The Sox struck out; the Bruins locked out. We're still fans, of course, but we thought it time to shine a spotlight on some other local athletes, who may lack household names but are nonetheless MVPs. Each shares his or her talents — training and teaching, helping others heal and hone their own bodies. From a gold medalist turned activist, to a personal trainer who makes house calls before dawn and after dark, to the founder of a new "fitness tribe," they're all striking physical specimens — but their back stories are just as impressive.
BROGAN GRAHAM
When asked how it felt to be a "Bodies by Boston" nominee, November Project cofounder Brogan Graham quipped, "I am going to get my teeth whitened and my nose plucked." But humor isn't his only strong suit. That's obvious to anyone who takes a glance at his six-foot-six, 215-pound frame, a well-oiled machine that runs on boundless energy.
But Graham is no gym rat (though he does take the occasional yoga class). He and cofounder Bojan Mandaric started November Project — the totally free, grassroots workout movement of locals (he calls them a "tribe") who meet at 6:30 am to take on Brookline hills and the steps of Harvard Stadium — to get people out of the gym. "Just get out and get moving," he says. "Fuck it, don't even join November Project; just get out and move."
In his day job, Graham is the head of marketing for Hubway, the city's bicycle-share program, but it's clear his biggest passion is helping others get — and stay — healthy. "November Project has helped so many people get back on track," he says. "Without [consistency], you'll never see results, you'll never get encouraged, you'll never really get it." People who have already "gotten it" include the Bruins' Andrew Ference and ordinary slobs alike. Says Graham, "It's fun to see pro athletes and Olympic gold medalists next to dog walkers and recently retired couch riders."
_ALEXANDRA CAVALLO
