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One Healthy Young Entrepreneur

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Introducing the dynamic sibling duo behind Fair Harbor Clothing, Caroline and Jake Danehy. Inspired by the beaches of Fire Island, these two created their line of boardshorts out of none other but recycled plastic bottles. Inspired by their favorite local beaches, (and the greater good of our planet) these two are recycling wellness in a whole new way. Here’s their story…

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  1. Tell us about yourself and how life as you know it came to be.

Growing up in Westchester, NY, my family and I were fortunate enough to be an hour away from Fair Harbor, Fire Island – so naturally, our summers were spent on the beach. There are only a few rules of the island: no cars, no shoes, and hardly any clothing (just a bathing suit, of course). As we grew up, and our schedules became busier with sports, school, and other chaos, our trips out to the island became fewer, but our memories never faded. Fire Island was, and will always be, my “happy place”. However, over the years, we have started to notice more and more plastic waste appearing on the shores and in the ocean, and it really bothered me.

I will be a Sophomore at Colgate University this fall and my brother, Jake, just graduated from Colgate in May. As a Geography major, Jake learned a lot about resource allocation and overconsumption, and called me in spring of  ’14 with an idea that he had to make a product that is both consumer and environmentally friendly. With our generation becoming more eco-conscious, we feel we have a responsibility to make a difference in the way people approach consumerism – and what better way to do it than by turning plastic bottles into boardshorts, connecting it with our childhood summers spent out in Fair Harbor. Within a few months Fair Harbor Clothing was born. While it definitely isn’t a glamorous process, we are very proud of how far we have come today.

In March 2016, we launched our second line, including seven new boardshort styles and five new shirts. Each of our boardshorts directly recycles 11 plastic bottles and all of our shirts are made form 100% organic cotton.

FH@This whole adventure with Fair Harbor has been an incredible learning experience for us, and I feel so grateful to be a part of it. Wellness has always been a passion of my ours, so by the nature of our healthy lifestyle, those ideals have seamlessly become embedded into our brand. For example, this upcoming weekend we will be selling Fair Harbor at the Nantucket Yoga Festival!

2. What’s something you overcame and how?

I always dreamed about playing college lacrosse since I was a little girl, however, my body had other plans for me; I started to develop chronic stress fractures in both of my shins in 8th grade. During the summer going into my junior year of high school I was diagnosed with my 6th set of stress fractures and had to hang up my cleats for good. Lacrosse had been a part of my identity since I was 5 and all of a sudden it was gone. However, over time I started to realize that where one door closes another opens. Since I couldn’t do any activity that required running – or fast walking for that matter – and I started practicing yoga. Slowly, I began to develop a deep passion for it. I became more aware of my body and my confidence started coming back. I believe feeling confident starts from within and then radiates outward, and I found that yoga was the perfect environment for me to work on my inner self, while still exercising my body in a way that didn’t harm it.

Since then I have wanted to get my yoga certification, and this spring, I realized that there was no time like the present. I found a yoga studio about 10 minutes away with a summer teacher training and signed up for it. I started my training in May and it has been one of the most amazing, liberating and self-confidence building experiences I have had. One of the most incredible aspects of my training so far is realizing how much power we have over our thoughts, our bodies, and our energy.

3. What is your favorite recipe? workout? Favorite weekend activity? Favorite part of the business?

I try to practice moderation on a daily basis, something I believe that is key to a healthy lifestyle; which includes everything from the food I nourish my body with to how I move. Cooking is one of my favorite activities, and I love spending time in the kitchen with my mom preparing meals. That being said, when I was seven my family and I took a trip out to Jackson Hole, WY, where I quickly became conscious that the meat that I was eating was once living. While I wanted to be a vegetarian, my parents needed to make sure that I ate enough protein since I was so young, so I agreed to eat chicken and fish. Over the years I have dedicated a lot of time toward food, and learning about nutrition; I think it’s incredibly interesting. I have so many foods/recipes that I love– such such as spaghetti squash with chicken meatballs, salmon & lentils, and of course blueberry pancakes because who doesn’t?!

My favorite workout is a really great core yoga class and a long walk with my mom, sister and dog on a beautiful sunny day. I try to get outside as much as I can and move – especially in the summer!

My favorite part of Fair Harbor is definitely working with my brother on something that we both are so dedicated to. We have spent countless hours working on it together and it is incredible to see all of the progress that we have made.

4. As young entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and part of the Hamptons (Fire Island) community, etc. how do you maintain balance in your life?

Scheduling is key to balance because it helps me keep track of my daily responsibilities. Without it, I tend to get overwhelmed. However, since Jake and I are so passionate about the work that we are doing most of the time it doesn’t feel like “work”.

5. Any great healthy/balance tips for other busy folks?

Moderation and mapping out my upcoming week are two lifestyle tips that really help me. Fair Harbor and my yoga certification definitely consume a lot of my time this summer, so finding time to relax is hard sometimes but definitely necessary!

6. What food items do you always have?

My favorite breakfast lately has been an omelet (one whole egg, two egg whites), sautéed onions, spinach, peppers – topped with fresh salsa and hot sauce. Other food items I always have are: green tea and peanut butter Think Thin bars (they taste like Snickers!).

7. What is your favorite indulgence? (can be edible or not)

My favorite indulgence is being at the beach reading a really good book.

8. How do you make health a priority in your home/life?

I believe that we have complete control over our health and how we treat our bodies – a concept that is so powerful, yet most people take for granted. Therefore, how we nourish, rest and move our bodies is extremely important, so I always make my health a priority. Sleep is also a key part of my wellness routine. I know that when I am tired I don’t function as well – trust me, ask my brother!

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9. What is your FAVORITE thing about the Fire Island? Favorite place? Favorite memory?

Remarkably, no matter how much time passes, Fire Island always remains the same. I have countless childhood memories taking outdoor showers, jumping off the lifeguard stand and early morning fishing adventures. Almost every morning, we would all go down to the dock around 7 am, before most people were awake, and fish for snapper with bamboo poles. After fishing, we took the fish back to the house and made snapper and eggs. These were the simple joys of living on the island for the summer – something that makes me smile every time I think back to those days. With each decision that we make with Fair Harbor, we think back to our childhood memories, in effort to recreate the lifestyle with our brand.

One Healthy Breakdown: You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough.

The Ultimate Reminder to SLOWWWW Down!

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I recently experienced the ultimate reminder to SLOW DOWN and I’m here to share.

slowHere’s how it went down. Busy Wednesday mid-November. Home for an hour between meetings to eat lunch and get some work done. Starving. Going 100 miles an hour. Cue the incident. No time to cook. Go for a frozen veggie burger. Go to cut two frozen burgers apart with a sharp knife. Stab knife between frozen burgers to separate. Think “bad idea.” Keep going. Cut ring finger. Cue pain and LOTS of blood (will spare further gory details.) Stop in tracks. Cringe. Attend to booboo. Get very nauseous. Get better. Decide to shake it off instead of go to hospital. Live with swollen finger for three months (yes, THREE MONTHS.) Finally go to doctor. Get engagement ring and wedding band sawed off finger. Told severed tendon will not heal without splint. Go to physical therapist. Get splint made. Forced to slow down because everything is slower with a splinted finger.

Curse my own stupidity. Count my blessings. Thankful only a finger. Thankful all limbs working fine. Thankful that recovery is only a month. Thankful for good doctors. Annoyed with self. Regretting going 100 miles an hour. Missing rings desperately. Aggravated that shampooing, cooking, TYPING, holding weights, kettlebells, steering wheel etc. difficult.

See where I’m going with this? If I had just literally taken the extra four seconds (FOUR SECONDS!) to set the gosh darn veggie burgers down and cut them in a safer manner, I would have saved myself hours of nausea, three doctors visits, replacing my wedding and engagement rings with far less-attractive finger splints, hundreds of dollars in medical bills, lots of frustration, and a really silly story to tell.

Point is, we’re all super busy. We’re going, going, going…but, regardless of where it is that we’re going, if we rush, cut corners, and get ahead of ourselves, we’re not living in the moment, we’re not enjoying the ride, and we’re putting ourselves and others at risk of making a silly mistake. Do it right or do it twice and pay the price. I’m paying alright.

This is my reminder to STOP in your tracks. Take a minute to breathe. Really breathe. Allow yourself a break. Reset your speed a bit slower. Enjoy the ride. Embrace the moment. Don’t miss this minute because you’re eager to get to the next. Live in the present. Count your blessings. Hug your loved ones. Be kind. Stay calm. Put the phone down. Practice mindfulness. Do what you do with grace and intention. Work hard. Prepare the meal slowly (and safely.) Taste your food. Chew slowly. Be yourself. Listen to music. Take care of yourself. Find pleasure in everything. Embrace nature. And once again, B R E A T H E. Breathe slowly. Stop every once in a while to check yourself before you wreck yourself. Your to-do list can wait and you’ll need all 10 fingers to be the superhero that you are…trust me!

One Healthy Breakdown: Proceed slowly.

One Healthy Mud Runner

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Introducing Candace Couper, a childhood friend of mine through horseback riding. When Candace’s posts about paleo recipes and mud runs appeared on my Facebook feed, I couldn’t wait to hear more about her transformation. I could feel Candace’s inspirational energy through her words, enjoy!

10353566_10202324567615865_2086178525415640473_n1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did ‘life as you know it’ come to be? How did you get into your profession? How did you get into mud runs?

I’m Candace. I’m from Boston and I currently live in Denver, CO with my awesome dog, Bruin. I came out to Denver for undergrad then ended up staying for graduate school and have been unable to leave.

I grew up horseback riding and have always loved animals. I got into social work during a high school internship. I originally chose the internship because the woman I wanted to work with was a massage therapist (and that’s what I wanted to do at the time) who also worked full time as a behavior counselor at a middle school for high-risk youth. After accompanying her to the middle school daily, I became passionate about helping at-risk youth. I decided to get my masters degree in social work when I learned about University of Denver’s animal-assisted therapy program. I thought it would be a great opportunity to combine my love of animals with my passion for helping people (and it was!)

I got into mud runs in May of 2013. I had done a few fun runs and 5ks previously and decided – on a whim – to enter the Rugged Maniac. I thought it would be a fun way to keep myself motivated. I thought I was in pretty good shape as I was running quite a few miles several times a week and riding at the time. However, Rugged Maniac kicked my butt. I was so sore afterwards that I couldn’t move for a week and was covered in bruises. Then, I happened to see a deal at Fitness Together (a personal training studio) for introductory sessions and I decided to go for it. I haven’t looked back since! This was the start of a complete lifestyle change for me. I’ve learned so much about exercise, nutrition and all around being healthy. I’ve lost quite a bit (weight, body fat, bad habits, etc.) but have gained so much more (strength, empowerment, courage, self-confidence, and more!) I’ve since participated in eight fun/mud/obstacle runs including the Tough Mudder!

9201924_race_0.5178423625966894.display2. Is there any overlap in your profession and your values for health, wellness, and challenging yourself? Do you ever combine the two? In what ways?

Yes! I’m currently working for an after school program focused on movement, nutrition, and mindfulness, which overlap quite a bit with my own core values. Within the social work profession, I am personally very interested in alternative therapies. I’ve utilized equine-assisted therapy, community agriculture, and food justice work with at-risk youth. In the future, I hope to combine my passion for health with my profession by using fitness as a form of an alternative therapy. It’s one of the best methods out there!

3. What is your favorite workout? Favorite weekend activity?

I go back and forth; I was doing a ton of HIIT, (high intensity interval training) which is great for cardio and strength in one and utilizes very little equipment. While HIIT is a very effective workout, I recently switched back to strength/weight training. My original goal when I first joined the gym, and committed to changing my lifestyle, was to get stronger, which is one of the many benefits of weight training. My favorite weight training exercises are squats and deadlifts. I love the feeling I get after a hard weight training session – I feel accomplished, strong and confident.

My favorite weekend activities are hiking and walking my dog. There are so many great hiking areas close to Denver. This past summer, I spent most of my weekends training and doing Mud Runs, including the Manitou Incline and hiking my first 14er (we actually did two/three in one day!).

4. As a young woman, hard worker, and athlete, how do you maintain balance in your life?

Balance has been one of the hardest aspects for me, especially while I was still in school. However, I’m a firm believer that if something matters to you, then you can make some time for it…even if it means going to the gym at 6am on a Saturday. Combining multiple aspects of my life is another great way I’ve found balance. For example, when my family came out for my graduation, I convinced some of my family members to do a mud run with me which was super fun!

5. Any great healthy/balance tips for other young woman?

Keep it interesting and find what you like! This applies to everything – fitness, nutrition, work, and your personal life. If you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing or if you’re bored, you’ll become miserable and less likely to stick with it. Figure out what works for you, (I like working out with a trainer and prefer to work out by myself. Some people work better when they have the support of a buddy or group classes) do it for yourself no one else, keep healthy snacks on hand, (I keep a bag of washed baby carrots in the door of my fridge so even if I’m mindlessly snacking, I am more likely to grab something healthy.) and be patient – with the process and with yourself.

6. What food items do you always keep in your house?

There are so many food items I always have in my apartment – being prepared makes cooking and eating healthy meals so much easier. I always have a wide variety of fresh and frozen produce (frozen is great for emergencies and frozen fruit is one of my favorite desserts.) I always have some sort of precooked protein on hand for nights when I don’t feel like cooking or I’m short on time. Other things I always have are eggs, chicken, nuts, and homemade snacks.

10629590_10202906037232242_5330012433469019646_n7. What is your favorite indulgence?

I’m a huge chocolate hoarder, especially when it comes to dark chocolate.

8. How do you make health a priority in your life?

Being healthy is somewhat of a new priority for me. At first, it was really difficult to stick with it, but I’ve discovered that being healthy really is a lifestyle. Meal prepping has been a huge help when it comes to eating healthy. In terms of fitness, thankfully, I live in a great place that emphasizes living an active lifestyle and a lot of my friends enjoy being active as well. That makes it easier and more enjoyable to make health my priority.

9. What is your FAVORITE thing about mud runs?

There are so many things about mud runs that I love. I love the physical and mental challenge. One of my favorite aspects, though, has to be the camaraderie. Every mud run I’ve done has focused on helping out fellow participants; there is always someone to lend a hand if you need it whether it be a fellow participant or a volunteer. Participants at mud runs tend to be so supportive and encouraging of one another, which lends to an amazing environment.

10. One Healthy Breakdown: Candace is one tough mudder we can all learn from! Whatever we’re working through in our lives, put health and yourself first!

Marathon Monday Through Joe’s Eyes (and Legs)

A quick note from Kiley: When I heard that my 18 year-old cousin, Joe, was running the Boston Marathon, I was blown away by his courage, motivation, and athletic competence. On that terrible day, I was shocked, saddened, angered, confused, and full of fear. Fear for my cousin, my family at home in MA, as well as every single runner, spectator, and resident of Boston. I felt light-years away here in New York, so I asked Joey to fill me on his experience during what I can only assume was the longest day of his life. Joe was a senior in high school when he ran his first marathon in 2013. Thanks to his story below, we’re all able to understand a bit better the twists and tragedies of the most remembered Marathon Monday Boston has ever seen.

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On April 15, 2013, I woke up at 5am to run my first-ever marathon. After months of training, weeks of rolling out my muscles, and days of eating to make up for the calories I was going to be burning, I was ready for the epic challenge that is the Boston Marathon.  Shortly after I woke up, I ate breakfast – a three-egg omelet with cheese and an English muffin. I was used to eating about 40 minutes before my long runs and the fact that I had breakfast at 5am this particular day would hit me like a brick wall ten miles into the race. (Running Tip #1: Train like it’s raceday, don’t change your routine if you can help it.)

I was a bandit runner, (running unofficially) so when I arrived, I just tried not to step on anybody’s feet and to act like I belonged.  I befriended a tree and began my multiple hour wait to run. Dressed in crappy pants, a sweatshirt, and a hat, I curled up against the tree until the sun came out and warmed me up. At the start of the mens elite race, I realized I was already hungry and I ate the two granola bars I had packed.  What was I thinking – 90 calorie bars could get me through a marathon?!  While eating, I felt a slap in the face (literally) and looked up to learn it was a sweaty t-shirt from the mens starting line, everyone was getting pelted by flying clothing.

At 10:53 am, 53 minutes after the start, (almost five and a half hours after eating real food) came the moment I’d been waiting for for over four years. I started the marathon. Just moments before I started, my mom texted me to see what side of the course I wanted her and my dad to stand on at the finish line. I wasn’t really sure, but since I normally run on the right side of the road, I told her the right, not knowing how much of a difference this would make later on.

Like most other marathon virgins, I started out way too fast and for my first ten miles, I was at least 30 seconds ahead per mile than my expected time.  (Runner’s Tip #2: Do not go too fast, it will mess you up and ruin the experience, trust me.)  For me and the unforseen circumstances, I’m so thankful that I messed up my speed and timing.  Had I continued around that pace, I would have crossed the finish line a minute or so before the explosions.

At mile nine, I realized that my omelet, English muffin, and granola bars were long gone and I was starving. I pushed another mile out until I felt like my hips were going to explode, my stomach was empty, and a bathroom break was much-needed. (Runner’s Tip #3: Without getting too graphic, check the unit before you use it, I learned that the hard way.)

After using the bathroom, I decided I needed the energy beans I tossed in my pocket. It sucks trying to eat ‘on the run,’ so I decided to walk for a quarter-mile while I ate. Some guy who looked like he’d had a few beers, yelled to get going because the Wellesley girls were coming up. I really didn’t want to be that guy walking the marathon in front of a whole group of college of girls, so I got to it.  All their signs read, “KISS ME!” I hope they enjoyed my enthusiastic high-fives instead.  They were a little old for me…plus, I was kind of in the middle of a marathon. (Runner’s Tip #4: High-fives help. They get your mind off of your legs and the crowd gives off A LOT of energy.)

Due to my poor planning and growing appetite, after I passed the girls, I had to walk about a mile before hitting the half-marathon mark. Halfway there and just over two hours, not my worst run. A few minutes later cued bathroom break #2. I checked the unit before I used it and it was up to par. Woohoo. I ran and walked until about mile 20, where Poland Springs cups became the new pavement.  (Runner’s Tip #5:  avoid the Gatorade stations, your shoes will become sticky and will make you work twice as hard to take a step. Learned that the hard way too.)

At mile 21, I passed by Boston College and I noticed two NYPD running beside me. They overheard two BPD using their radios to receive the message, “we are now trying to get out the victims.” It appeared that they were just as confused as I was. I heard a woman mention something to her friend about the finish line, so I asked her what she was talking about.  She told me that two bombs went off at the finish line. My parents were at the finish line. My heart dropped to the pavement and then some.

I checked my phone, (runner’s tip #6: always bring a phone) I had one missed call from my mom, another missed call from my dad, and had a voicemail, which I wouldn’t listen to until that night. I called my dad as fast as lightning. The phone didn’t even ring once. I tried my mom, same thing. I tried my sister, same thing. I tried three more people, same thing. The failed calls seriously made me want to drop to the ground and give up the run. A few minutes later, after the most labored texting and calling I have ever done, it was apparent that nobody around me could make calls, not just me. I started running as fast as I physically could and ran into another woman with an iPhone. She knew nothing more than the first. I told her I had missed calls from my parents, that they were at the finish line but I didn’t know if they were okay. She then said something that hadn’t even occur to me: “if they called, they must be fine, or otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to dial.” I walked with her for another few minutes in silence when I then took off again, just a little bit less panicked after her words of wisdom. I never saw her again but remember exactly what she looked like and what she said to me, and I’ll never forget that. (Runner’s Tip #7: Make friends on the course, you never know what may happen along the way.)

As I passed by a police officer at mile 23, he yelled that the course would end in two miles. I kept going, hoping that my parents were walking along the course and would randomly find me. A mile later, a medical tent was handing out heat blankets. This would be the only thing that would keep me warm for the next two hours. A group of college students had set up their TV in the courtyard and had the news on. I watched the replay of the explosions and noticed they were on the left side of the course. My parents were on the right side, according to our plan. This last minute decision had unintentionally paid off big time, and always will. When the second explosion went off in the background, that’s when it became real to me. (I’ve grown up in a post-9/11 America. I was always so fascinated by what happened in 2001 because it defined how I aged and went through my daily life. Analysts always said that the second attack was spaced out enough so that everybody would be watching and it would become clear that it was not an accident.) When I realized that the explosions were intentional, I had to walk away, I didn’t want to see anything that might scare me even more. I came to mile 25 and the course abruptly ended. I found myself at a BU dorm and finally found someone with an iPhone using wifi to connect. (My parents now think having iPhones isn’t such a bad idea after all.) I tried to dial my mom’s number but my mind went blank. I was so shaken up, I couldn’t remember her simple number that I memorized when I was ten years old.  I had to take out my phone and dial it in. She was so happy to hear my voice, and vice versa. I gave her my address and she said she’d somehow find me. I hung up the phone, relieved.  Little did I know I still had hours ahead of me until we’d be reunited.

Moments later, I realized I was getting a million texts from my friends asking if I was okay, but I couldn’t respond to them. I was getting texts from people I haven’t talked to in years. When my friend Dan somehow got through to my phone, I told him that I was fine and to post on Facebook that I was safe. The post he made said, “hey guys just wanted to post on Joe Sabatino’s behalf that he’s a-ok… No one’s blowing up my best bud today” That post got 33 likes. It’s good to know people care.

My sister finally got through to me and we talked for a little while. She could tell my voice was really shaky. I told her I was just cold when I was actually trying to not cry. I hung up with her and I went inside the dorm with some of the BU students to get some water, and then turned around because it reeked of beer. My mom called me to ask which town I was in, Brookline or Boston. At the end of the block, there was a Brookline police car so I told her Brookline. I then got a text from my sister saying “stay away from trashcans, that’s all they’re talking about on the news.” I looked around and I was standing right next to one. I moved pretty quickly.

Then this guy, who appeared to be pretty inebriated, came up to me asking if he could use my phone to ‘call his girl.’ My phone was only receiving calls, but couldn’t dial out, so I told him that it wouldn’t work. The poor guy thought I was afraid of him stealing my phone so he offered to let me hold his phone while he used mine. I kept trying to tell him it wouldn’t work when my phone rang, it was my mom. We tried to figure out where to meet. At some point during the conversation, I sat down for the first time in almost eight hours and stayed on the phone with my mom for almost 40 minutes just in case we couldn’t get another call through. While sitting there on the dirt, I put my head down, took the phone away from my mouth and finally started to cry. It had been a very long day, a long day alone.

A split second later, I realized that I had angled the red solo cup of water a little too much and spilled water all over my shorts. Just what I needed at this point. Oh wait it gets better.  Then, a man with a toy dog asked me if I needed a warm place to stay. I politely declined. I should have stayed in the beer dorm.

My parents finally found me, frozen, shivering, with not an ounce of energy left. I continued to grip that heat blanket tight.  My mom then realized I needed her jacket and traded it for the blanket. She threw away the one thing that kept me warm for two hours. I had an emotional attachment to that blanket and I plan on giving her crap for that every day for quite a while.

We finally made it to the car and I sat down in a comfortable seat for the first time in almost twelve hours. The small things made a big difference at that point. We picked up some snacks because I hadn’t eaten solid food in over twelve hours. My dad drove home like a bat outta hell, he knew I just wanted to be home. We finally got home at just after 7 pm. I responded to all the texts I got and everyone was relieved to know I was okay. I finally listened to the voicemails from my parents: “there were two large explosions at the finish line”, “call us, call us, call us”, “we need to find you immediately, Joe” and some from friends. They made me realize that the day was over and that I was safe. I fell asleep on the couch  soon after.  It was the longest, most stressful and terrifying day of my life.

Despite Marathon Monday being the worst day of my life, I will be running next year no matter what. I sit at home now listening to the news, I keep trying to get things done but I just simply can’t focus on anything for an extended amount of time. These kinds of things really stick with you for a long time and I really hope I can get back to normalcy soon, although I know Monday was a day I’ll never forget.

One Healthy Breakdown: That’s one brave high school senior. Thanks for putting things in perspective, Joe, and for reminding us not to take our own safety and wellbeing for granted.