THE WORLD’S NUMBER- ONE MEN’S MAGAZINE
MAY 2019 ISSUE 94 M
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CONTENTS I S S U E 9 4 — M AY 2 019
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SPOTLIGHT MEET THE MITCHFITZ — AKA HOTTIES DESSIE MITCHESON AND KAYLA FITZGERALD
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MACHINES THE TERZO MILLENNIO, BUGATTI’S NEW CHIRON AND BMW R NINET STYLE LUXURY TIMEPIECES WITH EXPECTATIONSHATTERING DESIGNS BAR THE GIN RENAISSANCE IS IN FULL SWING. HERE’S HOW TO IMBIBE WITH STYLE
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INSPIRATION THE POWERFUL AND PERSONAL STORIES OF OUR MIGHTY SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AT THE INVICTUS GAMES COVER GIRL GORGEOUS ENTREPRENEUR, FASHIONISTA AND INTERNATIONAL MODEL, YILENA HERNANDEZ HEALTH SIMPLE TIPS ON UTILISING BRAINPOWER TO BOOST YOUR PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY FITNESS THE CARDIO YOU SHOULD BE DOING
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TRUE CRIME INSDE THE DARK AND DISTURBING CHILDREN OF GOD SEX CULT BUSINESS LVMH CHAIRMAN & CEO BERNARD ARNAULT GAMES WE LOOK AT ALL THINGS MORTAL KOMBAT 11 TRAVEL TAKING ON WEHO AND SANTA MONICA FOR A FIVE-DAYS-IN-L.A. DIARY WOMAN OF THE WORLD MEET INDIAN BEAUTY PRIYANKA ARES
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SPORT PROFILING SPANISH FOOTBALLER GERARD PIQUÉ RELATIONSHIPS HOW TO WIN A WOMAN IN 10 DAYS SEX THE BENEFITS OF MASTURBATION 24 HOURS TO LIVE AUSTRALIAN FUNNYWOMAN FIONA O’LOUGHLIN DISCUSSES HER FINAL DAY ON EARTH
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Santi Pintado (spintado@nuclear.com.au)
Phone Mail
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Chairman and CEO, Biglari Holdings Inc. Mr. Sardar Biglari Senior Paralegal & Rights Manager Catherine Baxter
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SPOTLIGHT
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The
P H OTO G R A P H E D BY D R E W DA I L E Y I M AG E S
I N T E R V I E W BY S A N T I P I N TA D O
, and former ring girls, DESSIE MITCHESON & KAYLA FITZ are definitely one dynamic duo to keep your eyes peeled on…
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SPOTLIGHT ey Dessie and Kayla, congrats on your first MAXIM Australia feature together. Tell us a bit about the shoot. DESSIE: Believe it or not this is going to be my second feature with MAXIM Australia, but first with Kayla, and I couldn’t be happier about it! Myself, Kayla and the photographer Drew Dailey wanted to do something fun for Summer. So, we decided to use my friend’s yacht and get some killer shots in Newport Harbor in Orange County, LA. We’re super excited for MAXIM Australia readers to be the first to see this! KAYLA: I loved being able to shoot in a beautiful location and have fun with my best friend. We always have a good time. Well, you both look gorgeous. When do you feel sexy? D: When I feel confident, having a killer outfit on or swimsuit and with natural hair and make-up. Exactly like we did for this shoot! K: I always feel my sexiest when I’m in my bikini. I’m a Florida girl who’s currently living in California and I just think it’s always stuck with me. What is your best asset? D: I always get compliments on my eyes. K: I also get told I have pretty eyes, which I always find funny because I don’t think so. I’m always asked if my boobs fake — which they’re not — so I’d also say these are my best assets. When you’re not posing for MAXIM what are you girls doing? D: Kayla and I host a show three times a week on Twitch. We’re also on YouTube and growing our audience pretty fast — our channel, Ignite House, is about to hit 100k followers! Other than that, Kayla and I are busy doing catalogue shoots and castings. K: Yeah, I model full-time but the show occupies most of my other time. What is the show all about and where can we watch it? D: It’s a livestream show on Twitch and YouTube. Ignite is a cannabis company so we do everything from education about CBD to sumo wrestling! It’s a fun show and you never know what we might be doing. You can find it at www.twitch.tv/ ignite or on YouTube under Ignite House.
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Sounds good. Give us a little more background about yourselves. D: I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was a gymnast growing up and then did track and field, diving and golf in high school. I was also in every school musical and play, so I was always keeping myself busy. My whole family is still there, but I decided, almost six years ago, to move to SoCal to pursue modelling. Before I moved I became MAXIM USA’s Hometown Hottie so that really drove me to see what else I could achieve. I’m definitely glad I did — I love it here as there are so many opportunities. K: I grew up in a small town outside Orlando, Florida and moved to Los Angeles at 22 to fully pursue my modelling career. I love to eat and try new foods and absolutely love to travel. What would people be most surprised to know about you both? D: People are always shocked when I tell them I’ve had four surgeries on my left knee from sports. K: I think people would be surprised to know I can rap every Lil Wayne song. How did you two meet? D: Kayla and I met while we were both in Las Vegas for a swimsuit competition about seven years ago. Kayla was competing and I was hosting and people kept telling us that we reminded them of each other. When I finally met Kayla it was love at first sight! So, then, what do you love most about each other? K: We love that we always understand each other and literally love ALL of the same things. D: Yeah, Kayla and I are on the same page with almost everything. We think alike and agree on pretty much every topic. Sometimes I think we’re the same person. And she’s also so easy to get along with, fun-loving and reliable. Is there anything you find annoying about each other? D: I’d have to say that we are both stubborn. If we believe in something we will not budge! K: Yes, we’re both pretty stubborn and it can be annoying. You were both contestants on the The Amazing Race (U.S.) last year. How would you best describe your
“I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW I CAN RAP EVERY LIL WAYNE SONG.” — KAYLA —
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“IT’S A FUN SHOW AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WE MIGHT BE DOING.” — DESSIE —
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experience on the show? D: Kayla and I have always wanted to do The Amazing Race so when they reached out to me, and wanted a girl team, I knew it was our chance. We did great on every challenge we did and, at one point, Kayla had to traverse across a glacier — she’s scared of heights and still killed it – and I had to physically pull her back but we beat a strong male team! Unfortunately, we lost in the end – I peed my pants running to the finish line in socks flopping off of my feet! Then Kayla and I flew to Rome to enjoy the rest of our time expense free! We had no phone, cable or internet for a month! It was an experience of a lifetime and I wouldn’t have been able to do it with anyone else. K: We loved being on the The Amazing Race. Unfortunately we were the first to be eliminated so it was short lived, but we had the time of our lives in Rome. Being disconnected from social media and not having access to any type of technology had us really soaking everything in and met some amazing people! What’s the biggest misconception about reality TV? D: That when you get kicked off the show you go home. No, you don’t go home – you go to an exclusive location and wait until the show is done. K: The biggest misconception is that it’s real! Nothing you see on TV is real. You’ve also been photographed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. How did that come about? D: SI Swimsuit had their first-ever open casting call last year. Kayla and I both entered via a video submission on Instagram – 5,000 women entered and we were both chosen in the top 15! We got to shoot SI Swimsit’s first-ever swimsuit catalogue and walk in their first runway show! It was a goal I always dreamt of and it was even better because Kayla and I did it together. That’s when we came up with our nickname “The MitchFitz”. K: Yeah, we flew to New York to do our first test shoot and interviews. From there, we were flown to Miami to shoot and walk their runway during Swim Week. It was the most amazing experience with the best team, and even better because we got to do it together. You were also both former Tecate Girls (boxing’s ring girls) but got fired from the Canelo vs GGG fight over a “sexy” video. Tell us more. D: Tecate was my main job for years. I got Kayla involved and we worked some of the biggest fights. Chris Applebaum,
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SPOTLIGHT
a famous American director of the Carl’s JR commercials, reached out to us to do a fun video. We knew we couldn’t use any other beer in the video other than Tecate, so we made a badass, sexy video of us drinking the beer. We released it on our social media channels during the GGG vs Canelo fight and I physically got pulled off the stage during the weigh-ins. At first everyone who worked for Tecate seemed to like it, and then “people” were complaining, saying it was too sexy. Kayla and I thought it was going to be a fun video for our personal Instgrams – we never thought it would result in us being fired from the company. Party poopers! So, what have you learned about men over the years? D: That when you finally find a good one, keep him! K: Let them be because you can’t change them! What’s one thing men should always know about women? D: If she responds with an “OK”, or another one-word answer, she’s PISSED off. K: You should always know that women NEED attention. What do you find sexy in a man? D: I’m a personality girl but love a guy with nice eyes who can make me laugh. K: I find it sexy when a man can make me laugh and not take himself too seriously. Describe your ideal date. D: I love food and wine, but I also love seeing the sunset while on the water. K: I’m super simple, so I’d be happy with just hanging out at the beach with some snacks and wine. Would you kiss a guy on the first date? D: If it felt right, I don’t see anything wrong with kissing on the first date. K: I would absolutely kiss a guy on the first date. If it’s going well enough then what’s the point in waiting? I’m not scared to take initiative and make sure that the chemistry is there. Have you ever been to Australia? D: We’ve never been to Australia but I’m dying to go! Everyone I’ve met from Australia are amazing. K: It’s definitely at the top of our list! Finally, where would you ladies like to be in five years? D: I hope I’m still doing what I love, with the people I love, successfully! K: I like to live my life in the moment, so as far as having a definitive five-year plan – I don’t! I just hope I’m happy and sharing life with the people I love. ■
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“WHEN I FINALLY MET KAYLA IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!” ʗ 89GG=9 ʗ
Status Update FUL NAME: Dessie Mitcheson
PHOBIA: “I’m claustrophobic.”
HOMETOWN: Pittsburgh, PA
FAVE DRINK: “TEQUILA!”
LIVES: Orange County, CA
HANGOVER CURE: “Smoke a little smoke or take some Pedialyte.”
FIVE-WORD SELFDESCRIPTION: “Vibrant, passionate, sweet, silly and driven.”
LIFE MOTTO: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened!”
HIDDEN TALENT: “I used to be a hair stylist.”
INSTAGRAM: @dessiemitcheson
Status Update FUL NAME: Kayla Fitz BORN: August 5, 1991 HOMETOWN: Clermont, FL LIVES: Los Angeles, CA FIVE-WORD SELFDESCRIPTION: “Spicy, bubbly, outgoing, goofball and hungry.” HIDDEN TALENT: “I’m pretty good at gymnastics.” PHOBIA: “Spiders!” FAVE DRINK: “My go to is always Don Julio, preferably Don Julio 70.” HANGOVER CURE: “An iced cold beer and a little bit of weed.” LIFE MOTTO: “C’est la vie.” INSTAGRAM: @kaylafitz3 TWITTER: @kaylafitz
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SPOTLIGHT
“I’M NOT SCARED TO TAKE INITIATIVE AND MAKE SURE THE CHEMISTRY IS THERE.” — KAYLA —
STYLI NG: B EAC H BAB E SWI MWEAR LO C AT I O N : N E W P O R T B E A C H , C A YA C H T : C E L E B R AT I O N
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MACHINES
BLADE RUNNER BY B I L L VA R E T I M I D I S
Lamborghini isn’t known for bowing down to others. Ever since Ferruccio (Lamborghini) told Enzo (Ferrari) where he could stick his cars, and decided to build his own, it's been doing its own thing. This car, the Terzo Millennio (third millenium), built with MIT, is the Lambo approach to an EV performance car. Supercapacitors, not batteries, will power this Italian Blade Runner. Being ultra expensive and not as energy dense, supercapacitors aren’t ready for the spotlight yet. But MIT and Lamborghini plan to produce one to work like a main battery, able to recharge and discharge lightning quick for brutal, explosive acceleration. The companies are also looking into carbon composite batteries and nanotechnology; meaning two power storage technologies into the same drivetrain; if possible, would store 100 times the energy of a regular battery pack. Such a system will allow for the four in-wheel electric motors to control torque vectoring, braking and steering. The body is carbon fibre, but will have the ability to self-repair with something called ‘nano-channels’. A self-healing hypercar, with an AI driver analysis program onboard to coach you through driving techniques. Lamborghini wants the Terzo Millennio to sound like a Lamborghini by creating a soundtrack from the rapid airflow over the body panels. Good luck with that one. EV’s will soon turn the car industry on its head, but the Terzo Millennio is ready to pick it up and body slam it through the floor. We can’t wait.
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MACHINES
ELEVATED ENGINEERING BY B I L L VA R E T I M I D I S
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ow does one improve on the Chiron? Well, the Frenchies behind it claim they have significantly improved the handling by producing a circuit-friendly package. It seems leaving well-enough alone just isn’t Bugatti’s wheelhouse. Bugatti engineers first tweaked the shock absorbers to get them 10% stiffer than standard, then gave the steering a refresh — though without compromising the ‘direct feel’. A Dynamic Torque Vectoring function was also introduced; which spreads out torque and assists agility during what their test drivers call ‘elevated driving’ - or what us regulars call ‘holy crap this is quick’. Eighteen kilograms have been removed from the Chiron, thanks to the lightweight wheels, a carbon fibre stabiliser, lighter glass in the rear window, a lighter exhaust deflector,
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and even the 1.4 kg lighter 3D printed carbon fibre windscreen wipers – a world first. These small tweaks give a 5 second advantage over a regular Chiron around Nardo’s handling circuit. The hand-built engine remains unchanged. The 16 cylinder comfortably pumps out an ground-splitting 1,180 poundfeet of torque on its way to the benchmark 0-100 km/h in 2.3 seconds. Speed was never a problem here ladies and gentlemen. To standout from its sibling, this Sport version gets rounded quad tailpipes, Sport logos on the centre console, an anodised engine start button, and new colour and trim options. But the tweaks come at a cost. The standard Chiron starts at $2.9 million before options so do the maths. If the standard model defies the laws physics, this one will surely tear a hole through time itself.
ENGINE: 8.0 litre 16 cylinder TRANSMISSION: 7 speed dual-clutch automatic POWER: 1102kW TORQUE: 1,180lb-ft@2,000 rpm TOP SPEED: 420 km/h 0-100KM/H: 2.3 seconds PRICE: $3.7 million
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BY B I L L VA R E T I M I D I S
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classic BMW moto speaks to us like no other, and the 1934 BMW R7 Prototype is one of the greatest beauties of the pre-war era. With an advanced streamlined design and innovations such as telescoping forks, it was ahead of its time. Only one was ever made — and therefore inaccessible to everyone on the planet. Thank fully, a Florida design studio is PUN[TV[T aUNa dVaU aURV_ x;\`aNYTVNy ]_\WRPa . _RO\\a \S `\_a` aUR ;\`aNYTVN _\YY` \[ a BMW R nine T chassis, and uses 74 handcrafted parts (many made of aluminum) a\ P\[cR_a aUR `a\PX OVXR V[a\ N x[Rdy ?$ This includes a new 12 litre fuel tank and
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custom handcrafted stainless steel exhaust system. This project imitates vintage design by reincorporating the ignition lock and speedometer into the headlamp housing, but also comes complete with up to date electronics and a current spec air-oil cooled 1170cc 82kW R nineT boxer engine. 921 V[QVPNa\_` N[Q N XRfYR`` VT[VaV\[ were both worked into the redesign of the R nineT electrical system, which is mostly concealed within the framework itself. The rear can be equipped with a luggage trunk, passenger seat, or manual gear shift mount \[ aUR aN[X NYN ]_R dN_ Z\a\_PfPYR` 1R`]VaR its modern messings, the Nostalgia looks like
it just leaped straight out of the 1930s. NMoto is selling the Nostalgia as a complete bike for $49,500. Pricey it may be, but NMoto already has 47 pre-orders and have plans to have its own line of accessories for the BMW R nineT. Who said there wasn’t any money in antiques? â–
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STYLE
BLUE BLOODS As buyers and collectors seek rare and aristocratic timepieces, horologists are responding with expectationshattering designs... BY KE ITH G O R D O N
FRANCK MULLER VANGUARD YACHTING TOURBILLON
On the open water, two things remain paramount: style and functionality. The Franck Muller Vanguard Yachting Tourbillon raises both of these traits to perfection. With a bold blue face and similarly hued strap, in addition to a fantastically-engineered tourbillon that’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is accurate, this timepiece is capable of grabbing one’s attention regardless of the opulent surroundings. Housed in a durable stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal caseback, the Vanguard Yachting Tourbillon is the perfect watch for a superyacht adventure, and ideally suited to an active lifestyle on the ocean where conditions may not always be perfect. While some Franck Muller timepieces can be found at lesser price points, this watch can be equated with the yacht on which it was meant to be worn: a functional investment that combines style, luxury, utility and world-class engineering. And at US$106,600, it represents the perfect Swiss horological pairing for any multimillion-dollar marina-based toy.
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MB&F LM SPLIT ESCAPEMENT BLUE
The MB&F LM Split Escapement Blue is one of the most stylish ways to spend US$79,000. With a limited run of only 18 units, the watch is crafted from 18k white gold with a striking blue frosted dial and a sapphire crystal, presented on a hand-stitched alligator strap. Far more than an interesting mechanical design, MB&F have created a three-dimensional sculpture using the textured blue background to accentuate the contrasting features that appear to float above the face. It begs to be observed from multiple angles in order to fully appreciate the complexity and balance between serious luxury and a more playful side expressed via the gorgeous blue dial.
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Dutch Courage The gin renaissance is in full swing. Here’s how to imbibe with style... BY N I CO L AS STE C H E R
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pring is the season of gin. So, while we hunker down in the wool sweater months with our favourite browns, keeping the soul toasty via a steady collection of Scotch, cognac and bourbon, when the sun finally returns it’s time to clear things up. Literally. We look for spirits that are crisp, light, and refreshing as the days warm up, and no spirit has the clarity and brightness of gin. Thank the juniper and countless other botanicals that can be used for its production — the resulting eruption of tastes and scents allow the best gins to leap from the glass to your nose and palate. We can thank the explosion in craft distilling for the windfall of new gins, with some 6,000 varieties of the pleasantly astringent spirit now in existence. From Holland, where some of the earliest gins were distilled, all the way to Japan, we surveyed several stellar examples for this drinkas-you-go guide. We’ve included classics, brand new varietals of our home bar standards, big-ticket limited edition expressions and even one aged in wooden casks to get your gin education off to a proper start.
incomparably soft and smooth profile, with juniper in the background and both citrus and floral notes up front, helping it earn it a 97-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, which Aviation says makes it the world’s highest-rated gin.
AVIATION AMERICAN GIN
While many first heard of Aviation thanks to its acquisition by Marvel superhero/merry prankster Ryan Reynolds, the truth is the spirit was something special long before Deadpool got his bloody gloves on it. Portland, Oregon-based master distiller and bartender team Christian Krogstad and Ryan Magarian carefully developed the blend. A proprietary maceration produces a unique medley of botanical flavours. The technique is credited with imbuing the brand with its 2 8
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TOP: Last year, Ryan Reynolds confirmed his stake in Aviation American Gin and is steadily building the fast-growing brand’s profile; ABOVE: The final stage in crafting Citadelle Réserve consists of blending the semi-aged spirit inside an eight-foot-tall wooden egg
The Hendrick’s Gin Palace is part world-class distillery and part ginaficionado paradise with a tasting bar and guest experience for VIPs
CITADELLE NO MISTAKE OLD TOM GIN
Boutique French spirits producer Maison Ferrand’s master blender, Alexandre Gabriel, built a reputation on pushing experimentation to extreme places. Specifically, Gabriel is known to play with production, blending and aging techniques to create new and fresh twists on long forgotten liquors. More than two decades ago Gabriel launched Citadelle Gin, employing 19 botanicals and aromatics in pot stills over an open flame. Next, he aged the spirit in five types of wooden barrels to create Citadelle Réserve. Now for the Citadelle Extrême collection, he’s testing the limits of the spirit. The secret ingredient in Citadelle No Mistake Old Tom Gin comes from a Demerara-like brown sugar that Gabriel discovered on his many trips to the Caribbean. The sugar is toasted and caramelised in copper cauldrons, alcoholised and then aged for three to four months in spirit casks before being added to Citadelle Réserve; the concoction is then married and matured in wooden casks. The result is a rare dark goldtinted gin with a welcome hit of maple sugar. Notes of juniper, orange peel and cardamom give way to hints of fennel and cumin on the palate, while the wood-aging expresses itself through spicy notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and cubeb pepper.
would seem to go against the grain, that’s what Hendrick’s has always done best.
AMASS
Newcomer Amass bills itself as a “nomadic distillery” as they plan to work in different cities every year to craft their various spirits. First up is gin, which they’ve chosen to make in Los Angeles under the auspices of Morgan McLachlan. The Vancouver-born/L.A.-based distiller specialises in creating small-batch locavore’s gin. Amass selected 29 botanicals to best represent the City of Angels, including indigenous California bay leaf and cascara sagrada, as well as more foreign ingredients like hibiscus, cardamom, cacao, and kaffir lime leaf. The citrus notes reference L.A.’s bygone years as a massive orange orchard, and the more exotic botanicals reflect the city’s profound polychromatic multiculturalism. The native herbs provide a distinctive earthy base for Amass, grounding bright top notes of citrus from grapefruit, orange and lemon. Built on a base of 96% corn spirit, the alcohol’s ultra-clean foundation allows for an articulate expression of all its delicate ingredients.
HENDRICK’S ORBIUM
Hendrick’s first gained worldwide recognition due to its innovative approach of infusing their spirit with cucumber and rose, and in doing so simultaneously revolutionised both the gin and mixology industries. Now Master Distiller Lesley Gracie is back breaking conventions, this time bringing in flavors traditionally associated with gin cocktails: quinine found in the iconic G&T and wormwood from a martini’s dry vermouth. She also blended blue lotus blossom to balance the alchemy. Orbium, previously only available in the UK at a small number of exclusive bars and restaurants, is now ready for wider release. But it’s not for everyone — the bitterness from the quinine opens up new possibilities for cocktail-crafting, but requires a different approach from the traditional London dry gin. The use of quinine and wormwood result in a taste that is paradoxically exotic and oddly familiar, spiraling from floral to an alluringly bitter space. And while in-creased bitterness
Amass is a “nomadic distillery” collaborating with spirits experts around the world
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BAR affordable gin execution from the Land of the Rising Sun. Cherry blossom and green tea provide a floral and sweet aroma, with yuzu as the top tasting note, while Japanese sansh pepper brings a hint of spiciness to the finish.
MONKEY 47 SCHWARZWALD DRY GIN
Former Nokia exec Alexander Stein moved to the Black Forest of Germany to join forces with master distiller Christoph Keller to produce this unique spirit, using an antique recipe originally formulated by an expat former RAF commander. After 120 test batches, the duo began selling Monkey 47 in 2010. The reaction to the handcrafted, batchdistlled spirit was immediate and overwhelming. In total nearly 50 ingredients (hence the name) are used in the making of Monkey 47, with a third of them found in the Black Forest, including lingonberries, spruce, acacia blooms, bramble leaves and, perhaps most importantly, the area’s famed soft spring water. The end result is a highly complex gin with fruit, spice and herb notes that blend into flavors of pine and wood.
ROKU GIN
The fabled House of Suntory, the historical home of Japanese whisky, has now turned its attention to a new spirit: gin. Many argue the Japanese have surpassed the Scots as masters of malt whisky, so Suntory’s success at conquering another shelf on the bar seems all but foretold. Roku is the house’s newest attempt at the spirit, but it falls in line with founder Shinjiro Torii’s monozukuri philosophy of craftsmanship: “A relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality.” As it means “six” in Japanese, Roku utilizes a half-dozen traditional Japanese botanicals in its distillation, and Suntory takes the provenance of ingredients very seriously indeed. A clean, intriguing and pleasantly
TOP LEFT: Distilled with six traditional Japanese botanicals, Roku Gin is an ultra-premium offering from liquor icon Suntory; TOP (MIDDLE RIGHT): Monkey 47 uses ingredients from the Black Forest in Germany to create a truly top-shelf gin; ABOVE: Monkey 47 brand creator Alexander Stein
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DAMRAK GIN
Another Dutch specialty recently became easier to obtain on American shores. Imported from Amsterdam, Damrak aims for a superclean profile by five-times distilling their gin for one of the brightest and sweetest spirits we tested. Damrak incorporates 17 different botanicals in its process, leaning heavy on the citrus ledger by focusing on Curaçao oranges, Valencia oranges and lemons, as well as herbs and spices like angelica root, cinnamon, star anise and lavender. Most definitely not your standard London dry.
NOLET’S RESERVE
The history of Nolet’s is unlike any other gin, having been distilled in a family-run facility in the gin mecca of Schiedam, Holland, for well over 300 years — one of the storied origins of the term “Dutch courage” came from soldiers quaffing Holland’s best before battle. The brand’s current custodian, Carolus Nolet, Sr., is the distillery’s 10thgeneration owner. And while Nolet’s classic expression is world renowned, Carolus wanted to offer the faithful a bottle that could be passed down from father to son. Or at least saved and savoured at a generational event. His higher proof Nolet’s Reserve is handcrafted using a recipe that highlights two distinct botanicals: saffron for warmth and spice, and verbena for its delicate subtlety. As can be expected, the cost of the beautifully packaged and hand-numbered spirit is high. But as Carolus personally approves each share of Reserve before it is bottled in order to guarantee the family’s highest standards are being upheld, this is extravagance in the very best of taste. ■ TOP: In addition to producing elite-level gin at their Amsterdam-based distillery, Damrak Gin offers private boat tours complete with a drinkslinging hostess; RIGHT: In a line of succession that would impress any European monarch, Nolet’s has been producing high-quality gin for more than 300 years
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The powerful, personal stories of our mighty service men and women battling it out on the sporting arena at the Invictus Games‌
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he Invictus Games, held in Sydney last October, showcased the remarkable determination and talents of our incredible wounded service men and women as they battled it out in aURV_ _R`]RPaVcR `]\_aV[T SVRYQ` AUR`R cRaR_N[` \S aUR ._Zf ;Ncf N[Q .V_ 3\_PR `R_cRQ V[ PNZ]NVT[` S_\Z @\ZNYVN a\ .STUN[V`aN[ N[Q `UN_RQ aUR `PN_` \S aURV_ `R_cVPR O\aU N]]N_R[a N[Q V[cV`VOYR =_V[PR 5N__f _RSR__RQ a\ zaUR URNYV[T ]\dR_ \S `]\_a{ N` UR dNaPURQ P\Z]RaVa\_` S_\Z 18 countries around the world represent the nation for which theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d fought. Yet many of the competitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; P\Z]RYYV[T ]R_`\[NY `a\_VR` UNcR fRa a\ OR a\YQ B[aVY [\d ;Rd O\\X B[P\[^bR_RQ' <b_ D\b[QRQ Warriors aRYY` aUR a_bR `a\_VR` \S .b`a_NYVN[ N[Q ;Rd GRNYN[Q ZR[ N[Q d\ZR[ dU\ S\bTUa N[Q a_VbZ]URQ over extraordinary challenges from the battlefield to the sporting arena. It also offers a deeply personal account of the trauma of armed conflict, the power of the individual to overcome fear, wounds both mental and physical and the persistent determination to succeed in the face of adversity. In this edited Rea_NPa dR aNXR N Y\\X Na aUR cR_f QVSSR_R[a ]R_`\[NY NPP\b[a` \S ad\ `bPU .b`a_NYVN[ NaUYRaR`p
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t the time of his medical discharge from aUR ._Zf V[ # 4N__f ?\OV[`\[ dN` N Special Forces sniper team commander dVaU fRN_`y `R_cVPR V[ aUR ._Zf To reach this position he had conquered the gruelling Special Forces selection process, endured intensive training in a series of demanding circumstances and completed multiple deployments to East Timor and .STUN[V`aN[ 0UNYYR[TR` UNQ `VZ]Yf ORP\ZR part of his life and overcoming them just a natural response. But the Black Hawk NPPVQR[a V[ [\_aUR_[ 8N[QNUN_ .STUN[V`aN[ on 21 June 2010, would pose a far greater challenge than any he had faced. It would also redefine his life.
Garry was serving with 2nd Commando Regiment at the time of the accident. He was aboard one of four B @ 0\NYVaV\[ /YNPX 5NdX URYVP\]aR_` PN__fV[T B @ N[Q .b`a_NYVN[ a_\\]` \[ N [VTUa \]R_NaV\[ against Taliban positions in northern Kandahar. In pitch darkness, Garryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helicopter crashed V[ _bTTRQ aR__NV[ XVYYV[T aU_RR .b`a_NYVN[ commandos and wounding seven. The .ZR_VPN[ Y\NQZN`aR_ dN` XVYYRQ N[Q S\b_ B@ ]R_`\[[RY dR_R NY`\ d\b[QRQ The quick response from the other Black Hawks certainly saved the lives of many who might otherwise have perished. So severe were Garryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s injuries that he `]R[a dRRX` V[ N[ V[QbPRQ P\ZN z6 `b`aNV[RQ N severe traumatic brain injury and fractured multiple
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bones including transverse processes in my lower spine, sacrum, eight ribs, both shoulder blades and badly fractured left leg, which was later amputated below the knee, my right acetabulum, or hip socket, which left my right leg dislocated for over a week. I had a lot of internal bleeding and had to have my spleen removed. I also had a punctured lung. I had a large degloving wound to my backside from my scrotum to my lower back, which left me with a colostomy bag. I was in an induced coma for four weeks while my body healed, and I spent two years in hospital recovering from the brain injury.” It was towards the end of his hospital rehabilitation process that Garry heard about the Invictus Games. “I was coming to the end of my rehabilitation within the military — I had spent two years in a rehab hospital and then a further 18 months in a military hospital. I had a severe brain injury and I had no idea what I was capable of doing. I could barely walk or breathe, and I was actually confined to a wheelchair.” Sport played a major role in his rehabilitation and Garry completed an application form, listing the three sports he wanted to try as soon as he felt capable. Then “I saw these games which I had never heard of and I started hearing about what the Invictus Games were and Prince Harry’s involvement.” Garry immediately applied for selection in the three sports that he had hoped to try. “Within six weeks I was on a plane to London. In that six weeks I taught myself how to ride a bicycle and learned the techniques of target archery.” As a member of Special Forces, Garry had been extremely fit and was a strong athlete prior to the crash. “Even before the accident I was always cycling, I was a good cyclist. Cycling has always been in my system and still is. But since the accident I probably prefer archery. My coach has brought me
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“MY ABILITIES HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND, THROUGH SPORT, I HAVE FOUND WAYS TO ADAPT SO THAT I CAN STAY INVOLVED AND ACTIVE.”
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ABOVE: Garry at Triathlon World Championshps; RIGHT: Garry in hospital in Germany after the Blackhawks Crash in Afghanistan
“I SUSTAINED A SEVERE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND FRACTURED MULTIPLE BONES INCLUDING TRANSVERSE PROCESSES IN MY LOWER SPINE, SACRUM, EIGHT RIBS, BOTH SHOULDER BLADES AND BADLY FRACTURED MY LEFT LEG, WHICH WAS LATER AMPUTATED BELOW THE KNEE, MY RIGHT ACETABULUM, OR HIP SOCKET, WHICH LEFT MY RIGHT LEG DISLOCATED FOR OVER A WEEK.” a long way because I used to be a good shooter and when I first started archery, he taught me to work with my ability. It would take years for me to become as good at archery as I was at shooting.” The atmosphere of his first Invictus Games is something Garry will never forget. “When I arrived in London and was surrounded by all the other athletes from all the other nations, it felt like I was in the Army again. I was back at work. I started to come out of my shell a bit and focus on the job at hand. Because I had lost three good mates in the crash, including my best mate, everything I do today and everything I did back then was for them.” Garry has been to every Invictus Games — London, Orlando and Toronto.
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He attributes the success of his recovery to his family, who were with him all through his hospitalisation and rehabilitation process. They were his support system and provided what he regards as a lifeline. “I admire my wife Katrina and children Rebekah, Carly and Joshua, for the unconditional support they have given me since my accident. It has not been easy for them. They are the only ones who really understand everything I have been through. If I hadn’t had their support behind me, I probably wouldn’t be here today. I would have let myself go. So having that support and going to the Invictus Games has definitely saved my life. I’ll definitely go back for more.” Sport and the Invictus Games have been pivotal to the
CLOCKWISE (FROM ABOVE): Garry at the March Out Parade for his son; In the pool; Medal time!; Garry, Stewart Sherman and Steve Sandman in action at the Invictus Games
success of Garry’s rehabilitation. “Sport has been a big part of my rehabilitation, especially since competing in the first Invictus Games. I came home from that wanting to compete more. It gave me something to focus on. My abilities have changed over the years and, through sport, I have found ways to adapt so that I can stay involved and active.” The games have also given Garry the opportunity to prove himself, particularly to his medical specialists who were convinced that he was incapable of playing sport at all. “For me, probably the biggest thing with these games is proving not only to myself but the doctors, nurses and surgeons who told me that I’d never be able to compete again because I was really badly hurt. I was a very good athlete before the accident and I know I have proven them wrong just by competing. Where I am today shows that para-sport is my recovery — I wanted to prove to them that they were wrong.” Garry is also convinced that the identity of the games is important to the athletes. “It’s not the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it’s the Invictus Games — the separate identity is awesome. In every sporting event, the Invictus Games have left a mark — you can’t get that experience anywhere else. You can’t buy that.” He is filled with admiration for other athletes, particularly those he has seen at the very start of their recovery process. “I admire many of my fellow competitors, especially Peter Rudland, who has been on the Invictus Games journey with me. After being wounded, he couldn’t even ride a two-wheeled bike but now competitively rides a recumbent trike. I also think about my mate Ben Chuck who, along with three others, was killed in the accident. He was in my team and everyone admired him as a great person and a great soldier. I am amazed by my son, Joshua, who has seen the worst that can come out of the Army – death and severe wounds — and has still chosen an Army career. These are the people who inspire me to push harder and be the best I can.’ Joshua has had the extraordinary example of his father to inspire him. Having spent his life accepting challenges and pushing through to achieve new heights, Garry is keen to continue competing as long as his new-found abilities permit. His journey to recovery is clear evidence that the inspiration, camaraderie and sheer joy of competing at the Invictus Games can prove life-changing.
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JEFF WRIGHT
e joined the Army in 1986 when Vietnam veterans were still a common sight around Army units. He found them very impressive, recalling that he was “lucky enough to be exposed” to these and other veterans during those formative first few years in the Army. He joined the Royal Australian Corps of Transport as a driver, spending a number of years in transport units before a stint in 5th Aviation Regiment. He also served at the Land Warfare Centre in Canungra and, at one point, progressed from trucks to boats, in what he describes as “a diverse period”. It was his posting to 35 Water Transport Unit that preceded his first deployment. In 1999 Jeff Wright found himself on his way to the troubled island of East Timor. As a member of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET), Jeff ’s primary tasks were “to help secure the port, transport supplies and distribute items in and around the country”. He enjoyed his deployment, describing it as “a good period”. It was some compensation for having missed earlier operational tours. “When I was in aviation I missed a couple of trips to Somalia and Rwanda, so I was eager, I
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was ready. I wasn’t thinking about being underprepared. I think I was probably over-prepared, so I was happy to go and ready to go.” But Jeff had arrived at the start of the INTERFET operation and the situation in the strife-torn nation was still tense, with several militia groups terrorising the local people. “We were able to save a couple of people from the militia at the start, we were able to protect a couple of women and a few blokes who were probably about to be hacked up. On a lot of nights I was able to visit the hills. No-one knew what we were really up to at the time. We had motorbikes so we could duck up to the hills and we found a little orphanage up there. They really didn’t know what we were or who we were at the time and, through some really bad English translation, we were able to tell them what we were doing and they were quite happy to see us. When we went up, we would fill our saddlebags with lollies and the kids just flocked to us. It was good to see those people up in the hills and the orphanage that took in a lot of people at that time. I was really happy with the way we conducted ourselves and how we got the job done.”
“I TOOK LONG SERVICE LEAVE AND THEN I JOINED THE POLICE FORCE. IT WAS A REALLY GOOD DISTRACTION FOR ME BECAUSE I WAS KEEN TO LEARN.”
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Jeff felt well equipped for his role in INTERFET and for the tasks that the deployment demanded. “I think I adapted really well. We had pretty good equipment to work with back then, although some of the stuff coming into the country was pretty slow getting there. But I think we had the right attitude with these soldiers. Everyone was there to do something. It had been quite a long time since there had been a serious military deployment and the government was very reluctant to send us anywhere, especially with so many soldiers involved. But in East Timor Australia took the lead. And General Cosgrove did an outstanding job — to have someone of his calibre in charge of all international forces in the country was incredible.” But returning to Australia at the end of his deployment and slotting into the family home and lifestyle was something of a shock for Jeff. “I was okay when I got back, although it was a bit of a shock back in the family home. I didn’t know where I fitted in because they had moved on without me, learning to deal without me being there, whether it be paying bills or mowing lawns or washing the cars or just doing things. I did feel quite isolated there and everything felt very clean and clinical back here in Australia. We had a few interviews about our psychological state of mind and things like that, but I think that there was nothing for me really to discuss with anyone at the time. I didn’t think it was worth talking about. We were used to coping with any difficult situation and I think that was it at the time.” Jeff left the Army in 2003, having decided to try something different — the police force. “I took long service leave and then I joined the police force. It was a really good distraction for me because I was keen to learn. There were so many transferrable skills from the military to my new role as a policeman, and in the
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academy they tapped into the skills we had. It was a good transition and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a different world, but so many things were similar — it was another environment in which I wore a uniform and took responsibility and also helped resolve lifethreatening situations at different times. He enjoyed life in the police force so much that he stayed five years. When he eventually left, it was a financial decision based on a better offer rather than through disillusionment with the police. “I was building an investment home with a local building company and, during the construction period, I was offered an opportunity to work for the company as a sales consultant and a custom home designer. The money was too great to ignore. So I decided that I would kick myself if I didn’t give it a go. I resigned from the police to pursue a career in the building industry and off I went. It was a good decision. Things went really well and I eventually moved on to work for a local land developer and start helping him with his residential land development. That’s when I had the accident.” Jeff had just enjoyed two days off work and was riding his motorcycle home. “I saw a vehicle in a right-hand turn lane up ahead of me — he thought the car was going to turn.” But the driver hesitated at the last minute and, by this time, Jeff “was way too close and ended up colliding with him”. As he remarks, “and that’s when everything changed. Ended up being paralysed. Had my sides completely smashed in and I had a facial reconstruction. I lost sight in my left eye. My voice was damaged and I had skull fractures, multiple rib fractures, and spinal dislocations.” Despite this, Jeff considers himself fortunate that help came as quickly as it did. “I was lucky. Just minutes after the accident, four highly qualified paramedics were working on me, which is the reason I’m alive. I’m 100% sure of that. They took me to the hospital where
“WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE FROM THE MILITIA AT THE START, WE WERE ABLE TO PROTECT A COUPLE OF WOMEN AND A FEW BLOKES WHO WERE PROBABLY ABOUT TO BE HACKED UP.”
I had urgent facial surgery.” Jeff was flown to a major hospital for spinal surgery and a further facial reconstruction. “And then I went in for rehab. Normally you spend six to nine months in the unit. I self-discharged after nine weeks — 11 weeks total at the hospital.” He had been overwhelmed by the intensity of the hospital treatment and the enormity of his situation. “I was just getting very depressed and becoming suicidal. I was really struggling with the whole idea of what had occurred and I needed to get out of there. It was a pretty depressing time.” Jeff couldn’t go home to his wife and children as he could no longer cope with a normal house. “I couldn’t stay home because the house wasn’t appropriate for me, so I just stayed in a motel in town while I was trying to get organised to have modifications done to
my house. I stayed there for three months and by then some slight modifications had been done to the bathroom so that I could at least use it till the insurance company was able to organise more permanent modifications.” The accident had a devastating effect on Jeff ’s family. “I’m no longer married. I ended up separating from my wife a couple of years ago now and that was a direct result of the accident. There was no bad feeling between us or anything like that, it was more that I needed to get everything from the past out of my system. That was the consequence of my mental state. My kids are still a really big part of my life. My youngest is 21. They had a fair idea that I needed to move on. I tried to fight myself for about a year. But I realised I was not going to get through if I continued. And then I moved out and now I have my own place and a great relationship with my kids and I still have a bit of contact with my ex-wife.” Part of Jeff ’s ability to recover has come from his contact with the Invictus Games. He first heard of the games while he was in rehabilitation. “I was in the rehab unit in the hospital and someone told me about wheelchair basketball. He kept on at me, ‘Oh, you’ve got to come down and try. You’ve got to come down and try.’ And I kept putting him off. I just didn’t want to go and do it because I was still really convinced that somehow I would walk out the door any minute. But eventually I thought, ‘I’ll go and give it a try.’ I had a go and fell in love with it and started playing. It became something
Jeff in his Army days; ABOVE: Anzac Day
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LEFT: Raising the flag for his country; ABOVE: Jeff sitting next to Prince Harry for the Australian team official photo
that I really looked forward to and soon I was playing several times a week. We joined a couple of people to start a basketball program there and they had been to the London Invictus Games. And they said, ‘You guys are so good at basketball. You should put in for the Invictus Games. And we did and the rest is history. Jeff was selected for the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017. “I tried really hard. I took it very seriously and I tried to be as good as I could be for Toronto. It was a big occasion. That was a big trip for me and was a bit hard to take, but I got there. I got there in pretty good nick really, to be honest. The time difference took a bit to get used to, but I had plenty of time before the competition started. I wasn’t nervous and I wasn’t worried and I watched a lot of YouTube clips on the games to see who the teams were to beat and who the good players were in those teams. I watched a lot of video footage to see what I was up against. And I actually thought there was nothing that I saw that we couldn’t compete with.” He went into the competition feeling very confident, only to find that his confidence was somewhat misplaced. “So I was confident that we’d go reasonably well. And as it turned out we didn’t go quite so well in basketball, but we certainly got their attention and won their respect for the way we played the game. For someone going into the stadium for the first time, it’s an overwhelming experience. The stadium was so packed. It’s so noisy. It was just a real vibe, but I was able to come straight into the game. Just trying to find that ability to concentrate on the game and not worry about the noise of the crowd and the response of the crowd was hard work.” Jeff has used this experience to build his confidence for the 2018 Sydney games and to ensure that these will be every bit as good as Toronto. “I think the camaraderie will work really well this year as it is a good mix of people who have been before and new people.
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I was able to get the senior guys to mentor a new person this year and just help him along. But the younger ones have come on so well that everyone’s really feeling quite confident. We put the work in. We’re so much better off this year than we were last year in both basketball and rugby. This is particularly the case in the way we’ve been able to play rugby this year — it has been quite impressive considering where we were at the same time last year. I don’t like to talk about end results but I think we should expect to do well and everything else will take care of itself if we play to our potential.” The Invictus Games have made an enormous difference to Jeff ’s determination to push forward and continue what has been a remarkable recovery. “Being a member of the Invictus Games 2017 team was a most rewarding and fulfilling experience. I felt that I had unfinished business and wanted to compete again to better the results from last year and to experience the thrill of all that the Invictus Games are about.” In fact, sport has become a big part of Jeff ’s plan for his future. “I’m going to keep myself going and maybe look at going to the Paralympics. It’s part of what I want to do. I enjoy the team camaraderie and the team sports, and it’s good exercise to keep you healthy. So, as long as I can contribute to the game, I’m going to try to maintain training two or three times a week in basketball and get along to a tournament because the benefit is not just physical, but mental as well. It’s exactly what I need and I think I’d be a completely different person if I didn’t have it. For me, it has been the catalyst to revisit the camaraderie and competitive nature of sport, allowing for aggression, skill, teamwork and overall enjoyment. Sport helps me stop thinking that I am a person with a disability. Health and fitness are huge benefits for now and in the future.” For Jeff, “serving my nation in the Army and serving my community as a police officer” were his greatest achievements. To these he adds a feat that is just as remarkable, “surviving and thriving after a motorcycle accident”. Selection for the Invictus Games must also rank alongside these achievements, particularly given the seriousness of his injuries. It is yet another step in an extraordinary journey to recovery. ■ Unconquered: Our Wounded Warriors by Denny Neave, Gordon Traill & Catherine McCullagh (Big Sky Publishing $69.99rrp) is now available at all good book stores and online at www.bigskypublishing.com.au
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STYLISH STUNNING
sexy international model, fashionista and entrepreneur YILENA HERNANDEZâ&#x20AC;¦ P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y B R I A N B H AY E S ( @ B R I A N B H A Y E S _ P H O T O ) I N T E R V I E W BY S A N T I P I N TA D O
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COVER GIRL goosebumps the whole time, but it was so worth it! I worked with some very talented people that day and I think we really got some gorgeous shots.
ongrats on your first-ever MAXIM Australia cover, Yilena. How do you feel? I’m still in shock! I’m very excited and super blessed to be on the cover. It really is a dream come true. Being a cover model for MAXIM has always been a goal I’ve set for myself – so, it is an honour. I’ve dreamt of this opportunity since I started my career and it truly means everything. It’s empowering and I’m blessed to have worked hard to be at this point in my career. Good stuff! Tell us about this cool photo shoot. We shot this in the very early morning at Malibu, California. It was so chilly outside I had
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Well, you look gorgeous. When do you feel you are at your sexiest? Thank you! I feel sexiest when I’m in a great outfit and all dressed up. I love doing my hair and my make-up – I love it so much that I actually have an eyelash line coming out called Yilena Luxury Lashes. I’m inspired by women, like me, who work hard and want to look their best. So, I created a line of lashes that allow women to smile with their eyes. And you’re a fashionista, too. Fashion to me is a form of art and expressing yourself and I feel like I express that in what I wear. When I go out to an event with my friends and I’m having fun, that’s when I feel confident and sexy. What is your best asset? I’m very loyal. Even on my bad days, my family and friends are there for me and I’m there them.
I always want them to know I have their backs no matter what. You were born in Cuba but now live in L.A. – tell us a bit more about yourself. Growing up in Cuba was a blessing in disguise. Even though it was tough, rough, edgy and painful at times, it made me strong, resilient and taught me that if I can make it there I can make it anywhere. My life now revolves around the fashion industry. If I’m not modelling, I’m collaborating with fashion brands. I’m a socialite in the fashion community and I travel a lot to fashion weeks all over the world. I love styling out of my closet and creating outfits. I’m also working on my own swimwear line that will launch later this year and I love spending time with my loved ones. You started modelling at a very young age but didn’t get into it until 17, right? Yes, I always wanted to be a model but I honestly never imagined it would happen. Growing up, I didn’t have confidence in myself. I didn’t
feel pretty enough. So, it was a a bit of a struggle at first but I kept pushing because it has always been a dream of mine. I’ve dealt with a few models in the industry that have been rude, but for the most part I’ve worked with a lot of lovely models and made a lot of great friends. If you were not modelling what career would you be involved in? Definitely fashion designing. Acting has also been something I love – I’m very good at it but only a few people know that. What would people be most surprised to learn about Yilena Hernandez? I’m very unpredictable. My Cuban side keeps me saucy! I’m very outgoing and I’m not afraid to try new experiences. You travel a lot for your modelling work. Have you ever been to Australia? No, I’ve never been to Australia but it’s on the top of my bucket list! I’ve seen amazing stuff about your country and I would love to shoot there.
“I’M INSPIRED BY WOMEN, LIKE ME, WHO WORK HARD AND WANT TO LOOK THEIR BEST.”
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“MY CUBAN SIDE KEEPS ME SAUCY! I’M VERY OUTGOING AND I’M NOT AFRAID TO TRY NEW EXPERIENCES.”
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What’s the best way for a man to win his way to your heart? Shoes. Just kidding! I would say just by being present, kind and caring. Also being supportive. Modelling can be gruelling hours and it’s important to have someone who supports you in your career. What’s one thing men should always remember about women? Women want to feel loved and cared for always. Describe your ideal date? Being with great company in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. If you had to take MAXIM on a date, what would it entail? The date would be in Australia and we would start the day in Bondi Beach laying in the sun and then go shopping for the perfect outfit to wear to our dinner later! You have a big Instagram following. Would you ever date one of your social media followers? I don’t see why not. Unfortunately, there are some creepy people on social media but I just block them if they are being too inappropriate. What’s been the most embarrassing moment you’ve had on a night out? One time I was twerking in a club and my leather pants ripped down the middle leaving almost everything uncovered. Whoops! Where would you like to be in five years? I’d like to have my own clothing line and have it be very successful. What’s next for you? I’m going to keep striving for more. I set new goals for myself every week and I achieve them one by one. Challenging myself helps me grow further. Get ready to see more from me because the sky is the limit!
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“GROWING UP, I DIDN’T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF. I DIDN’T FEEL PRETTY ENOUGH.”
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Status Update FULL NAME: Yilena Hernandez BORN: June 26, 1993 HOMETOWN: Holguin, Cuba LIVES: Louisiana, USA FIVE-WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Creative, passionate, driven, unpredictable, elegant.” HOBBIES: “Designing clothes and playing dress ups.” FAVOURITE DRINK: “I love a good martini or a good bottle of wine.” HANGOVER CURE: “Drink lots of water and watch lots of movies.” PHOBIA: “I don’t like any type of bugs!” GIRL CRUSH: “Lady Gaga.” SLEEPWEAR ATTIRE: “Sports bra and panties.” LIFE MOTTO: “‘I’d rather be hated for who I am then loved for who I am not.’ – Kurt Cobain.” INSTAGRAM: @yilena_hernandez
HAIR: SHLOM I HILLEL ( @ S H LO M I H I L L E L 5 ) MAKE-UP: ADRIANA M ( @ M A K E U P B YA D R I A N A M )
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“ONE TIME I WAS TWERKING IN A CLUB AND MY LEATHER PANTS RIPPED DOWN THE MIDDLE LEAVING ALMOST EVERYTHING UNCOVERED.”
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H E A LT H
How To...
UPGRADE YOUR WORK PERFORMANCE If you’re motivated to improve, it doesn’t have to be complicated. MAXIM’s resident Clinical Nutritionist, BROOKE BENSON CAMPBELL (BHSC Nut Med), is here with a few simple tips on utilising your brainpower to boost performance and productivity…
RESPECT CHANNEL CAPACITY There is a concept in cognitive psychology called channel capacity, which refers to the amount of space our brain has for certain types of information. In his book The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell describes human limits to the amount of information any one individual can absorb at any one time… and one is the magic number when it comes to learning. To boost levels of performance, we need to respect our hard-wired cognitive limitations; that is, a person should never aim to learn or improve more than one thing at a time. In order for this learning to be transferred to long-term storage (and become habit), it is essential to honour the concept of channel capacity. So, next time you are overwhelmed with new information, employ the strategy of “Ask and Chop” instead. Firstly, force yourself to ask the question: “What is one thing I really want or need to improve?”. Then, break the task or information into manageable parts. Chop the improvement into single steps, and only focus on the first or next necessary step of action to begin the march toward improvement. Focus on modifying ONE thing at a time to upgrade performance and transfer learning to longterm storage. “Ask and Chop” your way to positive change. Interestingly, studies have also shown that humans have a limited ‘social channel capacity’
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of around 150 people. That is, an individual can forge a genuine relationship with no more than 150 people at once. For this reason, many workplaces now cap their size at this number to achieve greater cohesion and success.
YOU CAN’T MULTITASK, SO STOP TRYING Multiple studies have shown that not only is multitasking inefficient and unproductive, but it reduces cognitive skill ability. Based on over 50 years of brain science, we know that multitaskers are less productive and confuse information. It takes around 15 minutes to re-orient to a primary task after a distraction (such as an email or social media post), causing efficiency to drop by up to 40% (and the average number of times an office worker stops to check their email inbox: 30 times per hour — a scary statistic!). Specifically, long-term memory and creativity is reduced when we multitask. In fact, researchers tested 300 Michigan State students on their ability to persevere through interruptions while taking a computer test. The interruptions came as pop-ups on the screens that stayed for as little as 2.8 seconds. With a 2.8 second interruption, the students made double the errors when they returned to the test. Furthermore, in a different form of multitasking, University of Utah professor David Strayer confirmed that talking on the phone whilst driving is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Reaction and attention
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decreased by 50% and drivers studied missed seeing half of the things they’d normally see, like billboards… and pedestrians. The evidence is clear: multitasking just doesn’t work. So why do we continue to try to master the skill? Simply put, most of us suffer from action addiction. Every time we complete a new task (such as checking our inbox), we receive a reward – a naturally-produced neurotransmitter hit of dopamine linked to addiction. We receive instant gratification that makes us feel good, so we do it again, and again under the guise of ‘productivity’. How to solve the modern problem of multitasking: single task. Single tasking is not having eight browser tabs open at once, it is not checking email every 10 minutes and it is not a chat window open on your desktop. Single tasking is one task at a time, no distractions. How to begin? Strategically handle your distractions: Install Anti-Social or StayFocusd software on your computer to block websites like Facebook for periods of your choosing; silence your phone and turn off notifications from phone and web apps; close your email. Single task to upgrade work performance and boost productivity.
CONTROL YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT Studies show that office temperature and lighting significantly contribute to performance and productivity. In one research project, scientist Mirjam Muench compared two groups of people, those being exposed 5 6
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to daylight, the other exposed to artificial light over the course of several workdays, and showed that cortisol levels are significantly altered by artificial light. Heightened cortisol levels cause an increased stress response and changes to sleep rhythm, and can also affect fat-storage and memory retention levels, and artificial light is one of the key drivers of this. Where possible, utilise natural light — work near windows or in open meeting rooms to lower stress levels and boost performance. And keep an eye on the office thermostat. Another amazing study from Cornell University tested different office temperatures at a large Florida insurance company and found that when temperatures were low (20C or below) employees made 44% more mistakes than at optimum room temperature (24C). When we are cold the body uses a large proportion of energy to keep warm, rather than using that energy for cognition, creativity and focus; keeping body temperature at the perfect level is less about comfort and more about concentration. Interestingly, it is not just temperature and lighting that can alter performance — the office layout is also important. Studies have found that open office layouts can negatively impact employee performance. Environmental noise and interruptions can become distracting, and employees in open offices have been found to have higher levels of stress and emotional exhaustion and lower levels of concentration and motivation than those with private office space. However, if a personal corner office isn’t on the immediate horizon, don’t despair. Researchers also found that those employees
who maintain a sense of control over their space by personalising it maintain a sense of ownership and control that decreases stress levels, and maintains focus and mental cognitive performance. Personal items such as photos, posters, toys and mugs work to balance cortisol levels at a subconscious level, thus maintaining sense of purpose and mental energy. Decorate your space to boost performance.
EMPLOY ULTRADIAN RHYTHMS When it comes to the average workday, most of us simply attempt to power through (with the help of caffeine) from start to end. However, in the 1950s, sleep researcher Nathaniel Kleitman discovered that the human body tends to move through 90-120 minute cycles, and for maximum performance, these cycles should be utilised effectively. These cycles, known as Ultradian Rhythms, account for the ebb and flow of energy. Heart rate, hormonal levels, muscle tension and brain-wave activity all increase during the first part of the cycle, and with it, alertness and attention. After an hour or so, these levels begin to fall, and somewhere between 90-120 minutes, the body requires a period of rest and recovery. Focus lacks and memory consolidation decreases. In short, your body was designed for sprints rather than marathons. Interestingly, scientists think the electrolyte balance between sodium and potassium governs these cycles. Brain cells
require sodium and potassium to send signals and when you are working hard and are alert, you eventually disrupt the sodium/potassium balance. The brain notices this and focus and cognition decrease. Once the brain has time to rest, and sodium/ potassium levels are restored energy increases and focus returns. To upgrade work performance, build your day around these rhythms. Instead of plowing through the day at the same speed, you’ll be more effective if you have periods of deep focus followed by short periods of total rest. Work on an important task for 60-90 minutes. When you find your concentration beginning to decrease it’s a sign that you need to take a break from the cognitive, so take a walk, meditate, grab a coffee, have a conversation with a colleague, and let your brain switch off for 20 minutes. It is crucial that you’re really resting your brain during this time and that you are highly focused without distractions during your periods of energy (so shut down all communication channels, social media and email during these times). Focus on pockets of natural energy by employing ultradian rhythms.
that combining 250mg of L-Theanine and 150g caffeine worked to accelerate working memory reaction time, increased accuracy and boosted alertness; one cup of coffee to every two cups of green tea has a similar
A craftsman mindset asks you to abandon concerns about whether your current job is ‘perfect’, and instead encourages you to put your head down and work at becoming really damn good at it regardless. In other words, by focusing on building skill through deliberate practice, stretching yourself and constantly improving, you will achieve the dream job. Musicians, athletes and chess players all perform deliberate practice to hone their skills. This is the craftsman approach. When you develop this approach, passion and performance follow.
BASED ON OVER 50 YEARS OF BRAIN SCIENCE, WE KNOW THAT MULTITASKERS ARE LESS PRODUCTIVE AND CONFUSE INFORMATION.
TRY NATURAL NOOTROPICS By definition, a nootropic is a substance that improves mental function and cognitive ability, while doing no harm. Natural nootropics work on many levels to increase circulation and oxygen to the brain, provide precursors to important neurotransmitters, reduce brain inflammation (a byproduct of daily use), stimulate formation of new brain cells, and increase resilience to stress. Natural nootropics can be your secret performance weapon when used correctly and effectively. For calm focus, use L-Theanine. Found in high concentrations in green tea, L-theanine is also available in supplemental form, and works to increase alpha-brain waves linked to creativity and alert concentration. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier within 30-40 minutes of consumption, while boosting neurotransmitter levels of serotonin, dopamine and GABA (responsible for regulation of mood, emotion and sleep), and inhibits cortisol activation, to lower levels of stress. Furthermore, a systemic review found that L-theanine has acute effects on cognitive function and mood that are enhanced by combining it with caffeine. One study found
function and will boost brain performance throughout the day. For resilience to both physical and emotional stress, try Rhodiola. An adaptogenic herb, studies have found that Rhodiola works to improve mood and decrease feelings of burnout in both anxious and highly-stressed individuals. It increases energy, stamina and can increase attention to detail-oriented tasks by improving concentration over a prolonged period. The herb also helps in neurogenesis by repairing and growing new neurons and brain cells, and protects existing brain cells from oxidative-stress induced cell death, and its effect lasts between four to eight hours from consumption. A 2012 study of 101 people concluded that ‘Rhodiola extract at a dose of 200mg twice daily for four weeks is safe and effective at improving life-stress symptoms to a clinically relevant degree’, while a Belgian study of young athletes concluded that acute Rhodiola intake can improve exercise capacity in healthy young men”. For a physical and psychological performance pick-me-up, try it.
BECOME A CRAFTSMAN In his book So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Cal Newport, an assistant professor at Georgetown University, suggests that people wanting to improve performance and individual ability develop a craftsmen mindset, where the focus is on what value you’re producing in your current job, rather than foster a passion mindset, where the focus is on what your current job offers you. He argues that the best work tends to be rare and valuable, and to secure it you will need exceptional skills or career capital. Career capital are the skills you have that can be leveraged in defining your career, and basic economic theory tells us that if you want something both rare and valuable, you need something rare and valuable to offer in return. In his words, this is “supply and demand 101”.
BREAK BAD HABITS Nothing sabotages productivity like a series of bad habits. Bad habits decrease accuracy, make you less creative and limit performance, so getting control over these habits is essential, and not just for office success. Clinical studies have also found that people who exercise a high degree of self-control tend to be much happier than those who don’t, both in the short and long-term. And in the words of Shaun Achor, “Happiness inspires productivity”. We’ve come full circle. Consider eliminating these common bad habits to upgrade performance today: ● YOU ARE A PERFECTIONIST: Author Jodi Picoult summarised the importance of avoiding perfectionism: “You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank page”. Most perfectionists will happily spend hours or days chasing the concept of perfection to the detriment of productivity and time-frames, but this tends to have a snowball effect: start changing one thing and you find a number of other things that need tweaking too. Suddenly, timeframes have been extended, a project is delayed and anxiety sets in. Instead of aiming for perfect, aim to get the project to 90% and then launch, release or present. You can alter and tweak as you go, but a blank page is a waste of vital time and resources. Perfectionism in the workplace leads to infinite delay. ● YOU PUT OFF TOUGH TASKS: Each of us has a limited amount of mental energy, and as this energy is exhausted, so is our capacity for productivity and accurate decision-making. This is called decision fatigue. When you put off tough tasks until late in the day, you’re saving them for when you are performing at your worst. To beat decision fatigue, you need to MAXI M.COM.AU
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tackle intimidating or complex tasks in the Z\_[V[T dUR[ f\b_ O_NV[ V` S_R`U .` :N_X AdNV[ `NVQ z6S Vay` f\b_ W\O a\ RNa N S_\T Vay` OR`a a\ Q\ Va SV_`a aUV[T V[ aUR Z\_[V[Tp .[Q VS Vay` f\b_ W\O a\ RNa ad\ S_\T` Vay` OR`a a\ RNa aUR OVTTR`a \[R SV_`a { 6[ \aUR_ d\_Q` first thing in the morning, complete the most unwanted, important and intimidating task you have on your list first (the frog); the rest of your day will be a breeze in P\Z]N_V`\[ N[Q xSNVYb_R a\ ReRPbaRy dVYY be a thing of the past.
MAKE TECHNOLOGY WORK FOR YOU The average commute is 38 minutes each way, which adds up to approximately 316 hours per year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; time that we could otherwise invest in workplace productivity. However, new academic research suggests that the attitude we adopt to our commutes play a role in how satisfied and productive we are at our jobs. The best way to use our morning commute to our benefit is to strategise. Think about what you have to do, identify your most pressing tasks and mentally structure your day. Studies found that people who display this S\_Z \S `RYS P\[a_\Y N[Q ]YN[[V[T PNYYRQ xT\NY directed prospectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) perform at a higher rate during their workday and have lower levels of stress in the evening following their busy day. Thankfully, this is one area where technology
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has come to the rescue â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a large number of apps can make your commute a well-spent time of productivity, rather than an excuse to watch grainy cat videos on repeat.
ABOUT BROOKE
â&#x2014;? WUNDERLIST: this app syncs between your mobile devices and computers and allows you to drag and drop tasks between days and categories, allowing you to set due dates and reminders. You can also share notes/lists with others: shopping lists with your flatmate, work deadlines with your team, this app makes communication easy. â&#x2014;? POCKET: use this app to save articles in one place for easy reading. Save content directly from your browser, emails or from more than 500 apps like Twitter. Bookmark everything you need and want to read, and get it in one place. This is an essential for work-related travel. â&#x2014;? HOOTSUITE: a social media management app that allows you to update your companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn pages from the same screen â&#x20AC;&#x201D; without the need to log in to each individual platform. You can reply to posts and schedule every post you plan to make for the next week, month or three months, and then simply monitor your accounts as the software automatically posts content. Easy. â&#x2013;
Brooke Benson Campbell (BHSc) is a Clinical Nutritionist and Naturopath, speaker, writer and presenter with a passion for all things health, beauty and wellbeing. A self-proclaimed human test subject, she is constantly trialling the newest products, seeking the latest discoveries and reading the current clinical studies, in order to share her findings with the public through private practice, social media and industry education. Follow Brooke at her Instagram @the.b.b.c
FITNESS
Essential
CARDIO MAXIM fitness guru ALEXA TOWERSEY shares some all-important tips on the cardio you should be doing...
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O
in one hand, like you’re carrying a suitcase. Since the weight is offset, you have to work harder to maintain proper posture and position. This also works the core harder because it brings an antiflexion aspect to the movement.
Rack Hold Carry: Hold
the weight at chest level along the anterior delts and upper pecs. This exercise employs two independently moving kettlebells or dumbbells, creating additional unilateral stress upon each of the scapulae. The control and stability needed to rack each of the kettlebells can improve awareness, scapular and core stabilisation, and front rack performance. The positioning of the kettlebells also compresses the diaphragm making this carry variation useful for improving breathing efficiency.
Zercher Carry: Barbell
I
don’t know about you but I hate cardio, at least in the more traditional sense. However, just because you hate something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. And if you value other qualities like general health and wellbeing, achieving and maintaining a specific body composition or just having the ability to effectively escape in the event of a zombie apocalypse, you should know that you will
THE BENEFITS
Loaded carries have made their way from strongman circles into mainstream globo gyms, and for good reason. They make the body work in a way that no other exercise does, combining trunk stability, dynamic movement and isometric tension in key muscles. Being able to do heavy carries with good form can decrease shoulder and back pain, improve posture and grip, increase your work capacity, bulletproof your core and make your big lifts even bigger. Muscle gain? Check. Strength gain? Check. Fat loss? Check. You’re welcome.
need to do some sort of conditioning. The good news is that there is another way to do energy systems work that doesn’t involve planting your ass on a stationary bike or plodding along on a treadmill for hours. All you need to do is pick-up something heavy and carry it around. No tricks, no trends, no machines with televisions attached. This is the cardio for “Real Men (and women)”.
HOW TO CARRY YOUR WEIGHT
These loaded carries can be performed by nearly every level of athlete, overall time under tension being determined by YOUR objective.
Farmer Carry: This is the
simplest of the carries. You just pick up a heavy weight in both hands (dumbbell, kettlebell, trap bar…) and walk with it. The key to success is how you walk — think spine tall and focus on really gripping the weights.
Waiter Carry (Overhead): These can be
done with one or both hands. While you can’t go as heavy, they’re great for increasing shoulder stability and strength because of the additional scapular activation. Instead of thinking about just holding the weight overhead, focus on actively pushing it up and keeping the forearms in line with the wrist so the weight doesn’t just hang off your hand.
Suitcase Carry: This is where you’re holding a weight
is placed in front of you to sit in your elbow crease. This shifts the load to the front of the body stressing the spinal erectors, lats and core. The limiting factor here is often the discomfort in the elbow, so grab a towel or bar pad as a buffer.
Yoke Carry: If you ever wanted to know what it feels like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, this is your chance. This strongman walk allows you to maximally load the spine, ignite the Central Nervous System (CNS) and gain valuable experience and confidence under supra-maximal weights making it a simple yet effective way to improve lifting performance. Deadball/Stone Carry:
These are challenging as there is no easy way to grab and hold a medicine ball. These carries are complex in their simplicity. Just scoop it up, and carry it as best you can. Being that the load is solely in front of you and fairly awkward, it creates a huge demand on your anterior core and stabilisers.
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FITNESS You can choose to do these as individual intervals, in combination with a compound lift (i.e. 5 x Squat + 60m Farmer Carry) or other cardiovascular work (i.e. 10 x 60 secs Air Bike/60 secs Dead Ball Carry) or by putting some or all of the exercises together for a strength endurance circuit.
Goal
Min. Distance
Max. Distance
Ideal Distance
Sets
Rest
Strength
10m
50m
30m
3-5
2-3 mins
Hypertrophy
50m
80m
60m
3-5
90-120 secs
Resistance
80m
110m
90m
3-4
70-90 secs
4-6
1:1 ratio
Fat Loss
60-90 secs
TOP TIPS FOR A SAFE CARRY 1. Pick up and put down the weight as safely as possible. If you’re going to get injured, it’s more likely to be when you’re not paying as much attention like at the start or finish of a set. 2. Stay upright no matter where the weight is carried. Get the shoulders, ribs and hips in alignment. They should be stacked over each other. 3. Brace your core and pillar (shoulders, core, and hips). Think of having a corset around your mid-section. For really heavy lifts, you could use a weight belt. 4. Take small steps so that your feet stay underneath you and maintain alignment throughout. 6 2
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ABOUT ALEXA
“Action Alexa” is an internationally published celebrity trainer, sports model and nutrition and lifestyle coach with over 15 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry, and has worked with NZ’s world champion rugby team, the All Blacks. She has qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs and was named as one of the Five Toughest Trainers in Asia during her seven-year stint in an MMA gym in Hong Kong.
TRUE CRIME
The
OF GOD
Inside The Dark And Disturbing Sex Cult BY J O N AT H A N J M O O R E
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For hundreds of years seers and prophets have used the Bible’s Book of Revelations to whip up hysteria and fear. The last book of the New Testament declares that all but the true believers will be wiped off the face of the earth and doomed to eternal suffering; only those who follow ‘the word’ will survive the coming apocalypse. In his new book, Doomsday Cults, author Jonathan J Moore reveals how notorious cult leaders such as Charles Manson, David Koresh, Marshall Applewhite, Ervil LeBaron and David Berg declared that they were God’s representative on earth and promised their followers that only through their teachings could the cult members survive doomsday. Monstrous crimes were committed in God’s name and each cult experienced its own horrific Armageddon. This edited extract takes a look inside the bizarre and disturbing world of David Berg’s Children of God sex cult… Revelation — Book 7 15Therefore, ‘They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.’ 16Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, ’nor any scorching heat.
T
International — to disassociate themselves from the cult’s he Children of God sect is a particularly secretive and dark past, many questions remain. difficult to access organisation. This is for a reason. Its founder, David Berg, was determined to use the ARMAGEDDON word of God and the threat of nuclear annihilation The Teens for Christ and Children of God movement began life as a to satisfy his paedophiliac urges. A mysterious inner celibate cult where the members were encouraged to ‘get the victory’ circle known as ‘The Unit’, consisting of Berg and his most trusted for Christ. When Berg realised that there was a bevy of beautiful followers, roamed the world, staying one step ahead of governments young woman around him and worried parents. willing to satisfy his every urge, Even though they were he decided that his spiritual rarely glimpsed, this inner teachings should be altered to sanctum exercised an iron justify his lecherous longings. control over the cult members. This started harmlessly Day to day activities were enough. In the early ’70s he rigidly monitored and behind began promoting the Law of a glossy exterior of evangelical Love. He took a few lines in the joy, members endured a grim reality of unrewarded, Bible and interpreted them less unremitting labour and as a platonic love of mankind rampant child abuse. The than as an encouragement to Children of God were given ‘share’. It was not right, the Mo other names, such as e Family, Letters [a series of more than Family of Love and The Family 3,000 publications — compiled International. For simplicity’s into over a dozen volumes sake, here we will refer to the — consisting of writings by cult as The Children of God. Berg or transcriptions of Berg was no newcomer his speeches] said, for single to the evangelical scene. He members of the cult to feel came from a long line of snake lonely. It was important that oil salesman and knew how to married members share their manipulate those who came partners and allow them to in search of religious and sleep with other cult members sexual freedom. The emotional (as long as they were of the and psychological scarring opposite sex). Lovemaking THE LEADER: David Berg was known as ‘God’ or ‘Moses’ experienced by the young cult was, in Berg’s view, a symbol by his followers. He used his cult to promote paedophilia members continues to leave of God’s love. a trail of murder, suicide and mental illness in its wake. Despite Many members embraced this ideal and it was during this the best efforts of the modern day Children of God — The Family time that the Children of God gained a new name — they were
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ABOVE: ‘Love Cult’ — The Children of God during the 1960s and ’70s. Behind the smiles was a cult based on fear and exploitation; OPPPOSITE: The Beast by Albert Dürer who released his series
Apocalypse with Pictures in 1498. In panel 14 ‘The Beast’ emerges to do battle with ‘The Righteous’
dubbed the ‘Love Cult’ by the press. The communes became rife with extramarital, free-for-all sex. ‘Aunties’, ‘uncles’, ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ would engage in intercourse at any hour of the day and in any location. Children would be exposed to this lovemaking and there was no attempt to hide the activities from them. Children came upon adults groping in the hallways, or having loud orgies in the lounge rooms and dormitory bedrooms. Mo Letters began to espouse the new ideology and it was common for children as young as four to spend ‘Word Time’ poring over images of men and women having sex in fields while a benign and bearded ‘grandpa’ looked down upon the copulating couple. Not all were enamoured with the new directives and several left the cult. Even some who stayed behind were uncomfortable. A man could express his willingness to bed a cultist’s wife. No matter how physically repulsive they found the proposal, neither partner could refuse. To do so would see them labelled as selfish and a note would be made in the Open Heart Reports. Partners could be shamed publicly or even separated and sent to different compounds to learn humility. In 1975 Berg had a revelation. The Unit had fled the USA when authorities took too much interest in their activities, and he had taken his close circle with him to London. These included several of his wives and some of the most attractive women in the cult. He began ‘witnessing’ in London nightclubs (always a good excuse to combine drinking with proselytizing), and he noticed that young men were keen to talk to his wives and the fashionably dressed acolytes. Strangers seemed more receptive to his heavenly message while gazing into the mascaraed eyes of the young women. Berg realised that he could use the women within the sect to go ‘flirty fishing’: they could solicit donations by exchanging sex for cash, or use sex to recruit new members into the cult.
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It took a while to hone the techniques and approaches that constituted ‘FF’, but by 1976 Mo Letters explaining what was required were being sent to his communes throughout the world. Children and adults had a good set of clothes for when they went ‘witnessing’ in the outside world. This was stepped up a level for women engaged in flirty fishing. Whole posses would dress up in the latest low-cut fashions and the nicest make-up and head into town to enrapture and ensnare unsuspecting men. Many of the young women took to it with a will. They were already following Berg’s ‘law of love’ in the cult compounds, so it wasn’t much of a step to take it into the real world. The attractive young women could still pick and choose who they wanted to bed and it was good to bring in cash for the Children of God’s coffers. In line with all of his other operations, Berg ran it as a business. He leased large houses and effectively turned them into brothels. The girls had to write reports detailing who they had talked too, what sexual acts they had performed and how much they had earned. They were told to keep their eyes out for particularly well- heeled marks or men who seemed to be spiritually vulnerable. Berg would identify the best targets and a succession of FFs would ‘love bomb’ the mark to either bring him into Berg’s fold or extract as much cash as possible. Powerful government officials were also targeted; they could hardly move against cult communes if they had been bene beneficiaries of targeted ‘loving’. Berg gave himself a new name: The Fisherman. The women called themselves God’s Whores. The Mo Letters issued telling them exactly how to behave included titles such as ‘God’s Love Slave’ and ‘The FF Explosion’. Posters were stuck up in communes showing a scantily clad woman writhing on a fishing hook with the caption ‘Hookers for Jesus’. Eventually, Berg was so enamoured with his new project that he
TRUE CRIME had his disciples sign up with local escort agencies. The advantage of this technique was guaranteed income, although it meant that the FFs couldn’t pick their marks and had no right of refusal. Some questioned this arrangement, because it placed women in a vulnerable position and subject to violent attacks. Berg was not concerned. He compared the women to the Christian martyrs. They should take any injuries or trauma on the chin, for Jesus. There were several other consequences. Berg’s ban on contraception meant thousands of children were born into the cult, most without fathers. There was also an outbreak of STDs. But the program was bearing fruit. Berg could claim thousands of compounds throughout the world. Some had as many as 400 people while others were living in houses as family units, carrying out Berg’s ‘good works’. In 1982 a new and disturbing trend arose: institutionalised child abuse. Berg had great plans for his stepson. In 1982 the cult published a work entitled The Book of Davidito. This set the young man up as the future leader of the cult, destined to fight on God’s side in his chariot at the end of the world. It placed the young man in many different scenarios and became a seminal teaching aid for the youth growing up in the cult. There were several disturbing chapters where his ‘Aunt’ Sara describes masturbating the boy even as he was an infant. This sex play extends through his youth and he is invited to watch and even partake in adult activities. Sara gave birth to a daughter and encouraged her and the Prophet Prince to carry on as adults and develop a sexual relationship even though they were not yet teenagers. This ‘revolutionary sexuality’, as Berg liked to describe it, was soon being promulgated throughout the cult. Mo Letters with DAR written on the cover were distributed, urging adults to have sexual interaction with children. Glossy covers showed adults lying in bed with children, or children standing
in fields witnessing adults copulating. Graphic illustrations of women ‘spooning’ with or masturbating young boys were some of the milder images. Second generation cultists were encouraged to experiment with their friends and stimulate sex acts even if they were not capable of intercourse. Videos, showing girls as young as four performing provocative striptease acts, were sent to the compounds with the request that they produce similar pieces and send them back to the Unit. Children were ordered not to demonstrate any of these behaviours in front of systemites. The ongoing corruption of the young was to be a closely held secret. Predatory men and women used the new license given to them by Berg to move on young children and perform unspeakable acts. Children who are sexually abused are often reluctant to discuss the horrific acts perpetrated upon them with their parents or guardians due to shame and fear. Within the Children of God there was a whole new level of control, urging children to fight against their instincts and accept what was happening. Children that were removed from their families were particularly vulnerable as ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’ gained sexual satisfaction by exploiting their young charges. Even within smaller units, children were routinely abused when cult members visited or boarded with the permanent residents. Many adult members left the cult when they realised what was going on. Sadly, many did not, preferring to turn a blind eye to the abuse in order to maintain their standing within the organisation. Many survivors tell how innocent functions would turn seedy when 11 and 12-year-old children were asked to perform stripteases in front of adult audiences. Literature targeted children. Titles such as the Basic Training Handbook sought to educate prepubescent teens in the arts of love, and My Little Fish showed photos of a grown woman and a young boy embracing. There is a clear correlation with the ‘Terror Teens’ and the rise
BELOW: Apocalypse — Viktor Vasnetsov’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, 1887. The lamb at the top of the image observes while Death, Famine, War and Conquest wreak vengeance on humanity
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WHOLE POSSES WOULD DRESS UP IN THE LATEST LOW-CUT FASHIONS AND THE NICEST MAKE-UP AND HEAD INTO TOWN TO ENRAPTURE AND ENSNARE UNSUSPECTING MEN.
of sexual abuse impacting the children of the cult. Seeking to escape the horrific conditions, children would act up, try to flee or descend into madness. As usual with the Children of God, Berg was at the centre of the exploitation. His granddaughter began, like Davidito, as an example to the cult’s children, but after years of abuse at her grandfather’s hands she became difficult and rebellious. Repeated beatings could not expel the ‘demon’ that took up residence in the 13 -year-old girl’s body. A lengthy spell at several Victor camps led to her total breakdown. Many second generation cultists fled as soon as they were legally old enough to do so. But this has not ended the torment. Many experienced, and still suffer from, what can only be termed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. They have difficulty forming relationships, are not equipped to operate in the outside world and often descend into lives of petty theft, substance abuse and prostitution. They are the lucky ones. At least 25 children from the cult have committed suicide. Some have leapt off buildings, others have taken overdoses and some have gassed themselves in cars. ‘Davidito’ Ricky Rodriguez left the cult. Years of abuse had turned the one time Prophet Prince into an extremely angry young man. Ricky was determined to take revenge and execute his mother,
Karen Zerby, who by that time had taken over the cult following Berg’s death. Ricky lured ‘Aunt’ Sara to his at in Tucson, Arizona, on January 5, 2005. The Prophet Prince was hoping that she would reveal the whereabouts of his mother. She did not do so and was stabbed multiple times. Sara bled out on the floor of the cheap rental apartment. Ricky drove for 24 hours, stopped at an industrial lot near Blythe, California, and committed suicide with a gunshot to his head. He would no longer be able to fight the Antichrist at the side of God. ■
DOOMSDAY CULTS: DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND DESPAIR INSIDE THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS CULTS by Jonathan J Moore is published by New Holland Publishers, $29.99rrp, and available from all good book retailers or online at www.newhollandpublishers.com MAXI M.COM.AU
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BUSINESS
The
TASTEMAKER
LVMH Chairman & CEO BERNARD ARNAULT is already the fourth richest man in the world. But the luxury goods king isn’t resting on his laurels... BY J A R E D PA U L S T E R N
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f you’ve ever sipped a glass of Hennessy or Dom Pérignon, coveted a Louis Vuitton bag or a pair of Berluti shoes, or strapped on a Hublot or TAG Heuer watch, you’ve felt the influence of Bernard Arnault, the billionaire French businessman who has quietly shaped the tastes of the entire world. A man of exceptional vision who started out as an engineer in his family’s construction firm, in 1989 the Paris-based financier, investor and art collector became the majority shareholder, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world's leading luxury goods company, and has remained so ever since. With a net worth of nearly US$70 billion, he is now the fourth richest man in the world (as of press time) according to Forbes, which calculated his personal fortune increased by over US$30 billion in one year alone, thanks to a 13% spike in LVMH’s revenue. The unprecedented firm is made up of 70 different brands divided into six sectors: wines and spirits, luxury retailing, fashion and leather goods, watches and jewellery, perfume and cosmetics, and hospitality and other holdings including luxury yachts. His phenomenal wealth, as Lloyd Blankfein, former Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, points out to CNBC, “was accomplished in a single generation,” making it all the more remarkable. Particularly as just a decade ago many derided the notion that a conglomeration of luxury goods houses — several of them competitors — was even a smart business move. “In the ’90s [I] had the idea of a luxury group and at the time I was very much criticised for it,” Arnault remarked to CNBC. “I remember people telling me it doesn’t make sense to put together so many brands. And it was a success. [And then] for the last 10 years now, every competitor is trying to imitate, which is very rewarding for us. I think they are not successful but they try.” Victory, he maintains, has not come as a result of relentless profit-seeking but is due to a “business model…
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based on creativity, innovation, and quality. “In 11 years, the market value of LVMH — an acronym for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy — multiplied by at least 15, while, simultaneously, sales and profit rose by 500%. The company had revenue of upwards of US$50 billion in 2017. And much of it is attributable to acquisitions that were seriously called into question at the time. “He was paying full prices for things that weren’t close to what other people would want,” Blankfein notes, “and other people scoffed that he would ever realise [their] value or earn anything from the prices he was paying.… It takes a certain amount of courage to stand against the tide knowing that you’re going to… outperform the experts and the founders that created those businesses.” Arnault’s acquisitions include stakes in luxe luggage company Rimowa, Bulgari, Belvedere Vodka, and cosmetics giant Sephora, as well as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Veuve Clicquot, Fendi, and more. “Typically, within a five-year span — which is very short — with hindsight every single purchase looks like genius,” as Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton Chairman and CEO, told the Financial Times. The tycoon’s latest investment is the Belmond luxury hotel and travel group, whose holdings include the iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice and the opulent Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, for which LVMH is paying US$3.2 billion; a move Arnault says is “entirely consistent with
RIGHT: Located next to the Jardin d’Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne park on the west side of Paris, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is housed in a Frank Gehry-designed masterpiece of architectural genius. Combining traditional French design elements dating back to the 19th century with modern 21st century materials and themes, Gehry and Arnault have created a structure of iconic beauty and pioneering aesthetics
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BUSINESS our continued investment in the field of experiential luxury.” “He’s a dreamer,” as Burke explained to CNBC. “He dreams big dreams. And then he has the guts to go after those dreams. Sometimes I try to tell him that the dream is too big. But of course he’s always right.” His oldest son Antoine Arnault, who overseas luxury fashion brands Loro Piana and Berluti and sits on LVMH’s board of directors, says his father would much rather be dreaming. “People" imagine him in his big tower with his huge Excel spreadsheets with numbers, he comments. “It’s very far from reality. His real interest is his family. Of course, he’s a workaholic. He works a lot and he loves it, but… he also has fun with it. It’s not as serious as some might think up there…. We absolutely take no decisions based on the share price, not for LVMH....What motivates the family is that Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana, Berluti, Dior is on top of their game.” The latter part is especially important as Arnault runs LVMH like a family business. He has two other children who occupy prominent positions at the company. “When you are in a family you have two major advantages,” Arnault notes. “One is you can think long term. I see too many companies in which you have changes all the time. And especially in the U.S., you have to be all the time looking at the next quarter’s numbers. What I always say to my team is I am not that much interested by the numbers [for] the next six months. What I am interested in is that the desire for the brand will be the same in 10 years as it is today.” Steve Jobs, someone Arnault admired greatly, thought that the French tycoon had accomplished his goal, telling him at one point, “You know Bernard, I don’t know if in 50 years my iPhone will still be a success but I can tell you, I’m sure everybody will still drink your Dom Pérignon.” Arnault puts it all down to talent. “In today’s business, since the ’80s when I bought Christian Dior, it’s the same combination that explains success,” he told CNBC. “You have to work with some of the best inventors, creators, designers and be able to market their products and create with their products, desire in the world.” Case in point: last year LVMH hired Virgil Abloh, Kanye West’s longtime creative collaborator and founder of coveted fashion brand Off-White, as Louis Vuitton’s artistic director for menswear. And Abloh has already started cross-pollinating in the LVMH universe, having designed a limited edition bottle for Moët & Chandon. His “innate creativity and disruptive approach have made him so relevant,” Burke said of his appointment, “not just in the world of fashion but in popular culture today.” The typical owner of a storied 165-year-old brand like Vuitton may not want “disruptive” in the mix, but Arnault has guaranteed the famed monogram will find a new generation of fans. “He has no interest in standing still, he has no interest in repeating himself,” as legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour puts it. “He has no interest in anything remaining the same. He is a man that is intrigued by what can happen, not by what has happened…. Fashion is an industry that exists on change and he totally and completely understands that.” Antoine Arnault adds, “A lot of people see him as a great financier, a great strategic mind in terms of how to build an empire. That’s not at all how he thinks, in my opinion. I think his big strength is actually to speak to creative people and to make them thrive under his management. It’s not to create profit or create more revenue or double the size of the business. I know that’s the consequence and that’s usually what happens, but his real talent is with creative minds.” 7 2
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In 2014 Arnault realised his longtime goal of opening a museum and cultural centre in Paris. Already a landmark in a city known for them, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is an LVMH-funded space for exhibition and events, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. They met at the Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao 13 years earlier, and spent several years overcoming the technical difficulties and opposition to the edifice, best described as a transparent cloud made up of a dozen massive glass sails. “He thinks a lot like an artist,” Gehry told CNBC. “I think in his business life and world he has to be careful, conservative. But he’s a delight to work with as a creative person because he’s open to ideas…. He says things just very softly, but I know, when he says it, he means it. And I go for it and then we have fun trying to make it happen.” Arnault has of course collected a lot of personal and professional honours in the course of his life and career, but the most prestigious are France’s Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur and Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, as well as honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. No doubt he should save room on his lapel for a few more. “In terms of where we are in the life of Bernard Arnault and LVMH,” Blankfein opines, “he’s got a lot of runway ahead of him. And he thinks young and he thinks current. I wouldn’t be giving him his lifetime achievement award yet. I would wait a while longer because I think there are still more chapters” to come. We’ll raise a glass of Dom to that.
JEWELS IN THE CROWN
LVMH’s vast luxury holdings include some of the world’s most exclusive, and profitable, brands in the world Formed in 1987 with the merger of fashion house Louis Vuitton and spirits icon Moët Hennessy, in just over 30 years LVMH, under Bernard Arnault’s guidance, had built up a market cap approaching €150 billion (about $240 billion) by the summer of 2018. In 2017 the group had revenues of €42.6 billion, or about $67 billion, an increase of 13% over the previous year. With a portfolio of 70 luxury brands and a retail network of over 4,370 stores worldwide, LVMH has achieved astonishing figures; on the wine and spirits side alone it sold about 66 million bottles of champagne and about 91 million bottles of cognac in 2017, while its fashion and leather goods business brought in €15.47 billion in revenue, or about $25 billion. Louis Vuitton, the world’s most valuable luxury brand according to Forbes, has a value of US$33.6 billion on its own, while, as of press time, those who invested in LVMH shares 10 years ago would have made five times their money today. ■
GAMING
GAME OF THE MONTH Game Name: Mortal Kombat 11 Developer: NetherRealm Studios Genre: Fighting Formats: PC, XBO, PS4, Switch R l Release: April 23
Since way back in 1992, MORTAL KOMBAT has been ripping the spine out of the fighting genre and spitting fire on its corpse. The original badass of video gaming is still very much badass... BY
CHRIS STEAD
M
ortal Kombat is still delivering incredibly tight one-on-one 1 SVTUaV[T P\ZONa 6a UN` still got the sharpest, fastest N[Q T\_VR`a cV`bNY` T\V[T N_\b[Q .[Q Va is still happy to rip out your beating heart and show it to you with a catalogue of spectacular finishers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true that the series had somewhat lost its way during the 2000s, but in 2011 it was successfully rebooted, and then 2015â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mortal Kombat X became the best release in the series to date. It made the most of a glorious new visual style, offered excellent controls and it featured a renewed focus to characters and story. It also brought back Brutalities, with five available to each character, bringing combos to life in incredibly rewarding ways. Mortal Kombat 11 isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a remake or a reboot, but an evolution to the experience that developer NetherRealm has now mastered. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been made more accessible for people to just pick up and start combing, but has depth for good players, with move amplifiers and additional meters to utilise. New to this entry are Fatal Blows, damaging special moves that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be unleashed until your health drops below 30-percent. It gives you a chance to get back into the fight if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting spanked, but can only be used once in a game. .Y`\ d\_XV[T a\dN_Q` aUNa PNb`R V` aUR new Flawless Block, which activates if you block an attack with perfect timing. If done correctly, you will be given an opportunity to counter. The super enjoyable x-ray attacks of the more recent games do return under a
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slightly new system called Krushing Blow. This is still a cinematic, but can be triggered more often. Watching bones break is just so QN_[ PNaUN_aVP 1R]R[QV[T \[ f\b_ Z\QR there are now perks you can consume midgame, too â&#x20AC;&#x201D; like missile strike â&#x20AC;&#x201D; adding even more to your available moves. Mortal Kombat dives deeper with its customisation options for each fighter. Once you select who you want to fight as, you can go in and vary the available moves and even modify them, so theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re better suited to your style. You can now change and add gear, too, although theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just cosmetic changes. In many ways you know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting from Mortal Kombat, but if you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t played the series for a while, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love how it has grown. It feels so good in your hands, an offers nostalgia and sense of being brand new in equal doses. Finish him! â&#x2013;
LOADING Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three new fighters joining the chaos, for a full starting roster of at least 22 combatants. Familiar faces like Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Raiden, Kitana, Johnny Cage and Liu Kang are there, of course, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve now got increased movesets.
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L.A. WEEKLY Just because you only have a week off doesn’t mean you can’t jump on a plane to Los Angeles and eat, play and drink yourself silly. Yep, MAXIM takes on the fine districts of WEHO and SANTA MONICA for this discerning five-days-in-L.A. diary... BY
DAY ONE:
THE DOORS, BARNEY’S, A PORN LEGEND & WEED
7:17am: It’s a usual hazy Los Angeles morning as we touchdown in LAX. It’s also peak hour and the city is abuzz. Our Uber driver isn’t exactly stoked about the traffic, but we sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds as we head to Hollywood. 8:11am: Once we check-in at the Andaz West Hollywood, located on the famous Sunset strip, we head straight up to the hotel’s
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legendary rooftop pool, as featured in cult rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. It’s time to face our pending jetlag head-on, so we order some gin and tonics and take some seats by the pool, taking in the incredible view of L.A. — this is our life for the next five days. 10:36am: The universe — or more accurately the Andaz cleaning staff — delivers us an early check-in and we head to our rooms.
Legendary as a rock star haunt in the ’60s and ’70s, when it was known as the Hyatt House (and nicknamed Riot House), each room in the Andaz has classic rock lyrics written on its window. We get lines from The Doors’ Light My Fire. It’s the first of many nods to Jim Morrison we’ll have on this trip. The late frontman of The Doors would have been 75 last December and actually lived in the Riot House until he was evicted for hanging off his room’s balcony. Yeah, that’s probably they installed the sunrooms!
11:38am: So here’s the thing, right, recreational weed is now legal in California. It’s a brave new world, where weed stores advertise on billboards, fast food restaurants market directly to stoners, and people openly smoke joints at LAX’s exterior smoking area (we’re not altogether sure of the legalities of that… yet). In the name of research, and highbrow journalism, we are basically required to investigate. And so, we schlep down to
Santa Monica Blvd to visit cannabis dispensary MedMen. Dubbed the “Apple store of weed,” the store features large counters throughout which display their weedy wares, touch screens allow customers to look up the effects and potency of products. The store has an eclectic clientele; ahead of us in the line are a 50-something mother and her early-20s son, signing in for the first time. Weed might be legal but you must register at a dispensary and hand over your ID to be scanned. It’s illegal to smoke in public and at hotels, so smoking is tricky for visitors if you don’t have local friends. That’s where edibles come in — from brownies to gummy bears to ice cream… yep, they got ’em. But here’s a handy tip: go slow. Edibles take around an hour to kick-in, so don’t consume more thinking the first dose hasn’t worked. Also, make sure you have other food on hand: eating more edibles when you get the munchies is a chump’s error. 1:23pm: In a completely unrelated story, West Hollywood now has a Shake Shack, and we go inside. Unlike the New York version of
the burger and shakes chain — and the local InN-Out Burger — there aren’t seemingly endless lines. There are, however, delicious burgers. 6:45pm: After an afternoon power (see: Nana) nap and change of clothes, it’s time to catch up with some of our local mates and get this show on the road. We meet at Skybar, the open-air bar at the back of the Mondrian Hotel on Sunset Blvd. Skybar makes the most of so many things that are great about L.A. — the weather, attractive people and fine drinks. We enjoy all three as we catch up with pals. Long a celebrity haunt, the best we spot today is a YouTuber we’ve never heard of posing for selfies with fans in the lobby. Our drink of choice: The Modrian Margarita. Do it. 7:58pm: Our next stop is a short walk down the hill, and one of our favourite joints in L.A., the iconic Barney’s Beanery on Santa Monica Blvd. A West Hollywood institution, the booze-filled diner with dive bar charm opened in 1920, and by the mid-’60s was a counterculture hub frequented by Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson and Bob Dylan. Some of the much-graffitied tabletops from those days are
CLOCKWISE (FROM LEFT): The must-see pool at Skybar, Mondrian Hotel; Our Editor-in-Chief at MAXIM favourite Barney’s Beanery; The Andaz rooftop pool with a view; Skybar pool area for a drink
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ABOVE: The Doheny Room; BELOW: MedMen —AKA “the Apple store of weed”
now mounted on the roof, including one Janis Joplin carved “JANIS” into with a knife. A plaque marks the spot where Jim Morrison pissed on the bar. Is there anyone who could get away with that these days? We don’t risk it. It’s not our first time at the Beanery and it won’t be our last. Incredible history aside, it’s just got a great vibe. Drink of choice: We have beer. It’s a beer kinda place. 9pm: For dinner, we have reservations at Peruvian restaurant Rosaliné. While Rosaliné’s menu is Peruvian inspired, the restaurant itself is pure Hollywood, complete with movie-setperfect design and subdued lighting. We order a bunch of dishes to share and our legitimate favourite is a beetroot (aka “beet”) salad. We’re told by everyone that the various ceviches — a raw fish salsa — are world class. The claim checks out — top chefs from a rival restaurant are chowing down on it at the next table. Drink of choice: Chicha (citrusy corn chicha, Viejo Tonel Quebranta pisco, and bitters). 10:23pm: As we stumble to our next venue we walk past a gaggle of paparazzi waiting outside a club door. “Who are you waiting for?” we ask. “I don’t know,” he says, cagily. He’s lying, but we don’t hang around for an answer. 7 6
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It’s just a few steps to the front of famed music venue the Troubador where we make our first celebrity spotting — porn legend Ron Jeremy is holding court with a group of colourful characters hanging onto his every word. We think twice about hanging around to ask him for some “tips” but instead head next door to Doheny Room. 10:47pm: Fronted by giant windows, club/bar Doheny Room features plantation shutters and giant indoor plants, and, as we make our way through, pumps sweet R&B and ’80s punk. We head upstairs, where we appear to have crashed a birthday party for “Nick”. We know this because of the giant balloons spelling out the name NICK. Despite wishful thinking, Nick does not turn out to be Nicholas Cage. We get chatting to security guy, an Aussie named Keiren. Spotting an Aussie in L.A. isn’t exactly rare, but they’re usually from Home and Away. We tell him we just got in that morning. It’s midnight. “Man, how are you still awake?” he asks. We’re not exactly sure how to answer him. Aside from the afternoon Nana nap, we haven’t slept in almost two days. By 1am we feel it’s as good a reason as any to call it a night. Drink of choice: Moscow Mule.
DAY TWO:
THE BARBER,
BALLERS & WAY TOO MANY MARGARITAS 10:37am: After a decent sleep-in (see: jetlagged oversleep) we awake with hangovers we refuse to acknowledge. Our first mission for the day is getting our hair and beard situations sorted out. So, on local recommendation, we head down Sunset to hip barbers Like A Gentleman.
11am: Housed in what was once nightclub London Fog, of course we’re told that none other than The Doors were the house band at this barbershop in the ’60s. The vibe here is very much laidback-cool. Also, we very much have the least impressive biceps of everyone here. Head barber Mikey Caputo is tasked with shaping our manes. He tells us their neighbouring deli just launched a Like A Gentleman signature sandwich and that we should check out Aussie-owned bar and restaurant E.P.&L.P. “It goes off there on Australia Day,” he says. Mikey works so quickly that when he holds up mirrors for us to check out his work, we’re shocked that he’s already done. And it’s awesome. Admittedly he was working with two very good canvases, but if you’re looking for a decent groom — this is the place to be. Drink of choice: water. 1pm: Next we head Downtown to watch an NBA game at the Staples Center. Because in America they play professional basketball at 1pm on a weekday. The Los Angeles Lakers are playing the Orlando Magic but we’re really
just there to witness one of the greatest ballers in the world — LeBron James. The Lakers superstar is the big drawcard since signing with them this season and Americans love their sports — L.A. in particular. There have local basketball, football, baseball and ice hockey teams to check out while you’re in town — we recommend organising tickets before you get to L.A.; it’s usually much cheaper. LeBron doesn’t disappoint with his dazzling skills but the Lakers can’t find a way to win the game. Still, the experience of watching a live sporting event in the States is second to none. A great experience indeed. Drink of choice: beer. 7:35pm: After a swim and some downtime (more naps) back at our hotel, we take barber Mikey’s advice and meet up with some local mates at E.P.&L.P. A relatively new West Hollywood bar/restaurant, E.P. is the restaurant portion of set-up where FijianChinese chef Louis Tikram has assembled an Asian fusion menu, complete with specialty cocktails. We get some Asian Slaw and Lou Dogg’s crispy skin chicken and wash it down with a couple of said cocktails. Then it’s up to L.P., the rooftop bar which is a favourite of Aussie expats. Most weekends there are so many Aussie actors here that you could be mistaken for thinking you’ve stepped into a bizarro world where the Summer Bay Diner is now surrounded by the Hollywood Hills. Drink of choice: 99 Problems But A Herb Ain't One (a giddy combo of gin, lemon, kaffir lime, and ginger). 10.37pm: When in L.A., we reckon seeing some stand-up is a must. There’s The Laugh
Factory and the Improv on Sunset, but tonight we’re heading to The Comedy Store. Situated right next to our hotel, the Andaz, The Store is perhaps the top comedy venue in the world. Any night of the week there’ll be someone you’ve heard of on the line-up. Tonight, we see a gaggle of comics MC’d by director/comedian Judd Apatow and featuring Bill Burr, Greg Fitzsimmons, Bobby Lee, and Montez from Workaholics, among others. Plus, table service means you don’t have to stop sipping margaritas all night. We’re seated unnervingly close to the stage, and our inevitable audience participation moment happens via a comic dressed as David Bowie. “Where are you from?” he asks. “Australia,” we reply. “Ugh,” he groans, rolling his eyes, before moving onto the next victim. It gets a laugh and we don’t have to answer any more questions, so we’re counting it as a win. The comics continue well into the early morning. We’ve enjoyed ourselves, and our margaritas, so much so that when we finally decide it’s time to leave the crowd has thinned somewhat. Evacuating our seats without becoming part of an act gets increasingly difficult, but with our eyes struggling to keep open, we make a run for it inbetween comics. Mercifully, our hotel room is metres (and an elevator ride) away. Drink of choice: multiple margaritas. Zzzzzz... CLOCKWISE (FROM LEFT): When in L.A. why not catch a Lakers game; For a quality laugh head to The Comedy Store; Aussie-owned rooftop bar E.P.&L.P. is a must; Get groomed at Like A Gentleman
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DAY THREE:
HANGOVERS, SHOPPING
& THE FRIED CHICKEN WAFFLE SANDWICH 12noon: By the time we’re able to move, it’s brunch in WeHo. So, on recommendation, we Uber it to Santa Monica Blvd eatery Norah doing our very best to not look hungover. Let’s act like we were successful. Inside the spacious, split-level restaurant, groups of friends have started to gather for mimosas, while a few suits pow-wow on the lower level (wearing suits on a Saturday should be illegal unless you’re at a wedding). We’re taken to a table on the top level by the rear garden. “Do we have any food allergies at the table today?” our server asks cheerily. We love Americans. After telling her we don’t, we let her know that we’ve been recommended the cornbread. She nods, knowingly. “It’s amazing,” she replies. And it doesn’t disappoint. Served hot in its own skillet, we’re hit with the sweet aroma the moment it arrives. The flavour, the texture… we got the breakfast burgers too, and they’re sensational, but as we write this we can still taste that delicious cornbread. Drink of choice: iced tea. 1:15pm: Our hungover stomachs satisfied, we head back out onto Santa Monica Blvd to the sound of Katy Perry’s greatest hits blaring into the street. Across the road, at LGBT burger bar Mary’s, a drag queen performs stand-up to a brunch crowd. It’s just after 1pm, but, thanks to numerous mimosas imbibed by the boisterous punters, it may as well be
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midnight. Except for all the sunshine. It’s perhaps a fitting farewell to our time in WeHo as we checkout of our hotel, hop into an Uber and head to Santa Monica for the second half of our drinkathon. Sorry, “working” holiday. 3:35pm: About a 25-minute drive from WeHo (traffic was kind to us) Santa Monica is the beachside community sandwiched between Venice (famous for its eccentric residents) and Malibu (famous for very rich people) and is a pleasing balance of the two. Our home for the next few days will be the beach-side Hotel Shangri-La. We check into our room, with its incredible view, and despite still feeling the effects of last night, we brave a neighbourhood walk to get our bearings. 4:27pm: We do a lap of the block, feeling seedy as hell, as we check out the cool cafes, bars and shopping on 3rd Street Promenade, before deciding the most sensible use of our time would be a lie-down poolside. We eventually drag ourselves back to the Shangri-La pool area and slump into sun chairs — bliss! Three European blokes next to us have tequila delivered to their chairs. We catch a waft of it and wonder how we will ever drink again. They each take a shot, and quickly pour another. “You want a drink with us?” one of them asks, with the smile of a man who has just had his first of too many drinks, we politely shake our heads and croak, “Thanks, but…”
CLOCKWISE (FROM TOP LEFT): A stroll along Venice Beach is an experience; 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica is ace for shopping; MAXIM writer Scott doing his “thang” at Venice Beach; The Shangri-La rooftop bar is essential
They laugh. A lot. Our WeHo hangovers are written all over our faces. Hangover face is the true universal language. Drink of choice: shut up about it. 8pm: After a well-earned nap by the pool, we awake in need of food. Specifically: unhealthy food. We know instantly what we will be eating, having spotted our mark earlier. Fans of both chicken and waffles, and especially the combination, there’s was no way we wouldn’t be sampling Bruxie — home of the fried chicken and waffle sandwich — boom! Inner-city hipster eateries aside, Australia is yet to embrace this Southern delicacy, traditionally topped with maple syrup. Some will try to tell you maple syrup should never be served over fried chicken, bacon or eggs, but these people are either very, very stupid or vegans. The fried chicken and waffle sandwich is exactly what we need in our lives right now and it goes down a damn treat! Drink of choice: Dr. Pepper and American lemonade.
DAY FOUR:
THE BEACHSIDE,
BIKES & BULLETPROOF LABS
9:26am: We awake feeling recharged and ready to get stuck back into it. Bring it Santa :\[VPN AUR ORNPU NQWNPR[a .b`a_NYVN[ PNSR Little Ruby hosts our breakfast. It might seem odd to fly halfway around the world to end up Na N[ .b`a_NYVN[ PNSR V[ @N[aN :\[VPN Oba Wb`a a_f `\ZR .ZR_VPN[ P\SSRR N[Q f\byYY OR _RNQf to cross town for a flat white. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve barely ORR[ NdNf S_\Z .b`a_NYVN Oba aUR aU\bTUa of vegemite on toast is too good to pass up. Just as delicious as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d remembered. 1_V[X \S PU\VPR' 3YNa dUVaR N[Q N[ R`]_R``\ â&#x20AC;&#x201D; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t judge us! 11:30am: DR _RNYYf UVa ]RNX 9 . dVaU N visit to Bulletproof Labs. Touted as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first body-hacking gym, it was founded by `VYVP\[ cNYYRf R[a_R]_R[Rb_ 1NcR .`]_Rf dU\ also invented Bulletproof Coffee). This place is a Todd Sampson wet dream, using cutting edge technology to improve health and fitness. Biohacking technician Brandon Tobias shows us around. He takes us to the RedCharger, which looks like a mix between a tanning bed and hot plate. He says weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to nude up and lie on it. Because life is crazy, we do. For 15 minutes we soak up red (630nm) and V[S_N_RQ %% [Z 921 YVTUa dUVPU V` `NVQ a\ boost mitochondrial function and improve circulation. What? Next up, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cryotherapy time. This involves standing in a -156.7°C cryo-chamber for three minutes. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re given gloves and boots to protect our extremities. Women donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to wear underwear, but they recommend men do â&#x20AC;&#x201D; because nature is sexist and frostbite is cruel. We step into the chamber as Stevie Wonderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1\ 6 1\ pumps through the sound system N[Q dR `UVcR_ \b_ NO`\YbaR ONYY` \SS . TVN[a clock counts down our three minutes and the third minute is the real kicker. We dance and sing through the cold (sadly, no video of this event exists) until finally, the door opens and
toasty robes are waiting for us. But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve barley begun our biohacking, next itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s onto the virtual float tank, which is actually a spinning pod that looks like something from a â&#x20AC;&#x2122;70s sci-fi movie. Scott is first in, strapping on an eye mask that flashes bright lights and headphones playing binaural beats and classical music. Brandon then covers him with a weighted OYN[XRa z6ay` ORR[ N SRd fRN_` `V[PR 6 dN` abPXRQ V[ { @P\aa `Nf` 6a V`[ya N dRV_Q Z\ZR[a Na NYY 1R`]VaR aUR P\Z]YRaR O\ZON_QZR[a of the sensors, our minds definitely stray `\ZRdUR_Rp Oba [\a ^bVaR aUR \baR_ universes like some folk experience. We leave Bulletproof Labs feeling noticeably refreshed but devastated to learn that a single visit hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resulted in rock hard abs. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d definitely go back to this place â&#x20AC;&#x201D; real gyms are dead to us. 1_V[X \S PU\VPR' @\ZRaUV[T PNYYRQ 3Na DNaR_ dUVPU SRNab_R` zZVP_\Q_\]YRa` \S /_NV[ <PaN[R \VY S\_ SN`a R[R_Tf S_\Z SNa cR_`b` `bTN_{ 2pm: Like the share bicycles that littered the `a_RRa` \S PN]VaNY PVaVR` V[ .b`a_NYVN N P\b]YR of years ago, Bird scooters are absolutely
everywhere in Santa Monica and the locals (plenty of them skaters and surfers) use them YVXR ]_\` B`, DRYY YRay` Wb`a `Nf dRy_R [\ Y\PNY` Instead, we walk to Venice Beach where thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an array of beachside cafes, bars, restaurants, a shitload of touristy shops and a plethora of local quirky characters, many trying to make a ^bVPX ObPX cVN cN_V\b` S\_Z` \S zR[aR_aNV[ZR[a{ Who, other than Jim Morrison, greets us again via a mural on The Ellison Suites building. Venice just happens to be where Jim Morrison and keyboardist Ray Manzarek met and went \[a\ S\_Z AUR 1\\_` AURf ZNf cR_f dRYY UNcR O\bTUa `\ZR zR[aR_aNV[ZR[a{ aURZ`RYcR` 7pm: .SaR_ N ^bVPX _RT_\b] Na \b_ U\aRY dR head to Santa Monica local, Sushi Roku, for dinner. One of the :.E6: duo (who shall _RZNV[ [NZRYR``p @P\aa V` aUR QVPX dU\ arrives at a sushi restaurant and announces he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eat seafood. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all good though, the helpful staff sort him out with an selection of SV`U S_RR _\YY` N[Q \U Y\\X ~ F2@ =92.@2 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; fried chicken. You should know by now that fried chicken on any menu cannot be ignored. The real piece de resistance is the Carnival Cake, because we definitely needed dessert. Cheesecake and ice cream enclosed in a Z\b[aNV[ \S SNV_f SY\`` zP\aa\[ PN[Qf{ a\ the locals), the dessert is set on fire at the aNOYR .VQRQ Of /NPN_QV _bZ aUR SNV_f SY\`` disappears revealing the cake underneath. .SaR_ dNf a\\ ZbPU Sb[ UR_R dR PNYY Va N [VTUa 1_V[X \S PU\VPR' 3bWV .]]YR :N_aV[V ~ TRa Va
CLOCKWISE (FROM TOP): They know how to do an Old Fashioned in L.A.; Sushi Roku has some top dishes for lunch or dinner; Bulletproof Labs will have you feeling refreshed! MAXI M.COM.AU
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T R AV E L
DAY FIVE:
SHOPPING, THE BEST ROOFTOP BAR
& CANNIBIS COCKTAILS
bar Onyx. With stunning views of the beach, brilliant atmosphere and a killer sunset, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely a must-do when staying in Santa Monica â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even if you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a guest of the hotel. We have the first of countless Old Fashioned cocktails for the night. Sipping a cocktail in an art deco style bar almost makes us feel underdressed, but luckily this is California and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a tuxedo in sight. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re soon invited to a private function, on the other side of the rooftop, which boasts views of both the beach and Hollywood Hills. We get so distracted by the acapella group singing pop medleys that we almost forget to leave. Obviously, the enormous table of hors-dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and the Old Fashioned have NO`\YbaRYf [\aUV[T a\ Q\ dVaU Va 1_V[X \S choice: Old Fashioned. 7.30pm: With quite the spring in our steps dR URNQ Q\d[ aUR `a_RRa a\ 1RY 3_V`P\y` 4_VYYR S\_ `\ZR PYN``VP .ZR_VPN[ ON_ N[Q T_VYY good times. Situated at the entrance of Santa Monicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous pier, a table out the front
is the perfect position for people watching. The near accidents caused by Bird scooters alone make for fantastic viewing. We order yet another round of Old Fashioneds and peruse the menu. The friendly staff offer suggestions, but we already want too many things as it is. Truffled mac and cheese? Yes, please. Prime ;Rd F\_X @a_V], 5RYY fR` .a aUV` `aNTR \S aUR story, our food descriptors are getting rather hyperbolic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we should really be MasterChef judges. But, seriously, it was one of the greatest steaks of our lives. 10.48pm: With dinner done, we have one Santa Monica mission left â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to go to its hottest [Rd cR[bR ªYR]UN[aR .YZ\`a RcR_f ]R_`\[ dR met in Santa Monica asked if weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been yet. AUR _\\Sa\] zORNPU U\b`R{ ~ N _R`aNb_N[a ON_ with sweeping beach views â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is complemented dVaU QR`VT[ ]VRPR` S_\Z ;\_aUR_[ .S_VPN N[Q Southern Italy (or so we are told). This place V` QRSV[VaRYf d\_aU aUR Uf]R 1_V[X \S PU\VPR' More Old Fashioneds. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seriously no better way to end our 9 . a_V] aUN[ aUR `NZR dNf dR `aN_aRQ Va ~ downing a drink on a rooftop bar. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a sleepless, intoxicated, food-filled few days but we wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have it any other way. 1.00am: .` dR `aNTTR_ ONPX a\ \b_ U\aRY dR laugh at just how much fun, food and so many drinks weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve enjoyed in just five days in La La Land. It might have something to do with the YRSa\cR_ RQVOYR` dR S\b[Q 3N_RdRYY 9 . Vay` been real and it definitely wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be too long before we are inebriated in you once again. â&#x2013; FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WEHO AND SANTA MONICA GO TO VISITWESTHOLLYWOOD.COM AND SANTAMONICA.COM
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CLOCKWISE (FROM TOP): Scott tries the cannabis oil drink at Bondi Harvest; For possibly the best steak in L.A. (and dessert) go to Del Frisco Grille in Santa Monica; New L.A. hotspot the Ã&#x2030;lephante; The Onyx is a rooftop bar with no faults
A D D I T I O N A L P H OTO G R A P H Y : E M M Y B U R N S
10am: .SaR_ O_RNXSN`aV[T Na ?bOfy` fR`aR_QNf dR QRPVQR a\ PURPX \ba N[\aUR_ .b``VR PNSR Bondi Harvest. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little further from the beach than the name might suggest but sitting in the courtyard with a few familiar accents, and the smell of good coffee, you could almost OR U\ZR z6ay` NZ V[ .b`a_NYVN { dR QV`Pb`` while glaring at the menu. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not sure how hungry we are. Our stomachs havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite caught up with the shift of time zone, but everything looks delicious. The staff test us by convincing us to try three dishes. First up is halloumi toast with Nc\PNQ\ N[Q U\[Rf Va ab_[` \ba .ZR_VPN[` N_R UN]]f a\ P_RQVa .b`a_NYVN dVaU UNYY\bZV Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s salty sweet deliciousness. We also make a dint in a Caveman Bowl and some squash ]N[PNXR` .YY ]_\QbPR V` NYY Y\PNYYf `\b_PRQ which is SO Bondi. . a\aNYYf 9 . SRNab_R \[ aUR ZR[b V` PN[[NOV` \VY X[\d[ N` 0/1 dUVPU PN[ OR NQQRQ a\ N[f Q_V[X S\_ B@ ! 0/1 Q\R`[ya contain THC and therefore doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get you high, but we take a dash in our coconut iced aRN` N[fdNf 1RaRPaNOYR aUR `bOaYR PN[[NOV` flavour works very well with the coconut. z6 QVQ[ya Re]RPa f\b a\ Q\ `\ dRYY { \b_ impressed server says, looking at our nearempty plates on her return. Neither did we. Our bellies are overfull, but our taste buds a _R Rea_RZRYf UN]]f 1_V[X \S PU\VPR' 0\P\[ba VPRQ aRN dVaU 01/ \VY 5.28pm: .SaR_ Z\_R `U\]]V[T dR URNQ upstairs to the Shangri-Laâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rooftop cocktail
MAXIM RECOMMENDS Five top places to stay in WeHo & Santa Monica
RAMADA WEST HOLLYWOOD
MONTROSE WEST HOLLYWOOD
8585 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood
900 Hammond St, West Hollywood
Perfectly located in the thick of West Hollywood, on Santa Monica Boulevard, Ramada WeHo is a great base to explore the neighbourhood on foot. While L.A. isn’t traditionally known as a walking town, here you’re a short stroll to some of the best bars and restaurants WeHo has to offer as well as Melrose Avenue’s bars, boutiques and restaurants, the trendy Sunset Blvd, MAXIM favourite Barney’s Beanery and the Beverly Center shopping mall. On Friday and Saturday nights the free Sunset Trip trolley car will take you to all West Hollywood’s hot spots and drop you back again. The hotel has a variety of rooms — our favourite being the spiral loft suites which feature a spacious living area and a spiral staircase leading to your separate sleeping quarters. For lovers of vino, The V Wine Room, located at the hotel, features a huge array of California’s finest wines. A perfect hotel to enjoy WeHo.
If you want to get a real feel for living in Hollywood, you can’t go past the Montrose. Tucked away on a tree-lined street just off the Sunset Strip, the boutique hotel’s funky-but-homely vibe makes it a favourite haunt for musicians and arty types. The Four-Diamond-rated hotel’s spacious rooms feature pillow-top mattresses, coffee makers, fireplaces — seldom needed in Southern California — and some even include a feelat-home kitchenette. There’s a welcoming lounge area for meeting with friends and enjoying cocktails and an exquisite rooftop pool deck with incredibly stunning L.A. views. Oh, and make sure not to miss the nightly Vinyl & Vino Hour, where guests can enjoy a complimentary Cali wine as the DJ spins some tunes. Brilliant.
ANDAZ WEST HOLLYWOOD 8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
On the legendary Sunset Strip the Andaz was built in 1963 and, from 1967, was known as Hyatt House. Its proximity to music venues like the Whisky A Go Go and Rainbow Bar & Grill made this hotel a favourite of the biggest rock stars in the world and earned it the nickname “Riot House” (which is now the name of its ground level restaurant). The Riot House’s infamous balconies — which the Rolling Stones threw TVs off and Jim Morrison dangled from — have been enclosed and turned into sunrooms. The Andaz is also next door to The Comedy Store, across the road from the must-see Mondrian’s Skybar and within walking distance to Sunset Bar and The Roxy Theater.
LOEWS HOLLYWOOD HOTEL
Hotel Shangri-La Santa Monica
1755 N Highland Ave, Hollywood
1301 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica
If you want to be right in the thick of Hollywood Boulevard — famous for the Hollywood Walk of Fame — Loews Hollywood is perfect. Tinseltown can be hectic at the best of times, but the stylish room with coffeemakers and stunning views are anything but. Why not grab a poolside cabana and enjoy a drink in the Cali sun. Moreover, the famous street is home to Mann’s Chinese Theater, the Dolby Theater — home of the Academy Awards, which are both at your doorstep, and plenty of interesting characters — be they dressed as Marilyn Monroe or Bumblebee. You can even catch a taping of hilarious late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! nearby and, while in Rome, why not dine out with class at budget-saving eateries Hooters or In-N-Out?
Located on Ocean Avenue, the Shangri-La (unrelated to the hotel chain of the same name) was built in 1939. Designed to look like a ship, the building is an example of Streamline Modern architecture and inside it retains its Art Deco feel with modern flourishes. Every single room has an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean and located upstairs on the rooftop is the Onyx cocktail bar/night spot — the ride up in the classic ’30s elevator is a story in itself. Stars like Bill Murray, Bill Clinton, Madonna and Tom Cruise have all stayed here and you can really see why — the hotel is adjacent to the beach, close Santa Monica Pier, 3rd Street Promenade, Elephante and Venice Beach. We love it!
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WOMAN OF THE WORLD
Indian
BEAUTY Time to get to know more about one of India’s finest models PRIYANKA ARES… P H OTO G R A P H E D BY N I C K SAG L I M B E N I ( @ N I C K SAG L I M B E N I )
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WOMAN OF THE WORLD
“I DON’T THINK YOU SHOULD JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER, WHICH YOU’RE BASICALLY DOING WHEN YOU SWIPE ON THOSE APPS.”
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personalities, artists and writers who I follow that incorporate Canadian and Indian culture. What do you think is the most Indian thing about you? My obsession with all things Bollywood! I’ve probably seen every Bollywood movie.
elcome to MAXIM Australia, Priyanka. How does it feel? It feels amazing! Some really inspiring women have been featured before me so it’s really an honour. Besides modelling, what are your other passions? Honestly, I’ve always been a bookworm and recently I’ve started writing short stories and poems. I’m also super interested in women’s issues and social justice, so I’m always looking for ways to get involved there. Your family is from India but you’ve grown up in Toronto. Do you find it difficult to blend the two cultures? Toronto has a huge community of south Asian influencers so it’s not too hard! There’s so many south Asian influencers, YouTube
You have a decent fan base on Instagram. How did you build up these followers? I just started sharing my day-to-day life — going to class, doing my nails and chilling with friends. I think a lot of people can relate to me. If you weren’t modelling what would you be doing? I’m still finishing school and thinking about my career. I love modelling but I would also love to work in the justice system one day, especially with women and children. What’s the most exciting place you’ve travelled recently? I hate to say this but I haven’t had much time to travel recently! There are a few beautiful spots in Canada which I love to visit though, like Montreal, QC. I really hope to take a trip after I graduate. I’m hoping to visit Japan! Can you describe your dream guy in three words? Witty, thoughtful and patient. How do you let a guy know that you’re interested in him? I don’t! I’m actually really shy. I like to wait for a guy to make the first move.
What’s your take on dating apps? Have you ever been on one? I haven’t used them in my adult life and I don’t think they’re effective at all. I think they’re really superficial and make you focus on looks only. Maybe I’m old fashioned but I don’t think you should judge a book by its cover, which you’re basically doing when you swipe on those apps. There’s always more than meets the eye! If we had to arrange a perfect date night for you, what would you have us set up? The perfect date for me would be a great meal at a really nice restaurant. Somewhere with a great view and a huge selection of wine would be amazing! And don’t forget the candles and flowers – I love those little romantic touches. When do you feel your sexiest? When I’m dressed down and make-up free. It reminds me that there’s more to me than what’s on the surface, and it feels good! What’s the secret to a sexy selfie? A selfie stick always helps! Also, don’t overthink it – sometimes a simple smile can give the best results. Finally, what can MAXIM readers do to make the women in their lives smile? Support them! Educate yourself on women’s issues and stand up for the women in your life. Use your male privilege for good.
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WOMAN OF THE WORLD
“I’M ACTUALLY REALLY SHY. I LIKE TO WAIT FOR A GUY TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE.” 8 6
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WOMAN OF THE WORLD
“THERE’S MORE TO ME THAN WHAT’S ON THE SURFACE, AND IT FEELS GOOD!”
M O D E L’ S I N S T A G R A M : @PR I_NCXSS HAIR & MAKE-UP: G L A M B Y G I L LY ( @ G L A M B Y G I L LY ) LO C AT I O N : ALDERLEA MANSION, TO R O NTO, CANADA
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SPORT
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SNEAK PIQUE
GERARD PIQUÉ, the Spanish football star, and Shakira’s better half, is one of the sport’s true talents... BY KE ITH G O R D O N
I
f football in Brazil is best described as a religion, soccer in Spain is closer to an education. Youngsters emerge from the academies across the nation to fill many of the best domestic, and foreign, club sides in the world, helping Spain to a run of glory internationally including wins at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and back-to-back UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012. On the club side, the two Spanish powerhouses, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, are amongst the top clubs and sports franchises on Earth, having combined to win the last five UEFA Champions League finals and winning Spain’s La Liga 13 out of the last 14 seasons. Perhaps no one has had a better vantage point, or more of an impact, on both Spain’s international success and Barcelona’s historic run than Gerard Piqué. Like many Spanish football stars, the 32-year-old Piqué’s career began with that respected
Spanish education. Children from a young age are not only encouraged to play the sport, but are guided by institutions and professional coaches to view it through the eyes of a professional rather than simply a fun outdoor activity. The most famous of these academies exists in Barcelona, at the club’s historic La Masia. Global superstars with names like Iniesta, Xavi, Fàbregas, Puyol and Busquets all learned their trade at the “the farmhouse,” as did perhaps the greatest player of all time, Argentine Lionel Messi, who moved to Spain as an undersized youth player before developing into the legend he is today. Players at the academies are drilled not only to perform physically and mentally, but to understand and truly absorb the clubs’ playing styles and philosophies. This coherence and continuity is credited by some with creating not only great club sides like Barça, Real Madrid and others, but for providing such consistency and interchangeability to a national team. ■
Gerard Piqué in action for his country at the FIFA World Cup in Russia last year
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R E L AT I O N S H I P S
IN BY
ANDI LEW
a ha 10 top tips on how you can score a lovely lady in under two weeks. You’re welcome… 9 2
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W
e all observed from enjoying the Matthew McConaughey blockbuster How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days that the opposite outcome to what the title suggests was achieved. Andie, who is played by Kate Hudson, entered a bet with her colleagues that she could lose the guy as she was completely aware of his bet that he could win her over in 10 days. In the end they fall madly in love anyway, but was it all a game of cat and mouse? It’s the old “push/pull” theory that makes life unpredictable and wildly exciting. We don’t always want to know what’s going to happen next. Sometimes we need a plan but certainly not when it comes to romance. It’s the element of surprise that make things heat up or butterflies appear. If you’re not sold on this theory, and it’s too “mind, body spirit” then look at it from a quantum physics perspective. It needs to come from a place of heathy balance. What you fear, you attract and what you resist: persists! So, when you’re trying too hard to brush someone off, you’ll adopt an energy that is more attractive because you’re unattainable. Flip this role and the opposite happens again. If you don’t play the game; you’ll sit on the sidelines, but at some point you’ll need to get in and have a crack at clocking the game of modern love! The bottom line is, come at it from a healthy balance of in and out or hot and cold. Things take time to warm up and then you want to keep your girl on heat and definitely not on the back burner, if you want to keep her! “Win or lose”, 10 days is pretty much all it takes to get used to an idea, or lose the idea of a potential of new love with someone. A lot happens in a day. So much more happens in a week. After one week, we start to begin the routine of what we may have done the week before when we first started interacting with our new potential love interest. Therefore, about three more days of getting used to having that person in or out of our lives is all it will take to seal the deal or move right on. Knowing this will help you dive right in if you feel it’s something you want to explore more of. Otherwise, it’s super important to let go and put your energy into someone else that might be more right for you. So, let’s break it down to 10 steps in 10 days…
1. GO WITH THE GUT
If it feels right, go with it. Intuition always knows. Men are just as intuitive as women. They just don’t necessarily express it in as many words as we do. Men usually act and we just talk about it. Sometimes when a man feels it isn’t quite right to begin a relationship, he’s acting out of intuition and moving on could be
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a real blessing. However, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling all the feels, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to not think too much and just act, as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so good at doing.
2. CONTACT IS KEY
In the beginning, whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve matched on a dating app or met in the flesh, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to maintain a certain level of contact. Women love to know youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re there and still interested. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no point in having started a great connection and then you disappear. AUV` `]RYY` zb[_RYVNOYR{ 8RR] V[ ZV[Q aU\bTU that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to also have a life. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about aUR ONYN[PR . URNYaUf NZ\b[a \S P\[aNPa would be to answer or send a message within aUNa QNf 4VcR Va `\ZR aU\bTUa .QQ cNYbR a\ the conversation. No one word answers unless youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re being brief about how busy you are and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll reply longer later.
3. ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ALL ABOUT THE BALANCE
Show a healthy level of keen interest in her and ask her questions that allow you to get to know her as a person. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll then be able to start complimenting her on her character and not just her physical appearance which is where people start falling in love. We often talk about this as when others start seeing you for who you really are. This is inner beauty and wildly attractive, too.
4. TURN THAT DM INTO A CALL
If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not picking up the phone for longwinded telephone conversations by now; your grip is slipping! Make sure thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a healthy dose of flirt and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making her laugh, too. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to also lighten up, so focus on you and be the best version of yourself so that you can start to feel better about yourself. Making time for your own self-love journey means that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll not only be more appealing, but even if it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work out with this woman, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be ready for the next!
5. MAKE THE DATE
If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t already made plans to see each \aUR_ Of [\d f\by_R T\V[T a\ UNcR a\ .a YRN`a have the conversation, but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at half-time and we need you to secure or lock in a date â&#x20AC;&#x201C; literally. Suggest places to go based on what f\b NY_RNQf X[\d NO\ba UR_ .`XV[T S\_ N QNaR prior to this could be risky if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know enough about her. If you already do, then kudos to you for fast tracking this process! Great dates are based on the individual likes and dislikes of each couple. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no one size fits all formula, because it depends on the person, place, timing, weather and season.
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6. BACK OFF BEAUTIFULLY
Be an absolute gentleman about it but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve locked in a date, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excited, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s planning what to wear and sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s told all her girlfriends sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no longer available for the girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s night out. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your chance to play cat and mouse but only because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re busy and working on yourself â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re being mean to keep her keen. This is why the key word in aUV` ]U_N`R NO\cR V` zORNbaVSbYYf{ F\b dN[a a\ be gentle and beautiful about the notion that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve given her time and energy and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also excited to see her, but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just taking some time to be the best version of you, too. You can, of course, stay in contact but keep it all short and sweet. Very sweet.
ABOUT ANDI
7. BE THOUGHTFUL
Send her something that surprises her. It could be a meme you made based on something you laughed about, or a video call that surprises her. Go all-in again after you sat back yesterday. She will be super excited to hear from you, since there was a little lull yesterday and ready to have some fun.
8. GET PREPARED
You want to start making way for any feelings you may have. You might even want to journal about how you feel about this girl or talk to a friend about it. On a physical level you might want to wax, shave, iron or just get your affairs in order. No pun intended!
9. DATE OR DUMP
If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in. So, just go with the flow and enjoy it completely. Turn your phone off and put it away for a while. Show her youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making her a priority and start to remember why it felt like where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so in the moment that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even want any interruptions. If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a first kiss, make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in your element. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling healthy and your breath is fresh. Eating a bunch of parsley or even parsley juice is the best breath freshener there V` .` N dRYY[R`` P\NPU 6 UNcR NYY aUR [Nab_NY aV]` that work. Parsley works from the gut, unlike breath mints that contact sugar or artificial sweetener and work from only the mouth.
10. STAY STRONG
Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in now. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve dated, kissed and you feel great. Stay in the lead, and her romantic lead of her favourite rom-com, with follow-up. You want to be the only one she can think about now so put all the above on repeat. Sit back a little again and allow her to contribute, too. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little game of being in balance with yourself and each other and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be on the path to love or selflove. Either way â&#x20AC;&#x201C; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re winning. â&#x2013;
As a certified wellness and dating expert, lifestyle coach and bestselling author, Andi Lew appears on several TV shows, both in Australia and in the United States of America, helping one and all with her handy relationship and professional advice. Stay connected with Andi via her Instagram @andi.lew #INSTALOVERS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DIGITAL DATING, DM DISASTERS AND LOVE STORIES by Andi Lew is out now, rrp$27.99, available at andilew.com and book stores across Australia
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SEX
PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER
Sexpert takes a look at the benefits of being a full-blown wanker...
BY
VA N E S S A D E L A R G I E
M
ay has “cum”, which not only means 31 days of celebrating self love, but also a month when you’re encouraged to have a wank for a while. The idea of International Masturbation Month was conceived back in the mid-’90s by Good Vibrations, in honour of public health administrator, Joycelyn Elders who was sacked by then U.S. President Bill Clinton for suggesting that masturbation should be part of sex education in schools. International Masturbation Day, which is classily referred to as “Wankers Day” by Aussies and Brits, is held annually on May 28 and celebrates your goddamn right to have a diddle. But what are the perks of being a wanker? Here, I thought I’d knock the top off it and fill you in.
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IT REDUCES THE RISK OF PROSTATE CANCER A recent study, conducted by Harvard University and published in The Journal of European Urology found that men who orgasm 21 times per month, or more, may reduce their risk of prostate cancer by up to a third. The research also shows a significant reduction in prostate cancer in men who fap regularly. According to scientists, ejaculation clears the prostate of cancer-causing carcinogens.
IT MAY HELP YOU LIVE LONGER
Looking to add a few extra years to your lifespan? Well, the good news is it can
all be done with one hand. According to research by Dr. Michael Roizen at the Wellness Institute, blokes who ejaculate at least once a day live four years longer than those who don’t. And if you can manage to pump out two a day you’ll add an extra eight years to your life! It’s always handy to have some inspiration in the second round.
IT’S A POSSIBLE CURE FOR INSOMNIA
We’ve all had those nights where we toss and turn but struggle to switch off. Well, instead of reaching for your bottle of sleeping pills, why not try masturbating first? Masturbation lowers blood pressure and increases the release of endorphins in the body. When a man ejaculates he
MEN WHO ORGASM 21 TIMES PER MONTH, OR MORE, MAY REDUCE THEIR RISK OF PROSTATE CANCER BY UP TO A THIRD. - THE JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN UROLOGY
releases a chemical called Prolactin. It is Prolactin that makes men tired after sex.
BIGGER AND STRONGER ERECTIONS
There is nothing more attractive to a woman than a strong erection (insert laughter here). But seriously, all women seek virile men. According to a study carried out by the American Journal of Medicine, infrequent sexual activity actually heightens the risk of erectile dysfunction. The research suggests that regular sexual activities helps to preserve male potency. As the old adage goes: If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.
IT PUTS YOU IN A BETTER MOOD
Masturbating releases all those feel-good chemicals into the bloodstream. “An orgasm is the biggest non-drug blast of dopamine available,” says American sexologist, Gloria Brame. “A brain scan of someone having an orgasm looks like a heroin addict’s.” So, as you can see, science shows us that there are numerous benefits to being a wicked wanker. Please be sure to celebrate your wankery unashamedly throughout the rest of May. We encourage it. God's speed, gentlemen. ■
Vanessa de Largie is an Australian actress, sex columnist and freelance journalist based in London
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24 HOU RS TO LI V E
FIONA O’LOUGHLIN
One of Australia’s funniest females, and winner of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Season 4, discusses her last day on Earth… Have you ever felt like you’ve died onstage during a stand-up gig? Comedians all die in the beginning. To make something look as effortless, as professional, stand-up actually takes years of effort. Unless you’re Ronny Chieng — seriously, I have never seen a young comic master his craft so quickly. It’s interesting. I don’t know the exact why or wherefores, but the generation of young comics compared to mine do not muck around. They are brilliant. How do you want to leave this world? Quite quickly. Do you have any deathbed confessions? Absolutely, but since I’m still in relatively good health now is not the time to share them. What’s your last meal? My last meal would be “caught in my throat”... for obvious reasons. What did you know now that you didn’t at 18? That everyone has a backstory. We can only tread our own path. No-one can know what pain others carry. To whom on Earth do you owe an apology? Um... literally hundreds of people who paid good money on the nights I was drunk onstage. I’m thinking of doing a “making amends” tour. If
nothing else, I’ll earn some very good frequent flyer points. Besides family, what’s your greatest achievement during your time on Earth? Learning to listen – truly listen. What’s the dumbest thing you ever did on Earth? I simply can’t narrow this down, but driving my new car to my country town police station to get my driver’s license is right up there. Name one thing you’re glad you’ll never have to do again. Jump out of anything in the air. Which of the seven deadly sins gave you the most trouble? Oh trust me – I have the full set. What quality advice will you take to the grave with you? I believe that nine times out of 10 you will regret the things you don’t do rather than the things you did. Go to that funeral. Go to that graduation. Celebrate that 80th. And one of my Grandmother’s best lines was, “No news is no news”. She was the best. What are your friends saying over your casket? “Wow! What a beautiful diamond encrusted solid gold coffin she’s in.” I’ve also told my kids to send Joel Creasy the bill.
“I BELIEVE THAT NINE TIMES OUT OF 10 YOU WILL REGRET THE THINGS YOU DON’T DO RATHER THAN THE THINGS YOU DID.” Who or what would you like to be reincarnated as? Cal Wilson’s [Kiwi comedian] cat. Hands down. What’s written on your tombstone? “Here lies the only woman who truly understood Mark Bouris.” What can audiences expect from your stand-up shows? Comedians all play different instruments. My instrument is storytelling – the stories in this show, let’s just say, have been a long time coming. Got any last words? Come see my show! ■
Fiona O’Loughlin is performing her show, Addresses the Nation, at the 15th annual Sydney Comedy Festival, which runs from April 22 to May 19. For more info and tickets go to www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au 9 8
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