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Leanne Shear Promotes Fitness Feminism and Eats Kale for Breakfast

For Leanne Shear, opening a fitness studio was never just about giving people a place to get in some cardio and sculpt their abs.

Uplift Studios was the first women-only fitness spot in New York City, and under Shear’s leadership, it’s become a destination for female empowerment. It’s a place where women show up to build muscle and then also make connections, find community, and further their careers.

The tagline she uses to explain it all—Strong Women Uplift Each Other—could not be more accurate, and her focus on supporting new discussions around feminism (that lead to action) is part of who she is.

In reality, “living consciously” seems coded into her DNA. “For me, it means understanding that life is always going to be a little crazy, a little cluttered, and sometimes off-kilter,” she says. “I don’t believe in the idea of ‘balance’ because I think it’s just another patriarchal concept which makes (especially) women feel bad about themselves, and thus, subjugated. So, I embrace the madness and excitement—the poles—of this life!”

Here’s how she does that day-to-day, and how you can emulate the habits of someone who describes herself as a  “fundamentally happy and resilient person.” Sounds like a good plan, right?

How Does Leanne Shear Live a Nutritious Life?

If you had to name your healthy diet, what would you call it? The Anti-Diet diet! I don’t believe in fads or trends or calorie-counting when it comes to being healthy.

RELATED: What Yo Yo Dieting Actually Does to Your Body

What’s your go-to breakfast? I honestly often eat my homemade kale salad with lemon and tahini for breakfast: I wake up craving it!

Your go-to workday lunch? Lentil Soup from Pret A Manger next door to Uplift.

Your go-to workday dinner? I prefer to eat a lot more in the middle of the day. I am not a “big dinner” kind of person, so in the evening, I’ll snack on almond butter and brown rice cakes or something small and tasty.

What’s the one food you always have in your fridge? Pickles from the Chelsea farmers’ market.

The snack you always have with you when traveling? Dry roasted and lightly salted almonds from Trader Joe’s.

RELATED: The 7 Healthiest Frozen Foods at Trader Joe’s

What do you eat before and after a workout? Almonds before and a hearty meal after.

Leanne Shear

Your favorite food indulgence? Cheese (and a nice Pinot Noir) for days!

Other than water, what do you sip regularly? Green tea, Verday Chlorophyll Water, Jus by Julie juice…and wine.

How often do you exercise, and what’s your workout of choice? I try to work out every day, even if it’s short and sweet. Running is my first true love, I adore Uplift’s classes, I spin at Cyc, and do yoga at Modo.

How do you stay active outside the gym? I live in NYC so am accustomed to walking everywhere, even cities like LA, where everyone else is driving (and looking at me like I’m crazy).

How do you pamper yourself when you need it? I head straight to The Strand or Three Lives to binge on some books.

How do you express and spread love? Is it weird to say in all ways, as much as I can, and every day?! I’m known to sprinkle “Love you” into conversations with people whom I’ve just met!

RELATED: How Gratitude Transformed One Woman’s Relationship

What’s your weirdest healthy habit? Making “healthy nachos” with black beans, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, salsa and Mary’s Gone Crackers as the “chips.” My friends always make fun of me for those, but I love them!

Which healthy habit do you wish you had more time for? Stretching and foam rolling.

Lightning Round

Meditation or massage? Massage.
A hot shower or a soothing bath? Hot shower.
Almond butter or peanut butter? Almond butter.
Coffee or tea? Tea.
A long run outside or a dark spin class? Long run outside.


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