Nandi Janay Sparrock: The First Time Someone Believed In Me
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 Nandi’s #ChangedByCHAARG story + more about her journey!
Meet Nandi Janay Sparrock
University:
University of Missouri — join #MizzouCHAARG here!
Major:
Spanish + French with a minor in textile + apparel management
One Word To Describe You:
Adventurous, I’m a traveler at heart, + I love trying new things. I get bored easily, so I’m always looking to step out of my comfort zone!
Reason I Joined CHAARG:
I love fitness + I love celebrating women, + CHAARG is an organization I can do both 🙂
Favorite CHAARG Memory:
A studio spotlight with API Fitness! It was a really hard work, I mean REALLY HARD! It was our second Weekly Workout on campus, like ever, + the energy was amazing. So many girls who knew nothing about each other, so fully supporting each other through this workout! It brought me to near tears towards the end, because I saw the power of women encouraging women! By the end of the workout, there was so much love + pride in the room, because we were all dying during the workout, but we didn’t give up, our bodies showed us how strong we were, + we did it together!
#inCHAARG Instagram Crush:
@mak.inchaarg! She’s such a sweetheart + so real too! I love how open she is + how kind she is with her body, I feel like that sort of genuineness is rare on social media today!
Philosophy On Wellness:
Listen to your body, don’t overthink it!
Favorite Self-Care Practice:
Trail running, something about releasing all your stress + energy into the Earth, as it pushes back what it has to give to you. Real nice sensation in the feet : )
2019 Intention:
2018 was the year of finding myself, 2019 is the year of owning my truth, cause it’s one thing to know who you are, + another to fearlessly show it!
Ideal Morning Routine:
Meditation, Trail Run, Toast, Tea : )
Book Every CHAARG Girl Should Read:
I don’t read a lot in my free-time, but the most recent book I finished was “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Maya Angelou, + it was pretty good!
Greatest Lesson On College:
Don’t be afraid to fail, just learn from it! I’ve taken soooo many L’s in college, L’s in school, my personal life, with boys, you name it! My anxiety will really get the best of me when I fail too, but I’ve learned to learn from my mistakes, instead of obsessing over the fact I failed. Sometimes it’ll take a few good failures before a success really sticks, but you just learn how to get up. You gotta respect yourself enough to get back up, never give up yourself, you’re capable of so much more than you think : )
Advice To Your Freshman Self:
Go to class lol, like really, don’t skip.
Being #inCHAARG To Me Means:
Independence, mentally, physically + emotionally. I feel like this is so under-rated, especially when it comes to things like being educated, etc. You gotta be able to think for yourself, so many women aren’t given that luxury. When you can be fully independent, that means the people + things you have in your life are there because you want them there, not because you need them. Independence gives you the ability to let go of those people/things that are toxic in your life in order to become the best version of yourself. It allows you to make choices based off of what is best for you, not what is kinda good for you, in order to accommodate someone else staying. That’s not to say you can ask for help when you need it, or lean on people when you need to. Sometimes life gets hard + that extra shoulder is really appreciated, but when you’re independent, you never have to compromise your self-respect/worth, to keep someone who’s no good from leaving your life. I think that is so important.
How have you been Changed By CHAARG?
I’ve always been self-conscious + second guessed myself. When I applied to be a founding ambassador for Mizzou, I really didn’t think I’d be good enough to do it! I’d call my mom crying all the time because despite the 10s of hours I’d put in, and my dedication to the organization, I really thought I wasn’t good enough. Getting the Ambassador position for me was life changing not because it proved to me that I was good enough, but it inspired me to start giving more love to myself.
All my life, I was letting other people make decisions for me + expecting them to determine my worth, when in reality I was the only person that should’ve been doing that for myself. Becoming ambassador was an eye opening experience for me because in my head something just clicked! I thought “If this group of incredible women think I’m good enough to found a chapter, if they see my worth, then maybe it’s time for me to start seeing it myself.” I’m forever grateful for CHAARG because it has given me the courage to find myself and love myself, flaws and all! Going into the adult world soon, now when I face a challenge or fear, no matter how big, I always face it head on, and tell myself “I’m good enough.” I’m so thankful for that!
Learn more about your CHAARG Chapter here + grab your membership here! <3
