Tag Archives: meraki studio

FitLabPGH Features 23:21 Laura Breen Escott (Repost)

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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: Laura Breen Escott

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? I grew up in Phoenix, Az. I came to Pittsburgh in 2002 to be close to my family when they moved to Pittsburgh for a job change. Within 3 years my family had all moved back to AZ. I ended up staying because I met my husband here and his work kept us in Pa at that time. Since then we stayed because we wanted to establish a good foundation for our son. At first Pittsburgh was a difficult transition for me. Especially the weather! I will never get used to the winters. Now, I love Pittsburgh! (Still not the cold) but for the growth in art, development, restaurants, culture and the wellness expansion.

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Creating and moving in Meraki studio. (Rebounding, Pilates & sculpting classes revolving around supporting muscle structure) Walking in the Strip by the river to the Pointe. Stand up paddle boarding

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? The Dominican Republic. We stayed in a very private location with only 7 villas on the property on the beach. It was extremely private and we were able to really fully unplug and restore. We walked on the beach daily and hiked to various waterfalls and lagoons. It was secluded and magical.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? I prefer to eat fresh foods like fruit or veggies but if I don’t have access to these I will eat a Sakara Detox bar.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. B52, Soba, Nicky’s Thai! So many things from here.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Travel! Would include lots of walking to explore and experience the new environment. And walking the Camino De Santiago.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think people have the notion they need to be good at it or “perform” well. The thought process should shift from exercise or working out to, like [FitLabPGH says], “move” or “movement.” This is a primal desire. We just need to move without any expectations or pressure about what that means or should look like. The experience is simply movement. The benefits are from moving. Mind, body, emotion, soul. Are all interconnected through physicality.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Pilates! Ha. (I mean sometimes you have to be real brave to go upside down on equipment) Water rafting excursion

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Infrared sauna heat therapy

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) My home (homebody) & Mt. Washington

Contact info for Laura Breen Escott:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabreenescott/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meraki_studio412/

FitLabPGH Features 22:21 Claudette Minnotte

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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: Claudette Minnotte

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? I’m originally from Lehighton, PA which is just north of Philadelphia. I went to the University of Pittsburgh in 2004 and I fell in love with Pitt and never left!

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Rebounding at Meraki Studio, Resistance Training at [Solidcore], and spinning at Zenergy.

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? I went on a trip to Maui in Hawaii. I loved the laid back atmosphere of the island and the love of the native culture. I went surfing, lifted and ran on the beach, and hiked through on the road to Hana.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? I’m obsessed with Over Easy bars. And I’m constantly eating chicken all day.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. I’m a huge taco fan – I could eat them every day. But my favorite is the octopus taco at Tako with a Paloma.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? At Meraki Studio, where I teach, I look forward to our new routines every week. It’s constantly changing to help your body and muscles adapt and become stronger and more flexible. We are challenging you to think outside the box in your workouts.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think time and schedule. People tend to get set in a sedentary routine and forget to carve out time or become inundated with work. I’m a creature of habit where I firmly believe waking up early and getting your workout/movement to start your day is the best thing in the world for physical and mental health.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Waterfall repelling and ziplining in the jungle in Belize.

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Deep tissue massages and getting a blow out for my hair.

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) I love having a glass of bubbly after a long week at the Grapperia in Lawrenceville.

Contact info for Claudette Minnotte:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudetteminnotte/

FitLabPGH Features 30:20 Laura Breen Escott

FitLabPGH Features, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


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: Laura Breen Escott

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? I grew up in Phoenix, Az. I came to Pittsburgh in 2002 to be close to my family when they moved to Pittsburgh for a job change. Within 3 years my family had all moved back to AZ. I ended up staying because I met my husband here and his work kept us in Pa at that time. Since then we stayed because we wanted to establish a good foundation for our son. At first Pittsburgh was a difficult transition for me. Especially the weather! I will never get used to the winters. Now, I love Pittsburgh! (Still not the cold) but for the growth in art, development, restaurants, culture and the wellness expansion.

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Creating and moving in Meraki studio. (Rebounding, Pilates & sculpting classes revolving around supporting muscle structure) Walking in the Strip by the river to the Pointe. Stand up paddle boarding

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? The Dominican Republic. We stayed in a very private location with only 7 villas on the property on the beach. It was extremely private and we were able to really fully unplug and restore. We walked on the beach daily and hiked to various waterfalls and lagoons. It was secluded and magical.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? I prefer to eat fresh foods like fruit or veggies but if I don’t have access to these I will eat a Sakara Detox bar.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. B52, Soba, Nicky’s Thai! So many things from here.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Travel! Would include lots of walking to explore and experience the new environment. And walking the Camino De Santiago.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think people have the notion they need to be good at it or “perform” well. The thought process should shift from exercise or working out to, like [FitLabPGH says], “move” or “movement.” This is a primal desire. We just need to move without any expectations or pressure about what that means or should look like. The experience is simply movement. The benefits are from moving. Mind, body, emotion, soul. Are all interconnected through physicality.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Pilates! Ha. (I mean sometimes you have to be real brave to go upside down on equipment) Water rafting excursion

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Infrared sauna heat therapy

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) My home (homebody) & Mt. Washington

Contact info for Laura Breen Escott:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabreenescott/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meraki_studio412/