Wow, what a whirlwind!! I can’t believe The Healthy Living Summit has now ended and I am……sitting in my bed at home. My flight was super delayed coming out of Boston last night and I didn’t end up getting in until midnight. I know I’ve blogged relentlessly about the Summit all weekend but I just wanted to do a quick post about my Boston experience and what I took away from it all!
When we started planning The Summit last February it seemed almost like a distant dream. We were talking about how cool it would be to go to BlogHer but we weren’t sure we could get tickets…..so someone said “well let’s just plan our own!” So we did. The six of us (myself, Caitlin, Meghann, Heather, Tina and Kath) formed a very close team and worked pretty much daily on organizing the entire event. I’ve never really planned an event before so this was totally new territory for me, but it helped me stay busy and focused during probably the worst time in my life last Spring. At one point I “quit” the Summit team after my brother passed away, but only a few days later I was on the phone again with Caitlin saying I think I need to do this….I’m not a quitter! So glad I stayed 🙂
I had met Caitlin, Meghann and Kath before but when I finally met Tina and Heather it seemed as if we all had known each other for years and years. We just got along SO well and instantly all clicked. There’s not much better than a great group of independent, hard-working women and that’s what these girls are. They held me together when I was falling apart and all the months, days and hours of hard work finally paid off!
Leading a conference was something I would never in a million years have thought that I could do. I do consider myself an introvert and I’m not a big public speaker (okay, I’m terrified of public speaking…). However, actually going and DOING something like this has given me so much more confidence! Even though public speaking is still sort of scary for me, I know now that I CAN do it and I wouldn’t hesitate doing it again. I feel like I totally got out of my box and put myself out there, which is key for self growth and success.
So are we planning another? yes! I’ve been getting quite a few emails from you telling me you would love to be involved, and although we are going to keep the Summit team to the six of us, I’m sure there will be ways to be involved in the future and we all appreciate your enthusiasm and support! How awesome is the blogging community??! Seriously.
I feel like I’ve learned so much about myself as a person from this whole experience and just being able to be involved was such a blessing. I never in a million years thought I would be doing what I do today and I’m so thankful for every second of it!
I want to give a special shout-out to the awesome people at Nasoya right now because they sponsored my personal Boston experience. It was so wonderful to be able to fly up to Boston, lead the conference, meet all of y’all and not have to constantly be worried about money. Traveling is obviously pretty expensive and this was a huge stress reliever. Thanks, Nasoya!!! 🙂
So what’s next? Blogging! I’m looking to branch myself out and start blogging and doing social media for different companies, which is totally new and exciting! I’m also booking flights today for BlogHer Food09 and I couldn’t be more psyched. There’s definitely going to be some major life changes happening for me in the next few months so I kindly ask y’all to just stay with me and be patient. Even though I LOVE LOVE LOVE blogging my life, it does get difficult sometimes when dealing with new situations so understand this is a weird transitional time for me!
As for my food……I ate a veggie burrito (black beans, salsa, guacamole and cheese) last night at the airport while waiting *patiently* for my flight….
And then for breakfast this morning I continued my loyalty for Stonyfield (!!) by having an Oikos with Nature’s Path granola + blueberries for breakfast 🙂
Today is 100% a catch-up day!!! Quite frankly, my two inboxes are scaring me right now and I have tons of articles to write on top of it all. I could also use some yoga since my body is very very stiff right now! Must be all that running/walking yesterday combined with sitting on a plane for three hours. I feel like I’m all old and crackly.
Happy Monday!!!!
Angharad
August 17, 2009 at 10:27 amWow, what an amazing experience and how exciting for all that you have yet to come! You gals are so lucky to have found each other – such a great team! Looks like the whole thing went amazingly – I’ve only read good comments on other blogs so congrats lady! Can’t wait to hear what the next step is for you!
Oh and yummy lookin’ burrito! Cha-ching!
Sara
August 17, 2009 at 10:27 amJenna, my mom and I had a great time at the Summit and it was a wonderful, *obviously* very well-planned event. Plus, all that blog talk may have finally inspired me to start my own. Thanks for all your efforts and can’t wait to see what the future has in store!
Leianna
August 17, 2009 at 10:27 amHope to see the HLS maybe in the midwest next year? Would love to come and see all you lovely ladies! Looking forward to the future of you and your blog, you are such an inspiration!
Gina G
August 17, 2009 at 10:32 amall i gotta say is that im so happy for you and all that you have been through as well accomplished! we told you good things are to come and it goes to show you that nothing will hold you back. you are strong and have so much to look forward to in unbelievable, and this is just the start! im sure i can speak for everyone of us devoted readers, that we are always here for you =) have a great day jenna!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
August 17, 2009 at 10:43 amGreat recap! Makes me sad I had to miss it! So impressed with everything I read about what you ladies put together – so inspiring!
Have a great day, girl!
megan
August 17, 2009 at 10:43 amsounds like you learned so much! This clearly hasn’t been the easiest year for you, but its amazing to read daily about how you’re coming through it and God is giving you the strength to keep going. One step at a time, right? 🙂
Lizzy
August 17, 2009 at 10:49 amAmazing Recap! Its so great that the 6 of you clicked so well, and are already thinking of planning another event! that would be wonderful!! I didn’t get to attend, but i feel like i learned SO much too! I couldn’t thank you enough!!! So proud that all your hard work payed off! Congrats girl!!! 🙂
Jamie in Arkansas
August 17, 2009 at 10:51 amI want a Summit t-shirt!!! They are adorable!!! Did you have any leftover to sell? I would buy one in a heartbeat!!!
katey
August 17, 2009 at 10:56 amIm really happy you had an amazing life changing experience!!!!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
August 17, 2009 at 10:57 amI love how you mentioned you were an introvert but enjoyed the experience of getting out of your comfort zone, into public speaking! 😀 I had the opportunity to do a bit of public speaking in a few of my classes last semester which was totally new and totally SCARY for me. But totally well worth it too. 😀 I learned and grew so much from it.
You all did such an awesome job with the summit!!! I wasn’t able to make it out there, but it was fun seeing all the recaps. 😀 Thanks for such an awesome blog and for sharing all the great photos and videos!
Megan (Runner's Kitchen)
August 17, 2009 at 11:01 amThe healthy living summit was so much fun! 125 women with similar interests + free food and swag + great presentations = a very awesome weekend 🙂 And the Kitchen Sink cookies I bid on in the bake sale were ahhmazing. They’re all gone!
Jenna
August 17, 2009 at 11:03 amthis was a great post to recap it all! 🙂
Joelle (The Pancake Girl))
August 17, 2009 at 11:03 amWhat an amazing experience! Looks like it was an incredibly rewarding weekend. 🙂
Traci
August 17, 2009 at 11:11 amJenna: So happy to hear the Summit was a great success. I have been involved in the planning of many events and no matter how much planning you do you always still think “what if…”. The six of you obliviously worked extremely hard and the result showed it. Congrats on a great 1st Summit! We all look forward to more to come. You should be so proud of your accomplishments!
Jess
August 17, 2009 at 11:15 amThat’s a great recap – I’m really looking forward to seeing what the summit has in store in the future! I wish I could have attended but thank you for the live feed!
Hangry Pants
August 17, 2009 at 11:24 amJenna, I am so glad you didn’t quit either. And I am so glad you did your yoga talk. It showed strength and I think many people appreciated hearing something non-running related. I think you are fabulous and will succeed in whatever you decide to do. Thanks for planning the summit with me.
Melissa
August 17, 2009 at 11:28 amWatching the summit live was the next best thing to being there. I was extremely dissappointed that I was shut out during the ticket sales, but the live stream was great. Thanks for including it 🙂
I hope there are more tickets available next year and I’d love to see a fitness “expert” speak. I felt that was the only thing missing in the summit.
Great job to the planning committee!
Mara @ What's for Dinner?
August 17, 2009 at 11:43 amI think it would be great to open up the planning of the next HLS to other bloggers, possibly in slightly different niches to broaden the scope a bit. Just my opinion 🙂
Krissy - Single Serving
August 17, 2009 at 11:46 amI travel all the time and I never find something that looks as yummy as that burrito!!
Congratulations to all of you on the Summit success! I hope to be able to attend the next one!
kay (eating machine)
August 17, 2009 at 11:47 amI’m glad the summit turned out so well for you guys!
Next year, how about having it on the west coast? 🙂
Shane
August 17, 2009 at 11:47 amHi Jenna! Congrats on finishing the summit. It looked like a fabulous event (I watched most on the livestream). You should be really proud of yourself!
Meghann
August 17, 2009 at 11:48 amAwww… Jenna! I <3 you!!!
Recipes for Creativity
August 17, 2009 at 11:52 amI’m glad you still participated in the summit, despite the challenges life has given you this year. I know I don’t know you in person, but I’m so proud of all you’ve done, and can’t wait to see what you’ll do next!
Lizzie
August 17, 2009 at 11:54 amJenna – it doesn’t really matter how ‘weird’ you may feel dealing with new situations . . that fact is you are moving forward and creating a life around the things you are really passionate about and that in itself is amazing!! If you’re looking for some more public speaking help/practice, you could try Toastmasters. My dad has been in his local branch for almost 20 years and it really did change his life. However I know you have heaps on your plate already 🙂 The Summit looks like a huge success – congrats!
Julie
August 17, 2009 at 11:57 amWow, you had such an amazing experience. I’m glad it gave you so much more confidence, watching the summit online I would never have guessed you were terrified of public speaking! I’m glad you enjoyed Boston, my home town 🙂
I can’t wait for the next summit, I’ll go where ever it is!
Shannon The Healthy Beach Bum
August 17, 2009 at 11:59 amYou are such an amazing person! The entire Summit was amazing 🙂 You deserve a big award and an internet round of applause for all your accomplishments with the conference. I thought you spoke really well at the presentation! Never would have guessed public speaking was scary for ya.. so big props! (Public speaking freaksssss me out too!). The veggie burrito looks amazing!
Andee (Runtolive)
August 17, 2009 at 12:01 pmI loved reading about your experience in Boston! Can’t wait to hear details about the next Summit!
Pam (Highway to Health)
August 17, 2009 at 12:01 pmCongrats all the success!! You are definitely a STRONG person. You have been through so much. You should be very proud of yourself!
Nina
August 17, 2009 at 12:11 pmJenna,
I’m glad you didn’t quit; it wouldn’t have been the same without you. :). I think you really did a wonderful job during your presentation from a public speaking point of view. Thank you for putting together such a great Summit. I can’t wait until next year!
Michelle
August 17, 2009 at 12:19 pmCongrats on a job well done! I’ve only heard good things about the summit. Planning an event takes so much effort, so it’s great that you had those girls to make it fun.
By the way, I’ve moved over to Blogger. If you’re interested, check it out: http://loveindetails (dot) blogspot (dot) com
Suzy
August 17, 2009 at 12:48 pmHey Jenna,
Any good recipies you can share from the summit? I would love to go next year, sounds like a great time. Good for you on facing your fears on public speaking. I have a similar phobia but I think when you talk about things that are your passion it really helps!
Suzy
Megan
August 17, 2009 at 12:49 pmJenna, the summit was so great (watched it via live streaming!) and it’s so wonderful that you learned SO much about yourself. You are such an inspiration 🙂 I can’t wait to see what is to come!
Jolene (everydayfoodie.ca)
August 17, 2009 at 12:50 pmCongratulations on the success of your summit! You are inspiring and I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.
Cynthia (It all changes)
August 17, 2009 at 1:09 pmGlad you made it home safe. Logan is notrious for delays.
I’m glad sticking it out with the Summit was good for you. Sometimes we just need a push to keep going when all we want to do is stop.
Allie Katie
August 17, 2009 at 1:21 pmCongratulations on what sounds like an amazing event!! You deserve some hard earned relaxation time!
blueberrybabe
August 17, 2009 at 1:26 pmis there somewhere we can find the personal Q and A that the six of you were asked from the blog summit if we didn’t catch it live? thanks!
Suzanne de Cornelia
August 17, 2009 at 1:26 pmTerrific recap. I joined Nasoya’s Facebook Fan page as a ‘thank you’ for supporting your project.
Your running shoes in the photo with *The Girls* we’re all sparkly…like Tinker Bell or a secret Good Fairy!
Deva@Vorilee
August 17, 2009 at 1:26 pmYou guys made for such a successful event, I think you all should be so proud of yourselves. I’m glad that you had fun 🙂
Marisa
August 17, 2009 at 1:28 pmYou’re a great public speaker!
Suzanne de Cornelia
August 17, 2009 at 1:28 pmThat’s ‘were’ sparkly not ‘we’re’. Sheesh, I can write an entire book…just not sentences! lol
Evan Thomas
August 17, 2009 at 1:29 pmcongrats on the huge success!
Angie All The Way
August 17, 2009 at 1:57 pmYou gals did a fantastic job and no doubt since you’re all like-minded, the power of 6 is quite a force!
Look forward to seeing what’s up for the future.
Emily
August 17, 2009 at 2:35 pmGood luck with your upcoming projects ~ I’ll read along with much interest and support.
Also, I think I want to steal your wardrobe. You have great choice in clothes!
brandi
August 17, 2009 at 2:49 pmi hope today goes well with all your catching up! that was a fun-packed weekend and you deserve a little rest!
glad to hear that you all were happy with the way it went. I’m hoping for one that I can afford to get there next year and am planning on saving now, if I can.
Beth @ CrossBorderCravings
August 17, 2009 at 3:03 pmawww, what a sweet post! it’s always good to have something positive in your life to look forward to – it can really help so much when times are tough. glad you stuck it out and had so much fun! :O)
Christine
August 17, 2009 at 3:13 pmCongratulations on all the success of the Summitt! I watched on livestream from Tampa and it was fantastic!!! My BFF & I were texting at times during the summitt, while she was there in person, about how great the event was! What a wonderful experience for you in so many ways. Thank you for sharing your insights & knowledge, & motivating so many to make better lifestyle choices (including ME)!!!
Looking forward to where we go with you next!!!
Congrats again!
Kate
August 17, 2009 at 3:20 pmHLS was INCREDIBLE. You and the other organizers did such a fabulous job. Everything went so smoothly, and was so much MORE than I ever expected. You are all such talented and capable ladies. Looking forward to HLS 2010. Now if only I can find a company willing to sponsor me since I’m sure it won’t be in Boston again…
JessinNYC
August 17, 2009 at 4:24 pmLife is great that way. We learn the most when we are teaching others. Thanks again for organizing the event.
Nicole
August 17, 2009 at 4:26 pmThank you so much, Jenna for a great weekend. You ladies did a terrific job! And, I can’t believe you are not a public speaker. I never in a million years would have guessed that. Thank you again for mentioning your love of yoga and how great it truly is for the body and mind. If you couldn’t tell, I was jumping out of my seat in agreement with you!
Best,
Nicole
Chloe
August 17, 2009 at 4:38 pmI’m so glad you guys have decided to do another HLS. I would LOVE to attend and hope that I can next year. I look forward to seeing what you guys have in store for us once you start planning (obvi not right now, you must be tired!).
Great post, it’s always wonderful to remember events like these.
Sarah M
August 17, 2009 at 4:40 pmGreat job on the summit! It’s so cool that the 6 of you were able to put that together from different parts of the countrey. I hope the HLS is even bigger in 2010. I’m sure there are many people that followed along that would love to attend next year.
Jil
August 17, 2009 at 4:51 pmCongratulations on a successful HLS!! Good luck and everything that you’ve got coming your way, too!
Lainie
August 17, 2009 at 6:13 pmIt sounds like you had an awesome HLS experience, and i am so happy for you!!! I really do hope there is another summit next year, because I would LOVE to come. Thanks for recapping it this entire weekend!
Sara
August 17, 2009 at 6:46 pmUpdate from earlier comment: Finally made my own blog! Feel free, anyone, to check it out. Promise, it’ll get more exciting… I hope. Can’t wait to hear about HLS 2010 =)
Susan
August 17, 2009 at 6:57 pmWonderful post Jenna! It’s not surprising to me that you’ve got some wonderful and exciting things planned for the future!! Hopefully I’ll be able to make it to the next summit 🙂
lola
August 17, 2009 at 7:04 pmWoow, i’ve been following your blog and i just can’t tell you how amazed and proud of you i am!! seriously, if i didn’t live over here in Mexico, i would have been thrilled to join you in Boston! maybe next year :´) you did an awesome job .
Kerry
August 17, 2009 at 7:33 pmI enjoy the blog jenna. But you obviously are promoting things on here that companies are essentially paying you to promote. It seems disingenuous to mention products without clearly revealing if you received them free or are being paid.
jenna
August 17, 2009 at 8:42 pmKerry,
I wish companies were paying me to promote their products! I’m not sure if you are a longtime reader but I can assure you whenever I receive a product to ‘test” in the mail, I ALWAYS state that the company sent me that product to try for the blog. I’m not trying to deceive anyone and no one is paying me to give a good review. I have definitely given my fair share of negative reviews actually!
Rebecca
August 17, 2009 at 7:34 pmI really hope I can go to the next one!! I think all six of you are amazing together and I want to meet you all!
angieinatlanta
August 17, 2009 at 7:54 pmAwesome recap! I love hearing the more introspective aspect of the planning process!
Still Life in South America
August 17, 2009 at 8:07 pmHi Jenna,
Organizing the Summit will be a great highlight for your resume, especially because you are connectingtechnology, social media, food, and health. You and the other ladies should be proud of yourselves.
Good luck with all of the new projects brewing. I look forward to seeing them formulate.
Erin
August 17, 2009 at 8:10 pmI love your blog…so glad the trip went well, looked like a BLAST! would love to be surounded by tons of females with health, food and fitness in common. how amazing. A quick note to those that read this blog… I have a 2lb container of amazing grass…which for some reason my body does not like..its the pom mango flavor, quite good. Its yours for 40ish$…worth the 80$ from the site. let me know…i’ll send it off to you. hate to throw it away. night ya all…
MarathonVal
August 17, 2009 at 8:25 pmI’m so impressed that you were willing to put yourself out there and to step out of your comfort zone. I would be nervous to do the public speaking too – and not only were you in front of 100+ women but obviously thousands more on the internet, too! And you did AWESOME!!! You should be so proud of yourself 🙂
Sarah
August 17, 2009 at 8:57 pmWhat a wonderful and thoughtful recap on you experiences! Can’t wait for next year’s summit!
Scott
August 19, 2009 at 12:52 amHi Jenna, I’ve been catching up on all the Healthy Living Summit action among all of your (the organizers) blogs and want to congratulate you on a job well done! You deserve a lot of credit for not giving up and jumping right back in to put on an amazing event. Keep up the great work and be well!