Who Are Your Anchors?
Quality over quantity, I say.
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 Open:
I'm writing this week's newsletter on a flight to Richmond, headed down to visit three of my anchors, as I call them. The word "anchor" — at least in this case — is used to describe one of the most special people in my life. These three all happen to live within two hours of each other in the Washington D.C./Virginia area. I try to make this trip about once a year, when miraculously everyone's schedule aligns. I'll start in Richmond, drive up to Alexandria, and finish off not far from Dupont Circle.
Anyway — someone once told me that flying makes us a little bit more emotional, thanks to the altitude and cabin pressure. I try to use that to my advantage. For years now, I've fallen into this tradition of writing letters on planes. Usually, it's on the way home from wherever I’ve been. Sometimes, it's a note to myself. More often than not, though, it's a note to someone else. Words that I've wanted to say that maybe haven't felt right to express, whether that be to a romantic interest, a friend, or a family member. I've only actually shared the note with the person it was written for once or twice. It's more of a therapeutic exercise for me. An opportunity to get some words off of my chest.
Today, I wrote a note to myself. Reminding me of how lucky I am to have these really wonderful relationships in my life. Some say that New York is the loneliest city in the world, and at times, that felt even more true over the past 24 months between the pandemic and so many of my dearest moving out. But regardless of geographic location, to have individuals in your life who love you for all that you are and never judge? It makes the physically alone moments feel a little less lonely, after all.Â
Tell someone you love them today, yeah? And then, keep hurdling —
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I'm Reading: Handling the Truth: The Writing of a Memoir
I'm working on it. That's all I'll say. I don't know if it's a bad omen that I spilled water all over my first copy of this so I'm now on my second, but that's neither here nor there.
I'm Listening To: Nikki Hiltz on Ali on the Run
Downloaded this before my flight today; so excited for Nikki and their new sponsorship with Lululemon! The pro runner will be on Hurdle next week talking us through their journey of coming out, embracing sport as a transgender athlete, and the dets of their new ambassadorship — so stay tuned.
Gear I'm Loving: Lululemon All Yours Cropped Cotton Tank Top
I was lingering around SoHo the other day when I spotted this in the store window, stepped inside, and grabbed it. Perfect to wear for a hot day (workout or not), and I love the bright color.
Quote I'm Loving: "Stop shrinking yourself to fit places you've outgrown." — Unknown
Thanks to my friends at Open for sponsoring this week’s newsletter.
Open is a digital mindfulness platform combining breathwork, meditation, and movement. It’s the first platform I’ve ever used that I’ve stuck with consistently, and trust me — I’ve tried many. Now, I do a breathwork class every single morning to clear my head before I reach for my journal. (If you told me I’d be saying that sentence a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed you.)
With Open, I feel more in tune with my body, a little more awake, and capable to handle whatever the day throws my way. They offer unlimited live and on-demand breathwork, meditation, yoga, pilates, and more for all levels, and unlike other platforms, you can connect directly with your teachers during in-class live streams.
Head over to WithOpen.com/Hurdle to get 30 days absolutely free, no strings attached. Come join me! Looking forward to us taking class together, ASAP.
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: Niousha
Location: Dubai
Occupation: Life Coach
What’s going on in your life that excites you right now?
I’m starting my career as a life coach after years of working in sales and marketing.
What’s one thing you love about Hurdle?
It inspires me to be resilient, to go after my passions, and to be mindful of my body-mind connection.
How can we support you?
By following me on Instagram @nioushaan, and then feel free to DM me to book your first free coaching session to discover my methods! Hopefully, you’ll decide that you want to work together to continue on a journey of personal growth.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: #HURDLEMOMENT: Tayshia Adams On How to Make Time For Health & Wellness With A Busy Schedule
If there's anything that Tayshia Adams is familiar with, it's a hectic schedule. I'm catching up with the former Bachelorette this week to chat about how she manages to find the time to prioritize her health and wellbeing. We talk about best-practice tips, from wardrobe to ~how~ you sweat, plus she sheds some light on what it was like for her to tackle her first marathon in 2021 as well as her excitement over her new ASICS campaign, Live Uplifted.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Ty Haney, Founder of Outdoor Voices & Try Your Best
Excited to welcome Ty Haney to the show to kick off season 10. In 2013, she was a 24-year-old Parsons School of Design grad living in New York, pitching investors on the idea for her approachable activewear idea called Outdoor Voices. Quickly, the brand caught on and became way more than just apparel. It became a lifestyle choice of #doingthings. After 7+ years of building, the Colorado native stepped down, but it wasn't long before she was back to her entrepreneurial  roots with Try Your Best, a first of its kind, Web3 community platform where brands and fans build and win together.
For episode 209, we're talking about it all: What it felt like to walk away from O.V., how movement is an imperative part to her creative process, and why we should ALL be thinking about Web 3. Plus: WHAT is Web 3 (in language that we can all understand), as well as the ins and outs of Joggy — a line of plant-based energetics aimed at offering that euphoric "runner's high" feeling on demand.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT HURDLE?
I’m so, so glad you asked!
SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEWÂ HURDLE:Â
We’re now over 1,000 ratings and reviews in the iTunes store! Go on, get after it.
iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Anchor
JOIN:Â THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.
Correction, 6/24: In an earlier edition of this week’s Weekly Hurdle, an incorrect gender pronoun was used for Nikki. It has since been updated.