What I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Running at 50 Spoiler Alert: Running isn't the hard part. Learning everything that comes with it is. There is a quote that says: "The best time to start was years ago. The second-best time is today." Whew. That one hits differently now. Looking back, I'm not sure I would have listened to that advice twenty years ago, but I sure wish I had started this journey a lot sooner than the ripe old age of 50. About a year ago, I casually asked

If you've been following our journey, you know that our passion has always been helping people become healthier, stronger, and happier. Today, we're excited to officially welcome you to Iron Pine Health—the next chapter in that journey. We're opening both a telehealth and in-person clinic because we believe healthcare should be personal, accessible, and centered around you. Too often, people feel rushed through appointments or struggle to get in to see their provider when the

Stress shows up in our bodies in more ways than most people realize. It doesn’t just feel like being overwhelmed or mentally drained—it has real, physical consequences that can affect nearly every system in the body. When stress becomes chronic, it can impact: Cortisol levels Cardiovascular health Immune function Mental health Inflammation levels And here’s where things get a little more serious. When cortisol stays elevated for too long, the body can shift into a state where

If you’ve ever been to Reno in April, then you already know the weather spins a giant wheel every morning and decides your fate. Will it be snowing? Will it be windy enough to blow your eyelashes off? Will you need shorts, leggings, a raincoat, and emotional support? The answer is usually: yes. Raven and I at Reno,NV 2026 But somehow, for the 2026 Reno's Biggest Little Half Marathon, we hit the weather jackpot. It was absolutely perfect running weather. Cool enough to be comf

Let's talk about GLP-1s. By now, most of us know someone who is taking one. Maybe it's Wegovy. Maybe it's Zepbound. Maybe it's Mounjaro. Maybe it's your neighbor, your coworker, your cousin, or the person who suddenly lost 50 pounds and claims they "haven't changed a thing." As someone who has been on a GLP-1 since 2023, I wanted to share my experience—the good, the bad, and the "why is my body doing this?" moments. I'll also share some of the information I discuss with patie

I’m over 50 and taking up running and walking. I hear all the time how “cool” it is that we’re sharing our adventures. People tell me they wish they could do it too. And every single time I say the same thing: If I can do it, you absolutely can too. We’re all in different stages of life. Our why is different. Some of us want to lose weight. Some are recovering from addiction. Some want to be able to move at 80. Some of us are quietly trying to outrun our own mortality. Whate

We’ve all heard the saying that people only see the 1% —the finish line, the medals, the before-and-after photos—but they don’t see the 99% of effort it takes to get there. And that 99%? That’s where the real work happens. There are plenty of days when I’m not motivated to exercise. I’ve had a long day at work. I still have mom and wife duties waiting for me at home. And somehow, I still have to figure out when and how to fit training into my day. That’s where Runna has tru

“How do you find the time?” If you’ve ever struggled with weight or tried to build a healthier lifestyle, you’ve probably heard every cliché in the book: “If it’s important, you’ll make time.” “Just do it.” “Stop making excuses.” People mean well, but comments like that never really help—especially when you’re juggling being a wife, daughter, mother, full-time employee, and everything else life stacks on your plate. As a woman heading into my 50s, I have struggled with my wei

As some may know, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. Even at a young age, I understood I would never be the “skinny girl.” I wasn’t built like a ballerina—I was built like an athlete. In high school, I was incredibly active: basketball, volleyball, track, and softball . But as adulthood rolled in, everything changed. Work, responsibilities, parenting, and exhaustion slowly edged out my fitness routines. 🔁 The Cycle of Diets, Successes, and Setbacks Like many peo

Let’s talk about Northern California—the state's best-kept secret (and no, I’m not just saying that because the SoCal folks forget it exists). This place is a total movie set come to life: trees that look like they were sketched by Bob Ross, lakes so clear you can see your regrets at the bottom, and trails that make you say “I totally work out” even when you don’t. We recently took the chaos (aka the family) to Whiskeytown Lake National Recreation Area—one of only sixteen of