"Simplify Strategically" - Jan. 2025 Life Recap
For people who, like me, like to snoop on others' lives.
With the world deep in discussion about the trade-offs of social media, I’ll keep throwing in my two cents, which are… It’s pretty freeing not using it much lately!
But I did love my 2024 experiment of sharing a monthly recap on the grid as a piece of my monthly reflection/planning. (You can find them saved on my profile highlights.)
On the first Tuesday of the month, I plan to share my monthly recap right here on Substack. I’m SO curious if seeing my process inspires any thoughts in you, so please shoot me a message or a leave a comment if it does!
January’s Recap
January’s theme was: “Simplify Strategically”
Big wins: Ski Day Mondays (big mental health boost!), hosting 3 comedy shows with a pro who came to town, a triple header escape room day with friends, a solid start with a new business coach, and feeling CALM (in a relative sense, but hey!)
Challenges: Balancing all the sports (more on bike training below), feeling the stress of the sheer amount of time put into a passion project (For The Love Of Podcast), and ummmm all the devastating political news (but which is fueling my fire to keep adding positive impact to my communities)
January’s experiment: Not drinking alcohol all month! I typically feel okay with my alcohol consumption, but this holiday season I started to fatigue with how much was around me. Through January, a set of criteria formed in my brain around how I’d like to be more intentional with drinking. Playing around with this: When debating whether to have a drink, I’ll ask myself 4 questions, and must say “yes” to at least 3 of them to decide. Q1: Do you actually crave this drink right now? Q2: Is this a celebration or holiday? Q3: Do you not have a “big day” tomorrow? Q4: Have you not had more than X (not sure yet) drinks this week?
Core 4 and Angie 3.0 progress: Stoked on both the qualities and the behaviors outlined here. For January, I went 27/31 on breakfasts, 24/31 on out by 11, 14/31 on check-out routine (it will help to clarify what the routine actually is), and 9/31 on rambles (it will help to stack that behavior with an existing habit). YAY FOR ME for scoring a high average across the board on my Angie 3.0 qualities, especially for the Calm one!
Bike race training progress: TBH I am stressed AF with this one. The cut-off times seem so tough to make… On my last long ride I got SO down on myself mentally, which I rarely feel in sports. But today I’m chatting with a coach so I can get some more experienced perspective! My biggest ride was a blast— 35 miles with 4,000’ of gain!
Best thing I spent money on: My business coach! This is quite an investment but I could tell almost immediately it’d pay off. She does Voxer coaching so I can chat with her via voice memo whenever, which is key for me since set meetings are a big stressor right now.
Worst thing I spent money on: While in Bellingham, WA and not drinking, I spent $12 on a tea and a hop water at a brewery then stood outside on the cold dog patio shivering as I tried to chug it. NOT the vibe.
Newly released: Way more Angie-specific stuff coming in February, but FTLO aired: How a Former Olympian Evolved Her Career Over Decades of Pro Snowboarding and The Journey of Addiction and Falling in Love with Recovery.
February’s Focus
February’s theme is: “What’s the minimum success?”
I’m excited for: A trip to Taiwan and Okinawa! The launch of an incredible podcast for a favorite client (I think you’ll love it…).
I’m looking for:
Brands who want to support the Wild Woman Trail Runs (yes, I’m now co-directing a race)! Tell a running or other biz you love to reach out!
Podcast hosts who want to have me on as a guest. There are a few coming out later this month I’m stoked on. Help me keep momentum by telling me what women’s focused show I should connect with?
Work together:
Join the virtual event: Finding Comfort and Confidence Across the Entire Menstrual Cycle While in the Backcountry
Wanna start your own podcast this year? Check this out.
January Snapshots
4 photos from the month…


And that’s a wrap!
This month I’ll be sharing some thoughts and stories about womanhood, adventure, and smashin’ the patriarchy. Business as usual.
My Q’s for you…
Got any Taiwan or Okinawa recs?
What’s your relationship with alcohol like this month?
What’s the best AND worst thing you spent money on in January?