Run, Run, Run.

More often then not it's difficult to get out there and run at 5am, whether it be on my treadmill or outside, especially when balancing business travel, time zones, family and to be honest sheer exhaustion. I mean, binge watching “Big Little Lies” sounds much more relaxing.

When we opened our second skincare clinic 5 years ago, I was on a high. Being a serial entrepreneur I had never felt stronger. I was running 5 days a week, hiking and swimming. Then in 2013 my travels increased, the commute to the office and in-between clinic locations became exhausting, not to mention the added pressures of being a perfectionist. Slowly everything crumbled and in mid 2014 everything came to a complete STOP. I unconsciously put away my shoes, hiking boots and swimsuit. But I kept on working. Honestly, I was miserable.

Sometimes we stop for a week, a month or even years. That's ok. I would randomly run, hike but it just wasn't enough. Then on January 1, 2016, after a New Year's hike I had an open and honest talk with myself. I lacked clarity, vision, focus – my stress levels were high and I was exhausted. I also felt like a fraud, as I am a big believer in practicing what I preach. I am constantly telling my clients they need to find something they enjoy doing outside of family & work. Some form of exercise, that this element is a very important key to a healthy body, mind and glowing skin.

So it was time to lace up my shoes. 5, 4, 3, 2 , 1 GO

As an entrepreneur, some of my best ideas have come to fruition when I was running. These ideas often end up on napkins… and then they become something tangible. Take our first skincare line for JB Skin Guru “Peoni” for instance, the idea was lingering for years, then in 2015 the whole line became completely clear in my mind while I was running. Inspired by my surroundings and experiences. Within hours I was researching… and unstoppable. I quickly realized that I needed to keep that clarity to move forward.

• I run to breathe.
• I run to sleep better.
• I run for better skin.
• I run because it helps my creative juices flow. In addition to relieving anxiety and allowing me to get a more restful sleep, running helps spark my creativity (a walk can help achieve this as well). Sometimes when I run I talk to myself.
• I also run to become smarter. Interestingly enough according to Harvard Health Publications, regular exercise helps reduce inflammation, insulin resistance, and increase cells with the brain by two percent. This can be done through a half hour of running five times a week.

Yet with all of these great reasons I still sometimes I need a little external motivation, to get moving. Sometimes its as simple as reading someone else’s words:

“Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it"

— OPRAH WINFREY.