November is a time to reflect on the things that matter most and appreciate the little moments that make our days brighter. With the holiday season approaching, it’s easy to get caught up in everything on our to-do lists, so this month, let’s make a little extra room for connection, gratitude, and taking care of ourselves along the way. We hope you find plenty of reasons to smile this month. Let’s dive in!
🍂 Monthly Wellness Tip: Focus on the Positives
Taking a moment to recognize the good things in your life can be a simple way to shift your perspective. Try ending each day by thinking of three things you’re grateful for, whether it’s a great workout, time spent with loved ones, or a small win that made you smile. They don’t have to be big things! Taking a few moments to appreciate the positives can help you end your day on a brighter note.
📝 Monthly Challenge: Thankful Thoughts
This month, we’re taking our monthly challenge beyond workouts and focusing on gratitude! Stop by the Thankful Thoughts trifold board in the gym, grab a sticky note, and write down something you’re thankful for, something that makes you happy, an accomplishment you’re proud of, or anything positive you’d like to share. Stick your note on the board and help us fill it with positivity and gratitude throughout the month. Let’s spread a little extra happiness and remind ourselves of all the good things in our lives!
💪 Shoutout Time! Feel free to congratulate your fellow members in person when you see them.
William Kooper - Hit the 500 training session milestone last month!
Anne Quinn, Jenny Mayfield, Zander Fiske, Connor Garvey, and Shelly Wen - Earned another gold star last month!
✨Member Features with Nikki Clements and Jake Greenberg
What does your daily training mean to you?
Nikki- My training has been an integral part of my life for over a decade now, evolving through many life chapters that have impacted the "meaning". However, the one constant is the significantly positive impact on my mental well-being, which is shaped by both the physical aspect of working out and the community and social connections I have with my Ambitious Athletics teammates. I truly look forward to seeing my friends at 7:15am, and sporadically at other class times, and value the consistent joy it brings to kick off my mornings. P.S. Who else would listen to me rant about Survivor and the newest Taylor Swift Easter Egg conspiracies at the crack of dawn?!
Jake- I make training a priority because it's the number one way I take care of myself, physically and mentally. When I'm training consistently, I feel strong, confident and happy, and that helps me show up better for my family, friends and coworkers.
How do you balance training, nutrition, and recovery?
Nikki- I try to maintain a really intuitive approach to balance training, nutrition, and recovery. Listening to my body and my mind is the most important for my own sanity, so I try to honor that in the day-to-day. With that being said, my body can feel when I haven't been prioritizing any or all of the above (i.e. feeling tired, brain fog, etc.), so the balance works for me.
Jake- I rarely feel like I have all three in balance. Every so often, I’ll get into a routine where everything clicks, and I ride that as long as I can before life gets in the way. I know how good that balance feels, so I keep working my way back to it.
When things are clicking, it usually looks like this:
Blocking off time on my work calendar for strength or conditioning five or six days a week
Meal prepping twice a week so balanced, home-cooked meals are ready to heat up
Getting about eight hours of sleep each night
Not traveling, which makes the first three easier
Tell us about an adventure you were on where you thought, “man, I’m happy my body performs like this.”
Nikki- As a girl who does not enjoy the outdoors, I truly think the "adventures" happen in my everyday workouts. I am impressed daily by the amount of weight I lift across all movements just by being consistent and not even trying to progress in weight. Most recently, I found myself hoisting up 40s for a dumbbell incline bench press with ease, when I needed a spot with my final reps prior.
Jake- I have that thought every winter when I climb to the top of a mountain on my skis and still have enough gas in the tank to enjoy the ride down. That's one of my favorite payoffs from training.
What’s the one metric you keep an eye on that tells you if you’re slacking or not? (Think a particular lift, exercise, run, medical data, vo2, body fat).
Nikki- I honestly keep track of the number of days I workout at the aggregate level, aiming for intentional movement at least 5 or 6 days a week. Whether it's going to an Ambitious Athletics class, or hopping on the Peloton, I try to not let myself skip a workout two days in a row.
Jake- I mostly keep an eye on my WHOOP “Pace of Aging.” I like having one number that helps me see how my training, sleep, and recovery are coming together over time. For me, that longer-term trend is more useful than any single workout, night of sleep, or recovery score. It helps me see whether my habits are adding up. When my pace of aging slows down, it’s encouraging. When it starts creeping up, I look at what’s changed and what I can adjust to get back on track.
