I’m still on cloud nine after last Sunday’s first-ever #GetHealthyGetTogether that our team hosted here in Austin at the beautiful South Congress Hotel. Earlier this year, we announced a renewed commitment to creating content that inspires healthy lifestyles, and that inspired a desire to do something IRL with you guys. As much as we love our digital community, I believe there’s something special about connecting in real life, and the vision behind our first #GetHealthyGetTogether was about meeting our Austin readers in person, having fun and getting fit together. Click through the slides for highlights from the day, and be sure to check out the hashtag for lots more.
*photos by Jenny Sathngam
Planning this event reminded me how much I love living in a city where there are so many like-minded businesses who are passionate about wellness. Huge thanks to South Congress Hotel for opening up the doors to my dream venue for this event, and to the MOD Fitness crew for leading us in the most fun group workout I’ve ever done.
The event kicked off with organic cold-pressed goodness from Juice Society while everyone arrived and did a little pre-shopping at the Outdoor Voices pop-up shop on premises.
DJ Alfa Leone got the party started with the perfect mix of happy, energizing beats. It was the first time I’ve ever worked out to a DJ, and I’ve decided that I’m going to make that happen as frequently as possible moving forward. (big thanks to Event Vines for sponsoring our DJ set!)
Everyone laid down their yoga mats and chatted, chilled, and…
… sipped tea from Cat Spring, the most delicious Yaupon tea based here in Austin that has quickly become a new favorite.
When it was time to kickoff the workout, I hopped on stage and shared the vision behind the event, introduced everyone who was behind it, and teed up the big giveaways (amazing beauty loot from W3LL PEOPLE, shopping spree at Sunroom, tons of enviable Outdoor Voices gear, and loads more.)
Everyone was also pretty excited for the epic wellness swag bags at the door, which included:
- a LOVE waterbottle + a comp’d class
- W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Mascara
- Thunderbird Bars
- Vita Coco Coconut Water
- The Natural Citizen Smoothie Boosters
- Cat Spring Yaupon Tea
- MOD Fitness gift card
…all packed up in the cutest Outdoor Voices totes.
Then Marnie and Hollie got the MOD Fitness workout started. I was super excited to intro the group to the workout that has been so key in my getting back in shape post-baby. It’s a barre-inspired workout that truly creates long lean muscles and better posture, and I can’t say enough how much I love Marnie and her crew (catch lots more of them over in our regular Fitness Tutorials series!)
It was a really incredible feeling to see the huge group of girls (and a few guys) working out and pushing themselves together.
Marnie and Hollie demo the dreaded “thigh dancing” — nothing else brings the burn quite like it.
A lot of the girls there had never done a barre workout, and it was really cool to see people get outside their comfort zone and go for it.
Then we rewarded ourselves for our hard work! Mimosas, green juice, and popsicles… ’cause it’s all about balance.
Next door, tenoverten treated us to the best mini-manis throughout the entire morning.
Some of the fittest and most inspiring gals I know, Maria and Jen from LOVE Cycling, another studio that I credit for helping me achieve a lot of my fitness goals. I hit up their incredible calorie-scorching spin classes a couple times a week, so I loved having them at the event to demo and coach people on the bikes.
Kaley savors the sweet taste of victory.
Lots of MOD instructors in the house!
A moment with the Camille Styles team — so thankful for these girls who inspire me on a daily basis.
Happy guests head home with their bags full of wellness loot. Cheers to an amazing day, and fingers crossed this will be the first of many #GetHealthyGetTogethers!
