Our Weekly Cup
Celebrating Kelly Hanks and the Power of Medicinal Mushrooms
The Global Rise of Medicinal Mushrooms – Supporting All 5 Bodies for Elevated Consciousness
Across the globe, we’re seeing a monumental rise in the use of medicinal mushrooms, with ancient traditions blending seamlessly into modern wellness practices. From the bustling cities of Europe to the quiet corners of Australia, the message is clear: these fungi are here to support us in a time when we crave connection, alignment, and balance across all areas of life.
Medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga are not only prized for their incredible physical benefits, such as boosting immunity and enhancing cognitive function, but they’re also recognized for their ability to support all five bodies—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and energetic. Each mushroom serves a unique purpose, offering a holistic approach to well-being and personal growth.
Lion’s Mane is celebrated for its ability to sharpen the mind, aiding in mental clarity, focus, and memory. It's the perfect ally when you need to reconnect with your inner vision and unlock new levels of creativity.
Reishi, often referred to as the "mushroom of immortality," provides deep emotional healing, helping us navigate through stress and emotional blockages with grace and ease. Its calming properties invite peace and relaxation into our lives, fostering emotional balance.
Chaga, a powerful antioxidant, serves as a guardian for the physical body, bolstering the immune system and supporting vitality. For those looking to enhance their physical stamina and resilience, Chaga is an essential addition to the daily routine.
At Good Rising Cacao, we believe in the power of these ancient allies, which is why we’ve created blends that combine the potency of medicinal mushrooms with the heart-opening properties of cacao. Together, these sacred plants elevate not only our mood but also our ability to live in alignment with the flow of life.
Turkey Tail captured in the Mornington Peninsula
This week, we had the pleasure of catching up with Kelly Hanks, our Everyday Athlete, after she completed her very first Ironman 70.3 in Sydney. Competing with determination and a joyful spirit, Kelly finished the race in an impressive 5:52:27, securing 18th place in her age group.
After the race, we briefly spoke with Kelly, who shared how incredible she felt about the experience:
“I feel so proud and happy. When I hit 60km on the bike, I got emotional because I realized I was going to finish strong and feel great. I knew I could make it, but at that moment, I understood that all the hard work had paid off. The biggest challenge was staying consistent, especially on days when I didn’t want to train, but I pushed through because I wanted to cross the finish line feeling elated, not broken, and enjoy every moment of the race.”
Kelly is also taking part in Nedd Brockman’s Uncomfortable Challenge, which runs from October 20-29th. The challenge involves pushing limits for 10 days, right after Nedd attempts to break the world record for the fastest 1000km run. Kelly explained her reason for joining:
“I loved the idea of doing something that felt impossible. Since I was already signed up for the 70.3, I decided to add fundraising for homelessness to my goal. So far, we’ve raised $1,664. Now, I’m doing a 2km swim every day for 10 days because swimming is the most challenging for me. It requires mental focus—no music, no socializing, just you in the water. Plus, it takes more time to prepare for, unlike just going for a run, which makes it tougher both mentally and physically.”
Click here to help Kelly reach her goal of $2000 for the Nedd Brockman’s Uncomfortable Challenge
When it came to training, Kelly had a carefully planned schedule set up by her coaches to ensure she was ready for the race. She shared:
“I had two coaches who set up my swim, ride, and run schedule. In general, my week looked like this: Monday was a 1200m recovery swim; Tuesday, a speed bike session on the trainer for about an hour; Wednesday, speed/interval runs; Thursday, strength training plus swim drills or sets; Friday, an endurance run (1.5 hours or more); Saturday, ocean or distance swim; and Sunday, an endurance bike ride with a run off the bike. I also added yoga most mornings or stretching in the evenings, and joined 440 run club on Saturdays for a social catch-up.”
Looking ahead, Kelly is already thinking about her next challenge:
“I'll definitely do another 70.3 next year. I know I can do better on the bike and swim, and I thoroughly enjoy race day and training. I'm also considering my first full marathon, but I want to try a few new social run clubs, swim, and ride groups. I know whatever is next will be somewhere or some event I've not already done.”
Why Focus Fuel is a Game-Changer for Performance
Given that it’s mushroom month and we’re celebrating our Everyday Athlete Kelly Hanks, let’s dive into why our Focus Fuel blend is so powerful for performance. Whether you're training for your first Ironman or simply looking to boost your everyday workouts, the blend of Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Chaga is designed to support you physically and mentally—just like Kelly!
Lion’s Mane – Your Mental Game-Changer: This mushroom has been celebrated for its ability to improve focus and memory, making it easier to power through long training sessions. Lion’s Mane helps keep your mind clear and on point, allowing you to push further and reach new goals.
Cordyceps – The Natural Energy Boost: Known for boosting energy levels and improving oxygen flow, Cordyceps helps you maintain peak performance without burning out. It’s the secret weapon to keep you going when the going gets tough.
Chaga – The Ultimate Recovery Hero: After pushing your body, recovery is key—and that’s where Chaga shines. This powerful antioxidant helps reduce inflammation and supports your immune system, keeping you strong even after the most intense workouts.
With Focus Fuel, you’ve got all three of these powerhouse mushrooms working together to support your physical endurance, mental clarity, and overall recovery. Whether you're an athlete or just looking to level up your daily routine, Focus Fuel has everything you need to stay focused, energized, and ready to perform at your best—just like Kelly Hanks.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s cup! We’re so proud of Kelly and the journey she’s on as our Everyday Athlete. Keep an eye out next week as we share how Soothe & Restore has been busy supporting women at a beautiful retreat in Northern NSW. Until then, keep living in alignment, and we’ll see you soon!
