Grunty Crush of the Week: Tracy G of Sway in the Morning

Sway in the Morning

 

Screen Shot 2014-12-22 at 12.03.52 AMThese days you may know Tracy G as co-host of Sway in the Morning but in another life, she was a burgeoning writer at Vibe magazine, where we met. She is a feisty potty-mouthed Scorpio who is creative, unique, blunt, thoughtful and exceptionally cognizant of her actions, words and intentions (and I love her for being this way, unapologetically). She is also a fan of the fit life so I caught up with her to get a glimpse of how working out fits into her busy life and how she finds zen in a chaotic industry.

How and when did being active become an important part of your life? 

The first time I ever gravitated towards fitness was in middle school when my mother gifted herself with some Tae Bo tapes. I wanted to be more than just a cheerleader for the madre so I joined her in the living room for fun, but then quickly became a Billy Blanks disciple! That led to Tae Bo sleepovers and by the time college hit I was leading Tae Bo Tuesdays and Thursdays in my dorm lounge. Weird I know. (Editor’s note: See what I’m saying about her uniqueness? Lol).

Honestly, working out appealed to me because I could be loud, aggressive, say weird things, listen to loud music, feel amazing, straighten out my life and look awesome all in on session. Of course I’ve fallen off at different periods of my life for different reasons, but to my close circle of friends, I’ve always been known as the go-to chick for questions about getting in shape so, the pressure’s sorta always on, which is a good and wack thing.

What are some of your primary ways of getting fit and why do they appeal to you? 

Right now I am hella into boxing. Shout out to my friend and trainer Percell! I just like ninja activity man! I like physical activities that require a high level of concentration and I guess punching just comes natural to me.

But I also get bored easily so need a great amount of switch-ups and some fake competition. That’s why Crunch is my favorite gym, there’s just a flurry of awesome classes to choose from. Nike also offers super awesome free trainings.

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What’s your diet like and how does it work for you?

Blah. I can’t wait ’til money allows me to roll into Whole Foods with a big cart whenever needed. My diet when I’m focused is usually yogurt or oatmeal in the morning, lots of tea, a mid-morning snack of like trail mix, lunch is a very diverse salad with no damn cheese (sadness) or actually I’ve been having low sodium butternut squash soup from Trader Joe’s with chicken, kale and chia seeds with a piece of Tuscan whole wheat bread a lot. And dinner I try to be completely carb free and load up on vegetables and protein. My diet works as long as I prep the night before and re-up on groceries in a timely fashion. If those things aren’t in place, it’s wrap city for me, especially during that time of the month when all I want to do is be massaged in Nutella.

The media business, especially in dealing with entertainment, can be negative and extremely draining, so how do you find you find your zen space and decompress from work?

Man is this not the darkest part of the truth! I do a lot to keep my sanity intact. Peace of mind is my biggest life priority.

Okay, so I’m not completely consistent with this, but fuck man I’m getting there… because I have to. So in the evening I try my absolute best to not fall asleep, but to go to sleep. These are two completely different things. Going to sleep means peacing out on my computer and phone at least one hour before bed to give my brain a chance to slow down. Our membrane gets confused by the LCD lighting wondering if it’s really evening or actually daytime.

So during my last hour I read something along the lines of personal development. Right now, Battlefield of the Mind by my main, Joyce Meyer is a first pick up. Then I really just talk aloud to God, show gratitude ask for security and listen to this 15min audio of affirmations for women while I detangle my weave and lotion my feet, stuff like that. Also, I’m very into aromatherapy so I light some candles marketed to the hella stressed and I drink some special chamomile tea.

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In the morning, if my room is neat I will wake up extra early, if it’s a storm for some reason my body just wants to buried beneath it. Assuming the former however, my alarm clock goes off to Tony Robbins “Awaken The Giant Within” and I literally say out loud something to the effect of “Thank you God for this day, I will do my part in collaborating with you to make sure it’s the best it can be!” then I do some stretches and/or workout, meditate for like 15min, listen to my affirmations again, eat and be the fuck out.

If during the day I feel like crying, I let myself cry in private, but put a timer on it and I do a good amount of military breathing and talk God’s ear off. I also watch my beauty gurus on YouTube; makeup tutorials calm me all the way down for some reason.

This was all a lot right? I should’ve just said: candles, affirmations, prayer, reading, Tony Robbins, no technology before bed. Oh well. I enjoy scenic routes.

What are your intentions for your hashtag, #sweatwithTG?

Well I didn’t want snapshots of my workouts to be viewed as an exercise in narcissism and shallowness. The majority of folks on this planet are visual learners and so if repetition is the mother of learning… well damn Instagram is in the running for messiah of social networks. I really just wanted to create a hub within IG for folks to *join* me in building and sustaining an awesome lifestyle built on transferable energy, confidence and a nice ass. It also helps me with my own accountability lol.

What five songs do you currently turn to pump yourself up for or during a workout?

Awwww man! I feel endorphins rushing just off the thought these songs. Okay, here we go. In no particular order:

  • “About The Money” – T.I. ft. Young Thug
  • “Party Rock Anthem” – LMFAO
  • “Ass Drop” – Wiz Khalifa
  • “7/11” – Beyonce
  • “Go Hard” – Nicki Minaj

 

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How do you plan to manifest the rest of your year?

Via prayer, meditation, vision boards, journaling, planning and most importantly motion.

Anything else you want to add?
For anyone who feels particularly discouraged and is dogging themselves like I sometimes do with internal conversations like “You should’ve never fallen off, now look at the work ahead of you.” Blah blah. Cut that shit out. You’re better than the version of you yesterday and you’re better than anyone whose favorite piece of equipment is a couch. Forgive yourself, then applaud yourself for getting back in the game and take the time to review what stopped your consistency in the past so you can turn a “losing” moment into a “learning” moment. And always remember, today’s challenge will one day be your warmup!

Keep up with Tracy G!

Instagram: itstracyg

Twitter: itstracyg

Sway in the Morning: M-F 8a-12p on Shade45

*All photos used with permission from Tracy G’s Instagram.

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Starr

Starrene Rhett Rocque is a former member of Dumbledore's Army who now enjoys gallivanting at pole, yoga and dance studios. She also occasionally fantasizes about becoming a shotgun-toting b-movie heroine.