FiA January 2022 Newsletter

JANUARY | 2022

FiA Greensboro Newsletter

The Official Newsletter of FiA Greensboro

In Like a Lion... Again

By Cameron Wannamaker | Grasshopper What's in this issue:

It is hard to believe we are beginning another year How it All Begin and the Woman Behind
STILL in the middle of a pandemic. Though many days it All - Page 2
over the course of 2021 were beyond challenging, I
encourage you to be grateful for those challenging With a Grateful Heart for Our Fearless
days as each one brought with it a lesson... a new Leader - Page 3
strength... an opportunity to be a better version of
yourself. You are who you are because of those Spreading FiA Cheer - Page 4
challenges. You are who you are because you showed
up to FiA workouts and leaned on your FiA sisters, Advent Running Challenge- Page 4
whether they knew you how much you needed them in
that moment or not. Take a moment to reflect on the FiA GSO Board - Page 5
past year and stand proud because you are stronger
than you were a year ago and you have an incredible VQ Week - Page 5
tribe of women ready to lift you up in 2022 when you
need it most and celebrate with you when the FiA Spotlight: Lotus- Page 6
moment is right. This year may be rolling in like a lion
once again, but so are you my dear FiA sister... What's On Your FiA Heart: Blossom -
SO.ARE.YOU! We are all in this together and we are all Page 6
indeed better together.
Healthy Winter Recipe - Page 7

FiAlanthropy - What's in Your Closet? -
Page 7

Heartfelt Thoughts: Resolutions - Page 8

JANUARY | 2022

How it All Began and the Woman Behind it All

We set our alarms each evening for an hour that makes us cringe inside,
knowing there is always a chance we may hit off instead of snooze or just
decide to stay in bed that extra hour - especially on those sub-freezing
mornings. But for the mornings we put our bare feet on the cold floor and
muster up enough energy to pull our layers on, it is always worth it and we
head home feeling energized, rejuvenated and ready to face whatever the
day throws at us. And we all have one amazing lady to thank for making
starting our days this way possible. This is the story of how Lotus became
Lotus and how FiA Greensboro came to be.

"Thinking back on the beginning of 2017 is difficult, a very painful time of my
life. I had been separated for almost a year, and in short trying my best to
navigate everything on my own. I was simply going through the motions most
days. I felt very lost.

Early February of that year I heard about F3 Greensboro. I had a few guy
friends that were a part of it. I reached out to FiA Nation to inquire about
starting FiA in Greensboro. I was put directly in touch with ChiaPet (founder of
FiA Nation) in Charlotte. After several conversations she encouraged me to go to
my first FiA workout in Winston Salem, which launched the year before. On
Saturday, February 25, 2017 I drove to Winston not knowing anyone. I was so
nervous and didn’t know any of the lingo. I was a what? An FNG? I was a
friendly new girl and a part of something new. The women made me feel so
welcomed, encouraged me through my first workout, and wanted to know what
brought me to FiA. During my first circle of trust I opened up about what
brought me to this group, what I was going through personally and then
something billowed up inside me and I cried. I cried in front of these women I
didn’t even know. I was embraced by these women I didn’t know – before I could
say anything else they named me Lotus. They ensured me I would get through
these dark days, growing better through it – like the Lotus flower.

I drove to Winston every Saturday for the next six weeks to
learn everything I could. In the meantime, I reached out to F3
and with their help started gathering names of ladies that
might be interested in joining FiA Greensboro. A launch date
was chosen, our Facebook page created and email blasts went
out. FiA Greensboro was born May 6, 2017 and the rest... is
history."

LOTUS - WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR TAKING A CHANCE ON AN
ENDEAVOR DURING SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME IN YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE THE REASON

WE ARE ALL FIA SISTERS AND TRULY ARE BETTER TOGETHER. BUT DON'T JUST
TAKE IT FROM ME... TURN THE PAGE TO SEE WHAT A FEW FIA SISTERS HAD TO

SAY ABOUT WHAT LOTUS AND FIA MEANS TO THEM...

JANUARY | 2022

With a Grateful Heart for Our Fearless Leader!

I will be forever grateful for you my Thank you for being a strong FiA
friend. My life since Fia has become leader and a great friend. We
so bountiful . I don’t know how to appreciate all you do for each of us
thank you for bringing such joy to in FiA but more importantly what
this amazing community of women. you do for us when we need your
Thank you for working so hard on friendship and counsel (and just
our newsletter, it brings us all having a good time). Don’t change
together. Love you so much! –Xena anything Lotus. We love you.
-Escobar
Ashley - the ray of sunshine in the
Thank you for the years of service
picture displays exactly what you getting us launched and seeing all of
us through each step of this amazing
have brought to FIA over these past journey. We will miss your input and
beautiful newsletters but you laid
years. Your leadership, friendship, out a wonderful outline for those
that follow in your footsteps. -Mrs. 3
faith, joy, beauty, laughter,

compassion, and dedication shine

over everything you do. Thank you!

-Vice

Lotus - vulnerable, bold, biggest Lotus? HEY!!! Thanks so much for
heart, FUNNY, friend, messy bun and starting FiA, for getting the
life-changing are a few words to newsletter going and making it
describe our fearless founder of FiA awesome! You are full of so many
Greensboro. Thank you, Lotus, for wonderful talents and have so much
bringing so many amazing women to offer. Thankful that I met you and
together. Love you! -Alamo can share in all that makes you
special. Love you friend! -Primary

L - LOVE One three word phrase that sums it up for me when I think of Lotus,
O - Open Hearted this beautiful woman who has made such an impact on my life
T - Transformation through our friendship and through FiA: "YOU DA' BEST!!!" -Ramsey
U - Unafraid

S - Sensational

I hope you know how you have changed my FiA. SO much more than a workout. Health, prayers,
world. For the better. For this, I thank you! laughs, tears, loyalty, friendship, and bird-dog-booty-
-Cut pulse. Brought to all of us, because of one of us.
Thank you for the time and dedication you
put into building this tribe. It means so Lotus, what you started has grown into such an
much to so many ladies and has been a God amazing part of all of our lives, in different and the
send to me! Love you Clown!!! -Lonestar same ways. I am so grateful to you for knowing this is
what we all needed. You are loved. -Cheddar

I did not how you got your FIA name, so I asked Google to weigh in... and what Google told me was
this: "... the Lotus flower is regarded as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and
rebirth..." These characteristics seemed ever so fitting in describing you... pure in your
authenticity... enlightening in your creation of community... a role model of self-regeneration,
channeling your energy inward to discover and reconnect with yourself that has resulted in your re-
birth. As a friend and sister, it fills my heart with love to see you happy and joyful - above all
savoring each moment and grateful for the blessings all around you. I think your name Lotus is SO
fitting for you... I'm so excited to continue to walk alongside you as your friend and sister as we
"grow" through life and do our best to help others do the same....Thank you for your leadership and
service... YOu da' BEst!! -Spicy

JANUARY | 2022

Spreading FiA Cheer

Between the Advent Running/Walking
Challenge, Running of the BALLZ and our
annual Santa Baby Workout, FiA sisters
certainly were busy spreading holiday
cheer throughout the month of December!
We were super excited to have some of the
FiA Winston-Salem sisters join us for the
BALLZ run! Take a look at some fun images
capturing these events.

Congratulations Running Advent Enthusiasts!

These amazing ladies walked or ran every single day,
December 1st - 23rd, completing 72 miles (full), 36

miles (1/2 calf) or 144 miles (Ultra) in 23 days! WAY TO
GO! A HUGE thank you to Lonestar for keeping
everyone motivated along the way!

Bless Her Heart Full House Grasshopper Guiding
Light Hamm Havana Jammer Ketchup Lonestar
Lotus Loveseat Outnumbered Ramsey Rev It Up

Roxy Starfish Sunflower Vice Warrior

JANUARY | 2022

FiA Your Board is here to support all FIA sisters!
GSO Have an idea for a social event? Reach out to
Board the Social/Events committee! Have a prayer

request you want to share? Send a note to the
Heart chairs! Though most of their work is
done behind the scenes, all board members

are just a text or phone call away and happy
to hear your ideas, lend a prayerful ear, or
anything in between. After all, we are
#bettertogether!!

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP - ALAMO/EMILY STEVENS (336.202.4425)
COMMS/WEBSITE - FULL HOUSE/ROSE BATE (336.327.4547)

FIALANTHROPY/COMMUNITY - VICE/DAWN BRISOTTI (336.601.6013)
& CUT/LIZ STOVALL (336.587.6549)

HEART - MONARCH/DUANA CISNEY (336.404.6311)
& BAYOU/JULIA GENIAC (336.601.2536)

FITNESS/Q SCHOOL - LONESTAR/LISA PINA (817.690.8572)
& CHEDDAR/ERIN GRAY (336.455.3776)

SOCIALS/EVENTS - PRIMARY/CLAIRE ANETRELLA (336.312.6861)
& ROXY/MICHELLE EDENS (336.420.1110)

YOU 2

VQ Week: February 14th - 18th

Share the love February 14th - 18th! Have you been thinking about Qing but just haven's
given it a try yet? Well VQ week is YOUR time to shine! With plenty of time to prep, plenty of
experienced Q's to reach out to for help (they can even Co-Q with you!), and a Q school the
last week of January, you have all the tools and support you need to take the VQ leap! Help
us reach our goal of having a VQ at EACH site the week of February 14th. Experienced Q’s:
reach out to those that you think will be willing and just need an extra nudge and/or
volunteer to Co-Q that week. Together we can ensure VQ week is a success!

JANUARY | 2022 "I am so happy my mom
started FiA in
FiA Spotlight
Greensboro. 'She’s not a
Ashley Oaster | 53 | Lotus regular mom, she’s a

What inspires you? My children, Lauren and Connor, inspire me every day – COOL mom' (Mean Girls
they are two of the most kindhearted people I know and they always have a quote). She is cool for
positive outlook in everything they do. I am also inspired by strong, kind and starting FiA & being a
genuine women. I am inspired by women that keep moving forward, aware of
that they may get it wrong, make mistakes and unsure of what is next – but they BOSS at it. She has
move forward anyway. A strong woman that picks herself up, becomes her own grown so much. Her faith
hero – that is inspiring to me. is shining through her &
she is an inspiration to
What is your most favorite FiA exercise? I love full body exercises. A few of
my favorites are inch worms, good ole jumping jacks and squat jumps. What is me. She inspires me to
your least favorite FiA exercise? Burpees! I will do them while modifying and stay true to myself & to
grumbling at the same time!
always follow my
What is one of your favorite FiA memories? Wow so hard to narrow it down, passions. My mom is a
I have so many favorite memories! All of the theme workouts, the Olympics, the loving & great mom.
anniversaries, the races, the socials – but my most favorite time with FiA is when
I don’t feel like getting out of bed for a workout but I get up and go anyway – the I LOVE YOU, COOL
mumble chatter & laughter always lifts me up – just being around my FiA sisters MOM!"
fills my heart for the day.
-Lauren (Blossom)
Why do you think we are better together? We can actually flourish when we
spend time in the presence of other women who support, encourage and care
for each other for just who they are. That is what FiA represents – a true
unconditional sisterhood.

What would you like to see our region do in 2022? I would love to see more
opportunities to volunteer in our community. Our board chairs have done an
amazing job finding areas we can help. There is so much need out there. I would
also love to see new FiAs stepping up to Q workouts and eventually become
leaders in our region. The only way we can sustain & continue to grow FiA
Greensboro is through continued leadership.

If you could give every FNG one piece of advice, what would it be? My one
piece of advice would be to KEEP COMING BACK. It’s so hard to explain to an
FNG what becoming a FiA means – it’s truly way more than a workout – they
need to keep coming back to experience all of it. And ALL OF IT is pretty
wonderful.

I am so happy to be a part of a loving & passionate group of beautiful
ladies who I like to call my FiA sisters & FiA mamas. FiA is a second

Lauren | Blossom family to me. I love that everyone is so welcoming and kind to each
other. I also love that everyone can share their own experiences,
passions, and things they may be struggling with without worrying
about judgment. I can always count on my FiA sisters to pick me up
when I’m down or when I need a push to keep going with a workout. :)
The main thing I like about this group is how we can all enjoy the Lord

together.

Motivation is something I have struggled with physically & spiritually. It has been a struggle to read my
bible every day & really enjoy the Lord. I started with reading at least a verse a day, then a week later I
would read about half a page or chapter. Jesus doesn’t care how much you read a day. He wants you to
enjoy His word and to read His word, even if it’s one verse. :) I also have struggled with being more active.

All the wonderful FiA’s are so encouraging and inspiring to me. They all have grown so much within the
past few years. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, & I will give you
rest.”

JANUARY | 2022

Healthy Winter Recipe

It's that time of year when we break out the crock
pots and crave comfort food to get us through those
chilly nights. Next time you need a warm meal for
dinner, try the Pioneer Woman's healthy version of
chili and save on some calories without skimping on
the taste! Short on time? Simply throw everything in
the slow cooker and skip step 1 altogether!
Browning the meat first will just get you more
flavorful results.

Ingredients Directions
1 tbsp.  vegetable oil  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over
1  yellow onion, chopped medium-high heat. Add the onion and
1  red bell pepper, chopped bell pepper and cook until tender, 8-10
2 lb.  ground turkey minutes. Add the turkey and cook until
3  garlic cloves, chopped no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Add the
1/4 c.  tomato paste garlic and tomato paste and cook 2
2  14.5 oz. cans fire roasted tomatoes, NOT drained minutes.
1  15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed 2.Transfer the turkey mixture to a slow
1  15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed cooker. Stir in remaining ingredients.
1 c.  frozen corn kernels Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or
1 1/2 c.  chicken broth low for 6 hours (if you have the time to
2 tsp.  chili powder cook the chili for 6 hours on low, that is
1 tsp.  ground cumin the preferred method).
1 tsp.  dried oregano 3.Garnish with toppings and enjoy!
1/2 tsp.  salt
1/2 tsp.  ground black pepper

Optional toppings: avocado, shredded cheese, low
fat sour cream, chopped onions, crumbled tortilla
chips

Makes 6 - 8 servings

FiAlanthropy - What's in Your Closet?

As FiA sisters, we want to do our part to support the mission to give back to the community
in which we live. As a way to kick off giving back in 2022, we are asking FiA sisters to clean
out those closets and collect any gently used women's clothing and shoes that you would
like to get rid of or maybe just don't wear as much anymore. FiAlanthropy is organizing a
"FIA swap and social" that will be held in February and anything not swapped will be
donated to the Women's Resource Center. It's a win-win! You can clean out and even refresh
your closet while helping women in our community! Stay tuned for more details and in the
meantime, get a jump on that spring cleaning!

Have a volunteer or service opportunity you are passionate about that FiA can get involved in?
Reach out to Vice/Dawn Brisotti or Cut/Liz Stovall and share your idea!

JANUARY | 2022

Heartfelt Thoughts: Resolutions

Bayou and Monarch - Heart Chairs
Happy New Year FiA Sisters! We begin again! Have you made any resolutions for
2022?

Merriam-Webster defines RESOLUTION as: the firm determination to achieve one’s ends.

Synonyms for RESOLUTION include:
Courage: a firmness of will and mind when facing danger or great difficulty.
Mettle: the characteristic of ingrained fortitude and resilience in the face of stress or
difficulty.
Spirit: the ability to keep up one’s morale when opposed or threatened.
Tenacity: stubborn persistence, an unwillingness to admit defeat.

The definition of resolution and the synonyms for the word, tell us that resolution takes effort,
that it is hard, and often must be summoned in the face of adversity and personal struggle. Gee,
who wants to push a boulder up a hill?!

So, how can we make resolutions that are not dreaded and unsuccessful chores? Try this:

Instead of focusing what you are NOT doing, focus on making your resolutions personally
uplifting and positive. Let your resolutions represent the growth you have achieved in the
past and that you will continue to achieve in the future.
Instead of “This year, I will not judge people,” try “This year I will be kind to myself. I will
continue to practice this by showing grace to myself and others.”
Instead of “This year, I resolve to be a better person”, be specific, show your courage, mettle,
spirit, and tenacity by saying and believing “I am a good person. I resolve to continue being
my best self. I resolve to reach out and share my light and joy with those around me.”

In resolving to appreciate yourself and to share your gifts and talents with the world, you will in
turn be ever blessed. May you humbly accept the reflection of the grace you share, in this new
year and beyond.

FiA stands for Females in Action, which is a community of women dedicated to making each
other stronger in all areas of our lives through activities that include bodies, minds, and hearts.
A FiA workout is a promise, always free, open to ALL women, held outdoors, and ends with a
circle of trust.

Bodies - We organize FREE, peer-led workouts each week. Workouts are held outdoors rain
or shine, hot or cold.
Minds - We get together for book clubs, career and family discussion groups, or workshops.
Hearts - We give our time and resources to the community and invest in each other by
joining together for coffee, weekday lunches, and FiA socials.

Have an idea for an article or a topic you'd like to see covered in the newsletter?
Reach out to Grasshopper (Cameron Wannamaker) at 336.202.3684. All suggestions welcomed!