arrival edit #9: from a 1/2 mile to 26.2
We swapped roles this week! Meet Anja Westhues, our social media manager.
Happy Friday!
This week, we swapped roles — Lauren (our founder) sat down with Anja, our social media manager (who’s typically conducting these interviews!)
We dove into her journey with running, starting her own social media consultancy right out of college, and how she had the courage to take the leap.
Meet Anja Westhues.
Could you introduce yourself in your own words?
Definitely! I’m Anja. I’m a runner, big dinner party host, founder of Cache Studio, and I’m 23 years old. I live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which I absolutely love. There’s great food, a lot of young people, and a huge running culture. There’s never a time of day when I don’t see someone running along the water. I also love to travel as much as I can.
How did your running journey begin?
I started running when I was 15. It’s kind of a funny story, actually. I grew up playing soccer for about 10 years, but I was never particularly good at it. I kept trying to convince myself otherwise, even though I’d get cut from the Varsity team every year while all my friends would make it.
The summer before my sophomore year, I decided I was going to take training seriously. I started running to get into shape for soccer tryouts. At first, I couldn’t run more than half a mile without stopping, but by the end of the summer, I could run a full 5K. I thought that was going to be the year. But, shocker – it wasn’t.
That’s when I realized maybe soccer wasn’t for me. My best friend at the time ran cross country and convinced me to join. It was tough at first, but by the end of the season, I really had grown to love it. I loved the process of improvement, of setting goals, and seeing myself get better. Now, a 5K feels like a walk in the park — and I’ve run marathons. It’s wild to see how far I’ve come.
I’ve tried to become a runner a few times, but it always feels intimidating. Do you have advice for someone just starting?
Absolutely. I think social media sets this unrealistic standard — everyone’s running marathons or chasing super fast PRs. It can be inspiring, but also overwhelming.
For beginners, I’d say give yourself two to three weeks of consistency. At first, yes, it’s going to suck — running is hard when you’re just starting. But if you stick with it, it gets easier. Also, focus on time over mileage. Don’t worry about distance, at least not at first. Just aim to keep going for 15, then 18, then 20 minutes and so on. The distance will come.
And find a buddy or a running group if that’s your thing! It makes it more fun and way more motivating.
How do you fuel for runs, typically?
Everyone is different. I’ll usually go first thing in the morning, so I’ll have a small snack with mostly simple carbs — usually a couple of dates or a rice cake with peanut butter, depending on how far I'm going. I’ll also hydrate with 32 oz of water with electrolytes (I love Magna or LMNT) and a scoop of Arrival creatine. Afterward, I make sure to get in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs – a more solid, balanced breakfast. My overnight oats are a staple, but I tend to mix it up pretty frequently. I try to eat mostly whole foods.
What’s been the highlight of your running journey?
Hands down, the New York City Marathon. Best day of my life. I knew it would be great, but it exceeded every expectation. The weather was perfect, my training came together, and my parents came down from Boston to watch. My friends were at Mile 10 or so in Williamsburg. The energy from the crowds was insane, it felt like a four-hour adrenaline rush! I’ve never felt anything like it. I also think I did everything right that day. Fueling, hydration, and pacing all just kind of clicked.
You also ran the Paris Marathon, which I know Paris was a tougher race for you. What was that experience like?
Paris was hard. I got the nastiest achilles tendonitis during that block and was out for three weeks. The weather that day was also more humid than I was used to — and I think that mentally, I just wasn’t in the same space. New York had set the bar so high.
But I kept reminding myself that running, for me, is about self-improvement. I wanted to prove to myself I could get through something even when it wasn’t going perfectly. I wanted to finish, even when I wanted to quit every step. It was a huge mental challenge, so it was a different kind of win.
Shifting gears a bit now — tell me about Cache.
Cache is a social media consultancy that focuses on early-stage CPG and wellness brands. It started kind of by accident during college. I interned at Snaxshot, an amazing food and beverage publication, where I helped with events, community management, and even did some writing.
After that, a few brands in the CPG space started reaching out to me to help with their socials. My first freelance client was as Community Manager at Little Sesame, a hummus company using regeneratively grown chickpeas — which is something I’m super passionate about. When I graduated, I had a few more opportunities come my way, so I decided to see if I could build something real out of it.
It’s been a huge learning curve. I’ve been a sponge this past year and have learned and grown so much. I’m working with some really exciting brands now, and it’s incredibly rewarding to help them grow. I’m excited to see where it all goes.
That’s awesome. You’ve got some travel coming up too, right?
Yes! I’m currently training for the Berlin Marathon in September. I’m turning it into a little Europe trip — Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, and then Berlin. I actually grew up in Finland for a while, so I’ll get to see my grandmother and extended family too.
Are you going solo?
I am! I love traveling alone. I think it’s a great way to think, recharge, and get inspired. I often find I have more creative ideas when I’m alone, especially while traveling.
I also keep things affordable – shared Airbnbs, for example. I’ve met some incredible people that way. Honestly, I think everyone should take at least one solo trip. You won’t know how empowering and freeing it can be until you try it.
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?
Paris, or Copenhagen. I haven’t been yet, but I’d also love to go to Mexico City, Tokyo, and Lisbon in the near future.
Final question — how did you find the courage to start your own business instead of working for someone else?
I’ve always had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit. Before Cache, I actually started a whole-food based sports nutrition brand called Endure. I love building things, working on different projects, and having the freedom to structure my own time.
I’ve also had amazing mentors — many through my work at Snaxshot — who have been doing the freelance thing for over a decade. Their support and encouragement helped me take that leap.
It’s not always easy, but it’s incredibly fulfilling. And being able to drive real, tangible results for clients is something that is so cool to be able to see at this stage of my career.
See you next week!
-The Team at Arrival