Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Crabtree Anderson
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The energy and excitement of my first group spin class in 2017 captivated me in a way I never expected. I was immediately hooked and dreamed of being someone that could inspire others the way I was inspired at each class.
Fast forward 2 years, and a lot of group fitness classes later, I had that opportunity! I instructed at Cyclebar in Spartanburg, then SPENGA in Greenville, until an injury knocked me off my feet in late 2023.
My (large) orange cat, Watson, was fighting with another cat — I got involved and became the victim of several bites and countless deep scratches. An intense infection in my hand and arm landed me in the hospital, and later, orthopedic surgery and months of rehab to regain use of my right wrist again.
Overnight, my full-time fitness lifestyle changed direction. I could no longer hold myself up on a bike, grip a dumbbell or hold my body in a plank during yoga… it was beyond frustrating, but I refused to let it fully stop me.
While I couldn’t do my “normal” workout routine, I could do SOMETHING! I could walk.
With my swollen arm wrapped up, I would hit the pavement in my neighborhood for miles at a time to get in some normal movement and fresh air. I would hold my right arm up in the air, and support it with my left hand, to prevent swelling. (I’m sure I looked interesting to passersby!) I’d throw on my headphones, a motivating podcast and just walk.
Soon, that walking turned into training for the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston with some friends. It gave me a reason to show up, to join a gym and to really focus on rehabbing the use of my wrist. Soon, I was walking or running every single day, still holding up my arm, and then sitting in the sauna to work on wrist mobility and recovery.
By early 2024, I was walking and running all the parks and trails I was already familiar with, but was ready to explore further out. In February ’24, PAL Spartanburg hosted a “Do the Dan” series of trail walks along the Daniel Morgan Trail system, a 55-mile segment of current and proposed trails in Spartanburg County. I attended with my sister and 2 dogs and loved hearing about the history of the land and the easements given + team work it took to make the trails possible – and to keep them in good shape. It lit a spark in me to get out and experience more of what Spartanburg and Greenville parks and trails had to offer!
After completing the Cooper River Bridge Run in April ’24, and feeling SO inspired by everyone I was surrounded by at the race, I held the first meet-up of The Girls Who Walk – Upstate, SC on the River Birch Trail in Spartanburg, SC. I had 3 courageous friends join me on that first walk, and now we have 20-30 ladies that join us regularly!
What started off as a small dream of creating community through movement, has turned into an impactful and authentic place where everyone belongs. New ladies join our walks and social events each week — always leaving with a new friend and a new connection. I love seeing the exchange of Instagram handles, phone numbers and photos at the end of meet-ups.
You can’t build community from your couch, but you can build community on a walk!
As our 1 year group anniversary gets closer (*Celebration event on 4/19 at Lake Robinson in Greer) I can’t help but feel incredibly thankful to the brave women that showed up for themselves as part of the GWW community this last year. I recognize how darn scary it can be to attend an event on your own! I mean… wow. Only a few of them knew me before the creation of the group, and now I’m blessed to call them all my friends – and even better, so many of THEM have created their own new friendships!
There are so many new people moving to the Upstate of SC every month, and many of those work from home and are lonely. How do they go out and make friends and find a likeminded community? I feel like we’ve answered that with the GWW!
Shortly after the creation of the group, my mom’s ovarian cancer returned for a 3rd time. As horrible as it was to lose her, I had the strength and purpose of this new group to hold me up. I had women literally holding me – hugging me – praying for me – checking on me – showing up for me… in a way I had never had before. My mom saw that – she saw the difference our group was making during the short time she was able to witness it, and she knew it was going to make a big impact.
Over the last year we not only walked countless parks, we completed area 5Ks, raised money for meaningful causes, enjoyed lake days at Lake Robinson in Greer, SC, painted art and enjoyed wine at City Scape Winery in Pelzer, SC, hosted workouts and smoothie breaks at Clean Eatz in Greenville, SC, danced our hearts out with Adrenaline Dance Fitness in Greenville, SC, shopped the vendors at the Fretwell Market off the Rail Trail in Spartanburg, spent a lot of time at Elevation 966 Winery and White Duck Taco off the Swamp Rabbit trail, learned skin care with Butterfly Beauty Spa of Greenville, SC and so much more! Our next big event is a girls’ night out takeover at Pkl Park in Greenville, SC on April 8th called “Dinks & Drinks”. We expect close to 100 Upstate ladies to attend and check out the new Pickle Ball Park with us!
Moreover, our meet-ups have become a safe space for women to show up simply as themselves. No matter their age, fitness level or background, they’re going to find a space to fit in with us. Everyone has a story, and everyone is going through something. A walk in the fresh air, surrounded by others, is a medicine like no other.
I also teach Hip Hop Yoga at Adrenaline Dance Fitness, located in The Junction shopping center, by the DT Airport in Greenville. Not to worry, though, there’s no dancing in the yoga classes, I promise… haha! You can often find me teaching yoga at the studio, then hosting a walk on the Swamp Rabbit trail right after, since it perfectly connects into The Junction parking lot at 301 Airport Rd. I also work part-time at Upstate Mortgage in Greenville, SC, where I have the pleasure of helping home buyers make their dreams a reality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Last summer, with the loss of my mom, was a really hard time for me, after just overcoming a wrist injury. She took care of me, and then I was able to take care of her. It was beautiful and tragic… my mom retired from Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation Commission, so she loved seeing me get the walking group off the ground and utilizing many of the parks she helped secure land and funding for during her career.
Without the support of the group, I know things would have been so much harder after losing her. I was so blessed to be surrounded by thoughtful people each weekend and always had someone that was making me show up — even on the days I REALLY didn’t want to!
On each walk, I found someone new to connect with who either had a similar story to mine, or is going through something of their own. We were able to talk, smile, sometimes cry, and walk away feeling better.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I fell in love with group fitness in 2017 and immediately dreamed of become an instructor myself! I taught for 2 years at Cycle Bar Spartanburg and for 2 years at SPENGA in Greenville, SC (stands for Spin, Strength, Yoga). I currently teach yoga at my best friend’s studio, Adrenaline Dance Fitness, which is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary this year! I’m also the relationship manager for the studio, helping with client sales and retention.
I have also worked at Upstate Mortgage in Greenville, SC for the last 2 years. Upstate Mortgage is owed by Valerie Lee, who is one of my former fitness clients. We connected over fitness + the mortgage world!
What sets me apart is my willingness to show up authentically and my refusal to give up. I dig my heels in and I get things done. I love to cheer others on and see them win — especially when it comes to showing up for themselves to complete a workout or show up for a walk!
Whether I’m teaching to a class of 1 or on a walk with 1 person, I’m going to treat that time as SPECIAL. Our time is so valuable… it’s the only thing there isn’t more of. <3
What’s next?
I’m looking forward to more women learning about our group and being brave enough to come out to an event! With warm weather on the way, the Upstate is going to transform into an outdoor paradise! The GWW community will certainly be out and about and would love to meet you! Almost all of our walks are dog and child friendly, and our community 5Ks and lake days are always family friendly!
We are currently looking for businesses to partner with to sponsor walks and events in different areas across Greenville and Spartanburg.
Pricing:
- Walks are free
- We sometimes attend paid 5Ks (which are family friendly)
- We offer a ticketed event each month
Contact Info:
- Website: girlswhowalk@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlswhowalkupstatesc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168365691182817/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/girlswhowalkupstatesc
