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Presented by Hyperice:

OK. I’m nervous. I’m nervous because I went from simply being geeked about toeing the line next Sunday at the New York Marathon to wondering if maybe it’s safe to race it. It’s no secret I’m an “all it takes is all you’ve got” kind of person. So, maybe all I’ve got is … more than I thought?
Alas, this week I hosted the first Hurdle live show in New York in more than 20 months. It was so great to get to connect with some of you IRL (you can listen to the conversation here). One of the topics we spoke about was what makes a good fitness goal. Of course, your goals can be time-based (i.e. “I want to run a sub 8:00 mile), but I want to encourage you to think about setting new goals that have nothing to do with something like pace. Rather a goal that is more about feel. A new experience. A smile.
… Perhaps, make it a goal to work out once a week without music and use that time to be a little extra mindful. Or, a goal to meet up with a friend for a sweat instead of linking up at the bar. Ah! Another good one? Training for something new, like learning how to do a pull-up or swapping those half-marathon distances for a fast mile. It’s OK to lean into goals that have a little less pressure. Remember: We do this stuff to give back to our bodies. Have some fun with it. You deserve it.
PROMPT: OK then. What’s yours?
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I’m Watching: A Million Little Things on ABC
This is one of those “make you cry every episode” kind of TV drama series, but I absolutely love it. Currently, the show is on season 4, but all seasons can be found on YouTube TV or Hulu. Trust me, you'll want a weekend with no plans and a box of Kleenex to binge watch this one.
I’m Listening To: “How To Stop Burnout Before It Starts” from Nike's TRAINED
We are coming up on the last few months of 2021, and it's been quite the year. If you're like me, this is the part that really feels like a sprint to the finish. To-do lists feel longer. Life feels like it’s going 1,000 mph. I’m looking back at the lists of what I set out to do in 2021, and that can feel overwhelming and exhausting. In this episode, professor of psychology Christina Maslach talks about job-specific burnout, how it effects our day-to-day and a company's success, and offers a path forward to a healthy workplace and work/life balance.
I’m Reading: Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
This is a new pick from Chelsey, the Hurdle assistant! “I was gifted this book a few months ago, and I am looking forward to diving in as I look toward setting some big goals for the new year!”
Gear I'm Loving: Sensor Switch Headlamp
In the city, there are a plenty of lights that keep my early morning running routes bright. However, with the seasonal darkness lingering longer and longer — I've been on the hunt for some smart headlamp suggestions. This one caught my eye because it has a hand motion sensor that turns the light on/off when you wave your hand over it! No more trying to find the on/off switch with gloves on during the cold months and it even has a rechargeable battery. It’s also only $15!
Quote I’m Loving: “Do not settle for less just because it’s available.” — unknown
This week’s newsletter is brought to you by Hyperice.
A HUGE welcome to Hurdle’s newest sponsor! I couldn’t be more geeked about this new partnership with Hyperice, the maker of recovery and performance tech that’s important (and necessary, IMO). There’s so many great products to love, but I’ve gotta jump off with one of my go-tos: The Normatec 2.0 boots. There’s nothing better than snuggling up in them on the couch after a run. They’re like an on-call personal massage therapist that helps to accelerate post-workout recovery and reduce pain and soreness.
Plus, I always have my Hypervolt 2.0 at the ready. (TBH, I keep it on my TV console — that’s how regularly I use it!) The handheld percussive massage device comes with five different attachment heads, and is the perfect way to accelerate my pre-run warm-up and give my muscles a little TLC whenever I feel stiff.
Do what you love more and discover a collection of Hyperice products at Hyperice.com, and use the exclusive discount code “HURDLE10” for 10 percent off of your purchase of Hyperice tech including Normatec and Hypervolt! Note: The discount code does not apply to Hyperice X and Core.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Harley Pasternak On Tips To Stay Healthy While Traveling
First things first: Let me reiterate that both Harley and myself agree that travel is to be enjoyed. Indulgent! You don't need to spend your time away entirely focused on your health and wellness routine — however there are small tweaks you can make to your day-to-day that can help you find balance on the move, and maybe even better enjoy your travels.
Harley Pasternak is a wellness expert, bestselling author, and past Hurdle guest who knows a thing or two about staying healthy on the road — traveling often for his partnerships with the Four Seasons (and, keeping some of your favorite A-listers in shape!). This week, we're talking healthy travel habits from the plane to the hotel. Plus: What we both bring with us on the road to feel our best (teeny equipment, supplements), and why it's important NOT to freak out over vacation weight gain. Also: Shout out to Harley's new offering at the Four Seasons Resort & Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas: Baja Body Reset by Harley Pasternak.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 181. Carissa Moore, Pro Surfer & Olympic Gold Medalist
Surfing made its debut at the 2020 Olympics, and at 29 years old, Carissa Moore became the sport’s first-ever gold medalist. This week I’m catching up with the Hawaiian native and 5-time world champion, and let me tell you — she’s one of the kindest, brightest humans. We talk all about her backstory, how she started surfing with her dad at age 5, and the sacrifices she’s made along the way to make a name for herself in her sport. Plus: The #hurdlemoments she’s braved, including a 3-year low point where she needed to re-articulate her why, how she navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and what an average week of workouts looks like when she’s training full-time.
PLEASE LEAVE ME A VOICE MESSAGE! Whether you just want to say hi or have a question you want to ask, I’d love to hear from you! Bonus: Your listener question could be answered in an upcoming episode of the show!