Can I be honest? I had no idea how long this hiatus would take. The only thing I knew and felt for sure, almost spiritually, was that I was more afraid to stop than I was to continue.

Typically, the fear for me lived in the doing. The unraveling and mapping out of my wildest imaginings. Even though I was showing up weekly, sitting in front of my laptop, typing up a new newsletter, editing a new vlog post or podcast episode, I wasn’t doing it from my heart. I wasn’t being disingenuous by any means (at least not intentionally) — still, something was missing. It lacked this tethering. A tethering to me and what I really want to leave as my offering.

Of course, I knew the only path to clarity was a pause. However, a pause felt frightening. A pause felt like shame and judgment. It felt like looking fickle and flaky, inconsistent, incompetent — plainly put, a pause felt like failure. Have you ever felt that rest and silence were the only way forward, and yet instead you soldiered on?

Maybe we do it to save face. Maybe it’s because we associate stillness with laziness instead of restoration. Maybe it’s because we’ve conflated doing with being, instead of understanding that they both have purpose and value. Doing nothing doesn’t make you nothing, and being busy doesn’t make you whole, worthy, satisfied, or even happy.

I’m not sure why we avoid STOPPING or why we avoid SITTING STILL. What I do know for certain is that I needed stillness. I needed to sit down and to be okay with sitting down. I needed to lie my head back on a pillow and sleep through an alarm clock or two. I needed to dream without interruption and notice what it felt like to be there in that dream, instead of ruminating on follower count.

In that sitting, and in that stillness, I also heard my calling. There was this incredible awareness and awakening around the word permission — the fact that I had been given it, and that it was my responsibility to “gift” it to others.

You have permission to pause. You have permission to arrive later, to be messy, to be great, to make and miss your shots. You have permission to false start, start again, quit entirely, and start something new. You have permission to miss your mark, and still be — as well as become — an absolute masterpiece.

You have permission to be great. It is not predicated on your connections, your gender, your age, or your race. It is not dictated by some divine law that says you’re one of the chosen few who get to experience the fullness of what this world has to offer. YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION JUST BY BEING YOU. That’s my offering. That’s my reminder. That’s what I want to seed into all I do and how I want to show up moving forward. That’s the tethering.

Maybe it shows up differently depending on the medium of content, but that’s the question I want to have at the forefront of my mind. How am I granting permission to the person on the receiving end of whatever it is I’m creating? How am I reminding them through my actions that they have permission to be the fullest version of themselves — the version of themselves that may be unrefined and flawed, but still worthy of what comes next?

I’m not sure how I’m meant to do this, but I realize that’s what I am meant to do, and I hope we get to do it together.

Love

~ Cel

A little About Me

I’m Marcel. I live and write in NYC. I am Peloton Tread Instructor. You can take classes with me live in NYC or online via the Peloton App. I love to solo travel and as often with my Dog 6 as possible. I am a adventure seeker and life long learner and I’m tremendously happy to meet you .

Welcome back friends. I’ve decided to go in a different direction entirely with my newsletter .

The first change being a new monthly cadence and a few special drops here and there. This being one of them . Some moments will be intimate , some will be monthly wraps of messages and moments that stood out to me . Things that I felt needed reflection or moments I thoroughly enjoyed and wanted to give you a more detailed behind the scenes glimpse .

My goal with this is not to pull away but instead pull back with intention much like a sling shot . To store up a bit more momentum and potential so that when I am ready to come forward I can do so with authenticity in a way that I haven’t been capable of before .

I am also changing the name of the newsletter to Taking Care . Much like the name of the podcast my goal here is to place more focus on intentional living . All of the things we do rather they’re done for profit or for cause should be done with more time , more focus and more care.

So, before we get into the happenings of January let me tell you a little bit more about the girl behind this keyboard still holding out hope that she will one day evolve into a woman. I think that much of my public persona, if you can call it that, lives in a predominantly white space without its proper context.

For starters I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee in a neighborhood known as Boxtown. I lived with my then 16 year old mother , my grandmother Ora and my great grandmother Mama T. My dad was 21 at the time. My father has loved me since the day he set eyes on me. However, that doesn’t mean it was a perfect love . My parents were very young , very immature , naive, uneducated and broke. I don’t say this with a hint of cruelty or malice . Instead I say this with compassion. As an adult I can now see how difficult life must have been for these two young parents with no idea of how challenging the world would be but they had family.

Boxtown as a neighborhood was, is and will always be special . It was the first neighborhood in Memphis established by formerly enslaved African Americans . In 1863 right after the Emancipation Proclamation, freed slaves built what were known as shotgun houses. Meaning “You could walk in through the front and shoot right out the back” as we say in the south.

My great grandmother Mama T owned one of those houses and a piece of land where she cultivated a garden . She had chickens and rabbits ; peach trees and turnip greens . That’s where I spent my formative years, on Mama T’s lap. Staring out the front door at huge lots of empty land while she chewed tobacco or dipped her snuff . My great grandmother was born in 1902 which meant she was born free . There are so many things I remember about Mama T. However, what I remember most is how much everyone in Boxtown loved her. She was a deaconess for as long as I can remember and took me to church where I had to sit up front with her granddaughter, my grandmother. She would bake pies and cakes from scratch and take them to the neighbors . This seventy year old woman would walk the hills of Boxtown to spend time with her “elders” , the women in the nursing home community nearby. If anyone ever needed a place to stay they stayed in her spare room. I spent every summer that I could with my great grandmother until she passed away my freshman year of college . That was my first great loss but I feel deeply that she was also my first guardian angel. It was because of this great woman . Who stood at about 5 ‘10 with silver hair and cinnamon mocha skin that I ever dreamed beyond Memphis but not simply beyond Memphis because Memphis is forever a part of me but beyond my circumstances. She took me on my first train trip when I was just a baby. I grew up feeling wrapped in love and filled to the brim with hope. I grew up with this idea that I was perfect, unique and special . I didn’t know it then but this was the foundation of my self esteem. It’s this foundation that has allowed me to get knocked down but not stay there . At times I have forgotten who I am , or who I was but I have never forgotten that I am Mama T’s favorite grand baby for a reason . She saw something in me that I could never have seen in myself. I am so eternally grateful that PULLING back from just going going going, doing doing doing , has allowed me to remember that .

So, understand this is the place from which I speak to you in 2026. This is the reason my smile seems a bit brighter , my gaze a bit more intentional. It is why I hug you tighter and listen more intently when you’re speaking . You see, that’s what Mama T would do and what she did for me.

I was raised with overwhelming compassion by a family that was flawed like any other but one that loved me to the bone. Last year , it finally dawned on me. That in my doing , doing , doing I was chasing . Chasing validation , some sort of skewed sense of belonging. Waiting for someone to choose me, to pick me and say “ Hey, I think that you are special.” I feel like I wrote from that place , I performed from that place , I loved from that place , hell it felt like I even lived in that place..

There’s a bible verse from Jeremiah 1:5. It’s one of my all time favorite scriptures and when I gave my one and only sermon as a kid it was the one that I preached from and it says

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you …” .

Only a fool would spend the rest of their life chasing something that they’ve already been given. And one thing for sure , two things for certain Mama T’s favorite grand baby ain’t nobodies fool .

Happy 2026 Friends Y’all

~ Love Marcel

📌 February Challenge

I am issuing a February challenge but it’s not a physical one, it’s more about healing and remembering .That’s the journey that I’ve been on and that’s the one I want to extend to you.

What I’ve learned is that it doesn’t matter how good your abs look if your soul is suffering. So, this Black History Month and also this month of love I’m issuing a challenge of 24 days of Love . Each day beginning Feb 4 - Feb 28 your challenge is to write a love letter or note to your current , future or younger self. On March 1st I will host a live chat where we choose to read some of them aloud. The goal is to read all of your letters privately to yourself throughout March.

The number 24 represents balance, harmony, stability, responsibility, and partnerships. Bringing back in focus the importance of compassion and strength , responsibility and grace . Your mind, body and soul have to have some semblance of balance in order to make it out of here whole .

📌 Stay Connected

• 🧘‍♀️ Join me on Peloton— 30 day free trial here

• 📸 Instagram: @officialmarcelfit.com

• Connect or work with me:

https://marceldinkins.komi.io/

I can’t believe it’s the Monday before I run the Chicago Marathon . 4 more sleeps and I will be there. 6 more sleeps and I will be toeing the line . I’ve been to Chicago quite a few times. It’s the first place I actually remember traveling to besides St Louis. I also remember as a kid lying and telling people I was from Chicago. I am indeed not. However, I thought it sounded cool at the time. So, that little trifling fact didn’t stop me .

My family does have strong ties to the windy city. My dad was raised in Illinois just outside of Chicago until he was about 17. Was he born there ? I am not sure. Have I asked him? I don’t recall. Trying to get any information out of that man is like trying to siphon out the last bit of tooth paste. So, I don’t bother . My mom on the other hand spent a few years in Chicago as a child with my grandma and her stepdad, a Chicago native . As a matter of fact I still have cousins, and a few aunts who live in and around the city till this day. With all of that being said, I am super excited to wander the streets of the Chi. Maybe I’ll run along a street my dad skated down back in the day or pass through a neighborhood he hung out in when he was a teenager. There is something surreal about the possibility of crossing paths with their history that just gives me goosebumps in the best way .

This will be my second marathon and training this time around has been difficult in a way that really makes me extremely grateful. The miles have been hard fought and slow but I am running. You know !? I say that with enthusiasm , excitement, a bit of skepticism and a dose of curiosity. Lately, I’ve been in a mental funk. The funk itself certainly feels like much to do about nothing but when I think about how challenging these miles have been. It puts things into perspective in a way that I am just extremely grateful for . Having something to train for . Something that has forced me to get up and put my shoes on. Something that reminds me that I can do hard things and that those things take consistency, effort and time; while also validating that I’m capable . I had my best run of this entire training cycle a couple days ago and it made me feel alive . I started pushing my pace even harder just racing with myself down the street, music off , smiling and breathing hard as hell . The funny thing is it came right after my hardest and most grueling run of this training cycle. My final long run left me limping , feeling depleted and hobbling to go get a bowl of pasta. I knew going into it , it would be hard. I mentally prepared myself for it saying “ this is gonna suck but this is exactly what your body needs. Your body needs to know that you’re not going to quit and that it needs to heal because you’ve got training to do”. Hilarious, right ? I was dead serious and that’s why I am grateful.

That long run pep talk was just what I needed to hear . Not only for those 18 miles but for the mental funk I was in as well. In last week’s newsletter I shared with you one of Bart Yasso’s favorite quotes “ Never limit where running can take you”. Even though I sat down with Bart nearly 3 weeks ago that quote has stuck with me. I find myself musing over just how much truth resides in that statement . That 18 mile run on a Monday afternoon got me out of my own way . It brought me clarity, perspective and a huge helping of gratitude. It brought me to that fierce fiery run where I felt like a stronger, better version of myself . Even if it was for just an hour . I felt untouchable . I felt unstoppable . I felt like I could accomplish anything. I believe we all need that.

That’s the beauty of pushing ourselves physically. For me it’s this marathon. This marathon that I know is gonna break me off but I also know that I am going to better and stronger for it . What is that challenge for you ? Where are you off to next ?

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

I’m off air this week, friends in preparation for the marathon .

Monday 7:30 PM 15 MIN 2000s run ENCORE

Wednesday 5:30PM 20 MIN Walk ENCORE

The tread studio is officially open again and there are far too many new classes for me to list every one here but this week

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz Dr. Mel came through with the answer

This track Rhythm is Gonna Get You was a hit from Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine . It picked at # 5 on the billboard top 100 and was from their Let It Loose studio album.

• statement and provide the name and date of the project. Using the clues above

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

Welcome back friends to Life on Mars, the space where I share .. well everything . When I say everything, I mean everything about my life experiences , my thoughts in general , the latest in wellness and wellness trends, music and my life as a Peloton Instructor

Subscribe now

“Bart Yasso sitting at his kitchen table with his favorite mug”

Last week, I sat down for an interview with Bart Yasso . My first interview in a few months and not only was it exciting to be sitting across the table from someone. It was surreal to be sitting across from “The” Bart Yasso. I met Bart for the first time 3 years ago at, Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach. I had no idea who he was at the time. The only thing I knew was that he was a nice older gentleman that all the die hard runners were vying to approach and speak with.

Bart’s running journey began in his early 20s after leaving a bar drunk alongside another intoxicated friend. He watched as his friend stumbled out of the bar so intoxicated that he simply walked out in front of a moving vehicle. From that moment on Bart knew that he wanted to sober up and do something different with his life. He didn’t know exactly how but he took up running, aiming just to run a mile. That was over 50 years ago.

Bart Yasso is now known for his success as the former Chief Running Officer of Runners World Magazine, the creator of Yasso 800's , a workout designed to assist in predicting marathon pace based on an 800 meter workout . He’s competed in and reported on over 1500 races around the world, is one of the very few people that have run on all 7 continents and is the author of 3 books on the sport of running . His latest book being “100 Runs of a Lifetime, The World's Ultimate Races and Trails” with National Geographic.

As we walked through Bart's 2 story stone home, tucked away just outside of historic Bethlehem , Pa, my eyes were drawn to every corner of the tastefully decorated space covered in race memorabilia . In one corner sat over 800 race press laners, some dating all the way back to races from the 80’s. Multiple keys to multiple cities, African statues, and the gear he used to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro all sat in the next. The entire place felt more like a spiritual homage to running than someone's home . However , from his warm smile and subtle hints of pride you could tell that Bart was definitely at peace in his space. As we made our way through the corridor and into the softly lit living room, Bart would occasionally grab one of the various knick knacks hanging along the way and as if it was an artifact possessing the power to transport him back in time he’d break out into story after story. Recounting for me and the camera hovering just above whatever object he grabbed next the exacting events from that day and time

(Bart in front of a Post he fabricated of all of the great races and trails he’s completed in his lifetime.)

It was such a surreal experience, sitting in his garden with a box of his old race memories and watching his stories come to life. At the tender age of 72 Bart stands as a reminder of the importance of living a full and tremendous life. I spent about 3 hours in Bart’s home that Friday before sharing a meal with him in downtown Bethlehem.

Sitting here now and writing this article for you I can’t help but shed a few tears to be honest. In awe of all of the things that Bart has accomplished for sure but also in awe of all the endless circumstances that needed to occur for our meeting to be possible. Bart and I couldn’t be more different. Him and an older white man in his 70s from the foothills of Pennsylvania and me, a 30 something black woman from South Memphis. Yet we bounded over the gift of running and how it can challenge you , change you, and transport you to heights you could never have imagined. As Bart says, “Never limit where running can take you” .

Make sure you are subscribed to my YouTube and Spotify for the full interview.

📌 In Other News

GRATITUDE

I met Gloria Estefan this week. I got to give her a huge hug, take a photo and even chat with her briefly. Before that I was doing a photo shoot on the Highline with my own makeup artist, hairstylist and three photographers circling me while people walked by watching me do my shoot. I was not only comfortable, I was confident and really felt like I was owning my space.

Sometimes I forget just how far I’ve come . It’s not just my job but it’s also about my mindset and my mentality how much I have grown. Younger me even though she was stick-thin she would have felt so exposed, not small enough and countless other lackings. It’s easy to forget sometimes . It’s easy to get distracted by what other people have and what you don’t . This is just a reminder to be grateful for every win you accomplish. Acknowledge where you are and keep striving forward .

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

The tread studio is officially open again and there are far too many new classes for me to list every one here but this week

MONDAY : 5:30PM 45 MIN INTERVAL RUN ENCORE

WEDNESDAY : 12:00 AM NEW RELEASE 60 MIN WALK +RUN OUTDOOR

THURSDAY : 12:00 AM 5 MIN POST RUN STRETCH

SUNDAY : 2:30 PM 60 MIN POP RUN

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

This track was a hit from Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine . It picked at # 5 on the billboard top 100 and was from their ______ studio album.

• statement and provide the name and date of the project. Using the clues above

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

Welcome back friends to Life on Mars, the space where I share .. well everything . When I say everything, I mean everything about my life experiences , my thoughts in general , the latest in wellness and wellness trends, music and my life as a Peloton Instructor

Pilates was compared to a Bottega bag on social media this weekend. It was also deemed “necessarily inaccessible due to its proximity to whiteness in order to preserve the standards of the practice”. Yes, someone actually said that . Was it just my algorithm or did it hit your “for you page” as well?

The statements were recorded , posted and then swiftly deleted by a fairly well known content creator and pilates instructor. The statements had racial as well as classist undertones and the GIRLIES online were NOT F____ having it .

The bigger issue was that THE CALL was coming from inside the house . That’s right the creator was “black” …well mixed and she did say it would be a “Hot take” but I don’t believe she was prepared for the swift and visceral backlash .

THE INACCESSIBILITY OF WELLNESS

We all put our foot in our mouths at times . That’s the problem with everyone having a camera and platform . Sometimes our intrusive thoughts win . The problem with her particular intrusive thoughts were that they represented a felt reality for so many people of color. How many times have you been the only person of color in a pilates , spin , or even yoga class ? Don’t even get me started on gyrotonics. How many times have you felt priced out of an experience? Or even if you could afford to be in the room, it was so “obvious” that the experience wasn’t intended for or crafted with you in mind , that you left the studio feeling othered and never went back?

I’ve attended countless wellness conferences and events and the thing that I hear and also see the most is the lack of diversity not only in the room but also from the leadership and the ideas at the conferences. Instead of thinking critically about why the rooms look the way they do, the creator used the room to fit a narrative ( most likely to justify her prices, others do it as well) of “exclusivity” and “luxury” and not simply based on its price but also based on its proximity to whiteness. I firmly believe it was that last part that got her the most backlash because I mean COME ON …READ THE F___ room . Especially in today’s climate “Proximity” speaks more explicitly than it ever did in the past even though it's maintained its same meaning.

My issue with her statement was less about what she said and more about the fact that she actually believed it. That’s why I started my Wellness Wednesday chats in the first place . That’s why we have countless instructors of color at Peloton. That's why studios like Traphaus exist. For this very reason. Wellness is not something to be hoarded. What has convinced us that you need to be of a certain class or race in order to participate in certain wellness practices? Why are we so broken as a society that we deem inaccessibility as luxury ? I would love to have this conversation in real time with the creator. Especially since she was a woman of color and someone that professed to wanting to diversify the pilates space while still perpetuating archaic industry practices and false narratives .

I’m gonna end today’s newsletter with a question. What do you think needs to change in the wellness space in order for statements like this to be less of the norm?

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

Just in case you missed it . We had an EDM run with free mode drop last week and an in studio trap run. I loved them both but the EDM RUN almost broke me .

Up this week

Monday : 30 Min Baile Intenso Run

Sunday : 45 Min HIIT Run

NO TRIVA THIS WEEK YALL . BRAIN STORMING TRIVIA IDEAS

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

The winner from last week’s Trivia is:

This week you have to complete the

• statement and provide the name and date of the project. Using the clues above

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

Just in case you missed it . We had an EDM run with free mode drop last week and an in studio trap run. I loved them both but the EDM RUN almost broke me .

Up this week 3 new classes are dropping on demand.

Monday : 30 Min Baile Intenso Run

Sunday : 45 Min HIIT Run

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

The winner from last week’s Trivia is:

This week you have to complete the

• statement and provide the name and date of the project. Using the clues above

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars and consider subscribing for $6

It’s official I’m never taking a week off from writing again . I feel like everything happened ages ago and it's an impossible task to get caught up on everything that’s transpired over the last couple of weeks . However , let’s begin with the most obvious. My adult summer camp experience .

When I think of wellness summer camp NEVER crosses my mind . As a fact as a kid I never attended camp as a child and the closest thing that I can compare it to would be my time spent in basic training .

I didn’t have any plans for Labor Day weekend and when I saw that my social club was offering discounted tickets to an Adults only summer camp . I jumped at the opportunity . I also thought it would be a great chance to socialize, meet new people and feed my adrenaline with some zip-lining, mountain biking and obstacle courses.

I’d just completed 75 hard 4 days prior so this would serve as a wonderful way to celebrate completion . I wanted to do something after completing the challenge that reinforced and built upon the habits and behaviors I'd gleaned from the challenge. What better way to do that than to be rugged in the woods , hiking , bike riding, partying ( sober of course) etc.

Camp

Day 1 started with a night time arrival . Check - in, cabin assignments , roommate introductions , happy hour , a welcome dinner and piano duel as the final party to close out the night.

Day 2 ushered in the proper camp festivities. Every morning started around 7am (optional of course) with a morning hike , coffee , stretching, breakfast and sign - up for water sports and activities like paddle boarding and water skiing once the waterfront opened at 10am. Outside of the water sports and lounging around the lake there were over 50 other random activities including pickle ball, zumba lessons , multiple zip-lining courses , and even mountain biking .

Day 3 was much like day 1 & 2 including the fact that every night closed out with a themed party . It was a Sunday and seeing that I am in the thick of marathon training I skipped the morning activities and even breakfast in exchange for completing my long run .

So, first thing in the morning I hit the streets and ran through the very very small town of Kent , Ct. A little over 13 miles later I wrapped up my run around 10:30 am and decided I was only sun bathing and lying around the lake for the rest of the day and maybe taking a boat ride . Which I skipped in exchange for just lying in a floaty on the water.

Around 4pm there was a Red, White and Brew BBQ at the lake front and after dinner a few hours later the Camp counselors had decorated the boat house and threw another themed party . Day 2’s theme was Blizzard beach which was a mix of cold weather ski gear and swimwear but Day 3 was a frat themed Toga party and by far my favorite activity at camp. The DJ was phenomenal and it turns out that it’s the camp's farewell to summer, finale party. Many of the camp counselors , who are international college students, would be leaving after the weekend and returning to their respective countries. So the energy was over the top and all around great vibes .

Day 4 there was brunch, more obstacle courses and check out .

Again , I’ve never been to camp in my life. The closest I’ve ever come to what I experienced last weekend was Army bootcamp minus the unlimited day drinking . What I can say is that the entire experience was tremendously therapeutic. In environments like that where you are invited to just be a kid again and explore and have fun with autonomy it says a lot about who you are and the things that you gravitate to . It offers you an opportunity to get to know yourself more intimately even if you are surrounded by hundreds of other people . So even if I never thought about summer camp when I thought about wellness before . I most definitely do now .

Here’s an example of a day’s itinerary

8am Early Morning Hike

8:30 am Breakfast

9:30 Stretching on the lawn

10:00 am Waterfront and water sports open

10:00 - 11:30

Archery

Adventure Base Camp

(Zip lining , areal obstacle courses , areal bicycle , giant swings , tower drop , climbing wall )

11:30 - 1PM

Beach Volleyball Tournament

Salsa class

1pm

Lunch

2:00 - 4pm

Bike to main town

Intro to pickleball

Mixology class

Paint N’sip

5:00 pm - 7:00

Lawn gams and boat house happy hour

8pm

Beach and blizzard themed dinner

10:pm Beach Bash Party at the Boathouse

📌 In Other News

There have been a bunch of milestones since our last newsletter .

• We have officially finished 75 hard - This was a journey but so worth it. I would recommend that everyone try it at least once . It’s very eye opening .

• We’re 5 weeks out from the Chicago Marathon . We’re finally in the home stretch and Chicago is just around the corner .

• I celebrated my 4 year Pelo-versary . That’s right, I've been at Peloton for 4 years. Honestly, it’s officially the longest I’ve remained at any company . You all make it worth wild.

• I started piano lessons . Finally! I have been dreaming of starting some sort of music lessons since I began learning French. My goal has always been to become a woman of many talents . Speak a couple of languages , ride a horse , play the piano or guitar, learn the stock market and have a fat a$$ while doing all of it . I feel one step closer to greatness.

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

Last week I was quite busy in the studio post Labor Day Weekend . Most days I recorded at minimum two or more classes so prepare for a few new ON DEMAND drops . Here were some of my favorite new classes that I hope you check out. Oh, let us not forget that we had the lovely Ladies of BGM in the studio as well just before Labor.

Founder of BGM ( Courtney Snowden) Bgmpelotonedition is an online community of black women that actively use peloton to accomplish their fitness goals and choose to run , ride and train together under a united hashtag to support and encourage one another .

No classes this week

📌Newsletter Trivia

NO TRIVIA THIS WEEK . BUT WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

The winner from last week’s Trivia is:

This week you have to complete the

• statement and provide the name and date of the project. Using the clues above

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

Welcome back friends to Life on Mars, the space where I share .. well everything . When I say everything, I mean everything about my life experiences , my thoughts in general , the latest in wellness and wellness trends, music and my life as a Peloton Instructor.

Today marks our very first music focused post of Life On Mars and I am way too excited . Before we go into detail about the records and albums I’ve been playing on repeat lately. I want to pay homage to music royalty..

I’ve been in love with Ozzy since I was a child. Way before I knew what heavy metal was I recognized his hazy voice as the backdrop to some of my favorite memories sitting on the couch with my dad watching Dazed and Confused or hearing Iron Man blaring through the speakers the first time I saw Robert Downy Jr. embody Tony Stark.

So as tribute I’ve created a playlist of my favorite Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osborn songs give it a listen our share it with someone whose a true Ozzy fan.

Rest in peace Prince of Darkness .

New Albums and Music I’m Listening to off the Tread

Album :

$OME $exy $ongs 4 U by PartyNextDoor & Drake * NS ( No Skips )

Ok so technically not new . This album dropped back in February but all of the rap beef discourse was clouding the airways. Honestly I love this album . In fact I feel like I love it more now than I did when it dropped back in February. Sometimes I feel like Drake is trolling everyone including himself and I find it hilarious. Gimme A Hug was the perfect example of that . Partynextdoor and drake have some of my favorite Drake collabs. The make good music together .

Also, Drake’s song Nokia has me in a choke hold. I’m not sure how it manage to still make it to my songs of summer .

New Album : Clipse dropped a new album, “Let God Sort Em Out ” , their first album since 2009 . Pusha T has been having a monster run the last few years from his last album Diet Coke. His last few projects have been some of the best music released in hip hop. In my opinion his delivery is very old school but he’s flashy like new school which makes his sound so perfect for right now.

If you didn’t catch them on Tiny Desk, you missed theater and you definitely need to check it out ..

New BigXthaPlug Drop “ I Hope You’re Happy”

The whole project highlights features with country artists. He has tracks with Darius Rucker , Shaboozey , and Luck Combs to name a few. I think it’s worth a listen . The title track “I Hope You’re Happy” is very bluesy and soulful like Tennessee whiskey .

The only track that was a skip for me was the track featuring Luke Combs . It’s not that it was bad, it just seemed to clash with the vibe of the other tracks . Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

New School Artist That I’m listening to off the tread that I’m definitely trying to get for my classes

Artist : Flower in bloom favorite track Gimme .

Artist: Pluto I know you’ve here Whim Whammie but have you heard Gimme Him

Artist : Dee Dula from Memphis of course . Stand out track Blow My High

📌 In Other News

75 hard is finished . I’m gonna need at least a week before I can talk about this in more detail . Thank you to everyone who endured this with us . I truly mean it, you kept me going .

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

The tread studio is officially open again and there are far too many new classes for me to list every one here but this week

MONDAY : 12PM 20 MIN POP RUN 12:35 PM 15 MIN NEW TRACK RUN

TUESDAY : 6:30 AM 45 MIN INTERVAL RUN

THURSDAY : 8:30 PM 30 MIN 90S RUN

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

The winner from last week’s Trivia is: Steph baby you one

This week you have to complete the

• Ok friends today’s trivia answer needs to be phrased in question form . As we close out August and given the last two weeks answers and clues above what is the theme for this months trivia questions ?

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

We live in a culture that celebrates the big. Big goals, big launches, the “breakout ”, the Viral moment etc. But the truth is most “overnight successes” are built on years of small, intentional steps. To some degree we all know this but that doesn’t stop us dreaming and even chasing that BIG moment when it’s suddenly “our time” . Of course social media doesn’t help and the generations to follow.. well hell .. I can’t even imagine being exposed to everyone else's life 24/7 since childhood or the impact that has on ones self development and identity but this is where we are .

The question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately is how do we begin to steer ourselves back to appreciating the small intentional steps; to being heroes in our own lives even if that doesn't translate to “life” online ?

Going “Small” Matters

I’ve always wanted to be great at something my whole life . I remember vividly a conversation I once had with my high school basketball coach ( whom I hated by the way ) who said to me “You’re a jack of all trades master of none” . THAT REALLY PISSED ME OFF but if I am being honest there was a bit of truth to it. When we chase everything at once, we dilute our energy. Spreading ourselves so thin that whatever progress or success that we do find. It becomes is so obscured that we can’t double down on the win because we can’t see it in the first place . It reminds me of an interview that Michelle Obama had a few years back when she told the interviewer “ You can have it all but not all at once “.

Going small forces you to narrow your focus, strip away distractions, and channel all of your energy where it matters most at that moment in time .

Think about it:

• A writer commits to 300 words a day. That’s a book in a year.

• An entrepreneur builds a business around one product before scaling.

• A leader focuses on coaching just one team at a time, creating ripple effects across the organization.

• For me I’ve decided to focus on getting back in control of my health and my body . Hence 75 hard
  

It’s not about doing less for the sake of less—it’s about doing the right type of less so you can achieve more.

The Compound Effect of Small Wins

Since deciding that I wanted to make feeling good in my body my priority more specifically I ultimately want to look like SEX . Yes I said it and I’ll say it again I want to look so damn good for me and only me that I look like “DAMN GIRL, YOU LOOK LIKE SEX”. Since making that decision and focusing on this one thing as my priority. I can see how it has had a ripple effect in other areas of my life . The changes haven’t happened overnight and there wasn’t this huge overhaul but it's been small steady changes that have begun to compound.

It started with changing my desk at home. I was just sitting at the computer all day long which was necessary to get my work done but I was like how can I do this better. So I bought a standing desk , then a tread underneath . That made me want to do something to jumpstart my workouts and nutrition so I started 75 Hard. Once that started I realized that instead of riding an electric bike everywhere I go I could take my own bike out which meant I needed to get a bike lock . Then I got back into swimming. You see where I am going here ? .

Tiny wins add up. A 1% improvement every day compounds into massive transformation over time. That’s how habits are built, skills are mastered, and magic happens. The magic isn’t in one giant leap forward; it’s in the accumulation of hundreds of small, consistent steps.

(Above is me in June when I decided I needed to do something different)

( This was this weekend in the dressing room at KITH mind you nothing crazy has changeed. I JUST committed to showing up daily for the last 75 days )

How to practice “Going Small”

1. Pick your one thing. Identify the single action or project that will create the greatest impact if done consistently.
   

2. Set micro-goals. Break down ambitious targets into daily or weekly steps that feel manageable.
   

3. Say no often. Protect your focus by declining distractions, even if they look appealing.
   

4. Celebrate progress. Acknowledge each small win—it keeps momentum alive.

This last step in my opinion is the most important . Celebrate the win . Not by doing the opposite of what you want to have happen for you but by doubling down on your victories. What do I mean by this ? To celebrate completing 75 Hard I’m not going out for drinks instead I’ve booked a photoshoot . I want to continue to build on this momentum and remind myself of what I am capable of when I show up consistently.

Big Outcomes Start Small

Going small isn’t shrinking your vision—it’s about strengthening and streamlining it. When you prioritize focus over frenzy, depth over breadth, and consistency over intensity, you unlock the very leverage that allows you to go big.

The lesson is simple: If you want to achieve extraordinary results, start with the smallest step in the right direction—and keep stepping.

A great book I recommend for this is “ The One Thing “ by Gerry Keller and Jay Papasan

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

This past weekend I came in to sub two classes on Saturday . 45 Min Hip Hop run and a 60 Min 90s walk if you are looking for a few new classes and I am back live this week .

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

Last week 's trivia Question Answer

Ok we had absolutely no guesses at last weeks trivia but the answer was Outside by Cardi B for her upcoming album Am I the Drama.

This weeks trivia Question

Name this 2019 summer anthem using the clues above and the artist

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

Welcome to Life on Mars - the space where I share .. well everything . When I say everything, I mean everything about my life experiences , my thoughts on the latest wellness trends and wellness culture, music and my life as a Peloton Instructor.

The other morning I typed into ChatGPT “ Write me a blog post on mental resets”. Within mere seconds I had a fully flushed-out article, with the title” Hitting the Reset Button : How to do a Mental Reset and Why You Need One“. (Complete with bullet points) 

Want to hear something hilarious ? I cried ! My eyes actually began to water as tears slowly streamed down my face.  And before you assume that they were tears of joy; they weren’t. Here’s this “tool” that just made my life a hell of a lot easier. It eliminated hours of me scouring the internet for resources. Then having to reduce said resources down to digestible and relatable content that reflects my own thoughts and feelings on the subject PAUSE ! This should have in fact , made me extremely happy and appreciative. Instead, I immediately felt overwhelmed . 

My entire internal dialogue began questioning why am I doing this in the first place if not to share my own thoughts? It didn’t feel honest . It didn’t feel authentic. It just felt like cheating .  Cheating whom , exactly ? Well, that’s the weird part.  I don’t know , maybe my reader or maybe just myself.  Passing on those thoughts as my own without informing the reader, oh by the way everything you see here  was written by AI , feels like a lie . Or at bare minimum false advertisement. 

After sitting and reading the entire ChatGPT post I was even more conflicted . My audience could benefit from the take-aways and the structure of the post. There was a 5 step process to reducing mental stress laid out in a way that I hadn’t thought of or at least that I don’t think I would have arrived at on my own .

So, I started trying to rationalize: is it any different from ghost writing, what if  I  paraphrase ? How do I plan on scaling my newsletter if I have to spend hours instead of minutes on every article.. Blah blah blah ..  so forth and so on. 

This is our reality . The same way search engines were introduced and made going to the library for resources nearly obsolete. We find ourselves here navigating a new frontier . The digital terrain of OpenAI and what it means to provide the most  authentic and valuable resources to your audience . I think there is a way to do that with integrity and without being overly dependent on AI as our sole resource. However, I do believe that it will take a level of honesty from each of us that call ourselves writers . 

📌 In Other News 

Life has been chill lately. I’ve been offline and I really need it right now. I'm back in the swimming pool and it turns out I can actually swim. According to my new swim coach, freestyle is my best stroke and I even breathe on both sides. ( like what.. who is she even ?) The problem is I am a sinker. I naturally gravitate toward the bottom of the pool like a boulder. Which by the way is extremely petrifying . I am being taught right now how to properly tread water and my feet actually hit the bottom of the pool🫠 and I can stand there . Sometimes I feel the fear and anxiety rising up in me in my chest like a kettle of boiling hot water . In those moments I remind myself it’s better to feel anxious and afraid here with a life guard and a coach watching me than to live with those limits forever. At this point the only thing holding me back in the pool is fear and stamina both of which are solvable by applying myself consistently. 

Is there something that you want to tackle this year? Honestly, 75 hard has been a breakthrough for me . We only have 9 days left but its been extremely rewarding 

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

Just in case you missed it . Theres also a new 10 Min Arms & Light Weights 

Up this week 3 new classes are dropping on demand. 

Monday : 15 Min 2000s Run w/ free mode 

Wednesday : 20 Min Walk + Run  ; 10 Min Warm up 

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

The winner from last week’s Trivia is: Kimberly Johnson .. Congrats 

This week you have to complete the 

• statement and provide the name and date of the project. Using the clues above 

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

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Today marks the last 3 weeks of the 75 Hard challenge. During this challenge we’ve had to forgo alcohol, sugar , practice healthy eating , drink a gallon of water daily , complete 2 forty-five minute workouts a day , and read 10 pages of a non-fiction book. Have I been perfect during this challenge? Absolutely not , but I have continued striving.

One major thing this challenge has taught me is that the standard I have for myself and the effort I have come accustomed to aren’t aligned . Seeing my body transform in such a relatively short amount of time, with the most significant changes in my routine being around nutrition has really blown me a way. If you look at the scale alone I'm teetering around my average body weight but my composition has changed significantly. Last time I checked I was around 21 % body fat down from 24 % previously.

In the past I’ve walked around securely at 18 - 20 % bf , unaware that the same habits that I am practicing now as a part of the “75 Hard challenge” were just a part of my day to day life back then . Then I would conservatively consume wine if at all. I would include as many raw veggies in my daily diet as possible, I would fill up on berries, nuts and yogurts and I followed a pescatarian diet.

People thought I was crazy to do 75 Hard in the middle of the summer. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to drink or enjoy certain delicious meals while traveling. Feeling that it would infringe upon my summer. I am not gonna lie to you . If anything it has been the complete opposite. I’ve felt more confident in my body and more like myself during these past couple of months, than I have all year long, especially right now. The challenge isn’t even over yet and I am already thinking about doing it again. This time to see if I can make it all the way through without any hiccups . I guess that’s the goal of the challenge right, to spark change not only in your body but also in your mindset and in your standards.

Where I have fallen short

Water : I don't think I’ve drank a gallon of water one day during this challenge . I complete my Stanley jug daily but I believe two Stanleys are technically a gallon so after the Stanley is completed well you keep trying

Sweets : I only slipped here while I was visiting South Korea . I really wanted to try this sweet bread and there was this teddy bear shaped desert which was absolutely delicious 🙂but since then your girl has been on her “A game” when it comes to avoiding cane sugar

Workouts : Traveling did make this very difficult in the beginning . Ways I tried to compensate for it were doing two walks a day or to do a bodyweight workout during the morning and walk in the afternoon . There were also 2 days during this entire time when I didn't manage to get a formal workout, which at the time was so frustrating because it was avoidable if I had planned better.

Reading : Not perfect but pretty damn good. On track to finish 2 books.

For me the most beneficial skill and lesson that 75 Hard has re-taught me is discipline . Showing up and completing the task, not because you want to necessarily but because you’ve committed to yourself that you would. I haven’t been perfect but having the discipline to continue working at it despite perceived failures has made it so that I have more successful days than I have had bad ones. We still have 20 days to go to increase the margin in my favor.

In other news I posted this photo of my great friend Ali who was also on my podcast and is a proud Beyonce loving gay man and it made me realize people really did not take the time to check out my podcast lol.

📌What’s Happening in the Studio

This week the schedule is pretty light with an encore Monday night and a NEW 10 Min Arms & Light Weights class dropping Wednesday morning at midnight. If you haven’t already done so be sure to check out last week's 20 min interval run that dropped on demand. Although I am in the studio recording audio content I am officially back live the second week of August .

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

The winner from last week’s Trivia is TRACY ! Congrats MovieStar on the leaderboard

This week's trivia answer is to close out July . Based on our last two trivia questions, what category do both answers fall in? Be sure to phrase your response Jeopardy style using the clues above .

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

I read an article some time last year discussing the benefits of adding fermented foods into your diet. It covered all of the positive impacts this simple decision could have on your health. Including , improving your mood , regulating your digestive system , positive impacts on your immune system, weight regulation, reducing bloating etc. Simply by adding more fermented foods or more specifically introducing more pre & probiotics (good bacteria ) into your diet. So, naturally I said bring on the kimchi!

Kimchi , natto , sauerkraut , kombucha, apple cider vinegar, non-diary Greek and regular yogurts … you name a fermented food and chances are it’s made its way into my fridge this year.

I'm a curious person by nature. So, I wanted to be adventurous and explore as many fermented foods outside of the standard American diet as possible .

What do other cultures have to offer as fermented staples? Is there a way for me to include these foods in my daily lifestyle and cooking? Those were the questions I started this little experiment with.

Before we dive into the foods I tried and loved and the others I tried and loathed , what exactly are pre & probiotics ?

I’m sure you’ve seen the “Live culture” phrase scribbled in fancy lettering across your yogurt . Well this phrase is referring to the probiotics in your yogurt. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms, including bacteria and yeasts, that are alive and active . The key word here being beneficial . All probiotics are live cultures but not all live cultures are probiotics. Hence the fact that E coli and Salmonella which are also two live cultures can cause food poisoning and are not beneficial for human consumption .

Prebiotics on the other hand are also healthy bacteria but they are not digestible by the body. Instead, when they are consumed they serve as food for the healthy bacteria that already exist in our guts.

Leading With Your Gut

Good gut health plays an essential role in your overall wellness.

• It impacts your digestion and how well your body breaks down and absorbs essential nutrients from the foods you consume .

• It impacts the immune system. In fact about 70 - 80 percent of your immune system is located in your gut. Helping your body to distinguish between healthy and harmful bacteria

• It impacts your mental health and clarity. This happens for 2 reasons. First, because the gut produces a good amount of serotonin, a hormone that triggers feelings of happiness and well being in the brain. Second, because of the gut -brain axis, a communication system, linking the gut and the brain together.

With all of this in mind, the message is clear. Being a little more mindful of the foods we consume can completely change and positively impact not only our gut microbiome but can also have ripple effects on our overall happiness and well being

Growing up in the south my diet was essentially absent of all fermented foods . I believe we cooked occasionally with apple cider vinegar , maybe we had sauerkraut on hot dogs or sausages during a BBQ, and it wasn’t until I went through basic training at the age of 19 that yogurt became more of a staple in my diet.

To begin with, the traditional American diet has very few fermented foods. Buttermilk , yogurt , sauerkraut , some cheeses and we’ve maybe added a few additions in the last few decades. Most of which carry a higher price point and therefore are not seen as staples but are purchased more on an occasional basis. So when I hit up my local grocery store I wasn’t surprised that there were slim pickings . The great thing about living in NYC is that I could also hit up a Japanese and Korean market. I haven't been there yet but I also found a Scandinavian market which does a lot of fermented fish . ( I am pescatarian after all )

Here are a few of the things I love and that I have managed to effectively introduce into my weekly meals

• Kimchi - fermented cabbage and a Korean staple . I slice up some kimchi and add into omlete

• Sauerkraut - is also fermented cabbage but common to American culture by way of European and Chinese culture. I just eat this on these side as I would any veggie

• Apple cider vinegar - I add this to salads as a dressing and to a glass of water first thing in the morning .

• Kefir & non- dairy greek and traditional non dairy yogurt - Although, I do consume dairy I try to limit my consumption. I find that cashew and coconut milk alternatives have a great flavor profile and you can still get the benefits of having the probiotics from traditional dairy products. I often add kefir to my morning muesli or Ezekiel Brand cereal. I also have a photo of all of the brands I have tried and like

• Kombucha - Although I love the taste of kombucha . Kombucha is made by fermenting sweet tea . So there is a pretty significant amount of sugar involved . I do like to consume Kombucha occasionally but its not something that i like to have daily

• Natto - is a Japanese staple and no matter how hard I tried the smell and the earthy taste was just not appealing to me. I also tried asking friends as well as my community on Instagram if they have had a positive Natto experience with no luck .

• Cheese . Many but not all cheeses are fermented and again . I love cheese, don't get me wrong but I am lactose intolerant and see significant changes in my skin and digestion when I consume less cheese. So, I stick to feta goat cheese and even that I have 1- 2 a week tops .

Below are also photos of some of the specific products I have tried and actually love .

You can find most of these foods in whole foods .

Weekly Schedule 📌

Last week we had two new classes drop if you haven’t had a chance to check them I’ve added them for you below . With a look at this week’s schedule

Monday 5:30 pm 15 Min Hip Hop run Encore

Wednesday NEW RELEASE 20 Min Interval run at 12am will encore at 5:30 pm

Sunday 2:30 pm 60 Min endurance Encore

📌Newsletter Trivia

Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

Rules

• Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )

• Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .

• Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz is

This week's trivia Question

This track __________ released on ___________ by __________ . Is recognized as the by Rolling Stones magazines as the 51st greatest hit of all time . Correct answer and the most clues from the newsletter wins . Clues must be from newsletter

LAST WEEKS WINNER :

DR. Mel . There were other corrected answers sent in via email and dm and posted in the comments but it was the first to follow the rules of providing the clues from the newsletter .

Ok Friends chat soon !

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here

Let’s Work Together :

https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

Welcome to Life on Mars - the space where I share .. well everything . When I say everything I mean everything about my life experiences , thoughts on latest wellness trends and wellness culture, music and my life as a Peloton Instructor.

Chicago

Ok friends it’s the second week of July and my training for the Chicago marathon has officially begun . Albeit, a little tardy but I’d rather be a little tardy to the party than not present . (So them be the breaks as they say. )

My initial plan was to kick off marathon training on June 1st , but there was Hyrox on May 30th and then traveling to France and Seoul for 2 weeks. ( As a girl from South Memphis I would like to openly acknowledge that I will never get tired of talking about my love of traveling so you may indeed get sick of me. )

Anyway, I am a firm believer in pivoting and not quitting, adjustments not excuses therefore shuffling down the street this morning for my 50 min run seemed like the only natural course of action .

Life Has a Sense of Humor

I remember my early days of running . I would dodge morning runs for ROTC . I remember the discomfort, the constant wanting to quit , my body seeming to itch all over and my legs burning up, like they were on fire. But now, I am training for my second marathon and I help thousands of people around the world get into running. So let me tell you this running initial sucks for everyone.

I don’t recall much about how I felt during my first marathon . I can’t remember the time to save my life, or how many gels , or jelly beans I ended up consuming. At this moment, many of those details feel pretty f-ing irrelevant to be honest. But there is one moment from mile 17 that I distinctly remember. It was the moment I really wanted to quit. I remember the way I started negotiating with myself. I had to cut my music off because those thoughts were just so loud. I started singing a cadence from my military days as a grounding technique to remind myself that I am capable of handling difficult situations. I used a tool my college coach taught me and started focusing on one mile at a time. I would tell myself if I still wanted to quit after this mile then I would think it over. A mile would come and go and then next mile and then the next.

By mile 25 I was moving at what felt like the slowest pace I’ve ever run in my entire life and I simply reminded myself that no matter how slow or fast you run, if you just keep moving you’ll finish this race as a marathoner.

I know for sure that life has a sense of humor because this girl that once despised running indeed ran all 26.2 consecutive miles and that makes me feel pretty badass.

My Training This Time Around

How blessed am I to have the one and only Bart Yasso , former chief running officer of Runners World Magazine training me for Chicago. Bart has run on all 7 continents , competed in over a 1000 + races , published 4 books on the sport including his latest book for National Geographic, “100 Runs of a Lifetime” and has even been inducted into the Running USA hall of Champions . Bart is an icon and a legend in the running community and someone I am lucky enough to call a friend. I met Bart in Virginia Beach at the Shamrock Marathon back in 2023 . If you’ve had the opportunity to join me during Shamrock Weekend you know that even with the 20,000 participants present it still feels like home. So when I told Bart that I would be running my first marathon since tearing my ACL he volunteered to help me train. Bart has seen it all in running . From women entering the sport , to the first black runners to enter a marathon to the explosion of Kenyan runners dominating in the sport. Bart has traversed it all and has continued to share his love and knowledge of running with new runners . I can’t wait to have him on my podcast when we return this fall so you too can get to know him better but for now I am just happy to be in good hands .

Latest Reads and Class Drops

So after finishing off “ Finding Me” by Viola Davis. I’ve picked up “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell . I can’t remember who recommended this book to me but it came in right as I was finishing Finding Me and I can’t wait to finish it and share my thoughts .

Latest Class Drops

Two class drops last week and I have class playlist rec for you. I’ve had tons of people give feedback on my latest 45 Min Outdoor Walk + Run . It’s a mostly gospel playlist but also it’s just very encouraging in general. I think that you will love this one even if you treat it as full walk or a full run. If you haven’t taken it yet I recommend you check out .

📌Newsletter Trivia

I am so excited to announce our new weekly newsletter trivia game . I polled some of my community over on instagram about doing weekly newsletter trivia where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me the answer based of the clues you find. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .

This weeks trivia Question

This track __________ released on ___________ by __________ was revolutionary to hip hop and helped catapult hip hop into the mainstream after it became the first HH record to reach gold status .

Provide your answer and all of the clues that you spotted above in the comments in order to win . The first person with the correct answer and all of the clues wins .

The winner from this week will be noted in the upcoming newsletter

📌 Keep in Touch

Instagram @offialmarcelfit

Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast

Take a class with me: 30 day free trial her

Let’s Work Together : https://marceldinkins.komi.io

YouTube : @officialmarcelfit

Thanks for reading Life on Mars

So this week has been quiet compared to the weeks and months prior . May into the first week of July had me in a few different states then off to France , South Korea and into an explosive July fourth weekend back here at home in NYC. This week  however, has been grounding and I am happy to slow down and get some much needed reflection, recover and to take care of my home. Yes I’m talking about my residence but I am also speaking about my body . I like to think of it as my soul’s home so here are a few things that got me back into my routine 

1. Spring Cleaning : Can it be called spring cleaning if it happens in July ?

Anyway as soon as my bags were unpacked I had this earnest itch to clean my home from top to bottom. I grew up with my mom taking us through this tradition every spring. We would pack up our winter coats, clean stoves , sofas, refrigerators and sofas. Like actually pulling the oven out away from the wall and cleaning every nook and cranny of each room of the house .  It meant smelling of Moth Balls and Pinesole as we cleaned  and dusted out closets . 

My curiosity this week led me to the internet to explore the tradition of spring cleaning . I grew up with the tradition but where did it stem from or is it just a “black thing” . Turns out the tradition of spring cleaning dates back over 3,000 years and has ties to some religious traditions including early Passover holiday traditions of cleaning and purifying the home before Passover . It also had some more practical functions such as ridding the home of soot and dust after burning wood all winter . I always find it so fascinating that many traditions have a way of transcending cultures and staying with us for centuries. It  reminds me that as humans that we have more commonalities than differences 

Another thing that has been tremendously grounding is returning to my beauty maintenance routine. I don’t know what it is but the ritual of this routine is everything to me 

Hyperpigmentation and oily skin have always been a concern for me . It wasn’t until my late 20s that I had my first facial laser treatment . 

Did the aesthetician at the time burn my skin and cause more problems than solutions ? Well, of course she did. However,  that experience  jump started my journey of researching safe treatments for darker pigmented skin and dermatologies with experience to help me treat my skin .

Now, I have a morning and night routine as well as monthly and quarterly routines to take care of my skin . This leaves me feeling reassured and adds a layer of balance and grounding into my life even after a busy travel schedule and the adventures of life.   

 Let's chat about it . 

2. Skin Care Routine 

Well first things first the skin is affected from the inside out so being mindful to replenish my collagen first thing in the morning is imperative to me. First thing in the morning we’re having a glass of warm bone broth with a scope of collagen and my other supplements for the morning 

Then it is the morning cleansing routine : 

• Water based cleanser 

• Toner / glycolic acid | I use ordinary or Dr. Roth

• Essence | I like to experiment with different ones  but right now I like the Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Treatment Essence 

• ISDIN Melaclear spot corrector | similar to a vitamin c 

• ISDIN hyaluronic acid

• Skin Better Science Alto defense serum 

• Seal this with  Super Goop mattifying sunscreen . 

For the Evening 

• Neutrogena makeup removal wipes for any excess product then 

• Oil based cleaner ISID Essential cleansing

• Water based gentle cleanser 

• Toner 

• Hyaluronic acid 

• Tretinoin an extremely sparse amount

• Seal this with Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask 

I will also say that it can be overwhelming watching all of the trends from Instagram and Tikktok on morning routines so once you find something that works for you stick to that . One thing that I found extremely helpful was taking Sir John, Beyonce’s makeup artist,  beauty class taught via Master Class. It helped me refine my daily skin maintenance routine. There are a few things that I am interested in trying more such as infrared masks and some things that I didn't list  above like my Gua sha which I use throughout both routines . 

Body Cleanses ?

One thing that I do that not only addresses my skin but also affects my mood and improves my digestive health are Colon Cleanses. I feel that they positively contribute to my health. It's not something I can particularly document via my Wellness Wednesday chats and yes the experience can be awkward but it  just makes sense . We go through the trouble of cleaning all of the accumulated dust , debris and junk from our homes, from our vehicles  and everything else that we own. Why not cleanse our bodies and intestines  ? I can visibly notice the difference in my skin’s radiance when I'm on track with my cleanses and that’s why in 2024 I added it to my routine 

Quarterly , There are a few treatments that I like to keep in my routine as well . Are these things mandatory for you to live a long healthy life? Absolutely not . However, I feel it eases the overall stress of aging by removing the wear and tear and stress from my face. For me that's invaluable. It restores my confidence  and again makes me feel more grounded and at peace with myself knowing that I look like I take care of myself

• Monthly  Facial - This is essential for oily skin in my opinion . 

• Every 2 - 3 months - Jesners Chemical Peel these have been less frequent lately but I definitely want to get back to doing these 

• Every 3 Months -  Microneedling with exosomes I love this treatment for skin texture and plumpness . I also feel like this improves my complexion overall . This should be done by an RN or about don’t play with your face 

• Every 4- 6 months - Laser resurfacing * for my darker complected friends I only recommend doing this with a skilled dermatologist or  RN that has experience with darker pigmented skin 

• Botox & Facial Balancing . Say what you will but I have seen myself on camera minus botox and with it and I will never go back 

Something else that I want to try this year is a Cosmelan peel but we’ll see. Many treatments vary with downtime which is one of the reasons I have been exploring more laser treatments for skin resurfacing over chemical peels . Chemical peels are great and deliver beautiful results but  most chemical peels have an average of a week of down time with no sweating or sun exposure. Whereas laser treatments only require 48 - 72 hours on average with minimal sun exposure . 

So this week was so happy to settle into an entire week of just purifying my home ,my skin and body.  I couldn’t feel more ready to take on the world . 

Below are details on each of these treatments and the clinical definitions of how they contribute to better skin. If you would like more info about them I have also listed a few of my favorite treatment places in Manhattan if you are looking for someone to trust your skin with in the city . If you also have anything that you do please share in the comments . I love learning from you all as well as sharing my experiences. Again this is not to suggest that anyone go out and try any of these treatments or products  . I always find it helpful to see what someone else's foundation looks like to help me build and establish my own.

Ok we covered a lot today so I will simply leave you with an update to my newly discovered track playlist . I’ve added a couple of tracks and also if you haven’t had a chance to check out my episode on She’s So Lucky Podcast go and give it a listen and let me know your thoughts .

Peloton Updates

The tread studio is closed for maintenance this week so but in the mean time there are a few Encores  

Tonight @ 5:30 20 Mins 2000s Run 

Sunday 30 Min Walk + RUN

Treatment details and definitions

Jessner’s Peel

A Jessner's peel is a type of chemical peel that uses a solution containing salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol to exfoliate the skin. It's a light-to-medium depth peel that can address various skin concerns like acne, acne scars, age spots, and fine lines. The peel works by removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, resulting in a smoother, brighter complexion

Microneedling with Exosomes

There are a few variations of microneedling . More advanced microneedling techniques use PRP or Exosomes. PRP is palate rich plasma which is extracted from your own blood during your session and then used in conjunction with the microneedling in order to stimulate collagen reproduction and skin repair .

Then there's microneedling with exosomes . Which contain a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and other signaling molecules that play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication and tissue regeneration that can be used in conjunction with microneedling.

Fraxel

Fraxel is a non-ablative laser, meaning it treats the skin without removing the outer layer. The laser energy heats the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and support to the skin, while elastin helps it maintain its elasticity.

It treats sun damage , wrinkles uneven skin tone and hyper pigmentation

Clear and Brilliant

Is also a laser treatment that is a little less abrasive and addresses the same concerns as Fraxel

Cosmelan Peel

Is a professional depigmentation treatment designed to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the skin, including those caused by melasma, sun damage, and acne scarring

Places I love in the city all websites are linked below and all have experience with darker pigmented skin .

Tanya Thomas Skin Clinic

UnioDerm Dr. Nkem Ugonabo

GlowTox Speak with Nicole

(4 of July at the pool with Ali)

My Blackness Won’t Sit Me Down

It won’t take a back seat to my goals , to my desires

It’s along for the ride.

Shuttling me to and fro like the old buses of Montgomery.

My blackness won’t let me loose

It sits with me at these tables, As a matter of fact

It pulls out my chair.

It speaks to you before I do

It whisper hello and yells good bye

It’s more than my nails , my hips, my hair ,

It’s the subtleties layered into my complexion

The rhythm disguised as my walk

The soul of my voice and the bravado in my talk

My blackness won’t let me loose

It’s layered into the cells of my memory , it's the sunrises and sunsets

consumed by this skin I call melanin

My blackness just won’t unhand me

it doesn’t decenter itself for the sake of your conversation

It won’t wash itself away and it won’t peel itself off .

My blackness is me .

To lay it down would be to lay me down to rest

~ by Marcel Dinkins

DM’s That Trigger Memories 

The other day I received a DM that I can only describe as RUDE . Perhaps I could also describe it as racist but it was so contradictory that even I was at a loss for words. I received it from a man in his late 40s or early 50s taking a “Juneteenth Class” of mine. I mean you can see why I am a bit confused right ? To summarize the story that he tagged me in because this is really isn’t about him , it’s about the context and as a black woman I’ve heard it a million times “shut up about the black stuff and do your job”

As a child I never knew I was black. I know that sounds hella crazy but it’s true. I mean of course we studied slavery , the Tuskegee Airmen , I was born in the city where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated . Of course, I knew my skin was dark and my hair was coily. Like I knew what it meant but I never felt the ramifications or the weight of it .

Everyone around me was black, outside of a handful of teachers and my one white aunt . My point of reference was all black and the black I knew was so beautiful . We went to the skating rink and had barbecues. My dad was adamant about me studying so much that I knew my time tables entering kindergarten .

The handful of white teachers that I did have were amazing at never making me feel othered in anyway . It wasn’t until I was 16 or 17 and got my first job that I felt the weight of being black .

I was working as a tour guide at Graceland Mansion, the old home of Elvis Presley. 

The best part of my job was that I got to public speak. When I worked at the mansion I loved working at the front door because you gave a spiel that you had to memorize and recite to the people entering the home for the first time .

There was no other job like it . All of my friends worked in fast food restaurants and here I was in a nice uniform basically acting and getting paid 9 dollars an hour. 

I mean , I was living the life . 

Then one day this older, southern, white woman walked onto the front porch and in front of about 30 or 40 other people (all if not most of them white) announced “You must be the house nigger” . That was it, at 16 years old. 

I didn’t have the words to formulate a response or to summarize how much hurt and shame I felt in that moment. Tears were pooling up in my eyes and as I fought them At sixteen years old “I shut up all of my hurt, discomfort, and pain in that moment and did my job” . I made it through my spiel trembling , visibly shaking with the words of my favorite speech now swirling around my tongue leaving a bitter and sour taste in my mouth.

I finished. I smiled and I opened the door for that old woman as she smiled in my face while I was visibly shaking . I called my manager on the walkie as soon as the “guests” were inside and told him what had just transpired. He sent me to lunch earlier but no one , not one person pulled me to the side to tell me that that woman was wrong for what she did or offer to comfort me or provide me additional support. They seemed more shocked that I was so hurt by it. Needless to say after that day I was awake and could never go back asleep again . My blackness comes with me wherever I go , it’s not an accessory I cannot simply remove. I am not more black one day or less black another . I’m aware of it at all times just as much as you are aware of me. I am encompassed by it in all ways and on all days and to be that is a great thing . 

This weeks adventures

Guys I ate the fries . I am so sorry but the fries were screaming my name and so for the Fourth of July I ate the fries . I didn’t touch any of the cocktails or the actual cocktails but I had the lobster roll and ate the fries on the 4th .

I also went on a night hike for the very first time with this adventure group which was quite fun . I have been trying to find other ways to enjoy the city that don’t center around alcohol especially while on 75 hard and although its be a bit challenging it has been a nice challenge .

6ix’s Corner

I ran into this puppy on the street the other day that looked so much like 6ix as a puppy it really made my whole week

This newsletter is a place where I hope to not only share my thoughts and life experiences but to also share future projects and keep you up to date on things I’m learning and trying

So I’m in the Uber right now on my way to the Incheon airport to begin the journey back to New York . Back to my dog and back to “normal” life .

I know a lot of the time we travel to escape the monotony of day to day life but honestly I travel because I finally got tired of chasing some end where I could finally afford or be the woman that gets to do those things .

I mean I was quite literally exhausted from trying so damn hard.  To be honest let me back it up. Maybe it was 2023  when I got injured when I truly became fed up and decided to make my life look different but if it wasn’t then , it was definitely the pregnancy scare less than a year later . That incident reverberated through every crease and crevice of my life. It rang so loud that it jolted me out of my malaise and into immediate action.

Now, I want to acknowledge that this part of the conversation may be triggering for some. However, I am just making observations of my own life , my own path ,  my own feelings and experiences and where I am trying to go. 

I had been seeing someone . I’d known him for what seems like forever and in my own way I love him. Since the day I met him I loved him . I always have and probably forever will but not in the way I should or the way he wanted. I wouldn’t call it romantic love but the type of love that encompasses all the feelings you can have for a person. You want them to have success and to see them happy even if it's not with you. It’s an unconditional type of love that you ultimately realize does have one condition . That their happiness might not and probably cannot include you . 

Anyway, despite me knowing this I decided to give it a shot and of course that's when it happened. One morning I found myself being jolted out of bed. On the verge of spraying projectile vomit all over my satin sheets and wall. I am not someone that vomits. In fact I cannot tell you the last time I had to vomit but it probably included champagne. I haven't had a glass of champagne in months. Also, WHY IN THE FUCK am I so damn tired ! 

6 weeks . I was 6 weeks pregnant . My entire life flashed before my eyes. It was at that moment that I really had to ask myself, girl what are you doing.

I loved this person. Sure, I also knew he loved me and if I wanted he would be ready and more than willing …. But!. But, that’s where I’ll leave it.

I made my decision and I booked the appointment for one week later.  Only to discover , I had miscarried. I don’t know why that reduced me to tears. Hell,  it’s reducing me to tears now. But there in that office knowing it was the right thing and also knowing that parenthood was not something I wanted.  I still felt betrayed by my own body. I felt unworthy of yet another thing in life and it broke my heart . Why am I sharing all of this, actually I don’t know . However,  I do know that, that experience was a catalyst for my life . For me to start truly living. Outside of my job, outside of my family , outside of peoples expectations or lack there of . 

I just wanted to finally start doing this for me and just for me. So sitting here watching the rain drip down the glass of this Uber window has me in tears because I am doing it . I am doing it for me . 

With Love From Seoul 

~ Mars

(Always so great running into y’all in real life half way across the world . Yaneyra )

(My favorite area in Seoul was the are near Hanok Village)

Seoul

Ok so getting around was actually quite easy they have tons of buses and the subway system also makes announcements in English .

things you need to know

• The city is quite walkable

• To ride the bus you will need a travel card to get a reloadable travel card you have to go with your passport to the train station and follow the machine prompts

• For single ride cards if you don’t want to go through the hassle of getting the reusable one at the end of your ride you return these to the machine and you get 500 KW back .

• Go to Seoul tower , walk the wall, go to the palaces , if you have the time visit all of the tourist monuments and sites do it . I hate doing this in the states and in Europe because it’s typically very expensive and overly crowded but it was such a satisfying experience in Seoul . The average museum entry fee was 10000 KW thats less than 10 US dollars .

• I did have a hard time finding healthy food but I think that was mostly due to the fact that I am a pescatarian and couldn’t do a Korean bbq

• Google maps is ok but a better option is KakaoMap, Naver Maps

• I also follow a black Korean influencer who has his own Korean travel guide KExplorer that I would also recommend . He’s been living in Seoul for 7 years so he’s well acquainted with Korean culture

• I was stay in Myeong Dong , or New City hall . Gangnam is very far away from all of the attractions and

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NEW MUSIC CORNER 

Of course we’re still adding to Discovered Tracks playlist . Remember these tracks aren't always brand new but are new to me . OMG the fact that I had to go all the way to South Korea to hear this 2023 “Lemme See” track by KODAK BLACK is wild. The gym I was at had GYM90 Cityhall branch had this track on their playlist on repeat A VIBE .

6ix’s Corner

So 6ix is depressed now that he’s back home with me and I feel a certain type of way about it . I do get it that his sitter had dogs that he could play with on a daily basis but I’m just a girl doing the best that I can here man give me some grace sir

Alright , what day is it exactly of #75 hard .. We’ve been counting down instead of up so I believe its D - 60 . Don’t ask me why I am like this. I just am .

No matter what day it is , I am super happy that we decided to embark upon this journey together . Even if I am on “ Vacation” . The reason why I wanted to do this in the first place is to explore my ability to commit to something beyond myself. Even in the mist of uncommon circumstances . Things will always “ Come up” but success is often rewarded to those that can steer and navigate with steadfastness and discipline even in the midst of distraction.

Don’t get me wrong I would be lying if I said I’m a quitter or I let things go easily but the difference between a good job and a great job is always lost in plain sight in the details . The hard toeing of the line when it’s easier to look the other way. So what better way to recommit to discipline than a refresher course on what it means to go the distance. I’ve slacked off tremendously and maybe it was needed but this is my way to reset. Because discipline affects one's spirit and confidence and without it ,you can’t survive anything whole.

(Marcel on here way to Cannes )

Talent, is it enough ?

Today I am lying in bed in my hotel room, (in Seoul ) typing up this week’s newsletter. I decided to take last week off , intentionally because there was just so much going on Including my preparations to attend Cannes Lions for the very first time. Also, I had absolutely zero things to talk about.

You know it’s so crazy all the things that are happening in rooms you never even knew existed . It reminds of this meme floating around the internet that says “You’re not ugly you’re just broke” (Ain’t that the true.)

In all seriousness though there are so many decisions and powerful connections being made in rooms that careers could benefit from but truth be told rather it be generational or newly acquired; connections and money grant you access to people and opportunities that more talented and perhaps even more deserving people never get access to .

It was utterly insane the amount of influence that was floating around Cannes . (At one event they were giving away free Hermes scarves. Like what ? Hermes Honey! Hermes!)

As, I looked around the rooms of these many events being thrown and attended . This resounding thought kept ringing in my head: Is talent enough ? The answer was very simple. It rung loud and clear and was a reverberating No . No it isn’t, it never will be and it never has been . Many talented artist and musicians die without the world ever celebrating how rare and exceptional they truly were.

That’s a simple truth as old as time . All isn’t lost though. I do think guts , risk taking , an ample amount of resilience, a willingness to reach beyond what and even who you know to explore something more and even a modest amount of work ethic , will ultimately get you to where you need to be .

To get to where you want to be , well I think that’s a whole other thing entirely.

(Views from Martinez Hotel in Cannes,France)

( Marcel , Aditi, Peloton Yoga Instructor , Robin , VP of Fitness at Peloton at the Female Quotient party)

(Jess King , Peloton Instructor and DJ at the YAHOO party for Diplo’s set)

Tips for Surviving 75#Hard in a party environment

• Keep sparkling water with a lime in your hands at all times .

• Make a game out of networking and drinking water. Set a goal to drink a certain number of glasses before entering the party and every time you meet someone new drink a glass of water; Two birds, one stone !

• It might sound disgusting but add a dab of salt to your water for electrolytes. This could also potential field of potty breaks

• Pack sugar free gum or a small pack of mixed nuts in your bag to avoid mindless snacking

Remember the goal of the #75hardchallenge is to make you better not make you bitter and miserable . Find different ways to adapt, not beat yourself up .

6ix’s Corner

For those of you new here 6ix is my Aussiedoodle and while I’m on vacation he gets a bit of a vacation as well . Although, this time around I think he’s enjoying himself a bit more than I am . I got the most disturbing photo the other morning .. and yep thats my 20 month old dog humping a grown as B***** . I was so dumbfounded as to why the sitter just allowed him to mount her. I never allow him to hump anything and he knows that. Anyway for all of you who have watched him grow . 6ix is well grown now . Or at least pretending to be .

(This some how feels like puppy smut )

Until next time

New Yorkers, if you know, you know.

It’s like some sort of weird tradition and meet-up spot for young Manhattanites. I don’t ever recall seeing this when I lived in Queens, or even uptown in Harlem—but below 34th Street? BABY, THE BAGEL LINE IS A RELIGION.

Right now, it’s about 8:30 a.m., and I’m biking over to the gym in NoMad for my workout, passing shop after shop with 20- and 30-somethings ironically dressed down, standing in lines that wrap around the block.

Don’t get me wrong—I love a good “I’m so not trying” outfit paired with Prada loafers. I think that’s iconic. But what I don’t get is putting that much effort into standing in line for a bagel at 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

We observe, but we don’t judge. Am I right?

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💪 Week in Review

This week was relatively quiet compared to last week’s Hyrox chaos. Monday kicked off with a bit of excitement—I worked with a brand new trainer for the first time in about six months, and it was a great change of pace.

Although it was super fun, I think I’ll go back to handling my own strength training while continuing to work with my physical therapist. I’m also prepping for the Chicago Marathon with my run coach, the one and only Bart Yasso. Yes, the author of the Yasso 800s and the latest running book with National Geographic, 100 Runs of a Lifetime. I am so geeked about training with Bart and can’t believe I get to call him both coach and friend.

Oh—and I taught 11 classes this week 🤯

I truly enjoyed all of it and can’t wait for those of you who take classes with me via Peloton to check them out. Not gonna lie though… that was a lot of content to produce over three days of filming.

Outside the studio, I attended the Jed Gala to celebrate Ally as a Jed Mental Health Advocacy Award recipient. It was an incredible event, and her speech was even more incredible. I’ll share my favorite bit in a clip below.

Of all the people I’ve worked with across my many careers, Ally is one of the hardest-working and most diligent individuals I’ve ever met. It felt amazing to celebrate her.

Fun fact: Her speech didn’t appear on the teleprompter, so she had randomly taken a screenshot of it on her phone—and read it straight from the image in front of hundreds of people. Nerves of steel and better-than-20/20 vision.

Also on Tuesday, Episode 5 of my podcast Take the Hill aired with guest Precious K. Williams. If you haven’t checked it out, give it a listen on Spotify.

Your girl also recorded an episode with She’s So Lucky (formerly known as Balanced Black Girl). That episode drops in July—stay tuned!

And finally… I stopped straddling the fence and committed to starting 75 Hard.

🔥 75 Hard—Let’s Get Real

Here’s what the 75-day challenge looks like:

• 2 workouts every day (one must be outdoors)

• No alcohol, junk food, or cheat meals—just real, whole foods

• Read 10 pages of nonfiction each day

• Do one thing toward a personal goal every day (mine is completing one piece of content daily)

• Journal every day (they say take a progress photo, but for me, this is more of a mental reset than a physical one)

• It’s says to drink a gallon of water a day but honestly I’m gonna be finishing a Stanley and ½ if I’m lucky

I’m so grateful to everyone who’s already committed to doing this challenge alongside me. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds for us.

Start Date: June 9, 2025
End Date: August 24, 2025

🍷 Wine + Wins

Almost forgot to mention—I had a fantastic time at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter Event.

OMG, y’all. This was amazing. You got to sit with the winemakers themselves as they walked us through their favorite wines. They shared what made each year special, the challenges of the season, and all the nerdy wine stuff I love.

We even sampled reserve and vintage wines—I'm talking $3,000 bottles. This event was a 10/10. Perfect for a girls' day out or a romantic date. I’ll definitely be back.

💤 Training Thoughts: Sleep Like You Mean It

This week’s topic: Sleep hygiene.

Especially for those of us who love a late-night cardio session—whether you’re hitting the tread with me Thursday nights or on the occasional Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EST—falling asleep afterward can be a challenge.

Here’s what I’ve been using to trick my body into winding down:

• A warm cup of tea or bone broth post-workout

• Immediately dimming the lights

• Setting up Alexa or Google Assistant to play brainwaves, storm sounds, or some other calming audio at least an hour before bed

• Sleeping with a fan to cool my body and add soothing noise

• No screens in or near the bed (this is a supreme struggle—but I’m trying)

• Melatonin (not for everyone, but it works for me)

What about you? Got any post-workout sleep hacks you swear by? Hit reply—I’m all ears.

✈️ What’s Coming Up

Here’s what’s on deck this week:

• Subbing Tuesday at 9 a.m.

• Teaching Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

After that, I’m heading back to the South of France and then off to Seoul for the very first time—all solo travel.

As always, I’ll keep you posted from the road.

See you on the leaderboard -

Marcel

This morning, I’m choosing to surrender to the idea that there is growth—and greatness—in moving beyond the noise.

In every photograph, ever taken, there is noise. Whether it’s the noise of the millions of photons spastically fluttering around naked to the human eye , or the digital noise from the camera itself. Noise creates this grainy veil that obscures the finer details of the image and it introduces its own imperfections into the photograph.

Good photographers know they’ll never eliminate the noise. Instead, they accept it as part of the process. Their job isn't to erase it—but to make sure the image they’re focused on overpowers the background.

So, my question for you this morning is:

How do you show up for yourself in the details, in a world conditioned to living in much noise?

I sat with that for quite a while today.

As someone whose life is public-facing in many ways, it can feel overwhelming. There’s a constant temptation to add to the noise rather than reduce it. You can feel pressure to do everything, instead of a few things exceptionally well.

“A brand speaks volumes. Yet its greatness lies in the subtle details—and those details take time.”

Let that land.

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🏁 The Weekend: First Hyrox, First Handshake with the Grind

This weekend, I competed in my very first Hyrox event—with none other than my friend and powerhouse, Janeil Mason (creator of MensPilatesNYC and Fit & Lit NYC).

Janeil Mason

This wasn’t our first time training together. We go way back—Crunch, LivLimited, Athleta collaborations, even outdoor bootcamps during COVID. But this? This was our first time on the course, side by side, competing.

I’m more of a stoic type when it comes to competition. Focused. Dialed in. Meanwhile, Janeil was out there singing Beyoncé and handing out high-fives between stations—and I was mind blown. 😂

Why Hyrox?

Because I wanted to challenge myself again.

The course? Eight workouts broken up by 1,000-meter runs (a total of 8K). Grueling? Yeah. Impossible? No. Honestly? I already want to do it again.

Also—shoutout to the 9 Peloton instructors who competed that weekend. The vibe was 🔥.

Adrian Williams

Marcel Mauer

Andy Speer

🗓️ Coming Up

🎙️ New episode of Take The Hill Podcast drops Tuesday
🎧 Guest appearance on one of my favorite podcasts
✈️ Travel Notice: June 16–28
🌵 Just signed on to teach at a Wellness Festival in Phoenix (Feb) — AZ family, mark your calendars.

💊 Wellness Corner

Current Morning Routine

• Sea Moss

• Bone broth + scoop of collagen

• Timeline Longevity Gummies

• Pre & Probiotics

• Fish Oil

• Iron Supplements

• Vitamin B

• Timeline Mitopure

Weekly Protocols

• 1x 90-min Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• 2x 60-min Infrared Sauna

• 1x Cold Plunge

New Favorite Snack

✨ Japanese sweet potatoes

They’ve got the texture of a classic potato with the sweetness of a yam. If you’ve never tried them, it’s time. Best of both worlds.

Until next time, keep moving with intention, not noise.

-Marcel

So I’m gonna try something a bit different this week and write my newsletter in spurts. I’m not sure if it will make sense, but I do hope that you enjoy it.

At this very moment, 6ix and I are on a plane en route to Phoenix, Arizona, and the turbulence is crazy.

What I’m about to say may sound absurd or a little strange, but I swear it’s 100% true.

I am probably the calmest version of myself on an airplane—and especially mid-turbulence. Weird thing to say, I know, but logically it makes complete sense to me.

Do I want to fall from the sky? No, of course not! Actually—heavy on the OF COURSE NOT!

But the moment the plane begins to shake, I’m profoundly aware of what is and what is not within my control. Being that high in the sky—essentially at the mercy of the pilot, some engineers I’ve never met, and the fickle skies—all I can do is surrender. Surrender my trust to the pilots who have bravely decided to be responsible for the hundreds of lives aboard the plane, to the attendants who are (hopefully) ready and willing to jump into action when needed, and to the immense Universe that some may call God, others Allah.

And if that’s not a metaphor for life, I really don’t know what is. In that moment, I’m always reminded: when I take a leap of faith—when I set out on a life journey to try something new or accomplish something daring and different—there are inherent risks and a pretty high chance for some turbulence. All of which are outside of my control.

The only way to avoid it altogether is to never fly again.

And where’s the fun in that?

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Flying over Arizona

🌵 PHOENIX

Arizona pulled me in for a couple reasons:

1. The insane parks: I kept seeing these vivid red rocks and breathtaking skylines on friends’ IG pages and knew I had to experience it firsthand.

2. The fitness and wellness scene: There’s an instructor I’ve been following for a while—Kristina—based in AZ. I finally got to take her class… and she was everything. Joyful, powerful, unapologetically herself. Watching a Black woman thrive, completely in her purpose, was medicine.

Bonus? Hiking with my Aussiedoodle, 6ix, was soul-filling.

6ix and I hiking at South Mountain.

And let me tell you—Arizona did not disappoint.

• Self-driving cars everywhere in Phoenix and Scottsdale? Obsessed.

• Chilly desert mornings and hot air balloon rides before dawn? Stunning.

• Spa culture? Immaculate. I had my eyes set on a mud bath this trip, but the clock ran out

• Kristina’s class? Spiritual. I’m so damn glad I said yes to this trip.

🥂 Favorite Eats

If you’re headed to Phoenix/Scottsdale, add these to your list:

• Maple & Ash – Live music, sexy lounge vibes, incredible food.

• Ciel – Gorgeous skyline view of Scottsdale . It’s part of a hotel/resort, and even though I only had a salad for lunch , I was in love with the space.

Dining Experiences at Ciel

Views from Ciel

🎙 Quick Stop in Denver

Didn’t stay in Phoenix long—I had to jet to Denver for a podcast interview. But Phoenix? I’ll be back. Soon.

6ix watching the plane land in Denver

🎧 Music Discovery Is a Way of Life

Y’all know how much I love discovering new music. I’ve started a growing playlist of tracks I find on the road or through dope conversations. Some are new, some are just new to me—but I hope you enjoy them.

Two of my faves So far:

• Her Eyes by Charlie Jeer – Heard it in Stockholm

• Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan – Cousin road trip in Memphis

• Check out the playlist here

🐾 Traveling with a Dog: Quick Tips

• Travel Mat for rental cars (saves seats, sanity, and fur cleanup).

• Safety Harness – a travel harness is clutch. You can buckle them in and let them chill safely in the backseat. Try this one .

• Food Prep – Bring a mix of kibble and wet food to avoid upset stomachs and poor stool

• Vet Meds – 6ix gets a mild anti-anxiety med an hour before travel. (Talk to your vet!)

• Service Dog Hack – If certified, they fly free. But make sure you submit paperwork 48 hours before departure. Every airline has different requirements—check their website.

Also:

• Look up trails in advance to confirm dog-friendliness.

• Not all dogs are daycare-ready—if your dog isn’t neutered/spayed, Rover is a great alternative.

Until Next Time…

From 30,000 feet to red rocks and rooftop bars, this week’s been a vibe. If there’s one reminder I’ll leave you with: You can’t avoid turbulence, but you can choose to fly anyway.

See you next week.

Marcel

Welcome back to Life on Mars

This week we’re unpacking the terrain—emotional, mental, and literal—that we climb every damn day.

If you’ve ever hit a hill and thought, “Cool, I made it,” only to be greeted by stairs, curves, and rolling inclines… you're in the right room.

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TAKING THE HILL: LESSONS FROM THE CLIMB

This week’s message hits home for anyone who’s ever tried to muscle their way through a challenge like it’s just another workout — and gotten humbled rather quickly

💡 What This Week’s Hill Teaches:

• Not all climbs are created equal. Some are short sprints some are brutal, winding challenges others , life long marathons.

• The stairs after the hill? They’re proof life doesn’t stop testing you just because you made it somewhere. The game changes as you level up.

• Sprint energy in a marathon season = burnout. Some challenges require us to take a different approach. Some challenges are about brute strength of will while others are about patience and finesse; it’s our job to continue to adjust our strategy.

• Confidence is compounding. Take one hill well, and you prove to yourself that you’re equipped and capable for the next.

• Emotional downloads are divine strategy. What hits you mid-run might be exactly what your spirit needs to hear — don’t underestimate what your gut is telling you

🎧 THIS WEEK ON TAKE THE HILL

EPISODE 3 AIRS THIS TUESDAY Featuring Caite Opfer, Founder of Lime Social Club 🍋

From NYC to Boston, Caite’s building a bold, inclusive wellness scene through Lime Social Club. Think curated community, intentional connection, and spaces where you don’t have to fake a thing to belong.

She gets real about:

• Building community from scratch in competitive cities

• What true belonging looks like (and what it doesn’t)

• The hard parts of leadership no one warns you about

• How a cancer diagnose lead here to forging community

👉 Tune in Tuesday, May 20th at 8am EST and check it out — especially if you're dreaming of building something that connects people without compromising your values.

Family Life

Are your kids graduating too? I got to see my niece graduate this weekend and spent a day at the Memphis BBQ Fest with all the teenagers in my family. It honestly made me so happy to hang out with them. They’ll all be grown soon, living their own lives—but getting to steal this time with them, just watching them still be kids, brought me so much joy.

Family Time

Memphis Smoke Slam BBQ Festival

6ix and His Play Date

Marcel and Her Dad Mr. Leroy

I’m not ready for them to grow up, but I’m grateful they have each other—and that they’ll always have me and the rest of the family in their corner.

More hills to come. Some steep. Some long.
None of them are beyond you.

Keep climbing,

Marcel