The Sports Bra Challenge

I'm so thrilled to say that in just under two months, I'll be participating in The Sports Bra Challenge 2012! The SBC is a day long fitness event centered around women working out in a series of classes in... you guessed it... our sports bras!



Growing up in Florida, I was always active as a kid. The warm weather meant I was outside a lot... riding my bike, rollerblading around the block, or in the pool. I was never athletic but I was a ball of energy and couldn't sit still. Actually, I still am and I still can't. But that all sort of changed for awhile when I moved to Texas and became a teenager and was only concerned with cruising around in my Jeep and kissing boys. I ate carefully and had a pretty decent metabolism, so I always managed to stay thin without doing very much.

Enter college and then living in New York City and becoming a foodie and in general, life. Metabolism still decent, but it wasn't enough. About a year ago, a skiing trip changed my life... it showed me that I can be athletic and "working out" can be fun. I came back to the city and started experimenting with different exercise classes and discovered SoulCycle a few months later and now spin three times a week. The classes are like snowflakes; no two are the same and each one challenges me in a different way.

The past year has been a complete transformation for me. Though not directly related, my body has gotten smaller (a reminder that nothing in life is perfect - parts of it that were already small have gotten even smaller and I'm not going to lie, it's a bit depressing but I digress...) and my confidence has grown immensely, but not just because of lost weight or smaller dress sizes. All those endorphins truly do a world of wonder. I've never felt better.

The Sports Bra Challenge is all about self empowerment and inspiring strength in yourself and those around you. The event supports the S.E.A.K. Foundation and City of Hope’s Positive Image Center, which helps cancer patients regain and retain confidence in how they look while undergoing treatment. The event is held in Union Square park and consists of two large scale SoulCycle classes (think 100 bikes!) and a Vinyasa yoga class. I'm so excited to be a part of something that sends such a good, incredibly positive message to women of all ages, sizes, and health conditions.

The photo above is of me in my Rooster shirt, a gift from Soul for being a dedicated "Rooster" (someone who spins consistently at 6AM). I never thought I'd be a spinner, let alone one who wakes up before the sun rises. Then again, I never thought I'd be someone who wore a sports bra in class, let alone in the middle of Union Square park! All proof that you can change and you're stronger than you think.

I can't wait to reveal myself on May 17. Lord knows my body is far from perfect but I love it and I'm proud of it, flaws and all. Even if you don't live in New York and can't join us, I challenge you to wear your sports bra in class, around the house, or even to the mailbox. You're beautiful... don't forget to stop and embrace that every now and again.