The Reach Out: Julie Roginsky
The LiftOurVoices co-founder finds calm in yoga, and says "walking is the theme of my life."
Julie Roginsky is co-founder of LiftOurVoices.org, a nonprofit organization committed to ending non-disclosure agreements that prevent women from publicly disclosing their experiences in toxic work environments.
As a political activist and consultant, Roginsky has dedicated her career to empowering and mentoring women.
As an advocate for women’s rights and equality, Roginsky advises major corporations, start-ups, non-profits, labor unions, and elected officials across various levels of government.
She co-hosts the PoliticsSaltier podcast, and is a former contributor at CNBC and the Fox News Channel.
I reached out to Julie Roginsky to ask about the role of exercise and fitness in her life.
Are you someone who prioritizes being active every day?
I live in New York, so being active isn't difficult, since New Yorkers walk everywhere. My favorite activity is walking my son to school, which is a nice long walk and an opportunity for the two of us to have some wonderful chats along the way.
I'm also lucky to live close to Central Park, so I try to make time to walk around the park or go for hikes in the Ramble when I can.
Do you have a specific exercise routine?
In my pre-mom life, I used to be a huge yoga fanatic, so much so that I would squeeze in two or three classes a day and would alternate that with Pilates classes and weight lifting with a trainer.
Now, my schedule has gotten a lot more hectic, so I try to squeeze in some sort of activity whenever I can, but it usually involves running all over the city by foot for errands or school pick-up.
Have your exercise habits changed since COVID began?
Yes, and not for the better! I replaced working out with cooking, which reminds me that I need to put down the measuring spoons and pick up a new pair of sneakers.
Do you wear an Apple watch or FitBit to count your steps?
I'm lucky that there are occasionally weeks when I don't see the inside of my car because, left to my own devices, I prefer to walk than drive.
I typically try to break the workday up by working for a few hours, walking to run an errand, working for a few more hours, walking somewhere else to run another errand, or to pick my son up from school. As you can tell, walking is the theme of my life.
Is there someone who motivates you to keep active and exercise regularly?
Everyone in my household is much more active than I am. I live with someone who has had a daily running streak going for more years than he can count. My nine-year-old is a really committed athlete. They don't motivate me as much as shame me in comparison!
How do you think we can encourage young people to be more active?
I truly believe that sports teaches you so much about life at a young age -- from teamwork to camaraderie to working towards something bigger than an immediate goal. Most importantly, it should be something that's fun and not imbued with the pressure school work often is.
I was pretty active when I was younger but it doesn't matter how athletic someone is. There is a fun activity for everyone, regardless of skill set. You just have to find your own.
When you work out, what are you listening to?
My worst nightmare is going to a boot camp or a spin class where someone is blasting loud club music. I need calm when I work out, which is why I love yoga so much. It's my opportunity to zone out, so the last thing I want to do is to listen to podcasts or the news or loud music (unless it's cheesy eighties music, and then I'm all about it).
Fitness experts always say that the best exercise is the one that you enjoy — and Julie Roginsky loves walking! In addition to its many physical and mental benefits, for a lot of people, walking is also very practical.
Thank you, @julieroginsky
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