hiking forest use heart stay active

Redwood Ambassadors #UseHeart on World Heart Day

At Redwood, we believe in work/life balance in pursuit of health and wellness for all of our employees. We want them to be happy and healthy in all that they do! One way we promote the importance of health in wellness to our employees is by participating in awareness events, like World Heart Day.

How Redwood Employees #UseHeart

In celebration of World Heart Day, we asked our employees to share their favorite way to stay active, and why that’s so important to them. Take a look at what they had to say.

Addison – Orange Theory Fitness Enthusiast

Why do you enjoy this activity? I love OTF because, while it is an hour-long group class, it is like having a personal training session. The coaches guide everyone through endurance, strength, and power exercises where the goal is to spend at least 12 minutes in a high heart rate zone. The 12 minutes or more are proven to extend calorie burn for up to 72 hours post-class. I go twice a week and it has helped me lose more than 40lbs. post-baby #2 and be the most fit I’ve ever been! Also, I’m proud to say I have now OTF’d in all of Redwood’s stabilized states! (I’m coming for you, Kentucky!)

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active gives me more energy, aids in lessening stress, and helps me to sleep better. Who couldn’t use more of all that, am I right?? 🙂 I also like feeling strong and fit, to keep up with my busy schedule and curious little kiddos.

Cheers to using your heart, in more ways than one!

Ali – Yogi

Why do you enjoy this activity? I love both the physical and mental aspects of yoga. My favorite practices are hot classes with strong, fast-paced poses. There’s nothing like a deep stretch with a great message to power you through the class!

Why is staying active important to you? I feel my best all-around when I stay active. It’s easier to get to sleep, easier to wake up, I have more energy throughout the day, and I feel happier overall. Since starting a regular yoga practice, I have lost (and kept off for 4 years) over 30 lbs.!

Amy – Yogi

Why do you enjoy this activity? I’ve been practicing yoga for over 20 years! I love that yoga is just that – a practice – that you continue to build upon and improve. There’s also no judgement (which we all need to do less!). Plus, while the practice of “sweeping away” your interrupting thoughts is difficult, it’s so rewarding to accomplish. I love the flexibility and the peacefulness that yoga provides. #yogitoes

Why is staying active important to you? Yoga and regular workouts are simply part of my daily routine. We all need to ease into this getting older thing! Being active helps my mood and makes me sleep like a baby 🙂

Donielle – Rock Climber

Why do you enjoy this activity? I enjoy rock climbing as the sport requires creativity of moment and involvement with nature. There are many different types of rock and styles of climbing and I have spent years training in a gym to have the strength and knowledge for outdoor climbing. This picture is near the top of The Great Arch, a 3 pitch 5.5 traditional climb for a total of 400 feet of climbing from the base of the mountain.

It is really fun to discover and explore national parks and research and plan routes to climb. There is a simplicity to packing a backpack for the day with gear, food and water and setting out into the woods to hike and climb with friends. Looking up at a steep cliff at the beginning of a project can be really intimidating, though committing to a climb and putting in the work for the “top of the mountain” feeling is so rewarding!

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active is important to me as there is so much to explore and learn in nature and in friendship. The friends that I climb with have seen my efforts and improvements and we rely on each other for positive encouragement and excitement about future projects. Spending time in nature helps me to refocus my mindset and remember that each day is beautiful and full of opportunity.

Hannah – Hiker

Why do you enjoy this activity: Nature and exercise have, in the past year or two become something I use to keep myself and my mental state happy and healthy. I love the calm that comes over me when I’m deep in nature or surrounded by trees and openness.

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active is my key to having a positive outlook on life and being overall happy. I’ve seen myself without activity and it’s not someone I want to be. Most importantly, I want to feel healthy and be able to take on anything that life throws at me, both mentally and physically. Eating well, exercising, and practicing happiness have all become big factors in my life and I’ll never look back! 🌲🍂

Haylee – Indoor Rock Climber

Why do you enjoy this activity? It is challenging, yet so rewarding when you make it to the top! Rock climbing is a great activity to do with the entire family!


Why is staying active important to you? It is important for me to stay active for my three children. I want to always be able to keep up with them and set an example for them!

Hillary – Horseback Rider

Why do you enjoy this activity? I’ve been riding since I was 4 and it makes me feel like I’m flying! Plus, it’s physically and mentally challenging – like riding a bike except sometimes the bike gets scared of a plastic bag and tries to chuck you 😉 I recently got to try my hand at eventing, and I’m definitely hooked. Looking forward to more days galloping through fields and jumping logs and crazy obstacles!

Why is staying active important to you? It keeps me feeling happy and healthy. We are always busy here at Redwood, and I’m busy outside of work, and being active keeps me healthy to do all the things I want to do.

Kevin – Weight Lifter

Why do you enjoy this activity? Company answer: It helps me focus and reduce stress. Real answer: There’s nothing more satisfying than challenging myself in the gym. It tests my resolve because when it hurts, my muscles ache, my mind says ‘please not one more rep’ I keep going…. not only are my muscles getting stronger so is my mind. Lastly, I crank up the hard rock on the speakers!

Why is staying active important to you? It helps me age gracefully. Real answer: I don’t want my beautiful wife to trade me in for a younger/newer model. 😂

Lauren – Hiker

Why do you enjoy this activity? This is a picture of myself and my daughter hiking (well, I was hiking, she was relaxing in the carry pack). I enjoy hiking because it gives me a chance to get some fresh air and take a break from the chaos of life.

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active is important to staying healthy, and strong health is an important foundation to everything else in life.

Maggie – Hiker

Why do you enjoy this activity? Hiking is my family’s go-to activity and this past weekend we went hiking in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado! We all love to get to spend time together (we live across 5 states) and it’s a great way for us all to get out and move. We all also ski together in the winters.

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active is important to our family because it gives my parents a way to get out and be social, and us kids a reason to get up out of our offices and move around. And for the littles, they just have so much energy that staying active is the only way to burn some off.

Michael – Hiker

Why do you enjoy this activity? I have enjoyed hiking for many years because it allows me to keep my body moving while also allowing me to enjoy nature. I enjoy being able to take a lot of time to myself and immerse myself in different environments and a long hike is the perfect way to do that. I have been fortunate enough to travel to states such as Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, and Washington to enjoy fabulous scenery and keep myself in shape.

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active is important to me because it allows me to not only make sure I am taking care of my body, but also my mental health by taking time to focus on myself. Keeping active is also something I enjoy because I still feel I have a lot of energy through my day and need a way to tucker myself out.

Ray – Weight Lifter

Why do you enjoy this activity? I enjoy this activity because it not only helps relieve my stress and increases my focus, but it allows me to put in my earbuds and crank Guns N’ Roses like I’m 17 again.

I started my fitness journey four years ago when my son and I decided to run in our first 5K. Although I played sports my entire life, I was never someone that was into fitness or exercise. I was instantly addicted.

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active to me is important because I want to be around a long time. The picture on the left is me at 39, the picture on the right is me at 49. It’s been a long road 🙂

Renee – Kayaker

Favorite activity: My favorite activity is kayaking! Attached is a photo of one of my kayaking adventures in Florida with family.

Why do you enjoy this activity? I love being in nature, on the water and in the sunshine. The excitement of kayaking with alligators in Florida added a little extra heart pumping! My next kayak goal is to take on white water. It doesn’t feel like exercise when you’re playing, right?

Theresa – Walker

Why do you enjoy this activity? I LOVE our parks here in Cleveland, but all the walking I do is also in preparation for my big walk I do in November in California. I get the chance to walk 60 miles over 3 days to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer, a cause that is near and dear to my heart. This year will mark my 7th 60-mile 3 Day walk for a total of 420 miles, over $16,000 raised to date, and more training miles than I can count!

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active is important to me because life is too short to begin with. I want to do what is within my ability to live as full and as healthy of a life as I can. It gets me outside in some of the most beautiful places, gives me mental clarity, and pushes me to do more for not only myself, but others.

Tracy – Yogi & Zumba Enthusiast

Why do you enjoy this activity? I enjoy Zumba because I love to dance! I try to attend two classes a week. I enjoy Yoga because it is challenging and calming at the same time. I participate in the outdoor class weekly, as well as other classes via the WW app.

Why is staying active important to you? I don’t really consider either activity as “staying active” as much as I just enjoy doing them. They have both contributed to my overall wellness goal.

Will – Soccer Player & Coach

Why do you enjoy this activity? My favorite activity is coaching and playing soccer. I enjoy doing this because it is the best way for me to tune out everything else that is going on in my life and in the world and have my sole focus be on the game. I also love that soccer makes you think on your toes and requires constant focus to be successful. It is a great mental and physical workout! My playing days are mostly behind me, but I still kick it around in a men’s league once a week. Nowadays, I really enjoy coaching the game and passing on my passion and knowledge to the next generations of players.

Why is staying active important to you? Staying active is important to me because it is good for you! An active lifestyle helps to boost your immune system which seems like a really good idea, especially during a pandemic. Staying active also helps to boost my confidence and mental health. I always walk away from a workout in a good mood and feeling better about myself.

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