Katie Carbonell: The Function Of My Body Is To Function – Not To Appear

While many girls join CHAARG for similar reason [find the fun in fitness, learn a workout routine, develop healthier habits, + become a part of a community], their journey stories are all unique + empowering.

This Q + A post features Katie Carbonell’s #ChangedByCHAARG story + more about her journey! We are so inspired by this #VandyCHAARG Ambassador + there are so many takeaways from this post + video — from seeing fitness as functional to some incredible advice for using college as a time to discover your passions.

Meet Katie Carbonell, @KTV_INCHAARG

University:

Vanderbilt University — join #VandyCHAARG here!

Major:

Molecular + Cellular Biology

One Word To Describe You:

Dedicated

Reason I Joined CHAARG:

I joined CHAARG to try new ways of working out within a community of supportive women.

Favorite CHAARG Memory:

We hosted a yoga event on campus featuring an instructor from one of my favorite Nashville studios, Shakti Power Yoga. The event was catered with delicious vegan food + was open to all students. It was incredible to see both CHAARGies + classmates come together through movement.

#inCHAARG Instagram Crush:

Heather Coppley! @heather.inchaarg

Philosophy On Wellness:

My definition of wellness is that you can’t really define it at all. What wellness looks like for each of us is very unique, which makes listening to your body + mind to understand what you need to feel “well” all the more important. For me, wellness means an early-to-bed, early-to-rise, active, veggie-filled lifestyle with sprinkles of steak dinners + gigantic desserts — but that’s just me!

Favorite Self-Care Practice:

Over the past year, I’ve finally learned how important daily movement is for my happiness. Every day, my top priority is ensuring I dedicate an hour to movement, whether that’s a traditional workout [almost always at Fit Factory Nashville!] or a walk in the park.

2019 Intention:

Courage. This year will come with plenty of changes from graduating to starting med school in the Fall. Having the guts to embrace it all rather than shy away from it is going to be a challenge, but I’m excited to see what a courageous attitude will bring.

Ideal Morning Routine:

Wake up at 5:30 [I know, I get it from my parents], make coffee + breakfast [anything with eggs!], catch up with The Skimm, + start my studying//assignments for the day.

Book Every CHAARG Girl Should Read:

Becoming by Michelle Obama [grab it here!]

Greatest Lesson On College:

Use these years to find what you love, + don’t settle until you do. College can be the birthplace of your future career, your passion, ++ your sense of self. But, none of that can be rushed, + you certainly will never find it just by following the same path as someone else or a path that was prescribed to you.

Advice To Your Freshman Self:

This is advice that I can still take today — don’t worry so much! In retrospect, you realize that all of your obstacles + challenges have passed, + they could have passed even more easily without all the stress. Do your best, use a planner, + that’s all you can do.

Being #inCHAARG To Me Means:

Loving yourself along every step of your journey, whether that journey is through fitness, relationships, or your career. This self-love allows you to reach even greater heights ++ more importantly, better allows you to love others, as well.

How have you been Changed By CHAARG?

CHAARG + the introduction of fitness into my life has taught me so much about the idea of functionality. All too often, especially for women in Western cultures, we are encouraged to view our bodies as merely objects that appear. This mentality is detrimental to how we live: we might view our bodies negatively for how they look, might eat//avoid certain foods for how they will alter our images, + might move for the purpose of fitting a mold. CHAARG introduced a new mentality of embracing the fact that the function of my body is to function — not to appear. The ironic part is, when your mindset, nutrition, + movement patterns focus on function, the appearance of your body might change, as well — but at that point, the fullness + happiness of your life are all that you can see.

Learn more about your CHAARG Chapter here + grab your membership here! <3