On today's episode I was able to sit down with my friend and colleague Taylor Rae Almonte to unpack and discuss systemic racism and how we can play a role in working against it. Taylor is an actor, and athlete (I work with her at Rumble Boxing!) and she's recently taken on the role of social media activist. Her weekly #BLM newsletters have key terms, topics, and discussion points to help educate and inspire. I am so thankful and privileged to be able to learn from her as well as have her on my platform to share with others. Taylor Rae Almonte | @taylorraealmonte | taylorraealmonte.com Julia Stern | @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast --- HOLISTIK Wellness | HOLISTIK Wellness is a locally grown CBD sitr stick that can be stirred or poured into your beverage for benefits in areas such as post-workout recovery, sleep, digestion, and overall relief. Use code NOTMYBEST at HOLISTIKWELLNESS.com for 25% off your next order --- Music: "Upbeat Party" By Scott Holmes From the Free Music Archive CC by NC

Welcome to season 2 of Not My Best! This season will contain 10 episodes on relevant topics to help you stop trying to live your best life, and start actually living a better one. First up, Julia has friend, partner, and fellow Rumble trainer Erika Hammond to talk all things fitness and wellness, and to launch their new brand, The Strong Collective. Julia and Erika are creating a collective of individuals who are in search for strength beyond the workout. Programs for your body, motivation for your mind, and a collective to help boost your mood. The Strong Collective will launch later this week! The Strong Collective: https://www.instagram.com/strongcollective/ (@StrongCollective) | thestrongcollective.fit Erika Hammond: @erikaannhammond Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast ------ HOLISTIK Wellness | HOLISTIK Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be stirred or poured into your beverage for benefits in areas such as post-workout recovery, sleep, digestion, or overall wellness and relief. Use code NOTMYBEST at HOLISTIKWELLNESS.com for 25% off your next order. -------- Music: "Upbeat Party" by Scott Holmes From the Free Music Archive CC by NC

While we're stuck inside, I'm is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Today's episode is an honest conversation with Shannon Decker, a personal trainer who I had the absolute pleasure of getting to know when I lived LA. Most recently, she's the female trainer on the Shred app, which is currently the number one fitness app in the App Store. Shannon's success is the result of her desire to help others, her infectious personality, her work ethic, and her philosophies that we discuss in this podcast. We were able to agree on so many things, including the Better Not Best Mindset, and the strategies that have provided the most growth in our career and our lives. To day we get into: How to organize your hustle so you're the most effective The art of the niche Tricks to kick the comparison habit Why it's important during this time to work less Advice for at home workouts Insight into how we fuel ourselves Shannon Decker: @shannonshape Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast --- Holistik Wellness | Holistik Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be put into your beverage for benefits in areas like post-workout recovery, sleep, overall relief and wellness. Use code NOTMYBEST at http://holistikwellness.com/ (holistikwellness.com) for 25% off your next order.

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. On today's episode, Divya Gugnani, CEO and Co-founder of Wander Beauty, stresses the importance of small changes we can make in our beauty routine to live a healthier life. Wander beauty was started as a way to streamline beauty routines for busy people (like me), but it also rids the hormone disrupting toxins that we consume (unknowingly) from most beauty products. We talk all about managing being a CEO and a mom, the value of connectivity during social distancing, and how to balance it all while staying home. We cover so much goodness in this episode, so have a glass of cabernet with us and enjoy this conversation! Diva Gugnani: @divyagugnani Wander Beauty: @wanderbeauty | wanderbeauty.com Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast --------- Holistik Wellness | Holistik Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be stirred or poured into your beverage for benefits in areas like post-workout recovery, sleep, or overall wellness and relief. Use code NOTMYBEST at http://holistikwellness.com/ (HOLISTIKWELLNESS.COM) (http://holistikwellness.com/ (HOLISTIKWELLNESS.COM)) for 25% off your next order.

I originally wanted to talk to Bec, NYC trainer and owner of Go Basic, because she had her breast implants removed (an explant) after she fell ill from getting them. Her story is not only fascinating and eye opening, it speaks to the importance of self love and body acceptance. In this episode you will learn: All about how her high quality booty bands came to fruition. The biggest challenges she has faced since starting her own company Why she got her breast implants How she came to the decision to have explant surgery Her journey through this detox How to love your body, as it is. *This episode was recorded in February 2020; Pre-Quarantine/Social Distancing.* Bec Donlan: https://my.captivate.fm/instagram.com/sweatwithbec (@sweatwithbec) | https://my.captivate.fm/instagram.com/gobasic (@gobasic) Julia Stern: https://my.captivate.fm/instagram.com/julialstern (@julialstern )| https://my.captivate.fm/instagram.com/notmybestpodcast (@notmybestpodcast) ------ HOLISTIK Wellness | HOLISTIK Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be put into your beverage for benefits in areas like post-workout recovery, sleep, overall relief and wellness. Use code NOTMYBEST at http://holistikwellness.com/ (holistikwellness.com) for 25% off your next order.

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Today we have Alyssa Coscarelli, otherwise known as @Alyssainthecity on the ‘gram. Alyssa is a freelance fashion writer, style influencer, and consultant, who has worked with so many high-end brands doing event hosting, writing, styling and creating content. Now, like most of us, she is figuring out how to work from home and creating her new normal. She is a New Yorker living in LA with her boyfriend and we immediately bonded over the struggle of living in an apartment with your significant other and trying to make it work. In this ep you'll also hear about how to take a side hustle to a full time career, and the struggle of finding some balance in the process. Enjoy the tips on creating your new normal during COVID-19. Alyssa Coscarelli: @alyssainthecity | alyssacoscarelli.com Julia Stern: @JulialStern | @notmybestpodcast - HOLISTIK Wellness | HOLISTIK Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be stirred or poured into your beverage for benefits in areas like post-workout recovery, sleep, or overall wellness and relief. Use code NOTMYBEST at HOLISTIKWELLNESS.COM for 25% off your next order.

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Mills McQueen is the founder of Mineral, a cannabinoid based wellness company. If you could bottle up what an amazing human Mills is, that is Mineral. After an infection from a parasite that nearly took his life, Mills used a holistic approach to both remain calm and heal himself physically. He has so many admirable daily practices and values that we could all benefit from implementing in our lives right now. Though we may not be able to live exactly like him, we can surely learn from him to become a little bit better. In this episode, we are talking about how nurturing your mindset can transform your wellness and physical health. Mineral: @mineralhealth | https://mineralhealth.co/ (https://mineralhealth.co/) Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast ----- R.E.D.D. Bar | REDD is a low in sugar, high in adaptogens protein bar for betting snacking. Use code NOTMYBEST at http://reddbar.com/ (reddbar.com) (http://reddbar.com/ (reddbar.com) ) for 15% off your next order

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Jacqueline Andriakos is navigating her new normal while she's quarantined with her family, and she's bring us all of the tips and tricks for staying well through the lens of Women's Health. In this episode, you'll learn how to reset, connect while social distancing, and get a sweat in while you're doing it. Jacqueline Andriakos: @jandriakos | @womenshealthmag Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast _ R.E.D.D. Bar | REDD is a low in sugar, high in adaptogens protein bar for betting snacking. Use code NOTMYBEST at reddbar.com for 15% off your next order

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Dan Churchill came to the US from Australia and is combines nutrition and athletic performance into his life and career daily. As the co-founder of the restaurant Charley St., he aims to create meals that are both delicious and hold a ton of nutritional value, so we can perform better. Today's episode will get into: How to cook while quarantined without letting it take over your day. Post-meal cleaning tips Snack ideas to stock up on The foods you should grab when you grocery shop during the quarantine How to prevent food from spoiling The meal prep service you can use if all of the above fails :) Dan Churchill: @dan_churchill | @charleyst Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast 2020 challenge: DM @julialstern with your email address to receive 20 quarantine workout videos for $20! R.E.D.D. Bar | a low in sugar protein bar that's high in adaptogens for better snacking. Use code NOTMYBEST at reddbar.com for 15% off.

Julia and Andy Stern discuss their new normal amidst self-quarantine. One week into isolation, you'll hear the good, the bad, and the bizarre. They also discuss the pivot they've seen fitness trainers and studios take in the past few week, how to weather the storm from a professional standpoint, and tips for making the most of your time indoors. _ Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast Andy Stern: @andrewgtstern Workout with us on @doyourumble 's IGTV Workout with Julia live and on demand at obefitness.com | code JULIA100 for 30 days free - R.E.D.D. Bar: Low in sugar, high in adaptogens, and completely plant based protein bars. Use code NOTMYBEST at reddbar.com for 15% off