An Expert On Coming Out & Being Your Most Authentic Self
Plus: Hurdlers meeting IRL & details on the upcoming journaling challenge!
Welcome back to the Weekly Hurdle! This newsletter is free and will stay free thanks to sponsors and the individuals that opt-in to give. If you enjoy getting this in your inbox weekly, I encourage you to please consider signing up as a paid subscriber. Your support is really appreciated!
Presented by LMNT:
I am on cloud nine. I want you to meet Bianca, Michelle, Hope, and Maggie! We had a little hurdlers meet-up in Santa Monica yesterday, and there really aren’t enough words for me to articulate just how much it meant to me. As a creator, I am well aware that my audience has a slew of options. It makes me feel truly blessed that you choose to come back to Hurdle time and time again, and the fact that these ladies wanted to log a few miles with me at 8 a.m. blows my mind. We came together as total strangers but left as friends.
This week in the newsletter, I wanted to share some insights from a conversation I had with Dr. Crystal Burwell. Dr. Burwell is the Director of Outpatient Services at Newport Academy, as well as a licensed psychotherapist. We spoke about the complexities that go hand-in-hand with coming out, a conversation I was hoping to bring to the feed during June — LGBTQ+ pride month (unfortunately, some audio issues prevented that). Fact: Mental health really struggles when you’re not expressing your true self (studies show that coming out can relieve pain and alleviate some symptoms of mental illnesses, like anxiety). Below, check out Burwell’s important takeaways to help navigate this hurdle:
1. Start with someone you really trust: “I would definitely encourage finding someone in your life that you feel like you can trust that’s invested in you and your well being. You want someone who accepts all of you, not just slices. These are hard conversations, and the first person you open up to should be someone you feel truly comfortable with. That will be a good jumping off point for future talks.”
2. Be prepared for questions: “People will have questions, and that's something you can anticipate so that you’re not caught off guard. There are plenty of resources (editor’s note: See below) to help you gauge what they may ask. Remember: We teach people how to treat us. It takes courage to say certain things, but your voice is all you have. Come with confidence, and stay strong.”
3. There’s no deadline: “You don’t have a mandatory timetable for how long it takes you to be open with your friends and family. This is in your total control. This is a decision that is truly yours and yours alone.”
4. Remember: This is YOUR life to live. “You have the right to identify how you identify. Your emotions matter. Don’t minimize yourself for else’s comfort. It can be difficult, but don’t spend your time worrying about how your life choices will affect everyone else.”
A huge thanks to Dr. Burwell for her time! For more information about and mental health resources, click here.
Thanks to LMNT — an electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don't — for supporting Hurdle.
Meet LMNT, zero-sugar hydration to support your active lifestyle. I’m the saltiest sweater (cute, I know). These electrolytes have been my go-to recently to perform better. I like them not just because they taste great (the orange salt is my favorite), but they’re also without artificial ingredients, sugar, and coloring. With LMNT, you can:
☀️ Kickstart your mornings
💪 Fuel workouts and improve recovery
Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a FREE LMNT sample pack, including two citrus, two raspberry, two orange, and two raw unflavored. You only pay $5 for shipping! To claim this deal you must go to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle — no code necessary.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Another Journal, Conquered CHALLENGE!
In last week’s installment of 5-Minute Friday, I touched on the fact that I’ve been struggling a little bit with my regular journaling practice and thought it could be fun for us to all get back on the horse together. Well the response was awesome! Thus I present you with the “Another Journal, Conquered” challenge, brought to you by Baronfig! Here’s how this going to go down:
Starting July 12, three email prompts will go out each week to monthly paid subscribers of the Weekly Hurdle. This will go on for one month. The journaling prompts will build over time, and the purpose is for you to do a little self exploration, get back into the habit of journaling, and have some fun.
On August 16 at 8 p.m. ET, we’ll have a post-challenge Zoom call to talk about what we learned in the challenge and connect for anyone who wants to talk through what they learned!
Baronfig is offering participants 25 percent off!
I know what you’re wondering: Why does this challenge cost money? Well, I want you to invest in yourself, and I want you to stay accountable. I find that sometimes, fronting a little cash helps keep us that way. Plus, that Baronfig discount! AND! Access to the Zoom call! PLUS: At the end of the month, two random participants will be awarded a special prize (more on this, soon).
To sign up, click here and click “monthly” for the subscription plan. You will sign up now, and it will renew once to bring you through the challenge — making the total for both months $20. Note: You can cancel this subscription at any time, and once you do it will end at the end of the current billing cycle.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
LISTEN: Rich Roll Podcast: Mary Cain Shaping the Future of Female Running
LISTEN: Nike Trained: Lewis Howes on Becoming Your Most Fearless Self
WATCH: Golden: The Journey of USA's Elite Gymnasts on Peacock
SNAG: There’s a 3-for-2 sale on WHOOP bands
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 165. Kai Lightner, Pro Climber
Kai Lightner is a professional climber — arguably one of the best in the world — from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Since first walking into the climbing gym at age 6, Kai has earned 12 national championship titles, but his story goes so much deeper than championships.
We talk about it all, from the why behind how he started in the sport, dealing with ADHD as a young kid, looking for an outlet to channel that energy, and how he feels being the only person of color in climbing. Kai talks about his relatively new nonprofit Climbing 4 Change, which aims to help with that by connecting underserved communities with individuals and organizations that seek to increase minority participation in rock climbing and the outdoor adventure industry.
He also gets super open and honest about a massive hurdle he spoke out about publicly last year, dealing with an eating disorder as a result of the pressure he felt to be the best, and how deciding to take time off of the sport to go to college helped him get in the right mindset.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: #HURDLEMOMENT: The Biggest Mistakes We Make When Looking for a Relationship
Oh man. If you listen to the show, you know I am the ~most~ awkward when it comes to talking about dating. But fact is, your personal relationships are a big part of your overall wellness, so for today's episode I'm bringing in the backup. Meet Rainie Howard, an award-winning author, lifestyle strategist, and relationship expert who helps others evolve through lessons of love, health, and entrepreneurship. We're unpacking the biggest mistakes women make when looking for a relationship, including if we should even be "looking" in the first place. Obviously, A LOT of different views on seeking out love — from how soon is too soon to get intimate to how you should show up for a first date.
HURDLE SESSIONS: Check out these past picks!
How to Start (and Stay!) Running
How to Take Your Running to the Next Level
Intro to Freelance Writing
Intro to Podcasting
How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into Your Main Gig
Finding Your Power Alone
How to Build a Social Media Presence
Media Strategy for Fitness Professionals
AND * 30-Minute One-On-One Consulting Call *
LEAVE ME A VOICE MESSAGE! Whether you just want to say hi or have a question you want to ask, I’d love to hear from you! Bonus: Your listener question could be answered in an upcoming episode of the show! No topics are off limits.
How do we get the 25% off baronfig promo? I was hoping to get a new notebook in time for the challenge to start! :) So excited for it!!