2015-10-27
DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training: Breast Cancer Charity Event
by
DVRT Master, Amanda Thebe (Fit N’ Chips)
I am pretty sure you have seen the pink sandbags all over my social media posts, it is definitely my favorite Ultimate Sandbag, and until recently I just thought it was simply another color offered by DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training. Yet when I was recently in Arizona at the DVRT Masters Summit, Josh Henkin opened up to us all and explained that the pink bags were created to raise awareness for Breast Cancer, after losing his Step-Mother to the disease after a long and brave fight. It was very emotional to hear him open up about his loss, and also the loss of his mother who died when he was 8 years old to Leukemia. Cancer isn’t prejudiced and we all have probably experienced a loss from this wretched disease.
Unfortunately, Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst American and Canadian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). And it is the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian women.
As you probably know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and everyone in the DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training Team wanted to raise awareness by holding a DVRT WARRIOR CHALLENGE to raise funds and also to create the element of competition and community with all of our members.
On Friday I had my usual morning class, but encouraged all the ladies to wear pink and make a small donation of $5 to be donated to Breast Cancer Research. A few of them also purchased pink bags, with the proceeds also going to the charity. Surprisingly we managed to raise $500 in that 1 hour – pretty impressive I think!
The people that come to my Fit n’ Chips class are really unique, we have built up a community of FABULOUS folk who are loving, caring, sensitive, strong, funny, rude (so very rude) and genuinely ‘salt of the earth’ people. I knew this would be a special hour for us all, but I never imagined it would turn out to be so freaking awesome, and here’s why.
Firstly you can see by the photos how much effort everybody went to with the PINK outfits – with one t-shirt being especially poignant. (breast t-shirt) We split into two groups, with one group doing the 20 minute challenge and the other group doing the timing, supporting and encouraging. Despite the groans of despair at this wickedly hard challenge, we spent the whole hour laughing so hard with one another, there was cursing, shouting, singing, dancing and genuine admiration at the strength and endurance of these amazing women.
To quote one of my clients: “Today’s workout was awesome. I loved it! So great to feel that awful after just 20 minutes! Merci!”
Another client came up to me and said, today I realized how important this community is for me, and how much our support for one another is essential. I really wanted to stop after 5 rounds, but my partner’s words of encouragement and genuine faith in me that I could carry on, made me complete 8 rounds!
Honestly, I was so proud to hear this. I loved what this challenge has done for my clients and what it is doing to help support this worthy cause.
And here’s the best part, you can also be a part of the DVRT WARRIOR WORKOUT – until the end of October all you need to do is donate $5 min to the charity, set your timer for 20 mins, grab your sandbag and GO! For all the details CLICK HERE
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