community,
challenges
&events
Marisa may have buns of steel, but more importantly, she has a heart of gold. One of the most important ways the HHbM community gives back is inspired by Marisa’s son, Xavier. Xavier has Down syndrome and the HHbM community has been very involved with the Down Syndrome Center of Puget Sound’s annual Buddy Walk. Team Xavier has always been in the top 5 fundraising teams and was the #1 fundraising team in 2023 and 2024- raising over $20,000 both years! In addition to the Buddy Walk every October, World Down Syndrome Day is every year on March 21st. Our fitness family contributes 100’s of pairs of socks to provide to several local elementary schools so the kids can rock their brightly colored, silly, mismatched socks to celebrate and help create Down syndrome awareness! That’s community! HHbM clients also contribute to various school supply and coat drives, as well as adopt families during the holidays to make sure they have a special and memorable holiday!
community
challenges
Mud, Sweat & Cheers! HHbM offers many other ways to get to know other members, stay active and get motivated. Marisa believes in providing opportunities for the community to get out of their comfort zones, challenge their boundaries and check off a bucket list item or two. Annual events have included the Seattle Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon (includes “Run on the Rocks” training runs), Tough Mudder (formally Warrior Dash) and The Big Climb. If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you!
Even kids and families get involved at HHbM! For kids ages 6-11, Marisa offers Happy Hour for Half Pints (annual kids summer camp) (hyperlink). HHbM hosts Trunk-or-Treating for Halloween every year. Families enjoy a fun-filled and safe experience in the parking lot, including games, treats and a food truck. HHbM families also look forward to the annual adventure to Bob’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch where they end the day with a private fire pit party, including s’mores, apple cider and a whole lot of fun! In the spring, the Easter bunny makes a guest appearance at our annual Easter Egg Hunt! Let’s just say this isn’t your typical Easter egg hunt! These eggs are known to have exercises, not just jelly beans! (link to pics). It’s more than a gym….. it’s about family and community!
Happy Hour for Half Pints: Kids Summer Camp
Not your typical kids summer camp! Your kiddo will learn that fitness is about so much more than just working out. They will learn about building confidence through exploring and tackling new and different challenges, the value of choosing a positive, healthy mindset, the importance of kindness and teamwork, and the power of community.
This program is designed to support our kids in learning how to embrace exercise as a fun activity for healthy, happy bodies.
Camp runs Monday through Friday 11:30am-3:30pm.
Ages: 6-10 (approximate)
Goals for the week:
* Learn that exercise can be fun and enjoyable
* Importance and value of a healthy, positive mindset
* Team-building and respect for themselves and others
* Learn about food as fuel
* Play games and explore what a healthy lifestyle means
$250 investment includes: workouts, games, art lessons, lunch and a positive, interactive experience and environment! Plus, they will sleep great that week and you don't have to worry that they're at home sitting in front of the TV. It's a win-win for you and your kiddo!
events
Ladies Night (Cardio Striptease)
What this night is all about:
❤️ SELF-LOVE! More self-love, less self-judgment! Loving and celebrating your sexy self just the way you are!
❤️ Surrounding yourself with positive, uplifting, bad ass women!
❤️ Let loose and have some good ol' fashioned fun!
❤️ Escape the chaos and simply BE!
What to expect:
the first hour (or so) includes mingling, some fun activities and cocktails if you choose. And then WE DANCE (not mandatory whatsoever but encouraged)! Nothing too fancy.... just a whole lotta booty rolls and attitude! It's not your traditional HHbM workout...there won't be any burpees, but I promise you'll sweat! Think… dance like no one’s watching!
If you haven't been to this class before, Cardio Striptease is like going out to the club with your girls, but you're in comfy clothes and shoes and there are no creepy guys trying to grind on you! It's an evening simply dedicated to lettin' loose, havin' fun and celebrating your sexy self JUST THE WAY YOU ARE…every roll, every dimple and every bit of your muffin top! Guaranteed to get your temperature rising, sweat dripping, and booty grinding! What happens in ‘tease…stays in ‘tease! Note: we DO NOT actually strip and there is no pole.... you are not allowed to take your clothes off even if you want to
Please note that this might not be the class for you if: A) you are easily offended, B) you don't like vulgar music, C) you aren't ready for a down and dirty, silly good time!
This event is open to everyone (members and non-members 21+). $25 for the event (cash or Zelle). $10 extra if you'd like to enjoy some adult beverages. Please arrange for a designated driver or Uber if you choose to partake in cocktails. Bring on the laughs, the positive energy, and a silly good time!
“Camp was such a great experience! Marisa’s focus on community and positivity was incorporated in all aspects of the camp, which I LOVE! My son loved camp and couldn’t wait for the extra fun events at the end of the week! My younger son and I joined in on some of the fun, and some amazing memories were made! He’s already talking about going next summer! There really is nothing I would change about how camp went. It was fantastic!!
Happy Hour for Half Pints was the BEST investment we made this summer! Every day was a blast for our kiddo, but the ultimate favorite was the last day’s activities for parents and kiddos. My son said, “I’m so happy! Are you happy? I’ve never had SO much fun with you!” Seriously, this has been so good for him all week, and it ended with bonding time with mama. We thank you, Marisa (and your helpers) for providing such a fun and educational week for our kiddo!”
change your life challenge
Marisa started the Change Your Life Challenge in January of 2010 because she wanted to lose weight and she thought it would be more encouraging to stay on track if she had a team of people doing it with her. She lost 40 lbs during the first 2 rounds and has kept it off largely due to the support and encouragement the community provides! As a team, HHbM has now lost almost 3000 LBS!!! Frickin' AMAZING!!!!
The goals of these 3-month challenges essentially revolve around support, motivation, and accountability. The Challenge is also very focused on making self-care a bigger, better priority, whatever that looks like for each person. It can be incredibly challenging to stay focused and motivated on your own. Being accountable to just yourself isn't enough sometimes. You are not alone. I'm here to support you along with a TEAM of strong, determined, and positive people all striving for the same goal- to make a positive life change! There are so many people out there who want to change their life for the better and I want to help inspire and motivate them to stop thinking about it, empower themselves and DO IT! Life is too short to keep thinking about doing stuff! Someday is NOW! Cheers to a better, stronger, healthier you!!!
