Paula Sabbagha: Hi and welcome to the chat TCG podcast. I am Paula Sabbagha, a financial advisor on the TCG and associates team at UBS Financial Services in Columbia, South Carolina. I can be reached at (803) 873-9828. Today on the podcast, we're joined by Lori Lapin, owner of Strong Foundations Gym in Columbia, South Carolina. She is not affiliated with UBS Financial Services and her views are her own. Paula Sabbagha: All right. Good afternoon Lori. Lori Lapin: Hi. How are you? Paula Sabbagha: Good. Thank you for being here for the podcast. I'm so excited to have you with us. Lori Lapin: This is going to be great. Thank you for having me. Paula Sabbagha: Absolutely. So you felt such a strong presence here in Columbia with your gym and your fitness industry. So how has your journey led you here, where you are now? Lori Lapin: Gosh, you know, it really kind of all started when I was. I mean, not that I remember this, but my mom and I discuss this all the time that I when I was little, I used to hate to go outside and I know. Paula Sabbagha: I find that hard to believe. Lori Lapin: Shocking. I hated to go outside and I always complained and whined that my feet hurt. And so my mom, who hurt her back in the very early years picking me up out of a swing, was instructed by her orthopedic surgeon back then, which was, what, 54 years ago? And she had to walk four miles every day. Oh, wow.
Lori Lapin: And so she would do an incremental throughout whenever she could fit it in. And so I from early on, it was just what we did. We just she would put me in the stroller or I would walk and she would just like, make me get out of my stroller and walk. And so people literally would stop us and go, do you know, back then people weren't walking like that for fitness Lori Lapin: So they would stop us and say, demanding a ride. They thought we were like, you know, didn't have a car, right? And we're like, no, no, no, we're just out here getting getting movement. And I really think that started. It was always just a part of my life movement. And so I think that, I realized taking that negative into a positive, like how I felt and my legs hurt and my mom just, like, kept pushing me through it, and it always just was instilled in me how important movement was. Paula Sabbagha: I had no idea. Yeah. Great story. Lori Lapin: Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: So if someone were writing about the early chapters of your story, in addition to to that story you just told, what else would they have to include in your early chapters of Getting Started? Lori Lapin: I did everything. It wasn't one thing. I mean, I dabbled into the in the early part of my career. You know, I really knew when I went to the University of Georgia, a major in exercise science back then. I always say back then because it was a long time. I've been doing this for 40 years, but, you know, exercise science and a lot of the health related degrees weren't even.
Lori Lapin: I mean, I could have been a PE teacher, you know, really seriously. So I really knew that I wanted to. I didn't know exactly what it was called, but I wanted to go into corporations and go into and do wellness. I wanted to get people fit. Early on, I just knew. And so I think when I did that and got out of college and I was doing a lot of wellness, a lot of stuff that I've kind of evolved how I am now. Lori Lapin: But in the early years, I was doing a lot of kids fitness and athletic birthday parties for kids, and I would do. I was doing everything. So, I don't know, it just started at a young age and I just kind of knew. I just wanted to. Paula Sabbagha: Keep. Lori Lapin: Moving, keep moving. Right. Paula Sabbagha: That's awesome. My son right now wants a soccer birthday party, so. Lori Lapin: I used to do. Paula Sabbagha: Those. Yeah, within the goals. Like little stations. Yeah. I mean. Lori Lapin: I'm telling you, I keep thinking. I want to get back to that. I'm like, wait, Laura. No, you do not need to do that now. Yeah, but it is so fun. Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: What is a defining moment? Thinking back on your career or personal life that changed your direction? Lori Lapin: When I was 35, I just had my third son and I one day was perfectly fine, and the next day I went to get him out of my crib, his crib, my crib, his crib, and I couldn't pick him up. And oh no, I didn't. I didn't know right then to long time to get diagnosed. But I got rheumatoid arthritis now.
Lori Lapin: And so here I am, 35 years old, very healthy, you know, very fit obviously. But just like six weeks postpartum, it came on like so quick. And I think that was like getting something like that, realizing, you know what, I always thought I was living a healthy lifestyle, which I really was in retrospect. I mean, autoimmune is very back then or when I got it, I thought it was such an old person's disease. Lori Lapin: Right. But to understanding it and realizing my age that I got it, and being a female, even in athletic female, was very, very common. And so, it kind of really shaped a lot of how I moved and moved forward in my business personally and professionally. Right. So I've really been able to help a lot of people with autoimmune disease and. Lori Lapin: Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: Sharing your story. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, they're not the only one. Lori Lapin: Right. Right, right. Paula Sabbagha: I know over your career you've probably had a lot of mentors and special people that have helped you in different ways. Who are some of your favorite mentors that have shaped your approach. And then how do you pay that forward today? Lori Lapin: I think my big mentor, of course, is personal because it was my dad. He was such a huge source in my life as far as work ethic was so incredibly supportive. And so when I went to him and wanting to start my own business and open up my own gym, he of course was very forthcoming and gave me the money and it wasn't a bar, it wasn't to give.
Lori Lapin: It was like borrowed. And I paid every penny back and he took every penny. Wow. But I think he was big because I think in this field or in, you know, I've seen just being a female in business or really being having that consistently long term success, it's more than just, you know, there's a lot of great professionals in my industry, but I think the consistency and, you know, having the passion. Lori Lapin: So I knew I had the passion and I knew what I wanted to do, and I had the support and I never, ever thought I can do it. Paula Sabbagha: So how do you pay that forward today? Do you have younger women at the gym? Lori Lapin: Yeah, I do, I do. You know, I wish there was more younger people getting into this field. I think it's a wonderful field to be in. I think it's very rewarding. You can help a lot of people and financially wise. I mean, like anything, you know, you can make a good living, but it's it takes years to build a book and it takes years, you know? Lori Lapin: I think you get better as time goes on because just more experience. Right. And I think having we have my company, we just have hired a couple new young trainers coming in. They're males. We do have two females and they and they love it. And some of them are athletes in school or they've always they were collegiate, you know, athletes or just plain high school. Lori Lapin: And they really coming in is the same passion for movement and helping others.
Paula Sabbagha: That's wonderful. Yeah, I can see that your your passion for keeping fit and sharing that with other people, like the little things that they can do. Yeah. Lori Lapin: Yeah, I love that. Paula Sabbagha: And you're really known for someone who moves the needle in our community. So what drives that passion? I know you shared a little bit about your mom's influence at a young age. But still, what keeps you going now? With the passion. Lori Lapin: You know, is forever changing. We're always changing. You know what I used to do and what my body used to do. Just not physically. Mentally. And I think it's really important for people to see it's not just one way to, you know, if you want to age gracefully, everyone's going to age. But I feel like there's so many things in it, really. Lori Lapin: Your lifestyle really dictates how you're going to live your life. And so I think by always motivating and, and, and, and being creative with my work and, and kind of thinking outside the box because there's a lot of places to go for fitness. I mean, yeah, there are a lot of not just in Colombia but all over. But the key is being consistent with it and having that accountability. Lori Lapin: You know, as a coach, that's where the true success comes, I believe, with your, you know, and the relationship you have with your clients. Paula Sabbagha: Right. Lori Lapin: Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: That's great. It to me, it reminds me of younger people thinking they don't need to save for retirement because I'll do that when I'm older. And to me, like being healthy or having these activities like eating healthy. Well, I'll do that when I'm older, but it all stems from when you're young and make the absolutely.
Lori Lapin: And I tell people I'm like, you know what? Even like, it's not what you say as a parent, it's what they see. And ironically, I mean, I raised three active. They played soccer full time. But you know what? My boys even and they're all in their 20s now. And there were years I was like, oh my gosh, I'm not I didn't make a difference. Lori Lapin: I can't I go and just do their own thing. They usually eat before they come home. You know, that kind of thing. And I think that what I have found is I laid the foundation down early, and I think parents need to understand that it's a process, but it's what they see in the household. And, you know, it amazes me, I think that not I try to tell my younger people that come in, it's not just the workout you do at the gym, it's really teaching them skills, so they have tools to help them long term for their whole life because it's a discipline not just, you know, working out to so you can eat Lori Lapin: more or working out. There's so many things there mentally, physically it helps with just stay in focus. It's especially for young kids who have, attention deficit disorder. I mean, there's so many things. So I think that, I don't know, I it's just got to be a lifestyle. Yeah, it's got to be part of your lifestyle. Paula Sabbagha: And I think I saw something you posted about what's a habit that you take with you? Or I love that when you're kind of traveling or not doing your normal routine. Yeah. Things that you can do a little no matter where you are.
Lori Lapin: And I always tell people it's it's the small things that add up. So, you know, people are so hard on themselves and they feel like, well, if I don't go to the gym for an hour, I forget it. I don't have time. So a little goes a long way, right? Making little subtle changes have really meant big results, you know? Lori Lapin: So I think changing your mindset, having the right mindset about it. But when you really look at it as like, you know, I want to wake up and have energy, I want to be pain free and I want to wait. How we you know, another thing I say is what you're doing in your decade that you're in, you're setting yourself up for the next decade. Lori Lapin: So it's cumulative. Paula Sabbagha: That's so true, you know. Right. So you've been here in Columbia your whole life, right? Lori Lapin: I really have I did leave for I went to university in Georgia and I left for college. And then after college I moved to Atlanta and got right into the fitness business. So I've really only been back to Columbia for the last 28 years. Okay. Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: So what do you love about our Columbia community? Lori Lapin: You know, I never thought I would end up here, I really didn't, I mean, but I will tell you that having been a business owner and the connections, it's a family. I think the family unit, I think that living in a smaller type community, I always feel like if you can have the means to go experience life and travel and do other things, it's a wonderful home base. Lori Lapin: It's been a great place to raise. Not my, my kids and I mean, I love my clients, I love I love the people. I think it's a community, right? Yeah. It's a, it's a, it's a if you embrace it, you know, it's a suitcase city. So people are in and out, in and out. But I think that's great.
Lori Lapin: I think that you can go and experience and it's it's affordable. Paula Sabbagha: Right. And the fact that we have the university and Fort Jackson, I feel like even though we are a smaller city, that kind of gives it a bigger city feel. Oh yeah. We've got. Lori Lapin: Oh yeah. Well, there's a lot of diversity, there's a lot of diversity. And I think that it's always going to it's only getting better and changing it, you know, and also feel like it's what you put into it. You know I think when you travel now and when you go to these really hectic and life is hectic, I mean, traveling is not what it used to be. Paula Sabbagha: No. Lori Lapin: So sometimes I'm like, I thank God I have my home base that keeps me grounded and keeps me sane. But then you can experience. Paula Sabbagha: Yeah, I saw I just went to Miami and getting through the airport, getting transportation to the hotel, then to a concert. Like by the time you get there, you mean that's been a workout? Lori Lapin: I know I always say like, man, you really have to stay in shape to travel. Paula Sabbagha: You do. But it's so nice to come home and I agree, Columbia is a great place to come home to. Yeah. Do you feel like you can. Yeah. Like rest. Lori Lapin: Exactly. Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: Well, I know you travel a lot with, some causes that are very close to your heart. So can you share a little bit about that? Lori Lapin: Yeah. I turn a lot of my causes into, well, things are usually associated with some kind of movement. And fitness, but, about six years ago, maybe seven years ago, someone brought to my attention about this organization called Cure Search. It's called the Ultimate high. And they basically told me this because it's it's hiking and I'm an avid hiker. Lori Lapin: But then more I looked into it. It is one of the greatest things I've done in my career. So basically we raise funds for childhood cancer, but more so than just childhood cancer, the treatments that these kids get and these trials are so crucial and you don't really think about all that when you. But a lot of kids, most of the kids get the same medications and the treatments that adults get.
Lori Lapin: And that's why there's so many side effects. So this organization's national and we hike all over the country. So part of it is that I was able to early on form teams through my business. So I've taken a lot of people on these hikes and they're all anywhere from 20 to 25 miles. And you do it in one day and we train. Lori Lapin: You know, I laugh because I'm like, God, I've gotten so many friends from this. But, I've lost a lot of friends. They don't come back. They're like, I. Paula Sabbagha: Am much. Lori Lapin: Over. Yeah, but it's been wonderful. And, we've raised a lot of money and a lot of really great things are happening, so it's wonderful. Paula Sabbagha: I know one of the ones you just went to, I believe was out West. Lori Lapin: Yeah. I just took a team out to while in Jackson Hole. And then last June that we just came back from Mira Woods up in San Francisco, which was beautiful. And that was a really successful hike. It was great. Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: That's amazing. Yeah, I love that. So if you had your way and you could wave your magic wand and change one thing about how people engage with the community, what would it be? Lori Lapin: Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: Let's say in a perfect world. Lori Lapin: I feel like there needs to be more access in our community. I am an advocate. I think that the community at whole is we need to, as a city to implement and get businesses involved with wellness, get wellness back in the workforce. I started doing that, you know, almost 40 years ago in the early part of my career, getting back into it businesses, people are so overworked. Lori Lapin: It's something that's kind of on the back burner, right? You know, preventative medicine is really challenging because it doesn't make any money. But we need to keep people healthy and the camaraderie and just how people feel overall in the workforce. Right. I would love to see a citywide walking program. I would also think getting the restaurants involved and getting the chefs involved to creating healthy menus and really educating people, you know, about what they're eating, not just making, you know, just options.
Paula Sabbagha: Not just because you have a salad. Lori Lapin: No, no, no. Right. But understanding about the foods that we eat. Paula Sabbagha: I know you and I have talked about having like after work walks like on Main Street or see how to get other businesses and. Lori Lapin: Absolutely. And it needs to be a priority. I've done a lot of, stuff in the last several years with businesses and, and doing some lunch and learns and, and and they're all they go over really, really well. The awareness and their employees are very open to it. But the owners of these businesses, the, you know, human resource people need to to really see, you know, it's a needed thing. Lori Lapin: It's it's really needed. Paula Sabbagha: Right. And I know there's different programs like, you get certain benefits if you get well checks for your you get discounts on insurance. And those things work to a degree. But it's not creating the daily movement. Lori Lapin: Right? I think it's the camaraderie within the workforce. And, I think you can't take away stress and people's, you know, even like single moms who go home and they have no time. I feel for that because, but if they had that support system in the workforce, I think it, it would be really great for them. Lori Lapin: Yeah, yeah. Paula Sabbagha: A perfect world. Yeah, we can try to get there. Okay. So thinking about wellness and kind of eating healthy. What first sparked your passion for eating healthy? And wellness. Was there a turning point or an moment, during your life?
Lori Lapin: You know, it's funny, I was really always in my mom, in my household. My mother, was way ahead of her time, back in the 70s. Paula Sabbagha: I can see. Lori Lapin: That. Yeah, yeah. And she we did actually macrobiotics, which was. Put it this way. No one traded lunch with me at school in the early years, and I was the one with the brown bread, whole wheat bread. But back then, it was no. And eight like that. I mean, you just it was just the, the time, you know, but my mom was always really ahead of her, of her time and, and so we always had a really healthy household and, and we ate a lot of movement. Lori Lapin: You know, it kind of started, like I said, at the very beginning with my mom hurting her back. So she had to walk every day. Right? So I think that, it was kind of instilled in me that it was just our norm. It didn't mean that we couldn't have the treats and have fun stuff. Right? But in at home, she was pretty rigid and strict. Lori Lapin: Right. And so, and it didn't make me want to, you know, go crazy. Paula Sabbagha: Go eat brownies. Lori Lapin: No, no, no. Now, my three boys, they probably read about it in everyone's household in the neighborhood. But, overall, I mean, you know, it instilled that. And I just knew early on that movement was such a part of my life. I knew what it did for me. I knew how I felt, and I just was so passionate about that. Lori Lapin: I want other people to feel as good as I feel. Paula Sabbagha: When there's something to it. If you're feeling bad or down and you get out and go sweat and do something movement wise, you can't really feel sad while you're doing that.
Lori Lapin: It's, you. Paula Sabbagha: Know, it's a good thing to do. Lori Lapin: Is funny. I'll share a little piece. Yesterday I was feeling that way. I was it was Monday. I was very tired. The heat really got to me and I was I felt a headache coming on. I didn't really need to get any more movement because, you know, I move all day long, right? So I was like, man, I'm think I'm just going to either lie down on the sofa. Lori Lapin: And this was like around 430 in the afternoon, 5:00, or I'm just going to put on my earbuds and go for a little walk. Not a hard walk, but just listen to podcast. And that's what I chose to do. And I felt like a different person. Wow. My headache went away. I just I wasn't walking hard, but I got outside. Lori Lapin: So that's a wonderful little tip. And and it doesn't have to be long, right? You know what I'm saying. Paula Sabbagha: Yeah. Or even here, if you're in an office building, just, you know, go outside for a few minutes, kind of walk Lori Lapin: Yeah. You guys got a lot of steps and, you know, I would be walking up and down this. Paula Sabbagha: That's true. But yeah, it's it's crazy how the mental aspect and physical go hand in hand. Lori Lapin: It does. Yeah. Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: So thinking about all these years that you've been involved in wellness and fitness, how is your personal definition of wellness evolved over the years? Lori Lapin: You know I think I've gotten a lot more balance with it. And as I'm aging myself, I realize the importance of it's not one thing that makes a program successful. I feel that I have implemented so much more mobility and flexibility in my routine. I've always been a yoga person, but even taking it to another level, I've implemented so much of that with my clients. Lori Lapin: Doesn't matter how good a shape I'm in, you know, cardiovascular wise. So there's there's so many pieces that make make me personally and make a body move properly. Right. I think that being consistent with that balance is really made a big, big difference. And I find that most of my clients speaking to most of my clients, I mean, I know they come to me consistently, but they have in that round, you know, the full, complete program, not just the movement piece, but I'm doing a lot of nutrition now and just helping people.
Lori Lapin: Women are going backwards. They're right. They're over exercising, they're under eating. And you know, there's a lot of things up against our industry now with, you know, shot, shot, easy way out. And I will I don't go against I never tell people to do it or not because I'm not a physician. Right. But I will say when you do it the right way and have that sustainability with it, you know, you just always going to you can never go wrong eating whole food, nutrition and just movement. Lori Lapin: It doesn't mean that you have to kill yourself in the gym to get the right. Paula Sabbagha: So and usually things worth doing, you know, take time and the shortcuts are usually not the same as doing the full routine. Lori Lapin: Yeah, yeah. And love everything takes work. I mean I tell people, look, you take the time to, you know, people, grown adults do what they want to do. At the end of the day, you're going to do what you're going to want to do. But that's why I'm very realistic and say, you know what? A little goes a long way. Lori Lapin: If you can make one little change in your habit and over time it will become a habit, right? You know? Paula Sabbagha: Yeah, it's. Lori Lapin: A positive habit. Paula Sabbagha: Right. So speaking of habits, how do you keep eating? Well, on the go. As a real, real life habit, not just what you see on Instagram, but, like, eating well on the go. So how do you make sure, no matter what's in your schedule, that you can do that?
Lori Lapin: Look, it's a priority. I don't I don't run out of the house in the morning without thinking about my nutrition for the day. You know, you're not going to start your day without taking your heart medication. If you have heart disease or you're, you know, if you have diabetes, you're going to do your insulin shot. Why are you going to leave the house and not even think about your nutrition for the day? Lori Lapin: That's because you're nutrition fuels you and, always have food around, like, I, I mean, and I do work in a place where I have a refrigerator and I can make smoothies and, you know, it's easy, but in people like, even if you're in sales and you're in the car in and out of the car, you have a little cooler and you pack, you know, I, I definitely prioritize my protein, right? Lori Lapin: I always think about my hydration and then fiber, you know. So that's going to so whether you have like hard boiled eggs or an easy thing for me, I do you know, some nuts and seeds and, but I have to watch all that because just to have a bag of almonds in your car, it's endless to how many you can eat. Lori Lapin: You have to be mindful of what you're. Paula Sabbagha: Doing, the whole thing. Lori Lapin: But I do think, you know, fresh fruit, you know, there's so many different things. A lot of times I'll make a smoothie. Even in the morning I'll put in my Yeti cup. It stays cold. Oh, and I don't think so much like it has to be perfect. I half the time I eat, I could never I could never sell it because of the presentation of it. Lori Lapin: But it's got protein, it's got good carbs, it's got good fats. It's very well balanced. Right. And so I, I look at things. So I'm not having those dips all day long and those cravings right.
Paula Sabbagha: Yeah I've read different things and listen to podcasts on protein. Like that's the craze now. So how much protein should you have? Some, you know, some say your body weight in pounds. Lori Lapin: I mean that's typically but it also depends on what your needs are and your age. And if you know hormonal situation and how much you're in the gym lifting weight, you know, if you're just, you know, there should least be anywhere from point 5 to 1.5 grams per body, 1 pound of body weight. But it just depends. I mean, you know, me personally, I try to get 100 minimum 100g a day. Lori Lapin: 120 I can easily have because I am very consistent about weight training. Right. So really it depends on what your goals are. But if once I start doing feed logs with clients and they start writing down what they actually are eating in a day, it's shocking to see how little protein and fiber most of my females are getting. Paula Sabbagha: All right. What are some easy ways like for the person on the go? Like things that you can have in your car or protein powders like. Lori Lapin: Well, I think, you know, it's funny, I do I, I put protein powder in a little baggie and I will just do it in a shaker. It's not ideal. It's not delicious. But it it'll give me a good 25g of protein and that'll hold me. And that, you know, gives me energy and and I need it. So, you know, I do chance I do some, you know, beef sticks or turkey sticks. Lori Lapin: Like I said, hard boiled eggs. I mean, I know you gotta have, you know, refrigeration even just. Gosh, I mean, I'm mindful about a lot of packaged foods, you know, processed foods. So even some nut butters with a piece of fruit. Right? It is a good alternative. You know, it doesn't have to be where you're eating a steak or you're eating a healthy chicken, because that gets real old, you know? Lori Lapin: Right. So it's just combinations of stuff, right? Paula Sabbagha: Right. That's great. Those are good tips. So thinking about your daily routine, what are a few non-negotiables no matter how busy you get? I know you mentioned hydration.
Lori Lapin: Yeah. But movement daily. I think that, you know, even a little goes a long way. So if you work in an office and there's a lot of steps, instead of taking the elevator, take some steps or while, you know, park further from wherever you're going to get extra steps, you know, it's cumulative. So, you know, it may be where, you know, wake up five minutes earlier and just do some breathing exercises and some stretches. Lori Lapin: There's always little ways you can get it in. Right. We have to kind of get away from this mindset. It's like all or none. If I don't have 45 minutes, then it's not worth it because it is worth it. And if you do set a lot, you need to be getting up throughout the day moving in your office, right? Paula Sabbagha: Just like the standing desk. Lori Lapin: Absolutely. So isn't that like a big difference? I'm seeing a lot of posture issues. Sitting is crushing people. And, but you're talking to someone who moves all day long, so I need to sit down like I need to. I'm looking for a sedentary activity for myself because I need. And I'm I'm joking about. I'm saying it like it's funny, but my point is, I get it. Lori Lapin: I don't work in an office where I sit all day. But there are it's a mindset. You have to get in the right mindset and it doesn't have to be a lot. Right. And then when you do have time on the weekends, you need to take advantage of it. And and those might be the days that you can go longer. Lori Lapin: Right. Paula Sabbagha: And get a little bit more. Lori Lapin: Get a little bit more. Paula Sabbagha: In. Right. And the watch like the Apple Watch I held off on getting one for so long, but I really love it now, just for several things. But it tells you, you know, you should stay and you've been sitting. Yeah, it's a little reminder those little reminders really do you make. Lori Lapin: And there's so many things now that we have for trackers. Yeah. So I think I tell people, you know, set a goal for yourself. I mean, I don't really know where that 10,000 steps came from because it's just so random. But I mean, the studies are showing now that it's 7000 is like that number of really seeing changes in your health as far as, like, you know, diabetes, right.
Lori Lapin: And regulating blood sugar. And then for cognitive, I just read a study actually a couple of days ago because it was like everyone's like, I gotta get 10,000. I gotta it didn't mean anything over. As far as fitness, I'm not talking about weight loss. I'm talking about cardiovascular fitness and just overall preventing disease. 7000 is kind of that spot, right? Lori Lapin: Whether you do more. But, you know, for someone who sits all day, that's like, doesn't seem attainable. But if you are realistic and set a goal for yourself and you just, you know, over time and it's cumulative so it doesn't have to be done all day. But I tell you, those trackers are really great, because if you do sit all day and you think, oh, because I have clients say, oh yeah, but I move all day long, I'm like, that's different than being at a gym and intentionally working out, you know what I'm saying. Paula Sabbagha: Is. Lori Lapin: Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: And then looking at those cumulative numbers like your average for the last six months. Yeah. That's really. Yeah. Telling. Yeah. Lori Lapin: Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: So important so we're talking about all these great tips. And people can get overwhelmed so easily. So how do you present to your clients how to make wellness realistic? With people that have full plates, literally and figuratively, because everyone's busy nowadays.
Lori Lapin: Yeah. I think that, setting realistic expectations for yourself, I think that a lot of people have these wonderful ideas of or even what they used to could do. And you need to be realistic where you are in your life if you are a single parent or if you work full time or you know or are working through an injury, there's still if you're working through an injury, you might it's a, you know, could just be a short term thing, but you really need to pay more attention to your nutrition because you're move that. Lori Lapin: You're not gonna be able to move as much. You know. So I think, setting realistic expectations for yourself and, and not beat yourself up. So always go back to a little goes a long way. You know, doing as simple as like I said, you know, instead of parking right by the door of where you're going parked further. Lori Lapin: So you get some more step right, you know. Paula Sabbagha: Because if you beat yourself up for the day, then you've kind of given up on the whole day. Yeah. Since do the. Lori Lapin: Little you can't go backwards, right? Go for today was a really busy day. You know, whatever, whatever. And even if you do get down on a mat and do some breathing exercises and some stretches, you're getting blood flow and you're starting to feel better, right? Paula Sabbagha: That's so important. What's a wellness myth or misconception that you'd love to debunk? Lori Lapin: I would have to say. I would have to say more is always better. That's not true. Is this mentality that's happening now that you people feel like if they're not killing themselves, then they're not accomplishing anything, and that's not always the case, right? You know, I, I. Paula Sabbagha: Feel like having so much social media in your face all day, you're comparing yourself and you know, if you didn't do that big workout, you don't feel like it's worthy. Lori Lapin: Right? Paula Sabbagha: So I think that has a lot to do with it. Lori Lapin: And I think, it's more important to have sustainable and more of a balance in your program than just being that weekend warrior where you're just like killing yourself on the weekend, you know? Because overtraining is, is not going to get you further. It's just, you know, there's extremes. So look, I've, I've done it. I mean, people probably.
Lori Lapin: Oh, yeah. Right. Laura, you're one to talk. I'm just a person that loves to do a lot of different things. So, I might, from someone's perspective, might go, well, she's always moving and working out. That's just who I am, right? I'm always going to be moving and working out, but I'm talking about the intensity of what you're doing and having that varied program where you're not going to get injured because longevity and wellness is understanding and really knowing what you need and and meeting yourself at that stage. Lori Lapin: You know what I'm saying, right? Paula Sabbagha: And it changes. Lori Lapin: Like it changes constantly. Paula Sabbagha: Right. Can you share a time with us when your commitment to wellness helped you through a stressful period? Lori Lapin: Yeah. Lori Lapin: During that time when I was diagnosed with RA really was very, very hard, not only physically, because it was, I felt terrible and I couldn't really hardly move. Right. Which is shocking because, you know, I think back and I'm like, how did I get through that? And I got through it because I decided and this is goes to anybody who has autoimmune or who has a chronic disease or who, you know, has been in the accident, I mean, applies to anyone because you're talking about someone who was running marathons before. Lori Lapin: I mean, I had my baby Jack was six weeks old, and then you go and you can't even pick him up. I couldn't even extend my arm out straight. And I thought I would never be able to do a push up again. But what I think. Not only physically, I knew I had a good base and I was going to be okay, and I
was going to work through it, but I felt like my community and my, you know, my business and just the support from others helped me get through it. Lori Lapin: Right. And so I think that, it's really hard when you're going through something challenging and you have to shift or go to plan B with, and you always envision or you know, how you used to move. And I knew I would get through it. And I never let that I never let it define me. You know, I just I just didn't even like RA. Lori Lapin: That's for all. Paula Sabbagha: That's right. Lori Lapin: So it was shocking to me. But you know what, I shifted. That's when I got my certification to teach mat Pilates. Really? Because there's a lot of things I couldn't do. So I, I, you know, I pivoted. Yeah. And it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me because, it really helped me as a, as a trainer and to help others and to be more compassionate in the sense were like, you know what, you need to slow down. Lori Lapin: Your body's talking to you, you know. Paula Sabbagha: That kind of thing, and you can still accomplish your goals, but maybe in a different way. So during that. Lori Lapin: Time. Absolutely. Paula Sabbagha: Yeah. A great life skill. Lori Lapin: Yeah. Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: So as a final question, if your body could leave you a thank you note, what would it say. Lori Lapin: You know when I got this from you I was like I love that, I. Paula Sabbagha: Know. Lori Lapin: I am. This is, this is really fun. So I'm going to say Dear Lori, thank you for showing up day after day, year after year, with a full purpose and a belief in the power of movement, health and healing. You have spent 40 years helping others believe in themselves and guiding them towards a better quality of life. Thank you for not giving up. Lori Lapin: Staying curious, excited and compassionate over ego. Thank you God for my gift. Paula Sabbagha: Oh that's precious. Lori Lapin: So am I. Had to put that in a card and send it to myself. I think.
Paula Sabbagha: You should. And maybe put it in a frame in your gym. Lori Lapin: Yeah, exactly. Paula Sabbagha: What a great question too, for, your clients. Lori Lapin: You know what? Just as much as I. I give a lot, but I receive so much. Yeah. And, for someone who's been in this field for so long, and I'm, I'm a I'm very consistent. Even been, you know, pretty much only at 1 or 2 places, you know, training. But, I get so much I can be in the worse mood or not. Lori Lapin: I get in horrible moods, but, like, I could just come in my gym and be like. And I'll walk in with the doors, and it's like something clicked, right? And the light bulb goes off. And then I realized why I'm doing this. I'm doing it. I'm but not just me helping my people help me so much. Right. Lori Lapin: So I think is the connection and the camaraderie and the support. And, I love to see people challenging themselves get excited about how they feel. You know, someone who's never thought they could do certain things. And then I love the, just the consistency throughout of everything. What what a health and fitness journey is all about. Paula Sabbagha: That's beautiful. Lori Lapin: Yeah. Paula Sabbagha: Well, thank you for sharing your experience. That's great. You've helped so many people and we'll help so many more, I'm sure. So where can we find you if if someone wants to learn more about your services and how you can help? Lori Lapin: Well, actually, I am moving my gym. I have, outgrown my space. I'm over 3135 for a strap right now, but I am redoing a building moving over on Carlisle Street off of Millwood. Oh yeah, and we're going to be doubling our space. And the beauty of what I have now, I have five trainers and we, do so many things.
Lori Lapin: I mean, all stages, all ages. So we work, you know, with small group training, one on one. We do a lot of mobility, post rehab, a lot of really great stuff. We've been able to help all demographics of life. So my Instagram is strong lowercase foundation. SC I'm around. You can find me. Paula Sabbagha: Very exciting. Thank you again for joining. Lori Lapin: So much for having me.
Disclaimer: This podcast is presented for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice or the basis for making any investment decisions. It does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any specific product or service. UBS does not provide legal or tax advice, and we would recommend listeners to obtain appropriate, independent professional advice. Disclaimer: Some of the views and opinions expressed may not be those of UBS Group AG or its affiliates. UBS Financial Services, Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC Registered investment advisor, and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC registered broker dealer. These services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways, and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. Disclaimer: It is important that you understand the ways in which we conduct business, and that you carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review quality relationship summary provided at ubs.com/relationship summary UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG and is a member of Finra and SIPC.