The Wellness Files // a wellness-focused interview series featuring the badass ladies that inspire me.
Funny story, today I’m featuring my boss. FOR REALZ! I swear I’m not doing it just to get brownie points 🙂
Theodora’s blog was one of the first blogs I read when I was in college and just starting my fitness journey. I’m grateful to have been able to connect with her in recent years, and in December I started my internship for grad school under her.
I literally get to see up close all that she does on a daily basis and am so excited to feature her today.
Hello! I’m Theodora. I work full time at Daily Burn running our social media and PR, blog at Preppy Runner and recently became a Beautycounter consultant.
▶︎ What inspired you to start your blog?
Two reasons: I was working for a dry, dry legal magazine and knew I needed to be in digital. I was also in the midst of trying to lose 50 pounds, and health and fitness were all I could think about. So I decided to kill multiple birds with one stone: use the blog to move along my career and document my own journey.
▶︎ How has blogging changed your life?
I love this question! So many ways! I’ve met people I never thought I’d meet (Jillian Michaels, NBD), had really cool opportunities like being flown to the Bahamas for a race, and I’ve made amazing friends. Starting my blog also led my career path to get me to what’s kind of a dream job — running social for a fitness brand.
▶︎ You blog on top of working full-time and maintaining a super active lifestyle. How do you manage all of the above?
Not always well? 🙂 Sometimes I think I like to pretend there are more than 24 hours in a day. Spoiler alert: there aren’t! But I can’t do everything, so I have to prioritize.
These days, actually being active, rather than writing about it is more important to me. I’ve turned down a lot blog-related over the past few years — paid partnerships, events, trips — because I didn’t think they’d add to my life. Although I take my blog seriously, I never want it to feel like a job. I want it to be a fun outlet.
▶︎ Where does your motivation to lead a healthy life come from?
I won’t lie that it started with vanity — and that certainly does still play a role sometimes…I’m only human. But really, the mental health benefits are what keep me maintaining it. I feel so much happier and calmer when I’m working out.
▶︎ How has social media and blogging played a role in your wellness journey?
It’s definitely a mixed bag. Overall, it’s played an amazing and supportive role and introduced me to a community that supports me and my goals — but it is also hard sometimes not to compare myself to what I’m seeing on social media. But — there’s always going to be someone thinner, faster, more successful and we all only post the highlights, so I try to remember there’s always more than meets the eye.
▶︎ What’s your go-to spot for a healthy meal or snack in NYC?
Oh man. I live/work in Flatiron, so I’m #blessed with so many good quick options: Inday, Sweetgreen, Dig Inn, Little Beet. Inday is closest to my office, though, so I end up there the most.
▶︎ What’s your proudest fitness moment?
Breaking 4 hours at the NYC Marathon!!!!! I never thought I’d be able to run a marathon, much less in less than 4 hours.
▶︎ What work out, if any, are you currently obsessed with?
Well, ALWAYS obsessed with Uplift! (Really loving their Sculpt Fusion + Express formats lately.) Other fave studios: Mile High, Fhitting Room, Row House.
▶︎ When you’re tight on time but want a healthy, homemade dinner, what do you make?
Turkey burger, sweet potato and broccoli
▶︎ What’s the last great book you read?
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
▶︎ What beauty products do you swear by?
I am in the process of switching my beauty products to those with safer ingredients so I can treat my skin as well as the rest of my body, so I’m working with Beautycounter. I love their day cream and foundation. I’m also addicted to dry shampoo.
▶︎ What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Ever, huh? I gotta give it to my mama — “Life isn’t complicated — we make it complicated.”
▶︎ What’s one piece of advice you would give someone new to fitness + wellness?
Be proud of yourself for where you are! We all had to start somewhere.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Barre or Yoga? Yoga, hands-down. I’m so bad at barre!
Spin class or run? Run!
AM or PM workout? AM, immediately followed by a massive coffee.
Smoothie or juice? Smoothie, Juicepress, please.
Group fitness or solo workout? group fitness!
▶︎ Where I can find you on social media and blogging?
Blog: www.preppyrunner.com
Instagram: @theodorable
Twitter: @tblanchfield
Thanks for the feature, best intern ever! 🙂 And for calling me the OG fitness blogger!