It was completely by chance that Nina Andrews became actively involved in Blue Zones Project Bakersfield as a volunteer.
Nina, 47, first learned about Blue Zones Project (BZP) while researching organizations that create true public change for her thesis project for her Master’s degree. She wanted to identify a small organization that creates real and long, lasting change. One day while scrolling social media, she ran across Dan Buettner, learned about his affiliation with BZP and that the initiative was coming to Bakersfield. Nina conducted more research into BZP and became interested. However, it wasn’t until she met a BZP Bakersfield staffer who gave her personal insight that she decided to choose BZP for her thesis.
Since first volunteering at BZP’s Kickoff event in April 2023, Nina says the initiative has already made such a tremendous impact on not only her life, but her daughter’s as well.
“It was after we attended Kickoff that I noticed a change in my daughter, who is generally shy and timid. After I finished volunteering at Kickoff, my daughter, her friend and I attended the event as guests. She tried the healthy foods, rode the smoothie bike and saw the dogs for adoption – she absolutely loved it. She was also very proud to know that her mom had a huge hand in helping make Kickoff a success,” Nina said. “After the event, she could not stop talking to all her friends and their parents about how excited she was to start volunteering for something special – just like her mom did. She, at the age of 12, now volunteers with SPCA and gathers all her friends to volunteer as well. Had it not been for Kickoff and BZP, my daughter would not have broken out of her shell and found something that brings her fulfillment. She’s motivated for life now.”
The Power 9 principle, Connect, resonates most with Nina, who comes from a community that takes pride in building relationships with each other. She says BZP has allowed her to build new relationships and strengthen old ones. Many people in her community have reached out to see how she’s been able to get so involved. Her simple answer – Blue Zones Project.
“I would tell anyone thinking about participating in a BZP activity or adopting BZP principles into their daily life to not look at it as if it is one more chore in life. Look at it as if it’s something you’re already doing and now you’re just able to recognize it,” said Nina.
Her work with BZP has also helped reconnect her to a good friend, who was advised by her therapist to learn more about BZP and become involved so she can become less isolated. After seeing Nina wear a BZP T-shirt, her friend reached out to learn more about how to become involved. Since then, Nina and her friend have reconnected and become closer than ever.
Nina is most looking forward to the impact that BZP will make in children’s lives. She believes that through policy work, kids will learn just how simple healthy living can be.
Discovering BZP has also highlighted a desire to improve her well-being, gave her insight on how to do more with her time and achieve happiness.
“Blue Zones Project is all about choices - not about taking away choices,” she said. “BZP helped me remember that improving well-being doesn’t take much effort.”