I've had the good fortune to surround myself with a few incredible people lately. Because of the support I've received from them, I am healthy and fit. I'm eating clean, working out regularly and writing down my goals. I've learned to create a future and enjoy the journey. I'm happy. It would be pretty easy for me to go buy a card and send it to these people who have really made a difference. Nice touch, but not enough for the impact they have made in my life. These people put 110% of themselves into their business and efforts
. They are good people, but more importantly, they have created great businesses and they deserve your support.
.
Today's Really Good Idea is to
Give Thanks Through Action
Hallie from
NewUToday donates to her local ministry for every three likes she gets on her
Facebook page. Three likes, and the ministry gets peanut butter and diapers. How simple is that?!? Hallie also posts healthy recipes, quick and awesome workouts, and tips to remind us to be mindful. It's a healthy break from all of the clutter found on Facebook. Because of Hallie's guidance, I now eat foods I would never have considered a few years ago, and likewise cringe when I think of what I used to eat! THANK YOU, Hallie, for everything you do and for continuing to pay it forward. Everyone, please "Like" Hallie's
NewU page!
Paula from
180 Adventure puts on the Stubborn Mule Adventure Race in June. She is a passionate adventure racer of 12+ years, and gives back to this community by hosting one of the best run races in the mid west. Paula does not profit financially from 180 Adventure or the race; she operates 180 Adventure, LLC on her own with a small but trusted group of volunteers. She is a "google master" and has learned everything she needs to know to set up her website and run her business by searching, reading, trying, failing, trying again.... although she is happiest when she is running in the woods and finding unique areas to set the race course each year. Her volunteers happily stay up all night and run through swamps just to help her out. The thing about Paula is that she doesn't have an "ask". A classic overachiever, she might subtly mention that she has a need, but will simply do it herself if no one runs with it. So I'll do some asking for her. If you have a business, please consider contacting Paula and offer race prize swag, or partner with her in web links and Facebook posts to increase exposure. Grab your Muddy Buddy friends and do the
Stubborn Mule. "Like" 180 on
Facebook. Web and graphic design help? Yes!
Matt from
Get Fit Staying Fit has developed a product that is so simple it's silly.
GetFitsu is a fitness card game that's affordable, transportable, understandable, and any ability-able. Buy the cards, and you get access to full videos of each exercise on his website and more playing options. His website itself has tons of workout ideas and nutrition information for everyone. I love GetFitsu because I don't have to think about what to do, I just flip the card and do it. It can be as easy or as hard of a workout as I want. And knowing the guy behind GetFitsu is priceless. Matt has incredible energy and drive, he hosts a daily workout for anyone interested, and he smiles ALL THE TIME. Just like his website says, he makes fitness fun. His
Facebook timeline is full of facts, fun and inspiration; support him by clicking "Like". Buy GetFitsu for yourself and your friends. And keep your eye on this guy, I'm sure he's always got something up his sleeve....
To say that Sue from
Spartan Fitness has made the greatest impact in my life in the past year and a half would be an understatement. Sue brings life to the words "show up, follow the plan", and new life to those who do it, through her "Blueprint for Change" corporate wellness program. In this program we're weighed and assessed , given goals and held accountable, and rewarded when we meet or exceed all of the numbers. I didn't meet my goals by the time the program ended, but I don't mind because I've learned that the real work has just begun. With Sue's help through a FREE online challenge she runs, I'm setting
new goals. And now when I "show up", I'm following my own plan. Spartan Fitness is Sue's livelihood, but giving people tools to change their lives is her life. Sue's
social media campaign is just getting underway and the time to jump into the fun is NOW. Check out the new session of
classes in McFarland; there is something for everyone. And just like Matt (above), you need to keep your eye on Sue too....
And finally my dear friend Heidi. I will never again doubt the phrase "good things happen to good people". Heidi's story is the epitome of karma. I first met Heidi when she was working as a wildlife biologist for the WDNR and worked part time with me at REI. I kept track of her when she moved out west to open a bike shop/bakery, and now she's in Door County, WI operating Island Bread Company on Washington Island. She's been everywhere and knows people all over, yet still makes everyone in her life feel special. It's Heidi's tenacity and courage that draw people naturally to her, and with that courage she launched a
Kickstarter project to request funds for a wood-fired brick oven. As you'll see from her project page, she has 13 days to go and is nearly fully funded! But her costs go above the pledge amount and being nearly funded is no guarantee. Heidi doesn't have a business Facebook page; much of this campaign has been through personal pages and word of mouth. Please, just check out her
project page and back this project. I'm stealing these words from a fellow backers' blog because I can't say it any better myself- "it's not just about a brick oven for a girl to work...it's about a
community, a gathering spot, economic development one job at a time,
preserving an ancient craft, it's about YOU!".... And it's really damn good bread.
Thank you.
