Just Do It - Why Being Nice Matters
I recently interviewed Leah Kim, Nike Global Yoga Ambassador, for a freelance article I am working on. One of the most important things she said regarding success was to work hard and remember to be nice. Follow your dreams and don't let anyone or anything get in the way. I have a lot in my life to be thankful for. Great husband, strong and healthy body, steady income and lots of friends. However, no matter how hard I try to shake it or let go of my Nike dreams, they hover at the surface and fill my days. What can I be doing to become more desirable as an influencer now and hopefully a future NTC trainer or event marketer for them? How can they notice me? What events can I attend to show them just how much the brand has made a difference in my life and how much I want to connect with them and share that with others?
There are a million ways. I run with Nike+, have logged over 22,000 minutes with the Nike Training Club app, participate in every run challenge, tweet and Instagram, attend Nike Running Clubs in each city I visit and share my love for the brand. I have been able to participate in incredible events with them. The thing is, as amazing as all these things are, I really want to work with or for Nike on a continual or full-time basis.
My story and why I got into fitness largely stems from my first interaction with the swoosh in grade school. I wanted to play basketball and all the older kids wore Nikes, later on, Nike made the only feminine training shoes for size 11.5 feet. Nike saved the day! I played sports throughout high school and college, and then found NTC in 2011. It was my first interaction with full body functional training and I was hooked. Later, I got the opportunity of a lifetime to work with Nike for the Nike Women's Marathon in 2012 and loved every minute of the experience. It cemented my desire to work for them and build a career. A company that could inspire me and 25,000 other women to run the hills of SF must be something special.
As time went on I shared my journey to running and fitness on social media and have met friends and fellow Nike lovers and ambassadors from all over the world. My friend circle, influence, and love for the brand continues to grow. Everywhere I look they are inspiring others to come to the sport. Whether you consider yourself an athlete or not, Nike is there to meet you where you are at and make you stronger and better than you were before.
Unfortunately, I live two hours from any Nike Run Club events, but whenever I can I make it to these events in SF or LA and when I can't I run with the Nike+ Running App and connect virtually with NRC runners from around the world. Our passion can't be confined to the cities where NRC is live - it lives inside us and no matter where we are we will conquer more miles, our fastest run and build new relationships.
Nike is a brand yes, and one of the top growing brands in the world. But they are more than that. They are a family and they truly care about bettering people's lives. They connect, build and grow. They reward runners both elite, amateur and just beginning with experiences that they won't soon forget. You never know when Nike might come knocking. For me, I hope it's soon and that hope is what keeps me pushing forward and sharing my story. But even if it isn't, I hope I can always be known as someone who was nice, who lifted others up and who followed her dreams, not matter where they led.
Don't ever let anyone allow you to give up on your dreams no matter how far fetched. Put your heart and soul into them and trust the process. Even if I never reach my end goal (which I hope is not the case!) I know that I will be proud that I never gave up and in the end, that is what the swoosh is all about. It's about becoming better than you were yesterday and persevering though hardship and failure. Who knows? Maybe this struggle is leading to bigger and better things and preparing me for a bright and brilliant future.
Whatever you do. Be Nice. Do it with passion. Never falter. JUST DO IT!