Therapeutic Horseback Riding

We will be having an open discussion of the book "the Soul of an Octopus" by Sy Montgomery. [this is the amazon link for this book](https://a.co/d/1bRn8h4)

Who says you can't get into someone else's head? In the 1999 movie, *Being John Malkovich*, Charlie Kaufmann and Spike Jonze explore the answer to that question with some strange and extremely funny consequences! Nominated for 3 Academy Awards, be prepared for a "mind altering" discussion!

Monday December 29th at 6PM we'll be meeting up dinner at the Pies & Pints at Easton. Feel free to bring guests. Sandwiches run about $15 and large pizzas run $20-30.

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter. Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.

NEW YEAR PARTY

Join us as we kick the New Year with a fun Happy Hour and your choice of two fun, new films! Option 1 is the biographical-musical-docu-drama, SONG SUNG BLUE, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in the story about a real-life couple and Neil Diamond Tribute Duo. Option 2 is the comedy-action-adventure ACACONDA, which stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd as part of a group of friends remaking a favorite movie from their youth. Here’s a complete description, trailer and our plan for this event: SONG SUNG BLUE: The film follows Lightning and Thunder, a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, who experience success and heartbreak in their musical journey together. Not a tribute to Neil Diamond, but a tribute to a Neil Diamond Tribute Band! The film is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name and is directed by Craig Brewer. It stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, along with Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi. Critics call the film, “a crowd-pleaser with a ton of heart!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCM0Ztp3o1o ANACONDA: In this action-thriller-comedy-adventure, a group of friends going through a mid-life crisis head to the jungle to remake a favorite movie from their youth but encounter “unexpected events.” The film is directed by Tom Gormican and stars Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Selton Mello, Daniela Melchior, Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn. The film is a reimagining of the 1997 original. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMsFsfrPNaw PLAN: We’ll kick off the event with a pre-show Happy Hour at nearby Bravo! We’ll confirm the details and exact meeting time once we get the showtimes, but planning for 5 to 5:30pm for the Happy Hour and a 7pm-ish showing of both films. For the movies, we’ll meet inside the lobby area about 20 minutes before showtimes! Once showtimes are announced, advance ticket purchase is advised. Once you have yours, please list your Movie of Choice and seat number in the Comments below. Complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Why are we unhappy? Where does emotional pain come from? Studies show that people who suffer from long-term emotional pain have painful experiences in their lives that were never fully resolved in their mind. In other words, there were issues in the past that were not completely dealt with. This can include abuse in childhood, breakups, divorce, death of a loved one, to name a few. How do you know whether you have gotten over something painful? Here is an easy test: Do you still have attention on what had happened to you? For instance, do you still find yourself thinking about something painful that you went through? If you are, then you are not over it. In fact, in severe cases, people find themselves playing a "tape" in their mind over and over again. So how do you heal from your past? How do you stop the "tape" playing in your mind? In this meeting, you will learn a technique to help you with that. Come join us! Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.

Do you sometimes feel like you do well in life then something happens and you slide back, never quite getting ahead. At this Meetup you'll find out how to identify what actually causes the lows, the highs and everything in between. More importantly you’ll get the secret of how to gain control over your life so the highs are higher and the lows go away. Wouldn’t it be nice to stop the wild roller coaster ride for good? Or at least make it a fun roller coaster ride, with more ups and downs. There is a hidden factor that will be going over and you’re going to be quite surprised what it is and how much it affects your life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is hosted at the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center.

***FREE TOUR TICKET FOR ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL MEETUP MEMBERS*** Use Promo Code **MEETUP2025** to get your free ticket and route smart guide at [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sol-in-columbus-oh-a-smart-guided-short-one-way-loop-bikeway-tour-tickets-769120860197](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sol-in-columbus-oh-a-smart-guided-short-one-way-loop-bikeway-tour-tickets-769120860197) You can do the tour solo/with your favorite peeps, or try to generate a group ride of Meetup CycleNuts by RSVPing here and posting the day and time you are interested in others joining you. Either way, have fun on your memory-making adventure, and thank you for being a CycleNut! ### SOL in Columbus, OH \- A Smart\-guided Short One\-way Loop Bikeway Tour Short One-way Loop (SOL) in Columbus on bikeways. The smart-guided tour is mostly through scenic riverside parks with a quick downtown peek. All of that in 10 miles! 83% of the route is bikeway, and the rest is Google Maps designated "bicycle-friendly roads". This short ride passes through several beautiful riverside parks. Passing through downtown the route runs alongside Huntington Park baseball stadium, Nationwide Arena hockey stadium, near North Market (worth a stop if you enjoy markets with lots of tasty treats), within a few blocks of the state capitol, convention center, art museum, center of science and industry, several first-class hotels, and much more (see Points of Interest list below). Easily, anywhere along the way, the tour can be detoured to nearby points of interest. This smart-guided route comes with CycleNuts' 50% downhill guarantee. Sweating is optional. If your bike has gears, you might use them to climb in a few spots. All bikes are appropriate for this smart-guided tour (even a single-speed if you do not mind walking your bike up the spots mentioned). The route is shaded about 50% of the way. Sweating is optional - you set your pace, starting time, and touring agenda. Points of interest: COSI Scioto River North Market German Village The Scioto Mile Brewery District Huntington Park Nationwide Arena Columbus Union Station Arch Greater Columbus Convention Center **The Meetup plan = Show up, Rally with whoever else shows up, and Roll following the smart-guided instructions.** This is a smart guided tour route that can be ridden any day or time, solo or with others. It is only posted with a repeating set time and date with a tour leader to fit the Meetup format, and, more importantly, to encourage you to get out and ride when it is convenient for you. **If you are going to ride it and would like the company of others, then simply RSVP and post in the comments when it is that you are going to ride - date and time.** Take pictures/videos and share. Have fun! ***This is a repeating event on the calendar***\*, but the date and time do not necessarily need to be what is posted. **If you are interested in riding with a group, then simply RSVP and leave a message in the comment section** giving the date and time you would like others to join you. If you are interested in riding by yourself or with your private group of friends, then simply do it.\* ***The mission of this format is to create a catalog*** *of free group tour routes available for CycleNuts to ride as a group, or solo, in an area spanning several states. **The goal is to get people out cycling** either in groups or solo. **The vision is a cycling community with resources** available for bike tours, bike talk, and a format for lives experienced at the speed of bike.*

**Come anytime during 4-8. Stay as long as you want. No set time*** It’s a chance to meet people in our age group regardless if you’re in your fifties, sixties or seventies! Retired or still working.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).

We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country. Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply. ### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?** Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment. ## **Why Join?** * **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance. * **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space. * **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection. ## **The Ideal Group Leader** The ideal group leader * Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community. * Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us. * Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind. * An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection. * An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms. * Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus. ## **Our Impact**  Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported: * A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being. * An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging. * Said they would return again. We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself. ### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based** Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission! Every contribution helps us: * **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization. * **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year. By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic. ## **Come Join Us!** We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection. 🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside 🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application 🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831

Our January program is privileged to have Kristen Tregar as our speaker. Ms. Tregar is the co-author with John de Lancie (the actor who portrayed the character Q on Star Trek next generation) of a radio play depicting the events surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. The trial decided the issue of some of the Dover school district board members attempting to insert creationism disguised as "intelligent design" into the 9th grade biology curriculum. She will discuss the trial and the process of writing the play. (Bob Leonhard has seen the play and it is riveting and tense). Ms. Tregar's bio is below: Kristen Tregar is a dramaturg, director, playwright, and theatre teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre from the UC San Diego and UC Irvine joint program. In addition, she has a MS in Forensic Science from City University of New York- John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a MA in Educational Theatre from New York University- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In 2013, in collaboration with Irish colleagues, she founded *The Ireland Project*, an intercontinental devised theatre work with high school students in New York and Tallaght, Ireland. Her original short story "Far From Here" was recently published in *Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes From Temecula Valley*. She has two rescued dogs (Kira and Harry) and she rides, competes, and foxhunts with her horses, Andromache and Baker Street Irregular. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon