WellcommDC [7.29.24]

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 Ileana Gonzalez (@apurva_wellness), the Chief Wellness Officer at Apurva Wellness.

WellcommDC: Where do you work…out?

Ileana Gonzalez: I enjoy working out at home. There are a couple of YouTubers, Roxanne Russell (@workoutwithroxanne) and Penny Barnshaw (@fitnessfastpersonaltraining), who have made a huge difference in my motivation to work out because they make it easy, accessible, and fun! A home workout means I have no excuse for not doing it, and I have the flexibility of doing it on demand.

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

IG: When it comes to my own wellness and self-care, my Ayurveda teachers are my biggest inspiration. Sticking to my routine and showing up to my practice with reverence is a way to honor them and what they have taught me throughout the years. Although most of my teachers are in India and don't have social media, my friend Maryam Ovissi (@maryamovissi) with Beloved Yoga Sanctuary has been my teacher, mentor and friend who I always look to for inspiration on finding creative ways to promote wellness for myself and for others.

WDC: What does wellness mean to you?

IG: Wellness is a long-term commitment to myself and to my loved ones. It is a promise to put myself first so that I can experience life with my loved ones with nothing but joy and ease. Wellness is a constant learning opportunity; if something no longer feels right, then it is up to me to find something else that does. Wellness is a reminder that there is nothing more sacred than my own body. It is an opportunity to show up to my self care with the utmost love and enjoyment.

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

IG: Over the next 12 months I want to gradually increase the amount of weight I lift during my workout because I want to remain strong and flexible as I age. I will continue to prioritize making most of my meals at home and getting a restful sleep every night.

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

IG: I love the "Tiny Habits" method, where you breakdown large goals into manageable actions. "Tiny" habits require little extra effort, and eventually they add up to big results! Look for ways in which you can add a habit to something you are already doing so that it doesn't feel like it's just one more thing to do. For example, add tongue scraping to your oral hygiene routine. It will take literally 30 seconds to scrape the toxins from the tongue so that they don't go back to your gut. Your digestion will thank you! 

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.

[HYBRID] Join Elevate Interval Fitness for the HYBRID Games on Saturday, August 17th. Compete, challenge yourself, and have an absolute blast with David Magida (@davidmagida) and the Elevate rockstars. Sign up to join them here. [Hybrid Athlete]

[HAYMAKERS] Glove up for an exhilarating night at "The Beltway Brawl V" by Haymakers for Hope on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, at The Anthem in Washington, DC. This electrifying charity boxing event showcases a lineup of determined fighters including, Amber Milenkevich (@bersyber), Andrew Isaacs (@drewdiamonds04), Bess Renn, (@bessrenn), Caitlin Bowman (@cbowwww),  Kristen Joseph (@kristenjoseph_), Jamieson Purtell (@_jamiesonpurtell_), and Jon Beard (@letsgetbeard1). Let’s support these brave boxers as they step into the ring for cancer research! For tickets, match-ups, and more details, visit The Beltway Brawl V. [Knock Out Cancer]

[LISTEN] The Great Caren Plummer (@care_plummer), interviews Jess Hood (@jessrhood), in a a must-listen episode of  Driven By ______. Caren conducts an engaging interview with Jess as she shares how and why she left a reliable job in corporate finance to grow her fitness and wellness community into 58,000+ IG followers. [Other Than Restaurants and Bars]

[COMMUNITY] WellcommDC is sending love and support to Coach Kiara, (@coachkiaraaa). Thank you for inspiring and sharing motivating words with the rest of us. A great reminder for all of us - taking care of your mental health is an act of self-love. [Keep Going]

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.