Hometown Tragedy

As I sit down to write this, I don't even know where to begin.  My thoughts are all over the map, and my emotions switch from heart-wrenching sadness to anger to helplessness and back to sadness again.

This is a picture of the house that I grew up in in rural Chardon, Ohio on Bean Road.  My street was a dirt road until about 10 years ago.  Corn was grown on the corner lot, 4 houses down.  On the other side was a cow farm (which is now a fancy development).  Where I grew up, we played kick the can, ghost in the graveyard, and rode quads in the back yard.  All the kids on my street knew each other, and we all played together.  My first love, WH, grew up down the street.  When I think of my small town, I think of a small, proud community.  Everyone knows everyone.  I used to think that this was the curse of living in a small town, and now I know it is a blessing.  Why?  Because the entire community has banded together as one force to fight through an immensely difficult time in all of our lives.  No one will ever forget this.  Those who lost their lives, and those who were injured, the heroes who saved others' lives, will never be forgotten in my small hometown.

In 1999, when the Columbine High School massacre occurred, I was in 9th grade.  I could never have imagined that I would ever be able to relate to the people who were forever affected by that awful tragedy.  I thought that I felt remorse for those it affected, but now I KNOW the remorse that one feels when your hometown has been savagely raped of its innocence.  There are two dead children from my hometown now, and families that may never find peace as a result.  Their friends, cousins, grandparents, teachers, coaches, will forever remember the memories of their short lives.  May you rest in peace Danny Parmertor and Russel King.  May the heavens above keep the other children who are fighting for their lives safe.***

***[I am saddened to have to make this change, but since I wrote this, another child, Demetrius Hewlin has died.  May he too rest in peace.]

Everyone naturally wants to blame someone when things like this happen: "he was bullied" "he was goth" "it's the video games, tv" "it's his parents' fault" "it's the administration's fault" "guns kill people" "he posted a poem on facebook that said he was going to do it."  Regardless of the infinite avenues of blame we can take, there is one person at fault, and that is the one who pulled the trigger.  And even then, I feel deep sadness for this child who thought that his only option was to murder his classmates.  So many kids are bullied, it's a part of growing up.  I was bullied, and I never once thought that the solution would be to kill my classmates.  That child who brought a gun into school and killed people is still alive, and he will have to face the consequences of his actions every single day he breathes on this earth.

Everyone involved in this tragedy will suffer to some extent.  In the midst of the great sadness I feel for my small hometown, I feel a great sense of pride.  I am most proud to know that the teachers at the high school I went to fought the shooter: one chased him out of the school, another dragged an injured student out of harm's way into another classroom.  I am proud that our small-town police and fire department handled the situation rapidly, minimizing death and injury.  I am proud that the entire town has banded together to grieve and mourn together.  I am proud that support all over the world is being shown (according to Facebook, there are over 30,000 people internationally intend to wear red today in support.)  In the midst of heart-breaking sadness, I am proud to be from Chardon.

We will all get through this, together.  We are, ONE HEARTBEAT.

Trailblazers

Tomorrow marks a legendary date for Barbells For Boobs.  We are holding our grant panel evaluation meeting for the first time ever.  During the 2011 fundraising season of Amazing Grace in October, we raised almost $750,000.  On December 7, 2011, we made applications available to breast centers nationwide to apply for funding.  We had 54 application requests, and received 34 applications from states all over the country.

The grants that will be disbursed will provide screening and diagnostic procedures to women (and men) in the detection of breast cancer, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, residency status, income level, or any other restrictive measures.  It is meant to be last resort funding for individuals who do not qualify for any other federal, state or private funding.  Essentially we provide last resort funding to those who need it.  You can read the inspiring story of where our mission has grown from here.  You can also follow our fearless leader, Zionna Munoz (Founder and President), on her personal blog here.

We carefully selected 6 members to be a part of this evaluation process.  Each one was responsible for evaluating the programs outlined by assigned applicants.  With the evaluations made by each grant panel member, the scored grant applications will be presented to the Board of Directors, who will make the final selection of who will receive funding.  On March 7th, we will formally announce those that have been selected to become grantees of the 2012-2013 Mammograms In Action Breast Health Care grants.

It has been an incredible journey leading up to this day.  After two years of hard work and fundraising through an incredibly supportive and generous community of CrossFitters, we have finally locked in an effective means of distributing the funds right back to their communities.  It is an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this life-saving organization.

Words can't express how grateful we are as an organization to be able to make a difference.  At this point, through reporting of existing beta grants in Orange County, Inland Empire, and Oklahoma City, our funding has provided 970 women and men with 1,950 procedures and has detected 25 cases of breast cancer.  This means that 25 lives are potentially being saved.

A very wise woman called us trailblazers....and that's exactly what we are.  We will blaze on, and save many, many more lives.  We will move mountains.

Valentine's Day...And other stuff....

Well, it has been a while since I graced the public with my AMAZing writing....haha...just kidding!  I find it so hard to actually post things that I write.  It makes me feel vulnerable, and open to criticism.  So, along with training hard and working hard, I am going to try to regularly post things I write on here.  I love writing, which is why I should share it.

So, anyways... Valentine's Day.  Some people LOVE Valentine's day.  Others despise it.  Those who love it buy or make little gifts for their loved ones, specifically their significant other.  Those who despise it typically criticize the holiday by calling it "hallmark holiday," "fake holiday," "a holiday that was pulled out of someone's ass," etc.  And then continue to claim that they hate it.  My question is: if you really believed that it was a fake holiday, then why do you hate it so much??

I think that Valentine's day is cute.  Little kids make little cards for their entire classes (I did this every year when I was in elementary school....and for years after).  Lovers have a great excuse to buy each other cute things, flowers, jewelry, go out to eat, and have great lusty Valentine's day sex.  I think that it is important to remember to do this type of stuff year-round, not just on holidays, but some people (for whatever reason/excuse) don't think to do it year-round, so Valentine's day is a perfect way to remember.

I don't think I have ever been with a guy on Valentine's Day, and have not gotten a gift from a man on Valentine's Day since I was in high school...(During my longest relationship, the guy I was with forgot it was Valentine's Day the first year, and then we were on a "break" the second year.)  and yet, I am not a V-day hater.  What I do remember is that my mom always bought me my favorite candy every year: Reese's Miniatures; and I have many cards that I have saved over the years from great friends!  Thank god for mothers and friends!  Worth way more than the idea of the perfect man and the prefect love story.

I usually make cute little Valentine's Day cards for all of my friends and family, but this year, COMPLETELY forgot.  Oh well, next year!  (Hopefully!)

To everyone out there...hater or not... Happy Valentine's Day.  Just like any other day of the year...It is what you make it!!!!

Inspiration

What makes everything worth it.

Weekend 1-Pink Bra Tour

We had four events over the past weekend. It was hard work, but the most amazing experience!! Friday we kicked off Amazing Grace at CrossFit Newport Beach, where Mammograms In Action's world headquarters is! Saturday, we kicked off the Pink Bra Tour with 2 events: Crossfit 714 and Canyon CrossFit. Sunday was our final event of the weekend at CrossFit South Bay. A Reebok representative, Bri Moreno, and A few CrossFit studs (Kris Clever, Katie Hogan, and Becca Voigt) were there for the events on Saturday and Sunday. Here are the cliff notes version of each event, the fundraising totals, and some photos from each one.

CrossFit Newport Beach had 89 participants, and other donations that totaled $5,410. With volunteers and other support, we had approximately 150 people there. We presented 3 survivors with survivor necklaces Fashletics made specially for B4B, and donated for our tour. Two of which were diagnosed younger than 40, and are sisters. Tears flowed throughout the whole crowd during the presentation. Thank you Mel and Carl!!

Group photo at Newport.

Z with survivors.

B4B Crew, Volunteers, and CF Newport Beach Staff

At CrossFit 714 (Official Pink Bra Tour stop number 1!!!!), there were 36 pre-registered athletes and approximately 20 athletes who signed up at the event. With additional donations, the grand total raised was $3,845. There was approximately 100 people present. Susan G Komen of Orange County came to accept the grant for $10,000 and were absolutely amazed with the CrossFit community and the support, as they had never been to a CrossFit event before. This is the second $10,000 grant we have given their organization in 6 months. We had 2 survivors that were presented with the necklaces. One was diagnosed at age 29. After her mastectomy, she was told she could never play sports again, but through CrossFit, she bounced back and has continued to be an amazing athlete: she showed up on crutches from an injury sustained playing volleyball...awesome, huh?... (not that she is injured, but that she can continue to be an athlete.) Tears again. Thank you Marc, Aaron, Jen, and Ryan!!!

Beer Grace Heat

Reebok/B4B Crew

Susan G. Komen with Survivors and B4B
Accepting $10k Grant

We rallied on pure adrenaline and dedication for Pink Bra Tour stop number 2 at Canyon CrossFit for our second event of the day. This event was a tad smaller than the others, but just as successful and heart-warming. They had 26 pre-registered athletes, and 12 athletes that signed up on-site. Their fundraising total for the weekend was $1,800. Susan G Komen of the Inland Empire was unable to make an appearance, but were given the grant for $10,000 in honor of the efforts made by Canyon and all other participating affiliates in the Inland Empire. This grant disbursement ensures that women and men under 40 from the San Diego County border all the way to the Arizona border are covered. Bri's grandmother, a survivor, came to the event, and we were able to have Bri present her with one of the survivor necklaces. It literally made all of us cry, and I get goosebumps writing about it. It was a truly special moment. Thank you Andrew, Rick, and Ray!!!!

Canyon Group Photo

Z and Bri Presenting Pink Bra Necklace
to Bri's Nana-A Survivor

Sunday was our fourth and final event of the weekend. We headed to Pink Bra Tour stop number 3 at South Bay, and they did not disappoint. This event was an absolute blast. There were 50 athletes that participated. Their fundraising total was $2,680. In honor of those who participated in South Bay's event, and all other participating affiliates in Los Angeles County, we presented Watts Health Care with the $10,000 grant. Zionna's sister-in-law established the relationship between MIA and Watts, and was able to accept the presentation on their behalf. She is an advocate in Los Angeles for equality for health care to all. Cody Rice is a trainer at South Bay, and also a Barbells For Boobs athlete. Last year, Z saw some crazy kid doing one-armed Grace, and was like, "What the heck is this guy doing?" Turns out, his mom is a survivor, and Cody had injured his hand shortly before Amazing Grace, but refused to let that stop him from participating in honor of his mother. Unfortunately, she couldn't be present for the event over the weekend, so we presented him with a survivor necklace to give to his mom. In addition, we showed up, and Forrest, the owner, informed us that one of his member's wives was a survivor, so we talked to her, listened to her inspiring story, and presented her with a necklace. At this point, there may be no need to say it again, but everyone was touched during this presentation, and everyone shed some tears. While we were there, 2 more clients approached us, and told us stories of their mothers being survivors as well. Thank you Forrest and Cody!!!

Necklace Presentation to Survivor, Kathryn

$10k Grant to Watts Health Care

Group Photo at South Bay

In addition to the support in the community, Bri was absolutely AMAZING. We adore her. She participated, helped with anything and everything from the DJ booth, to the B4B tent selling shirts. She participated in Grace at 2 events: at 714, she had the fastest rx'ed time of the day, and gave her prizes to one of the survivors. At South Bay, she and I went head to head, with about 20 other people during Beer Grace!!!!! I literally can't express our gratitude for her this weekend.



Becca, Kris, and Katie were also an absolute pleasure. They led group warm-ups, judged athletes, coached them, gave inspiring assistance to those struggling, and at least one of them participated as athletes at every event. Kris participated at all events on Saturday and Sunday. Becca did Grace on Saturday at Canyon, and men's weight Grace at South Bay on Sunday. Katie also participated in Grace at South Bay. We could not be happier with their help and presence. They really set the bar, and everyone LOVED having them. Again, I cannot say enough good words about them.


Their new Grace stats:

Kris Klever:
-We cannot remember her time at 714 for Beer Grace (1 rep, take a sip, etc. until finished) but it was faster than most women's Grace times without the beer!!!!
-At Canyon-- Beer Grace -10 Clean & Jerks, chug 1 beer: 3:32
-At South Bay-- Men's Weight Grace: 4:14.

Becca Voigt:
-At Canyon-- Grace 1:54 PR
-At South Bay-- Men's Weight Grace: 4:55 PR. (During which, she broke her nose and still PR'ed!!!)

Katie Hogan:
-At South Bay-- Grace: 1:42 PR.

Stay tuned for more event wrap-ups!! This weekend we have 4 events as well, and Monday we hit the road for NorCal!! We are going to CrossFit South County in Laguna Hills, CA on Friday night. They were the 2nd top fundraising gym last year. Saturday morning, our team is competing in a lift-off benefiting Mammograms In Action at Chikara Sport in Whittier, CA. We will rally once again for Amazing Grace-Pink Bra Tour stop number 4 at CrossFit Anaerobic in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Finally, we will be at Pink Bra Tour stop number 5 hosted by CrossFit San Elijo at the Forum Plaza at Cal State University-San Marcos....Bryant Mitchell, Reebok HQ representative will be present along with....wait for it....ANNIE SAKAMOTO!!!!!! WOOHOOOO!!!!!

Thank you to our sponsors for the Pink Bra Tour:
Reebok
Mix 1
Fashletics
Strength Wraps by Kelley Urbani
Swiftwick

Visit the Barbells For Boobs website and register or donate today!!!!