Category

Fitness

Category
Dog-friendly

TeamCocopup: Get your dog-friendly wellness fit with ‘doga’

Last week, TeamCocopup Charlie went on a holistic adventure at The Stratford Hotel. What ensued was a furry, messy, stretchy, and oftentimes chaotic morning of ‘doga’ which left both TeamCocopup and mum in utter OHM-azement.

‘Doga’ is a human yoga practice that helps pups and their parents bond through a dog-friendly yoga practice. Led by the UK’s only dog yoga specialist, Mahny Djahanguiri, doga is a fun way to incorporate your four-legged best friend to your yoga practice and get a little bit of a workout too.

Located in the stunning Stratford Hotel, just across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, our doga morning was a great way for TeamCocopup Charlie to make new friends and for mums to get their zen on.

Weather permitting, the Stratford Hotel’s doga classes are usually held in the Sky terrace, which offers panoramic views of the city. The Stratford is a dazzling example of timeless glamour and contemporary style and takes design cues from New York’s long-stay hotels.

Our doga class was made up of about 10-15 playful dogs, and TeamCocopup Charlie was immediately making new friends. You don’t have to be an expert yogi for the class, as it only incorporated the most basic yoga moves (yes – downward facing dog included). Don’t worry if your dog-yogi companion is a little bit overexcited too. Because according to our doga instructor Mahny – dogs are allowed to ‘misbehave’ and interact with the other dogs as much as they want, and the doga would work its magic.

The classes can last anything from one hour to two – depending on how boisterous the dogs are. Barring a few ‘accidents’ here and there, our doga class was a truly fantastic way to work out and socialise your dogs. After the class, doga participants are invited to a delicious brunch at The Brasserie. Here, you can re-energise with a healthy selection of brunch favourites, while your dogs play with their fellow dog-yogis. We highly recommend it.

www.thestratford.com

by
Keep Reading
Fitness

5 Reasons Why You Should Invest In a Personal Trainer

It’s New Year’s day and you’re inputting your card details for your local gym as you did last year. How many of us are guilty of starting out with good intentions to join the gym only to end up going once or twice a month?

The gym floor can be a scary place full of all kinds of equipment and human muscle machines downing their protein shakes. It’s no wonder then that so many of us feel a little out of place. You don’t even have to be a newbie at the gym to be unsure of what you’re doing, even comfortable regulars can feel like they’re not doing the right thing. Cue the personal trainers.

While the idea of a personal trainer might seem a little extreme to some, they’re actually incredibly useful for improving just about everything in terms of your fitness. From functionality, stamina and lifestyle, they can ease you into better work-outs that will guarantee you see results.

Here are five reasons why you should think about hiring a personal trainer.

1. Reduces your risk of injury

Let’s be honest, we’ve all gone to pick up a heavier weight to make ourselves look better to other gym-goers. And how many of us have then tried an exercise with a heavier weight and given up after a few reps? (pause for people to put their hands up).

One of the worst things you could do in the gym is cause harm to yourself, and worryingly, it’s pretty easy to do.

Personal trainers will ensure you’re picking the right weight for you as well as checking your form while you’re doing movements. Often, people will just throw some weights around for as many reps as possible thinking this is going to get the best results. Guess what, it’s not.

Your trainer will teach you that it’s all about doing the exercises correctly, not quickly. Their guidance will make sure you’re getting the most out of your time in the gym.

2. Long-term motivation

One of the main reasons people give up on their fitness goals is because they lose motivation for it. We can spend hours in the gym and feel like nothing has changed. With a personal trainer, they’ll keep you enthused and excited about working out which means you’ll definitely feel committed to your goals.

3. Nutritional guidance and support

While not every personal trainer is qualified for giving nutritional advice, most are. This is ideal if your main goal is to lose weight or even if you’re just hoping to improve your general lifestyle.

Your trainer will be able to talk to you in detail about what it is you’re looking to achieve and work with you to create a personal plan that will help you reach your targets. While they’re there to offer support, they’re not going to go full drill sergeant on you and stop you from having that cheeky pizza with your girlfriends on a Friday night.

4. They fit around your personal life

One of the best bits about hiring a personal trainer is that they are easily able to fit around your personal life. Because you’re not necessarily tied to the gym floor, you can meet your personal trainer at your local park, near work or even just your back garden.

This makes getting in your important social plans that bit easier as you can work out with your trainer in the morning, afternoon or evening. Because you’re not missing out on those cocktails with your friends, you’re more likely to stay on track with your fitness routine!

5. Results

It’s a little obvious, but the results that you’ll see with a personal trainer are second to none. While you can definitely reach your goal on your own, with the help of a personal trainer, you’ll get there quicker and with better form and insight to your own body.

It’s not just about the physical results though, personal trainers give you invaluable advice on lifestyle changes, nutrition and help you to target the specific areas you want to improve.

So, next time you’re in the gym, flag down one of the personal trainers for a chat to find out if it’s the right thing for you. Or, you can look online for trainers in your local area. Either way, with the help of a personal trainer, your fitness goal isn’t as far away as you think.

by
Keep Reading
Fitness

Ways Millennials are Redefining the Meaning of Exercise

Millennials are a group of young adults who are always seeking something new with a desire to share it with the rest of the world. Thanks to the internet and this new digital era, it’s easy for everybody to stay connected and expand their social life. This generation has a unique moto, to live healthy and urban life and to put behind everything old. Every day they are challenging themselves to concord the world with their positive and strong attitude and belief in a better tomorrow. Thanks to them, technology every year develops faster and leading a healthier life becomes every person’s goal.

Healthy Body and Mind

Having unhealthy habits and being in constant risk to catch some diseases is what every millennial reject to have in his life. They are living a fast life and it’s essential to them to become and stay healthy as long as they can. Millennials love healthy diets and to be physically active. With their yearning for improvement in every aspect, meditation is a must-do in their daily plans. Eating healthy and feeding mind with positive vibes is like an energy source for them that boost their body to keep up with their goals and overcome any obstacles that come across to their challenges.

Fitness Fashion

Wearing old sneakers, t-shirts, and shorts to the gym becomes past and it’s unacceptable today. Our young adults put their mark even on sport equipment. Today’s fitness fashion goes to another level and becomes a very profitable industry. Millennials love to be active in nature. Having yoga leggings with printed motivating quotes, sports tops or cool water shoes is a must-have as a piece of equipment for any activity. Don’t forget to bring your phone with headsets so you can enjoy your favorite songs at the gym. To stay hydrated, regular water bottles are replaced with unique colorful sports bottles that have an extra container for supplements. Having a gym card is the thing that every millennial has in his wallet these days.

Gym and Group Workouts

While you are exercising at the gym, you could notice how different groups of young people come together in an exact time. Millennials love their social life more than anything. Affection to make new friends anywhere and to be with them whenever they can is like an addiction. Because of their constant desire to meet new people, you could often see them in fitness group classes like zumba, yoga or cycling. With their specific daily schedule, meeting with friends is crucial and they will catch up with others even after workouts.

Digital Challenge

In this urban digital era applications for our phones and tablets can replace every live assistant. We all love to stay organized and to keep up with our daily plans. Sometimes we forget about things that need to be done at a specific time and thanks to those apps we could be reminded. Our young adults love to track their progress on their phones. They are using them to challenge their physical strength like with fitness apps or to expand their knowledge by reading books online or learning a new language. Millennials are taking applications very seriously and with them, they can follow existing trends or make new ones.

Millennials as a group promote a healthier and exited life with the outcome that they will become role models for new generations. As they are blindly following trends, many industries and companies become successful and valuable. The future is certainly unpredictable and keeping that in mind who knows what to expect from now on.

Bio: Nemanja is editor-in-chief @ WalkJogRun. You can find him on Twitter.

by
Keep Reading
Fashion

Team Coco’s top five favourite yoga breaks to unplug and relax

A yoga course can provide you with the mental clarity and physical improvements needed to return home fully refreshed.

Yoga retreats are a great way to reset and recharge the mind, here’s our round up of our top five places to experience yoga, relax and reclaim yourself.

Rebalance the mind and body in Tuscany

Nestled in Tuscany is Grotta Giusti, one of the world’s most unusual wellness offerings; yoga in a millennial thermal cave with natural therapeutic steam baths. The historic Tuscan spa retreat is home to an ancient Grotto – a millennial thermal cave and a thermal underground hot spring lake – which famed composer, Giuseppe Verdi, regarded as “the eighth wonder of the world”.

In this ancient wonder, the hotel now offers thermal yoga classes with a qualified instructor. Yoga practiced in the natural warmth of this underground labyrinth amplifies sensations, aids concentration and raises body temperature whilst guests benefit from the therapeutic effects of the cave’s thermal vapours.

The water running through the Grotto is rich in salt, sulphate, and alkaline earth and comes out of the ground at around 34°C. Its vapours generate a steam bath that provides effective treatment for respiratory, circulatory, osteo-muscular, nervous, and skin complaints.

Classes can be booked individually, or guests can book the hotel’s two night thermal yoga experience. This special package includes a choice of scuba diving or floating therapy in the underground hot spring lake; floating therapy is a deeply relaxing and highly effective treatment for relieving pain and combating stress. Grotta Giusti is the only hotel in Europe to have an underground thermal cave and hot spring lake within its grounds and there is no experience quite like diving into its warm, thermal waters. The thermal yoga follows the floating therapy or scuba diving, with the once-in-a-lifetime experience topped off with an Ayurvedic Massage.

Guests booking the package will also enjoy full access to the hotel’s thermal hot spring swimming pools and bioaquam circuit, fitness centre and guided morning hike. Finally, dinner is included both nights, one a la carte dinner and one special and very indulgent tasting dinner.

Rates for the two-night thermal spa package start from €664 (£576*) per person based on double-occupancy. Rates include two nights B&B, one a la carte dinner at the newly refurbished La Veranda restaurant, one tasting dinner, thermal swimming pool and bioaquam circuit, a 50-minute thermal yoga class, 90-minute scuba diving or spa floating and a 50-minute Ayurveda massage. For further information or to book please email booking@grottagiustiapa.com or call +39 0572 90771. *Price in pound sterling accurate according to today’s exchange rate.

Unplug in India

Ananda in the Himalayas is a world-renowned wellness retreat, located at the foot of the Himalayas in India. Their group yoga retreats are the ideal place relax and find balance. Set among 100 acres of virgin forest, Ananda enjoys views of the mountains, the valley of the holy town of Rishikesh and the river Ganges.

Each morning opens with a two-hour yoga practice, including Asana, Pranayama and Mantra chanting. Daily theory sessions will address Yogic philosophy and concepts, while meditation sessions will assist in the relaxation of body and mind. Yogi enthusiasts can enhance their practice with personalised yoga sessions, yoga nidra and Pranayama. The delicious Ayurvedic cuisine (with menus personalised according to your dosha or body type) ensures successful weight loss or healing and rejuvenation. Beyond the destination spa itself, explore the Himalayan foothills with mountains treks, guided nature walks and white water rafting.

Group Yoga Retreats cost from $2,700pp (*£2,154.60), based on two sharing. For enquiries and bookings, visit www.anandaspa.com *Price in pound sterling accurate according to today’s exchange rate.

Declutter your mind in the Maldives

The Spa & Ayurvedic Retreat at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru – the first to introduce AntiGravity yoga, a Yoga Energy Trail, and Panchakarma to the Maldives – is the world’s first Resort to offer Yoga Therapy Courses: personalised condition-targeting programmes devised in conjunction with S-VYASA, the world’s first “university for yoga” and pioneer of yoga therapy through scientific research.

Each three or five day programme begins and ends with consultations – including comprehensive questionnaires – to help align each course to individual needs and lifestyle. Daily 60-minute sessions then teach bespoke breathing techniques and postures designed for each ailment, aim, injury or intention.

Starting modules target specific common ailments and lifestyle diseases – Stress Management, Diabetes Care, Spinal Care, Thyroid Health, Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Addiction Management – across Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels.

Guests are invited to consult with the Resort’s Yogis to tailor a programme to suit other symptoms too, as well as any combination of the above. Follow-up care and support come in the form of personal video conference sessions, as well as on-site access to complementary Spa & Ayurvedic Retreat treatments, classes and cuisines.

The course starts at $650 (£518) + 23.2% taxes for a 3-day programme per person. For more information visit www.fourseasons.com

Get Mindful in Morocco

Escape the daily grind and restore and replenish your mind, body and spirit. Set in a charming riad on the beach in Essaouira, this three-night stay combines yoga, meditation and wellbeing workshops guaranteed to leave you coming away feeling refreshed and reset. This really is a mini mind break, the programme is run by a yoga teacher and wellbeing coach who have designed a retreat to disconnect, change habits and redesign your mindset. Start your day with meditation on the roof terrace followed by breakfast. Following breakfast your days are filled with a range of wellbeing activities from yoga, wellness workshops to surfing and mindful walks on the beach then wind down at the end of the day with the option of a relaxing massage and dinner.

Feast on all the flavours of Morocco during your stay and experience fresh, locally sourced traditional food in this chilled out setting right on the beach.

Bookings now open for 2020. Rates for three-nights package start at £565 pp including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Spa and surf experiences are an extra cost and booked on arrival. For more information visit www.frenchyogagarden.com

Combine yoga and forest bathing in Japan

Head to Japan for a retreat with top London yoga teacher Adam Husler. Your break begins in the beautiful forested Chūbu region, staying at a tranquil health farm surrounded by the highest mountains in Japan, including the glorious Mount Fuji. Here immerse yourself in a powerful combination of dynamic yoga, meditation, forest bathing and hiking. Then travel to a charming mountain village in Nagano region to explore temples and lakes, eat traditional Japanese food and soak in the local onsen.

For a four night stay prices start at £1,995 pp for more information visit www.reclaimyourself.co.uk

by
Keep Reading
Business

#Womenworldwide: Meet sisters Gemma and Georgie, entrepreneurs taking on the “health” industry with authentic, sustainable products

Gemma and Georgie are the founders and owners of ANJA Wellbeing the holistic health business that aims to help you stay healthy, be happier and reduce stress. We chatted with the pair about what inspired the business, how they work together as sisters and whilst we were there, got their advice on how you can set up a business and become a #girlboss.

House of Coco: What inspired the creation of AJNA Wellbeing?

Gemma and Georgie: We’ve both always realised the importance of health and general wellbeing, and were constantly searching for more sustainable ways to positively impact them. We were shocked to find just how many “health” products we used daily were full of chemicals and toxins, and were probably doing us more harm than good. That was really what inspired us to create our own holistic products that we could use, and share with our loved ones, with peace of mind!

HoC: Do you think being a family business, as sisters, impacts on how you work and is it important to you brand? G&G: A lot of people are surprised when we tell them we’re sisters because they can’t imagine working so closely with family.We get along really well, and share the same opinions on the really important things, so that makes it easy. Being sisters also probably gives us a familiarity that allows us to share ideas without any fear.

HoC: What are your favourite products that HoC readers should be putting in their online baskets?

G&G: Our first product was the Ajnamat, so it has a special place in our hearts. It’s a therapeutic acupressure mat that can help with a host of problems from pain management, stress, tension, circulation and cellulite.

We always take the matching pillow on long flights and it’s a lifesaver!

Just like our yoga mats and meditation cushions, what separates them from other brands are the sustainable, non-toxic materials used, and the beautiful aesthetic.

HoC: You believe in a holistic approach to wellbeing, what does that mean for you and your customers?

G&G: A holistic approach is one that looks at addressing the cause of problems, and not just putting a band aid on the symptoms. It’s more of a lifestyle than a quick fix.

We hope to provide as many people as possible with better, more holistic choices, and empower them to make self care a priority.

We truly believe that as a result, customers and those they care about most will be able to live healthier, happier lives.

HoC: What do you think are some of the challenges of running a wellbeing business in 2019?

G&G: There is no shortage of Wellbeing products on the market, so the challenge for us is setting ourselves apart.

We have done that through use of eco materials and a strong focus on a aesthetic, as well as consistently connecting with our customers to see how we can serve them better.

HoC: What is your relationship with One Tree Planted, and why is that important to you?

G&G: Giving back is an important part of our business, and One Tree Planted allows us to do that with every purchase made. For each product we sell they plant a tree!

Planting trees is a cause that resonates with us and our business, and goes hand in hand with our efforts to source sustainable, long lasting materials.

HoC: What piece of advice would you give to our readers who want to set up their own business?

G&G: Firstly, surround yourself with people who support you. If you don’t know any, go and find them. They’re out there!

Secondly, be prepared for ups and downs, and daily challenges. You’ll become a great problem solver if you stick at it.

HoC: What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in setting up your business?

G&G: It may sound cliche, but following your passion, or “scratching your own itch” is usually where you’ll have the most success. When you love and believe in your cause, others like you will pay attention. And plus, it’s a lot more fun that way.

Visit AJNA Wellbeing

by
Keep Reading
Beauty

News: Ultimate Urban Sanctuary in Manchester

Manchester Spa and Wellness £12m Renovation

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester continues to strengthen its luxury lifestyle offering with an extensive renovation of The Spa and Gym, as part of the five-star hotel’s twelve million pound refurbishment.

The Spa and Gym has been redesigned with detail-oriented focus on creating the ultimate indulgent experience. The hotel’s striking uninterrupted urban floorplan displays all wellness desires before a guest’s eyes, enticing them sequentially from the state-of-the-art gym and stunning swimming pool to the tranquil sauna, steam rooms and atmospheric treatment areas.

Rob Steul, Creative Director at Edwardian Hotels London, commented: ‘The Spa and Gym was an exciting, ambitious refurbishment for the Edwardian Hotels London in house design team. We manipulated the space and utilised a range of contrasting materials to create the ultimate wellness retreat for our guests.’

Exclusive Pool Area

Designed to exude serenity and simplicity, the entire pool area is encompassed by a neutral palette of wood, concrete, marble and white flooring which aesthetically contrasts with the pool’s blue stone lining, creating an alluring aquamarine lagoon. Whether in-between treatments, or for a quick burst of exercise, the 12-meter-long swimming pool is enough to tempt any guest wanting to dip their toes in, before stepping into a refreshing Experience shower or relaxing in the sauna and steam rooms. Boasting one of the most luxurious swimming pools in the city, crittall glass dividers are used to open the space and maximise light, the destination space is complete with seven low cabanas for a truly relaxing urban escape.

Unique Spa Design

A peaceful haven with modern design influences welcomes guests into a balanced yet understated environment, offering an outstanding spa experience. Exposed high ceilings and glass encapsulates the city’s industrial feel, with guests having no reason to leave given the array of revitalising experiences, services and products on offer. The guest experience has been placed at the heart of this detail-oriented, contemporary design: from chic matt black fittings and head-to-toe marble tiles to Dyson hairdryers and GHD straighteners in the changing rooms.

Signature Treatments

From healing facials to rejuvenating full body massages, The Spa and Gym offers a range of indulgent therapies to help guests relax. The treatment rooms are lined with luxurious marble mosaics and rustic wood panelling, where visitors can unwind after a day of enjoying the city’s sights with ESPA’s deeply therapeutic Mindful Massage, designed to sooth away stress and re-balance the mind. Busy workers can try the array of Express treatments, including the 30-minute ESPA Facial, personalised to each individual’s needs and skin type. A full list of treatments available can be found here: https://www.thespaandgym.com/documents/The_Spa&Gym_Price_List_01.pdf

High-Tech Gym

Through collaboration with Technogym, The Spa and Gym has been developed a space that offers guest a market-leading, up-to-date gym experience, including high intensity cardio machines, treadmills, a designated weights room including bespoke TRX rig and punch bag, and a private matt area. The space has been designed with insight from personal trainers to maximise performance and energy, from the equipment to the atmospheric mood-lighting and concrete-rendered walls. After a long workout, guests are welcome to restore comfort and minimise post-workout aches with a targeted ESPA Deep Muscle Massage.

Visit www.thespaandgym.com for more info

by
Keep Reading
Festivals

Mauritius Wellness Festival will change the way you do healthy holidays

When it comes to searching for the perfect wellness holiday look no further. Whether it’s you’re first rodeo in terms of merging all things healthy into your vacations or you’re a pro at seeking out locations to really rejuvenate the mind and body, the new Mauritius Wellness Festival is guaranteed to get you excited to book a trip that won’t disappoint.

Heritage Le Telfair is already known for its healthy outlook to getaways but from May 3 to 5 Heritage Resorts is taking it one step further for the first time…

Keeping active

Guests will be immersed in activities such as yoga, dance and Pilates, plus talks and workshops with international wellness leaders and experts.

House of Coco got a sneak peak at the facilities during a recent stay where French yoga guru Karine Kleb was a returning special guest instructor. We started our day with morning meditation at the Wellness Pavilion and ended our days of relaxing on the beach, in between paddle boarding and kayaking, with a chilled out sunset beach yoga class.

But there’s also the opportunity to get outside of the resort and connect with nature at the most iconic landmarks in the south of the island. Part of the forthcoming Mauritius Wellness Festival experience is a trek to UNESCO World Heritage site Le Morne for some incredible coastal views and an opportunity to reach your step goal for the day.

We learned how to truly let go of everyday stress and anxiety during a forest bathing experience on the resort’s Domaine Bel Ombre, spotting monkeys and deer as we quietly walked past streams and lush green trees before cooling off at the on-site waterfall.

Want more of a metabolism push? As part of the accommodation at Heritage Le Telfair, access to the gym is complimentary and everything you need is available, including a rowing machine, stationary bikes and treadmills.

Chilling out

Other features of the Mauritius Wellness Festival include a relaxation zone, music corners, artists areas, an evening music festival by local bands with local instruments.

House of Coco particularly enjoyed the evening live music offering at Heritage Le Telfair’s piano bar Cavendish. It’s located right beside the aesthetically-pleasing main pool (there’s also an adult pool and the pool at C Beach Club).

But every corner of the resort provides an opportunity to unwind. We stayed in a Garden View Villa where daily hangs in the back porch hammock made all the difference. The deep bathtub – relaxing bath salts are provided – and in-room yoga mat encourages further relaxation.

Mindful eating

Of course, healthy food stations are one of the big pulls for taking part in the inaugural Mauritius Wellness Festival.

House of Coco dined daily at the resort’s beach front Le Palmier restaurant where crunchy palm heart salads were an example of the region’s healthy local produce and the menu’s wellness icons made it easy to select nutritious dishes such as the popular catch of the day.

An alternative dining experience is an organized trip to the nearby Chateau where guests can pick herbs, fruits and vegetables with the chef before returning to the Heritage Le Telfair to cook a local meal. We were impressed by our own carry making skills and made sure to incorporate some local rum in our dessert which ended up being banana flambé.

Otherwise Annabelle’s restaurant ensures you know exactly what you’re ordering by displaying the dinner menu dishes that you’re encouraged to view before making your mindful selection. The venue is also where the breakfast buffet – including freshly squeezed juices – is served.

Mauritius Wellness Festival costs from €95 for a one day pass to €375 for a 3 day pass with food. For more information visit www.mauritiuswellnessfestival.com

If you can’t make this year’s festivities, the Wellness Bliss Package is available year-round and costs £51 per person/night.

It involves an initial consultation with the Wellness Director who will help you achieve all your goals for the holiday by creating a personal programme of activities and exercise, including an eating plan.

Each guest can choose one daily Wellness Experience. They include detox and tension relief massages at the Seven Colours Spa, private Tai-Chi or Qi gong sessions and even Osteopathy treatments.

by
Keep Reading
Boss Boys

#BossBoy: Nathanael Rush the fitness gear guy taking the US by storm

The #TeamCoco writers occasionally have the chance to interview passionate business men and women, that often leave their mark on you and make you realise that going it alone in the world of business is one of the toughest, yet most rewarding things to do. Speaking to entrepreneur and founding CEO Nathanael Rush of Rush Fit Gear was not only an interesting insight to the world of fitness gear, but also an insight to being open to change your brand name until you find the perfect fit.

From men’s clothing, to women’s clothing, accessories and more, Rush Fit Gear is seriously taking the US by storm, and we’re hoping it will hit UK stores soon. For a greater and more in-depth look into Nathanael Rush of Rush Fit Gear, here’s our #BoyBoss feature by Rachel McAlley.

Q. Can you give a brief insight to Rush Fit Gear, tell us about what you do?

A. Rush Fit Gear is an athletic clothing company. The goal that I had for my business when I started it was to create athletic clothing that is durable, something that could last for years and still look and feel brand new. So by combing materials that allow for incredible stretch and be extremely soft I created a product that truly has a one of a kind feel. And most customers comment that it feels like nothing they own.

Q. When did you realise you were destined to launch your own business?

A. I have always wanted to own my own business. The idea of working for myself is something I have wanted since I was little. I never could see myself sitting behind a desk all day working for someone else. I always had a dream that one day I would own my own and make my own rules.

Q. What made you go into the fitness clothing market?

A. Like I said I have always wanted to own my own business but I never knew what I wanted that business to be. About 2 years ago began to get more and more into fitness. I have played sports my whole life but was never into working out in a gym until about 2 years ago. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion for me. I even went on and became a certified personal trainer. So when I thought about owning my own business again I decided to combine my dream with my passion. Originally I wanted to start “rush fit” as a gym but that overall start up cost was more then what I had at the time so I went with athletic clothing since I spent most of my day in athletic clothing.

Q. Was it a long process from making the decision to set up Rush Fit Gear to producing your first piece?

A. Short answer, YES! Although thinking back it wasn’t too long but felt very long in the process. So it took about a year for design and prototypes. Lots of trial and error and in the end I have an entire closet of clothing that will never see the light of day because the vision of my business changed or the clothing just did not meet the standard I wanted. After about a year and a half I finally got to the place where I was happy with the product enough to share it with the world.

Q. Do you design all your own pieces or do you have a team of designers?

A. I do create all the designs for Rush Fit Gear. This is one of my favorite parts about owning my business; I have hands on every element. Although I do have some key people in my life that I always run my designs by just to make sure that other people who aren’t involved with my business, therefore have nothing at stack, have a good reaction to everything.

Q. All your latest collections can be found on your website, do you also stock in any stores?

A. Not yet. Although that is definitely the goal. I would love to see Rush Fit Gear up there with all the other top athletic brands of the world.

Q. Do you ship your clothing worldwide?

A. Yes, we have shipped all over the world. This is something that I love about the growth of my company, seeing people in other countries enjoying the product!

Q. What is your most sought after item, and do you have a personal favourite piece from any of your collections?

A. The most popular Item is the Legacy Performance Shirt in Maroon. Which also happens to be my favourite piece. This Shirt turned out amazing because it has a feel to it that just feels luxurious. Most of the time once people feel it you’re immediately intrigued by it. And it’s hard to compare it to other athletic shirts because it feels that unique.

Q. If you were to expand the business today, what would be your next steps?

A. If I could expand it today, I would love to expand into stores. This is definitely a goal that we are working towards and I am looking forward to the day when that is a reality.

Q. Looking to the future, where would you like to see your business Rush Fit Gear in 5 – 10 years time?

A. In 5-10 years I would love to see Rush Fit Gear expanding into all areas of fitness. I want the business to be more than just great clothing but also I company that trains and conditions world class athletes for a variety of sports. And also being able to be the official sponsoring a professional sports team.

Q. What valuable piece of advice were you given before setting up your business that you still follow today?

A. I think the best advice that I have been given is to never loose sight of the values and principals I started my company with. Which it can be tempting sometimes to cut corners in business when it saves money but it also devalues the product and brand. Sometimes it takes longer to manufacture some clothing but it’s worth the wait if it means having a great quality product.

Q. What piece of advice would you give a budding entrepreneur now that you have launched your own successful business?

A. My advice would be to anyone starting out is to not be afraid of change. Change from product to brand and even logos, people have no idea how many different “lives” Rush Fit Gear has lived prior to it being what it is today. I spent a lot of time limiting myself to ideas or designs and even brand names rather than allowing my company to form an identity over time. Once I decided to accept the change of names and designs everything else began to fall into place. I wasn’t limiting myself to one thing. And it allowed me to be really creative. It’s great to accept that change for a new business is a great thing for a new business! The beginning part of a business is great because that when you can be as creative as possible and that’s what you should really take advantage of. This has lead me to a place where I feel like we are creating some amazing stuff.

Thanks to Nathanael Rush for taking the time to answer our #BossBoy questions. We love everything about Rush Fit Gear, and can’t wait to see this brand being worn by sports teams across the world in the future.

by
Keep Reading
Fitness

Why Do Athletes Need to Eat Differently?

Do you have a serious athlete in your family? If you do, chances are you’ll have heard them talking about their eating plan. This is because, unlike most of us who only need between two and three meals a day to get by, athletes require a bit more. This article looks at how the human body converts food into energy as well as how an athlete’s diet must be carefully crafted and managed in order for them to remain in peak condition:

Food and Physical Exertion

The human body is like a car: the further you want to push it, the more fuel you have to supply. For most of us working desk jobs or other careers requiring little to no physical exertion – other than getting up and walking around so often – the standard diet serves us just fine. We don’t need to eat loads of food because we aren’t engaging in strenuous activities that require more energy.

Athletes, on the other hand, lead highly active lifestyles. Some athletes have run twenty kilometres and worked every muscle in their bodies before most of us get out of bed. Since they are using up much more energy, they require more food or fuel to ensure their bodies can keep up with their hectic training schedules.

Ever wonder why some people, who are in perfect health, can’t seem to help gaining weight? The answer comes down to simple mathematics. You figure out how many kilojoules you spend on an average day, then figure out how many kilojoules you consume every day. If your kilojoule consumption is higher than your expenditure, you’re eating more food than your body needs and this excess will be stored as fat.

How the Body Transforms Food into Energy

Food is the body’s main source of energy but it can only provide a type of energy that the body can utilise through a process known as cellular respiration. Let’s use an apple as an example. You eat an apple, and the sugars from the apple are broken down into the simple sugar known as glucose. The glucose molecules hold the energy.

Glucose is converted into carbon dioxide and water in the presence of oxygen. Through this process, the energy in the glucose molecules is converted into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is a type of energy the cells of our bodies can consume and use. Our bodies produce between 36 and 38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule consumed.

What About Athletes?

We know why athletes need to eat differently, but just how differently are we talking about? The way an athlete eats can have a massive impact on how they perform in their chosen sport. Some of these impacts include improved recovery, bolstered immunity, and optimum sleeping patterns. Here are four areas where an athlete’s diet will differ from that of non-athletic individuals:

1.More carbohydrates

Glycogen is the form of carbohydrate take when stored in the muscles. This carbohydrate-based energy source is tapped into when undertaking endurance exercises. Triathletes, soccer players, runners and the like require a substantial amount of glycogen to keep their bodies performing so they typically consume two to threetimes more carbohydrates per day than most of us.

2.More protein

Protein serves to repair and rebuild damaged muscle tissue. Since athletes are engaging in strenuous activity which often places immense strain on the body’s muscle groups, they eat – on average – two to times as much protein as the rest of us. This helps to repair their muscles faster as well as improve their muscular strength.

3.More hydration

Athletes sweat much more than your average gym-goer. Through this perspiration they lose hydration, salts and carbohydrates. Without replacing these, especially the salts, athletes will suffer from severe muscle cramps and other negative sideeffects. For this reason, athletes need to replenish lost fluids and essential elements by consuming recovery drinks and eating more electrolyte-rich foods.

4.Recovery meals

Other than the regular three meals a day, athletes often include extra meals here and there to aid recovery. For example, an athlete who exercises until late at night – and is planning on hitting the gym again first thing in the morning – requires a recovery meal in-between their planned ones. Athletes, on average, will consume between 5 and 8 meals a day – depending on their exercise plan. These meals are smaller than your average breakfast or lunch, and often include things like biltong, nuts and berries.

So remember the tips above if you are an athlete or a friend of yours competes in competitive sports. Stick to these and your sporting performance will improve dramatically!

If you would like to complete a Personal Training Certificate to become more knowledgeable of how to train athletes check out Trifocus Fitness Academy for a wide assortment of accredited fitness courses.

by
Keep Reading
Beauty

Girl Boss: Talking Serial Entrepreneurship with Lucie Marchelot Shukla of Straight Teeth Direct

For some of us starting our own business is not on the agenda, for others, it’s in our blood. We sat down with Lucie Marchelot Shukla, a master of reinvention and serial entrepreneur to discover the story behind her newest enterprise, Straight Teeth Direct™…

HOC: Great to meet you, Lucie! Can you tell us about your journey to creating Straight Teeth Direct™ ? I see you have started businesses before, would love to know about your ‘serial entrepreneur’ journey….

Lucie: Yes! I have changed my career and industry quite a few times. I studied Law and then moved to London to study Art History at Christie’s. I worked for a leading auction house for a short while and very quickly realised that it wasn’t for me ; the corporate environment or the industry. In truth, I didn’t feel challenged enough.

I realised that I needed to do something else; entrepreneurship had always been my end goal and I thought why not now, after 1 year of working and training! I started my first business, completely alone. It was called the Indian Art Centre and it was an online gallery selling Indian antiques. I did everything from building my website, doing my PR, my own social media. I really enjoyed working on the business growth. But it wasn’t an exciting enough business or growth potential in that industry for a 25 year old. You also don’t feel like you are helping anyone; it’s not transformative and I didn’t feel fulfilled.

So that’s when I decided to join my husband and business partner at his private dental clinic in London. I was managing sales, marketing and operations; I really enjoyed this and helped grow the business; we doubled and sold it in 2016 and had discovered the cheapest way to straighten teeth! Because we had created a strong system to grow sales and attract the right kind of patient – adults looking to get straight teeth, quickly, without much inconvenience and without a super high price tag – we could support other dental practices to do the same. We created a marketing agency to help other dentists grow their businesses and help more people get straight teeth with online training courses, events and done for you systems. It worked really well but again, it was more like a lifestyle business; you couldn’t really scale it. We were looking for something with a global potential and we found that with Straight Teeth Direct™ !

So it’s been about transitioning from a lifestyle business to a high growth business; with a product, not just a service. Our business combines manufacturing, logistics and the digital platform ; it’s much broader and scalable than my previous businesses. Since we launched to the public in S/S 2017 we have had users from over 43 countries!

HOC: Who is Straight Teeth Direct for?

Lucie: Our solution is for busy professional who love to have everything delivered to them! The majority of our users are female at the moment but more and men are joining us. A lot of our users are people that haven’t been wearing their retainers and want to get their ideal smiles back.

Others travel a lot and might start treatment in one country and then need to move. They like our solution as it’s convenient and there’s no interruption in their treatment, or additional cost. At the end of the day, we attract people looking for a confidence and self-esteem boost through looking and feeling good.

HOC: Why did you create Straight Teeth Direct?

Lucie: As you saw in our first question; I love a challenge! I am ambitious and have big plans for my future. Straight Teeth Direct™ business model allows us to really transform an industry which is rewarding on both a personal entrepreneurial journey level and also more widely; we can reach and help so many more people to feel their best.

Being in the industry with our previous businesses, we saw there were clear problems to be solved and that’s what we’re here to do.

We saw the need coming for our service through our work in the industry; we would have many enquiries that wouldn’t get resolved ; in the end, to get treatment at a small practice is still quite expensive. From the other side, we knew Dentists wanted to work less and earn more and our solutions works with them in a smart way with a digital layer, not against them ; so Straight Teeth Direct™ helps both sides!

HOC: What was your very first job (when you were 15/16), can you see any relation to what you are doing now?

Lucie: If I really think back to when I was 15,16 ; I was helping out at my Dad’s business; a pharmacy. I was taking it super seriously and that’s something that really stuck with me! I always really care about what I do, whatever I’m doing. I also worked in a shoe shop in Greece when I did my Erasmus; I’ll always give it my 100%!

My Dad has always been my role model, in terms of entrepreneurship. He always inspired me to be my own boss. He was one of the first in his region to use robots to deliver medication to the counters! He always wanted to stay ahead of the game and inspired me to be a risk taker.

I have two siblings and we are all entrepreneurs- it’s the mindset we’ve picked up from our Dad. He really educated us to not take things for granted; you’ve got to work hard!

HOC: If you weren’t doing this, what could have career plan B looked like?

Lucie: It would have to be as an entrepreneur as I would never see myself working for someone! It’s in my blood!

I guess, if it had to be something absolutely different to having and growing a business I would say being a professional dancer.

HOC: I see on your LinkedIn that “being called a “female” entrepreneur can irritate you”, can you tell us more about this?

Lucie: I’m happy that we’re discussing this! In truth; I could talk about this for hours! This point around being a ‘Girl Boss’ or ‘Female Entrepreneur’ is not black or white and there are lots of different viewpoints; I certainly don’t want to upset anyone but I worry that always speaking about gender is limiting.

My thinking is that I don’t like labels or putting myself into a box that could restrict me in any way. We don’t have such a thing as dadpreneur so I don’t see why women should be constantly referred to as female entrepreneur or mumpreneur . Personally, I’ve never felt strongly about belonging to female groups or having female only mentors; my Dad was my role model and I have equally been inspired by strong independent women.

I feel that it’s dangerous to restrict yourself and limit your mindset. You could think ‘because I’m a female…’, you see everything through the eye of a female. Yes, I get sexist comments at work but I want to be recognised for my talents and achievements but not because ‘you’re female and we feel sorry for you, so we’re going to give you an award.’

It’s a delicate topic and we have to do things and raise awareness. Of course, in Europe we are privileged whereas in other parts of the world things are much much worse for women.

In Europe, I don’t see being female as a weakness, it’s a strength. When we have meetings with investors, and I’m in a room with 10 men and I’m the only woman, that empowers me.

HOC: What are your ambitions for your brand this year?

Lucie: So much is happening! We are doing a tube campaign and launching in major department stores across Europe this quarter. I’m so excited to see the response from our new retail model and keep experimenting with new channels. The goal is for our brand to be recognised as a leading e-commerce / leader in the aligner space in Europe by the end of the year…

HOC: How do you keep your energy and motivation up?

Lucie: Energy wise I used to go to the gym but with all the traveling and unexpected schedule it’s impossible to stick to sessions. So I try to stick to a few things:

  • I am instead trying to keep my anxiety levels down with regular massages. I also eat super healthy; I’m all about an organic meat-free lifestyle.
  • I also start my day, every day, with a small simple breathing and movement routine.

I am giving everything to this business at the moment and I know it is for a short number of years. Unlike with a lifestyle business, you know a high growth phase is not going to last forever, so that keeps me motivated! My immediate motivation is to see our customer satisfaction and positive feedback about their transformation and experience using our platform!

HOC: Your business marries technology and great customer service, what tech is exciting you at the moment outside of your product?

Lucie: I like tech that is useful and beautiful; I love to watch the direct to consumer space; that really excites me. I’m always looking for the new trends and getting inspiration.

I really like what’s happening in beauty tech with devices as well as in health; doing your own high end facial or taking your DNA at home, for instance. I’d love to see more innovation in fashion and retail. I went to a Reformation store in NYC and oh, I was so excited; I was taking a picture of everything!

Their store really inspired me and made me think about how we do things differently. They have a screen where you can choose your items to try on and then the items are already in the changing room! If you want another size you just select on screen in the changing room, close the wardrobe and then the rail automatically updates with your choice. It’s just really cool.

Everyone else in the store was all cool, waiting for their turn. And I was like, what is going to happen next?!

HOC: The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?

Lucie: I’ve got two pieces of advice that might help others.

One, I would tell my younger self to keep going; you don’t need 10 years of experience to have the knowledge to do something great. You will learn along the way if you are committed to it. You will have to make sacrifices, of course. And remember, everything you learn along the way, will be transferable. Initially I thought oh god, I studied these subjects; I have to do something in this space. But actually, I learnt how to be structured from Law and developed my aesthetic eye through my Art degree ; now I use both in my work with Straight Teeth Direct™ every day! You don’t have to wait and have a long plan. Honestly, you don’t learn that much if you work for someone else; you have to get your hands dirty!

Secondly, my advice is to never regret anything, everything is a learning and growth experience. I would never wish I had done something differently.

To find out more about Lucie’s revolutionary teeth straightening business visit straightteethdirect.com

by
Keep Reading