The Algorithm Can't Find Your 'Why'
On how to choose your next fitness goal, Strava's latest updates, and a must-watch for your weekend.
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Happy Friday, all. I shared last week over on Instagram that I’ll be running the Sydney Marathon in August, which means that I’m in the thick of training—yet again. Kind of crazy to think that this will be marathon no. 16, something that there’s absolutely no way a younger me would believe.
When you say something like that this out loud, a big goal, it feels shiny. Monumental! For this specific landmark moment, it conjures up images of a crisp destination, a dramatic harbor view (I cannot wait to go to the Opera House!), and the euphoric high of crossing a finish line on the complete opposite side of the world.
But let’s be incredibly real for a second: On a random Tuesday when my alarm rings through the dark at 5:42 a.m. (I’ve never been one for setting my alarm for whole numbers), my body feels heavy, and Brooklyn humidity’s already sitting thick outside my window? The “aesthetic” of a marathon does absolutely nothing for me. Absolutely. Nothing. Double-taps on a screen don’t lace up my shoes.
What gets me out of bed is something much quieter, much deeper. It’s my why. It’s an internal, non-negotiable commitment to exploring my limits in this specific season of my life, anchoring myself in a daily routine that grounds me, and protecting the headspace that movement gives me.
Journaling on my why the other morning got me thinking about a massive friction point I see so many people hit when they decide to set a new fitness or wellness goal:
The copy-paste goal trap.
The biggest mistake you can make when setting a new goal is choosing it based on a snapshot of someone else’s life. We are constantly inundated with the highlight reels of others—someone crushing a 75-day challenge, hitting a massive lifting PR, or flowing through a perfect dawn patrol yoga routine. It looks inspiring, sure, so our brains immediately copy and paste it into our own lives: “I should do that.”
But when you adopt a goal simply because it looked good on someone else’s grid, you are outsourcing your motivation. That’s not ideal.
What does that mean? Well, when the initial excitement wears off and the daily effort gets mundane, uncomfortable, or just plain boring, a copy-paste goal will fail you every single time. And the kicker? You’ll think you failed. But you didn’t. The goal just didn’t actually mean anything to you to begin with.
So, it’s time for a deep, honest inventory.
If movement and wellness are already priorities in your life, you don’t need another generic checklist or a trend to follow. You need alignment. To build a goal that you will actually show up for when things get tough, you have to look inward and audit your current reality.
So this weekend, I encourage you to put your phone in the other room for 15 minutes, pick up a pen, and do a completely judgment-free inventory of your headspace and physical needs. Ask yourself:
“What is actually important to me right now?”
Be ruthlessly honest with your answer. Your needs change, and your goals should change with them.
Do you want to get stronger? Do you want to feel powerful in your skin, lift heavier, and see what your physical structure can withstand?
Do you want to shift your body composition? Is this a season where you want to dial in your nutrition, build lean muscle, and focus on the mechanics of how your body burns energy?
Do you just want to have fun? Has your routine felt like an absolute chore lately? Do you need to inject pure play, try a totally new sport, join a community, or find an activity that simply sparks joy without a metric attached to it?
Anchor It to Your Values
Once you identify what matters to you right now, look at your core values for this specific season. If one of your top values this month is “restoration” or “peace,” but you are forcing yourself into a high-stress, rigid training program because of something you saw online, you’re creating internal friction. You’re fighting yourself before you even lace up your sneakers.
Your challenge this week: Take a hard look at the movement goal you are currently chasing. Does it directly serve your current season and your internal values? Or are you trying to fit your life into a box designed by an algorithm?
If it doesn’t align, give yourself permission to scratch it out and redraft it. Build a foundation on what you need—not what someone else is selling.
What did your deep inventory reveal? Hit reply and let me know what your true “why” is for this season. I’d love to hear where you’re redirecting your energy.
In your corner. Keep hurdling,
Something to Wear Running: On Performance Tights Short—Always hard for me to find running shorts that are immediate staples in the rotation. Really into this updated 6-inch style from On, which totes three pockets: One big enough for a cell phone, and two in the back (including one that zips) for fuel, keys, and cards.
Something to Wear Sunning: Cupshe Fortunate Colorblock Bikini Set—Made the decision that it’s about time I get some new swim. (I’ve been wearing the same Left On Friday swimsuit combo—throwback bottom and tubular top—for the past two years. She’s great, but it’s time to shake things up!) Was pleasantly surprised by how flattering this Cupshe bikini set is (I love a high leg, high cut style); a really great buy considering the price ($39). I find it so hard to find decent swim for less than $65/$70 per piece! Here for all of your recs if you’ve got them.
Something to Wear Daily: Mejuri Thin Gold Hoops—At $168, these 10K solid gold hoops aren’t cheap, but they’re truly my daily set. They never tarnish, are super lightweight, and the only reason I’m on my third set in six-or-so years (hides face) is because, well, sometimes I lose things, and they don’t sell them in singles. But I can’t say enough good things about them!
Something to Listen To: “1 on 1” by Chelsea Jordan—Was writing this newsletter, and this song stopped my tippity tap. Into her vibe.
Something to Watch: Off Campus—OK, I’m only on episode three. But! I have caved. Here to discuss with anyone who’s down.
Something to Check Out (If You’re Local): Bandit Grand Prix, HYROX New York—I’ll be popping by both of these events here in New York this weekend. Was traveling last year during Bandit’s Grand Prix, so excited to see it play out in action.
Other thoughts and links: I snagged the Nike x Kids of Immigrants T90 mule yesterday, and I feel like I won the lotto. Oura Ring 5 is here, and she looks cute (slender, too). Strava recently announced an update of its strength experience. It introduces 14 partner integrations — Garmin, WHOOP, Runna, Fitbod, Hevy, and more — bringing the data from apps and devices athletes already use directly into Strava, alongside a dedicated workout log, auto-populated muscle maps, and new strength-specific shareables. Speaking of Strava, they’re partnering with For All Mothers+ again this year to launch FAM+ Childcare Grants, with support from On, Runna and GU Energy Labs. Twenty-five lucky moms will receive grants, gear, and other perks to help them get to an upcoming starting line. Applications are open until June 10. Deep Blue Sports recently announced their investment in Sequel, a go-to favorite period card brand co-founded by friend of the show, Amanda Calabrese. Also: The Summer House reunion. That’s it. That’s the thought.
NEW ON THE SHOW
Samirah Moody is a professional runner for On, recednt USC graduate, and a founding member of the newly minted OAC (On Athletics Club) Sprint team. Coming off a stellar collegiate career—including a 2025 NCAA championship in the 100 meters—Samirah is stepping onto the global pro circuit with a fresh perspective, a deeply hardened sense of resilience, and a powerful inner drive.
In this episode, Samirah pulls back the curtain on the intense physical and mental grind of elite training under renowned head coach John “JB” Bolton. She details the dramatic shift from the college routine to the professional world, where the job requires balancing world-class track workouts with photo shoots, media appearances, and constant networking. Samirah opens up about the devastating meniscus injury that threatened her trajectory, the grueling rehabilitation process that followed, and the exact moment she shifted her mindset from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this.” Plus, she shares what it’s like to navigate a high-pressure environment as the only short sprint woman on the OAC roster, and how journaling helps her process the weight of big expectations.
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered.
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Your words always hit at the right time 🫶🏽 Cheering for you on the road to Sydney! Annnnd I’m afraid I’m obsessed with Off Campus 🤭