On Choosing What Feels Good
Overthinking, be gone.
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Presented by Eight Sleep:
I took myself on a date last night. It started with an event at SoHo Works in Dumbo, listening to Danielle Prescod read excerpts from her new memoir Token Black Girl. It ended with me sitting at a dimly lit bar, sipping Bulleit Bourbon on the rocks with an orange peel. It’s been a while since I’ve done this — a solo date — something that used to be a pretty regular part of my routine. Something that took me a little while to get comfortable with, but ultimately became a special occasion that I would crave.
Sometimes, I read a book. Last night, I wrote. I make a conscious effort not to sit down to dinner alone and spend the time on my phone. My goal during these nights out is to have an experience just me, myself, and I. To be present. Attentive to what’s happening around me, and genuinely enjoy myself like I would (ideally) a date with someone else.
I debated whether to go the healthier route and get the grilled marinated salmon and charred broccolini versus the pizza. I went pizza. Instead of feeling guilty about it — I genuinely noticed how happy it made me. The crispy edges and slight taste of oven char, perfectly accenting the cool, sweet notes of my sip. I enjoyed myself. The bartender took notice and poured me another splash. I opened my notebook and wrote down the following sentence:
Pay attention to how you feel when you skip overthinking and choose happiness.
I left feeling content. Lighter. About 30 minutes later I was back home, washing my face and getting ready for bed.
I thought to myself:
It was a good date night.
A really good date night.
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I’M LISTENING TO: ”Heal Burnout, Release Stress, and Get Your Time Back! Big Talk with Marie Forleo” from Dear Gabby
If you feel like you’re constantly stressed, distracted, and overwhelmed — this is a good listen. (Hi, is that all of us?) Gabby and Marie are dispelling the myth that hustling hard is the only way to be productive, and addressing what it means to be a “time genius.”
I’M WATCHING: The Redeem Team on Netflix
Squad. Goals. This new Netflix documentary follows the story of the U.S. men’s basketball team seeking redemption at the 2008 Beijing Games.
GEAR I’M LOVING: lululemon strongfeel Training Sneaker
I finally got around to working out in this sneaker, and I really loved it. The Strongfeel training shoe is a lot like the Reebok Nano or Nike Metcon, a sneaker meant for those that are doing strength-focused workouts without much running. Think of it as a good pick for HIIT class, boxing, or bootcamp. The sneaker is super comfortable while also feeling really stable. Plus — the adorable off-white, “lemon sorbet” colorway that I’ve got (one of six options) doesn’t hurt, either.
I’M READING: “How Robin Arzon Learned to Trust Herself” from Women’s Health
Robin Arzon is on the cover of the newest issue of Women’s Health, and the cover story just went live on the site yesterday. In it, the lawyer-turned-Peloton superstar talks about how she sough out to find purpose and “architect a new life.” Fun fact: Robin’s been on the show twice! Check out her pre-marathon tips here.
QUOTE I’M LOVING: “Love is a verb. It's something that you do, but it's also something that you are.” — Rosie Acosta
Thanks to Eight Sleep for supporting Hurdle.
I am a really hot sleeper — the type of person that sleeps with one leg in and one leg out of the sheets. The Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover changed the game for me; it’s the only sleep technology that dynamically cools and heats each side of the bed, to maintain the optimal sleeping temperature for what your body needs. With the pod, you can start sleeping as cool as 55°F or as hot as 110°F.
Since I started using the Pod, I’m tossing and turning less. Plus! I look forward to getting in my bed now more than ever. The cover is obscenely comfortable, and I'm also really digging the vibrate-to-wake feature (see ya later, iPhone alarm!). I feel like I’m in a groove of restful sleep that’s neverending. And! I've also seen improvements in my HRV, sleep duration, and overall sleep fitness benchmarks.
Go to EightSleep.com/Hurdle to save $150 on the Pod. Eight Sleep currently ships within the USA, Canada, the UK, select countries in the EU, and Australia.
NEW PODCAST EPISODE🎧 224. Rosie Acosta, Yoga & Meditation Teacher
This week I’m chatting with Rosie Acosta, an inspirational speaker, yoga and meditation teacher and host of the The Radically Loved Podcast. In episode 224, Rosie opens up about growing up in a tough Los Angeles neighborhood and getting in trouble with the law. She talks about finding meditation, and how she got past the hurdles many of us face with a brand new practice to make it work for her. With patience, Rosie says that the practice eventually helped her find a greater sense of self and happiness — plus a new career path. Rosie also calls her new chapter creating content for Headspace in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month “a dream come true.”
NEW PODCAST EPISODE🎧 : #HURDLEMOMENT: How Women's Nutritional Needs Differ From Men's With Dr. Stacy Sims
Welcoming Dr. Stacy Sims back to the show to chat about nutrition and training as women. Known for her TEDx talk "Women Are Not Small Men," Sims spends all of her energy researching how to help women go after their big goals and better their bodies. We cover everything from iron deficiencies and the truth about intermittent fasting to signs of under fueling and whether or not that pre-race carbo load does you any good.
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.