046 – Early Mornings, Stadium Steps, and Real Connection with The November Project - Worcester – The Health Movement Podcast

The Health Movement Podcast: Where Fitness, Community & Mindset Align

In this episode, host Derek sits down with four inspiring members of November Project Worcester — Greg Root, Heather Forchilli, Seth Popinchalk, and Jen Schneider — for a deep dive into what it truly means to build a fitness community that thrives on consistency, accountability, and fun.

They explore the origins of November Project, a free global fitness movement founded in 2011 by Brogan Graham and Bojan Mandaric in Boston. What started as two friends holding each other accountable to workout during dark November mornings has now grown to 52 cities around the world, uniting thousands of people through free, high-energy group workouts.

The Worcester tribe is known for its themed workouts, welcoming vibe, and “weatherproof” mindset during the winter months and enjoying the beautiful summer weather in the warmer ones — including cold stair climbs at Holy Cross and HIIT workouts behind City Hall in the winter. This episode is filled with laughter, powerful stories, and real insight into how fitness can be joyful, inclusive, and transformational.

They also discuss the upcoming George Street Challenge on July 27, 2025, a short but brutal 500-foot uphill cycling race honoring legendary cyclist and Worcester native Major Taylor (The Worcester Whirlwind) — the first African American world champion in any sport. Learn more or register here:
👉 https://www.bikereg.com/george-street-challenge

Whether you’re looking to get active, find your people, or just need a reason to set that early alarm, this conversation reminds us all: just show up.

Key Topics Include
✔️ The origin and mission of November Project
✔️ How NP Worcester became world champions in the 2024 Advember Challenge
✔️ Why social connection is key to consistency and mental health
✔️ Building a community that welcomes all fitness levels
✔️ Stories from themed workouts, out-of-town meetups, and personal growth
✔️ How to get involved locally or virtually

🌐 Learn more about November Project:
 🔗 https://november-project.com
📍 Worcester tribe info: https://november-project.com/worcester-ma
💖 Support the movement: https://tinyurl.com/yb5t873m

📸 Follow November Project and the guests:
 • NP Worcester: https://www.instagram.com/novemberprojectworcester/
• NP Global: https://www.instagram.com/novemberproject/
• Greg Root: https://www.instagram.com/ignatiustest
• Heather Forchilli: https://www.instagram.com/_heatherlynn_44/
• Seth Popinchalk: https://www.instagram.com/popinchalk/
• Jen Schneider: https://www.instagram.com/fofinator/

🎙 Tune in for a heartwarming, energizing conversation that shows how movement and community go hand-in-hand — and why the best workouts often start with a smile.

🌐 Learn more about Health Movement: https://healthmovement.us/
📩 Join our newsletter for more expert insights: https://healthmovement.us/
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcast