Welcome to The Vital Life where we spotlight Vital Proteins® employees. This week, Executive Assistant, Erin Shields, gives us a look inside her workday.
Lively: Thanks for sharing your day with us! To kick things off, can you tell us about what you do at Vital Proteins and what you enjoy about your role?
Erin Shields: I am the Executive Assistant to our amazing president, Tracey Halama. I enjoy my role because every single day looks different and I have my hand in just about every department of the company!
L: Walk us through your morning routine – how has it changed (or not) since staying home?
ES: My morning involves sprinting to my coffee machine the second I wake up. I love adding half a scoop of our Vital Proteins Collagen Creamer® in Vanilla and half a scoop of our Collagen Peptides to my a.m. coffee. I usually take the mornings to go through my Slack and emails and update my to-do list for the day. The Today Show is usually on in the background! I am starting to train for the Chicago Marathon, so my mornings are about to be filled with long early morning runs, which I may or may not be looking forward to.
L: Where have you been getting inspiration for projects or tasks you might be working on throughout the day?
ES: Chatting with coworkers always gets the inspo flowing. I love seeing what other people are doing on a day-to-day basis and how passionate my colleagues are about the brand and product.
L: Lunchtime! What's your plan?
ES: When I'm in the office, I usually run over to Beatrix [in Chicago] and grab a salad. Otherwise, when I’m at home, I make a large smoothie or avocado toast with a fried egg. Pre-bagged salads are also a staple in my fridge. They are so easy to put together — just add protein and you’re good to go in less than five minutes.
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L: You're hitting your mid-afternoon slump. How do you re-energize your afternoon?
ES: Lately, I have been loving a 2 p.m. Celsius or Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen to get me through the afternoon. Life at Vital moves very fast, so taking just a few minutes to call a friend or listen to a podcast really gets me back on track and refreshed. I also love to take a quick walk around the block – getting fresh air is way more energizing than people think!
L: How have you been practicing #wellnessfromhome these days?
ES: My biggest ‘quarantine purchase’ was a Peloton bike, and it was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I use it almost every day! Not only is Peloton good for cardio, but it's also amazing for slowing down with meditation, stretching and Pilates classes. I love adding my Bala bangles to every class I take for an extra boost.
Rapid-Fire Questions
Favorite Podcast? The Goop Podcast, Crime Junkie and The MindBodyGreen Podcast
Favorite Workout? Definitely cannot pick just one! I love Shred415, Studio Lagree Pilates and the Peloton treadmill/bike.
Favorite Binge-Worthy Show? The Handmaid’s Tale, Cruel Summer, Ozark and every Bravo show – no shame!
Favorite Vital Proteins Product? Hydration** + Collagen stick packs! I’m obsessed with drinking these during strenuous workouts. Simply add it to a water bottle, shake and you’re good to go.
