For Mother's Day this year, we launched our Mothers of Fitness community to celebrate the strong women in our midst. Part of the intention of this group was to allow mothers to share their experiences, offer advice to other women in their shoes, and just have a place to gush over something they all have in common--the love of motherhood and health and fitness.
You can join the party here.
We want you to meet Molly Tilove, one of our awesome group 'Momerators' whose path to fitness and maintaining consistency now with twins in tow was filled with challenges, but totally worth it.
How did you become interested in fitness?
Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I was NEVER interested in fitness or working out (in fact, I avoided PE at all costs!). Once I went off to college, I realized all of my friends had gym memberships and maybe I should actively work on avoiding the dreaded “Freshman 15”. I started running, and soon that became a big part of my life!
What inspired you to start posting on Instagram and sharing your journey?
It just sort of evolved naturally. While I was in college, I developed anorexia and spent several years severely underweight. I was obsessed with running and doing body weight exercises, and had a twisted goal of eating less and less each day. After admitting I had a serious problem, got help, and received treatment, I gained weight, but still really struggled with body image issues. While I physically was “healthy” again, I still was struggling horribly on the inside. After years of being a “runner”, a friend invited me to check out a new CrossFit gym opening in the area. I was immediately hooked!
That first year or two, I had shared a few before/after photos from my college days, and now my much stronger, CrossFit days. I was finally starting to see a transformation on the inside - I was no longer focused on what I looked like, but was really proud of my body and what it was capable of doing. The photos I had shared were reposted on a lot of “viral” sites, including Reddit. My Instagram quickly started growing and I started sharing more about my journey, my workouts, etc! It’s been about five years now since that all happened so it’s been really fun connecting with so many more people, growing new friendships and relationships, etc!
What has been the most challenging part of juggling work, fitness, and motherhood?
Life definitely takes a lot more planning now! When the twins were newborns, they slept SO much, so it was easy to keep them in their bassinet or swings and bring them out with me while I worked out, or while I worked in our home office. Now that they’re over one and totally mobile… they have my whole attention while they’re awake! It makes it tricky managing a business with two littles and a husband who has a very full work schedule himself, but I just really focus on making nap times as productive as possible.
Workouts are definitely much less consistent than they used to be, but I still make it a priority to fit them in - whether its including the babies, or waiting until they go down for the night and fitting a workout in before bed. We built out our home gym before the babies were born and it has been SUCH a blessing this year, especially with COVID!
What is your favorite part about being a mom?
It is truly a love like NO OTHER. I never felt more purpose, more passion, or more fire than I have since these babies were born. They give me a whole new reason to be my best. We waited years before finally getting pregnant and they were worth every second of that wait, a million times over. It has been the greatest blessing watching them learn and grow this last year, and I can’t wait for all of the incredible adventures we have in our future.
Do you have any advice for other moms that are thinking about starting or need help continuing their fitness journey?
IT IS POSSIBLE to make fitness and wellness a priority with kids, no matter how much you have on your plate. Even if it’s 10 minutes during nap time, something is always better than nothing! There are some weeks where I can fit in six workouts, and some weeks where I only get two - but staying as consistent as you can and coming and showing up when it is possible pays off. Keeping my health and fitness a priority keeps me feeling good, energized, and truly helps me be a better mom. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so be sure to include things in your life that make YOU a better person so you can be better for the people you love!
How do you take time for yourself? Any favorite self care activities?
A workout is always a favorite activity! Some days though, a hot bath or shower and a glass of wine is all I need after a long day!
How have you been coping with this crazy year in regards to COVID and having young kids?
Honestly, having newborn twins before this all started - I was already basically living the “quarantine life”! It was difficult to get out too often with two tiny babes, especially during the winter after their NICU stays. COVID hit when they were about 4 months old, and life just sort of continued on the way it had been! It’s definitely been challenging at times, feeling like it’s groundhog day for the last year. The little things I did for “me” to recharge really aren’t options at the moment (getting my nails done, meeting a friend for coffee, etc), and I miss the social interactions we used to have!
Being a new mom can feel isolating anyways, but having this never ending lockdown in place makes it feel extra difficult some days. It also makes me sad that the kids have had so much less interaction in their lives than a typical child would have their first year! At the same time though - this bizarre year has allowed both me and my husband to be at home SO MUCH more than we may have otherwise been. I try and look at the positives as much as I can about this entire situation! We’ve had more time together, Erik has been able to be home for more of their milestone moments, we’ve saved more money, and we find joy in the simplest things! With that being said… I am definitely looking forward to a life no longer controlled by COVID restrictions! 🙂
Are you watching any good TV shows or movies now that you want to share?
Oh man! I wish!! I’m hoping once the holiday season is over and business slows down, I’ll be able to start doing a little more reading / TV watching! The few things I always stay up-to-date on, no matter how busy I am, are “This Is Us” and “A Million Little Things”! I’m here for everyone else’s suggestions for good TV shows though!
What are some goals you have going into 2021?
Carrying less stress with me. I am a stresser. We surprisingly had our best year with Belle & Bell yet, but it has made me CRAZY stressed this entire Q4. I get overwhelmed and feel like I have a difficult time being completely present with work OR with my kids. Learning to balance and give myself more grace is definitely a goal. Aside from that - I hope to grow B&B even BIGGER this year, create some amazing memories with the kids, and hopefully get my ring muscle ups back 😉 we just installed a rig in our backyard, so I have no excuse now!
Do you have any products or services (for you or your kids) that you can't live without or are essential to your everyday routine?
I *LOVE* that we use a meal prep delivery service. We order a la carte meats and carbs from Trifecta and it makes it so convenient for weekday lunches for both me AND the kiddos. Other random stuff we love : our Lovevery subscription for educational toys, our Lillebaby baby carriers, our big playpen that the kids love to hang in while we workout, and probably a billion other things I cant think of right now! For me personally - I rely on RP Strength for my nutrition guidance, and I’m pretty sure protein coffee is what now runs through my veins 😉 (if you follow me on IG, you know I am obsessed with cold brew and then Bowmar Nutrition Pumpkin Spice coffee!)
What are your hobbies/interests outside of fitness?
I have had a ton of fun getting into photography the last few years! I also really like hiking, traveling...and eating good food! lol!
FACT:
As boredom increases during quarantine, so does the amount of screen time spent on televisions, phones, video games and computers. The stay-at-home restrictions still have many of us sheltered in place. As a result, device addiction is perhaps more prevalent now than ever, especially in youths, so it's important to have some fun, tech-free activities and sports to help get everyone away from the screens and more balanced.
With remote learning the new norm now, finding an alternative to the activities that keep us glued to the screen all day is critical. Here are a few examples that can fill some of that time, away from the screen.
Basketball or Soccer
For basketball and soccer players, there are plenty of at-home practice drills that can be done while quarantined—from shooting baskets on the driveway, practicing ball-handling drills like dribbling, to kicking a soccer ball into a net or against the garage door. There are also rebounding nets that can be easily set up against the basketball hoop to help with solo practice. So whether you prefer basketball or soccer, just get outside and get dribbling!
Ping Pong
One of the more popular indoor sports is ping pong (or table tennis as it is also referred to). Having a ping-pong table is, of course, the best way to play, but if you don’t have the room or don’t want to spend the money on one, there are ways to accomplish the same thing with just a portable net, kitchen table, a couple of paddles and a ping-pong ball. Another nice feature of table tennis is that you can practice by yourself against a solid backdrop, to start developing your skills, having some fun in the meantime.
Indoor Golf
While golf courses are slowly starting to open up under some restrictions after the complete shutdown of the past couple of months, there is plenty of golf that can be practiced at home in the meantime. Indoor putting greens are very affordable and offer a great opportunity to practice what many consider to be the hardest part of the game. While swinging a club around the yard at a Wiffle ball is very economical, another great option is to grab your sand wedge from the bag, a few golf balls, a bucket, and hit some chip shots from a few yards out in your own backyard. And when it's time to hit the courses outdoors, try the best golf drinks by LIFEAID: GOLFERAID.
Water Balloon Dodgeball
This is a very simple, but fun twist on the gym-class staple that—while tutoring or wrangling the kids at home—can be a nice release of energy with the added benefit of a cool, refreshing break once the weather heat up. Instead of those old-school bouncy balls, simply replace them with water balloons and have a good old-fashioned game of dodgeball. Be sure to include mom and dad in the fun! And just like the PE teacher always said, never aim for the head.
Doga
With nothing more than a yoga mat, you can discover the combination of physical and mental exercises that have been popular for thousands of years. The beauty of yoga is that you don’t have to be an expert to reap the benefits. Plus, with doga, it is not your ordinary yoga but rather a yoga hybrid you can do with your canine companion. I mean, who doesn’t love getting to spend more time with their dog while doing an activity they enjoy? Just don’t forget to make sure you and your buddy both have fresh breath for complete peace of mind during your doga session.
Whether you are young or old, fit or overweight, doga has the power to calm the mind and strengthen the body. It's easy to be intimidated by doga terminology, and complicated poses, but don’t be. Doga is a great sport for everyone and it is also beneficial to your dog to help calm him or her.
Gardening
Aside from the sports mentioned above, you can also try planting something indoors or outdoors. Start small, pick up some packets of seeds or a few starter plants you’d love to nurture. You may never know what your green thumb can do until you try! Plus, gardening can be a great outlet to help relieve mild stress and quiet the mind, while also snagging you some fresh air and much-needed vitamin D in the sunshine.
C O N C L U S I O N
However you decide to unplug and get away from the daily ‘screen life’ during these crazy times, just remember to focus on the activities and people in your life that help bring you joy and leave you feeling less stressed. So next time you’re tempted to rush through your day, just pause, put down your phone, breathe, move your body, get outside, and enjoy the moment. Because nothing beats that feeling of creating a little more balance in your daily life.
Cover photo courtesy of Unsplash.com
All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer who also owns a golf publication site, Golf Influence. He has loved golf since he was a kid and feels golf has been significantly helpful in improving his overall health.
> > > Stay well.
While this has been a time of uncertainty around the world, one thing is certain: social distancing is leading many of us to a revolutionary time as a society, we're witnessing a 'closening' of relationships. People are reflecting on what matters most in their lives, surrounding themselves with the people they love (even if only via FaceTime), appreciating nature, embracing new hobbies, making time for healthy habits, and just taking life at a slower pace in general. The LIFEAID team shares how they are practicing social distancing and embracing all the good things that have come out of this otherwise difficult time.
Wishing everyone health & calm.
—Your LIFEAID family
Aaron (President & co-founder)
- How do you start your day at home?
Keeping the same morning ritual I always have to start my day on the right trajectory has been key: 20 minutes of yoga, my 5-minute journal, Wim Hof breathing, cold shower, Keto coffee, short prayer, 5 minutes of meditation, then off to the virtual office.
. - What does your home fitness routine look like?
Morning yoga and a lot of bodyweight exercises like burpees, air squats and push-ups.
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- What are some staples in your daily nutrition?
I drink lots of IMMUNITYAID, take extra Vitamin C and D daily, and eat clean proteins and veggies.
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- How do you de-stress?
I take time to de-stress by taking walks, breathing, practicing yoga, meditation and grounding.
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- What in your home helps bring you calm?
Going out on my deck, looking out over the woods towards the ocean.
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- What keeps you motivated?
I’ve always been self motivated so don’t need anything extra to stay that way.
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- How do you stay focused with distractions at home?
FOCUSAID and making sure I get through my top priority every day.
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- What activities are you enjoying most during this time?
I honestly love taking walks with the family and discussing current events with my kids.
. - What new hobbies have you started or rekindled a passion for?
Orion has taught me how to DJ so I've been enjoying mixing tracks together. - What's your favorite part of this experience so far?
Social Distancing = Familial Closening
Aaron & his family
Destiny (Email marketing)
- How do you start your day at home?
I wake up a little later (hooray for sleep!), make coffee, open up the windows and start my day.
. - What does your home fitness routine look like?
I have two small dumbbells and my body weight which is all I need! Stretch, do a few circuits of simple exercises (sit-ups, push-ups, squats & burpees) and I’m feeling good.
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- What are some staples in your daily nutrition?
I love snacking on fruits, veggies, whole grains and IMMUNITYAID.
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- How do you de-stress?
Stepping out onto my porch and taking a few deep breathes helps me de-stress ... I turn on some music and forget the world for a minute.
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- What in your home helps bring you calm?
I keep all the lights off in the house and allow only natural lighting in during the day. Something about it is really calming. I also try and keep my space as tidy as possible. A clean house + sunlight coming through the windows = bliss.
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- What keeps you motivated?
Keeping in contact with my LIFEAID family helps. A little midday impromptu dance party never hurts either!
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- What book(s) are you reading right now?
Just grabbed a copy of Call Me By Your Name from the bookstore.
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- What’s your favorite part of this experience so far?
The opportunity to grow as a human being and to be able to really evaluate what’s important to me at the end of the day: my health, my people and humanity.
Sabine (Accounting)
- How do you start your day at home?
I take my dog for a walk down to the beach and check the waves/surf.
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- What does your home fitness routine look like?
I have a small home gym that is taking the temporary place of the FITAID gym at HQ right now. I also use 'Ready State,' an online mobility app, every evening. I still get out in the ocean for my paddle & surf sessions; I have a coach for my racing and we intend to stick to my training plan (even if all the races are cancelled). Sticking to the plan will give me some sense of structure and 'normalcy.'
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What are some staples in your daily nutrition?
My husband and I are doing the 800 gram challenge and plan to keep doing it through this. Fortunately, my Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is still running. I fill in the gaps with items from the Farmer’s Market. My pantry is stocked with IMMUNITYAID and FOCUSAID right now. I do rely on protein powder and bars, too, and am happy there is still plenty of that in the stores right now.
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How do you de-stress?
I walk the dog, tend to my little garden, dance or skate around the kitchen, and look at TikTok.
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- What keeps you motivated?
Living in Santa Cruz is motivating. I also love my job, so it's easy to stay motivated to do my work.
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- What is in your home helps bring you calm?
I work by a window where I can see out to our busy street. Watching neighbors and others walk by the house calms me. We are also trying to keep the house tidy. (We already aren't doing a great job of that.)
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- What activities are you enjoying most during this time?
I get to have lunch with my husband and take the dog for a walk. Really loving that.
Hannah (Graphic design)
- How do you start your day at home?
I try to set an alarm every morning and begin each day with some yoga. It helps me wake up and get into 'productive' mode. Practicing yoga puts my mind in a great place, allowing me to stay positive throughout the day.
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- What does your home fitness routine look like?
After I start my day with yoga, I try to do a short circuit workout (at least 10 minutes) around lunch time to get my blood moving. I’ve really enjoyed doing AMRAPs with bodyweight exercises such as squats, burpees, sit-ups, push-ups and lunges. I also invested in some sliders, resistance bands, a kettlebell, and a pair of dumbbells (which are on the way) so I can add some weight to the mix.
. - What are some staples in your daily nutrition?
Lots of eggs, greens (spinach, kale, arugula), bananas, oatmeal, frozen vegetables (they keep much longer), nuts (great for snacking/topping salads) and ground turkey (which I can use in just about anything).
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- How do you de-stress?
Breathe, drink tea and put on a good playlist.
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- What keeps you motivated?
Lists!
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- What in your home helps bring you calm?
It’s not something in my space, but rather it's getting up and taking a lap around my house every 30 minutes or so, to help keep my productivity up and help me re-focus.
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- What activities are you enjoying most during this time?
- Playing Farkle and board games. (If you don’t know what Farkle is, look it up. It’s a lot of fun.)
- Also, cooking with my sister and her girlfriend. I haven’t spent this much time at home with my family in a long time, and we’re growing much closer and our relationships are getting much stronger.
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- What books are you reading right now?
- I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
- Big Magic By Elizabeth Gilbert
. - What’s your favorite part of this experience so far?
- Being able to get creative with my workouts. I’ve always relied on the gym for exercise (I never realized just how much I relied on it until now). This time has allowed me to re-discover my love of running, hiking, yoga and volleyball.
- I’ve been spending quality time with my sister. We were never that close before, so I’m extremely thankful for this time with her.
Hannah, practicing yoga at home
Karis (Field marketing & social media)
- How do you start your day at home?
Once the alarm goes off, I lay in bed for 15 minutes with my pups, then I get up and stretch, make myself some tea and set up my area so I'm ready to tackle work.
- What does your home fitness routine look like?
With my gym closing I’ve been able to do daily strength training workouts with the weights and resistance bands at home. I’ve been able to get my cardio and steps in by walking my dogs. I like to walk them on my lunch time so I can also get some fresh air—it gives me the chance to tackle the rest of my work day with a fresh mind.
. - How do you de-stress?
At home, I'm able to de-stress by going outside for some fresh air or listening to music.
. - What keeps you motivated?
Setting small daily goals so that I can accomplish bigger goals.
. - What activities are you enjoying most during this time?
I’ve been able to spend more time with my dogs, giving them lots of extra cuddles. Also, in our home we’re enjoying classic board games as a family.
Karis & fur friends
Claudia (Operations)
- How do you start your day at home?
My son Damien usually wakes up around 8 or 9am, so I get up around 6 or 7am, drink one full glass of water, turn on my diffuser downstairs in the living room/kitchen area with essential oils in it and go for a run around 6 or 7am. After my run it is nice to come home and smell the essential oils. Once I am home I turn on some music and make breakfast for my husband, my son and myself. My son and I both love starting our day with some good music and doing some fun dancing before we eat breakfast.
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What does your home fitness routine look like?
I go for a run in the morning before my son wakes up. I also try to go for a run with my son (in the stroller) around noon, whenever it's not raining. I received my booty bands just in time (before the in-shelter rule was announced) and now I do some home workouts with my booty bands and some 'mommy & son' workouts. Our family enjoys going outside for a walk together in our neighborhood whenever it is sunny, to get some fresh air and to enjoy Mother Nature.
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What are some staples in your daily nutrition?
- Scrambled eggs with kale, oatmeal mixed with fruit; Chicken, fish, salads, rice, potatoes or other veggies and fruits (mango, strawberries, raspberries, banana)
- Nuts are a great in-between-meals snack.
- Daily Harvest has a variety of smoothies that are packed with a lot of greens: kale, spinach, avocado, cucumber and some other good ingredients like hemp, chia seeds, different fruits, etc.
- I drink a lot of water during the day as well as IMMUNITYAID Wellness Blend to help boost my immune system. Plus, I take a multi-vitamin pill.
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How do you de-stress at home?
I love listening to music and dancing with my son—makes me forget about anything else in that moment.
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- What keeps you motivated?
My son is my biggest motivation since the day he was born. Watching him grow & explore the world while learning new things is a daily reminder to myself to never give up no matter how the circumstances are. He motivates me daily to make the best out of any situation and to enjoy the little things in life. I see the world through his eyes as well and it is nice to forget for a moment all the negative events that happen daily in our world. My son motivates me to keep going and be healthy for myself and him, as well.
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- What in your home helps bring you calm?
Cleaning the house brings me calm. Our household is always clean, but since I have more free-time now, I get to clean more often.
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- What activities are you enjoying most during this time?
We just love nature and walks, listening to music and playing with lego, or making music with my son and his music instruments.
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- What books or music are you reading/listening to currently?
We listen to calming meditation music to relax and find peace during these difficult times. A book that I personally like is Whale Done. (It teaches the reader how to communicate with others to get positive results.)
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- What’s your favorite part of this experience so far?
- The fact that almost everyone gets a break from our hectic daily routine. It is nice to take a break for a moment from everything and focus on what is really important: health and well-being.
- I like that I am able to work from home and be present for my son at the same time.
- I love being able to spend time with my family.
- I love that we have to get creative again in order to not get bored while being stuck in the house.
- This is the time that gives us all a chance to change our view of life and to choose what really matters in life.
Ashley (Sales)
- How do you start your day at home?
I always turn on my Keurig coffee maker right when I wake up, then (weather permitting) I take my pup for his morning walk, stretch and get ready for the day!
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- What does your home fitness routine look like?
With my gym being closed, I purchased some free weights and resistance bands so I can continue to do strength-training workouts. Now my cardio just really includes walking (TRYING to run) with my pup. He’s slowly getting better at the whole running part.
. - How do you de-stress at home?
With my oil diffuser, bubble baths and sometimes some yoga. Oh yeah, also ... WINE!
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- What keeps you motivated?
I just always look at the overall goal. It's crucial around this time to not lose focus on the big picture.
.. - What activities are you enjoying most during this time?
Well, it is just me and my pup, so we get a lot more cuddles in. But when I am social distancing with family and friends, we are playing old-school board games and enjoying some adult beverages.
Katie (Social media)
- How do you start your day at home?
I wake up at my usual time, light a candle and get a ROMWOD® in, then I get ready for my day and make some breakfast. Also, I completely stay away from my phone for the first hour of my day.
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- What does your home fitness routine look like?
Honestly, it’s been tough being a weightlifter yet not able to lift weights right now. The great part of it, however, is that it's forcing me back to my CrossFit® roots and making me work on my endurance. I’ve found that taking my workouts outside has been a game changer.
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- What are some staples in your daily nutrition?
I eat a lot of ground turkey, chicken and lean proteins. One thing I'm enjoying eating more of is greens! I’ve also been eating a lot more fruits lately.
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- How do you de-stress?
I use the app 'Calm' for meditations, read a good book, run a lap around the block, or talk with friends on the phone.
. - What keeps you motivated?
I remember the greater goal, especially when it comes to work. Also, remaining grateful for the fact that I still have a job.
. - How do you stay focused with distractions at home?
One of the main reasons why I chose my apartment was all of the natural light. I open up my blinds first thing in the morning and let the sunshine pour in.
. - What activities are you enjoying most during this time?
Unfortunately, my family is spread out across the United States, but my parents, who live right outside of Nashville, just got an adorable little Corgi/Blue Heeler puppy named Hank and they send me videos of him constantly which makes me smile.
. - What books are you reading currently?
This is a loaded question—I LOVE to read! Some of the books that have inspired me the most are Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Shoe Dog by Phil Knight and Artisan’s Soul by Erwin McManus. (My favorite authors are Jodi Picoult, Elin Hilderbrand and Emily Giffin.)
. - What’s your favorite part of this experience so far?
Not taking human connection for granted.
Katie, in her home office
Orion (CEO and co-founder)
Orion & daughters in Santa Cruz
The biggest blessing for me during this crazy time of uncertainty has been how much quality time I get to spend with my two beautiful daughters. It's a perfect reminder to us all—never take these moments for granted, they are just waiting to shine through amidst all the chaos.
—Orion Melehan, LIFEAID CEO and co-founder
Need another good excuse to move your body?
LISTEN & DANCE TO DJ ORION'S HOUSE ARREST MIX HERE!
> > > Stay healthy.
This year, the LIFEAID team of 71 employees from around the U.S. and Canada traveled to Guerneville, California, for three sunny days of team-building and outdoor adventures. It served as the perfect reminder to all of as to exactly WHY we do what we do and HOW much we enjoy doing it with the people around us who support and inspire us to be better daily.
As always, fun was had, memories were made and lessons were learned. Those who could no attend were dearly missed.
Cheers to making 2020 the best year yet!
A special thank you to all of the staff and guest speakers who inspired, empowered and pushed each of us to become better leaders and team members—living intentionally and connecting with ourselves and others on deeper levels:
Meet our heart & soul, the LIFEAID Customer Success Team.
Kayaking down the Russian River.
Costume contest winners: The Minions
© All images property of in-house badass photographer Abby Clayden.
> > > Live well.
The LIFEAID Beverage Co. staff took to the streets and beaches of their local community in Santa Cruz, California, this past Friday, April 19, in honor of Earth Day. With trash bags and grabbers in hand, the crew walked the 3-mile loop to the beach area from their office headquarters in the Old Wrigley building off Mission Street. Employees brought family members & friends to help take part in the clean-up efforts which lasted from 4-6:30 p.m., providing some good clean (albeit dirty) fun for all.
"It's important that we all do our part every day to help give back and protect Mother Earth from the litter and trash that all-too-often lines our streets and park trails," said one team member.
At LIFEAID, we like to live by the rule "Pack it in, pack it out," and we encourage others to do the same. This Earth Day, we hope you find your own fun way to support local eco-systems and make the world a cleaner place for future generations.
HAPPY EARTH DAY!
—Your Team at LIFEAID
Co-founders Orion Melehan & Aaron Hinde led the charge for LIFEAID Beach Clean-Up Day.
©Above photos courtesy of LIFEAID in-house photographer Abby Clayden. All rights reserved.
> > > Live well.
September is always one of the nicest months of the year in Northern California. The tourists are gone, the weather is fantastic and it’s hard not to enjoy the bounty NorCal has to offer. The start of Indian summer brings along with it our annual LIFEAID company retreat. This is an incredible opportunity for our entire team to come together, celebrate the accomplishments from the past year and embark on a shared journey of personal and professional development.
At LIFEAID Beverage Co., we have 10 core values that drive our culture and ethos:
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Create the most fun, healthy, holistic and fulfilling work environment in Santa Cruz County (and beyond).
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Grow deliberately, sustainably and consistently create long-term value for our customers and stakeholders.
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Be curious, ask questions, communicate and adopt a growth mindset.
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Everyone is an owner—approach your work as such.
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Work hard, play hard—have fun doing both.
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Create raving fans—of our team members, customers, suppliers and community.
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Be solution-oriented, not problem-focused.
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Do more with less.
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Strive for continuous improvement rather than perfection.
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Always play the long game.
Although we practice these core values on a daily basis, the annual retreat brings multiple core values to light all at the same time, allowing us to revisit and focus on them in new ways each year.
This year was extra special to me on a personal level because we embarked on a journey to Lake Don Pedro—a lake I practically grew up on, having spent countless weekends waterskiing there as a kid. Our team rented six houseboats, four Jet Skis and a ski boat. We had professional caterers join us on board to prepare all of our meals, and we brought in seven dynamic speakers to present to our group over the weekend.
It’s amazing how things often work out even better than we could have imagined. I knew it would be an amazing retreat, but we were fortunate to experience what seemed like
a rare, perfect balance of personal development and fun in the sun.
Aside from the occasional mimosa, each morning began with about a 60-minute talk from one of our dynamic presenters. Our entire team gathered around, happily crammed onto the top deck of our main houseboat with our notebooks and pen in hand, eager to learn, grow and be challenged. Little did we know just how much of each would take place!
I should mention that four of our presenters were professional speakers—highly recognized and accomplished authors, TED Talks speakers, leaders and so forth. However, three of our presenters were not well-known, at least not beyond our little circle. They were LIFEAID team members. Honestly, it was pretty amazing being able to empower and then watch individuals on our team get out of their comfort zones, stand up in front of 70 of their colleagues and deliver incredibly well-crafted and powerful messages.
I intentionally gave no direction to any of the speakers when they first asked me what topic I would like them to present on at the retreat. I simply told them about our team, our values and our vision. Then I basically said, “Just deliver a presentation you feel would provide the most value to our group. I trust you.”
Boy, did they ever deliver! As the weekend progressed, a common thread began to develop between each speaker’s message. No one knew what the other speakers were presenting, yet a consistent theme began to emerge. As fate would have it, it was a theme that we all needed to hear.
After three full days and seven amazing speakers, the 2018 LIFEAID Beverage Co. retreat theme can be best summarized this way:
We are all powerful human beings who are manifesting our ability to be agents for positive change in this world. As human beings, our thoughts (conscious and unconscious) are eventually reflected in our words. With our words we create — our words drive our actions and lead to results (both positive and negative). At LIFEAID, our team has been uniquely unified by the common cause of improving the health and well-being of our diseased nation. We each realize and are fueled by the need to get people off of high-sugar, high-caffeine sodas & sports/energy drinks. As an alternative, we are passionate about providing everyone with our clean, healthful products. We possess the power to improve our lives and the lives of everyone we touch by being mindful and intentional regarding our thoughts, words and actions.
By the end of the weekend, we were not the same team we started as.
We had all experienced some “aha!” moments which have forever improved our trajectory as individuals and as a team. We ate, we drank, we played, we laughed, we cried, we danced, we shared, we contributed and — most importantly — we grew. It’s undeniable, watching the people who you care about have breakthroughs that will stick with them for the rest of their lives is what it really is all about.
Our brand is not merely our founders (myself and Orion) or a single product (like FitAid or FocusAid). Rather, it is the collective efforts and inventions of all the great women and men who comprise our LIFEAID team, a team which manifests in each and every one of our products and customer experiences.
While I can say, “I am LIFEAID” and “You are LIFEAID,” I am even prouder still to state that together,
“We are LIFEAID!”
To learn more about Aaron, follow @aaronhinde on Instagram.
> > > Live well!