What WildStrong means to me
We hear from WildStronger, Steph, about what drew her to come and hang about in the woods with us, week after week.
January 2021, post Christmas but not the blues. I had been active for most of my adult life in one form or another and still did regular Pilates sessions and walked the dog. I seemed to be a bit stuck and bored of gyms, pools and indoor classes. I loved cycling outdoors but not by myself and wanted to find something my husband and I could do together that wasn’t too ‘girly’.
I was beyond middle age and truly ensconced into the menopause with all sorts of aches and fatigue. My work as a children’s play therapist gave me an understanding of the mind body connection for not just physical but mental health. What was the answer? I really didn’t know but knew I needed a change. Then WildStrong popped up on my Nextdoor app…
The Mellow Session offering wasn’t a thing yet so it was in at the deep end on with a Strength & Conditioning Class. I loved the first session. My husband and I came together but within a couple of weeks my husband’s job took him to Germany Monday to Thursday, I felt a bit let down and worried about coming by myself as everyone at first glance seemed younger, fitter and stronger. I could barely lift a 6kg kettle bell! But as the weeks and months went by and we came out of the dark days of winter I became stronger and stopped judging myself against others. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging. It is fun, a hugely holistic way of exercising and I met lovely people. I realised I’d regained a sense of playfulness in exercise triggering those somatic experiences of childhood of tree climbing, cartwheels, handstands and jumping over things. I did these things with my own children in my twenties and thirties and there was a lightbulb moment when I thought yes I can still do these things in my fifties and longer, with my grandchildren if I keep strong and mobile.
Wild Strong has been a powerful, proverbial kick up the back side back into meaningful exercise but most importantly for me its about connection and reconnection to parts that maybe we lose sight of; connection to self, connection of mind and body, connection to nature, connection to the seasons and connection to others.
I feel stronger in mind and body and attending sessions has been part of my survival strategy for what has been a challenging year. Thank you for the support and encouragement every single time. I am now excited to do the level 1 Coaching training.