Hi and hello. I feel like I have a lot of “lifey” kind of updates to share with you in this post. Many good things happening over here, and for that I am feeling very grateful.
ON THE FITNESS FRONT
I led an outdoor bootcamp last week for the first time in years and it was SO MUCH FUN! It was a 50-minute workout focused on cardio (mostly through run intervals like sprints, high knees, karaoke, lateral shuffles, etc), bodyweight strength and stretching. A sweaty good time was had by all.
I was recently invited to join the ambassador team for Salata. It’s a build your own salad concept with two locations in Charlotte. They’re hosting weekly FREE bootcamps at their Rea Farms location on Wednesdays at 6p through the summer. The bootcamps are led by a rotating roster of local fitness professionals. Emily Breeze Watson organized the #SweatWithSalata bootcamps and she and her husband own the local Salata locations.
I’ll be teaching again on June 28 and August 23. Would love to see some of you who are local out there! You can sign up here.
I can’t even tell y’all how much I’ve been enjoying my own strength training workouts lately – and just being in the gym in general. Some of you know that I have worked at Metro Fitness Club in various capacities ranging from general manager to CrossFit coach to marketing and social media to personal trainer since 2012. My involvement at the gym has ebbed a bit since becoming a mom but it’s always been my gym home.
I am so glad that I made the decision to dial back in and start personal training again at the beginning of the year. I have around 10 clients right now and am in the process of bringing a couple more on board. After that, I think I am going to be fully at capacity with in-person training but I’m really enjoying the work and being at Metro. It’s a motivating environment and I’m inspired every day by my clients and fellow trainers! Really needed this change of pace and to be more plugged into in-person work and not spending so much time at home and online…especially post-pandemic and post-everything I went through with my parents’ health last year.
ON THE YOGA FRONT
It’s officially the SUMMER OF YOGA over here! I am enrolled in a 150 hour advanced yoga studies training at Asheville Yoga Center that takes place over the course of six weekends. The weekend dates happened to perfectly line up with my co-parenting schedule with Finn so I took it as a sign to go for it!
We had our first training weekend last weekend and wow. I jokingly say this but I feel like I’ve entered the Matrix. I have been teaching yoga for 12 years and have only scraped the surface of all the practice has to offer.
Our schedule is 5-9p on Fridays and 8a-5p on Saturdays and Sundays. We can attend virtually or in-person. I did the first weekend virtual but am planning to travel to Asheville for the second one. I had forgotten how hard it is to be on Zoom for hours on end like that! I won’t be able to logistically or financially swing being in Asheville for all of the five remaining weekends but I’d like to make it there for at least half of them.
The teaching staff for this training is truly incredible. I am awed by their experience and knowledge and feel so honored to be studying with them. It’s going to be a summer of learning and growth!
In addition to the time we spend in training, we also have a stack of books to make our way through, papers to write, daily practices to do and a service project to execute. I’m going to need take my time management skills to the next level.
ON THE LIFE FRONT
(romper is Naked Zebra, shoes, bag, heart necklace, bead necklace)
Nurturing my friendships and making time for socializing and fun is so important in maintaining balance with work and momming. I met Virginia and our friend Joe for dinner and ice cream last Saturday night after wrapping yoga training for the day.
Jeni’s is always a good idea! 🙂 I had a waffle cone with strawberry buttermilk and brown butter almond brittle.
Finn is loving the summer life with our amazing nanny! He’s spent the last two weeks swimming, enjoying play dates with friends, visiting Discovery Place Kids and Discovery Place Nature, splash padding and hitting up lots of different parks.
Happy to report that he’s sweet and snuggly as ever as a five year old. 🙂
Benji boy made a much needed trip to our groomer this week. This before and after cracks me up. To be honest, I prefer him a little overgrown and wild but it’s not sustainable due to matting and needing to be bathed which would definitely result in matting. On the doodle spectrum, Benji has more of a tighter curl poodle coat versus the easier to brush out golden coat.
Also, in the photo on the left Benji is giving his signature “smile.” He shows his teeth but it’s actually a submissive thing that he does when he’s anxious or thinks he’s in trouble.
I think I’ll call it a wrap! I need to work on some content creation for some upcoming brand collaborations and I want to get my crew out for a walk later. It’s a gorgeous day in Charlotte – 79, sunny and 32% humidity. My favorite!
QUESTIONS
Do you have any personal, professional or fitness goals this summer?
Favorite Jeni’s flavor? Has anyone tried the Everything Bagel?
Do you like attending out of the gym/yoga studio events like outdoor bootcamps or yoga in special venues?
Can you share the details for your shorts in the top photo?
Yes, it’s these! https://bit.ly/43gzwOc
I tried a sample of the Everything Bagel and I can’t imagine eating a full serving of it!
I love attending outdoor yoga classes and am looking forward to doing yoga on the beach while I am at the Outer Banks this summer. I’ve also taken yoga classes at museums in DC and at a couple of breweries. I think it is always fun to mix it up!
That’s what I would think about the Everything Bagel ice cream. Good to read this take on it. Outdoor summer yoga classes are the BEST – and at the beach? Even better!
“I have been teaching yoga for 12 years and have only scraped the surface of all the practice has to offer.” – this is so interesting to me. Would love to hear more about how your relationship with yoga has evolved over the years and what keeps you inspired!
Yes, I need to write a whole post about this. I have been drafting it in my head for weeks!