Sometimes, as in the case with Adley, they wear scrubs. And when shes not wearing scrubs, Adley is lounging in her Vuori Joggers. And she said, okay, cool, let's go to the weight section. She retired to pursue her education and become a teacher. Simply living in her truth is having a huge impact on the lives of others. And while Im so grateful for the work I get to do now, it was a journey finding my way here, and the path was less than conventional. Ourbottoms are designed for the adventurer in all of us. When she switched schools in junior high, Allison made the decision to not tell people about her leg and never wear shorts, despite how hot it might be. Thank you so much for making these!". Despite the challenges, one year into the pandemic, Adley is reflecting on all that has occurred and finding beauty in the ashes. Originally from Nashville, TN, she moved to Atlanta to pursue her dream job working in the ICU at Emory, with the end goal to become a nurseanesthetist. When she switched schools in junior high, Allison made the decision to not tell people about her leg and never wear shorts, despite how hot it might be. At Vuori, we aim to inspire others to be happy, healthy, and live extraordinary lives. Also, local restaurants would make food and drop it off for us so every shift I worked, there was food provided. When asked about her thoughts, she responded that she feels hopeful. With the vaccination becoming more available and numbers decreasing, Adley is seeing light at the end of the tunnel. One year later, Im realizing that although this was incredibly challenging and filled with so much loss for so many people, we still came out stronger and with a greater appreciation for things that we previously took for granted., While collectively we are all still processing our grief and trauma from an overwhelming year, those on the frontlines, who put their health and wellbeing at risk every single day to serve the needs of others, especially healthcare workers, have undoubtedly experienced the pandemic in a way that the rest of us may simply never truly understand. Adley doesnt consider herself a hero, but the fact remains, she is. I was intrigued, despite the fact that I had never even held a barbell in my hands. What really changed for me is that, at one point, my younger sister decided to join the gym because she wanted to get in better shape. This was a tremendously difficult experience during childhood. Free Ground Shipping Over $75 | Free Returns. The rise represents the climb of the mountain, staying present in the face of challenges, and making the choice to keep going. From that came our tag line The Rise The Shine. As a result of her disability, every couple of years Allison had to undergo surgeries because her bone would grow through her skin. At the age of 16, Allison was scouted by VolleyBall Canadian for a sitting volleyball team. By submitting your email address, you agree to receive emails from Vuori, to Vuori processing your personal data for marketing purposes and our Privacy Policy. After all, if the narrative about being physically weak was a lie, what other lies had I been telling myself? As many hospitals across the country faced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortages, Emory was no different, however, the community really came together to help out in as many ways as they could. Free Ground Shipping Over $75 | Free Returns. Traveling later in Central America, she witnessed kids with one leg playing soccer on crutches. Working long days of sometimes 17 hours, I didnt leave my office job at first. From running and jumping to swimming and surfing to your chill and lounge occasions, we have you covered. Through my own experience and through the experience of being a coach, I've come to really strongly believe that strength training is so transformative for people. I want to normalize the reality of people having disabilities so that hopefully leads to a more accessible and accepting world.. Additionally, not being able to go see my family, because of fear that I could be asymptomatic and transmit it to them, also took a toll on me. My family and friends are my biggest support system so it was incredibly difficult to be going through this and not be able to physically see them.. I finally grasped how strong and capable I was I even competed in powerlifting competitions and would regularly deadlift over 400 pounds. Travelling was really the thing that helped her feel free sharing openly about her disabilities. Allison decided on teaching because she desired to normalize disabilities. After being born with the lower half of her leg missing, Allison suffered from severe trauma. Thanks to powerlifting, I also stopped playing small and learned to take up more space in the world, unapologetically and authentically. Through powerlifting, I healed my relationship with my body and changed the stories I was telling myself that prevented me from feeling confident and whole. At the outbreak of COVID-19, Adley was working in the cardiac ICU at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, which works in close proximity with the Center for Disease Control (CDC). People in the community donated masks, gloves, and Clorox wipes, and it was so helpful because we did run out of things. If the world had a cookie cutter format, we wouldnt have the incredible diversity that we do., Sports were a huge part of Allisons teenage years. Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected on events, happenings, product launches and more. The rise represents the climb of the mountain, staying present in the face of challenges, and making the choice to keep going.The shine represents the feeling you get when you reach the summit, the feeling of being truly inspired. This had a huge impact on her self-confidence which ultimately resulted in Allison attempting to hide her legs. Adler did this by reading a lot, playing with her dog, engaging in a movement and fitness practice at home, and FaceTiming with her loved ones. Adley Parriott decided on a career in medicine because she wanted to help people and make a difference, however, when she began her career as a nurse, never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that she would live and work through a global pandemic. Through a series of events, I found myself training at a small strength and conditioning gym. Allison never set out to be a leader or an advocate within the disability space. I did all these extreme diets and extreme cardio, but then I couldn't maintain it, gained the weight back, and just went through these cycles. I received so much validation for the way I looked, and that started me down the path of yoyo dieting for the next decade of my life. So I drove to the bookstore and I got a book, started following it religiously, and did lose a lot of weight. Beyond just training and helping people through the journey of Body Liberation, I also have the opportunity to work towards creating a more inclusive wellness industry because wellness is for everyone. She also felt like she was educating people. The only thing I knew to do was to go on the Atkins diet, because I had previously heard my mom's friend talking about it and how she'd lost a bunch of weight. Because of this opportunity, she ended up travelling all over the world and competing. When I think of the work I do within the wellness industry now, its the perfect merger of the things Im most passionate about -- fitness and wellness and social justice. Regardless of her disability, her parents never treated her like she wasnt 100% capable and enrolled her in a variety of sports, ranging from soccer to snowboarding. The rise represents the climb of the mountain, staying present in the face of challenges, and making the choice to keep going.The shine represents the feeling you get when you reach the summit, the feeling of being truly inspired. Because of this, I now encourage others to love their bodies and remind people that every body should be celebrated because we are all unique and special. Allison met so many new people and found herself retelling her story over and over. EveryBODY deserves to feel welcome, seen, respected, and celebrated especially while they're moving their bodies. Kids would either push her over or call her names such as peg leg and Barbie''. Allison didnt begin embracing herself truly until her early twenties and a pivotal part of this was surrounding herself with life-minded people. Through advocacy, education and access, we can disrupt the status quo and change the face of the entire fitness and wellness industry. This was one of the most impactful experiences of Allisons life. I wanted to help other people realize the transformative power of strength training as well. Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected on events, happenings, product launches and more. I knew that I loved fitness but I also had a safe and secure salary that I had worked hard to achieve. As a result of this, Allison is also now consulting with companies who are seeking to be more inclusive, especially as it pertains to the disabled community. By submitting your email address, you agree to receive emails from Vuori, to Vuori processing your personal data for marketing purposes and our Privacy Policy. My parents were going through a divorce, so it was a difficult period in my life. Speaking of her experience, Allison says, In hindsight, I wish I would have shown myself more compassion and grace. While she is fortunate that she didnt have additional health complications, this didnt shield her from both physical and mental bullying. She recognized that in order to show up her best self to care for her patients and do her job, it was important that she find different and creative ways to take care of physical, emotional, and mental health outside of work. your discount will be applied at checkout, At Vuori, we aim to inspire others to be happy, healthy, and live extraordinary lives. A New Perspective In Your Inbox. your discount will be applied at checkout. It was the first time in her life that people were positively responsive to her. After being born with the lower half of her leg missing, Allison suffered from severe trauma. What I've noticed the most in my clients (and myself too) is that a lot of people have undergone physical transformation and change, but that's not the part that is the most impactful for people. By submitting your email address, you agree to receive emails from Vuori, to Vuori processing your personal data for marketing purposes and our Privacy Policy. Powerlifting allowed me to tap into my unrealized potential in nearly every facet of my existence, and gave me the strength to start sharing my truth in the world, and is even the thing that led me down an entirely different career path as a fitness professional. I chose to wear dresses and shorts to school in an attempt to acclimatize kids to people with disabilities. However, as she began sharing her story on social media, Allison began getting messages from parents and other kids with disabilities sharing how inspiring and impactful her story was for them. The community really rallied together for us, and it was so cool., The last year were unprecedented times and the healthcare industry faced huge obstacles. If the world had a cookie cutter format, we wouldnt have the incredible diversity that we do.. It also helped me realize that my body is not an object for consumption. Now working in marketing and as a model, Allison is intentional about advocating for greater representation for people with disabilities and combating ableism. Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected on events, happenings, product launches and more. While working full time in my corporate job, I worked part time as a trainer, with the hope of eventually leaving my corporate job and working full time in fitness. Each time this happened she would have to go to school on crutches or in a wheelchair because she essentially had to relearn to walk. Allison now also goes into schools and talks to groups of girls, even implementing a girls self-love club in one school. It allowed me to stop focusing all of my energy on what my body looked like and to start seeing all that it could do. This was a tremendously difficult experience during childhood. And, honestly, it was just because I had gained some weight. I am not an ornament or decoration for the world, and I dont have to conform to cultural standards of beauty. It was definitely anxiety inducing. I was really resistant to it at first because in my mind I said, no, I don't want to have big, bulky muscles. We are big fans of the human spirit and love witnessing others pursue their dreams, which is why we are excited to introduce The Rise The Shine series, where we tap into our community and share their stories. Allison Lang, a 28 year old, Canada-based amputee, athlete, educator, and model, who is now also a body inclusivity advocate, didnt always have the confidence she has now and certainly didn't imagine that she would one day be a role model and inspiration for others. Free Ground Shipping Over $75 | Free Returns. She was the first person that really taught me the value of strength training for physical change, but through that process, I realized that my body could do things I didn't think it could. It didn't actually bother me until a boy in my class commented on how 'he could tell I'd been eating good.' So I joined the gym with her, we both got trainers, and I remember I told my trainer that my goal was only one thing: I wanted to be skinny. There wasnt always clear guidance about how to handle patient care and things ranging from protocols to medications were constantly changing as the medical industry grappled with learning more about COVID-19., Speaking of how the uncertainty, Adley says, At times it was challenging to keep up with things. It was also hard going into each new day wondering if the numbers were going to keep increasing or thinking about how many people I may have to watch die. Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected on events, happenings, product launches and more. Not all heroes wear capes. your discount will be applied at checkout. The shine represents the feeling you get when you reach the summit, the feeling of being truly inspired. The feelings that I experienced from strength training led me to embark in a career in fitness as a trainer. Instead, I trained on the side for nearly 3 years. Allisons desire is to bring awareness to the disability community and inspire young children with disabilities. I wasn't into sports or athletics at all. And while the journey may look different for each person, the transformative power of building strength and tapping into your personal power can be life-altering and affirming. And while I did end up transforming my body, the mindset shifts that resulted from powerlifting are the real, and lasting, victory. Every morning I get off work, I immediately throw on my Vuori Performance Joggers to lounge in and fall asleep in because they are so comfortable. With degrees in Social Welfare and Justice and Sociology, Ive always been passionate about understanding the importance of taking an intersectional approach to the work we do, regardless of the industry. In the words of Adley, I was just doing the job I signed up for, and I was so incredibly grateful that I was able to remain gainfully employed during a time when so many people lost so much. As cliche as it sounds, its true. This month we are featuring writer, speaker, and strength coach, Chrissy King. From that came our tag line The Rise The Shine. Then everybody at school said 'oh my God, you look so great.' I enjoyed reading and writing and that type of stuff. The experience really allowed her self-confidence to grow. The lessons you learn from strength training, you can transfer to every area of life. Powerlifting was transformative for me both mentally and physically. In 2017, Allison went on a solo backpacking trip across Europe for 3 months. A New Perspective In Your Inbox. It also impacted how I viewed the stories I told myself about my abilities. The transformative power and mental fortitude that comes from building physical strength is undeniable. Social justice has always been at the core of the work I do. As a result of her disability, every couple of years Allison had to undergo surgeries because her bone would grow through her skin. Physical strength begets mental strength, in my opinion. This month we are featuring ICU nurse, Adley Parriot. At Vuori, we aim to inspire others to be happy, healthy, and live extraordinary lives. I realized my lifes purpose wasnt to be skinny and I stopped obsessing over the scale instead, I learned to love, appreciate, and accept my body in all of its iterations. In fact, it was quite the opposite for a very long time. We are big fans of the human spirit and love witnessing others pursue their dreams, which is why we are excited to introduce The Rise The Shine series, where we tap into our community and share their stories. She had no one to rely on, and also it was during summer months so people would see her leg and ask questions. This month we are featuring ICU nurse, Adley Parriot.. This month we are featuring ICU Nurse, Adley Parriott.. But more importantly, I was making an impact in an industry that I was really passionate about. At Vuori, we aim to inspire others to be happy, healthy, and live extraordinary lives. Free Ground Shipping Over $75 | Free Returns. The rise represents the climb of the mountain, staying present in the face of challenges, and making the choice to keep going.The shine represents the feeling you get when you reach the summit, the feeling of being truly inspired. I spent the majority of my twenties focused on shrinking my body, my voice, and my life in general. According to Adley, one of the most difficult parts was the uncertainty of it all. I hope that no young girls or boys with disabilities grow up feeling like they need to hide it.. Each time this happened she would have to go to school on crutches or in a wheelchair because she essentially had to relearn to walk. We are big fans of the human spirit and love witnessing others pursue their dreams, which is why we are excited to introduce The Rise The Shine series, where we tap into our community and share their stories. A New Perspective In Your Inbox. From that came our tag line The Rise The Shine. This had a huge impact on her self-confidence which ultimately resulted in Allison attempting to hide her legs. This realization is what sparked my passion to help create a health and fitness industry that is more inclusive, representative, and accessible. Then, at the age of 16 or 17, I started yoyo dieting. Speaking of her experience, Allison says, In hindsight, I wish I would have shown myself more compassion and grace. It was really challenging at first, but eventually, I grew stronger and could do a lot of things I never thought I was capable of. My hard work paid off and in 2019, about one year after leaving my 9 to 5 job, I was making more as a personal trainer and online coach than she had at her day job. While she is fortunate that she didnt have additional health complications, this didnt shield her from both physical and mental bullying. One of my most difficult memories is holding the hand of a COVID patient as he died because his family wasnt allowed to be there. Because she was unable to see friends or family, while also dealing with an intense amount of stress and anxiety, self-care became even more important for Adley. Powerlifting changed that. Because of this, I now encourage others to love their bodies and remind people that, body should be celebrated because we are all unique and special. I obsessed with my weight and truly believed that my happiness lay on the other side of fat loss. There were so many unknowns at the beginning. She is really pushing to be in commercials that don't focus solely on her disability. Kids would either push her over or call her names such as peg leg and Barbie''. a 28 year old, Canada-based amputee, athlete, educator, and model, who is now also a body inclusivity advocate, didnt always have the confidence she has now and certainly didn't imagine that she would one day be a role model and inspiration for others. After deciding to become a fitness professional and seeing how much the industry lacked a diverse, inclusive, and intersectional approach, I became passionate about applying a social justice lens to the wellness industry. My face burned with embarrassment in that moment. After a couple of months of casual observing, the owner encouraged me to try it for myself, and it was love at first lift. For starters, I did not work out while growing up in elementary and middle school. These days, Im the strongest that Ive ever been in my entire life both mentally and physically. For the first time in my life, I saw women powerlifting, a strength sport that consists of bench pressing, squatting, and deadlifting. And these days, through writing and consulting, Im fortunate to be doing my part to work towards an industry that is more affirming for everyone. your discount will be applied at checkout. After the outbreak, Adleys unit was turned into a COVID unit. With Emory having a serious communicable disease unit and also previously being responsible for care during the ebola virus outbreak, Adley felt she was in the best possible place to be handling such a crisis. From that came our tag line The Rise The Shine. In fact, it was quite the opposite for a very long time. By submitting your email address, you agree to receive emails from Vuori, to Vuori processing your personal data for marketing purposes and our Privacy Policy. In 2018, I finally took the leap into full-time personal training. So I thought, 'oh my God, I need to do something about this.'. A New Perspective In Your Inbox.