What is it that makes it so challenging to peel oneself off the couch and workout? Who are these crazies who jump out of bed at 5 a.m. and run in the cold, crepuscular morning hours? Or who get in a power hike after work when the rest of us want nothing more than to go home and veg. What powers these people, and how do we bottle it? It seems like it should be enough to merely want to exercise—to want to look better; to want a more toned body; to want to control high blood pressure or diabetes; to want to be healthier. But, as anyone who has chosen the couch over the treadmill can attest, wanting... Read More

If you ask five people why they participate in outdoorsy activities, you’re likely to get five different answers. They might have similarities—health consciousness, a love of nature—but the real thrust of their recreation is unique. Boulder, of course, is known for the opportunities afforded its athletically inclined residents and visitors. If you’re into running, biking, skiing, or any other verbs-turned-pastimes, this city and its surroundings are your huckleberry. For me, one thing connects these activities: conquering. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s everywhere. Anyone who participates... Read More

For me, the morning is the most important part of my day. I like to wake up early, around 5:00 or 6:00, to enjoy the sunrise and peacefulness the morning has to offer. This time sets my mind and body for the rest of the day, so I try to make it as productive and beneficial to get it started on good vibes. However, I wake up daily to one of my cats crawling all over me and meowing in my face until I get out of bed. He really likes his snacks and to be let outside on the deck to watch the birds. I then start the coffee and consume cannabis. I suffer from idiopathic epilepsy with grand mal seizures,... Read More

  “Eat less, move more” is a mantra I’ve heard and advice I’ve given many times over the years.  While both calorie intake and physical activity are important factors in weight loss, which one is more important? Physiologically speaking, weight loss and gain revolve around the concept of calories in, calories out. In a nutshell, we lose weight when we eat fewer calories than we expend. Conversely, we gain weight when we eat more calories than we expend. Many of us have been advised to add physical activity to our weight loss plan to increase our calorie burn and improve... Read More

Whether you are from out-of-town planning a trip to beautiful Boulder County, you have family and friends coming into town, or you are a native, protecting yourself from altitude sickness is a must! Here are five tips to avoid getting sick while enjoying Colorado’s beautiful outdoors. Get Acclimated. If you live at a lower altitude, it is best to avoid strenuous activity the first day or two after you arrive. Your body needs time to get used to the oxygen deficiency that comes with the higher altitude. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Because of Colorado’s arid climate, you are more likely to get... Read More

A recent article in the journal The Conversation, asked the question “Is walking enough exercise?”  Four out of five experts said yes. The one expert who said no, qualified his response by saying that walking is better than no exercise at all. He goes on to point out that, ideally, strength training and higher intensity exercise is ideal for good health. While strength training and higher intensity exercise along with moderate exercise is the ideal situation for many, the National Runners’ Health Study found that moderate-intensity walking and vigorous-intensity running resulted in similar... Read More

Earlier this week, I had the honor of presenting “Cannabinoids for Fitness” at the Cannabis Science Conference East in Baltimore, MD. The Cannabis Science Conference is the world’s largest and most technical cannabis science expo. It pulls together cannabis industry experts, instrument manufacturers, testing labs, research scientists, medical practitioners, policy makers, and interested novices with the goal of improving cannabis science. It was an incredible educational conference and I’m proud to share some of our presentation data with you today! Research is showing that cannabinoids... Read More

An Ebio major by day, slam dunk champion by night. Meet Mak, my neighbor and current SlamJampalooza winner. Mak moved to Colorado from Alaska to attend CU Boulder and hone his mini-hoop skills. Every opportunity he gets, Mak travels around the world to scuba dive and fish. If you were to ask Mak how he would describe himself, he would say he’s a mix between Shaq and Aquaman. An opportunist by nature, there is no doubt Mak helps make Boulder the intriguing place we can all call home. Thanks Makane!  Read More

“Running clears my head and is a great way for me to relieve stress. I try to get out every day for either physical or mental reasons. I love it because it gives me a freedom unlike anything else. I can zone out completely or focus on certain issues and work it out in my head. Most importantly, beer tastes that much better after a solid run.” Thanks for the insight Josh!  Read More

There is no perfect diet for everyone, in spite of what you might have heard.  It seems the human body can adapt to almost any diet and survive, even thrive!  Consider the diet of the Inuit, the people indigenous to polar locations such as Siberia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. Theirs is a mostly meat diet, and yet they are a hardy population who consume few to no vegetables in their diet. In the US, experts recommend a diet largely focused on healthy grains, fruits and vegetables.  Most Americans don’t get the recommended 5 servings per day, and even fewer eat the 5-9 servings that is considered... Read More

I am a sponsored trail runner and personal trainer and I incorporate cannabis in my daily training routine.  Specifically, I consume either flower, concentrates or edibles before hitting the gym, trails or yoga sessions.  I also apply topicals to achy joints, such as my knees and shoulders and consume hemp foods throughout the day. Cannabis is a powerful anti inflammatory, and when consumed before a training session, allows me to focus mentally. This helps me maintain longer training sessions. My husband, Antonio DeRose, also uses cannabis as a part of his daily health and fitness routine. We’ve... Read More

Chances are you have a furry member of your family. All mammals have an ednocannabinoid system to help maintain balance within the body and optimize proper functions.  Your furry friend can provide perks to your overall health and wellness too. This is probably one of the reasons 68 percent of all households in 2017 within the United States own pets.  Playing with animals, especially puppies, has been shown to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are the hormones that make you feel good. When the hormones are released, it helps reduce stress levels and can help improve memory and... Read More

More and more cannabis companies are beginning to see the value of sponsoring athletes. By promoting cannabis as part of a healthy and active lifestyle, it does more than give your brand association with health and fitness. It also helps to disprove the age-old stereotype that people who consume cannabis are lazy, which helps to change the perception of cannabis, and will lead to further legalization. Below I’ve collected five cannabis brands sponsoring athletes that aren’t in any particular order. Each one is a company I feel is supporting athletes and assisting in the overall positive cultural... Read More

If you’re a running enthusiast in Boulder County you’ve probably heard about the Bolder Boulder 10k run. It’s the third largest road race in the United States and was recently named the best 10K by Runner’s World. There’s usually thousands of spectators, thousands of runners, random entertainment like slip n’ slides and music, outrageous running costumes, and it all starts this Monday on May 29th. The race first started in 1979 as a Memorial Day Tribute that still continues today. The fastest time for the 6.2 mile race occurred in 1995, with a man named Josephat Machuka, who ran it... Read More

Between work, practice, and competitions, some of which you have to travel for, all while taking care of family life at home, it can be difficult to find time for nutritious whole food meals when you’re always on the go. The easiest way to solve this issue is by doing some simple meal prepping, which is what we’re going to talk about today. After reading this you’ll walk away with a few easy strategies that will not only save you time in the kitchen, but your mind and body will thank you for providing it with the natural medicine of whole foods. By incorporating natural whole foods into... Read More

As a Cannabis Athlete and someone who believes health is wealth, I’m consistently looking at my nutritional intake and hemp seeds are one of the most nutritious seeds in the world. My friend and professional MMA fighter, Adam Meredith, also consumes hemp as one of his primary protein sources. They are a complete protein and contain all of the essential amino acids our bodies need to survive, including the 10 we must get from our diet. They are also packed full of vitamins, enzymes, and have a perfect ratio of essential fats omega 3 and 6. Hemp seeds are easily digestible and have no known allergens.... Read More

Exercise can seem daunting, exhausting or downright impossible if you are busy…and who isn’t busy? Time and gym access are the two biggest excuses Americans cite for not working out.  Research conducted at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, suggests that taking the stairs 30 minutes a week can give our body adequate exercise for good health. Stair climbing is a rigorous activity and previous research has found climbing stairs can burn calories two to three times faster than just walking. In the McMaster study, 17 healthy men, average age 64, were asked to walk, lift weights, and climb... Read More

When it comes to cannabis products there is a lot to discuss. Options and availability are growing across the world and the number of canna-curious and new users are increasing rapidly. With so many different products it can be overwhelming to understand which product may be best for you. For millions of years, people and animals have been equipped with their own endocannabinoid system that regulates countless functions for overall health and wellness within the body. We have been designed to receive essential cannabinoids for centuries. This is why supplying our bodies with the essential compounds... Read More

The Athlete PEACE Survey studying cannabis and athletes has been completed, and the results have just been published! The survey, titled The Cannabis use in active athletes: Behaviors related to subjective effects, was conducted and published by Joanna Zeiger, PhD, who is also a World Champion and Olympic Triathlete. Last summer I had the opportunity to speak in Denver on the Women, Fitness and Cannabis panel for Ellementa, a global Women’s Network focused on health, wellness, and cannabis with Zeiger. She discussed how she used cannabis to help her manage chronic pain symptoms and help her get... Read More

Hemp fibers are strong and can be grown without herbicides or pesticides, making it an environmentally friendly material. It also takes 3 times less water than cotton and cleans and replenishes soil. This makes natural hemp-made products better for people, animals, and the environment. More and more people are becoming conscious of how they impact the world and are voting for the world they want with their dollars. With so many consumers choosing products with more ecofriendly practices, companies are replacing plastics and other materials with hemp. There are so many ways you can incorporate hemp... Read More