Hello FFF family — so nice to officially meet you! I just finished my first week working full-time with Lee and Lin, and what an exciting shift from the last decade of my career. I was used to driving through morning rush hour to an office role with a defined job description, a corporate ladder, back-to-back meetings, working through lunch, and then rushing home to catch up on FFF emails. Wake up, repeat.
This week looked completely different: working from three different coffee shops, spending time at ModernWell, working from home and FFHQ, shopping and shooting for an upcoming sports-bra review, filming three recipes, fitting in morning workouts, meeting with potential partners, and soaking up Lee and Lin’s day-to-day routines. I asked a lot of questions, learned quickly, and loved every minute. I already can’t wait for Monday — what a great feeling.
Below is a Q&A to help you get to know me better. It covers a lot of ground, so if you have more questions, drop them in the comments!
1. What is your full name?
Emily Katherine Richter — although I went by Emily Katherine Stickler for the first thirty years of my life. Most people call me Em; Linley affectionately calls me “big sissy.”
2. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Go Packers!
3. How did you meet Lee and Linley?
I met Lee and Lin when I started dating my husband, Bryce, who is Linley’s older brother. Linley had just returned from living abroad, and we immediately connected over cooking and long conversations. She introduced me to Lee shortly after, and we bonded over blog analytics and all things Wisconsin. I began working part-time for Fit Foodie Finds soon after, and the rest is history.
4. What was your job before joining Team Fit Foodie?
I was director of strategy at an advertising agency in downtown Minneapolis, working primarily on food brands.
5. What is your favorite food?
It’s a tie between seared tuna steak and fajitas. If someone made tuna steak fajitas, I’d be in heaven.
6. Team sweet or team savory?
Team savory — always.
7. Where is the next place you’re traveling to?
We’re headed to Texas for the Silo District Marathon in support of a longtime friend, Gabriele Grunewald. A group of college friends and partners are going to run, spend time together, and enjoy the Magnolia property weekend.
8. What is your preferred form of exercise?
I love running. I grew up in a family of marathon runners, so long-distance running has been part of my life for a long time. Lately I’ve fallen for ultra trail running — there’s something about single-track trails, fresh air, and pushing beyond your perceived limits that I love. This fall I hope to run my fifth 50k on the Superior Hiking Trail along Minnesota’s North Shore. When I’m not running, you’ll find me at local studios and bouldering gyms with my FFF teammates.
9. What is your dream job?
This is it — working full-time with Lee and Lin. I’m excited to collaborate, learn, and see where we take Fit Foodie Finds. If I had a far-off fantasy job, it would be commentating figure skating with Scott Hamilton. A girl can dream, right?
10. Chocolate candy or gummy candy?
Dark chocolate, always — unless Haribo gummy bears are available. In that case, I’ll reach for the gummies.
11. Do you have any animal babies?
Yes — one very large animal baby: Thor, a lab-hound-great dane mix who’s about 90 pounds of pure affection. We adopted him three years ago when he was 30 pounds and expecting him to top out around 50–60. Instead, he kept growing. He loves trail runs, bananas, and trying to befriend dogs on the TV.
12. What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to food?
Ice cream — especially a scoop of Oreo with a cotton candy scoop on top from Izzy’s in Minneapolis. Pure bliss.
13. Do you have any special talents?
I can name all the U.S. state capitals — but only when I sing them to the tune I learned in fifth-grade social studies. Does that count? If not, I have another quirky talent I’ll share another time.
14. What is your favorite beer?
I enjoy sour beers and fresh-hop IPAs. Some local favorites for me include Bent Paddle Harness, Rush River Scenic, and Fair State Roselle.
15. Do you have any irrational fears?
Raw poultry grosses me out. I don’t love touching it or handling cutting boards after preparing it — I always worry they’re truly clean. Other raw meats don’t bother me as much.
16. Tell us about your siblings…if you have any.
I have a younger but much taller brother, David, who manages The Wicked Hop in Milwaukee. If you’re in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, he’ll tell you they serve a great bloody mary. I also gained an amazing sister-in-law, Linley, who’s become like a little sister to me.
17. If you could be a professional sports player of any kind, what would you be?
Professional figure skater — definitely. I grew up figure skating and skated on the synchronized skating team at the University of Minnesota. I always dreamed of the Olympics.
18. If there was an apocalypse, what’s the first thing you would do?
I’d grab our camping gear and canoe and head straight for the Boundary Waters. Bryce and I actually discussed this years ago and made it our plan — practical and peaceful.
19. What is your favorite season?
Fall, without question. Minnesota fall is unbeatable for hiking and running — sunlit trails, crisp air, and leaves drifting down. I also love cooking and baking with harvest ingredients, so autumn is my favorite season to be in the kitchen.
20. Do blondes or brunettes have more fun? You’ve been both…
Still undecided. I met Lee and Lin as a brunette, got married as a blonde, and I’m currently somewhere in between. I had so much fun with each look.
21. Would you rather have 10 big toes or 11 pinky fingers?
Ten big toes, easy. My pinkies are unusually short, so an extra one wouldn’t be helpful. You won’t see me substituting for Linley’s hands anytime soon.
That’s all for now! Feel free to follow me on Instagram at @EmilyKRichter.