(From left to right: Leigh Caufield, Claudia Pagan and Emily Huxford)
The University of Maryland is about to become a more positive atmosphere for women thanks to a partnership between students and THINK ALLWAYS.
Mariel Heather, founder and CEO of THINK, created the athletic apparel brand in November of 2014. The brand promotes a lifestyle that embodies positive thinking, women’s empowerment and living a healthy life. Heather has expanded THINK this year by hiring three, University of Maryland, students to become ambassadors for her brand on campus.
Heather was inspired to create THINK from her personal love of fitness, and frustration of a lack of inspiring workout gear being sold. As an active individual, Heather wanted to create cute fitness apparel displaying meaningful messages that empowered women. Leigh Caufield, Claudia Pagan and Emily Huxford have joined Heather in her mission to promote the THINK lifestyle on campus.
Heather contacted Huxford, a senior communications major, about the opportunity to become a THINK ambassador via Instagram. Huxford had caught Heather’s eye after posting about her personal journey, overcoming a genetic knee disorder, which limits her physical activity everyday. In April, the two met in person when Heather flew to Maryland to hold a positivity workshop hosted by THINK ALLWAYS. At the workshop Heather met Caufield, a junior graphic design major, and Pagan, a sophomore multiplatform journalism major. The two impressed Heather with their positive outlook on life and love for fitness. Caufield and Pagan joined the THINK team as ambassadors alongside Huxford shortly after.
THINK is founded on the idea that no matter what obstacles you encounter in life, if you approach them with positivity, you will see a positive outcome. The ambassadors feel the brand goes beyond providing comfortable and inspiring clothing; they said THINK relays a powerful message that woman of all ages can relate to. Huxford and Pagan jokingly added how they have given THINK apparel to their mothers as gifts.
“It’s all in your mind,” said Huxford commenting on THINK’s message “By embracing this message you can really change your life.”
In addition to wearing apparel by THINK on campus, Caufield said it is their job to promote the brand frequently on their personal social media platforms. Pagan will start blogging for THINK every Thursday starting this summer, alongside Huxford. The ambassadors said the brands presence on campus is still in the beginning stages and will develop more in the fall 2015 semester. They want to spread the message to women that they are in charge of their lives and creating a positive atmosphere for themselves.
“I think the overall mission of the organization is to empower girls to feel unstoppable,” said Pagan “There is always a positive spin on every situation. Focusing on the negatives wont get you anywhere. ”
In addition to providing inspiring fitness apparel and promoting a positive and empowering lifestyle among women, THINK gives back to the community. Heather currently donates 10 percent of all THINK profits to a different nonprofit organization every month. This month, 10 percent of THINK’s profits will be donated to Skate Like a Girl. Heather said she hopes to always be fortunate enough to continue doing this with her brand.
The inspiring and positive women Heather has chosen to represent her brand at the university can be found on Instagram. Caufield at @leigh_inchaarg, Pagan at @claudia_inchaarg and Huxford at @emilyh_inchaarg. The ambassadors each share their unique stories and personal fitness journeys with THINK on their accounts. They want to reach as many people as possible with the positivity the brand promotes. Messages displayed on the apparel include “THINK positive” and “THINK courage.”
“I want every girl to feel motivated and confident that she can change the world,” said Heather “All while working up a sweat in our high-quality apparel!”
Currently when you visit the THINK ALLWAYS website and purchase apparel you can use the code UMD at checkout for 10 percent off. Huxford who is also an employee of THINK said this summer the brand is hoping to develop even more apparel. THINK currently sells an array of tank tops, hoodies, yoga pants, crop tops and tote bags.