Hi, I’m Fran with a plan
Today’s the day I start a new adventure… blogging! I am not what I would call a writer but I have always journaled and found putting pen to paper a great way to get the crazy, critical, sad, exciting ideas out of my head (sometimes in order to sleep!).
Shift, the project I founded late in 2015 and co-lead alongside an amazing bunch of humans (that’s you teamies!) is the reason I want to write. The journey we are on to improve the wellbeing of young women through physical activity, leadership, community building and LOVE is the reason I get up each day (and to take Ollie out for a run). Rachel, who inspires me through her blogging, is why I begin today.
So… the idea is I will jam out random thoughts here and things of a more personal nature and we (members of the Shifterhood) will publish the more useful, polished stories under Shift Life. Let’s see how we go… we can always iterate.
Who am I?
I’m 34 and I live in Upper Hutt. Ollie (she’s a Huntaway X#allofthethings) and I live in an 100 year old tiny house in the burbs. Who would of thought?! I grew up and went to school here. I've left a number of times but I always come back. It’s my home, my heart.
I had a blessed upbringing that included a lot of love, a home-mum, a brother to fight with and international travel with my papa’s job as a Sports Producer. I was happy, popular and secure in my bubble. But something changed in me, or maybe it was always there, during my teenage years. I hated school, I cared too much about what people thought of me, I rallied hard against my parents — often running away to escape their judgement. It got worse as I got into my late teens with drinking, drugs, loss of self. I often felt confused, addicted, lost and unloved.
I’m not sure exactly what shifted or why but somehow I emerged from the chaos wanting to make some changes. My 20’s is a blur of life happening — some good, some bad.
- The good — Lived in Adelaide for four years and met some of the most important women in my life still (Kathy, Abby & Susan). Traveled the globe living and visiting more than 30 countries. Got married. Moved from working in public libraries to community development. Grew so close to my family. Met Ollie who arrived after losing her home in the Christchurch earthquakes.
- The bad — Nearly lost my dad to an illness. Was left heart broken in Adelaide. Mental ill-health surfaced.
- The ugly — Divorce.
Waaaayyyyy more good than bad. I’ve recently been reflecting on the fact that the difficult periods in my life are the catalyst for why I am dedicated to empowering young women. I firmly believe my role in this world is to do just that, make a difference in their lives, impart tools in order for them to make wise choices and be there 100% when they don’t.
In 2014 I found myself leaving Upper Hutt City Council after five years working in community development and sport and recreation. These roles developed and honed my project management skills, my leadership capability and my human centered focus. They also allowed me to met Jess and Nat, two of my best friends who I admire and love very much. In June 2014 I arrived in the big smoke. My role at Wellington City Council is the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Leader within Parks, Sport and Recreation. I love my job and I love my team. In 2015 I was closely supported and encouraged by Karyn Stillwell, my Manager at the time, to complete my BA in Social Science and begin learning about the world of social entrepreneurship and design thinking.
The combination of my love of working alongside young women, my final research paper into the lived experience of young women and physical activity, my mind opening to the design and entrepreneur worlds and my introduction to Lifehack led me to dream up Shift: Shift your body, Shift your mind.
And that’s when the magic truly began.
