Meeting driven and ambitious go-getters has to be one of our favorite parts of this job. Molly Teshuva, also known as the personality behind Progress Pure, is no exception. She started her fitness Instagram account a year ago and now inspires and motivates her followers daily by encouraging them to focus on the positives in their lives and share those moments with her #positiveprogress hashtag. Molly is also the creator of the Curve Guide, a 12-week strength training program aimed to burn fat, build lean muscle and shape womanly curves. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the London-born beauty has done all that before her 21st birthday. A full-time student at the University of Edinburgh, it’s safe to say that not only has Molly figured out how to balance all of her interests, she is just getting started.
We caught up with Molly in the Hamptons to get her thoughts on the most underrated wellness trend, her favorite adventure, and her urban island.
What is your “urban island,” that oasis in the big city (aka life) that helps you find balance?
My urban island is exercising. Going for a run when it’s hot, doing lunges on the beach, completing a set of HIIT sprints up a hill. I feel most at peace with myself when I’m physically getting rid of my worries through sweat. Whenever I feel stressed or feel like I can’t cope with something, I’ll usually go on a run or complete a Curve Guide workout. Exercising reminds me that everything has a way of working itself out, even things that seem physically and mentally impossible. Adding in some sun, sand and the sea makes me feel all the more real and earthy.
What is your favorite adventure?
Getting lost somewhere with someone close to me. Last summer my friend and I got completely lost in the Alps, Switzerland. We had to hike for about 6-7 hours to find our way home. Once we got back the village was having a fair, so we sat outside an Italian restaurant, our whole bodies aching and pretty badly sunburnt. But we laughed the whole dinner over pasta, pizza and beer.
If you were an island, which one would you be?
A Caribbean island. Somewhere where life is chill, the water’s warm, the food is fresh and it’s always sunny. You’ve got the freedom to swim in clear blue water and go running on white sand whilst working on your tan.
If you were a city, which one would you be?
New York City. It sounds cliché I know, but whenever I come here it feels like home. It’s not trying to be anything it’s not; it’s real, it’s dirty but it’s also got the ability to be elegant and sophisticated whilst getting on with life. I’m not a prissy kind of person and don’t care much about frills or fuss so NYC’s honest and fast paced lifestyle suits me.
What are your five island essentials?
Sun cream, an empty bottle to fill up if I come across a waterfall (logical thinking right here). A lighter – need my cigs! Haha, I’m kidding, but seriously [I would need one because] I’m not patient enough for the whole rubbing-two-sticks-together thing. My phone – so many good beach shot opportunities. And a Lululemon headband; my headband is like an extension of my body. I got into wearing them because it kept my babyhairs down after straightening my wild (and once curly) hair, but now whenever I’m in any stressful situation, [it’s] hair up, headband on.
What wellness trait do you think is the most underrated?
Taking a time out. We all know that fitness is a lifestyle not a three week fad. In order to stay dedicated to your goals, it’s so important to go through a chilled period in order to motivate you for the future. When I’m at University, that’s when I get in every Curve Guide workout and hit my macros to the gram. Over the summer, I always take it chilled, eat out and relax on my fitness regime. Then, by the time September comes, I’m roaring to go and get back on track with having some structure.
What wellness trend do you think is the most overrated?
Cutting out carbs. If you’re a bodybuilder or a Victoria’s Secret Angel, then I totally get it. But a zero carb diet is not a way to live. You get your energy from carbs and most people find it hell to cut them out. If you enjoy your lifestyle habits, then they will become your life. Don’t sacrifice your happiness for a set of abs.
What was the best piece of advice you’ve every received?
Hope for everything, expect nothing. This is genuinely the best thing I’ve ever been told, it motivates me to always do my best and hope for everything I want out of life but reminds me that you might not get it and it’s okay if you don’t.
What was the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?
You’ve got to learn to be good at something, and then you’ve got the freedom to go for being the best. Working out didn’t come naturally to me – I didn’t used to enjoy getting up at 5:30am. I didn’t used to prefer fresh food over fried or appreciate a good night’s sleep over Netflix and maltesers. But a fitness lifestyle is something that I wanted; I needed to prove to myself that I could be dedicated to something new and positive. Once I gave it my best shot, I started loving the challenge and now it’s a question of how far I can go, rather than if I can go at all.
We believe all jewelry tells a story. What is the story behind your favorite piece of jewelry?
I wear my surname ‘Teshuva’ around my neck; it’s Hebrew for ‘Repentance’ which means to be regretful of past wrongs. I’m really proud of both sides of my family: my dad is an Israeli Jew and my mum is an Irish Catholic. It’s such a random mix but my name reminds me of my family and where I’m from.
What is your favorite Kalaki Riot piece?
The L’Orbe Necklace. I love simple, gold, and elegant pieces and the L’orbe necklace is exactly that. It also compliments my necklace really well. And I love the look of a couple of simple gold necklaces to go with a sports bra.
Follow Molly at @progresspure and get her look with the L’Orbe Necklace.
Shot in Bridgehampton, New York by Tracy Dungo. Follow Tracy on Instagram at @tracydungo.
What’s your urban island? Tag @kalakiriot on Instagram and use the hashtag #myurbanisland for a chance to be featured on our site.
Tracy Dungo
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