Why are we sponsoring a children’s football league and what has to do with fitness

My daughter is horrified by entering her first football practice. She didn’t know anyone. She was not sure she would be good enough or what her teammates would think.

But by the end of the hour, she was buzzing with excitement. Thanks to a coach who made sure that every child felt like belonging, supporting teammates and very positive reinforcement.

This moment reminded me why NERD fitness exists.

This spirit – to make everyone feel visible, encouraged and part of the team, no matter what their starting point is – is exactly what I think is missing from the greater part of the fitness industry.

Too often, the gym and classes feel like competitive sports leagues – designed for people who already love to train, already feel confident, already know what they are doing.
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But what if you are the « new child », you enter your first workout at the age of 30… or 50… or 70? He may feel as scary as my nine -year -old, who was raising his dens for the first time.

In Nerd Fitness, we want to turn this scenario.

✅ Regardless of the level of your skills, there is room for you here.

✅ Each receives “play time”

✅ The goal is not the best in the room -but to become a little better, together.

It is no coincidence that my daughter felt like this. The REC league we are part of is built around this central idea:

Everyone deserves a chance to play and everyone deserves a chance to fall in love with football.

Everything in the league, from the administration, to the coaches, to how teammates treat each other, is a reflection of this.

It is no coincidence that people stumble on the gym and feel similar. I just got this message from a reader this week:

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Fitness is for everyone in every body. And everyone deserves a chance to find the fitness that works for them.

That is why we decided to sponsor my daughter’s local football league in suburban Indiana during this upcoming autumn season.
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​Not because it will take us many views, clicks or likes.

But since fitness should feel like this first practice: encouraging, playful and focused on aligning a little from where you started – where you let it buzz with excitement instead of fear.

So if you have ever felt that the fitness world was not built for you, I want you to know: you belong here. You have a place on the table. And we are here to help you find the joy of moving, no matter where you start.
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And if you are already experienced and have found your own thing – amazing! We are so grateful that you are here to continue learning and help others during their trip.

Let’s play.

– coach Matt
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PS is looking for a coach who gets what is to feel overloaded and intimidated when you start? I would like to talk to you to hear more about your trip and see how I can help.