CHAARG

PAST: CHAARG (Changing Health, Attitudes, and Actions to Recreate Girls) started at Ohio State by Elisabeth Tavierne after realizing the need for a student organization at Ohio State dedicated to women's health and fitness. Elisabeth unique athletic backgrounds fueled their passions about fitness. Elisabeth, a former D1 swimmer for the Buckeyes used her natural drive and perseverance and kick started CHAARG in January 2012. Beginning in 2012 with 90 members, Elisabeth's goal was to change women's mentality about fitness. Many women, particularly in college, tend to stick to cardio machines as their sole form of exercise. Through CHAARG, she wants to "liberate girls from the elliptical" and show women that there are so many other ways to workout that can actually be fun. The hope is that by introducing various forms of exercise, it will spark the members' interests and ultimately help every woman find their passion in fitness. For Elisabeth, being fit simply isn't a physical status, but a lifestyle that encompasses one's entire being: mind and body. They hope to encourage women to not only to become excited about exercising, but also enjoy eating whole, nutritious foods, and truly feel confident in one's skin. PRESENT: Elisabeth Tavierne is an exercise science major with an emphasis on health promotion who plans to graduate in May 2013. For her, CHAARG is more than just a club -- it's a movement. Through CHAARG's social media platform, the message of CHAARG is able to reach women throughout the United States. Elisabeth realized that CHAARG was starting to impact members not only Ohio State, but also their friends, sisters, and mothers. Women from universities across the nation reached out in hopes of bringing the movement to their campus, triggering the sudden expansion of CHAARG chapters. With other girls' passion as her fuel, Elisabeth is dedicating her last semester at Ohio State to work on CHAARG's expansion throughout the Midwest. She is determined to expand the CHAARG movement by encouraging healthy lifestyles on various campuses and college towns. CHAARG opened its second chapter at University of Cincinnati in January 2013 led by student Sarah Clem. Through CHAARG, Sarah hopes to empower women and change their mindset on what it means to be "healthy. She is a firm believer that being skinny does not mean being healthy. Sarah hopes to instill that belief in her members, advocating the lifestyle and movement that is CHAARG. CHAARG opened three more chapters in Fall 2013 at University of Dayton, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Michigan. FUTURE: Elisabeth Tavierne hopes that the foundation of CHAARG, changing health, attitudes, and actions to recreate girls, continues to flourish and inspire girls of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds to live healthy and fulfilling lifestyles, years down the road. The expansion of CHAARG to universities and colleges nationwide is a future goal, but its core desire is to have every woman, regardless of age, join in a journey and become a part of the CHAARG community. The CHAARG community aims to be a place filled with positive, motivating women who strive to encourage healthy and well-rounded lifestyles by supporting one another towards their fitness goals and challenges.