The Interview —

Laura Miranda, Founder, Strong Healthy Woman

My greatest achievement (so far) was backpacking alone through 10 different countries in Europe and the Middle East when I was 25. I conquered every one of my own personal insecurities and self imposed limitations and showed myself that I could handle just about anything that was thrown my way!

When I was very young I had a coach who not only believed in me when no one else in my life did, but she helped me see what I was truly capable of in athletics, academics and my personal drive for success. Today, through my business, I get the chance to “pay it forward” and empower women to uncover just what is possible in their own lives.

The Veggetti is my recent culinary obsession! It’s a little device that turns zucchini or squash into faux-pasta shaped noodles that make it super easy to jam tons more veggies into the day!

My motto in life is how I strive to live each day and also how I sign off on all of my blog posts: “Stay determined, focused, and addicted to improving yourself.”

‘Healing Your Emotional Self’ by Beverly Engel reminds me that without digging deep to cultivate a strong belief in your own self worth, even the best workout and diet plan in the world will fail. We must work on acceptance of who we are, with compassion for where we are, and combine that with the willingness to LOVE ourselves enough to change.

Since I go hard starting at 4:30am each day, around bedtime (8:30pm) I wind down by walking my puppy dog, Wolf, up the Hudson River. There is something about the water that puts me in a meditative state and allows me to slow down enough to just “be.”

I hope florescent sneaks and clothing will stay with us forever! But as history has already proven, it probably will be on its way out again soon. (This time I’m not getting rid of it all like I did in the 80s!)

Oprah is my real life hero! She is a badass female entrepreneur that, among many other things, has made self-care and self-improvement a mainstream topic. Oprah has been through a ton of hardships and has used them to fuel her growth, empowerment and drive to get ahead.

If you look at my credit card statement, you will see a blur of Nike.com & Zappos.com charges. I am the fitness version of Carrie Bradshaw with, at last count, 46 pairs of kicks in my closet! 

If I weren’t doing what I am right now then it means I probably wouldn’t be alive. Fitness and Physical Therapy are the ONLY things that I have ever wanted to do since I was in the 3rd grade. (In 2nd grade, I wanted to be a nun.)