HUGE SHOUTOUT!👏To Our Team! $5500 In a Day 💰

HUGE SHOUTOUT!👏To Our Team! $5500 In a Day 💰

Secret To 100% Hands Free Income Delivered Straight To Your Front Door

Lessons Learned Running Dunkin Donuts

On: By: Kalani

Lessons Learned Running Dunkin Donuts written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Robert Rosenburg

Robert Rosenburg In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Robert Rosenburg an American businessman, professor, and author. He was the chief executive officer of Dunkin’ Donuts for thirty-five years from 1963 to 1998 and also served on the board of directors of Sonic Corp and Domino’s Pizza. 

Robert Rosenburg is the author of Around the Corner to Around the World, A Dozen Lessons I Learned Running Dunkin Donuts. 

Questions I ask Robert Rosenburg:

  • You’ve been retired for several years, why write the book now?
  • What lessons did you learn running Dunkin’ Donuts for 35 years?
  • What are the dynamics of working in a family business?
  • What part of the business did you have to let go?
  • Did you have a favorite donut?
  • Was there one decision, looking back, that you can now say wow that was a good decision?
  • How did you navigate innovation in the food industry?
  • Did you ever retire?
  • How did you pick your successor?

More about Robert Rosenburg:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

SEMrushThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by SEMrush.

SEMrush is an all-in-one marketing tool kit that marketing consultants use to boost their digital marketing efforts for their clients. SEMrush helps with SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing and market research. This tool is incredibly valuable to Duct Tape Marketing and the work we do for our clients.

To learn more, go to SEMrush.com.

How to Become a More Mindful Person

On: By: Kalani

How to Become a More Mindful Person written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Ricky Kalmon

mindset shift In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Ricky Kalmon an American stage hypnotist, motivational speaker, TV personality and author of self-improvement audio programs.

His programs are inspirational and offer compelling, applicable tools anyone can use in personal and professional development. Kalmon reveals how our mindset can be the greatest tool in achieving new heights, reducing stress, and increasing productivity and potential.

Ricky Kalmon wrote Leverage Your Mindset: Overcome Limiting Beliefs and Amplify Your Life!: Be Less Stressed, Be Happier, and Be More Mindful. 

Ricky Kalmon’s mindset message and techniques will change the way you live, work, and think. Kalmon works with Fortune 500 companies, sales teams, leaders, executives, and sports teams, teaching them how to reinforce their thoughts and beliefs to enhance their results.

Questions I ask Ricky Kalmon:

  • What was your journey to becoming a hypnotist?
  • What did that teach you
  • How to define the buzzword mindset?
  •  You call it internal software – how do you reprogram or update software?
  • If you are a person that’s been convinced you need to change your mindset – what does the path look like?

More about Ricky Kalmon:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

Zephyr logoThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Zephyr.

Zephyr is a modern, cloud-based CMS that’s licensed only to agencies. The system is lightweight, easy to use, and incredibly fast. And with an array of beautiful themes to choose from, you can get your clients’ websites up-and-running quickly and with less effort. Or, if you’d rather build a custom site, Zephyr includes agency services to be your plug-and-play dev shop.

Zephyr is passionate about helping agencies create great websites for their clients. To learn more, go to Zephyrcms.com.

A Look at 2020 Home Services Growth

On: By: Kalani

A Look at 2020 Home Services Growth written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Tommy Mellow

Home Service ExpertIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Tommy Mellow the founder of A1 Garage Doors, a $50M home service business. 

Tommy also created The Home Service Expert, the No. 1 learning resource for ambitious home service entrepreneurs, whether they are in plumbing, HVAC or any other home service niche.

He created The Home Service Expert to share his knowledge with other entrepreneurs so that they can grow their businesses just like he did.

Questions I ask Tommy Mellow:

  • Home services are booming right now – what challenges are being created because of this? 
  • For our home service clients, hiring is their #1 issue currently – what are you doing to address this? 
  •  How are you differentiating A1 Garage Services?
  • SEO – local – map pack – paid ads – direct mail – they are all important. What’s most important to you right now?
  • What are you doing to encourage referrals and reviews?
  • What are you doing offline? 
  • How are you creating an experience above and beyond a service?  

More about Tommy Mellow:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

Gusto LogoThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Gusto.

Look paydays are great. Running payroll, calculating taxes, deductions, compliance that’s not easy. Unless you have Gusto! Gusto is simple online payroll and benefits build just for small business. Because you are a listener of this show you get 3 months free once you run your first payroll.

To learn more, go to Gusto.com/tape

How to Balance Work, Kids and Exercise

On: By: Kalani

2020
 a number that stirs up so many thoughts and feelings.  It will forever be the year associated with the pandemic that rocked our world.  Everyone’s lives changed.  Whether our jobs were affected or not, we all had to go through a major shift and adapt to something that wasn’t our “normal”.  A lot of us were laid off or furloughed, some of us shifted to working from home, and many of us were considered essential employees that continued to show up and do the job we had to do regardless of the risk. 

As a mom to two toddlers (ages 3 and 5 years old) and a firefighter wife, let me be the first to say I feel you!  Our children are our first priority, yet here we are trying to help them while also trying to balance work and our own health and wellness. Home-school, distance learning, hybrid learning or in-person learning, working to provide for our families, and then trying to make time for exercise, it almost seems impossible. Especially for single parents and those whose spouses are gone for 24 or more hours at a time.      

I want you to know: You are not alone.  According to an article from healthline.com, “Americans are reporting significant and sustained increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic”.  We are experiencing isolation like we never have in our lifetime.  We are feeling unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and confusion.  Even though exercise has demonstrated beneficial impacts on mental and physical health, we are exercising less during this pandemic.  Time magazine reported that “Americans [are] more sedentary than ever—and the effects may be long-lasting”.  We all know a healthy lifestyle supports our immune system so our bodies can better fight off pathogens, so how do we fit it in with everything else we have to do each day? 

I believe knowledge is a key motivator.  Once we know the why, we’ll be that much more motivated to follow through and make something a new habit or part of our routine.  So let’s talk about a few of the specific benefits of exercise:

  1. It increases the flow of oxygen to your brain which leads to clarity.  This increase in oxygen also leads to higher energy levels.
  2. It releases endorphins which are neurotransmitters that increase your pain tolerance and feelings of happiness.  It also slows down the release of stress hormones.
  3. It positively affects insulin sensitivity, thyroid hormone function which helps improve your metabolism, testosterone in men, and progesterone in women which helps to balance out estrogen levels.
  4. It helps improve relaxation and sleep quality.
  5. It supports your immune system by helping to “flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways”, helps your body’s immune system cells that fight disease circulate faster, helps prevent bacterial growth and fights off infection via the temporary rise in body temperature much like a fever does.

The driving point: Exercise is important for both mental and physical health.  It shifts your mindset, it preps your body for a productive day, and it fortifies your immune system.  What an incredible thing exercise is.  Our bodies were made to move. They want to move. So, let’s give ourselves that gift! 

Sweat Therapy

I call my workouts my “sweat therapy”.  To quote one of my long-time mentors Chalene Johnson, “Only exercise on the days you want to improve your mood”.  Did you know there’s no wrong time to workout?  Did you also know there’s no wrong way to workout?  Yes!  Check this out: The best time of day to workout is the time that you can commit to following through and actually getting it done.  The best way to workout is the way that you can really get it done.  It’s that simple.  If you only have 20 minutes, great!  That’s 20 minutes of you improving your health!  If you are only able to walk, then walk!  

Did you know walking is the number one exercise you can do for yourself?  It’s aerobic (using oxygen) which improves your heart health and increases your lung capacity, it decreases your risk of diabetes/dementia/cancer/stroke, it lowers sugar cravings, and here’s the kicker: it boosts your immunity!  Here’s a great way to easily include walking into your routine- do it in the morning before your day starts.  Wake up 20 minutes earlier, get dressed, and go for a walk.  My boys and I do this almost every morning before school or our weekend starts and it’s part of our routine.  They ride their bikes and I walk behind them.  Not only is it great for our health, but we are also spending quality time together, getting lots of fresh air, and increasing our Vitamin D levels by being in the sunlight. 

Determine the best time of day for YOU to workout and then choose what workout you will do.  Be specific so there’s no talking yourself out of it.  Set your workout clothes out the night before so they are ready to put on.  Know what your kids will be doing; set them up with an activity if they aren’t quite old enough to do the workout you have planned.  Maybe you turn on one of our On-Demand classes and do 30 minutes of it while your kids play with legos or are eating breakfast.  This is part of balancing it all with your kids. 

Make it a Routine

The number one way to create a sense of balance is to have routines in place.  Routines will help exercise become a healthy habit that you not only do, but look forward to each day.  For example, on the days that I’m not at the gym, I plan my workout during my three year old’s nap time.  It’s a non-negotiable for me as I need it for my mental health.  This is separate from our morning bike ride/walk time.  We THRIVE on routines.  Our children thrive on routines.             

Can you think of a couple routines you could put into place each day to feel less stressed, help your kids feel secure, and to be able to fit in exercise?  Ask for your kids’ input too.  What would they like to do with you?  I bet once you figure out an activity to do together as a family, everyone will be feeling less overwhelmed and more balanced.  After all, we’ll never get this time back with our family.  Let’s spend it feeling that joy from quality time and exercise! 

Michelle Lasiter

Michelle Lasiter, B.S. Biochemistry and Cell Biology (UCSD) , M.S. Exercise & Wellness (ASU) , and Master Trainer since 2014, is an Arizona based fitness professional who has been teaching group fitness classes since early 2008.  Michelle is the co-creator of two signature formats for Mountainside Fitness: Glutes, Cardio, Core and Power Kick.  Being a Firefighter wife and mom of two young boys ages 3 and 5 years old has no shortage of stress and crazy times, so fitness is her sweat therapy.  You can join Michelle for her classes at the Gilbert and Queen Creek Mountainside Fitness clubs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

 

Resources

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-covid-19-is-doing-to-our-mental-health

https://time.com/5831678/covid-19-americans-exercise/?amp=true

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007165.htm#start

The post How to Balance Work, Kids and Exercise appeared first on Mountainside Fitness.

How to Update Your Website Policy When Laws Change

On: By: Kalani

How to Update Your Website Policy When Laws Change written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Donata Kalnenaite

Donata KalnenaiteIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Donata Kalnenaite, the President of Termageddon.

Donata is also the engineer behind the policy questions and text provided by Termageddon. She is a licensed attorney and a certified information privacy professional. She often volunteers at the Illinois State Bar Association holding courses on the General Data Protection Regulation where she teaches other attorneys on the importance of privacy and what Privacy Policies should contain. In her free time, Donata enjoys bee keeping, hunting for morel mushrooms and walks with her fiancé and two dogs.

Questions I ask Donata Kalnenaite:

  • As a website owner do we need to pay attention to the terms of service or privacy notes?
  • Does anyone really enforce these matters?
  • If you don’t have one does it effect purchases?
  • What part of these terms are protection for the business owner?
  • “We collect cookies” how important is it to include this?
  • If you purchased your terms back in 1990 are they still good?
  • Are there certain industries that are more at risk?
  • How do companies that sell data fit into this?

More about Donata Kalnenaite:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

SEMrushThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by SEMrush.

SEMrush is an all-in-one marketing tool kit that marketing consultants use to boost their digital marketing efforts for their clients. SEMrush helps with SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing and market research. This tool is incredibly valuable to Duct Tape Marketing and the work we do for our clients.

To learn more, go to SEMrush.com.

The Importance of Credibility in Business

On: By: Kalani

The Importance of Credibility in Business written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Sharon Vinderine

Sharon Vinderine In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Sharon Vinderine, the founder of Parent Tested Parent Approved.

When Sharon Vinderine tried to launch a new baby product, she found that there’s nothing stronger than word of mouth when it comes to marketing to parents. Since founding the Toronto-based company over a decade ago, Sharon has become an in-demand guest on some of the most top-rated programs in North America, and the PTPA Seal of Approval is one of the top three most recognized awards in the U.S.

Questions I ask Sharon Vinderine:

  • How did the idea for PTPA start? 
  • Was there a model you followed?
  • What is the process of receiving the Seal of Approval? 
  • What has been the biggest contributor to your success as an entrepreneur?
  • How does your company make an impact on society?
  • How have you stayed ahead of your business over the last 13 years as the market has changed?
  • Started with kids and baby products, where are you today?
  • Are companies coming to you for a new product or is it more for rebranding?
  • What are some of the best lessons you’ve in your time in business that have made a real difference for you?

More about Sharon Vinderine:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

Gusto LogoThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Gusto.

Look paydays are great. Running payroll, calculating taxes, deductions, compliance that’s not easy. Unless you have Gusto! Gusto is simple online payroll and benefits build just for small business. Because you are a listener of this show you get 3 months free once you run your first payroll.

To learn more, go to Gusto.com/tape

How to Use PR to Build Credibility for Your Business

On: By: Kalani

How to Use PR to Build Credibility for Your Business written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Gloria Chou

PRIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Gloria Chou, former TV producer and U.S. Diplomat, and founder of Gloria Chou PR.

Gloria has spent her entire career using various media to tell stories that create opportunity and impact. She often hear from founders doing incredible things that the reason they aren’t telling their story to a wider audience is because they think they “aren’t ready yet.”

As someone who has worked extensively with early-stage founders and have gotten their stories into top-tier outlets such as the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal before they are even funded or launched, she has discovered that this is the #1 limiting belief that stands between where they are now, and where they would like to go.

Her approach to PR is unconventional and unlike anything you’ve seen, because she created them out of necessity. She has never worked at an agency or never had industry contacts or relationships with journalists when she began, and have never spent a penny on ads or sponsored content to this day. She learned how to “hack” her own PR by cold calling/emailing thousands of editors and learned what works to create her winning methods she now teaches to early-stage founders.

Questions I ask Gloria Chou:

  • In this day and age what is PR?
  • Has blogging changed the role of accredited journalists?
  • How do you break through the clutter when pitching?
  • What role does a press release play?

What you’ll learn if you give a listen:

  • The role of PR is to build credibility
  • How to connect with journalists
  • How to tailor your pitch
  • How press releases can turn into exclusives

More about Gloria Chou:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

SEMrushThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by SEMrush.

SEMrush is an all-in-one marketing tool kit that marketing consultants use to boost their digital marketing efforts for their clients. SEMrush helps with SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing and market research. This tool is incredibly valuable to Duct Tape Marketing and the work we do for our clients.

To learn more, go to SEMrush.com.

How To Find Continued Results Outside of the Gym

On: By: Kalani

There are many myths and misconceptions about how to create a successful and healthy plan when you are not in the gym. On average, a little more than 3% of the week is spent on exercise in a gym. A typical gym-goer will spend around 1 hour a day 4 days a week inside the gym for a workout. So now the question is, what can we do with the remaining hours? I have found in my time working with clients, the more realistic the objectives, the higher rate of success and sustainability. Below are some of my recommendations on how to find continued results for times you’re away from the gym. 

Get up and Get moving

We live in a digital age where 90% of people I meet with daily have a computer-based desk job, seated for countless hours at a time which negatively affects the hips, core, back, posture and alignment, and worse of all our metabolism. A study from the PMC US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, titled “How many steps/day are enough for adults?”, concludes that every individual should be aiming to hit on average 10,000 steps a day. Every little bit adds up throughout the day. If it seems like a daunting task, the key is to make it routine. Try to go on a walk every evening after dinner. In terms of metabolism, a 30-minute walk a day would accomplish the use of around 200 kcals on average, making for 1,400 kcals in the week. This creates a caloric deficit in addition to any other gym activity you are already doing. Success is built on consistency and patience.

Consciously Eating 

I think it is funny when I ask the question “how is your diet?” and get a response “I’m not on a diet”. Over the years there has been this guided negativity to the word diet. When in reality, it is basically what you eat in a day. Being aware of what you’re eating does not mean following a crazy program or extremely limited intake of calories or types of food. The phrase I tend to use is “conscious eating”, which is being aware of everything we eat. As we talked about earlier creating a calorie deficit in the week attributes to the continued success of remaining healthy. We want to look at what our day consists of, what our serving sizes look like, when is the last time we are eating in a day, and what that food is. The “midnight snack” is going to be something to tackle as well, and can certainly be a hard one to give up. Finding the right substitution is key. We want to look for something in the 150 kcal range for this snack. It may not seem like enough at the moment but it will help satisfy that craving and prevent a heavy source sitting in your digestive tract as you sleep, which is our lowest activity state, where we burn fewer calories because we are less active. 

What We Drink

The final piece I want to tackle is what we drink. In an article titled, Rethink your Drink. It is pretty staggering how much a dramatic difference we can see in someone’s results when the biggest factor we influence is the amount and type of drinks they take in daily. On average, a typical adult will take in around 1,000 kcals a day in drinks alone. This number will completely hinder results when we are looking for a healthy lifestyle. Typically, we burn about 1500 kcals per day from just being alive and any additional burn of calories comes from additional exercise. If we are consuming 1,000 kcals, we are only negative -500 calories on the day which does not account for our intake of food on that day. We are creating hurdles that make our success very hard to accomplish over time. The chart below from the CDC gives examples of how to switch out your high-calorie beverages for smarter options. 

There are a number of factors that contribute to our success in a healthy lifestyle. We need to be active, exercise, watch what we eat and what we drink. Consistency over time is what creates a long term healthy body. We can create a foundation of success in the gym, but the greater percentage of our time spent outside has a large effect on the work we put in while we are in the gym. By using a few of these tips, instead of hindering our results, we can boost them. 

Stay healthy my friends!

Jordan Guida

Arizona native, grew up in the West Valley and went to Brophy Prep in Phoenix, following my dream of baseball accepted a full scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyan, in 2012 won the Nation Championship for NAIA and was named the Tournament MVP for setting 2 National Records, number of Home Runs total (7 in 5 games) and number of Home Runs in a game (3), being my senior year I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science and was selected by the Detroit Tigers that same year. After 4 seasons of professional baseball, playing internationally in Canada as well, returned home to Phoenix in 2015 and was hired by Mountainside during the opening of the Arrowhead location in 2015 as a Personal trainer certified Personal Trainer, Functional Fitness and Senior Fitness. Since then I have worked my way up to Fitness Manager and overseeing 6 of our locations. In addition helped create and currently oversee with our Regional Manager Jeff Ginbey, our in house Personal Training Certification “Elevate” and in 2019 was Named PT Club of the Year for the work put in at the Peoria location. During the shutdowns I helped build database of minimal equipment workouts for our members to use daily to keep motivation and things interesting without the gym being available.


Sources: 

Tudor-Locke C, Craig CL, Brown WJ, et al. How many steps/day are enough? For adults. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011;8:79. Published 2011 Jul 28. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-8-79

Benton D, Young HA. Reducing Calorie Intake May Not Help You Lose Body Weight. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2017;12(5):703-714. doi:10.1177/1745691617690878

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html

The post How To Find Continued Results Outside of the Gym appeared first on Mountainside Fitness.

Great Reviews Provide Proof That You Keep Your Promises

On: By: Kalani

Great Reviews Provide Proof That You Keep Your Promises written by Jenna Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with John Jantsch

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I would like to discuss online reviews.

You know those Google and Facebook first start reviews we all know and love. It’s become a crucial part of marketing these days. Let’s face it when we go to make a purchase, the presence of a lot of 4 or 5-star reviews provides us with a level of trust that this is someone we want to do business with. Something that is sometimes overlooked is the actual words that the reviewer uses above and beyond the stars.

What you’ll learn if you give a listen:

  • How to get more ideal clients like the ones that are already leaving you 5-star reviews
  • How you don’t provide a service your clients had a problem and you solved it wonderfully while providing a good experience
  • How to use reviews to update your core messaging
  • How to use reviews to inspire brilliant marketing from email subject lines to Facebook ads

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

Less Annoying CRM logo

 

 

Less Annoying CRM AwardThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Less Annoying CRM.

Less Annoying CRM is a simple contact and lead manager built from the ground up for small businesses. Manage your contacts, leads, notes, calendar, to-do’s and more, all from one simple web app. Less Annoying CRM is founded on three core principles: simplicity, affordability, and outstanding customer service.

Less Annoying CRM has a special offer just for listeners of Duct Tape Marketing Podcast.  All users get an unlimited 60-day free trial to exhaustively test every aspect of the CRM. There is no prepayment or obligation to try it out. https://www.lessannoyingcrm.com/hello/ducttapemarketing

How to Treat an Opportunity Like Your One Big Break

On: By: Kalani

How to Treat an Opportunity Like Your One Big Break written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Alison Levine  

AlisonIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Alison Levine, author of One the Edge.

Alison Levine is a leadership expert, polar explorer and mountaineer who is no stranger to extreme environments. She has survived sub-zero temperatures, hurricane force winds, sudden avalanches
.and a career on Wall Street. She is one of the most in-demand keynote speakers, delivering resounding leadership messages that transcend her extreme climbing expeditions and remain relevant in today’s fast-paced business environments. She is able to draw relevant, authentic parallels between mountaineering and business because she has experienced both first hand—on multiple mountains, in multiple organizations, and in multiple industries.

Questions I ask Alison Levine:

  • How do you get into climbing at 30?
  • Are you a storyteller or an educator?
  • How did you turn your experiences into speaking and becoming an author?

What you’ll learn if you give a listen:

  • The inspiring story of how Alison Levin, decorated climber, started her journey at the age of 30
  • How progress happens when you get uncomfortable
  • When you get an opportunity treat it like your one big break
  • The story of the first female sherpa

More about Alison Levine:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

SEMrushThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by SEMrush.

SEMrush is an all-in-one marketing tool kit that marketing consultants use to boost their digital marketing efforts for their clients. SEMrush helps with SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing and market research. This tool is incredibly valuable to Duct Tape Marketing and the work we do for our clients.

To learn more, go to SEMrush.com.

Tips for Working OUT from Home

On: By: Kalani

Healthworks Fitness

Tips for Working OUT from Home: We’re WFH for what feels like forever, but are you maximizing your time at home? It’s so easy to fall out of routine and into a rut with all that’s going on, but it’s important to prioritize your mental and physical health and MOVE your body! 

At Healthworks, we’re committed to making it easy for you to find ways to get moving and UP your immune health, regardless of your comfortability with leaving your house or going back to the clubs. Our virtual offerings continue to grow and they aren’t going anywhere, so here are some tips to create a successful home workout routine


Embrace what you have, and let us help fill in the gaps. Yes, you may have space limitations or couldn’t get dumbbells before all stores sold out for what feels like an eternity
 but work with what you have and don’t beat yourself up. For most of our workouts, all you need is enough space for a yoga mat, truly, so find a nice corner and create a little pop-up gym! Even if it means some slightly rearranged furniture, having a set space to “check into” will help with your routine. Plus, we’re offering even more equipment rentals for you, offering you bikes and bundles of Pilates/Barre, Strength, BODYPUMP and Yoga props and equipment to help you with your at-home gym set-up. Learn more here 

Banish the negativity. Don’t flood yourself with thoughts of your limitations. Challenge the negativity and noise, get into a great headspace and don’t be too hard on yourself. No matter how different things may feel, you’re still treating yourself, and you’ll be thankful that you did.

Find the time. You’re home practically 24/7 but you still can’t find the time? We get it, and we’re probably all working longer and weirder hours than before, but similar to finding time to go to the gym, schedule out your workouts. Sign off by 6pm to get in a workout before dinner if that’s what you used to do and loved doing. Wake up with a Yoga class. Set your alarms, block off your calendar and schedule a meeting to WORK OUT. Plus, the more you do this, the more routine it will all feel. 

Try something NEW! Play around with our classes or heck, try Accountability Coaching (it’s free!) or cash in on your first free Remote Training session (did you know that Remote Training includes our trainers coming to you?!). We have so many different offerings available, from the classes you know and love with longtime instructors, with some fun new options and incredible new instructors. If you ever feel discouraged from struggling with a class or not “having equipment” (we will always offer modifications!), reach out to us or try something new. For example, missing Zumba? Try DANCE or REMIX! Unable to do BODYPUMP at home? Try BUILD or SCULPT!

Learn more about our Virtual Membership here. We’re offering Virtual Classes on Vimeo On Demand, Live Classes on Zoom, Remote Training and teamTRAINING (as well as outdoors) and Outdoor Fitness Classes, all in addition to the in-club options we have. There is truly something for everyone, so let’s get MOVING!

Our Four Fitness Must-Read Books

On: By: Kalani

Fitness is something that can unite us all and learning more about wellness is something we value at Mountainside. We’ve researched some of the best books regarding health, wellness, and fitness and we’re sharing our top four must-reads.. Read below to skip the stress and start turning pages!

Superlife: The Five Simple Fixes That Will Make You Healthy Fit and Eternally Awesome By Darin Olien

Summary: Superlife introduces an entirely new way of thinking in what the author, Darin Olien, calls the life forces: Quality Nutrition, Hydration, Detoxification, Oxygenation, and Alkalization. This book includes a “how to eat” user’s guide with a shopping list, a guide on how to create a balanced diet plan, and more! Written in an engaging conversational style, you are sure to learn a lot about nutrition and maintaining a healthy body.

About the Author: Darin Olien is a co-host with Zac Effron on the widely popular Netflix series “Down to earth with Zac Effron”. He also is a highly recognized exotic superfood hunter. He is a partner in GreenPath which is a progressive technology company that is dedicated to real solutions for a new world. 

Where to get it: You can find Superlife: The Five Simple Fixes That Will Make You Healthy Fit and Eternally Awesome By Darin Olien  on Amazon

 

 

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain By John J Ratey, MD

Summary:  Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, will forever change the way that you think about exercise. Ratey goes into the research behind how exercise is the most important tool in improving our brain function. Exercise can lift your mood, fight memory loss, help battle addiction, reduce the impact of age, and more. 

About the Author: John J Ratey is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He has established himself as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection.

Where to get it: You can find Spark: The Revolutionary  New Science of Exercise and the Brain By John J Ratey, MD on Amazon as well.

 

Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff

Summary: Yoga Anatomy takes you through the journey of Yoga and has in-depth information about the structures and principles that make up this practice. Learn about how the breathing, body positions, and the spine are all connected. Yoga Anatomy is great for an experienced or first time Yogi.

About the Author: Leslie Kaminoff is an internationally recognized specialist with four decades of experience in the fields of yoga and breath anatomy. He runs workshops for the leading yoga associates and founded the Breathing Project, a non-profit organization that leads year-long courses in Yoga and anatomy.

Where to get it: You can find Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff on Amazon.
 

Dream On: The inspirational memoir from the founder of Arizona’s leading fitness empire by Tom Hatten.

Summary: Tom Hatten’s inspiring story of how he created a fitness empire with $2,000 dollars and a dream. Tom’s real-life 30-year journey is sure to convince you that anything is possible. This personal life story of high highs and low lows is page-turning. All proceeds from this book benefit the Make-a-wish Foundation and MDA Arizona. (link to websites)

About the Author:  Tom Hatten is the founder of Mountainside Fitness and a leading entrepreneur in the Phoenix area. He is an author, speaker, owner, and community leader. Tom Hatten is a man who is passionate about creating opportunities for others, building a fitness community, and giving back to those in need.

 Where to get it: You can find Dream On: The inspirational memoir from the founder of Arizona’s leading fitness on Amazon.  

 

References

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18651983-superlife

https://darinolien.com/about/

http://www.johnratey.com/

https://www.yogaanatomy.org/about/

 

The post Our Four Fitness Must-Read Books appeared first on Mountainside Fitness.

How a Simpler Website Can Improve User Experience

On: By: Kalani

How a Simpler Website Can Improve User Experience written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Michael Reynolds

Michael ReynoldsIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Michael Reynolds, President and CEO of Zephyr CMS.

Michael has had several entreprenural journeys including a Principal at Elevation Financial and Co-Founder at Inboud Back Office. Like many other small businesses, his team struggled with deploying high-performing, compliant, beautiful sites. Existing content management systems are often based on technology and code that’s over a decade old. Existing CMSs weren’t built for the demands of today, nor for the incredible technology we now have to deploy websites.

This is how Zephyr CMS was born. Listen to this interview to find out more about Zephyr and how simplifying your website can improve your user experience.

Questions I ask Michael Reynolds:

  • How does Elevation fit into your entrepreneurial work?
  • Are there any trends for 2020?
  • What design trends are you seeing on websites?
  • Is WordPress the default?
  • What does a simpler site look like?

What you’ll learn if you give a listen:

  • How creating several businesses created the need for a new simple CMS tool
  • How the trend is moving towards simplicity on websites
  • How to add simplicity, think flatter, take more away and pull people in faster
  • How to simplicity can benefit the user experience

More about Michael Reynolds:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

Less Annoying CRM logo

 

Less Annoying CRM AwardThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Less Annoying CRM.

Less Annoying CRM is a simple contact and lead manager built from the ground up for small businesses. Manage your contacts, leads, notes, calendar, to-do’s and more, all from one simple web app. Less Annoying CRM is founded on three core principles: simplicity, affordability, and outstanding customer service.

Less Annoying CRM has a special offer just for listeners of Duct Tape Marketing Podcast.  All users get an unlimited 60-day free trial to exhaustively test every aspect of the CRM. There is no prepayment or obligation to try it out. https://www.lessannoyingcrm.com/hello/ducttapemarketing

Why reviews are so much more than social proof

On: By: Kalani

Why reviews are so much more than social proof written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Online reviews are a crucial part of marketing these days. The presence of lots of great reviews provides a layer of proof that you keep your promises.

But often overlooked in the obsession for 5-star reviews is the actual words used by the reviewers. A 5-star review often implies that this is an ideal customer. They had the right problem, you solved it wonderfully, and they had a great experience.

Then, they voluntarily turned to a 3rd party review site such as Google, Facebook, or Yelp and told the world how great you are – effectively referring your business to anyone who cared to read the review.

You want more of those ideal customers, don’t you?

Here’s the real point – if you want more customers like the ones leaving great reviews you should pay very close attention to how they talk about your business – in particular, the words and phrases that show up repeatedly.

There’s gold in those phrases as it’s essentially your best customers telling you over and over again exactly what it is that you do that solves the real problem they have.

Here’s a real-life example of excerpts from some reviews for a local business to drive this point home.

  • “They came and worked as scheduled and cleaned up nicely after it was done.”
  • “The guys showed up on time and did a wonderful job.”
  • “In the past, we have dealt with people who don’t show up or do a professional job. Everything was cleaned up very well.”

Do you spot a pattern here? It’s not ever clear from these excerpts what service this business provides, but the clues to how they provide it are obvious.

The core message this business should put at the top of the fold on their website is – “We promise to show up when we say we will and clean up everything before we leave.”

It turns out this business is a tree service, but the real problem they solve for their ideal customers is that so few people in the home services industry are organized enough to offer appointment times and often leave a mess behind when they leave.

For this business and so many others that I’ve worked with over the years, reviews are a strategic marketing asset as much as a vehicle for social proof. Mine them for your core message and they will become a tool to help you attract even more ideal clients.

The process of review research is pretty simple.

Turn to your reviews on Google, Facebook, or any industry-specific review sites and start carefully reading your positive reviews. (Negative reviews can tell you a lot as well, but for now, that’s not what we are looking for.)

As you read the reviews start noticing words, phrases, themes, and patterns that are repeated. This is your customer explaining the problems your company solves for them, the things you do that others don’t, these are the words, phrases, and themes you need to start using in your marketing message right now.

Sometimes you’ll discover that your happy customers simply love your people or your approach. That’s great, don’t discount how powerful this can be as a message. In some cases, you’ll uncover a complete and creative core message hidden inside a review.

A few years ago we were working with a subscription-based lawn mowing service that attracted busy professionals as their ideal customers. After culling through their reviews we spotted the following in several reviews – “I just love coming home on mowing day.”

So it seems that the problem this company solved was that they were very professional, did a great job, and could be relied upon to do what was promised, but the ideal customer expressed this as experiencing a moment of joy in an otherwise hectic world. That’s kind of magic.

So they began to promise that – “You’ll love coming home on mowing day” – begging prospects to wonder if that’s true for them with their current service.

Using reviews to develop a core message of difference – one that offers precisely what your ideal customers value is how you turn a simple review into a powerful marketing strategy. But, you can also often find a handful of recurring themes that make great blog posts topics, FAQs,  emails subject lines, and ad copy for your Google Ads.

It’s all about using the words of your ideal customers to attract more of the same.

Now that you have this review thing down let’s expand it a bit. Studying reviews is also amazing for competitive research. Finding themes in both the negative and positive reviews of your toughest competitors can provide a sales advantage or spark an idea or two about some things you could do better based on some of the reviews you read.

Reviews and the words they contain are more than social proof, they’re amazing content and a path to better messaging in your marketing.

How Actionable Insights Can Help You Optimize Your Website

On: By: Kalani

How Actionable Insights Can Help You Optimize Your Website written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Nils De Moor

Nils De MoorIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Nils De Moor, Co-founder and CTO at Woorank. Nils is an entrepreneur passionate about stuff on the internet out of Brussels, Belgium. He is also a Docker Captain. And describes himself as generally intrigued by advancements in software, cloud infrastructure, and engineering.

Nils is an open-source aficionado. After a brief passage through the academic world where he researched simulation of distributed systems, he decided to try his luck as an entrepreneur and cofounded Woorank as the CTO. By grabbing millions of data points every day, he developed a passion for automating, scaling and distributing services at scale.

Questions I ask Nils De Moor:

  • How does someone become a CTO?
  • What do you think the impact is of business if their pages don’t load quickly?
  • Are there a few culprits that typically slow sites down?
  • What role does hosting play?

What you’ll learn if you give a listen:

  • How companies can lose millions of dollars based on the difference of milliseconds in page speed
  • The customer is Google’s user and how they prioritize user experience
  • What part browsers play in performance

More about Nils De Moor:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

SEMrushThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by SEMrush.

SEMrush is an all-in-one marketing tool kit that marketing consultants use to boost their digital marketing efforts for their clients. SEMrush helps with SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing and market research. This tool is incredibly valuable to Duct Tape Marketing and the work we do for our clients.

To learn more, go to SEMrush.com.

Check IN and WIN When You Work Out This Month!

On: By: Kalani

You read that right! For the entire month of September, we’ll be rewarding you for working out with us. Plan your workouts, reserve you Gym Time now… our Check In Challenge launches Tuesday, September 1st!

Whether you’re working out with us from home on a Virtual Membership, joining us for outdoor classes and teamTRAINING, or back in the clubs, we have prize options for every active Healthworks member.*

Club Check Ins:
Visit any of our clubs 2 or more times a week and you’ll be automatically entered to win a variety of prizes at the end of the month (simply scan your badge and you’re entered!). The challenge runs from 9/1-9/30 and the winner will be announced on 10/1.

Club Check In Prize:

  • Dues on us for the remainder of the year
  • 5, 55-minute Personal Training sessions**

Instagram Check Ins:
In addition to our Club Check Ins, we will be offering weekly prizes for anyone who tags us @HealthworksFit and your workout. Enter as many times as you work out, whether it’s a club workout, remote, virtual or outdoors… we just want to see how you got moving with us!

  • To enter, you must have a public Instagram account and tag us in a post @HealthworksFit. Stories are great and we love seeing them, but for us to track and count entries, you must tag us in a public, static post and tell us about your workout!
  • If you do not have a public Instagram account, we unfortunately have no way of seeing your posts. If you’re typically private but want to participate, we recommend adjusting your settings just while the challenge is occurring
  • Don’t have an Instagram account? Fear not, you can still check in at the clubs to enter! Our Instagram challenge is simply a fun add-on to the September Check In Challenge, so that our Virtual and Remote members can also participate
  • Each “week” of the Instagram challenge ends on Sunday. One winner per week, announced each Tuesday

Instagram Check In Prizes:

  • Week 1: 5, 55-minute Personal Training sessions**
    • Runs 9/1-9/6; winner announced 9/8
  • Week 2: 1 month of a Virtual Membership for you or a friend
    • Runs 9/7-9/13; winner announced 9/15
  • Week 3: 1 Myzone belt
    • Runs 9/14-9/20; winner announced 9/22
  • Week 4: 5 teamTRAIN Singles
    • Runs 9/21-9/27; winner announced 9/29
    • Sessions can be redeemed Outdoors or Remotely
We can’t wait to see your workouts with us! Please follow us on Instagram for Challenge updates, member photos and motivation all month long. We’ve also included an Instagram Story check off template (see below) you can use to track your workouts with us. Let’s get MOVING!
* Please note that the September Check In Challenge is open to ALL paying club members and Virtual Members. If you are currently on a freeze but want to participate, please respond to this email and we can unfreeze your membership or switch you to a Virtual Membership for $14.99 bi-weekly.
** Prize is only valid with select trainers, but can be used in-club, remotely or outdoors, pending trainer availability.

How the Power of Positive Thinking Turns into a Successful Business

On: By: Kalani

How the Power of Positive Thinking Turns into a Successful Business written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Laura Schmidt

notes to selfIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Laura Schmidt, founder of notes to self, llc.

The idea for notes to self¼ socks arrived while she was looking at her feet. During a trip to Western Kansas with her family on New Year’s Day 2011, Laura watched the scenic Flint Hills roll by, while her feet were propped up on the car dashboard. She was thinking about one of her favorite topics, positive affirmations, and how the subconscious mind is most receptive early in the morning and late at night. At that moment, she turned to her husband, Garret,and said, “I think I’m going to put positive affirmations on the toes of socks!”

Laura’s hard work and a positive attitude have resulted in success in the corporate world, in direct sales, and as a dedicated mother of three in Prairie Village, Kansas. Laura’s enthusiasm comes from helping others increase their confidence and reach their goals. She says, “I like the idea that someone wearing the socks sees a phrase such as ‘I am strong’ first thing in the morning when they are putting on their shoes, and at the end of the day.” All day long, that positive reminder, said in the present tense, is there. The wearer has the choice to share that message with others, or it can be private. Either way, that positive phrase is influencing their thoughts and actions.

In the summer of 2011, Laura’s daughter wore one of the first prototypes, “I am confident,” to volleyball practice, and gave mom great feedback. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have worn all sorts of notes to self¼ socks – high-quality athletic socks with arch support and mesh top – with an extra spring in their step. Laura supports other small U.S. businesses by having them made exclusively in the U.S.A. Socks are regularly donated to non-profit organizations. Laura hopes that notes to self¼ socks give people, especially the young, encouragement and confidence to become the best that they can be!

Questions I ask Laura Schmidt:

  • So what do you do?
  • Why socks?
  • What’s the craziest request you’ve had?
  • How do you effectively market your business?

What you’ll learn if you give a listen:

  • What is notes to self
  • The ah ha moment that created a sock company
  • How the marketing vision changed from just social media to include strategic partners and beyond
  • How notes to self has been able to donate over 71,000 pairs of socks to homeless shelters and schools

More about Laura Schmidt:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

SEMrushThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by SEMrush.

SEMrush is an all-in-one marketing tool kit that marketing consultants use to boost their digital marketing efforts for their clients. SEMrush helps with SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing and market research. This tool is incredibly valuable to Duct Tape Marketing and the work we do for our clients.

To learn more, go to SEMrush.com.

Do You Rent or Own Your Marketing?

On: By: Kalani

Do You Rent or Own Your Marketing? written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with John Jantsch

Certified Marketing ManagerIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I would like to discuss a new program at Duct Tape Marketing.

Around the beginning of the year, I wrote my predictions for 2020. Now no one could have predicted where we are today. But one of my predictions that is starting to come true is that more small business owners are taking marketing in house. Not only is it a tremendous trend but it’s very powerful. By building an internal team you have an aspect of owning your marketing instead of renting it. Now, this doesn’t take away from working with a consultant, someone who at a high level can help you reach your goals. But creating infrastructure internally can add significant value. Let me tell you more

What you’ll learn if you give a listen:

  • What elements of marketing are most effective for outside help vs what you would own internally
  • How to train a new hire on marketing
  • How to take your small business to the next level

More about our Certified Marketing Manager:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

WordStreamThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by WordStream, online advertising made easy. It is so easy to waste time and money on online advertising. That is why you need tools like WordStream in your corner. Check out WordStream.com today.

AZDHS Denies Mountainside Fitness Application to Re-Open Despite New HealthyVerify Certification

On: By: Kalani

In an effort to ensure the validity of the “application” process to which AZDHS has subjected all gym applicants, Mountainside Fitness submitted an application and enlisted the services of the independent certification company HealthyVerify.

This third-party certification is supported by medical professionals in order to verify a company’s ability to re-open safely.

“We are aware that the AZDHS’ standards of approval were subjective and essentially unknown to the fitness applicants, which is why you will not see them on the website,” said Tom Hatten, Founder and CEO of Mountainside Fitness.  “We are also aware that the majority of fitness applicants were denied without knowledge as to what standards would be approved.”

In its lawsuit against the Governor, the Director of AZDHS testified that not one case of Covid-19 has been traced to any AZ gym. After Mountainside Fitness won its temporary restraining order, the Governor’s re-opening process was shifted to the AZDHS much like the mask mandates were shifted to the mayors and the re-opening of the schools shifted to its superintendents, making the AZDHS responsible for the fate of all fitness applicants within their discretion, not the Governor.

“As we have watched this subjective enforcement continue, along with the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and the lack of opportunities for our mental and physical health, it has been clear to us this process turned political on June 29th,” said Hatten. “Without our lawsuit, there would not have been a process to re-opening and now that ‘pathway’ is simply a guess for all that apply, resulting in an overwhelming amount of denials. Our stance was simple. We pushed for the right of businesses to stay open, and for the State to have the obligation to show proof or evidence of these subjective closures.”

Mountainside Fitness will re-open on Thursday, August 27th at 4:30am for all members under the protocols certified by an independent medical team. Those protocols are now available on the Mountainside Fitness website.

“We believe the HealthyVerify certification is more in depth than other subjective unknown waiver guidelines the state is unwilling to make public. If we are met with action from the AZDHS, I can assure you that we will be ready to defend our actions. In doing so, we will bring to light much of the untold facts regarding the state’s lack of clarity and accountability of all numbers in this pandemic and seek answers to each subjective ‘waiver’ approval or denial in this much-publicized closure of an industry,” said Hatten.

For media inquiries please contact Jennifer Parks-Sturgeon at Jparks-sturgeon@rosemoserallynpr.com or (480) 495-3806.

The post AZDHS Denies Mountainside Fitness Application to Re-Open Despite New HealthyVerify Certification appeared first on Mountainside Fitness.

Masking Up While Working Out

On: By: Kalani

Masking Up While Working Out

We’re in a pandemic and yes, while we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, we all need to continue to do our part, protect others and WEAR A MASK! 

When proper physical distancing cannot be maintained and anytime indoors, everyone must wear a mask and it’s a requirement at all of our clubs (and mandated by the state, CDC, etc.). We understand that this is an adjustment to the norm, especially when it comes to fitness, but with so many great mask options now readily available, you’ll get used to your new gym swag in no time. 

Here are some of our favorite masks for working out:

  1. Disposable 3 Ply Masks – these are safe, come in bulk, offer 3 layers of protection and best of all, you can breathe easily in them! We cannot recommend these enough, especially for anyone finding it hard to breathe while pushing yourself in your mask. Plus, once sweaty, just toss it and grab a fresh one 
  2. Sports Masks from the likes of Adidas, Reebok, etc. Shop masks from your favorite athletic brands, they’re using soft, breathable and machine washable materials, if disposable isn’t the route you want to take
  3. Everyday Masks from Athleta – more and more members have been recommending these (and not the Athleta Made to Move)

It’s important to make sure you can breathe but that you’re also fully covered – nose and chin! And if the ear pieces bother you, there are a lot of options to tie your mask behind your neck or head instead. Per CDC guidelines though, you should avoid single layer masks like neck gaiters, as well as bandanas and masks with vents. 

Wearing a mask is also a great way to add an extra challenge to your routine with increased aerobic capacity. Be patient with yourself and know that our team is always happy to offer recommendations and modifications as you get used to the new gym routine. And hey, we could all use the extra challenge after being home for so long!

How to Have a Better Work Week

On: By: Kalani

How to Have a Better Work Week written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Robert Glazer

Robert GlazerIn this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Robert Glazer, the founder and CEO of global partner marketing agency, Acceleration Partners. He is also the co-founder and Chairman of BrandCycle. A serial entrepreneur, Robert has a passion for helping individuals and organizations build their capacity to elevate.

Robert was named to Glassdoor’s list of Top CEO of Small and Medium Companies in the US, ranking #2.

He shares his ideas and insights via Friday Forward, a popular weekly inspirational newsletter that reaches over 100,000 individuals and business leaders across 50+ countries. He is the host of the Elevate Podcast, where Bob sits down with leaders, thinkers and authors to discuss personal growth and helping others live their best lives. Robert is also the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and international bestselling author of four books: Elevate, Friday Forward, Performance Partnerships and How To Make Virtual Teams Work.

Questions I ask Robert Glazer:

  • You curated your book from a weekly newsletter, tell us about that.
  • How did you curate ideas into a book that you’ve already written?
  • What are the lessons you are trying to impart in this book?
  • What lessons did you learn while writing this book?

What you’ll learn if you give a listen:

  • How a section in a company newsletter turned into a book idea
  • How to use audience feedback to curate ideas or continue to work on them
  • The importance of positive habits
  • How success can come from people who stick with it, it being what it is you really want

More about Robert Glazer:

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

 

Zephyr logoThis episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Zephyr.

Zephyr is a modern, cloud-based CMS that’s licensed only to agencies. The system is lightweight, easy to use, and incredibly fast. And with an array of beautiful themes to choose from, you can get your clients’ websites up-and-running quickly and with less effort. Or, if you’d rather build a custom site, Zephyr includes agency services to be your plug-and-play dev shop.

Zephyr is passionate about helping agencies create great websites for their clients. To learn more, go to Zephyrcms.com.

How to Practice Yoga with your Children

On: By: Kalani

Getting your child to practice yoga with you might seem like a tall task but during these unprecedented times, children are also feeling stress and anxiety. A wonderful way to help your child manage these emotions is by introducing a simple yoga practice into their routine.

Yoga for kids can look different than yoga for adults, but the benefits are very much the same.  Through yoga, children can develop a sense of security and self-esteem.  It also provides a safe place to creatively express energy and feelings and can increase their flexibility, strength, and mobility. If you are participating with your child, this quality time together can strengthen your relationship and foster deeper bonds.

Kids are drawn to yoga because it’s fun. There’s usually a story involved where they engage in active role-playing, communication, and movement both on and off their mats. Some stories will ask the children to think of solutions to everyday life situations while they are in their respective poses. There will be laughter and wiggling; but also stillness and peace. Yoga for kids can be a great non-competitive activity where all children are accepted and celebrated. Below, we’ve designed a simple yoga practice you can try today with your kids!

Come along as we practice together on a safari adventure!

To begin, sit comfortably on the floor and close your eyes.  Imagine you’re traveling to a faraway country, where you’ll discover all sorts of different animals.  To begin your adventure, you need to be calm and silent.  Take a few quiet deep breaths.  Now let’s get prepared by reaching in front of us & grabbing our backpacks!  Let’s fill it up with supplies.  What things do you think we need for our Safari adventure?  Yes!  Let’s grab that (reaching & twisting in all directions). Okay, we’re ready! 

As silent as you can, come to your hands and knees. Open your eyes and look!  There’s a BEAR crawling around. Our first sighting! Let’s crawl around like the bear! 

Our crawling took us to the edge of the jungle, where the TIGER waits, ready to pounce! Stretch one leg and opposite arm out, bend the knee and reach back to grab it with your hand. Look forward and keep a lookout for other animals. Let’s switch sides and see if we can count how many tigers are there!

The tiger has its eye on the ZEBRA, drinking from the water hole. Kneel and place one foot on top of your leg. Wrap your arms like a zebra head. Dip your head down to drink your water then lift it. We’re so thirsty! Let’s drink lots of water. How much water should we drink every day?

Along the trees, we see a giant PYTHON, slithering amongst the branches. Lay down on the belly and place your hands under your shoulders. Lift your chest high and give a good “hissssssss!” Now let’s make ourselves small up on that branch. Bend your knees and see if you can touch your head with your toes!

As we journey deeper into the jungle we meet the king himself, the mighty LION, with his giant mane. Stand up tall. Place your hands on your back. Press your feet firmly on the ground because we’re gonna bend a little backwards & lift our heads up to the sky and give a big “RAWWWWR!” Oh my goodness, you are powerful!

Way up high, a GIRAFFE reaches to eat the leaves from a very tall tree! Giraffes are vegetarians. Do you know what that means?  What vegetables do you eat at home?  Can you balance on one foot?  It’s okay to use your hand for stability.  Reach up high with your other arm and eat those leaves! Now switch sides and reach for those really tall branches.

Wow, it’s starting to get really hot on our safari adventure! Looking off into the distance, we see a family of ELEPHANTS using mud. Sit back down with one leg straight and one leg bent. Make an elephant trunk out of that bent leg & spray that mud all over! Playing in the mud is fun!  But we should probably clean up now. Let’s switch sides and spray water all over each other this time!

The sun is dropping low now and we’re so far into the jungle, we don’t know how to get back to camp. What should we do? Can you look around and see something that could help us? What are some of the things that help you feel better when you’re scared? That’s a wonderful idea! Look, there are CAMELS!  Camels have a great sense of direction and can help us find our way back!  Kneel once again. Reach back and grab your heels. Lift your chest up high and look up to the sky. 

The slow rhythmic walk of the camels makes us feel tired and heavy. As we make our way back to our camp, we find our beds and lay down. Take a deep breath in and stretch your body out! Sigh all of that breath out and close your eyes. If you want, you can curl into a little ball or you can lay flat on your tummy or back, whatever is most comfortable for you. Now it’s time to rest and think about how grateful we are for the amazing animals we saw. Think about your favorite part of Safari. I’m so proud of you for helping us find our way back to camp, you’re awesome! Take one more big stretch. Let’s sit up nice and tall.  Now that our safari adventure is over, we need to go back home. Imagine yourself flying back to your room. Safe and sound. We did it!  Let’s place our hands in prayer over our hearts. Breath in. Breath out. Namaste.

 

Katy Craner moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2010, where she joined the Mountainside Fitness family.  She began teaching Zumba, Zumba Toning & Zumba for Kids classes at their Carefree location.  After a brief 12 month relocation to Miami, Florida, she couldn’t wait to come back to Phoenix and continue her fitness passions, adding Group Fitness, PPZ, 200hr RYT Yoga, Yoga for Kids, Barre Intensity, and Silver Sneakers to her teaching licenses.  A 2019 Spirit Award Recipient, she loves teaching at Mountainside Fitness & helping members find happiness and success in their fitness journey, no matter the age.  Some of her favorite hobbies include hand lettering & calligraphy, graphic design, singing, and paddle boarding with her husband and 4 kids.

The post How to Practice Yoga with your Children appeared first on Mountainside Fitness.