gift guide: techcrunch’s favorite things of 2020

Undoubtedly, 2020 presented significant challenges for a large number of individuals.

For countless people, it was a period marked by worry, grief, and unease. It involved separation from loved ones and a sense of monotony, with each day feeling indistinguishable from the one before.

Following our tradition at year-end, we asked our team members to reflect on and share some of their most appreciated “favorites” – those elements that, in retrospect, brought moments of joy, provided a welcome distraction, or facilitated learning. Typically, this question prompts responses about what improved one’s year. This time, it more closely resembled a search for what mitigated the difficulties of the year.

The scope of “things” included in this compilation has always been intentionally broad. “Things” can encompass anything meaningful to the contributor, such as audio programs, musical pieces, films, individuals, or ideas. Some of these selections originated in 2020, while others are established entities that re-emerged into our awareness during the year. Regardless, we trust that you will discover something inspiring, a new avenue to explore, a new tune to enjoy, or a new passion to embrace.

Zack Whittaker, Security Editor

WBGO 88.3FM

Growing up, I often drifted off to sleep while listening to late-night talk radio programs from my childhood home in England. Now, my preference is WBGO, a New Jersey public radio station that broadcasts from Times Square. The station dedicates its airtime entirely to jazz music, played continuously. Jazz provides a welcome respite from discussions of current events or the spread of misinformation online. It’s a perfect way to disconnect from the constant stream of news. We enjoy having WBGO playing softly on the radio in the kitchen during the day. Because it’s such relaxing music, I frequently listen while working at my desk, and I recently purchased a HomePod mini as an early holiday gift to allow for all-day listening.

Cross-stitching

I quickly lost interest in watching television, and with limited options for entertainment, I began cross-stitching. The craft is simple to pick up—it’s comparable to Paint by Numbers, but using needle and thread—and doesn’t demand a high level of expertise, making it well-suited to my abilities. It’s a wonderful activity for relaxation and provides a distraction from the challenges of the past year.

Natasha Mascarenhas, Reporter

Call Your Girlfriend (Podcast)

With so many connections becoming remote this year, the Call Your Girlfriend podcast proved to be an essential listen. Launched in 2014, I began tuning in recently while seeking insights into the dynamics of mature, non-romantic friendships. The podcast skillfully frames many of the challenges of this year, offering thoughtful discussion on subjects like navigating differing comfort levels with safety precautions, discovering positivity during difficult times, and exploring the scientific foundations of friendship. Hosted by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, the show positions itself as “a podcast for long-distance besties everywhere.” It also serves as a welcome moment of calm amidst the widespread, often underlying, stress we’ve all been experiencing.

Graffeo coffee

Graffeo Coffee, a San Francisco establishment, remains a cherished gem within North Beach. This small-batch coffee roaster was a regular destination during my walks for mental well-being throughout the year while under quarantine. Even now, despite no longer living in San Francisco, I continue to purchase their coffee beans. It’s a wonderful small business run by dedicated people, and I always order the beans whole and with a dark roast.

Brian Heater, Hardware Editor

Waxahatchee Saint Cloud

To state it plainly, music was a vital source of support for me this year. Fortunately, a number of exceptional albums were released – including works by Lomelda, Thundercat, Denzel Curry, Open Mike Eagle, and Death Valley Girls, among others. However, Waxahatchee’s newest album stood out as a particularly bright and uplifting blend of country, pop, indie, and folk influences. A good starting point is the song “Fire,” and the experience builds from there.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Certain pieces of work remain valuable to revisit at different stages of life. While the works themselves do not change, our personal experiences inevitably shape how we perceive and connect with them. It has been suggested that Moby Dick contains the answers to fundamental questions about existence within its 135 chapters. Although Melville may have established the conditions for such a discovery, it appears he was unable to fully understand the implications. Moby Dick represents a unique achievement in American literature, being simultaneously peculiar, humorous, fragmented, beautiful, and melancholic. It is also notably eccentric and served as an ideal companion during periods of isolation.

Orba by Ariphon

I had anticipated the opportunity to experiment with Artiphon’s Orba ever since encountering the company at CES 2020 (a time of unusual and lively gatherings where people would meet in person to view products). This $99 device is, in my experience, the closest thing yet to a tool that can inspire musical creativity in individuals without formal musical training. It also functions as an enjoyable way to pass the time and relieve stress during breaks between commitments.

Lodge 49

Lodge 49 might be a genuinely optimistic commentary on a time characterized by skepticism. It was a welcome source of positivity during a challenging period that, unfortunately, proved too good to last. The (canceled) AMC program could serve as a reminder to value what we have, rather than dwell on what we’ve lost. It is possible that the show will be revived in the future, perhaps as a limited series on Netflix or through a crowdfunding campaign, when a wider audience appreciates it and we all eagerly anticipate its return while acknowledging that it may not fully recapture the original’s charm.

Neesha A. Tambe, Startup Battlefield Editor and Head of Community

One-Minute Dance Breaks

Given my parents’ heightened risk factors and having a brother in the medical field, concerns surrounding COVID-19 became quite significant. To combat feelings of sadness, I began incorporating brief, one-minute dance sessions into my mornings. These involve simply putting on a random Spotify playlist and moving freely – without self-consciousness or pressure. If initiating movement feels challenging, beginning with a simple toe wiggle can help positive energy start to circulate. A bit of unrestrained dancing first thing in the morning contributes to a more cheerful and optimistic day.

Home Baking and Cooking

The opportunity to work remotely has allowed me to explore baking and cooking as hobbies. I particularly enjoy preparing and giving away homemade food items – such as breads, brownies, pumpkin pies, sauces, and soups – to my friends. It’s remarkable how a thoughtful food gift consistently elicits a positive reaction from those we cherish! (This is especially true for vegan recipients.)

Remote Phone Banking for Civic Engagement

Maintaining an active role in civic life is essential for a thriving democracy. I am thankful for the availability of digital autodialing tools, which enable me to support those in need of assistance without requiring physical presence or travel. Contributing to voter access isn’t just a civic responsibility; it’s personally rewarding to know I’m contributing, even in a small way, to help people exercise their right to vote. It’s genuinely enjoyable to converse with individuals from across the nation and connect over shared concerns regarding important humanitarian matters. Long live democracy!

Devin Coldewey, Writer

Picross/Nonograms

During a year characterized by unusual circumstances, I came across a puzzle type that has become a lifelong favorite – and surprisingly, it’s been available for quite some time. The process of completing rows and columns based on the given numerical clues is both calming and thoroughly engaging, providing a welcome mental escape and a way to disconnect from the challenges of daily life. The most enjoyable version I’ve encountered is Konami’s Pixel Puzzle collection, which is available at no cost, user-friendly, and features appealing pixel art inspired by classic video games.

Tenet

Christopher Nolan’s most recent film may not be the best I viewed this year, but similar to *Inception*, he is uniquely dedicated to creating movies of this scale and complexity, and I greatly admire the ambitious nature of his filmmaking. Some may consider it pretentious and overly intellectual, but… it very well might be. Nevertheless, it stands as a significant example of its kind.

Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast

Following the unfortunate events and disappointment surrounding the conclusion of *Terrace House*, there was a need for a lighthearted reality program that depicted the everyday routines (though still unfamiliar to me) of individuals in a different culture. I discovered *Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast* relatively late, and it has successfully filled that void (although another Korean show, *Three Meals a Day*, is also commendable). The series follows a former pop singer and her spouse as they work to transform their residence into a bed and breakfast, and it is humorous, quirky, and filled with dogs and authentic interactions.

Henry Pickavet, Editorial Director

GT’s Strawberry Serenity Kombucha

My trips to the grocery store always include a thorough search of the drinks aisle for kombucha. However, I’m looking for something specific. A supply of GT’s Strawberry Serenity kombucha, identifiable by its distinctive red label, is essential – otherwise, the shopping trip feels incomplete. It’s become a bit of an obsession. Consider me, The Kombucha Bandit of Sacramento.

Willow.tv

After relocating from Australia in 2010, following a three-year period living there, I developed a strong appreciation for the sport of cricket. Maintaining awareness of matches happening globally proved challenging due to time differences and a lack of fellow enthusiasts to share the experience with in the United States. A subscription to Willow.tv largely resolves this issue. I still experience some late nights while watching Australia compete against India during the summer tour in Australia, but I can now enjoy the games as they happen.

Natasha Lomas, Senior Reporter

Fitness Blender

The year 2020 involved a significant amount of time spent within the confines of a small living space, with gyms unavailable and outdoor exercise prohibited. Maintaining a fitness level during this period necessitated a shift from typical exercise habits. I discovered that the straightforward training videos offered by Fitness Blender were incredibly helpful. I now genuinely anticipate HIIT workouts! My sincere gratitude to the team. Additionally, a related benefit emerged this year: my yoga instructor began offering remote classes via Zoom, which was a welcome development given the circumstances of 2020. Thank you, Chloe!

UberTape

UberTape is not a surveillance device for use in ride-sharing vehicles; it’s a brand of kinesiology tape that proved invaluable during a year marked by injuries and the development of new skin sensitivities (fortunately, this tape is both hypoallergenic and latex-free).

Kinesiology tape provides support for muscles and joints. A physiotherapist initially recommended it to me, and I can attest to its effectiveness in enabling pain-free training. It’s a remarkable product, provided it’s applied correctly with the appropriate amount of stretch. Whether you’re dealing with Achilles’ tendonitis, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, or runner’s knee – and many of us experienced new and unusual injuries this year – I’ve found that this stretchy tape can make a substantial difference. Thank you, UberTape, for contributing to a less painful 2020.

The Wire (again)

I originally watched The Wire approximately ten years ago when it first aired on U.K. television. It took some time to fully engage with the show initially – the Baltimore street slang was unfamiliar to me – but after a few episodes, we were captivated by McNulty, D’Angelo, Omar, and the rest of the characters, much like McNulty’s fondness for Jameson and casual nightlife. All five seasons were thoroughly enjoyed and considered a groundbreaking achievement.

A decade later, our constantly connected world resembles a massive, phone-enabled surveillance system. (Furthermore, the extensive monitoring conducted by major corporations lacks a solid legal foundation, similar to the issues surrounding Lester’s final wiretap.) The show also astutely predicted the challenges of reporting factual information in the face of the appeal of misinformation. It was remarkably forward-thinking – even before considering the exceptional cast and the complex depiction of society, illustrating how decisions made by a small number of individuals in positions of authority can have cascading negative consequences, causing hardship for future generations and exacerbating the struggles of those already vulnerable.

Revisiting The Wire towards the end of 2020 provided a much-needed source of stability during a second lockdown and Europe’s subsequent waves of COVID-19,

as a less-than-joyful holiday season approached. I simply wish there were more than five seasons available. Perhaps someone should contact David Simon?

My DIY training wall (and other projects)

Maintaining mental well-being during lockdown required staying occupied. Aside from my work at TechCrunch and training for climbing, I pursued several creative endeavors, including a collaborative writing project with a friend and former TechCrunch colleague, John Biggs. However, the most concrete result so far has been my DIY training wall – a combination of a training tool and a work of art (though I cannot claim artistic credit, the idea to paint the wall was mine). The planning and construction of the board occupied me during the first lockdown, and its use for training circuits has sustained me through the subsequent gym closures. I consider that a positive outcome.

Greg Kumparak, Editor

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Although initially released in 2016, this film only recently came to my attention when it became available on Netflix in late 2020. The movie is directed by the exceptionally gifted Taika Waititi – also the creative force behind What We Do In The Shadows, JoJo Rabbit, and what many consider to be the strongest episode of The Mandalorian. It centers on Ricky Baker, a rebellious adolescent who unexpectedly becomes the ward of new foster parents while living in the remote New Zealand wilderness. I won’t reveal too much of the plot to avoid spoilers, but Waititi skillfully packs a substantial amount of storytelling – and a range of emotional experiences – into a runtime of just one hour and forty minutes. I recommend avoiding the trailer and simply starting the film.

Jackbox Party Pack Series

I find myself longing for time spent with friends. I also miss the enjoyment of playing board games, especially when shared with company. The Jackbox series, when played remotely through platforms like Zoom, offers a similar experience without the need for complicated preparation or lengthy instructions. Simply select a game, initiate screen sharing on Zoom, and begin playing. Each “pack” contains several distinct games, and players utilize their smartphones as controllers. Currently, there are seven different packs available, and older versions are frequently discounted. My preferred packs are those featuring Quiplash, Drawful, Fibbage, and, for groups who enjoy trivia and have a quirky sense of humor, Trivia Murder Party.

Darrell Etherington, Science Editor

Beer delivery

I regularly have beer brought to my residence each week, and it’s a truly enjoyable experience. I frequently choose from a selection of local breweries, such as Bandit Brewery, Halo Brewery, Left Field Brewery and People’s Pint Brewing Company. If you live in Toronto or the nearby regions, I recommend checking them out.

Brilliant Smart Home Control

These panels, designed to replace single switches or multiple switch setups, are an excellent addition to any smart home that utilizes many of the well-known products, including Ecobee, Hue and Switch. They also function as video intercoms and can automatically display a live video stream from your Ring doorbell when someone approaches your door.

Freewrite Traveler

Astrohaus’ latest offering is a portable version of their electronic ink typewriter. It’s beneficial even for short distances, like writing in your backyard, serving as a comfortable and focused writing tool with no comparable alternatives. It provides a solution to excessive scrolling through negative news.

Twelve South HiRise

If you are accustomed to using a laptop with a stand or monitor in a traditional office setting, you likely understand the importance of ergonomics. A stand like the adjustable Twelve South HiRise is essential for maintaining comfort and proper posture while working from home.

Romain Dillet, Writer

Thelma & Louise

A truly exceptional film offering a powerful diversion from current challenges and a compelling critique of traditional gender roles. This cinematic achievement is profoundly moving and inspires viewers to forge their own independent paths, even in the face of adversity.

Megan Rose Dickey, Senior Reporter

Tony’s Chocolonely Milk Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt

Tony’s Chocolonely has consistently been a welcome treat for me, not just this year, but also in previous years.

My fondness for chocolate began in childhood – I recall purchasing Hershey’s chocolate bars for just $0.35 at a nearby store. While Tony’s Chocolonely is available at a higher price point of $5.95 per bar, the quality fully justifies the cost.

Alex Wilhelm, Senior Editor

Reading books in the bath

While not an item available for purchase, this activity has occupied a significant portion of my time throughout the year. The combination of reading and taking a bath offers an ideal environment for extended reading sessions, effectively preventing unintentional engagement with social media platforms like Twitter.

Stacey Cohen, Strategic Sales and Partnerships

Zoom Yoga

Maintaining my well-being throughout the year was greatly aided by the wonderful chance to participate in yoga sessions with instructors I admire from San Francisco, including Janet Stone, Rusty Wells, Jeremy Falk, Peter Walters, and Melody Pfeiffer, among others. This provided a crucial focal point, particularly during the extended periods of lockdown during the winter. Janet Stone specifically developed a virtual space that functioned as a valuable support network and a form of collective emotional processing. Outdooryogasf was incredibly important to me while navigating the challenges of living alone during the pandemic! The creativity demonstrated in adapting yoga for the Zoom format, incorporating music, and fostering a sense of community was an exceptional experience for me in 2020.

Friday night Zoom movie nights

It’s remarkable that this tradition continues even after a year. Each Friday, I connect with friends to watch films together. While I often find myself drifting off to sleep, we’ve enjoyed a large number of movies, and it’s a fantastic method for remaining in touch.

Tony Sala, Director of Sales

New Family

Despite the challenges of being distanced from loved ones, the joy of a new child is incredibly powerful. Aria Bella arrived in May 2020, right in the midst of the pandemic.

The Great Outdoors

This refers not to the film, but to experiencing nature directly. For me, spending time in the natural world during 2020 provided a valuable respite. Simply breathing clean air significantly contributed to my well-being.

Bryce Durbin, Illustrator

Duolingo

I began utilizing this application initially without much thought in January, and continued with it after discovering it was available at no cost, supported by advertisements. The lessons, constructed around example phrases that evaluate reading, speaking, and listening skills, present new vocabulary and grammatical concepts alongside engaging animated figures. While direct practice with native language speakers remains invaluable, this serves as an excellent starting point.

What Had Happened Was (Podcast)

This year’s standout new podcast features a conversation between two individuals, but these are not ordinary speakers: the versatile Open Mike Eagle conducts interviews with renowned producer Prince Paul throughout 12 episodes, exploring the diverse range of projects from his career spanning over three decades. These narratives are compelling whether you possess extensive knowledge of ensembles like De La Soul and Handsome Boy Modeling School, or are prepared to explore their work.

Local pub trivia (Online)

Prior to the pandemic, a local establishment in my city held trivia nights every Thursday. Coinciding with the onset of closures, resourceful individuals quickly assembled an online iteration utilizing a YouTube broadcast and Google Forms, drawing a significantly larger number of teams than could previously participate in person. Although the pub has since closed, the game continues, now reaching its fortieth week. (My team has not yet achieved a victory.)

Safa Aliabadi, Events Partnerships

Peloton

With the temporary closure of my regular fitness venues – including OrangeTheory, Barry’s, and SoulCycle – the Peloton system has been instrumental in maintaining both my physical activity and mental well-being. I particularly appreciate the diverse range of classes available, encompassing disciplines like yoga and bootcamp training. The flexibility to participate in workouts based on my own timetable and preferences adds significant value. I anticipate it will be challenging to return to traditional studio classes when, or if, normal routines are restored.

Catherine Shu, Writer

Audiobooks read by Juliet Stevenson

Over the past several months, I’ve found myself relying heavily on audiobooks, and it’s become clear just how exceptional a narrator like Juliet Stevenson is. She has a remarkable ability to reveal subtle layers of meaning within sentences, particularly in dialogue, without imposing her own interpretations. Her delivery makes each phrase feel internally illuminated.

I’m certainly not alone in finding Stevenson’s narration a welcome escape this year. Scott Spencer, in an article for Lit Hub, noted that after listening to Stevenson for over 300 hours, “Even a simplistic notion becomes compelling as she expands upon it and clarifies it with her voice—a voice that embodies her deep understanding and compassion.” Thankfully for her admirers, Stevenson is a highly productive narrator, with more than 180 titles available on Audible. Her work covers a wide range of genres, and for those seeking a starting point, I wholeheartedly suggest “The Paying Guests” by Sarah Waters.

Lovecraft Country

“Lovecraft Country” is a series that remains impactful long after viewing. In retrospect, I almost wish I hadn’t watched it all at once; allowing time to process each episode before continuing would have likely enhanced the experience.

If you share this sentiment, I strongly recommend exploring Kinitra Brooks’ analyses on The Root to help you fully understand the show. Dr. Brooks is a literary scholar specializing in Black women and genre fiction, and her essays delve into each episode’s exploration of horror themes and its historical context—although “historical” may not be the most fitting term, given the show’s 1955 setting and the enduring relevance of its commentary on racism.

Warrior

With Cinemax ceasing original content production, the future of “Warrior,” initially conceived by Bruce Lee, is uncertain. I sincerely hope it attracts enough new viewers on HBO Max to justify another season and provide closure to the storylines, as I’ve grown deeply connected to the characters.

Beyond Ah Sahm (portrayed by Andrew Koji), I’m eager to see how Young Jun (Jason Tobin) adjusts to his newfound influence, and to learn more about the female characters, particularly Mai Ling (Dianne Doan) and Ah Toy (Olivia Cheng), whose motivations were only partially revealed in the first two seasons. Having grown up during a time when yellowface was commonplace on television, it’s particularly significant to see a show featuring a predominantly Asian cast. I appreciate how the series utilizes language and accents to portray the characters’ perceptions of each other, as well as their presentation to white characters, and its skillful balance of honoring and challenging martial arts film conventions.

Steve O’hear, Writer

Virtual events

I confess to feeling a bit pleased about this development – it’s a characteristic trait, I suppose – but the shift from face-to-face gatherings to virtual events has proven remarkably beneficial and has created more opportunities for me.

As a wheelchair user with other physical limitations, work-related travel has always been demanding and draining. Consequently, I typically participated in only one or two events annually as a moderator or presenter. This situation changed significantly in 2020, and I’ve since been involved in over ten events, including prominent conferences such as our own Disrupt, CogX, and Slush. Barriers are frequently overcome in unexpected circumstances.

Endlesss

Debuting on March 31st, coinciding with the initial lockdowns in the U.K. and numerous other nations globally, Endlesss is a music collaboration application (available on iOS and Mac) that integrates software emulations of drum machines, samplers, synthesizers, and effects, alongside a “tap to loop” system that will resonate with users familiar with looper pedals or loop-based sequencers.

The distinctive and compelling aspect of Endlesss lies in the ability to share or rework these loops or musical phrases with others involved in your session – effectively exchanging musical ideas as if within a messaging platform. For many, including myself, the application has served as a source of creative expression, and I would even suggest, a restorative experience throughout the pandemic.

Anthony Ha, Senior Writer

Beyond a Steel Sky

Having grown up with a fondness for traditional adventure games, I discovered this Apple Arcade release to be a remarkably well-executed reimagining of the genre’s established conventions.

Players assume the role of Robert Foster, a character whose quest to locate a missing child leads him back to a seemingly idyllic city following a period of isolation in the wilderness. The game features a diverse cast of characters and visually striking environments (created by the artist Dave Gibbons of “Watchmen” fame), and its puzzles emphasize dialogue and technological manipulation over the typical accumulation and combination of inventory items. While serving as a continuation of the 25-year-old title “Beneath a Steel Sky,” the game is readily accessible to new players, and despite occasional crashes experienced on my iPad, I’ve been content to overlook these minor issues while immersing myself in its compelling world.

Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy

David Barr Kirtley’s podcast, which concentrates on science fiction, has been available for over ten years, and it has consistently been my preferred podcast throughout much of that time. My enjoyment of the show grew this year, as I often sought distraction from the news surrounding the pandemic and the election.

The program’s detailed interviews with authors and its panel discussions provided an opportunity to become engrossed in lengthy conversations concerning topics such as poorly adapted video game films, or in-depth analyses of science fiction staples like “Dune.” Dave graciously extended an invitation for me to participate in several episodes, including one dedicated to what is arguably my favorite book, “Foundation,” and that discussion proved to be a particularly memorable experience of the year. (However, I now find it difficult to listen to that episode without being self-conscious about my own contribution!)

Robin Roy Julius, Lead Software Engineer

Time

The shift to remote work provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with my family, which was a significant benefit during 2020. I found myself with increased time to dedicate to my loved ones, primarily due to the elimination of my daily commute. My home became my workspace, allowing me to be in close proximity to my wife and children – often just a few steps away. While the environment could be lively, energetic, and occasionally disruptive, the ability to spend more quality time with them made it entirely worthwhile.

Lucas Matney, Reporter

Future subscription

Since I began reporting on Future’s Series B funding round in October, I have been a subscriber to their exercise planning service. The app connects users with a personal trainer for communication via text messaging and the creation of personalized workout routines. While the $150 monthly fee is a significant investment, the extended time spent at home and the closure of gyms this year made it increasingly difficult to establish daily routines. This app has been remarkably helpful in establishing dedicated time for physical activity and improving my mental well-being.

One area where the program could improve is the absence of real-time feedback, particularly when learning new exercises or techniques to ensure safety. However, maximizing the platform’s benefits involves proactively seeking more guidance from your trainer between scheduled sessions. Subscribing to Future has proven to be a worthwhile expense, significantly improving my routine in recent months, and I hope to continue this beneficial habit.

Luxury sweatpants

It became apparent around April of this year that prioritizing comfort was essential, and even the act of dressing for work could be a form of self-care. I experienced some variation in my approach, but ultimately found a solution focused on comfort. I invested in comfortable activewear sweatpants from Outdoor Voices, specifically the Sunday sweatpants, during a sale and purchased multiple pairs. Justifying the expense of sweatpants comparable in price to dress pants required some adjustment in thinking, but navigating 2020 demanded adaptability.

Daily Latte

My coffee routine became considerably simpler this year. Previously, I favored a more involved pour-over method, complete with a gooseneck kettle and a Chemex. However, during the early stages of quarantine in San Francisco, a trip to the coffee shop became a valuable opportunity to clear my mind and regain focus. This habit became costly as my latte consumption increased, and I also experienced some weight gain due to several unhealthy patterns. Currently, I have returned to using Nespresso, this time with a new machine from their Vertuo line, which offers double espresso shot pods that have been incredibly convenient. I enjoy combining a double shot with frothed oat milk prepared in one of their Aeroccino machines.

Atoms Masks

I find these masks to be excellent – they are comfortable, easy to clean, and a substantial improvement over other available face coverings. The variety of sizes and colors allows for a touch of personal expression in pandemic-related attire.

Travis Bernard, Senior Director of Membership

Barry’s At-Home

Maintaining a fitness routine presented challenges throughout the pandemic. With gyms temporarily unavailable and limited access to home exercise equipment for many, staying active required adaptation. As a long-time enthusiast of Barry’s Bootcamp and its high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, I was pleased to see them extend their offerings directly to homes with Barry’s At-Home. These 45-minute virtual sessions are designed to elevate your heart rate and assist in achieving your weight management goals following the changes in lifestyle experienced in 2020. I personally completed over 100 Barry’s At-Home classes this year, and found it to be an excellent method for maintaining both mental and physical well-being and maximizing performance.

National Parks Annual Pass

Disconnecting from technology was particularly beneficial in 2020. My spouse and I were able to explore three national parks this year, and it proved to be a highly effective way to step away from our electronic devices. The restorative effects of a day spent hiking can significantly improve one’s sense of mindfulness. The National Parks Annual Pass, available for $80, provides entry to all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands.