The BCG

 

The Booty Camp Girls

Vision:

 To live in a world where every woman believes she is beautiful.

 

 

 

     My name is Rachel, and I am founder of the super awesome Booty Camp Girls. I didn't really plan this as my life's path, but it really seems to have chosen me. I had dreams of being an artist, a designer, an achiever. I had my dreams clouded by the allure of money. I never recognized what I was really good at until a friend pointed it out... or a number of friends.

 

     The Booty Camp Girls began in the Summer of 2012. Two women decided that they were worth the effort. We worked together and encouraged each other to work hard. Our goal to lose weight brought on a twice a week workout regime. We had fun with it and our hard work was paying off. We were losing weight and looking and feeling amazing. It got noticed and before long, everyone wanted to know what we were doing. Our twice a week workout duo grew to nearly twelve in a matter of months. It became so many things to dozens of women. It was a great workout, you got to enjoy the company of other women, you laughed, and it was a safe place to share the struggles of motherhood. It was sacred. Husbands and family knew, Tuesdays and Thursdays are your night, and that's that. That still continues today.

 

     As the Booty Camp Girls grew in numbers and motivation, we expanded from just working out, to fundraising for local charities. Since the Booty Camp Girls were founded in 2012, we have raised over $10 000 in cash and groceries for local charities. Charities like the Yew and Thyme Transitions Houses and the local food bank. We organized many events and countless volunteer hours we logged. Lifelong friendships were made and together, we moved mountains and will continue to do so.

 

     Since the BCG began I have worked with many women. Two things remain constant. One, very few of us take the time for ourselves, and almost all have low body confidence. I desperately want to change this. I feel it in my bones that I have to do all that I can to change this in the world. Even if it takes me one woman at a time. I want to CHANGE THE IDEA WE HAVE ABOUT WHAT STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL LOOKS LIKE. The amazing thing about the BCG is that does make a change. Not only are you gaining muscle, you are laughing, loving, and surrounded by women who think you are beautiful. Over the years we have won many races. Collectively we have run thousands of kilometers. We have hardware, we have torn muscles and we have a hundred pairs of old runners. But the best thing we have is something that can never be taken away. Confidence, and knowing that you can do something that you never thought possible. Believing in your strength.

 

     So what do the BCG have planned? I want to do everything I can to help you live your best life. I want to help you take risks, I want you to learn, I want you to love yourself. I want everyone to stop saying

       "Accept your body."

 

     F@c$ That! I want you to stop just accepting your body and I want you to freaking love it! I want you to be proud of your strength. I want you to be fearless. I want you to achieve. I want to provide you with the tools and support to do that. This little non-profit is going to do everything we can to offer these tools to you. I am in the works to bring you cooking and nutrition classes, meditation sessions, guided runs, essential oils classes, yoga and everything else you need to live a full life. I am also on the road to becoming a certified personal trainer.  And as always, we have Tuesdays and Thursdays.  

 

A number of years ago I wrote a Mission Statement. It still fits today.

 

  To provide guidance and motivation for women to

live a healthy balanced lifestyle. We encourage strength,

self love and acceptance for all.

 

My son and I took photos today. I explained to him that I was taking these pictures to show others to be brave. To show that I am strong, even though I might not look strong. He laughed.

 

"That's silly. Why wouldn't you be strong?"  ~ Levi, age 8

 

#thisiswhatmystongbodylookslike

 

 

 

 

 

 

New phase.

I lost both of my parents three years ago. After years of abuse and abuse onto my two young sons, I walked away and said goodbye to my parents forever. Over the past three years there have been many phases. It first I was devastated. Devastated that my parents were no longer in my life, but more devastated that my own parents could treat me with such hate and even more devastated that I had suppressed it.

As the years went on, I grew onto anger and hatred. I lived there for far too long. I was so angry. So angry that I nearly pull my own arm off in my sleep. So angry that I cried. I couldn't see. I desperately wanted to let go. Then one day, I just felt sad. I actually missed them and that made me shameful. How could I miss them? A good friend of mine told me that this was just the next step. "You are moving on." I was tired of the steps. When do you get to the top?

Today was a clear day. I could never be thankful for what I went through. Until today. I am not happy for all of the things she was. Mean, cruel, vindictive, the victim, hard, and manipulating. But I am grateful. For if she were not these things, I would not have become what I needed most. I had to be compassionate, motivating, encouraging, strong, and loving. I needed these things in my life because they just weren't there otherwise. And for that I am grateful. I would not be this person without her.

Now as I move into the next phase of my life, I know that it is the perfect fit. Being a personal trainer includes all of these things that I had to get really good at. So today, I accept and I am thankful. I will rock this life, and I will be your shoulder when you need it.