🎙️ Just Ruck It – Welcome Back Opening

Welcome back to Just Ruck I’m your host Lindsay and It’s been a hot coco minute!

If you’ve been wondering where I disappeared to, don’t worry—I didn’t ruck off into the wilderness and forget my way home. Life just… well… life’d me. Hard. I’ve been caring for a family member after a fall, which has pretty much become my new normal. And somewhere in there the clocks changed, the sun abandoned us, and suddenly I was driving to work in the dark and driving home in the dark.

My commitment to Rucking? Let’s just say the cheese didn’t just slide off the cracker… I don’t even know where the cracker went. I am operating with an empty wrapper at this point. That’s how far behind I feel.

But here’s the thing: now that I’ve lived in this chaos long enough to understand its rhythm, I’m starting to find little pockets of time to call my own again. Time to dedicate to movement. And dedicate to you!

So Instead of me trying to stress myself into my old routine, I’m choosing to make things fun. Make it doable. Make it something that fits inside this messy, beautiful new season of life.

And that’s why today… I bring you…
✨ The 12 Rucks of Christmas. ✨

A low-pressure, spirit-lifting, joy-sparking way to move your body through the holidays—even if you’re running on empty wrappers too.

🎶 The 12 Rucks of Christmas

(Read with a smile… and maybe a tiny bit of holiday sass.)

🎄 Day 1

On the first day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Gingerbread Ruck through the neighborhood lights.
 A simple after-dinner wander with a light pack and a warm drink—just enough movement to remind your body that you still love it.

🎁 Day 2

On the second day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Mall Ruck with climate control.
 Perfect for when it’s freezing, dark, or you’re already at the mall anyway. Bonus points if you hit 3 laps before someone tries to sell you lotion.

✨ Day 3

On the third day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Gift-Hunt Ruck across town.
 Park far away, load a light pack, and turn your holiday gift shopping into stealthy fitness missions.

🕯️ Day 4

On the fourth day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Family Lights Tour Ruck.
 Grab the kids, partner, dog, or whoever is willing—and go admire the twinkly chaos your neighbors created.

🍪 Day 5

On the fifth day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Holiday Cheer Drop-Off Ruck.
 Deliver cookies, cards, or small surprises—on foot. Movement + kindness = seasonal magic.

⏰ Day 6

On the sixth day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Lunch Break Sanity Shuffle.
 Ten to fifteen minutes around the block, on a treadmill, in your building whatever you got. That’s it. That’s the ruck. And yes, it absolutely counts.

❄️ Day 7

On the seventh day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Snow Day Ruck with winter wonder vibes.
 If the weather cooperates, bundle up, break out the spikes or snowshoes, and enjoy the peaceful hush only fresh snow brings.

🧳 Day 8

On the eighth day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Travel Ruck far from home.
 Hotel hallways, airport terminals, or your relatives’ neighborhoods—movement that keeps you grounded no matter where the holidays take you.

🎅 Day 9

On the ninth day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Christmas Morning Gratitude Ruck.
 Before the chaos begins, step outside for a gentle, heart-opening walk. Start the day with breath, not wrapping paper.

📝 Day 10

On the tenth day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 An End-of-Year Reflection Ruck.
 Let your mind wander through everything this year held—your wins, your battles, your mountains climbed, and the growth no one saw but you.

🎧 Day 11

On the eleventh day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A Podcast Catch-Up Ruck.
 Throw in your earbuds, escape the noise of the season, and wander like you’ve got nowhere to be. (Bonus if you listen to Just Ruck It.)

✨ Day 12

On the twelfth day of rucking my podcaster gave to me…
 A New Year’s Eve Let-It-Go Ruck.
 Walk with intention: What are you ready to stop carrying into next year? Release it. Breathe. Step into the new year lighter—inside and out.

Now before you head out for any of the 12 Rucks of Christmas, just a quick reminder to keep yourself safe out there. December is beautiful, but it also brings early darkness, cold winds, and the occasional surprise ice patch. So light yourself up like the world’s most motivated Christmas tree—reflective gear, a small light, whatever helps drivers and other walkers see you. Keep your routes familiar, your weight a little lighter than usual, and shorten that stride, like a penguin on ice.

Dress warm, check the weather, and don’t hesitate to move your ruck indoors if Mother Nature gets a little too festive. 

Now that you’re loosening those legs up, finding some joy in movement again, and tackling the 12 Rucks of Christmas, I want to leave you with one simple challenge as we head toward a brand-new year:
 Start thinking about your 2026 goals.

Not the pressure-filled, “new year, new you” nonsense. I’m talking about the real goals—the ones that tug at your heart a little. The ones you maybe whispered to yourself months ago. The ones that feel just big enough to scare you, but exciting enough that you can’t quite let them go.

What do you want 2026 to look like?
 • A big hike you’ve been dreaming about?
 • A mileage goal?
 • A ruck race?
 • Rebuilding consistency?
 • Working on your mental health?
 • Or maybe just feeling stronger, steadier, and more present in your own life?

So as you head out on your next ruck—whether it’s five minutes around the block or a peaceful wander through twinkling lights—I hope you give yourself permission to dream a little about the year ahead. Think about who you want to become in 2026, what adventures you want to chase, and what strength you’re ready to step into. The holidays may be hectic, messy, and completely unpredictable… but they’re also a beautiful reminder that small moments matter.

Thank you for being here with me, for sticking with the show through all the life chaos, and for choosing to carry your pack—both the physical and the emotional one—right alongside me.

And remember…

Life is rucking wonderful, so let a little holiday magic fuel those miles.