The Reach Out: Gretchen Carlson
When COVID closed gyms, she "started walking outside (a lot) and biking."
Gretchen Carlson is a journalist, author, podcast host, and passionate advocate for workplace equality and women’s rights.
Carlson hosts “Get The News with Gretchen Carlson,” a daily news podcast on Quake Media, and is a special contributor for PEOPLE TV .
She is the author of ‘Be Fierce’ and ‘Getting Real,’ and the co-founder of LIFTOURVOICES.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the silencing of harassment victims through forced arbitration and non-disclosure agreements.
In 2017, Carlson created the Gift of Courage Fund, partnering with the nonprofit All In Together, to launch the Gretchen Carlson Leadership Initiative, which hosts advocacy training for underserved women nationwide.
In 2018, she founded the Carlson March of Dimes Advocacy Fellows program, which brings together women from across America to promote legislation and policies benefiting women and children.
I reached out to Gretchen Carlson to find out how and why keeping active and fit is important to her.
How do you make regular exercise a part of your busy life?
Exercise has always been an outlet for me to relieve stress and feel better about my physical well-being. I hated running as a kid because I struggled with my weight and would have many sleepless nights before the annual 440 race at school, worried I wouldn't finish or would come in last.
Ironically, in my early 20's, I got into shape and willed myself into becoming a runner and ran six miles a day into my late 40's before my hips told me I had to stop.
Which kind of exercise do you prefer now?
Since filing my harassment lawsuit at Fox News, I have become addicted to Pilates as a form of stress relieving exercise -- an activity that is no doubt good for my body -- but most importantly for my mind.
Have your exercise routines changed since COVID began?
Yes, because gyms were closed, I started walking outside (a lot), and biking. In fact, I walked so much I ended up in a cast with a stress fracture in my shin! Not working out for six weeks was brutal. Now I'm healthy again and still enjoying the walks outside.
Do you count your steps or monitor how much ‘sitting’ you’re doing?
My kids gave me an Apple Watch for Mother's Day. Normally I'm not a procrastinator, but I really need to still set it up!
I've been busy working on my nonprofit LIFTOURVOICES.org to make the workplace safer for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community, by eliminating silencing clauses in employment contracts, trying to get passage of my bipartisan bill to eradicate forced arbitration clauses, and of course being a mom to two teenage kids.
Do you keep the television on when you exercise?
Yes! Since I'm a new junkie all throughout the day, I normally watch streaming shows when I work out. Recently I binge-watched "Maid" on Netflix. Amazing.
Which podcasts do you listen to while working out?
Serial and Dateline.
How do you think we can effectively encourage kids and teens to get more exercise?
Yes, I think monitoring their screen time is essential not only for physical health but also mental health. Encouraging outdoor activities like the good ol' days is important.
We’ve long been told how important it is to vary our workouts — change it up, and don’t get stuck in an exercise rut. Well, Gretchen Carlson has paid attention: walking, biking, Pilates, and getting outside for activity.
Thank you, @GretchenCarlson
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