(A selection of some of the 50 blogs is below. For all 50 blogs, go to Greatist.com.)
Fitness
The journey is part of the story for Dorothy Beal, who has overcome OCD, Oral Allergy Syndrome, and Gilberts Syndrome to become an accomplished runner and blogger. The mom of three is a marathon powerhouse, with 23 races under her belt and a 3:11 PR. Regardless of her impressive stats, Beal's blog, Mile Posts, is full of down-to-earth musings and thoughts on running (for example: "Should You Carry Your Own Water During a Marathon?"), race recaps, and snapshots of her life. Beal is also a certified running coach and brand ambassador for Nuun and Saucony. Photo: www.mile-posts.com
The photo of a dude swinging a tire, bold graphics, and capital letters set the tone on Adam Bornstein's blog, Born Fitness, from the get-go. Bornstein — who formerly helmed the editorial teams at Livestrong and Men's Health — is all business. In addition to consulting and coaching, Bornstein writes blog posts that challenge fitness myths and encourage readers to question what they know about exercise and strength training. Even though he no longer works at a major fitness publication, Bornstein's voice resonates throughout the fitness and health space — check out his books, columns, guest posts, and various contributions on other sites if you don't believe us. Photo courtesy of Adam Bornstein.
4. Brian Call
Daily Cup of Yoga, a site that began as one man's online journal chronicling his yoga practice, has become a crossroads for all yogis. From meditation, to gear, to poses, to apparel, Call's blog discusses all elements (and styles) of yoga in a non-judgmental, inclusive way. The blog provides readers with yoga resources, challenges, and awesome visual aids while cultivating an online yogi community. Call also curates the latest in yoga duds, gizmos, gadgets, and other accoutrements so busy yogis can get right to the good stuff. Photo:www.facebook.com/dailycupofyoga
We're always a fan of anyone taking the macho out of fitness and health. Steve Kamb's tongue-in-cheek posts on his blog Nerd Fitness prove that it's possible to be serious about wellness and crack a smile every once in a while. Nerd Fitness is almost more of a database than a blog — although Kamb regularly shares his thoughts and ideas, the site has tons of free resources, training guides, product reviews, and even a tremendously active community forum. Photo:www.nerdfitness.com
13. Peter Larson
Health
21. Lisa Cain
Who doesn't love a snack? Cain, a biologist by training, writes about nutrition, new food products, and, perhaps best of all, snack recipes. The extensive recipe index is broken down by Weight Watchers points values, allergies, type of meal, and so on to make it super easy for readers to find what they're looking for. Unlike many food bloggers, Cain often taste-tests and reviews food productsand pre-packaged snacks, proving that you don't have to cook every meal from scratch to still be healthy. Photo: www.snack-girl.com
23. Julie Fagan
24. Matt Frazier
Frazier isn't afraid to shout his message from the (Internet) rooftops! On his site, No Meat Athlete, the runner details his plant-based diet and explains (quite convincingly) how it's possible to be a vegetarian and a serious athlete at the same time. Best of all, Frazier explains his point of view in an open, inclusive, and entirely non-judgmental way. In addition to writing blog posts, Frazier's penned a book and multiple training guides, as well as a regular podcast and an online training course. Photo: www.nomeatathlete.com
25. Gena Hamshaw
31. Marion Nestle
Nestle has been paying attention to food and nutrition since before the Internet existed (think about that for a second). Her focus is public health and nutrition, which she teaches at New York University. Nestle has written eight books about food production and nutrition in the U.S., so she probably knows what she's talking about! She also regularly weighs in about the food industry and health on her blog, Food Politics. Photo:www.foodpolitics.com
32. Kathy Patalsky
Powerhouse food blogger Patalsky operates not one, but two popular vegan recipe blogs. She founded Healthy. Happy. Life. in 2007 and created Finding Vegan, a Tastespotting-inspired online community for vegan eating, in 2011. In both projects, Patalsky sticks with her trademark style — a fun, casual writing voice, a love for bright graphics, and above all, a dedication to living an animal-friendly lifestyle. Check out her book 365 Vegan Smoothies for some snacktime inspiration.Photo: Caroline White Photography
33. Mark Sisson
Happiness
Babauta's blog, Zen Habits, is one of the most popular and widely read sites on the Internet dedicated to minimalism, self-improvement, and simplicity. With clear, well-phrased prose, Babauta explains the benefits (and nitty-gritty how-tos) of living a simplified lifestyle. He's super-honest about his past struggles with his weight, smoking, and debt, and his content is actionable, motivational, and aspirational, all in one easy to read package. Plus, it'suncopyrighted, because he believes that everyone should have the opportunity to reprint and improve his words. Zen indeed. Photo:
38. Ragen Chastain
Chastain is an outspoken advocate for Health at Every Size (HAES) who also happens to be an incredible writer and dancer. She's out to prove that skinny doesn't necessarily mean healthy, and that we all need to learn to love and appreciate our bodies (no matter our size). Chastain isn't afraid to question or challenge the status quo on her blog, Dances With Fat. She's dedicated to proving that "fat" isn't a dirty word — it can also mean healthy, athletic, happy, and awesome. Outside the blog, she has written a book, created dance videos, and is an accomplished speaker. Photo: Richard Sabel
39. Jay Fields
Success, failure, everyday life… Jay Fields has wise words to say no matter the occasion. Throughout her blog, Grace & Grit Yoga, Fields' experience as a yoga instructor, writer, and all-around teacher is apparent. Her blog posts explain real-life situations, draw conclusions, and turn each vignette into a teachable moment. Grace & Grit is all about finding and nourishing the inner "you." To that end, Fields also offers a 28-day, onlineHomeBody Yoga course so people can jump-start their yoga practice, both mentally and physically. Photo:www.graceandgrityoga.com
40. Jonathan Fields
It's hard to pigeonhole Jonathan Fields. His eponymous blog covers creativity, positive thinking, business and management strategy, motivation, leadership, conscious living, parenting, writing, and public speaking. Phew! Fields is always looking for a new strategy or line of thinking that will yield higher fulfillment, success, and happiness. That perspective is evident in The Good Life Project, an inspirational movement Fields created to share stories of people living meaningful lives and to inspire viewers to do the same. Photo:www.jonathanfields.com
50. Colin Wright
About the Author
