When you have long flights, comfort is key. In addition to the amenities that are provided on board for your Business Class or First Class flight, we have some must haves that you should include on your next trip to stay balanced, refreshed, and ready to hit the ground running when you arrive to your next destination for business or pleasure.
APPROVED
Increase your chances of a great flight by taking care of under your eyes with BioRepublic's Lost Baggage. It's always good to have on hand within your travel kit and is a quick and easy way for a mini spa in flight.
We never travel without a package of wipes and no matter how comfortable the flight, Ban's Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths do exactly what the name suggests. It's a great way to stay fresh, cool down and it leaves your skin with a smooth powder finish which is another way to ensure that you look destination ready.
Before touching down, a quick touchup is a quick way to showcase a natural glow. TreStique has an innovative beauty system that has magnetic pencils that allow you to either create multiple looks with the same tool or they simply make it easier to access. We suggest this Bronzer Stick, which is great whether you're highlighting or contouring.
Brown Sugar Beauty
The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa in Vancouver, Canada is known for a number of spa treatments including their decadent Epicurien Experience which includes a Cinnamon Brown Sugar Body Scrub, Epicurien Advanced Customized Facial, and the Wedgewood Signature Customized Massage
One of our favorite sugar scrubs for the body comes from Fresh. Their Brown Sugar Body Polish is the perfect way to ensure that skin is gently exfoliated, while enjoying the pleasant scent of this tried an true product.
Brown Sugar is not just for a sweet treat to add to some of your favorite dishes! It's also a great element to add to your skincare to maintain soft skin as it's a great exfoliant and moisturizing element for athleisure beauty.
Although Brown Sugar is a natural ingredient for exfoliating products, it can appear in body wash as well. Archipelago Botanicals offers this shower companion which, is nourishing for the skin.
Your lips are put through a lot and need to be pampered. Sara Happ's lip scrub is an essential that includes Brown Sugar and leaves them soft and ready for your gloss of choice.
POOL SHOOT GET ON POINT
PHOTOGRAPHY Carlos David
STYLIST Kimmie SMITH
MUA/& HAIR KAT OSORIO
Model nat de genova - EMG
Model oheni morris/- true model
SHOOT
Athleisure Mag was excited to sit down with Craig Smith during his busy schedule. We created a fashion x dance photoshoot with celebrity personal trainer, Craig Smith. We talked with him about his passions; being Madonna's personal trainer; Creative Director, and Head Master Trainer for Hard Candy Fitness – her international gyms; who he is influenced by; and how he keeps everything balanced.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What goes into becoming a top choreographer?
CRAIG SMITH: Talent, creativity, artistry, vision, discipline, fortitude, and hard work.
AM: Do you have any fun stories to share from iconic music videos or tours you were part of through the years?
CS: When I danced for Rihanna on a short Japan spot date tour for Nike, the audience was silent every number of our performance until the very end of each song. It was funny to me at the time because I had never experienced that before.
AM: Tell us about Hard Candy Fitness.
CS: Hard Candy Fitness is an international luxury gym brand inspired by Madonna - the artist, athlete, and icon. Our signature and exclusive premiere programs are created and inspired by daily workouts I create and do with Madonna, her worldwide tours, music videos, music, and fitness philosophies. We’ve had great success with the brand since 2010 with club locations in amazing places like: Italy, Chile, Russia, Germany, Mexico, and more. I have the awesome roles of Creative Director, and head master trainer of the Hard Candy Fitness Sweat Crew (a team of professional dancers & fitness coaches).
AM: As Creative Director and a Master Trainer at HCF, give us the scoop on where things are headed.
CS: We are launching a variety of incredible new programs to add to our current premiere programming roster and are opening locations in more amazing regions around the globe!
AM: How did you come to work with Madonna and what's it like to train/work with her on tour and personally?
CS: Madonna extended a personal invitation for me to work with her personally 2 1⁄2 years ago after having already worked with Hard Candy Fitness as both a Master Trainer and consultant for 1 year prior. Working with Madonna both personally and on tour is demanding, fun, chill, educational, and more all at the same time.
AM: What's it like to balance being a multi-faceted creative and coaching others at the highest level?
CS: I've always been a person of variety and multi-faceted. To maintain balance, I do my best not to overwhelm myself by taking on too much of a workload nowadays. I’m not afraid to say ‘no’ to things, or say ‘yes’ to things that inspire me.
AM: You have a wicked sense of style, first off what makes a good cap?
CS: Style, fit, versatility, comfort, construction, and functionality are things that make an excellent hat to me.
AM: How would you define your style?
CS: Urban, high fashion, classic, modern, edgy, conservative, funky, and everything else in-between.
AM: We know you love kicks too, what details do you like on them?
CS: Color, high top, edgy, and fashionable are all details that describe most of the kicks I own.
AM: You have a pretty busy schedule, what are your top 3 places to eat in NY and some of your favorite international destinations that we should add to our list?
CS: My top 3 places to eat in NYC: Peacefood Café, Candle 79 and/or Café, & Hangawi Restaurant. One of my favorite international spots I love is Mae’s Deli in London.
AM: How has vegan life helped shaped you?
CS: Vegan life has literally helped save and change my entire life for the better.
AM: We know you’re super reflective, how often do you jot thoughts and ideas down? What's being in the zone for you?
CS: I jot down thoughts and ideas every single day. Being in the zone is usually when I’m listening to instrumental jazz music; which helps me maintain incredible focus and concentration while I download all concepts/ideas.
AM: How big is organization in your day? Walk us through some typical routines.
CS: I’m a Capricorn; which means organization is everything! Typical daily routines range from prayer/meditation, emails, conference calls, reading, quality time with family & friends, personal workouts, planning workouts for clients, creating some form of art, and more.
AM: What’s next for Craig Smith after moving forward with HCF?
CS: Jumping back into music, dance, fitness, and some new & exciting entrepreneurial endeavors!
AM: What kinds of things do you like to do to have fun?
CS: I love watching documentaries, supporting live creative arts performances & shows, dining out, traveling, reading, writing, museums, sports, and much more.
AM: What are your must-haves for a dance, workout and chill playlist?
CS: My must-haves: comfortable stylish gear & footwear, awesome workout spaces, and my personal music playlists I create for my workouts and/or classes.
Photoshoot taken at Modern Arts Loft - NY, NY
| Llama Selfie Tee Shirt COTOPAXI | Mesh Shorts RUFSKIN
|
| Giff Cap KONUS | Underwear CALVIN KLEIN |
| Studio Hatha Sport Bra + Capri Leggings LUCY | Swoon KONUS | Diamond Key Pendant Necklace DIAMONDS UNLEASHED
P.22 | Hunt Hooded Zip KONUS | Mesh Pants RUFSKIN | Black/ White Tank | Starred Black Hat |
P.24 | Black Cap | Mesh Long
Sleeve Top + Layered Tank RUFSKIN | Black Leather Padded
Pants SKINGRAFT | Black Sneakers DEMOBAZA |
THIS PAGE | Vianne Cross Back Sport Bra TOMMY HILFIGER
SPORT | Maori Love Boy Short KORU |
| Llama Selfie Tee Shirt COTO -
PAXI | Mesh Shorts RUFSKIN
| Giff Cap KONUS | Underwear
CALVIN KLEIN | Sneakers NIKE |
| Long Sleeve Top, Pant + Moon
Rovers Black Boots DEMOBAZA | Black Cap |
| Studio Hatha Sport Bra + Capri Legging LUCY | Swoon Cap
KONUS | Diamond Key Pen-
dant Necklace DIAMONDS UN -
LEASHED | Sneakers NEW BALANCE |
| Strappy Sport Bra AVOCADO | Diamond Key Pendant Necklace DIAMONDS UNLEASHED | Haraka Tights COTOPAXI | Scout Duffle Bag NORTH ST BAGS |
BACK COVER | Hunt Hooded Zip + Asym Drop Crotch Pant KONUS | Black Cap | White Sneakers ROMBAUT |
In the Mist with Kelley Quan
Last month we popped by a beauty event and got up and close and personal with celebrity makeup artist, Kelley Quan, who is also the founder of the Pocket Spa - a must have beauty device that keeps you refreshed and cool that's great from pre-makeup, makeup, and after you take it all off.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background as a makeup artist.
KELLEY QUAN: My beginnings as a pro artist were not your typical journey as I started as a painter and as fate would
have it, makeup found me rather than the other way around! That said, once I saw the capacity for what was possible to create on a body, well, there was no going back to canvas for me!
I have been a makeup artist now for 20-plus years working mainly in the fashion and beauty, and advertising areas and still love everything about the industry. To be able to travel the world and work on some of the most beautiful people on our planet has been a true gift. It's also so gratifying to work with other creatives and be part of a team. The business is all about collaborative efforts and I love how we can come together to produce images that are really dynamic.
As an artist, I have always been known as a “skin” girl, meaning that while I use loads of foundations, powders, primers etc.. I want the skin to look like I didn’t - “that she just woke up that way” perfection. There is an inner glow and sheen the skin has when it’s in peak condition, it is so unmistakably gorgeous and I aim to achieve this with every single job. There are so many ways to produce this, and depending on my subject I’ll switch up the application and products that help me achieve the look I’m after.
All of what I do as an artist has an emotional connection. Essentially, my mission is to get my subject to shift the perception she has of herself. It’s an incredible feeling when she can see what I see, and feels all the more beautiful because of it. I have found over the years that when I can get my models to feel an inner beauty, that it makes everything that I do on the outside even more impactful. Think of it as a Mind, Body, Spirit makeup application!
AM: With all the time that you spend on set, how did that assist in creating the Pocket Spa?
KQ: One of the things I have done since the beginning of my career was to use mineral waters or floral mists as a prep for the skin. It was effective before any makeup was applied, but you had to be very careful if used afterwards. It could destroy all the hard work I’d put into the makeup application in one spritz! I tried to find a fine mister or atomizer that would allow me to hydrate the skin, but
just wasn't anything that was fine enough. It got me thinking about what I wanted and what technology was available that would help me to create the right vapor-mist. After many trial and errors, the first Pocket Spa was born. From the beginning, I knew that this was a much more effective way to hydrate and the extra benefit of helping maintain the makeup was just icing on the cake! All of my subjects were very receptive to all the experimentation with various prototypes and were critical to the development of the final product you see today. I thank them all for all the zany test drives they have had to endure!
AM: Tell us about the Pocket Spa and why it's essential within our beauty and daily routine?
KQ: The Pocket Spa is a compact, refillable and rechargeable personal humidifier that uses nano-technology to turn plain water into a moisturizing-mist of tiny water droplets that are small enough to penetrate deeper levels of the skin and replace moisture that is constantly being leached from skin by natural and environmental factors such as soaps, detergents, dry air, heating systems, air-conditioning, air travel and UV from the sun. I think its an essential part of a beauty routine because it instantly delivers much needed hydration to the skin where it needs it most, not just to the surface and helps to maintain the skin’s overall quality.
There are a ton of benefits to using it daily— After cleansing and moisturizing: the Pocket Spa is a more effective way to hydrate and not only adds moisture deeper into the epidermis but also helps skincare to perform even better. For a daily routine, I recommend using the Pocket Spa in the morning, during the day and in the evening. There isn’t such a thing as over use because the device only uses water to use it whenever your skin is crying out for some attention!
AM: In addition to being able to use water, tell us about the fragrances that you created that can also be used and will there be additions?
KQ: In addition to using plain water, I also recommend using my Aquasol ™ waters which were specifically created for use in the Pocket Spa. Each are small batch distilled and chemi-
cal and oil free. Re:Fresh is a bright, fresh fragrant water. It stimulates the skin and wakens it up, preparing it for a skincare/makeup application. Ingredients are: Hydrosol of Organic Melissa for inflammation and calming as well as antibacterial qualities, Lime to address congestive and anti-inflammatory issues and organic Rosemary improves mood, helps to clear the mind, and relieves stress and is also has anti natural antibacterial qualities.
Re:Generate is a heady blend of ingredients that are super regenerators which prepares the skin for replenishment during the sleep hours and encourages a general calm as well. Ingredients are: Hydrosol of Rose, Neroli, Frankincense, and Melissa. This combination will not only assist in reducing inflammation and promote health tissue and cell regeneration, it will calm and relax you as well which is why I recommend it for evening use or when you need to reduce stress. The combination of each of these ingredients was carefully crafted to promote a deep sense of calm, while also promoting regeneration of the skin.
AM: Do you see more devices being included within the Pocket Spa?
KQ: I have plans to expand the line of product to include a few more beauty devices to target cleansing and also a broad market version of the Pocket Spa.
AM: Where can we get the Pocket Spa and do you have any dream locations/sites that you would like to see the Pocket Spa on?
KQ: Currently, the Pocket Spa is available at AHALife, Open Sky, Nigel’s Beauty Emporium in Los Angeles and Blur Beauty in Toronto Canada. I am in the midst of a distribution deal for North America and the UAE. I would LOVE to be in Sephora of course, especially in their new brand discovery area, but I also love Blue Mercury stores as well. I have a special spot for New London Pharmacy too as I am a New Yorker and over the years as an artist have bought some of my favorite brands from this little apothecary. It would be fantastic to be part of that family!
AM: What are the benefits of using Pocket Spa?
KQ: There are several advantages of using the Pocket Spa. First of all, while I have talked about it mainly as beauty device, it is also an amazing product to use for dry eyes or sinuses - even the hair. The micro vapor soothes those delicate areas to add instant hydration and relief. In addition to this, the Pocket Spa is a great traveling companion. It will help to keep your skin in great condition even at 30,000 feet. And don’t be surprised if your seat mate asks you to borrow it!
AM: Please share anything else that you would like us to know about you and/or the Pocket Spa?
KQ: As an artist, I have always taken great care to understand each of my clients needs. For every product I develop, I consider the consumer and have a singular mission in mind. It is to have highly effective products that create a memorable user experience. Whether it be from my hand crafted vegan beauty brushes , or the Aquasol, or the Pocket Spa, each work toward the goal of helping my clients look and feel amazing with ease.
M O C H I もち
noun | mo·chi | \ˈ mō-chē\
A soft, pounded rice cake used in Japanese cuisine as an unbaked pastry wrapped around a sweet filling
I C E C R E A M M O C H I
noun | mo·chi ice cream | \ˈ mō-chē īs krēm\
delicious
U N I Q U E F L A V O R S & C O L L E C T I O N S
m o c h i d o k i . c o m
Our vanity has become a miniature spa of sorts with devices that make our zen space. The must haves in our beauty rituals list include Clairsonic's Mia FIT to ensure that your face is smooth and cleansed, me Clear for zapping pesky acne and the BrushPearl which automated a necessary part of your routine by cleaning your favorite brushes.
ATHLEISURE BEAUTY
MOON PALACE GOLF AND SPA RESORT. LIKE NOWHERE ELSE.
SUM MER LUV
PHOTOGRAPHY Carlos David
STYLIST Kimmie Smith
MUA Risako Matsushita
HAIR Vi Huynh
MODEL Luke Lysdahl/Major Models
MODEL Audrey Bromar/Major Models
COVER | Ombre T-Shirt
SPENGLISH | Sunglasses CARRERA | Bracelets UNO DE 50 |
P.49 | Pima Hoodie SPENGLISH | Board Shorts SPENGLISH | Bracelet UNO DE 50 |
THIS PAGE | Maxi Dress
SPENGLISH | Gold Necklace UNO DE 50 |
RIGHT | Mustache Tee Shirt SPENGLISH |
RIGHT | Tank SPENGLISH | Beaded Lariat Necklace UNO DE 50 |
THIS PAGE | Tie Dye Dress SPENGLISH | Necklace UNO DE 50 |
RIGHT | Hooded Henley SPENGLISH |
RIGHT | Tank SPENGLISH | Gold Necklace UNO DE 50 | Smart Watch KENNETH COLE CONNECT |
PHOTOGRAPHY
Carlos David
Kimmie Smith
MUAH
Angel Morales
Many of us don't think of our feminine care products unless it's that time of the month or you're in the midst of purchasing them. In the past, we have purchased a number of pink, blue and white boxes and quickly store them in whatever cubbies only to reach out for them when needed. There was no thought given to its aesthetic nature, how one can give a tampon at work (clutch) without feeling awkward, or simply being able to have it packaged better when sitting on your vanity (in a clean and minimal refillable box).
The fact is that on average, women spend nearly 40 years of their life menstruating (that breaks out to seven years cumulatively) , we use over 10,000 tampons, and 90% of them contain materials that are harmful to our bodies. The need to ensure that care and attention is given to all of our bodies and not just what you see on the outside is an essential!
We sat down with Molly Hayward, co-founder of Cora which is revolutionizing feminine care products that not only allow us to customize them for our needs and to purchase them within a subscription; moreover, they assist girls and women in third world countries as well.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we can get to the packaging of Cora, we were struck how a woman is truly able to customize her membership and quantity - how did this take place?
MOLLY HAYWARD: That was something that I was very adamant about when I was first talking with the brand. You have to be customizable. You go on Lola – they have a standard 18 pack and when you’re talking about a subscription that is coming every month or 3 months or whatever it may be, this is one product where one size definitely does not fit all. Every woman is totally different and the customization piece is really important. Sometimes I wish we could allow women to do so even further, but what we offer now seems to adequately serve almost everyone. We almost never have women reaching out to request 8 instead of 6. We’ve broken it down to categories that pretty much cover everyone.
AM: Are there going to be extensions of this brand?
MH: We know that we can’t fully serve women without expanding our product offerings –it’s a given. The rational for offering tampons as our initial product is just because when it comes to organic and the health element, that is the product that you are most directly exposing yourself to any chemicals, synthet-
Cora Life
ics, etc. We felt that if there is one that should be organic – it should be the tampon and the one that women should switch from. We also want to be a full service one stop shop when it comes to women and their periods. We realize the need for a line extension in the not too distant future.
AM: Would you ever have curated boxes by celebrities/personalities?
MH: A: We haven’t really thought of any collaborations in terms of additional brands and products. We think of collaborations and products in terms of the components in our signature kit – clutch and box. There are definite opportunities for us to partner with creatives and other individuals to do one off takeovers. I think it would be really cool.
AM: In terms of packaging, did you have to go
through all of the color assortments before selecting the black and white one?
MH: We went through a whole gamut of design inspirations. We created 6 or 7 moodboards of directions that we could go. Really the first step was just pulling together brands and design and everything across the spectrum of the lifestyle of our woman our target consumer. We pulled everything we could from color design, to products, fashion, makeup to where she vacations and what kind of car she drives and we really kind of created 7 different themes. Then we narrowed it down from there. We thought long and hard about the vision that embodied what we wanted to convey. The simplification, clean, simple and in certain ways basic – more mature feeling that we feel is apart of our value proposition. This identity captured all those things. It was very deliberate and really an intensive process and to see which one spoke to what we are trying to represent as a brand.
AM: Is Cora doing in person events, Fashion Week plan etc.
MH: We are doing a few things right now. We don’t have anything solid at this point in terms of Fashion Week although we have talked with some people who have expressed an interest in having our presence there. As far as in person – we have a few things coming up. Most notably, is a couple of collabrations we’re doing with colleges and universities (this will be a growing list). We’ll be on campus with Vasser College as well as Stanford University in the fall providing Cora products in all the women’s public bathrooms on campus. This is a direct interaction with our customer. We are building out some events around that in the fall. It includes me coming to do a speaking event and then rallying the campus around those. We do have a campaign we are working on as well with a non profit here in the US in order to provide menstrual products to women in homeless shelters here in the US. We’re working with them on a campaign to help them raise awareness and to provide Cora products for them to distribute. We'll have an event for that campaign in late Aug as well. We’re primarily digital at the moment.
Also worth noting, we are also present in Jessica Biel’s restaurant, Au Fudge in West Hollywood. We stock their women’s rooms with products as an amenity. That’s been a really cool spot for us. She posted on her IG over the summer and she is actually a customer who reached out to us and loved what we were doing and asked if we would stock her bathrooms. That has been a very cool project to work on with her.
AM: How does Cora assist women around the world in underdeveloped countries?
MH: We have partnered with organizations in India that support adolescent girls eductaion and produce an innovative, affordable, and biodegradable brand of high quality sanitary pads, They are produced in small women owned and operated mini factories that can be set up in villages and slums. The mini factories create jobs for women and a sustainable, affordable, local source of biodegradable pads for all girls and women in the community.
Cora purchases pads from the mini factories, generating revenue for them, and then provides those at no cost to girls in local schools who otherwise couldn't afford them and would stay home during their periods.
Imported sanitary pads in developing countries are inaccessible or are too expensive for most women and girls. Gender inequality is reinforced as women are forces to stay home from school and work for days each month. In rural India, one in four adolescent girls drop out of school after their menstruating because of the inadequate menstrual protection like sanitary pads. Those who stay in school are absent about five days each month. Among girls that are given pads, the dropout rate goes down by 90%.
COCONUT
LIFE
Recently we started using Skinny & Co. which is a line of natural, unrefined extra virgin cold pressed pesticide-free coconuts that are from Vietnam. It can be used on your skin as well as consumed. With fans that include Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, The Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears use this in their training routines. We sat down with Matt Geddie, President and Co-Founder of the brand.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about how Skinny & Co. came into being?
MATT GEDDIE: Skinny & Co. was founded by my brother and I after we discovered the life-changing benefits of practicing a chemical-free, holistic lifestyle. At fourteen, I was diagnosed with a terminal illness that doctors could not treat or cure. Searching for a way to save me, my mom turned to holistic medicine and went back to school to become a NMD. After suffering for four years, it was through alternative medicine that I regained my health and realized the value in providing the body natural, raw nutrients. To celebrate overcoming such an illness, Luke and I traveled to Asia on a backpacking trip where we discovered the coconut rich palms of Vietnam. We’ve always been interested in international business and decided that the health benefits of coconut oil were too good not to share. Thus the mission of Changing the World was born. At Skinny & Co., we believe happiness comes from good health and that healthy people change the world. Healthy people are more than physically fit;they are energized, inspired, engaged, and capable of impacting the world around them.
AM: What are your backgrounds and had you previously worked in the beauty/skincare industry?
MG: Both Luke and I are serial entrepreneurs who have always been interested in international business, import/export, and creating companies with a purpose. Our backgrounds do not include the beauty or skincare industry, but we are thrilled to be disrupting the market and providing consumers with a healthy, chemical-free option.
AM: How did you know that you wanted to focus on coconut and to create an extensive line?
MG: When you start a business, it is always best to start with one product and focus on simplicity. Coconut oil that we could build a simple business
around, was something due to the versatiity yet would solve so many people’s complex problems. We knew we wanted to expand the line and offer multiple coconut oil products. We hope to introduce more Skinny & Co. lines and products in the future.
AM: What sets your coconut brand apart from other's that are also within skincare?
MG: The Skinny & Co. beauty line is truly raw. It’s a step above organic. We use five or less ingredients that are all non-toxic and edible. Everything is chemical-free. There are no preservatives, fillers, solvents, or binding agents. Just real, raw coconut oil and therapeutic grade essential oils to bring your skin the nutrients and benefits it truly needs. The skin is our largest organ and it deserves the best ingredients possible. Our company believes in transparency and quality as two of our top values. We will always be honest with our customers and provide top quality products.
AM: How important is packaging to complement the product and the brand?
MG: The look and feel of a brand is incredibly important. While we believe the quality of the product is most important, our branding reflects the purity and cleanliness that comes with Skinny & Co. raw coconut oil and our entire product line.
AM: Can we expect new products from Skinny & Co.?
MG: We are always working on fun and exciting new products. There are lots of future plans for Skinny & Co. We are currently working on a coffee coconut oil line, all raw, natural, and chemical-free as always.
AM: Where is Skinny & Co. sold?
MG: Skinny & Co. products are sold online on our site and in Von Maur department stores across the country. We are also located in Sephora Canada and different boutique stores all over the US. Check our site for our product locator, email, or call us as we love interacting with our customers.
AM: How important is it that product can be used in a number of ways - including being ingested?
MG: One of the best things about our raw coconut oil is that it’s so versatile and healthy for everyone in the entire family, including your babies or pets. You can consume coconut oil or use it in a variety of skincare applications. We recommend adding at least 3 tbsp. of Skinny & Co. Coconut Oil into your daily lifestyle.
AM: Does Skinny and Co support any charities?
MG: Skinny & Co. is a sustainable business that provides resources to build homes and teach English to Vietnamese children. We also support initiatives to educate American children on the importance of nutrition and eating healthy. The charities we support include a non-profit in El Salvador called King’s Castle and Rest Ministries in Indiana.
AM: Are there additional ingredients that you will include in the line (we're obsessed with the Rose Body Butter)?
MG: As of now we are starting working the coffee coconut oil line which will incorporate the amazing benefits of utilizing coffee in skincare. I’m glad you like the Rose Body Butter. We use real rose, not just rose scent, to make it extra luxurious.
LIVING
LIVING HER WORDS
We chatted with Halstead's power broker Louise Phillips Forbes who has sold over $2.5 billion in sales over her 27 year career. In addition to selling some of Manhattan's and Hamptons most coveted properties, she is known for her focus on philanthropy, family, fitness, and "living her words". We sat down to talk with her at one of her current projects, 498 West End in NYC, to get an inside scoop on how she stays present and juggles it all.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Please share with our readers what it's like to be a power broker and what your day to day life is like in that career?
LOUISE PHILLIPS FORBES: Powerbroker – wow, I’m not sure that I think of myself in that way. I think one of the things that I am passionate about in my life professionally, is in following my heart and happened to be tremendously successful. When you live what you love, then it’s not work. What I do is such an intimate personal experience and being of service in that way. When I think of what my home means to me, it’s a privilege to be a part of that process to someone. Coming from that premise and building my business with no Rolodex and building my team with 8 people - we do 100s of millions of dollars a year, I guess that constitutes being a powerbroker.
The greatest gift is to be able to do what you love and to have the balance of your family. There is no reason why you can’t have a family and a career. I kissed a lot of frogs before I found my prince. Part of it is that I have had a loss in my life. I lost my mom in my 20s and my brother passed away from AIDS and died in my arms when I was 30. I had a boyfriend in London who died of cancer when I was 38 and my father died from Alzheimer’s. So I also feel that those life moments recalibrated me each time – which is to say that you should truly live each day to the fullest and to make an imprint on the world around you. I can’t change the world, but I can make someone’s home precious to them. I can make my time with my children impressive and influential to help them be good citizens. I live my beliefs.
AM: How did you know you wanted to be in real estate?
LPF: I didn’t at all – I came in through the back door. I came to New York from Tennessee. Although I had southern roots, I was ready to go from being a
big fish in a little pond and when I would go to dance auditions instead of being one amongst 23 people, I was one among 427. So we did what we needed to do to pay the rent, so I modeled, bartended, waitressed, did industrials (corporate entertainment for events), but I injured my back and was working in a restaurant. There was a baseball/ softball team that used to come in every Wed after their games and I always remembered what they ate or drank. This girl was like, "you would be so good at real estate" and she suggested that I should call her friend. I mustered up the courage to call him and he said that I should come in and he would give me a job. Of course, I didn’t know it was commission only. My first year in real estate I made $8400 and it just fit. It fit, when I recognized how I felt about my home, knowing that I had left home as well as losing my family members. To be able to be a part of the privilege and to recognize that and to feel fulfilled was rewarding.
AM: How important is female empowerment, whether it’s being taught to the youth or with your peers at work?
LPF: Well, God gave me a household full of men. As much as a tomboy as I was growing up, I’m really a girl’s girl. I have friends from fourth grade that are still in my life today. When I look at the women – particularly at my mother and those who were my mentors, they were strong, purposeful women. To be able to continue to learn – there are 2 things that have to happen. You have to be willing to surround yourself around people and for myself, young professional women. In watching my mother raising her children and having (in the 60s) her own career as a writer as well as being professional fundraiser – she was able to juggle it all. Surrounding myself by women who are leaders – (I am in a women’s president’s association) and I am married to a serial entrepreneur. What I get from those women in the group is different then what I get from my husband.
I took a stance when I broke into this business of real estate – it was not easy to navigate as a new kid on the block. I was eager to learn, but very naïve. It is very important for me to make it a priority to sit down and have a coffee and I don’t discriminate to women only; however, I have brought 70 people into the business in my 27 year tenure. It’s not about bringing them onto my team solely, but being able to reach out to them. What I have learned
is that 30 mins or that hour is powerful. When they land wherever we have helped to navigate them, I have been on the other side of the table with them in negotiations. So treating people the way you want to be treated and being ultra successful –it’s important to be in the moment and to be kind. Women have taught me these lessons.
AM: We do a number of our shoots in stunning multi-million properties in the city. What are the trends in terms of purchasing properties in NYC versus out in the Hamptons?
LPF: My experience is primary residence for most people. Sometimes I do have those that are international that do not live in NY and are looking to buy into Manhattan as a second home. My two properties that I am building in Montauk and in Bridgehampton are my secondary homes. Although the needs of the two areas are different, the trends are the same.
Right now when you have the privilege to work on a property like this, it was built in 1910 originally, we had a blank canvas to work with. Where else can you have this kind of frontage with a 30x20 living room, massive family room and a kitchen? For my life, the kitchen is the nucleus. It’s important to have our meals together, congregate, talk, share problems at school, work, teaching my children how to build relationships through communicating as opposed to dinners on the go. I don’t know if everyone functions that way but today, we live more communally. Back in the 20s when they had housekeepers that lived in their 3 or 4 maids rooms, it’s not how we live today. Even if I could live like that, I want to be in the thick of it. I have an island like this in the apartment that I created and my kids to this day – if we’re making cookies or banana bread, they’re rolling it out on this and sitting on the island. I find that the trend of having big open family rooms off their kitchens is something that most people want to accomplish even in an older floor plan. They open up the walls, flip the rooms to have an open kitchen into the dining room.
While this is a very large home, we have experienced since the recession of 2008 and 2009 – a massive climb financial and although interest rates are low and more and more millennials are buying across the nation – the climb is going to be forcing a new trend of more efficient living. 60% across the country, it’s cheaper to own then to rent (across
the nation). Developpers are having to rethink the Mac Daddy mansions because people want to own and there is a large untapped market to focus on. I think that we are going to be seeing a new run of things coming with complimented mass full floors across Central Park. The shift in the Hamptons is "taking the inside out and the outside in." So instead of having pocket doors that goes out to your veranda and dining outdoors – they literally have stacking doors that are a wall of windows that literally stack. This is something that we saw in the 90s in Florida. In fact, in this property, I am trying to figure out how to do it in our penthouse that is being built here. I don’t know if I am going to be able to get that structure to work, but I really want it to be that people can just live openly.
AM: How does fitness provide clarity, focus, and energy for you?
LPF: Fitness really feeds my soul and clears my mind. It starts my day off. I was never a morning work out person. But in the 90s, I used to smoke (which anyone who knows me now is like – wait, you), but in order to stop, I had to change my routine. I used to roll out of bed, have a cup of joe and have a cigarette. I had to do things differently – so rolling out of bed and not smoking to go to the gym became that action for me! It started my day off differently. It really feeds my soul and I think it also – it helps me embrace the 54 years that I am (my mother died when she was 61) with the need to defy nature. Whatever I need to do to do that, is the choice that I choose to do everyday. As a mother and wife – it’s just a part of our life. The best way that I can be a good mother is to live my words.
AM: Are your children into sports and fitness as well?
LPF: Nothing is better for life lessons then a team sport. We threw our kids into everything. I watched my sister who fell in love with her freshman boyfriend in college whom she married after graduating and my niece and nephew who are 22 and 24 – I’d say I was a late bloomer as mine are 10 and 12. When you have focused on your career and self to be who you are, I’m grateful to not be kissing who I was kissing at 26. You are who you are.
My husband is Canadian and is a Downhill Racer and really was good enough to be an Olympic racer. He loves hockey as he eats, lives, and breathes it. Those were his sports and we tried everything with the kids and they drew towards hockey and chess.
My oldest son walked onto the beach from our house in Bridgehampton and at the age of 5 he points his finger and says I want to be able to do that. There’s a guy on a surfboard on a ride on a wave and I said let’s put him on it. My kids were good swimmers and water babies. We gave him a lesson and he nailed every wave. Part of the fitness we rolled in - as well as the philosophy, is that families that play together, stay together. So all 4 of us surf together and we traveled all over the world to do so. It started because the surf coach used to call my son –Little Laird because he looked like the famous surfer. He nailed every wave and has bright blonde hair. Fitness helps define and provide a to do list without being conscious of it. It gives my children great lessons.
My son is playing hockey in a professional AA Bantum league. He’s now in year 5 or 6 and they travel. My son is the youngest defensive man on his team and he is the worst. It’s a great life lesson because he was the best defensive man on the last 2 or 3 seasons and now it’s humbling. When he was younger, he used to get mad at the kids that were not as good as he was. Now he sees what it’s like to be one of many and how important his position is to relieve the stars and to do his best. It’s life and it is not always fair. Learning, conflict resolution, etc in sports is taught. My son is naturally drawn to boys that are humble with humility and he doesn’t even know it. It’s very similar to who his father is.
AM: What fitness do you do?
LFP: A: I surf every minute I can and the waters now are perfect as 40 degree temperatures do not work for me. My son had a surf competition awhile back, which was not for me. My passion is SoulCycle. The founders are very old friends and clients and there is something about me and music. I don’t like to bike that much honestly. My husband and I gave each other bikes as he is a cyclist, but there is something about a
dark room, a group of people, words, and taking yourself inside to go outside. I go there at least 5 times a week. Mon nights I double it out and I Punch Mon, Wed Fri with cross training.
Punch is 3 days a week, Mon nights I do a 90 min 7:30 – 9 and then a group of us go out to sushi afterwards. It’s also my girl’s night out although we don’t exclude boys. Tues, Thurs, Sat I’m at SoulCycle and Sundays I try to take off.
AM: How are you able to juggle your work as well as your children and husband?
LPF: I think it's about filling my day – I start with an early morning. If it wasn’t chaotic I would find something missing. Part of it is my personality. It also takes a village to run my business, raise my children, stay connected to the people that are important to me, and time is not something that we have enough of. Because of the people that I have lost, I know how essential it is to live everyday to the fullest. Maybe I am not so conscious of that – but our time is so limited and I have so much to share with my husband and children. So how do I juggle it? I think it is making the decision and choice to know consciously and unconsciously that there is an abundance for us all and to catch it everyday to have it all.
AM: We understand that you have dyslexia –how has that been to overcome and what are the challenges involved?
LPF: It’s everyday – the cause and effects still affect me today. My coping skills are great and I used to be very ashamed when I was younger due to the stigma. My mother was magna cum lauda at Vanderbuilt, who graduated at 18. You know one of the things that my mother said to me was that each of us have gifts and it’s finding out what ours is. It may not be what grade you get.
Undiagnosed until 6th grade, I clearly got my people skills out of navigating that. I was a bit of a class clown, but then when I got into sports and dance, it fed me and gave me a work ethic as well as self esteem. I could own something that I was good at. My dyslexia affected how I could hear music. I had to feel the music. I didn't express it in a regimented way when I
danced, but through my body. That in and of itself was a golden star that I didn’t realize that made me different. Dyslexia is characterized through reading, but it is a language arts disability. It affects everything from working memory to executive function. I noticed my son at age 3 that when you put a 4 piece puzzle down – the sky is blue up there and there is a piece missing. He didn’t have the strategy to place it, but he is very smart. The blessing for me is that my spatial memory is ridiculous. I have sold apartments multiple times and re-renovated them and can tell you where everything used to be and where it moved. My son is a brilliant chess player because of his dyslexia. It’s a fascinating disability/obstacle that each individual is not the same. My sons are at Winward and this school teaches you how to learn differently and in the way that you need to with the best tool box to recall and remember certain things. He would ask me for his toolbox. It’s a multi-sensory experience. It’s a way to learn the kind of learner you are. I am auditory and very visual. My son is tactile – if he writes his notes, he can remember. My brother had a photographic memory. It affects working memory, recall, and dyslexia can be very different for each person.
AM: How important is fundraising and what does local fundraising mean?
LPF: Growing up, I watched my mom invest in her community whether it was school, church, the Nashville Symphony, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Children’s Theater – my mother believed in putting her fingerprint within her community and giving back. She used to say to me that you give it away to keep it, but at some point at 15 it clicked with me. When I think of local, I had a brother that died of AIDS and I wanted to build awareness around this and finding a cure as it is important. What I could do soulfully as opposed to writing that check was to work for a Bereavement Center – counseling siblings that lost their siblings. That’s local – I can’t change the public schools and make the state of NY stop stripping the arts, but I can entrench myself in a non profit that one school, child, etc will have a good elementary experience. That’s how I see local. The other component is tapping into my sphere and influence, like going to SoulCycle which I love, to do a fundraiser where everyone pays and rides
to make a difference. That’s as local as you can get.
AM: Tell us about Change for Kids
LFP: Oh my other little baby! The founder Ted Mudera was a friend and he introduced me to Change For Kids. One of the things that they did so well – very grass roots starting in the late 90s – was that Ted and the other founders met some educators and he bought the 3 ladies a round of drinks for less then $13. The principal said we get allocated $12.37 for all of their supplies for the year (books, pencils, supplies etc). He couldn’t believe it and took her business card and said he would visit her school. He went and saw how the kids were having an art class with egg shell containers with watered down paints, brown paper bags etc. The kids didn’t know they had proper supplies and the teachers supplied what they could. When he went back to his office, he put a big jar on his desk and when people ordered lunch, he asked them to put their change in there. He was a trader and the bucket grew.
In August he took all the change and said he had $812 and would ask what they would need. That’s how organic it started. So as we went forward, we started looking at supplies of each of the grades to see what we could do. We then grew to additional schools, field trips, etc.
Today it has now morphed. In 2008 he moved to London and we had a 16 – 20 executive board that went to 4. My husband, me, an executive guys, etc. We had an operating budget of 75K. Today we are in 10 schools and we have figured out how to be sustainable. We partner with the school and a great principal and we provide with a manager who is on staff to find the needs of the principal. We see what relationships exist and we want to partner with those without reinventing the wheel. We connect the dots and 100% of what we raise goes to the program with literacy, arts, writing, computer classes, etc. Every child deserves a vibrant, strong elementary experience. Because by middle school, they’re wandering. I know that high underfunded impoverished neighborhoods need this as the
right resources allow us to bring positive effort without spending a lot of money. It’s the best gift I can give my children as I can make a difference. Sometimes you take on the world and you get lost in the shuffle, but when you do something on this level, it spoon feeds my soul and you can see the efforts.
AM: Tell us more about the cycling event and what is taking place?
LFP: On July 28th we will have our 6th annual ride for kids. Through the generosity of Stacey Griffith (pictured on page 73) – a master instructor at SoulCycle – she was the first employee at SoulCycle. Julie and Elizabeth have been so generous in donating the studios and the bikes – we sell the bikes and sell them out every year. This is not an all day event. It’s an hour in the afternoon, you can be home, shower, and be out by 8pm in time to go out for summer plans.
My children make bracelets and are invested in this endeavor. It is that mindset of families that stay together play together. My son models for Ralph Lauren and with his first paycheck he said can we give $100 to Change for Kids and to put the rest in for college? It made me feel that I was doing something right. I include them and they include me as a result.
In the Fall on Oct 29th, we have Super Chef which has 800 people with 10 great chefs in the city that t have a tasting event We’ve done shop days with 25 Park, Calypso, Olive & Betty’s – the store has cocktails and 25% discounts with proceeds going to Change for Kids. In 5 years we will be at 35 schools. I personally believe that Change for Kids can be replicated in other states as we figured out how we have been sustainable.
AM: What are you looking to raise?
LFP: We have done anywhere from 20 – 40K and I am looking to do 50K. In addition to selling the bikes, we auction off iPods. Stacy auctions an iPod with music from St Tropez and DJs on the beach which is a hot ticket. So we would need to sell 2 iPods to make that amount. This has been my baby and there are so many generous people where they never miss an event. In our fall event, we want to do 500K.
AM: What are your summer plans?
LFP: I am going to hockey camp, just the three of us – leaving my husband here. I will do some bronzing, work, get some reading in and my sister will come and meet me. She can spend some time with the kids as well.
We are currently building our home in Montauk on the beach with Interior Designer, Courtney Novogratz. So I will be there and plant myself to try and nest while my other son is doing a hockey camp. So we’re looking to stay local in Bridgehampton and Montauk, with a lot of hockey, surfing and of course watching the Olympics!
Pictures courtesy of Louise Phillips Forbes
THE JET
The life of athletes is one of dedication and extreme focus, mentally and physically. They focus on a number of areas to be successfulbreaking records, obtaining metals, and establishing their legacy. With the Olympics™ days away, we chatted with sprinter and three time Olympic medallist, Carmelita Jeter.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We know that your athletic career started in high school but what made you want to be a sprinter?
CARMELITA JETER: In the 9th grade, my basketball coach said that I needed to stay in shape and so I went on the track team to do that – it was my only objective. Then I ended up being good and like any person, when you realize that you are good at something – you decide to stick with it. I’m not saying that I wasn’t good at basketball – I was. I just loved the individualism of track and that you took all the credit and all the blame. I feel that the sport builds a lot of character as you have to push, sacrifice, and train harder. It’s not a sport where 4 other people can save you. Starting as late as I did, people thought that I wouldn’t have made it as far as I did. I think that by starting later on, it assisted me in not burning out. I was fresher in the mind.
AM: How was it like when you prepared for your first Olympic appearance and how was it when you were doing so for the games in Rio?
CJ: The first Olympics™ in 2012 – I was coming off of so many great years! In 2009, I ran a 10.64 which made me the second fastest woman ever and the fastest woman alive. I didn’t lose a lot of races that year. In 2010, I came off excelling as well and won a Diamond League Trophy. In 2011 it was World Championships and I won the 100 meters and took 2nd in the 200 and won gold in the 4x100m.
So I had all these great years going into 2012. The momentum was, “ok you’re hot right now” and what are you going to do to stay hot? I was going into the Olympics, doing all of these cover shoots, interviews, and at that moment, everyone wanted a piece of Carmelita Jeter.
Unfortunately, in 2012 my aunt who had been diagnosed with cancer in 2009 passed away.
This was difficult for me as I was very close to her. I bought my first home down the street from her – who buys a home down the street from their relative unless they are really close? Her passing in March 2012 was really devastating. I didn’t want to run anymore. My approach had changed. I went from being really aggressive and focused to my coach having to call me to make me come to practice. That shows how bad it had gotten as I didn’t want to go. Before she had passed away, I told her that I was going to make the team. I had to check myself and say, “ok are you really going to fail now and not do what you said you would do?” At that moment, I became a monster and you couldn’t stop me – no holds barred and I was going to make the team!
My preparation for 2016 was different as I was 4 years older. I had torn 2 quads and had a quad surgery going into 2016. I had to change how I ate – I went all organic with Nutrifit. I was fortunate enough to have AquaHydrate supply me with bottles of water. I started physical therapy with Evolution PT in Culver City. There were all these things I did adding Pilates with Pilates Platinum in Venice Beach to my equation. This was my Pinky and the Brain – I wanted to stay healthy and it was my only objective. We all know that mentally, I am just a monster. I can run on one leg. I did it in 2013 and tore my quad that year and still got a bronze metal. My heart and mind was never the question. It was whether my body could hold up. After doing so many years of pounding to it – would it hold up? In that aspect, my everything had changed as I needed my body to stay together.
The week before Olympic trials came, my left quad started to aggravate me and I thought, “you have to be kidding me.” It was devastating because you workout so hard and this time it was an emotional workout more than a physical work. Emotionally, I said that you can do this at 36, but my body was like, “I don’t know boo – I don’t know.” I decided not to run because I got an MRI and it said that my tendon was completely inflamed in my quad. My doctor, Dr Frederick (who is also the doctor for the LA Clippers and Wayne Griffin) gave me the doctor and the friend conversation. The first conversation hurt as he was honest. He said, “if you go out there, you'll make it through the
first round and the second one. But when you have to really put your foot down on the gas – you might tear this tendon Carmelita and you’ll be back here and we might have to have a surgery.” That was the doctor conversation and then as a friend he said, I know how hard you work and how tough you are – I know you could pull it off but he didn’t want me to mess my body up forever. For him to have that type of conversation with me let me know how much he cared about me beyond being a doctor and he gave me both scenarios.
It was so emotional, but I called my coach and I cried like my best friend had stolen my boyfriend. He wanted me to come to the trials but I was so emotionally messed up that there was no way I could be there. I stayed home and watched the trials and of course I want Team USA to win. I’m such a competitor and patriotic – I just want to go out there and get it. So seeing this new team get selected – I knew this was the new era. A lot of the people that I typically run with didn’t make it or got injured. It was hard to watch that as well – other runners not making it showed me the reality that this was a changing of the guard moment.
AM: When training for meets, what does a typical day look like?
CJ: Right now I am still waking up at 5:30 in the morning, which is the worst thing as I’m not working out – so I just look at the wall. Usually, my schedule is to wake up at 5:30 and to be out the door by 6:15. I’m in the weight room by 6:45. We would train at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, so I would be there from them until about 8am in the morning. That’s lifting weight, power weights, power clinking and then I would drive to UCLA in about 30 minutes and we would start practicing there starting at 9/9:15. I’m out there until about 11/11:30. Then it depended on what I had that day. I would leave practice and go to CryoTherapy (imagine getting into a giant freezer) in LA and then grab food as Nutrifit, would bring my meals every morning so I would have it with me and pop it in the microwave somewhere. I would either head home and relax to get ready for Evolution PT which was about an hour. My day would be done by 1:30/2pm as I tried to keep everything together so that things wouldn’t linger out.
After that I didn’t have anything else to do. I would go to Pilates on Tues night at 8pm – my only day that I did something late. This way I could come home, drink water, and relax. So I couldn’t complain about the schedule.
AM: What was on your playlist during training/ working out?
CJ: It always mattered how I felt in the morning. If I woke up and felt the birds were chirping – I’d listen to Maroon 5. I always loved listening to old songs from Aaliyah – something about her voice made me feel calm. If the day was different and I didn’t want to go to practice, I’d have to listen to Jay-Z, Nas, Beyonce, Rihanna. If someone pissed me off – Kanye was always on the playlist and always waiting.
AM: What’s next on your calendar in terms of in the sport and outside of it?
CJ: Right now, I have actually been pretty busy. I’m trying to stick my hand in all kinds of pots! A few days ago I presented an award at the Humanitarian Sports ESPN of the Year Award to one of teams. It was really exciting and my first time doing that and standing up there. It always feels like everyone’s looking at you and judging you to see if you are going to mess up and I was like, “no I’m not!” I really enjoyed that. I have been a professional since 2007 and this year’s ESPY Awards was my first time in attendance! How crazy is that? I’m usually out of the country in July training or competing. So for me to get glammed up and to go – it was a highlight and I’ve always seen it wishing I could be there. Being in the environment and seeing the tribute that they did for Muhammad Ali and hearing his stories that I didn’t know to it’s fullest extent brought tears to my eyes.
I’ve been talking with NBC, and hopefully, I can start commentating with them through the Olympics. I want to do so many things – commentate, do public speaking, talk to athletes, empower women to be freaking amazing and get into acting. I know it’s not easy to do it as like a sport, it’s a craft that you have to focus and dedicate yourself to. I feel that I have the personality to do it. I wouldn’t mind being on a sports panel talking with athletes or a day time show!
I loved that I have been able to get dressed the last couple of days. Many people think that if you’re an athlete you’re just that, but no boo – I clean up VERY well! I’m just excited about so many avenues that I can get into. I really want to be the first woman that can coach in the combine – to coach the guys to run fast in the 40s. I am always trying to set goals to be the best at it. Just like Becky Hammond is the first woman to assistant coach for the Spurs. I want to be the first woman trainer in the combine for sprint. Not just setting it up for football, baseball – I just want to break some barriers. There are so many barriers for women to just smash and I’m just trying to get a bat right now and just go crazy - Lemonade it!
AM: What’s your personal style on the track, when you’re going out, and then for brunch?
CJ: For the track – honestly I never match unless I am doing interviews. As long as it said Nike, I would put it on – it could be burgundy, orange, green. I went to practice as if I was going to work and to get dirty – it was not a fashion show for me. That was my mindset when I got dressed in the morning as half the time I would get dressed in the dark. It was about sportbra, shirt, tights, bag – let’s roll. I had my gear in certain drawers and it was easy to grab. I didn’t put thought in it. Interviews – I was matching from the hats to the socks, in matching Nike.
For red carpet, it matters what the event is –fancy dancy, LA casual etc. If there is a lot of energy and press, I use Noel Smith who has been dressing me for these last two events. I have used her before, but I told I’m really going to need her when I’m truly stepping out. She’s keeping my style as she knows I don’t want to be uncomfortable. I want to be classy and give a little sass.
For brunch, it just matters how I feel that day. I am a vneck and jeans girl. I have 20 – 30 fresh with tags tees on. I will pop one on with a pair of jeans and a blazer and roll. It’s my go to that works with everything. If it’s an event that I have to wear a dress then I will do a flowy dress by BCBG as they always have a
number of them that works! For the most part- I’m a vneck/jeans and heel kind of girl. But it you’re my friend and I don’t care, then I’m going to throw on sweats, a baseball cap, tee-shirt and some high tops and we’re going to eat. It just matters who I’m with.
AM: You have a lot of commitments with friends, family, etc – how do you stay balanced and give yourself the time that you need?
CJ: I just got back from Cancun. I like to take vacations, but I don’t like to be gone for too long so I take a number of short trips. I like to lay on the beach, think, and relax. When I need to just be Carmelita, I like to shop –there’s nothing like a little retail therapy. It can be something small or big but I like to give to myself as I work so hard. I love to be with my family as I love them – we’re like Soul Food. I love the energy and that I don’t have to do interviews or overly smile and play nice. We can talk crazy and it will just stay there and I don’t have to worry about it showing up somewhere. I definitely like people who love ‘Lita (that’s what people call me who know me). I love horseback riding, go carting (I’m a champion) – I love being active and things that have nothing to do with track. When you come into my home, there is nothing in there that lets you know I run track and I like that I can open the door to my house and have that serenity now feel. Now if you go into the garage, that is something different!
Carmelita Jeter Images courtesy of BJ Coleman Entertainment on pages
We're in the middle of summer where being near the water is an essential for fun as well as to stay cool! Adulting can be tough and even we need to be reminded of pool safety! We talked with Aquatic Director, Susanna Lubinsky Of Griffin Club LA to make sure that we all know the do's of water safety!
ATHLEISURE MAG: Why is swimming a great activity for fitness and what are its benefits?
SUSANNA LUBINSKY: Swimming is very different from working out on land. Since water is over 700 times denser than air, swimming forces your body to constantly work through resistance through muscular contraction. This kind of resistance training is unique in that it strengthens your skeletal muscles, improves your muscular mass and tone, and builds endurance while also strengthening your involuntary muscles, like your heart and lungs. Furthermore, since swimming is low impact, you can swim at higher intensities at a more regular basis without feeling the wear and tear that some land-based workouts may cause. Swimming is also a full body workout: training the large muscles of your back, core, shoulder and arms, glutes, hamstrings, wrists, ankles and feet, as well as many small, stabilizing muscles that other workouts miss. Swimming also affects your central nervous system, your sense of balance, proprioception, cognitive functioning, as well as your cardiovascular health.
AM: What tips would you provide to those that are adults that have never swam, but are looking to include this within their routine for fitness?
SL: Have fun and explore different pathways of movements. Not all adults have to swim traditional laps in order to get the physical benefits of working out in the water. If you’re a runner for example, try wearing a weighted belt, and go jogging through the water. It’s gentler on your joints while also giving the added benefit of a massage—as you move through water, it naturally channels and swirls, creating a whirlpool effect on the muscles. Also, don’t be shy to take a class or a lesson from a swim coach. They are like personal trainers; they will guide you to avoid bad habits and unnecessary injuries.
AM: Is swimming also therapeutic in terms of assisting in reducing injuries that may have taken place from other activities?
SL: Absolutely! Since it is a low impact sport, it’s easy on the joints and many physical therapists include swimming for rehabilitation. Furthermore, you get the added benefit of mental clarity and stress reduction. Being submerged in water has the benefit of sensory deprivation—all this means is that if you’re looking for a place of quiet and calm, diving under water may just do the trick. There is new research out there that shows the benefits of floatation tanks, relieving symptoms such as chronic anxiety.
AM: What are the best foods to eat before and after swimming and what should be avoided?
SL: What’s important to note here, is that everybody is different. What works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to experiment and notice which foods work for your body. An easy rule of thumb is you want to consume simple carbohydrates before exercising, like fruit, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or an energy bar, for quick, immediate fuel. It’s also super important to remember to stay hydrated, which many swimmers may not think about since they are immersed in water. Feed your body post workout with a lean protein to rebuild muscle as well as a
Take a Dip
At the Griffin Club
LA
plex carbohydrate, such as leafy green vegetables, rice, or pasta to replenish sugar levels.
AM: What are the benefits that swimming can provide?
SL: It’s an amazing lung strengthener, and who wouldn’t want strong, healthy lungs? When your body and face is immersed in water, there is greater pressure on the diaphragm and lungs, making oxygen a premium commodity. Therefore, the body learns to adapt with the pressures by optimizing the air it does take in, while expelling more carbon dioxide. This alone improves pulmonary health while increasing blood flow to the brain. Furthermore, studies have shown that regular swimmers have lower resting heart rates and blood pressure as well as greater elasticity in the lungs and skin.
AM: Are there injuries that are common to swimmers and how can you avoid this happening?
SL: The most common injury is the swimmer’s shoulder, which manifests most frequently with the freestyle stroke, and to a lesser degree with backstroke and butterfly. It shows up as inflammation and pain most often in the deltoids and rotator cuff. It is often caused by improper technique, excessive downward force of the arms, or pushing through against the onset of fatigue.
Overtraining, unbalanced strength, such as with unilateral breathing, and the overuse of paddles can exacerbate the condition. Best prevention is make sure your swimming technique is sound. Take lessons with a qualified professional, brush up on drills, and pay attention to your body, rather than move from habituated patterns. Make sure you familiarize yourself with and incorporate hydrodynamic principles into your practice. Rest when you are tired, as overtraining tired muscles weakens the integrity of the small, stabilizing muscles. Also, it’s important to stretch the chest and strengthen your latissimus dorsi regularly.
AM: What are popular water sports that are available at Griffin Club?
SL: Griffin Club Los Angeles offers a Cross Training H20 class, a creative, fun and wet way to spice up your workout this summer. Taught by our Athletic Director Derek Capps and myself, participants are divided into 2 groups and alternate between land and water for an enhanced metabolic training experience. The land-based sequences are comprised of multi-joint movements like burpees, pushups, squats and jumps. The swimming portion will utilize a variety of strokes for an aerobic workout. Combining these two different workout methods will assure a high caloric burn both during and after the workout as well as improve overall performance. This class is suitable for all fitness and swimming levels. Griffin Club Los Angeles offers classes for children as well, including a Parent & Me swim class for children 6 months to 2.5 years of age.
GREECE INSPO X MIAMI SWIM WEEK with
Tori Praver
All eyes were on Miami as another successful season of Swim Week SS/17 hit South Beach. We caught up with former Sport Illustrated model, Tori Praver, who closed the season with her namesake line. This season she showed her 2017 Resort Collection entitled "Royal Castaway" which takes inspiration from Greek architecture, tiles, and white ocean rocks. Filled with earth tones balanced against black and white as well as limoncello and chili pepper hues. Tori Praver is available at Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Anthropologie.
We took a moment to chat with Tori about how she keeps Swim Week Stress away, stays healthy, continues to be fit on the road, and spending time with her family during one of her biggest weeks of the year.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What is the inspiration behind this year's collection?
TORI PRAVER: I was inspired by travels through Greece and European cliifside beaches. We've also introduced a new range of coverage for bottoms this season that speak to our youthful and muture customers. I'm also thrilled to offer some new styles for our separates - fit and form and very important to me, and are the cornerstone for everthing I create.
AM: What does it mean to show at Swim Week?
TP: As far as being a swimwear designer goes it’s what you wait for all year – it’s a very special place to be able to showcase your collections and it’s also a lot of fun at the same time. I get to reconnect with my fellow designers and see everyone again from years past.
AM: How do you stay fit on the go?
TP: I try to eat clean whenever possible and keep up my workout regimen while on the road. Luckily my family and I had the privilege of living at the Penthouse Residences for the week at 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach. The property really promotes a healthy lifestyle and offers a wide variety of healthy dining options by Chef Tom Colicchio, as well wellness and fitness classes throughout the day from SoulCycle to Spartan training, rooftop Yoga and more.
AM: Why is eating organic important to you?
TP: I’ve always been cautious about what I eat but now that I have two children, it has made me that much more aware of what we put in our bodies. There are so many hidden ingredients / chemicals in the food people eat every day without even knowing. Eating organic makes you feel healthier and better overall, and it’s important to me for my kids to also be aware of these things.
AM: How did you combat Swim Week Stress?
TP: Living in the Penthouse Residences at 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach was a stress relief in itself. My daughter Ryan was always entertained around the property between the four ocean front swimming pools, children’s activities and more. I was able to escape in the mornings as well to the SoulCycle studio on property and spun out my stress. It was really fantastic having everything I love in one place and made my life during Swim Week much easier.
AM: Now that you completed your show, what are you up to for the rest of the summer?
TP: I’m going to relax, spend time with my kids and not be stressed! I’m looking forward to staying in one place for a while.
AM: What lessons did you learn as a Sports Illustrated Model that have assisted you in balancing your time, being successful as a designer, etc?
TP: It wasn’t necessarily what I learned as a model, but the individuals that I’ve met along the way and the connections that I made were a huge advantage when I decided to start my own swimwear line. Every person you meet comes with their own life experiences and I’ve enjoyed getting to know and learn from so many different people throughout my career with all different backgrounds.
Tori Praver pictures courtesy of Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for 1 Homes South Beach and Funkshion Swimweek pictures courtesy of SimonSoong Photography
AXLE WORKOUT ATHLEISURE LIST: NYC
The Axle Workout is a full body strength and conditioning program that is designed with a special emphasis on dynamic core exercises that are unique to the Axle training bar. Given the ultra light (<10lb) nature of the bar, it allows for a variety of movements catered to every skill level.
The philosophy behind the class is to pair foundational strength exercises with rolling core training exercises to minimize rest time between sets and create a greater metabolic effect for participants. The class also incorporates tempo training based to the beat of the music during sets.
Andrew Page is a strength and conditioning coach based in NYC who originally conceived the idea for the Axle training bar while training Olympic Athletes. Anuj Patel is a healthcare professional with an engineer's mind who helped source, design, and manufacture the training tool. They share the inspiration of improving human movement across all populations.
The Axle Workout is offered out of Clay Health Club & Spa's indoor studios and outdoor roof deck, lo-
cated in Union Square. The Axle Workout will expand to three more locations by fall 2016 and will continue to grow throughout NYC.
Clay Health Club & Spa is a premier luxury health and fitness space. It offers an array of amenities that include: showers, sauna, spa, steam, indoor and outdoor lounge area, fresh juice bar and cafe, towel service, and locker service.
Axle Workout apparel is currently private label with
eventual plans to partner with leading brands.
This method is always a full-body and core-centric training program. We offer three tiers of classes with the entry level focusing more on core strength and balance, mid level building on the first tier and they are introducing more athletic-based movements, and high-intensity classes with advanced classes placing emphasis on metabolic training.
AXLE WORKOUT FACTS
LOCATIONS: 25 West 14th St NY, NY 10011
STUDIO OFFERINGS: Axle Workout's full body strength and conditioning program is currently being enjoyed at Clay Health Club & Spa within their indoor studios and their outdoor roof deck.
ATHLEISURE LIST: NYC, HAMPTONS, CT + TURKS &
ERIKA BLOOM PILATES
Erika Bloom Pilates offers personalized holistic fitness programs. They believe that fitness and movement are part of a fit, balanced lifestyle. The exercise programs are designed to make members strong and lean, and focuses equally on creating healthy, functional plans that fit into their routine and are sustainable for the long term. The end result is a body that’s free of aches and pains and that feels more graceful and toned.
This is possible by focusing on extensive training and education programs by their staff. Instructors hold advanced certifications in Pilates but also study yoga, Feldenkrais, Barteneiff, Alexander, Klein, and more. They work closely with their top practitioners in acupuncture, holistic health counseling, massage, structural integration, and more, so that a client’s care is fully coordinated. All of this is offered in serene, luxurious environments that are truly full body wellness destinations. The Erika Bloom Method combines the 100 years of wisdom from classical Pilates with modern anatomy research and exercise science.
The method was founded by Erika Bloom, who is still at the helm of all five studios.
She was a professional dancer who first discovered and began practicing Pilates to aid her dance training and deal with dance related injuries. She fell in love with Pilates and immersed herself in studying many forms of movement, exercise, and wellness. She is extensively trained in anatomy and exercise protocols. Her many certifica-
tions include 650+ hour Pilates, yoga therapy, stand up paddle board, prenatal Pilates, and postnatal Yoga. She has additionally trained in diastasis rehab, gait correction, postural correction, Pilates for tennis, Pilates for golf, scoliosis, osteoporosis, back pain therapy, chronic pain therapy, fascia massage, Zero Balancing, joint replacement protocols, and more.
Erika Bloom's 5 studios are located in: the Upper East Side in New York City, two in the Hamptons: one in East Hampton and one in Watermill that just opened this Memorial Day, Greenwich, CT, and one at Amanyara Resort in Turks and Caicos. The aim is to open where our clients need them and to expand purposefully to keep the focus on highly trained staff in beautiful spaces.
Erika Bloom creates a toxin free, natural environment in all studios and their offerings that adhere to the philosophy. Their bathrooms have hand soap and candles by Red Flower. In addition, they provide filtered water in glass Soma’s (sustainable, plantbased filters). The boutique at Erika Bloom sells a carefully curated selection of organic and natural beauty products including Tata Harper, Josh Rosenbrook , Bottega Organica, and more. While in studio, guests can purchase organic blends by Lulitonix and eco-friendly Pilates props.
Guests can purchase their internal eponymous label of organic cotton T's coupled with a perfect selection of luxury fitness clothing by brands like Alo Yoga, LNA , and Morrow.
The Erika Bloom Method offers private or duet sessions. In-studio sessions are done on the full Pilates apparatus including the reformer, cadillac, chair, and barrel. These machines provide resistance for challenge and assistance for perfect form so each session is maximized. The Erika Bloom Method combines lengthening and strengthening with specific biomechanically sound exercises that target the entire body with focus on the intrinsic musculature. It is perfectly designed to create long, lean, functional bodies. Within each session, highly trained instructors pinpoint imbalances to choose the most effective exercises and create programs specific to each person so that everyone can achieve healthy, long, lean, graceful bodies.
In addition to the signature Erika Bloom Method sessions, acupuncture, holistic health counseling, craniosacral therapy, structural integration, massage, yoga, and meditation are offered. Practitioners are trained to tailor programs for prenatal, postpartum, diastasis recti, scoliosis, osteoporosis, joint replacement protocols, back pain, sports injuries, and more.
The Art of the Snack
SALADS
The salad is truly a dish for all seasons for an array of meals. In The Modern Salad (available Sept), Elizabeth Howes shares recipes that will make you re-think your next choice and to wow your guests. Pictures courtesy of Kimberley Hasslebrink.
SERVES 4-6
Ingredients:
2 cups brown basmati rice, soaked in filtered water overnight
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil, divided
1 cup finely diced shallot (about 3 medium shallots)
1 clove garlic, finely diced
3 whole cloves
3-inch piece of Ceylon cinnamon stick
2 cups coconut milk
3 cups filtered water
1½ teaspoons matcha powder
1½ cups dried fruit (diced mango, apricots, cranberries, and goji berries)
1 cup golden raisins
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1 cup roughly chopped raw pistachios
½ cup raw slivered almonds
¼ cup raw seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, and hemp are good choices)
2 cups finely shredded purple cabbage (about 1 small head)
2 cups finely shredded carrots (about 3 large carrots)
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
¼ cup finely chopped scallion
1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
¼ cup good-quality extra virgin olive oil sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, plus Maldon sea salt for finishing
Directions:
1. Drain and rinse the rice, shaking the strainer to remove any excess water.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of the grapeseed oil to a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
3. Cook the shallot, garlic, cloves, and cinnamon stick for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
4. Add the rice, and stir to combine. Add the coconut milk, fltered water, and matcha powder. Stir to combine, and bring to a boil.
5. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, and simmer, covered but slightly cracked open, for 40 to 45 minutes. If the rice is fully cooked but hasn’t absorbed all the liquid, it’s perfectly fine to drain.
6. Remove the cloves and cinnamon stick, and allow to cool uncovered.
7. Fluff the rice with a fork, and season with salt and pepper.
8. While the rice is cooking, in a medium skillet over medium heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil.
9. Add the dried fruit, raisins, and coriander. Stir occasionally until the fruit begins to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
10. Season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a plate to cool.
11. In the same skillet, toast the pistachios, almonds, and seeds over medium heat for about 2 to 4 minutes, and transfer to another plate to cool.
12. Arrange the rice, fruit mixture, nuts and seeds, cabbage, carrots, pomegranate seeds, coconut fakes, scallion, and orange zest, if using, on a large serving platter or on individual plates.
13. Drizzle with the best-quality extra virgin olive oil you can fnd, and sprinkle with fnishing salt and freshly cracked black pepper, if desired. Toss thoroughly at tableside to combine.
GREEN MANGO, MINT, AND RICE NOODLE SALAD WITH CHILE OIL
SERVES 4
Ingredients:
1 green mango, peeled and sliced into very thin matchsticks
2 limes, divided
8 ounces brown rice pad thai noodles
1 (9-ounce) package mung bean sprouts
5–6 scallions, thinly sliced on the bias
½ cup roughly torn fresh mint
¼ cup roughly torn fresh basil
¼ cup Toasted Chickpea Flour, divided
¼ cup Chile Oil
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon chile flakes, sea salt, plus Maldon sea salt for finishing
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, toss the sliced mango with the juice of 1 lime and a generous pinch of sea salt.
2. Allow to sit for 10 minutes while you cook the noodles according to the package instructions.
3. Drain, rinse the noodles with cold water to prevent sticking, and shake of the excess water before assembling the salad.
4. In a large serving bowl, add the noodles, green mango, mung bean sprouts, scallions, mint, basil, and 3 tablespoons of the chickpea four.
5. Drizzle the chile oil and fish sauce over the top, and toss to combine.
6. Garnish with the chile fakes, the remaining 1 tablespoon of chickpea four, and the remaining lime, quartered into wedges, and Maldon sea salt right before serving.
MASSAGED KALE AND SEAWEED SALAD WITH MISO VINAIGRETTE
SERVES 2-4
¼ cup white miso paste
1–2 cloves garlic, smashed into a paste
2 teaspoons umeboshi plum vinegar
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup filtered water
¼ cup, plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 medium bunches Tuscan kale, stems removed
3 medium heads romaine hearts
4 large carrots, peeled and shaved into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler
4 cups seaweed, soaked in filtered water for 15 minutes or until soft, then drained thor oughly
4 cups finely shredded purple cabbage (about 1 medium head)
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, plus extra for garnish
1 cup raw, shelled sunflower seeds, plus extra for garnish
1 cup raw hemp seeds, plus extra for garnish ½ cup finely chopped on the bias scallions sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the miso paste, garlic, both vinegars, lemon juice, and fltered water until smooth.
2. Slowly stream in the olive oil until emulsifed.
3. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
4. Transfer the vinaigrette to a glass jar, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
5. To prepare the kale, stack 5 to 8 leaves on top of each other. Roll tightly into a log, and slice into a 1-inch chifonade. Continue with the remaining kale. In a large bowl, add about ¼ cup of the vinaigrette.
6. Place the kale on top, and lightly season with sea salt. With clean hands, gently massage the vinaigrette and salt into the kale until it begins to soften, adding more vinaigrette if necessary. At this point, you can either refrigerate the kale for up to 30 minutes or continue to assemble the salad.
7. To chifonade the romaine hearts, stack 4 to 5 leaves and slice them into 1-inch strips. Continue with the remaining romaine then add them to the kale mixture.
8. To assemble, add the carrot, seaweed, cabbage, seeds, and scallions to the kale mixture in a large bowl. Toss with additional vinaigrette - adding more salt and/or pepper, if necessary. Serve on individual plates and garnish with additional seeds, if desired.
We caught up with Michael Hejtmanek (pronounced het-man-ick) for our next Trailblazer feature just before he was heading out to ride with some friends.
Trailblazers is our series where we catch up with active creative leaders and innovative thinkers to learn more about our out-of-boardroom adventures, expertise and passions.
Michael has been with Hasselblad Bron since 2008. Hasselblad Bron is a distributor of professional photography products in North and South America, which acquired control of Hasselblad Americas in 2012. Michael rejoined the photography industry after 20 years in the technology industry. Prior to then, Mr. Hejtmanek had been with Oracle Corporation and Compaq (formerly Digital Equipment Company) designing and building large-scale enterprise application solutions. He studied photography and anthropology at Ohio University and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School. He lives in New York City.
ATHLEISURE MAG: How did you get involved with motorcycling? How quickly did your passion evolve?
MICHAEL HEJTMANEK: It started as a midlife crisis activity. I have been doing extreme sports all my life pushing the limits any way I could. But when I turned 45 years old I got rid of my mountain bike and took a Motorcycle SafetyFoundation class. The driving force was the romantic notion that motorcycles represented freedom coupled with some sort of masculine desire to prove my manhood as I entered my mid-forties.
I remember texting my MSF instructor the day after the course ended. “I just bought a Ducati and I am so excited.” She replied “Be careful, keep learning, and be careful.” The first thing about motorcycles that burned into my brain was the MSF instructor telling me that it takes about 100 actions to drive a car and over 2,000 to ride a motorcycle. I found this intriguing and a challenge. I was determined to learn. So I rode. I rode a lot. And I took classes and read books. I soaked it up the way I approach everything. Total focus and commitment. The best way to learn is to ride with professionals who
know how to teach. So that’s what I did. I quickly hit the limits of what could safely be done on the streets and within a year of getting my license was on the race track to learn from professional instructors. For me riding is very technical, its all about precision and speed. And while I do own a few vintage motorcycles, my love is the fast sport bikes.
AM: Do you bike to work, what are some of the pros and cons and how do you maximize safety?
MH: I ride to work almost every day. Safety is definitely the number one thing that you can think about when riding especially while travelling through Manhattan, over the Hudson river and onto the NJ Turnpike like I do every day. I have met some people who ride while listening to music. And I have met some who ride with a headset so they can talk on the phone. The statistics are against those who do not put 100% of their attention on staying alive on a motorcycle. I commute every day from the Upper West Side of Manhattan about 45 miles to our North American headquarters in New Jersey. I always ride with full armor because crashes happen and I have had my share of them. I always wear all the gear all the time (AGAT). Riding the NJ turnpike is sort of like playing Frogger. The entire ride is an effort of focus and concentration. Every car is a potential killer waiting to make a sudden lane change. You can never be in a blind spot. You watch for drivers who are texting. You see them drinking beers, you smell them smoking pot. You are always analyzing the lay of traffic and thinking, “Hey there is an opening there for that guy two lanes over, he might make a lane change and cut me off.” It is like a paranoid chess game in real time where you need to anticipate all the drivers’ possible moves before they make them. But then there are the moments when you can slide through traffic, find a great big sweeping turn, and accelerate through the whole thing like you are riding on rails…its magic. Its worth the risk…I get better gas mileage than a Prius (well I actually don’t know that to be true!). But I arrive to work each morning with a huge grin on my face. The commute is cerebral and exciting. It wakes me up, I know I am alive. But getting hit by a taxi cab a few weeks ago at 40MPH was not fun. Just like everything in life, you assess the damage and decide whether you want to
AM: Are you part of any clubs? How often do you meet?
MH: You mean a gang? Motorcyclist in NYC can be a real problem. There is a lawless out of control faction. We have seen too many incidents in NYC over the past few years that shed a very bad light on motorcycles. Anytime I see more than 20 motorcycles riding together weaving in and out of traffic I cringe. But that said, I do ride with a few very conscious groups of other people who value their own lives as much as they value the others in the group. We ride with a maximum of 8 riders all about the same skill level, all very competent and fast. There are no written down standards of safety because everyone has their own skillset and comfort zone. When we ride with new riders we watch them very closely. People are quickly scolded for risky behavior and are eliminated from the group when they show behaviors that may be dangerous to themselves or to others. When we are not at the racetrack we ride at least two big rides each month. Riding the roads is different fomr the racetrack. The roads are public, dangerous, and fun for riding with constraint. The racetrack is the place for pushing the limits and also the place where our safety standards get set and reset. On the street, our rides are generally 300 to 350 miles up from NYC usually into Connecticut or the Catskills and we are usually back in the city before 3pm…before the deer come out.
AM: What kinds of physical and mental preparation are needed? Do you work with any mentors to improve and push your bounds? (loved handling higher speed turns)
MH: You are right to point out that the prep is both physical and mental. If I have a head cold or if a have a huge fire burning at work, my performance will be more affected that if I am physically out of shape. But being in shape is absolutely important as well. Some people imagine riding a motorcycle to be like riding a bicycle. But from the perspective of your body I would say that riding a motorcycle is much more like riding a horse. On a horse your legs do most of the work. Your hands are only used for steering input. The same is true on a motor-
cycle. The handlebars are not for holding on, they are for steering and throttle control. If someone gets off a motorcycle and complains about their wrists and forearms hurting, then they are doing it wrong. On the contrary, when someone gets off a motorcycle after a long ride and their legs hurt so bad that they can barely walk…well that person is doing it right, but probably should hit the gym some more.
But the physical is almost irrelevant in terms
of importance compared to the mental. Riding smooth and fast is mostly mental. Its about vision and fear. The conscious control of your vision and your fears is the hardest thing about riding at your limit..and hence expanding that limit. Sure there is a lot a things to understand like traction, body position, and throttle control. But the thing that makes most riders crash is fear and vision. Keeping your eyes wide open and able to see the big picture in any turn without getting drawn into some detail is critical
for smoothly executing a turn. But vision isn’t everything. As speed comes up, fear enters the picture. Your own brain can become your worst enemy as fear tries to govern your actions. A perfect example would be to ask any non-rider what you should do if you enter a turn so fast that the tires start sliding. Most would say to slow down or hit the brakes. If you touch the brakes while your wheels are sliding, you will crash. But if you add speed gently you will come through that turn just fine.
AM: Do you do things to take your involvement further, such as track racing or competition? What’s next?
MH: I did about 20 days at the racetrack last year which was my second full year on a motorcycle. The first time I got on the racetrack I was completely addicted. I do about half of my days on the track at the California SuperBike School. I find that on my own I can make minor improvements in technique and lap times, but with the school I can make leaps and bounds. The Superbike school is one of those high performance organizations that is so well run that it is a real rarity. I can’t say enough good things about them. They create a professional environment that allows you to safely improve your technique by leaps and bounds. A good example would be how not only my laptimes but also my confidence through fast turns improved from a track day in April to a track day at the same track in June. I was having a mental problem with a really fast turn. I was hitting the turn at 70MPH on average. Keith Code, the founder of the school worked with me on how to think about the turn, how to see the entrance and exit differently, and how to really see and understand that part of track. He coached me though relaxing and worked with me on how to slow down my men
tal process. By the end of the day I was taking the same turn at 104MPH….That’s not the type of improvement I can do by yourself. The Superbike School is really responsible for making me the rider that I am today. All the coaches there are sort of magicians. They work through the physics of the motorcycle and the operation of the brain.
Anytime one is doing a sport where a mistake could end very very badly, concentration and focus are extremely important. Riding at the track has heightened my ability to focus, to see the big picture, and to respond more calmly but incredibly quickly to problems as they arise. Any member of my team at Hasselblad has seen how this has spilled over into how I manage people at the company. We have become more confident, less reactive, but quicker in our execution… And I don’t tend to get as angry when things go wrong…which makes everyone a lot happier. The next thing for me is to start working on is simply finding more time for the race track or the dirt track in between launching some really exciting new cameras and lighting products.
AM: As part of the leadership at Hasselblad, are you also passionate about racing photography? Have you experimented with any drone sports
photography when riding?
MH: We have supported a few photographers who take a very artistic approach to motorsports photography. Many members of the high end professional car and motorcycle shooters use Hasselblad cameras. But trackside racingphotography it is not our core market. We have some new products that might change that though.
Regarding drones, I have been on a few racetracks where drones have been used to make photos and videos of riders. But these are mostly at unregulated or lesser regulated tracks where we do Supermoto riding. The big tracks have a general rule against them as they could be extremely dangerous to the riders on the track if not kept out of the way. The drone market is an incredible one. It is one that we at Hasselblad are very excited about. Our relationship with DJI (a minority investor in Hasselblad) is just starting to bear fruit as we launched our first joint product with DJI in early July 2016. The M600 Drone is a fully integrated combination of the Hasselblad A5D-50c 50 megapixel medium format camera and the DJI Matrice 600 drone. The solu
tion provides a professional long range solution for high resolution aerial photography with unmatched resolution and flexibility.
AM: What brought you to Hasselblad? Tell us more about its ethos - ‘Create to Inspire.’
MH: In 2012 I had the chance to meet some of the board members of Hasselblad. I was running a distribution company that sold a handful of high end photographic products and knew the market quite well. During the meeting it quickly became clear that we shared an opinion that drastic changes were afoot in the imaging market and that drastic changes were needed by the companies that supplied tools to the imaging market. We shared a common vision of how the market would play out and what products were needed to not only survive, but to thrive in the new reality that faced the industry. The thing that really sealed the deal was when I pulled out my iPad and showed them a 3 slides that I had made to show where the market was heading. The chairman of the board cut me off, reached into his bag and pulled out his iPad, he spun it across the table and showed me that he had exactly the same three slides. At that moment we
both knew that we had the same vision for how to grow Hasselblad. And today, we are in the middle of realizing that vision. The Launch of the Hasselblad X1D camera is the most important camera that Hasselblad has launched in over 10 years. The X1D is a game changer that redefines high end photography. The response to this camera has been incredible. It packs more image quality into a package smaller than most small sensored 35mm DSLRs. It truly redefines the market.
Create to Inspire are the words that drive us. We want to create products that inspire all Hasselblad employees. These products must enhance the pride we feel in carrying the Hasselblad name. And on the other side we want to create products that our customers can used to create images that inspire others. When we made the X1D we kept asking ourselves if this camera really can live up to the name, does the image quality inspire us, do the ergonomics inspire us, does it look inspiring? And then finally we ask will this camera inspire photographers to reach beyond the normal, beyond the rules, beyond whatever roadblock they may have? Will this camera be used to create the new iconic images of our time? We believe the answer is yes.
AM: Hasselblad is known for superior image quality and elegant ergonomic design, what are the core values that drive such continued craftsmanship and high performance?
MH: Hasselblad is uncompromising. The employees all take pride in the brand. The company has employees who have been building of repairing cameras for 40 years. These veterans help anchor the brand by providing a living reminder of the past and of the core values of Victor Hasselblad. For a camera to be a Hasselblad it must first and foremost have the best image quality. This means that we must have the best imaging sensors, the best image processing algorithms, the best color, and the best optics. Then, the camera must also have the best ergonomics. It needs to fit in your hand comfortably, the controls need to be easy to adjust. Basically the ergonomics should make the camera melt in your hands so you can forget about it and use it as a natural extension of your vision. And finally it must look great. Design is a key component to
everything we do.
AM: We loved checking out the new (and first) medium format mirrorless X1D camera prototype at your NYC launch. (US $8995 body, US ~$2.3k for lenses). Boasting a brilliant 50 MP for image quality, we found it to have a fancy feel and UI, while remaining light-weight for walking about. With luxe function meets form solved, what kinds of photographers do you feel the X1D will take off with?
MH: The X1D opens up Hasselblad again to a much broader market. In the days of film, the Hasselblad 500 series cameras were the go to cameras for anyone who was serious about photography. While providing similar image quality, the X1D is different from our H6D series of cameras. The H6D cameras are system cameras. To non-professionals they may seem intimidating
with controls functions and modularity that may not be appreciated by a photography enthusiast who may not have special camera needs. The H6D is also heavy and more at home in the studio on a camera stand then in a back pack in Burma. On the contrary, the X1D is lightweight, small, and unintimidating. It is a really great easy to use camera with an imaging sensor that is much much larger than any other camera in its weight class. So the X1D is a camera for anyone’s camera bag, anyone’s backpack. It is equally at home on a tripod shooting beautiful landscapes, or shooting street photography in the beautiful afternoon light in Paris. It has great resolution and high ISO performance which also makes it an excellent camera for wedding photographers. Take it anywhere and shoot anything, you wont be disappointed with the results.
AM: How is it to balance
craftsmanship with modern chic features, such as the pop-up function flywheel, Wi-Fi/GPS connectivity and touchscreen UI?
MH: Sweden is where are roots are. We are located in Gothenburg which is an amazing city. Our headquarters is right next door to one of the best engineering schools in Europe. The city is home to many high technology companies. We don’t have a problem with modern and chic. Our engineers and designers come from a diverse set of industries and product ideation meetings provide a literal smorgasbord of ideas and practical studies of feasibility and implementation.
AM: Extraordinary high resolution, tonal balance and depth are hallmarks from Hasselblad, what are your latest high-range cameras and where are some notable places they are used?
MH: Our cameras are deployed throughout the world for critical imaging applications. The applications range from the top fashion photographers, the best portrait photographers, the most amazing landscape photographers, to the most demanding museum. There are too many names to name, but if a photographer is really serious about image quality you can bet that they are shooting with a Hasselblad.
AM: Optimized life is much about being focused, tell us about True Focus feature and your Phocus image processing software.
MH: Optimized life is something that we think about all the constantly. We only get to live each moment once. So be present in that moment and make it count. We pick and choose our focus very carefully in the way we work, in life, and in our cameras. The True Focus feature sets Haselblad apart from the competition. It is a unique focusing system that allows a level of focus accuracy not available in other cameras on the market today. It works by allowing you to select the point of the image where you want to be have the most critical sharp focus and press the True Focus button. The True Focus system locks critical focus onto that point and keeps it there even if you recompose the image or change the way you frame the image. A set of gyro sensors take into account the camera position as well as the curvature of the lens to make sure that your focus stays true.
AM: Entering your 75th Anniversary, Hasselblad has a legendary heritage from the first Apollo 11 moon landing to a host of iconic sports, fashion and lifestyle moments, what are some of your personal favorites?
MH: It’s impossible to name only a few, so I will just name one. I am partial to the ephemeral work of Hiroshi Sugimoto. His work can be both beautiful and soft while being technically perfect and deeply meaningful all at the same time. In terms of iconic imagery nothing can beat the moon landing images. Those images changed humanity on a scale that no other image even come close to (pioneer Buzz Aldrin pictured on page 123 with Michael and son Jackson).
AM: We love that the Masters program contin-
ues to be a time-honored tradition, who are some of the spotlights for 2016?
MH: The Hasselblad Masters is a really important program for us. It allows us to celebrate creative photographers who excel in their area of imaging. The Masters awards are granted to 12 photographers every two years. It's not just a portfolio review and a prize. It is a process that ends with the 12 selected photographers going out into the world and making new original works to be included in the Hasselblad Masters book. The process is a lot of work and the winners join a family of other photographers who carry membership in a very special club. We look forward to honoring all of them at a ceremony during Photokina in September.
2016 Masters List: Art - Katerina Belkina, Fashion/Beauty - Roy Rossovich, Landscape/NatureLars Van De Goor, Portrait - Natalia Evelyn Bencicova, Product - Giorgio Cravero, Project//21Jake Reeder, Street/Urban - Ali Rajabi, Wedding - John Paul Evans, and Wildlife - David Peskens.
AM: Having global ambassadors on a mixture of different subjects is great for younger aspirational photographers, who are some to watch in fashion, fitness, sports and lifestyle.
MH: Its become very difficult to set yourself apart as an up and coming photographer. You must work harder now than ever before to set yourself apart from the crowd. There are so many young photographers doing such great work. We feature some of them on the Our World section of our website.
AM: What’s next for announcements to look forward toward with the X1D, we can’t wait!
MH: The X1D is out of the bag, but the Photokina Trade Show is coming up in September in Cologne, Germany. Keep your eyes on us as we may have some suprises.
P. 116 photo courtesy of Erik Vanlind. P.120 + 128 photo courtesy of eTechPhoto. P.128 photo courtesy of Hasselblad. Picture to the right courtesy of Tom Oldham shot on his H6D-50c.
There are a number of retreats taking place whether you're doing one that's a staycation, local to you or a farther exotic and tranquil destination. Either way, we have some must have items that should be in your bag to have at the ready. Just putting this together gets you in the right state of mind for whatever happens next.
| The Majorelle Circular Towel THE BEACH PEOPLE | Lady Plume Shopping Tote LIPAULT | Modern Flip Cap 16 oz TAKEYA | UV Buff Desert Marble Headwear BUFF | Jasmin Mint Toothpaste
MARVIS | Kabuki No 9 Bon Bon Shea Butter TOKYO MILK | Smores LUNA BARS | Lip Glow DIOR | West 57th Palm Leaf Travel Jewelry Case HENRI BENDEL | Black 7000 Electric Toothbrush ORAL B | Traveling Handheld Garment Steamer SALAV |
IN OUR BAG: RETREAT STYLE
GOOD MORNING, MICHAEL
MORNING,
Michael Strahan is a true New York icon. We had the pleasure to chat with him about his new athleisure line, MSX by Michael Strahan; where we can see him next; and how he remains on top. We also caught up with Stuart Billingham, JCPenney Creative Director for Men's Private Label for more on the collection.
ATHLEISURE MAG: - Stylish active lifestyle sounds like a great ethos for you, you’re always looking good on-the-go – what’s an average day like for you?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: There really isn’t an “average day” for me. Every day is so different, especially during different seasons. For example, during football season, I’m traveling from New York to Los Angeles for NFL on FOX . On days that I’m on Good Morning America, I wake up around 5:30am. My afternoons are always different. Sometimes I’m taking meetings with my management and production company, SMAC Entertainment and other times I’m doing activities that I enjoy, like playing golf! I’ve been spending a lot time working on my athleisure line MSX and my clothing line Collection by Michael Strahan.
AM: When did you first decide to jump into a companion line for Collection by Michael Strahan?
MS: I had a lot of fun creating Collection by Michael Strahan with JCPenney and I realized that in addition to great tailored pieces, men also need comfortable, stylish clothes that can be worn anytime. MSX by Michael Strahan is inspired by my active lifestyle and provides men trendy, functional pieces that can be worn everywhere. I call it my EveryWEAR for everywhere. And best of all, it's all priced for a great value. I'm really excited to be part of what's happening in the overall athleisure movement and I'm excited for the future of MSX.
AM: Why do you think athleisure wear has become such a movement?
MS: The way people are living these days has changed. People are on the go much more than ever before. Wearing a comfortable, yet
stylish tee and pants is not for lounging, it's for living! To be able to go throughout your day and not feel over or underdressed in any situation is crucial and that's where athleisure comes in.
AM: “Everywear for everywhere,” that’s catchy, what assortment does MSX currently offer?
MS: The line offers a wide range of clothes for every part of life. The chino pants are one of my personal favorites because they can easily go from the office to the golf course. Also the Henley three button shirts, the v necks and an assortment of short options.
AM: What is it about MSX by Michael Strahan that makes it optimal for workouts and tackling tasks of the day after the studio/gym?
MS: The breathable fabrics are made to keep you cool and comfortable all day, when they are paired with the no-chafe stitching you’ll stay comfortable the entire day.
AM: Style, comfort and performance are key for activewear, what advanced technology and comfort features does MSX by Michael Strahan have?
MS: Every piece in the line has hidden details. We have the no-chafe seam details to keep you comfortable while you are moving or the UV protection so you will be protected all day long. My favorite details are the secret pockets. For example, I’m a golfer so I wanted the chino pants to looks stylish, yet be functional. We kept the left back pocket open so you can easily slip in your golf glove between swings and included a zipper on the right back pocket to keep valuables like wallet and phone.
AM: What are some of your must-haves that you keep in your secret pockets?
MS: I keep all the essentials in my pocketsmoney clip, keys, and sometimes my phone… when it’s not missing! haha
AM: Run us through some of your favorite routines when you’re in the gym. Have you carried over a lot from those grueling football prac-
tices? Do you take any studio classes to round out your training?
MS: I usually work out for an hour 5/6 days a week. I don't do the same workout I did as a football player. Now I do exercises that are more conducive to mobility and flexibility. I still lift weights, but the exercises and amount that I lift are definitely different.
AM: What are some of the jams or artists that are your go-to’s for your workout playlist? Anything new you just started listening to?
MS: I listen to Bill Wither’s “Lovely Day” every morning before work. It’s the best way to start the day! I’m a creature of habit. I like to work out to Hip-Hop. Whatever's hot I listen to.
AM: How do you stay on top of daily nutrition, what are some of you favorite meal combinations and snacks that keep you lean and mean? What is that one irresistible treat item that you just crave and enjoy?
MS: I eat a lot of fish, chicken and turkey and fresh vegetables without the butter and other things that add sneaking calories into my diet. I have protein smoothies and hard boiled eggs along with nuts as well. I have a weakness for chocolate in any form so I do crave chocolate chip cookies and ice cream, but I only indulge occasionally.
AM: You are an inspiration for work ethic across the board, what does “being 100% present” mean to you?
MS: It means waking up happy and putting your best foot forward each and every day. A good friend of mine always says “dress shoes.” It makes me laugh, but I like the meaning behind it because it’s about “putting your best foot forward…and if you’re going to do that, you should literally be putting your best foot forward". I have to remember to put away the phone and stay in the moment. That's a hard test for everyone in this age of technology, but it really helps you to stay present if you can do it.
AM: Your best-selling book, “Wake Up Happy:
The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Transforming Your Life” shares a lot of personal stories and advice for personal ambitions and going from good to great. What is a tip or two to be on top of one’s game and keep on track in active lifestyle?
MS: I draw upon the power of positive thinking often. Developing a routine always helps to keep you on track. And most of all, just remember to encourage yourself and give yourself a break if you need it. Don't be so hard on yourself if you're not perfect because none of us are.
AM: Hello Stuart, thanks for joining us. Tell our readers a bit about your background and how you came to be Creative Director, Men’s Private Label at JCPenney.
STUART BILLINGHAM: I have been in the industry for 15 years, both in the European & US markets, working on a variety of product ranging from surf/skate, outdoor, heritage and fast fashion. JCPenney was an amazing opportunity for me to work with a highly talented team and immerse myself in a number of different lifestyles through the amazing private labels exclusive to us here, including Arizona, Xersion and of course MSX by Michael Strahan.
AM: What are some of the lines that you have been able to create with personalities?
SB: MSX by Michael Strahan was the first line I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a major personality like Michael, so this idea of working with someone who had a strong idea that they wanted to bring to life was super exciting.
AM: How did the collaboration with you and Michael Strahan come about and what is the process that goes into creating a line such as this?
SB: JCPenney and Michael have been working together on our suiting line, COLLECTION by MICHAEL STRAHAN so it felt natural to find something to balance that – with MSX we wanted comfort and performance attributes, but we didn't want to make it feel like a per-
formance line. We want guys to wear it everyday, to integrate each piece into their lifestyle.
AM: How was it to work with Michael?
SB: Michael was heavily involved in the design process and showed so much foresight when it came to the product. He has great vision and is obsessed about the details like I am, so we had fun geeking out over new ideas.
AM: What are some of the inspirations behind the line?
SB: This is Michael Strahan’s second apparel line with JCPenney and we pulled inspiration from his personal style and his active lifestyle as a father and one of America’s most recognizable athletes and media personalities.
AM: We hear Michael says “everyone should get one of each,” where is a good place to begin to jumpstart their wardrobe with some core essentials?
SB: The true core of the collection comes in our performance jersey styles. Anyone can build on our tees offered in crew neck, V-neck or sleeveless muscle, all with our no-chafe seam details and quick drying technology, so you will be comfortable all day. We also have great layer-ups in fleece and 4-way stretch fabrications that offer great outfitting capabilities.
AM: What are additional styles that will be in future collections?
SB: Together with Michael, we are continuing to evolve the line with new product, and have some very exciting things coming for the MSX collection for Fall 16. Stay tuned.
Photo (P.41) courtesy of Jerry Coli. Photo (P.142/143) courtesy of Frank Jansky/ZUMA Wire. Photo (144/145) courtesy of Lev Radin.
The technology business is more trend-conscious than almost any industry save, the fashion industry. Virtual Reality started out as this year’s hot technology trend, with enormous hype around the first generation of consumer headsets like Facebook’s OculusVR and the Sony PlaystationVR . In my view, the technology definitely lives up to the hype, but the business forecasts are way too optimistic. It’s not Virtual Reality that will change the world, but Augmented Reality that’s already having a bigger impact than anyone realizes.
First, what IS Virtual Reality? The underlying ideas have been around for decades – the idea that you can put a person in a completely simulated world using digital technology has captured the imagination of Science Fiction fans
for years. Think about the Holodeck experience on Star Trek and that’s the potential.
The origins date back to the late 1930’s with the View-Master, which provided a 3D view of pictures using a simple viewer with photos on a disc. In the 1960’s, the first head-mounted displays were invented for Air Force pilots to do flight simulation. In 1968, Ivan Sutherland produced the first head mounted display called the Sword of Damocles – while it was bulky, it set a standard for future generations of the technology. There were a lot of experiments in the 1980s and early 1990s with high profile figures, like Jaron Lanier creating mystique around the technology, but technology limitations held back broad adoption. The Nintendo Virtual Boy headset in 1995 was poorly
made and gave a bad name to the technology for years to come.
In 2010, an 18-year old Palmer Luckey created the first prototype of the Oculus Rift, and a couple of years later he launched a wildly successful Kickstarter project that raised over $2.4 million. In 2014 Facebook paid $2 billion to acquire Oculus, and took another two years to get the product ready for commercial launch. The declining cost and increasing power of computation has finally made VR headsets under $1000 a reality – that’s really the key to breaking into the consumer market. The first headsets have shipped this year.
The VR headset is completely immersive, blocking out your entire field of view. The
headsets track your motion – when you move your head up and down and around, the display tracks your movements to give you the sensation of being in a completely different environment. The experience is pretty mindblowing, there’s no doubt that the technology itself is NOT over hyped.
The first time I put on an Oculus I was blown away. You get the experience of being completely immersed – whether it’s in an imaginary landscape, or if you’re flying in a helicopter, or climbing a mountain – the experience feels so real it can give you vertigo. In fact one of the problems people have is motion sickness after wearing the headsets for too long. That’s testament to how powerful it is.
Gaming (and adult entertainment) are the obvious early uses for VR, but there’s a lot of exploration for different uses. You can use VR to visit a museum or historical site in school, or use it to train doctors in surgery, or to work on a golf swing. Right now the key is getting content in the market, and it’s still early days. Oculus, Sony PlaystationVR, the HTC Vive and Samsung GearVR are the major headsets on the market. VR is definitely the coolest technology to emerge in years, but the downside is that you need to wear a bulky headset, the content is still limited and you either need massive bandwidth or you need to be tethered to a PC or gaming console to get the full experience for the time being. So while it will be popular, it's more a niche technology. If you're
WHAT'S REAL ABOUT VIRTUAL REALITY
by Ed Maguire
a hardcore gamer, or into gadgets, you’d probably be interested in a VR headset. Businesses like hotels or real estate agencies will use them. But it won’t be the kind of thing that will see large segments of the population spending hours a day using.
Augmented Reality is way different. AR is technology that displays digital images superimposed over a view of the real world. You can use a headset – like Microsoft’s Hololens or headsets from Meta or Magic Leap (which are not yet commercially available – or you can use your smartphone or a tablet. The high-end AR headsets are still in early days –Microsoft has shipped a kit to developers, but at $3,000 a pop it’s not a mass market product yet. These headsets digitally map the world that you can see in front of you, then they can display any sort of image you can imagine (like a person, or a cartoon monster, or some text that describes what you’re looking at) so that it enhances your view of the physical world.
I got a chance to play with Microsoft’s Hololens earlier this year, and they have a demo where you can pin an animated object in space. In this case it was a twirling flying saucer that I pinned to a table – then I could walk around the table and look at the saucer from every angle – up, down and side to side. It was like it was really there in the room. You could shoot fireballs at the saucer until it blew up, revealing a virtual hole in the ground that you could look down into and see a whole underworld alive and buzzing underneath. This is impressive technology, but it’s not completely immersive like VR, and there are still some limitations like a small field of view. You can definitely see the potential for design and architecture, medicine, even NASA is using it so scientists can explore Mars using the images beamed back from the surface. Check out the Magic Leap videos on YouTube if you want to get a sense for how crazy cool this technology promises to be.
For all the promise in the future, there’s a much bigger story happening right now. Take a guess what is the biggest Augmented Reality app ever? Pokemon Go! Yes, Pokemon Go is a smartphone-based AR app that’s the fastest
growing mobile app of all time. At the time of this writing it’s more popular than Tinder and closing in on Twitter. Yes, go out and catch a Pikachu and dive into the world of Augmented Reality. It’s already here and the potential is limited only by your imaginations.
Ed Maguire has worked as an equity analyst covering the technology sector since 1999 for a variety of firms including CLSA Americas, Merrill Lynch and CIBC. Previously he led sales for independent music distributor Twinbrook Music while working as professional musician performing on bass, violin and keyboards, composing, arranging and producing a variety of styles of music. Ed holds a B.A. in Music from Columbia and an M.B.A. from Rutgers in Finance and Management Information Systems. He lives in Millburn, NJ with his wife Lily, their two kids and the dog Spock.
THE CANNIBAL - NYC + LA
by CHLOE - NYC
EATING SPOTS
TWO HANDS
RESTAURANT + BAR - NYC
CHLOE
NYC
ROSE CAFE RESTAURANT
- Venice, LA
Bingely Books BINGE WORTHY
HARRY POTTER & THE CURSED CHILD
J.K. Rowling Simon & Schuster
Available July 31st, this is the 8th book in the Harry Potter series which is an original story that will also premier on London West End's Stage. Picking up 19 years after the events of the last book where we see our favorite Hogwart's crew dropping off their children within the first year.
We see things have definitely changed and although we left them in a good place, things are not as smooth as they were before. Harry's life has never been easy from growing up to now working at the Ministry of Magic who has three school aged children. While he deals with his past that continues to rear its head, his son Albus bears the weight of his family.
This book is in script form (part I and II) for those that have yet to see the play. Written by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne.
YES, MY ACCENT IS REAL
Kunal Nayyr Simon & Schuster
This book peeks into the life of Kunal Nayyar, best known as Raj on CBS’s #1 hit comedy The Big Bang Theory.
Kunal is as loveable as the character he plays on TV. In this revealing collection of essays written in his irreverent, hilarious, and self-deprecating voice, Kunal Nayyar traces his journey from a little boy in New Delhi who mistakes an
MARGHERITA'S NOTEBOOK
Elisabetta Flumeri & Gabriella Giacometti Simon & Schuster
Tuscany is the setting for this novel where we find Margherita, a spirited young woman with a passion for cooking. Because of her broken heart in Rome, she returns to her hometown of Roccafitta, a small Tuscan village filled with lovable eccentrics and beautiful vineyards. She dreams of saving enough money to reopen her late mother’s restaurant and hopes she may find help from the handsome
stranger in town, Nicola Ravelli.
In addition to watching what tales place between the two characters, the recipes that she creates are also included withihn the book.
awkward first kiss for a sacred commitment, gets nosebleeds chugging Coca-Cola to impress other students, and excels in the sport of badminton, to the confident, successful actor on the set of TV’s mostwatched sitcom since Friends. He also goes behind the scenes of The Big Bang Theory with great stories to share.
Bingely Streaming BINGE WORTHY
DESTINATION: TEAM USA
Tribeca Digital Studios x United Airlines
What does it take to be 1 of 500 people to have the chance to get a spot on Team USA for the Olympics? The journey includes years of preparation from international competitions, clinics, and sacrifice.
This movie focuses on 5 athletes (who represent a diverse group of sports with an array of challenges that take place while they train), at various stages of their lives who share the dream of representing the US in Rio during the Olympics and the Paralympic games. The film showcases the wins, misses and humbling aspects that these dreams creates for each individual.
HAPPINESS IS Karen Morey
RUN MAMA RUN
Daniele Anastasion
Sarah Brown is an athlete that is focused on coming to Rio for the 2016 Olympic games, and like many, she knows that the Olympic Trials are an important benchmark to get her there. Unlike other athletes, Sarah was pregnant heading into trials. Between the birth of her child and the competition she had a little over 3 months to get back into shape.
Run Mama Run is an ESPN W weekly short looking at her training throughout her training, setbacks she had during this time, and how she trained to be ready to join her team. Make sure to check in before July 27th to binge this series while it is still available on the site.
Happiness, what is it and what does it mean to you? In this poetic documentary short, Karen Morey (directed, edited and shot) explores this narrative by asking a curated group of 8 people around the world that speak in their native tongue.
Throughout this mini documentary, we hear and see vivid reflective discussions and imagery of how diverse people of many walks of life can see, feel, remember, and aspire. This short is available on Vimeo.
HER ROAD TO RIO
The Olympics™ are just around the corner and in addition to seeing our favorite athletes compete, it's also a great time to see former Olympians who have taken on new roles. We spoke with Nastia Liukin on the road during the Olympic Trials to talk gymnastics, commitment and her role as a commentator for NBC during the games at Rio!
ATHLEISURE MAG: Growing up in a family of Olympians, how did this craft your interest in the sport and how did you get into it?
NASTIA LIUKIN: Well believe it or not, my parents didn't even want me to do gymnastics. They knew how hard it was and they just wanted their one and only child to be happy. But for me, my happiness came from gymnastics. I never wanted to leave the gym. I fell in love with the sport at such an early age.
AM: As someone who trained from an early age, how did this affect your outlook on life in terms of commitment, dedication etc?
NL: Commitment and dedication where both two major factors that helped me achieve my goals. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I had to be committed in order to achieve those dreams. Nothing would be handed to me. I was never the strongest gymnast, so I had to work extremely hard on conditioning in order to perform a lot of the skills.
AM: What was your training like heading into the 2008 Olympic games and how did you maintain balance while you were at the games?
NL: Training heading into the 2008 Olympics ™ was pretty intense. 7 hours a day, 6 days a week (sometimes 7 days a week) depending on the competition schedule. I really didn't think or do too much else besides training, physically therapies, extra cardio or conditioning. My life revolved around the Olympics that entire year, and most years as well. But specifically 2008.
I didn't want to look back in September of 2008 and think what if, what if I would have trained more, done more routines? Those thoughts started to haunt my mind, so I made sure to not let them creep into my mind too much.
AM: As an athlete, you never know where your career will go, since then you have created clothing lines and been a spokesperson for other brands, how exciting has that transition been and do you have other projects coming up that you can tell us about?
NL: To be honest if you would have told me that 10 years ago, I would have never believed you. I started gymnastics because I had such a huge passion for the sport. It was never to make it a career or build a brand, or even win gold medals. I loved flipping, and learning new skills. It all gave me a thrill. Now at 26 years old, I look back at everything I have done and continue to do and am so thankful for it all. But, I do have to say it hasn't all been handed to me. I feel like it’s a full time job trying to continue doing what I’m doing with my career and I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing people in the industry that have helped shape my career into what it is now. I am working on a few projects that I’m so thrilled to be working on, but for now I have to keep them a secret.
AM: We've listened to you commentating on the Men's and Women's Gymnastic Trials and know you are doing this throughout the games, how exciting is it to be the NBC Commentator for Gymnastics?
NL: I was so honored when NBC offered me this role. To be able to continue being involved in something I love so much has been incredible. It has definitely been a learning experience and with each time we are on air, I learn more and feel a little more confident. This is now my fourth year, but there is nothing like an Olympic™ Games. So I’m extremely excited for Rio!
AM: Going into Rio, who are your favorites for the US Men's and Women's team that you can't wait to see - who should we be watching out for?
NL: Simone Biles, without question, is the heavy favorite on the women’s side. She has the chance of winning 5 GOLD medals in Rio. Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas are trying to make their second Olympic™ Team and have a great shot. So it will be a very fun competition
on the women’s side.
On the men’s side, Sam Mikulak is the favorite for the US. He is the 4 time National Champion going into the Rio and will be competing in his second Olympic™ Games.
AM: As a gymnast who has competed on the Olympic™ stage, do you share any words of wisdom to the gymnasts that you share with them when you've been traveling with them?
NL: Most of them don’t need too much advice. They are more prepared, physically than they will ever be in their lives. But mentally, it’s important to stay calm and treat it like any other competition. Also, enjoy it. It goes by so quickly, you blink and it’s over.
I didn't want to look back in September of 2008 and think what if, what if I would have trained more, done more routines? Those thoughts started to haunt my mind, so I made sure to not let them creep into my mind too much.
AM: What are you looking forward to in Rio (whether within the gymnast category or outside of it)?
NL: Definitely the gymnastics but also getting a chance to see the other sports. When I was in Beijing, I didn't get that chance to go to other events, so I’m looking forward to that. I also love trying to experience the culture of every city/country I visit.
AM: What's it like when you've been on the circuit with the gymnast as a broadcaster?
NL: Well the current group of athletes I’ve known them and even competed with most of them. So I really have to remove myself from
being friends with them and just do my job as an analyst. Of course I’ve been in their shoes, so I know how it feels when someone is a little too negative or could say something that really puts you down. I feel like there is a difference with analyzing something, even if it’s a fall, and being negative.
AM: What do you do in terms of your personal training and how is it different then when you competed?
NL: Well it’s definitely quite a bit different now. I used to train 7 hours a day, 6 days a week. Now I workout about 4 times a week for about 30-60 minutes, depending on my schedule. I’m on the road a lot so that makes it difficult, but not impossible. I love mixing it up. Pilates, yoga, spinning, circuit training.
AM: How do you stay balanced with your busy schedule to ensure that you take the time that you need for yourself?
NL: I always make sure to take time in the morning, even if I have a busy day ahead. I like waking up extra early to have my coffee, get in a workout, even if it’s only 20 minutes. That keeps me balanced and make me feel great the rest of the day too.
AM: What's your personal style (items that you would wear when running errands, heading out to brunch and/or for a night out on the town)?
NL: As much as I love dressing up for events, red carpets and photo shoots, my day to day life is definitely athleisure wear. From the gym to running errands to brunch, I love Stella McCartney for Adidas. She’s one of my favorite designers both in the sports world and fashion world.
FOR THE MOMENT OF ZEN #ATHSPO
Whether you're taking a meditation class for half an hour or a full one, it's nice to have an oasis that is meant to feed mind, body, and soul to fortify you for what's going on outside of you. In most studios you're unable to wear shoes so we have a roundup of the perfect pairs of socks to still share your personality with a bit of fun.
| Fox River Red Heel Collection FOX RIVER | Striped Foot Liner HAPPY SOCKS | Everyday MAX WELDON | Orchid and White Ankle Socks JOY OF SOCKS | Nada Yo STANCE |
It's always important to have easy treats that can be made for hot days or when friends are coming over. Athleisure Kitchen focused on two great dishes. We grew up eating deviled eggs and can't get enough of them! These deviled eggs include avocados which makes them even creamier and adds a nice touch to this classic appetizer.
AVOCADO DEVILED EGGS
YIELDS: 24 Deviled Eggs
Ingredients:
12 large eggs
½ cup mayonnaise
Grated zest of 1 lemon plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado, diced Red pepper flakes (optional)
1. Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. With a ladle, slowly lower the eggs into the water one by one. Reduce the heat to a low boil and cook for 10 minutes. Drain.
2. When the eggs are cool enough to handle, remove the shells. Slice each egg in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and place them in a food processor. Arrange the whites cut side up on a serving platter.
3. To the food processor, begin to add the mayonnaise, lemon zest, juice, mustard, salt, pepper, and avocado. Process until well blended and smooth, then transfer to a resealable plastic bag. With scissors, snip off a bottom corner from the bag. Using the bag like a pastry bag, pipe the yolk mixture into the egg whites.
4. Garnish with black sea salt, pepper flakes or whatever ingredient you choose. Serve immediately or cover loosely and chill until ready to serve.
Whether you have it as an appetizer or it's your main dish, we can't get enough of this savory treat. Not only is it super easy to make, but there are a number of ways that you can customize it to your taste whether you eat it solo or with friends. Make it a mini party by adding your favorite drink.
CHICKEN ENDIVE WRAPS
YIELDS 3 Dozen
Ingredients:
Endive:
1 pound Belgian endive
Cooking sauce:
2 tablespoons gluten-free hoisin sauce
4 teaspoons gluten-free oyster sauce
1 tablespoon gluten-free tamari soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce
Chicken:
2 tablespoons untoasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 pound ground chicken thighs
1/2 cup reserved hard, white endive ends, finely chop (optional)
2 – 3 scallions/green onions, finely chop white and light green parts for chicken, thinly slice green tops and reserve for garnish
For serving:
Crispy rice noodles
Additional chili-garlic sauce
Sriracha
Directions:
Prep endive:
1. Trim and discard very end of the endives. Separate each into leaves, reserving hard, white ends for sauté. Arrange leaves in a bowl; set aside.
Make sauce:
1. In a small bowl, stir together hoisin, oyster sauce, soy sauce and chili-garlic sauce; set aside.
Cook chicken:
1. In a large skillet, warm sesame oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add minced garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and garlic is just barely beginning to turn light brown (about 1 – 2 minutes).
2. Add ground chicken to the skillet, and smoosh into an even layer (ground chicken is a lot less crumbly than raw ground beef, so it’s hard to crumble at this point…we’ll get there). After about 1 – 2 minutes, begin chopping chicken into smaller pieces. Continue cooking, stirring and chopping up more as needed, until pink color is nearly gone (about 5 minutes).
3. Stir chopped endive ends to the skillet with the chicken, and cook for about 1 minute — we don’t want them to get too mushy, just slightly softened.
4. Stir cooking sauce into the chicken, and continue to simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce is somewhat thickened (about 2 – 3 minutes). Remove pan from heat, and stir in chopped scallions (white and light green parts only).
5. Transfer chicken mixture to a serving bowl and garnish with dark green scallion rings.
Serve:
1. Set out bowls of endive leaves, chicken and rice noodles, plus additional chili sauce. Allow your guests to top each leaf to their liking.
ORGANICALLY, MATERIAL
by Nisim Frank
Jumping across the pond, we were thrilled to find out about banker, turned housewife, turned clothing designer, Caroline White and her workout line SukiShufu. White's playful and fun personality shines through the collection. Queen of self-expression herself Miley Cyrus is one her biggest fans, doing her yoga routine in SukiShufu and even wearing her leggings to a ALS fundraiser. Built out of necessity from seeing the same dull workout clothing while becoming a yoga instructor herself, Caroline's vision is one that stands out from the crowd. We got to talking with Caroline whom is not only fiercely passionate about her clothing, but makes no efforts to conform to simply sell an item of clothing. Read on to hear all about how she got started with her line, how she stands apart from the crowd, and all about the athletics she's done that connect her to her brand.
Nisim Frank: How did you get started?
Caroline White: I was made redundant from Lehman Brothers in the financial crisis of 2008 when the bank went into administration, I had been in banking in London for over 16 years prior to that. I had so much time on my hands as I hunted for a new position in a very difficult market that I now could take a 90 minute yoga class. I started practicing Hatha Yoga and I loved it so much that I travelled to the USA and trained to become a qualified Hatha Yoga instructor. It was in these classes that I came up with ideas for products and clothing that I wanted but couldn’t find. Everyone seemed to be wearing the same conservative “uniform” to class from one or two well known labels and I didn’t want to wear the same stuff.
NF: Where did the unique name of SukiShufu come from?
CW: I made it up. I literally took two Japanese words and put them together to create SukiShufu. I wanted a Japanese sounding name as I love so much about the country, art, countryside, language and culture but I
especially love their edgy street style. Fashion is something that the Japanese follow religiously and their edgy street style. Fashion is something that the Japanese follow religiously and produce exquisitely they are always one step ahead of everyone else and looking effortlessly cool whilst they do it, I am hoping some of that Japanese cool may rub off on me.
NF: How do you distinguish yourself from other brands like Lululemon?
CW: I don't look at other brands until I am ready to order fabric. I then do some research and ensure that there is no one out there currently producing something similar or using a similar print or feature as mine, only then do I go ahead with the production. I would rather die than obviously rip off someone else's look or style I mean how embarrassing! Our USP is the use of faux stretch leather as part of a sports luxe look a feature in all of our collections and of course on the back our leatherback leggings. I also distinguish myself by intentionally taking risk, not obeying the rules and only work with similar minded people. Oh, and I don't do negativity or corporate crap, that’s such an energy suck.
NF: We hear you try to use organic materials... What is the percent of your clothing you do this in and why is it important to you?
CW: We use organic, recyclable and reusable materials where ever we can. From our business cards through to our use of organic bamboo fabrics if there is an organic material being produced that is of equal quality to a non organic material then we will look to choose the organic one. We are a supporter and fully subscribed member of the Soil Association here in the UK.
NF: We love your use of bright, vibrant colors... Tell us about what draws you to them and which colors in particular do you gravitate towards?
CW: Thank you! I like to offer choice in my collections some days you want to feel chic and subtle other days you are on metallic silver mission turning heads as you go. I don't like a purely technical look or generic fabric, I like
to mix and match to create a fabulous fashion look which will also not fail you technically.
I'm still obsessed with our Rio Gold collection, that gold metallic and gloss white leather combination I can't stop wearing them! We get the loveliest emails and reviews from our customers telling us how our leggings completely lift their mood when working out and that makes me feel amazing.
NF: Have any celebrities wore your clothing yet? If so, who is the one you thought was the coolest and who would you just kill to wear your brand?
CW: Yes, we have had celebrities wear our clothing. I would say that Miley Cyrus video of her dancing backstage on her last tour in our Chrome Leatherback Leggings was pretty epic. She also wore another pair of our Universe Pink Leatherback leggings to an ALS charity event. Its always crazy when you see it happen and really exciting at the same time. We don't pay anyone to wear our clothing, we only want people who really do love it to wear it. famous or not.
NF: Do you feel that because you are so active, that you understand the client better who has a need for clothing like yours?
CW: Yes completely! I have been wearing these fabrics since i was about 7 years old - I lived in lycra and continue to do so today. I did gymnastics, swimming, diving and running at school and I was always in a leotard, legging or sports kit. I have worn just about every technical spandex fabric there is going and across a broad range of activities so I know a lot about fit and cut what will work and what wont. I also then stress test every garment to within an inch of its life to see what it takes to destroy them. If you are buying luxury you expect the best and you have to deliver and not cut corners. Our quality also really sets us apart everything is made here in London, hold our legging up next to another brands and the difference is very obvious to see and then put ours on....you will not recognize your butt!
NF: Where are you sold in America and where would you want to be sold?
CW: We are sold at SweatNSK in Brentwood, Lina Hess at Manhattan Beach, Legit Activewear and Carbon38. We are also sold at a number of smaller boutique cycle studios and Pilates studios. Our US showroom, “It's all about the girls," is in the Cooper Building in downtown LA and they hold all our current collections.
NF: Do you plan on expanding into mens at all?
CW: Men already wear our leggings especially in LA. Jason Wimberly lives in his - no wonder the boy looks so fabulous in them! We have lots of "leatherback boys" who post to our Instagram page and we get so much love from them!
NF: What else does the future hold for you and SukiShufu?
CW: We are just about to shoot collection 4 next week in London, launch our new website and produce a short film and then we are heading to NY for some press and media events. We have secured our first stockist in China Yes Nala and also in the middle east at AthletiqueJo as we continue to expand internationally. I am seriously hoping to take August off. It has been incredibly busy so far this year but I love what I do, I just need to get better at the balance part.
Grab your next pair of leggings at SukiShufu. Pictures courtesy of Christopher Sims
