Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Blend 2014: Fit Friends
Good morning, friends! Have a good weekend?
Last night I got back from Park City, Utah, from this year’s Blend Retreat. I am utterly exhausted, pretty far behind on work, and have a zillion errands to run, but it’s all worth it to spend a weekend with 90 other women who love fitness and food as much as I do 
If you follow me on Instagram, you likely got bombarded with a boatload of pictures all hash tagged #Blend2014 all weekend long. There were so many fun activities, and amazing brands, and mostly, there were 90 strong, fun, fit female friends all with different stories to share.
The idea behind Blend Retreat, is basically one big girls’ weekend for healthy living bloggers (and/or readers) to get together and share in our hobbies and passions that we all have in common!
Like waking up for an early morning strength sesh and finisher 
haha
Now I definitely don’t base my friendships on on whether or not that person has the same hobbies as I do. I have plenty of friends who really don’t like to exercise – and couldn’t care less about the food they eat. It’s more about whether or not there’s that girlfriend connection. That said, there’s just something about connecting with friends who appreciate your passion for health and wellness, as well as the occasional slice of pizza here and there
To me, fitness is more than just a hobby – obviously, it’s my career. But more than that, fitness (and health in general) and isn’t just about dumbbells and treadmills. It’s a journey and a way of life, and to have close friends to share that way of life with makes it that much better. My roomies, Lauren, Marissa, Heidi, and Natalie all either live in Colorado or have tremendous ties here, and we’re all very passionate about nature’s playground and gym – the mountains!
^trail running with the roomies yesterday morning
And it’s crazy to think I wouldn’t have any of these connections if it weren’t for blogging. Blend is a blend (see what I did there?) of Friend + Blogger, after all!
It’s funny, though, because one of the least talked about subjects at Blend 2014? Blogging! It’s not a “conference” to increase your page views or better your blog – it’s just a weekend to hang out with interwebz buddies turned real life friends. And that’s what it’s all about – from workouts to fun new fit food finds to making inappropriate jokes while playing Cards Against Humanity.
Starting a blog changed my life in so many awesome ways, and one of the best reasons is the community. If any of you fit friends have any desire at all to start a fitness blog – or even just participate in the community – I 100% believe you should. You never know what real life friendships could blossom from it!
PS – thank you to Lindsay, Janetha, and Lauren for putting on an incredible event, HOPE Foods for my sponsorship to the event, and ALL of the AMAZING sponsors for #Blend2014!
Have you ever become real-life friends with someone you “met” on social media or the internet?
It was so great meeting you this weekend, Paige! I can’t wait for Boulder next year!!!!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted…Off to Blend!
You too, Katie! 🙂 And me either – so glad it’s in Boulder for #blend2015!
Great post! I’m just getting started here in the blogging and health/fitness worlds, and I can only hope to have these great connections that you’ve built!
Amy recently posted…9 Things I Love
It was great getting to hang out with you this weekend, pack a million swag bags and rip up our hands/nails opening boxes. 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Idyllwild
Haha, right back atcha, Katie! Who knew one could bond over ripping and stuffing?! lol
I loved keeping up with your pictures from the weekend.. it looked like a ton of fun 🙂
You roomed with Marissa?!!? She was my roomie at Healthy Living Summit, I love that girl so much!
Katie recently posted…Peace Perspective XVII: Comfortable Skin
I met so many amazing women this year! Most of the people I connected with I never knew about and didn’t read but will be now!
Julie recently posted…MIMM: [Blend Retreat] Roommates and Soulmates
I wish I could have attended this year. Sounds and looks like it was a blast! Hopefully next year 🙂
What a fun retreat! I am now to the blogging community and these retreats look like they are so much fun to me! I just found your blog and I love it!
What an awesome event! I hope to be able to go next year!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted…Tarzan, Snapchat, Rick Springfield, and Arts Fest
Looked like it was another great year! Disappointed I missed this year but I loved seeing the photos. I don’t care about enhancing my blog (although there’s nothing wrong with that) but love the idea of just connecting – what a great retreat/conference! Glad you had a great time, Paige!
It looks like it was another amazing weekend! It was so awesome to see everyone’s posts throughout the weekend, even though I couldn’t be there this year. I’m already penciling it in next year, I’ve always wanted to visit Colorado and I can’t wait to see all of you again! xo
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…Meatless Monday Guest Post and Blend Retreat Memories
love it! and i already miss the mountains and YOU
Back atcha, lady! <3
From everyone’s photos Park City looks like an absolutely beautiful place.
I’d love to go to Blend at some point.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…Weekly Workouts
In modern-day times culture has involved comprehend that stress has an adverse effect on both bodily and mental health. Exactly what is not as commonly recognized is that laughter has several positive health perks, which could deal with the adverse affects of the anxiety reaction.
So fun hanging with you friend!!! miss you already!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…11 Things About Me from High in the Sky
Miss you, too, girl! xoxo
those arms though! #gunshow
hillary | nutrition nut on the run recently posted…Weekend Scenes & Weekly Workouts x 2
It was so nice to meet you this weekend and see Lauren’s other half. I really appreciate the two of you and what you bring to this community. Um, beer is good yes?! Public bananas too. 🙂
LOL! I’m so glad I finally got to meet you, too. Wish we could have hung out some more!
This looks so much fun! I started my blog last year but only recently got more invested in it – literally, through paying for an official design/theme! I’m excited to establish a community with other bloggers but I do have a lot of insecurities nonetheless :). Thanks for the encouragement!
Jen @ Bagels to Broccoli recently posted…6 Lessons from Half Marathon Training
i love you a whole lot!
janetha recently posted…i’m alive. ish.
All is great! Thanks
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of
plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or
outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over
the internet without my agreement. Do you know any solutions to
help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Serviced Office San Francisco recently posted…Serviced Office San Francisco