On This Day…We Will Win

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This year. This team. This moment. This was everything.

 

This was my senior year of high school. Yes, I’m the tiny brown-haired midget in the front, and yes, believe it or not, I actually played basketball…on a championship team no less. While this group was extremely talented, we were not expected to win. We were not favored. Not many believed that it was possible. Except for us.

 

And for us…winning was a decision. We decided that we were good enough. That we could work hard enough. That LOSING WAS NOT AN OPTION. We put in the work. Our coaches pushed us. We pushed harder. We stuck by each other. We did not leave any teammate behind. That year if one person screwed up and had to run sprints…the whole team was running sprints right there alongside that person.

 

We knew that we couldn’t just step onto the court and win the championship. It had to be earned. But we also knew that we were capable of doing so. We took it in small steps. We said before each individual game, “On this day, we will not lose. On this day…WE WILL WIN.” We made the decision. We created the vision. No hiccups, mistakes, or even horrible injuries would get in our way. We would persevere. We would prevail. And we did.

 

And we did it, while LOVING it. I remember walking the halls or through the gym with my teammates smiling or laughing, shouting, “I SAID ‘I LOVE BASKETBALL!’” We were living the dream. And while it was hard work to get there, we loved every minute of it.

 

As a former athlete, I have craved for years to feel that passion again. That feeling that if you work hard enough, you can truly achieve something great. That if you work together, you can do great things. That team bond that you share day in and day out. That sisterhood. That if you just believe in yourself, anything is possible. And the fact that you have a team who also believes in you just builds you up. That if you just DECIDE together that you will do it…you will.

 

It’s difficult to find something in adult life that emulates the feeling you get of playing team sports in high school or college. It’s also difficult to find something that gets you in shape like you once were in those days! Life is not so simple and carefree anymore. Yes there was homework and college applications and boyfriends back then. But in retrospect, that was simple compared to husbands and children, jobs to do and bills to pay. It seems our schedules get busier and busier each year and we have less time to devote to our passions and interests, let alone our health and fitness.

 

I don’t ever know if I will feel that SAME feeling that I once had of being on that high school basketball team. I think it was truly a once in a lifetime experience. However, I do feel that I have come pretty close.

 

I am building a career out of helping others, while at the same time keeping myself accountable for my own journey. I am a part of an INCREDIBLE team of individuals who build me up each and every day. We believe in each other and we believe in ourselves. And I know we won’t be giving up, because once again LOSING IS NOT AN OPTION. We made a decision. We have created our vision. And together we will be building better lives for ourselves and our families while helping others do the same. And the bonus? We truly LOVE it. We wake up each day excited about what’s to come and the potential on the horizon. We are consistent every day. And ON THIS DAY…WE WILL WIN.

XO,

Gina

Help Wanted!

HELP WANTED!

During my 7 years working in production and advertising as an agent for animation studios, I spent a lot of time watching other people create things. I always wished I could create more myself, which led to the creation of Popcorn and Pandas…an outlet for my personal style, travel, adventures, motherhood, lifestyle, food, fun…and now also fitness.

Fitness has always been a part of my life as I played soccer and basketball growing up, trained for half marathons and triathlon post college, and now as a health & fitness coach it plays an even bigger role. Running my own business has allowed me to reach a new creative potential that I never thought possible. I am able to create fresh content daily, create exciting challenges for my clients, and I’m inspired to create new recipes for healthy eating. I am also able to make a difference in people’s live each and every day.

Some of my recent challengers have said:

“I’m totally aware of how much stronger I’ve gotten and how much energy I have. Still more work to do, but loving the motivating results.”

“Today is Day 14 for me, and I can’t believe the difference! I can’t wait to see what Day 21 looks like. Thank you!”

“I am sleeping better, fitting into a size down, and although I have been doing the modified version of the exercises, I am improving every day. My mindset is more positive, and I definitely have more energy!”

Now, THAT is what it’s all about. I love making a difference in people’s lives and seeing them so positive and happy about the changes they are making not only to their bodies but to their minds and spirit as well.

Are you someone that likes making a difference too?

Because I am looking for 5 people to train for my next Coach Apprenticeship!!!!

If you are someone who is:
-Driven
-Motivated
-Passionate
-Creative
-A Team Player
-Looking for something MORE?

Then I would love to consider you for a position on Team SPARK! If you are interested and this sounds like something you would be interested in doing either full or part time, then please fill out this application below and I will contact you with more information!

https://pandpfitness.wufoo.com/forms/team-spark/

XO,

Gina

2012: A Year in Review

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Ringing in the New Year in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica!
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Hiking in the Cloud Forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica
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Three Italianos Reunited in Brooklyn!
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Valentine’s Day Surprise at the Mary Poppins Show! I dressed just like her without even knowing.
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Celebrating Zack’s 31st at crazy Mehenata Bulgarian Bar
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OAR Concert with Jack and Sammy
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14 inch hair chop! Bye Bye. Thanks Nikki!
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Sweetlife Festival at Merriweather in MD featuring Avicii…AMAZING.
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Seeing Emily Blunt and Jason Segal at the premiere of 5 Year Engagement at the Tribeca Film Festival
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SKYDIVING!!! Thanks to my amazing husband – he surprised me on our one year anniversary with this bucket list item.
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Dad FINALLY visits us in NY. With Zack, Mom, and cousins at their pasta shop in Brooklyn
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DMB Concert and Upstate NY trip
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Virginia Beach trip with friends for Shirin and Shahrum’s wedding
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Testudo came to Zach and Jessica’s wedding! Go Terps!
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Happy Birthday to ME! Love my new camera!
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Girl’s Weekend in OC for Katie’s Bachelorette – Seacrets is crazy!
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Family vacation in the Outer Banks, NC
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Surfing Competition in the Rockaways
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Dewey Summer Send off on Labor Day Weekend
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A Naval Academy Wedding for Megan and JoJo
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Visionary Art Museum Wedding for MaryBeth and James
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Trip to Montauk for Mike and Abby’s Big Day
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Katie & Adam tie the knot at Sagamore Farms
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Running with Patrick and Melissa for my late dear friend John Petrovick. “Inside all of us is HOPE.”
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Thanks to Gabbi for helping to raise money for John’s cause.
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Camping trip with Erin and Rai to French Creek
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End of the season pic with my JV High School Girls Soccer Team
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ASHS 10 Year High School Reunion – man time flies
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AC trip for Alex’s Bachelorette!
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All my girls at the 5th Annual Pollard Potluck
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Christmas Morning at Mom and Dad’s
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Alex and Seamus get married to end the year!

It may seem like a lot of photos, but this is just a small snippet of what took place in 2012.  There were so many more fun memories of this past year.  There were also some sad moments as well.  I have learned a lot this past year, and I know that I am truly thankful for the family and friends that I have.  I am incredibly lucky for the support and love that I have received this past year, and I hope I was able to return the favor to all of you as well.

I wish you all a Happy New Year’s Eve.  Please stay safe tonight.

Bring on 2013!

XO,

Gina