Category Archives: Guest Posts
Health and Goal Setting Tips from SHEEX Athlete Brad Walker
SHEEX Athlete Sleep Ambassador Brad Walker, the American Record Holder in the Pole Vault, shares his tips for healthy goal setting that will benefit you all year long! Follow Brad on Twitter for more updates and exclusive deals on SHEEX!
By Brad Walker
Goal setting seems easy enough, but I see people over and over again struggle on how to set realistic goals. The most common problem…they shoot too high. Yes too high, and this is coming from a guy who jumps as high as the average house for a living and who claims his next goal is the world record.
Setting clear attainable goals keeps me focused, determined, and satisfied. There are many people in my sport who talk about the world record, yet haven’t even jumped 19′ which is a far cry from 20 feet 2 inches (the current world record). Setting the bar unattainably high at any given time makes it feel like more of a dream. If a goal seems so far out of reach it can become less motivating because of the mountain of work you know you must accomplish to come anywhere close to it.
While not everyone is shooting for the world record, many people set high goals for themselves regarding either losing weight or getting into better shape. Many people believe that they need to make a super drastic lifestyle change: change my diet, no more junk food, no more beer, no more sleeping in, get up early and go to the gym before work, eat salads for every meal, etc. etc. What happens? It becomes a mountain of work that is so drastic from your daily life, it lasts for a week and nothing sticks. Time to set some new goals, ones that are easily attainable, and satisfying.
Here are three health goals Brad uses to stay on track that will help you achieve better health and your personal goals too!
Goal #1. MAKE….IT….FUN. You can get exercise by playing ball, hiking, kayaking, swimming, playing volleyball, cross country skiing or a million other things. Don’t get up an hour before an already dreadful alarm and try to pump out weights before breakfast. Enjoy what you choose to do. I try to get people who are short on time to wake up to their morning coffee on an exercise bike for 15 minutes. It will not only stimulate your metabolism for the rest of the day, it will even make your coffee more efficient. And don’t think it isn’t enough, 15 minutes of exercise is better than 0 min of exercise. Remember, small attainable goals.
Goal #2. Want to change your diet? Stick to unprocessed foods. If it comes in a box, and has words you can’t pronounce, put it down. Stick to the outside edge of the grocery store and pick up fruits, veggies, and meats. If that’s too hard, just do that for a couple of days in a row. Two pieces of advice for the non cook: one, spend as much money as you would for an entire knife block, on one good chefs knife. You won’t regret it. Two, buy a veggie steamer and a rice cooker. They are “do-it-yourselfers”–put in your food, push a button, out comes perfectly cooked fresh food with minimal effort and cleanup.
Goal #3. Sleep more! We’ve all seen the studies about how the average person is sleeping less and less. All sorts of good things happen while we are deep asleep and recovery is at it’s absolute highest. Good hormones are being pumped out to deal with the days stress and rejuvenate us for the next morning and countless other body processes. Get comfortable. There is no better way to do that then with SHEEX which help regulate an optimal body temperature for sleep! I am very serious about how nice it is to jump into a cozy, comfortable bed to end the night, and SHEEX does it better than any other bedding I have tried. It really does make a difference. Finally, my last piece of advice, if you have to wake up to an alarm, make it a peaceful one. Over Christmas I overheard my dads alarm (the ridiculously aggressive nuclear bomb alarm on the iPhone) and almost jumped out of bed swinging!! Lets keep the stress and dread of that awful wake-up to a minimum.
Guest Blog: SHEEX Sleep Ambassador Mirinda “Rinny” Carfrae
SHEEX Sleep Ambassador Mirinda “Rinny” Carfrae is the 2010 Ironman World Champion and is currently training and racing in preparation to regain her crown in Kona this fall.
The last few weeks have been pretty significant! For one, I got a nice win under my belt with a victory at Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens–just the kind of result I like to see prior to starting a solid Kona (Ironman World Championships) build up, but an even better treat awaited me on my mid-season break. TO (Tim O’Donnell) and I stayed in Big Sur for a holiday week following the race, where he proposed! Needless to say, we’re both super excited! Of course, beyond soaking in the celebrations during our week off, we haven’t had much time for wedding planning, as we’re now back to work and fully immersed in Ironman prep. With nine weeks to go, training definitely takes the top spot on my priority list for now! But it is pretty cool looking down at my hands on the bike and seeing a shiny ring. Kona Ironman Championships are October 13.
SHEEX at the 2012 Blogher Conference
5000 women bloggers + a handful of top notch celebrity appearances + over 20 sessions on every type of blogging possible
= 3 days and nights of non-stop fun!
Fortunately, SHEEX was there to provide a little rest, relaxation and escape from the madness. Through our partnership with Zeo, we invited bloggers to “Take control of your sleep” by slipping into our bed and trying out some sleep solutions. All sorts of bloggers got snuggled up in SHEEX, from Shannon who blogs about deals and discounts, to Courtney who blogs about raising a family in NY.
On the last day we even convinced our first and only man we saw (a rare breed at BlogHer) to jump into the SHEEX. And I mean Chris literally jumped in and knocked-over the delicately stylzed curtains, but it was so worth it to get this photo.
There were also some unforgettable celebrity appearances… We started off the conference with a big bang as President Obama addressed the entire banquet hall via live video feed.
The next two days were highlighted by keynote speakers Martha Stewart and Katie Couric.
Even the Expo halls were crawling with familiar faces.
The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, famous Food Network chef and avid blogger, gushed, giggled (and even sang a little) over her profound love of Land o Lakes’ new butter innovation: butter with olive oil and sea salt. I am not ashamed to say that I tried multiple samples of it on pasta and it is undeniably delicious!
BlogHer2012 was a huge success and wonderful opportunity to raise awareness among thousands of women (and a few men) that great sleep is achievable if you only know where to look.
The digital version of the conference can be found at
http://www.blogher.com/node/478218/virtual-conference?from=hp
My Intern Story: Marketing Intern Brittany Mitchell
Brittany- Marketing Intern
I never thought I would end up doing an internship in Irmo, South Carolina. I’m not really into small cities as evident by the fact that I spent most of my childhood trying to get out of Nashville because it was too small. For my last internship I moved to the heart of Paris for 7 months and couldn’t have felt more at home. So when both Marty and Anthony (fellow IMBAs at the Moore School of Business) talked to me about interning at SHEEX I was vehemently opposed to any city too small to have a subway system–no less a town that I’d never even heard of. But here I am in Irmo, South Carolina.
What sold the internship at SHEEX to me was the combination of smart, dynamic people and a very unique product that has so much potential from a marketing perspective. I am fascinated by the thought and creativity that goes into growing a luxury brand. When I first looked at the SHEEX website, packaging, advertising and PR, I thought, this company isn’t selling sheets, they are selling a lifestyle, which is something I want to stand behind. Marty and Anthony explained to me the history of the company and the technology behind the product and how important functionality is to the brand. Co-CEOs Susan and Michelle are even more interesting than their backgrounds as star players and award-winning coaches suggest. It also doesn’t hurt that Michelle and I share the same Alma Mater… Go VOLS! From the beginning everything about the company seemed unconventional which sparked my interest even more. After a 20 minute interview with Susan I was sold. I spent the rest of the week explaining to friends and family why staying in South Carolina over the summer actually made more sense than doing anything else.
After only a few months my responsibilities include copywriting, collaborating with the CMO and other agencies on marketing campaigns, product and market research, branding strategy and community management. I also have responsibilities as the intern manager which include recruiting new interns, managing the current intern project list and building relationships with USC to do client-based project work in certain classes. Despite all my past internships and work experiences, SHEEX is by far the most interesting, fun and challenging experience I’ve had so far. Who would have guessed that a big city girl could have such a good time and grow professionally in cute, little Irmo, SC!
SHEEX Athlete Spotlight: Lawrence Siegel
SHEEX Sleep Ambassador Lawrence Siegel is a mixed martial arts fighter who specializes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He earned a coveted Purple Belt this weekend, which is regarded as highly as a Black Belt in other martial arts. In this guest blog post, Lawrence shares some unique insights into his typical training and work day and how SHEEX Performance Sheets help him maximize his performance.
It’s annoying to wake up to my alarm at 7 AM but it definitely gets my attention, it’s the starting pistol to my day. I work from 9-5 to start the daily countdown until my 20-mile drive to workout at Gracie Barra Orlando Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. To some it might seem like the highway to hell but it is what I call a motivational drive. This drive entails dealing with the twists and turns of my work day and the stress that comes with it, matched with the mental preparation of what’s about to come – a game of human chess and survival. Trying to flip the switch from my corporate day job to an evening of training. I grab my gear and head to the locker room to dress out. On the menu for today: two hours of warm-ups, technique drilling, specific training and full-on grappling. An amazing appetizer to what has become a regiment and part of my everyday life.
“Two-plus hours of that? And you’re not tired?”
“I’m not done for the day yet. I’m going to lift afterwards and then call it a night.”
“Do you ever sleep?”
“Funny you should ask!”
And so the output for the evening continues: five miles with an altitude mask, followed by plyometrics and then a medium weight load of two muscle groups. What will tomorrow bring? More of the same, however there is always one constant in the equation…
It all starts with a great night’s sleep and I could sleep even longer if it wasn’t for that annoying sound at 7 AM.
SHEEX are like nothing I have ever experienced before. If you are an athlete and you’ve used a product that you swear by then you’ll understand. My theory is that as an athlete my body temperature runs warmer than most people. Most athletes want to stay warm but also stay dry at the same time so they wear fabrics that wick moisture and absorb water like rash guards or compression shirts. The science behind SHEEX makes sense. SHEEX keep me cool when I need it most – while I rest. Since I started using SHEEX Performance Sheets I’ve noticed significantly deeper sleep. I feel more rested and more alert throughout the day. The bonus is how soft they feel, and it has become something I cannot live without. I sleep like a champion and that makes me feel like one.
Train hard, sleep deep, repeat—any questions?
Steve Fisher Blog: Musings on the Loss of Sarah Burke and Steve’s Final Competition
As a professional snowboarder, I know the risks, fame, glamour and heartache of an athlete’s life. Recently my friend Sarah Burke passed away in a freak ski accident. We weren’t close friends, but I am honored to know her personally. We met a few years ago when the Dew Tour launched their winter tour. Sarah and I were on PR duty as athlete representatives to promote the amazing new series for freestyle snowboarding and skiing. This was the first time our paths had actually crossed as professional snow sport athletes. Immediately, she was someone I got along with and wanted to maintain a friendship with.
Since Sarah and I were in different disciplines, we didn’t get to see each other too often throughout the winter, but we did have a few events and training camps. She was always someone who made me, and everyone around her, smile and laugh. I don’t think I need to comment on her amazing athletic ability, because there are countess articles touching on that. I just wanted to say, out loud, what an amazing human the world lost on January 19th. Winter, and the world, will never be the same without such a bright light in Sarah. My heart goes out to her husband and family. Love to Sarah!
Moving on now, I’m heading out to Winter X Games this week to compete in my (I think) final event of my career as a pro snowboarder. This is a bittersweet time for me obviously. I am happy to compete in the X Games for my 10th appearance, however it makes me a little sad to know that this is going to be my last professional event. Recently, I started to work for an advertising agency in Denver – Amélie Company. I sought them out because of my desire to transition away from competitive snowboarding to my next step in the professional world. They are a small, yet amazingly talented agency. I must say, the people at Amélie have been great at making my transition easy! Now, with a lot less practice than usual, I’m headed out to Aspen to compete in my final event. I hope I don’t disappoint! Thanks to everyone who’s been kind enough to support me over the years. I most appreciate my fans! Now get the best night of sleep you’ve ever had with SHEEX! Fisher OUT.
Guest Post: Triathlete Mirinda Carfrae Returns from Kona
We are proud to be associated with some fantastic athletes, and Mirinda Carfrae is truly an amazing one. The 2010 Ironman World Champion, Mirinda recently returned from this year’s competition in Kona, Hawaii, and was generous enough to file this report.
Learn more about Mirinda at SHEEX.com.
I’m excited to be writing my first guest blog post for SHEEX, as it certainly won’t be my last. Just home from the Ironman World Championships in Kona, I’ve wrapped up my season and am home nestled in Boulder. It’s always a bit of a shock coming home after a few weeks in hot and humid Kona to a cold and sometimes snowy Colorado, but it’s the perfect start to an off-season.
It usually takes me about a week to unpack the bike but I do unpack my SHEEX right away – and get them on the bed! If I can travel with my bike, race wheels and what feels like a million other things that I need for a triathlon, then the SHEEX better be traveling too! I love having a little bit of home with me in Kona and my SHEEX help keep me cool with the hot and humid weather.
Ironman Kona was a success and a great end to the season. I finished 2nd female overall and clocked my best time ever while setting a new course record for the run. For those of you who have never seen an Ironman race before on TV or live – it’s really an amazing test of will. Although I finish early in the day, my most memorable moments of the event are going back to the finish line late at night when the course is about to close at midnight (competitors are allotted 17 hours to complete an Ironman) and the last finishers are coming in. The crowds at the finish line come to life as they cheer, dance and cry for the last competitors to be able to label themselves as Ironman finishers. It’s incredible to be involved in an event that is just as special for the top pro athletes as it is for the last finisher who has been on the course all day, and all night. (Meanwhile, I’ve raced, recovered, showered, eaten, rested, eaten again, etc.)
I’m still convinced that the some of the last competitors to cross the line hold out to be the very last to cross that finish line for their 15 minutes of fame, and I don’t blame them! That last finisher is greeted with what feels like more energy and excitement than the first finisher! If you have a chance, tune in to the NBC broadcast of this year’s Ironman Kona, scheduled for early December.
As for my relationship with SHEEX, I love keeping tabs on Susan and Michelle and look forward to seeing the crew very soon. I’ll be hosting a SHEEX Twitter party NEXT WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH AT 4PM Pacific/7PM Eastern. I’ll be online for an hour talking training, racing, fun stuff and answering questions that you guys might want to ask. I’ll also host a couple SHEEX giveaways so be sure to join in. We’ll use the hashtag #rinnychat.
Until then I will practice my game of H-O-R-S-E. I might only be 5’3” but I look forward to getting back to my basketball moves and talking ‘training’ with the girls.
Thank you SHEEX for supporting my racing and enhancing my sleep. It’s all about recovery now.
Guest Post: Pro Golfer Becky Morgan Checks In
SHEEX Sleep Ambassador Becky Morgan is back with another update on her globetrotting golf lifestyle. (Check out her great post from last week.) Thanks Becky for these great reports!
Hello again!
Welcome to the second installment of “Where in the World are Becky and her SLEEP•SAX”! We are off on our travels again, this time heading to Asia for three weeks. I’m currently at 39,000 feet somewhere between London and Taipei, on a 14-hour flight.
I spent last week in the U.K. seeing my family and getting a few lessons from my coach, Renton Doig. I also got to spend some time with my twin sister and her two kids, which was a lot of fun. It’s fair to say they have me wrapped around their little fingers. And that includes my sister! I also got to see my grandfather, who introduced my sister and I to the game of golf when we were 12. His memory isn’t quite what it used to be, but he enjoys hearing my golf tales from around the world.
The next three weeks, I get to play in Taiwan, China and Japan. Three more countries for my SHEEX SLEEP•SAX to visit! I haven’t been to Taiwan since 2001, so I’m looking forward to visiting the country again. Then on to China for a Ladies European Tour event, and finally Japan for another LPGA tournament. I’m thinking about trying to work out how many miles I have flown this year, but I may wait to do that till my flight home from Japan. I’m sure Michelle and Susan have me beat though, with all the miles they seem to have flown this last year! Women’s golf is certainly getting very global, so I guess it is fortunate that I like to travel.
I’m hoping for a successful few weeks, so I should probably try and get some rest now. Between my SLEEP•SAX and my SHEEX travel pillow, I’m feeling pretty confident about sleeping the rest of the way to Taiwan! I will let you all know how everything goes.
~ Becky
Guest Post: Pro Golfer Becky Morgan
We’re excited to introduce the first in a series of periodic guest posts here on the blog. Becky Morgan is a pro golfer and SHEEX Sleep Ambassador who has played all over the world and knows a thing or two about the importance of resting up for optimal performance. We’re thrilled to have Becky on the SHEEX team and just as excited and thankful that she agreed to share her thoughts about golfing, travel and SHEEX!
Hi everyone,
I’ve just returned to the U.K. from Italy. Sicily, to be precise. Quick geography lesson: it is the island at the southern tip of Italy. And as a geography/geology major in college, I should probably know that! The week before that I had the fortune of playing in a tournament just outside Paris, on a great golf course called Paris International. The Ladies European Tour certainly gets to visit some great places. I played quite well at both events, with a 10th place finish in Paris and 13th in Sicily. However, I think the best part of the trip was seeing Mount Etna erupt, while walking the fairways!
My view of Mt. Etna erupting in Italy
I truly have been quite the international traveler this year, and since June my SHEEX SLEEP•SAX has been with me every step of the way. As I joked on Twitter recently, I almost feel like I should name it! With all the time zones I get to visit, it is certainly important for me to sleep well, and my SLEEP•SAX has certainly helped me achieve that. I’m a pretty fussy person when it comes to hotel beds and bed sheets, so having consistency every place I go has made a massive difference. With the long days of practice and playing on tour, it is great to come back to my room and be comfortable when I sleep. The SLEEP•SAX has become an essential travel accessory for me.
I head to Asia for three weeks on Sunday, but have certainly enjoyed having this week off to spend some time with my family. Be back soon.
~ Becky
