Tag Archives: SweatNET PGH

FitLabPGH Features 33:21 Marissa Venanzi (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: Marissa Venanzi

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? I’m from Monongahela, so about an hour south of the Burgh! I’m currently living in the city for school at Chatham University. I fell in love with the campus, my program, the people, and the neighborhood and I know that this is where I am meant to be right now!

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? 1. I am a spin instructor, so teaching classes is definitely my favorite movement activity in the area! I teach at Spin City Oakmont and Triangle Foundry, and I love both studios and communities so much! 2. Outdoor yoga or walking… Pittsburgh has so many AMAZING parks and there is nothing better than rolling out a mat or walking and enjoying some movement and beautiful weather in a beautiful space (and then walking to the nearest coffee shop afterwards, of course). 3. This is very general, but I LOVE trying out different studios of different fitness disciplines in the area. The Pittsburgh area is full of a variety of studios and tons of incredible instructors, and it is so much fun to challenge myself with new workouts and meet new people by trying different studios!

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? I haven’t travelled a ton yet due to a super busy school schedule, but it is definitely a goal of mine! The best vacation I’ve ever taken was probably going to Ocean City, MD with a group of my lifelong best friends! The destination was not the most exciting, but the trip was filled with so many laughs, long beach walks, and quality time with some of the most quality people in my life.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? My favorite pre-workout snack has to be a banana with peanut butter! It gives me the energy I need to crush a workout without making me feel weighed down or sick from eating!

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. This is the toughest question EVER. I love Shady Grove’s cobb salad… bonus points when I ask for the chicken tossed in buffalo. I love everything at Friendship Perk and Brew and Square Cafe. Both places have the BEST brunch and coffee in the city! I’m also in love with Millie’s vegan dark chocolate ice cream. I’ll stop the list there or else I will literally go on all day!

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? Yes! I really want to try acro yoga and paddleboard yoga! I also am thinking of setting a goal to try one fitness studio every time I travel!

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think confidence is the biggest obstacle, mainly for people who haven’t tried certain workouts before. It can be really intimidating to enter a space where people may have more experience than you, and getting over that hill is the toughest part in my opinion. A lot of workouts can also be very daunting and challenging at first, which can lead to a bit of doubt, but the more you do them, the better and more confident you will feel in your abilities and entire self!

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? I’ve been ziplining a few times! Hocking Hills in Ohio is the best place to zipline! I have a fear of heights, so this is definitely the most adventurous activity I’ve done. Honorable mentions are kayaking and paddleboarding, and Stonewall Jackson Resort in WV is the best for those!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Yoga is my favorite recovery/self care practice, but that isn’t always entirely a recovery practice depending on the flow. The highest form of self care for me is to walk to a coffee shop or a park with my friends and enjoy the company and atmosphere.

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) Mellon Park and the Chatham University Mellon Building Solarium!!!

Contact info for Marissa Venanzi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissavenanzi/

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 20:21 Dayna Coleman

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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: Dayna Coleman

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? I’m a Pittsburgh transplant! I grew up in Saratoga Springs, NY. I came out to Western PA for my Master’s degree at IUP. I had an internship in Pittsburgh, got a job here, and I’ve been here ever since!

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Spinning at Cyclebar Robinson, running the North Shore trail, and attending SweatNET events – especially outdoor events!

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? One of my favorite vacations was going to Colorado to ski at Copper, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin! I went with my friend that I’ve known since we were 3. You’ll never find me happier than when I’m skiing, so I loved being able to check out the bigger mountains.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? Pre-workout – I love an eggo waffle with peanut butter and apple slices! Post workout – I love the Honey Stinger cracker bars – they are so easy to take with you anywhere and they hold you over until the post-workout meal.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Wingo tacos at Mad Mex, the San Francisco sauce is *chefs kiss*

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? My bucket list movement activity is definitely an in-person running race. I never started running until the pandemic, and since then, I ran three virtual races including the 2021 Pittsburgh Half Marathon. I’ve heard there is a magic and excitement about in person races, so I can’t wait to experience that!

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think it can be tough for people to know what they will enjoy until they start doing it, and it can be really daunting (and sometimes expensive) to try new things. But once you find the things you like to do, movement becomes part of your lifestyle. Thankfully, we have SweatNET here, and it’s bridging that obstacle! You can try yoga, HIIT, boxing, and everything in between for a $10 membership.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? The day that I walked 14 miles around London sight-seeing. Although walking isn’t the most adventurous activity on its own, it was the first day of my trip and I couldn’t wait to see everything! I love how walking allows you to see so much that you would otherwise miss by driving or taking busses and trains. I saw so many sights that day including: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye, London Bridge, Covent Gardens, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Abbey Road, and Speakers Corner.

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? I love cryotherapy – it’s amazing how just a few minutes in the cold can make such a significant impact on recovery. Also, if I close my eyes, I can imagine that I’m skiing 🙂

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) Washington’s Landing – I could only dream of owning a home there – but the look-out is my absolute favorite and it’s a really quiet place right in the city where you don’t feel like you’re in the city at all.

Contact info for Dayna Coleman:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayynnaaaa/

FitLabPGH Features 13:21 Adonah Perry

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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: Adonah Perry

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? Born and raised!!! Pittsburgh and I have a love/hate relationship lol

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Cycling, Versaclimbing, and Yoga

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? The best vacay I probably took was a few years ago to Cali! I was out there for my cousin’s wedding at the time and I remember my cousins took my sisters and I down to Malibu beach to walk along the beach & admire some of the caves from afar! At that time I was in the prime of my fitness journey so sadly I didn’t really schedule time for the gym like I should have, but walking around Universal Studios could count right?

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? Favorite post snack: Goat cheese & Blueberries (Please try asap!)

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Coop De Ville chicken sandwich & anything from Cinderlands! I have LOTS of favorite restaurants!

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? I actually do! My goal for this summer (hopefully) is to get outside more to visit North Park and go out on hikes with my boyfriend/friends!

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? People have a big problem with Self motivation! I could go on for DAYS about this topic lol

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? The most adventurous movement activity that I’ve ever done was become a cycle instructor! Never in a million years did I think I would ever be an instructor, but here we are! Also I’ll be becoming a nurse next year too so I’ll count that as a HUGE adventurous movement for myself!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? I’ve become slightly obsessed with infrared sauna sessions! Also will be trying out a Cryotherapy at Restore and plan to do a float session at Victory Float lounge!

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) I have a few places, but first place that comes to mind is the Color Park in south side!

Contact info for Adonah Perry:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adonah_lynn16/

https://www.instagram.com/fitsfoodmeds_ap/

 

FitLabPGH Features 9:21 Marissa Venanzi

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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: Marissa Venanzi

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? I’m from Monongahela, so about an hour south of the Burgh! I’m currently living in the city for school at Chatham University. I fell in love with the campus, my program, the people, and the neighborhood and I know that this is where I am meant to be right now!

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? 1. I am a spin instructor, so teaching classes is definitely my favorite movement activity in the area! I teach at Spin City Oakmont and Triangle Foundry, and I love both studios and communities so much! 2. Outdoor yoga or walking… Pittsburgh has so many AMAZING parks and there is nothing better than rolling out a mat or walking and enjoying some movement and beautiful weather in a beautiful space (and then walking to the nearest coffee shop afterwards, of course). 3. This is very general, but I LOVE trying out different studios of different fitness disciplines in the area. The Pittsburgh area is full of a variety of studios and tons of incredible instructors, and it is so much fun to challenge myself with new workouts and meet new people by trying different studios!

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? I haven’t travelled a ton yet due to a super busy school schedule, but it is definitely a goal of mine! The best vacation I’ve ever taken was probably going to Ocean City, MD with a group of my lifelong best friends! The destination was not the most exciting, but the trip was filled with so many laughs, long beach walks, and quality time with some of the most quality people in my life.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? My favorite pre-workout snack has to be a banana with peanut butter! It gives me the energy I need to crush a workout without making me feel weighed down or sick from eating!

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. This is the toughest question EVER. I love Shady Grove’s cobb salad… bonus points when I ask for the chicken tossed in buffalo. I love everything at Friendship Perk and Brew and Square Cafe. Both places have the BEST brunch and coffee in the city! I’m also in love with Millie’s vegan dark chocolate ice cream. I’ll stop the list there or else I will literally go on all day!

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? Yes! I really want to try acro yoga and paddleboard yoga! I also am thinking of setting a goal to try one fitness studio every time I travel!

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think confidence is the biggest obstacle, mainly for people who haven’t tried certain workouts before. It can be really intimidating to enter a space where people may have more experience than you, and getting over that hill is the toughest part in my opinion. A lot of workouts can also be very daunting and challenging at first, which can lead to a bit of doubt, but the more you do them, the better and more confident you will feel in your abilities and entire self!

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? I’ve been ziplining a few times! Hocking Hills in Ohio is the best place to zipline! I have a fear of heights, so this is definitely the most adventurous activity I’ve done. Honorable mentions are kayaking and paddleboarding, and Stonewall Jackson Resort in WV is the best for those!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Yoga is my favorite recovery/self care practice, but that isn’t always entirely a recovery practice depending on the flow. The highest form of self care for me is to walk to a coffee shop or a park with my friends and enjoy the company and atmosphere.

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) Mellon Park and the Chatham University Mellon Building Solarium!!!

Contact info for Marissa Venanzi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissavenanzi/