Ever watched your stress melt away next to a 300-pound fuzzy therapist? This week, Carly and Lauren visit Luxy Llama on the west side of Colorado Springs (a bucket list item two summers in the making) to chat with owner Terry McConnell about the magic of these quirky, calming animals.

From llama hikes through a hidden pocket of stunning terrain to wine and cheese events where strangers become friends, Terry shares how Luxy Llama is helping people slow down, unplug, and reconnect. Plus: the truth about llama spitting, a partnership with UCCS therapists using llamas for trauma resilience work, brunch llamas at Garden of the Gods Club, and why gardeners treat llama manure like gold.

In this episode:

• (00:00) A peaceful welcome from a secret spot on the west side
• (01:30) How Luxy Llama began (and Terry's love of camelids from Patagonia)
• (03:30) Llamas at corporate events? Yes, really
• (04:15) Why llamas make humans slow down and feel grounded
• (06:30) Debunking the llama spit myth
• (07:45) Meet the herd: Chloe the matriarch, Zorro the class clown, Pedro the teenager, and a baby on the way
• (10:00) Experiences for ages 5 to 75, plus the UCCS Institute of Human Resilience partnership
• (12:30) Wine & cheese with llamas + brunch at Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
• (13:45) Llama bean manure: a gardener's gold
• (15:30) Terry's most satisfying moments as a business owner
• (17:00) Pick of the Week: Marigold's, plus a forest bathing walk at Mueller State Park (July 19)

Connect with Luxe Llamas:
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Only 6% of exercise science research is done exclusively on women, so most of the training advice you've been handed (looking at you, TikTok) was never built for your body. This week Carly sits down with Dr. Marissa Baranauskas, exercise physiologist at UCCS and lead investigator at the 6% Performance Lab, to fix that.

Fair warning: this one's for the women. If you run, climb, ski, or grind the Incline year-round in Colorado Springs, this episode is packed with practical, do-it-at-home science on how your cycle, altitude, fueling, and hormones actually shape your training. (Guys, you can listen too, you'll just learn why she gets to skip the second hike.)

In this episode:

• Why "general" training advice isn't female-specific, and what to do about it
• How your menstrual cycle phase can affect recovery, energy, and performance week to week
• The study showing women's recovery lagged a full day after hard intervals, and when to back off
• Why women desaturate at altitude (hello, 6,000+ ft) and how respiratory muscle training helps
• Losing your period is NOT a badge of honor: amenorrhea and the warning signs to catch early
• At-home hormone monitors (like Mira) and why drugstore ovulation sticks fail active women
• Low Energy Availability, explained (and how to spot underfueling without a lab)
• Perimenopause & menopause: why to prioritize intensity and strength training as you age

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Meet Dr. Marissa Baranauskas + why this episode is a little different
• 01:00 – The 6% problem: research isn't built for women
• 02:42 – How your cycle phase shapes workouts, energy & recovery
• 05:26 – The study: why women's recovery lagged after hard intervals
• 07:49 – Training at altitude: desaturation & smaller airways
• 11:00 – Respiratory muscle training strategies
• 12:32 – Losing your period isn't normal: amenorrhea & RED-S warning signs
• 17:02 – At-home hormone monitors vs. drugstore ovulation sticks
• 19:23 – Low Energy Availability, explained (and how to check at home)
• 25:48 – Working WITH your symptoms instead of pushing through
• 27:43 – How everyday stress shows up in your cycle
• 29:39 – Perimenopause & menopause: prioritize intensity + strength
• 31:57 – Two things to start doing today
• 34:02 – Marissa's Colorado Springs pick + where to learn more

Learn more / Connect:

• Lab: 6% Performance
• Email Dr. Baranauskas: mbaranau@uccs.edu
• Springs Pick of the Week: Aravaipa Group Runs

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a 5-star review, share it with a friend, and subscribe on Apple or Spotify. See you next week on Springs and Things!

This episode is for general education, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your individual health.

Summer is flying by, and July in Colorado Springs is packed. In this episode, Carly and Lauren kick off a new monthly segment, a rundown of what they're excited about, what they're checking out, and what you should put on your radar for the next four weeks.

In this episode:

CO 150 Film Festival — Colorado is turning 150, and to celebrate, 150 films made in Colorado, about Colorado, or by Coloradans are screening statewide all summer long. Think The Hateful Eight, Dumb and Dumber, True Grit, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and more. Many Colorado Springs screenings are at Lulu's downtown.

Green Box Arts Festival — Lauren's favorite. This beloved annual festival in Green Mountain Falls kicks off July 4th and runs two weeks, featuring stunning outdoor art installations, live music, yoga, naturalist hikes, wine tastings, classes, and more. New installations are unveiled on the 5th. This year includes an immersive 30-minute audio experience called The Unexpected Literary Journey.

James Turrell's Sky Space, Green Mountain Falls — A permanent, awe-inspiring light installation that's worth making the drive for.

Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival, Cañon City — July 17–18. SUP parades, kayak races, raft sprints, mountain bike rides, live music, and general outdoor-adventure vibes. A great day trip or quick staycation.

Monsé's Pupusería — New Downtown Location! The beloved Colorado Springs spot has a second location downtown. (And a passionate plea: please bring back the edible bears on the boba.)

Por Favor Tacos & Tragos — Lauren's finally going, and she's making it a July mission. More Mexican food in the Springs? Always a yes.

Taste of Pikes Peak — Thursday, July 9, 6–9 PM at Hillside Gardens. Unlimited tastings from local restaurants, breweries, and distilleries. First year at this venue. Go. Just go.

United We Rock at Rockledge Ranch — August 1st (but on the calendar now!). Part of the Colorado 150/USA 250 celebrations. Bands, food trucks, arts and crafts, whiskey tasting, and more!

Ladyfingers Letterpress — 10th Anniversary! This beloved downtown stationery shop and activist creative space is celebrating a decade. Take a risograph printing class, or stop by any Saturday morning for a free community create session.

Pick Of The Week

• VIsitCOS Crafts & Drafts Passport
• Pure Distilling

We Love Our Sponsors

• Vanguard Aesthetics — Skincare treatments with real, noticeable results.
• Core Collective — Our favorite spot for pilates! Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30.