The Wellness Files: Elana Lyn Gross ● The Queen of Millennial Career Advice

The Wellness Files //  a wellness-focused interview series featuring the badass ladies that inspire me.

I’m a content strategist at mllnnl, journalist, and founder of Elana Lyn. Elana Lyn is a personal and professional development site that provides millennial women with actionable job search, career, wellness, and lifestyle advice.

▶︎ You have an awesome freelance career and great blog on top of working full-time. How do you balance all these projects?

Thank you so much for your kind words and always reading my writing. I treat Sundays as a work day and do most of my freelance and blogging work on Sundays. However, there are definitely days that I end up going to work, coming home, and writing for a few more hours.

▶︎ What’s a typical day like for you?

I wake up between 6:30 am and 7:00 am and go to the gym or breakfast with a friend. I leave for work around 9:15 am and read my favorite newsletters: The Skimm, Broadstreet, the Buzzfeed News, and The New York Times Daily Digest on my commute. I get into work at 10:00 am and work on content calendars and strategies until around 6:00 pm. After work, I’ll either go to a networking or press event, dinner with a friends, the gym, or home to work on articles or posts.

▶︎ What advice do you have for someone looking to break into freelance writing?

Start writing for a few smaller publications that have syndication partnerships with bigger publications such as Fast Company, POPSUGAR, Business Insider, or The Huffington Post. Once you have a few clips you’re proud of, you can use them when you pitch bigger pubications.

▶︎ I know you recently started BBG (Kayla Itsines’ famous program), something I’ve personally thought about doing. What’s your experience with BBG been like?

I love BBG! It’s helpful to have a program with targetted workouts that produce results. The workouts are tough and it takes a lot of dedication, but I feel empowered, proud and stronger!

▶︎ Where does your motivation to lead a healthy life come from?

I am happier, less stressed, and more productive when I eat well, get enough sleep, focus on self-care, and exercise.

▶︎ What’s your go-to spot for a healthy meal or snack in NYC?

If I had to choose only one place it would have to be SweetGreen!

▶︎ What’s your proudest fitness moment?

I was an equestrian up until I went to college, and was always proud when I won at a horse show. I’m always proud when I do something outside of my comfort zone, whether that’s rock climbing, a tough hike, BBG, or something else entirely and there were definitely some jumping courses that I did even though I was nervous.

▶︎ What workout, if any, are you currently obsessed with?

I’m on week 10 of BBG!

▶︎ When you’re tight on time but want a healthy, homemade dinner, what do you make?

Zoodles with pesto and sundried tomatoes!

▶︎ What’s the last great book you read?

“The Nightingale” by Kristen Hannah.

▶︎What beauty products do you swear by?

Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge, Laura Mercier under-eye concealor, and Nars blush and eyeliner.

▶︎ What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

 My dad reminds me not to compare myself to others and to focus on doing my best and pursuing what makes me happy.

▶︎ What’s one piece of advice you would give someone new to fitness + wellness?

Go to lots of different workouts and classes to find what you enjoy best. Prioritize working out and schedule it in your calendar like you’d schedule a meeting or getting together with a friend.

LIGHTNING ROUND!

Barre or Yoga? Barre

Spin class or run? Spin class

AM or PM workout? AM

Smoothie or juice? Smoothie, please!

Group fitness or solo workout? Both

▶︎ Where I can find you on social media and blogging?

Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram // Blog