229: Improv on the Run
This episode is about being vulnerable, creating psychological safety, running your dream race, and more. Nancy Watt (improv leader, communications professional, and fellow runner) and I talk a lot about improv, which is how this entire episode flows.
We discuss the following:
Nancy’s running tribe, and how it provides her with connection
The importance of saying yes, and the foundation of improv
How doing something hard gives you credibility with yourself
Where improv, positive psychology, and running with a tribe intersect
How the more tools you have in your resilience belt lead to greater well-being and struggling well
Nancy’s favorite improv ladies
The deep emotion that comes from running a race and the feeling of community that it brings
Nancy’s best run of her life, which was the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon
Encouraging words for how to have conversations and ways of looking at people who you don’t necessarily agree with
Why she suggests taking on something that brings you to the edge of discomfort
Serena and I gush about how wonderful it feels to have a clean, organized space and how it leads to being more mindful in all parts of life.
Serena’s recommended mindful eating practices include the following:
Cut up your food! Did you know that it takes your brain twenty minutes to “get the memo” that you have eaten?! I have found a great way to help achieve that twenty-minute mark is to cut up the food on my plate. It gives me time to savor, smell, and inspect my dish before I’ve eaten a bite, which also enhances mindful eating! I even go as far as to cut my banana into twenty individual slices!
Stop, drop your fork, and check in with your stomach (#StopDropCheck). Have you ever eaten, looked down, and all the food was gone?! That’s not good! Try this helpful practice: At some point during your meal, stop eating, put your fork down, and check in with your hunger. You will need to practice this ritual to figure out just how full feels best for you. Remember, this isn’t supposed to be a strategy to get you to eat less or more—it’s simply just you checking in with your body. Continue eating if you're truly hungry!
Remember, there’s always another meal. I think sometimes we eat until we are bursting, because we want to really soak up our meal’s delicious flavor. But how good does that really feel if you leave a plate feeling uncomfortably bloated and full?! Remember, there will always be another ice cream cone, and there will always be another meal. It helps me to remind myself, “You will eat again.” It’s silly, it’s simple, but it really works for me!
Please tweet what your biggest takeaways were to us at @KariGormley and @SerenaMarieRD!
Links Discussed
AGH BMO World Film Festival listing for Nancy’s partnered film, Love, Gilda: ArtGalleryofHamilton.com/festival-program/love-gilda-wff-2018/
Contact:
Nancy Watt:
Website: NancyWattComm.com
Facebook: /Nancy-Watt-Communications-1956558654579150
Twitter: @nancyWatt1
LinkedIn: in/nancywatt
Email: nancy@nancywattcomm.com
Serena Marie, RD:
Website: www.SerenaMarieRD.com
Facebook: /SerenaMarieRD
Twitter: @SerenaMarieRD
Instagram: SerenaMarieRD
Kari Gormley:
Facebook: The Running Lifestyle Show
Twitter: @KariGormley
Instagram: @KariGormley
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to www.karigormley.com/disclaimer.