The Small Picture.

Many changes have been happening lately in the world of Chelsea. Like previously mentioned it is related to things I do (and then do not) discuss on this here blog. But life on the personal front has actually been peachy.

In the last 6 months I’ve managed to move, buy myself a new car, and have really found a balance in ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE. Financial, social, personal.

Although at the moment I’m not a racing maniac (who in the past has ignored most adult responsibilities at times in lieu of training for a race – just me?) through it all this year I’ve managed to still train for and complete 2 ultramarathons (one of them on trails) Yeah, trail running and I actually kind of need to reconvene. I’m missing being out on that dirt path more.

I’ve been more introspective lately about life in general. It has been actually really great for my body mind and spirit. Also thank you, essential oils for making me stop and breathe amidst work chaos. Deep breaths during times of a crazy schedule working 2 demanding jobs equals a happy Chelsea.

For those of you who are the praying kind and can relate, God has blessed me with a side hustle that I love without a doubt. I’m teaching more classes at the gym than ever before and this has been extremely rewarding to be able to use my gifts and talents effectively. I’ve taken on more at my career/tv job and it is staying float thanks to my great editor and people that help make THAT world go ‘round.

I recently read a post on Reddit running and it definitely helped to put some things in perspective about runners, running and our self worth in general.

Sometimes it just helps to not only get a different perspective on things – but just to know that there are others out there, a community of sorts. A community that is still trying to figure it all out. It not only helps to get with community but to also tap into YOU…figure out what makes it happen through however YOU need to. And if you need to breathe, stretch, shake, let it go. Just know that distance running or whatever passion you are eternally after…will always be there. With open arms. Ready to embrace you for the beautiful human being that you truly are.

Focus on the small picture – be kind – you are worthy.

What are some things that keep you calm in the midst of a chaotic world?
Lately…tons of HOT YOGA…morning miles…evening views…and amazing friends and family in my life who just get me.

Weds Spin Playlist.

It’s a great day for some spin cycle jams! I’ve been insanely busy you guys but honestly it is the kind of busy that I LOVE. I’m truly thankful to have a side hustle that truly fulfills me in every way.

It is amazing how different things fulfill different people. For some, that is motherhood. For others…it is perhaps buying a home or something of that nature.

For me, it is truly being at peace with the way my life currently has a beautiful flow to it. Then, being a fulfilled fitness instructor really is just the icing on the dang cake.

With that said – here’s the playlist for the week! Let’s be friends on Spotify!

You can check out my latest teaching schedule here and come to class. 

Let’s go for a ride!

Dance With Me (Club Mix)- 112: Warm up
Bring it Back- MOTi/BODYWORX: Accelerations
Summer Nights- Tiesto, John Legend: Rolling hills
JUMP- Ciara, Coast Contra: Standing run
Grindin- Clipse: Jumps
Confident- Alias Remix, Demi Lovato: Tapbacks
Bad Habits- Ed Sheeran, SHAUN: Climb
I Would Die for You- Prince: Sprints
Side Effects- The Chainsmokers, Emily Warren: Active recovery
Crazy What Love Can Do- David Guetta, James Hype: Rolling hills
These Nights- Loud Luxury: Tapbacks
Simon Says- Meg Thee Stallion: Accelerations
I Feel Good- Pitbull: Rolling hills
Hoohah- Fox Stevenson, Curbi: Accelerations
Don’t Matter- FKJ, Cherokee: Cool down

Random Thoughts Thursday.

–I’m finally settled in to my new place and enjoying my brand new DIGS you guys!! It is a real deal blessing when you are able to manifest a calming environment and just enjoy your surroundings. Feeling at peace with any and everything going on in the life of Chelsea right now. The things that I do and DON’T broadcast here.

–Yoga several times a week is currently happening and I am absolutely loving the changes I am seeing in my body. And mind too!! It is funny how when those two things come together they create so much balance and harmony.

–Also I am all about the LESS ANNOUCEMENTS on social media and just doing things that sincerely bring me the utmost joy. I’ve been spending lots more time with the people and things that resonate with my spirit.

–Essential oils at the moment. Currently diffusing at my desk! AROMATHERAPY really has been everything.

–I am still teaching more classes at the gym than ever before and getting in the groove of teaching in the early mornings again. It’s funny because my body just naturally knows how to wake up between the hours of 4 and 5 AM?! Then swiftly goes back into REM sleep mode if I’m not up by about 6. Haha. Must have been all of those years slaving and training in the sun for marathon training.

–My sweetest friend Ash (who also happens to be an extremely low key badass 100 MILE ULTRARUNNER) got me a free race entry into this awesome race! This will be my first serious mountain trail 25k and I could not be more excited. So yeah, your girl will still be slaving a bit in the sun coming up oh so soon. But yes…this one will be all about the fun and I simply cannot wait.

–Hmm…maybe I’ll get back to monthly 50ks in the mean time to train for said mountain race? The possibilities are endless.

Share what you are loving about this week!
Teaching AMP sculpt and all of the back muscles sore and hurting from strength work, recovering with compression boots and peach wine.

Weds Spin Playlist.

I’ve got a hot spin cycle playlist for your moving and grooving pleasure today!! Oldies, goodies and of course some hot new tracks. Enjoy!

Find me on Spotify and see where I’ll be on a bike teaching next here.

Upcoming sub dates also below!! I’m ‘on tour’ teaching ALL OVER THE PLACE thru the summer. More to come. 

Let’s go for a ride!

What it Feels Like- Navos, Galantie, YOU: Warm up
Come Get it Bae- Pharrell Williams: Standing run
BREAK MY SOUL- Beyonce: Rolling hills
No Tears Left to Cry- Ariana Grande: Jumps
Hardcore- Dombresky: Tapbacks
Never Been Hurt- Krewella: Rolling hills
More Than Friends- James Hype: Climb
Rain On Me- Lady Gaga: Sprints
Let Me Love You- Ne-Yo: Active recovery
Paradise- MEDUZA: Climb
The Parade- Joel Corry: Sprints
Right Here- SWV, Allen Gordon Jr: Jumps
Shine Good- Garmiani: Accelerations
Turnin’ Me Up- BJ the Chicago Kid: Cool down

Feel free to share what jams you are loving on this week!

TGIFriday Faves.

Oh yes it is finally Friday! I got my day started with a power packed spin cycle RISE AND RIDE with my Life Time crew!! We filled those bikes up and hot nice and sweaty. Of course I had to squeeze in a post cycle Hydro Massage session. My body is verrrrry very happy at the moment. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

Let’s get to this week’s faves!

–The best sunscreens for runners to wear in 2022. I need all the help I can get frankly. YES because Black folks get sunburnt too. Just keeping it real.

–Enjoying all of the time by the resort pool at the gym. I’m going to be a nice shade of toasted mocha before you know it.

–Ryan Gosling as Ken in the Barbie Movie? I mean it suits him well what can I say.

–Cucumber water ~ best beverage for boosting hydration. I’ll be grabbing some cucumbers at the farmer’s market this weekend.

–And finally, your Friday funny.

Have a great weekend!

Feel free to share some of your faves from this week? What is your fave food/or drink to refuel and rehydrate from your workout!?
Definitely some icy cold watermelon.

Random Thoughts Thursday.

–This week has been quite busy on the work front (serious summer hustle mode ACTIVATED) but I am making it work! Excited to be given the opportunity to teach so many classes at Life Time across the DFW area. Blessings upon blessings.

–My class in Frisco is ALMOST full! You know I’ve been teaching classes at the gym for the last decade…and yet and still I do not think I’ve ever taught 40 people at 5:30 in the morning !! That is some hardcore morning ENERGY you know! Bring it on. Hey…there are only 2 spots left apparently too so get on the list.

–I do have both a hydro massage as well as Normatec compression session scheduled for right after class in the A.M. so I simply cannot wait.

–Yes my hot yoga journey continues and I found a wonderful studio close to my casa!! For some reason I just prefer a yoga studio over taking the actual class at the gym. It makes the experience a bit more intimate and lovely.

–Due to said hustle week I’ve been diffusing essential oils in the office all week long. Bless the Lord for lavender aromatherapy.

Share some randomness from your week! What is keeping your stress level down helping to increase your zen?!
Yoga, running, teaching classes at the gym, solo reflection time.

Weds Spin Playlist.

It’s a great day for some spin cycle jams!! I’ve got a hot summer workout playlist on deck. Come check me out this week if you are local to DFW! I’ll be teaching tonight in Colleyville, this weekend in North Dallas and a 5th class for the week was just added in Frisco. Oh yes your girl is on her spin cycle hustle!!

Let’s get to straight to the jams!

Peanut Butter Jelly- Galantis: Warm up
Ragtime Interlude/I’m Really Hot- Missy Elliot: Accelerations
Do It Tonight- Cedric Gervais: Rolling hills
In My Room- Yellow Claw: Standing run
Rock the Boat- Aaliyah, Remix: Rolling hills
Trouble- Wiwek, MC Spyder: Sprints
Crave You- Flight Facilities: Jumps
21 Reasons- Nathan Dawe, Ella Henderson: Jumps on a hill
Ferrari- James Hype, Miggy Dela Rosa: Climb
Summerthing- Afrojack, Remix: Accelerations
Always Be My Sunshine- JayZ: Climb
Messiah- I See MONSTAS: Accelerations
The Fall- The Chainsmokers: Active recovery
Only You- Offaiah: Rolling hills
Go Deep- Janet Jackson: Jumps on a hill
Inside Out- Zedd, Griff: Climb
Voulez Vous: Bali Bandits: Sprints
Passion- Cherokee: Cool down

Feel free to what workout tracks you are loving today!

TGIFriday Faves.

I got my AM started with an oh so lovely heated Hatha flow!! After a long week of running, working, rowing and spin cycling I surely needed it. It felt real good to hold poses longer and I also feel like I am getting a lot stronger.

I’ll soon be back to doing this dancer’s pose like a freaking boss.

Oh yes I was a yoga goddess back in the day. If you don’t know, now you know.

Let’s get to this week’s faves!

–8 of the best yoga stretches for runners. Love the locust pose and using blocks in general.

–Coconut cream cold brew! Where have you been all my life.

–I never actually thought to put basil in a smoothie but I am loving this! Also the runner’s pina colada is making a comeback.

(source)

–And finally, your Friday funny.

Except make that a 50k. 

Make it a fantastic weekend!

What is on tap for your weekend? I hope it is all good things that warm your heart and soul.

Random Thoughts Thursday.

This has been quite the WEEK! Between moving into a brand new apartment in a new neighborhood, teaching classes at the gym and my career job…things are a bit all over the place. But, still making it do what it do. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Busy times in the life of Chelsea.

I have had time to slow down a bit and enjoy my surroundings though. View from my backyard.

I know most of my readers are used to consistency with my posts…but LIFE happens, ya know? Next week we will be back with the routine and a hot new spin cycle playlist for my instructors. Or…you can always check out my Spotify since I pretty much am updating over there on the daily.

I genuinely do not know how that many people find me on that little corner of the internet. But I am here for it.

Lately I’ve also been keeping it spicy with lotsa fun workouts mixed in with running. My latest Class Pass discovery – Row House! Yes, I used to be a rowing queen back in the day. So fun having great fitness studios and classes in your neighborhood.

Also keeping my life stress / major transition crazies at bay – Lavender tea. And hot yoga. Working my way back up to be able to do my favorite pose and hold it for an eternity.

Share some randomness from your week!

Preferably something with good vibes sprinkled in and/or included. We all could use some summer cheer around here.

Random Thoughts Thursday.

–In the thick of moving boxes and preparing for change I was able to get up early for some humid but beautiful cool(er) miles!! It is starting to heat back up in Texas though so just about everywhere (in the gym and OUTDOORS) for working out is just like a dang sauna. But your girl is all about that sweat factor so I absolutely love it. Plus miles are feeling so good lately now that I am back on my hot yoga game.

–Yes, hot yoga is so much more amazing with a pretty mat. This yoga mat just makes my soul happy.

–Another thing of soul happiness…organic imperial matcha green tea all day every day. It is starting to be my new coffee! Say it ain’t so.

–I am thankfully going to enjoy a 3 day weekend while I move into the brand new place. Mama is helping and brought me over all of the MOVING SNACKS!! Yes, moving snacks are a thing. Gotta love it.

–My new view. Yes, I still want/need to be by a body of water at all times. What can I say I am a water baby, free spirit, independent and all of those things.

–I am thinking about doing some boho décor in the new place!! Suggestions wanted and needed. I need it to be as all natural, airy and organic as possible.

Pinterest inspo.

–Now this is probably the most random of all – but how about this for a throwback Thursday! Me and my family friend buddy. Yes…I look like a trouble maker because I am one.

–And finally, your Thursday funny. Make it a good one.

Any décor ideas from the group? Feel free to share some randomness with me!