Hiking to Lac D’Estom
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Hiking to Lac D’Estom

For our last day of activities in France, we decided to do one last hike that was on our list - Lac D’Estom. Located in the Pyrenees, this trek covers 7.5 miles there and back and gains 1,765 feet in elevation. It’s another constant uphill challenge that delivers the entire climb, especially with the spectacular lake views at the end.

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Hossegor - A Surfer’s Paradise
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Hossegor - A Surfer’s Paradise

We made our way to Hossegor, another coastal town just 30 minutes north of Biarritz. Being a world renowned surf destination, we were eager to get a glimpse of the beach. Vaughn had traveled to Hossegor before and had been building up my expectations for weeks prior to our trip, conveying an image of deep sandy beaches and surfable waves stretching out in either direction as far as the eye can see. It sounded made up, too good to be true, every surfer’s dream, and I couldn’t wait to see it for myself. Upon arrival, I immediately noticed how the natural surroundings began to change. I could feel the humidity in the air, lush forrest and green hills turned to dense pine forests, and the roads became relatively flat, rising and falling ever so slightly as we made our way to our campgrounds. The beach would have to wait.

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Golden Hour In Guéthary
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Golden Hour In Guéthary

We drove just 30 minutes south from Biarritz to Guéthary, leaving one coastal town behind for another, albeit one much smaller and less frivolous. This place seemed to be the perfect representation of “the simple life.” Apart from the few bed and breakfasts amongst the green hills, I was able to spot a small grocery store that doubled as a cafe and a couple of casual seaside food stops on the drive to our campground. We found our parking spot and noticed that the sun was close to setting so we decided to walk down to the beach before dinner. The skies were grey when we arrived and I didn’t think it was going to be a very impressive sunset. I was about to be proven all wrong.

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Fitness Goals: Why They’re Important & How To Set Them
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Fitness Goals: Why They’re Important & How To Set Them

Making any sort of a life change can prove challenging, but there are strategies to make the process a little easier. Setting goals gives us something to work towards and helps hold us accountable, both to others and to ourselves. Think about your projects and deadlines at work or even your weekly grocery list. In order to be successful, it’s important to know what your goal is so you can make a plan to achieve it. For your grocery run, you probably make a list of everything you need so that when you get to the store, you don’t waste time wandering around aimlessly and you don’t forget anything that you need. Starting an exercise/wellness routine is no different! It’s important to have a goal so that you have a plan.

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Exploring Biarritz
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Exploring Biarritz

After a few days and two amazing hikes in the French Pyrenees, it was time to head to the coast for some sand, sea, and surf. First stop - Biarritz - an elegant seaside town on the southwest coast of France. Biarritz is known for its surf, but the charts weren’t showing any major swell yet, so we thought we could spend the day exploring the cafes, shops, and beautiful architecture that this little city had to offer. We drove the highway from Cauterets to Biarritz, parked on the outskirts of town a mile away from the coast and began our walk inwards.

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7 Reasons To Work With A Personal Trainer
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7 Reasons To Work With A Personal Trainer

Whether you’re an athlete wanting to improve your performance or you are beginning your fitness journey, a personal trainer may just be the key to your success! Here are seven reasons why you should try working with a personal trainer.

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Hiking to Lac de Gaube
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Hiking to Lac de Gaube

We spent the day enjoying every single moment of this hike, from the Pont d'Espagne all the way to Gaube Lake on the paths that led up, up, and up, gaining an elevation of 325 meters. The 5 mile loop was pleasant, accompanied by blue skies, temperatures in the 70’s, and plenty of shade due to the heavily forested paths. Considering the route is basically one big staircase from beginning to end, my legs were on fire, but the view that awaited me at the end of the journey buried all feelings of discomfort.

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Tips for Staying Well Over the Holidays
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Tips for Staying Well Over the Holidays

The holidays are coming up, and while this is considered the most wonderful time of the year, it can also feel a little overwhelming and ultimately put a strain on our well-being. Between vacationing with family, Christmas shopping, party planning and attending, and tying up projects at work, it can be a challenge trying to maintain our workout routines and healthy eating habits. But don’t worry, it’s possible!

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Hiking Cirque de Gavarnie
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Hiking Cirque de Gavarnie

This 6 mile hike took me 6 hours, including snack breaks and the many stops to take in the unbelievably beautiful surroundings. I gained a total of 355 meters in elevation during this trek up to the base of the waterfall and the constant walking uphill along with the careful and agile steps from boulder to boulder, over tree roots and rocks, and through little streams, reinstilled my great appreciation for training in and outside of the gym. I hope you enjoy this online adventure of mine and that it inspires you to take action in the real world to plan an adventure of your own.

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My Journey to Full Body Wellness
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My Journey to Full Body Wellness

As a personal trainer, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with lots of wonderful people from all walks of life. I’ve come to know them and their experiences, both past and present, especially when it comes to diet, exercise, and forming healthy habits. While everyone is so different, we all have something in common - we are on a quest to become our best selves. No two quests are the same, but the challenges and struggles we face tend to overlap. This is my journey, my adventure, my story, and as personal as it is, I hope it resonates with you in some way.

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