#2: Demystifying adaptogens

Welcome to our second issue! And to all of our new subscribers, we’re so happy you’re here.

In today’s issue:

• Professional trail runner Dylan Bowman shares his favorite health products

• The eat, sleep, move, and recovery articles we’re reading this week

• Apothékary founder Shizu Okusa simplifies adaptogens

• Plus, more from TRX, Oiselle, Bandit, Vivobarefoot and other top brands

Dive Into: Oiselle 🏃‍♀️

In one sentence: Oiselle is a women’s running company designing apparel by women for women. 

Company mission: To introduce more people to running and the power of community, and to make sure more women have access to the resources needed to feel comfortable running.

The core customer: Oiselle is an inclusive brand creating products “for all paces, all ages, all faces, all places,” Knutson said, and so their apparel offerings are designed with all performance milestones in mind, whether it’s placing in a marathon or simply getting out the door. 

The bigger picture: It’s clear there’s a desire from runners of all paces and backgrounds to find local, approachable communities. It’s why we’ve seen such an explosion in more inclusive running clubs over the last few years. Oiselle is tapping into that appetite and taking it a step further by not only making those communities accessible, but giving runners the products and tools needed to run without intimidation. 

“Finding access to that through individuals, through athletes, through brands that support that in-real life connection is just game-changing in your ability to see a path for yourself in sport,” Knutson said. “And that changes the future.”

Go deeper: Watch our interview with Oiselle CEO Ariel Knutson here. 

Eat, Sleep, Move, Recover

Here’s what our team is reading this week:

EAT: Less junk food. While it may sound like an obvious health tip, new research suggests the more ultra-processed foods you eat, the more you crave them. Basically, it’s a vicious, high-fat, super sugary cycle that feeds itself and doesn’t just affect your body, but also your brain. (Read here)

SLEEP: A little better after losing an hour. Daylight saving time sprung our clocks forward over the weekend, and a neurology and pediatrics professor says this could be “a jolt to the system.” If you also felt your sleep slightly deteriorate with the shift, experts recommend avoiding afternoon caffeine and naps, spending time in the sunlight, and sticking to your bedtime routines to adjust. (Read here)

MOVE: 9,000 to 10,500 steps a day if your job keeps you sitting all day long. That’s the sweet spot, according to new research published by the American Heart Association, for staying healthy even if you’re stuck at a desk for a chunk of the day. (Read here)

RECOVER: With a no-buy month. This is mostly for your wallet and your mental health, since online shopping can be addictive and be an easy dopamine fix if you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, according to experts. You can also add a little friction to the “retail therapy” process by unsaving your credit card information and sleeping on non-essential buys. (Read here)

Health Stack: Dylan Bowman 🏃

Welcome to our Health Stack series, where founders, operators, and experts share their favorite products, supplements, gear, apps, and routines…

This week, we’re joined by Dylan Bowman — the Leader and Co-Founder of online trail-running community Freetrail.

A lifelong fan of sports media and a longtime professional trail runner, Dylan married his passions with Freetrail to elevate the content and conversation in the world’s fastest-growing outdoor sport.

Here’s Dylan’s Health Stack:

Garmin Enduro 2: “This watch is ideal in so many ways. First, the battery life is incredible. I did a race in July that took 30hrs and only drained 50% of the battery. The mapping functionality is also amazing. During long summer adventures in the mountains, I'll upload a route to the watch and have turn-by-turn directions through unfamiliar terrain. Super important for safety and peace of mind.”

Ketone IQ: “This was the biggest game changer product for me in 2023. A very interesting new phenomenon, ketone supplementation is the wave of the future for performance on the race course and in the workplace. I use this product everyday for both applications. Steady energy and a deeper well of mental and physical stamina when I'm training and during my long days in the office.”

• Speeland GS:OAK: “The latest footwear offering from hyper-performance trail brand Speedland is the best yet. As someone who has been competing professionally for 15 years, this is the shoe I've always dreamed about.”

• Freetrail Community: “The Freetrail community is an amazing hivemind of information, knowledge, and accountability. I've learned so much and developed amazing friendships with so many like minded people around the world.”

• Manduka PROLite Long & Wilde Yoga Mat: “As an aging pro athlete with a lot of miles on the odometer, I felt the need to invest in a new mat, if only to incentivize myself to spend more time getting properly limber before and after my training sessions. It’s heavy and plush and has the palpable feeling of quality.”

Check out Dylan’s full Health Stack here.

Demystifying Adaptogens with Shizu Okusa 🍄

Shizu Okusa ditched Wall Street for a more balanced lifestyle, centered on herbalism and her Japanese roots.

Going all in, she founded Apothékary, a wellness brand offering plant-powered herbs and tinctures as natural remedies, to address the root cause of many health issues.

We recently chatted with Shizu to cut through the noise of the adaptogen market. 

Okay so, what exactly is an adaptogen? Shizu says they are essentially a class of herbs “that help to adapt to your stress levels.” Ashwagandha is one of the most common adaptogens on the market right now, along with Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Ginseng. 

What’s a simple way someone could adopt adaptogens into their lifestyle? Shizu recommends adding them to existing diets and routines, like putting some in your protein shake, smoothie, or morning coffee. You can even use a tincture to put adaptogens right under your tongue or in your water. “The easiest thing is not having to create a new habit.” 

A common myth or misconception: It comes down to knowing which products actually contain adaptogens. 

“I think some people have tried to just commercialize the crap out of every plant there is. And by saying it's an adaptogen, you almost get a higher price point. So I would just be very, very thoughtful and conscious about exactly where you're buying it and making sure you're getting the proper education around what is an adaptogen.”

Go deeper: Learn more about the world of adaptogens here. 

Add To Wishlist: TRX HexGrip Medicine Ball 🏐

• Functional training brand TRX is all about radically simple design, and its new HexGrip Medicine Ball uses hex nodes for a no-slip, strong grip (Shop here)

A few more drops:

• Plant-based remedy brand Apothékary dropped a new tincture, Your Wildest Greens, which, as the name suggests, is packed with nutrient-dense green herbs like nettle leaf, chlorella, spirulina, and lemon verbena (Shop here)

• Bandit Running’s spring 2024 collection is as stylish as it is practical, with items like a racing crop fit featuring side and back pockets for your phone and running gels (Shop here)

• Vivobarefoot makes minimalist shoes to mimic the feeling of going barefoot (read: wide, thin, flexible), and its new Primus Asana III style is for “weekend wanders, post-yoga strolls, and day-to-day barefoot play” (Shop here: Womens, Mens)

• There’s yet another functional soda on the market, and this one’s from Health-Ade’s new SunSip collection: A prebiotic root beer (Shop here)

Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Ash Read and Melanie Ehrenkranz.

P.S. We’d love to hear from you! Send us your favorite gear, personal health stack, or feedback on the newsletter.