Become a Better Version of Yourself with Lids Live Well-Ness Fest
Chicopee, Mass. – A free wellness event is coming to downtown Chicopee on September 10. Lids Live Well-Ness Fest is open to the community with a day of interactive workouts, mental health discussions and wellness-focused vendors.
“I just want to spread the word about not being just physically fit, but mentally fit,” said event organizer Lidya Early.
The event is an extension of Early’s health and wellness organization, Lids Live Well. Her philosophy is full body wellness, which extends beyond physical wellness to include programs on financial literacy, homeowner workshops and community walks.
“Our mission is to help build others to live well,” she said. “I approach fitness as a holistic approach to life.”
The day will begin with an optional 5K run/walk, then a group of instructors will lead participants in a variety of workouts like yoga, abdominal training and body shred. That will be followed by a panel discussing mental health and how to “become a better version of ourselves,” according to Early. The event will conclude with a range of dancing styles, from African to Zumba.
Thanks to a variety of sponsors, the event is free aside from the run/walk which is operated by an independent company. Support from Latino Economic Development Corporation, Community Foundation of Western Mass, Baystate Health, Planned Parenthood and Stop & Shop make the event possible.
Come Fill Your Cup
“A lot of times we function out of an empty cup.”
Early is a former athlete, but when she became a wife and mom she put her own health and fitness on the back burner. After the birth of her third child, she says didn’t feel good about herself until she began focusing on her health and nutrition again.
The positive change in how she felt was so impactful, she decided she should help empower other women to do the same.
“I provide not only that training but that empowerment that we are all beautiful, regardless of body shape, color or whatever. We’re bad asses,” she said.
Early emphasizes the importance of females taking care of themselves.
“We think we might be giving our families and our community our all, but we really are not if we’re not at 100 percent,” she said. “A lot of times we function out of an empty cup.”
“My message is, ‘Let’s fill our cup,’” Early said.
Through the event she hopes to empower women, incorporating the mission behind her business.
“That’s my passion, what fuels me, giving life to other people, empowering them,” she said. “That’s what I strive for, that’s what I want to do multiplied.”
Supporting Chicopee
The idea for Lids Live Well-Ness Fest came from her monthly work-a-thon, a two-hour Saturday workout with her clients. She was interested in creating a larger event to engage the community and bring people to downtown Chicopee, so she applied for and received a grant to bring that hope to reality. As part of the initiative, she has invited food trucks downtown for the community as well as those who are attending Lids Live Wellness Fest.
Her goal is to have 100 people attend, and she’s hopeful that she’ll achieve that number considering the event is free for the community.
“Hopefully we can engage with people who are struggling, at least open the door to get them to the right place to find whatever help they might need,” Early said. That could include health, nutrition, fitness or mental health assistance. “We’re programmed to be strong, but it’s okay not to be okay.”
Even if people are unable to attend the entire day, she hopes they will stop by and try the food trucks, exercise for a short time or visit the vendors.
“This is a day of unity. Bring your girls, bring yourself,” she said.
Lids Live Well-ness Fest runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday at Szot Park in Chicopee, 687 Front Street. In case of rain, the event will be postponed until September 17.
There is no need to register for Lids Live Well-Ness Fest, but to register for the run/walk visit runsignup.com.
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