Difficult is better than easy

When a workout, a run or a dinner with three vegetables seems about as manageable as attempting a nuclear fusion in your bathtub, it’s easy to feel disheartened and frustrated. During those daily struggles, most of us wish things would be easier and effortless. But when was the last time […]

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The most pervasive explanation for back pain

Just today, I had two conversations with people who put their back pain down to age. One was in the mid-60s, and the other in the early 40s. It’s easy to think of our bodies as machines that wear down over time. And if there’s one thing we humans love […]

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Is pre-pregnancy body the right body?

The fitness industry (and the society) treats the pre-pregnancy body as the right body. But pregnancy is almost as significant a transformation for a woman’s body as puberty or menopause. So isn’t it strange to think it shouldn’t change one’s physique? -J ps. This excellent insight is ripped off from […]

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What happens when you reach your fitness goals?

I had this conversation with an online client last week. She’s reached the fitness goals she set when we first started. So naturally, the “What’s the next goal?” came up. And her response was so insightful that I wanted to share it with you. Here’s what she had to say: […]

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A simple design principle to guide us to better choices

Ever find yourself scarfing down a pack of Oreos simply because it was within arm’s reach? Skipping a workout because your gym clothes were buried under a mountain of laundry? Who hasn’t, right? We’re creatures of habit, and our environment dictates our habits more than we feel comfortable admitting. The […]

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The best way to workout with kids

I am all for being a healthy role model for my kids and finding ways to stay active as a family. I’ve written about how my Dad’s example is the biggest reason I became interested in fitness. But I am also a realist. A realist who knows that a focused […]

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“I used to be…”

We all have stories. Personal narratives that shape how we perceive ourselves. Often, this internal script begins with, “I used to be…” “I used to be a runner.” “I used to be in shape.” “I used to have a movie-proof bladder.” These statements often emerge from a place of nostalgia, […]

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Trending in the world of pseudoscience

Happy Monday! Let’s start the week by sharpening our pseudoscience awareness. Or as the folks at McGill University put it, “In trying to make sense of pseudoscience, it helps to have a mental map of what is popular these days.” Unsurprisingly, the health and wellness industry is well represented. We’re […]

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Everything is a compromise

Everything we do is time away from something else we could be doing. Both in good and bad. But also in good and good. One thing has to suffer when something else takes priority. And when we really like the thing that suffers, it can be hard to accept. But […]

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I thought I’d never see this

I feel like strength training is becoming, ahem, trendy. At least in the non-trainer circles that I frequent. For the longest time, strength training has been associated with bodybuilders, powerlifters and folks who want to look dead-sexy in underwear. But thanks to people like Dr Peter Attia, we are seeing […]

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My training revolves around these 10 exercises

I’ve been doing all my strength training at home since early 2020. Because you know why. On most days, I’ve got about 73 things on my mind. The last thing I need is some complicated training program or a list of exercises to add to that mental load. These are […]

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Self-care is selfish

One thing that often comes up in “setting boundaries” conversations that I think we could all do better with. Myself included. And that’s the language around how prioritising self-care is not selfish. As in, we put ourselves first to be there for others. But this is still a soft boundary […]

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How to reduce your pain sensitivity

By exploring these and dialling in the ones that affect you the most: – What you eat and drink – Sleep – Past experiences – Friends and family – Relationships – The things you do to cope – Beliefs – Activities and hobbies (as in, sometimes returning to snowboarding is […]

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Yes, but… what if it gives me a nasty case of hemorrhoids?

When trying to learn new things and change habits, there’s a third tool I didn’t cover yesterday. Not only does this tool make change easier, but it will also allow you to make faster progress. The tool? Seek feedback. Connect with someone who can help you figure out how to […]

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The struggle within

As I am watching our kids learn to ride a bike, figure out the alphabet and trying navigate their feelings and emotions, I am constantly reminded that being a kid is tough. For kids, everything is a trial and error and they’re constantly balancing somewhere along the learning curve. As […]

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