Winter at the Spa

Q: Give us a brief overview of your personal adventures. 

A: I am a very active person. I enjoy being outside in nature. I often ride my bike to work, mostly on the trails. I also enjoyed bike touring. I have ridden the 360-mile Erie Canal Trail from Albany to Buffalo and from Buffalo back to Albany a number of times with my children. I also run the trails on the preserve and the mountain house. This year I got to pace one of my friends for a portion of a 240 mile ultra-run in and around Moab, Utah. For one section I ran for 21 hours with my friend, pushing the limits of how far I thought I could run. It was fun discovering that at this age, I could still do something new and challenging that I hadn’t done before.

Q: What are your tips or hacks for post event/home care?

A: I find it is very important to take care of my body after all of these physical endeavors. I like to do cold plunges when I can. I also use my hot tub so that I am not sore the next day. Getting a massage to help with muscle recovery is probably the best thing that you can do to ensure that you feel great after a challenging physical activity. When you can’t get a massage right after a challenging event, doing self-massage at home with muscle recovery creams can be very helpful. I personally use Cause+ Medics recovery cream to help with stiff muscles. I also make sure to do yoga and stretching specific to whatever activity I’ve done.

Q: What are your tips or hacks for combating the effects of increased aches and pains from the winter cold?

A: It’s important to make sure that you have the correct gear for whatever adventure you’re going to go on. Having warm gloves and wearing appropriate clothing in the winter can make the difference between being miserable or enjoying your outside experience.  Nutrition is also very important, making sure you’re eating healthy nutritious, food and drinking plenty of water is just as important in the winter as in the summer. Getting a good night’s sleep, especially in the winter when the days are shorter, can make a big difference in how you feel.

Q: What is your best tip for boosting immunity?

A: I find the best way to keep healthy through the winter are all the commonsense things that we forget to do in our rushed hectic lives. Making sure to get enough sleep, eating well and drinking water are all incredibly important to staying healthy. One part of that is having a healthy gut biota, probiotics are an important part of having a healthy gut. You can take probiotic supplements, or you can get them in the foods that you eat. Yogurt is the most common food people eat that has probiotics in it. There are many probiotic foods that do not have dairy in it though. Fermented foods are also high in probiotics.

Q: 1. You have been a part of the Mohonk Team for18 years. How exciting! Tell us a little about your journey.

A: I started my journey at a summer job during college, where I had the opportunity to work in various areas such as the recreation department, kids club, and boat dock. It was during this time that I fell in love with the job and quickly realized that this was a place I wanted to be, surrounded by a community of amazing people, both the team and the guests. It was an opportunity that I didn’t even know existed until I experienced it firsthand.

Originally from Long Island, I attended New Paltz SUNY and loved it so much that I decided to stay after college. I continued to work in the recreation department, and over time, I became the activities manager. Along the way, I also became a mom to twins and pursued my masters in teaching for grades K-6. Finally, in 2015, I achieved my goal of becoming the Director of Recreation. It has been a fulfilling journey, and I am grateful for the experiences and growth that came with it.

Q: What is your favorite winter outdoor activity to enjoy at Mohonk?

A: Tubing is the absolute best! It’s an activity that never gets old and always guarantees a rush of excitement. There’s nothing like feeling the sensation of the cold wind and the exhilaration that comes from sliding down a hill in a tube. It’s a perfect way to rekindle those sweet childhood memories and bring out the inner child in all of us. The pure joy that tubing brings is simply unmatched, and it’s amazing how it can instantly put a smile on your face.

Q: What is the most challenging outdoor activity you have ever done?

A: The Via Ferrata is an incredible adventure. Many people may feel intimidated by if they’ve never tried it before. However, once you conquer it, the sense of pride and accomplishment is truly remarkable. Via Ferrata pushes you outside of your comfort zone, challenging you to overcome physical and mental obstacles along the way. It’s a thrilling experience that combines hiking, climbing, and breathtaking views, all while being safely secured to a steel cable. Your spirit is rejuvenated and you leave with a renewed sense of confidence.

Q: What is the most important thing to remember when planning an outdoor activity?

A: If you’re going anywhere, think about how long the activity is going to last – a.k.a. pack, snacks, and water. Be sure to think through everything you may need so that you feel prepared, such as footwear, clothing, or even a simple pair of sunglasses. I’m a huge photographer. I use Google to search for images and see what I need. Many trails do not have their own websites, so I use Weather apps.

Q: What is your best tip for boosting immunity?

A: My favorite tip is to “eat” your Vitamins – I love Vitamin C packed fresh pineapple, oranges, strawberries and immune boosting blueberries.