Olympics Edition: Perseverance

I don't know about you, but I nerd out HARD for the Olympics. The dedication, the determination, the discipline, the fearlessness, the drive, the perseverance, the humanity. It is one of my biggest sources of inspiration watching these athletes have a moment of recognition for all they have already achieved to simply get there. It reminds me that maybe it's not that hard to show up for myself in small ways and dedicate myself to a sense of purpose, a goal, a routine, a habit. 

This is why this newsletter is a bit late this month. Yes, partially because I can't stop watching the Olympics, but I truly have used that inspiration and gotten back into good habits - removing myself from the computer and the phone screen and finding joy. I have been swimming for the first time since high school, hiked one of my favorite trails, spent quality time with family and friends, and of course, PILATES. It shouldn't surprise me, but focusing on one change and staying consistent has helped put all the other pieces back where they belong. 

I hope you'll find draw from the athletes' perseverance and give back to yourself this month. 

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This month, 20% of our proceeds go to Special Olympics.

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit every day around the world through the transformative power and joy of sport. Through programming in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics is tackling the inactivity, stigma, isolation, and injustice that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) face. Their work goes far beyond sports events, driving social change that enables full social participation for people with ID.

Special Olympics approach is to deliver, high-quality training and competition in an inclusive culture through Unified Sports, which allows for people with and without intellectual disabilities to play on the same field. They offer 30-plus Olympic-style individual and team sports that provide meaningful training and competition opportunities for athletes ranging in age from 2 to 99! Special Olympics teammates benefit in gaining quality sport experiences due to the rules set forth in Sport Rules Article 1. This premise for all Special Olympics sports is strengthened from partnerships with International Sport Federations, social inclusion opportunities through Unified Schools, as well as opportunities to develop basic skills at age 2 through Young Athletes.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

There are as many as 200 million people with intellectual disabilities around the world. Their goal is to reach out to every one of them—and their families as well. Special Olympics does this through a wide range of trainings, competitions, health screenings and fund-raising events. They also create opportunities for families, community members, local leaders, businesses, law enforcement, celebrities, dignitaries and others to band together to change attitudes and support athletes.

To learn more about their initiatives and their work, visit their website: https://www.specialolympics.org/?locale=en

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