Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Wvuafm, Tuscaloosa.
[00:00:09] Speaker B: Happy Sunday, y'all. You are listening to fit to be tie with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. And here we are.
[00:00:15] Speaker C: Here we are. Can you believe that we are already in October?
[00:00:20] Speaker B: I know. That is so strange. And also, for our listeners, if you haven't already figured this out or if we haven't explicitly shared this with you, by the time our listeners listen to this, either on 90.7 the Capstone or on our podcast, we actually recorded about a week before the live airing or the first airing. And the reason that I'm mentioning that is that I have to briefly talk about the Georgia game for a second. So we're just gonna go there. I'm already gonna put that out there. First off, Nika, did you watch the entire game?
[00:00:53] Speaker C: So I'm real sad to say that I watched everything except right when fourth quarter started, I was at a friend's house visiting them and their newborn baby, and I wanted to beat the traffic, so I left. And by the time I got home, all the fun things had happened. But I watched replays.
[00:01:10] Speaker B: Well, you see, yes. And the beauty of replays, like, I was even rewatching part of the game again. And then it had a setting where I could click, and it was like toggling over to just the key plays. And I was like, yes, I like that. But I feel like I think I lost a few years of my life during that game, you know? And I think that it was a good, valuable life lesson that we cannot make assumptions. You know what?
[00:01:36] Speaker C: Didn't Nick Saban say that when we were up 27 to zero? He said, there's a lot of football left to be played.
[00:01:41] Speaker B: Yes, yes. And so I think, you know, that's why I always kind of chuckle whenever they show those images of him appearing very unfazed in his box. Because he's like.
[00:01:51] Speaker C: Cause he knows.
[00:01:52] Speaker B: Yeah. It's like, you know, this is great and exciting.
[00:01:55] Speaker C: Listen to the goat, you know?
[00:01:56] Speaker B: Really?
[00:01:57] Speaker C: That's what he's talking about.
[00:01:58] Speaker B: I am very glad at the amount of padding we were able to do in that first half to really give us some insurance for the second half. Yes, that is true.
[00:02:08] Speaker C: That is true.
[00:02:09] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:02:10] Speaker C: But, yeah. So here we are. We're in October. Cause at the time we're recording it, tomorrow's October 1, so we're here.
[00:02:16] Speaker B: I know, and I really like October. I think a lot of it has to do with expectations, with temperature and the weather in general. I'm gonna say expectations because, you know, you never know what happens in October. But the assumption would be that it's a little bit cooler. At least it's gonna be cooler than it was in July, potentially, yes.
[00:02:36] Speaker C: Yes. The sun glows differently in October. It's so pretty. You know how the sun sets that fall glow.
[00:02:43] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:02:43] Speaker C: I do love that.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: I like that. Now, how do you feel about time change? I know that won't happen until November.
[00:02:51] Speaker C: I'm gonna tell you right now, I hate it. I get so depressed when it's 05:00 and it is dark.
[00:02:55] Speaker B: Yeah, I agree with you there. So for me personally don't like that with my children. It will help me justify them needing to go to bed because I'm like, oh, my goodness, y'all, it's already dark.
[00:03:08] Speaker C: Yeah. Look how lighter is.
[00:03:10] Speaker B: But when they were going to bed this summer and it was still, like broad daylight at like, 08:00 p.m. it was not helping make my case for.
[00:03:18] Speaker C: That is to go to bed. That is true. So there was, you have kids. That is a silver lining at that daylight time.
[00:03:24] Speaker B: So I don't know so much. You know, there's so much expectation about the fall. We won't be talking the whole show about the fall, but, you know, of course, like you said, october, we would be remiss if we didn't mention these things. Now, do you like the other stereotypical fall type things, like scarves, pumpkin spice lattes, or pumpkin spice? Like, or are you like.
[00:03:48] Speaker C: No, I do love my fall candles soup season. Yes, I do like my candy corn.
[00:03:56] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:03:57] Speaker C: So, yeah, I think I like it. How about you?
[00:04:00] Speaker B: Yes, the same. The same. For all of those reasons. And I really do like the pumpkin spice things. But yet changing the scents with the fall candles, that's really nice because I think those scents can carry over into the winter season to an extent, too. And then it's, you know, it's a while before I have to, like, shift over fragrances to more florally things for the spring.
[00:04:23] Speaker C: Exactly. Exactly. So, and, you know, a lot of people, we think, we tend to think, like, in the fall, we're kind of starting to bed down, get comfy, get into comfy season. But for a lot of people, because we're now out of that heat of the summer, we turn over and you leave until, like, walktober. I see a lot of people, they have plans to walk every single day of October. So, you know, not everybody gets the cup of pumpkin spice latte and lights the candle and gets cozy. Some people, that's when they start becoming, like, active.
[00:04:56] Speaker B: Yes. No. And that's a great segue. I'm glad we're on the same page about, okay, how do we transition this to our topic for today?
If you are kind of walking into this fall and you have been like, oh, my goodness, I was not active over the summer, how do I get my health in check? You can do that at any point in time, including the fall. And so we will be talking about that today. We've got to take a quick break, but we have an exciting guest for you today. You are listening to fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 capstone.
[00:05:32] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa.
[00:05:41] Speaker C: Welcome back, listeners. You're listening to fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. And if you're just joining us, we are talking about using the fall as motivation to maybe turn over a new leaf or get healthy. You know, a lot of us think that the fall is time to wind down and calm down of all the busyness of the summer. But for some of us, we kind of come out of our shell in the fall. Yeah, it's cooler. It's not as hot. Yes. And, you know, we can enjoy being outside a little bit more.
[00:06:13] Speaker B: Yes, absolutely. And I think, you know, we always want to make sure that we have great guests that can really contribute to the topics that we talk about and really showcase all of the different things that we have to offer at the University of Alabama for our community, including our faculty staff. So we are very pleased to welcome Sierra Morris, program coordinator in the office of wellness and work life here at UA. So, Ciara, thank you for joining us today.
[00:06:40] Speaker D: Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be here.
[00:06:43] Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely. So before we get into the nuts and bolts of everything, share with our listeners a little bit about you. You know, we want to know, what was your professional and academic background prior to working in your current role at UA?
[00:06:56] Speaker D: So I started last June. So I'm very new still to the university. I actually grew up in New York, so even more new to the south in general.
But I do have a background in sport and performance psychology.
My master's in that. So helping more so athletes, performers of any kind get their mind to work for them rather than against them. So I think motivation is a huge piece of that, as well as some other mental skills. And then after grad school, I worked with soldiers in the US army doing resilience, training and performance enhancements. Skills in that realm, which also translated to some other experiences in the corporate area with private companies doing employee wellness, which, of course, brought me here.
So I believe that every performance, everything is a performance. Everything in life, we come to work, that's where we perform.
So as professionals, I think that mental side of being on for your entire day, you're spending time, most of your time at work, you might as well, you know, put your best foot forward. And that also in terms of health and wellness, plays a really big part in how you show up every day.
[00:08:22] Speaker B: I love that.
[00:08:23] Speaker C: I love it. I have so many questions.
[00:08:25] Speaker D: I know.
[00:08:25] Speaker B: Well, you go rattling some stuff off first.
[00:08:29] Speaker C: Were you an athlete? Is that what got you interested? So what was your sport?
[00:08:32] Speaker D: So my main sport was women's rugby. I played in college and then I played at the semi professional level after school and then continued on through grad school.
[00:08:43] Speaker C: So, yeah. You know about having to get your mind right.
[00:08:45] Speaker D: Yes, absolutely.
[00:08:47] Speaker B: Oh, my goodness. So your journey to Alabama, was it specifically for this role in wellness and work life, or were there other circumstances that kind of brought you to.
[00:08:56] Speaker D: I came just for this role and this position. I'd actually only ever been here one other time, of course, for a football game the previous year, so.
[00:09:06] Speaker B: Well, I feel like we're very lucky in Boston. I know you bring, like, this wealth.
[00:09:11] Speaker C: Of knowledge and, like, life experience. Experience, and you truly have had experience in human behavior and what motivates people and why we choose to do something and not do something.
[00:09:24] Speaker B: Yeah. And talk about transferable skills. Like, I know you mentioned history with the military, but I think even working with our UA employees, like, they need some resilience training, too. I'm talking about myself when I say that and not picking on anybody, but really talking about myself. But with your role in wellness and work life, tell our listeners, what all does your role entail as a program coordinator for the unit.
[00:09:46] Speaker D: So our office of Wellness and Work Life puts on a lot of great programming for faculty and staff in terms of wellness classes, webinars, of course, our, well, Bama. Hopefully everybody has heard of, well, Bama health screenings. That's kind of our main focus, bringing that screenings for cholesterol and other health indicators to faculty and staff for free. And then we also have some really great programs that people can use to hold themselves accountable to their goals, physical, mental, nutrition goals, and then some other really great events, too, that are more one day events or a couple hours to just bring some fun and wellness, as well as some education to someone's work day.
[00:10:35] Speaker B: I love that. And you know, previously on this show we've acknowledged the fact that when we are approaching health and wellness for our UA community, depending on if the target audience is our employee base versus our student base, the approaches are so different just because the health priorities for each of these populations are so different. And would you agree with that statement?
[00:10:57] Speaker D: Absolutely, yes. So while I have not worked in student wellness, I know that in terms of faculty and staff, it's really important to think about how they balance work with their families, their lives outside their priorities.
And of course, not thinking of as, you know, my work life and my home life, but everything is so integrated, stuff that happens at home, you can't really turn your brain off or compartmentalize 100% when you come to work and vice versa.
And we also have to think about some of the other priorities that the faculty and staff have or time commitments during the day when we're thinking about our programming and what's important to, to what we do.
[00:11:42] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. I love the fact that you all do incorporate a lot of this programming in a way that is practical versus throwing everything as after hours events, because, you know, a lot that, you know, time is precious. And I think if we can incorporate what y'all are doing into the workday, it makes for much better attendance and retention rates, I'm sure.
[00:12:06] Speaker D: Yes, definitely. And being able to be that place for. Okay, I have maybe five or ten minutes to take a break. We do a couple series on like, meditation, office stretches, chair yoga. All that's on our YouTube page archive. So you can watch that anytime. But it's really difficult to take a break from work when we don't have a reason necessarily to. But if we have those materials or resources ready for us, we can schedule that in our workday, take a ten minute break and then get back to work kind of feeling refreshed and ready for the rest of the day.
[00:12:45] Speaker C: Absolutely. So telling our listeners of all these awesome things that you're involved in and you offer, what are your favorite things about the job?
[00:12:55] Speaker D: Oh, gosh, there are so many great things about the job. I was surprised that I loved, but really I love working with all the faculty and staff. We serve over 6000 employees and of course they're all involved in different ways or different capacities.
Sometimes we only see people at screenings. Sometimes we see people, you know, every wellness class in every program. So being able to get to know people, know what they're interested in, what their goals are, is really important to me just on a personal level, because everybody's goals are so different, their reasons are so different. And that just kind of indicates that, you know, everybody's life is they're living their own life and they have a vision of what they want in their lives.
[00:13:43] Speaker B: So I love that. Well, kind of listening to all of that, I had a lot of different questions in mind. And one of the things that I did want to ask, when it comes to the different types of programming that you all do, is there an age demographic that tends to be more active in your programming than others, or have you noticed any kind of trends in terms of participants in your programming?
[00:14:09] Speaker D: That's a really great question. I don't have specific numbers per se, but I do know that when an employee first starts their employment here, which they could be at any age, but if we think about, you know, employment age, their first year is really busy. But they also have those benefits kind of in mind.
So they're going to be taking part in our wellness programming or screenings or events just because it's a really great way to get to know the campus, get to know people if they're new. But then we also have so many people that have been here for 10, 15, 20 years that just know our programming, even if it's changed year over year, that they know and trust. You know, we know we're going to go to our Alabama screening. We know we're going to get our t shirts, and they look forward to that kind of stuff, too.
[00:14:58] Speaker B: I do look forward to that $50 gift, maybe strategic one night time some of those screenings. But we want to talk more about this specifically with some of the large scale events that y'all do, including one that is happening in October. But we've got to take a break, y'all. You are listening to fit to be tied with Sheena Anika on 90.7 the capstone.
[00:15:22] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa.
[00:15:31] Speaker C: Welcome back, listeners. You're listening to fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the Capstone.
[00:15:37] Speaker B: Yes, and we have been so pleased to have Sierra Morris, program coordinator from wellness and work life, join us today. So if you are just now joining us, this is your reminder that you need to go back and listen to earlier parts of the program, mainly because you need to know what a stellar background Sierra has, you know, just in terms of the wealth and knowledge and just uniqueness to what she's providing to our wellness and work life unit. And I know before the break we were talking about the things that you really loved about your job, just interacting with our employees. And so you mentioned doing various types of programming for our faculty and staff. So tell us a little bit of the quote unquote large scale programs that you offer for our employees.
[00:16:21] Speaker D: So, of course, our main programming includes kind of three parts. So we've got our, well, bama health screenings that run throughout the entire year, which people can come, they'll get a finger prick to get their cholesterol, their glucose, their triglycerides tested, and then they actually can meet with a health coach right there to go through everything and ask any questions that they have. And then they'll get a $50 gift card, a t shirt, and an apple at the end of that. And then the other two parts are going to be wellness classes and webinars. So in person and virtual education classes on a lot of different topics, from nutrition to general health to physical activity, strength training. And then we also offer programs. So programs are going to be longer accountability activities. We can think of them as that help people set goals and reach their goals, whatever those may be. Those are going to be more based on physical activity. Or we do have one program called better bites that is based in nutrition. So you'll attend classes, you'll use the Movespring app, which is a really great app that we offer to all the eligible faculty and staff. You can download it on your phone, connect it to your activity watch. It'll track your steps, your movement. Any other accountability goals that we're running through? The challenge or the program?
If someone completes a wellness class or webinar and a program, they'll get an extra $50 reward at the end of the year.
[00:18:05] Speaker B: Hello?
[00:18:06] Speaker C: I know, right?
[00:18:08] Speaker B: I will say so with the wellbeing of health screenings. You know, you mentioned there is an opportunity to get an apple at the end. I love that. And I think that if you've not been to one of the Wellbeama wellness screenings or wellness screening in general, because that lab work is taken. You know, typically, we like people to be fasting for those labs, especially with glucose and everything else. So I'm hangry by the time I get done talking to the health coach and choosing some goals and getting measured for all the things. So the fact that you have a very convenient snack right there, I'm hashtag grateful.
[00:18:42] Speaker C: I know, me too. And I think people don't understand that not only are they getting the $50, an apple, and the t shirt, but what the test itself would cost if they went into their, you know, primary care provider and said, hey, I want all these numbers ran. I want this panel ran. So that is a benefit that they may not even understand that. Yeah, you're getting $50, but look at what we're giving you as a test for free.
[00:19:12] Speaker D: Absolutely. And there are a lot of people who will get those tests from their doctors, but then they'll also attend a screening, which you can do once a year.
And it'll serve as kind of a marker.
[00:19:24] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:19:24] Speaker C: So, you know, getting better in your cholesterol numbers or your a one or your cholesterol or whatever.
[00:19:30] Speaker B: Yeah. So I want to kind of transition a little bit. I know one of the big things that we wanted to be able to share, especially with it being the month of October, is something called quad in motion. So, Sierra, will you enlighten our listeners and share with them what is quad in motion all about?
[00:19:47] Speaker D: Yes. Quad in motion is one of my favorite activities. Events because it is in the fall. We were talking about the fall weather, and all of that is going to be an outdoor event on the quad. Just a one day event. It's October 17, which is Thursday, starting at 09:00 a.m. ending around 04:00 p.m.
faculty and staff have the opportunity to come out to the quad for about 45 minutes, walk around the quad, visit a couple different stations to learn about wellness opportunities and specifically opportunities to move throughout the workday, different ways that you can take care of your physical health and get in some kind of exercise while you'll also be working.
And then, of course, we have our free t shirts and a couple other fun giveaways at the end.
[00:20:39] Speaker B: I love them.
[00:20:40] Speaker C: I do.
[00:20:40] Speaker B: I love em.
[00:20:43] Speaker C: Central hub of the university. So there's lots of life and lots of activity. So I like that we're giving life to our body.
I just. I like it.
[00:20:55] Speaker B: Absolutely. And I think going back to the fact that you all do try to incorporate it as part of the workday, I think it gives people a quote, unquote official reason to go out and go for a walk. So for those that are like, oh, my goodness, like, does it seem whatever if I'm leaving my desk to go be active? But if you can justify it and say, actually, it is a university of Alabama sanctioned activities.
[00:21:19] Speaker C: Exactly.
[00:21:20] Speaker B: I can. You know, I can. I can do this. Like, I have legitimacy for telling my. I. Supervisor, hey, can me and some of my coworkers go out on the. On the quad? So I'm sure we have a lot of employees that are grateful for that aspect, too.
[00:21:34] Speaker D: Yes, absolutely. And we definitely want coworkers to come together, just enjoy the day together, enjoy that 45 minutes outside, walk around and learn a couple things.
[00:21:45] Speaker C: So do they need to sign up, or do they just. They just come on out?
[00:21:49] Speaker D: So we would love for you to sign up. Okay, you can come, but we do have a sign up on our website, wellness ua.edu. there's a. Just a sign up. You'll sign up for your 45 minutes slot, and then you'll have your coworkers sign up separately.
[00:22:05] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:22:06] Speaker B: All right.
[00:22:06] Speaker C: There you go.
[00:22:07] Speaker B: Well, I know historically or prior to your times here at quantum motion, was previously held during the month of September, and it was still very, very hot in September. So this pivot, October is really lucky.
[00:22:22] Speaker C: I love it.
[00:22:23] Speaker D: Last year, we were very, very lucky. The weather was perfect. It was maybe a little bit warm in the sun, but otherwise it was, it did feel like a really nice fall day. So we're hoping, fingers crossed, that this year will be the same.
[00:22:35] Speaker B: Yeah. Now, speaking of walking on the quad, I feel like over the summer, I saw some things in the newsletters about having, like, a walking window on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
what did that turn out look like? You know, I know anytime you're kind of launching a new idea for faculty, staff, and us being creatures of habit, it's like, hey, are they going to take to this? Is it going to be too hot? What did you all kind of learn from piloting that this summer?
[00:23:04] Speaker D: So we definitely learned that week to week is just very different. We could not rely on one week. We would have a couple people, one week we would have ten to twelve people, and we just wanted it to be more of a, hey, we'll be out on the quad whether you're going to come or not, you know where we'll be. You know, if you want to walk with somebody, gonna be there. We would bring water, some other fun giveaways. So we think that the 10:00 a.m. slot was a pretty good time slot, especially for the summer, just because it would get extremely hot. We all know that in the summer, but we're hoping that it'll take off again next summer. Kind of do the same sort of thing.
[00:23:46] Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely. Well, I, you know, I know we're gonna have to go on a break soon. I wanna go on a little bit of a tangent. It's related to this, but I think, and especially for all of us at the table as females, I think enough can't be said about the health benefits of walking. You know, I feel like that is something that is very underestimated and Nika, we've probably talked with you about this before, even when we had Whitney pape still with us, and, you know, we would talk about the fact that, like, it's good for posture. It's, you know, it's an activity that doesn't cost anything.
[00:24:19] Speaker C: So slow impact. Yes.
[00:24:21] Speaker B: You know, so there's so much. Cause I think we live in this society where the physical activity that people choose to do, like, they feel like it's only worth it if it's something that's worthy of being documented on social media. But, like, dude, do not sleep on some walking.
[00:24:35] Speaker C: Do not sleep on walking. I mean, it is. And I know Sierra can speak to this more, but it's. There's no athleticism really required, do you know? I mean, you just put 1ft in front of the other, so there's no special equipment. You don't have to understand the rules of the game. You don't have to have team. You can just walk.
[00:24:57] Speaker B: Yes. But it can promote that social well being, because I know I've seen you on some. On some power walks. Yes. You can catch up with. Catch up with your coworkers, catch up with a friend. So there's so many benefits. So I just had. We had to do a shout out to some walking. I know we're about to take a break, but we're going to continue some conversation with Sierra and especially with the work of wellness and work life. But you are listening to fit to be tied with Sheena and Anika on 90.7 Capstone.
[00:25:29] Speaker A: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa.
[00:25:38] Speaker C: Welcome back, listeners. You are listening to fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. And we are here today with our guest, Sierra.
[00:25:47] Speaker B: Yes, she is from the office of Wellness and Work Life, and they focus on our target population of our UA employees. So our faculty and staff and Sierra, I know you were just telling us about quad in motion with that coming up in October. We did a shout out towards the end of the last segment about walking, but I wanted to, again, just kind of revisit the way that the well Bama rewards work. You mentioned a little bit about that earlier, but I kind of want to talk about that for a second. And especially as we transition, how do we encourage employees or people in general to take advantage of these benefits and why they should think about their health? So can you kind of do a recap again for how the well Bama Rewards program works?
[00:26:31] Speaker D: Yes, absolutely. So we have our well Bama health screenings. You'll attend one of those per year and you'll receive, well, Bama rewards in the form of a $50 gift cardinal and a t shirt.
And then we also have programming in the form of wellness classes and programs that will also help you get an extra $50 if you're completing one wellness class and one qualifying program, which you can find on our website, and what qualifies as a qualifying program, you'll get the extra $50 at the end of the year as a direct deposit that's available to all benefits eligible faculty and staff.
And it's a really great way to, if you're already doing something that is active, you already have a really great walking or exercise routine, you're already trying to eat healthy, that's going to already incorporate into those, well, Bama rewards. So it's not like you have to do a ton of extra work, but it's also there for people who want to be that version of their health that they dream of.
[00:27:45] Speaker C: And I want to add something right here because I used to do biometric screenings for St. Vincent's health system. And the number one question we would get asked, which I know we know how to answer this, but I want to hear it come from your mouth, is what are you all doing with my information? Are you sending it to HR? Are you going to use it against me? Are you going to see that I have bad cholesterol? So you're going to. That's going to be your reason to fire me?
The answer is no. But I want you to explain the listeners fears to rest.
[00:28:17] Speaker B: I'm glad you brought that up.
[00:28:18] Speaker D: Yes, I am too, because it is a concern for a lot of faculty and staff. But everything that we receive, every kind of biometric or any kind of characteristic, it is all confidential.
[00:28:33] Speaker B: It's HIPAA.
[00:28:34] Speaker D: It is completely confidential. It is not shared. It is not used at all. This as wellness and work life. Everything that we offer is part of UA, but it's really just here to promote your own wellbeing. We care about your goals and your numbers, but we don't care about your goals and your numbers in terms of anything. Yes.
[00:28:57] Speaker C: So what I would explain is if we see a lot of our employees that have high blood pressure, would start doing more educational programs about high blood pressure, because maybe something is lacking in education or promotion in that part, but we would never email someone and go, hey, you've got high blood pressure. Come to our lunch and learn. Like you just wouldn't do it. So I just want everybody out there to know and feel confident that when you take part in Wellbema, it's HIPAA, they're not sharing your information. I love boss.
[00:29:30] Speaker B: I love that we explicitly mentioned that because I know that that could be a concern for an individual who may be kind of toying with the idea of doing the well Bama health screening for the first time, but also, too, you know, when it comes to that piece of knowing that they're going to be meeting with someone towards the end of that measurement to talk about their health goals, can you talk a little bit about what somebody can expect to experience when they're working one on one with somebody? Like, are these other employees? Are these students who are they interacting with for that health coaching piece towards the end of the screening?
[00:30:06] Speaker D: So those health coaches at a screening are primarily nursing students. So they're, I believe they're fifth year nursing students. So they're almost done with their schooling. We also have some of the coordinated nutrition students doing the health coaching. So they have the education, they have that knowledge. They're there to kind of coach you through what the numbers mean for you and then also steer you in the direction of realistic health goals.
[00:30:35] Speaker B: Yeah, I love that. Cause I know in my own personal experiences and anecdotal experiences that I've heard from colleagues is that it's always been a very positive experience. I don't think there should be any fear that the nursing student or whoever you're working with is going to have any judgment about goals. I think they're just there to kind of let you know what the different goal categories are available that you may not have ever thought about. So, I know I had a coworker that was like, I was so glad to see that, like, financial wellness was one of the things on there. Or, oh, I could focus on sleep. I had this fear that they were going to tell me I needed to do a complete 180 in my eating and exercise routine, but I could actually pivot to sleep because that is something that I need help with.
[00:31:19] Speaker D: So, yes. Yeah. We really are trying to have a holistic wellness focus. So we're not just looking at your physical health, your exercise, and your nutrition. We're looking at, like you're saying, financial well being, the connection piece, that social well being, because it all is really important, especially during the work day.
[00:31:40] Speaker B: Well, I know that y'all have what you call your Welbama ambassadors, and so tell us about who those people are. What do they do? How do you leverage them, and how can somebody become one?
[00:31:54] Speaker D: Yes. So our Alabama ambassadors are spread out through departments throughout the campus community.
And they're there just to help us kind of boots on the ground, promoting our programs, promoting our classes, telling their colleagues and the people that work around them, maybe in the same building or neighboring buildings. Hey, we have a screening coming up here. Make sure you're there.
If you haven't already done your screening this year, or we've got a really great class coming up, we'll all be there. You should join as well.
So we're really there just to.
They're kind of our trustworthy people that'll make sure that everybody who they work with know about our programming.
It's a two year term, so the next term is going to start next August. So August 2025.
I believe our applications are going to be available probably in May, April or May of next year. So if anybody is interested in being a Welabama ambassador, look out for that application. But in the meantime, make sure you know who your ambassadors are because they're going to have that great information. They're going to be able to answer any of the questions that you may have about, well, bama or any of our wellness and work life programming, and they're a really great resource. And they also probably are going to be those people that are good role models, too. They already have their own kind of health and wellness journey that they're working on as well.
[00:33:25] Speaker B: Okay. Very nice. I like it. Yeah, I'm curious. So if somebody was interested in applying, are there special requirements to be an ambassador? Like, do they already have to have had their own life? Right. I know where they probably are going to be good examples and role models for their coworkers, but is that a prerequisite? Like, what if they're like, I'm kind of still on the struggle bus myself, but I'm trying to use these programs.
[00:33:52] Speaker D: Yeah. So, absolutely. We really encourage anybody to apply because it's really helpful to see all aspects of that health and wellness journey. Even if you're just starting out or, you know, not everybody is perfect. Well, I would say nobody is perfect. And even if you're mostly accountable to your goals, there are some days where you may just not have it or there are other things that come up that you can't be on your health and wellness game. And that's okay. And we want people to see that as well. So there are no prerequisites in terms of, you know, where you are in your health and wellness journey or where you are in your life. We really just want people who are excited about Wellbama and wellness and work life and being able to be that person to get others excited as well.
[00:34:38] Speaker B: I love it.
[00:34:38] Speaker C: I love it.
[00:34:39] Speaker B: Yes. Well, I know we've had such great conversation with you this afternoon, Sierra. I know that we have one last segment, and we normally have our guest on for this last rogue segment, so hopefully you're agreeable to that. But you guys, we're gonna take a quick break. You were listening to fit to be tied with Sheena and Mika on 9.7 to Capstone.
[00:35:04] Speaker A: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa.
[00:35:12] Speaker B: Welcome back, listeners.
[00:35:13] Speaker C: You are listening to fit to be tied, Sheena and Mika on 90.7 the capstone. And thanks for hanging with us as we are wrapping up our show today with our special guest, Sierra Morris.
[00:35:23] Speaker B: That's right. And we have been talking all things wellness and work lines, which is our department on campus that focuses on our employee health and well being. So we loved getting to have those conversations today, learning about the programming. And this is the point in the show where we have a little fun with our guests and kind of ask a random question. This is a question that we've asked guests before. But, Sierra, what gets you hype? Like, what really gets you excited and motivated for the day? I think past guests have talked about specific songs. One time we had a guest that shared that when they have a full calendar of events and then somebody cancels something at the last minute so they get that hour back that they weren't expecting, like, that gets them, like, weirdly excited. So it can be like just, you know, a whole potpourri of things. So what gets you hype?
[00:36:20] Speaker D: I love this. This actually gets me hype, talking about it to get started in the day. So I shared that I played rugby when I was in college and a little bit after, but now I run.
So I train for marathons and trail runs and all of that. So really what gets me hype is a run in the morning. I love getting up early and going for a run. And when I come back, I just have so much energy, which is kind of, you know, the opposite of what you might think. You get up early, you go for a run, you may be tired, but that is not me. I am just so energized for the rest of the day.
[00:36:57] Speaker C: Okay, so that's now what used to get you hyped before playing rugby? Cause I was just. The game of rugby is so physical. Like, what would get your mind right to get ready for a game?
[00:37:09] Speaker D: So, especially when we were traveling on the bus, I would always watch videos, like, big hit videos, like, big tackles.
You know, you've got music playing and just getting ready mentally for this.
[00:37:22] Speaker C: Mentally, yeah, definitely.
[00:37:24] Speaker B: Okay. Now, like, as far as, like, the style of rugby player that you are, and I will go to preface and say that I don't know too much about the logistics of the game other than I know there's a lot of physicality involved and, like, body contact. So are you kind of, like, do you go into the game, like, murder ball? Like, you are, like, ready to, like.
[00:37:43] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:37:43] Speaker C: Are you, like, our friend, his face stripes. It says, kill everybody.
[00:37:49] Speaker B: Oh, yes.
[00:37:49] Speaker C: He won us our game Saturday night.
[00:37:52] Speaker B: Because I know we can't be, like, pushovers playing rugby, but I don't know. What's your personality style? I don't know if you and your teammates had nicknames for each other based on your personalities on the field. I don't know. Are you okay with letting our listeners know any of that about you?
[00:38:09] Speaker D: I didn't have any crazy nicknames, but I was. If anybody knows anything about rugby, I was a back. So usually we're not going into contact too much. I wasn't really making those big hits that I would watch on YouTube, but I love a good, stiff arm. I love running around people just being a little bit faster than them and pushing them off me.
[00:38:30] Speaker B: Okay. Okay. This makes me reminiscent of our conversation with our friends from the roller derby.
And so we were kind of talking about, like, hey, like, what would we be doing based on, like, the roles that are there? And so, yeah. Because I'm just thinking about aggressiveness in general. You know? I feel like there are certain things in my life I'd have to be thinking about so that I could get in that, like, aggressive, like.
[00:38:55] Speaker C: Yeah.
Get hype. Yeah. Yes.
Yes. Like, so I.
I think I'd be in the corner crying, and I'd be like, please don't hurt me. Please don't hurt me. I don't want to have to have dental work done today, but that is so awesome that some people are like, this is battle. Let's go.
I wish I was more like that.
[00:39:15] Speaker B: I know. It's probably. I bet it's an adrenaline rush, huh?
[00:39:18] Speaker D: Definitely, yeah. And kind of like, you're saying, like, we're going into battle together. We're a team. We're gonna be there. That always helps to, you know, doing it for somebody else. Yeah.
[00:39:27] Speaker B: Well, I'd like that, as well. And hopefully this has inspired some of us to maybe start looking into, like, what all is entailed with rugby. I'm gonna have to start watching some like rugby like hit videos and then just kinda learn more about the game in general so that the next time we have you on, we can have even more intentional conversations about it.
[00:39:45] Speaker C: We will be more educated.
[00:39:46] Speaker B: Maybe we'll have some of our folks from our like club rugby teams join as well. I'm getting lots of inspiration, but before I go on too much of a tangent, we will end today's show. You all have been listening to fits of be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone and we will.
[00:40:02] Speaker D: Catch you next week.
[00:40:08] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa.
