By Barrett White
Nate Herrington is creating a fitness movement—one that’s inclusive, gets people on their feet, and gives people something to walk away with (a badge of honor on their hearts, and maybe a little sweat on their yoga mats). Herrington is the founder of the I Like to Move It Movement, a 21-day fundraiser that anyone can do from home. The fundraiser—benefitting Houston LGBTQ-focused non-profits Tony’s Place and Out for Education—has a lofty, but achievable, goal of $30,000.
“A fitness movement in the name of mental health is missing from the gay community,” Herrington says. He knows all too well the struggle with mental health faced by many gay men. Herrington, 39, has been teaching yoga for nearly a decade after surviving a suicide attempt at age 30 when his tumultuous twenties came to a head. Looking back with fresh eyes, Herrington is paying it forward by sharing his relationship with yoga with a community he cares for.
According to the Journal of Homosexuality published by National Center for Biotechnology Information, folks in the LGBTQ+ community are much more likely to experience suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt than the general public. Organizations like Tony’s Place, which helps to alleviate LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, and Out for Education, which offers financial resources to queer students, are organizations working to change the social determinants that affect young LGBTQ+ folks. Tools like these are essential for the wellbeing of the next generation.
The I Like to Move It Movement is easy to join and enjoy. Participants sign up for a Reason2Race fundraising page, through which they collect donations—much like someone would if they were participating in a fun run or a marathon. By sharing their personalized page, friends and family on their social media accounts can donate directly to the page and support the fundraiser without cash or face-to-face interaction—perfect for a movement in the time of COVID-19.
What do the participants do, then?
Well, you gotta get movin’.
Participants will join daily Zoom calls where a variety of inclusive instructors will lead 20–30 minute workouts that participants can perform from home, including yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and full-body movement. To treat participants, weekends will be complete with a DJ dance party hosted by Janan Araujo-Siam, one of the yogis you’ll meet during the week.
Joining Herrington and Araujo-Siam are fellow instructors Raven Brown, Sergio Moreno, and Jose Portillo. “There’s no commitment for anyone other than that they move,” says Herrington. Unlike some fitness courses, however, the workouts aren’t expert-level, so beginners won’t be left feeling unequipped. “You don’t have to be a ‘fitness person’ to join us,” Herrington says.
Regardless of skill level, you’ll have fun and you’ll sweat for the cause. Rounding out the inclusivity and inspiration are Herrington’s motivational emails and pro-tips in your inbox each day. “It’s not about burning calories or hitting that elusive goal,” Herrington says, emphasizing the aspects of fun and community. “It’s about the mind-body connection.”
Is the I Like to Move It Movement 2020 a one-time thing? Herrington remains coy. Who knows, he says, I guess we will have to see what the inaugural fundraiser’s turnout is like.
You can enroll for the I Like to Move It movement at their official Reason2Race page. To follow the movement on social, check out their Facebook and Instagram. Nate Herrington can be found on Instagram.
