This week we caught up with Chelsea Bolles! She shares what prompted a move north from Saratoga, a bit about how she combined her two passions - movement and mental health - in her private practice, and an idea for a twist on a bookstore downtown that someone should definitely run with…
Tell us about yourself!
Hello! I am Chelsea Bolles — a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Run Walk Talk® Therapist, and Road Runners Club of America running coach. I own my own mental health counseling private practice (@mindfulmovementtherapist) and a run coaching business called Your Happy Pace, LLC. I have always been enthusiastic about supporting others especially when it comes to their mental and physical health. Spending time outside moving my body is something that I have found to be beneficial for my own mental and physical health. For years I dreamed of being able to utilize walking and running in the therapy setting, and I recently began to incorporate movement into my therapy practice. I offer all of my clients the opportunity to have our sessions walking or jogging together instead of in an office or through telehealth. The outdoor environment provides a different therapeutic experience, and can also lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression. I am very passionate about making movement accessible to all humans, and to advocate for mental health awareness.
On Life In and Around Glens Falls
I consider myself a Glens Falls "transplant." I grew up on Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York. I went to Skidmore College for undergrad and met my husband (who grew up in Glens Falls) two weeks before graduation in 2007. I spent my gap year working and enjoying the area. In fall 2008, I moved to Boston for graduate school at Northeastern University, but found myself coming back every other weekend to spend time with my now husband and our friends, enjoying our local favorite places. I moved back to Saratoga in 2010 after grad school, got married in 2011, bought a house in 2013, and had our daughter in 2014.
In 2020, we decided to move out of Saratoga to Queensbury. Having endless outdoor activities to choose from, being close to my husband's family, a strong public school system for our daughter, and a nice downtown were important to us. We are always talking about how we wished we had moved up here sooner than we did!
We own a home in a neighborhood near West Mountain, which is perfect for our skiing family! Having a quiet environment with lots of young families was also a factor in moving up here. We have made wonderful friends, and our daughter enjoys being able to walk or ride her scooter around the neighborhood.
Some Glens Falls Favorites
There are too many things that I love about Glens Falls to pick just one! Being a lover of the outdoors, my top choice would be the numerous places to run, walk, hike, and ski. I love Potter Woods, the Glens Falls/Lake George bike path, and the Rush Pond trail. Having West Mountain 5 minutes from our house is another benefit. There are also many options for sports and other activities for our daughter to try.
Chelsea and her dog, Jack, on the Rush Pond Trail
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
For most seasons, my ideal day would start with an early morning trail run with my dog, Jack. Then I would head downtown to the Farmer's Market to get Jenny Jo's smoothies and fresh flowers. The afternoon would be spent with my husband and daughter hiking, at my in-laws pool, or at a nearby lake. At night, we would get a babysitter and go out for a date night at Farmacy, followed by drinks at Craft on 9.
During the winter, my ideal day would include an early morning ski at West Mountain with my husband and daughter, followed by a warm everything bagel with bacon egg and cheese sandwich from Lox of Bagels. I would then come home and read in my reading room with a new book for hours. For dinner, we would order delivery from Queen of Harts or Aroy Dee.
On the Past
Back in 2007, my husband and I went on our very first date at Davidson Brothers, which is fun to remember! Since I am not from this area originally, most of my local memories are with my husband and his family. From my very first night-before-Thanksgiving Wing Night at Dangos, getting pizza from Talk of the Town, lots of ice cream from Martha's, the Adirondack Balloon Festival, running the Memorial Mile, to many pool parties in my in-laws back yard, this area truly has a piece of my heart forever.
On the Future
Aside from my love of the outdoors, reading is a close second place passion of mine. I would love to open a bookstore that is also a bar, serving drinks that are literary themed. This would also be a dog friendly space, because a good book, a delicious beverage, and a dog snuggling next to me sounds like a dream! Bonus points if there was a way to have a quiet outdoor space to use as part of the book bar!
