Post-Workout Recovery: What’s Actually Helping Me Stay Strong This Season
Over the past year, I’ve been focused on rebuilding strength postpartum — getting back to longer days, bigger elevation, and carrying more weight than ever before.
But this season, something shifted.
After months of dealing with recurring shin splints and ankle pain, I realized training alone wasn’t enough.
Recovery had to become part of the plan.
And the biggest change I’ve made recently? Adding red light therapy into my routine.
I’ll be honest — I was skeptical at first. It wasn’t something I fully understood, and it felt like one of those tools that might be overhyped. But after both my sports doctor and physio recommended it, I decided to give it a real shot. And surprisingly… it’s been one of the most impactful additions to my recovery this season.
Red Light Therapy
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular activity — especially within the mitochondria (your cells’ energy centres).
In practical terms, it can help:
Reduce inflammation
Improve circulation
Support tissue repair
Speed up recovery
Why I Added It
With the amount of volume I’m doing right now:
10–20 km days
1000+ meters of elevation
Carrying 30+ lbs
…my lower legs were taking a hit.
The shin pain wasn’t going away — it was just becoming something I managed.
That’s where red light came in.
Why I Chose Novaa Lab
After looking into medical-grade at-home options, I landed on Novaa Lab.
We’ve been using their red light therapy pad, and what I love is how easy it is to actually stay consistent with:
Flexible — I can use it on shins, ankles, or anywhere that needs it
Simple — no complicated setup
Easy to layer into real life (I usually use it while making dinner or winding down)
And that’s the key.
Because if it’s not easy, it doesn’t happen consistently.
What I’ve Noticed
Less lingering soreness in my shins
Better recovery between back-to-back days
A noticeable difference in how my body feels overall
It’s not a magic fix — but it’s been a really effective support tool alongside everything else I’m doing.
Dialling in Supplements
I’ll be honest — supplements have always been a bit hit or miss for me.
Some taste terrible
Some upset my stomach
Some don’t feel like they do anything
Lately, I’ve been using a full lineup from Organika, and it’s been one of the easiest routines to stay consistent with.
What I’m focusing on:
Electrolytes → especially on longer, hotter days
Protein → supporting recovery and muscle rebuilding
Creatine → for strength and endurance
The biggest thing?
They actually taste good and sit well — which makes a huge difference when you’re taking them daily.
If you’re looking to try them, I have a code:
CASSIE_25 for 25% off
Sauna + Cold Plunge
This one took time.
Like… a lot of time.
We’ve been incorporating sauna and cold plunge into our routine for about 8 months now, and only recently has it started to feel natural.
At first:
The cold was brutal
The routine felt like effort
Consistency was hard
But now?
It’s something I genuinely look forward to.
What I’ve noticed:
Reduced inflammation (especially in my lower legs)
Faster recovery between big days
Improved mental resilience
And the mental side was unexpected.
There’s something about choosing discomfort — regularly — that carries over into training, parenting, and everything in between.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s this:
Recovery doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs to be consistent.
It’s not about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about:
Supporting your body daily
Paying attention to what it needs
Adjusting when something isn’t working
This season isn’t just about me.
Matt has been deep in training for his 100 miler this weekend, and he’s been putting his body through some serious volume.
Long days. Big efforts. Back-to-back training.
And these same recovery tools have been part of his routine too.
Because whether you’re training for:
A big race
A long hike
Or just trying to keep up with your kids
Recovery is what keeps you showing up.
This shift toward prioritizing recovery has been one of the biggest changes in my training this year.
Less pushing through.
More supporting what’s already there.
And it’s adding up to:
Fewer setbacks
More consistency
A stronger foundation heading into summer
I’m feeling stronger, more supported, and honestly… more excited than ever for what’s ahead.
