Page 1 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
EVERLY
“And that last set is really going to burn, ladies!” I finish the last rep of my at-home workout video, face flushed and heart pumping. I make a show of breathing heavily and wiping my brow to show that I found that tough too. Though we're all sweaty in our own living rooms, the two thousand people who tuned in to the live streaming make this feel like a community event.
I smile, reading the rapid-fire comments rolling up the side of the screen.
@yogagirl323: OMG, my legs are jello! ?? That was amazing!!
@runlikethewind: You killed me today, but I loved it lol. Guzzling this protein shake now.??
@fitnessfiend81: Best workout all week! You inspire me @Everly
@strongnotskinny: Already feeling those booty burners! ???? Girl, you are goals.
“Nice job sticking with me, guys!” I say, toweling sweat from my brow. “Same time Thursday for legs and core day? Who’s with me?”
A flood of enthusiastic comments fills the screen. Other are cursing me with how tough that was. I smile wider. Nothing fuels me more than the accountability of doing these live sessions together. When I started my fitness journey, I would’ve killed for a community like this, a place where we could all work out together, mutually burn our asses off, and support each other. I smile to myself as I read another comment from a girl saying she can’t get up off the floor.
After bidding my viewers goodbye and teasing a recipe I’ll be posting later, I wander to the kitchen still in my sweat-soaked leggings and sports bra. Kirra waits there holding my post-workout electrolyte drink.I notice her nails are painted with little sunshine images. Kirra loves to get patterns on her nails to reflect how she’s feeling. It’s pretty cool and cute, and she usually rotates between sun, clouds, or rain.
“Love your nails this week. You are an angel. Oh, is this watermelon flavored?” I take a sip. “You know that’s my favorite. You’re the best!” I gulp the drink down, grateful for the sweet hydration after a sweaty session.I give Kirra a quick side hug, and she grins at me.
“I know, I’d like to think I know youprettywell after two years now, Ev,” she goes in for another hug, but I dodge it, swiftly moving aside.
“Haven’t showered yet!” I proclaim as I wander to my snack cupboard. The gifted protein bars and protein waffles and other delicious protein goods stare back at me. I consider my choice for a moment but reach for the salted rice cakes, pulling out two onto a plate.
“Fabulous energy today. The fans were totally sweating with you,” Kirra remarks, checking the comments coming through on her phone. I watch her, slowly chewing my rice cake as she pivots to her email app and without looking up announces, “By the way, your 10am wanted to push back to 2pm and...” She scrolls again and pauses on a different email.
“ChicCosmos has been asking when you’re free to have a chat…”
I perk up at that name and grab the phone from her, quickly scanning the email. “You’re kidding! Any other details on what they want to discuss?”
“Sounded like they're interested in an Everly-exclusive athleisure collection!” Kirra responds, grinning.
“No way. For real?”
We both dissolve into giddy squeals at the idea. A collaboration with a major brand like that would be huge. Before this, I have been solely working with fitness brands, but my management and I have been discussing the move to more lifestyle-oriented content; they think it would be good for me to diversify myself, and honestly I could do with a break from the pressure to maintain a perfect physique. I gave them a strict list of brands that I already love and would be happy to work with, and ChicCosmos was at the top of that list. I practically live in their clothes anyway.
As we chatted a mile-a-minute planning possibilities, I soak in Kirra's palpable joy for my success, and we begin planning how I should approach the meeting with them. I’m good at negotiating and have taken business and marketing classes in college.
After showering, I throw on comfy lounge clothes and settle in at my desk to catch up on work. Kirra and I usually work in my lounge together, alternating between the desk and the couch. Today, she’s on the couch replying to brands and helping out with my accounting. I spend an hour replying to a flood of comments on my latest YouTube video — fans are loving the ten-minute HIIT routines I've been posting each week.
A reminder pops up that I want to film a relaxing yoga flow today too. I’m pretty exhausted, but that doesn’t matter. It’ll be good for me to stretch out anyway. I change into leggings and a sports bra and get set up in my makeshift home gym, cuing up some light acoustic music. As I flow through a series of sun salutations and hip openers, I remind viewers to find stillness and listen to their bodies. With that reminder, I do the same. I listen to my body too, losing myself in the practice for the next hour.
As I am conducting my “Do I need to shower again or am I all good” test, a common practice when working out multiple times a day, Kirra wanders in during a rather unglamorous armpit sniff. I quickly style it out, acting as though I’m finishing a stretch.
“All done filming?” she asks, hovering in the doorway almost shyly.
“It’s been a long day. I’m pretty wiped out,” I say, yawning to prove my point. “But I gotta prepare for a girls’ night and bring the energy.” I jump up from the floor.
Kirra straightens up at the door.
“I can stay and help out if you like?” she offers with a current of enthusiasm in her voice.
“Nah, I got it. It’s all good.” I check the time, 4:30pm. She only has half an hour left today. “You can go for the day. Be free and enjoy the sun,” I recommend, looking outside. It really is a beautiful day. I don’t want to be the reason she can’t go enjoy it.
Her face falls, flashing unmistakable disappointment. Strange reaction to an early exit. She renews her offer.
“I can help you make some food or something. I don’t mind.” She's so sweet. Seriously, this girl has gone above and beyond to help me become organized. I know she wants to be PA to a hot-shot CEO in the future, and this is a stepping stone for her, but she probably thinks that working overtime is mandatory to get there.
