July 11, 2023

Taking Work on Vacation: Dreaming of Hybrid Members in Spain

Coach Cathy recently went to Spain with her daughter for two weeks of Spanish language  lessons, taking Hybrid members along for the ride.  

Our Hybrid members were not actually there, but several nights while I was away, I dreamed  that Hybrid members were in Spain traveling with my daughter and me. This scenario gives a new meaning to taking your work home. I also dreamed that family members and friends  outside of Hybrid were traveling with me, too.  

In Barcelona, I dreamed that my daughter and I were walking on the sidewalk with two Hybrid  members who are sisters. One of the sisters exclaimed that it was exciting to be in Barcelona,  and she couldn’t wait to try the churros dipped in chocolate. The other sister said big cities aren’t really her thing because they are crowded, loud, and busy. Then she abruptly stopped  walking when she saw a store window sandwiched between Chanel and Gucci with a gorgeous  Lilly Pulitzer dress on a mannequin. Lilly Pulitzer is one of her favorite clothing brands. Her sister started laughing, and we all went into the store. We resurfaced 40 minutes later with beautiful  and pricey wardrobe pieces. I woke up disappointed that it was a dream, that the sisters weren’t  there in Barcelona with us, and that I didn’t own the ankle-length green eyelet maxi dress I had  purchased. However, my wallet and suitcase were extremely grateful that I hadn’t purchased  anything.  

In the southern coastal city of Marbella, I dreamed that a group of Hybrid members joined my  daughter and me for some speed walking on the promenade (Paseo Maritimo) before breakfast.  The weather was beautiful, the sun just up and shining. After our sweaty walk, we removed our shoes and waded in the chilly and refreshing Mediterranean. A few did more than wade and  walked the block back to our flat with wet clothes laughing all the way.  

Another dream I had in Marbella was when one of our Hybrid members and I snuck off while my daughter and a few other Hybrid members were shopping for sundresses and jewelry. We found the best gelato with flavors like salted caramel, strawberry cheesecake, Tiramisú, and my favorites, white chocolate pistachio and stracciatella (fancy chocolate chip). Everyone was envious when they emerged from the shops seeing us sitting on a bench with a view of the  Mediterranean savoring two-scoop gelato cones.  

I dreamed that when my daughter, Hybrid members, and I arrived in Granada and exited the van, one of the gals said they weren’t interested in seeing the tourist sights. Instead, they pointed to the mountains and said, “I want to hike that! Who’s with me?” A few members  agreed, and the next day they hopped in a van arranged by the hotel that took them to a  trailhead for a day-long hike while the rest of us toured the Saint Jerome Monastery, the Basilica, and the Royal Chapel.  

Also, while in Granada, I dreamed of sharing a hotel room with three great gals from the 9:15  MWF Ultimate Results sessions. I conversed with one of them about how she gets her hair to look that healthy and what kind of conditioner she uses. One of the other members interrupted our chat, saying, “Hurry up, you two. I want to see the palace and the gardens”. Then the fourth  gal, memorizing the city map, piped up with, “That’s right. Let’s get a move on, girls!”.  

As we traversed the coast of Spain, many more moments reminded me of Hybrid members, their personalities, challenges, optimism, and dedication. I shared the fitness journeys I have  witnessed while working at Hybrid Fitness with my daughter throughout the trip. My daughter is not athletically inclined, and I would like to plant that seed for her to tend to help her  physically and emotionally. I could see her acknowledging and absorbing the lessons the  members taught me session after session.  

When our members say that their coach at Hybrid has helped to inspire them to be all they can be, I don’t think they realize how much their presence at the gym has the same effect on the coaches. I am repeatedly in awe of the accomplishments of our members, whether it be hitting  a weight loss goal or a personal lifting record or using the confidence they’ve gained at the gym  to do something new in their daily life. I am grateful I get to work with our members, and I appreciate how we inspire each other to be our best selves inside and out.