Why I Started The Walking Challenge

The Pure Joy Wellness Walking Challenge officially starts next Sunday, April 28! 

Ooo I am so ready for this one! Myself and the rest of the Pure Joy Wellness community will be walking for 30 minutes a day, for 30 days straight. 

If you haven’t joined our free Facebook Group yet, now is your chance! Tap the link here to join so you’re ready to go on April 28!

In honor of the occasion, I wanted to share a bit about why I started the Walking Challenge. Read on for a brief history, plus a few words of encouragement to kick us off! 

How it all started

The Walking Challenge began in 2020, after seven months of the world being shut down. I was feeling the urge to do something that would bring our community together during this tough stretch, and I also wanted to get us all out of the house in a safe and exciting way. Gyms and studios were closed, which meant fewer workouts and less social interaction. I myself felt very isolated and wanted to feel a part of something – so I thought, hey, I’ll create that something! That’s how the Walking Challenge was born. 

I’ve always been a fitness enthusiast (as a personal trainer, and just as an exerciser) and I’ve always loved walking. I’ve seen time and again that walking is always exactly what I need – whether I’m feeling happy, stressed, sad, uncertain, or any other type of emotion. Whatever I’m facing at that moment, a walk never fails to make me feel better. And through years of walking, I realized that it doesn’t even take long to get the benefits, some of which include stress relief, improved heart health, and better mental health.

The first Walking Challenge started on October 1, 2020, with women from every region of the country getting outside to walk for 30 minutes a day. What came next was pretty remarkable – I saw how fantastic the women in this community were, and I saw all of us step into the feeling of “Wow, I can do this.” Women who were just starting their fitness journeys started to feel empowered and independent, and women whose routines had been thwarted by the pandemic realized they didn’t need fancy equipment or gyms to reach their goals. We all embraced the power of walking, and reaped the many health benefits. I saw this group reach new heights, and above all, I saw these badass, strong women truly support one another and hold each other accountable by posting photos and videos in our Facebook group. 

There was even an unexpected added bonus: Walking gave us all a creativity boost! The photos and videos you all submitted were amazing. We got to see each other’s hometowns, streets, walking trails, sights, and pets. It was incredible, like we were on each other’s walks. The Walking Challenge also seemed to make us all more aware of our surroundings. I’ve lived in New York City for years, but I even noticed things I never had before. The sense of community and joy that the Walking Challenge gave me and other members was palpable. We even branded ourselves the #PJWWalkingWarriors. 

Since the inception of that inaugural Walking Challenge, I've had the pleasure of hosting two such events each year – one in the spring and another in the fall. The only exception was a brief hiatus due to the passing of my partner. But now, we're back and stronger than ever and with a new FB group (PJW Walking Warriors) dedicated just for the walking challenge events! 

As we embark on our SIXTH Walking Challenge, there's no intention of slowing down. So grab your sneakers, tell a friend, and let’s step into this next Walking Challenge the way it all first began – together. 

To join the Walking Challenge, follow this link! And please, send the link to your friends! It’s the easiest and most effective way to reach other women who would love the Walking Challenge!

See you on April 28th!

Xo, 

Renata