In Gratitude

I am not gonna lie ... I am wiped out! I've been saturated in 4-and-a-half days of pounding music, whoops and wails, thoughtful professional challenges and cool tips, tricks and toys. I've walked up miles of escalators, taken pages and pages of notes and shanghaied a few stability balls to experiment with flexion and extension. I rolled out of bed this morning and had to borrow a smile from my neighbor. My feet ache, my back hurts, my shoulders are scrunched up permanently around my ears and you know what? It was all so worth it.The reason IDEA World Fitness Convention is a success year after year is because members like you take time away from your families and businesses to make the pilgrimage. You come and you share your experiences, your triumphs and tears, and you stretch yourself to learn more and be more. I am in awe of what you do.I have the best job in the world. I have been a fitness enthusiast since working out with Gilad and Bodies in Motion on ESPN back in the mid-'80s. Paired with my journalism degree and professional experience, I could not ask for a better job. Being an active person, it's hard to sit at a desk 8-9 hours a day and write and edit about physical activity. So it's a blast to be able to be in the field for a few days and especially to meet our members.You all made an indelible impression on me. Thank you for attending, thank you for reading our publications, thank you for Inspiring the World to Fitness everyday. I will always remember the smiles and stories you shared with me. When I am sitting at my desk writing my next news column or editing a CEC article, I will take a moment and think about the member from Wisconsin who volunteers to teach yoga at the local VA hospital. I will remember the personal trainer from South Carolina who created a program for his son's school so that other kids would learn the benefits of movement. I will continually be inspired to provide the best information I can so that all our members can keep doing what they do best. Thank you all!