Have you ever googled what a color means? Well, I did! And it was really interesting to learn more about the symbolism behind different colors, more specifically, yellow.

Here’s what I found:

• Yellow is the color of hope and happiness, but it also has conflicting associations. It can stand for freshness, positivity, clarity, energy, optimism, enlightenment, remembrance, intellect, honor, loyalty, and joy, but it can also represent cowardice or sickness.
• Some studies have shown that the meaning of the color yellow can be represented as warmth or cheerfulness, and can even help increase mental activity and muscle energy. It is the best color to boost enthusiasm in your life.
• It loves challenges, especially the mental kind. It helps you make decisions with a clear, focused mind and gives you greater confidence and self-esteem. But it can also be anxiety-provoking, often being associated with nerves or self-criticism.
• In some cultures, yellow has a more spiritual or divine meaning. It’s a subtle message that Angels are in your midst because their halos have a golden yellow hue.  For zodiac signs, it’s often matched with a Leo (that’s me!).

I admit those results are kind of all over the place, but I feel like all of those tie into my Marathon journey in some way. I’ll break it down for ya…

• I’ve been running for a few years now and mainly keep it up because of how it makes me feel. The satisfaction and sense of accomplishment you feel after along run is honestly one of the best things. Now, running a marathon? Holy shit, I’m going to be on cloud nine after I cross the finish line! Running = happiness for me.
• I also love to challenge myself, physically and mentally. Running is a combo of the two, and you need to be focused in both lanes in order to succeed. Clarity, positivity, enthusiasm, and (muscle) energy – you need them all to have the right mindset.
• Directly related to the reason why I’m running the Boston Marathon is the sickness representation. I’m doing this for ALS patients who are doing their best to fight the disease. For someone dealt such a shitty hand in life, they are some of the most optimistic people who are hopeful for a cure one day. I want more than anything to be able to give that to them.
• I also really like the spiritual meaning behind the color. I’m not the most religious person, but I do believe that those who have passed on are still  “with” us in some sense. Knowing that yellow represents Angels in our midst, it eases my mind to know that Bema (my grandmother) who passed away from ALS is still with me on this journey.

Aside from all the color mumbo jumbo, I mainly wear yellow because it was Bema’s favorite. In her honor, I thought I’d come up with some different meanings of the color in relation to her personality and struggle with ALS.

• Yellow is the color of love, support, and safety. It’s cheerful, light, optimistic, and is often associated with relentless card sharks and damn good cooks 🙂
• It represents sadness, sickness, and loss of muscle control. But it also shows resilience and strength in times of challenge or strife. It’s the color of honor, determination, and hope.

When I found out I was going to be a part of Team Challenge ALS running in the Boston Marathon, I knew I wanted to wear something that represented my grandmother’s spirit. Right around Christmas when I was getting ready to kickoff my training, my boyfriend got me a bright yellow Apple Watch band. I loved it! As soon as I put it on I thought to myself, “Yeah, this is perfect. She’ll be with me every step of the way.”

But of course, training for a spring race requires you to run during the winter months which means layers on layers on layers. I used to wear multiple long sleeve shirts, a windbreaker, and gloves. My watch was basically buried under all my clothes and I needed something else that was more visible.

I decided on a headband and started to search stores and online for bright yellow accessories. Some shops barely had anything and the ones I did find weren’t really what I was looking for. I had to call in a favor from my friend, Cody.

Cody came to visit a couple months prior to my training and was telling me about some projects he was working on at his company, Wik Brothers a custom bow tie and deluxe apparel brand. Aside from bow ties, he was also experimenting with bracelets and crew necks, but I remembered him saying that he did a special order of headbands for one of his clients. Like the true angel he is, Cody agreed to make me the perfect yellow headband.

It came in the mail about a week later and I was so excited to start wearing it on my runs! For the past couple months I’ve been parading around Boston with my flashy headpiece, but I’m forced to wear it over my thermal headband since it’s still pretty chilly here in New England!

I’m also so proud to wear something that supports a great friend & a great cause. Wik Brothers was created in honor of Cody’s younger brother who sadly took his own life after battling depression and social anxiety. Cody and his other brother, Colby started making custom, handcrafted bow ties in memory of their brother and used the company as a platform to advocate for mental health awareness. 

Twenty percent (20%) of profit from all Wik Brothers sales is given to either the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or the Cancer Research Institute depending on the collection. 

Twenty percent (20%) of profit from all Wik Brothers sales is given to either the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or the Cancer Research Institute depending on the collection. 

Twenty percent (20%) of profit from all Wik Brothers sales is given to either the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or the Cancer Research Institute depending on the collection. 

“We must show compassion for those whose lives are plagued by mental illness and who struggle each day to manage it. We must never forget those who we have lost because that is when we as a society are most vulnerable. And we must remember that no matter what, you never know what someone else may be going through. More Love, Less Stigma.” ❤ 

Twenty percent (20%) of profit from all Wik Brothers sales is given to either the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or the Cancer Research Institute depending on the collection.

Learn more about Wik Brothers and why they are supporting amazing organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the Cancer Research Institute: https://www.wikbrothers.com/our-story 

Support the fight against ALS: http://bit.ly/BostonBeginnings262