#6 - December: Chasing
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2024!
We hope you had a restful/recharging/busy/quiet festive period (insert as appropriate).
For us it was all of the above :D
We ended 2023 by reflecting on the year in photos, having our first in-person meeting and doing a visualisation session for 2024. The good news is we are aligned on our goals for this year and beyond… the bad news? We’re going to need more fuel for this rocket ship!
No, but in all seriousness, we have some big ideas and are excited to get cracking on them over the next few months. To continue chasing our dreams.
In this month's edition:
Secret project reveal
Why your New Years resolutions aren’t working for you (and how to get them to work)
Exclusive teaser: Why I Tri: 2023 - A Legendary Year
Secret project reveal
At the end of last year and in true woowoo fashion (aka a bit wild and last minute), we had an idea. One thing we try to do at woowoo is to make most of those ideas happen… so we spent the best part of November with our heads down to give ourselves a fighting chance… and we got there just in time.
Introducing the woowoo zine - edition 001.
Yes, that’s right. Our first physical product (even if at this stage, it’s just for us.)
The idea is not a new one to us - we’ve always wanted to create a ‘coffee table book’, filled with photos, stories and adventures and this is the first year where we’ve had the perfect excuse to actually do it. But more than that, we want to be able to look back at previous editions and reflect on what we got up to that year, our progression and the lessons we learnt along the way - to see our growth.
Speaking of lessons learnt… make sure you do a test run with your supplier before placing your order. We were so excited (and still are) to share this with you, but the truth is, we are not super happy with the quality of the print. Which means for 2024’s edition new suppliers will be sought to ensure that when you place your order for the zine (😉) it will be top quality.
Woowoo celebrates normal people doing big things, the ‘back of the packers’ and the people getting out there and finding the thing that they are passionate about. We interviewed creators, adventurers and entrepreneurs. We became photographers, and got to travel to some pretty cool events. We trained and raced. We started actively chasing this dream.
If you’re interested in receiving a zine send us a message and we can organise something with you :)
New Year resolutions - we’ve heard it all before
It’s that time of year where your normal spot in the gym is taken; where whilst running your usual route you see triple the amount of people than you usually do; where none of your mates want to go out for a drink because everyone is doing Dry Jan. Your friends and family share their New Year resolutions that sound similar to last years… and the year before. But no, this year is going to be different, they swear. The goals will be achieved this time!
Or, you have so many things you want to achieve you don’t even know where to begin or what to commit to.
We get it. We’ve all been there. But we actually think this year is going to be different (I know we sound just like everyone else, but hear us out). Resolutions, goals, targets, aims - whatever you want to call them, do not work unless you are being held accountable for them… and that’s where woowoo comes in.
Our accountability group is the little push you need. We want to see you set your goal and achieve it. And we want to help anyway we can - whether that’s helping you pick a goal, cheering you on, or (gently) reminding you of what you’re aiming for.
We know that you who you spend time with is who you become, but to see this in action is really cool. It’s already having a positive impact and inspiring others to set to solid, achievable goals for 2024. Take a peek at some of the woo do-er’s goals below.
So what are you waiting for? Join the WA group, say hi, and let us know what woowoo’s you are chasing this year.
You've got a whole team behind you 🚀
Guest Column: Why I Tri - 2023 - A Legendary Year
Soooo very excited to be invited to the 80’s Club Revival at work. I’m still a newbie, same company but with new role in a different office. I could not imagine a better start: fab music, jazz, funk and soul, drinks, and dancing until the early hours. My youth revisited. My kinda people 😊 But alas, was not to be ☹
Turns out, the 80’s club is a commuter challenge - encouraging people to run, walk, crawl to the office, anything but the car! With the target being 80 commutes in total. One of the main reasons for taking the new role (which is awesome by the way, I am loving it) was to relocate to an office closer to home, to trade a 110km commute of over an hour in a car, for 10km bike ride to the office. So, whilst it was not soul music, it touched my cycling soul.
And in this respect, when I failed to Tri in 2023, the 80’s Club has been a constant – and I am on track to meet or beat the extended challenge of 100 commutes / 200 rides. In addition to swimming, running and weekend cycling. (At time of writing, just hit 98 commutes!!)
Through thick and thin – sun (30+ degrees), rain, hail, wind – there was one or two days when I really should not have ridden, but determined I was!
100 hours, 6000 minutes, 2100 km of cycling, 456 kg of carbon saved (Strava) and a few kg’s of weight off as well. And some fun on the way. Achieving ‘Local Legend’ on Strava many times, in several places – and in one particular section, trading places with another rider on a weekly basis. I only recently found out, we had a lot more in common than that. We are both married to teachers who work together, and our dogs are best buddies, sharing the same dog walker. I certainly plan a proper ‘legends’ ride with my new found friend!
So no Tri’s in 23. But at least one target achieved (failing a complete disaster). Fun yes – but sheer grit and determination got me through – and consistency. Never looking for a reason to bike to work, I needed a damn good reason not to – and even gale force winds did not count!
Legendary on Strava, Hardcore according to my colleagues.
I still do not consider myself a proper cyclist. And not even a Triathlete. I am just someone that does this stuff.
But maybe that will change next year! Much fun I have planned. Tri’s and cycling challenges. But my basis will be the 80’s Club - the foundation for ‘ Year of the Tri’.
“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back”
The ‘legend’ that is …
FYI - this is Papa woo’s column from the first edition of our zine - just to give you an exclusive taster
In the diary
13th January: Photographer at La Conquête du Yéti by Manneken Peaks (running event)
18th January: First recording of our podcast 👀🎙️
28th January: Practice shoot at Terrassa Half Marathon
10th February: Photographers at CXM Sierra Blanca (trail run)
To those just starting out - you’ve got this. To those thinking about starting something new - just do it. Whatever it is, we can’t wait to hear all about it.
2024 is just beginning. It’s time to start writing your story.
P.S. Have you noticed our newsletters are now available to view online? Feel free to share the link with any woowoo'ers you know!