WellcommDC [12.02.24]

WellcommDC is the email newsletter bringing you the best of the DMV’s wellness community. Transform your self, transform your community, and transform your world. Join the list, and get WellcommDC sent directly to your inbox. Have a friend who would love WellcommDC? Then please forward our email or tag them on one of our IG posts. Email your tips to [email protected] or slide into our DMs.

[HIGH FIVE] We gave a High Five to Andrea Glaser (@ateamwithandrea, @andrea_glaser) an Instructor at Cyclebar Falls Church and Coach at [solidcore].

WellcommDC: Where do you work…out?

Andrea Glaser: You can find me on the mic coaching at [solidcore] and as an instructor at Cyclebar Falls Church. Whether it’s riding bikes that go nowhere or shaking under the blue lights, you’ve got the strength within you—you just have to dig deep to find it! When I’m not coaching, you can find me at Barry’s with Kevin Albert DiMichele (@kziilla) and Jorge Cardoza (@jocardz), SoulCycle with Lanna (@elannabellofatto), and [solidcore] with Emily Przybyla (@emilyprz22) and Claire Petit (@claire.p). I love going to classes to support coaches in the area and witness the wonderful communities they’ve built. The uniqueness and vibe of every instructor are different, and going to classes inspires me to be true to who I am and continue learning from the best of the best in the DMV fitness community.

WDC: What does wellness mean to you?

AG: I view wellness as holistic health, encompassing both mental and physical well-being. It’s about taking care of yourself and showing up for you so that you can show up for those around you. For me, that means maintaining a routine of working out and attending classes, going to therapy weekly, carving out time every day to meditate and journal, and surrounding myself with people who support the journey—even when it’s not as linear as we hope. I also try my best—because no one is perfect—to focus on how my body feels. Like everyone else, I can get caught up in my own head, but letting my body tell me how it feels grounds me and reminds me how capable I am.

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

AG: As we close out 2024, next year I want to continue learning more about myself and how I can best support my overall health so I can show up for others. As someone navigating the stigma of a new Bipolar diagnosis and severe anxiety, I hope to better understand how it affects my life while striving to create a path for all of us to discuss mental health more openly. Mental health can be a very scary topic for us as a community to address, but by leading with an open mind and heart, I hope that by this time next year, I’ve helped us make strides as a whole and created a space where no one feels alone in their battles.

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

AG: First and foremost, my friends. They have shown me nothing but compassion as I’ve navigated the highs and lows of life. Finding your people to celebrate the peaks and remind you that the valleys aren’t forever is so important. They are also my biggest accountability buddies—we love hitting a class together or playing Volo Kickball together!

Secondly, my [solidcore] HCCM Drew Elizabeth (@drewelisabeth), who has always prioritized my mental health and advocated for me countless times. Drew has not only taught me how to be the best manager who truly cares about her coaches but has also consistently shown me the importance of choosing myself and reminded me that it’s not selfish to take care of me.

Lastly, a wonderful mentor of mine, Nicole Rain (@nicolerainwellness), who has been a leader in the fitness industry for years. Nicole has led with openness and love, providing me the space to share my mental health story and feel proud of how far I’ve come. I am honored to share and continue building an accepting space with her by my side.

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

AG: It takes time. Give yourself grace and empathy in the process—it’s not always easy, but I promise you it’ll be worth it. When I graduated from university as a Division I athlete, it took me nearly two years to establish a routine I was proud of. There were countless times I fell short of my goals and life circumstances got in the way, but I reminded myself that as long as I was showing up as my 100% authentic self and building on that, I was always taking a step in the right direction—even if it didn’t feel like it.

Know someone who deserves a High Five? Click here to submit your nomination so we can feature them in a future WellcommDC High Five profile.

[BARRYS] The Barry's Annual Holiday Sale is BACK and better than ever. From now - Sunday, December 8th, stock up on your memberships and packages and score the lowest prices of the year. Trust us when we say you don't want to miss this. You can buy HERE or come visit us in the studio. We will see you in the Red Room. [HT Tristan Barros (@tristan_barros)]

[COMMUNITY] Join Slow and Steady Run Club for a casual, social run on Thursday, December 5th at 6:30 pm starting in Kalorama Park near the flagpole. Slow and Steady Run Club is built on the idea that running is for everyone—whether you’re a new runner, a seasoned racer, or a casual jogger, all are welcome. Expect a 2-4 mile run at a relaxed pace (10-15 min/mile) with no runner left behind, plus the chance to make new friends and enjoy being outdoors. [Run Together, Stay Together]

[HOLIDAY] Celebrate the season with Sonder Studios’ LIVE MUSIC YOGA on Thursday, December 7th.This year features a gentle yoga practice accompanied by calming holiday tunes from Anna Kim (@annaskimm) on Cello and Amelia Twining (@ameliaardenne) on guitar & vocals. Start your day with a Holiday Pop-Up Shop from 7 am - 11 am, flow into Live Music Yoga at 10 am, and wrap it all up with Holiday Party Cookies & Cocktails at 6:30 pm. More information here. [Live Music Flow]

[CELEBRATE] The District Running Collective’s DRC Holiday Situation is back for another lap on  Thursday, December 14th from 6 pm - 10 pm at The Line Hotel in Adams Morgan. Celebrate DRC’s year of miles, medals and memories with friends. Cash bar, light bites and a DRC room discount for those who want to turn the night into a staycation. [We Run DC]

That’s this edition of WellcommDC. Like what you read? Join the list, and get future editions sent directly to your inbox. Have a friend who needs WellcommDC? Then please forward our email or tag them on one of our IG posts. Got tips? Drop us a line at [email protected] or slide in. Until next time, take care of yourself, and take care of each other.

Go For It,

Your WellcommDC Team (@wellcommdc)

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