In this episode the special guest is Andy Neal. Andy is a life long friend who grew up in middle Tennessee and recently moved to Knoxville. After the move, he accepted a position in sales and consulting, which gave him an opportunity to leave the machinist job he had been doing for years. About a year ago, he was motivated by a family member and decided to change his life by starting a drastic weight loss journey. There have been obstacles and challenges, but also a lot of grit and determination. He has had the support of his amazing wife, Rachel, throughout it all. In October, she threw out the idea that they should run a half marathon. She had run several, but this would be Andy's first half. They began training on a mix of running and cross fit exercises and built up to a level that had him ready to run. In April of 2024, Andy conquered the Oak Barrel Half Marathon course in his hometown of Lynchburg, TN with a time of 2:41 and completed the goal set forth just a few months prior. It truly was an inspirational and emotional moment as he crossed the finish. He stated that it was the hardest thing that he had ever done... but he did it! I hope you find this podcast episode motivational and uplifting. Please follow the On PACE Podcast... Leave a Rating and Review... and Share the podcast.

In this episode we discuss traveling as a family and ways to stay ahead of your vacation.

1. Don’t over plan!!!
2. Your kid doesn’t care about the things you care about. Mini golf, resort pool, etc
3. Have plenty of snacks (especially to a theme park or beach). Don’t get HANGRY
4. Lower stress levels - take a walk, CBD gummies and/or Ashwaganda, AirPods or noise cancelling devices (cone of silence). Try to not major on little stuff. In the words of Elsa… LET IT GO!
5. Eat places that you can’t get at home (more of a rule) - caveat Chickfila is an exception and sometimes you just need a good fried chicken sandwich or salad
6. Use a travel planner for Disney and/or your first time somewhere
7. Grocery Delivery (walmart/publix/kroger/door dash/instacart) to your destination. We did this to Disney.
8. Have a pull behind cart if you plan to haul more than a little to the beach 😂
9. After checking in for Southwest… stay on the app and wait for upgrade option. Paid $40 to upgrade from c10 to a1
10. AirTags are great for sliding in your bags to track your luggage. Or bracelets for kids that slide AirTags into them

Links:
Air Tags (4 pack)
Air Tag Keychain
Air Tag Bracelet
Camelbak

In this episode we talk about the ways of staying active during a busy life. It happens to the best of us. We plan to get any activity or workout in, but then the day gets away from us. Whether the day never lets up, or it just feels like "what's the point now" it doesn't get done for the rest of the day. Use the points in this episode to help fit in your fitness and time for you.

When you're busy, it's essential to find creative ways to stay active. Here are some strategies:

1. **Break it Down:** Fit in short bursts of activity throughout your day, even if it's just 10 minutes at a time.
2. **Maximize Efficiency:** Choose workouts that give you the most bang for your buck, like HIIT or circuit training.
3. **Prioritize Activities:** Identify activities that you enjoy and that give you the most benefit, then prioritize them in your schedule.
4. **Incorporate Movement:** Look for opportunities to move more during your daily tasks, like pacing while on phone calls or doing squats while waiting for food to cook.
5. **Schedule Workouts:** Treat exercise as non-negotiable appointments in your calendar to ensure they happen.
6. **Be Flexible:** Don't get discouraged if your routine gets disrupted. Be flexible and find alternative ways to stay active.
7. **Use Technology:** Utilize fitness apps or online workout videos for quick and convenient exercise sessions.
8. **Combine Activities:** Incorporate physical activity into activities you already do, like walking meetings or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
9. **Delegate and Share Responsibilities:** Delegate tasks when possible to free up time for exercise, and share responsibilities with family or colleagues to lighten your load.
10. **Stay Consistent:** Consistency is key. Even small, consistent efforts can add up to significant benefits over time.