24 HOURS WITH...
Jaycee Gossett
Founding Teacher, Director of Training and Development at The Class by Taryn Toomey
Jaycee Gossett
Founding Teacher, Director of Training and Development at The Class by Taryn Toomey
Have you ever wondered how someone deeply immersed in the industry we call "wellness" actually spends their day? Enter Jaycee Gossett, founding teacher of Taryn Toomey’s "The Class," a high intensity strength training workout which seeks to push you mindfully outside your comfort zone through intensive muscle repetition. Think: squats for five minutes, followed by burpees for five minutes, followed by leg lifts for five minutes, followed by...you get the idea. Though "The Class" is based in New York City, it has a presence around the country and hosts monthly "Retreatments" around the globe. If you're wondering exactly what that term means, read on as we follow Jaycee to Malibu where she hosted a one-day retreat.
5:45am Eyes open in Santa Monica at my colleague (and dear sister) Natalie Kuhn’s home. I stay in bed and start my appreciation meditation. I am working on breaking the habit of starting the day with negative thoughts of worry, fear or scarcity—It sounds corny, but it really works. What am I in deep appreciation of today? My health, my life, my spirit.
6:30am Head out to my favorite coffee shop in Santa Monica Primo Passo. On the way, I drink a Skinny Cooler from Beaming. My coffee drink of choice: an Americano with Oat Milk. I add my own packet of Bullet Proof Brain Octane Oil to it.
7am Erin Ward (teacher of The Class LA) meets me and we head up to Malibu together for The Retreatment. She drives so I can meditate on what I have prepared for the group: my playlist, the sequence, the day and the journey we will take in Class. I prep Erin the night before that I will be in the zone getting ready and apologize for the lack of conversation. Itʼs a running joke that I’m incapable of interacting before teaching. I silently marvel at how green the Malibu land is—the earth is healing.
8am We arrive to the most stunning home in Malibu: Deer Creek Ridge, which is a gorgeous property at the very top of Deer Creek Road.
8:45-9am Guests arrive and enjoy pre-Class deliciousness from Honey Hi. Feeling the buzz of what’s about to happen, I am getting excited! New friends and The Class regulars are all here and the group is READY for this day of reflection and expansion.
9:30am Opening Circle. Our group gathers in a circle and passes the feather fan (aurora spirits) around as we say our name and a little bit about why we are here today. This moment is always overwhelmingly beautiful to hear how the work of The Class has impacted their lives and what they hope to feel today.
10:30am 30-minute meditation led by Mary Beth LaRue.
11am-1pm I am leading The Class. Halfway through I canʼt believe an hour has already gone by. The room is going for it full tilt. I am overjoyed to be moving with everyone and so grateful that this is my job. The energy in the room is explosive. We have another hour to go! 2 more rounds of burpees and a good 10-minute jumping jack song coming up!
10:30am 30-minute meditation led by Mary Beth LaRue.
11am-1pm I am leading The Class. Halfway through I canʼt believe an hour has already gone by. The room is going for it full tilt. I am overjoyed to be moving with everyone and so grateful that this is my job. The energy in the room is explosive. We have another hour to go! 2 more rounds of burpees and a good 10-minute jumping jack song coming up!
1pm Closing with relaxation and meditation, the energy in the room is blissful.
1:30pm Brunch is served. And thank the lord for Honey Hiʼs deeply satisfying brunch. The menu is clean, clean, clean all from the farm. Kale, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, herbs, eggs and veggies for every color in the rainbow.
2-4pm Pool time. Why does the sun make everything better? I read a quote recently that went something like, “Donʼt forget to drink water and get some sun. You are basically a house plant with complicated emotions.” This is how I feel right now.
1:30pm Brunch is served. And thank the lord for Honey Hiʼs deeply satisfying brunch. The menu is clean, clean, clean all from the farm. Kale, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, herbs, eggs and veggies for every color in the rainbow.
2-4pm Pool time. Why does the sun make everything better? I read a quote recently that went something like, “Donʼt forget to drink water and get some sun. You are basically a house plant with complicated emotions.” This is how I feel right now.
4pm Yoga with Mary Beth LaRue. My body needs this soooooo desperately. I have been looking forward to this part of the day for weeks. Please open my hips and torso, Mary Beth. She does!
5pm Closing Circle. We each go around passing the feather fan as we share how we feel. Blissful, full, peaceful, ready, excited, joyful, nourished, alive are some of the words shared. I feel complete. My job is done.
6pm One last look at the view and a big thank you to everyone who made today possible. Driving home down the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), I take in the coastline, surfers, beach people and say out loud “one day this will be my life”. I call my fiancé and recap our day. We argue about something dumb. I call back and apologize.
7pm Arrive in Santa Monica. I take Natʼs dog Coop for a walk down to Kreation and pick up dinner to go: salmon and avocado salad. We then eat together as I plan The Class for tomorrow at Wanderlust.
8:30pm Long hot soak in the bath with Pursomaʼs After The Class bath salts. It’s the best. I read in the bath. It ends up ruining all my books, but I love it. My current book is Daring to Lead by Brene Brown.
10pm Get in bed. I need many pillows and blankets to get the best sleep. I settle in, put on my eye mask and breathe. The day ends as it started: in appreciation. Instead of recapping the negative, I go through all the things to celebrate. Goodnight!
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