My Wednesday night was amazing. There really isn’t any other way to describe it. I should have known in advance as the event had all the ingredients for the perfect evening:
- A great workout
- Wine and snacks
- Thought provoking conversation
The lovely ladies at Uplift Studios took their popular Workout+Wine to another level last night by sponsoring a Workout + Wine book club! Inspired by all the conversation surrounding Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In, the ladies thought it would serve as the perfect platform for book club event! Eleven women joined for the workout while others came for the wine and discussion afterwards!
Eleven of us had our butts kicked during the workout portion of Workout + Wine. Shannon Macdowell may be tiny but damn is she mighty! Her energy, great playlist, and attention to form will kick anyone into shape quickly and make them sweat within minutes. The workout was Uplift Strength which means we used lots of heavy weights, including my favorite dumbbell weight these days, the 15 pound bad boys! There were only cardio bursts but between the sumo jump squats and the burpees, we were all exhausted by the end of each 4 minute cardio set.
After the workout guests were able to enjoy an array of delicious, healthy snacks and plenty of wine! I was starving after a double workout day and was therefore thankful that the snacks included more than just cheese and crackers. There was a delicious salad, quinoa, cheese, fruit, popcorn, and more!
For the next hour, I experienced one of the most uplifting (Oh hello pun, but really) and supportive conversations with a group of strangers. Though I only knew four of the women personally, we each opened up and spoke about our experiences in the work place throughout the years. There was a wide array of ages represented in the discussion which meant a multitude of experiences to share. Each person was engaged, supportive, and provided some great ideas on how to tackle some of the obstacles and situations we face as women on a daily basis. While each of us agreed that the book, Lean In, isn’t perfect it definitely has provoked some great conversations lately.
One of my favorite points of the evening was when Leanne, one of Uplift’s founders, asked the group if we each considered ourselves feminists. Until recently, I never considered myself a feminist. But, after reading the book and last night’s discussion, I’ve been reminded that feminism isn’t about man hating or not wanting guys to hold doors for women. Those are all the stereotypes that make the term so polarizing. Feminism can mean something different for each person but for me it means making the best opportunities available to women whether social, political, or professional.
Even after the event officially ended many of us lingered, discussing experiences and echoing the same feeling. Even the founders were in awe at the event’s success.
“….starting any business has its challenges, of course; however, experiencing the power and insight that came through like it did last night makes any challenges 100% worth it.” Leanne Shear, Co-Founder, President Uplift
This isn’t the only event Uplift offers in addition to their daily workouts. This Sunday they are hosting a Sunday Funday “Bootcamp, Bloodys & Brunch” which will include their signatures Uplifting-Strength workout followed by socializing over everyone’s favorite hangover remedies! To check out more information, head over to their site or email them at info@upliftstudios.com!
How about you? Do you consider yourself a feminist?
*This is not a sponsored post and I was not compensated for the class nor provided a complimentary class. These are all my own, genuine opinions. I just really, really love Uplift!
Feminism is the radical notion that women are people. Go feminism.
Amen Victoria!
First of all feminism is not about man hating and not wanting men to open the doors for women. I’m sorry you ever thought it was. This post makes you sound ignorant and privileged.
Also “Leaning In” is such a joke of a book. Live your life. Do whatever you want. If you want to work at a high powered job do that. If you want to be a suburban housewife do that (I’m using the plural “you” here btw). Women don’t really have it that hard. At least women in America. Most of us have homes, food, security, a support system. We aren’t orphans living in Africa trying to care for our younger siblings.
Lelia thanks for the comment. I’m sorry if this post pissed you off or offended you. I know that isn’t feminism but that is the stereotype that we all talked about last night. Leaning In has tons of controversy around it which is great because at the end of the day it got people talking. I agree that women in America are so blessed versus other countries but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
The whole point of Lean In is that there are a lot of subtle ways (and some not so subtle ways) in which women are pushed onto certain tracks, giving them fewer choices and options, and that we should try to change those.
Yes, we have things fantastic here. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. And another main point is that the more women who have high powered positions, the better off women will be overall.
Well said, Jen.
I think I would consider myself a feminist, and I think it’s unfortunate that the stereotypes about feminism still exist. I feel lucky that my parents encouraged me to pursue whatever career trajectory I wanted, and lucky to live in a country where this is possible.
I simply cannot understand how any educated thinking woman made it through the last election and can still trivialize feminism “to man hating or not wanting guys to hold doors for women.”
Great recap! It was a fun and really interesting night.
I actually found it really interesting that a lot of people in the group didn’t consider themselves feminists before reading the book. I know I’m biased (I went to a liberal arts women’s college), but it was disappointing to hear that in this day and age, so many women still shy away from the term feminist just because of the negative connotations it had in the past.
Love this post! I’m a very vocal feminist, and I’m always happy to see another woman publicly declare herself as one. I agree that those misconceptions you discussed are fairly common–that feminists are all burning bras and hating men. My general definition is that feminism means wanting equality for women. Who’s going to say they don’t believe in that?
I haven’t gotten a chance to read Lean In yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. It’d be interesting to hear how your experiences as a woman in the workplace have differed in (what I assume is) a more-female-dominated industry like beauty.
I am totally a feminist!
WOW! Such an amazing event, it really feels good that after having a workout, you get to enjoy the rest of your time with your girlfriends, chatting, having a “post-workout snack” etc.
Regarding your question, I am totally a feminist, I believe in the Girl Power! Ha Ha.
It was a great way to combine working out and great discussion, Naoemi!
I’m really sorry I missed this event, as I would have really loved to attend. In terms of being a feminist, I am very sure I am one. I work in an extremely male dominated industry (financial technology management consulting), but for one of the most women-friendly companies in the world, and yet the challenges that women face every day are by nature different to those of men. I actually had my mum read Lean In as well, and she was incredibly fascinating on how being a woman had effected her own career in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. She hates “having it all” – it doesn’t exist and should be retired as a terrible standard that women are supposed to meet – kind of like the standards pushed on us by media and fashion / beauty industries (generalization here – I know there are exceptions) that we should also be size 0. Lean In was equally enlightening and frustrating, but at least it got us talking.
In college, I was turned off by the way feminism was presented — it was radical and promoted a position that women had to essentially exclude men in order to succeed — even silly things like spelling women with a y instead of an e in order to develop a separate identity. But feminism as presented in Lean In is easy to support…
The one thing I will say about Lean In is that I think it is far easier to lean in before kids than after. Leaning in after kids takes a level of compromise that most women I know aren’t willing to make. Kids change everything.
I am a PhD scientist in a male dominated industry. Of 12 people on our leadership committee, only two are female and one is head of HR and doesn’t have children. There are no females on our scientific advisory board or our board of trustees. Moreover, among the men on our leadership committee, the majority either don’t have kids or have wives that stay home with the kids. If you look at the male/ female ratio at our work, the majority (~75%) of the BS level jobs are held by women, but the minority (~10%) of the director level and above positions are held by women.
Needless to say, when I had kids (twin boys who are 8) it changed everything. I have continued to work full time, but the work weeks are more like 50 hour weeks instead of 60+ hour weeks. And, because my husband also has a demanding career, we have divided it so that I go into the office early (by 7) and leave early (by 5). Unfortunately, a lot of the valuable hallway discussions take place after 5 and I miss those — missing out on some of the important colleague relationship building.I’ve still been promoted at work, but there is clearly a glass ceiling, some of it self imposed because I want to raise my kids and am not willing to make the sacrifices I would need to make to reach those career levels.
I think Sandberg is very right about the importance of choosing a supportive, contributing spouse, but I differ from her in the way that I have decided to balance work and career.
This article came out today in the Atlantic, and I thought it presented a reasonable perspective about the challenges of leaning in after kids.
http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/04/why-43-of-women-with-children-leave-their-jobs-and-how-to-get-them-back/275134/