The Power of a Good Playlist
Going back in time — and being better for it.
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You ever hear a song and it immediately triggers a memory to where you were the last time you heard it? I was cleaning my apartment on Thursday when “Comfortable” by H.E.R. came on, and it happened. Instantly I was brought back to a late Monday night biking over the Manhattan Bridge during what has come to be known as “prime pandemic,” around May 2020. Life was a blur of wiping down my groceries upon entering the apartment, at-home workouts, and TikTok scrolling.
That evening, I had just left the apartment of a guy that I was seeing (it didn’t work out) and was in a little bit of a rush because I needed to get home before it was dark out to feel safe traveling on two wheels. (This is back when most New Yorkers were on a subway hiatus.) Once I got there, I carried my 14-pound black Specialized Roubaix up four flights of stairs. Still catching my breath, I grabbed a glass of wine, continued with H.E.R. on repeat, and stepped out onto my 3-foot by 3-foot fire escape (I referred to it as my balcony). I snuggled up with a yellow blanket and watched as the cars drove by the avenue. To this day, I stand by the fact that if you close your eyes and do this, sometimes it sounds like the ocean.
… In that moment, despite the major shifts that had been occurring for weeks, I remember this overwhelming sense of gratitude for the smallest things. Simply spending time with another human. My health. The way the breeze felt as I pedaled up First. The comforting glow of the small string of lights lighting the railing near my head.
This past Thursday, I stopped vacuuming, sat down on a clear stool by my kitchen island, and thought about that night. While so much has changed since then, one thing remains the same: I’m still making sure to find gratitude in the small moments. It’s probably the biggest silver lining for me after the past 2+ years: Contentment in small moments that add up to big happiness. And of course, the big ones are nice, too.
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I’m Listening To: Mountaintop Conversations by Saysh from Allyson and Wes Felix
Sat down with Allyson this week for the show (episode coming in September) — and in preparing for that I listened to all nine live episodes of the show she started with brother Wes earlier this year. Featuring big names like Hillary Clinton and Candace Parker, it focuses on lessons from those who have reached their proverbial mountaintop, offering takeaways that can help guide others to get to theirs.
I’m Watching: Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist
On my list for this weekend, this documentary tells the story of football player Manti Te’o, who was a victim of an elaborate and cruel catfishing scandal that left him prone to a vicious social media culture.
Gear I’m Loving: New Balance SuperComp Trainer
I’ve been obsessing over these shoes for the last couple months. Featuring a carbon plate, a stacked height midsole, and FuelCell cushioning — it literally makes me feel like a superhero. Definitely a marathon to long run favorite.
Quote I’m Loving: "Sometimes we are so busy looking up and looking forward trying to figure out the next love in our lives, or looking back at all the places we have been, that we don't look down and figure out where we actually are." — Bob Goff
Thanks to Goodr — maker of fun, fashionable, and functional sunglasses that everyone can afford — for sponsoring today’s newsletter.
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🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 217. Rebeckah Price, Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Nike Trainer
For Rebeckah, yoga and meditation helped her get through some of the most difficult times in her life. After navigating both post-partum depression and a cancer diagnosis, the Toronto-based trainer looked at her practice in an entirely different way. For episode 217, she talks about how she used yoga to feel more at-home in her body, and offers up advice on how you can, too. Plus: Shifting negative self-talk, how she started working with Nike, and what she's looking forward to next.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: #HURDLEMOMENT: How to Strategically Build Self Worth
From time to time, we all go through bouts of negative self-talk. This week, I'm bringing in my dear friend, author and founder of Unleashed, Vanessa Bryant, to chat about how to turn that conversation around and build sustainable, essential self-worth. She offers up four strategies with actionable tips for implementation, as well as opens up about her journey to discovering her own worth after a career change and having her first child.
HURDLER SPOTLIGHT
Want to be featured in an upcoming Weekly Hurdle? Submit your info (or a friend’s!) in this Google Form.
This week’s Hurdler of the week: Erin
Location: New York
Occupation: Public school teacher
What’s going on in your life that excites you right now? “I don’t know if this is exciting but I was recently diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer and am getting surgery so I’m hopefully going to be cancer free soon! Also trying to still train for the Chicago Marathon while all this is happening.”
What’s one thing you love about Hurdle? “I love how Hurdle makes me feel like I can conquer everything life throws at me.”
How can we support you? “I really want to spread the message on the importance of raising awareness about gender bias in healthcare. I had been feeling really tired, off, and noticed a goiter or swelling on my neck. I decided to bring it up to my doctor. She agreed that there was something suspicious and sent me in for an ultrasound of my thyroid. The results of the ultrasound came back as a highly suspicious category TIRAD-5 (which is a classification that is usually cancerous). Still, she decided to wait a year to do any more testing. With the help of my family I went over her and found an endocrinologist, who also proved to be unhelpful. I finally found a doctor who diagnosed me right away and told me that all of the symptoms I had been facing were symptoms of cancer. I’m here to share my story and encourage others to do the same, so that everyone knows that they aren’t alone.”
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.