The LIVESTRONG.COM Blog

From the Desk of Jodi Cararas:

We “dare” each other to do a lot of different things on LIVESTRONG.COM, because we feel that everyone is up to the task of making their lives better in some sort of way. Well, we have taken our “Dares” to another level and are hoping to inspire legions of iTunes members to challenge their workout routines with our new Fitness Essentials video podcast.

And, we want you to jump on the fitness bandwagon, too.

LIVESTRONG.COM Fitness Essentials podcast features 3-minute workout videos created specifically for LIVESTRONG.COM on everything from toning abs to squats. Every week, LIVESTRONG.COM publishes a new video covering a variety of fitness topics, including how to do plank exercises, how to improve cardio endurance, a beginner’s guide to running a marathon and building muscle. It’s all to help you get into tip-top shape.

Seriously, what better way to spice up your exercise regimen than with LIVESTRONG.COM’s fitness videos delivered to you each week? Can’t think of any? Me either.  Also, you can watch them on your computer, iPod or iPhone. Signing up is a snap, too.  Oh, did I mention the best part: It’s FREE!

So, what are you waiting for? Get of your keister and visit the LIVESTRONG.COM Fitness Essentials podcast and subscribe, now.

You can thank me later.

This is the first in a series of occasional posts where staffers from behind-the-scenes at LIVESTRONG.COM will tell you about themselves and their roles here.

First up: Jodi Cararas!

My co-workers call me MOTS (Mouth of the South), because of my larger-than-life — and vocal —personality, which I display quite often as the Director of Content for LIVESTRONG.COM.  Plus, I am Southern, so the moniker sort of fits. But when your main goal, like mine, is to hopefully inspire and empower people to help themselves and then to help others, there is no room for wallflowers. Hence why I proudly embrace the nickname and inject a little bit of “MOTS” in everything I do.

At LIVESTRONG.COM, my days are mostly filled with managing our Experts, deciding on the most relevant health-, fitness- and lifestyle-related articles and videos to feature on the site and ensuring that you get the latest news and information about Lance and his initiatives. I also get to highlight great stories about people like you, create contests and interact with amazing people who just want to improve their quality of life and the lives of others.

It’s a lot of work and long hours, but is also loads of fun. I collaborate with a great group of individuals at LIVESTRONG.COM, who are inspiring in their own right. They have become like family, if your family includes being together 14-hours straight in a bright-yellow room for 90 days building a website that could potentially change the lives of millions. There was lots of love going around.

My other family still resides in my hometown of New Orleans, which means we live life by the three Fs: Family, Food and Football. Though I am in Los Angeles now, I still live by all three. I am a dedicated, die-hard New Orleans Saints fan, love my family and can’t live without New Orleans cuisine. Thank goodness, I am a decent cook.

But, too much of a good thing, especially New Orleans cookin’, can take its toll. So I try to live my life in moderation and my LIVESTRONG.COM goals are in line with those priorities. I try to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle that includes exercising, watching what I eat (though I still enjoy all of my favorite foods), family-bonding and some “me” time.

My favorite LIVESTRONG.COM feature: The Daily Plate