Please amble with me down memory lane.
I know it’s an indication of aging when every single occurrence has to have a story attached, but Im embracing that notion and dragging you down the proverbial lane with me.
One upon a time there was a blogger trip.
It was the very first blogger all! expenses! paid! trip and, to put it mildly, all of the invitee’s minds were blown out (as the child sadly no longer says).
Emails flew (“is this really all expenses paid!?”) as this was early 2008 & we couldnt believe a brand would *pay* to bring us together.
All of us who had wanted to meet for s-o v-e-r-r-r-y long.
All of us who had kinda STALKED RONI NOONE and longed to meet her in person. (<—–yes. indeed. that all of us was ME.)
The trip was amazing. I flashed the Windy City with my NEKIDness. And a friendship was born.
Ambling a head a few months—-Roni and I connected at BlogHer.
ahhh youthful bloggers…
We took the opportunity to plop in a hallway & gossip about our lives chat in a very serious away about blog conferences and Roni mentioned the idea of launching FITBLOGGIN.
A conference not unlike BlogHer but where it would only be us crazy healthy living types doing what we do & having fun the way WE like to have FUN.
And, because she’s RONI, a few month later the first Fitbloggin was born.
our tribe
Four years later my life feels crazier than it’s ever been.
I find I say NO far more than YES when it comes to trips & opportunities.
I receive invitations to events and ask myself:
Is XYZ really worth the “cost” of leaving my family (I like my family!) and missing time with the Tornado?
Quite frankly—reason #78347 why Ill happily never be big! and famous!—the answer is usually NO.
Fitbloggin, however, is my exception.
It’s like a blogger family reunion (even if we’ve never met!) which feels my soul and has me return to my family energize not depleted.
This woman is freakin amazing.
I was so happy to finally meet TJ!
Dont make me pick JUST 1 reason I love him…
New friends who feel like old!
First meetings make me smile.
Im not sharing about this friendship. <3.
I love this guy!
MATCHING hoodies? Yes, please!!
Check out my balls!
In all honesty each year I think:
Can I afford to go to FITBLOGGIN?
And each year my answer is the same:
Can I afford not to?
A few days with people who get me, get healthy living & GET MY IRREVERENT SENSE OF HUMOR?
Im a
child!
How on EARTH could I not go?
To that end I have a ticket to the conference to GIVE AWAY & you can be entered for the LOW LOW cost of a comment below.
If you were to attend fitbloggin whats the VERY FIRST THING you’d do?
*because I am a child I cannot stop singing the word FITBLOGGIN to Jim Gaffigan’s hot pocket.
random number generated winner announced June 10th.
Kristina Walters says
June 6, 2013 at 2:24 amFirst, I want to say Iove the shirt! Second, going to these conferences would be a dream come true as a newer blogger! Thanks for the opportunity to enter!
Kat says
June 6, 2013 at 3:37 amGirl I am so excited for PDX! Whoever sees the other first must do a ninja-run-up-and-hug-tightly attack!!
lindsay says
June 6, 2013 at 4:06 amI so want to go! I’d hug you first. Duh
Linz @ Itz Linz says
June 6, 2013 at 4:11 amI’d run and jump all over you and then make you take crazy fun pictures with me! 😛
Stephanie R says
June 6, 2013 at 4:30 amI read tons of blogs and feel and would just like to actually meet the people of these blog.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
June 6, 2013 at 4:31 amFirst thing I’d do at FitBloggin’ is find you and give you a big hug. Then I’d suggest a PlayOut! 😉
Barb says
June 6, 2013 at 4:54 amI’d take a deep breath, smile, and spend a few moments being grateful.
Jess says
June 6, 2013 at 5:05 amWhile I’m not necessarily a Fitness blogger, it is something I talk quite a bit about (and have a guest spot doing so for my local hospital!) and am trying to get more involved in. I’m competing in my first triathlon in July and plan on setting bigger fitness goals for myself in the future. So the first thing I would do is research who could give me the most info I need, find that person and become their best friend for life 🙂
Nina says
June 6, 2013 at 5:11 amI love this Mizzy.
I would love to go.
Coco says
June 6, 2013 at 5:18 amI would find my friends from last year and then find someone new and bring them into the Fitbloggin fold!
Kristin says
June 6, 2013 at 5:46 amIf I were to attend fitbloggin’, the first thing I’d do is give my sister (PriorFatGirl Liz) a big hug. She’s speaking on a panel, and I’d love to be there to support her!
Kelliann says
June 6, 2013 at 5:48 amLOVE the shirt! Would love to go to a conference where all are welcome, regardless of where they are on their fitness road.
Carrie @ FamilyFitnessFood.com says
June 6, 2013 at 5:52 amI am so excited about Fitbloggin, I can hardly contain it. First thing I’m going to do is awkwardly give you a big giant hug.
Amanda @runtothefinish says
June 6, 2013 at 5:54 amgahhhh you are making me really consider doing this as a last minute trip…I want to see everyone again!!! OK if I were to go the first thing I would do is linger around the registration table so I could get loads of HUGS!
Cori @ olivetorun says
June 6, 2013 at 5:57 amThe first thing I’d do is connect with you so we can talk about how much Jim Gaffigan rules- CRACKs me up!!
Victoria says
June 6, 2013 at 6:03 amFirst, I’d likely be overwhelmed by all the amazing people around me. Then I’d go talk with strangers, cause my parents always encouraged that! HAHA!
Seriously, it would be an amazing opportunity for a newer blogger but seasoned writer like me!
Jody - Fit at 55 says
June 6, 2013 at 6:04 amFirst I want to say this is so great of you BUT no need to enter me. As much as I would love to meet YOU & so many others, I just don’t have the money for room & all the rest – I will one day so I am not worried.. even if I am not blogging anymore, I want to meet all the amazing peeps!
COURSE I love your shirts & your balls! 😉
Sara @ Fitcupcaker says
June 6, 2013 at 6:05 amI would love to go to this. I attended my first retreat last month and loved it!!
Deanna @ Unnatural Mother says
June 6, 2013 at 6:10 amI think the first thing I would do is cry, than I would find you and Roni and hug you, and than I might cry again. Or something like that.
Patty(reach-yourpeak.com) says
June 6, 2013 at 6:31 amLol love the shirt! The first thing I would do is find the people behind the daily blogs I read! I have never been to a fitness blogger event and am hoping to go to one this year. Fitbloggin looks so fun!
AnnG says
June 6, 2013 at 6:50 amFirst thing I’d do it hug your skinny healthy neck! Next I would absorb as much healthy fitness living stuff as could be crammed into a few days!!
I’d walk out a new better person to be sure!!
Brittany @ Barr & Table says
June 6, 2013 at 6:56 amYou’re so awesome. I so, so wish I could be there this year but it happens to be the same weekend as my cousin’s wedding (and a month after my own wedding/honeymoon!) I’m so glad I had the chance to meet you and so many other people last year. I hope you have the absolute best time!
Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons says
June 6, 2013 at 7:00 amI would LOVE to attend Fitbloggin’! The first thing I’d do would be to hug you for the ticket. 🙂 And I would make sure to explore Portland too, I’ve never been!
Brad Gouthro says
June 6, 2013 at 7:00 amthat shirt is too sweet.
Mindy Artze says
June 6, 2013 at 7:00 amI would love a ticket to FitBloggin!! I am hanging with you for a bit for sure!
can’t wait to meet you!!
Nikki says
June 6, 2013 at 7:02 amHmm first thing I’d probably cower in the corner for a moment and then get up the nerve to go find all my fave bloggers and say hi and let the fun begin!
Nicola says
June 6, 2013 at 7:09 amWow this sounds awesome! How am I just hearing about FitBloggin now! This sounds like a great experience to finally meet the bloggers I read everyday!
Becca says
June 6, 2013 at 7:10 amFirst, I would run around asking everyone in hotel if they were part of fitbloggin then Shake their hands and introduce w a big smile (cause its my first fitness conference ever. I’m shy) and then I would do the same at the intro session! Might even jump around and wave my arms. 🙂
Kim @ (Just) Trying says
June 6, 2013 at 7:11 amI would love to attend! I live just outside of Portland. This would be so much fun.
Tesa @ 2 Wired 2 Tired says
June 6, 2013 at 7:27 amI would love to win!! The very first thing I’d do is make sure all my devices were charged so I could take notes, pictures, etc so I wouldn’t miss a thing!
TriGirl says
June 6, 2013 at 7:38 amMe! Me! ME! I want to go!!! I would probably stand against the wall and wait until I recognized some friendly face like yours…that’s just how I roll. Oh and I would take lots of pictures. Lots.
Alyson Drost says
June 6, 2013 at 8:05 amI would first be overwhelmed by all the new faces and people and then I would introduce myself and a make new friends!
Jenny says
June 6, 2013 at 8:23 amI freaking LOVE that shirt! The first thing I would do it make my way to you and Erica House to introduce myself! HI YA!!!! 🙂
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says
June 6, 2013 at 8:42 amI’d love to go (and meet you obviously) I can’t afford the flight and hotel (darn new house). But someday I would love to do both (meet you and attend FitBlogin!)
Debbie says
June 6, 2013 at 8:44 amThis may sound like kissing up, but I’d run right over and finally meet you 🙂
Laura says
June 6, 2013 at 8:59 amThis would be my second blog conference, so I think my big plan would be doing some research BEFOREHAND. I’d love to start reaching out to people in advance so it’s easier to make connections during the conference!
Nathan the FFK says
June 6, 2013 at 9:13 amThe first thing I would do is yell “I’M SO EXCITED!!!!” and then high five every single person there!!!!!
Glenn says
June 6, 2013 at 9:18 amOut of respect I would drop and give you 20! What the hell I will give you 30! You name it lol.
An amazing opportunity!! Thanks so much for putting this out there!
Jane @ Not Plain So Jane says
June 6, 2013 at 9:42 amLet’s be honest. We’d all tweet that we were actually there first! #fitbloggin
Melissa Running It says
June 6, 2013 at 9:47 amI am totally doing the happy dance inside. Can. Not. Wait. I will be hunting you down, then looking for the inopportune moment for an awkward hug. Oh, and I’ll find an even more awkward moment and probably cry. No doubt.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
June 6, 2013 at 10:30 amYou definitely seem to get a heck of a lot of worth out of it, so why stop? It’s not a conference for me, but I do love conferences!
Rebecca Bond says
June 6, 2013 at 11:19 amIf I was at fitbloggin ?? I’d hide in a corner and not speak unless spoken too cause my britishness demands it.
Emelia says
June 6, 2013 at 11:35 amI would love to attend fitbloggin! First thing would be to finally meet so many people that I “know” from social media! 🙂
Michelle says
June 6, 2013 at 12:13 pmFirst thing I’d do is blog about it! 🙂
Erika says
June 6, 2013 at 12:30 pmI would squee like a fan girl at seeing all the bloggers I love and then sit down and absorb as much info and energy as I could.
Kristina says
June 6, 2013 at 12:39 pmI would absolutely DO BACKFLIPS if I could attend!! I have *so many* friends that are going, and would be thrilled to spend the weekend with all of you!
I have heard Such Good Things about the fitbloggin community – like, AMAZING things, and I want to be a part of that, would be lucky to absorb even a small amount of it!
Jules says
June 6, 2013 at 1:46 pmThe first thing I’d do is a happy dance that I was there and well on my way to my healthy wealthy Vibrant Life!
Andrea says
June 6, 2013 at 1:57 pmI thought I entered this, but I guess I didn’t … The FIRST thing I’d do is find some of my friends who are on the panel and give them a HUGE hug. But I’d also hug YOU. Because how awesome would this be? 🙂
Kim says
June 6, 2013 at 2:10 pmI want to go to Fitbloggin!!! When is it (and where)?
I don’t know what I would do first – so many people that I want to meet and take pictures with. I think I would be totally overwhelmed!!!
And, I hope I win but on the big chance I don’t – can you still get tickets?
MizFit says
June 6, 2013 at 2:13 pmYES YES YES!!
http://fitbloggin.com/
Meghan @ After the Ivy League says
June 6, 2013 at 2:38 pmI would LOVE to go to fitbloggin. Since I’ve never been to a conference like this before I’m not sure what the first thing I would do would be. Probably stalk which bloggers are going then religiously follow their blogs up until the conference so I can creepily know all about them!
beka says
June 6, 2013 at 3:02 pmThe first thing I’d do is go find TriGirl(commented above ^^ ) and introduce myself! No wall flowers allowed 🙂
And then I’d tackle you in a big bear hug with many thank youuuu’s. It’d be my first healthy living conference!
Kierston @candyfit says
June 6, 2013 at 4:59 pmFIND YOU so that we can get sassy and fancy together!
Tami @Nutmeg Notebook says
June 6, 2013 at 5:31 pmI have no idea what I would do. I’m such an introvert the thought terrifies me!
Tori says
June 6, 2013 at 5:34 pmWould love the opportunity to go…would love the inspiration rejuvenation!
She Rocks Fitness says
June 6, 2013 at 5:36 pmI would immediately find you…give you a big hug…and then have a long conversation about our addiction to BRAVO TV! 😉 Just saying…
Lisa @ RunWiki says
June 6, 2013 at 6:55 pmI would run toward you like a lunatic and lift your cute lil ass off the ground and squeeze you so hard you may not be able speek! That’s what I’d do!
Lisa says
June 6, 2013 at 7:03 pmI’m not even sure I could afford a plane ticket to Fitbloggin at this late date nor find childcare, but IF I could, when I got there, I would find all of my Shrinking Jeans sisters that are attending and give them the biggest hug imaginable.
Denise says
June 6, 2013 at 7:03 pmI already have my ticket – yay for The Universe moving things around so I can attend! – and the first thing I shall do upon landing at PDX is wonder where the nearest latte can be purchased. The second thing, however, will be to look around for a tiny bundle of energy with the gorgeous smile: you, of course. No Shauna but we’ll soldier on bravely!
Deb says
June 6, 2013 at 7:13 pmSadly I can’t enter cos – although I’d love to be there – it’s on the other side of the world and I really can’t afford to get there. However… I LOVE the pics everyone shares and seeing my virtual friends together and having a great time.
Deb
Cristina @triathlonmami says
June 6, 2013 at 7:40 pmI too can’t enter. I won’t be in the US and will be impossible to attend but if I were to get an entrance, on a conference I would be able to attend, the first thing I would do is a cartwheel cause I would be so excited. The second thing would be make a phone call to the chiropractor.
Harriet says
June 7, 2013 at 12:39 amI would scream and feel soooo grateful 🙂
Em F says
June 7, 2013 at 3:29 amI’d definitely do my happy dance first! 🙂
SinnerElla says
June 7, 2013 at 7:32 amI can’t afford to go to FitBloggin13 due to absolutely $0 of income at the moment, though I’d love to be able to see so many wonderful people again and to see you again Carla, but I wanted to say that this was my first ever conference and first solo trip out of town and despite my struggles with severe anxiety and my childish fears of standing in a corner people watching as I usually do, it was one of the best decisions I made. I met wonderful people (Carla, Rage Michelle, Renee from Run Laugh Eat Pie, and SO MANY OTHERS), I learned what it was to find a passion and turn it into a living (which I gladly say I’ve chosen not to do because I’m not so sure I’d enjoy writing as much), I was SHOWN what it was to love yourself for all that you are, do, and will be, I learned that you NEVER know what you’re capable of until you GTFO of your comfort zone and dare to do things that scare you, but most of all I learned that (regardless of the oodles of $ I spent, but probably shouldn’t have in Baltimore) a connection can be made with a person you have never met in real life and they can inspire you to be a better version of yourself just by sharing themselves with you and baring their soul, and that changes you FOREVER!
I wish that I could afford to go, or that there would be some sort of fitness/healthy living/wellness conference down here in FL that would bring the wonderful men and women that I met at FitBloggin down my way.
Have a wonderful time with whomever wins! ?
Lisa Eirene (@LisaEirene) says
June 7, 2013 at 10:31 amhaha! Hot pocket!
It would be awesome to meet you while you’re in Portland!
Dawn says
June 7, 2013 at 4:36 pmI remember meeting you for the first time at FitBlogging in 2011 with the hopes of competing in a figure competition that year…it did not happen that year but I was on the path to it. I really wish FitBlogging was in my hometown again this year because its the first one I will have to miss….unless I win ***wink…wink***
Carli says
June 8, 2013 at 11:49 amIf I got to go to Fitbloggin’ the first thing I’d do is find my BBF (best blogging friends) and plan out our workouts. After I got over the thrill of getting to be there.