Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
All the feels. All the headlines. Let’s go.
Every year, we spend the Fourth of July with my in-laws in Florida. There’s always a big, festive gathering nearby: games for the kids (bouncy houses, rock climbing, face painting), a beautiful spread of food, and tables filled with people dressed in their red, white, and blue best. The party culminates with an epic fireworks display and loud Bruce Springsteen music.
This year, for a few reasons, we skipped the holiday party and kept things quiet on the home front. Matt grilled chicken and corn. We chopped some tomato, cucumber and red onion for a salad; set out a bowl of fresh, cold watermelon. And I made a key lime pie with the kids. Simple.
Earlier that day, a woman at the beach mentioned that she’d heard about a secret spot where you could see multiple fireworks displays at once. I tucked that intel away, and later on, asked my family: Anyone up for an evening adventure?
Everyone was, so we winged it after dessert. The kids grabbed some beach towels for the grass, and we headed out, my in-laws included. It was a breezy evening. The kiddos weren’t bickering. Our voices and soft laughter became the evening’s soundtrack.
Time stretched in that lovely, liminal way it does when everyone’s in sync.
And then—just as dusk folded into night—the sky lit up in every direction. Loud, colorful bursts over the treetops. It felt like the universe was reflecting something golden and grateful straight from my soul.
Not every night looks like fireworks. But some nights remind you how special the ordinary stuff is…and that simply being together is the spark.
And now, here are some headlines and links that moved me this week…
Across The Wellness World…
A new study identifies the six traits of coolness, and the NYT is all over it. I quite loved the reactions from commenters.
Could a pill make you look more swole?
Sequel is the first official tampon sponsor of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, per Fitt Insider.
Lululemon sues Costco, because dupes.
Loved the new F1 film? Enjoy exercising? Same. Apple Fitness+ has you covered with its new F1 workouts.
“There is nothing Aquaphor will not fix.” Great headline, Fast Company.
Red Bull invited 70 athletes (CrossFit and Hyrox champs, former marines, etc.) from nine countries to compete in the first-ever Rancher Strong competition.
Coming soon: The Pack, a boutique fitness brand from Rumble’s Noah Neiman.
Time releases its annual roundup of the 100 most influential companies, and a bunch of wellness businesses (such as Life Time, Poppi, Bobbie, On, Midi, and more) made the list.
Miley Cyrus says this therapy modality helped her overcome not only stage fright, but also deep-rooted trauma.
Glossier started selling shorts with a lip gloss pocket, awww.
Syntis Bio scores $38 million in funding to develop a weight loss pill that mimics gastric bypass surgery.
Kevin Hart headlines a new Fabletics performance-driven men’s activewear collection.
Life is good on Magic Johnson’s yacht: it has a pool, gym and sauna, oh my!
~HALFTIME~
”Indoor Fireworks” This Elvis Costello song takes me straight back to senior year of high school. My friends and I played it on repeat, and it continues to light something up in me.
An editor puts a denim workout dress through the paces.
A common assumption about aging may be wrong, according to a new study, and NYT Well does a stand-up job explaining the research.
As an emoji superfan, I super-enjoyed the new Atlantic think piece about this tool of “vague efficiency.”
One of the many NYC wellness social clubs, Othership, locks up $11m in funding per Athletech.
A new high-protein Mac & Cheese recipe from the Protein Queen, aka Dr. Stacy Sims.
Alex Kesin unpacks the Hims & Hers + Novo breakup in his Pharmacopoeia Substack.
New fitness brand crush: Pruzan. Swoon.
Venus Williams goes deep with SELF about her 30-year journey with fibroids.
And Women’s Health gives Lizzo the sporty-chic, cover star treatment.
The hottest (coolest?) item in men’s running, according to the must-read Running Supply Substack? Mesh crop tops.
Liz, Live!
My latest TODAY Show segment aired on Friday morning, and—spoiler!—guest co-host Brooke Shields complimented my arms. OMG.
Athletech’s Elizabeth Ostertag penned a rad recap of the ATN Summit panel that I moderated. Thank you, Liz!
Excited to read the six traits of coolness 😎(while secretly hoping to claim at least one of the traits)