My Experience with FYR

As you may or may not know, I’m a proud Board Member of Forging Youth Resilience, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower young people to build physical and mental strength for life by providing access to a network of community-based fitness programs, nutrition education, and mentorship. 

My relationship with Forging Youth Resilience (FYR) began two years ago when I attended camp as a volunteer yoga teacher. I remember the apprehension I felt as an outsider on that very first day and the look of fear and unease on some of the kids’ faces as it was their first time away from home, family, and the familiarity of their comfort zone. Throughout the week, the kids and I opened up, sharing stories about our lives, the ups, downs and moments in between. They were brave and spoke of abuse, suicidal ideations and moments no child should ever experience. And yet, through the trials, they showed up resilient, open minded, and determined to use the tools they were learning to positively change the course of their lives.  

Last year I attended camp again. This time, full of energy and excitement not only to see friends I had formed a bond with over the past year, but to be reconnected to athletes who had made a lasting impact on my life. Sure enough, as I walked into the meeting lodge on the first day, a FYR athlete upon seeing me, jumped out of her chair to give me a hug. I squealed with excitement as well, completely disrupting the welcome speech that was being given by Duncan, the Board President. The agenda of the week followed much in the same way as the year prior, but what had changed was my ability to show up and know that my role was to hold space for athletes in any way I could.

Early on, an athlete from Chicago told me that I resembled his mom and I thought it was sweet that he must have been missing her. When the conversation continued and he mentioned it had been years since he had seen her in person, my heart broke. I asked if he needed a hug and if it was ok to hug him and at that moment, as a mom all I wanted to do was tell him that it would all be alright. Another athlete later in the week was navigating relational issues, and asked if I could walk with her as she processed her emotions. Four hours later myself, the athlete and another coach returned with incredible stories about red gloves, floral shapes, and of course deer droppings. 🙂 

Supporting FYR means that young athletes all over the country experience the positive impact of being involved with a sport. Beyond that, they are able to grow into incredible and inspiring adults, whose life experiences serve as building blocks, not impediments. As a non-profit organization, every rep during Ignite and every dollar donated counts towards supporting Camp and the youth we are so fortunate to serve. 

-Tracey Bobadilla