As we come close to the end of the year, in the middle of one of the most FULL times of the year, I wanted to share some personal encouragement to find rest. Whether we like it or not, we were created to rest. When we disrupt that pattern, stress increases and chronic illnesses take root and grow. Then... we spend countless hours, dollars, doctor's appointments - all searching for the answers.

Welcome to Week 5 of Chasing Cocodona Think Less. Just Do. Week 5 was a solid, confidence-building week in my Cocodona training. Forty miles total, my longest run to date at 16 miles, and a true back-to-back effort on tired legs with a 10-mile follow-up. Nothing flashy—just consistent work, intentional recovery, and a growing sense that my body and mind are syncing up. This week reminded me that progress doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from showing up and doing the wo

COMBINING RECOVERY AND BIG GOALS When you run a recovery and wellness studio, people naturally assume you must live in a constant state of balance—hydrated, stretched, protein-perfect, always sleeping eight hours, and never missing a workout. The truth? I’m a real human living a real life, with busy days, unexpected challenges, sore muscles, early alarms, late nights, and big goals. But if there’s one story I can tell that proves I truly practice what I offer , it’s this one.

How Many Different People Can Use Recovery Services to Stay Grounded This Season The stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a beautiful  season — but it can also be the time of year when stress spikes, routines fall apart, and energy dips. Whether you're a holistic wellness lover, an athlete pushing through winter training-training for that spring event, or a busy professional trying to stay afloat, intentional recovery can change everything. At Balance by Brooks Recov

Cocodona 250 Training Journey Week 3 Recap: Wins, Lows, Recovery & What’s Next Chasing Cocodona Week 3 WEEK 3 RECAP 📝 Weekly Overview Total Miles:40 Longest Run:12 MILES Key Workouts: 3 Strength Workouts 2 Power Workouts Quick round of mobility exercises before each strength/power workout Running Workouts: 1 Tempo, 1 Interval, 1 Long Run12 miles, Recovery runs Walks Recovery Time: Sauna/Red Light, PEMF mat, Contrast, Compression How I Felt This Week: This week I felt tired.

Chasing Cocodona 250 Week 2 The Small Wins, The Falls, and The Foundation for 250 Miles If there’s one thing I’ve learned about training for a 250-mile race, it’s that the early weeks are less about big mileage and more about building the habits that will hold you together later. And week two of Cocodona 250 prep was exactly that: consistency, recovery, and figuring out how to make the pieces fit inside a life that’s already very, very full. Mileage & Training Rhythm This wee

This is week 1. Week 1 of 25. Technically as I began writing, it was 24 weeks and 6 days. What is the Cocodona 250 ? The Cocodona 250 is a 250 mile race that takes place in the middle of Arizona covering 256.6 miles, a vertical gain of over 40,000 feet, with astounding trails including the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, Prescott Circle Trail, Sedona, Arizona Trail, and Flagstaff Loop Trail . Along with the trails, we will make our way through Crown King, Prescot

Our very own Sauna Paws enjoying his RL session (And Why Our $99 Unlimited Red Light Special Is the Perfect Place to Start) If you’ve heard the buzz about Red Light Therapy  but aren’t exactly sure what it does—or whether it’s right for you—you’re not alone. At Balance by Brooks, we meet clients every week who are curious but hesitant… until they try it. A few blogs ago, I wrote about how Red Light Therapy is so important and helpful when it comes to improving mitochondrial h

Our Normatec boots ready and waiting for you Compression therapy involves an external pressure applied to the body, using flexible boots and an air pump . The pressure generated helps to:  Improve blood circulation: By squeezing the veins, compression therapy promotes blood flow back to the heart, reducing swelling, pain, and fatigue.  Prevent blood clots: Compression therapy can help prevent blood clots from forming in the legs or arms by enhancing overall circulation.  Redu

Our Contrast Therapy Suite Introduction Anyone browsing social media with a hint of athlete in their algorithm can tell you that the popularity of contrast therapy is on the rise. Those who have tried it can testify to the enhancement of their performance and overall well-being. This week, I take the infrared sauna one step further to look at the cold plunge and the addition of it to the sauna for a complete recovery treatment of contrast therapy. We'll look at the researc

Hot stones lying on a sauna bench Getting up last Friday for a run at 37 degrees (don't worry, it did not happen), I was reminded that this is the best time of the year to take advantage of any and all infrared sauna deals! I used to love getting up and heading in for my 45 minute sauna session 4 days a week, and I found that it truly helped relieve my chronic pain in my joints and ligaments. So today, I bring you a wealth of information on the infrared sauna to answer thos

Our Red Light Therapy room Introduction In 1903, a Danish physician won the Nobel Prize for discovering that red light therapy helped improve wound healing. Within the past 30 years, Red Light Therapy , or Photobiomodulation, has been studied and implemented by the military to help to treat pain, inflammation, and minor injuries. Red Light Therapy is growing in popularity among wellness enthusiasts and athletes. I wanted to dedicate this blog to bring you the science be

Halotherapy can be effective from three times a week to weekly sessions. You may experience some benefit before a big aerobic event as it has been said to help to clean out and open up the lungs. It is also a huge preventative benefit as we move into the cold and flu season, or as I call it, the "Move indoors season".

With all the fall races going on, let's take a look at a wellness and recovery protocol I use that goes beyond what you will find here in...

Are you ready to elevate your recovery and wellness game? If you’re passionate about fitness, you understand that recovery is just as...

In recent years, infrared saunas have surged in popularity among athletes and health enthusiasts. These unique wellness tools provide a...

Taking a cold plunge The Chilly Truth: Why Cold Plunging is the New Hot Thing Ah, cold plunging! The latest trend that has everyone from...

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When I first began coming back to my own personal health in 2022, sleep was one of the first things I tackled. It is probably still the...

A Sample Training Block: Individual Training Runs not shown In years past, I would embark on the noble quest of finding the perfect...