Not My Best

#BLM: A conversation about racism with Taylor Rae Almonte Jul 09, 2020

On today's episode I was able to sit down with my friend and colleague Taylor Rae Almonte to unpack and discuss systemic racism and how we can play a role in working against it. Taylor is an actor, and athlete (I work with her at Rumble Boxing!) and she's recently taken on the role of social media activist. Her weekly #BLM newsletters have key terms, topics, and discussion points to help educate and inspire. I am so thankful and privileged to be able to learn from her as well as have her on my platform to share with others.

Taylor Rae Almonte | @taylorraealmonte | taylorraealmonte.com

Julia Stern | @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

---

HOLISTIK Wellness | HOLISTIK Wellness is a locally grown CBD sitr stick that can be stirred or poured into your beverage for benefits in areas such as post-workout recovery, sleep, digestion, and overall relief. Use code NOTMYBEST at HOLISTIKWELLNESS.com for 25% off your next order

---

Music: "Upbeat Party" By Scott Holmes

From the Free Music Archive

CC by NC

Your Next Workout Program: The Strong Collective by Julia Stern and Erika Hammond Jun 30, 2020

Welcome to season 2 of Not My Best! This season will contain 10 episodes on relevant topics to help you stop trying to live your best life, and start actually living a better one.

First up, Julia has friend, partner, and fellow Rumble trainer Erika Hammond to talk all things fitness and wellness, and to launch their new brand, The Strong Collective. Julia and Erika are creating a collective of individuals who are in search for strength beyond the workout. Programs for your body, motivation for your mind, and a collective to help boost your mood.

The Strong Collective will launch later this week!

The Strong Collective: @StrongCollective | thestrongcollective.fit

Erika Hammond: @erikaannhammond

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

------

HOLISTIK Wellness | HOLISTIK Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be stirred or poured into your beverage for benefits in areas such as post-workout recovery, sleep, digestion, or overall wellness and relief. Use code NOTMYBEST at HOLISTIKWELLNESS.com for 25% off your next order.

--------

Music: "Upbeat Party" by Scott Holmes

From the Free Music Archive

CC by NC

How To Be the Boss of Your Own Life with Shannon Decker, LA Based Personal Trainer (@shannonshape) May 12, 2020

While we're stuck inside, I'm is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Today's episode is an honest conversation with Shannon Decker, a personal trainer who I had the absolute pleasure of getting to know when I lived LA. Most recently, she's the female trainer on the Shred app, which is currently the number one fitness app in the App Store. Shannon's success is the result of her desire to help others, her infectious personality, her work ethic, and her philosophies that we discuss in this podcast. We were able to agree on so many things, including the Better Not Best Mindset, and the strategies that have provided the most growth in our career and our lives. To day we get into:

How to organize your hustle so you're the most effective
The art of the niche
Tricks to kick the comparison habit
Why it's important during this time to work less
Advice for at home workouts
Insight into how we fuel ourselves

Shannon Decker: @shannonshape

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

---

Holistik Wellness | Holistik Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be put into your beverage for benefits in areas like post-workout recovery, sleep, overall relief and wellness. Use code NOTMYBEST at holistikwellness.com for 25% off your next order.

Better Beauty for Better Health with Divya Gugnani, CEO & Co-founder of Wander Beauty May 05, 2020

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. On today's episode, Divya Gugnani, CEO & Co-founder of Wander Beauty, stresses the importance of small changes we can make in our beauty routine to live a healthier life. Wander beauty was started as a way to streamline beauty routines for busy people (like me), but it also rids the hormone disrupting toxins that we consume (unknowingly) from most beauty products. We talk all about managing being a CEO & a mom, the value of connectivity during social distancing, and how to balance it all while staying home. We cover so much goodness in this episode, so have a glass of cabernet with us and enjoy this conversation!

Diva Gugnani: @divyagugnani

Wander Beauty: @wanderbeauty | wanderbeauty.com

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

---------

Holistik Wellness | Holistik Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be stirred or poured into your beverage for benefits in areas like post-workout recovery, sleep, or overall wellness and relief. Use code NOTMYBEST at HOLISTIKWELLNESS.COM (HOLISTIKWELLNESS.COM) for 25% off your next order.

Self-Love After Explant Surgery with Bec Donlan, founder of Go Basic (SweatWithBec) Apr 28, 2020

I originally wanted to talk to Bec, NYC trainer and owner of Go Basic, because she had her breast implants removed (an explant) after she fell ill from getting them. Her story is not only fascinating and eye opening, it speaks to the importance of self love and body acceptance. In this episode you will learn:

All about how her high quality booty bands came to fruition.
The biggest challenges she has faced since starting her own company
Why she got her breast implants
How she came to the decision to have explant surgery
Her journey through this detox
How to love your body, as it is.

*This episode was recorded in February 2020; Pre-Quarantine/Social Distancing.*

Bec Donlan: @sweatwithbec | @gobasic

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

------

HOLISTIK Wellness | HOLISTIK Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be put into your beverage for benefits in areas like post-workout recovery, sleep, overall relief and wellness. Use code NOTMYBEST at holistikwellness.com for 25% off your next order.

Creating Your New Normal During COVID-19 with Alyssa Coscarelli Apr 21, 2020

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Today we have Alyssa Coscarelli, otherwise known as @Alyssainthecity on the ‘gram. Alyssa is a freelance fashion writer, style influencer, and consultant, who has worked with so many high-end brands doing event hosting, writing, styling and creating content. Now, like most of us, she is figuring out how to work from home and creating her new normal. She is a New Yorker living in LA with her boyfriend and we immediately bonded over the struggle of living in an apartment with your significant other and trying to make it work. In this ep you'll also hear about how to take a side hustle to a full time career, and the struggle of finding some balance in the process. Enjoy the tips on creating your new normal during COVID-19.

Alyssa Coscarelli: @alyssainthecity | alyssacoscarelli.com

Julia Stern: @JulialStern | @notmybestpodcast

-

HOLISTIK Wellness | HOLISTIK Wellness is a locally grown CBD stir stick that can be stirred or poured into your beverage for benefits in areas like post-workout recovery, sleep, or overall wellness and relief. Use code NOTMYBEST at HOLISTIKWELLNESS.COM for 25% off your next order.

A Holistic Approach to Life with Mills McQueen, CEO of Mineral Apr 14, 2020

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Mills McQueen is the founder of Mineral, a cannabinoid based wellness company. If you could bottle up what an amazing human Mills is, that is Mineral. After an infection from a parasite that nearly took his life, Mills used a holistic approach to both remain calm and heal himself physically. He has so many admirable daily practices and values that we could all benefit from implementing in our lives right now. Though we may not be able to live exactly like him, we can surely learn from him to become a little bit better. In this episode, we are talking about how nurturing your mindset can transform your wellness and physical health.

Mineral: @mineralhealth | https://mineralhealth.co/

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

-----

R.E.D.D. Bar | REDD is a low in sugar, high in adaptogens protein bar for betting snacking. Use code NOTMYBEST at reddbar.com (reddbar.com ) for 15% off your next order

Making Quarantine Wellness a Thing with Jacqueline Andriakos, Health Director at Women's Health Magazine Apr 06, 2020

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Jacqueline Andriakos is navigating her new normal while she's quarantined with her family, and she's bring us all of the tips and tricks for staying well through the lens of Women's Health. In this episode, you'll learn how to reset, connect while social distancing, and get a sweat in while you're doing it.

Jacqueline Andriakos: @jandriakos | @womenshealthmag

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

_

R.E.D.D. Bar | REDD is a low in sugar, high in adaptogens protein bar for betting snacking. Use code NOTMYBEST at reddbar.com for 15% off your next order

Cooking and Meal Prepping Quarantine Style with Dan Churchill, Co-founder of Charley St., Chef and Under Armour Athlete Mar 31, 2020

While we're stuck inside, Julia is bringing you quick, informative episodes on how to live a better (not best) quarantined life. Dan Churchill came to the US from Australia and is combines nutrition and athletic performance into his life and career daily. As the co-founder of the restaurant Charley St., he aims to create meals that are both delicious and hold a ton of nutritional value, so we can perform better. Today's episode will get into:

How to cook while quarantined without letting it take over your day.
Post-meal cleaning tips
Snack ideas to stock up on
The foods you should grab when you grocery shop during the quarantine
How to prevent food from spoiling
The meal prep service you can use if all of the above fails :)

Dan Churchill: @dan_churchill | @charleyst

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

2020 challenge: DM @julialstern with your email address to receive 20 quarantine workout videos for $20!

R.E.D.D. Bar | a low in sugar protein bar that's high in adaptogens for better snacking. Use code NOTMYBEST at reddbar.com for 15% off.

The Quarantine Files w. Julia & Andy Stern: All Things Social Distancing, Being Stuck With Your S.O., and the Pivot in the Fitness Industry Mar 24, 2020

Julia and Andy Stern discuss their new normal amidst self-quarantine. One week into isolation, you'll hear the good, the bad, and the bizarre. They also discuss the pivot they've seen fitness trainers and studios take in the past few week, how to weather the storm from a professional standpoint, and tips for making the most of your time indoors.

_

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

Andy Stern: @andrewgtstern

Workout with us on @doyourumble 's IGTV

Workout with Julia live and on demand at obefitness.com | code JULIA100 for 30 days free

-

R.E.D.D. Bar: Low in sugar, high in adaptogens, and completely plant based protein bars. Use code NOTMYBEST at reddbar.com for 15% off

Workout with Julia from Home / Coffee Talk at Obé with the Founders Mark Mullett and Ashley Mills Mar 19, 2020

Two years ago, a brand called Obé Fitness was born. The digital workout brand streams live classes of all kinds daily, and has a full library of on demand and express workouts for any time fitness. Julia was one of the first trainers to help launch the brand in 2018, and after a brief hiatus to travel with Rumble, she's back to bring classes to your living room.

This episode is a live recording of coffee talk that lives on obefitness.com. Julia speaks with Mark Mullett and Ashley Mills, the founders of Obé, about the messaging behind the brand, what to expect when you log on, and how to get the most of your workouts while we navigate this strange and difficult time at home.

For a free month of Obé, use code JULIA100 at obefitness.com

Julia's current live classes are Thursdays at 9AM and Saturdays at 12PM, check the schedule for any additions/changes.

Obé: @obe_fitness

Mark Mullett: @themarkmullett

Ashley Mills: @ashleydmills

Julia Stern: @JulialStern | @NotMyBestPodcast

BETTER NOT BEST: A response to COVID-19 Mar 17, 2020

During what's a strange and unpredictable time, Julia describes how using a "better not best" mindset eases Corona induced anxiety. She'll also speak through steps you can take to get through this self quarantine a little bit better than you started.

TO DONATE:

@foodbank4nyc

@citymeals

@cityharvestnyc

CONNECT ON IG:

@JULIALSTERN | @NotMyBestPodcast

Reality TV to Health Solutions with Lo Bosworth, Founder and CEO of Love Wellness Mar 10, 2020

Lo Bosworth grew up in front of millions on Laguna Beach and The Hills, before reality TV was the norm. She didn’t really know what she was signing herself up for, and after hearing Hillary Duff play when she walked into a college party, she knew this wasn’t the life she wanted. Fast forward, she’s changing the narrative for women with her company, Love Wellness, which provides full body personal care products. In this episode, you’ll hear:

What it was like to film reality TV
Why she knew it wasn’t for her
The struggle with anxiety and vitamin deficiencies that led her to start Love Wellness
The problems with women’s wellness and how she’s raising the standards
The struggles of being in CEO
How a freak accident changed her ability to perform at her best, and how she ran a company using a better not best mindset

Lo Bosworth: @lobosworth | @lovewellness

Julia Stern: @julialstern | @notmybestpodcast

____

R.E.D.D. BAR | R.E.D.D. is a plant based protein bar that's low in sugar and packed with adaptogens. Visit reddbar.com and use code NOTMYBEST for 15% off.

You're Wearing the Wrong Bra, and Michelle Cordeiro Grant, CEO and Founder of Lively, is Here to Tell You About It Mar 03, 2020

Michelle coined the term “leisurée” (athleisure + lingerie) after having an idea that bras should be both beautiful AND comfortable, and we love her for it. She took her experience from working at Victoria’s Secret and started a company called LIVELY with the mission to empower women beyond a bra. In this episode you’ll hear:

How to succeed without sacrificing your personal well being
What a mental muscle is and how to strengthen it
Advice she used from Oprah, Michelle Obama, and Tony Robbins to build her business
How she grew the brand from 100 ambassadors to 1,000 per week
The struggles of mom guilt
A confidence hack for when you’re feeling insecure

Michelle Cordeiro Grant: @The_MichelleGrant

LIVELY: @wearlively | wearlively.com

Julia Stern: @JulialStern | @NotMyBestPodcast

Why it's Never Too Late to Change Careers, The Art of the Side Hustle, and Speaking Out for What's Right with Melissa Ortiz, Olympian and Professional Soccer Player Feb 25, 2020

Melissa unexpectedly turned down school for architecture for a career in professional soccer with the Colombian Women's National Team, leading her to both the Women's World Cup and the Olympics. When stress led to injury, Melissa ultimately decided to pave her own, unprecedented path as a soccer influencer. She later used her influence and the life she created to speak out against injustices towards female athletes globally. In this episode you will learn:

Why it's never too late to re-write your path
How stress can lead to injury
How to break the barrier of fear and stand up for yourself
How to tap into the influencer space
How to work with brands
A mantra for when you're struggling to jump
A trick to make sure you're successful when goal setting

Melissa Ortiz: @melissaortiz5

Julia Stern: @julialstern

Not My Best: @notmybestpodcast

_

R.E.D.D. BAR | R.E.D.D. is a plant based protein bar that's low in sugar and packed with adaptogens. Visit reddbar.com and use code NOTMYBEST for 15% off.

PART 2: Relationships, Marriage, Rumble, and Grief with Andy Stern Feb 18, 2020

Part 2 of an unfiltered conversation with Andy Stern, Julia's husband on their personal and professional journeys, and how it's affected them as a couple. Head over to listen to episode 10 before giving this one a listen. As a continuation of last week, Julia and Andy will discuss:

How the shock loss of Andy's father impacted them at the time of their engagement
Managing Andy's mom's diagnosis and 3 year fight with pancreatic cancer while navigating the circumstances
The tools they used to set a strong foundation for their marriage
Why social media negatively impacted their coping
How they work productively together at Rumble without crossing boundaries
Career jealousy
What's next

Julia Stern: @julialstern

Andy Stern: @andrewgstern

Not My Best: @notmybestpodcast

__

R.E.D.D. BAR | R.E.D.D. is a plant based protein bar that's low in sugar and packed with adaptogens that help us ADAPT-TO-STRESS. Visit reddbar.com and use code NOTMYBEST for 15% off.

PART 1: Relationships, Marriage, Rumble, and Grief with Andy Stern Feb 11, 2020

Julia has an unfiltered conversation with her husband, Andy Stern, on all things relationships. This is part 1 of a two part episode.

From dating for 12 years and figuring out marriage for another 2, nothing is left off the table. Julia and Andy discuss:

What it's like to grow up with your significant other, even when you're not sure if they're the one
The path (and failures) that's led them to Rumble
How to figure out marriage when you also work with each other professionally
The pros and cons of the year they spent on the road, helping to build Rumble from 1 studio to 13 nation wide
Experiencing devastating loss, grief, and how to support each other through the process

Julia Stern: @julialstern

Andy Stern: @andrewgstern

Not My Best: @notmybestpodcast

---

R.E.D.D. BAR | R.E.D.D. is a plant based protein bar that's low in sugar and packed with probiotics and adaptogens to help us ADAPT-TO-STRESS. Visit reddbar.com and use code NOTMYBEST for 15% off.

Doing More With Less, and Building A Better Wardrobe with Nina Faulhaber, Co-Founder of ADay Feb 04, 2020

We are in the middle of an environmental crisis, which often seems too big to tackle. Nina Faulhaber believes that when a problem is so severe, individual micro-decisions are the only thing that will make headway. She passed on Havard business school and rerouted her investment banking path to co-found a clothing company called ADay, which aims to change the disposable fashion culture. ADay makes its pieces out of recycled single use plastic, in an effort to repurpose the material before it enters the atmosphere. Comfortable, versatile pieces are made in an evolving process that spins the plastic into silk (crazy, I know). In this episode you will hear:

How to find hope when climate change seems inevitable
The most effective way to stay grounded when you're overwhelmed
The benefits of minimalism
How minimalism extends beyond your belongings and can transform your mindset
How single use plastic is being converted into clothing and fabrics

@NinaFaulhaber / @ADay

https://www.thisisaday.com/

@JulialStern / #notmybestpodcast

Fuel Your Days with Positive Energy with Jim DeCicco, Co-Founder of Super Coffee Jan 28, 2020

In a world where the most convenient product is often the most unhealthy, Jim DeCicco and his brothers are changing the game. Super Coffee was founded out of a college dorm room in an effort to better fuel athletes. Four short years later, Super Coffee is one of the leading bottled coffees in the nation, right up there with Starbucks and Dunkin.

In this episode, you'll learn about Super Coffee, but you'll also hear how a family combined their talents to take coffee in a dorm room blender and turn it into a product found on the shelves of almost every bodega, Whole Foods, and Target in the nation.

Other take aways from this episode:

How to hustle while still being thoughtful
The challenges of facing mega corporations such as Pepsi that dominate the food and beverage industry
How to manage learning curves when starting a business
Why the mindset of an athlete carries over into goal setting

Julia Stern: @julialstern | #NotMyBestPodcast

Jim DeCicco: @JimmyDecicco5

@DrinkSuperCoffee | drinksupercoffee.com

Career Change and Working with Your Significant Other with Erin Falter, co-founder of Wolaco Jan 21, 2020

In this week's episode, I talk to (and bond with) Erin Falter, the co-founder and CMO of Wolaco. After working in advertising at Fortune 500 companies and major brands such as Vayner Media, Erin left the corporate world to start an athletic apparel company... out of her apartment. She co-founded the company with her boyfriend, Nick Dio, and Terry White. The three of them currently live together and operate the business out of the same space. If you're thinking that it sounds crazy, you are 100% correct. But Erin is thriving and navigating her unique situation with ease.

From this conversation, you'll hear first hand how to discover your passion and turn it into a career that you love. Spoiler alert: the process should be casual and full of learning curves. We talk about how to navigate a work space with your significant other, the frustration of being seen as a wife/girlfriend instead of a business partner, and how to implement consistent growth in your career.

We also talk about:

Why disruptive life changes does not always equal growth
How to make daily movement a way of life
How to use hobbies to find your passion
Why Erin went viral on TikTok :)

Erin Falter: @erinfalter

Wolaco: @wolaco | @wolacowomen

Julia Stern: @JulialStern, #notmybestpodcast

Navigating an Unconventional Path with Bree Koegel, Wilhelmina Model, Fitness Trainer, and Soon to be Mom Jan 14, 2020

In this conversation Julia dives into Bree Koegel's fearless and confident approach to life. After a 10 year professional dance career, Bree transitioned into modeling with Wilhelmina, and also works as a fitness trainer for an app called FitOn. Now, as a newlywed and soon to be mom, she's making another pivot, this time to attend college and study government. Some would see that as overwhelming, but Bree is facing her future head on, with ease. Julia and Bree discuss how to navigate a self written, unconventional path with humility and grace, and why it's never too late to pivot.

Bree Koegel: @breekoegel

Julia Stern: @julialstern, #notmybestpodcast

How to Have Great Skin Without Worrying About a 20 Step Skincare Routine with Rachel Liverman, CEO of Glowbar Jan 07, 2020

How much of our skincare routine is contributing to good skin, and how much of it is draining our time and our wallets? Julia speaks to Rachel Liverman, CEO and co-founder of Glowbar, about what better (not best) skincare looks like in the new decade. Spoiler alert: it includes cleaning out the extra serums from your medicine cabinet, and texting your on-call esthetician when you break out.

Julia Stern: @julialstern / #notmybestpodcast

Rachel Liverman: @rachelista / @glowbar

www.getglowbar.com

New Years Resolutions: How to Reset and Refresh without Reinventing Yourself Dec 31, 2019

Julia shares how she applies the Not My Best mindset to creating new year's resolutions. By creating resolutions that. By using both self awareness and self acceptance (minus the messages of what we're told me need to be), we can write our own resolutions that will last all year long

Julia Stern: @julialstern

#NotMyBestPodcast

Music: "Upbeat Party" by Scott Holmes

From the Free Music Archive

CC by NC

Loving Your Body, Overcoming Anxiety, and the Easiest (Game Changing) Breakfast Swap ft. Liz Moody Dec 24, 2019

Liz Moody is a contributor for mega publications such as Mindbody Green, Marie Claire, Vogue, and Goop. She also hosts her own podcast and created a cookbook called "Healthier Together" designed to share recipes and insights that make us feel good. Julia and Liz discuss how to overcome what we dislike about our bodies, how to diet without actually dieting, and what exactly we should be eating to live better (not best).

After listening to this episode, you'll want to stop trying to eat for a six pack, and start actually eating to feel better.

Julia Stern: @julialstern, #notmybestpodcast

Liz Moody: @lizmoody, lizmoody.com

The Power of Kindness, Building a Business, and Struggling with Fertility ft. Adriana Carrig, CEO of Little Words Proeject Dec 17, 2019

Julia talks to Adriana Carrig about how she turned Little Words Project from a sorority project into a multi-million dollar business that was recently featured in Forbes. She's fearlessly gone after what she wants without stressing over perfection, and instead focuses on being kind- to both yourself and others. She's even created a community of what she calls "nice girls" who are doing the same.

After listening to this episode, you'll want to stop trying to live your best life, and start actually living a better one.

Julia Stern: @julialstern

Adriana Carrig: @adrianacarrig

Little Words Project: @littlewordsproject, littlewordsproject.com

The Not My Best Mindset Dec 02, 2019

Julia shares what she calls the Not My Best Mindset, why this podcast was started, and how she changed careers.