As life would have it, I made a guest appearance on the Wendy Williams Show! Whoo Hoo! I was able to chat about my experience with Breast Cancer, the importance of early detection, and why it’s important to list to your body. Check it out below!

Breast Cancer Survivors

Recently, I had the opportunity to take a spin class at Cycle Therapy on Chicago’s south side.

I swear after going to Soul Cycle all these years, this visit felt like something straight out of the movie Bring it On.  I’ve been to Soul Cycle hip-hop classes, Flywheel, and Full Psycle in Chicago’s posher neighborhoods. However, once you go to Cycle Therapy, you realize you are in for a “real” experience and that there is truth to the saying “imitation is the best form of flattery”.

Cycle Therapy was by far one of the best spin classes I’ve ever been to hands down. What really put it over the top was the music.

Who warms up to Musiq Soulchild “Beautiful” and cools down to Kindred and the Family Soul “Where Would I Be”?  with Beyoncé, Fetty Wap, Drake, Young Dro, AfroBeats, and 2 Chainz mixed in for good measure.

To top it off, a few riders had tambourines, which meant they really took us to church. It truly was a “soulful” experience, pun intended.   

What I really love was seeing women of all shapes and sizes and colors and complexions. Diversity is a beautiful thing and it’s noticeably absent at other fitness studios throughout the Chicagoland area. I also liked eavesdropping on the conversations of others. Hearing our voices, our tone, our slang, etc. and feeling gives a sense of community, which I don’t get to experience all too often running and growing this company.

I’m by no means complaining. It’s not like I ever felt like I didn’t belong at the other studios, but Cycle Therapy truly felt like being at home.  It was nice to be around women from all walks of life, be it corporate America, CPS, state government, Starbuck baristas, and Walgreen’s cashiers. We all had just one goal in mind – to stay healthy and fit. It was truly all chocolate everything.

I needed this safe space especially after falling into a funk these last two weeks. Given my chaotic travel schedule, I’ve been largely on the go these last few months, which means I’ve been neglecting myself. Don’t we all? Sometimes we forget, that when it comes to working out, the benefits are not just physical, they are also emotional as well.

There are so many days when I feel like I don’t have the time to hit the gym because I need to send out these emails, review this presentation, or make these phone calls, but nothing could be further from the truth. Our bodies, while they don’t always cry out to be cared for, deserve the same priority as the other important stuff on my list. It’s hard to remember this at times, but cancer definitely taught me that self-care has to be a priority.  

This is especially true for entrepreneurs or soon to be entrepreneurs, moms, students, etc.. Sometimes we feel like we’re falling further and further behind, but nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is, I’m getting older and every little bit of self-care counts. Like they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

So, here’s to self-care and working out. Can’t wait to do it again this week.

If you’re in the Chicagoland area, come spin with me at Cycle Therapy. I’m too lazy to wake up in time for the 6 am classes, so you can catch me at the 6 pm classes. And if you’re ever in Atlanta, I’ve also heard amazing things about Vibe Ride, which is one of my law school classmates studios.

Let’s take a peek into my fall regimen.

The TGIN Shampoo and Conditioner are forever staples. I use this duo year round to keep my hair and scalp clean and moisturized.

Hair tip: When shampooing, make sure that you concentrate on your scalp. Though it’s tempting to lather your entire head, start with clarifying the roots! Healthy scalp = healthy hair.

Next, I naturally use the Honey Miracle Hair Mask. This is great when keeping moisture locked in during the cooler months. If you’re looking for something that’s not too thick, yet still very moisturizing, this is your best bet!

Third, Argan Replenishing Hair & Body Serum to seal the deal. Typically when applying oil I add to my scalp in moderation and concentrate on my ends, as they tend to suffer most during this time of year. As it gets cooler, I moisturize my ends daily to get the best results.

Hair Tip: Watch out when using oils that harden, such as coconut oil, in the colder seasons. It tends to harden in your hair, making the hair look flaky.

I find that keeping it simple is key. Fall/winter shouldn’t be a time that you pile on tons of products. You should be able to transform your staples and use a few of your favorites that keep your hair moisturized. Hair regimens are less about following a set of rules and more about flowing with the state of your hair and taking care of it accordingly. Keep a mental calendar of what works best for your hair or feel free to just go with the flow!

Hair, always.

I’m a woman of many styles so I’m always finding ways to switch up and have fun with my hair. I love to play with extensions, whether I go with short or long – it’s all fun to me! Versatility is key. And guess what? It looks completely natural and perfect for on the go. Lately, I’ve been rockin’ the Her Given Hair clip-ins paired with my TGIN staples. Just recently I grabbed longer clip-ins, which turned out to be great for the transitioning cooler weather.

A moisturizing lippie.

Let’s be honest, this is a year-round type of thing – but the fall is no time to ease up. My go-to is the TGIN Natural Shea Butter lip balm in peppermint. I love chapstick that gives my lips that plump moisturized look and leaves my lips soft, yet not greasy. It’s also perfect for prepping for lipstick that goes on smooth.

Lipstick staple.

Speaking of lipstick, Curlfriend by The Lip Bar is great for the fall. It’s that perfect nude matte lipstick with a hint of pink. I also find myself layering this lipstick with other lippies to give off that nude undertone. This is one you’ll get tons of use out of.

Candles galore. 

Last but not least, is it really fall is you don’t have a fall scented candle? I am in love with candles. I place them all over my home for a relaxing feel. If I’m not grabbing candles from Ikea, Bath & Body Works is another great spot to grab them. and when they’ve got a great sale going on – I rack up even more!

What are your fall favorites?