Yes I know this is slightly ironic. I did not write ANYTHING in December because quite frankly I could barely tread water in that month! Too many things going on in our private life alongside teaching so I agreed to not write or feel guilty about it!
Anywho, I realised that my first published post on Substack was on the 19th January 2024! In 12 months, 20 pieces of writing published, covering pretty much 20 topics! Considering this is something I primarily do for my own sanity (and completely unpaid), I feel quite proud of myself!
It was truly heart warming looking back over the topics I have wrote about and subsequently the conversations I have had with readers. Whilst my platform and reach is small these personal conversations mean everything. Even if I help one or two people (which I am told I have), it is worth it in my eyes. I feel that I am contributing in some way to make the fitness world a safer and more supportive place for women. It is too easy to sit here and think what is the point. If we all did that no progress would ever be made.
There are a few posts which I enjoyed writing and particularly resonated with this community. Can you guess which ones?
Here they are and feel free to click on the links and listen/read again. We often get a deeper understanding the second or third time round.
‘My 40 year relationship with exercise’
Both offline and online this was a very popular piece. Readers explained that they had never really heard in detail a fitness journey that had spanned over decades.
‘Unseen’
This piece was widely shared amongst Pilates teachers and online industry forums. It was clear that many of us feel the same about the recent astronomic rise in popularity of Pilates, plus the affect of social media and the blatant ageism in the fitness industry.
I think the curiosity of human nature was responsible for this! Until that point I had not really introduced myself on Substack. It was comforting to see many people interested in my background and career so far having already read much of my writing.
Interestingly there were a couple of topics that did not seem to attract as many readers which I had personally felt very passionate about. I thought I would leave them here at the end for you to read or listen to in case you missed them :)
As always I am very keen to hear your thoughts and requests for topics which you would like me dive into! They can be practical or opinion/commentary based I really do not mind.
Please leave your suggestions in the comments section below.
