FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Amy Wisniowski

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? Pittsburgh born and raised

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? I love the strength lab at Union Fitness, Urban Elements for yoga and my own practice of movement and mobility.

Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do? I would practice movement and meditation all over the island of Māui, Hawaii. From the black rock beaches to the Hāna rainforest, this would be absolute bliss for me.

What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast? Espresso shots, lemon water, eggs and avocado toast on the weekdays. Square Cafe’s protein pancakes on Saturday and Pamela’s pancakes on Sunday. All the pancakes.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Coffee or espresso from Defer Coffee in the Strip and anything from Bluebird Kitchen but specifically doughnut Friday’s (Chef Steven Thompson doesn’t mess around).

What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again? So far it would be anything Ido Portal related. This seminar elevated my own athletic ability as well as my coaching. This seminar took everyone out of their comfort zones mentally and physically. I was able to take with me new ways to move, think and play. I am so grateful to have had that opportunity.

What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year? I am circling back into my movement practice and am learning new ways of static and dynamic stretching, expanding my range of motion, loaded progressive stretching, resistance band strength, joint prep, and physical therapy techniques.

Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving? I have been sky diving, let’s scuba!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? The practice of meditation. I try to take 10 minutes out of my day to get my mind right.

What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see? Definitely take the Duquesne incline up to Mt. Washington and watch the sun set.

Contact info for Amy Wisniowski:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aewisniowski/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AEWisniowski

FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Samantha Jordan

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area?  I used to live in Northeastern Ohio. I felt led to come to Pittsburgh by the connections I kept making in Pittsburgh instead of in Ohio.

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area?  I love using a workout program (right now I’m doing Anthony Osorio’s Build-A-Booty program) at LA Fitness. Of course, I take advantage of the sauna there, too! I like to explore different Vegan restaurants around town (CoreLife Eatery is my favorite so far). Third favorite is dancing, mostly hip hop moves.

Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do?  Oh goodness, I’m a big traveller. Disney World is the happiest place in the U.S. I could live there. My fantasy vacation as of now, would be a trip to the beach. While here, I would jet ski, parasail, learn how to surf, walk the boardwalk, do a beach workout, and soak up that sun.

What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast?  Go-to weekday breakfast: Cheerios in almond milk. I keep it simple. My weekend breakfast: The same.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy.  Cajun Dry Rub Seitan Wings at the Double Wide Grill are phenomenal. Favorite Homemade Dinner: Vegan Chili (w/ Tofu “beef”). Favorite Snack: Carrots & homemade Hummus.

What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again?  Most challenging: Snowboarding at Hidden Valley I fell flat on my face. Hard. I felt like I got a concussion for the first time in my life haha but I would do it again! Not the face planting part. Snowboarding.

What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year?  Pole Fitness/Dance at FitnessEnvi with Aubrey Worek.

Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving?  Ooooo. Tough choice. Sky diving!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice?  Journaling. Sometimes, I need to calm down my brain and body by doing some writing. Plus, I love writing. Hence, my career path.

What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see?  The people here. Wherever you choose to go, talk with the people. Pittsburgh’s friendly atmosphere and people is why I moved here.

Contact info for Samantha Jordan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthakjordan/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-jordan-545635133/

FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Emily Scott, D.O.

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area?  Pittsburgh born and raised! I’ve stayed in the area for many reasons, but most notably family, opportunities in medicine, and our thriving running/cycling/yoga communities.

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area?  Running along the river trails and Montour trail, road cycling, and yoga.  As a second year family medicine resident, finding time to train can be challenging but is a very important priority.  Staying active allows me to keep my mind and body in the best possible condition so that I can provide the best care for my patients.  Also, I am so thankful for my running partner, Cece, my 4 year old lab mix.  She helps to motivate me to get out the door for a run.

Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do?  A dream of mine is to compete at Kona Ironman World Championships.

What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast?  I’ll prepare mini veggie quiche for the week, or peanut butter banana cinnamon toast, and of course, coffee.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy.  Pineapple curry at Nicky’s Thai Kitchen.

What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again?  The Keystone Triathlon. It was my first triathlon onto the scene in 2018. It offered a great hometown feel, challenging/hill ride, and was well supported. It fueled my excitement and desire to compete in more triathlons with the ultimate goal of completing a full Ironman!

What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year?  I’m looking forward to the Pittsburgh marathon as always! I’m also looking forward to the Ohio State Olympic triathlon and the OBX half ironman triathlon.

Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving?  Scuba!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice?  Yoga. Ashtanga flow has been such an important addition to my routine. It allows me to focus on the areas of my body that are in need of some love, and to focus 60-75 minutes on improving areas of weakness, tightness, or soreness, while quieting my mind. Yoga has also allowed me to improve my flexibility and balance, which has directly contributed to improving speed. It has been a key component to improving my mind and body wellness.

What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see?  A run on the north shore trail! It offers the best views of the city, and is always bustling with other active people no matter the time of year.

Contact info for Emily Scott, D.O.:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/run_scotty/

FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Dan Minnicks

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? Yes

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Being a former hockey player, I’m always going to be partial to finding an open slab of ice and playing hockey even though I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like. I really enjoy being in a gym setting and experimenting and trying things that are new to me as I’m always researching new ways to better serve my clients. I treat myself as a Guinea pig in that regard. I enjoy hiking as well and there’s plenty of that around the area.

Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do? I’m not sure on a specific location at the moment but I’ve always been enticed by those tropical hikes where there’s the massive waterfalls or something majestic in the middle of the woods that isn’t visible by just pulling over on the side of the road. The few hikes that I’ve done around Utah have really opened my eyes to just how much beauty in nature there is if you’re just willing to go out and earn it.

What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast? During the week: Steel cut oats with a scoop of protein powder, chia seeds, berries, and unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Weekend: I’m a creature of habit and terribly picky so it’s usually the same, but sometimes I’ll go out somewhere for breakfast. If I do, French toast and bacon is my breakfast delicacy.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. If you like ribs, Mario’s in the Southside has the best ones around.

What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again? Hiking to the top of Mount Olympus in Salt Lake City. Yes, I definitely would do it again. The views were amazing and absolutely worth it.

What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year? I’ll be hiking at Zion in early February and that’s one that’s been on my bucket list. After that I’m considering doing some kind of endurance event in the fall but I’m not sure yet.

Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving? Scuba diving for sure! Although, sky diving would be one of those “conquer your fears” things that I might do one day.

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Sleep is certainly number one as it seems to be very underutilized these days but in addition to that I recommend finding a good ART practitioner. It’s been a game changer for me and my clients as well.

What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see? There’s so much to see with all of the museums, the history and the sports but I’m a simple pleasures guy so I’ll usually tell people to check out the view from Mt. Washington.

Contact info for Dan Minnicks:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danminnicks/

Instagram (Umberger Performance): https://www.instagram.com/umberger_performance/

Instagram (Umberger Fitness): https://www.instagram.com/umberger_fitness/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanMinnicks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Minnicks-Training-Systems-2051338688290948/