One year today...
Hi everyone
It's one year today since Lockdown first began in the UK and we launched our very first online SMASH class. We both keep a journal and it's been very interesting to look back at our past entries from this time last year - you can feel the anxiety in our words as we talk about the unknown. As self employed Personal Trainers we had no idea what would happen to our jobs, how we would earn money and what would happen to the business we had spent two years building at Fitness First Angel. All we knew was that we had to do something...
On that first day of Lockdown we took to Zoom (which was very new to us, as it was to most people!) and did our first class. We had 24 people turn up! The class lasted 30 minutes and there was no music, but together we started something very special. Over time the classes got longer and noisier as we started playing music, we had new Instructors join us and we went from hosting classes 3 times a week to 4,5,6,7 and now 8 times a week! We've had all types of themes, introduced a Dance Party, Yoga and Self Care sessions and raised money for important charities along the way - UK Black Pride, Mermaids and Refuge being just 3 of them. Most importantly though, we have built a community that is strong. We have people training together from all over the world. Friends have been able to re-connect, new friendships built and a discovery has been made by almost all of us that working out can be something that we LOVE. That we can move our body in a way that works for us, in a safe space that promotes having fun over anything else. Together we build strength in body and mind.
Sure, the past year has been very challenging for most of us as we have missed loved ones, holidays and freedom. It will be a year that we will never forget, but it's important to reflect on the good, too. We discovered a new way to work out, we gave ourselves permission to stop and rest, we danced like EVERYONE was watching, we built new friendships and felt part of a community. And, because these things are too good to lose, SMASH online is here to stay! We hope you'll be holding our hands as we burpee our way into the next year!
Thank you for all your support, energy, donations and kindness. This time last year we were two Personal Trainers who knew that what we had started two years before was too special to lose. Now, we are a community who inspire each other and we can't wait to see what we achieve as we march on with our message that there is a place to workout where we Celebrate Every Body.
Our journal entries will look and feel very different today. You helped make this happen and we are forever grateful!
What's been your favourite part of SMASH over the past year? Email us back, we would love to hear from you!
Much love!
Sam and Ash
(She/Her and He/Him)
