I Took The High Road (But It Wasn't Easy)
On respond versus react and implementing it within your day-to-day.
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Something I’ve been really dialed into over the past few years is respond versus react. It’s a concept I’ve written about a few times in this newsletter. In short: Remove yourself from a situation, if only briefly, so that you don’t act out in a way that your non-in-the-moment self wouldn’t be proud of. When something happens that doesn’t make you feel good, perhaps a jarring email from a colleague or interaction that throws you for a loop, it’s tempting to react immediately. But 99 percent of the time, you’re more likely to respond in a way that makes yourself proud if you simply take a beat.
This is a tactic I exercise often, but it really came into play within the last two weeks. I was offered an interview and access for a potential article. (I’ve been dabbling in writing a bit more recently! For those that may be new here, my background is as a wellness journalist, having worked for publishers like Rodale, Condé Nast, and Hearst. You can learn more about me here.) I pitched the opportunity to an editorial outlet, and then went back to the public relations company who originally approached me with the opportunity to confirm I was in.
I was shocked when they went back on their original offer, putting me in a tricky place with a brand new editor that I had never worked with before. Especially after a not-so-official poll of some other journalist friends, who this has certainly never happened to. Suddenly, I had an assignment — but none of the interview opportunities that it hinged on.
So what did I do? I let the woman from the agency know I was disappointed — but understood. I didn’t say too much else, especially anything that I’d regret later on. Then, I went on to write both articles anyway, leveraging my connections to secure interviews, including two with high-profile WNBA players.
It’s a volatile time to work in media. There are less dollars. Less opportunities. In this situation, I took a step back and asked myself, amidst my feelings of frustration:
What’s the goal here?
The answer: Keep the assignments, maintain the relationship with my editor (a new relationship!), and do what I do best — work well under pressure.
That question: What’s my goal here? Well, it’s one that I’ve found super helpful in these respond versus react moments. When you take a deep breath and get honest about what you’re after, you give yourself the gift of perspective. The gift of not letting your emotions get the best of you. The gift of remembering that your thoughts are simply just that — thoughts. The opportunity to remember that you, my friend, are in the driver’s seat.
PROMPT: What tools do you use when you feel like you’re about to react instead of respond?
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I’m Listening To: Benson Boone
I know I’m not the only person who felt hyped up from his Grammy performance last weekend. I love his acoustic stuff, but “Beautiful Things” in all of its glory will make you feel like you can run through a brick wall. Zero doubt about that.
I’m Reading: Beach Read by Emily Henry
Just started this one, which would be my third Henry book in about a month’s time. Recently completed Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks, which was lighthearted but a little slow for my taste.
Gear I Love: Nike Pegasus Premium
This may be one of the best-looking shoes Nike has released in some time. Leaning into this pick for the days where I have to run around and run (for exercise), a shoe that looks stylish on foot but’s also practical for easy mileage. I’m also really excited for other updates that Nike is making to their sneakers in 2025 (shoutout, Believe in the Run) — and cannot wait for the launch of the new Vomero 18.
Quote I Love: “My grandfather told me when I was a kid, ‘you'll achieve much more by being consistently reliable than by being occasionally extraordinary.’ That always stuck with me. Figure out a way to structure the ability to show up, and just punch the clock and you'll get so far in life.” — Sahil Bloom, in an interview I did with him for an upcoming GQ article. Check out his newsletter, Curiosity Chronicle.
MY SOMETHING NEW
One of my goals for 2025 is to do something new every single week. I wrote about this a few weeks back. So, I thought that it could be fun to write a bit about what I’m doing here weekly, too. Dig it? Let me know in the comments below ⬇️
Monday, February 3: Tonal Training Lab
Tonal recently announced a new iteration, Tonal 2, and I went to their lab pop-up in SoHo to check it out. The class, coached by my friend Kristina Centenari, was great exposure to what the machine is capable of — a whopping 240 exercises by adjusting the height, width, and angles of the arms (and then combining that with the included handles, ropes, barbell, and bench).
Thursday, February 6: Visit the Metrograph
The Metrograph is a venue in the Lower East Side that I first heard about last week, featuring two different theaters as well as a restaurant called The Commissary. I went on Thursday for a closed event, but it was great to get inside the space and scout it out for when I inevitably visit next. My ideal kind of night involves a film and a brownie a la mode. Lucky for me — I can get both in one place there.
Thanks to AG1 — the daily foundational nutrition supplement that supports whole-body health — for supporting Hurdle.
I originally gave AG1 a try years ago because I was tired of taking so many supplements and wanted a single solution that supports my entire body and covers my nutritional bases. I wanted better gut health, a boost (or similar) in energy, immune system support, and also wanted a supplement that actually tastes great. And I can tell you — it checks all of those boxes.
In a recent study, AG1 revealed that participants had the same feelings of energy, focus, and supported digestion that I’ve had using AG1. For example, after 60 days, 91% of participants in a research study noticed they needed less coffee; after 90 days, 97% of study participants felt their digestion improved.
I shake up AG1 every morning after my workout, and I feel confident knowing that I’m doing something good for my body by giving it the nutrition I deserve — including 75 whole food-sourced ingredients, prebiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, and superfoods.
If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3/K2 AND five free AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. Go to drinkAG1.com/hurdle.
Imagine being referred to as "The Fittest Woman On Earth" — that's Laura Horvath's reality. The 2023 champion of the CrossFit Games joins Hurdle this week for a conversation about strength, body image, and nutrition. She covers how she trains to embrace the different phases of her cycle, what has changed (or rather, what hasn't) since she came out on top, and why her early days of climbing lent themselves to excelling within sport when her brother introduced her to it in 2016.
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.
I love hearing about the new things you're trying!! It's a goal of mine for this year too, and, while our situations are super different (working part-time mom of three living in the waaaay out suburbs of ATL), it's so inspiring and reminds me to think outside the box!
Also - I'm stealing "What's my goal here?" because I need a speed bump between my brain and my mouth sometimes.
“What’s my goal here?” is freaking genius.