FITAID: What was the first marathon you ran in, and what motivated you to start running marathons?
My first marathon was in Salt Lake City Utah in 2012. I signed up for that marathon to do something for myself, not for a coach or my family or anyone else. Finishing that race was very empowering and inspired me to sign up for more.
FITAID: To this date, how many marathons have you participated in and do they ever get easier?
So far, I’ve finished 112 marathons total. I don’t know if I can say that they ever get “easier” because each one is different—even if I run the same course over again, it’s still a different race and it could be harder or easier or the same the second time. You just don’t know. It’s all about mindset on the day. You can come in with a terrible mindset and run a terrible race, or you can trust your training and run a great race (even if the time isn’t your best). But definitely, once I started adding CrossFit/strength training in, everything changed so that, even if it isn’t easier, it’s better. I mean, strength training has meant that I haven’t had to do so many grueling miles in preparation and can still run lean and strong and achieve better times than ever (I’m 30+ minutes faster than before CrossFit). Plus, I just don’t get injured like I was before. And it’s given me faster recovery—before adding strength training, it would take me 10 to 12 days to recover from a marathon, but now I can bounce back after a marathon and train just as hard the next day as I would have otherwise. And I feel great doing it.
FITAID: What do you enjoy most about running these marathons?
Running gives me a sense of independence. It’s just me and my body and what I can do. When I first started running, it was because I needed an outlet for things that were going on. I still get that release but I also get a sense of accomplishment and achievement.
FITAID: Can you describe the training process for getting ready to run a marathon? How do you prepare both mentally and physically?
I’m pretty much always in training, so ramping up for a marathon doesn’t change much for me. But I do offer advice to the athletes I coach. To start, if they’re just getting into running, I remind them to meet themselves where they are. No one just steps out the door and completes a marathon. It’s all about the baby steps and going forward one small bit at a time. Training isn’t about pounding out mile after mile—it’s about combining strength training (lifting), plyometrics, and a speed-focused (interval training) running schedule to produce results. I get my athletes to work on building both muscle and running endurance so they can feel confident about being able to finish that many miles. From a mental perspective, mindset can be tough. Some tools and tricks that have worked for me are to think of something I’m grateful for each mile and just take it one at a time. Don’t think about what’s left to do but what you’re doing right in the moment. And when I’ve gotten stuck in a particular mindset, I try to stand outside of it to shift my perspective—like how an upset might be better for letting me add new ways to train or how giving in to a feeling instead of fighting it can actually let me have more success. COVID has taught me a lot about my mental health and focus, which has let me help my athletes more too.
FITAID: While you’re running, what is running through your head?
Everything. It could be what I want to eat later in the day. Solving a problem at work or in my personal life. Things I am grateful for. Right when I finish I forget what I was thinking about it. It's really odd!
FITAID: Any superstitions you have before races?
I have 4 songs I have to listen to. I have to have one of my lucky numbers on my bibs. Or at least the numbers on my bib have to add or subtract to my lucky number.
FITAID: Morning of the Boston Marathon, what did you have for breakfast? Fruits? Bagel? Water? Or perhaps a FITAID ENERGY?
I ate an apple and drank a FITAID Energy Mango Sorbet an hour before. I drink a PARTYAID when I finish!
FITAID: While running, do you have a specific playlist you listen to? If so, who is your go to artist?
I don’t listen to music. I like to hear my footsteps and focus on breath control. Listening to music changes that.
FITAID: What is the next marathon you plan on running?
I’m signed up for the Colfax Marathon in May!
Thinking of training for a marathon? Have you finished a marathon? Tag us on Instagram with your marathon experiences! @FITAID
FITAID: What was the first marathon you ran in, and what motivated you to start running marathons? My first marathon was in Salt Lake City Utah in 2012. I signed up for that marathon to do something for myself, not for a coach or my family or anyone else. Finishing that race was very empowering […]
Track Your Sleep to Optimize Your Life
Harpreet Rai, an entrepreneur and the CEO of Oura Ring, shares his insights on how your sleep can affect your well being and everyday life. In this episode he talks about how to improve your sleep through tracking, how sleep improves your focus, mental and physical health and much more.
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17 Proven Tips on How to Sleep Better at Night
Is your sleep routine consistent? When was the last time you put your phone away BEFORE you got into bed? Check out this article to read about 15 more tips for getting better sleep, so you feel more energized throughout the day.
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Track Your Sleep to Optimize Your Life Harpreet Rai, an entrepreneur and the CEO of Oura Ring, shares his insights on how your sleep can affect your well being and everyday life. In this episode he talks about how to improve your sleep through tracking, how sleep improves your focus, mental and physical health and […]
Do you crash after the effects of your energy drink wears off? It is quite a common problem that many people face with their energy drink consumption. And while energy drinks should add to your lifestyle and give you, well, energy, the aftereffects can cause further troubles sometimes.
For the most part, energy crashes are a result of the effect of ingredients present in an energy drink. This is the reason why experiencing a crash is more common with energy beverages containing high amounts of sugar. While sugar and caffeine work together to increase your adrenaline, dopamine, and insulin concentrations, they can also have side effects.
Significant doses of energy-boosting ingredients in energy drinks can give you that boost, but they also cause your hormone levels to return to normal, resulting in exhaustion. This is known as the crash.
Understanding Caffeine Crashes
Energy drinks only take as much as 10 minutes to reach your system, causing a spike in the blood pressure and heart rate. But caffeine absorption usually peaks around 15 to 45 minutes later. As a result, you feel extra alert and have better focus.
In about 30 to 50 minutes of consumption, all caffeine in energy drinks metabolizes. Then, the liver acts by absorbing even more sugar into the circulation. In about an hour, the benefits of the caffeine may start to wear off, and a sugar crash becomes possible. Energy levels begin to dwindle as fatigue also sets in as a result.
Caffeine
Caffeine consumption through energy drinks is a great way of temporarily inhibiting adenosine pathways. This is the chemical associated with how fatigued a person feels. So temporary inhibition in pathways of this chemical can give you a quick energy boost as well as enable more 'feel good' compounds in the brain. As a result, you feel more alert and energetic to complete the tasks at hand.
Although we all can experience the energy boost, there is limited scientific evidence to prove caffeine's role in decreasing mental fatigue. In fact, surveys reveal that significant doses of caffeine can often lead to crashes and physical and mental exhaustion.
Most high-sugar energy drinks contain as much as 505 mg of caffeine, whereas the recommended amount for caffeine consumption is only 400 mg per day.
Sugar
Are you familiar with the terms' sugar high' or 'sugar hangover? A sugar hangover is what happens after consuming a high-sugar energy drink. This refers to a condition when the consumption of too much sugar in a short period of time causes temporary hyperglycemia.
While this spike in insulin level initially translates to a boost of energy, its aftereffects also include headaches, foggy thinking, thirst, and fatigue.
The infusion of energy from high amounts of sugar is usually short-lived and results in fatigue. This happens when your body finally uses up the sugar, and your insulin levels plummet. In less than an hour of a sugar boost, you will begin to lag down.
Other Ingredients
Energy drinks also contain various other energy-boosting ingredients that can cause a crash to occur.
For example, many energy drinks also contain guarana, another stimulant similar to caffeine. In combination, caffeine and guarana can give a big jolt of energy. This energy boost is often more than enough to cause a crash after its effects start wearing off.
Crashing after consuming high-sugar energy drinks is more common than you might think. This is mostly a result of ingredients like caffeine, sugar, guarana, etc. Let us know if you frequently experience crashing and how you deal with it.
To boost energy, substitute those high sugar energy drinks with FITAID Energy + Sports Recovery. Crack open an ice cold FITAID Energy + Sports Recovery for all the right vitamins, minerals, and caffeine. FITAID Energy is sure to not leave you with that sugar “crash” feeling. Check them out here.
Do you crash after the effects of your energy drink wears off? It is quite a common problem that many people face with their energy drink consumption. And while energy drinks should add to your lifestyle and give you, well, energy, the aftereffects can cause further troubles sometimes. For the most part, energy crashes are […]
The human body produces muscles, bone, and skin on a daily basis. It also carries oxygen and nutrients to all organs and sends nerve signals along with brain and body pathways. That is not all; your body is also responsible for formulating chemical messengers that issue instructions for sustaining your life.
While it performs all these amazing functions, your body cannot do so without some essential raw materials. These include various dietary components, minerals, and a minimum of 30 vitamins, including Vitamins B, C, D3, and E. Although these are necessary for the normal performance of important processes in the body, the body is unable to generate the nutrients on its own.
Vitamins and Their Benefits- Vitamins B, C, D3, and E
Vitamins perform hundreds of roles in order for your body to perform its functions normally and properly. This is the reason why eating a healthy diet is essential to living a healthy life. You can acquire these essential vitamins through your everyday diet intakes such as foods, dietary supplements, and in several LIFEAID beverages. Here are some essential vitamins and why they are important.
B Complex
B vitamins refer to a group of 8 water-soluble vitamins that are associated with essential roles in the completion of cellular functions of the body. Not only this, but adequate amounts of B vitamins in the body promote healthy brain function, help prevent cancer, and combat stress and fatigue.
These are the only water-soluble vitamins, excluding vitamin C. Vitamins making up the B complex include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), cobalamins (vitamin B12), folic acid and biotin.
You can find B vitamins in a variety of foods, while animal sources like meat are rich in vitamin B12.
Vitamin C
Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C aids the development, growth, and repair of all tissues in the body. This vitamin is necessary for numerous bodily functions, including iron absorption, wound healing, and collagen formation. It also maintains teeth, bones, and cartilage and the proper functioning of the immune system.
Vitamin C also carries antioxidant properties that protect against free radical damage. Free radicals tend to build up, leading to the development of severe health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. It also works to reduce the effects of harmful toxins and pollutants like cigarette smoke, etc.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that supports overall health, including the immune system, muscles, bones, and even your mood. Most importantly, this vitamin is responsible for the amount of phosphate and calcium absorption from food.
While calcium is essential for bone health, phosphate plays its role in the maintenance of healthy muscles, teeth, bones, and nerves. This is the reason why lack of vitamin D in the body is a common reason for pain and inflammation.
Vitamin D is available in two forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. While both can fulfill your body’s vitamin D needs, vitamin D3 lasts much longer than vitamin D2. Additionally, it also performs better at increasing overall vitamin D levels in the body.
Vitamin E
Many people believe that vitamin E is a single compound. However, the E vitamin actually refers to 8 fat-soluble compounds total with amazing antioxidant properties. Alpha-tocopherol is the best E vitamin that meets all vitamin E dietary requirements of the human body.
Vitamin E plays numerous roles in the body but is most popular for its role in protecting the cells from oxidative damage. It does this by neutralizing free radicals that cause damage to cells and aid the development of health conditions. Additionally, vitamin E also plays a huge role in cellular signaling and proper immune function.
Nutrients like vitamins B. C, D3, and E are essential for the body to perform its functions properly. Lack of any of these important nutrients can increase health risks and cause other health-related issues.
What is your favorite LIFEAID blend? Have you incorporated Vitamins B, C, D3, and E into your diet? Tag us on Instagram! @FITAID
The human body produces muscles, bone, and skin on a daily basis. It also carries oxygen and nutrients to all organs and sends nerve signals along with brain and body pathways. That is not all; your body is also responsible for formulating chemical messengers that issue instructions for sustaining your life. While it performs all […]
Working with Colleagues: Should You Collaborate or Compete? - HBR IdeaCast Episode 848
Randall Peterson, founding director of the Leadership Institute at London Business School, has been investigating coworker dynamics for years. Through his recent analyses of workplace collaboration, he has gathered that “the idea of head-to-head competition for advancement has gone out of style in favor of a more cooperative ideal”. Although this is true, different strategies for collaboration are better for certain projects. Read on to learn more about different strategies for effective collaboration.
Collaborate Smarter, Not Harder - MIT Sloan
Collaboration allows for input from individuals with different perspectives and skills, meaning that the final product will be better than if they were completed alone. But what about the efficiency of our collaboration? Read this article from the faculty at MIT Sloan to learn techniques that can reduce the costs of collaboration and increase its rewards.
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships."
- Michael Jordan
4 Ways Collaboration Has Fundamentally Changed - Diane Chalef (Forbes)
Diane Chalef, former Google Workspace Lead and Forbes writer, gives us her insight in this article about the enormous shifts in how workplace collaboration takes place. “Cooperation was usually thought of as keeping everyone in their own swim lane and getting buy-in or approvals across teams and departments at the right time. But collaboration is now about combining swim lanes”. Read on to learn how collaboration has fundamentally changed and how organizations are using it to accelerate innovation.
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever - Michael Bungay Stanier
Drawing on years of experience training more than 10,000 busy managers from around the globe in practical, everyday coaching skills, Bungay Stanier reveals how to unlock your peoples' potential. Read Stanier’s seven essential coaching questions and learn how saying less and asking more could change your effectiveness as a manager.
FITAID Energy is Finally Here!
I could not be more thrilled to share our newest innovation, FITAID Energy. Naturally sweetened with 200mg of clean caffeine and available in four electric flavors, it has been a huge hit already. Make sure to try it today and let me know what you think over on Instagram!
Working with Colleagues: Should You Collaborate or Compete? – HBR IdeaCast Episode 848 Randall Peterson, founding director of the Leadership Institute at London Business School, has been investigating coworker dynamics for years. Through his recent analyses of workplace collaboration, he has gathered that “the idea of head-to-head competition for advancement has gone out of style […]
Self-Care in the Workplace: Why It’s Important from Sentry Health
This episode of the For Your Benefit podcast from Sentry Health is all about self-care in the workplace - what it means, how to practice it, and how the last few years have altered our perspectives on how to take care of ourselves. Renowned author Jason Lauritsen explains how self-care cultivates human potential at work and improves peoples’ lives.
Self-Care Isn’t Just Good For You—It’s Also Good For Your Productivity
John Hall, strategic advisor for growth marketing agency Relevance, has helped thousands of organizations become more successful. He explains that self-care is not a selfish luxury, but rather a necessary practice that gives you the energy to pursue the things that really matter.
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."
- Anne Lamott
How Self-Care Became So Much Work
It is clear that self-care is essential, but how do we actually practice this? It turns out, self-care can take on a lot of different forms. Dive into the Harvard Business Review’s analysis of the $11 Billion dollar self-care industry, including meditation apps, Fitbits, and goat yoga.
The Daily Stoic - 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
An instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Ryan Holiday brings us The Daily Stoic - a book of daily insights and exercises inspired by ancient philosophers and modern research. After a year of following these teachings, you will find the serenity, self-knowledge, and resilience you need to live well.
Self-Care in the Workplace: Why It’s Important from Sentry Health This episode of the For Your Benefit podcast from Sentry Health is all about self-care in the workplace – what it means, how to practice it, and how the last few years have altered our perspectives on how to take care of ourselves. Renowned author […]
Modern Mentor Podcast - How to Achieve Executive Presence in 2022
Executive presence is one's ability to inspire trust, credibility, and poise. But what does that actually mean and how do you achieve it? Modern Mentor shares her favorite framework and some simple action steps you can take to inspire confidence in your leadership capability.
Mentoring Matters: Three Essential Elements Of Success by Mary Abbajay
Mentoring is an underutilized, yet incredibly powerful professional growth tool. Research shows that organizations that engage in mentoring have higher levels of employee engagement, retention, and knowledge sharing. With so much benefit to companies, it makes sense that over 70% of firms on the Fortune 500 list offer mentoring programs to their employees. Read on to see how mentorship could benefit you and your organization.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill
10 Reasons Why A Mentor Is A Must
Mentors provide information and knowledge, can see where we need to improve, and help stimulate our personal and professional growth. Check out this article to see why having mentors is a sign of strength, showing that you are smart and driven enough to succeed.
Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything
We can find many astute mentors, train ourselves professionally, and work to meet our goals each day. But if we are unable to retain the knowledge we obtain, then we will find it hard to grow in our lives. In Moonwalking With Einstein, Joshua Foer teaches us how to unlock our brain and revolutionize the power of our memory.
Modern Mentor Podcast – How to Achieve Executive Presence in 2022 Executive presence is one’s ability to inspire trust, credibility, and poise. But what does that actually mean and how do you achieve it? Modern Mentor shares her favorite framework and some simple action steps you can take to inspire confidence in your leadership capability. […]
Inside Companies that Get the Purpose-Profit Balance Right
Now more than ever, consumers value companies that hold corporate social responsibility in high regard. We look for companies that are purpose-driven and integrate this purpose into every aspect of their organization. Listen to this podcast to learn about some companies that have a great purpose-profit balance.
The Lines Between Beer, Soda, and Spirits are Blurring as Beverage Companies Seek Sales Growth
A 130% increase in ready-to-drink alcoholic seltzer beverages has compelled industry giants like Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co to enter the alcoholic beverage market as well. New kinds of hard seltzers seem to be released every week, such as Hard Mountain Dew or Topo Chico Hard Seltzers. Read on to see what this could mean for the competitive environment of the alcoholic beverage industry.
"I failed my way to success."
- Thomas Edison
The Purpose Driven Organization: Five Things Purpose Pundits May Be Getting Wrong
As the term purpose-driven seems to popping up more and more frequently, one might wonder why this switch from profit to purpose is happening now and what it really means. Purpose is not new, and it is not the enemy of profit. Check out this article to see some common misconceptions about purpose-driven business.
Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business
When running a business, your customers are everything. You care about their wants and concerns, placing the focus of your brand on solving for their needs. This book by Danny Meyer, while highlighting the restaurant industry, emphasizes the importance of hospitality and customer satisfaction in any business.
Inside Companies that Get the Purpose-Profit Balance Right Now more than ever, consumers value companies that hold corporate social responsibility in high regard. We look for companies that are purpose-driven and integrate this purpose into every aspect of their organization. Listen to this podcast to learn about some companies that have a great purpose-profit balance. […]
The wait is over and FITAID ENERGY is here! The number 1 post workout recovery beverage in America is now packed with 200mgs of clean caffeine in four bold new flavors. Blackberry Pineapple, Mango Sorbet, Peach Mandarin, and Raspberry Hibiscus are the 4 new flavors that have been added to the FITAID family of beverages!
“This is the evolution of energy. Energy 3.0,” says LIFEAID Co-Founder and President, Aaron Hinde. “FITAID Energy is unlike any other energy drink on the market. Our clean caffeine from green tea helps fight your fitness fatigue and contains our original post-workout recovery blend which includes BCAAs, Turmeric, Electrolytes, Vitamins B, C, D3, E, and more. All of our hand-picked ingredients have met the highest supplement standards and remain vegan, non-gmo, and gluten-free. Coupled with no sucralose, and no taurine, FITAID Energy is the future of clean performance energy.”
The energy drink market as we know it isn't the healthiest. Brands continue to load sucralose, sodium, and gut killing chemicals into your energy drinks. They put false statements in their cans such as “burns body fat” (I’m sorry but you can not simply burn body fat by just drinking a Celsius.) The next time you pick up an energy drink, just read the ingredients labels. I am pretty sure it will look like those CVS receipts that are typically longer than your arm.
FITAID ENERGY is truly the cleanest energy beverage on the market. Naturally sweetened and flavored, loaded with 200mg of caffeine from green tea extract (leaves), only 3g of sugars, and just 15 calories. You can not go wrong with a FITAID ENERGY.
“We started LIFEAID to disrupt the legacy of sodas and energy drinks already in the market. Over the years, we’ve started to see emerging energy drinks in retail. We didn’t consider many of them necessarily healthy from their ingredient deck. Nearly all of them are artificially sweetened with sucralose or aspartame, which as we know kills your gut microbiome.” says LIFEAID Co-Founder and CEO Orion Melehan.
Make sure you head over to https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/blends/fitaid-energy and load up on FITAID ENERGY before it sells out! Already snagged your new fav? Tag us on Instagram! @FITAID
The wait is over and FITAID ENERGY is here! The number 1 post workout recovery beverage in America is now packed with 200mgs of clean caffeine in four bold new flavors. Blackberry Pineapple, Mango Sorbet, Peach Mandarin, and Raspberry Hibiscus are the 4 new flavors that have been added to the FITAID family of beverages! […]
Earth day, celebrated every year on April 22nd, is a reminder to protect the environment, restore damaged ecosystems and live a more sustainable life. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day. Take a look at what the team members at LIFEAID are in their daily lives to make sure our planet is thriving!
“Putting food in the fridge in reusable tupperware and NOT plastic bags or plastic wrap. It's a small change and it has reduced my need to buy ziplocs! I also have been MUCH better at bringing in my grocery bags by leaving them in the FRONT seat when I go into the store. When they are in my trunk I always forget to bring them in!” - Emily S.
“When the conservation society is done replacing the bridge at the cabin this summer they have agreed to supply us with as many trees as I want. I am planning to line the creek that runs through the property with about 20-30 trees. I will never see them fully grown in my lifetime but my kids and their kids will enjoy them.” - Adam F.
“I am always sure that I never put my recycling in the bin in a garbage bag. I've heard that they assume it's always trash in a garbage bag and ends up in a landfill.” - Orion M.
“Eliminate single use plastic. If using / purchasing plastic, make sure it is getting multiple uses and when done, obviously recycle. If you are an ocean lover and traveled to SE Asia or Mexico, you will see how big of a problem single use plastic actually is and the time is now for us to personally take accountability and do something about it.” - Aaron H.
“Reusable canteen, glass tupperware vs. plastic wrap, bringing my own basket with me to the store, and giving gently used clothing and toys to other babies in our friend circle.” - Rosemary H.
“When washing dishes we don't turn on the faucet at full power. A gentle stream is plenty of water to wash and rinse dishes.” - Mike G.
“When the weather allows, I ride a bike to do errands in the small town where I live. Including grabbing groceries, running to the bank, beer store etc. This is a great way to reduce carbon emissions and reduce wear and tear on things like tires which have a large carbon footprint and are a disaster to dispose of.” - Scott S.
“Bringing a thermos or any kind of reusable cup in with me whenever I go to a coffee shop has become second nature - most coffee shops allow you to bring in your own cup to use so you don't have to use the disposable cup they provide. Another tip I have is to use reusable Q-tips! You can wash them between every use and never have to throw away a Q-tip ever again! Small changes, big impact.” - Lydia D.
“I always carry a reusable water bottle, I never keep the plastic ones in my house! I donate my clothes I don't wear anymore instead of just trashing them to sit in a landfill. Glass containers for leftovers instead of plastic wrap and ziplocks! I try to limit paper towel use as well with kitchen towels I can throw in the wash and even recently purchased reusable paper towels to try out (just heard of these lately). I air-dry my laundry in the spring/summer to use less dryer power plus it's better for your clothes!” - Anna L.
“Instead of using zip lock bags I purchase stasher bags for leftovers, storage of leftover avocado or PB & J on the go. I also purchase recycle eco friendly trash bags for our trash cans. I purchase Dyper diapers for my daughter that are from bamboo viscose and picked up at my doorstep to be properly disposed. I also purchase as many eco-friendly toys for my daughter as I can to avoid plastic and toxins.” - Ana. L
What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Tag us on Instagram! @FITAID
Earth day, celebrated every year on April 22nd, is a reminder to protect the environment, restore damaged ecosystems and live a more sustainable life. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day. Take a look at what the team members at LIFEAID are in their daily lives to make sure our planet is thriving! […]