Free Outdoor Workout Series Returns — WellcommATX [6.1.26]

WellcommATX is the email newsletter bringing you the best of Austin’s wellness community. Get On The List and get Wellcomm sent directly to your inbox. Have a friend who would love Wellcomm? Then please forward our email or tag them on our IG.

[EVENTS RETURN] We’re bringing back Austin event coverage! But rather than share a long list, we’re curating one event per email and calling it our Hit Event. Keep reading to see what we picked this week, how we choose our Hit Events, and the experiences you can expect from Wellcomm going forward.

[HIGH FIVE] We gave a High Five to Melissa Gibson, an Instructor at On The Mat With MLG’s pop-up yoga classes in Southern MD and across the DMV.

Wellcomm: Where do you workout?

Melissa Gibson: My mornings always begin with coffee (a must) and grounding: putting my bare feet in the grass, taking in nature, listening to the birds, and practing Qigong to start my day. If I'm not dancing in my kitchen (that counts, right?) or going on hikes around the DMV, you'll find me working out at Sonder Studios three to four days a week. My love is hot power yoga, but I also mix it up with vinyasa yoga, barre, Pilates, and circuit training. As I'm now in my forties, I've found the need to adapt my physical activity to incorporate less heavy power lifting and more functional movement focus with the goals of improved mobility, strength, and breathing. My days of heavy deadlifts and snatches are behind me.

WC: What does wellness mean to you?

MG: Wellness is so complex. Living with hypothyroidism and Hoshimotos, along with perimenopause now, and the daily stressors of life, work, bills, family, and more, wellness must come from a holistic approach. Everything is so interconnected. Sleep, work/life balance, nutrition, hydration, emotional intelligence, nervous system regulation, self-care, and fitness: it all matters equally. Additionally, living in our Dharma and working towards our purpose in life will give back to our wellness tenfold. As I've gotten older, and as I've gone through my initial 200 hour yoga teacher training, learning to set new boundaries, rooting down into my core values, and exploring my purpose, all of that helps my wellness come full circle. This results in a more holistic wellness approach, bringing about mindful thoughts and actions.

WC: What are your wellness goals over the next twelve months?

MG: My wellness goals over the next twelve months are to continue three to four days a week of intentional fitness classes, daily walking, and continued mindful nutritional intake. Before starting my 200 hour YTT with Sonder Studios, my weight topped out at 179. Granted, I am 5'8, but my Hoshimotos was out of control and my cortisol levels were through the roof. I've since dropped 16 pounds, I feel stronger, and my body feels less inflamed. I attribute this big change to intentional living: participating in fitness activities, eating more whole foods, drinking less alcohol, sweating regularly, and rebounding. If I can continue all of these things, regulate my auto-immune issues, and age gracefully, I'm all in for the next year!

WC: Who are some people who inspire you, motivate you, or keep you accountable when it comes to your wellness?

MG: The entire staff and community at Sonder Studios inspires me, motivates me, and keeps me accountable when it comes to my wellness. It's always great to wake up to a text saying "Let's meet for a class this morning" or "I haven't seen you in a few days." You all know who you are, and a special shoutout to my YTT mentors, Megan Twining and Allie Lehnhardt. I'm also motivated by my entire On The Mat  Community. You all keep me inspired to create new sequences that not only motivate you, but motivate myself as well, so thank you.

WC: What advice would you share with someone looking to change their wellness routine?

MG: If someone is looking to change their wellness routine, I'd recommend four simple things. First, choose some sort of physical fitness activity that challenges your breath and makes you sweat. Intentional breathing and sweating are both such amazing ways to detox the body. Second, start eating whole foods and get rid of the pre-packaged items. Shop from the outside of the grocery store, make time to plan your meals and easy snacks, and be intentional with your choices. Third, set small, attainable goals. Maybe it's to walk one mile or perform Chaturanga. Whatever it may be, make it attainable and give yourself a timeframe to work towards. And fourth, when it comes to both your physical fitness and nutrition, choose something that you like and is enjoyable.

Know a fitness instructor or personal trainer who deserves a High Five? Click here to submit your nomination so we can consider them for a future High Five profile!

[HIT EVENT]

• What: 10th Annual Summer Sunset Series presented by Bloom Nutrition and hosted by YTX

• When: Every Tuesday from June 2nd through August 4th. Gates open at 6:30 PM.

• Where: Republic Square Park

• Why: Austin's classic summertime fitness tradition brings you free Yoga, Pilates, and HIIT classes, plus live DJs and musicians, cold plunges, local vendors, raffles, and a great opportunity to connect with fellow Austinites.

• How: The event is free to attend. Arrive when gates open at 6:30 PM, bring your workout gear, and join in for an evening of movement, music, and summer vibes.

How do we pick our Hit Events? They’re curated exclusively for our WellcommATX Community from former High Fives. Each week, we’ll highlight one standout fitness event in the WellcommATX email. This could be:

• a group workout

• a pop-up fitness event

• a race or charity run

• a pickleball tournament

• a cycling ride

• a recovery event or

• anything else fitness-related

These events will be shared with all Wellcomm email subscribers, but submissions from former High Fives who are subscribers are prioritized, ideally for events they’re organizing, leading, or personally involved with.

We’ll feature one event per week, so spots are limited. We’re grateful for everything our High Fives do for our fitness community and are excited to share these exclusive ongoing updates from the best of Austin!

That’s this week’s edition of WellcommATX. Like what you read? Get On The List and get future editions sent directly to your inbox. Have a friend who needs to read Wellcomm? Forward our email to them or tag them on our IG. Until next time, take care of yourself, and take care of each other.

Go For It,

Your WellcommATX Team

Transform Your Self. Transform Your Community. Transform Your World.