A recovering stroke victim from Ava started this “club” when she realized many women needed a positive outlook on life. One year later, there are more than 5,000 members in 23 countries.
“Times are changing.”
That phrase has been used by most of us who have reached adulthood, and few would dispute the fact.
This common phrase has been overheard in conversations between two people waiting to check out in the grocery line, in news reports, and probably even in the Sunday morning sermon.
Indeed, no one would question the fact that “times are changing.”
The question at bay is not whether “times are changing”, but rather how do we, as a whole, deal with change? We all know that altering anything in our lives can be difficult, if not altogether overwhelming; but do we really take into consideration what is to be gained from such achievement?
One Ava native does, and has spent countless hours to help other women achieve their goals and accept “life’s changes” without putting their dreams and goals on the back burner.
Pamela Freeman Crim, a 1994 Ava High School graduate, married her high school sweetheart shortly after graduation. Madly in love and with a backpack full of dreams she set out to conquer the world.
At the age of 19, Pam crossed a fork in life’s road. She had a massive stroke which was to leave her unable to walk or talk.
With a positive attitude she recovered from the stroke. Pam said at that point she knew she had a purpose in life and that every breath she took had meaning and was a blessing.
With a new-found desire to encourage others, Pam logged onto a social networking site, Facebook, looking for her Ava High School classmates. She began to get reacquainted with several friends from school when she realized that every post they sent out was a negative comment about their life.
She was baffled at the thought that they only had a few lines to post what they wanted to say to the world that day, and all they could come up with was something discouraging.
These once cheerful friends were now allowing their lives to beat them down. She began talking with one friend in particular who was telling her how hard life was now that she was a single mother with four children. She had lost her own identity and had tucked away the dreams she once held dear. She made the comment to Pam that all she wanted was to be a Smokin’ Hot Mama.
That comment sparked a fire in Pam, and she and her friend both knew that there were others out in the world who needed the same encouragement – the chance to alter what their minds had settled in to believing was the only way.
Pam quickly picked up on the idea to use Facebook and the Internet to connect with more and more women and help coach them into believing that life is not about surviving, but thriving to live life by example.
The Smokin’ Hot Mama Club was officially founded on Nov. 10, 2009, and with a little less than a year till its first anniversary has over 5,000 members in 23 countries including, Australia, Iceland, Iraq and the U.K.
The Smokin’ Hot Mama Club is a global movement changing the way we treat ourselves – and each other – along the journey.
Mamas are now recognizing that in order to give her family the very best, she must first become her best, inside and out. They’re making time for themselves to improve daily, and their families are reaping the benefits of a happy, healthy Mama. This club has helped many women around the world come together to encourage one another.
Pam never dreamed this club would be such a success, but is forever grateful that it has been. She contributes much of her success to the help of her husband, Lonnie.
Pam has three wonderful children and is a working mother herself, so many women realize that she deals with the same daily struggles as they.
On Oct. 10, on what this group calls “The Perfect Ten”, several locals and many women from around the globe are coming together in Joplin, to run in a marathon, 1/2 marathon or 5k race to show their support and to transition into that new beginning of their lives. Training for this event has been much a part of their own personal growth and the building blocks to a stronger, better and more beautiful them.
Pam instructed many of them on the proper training techniques. She also shared her glory and told of her own personal upsets while training. She reminded herself and the others to hold their heads high, shoulders back and accept the best in every day.
Nearly 50 of the women who will be competing in one of the events are from the Ava area.
Pam truly has been an inspiration to many. Although it seems she is not living in the same reality as some, seeing that “times are changing” and for some that means getting worse instead of better, she encourages them to take a step back, refocus and truly examine this world from a different angle. She is hopeful that all of us will see the good in each new sunrise that awakens us each morning.
If you would like to be a member of the Smokin’ Hot Mama Club or just find out more information please log onto: smokinhotmamaclub.com. There is no charge to be a member. Feel free to join the movement and join others in loving life.
Pam is the daughter of Roy and Linda Freeman, of Ava.
All women are welcome to join the group for the Smokin’ Hot Mama Club Pep Rally on Oct. 9 at the Joplin City Hall at 2 p.m., as they celebrate the incredible journey of these women in becoming their very best in 2010.
To RSVP for the pep rally, you will need to e-mail: members@smokinhotmamaclub.com.
