Meet Your New Seattle 3-Day Coach

Now coming to the stage, your new Seattle 3-Day Coach… Aubrey Zoli!

If you haven’t yet met our new Seattle 3-Day coach, we are honored to introduce you to Aubrey. She first worked for the 3-Day as a coach in Michigan all the way back in 2004, and we are so excited to have her back on our team!

As she currently makes Seattle her home, our West Coast 3-Dayers are going to be seeing a lot more of Aubrey as she ignites new passion, enthusiasm and maybe even some song into the Seattle walk this year. She still remembers experiencing Seattle’s Closing Ceremony in Memorial Stadium back in 2007 and can’t wait to see all of you salute the end of your 60-mile journey this year as well. She will be with you every step of the way.

But before you begin walking, let’s get to know Aubrey a little better…

What made you want to be so involved in the 3-Day?

I have always been passionate about working with non-profits and was excited at the chance to be a part of something that was so life changing. That first season, inspired by the hundreds of walkers I was personally supporting, I signed up to walk in San Diego. I trained and fundraised right alongside each of them. It was so hard! But I was so glad I was able to experience the event from that perspective. It gave me a greater level of understanding and appreciation for the participants and I felt I was able to better serve them as a coach. My own mother is a breast cancer survivor and it felt great to be able to do something to honor her. Fast forward 10 years and my aunt would also be diagnosed. I am now the daughter and niece of two incredible survivors, so I have a very personal connection to the cause.

How did you find your way to the job as a 3-Day coach this fall?

After taking several years away to focus on being a musician and exploring a job in early childhood education, a friend and long-time 3-Day participant told me that they were looking for a Seattle 3-Day coach. It was perfect timing as I had been looking to get back into the world of events but always had such high expectations of what I wanted. I was excited to come back and work for this event again and reconnect with the community. I love working for the 3-Day!

What are you most excited for this year?

I am looking forward to re-engaging our community and working hard to get the 3-Day out there to as many new people as possible. I know this event means so much to so many people and I’m excited to get out into the community and talk to more people about how incredible this the 3-Day is. I’m also happy to reconnect with some of the long-time participants I haven’t seen since I left back in 2010. So much has changed, but it so many ways, it feels like picking up right where I left off.

What are some of your top training tips?

Break in your shoes! Don’t get a new pair of shoes and wear them the first time on the event. Ouch! Also, bring an extra pair of shoes (broken in as well). If it rains or your feet swell, it’s good to have a second pair. I bought one set that were my regular size and a second pair that was a wide. On day two I couldn’t get my swollen feet into my regular shoes, so I was happy to have the second pair.

Don’t wear cotton! Invest in good socks. I love the double layer kind.

Body glide is your friend. Use it. Love it.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! If you don’t walk every step of the 60 miles, it’s totally OK! I didn’t! I trained super hard and still my knee swelled up on the second day and I took a sweep van at mile 17 (it was a 22-mile day). I got to shower first, with no line, and cheer in the other walkers. There is no shame in the sweep!

What are some fundraising resources 3-Dayers have?

You have so many resources at your disposal! I have never, and I mean never, had a walker tell me they couldn’t reach their fundraising minimum when they tried. The ones who didn’t reach their minimum told me they didn’t do anything to fundraise. Money won’t magically appear in your account. You have to ask!

Your biggest resource is ME (Check me out on Facebook Live!) Use me! Ask questions. Also, use your team! Being a part of a team is a great way to brainstorm ideas. The fundraising section of the website has a slew of resources including “How to raise $2,300 in 1 Month,” “101 Fundraising Ideas” and “A Step by Step Check List.”

And now that you can set up a Facebook Fundraiser to raise money for the 3-Day, it’s made fundraising even easier. I recently had a walker reach her minimum in under a WEEK just using a Facebook Fundraiser.

In 2019, we are asking people to #COMMIT3DAYS …What does commitment mean to you?

Committing to something is to not give up – even when it’s difficult. When I commit to something, I do it fully. Sure, there may be bumps along the way, but continuing to reach that goal despite the complications is what makes the reward at the end so sweet.

What is something 3-Dayers might not know about you?

I’m in a band! I am a singer/songwriter and have been writing songs since I was 6 years old. For the past 8 years I have been a member of the soulful-American duo The Local Strangers. In 2019 we are releasing our third full length studio album and I can’t wait! Back in 2012 my band-mate and I had the privilege of coming to the 3-Day and we performed in camp. That was a fun way to blend my two worlds. ?

Motivation Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes and What They Mean to Our Coaches

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is still providing inspiration to people throughout the country, even almost 50 years after his death. He was a man who motivated many to be their best version of themselves. And that includes our 3-Day coaches!

We rounded up some of Dr. King’s most impactful quotes and asked our coaches to talk about how they find inspiration in his words. We hope they motivate you this week, and always.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Coach Tisho: This causes me to pause and reflect. I try to do for others every day, whether in my professional life or my personal life. This quote makes me think about the specific items I have done today to help other people. And what I might like to do tomorrow.

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

Coach Heather: You can’t go wrong by doing the right thing. How could you? It might take more time, or more effort, but it will always be worth it in the end. Now is the time!

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Coach Gina: Kindness and love are needed, even in the face of darkness and hatred. Love will always bring the light we need to ward off the darkness of hate and violence. And we can only find and spread that love together.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Coach Liz: I agree that we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent with events that rob us of sound human relations and civic understanding. We must never quit.

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

Coach Stephanie: This reminds me to not focus on things that are out of our control. Everyone has challenges in life. Keep setting goals for yourself and focus on the things you can do. I think we’re all capable of achieving great things in life if we set our minds to it.

“I have decided to stick to love … Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

Coach Aubrey: Throughout life there will always be hardships and it can become really easy to focus on the negative. In my experience that hasn’t brought out the best in myself or the situation, so I choose to focus on the good in people and the joy around us. Time shouldn’t be wasted on hate.

“No person has the right to rain on your dreams.”

Coach Jennifer: Be fierce and move toward your dreams. On the days that it does rain, learn to splash in the puddles. ?

New Year’s Resolutions: Your 3-Day Coaches’ 2019 Goals

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Happy 2019! As we start this New Year, it’s the perfect time to set your goals and plans for 2019. Whether yours are personal or professional, for this month or more long-term, setting goals help you make the most of your year. If you haven’t yet, it’s also the perfect time to commit to 60-miles and join our 3-Day family!

In the meantime, take inspiration from your 3-Day coaches as you set your own 2019 resolutions…

Coach Gina

One of my goals for 2019 is to slow down, breathe more and keep practicing self-care. I want to make sure the moments don’t slip by, as the small moments (like the ones with my family!) can end up being the most important ones.

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Coach Kiki

But I try to create new habits/actions/behaviors throughout the year. This year, I’m hoping to incorporate yoga and meditation into my weekly health routine. I also plan to hydrate more often when on-event, as well as remember to reapply sunscreen (see above)!

Coach Staci

I’m going to start running again! And I have an epic trip to Alaska planned for 2019! We’ll do DeNali National Park and other day trips out of Anchorage followed by a 7-day cruise down the coast to Vancouver.

For the 3-Day, I want to make 2019 San Diego 3-Day even bigger and better than ever! I hope to help more walkers and crew experience the life-changing journey and leave their mark on the world!

Seattle 2015 walking with friends

Coach Gayla

Since I’m registered to walk the New England 3-Day in 2019, my resolution is to attend a different training walk every week. I challenge every Texas training walk leader to surprise me with creative areas because I’m willing to travel. Be on the lookout for the training walks I will post, too!

Coach Heather

2018 was a year of MAJOR life changes for me. In 2019, I am hoping to focus on “me,” as selfish as that can sound. Self-care is important, and in order for 2019.

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Coach Tisho

For 2019 my chosen word is “focus.” It’s going to be an exciting year with our New England event coming back and more awesome changes ahead, so I want to really be able to focus on the moment I’m in and not get too caught up in all the other moving parts of life.

Coach Stephanie

I’m hoping to get out and volunteer more!

Coach Jennifer

I want to help more people LOVE their experience on the 3-Day journey and raise as much money as we can in the fight to end breast cancer.

Personally, I’d like to learn to play my guitar like Sheryl Crow and grow more yummy things in my garden 🙂

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Coach Amy

For 2019, a quote that will inspire me to keep sprinkling my love is:

“Breathe love.

Be Love.

Give Love.

Do Love.”

How will you spread love in 2019? What else are you committing to for 2019? Tell us in the comments! Then, commit to joining us on this amazing 60-mile journey in 2019. We can’t wait to have you in our 3-Day family!