Hello fellow Squirrels! Hopefully you read our last blog post, featuring our owner, Chris Thornley. If not, you should totally check it out on this blog page! We want you to know more about how we started, where we have come, and where we are headed. This week, our conversation is with Eric Senseman. Eric joined Squirrel’s about a year ago - in March of 2018. Roughly two and a half years into the birth of the company, Eric became the third employee. He chats with us about how he’s seen the company grow, and the role that it plays in the local community.

“Everyone here does a little bit of everything,” he tells me, “…which is fun. Chris started a company in a place where there aren’t a lot of great jobs, and he has created some great jobs, which is one of the very cool things about it. I think that’s what’s really cool about the way things are going for Squirrel’s Nut Butter, where Chris is able to support a local economy in Flagstaff, which is great.” 

Flagstaff, Arizona is the birthplace of Squirrel’s Nut Butter, and has witnessed and been the home to its growth over the last several years. While it’s not the birthplace of Eric, he does now reside in Flagstaff, and plays a large part in the community. A local elite trail runner and wearer of many hats at SNB, Eric’s contribution to the ultra-running community does not go unnoticed. If you don’t see Eric at an aid station of a local trail race wearing a massive Squirrel costume, you’ll likely see him crushing the race himself. 

Eric’s role at Squirrel’s involves acquiring and maintaining accounts, and, more broadly, to bring structure to the company. “Chris Thornley is very good with people, and with getting people excited, and a lot of important things when it comes to building a company, and my role has largely been making things a little more structured.” The ambassador program, for example, which many of you lovely people are a part of, is Eric’s baby. It’s things like these that help the company continue to grow. 

I ask Eric about how he has seen the company evolve since his involvement, which provides a comical sneak peek into the history of Squirrel’s. “My very first day was in Chris’ bedroom, which had been taken over for Squirrel’s Nut Butter purposes. So he moved his bedroom to the living room - so Stacy and Chris’ bed was in the living room, and then their bedroom was Squirrel’s Nut Butter - it took over. So I think my first two days were there, and where we are now is our 1500 square foot facility. His bedroom had the melters, it had everything.” To say the company has come a long way from these days is an understatement! 

Eric also makes note of the palpable increase in brand awareness in a short period of time. “I think the traction, in terms of awareness of the brand, there’s been a major increase in the last eight months, which is really cool to see.” From people recognising Squirrel’s at events, to athletes reaching out and wanting to support the company, the growth is exponential. 

“We’ve mostly been in the ultra-trail scene, and we have some exciting steps in that direction in the coming months. We’d like to start moving towards the marathon and road scene, and then longer term, move further into the triathlon world for example, endurance swimming events, cycling - mountain and road, endurance in particular.” (If you are a cyclist, or ever find yourself on a bike seat, our all-natural cycling salve is now out - Squirrel's Saddle Butter!) 

“Further ahead than that,” Eric continues, “the company was started for skin restoration purpose, so we’re getting back to that origin story, and expanding beyond just the sports world, where we currently have really exciting some projects going on!” 

“Further ahead than that,” Eric continues, “the company was started for skin restoration purpose, so we’re getting back to that origin story, and expanding beyond just the sports world, where we currently have really exciting some projects going on!” 

Chafing. Burning thighs.

Pure and utter discomfort entirely too close to other important areas. Chafing doesn't just happen on the thighs though. Chafing plague the armpits, groin area, and more.

What can you do about chafing? Who suffers from it the most?

While most people think about the thighs when they think of chafing there are other areas like the armpits and groin area. If you experience chafing in certain areas it can actually be a sign of serious medical conditions.

Chafing can stop you from doing things you love like going for walks or runs, biking or other physical activities. Continue reading this article to learn how to stop chafing and get your groove back.

Chafing Chafing Go Away

While we may all wish that chanting would chase the chafe away, that isn't going to happen. We've got to get creative so we don't start a fire with our lack of thigh gap or have to walk like a penguin because our armpits hurt to touch our bodies.

Use the following tips to get the relief you crave.

Hydrate

Lack of hydration can cause big problems and one of the problems it causes is skin irritation. The reason lack of hydration causes problems is because the liquid goes away and salt crystals are left to cause chafing.

Whether you're on an intense run like some of our SNB athletes or if you're taking a stroll with the dog, you can still work up a sweat. Staying hydrated will help you keep from experiencing the chafe so keep the water handy.

Stay Dry

Do everything you can to stay dry and avoid chafing. You can use powder or starch that helps with keeping your chafe-prone regions from chafing. If your skin is sensitive, stay away from powders or starches that have scents. 

Use Lubrication

Lubricating the area is by far the most successful way to decrease and even erase chafing. Imagine a beautiful run without having to worry about dealing with the pain of chafing midway through.

Using an anti-chafing salve is the easiest way to stop the chafe and get on with your life.

Choose the Right Clothing

You might notice you chafe more than usual when you wear certain clothing. This extra chafing is not a coincidence and there are certain types of clothing that help you stay away from the pain of chafing.

One solution that is designed specifically for those dealing with chafing is moisture-wicking mesh. You can find these in various products, but the one most people use are worn over the underwear and under the rest of your clothing. It helps move moisture away from the problem area.

Fabrics without exposed seams are also important. If you have a seem that continues to rub you in a certain area, that is going to cause irritation which can then lead to chafing. Light and airy clothing will allow you to get more air to the places that are chafing so reduce the tightness of your pants and other clothing and let the air in.

How to Recover from Chafing

Let's say that you're already dealing with chafing. How do you recover from chafing? This condition is painful and can cause problems with walking, sitting, turning and other things you want to do in your daily life.

If you are in a new relationship, chafing can cause problems. You don't want to tell them about your chafing issue but you don't want to push them away. There is help. 

When you use one of our salves, they help you bring your skin back from the chafing episode. You may normally be very safe and make sure that you're prepared with powders to keep from chafing and the right clothing. All it takes is one good walk in the heat without your chafe defense and you're in pain.

Act Quickly

When you're walking, running, working out or some other activity that causes you to chafe, as soon as you feel the chafing coming on, you need to act. Clean the area using soap and water and pat dry. You need to bandage the area immediately.

If you have to keep going, you can use one of our anti-chafe products, but you should stop and take care of the issue as soon as possible. Check to see if your garments are too tight or twisted, so they don't rub and irritate the chafed area.

When you feel chafing coming on, if you're able to change the activity even slightly, you may be able to keep chafing at bay. Let's say you're walking on a treadmill at the gym, instead of walking the treadmill, could you ride the bike instead?

You're still getting the physical exercise you need, but since the actions are very different in how you're moving your body, you may save yourself from chafing.

Chafing Is Like an Open Wound

While you don't want to be overdramatic, chafing is like an open wound. You need to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get worse. Most of the time, you're going to be able to easily treat it, it will scab over and the scab will fall off in a couple of days.

The only time you need to see a doctor is if the chafing isn't going away and it looks like there is an infection. If the area you're experiencing chafing in is infected, you need to speak to a doctor about the best course of action.

The best thing to do is to avoid chafing altogether, so it doesn't escalate to a doctor situation.

Never Deal with Chafing Again

If you are tired of chafing issues, we understand. We help people just like you through our all natural anti-chafe products. You can also see our other products that help you as you're restoring your skin.

Your skin is your largest organ and the first thing people notice when they see you. Taking care of painful problems will allow you to look and feel good in your own skin. Check out our anti-chafe products today.