Why Pain Is A Critical Component to True Joy
A lesson that's most-always hard to remember in the moment.
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I don’t write a ton of articles these days. (For anyone new here, I’m a journalist. My last job, before going out on my own and starting Hurdle, I was the fitness editor at SELF Magazine.) On Wednesday, however, I sat down at my desk and submitted one about the ins and outs of TikTok for fitness professionals (I’ll link it here once it’s live). It was assigned to me by an editor I’ve worked with previously; she recently landed at a new website. Within 24 hours, she got back to me with edits. A quick turnaround. Actually, a really quick turnaround. I messaged her and asked when she wanted the second draft, expecting that she’d say something like “Is Monday OK?” Instead, this was her response:
“No rush! Any time over the next two weeks would be great.”
That’s the type of email I don’t get often. Usually, it’s a rush. Whether it’s an article or a content deliverable or an interview opportunity, nine times out of ten there’s a level of urgency that feels immediately overwhelming. Nine times out of ten, there’s a moment where I want to scream from inside my apartment and rip out my hair (that desperately needs a cut).
But yesterday, I read that and smiled. “Without all of the ‘Is by EOD okay with you?’ emails I’m used to, I probably wouldn’t appreciate this moment so much,” I quipped in my reply. “Without pain there is no joy.”
There we were, two veteran journalists with a combined two decades of experience between us, laughing at the truth. Of course, it’s a lesson that’s bigger than the work day. A lesson that’s hard to remember when you’re going through the thick of a #hurdlemoment. But the hard stuff? It builds us up and prepares us in more ways than one for what’s ahead, instilling a beautiful appreciation for the easy moments.
In whatever season I’m in right now, it doesn’t feel like easy is an often occurrence. But I’ll gladly take it (and really soak it in) when it comes.
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
What I’m Reading: The Skimm
There’s a lot going on in the world right now, particularly in Ukraine. For those hoping to get up to speed, I really appreciated yesterday’s installment of The Skimm for helping break it down.
What I’m Watching: Jeen-Yuhs
Maybe you like Kanye West. Maybe you don’t. Regardless, this documentary is really well made, and gives a lot of insight into just how hard Kanye worked to make a name for himself when a lot of odds were against him. The man’s got talent. There’s absolutely no denying that.
What I’m Listening To: Joe Holder on Nike’s Trained
I first met Joe back in 2015 (he’s since been on the show twice, you can check out the episodes here and here). When we met, I was likely standing next to Jaclyn Byrer, the former fitness director at SHAPE who is now the host of Nike’s Trained podcast. I really enjoyed listening to my friends chat, and the takeaways from Joe (as always) were abundant. In particular, this: “Take care of yourself so you realize how good that feels, and then you’re going to want to spread that to other people.”
Gear I’m Loving: New Balance 880v11
I recently collaborated with Zappos on their “20 Minutes to Happy” campaign, which essentially runs home the idea that 20 minutes of movement can drastically change your mood. For it, I chose to wear the New Balance 880v11, a comfortable sneaker I keep in my rotation for base mileage. Zappos has a lot of great deals on the site to help you get moving — you can check them out here.
Quote I’m Loving: “We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness.” — Mary Davis
Thanks to LMNT — an electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don't — for supporting Hurdle.
Meet LMNT, zero-sugar hydration to support your active lifestyle. I’m the saltiest sweater (cute, I know). These electrolytes have been my go-to recently to perform better. I like them not just because they taste great (the orange salt is my favorite), but they’re also without artificial ingredients, sugar, and coloring. With LMNT, you can:
☀️ Kickstart your mornings
💪 Fuel workouts and improve recovery
Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a FREE LMNT sample pack, including two citrus, two raspberry, two orange, and two raw unflavored. You only pay $5 for shipping! To claim this deal you must go to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle — no code necessary.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 16 Listener Questions, Answered
You all SHOWED up with the questions for this season's installment of listener questions. Today, I'm answering a bunch! (And I PROMISE, those that didn't make the show this week will be answered, SOON.) Questions I’m tackling in this episode include:
"I feel super self conscious running outside. What should I do?"
"What is it like to live alone? What do you do with your free time?"
"Can we talk about investing? What are you doing?"
"What online workouts do you like right now?"
"Did you envision doing this in your career?"
"What's your nighttime routine like?"
"How do I get started journaling?"
"How are you, really?"
... and more!
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 196. Keira D’Amato, Pro Runner & American Record Holder in the Marathon
Welcome this new record holder (also, my new BFF) to the show! For episode 196, Keira's talking about how she got here: From post-college running to the injury that had her taking a step back. She talks about having children, getting married, and diving head-first into her career as a realtor only to come back to running as a "hobby," — knowing that it was a big risk that could go well or set her up for disappointment. It wasn't long until she started taking her hobby to new heights, setting fresh goals, and aiming to go after Deena Kastor's American record — set in 2006 back in London. We cover it all: From what it felt like in Houston, how she feels about doing things "differently" than other pros, her favorite Oreo flavors, and what's next.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT HURDLE?
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SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW HURDLE:
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.