“Culture of belonging”: Finding new connections through fitness

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -It’s 6:28 a.m., and class is in session at Bascom Hill.

Bundled up, early risers are showing up to sweat.

“It’s another beautiful day to move together and create community,” yelled November Project co-leader Caitlin Hussey, addressing the morning group. “So to start that off let’s get a bounce going, bring it in.”

They call themselves the November Project; a free fitness club in Madison.

“It’s a good space, in a low stakes environment for people to kind of talk to someone they wouldn’t normally interact with on a day to day basis,” Aaron Cahn said, November Project co-leader.

The workouts wake these runners up, but it’s the relationships that keep them coming back.

“People are very much showing up looking for community way more than they’re looking for a good workout,” laughed Cahn.

Member Ben Rubel joined November Project, two years ago when he moved to Madison. “My grandmother was telling me that I should probably try to find a girlfriend,” he laughed. “Ya know I agreed I was like if I can find her then that would be great.”

As the adage goes, love finds you when you least expect it.

“I was not really looking for that kind of love, but I was open to it,” explained November Project member Ashley King, who joined a year after Rubel. “We formed a connection…this place fosters connection, it makes sense that something would flourish.”

The two are now closing in on their one year anniversary in December.

“It’s this sort of weird quirky thing where people get to act a little bit like kids at recess,” Cahn said about the group.

Others weren’t looking for love but new faces in their life. “I’ve made friendships with people I never would have,” started Karen Richardson, a member of the November Project ‘Elder Crew’. “Different generations, deep deep friendships.”

Young or mature, they call this group family. “[The] Mental , emotional, joyful aspect of this group is what keeps me coming back,” added Lisa Cappelli.

For seven years co-leader Aaron Cahn has been waking up early, witnessing connections build from the hill. “I’ve gotten to hear a lot of the stories about why people chose to show up.”

“One of the common threads is very much that people are at a point in their life where they often feel lonely, or they are new to the city or they just are looking for a change of pace in their life,” Cahn said.

Cahn is no exception, he met his partner from the group in 2021. “After a few workouts we hit it off and so we went on a few dates and that was that,” he blushed.

From major cities to small towns, groups like this are sprouting up everywhere. In a recent report from Running USA, the number of running club members in the United States has increased by 25% in the last five years.

“This was an opportunity for them to finally meet some people in real life and start building those friendships and relationships so we saw a big influx of that,” Cahn added.

Trading online dating for organic meet-ups, and sleep for sunrise sweats. “The apps just don’t really work very well most of the time,” Rubel weighed in.

Rain, shine, snow or sleet, November Project is a community that continues to show up.

“By the time you get here you already have done something hard!” Rubel exclaimed. “We always like to say that we get to run up the hill,” smiled member Tim Schmit.

The November Project meets twice per week, from Bascom Hill and the State Capitol beginning at 6:28a.m. To learn more about the chapter, see here.

Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.

Copyright 2024 WMTV. All rights reserved.