Name: Amber Zuckswert
Blog: http://epicself.com/
Twitter: @EpicSelf
Amber’s seems as though her body was sculpted by the great Michelangelo himself. She is a modern dancer, model, traveler, instructor, and blogger who has recently starter her own online Virtual Pilates workout program. This is what makes me so unbelievably happy – to find people that have a passion, and that are working extremely hard to monetize what they are passionate about AND make a positive difference in peoples lives. In this interview, I ask Amber three simple questions that will immediately get you on the path to living a healthier and much happier life.
I am inspired to eat healthier, cook more, and make my mind, body, and spirit a high priority, just like my startup company is a priority. Thanks so much for your inspiration Amber!
Here’s a summary of our interview:
As an entrepreneur, I’m used to eating Ramen Noodles. What are some beginner tips to eating healthy on a budget?
The most important first step is to get processed foods out of your diet. Go to a Farmer’s Market and find (relatively cheap) fruits and vegetables. This means that you’re going to have to learn how to cook, and spend time cooking, but this only benefits you because you have to take care of your body. By eating healthier, you will be much more alert, much more energized, and be able to push yourself longer and harder when you need it.
Most people work hard during the day, come home to eat dinner, watch Lost, and then go to sleep. What advice can you give to motivate yourself to scheduling a daily workout routine?
In order to be better at work, you have to take care of your body. Take an hour from your day and make sure you dedicate it to working out. Amber recommends working out before work, because if you try to work out after work, you’re going too be too exhausted to work out.
The most important thing is to stay inspired: work out with a friend or coworker; take classes at the gym to work out in a group setting and make it fun. If you hate running on a treadmill, don’t run on a treadmill!!! Do what feel right and feels fun. You’ll stay motivated longer and be healthier because of it.
Don’t wait until “tomorrow”; there will always be a tomorrow. You have to do it now and you will feel so much better because of it.
Starting a business is very stressful. What tips can you give a young entrepreneur to take the stress levels down and be healthier spiritually?
The biggest thing is to focus on the present. Businesses can be a lot of hard work, but you don’t have to carry around the stressful baggage of startups everywhere you go. If you’re with your girlfriend out to dinner, BE at dinner with your girlfriend. There is no need for you to think about the company or check your emails during dinner. Take the time to enjoy the moment because you deserve it.
Recommended recipe from Amber:
Buckwheat cereal:
- 1 cup sprouted or soaked buckwheat
- 8 soaked dates
- 1 apple
- 2 Tbl shredded coconut
- fresh cinnamon and nutmeg to taste
Put everything in a blender or food processor, or Champion juicer with blank.
Adjust the ingredients to your taste.
You can add bananas or other soaked dried fruit and nuts.
This kinda makes an oatmeal like breakfast. I also will add almond milk to top it off! Buckwheat is a great alternative to wheat or oats because it’s actually a seed! High in protein 😀
Hey Amber and Jun-
You guys were awesome! Well done! I wish I were in the Bay Area still so we could rally and chat more on this health stuff. I can never talk about it enough!
Amber, great starting tips for Jun. I love and couldn’t agree more about (1) eliminate processed foods – anything from a box or bag, (2) live in the present – the “Now”, and (3) make your fitness fun – don’t force yourself to do something you’re not passion about.
I’d add two more fundamental healthy lifestyle design tips – (1) simply focus on the things you can control and let go of the things you can’t. Lose control, as I say! As the saying goes, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things that I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”
And (2) design your healthy lifestyle for you and avoid conformity to the status quo or someone else’s version of health. Clearly, as Untemplater grand masters, you know this already! 🙂
Kudos again, and all the best!
Matt
J. Money!!!! Haha… And yes, I met every single person who commented on this blog post. Rock on Folks!
Hah! this is so cool cuz we all just met up the other night and now i can see you all “talking” here 😉 fun!
@Sam- yes we all need to meet up! I have been meeting more and more bloggers lately and it’s fantastic. We have to support and inspire each other to keep going and pull on each other’s strengths.
To answer your question…buckwheat is thought of as a grain, but is actually a seed. It’s similar to quinoa or amaranth. A good substitute if you can’t tolerate wheat or oats. I do love green grass juices. I make green smoothies all the time, but in the morning I need something more substantial.
Well, I am here… Someone feel free to shoot me a call or text me at 309-453-8175. I have no plans and just completely relaxing all day today and tomorrow.
-Shane Mac
Hey Jun, nice interview!
Amber, ever eat barley green/wheat grass? Is that the same thing as your buckwheat thingy? I drink barley green and just fruit for breakfast quite regularly and it feels great. Light in the morning.
Instead of doing:
Date 1: Jun
Date 2: Shane
Date 3: Sam
what about
One big powow since we’re all in San Francisco? 🙂
Best,
Sam
Sounds good. I will be offline all day today on the train and 20 hours straight off distraction free writing (hopefully). I will be in San Fran around noon tomorrow and leave Sunday at 8 p.m. In between there I have nothing to do but relax and experience San Fran. No plans.
-Shane Mac
Shane- great! So excited to see you getting on the buckwheat train. I am around parts of both days. Shoot me a tweet and we’ll see what we can set up.
So on my way to get Buckwheat. Just signed up for virtual pilates. Throwing Ramen out my window right now. Thank you so much for this one you 2, it was great and insightful for sure.
Now, finishing packing my bag, eating some oatmeal, heading to train station and San Fran here I come.
Stoked to meet you Jun and now I have a new person I want to meet while I am there as well. Are you around Sat/Sun Amber?
-Shane Mac
@shanemacsays