Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Blend Retreat Weekend | Surrounding Yourself w/ the Right People
Good morning, my friends!
This past weekend was the annual Blend Retreat (you can read about 2014 and 2013 Blend Retreats here and here) and this year it was right here in Boulder, Colorado!
What’s the Blend Retreat, you ask? Well, over the years that I’ve been blogging, I’ve made some really awesome friends via the internet that I’ve become really great friends in real life. In the spirit of making up words, blogger + friend = blend, and the Blend Retreat is basically a super fun girls (and some guys) weekend celebrating blogging and friends. Basically, we hike, eat, laugh, and just hang out all weekend!
[Tweet “Blend Retreat 2015 Weekend Recap – via @TrainerPaige #blend2015 “]
Anyway, I thought I’d share some pictures from this weekend as a peek into all of the fun that went on over the past 48 hours. Enjoy!
LOTS of delicious food, thanks to all of our amazing sponsors. The meals at Blend Retreat have always been great, but I am 100% certain that this was the best year yet. Every single meal left me extremely satisfied. The sponsors showed up all the way, and I felt so lucky to be able to work with some amazing companies like Quest Nutrition, Justin’s, flapJacked, Sizzlefish, Epic Seed, Barbara’s, and so many more.
We actually lucked out on the weather. The forecast was showing rain, rain, and more rain. And while it did rain, it was in spurts, and it never rained on any of the events! Good thing, because hiking around Chautauqua provides for some pretty damn good views. Oh, and since we like to push safety to the wayside, we recorded some exercises on a scary rock!
Afterwards…Lynne, Heidi, and I enjoyed chilling out on this ledge for a good 10 minutes, just chatting, taking in the beauty, and even caught some hawks soaring at eye level!
Another super memorable part of the weekend was going to Upslope Brewery’s Get Down jam and “getting down” to a hilariously inappropriate band, Rowdy Shadehouse. We danced all night, and laughed even more!
The last morning of the retreat was capped off with a yoga session lead by Bhakti Chai on the front lawn at chautauqua. Yoga alongside the front range – even beachfront yoga can’t beat that!
It was such a great weekend, and nearly all of it was spent doing my very favorite thing: laughing my booty off with friends. It’s seriously my very favorite thing, and I live by the notion that if you’re spending your time with the right people, they’ll energize and lift you up, while those who aren’t the right people to spend your time with will bring you down and zap up your positivity. If someone can’t celebrate your success and you-ness, then in my opinion you’re sharing your most precious assets – your time and energy with the wrong people.
As soon as I recognize that feeling when I’m with someone – one that brings more shame, guilt, and comparison than joy – I ask myself if I’m consistently being energized or drained by this person. If the answer is the latter, then I have some decisions to make.
There I go digressing again. All in all, it was such a great weekend – and I’d wager to say the best Blend Retreat yet!
[Tweet “#Blend2015 Recap is Up! Blends are the best! via @Trainerpaige”]
Have you ever become real-life friends with someone you met online?
Have you ever had to let go of certain friendships or relationships in your life?
I swear internet friends are the best friends haha. I wish I could’ve gone!!
I would love to go to something like this when I live in the US, as I feel like I miss out on so many meet-up opportunities living over this side of the pond!
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…Events training and kitchen battles
One of these years I will make it to Blend! Looks like such a fun time. I’ve been lucky to meet up with a couple Blends when they’ve visited or when I’ve gone to their town. It’s so fun to meet up with them. I swear I know bloggers more than some of my friends!
Heather @Fit n Cookies recently posted…Tutus or Ties Gender Reveal Party
I loved watching that mini clip. The view is stunning! I hope to go to Blend one day, I swear that is the best idea ever!
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness recently posted…How To Turn Around Your Mindset and Never Have a Bad Workout
The weekend looks like it was so much fun! I’m so glad that you all had a nice time. I was so bummed I couldn’t make it this year.
I’d love to attend Blend one day. The scenery looks utterly beautiful.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…My Trip to Vancouver
Blend looks like such a great time! I’d love to go next year. I know I’m not a ‘popular’ blogger but I think it’d be a great way to meet some of the bloggers I’ve been following for the past couple of years and just enjoying common community. 🙂
Diane @ Life of Di. recently posted…Nothing Prepared Me…
you would love it!! 🙂
What an awesome weekend!! I’m sad I missed it, but I’m glad it went so well and that you all had a blast. That’s great the weather decided to cooperate nicely too! Totally agree on surrounding yourself with the right people … it can be tough, but makes all the difference. Great thoughts!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…Girls’ Weekend + Weekly Workouts & Meals
So much fun! Glad you guys all had a great time!
Blend was awesome! I’m so glad I got to say hi to you at the beginning (a little starstruck). It’s so true that being around the right people does wonders for your emotional and mental health. And your physical health, especially among healthy living bloggers!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves recently posted…What I Loved and Learned at Blend Retreat
I’m so glad I got to meet you, too, Alison! Wish we could have spent more time together! The weekend went by way too quickly (as always)
It was wonderful to meet you Paige! It was a wonderful weekend and I absolutely loved Boulder! Such a fun town. We must have just missed you guys at the Upslope music festival. We left as the storm rolled in but it was so fun!
This looks like such a great weekend. I hope to make it to Blend next year!
Where’s our shot video??
Becki @ Bites ‘n Brews recently posted…March of Brews
lol! It was such a horrible video – my videographer skills were NOT on point 🙂
Missed seeing you. So sad we couldn’t make it this year.
Same!! Miss you two!!!