Forever35 Podcast Episode 392: "Probably Should Have Foam Rolled"
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Guest: Elaine Low
Release Date: March 9, 2026
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode, Doree and Elise welcome journalist Elaine Low (The Ankler) for a conversation weaving together self-care, tennis, and the rapidly changing entertainment industry—just ahead of the Oscars. The trio shares personal rituals, investigates the seismic shifts in Hollywood (from AI to broken career ladders), and celebrates the joy—plus neuroses—of adult recreational tennis. With characteristic humor and self-reflection, they explore how self-care practices extend beyond serums into cultural immersion, community, and play.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Redefining Self-Care: Beyond Serums
- Culture as Self-Care: This episode’s focus shifts from traditional beauty routines to the role of engaging in pop culture (books, movies, TV) as a form of personal care.
“We are talking about a different kind of self care and that is the kind of self care that comes with just enjoying culture...” — Doree Shafrir (02:15) - Elaine Low’s primary self-care: “Tennis kind of is my self-care...it is the only space outside of work and outside of family that I really carve out for myself." — Elaine Low (13:42)
2. Tennis Talk: Community & Competition
- Both Doree and Elaine serve as tennis captains in Los Angeles, finding camaraderie and much-needed “me time” on the court.
- Tennis during the pandemic emerges as a tale of communal support and revival of joy in movement.
- "Rec tennis was something that came back into my life, like so many people, during the pandemic. ... It turned into, like, a whole other obsession that I could not have ever predicted." — Elaine Low (43:59)
- The universal struggle among adult players: neglecting recovery, despite knowing better.
- “In theory I should be stretching, I should be foam rolling...I would love to get a massage. I don’t do any of those things. It’s probably going to come back to bite me one of these days.” — Elaine Low (14:20)
- Memorable tennis anecdotes—including double-headers, four-hour matches, and the infamous “law of tennis” that the hardest match is always when you plan to play two (16:19).
3. Oscars & Industry Shifts: Does It Still Matter?
- Elaine provides measured optimism on the Oscars’ cultural impact.
- “I do think they still matter. They definitely matter to the industry within this bubble that I cover...It is the most prestigious award show.” — Elaine Low (19:24)
- The Oscars as a mechanism for curation, introducing viewers to less-known films, especially documentaries and shorts (20:50).
- Current Oscar favorites include “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” with lively discussion on their merits and theater-worthiness.
- "One Battle After Another, must be seen in a theater, I think." — Elise Hu (21:20)
4. Hollywood’s Evolution: AI, Strikes & Career Disruption
- AI on the Rise: What was viewed as abstract during the 2023 strikes is now fully embedded in industry workflows: “People are actually deploying AI on movie sets...It’s here. And that came up way faster than I would have predicted.” — Elaine Low (26:10)
- Broken Ladder: Traditional career progression in entertainment is dissolving, with Gen Z and younger Millennials finding far fewer entry and advancement opportunities.
- "Like, there's no path up...How do you build the next generation of creative leaders in a time when AI is threatening to really encroach upon this space?" — Elaine Low (38:21)
- "The advice I hear most to the point where I don't know if it seems trite is you have to be entrepreneurial, you have to go independent, you have to create your own stuff. And that's all very easy to say." — Elaine Low (41:30)
- Systemic vs. Individual Solutions: The group unpacks how responses to industry disruption and wellness alike tend to focus on individual hustle rather than collective or systemic solutions.
- “It puts the solution on individuals for a systemic problem.” — Elise Hu (42:53)
5. Short/Vertical Video & Content Microtransactions
- The meteoric rise of “vertical video”/serialized mini-shows (e.g., Real Shorts, with titles like “My Stepdad is a Werewolf”), driven almost entirely by data—often for global, not domestic, audiences.
- “These are like 75 60-second chapters...so there's a cliffhanger at the end of every 60 seconds.” — Elaine Low (30:42)
- Microtransactions in journalism and media: a business model potentially worth adopting from the vertical video world.
6. Life, Parenting, and Stretching Realities
- Humorous recognition that everyone—even self-care podcasters—struggles to do what's good for their bodies (foam rolling and stretching are universally avoided).
- Celebratory check-ins about playdates, clean houses, and the sweet chaos of parenting.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
(with timestamps)
-
On Tennis as Self-Care:
"Tennis kind of is my self-care. That is legit. It is the only space outside of work and outside of family that I really carve out for myself."
— Elaine Low (13:42) -
On Neglecting Recovery:
"In theory I should be stretching, I should be foam rolling. I would love to get a massage. I don’t do any of those things. It’s probably gonna come back to bite me one of these days."
— Elaine Low (14:20) -
On the Oscars’ Cultural Place:
"I do think they still matter. They definitely matter to the industry within this bubble that I cover...It is the most prestigious award show."
— Elaine Low (19:24) -
On AI’s Takeover:
"People are actually deploying AI on movie sets... It’s here. And that came up way faster than I would have predicted."
— Elaine Low (26:10) -
On Broken Career Paths:
"There's no path up. And, and then also, like, how do you build the next generation of creative leaders in a time when AI is threatening to really, you know, encroach upon this space?"
— Elaine Low (38:21) -
On Individual Solutions for Systemic Woes:
"It puts the solution on individuals for a systemic problem."
— Elise Hu (42:53) -
Pop Culture as Community:
"I think there's something the Oscars...it was the same thing as watching the Super Bowl. You know, you gathered around and it was a big deal, and you talked about it the next day."
— Elaine Low (20:20) -
The Law of Tennis:
"Whenever you say you'll play more than one match in a day, you go the full two hours. Like, it's just like the law of tennis."
— Doree Shafrir (16:19)
Segment Timestamps for Reference
- Elaine Low’s Introduction/Self-Care Routine: 13:21–14:20
- Tennis & Recovery Habits: 14:20–16:46
- Oscars & Cultural Impact Discussion: 18:59–23:54
- AI, Strikes, and Hollywood’s Evolution: 24:59–28:08
- Vertical Video & New Media Models: 28:24–32:07
- Hollywood Career Paths/Generation Struggles: 36:25–42:58
- Tennis Community & Transformation: 43:00–45:33
Tone
The episode is candid, warm, and self-aware—rooted in humor and honesty about both the self-care struggle and the realities of changing media and industry. The hosts create space for practical tips, existential industry commentary, and relatable anecdotes that blend cultural critique with daily life.
Final Thoughts
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how self-care, culture, and work intersect in modern adulthood. Elaine Low brings sharp industry intelligence and personal authenticity, making the episode rich in both relevant detail and inviting energy. Whether you’re chasing fulfillment on the court, seeking career meaning, or just wondering if you really need to foam roll—this one’s for you.