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: Juno Hoover (as told to Tara Hoover)
Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? I am! My parents moved to Sewickley a couple years ago and I love it there.
What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Swimming in the Ohio River (we live close enough that I can walk there!), Hiking in Sewickley Heights Park with my Dad and volunteering with my Mom. We’re a therapy dog team at Passavant Hospital and Pittsburgh International Airport. I love visiting with all the people and seeing the smiles on their faces.
Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do? I don’t know what I love more—swimming or playing ball. If I could, I’d go to a place where there’s a lake, a river, a dog pool and a field full of tennis balls so I could play fetch and swim all day. There would be frozen yogurt on tap and a big comfy bed to sleep with my parents at night.
What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast? My parents give me the absolute best, and food is no exception. My breakfast consists of raw meat (we rotate between chicken, beef and turkey), a little bit of kibble for crunch, raw goats milk (I LOVE THIS STUFF!) and a dollop of greek yogurt and usually some kind of fruit. Sometimes it’s blueberries, applesauce or even pumpkin! And they always make sure I take my supplements to keep me healthy!
What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. It’s a toss up between Frosty Paws from the Sewickley Confectionery or a sweet treat from Three Dog Bakery—Snickerpoodles are my fave!
What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again? I go to physical therapy once a month to stay in tip-top shape, and they have an underwater treadmill. I get SO excited and freak out when I see it (I’m a sucker for water!) and my trainer, Laura. It’s really challenging, but a great workout. I usually run for 45 minutes.
What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year? Every year I run the 5-mile Turkey Trot with my parents. I look forward to this event every Thanksgiving!
Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving? If it’s in the water, count me in.
What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? My parents give me the best puppy massages in the mornings. After I stretch, I get in down dog position and they massage my shoulders, back and neck. It feels so good and they won’t stop until I move.
What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see? PNC Park, but not just because it’s one of the best parks in baseball, but because they let me and my friends in on Pup Nights!
Contact info for Tara Hoover (Juno’s Mom):
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarahoover/
