Elizabeth recently sat down with Natalie Holloway, the Founder of Bala, on the Live Purely podcast to chat about her journey from advertising executive to redefining fitness accessories with one of the most recognizable wellness brands today, the power of slowing down, and, of course, her go-to wellness rituals as a founder and mother.
PURELY ELIZABETH: Walk us through a “typical” day in your life.
NATALIE HOLLOWAY: Of course each day is different but here is a good example of how I try to balance being a mom and running Bala:
7AM - Wake up, feed the kids, pack lunches, and screen free morning for a little quality time. Get my 4 year old out the door to school.
9AM - Do some email clean up and potentially a call.
1030AM - Go to library or park with my 2 year old.
12PM - Nap time so I try to cram a couple hours of work in this window.
2PM - Get some movement in (walk or go to a workout class).
3PM - Pick up my son from school.
4 - 7PM - Family time (includes bath bed rituals) and sometimes some work is added to this window.
730-8PM - Email clean up.
8PM - Quality time with my husband.
PURELY ELIZABETH: How do you incorporate movement into your everyday routine?
NATALIE HOLLOWAY: I either workout or go on a walk. Some form of movement each day. My workouts lately include Core Power Yoga Sculpt, Lagree, Studio EMS or workout from home via Balacize or Form.
PURELY ELIZABETH: How has your relationship with movement evolved since launching Bala?
NATALIE HOLLOWAY: It’s become less about performance and more about presence. In the early days, workouts were intense and all about pushing harder. Now it’s: “How do I want to feel today?” Some days that’s a long walk with the baby, some days it’s ankle weights and a mat flow. Movement has turned into a daily check-in, not a checklist.
PURELY ELIZABETH: What are the self-care routines you swear by?
NATALIE HOLLOWAY: A walk with my baby in my carrier, preferably with sunshine and good music, monthly massages at Formula Fig (the collagen facial is a must), and putting my phone on Do Not Disturb way more than I used to, that’s become a real form of self-care.
PURELY ELIZABETH: What are three beauty or wellness products you couldn’t live without?
NATALIE HOLLOWAY:
Agent Nateur face oil – My skin has been through it postpartum, and I’ve come to love anything that feels like a ritual at the end of the day.
The Skinny Confidential ice roller – every morning, non-negotiable. It’s the easiest way to feel awake and pulled together when you’re running on interrupted sleep.
Happy Aging NAD shots – just started these and loving them so far!
PURELY ELIZABETH: What inspires your creativity, both in life and in business?
NATALIE HOLLOWAY: Conversations, travel, and sometimes it’s as simple as walking past a great storefront or hearing someone talk passionately about their idea. I think creativity comes from paying close attention to what lights you up and also what frustrates you. Bala was born from a gap. Now I look for those little friction points and ask: can we make this more beautiful or more playful?
PURELY ELIZABETH: What are your go-to Bala products?
NATALIE HOLLOWAY: Bala Bangles, definitely. I’ll throw them on for a walk or even when I’m cleaning the house. Bala Bars, these are so comfy to workout with, so I keep a pair at my desk at all times. AND I’m loving my Wavy mat paired with my mat scrunchie. I leave the house for a Core Power or Motivate class with my mat and mat scrunchie in tow feeling cute.
