It's Been a While Since I Could Say This ...
... and it feels really, really good.
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. Your support is really appreciated.
Presented by InsideTracker:
Last Thursday, it clicked. For the first time in a long time, I made a to-do list and executed the to-do list. The whole damn thing. I can’t tell you the last time I did that. The last time that I didn’t walk out of my office and think “I could’ve done more today,” or “I’ll just do those three things when I log on in the morning.” I’ve had abounding amounts of grace and compassion with myself over the past two years, but the “I’ll do it tomorrow” mentality is like a scalding tea kettle. I feel like it’s been whistling for a while.
Last Thursday, though, I felt invincible. I was proud. Really proud. I sat down at the bar for a glass of whiskey with an orange peel at Ci Siamo, looked at my friend, and said verbatim “today, I did good.” To get to that place of pride, I didn’t have to land some big deal or sign a new sponsor or stumble into some extra funds. And sure, it’s easy to be like “today was a good day!” based on a positive interaction with another human. But when you are amped on yourself based on your own actions? When you’re proud of yourself for the small things?
That’s some awesome stuff right there. To more days like last Thursday, and finding joy in the little moments. I’m good with that.
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
What I’m Watching: Winter Olympics
The action goes until February 20, and I’ve been glued to my TV watching it. Chloe Kim! Shawn White! Nathan Chen! Also, my heart goes out to Mikaela Shiffrin, who is in the process of recovering after a couple tough runs earlier this week. Lots of media attention on a rough go at the Games, but I really adored what her partner Aleksander Aamodt Kilde said about the DNF: “All I saw was a top athlete doing what a top athlete does! It’s a part of the game and it happens. The pressure we put on individuals in sports are enormous, so let’s give the same amount of support back.”
What I’m Listening To: Process (Bonus Edition) from Sampha
Sampha’s voice gets me every time. He just released this new edition of his debut album, and it’s fire.
Gear I’m Loving: Adidas x Ivy Park — Ivy Heart collection
Honestly I thought about buying this jumpsuit at least seven times in the last 24 hours. This release is on another level.
What I’m Reading: Running On Veggies: Plant-Powered Recipes for Fueling and Feeling Your Best by Lottie Bildirici
Had Lottie on the show this week, so I’m going to toss her cookbook in this section here. In it, you’ll find 100+ delicious, nourishing, and mostly plant-based recipes for peak athletic performance. Steph Bruce’s mint chip smoothie and the miso-glazed eggplant have me drooling.
Quote I’m Loving: “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen,” — Brene Brown
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: How to Fuel For Better Performance With Nutrition Coach Lottie Bildirici
Lottie's talking to us about fueling for better performance, from what you should be eating before a workout to what the threshold is for fueling during one — and post-sweat nourishment too. Plus, why hydration needs vary from person to person, and what are the staples that we should all be keeping within our pantries, fridges, and freezers, regardless of dietary restrictions.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 194. Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA Player for the Los Angeles Sparks
If you're not motivated to work hard and be a good human after listening to this conversation with WNBA great Nneka Ogwumike, loaded with so many gem one-liners and inspirational highlights, then you weren’t really listening. For episode 194, we talk about what it was like for her to grow up in an active family, going to Stanford, and traveling to play basketball overseas. She also shares the unconventional way she became the president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (“WNBPA”), and how it felt when they passed the collective bargaining agreement — abbreviated as the CBA. Plus, she talks about the hard lessons she learned navigating a knee injury last year when it comes to accepting help from others, and lets us in on her attitude, gratitude, magnitude journaling practice.
Thanks to my friends at InsideTracker for sponsoring this week’s newsletter.
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It’s been really helpful for me. Last summer I was feeling super sluggish on my runs. I did an InsideTracker panel — including mobile blood draw and DNA swab — and was able to get important insight as to what was going on with me and my body (TLDR; My iron and ferritin levels were low). Then, I adjusted my diet and training so that I can better go after my health & wellness goals — which included feeling good at the starting line for the New York City Marathon.
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.