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Bee propolis is a fascinating natural substance that honeybees produce by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds, sap flows, and other botanical sources. I found this product at a local market this past weekend. 

Often referred to as “bee glue,” it is a sticky, brownish substance used by bees to seal and protect their hives from bacteria, viruses, and other potential threats.

Propolis has been valued for centuries for its medicinal properties. 

Flavonoids & Polyphenols – These are plant-based antioxidants that help protect the body from damage caused by stress, toxins, and infections. They’re found in many superfoods (like berries and green tea) and are known for their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal, and Anti-inflammatory Effects – This means propolis can help fight off bacteria, viruses, and fungi (like those that cause infections or sore throats) while also reducing inflammation in the body. This is why it’s used for wound healing, oral health, and immune support.

Common Uses – Because of these properties, people use propolis to strengthen their immune system, heal small cuts or burns, and ease throat irritation, making it a go-to natural remedy during cold and flu season.

One of the standout benefits of bee propolis is its potential to enhance immune response. Studies suggest it can help the body fight infections, making it a popular natural remedy for colds, flu, and oral health issues. 

It has also been studied for its potential role in wound healing, as it can stimulate skin regeneration while preventing infections. Some research indicates it may have antioxidant properties that support overall wellness and even gut health.

The product I found was a bee propolis throat spray, and it is a great natural remedy, especially if you’re dealing with a sore throat, dry throat, or just want some immune support. Since propolis has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties, it can help with a range of issues related to the throat and mouth.

Using it regularly can help:

  • Soothe a sore or scratchy throat – The anti-inflammatory compounds can reduce irritation and swelling, making it easier to swallow.
  • Fight bacteria and viruses – Propolis has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can help combat infections like colds, flu, or even strep throat.
  • Support oral health – It can help with canker sores, gum inflammation, and even minor mouth wounds, thanks to its healing and antimicrobial effects.
  • Coat and protect the throat – If you talk a lot, sing, or just deal with a dry environment (hello, Calgary winters!), it can create a protective barrier and keep your throat from getting too dry or irritated.
  • Boost immunity – Since it has immune-supporting flavonoids and antioxidants, it can help your body fight off infections before they take hold.

 

You can use it preventatively (like before heading into crowded places during flu season) or at the first sign of a sore throat. Some people even use it daily as a natural immune booster. Just be mindful if you have a bee allergy, as propolis can trigger reactions in some individuals.

As business owners, we can prioritize everything and everyone else before ourselves, but the truth is, you are the most valuable asset in your business. Keeping your health in check isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about ensuring you have the energy, resilience, and clarity to lead, create, and grow. 

Whether it’s adding small wellness habits like using a propolis throat spray or simply recognizing when your body needs support, investing in your well-being is an investment in your success. After all, a thriving business starts with a thriving you. 

This past weekend, in Lethbridge AB (Canada) my husband, Vince, attempted to run a 100 mile race. You read that correctly, 100 miles.

Now, let me preface this with the fact that he is an ultra athlete, and has been for the past 2 years. He has run 3 x 50 km ultra marathons, 1 x 83 km ultra marathon, and 1 x 100 km ultra marathon.

So, yes he goes for a run today, and comes back tomorrow. 🙂

He trains relentlessly, squeezing in runs in between coaching sessions, as lets not forget he also has a Performance Coaching practice to own and operate. He runs evenings, weekends, early morning, late night. Relentless. To put the training into perspective, he ran 100 km+ weeks for about 2 months. 100 km +. Let’s not forget the +. Some weeks he did 102 kms, and some weeks he did 120 kms. 

And if you do or don’t know Vince, I’ll let you know, he is a family man as we have 2 children ages 13 and 15. And training takes time away from them, so he takes it very seriously. There is not a moment where he isn’t researching food and hydration, nutrition, carbs vs calories, trail shoes, headlamps, waist lamps … and so much more.

At the point where you run into the overnight, you need to have all pieces of the puzzle working together. And so, nutrition and gear is a big part of that puzzle. If one piece doesn’t work (at this level) then no pieces work. 

Fast forward to this 100 mile race, which is 161.4 kms. If you’re not good at math, it’s almost 4 full marathons in a row.

At 74 kms and 14 ½ hours, Vince took himself off course with a DNF (did not finish) because of an IT band injury on his right side. He had this injury before, about a year ago, but it hasn’t been a problem since. We use our own jargon on race days for injury, and we say “whisper, talk and scream”. Those are the 3 stages of any injury.

At 27 kms the IT band started to whisper, and at 74 kms it started to scream. The 46 kms in between were quite uncomfortable, as the injury prevented Vince from going up or down any kind of incline without pain. And it just kept getting worse, and starting impacting other areas of the body on those ups and downs.

On this particular race course, in the coulees of Southern Alberta, there are a lot of ups and downs. I believe that there are 16 ups and downs in 1 lap. And the 100 mile race is 3 of those laps. 

So Vince made the mature athlete decision to stop, and live to run another day. For Vince, to run and race as much as he does – his mental game is equally as strong as his physical game. And it showed in how he bounced back from DNF’ing that race. He is already looking ahead to the future with other races, different training, different nutrition options … this did not get him down.

As I type and reflect on all of the countless kms that he has ran, all of the training, all of the physio therapy, all of the chiropractic, all of the research, all of the gear, all of the planning … for that 1 race day, and then not getting the result we were looking for. 

It actually made me realize that it’s the journey we have to fall in love with. Not the finish line, because the finish line might not come. Or it might not come when you think it should. 

And your finish line might be kids in college, sell a business, retire early, or maybe it is also to run an ultra marathon. Whatever it looks like for you, that journey has to be the part that lights you up. Not the finish line. Because the journey is where you spend almost all of your time.

It’s the journey that needs to make you stay curious, and driven, and compassionate towards self and others.
It’s the journey that is the real test.
We think it’s the race, it’s not. 

Whatever journey you are on … parenting, entrepreneurship, career, athletics … fall in love with it. Fall in love with every step of it.

Finish line or not, I think that is why Vince is ok with the result of this race. He has fallen in love with every step of running – not the finish line. And he hasn’t stopped the journey. In fact, I think it’s just begun.

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