Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility,
like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron
before it can give forth its spark.-Henri-Frédéric Amiel
I’m surrounded by inspiration these days.
Part of it is through my work with FitFluential— seeing the tweets, blog posts and images of people doing amazing things, whether it’s running marathons and ultrathons, losing weight and changing their lives, surfing, training. I’m amazed by the discipline, the dedication, the enthusiasm and passion.
Part of it is when I work with companies promoting their products. I love hearing the back stories of how products come into being and helping them to spread the word. I don’t think we really think much about the creativity and bravery and just plain work that goes into that.
Part of it is the support of my running friends. We are improving together.
And if you really want a shot of motivation— take a look at the Mondetta Performance Gear website. Watch the videos of the athletes there. It’s incredible, the poetry of human ability and motion, and this is a company that really seeks to embody that.
You know that hushed feeling you get watching a ballet, or the acrobats in the Cirque du Soleil, or the gymnasts in the Olympics? When you are completely stunned by the idea that these are people just like you, but they can do such fantastical, beautiful things? Going through the website is like that.
Their clothing is remarkable. The fabrics are comfortable, sweat wicking, and very well-constructed. They perform so you can; keeping you cool and compressed where needed so you can move freely and give it your all without having to think about your clothes. No worries about popping out or riding up or falling down, and I haven’t a run yet obsessing over the seams. (Oh, seams. How I hate noticing you.)
It’s also very sleek and on trend without being trendy, meaning it will still look classic years from now. It doesn’t scream fitness apparel. It hints, I’m on my way to go dance or effortlessly perform a yoga series or run with grace.
I’m an ungainly ostrich, but in my MPG gear I feel like I’m an athlete. I kind of love that.
I wear the pieces they sent me all. the. time.
They make me aspire to be a better athlete. To elevate “just” running or yoga or pullups until it’s performed with grace and power.
When you work out with that sort of thinking in mind, you start to really listen to your muscles, become aware of how they work in concert. You can’t help but be in awe of the symphony that is the human body.
I love this kind of thinking.
I love that it can be brought on by simply putting on an outfit, when that outfit comes from a company whose purpose is to inspire and embody passion for athletic endeavor.
MPG, inspired by the smooth, strong movements of performers such as athletes and dancers, celebrates the drive, dedication and perseverance of these phenomenal individuals. MPG applauds their unyielding pursuit of excellence, through sacrifice and discipline, with respect and admiration. The brand’s versatility allows for more than just function; it embodies style and comfort by offering a range of clothing to suit any activity in any environment, at the apex of vision and vigor.
I’m sorry. That is awesome. It makes me want to buy all my clothes there. Well, there and Anthropologie.
What I’m wearing:
Eris sports bra: a little tricky to get on; my hair loves to get all tangled up in it. Not a color I ever, ever would have selected for myself, but I love the brightness peeking out from behind my standard uniform of blacks and greys. I chose the size based on chest measurement; my no-boobs meant an XS and I probably should have gone up a size to accommodate my man shoulders. I feel a little like a “fat man in a little coat” but it looks good, I think.
Pax tank top: I love this. A loose tank is layered over an attached HUGELY comfy sports bra, which has removable padding that is just thick enough to eliminate the “headlights” but not excessive (I usually remove padding because I find it adds too much and I feel like a kid stuffing her training bra). The bottom edge has a criss-cross to it that hides any muffin top action.
Sita capris skort: 20 kinds of awesome. Every woman who harbors any level of concern over camel toe should own one of these, but it’s also so versatile. I totally wear this everywhere and I imagine other people think I’m on my way to dance class. They probably change their minds when they see me trip over my own ankle, but still, I tend to keep my chin a little higher and my posture a little straighter when I’m sporting it.
Athena running tight: keeps me warm but not sweaty, compressed without feeling like a stuffed sausage. You would think the seams would get to me, but no. It fits like a glove.
Other awesome MPG pieces I’m planning to incorporate into my wardrobe:
Blacks, greys, pops of brights, and complicated straps… pretty much my ideal.
What websites (or catalogs, hat tip to Anthropologie again) captivate your imagination and bolster your passion?
What articles of clothing make you feel like you are capable of great things?
You should wear that stuff more.
Disclosure: I received MPG pieces free of charge for review purposes. All opinions, as highfalutin’ as they might be, are my own.
