Taking on the Giants in the Beverage Industry
Last week, I sat down with the team at Virtual Mgr on the “How Did We Get Here?” podcast. During the episode, we talk about how Orion and I started and scaled LIFEAID from an RV to global domination, taking on the giants of the industry and winning! There are many similarities in our journey alongside Virtual Mgr's despite the significant differences in our respective industries.
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Why is Nutrition so Important for the Sport of Fitness
CrossFit as a training methodology has long promoted balanced nutrition. It is part of the L1 curriculum, and a great amount of focus has been placed on a low processed, whole
foods based diet as the driver to a reversal of chronic disease.
CrossFit the sport has taken a slightly different approach. While food quality is still important, there is a new focus on food amounts both on a calorie and macronutrient level. Macro tracking is the new nutrition approach du jour for athletes, and to no one’s surprise, the community has followed close behind.
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“A business has to be evolving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.”
—Richard Branson
Having a Growth Mindset Makes it Easier to Develop New Interests
Steve Jobs’s vision for Apple was rooted in the belief that the arts and sciences do not live in isolation. They complement and enhance each other. John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Pixar, echoed this sentiment stating, “Technology inspires art, and art challenges the technology.” But even though integrating these areas can be necessary for innovation, too many people confine themselves to only one.
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This is Your Brain on Food
When it comes to diet, most people’s concerns involve weight loss, fitness, cardiac health, and longevity. But what we eat affects more than our bodies; it also affects our brains. And recent studies have shown that diet can have a profound impact on mental health conditions ranging from ADHD to depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, OCD, dementia and beyond.
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HindeSight | No. 66
Taking on the Giants in the Beverage Industry Last week, I sat down with the team at Virtual Mgr on the “How Did We Get Here?” podcast. During the episode, we talk about how Orion and I started and scaled LIFEAID from an RV to global domination, taking on the giants of the industry and […]
Original Content from Online Review Published by Trailer Trash Tattoo Manya — July 30, 2020 | All Rights Reserved Often, creative expressions can take time and tattoos are no different. Therefore, while getting an exquisite tattoo, it is highly likely that you spend 3-8 hours under the needle. It can be a stressful and painful process. Even […]
Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman
Athletes around the world have become all-too familiar with the struggles of trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise regimen while gyms have been temporarily closed worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sharing our quarantine experiences and struggles with our fitness friends has become a major way for us to connect and stay motivated in a time of social distancing.
But what has quarantine been like for professional athletes?
We interviewed four FITAID athletes—Kelsey Kiel, Jacob Heppner, Neal Maddox and Jackie Perez—to get their take on how they’ve been not only staying fit but also what key learnings they may be taking away from their time in quarantine so far. Here's what they had to say!
QUESTION 1
FITAID: Isolation coupled with a massive change in our normal day-to-day life can be tough for everyone. What obstacles have you experienced and overcome during quarantine?
Kelsey Kiel: I think one of the biggest things people (including myself) weren't used to when we started this whole quarantine is the "being alone with yourself" thing. I always thought I was independent (I still think that), but being separated from normal life and interactions, you really have to be okay with sitting with yourself (all the thoughts and feelings that come with that). It was a tough thing for me at first, but I've really embraced FEELING and THINKING and BEING. Which is a bit abstract, but I think it's helped me grow.
Jackie Perez: Quarantine has forced me to really take a look at what I rely on for happiness. Total isolation has shown me that I rely on others and events to make me happy or motivate me. I have overcome this by trying to focus on the things that bring joy to me. The things that if they were taken away, they wouldn't take my joy. I've started doing things I would never stop and take the time to do like read and go on walks or journal. Things that don't require much but truly make me happy.
QUESTION 2
FITAID: As many of our local CrossFit boxes have been closed, what are some ways that you've been keeping fit during quarantine? What is the most unique thing you've done so far for fitness?
Jackie Perez: I created a Running Club because I found myself very unmotivated to workout. It was a huge success and had over 500 people sign up. I thrive on community so I created one where we all pushed each other and kept each other accountable. Nothing replaces the community vibe of being at the gym, but we must adapt to the current situation instead of letting it control us.
Neal Maddox: I tend to go for bike rides a lot. I put together a home gym so I am able to train still.
QUESTION 3
FITAID: Staying positive and tuning in to our emotions have been very important lately. How have you been staying present, positive and connected?
Jacob Heppner: For those of you that know me you know I'm already a super positive and connected person! One thing I recently did during the quarantine period was to start Fitness Related Awesome News (FRAN) which shares positive and uplifting news from around the globe in the fitness space!
Kelsey Kiel: I've been doing a lot of self work and reading and writing. It's also been helpful to have people around me (not necessarily physically, haha) who have been there—FaceTiming, phone calling, and connecting that way. My dog also helps me stay positive because he's so dang cute.
QUESTION 4
FITAID: Describe how you've been focusing on nutritional wellness during this time. What have been some of your favorite healthy dishes you've made during quarantine?
Kelsey Kiel: I track my macros regularly, and I recognized after a few weeks that nutrition and food is something I can control, so it actually helped me feel a sense of normalcy to continue to count and track my macros and eat the normal, healthy and tasty things I normally would.
Jacob Heppner: I've actually spent a lot of time focusing on my nutritional wellness and realized that so many others need that help and need accountability! So I recently started "Functional Eating" which is a nutrition company with a 1-on-1 coach, the same coaches I use for my diet and nutrition for competing at the Games. Our main focus is giving every person that accountability and relationship instead of just a plain ol' diet template that doesn't keep you accountable!
QUESTION 5
FITAID: What advice do you have for other athletes during quarantine? What have you personally taken away from this experience?
Neal Maddox: Advice I could give is this: get off social media and pick up a book. I have been basically going back to school and gathering as much knowledge as possible. The reason is because I want to come out of this pandemic a better person and great coach for my clients.
Jackie Perez: The best advice I can give is to only focus on what you can control. See opportunity in the situation that will help you grow. It's a great time to get back to the fundamentals and make them bullet proof. We won't have this kind of time to rebuild from square one again so focus on the basics and get really good at them so when things go back to normal, we can continue to build.
C O N C L U S I O N
This experience has shown me just how important it is to control our thoughts. This can either be the biggest tragedy we have had to deal with or an opportunity for growth in areas of our lives we have ignored because we were too busy.
As Jackie Perez mentioned in her interview, “Nothing replaces the community vibe of being at the gym, but we must adapt to the current situation instead of letting it control us.”
While it can be easy to lament the temporary closing of your local gym, remember that everyone—even professional athletes—are going through the same experience, and with that knowledge we can move forward together towards a positive and healthy future.
All images are the property of respective athlete and FITAID, all rights reserved.
About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.
> > > Stay well.
Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman Athletes around the world have become all-too familiar with the struggles of trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise regimen while gyms have been temporarily closed worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sharing our quarantine experiences and struggles with our fitness friends has become a major way for […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN C
Long gone may be the days when our biggest concern was getting scurvy from severe lack of vitamin C; However, our immunity health and wellness in general is more important now than ever.
Did you know? Vitamin C is a water-soluable vitamin that must be obtained from your diet or supplements. It can be found naturally in a variety of fruits and vegetables including oranges, strawberries, kiwis, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers and kale. The recommended daily intake of vitamin C for women is 75mg and 90mg for men.
TIP: A vitamin C supplement is a great, easy way to help boost your vitamin C intake if you struggle to reach your daily recommended amount.
Luckily for you, nearly* all of our LIFEAID products contain vitamin C (in the form of ascorbic acid, one of the most bioavailable & readily absorbed forms of vitamin C). Fun fact: IMMUNITYAID actually contains 20x the amount of vitamin C in one orange!
Each blend also offers additional clean ingredients and nutrients for your mind and body, plus the refreshing taste of vitamins you'll actually enjoy drinking! Discover them all and shop online at LIFEAIDbevco.com. (We'll ship your order right to your doorstep.)
*Note: LIFEAID HEMP Balance Blend is currently the only product in the full family of LIFEAID functional beverages which does not contain Vitamin C.
C O N C L U S I O N
During a time when all of our systems could use a little added immunity boost, it's important to include vitamin C in your daily nutritional goals. With the numerous benefits of vitamin C that we now know, this powerhouse vitamin is clearly no longer just a pirate's cure for scurvy! So whether the foods you eat naturally provide you with enough vitamin C or you need to supplement, be sure to keep vitamin-C-packed foods and/or supplements stocked in your home as a healthy part of your daily diet.
All images courtesy of LIFEAID and UnSplash | Additional sources: Healthline.com & VitaVibes.com
Please note: LIFAID products and this information is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease.
> > > Stay well.
THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN C Long gone may be the days when our biggest concern was getting scurvy from severe lack of vitamin C; However, our immunity health and wellness in general is more important now than ever. Did you know? Vitamin C is a water-soluable vitamin that must be obtained from your diet or […]
The LIFEAID LIFT program is now live at LIFEAIDlift.com! LIFEAID is giving $15 cash, from every 24-can purchase made by consumers at LIFEAIDlift.com, directly to their designated local gym or business. BONUS: Members will save $5 OFF/case! Simply visit LIFEAIDlift.com for more details. SHARE the link with others to help give back to the local […]
Now more than ever, we all need simple ways to unplug and escape the stress of daily life.
Here are our top tips for creating more zen moments while at home:
♦ JOURNAL:
The act of writing your thoughts down on paper can be very therapeutic, freeing your mind from carrying all those things around. Challenge yourself to also write down something you’re grateful for each day. Positive, calm thoughts will help frame your daily words & actions.
♦ SLEEP:
A lot of people are having trouble sleeping right now, causing our minds, bodies & immune systems to suffer. Getting daily exercise, unplugging before bedtime and creating a calm sleeping environment (try adding lavender to your oil diffuser) have been shown helpful for obtaining 6-8 hours of quality rest each night.
♦ MEDITATE:
Starting a daily habit of meditation can help decrease stress. If you’re finding getting started difficult, set a timer for two minutes, count your breaths and don’t get caught up in whether you’re doing it ‘right’. Simply allow yourself to slow down & focus on your body, any feelings that arise, and release stressful thoughts before smiling and continuing with your day.
♦ UNPLUG:
Set aside ‘screen-free’ times during the day to help give your mind & eyes a break (from texts, social media, work or other online distractions). Don’t bring your phone into the bedroom—morning or night, your mind will benefit from escaping the unnecessary stress a phone screen can bring to start and end your days.
♦ DIET:
What you put into your body is key, especially during times of elevated stress. Eating whole foods, drinking plenty of water, getting your daily vitamins and natural remedies like hemp can help balance the nutrients your body needs daily to feel calmer. Click here to learn more about LIFEAID HEMP Balance Blend.
C O N C L U S I O N
Life's stressful enough right now. Hopefully these tips will be helpful reminders for you to take moments during your day to pause, breathe more deeply and appreciate the good things in your life. We all could use more moments of zen. Be well, everyone.
> > > Stay well.
Now more than ever, we all need simple ways to unplug and escape the stress of daily life. Here are our top tips for creating more zen moments while at home: ♦ JOURNAL: The act of writing your thoughts down on paper can be very therapeutic, freeing your mind from carrying all those things around. […]
What we feed our bodies affects its ability to resist and fight-off disease. Inadequate nutrition can compromise our body’s defense and its response to foreign invaders, while conscious dieting can optimize its ability to resist disease. It’s therefore important we be mindful of our diet to ensure that our bodies have the tools needed to heal and recover.
Diet can be broken up into several basic categories. The following food groups and types are excellent sources of nutrients that directly support the immune system.
Water
As simple as it sounds, water is an essential part of our well-being. Sticking to water as opposed to diuretic beverages like alcohol, coffee, and sugary drinks is ideal. Hydration is especially important during winter and early spring, as colder and drier weather can leave the respiratory lining susceptible to infection.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables offer countless benefits to our body. These are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that our body needs to function and keep our organs healthy. They are nutrient dense, meaning that they offer more nutrients per calorie than most other foods.
Fiber from fruits and vegetables promotes a healthy digestive tract, where they act as prebiotics. This is extremely important! Our gut plays a key role in the absorption of nutrients and in supporting the immune system. A healthy gut allows the body to reap the full benefits of the nutrients consumed.
Berries
Berries are packed with antioxidants that protect our body from all sorts of wear and tear. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals, reactive molecules that would otherwise react with important micro-biological structures and render them useless.
Berries are also abundant in phytochemicals (“plant-” chemicals), which are becoming more and more recognized as important to our health. Examples of phytochemicals includes flavonoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, sulfides, thiols, and many many more. Phytochemicals are the most effective when consumed in their natural form, not as a supplement.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are a good source of healthy (poly-unsaturated and mono-unsaturated) fats. Examples include plant-based oils (liquid at room temperature), omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to immune support and function, eliciting a supporting effect on phagocytic cells like neutrophils and macrophages. Nuts and seeds are also packing with energy and are phytochemicals, making them a no-brainer when it comes to immune support.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is a miracle worker when it comes to immunity. Adequate levels of vitamin D ensure that we have strong bones and a strong immune system. Supplementing with vitamin D has been found to lower the likelihood of upper respiratory tract infections as well as shorten the illness. Vitamin D also has antioxidant properties that protect with oxidative damage and has a stabilizing effect on mood.
>>> Stay well.
Original post by Santa Cruz Core on March 26, 2020 ⋅ Written by Jaimi Jansen What we feed our bodies affects its ability to resist and fight-off disease. Inadequate nutrition can compromise our body’s defense and its response to foreign invaders, while conscious dieting can optimize its ability to resist disease. It’s therefore important we be mindful […]
Later this week, LIFEAID will be launching its LIFEAID LIFT program. Watch your inbox for additional details! “Our gyms have been so supportive of our brand, making FITAID the #1 Workout Recovery Drink in America. Now we want to give back and provide monetary assistance to them during this time of turbulence and financial uncertainty. […]
. 29 Healthy Recipes to Boost Your Immunity Eating Well shares some delicious & healthy recipes—that are also quick and easy—to help keep your immune system firing on all cylinders right now. Read the full article now. . ‘Fittest Doc’ Answers the Question: Are You at Risk for Coronavirus? Special guest Dr. Nick, MD—the “Fittest […]