Hi everyone! New York City Ballet has been in off season for 4 weeks after our longest, hardest push of the year, which is Fall Season through Winter Season Aug 2025 - March 2026. This includes a 4-week performance season, followed by a rehearsal period, into 49 shows of Nutcracker, into a 6-week winter season. There is a book written about this period (it’s scary accurate) and I don’t think the fall season was even a part of the equation back then, but let’s just say... it’s a PUSH. And yes we have no windows in the theater as it was designed like that. It’s art.
By the end you’re depleted and in need of serious recuperation, both physically and mentally.
My Substack absence has been due to a multitude of reasons and I’ve missed it. Last August I took on a consulting position with a venture firm I admire and let’s just say, sometimes I wish I was a robot so I didn’t have to sleep just so I could eat up everything I’m loving doing. I’ve hired more help on the Get Golden front and finally feel more supported to show up here, as it’s my outlet and a place I feel like I can be me without a silly Instagram algorithm.
There’s a lot happening behind the scenes with Get Golden and it’s been both tough and invigorating. Protein powder makes up 68% of our revenue, and as we launch an entirely new SKU this summer, we are gradually phasing out our bar line for now. With this I have so many thoughts and frustrations, as a founder you are always wondering what the right amount of information is to share. For me, we’ve grown Get Golden from the ground up, out of my toaster oven in the early days. Those who have seen the long journey know I’ve always been obsessed with living a long, strong, vibrant life. I feel really proud to say we can finally afford my dream photographer for a launch that is now 3 months behind. Pray for tomorrow as after having to pull the line every week because our powder is too fine and is shooting everywhere… I think our fill system (months of configuring with our manufacturer) will now work.
We are reshooting all of our imagery to really create the visual dreamworld I’ve always wanted to, but didn’t quite have the capital to invest in at the time. Without spilling the surprises, I am bubbling up with excitement to share what our site and Instagram will soon grow into. It’s funny too, as there have been so many moments as we built brick by brick where I looked at other companies that raised a bit more than we did and felt so behind and stuck. You never know, as founder life is such a rollercoaster, but at this time I feel so excited to be able to express what I would consider to be my blood and guts. We are right where we are suppose to be. More on this soon, I promise.
After 4 weeks New York City Ballet is back at it in what is called a rehearsal period as we gear up for performance season. I bring this up because after my many years of preparing for seasons, I feel confident in what works and what doesn’t. I suppose that phrase “locking in” feels most fitting here. I wanted to share things I do to feel my best as my body acclimates to a higher training threshold, and also forward thinking to feel my best in performance season. So as the clock ticks, 1 week until showtime... let’s kick this off strong. This is my map:
“You don’t want to be the best dancer in the room. You want to be the smartest” is the quote I replay in my head over and over from a teacher of mine Christine Wright who helped me fall back in love with ballet after my biggest injury many moons ago.
Grounding my mind and body
I naturally run a bit high-strung with a busy mind and it’s a constant practice to ground myself. Every day I have the same morning ritual. Open app on my mat. Yes, I do have a vibration plate (for 5 years before it became a TikTok trend). Flat out, I would say besides my Oura ring it’s my favorite tech purchase.
Training
Rehearsal period for NYCB is always an interesting transition as you’re now rehearsing 2-4 hours a day on top of ballet training class. None of this includes cross training.
I like to look at the goal of how I want to feel as I plan out how I train and who I train with (that matters!). As someone who is extremely hyper mobile and responds very poorly to overtraining/excess cardio this is what I have found that works.
On our off season I actually do a bit of Tracy Anderson (I have many thoughts I love it). Leading up to season I keep things pretty streamlined with less Tracy. I do cardio sprint series on the treadmill, pilates with my trainer Chelsea, hot yoga, and a short weight training series. It’s a little system to keep everything strong and balanced.
Nutrition
We’re talking about this during peak luteal phase (ooooff). During this time as cliche as it may sound in our cringe protein maxxing era, I really do focus on protein and eating as many colors as possible. I naturally run kind of swollen especially when I’m working out a lot, which is why I prioritize vibrant foods with less sugar as it’s how I feel my best. The farmers market is finally looking more vibrant with options outside of garlic and potatoes, and I am SO HAPPY. Every morning I start with my little supplement stack. Breakfast is usually eggs with toast slab of butter (must), raspberry jam, and two kiwis (super high in vitamin C and good for digestion). I start with an herbal tea - I’m loving this one. I don’t have caffeine until after my breakfast which is lately my prized iced matcha that I’ve officially mastered. Lunch is usually a wrap with grilled chicken as it’s an easy thing to prepare for on the go studio life. Snacks are usually banana, bar, or handful of nuts. Dinner is sometimes pasta with greens or a bowl with lean protein/avocado/beets/sweet potato. I always have a little dessert whether it’s Hu chocolate and tea or a ninja creami concoction like this go to below :)
Recovery
I take recovery very seriously and according to my Oura ring I need to do an even better job. Until then, as I mentioned before I love the Open app and vibration plate. I have a Stakt mat that is my favorite perch in my apartment. Rehearsal period is typically a lot of acclimating to additional wear and tear on your body. I focus on the lymphatic system and fascia a lot and try to keep everything loose. I really don’t know what I would do without this body myofascial tool. And I’m actually obsessed with this cupping set. It gives you three different cup sizes for all different areas of the body and allows you to control the suction of each cup. It also has the capability to add heat. When I say I’m obsessed with this product, that is an absolute understatement. It’s kind of like my small to-go cupping device just magnified, and when I’m super sore (which is often), this really helps. It’s funny because while I’m super hypermobile, when I’m stretching, people look at me and get confused when I say I feel so tight. But, the reality is that it’s usually the fascia that’s tight that keeps the muscles held. I found gua sha and cupping to be so beneficial to loosen up all the fascia to kind of get everything to feel mobile again.
The Download
Loving:
Arnica gel - This has been my go to for years and it just so happens to be Italian :). It has a clean ingredient list and high potency of arnica along with menthol and thyme. It absorbs like a dream (I hate being sticky) and actually works.
Cyklar vanilla body wash - I’m pretty specific about when I use fragrance. And what I mean by that is, if I’m using fragrance, it better be good. This body wash and oil combination is divine. It makes your shower feel so calming, and the scent lingers on your skin in a way that is not cloying, but the perfect sweet scent.
Testing:
Hydrogen water tablets - I’ve purchased a hydrogen water filter before, but couldn’t get past the ugly bulky design that was far from convenient. I was introduced to these recently and am really liking how they make me feel.
Dr Dennis Gross tanning peel pads - As mentioned this NYC winter really got me, not to mention I work in a theater that was purposely designed to have no windows. I love these exfoliating pads with a touch of self tanner in them. They make your skin bright and glowy.
Eyeing:
Theragun massage tool - I’ve been trying to decide with all of my gadgets whether I need an upgrade to my OG Theragun or whether I just keep my current tools. Mine sounds like a jackhammer and is far from therapeutic to use.
Xerf facial lifting - A few of my friends have done it… the results look insane, but the technology is so new and I’m always skeptical with radiofrequency treatments. Their perky cheeks look so good! Anyone tried?
Reading:
Glycine deep dive - Glycine is an amino acid that pulls double duty overnight. Deep sleep, muscle repair, collagen production, connective tissue support. It is quiet, underrated, and one of the most important things in my stack.
New Hormone Therapy regulation - The FDA is removing the black box warning on hormone therapy. The science was always more nuanced than the warning suggested. Worth understanding why — and what it means for how we think about women’s health long term.
Back to last rehearsal of the day! xxx Jenelle
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