We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jackie Knoll a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jackie, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

In 2015, I had the opportunity to take a travel position at a hospital in Washington DC. Before moving to DC, I was in the middle of training to run rim-to-rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon and needed to find a way to keep up that training while in this new city. Moving to a new city always means finding new routes to run, and, as a woman, finding safe places to run. So, I set out in search of a running community that could guide me in the right direction.

What I eventually found was November Project DC running the steps of the Lincoln Memorial every Wednesday morning at sunrise.

There was just something about running those steps under the watchful eye of Abe Lincoln, my heart pounding as I made it to the top to catch the sunrise over the National Mall. Looking out at the Capitol Building, just as Martin Luther King once did, I couldn’t help but think to myself: “Wow. I am so lucky to live here.”

When I moved back home to Phoenix, I wanted to share that same sense of connection and community I’d experienced on those steps in DC with this city that I love so much. That’s how I was inspired to start November Project Phoenix.

Part of what made November Project DC so special was the location, that view of the city, and how it could make you feel. I wanted to find a place that felt like in my city and give our community the chance to feel those same things I did in DC. Papago Park was that place for us.

When you get to the top of those stairs at Papago Park, walking or running, your blood pumping either way, and you pause to catch your breath at the top, you’re rewarded with a view of the sun rising over this perfect little pocket of the desert. And maybe, just maybe, you stop and think to yourself “Damn, I’m lucky to live here.”

When we feel a deep appreciation and care for where we live, the connection to your city grows, and we’re all a better community for it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Jackie Knoll is the co-leader and founding member of the November Project Phoenix group, where she leads FREE weekly workouts to eager Phoenicians who are looking to get fit, explore their city, and build a community through human connection.

November Project is now in nearly 50 cities worldwide. There are no prerequisites for showing up to November Project. No matter who you are, where you are from, or what fitness level you are at, we want you to show up wholly as you are. We are continuously working towards being a more inclusive environment by welcoming all, regardless of their fitness level, age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or political beliefs, and expect all our members to appreciate that diversity.

Jackie is a native Phoenician who hopes to help people to feel connected in our community and spark a love of the Valley in the hearts of those who live or visit here. Jackie is also very passionate about traveling and her career as a Speech Pathologist in stroke/brain injury rehabilitation.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely! Sharing my love for the state of Arizona and building connections are two things that I feel very passionate about. Leading November Project Phoenix feels like a privilege and not at all like work.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all November Project in-person workouts were suspended. We as co-leaders had to find new ways to keep the community connected and supported. That meant leading a lot of virtual workouts, increasing engagement/connection through our social media accounts, and generating creative ways to move.

At November Project Phoenix, we took the opportunity to explore new outdoor spaces, murals, and historical landmarks across the Valley by providing a map and a list of exercises for members to complete on their own time. Members would then connect and generate accountability by sharing their photos on our social media accounts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://november-project.com/
• Instagram: @novemeberprojectphx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovemberProjectPHX/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-knoll