Lacing up your sneakers and getting to that starting line might be the most important part of any exercise routine. It can also be the hardest part to stay consistent with. You can rationalize not going for a run or skipping the fitness class you already signed up for just as easily as you can rationalize being too tired to floss before bed. But that feeling once you’re moving, and a glorious rush of endorphins swoops through your whole body? Worth it. Every. Single. Time.
Of course, the power of movement goes beyond the feel-good hormones—it can also help people get in the right mindset, set intentions, and find calm amid chaos. To show you what’s possible, we teamed up with HOKA to share why members of the Brew Crew make movement a daily priority and how it affects other parts of their lives.
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Sarah is a 6-time marathoner and certified running coach who volunteers with the New York Road Runners Pace Team. Her go-to pre-race breakfast is a peanut butter sandwich and a banana.
“It began about 13 years ago with 2, 3, 4 miles on a flat path near my apartment. On one side, I would feel the East River breeze and absorb the Brooklyn skyline. On the other side, I’d hear the whiz of traffic and the bustle of Manhattan. It’s no coincidence running combines these 2 elements: the time and space to reflect, and the necessary action of pushing forward.”
“RUNNING WAS A
SPORT I KNEW I COULD CONQUER.”
—Sarah Singer
“I REALIZED A LONG WALK IS ACTUALLY A GREAT WORKOUT, AND THAT IT
IS ENOUGH.”
—Ashna Mankotia
“I run mostly for two reasons: I’m good at it, and it clears my head. Exercise feels like a form of meditation. I have my greatest sense of mental clarity after I go for a run—it feels like clearing all the cobwebs out of the closet. Knowing how good it feels to be done with a workout is often what motivates me to go for one.”
Whether it’s meditating, building community, or finding alone time,
everyone has their own motivation that helps push them to the starting line. Prioritize how you can find yours and unlock your potential.
HOKA’s new Bondi 8 sneakers can help you get there by supporting your everyday movement every step of the way. The ultra-cushioned sole from
heel to toe will have you feeling like you’re walking (or running) on a marshmallow cloud.
INSPIRED TO GET MOVIN’?
Here’s how the Brew Crew
unlocks their potential.
“I was not a ‘good’ runner. Like many novice runners, I associated the sport with discomfort at best and torture at worst. But running was a sport I knew I could conquer—something I could master with patience, discipline, and grit. The challenge was big, but any variables that came up were my own doing.”
“After my first half-marathon, running evolved from a solo pursuit and means of stress relief into a vehicle for community connection. I started training with the Prospect Park Track Club in Brooklyn, New York, and the sport took on new meaning for me, not just as a fitness or wellness tool but also as a collaborative endeavor in pursuit of a shared goal.”
Ashna racks up around 14,000 daily steps by committing to a 45- to 60-minute walk before work (read: daily hot girl walks). She listens to music or a true crime podcast, all while daydreaming about the coffee she’ll make when she returns home.
“I used to think that if I wasn’t drenched in sweat during a workout or didn’t wake up sore the next morning, I didn’t work hard enough. But when I realized a long walk is actually a great workout, and that it is enough, it was easier to be consistent. I love my hard bootcamp-style workouts, but they’re no more important than my long walks, which are just as good for my mental health as they are for my physical health.”
“People often talk about their various streams of income, but I think it’s just as important to have various streams of joy. I have my job, friends, family, creating content, and a fitness routine that challenges me and makes me feel both strong and accomplished.”
“When I started getting consistent with fitness, I started treating myself like an athlete—only I’m just competing with myself, always trying to get better.”
Dan is a former high-school track-and-field athlete turned weekly distance runner. He regularly runs long distances as meditation while listening to rap music.
“When I run, I really don’t want to focus on anything. I won’t even listen to podcasts, I just listen to my music. Playlists are really big for me, so I take 5 minutes before my run to set the songs that I want. I’m very particular about music, so I gotta make sure certain songs are in a certain order.”
“My ideal run is at either the beginning or the end of the day. If I get it done before work, I feel great, but that’s definitely a challenge. I’m always sure to do a post-run stretch for like 15 minutes. Otherwise I’m breaking my body down faster than what’s already happening, given my heavy consumption of carbs and TikTok.”
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“EXERCISE FEELS LIKE A FORM OF MEDITATION.”
—Dan Toomey
“I REALIZED A LONG WALK IS ACTUALLY A GREAT WORKOUT, AND THAT IT
IS ENOUGH.”
“I REALIZED A LONG WALK IS ACTUALLY A GREAT WORKOUT, AND THAT IT
IS ENOUGH.
“EXERCISE FEELS LIKE A FORM OF MEDITATION.”
“EXERCISE FEELS LIKE A FORM OF MEDITATION.”
Breathe in, ease out
Getting in sync
The running “why”
You vs. you
The value of movement
Finding balance
Community ties
Pushing forward
Starting small
“RUNNING WAS A
SPORT I KNEW I COULD CONQUER.”
“RUNNING WAS A
SPORT I KNEW I COULD CONQUER.”
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