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Presented by LMNT:
Before we hop in today, I want to say thanks so much to everyone who sent feedback emails last week. I’ve taken it all into consideration, and I hope you appreciate the shifts happening — both here and on the podcast. This week, I’m answering some of the gear questions that have come in recently on Instagram. Leave a comment below if you have a question that you’d like me to tackle in an upcoming newsletter.
Question: How do you make sports bra chafe stop?
Chafe can be the result of a lot of things. Firstly, a bra that’s too tight or ill-fitting can be one of the biggest causes. Ask yourself: What is it that you like in a sports bra (cups, adjustable straps, plain compression without bells and whistles)? Once you’ve articulated that, shop around for the style that feels most comfortable, make sure you’re buying the right size (here’s a helpful article on that from SHAPE), and do NOT toss them in the drying machine post-wash.
Feel like you’ve found the “perfect” bra but still struggle with the dreaded chafe? You’re not alone, it happens to me, too. In this case, you have two options: First, check in with an expert — like a trainer or physical therapist — to have them look at your form. Wonky form (think swinging your arms across the body instead of forward and backward during your stride) can contribute to chafing. Then, lean into backup. Applying a bit of anti-chafe products before you head out can make a world of difference. My three favorites: Megababe Thigh Rescue, Trislide (I love that this is a spray), and Body Glide.
Do you wear regular baseball caps for your daily workouts?
I try to stay away from cotton hats when it comes to working out. They just don’t feel as comfortable for me in the forehead area, and because they aren’t sweat wicking, they can lead to breakouts. My go-to hats that are in-stock include the Lululemon Baller Cap, Lululemon Fast and Free Hat, and this pick from Bandit Run Club.
Do you have a favorite sneaker right now?
Choosing favorites as someone who has upward of 40 pairs of shoes in her home is quite difficult. However, I do have a few styles I reach for more often than others. The four in my regular rotation at the moment include the Nike Pegasus 37, New Balance 1080 v11, Hoka Clifton 7, and Nike Vomero. All of these are neutral options that provide some solid support. Of note: I just ordered the Pegasus 38, which I’m excited about, and because a new iteration is coming — the 37 is 15 percent off right now. For something faster, I reach for the Nike NEXT% (usually for racing), the Asics Metaracer (great at the track), or Brooks Hyperion Tempo.
I feel like my toes get numb when running. Any shoe recommendations to avoid this?
My gut reaction is to ask you if the shoes you’re wearing are big enough. Fun fact: Your feet swell when you run! Especially when the miles start to add up, you’re going to want a sneaker that accommodates this, which admittedly can feel a little off at first if you’re used to wearing tight-fitting kicks. For instance: I wear a size 10.5 running sneaker and a size 10 street shoe.
If you size up and this is still an issue, it could definitely be a circulation problem or perhaps, you need to reevaluate what socks you’re wearing — should this numb situation be because you’re cold. Socks made with merino wool could help, which trap air between the fibers to protect you against chill while wicking sweat.
I feel like I cannot find a pair of shorts for the life of me that don’t ride up. What do you wear?
Oh dear, do I love this question. Shorts are a super personal thing, I find, kind of like sports bras. Some people don’t struggle with thigh chafe and lean into 3-inch styles and split styles. I’m not one of those. My recommendations all clock in with at least a 5-inch inseam. They are: Lululemon Align 6-inch Short, Wolaco 7-inch Biker Short, Tracksmith Allston Short, Under Armour Meridian Short, and the Nike One Bike Short.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
WATCH: Billie Eilish - The World’s A Little Blurry
Stumbled on this last weekend on Apple TV+. Wow. I’ve never been a huge Billie Eilish fan, aside from the hits I hear throw into my Spotify and Apple Music playlists. Crazy to get a closer look inside of her life, navigating fame as a teenager, which is nothing like I anticipated (read: she lives at home with her parents when she’s not on the road). I especially love that she creates most of her music with her brother, who is an obscenely talented (and mega successful) producer. At over 2 hours, it’s a time investment — but a worthy one.
LISTEN: Girlfriends & Business
Congrats to past Hurdle guest Brittany Driscoll (peep her episode here) on the launch of her new podcast, Girlfriends & Business, alongside Lori Harder and Alli Webb. I think it’ll be something a lot of you can get on board with, diving into how to take your business, career, and life to the next level.
WATCH: John Mayer on Songwriting
I found this on Twitter yesterday and found it super compelling. In this clip, he explains what goes into his creative process, saying that you have to be fearless in your pursuit of creating something great. If you’re willing to take a risk and put in the work, anything is possible.
DONATE: One of These Earth-Friendly Charities
In celebration of Earth Day this week, I want to take a moment to highlight a few charities that give back to our planet, including Friends of the Earth, World Wildlife Fund, The Alliance of Climate Education, and Charity: Water. I also loved the influx of good that hit my inbox yesterday from companies donating a portion of proceeds to good causes, including Homesick with this Gone Hiking candle.
VISIT: Jane Motorcycles in Noho
Congrats to past Hurdle guest Adam Kallen (peep his episode here) on the opening of the newest location of Jane Motorcycles in New York’s Noho neighborhood. If you’re in the area, definitely check it out.
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.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Renee Rouleau, Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
Renée Rouleau is a pink-haired warrior. You may recognize her name from an episode we did a few weeks back, answering your biggest skincare questions. I was really excited to record this with her as well because man, this woman has had her fair share of hurdles — personally and professionally — especially over the last few years.
For episode 156, Renée explains how she got into the skincare industry and the challenges she conquered becoming a direct-to-consumer business and ultimately shifting her operations from Dallas to Austin. She explains why she decided to become an esthetician over a dermatologist, and how that decision has paid off. She also talks openly about the loss of her late husband Florian to cancer in 2018, who was the Chief Operating Officer at her company as well as her best friend and partner in life. She shares what life’s been like since then, and how she’s managed to move on and find happiness with her new normal. We also joke about Dr. Pimple Popper, she tells me why she's excited about Clubhouse, and explains the difference between blackheads and whiteheads.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: CBD 101: An Expert Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions
An estimated 64 million Americans have tried CBD in the last 24 months. So, this week I had an expert come on the show to answer your CBD-related questions. Meet Max Poling, the Director of Innovation at Beam. We talk about what is CBD, what are the benefits, what happens when you use it topically versus ingest it, what some of the biggest CBD myths are, and how much a standard serving size is (+ more!).
P.S. Use “HURDLE” at BeamTLC.com/ to get 15 percent off!
P.P.S. If you go with the Dream subscription, you’ll receive a whopping 35 percent off, plus a free mug and frother!
Thanks to this week’s Hurdle sponsors LMNT, Daily Harvest, and Goodr! For a complete list of the show’s sponsors and some really great deals, check out the sponsors page, here.
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! P.S. No topics are off limits.
Another Weekly Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next time!
Disclosure: Some of the items above are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.