This week on Where the Beach Gets Fit, I’m joined by John Malbon, a local running enthusiast who’s turned his life around through the power of consistency, discipline, and community.

He has battled ups and downs but has found his stride by showing up for himself. Through running and the support of the North End Run Club, John demonstrates how showing up every day can lead to monumental personal growth.

In this episode, we talk about the role of fitness as a metaphor for life, the importance of community in achieving goals, and the transformational power of discipline and sobriety. You’ll also hear practical tips on staying motivated and building consistency in your routine.

Hit play now and discover how you can start your journey toward a better you—one step at a time.

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

John Malbon’s definition of fitness (01:34)

John’s initial experience with the North End Run Club (6:06)

Role of consistency and lifestyle changes in transformation (11:21)

Overcoming struggles with addiction and finding clarity (14:25)

Switching to a vegan diet and its health benefits (20:20)

Upcoming marathon plans and goals for 2024 (21:29)

The mental and emotional benefits of fitness (26:31)

Advice on getting started and staying consistent (28:40)

Additional Resources

John’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_malbon/

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Sign up Your Child for the GRIT Youth Athletics Program this Winter: https://wareingsgym.com/grit-relaunch/

Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect:

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

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Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Ever felt like you could use a little extra oomph? You know, that mental toughness to push through challenges? Well, it turns out the gym might be the secret ingredient.

In today's episode, we chat about the role of the gym in shaping resilience and confidence. Jake Wareing talks to youth coach Despina Titsis, who shares her story from a youth athlete to a gym member and into a coach and mentor.

Despina has seen how fitness strengthens bodies and also builds confidence. The community-centered approach at Wareing supports growth both inside and outside the gym.

Jake and Despina also discuss Wareing's Grit program - aimed at instilling persistence in youth athletes.

The program provides young members with life skills through structured training. Tune in to learn how fitness provides opportunities for growth.

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

Despina’s initial reluctance and transition to coaching (02:45)

How the gym helps Despina with life struggles (06:46)

Importance of emotional resilience in fitness (10:29)

Despina’s passion for the gym’s supportive environment (15:46)

Despina’s definition of "grit" and persistence (16:13)

Launching the youth "Grit" program for athletes (20:12)

Despina’s coaching approach with young athletes (21:49)

Benefits of youth programs for confidence and fitness (24:04)

Wrap-up and call to action (24:59)

Additional Resources

Despina’s Instagram: despinaamalia_

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Sign up Your Child for the GRIT Youth Athletics Program this Winter: https://wareingsgym.com/grit-relaunch/

Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect:

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

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Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Stuck in old habits and seeking a healthier lifestyle but not sure where to start?

Join Jake Wareing as he chats with Rachel King, a fitness enthusiast and sobriety coach. Rachel is a long-time member of Wareing's Gym and has turned her passion for health into a mission to empower others.

When she made the courageous decision to get sober, she found the deeper meaning and purpose behind her fitness routine.

Rachel shares her experience with taking fitness as a lifestyle, as well as tackling addiction before hitting rock bottom, and how she found strength in the community. Jake and Rachel discuss societal norms around alcohol and why the choice to quit often feels like a radical one.

Listen to the full episode to hear her thoughts on the power of fitness and sobriety.

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

Rachel’s history with sports and fitness (01:35)

Rachel discusses her recent journey to sobriety (08:22)

Addressing the societal stigma around sobriety (10:42)

Rachel explains the mental and physical benefits of sobriety (14:39)

Rachel’s aspirations to pursue a career in sobriety coaching (19:31)

Rachel’s goal to shift societal views on alcohol (24:30)

Defining fitness as a lifestyle choice (27:49)

The importance of community support in sobriety (36:16)

Overcoming perfectionism in personal growth and fitness (39:19)

Additional Resources

Rachel King’s Instagram: @k1ngrachel

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect:

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

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Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

In this episode, Jake sits down with LG Shaw, who’s been a huge part of the surf and business world here in Virginia Beach. We talk about everything from the evolution of WRV (Wave Riding Vehicles) and the surf culture to how the Vibe District became such a vibrant community hub.

LG shares some amazing stories about how surfing isn't just a sport - it’s also a way to boost your mental health, and it's even being used as therapy for kids with autism.

We also get into why preserving green spaces and parks is so important for a city like ours, especially as we keep growing. From personal fitness to building better neighborhoods, this episode is all about how we can create a more connected and healthy Virginia Beach.

LG Shaw is running for Virginia Beach City Council District 5 to continue serving the city.

Click play and dive into the conversation!

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

Introduction of LG Shaw and his background (01:26)

The growth of the Vibe District in Virginia Beach (05:02)

Surfing as a therapeutic activity for mental health (10:58)

The value of parks and green spaces for fitness (12:24)

Virginia Beach’s unique position as a large city with a small-town feel (22:41)

The challenges in education and public health (27:47)

The connection between food, exercise, and mental health (34:13)

Satisfaction in public service and connecting with the community (37:59)

Additional Resources

LG Shaw Campaign Website: https://www.lgshawforvb.com/

LG Shaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgshawforvb

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect:

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

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Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

In this episode of Where the Beach Gets Fit, we sit down with Janel McGowan, a fitness professional and coach at Wareing's Gym with over 20 years of experience in the industry.

Janel shares how fitness became a core part of her life, from her upbringing to her current role as a coach and mother.

Janel highlights the concept of "injury resilience," advocating for strength and recovery rather than avoiding injuries altogether. She also shares how she's passing down her fitness values to her children and mentoring the next generation of athletes through her coaching program.

Janel also gives us a sneak peek into the relaunch of GRIT - a youth athlete program designed to instill lifelong fitness habits in children.

Tune in to hear more about building lifelong fitness habits, embracing strength training, and the essential role of grit and persistence.

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

Defining fitness and its role in living a full life (02:27)

Janel’s fitness journey from childhood (06:20)

Balancing life, family, and fitness (09:04)

The distinction between strength training and bodybuilding (15:10)

Strength training is the key to longevity (16:20)

Injury resilience: learning to recover stronger (18:28)

Relaunch of the youth athlete program, GRIT (25:56)

Additional Resources

Connect with Janel McGowan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janelmcgowan

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect:

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

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Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

In this episode, Jake Wareing chats with longtime coach and family member Jesse Wareing about how discipline and accountability are the foundation for building strong, confident children.

Jesse shares his personal journey of finding purpose through working at Wareing’s Gym and how connecting with kids in the gym helped him realize the importance of effort, consistency, and relationships.

Jesse talks about his coaching philosophy, including how accountability builds trust and confidence, the importance of connecting with parents, and how life’s truths can be found in the stories we tell, whether through mythology or professional wrestling.

Tune in to discover the secrets to building accountability and confidence in young people.

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

The One-Armed Judo story (04:20)

Jesse Wareing's journey and coaching philosophy (10:08)

The Importance of accountability and confidence (18:44)

Jesse Wareing's Childhood (20:52)

Confidence is built through accountability and faith (23:27)

The Role of consistency and effort in achieving goals (38:19)

The Grit Youth Athlete program (40:13)

Additional Resources

Connect with Jesse Wareing:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessewareing/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesse.wareing/

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect:

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

—

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

What happens when a professional athlete’s career is paused by severe injuries?

In this episode, Jake talks with Danielle Hart.

Danielle grew up in Wareing's Gym. Earned a national title in Volleyball. Now, after several setbacks, she has to find her strength from within to find new wins.

Danielle dives into her time at Wisconsin, her achievements in volleyball, and the heartbreak of stepping away from a sport she loves due to injury. She shares unique insights about managing mental health, the importance of strong support systems, and finding strength in small wins.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, mental fortitude, and redefining success.

Whether you're recovering from an injury or chasing your fitness goals, this episode will leave you with practical takeaways.

Click now to listen and learn from Danny’s incredible story of resilience!

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

Danielle’s history with Wareing's Gym and volleyball beginnings (01:44)

Winning a national championship at Wisconsin (03:57)

Transition to professional volleyball and national team (06:02)

First concussion during Athletes Unlimited season (10:56)

Symptoms and struggles with post-concussion syndrome (14:10)

Diagnosis of POTS and its impact on daily life (19:25)

Finding support and sharing experiences with other athletes (22:47)

Exploring various treatments and therapies for recovery (26:19)

The decision to take a year off from professional volleyball (29:56)

Importance of mental strength in high-level athletics (33:28)

Additional Resources

Connect with Danielle Hart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielllehart/?hl=en

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect:

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

—

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Have you ever walked by a mural that made you stop, think, or even smile? Art has the power to move us, but few people realize the depth of work that goes into creating public art that speaks to our hearts and minds.

In our latest episode, I sat down with Seth Lubaton, a local Virginia Beach muralist who's not just painting walls but transforming them into tools for community connection and mental health advocacy. Seth's work with NAMI on the "You Are Not Alone" mural has brought comfort and conversation to countless people, proving that art can do so much more than beautify a space.

What I loved most about Seth's story is his resilience and the grit it took to get to where he is today. From quitting a secure job to facing physical setbacks, he's overcome personal and professional challenges to make a lasting impact on his community.

He shares his strategies for staying motivated, dealing with setbacks, and maintaining a positive mindset. He also opens up about the challenges of prioritizing self-care as he gets older and why it's so important to take care of your physical and mental health.

Tune in now to hear Seth's story and discover how you can bring more resilience and creativity into your life.

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

Seth's journey into becoming a professional muralist (04:57)

Discussion on the impact of Seth's "You Are Not Alone" mural (11:54)

Seth talks about his relationship with his father (18:11)

Conversation about NAMI and mental health awareness (22:25)

The importance of consistency in achieving goals (27:42)

Discussion on physiology driving psychology (32:20)

Insights on ultra-runners and mental toughness (35:57)

Where to find Seth and his work (39:23)

Additional Resources

Check out Seth Lubaton’s work:

Website: https://lubatonmurals.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubatonmurals/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seth.lubaton

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect:

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

—

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.