We are all role models: The Plus Runner video project.

Who’s in?

Popular media has a lot of power – part of which is to inspire people to see the world around them in a different way.  This past month, I was inspired and impressed with Nike and a young kid from Ohio who volunteered to participate in a commercial about Greatness – proving that size shouldn’t stop you from doing anything active, even if it’s hard, even if you don’t look like everyone else.

Nathan Sorrell is a 12 year old kid who stands 5’3″ and weighs over 200 pounds.  Ratio-wise, he’s not dissimilar from me, and from many of you, my peeps, my fearless readers, who kick ass every day trying to get and stay fit, and throw off the presumption that you’re not actually an athlete if you don’t also look like a model.  But seeing Nathan reminded me that there are a lot of people out there who look like us – and yet, we aren’t on the cover of magazines.  Nathan was a rarity because people like us don’t show up in the mainstream media – even when we’re toeing the line at races, and we’re out there pounding the pavement every day.  For the average American, there are no public role models for someone like Nathan to say “actually, I can do that because those people, who look like me, are doing it too.”

Except that statement’s not quite true.

There are role models.

You are those role models.  We are all role models.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking “yeah, but I still struggle with (working out regularly, running a sub-13 minute mile, flip turns in a pool).”  Forget those excuses.  I don’t care if you’re large or small – but if you are regularly making an effort to get or stay fit, to challenge your body and to get active, you are role models for your friends, your kids, your neighbors.

We all have those people who inspire us.  In my world, over the last two years, I’ve been inspired the world over by my friends Missy and Alice and Scott and Cindi and Kim and Art and Kristin and Hunter and Michael and Hannah and Caronina and Jayme and Pati and Reggie and Joyce and Jenny and John – and my list – it goes on and on and on. I’d bet yours does too.

So what’s the point here?  Well, this blog has a pretty diverse set of readers – some of the readers of this blog are “regular” sized – but you all are athletes, too, and large or small, plus or skinny, old or young,  your stories are just as inspiring.  Some of you are plus athletes.  And you make me want to shout from the rooftops every time I hear your stories.

So let’s shout together, shall we?

I am not a video editor.  But they tell me that a Mac is an amazing thing.  And I AM of the belief that Nathan Sorrell should know he’s not alone.  And the people who believe that he’s unique – that this kind of courage is only to be found in an impressive ad – well, I wouldn’t mind putting that premise to bed, either.  Quite simply put, there are a lot of us who could use a nudge, and some inspiration to get moving – and seeing this crowd demonstrate why it’s awesome to do so – and what it looks and feels like when you do – well, that appeals to me.

So if you are up for it, I’ve prepared the following request for you.  It’s a relatively simple request.  8 Steps.  One workout.  You can do this work alone or with someone filming you, if you want.  You can use your iPhone to do all the filming, and that’s really, really okay with me.

Either way, please consider contributing to this effort.  If you are interested, go get your film on, and when you’re ready, send me a note at plusrunner@gmail.com – I’ll send you back the address for the Plus Runner Drop Box account, along with your waiver.  I promise that you’ll have the right to veto any final version of the little video that has you in it – (but I don’t think you will:).

Am I missing anything?  Let me know.  I’ve never done anything like this, but I have worked on a boatload of videos for work, and they are FUN when they’re done.  I promise nothing less for this adventure.

Details below.  Happy filming, and thanks for inspiring.

Click to download instructions: Plus Runner Video Project