Reps4Rights Recap + Heading into Holiday Season ❄️
Happy Sunday!
Whew this week was a blur. I’m sure someone who knows things about astrology could tell me why (and that I’m doing everything wrong, probably), but this week felt like a particularly warped one, in time terms. Hope you’re hanging in there, and that these updates have something you need inside 👇
This week we’ve got:
Reps4Rights Recap
Holiday updates (resources/gifts, special things for you as a subscriber, schedule changes)
Links!!
Reps 4 Rights Recap!
I spent most of my day yesterday tabling at Chicago Reps 4 Rights, with 300 zines, stickers, and sour candy (obviously) for all the incredible athletes who are taking strides in their political action, too. It was truly so inspiring watching 150 amazing lifters show up to bench press (max reps for a minute straight!) to raise money for ICIRR and show their support for our immigrant neighbors and communities. We’ve all collectively raised >$105,000 😱 After multiple hours of lifting shenanigans, we stayed to pack 4,000 donated whistles and Know Your Rights cards to distribute in our home communities and ship off to folks in Charlotte who are facing down ICE as we speak.
Even if you missed out on the event itself, there’s still time to pitch in. You can also send some $$ love to the person who printed all of the whistles for packing, follow along for all the gorgeous recaps and photos on Instagram, and stay tuned for the next deadlift meet coming up this spring.
Holiday Season is kicking off, yikes.
I blinked and it’s almost December, send help.
In all seriousness, though, I know a lot of people are looking forward to this year finally ending and are in the midst of tying up loose ends and getting pulled into the flurry of holiday planning, travels, gifts, and whatever your standard end-of-year docket looks like. I’m resisting this the best I can, but I do want to make sure you feel supported and prepared. So a few updates!
Holiday Resources + Gifts
I know so many folks dread the threat of politics coming up with far-flung family members over holiday dinner tables, or with maybe-somewhat-inebriated colleagues at office holiday parties. But it’s also natural that those of us living in the world are witnessing what’s happening in it, and want to process it with our people.
So! With that tension in mind, I’ll be posting and sending out a few ❄️holiday edition❄️ political conversation guides, strategies, and tips in the coming days and weeks — just little somethings to help you plan for the conversations you’d like to have, and stay grounded to stay out of the conversations you don’t feel resourced for.
Coming up are resources like…
How to Have Tough Conversations — Holiday Edition
Essay Starter Bundle on Political Engagement for Athletes & Movement Guides
A Political Conversations Strategy Guide
So make sure you keep checking your email and Instagram so you can save tips and send them on to others who might benefit.
Some special gifts for subscribers
Everyone will get access to 👆 those resources, but I also want to show some appreciation to all of you for hanging in there as subscribers this year while I’m figuring my shit out 😵💫
Just for you in the next few weeks, I’ll be sending around…
Discount codes for political coaching and facilitation
Special packages and bundles for physical training (handstands, acro, or strength/mobility) so you can kickstart your physical practice again in 2026 (or give as a gift to someone else)
A sneak peak into a new political education opportunity for 2026 🤫
So keep your eyes peeled!
Holiday Season Schedule Updates
I’m around for much of the traditional holiday season, but if you’re looking for classes or any 1:1 offerings with me, be advised that I won’t have any availability on:
Nov 27-28
Dec 23-26
Dec 31 - Jan 1
Links/things you may have missed this week
What you may have missed
If you’ve been following the situation in Gaza (or just, been around for a minute), it won’t surprise you to learn about Google’s role in the deportation agenda
For all the popular derision of welfare states, the US military sure does look a bit suspicious…
Another follow-on from last week, but… the European agenda around privacy is looking a bit grim
Surveillance continues
There are a lot of things I disagree with in the framing of this piece, and we should not relax, but some fundamental facts remain: Bovino is out of Chicago, and ICE has mostly moved on to NC, and their time in Chicago was far from a resounding success.
Some good things
Safety is something we can all contribute to, even now (especially now)
This is a real study
Be the postal service you want to see in the world
Keep checking your emails (and instagram) this week for the aforementioned resources (and a new essay or two), but otherwise, until next time…
In solidarity,
Sirus
