Alex's Lemonade Stand: Our Charity of the Month

CAMP <3's our charities of the month. We especially love linking up with local businesses who support charities in unique ways. Northwestern Mutual has been a part of CAMP since the very beginning- we've hosted numerous group rides for their team, and we've loved getting to know their employees. So when it came time to pick a charity for June, we decided on Alex's Lemonade Stand, NM's charity of choice. You might have heard of this organization through Lauren B- all proceeds from her birthday ride went toward supporting Alex's Lemonade Stand. Read on to find out more about this amazing nonprofit and all of the ways you can help support it. 

Did you know that less than 10% of cancer research-related funding goes toward childhood cancer, making it the least funded? There is still so much work to do in terms of supporting childhood cancer research, and Alex's Lemonade Stand is doing its part to fix this problem. It all started with a little girl named Alex who was diagnosed with cancer at a young age. Though she was the recipient of cutting-edge research and treatment options, she wanted to help the kids who weren't so lucky. She hosted her first lemonade stand when she was only 4 years old, so she could help other kids afford the treatment she was receiving. She went on to raise over a million dollars, and though she eventually lost her battle with cancer, her legacy lives on to this day. The focus of Alex's Lemonade Stand is to provide and pay for cutting-edge research for kids with cancer, but they have also started to fund travel arrangements for families, so parents can be with their kids no matter where treatment is occurring. 

Northwestern Mutual is passionate in its support of this amazing nonprofit, as they host four signature events each year with all proceeds going towards Alex's Lemonade Stand. The Superhero Pub Crawl just occurred a couple weeks ago, and it was a major hit. We can't wait until next year! Night at the Museum is coming up on July 8th at 6PM, and its goal is to be a family-friendly occasion where all ages can get involved. The theme this year is superheroes, so get your costumes ready! The Love McKinley Golf Tournament is being held on July 14th- you can get more information about it here. We're looking at you, golfing dads! Their biggest event is the Lemon Drop, which will be held this year on November 9th from 6PM-9:30PM at The Vault downtown. Keep your eyes peeled for more information about this amazing event- we had some members of the CAMP fam attend last year, and they couldn't stop raving about it! 

If you want to support Alex's Lemonade Stand, you should start by attending Lauren B's Pedal With Purpose ride this week on Saturday at 8:30AM. She loves teaching these charitable rides, and it's bound to be a really special experience. However, there are so many other ways you can help outside of just attending this ride, and we'd love to see our CAMPers in action in the community! Maybe you might consider attending one of the above events, or even getting your company to sponsor Lemon Drop in November. Email dayana.dorman@nm.com if you're interested in sponsoring! And if you have little CAMPers, consider hosting a lemonade stand in support of Alex's Lemonade Stand. You can find more information about doing this here! 

Can't wait to see y'all at the Pedal With Purpose ride on Saturday! 

Instructor of the Month: BRYAN

Bryan has completely changed the game for Circuit since he joined our team several months ago. His energy is infectious, and even though you'll break a major sweat in his classes, you'll be smiling the whole time. But Bryan has a lot more going on in his life outside of CAMP, and we were interested to find out what that entailed. Read on to find out more about this dynamic, inspiring trainer- we're so happy to have him! 

1) Where are you from originally?

I am from Geneva, Switzerland.

2) What brought you to Tampa?

While I was playing soccer at IMG academy in Bradenton, FL (academy/high school level), I met a friend who told me to have a look at the University of Tampa for their soccer program. I was too stubborn to play college soccer and decided to go back home and try to make it professional. However, after 2 years, my friend really convinced me and I fell in love with the school. It allowed me to do something that I could not do back home- playing at a high level while studying business.

3) You're in school, right? What are you studying? Career goals?

Yes, I am a senior at UT majoring in Entrepreneurship. We have an excellent Entrepreneurship program. The board of directors has invested a substantial amount of money for us to have a unique facility and an outstanding environment. My personal goal is to become the best version than I can be of myself, and this is why I keep trying to improve myself every single day. I will probably never become satisfied, but I am working towards it. Regarding my career goal, as a young and ambitious entrepreneur, I am aiming to have my own company one day. Whether it is in the fitness industry or somewhere else, I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and I just can’t accept the fact of sitting in an office 8am to 5pm working for someone else's dreams.

4) What got you into the idea of training?

Well, I have always been into fitness and sports in general, as I played soccer my entire life. However, following my last soccer spring season, I made a major decision. Being a student athlete requires a huge commitment, and soccer was extremely time consuming for me. I wanted to focus on business as well, and soccer prevented me from being involved in the business community. I, therefore, stopped soccer and started to study to become a personal trainer. I got my license, and I started to built a customer base last summer. Everything then went very quickly. I became a personal trainer and group instructor at UT. My two roommates and I also launched a fitness start up where we used to provide 25 minute fitness classes in underutilized spaces such as hotels, apartment complexes and corporations in downtown Tampa and St. Pete. And now, I am here :)

5) First memory of working out? What got you hooked?

Wow, it was probably when I came to the US for the first time and played for IMG Academy. I did not know anything and was totally clueless to be honest with you. I did not speak English at all and the trainers were getting mad at me because when I was doing something wrong, they would try to correct me and I would not understand haha. But after workouts and workouts, I got better and I really started to enjoy it and this enthusiasm never left me!!!

6) What do you hope to achieve through your work at CAMP?

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I received to train in such a fantastic fitness boutique. I truly believe in the vision and potential of CAMP, and I am convinced that we are going to accomplish unbelievable things. Jen and Jamie are such amazing entrepreneurs and keep inspiring me every single day. I try to learn as much as I can by their side. They are putting so much confidence in me and I cannot be more thankful. The trainers also play a huge part in my development. They all have so much experience and expertise in the industry (way more than I do) and I try to listen to what they say as much as I can. I have learnt so much from them already and I wouldn’t be where I am right now without their advice and help. I work hard and hope that one day I I will play a key role within the company and become an influential role model for others. Let’s see how it goes :)

7) What do you love about teaching at CAMP?

I love the flexibility and freedom that we have. I can literally do whatever I want inside the Circuit room- to a certain extent obviously. This allows me to be able to relieve my entrepreneurial spirit and this is why I would never be able to sit in an office for hours every day!

8) What makes you unique as an instructor?

I usually don’t like to talk to much about myself. But, if I had to say something, I guess my accent can set me apart a little, and I have been receiving positive feedback from people thanks to my energy and music. I constantly try to diversify my workouts, and if you have been attending my classes, the only thing that remains the same is my energy and attitude.

9) What do you do in your free time? Any passions?

I love reading business and inspirational books. I also love traveling, discovering new fitness concepts, and I absolutely love great food. I try to learn a new concept every day.

10) Favorite place in Tampa?

Without a doubt, CAMP. I love the atmosphere that has been created there. It is hard to believe that this place has only been active for the past 9 months. I also enjoy spending time at Oxford Exchange and Foundation Coffee to read and have my espresso.

11) How do you get pumped up before teaching?

Definitely through music and looking at people’s energies when they walk in the door ! Nothing can replace that.

12) Favorite way to refuel?

Well, if my schedule allows me to do so, I love leaving for a day or so to go to Miami and relax a little- try fitness places, go to my favorite place in world “Joe and The Juice,” and just spend time with friends. I also try to stay in touch with my family as much as I can, and it’s always a great way to refuel to talk in your native language.

CAMPers of the Month: Lacey and Kay!

Lacey and Kay are #bestfriendgoals, for sure. We're always impressed by their dedication to CAMP and to each other, which made them obvious candidates for CAMPer of the Month. Plus, seeing them around CAMP is bound to brighten your day, and since they're always at CAMP, you likely have lots of bright days ahead of you. We were interested to hear how they became such good friends, as well as what they love so much about CAMP. Read on for these answers and more! 

1) How did you hear about CAMP? 

KF: Lauren B. was my favorite cycle instructor at Cycle Bar and I followed her here and fell in love! 

LH: Kay introduced me to CAMP!

2) How did you two meet? 

KF: Tipper & Friends music festival @ the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park (the most magical place!) 

LH: That’s kind of a funny story.  I BELIEVE we met at a music festival “Tipper and Friends” at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.  Kay was so incredibly nice to me when we were first introduced, but I tried to avoid her for a very long time after that initial meeting because I thought she was too cool for me (not lying!)

3) What about CAMP drew you in? Why do you keep coming back? 

KF: The atmosphere, the instructors, and the variety. 

LH: Lauren’s cycle classes drew me into CAMP, and then after my first yoga class, I was hooked! CAMP’s positive atmosphere and dedicated instructors keep me coming back :) 

4) Do you feel like CAMP has impacted your friendship at all? 

KF: CAMP actually built our friendship. I always raved about it on Facebook, and Lacey asked if she could join me one day. Our friendship blossomed from there and she's now one of my closest friends! 

LH: Very much so!  Kay has become one of my best friends these past few months.  I feel extremely supported in our friendship.  Kay is the perfect balance between loving and encouraging in all that I do, but at the same time she challenges me to become my best self on a daily basis.  

5) Favorite class to take & why:

KF: Too hard! Ahhh. I'd have to say Power Flow & Chill or Ass n Abs. 

LH: Ashtanga Power Flow! I find the most mental clarity throughout these classes because they are more challenging and make me feel strong and powerful.

6) What do y'all do outside of CAMP? 

KF: Take my 2 pups to the dog beach, practice yoga, and eat. 

LH: I love my job and spend majority of my time working!  I also love paddle boarding, throwing myself my own personal dance parties at home, writing poetry, and cuddling with my black cat Bodhi.  

7) Favorite CRG Restaurant: 

KF: Fresh Kitchen

LH: Fresh Kitchen!

8) Favorite thing to do in Tampa: 

KF: Eat @ Revolution Ice cream and go to Gandy Beach (especially if you get there early so you get your own private little beach in the mangroves). 

LH: Either laying in my hammock at the Gandy Beach Bridge and recording little hermit crabs on my GoPro or eating ice cream from Revolution in Seminole Heights.

9) If you could change one thing about CAMP, what would it be? 

KF: More yoga workshops! I love learning (even if we have to pay extra outside of the unlimited membership). 

LH: Absolutely nothing!

10) Favorite workout apparel: 

KF: Yoga pants and sports bra 

LH: Uhm… anything bohemian that is under $5 (I don’t know workout apparel)

CAMP Got New Threads

It's summer, which means it's officially time to revamp your athleisure wardrobe. That's why we're carrying a host of new items, from Alo to Goldsheep to our own custom apparel, that are guaranteed to make you look less basic, even if you're spotted carrying a Starbucks latte on your way to the mall. 

First of all, we have new shirts that are short in the front and long in the back- AKA super flattering, especially when you're wearing high-waisted leggings. We kept the colors neutral so you can wear them with your most patterned pants, like our new ones from Goldsheep! 

Speaking of those Goldsheep leggings, we have three new patterns that are guaranteed to make you look sporty and fun on your way to CAMP (because where else would you be going???). Rock them with one of our new tees or a neutral, solid-colored sports bra- anything else will likely clash and make you look a lil crazy. 

Alo is one of the hottest new athleisure brands, so we're beyond excited to be carrying their leggings and sports bras! The moto leggings will make you look like a badass, even if you've never dated a bad boy with a motorcycle. And the ripped leggings are as trendy today as ripped jeggings were in the early 2000's. Add some color on top with a fun sports bra, or keep things monochromatic if you want to look casual but cool. 

Tag us on insta @camptampa with your fashion pics- we can't wait to see y'all rocking our apparel all around Tampa! 

High Risk Hope

Hip Hop Yoga is a CAMP favorite, but it's even better when it supports a charity we love. Each month, we host a Hip Hop Yoga event at 81Bay Brewery, and all proceeds from the event go towards helping out our charity of the month. This month, we chose High Risk Hope, a Tampa-based organization that supports moms after high-risk pregnancies. High Risk Hope partners with four hospitals in West Central Florida and two hospitals in California- altogether, they help around 2500 families a year.

But what exactly do they do? They provide bedrest baskets to mothers as well as NICU napsacks to babies, which contain items useful to mother and child when enduring a long-term hospital stay. Think shampoo and conditioner, eyemasks, a blanket and hat for the baby, and information for moving forward. But more than that, they provide hope to families who have dealt with high-risk pregnancies. Volunteers from High Risk Hope deliver the baskets and napsacks to the mothers in the hospital, and the time that they spend with the families is crucial to the entire process. Bailey, a mother who endured a high-risk pregnancy and now works for High Risk Hope, states that the organization "provided light at the end of the tunnel, as well as hope that [she] would leave the hospital with a healthy baby."

One way that they instill hope in mothers is through their baby calendar. Every year, they host a contest online, which encourages High Risk Hope families to submit their stories, along with pictures of their babies, both when they were in the hospital and now. Once 12 winners are chosen, the babies take part in a calendar photo shoot, which is always a special time for the families. Then, these calendars are distributed to mothers on bedrest, in the hopes that it might encourage them to have faith in their babies' healing process. 

But how can you help? If you've already donated to the cause and want to support High Risk Hope on a grander scale, you can choose to sign up as a volunteer through their website. Volunteering includes delivering bags to hospitals as well as coming into their headquarters in Ybor and packing the bags and napsacks before delivery- one of our instructors, Lauren B, is a volunteer! If you want to deliver the bags, you'll have to go through a volunteer orientation- however, you can start packing the bags and helping the organization right away. Contact High Risk Hope's program coordinator here, or by emailing sasha@highriskhope.org. 

Families can get involved too by creating fundraising teams for High Risk Hope's annual event, the Tot Trot. This event happens every November, and you can start fundraising now- click here to sign up! Families typically fundraise by encouraging their children to host lemonade stands in their neighborhoods. If you meet certain fundraising benchmarks, you might even receive some special prizes! 

If you want to find out more about High Risk Hope, you can check out their website here. They were also recently featured on Today.com- you can find that article here! We have loved supporting High Risk Hope this month, and we can't wait to see how the organization continues to grow and help even more families.