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: Stephanie Diener
Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? Not originally a native. I grew up in a small town a few hours north of Pittsburgh, and spent seven years in Colorado. Landed in Pittsburgh in 2013 to attend Chatham University.
What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Running on the 3 Rivers Heritage trail, Linn Run hike in the Laurel Highlands, group classes at Pittsburgh FIT!
Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do? A South American adventure! Torres del Paine, a 5 day hike in Chile, and the 5 day Salkantay Trek hike in Peru which also includes Machu Picchu.
What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast? Weekday: unsweetened almond milk yogurt with berries and crushed walnuts. Weekend: collard greens, northern bean egg sauté
What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Mediterranean food! I love Aladdin’s Eatery; Turkish Kebab House; and Alihan’s Mediterranean Cuisine downtown! Spicy cauliflower from Aladdin’s and chicken kebab from Turkish Kebab House are everythingggg
What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again? I ran a full marathon in 2018. Yes, I can’t wait until I have time to devote to training for another one!
What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year? I plan on engaging in new styles of dance! I hope to join a dance studio and take regular weekly classes, I have my eye on Level Up studio!
Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving? Sky diving! I did not like scuba diving at all, although I love water and swimming in general! I had a really hard time equalizing upon descent.
What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Meditation, grounding in nature, regular vinyasa yoga
What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see? In my personal opinion, it’s a hidden gem that I don’t really want to give away haha! … But the west end of/Elliott Overlook. It beats the Duquesne incline any day. I also love the Boston bridge area of the three rivers heritage Trail south of McKeesport. Absolutely beautiful.
Contact info for Stephanie Diener:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephhjd/