith. I also relied very heavily on REV.
REV provided me with an outlet, an escape and a place where I could deal with the pain I was experiencing. It was within the walls of the spin and barre rooms where I could let it go and focus on what I could control--how hard I worked, my mindset, my attitude, my hustle.
Looking back, I think I kept my head down as I came and went. It was if I was trying to hide from my reality. Well, that didn't work...
I will never forget this one class with Esther. (Mind you, when I started at REV, I was a loyal bike #44 rider ALL the way in the back. Slowly but surely, I worked my way to the second row and, ultimately, to the front.) In a dark second row during one of her classes, Esther said something that moved me. I don't remember exactly what it was, but it brought me to tears and I just started crying--straight up ugly crying. In that moment, I let go of my pain, my heartache and everything I had bound up tight. Esther seemed to understand where I was, and she jumped off her bike to come over and hug me. It was a very powerful moment and it reminded me that I was not alone.
This just so happened to be a week before my dad died. This past Friday, March 8, marks three years since he passed away.
After my dad died, I felt pretty isolated. I didn't think many people could understand my pain or relate to my new reality. But, surprisingly, I realized that many other people had also lost a parent-- fellow instructors, clients, you name it. It's not something you always know about people, so I like to think of us as an unspoken club. We all feel the same pain and we're all stronger because of it.
We could spend time talking about how we're too young, how it's unfair, etc. Sure, that would be easy. But what would be the point? Negative thinking has never gotten me anywhere. Instead, I rather follow my dad’s example and look ahead, focusing on the time and opportunities in front of me and not taking a day for granted. Or, better yet, I rather find myself in a dark spin room or in a challenging barre class.
Please know that this isn't about having lost a parent because the REV family has lost siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles...the list goes on. The point is that, despite your situation, the REV family always has your back. We might not all know each other, but we sure as hell respect and support one another.
We're a community that values more than just the physical...we care about the emotional, too.
Beyond the instructors, it's the people next to you in class who care about you and want to lift you up. They're a reminder that you can handle any damn thing that you're facing. (Take a second and read that last sentence again.)
So, no matter what you're going through, know that REV can be your shelter from the storm. It's at REV where you can be yourself, free of ugly-crying-during-class judgement. It's where you can check your shit at the door and just take care of you for 45 minutes, or longer #doublestrong. It's where you can gain the confidence and strength you might need, because REV will hold you up and remind you that you're not alone.
-Noelle Hewitt
Noelle is a force in the barre studio and we are so proud to have her as part of our team. Her authenticity, vulnerability, and positive attitude inspires us each and every day. Run, don’t walk, to sign up for her barre classes, you won’t regret it! Well, your muscles might for a minute. 😉 Sign up here.
