Tell us a little bit about yourself :)
Hi, I’m Grace and I ventured up to Auckland a few years ago from Christchurch for the opportunities and lifestyle - and can’t forget the temperate winters, a welcome change from the chilly south. By day, I work for a high growth software startup called Tracksuit, which tracks fundamental brand metrics in a beautiful, easy to use dashboard. By night, you’ll probably find me tucked up with a book. Wellness is important to me. I enjoy saunas, ice baths, yoga, walking, climbing, bouldering and spending time in nature. All that good stuff. I appreciate the access we have in New Zealand to these things, but I’ll happily take a European summer anytime too.
How did you get into running / what does your running journey look like?
When I was a kid, I did really well in my school cross country without training and it made me realise that maybe I had a bit of a knack for long distance. I didn’t properly get into running until the end of high school, and have recently had a big hiatus after a major ankle injury, so just getting back into it now…slowly. I associate running with putting on a high energy electronic set and a feeling of liberation. The endorphin rush as you dial up those miles is so real. Plus, it doesn’t cost a dime to run, and you can do it anywhere in the world, expect maybe in the Sahara Desert.
How did you hear about FAT, do you remember your first session?
I actually learnt about FAT through my company because we organised a breath-work course through your team, but I didn’t make the connection until a work friend invited me to a session called Self Sunday, the first event to be held in FAT’s HQ down on Daldy Street. I got to meet some more of the team and bought into the vision of creating a community for something broader than just fitness, but wellness and culture as a whole. During that session we melted into some deep relaxation as a group through guided breathwork. I left feeling elated, not just from the parasympathetic nervous system activation, but the connections I made.
You’ve been coming to Road Runners (& or FAT) regularly; what is it about RR/FAT that keeps you coming back?
Quite simply, it’s so I can hang out with people who care! Working out together is a quick way to find mutual ground and enjoy the endorphins together.
Do you have a running motto or mantra? What keeps you going while you’re running?
I’ve got to give credit to the music from the incredible artists who thrill my ears and keep me in the flow. John Summit, Martin Garrix, Alesso - they consistently release fantastic high energy sets and help me soar.
Outside of our weekly session, what is your relationship with exercise/movement?
I go for walks around the beautiful native trails by my house every morning. If you’re ever on the Shore, I highly recommend checking out the Kauri Point Centennial Park. There’s plenty of trails and a cute beach to stop at along the way. I’m so looking forward to those lunchtime swims in the warmer months. Additionally, I have a membership to a communal sauna and ice bath, which I try to use four times a week and a climbing gym in Birkenhead, which I use three times.
Could you tell us 3 pieces of advice you would give to someone on their mental and/or physical health?
Get your vitamin D.
Low light levels are associated with lower moods. The amount of vitamin D you can absorb from 10 minutes in sunlight alone is often far greater than what you’d get in a liquid supplement (although, these totally have their place in times where it’s hard to get sunlight each day, like winter). To sweeten it further, getting sunlight in your eyes each morning regulates your circadian rhythm and improves sleep quality. To maximise the absorption of vit D, make sure you’re also getting plenty of calcium.
Just because its intangible, doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.
Moderation is key and I’ve noticed there is a shift towards all or nothing culture - sugar is terrible, alcohol is terrible. But really, there can be benefits of these that aren’t measurable in research, such as increasing social connection and other associations like in the joy you feel snuggled up with a movie and sugary treats. These things might not be measurable by science, but they make life rich if in balance.
Enjoy right now, today.
It’s human to think ahead to an illustrious future self, but it’s our day to day consistent actions that get us there. Life is a journey not a destination and I feel incredibly lucky to say that I’m loving the ride and where I am right now.