In adulthood, many of us consider dedicated time doing workouts to be the only way to get fit, and we see the gym as a place for seriousness. At the same time, we often disregard other fun activities because they seem like hobbies from childhood and low-priority compared to everything else going on. For this “What’s Your Y” blog, we interviewed Abby Nachman, founder of Rollerdance Tricities. We hope Abby’s story will help us all find the true value in pursuing fun when starting our health and fitness journey.
What initially inspired you to become active?
“My mental health! Before I started skating again, I wasn’t going to the gym or exercising, and it was affecting my mental health. I was tired, angry, and anxious all the time; not to mention, my sleep habits were all over the place. Skating, for me, was the gateway to being active off skates.”
Over time, Abby’s inspiration grew as she became healthier and happier. She has a strong desire to be mentally and physically happy, so she can do the activities she loves most: spending time with her family and loved ones and skating! Being healthy and present with her family is one of her biggest inspirations, and being active is at the core of what keeps her both healthy and happy, whether she is skating, hitting the gym, or going on a scenic walk.
Photo of Abby rocking her golden roller skates.
How did your motivation change over time?
“I was very active throughout my school years and throughout college. But after graduating, life changed. I was working long hours behind a desk, and my active lifestyle was a thing of the past. I struggled with anxiety and depression for several years. I thought I really want to be active to improve how I look, but as time went on, I started to see what’s really important. Going through the motions of working out or being active solely based on something as superficial as appearance becomes exhausting and boring. I’m more interested in being healthy and active, so I can do what brings me the most joy and enables me to be there for the ones I love. There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to improve your appearance, but for me, it couldn’t remain my only motivation.
In 2014, a work friend asked me to come check out roller derby tryouts with her. I had been looking for not only a way to become more active but also a way to meet new people. People who I could forge long lasting friendships with. Not to mention, I was a pretty talented skater when I was younger. So, I took a chance, went with her and have been skating ever since! It [skating] felt amazing! I started eating clean as well as skating and strength training. I ended up losing 30 pounds, sleeping better, and my anxiety had drastically decreased.”
Abby’s motivation changed from externally focused to intrinsically inspired when she found the joy of skating. By seeking out an activity she once had fun with as a child, she jumpstarted an inspired new health journey!
Balancing Our Struggles
We asked Abby about the things she’s struggled with on her active living journey, and she had one word for us: Balance.
If you can diversify your activities, that can really help you to balance everything in your life. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym every day to be healthy and active. So, I try to think of ways that I can incorporate being active into everything I do, whether it's working at home or spending time with family and friends.
Abby’s old self would be so proud of where she is now. Her advice to anyone at the very beginning of this journey is to trust yourself, have faith in yourself, and keep working hard because it does pay off. Today, Abby aspires to be the best version of herself she can be, and being active is a key part of that. She aspires to be better than she was yesterday and inspire others to do the same.
Photo of Abby skating in downtown Johnson City, TN.
Don’t be afraid to take a risk or try something new and look at everything as an adventure. Love yourself. Give yourself grace because nothing happens overnight.
What's Your Y?
The goal of our “What’s Your Y” blog series is to learn through the stories of our community members. We want to know what drives our community to be active and inspire others to explore their “Y”. For Abby, roller skating was the intrinsic motivator to making health and fitness a lifestyle. Intrinsic motivation comes from within and provides a sense of enjoyment and self-expression. For most people, fitness and health activities don’t “stick” until they find something that truly motivates them from within, and then the wellness spreads naturally from there. We hope Abby’s story will show the true health benefits of prioritizing fun. Not only did rollerdance enhance Abby’s drive to live a healthy lifestyle, it helped her build bonds and increase her sense of self-worth and self-love. She also learned to insert activities into her everyday interactions, finding balance and making those interactions healthier and more fun and connected. All these elements affect not only our physical health but also our mental and emotional wellbeing regarding anxiety, depression, and general happiness, making us more physically, mentally, and emotionally stable and enjoyable for our families and loved ones. So, don’t be afraid to insert more active fun into your life and your relationships.
Thanks for sharing your story, Abby!
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Cover photo: Matias N Reyes, Unsplash