BIO Girls combines self-esteem building with physical activity | Minot, ND

The 31 girls in the Minot BIO Girls Running Group are training for a 5K and learning important self-development lessons as they go. BIO Girls was brought to Minot seven years ago.

The running group is part of a larger nonprofit also called BIO Girls, whose programming is aimed at empowering adolescent girls. The BIO in BIO Girls stands for “Beautiful, Inside and Out,” said Site Director Kristina Hokenson.

“Every week we have a lesson, so we talk about things like self-esteem building, friendship, anti-bullying, social media use and more,” Hokenson said. “Many of the lessons resonate with the adults in the group as well.”

Hokenson’s daughter, Nora, 10, explained her desire to run in a group with her fellow BIO Girls. “I think it’s very important. It keeps you motivated a lot, and the best part is when you get to the end and there’s people who finished before you, and everybody is clapping for you and high-fiving,” Nora said.

“One of my colleagues and I ran a Body Image Teen Group last year. That’s a little bit of a different set-up with smaller groups and we don’t train for anything,” Hokenson said. “It’s more lesson based and the programming looks different.” Last year was Hokenson’s first year as site director for BIO Teens.

“What we’ve noticed as the girls go through the program is they develop more confidence and better movement from working towards a goal. Running isn’t everyone’s favorite by any means. But being able to still accomplish a goal together is huge,” Hokenson said. “The girls are also learning how to support each other, which is so cool. They cheer each other on, help each other and learn how to celebrate somebody else and be excited for them.”