Imagine you had an individual in your life who could help you work out on a daily basis , who would keep it fun and challenging and new and also keep you motivated . Well , imagine no longer , because I have that person here with me on an interview today . That person is Lauren George . She is a kick butt businesswoman , an entrepreneur and an all-around fantastic human being . I think you'll enjoy getting to know Lauren as much as I did , so stay tuned . Welcome to your Zen Friend . I'm your host , lauren Wolfe .
Speaker 1On this podcast , I will share wisdom from working as a licensed professional counselor for more than 20 years . Using storytelling and lighthearted humor , each episode will explore themes on personal growth , including tips and strategies to boost mental wellness and overall well-being . If you're a perfectly imperfect human like me , who's always striving to do better and feel better , then this podcast is for you . Let's get started . Welcome , zen Friend . I hope , wherever you are , you are doing well . I just had the most joyful time interviewing our guest today , lauren George . Lauren is an entrepreneur and an absolute celebrity in the fitness and bar world . When I say bar , I mean B-A-R-R-E bar as a form of exercise , not a form of drinking alcohol . When I started teaching bar about five years ago , lauren came into my awareness because she is one of the founders of Bar Above . Bar Above is a methodology of teaching bar . You can be certified as an instructor through Bar Above . When I received my certification through Bar Above as a bar instructor , I was able to join a program that they had where I would receive once a month some choreography that was provided from the founders of Bar Above , lauren being one of them . She put out choreography each month and I would look specifically to do what she provided . I felt a connection with her . I really liked her style . I liked how she put together the bar sequencing and choreography . She would always do it to the beat so that it felt very dance-like and just made working out for me so much fun . I really took what she taught me as an instructor and brought it into the bar classes that I was teaching and I still do . I still choreograph in the way that I really learned from Lauren .
Speaker 1Then , about probably three and a half years ago now , I went to a summit . I think it was a summit . It was like a bar training in Florida and that was super fun . I got to meet Lauren and I took some of her classes there . She was just every bit of what I would call a bright light human being , as what she appeared to be in her videos . It was just really fun meeting her .
Speaker 1I followed her Instagram and then you'll hear me talk about how I got a chance to work with her or rather take classes with her on a regular basis , and how I still do , and how that is something positive that has come out of the pandemic , which not a whole lot positive came out of that . That is one aspect that I am very grateful for . I will talk about that with Lauren , and I'll talk about how her fitness classes and her fitness program that she offers online now brings me joy and keeps me in fantastic physical shape on a regular basis . Of course , I'll also share with you how you can access it and try it out if you would like . But most of all , it was just so fun and joyful getting to talk to Lauren personally , getting to ask her questions about her life , what it's been like for her making a journey in her own career , how she really pivoted and changed gears with COVID and how that has really changed the trajectory of what she does now . That was super fun . She also will mention her husband and how his job has had them moving quite frequently . She talks about that and what that's been like to make these frequent moves , being a mom as well as being a business owner . Her husband is the deputy athletic director at Mississippi State and the CFO at Mississippi State . Right now , when she's referencing him and his job , that is what he does . I know you're going to enjoy this interview and I think you'll quickly see why it is that I felt a connection to Lauren . I hope you'll check her out . I hope you'll find her on Instagram and check out her fitness program . I'll have all of those links in the show notes and she mentions where you can find them at the end of the episode as well . So let's take a short break and then get to my interview with Lauren George .
Speaker 1Hey there , parents .
Speaker 1If you are a parent of a teenager , then there's a podcast you have to listen to . It's called College and Career Ready Podcast and it's hosted by my friend , sonia Casique . It is the ultimate resource for parents looking to empower their teens with the knowledge and skills they need for career and college readiness . This podcast is packed with expert interviews , insightful discussions and practical advice that will help you navigate the challenges of preparing your teen through their college and or career journey . Trust me , this is so overwhelming as a parent when you have a teenager and you begin to think about what is needed to figure out the steps after high school . She breaks it down into podcast episodes that give you just enough information to absorb . She has a warm and friendly way about her that is totally reassuring and takes a lot of the stress out of what can be a pretty stressful process . So go to Apple Podcast or Spotify or wherever you find your podcast , and follow College and Career Ready Podcast . You'll be so glad that you did . Welcome Lauren . Thank you so much for being here .
Speaker 2Thank you for having me . I am so honored to be here and excited .
Speaker 1Such a joy , lauren . If I had known a year ago when I started the podcast that I would have an opportunity to talk to you , I would have been so excited as I am excited now , but you definitely were one of the top five people on my list . I think you are number one , lauren . You make it there before Julia Louis-Dreyfus , who I love too , but you are really big , so thank you .
Speaker 2Oh , thank you . I truly am honored to be here , so I so appreciate your kind words .
Speaker 1Thank you . Now I have told our Zen friends a little bit about how I met you and how you came into my stratosphere , or I came into your stratosphere in the bar world and in the fitness world . But for any of our listeners who are not familiar with you , what would you like them to know ?
Speaker 2Oh sure . Well , I am originally from Texas and currently live in Startville , Mississippi , and , like you said , we know each other from the fitness world , which has been my career in a lot of different ways For the last really 16 years . I started teaching whenever I was in college and I actually took funny story . I took a step class as a kinesiology and I was like hold the phone , I can do this for a real job . I was a political science major at the time . I was like sign me up for that . So I switched my major and have been in fitness ever since .
Speaker 2I've had the pleasure of working at campus recreation centers and large health clubs in Dallas . I have owned a studio in Clemson , South Carolina , currently owned a virtual studio and an app , and then one of my passions is definitely creating fun fitness programming . I think that's really where the heart of all the different things that I do is . I want to make fitness as fun as possible . So I also get to work with other instructors as well and teach them how to teach fun programming . So that's just kind of me in a nutshell . I've created Pump Up Strings and Barabub in a program called the Musicality Method . I'm currently on a new adventure , teaching kinesiology classes at Mississippi State University . So that's been a fun new one for me this semester . So that's a quick wrap
up .
Speaker 1That is pretty impressive , Lauren , how you wrapped it up so concisely , because I think you have more jobs than any one individual I have ever known .
Speaker 2I do . I do have quite a few jobs . I think it's just because I do so many fun things that I don't like to say no right . I'm like , yes , let's try that project . That sounds great .
Speaker 1Absolutely , and you bring joy to everything that you do . So you can really tell that you love doing what you do , and I definitely want to talk about your fantastic fitness program . It's so affordable and easy to access and it brings my life joy on the regular . I am working out with you every day , lauren , so in a weird way , it doesn't feel weird to talk to you because I feel like I always see you .
Speaker 2I love that yeah .
Speaker 1But I also I'm really curious to know how your life has changed pre-COVID , because I believe that your online program didn't start till after COVID . So just curious if you can tell us a little bit about how you have pivoted and how life is different now .
Speaker 2Sure , well , it is so , so , so different . So really , pre-covid , I was living in Climbson , south Carolina , and I owned a fitness studio . At that point I had really , I don't think , done anything virtually maybe Skype once or twice . We didn't even zoom . I don't know that I had zoomed pre-COVID at all , hardly so . I was teaching in my fitness studio in Climbson . We were running 55 classes a week . It was wonderful .
Speaker 2And then , right at the exact same time that COVID hit , my husband was interviewing for a job here in Startville . Literally we drove to Startville . I could take my girls to breakfast on Saturday . I couldn't take them to breakfast on Sunday . And I'm trying to figure out how to shut down my studio , which we thought was for two weeks , right , whenever we all shut it down originally as we're driving back from Mississippi to South Carolina . And then he accepts the job because everything in his career world happens in like five seconds . So we get home , he packs up and then he goes back to Mississippi and the girls and I are left in South Carolina trying to sell a house in the middle of the pandemic when no one can really come and see your house . Right , and then figure out what to do , how to keep the studio going .
Speaker 2And so I will totally admit and I haven't talked about this a lot but I went into virtual stomping my feet . I have loved teaching group fitness my entire life , it's my career . And so I truly had this pit in my stomach that I was like , if we all go virtual , is anyone going to come back ? And to me at that point , never having done virtual , it was the this that I missed . Right , it was having those connections , feeling like I knew my students . So that's what I was really really worried about . So I held off for as long as possible and finally , with Bar above and Pumped Up Strength or Bar above then Pumped Up Strength wasn't even around .
Speaker 2We had to figure out how to keep moving forward , especially because other parts of the country were shut down for so much longer than we were here in Mississippi . And so Trisha was like we got to do this hard , we got to figure it out . I'm like , ok , here we go . So the first thing that I did virtually was Bar above . So this was March , and then in May I bought my house site unseen . I roll up with the moving trucks and we all get out . We're like let's go see what we got everybody . So we go in . Luckily , I love it . The pictures did it justice . So we go in . We're .
Speaker 2I'm now in Startville . Luckily , one of my amazing instructors in Clemson took over the studio . It's still going today . It's an absolutely amazing hand . I just got to go back at the beginning of this semester in August and teach again there and do some certification . So that's been wonderful and such a blessing .
Speaker 2But now I'm in a town where we're still pretty shut down . I don't have anywhere to teach . I don't know anyone and I think , well , I mean , I guess I'll teach some virtual classes . So it actually started , as we're all going to go back in person . So I'm going to teach a six week bar challenge . I think that was my first one . I was going to do a six week bar challenge and now , lauren , looking back at those videos , I'm like , oh my gosh , bless everyone who put up with my original videos . I was like , oh my goodness , but we were doing it . So I did one bar challenge and it went wonderfully . So then I did another one , I think two more , and by that point we were into 2021 . And things have started to open back up in some places .
Speaker 2But I realized after doing those challenges that we did have the community that I was so scared of losing if we weren't in person , and especially because Startville is not a booming fitness metropolis . So I do teach in person now , but there weren't a lot of opportunities at first . I actually rent space in a dance studio and run my own classes out of that . But going virtual was really fulfilling my heart for community and I was getting so much feedback from other people that it was also giving them that and that was really a huge part of what I was honestly nervous of and didn't know that we could replicate virtually and I still love in person . So after we moved into 2021 and a couple of challenges , I was like I think I want to keep doing this long term and I had wonderful people that wanted to stay with me . So that's when I opened up my full virtual studio and started having a monthly membership and putting out new classes every week and it was an ongoing thing and it's so crazy to think that we're almost in 2024 .
Speaker 2And this started at the end of 2020 . And at first I was like , oh , just six weeks , just six weeks , one challenge , we'll be back . And so it's amazing and I love to how . My hope , especially now , is that even if people love to work out in person , we all know schedules are so crazy . You live in a big city , commuting is crazy , kids get sick , all these things happen and so I love that my virtual platform can be that compliment to when people still want to go and work out in person . But if you need to be able to push play at 5.57 AM , I want to be able to give people that option to have a great group fitness experience whenever they want it . So it's definitely been . It's huge difference and now I teach more certifications and obviously way more classes virtually than I do in person .
Speaker 1That is so interesting , lauren , because I wondered if maybe there was like a part of you that always thought well , someday I'll go into online classes and have an online fitness program . That's so interesting . No , I know , you know for myself as a therapist and at the time I was teaching , I think , two bar classes and one yoga class a week , just like that's my fun side thing . When the shutdown happened , we too thought it was going to be like two weeks . The amount of effort to go virtual was insane . Like for counseling , it was a little insane because I'm not a technical girl , I am a right , you know , right brain type of girl , so I had to figure that out . I was supervising other clinicians , I had to teach them and with the bar , that was so hard getting the music loud enough that people could hear it and your voice . There were so many things that went into it , and then the camera , all of that that we just had to learn . It was insane and so good for you that this beautiful thing has come from that , that now you have this really successful online program and I have to admit selfishly , that is one beautiful thing that has come out of the pandemic . I remember being connected with you on Instagram and you would post your balaton classes that were like ballet inspired . You would post little clips of them and I would be like , oh , those look like such fun . I wish I could work out with her on a regular basis , and now I do literally almost every day . So at least a positive to come from so much negative .
Speaker 1You know , as you talk about moving , Lauren , and I can't even imagine finding your house site unseen . That is crazy . I moved a lot when I was a kid . By the time I was in third grade , I think I'd been in like five different schools . It was really hard for me . I was just kind of a homebody and I'm very much a loyal friend . I like to keep my friends for always if I can , but I never really realized until I was an adult how hard that must have been on my mom . I can only imagine for you , lauren . You've got , you know , 1400 jobs . You've got two children , A husband . What has this been like for you personally , making all these moves ?
Speaker 2Yes , I mean so we've moved seven times in well I guess , if you count when we got to start , but we'd really moved seven times in 10 years at that point , wow , and we had been in Clemson for four and a half of those years . So there's been a lot of moving . We've been here and start over three years . So it definitely . I mean , I think there's there's amazing parts and then there are definitely hard parts for me . I will admit and we've chatted about this I am definitely very type A and I am a planner . So there's always that anticipation period when you think you know , oh , a move is coming , or the next job is coming , or maybe , and sometimes that happens really fast , and then sometimes it doesn't , and so that part's the hardest for me . Once we like , this is where we're going , I just go into go mode and we've done it seven times now .
Speaker 2So you know the packing and the organizing and all of that is . I have that part
down . I will say my girls have been pretty little up until this point . You know . Now they fully know what's going on and then moving during the pandemic it was so interesting because we have been really in isolation for almost two and a half months before we moved here . So we barely got to say goodbye to a lot of people in Clemson when we moved . So it was for me that was hard , but for my girls it didn't maybe feel as weird as like going to school one day and then not , or going to a different school , because they were still so little . My oldest was not even in kindergarten yet , so they were pretty young . So I'm thankful . I'm thankful for that .
Speaker 2I think for me the biggest maybe things that are helpful is when you are in the athletics world . I had a really sweet friend who I still speak to . Actually was talking to her earlier this morning . She was at one of the schools and she told me she was like you can't live in the in-between when you get to a new place , you unpack immediately . I will have things on the wall by the end of day , two Papers moved out . There's not going to be boxes living in my garage , because you have to make whatever house you're in a home as quickly as possible , or you're always going to be living in the we're about to move or we're just moved kind of situation where you want it to feel like a home and then you have to get involved in the community right away .
Speaker 2I'm on committees for my girls' school and I coach all the sports and so do a lot of other people . But if you don't dive in so fast , then you don't a lot of times have time to like ease your way in and then you kind of always feel a little bit like an outsider . So for me that has been really helpful and I have been so incredibly blessed with almost all the places that we've been to walk into a really welcoming situation , and so I also try to keep that in mind when someone moves in and I drill it into my girls when someone new comes into your class , you always sit by them , you always invite them to lunch , you always find out where they came from , because they've been the new kid . They might be the new kid at some point . So I think you just have to go with the flow . But I will 100% admit I'm not good at going with the flow until I know exactly where that flow is going and then I will jump in and we'll go . But I need to know when and what .
Speaker 1That sounds like really great insight , lauren to really immerse yourself in the place , really unpack , make it your home . I know when I made my last move so I've been in Connecticut now forever . But when I moved to Connecticut in third grade it was like the end of third grade , the first day of fourth grade , there was a new girl and , just like what you're saying , lauren , my mom would tell me the same thing and I always , as like a total empath , would be like , oh , the new kid . I know how that feels . So at lunch I introduced myself and asked her if she wanted to play at recess and she said yes and she's been my best friend ever since .
Speaker 1So good can come from what's also hard sometimes to change and I know I can really resist change myself . It can be hard change and uncertainty not easy . So since I first connected with you through social media about five years ago , I have so admired just all that you do , lauren , the way you put yourself out there . You've got great Instagram posts and I've also had the pleasure of taking some of your business trainings and even one for fitness professionals you let me take as a podcaster , which was super fun . What is it like for you to juggle so much because you make it look completely effortless , but I can't imagine that it is .
Speaker 2There are definitely moments where I'm pulling my hair out 100% , I will admit that . So most of the time I will say that I do like being busy . I love my job , or my jobs , so that is always fun . I love doing things with my girls , all of their sports , and I want them to be able to do all of the things that they want to do . So can we play this and this and this I'm like ? Well , as long as we can make it to all the practices , yes , you can . And then for my husband's job he hisses is very involved and often requires things of me to also be involved . But again , that is fun things .
Speaker 2But I think for me the biggest thing is I am a huge planner , like I said , so everything has to live and die by the calendar . And then , whenever I am thinking through the week , I typically take time every Sunday , really every Sunday , and every morning and every night I go back through my to-do list and time blocking is my absolute best friend . So a to-do list is wonderful and very helpful , but I need to know exactly what time of the day I'm going to work on each thing , or else the more difficult or maybe energy consuming things tend to get pushed down the to-do list . So whenever I'm thinking , ok , I need to , like this morning , film a new choreography release , I know that I would prefer to film first thing , before I get dressed for the day or go out and do something , and then maybe my energy is not as there or as focused . So I will schedule it out Like we're going to film at 5 AM to 6 AM before the girls wake up , versus just saying film on Friday . So that is super helpful for me . And then , even thinking through those little moments of downtime , I have specific things that I try to schedule in there which may seem a little bit overly type A , but it actually really helps my stress level to know that I'm maximizing my time versus just sitting there and I'll probably get stuck in the scrolling Instagram .
Speaker 2Not that that's bad we all need that sometimes too . But when I'm sitting at gymnastics some days I'll have that's a great time for me to count out new choreography songs . Or I'll schedule in a walk while the girls are both in tumbling . So I know that I'll have that 45 minutes or an hour that I can count towards my workout those days . So really taking inventory of what's the entire week and what the entire day looks like and then plugging in those short amount of times , even sitting in carpool . I always have something to do when I'm sitting in carpool so I can catch up on my latest book that I'm reading or respond to emails . My hotspot is very strong and I'm grateful for that so I can have my mobile office from anywhere . But there are definitely seasons where it is more challenging . I feel like December and May , for all parents probably , is just like the biggest whirlwind ever .
Speaker 2Yes , and there are a lot of days where I have to pack four different sporting event outfits in the car . I'm also grateful that my kids know no different , and so for them they're like mom , which bag do I need ? When they come home and they're like , OK , I have to have a dance bag and then my soccer bag , and then I need something maroon to change into because we're going to a Mississippi State basketball game . So they're pretty trained , if you will , and they love activities too . So if I say I pick them up from school and it's a rare day that we're going home , we start driving home . They're like where are we going ? We're going home , there's nothing after school . So planning , planning and more planning , but definitely some days I feel like I'm losing it .
Speaker 1Well , that totally makes sense , because I don't know how you could do everything that you do without time blocking and really accounting for most of your minutes . But yet that's still . It's amazing , Lauren , that you do do such a great job with so many different aspects . So with your fitness program , let's talk about that . What I absolutely love about it is you have such variety in your program . Back in the what was it ?
Speaker 1I guess late 80s , 1990s , Cindy Crawford released an exercise video , right , and then there was Claudia Schiffer . All the supermodels had their exercise videos and a good 1980s 1990s girl . I had them right . But literally , Lauren , I think I had probably four total . Cindy Crawford had two , Claudia Schiffer had a bunch , but I think I had two . I would just do the same videos over and over again . Now I understand like , yeah , it's not terrible , but it's not amazing because you're not challenging different muscle groups . You have so many different types of fitness . Oh my god , Lauren . And you have all different time lengths . If I have just 20 minutes , if I have just 10 minutes , I could do something for 10 minutes . If I have an hour , I just have 10 minutes , I could do something for an hour . I just find it so fantastic , and I think you also do a really great job of motivating people , connecting , making a community . What is it that you are hoping and what is it , I guess , what are you hoping people really get from it and what are you enjoying with it ?
Speaker 2Yes , well , thank you , I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed it and that you love the Variety , because I love Variety when I work out . And funny story my first workout DVD or I guess it was totally a VHS was Paula Abdul's Hip Hop Aerobics . Oh , that's amazing . And she had two , I believe , or there might have been two videos on one VHS or two workouts Definitely wore those out . And then Gullad do you remember Gullad ? I don't remember Gullad , definitely Gullad on the feet . Well , so his was actually on TV . Oh my god , yes , he had like a channel , yeah , on the .
Speaker 2TV , I think did he have dark hair ? Yes , yes , oh , my god , oh yeah , in the spandex , totally .
Speaker 2So did all of those , all of those as well .
But , like I mentioned earlier with my hesitancy to get into virtual , is , I really want people and some people don't want the community , and that's not in a negative way . They just want to log in and do their workout and that is 100% OK and I am here for that as well . But for those that really wanted to be a part of the community , to communicate with other people that are exercising , or just to communicate with me or feel like they know the instructor on the other side of the screen , that was something that was extremely important for me and because I had been in in-person group fitness for 13 years , at that point , that fun factor that I also mentioned earlier , I wanted to bring into the virtual world . But that's here Hope that my videography skills and audio have come a long way over the last two and a half years , but I want to maintain or my hope is to maintain that kind of Authenticity of it , feeling like you're going to an in-person class . So maybe not so over process . I'm sure you've seen me mess up plenty of times on camera . I do edit out a couple , but you know I'll make fun of myself and all those kind of things , because I want people to feel as close to Taking a class in person or taking a class together as Possible . And then I do feel like , with the variety , like you mentioned , it is so important for your overall health . I also think it's so important for staying motivated to sticking with your workout , to sticking with an online platform so you don't get bored , you can continue to challenge yourself and try , you know , new modalities and new Fusions of classes that you like . I also think that on some days you know you may be in the mood for Pilates , or on some days You'd like me to get out some aggression , and so you're gonna go looking for a hit class or a kickboxing class , and so my hope is to you know , provide those options to also meet what your body needs and what your mind needs that day , so you can stay engaged with your workout .
Speaker 2And Everything comes back to . Exercise should be fun . It should be something I hope that we can all look forward to , and I think if you find the type of exercise that you like , or maybe the group that you enjoy working out with or the Instructure that you enjoy working out with , that is possible for everyone . I may not be everyone's cup of tea . I'm probably too much for some people . That was hard for me as a new instructor , but I've come to terms with the fact that I might be over the top for some people and that's , that's okay . But hopefully they'll find the different instructor that they do love , that they Enjoy working out with . So that's really . My hope is that I can provide the community for those that want it and then provide the Variety of exercise so that we can meet as many needs as possible and make it as Convenient as possible , because that is totally key , especially with a busy schedule . So those are my hopes .
Speaker 1I will say , lauren , I think you keep it such fun . I mean , you had a Halloween costume contest recently . You've done some throwbacks where you've been all in 1980s , 1990s gear you did . I love and I've returned to it a number of times your buns of steel , like your take on that you did one . That's a great workout , so I think you keep it so fun .
Speaker 2Let me tell you I watched multiple buns of steel like original videos . Oh my god , that is some good entertainment before I film . Fitness through the decades was the theme for that challenge , and so I went back and watched videos from all of the different decades and wow , some of the things were quite funny .
Speaker 1Yes , I'm sure it's so not politically correct nowadays .
Speaker 2No .
Speaker 1Not even a little bit , I cannot even imagine . Also , and tell me if I'm wrong , lauren , I think your fitness program is just 1299 a month for a membership . Is that correct ? That's correct . Yes , it's so affordable that People like I have my membership at my local bar studio and I also have your membership and just what you're talking about . You can't always Get there at the time they have the class and on those days it's such a joy to be able to work out with you . And I will say I think you're many people's cup of tea because you have lots of Followers , so don't tell you're so short .
Speaker 1Absolutely , and my husband did come in one time and say that woman has a lot of energy . I know she does . She keeps me motivated and and you do I feel like I Form a connection with you in a way . It feels like I'm working out with you , so it helps keep me motivated , whereas with the supermodels doing the same thing over and over again it got boring . I didn't want to return . I did try a Claudia shiffer Like quote-unquote video I found on YouTube like a year ago and I was like oh , I'm too old to be working out with supermodels from 1990 now . It is not making me feel good . No , thank you .
Speaker 2Well , I have to say it goes both ways too , because me , you know , having the opportunity to get to know you and a lot of our Other members , when I'm filming classes , even for on-demand , I imagine y'all there with me , or , or what Pam would say , or you know what look Alex would give me , or what Lauren would think about these . So that helps me and honestly makes it way more fun for me Too , even if I'm filming for on-demand , knowing who is going to consume the content , so that 100% goes both ways . I feel like I'm working out with y'all , or I imagine y'all are with me behind the camera and I'm talking to you whenever I'm filming that's so fun and there is , I think , just what you're talking about , lauren .
Speaker 1There is that connection and you've got a private Facebook community and people are so supportive and encouraging . That's really fun too . Will you just kind of rattle off some of the types of fitness for our listeners that you include in the membership ?
Speaker 2Sure . So we have bar classes , pumped-up strength , which is a group strength class , total body strength workout , kickboxing some good old school stuff for Robics hit workout like Tabata and Amrap and Emoms , ballotone , which is cardio inspired , ballet classes , lots of Pilates classes including human reformer just joined the line up and then we also have fusion classes , so step and pump and bar fight , which is a fusion of kickboxing and bar and Kick and pump , which is kickboxing and pumps up strength . And then we also bring in guest instructors , at least once a quarter . So right now Carrie Merrill is our guest instructor , and so she's brought new formats , like her minute ladders , where she does a ladder workout where every minute is a different type of exercise . So we try to mix it up . And then there's also some yoga in there and yoga lottees .
Speaker 1Awesome . Yes , I just tried Carrie's workout yesterday . It was so fun , so fun , oh good , it was great . I loved it . So I am just wondering if you have any tips , lauren , for anyone who Does want to be successful at having an at-home workout , how they can stay motivated to work out on a regular basis .
Speaker 2Yes . Well , first of all , I would also say , if you were thinking I could never work out at home , I you know I have to go somewhere . I would get distracted . I think so many of us thought that before we tried it and before we got into habit , I will say I never worked out at home like never before , before COVID happened . I would literally drive myself to my studio and do my home like my own workout , but at the studio before COVID happened . Right , but it's , we created a habit , and now , when I think about the time that it takes me to drive somewhere to then work out , I'm like I could do so much with those 40 minutes , like I could do so many other things besides drive . So it is . It is a habit that you have to get into .
Speaker 2But a couple of my top tips would be if at all possible , find a dedicated space for your workouts . I really do think that that helps to not feel so distracted , and so you can have a time of Transition right of I'm going into my dedicated workout space . Even if you don't have a whole room , maybe you could decorate a corner of your room and have all of your equipment there in a cabinet , maybe a motivational poster , something that kind of signified like this is my workout space . I'm moving into that time of my day , time for myself , time for yourself . So I do think having you know kind of that dedicated area again , even if it's not an entire room , that helps you to kind of get in the right mindset . I will say also to we always talk about scheduling your workouts , but just like putting something on your to-do list doesn't necessarily mean if it's going to get done , just like you would say , I go to 9 am Spin every Thursday , schedule your workouts in detail , even though they're going to be at home . So instead of being like , ooh , I need to , you know , work out sometime this morning , say I'm gonna get up at 530 and do my workout , or I'm gonna work out , you know , right after I drop off the kids at 830 , and Save yourself from Scrolling through a million workouts , whether that's on the app that you use or YouTube , and go ahead and figure out what work out you're doing every day and maybe that is , you know , following a specific program . But if you go into your workout space and it takes you 10 minutes to pick out your workout , you know that's 10 minutes . That you I don't want to say is wasted , but it's not helping you accomplish your goals . So you can save a lot of time if you have that pre-picked out and I also think it really helps you to stick to your goals If you know . All right , 30 minutes , this is a hit workout I'm doing . I'm going to walk in , I'm going to push play and it's going to be very efficient .
Speaker 2I would also say to invest in a few key pieces of equipment . So that would include things like two or three sets of dumbbells . Make sure you're getting some that are heavy enough to see results from . Loop . Resistance bands are booty bands , as a lot of people refer to . Them are great because they can help your legs work harder , increase your load for your legs , without maybe having to have as heavy of a dumbbells .
Speaker 2A small Pilates ball there's so much that you can do with that and then handle tubing . So none of those things are crazy expensive and you can build out your home gym over time . So maybe you challenge yourself to working out for four weeks or pick an online workout challenge and you reward yourself with a new piece of equipment . So even my virtual studio or my home workout space it didn't look like it does now in the beginning . Right , I redecorate or add new pieces of equipment or things as time goes , so it's not such a huge financial investment up front , but those things that I mentioned can go so far and carry over to so many different workouts . You can use them for strength workouts and bar and Pilates and HIIT , so they really go a long way and you can build your fitness area out over time .
Speaker 2And then I would say too , if it is your cup of tea , to join a fitness community and really be a part of that , whether you want to communicate on the Facebook group or not , but having a calendar and a schedule to follow , having other people doing it with you , even if it's your best friend that's across the country , and y'all just start a workout program or join the same online community . That can go so far in helping you feel accountable and feel connected and get excited about your workouts for sure . And then online there are so many instructors that offer online workouts nowadays . Don't just try one and think , oh , online workouts are for me , you may have to try a couple , just like when you go to an in-person gym and you have to find the instructor that you've dived with . Try a few different online programs and see which one excites you the most , because that's going to be the one that you are most likely to stick to . So those would be some of my top tips .
Speaker 1Awesome advice and I love how , in your program , you put out workouts for the week , because I trust you , lauren , to give me a full workout of things that are challenging for my body , but I'm not overloading one area . So I just go to that and then I see how I feel or how much time I have , but then I'm only choosing from five or six as opposed to from I think you must have hundreds now and then I know I get them all in during the week and I can check that off . That feels good . So satisfying , yeah , exactly so satisfying . I can be a little type A myself , lauren , so I am right there with you .
Speaker 1So I would love to have a little fun and do some rapid fire questions . Okay , if you're up for that , ms Lauren , how does that sound ? That sounds great . All right , let's do it . I've got 10 questions .
We'll start with number one cookies or ice cream Cookies . Number two if you had to choose one form of fitness to do for the rest of your life I know , I know that's hard- that would be so hard to choose between bar and street training .
Speaker 2Ooh , those are your favorites . Yes , those are definitely my top two . Maybe bar , because it's still strength oriented . Yeah , yeah , you know , yes .
Speaker 1That's what I'm going with too . I love it . Yes , what is a movie that always makes you laugh , no matter how many times you see it ? Oh , makes me laugh . That's sick .
Speaker 2I'm going to have to think of that one . My favorite movie that I always go back to is under the test and said you know what ? I'm going to go with Hocus Pocus , the original one , because my girls loved it and so they cackled the whole time . They were even . Hocus Pocus for Halloween oh yes . I have loved it since I was little , and now that they're into it we just cracked up the whole time .
Speaker 1So fun . Yes , you guys looked amazing , so , so cute . So if you could go back in time or go into the future , what would you choose ? Oh , just to visit , just to visit , mm-hmm . I would say back in time , Hmm , any particular time , so I could visit my grandparents . Oh , yes , oh , that's so sweet . Yeah , what is a Christmas song that drives you crazy ?
Speaker 2Oh , I really don't love . Here Come Santa Claus . Okay , it's like I feel like it repeats itself over and over again and it's like on every Christmas album . It's nothing against Santa but , it's just that one is just not my favorite .
Speaker 1Every time I hear that now , I will think of you . Lauren , you're right , it's . Yeah , it's just the same lyrics over and over again .
Speaker 2I'm trying to not sing it because I don't want to do that to your listeners , but it's in my head right now here comes Santa Claus .
Speaker 1Yes , for me , and this is why I think we're getting into the Christmas season , I have a song that I have such a physical reaction to , that Paul McCarthy song simply having a wonderful Christmas time . Same thing . It's just so repetitive . Oh , yes , yes , okay , yes . Imagine you win a plane ride anywhere in the world . Where would you go ?
Speaker 2Ooh , switzerland , ooh , I love , love , love the mountains and I really want to see the Alps .
Speaker 1Oh , yes , I bet that would be amazing . All right , sweet or savory Sweet ? Do you have a favorite brand of workout clothes ?
Speaker 2Oh , that's also a tough one . I have a couple of different ones that I love . I do love . I will say I love Adidas shoes for everything that they just fit my feet really well .
Speaker 2If I'm looking for something that's really fun , there's a brand called Two Diamond Fit and they have a lot of really fun colors . Without I'm not like a really outgoing pattern person , so I do love Two Diamond Fit . I also love Lovely is the name of it . And again they have some like not tie dye , but where it like looks insane , but it's not necessarily like a skull or something like that . You know it's like a little fun , but like conservatively fun .
Speaker 1Okay , oh , I'll have to check these out . Love it . Those are my favorites . Love conservatively fun . That's awesome . Yes , speaking of fun , one thing you like to do for fun , that's not work related .
Speaker 2Probably hiking is my all time favorite . We don't have a lot of hiking here . We don't have hiking here in Mississippi , but we drive about four hours up to chat at a new gun . So anytime we have , you know , a three day weekend or something like that , that's our go to for fun .
Speaker 1So cool . And the last question if you had to choose another career , what would you choose Real ?
Speaker 2estate . I would most definitely do real estate . I've always loved that . My dad's a real estate attorney so I worked for him some in high school and college and I just , yeah , I think it's so fun and I guess moving a lot . I've looked at a lot of real estate ?
Speaker 1Oh my gosh . Yes , I bet you know your real estate , that's for sure . If I have to move , you'll be the person I'm calling . I can tell you what to look for . And , lauren , where can our listeners connect with you ?
Speaker 2I am Lauren George Fitness on Instagram and Facebook and my website is laurengfitnesscom , so pretty easy to find , absolutely .
Speaker 1And of course I'll have all of those links where people can connect with you and get your fabulous fitness program in our show notes .
Speaker 2Wonderful . Thank you so much for having me , lauren , I really appreciate it .
Speaker 1Oh , lauren , I know how very busy you are and I am so honored that you came to spend time with me here today . So , thank you , thank you , isn't Lauren fantastic ? I had so much fun speaking with her and getting to hear about her life as a business woman and as a mom , and I so appreciate her taking her time and being here with us . I know I geeked out . I couldn't help myself . It's a dream come true to get to have her on this podcast . I hope you'll check her out , find her Instagram and her fitness program . I know you will love her as much as I do .
Speaker 1A great big thank you to Susan , who edits this podcast . Thank you , susan , for making it sound fantastic .
If you haven't followed the show , please make sure to follow us . You can just hit that follow button in Apple or Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts , and that will make sure that you get this podcast every Tuesday and a drop of Zen , a short guided meditation , which comes out every Friday . I would love to connect with you , so come and find me on Instagram at your Zen friend pod , or on email at your Zen friend pod at gmailcom . You can also connect with me on Facebook . I would love to see you over there . We have a wonderful private Facebook group and you can find that by searching for your Zen friend on groups in Facebook . Until next time , friend , I hope you'll take some time today and every day to do something kind for yourself .