Hey ShopStyle Collective! You are a very special and exclusive community, so we are always striving to help support you as a brand! We started doing Blogger Spotlights to showcase our unique members and hilight their blogs so you can learn a little more about them as fellow bloggers. Today I’d love to introduce you to Suzanne from Agent Athletica.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Suzanne, and I have a spandex problem. Haha, no really,it’s not a problem. 😉 Anyway, I’m a 20-something who spent most of her life in Virginia before recently moving to the obscure mountain town of Flagstaff, AZ. (Yes, there are mountains in Arizona. It’s not all desert, really.) I’m a fitness junkie who really likes anything with heavy barbells. I’ve also come to love the outdoors; I love traipsing around trails looking ridiculously overdressed amidst a sea of brown, ill-fitting hiking pants. My other love is science. By day, I work as a biochemist in the medical device industry, and I studied neurobiology in graduate school. Basically, I’m very confusing to people who try to stereotype me by my appearance. Fashion lady does science. Tiny lady does weightlifting. Froufrou activewear lady hikes 18 miles. You get the idea.
When did you start blogging and what made you want to start a blog?
I started my blog in April 2014. I was actually unemployed at the time, and blogging about one of my interests was an engaging, gratifying way to fill my time. From there, it blew up! In retrospect, it was truly the best thing I could’ve done with my time, even though most people in my life were frankly a bit judgmental about it at the time. Even though I’ve since gone back to a full-time job in my field, I really love blogging and I can’t imagine giving it up.
With the start of a new year and everyone making/appending resolutions, how do you stay motivated to lead a healthy lifestyle year-round, and where do you get your motivation for it?
I think the key is to reframe fitness and wellness as something that you enjoy, not something you “should” do. There are a million and two ways to work out these days, and odds are you can find something that you love. There are lots of workouts that feel like a chore for me, for example, but I’ve found a lot of joy in weightlifting and CrossFit. I like the mental challenge, and I like that it makes me feel strong, capable, and confident. I never actually liked working out just for the sake of working out. Also crucial: practice being comfortable with discomfort and (healthy) pain. It is an invaluable skill. If your workout is hard, practice refocusing your thoughts and your energy away from the pain. Eventually, you’ll learn to accept or even embrace the discomfort. It’s a metaphor for life, really . . . This escalated quickly.
Did you make any resolutions this year?
Instead of resolutions, per se, I’m working on forming better habits one month at a time. This month, I’m striving to keep my spaces clear from clutter on a daily basis. In February. I’ll be practicing reducing my spending with a month-long, self-imposed buying ban (blasphemy, I know).
Do you have any fitness bloggers you admire/follow? Or any celebs who are killing it in the activewear department?
I love Nicole from Pumps and Iron for her authenticity and irresistible wit. Kayla Itsines’s outfits are always on point, and she’s pretty much a celebrity, haha.
As a fitness blogger on the go, what is the one thing you always take with you?
It’s going to sound really trite, but a water bottle is ALWAYS in my bag! Bkr is my favorite.
You have stayed true to your style and your brand consistently from the beginning. Do you have any tips for bloggers starting out or bloggers looking to focus on a vertical like fitness style?
Two things. One begin with the end in mind. Ruthlessly weigh every decision against your long-term view, and don’t cut corners. Two, on the topic of verticals, I think there is a LOT to be said for choosing one thing and being the absolute best you can be at that one thing. After you’ve established yourself, *then* you can start branching out. Once people trust you as an industry leader, then you’ll find the most success branching out.
What is your dream job? Dream collaboration?
I would love to work with any brand I love for an activewear capsule collection and shoot the campaign in a national park. Also, strategy and analytics give me the warm fuzzies, so I’d love to get into the weeds with that somehow.
You try on what seems like hundreds of fitness brands. What are some of your favorites to rock to the gym?
Lately, I’m wearing Alala basically every day. I buy and wear a lot of its styles to work, which appeals to my inner minimalist. Werkshop is absolutely killing it in the printed leggings game; they’re one of the best out there in my opinion. I’ve also been really warming up to Sweaty Betty lately.
Since it’s Winter, what is your ideal workout look?
Neutral thermal tights and a half-zip pullover layered over a colorful tank. Top it off with my favorite beanie and a puffer vest, and I’m good to go.
If you aren’t in workout gear, what are you sporting?
My signature look is a cozy knit sweater, a tailored jacket, or a cardigan, skinnies, and over-the-knee boots. Bonus points if it’s head-to-toe neutral. Although I have a ton of activewear. I’m quite minimal in my “regular” clothes and like to stick to a few simple looks and a sparse color palette.
Where do you do most of your shopping?
I’m all about shopping diversity, so that’s a tough question. Wherever I can find the best deal? 😉 My favorite multibrand activewear retailers right now are Carbon38 and Bandier.
What is the one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
I was homeschooled K-12! Never went to a class in my life till I moved away to college. I think I turned out OK . . .
Favorite social media outlet?
Insta!
What are all of your social media handles?
- Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/agentathletica/ - Instagram: @agentathletica
- YouTube: @agentathletica
- Pinterest: @agentathletica
- Twitter: @agentathletica coming soon!
Thanks, Suzanne! That was fun! If you want to be featured as our next Blogger Spotlight send your name, your blog URL and what your blog resolution is this year to charris@popsugar.com.
xo,
Carlina
