Adventures in California
Since leaving my life in the corporate world almost 4 years ago, I’ve made a conscious effort to invest in myself and my development. I worked for incredible organizations like PepsiCo and Nike who dedicated a lot of resources and time to ensure I received personal and professional development opportunities. As I shifted into my own endeavour with well&tight, I made sure that I set aside money to continue top invest in myself annually. The certifications and courses I’ve taken have focused on leadership, movement, nutrition, spiritual growth and inward self study. Each effort has allowed me to stay in the work of personal awareness and intention setting so I can continue on my own path of being my best potential self. All of my work is shared in the classes I teach, workshops I host and the immersive weekends which are launching this Fall.
My most recent investment into my growth was more spiritual in nature. It started in LA where I attended a Global Immersion Program with The Class By Taryn Toomey. I stayed on to hike in Yosemite National Park and then finished my trip in Napa to cheer my husband on in his 11th Iromman race. All the highlights are below.
The Class by Taryn Toomey
I first experienced The Class when I was in New York City a few months ago. I absolutely love exploring new studios and trying different classes to inspire new movement in my own body. The class uses simple, repetitive calisthenics and plyometrics to challenge the body to engage the mind. The result is an expansive, heart-clearing and body-strengthening release. I absolutely loved my first experience with The Class and was eager to go even deeper into the work. So I applied for the Global Immersion program. A 4-day, guided self-study program.
For 4 days we moved our bodies (2 hour workouts each morning), participated in heart clearing meditations, explored old limiting pattern within our minds and practiced self awareness and forgiveness. I personally explored my relationship with control. Being an anxious child and now adult has caused me to want to control everything around me to avoid feeling anxious (spoiler alter, it doesn’t help ease the anxiety). My awareness and work is on releasing this need to control, trusting the magic of life simply unfolding as it was designed to and trusting the process. This wasn’t new news to me, however the work we did allowed me to better understand the science of my patterns and the importance of getting uncomfortable to experience new transformation and ease in my life.
I was very grateful that one of our trainers Sylvia was interested in joining me for this course. It was beautiful to see her experience the magic of self study and watch her transform before my eyes. And most importantly be able to share my own personal discoveries with someone who can hold me accountable to the work once we left the bubble of the program and entered back into real life.
Location: LA, California
Accommodations: Beverly Hills Hotel
The Program: Global Immersion by The Class
Yosemite National Park
It amazes me that this Park wasn’t even on my radar and it ended up being the highlight of my trip. I was looking for something to do between my program in LA and my husbands Ironman in Napa the following weekend. I had 3 days until I met him in San Fransisco and knew that I wanted to do some hiking. My friend Ange suggested I look into Yosemite and I’m so happy I did. This park is incredible and I will absolutely be back. I reached out to my friend Michelle who is an experience hiker and she was more than happy to join me for the adventure. This allowed me to do more challenging hikes with her guidance.
We drove the 5 hour drive to Yosemite on Sunday and grabbed groceries on the way. There are a lot of small towns around the park however don’t expect any nice restaurants or shopping. We stayed about 30 min’s from the park entrance at the great little glamping site with airstreams. It was an awesome location with a really great vibe. Everyone was friendly, knowledgable and gracious hosts. There was live music around the campfire each night and it was family friendly.
On Monday we set out early for the park. The drive there was spectacular with a lot of waterfalls and massive mountains to drive through. The Park is like nothing I’ve ever seen before and likely won’t ever be able to describe. We hiked Yosemite Falls Trail which was 8.6 miles and worth each and every step to the top. It was very challenging. The views are unbelievable and like nothing I’ve ever experienced hiking before. As we were about to start down I rolled my ankle and sprained it. The adrenalin of the climb (and really no other way down) I was able to make it down to the bottom with Michelle’s help. I’ve never felt that kind of pain before and my mental strength game was strong. Fortunately with some icing all night, anti-inflammatories and a wrap I was able to do another hike the next day.
We chose the Mist Trail (3 miles) so we could get into the belly of a waterfall (prepare yourself to get really wet) and then felt good enough to keep climbing and extended it another 2 miles to see another incredible view of Half Dome via the Vernal Fall Trail. This hike was slightly less challenging that Monday’s but still quite the effort, especially on tired legs.
Location: Yosemite National Park
Accommodations: Auto Camp
Trails: Yosemite Falls Trail, Mist Trail, Vernal Falls Trail
Ironman
My husband and I met training for Ironman distance triathlons 10 years ago. Training and traveling to races and cheering each other one during 12 + hour races was a big part our of lives before children. Since having children we both chose to stop competing at the Ironman distance races because we simply don’t have the luxury of time to train. We’ve continued to race smaller distance triathlons as we love the sport. This race was going to be my husbands first Ironman distance since having children 7 years ago. We chose Napa as we thought it would be a great way to spend the time together as well. I rented a bike while I was there and biked around the course while he raced, cheering him on at different spots along the way. It was a beautiful area to ride and I would go back just for the cycling. He had an incredible race and finished really strong and right where he wanted to.
We spent our time between Sonoma and Napa. Preparing for his race, racing, visiting a few wineries and visiting a natural springs for a proper mud bath spa experience with friends. The landscape is beautiful and it was stunning to bike through. My favourite vineyard to tour was Sterling as the views were out of this world and we did a meal tasting program that was beautifully created. We finished our trip at a quaint little spa that was recommended by my friend Marianne.
Race: Ironman Santa Rosa
Hotel: Indian Springs