As we close another year we've taken time to reflect. Reflecting on our year personally, as a business and a community. Somehow my reflections have a positive outlook, I'm not sure if this is the usual outcome of reflections or perhaps it's just my personality. Either way, it feels helpful to process a year, a year which hasn't been the easiest.Here are my reflection ramblings for you...
1. Personally. I've been the healthiest I've ever been (since having kids). Since having kids I've suffered with physical pain in my body and battled an unusually low immune system. However, 12 months ago I began taking functional mushroom supplements, I stopped drinking coffee and starting taking vitamin d. I am also celebrating a full year of consistent strength training three times a week. Did you know muscle is also responsible for cell growth supporting immunity? What followed was a year of really great health, I've only picked up minor one cold and I wake up at 5am pretty much every morning!
2. Business. We celebrated 10 years in business (with a party for the books) and we are learning A LOT. This year we teamed up with the legends at Co-Accounting. I can't believe I'm calling accountants legends, and even though we still dread our meetings, they are giving us knowledge, support and a vision. It's not been an easy year navigating Fitbirds, but we are hopeful with remodelling and fresh projects that we can continue to fly for another 10 years - and beyond. Fitbirds strive to push the boundaries of what we are physically capable of and how we connect and appreciate our body, mind and soul.
3. Community. You flock are everything. You are our glue and the heart of our business. The magic of bringing women together every day invokes feelings of daily self empowerment. A feeling of 'we can do hard things' as we know we are not alone. We have the support and solidarity of each other. We will continue to challenge what we are physically capable of and we are so proud to have you as our flock. Fitbirds we salute you.
With reflection came a whole lot of good memories birds, here's our top 24 memorable moments of 2024 with you:
1. Summiting Mount Toubkal with you. And that moment when Charlie's mum Julie had to poo behind a rock, on the mountain - at 4am in the dark. Legend.
2. Adore Your Pelvic Floor workshop in Morocco: The pool edit. When we couldn't quite bring ourselves to get out of the pool on retreat so we brought the workshop to the pool. Glasses of wine may or may not have been present.
3. Welcoming Lizzie's baby Felix into the flock, Monday 16th November.
4. Surfing in Portugal. This year on our Portugal Retreat our birds all nailed getting up and riding the waves. Such an empowering, badass moment.
5. Our 10th Birdsday Party. High was Kiranjot's Kundalini supported with my husband DJ'ing.
6. Strong. We launched our weights class Strong in Jan 2024 and it's proved to be our second most popular class (first is Box). Lifting weights is the most effective and efficient way to build muscle, let's go.
7. Our first Flocking Xmas Party. This dream was only made possible by the idea, generosity and effort from a few special birds. Louise from Poetic Endings, Katie from Unruly Flowers and Imogen Burgess, our very own songbird.
8. Seeing our Bumpin' birds reuniting in Rehab with their babies. Such a special journey for them to share with each other (and us).
8. The trainers in their dance squad era, cutting sweet choreo with Hannah and the birds for our 10th Birdsay party. Barry Can't Swim Kimbara for life.
Charlie teaching Rehab with Sadie.
10. That moment when the sun came out at Sol e Vida in Portugal. Seafood restaurant of dreams.
11. The feeling that Shani and Charlie got when we put together Strong In 30 Days. Our first ever online programme, it's emotional.
12. Savasana at Bendy every time.
13. Hearing our bird Anna Stanton is pregnant.
Both our TRI events, what an absolute vibe!
15. Any weekly 'Boss Birds Meeting' in the summer - almost naked, in full sun, preferably working by the lido.
16. Celebrating the wins of the trainers in our flock. From Charlotte shining on the West End, to Kate graduating from Fitbirds, Hannah holding her first retreat, Katie continuing to support birds virtually through PT and in Kent, Philippa holding a Strong 101 workshop for us and to Tara stepping into her freelance trainer life.
17. Steph, Philippa and Tara dominating HYROX. Birds, you totally levelled up and inspired ALL of us. What an achievement.
18. Our summer picnic. The most elaborate table of home baked delights, games and laughter. Thank you Emelie for the extended use of your trolley, endless hours of 'rides' for the kidlets.
19. Shani and Charlie on a day meditation workshop, vowing 'this is gunna change our lives'. Reality - neither have practiced the form of meditation since.
20. Our trainer Xmas celebration. Starting with sauna and cold plunging and finishing with the most memorable wreath making workshop with. the one and only Unruly Flowers. Wine, cheese, endless flora mixed with slow, deep chats.
21. Charlie and Shani walking in to Kasbah Bab Ourika for a second time. Again overwhelmed with emotion. Those. Atlas. Mountains.
22. Every encounter with our bird Kate Morris. I'm sorry Kate, but do you even realise how funny, intense, kind and wise you are?
23. The 1:1 swaps with Kiranjot. PT swap for Kundalini has been nothing less that connecting, educational, energising and straight up good vibes. Thank you Kiranjot.
24. Birds heard in Box "I'm sorry, that is just too long", "fuck off Charlie", "when you think you're done, but you're not really done", "OMG I feel so much better".Ok, that's a lot of good mems birds.
Ok, that's a wrap. Thanks for another trip around the sun together. Now we look forward birds, together we look and walk forwards with hope, fresh ideas and positive change. Let's go! Shani & Charlie x
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