Get Lively with Jan

Happy 4th of July week! You know how much I love this time of year. I talk about it all the time, and I just can't help myself— especially when we're soaking up all this light. That's exactly what I've been thinking about lately: the light . And not just how great it is that it's staying light later, but how the contrast between light and dark really changes our perspective. And you know what I've...

So this week on the podcast, we are back to chatting about identity… We talk about that a lot around here, and in this week's go round I'm going to be sharing how I'm shifting away from thinking about myself as "fitness Jan" or "fundraiser Jan" to JUST JAN (yes, I'm making a Will & Grace reference…) We just love to put ourselves in a box, don't we?? So if you're in a season where your identity fee...

You know when a song lyric gets in your head and you just want to listen to the song on repeat? (Please tell me I'm not the only one who can play the same song over and over and over again…) You're out for a walk or folding laundry, and then WOW—one line hits you right in the gut. Suddenly it's like the songwriter was inside your head, pulling out thoughts you didn't even know you were thinking. T...

This week's podcast is a bit of an emotional one for me… It was inspired by a message from Pope Francis that's been making the rounds on social media — maybe you've seen it.  It's one of those things that was exactly what I needed to hear at the exact moment that I read it. There are so many ways to GET LIVELY.  We are a Lifestyle Studio on a mission to help YOU smile MORE.  Through training, grou...

We're going to talk about how to take care of ourselves without falling for every shiny supplement, cleanse, or "fix" being thrown at us. (Because let's be honest—menopause and midlife are BIG business these days, and it's getting overwhelming.) We're cutting through the noise and getting back to basics: How to move your body in ways that work for you How to stay consistent even when life feels li...

So, I was slogging my way through this book… You know the kind—one that everyone seems to love , or maybe no one recommended it and I thought someone did (more on that in a minute), but either way, I just couldn't get into it. But still, I kept pushing through. Why? Because of all the mental gymnastics that come with not finishing something. I told our Lively member Ariel—who I thought recommended...

It's time to refocus on my health. Maybe you can relate? Life shifts, new schedules take over, and before you know it, your wellness routine needs a reset.  That's exactly where I am, and in this week's show, I'm sharing: How I'm getting back to GOOD first (because that's exactly where we need to start!) The small steps I'm taking to refocus on my fitness and nutrition. There are so many ways to G...

So… the other day I was scrolling through Facebook and I saw this headline:  Small Business Struggles: Are we next? Of course I immediately clicked on it, for SO many reasons. For starters, I can say with absolute confidence that you'd be hard pressed to find any small business owner who hasn't questioned this at some point. When you own a small business, it's so much more than the service or prod...

This week on the podcast, I'm reflecting on my first month of working both at the studio and in my new role at the New Art Center and how I'm approaching this change. Heading into this new role, I thought my biggest challenge would be sitting all day and keeping up my energy. And while the sitting part is still a work in progress (yes I'm working on getting the team moving in the office), I've bee...

Remember those first day of school vibes?  The mix of nervous excitement, the anticipation of new beginnings, and that lingering question: Am I going to be okay?! Well, that's exactly where I find myself right now as I begin my new role at the New Art Center. I'm excited to start this next chapter, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also feeling a bit wobbly about balancing it all. In this week's...

Here's my encouragement for you this week: Let go of undo pressure. What can you release to make space for joy? Try something new (or old!). Is there something you used to love that you could bring back into your life? Prioritize fun. Find ways to make your workouts, meals, or even your to-do list more playful and enjoyable. There are so many ways to GET LIVELY.  We are a Lifestyle Studio on a mis...

Welcome to the very first podcast episode of 2025! 🎉 This year, we're starting strong with a powerful theme: Making a choice to take a chance, to make a change. In this week's episode, I'm sharing something personal—my decision to step into an exciting new role as the Director of Development at the New Art Center in Newton. After being in business for over a decade, and especially reflecting on t...

This fall, many podcasts were about how I was trying to navigate through various life situations. From shifting into neutral to letting things go, I'm happy to share that I've landed in a place where I'm starting to feel more grounded. So… as I like to do, I gave it some thought and I'm sharing what I came up with on this week's show. Some of the questions that helped me think this through… Acknow...

Since November is the month that I started podcasting way back in 2017, I thought I'd take a listen back to some of the shows that aired around this time many years ago. I landed on the year 2018 and the one year anniversary of the Get Lively with Jan Show.   During this episode, I talk about "getting and grasping" and how we get pulled into that during the holiday season with all the shopping and...

Ever catch yourself saying, "I accept myself, but…"? That little "but" that sneaks in with doubts, judgments, and conditions —well, it's a subtle way we hold ourselves back from fully embracing who we are right now. And I get it; I'm working on this, too. Radical acceptance is about saying, "I accept exactly who I am in this moment," no conditions or caveats. There are so many ways to GET LIVELY. ...

Yes, we're back to this topic again.   And the reason I keep talking about perimenopause and how it's making me CRAZY is because this is such a hot topic at the studio and has been for many months. There are so many of us going through this life transition, and I want us all to feel less alone. First, I need to accept that this is a life phase that I'm going through (and as I say on this week's sh...

Ever feel like you're stuck in the wrong gear, grinding away at life's to-do lists, feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle, or battling those moments when resistance creeps in? I've definitely been there. It's like driving a standard shift car—you're in the wrong gear, things feel clunky, and you're not getting anywhere fast. So, what do you do? You shift into neutral. This week, I'm talking about...

We've all been there – something happens, and we immediately feel the heat - or hurt - rising within us. Maybe it's a conversation that didn't go as expected, or someone's actions rub us the wrong way, leaving us feeling frustrated or even hurt. It's in these moments that I've learned to pause and ask myself one powerful question: What is my most generous interpretation of this situation? In this...

Ever notice how when we're thinking about making a change—whether it's something small, like switching up a routine, or something big, like a career shift—our brains go straight to what we might lose?  But how often do we pause and really "weigh" what we might gain? I know I don't always do this. So, here's my challenge to all of us this week: When faced with a choice, let's try to balance both si...

Labor Day has now come and gone and most of us are now looking at getting back to our routines… any virtual nods or hand raises?! So what does the Olympics have to do with this? Allow me to explain… For starters, I love the Olympics and really enjoyed watching them this summer and chatting about them at the studio. I'm a bit Simone obsessed… And that's what inspired this week's podcast and message...

Life is full of twists and turns, and for many of us, the journey through perimenopause and menopause can feel like an especially winding path. If you're feeling confused, overwhelmed, or even lost in this stage of life, know that you're not alone. In fact, I'm right there with you. I share on this week's show that I feel like I'm in a complete state of identity confusion.  I've had a hysterectomy...

Hope you're all soaking up the summer sun and enjoying these long, warm (okay, almost too warm) days! As we move through this season, I wanted to take a moment to chat about the idea of "softening the edges" and embracing a bit of flexibility - this is what has been on my mind... Change is Subtle, but Real. Summer is Far from Over. Letting Go of Expectations. Unplugging for Peace. There are so man...

Unless you just recently joined us, you know that we celebrated our 10th anniversary during the entire month of June. Part of the festivities included a new website for the studio. And of course that meant going through the site and reviewing. So I went back to the first post.  Oh my.  I forwarded it to my sister and said: I'm laughing.  I'm crying.  I'm shaking my head.  So much has changed. SO m...

Summer is here, and with it comes a lot of fun (hopefully!)—and often a shift in our schedules and routines. But I've discovered something powerful: getting consistent with just one thing can keep you anchored, no matter what the season throws at you. Consistency in one thing can have a ripple effect, creating great habits that stick.  So, this summer, find your fitness anchor and stick with it. S...

As we wrap up our month-long celebration of Get Lively's 10th anniversary, I've got a little something to share that's been on my mind. This reflection might come as a surprise to you - and I'm not wrapping the month in a negative tone, rather - I'm calling out my own truth bomb. Listen in to find out what it is. There are so many ways to GET LIVELY.  We are a Lifestyle Studio on a mission to help...