
I was never the kid who sought out a jump rope for fun, I wasn’t counting how many jumps I could do uninterrupted, and I wasn’t doing double dutch. However, as an adult I was handed a jump rope to work out and after a couple of minutes, I was gassed. So I incorporated it into workouts and developed a love for how much I hated it.At one point, I was even teaching a fitness class called “Ropes Gone Wild,” but that’s a story for a different day.So when CrossRope reached out, promising to make jumping rope at home a fun part of your workout (with a connected fitness component), I tried it, I loved it, and I selected a 25-minute workout my first time back to jumping rope. That was a mistake - my poor calves.And in the world, we’re going back to hybrid everything - hybrid work, hybrid workout. I know for me, if I choose to work out at home, it's because I’m in a time crunch, so I need whatever I do at home to be efficient.So today, we’re talking to two experts from Crossrope: Dave Hunt, Founder and CEO of Crossrope, and Jennika Landon, a Crossrope Trainer (who I’m pretty sure is also a molecular biologist). We’re going to dig in to making at home workouts fit your time and your lifestyle.References: * CrossRope (https://www.crossrope.com)* CrossRope on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/crossropejumpropes/)* Dave Hunt on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hunt-crossrope/)* Jennika Landon on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennika-landon-a332161a1/)
Dec 20, 2023
46 min

As a lifelong learner, I feel pretty fortunate that I get to interview smart people, innovators, and inventors and say, "teach me something."And this week, the big question was about Essential Fatty Acids. What makes a fatty acid essential? Spoiler: you have to ingest it and your body needs it for important functions. And what about saturated vs. unsaturated fats?We dig in with the co-founders of Fatty15, Stephanie and Eric Venn-Watson, on the discovery of the essential fatty acid you'll find in the Fatty15 capsules: C15:0.And the best part? Stephanie was studying dolphins when she made this discovery. Resources: * Fatty15 (https://fatty15.com/): the company that Eric and Stephanie co-founded* Stephanie Venn-Watson's TED Talk about her discovery that C15:0 is an essential fatty acid. (https://www.ted.com/talks/stephanie_venn_watson_dvm_mph_save_the_dolphins_save_the_world)* From The Washington Post: (https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2023/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease-kids/?itid=lk_inline_enhanced-template) mounting research that C15:0 deficiency is linked to diseases like Fatty Liver Disease* My first interview with Stephanie and Eric (https://asweatlife.com/2023/11/fatty15/)
Dec 13, 2023
38 min

The thing about being human is that we’re born ready to discover the world - the sights, the sounds, what makes us happy, what scares us, and even who we are. Our identity is something that comes to us piece by piece as we mature and explore the world around us. Can you imagine living a life that fully supports you discovering your identity?Today, we’re speaking with Dr. Gwen Bass about her work in creating identity-affirming environments that promote belonging. She also wrote a book Called Immaculate Misconception about her journey to finding her biological siblings who shared a sperm donor as well as her family that was created around love and belonging. She was one of the first children conceived in the '80s to two lesbian moms.That journey of identity and hiding her identity in certain situations and being accepted in others shaped her research and her academic work since.In this conversation, she talks about risk factors and protective factors for identity. Dr. Gwen shares some steps that leaders can take to ensure that folks know that they an be themselves while not getting in the way of others needs being met. We talk about how the concepts of belonging apply to the fitness space. Dr. Gwen chats through how yoga is an exceptionally inclusive fitness space because of the ways instructors cue leveling up and down, using props. She talks about:* Leadership in a fitness space* Music in a fitness space * The language used in a fitness* The Peloton App and how the instructors take the modifications and how important that modeling isReferences: * Dr. Gwen Bass (https://www.drgwenbass.com/)* Immaculate Misconception (https://www.drgwenbass.com/immaculate-misconception)* Dr. Gwen Bass on aSweatLife.com (https://asweatlife.com/2023/07/gwen-bass-immaculate-misconception/)* Peloton Digital fitness (https://www.onepeloton.com/app)
Dec 6, 2023
33 min

We kicked off season 9 of the podcast a bit later than expected. We learned of the untimely and unexpected passing of Ryan Deffet (https://www.routsong.com/obituaries/ryan-deffet) this fall - aSweatLife's friend and the longtime editor of this podcast. We waited to come back until we could mourn Ryan and find a way to properly memorialize him.His friends and band mates from The Space Gators (https://open.spotify.com/artist/5hBMI2qIrzfz8okOOFDkVu?si=47_0QTy9T2-AAoZzuSoqqg) allowed us to use a song that featured Ryan on vocals called "Somewhere To Be (https://open.spotify.com/track/1fiFIrhl5S8bo3VukMReI6?si=4481e31a3e3a46e8)" at the upfront of the episode. We hope you'll take the time to listen to that beautiful song in this week's episode.We spend this episode going over what's to come on aSweatLife (including big updates for the Ambassador (https://asweatlife.com/ambassador-program/) program) and on our podcast. As we come back this season, you'll hear us talking to experts who we ask to teach us something.We're excited for you to come along with us on this journey.Show notes:* Remember Ryan Deffet (https://www.routsong.com/obituaries/ryan-deffet) with us and give his band The Space Gators (https://open.spotify.com/artist/5hBMI2qIrzfz8okOOFDkVu?si=47_0QTy9T2-AAoZzuSoqqg), a follow* The aSweatLife Ambassador program (https://asweatlife.com/ambassador-program/)* Email the aSweatLife team if you want to partner for aSweatLife's Studio of the Month (mailto:[email protected])* the Ultramarathoner that Kelly fangirled over: Courtney Dauwalter (https://www.instagram.com/courtneydauwalter/?hl=en)* Our new community platform, Circle (https://community.asweatlife.com/)* The Tour du Mont Blanc (https://www.autourdumontblanc.com/en/)* Kelly's trip on the Tour Du Mont Blanc, summarized (https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw6cEQIrt8x/)* Get a glimpse at my officiating skills (and the cutest wedding ever) (https://www.instagram.com/p/CyCO1cWLGguZS54ngBIPjrNSw8VYaHa_9vb7-s0/) and the moment we all waited for (https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw3WIonv9IC/?img_index=3)* Reflections from summer (https://www.instagram.com/p/CzaNcwMr3ul/?img_index=10) from Jeana's Instagram
Nov 22, 2023
44 min

It has admittedly been a weird week or so on the Internet. We went from learning that aliens might be super real (told you, Gideon (https://asweatlife.com/2023/07/316-gideon-akande-project-365/)) to moving on. Maybe it was the full moon, who knows.So, we decompressed and talked it over on our monthly tête-à-tête - our podcast episode that we call "Let's Talk About It." Sure, we spent a little bit of time talking about aliens and whether or not they're just tourist, but we also covered which astrology apps we like and what we're saving on Instagram and TikTok.On this week's episode, you'll hear from me, Jeana Anderson Cohen, and from the Senior Director of Communities at aSweatLife, Kelly Matkovich. Joining us is Dana Farber who runs Moonstone marketing and works with aSweatLife on content strategy and social media.Resources:* What Dana is saving on social: Snack queen baked potato dip (https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT88fdv44/)* What Dana is saving on social: Women living alone - extra lock (https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT88fMu9w/)* What Dana is saving on social: Treehouse glamping in Washington (https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT88fYgU4/)* What Kelly is saving on social: Heel hook (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tPGJ3-mxbY)* What Kelly is saving on social: Tour de mont blanc (https://www.gadventures.com/travel-styles/active/hiking-trekking/mont-blanc/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2qKmBhCfARIsAFy8buJY2Xenhd3iD2bY4PBKciZE6Sr-kmA5Mc8D7kmebTUPavO0wK5ztZgaAgseEALw_wcB)* What Kelly is saving on social: Derma planing (https://www.gillettevenus.com/en-us/womens-shaving-guide/womens-hair-removal/dermaplaning-and-benefits/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2qKmBhCfARIsAFy8buI3ymcLxwJNonSa9K8orE1kwPQTJ00TzKykRrDZNl1UosSUw36VXjQaAi78EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)* UFO hearings (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ufo-hearing-congress-uap-takeaways-whistleblower-conference-david-grusch-2023/)* Therabody smart goggles (https://www.therabody.com/us/en-us/eye-mask-smart-goggles/?utm_a=140175693782&gclid=CjwKCAjwq4imBhBQEiwA9Nx1BkihRiu-MY4ARLgzfEPrEmQpTJtz1EgpG-9ptzq-vkGSR0KDOC6brRoCnuwQAvD_BwE)* Mystic Monday (https://www.mysticmondays.com/)* Horoscope app: Co-star (https://www.costarastrology.com/)* Horoscope app: Pattern (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-pattern/id1071085727)* Horoscope app: Sanctuary (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sanctuary-psychic-reading/id1417411962)* Astrology app: The chani app (https://chaninicholas.com/chani-app/)* Tarot card app: mystic monday (https://shop.mysticmondays.com/pages/app)* Dana’s playlists for moods: sad (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWSqBruwoIXkA?si=0ae1ab556cc74798&nd=1)* Dana’s playlists for moods: stay in bed (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX6tTW0xDxScH?si=0f3f72f6dd614b33&nd=1)* Dana’s playlists for moods: Lazy Afternoon (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX7QUXSrhM7mI?si=5085b3e85f694171&nd=1)* Therabody Smart Goggles (https://www.therabody.com/us/en-us/eye-mask-smart-goggles/?utm_a=143592395758&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2qKmBhCfARIsAFy8buKlu9Ff--VO-1TY-d-CaDxpDhrgtMesUGhFqDbOrt_O7t2R0clurK4aAjivEALw_wcB)
Aug 2, 2023
49 min

Have you ever seen a small, round sensor on the back of someone’s arm? For a long time, those continuous glucose monitors were only used for monitoring the blood glucose of those with Diabetes. My grandfather had diabetes and he would check his blood glucose twice a day using a finger prick. I remember distinctly the sound of the little device - it was like a stapler - I also remember the curse words that would follow.So, I assumed as I was putting the Freestyle Libre on the back of my arm that it would be as painful as the finger pricks. It was not. And for two weeks, I wore it and dutifully trained the January.ai App to help me understand and control my blood glucose.It created something called a "digital twin" which learned which behaviors led to blood sugar spikes and valleys. If creating a digital twin of yourself sounds scary, and like the robots are coming. Well, the robots are coming anyway, so, we might as well team up with them to make our lives better.Joining me today is Noosheen Hashemi, CEO and Founder of January.ai, which uses AI to help manage your glucose and predict the impact of key behaviors on our body’s unique metabolism. Resources:* Use code "SWEAT25" for 25% off January.ai (https://www.january.ai/how-it-works)* Follow January on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellojanuaryai/)* Abbott will be releasing more sensors (https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/abbott-ceo-ford-unveils-lingo-line-sports-biosensors-based-diabetes-monitoring-tech)* Eliud Kipchoge (https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2021-04-12-Worlds-Fastest-Marathoner-Eliud-Kipchoge-Uses-Abbotts-Libre-Sense-at-NN-Mission-Marathon-Qualifier-Race-for-the-Olympic-Games#:~:text=ABBOTT%20PARK%2C%20Ill.%2C%20April,their%20athletic%20performance%20training%20program.) on using the Abbott sensor for marathon training* Exercise and blood glucose (https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/fitness/why-does-exercise-sometimes-raise-blood-sugar) (american diabetes association)* Noosheen’s daughter on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/strictlythegoodstuff/)* How blood glucose testing works with testing strips (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4322747/#:~:text=The%20level%20of%20glucose%20in,%2FdL%20or%20mmol%2FL.)
Jul 26, 2023
50 min

If we were on TikTok right now, I’d be referring to myself as an “anxiety girlie” and as such, I have tried many, many anxiety coping mechanisms and recently, I discovered the Quiet Mind (https://www.onequietmind.com/) weighted pillow and I am super in love.And joining me today on the podcast is Mikey Goldman, creator of Quiet Mind. We talk through where the idea came from, and a few of his big backers, like Nick woodman of GoPro and Chad Hurley of YouTube.We also discuss the reasons Mikey created Quiet Mind - a diagnosis of ADHD and managing the symptoms that came with taking multiple medications - and how surprising it was to him that a weighted pillow didn't exist already.References: * Quiet Mind (https://www.onequietmind.com/) - code ASWEATLIFE - gets 15% Off!* Thingtesting (https://thingtesting.com/brands/quiet-mind/reviews)'s take on Quiet Mind* Scholarly article about Deep Pressure Stimulation (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5612681/) on Autism* The effects of deep pressure on Anxiety (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3688151/)* Better Homes and Gardens (https://www.bhg.com/quiet-mind-weighted-pillows-launch-7499238) on the Launch of Quiet Mind * Hugging a pillow while sleeping (https://www.onequietmind.com/blogs/news/hugging-pillow-while-sleeping) - advice from the Quiet Mind blog
Jul 19, 2023
41 min

I'm the kind of friend that keeps up with people through their posts. And this year, it's been pretty hard to miss what my friend AND yours Gideon Akande is up to: he committed to doing 365 consecutive days of movement. He's calling it Project 365, and it's a lot less daunting than you might think.On this week's episode of the podcast, I asked Gideon to share the rules of his challenge - he didn't love the word "rules," but shared the guidelines nonetheless. Basically, he can do anything for exercise at any time of the day as long as it's "concentrated exercise" for a minimum of 15 minutes. So taking a walk for exercise versus taking a walk to commute and counting the multi-task.At first, I was worried about his recovery. "He'll burn out!" I thought. But on a closer look, he's doing this in a safe and strategic way. (It's almost like he's a personal trainer or something).So we talk about WHY he started and I found it completely relatable. As a new dad, he found himself moving less. And because movement is a big part of his life as a three-time Chicago Golden Gloves champion, trainer, and national winner of the Men’s Health Next Top Trainer competition.He lives for movement and wanted to make sure he was walking the walk.I loved this entire conversation, but my favorite part was hearing what Gideon has learned in more than six months of this challenge. I won't spoil it for you, but the key word is JOY.Resources: * Gideon Akande on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithgiddy/)* Get a 7-day trial of the get Fit with Giddy app (https://my.playbookapp.io/gideon-akande/checkout)* Body Bar Pilates (https://bodybarpilates.com/)* Gideon’s favorite Nigerian Foods: Iyan (https://afrifoodnetwork.com/recipes/swallow-recipes/pounded-yam/) and Efo Riro (https://simshomekitchen.com/efo-riro/)* Restore Hyper Wellness (https://www.restore.com/)* According to Live Sciences (https://www.livescience.com/should-you-work-out-every-day#:~:text=Working%20out%20every%20day%20is,lead%20to%20injuries%20and%20burnout.), you can work out every day IF you’re strategic.* Train moment (https://www.trainmoment.com/)* Lululemon Experiential (https://shop.lululemon.com/stores/us/chicago/lincoln-park/spaces/yoga-studio) (where you can find Gideon on the schedule)* Rise nation (https://rise-nation.com/chicago/)* Swish house (https://www.swishhouse.com/)* Communities: Movement (https://www.instagram.com/move__men__t/)* Northern Lights visible in Chicago this Wednesday July 12 (https://www.npr.org/2023/07/09/1186525577/northern-lights-aurora-borealis-2023)
Jul 12, 2023
39 min

This week, in passing we mentioned that at the end of the aSweatLife summer intern’s time with us we would sit down and tell her everything we had to learn the hard way after college graduation. Then we realized that we should probably record it as ...
Jul 5, 2023
59 min

During aSweatLife’s annual event, Sweatworking Week, we met a lot of new people. We love that about Sweatworking Week. And they had questions about where aSweatLife came from and why. We figured we might as well share the story since you’re asking.So this week, we turned the tables and Kelly Matkovich, who leads aSweatLife's ambassador program interviewed Jeana Anderson Cohen, founder/CEO of aSweatLife.We talk over the beginning of aSweatLife, where the ambassadorship came from, our first revenue stream and what keeps us going today.References: * aSweatLife (https://asweatlife.com/)* aSweatLife ambassadors (https://asweatlife.com/ambassador-program/)* Podcast episode from Jan 4th; Ambassador program (https://asweatlife.com/ambassador-program/)* From Fast Company: How Dabbling Helps Your Career (https://www.fastcompany.com/3024902/how-dabbling-can-actually-help-your-career#:~:text=%E2%80%9C%5BDabbling%5D%20enables%20employees%20to,products%2C%20or%20create%20new%20ones)* Devil’s Thumb Ranch (https://www.devilsthumbranch.com/find-your-room/?gclid=CjwKCAjwkeqkBhAnEiwA5U-uM4VTGPyON5Yt9yhQO47JJvm2iKv2WBV4KgjZ7sttTYi6yPc4FcLLHRoCTr8QAvD_BwE)* Oura Ring (https://ouraring.com/discount/dce4c54c80)
Jun 28, 2023
59 min
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