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Mentorship July 6, 2018
An office is not just for typing anymore.
When I first applied to the ENTITY Academy Boot Camp, I was definitely thrown by the word “boot camp,” which was included in the job description. I knew I would be writing and learning about SEO, but other than that, I had little to no expectations.
However, since arriving at ENTITY’s headquarters, I have learned more than I could’ve ever imagined in scenarios beyond my wildest dreams.
Michelle Wolf, the founder of EmpowHer LA, came to speak to us about active listening and the importance of teamwork. Instead of forcing us to sit through a five-hour lecture, she cleverly provided us with several activities. The first of these was a true test of our listening skills, as we had to blindly replicate an image purely from the words of our partners.
Secondly, Wolf broke us up into five groups and gave us each a cake to decorate based on a theme. Besides the cake’s deliciousness, this activity really allowed me to get to know my team. As we made memories together, we grew closer. Our cake was superb, as each of us took the activity super seriously.
It was a much-needed brain break, and it really allowed us to refresh our creative spirits. Plus, I learned about the role I most easily fit into in group work. Figuring this out helped me identify my personal brand, which just so happened to be the topic of Michelle Wolf’s next visit to the ENTITY Academy Boot Camp.
Perhaps my favorite part of the ENTITY Academy Boot Camp has been the inclusion of weekly physical activities. Each of them offered us a new opportunity to learn about ourselves and provided skills to aid in our overall health.
At the end of our first week, a Zumba instructor came into the office and got us moving and grooving. At first, we all fidgeted nervously in our workout gear, still adjusting to each other and the ENTITY environment. I remember changing in the bathroom, feeling terrified that someone would accidentally walk in on me and that I’d carry around a cloud of embarrassment for the next six weeks.
I was in the second Zumba group, and I remember listening from afar to the funky music and feeling my heart rate rise. However, when I walked into the somewhat sweaty room, ready to dance, I couldn’t help but notice the enormous smiles on everyone’s faces. As the session started, I found myself beaming, as well. While the workout was definitely needed and appreciated, the best part of the experience was sharing it with my fellow mentees.
Another one of the designated weekly activities at the ENTITY Academy Boot Camp was a self-defense course taught by professional MMA fighter Marcus Kowal. This intense, two-hour class was both informative and empowering. Marcus littered his physical training with facts and statistics about violence. The more aware we are of the threats that exist, the more prepared we can be when confronted with them.
Marcus readied us by teaching us simple but effective ways to fight back in the case of an attack. One of the combinations he taught us was a series of moves to get out of a choke hold. We practiced with each other, and he encouraged us to really squeeze when we were the chokers. This terrified me at first, but it definitely allowed me to practice in a more realistic way. And, because we had to work so closely with one another, it was definitely a valuable bonding experience.
The ENTITY Academy Boot Camp has truly provided me with an incredibly well-rounded experience. I have grown not only as a writer but also as a human. And, most importantly, I have done so with 50 new friends at my side.
