Big River’s first work for 4-H launched with the Revolution of Responsibility (#4Hstories) movement.  Seven (of the more than 6 million young people that make up 4-H) 4-H’ers and their leaders are featured in documentaries, print, social media, TV, Web, and radio.  Each of these seven 4-H’ers tell a piece of their own Revolution of Responsibility story, inviting others to join them in this movement. Continue reading →

Every morning my alarm goes off and (after three 5-min snoozes) I stumble out of bed, throw on my workout clothes (a combination of shorts, left on the floor from the previous morning, and any top-like thing I can find), and head out the door.  More often than not my body rebels and I struggle, but sometimes it excels with every movement, every breath, every mile, every lunge, every crunch.  But no matter what kind of morning it is, I get home satisfied, sweaty, and accomplished.  I may not be a professional athlete but, at that moment, I sure as hell feel like I could be.

Under Armour Women’s facebook page launched last Wednesday and already has over 2700 fans.  It introduces their new women’s line with a campaign called, “Protect This House I Will.”  Lindsay Vonn is just one of the women featured (sign into facebook and check her out here http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=148294495193152&saved). The new line is geared toward high school and college athletes, and the young woman who still works out regularly.  But their line is more than a pretty sports bra or a pair of shorts — it’s about making us, the dedicated female athletes better — in the way we look, perform, feel.  The facebook page also links to an app called, “Our House,” letting women sign up their team (or as an individual) and share photos, stories, work out tips, and even create their own team pledge — allowing women to bond together where they are already most active — online social sites.

When I watch Lindsay Vonn’s video, I see a workout that is kick-ass.  I’m not even looking at her clothes.  But she must be wearing some that help her reach that next level.  So what attracts some people to this campaign?  Is it the idea that they can kick ass?  Or that they can look good doing it?  Because early in the morning, with my day-old shorts waiting for me on the floor, am I thinking about being pretty?  Or am I  thinking that getting pretty is kicking my ass?