If you ever happen to run into me at the gym you'll find me sweaty, exhausted, focused and with headphones in. What you won't find me doing while I'm working out is listening to the latest Spotify playlist or Pandora radio but rather a Podcast and here's why.
A few months ago a really good friend of mine introduced me to Podcasts. I know, they've been around for like, I don't know a while but I honestly never even thought to listen to one and didn't really know what would be the benefit of doing so. She told me about Podcasts like Serial and This American Life and that's where I started.
Once I realized that I'm not a Serial girl or murder mystery person at all for that matter, I started browsing different options and asking around. After some investigation work I realized that a lot of my favorite authors, ministers and TV hosts had Podcasts. So I went on a downloading spree and put everything that caught my eye on my phone, I was hooked!
I admit, most of the things I downloaded I didn't get around to listening too and the reason is that I found a solid group of about 5 that I couldn't get enough of. I would listen to them in the car, when I was at my desk at work, in my bedroom before falling asleep and eventually I started listening to them at the gym.
The first time I listened to a Podcast while working out I had planned to run a mile and then to do a workout with weights but I got so into it that I ended up running 3 miles without even realizing it. As I was stretching I kind of felt weird and like it must have just been a really interesting episode but the next day I got caught up again and then the next day and then the next.
After the fourth day, I went home and felt like I had not only had an amazing workout but I had learned something really cool in the process. From that day forward I decided to change the way I saw gym time. Instead of looking at the gym as just a place where I could push my body to the limit it was also becoming a place where I could have my beliefs challenged, learn a new skill, discover a new author and MORE.
I'm going to share with you the three podcasts that I listen to the most. There are other ones that I check out now and then but these three are the ones that I look forward to listening too each week and have impacted my life the most so far.
1. The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes. This is one that I really enjoy. On every episode of School of Greatness, Lewis Howes, the host, interviews different entrepreneurs, athletes, motivational speakers, authors etc.. that have made a name for themselves in their industry. He essentially gives them a platform to tell their story and how they've reached their level of success so that others who aspire to follow the same path can be inspired and empowered with real life stories, tricks and advice.
2. Equip the Saints by Chris Cruz. Chris Cruz is a pastor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry and Tribe Young Adults at Bethel Redding. The aim of the podcast is to make heaven and earth one and to do that by exploring what an authentic display of Christ looks like in all of our lives and in the lives of the leaders that Chris interacts with. I'm not kidding when I say that the things that I've learned from this podcast have literally changed my life. I would recommend this to any believer or someone wanting to learn more about faith!
3. Bethel Church: This podcast is a little unique in the way that it's not a specific person but rather every sermon that is preached at Bethel Church in Redding. I like this one a lot as well because I really enjoy the preaching staff at Bethel and since I don't live in California it gives me an opportunity to listen in on the services without the travel costs.
I could go beyond three but we'll leave it at that for now. I hope that if you're not a podcast person that you give them a chance after reading this and if you're a 100%, ride or die for podcast type of kid, I would love to know what some of your favorites are so that I can workout to them in the future!
Until next time gang! XOXO
Woo workout podcasts! I'm that weird chick at the gym laughing out loud cause I'm listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've always thought that the concept of a 'gym' is so weird. It kinda sucks that some/most of our lives as human beings evolved to this situation where our daily work involves barely any physical movement, wether it is in nature or not...Bringing up the concept of designing a place FOR physical movement alone. Anyways.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought of listening to podcasts while working out! It does seem like a really good way of maximizing time and learning..sometimes even to listen to a good Ted talk I find myself with lack of time for it...
I'm going to use your advice, friendita!
Wow this is really awesome Nicole! You discovered something that really helps engage your mind, but you are also aware that these specific podcasts engage your body too.
ReplyDeleteI would say - see if you can pay attention to how something is being spoken to and what draws you to it. Such as the voice tone, the words/themes the person(s) are saying/speaking to or anything that stands out. Because I would imagine if you listened to a podcast that didn't resonate with you at all, your body would react differently? Or would it?
Please note you don't have to give me answers to these questions. I am just providing them for you in order to reflect upon and notice that about yourself - that is all.
I just recently got into podcasts too - so I will let you know if there is anything that stands out to me that you might like and thank you for these lists of podcasts too :)