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Presented by Goodr:
I’ve been treating myself to a decent amount of time in the infrared sauna lately. I found a spot not too far from my apartment that I like, and I go once a week. When I popped in yesterday, the TV inside was out (Sunlighten saunas often have small monitors that you can watch Netflix on). So, instead of rewatching some Schitt’s Creek — I sat there for 40 minutes in total silence.
… I can’t tell you the last time I did that. Aside from, you know, trying to go to bed. The time passed faster than I anticipated. Instead of defaulting to my go-to habit — to-do listing — I made the conscious decision to reflect on some of the best moments from the past seven days. Over the 40 minutes, I homed in on about 10 things. In doing so, I reminded myself that something good doesn’t have to be massively landmark.
A good thing can be as simple as naturally waking up a little bit earlier and using that time to finally fold the laundry. (Take that — two days of procrastination!) On Wednesday, it was taking a few deep exhales while watching the sunset out my living room window. Or — getting an invitation to do something with new friends.
Good things are happening all of the time. It’s your perspective and taking the time to notice them, that makes the difference.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I’m Listening To: How I Built This: Title Nine: Missy Park
How I Built This was the first podcast I ever listened to. I’ve been digging back through episodes as of late (I really enjoyed Paul English — founder of Kayak), and this newer one struck a chord with me. Park says that back in 1989, she started Title Nine with the goal to make it the female version of Nike. It was named for the law that had opened doors for her to compete growing up — Title Nine.
I’m Watching: Like many, I binged season three of You within a week (pretty grateful I slept through the night Wednesday, TBH) and now Maid has piqued my interest.
Gear I’m Loving: Goodr VRGs. I wrote a round-up of some of my favorite running sunglasses for Livestrong this week, and in the process of testing out a few pairs I became obsessed with a style I’d never tried before from Goodr — The VRGs. They’re super light, no-bounce, polarized, and only $35 (yes, please). You can use code “HURDLE15” at checkout for an extra 15 percent off.
I’m Reading: Good to Great by Jim Collins
Got a really sweet care package from Aly Orady a few weeks back, including some this book and some Tonal swag. Now that I’m done with The Art of Community, I’m diving into this — which aims to answer the question “how does a good company become great?”
Quote I’m loving: “Do what you love, love those you care about, give service to others, and know that you’re on the right path.” — Rich Roll
THIS WEEK ON THE SHOW
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: How To Get Out of A Funk
There are a zillion different types of funks. A funk of not eating well. A funk of not going on any dates (raises hand). A funk of not wanting to exercise. A funk of straying away from your journaling practice (the list goes on). For this week’s #HURDLEMOMENT, I'm offering up actionable steps to get out of yours — whatever it may be.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 180. Kira Stokes, Trainer & Founder of The Stoked Method
Kira’s a health and wellness expert based in New York City, with over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in psychology and a minor in health sciences, she went on to become obsessed with the beauty of movement — ultimately becoming a personal trainer (with almost too many certifications to count) and group fitness coach. Her clients (past and present) include Shay Mitchell, Ashley Graham, Norah O'Donnell, and Nastia Liukin — among others.
In this episode, she talks to me about how she first got into the fitness industry in college and how different things were back then — training at one point up to 12 people in one day to now, coaching thousands via her KiraStokes Fit App. We talk living a life you want versus the one that may be expected of you, and how trusting her gut helped her navigate some major professional hurdles as well as the COVID pandemic. Plus: Her best advice for anyone who wants a career in the fitness industry.
PLEASE 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.