Sunday, July 16, 2017

Fit on Vacation

Dr. Meyers went out of town recently and recruited several people to join her in a 5K in South Florida. This was an opportunity for her to continue to work on fitness goals while on vacation with family and friends.



Cathy, Lisa, and Michelle strike a super-hero pose at the finish line!
The Fifth Annual Triumph 5K fit in the travel schedule, and the entry fees went to help the Triumph Crisis Recovery Center  put an end to the epidemic of domestic violence against women and children by stopping individual victimization and reducing the devastating impact of family violence. All proceeds would benefit survivors of domestic abuse through counseling, emergency shelter and legal services, a very worthy cause to support.

It was really special to have two childhood friends participate. Cathy is a friend from grade school, and Kim is a friend from high school. In addition to them, Michelle and Regaine, friends from a trip abroad last summer ran the race. Family members were well represented too, with Sheila and Ernie, Dr. Meyers' parents, walking with her brother Gene, along with his son Patrick.
The whole crew, from left: Kim, Michelle, Regaine, Lisa, Patrick, Cathy, Gene, Sheila, and Ernie
This was Cathy's very first 5 K, and she began training in January to be able to run it. It was also Sheila and Ernie's first full 5K. Back in November 2016 they walked in the 2 mile portion of the Turkey Trot when they came to Kansas City for Thanksgiving. And Michelle has done other 5Ks but this is the first one she ran the whole way. Despite the heat and humidity, the whole crew finished.

Ernie,at 88 years old, won second place for his age group
and scored a winner's medal.


TPG is so proud of how the fitness journey Dr's Turner and Meyers began in 2016 with the concept of "one 5K a month" is inspiring others to get out and get moving to experience better health!



Sunday, June 11, 2017

BIG REVEAL... Six Month Weight Loss & Workout Strategies

We are back in Parkville for the Color Storm Run. Little warmer, but still a gorgeous day for a BESTIE Run. Dr. Turner felt so ambitious he ran an extra mile this morning. Go George!















Well we are six months into our 2017 "Get Moving" journey. And, a huge benefit to us running one 5K per month is that both of us have lost some weight










George's workout strategies









Lisa workout strategies




Saturday, May 6, 2017

Its a beautiful day for a run... but why did we commit to 1 Run a month?



Why do Drs. Turner & Meyers run? 

Check out the answer below... 


Today was a sunny gorgeous Spring run in historic Parkville Missouri along the river. With scenic views it was a blissful day for fitness enthusiasts, Drs. Meyers and Turner. As luck would have it our May run is on the heels of last week's Trolley Run.

Drs. Turner & Meyers ...post run glow!



Dr Turner Selfie with Dr. Meyers & River

On your mark... The start of a great run starts with one foot in front of the other.


River & Trail... 


Blissful rolling river

George is feeling his game getting a bit better with a faster pace... most likely from the daily 30 minute runs on the treadmill.

Practice, Practice... PRACTICE!
















Half-way done is NOT done. We dont quit until the race is over!



But our fans have been asking... "Why did you guys commit to a run every month?" Great question! The answer is pretty simple...

Why does Lisa Run?




Why does George Run?


Of course Lisa's got ONE MORE...




Lisa is keeping her game on focusing on the most important part... JUST FINISH!


Enjoy the serenity...



Sunday, April 30, 2017

Trolley Track Run 2017

Wet, WET, & WETTER was our start to today's Trolley Track run, but right before it started the rain slowed a bit and stayed a mild drizzle the whole way.  A beautiful morning S-L-O-W jog winding through the gorgeous Brookside neighborhood makes this one of our favs. 

Month 4 to getting fit in 2017





A cold-n-rainy start is no deterrent for our enthusiasm and dedication.

Woot. WOOT! We are 1/2 way done. Feeling strong!!!



Wet ...but we did it!




Friday, February 17, 2017

Genderless Love


Genderless Love: A Look at How Trans and Gender-Variant Couples Navigate Love, Relationships, and Their Own Identities

It’s time to continue our discussion on sexual and gender identity.  Last time the focus was on how gender identity impacts sexual identities.  I explored my own journey of my gender transition from female to male and how my sexual orientation has been impacted by my transition. Today’s blog post was prompted by a panel on gender-variant and trans couples called “Transcending Love”.  This panel had three very different queer relationships which consisted of a married genderfluid person and trans man, a married non-binary poly couple, and a relationship consisting of two trans women.  The couples discussed many topics including identity, navigating relationships while being trans, and sexuality.

Before diving into the intriguing conversations and answers the panelists discussed, I would like to briefly describe each of the panelists and the identities they labeled themselves as.  For the purposes of privacy and confidentiality, I will only use the first letters of their names in this post.

B: A trans man who started transitioning five years ago.  He is married to panelist K and they describe themselves as being in a queer relationship.  B identified as a lesbian woman prior to transitioning and now identifies as a straight trans man. 

K: A genderfluid person who uses mostly she/her pronouns, but sometimes they/them pronouns as well.  Prior to her relationship with B, she identified as a lesbian woman.  K still identifies as a lesbian, but her experience with gender has changed since marrying B and has become more fluid.

I: A non-binary person married to their partner, F, another non-binary person.  These two are in a polyamorous relationship, meaning they date and/or have sexual relationships outside of their primary relationship with each other.

R: A trans woman who transitioned twenty-two years ago.  R was married to a heterosexual woman prior to her transition.  Her relationship ended when she started her transition.  R found herself dating men and started to identify as a straight trans woman.  Recently, her sexuality has become more fluid and she is moving towards a pansexual identity.  Currently she is in a relationship with her partner, A.

A: A trans woman who began her transition a year ago.  A has been attracted to men and identified as a straight woman until dating her partner, R.  Now she doesn’t cling to a label for her sexual identity.



The panel opened with a short discussion on trans relationships in the media.  We watched a clip from the documentary with Katie Couric on “Gender Revolution” by National Geographic.  The clip featured a couple in England; one woman was a transgender woman, the other was cisgender (meaning a person whose gender identity matches the one assigned to them at birth).  The couple stayed together during the trans woman’s transition and they are still happily married.  The cisgender woman identifies as a heterosexual woman and wants others to know that you can be in a relationship that contradicts your sexual identity.  She states, “The fact that my partner is now a woman doesn’t change my sexual orientation.  I’m not attracted to women and I’ll never date another woman.” The panelists agreed with the video’s message and the moderator stated, “It’s the person, not the gender.  Gender is not the end-all be-all of relationships.”



The first discussion topic brought to the panelists was about labels and how their identities have changed over time.  I noticed in the panelists’ introductions of themselves that all of them identified as one identity at one time, and then changed labels as they got older and dated more people.  Like myself, a few found their sexual orientation had changed after transitioning.

Moderator: I tell people, it’s Identity and MYdentity, not YOURdentity.

I: Identities are like a project for me.  I never have one that always encompasses the other.  I focus on whatever I want to work on.  Today it’s sexuality, tomorrow it’s gender.

K: It was strange for me, identifying as a lesbian and then being attracted to a man.  I met B after he transitioned.  We had to work a lot with each other about respect.  He used to get upset with me that I still identified as a lesbian even though I was with him.  I told him that his identities are important to him, and mine are important to me.  He needed to respect my identity as he does his own. It wasn’t about self-growth but couple growth. Since then I have become more fluid with my label. If I was going to be stuck on a word [lesbian] I would lose the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

B: I had to learn: What she identifies as does not affect what I identify as. 

R: When I transitioned, I transitioned on an attraction level as well.  I went from a straight man to a straight woman to a pansexual woman.  Sometimes labels don’t always fit.

A: It’s discomforting when others try to put a label on you.  They feel they have a label that fits you better than the labels you choose for yourself.  I don’t have to follow a binary. Love doesn’t follow a binary. I’m not defining it.  If I love you, I love YOU.



The fact that my partner is now a woman doesn’t change my sexual orientation.”



With all of this talk about identity, B and K were asked what it was like for them to be coded as a straight couple, meaning that when they are in public, most people assume they are a heterosexual cisgender couple.

B: It’s not a stressor for me.  We hang out with other trans couples.  We feel like what strangers see doesn’t matter.

K: It’s happened before.  One time we went to Missie B’s and some rude drunk guy made comments like “What are you guys even doing here?”, as if we didn’t belong.  In the end, we just let it go and ignored him.



The next discussion question was on relationships and how dating while transgender/gender variant worked.

A: When dating, I found myself drawn to other trans people.  Cis people don’t understand the struggles trans people go through.  There are a good amount of trans people who date trans people for this reason.

I: Relationships are about good communication and companionship.  My partner and I use allyship, rather than relationship to describe what we have.  Being poly, F and I date while we’re married. We are very open when it comes to dating.  We have different needs we want to fill and we are able to do so through different people.



 “Love doesn’t have a gender. If you love someone, you’re willing to do what it takes to make it work.”



The panelists were then asked when is the best time to discuss their gender identity with a new partner.

R: I just get it out right away.  I’ve tried all the dating websites, like OkCupid. I’m just up front with it.  You get a lot of people who fetishize you when you’re up front, but it’s pretty easy to weed them out.

A: I think after one to two dates is appropriate.  I like the people to get to know me first. I hope that they will like me enough to not leave just because of my gender identity.

I: I’m not a gambler. I like a safe bet.  If I put my identities out there for everyone to see, I know that the people talking to me are already okay with them.



Finally, the panel started discussing sexuality and how gender identity affects their sex lives. 

I: I’ve never been hung up on genital arrangement. Sex toys exist.  Sex with different people is sex with different people.

K: Have a conversation with your partner about what you’re comfortable with. Parts are parts.  How you get there is how you get there.

I: I like to use the metaphor of dishes when it comes to communicating what you want from sex.  Everyone has their own idea of where the dishes should go in the kitchen.  Sometimes you agree with others, sometimes they’re like, “No way, I would never put my dishes there.” Then you have a conversation about where you like the dishes, where they like them to go, why you like them in certain places, and where you can compromise to put them.  Everyone has their own ideas about it and you have to figure it out with each person.

B: I think this is a great metaphor.  When I first started dating K, it took us a while to figure this out.  We were both used to dating lesbian women.  Lesbian sex is different from sex with a trans man.  I had a lot of dysphoria about my chest prior to top surgery.  We had to have some discussion on…where the dishes had to go.  Afterwards, sex became great.”

I: It’s about respecting people.  I’ve been misgendered in sexual situations before, and that’s the line for me. That’s it, it’s over.



The panelists shared their closing statements and everyone went their separate ways.  There were so many important themes discussed and the panel was helpful to so many of the gender variant members of the audience.  What they had to say was also important for all types of relationships.  What it comes down to is that love is love.  It doesn’t always make sense and it doesn’t always correlate with labels and identities.  If you love someone, you should not let something like gender keep you from having an authentic and beautiful relationship.  I also saw how complicated and fluid identity can be.  It’s okay if you identify as one label and then switch years, a month, or even a day later.  Identities can be fluid.  People can be fluid.  What is important is to love yourself and love others.

-Killian Derusha, TPG Intern and MSW Student

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Trans Support in Kansas City

TPG will like to showcase two amazing groups in the KCMO community.  “Equal* Trans Support Group” and “UMKC Trans+Allies” both hold monthly meetings that are open to the transgender community, allies, students, and professionals.  Meetings typically include education, support, and fun activities for members to participate in.  For more information on the groups or local events for transgender individuals and allies, please check out their websites and facebook pages.

Equal* Trans Support Group
Meeting dates: The third Thursday of each month from 5-7 PM. (Food Provided)
3911 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111

UMKC Trans+Allies
Meeting dates: The first Monday of each month from 6-8 PM. (Food Provided)
Room 402 of the UMKC Student Union, Parking available in the top floor of the Cherry Street Parking Garage

Monday, December 12, 2016

Mission Accomplished, and it feels so good!



Ernie and Sheila Chomor, Joanna Meyers
November’s 5K was the Parkville Turkey Trail Trot. When I signed up I posted it on my FaceBook page. Almost immediately my sister in law, Joanna messaged me to sign her up for the corresponding 2 mile walk. About a week later my Mother, Sheila asked to be signed up, and then my father Ernie did too. My parents were coming to Kansas City from North Miami Beach, Florida to spend Thanksgiving with me, and Joanna was to drive in from Mitchell, South Dakota, as long as the weather held out. It was fun to know they wanted to not only support me in my fitness goals, but to participate with me also, which was so special.

My signature finishing pose: "arms raised"
 They were there as I passed the starting line, because the walkers would begin about 10 minutes after the runners. What a treat it was for them to also be at the finish line to cheer as I crossed that one as well, because they had finished their two miles just a few minutes before I completed my fasted 5K of the year! 







 
My dad is 87, and he said he still had plenty of steam and could have walked the full 5K…he and my mom were troopers, because while they walk daily in south Florida, they don’t have to contend with doing it when the temperature is in the upper 30’s! Perspective is everything though, because it was comfortably mild to Joanna compared to the winter weather in SD.




December brought me to my last 5K of 2016, the Christmas Light 5K in NKC, and it was thankfully correctly advertised as “pancake flat”. I love a flat course, this one did not disappoint, and it wound through north Kansas City as we got to run in the dark through neighborhoods with lovely holiday lighting and families outside cheering us on.

Two Ninjas, Robert and Lisa
Santa was on hand for pre-race pictures, so of course I had to get a picture with his Jollyness and my biggest cheerleader, the Husband. 
Dr. and Mr. Meyers with Santa


I had extra cheers at the finish line this time, as the coolest 9 year old I know, Ninja Robert, and his parents came out to celebrate the completion of my year-long fitness goal. The four of them braved the cold (it was just 35 degrees, brrrrrrr!) to bear witness to my journey and acknowledge my hard work.


Mission accomplished!
My 2016 fitness goal was to complete one 5K race per month. Starting out in January, I thought it would be great if by December I was able to jog the whole way without stopping. Well, I crushed that goal right out of the gate, and it only got better from there. Of course, by “crushed” I mean I was going just fast enough in January to not be considered going backwards, but at least I didn’t stop or walk.

I remember the agony 12 months ago, when my mantra throughout the first 5K was a simple “of course I’m gonna finish”. I thought I was going to pass out when I crossed the finish line, but I also clearly remember how strong I felt, and how proud I was that I actually did it. That feeling of strength and accomplishment was just as present when I ended my December race, after repeating the same mantra throughout as I ran in the dark in 35 degrees.
 
January Results
December Results
 November was my fastest time all year, I shaved 10 minutes and 27 seconds off my time from January!!!
Congratulations on finishing the 2016 Parkville Turkey Trail Trot!
The following are your personal results:
Name: Lisa Meyers                    
Gun Time:   42:07   
Net Time:   38:30   
Net Time Pace: 12:24




Some things I learned along the way… my friend O’Neal Hampton was right when he said my mind would want to quit way before my body needed to (thanks Unc, wise words that I never forgot); I am stronger than I gave myself credit for; Having a buddy helped me get the fitness journey started, but showing up for myself is just as important, because sometimes you have to go it alone; Setting a goal and proclaiming it to the world is very helpful for accountability; Springing for the expensive gear makes all the difference in how pleasant the experience is; Finishing strong is a daily choice; and having special people at the finish line cheering you on is highly motivational.

What’s next?
Well, over the last few weeks I have convinced myself to train for a 10K in 2017. I feel like this is an attainable goal, and I have targeted the Plaza 10K as The One, primarily because it is later in the year and mostly flat. So…that’s the proclamation, my accountability has been activated…see you at the finish line!