“I feed off energy from my community.” That statement perfectly sums up Ally Love. She notes that her career has a common thread of building connections. The Miami-born entrepreneur and fitness expert is a Brooklyn Nets host, Peloton instructor, and founder of Love Squad — a company that brings together young women to foster better health and career-building through panel discussions and events. “The fact that things I do can cause a chain reaction brings me optimism,” she tells Thrive. “One word can brighten up someone’s day, and maybe even inspire that person to be kind to someone, who will then carry that joy to work, and affect their workplace or home in a positive way.”
At Peloton, she inspires thousands of people across the country to get up and get moving. Her goal is to empower people to approach wellness and fitness through positivity. On her Instagram, Love has a weekly series, “Basics of Bossing Up,” where she offers motivating tips and tools to build confidence in your friendships, and your ideas. She opens up to Thrive about the ways she stays motivated, how she reframes negative thinking, and the Microsteps she incorporates into her day to feel happier and healthier.
Thrive Global: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
Ally Love: I pray, throw on some clothes, check my emails and DMs, and hop in an Uber to work. I usually teach really early — around 6 a.m. — so I’m typically up by 4:45 a.m.
TG: What’s your secret time-saver in the morning?
AL: Wearing the same outfit that I wore the day before. I’m a strong believer in this. I save energy, water, and resources by recycling my outfits.
TG: What gives you energy?
AL: I feed off energy from my community. I find that I am an extrovert that feeds off energy from everything and everyone surrounding me. I love interacting with people, reading books, as well as spending quality time with my friends and boyfriend. I also love meeting Peloton riders, and hearing how my classes and the community have positively changed their lives. Often times, people will connect with me through social media, and I really thrive off learning how some of my content around empowerment has lifted their spirits. The feedback surrounding Love Squad events and Brooklyn Nets games is uplifting as well. Hearing that what we are creating is working — changing people’s perspectives, experiences, and ultimately their lives — gives me energy while navigating life to do what I do every day.
TG: What is an effective and quick way to get a good workout in?
AL: We offer 15- and 20-minute classes at Peloton — whether that is on the bike, tread, or mat. You can do it at home, in your hotel room, at the gym, anywhere. We actively try to solve the age-old problem of not having enough time by making our content applicable and accessible.
TG: What’s your secret life hack?
AL: Hot water, lemon, and honey. It is my favorite drink. I have it every morning because it helps offer routine, is great for my immune system and digestion, and helps soothe my voice/throat since speaking is a part of everything that I do. I like to think of it as comfort and confidence in a cup!
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
AL: Radical Candor by Kim Scott
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
AL: I would say I have a healthy relationship with my phone (if that is possible) in the sense that I have learned to let it ring, let the messages pile up, and let emails go unanswered — especially during the moments when I am focused on spending quality time with my boyfriend, family, and friends. There is nothing more important than the people you love. If the people I love are in front of me, then I try to give them as much of my attention as possible. However, other times — mostly during crunch times — then yes, I am on my phone working.
TG: How do you deal with email?
AL: I schedule time to answer emails throughout the day. If I try to answer them as they come in, it will only overwhelm me. Over time, I’ve also changed how I respond to people over email. I keep responses short and straightforward — it makes things easier for everyone and leads to less follow-ups.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
AL: I think I felt burned out at two points this year: during the beginning of 2019, and at points over the summer. I was working hard to finish up some ongoing projects and conversations. I know that with everything I want to do in life, the bigger and more amazing the opportunities, the more work I have to put in to succeed. So to help me through, I really spent time giving myself pep talks.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
AL: I think we all miss the mark from time to time. We perform below our expectations, or below the expectations of others. I usually allow myself to feel exactly what I am feeling at the time when things don’t pan out how I wanted them to. I don’t rush that process or try to push myself to feel better about a situation before I’m ready. I expect people to accept me for me, so I try to do the same to myself, failures and all.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
AL: “They say the early bird gets the worm, but the truth is that the early bird gets whatever is leftover by the hustlers.”
TG: How do you prioritize when you have an overwhelming amount to do?
AL: I’m totally a list girl. I put the biggest, most important thing at the top of my list, and focus on that one thing until it’s done. From there, I’ll tackle three smaller tasks, because I know they will all add up to a pretty significant win, and it motivates me to keep moving and shaking.
TG: What advice would you give your younger self about reducing stress?
AL: I really think my younger self may have had some strength, wit, and peace about her that could help me today. I really would not tell her anything — initiation, even in the youth, is powerful and resilient.
TG: Do you have any role models for living a thriving life?
AL: Mr. Rogers and Malala Yousafzai are two that come to mind immediately.
TG: What’s your personal warning sign that you’re depleted?
AL: I get antsy. This is usually an indication I need a break or rest.
TG: When you notice you’re getting too stressed, what do you do to course correct?
AL: I go for a run, listen to my favorite pastor (Steven Furtick), tune into podcasts, and spend time with Andrew, my boyfriend… He is my secret weapon to level-set.
TG: What’s a surprising way you practice mindfulness?
AL: Actually, through discipline. I often challenge myself during certain weeks, and during these routines, I will find out something about myself. I find that it’s a way to be mindful of me, but also of others.
TG: How do you reframe negative thinking?
AL: I talk to myself. I have this IGTV segment called “Feel Good 60,” where I speak into the camera about things I need to hear, and share it with my community. I also am not shy when it comes to going to the mirror and talking to myself.
TG: Tell us about a small change you have made in your life to improve your sleep. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how you sustain this habit?
AL: To be honest, I think I have a secret superpower to sleep on the drop of a dime, anywhere and at any time. I go to bed by 9:30 p.m., since I am an early riser.
TG: Tell us about a small change you have made in your life to improve the way you connect with others. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how do you sustain this habit?
AL: I make sure to make in-person eye contact. Most of us know this, but the ability to engage with body language for long amounts of time can really make people feel valued and heard. On social media, or through another platform, I think the ability to apply everyday, realistic, approachable life principles/situations/circumstances to the task or topic has really deepened my connection with my community. This has made me more approachable and, honestly, more comfortable engaging with the community.
TG: Tell us about a small change you have made in your life to improve your focus. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how you sustain this habit?
AL: I schedule certain days to do certain things. So basically, I compartmentalize. This affords me space to focus on something without distractions or other things I need to do that might be weighing me down.
TG: What was the biggest turning point in your life?
AL: When I was hit by a car at 9 years old.
TG: What’s your evening routine that helps you unwind and go to sleep?
AL: Dinner in front of the TV with Andrew, watching our favorite short TV shows — mostly comedies because I love laughing.
Follow us here and subscribe here for all the latest news on how you can keep Thriving.
Stay up to date or catch-up on all our podcasts with Arianna Huffington here.