The Reach Out: Liz Claman
A passionate skier, the anchor of The Claman Countdown on Fox Business Network says, "The one thing I have NEVER regretted is working out."
Liz Claman is the anchor of Fox Business Network’s The Claman Countdown.
Claman’s previous roles include anchoring CNBC’s Morning Call, Wake Up Call, Market Watch, and Today’s Business.
She is the author of The Best Investment Advice I Ever Received, and the recipient of an Emmy for The Morning Exchange, a daily talk show she hosted at WEWS-TV in Cleveland.
When I reached out to Liz Claman, I learned very quickly how important exercise and fitness is to her.
Is being active a priority for you? Are you a workout enthusiast?
You're talking to the California girl who asked her parents to hire aerobics guru Richard Simmons to teach a class for her Sweet 16! I've been working out for as long as I remember so it's absolutely a part of my life.
During my climb up the TV news ladder, I've lived and worked in Columbus, Ohio, Cleveland, Boston and now New York, and have belonged to a gym (sometimes two!) in every market.
I was a devotee of Flywheel, but when I got a Peloton for my birthday a few years back and realized I didn't have to bundle up in the winter at 5:30am and drive to a 6am class, I gave up the in-person spin classes.
When it comes to being active, anyone can do it without a gym membership or fancy equipment. I do squats while waiting for my milk frother and coffee to do their trick.
I travel for work and whenever I'm at the airport, I take the stairs instead of the escalator or people-mover, and I have no shame: I've been known to drop to the carpet in the terminal and grunt out push-ups and triceps dips.
And every year, I ski during spring break. It's my very favorite sport.
Do you have a specific workout routine? For example, can you exercise during your lunch break?
Never during lunch! I wish I could but my show, The Claman Countdown, kicks off at 3pm/ET, and I'd have no time to shower, dress and do my show research in the time remaining. I go more by numbers, meaning five Peloton bike classes per week and a couple of strength classes, all usually after work.
Did your exercise habits change during the pandemic?
Yes. In 2020, I did all my workouts at home for safety reasons. About six months ago, I rejoined a gym and started going a lot to work out on the weight machines and take Body Pump classes, but when Omicron was tearing across the nation, I stuck to at-home workouts and outdoor walks.
Is there something that motivates you to keep active and exercise regularly?
Three things: First, working out feels wonderful to me. Once you get your heart pumping and the sweat going, all you can think of is that you're testing the system and strengthening it.
Second, I want to be in shape for the distance, and when I say 'distance,' I mean the distance of life. I have goals I want to reach. I have two amazing children who I want to be present and energetic for, and I want to be strong for all of it.
Third, the regret matrix. There are a lot of things I do that I regret afterwards: eating too much, staying out too late, not working out. The one thing I have NEVER regretted is working out.
Do you watch the news, or listen to podcasts or music, while you exercise?
When I'm doing long walks with the dog, I listen to The Daily podcast. The New York Times reporters go into depth on all sorts of stories, and I like doing deep dives into subjects about which I might not know a lot about.
I've also become addicted to the Dateline podcast. I'll be listening to it while on the elliptical and, suddenly, 48 minutes have gone by and I still haven't found out whether the suspect is guilty, so I just keep going until the end.
How do you think we can encourage kids to get more exercise?
My dad was a surgeon. During his residency in the early '50's, while doing a rotation in pathology, he looked at the lung tissue of a deceased smoker under a microscope. The tissue was blackened. My dad asked the pathologist how old the patient was: thirty-two. My dad said that if we showed this to kids, they might never start smoking.
The same goes for working out. If you look at the hearts of people who work out regularly, most likely you'll see a strong muscle and clear pathways. And working out gives you more energy, not less. What's the alternative? Wasting time as a couch potato is so yesteryear!
Is there a sport or fitness trend that you would like to try one day?
I'm unafraid of trying new things. I was born with scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and was told I'd never run long distances. In 2005, I proved them wrong and ran the New York City Marathon. I've completed seven triathlons as well, but the one thing I'm dying to make time to try is surfing. I'm a born and raised California kid, but never got around to taking surfing lessons. I love the Beach Boys and have the wetsuit already, so I've taken the first steps!
Liz Claman is definitely an exercise and fitness devotee. I admire how enthusiastic she is about not only being active, but staying active — both for herself and her kids. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she signed up for another triathlon.
Thank you, @LizClaman
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