Point to Ponder:
As a result of your time in iGnite, what metamorphosis have you experienced?
by Neissa Brown Springmann
One of my favorite pastimes is looking through photo albums. I can easily spend a nostalgic hour placing myself in each picture and sweet memory. This is often what happens when I look at the picture shown above, as it sits in my office where I can see it everyday.
The picture was taken ten years ago, at iGnite’s first location. While it was nothing more than a concrete slab that once served as a bridge that crossed over Lady Bird Lake (a.k.a. Town Lake), it was ideal because it was overlooking the lake, semi-secluded with a giant oak tree and a perfect size parking lot on 1st street. Back then before boot camps were popular and Austin was not inundated with studios and gyms, our members brought a physioball (a.k.a. udderballs because they had little legs that looked like udders), a set of blue, red and yellow resistance bands and a jump rope. The only class offered was a basic fitness class that I led on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 a.m and 8:00 a.m. We had no indoor location so we didn’t retreat inside when it was cold. Instead, we bundled up and never stopped moving. I vividly remember several 6:00 a.m. mornings when the temperature did not rise above freezing, but we were all committed to one another and excited to be outside on the lake, together. It was then that we realized that Austin really did have a winter season. It just happened between 12:00 a.m and 7:00 a.m.
Often times during the 6:00 a.m class it was very dark and runners and/or walkers couldn’t see us coming toward them with our giant udderballs, until they were within a few feet. However during the 8:00 a.m. class, we were unavoidable. We’d skip down the trail laughing with our udderballs lifted high above our heads (don’t knock it til you try it–it’s hard!), and as much as the passers-by would try not to make eye contact, it was impossible. You can imagine the looks we got….but more importantly, there were thousands of smiles exchanged along with “Good Morning!” from our members.
Making eye-contact and saying “Good Morning” to everyone on the trail was actually one of our spiritual and mental exercises. Why? Because while walking and running most people are looking down and it’s uncomfortable to say “good morning” and make eye contact with strangers. However, it was an opportunity for us to stretch beyond our comfort zones and grow. And, in order to be bright lights, it’s important to acknowledge people with eye contact and a friendly “Hello.”
I could go on and on with stories, and maybe at our 10th birthday party on the evening of September 15th (save the date!!), we’ll share our favorite iGnite memories, with one of my personal favorites being with the former First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry, and her secret service detail. Until then, when I look at the picture I think about the Proverb quoted, “From small beginnings come great things”.
My original goal for iGnite was to get as many women as possible to exercise outdoors together and experience the changing seasons and the physical, mental and spiritual healing powers of nature. And, just as our mascot and logo is the Monarch butterfly, the purpose was for everyone to grow and experience a literal transformation, or metamorphosis. The reason why I choose the Monarch butterfly is besides being graceful, gorgeous and free, like I believe all women are and should feel, the life of both a butterfly and a woman is difficult and ever changing. Her metamorphosis from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly is hard and looks painful, but in order for her to become a beautiful butterfly, the process is essential. This is a woman’s life, and in order for us to continue to grow into everything we are designed for, to experience our vast capacity of greatness and contribute to the world, a continual metamorphosis must occur. This transformation is filled with hard work, struggle, challenge, and even heartache, but the gifts along the way as well as who we become are all worthwhile!
It was less than one year from the start of iGnite that a true metamorphosis began to occur in our members. They grew from caterpillars into full-grown Monarchs! They were ready for more challenge, which birthed the start of holding more classes and different locations around central Austin (again–before traffic was a real issue). It seems simple, but changing locations created a greater metamorphosis because along with the new location came an unfamiliar phyisical and mental experience. Change equals challenge and challenge equals growth.
Metamorphosis was occurring rapidly and despite varying our locations, it became obvious that our members needed more beyond just a basic fitness class that I could provide, so I welcomed gifted and passionate teammates, a variety of diverse classes and multiple locations. While iGnite’s beginnings were simple, small and very special, out of them have morphed innumerable wonderful things: lifelong friendships, community, restored health, confidence and purpose. You are doing things you never thought you could or would do, you have made yourself a priority, you are supporting and lifting women up and you are flying!
Regardless of our size or whether or not you’ve been a Monarch for one day, or ten years, our purpose for you remains the same, which is for iGnite to be your metamorphosis springboard so that you can fly into everything that God has created you for, which is undoubtedly for you to do something great and be somebody amazing!
Just as our vintage iGnite video that lives on our website’s About page and was created almost six years ago shows, iGnite is a celebration of life’s blessings–the unknown and the immeasurable beauty that each day brings. iGnite is the power of believing, the power of taking care of yourself so that you can be your very best! iGnite is a way of life. iGnite is every woman. Today is your day! Now is your time to iGnite Your Life!
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