Giving up would have been easier. Closing our doors forever would have been a relief. In fact, saying goodbye to MtM could have opened up other opportunities. Just the other day, an old friend texted me to say I’d make an excellent Peloton instructor (I said thank you). Yes, it would have all worked out. Several times throughout this year, Sara and I discussed closing. Our lease was up this past February, and we could have walked away from our 13-year ride.But we couldn’t do it. We couldn’t give up on the community and the future. So, we fought, physically, mentally, and tactically. We fought hard to survive. This year taught me more about leadership and business operations than any insight a business book, podcast, or degree could have provided. Although we hemorrhaged money this whole year (yeah, we basically bled out), three key business decisions and moves kept us alive:

1. We Digitized Community: We wanted to give our members confidence in us immediately. So, on March 15th, we shifted to Facebook Live. Initially, we thought this would be a temporary in-person shut down - Facebook was the easiest and fastest solution. This quick fix ended up being the big fix since it created a digital community where people encourage each other, in real-time, while working out, downward dogging, and even meditating. We have tried all of the best platforms out there, but we keep coming back to this Facebook community. Check out our website for more information. (https://www.mindthemat.com/)
2. We Diversified: As soon as it was safe enough to offer in-person, we moved several programs outside, thanks to the support of the City of Alexandria. It had never felt so good to be outside, surrounded by grass and trees, among our friends, seeing each other from afar. We were also able to maintain in-person indoors with limited capacity and offer our robust variety of classes live and saved in our new online library. We have literally thousands of classes saved. Outdoors, Mini-Inside & Online...That’s our programming motto!
3. We Focused on the Good: Bad, bad things happened this year. I personally have several good friends and clients who lost either one or both of their parents to Covid-19. Several good friends lost their siblings suddenly. On the business side, Sara and I consistently dismantled huge programs we’d built over a decade. Chopped them up in mere hours. But we tried to focus on our people, how we could continue to support and serve them, and how we could use MtM as a springboard for more profound work (more on that later).

 

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But above all, I need to be clear: We would NOT be here if it weren’t for Alexandria. This community, including the financial assistance from the city and big friends like lululemon and Arlington County, supported us this whole year. We want to thank you! We needed you more than ever and you came through - for that we will never forget you. And so, we move forward...

1. Virtual Programming Forever: Live and pre-recorded. We are also excited to offer an even better live experience when we are fully in-person. All MtM Live classes are listed on our schedule.
2. More Outdoor Experiences: With better weather, you’ll find more outdoor options at Del Ray and Chinquapin Park. Workshops coming up include Self Defense with Olivia Sheldon, Pilates Fundamentals with Amanda, and Yoga for Runners with Caroline. See MtM Workshops here.
3. Small In-Person Masked Classes: We will keep adding socially distanced in-person masked classes with windows open, air purifiers running, HVAC blasting, and safety precautions outlined by Governor Northam. We ask that you follow your part in disclosing any CDC listed risky behaviors so that we can all stay safe. See our current yoga, Pilates, and barre schedule here.

   It’s been a year since I sat down, stressed and scared, to write Keep the Ship in the Channel. When I read this last paragraph, I think about how far we’ve sailed, how much we’ve grown together, and how I could not have made it through this year without this sense of purpose. Thank you.

If you are struggling, take this minute by minute, hour by hour. Whatever you are navigating, don’t get too close to the shoreline. Just be present, show up, and keep your hands on the wheel. Allow yourself time to feel bad. Find time to cry. It’s ok to cry and break down. But keep your hands on the wheel. Stay the course. Keep the ship in the channel and you’ll make it to your destination safely.