Embrace the Fall: Disney Villains Run, Fitness Challenges and Pumpkin Spice Energy Bars

This is the episode that will transport you to a fall season run, with Coach Shelby and Coach Christine guiding you through the enchanting journey. Join us as we discuss sharing laughs over pumpkin bars, and gearing up for upcoming marathons.

We also take a moment to appreciate the remarkable runner, Elliot Kipchoge, and his infectious energy that motivates us all and get you pumped for fall running season.

As the fall temperatures descend, we get real about the importance of suitable running attire from lightweight jackets, long sleeve tech tees, beanies, and gloves

We also unleash the not-so-sinister secrets of the Villains' Vault Showdown challenge for October. A team face-off with Coaches Shelby & Christine at the helm of two respective teams ready to tackle a mileage challenge on their quest to claim the treasures locked within. We also highlight, how Dr. Facilier will bring in some unexpected fun with his daily surprises, ranging from exciting recipes to strength exercises.  Registration is open here>>

October brings with it the launch of our Fitness Fun and a little friendly competition.

Let's harvest and reap the rewards of all our hard work from summer, enjoy learning more about how we will get a little wicked with our team showdown, and of course, give you the lowdown of which fall-flavored endurance fuel is a "smash" and which ones you should make sure to "pass." Come October 3rd, we're challenging you to unleash your inner villain for our Villains Vault Showdown. 

So, are you ready to embrace the fall in the most mischievous way possible? Join us for a fun-filled and healthy autumn season!

Chapters

• 0:02 Fall Season Running and Training Tips
• 10:30 Fall Running and Villains Challenge Prep
• 23:49 Fall Fitness Challenge With Surprise Activities
• 29:15 Fitness Journey and Villains Prize Challenge
• 35:04 Run Disney Race and Prizes
• 41:13 Fall Flavored Gel Taste Testing
• 46:52 Comparison of Marathon Fuel Options
• 1:00:08 Tasting and Reviewing Pumpkin Spice Bars
• 1:11:16 Ranking Energy Gels and Bars
• 1:19:03 Villains Vault October Showdown and Events

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Hey friends, coach Shelby and Coach Christine, welcoming you in and letting you know it's time for our brunch, where, here at brunch, there is always an open table, a hot cup of coffee and endless running fun to keep you moving and grooving. Here at brunch we are feeling the fall vibes full force and bringing you along for a wicked ride. This long brunch is a true fall fest. We'll be talking about not only fall and the fun in the run, but also the fun in fall and locking our wicked next challenge and giving our honest, unfiltered opinions on pumpkin bars and fuels that are hot on the market. And, coach Christine, while we may be Floridians and we may not know that much about fall, I do know that both of us are excited to at least not be on the face of the earth's surface of the sun.

Speaker 2: 0:52

hot Coach we know a lot about fall. We know that it's the best time of year to live here in Florida. So, friends, if you hate falls because you're not living here with us, even though we don't have some of the best parts about it.

Speaker 2: 1:05

You're absolutely right, we don't have those gorgeous fall leaves, but it's okay. We can catch those on TV and while we might not necessarily have really crisp days, at least we do get usually a little bit milder temperatures. So it feels like regardless of wherever you are in the world whether you're celebrating the beginning of a new season with bringing in those fall vibes here in the northern hemisphere or in the southern hemisphere getting more of those spring vibes this is still the best time for running. The weather is making that slight change and we're actually able to really enjoy it all. As I've mentioned before, maybe one of all of our favorite puns we're going to harvest all of that hard work that we put in over the summer. So, coach, let's get right into chatting about what are you most excited about with this fall season? Because I know you and I know that you love your elite, so I have to feel like this is prime time. This is football season for runners. It feels like.

Speaker 1: 1:52

Really, I was exactly going to say that it is the equivalent of football season for me, because it's when all of the races are more televised you don't have to go through 15 different streaming services to find a race to watch. And I really do try to protect those days when the marathons are on, specifically all the world majors that we've been talking about in Quick Bites. I reserve those days. I don't take calls and we don't do meetings. It's like no, I want to sit, I don't want to work while I'm watching, but I want my cup of coffee and my clothes a little blanket, and it's just. These are some of the races I may never run, but I don't really care. I just want to root on some of the favorite people that I've been following for so many years, and specifically Elliot Kipchoge going for another world record. I mean, let's be honest, I'm pumped.

Speaker 2: 2:45

Yeah, I know I'm a little nervous. Do you think he's going to be able to make it?

Speaker 1: 2:51

I mean, I think that man can do anything. He's like the one athlete I think I have like undying faith in. He really is the goat of running and he's just so like you can just feel the energy of kindness coming off of him and I think that's makes him different, like he's not just good and he knows he's good, but he never rests on the fact that he is the goat. He is always striving for more and always trying new things. And I don't know it's very relatable as an elite like you were born to do this. It's painfully obvious, but yet he doesn't let it go to his head and that makes me want to root for more.

Speaker 2: 3:32

Absolutely, that's. What I would say is that he has this worldwide appeal in terms of not meeting anyone in the running community that says, oh, I really don't like him because he's got this great, big, wonderful smile that we're all well aware of. He goes for gold. Talk about big, audacious goals. This man literally does not rest on his laurels when it comes to shooting for the stars and beyond, of course, so I think it's exactly what's exciting for him. I also love that he's willing to put it out there, because I think we've heard from other elites in some of the books we've read or some of the interviews, that there's a lot of fear of putting out those really big, audacious goals into the world, as to whether or not they'll come to fruition. So I think it's a really brave, courageous way to live your life, especially as an elite, where they have quite literally so much on the line for them in terms of records and performing their best, and each race really does mean quite a bit. But for us mere mortals, or as I like to call us, the extraordinary runners, every single day that we're out there is really set up as a big, audacious goal that we're checking off on our list to be our best and how to be brave, and that's why I think that fall season really puts a little extra pep in our step.

Speaker 2: 4:36

Usually, there's one run after every really hard, grueling summer training session that you're like oh this is what I was waiting for. This is why I was willing to put in all the hard work and it feels magical. You come home and everything's. While you may not have those crisp, beautiful fall air or gorgeous leaves, everything still feels a little brighter after that nice fall run and something's a little crisper. And I'm looking forward to hearing from our brunch bunch a bit to hear what they say about it and how they feel about those magical running day.

Speaker 2: 5:07

So the training is starting to pay off again, and then we're already seeing some of our athletes kicking it off of Berlin, so it's going to be really fun to see all these. Of course, chicago we're looking forward to that as well. There's a couple different things and I know, coach, a really big fan of some of the things that we should do every single season, but maybe even more so this fall. So I'm going to let you kind of bring that to the brunch table here with some of the best practices that we can all incorporate as we turn the page and welcome in our official harvesting season here.

Speaker 1: 5:39

Check your shoes. It's something that is so underrated because, especially, I think, during summer, most of us, in all honesty we've seen it in our training group, we've seen it with our athletes we are really in survival mode of just pushing ourselves forward and doing as much right as we can to capitalize, coming in the fall. But our gear sometimes suffers because it's the last thing you think about. You put your shoes on, you lace them up. That's pretty much the extent of it. But every season you need to check your shoes, especially if you've been in a higher volume training, like a marathon or even a half marathon. That wear and tear isn't just on your body, it's also on those shoes. On the treads you'll see where you've been wearing more on one side than another, or if maybe you're striking somewhere. Funny, so what? We also recommend not having new shoes on race day. It is a great time to start checking in and maybe taking advantage of some of those sales that do come around this time of year.

Speaker 2: 6:41

Absolutely. I think it's a great reminder, especially if we're not quite yet at that peak training in terms of our goal fall race that's maybe right around the corner. This may be the perfect time to go ahead and get that extra pair of shoes. You could start bringing it in for race day. But before you do that, you also want to know that you have a little bit of extra zest in your mileage by having that extra oomph.

Speaker 2: 7:01

With that said, coach, one of the other things that I love about this time of year is it's a fantastic time to be a bit more conscientious of our metrics. So we could do a little bit of a test to see how much improvements or progress or check in where we're really at from all that hard work that we did in over summer. And I want to also take this as a caveat to say that if you've been consistent over summer, you're likely going to see some really wonderful times and paces and your metrics come into play. But if you're still tapering mode for a race or maybe even in that peak mileage, not necessarily a perfect time to be checking in by going all out and testing those miles. So just take into account that it really depends on where you're at in your training, but maybe even took a summer training off from running, maybe you decided to do cross training or you pursued some of your other fitness goals with strength training or all those other things.

Speaker 2: 7:50

If you're coming back, this is a great time to do some baseline testing so you know exactly where you're at and you can check in with what's the next steps for you as you start to train for your goals. Or maybe you go into your recovery portion, because your mileage is going to look very different, your pacing goals are going to look very different, and it's always just an extra fun thing to do to be able to check in and see our progress, see where we're at and always be able to have those metrics to kind of compare not for a bad thing, but a good thing and it can be a slippery slope because, while the temperatures obviously are going to heat a little bit of more favorable results because you're not having to work as hard and you're not in the heat, the humidity is not as high.

Speaker 1: 8:31

You also want to be sure that you don't overcorrect and start running all of your runs hard because it feels so good.

Speaker 2: 8:41

I feel like you're trying to call me out here, coach, because that is one of the things that I struggle with the most in terms of this time of year because it does feel so good in comparison to running in the absolute peak of hot summer months.

Speaker 2: 8:55

So there's definitely quite a bit of reminding ourselves that, as we go into these cooler temperatures at, an 80-20 principle is still going to be our friend. Of course it's fun to turn it up a little bit and have some excitement to our workouts, maybe adding in a little bit of speed play with a front leg session or potentially looking at the different ways that we can go a little harder. We still need to use that 80-20 principle and that go out every single time way too hard.

Speaker 1: 9:23

Oh no, I was talking with one of my athletes the other night during our one-on-one checking call and we were telling each other that falls like Goldilocks it's not too hot, not too cold, it really is just right and we all joke about like how we can't have that Goldilocks type of weather for race day, but during that fall period you have a lot more of those Goldilocks days. So it really is a great time, whether you are a seasoned runner or if you're maybe flirting with the idea of getting into running. It really is, I feel, like the season to dabble in maybe things that maybe you haven't before.

Speaker 2: 10:00

Absolutely. I'm a huge fan of the Goldilocks parable or similarly here when it comes to running, especially this time of year. But maybe, if you haven't even really started running yet, but you've been listening to us for some time, you're getting out for a walk or two and you're wondering maybe I found time for brunch podcast and waiting for you guys to drop in some recipes. Well, that's definitely your clue to jump into our podcast newsletter, because we do include a lot of recipes there. Come join us on our Facebook group. We add a lot of fun and recipes cooking in there as well.

Speaker 2: 10:30

But if you are thinking this is the time, I want to go ahead and get started, I want to also say welcome because this is the time of year that I got started in running and it was just a little bit crisper. It was a lot of part of September, still warm for us, but a little bit crisper, a little bit more bearable, and it was such a wonderful time to really make that start. It gave me the opportunity to really kindle that fire and build a good base. So when we got into our hotter temperatures again here in Florida, it was a little bit more of something that I had already built a consistency about that I had really started to enjoy, so I was able to easily take it up a little bit more.

Speaker 1: 11:09

Was bearable like a nod to hibernation. Were you trying to make a pun there?

Speaker 2: 11:14

Absolutely I love the puns With that. So let's talk about hibernation and maybe a little bit of those extra layers as we prepare for those cooler temperatures and winter. That might be something folks have to do this time of year and take into consideration the weather's very unpredictable it may be cooler at some parts of the day, it may be a little rainy, maybe a little hotter still. So it's essential to think of dressing in layers to give you the best of both worlds lightweight, with layers that have some easy, dry, wicking components. It's absolutely fantastic. So for me, I love my long sleeve tech teases time of year. Whenever it gets a little too warm, I take it right off, tie it around my waist, but I think you're a really big fan of lightweight jackets, right, coach?

Speaker 1: 11:58

Yeah, I tend to go with the jacket route. I have a light jacket. That has become my try and true and it's just enough to kind of keep me a little bit warm as I get into my run. And then it's not super cumbersome to when I take it off and have my tank top, because who owns sleeves in Florida? Just kidding, I do own sleeves, but still I like the ability to kind of shed the layers. I don't necessarily like being committed to a long sleeve shirt, but that could be my fear of confinement as a Floridian and why I only wear clothes, toad shoes during running.

Speaker 2: 12:33

Absolutely see. This is what I love about it, coach. Where is the lightweight jackets? I wear the lightweight long sleeve tech tees.

Speaker 2: 12:39

It's all about finding what works for us One of the beautiful aspects of running that's always gonna make it super unique.

Speaker 2: 12:45

I also wanna make sure that we talk about the fact that if our folks that have been training what was considered the hottest summer on record and you have some of these fall races coming up maybe the weather's a little different than what you trained in and by that I mean you don't even have to travel for the race it's quite possible that your fall temperatures are drastically different than the summer that you trained in.

Speaker 2: 13:02

Then you definitely want to take an account that you still want to be able to bring those layers into play over your base layers that you trained in. So whatever you were training in because you know that those were definitely comfortable hopefully minimizes that chafing that might come into play if you were to throw on a completely new outfit for race day. So this is where I would definitely suggest having again those base layers close to your body, throwing in that lightweight jacket or long sleeve tech tee and really learning how to add that component of adding versus subtracting, especially when you're able to take it right off when you heat up after those first couple of miles of most of those races.

Speaker 2: 13:41

One of the things, coach, that I have found that really fascinating is because I have traveled for some of these world marathon majors is that I always forgot those beanies and hats, so I think I own them for practically every fall race I've done outside of Florida.

Speaker 1: 13:53

I mean, if you look at the marathons, if you look at the elites like again, we always say, don't compare ourselves to elites, but this is one time where they do have a tendency to know what they're doing. They're in the tiny little racing buns, the little crop top built in, whatever it is, and they have gloves and a beanie and it just helps to kind of protect those extremities. You know, warm me up a little bit and then by a couple of miles in they're gone, they're done. No one's to see them ever again. So again, don't spend a lot of money if you're going to be chucking them on the side of the race, unless you want to make somebody's day. But yeah, definitely a nice little beanie and some light gloves go a long way in helping you kind of keep that warmth again without the excessive extra bulk that's not really necessary at this time of year.

Speaker 2: 14:38

Or if you're a native Floridian like me, you usually end up keeping that light pair of gloves and beanie the entire race, but that's neither there For most other individuals.

Speaker 2: 14:47

I could see we're chucking.

Speaker 2: 14:48

It would definitely be the way to go, so not spending tons of money on it.

Speaker 2: 14:51

I also think that the fun thing about this time of year and I recommend this to most of the athletes that I work with and I've done this myself as well there's two seasons that I would say are really vital, or two different times of the year that are really vital that you should check back in with with a actual race, because if you're able to utilize the same race conditions, same race course and year after year, you're able to start to see those metrics change one way or the other and just gives you a really good idea of what it is that you may need to tweak a little bit.

Speaker 2: 15:19

So for me, I usually have a fall 5K and I also have one at the beginning of the year year after year. Those are the ones that I just lean into to help give me that race-state energy that you really have a hard time being able to duplicate anywhere else. You can't really even if you go out there for a mild test, very difficult to duplicate that race energy that you get from being at a live race with a 5K. So I do suggest for athletes, again, depending where they're at in a training circle, to go ahead and sign up for a local 5K race, especially if fall-themed.

Speaker 1: 15:52

And hey, if you're got the running part down in the fall, don't forget about cross-training. Apple picking counts. You can just reach up to a grab, then use the other hand and squat it down, rinse and repeat all the way through functional fitness. All day, every day. We'll win out.

Speaker 2: 16:08

Oh, I so wish that we could do some apple picking. Here in Florida. We have beautiful citrus and I love how our citrus smells, especially in February and March with some of our local races. But apple picking sounds absolutely incredible, unless if it's being brought to you by potentially an evil queen with a wicked, wicked intention of being the fairest of them all. So I think it's about time, coach, we should talk a little bit about maybe some wicked delights that we have in store for all of our brunch bunch friends.

Speaker 1: 16:43

Oh, our fun fall that we're bringing to the brunch table. I mean we can, but I'm gonna throw a poison apple with you if you try to hand me any type of food, because, listen, we're gonna be on opposite sides on this new adventure.

Speaker 2: 16:58

Which I think it makes it super fun. We were struggling with this a little bit because while year round I represent Team Sweet and you're on Team Savory, we maybe miniaturely dip our pinky toes into a little bit of smack talking. We're competitive, we wanna get the guests on our side, of course, but this time we decided let's just go all Alice that are wild abandoned into the air. We're gonna go complete opposite sides and truly duke this out as we lead our respective teams to conquer the dark kingdom. So of course, we're just coming off the heels of crown and conquer, absolutely having so much fun.

Speaker 2: 17:31

This group is on fire. They're crushing their chosen path. They have so much honestly just support for each other community. I love to see that they're enjoying their meditation, journaling, their exercise confetti. Whatever they've actually tackled, they are doing it 100% of the way. It also gives me a little bit of delight to see some of them maybe going out of their comfort zones with their workouts that they're adding in and getting a little wicked with some of those workout programming with a burpee session or two.

Speaker 1: 18:05

The burpee was a hot subject, but that's okay, we won't hold it against you. Going into our next challenge, which I'm super excited, it was like the crown and conquer group, though we're reading our minds because while there was a lot of princess love, the true people who stole the shows were the villains. So we are finally unlocking the vault come October 1st and showing up for our ultimate villains vault showdown, which, again, is gonna be a little wicked and maybe not so nice.

Speaker 2: 18:41

It will be a whole lot of fun, though, coach, and what I love most is that built-in accountability, because it's done in a way where folks don't have to spend tons of times with tons of check-ins.

Speaker 2: 18:51

So, with us going into this villains vault showdown, it's first and foremost going to be a mileage challenge.

Speaker 2: 18:57

However, again, it's made for walkers, runners, movers and shakers alike, so we're not looking at somebody who's just training for an ultra-detackless challenge. It is 62 miles for the month minimum, and we know that you guys can do that because, of course, we've done the math. We know that you have what it takes to dedicate two miles a day to yourself and your fitness, and you're gonna be working with your team. Again, you're gonna have this incredible opportunity to have the accountability of being there showing up for your team and your team showing up for you to make it across that finish line together, empowering each other every single way. There's gonna be checking in on you, but I love the mileage tracker because I love that being able to kind of see that metric of actually making progress together and virtually being able to participate wherever we're at in the world. So I also coach. You know I'm a little bit of a metric dork. I just love seeing this map and how much fun it is.

Speaker 1: 19:54

And it's gonna be interactive, so you're not gonna have to be sitting there, old school, with a pen and paper writing down. Today I did 1.3 miles. Today I did 1.06 miles. You're gonna be able to sync with some of the most popular apps and gadgets that are around and it's gonna flow right in there. So it's going to be a set it and forget it, and that's the beauty of it. You can run to get those miles, you can walk to get those miles. Maybe it's walking your furry friend, maybe it's apple picking. It's all gonna be fair game and you're going to be either on Coach Christine's team or the best team my team, coach Shelby's team and we're gonna make sure that we all are victorious villains at the end and reach a bootiful bash at the very, very end.

Speaker 2: 20:39

Well, who needs best when you can actually be the winning team? So of course, you're gonna wanna come over to my side. Not to mention, I've been villainous for decades.

Speaker 2: 20:46

friend, you're just coming to the party, I know, but that doesn't matter, because whether you've loved villains your entire life or you're kind of not so sure, if you really wanna make it to the dark side, there's gonna be something for everybody. And if you are injured and you're hearing that maybe you're you can't do this because you can't go out for a run or a walk then really you're not out of the running Pun intended, of course because all you have to do is just reach out to Coach Shelby and myself and we will work with you to find something that your doctor would approve for you to have a mileage equivalent to participate with this. Now, again, one of the things I absolutely love about this is its accountability. There's consistency. It's a big foundation of making those fall goals actually take off.

Speaker 2: 21:26

So if you're just starting in on goal planning for that next step, or maybe you're coming off of a fall race and you're looking at how do I stay consistent now that I don't have that finish line to work toward, this is going to be exactly what you need. It's doable, it's interactive, it's fun and, of course, we're super excited because the villains show down. We're gonna showcase villains weekly with that audio premium podcast, where that has a structured workout, and I love the fact that we're also gonna have a versus style playlist every single week where we get to kind of add in a little bit of our musical eclectic taste, which I think while we have a lot in common, sometimes our music may not quite be there, but also it's gonna be a lot of fun to see what songs we choose to represent our villains of the week.

Speaker 1: 22:11

We may have to have a little pop up challenge of guests who added this song, because I sometimes we are in sync at pun intended with what we like and then other times there are some hard left turns in the other side.

Speaker 2: 22:27

Well, I think we have quite a bit in common, except, of course, that hard left turn of my love of Stranger Danger A stations, but there might be a few others.

Speaker 2: 22:35

One of the things, though, that we absolutely love, though, is with these villains again, and you're going to see it in episode notes.

Speaker 2: 22:41

Just find the link that will put you to all the details, because there's so much here you can't even possibly cover it in this episode. But, friends, while we are getting this moving and grooving, we want to remind you that pace doesn't matter. It doesn't necessarily matter how you tackle those miles, be it run or a walk or a hike. All that really matters is that you have that wicked dedication to making this something that you're consistently about for those 31 days of the month of October. So, again, we're asking you to dedicate time for yourself, because you're going to feel a little better, you're going to feel a little brighter, you're going to have a bit more pep on your step, and one of the things that we love most about these challenges is how surprised folks are about how every aspect of their life feels a little smoother. They're able to sleep better, they are able to have more energy for their loved ones, they feel more confident in all the things they do.

Speaker 1: 23:37

Well, and really, with the Crown and Conquer Challenge, we've heard from so many of the participants, this is exactly what they needed in this moment, at this time. And this October challenge, same way. Again, we're dealing with the seasons changing. It's going to be glorious out. It's pushing us to go outside, if we can, and really adhere to all of that fun fallness. It's great. If you have to stay inside too, again, it's not going to matter where it decided to log the miles, but if you're getting reacclimated to the elements and the great outdoors, it's just that little extra bit. And with the guided runs, you can use them as a run, you can use them as a walk. I know we're going to be making a specific one for the treadmill, for our treadmill lovers. So really, there's going to be a little bit of something for everybody to get you up and get you out there in a way that is keeping yourself accountable, but also knowing that you have your whole team behind you doing the exact same thing.

Speaker 2: 24:33

It's one of the incredible joys of knowing that you're working alongside other people that are. They are hand in hand, working towards the same goal. I'm going to take a quick step back and say that, even for that treadmill run that we talk about, it's not just for treadmill lovers. You could absolutely hate the treadmill. You could think that it's the biggest villain of this entire challenge. What we can tell you, though, is that we want you to take that laundry off of it, dust it off a little bit and get ready to enjoy that workout, because one thing that's been clear for folks that don't particularly love treadmills is, with our treadmill dedicated workouts they have come to love. They said it's the most fun they've had on a treadmill. But also, while we're moving on that, we want to let you know that if you don't have access to treadmill, you still can participate in that workout that specific week, because we have ways of helping you make it.

Speaker 2: 25:18

For a hill, a bridge, a causeway, we're a bit inclined, challenged around our side of the world here in Florida, with it being super flat, so we've learned multiple ways of making it work. Maybe it has to turn into a little bit of a different workout for you, and that's okay, because we're going to be here for you every step of the day and you have two coaches that really have your best interest at heart. So, while we may be leading different teams, we're always willing to help out a friend on the other side. So, coach, should we talk a little bit more about? What I have to say is again one of the cherries on top of this incredible, villainous Sunday, because it is time to talk about the shadow man himself, mr Dr Facilié.

Speaker 1: 26:04

The funny thing is we actually made Dr Faciliéa featured villain because we got into a little bit of a disagreement of who would have him as their villainous vanquisher on their team. So we decided, OK, we're just going to share him and he's going to be popping in daily with some of his fortune cards and just making sure that we don't get too comfortable, that we always know there's something spooky coming around every single corner. So we're going to have Facilié's Daily Fortune Reveals in our private group and each day it's going to be something different. Maybe it's a recipe, Maybe it's a strength, a little pop up, who knows? We're not going to tell you all of our secrets.

Speaker 2: 26:46

A little bit of a sinister surprise. You say coach.

Speaker 1: 26:49

Oh goodness, I'm so proud of you Again. This is why we're on different teams, but we're having to take the love fest and just put it in our pockets for a little bit, replacing with some of those daily fortune cards.

Speaker 2: 27:02

It's one of the most different aspects of this specific challenge which I think I love again the most, because we all get into our routines as runners. We tend to wear the same shoes, eat the same fuel, get out for the same mileage and the same routes. We do our cross training and string training quite a bit the same, so it gets a little hoedrum and that makes it difficult to get laced up and to get in any of our workouts, because maybe we're just lacking in a bit of that extra zest and fun. And that's where I think, with Dr Facili's daily fortune reveal of fitness, if you will, or wellness, it comes into play where you don't really know what to expect. You do know that you're going to have whatever comes your way is going to be about 20 minutes or less and you get to dedicate time to strength cross training.

Speaker 2: 27:45

As coach said, a lot of fun with recipes or other aspects as well, but what I think it also is that it gives you some opportunity as an adult that we don't get a lot of surprises. We have a lot of folks that we have to do things for, we have to do a lot of planning for we're there for them in all so many different aspects and this time you, as the participant here of our Villan�s squad, you get to kind of sit back and know that we've planned out all the surprises and fun for you to add a little bit of that extra whimsy to your day but to keep you really motivated, actually having that fun, that frivolity that pays off where you feel great afterwards.

Speaker 1: 28:22

And I'm glad you pointed out the fact that, yes, while it's going to be a surprise and I know the type A and me sometimes doesn't love finding out things at the last minute you're going to know that it's coming every single day and, like you said, it's only going to be 20 minutes or less, so it's not going to be this big drawn out fortune marathon of an event or a recipe or a challenge. It's going to be something that just adds that little bit of extra spice and everything nice to your day.

Speaker 2: 28:53

A little bit of pumpkin spice, if we will. But also something I want to point out is that we did extensive conversations with the folks that have participated in our challenges and before we develop any future challenge, we check in with them and see what did they love, what did they not love and how did these work out for them, and specifically with Exercise Confetti, something that we've been adding more and more to our challenges. What's fantastic about this is that it can be something that you can do no matter where you're adding your fitness journey. So if you are just getting started with your journey and you're getting off the couch, you can add these workouts in and scale it for where you're starting at. And if you've been doing this forever and who knows an ultramarathoner or the likes of Goggins you can still absolutely add these in and make them where they still feel challenging to you.

Speaker 2: 29:38

So also, there's a lot of things to take into consideration that we're well aware of.

Speaker 2: 29:41

They can be done any place, anywhere, any time, with minimal to zero equipment, like, for example, we know that for the burpees, you may not be able to do it if you live in an apartment and you have to be mindful of your denser's neighbor, so we have modifications for you. We have different ways of scaling it Again to make sure that you make most of what's available to you and truly wherever you're at. So we have a complete gamut represented, and actually every person that we've checked in with has said that they're able to scale it for what they need for their fitness journey, and Coach Elby and I are probably going to be having some very heated discussions as we're working on designating which team you're going to fall on, so we are looking forward to you tackling this on and going ahead and registering it so we can bring you on to our teams and get you started to have all the tools that you need for the launch of all of this fitness fund for October 1st and the entire month with you all.

Speaker 1: 30:37

And don't fret, I know I've been very forthcoming, that I am not a villain of sorts, but I've been doing my research. I'm getting down with my bad self. I've contacted my friends on the other side and I've got some tricks at my sleeve and we're going to keep the trash talking to a minimum, since, again, it's kind of hard because we do love each other so much. But this is going to be a pretty fierce face off. I think it may be a little bit more heated than our sweet and savory debate.

Speaker 2: 31:05

I think it may be as well, because she has definitely been doing her research, and by that I mean watching every single movie of the villains, every single live action originals, everything in between, so she can be 100% prepared. And I know that. And they're scary, right, they can be a little scary. We're taking this seriously, because we also know that you guys are going to fall in love with some of the same villains we have, and I think it's going to be a lot of extra fun. But there is going to be that heated debate because we've already had a little bit of feistyness.

Speaker 2: 31:36

With which villains do we get on our side Again?

Speaker 2: 31:38

We know probably likely do that with every single one of you as well, but one thing that's important is that you know that we're taking all these excuses off the table, so we don't want you to think that one team is going to be stacked versus the other.

Speaker 2: 31:48

We're going to do everything we need to on our side Again to make it as equitable, and even with every single team member on the team, so that we can all work cohesively together and be able to toe up to that start line, feeling prepared to tackle this incredible journey with our respective teams, knowing that again, at the end of it all it's about working together, having that extra pep in our step, knowing that we've got people to have our back and, of course, maybe a little bit of you know smack talking here and there, but knowing that at the end of the day, we're all there to really support each other with these fitness goals. And one of the things that I think also that's really difficult is that sometimes we let that inner mean girl, that inner villain, talk us out of things where this is where that team accountability will be there every step of way to help you probably forward.

Speaker 1: 32:38

Right, we're going to find every reason why the excuse of you not to do this for yourself is completely in valve. This is when our evil, villainous side is going to be like listen, we got your back, your team's got your back, we can do this, don't shit all over yourself. But well, well, that is definitely one thing we have not fought over. I think the prizes is the other thing that there was actually no fighting over, other than maybe us wanting to keep it for ourselves.

Speaker 2: 33:06

Absolutely, we absolutely do. It's hard because, also, while we want to be a little wicked and villainous here, we also kind of liken it to one of your favorite winter holidays code. But we're feeling a little like Santa, a little part Santa's elves, and honing in on that villainous side, because we're so excited about these prizes and we're so excited for you to win these prizes, especially after we tackle this journey together. And you know what's incredible about breaking open this villain's vault with all of these magical treasures inside is also that there's just it's a wide range that all has one common purpose.

Speaker 2: 33:41

One of the things that I think we're having a hard time with coaches that we both really want to keep the incredible gift card from a flock athletic wear, a lavish gift card that it's a company we've recently discovered, run by an incredible woman who specializes in some of the most beautiful athletes or wear that we have seen you can wear it when you're running errands, when you're out for groceries picking up the kids, or if you are out for a run, or maybe because you want to win the most stylish award of the race day. I mean it right, because we know that having that outfit puts a little extra pep in our step for race day or, again, even our workouts. There's a lot of times where having something fun for me to dress up in gets me out that door because it puts that extra smile on my face. That is absolutely one of my favorite parts of all of these prizes as well.

Speaker 1: 34:33

Oh, my goodness, and it's a woman owned business, which you know, that's our love language right there. But they've got princess, they've got villains, they've got a little bit of everything which, because you're going to need to look pretty darn fabulous because the dark decree of mastery winner will also be receiving a coveted sold out bib for the 2024 princess half marathon, so we can infiltrate the castle every which way and look good doing it.

Speaker 2: 35:00

Oh, my goodness, seriously, one of my most fun races I do every year as well.

Speaker 2: 35:04

Also, one of the most emotional races that I do every year and it's not just me, friends, I promise you, while we're big run Disney fans.

Speaker 2: 35:09

I was chatting with a new runner recently who ran princess, and we said pretty much at exact same time how, every time we get to the magic kingdom and we see the castle after all of the hard work of training, it brings tears to our eyes. We both wailed up because of how beautiful an experience that is. So we absolutely cannot wait for you to share in on that aspect of this amazing villains, vault treasure and amazing how it feels. But we also really want you to rock what you're wearing and get some incredible photos in front of that magic kingdom castle. With that said, we're going to make sure that you feel fantastic race day. We're going to even coach a little bit on how to look fabulous for those photo pass photographers, because you're going to win six months of one on one coaching, ensuring that you rise in your power and prowess and also that you recover really well after your race and you're able to reverse, taper, to keep consistency and conquering the next thing on your villainous list.

Speaker 1: 36:04

And, of course, you'll be part of the next six months of our TFB training challenges. Because you won, it's only fair that you get to see all of the other poor, unfortunate souls coming for every challenge thereafter. I had to quote Ursula. Would it be a villains without Ursula? But alas, I digress, and we also have to touch upon that the runner up team. They're not getting left in the dust. They're not going to be turned into frogs, they're going to be a little something, something as well.

Speaker 2: 36:35

Absolutely a little deputy of darkness prize, where this individual gets the Royal Runner Pass through the next few months of TFB training challenges. And if you guys are thinking, how many challenges can you potentially come up with? Well, oh, my dear sweet child, this is what we do, this is what we live for. You have no idea. We have so much fun in the works, truly, because, at the end of the day, we also know how important it is to continue to be motivated and supported. And that's where these challenges come into play, to put that little extra spark, that extra kindling to fire you up. So you have the Royal Runner Pass for the next three months of TFB training. Of course, you'll also have one month of one-on-one coaching to give you a little whisper of wisdom of how you could pursue any of your future goals. But we're also big fans of some sparkly jewels around here and it wouldn't be a treasure vault if we didn't have some treasures within. So the winner of this runner up prize will also get a gift card to Marvelous on Main Street.

Speaker 1: 37:36

And because, again, while we are channeling our dark side, we can't be so evil. So every participant, for hitting their 62 miles in 31 days, will receive a little badge of honor, if you will, for making it to the other side and to remind us that sometimes it pays to be a little bad.

Speaker 2: 37:57

What I love about having that prize, that badge of honor, is that it's something that nobody can take away for you and nobody else can purchase it. We're not gonna sell it anywhere, we're not gonna gift it to anyone. It's only going to be available to those folks that actually complete the minimum of the challenge, that are willing to show up and put up and show out to earn that badge of honor. So again, as Coach mentioned, that minimum is required before it gets mailed to you. But I also love that you get to go to your mailbox and get a little extra prize waiting for you If that's not enough and if that's not enough, we still have more sinister surprises.

Speaker 1: 38:32

Again good surprises.

Speaker 2: 38:34

Absolutely. They would be good surprises, wickedly good surprises, of course. What I love is that we're also going to be including some incredible pop-up prizes. I mean, again, we could go down the hole with all the things that we have, but we can guarantee you that this is all gonna put an extra pep in your step, get you that extra little zest and, at the end of the day, it's where you get to make commitment and consistency, with the help of community, get you to where you wanna be. Give you that motivation, give you that support, give you that encouragement. We give you the tools. All you have to do, rockstar, is to show up and have a whole lot of fun with us. So again, just use that link in our episode notes and head on over to get registered so you can get into your team, start meeting everyone and get ready to enjoy the spookiest, most wicked of October's to be had.

Speaker 1: 39:27

And when it comes down to it, we hear time and time again, people want to make the time for themselves, but a lot of runners, as well as movers and shakers alike, they tend to show up for others before themselves. So we're mashing that together. That's why we're doing this as a team challenge Cause, yes, at the core, you're signing up for yourself, but your teammates are gonna be there making sure that you are taking that time for yourself, that you are getting moving and we take that snippet of our day and just make it count. So know that every step of the way, we are gonna be there for you, but you're gonna have a whole team behind you making sure that you don't let all of the villains have all the fun. We're gonna join in and tackle the best of them.

Speaker 2: 40:13

Absolutely, and, friends, while we're getting ready to kick that off on October 1st for the entire month, I think it's fair to say that we've tackled a little bit of spooky season delights all the wicked deliciousness that we have in store. We've also talked about that wonderful fall weather and some of the things that you should do this time of year. Well, friends, it wouldn't quite be this time of year with that little pumpkin spice action. We had a taste testing held earlier this month, and it was, if I'm gonna say so myself, a little bit of a smashing pumpkin. Everybody loved it, it was so much fun there, but we also want to invite you to RSVP to our next one that's coming up in October. Before we get to that, though, let's go ahead and have an opportunity to replay the taste testing we held earlier this month, with all of the fantastic fall flavors and some that were not quite so fantastic, so we're gonna go ahead and open it on up, friends, so that you can listen on in to our pumpkin spice everything nice fall flavors. Taste testing next.

Speaker 1: 41:14

So let's have some fun and get right to it. What are you most excited about, coach? Grisheen? Cause, I think this is the first taste testing that I'm not completely terrified for, really. Yeah, I'm not as worried about this, but after the pickle juice, I'm pretty sure that everything is gonna be safe.

Speaker 2: 41:33

I thought the hydration one was the safest one, but I am excited about this one, though neither one of us are big pumpkin spice fans.

Speaker 1: 41:41

No, not so much. And after our summer hiatus, I feel like we're coming in with all of the spice and, hopefully, some things that are nice.

Speaker 2: 41:51

Oh, my goodness, I am so looking forward to some cooler temperatures. So I know we've had a little bit of a pushback on the fact that we're bringing these fall flavors, but you know what? They are hard to find. I was surprised. I was surprised, yes.

Speaker 1: 42:08

So shout out this is not sponsored but I will give a shout out to the feed because it was the only place I could find the fall flavors. I went personally to six different stores and only one of the items in our taste testing today I was actually able to find and you were actually not able to find it.

Speaker 2: 42:28

I was not, though. I have had this specific one in previous lifetime, a whole year ago, when the fall season started, so I have some thoughts about it, but I am a very excited coach. I think we should get right to it. I am ready for this taste testing.

Speaker 1: 42:46

I am optimistically excited. So we have fall flavors, we have a little bit of pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, and then, for good measure, we're bringing in some apples, cause I hear apple picking is really big. I have not personally done it, but okay, which one are we gonna tackle first? And please be kind, cause my coffee cup is only so big to clear my palate. Well, you didn't bring water. I mean I did, but that's kind of boring, okay.

Speaker 2: 43:13

Okay, well, I think we're gonna start off with apples, because I think that that is generally. I think of sweater weather. Of course, I think of apple picking. I love the cinnamon. I love that spice, I do love cinnamon. I love all things cinnamon.

Speaker 1: 43:27

So like applesauce.

Speaker 2: 43:29

I mean yeah. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed. This kind of tastes a little bit like applesauce, which we have recommended for some folks that maybe have a bit more of a pickier digestive track to fuel with applesauce. But for here we're gonna try right out of the gate. I'm super excited cause I've never tried any of this brand Spring Energy Gel, the Apple Cinnamon Spice. Now I think yes.

Speaker 1: 43:55

Yes, yes, I do have to say this thing better be good, cause it was hella expensive.

Speaker 2: 44:01

Ridiculously expensive. Let's talk about that so clearly. We are not sponsored, so we will.

Speaker 1: 44:08

We're gonna tell y'all it's expensive.

Speaker 2: 44:10

We are getting out.

Speaker 1: 44:11

This can have to $4.20 for this little guy right here, this little, this little nugget of hopefully goodness.

Speaker 2: 44:19

Also, I'm very curious that they price it like that way on purpose. Is that like a shout out to for 20 friends? But anyway, no judgment, 90 hundred there. So we're gonna give you instructions as to what the packet says, which is exactly what the package says is to eat.

Speaker 2: 44:35

This consume, I think, would be, the better way, cause there's no eating really, I think with a gel, but consume a 15 minutes before and every 30, 40 minutes during a hard effort. I love the fact that they included hard effort, like you don't need this on an easy peasy run or a walk, like a hard effort. That's when spring energy is gonna put that boost in your mileage.

Speaker 1: 44:59

So I'm excited. I'm gonna go out on a limb, though, like looking at the agrenians one. Everything's like organic, so hello pricey, like whole foods, whole paycheck. But the first ingredient is organic basmati rice, then applesauce, apple juice, yams, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, sea salt and cinnamon. So I mean on the surface it looks common, right to drop arms, but it keeps on forgetting what we wrote down. So we'll see if it's any good.

Speaker 2: 45:27

So this is my biggest concern. I'm actually concerned that I like it.

Speaker 1: 45:30

Like I'm concerned. I can't get into it. Like this is a hefty package to try to rip and I'm not even sweaty.

Speaker 2: 45:37

Okay, so I think I already, I already smell it. It's very cinnamony. Did you get the little tab and you pick that tab and then-.

Speaker 1: 45:47

Is that what it does? No, I'm an animal and I just ripped it Like I have no qualms.

Speaker 2: 45:53

Okay, so nutritional facts for folks that maybe need those information for their dietary requirements. It's 180 calories for the entire pouch, zero fat, of course. Usually gels don't have that 45 carbs, which is where there's gonna be a lot of that energy boost, probably from that bismarie rice and all that jazz and two grams of protein. I love the smell.

Speaker 1: 46:14

It smells like baby food. Coach. Do you like baby food, christine? Is there something that I think baby food's not the worst thing in the world? Maybe that'd be a good taste, testing Different baby food as fuel, okay anyway, I mean it doesn't smell like horrible, but it smells like baby food and it looks like baby food and apple sauce, everything.

Speaker 2: 46:33

Before we get into that, I wanna address the comments, because we have some comments. Oh gosh, I'm also giving us a little bit more time. So we have Sally saying that she can't wait to get to the pumpkin spice goo. I know everybody's pretty curious about that. Also, apple picking is very popular in her side of the world and hot apple cinnamon cider sounds amazing. Nick's saying that it is expensive marathon fuel because it's 429.

Speaker 1: 46:56

Sally's saying OMG, it's expensive, it is really expensive. But now I will say, though, with as much as a whole ingredients and all the factors, I can see you might not kneading it as often as you would like an apple sauce because there's not as much substance to it. So I'll reserve judgment, but I think we've stalled long enough and I think we need to eat it, okay.

Speaker 2: 47:18

Are we gonna consume the entire thing? No, you're not. Yeah.

Speaker 1: 47:20

Yeah, do a shot of it, Kristine. That's gonna play really well for our palates. Okay, let's go.

Speaker 2: 47:30

Oh my God, I love it, I freaking love it.

Speaker 1: 47:36

I'm taking a minute.

Speaker 2: 47:37

Oh my gosh Shelby, I am worried now. Now I have to be able to afford run Disney and freaking spring energy fuel. You're famous girl. What is right, fix your face. Okay, you know, this is delicious.

Speaker 1: 47:50

Okay, I'm processing my emotions on this. It's really not that bad as my face might suggest. It tastes like baby food, but towards the end it actually is pretty pleasant On the run. I actually think I would enjoy this.

Speaker 2: 48:10

Yeah, first of all, I don't think it's gonna give us runs, which I think is really important. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I have to. It feels like something that yet, while it has a lot of flavor, I will say consistency is a little weird. It's a little bit. It's not gooey, it's not jelly.

Speaker 1: 48:27

It's not really even like mealy like an applesauce. It's somewhere in between. I like how you're retasting it Mm-hmm, like it has a little bit of grainy, like you can tell that there's actual applesauce in it. But I think with everything else it's not quite as mealy as an applesauce. But on a crisp day I could absolutely see this being a solid choice and I don't feel like I would need water with it. I would need it to get it down, I should say.

Speaker 2: 48:56

Yeah, I wholeheartedly agree. But so that one so far is my number one, right out of the gate. I loved everything about it, even the consistency. While it is a little I will say you're right it has a little bit of that mealiness, a little. I wouldn't call it gritty Fiber is what I taste with it. It's like a little bit of a fiber in it.

Speaker 1: 49:14

It bats at a selling point. We taste fiber everybody. So again, you might not get the runs with it, but it's going to help you later on.

Speaker 2: 49:21

I love fiber. I love fiber cereal and all-brin, all that jazz. Okay, special K. Oh, I love special K I guess a whole another thing. So yeah, right out of the gate. I really enjoy it.

Speaker 1: 49:32

So it's not that bad. Again, my face was off-putting, but I'm reserving judgment. Your face is always beautiful, my friend.

Speaker 2: 49:39

It's just definitely your range of reaction to it. It made it sound like this is something you're not consuming.

Speaker 1: 49:44

I have resting ick face.

Speaker 2: 49:49

All right, with that said, I am looking forward to the next one, so I'll let you pick. What's the next one, coach?

Speaker 1: 49:54

Let's do the Huma. I've never had Huma either, so this is a new brand for me, as well as the spring was, and this one's an apple and cinnamon, so I feel like it's only fair that we kind of compare apples to apples. I was way too tickled by that, me too.

Speaker 2: 50:10

Okay, so it's a chia energy gel, so will I find like the chia seeds in it, or did they grind them out? Did they grind them out like we grind our miles, girl?

Speaker 1: 50:20

I think the chia. I think it's going to be like how chia seed pudding is to where it's more for the gelatinous type of texture versus actually chunks of the chia seed, because even in chia seed pudding you don't get it the same at all. It kind of goes. But this is 100 calories, half a gram of fat, 22 in carb and one in protein. It's still a little bit more expensive, but after the spring I don't think we'll find another expensive gel. This comes in at about 250. So not horrible. And again, these are when we buy them singly, so there might be a little bit of better pricing if you do decide you like them and buy them in bulk. But I would grab this. It looks enticing and I've heard great things about humor. Especially from a digestive standpoint, this seems to be the go-to brand for stomachs of queasyness alike.

Speaker 2: 51:12

Interesting, interesting. Well, again, same as the apple cinnamon spice spring, you're going to consume it according to them, one full packet 15 minutes before your activity. About 30 to 45 minutes is what they suggest, but they did. It made me laugh as well. Always consume with water is on their little instructions. So are we ready to make this happen? I don't like this. I looked at it. I haven't opened it yet.

Speaker 1: 51:37

Oh my God Don't. It looks like a mixture between baby food. Wait, are you looking?

Speaker 2: 51:42

at it. You shouldn't look at any of these things, okay, this is the character flaws between us.

Speaker 1: 51:47

We've approached things vastly different. I don't just put things in my mouth without looking them and smelling them. The smell isn't as bad. I prefer the spring of the smell Better, though. This seems a lot more processed, which is funny, because it doesn't like the. The ingredients don't say that I like how you're like. No, I don't smell it. What's wrong with my nostrils.

Speaker 2: 52:11

I'm like I don't know. Now we have to figure out your nostril.

Speaker 1: 52:17

It's very it's very jelly, I'm just going to do it. I'm just going to do it, wait, okay.

Speaker 2: 52:22

So have you consumed it, or you haven't consumed it yet?

Speaker 1: 52:24

I have not. I just put my mouth on this, okay.

Speaker 2: 52:27

Okay, let's do it. Let's go Three, two, one and cheers.

Speaker 1: 52:36

Much more mild of a flavor.

Speaker 2: 52:38

I don't like it.

Speaker 1: 52:39

I think the spring hits you in the face.

Speaker 2: 52:42

Yes, this is way more mild, okay, so I don't love it as much as the first one. It does have a better aftertaste than traditionally, any of the other gels we've tried. I mean not more than the spring.

Speaker 1: 52:58

Spring was fabulous. It's doable. I would be okay with it. I feel like it's the discounted version, taste wise, of the spring, like I would probably pay more for the spring than this one Because, I mean, it's not terrible. It's a lot more of a gel like texture, like that we're used to as runners.

Speaker 2: 53:18

And I don't. That's what I don't love.

Speaker 1: 53:20

So I think the spring tastes more like a whole food option, absolutely To where this definitely is more of a gel, but the flavor does not hit you in the face. So if you're not into strong flavors when you're out running, I would probably say you're going to like this better.

Speaker 2: 53:35

Okay. So, with that said, we wouldn't necessarily kick either of these off the brunch table for a run, Would we like? If it's all we had available to us even if it's all we had available.

Speaker 1: 53:48

no, but I'm going to need a coffee break hold.

Speaker 2: 53:51

Me too. I do need to cleanse the palate. So, cheers and friends, if you're here with us, live. We hope that you are having some delicious coffee, because coffee makes everything better.

Speaker 1: 54:01

Sarah's saying the flavor that she tried of spring that she didn't care for, was plum, which Aren't some like Robust plumes. So wouldn't that be kind of like a anti running type of flavor? She said it tasted like tomato.

Speaker 2: 54:17

I don't know, but I kind of like tomato potato.

Speaker 1: 54:21

I love. I actually love fruums.

Speaker 2: 54:23

I did.

Speaker 1: 54:25

They're delicious.

Speaker 2: 54:26

But I don't know Well in dates and all of that jazz and figs. Okay, so we've had the apple. Are we ready to go ahead and turn the page? Because what everybody wants to know is you know how they can squash their goals and when they're out there running, squash their goals? Yeah, that's exactly. So maybe it's those times of those gourds to have to come out a little bit. So are we ready to go into the next one?

Speaker 1: 54:55

I have high expectations for the next one, Cause I unwrapped it and it it has a presence to it.

Speaker 2: 55:03

Okay, so we're going to go you you already threw that out there, cause I I know which one you're talking about based off of what you just described, the honey stinger nut and seed, cause it is quite seedy. We like our, we like our bar CD. This is not safe for work broadcast.

Speaker 1: 55:18

It looks delicious, like okay, for a second. Just look at that, like I mean, and I'm hungry cause neither of us made time to get a snack before this I am, this is our snack, this it smells to me like a payday, like the payday candy bar, like that's what I'm looking at this and hoping it tastes like that, cause if not I'm going to be sorely disappointed. It does not at all. She's she is most definitely lying to me have you ever had a payday?

Speaker 2: 55:45

I have. I don't love it. It's not my favorite.

Speaker 1: 55:47

Okay.

Speaker 2: 55:48

Well, that could be why I think it smells better than a payday, yeah.

Speaker 1: 55:54

Cause there's, I mean there's. I'm just going off of their sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, I'm assuming peanuts. And again, this might not be an on the run type of field, but this is definitely something I would grab, either pre or post run or between recording or in the middle of like a work day, so I think it's a really good one.

Speaker 2: 56:15

I also love the fact that it does have a lot of protein. So right, 14 grams of protein, 21 carbs, 16 fat, which, if you guys are afraid of fat, don't be. It's wonderful, especially like your friend. Yes, exactly, keeping that more satisfaction in between meals, which we all need with running, so you don't get that runger and then to 60 on calories. So I think, all the way around, it seems like it's it's a brutal thing to do. I mean, I'm not going to be a big fan of that. I'm not going to be a big fan of that. It seems like it's. It's bringing a lot of goodness. It's also a little bit pricier at 2.99 a bar, but most bars are going to be in that $3, $4 mark. So I don't think it's off the mark too much.

Speaker 1: 56:51

Again, it's not going to have to be like an everyday thing, but to throw in your gym bag, your purse, your diaper bag, wherever. I do. Like how you made a notation. No instructions, just eat Like. Thank you, christine, that that hard hitting journalism is what you come to a brunch for Like, just freaking eat it.

Speaker 2: 57:08

Okay. So Jodi saying that the honey stinger bars are the amazing. Sally saying that the humans can be offered as a fuel choice for an upcoming half marathon. That's interesting. So we're starting to see some, some new gels make their way there. Rachel's never heard of spring. Rachel, it's our first time consuming it, so we're excited and I feel like I continue to do these so that we don't have to necessarily try it. And coach is like I'm ready to eat this.

Speaker 1: 57:31

I do like how Sarah does ask those super curious if you eat it mid run. I mean to be determined. I'm not huge into chewing and running only because I'm not that coordinated if I'm being honest. But All right, let's, let's try it. I like how yours is like all nicely folded in mine Looks like a raccoon not at it, okay.

Speaker 2: 57:49

So we're going to go ahead and go into it. Hmm, I like this Mm.

Speaker 1: 57:53

Hmm, it reminds me so much of a payday, like a better payday, but oh, I like this. I feel like I'm chewing into the microphones People are going to have some ASMR kind of going on.

Speaker 2: 58:07

So trying to pull back a little bit, but I'm taking another bite. Screw you Hmm.

Speaker 2: 58:13

It's very salty, which I think is phenomenal, for most of us runners and a lot of us that are salty sweaters. So would I consume this in the middle of a run? Yes, I would, but I do tend to gravitate towards pretzels or Fig, newton's or Whole Foods, and I also think if anybody's thinking of ultra running, they're going to have to likely make themselves very comfortable with this kind of an option, because you need a little bit more substance than the Jollies can do. I love this and I don't think I've said that about anything that we've done.

Speaker 1: 58:46

Oh, I feel like we're not a box of this. I feel like we're not comparing apples to pumpkins, though fairly here.

Speaker 2: 58:52

So this is a good idea. Apple to pumpkins, though fairly here. So this is not a gel, it is a bar. It is a completely different world for the gels.

Speaker 1: 59:00

Almond pumpkin seed. So if you need to know how to sum up my love language, apparently it's almond pumpkin seed. This is freaking amazing people.

Speaker 2: 59:10

The pumpkins I would like to try it.

Speaker 1: 59:12

I don't really taste the pumpkin that much. I mean I add the pumpkin seeds not going to taste like the artificial pumpkin. Oh, I've not endorsed anything this I am endorsing. I am so pumped at this I'm a little worried.

Speaker 2: 59:25

Why, why do?

Speaker 1: 59:25

you say that, why are you?

Speaker 2: 59:26

a little worried.

Speaker 1: 59:27

Because I feel like I'm going to have these and burn myself out on them, but that is what I want, that's what you want. That's what I want and I, even though I'm not a chewing runner, I think I can have that on the run.

Speaker 2: 59:41

I'm not a chewing runner.

Speaker 1: 59:42

I'm not a chewing runner.

Speaker 2: 59:44

Okay. So we both agree that this is probably great to have on hand. We could very easily see this being a go-to snack. We could have it before our run if we need a little bit more of an energy boost. I think it will be easy to digest in terms of not necessarily flipping your stomach or being too heavy for you to still get out for your run. Also, grating your gym bag for any of those kind of things If you're in between meetings all the way around. Very solid choice. I won't say it's my favorite Gas. I mean, I love the seeds. I do. I love the seeds, I love. I guess I'm not a huge fan of the nugget or the nugget. How do you pronounce?

Speaker 1: 1:00:18

that, oh, that's like the best part. That's what reminds me of a payday.

Speaker 2: 1:00:21

I like the seedy, I really do like seedy bars evidently.

Speaker 1: 1:00:25

I wonder if I can see like the nugget inside Again, please in the comments, tell me I'm not a good person. If I have to say it to them, I'm not a good person. I don't want to stay on the table.

Speaker 2: 1:00:33

Well, I just don't have a comment. Tell me I'm not alone with thinking payday energy.

Speaker 1: 1:00:37

Well, I mean, they're not going to know until they win the giveaway taste tasting box, unless that they've already had the specific one. If anybody has had this one, please tell me. I'm not alone. Again, I don't like anything we ever taste test.

Speaker 2: 1:00:50

So the fact that I'm losing my collective mind over this, I think it says something.

Speaker 1: 1:00:53

It could be because we starved you today, so that you would be prime for our art. But yeah, solid choice.

Speaker 2: 1:00:59

Okay, so we've done apple cinnamon, we've done apples and cinnamon, we've done the nut and seed bar of that almond pumpkin seed. I think we're gonna bump it up a notch with a bit of a spiced pumpkin pie, or is this a good time? I think, yeah, I think this one would be good. What do you think, coach?

Speaker 1: 1:01:15

Yeah, I think it's fair. After I gushed about the last bar, I think this is good because it's actually the pumpkin pie, so I feel like we're going even more into like that full energy. So this one is going to be the Cliff Bar Spiced Pumpkin Pie 99 cents not even a full dollar.

Speaker 2: 1:01:32

Oh my God, it smells, amazing.

Speaker 1: 1:01:34

No instructions, Christine, you just eat it.

Speaker 2: 1:01:38

I mean, I wanna make sure that people know what they need to do, so I love the smell. Smells like a candle.

Speaker 1: 1:01:46

Oh my God, you're right, it does. It smells like I'm about to eat a Yankee candle. Yum, that's not, that's not. I don't really even like candles.

Speaker 2: 1:01:56

For the record, I did not like my favorite candle, so would it mess with my palate in these recommendations of you? Know we're serious taster.

Speaker 1: 1:02:03

here we are so serious?

Speaker 2: 1:02:06

Why so serious? Okay, I really like the smell. It has a little bit of a spice. That's not like. I don't quite pick up that spice, maybe like an all spice of, maybe a coriander. It feels spicier than the traditional, like cinnamon, nutmeg and I'm not sure what that is.

Speaker 1: 1:02:22

I don't know it smells. To me it smells like a candle and a Biscoff cookie. Decided to get together and see what happens.

Speaker 2: 1:02:30

Okay, now you're talking my love language. See, I'm not a fan of either.

Speaker 1: 1:02:33

Look, it's not even a cookie. That is an imposter, my friend.

Speaker 2: 1:02:37

Have you had a Biscoff like the spread? The cookie spread, it's cookie crack.

Speaker 1: 1:02:42

It's cookie crack in a jar is what it is no, no, not my jam, that's it we're done.

Speaker 2: 1:02:49

This is the end of time for brunch.

Speaker 1: 1:02:50

If you can't like Biscoff, my friends, that's the line we're drawing in the sand. But this comes in again. This is a bar 250 calorie, four and a half grams of fat, 43 carb and 10 protein. So again, a great option to throw in your gym bag if you can't find that honey stinger, because that's still the clear winner in my mind.

Speaker 2: 1:03:11

But I would say this one's more of, because of that higher level of carbohydrate, this is something that I think will be a little bit easier to digest. If you need a bit of oomph for a run or a long endurance bike ride Anything that you're gonna need an extra time on your feet for I'd say the cliff bar would definitely go it. I feel like the honey stinger, nut and seed bar would be more satisfying to have just any time. I feel like this one would be a bit more fueling in terms of getting that extra boost because of the carbs.

Speaker 1: 1:03:40

So I don't think I'm gonna like this one.

Speaker 2: 1:03:42

You're not, let's go, let's give it a try.

Speaker 1: 1:03:54

It's not bad, it's not good. It's not bad, it's not good.

Speaker 2: 1:04:00

It's missing something.

Speaker 1: 1:04:02

The smell is so much more than the actual taste of it. It's bland it's disappointing.

Speaker 2: 1:04:09

It's actually very bland.

Speaker 1: 1:04:11

It has that protein bar-y type of aftertaste and like a shellac.

Speaker 2: 1:04:18

I wonder if they use a whey protein, and if that's the case, that's probably what you're tasting, so I'm gonna look now. All right, this is not. They do. Okay, so they have a soy protein isolate. So that's what you're tasting in that protein bar, which basically means they had to add in the protein because none of the ingredients they had in it actually brought any protein to the party. So that is probably why you're tasting that. I would say, though still from a fueling option. Because it is such a big bar 99 cents you could probably break this into quarters or halves, throw it into a Ziploc bag or a reusable kind of bag and use it for fueling very easily because it is so bland.

Speaker 1: 1:04:54

I don't think it would be off-putting. You can just throw some pigeons on the train. Don't actually do that. Don't do that I mean it's fine, like if I was stirring on a desert island. I would be grateful it was there, but if I had another option I would take it. It's just it's lackluster for me, sorry, cliff.

Speaker 2: 1:05:15

So sorry Cliff, Sorry Cliff. I will say that Jodi is also a big fan of the nugget or is it nugget nugget? How do I pronounce that? Okay, she thinks it's the best part of the bar. Catherine said that she also likes the humor flavors of strawberry lemonade which sounds like the best like summer type flavor ever and lemon lime. Those both sound really good, so they're not too sweet.

Speaker 1: 1:05:39

Which I'm a fan of.

Speaker 2: 1:05:40

Jodi. I feel like Jodi should have been here with us to help us with this, because she's not a fan of Cliff bar. She's like she's tried all these bars but she does like the Cliff gels which I think we had at the last taste testing. We had a Cliff honey stinger, jalif, I remember correctly.

Speaker 1: 1:05:53

Maybe, maybe, yeah, but I mean again okay, so we've had some winners, We've had some rulers. But yeah, okay, so you can have my Cliff bar. I'll take your honey stinger bar.

Speaker 2: 1:06:05

I'm not gonna. Necessarily I would not purchase it, but if it was available to me or I did need a quick snack, I would definitely be okay with it. I just think it is a bit bland. I would prefer the Biskoff cookie.

Speaker 1: 1:06:16

Actually, to be honest with you at the end of the day, I think also too, because I like the honey stinger so much, like, granted, yes, it's different bars, different flavors, but, like you said, if it was against other bars I probably wouldn't pick it up, but, like if I was at a race and it was that post finish line bar, I'd be like, all right, let me get something in my system and then I can get something that I actually enjoy.

Speaker 2: 1:06:42

Okay, well, the next one. I was not able to source, but I had it last year and I have very strong opinions on it.

Speaker 2: 1:06:48

But I'm gonna let you go ahead and do your thing, because we're gonna take it on over to the Perfect Bar, which we did try the flavors of the Perfect Bar and one of our previous live taste testings, but this time, in keeping with our fall flavors, you're gonna bring in that pumpkin spice. It is $2.99 per bar. It is 310 calories, 19 grams of fat, 14 grams of protein. I don't think it's that high in carbs, but I don't really know either. So let's see, coach, what is your opinion.

Speaker 1: 1:07:19

It's 24 in carbs. I will say this will not be in the giveaway because it has to be refrigerated and we're not at that level with brunch yet. But again, I was able to find it. You were not. We love Perfect Bars, so from the get-go, all the Perfect Bars smell like peanut butter to me.

Speaker 2: 1:07:38

So I'm not really. I mean at the base, that's what they all have.

Speaker 1: 1:07:40

I'm not getting any pumpkin pie flavoring any. All I smell is peanut butter.

Speaker 2: 1:07:47

So last year in my local Publix they rolled out both the pumpkin spice and the salted caramel at the exact same time and I lost my ever-loving mind over the salted caramel, and it's still, to this day, my absolute favorite of the flavors and thankfully now it's a year-round flavor for them.

Speaker 1: 1:08:03

Yeah, I mentioned. I mean again, I like Perfect Bars. Saving tip, not for the pumpkin pie, but Costco. Depending on where you are, your Costco might be starting to carry these in their refrigerated section. So if you're looking to stock up on Perfect Bars and you might not be married to one flavor or another, definitely check that out.

Speaker 2: 1:08:23

Okay, so go ahead and have your favorite. You're a little taste testing here before I give my prognosis on it, but then, when you're done with it, will that mean that you have had all of the flavors of Perfect Bars that have been available to you?

Speaker 1: 1:08:37

Not, all of the flavors.

Speaker 2: 1:08:39

Okay.

Speaker 1: 1:08:41

This is a major letdown for me.

Speaker 2: 1:08:42

It is so sad. It is the saddest of all of the Perfect Bars.

Speaker 1: 1:08:47

If you were looking for pumpkin pie, don't buy this. Like you get like the littlest hint of the end, but that is so disappointing.

Speaker 2: 1:08:59

Yeah, it's truly the worst of all their flavors. So when I wasn't able to find it, I was like eh.

Speaker 1: 1:09:05

I'm okay, you could just save $2 to 99 cents.

Speaker 2: 1:09:07

Literally. I'd much rather buy all the other flavors that they have that are delicious which, by the way, their peanut butter cups are the best peanut butter cups in the entire world as far as I'm concerned but the pumpkin spice.

Speaker 1: 1:09:17

Again with the flavor.

Speaker 2: 1:09:18

It's just, it's sad.

Speaker 1: 1:09:19

It's just sad that and the Cliff Bar, like the flavor is lacking so much and I'm not a pumpkin spice fan, I don't want it hitting me in the face.

Speaker 2: 1:09:28

I think I'd rather have it hit me in the face and put me to sleep, because it is a snooze. Fast on these, yes.

Speaker 1: 1:09:33

It like if you gave it to me I would say it's peanut butter with like the smallest hint of like cinnamon at the end. And I'm saying a hint of cinnamon, not even a dash. It's like somebody burps cinnamon into the air and that's what I got.

Speaker 2: 1:09:49

Which is probably the, and you thought that my on the run thing was a little bit, a little too far. I don't know, burping a flavor into my mouth is probably the worst, but I said the air type of clay.

Speaker 2: 1:10:01

All right. Well, coach, we've tried our apples and cinnamon. We have definitely dipped our toe into pumpkin spice. I think it's time to go all in and die right into what everybody wants to know about, which is the goo pumpkin spice Cost right out of the gate. Of all the gels is the least expensive, at $1.60. And actually I think it's really pretty marketing like in terms of their packaging. I think it's pretty. It looks very pumpkin-y. I don't want to see what it looks like for the record. I'm afraid to see what it looks like, so I'm not going to even try that.

Speaker 1: 1:10:34

This has been the most requested and people have joked for years to have them make it and they finally delivered it. This does not have caffeine in it. Just for those who do do caffeinated gels, make sure you note that no caffeine in this little guy. This one I'm terrified of because I feel like goo is going to deliver on the pumpkin spice. I'm glad it's only a seasonal flavor, because too much of a bad thing is not good, it's a bad thing. You don't even know it's bad yet. Listen, I'm hedging my vet and taking an educated guess, but this definitely, I think, is everybody's most excited for. So this one comes with instructions. 15 minutes before every 45 minutes of exercise, take with water or spit it out and get a different gel. You know dealer's choice on that.

Speaker 2: 1:11:24

So traditionally we're probably the least fans of goo Like of all. Both you and I, I don't think, are big gel fans. Until now I've been converted because I am not coming. I mean seriously, I'm so madly in love with the first one we tried, but for not usually big fans of goo. So this will be very interesting. But yes, are you ready?

Speaker 1: 1:11:46

Because I think 100 calories, no fat, 27 carb, zero protein. It's a gel. Can't expect a whole lot from it. I am going to look at it though, before I taste this thing.

Speaker 2: 1:11:59

It's going to. I bet you it's going to be like a light, pale, yellow.

Speaker 1: 1:12:02

Do you want me to tell you or do you just yes, okay.

Speaker 2: 1:12:05

Okay, no, I, yes, I want somebody to tell me that I'm right at all times. So, yes, you're welcome to tell me that it looks clear. Yeah, it usually is a little clearish.

Speaker 1: 1:12:16

I am not playing this thing in my mouth. Yes, you are.

Speaker 2: 1:12:19

No, I'm drawing the line, and okay, oh God. We're almost on a breakup verge from the best coffee comment you have to.

Speaker 1: 1:12:27

All right, you know when you walk into a costume shop and it has like that's plasticky, like artificial fall smell and everything just smells weird. That's what it smells like to me. Please tell me I'm not alone. And like when you walk into the house, when you walk into costume shops.

Speaker 2: 1:12:45

I mean, first of all, I have so much dopamine going through my brain when I walk into a costume shop that you think that I'm like processing smells girl. I literally like feel like there's like an arcade of sights and sounds that I am totally in love with in the costume shop.

Speaker 1: 1:12:58

So I don't want to eat this. I don't want to eat this. I do not want to eat this. I'm not eating this thing. This is disgusting smelling.

Speaker 2: 1:13:05

Okay, I just caught the whiff I've been trying to. It is really horrible smelling, but it's horrible smelling.

Speaker 1: 1:13:11

I'm not going to cry. I really don't want to do this. I don't want to get the camera Shelby. This is disgusting. This is not plastic. This is worse. Doesn't it smell like a costume shop? No, it smells decay. It smells oh yeah, that's great to get it. It smells like that. I'm putting it on my finger. I am not putting my mouth on this thing.

Speaker 2: 1:13:32

I am because I'm willing to do it for the time for Brent crew.

Speaker 1: 1:13:36

Love you guys. Sorry, I'm not doing it.

Speaker 2: 1:13:39

Wait. Before you do, though, let's catch up with some of the comments. Dodie is with me, she would try it. She'd give it a try. Sally wants to know where we purchased it. We purchased everything except for the perfect bar from the feed, and then I'm getting anxiety from this.

Speaker 1: 1:13:56

Sarah said you have to. I'm getting so much anxiety from this because I know. I know I'm not. I know this is the first time. I think we've agreed that this smells horrendous.

Speaker 2: 1:14:06

I can't put something to it except absolutely disgusting.

Speaker 1: 1:14:10

I'm really trying, I'm really All right, I'm going to do it because if not, I'm going to chicken out, and I swear if this does not get ratings. I don't know what is going to, because this is going to Wait.

Speaker 2: 1:14:21

Joseph wants to know Cool Reddings. Joe wants to know what's worse Porto Potty or this goo?

Speaker 1: 1:14:26

The goo, the freaking goo. I am not. I am not even Okay. Oh no, I've gone to Porto Potty before I had to eat this.

Speaker 2: 1:14:35

Oh my word. Well, you're going to have to eat it, so you're going into Porto Potty here soon. Let's do this on the count of oh my God, it's disgusting Three. You already tried it. You were premature in your taste testing, so, oh my God, oh my God, I have to catch up.

Speaker 1: 1:14:47

Oh it's disgusting. Don't do it Do not do it.

Speaker 2: 1:14:50

It's not as bad as it smells. You are a lying. No, it's nowhere near as bad as it smells. Oh my God. No, it's so much better than how it smells. No, it's not. Yes, it is yes, it absolutely is. It smells like death. It tastes like just sugar.

Speaker 1: 1:15:07

It's all over my desk now. Can I throw it down? You're mean, I don't like you anymore. We're already broken up over the Biskoff, so I don't care. Oh my God, that's worse than the pickle juice, yeah it is not.

Speaker 2: 1:15:24

I like pickle juice. This isn't that bad. I'm just gonna lie to y'all as I rinse my palette with as much coffee as I possibly can Kelly's asking can it be that bad?

Speaker 1: 1:15:35

Yes, it can be that bad.

Speaker 2: 1:15:37

No, she's exaggerating. I think it's time we're at that point again in our conversation where we're gonna rank them and we should split it up between goos and bars.

Speaker 1: 1:15:45

I'm glad you took the talking because I'm like you can see it live. I'm like chugging my water, trying to get my life back in order.

Speaker 2: 1:15:51

We're gonna be fine. We're gonna be fine. So I think it's fair to say that you will never, ever ever have goo pumpkin spice flavor ever again. Is that safe?

Speaker 1: 1:16:06

Yeah, if it was a game between Porta Potty and the goo. I'm using the Porta Potty because I can at least rinse that off. I don't know if I'll ever recover from that. That goo is disgusting. I'm gonna stop saying it because I'm not trying to be dramatic, but I would, yeah, no.

Speaker 2: 1:16:23

That is the worst thing. It is the worst thing that we've tried today. Is it the worst?

Speaker 1: 1:16:28

thing we've ever tried. No, it's the worst thing we've tried ever.

Speaker 2: 1:16:31

Girl, my experience with food must be very different than your experience for food. I've actually had tripe, so there's nothing worse than tripe. It's slightly better than tripe, so I think you guys will be okay for the record If you're over me now too, like it's on my hand on my desk.

Speaker 1: 1:16:45

Okay, I'm gonna wine, no more. Okay so least favorite gel of today. Hands down the goo's gotta go.

Speaker 2: 1:16:53

Okay, and then we're both gonna probably say we may be in full, 100% across the board, accordance with how we rank these things. Cause the next one up I think we're both gonna agree is the human energy gel. As the number two that apple cinnamon spice from spring is, it's got all of my love language. It's gonna take all of my money. So now I'm gonna have to not be able to sign up for Run Disney, because this was so I actually really loved it. I really really enjoyed the flavor.

Speaker 2: 1:17:21

This is the first time that I could say that I would actually consume this before going for a run, because the first thing I think about when they say, oh, you should consume this before going for a run is like I will throw up. There's no way I could do this. That's what I could do for sure. So of the bars, I think it's also very fair to say that we probably both don't love. Well, I don't know if we're gonna rank these exactly the same. I would rank the perfect bar number three. Really, yeah, I think it's just super bland, like I don't think there's any purpose to it, especially in comparison to their other flavors. I would not spend the money on the perfect bar.

Speaker 1: 1:17:52

I would put Cliff Bar. It as number three, just because I would not choose to eat that to where the perfect bar wall lack luster. I would grab it because it's disappointing from a pumpkin level, but on a regular food level it's decent, it's good.

Speaker 2: 1:18:11

No, it's still pretty boring, but okay, okay, we're gonna differ there, so we can, of course, agree 100%. So, of course, cliff Bar is number two for me. I think we both love the Honey Stinger nut and seed bar. Granted, not as much as you did. I did like it quite a bit. Coach, I have to tell you I am still having so much fun with that one. I keep giggling, thinking of your face with all the different options and fixing your face because you were so upset.

Speaker 1: 1:18:35

I had zero chill and it's gonna be a well for my taste buds recover from that monstrosity. Well, don't say that?

Speaker 2: 1:18:42

because, friends, we have another live taste testing right around the corner. Of course you can catch them on replay, but why would you want to? Cause there's so much fun where you can participate live, and you can, of course, see Coach Shelby's very dramatic reactions. If we shall say and a quick shout out to our winner of that giveaway, nicholas T, we hope that you enjoy your own fall flavors of TFB tasting.

Speaker 2: 1:19:03

Next one up again, keeping in kind of that villain chain challenge that we're bringing to our new villains vault, is that we're gonna do a little bit of a showdown. Coach Shelby is going to have some October fest style NA brews on her side of the table and I'll be taste testing the alcoholic components of those, or the alcoholic equivalents of hers. So there's also gonna be day drinking involved. I don't know how it's gonna play out. It's gonna be a whole lot of fun, but it'll be October 3rd and we would love for you to RSVP to it as well. If you're wondering, where are these recipes that you talked about at the beginning? Where are all of these events that you're talking about? We're gonna invite you to join our Facebook community page, because that's where we have a lot of this information that goes out first.

Speaker 1: 1:19:46

It's gonna be a hoppy good time.

Speaker 2: 1:19:48

That's what I'm talking about. Those are the kind of puns you could look forward to, along with some incredible workouts, some incredible time for you to take for yourself this villains vault showdown, team challenge, team spirit. Also a whole lot of frivolous fun, silliness and ways to stay motivated all the way through. So, with that said, friends, we are so excited to have you joining in with us again, taking off on October 1st and going all the way to October 31st. Every single day, a little bit more element of ways to really find that strength within that power, within that confidence, honing in on some of that self confidence that all the villains brought out to play, and we can't wait to have you joining in. If you have any questions, you know where to find us at info, at time for brunch. Friends, go ahead and join us next Wednesday for our quick bites we'll have a little bite of fun, of course, and play no poison apples allowed and next Friday, where we'll continue having more fun and we'll continue serving up more miles with a side of wicked smiles.