A Love Letter to Supernatural

In a few minutes I’m going to transport to a fiery crater in Ethiopia, a bat in each hand, pulsating music throbbing in my ears, and I will lunge and spin like Neo from The Matrix as I smash orbs that are flying towards me. No, this isn’t Supernatural the TV show, this is a love letter to the best virtual reality workout I have ever experienced in my life.

On January 1, 2021, I strapped on my Oculus Quest (virtual reality headset) and signed up for the 30-day free trial that Supernatural (www.getsupernatural) was offering. I made a New Year’s resolution – For that month I vowed to use Supernatural every day. It was the first New Year’s resolution I’ve managed to keep in my entire life.

Not only did I keep it for that month, but as soon as my 30-day trial was over I signed up for a year (please take my money!) and have worked out at least 4, usually 6, times a week for all of 2021. At 57 years old, I am in the best shape I have ever been in. I have seen muscles I didn’t know I owned. I am more flexible, more confident, more comfortable in my own body. I am strong.

So, what IS Supernatural? Basically, it’s a workout that puts you in beautiful spots around the world (and sometimes off the world) armed with virtual bats that you use to smash orbs that fly out of portals on the horizon in time to music. Sound bizarre? It gets better. A coach (there are currently five of them – each special and excellent in their own way) walks you through a warmup and then talks you through your workout and comes back to walk you through a cool down. Also included? Meditation, stretching, and recently introduced – boxing! Where do the workouts take place? You’ll find yourself on a beach in Chile, a mountain in Italy, or even on the planet Mars (using footage from the Mars Rover). You really FEEL like you are there. Turn 360 degrees, and it looks perfect. Look up or down, and there you are … still on Mars.

I confess, when I started Supernatural I didn’t like the idea of coaches. I didn’t see the point. Had I been able to mute them originally (you can only turn them down), I might have. Oh, what I would have lost!! It turns out the coaches are the heart of Supernatural. Each is a fitness professional, but also a real, textured, human being. Leanne Pedante, who has gracefully navigated a tragedy that none of us should ever suffer; Antonio Harrison (known as Coach Doc), who holds a doctorate in Applied Behavior Analysis but is as down to earth as a person can be; Dwana Olsen; upbeat mom who infuses joy into everything; Mark Harari, with his Dancing with the Stars connections and affinity for hard rock; and Raneir Pollard, a theatrical and comic genius who encourages everyone to twerk. From Leanne I have learned strength, from Mark I have learned power, from Ranier I’ve learned not to take myself too seriously, from Dwana I’ve learned to find joy and gratitude in life, and from Coach Doc I’ve learned to be a better person.

These coaches are not just in my headset. They are my friends on Facebook. They respond to my messages and emails. They respond to posts. I regularly talk with one of them. THAT is the beauty of Supernatural. In addition to being the best, most innovative and just plain fun workout I’ve ever experienced, it also has the absolute best COMMUNITY. I have made numerous friends over the past year. The Supernatural Facebook group (Instagram too) is incredibly active, filled with not the usual snarky folks, but with people who genuinely care about and want to support and encourage each other. I have never experienced the like. Every day I see people lifting others up on the Supernatural Facebook group. It is the most positive Facebook group I’ve ever experienced.

I have seen dozens of people offer to pay for a month of Supernatural for people who were struggling financially and/or emotionally/mentally over the last year. I have seen kindness – something rarely actually found on social media.

It shouldn’t be surprising that Facebook/Meta also saw the vision of Supernatural and purchased it a few months ago.

The best way to describe it is to say that Supernatural has ‘the secret sauce.’ The music is great, and runs the gamut from classical (yes, you can work out to Mozart or Tchaikovsky), to rap, rock, new wave, 70’s disco, 60’s music, show tunes from 40’s, jazz, and so much more. But it’s not just the music. The locations of the workout change by song and are mind-blowingly beautiful, but it’s not just the scenery. The coaches are encouraging and REAL. They keep you going when you feel like you can no longer lift your arms, but it’s not just about the coaches. The Facebook community is warm and supportive and (dare I say) loving, but it’s not just about the Facebook community. It’s everything. Put it together, and, for me, it’s perfection. It IS the secret sauce.

No, I don’t work for Supernatural (although not a day goes by that I don’t wish that I did) but I have become an evangelist for the program simply because I want everyone to experience this exercise of the future. In a year of pandemic and sorrow and anxiety and uncertainty, Supernatural has kept my head above water. I know it will do the same for many of you.

Is it for everyone? No. If you are super prone to motion sickness, hate music, or are a curmudgeon, it might not be for you. Other than that… there are people in their 70’s and even 80’s using it. There are numerous folks in the 40–60-year-old age group (my contemporaries) who are onboard. I’ve seen handicapped people who are using it while in a wheelchair. I’ve seen people who can only use one arm using it. So really, you have no excuse. It is very customizable, so you can tailor it to your specific situation (bad knees – adjust the squats. Don’t want squats, you can eliminate them.)

I am thankful every day that I found Supernatural and that it has become a regular part of my life. Strap on your headset and come join me!