April: Musings on Movement

Hello Ralle crew!

Ella here again! I’m back with another edition of Ralle Words. I hope you’ve all been enjoying the slowly creeping summer we’ve been on the brink of, and that you’ve been able to get outside and connect with your community—whether that’s in your own neighborhood or with us.

In the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about how my relationship with fitness has evolved throughout my adult life. I wanted to share a little bit about this mindset shift.

When I was in college, I don’t think I saw the inside of the rec center more than three times (and my dorm was right next door!). Going to the gym felt like a chore. I got no thrill out of dragging myself there with a hangover, wandering aimlessly between complicated machines, trying to avoid my crushes, and hoping the next song on my Spotify playlist would finally be the one to get me in the mood to lift.

Back then, fitness was a necessity that garnered zero pleasure. I treated exercise like a doctor’s appointment—something to get over with. My real outlets were purely socializing and academic extracurriculars.

After graduation, as I started to build my own schedule, I knew I wanted hobbies outside of work and friends. I began building a routine, but I still saw fitness as a siloed part of my life—something mandatory and routine, like a box to check.

But after moving across the country a couple of times, changing jobs, and going through life’s usual trials, I realized that fitness was the one thing I kept coming back to. It wasn’t in the background anymore. I found genuine enjoyment in it—particularly in classes, where I could engage with others, learn new skills, and add a social component to my day.

Since then, I’ve decided that fitness can be a bright spot of joy, and I proudly consider it a hobby. It’s not about being a “weightlifter” or a “runner” specifically; it’s about trying it all and making time for movement as much as I can. Not because I’m forced to, but because it makes me feel grounded and happy.

This shift in mindset has allowed me to honor my body and mind with greater intention. We’re constantly told that a fitness routine is “crucial” for health, but what if we treated it with curiosity and fun instead? That’s the whole point of endorphins, right?

Connecting with the Ralle community has brought that feeling front and center for me. Ralle is an opportunity to gather in a fun way around a physical challenge. It helps us lean into our well-being by reframing movement: it’s no longer a “must-do,” but a “want-to-do.”

That same spirit of leaning in is exactly how Ralle began. A few weeks ago, our co-founder Eli shared a LinkedIn post commemorating Ralle’s one-year anniversary. It’s a perfect reminder that when you follow what makes you feel grounded, incredible things happen. Here’s a snippet of his reflections:

I moved to NYC a year and a half ago without having a clue what I was going to do. I knew I wanted to follow what I felt passionate about. I knew I wanted to do something that fulfilled me. But what that would be… I didn’t have a clue.

Well, one thing led to the next. One foot after the next. And here we are. A bit over a year of Ralle. What had started out of my garage as a way to just move with a few friends and people close to my community, would turn into what it has. Running weekly social movement events in both NYC and Minneapolis. Working with some cool brands, incredible local businesses, and most importantly, just being around good people.

(He also shares some exciting news on his latest venture, Radr, which you can learn more about by reading the rest of the post here).

Lastly, I wanted to share some exciting events updates about what’s next for the Ralle community. Check it out below:

NYC

Ralle Track Group 2026, Session 14

Apr 22, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT

McCarren Park Track, 769 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA

Join us Wednesday at 7pm EST for our weekly interval track workout. Led by former College Soccer Athlete & Ralle Co-Founder, Luke. The workout will change from week to week but will always be a blend of speed work, longer strides, and endurance.

Past the Pavement - An April Trail Run With Hoka

Apr 25, 2026, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM EDT

HOKA Store Flatiron, NY, 172 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA

Hit the trails with Ralle and Hoka for a special run through Palisades Interstate Park. We’ll start at the Hoka Flatiron store to get fitted in the Speed goat 7, Challenger 8, or Mafate shoes for demo. Then we’ll head to Palisades Interstate park for a half-day on the trails.

Twin Cities

Ralle x Cider Co — SCULPT WORKOUT (Higher Intensity)

Apr 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CDT

Minneapolis Cider Company, 701 SE 9th St, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA

Move. Sculpt. Sip. A 50-minute, high-energy Yoga Sculpt at 11am—full-body flow with strength + cardio (bring your own mat). After, stick around for food, cider, and discounted drinks at Minneapolis Cider Company. Event wraps at 12:30pm.

Move Together Minneapolis | Hosted by Blackstack Brewing × Ralle

May 09, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT

BlackStack Brewing, 755 Prior Ave N, St Paul, MN 55104, USA

All sort of movement & community - all for something bigger than just connection. Run, walk, and sculpt sessions, all with the intent of gathering to support pancreatic cancer research & funding.

We are so grateful for each and every one of you.

Let’s Ralle together soon!

Yours truly,

Ella + The Ralle Team