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FEATURES / COVER STORIES

3.17 Get Fit Faster Invest in your future by stealing insider training tips from superfit Wall Street guys like Mark Rubin.

BY JOE KITA PAGE 80

63 Lose Your Gut Your senses may be sabotaging you.

BY SUSHMA SUBRAMANIAN

88 Red Meat!

You love it, you crave it. So dig right in.

BY MARKHAM HEID

96 Curb Blood Sugar Ditch the threat of diabetes for good.

BY LOU SCHULER

102 Read Her Dirty Mind Women reveal their secret desires.

BY ELISABETH SHERMAN AND JERILYN COVERT

120 MH ICON

Phil Jackson The NBA coach on life, winning, and disagreeing with Yoda.

BY ERIC SPITZNAGEL

PHOTOGR A PH BY A ARON R ICHTER

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 3

03.17

Live the Dream 20/ How to Take Hits on the Job A Game of Thrones stuntman shows you the ropes.

28

36

BY TYLER DASWICK

26/ Belly Off! Meet a father who lost 100 pounds.

28/ Gabrielle Union Let this beautiful actress teach you a valuable skill.

Best. Class. Ever.

30/ The Sports Bar: An Expert Guide Beat the crowds, get served fast, and win free beer.

36/ Draft an Action Plan Turning blood, sweat, and beers into a successful business.

BY TOM FOSTER

BY BRIELLE GREGORY

31/ Skillet Wings Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? Wing it.

Strength 2017 GUIDE TO STYLE Flip this magazine over to find the best in utility coats, boots, watches, tools, and more, all inspired by America’s working guys.

32/ Bust Out of Your Genre How the very funny Jordan Peele wrote a horrific new script.

71/ Whisker Science Razor-sharp advice on achieving your cleanest, most comfortable shave ever.

Food

BY JON ROTH

53/ The Superfood Myths—and Truths Before you choke down that wheatgrass, read this.

BY CAROLINE WEINBERG

58/ Fishy Business If you freeze when faced with your seafood options, use our shopping guide.

BY A.C. SHILTON

Health 75/ Diagnosis: Danger A doctor raises the red flag on a common deadly medical error.

BY PAUL BERGL, M.D.

78/ Think on Your Feet Happy feet, happy body. Solve these seven foot problems.

BY JULIE STEWART

39/ Finish a Triathlon Train smarter, not harder with these practical strategies.

The James Brand pocketknife, $150

BY JULIA BEESON POLLORENO

ON THE COVER

50/ Better Abs, Better Life Eight reasons to build a six-pack.

(And vanity isn’t one of ’em.)

Tyler Wood/Wilhelmina, photographed by Ture Lillegraven. Styling

by Sandra Nygaard, grooming by Andrea Pezillo.

Alternative shorts.

BY MARK BARROSO

4 MensHealth.com | March 2017

C l o c k w i s e f r o m t o p l e f t : J E F F L I P S K Y, A N D R E W H E T H E R I N G T O N , M I T C H M A N D E L ( 2 ) , N i l s N e l s o n

39

Style

MARIA RODALE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Matt Bean

Ronan Gardiner

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

VP/ PUBLISHER / MANAGING DIRECTOR

BILL STUMP Executive Editor BILL STIEG Deputy Editor BEN COURT Features Editor MELISSA JEWSBURY Managing Editor DEAN STATTMANN Brand Editor BJ GADDOUR Fitness Director ERIC SPITZNAGEL Executive Writer PAUL KITA Senior Editor MICHAEL EASTER Fitness Editor JULIE STEWART Health Editor JERILYN COVERT Associate Editor BRIELLE GREGORY Assistant Editor DANIELLE FOX, JAMES NOSEK Interns

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6 MensHealth.com | March 2017

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Rodale Inc. 400 South 10th St. Emmaus, PA 18098-0099 rodaleinc.com Men’s Health carries the very latest health, fitness, and nutrition reporting and taps the world’s foremost experts so you can be more knowledgeable about your health. But every body is different. Take what you read here as general information; individual diagnoses and treatments can come only from a health care practitioner.

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Street Style

Your monthly at-home workout.

TV not included.

MetaShred Extreme This 11-workout system is choreographed to drive muscle growth and accelerate fat loss. You’ll see results in 28 days! metashredextreme.com 1

2

3

4

Don’t sit on your butt for the NCAA tourney. During timeouts, channel your energy into this 5-minute drill. By BJ Gaddour, Men’s Health fitness director Grab a basketball and do this workout as a circuit, performing each exercise for the allotted time, resting 30 seconds between exercises. Do them in the order shown.

That’s 1 round; do 3 to 5 rounds, resting 1 to 2 minutes between rounds.

DIRECTIONS

1 Plank Dribble Assume a pushup position with your knees, hips, and shoulders aligned and a basketball on the floor by your right hand.

Lift your right hand, scoop the ball, and start dribbling as you balance yourself on your left arm.

Dribble the ball for about 30 seconds, making sure your core is tight; then switch arms and repeat.

Time: 1 minute 8 MensHealth.com | March 2017

2 Split Squat Ball Dribble

3 Ball Mountain Climber Pushup

4 Side-to-Side Squat Dribble

Grab a basketball and assume a split stance position. Your feet should be about 3 feet apart.

Lower your body until your front knee is bent roughly 90 degrees. Hold the position for 60 seconds, dribbling the ball back and forth between your legs throughout. Switch legs at the 1-minute mark.

Time: 2 minutes

Assume a pushup position with your left hand on the floor and right hand on the ball. Now do mountain climbers: Bring your left knee into your body and then back to the start.

Repeat with your right knee. Keep going, doing a pushup every 3 to 5 seconds. Do that for 30 seconds, then switch hands.

Time: 1 minute

Grab a basketball and assume a superwide stance. Start dribbling the ball. Shift your weight onto your left hip as you dribble to the left, moving into a side lunge. Reverse the move, dribbling to the right and moving into a right-side lunge. Continue the right-to-left pattern, all while dribbling.

Time: 1 minute

HOW TO SPIN A BASKETBALL A slightly deflated ball works best. Hold it—seams vertical—with your dominant hand on the far side, other hand on the side facing you.

Snap both wrists to start the ball spinning. Catch the ball with the pad of your index finger. Transfer the ball to your fingernail for less friction.

Bat the ball lightly with the fingers of your free hand.

c a m a r a l e n t a / G e t t y I m a g e s (m a n w i t h b a l l) , A m y L o m b a r d (G a d d o u r) , M i t c h M a n d e l ( D V D) , +I S M ( i l l u s t r a t i o n s)

A Baller’s Guide to Abs

Signs the Madness Has Consumed You

The Five Stages of SXSW Austin, Texas, March 10–19 EXCITEMENT “This’ll be great! I’ll see cool bands and new movies.”

Everyone you know—friends, coworkers, your mom—is seeded in your personal bracket.

They don’t know where.

CONFUSION “Wait, is ‘Caddywhompus’ a movie or a band?”

You like to clean your gutters one-handed while hanging from the top of the downspout, tongue out.

BARTERING “I’ll give you $500 to see Obama jam with The Roots.”

ANGER “I paid $500 for a panel on safe spaces for DJs? Where’s Obama?!”

A guy at work went to Duke.

He never talks basketball but you still fantasize about pushing him out the window.

DEPRESSION “I woke up on a futon spooning Zach Braff, and I don’t even care.”

You try to get your kids pumped about your bracket by telling them their college fund is riding on it. And it’s true.

prof at the University of Illinois and one of the geeks behind Bracket Odds (bracketodds.cs.illinois.edu).

Déjà View All Over Again

T2 Trainspotting

Kong: Skull Island

Beauty and the Beast

CHiPs

We know you how?

The Wolverine, X-Men

A drug-fueled, bed-shitting flick from 1996

Peter Jackson’s King Kong, 2005

Disney animation, 1991

From the Carter administration.

Did we like you?

Hell yes!

Pretty sure; there are some memory gaps.

We like anything with Naomi Watts.

We still have the Gaston workout.

On VHS.

There was nothing else on.

Same guys, same director?

Sure.

We like anything with Samuel L. Jackson.

Emma Watson as a live-action Belle? Charmed!

For a laugh, maybe.

Will we still?

This is a forever relationship.

See you...

March 3, with the guys

March 10, late showing

March 10, in IMAX

March 17, with the kids

bring it Printable ballot Themed appetizers Nuanced opinions skip it Paparazzi in the bushes Diversity jokes “Dirty Grandpa Was Robbed” T-shirt

Your guide to sequels and sequel-like material

Logan

Movie

OSCAR PARTY CHECKLIST

THREAT ASSESSMENT: SPRING BREAK

LOW You packed one pair of shorts, no sunscreen.

MODERATE Maybe you’re too old for this. Don’t you have a wife and kids?

HIGH Mycoplasma Genitalium! It finds your antibiotics adorable.

How does “never” work for you?

DVR PRIORITY SPECTRUM

WHO RECORDED THIS?

DELETE AT YOUR PERIL

Survivor

Trial & Error

Harlots

National Treasure

Marvel’s Iron Fist

Billions

CBS, March 8

NBC, March 7

Hulu, March 29

Hulu, March 1

Netflix, March 17

Showtime, February 19

Unless they throw real spears at each other, we’re not watching.

A poetry prof, a murder, a script in iambic pentameter! Kidding.

An eight-part drama set in a brothel? Fine, we’ll give this a chance.

Relax, nobody’s cueing up Nic Cage. This is a hot British import.

A billionaire Buddhist kung-fu master dares us to mock the premise.

A really rich guy avoids prosecution. Weirdly, not a reality show.

10 MensHealth.com | March 2017

A n d y L y o n s / G e t t y I m a g e s ( h o o p s f a n ) , t e c h g a d g e t s / A l a m y ( O s c a r ) , B e n R o t h s t e i n / M a r v e l / Tw e n t i e t h C e n t u r y F o x ( L o g a n ) , J a a p B u i t e n d i j k / S o n y ( Tr a i n s p o t t i n g ) , L e g e n d a r y E n t / Wa r n e r B r o s . P i c t u r e s (Ko n g) , L a u r i e S p a r h a m / D i s n e y E n t e r p r i s e s I n c (B e a u t y ) , P e t e r I o v i n o / Wa r n e r B r o s . E n t e r t a i n m e n t I n c (C H i P s)

STIFLE THE URGE Save upset picks for the Elite Eight, says Sheldon Jacobson, Ph.D., a computer science

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Customer satisfaction based on an independent study conducted by Alan Newman Research, 2015.

GEICO is the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States according to the 2014 A.M. Best market share report, published April 2015. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2016 GEICO

The Prescription News you can use from the Men’s Health team of expert advisors.

The Horizon Zap Away Your Erectile Dysfunction

CARDIOLOGY

Get to the Heart of Fitness “What if you could go easier in the gym but still see the same results? With apps like Elite HRV and Omegawave, you can.

They measure your heart rate variability, or the variation in time intervals between heartbeats, so you can optimize your workouts. Using the HRV data, the apps establish a baseline over several recordings and then monitor your daily fluctuations so you know when to increase your workout intensity and when to lighten your load for recovery.”

Alexander Koch, Ph.D., C.S.C.S., is a professor of exercise science at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina.

DEPRESSION

EXERCISE SCIENCE

Smooth Out That Turkey Neck

Be More Active to Boost Your Mood

Nip Neck Pain in the Bud

“A lot of men are self-conscious about having a wrinkly neck. But it’s easy to repair and prevent by using a cream with retinol, like Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream. Or consider skin tightening: Dermatologists use devices with small needles that apply radiofrequency energy (which is the same as microwave energy) to heat the skin and tighten it. Ask for the Infini or Intensif treatment.”

“Depression and anxiety are often overlooked in men because guys try to tough it out. A new treatment, behavioral activation, could help.

It’s based on the premise that behavior changes can drive positive feelings, and it involves engaging in activities you enjoy, like golfing. According to one study, it can work as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on altering negative patterns of thinking.”

“Many of us stare at screens all day, which can lead to chronic neck pain. But a recent study found that tai chi could help relieve that persistent pain. Try this easy routine: First sit up straight. Then rotate your shoulders back.

Pull your arms backward and pinch your shoulder blades together. Hold for a few seconds. Next, turn your head to the right, hold, and return to center. Repeat on the left side.”

Adnan Nasir, M.D., is the director of dermatology at Wake Research Associates in Raleigh, North Carolina.

William Pollack, Ph.D., is an associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School.

Paul J. Christo, M.D., is an associate professor in pain medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

12 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Larry Lipshultz, M.D., is a professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine.

G a l l e r y S to c k (m a n), I l l u s t r a t i o n b y M I C H A E L S A N D E R S O N , I c o n s b y S A M P E E T

DERMATOLOGY

“There’s no cure for erectile dysfunction; we simply treat the symptoms. That’s why low-intensity shock wave therapy is interesting. Shock wave therapy is already a common kidney stone treatment—doctors aim high-frequency sound waves at the stone to break it into tiny fragments. For ED, low-intensity waves target the penis to spark something called neovascularization, which stimulates circulation and blood vessel growth. It’s not yet approved by the FDA, but the therapy is already being used in Europe, and studies are being carried out in the United States.”

WE FOCUS ON HIV TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON

TODAY

Ask your doctor if a medicine made by Gilead is right for you.

onepillchoices.com

© 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC1852 03/15

Ask Men’s Health Definitive Answers to Life’s Essential Questions FOOD

Is iced tea just as good for me as the hot stuff?

Yellow alert: That new-paint smell isn’t doing your body any favors.

ALAN, KISSIMMEE, FL

Not quite. “Tea’s healthy benefits come from its flavonoids,” says Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., of the Tufts Antioxidants Research Lab. “Freshly brewed tea contains more of these natural compounds than iced tea, which is usually brewed weak and diluted by ice.” To boost flavonoids, try brewing your iced tea double strength. Or, if you’re treating yourself to ice cream, choose the green tea flavor. People in an Italian study who ate “natural antioxidant ice cream” (a mix of dark cocoa powder and hazelnut and green tea extracts) had better vascular function afterward than those who ate the unsweetened milk chocolate flavor.

STYLE

My hair is brown, but when I grow out my beard, it looks like a botched dye job. Why is my beard a slightly different color than my hair?

WYATT, BOULDER, CO

HEALTH

We’re about to repaint the bedroom and I’m worried about the fumes. Can they hurt me? Any way to get rid of them?

TED, HOUSTON, TX

Every time you pry open a can of paint, you release vapors known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These compounds can cause nausea, dizziness, and headaches—and also cancer and liver damage. Some paints are labeled “low VOC” or even “zero VOC,” but that just means the compounds are minimized. “There’s no such thing as VOC-free paint,” says air quality researcher Bud Offermann. And many VOCs in paint have never been studied for safety. The smartest solution? Ventilation. Close the door of the room so the fumes don’t spread, Offermann says. Then set a box fan in an open window to suck the air and fumes out until no strong paint odors remain.

14 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Think of your hair follicles as pixels on a TV screen. Those follicles produce hair pigments called eumelanin (a combination of blond, brown, and black) and pheomelanin (red). But depending on your genes, the combinations can vary, which explains those random red hairs and dark patches.

“Your genes ultimately control hair color on every part of your body,” says Sarah Millar, M.D., a professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. “Scientists aren’t sure why the patterns form the way they do, but we know that varied hair color is very common.” It’s so common that most men embrace their lack of color uniformity. But if you want a more solid look, try taking your beard down to scruff, says Dr. Millar. The shorter hair will reveal less color. Not willing to give up the length? Try a subtle, brush-in hair color. We like Just for Men Mustache & Beard ($8, justformen.com).

PH OTO G R A PH BY M AU R I Z I O D I I O R I O

Ask Men’s Health

Physical Therapy in New York City. Work on perfecting your form in the elements that make up the burpee—like squats and pushups—and build your cardio endurance with the stationary bike or interval training.

QUICK CHANGE

FOOD

Are the nitrates and nitrites in food giving me cancer?

LAMAR, MILWAUKEE, WI

No recent studies have shown a proven connection between reasonable levels of nitrate or nitrite intake and cancer. In fact, you actually want nitrates and nitrites added to your food—they reduce your risk of contracting foodborne illnesses, like botulism, which can be deadly. That said, consuming very high levels of nitrates and nitrites, which are typically found in deli meats, may be dangerous, according to the American Cancer Society. Limit your intake of processed meats to two servings a week.

By Brian Boyé

I ripped the trousers of my navy suit. Now what?

ANTHONY, SAN DIEGO, CA

Here’s what not to do: Don’t try to match another pair of navy pants to your suit jacket. It just won’t work. There are more shades of navy blue than you can imagine. Even if you find a perfect color match, you won’t find the same fabric weave. In good light—like anytime you step outside—the difference between the two will be glaring.

Take the pants to a reputable tailor to find out if the tear is fixable. Tailors can be wizards with invisible mending. Barring that, check with the store where you bought the suit to see if replacement trousers are available. If all else fails, toss the pants and enjoy your navy blazer! You’ll look great when you wear it with chinos, gray trousers, or blue, gray, or white jeans.

I’m currently between belt sizes. Is it ever cool to rock a braided belt?

GERARD, CHICAGO, IL

Brian Boyé is the executive fashion and grooming director of Men’s Health.

16 MensHealth.com | March 2017

When I use my sleeptracking app, my phone is next to my pillow. Is it going to cook my brain?

DAVIS, LITTLE ROCK, AR

STRENGTH

Burpees beat me down.

Why do they suck so much?

CHRIS, TRENTON, NJ

Well, the move (a pushup, squat, and jump drill combo named for its inventor, Royal H. Burpee) works your whole body. And it tricks you into killing yourself.

That intense, total-body challenge sends your heart rate into the stratosphere and crushes your spirit. “The biggest issue with burpees is that most people can’t pull off the individual components with good technique,” says Douglas Kechijian, D.P.T., of Resilient Performance

FOOD

Organic fruits and vegetables are expensive. Tell me which organic foods I can skip.

JEREMY, CLEVELAND, OH

Maybe switch stores, for starters. Not all organic produce is that pricey.

At most, organic bananas cost 37 cents more per pound than nonorganic, according to a 2015 Consumer Reports study. Organic apples?

Sixty cents more. And don’t think a nonorganic banana is fine because you’ll peel it, says Sonya Lunder of the Environmental Working Group. “They’re heavily treated with pesticides, and that’s a concern for the land and the workers.” Even the flesh of some produce you peel may still contain pesticides, Lunder says. At the very least, it’s wise to go organic when buying one of the EWG’s Dirty Dozen: strawberries, apples, nectarines, peaches, celery, grapes, cherries, spinach, tomatoes, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Don’t lose sleep over it. At night, your phone is probably in standby mode, having short and infrequent contact with its network, says Anke Huss, Ph.D., an environmental epidemiologist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Less time with the network means less of the electromagnetic radiation people et.

From top: M at t Rainey, A r tiga P hoto/G et t y I mages , D av ide Luciano/ thelic ensingproje c t .c om

Tell me: Does your belt have only one hole? Actually, I’m okay with braided belts, though they’re not my thing personally. (Like Drakkar Noir and boat shoes, they remind me too much of my high school years.

I’ve never been able to revisit any of those classics.) But that doesn’t mean a braided belt can’t be your thing.

My go-to adjustable cincher is an O-ring belt. L.L.Bean and Polo both make nice ones. The Tie Bar also has stretch woven belts that can grow or shrink with you. I wore one on my wedding day last year that I bought when I was a few inches bigger around the waist, but it still fit on the day that mattered most.

HEALTH

Ask Men’s Health

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR She calls me “babe” and invites me over for movie night, just the two of us.

But then she says she doesn’t like me “that way.”

What does that mean?

TOM, ALEXANDRIA, VA

worry about. The exposure is very small, “especially in comparison to a phone call,” Huss says. Unlike x-ray radiation, which can damage human cells, the effects of radiation from cellphones aren’t totally understood. But some studies suggest that it might damage cells after prolonged contact. So if you spend most of your day with your phone pressed to your ear, switch to a Bluetooth headset. It minimizes the effects of a cellphone’s electromagnetic field, suggests research published in the journal The Laryngoscope.

FOOD

From lef t: Danny Kim/ The Licensing Project, Meredith Jenks

Is juice with pulp better for me than the no-pulp stuff?

PETER, BAKERSFIELD, CA

Nope. You’d think more pulp means more good stuff, right?

Look at the nutrition panels of Minute Maid No Pulp and Some Pulp orange juice and you’ll see that the two have exactly the same ingredients, says MH nutrition advisor Mike Roussell, Ph.D. While a 2015 Spanish study found that pulp may increase a drink’s antioxidant content, it’s so minimal that switching would not make much difference.

HEALTH

Sometimes I’m so bloated I feel like I’ll pop—even after I didn’t eat that much.

What’s going on?

TIM, ROANOKE, VA

Bloating makes your belly feel like a water balloon, and when it looks inflated, you have abdominal distension. “Men and women both feel bloated at times, but women are more likely to experience bloating with distension,” says Lin Chang, M.D., a professor of medicine at UCLA. While bloating is often the result of overeating, it can also be triggered by specific foods.

For example, when your gut bacteria break down highly fermentable grub like cabbage or cauliflower, gas is produced that distends your intestines. Then the muscles in your abdomen wall relax to ease pressure, and your belly puffs out. As for that big belly after drinking beer?

That’s probably from drinking more suds than your intestines can process—not from bloating.

To prevent bloating, try drinking plenty of water. If you have severe pain or are vomiting, see a doctor. That can sometimes signal something serious, like a bowel obstruction.

“Saline spray” sounds like salt water, not medicine. What’s it good for?

MIKE, PHOENIX, AZ

It’s lotion for your nostrils, and your schnoz will welcome the stuff like an old friend. That’s because saline nasal spray has a salt concentration similar to that of your mucus. So it soothes and moisturizes the delicate skin inside your nose and helps flush the snot out. This can help you breathe easier if you have a sinus infection, congestion, a cold, or just crusty nostrils, says William Schaffner, M.D., a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Saline spray has another benefit: It protects the tiny blood vessels inside your nose, which can rupture and cause nosebleeds when dry. If you don’t have nasal issues, you can still benefit from the cheapskate’s humidifier: Set a cup of water in your bedroom at night to help keep your nose moisturized.

“Some water will evaporate, so the heated air won’t be so drying,” says Dr. Schaffner.

It means you’re being used—to stroke her ego. Sounds to me like you’ve been putting up with this arrangement hoping for more, and she’s just into having a guy around who will dote on her. So she gives you just enough encouragement to stick around. (That’s what’s behind the pet name, by the way.)

Trust me on this: If a woman is truly interested, “movie night” is never really movie night. In other words, if it hasn’t happened by now, it’s not happening. So give it up. You’ll be far better off spending your Friday nights swiping through your Tinder options than wasting your time with someone who will never be an option.

I found out that my girlfriend was gossiping with her friends about sex. Is this typical? Now I’m getting paranoid.

TERRY, BETTENDORF, IA

Relax—this could actually be a good sign. When those sex stories surface, it’s usually the noteworthy, the newsworthy, the epically great stuff—like the time you two did it on the roof, or the time her friend woke up in a B-list actor’s bed. And okay, there’s some hilariously bad stuff too. But if your sex life were truly awful—as in deadly dull or, worse, nonexistent—she wouldn’t be talking about it over brunch with her friends. Now that’s what I’d be paranoid about.

Have a question? We’ve got answers! Ask at MensHealth.com/experts.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 17

Jimmy the Bartender Straight-up advice on women, work, and other things that drive men crazy.

“Can I buy you a drink?” seems like such an old-fogey way to approach a woman. Got anything better?

Jimmy, who’s the coolest guy ever? My buddy says Sinatra, but I’m not so sure.

Mike, Portland, OR

This answer is a target that moves as you do. So until 1960? Coolest guy ever was Elvis, pre-jumpsuit. Then JFK showed up, followed by Ali, McQueen, and others. You know it’s the coolest guy ever when instead of thinking “I wish I could be that cool,” you think, “I didn’t even know that kind of cool existed.” Of course, there’s only room for one coolest guy ever at a time, but you only know he was the coolest after he’s dead.

Jimmy Calls BS on...

18 MensHealth.com | March 2017

The Master’s Degree My old man told me that if I graduated high school, I’d always find work. But these days, a barista has a master’s in Honduran agriculture. I say, learn to make change and don’t spill beer on the bar. A good bartender earns more than you might suspect. Plus, it’s honest work. No degree required.

My new boss is 20 years younger than me and doesn’t know how we do things. Can I set him straight?

Tim, New York, NY Only if he’s paying you to do that, Tim. Your better bet is to help him do things the way he wants them done. Even though he’s younger, he got the boss job for a reason. Give him the respect he deserves. When you’re smart enough to be his boss, you can always fire him.

What’s the best thing to do on a first date?

Jerry, Tulsa, OK You know the list: dinner, conversation, a movie, if you’re insecure or uncertain.

All my pals are into whiskeys— single malt, small batch, whatever.

I hate whiskey.

Think I can ever learn to like it?

Maurice, Detroit, MI Whiskeys are as different as wine and women. You really have to taste each one before you give up on them all. If you just gulp the stuff, you won’t taste it, you’ll just feel it. Get a redwine glass—big bowl, lots of sniffing room.

Trickle in a half shot, add a splash of water, swirl, and think about how it smells to you.

I happen to like whiskeys that smell masculine—leather, wood, those kinds of things.

I hate fruity whiskeys.

(Some are aged in brandy casks.) Anyway, sniff-sniff, sipsip. Think it over. I like a whiskey that tastes like I passed out in a peat bog and I’m drinking from the bottom. But that’s just me.

My older brother and I don’t get along. It’s a fight every time. How can I win one?

Michael, Oxnard, CA You can’t. You already know what his problems are—you could probably list them in your sleep. So instead of trying to beat the guy, go for a tie by just lending a hand. I don’t mean emotionally. I mean practically. Help your brother out. Fix the tire, send him the funny joke, make the call he needs. Get on the same side even for a minute. It can change everything.

M i c h e l l e P e d o n e (J i m m y), P h i l i p p e H a l s m a n / M a g n u m P h o to s (A l i), H e r b e r t D o r f m a n /C o r b i s /G e t t y I m a g e s (M c Q u e e n), S i d Av e r y/m p t v i m a g e s . c o m (S i n a t r a), H a n k Wa l ke r/ T h e L I F E P i c t u r e C o l l e c t i o n /G e t t y I m a g e s (J F K ), A f r i c a S t u d i o /S h u t te r s to c k (c a p)

Mitch, York, PA Guys get in trouble by making simple things complicated.

Asking a woman a question complicates things. To her, “Can I buy you a drink?” sounds like “Can I trade a drink for your time and attention and a pretense of interest and the potential for awkward complexity?”

The simple way: Introduce yourself without asking anything.

Don’t ask if that seat’s taken. Just take it.

Offer a friendly hello.

It tilts the table your way, and you’ll know by her simple answer whether or not any further interrogation— like “How about a drink?”—is called for.

But the best thing to do on a first date is decide whether there will be a second one.

Useful Stuff

Hanton says to attempt all stunts under professional supervision. And don’t sue us, please.

Take a Fake Jab

3 Stunts You Can Do

SKILL LEVEL: 4

Fall into a Somersault SKILL LEVEL: 3 1/ Be Cool In the little time you have, try to keep your wits about you: Don’t flap or flail or panic. Just commit and then focus on the next steps.

2/ Land Loose “Keep your chin on your chest and your chest up,” Hanton says. Don’t lock your knees— otherwise the impact will go entirely through your legs.

That’ll hurt pretty bad.

1/ See It Coming Before a guy throws a punch, he’ll often telegraph the swing. Your “enemy” might tense his body, cock his shoulder, or clench his teeth.

Have him exaggerate these moves in practice.

3/ Tuck and Roll Distribute the blow of the impact by rolling onto your lats. These muscles will act like built-in shock absorbers. Plus you’ll look legit.

SKILL LEVEL: 10 1/ Get Strong This stunt will challenge your obliques, shoulders, and biceps in a big way. Before attempting it, train those key muscles by doing side planks and wide-grip pullups.

2/ Attach Yourself Find a pole and grip it where it feels most comfortable, says Hanton, about double shoulder-width apart.

3/ Raise the Flag Elbows locked and core braced, kick your legs toward your top hand.

Then gradually lower your legs toward your midsection. As you hold your legs out, keep your elbows locked. Flap in the wind for effect.

22 MensHealth.com | March 2017

3/ Lean with It You’ll see the punch start to enter your periphery and cross your face. At this moment, snap your neck around fast to sell the impact. Badass!

I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y S T E V E S A N F O R D

Styling: Andie Redman; grooming: Hamilton Stansfield (this page and previous spread)

Pull Off the Human Flag

2/ Stay Relaxed “[A punch] will vibrate down your body,” Hanton says. “So be quite loose in the shoulders, loose in the hips, and loose in the neck.” This will also help you react to the punch.

Useful Stuff This little light of mine? It’s the low price that really shines.

Cooler Gear, Hotter Deals Death to the mall!

Long live specialty e-tailers! Hit up the sites that sell lustworthy items at huge markdowns.

By Clint Carter Adventure: Huckberry It’s got hunting knives, hiking boots, and handy stuff for urban and backcountry explorers alike.

Items debut by newsletter on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday; check other days for exclusives.

Killer finds: Karesuando Unna Áksu Arctic Hunting Axe ($174), Barebones Forest Lantern ($40), Snow Peak Titanium Flask ($160). huckberry.com

Three Other Clicks to Join Cycling: Nashbar Buy now. Like, right now. In February, when cycling gear is the last thing on people’s minds, the site’s discounts plunge as deep as 75 percent. Score all your favorite brands from Pearl Izumi to Shimano. Killer finds: Nashbar Crochet Gloves ($9), Continental Tires ($11 and up). nashbar.com 24 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Home: Gessato This store’s wares are curated around minimalism, innovation, craftsmanship, and intelligent design. Sign up for the newsletter—Gessato holds a monthly flash sale that lasts just 24 hours. Killer finds: Ceramic Subwoofer & Amplifier

by Joey Roth ($695), Nordic Kitchen Frying Pan ($169). shop.gessato.com

Apparel: East Dane This site, Amazon’s stylish nephew, serves up fresh finds from brands like Rag & Bone and Michael Kors; it also hooks up Amazon Primers with two-day shipping. Killer finds: APL TechLoom Pro Running Sneakers ($140), Rag & Bone Standard Issue Polo ($125). eastdane.com P H OTO G R A P H B Y R A L P H S M I T H

C l o c k w i s e f r o m t o p l e f t : M i t c h e l l La y t o n /G e t t y I m a g e s , R i c h S c h u l t z /G e t t y I m a g e s , M a t t S l o c u m /A P/ R E X /S h u t t e r s t o c k , M i t c h e l l La y t o n /G e t t y I m a g e s ( 2 ) , Zu m a P r e s s I n c . /A l a m y

Even Wright’s outfits are winners.

The Wright Way to KeepYour Cool Coach Jay Wright is in his 16th year with Villanova, and the Wildcats are fresh off an NCAA championship victory. He not only dominates but does it in style. By Christine Flammia You’ve seen the clip: As Kris Jenkins sinks the 3-point buzzer-beater to clinch the NCAA championship against the UNC Tar Heels last April, Villanova coach Jay Wright utters one word: “Bang.” Chaos ensues.

The team erupts in jubilation. Fans clutch one another and weep. Yet Wright always keeps his cool. “But trust me,” he says, “I’m not as calm as I look.” He’s prepared.

RAPID FIRE

Know Your Company It’s not about you, Wright says. It’s not about a single team. It’s about recognizing all the work that happened before you were hired and the work that’ll be done after you’re gone. “If you see a stonecutter tapping at his rock, he might tap 100 times,” Wright says.

“But once it cracks, it wasn’t that 101st blow that did it—it was all the blows that came before.”

Dress Well, Feel Good Each game, Wright wears one of the 25 custom suits made by his tailor, Gabriele D’Annunzio, paired with a dress shirt, tie, pocket square, and the occasional tie bar.

(That’s not to suggest he doesn’t have help: He double-checks his look with his wife.) He’s not a clotheshorse—it’s his uniform. Suiting up puts Wright in the right frame of mind to do his job.

Carry a Game Plan Before every game, the coach writes down his strategy on a piece of paper—offense on one side, defense on the other. Sometimes Wright will add a brief phrase: “Trust our effort,” “It’s in God’s hands now.” He folds it in half and stashes it in his back pocket. “I usually don’t look at it,” he says. “But writing it down, knowing that it’s there—that calms me.”

Decompress, Debrief Win or lose, Wright’s postgame’s the same: He and his wife, Patty, share some wine on the couch and watch a replay. It’s a chance to remind himself how much he enjoys the game. “She’s always excited to watch it,” he says, “then falls asleep three minutes in.” It’s also a reality check—there’s more to a full life than work.

—Jay Wright’s book, Attitude, is out now.

The book that changed me: Ego Is the Enemy, by Ryan Holiday The drink that centers me: Scotch, on the rocks The movie that continues to inspire me: Remember the Titans The music that I travel with: It varies, but it definitely includes some Frank Sinatra.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 25

Useful Stuff

Belly Off!

How This Dad Lost 100Pounds Yusuke Kirimoto’s family used to tease him about his weight. Not anymore.

The Setback I grew up in the United States, but I’m from Japan. Every time I went back, my family would poke fun at me. My nickname was “sumo wrestler.” Eventually I became depressed and turned to food for comfort.

Things got so bad that I’d shut the blinds, disconnect my phones, and eat junk all day.

The Wake-Up Call One time at work, I dropped a pen. As I tried to pick it up, I almost tumbled and started breathing very hard. It scared me. I already had my daughter at the time, and I had no idea how much longer I would be with her on this planet if I was out of breath just from picking up a pen.

The Food Changing my diet was the first step. Every time I got hungry, I picked up an apple.

I ate fruit at least twice a day to satisfy my cravings for junk food. Soon I lost 50 pounds. Now I have Greek yogurt with granola in the morning; a salad with broccoli, sweet peas, and light dressing for lunch; and a lot of steamed or cooked vegetables for dinner. I eat a lot of vegetables.

The Reward My depression is gone. I have more energy. I no longer come home from work exhausted. And when I went back to Japan, everyone was flabbergasted.

My mother just said, “Who are you?”

They couldn’t believe I’d changed so much, and that was a reward in itself.

26 MensHealth.com | March 2017

OCCUPATION VP of operations at a translation services company AGE 44 HEIGHT 5'10" WEIGHT BEFORE 270 AFTER 170 START DATE 2010

Work Out with Your Kid

Kirimoto found an unexpected source of fitness inspiration: his 10-year-old daughter, Sara. Here’s how he encouraged her to get a move on.

START SLOW “Instead of just sitting around and watching TV on weekends, we started with very slow, 1-mile walks,” says Kirimoto. “I even had her on her bicycle while I ran just to have her out there with me.”

MAKE IT FUN Remember, this isn’t supposed to be work.

“We’ll joke around, have fun, talk about movies, and things like that.

My daughter now enjoys going out with me on Sundays to run,” Kirimoto says.

CREATE GOALS “We worked up to 3 miles, and I entered her into a race. She was nervous, but people were high-fiving her and saying, ‘You go, girl!’ At the finish she asked me, ‘When’s my next race?’”

LEARN TO LET GO “Sara enjoys running.

But I don’t pressure her to stay in running,” says Kirimoto. “I just want her to keep moving and stay healthy. Right now, she loves gymnastics, so she’s also focused on that.”

P H OTO G R A P H B Y M AT T N AG E R

G r o o m i n g : D a n i c a S e v e r a n c e ; c o u r t e s y Yu s u k e K i r i m o t o ( i n s e t )

The Fitness My exercise used to be walking from my house to my car. Running changed all that for me. I live in Colorado, and a coworker encouraged me to hit the trails. Running with the beautiful scenery and smells was sensory overload—in a good way. I run 3 to 6 miles four days a week, lift weights four days a week, and swim half a mile three days a week. On the weekends I run with my daughter. I’m also training for nine races from March to September.

Yusuke Kirimoto Westminster, CO

Useful Stuff

What She Knows

Gabrielle Union THE SKILL Engage in (and extricate yourself from) small talk THE OBLIGATORY PLUGS Being Mary Jane (on BET); Sleepless (in theaters); and the March Women’s Health cover.

Step 2/ Go Highbrow Try: “Who are your favorite authors?”

Even if they’re more James Patterson and you’re more James Joyce, you’ll give them a chance to talk about what they like to do instead of what they do for a living. This is also a good look for you on a date: “You’re really saying, ‘I think you’re smart. I think you’re well read. I value your brain more than anything.’”

Step 3/ Disarm an Oversharer If the talk veers into medical conditions, political fervor, or ex-bashing, change the topic with grace. Union will say “Too much! TMI!” and follow it with a laugh. “People generally respect it and move on.”

Step 4/ Bail with Skill Can’t stand the person? “If someone spews racism, sexism, or homophobia, I’m going to cuss you out, fake an injury, or say my mother just texted,” says Union. Her last resort: “Say something you ate isn’t agreeing with you. No one will question it.” —AS TOLD TO JULIE STEWART

28 MensHealth.com | March 2017

P h o t o g r a p h b y J E F F L I P S K Y; s t y l i n g : J a c q u e l i n e A z r i a , h a i r : Ta k i s h a S t u r d i v a n t - D r e w / H a s k P r o d u c t s / E x c l u s i v e A r t i s t s , m a k e u p : M a r i o D e d i v a n o v i c / T h e W a l l G r o u p , m a n i c u r e : R o se a n n S i n g l e to n /C h a n e l Le Ve r n i s/A r t D e p a r t m e n t . B o n d i B o r n s w i m su i t , A r t i c l e22 n e c k l ac e , J o h n H a r d y b r ac e l e t s , B e t h M i l l e r C o l l e c t i o n a n d J o h n H a rd y r i ngs

Step 1/ Open with Origin Forget weather talk (they were outdoors too) and avoid “I’ve heard so much about you!” (Awkward.) Ask about their background: “So, where are you from?” It’s safe but opens options for deeper conversation.

“People either have a lot of pride for their hometown or horror stories about how they couldn’t wait to get away,” says Union.

QUICKENLOANS.COM DON’T GET HELD DOWN BY AN OUTDATED MORTGAGE PROCESS. GO COMPLETELY ONLINE FOR A FAST, CONVENIENT APPROVAL.

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Useful Stuff

Master Your Domain

TheSports Bar Beer! Sports! Wings! What could possibly go wrong? Use this battle map to navigate the madness of tournament season. By Brielle Gregory

DEFUSE A DRUNK Handle a boozer with the calm rationality of a bartender. “My first response is to acknowledge the way someone feels,” says Jim Meehan of the New York City bar PDT. Tell him you’re sorry he’s upset and leave it at that. Don’t engage. If things escalate, the manager can give the belligerent brute the boot.

WIN FREE BEER Hold out your hands and ask your buddy how many fingers he sees, including thumbs, says Richard Wiseman, Ph.D., author of 101 Bets That You Will Always Win. He’ll say 10.

Then ask how many fingers are on 10 hands. He’ll likely say 100. The correct answer is 50. Proof that booze and math never, ever mix.

GET DRINKS QUICK Busy bartenders make split-second decisions about who to serve next, says Meehan, and it’s not the guy who’s yelling the loudest. Use the same techniques you’d use to get a friend’s attention: Make eye contact and smile. The bartender will see you as accommodating, not demanding.

AVOID LONG LINES There’s a time to be the cool guy who shows up late to the party, but this isn’t it. Do your homework: Use the “popular times” feature on Google Maps to see when a place is busiest. “Plan to arrive an hour before the peak period,” says Tad Carducci of the beverage consulting company Tippling Bros.

30 MensHealth.com | March 2017

DON’T BELLY UP Your first impulse may be to sit as close to the bar as possible. You gotta be near the beer, man! But beware of waistline peril: Cornell researchers found that people who sit within two tables of the bartender have three more alcoholic drinks, on average, than those who sit three tables away.

SCORE FOOD SOONER What are they doing back there, milking cows for the nacho cheese? Don’t blame the kitchen, says Carducci. Everyone orders during the game, especially between periods. If you want fast service, order drinks first, which opens your ticket. But before the drinks arrive, add an appetizer and entrée to the tab.

This should fast-track your food before other orders.

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y C H R I S P H I L P OT

A Man, a Pan, a Plan

Skillet Wings

I l l u s t r a t i o n b y ST E V E S A N F O R D ; fo o d s t y l i n g : B r e t t K u r z w e i l /A r t D e p a r t m e n t , p r o p s t y l i n g : M e g u m i E m o t o /A n d e r s o n H o p k i n s ; p i o n e e r 1 1 1 /G e t t y I m a g e s ( r a w w i n g ) , G e l p i /S h u t t e r s t o c k ( h o t s a u c e b o t t l e )

1½ 1 2 1

+

+

Forget the FryDaddy: With a castiron pan, a few staples, and a half hour, you can make great wings at home.

lb chicken wings Tbsp vegetable oil Tbsp butter, melted Tbsp hot sauce, plus more to taste

Finex skillets are as durable as they are handsome. (starting at $125, finexusa.com)

1. Heat the oven to 500°F. In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with the oil, ½ tsp salt, and ½ Tbsp pepper until well coated.

2. In a large cast-iron pan, add the wings, leaving some space around each one. Slide the pan into the oven and roast them for 10 minutes. Flip them and roast till cooked through, 10 minutes more.

Now turn the broiler on high and broil the wings until their skin is crispy, another 5 minutes or so.

3. In a large bowl, mix the butter and hot sauce.

Wearing an oven mitt, carefully remove the pan from the oven and toss the wings in the bowl with this butter–hot sauce combo. Then transfer them to a plate and serve with celery sticks. Feeds 4 Per serving 459 calories, 31g protein, 1g carbs, 36g fat

For more #AManAPanAPlan, follow @GuyGourmet on Twitter and Instagram.

Same Wings, More Zing Buffalo-style sauce is just one way to dress your wings. Try branching out with one of these recipes, and swap out the celery sticks with avocado, radish, or grilled scallions.

BREAK IT DOWN Why? Whole wings are often cheaper.

Step 1: Stretch the wing flat on a cutting board.

It has three parts: drum, wing, and wing tip. Now flip the wing so you’re looking at the underside.

Step 2: Using the base of a sharp knife, chop through the joint where the tip and wing meet.* Step 3: Using the same motion, cut the joint between the wing and drum. *Some fans eat the tips. If that’s you, skip Step 2.

P H OTO G R A P H S B Y L E V I B ROW N

CITRUS SWEET CHILI ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce + 2 Tbsp lime juice + 1 tsp orange zest Serve with: avocado wedges

JALAPEÑO HONEY MUSTARD ¼ cup honey mustard + 2 tsp jalapeño juice Serve with: chilled halved radishes

CHIPOTLE PINEAPPLE 3 Tbsp chopped chipotles in adobo sauce + 3 Tbsp crushed pineapple in juice + 2 Tbsp pineapple juice Serve with: grilled scallions March 2017 | MensHealth.com 31

Useful Stuff

How toSellaCrazy Idea On February 24, Jordan Peele, the hairier half of the comedy team Key & Peele, releases Get Out, a horror movie he directed. Yes, a horror movie.

Here’s his advice for escaping your pigeonhole.

ACT 1: BE ORIGINAL “I’m a huge horror film fan, but I felt there was a missing piece,” Peele says. “I wanted to examine race through the filter of the genre.”

Get Out is the story of an interracial couple (she’s white, he’s not) and a home of brainwashed slaves. Never heard a story like that, have you? Neither had the studio execs, says Peele. His singular (okay, bizarre) vision convinced them to sign on.

ACT 3: SEEK SUPPORT “I was pretty sure this was a movie that would never be made,” Peele says. But he showed an early version of the script to his longtime collaborator, Keegan-Michael Key. “We’re cheerleaders for each other. He just came in the next day with this classic Keegan-Michael Key look and was like, ‘Jor-dan! Jo-ho-ho-HOR-dan!’”

Peele’s then-girlfriend, Chelsea Peretti (who’s now his wife), also loved it. “Which is great because she doesn’t always tell me she loves the things I do,” he says.

ACT 2: DEFINE YOUR ROLE Peele writes. Peele acts. He doesn’t direct—at least that’s what he thought until he was well into the writing. “I realized the script came together because of my perspective,” he says. “The paranoia, feeling like a fish out of water. I don’t think anyone else can do this movie.” Sometimes you delegate; sometimes you own it.

ACT 4: MANAGE CRITICISM “There will be criticism,” Peele says. But he’s not bracing for it. It’s out of his control. Plus: “One of the biggest joys of my life was directing this movie. I feel like there’s nothing that I will be able to do better than what I love the most.”

Keegan-Michael Key’s Insight “What sold me was that he took the character who’s usually discarded in movies [the black male] and made him the focus. Jordan has an amazing way of looking at things from a different perspective. He turns a genre on its head by changing one trope.

His brilliance is in finding the different and the simple.”

32 MensHealth.com | March 2017

1. IT FOLLOWS Man and

2. THE WITCH Creepy

3. DON’T BREATHE

4. CABIN IN THE WOODS

woman have sex. Woman must have sex with someone else or else she’ll be brutally killed. Romantic!

colonial family is banished to the woods. There, they face a dearth of crops, hope, and set lighting.

Robbers enter the house of blind man to steal his stockpile of money. Man is a trained killer. Oops.

Actors in a shallow, clichéd horror movie discover new depths that are actually quite original.

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S T E V E S A N F O R D

M e r e d i t h J e n k s / Tr u n k A r c h i v e

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Build This Now

Craft a New Coffee Rig Move over, Mr. Coffee: This DIY drip system brews a cup that’s way better than yours. By Sal Vaglica

34 MensHealth.com | March 2017

P H OTO G R A P H B Y L E V I B ROW N

I l l u s t r a t i o n b y ST E V E S A N F O R D ; fo o d s t y l i n g : B r e t t K u r z w e i l /A r t D e p a r t m e n t ; p r o p s t y l i n g : M e g u m i E m o t o /A n d e r s o n H o p k i n s

How to Build It 1. Clean the Metal With the utility knife, scrape any labels off the pipes.

Then wipe off the oil coating using a rag soaked with mineral spirits. (Wear disposable gloves and do this in a well-ventilated area.)

2. Paint the Screws Twist the short screws and four of the long ones into cardboard so they stand up. Spray the screw heads with black paint so they’ll match the pipe.

3. Prep the Wood Mark the center of the square block using a ruler and pencil. Drill a ¾" hole through the block for the funnel. Sand; rub with tung oil.

4. Make the Base Set the nicer-looking board on your workbench so its best side faces down. Stack the other board on it, edges flush; drill ⅛" pilot holes in the corners. Join with 1" unpainted screws. Flip. Sand. Add tung oil.

5. Thread the Pipe Set a flange on one end of the base and mark its four screw holes. Remove it, drill ⅛" pilot holes, and fasten the flange to the base with 1" painted screws. Thread the 8" pipe onto the flange. Add the elbow, the 3½" pipe, and tee. Align the other flange with the block’s hole. Join with ¾" screws.

Twist the connector onto the flange. Spin the block onto the tee so its edge is parallel with the base.

Coat the metal with tung oil to stop rust.

6. Start Brewing Set the funnel in the block hole. Add a coffee filter and ground beans; swirl in hot water. Sip and rejoice.

What You’ll Need 2 lengths ½" black steel pipe (3½" and 8") fittings (all ½" black): 2 floor flanges 1 elbow, 90 degrees 1 pipe tee 1 pipe connector utility knife disposable gloves 2 lint-free rags mineral spirits 4 wood screws (#8), ¾" 8 wood screws (#8), 1" 1 can (11 oz) black spray paint 1 square 4½" block, ¾" thick ruler and pencil 2 hardwood boards, ¾"×8"×12" each 2 drill bits (¾" and ⅛") 100-grit sandpaper or a random orbit sander 16 oz 100% tung oil 1 glass funnel (4" stem, 4"-wide opening) coffee filter cones (#2)

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CONNECT

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Live the Dream IT’S A LIVING!

Matt Monahan (left) and Sam Richardson toast their profitable dream.

CRAFTING SUCCESS How two friends brewed up a winning business by raising the bar.

By Tom Foster Building a successful beer business takes a lot more than hops, yeast, and a few weeks of patience. It can also mean draining your savings, straining your relationships, and mustering every ounce of passion you have.

Sam Richardson and Matt Monahan have pulled that all off and survived. Before the longtime friends launched Other Half Brewing in 2014, hardly any craft breweries existed in New York City—due in part, Richardson says, to the high cost of real estate.

But these two knew that if they could deliver quality local brew to New York beer lovers, the market would reward them. In the three years since its inception, Other Half has built a team of 25 and now brews 8,000 barrels a year. The beer is available in some of Manhattan’s top restaurants, and people line up around the block for a chance to taste new releases, which often sell out immediately. But hype and early success is one thing. Maintaining it is another. Here’s how Richardson and Monahan have done both.

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Collaboration Nation Other Half created these beers with partner brewers.

1 Boogie Board Stuntz (Bunker, Portland, ME): light and refreshing 2 No Layups (The Answer, Richmond, VA): hoppy, citrusy 3 Like Whoa (Trillium, Boston): slightly sweet and tropical 4 Grits ’n’ Greens (Creature Comforts, Athens, GA): hoppy, grassy 5 City Slickers (Arizona Wilderness, Gilbert, AZ): tropical, lightly malted

36 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Turn Obstacles into Opportunity Before Other Half, Richardson and Monahan worked at a company that made contract beers for other companies. “Sam was head brewer, but he was making batches at work that were better than any beer I’d ever tasted,” Monahan says. “So we knew we could make a product that people would love.” That simple craftsman’s confidence was the key to launching Other Half. Richardson’s expertise eliminated guesswork and waste, and their timing was fortuitous—there was a lot of pent-up demand for handcrafted beer.

Work Your Connections “There were times when we were down to almost zero dollars in the bank and still weren’t open,” Richardson says. “But we never doubted.” That’s because both he and Monahan, a chef trained at the French Culinary Institute, had strong relationships in the New York restaurant and bar scene. Richardson perfected the beer and Monahan crisscrossed the city to sign up clients. The strategy, he says, was to get the product right, and then get it in the hands of the right people.

Get Your Hands Dirty For most of the brewery’s first year, neither founder took a salary. “It was just us—Sam running the brewery by himself, me driving trucks and hand-delivering beers,” Monahan recalls.

As they began to hire, they tapped employees with scrappiness and dedication. “We hired only people who said they’d do anything. If the sales guy has to clean kegs or make deliveries, that’s the job—whatever it takes. And we haven’t lost any employees because of it.”

Grooming: Miriam Robstad/PurErb Skincare/Br yan Bantr y; M a t t C o a t s / O t h e r H a l f B r e w i n g (c a n s) , B r e w B o k e h / H a l f A c r e B r e w i n g C o m p a n y (H a l f A c r e)

Let the Product Do the Talking

Taprooms Worth the Trip Traveling? These establishments earn the Sam Richardson seal of approval.

Holy Mountain, Seattle: “They’re on the edge of heavy metal. Most of their beers are aged in oak barrels.” holymountainbrewing.com Half Acre, Chicago: “Great company culture and a fun place to hang out.” halfacrebeer.com Burial Beer, Asheville, NC: “The inside is a mix of rustic farming gear and kitschy artwork.” burialbeer.com Cellarmaker, San Francisco: “They make great IPAs.” cellarmakerbrewing.com

PH OTO G R A PH BY A N D R E W H E T H ER I N GTO N

“When you don’t have the money to put your name out there, your product needs to speak for itself,” Richardson says. For Other Half, that means prioritizing quality, and it’s the reason why Richardson so painstakingly chooses his hops and takes the trouble to have kegs delivered the very day a beer is ready. Even the cans’ striking graphics make a statement. “As newcomers, we need to stand out. We don’t want to do things that have been done before.”

Constantly Innovate Most breweries offer a handful of consistent beers. Other Half has an ever-changing lineup— 45 different beers in its first year. “It’s important not to be a one-trick pony,” says Monahan. “There are so many options out there now that people want to always be trying something new. We give it to them.” The risk, of course, is producing a few duds. Richardson doesn’t sweat that: “We’re not reinventing the wheel each time; we’re coming up with new combinations.”

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 37

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Strength To jumpstart your triathlon training, see our three-part workout on page 114.

THE TRIATHLON: YES, YOU CAN DO THIS! Whether it’s your first race or your 50th, these proven tips and techniques will help you conquer any course in record time. By Julia Beeson Polloreno Finding time to train for one sport is hard enough, so training for three must be impossible, right? Not if you do it right, says Bay Area triathlon coach Matt Dixon. In fact, tri training can be easier than your current routine. It can also protect you from injury, earn you bigtime bragging rights, and get you in the best shape of your life.

The key to finishing your first triathlon, or doing better in your next one, is efficiency—not endlessly excruciating, soul-crushing, joint-smashing workout sessions. On the next three pages we’ll show you strategies for swimming, biking, and running so you can hit the starting line with confidence—and the finish line faster than ever.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 39

The Swim

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For stroke efficiency, keep your fingers slightly spaced.

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“DON’T MINDLESSLY LOG YARDAGE.

BY TUNING IN TO THE WAY MY BODY FELT AT DIFFERENT INTENSITIES, I WAS ABLE TO SHAVE 11 MINUTES FROM MY HALF-IRONMAN SWIM TIME.”

5

PJ Gallagher, 46

1/ GLIDE WITH YOUR HEAD DOWN

3/ KEEP YOUR FEET CLOSE TOGETHER

Positioning your body correctly begins with your head: Keep your noggin in line with your spine. If you raise or lower it, you’ll create excess drag. Rookies feel an urge to peek where they’re headed. Don’t, except when you’re sighting. Use the pool’s lane line to stay straight.

Generate a compact kick using power from your hips, keeping your legs close together.

2/ STRAIGHTEN OUT Avoid lateral movement by keeping your head, shoulders, hips, and feet in a straight line. As you swim, imagine being stretched from both your head and your feet.

4/ STRETCH As your lead hand enters the water, your arm should be nearly straight.

According to a recent study on fluid dynamics, this is more efficient than “sculling,” in which the arm is bent and traces an S curve while pushing water behind.

5/ TIME IT RIGHT As one arm reaches full extension in front of you, wait to pull with that

arm until the other arm is just about to spear into the water. If you begin the pull before the other arm is ready to strike, your body will rotate prematurely, which kills your glide and slows forward propulsion.

6/ BECOME A FALLING LEAF As you stroke through the water, your body should open as you pull your arm overhead, and then close when you stroke through.

Try to visualize your body as a falling leaf or a snowboarder going up and down the sides of a half pipe.

DODGE THE STARTING-GUN MELEE If you’re not a strong swimmer, your coach will advise you to hang back at the start to escape the scrum of flailing arms and legs. Heed that advice. You’ll only lose 20 to 30 seconds from your time, and you’ll avoid injury. If your goggles get knocked off, simply tread water as you put them back on properly to prevent fogging and to ensure that you can see where you’re going.

40 MensHealth.com | March 2017

TRI MADE AFFORDABLE

Triathletes love their toys. Look around any race and you’ll see carbon fiber bikes, Garmins galore, and all manner of pricey stuff. But those are luxuries, not necessities. And today we’re seeing a renaissance in affordable performance gear. Here are our favorite tri items for the 99 percent.

Roka Maverick Comp You can spend big bucks on a wetsuit, but why? This suit has most of the same features— like buoyancy and flexibility where they matter most—as the brand’s Pro wetsuit, at half the price. $300, roka.com

I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y M I K E S U D A L

P r e v i o u s p a g e , f r o m t o p : N i l s N i l s e n , K e l v i n Tr a u t m a n / R e d B u l l C o n t e n t P o o l , R o b e r t D a l y / G a l l e r y S t o c k ; D a n i e l l e H a u p t m a n ( G a l l a g h e r )

YOU’RE PROBABLY TERRIFIED of navigating open water, drifting off course, or getting kicked in the face by another competitor. And those things might very well happen if you simply throw fitness at the event. But the experts will tell you that a successful swim is mostly about technique, says Matt Fitzgerald, an endurance sports specialist in Oakdale, California. Once you know how to swim, you’ll gain skill and confidence so you’re better able to manage trouble.

About two months before race day, start doing at least two swims a week, building up to at least 1,000 yards each. To prepare for the open-water freakout many first-timers experience, log a few practice swims in the ocean or a lake. Learn to “sight,” looking up every 50 to 100 yards to make sure you’re seeing the buoys that mark the course. As you swim, minimize drag with proper body position and stroke mechanics. Here’s how.

The Ride 2

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“VARYING MY PEDAL CADENCE AND ADJUSTING MY EFFORT HELPED ME WIN MY AGE GROUP.” James Young, 44

PEDAL LIKE A PRO Downstroke Push slightly forward, then hammer down. For maximum power, angle your ankle in whatever way it feels most natural.

Upstroke Unweight your rising leg so your other leg doesn’t lose its pushing power.

TRI MADE AFFORDABLE

Cannondale Slice 105 The bad news: That $300 bike from the sporting goods chain store won’t cut it. Expect to spend at least a grand for a bike that’ll go the distance and perform well. This one combines comfort and speed. $1,950, cannondale.com

THE BIKING LEG IS THE TRI’S longest part, and also the part that depends most on good gear and feeling comfortable.

Nail it and you can offset a poor swim leg and set yourself up for a PR run. So log time on the bike to hone your form, says Jimmy Riccitello, a coach and former champion triathlete.

He suggests weekly spin classes as an intro to cycling. “There’s an instructor, and the workouts are typically longer and more intense than what beginners would do on their own on the road,” he says.

Riccitello and his new triathletes do longer weekend rides (two or more hours) at moderate effort to build endurance and get used to riding on the roads, ideally with other cyclists. Doing the same will familiarize you with the dynamics of riding with people around you—a comfort that will be valuable on race day.

42 MensHealth.com | March 2017

3/ AEROBARS

When you’re sitting on the saddle with your feet on the pedals, your knees should bend slightly. Sitting too high makes you inefficient; sitting too low undermines your power and can eventually lead to knee pain.

Make sure they’re not too narrow; that creates tension in your neck and upper back and can make you hold your head too high, killing efficiency. The bars’ pads should be set so your upper arm is about perpendicular to your torso when your back is straight.

2/ SEAT Try as many saddles as you can to find one that’s comfortable; a lot of men prefer a split-nose design for anatomical reasons. Remember, the cushioning comes from your bike shorts, not from the seat.

4/ HANDLEBAR Your handlebar or aerobars should not be so low that you don’t have full range of motion in your hips at the top of the stroke, which kills power and efficiency.

BONUS: BUY A BACK WHEEL TRAINER About six weeks into your training program, consider picking up a stationary trainer for your home.

It’ll allow you to use your own bike, and you’ll be able to do specific workouts, such as timed intervals, without having to worry about momentum killers like traffic lights, crazy drivers, and bad weather. Check out the Zwift app (zwift.com) for a fun virtual-reality group ride experience using your smart trainer.

RIDE THIS WAY A weekly high-intensity ride builds fitness fast. Try these three workouts.

7×2 minutes: Seven all-out 2-minute intervals, each followed by 5 minutes of easy riding. Total: 49 minutes O 10×2 minutes: Ten 2-minute intervals consisting of 1 minute at medium effort and 1 minute of hard pedaling, with 2 minutes of easy riding between them and at the end. Total: 40 minutes O 3×12 minutes: Three 12-minute intervals, gradually ramping up the intensity with each one; the third one should be all-out! Take 5 minutes of easy recovery between them and at the end. Total: 51 minutes

Giro Foray MIPS Helmet It weighs a couple of ounces more, sure, but it offers the same protection as that $200plus helmet. $85, giro.com

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The Run

“WHEN I QUIT LOGGING EXCESSIVE JUNK MILES, MY MARATHON TIME FELL TO 3:30.”

TRI MADE AFFORDABLE

Mark Samuel, 40

RUN TALL Slumping saps your efficiency. As you run, think about pushing the top of your head to the sky, which keeps your back straight and chest up.

GAZE AHEAD Looking 30 feet down the road helps your posture and boosts your mental outlook since it keeps you looking forward, not down.

FIND YOUR RHYTHM Imagine the beat of a song that’s at the pace you’d like to keep (ideally 120 beats per minute), and swing your arms rhythmically and compactly to the beat, your arms bent at the elbows.

This helps you set a consistent tempo for your tired legs.

Asics Gel-Noosa Tri FF This tri shoe offers enough support for training, and with race-day specs like a lightweight build and seamless uppers for going sockless, it’ll transition handily at go time. $140, asicsamerica.com

Pearl Izumi Quest Shorts You’ll spend a lot of time in shorts, so choose carefully.

This pair is our pick for comfort. $50, pearlizumi.com

STRIDE RIGHT Your feet should land underneath your body or just out in front of it.

This prevents you from overstriding or understriding, both of which can slow you down.

Lock Laces Don’t want to spring for trispecific run shoes? Swap out your laces for these to save time in the transition from bike to run. $8, locklaces.com

MARCH Each time you stride, slightly exaggerate picking your knee up. That helps you avoid shuffling, which often occurs when you’re tired.

TRI MADE AFFORDABLE

We saved $2,785 buying our gear on Craigslist. Here’s how.

SAVE $525 Blueseventy Helix wetsuit for $275.

26-year period and found that for the Olympic distance, the run is the greatest contributor to the final result. “The best way to build running speed and endurance is to gradually increase the amount of time you spend running,” says Fitzgerald. “Doing most of your

running at low intensity will facilitate this process, but you can accelerate it by running at high intensity once a week.”

Make sure your form is tight, which will help you go faster with less effort, and avoid injury. Above, learn how to cross the finish like a champ.

BUILD STEADY LEGS Once you’re off the bike and ready to pound pavement, your legs will feel like pulp. To prepare for that wobbly feeling and sheer fatigue, triathletes do “brick” workouts. These consist of a long ride—say, 20 miles—followed by a short run—say, 1 or 2 miles. Do two or three brick workouts before each race. These post-ride runs will keep you from experiencing jelly legs come race day.

44 MensHealth.com | March 2017

SAVE $2,100 2014 BMC Timemachine TM02 triathlon bike for $1900.

SAVE $65 New Giro bike helmet for $20.

SAVE $65 New Garmin Forerunner 220 run watch for $135.

TRY A TRI!

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Expires April 1, 2017. Good for events on 4/2, 5/29, 7/8, 8/26, 8/27, and 9/24

S h i g g y I c h i n o m i y a (S a m u e l)

A STRONG RUN IS THE MOST critical leg in the triathlon, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The researchers analyzed individual split times and overall race results of top performing triathletes over a

SAVE $30 Swim kit: men’s swimsuit, goggles, cap, and earplugs for $85.

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Strength

The Core Principles 8 ways training your abs improves your life.

By Mark Barroso The dream of washboard abs is probably the ultimate reason why you suffer through long planks and endless situps. But along the way to that six-pack, you’ll see even bigger benefits.

Here are eight great reasons to stay motivated on ab day.

1/ Own Your Sport Core training makes you a better athlete in just about any strength or speed sport, says Stuart McGill, Ph.D., a professor of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo. That’s because a strong core lets you transfer more power to your limbs so you can punch harder, smash a drive farther, and kick a ball with more force.

BUILD 3D ABS For abs that pop, you’ll need to build them up in the gym and watch your diet to melt the fat that covers them. Learn the surprising new science of eating for fat loss on page 63.

2/ Boost Balance “A strong core keeps your torso in a more stable position whenever you move, whether you’re playing sports or just doing chores,” says sports medicine specialist J. Christopher Mendler, M.D. That helps you avoid injury and makes your movements more efficient. Test your balance: Stand on one leg with your arms extended. If you last 60 seconds, you pass.

4/ Stand Taller

6/ Move Like a Ninja

7/ Control Inflammation

Core training, specifically Pilates, can help you stand up straight. Men who took three hourlong Pilates sessions a week for eight weeks saw significant improvement on a postural stability test, a study in Isokinetics and Exercise Science found.

Doing a combo of core exercises and instability exercises, such as TRX and single-leg moves, can help you become more agile. A study in the journal Kinesiology found that men who did these workouts performed better on the hexagon agility test than those who did traditional bodybuilding moves. Try a variation: Using thick tape, mark a hexagon on the floor with 24-inch sides and about 120-degree angles. Place a 12-inch tape strip in the middle as the starting position. Hit a timer. From the start, double-leg hop to each side of the hexagon and back to the center in a clockwise direction, equaling 12 jumps. Repeat, this time going counterclockwise. You should be able to finish both directions in an equal amount of time. If you can’t, then train your weak direction.

To assess the effect of coreintensive training on inflammation, scientists reviewed eight studies and found that such training could reduce inflammation markers by as much as 25 percent—close to the result you’d see from meds like statins.

That may enhance recovery, well-being, and general health.

5/ Nail a PR 3/ Beat Back Pain

50 MensHealth.com | March 2017

A neglected core is like thin plywood; a strong core is more like a row of 2x4s, giving you a solid platform from which you can lift more weight. “Keeping your core engaged throughout a squat or bench press will increase your power to lift as well as keep your lower back safe,” says Liza Edebor, who trains Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta. Begin each of your heavy strength workouts with 10 minutes of dedicated core training. (See “Finish Your 6-Pack in Just 10 Minutes” on page 116.)

8/ Live Longer A six-pack can keep you from going six feet under—at least anytime soon. That’s what Mayo Clinic researchers concluded when they looked at 11 studies on waist circumference. Men with waists of 43 inches or larger had a 52 percent greater risk of premature death than guys whose waists were 35 inches or smaller. Each 2-inch increase in waist size was associated with a 7 percent bump in death risk.

Y a s u + J u n k o / Tr u n k A r c h i v e

A core-training program can both prevent and control lowerback pain, Canadian research suggests. If you’ve had back trouble, you’ll be better off doing core exercises that keep you still (like side planks) than moves where you fully flex your spine (like situps). Side planks, bird dogs, and curlups are also great alternatives. For more spine-saving info, check out MensHealth.com/fitness/ exercises-to-prevent-back-pain.

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The only super things about some superfoods are the marketing teams behind them.

Food

THE MYTH OF SUPERFOOD Don’t be impressed by products that sound too healthy to be true.

By Caroline Weinberg An incredible new food is helping men across the planet lose weight, add muscle, and even gain sexual stamina. You don’t know about panther berries? Maybe you’ve seen them in the hands of fit Instagram celebs or heard them hawked on satellite radio. Where can you find panther berries?

Nowhere. We made ’em up.

But the “benefits” cited above are not all that different from those of other so-called superfoods like tiger nuts, chia seeds, jackfruit, and coconut water, none of which live up to the hype when you look closely at the research. In fact, the FDA hasn’t defined the term “superfood.” There’s no legal, scientific, or medical definition. As nutritionist Norman Temple, Ph.D., of Athabasca University in Alberta, succinctly puts it, “‘Superfood’ is purely a marketing term.”

That doesn’t mean these foods are bad for you. It’s just that you should look at them with a gimlet eye, as we did.

PH OTO G R A PH S BY L E V I B R OW N

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 53

Food Goji berries are often dried, like raisins, but their flavor is sharper and more bitter.

TIGER NUTS

The Claim These morsels prevent heart attacks, enhance immunity, and improve circulation, and they’re gluten free! (They’re made from neither tigers nor nuts. Presumably the name “Yellow Nutsedge” didn’t have the same allure.)

The Evidence Tiger nuts, also called earth almonds, are actually tubers.

They’re nearly 50 percent carbohydrate, which makes them more starchy, pound for pound, than potatoes. Sure, they have lots of fiber, fatty acids, and minerals—all good stuff—but research on tiger nuts is scarce. One study, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2015, found that tiger nut powder mixed in water increased sexual performance—in male rats.

The Verdict If you’re an impotent rodent, nibble tiger nuts. If you’re human, feel free to try them if you’re curious. They taste vaguely like coconut and are often a major ingredient in horchata, a refreshing beverage that’s popular in Spain and Latin America. Ground tiger nut flour is an alternative to wheat for people with celiac disease.

GOJI BERRIES

54 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Four Easy Ways to Be a Super Eater One food won’t lengthen your life. For that you need a comprehensive plan.

1. EAT PRODUCE AT EVERY MEAL

2. COOK WITH A VARIETY OF OILS

3. FOCUS ON A STEADY, STABLE EATING PLAN

4. REASSESS YOUR SNACKING

Eat 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables a day, the USDA advises, and reap their benefits.

Have a broiled tomato at breakfast, a sliced pear on your ham and cheese, and an after-dinner banana. That’s a start.

“Each type of fat has unique fatty acids,” says dietitian Chris Mohr, Ph.D., R.D. Which one should you cook with?

Match the flavors: butter for eggs, olive oil for Italian dishes, coconut oil for stir-fry.

Beware of cleanses that purport to flush toxins from your body and shrink your gut in days. No solid studies have demonstrated the benefits of detoxes, a 2014 Australian review concluded.

Men, on average, eat 923 empty calories a day, a recent USDA report revealed. Before you snack, ask: “Am I hungry enough to eat an apple?” If you are, eat an apple. If you’re not, don’t eat anything.

F o o d s t y l i n g: B re t t K u r z we i l /A r t D e p a r t m e n t; p r o p s t y l i n g: M e g u m i E m o to/ Anderson Hopkins; icons by HU B ERT TERESZK IE W ICZ

The Claim These little health nuggets can treat diabetes, reverse high blood pressure, promote weight loss, enhance brain activity, boost immunity, battle cancer, and protect against UV damage. Holy cow!

The Evidence Goji berries do have a lot of antioxidants and other nutrients, but those other bold claims don’t stand up to scientific scrutiny.

One widely touted Chinese study from 1994 suggested that combining goji extract with cancer treatment may prolong remission, but the study didn’t contain information needed to prove its accuracy.

The Verdict If you want to add them to yogurt, go ahead—they’ve got fiber, vitamin A, and iron. But they won’t be putting sunscreen companies out of business anytime soon. Plus, at almost $2 an ounce for one organic brand we found, you need to really like the taste.

Nutrition that’s truly delicious.

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Food

WHEATGRASS

The Claim These green shoots fight inflammation and detoxify your liver after you’ve, well, “toxified” it.

Their chlorophyll power is so profound that soaking in a wheatgrass bath boosts blood cell production.

The Evidence Yes, wheatgrass is nutritious, but it’s really nothing special. Its benefits are similar to those of other greens. Studies have suggested that wheatgrass juice may have perks like treating ulcerative colitis. But a 2015 article published in Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry found problems with existing wheatgrass research. Plus, foods and drinks can’t magically “detox” your body—a healthy person’s liver, kidneys, and lungs do that job just fine.

The Verdict Wheatgrass is a fine ingredient for a healthy smoothie, but don’t count on grazing as your major source of vegetables for the day or as a hangover pick-me-up.

POMEGRANATE JUICE

The Claim It eases joint pain! It prevents prostate cancer! It’ll give you a stiffy! It’s the nectar of the gods!

The Evidence Pomegranate seeds are an excellent source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins C and K, but evidence that the fruit provides any benefits beyond what other fruits offer is not convincing, says Diane McKay, Ph.D., of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Most of the perks, including the fiber and vitamin C, come from eating the fruit, not drinking the juice. Some pomegranate juice defenders point to small and/or short-term studies that suggest health benefits, although more research is needed to prove a cause-and-effect connection.

The Verdict Enjoy pomegranate— whole or as a beverage—if you like the taste, but don’t expect special powers. In fact, compared with orange juice or whole fruit, pomegranate products are higher in calories and sugar, and lower in fiber and some vitamins and nutrients.

56 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Yes,wheatgrass is nutritious, but it’s really nothing special. Its benefits are similar to those of other greens.

COCONUT WATER

The Claim It’s “Mother Nature’s sports drink”—more hydrating than water and performance beverages!

The Evidence Coconut water does have important electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. It’s also lower in carbs than Gatorade. But a 2012 study in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism concluded that it doesn’t hydrate any better than a sports drink does.

The Verdict Let Nyree Dardarian, R.D., of Drexel University, spell it out for you: “If your goal is fitness and weight loss, plain water is the best option. I’d recommend coconut water if you’re a recreational athlete who doesn’t like to drink water and prefers flavored drinks.” But if you’re doing exercise that’s more intense, such as marathon training, you’ll need to consume more carbohydrates to fuel smart, she says.

CHIA SEEDS

The Claim Ch-ch-ch-chia seeds provide fiber, calcium, and iron. But the biggie here is heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. One article (not in Men’s Health) trumpeted the fact that chia seeds have nearly eight times the omega-3 content of salmon.

The Evidence Research reviews haven’t found sufficient proof that chia provides any lasting health benefits. Chia seeds contain mostly short-chain fatty acids, which are different from the long-chain form in salmon. While you may be consuming more omega-3s per gram, choosing chia means your body won’t net the boost that salmon offers.

The Verdict The seeds may not have the omega-3 value promised, but they do contain 10 grams of gut-filling fiber per ounce. Blend them into a shake or scatter them into a bowl of yogurt if you have trouble getting enough daily fiber.

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Decode the Fish Counter Twice a week, your protein should come from fresh or salt water. Here’s our guide to smart shopping. Now go fish! By A.C. Shilton

1 2

A fish’s country of origin must be disclosed; it’s an FDA rule. Stick to USA seafood: Reports have revealed worker exploitation and unsanitary processing and storage methods in Asian fisheries, says Norah Eddy, cofounder of Salty Girl Seafood. Also look for the phrase “processed in the United States.”

Some Alaskan salmon is sent to China for processing, a journey that can take more than two weeks before you buy the fish, Eddy says.

58 MensHealth.com | March 2017

2 Keep the Skin On

Fish such as salmon, mackerel, and lake trout bring a healthy dose of omega-3s to the table. Skip the skin and you’re not maxing out on these good fats, says dietitian Robert Lazzinnaro, R.D. Chef Tenney Flynn of GW Fins in New Orleans crisps the skin this way: Melt butter in a pan over medium high. Scale the fish and score the skin in a crosshatch pattern; season both sides. Start skin side down; cook 3 to 4 minutes. Flip. Repeat. Eat.

3 Beware of Deception

A 2016 review by the advocacy group Oceana found that seafood worldwide was mislabeled 19 percent of the time. That means you could be paying steep cod prices for cheap tilapia. The most commonly mislabeled varieties: Asian catfish, hake, and escolar. Ask the fishmonger where the fish is from and how it was caught. If they can’t answer, then they probably don’t know what they’re selling either.

PH OTO G R A PH BY L E V I B R OW N

F o o d s t y l i n g: B re t t K u r z we i l /A r t D e p a r t m e n t; p r o p s t y l i n g: M e g u m i E m o to/A n d e r s o n H o p k i ns

1 Buy American

Food

5

3

4

4 Shop with Your Senses

First, take a look at the fish. Does the flesh or skin appear dry, dull, or dehydrated?

If it’s sold whole, are the eyes murky or cloudy? These are all telltale signs that a fish has been sitting behind the glass for too long, says Eddy. Then ask to smell the fish. Yes, smell it. “Fresh seafood has a briny smell, like the ocean. It does not smell fishy,” Eddy says. If it has a pungent funk, that’s a sign of bacterial decay. Throw it back.

5 Buy the Farm—Sometimes

“Wild caught” used to be the nutritional gold standard. But some farmed seafood, especially shellfish like mussels and clams, can deliver big on nutrition. Plus, they’re sustainable, according to the nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. One exception: salmon. A 2016 British study found that farmed salmon’s payload of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids could be as low as half that of wild-caught salmon.

Bonus: Ice That Baby Fish spoils easily unless it’s properly chilled.

So bring a cooler and ice packs to the store if you’re planning to buy seafood. When you get back home, place your catch (still in its wrapping) in a bowl of ice and stash it in the refrigerator. “For every 10° over 32°F, you shorten the shelf life of the fish by half,” says Flynn. If the ice melts, repeat the process.

Ideally, however, you should eat fresh fish the same day you buy it, Flynn says.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 59

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Weight Loss

SHRINK YOUR GUT WITH GASTROPHYSICS How one meal can change everything you think you know about eating—and overeating.

By Sushma Subramanian So you’re sitting in a booth at a fast-food chicken joint. Maybe you’re there because of a funny commercial you saw on TV, or a nostalgia-induced craving, or it’s convenient and you’re starving. You unwrap the crinkly paper to unveil a squishy bun hugging a warm breast of fried chicken. Sizzling from the kitchen punctures the Top 40 music playing above. The aroma of crisped fat intensifies. You take a bite.

Hmmm. It tastes, well, kind of sucky.

It’s not nearly as juicy as the ad made it look or as delicious as the ones you remember.

Yet you eat, and maybe eat more of it than you should, as if compelled by outside forces.

The truth is, those forces—from the texture of the wrapping to the lightness of the bun to the too-loud pop music—are intentional. Scientists have long known

PH OTO G R A PH BY M AU R I Z I O D I I O R I O

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 63

Weight Loss

that much of what you “taste” when you’re eating isn’t about your palate. A new branch of research is proving the assumption that all of your senses are at play when you eat.

To experience these findings firsthand, I paid a visit to Charles Spence, Ph.D., director of the University of Oxford’s Crossmodal Research Laboratory in London.

Spence, an apple-faced man with a penchant for brightly colored pants, has popularized the term “gastrophysics” to refer to the science behind brain-belly communication.

Spence guided me through a multicourse meal designed by Kitchen Theory, which is kind of a pop-up restaurant-slash-food lab that incorporates Spence’s findings. Each course, prepared by chef Jozef Youssef, was meant to manipulate one of my senses.

Here’s what I learned.

Spence explained that there’s truth to the adage “we eat with our eyes.” When our food loses color, our brain loses context.

How Sight Makes You Fat

3/ Swap Your Dishes Try eating out of a small bowl instead of a big plate. The rim of a plate may fool you into thinking there’s less food than there really is, Spence says. A bowl, especially filled to the top, gives the impression of abundance, possibly leading you to eat less.

A FEAST OF THE SENSES

Charles Spence, Ph.D. (above, left), and Chef Jozef Youssef (above, right) mind-bend diners’ tastebuds.

64 MensHealth.com | March 2017

2/ Look Past the Package People tend to believe that a product in matte packaging is healthier than one in a glossy container, according to Spence.

The nutrition facts are what matter: Always check them when you’re shopping for food.

How Smell Makes You Fat Back in 2000, in his research on iced tea for a food company, Spence made an interesting discovery: When people opened a bottle of iced tea, they thought it smelled evocative. But when they drank the tea, the flavor was far more subdued, disappointing them. Your brain doesn’t like having its predictions be wrong, he says. This may be why a fastfood chicken sandwich smells so good but never seems to deliver.

He also found one way to fix the conflict between smell and taste: adding sugar. That way the tongue experiences the level of flavor it had expected based on scent. For example, peeling back a package of Oreos releases such a potent cookie smell that Nabisco likely had to dial up the sugar to meet expectations.

Photographs by ANDRE W WOFFINDEN

My first course was entirely white. Four appetizers sat atop an ivory platter: a snowy ball, cloudlike cotton candy, colorless globules with the consistency of egg yolk, and a triangular chip with a cuboid topping. With Spence looking on, I was told to eat them in order from sour to salty to bitter to sweet. I went for a chip. Spence asked why.

I told him the topping looked like it was pickled, so it might be sour. Spence suggested that there could be something else going on. Sweetness is typically associated with round shapes (think chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cups). Hard, angled edges (pickle spears, lemon wedges) communicate sourness and bitterness.

But then I bit into the chip. It was sour, yes, but even after Spence told me the topping contained hearts of palm, white onion, lime, and olive oil, I couldn’t taste any of those.

1/ Shut Off the Neon Spence’s research suggests that people are so compelled by color that they trick themselves into tasting what they see. In an experiment he reviewed, for example, many tasters deemed a cherry-flavored soda citrusy because it had a vibrant orange color. So by avoiding processed foods in any hue not found in nature, you can cut down on junk like sugary cereals, Skittles, and boxed mac ’n’ cheese.

Eating fewer calories might be as simple as holding the bowl as you chow down.

1/ Pick Plain Choose regular, no-fruit-onthe-bottom yogurt to cut added sugar. Then add your own berries. Incorporate something that makes you chew longer, like walnuts or almonds, to help reduce your overall calorie intake, says Spence.

2/ Watch the Booze You know beer goggles are a thing, but beer schnozzes? People under the influence of alcohol tend to eat more calories, the journal Obesity reports. Alcohol can sensitize the brain to food aromas, inciting us to eat when we’re not hungry and to overeat. Order your drink with your meal, not before.

3/ Lose the Idea of Scent In 2015, researchers studied a marketing tactic called “smellizing”—that is, encouraging people to think about a product’s smell.

Doing this heightened salivation rates when people looked at a picture of the product. If you think you’re being smell-teased, ask yourself: “Am I really hungry, or are other forces at work?”

How Sound Makes You Fat

P h o to g r a p h b y M A U R I Z I O D I I O R I O

My all-white appetizer led into a course of crisp seaweed spaghetti. The servers gave me a pair of headphones that emitted the sound of people chewing.

The effect was amazing: The pasta seemed crunchier.

Spence says this explains what happens when people pair popcorn and a movie or potato chips and TV. When the loud sounds of your environment match the crunchiness happening inside your mouth, that’s harmony. But that harmony is also what can cause you to snack mindlessly.

1/ Focus on Chewing Try eating a crisp, fresh salad without distractions. The simple sound of chewing will intensify your satisfaction.

2/ Tune Your Fork Fast-food joints play upbeat music for a reason. People tend to synchronize their chewing to the beat, says Spence. Here’s yet another reason to cook at home:

Why is popcorn so perfect with a movie?

When the loud sounds of your environment match the crunchiness happening inside your mouth, that’s harmony.

Playing slower-paced music can help you chew slower and eat less overall. Try some Leon Bridges or Chet Baker.

How Touch Makes You Fat One of the night’s final courses involved whiskey poured into two glasses. The first glass was thick and wide-rimmed with parallel lines up the sides. The second was smaller and lighter with a wide bowl that tapered at the rim. We took a drink from each. “Are they the same or different?” Youssef asked.

My sip from the heavier glass tasted more alcoholic and more pungent. According to Spence, heavy weight conveys bitterness and masculinity. The whiskey from the smaller glass tasted sweeter and more intense, as if its flavors were more concentrated. Turns out, both drinks were Chivas 12.

In a similar experiment, people were served yogurt in two bowls that looked the same but differed in weight. They were asked to hold each bowl while deciding which yogurt might keep them fuller. The heaviest bowl rated higher. The brain associates heft with tastiness.

The inverse may also hold true: When your fast food arrives in lightweight paper, you’re being led to lower your expectations.

1/ Buy Heavy Cutlery Using a heftier knife and fork has been shown to make people rate food as higher in quality than, say, a meal that’s served with plastic utensils.

2/ Cup Your Meal Having oatmeal? Hold the bowl in your hands when you eat.

Feeling the weight has been shown to make you feel fuller faster, since you attribute the heavy feeling to a richer meal.

3/ Eat Slow Food In a Singaporean study, people ate six times more quickly when their food was the “fast” variety (like a smoothie) than when it was “slow” (as in something that’s bitten and chewed).

What’s more, these fast-food eaters ingested 10 to 30 percent more calories than the slowfood eaters, though both groups tended to feel equally full.

After the meal, Spence said something that stuck with me.

“If I had to rank the senses in order of importance for eating, I’d choose sight and smell as most important,” he said. “Then sound and touch. Last is taste.”

Knowing the different ways restaurants and food producers manipulate your senses is your first step toward smarter eating. But it’s in leveraging gastrophysics that you start to tip the scale to your advantage.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 65

Weight Loss

1/ Fat Freezing Inspired by “popsicle panniculitis”—the temporary dimples kids get from sucking on popsicles—researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital created cryolipolysis, or CoolSculpting, in 2008.

During the first hourlong session (several may be needed, and the tab runs upwards of $750 every time you treat an area), the fat in a patient’s problem site is pressed between two cooling plates connected to a vacuum tube. Dermatologist Mathew Avram, M.D., a CoolSculpting advocate, says the freezing of cells stimulates apoptosis, or programmed cell death. After two to three months, says Dr. Avram, the body clears the affected fat cells out of the area. It’s unclear whether they relocate elsewhere in your body or come out when you go to the bathroom.

Dr. Avram cites studies that show that cryolipolysis can provide about a 22 percent reduction in fat-layer thickness. However, that’s only in the treatment area, like a love handle or your spare tire.

DOES IT WORK? It’s not invasive surgery, and it’s FDA approved. Overall, though, the fat loss is “minor at best,” says Michael Roizen, M.D., chair of the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. “As far as getting rid of the fat that’s dangerous to your health, it does nothing.” What’s more, Dr. Katz warns of the potential for infection. “Think of it as frostbite, but on purpose and internally,” he says.

“Cellular debris like that undermines the inner barriers that prevent bacteria from getting into places they don’t belong.” Plus, your fat could return: UCLA researchers found that fat freezing could lead to something called “paradoxical adipose hyperplasia,” an increase in weight in the treated area, in a very small percentage of patients.

2/ Gastric Balloon

Stupid Stuff Guys Do to Lose Weight We found out whether five getslim-quick treatments are really worth trying. By Eric Spitznagel

66 MensHealth.com | March 2017

We’ve been chasing weight loss shortcuts for centuries. From William the Conqueror, who tried a liquid diet after he became too heavy to ride his horse, to Lord Byron, who exercised in layers to sweat off pounds, men have always been drawn to radical slimdown schemes. “They provide a sense of both risk and control,” says Sander Gilman, Ph.D., the author of Fat Boys and Obesity.

Do any lose-weight-quick tricks actually do the trick? Sometimes. But as David Katz, M.D., director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, points out, “A cocaine binge will result in weight loss, but that doesn’t make it a good idea.” We don’t eat tapeworms or use vibrating belts anymore, but here are five crazy things some guys try.

You know that uncomfortably full feeling that sets in after a big meal? That’s the idea behind the gastric balloon, which can cost $5,000 to $7,000. A silicone balloon is placed into your stomach endoscopically through a tube, or you swallow it in a pill that’s tethered to a small catheter. Then the balloon is inflated to roughly the size of a grapefruit.

“It’s sort of like eating a big Thanksgiving dinner, and the ‘Thanksgiving full’ feeling doesn’t leave your stomach,” says Vladimir Kushnir, M.D., director of bariatric endoscopy at Washington University in St. Louis. Temporary side effects can include vomiting, nausea, cramping, and discomfort. But once your body acclimates to the balloon, there aren’t many restrictions: just no rugby or kickboxing or any activity that could get you punched in the gut.

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DOES IT WORK? This procedure isn’t for minor toning. It’s for people who need to lose 25 pounds or more. Dr. Kushnir, who was involved in clinical trials of the Obalon intragastric balloon (the swallowable pill form, recently approved by the FDA), says it’s typical for patients to lose 25 percent of their excess weight. “On rare occasions, someone will drop more than 50 pounds,” he says. It isn’t a magic bullet, he warns, but should be considered just a tool to supplement weight loss efforts.

Christine Ren-Fielding, M.D., a professor and chief of bariatric surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, says the balloon is more of a weight loss jumpstart.

Dr. Katz is more skeptical: “It can cause atrophy of the stomach lining or even rupturing of the stomach,” he says. The balloon comes out after six months, and patients are encouraged to keep meeting with their program dietitian to reinforce the healthy behaviors they learned. But as with any weight loss procedure, success depends on your ability to maintain a low-calorie diet.

“About a half hour after you eat, you just open up a tube and pour out the contents from your stomach into the toilet bowl.” clarifies. “But it’s vastly safer than smoking cigarettes. If people are reluctant to quit smoking because they’re afraid of the slight weight gain...what we’ve seen seems to indicate that vaping could help.”

But not gaining a few pounds as you try to give up cigarettes is very different from real weight loss. “This is about smokers making choices that are less destructive. No one is recommending that nonsmokers take up vaping,” Glover says. Plus, vaping may have serious health consequences. Researchers at UC San Diego have discovered that e-cig vapor can be toxic to the cells lining human organs, causing DNA damage that could conceivably lead to cancer.

3/ Vaping Diet programs like Slissie and the Vapor Diet promise to curb hunger cravings with artificial flavor vapors. There are roughly 450 e-cigarette brands, with flavors ranging from black licorice and cheesecake to pizza and, yes, Katy Perry’s Cherry. The Vapor Diet starts at around $100, and then you pay $65 a month for refill bottles.

DOES IT WORK? Researchers in New Zealand who recently examined the idea came to a less-than-resounding conclusion: maybe. Marewa Glover, Ph.D., an associate professor of public health at Massey University, says vaping may help smokers who’ve recently quit cigarettes avoid weight gain, but more research is needed. “The long-term health risks of vaping are yet to emerge,” she

4/ Stomach Draining Have you ever finished a big meal and then thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if I could open a valve in my stomach and just drain out a third of what I’ve eaten, like the most disgusting beer keg ever?” Of course you haven’t, but this technology exists anyway and is marketed as AspireAssist.

“It’s basically a tube that’s surgically inserted into your abdomen,” says Dr. RenFielding. A port valve remains outside your body, flush against the skin, like a new orifice (that costs between $8,000 and $10,000). “About a half hour after you eat, you just open up a tube and pour out a third of the contents—about 30 percent of the calories—from your stomach into the toilet

Ask the Weight Loss Coach Valerie Berkowitz,

M.S., R.D.

68 MensHealth.com | March 2017

5/ Body Wrap The Thermojet Morfologic is a body wrap treatment purported to help you burn thousands of calories by emitting infrared rays that stimulate your metabolism.

With this spa treatment, you lie on a table for an hour with your arms, legs, and abdomen wrapped in silicone pads heated to temperatures just below intolerable. The idea is to sweat, and you’ll feel like you’re in a sleeping bag filled with warm ricotta.

DOES IT WORK? If sweating off the pounds sounds too good to be true, that’s probably because it is. Dr. Katz calls the Thermojet body wrap “utter hooey,” adding, “There is certainly no science behind it.” In the name of due diligence, I tried the treatment myself. I lost exactly 1 pound, which I promptly regained by morning. I also showered four times in the 48 hours following my body wrap treatment, because I felt like I was constantly sweating. If you want to sweat away weight, vigorous exercise is a much better choice.

S teven Paul (Berkowit z)

I know gobbling food is bad, but I only have 15 minutes to eat dinner between work and my kid’s soccer practice. Any advice?

Why squeeze in dinner? Work and sports are important, but so is a relaxing, savor-your-food meal. When you chew food well, your brain can register fullness. Grab a snack to tide you over: a protein drink, organic turkey jerky, hard-boiled eggs, or a plain Greek yogurt. After practice, go home, sit down, breathe deeply, and have a slow, pleasurable meal. To make this work, cook extra on the weekend so you have leftovers to heat and eat. Or toss fish and precut vegetables on the grill for a 10-minute, mess-free meal. Valerie Berkowitz is director of nutrition at the Center for Balanced Health in New York City.

bowl,” Dr. Ren-Fielding says. You are, in effect, pooping out of your stomach.

DOES IT WORK? Ongoing clinical trials suggest that it does. The FDA has approved AspireAssist for adults with BMIs between 35 and 55. Average weight loss among the 200-pound participants was 12.1 percent of their body weight, versus 3.5 percent for those on diet alone, says Louis Aronne, M.D., of the Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, who helped with the trials.

“Then they maintained the weight loss by using the device intermittently,” he says.

The AspireAssist has a safety feature that tracks the drainage, and it automatically stops working after 115 cycles (five to six weeks). The device might help men modify their behavior, Dr. Ren-Fielding says.

“When you use this device, you can’t just gobble food,” she says. “Because then it’ll be in thick globs and won’t fit through the tube.” You have to learn how to chew more slowly—a smart habit for anyone.

Dr. Katz calls aspiration therapy “metabolic mayhem.” When you’re pumping out those excess calories, he says, “there’s no way of controlling your nutritional balance.”

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Style

BEARD Beard hair is much thicker than leg hair and requires almost triple the force to cut.

LEG

Beard hairs grow about 0.4 millimeter every day. But white beard hair grows at more than twice that rate.

BROWN HAIR WHITE HAIR

Early man used shark’s teeth; today’s guys use ultrathin (0.075 millimeter) blades.

100%

An average shave is 170 strokes using a multiblade razor.

60% Beard hair’s density ranges from 20 to 80 follicles per square centimeter.

FORCE Hydrated beard hair is less stiff; after your beard has had four minutes of contact with water, you need 40 percent less force to cut it. That’s why showering before shaving is a smart idea.

Sources: British Journal of Dermatology, International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Procter & Gamble

SCIENCE OF SMOOTH Today’s cuttingedge technology makes the art of shaving easier than ever. By Jon Roth

I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y T O D D D E T W I L E R

Moisturized, scrubbed skin ensures better lubrication, so the razor is less likely to snag or burn your skin.

There are really only two good reasons to shave daily—power and sex. One survey found that men with mustaches were less likely to hold management positions. And a study from Gillette and Tinder revealed that clean-shaven men received 37 percent more Tinder matches than their furry rivals.

Yet despite the promise of corporate success and romance, the fact remains that shaving isn’t fun: Only 12 percent of men always make it through a razor-

to-face encounter without irritation of some sort, according to Gillette.

For the other 88 percent of us, there’s help: The shaving industry is responding to men’s needs in ways that used to apply only to women. “There are so many problem-specific products on the market that every guy can and should have a shave routine tailored specifically to his facial hair,” says dermatologist Filamer Kabigting, M.D., of Columbia University Medical Center.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 71

Style

TYPE 1

TYPE 2

TYPE 3

Light & Patchy

Moderate & Even

Thick & Coarse

Men who are somewhat hairy have to deal with curliness— the first stop on the road to ingrown hairs. If you shave against the grain, the hairs can grow back into the skin, causing irritation and possible infection.

Not good. You want to go with the grain, Dr. Kabigting says.

“Pat your cheeks, chin, and neck to determine the path of least resistance,” he says. Then use a brush to lift the hairs so they’re easier to cut. The Art of Shaving Power Brush 1 ($40,

If you have a noon o’clock shadow, you need to focus on softening the growth and using the right tools. Start with a hot shower—the longer you soak your stubble, the softer it’ll get. Then rub on Kiehl’s Smooth Glider Precision Shave Lotion 1 ($16, kiehls.com).

Its oil-infused formula helps your razor ride smoothly across the skin, and it’s transparent so you’re able to see the spots you missed. Multiblade cartridges work on dense beards too,

Facial hair that’s fine and sparse is relatively easy to shave.

The downside? It usually comes with sensitive skin, says Matty Conrad of Victory Barber in Victoria, British Columbia.

Head off post-shave irritation three ways, starting with Harry’s Foaming Shave Gel 1 ($4, harrys. com) to soften your stubble. It’ll moisturize and rejuvenate your skin with natural aloe vera and cucumber. Next, go electric: “An electric razor is ideal for fine hair,” Conrad says.

“It gets close to the

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skin while minimizing irritation.” The pivoting head on the Braun Series 9 9290cc Shaver 2 ($490, braun.com) adapts to your face’s contours and is gentler on skin than a razor. Plus, it’s waterproof so you can use it in the shower— if you must. If you have dry skin, finish up with an alcoholfree aftershave.

Brickell Instant Relief After Shave 3 ($13, brickell mensproducts.com) contains hydrating aloe vera and coconut to keep your skin from drying out.

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Haircuts on Call 72 MensHealth.com | March 2017

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theartofshaving. com) was reported to reduce ingrown hairs by as much as two-thirds. Then rub on Dr. Carver’s Easy Shave Butter ($8, dollarshaveclub. com) to prep stubble for harvest. The Gillette Fusion Proshield Chill Razor 2 ($9 and up, gillette. com) has two lubricating strips and five superthin blades. If you’re still plagued by ingrown hairs, try Jack Black Bump Fix 3 ($25, getjack black.com). Lactic and salicylic acids exfoliate dead skin to free trapped hairs.

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but if you’re prone to ingrown hairs or irritation, use a singleblade safety razor, says Tyler Hollmig, M.D., a dermatologist with Stanford Health Care. It’ll likely shave at the surface—not below, which can lead to irritation and bumps, he says. Baxter of California 2 ($65, baxterofcalifornia. com) has one that’ll last a lifetime. After you rinse, Proraso After Shave Balm 3 ($16, amazon. com) will soothe and hydrate your cleanshaven face with aloe vera extract.

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If you can get a meal, a car, or even a big-screen TV on demand, why should you spend your precious weekend time in a barbershop? The app Shortcut will send a barber to your office or home for a cut between meetings or before a Saturday night date. No traveling to the barbershop. No waiting for your turn in the chair. So far, it’s only available in New York City and Los Angeles, but something tells us this one’s going to travel—fast. Clipper cuts start at $40. getshortcut.co

Health Want to be that smiley face at the end? Then help your doctor get the ball rolling.

THE DEADLY MEDICAL MISTAKE YOU CAN AVOID You’re bound to get a botched call at least once in your life, and it can kill you. Here’s a doctor’s guide to staying safe.

By Paul Bergl, M.D.

PH OTO G R A PH S BY JA M I E C H U N G

Martin is a healthy 38-year-old. One day he cuts his workout short because he feels winded. The same thing happens over the next several days, and he develops a fever.

At an urgent care office, Martin is diagnosed with viral bronchitis and given an inhaler. He gets worse and goes back a few days later. This time he receives a chest x-ray and a new diagnosis: pneumonia. He’s prescribed antibiotics. On a third trip, he receives different antibiotics.

Six weeks after that first disrupted workout, Martin goes to the emergency room.

There, an astute clinician asks Martin if he spends much time outdoors. Actually, he’d been on a weeklong hiking and fishing trip before getting sick. Further testing reveals an uncommon fungal infection of the lungs.

The diagnosis comes just in time.

These kinds of cases are more common than you might think. I know because I’m an internal medicine doctor. We miss diagnoses all the time. Last year, researchers at Johns Hopkins made the bold claim that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease and cancer. While some critics thought this estimate was inflated, health professionals tend to agree on one point: Medical errors are more common than they should be.

The medical community has become more attentive to errors during the past two decades. Electronic record systems can flag medication interactions. Before any surgical procedure, the surgeon marks his or her initials where the scalpel will go. Yet a silent epidemic of a particular type of medical screwup persists: the diagnostic error.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 75

Health

If someone drops the ball, a scary chain of events can follow.

Ways to Slip Up During a typical doctor’s office visit, you probably describe your symptoms, get examined, and maybe go for tests. The doctor must then decode this information—which essentially amounts to a puzzle—and consolidate it into a solution. The conclusion of the process is the diagnosis: a label, often a loose working theory (or set of theories) describing what’s bothering you. Sometimes this process goes wrong. Diagnostic errors fall into three main types: Misdiagnosis. Your physician applies the wrong label or name to your symptoms.

Delayed diagnosis. Your physician had the information to promptly label your problem but didn’t act until your symptoms were unmistakable.

Missed diagnosis. Your physician completely neglected to consider a certain condition that explained your symptoms.

Diagnostic errors frequently fly under the radar. Take Martin’s case. Was it even possible for the doctor at the urgent care facility to diagnose Martin with an uncommon infection when the initial symptoms were so consistent with those of a runof-the-mill cold? How about the second physician? The third?

Perhaps Martin should bear part of the responsibility since he didn’t disclose the key clue—the wilderness trip—earlier. Many cases aren’t cut-and-dried.

Are You at Risk?

How Mistakes Happen

Proper diagnosis is arguably the most critical element of patient care. A flawed assumption about your condition at the outset will inform all the treatment that follows. Beyond the obvious—your life could be at stake—are other important consequences. Flawed evaluations can breed skepticism in health care. A botched diagnosis could sabotage your trust in your provider and any future doctors you might consult. And, of course, if you’re sent down the wrong path, you’ll take a financial hit.

Studies suggest that diagnostic errors occur in 10 to 15 percent of cases, whether in clinics, emergency departments, or hospitals. These rates haven’t budged despite impressive advances in medical technology, so don’t think fancy genetic testing or pricey MRIs offer infallible protection against a bad diagnosis.

What’s more, don’t assume that only rare diseases are missed; in fact, the opposite is more likely. Most errors happen with patients who have relatively common conditions.

Doctors are human. They get tired, hungry, depressed, confused, and annoyed. They can be rushed, working in chaotic settings. They forget things.

Some things they never learned.

Some doctors are overconfident; others are too tentative.

It helps to understand how a diagnostician’s mind works.

When you describe a problem, your doctor relies on two types of reasoning. First, there’s a fast-acting circuit that leans on snap judgments. A second process is more deliberate and ana-

76 MensHealth.com | March 2017

lytical. But both circuits can short out. The “snap judgment” system is especially vulnerable to bias. The second, more deliberate system seems more foolproof, but overthinking your case can also send you both in the wrong direction.

How Can You Avoid Diagnostic Error?

You can’t change a doctor’s mood, memory, or fatigue level, and you can’t know whether he or she is keeping up on the latest research. But you can keep yourself safe in other ways. Read on.

Prop st yling: Angela Campos/Stockland Mar tel

The Cost of Inaccuracy

1/ Find an attentive doctor.

Doctors tend to be influenced by past test results and labels attached to an illness. It’s called “diagnostic momentum,” and it can sometimes close a doctor’s mind about your care.

Say you have chest pain and worry that it’s a heart problem.

If you also have an anxiety disorder, that label could make your doctor think the pain is all in your head, particularly if other providers you’ve seen have drawn the same conclusion. If you sense that your doctor has strong preconceptions about you, seek another opinion.

In my experience, keen diagnosticians are curious, patient, willing to carefully examine their patients, and have a healthy dose of skepticism and humility. You should also seek out the most experienced provider you can find, possibly at an academic or specialty medical center. If your doctor has a “not my area, not my problem” approach, go elsewhere.

2/ Prepare for your visits.

Jot down notes and questions before your appointment. Even cool-and-collected types forget things. There is a misconception that physicians are annoyed by patients who google their symptoms and self-diagnose. For the most part, they don’t mind; it’s all in how you frame your questions. Don’t say: “Hey, I found this disease online, and I’m certain I have it. So please send me for blood work and a CT scan.”

Instead, gently inquire about what you’ve read online; your

If you’re confrontational or antagonistic, you’re not helping. Research shows that doctors make more mistakes when they’re dealing with “difficult” patients. doctor should consider it. In addition, keep a list of meds you take and save the results of your cardiac stress tests and scans (CT and MRI) and most blood work. Use a mobile or cloudbased app or even a simple Word document or spreadsheet.

3/ Explain your symptoms in a clear, logical way.

Clinicians are trained to zero in on the first symptom you mention. If you have multiple problems that you think might be related, say so up front. Then give a chronological account of what you’re experiencing, referring to a calendar if possible. Doctors view the passing of time itself as a diagnostic clue.

Use similes to describe symptoms: “My stomach feels like something is chewing at it,” for example. Otherwise, doctors may try to translate your complaints into their own parlance, at least mentally, in an example of “ascertainment bias,” or looking for what they expect to find. They just want to categorize your symptoms in order to whittle down the possibilities.

Don’t settle for medicalese; keep at it until you’re both on the same wavelength.

Illustration by REMIE GEOFFROI

This One Might Hurt Seeking help for a headache can turn into a whole other headache.

Here’s how to find relief faster.

4/ Ask what else it could be.

A “diagnostic timeout” is a powerful way to avoid errors.

In studies, doctors admit that sometimes the diagnosis simply never crossed their mind.

The simple question “What else could this be?” may help your doctor out of a rut by avoiding two common traps. “Premature closure” is when a case is seen as open-and-shut and the doctor essentially turns off his or her brain. “Confirmation bias” refers to seeking only the information that bolsters the current theory and ignoring the rest.

Experts agree that being open about uncertainty is key. If you get the sense that ego is preventing your doctor from expressing doubt, find a new provider.

5/ Know which tests you’re getting and why.

A blind stab at your case can be just as dangerous as an utterly incorrect diagnosis. Your doctor should be able to explain why a certain test is needed, how influential the results will be, and what your alternatives are. In other words, the doctor should know the possibilities and also articulate the most efficient way to arrive at a diagnosis.

6/ Never assume that no news is good news.

Here’s a shocker: One significant cause of diagnostic error is failure to follow up on abnormal test results. As a patient, you’re entitled to timely disclosure of test results. If you spot an abnormality in blood work or on an x-ray report that doesn’t seem to faze your doctor, speak up.

7/ Be respectful.

If you’re confrontational or antagonistic, you’re not helping.

Research shows that docs make more mistakes when they’re dealing with “difficult” patients.

Try to stay calm and cordial. It’s okay to express emotions and frustrations, and there are times when you absolutely need to advocate for yourself. But realize that negative vibes will muddy your doctor’s thought processes.

8/ Remember that you’re in the driver’s seat.

Since the dawn of medicine, the patient has literally sat in the center of the diagnostic process. If you feel you aren’t being heard, seek a second opinion.

Dr. Bergl practices medicine in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For men with chronic headaches, the journey to diagnosis can be circuitous: Four out of five migraine sufferers are misdiagnosed with sinusitis, research shows. For people with agonizing cluster headaches, a correct diagnosis usually takes three years. That’s partially because many headaches activate your cranial-autonomic pathway, triggering a runny nose and watery eyes. With these symptoms, you may understandably see an ear, nose, and throat doctor instead of a headache specialist, says Peter Goadsby, M.D., Ph.D., a headache neurologist at King’s College London.

You can help your doctor (and yourself) by keeping a headache diary. Write down everything, “and don’t just get trapped by the most obvious symptoms,” Dr. Goadsby says. Note whether the pain is one-sided and whether you feel queasy or sensitive to light, sounds, and scents. —JULIE STEWART

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 77

Health

Put Your Best Foot Forward

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They hold you upright and get you where you need to go. Keep ’em walking and avoid these seven foot fails. By Julie Stewart Extra pounds. Crusty socks. Do your feet deserve this mistreatment? As you emerge from winter hibernation, remember the crucial role your feet play in keeping you active. “They’re the only body parts that are almost always in contact with the ground,” says podiatrist Duane J. Ehredt Jr., D.P.M. They tell your brain where you are in space. So when something feels wrong, don’t ignore it.

“It’s the subtle, nagging injuries men put off that become chronic problems,” says Dr. Ehredt. And if your feet aren’t in top shape, your whole body suffers. We’ve got the fixes.

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THE PROBLEM

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THE PROBLEM

Fungus

Bunions

Hammertoe

Foot/Ankle Arthritis

Athlete’s foot isn’t just an irksome itch; it’s a fungal infection that can turn your skin scaly. Fungi can also invade your nails, making them yellow and chalky. Either condition can progress to a more severe infection, says dermatologist Evan Rieder, M.D., of NYU School of Medicine.

ATTACK PLAN Foot fungus can be notoriously hard to treat because it can return and spread; you’re better off preventing it. Fungi befriend your feet in warm, moist environments, like sweaty shoes, so sprinkle some Zeasorb Athlete’s Foot, a powder with the antifungal miconazole nitrate, into your shoes and on your feet before workouts, Dr. Rieder says. If you’re already infected, don’t mess around. Ask your doctor for a prescription antifungal product.

Bad shoes or genetics can cause a realignment of the joint at the base of your big toe, which bends sideways and can crowd other digits.

Every step is like closing a door on a crooked hinge. “We can’t predict how fast a bunion will progress,” says orthopedist Judith Baumhauer, M.D. ATTACK PLAN Bunions can be corrected surgically, but it’s a tough operation. The surgeon has to crack the bone and straighten it, which is as painful as it sounds. Patients need weeks of post-op care and won’t see the full benefit for several months. It’s a last-resort option for people whose bunions interfere with daily life or make wearing most shoes impossible. For mildly painful bunions, try wider shoes or even toe spacers; let painless bunions be.

This is a toe (usually the second or third) that bends in the middle joint in a clawlike Z shape. It happens when your toes are jammed into shoes that don’t fit properly, or if you have muscle imbalances in your feet that keep your toes from straightening when you walk.

ATTACK PLAN Wear shoes with roomy toe boxes, says Michiganbased orthopedic surgeon James Jastifer, M.D. “You can even have a shoe repair shop stretch the forefoot of your current shoes,” he says. But don’t just stretch your shoes—keep your toes flexible so they don’t end up locked into a permanent deformity. Set a tennis ball on the floor and attempt to grip it and lift it with your toes every time you work out.

Your feet are feats of engineering— each one has 26 bones and 33 tiny joints. Over time, especially if you’ve had a foot injury, joint cartilage deteriorates and bones can grind together. It’s often a dull pain that eases up once you stop walking and rest, says Dr. Baumhauer.

ATTACK PLAN Vary your workout routine to include exercise that’s easy on your lower limbs, like swimming. People in a University of Texas study who swam three days a week experienced a reduction in arthritis pain and stiffness. (For swimming tips, see page 39.) Since you can’t (and shouldn’t) stay off your feet all the time, make sure your walking and running shoes are supportive.

Switch them out after you’ve walked about 400 miles in them.

78 MensHealth.com | March 2017

THE PROBLEM

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THE PROBLEM

MH Tested

Our editors have the lowdown on three foot-hugging insoles.

THE CLASSIC

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Superfeet Premium Shoe Insoles “Like many guys with office jobs, I have tight hips. My physical therapist checked my hip mobility and confirmed it. Then he handed me these insoles. I slid them into my shoes and walked around a bit. When he retested, my mobility was much better. I still do the hip exercises prescribed by my PT, but the insoles help me maintain my form and avoid injury.” $45, superfeet.com —MICHAEL EASTER, FITNESS EDITOR

THE SECRET MASSEUSE

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Illustrations by G A RY W I LLI A M M USG R AV E

THE PROBLEM

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THE PROBLEM

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THE PROBLEM

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Plantar Warts

Flat Feet

Heel Pain

Rough spots on your soles? No biggie. But if a callus encircles black specks and hurts when it’s pinched, it’s probably a plantar wart. These grow inward after an HPV virus infiltrates the skin, says Tracey Vlahovic, D.P.M., a podiatrist who specializes in treating plantar warts.

ATTACK PLAN Your mom was right—wear shower shoes! The floors of locker rooms and decks of swimming pools are petri dishes. If you develop a wart anyway, apply a wart remover with 40 percent salicylic acid. (A weaker concentration won’t do the trick.) Wart still kicking? See a dermatologist or podiatrist. Today’s docs don’t just freeze warts. Many inject the lesions with yeast to stimulate your immune system to heal warts from within.

Sometimes hip pain and back pain actually originate with flat feet. “The foot is a complex body part, one we understand the least,” says physical therapist Douglas Kechijian, D.P.T. If your foot is unstable or misaligned, joints and muscles elsewhere in your body overcompensate.

ATTACK PLAN Ask a trainer or physical therapist to perform a functional movement test to see how your feet, legs, and hips move. The PT can also massage your foot (yes, please!) to relieve tension. Then hit a specialty shoe store to find the size and styles that are best for your arch. “Shoes are like tires on a car; you get what you pay for,” says Dr. Ehredt. Insoles can also even you out. (See “MH Tested,” right, for three road-testers’ reviews.)

If your heels hurt or you feel a stabbing pain with each step, plantar fasciitis could be the reason. Your plantar fascia is that taut band on the underside of your foot that connects your heel and toes. It’s easily agitated, whether you’re a runner or just stand a lot.

ATTACK PLAN Lay off your dogs—but not for long. “A pet peeve of mine is the notion that this just needs to be rested,” says sports medicine physician Mederic Hall, M.D. Immobilization will weaken your feet and ankles, which puts more strain on your fascia. Instead, strengthen your foundation with physical therapy, says Dr. Hall. To relieve pain, freeze a water bottle and roll your hooves on it for three to five minutes twice a day.

PH OTO G R A PH BY JA M I E C H U N G

AlignMed Full-Range Insoles “The initial delight of wearing most insoles fades as your tired feet become accustomed to them.

That didn’t happen with these. They contain gel that moves through channels as you step. It feels like you’re getting a nonstop foot massage, even after you’ve been wearing them for weeks. They also lend an overall feeling of stability and balance.” $49, alignmed.com —JOE KITA, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

THE CUSTOM FIT

Wiivv customizable 3D printed insoles “Walking or standing for long periods of time always left my heels and the balls of my feet sore.

I have high arches, so gel inserts do little to stop the source of my pain. But these custom-fit orthotic inserts feature foam and a moisture-wicking fabric, all molded to your specs.

Within hours of sliding these into my shoes, I noticed less foot pain and pressure.” $89, wiivv.com —MIKE WILSON, COPY EDITOR

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 79

OF

WALL

That precious 401(k) will be worthless to you if you die early. To secure your future, follow these training tips from the fittest men in the financial world.

BY JOE KITA PHOTOGRAPHS BY AARON RICHTER

Mark Rubin, the fittest man on Wall Street.

IN

Manhattan’s Bowling Green Park sits a 7,000-pound bronze sculpture called Charging Bull. It has become a symbol of financial strength. About 4 miles away, in the midtown offices of ICAP overlooking Bryant Park, sits another sculpted bull—a 230-pounder. This one is called Mark Rubin, and he too has become a symbol of financial strength after winning the D10 Decathlon in New York City for the past five years and with it, the title of Fittest Man on Wall Street.

Now if you think the financial world is filled with fat cats, you may want to rethink your position because this decathlon (set for June 10 in 2017) features a portfolio of blue-chip bodies. In just over four hours, competitors do a 400-meter run, football throw, pullups, a 40-yard dash, dips, a 500-meter row, vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle, bench press, and 800-meter run. That means they have to find time to train for 10 events while working 50-plus hours a week at high-stress jobs that often require entertaining clients with massively caloric steakhouse lunches.

How do these guys stay bullish with their training and manage consistent growth? Whatever your fitness goal, let Rubin and other top Wall Street decathletes show you how to achieve it.

Mark Rubin

MARKET LEADER

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VP/FUTURES SALES TRADER ICAP

WORKING CAPITAL Age 31, 6'3", 230 pounds,

8% body fat 52-WEEK HIGH First place overall in the D10 Decathlon for the fifth consecutive year, raising a total of $75,000 in those five years to benefit pediatric cancer research.

PROSPECTUS No matter how many more decathlons Rubin wins or how rich and successful he becomes, it’s unlikely he’ll ever eclipse his victory over Michael Phelps at age 14. “He was in my age group at a regional swim meet,” Rubin recalls. “I beat him in the 50 and 100 freestyle and was the number one swimmer in the country in those events.” Nonetheless, Rubin decided to pursue football and went on to win two Big Ten championships as a Penn State safety before briefly playing for the St. Louis Rams.

Now Rubin sits behind a desk for up to 12 hours a day trading several hundred million dollars’ worth of securities in a global electronic market. “It’s a rush,” he says, one that requires mental agility, physical endurance, and focus. And that’s precisely what makes him so special. In an environment that would reduce most men to flab in less than a year, he manages to invest in his body regularly and never lets his fitness level crash.

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Rubin’s Rules of Smart Investment Invest consistently and incrementally. “No matter how busy I am, I do something active daily, even if it’s just a half hour of yoga, 45 minutes on the treadmill, or a 20-minute jog outside,” he says. “When you miss a day or two and then try to catch up, that’s when you injure yourself. My favorite short workout is a 2-mile warmup on the treadmill followed by 10 to 20 sprints, 30 seconds on/30 seconds off. I’m done in half an hour.”

Invest for the long term. “I try to eat lots of lean protein and vegetables, but if I indulge at a client dinner, I keep the big picture in mind,” Rubin says. “One day of not eating the best food or not being able to work out isn’t going to kill my training program.”

Adapt to market conditions. “Because of my schedule, I never know how many times a week I’ll be able to get to the gym and lift,” he says. “So I don’t alternate upper- and lower-body workouts like most guys. I do full-body whenever I get the chance.”

Meet all regulations. Decathlon judges levy penalties for violating the rules. So Rubin is a stickler for consistency and proper form, especially as he gets older and efficiency becomes more important. “My gym has a mirror,” he says, “and I practice my form while doing dips, pullups, and rows.”

Decide on an investment strategy. “I set specific goals for every event,” Rubin says.

“Always have a game plan. When you’re unprepared, emotion and adrenaline take over and pretty soon you’re off track. It’s no different than a trading day.”

Insider Training WALL STREET DECATHLETES SHARE THEIR STAY-FIT SECRETS.

Collin Zych

Michael Ortiz

Nick Fincher

Adam Katz

28 VICE PRESIDENT GREENHILL COGENT

33 STRATEGIST/VP MORGAN STANLEY

31 VP/ACCOUNT MANAGER PIMCO

40 PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR MERRILL LYNCH

Do “deadmill” sprints. “When I’m on the road and workout time is limited, I set the hotel treadmill to a slight incline, pull the plug, grip the handles, and use my legs to push the belt as fast as I can for 20 seconds. Then I rest for 40 seconds, and keep repeating.”

Give yourself an excuse to go home. “To prevent overindulging on Friday night, I book a workout with others for Saturday morning.”

Extend the intervals. “My favorite workout is running a 5K at threshold, resting for 30 minutes, and then running a 10K at threshold. Muscles get used to fatigue while building endurance.”

Use the “why” mantra. “For motivation, find your ‘why.’ Whether it’s to see what you’re made of, to inspire others, or to raise money for charity, repeat it when you’re considering the snooze button.”

Lose weight with chia seeds.

“Their fiber keeps me full so I don’t overeat. I put them in my a.m. shake and on my afternoon salad.

They’ve helped me lose and keep off almost 100 pounds.”

Bench with dumbbells. “Using a bar with a wide grip stresses your joints. I used to bench 225 for 33 reps, but I ended up having shoulder surgery. Now I exclusively use dumbbells in training.”

Simplify, simplify. “I never go to the gym. Instead I do 220 pushups every day in 4 sets of 55: I do the first set when I get up, the second before I get dressed, the third when I arrive home from work, and the fourth before bed. It takes me 4 minutes total.

I also do 20 to 25 pullups every day using Fat Gripz to build forearm and hand strength. Plus I row twice a week. That’s it.”

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 83

Can You Beat the Fittest Man on Wall Street?

HERE’S MARK RUBIN’S WINNING PERFORMANCE IN THE 2016 D10 DECATHLON IN NEW YORK CITY. CAN YOU DO BETTER?

5 DIP 90-degree angle, full extension

59

REPS

3 PULLUP Full extension at bottom, chin over bar, palms away, no kipping

1 400-METER RUN 1 lap of a track

54.72

32

REPS

5

3 4

2 1

2 4 FOOTBALL THROW

40-YARD DASH

Longest of three tries

Faster of two tries

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5.03

YA R D S

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500-METER ROW

20-YARD SHUTTLE

On the Concept 2, any damper setting. Rubin uses a unique pulling technique (shown); pulling the bar to chest is more common.

Faster of two tries: Run 5 yards in one direction, touch line, run 10 yards in opposite direction, touch line, run 5 yards back past the start line

4.17

1:19.3 6

9

9 BENCH PRESS

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175 pounds 10

7

41

REPS

10 7

800METER RUN

VERTICAL JUMP

Two laps of track

Higher of two tries, single-foot takeoff

2:20.7

38

INCHES

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y +I S M

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 85

INSIDER TRAINING

Michael Bissmeyer 38 DIRECTOR RBC CAPITAL MARKETS

Throw a bomb. “To strengthen my arm for the football throw [79 yards is his best], I simulate the throwing motion on a cable machine at the gym: 3 to 4 sets of 12 reps with 30 pounds.”

Clinton Biondo 37 MANAGING DIRECTOR FIR TREE PARTNERS

Melvis Langyintuo 27 GLOBAL MACRO TRADER GOLDMAN SACHS

Create time-tailored workouts.

“To squeeze training into a busy schedule, have specific regimens to fit 15-, 30-, 45-, and 60-minute time frames. So when some time opens in your day, even if it’s only a half hour, you can exercise at a moment’s notice.”

John Osbon 65 FOUNDER/ MANAGING PARTNER OSBON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT Take up ballet. “It’s the hardest thing you will ever do, and also the most fun and beneficial. You’ll develop body awareness and move with more purpose and control, plus you’ll extend your range of motion and become more powerful. With ballet, sports become easier. It’s all about effortless excellence.”

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Michael Greco FIXED-INCOME SALES KGS-Alpha Capital Markets

WORKING CAPITAL Age 29, 6'3", 235 pounds,

MARKET LEADER

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Randy Giveans VP/EQUITY ANALYST Jefferies LLC

52-WEEK LOW Finishing second to Rubin in his D10 debut by 2 measly points; nonetheless, he raised nearly $10,000 for charity.

PROSPECTUS When we spoke with Greco, he was wearing the Super Bowl ring he earned as a player with the 2010–11 Green Bay Packers. He retired after two NFL seasons and took a job in the financial sector, but he had nothing to train for. “A friend suggested the D10 and now I’m all in,” he says.

“To stay in great shape, you need to have a goal.” Greco did well for a rookie—and for a guy with 18 screws in his arm from a car accident that ended his NFL career. He accumulated 7,736 points to Rubin’s 7,738 for the closest finish in the event’s history. Greco dominated the hardest segment, the 500meter row on a Concept 2 ergometer. (His 1:15.7 was two seconds off the world record.)

However, in the final 800-meter run, he cramped and hobbled home.

WORKING CAPITAL Age 31, 6'0", 185 pounds, 7.8% body fat (but who’s counting?)

52-WEEK HIGH Finishing third in the D10 after placing in the top 10 twice; raising more than $30,000 for charity in three years.

PROSPECTUS It’s fitting that Giveans works in the energy sector because he’s brimming with it. He played six sports in high school and three in college (cross-country, basketball, golf). Despite 12-hour workdays and being married (Rubin and Greco are single), he trains five or six days a week and follows a strict, clean-eating, alcohol-free diet.

“Working out helps me sustain a high level of energy throughout the day,” he says.

“I don’t even need much coffee.”

Giveans gives up 45 to 50 pounds and 3 inches to Rubin and Greco, so instead of trying to outmuscle them, he focuses on his strengths—the running and bodyweight segments. “It’s a little harder doing pullups and dips when you’re 230 than when you’re 185,” he notes.

Greco’s Guide to Double-Digit Returns

Giveans’s Portfolio for Growth

Calculate your true dividends. “If you have trouble prioritizing working out, remind yourself that being fit helps you do your job better,” he says. “I don’t get tired; I stay strong and focused all day. Plus, working out relieves the stress I deal with constantly.”

Put a high value on sweat equity. “When I’m ramping up for an event, I try to get at least one sweat a day, and ideally two,” says Greco. “I’ll wake up and run or do something for my cardio, then go to the office for 10 hours, and get another workout later. And, no, the sweats you get at work don’t count.”

Avoid an underweight training portfolio. To crank out more pullups and dips, train with a weight vest or belt. “I’ll alternate doing sets of 12 with 45 pounds and then with just my bodyweight,” Greco says. “And to improve my grip and forearm strength, I like 50-yard farmer walks with 90-pound dumbbells.”

Reset your benchmark. Greco’s favorite workouts for the bench press is “10 sets on the minute.” “I put 225 on the bar, start a timer, and do 5 reps, which takes about 15 seconds,” he says. “Then I’ll wait until the timer hits 1 minute and do another 5 reps. Two minutes, another 5, and so on until I’ve done 10 sets. It builds strength and endurance.”

Balance your investment. “I typically train seven to eight hours a week, spending 45 percent on strength [mostly weights], 35 percent on cardio [sprints, stairs, treadmill], and 20 percent on flexibility [yoga],” he says.

Track your KPI. This finance acronym stands for “key performance indicator,” but it can also apply to fitness. “I do each decathlon event once or twice a month to be sure my training is helping me improve,” he says.

Monitor market “breadth.” Don’t overlook the importance of proper breathing; it’s another way Davids like Giveans subdue Goliaths.

“Get in the habit of inhaling as your muscles lengthen and exhaling as they shorten,” he says. “For pullups, blow out on the way up and slowly inhale on the way down. Same thing with dips, bench press, and rows.”

Diversify your expenditures. Giveans likes to divide his overall bench press goal into 4 or 5 sets. “I crank out 5 to 7 reps, lock out and rest for two breaths, then crank out 5 to 7 more, and so forth.”

Invest in mutual fun. “When you have family obligations, balancing your free time is hard,” he says. “Fortunately, my wife is very fit, so we do half marathons, yoga, Pilates, spinning, mud runs, and paddleboarding together.”

10% body fat

S t y l i n g: J e n n i fe r R ya n J o n e s , g r o o m i n g: B r u c e D e a n / M a r i o B ad e s c u /A r t i s t s a t W i l h e l m i n a , p r o p s t y l i n g: C h r is to p h e r S to n e/ H a l l ey R e s o u r c e s; T i n a Wad h w a / B u s i n e s s I n s i d e r (G r e c o); G a m e f a c e M e d i a (G i v e a n s); i l l u s t r a t i o n s b y J O E L K I M M E L ( p o r t r a i t s t h r o u g h o u t) . N i k e c l o t h i n g a n d s h o e s ( R u b i n t h r o u g h o u t)

Stop screwing around. “Managing the commitments of family, work, and training is a delicate balance.

For me it’s all about efficiency.

Many guys I see doing marathon workouts at the gym are generally wasting their time. I try to stay focused and go 100 miles an hour, to the point where I have nothing left when I’m done.”

MARKET LEADER

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 87

SOME ALARMISTS WOULD LIKE YOU TO BELIEVE THAT EATING BEEF WILL KILL YOU. BUT WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE GOT THE TRUTH BEHIND THE HYPERBOLE. READ IT. DIGEST IT. FIRE UP A STEAK.

By Markham Heid Photographs by Christopher Testani

THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF RED

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89 PA G E

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How Much Red Meat Is Too Much?

“Avoid processed or cured meats as much as possible. Think of them as something you could have once or twice a month at most. As for unprocessed red meat, the evidence suggests that you can have two or three servings a week. A serving is 4 to 6 ounces.” —DARIUSH

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MOZAFFARIAN, M.D., Dr.P.H.

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Heart disease! Cancer! Stroke! Diabetes!

Brutal murder by cow! If you’ve read any news about beef and health in the past year, you might think some super PAC had staged a political takedown of cattle farmers. But a closer look at the research reveals that the evils of beef are a load of bull. Red meat can be a nutrientrich addition to an otherwise healthy diet, says Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., Dr.P.H., chair of nutrition at Tufts University. It’s true that processed and cured meats (like deli meats and salami sticks) can raise your risk of stroke and heart disease, he says. But unprocessed red meat—steaks, chops, and other whole cuts—isn’t a health

villain if you eat it in moderation. Even fatty cuts of beef aren’t inherently bad for you. “When I started researching fat and saturated fat 15 years ago, I thought I’d find all these harms,” Dr. Mozaffarian says. “But the more research I’ve done, the more total saturated fat seems neutral—neither good nor bad for your heart.”

What about the links between red meat and cancer? Again, the most damning evidence points to processed meats, says Harvard oncologist Jonathan Schoenfeld, M.D., M.P. H. Plus, unprocessed red meat delivers zinc, selenium, iron, B vitamins, and some fatty acids.

Bring on the beef.

SIX CUTS YOU MUST TRY

E

BEST

BEST

VALUE

Filet mignon is overrated, says Joshua Applestone, founder of the Applestone Meat Company.

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RIB EYE “This is the all-American steak, and I prefer it to strip steak because it has a little more fat,” Applestone says. Salt and pepper are the only spices it needs. “I love rib eye served with sweet potatoes,” he adds. “The flavors just seem to go well together.” Savor the luscious marbling.

FLAT IRON STEAK This is the cut your butcher keeps. It comes from the shoulder and tastes amazing, Applestone says. “Toward its end there are lines of fat that spider down.” If you sear it over high heat, he says, “that fat melts in with the protein for a really rich bite that has good chew.”

BEEF HEART “When properly cleaned, beef heart is delicious,” Applestone says. It’s lean and gamey and can be tough if overcooked.

Cube it, skewer it, brush it with a sauce you like, and then grill it to medium rare.

Whether or not you reenact the Temple of Doom scene is up to you.

SIRLOIN FLAP As the name suggests, this is the flap of muscle covering the sirloin. For that reason it’s rich with fat, but it can be tough if not cooked correctly. Cube the meat and sear it to medium rare in a hot skillet, just a few minutes on each side. Serve with sautéed mushrooms or stirred into a curry.

SIRLOIN TOP Located just below the tenderloin, this lean-yet-still-succulent cut is ideal in tacos or burritos because it bites off easily when served in strips. Sear the cut whole, and then slice it. Because it’s lean, you’ll want to eat it with some fat (sour cream, avocado) to balance the flavor.

TRI TIP Ask your butcher for this West Coast favorite, which is sliced from the bottom portion of the sirloin. It’s rich. It’s tender.

It’s awesome served with cold salads that feature tangy cheeses like Parmesan. Grill it low and slow, cut it against the grain, and toss into a Caesar salad.

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March 2017 | MensHealth.com 91

VALU

MAKE SENSE OF THE GRADE USDA meat graders rate beef on tenderness, flavor, and juiciness. Meat that meets a grader’s approval is typically issued one of three quality “shields,” which you can spot on the package.

This is top-quality meat with “abundant” fat marbling.

Prime cuts are exceptionally tender and flavorful.

It’s still quality beef, but the Choice category has less fat marbling than Prime—and may also include cuts that are slightly less tender.

Uniform in quality and “fairly” tender, Select beef has less fat marbling than both Choice and Prime.

Note: Not all beef warrants one of these three grades.

Beef deemed “Standard” or “Commercial” quality is usually sold ungraded as store-brand meat—those plastic-wrapped packages at your local supermarket.

BURGERS MADE BETTER Those preground patties at the supermarket?

They often go through several grinders and contain meat from many cows, according to Consumer Reports.

That raises your risk of foodborne illness.

So buy a grinder and make DIY burgers.

We like the durable STX International STX1800-MG Magnum ($190, amazon.com).

Stuff pieces of cold steak (try a sirloinbrisket blend for balance) in the hopper and watch the burger meat spill out. Shape, season, sizzle, chow.

Any dedicated hunter will tell you that the best red meat isn’t beef or lamb. It’s venison, which has all the heartiness of the former with far less gaminess than the latter. Don’t hunt? Head to dartagnan.com to mail-order four venison medallions for $30. Don’t know how to cook them? Luckily, the best approach is also the easiest. Just grab a lightly oiled cast-iron skillet and set it on the stovetop over high heat. Then season the medallions on both sides with salt and pepper and add them to the skillet. Flash-sear the venison on each side until medium rare, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the meat with sautéed mushrooms and a sturdy red wine. Consider applying for a hunting license.

Food st yling: Maggie Ruggiero/Hello Ar tists, prop st yling: Kaitlyn DuRoss/Honey Ar tists; D e s i g n P i c s I n c /G e t t y I m a g e s (c o w), G r e e n S to c k M e d i a /A l a m y (U S DA l a b e l)

The Other Red Meat

THE DIRT ON GRASS FED

Know these answers before you make the switch from the usual grain-finished fare.

What does “grass fed” actually mean?

First off, for the majority of their lives most cattle are grass fed. But then some ranchers ship the animals to feedlots where they’re fattened on grain. (The heavier the cow, the more cash it brings in.) Ranchers can choose to skip this step and stick with grass. So “grass fed” really means “grass finished.” It’s a nuance, yes, but it’s important.

HOW YOU SLICE IT CUT THE STEAK; THEN SAUCE IT. THAT WAY YOU ENHANCE EVERY BITE’S FLAVOR.

Is grass-finished beef healthier for me?

The meat contains nearly 50 percent more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids than beef from grain-fed cattle, according to research from Gillian Butler of Newcastle University.

Though grass-finished beef doesn’t carry the omega-3 punch that salmon does, it may be lower in some unhealthy fatty acids than grain-finished beef, the research revealed.

Is there a label I should look for?

Yeah, there are a few.

As of January 2016, the USDA no longer defines the label term “grass fed” when it comes to beef. So you’ll have to look more closely for third-party label certifications from nonprofits like the American Grassfed Association or Animal Welfare Approved.

MAKE STEAK SAUCE IN 3 STEPS Some meat eaters will argue that a great steak needs no sauce.

They haven’t experienced the flavor force of nature that is this four-ingredient combination.

1 Cook the Steak Salt and pepper the steak.

Heat a cast-iron skillet on high. Open the windows; flip on the exhaust fan. Heat 1 Tbsp canola oil. Add steak.

Flip each minute till medium rare, about 6 minutes total.

Remove and let rest.

2 Get Saucy Take the skillet off the heat and add about ½ cup of red wine. Use the back of a wooden spoon to stir, scraping up the bits on the bottom. Add 1 Tbsp butter and stir till melted. Season with salt and pepper.

3 Bathe the Meat Lovingly spoon the luscious sauce from the skillet and onto the sizzling surface and ruby-red interior flesh of the warm, moist meat. Sexy.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 93

The Chain Burger Smackdown Which menu staple reigns supreme in the battle for the healthiest(ish) burger? Eight contenders entered the ring. Jim White, R.D., of Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios, refereed the battle royal.

R O U N D

FIVE GUYS Hamburger

ELEVATION BURGER

The Five Guys burger has less protein and more sugar than Elevation’s sandwich, which is made with grass-fed, organic, delicious beef.

WENDY’S Dave’s Single

SHAKE SHACK ShackBurger

O N E

MCDONALD’S Quarter Pounder

Although it’s higher in calories, Shake Shack’s basic burger has better ingredients and fewer preservatives, says White. Tastes really good too.

A clash of titans! While their ingredients are fairly comparable, the McDonald’s sandwich has 200 calories fewer than the King’s burger.

R O U N D

ELEVATION BURGER

Elevation delivers half the sugar, fewer calories, and 13 more grams of protein.

The Shack suffers a beatdown.

MCDONALD’S

R O U N D

FATBURGER (medium)

Even though they both weigh in at 590 calories, Whataburger’s competitor lost the edge due to having more sugar and less protein.

Packing 160 extra calories, the Fatburger sandwich’s higher protein content isn’t enough to combat the calories.

FATBURGER

T H R E E

Nutrition Per Serving: 430 calories 26g protein 38g carbs (2g fiber) 20g fat

V S

ELEVATION BURGER

WHATABURGER Original

T W O

SHAKE SHACK

Nutrition Per Serving: 510 calories 41g protein 29g carbs (1g fiber) 26g fat

BURGER KING Whopper

MCDONALD’S

WINNER! ELEVATION BURGER

NO CONTEST. WITH ITS MINIMAL LIST OF INGREDIENTS, GRASS-FED AND ORGANIC BEEF PATTIES, AND SOLID PROTEIN COUNT, ELEVATION BURGER WINS THE TITLE FIGHT. WHO WANTS A PIECE?

THE WORLD OF BEEF

Roam beyond U.S. borders and you’ll find these delicious meateating traditions.

FOCUS ON FAT KOBE STEAKS HAVE RICH INTRAMUSCULAR MARBLING. TRANSLATION: DROOOOOOOL.

BRAZIL / Picanha At a churrascaria, or Brazilian BBQ, picanha is the thick, fat-draped, skewered steak that your server saves for the end of the meal.

KOREA / Kalbi This umami-tastic version of short ribs involves marinating the meat in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and sugar and then grilling it to juicy perfection.

THIS IS LEGITIMATE KOBE BEEF

Most steaks touted on menus as Kobe aren’t authentic. Save your money.

Illustrations by MICHAEL HOEWELER

Restaurants and mail-order outlets charge wallet-draining sums for cuts billed as “Wagyu” or “Kobe” beef. But if you think you’re getting the intricately marbled meat that Japan made famous, you’re kidding yourself, says Larry Olmsted, the author of Real Food, Fake Food. In U.S. supermarkets, “Wagyu” refers to cattle breeds that are 46.9 percent (minimum) Japanese Wagyu. The term “Wagyu” is not an indica-

Find Kobe Beef These four U.S. spots serve it.

For others, go to kobe-niku.jp. Real Kobe is vetted by the Kobe beef certification organization in Japan.

1 212 Steakhouse New York, NY Serves Kobe rib eye, strip loin, tenderloin Price market price

tor of marbling or quality, Olmsted says. Restaurants don’t even have to meet this minimal USDA standard for Wagyu DNA. Most don’t sell true Japanese Wagyu, and when it comes to Kobe beef, only nine restaurants in the entire United States are certified to import and sell true Japanese Kobe. Everyone else is slapping a hot marketing term on questionable steak—and charging you a hefty sucker’s fee.

2 Alexander’s Steakhouse Cupertino, CA Serves rib eye Price $185

3 Bazaar Meat by José Andrés Las Vegas, NV Serves rib eye Price $50/oz

4 Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse Dallas, TX Serves rib eye, New York strip, tenderloin Price market price

GUYANA / Blood Sausage It’s seasoned rice that’s been mixed with cow’s blood; also called black pudding. The Guyanese like it with some pickles on the side.

PHILIPPINES / Kare Kare Made from rich oxtail, this hearty, fortifying stew contains vegetables like eggplant and daikon, plus spices and ground peanuts.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 95

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DIABETES IS AMERICA’S STEALTHY KILLER. ONE IN THREE AMERICANS COULD HAVE IT BY 2050 IF CURRENT TRENDS CONTINUE. WHAT’S MORE, THE DISEASE IS STRIKING MORE YOUNG MEN THAN EVER. FOLLOW THIS PLAN TO STAY OUT OF DANGER AND AVOID BECOMING A STATISTIC.

BY LO U S C H U L E R

K 98 MensHealth.com | March 2017

A healthier Kevin Mamon now listens to his doctor, Spencer Nadolsky, D.O.

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Average years of life lost by someone in his or her 20s who has diabetes SOURCE: DIABETES CARE

28

Percentage increase in your risk of developing dementia if you have type 2 diabetes SOURCE: DIABETOLOGIA

94

Percentage increase in your probability of being depressed at this very moment if you have diabetes SOURCE: MATURITAS

By the time he saw Dr. Nadolsky, a family medicine and obesity specialist in Olney, Maryland, Mamon’s A1c had nearly doubled to 12.5. His fasting blood sugar, at 348 milligrams per deciliter, was three-and-a-half times the normal level for a healthy adult.

“He wasn’t just ‘kind of’ diabetic,” Dr. Nadolsky says. “He had severe, uncontrolled diabetes. Most doctors would’ve automatically put him on insulin. That’s how dire it was.”

The amount of sugar flowing through Mamon’s blood, combined with his weight, pointed toward potentially catastrophic complications.

When Sugar Attacks “Diabetes mellitus” comes from the Greek word for siphon, referring to the excess urine that’s a key symptom of the disease, and a Latin word for sweetness, referring to the sugar the body is trying desperately to unload. History doesn’t tell us who the first person was to sample that diabetic piss and observe that it tasted like honey. (Although several people did observe that ants were drawn to it.) We just know that diabetes has been with us for a long time.

Diabetes begins with high blood sugar, either because the body fails to produce enough insulin to shuttle it out of the bloodstream and into muscle or fat cells, or because the body stops responding to its insulin. About 5 percent of people with diabetes have type 1, an autoimmune disease that usually strikes in childhood or young adulthood and requires lifelong management with insulin shots or a pump.

The rest have type 2 diabetes. To understand this kind, imagine your body as a factory. It makes one product: the energy it needs to keep itself running all day, every day.

P H O T O G R A P H B Y S T E P H E N V O S S ; S p e n c e r L o w e l l / Tr u n k A r c h i v e ( p r e v i o u s p a g e )

Kevin Mamon has no excuse. He was warned.

He knows it, and his medical records prove it.

Four years ago, a test showed that he had prediabetes, which, as the name suggests, is the intermediate step between normal, healthy blood sugar levels and full-blown type 2 diabetes. “I fooled myself for a long time, thinking I was healthy, but just a big dude,” he says.

The 6'1" Mamon isn’t kidding about his size, which had peaked north of 400 pounds. By the time he went to see Spencer Nadolsky, D.O., he was no longer so sure about the “healthy” part.

It was March 15, 2016, one of many details he remembers with the clarity of a man who’s had a conversion experience. He was a few weeks shy of his 42nd birthday and his weight had recently dropped to 373 pounds without any real effort on his part.

Unintentional weight loss, Mamon now knows, is one of the clearest warning signs of diabetes, along with constant thirst, urinary volume that would worry Seabiscuit, and napinducing fatigue after every meal. He was about to become a statistic, one of 1.4 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes each year.

(The American Diabetes Association estimates that of the 29 million who have the disease, a quarter don’t know it yet.)

You could be one of them. And your odds of having prediabetes is even higher—the latest research shows that a third of American adults are prediabetic. Because you can’t feel high blood sugar, you wouldn’t know you have it unless a doctor told you. And 90 percent of people with prediabetes haven’t been diagnosed.

(Gauge your risk on the next page.)

Mamon was one of the few, the forewarned; the proof is in his patient file. It says that in the spring of 2013, his hemoglobin A1c, a threemonth average of his blood sugar levels, was 6.3 percent, just below the 6.5 percent cutoff for diabetes. He simply has no memory of the warning. “If I’d paid more attention, I could’ve saved myself a lot of aggravation,” he says.

“I FOOLED MYSELF FOR A LONG TIME, THINKING I WAS HEALTHY, BUT JUST A BIG DUDE.” Every meal or snack is, in effect, a new delivery of raw materials to your factory.

Picture those materials arriving on trucks.

Under normal circumstances, they pull up to your plant’s loading dock, your employees (insulin) empty them, and they pull away, clearing room for subsequent deliveries.

Now imagine that there’s a problem: The trucks arrive at their usual hour with their usual cargo, but this time there’s a malfunction with the doors of the loading dock and the workers can’t move the goods off the trucks and into the factory with their usual efficiency.

But rather than slow down the delivery schedule until the doors can be fixed, management sends more workers to the docks. This works for a while, and the bosses celebrate by ordering more products. That means more trucks with more cargo. You don’t need an MBA to predict what happens next: The volume surpasses the workers’ ability to process it, and as the line of trucks gets progressively longer, some of the drivers, in frustration, dump their cargo (sugar) in the parking lot (your blood stream).

Type 2 diabetes rates have risen with obesity. That’s no coincidence. The more weight you gain in adulthood, the higher your risk.

Harvard’s long-running Health Professionals Follow-Up Study found that the risk of type 2 diabetes doubled for men who gained 11 pounds or more since their undergraduate days, tripled I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y R E M I E G E O F F R O I

COOL OFF YOUR RISK Turn down the furnace to rev up your metabolism.

When you exercise in chilly conditions, you tap into your body’s fuel reserve of brown fat. These special fat cells in your neck and chest burn regular old white fat to produce heat. As a result, you lose more jiggly fat in the same amount of exercise time.

To harness the power of brown fat, Harvard’s Joslin Diabetes Center suggests exercising in a cool room.

And you don’t have to live in Beantown to try it. “Work out at 62° to 64°F and walk outdoors in cool weather for 30 to 40 minutes a day,” says George King, M.D., chief scientific officer at Joslin.

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Do You Have Prediabetes?

It’s the first step toward the big D, and it’s dangerous in its own right. People with prediabetes— defined by a fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125—also have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a BMJ study review. Go to doihaveprediabetes.org to assess your risk, and consider the warning signs below.

Bulging Gut Belly fat is bad for your metabolism. Divide your waist circumference by your height (both in inches). If the result is higher than 0.5, you may have an increased diabetes risk, Korean research suggests.

Sugary Drink Habit In a Journal of Nutrition study, people who drank more than three a week had a 46 percent higher risk of prediabetes than abstainers. When you glug sweets, your liver makes molecules that curb insulin function.

Family History If you’re between the ages of 18 and 29, your odds of developing prediabetes in the next five years are 79 percent higher if you have a parent with diabetes, a recent study from Emory University suggests.

A Sedentary Life Lack of physical activity is a key predictor of diabetes. If you’ve been a couch potato and start exercising just 30 minutes a day, your odds of insulin resistance can dip by 13 percent, say researchers at the University of Michigan.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 99

2

How Diabetes Corrodes Your Body

Eyes

HEMORRHAGE

Feet

If your blood sugar levels are chronically elevated, toxic byproducts can build up and cause damage to sensitive parts of your body.

NORMAL NERVE

DAMAGED NERVE

Heart

NARROWED BLOOD VESSEL

ANEURYSM

When sugar byproducts damage blood vessels in your retinas, bulging aneurysms can form, which can leak and rupture (or hemorrhage), impairing your vision. This is diabetic retinopathy, a top cause of blindness. But the damage can be happening before you notice. “You may think your vision is fine but have significant diabetic eye disease,” says Allen C. Ho, M.D., director of retina research at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. That’s why anyone with diabetes should have an annual ophthalmology exam.

You’ve probably had numb toes on a cold day.

But nerve damage from diabetes makes feet consistently numb and tingly, and occasionally painful, says Bijan Najafi, Ph.D., a researcher of vascular surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.

High blood sugar robs nerves of nutrients and blunts your ability to process waste products.

Then the starved, damaged nerves can’t conduct impulses that give you feeling. “I’ve seen cases where people step on a nail and it goes into their bone but they don’t feel it,” says Najafi.

A Heavyweight Challenge Dr. Nadolsky, 33, isn’t someone you’d expect at the forefront of the battle against type 2 diabetes. “He’s probably in better shape than anyone I know,” Mamon says. That 100 MensHealth.com | March 2017

$124,700

for those who gained 22 pounds or more, and increased six times for those who added 33 pounds or more.

Too much food, consumed over a span of several years (the average age of diagnosis is 54, but 23 percent of adolescents have diabetes or prediabetes), eventually overwhelms your ability to process it. Then all hell breaks loose. Excess sugar can damage the most vulnerable blood vessels in your eyes and kidneys, leading to blindness and organ failure; it can also gum up the nerves and arteries of your penis, turning your reproductive hardware into software. (See above for more on how diabetes causes trouble throughout the body.)

But by far the biggest consequence is cardiovascular disease. Diabetes itself is the seventh most common cause of death in the United States, but most people with diabetes die of heart disease due to high blood pressure and elevated triglycerides and cholesterol, along with their inability to manage blood sugar.

That’s the scary part. The hopeful part is that a disease of excess can be reversed. How? By doing the opposite of what caused it.

Average lifetime medical cost to treat type 2 diabetes for a man diagnosed between ages 25 and 44 SOURCE: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

Excess blood sugar can wreak havoc on your ticker. For one thing, it can cause narrowing of the blood vessels that provide energy for your heart to function. The extra sugar can also damage your heart muscle tissue, which could curtail its pumping efficiency. At the same time, elevated blood sugar levels can cause hardening of the arteries, leading to high blood pressure and increased resistance to bloodflow. As a result, your heart has to work even harder to shuttle blood through your body.

may be underselling his doctor’s fitness. Dr. Nadolsky was an academic all-American wrestler at UNC, and at one point ranked fourth in the country as a heavyweight. Even though he later dropped 30 pounds, he still looks the part, with a massive upper torso, thick brow, and just enough scar tissue to make you think that if his genial smile descended into a scowl, he could moonlight as a bouncer.

But just because he looks like the “after” picture in a Bowflex ad doesn’t mean Dr. Nadolsky is a fat-shaming meathead. “It was refreshing to hear his perspective,” Mamon says. “I mean, you know you’re fat. You know you need to lose weight. You don’t need somebody to tell you that you’re fat and you need to lose weight.”

“I talk about it tactfully,” says Dr. Nadolsky, the author of The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes (MensHealth.com/beatdiabetes). “Most people understand that diabetes comes from excess weight. They know that already. I try to get them excited about reversing it through diet and exercise.”

In his patients with prediabetes or with mild and recently diagnosed cases of diabetes, Dr.

Your Race Against Diabetes

3 Kidneys

Diabetes rates differ by race and ethnic background as shown below, although it’s unclear whether DNA or cultural habits create the differences in risk. Some hospitals and clinics offer diabetes programs tailored to specific ethnicities, which can work better than one-size-fits-all plans.

Penis

PROTEIN ENTERS URINE

16

%

AMERICAN INDIANS/ ALASKAN NATIVES

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NON-HISPANIC BLACK AMERICANS

DAMAGED NERVE

Your kidneys normally function like sieves, which keep useful stuff on top and release wastewater into the sink. When a sieve is damaged, it lets good stuff hit the sink or fails to filter, so that water stays on top. Similarly, damaged kidneys leak useful blood proteins into your urine and retain water, causing high blood pressure. The end result: Your kidneys shut down.

“Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure,” says Mark Cooper, Ph.D., an expert in diabetic complications at Australia’s Monash University.

Nadolsky first proposes the option to try lifestyle changes without medication. “I tell them, ‘The bad news is that you’re in the prediabetic range, and now you have two pathways,’” he says. “ ‘The good news is that if you take the right one—clean up your diet, lose weight, get serious about exercise—you can nip this in the bud. But if you take the other one, you’ll likely end up with diabetes.’”

The conversation Dr. Nadolsky had with Mamon in 2016 described two very different pathways. Instead of smooth, well-lit roads, he was looking at dark, deeply rutted trails. The lifestyle-management route would include powerful drugs, with the hope of eventually reducing his reliance on them. The “ah, screw it, I’ll be fine” route, the one Mamon chose by default in 2013, included even more powerful drugs, starting with daily injections of insulin, most likely progressing to multiple doses, with a high risk of that insulin causing him to gain weight at a time when he needed to lose it.

“I wasn’t shocked by the diagnosis,” Mamon says. After all, both of his parents had been diagnosed in the previous year. “It wasn’t like

More than half of men with diabetes have trouble achieving an erection. Nerve damage is yet again to blame for this problem. Sensitive nerves in your penis coordinate its enlargement when you’re in the mood for action. When these nerves are damaged, this process doesn’t work so well. For this reason, drugs like Viagra, which only work on bloodflow to the penis, are often less effective in people with diabetes. If you keep your blood sugar under control, you may reduce your risk of developing problems.

THE DIABETES FIGHTER IN YOUR POCKET The right smartphone apps may help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar, a recent study review suggests.

Try a CDC-approved app like Yes Health, Noom, or Omada, which each offer 16-week programs and personalized coaching to help you achieve your diet and exercise goals.

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, are overweight, or have a family history of diabetes, your health insurance might even cover your monthly membership fee.

13

%

HISPANICS

8

%

9

%

ASIAN AMERICANS

NON-HISPANIC WHITE AMERICANS

cancer, something that just floors you. But it was heavy news. Nobody wants to hear it.”

But then Mamon asked Dr. Nadolsky an important, life-defining question: “Do you think it’s possible for me to reverse diabetes?”

As it happens, a research team in England was ready to provide an answer.

Starving the Beast Not long after Mamon got his heavy news, researchers at Newcastle University released a bombshell study in Diabetes Care, the official journal of the American Diabetes Association. Type 2 diabetes, they wrote, is “potentially reversible by substantial weight loss,” a finding they described as “an important paradigm shift” with “profound implications for the health of individuals and for the economics of future health care.”

The study included 30 volunteers who ate a maximum of 700 calories a day, most of it from three meal-replacement shakes, for eight weeks. Then that was followed by a twoweek period to reintroduce solid food, and then six months of maintenance.

For the 12 participants labeled as “responders,” fasting blood sugar fell from 160 to 114 milligrams per deciliter, on average, without any medication.

CONTINUED ON P. 118 March 2017 | MensHealth.com 101

102 PA G E

In the past 10 years, apps blew up the dating pool, porn got smarter, and sex toys showed up in Target. People talk more openly about sex and know more about it too. Sex should be better than ever. But is it? To find out, we joined forces with Women’s Health to poll thousands of men and women on their sex lives. We compared the results with those from a survey MH did in 2006, and then asked the experts for tips.

The good news: You’re having the best sex ever.

(Or at least you will be.)

WELCOME TO THE GOLDEN AGE OF SEX

By Elisabeth Sherman & Jerilyn Covert Illustrations by Goñi Montes

JUST ASK

That’s all you need to do to convince her to experiment in bed, our survey shows. So take a shot.

Threesomes, anal, and public sex are all trending up.

(See the next page.) One reason: Premarital playtime lasts longer. The average age for a first marriage is now 29 for men and 27 for women. American society is increasingly open-minded, adds anthropologist Helen Fisher, Ph.D., the author of Anatomy of Love. We’re also healthier and better educated—and educated people tend to be curious. Join the party: At WeShouldTryIt. com, you and your mate can separately take a sex questionnaire that reveals only the activities you both chose.

You can even add your own questions. So she’ll learn of your Gilmore Girls fantasy only if she’s into it too.

of women say “just ask” 48% 10 years ago).

61% (vs.

RELAX, ALREADY

Feeling pressure to perform? Can’t blame you: “Women are beginning to demand good sex,” says Fisher. “They’re not just lying back and thinking of England.” Today’s career women, not dependent on marriage, can be pickier, Fisher says. Plus, men have a natural desire to want to please women in bed.

The upside of all this? Satisfy her and she’ll invite you back. That said, our survey indicates you’re doing fine.

So try to relax a little. Distract yourself by focusing on intimate details—her sounds, her expressions, her erect nipples. Encourage her to tell you what to do, says Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., a sexuality expert at the University of Washington. “Sometimes women are afraid they’ll sound like traffic cops.” Say you like when she tells you what she wants.

of women are happy with sex life. Men: 52%.

71% their 104 MensHealth.com | March 2017

WHEN SEX IS SELF-SERVE Three out of four men and nearly half of women masturbate at least once a week. Ladies’ choice: Fingers: 46% Sex toy: 26% Humping something: 13% Faucet or showerhead: 9% Tip: Ask to watch, suggests sexpert Ian Kerner, Ph.D. It’s hot and educational. Or place your hand over hers while she does it, letting her guide you along.

91% of women rate their sex drive as normal or higher. Men: 95%.

See? She’s almost as horny as you are.

Keep Your Hair On Men are grooming their pubic areas more than they used to— and maybe more than they have to. About 42 percent buzz it short, up from 33 percent in 2006. But a plurality of women (46 percent) say they like their mate to do just “a little trimming—but that’s it.” As for women, 60 percent shave completely bare.

We asked hundreds of women to share their partner’s hottest move.

Kissing my ears and neck

Holding my legs up

Pulling my hair

Kissing me head to toe

HER BIG O

Licking my nipples

44%

Women can find it difficult to climax from intercourse alone; the experts have been telling men this for years. But more women are getting there now, our survey suggests, with 30-somethings leading the way: Forty percent of them said vaginal sex was the most likely way for them to reach orgasm in bed; it was the top answer in nearly every age group. (For 50-plus, it was second, behind oral.) Men, women—all of us!—have gained more “clitoral awareness,” says Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a sex counselor and the author of She Comes First. Couples are probably expanding their repertoire too, says Justin Garcia, Ph.D., of the Kinsey Institute. And the more varied the stimulation, the more likely she is to climax—something MH has reported in recent years. “It’s possible the tips really are working,” Garcia says. Such as: Try slow grinding with her on top, or have her hold a vibrator against her clitoris in the missionary position, says Kerner. Or try a penis ring.

Yeah, you. (Turn the page for that.)

of women are satisfied with how long sex lasts, up from 38% when we asked the same question 10 years ago; 65% of men wish they could last longer.

Maybe ask her first.

20%

Seashell position

It’s Getting Wilder by the Year Some bedroom adventures are more common now than 10 years ago. See how results from our 2006 survey compare with today’s numbers.

Threesomes 9.5% 19% Men 8.8% 14% Women

of men and women say they’d like to have sex several times a day! May they find each other—and report back to us.

of women climax during sex, up 10% from 2006.

37% vaginal

B r a s s a n d Ta n L u x u r y C u f f s c o u r t e s y B a b e l a n d . c o m ; N i c k I r v i n g / G a l l e r y S t o c k ( c o u p l e ) , B e n W e l s h / D e s i g n P i c s / O f f s e t ( d o g )

Missionary with my legs around his shoulders

FIND THE MISSING KINK

Don’t restrain your love life!

(Or maybe do.)

Nearly half the women surveyed have tried light bondage. Sure enough, when we asked women what they like in bed, words like “take charge,” “get rough,” and “dominance” came up—a lot. “Fifty Shades of Grey tapped into something that’s been around in women forever and ever,” says Fisher. “I call it the iguana syndrome.” Wait, what? A female iguana will lie on her stomach, raise her butt, and surrender to the male. “If either one doesn’t play his or her part perfectly, the copulation doesn’t occur,” Fisher says.

“She has to surrender. I think dominance and submission, which should probably be called surrender, is all a vast human construct on a basic primordial strategy in which the woman surrenders completely and the man totally dominates to impress her.” We command you to try. See “Bondage 101” (below) from BDSM educator Simone Justice.

Sex in Public 47% 62% Men 43% 54% Women

Anal Sex 42% 55% Men 35% 52% Women

want more light bondage/kink in the bedroom.

1 in 5 Ofwomen course, that’s a rough estimate.

Bondage 101 Set a timer to limit a session—this fosters both safety and urgency. Start small, like hair tugging (grab at the roots). For spanking, lightly strike the fleshy part, gradually increasing the intensity. Bind ankles or wrists with ties or scarves; be sure one finger fits beneath. Too soon for whips? Use your fingers: Scratch, flick, pinch, and rub to drive her crazy, maybe while she’s blindfolded.

Open relationship 4.3% 9.3% Men 4.9% 8.5% Women

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 105

More of her favorite moves...

Tongue and fingers at the same time

Pretzel position

AN ORAL REQUEST

We didn’t need a survey to tell us that men like oral sex— but ours revealed that they want more. Porn may raise (ha) their expectations; all that filmed fellatio can make a man think everyone’s luckier than he is, Canadian research suggests. Plus, that porn star always seems so enthusiastic, right?

Men yearn for their partner to want to do it, says sex therapist Stephen Snyder, M.D. Chances are your partner is not a porn star. So have a neutral chat, he says. “Ask, ‘Do you like it? Does it turn you on?’ Be prepared to hear the truth.” Let her know you won’t ejaculate in her mouth or on her face if that makes her uncomfortable, and that you can start with oral and switch to intercourse after a few minutes.

of men want more oral sex. Of women, 14% want more.

You should give to receive.

41% Remember:

JIMMYJANE FORM 2 Stimulates her from two sides.

KAYA RABBIT Hits the G-spot and clitoris.

PRESS THE PLAY BUTTON

We keep asking, and women keep telling us: more foreplay. In our survey, it beat out oral, touching, kink, and dirty talk as their prime request. Women need foreplay for the arousal that leads to desire, says Kerner. His female clients also complain about a limited sex menu, so foreplay’s variety (all that kissing, rubbing, talking, stroking) can work wonders. Even a hot show like The Girlfriend Experience or Masters of Sex can help. “Humans can get very aroused without any physical touch,” he says. Be showered and ready before you dim the bedroom lights and press play. Tell her she’s hotter than the actress in the show, and let your hands explore each other’s laps. When credits roll, start kissing. Another thing to watch: each other, touching yourselves. And you thought foreplay was boring!

of women want more foreplay, the number one thing they want more of in bed. Number two: during sex (22%). Number three: light bondage (see the previous page for tips).

34% touching

SHE’S THINKING ABOUT WHO? Nearly three out of four women fantasize during sex and/or masturbation to help them reach orgasm. Here’s who’s on her mind.

Friend 19%

106 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Stranger 22%

Celebrity 16%

Porn Star 9%

Coworker 4%

PUT A RING ON IT

Sex toys a threat? More like reliable backup. And they’re more advanced: controlled by apps, responsive to music, even counting Kegels, says Claire Cavanah of the sex toy retailer Babeland. If she’s not into them yet, mention an article you read, Dr. Snyder suggests. (Here’s one!) Then shop together.

Talk about what you want to use, and research the items first so you both end up happy, says Cavanah. If she’s nervous, maybe give her solo time to get comfortable, says Dr. Snyder.

use sex toys during intercourse. It’s even higher for older couples. For 40-year-olds: 42%. For 50-plus: 38%.

1 in 3 couples

stockcam/Get t y Images (pretzel)

An Ex 30%

JE JOUE MIO A vibrating penis ring.

Spanking

Switching positions without pulling out

Moving his hips just so

Which body part turns you on most?

SHE LIKES

HE LIKES

Shoulders 11%

Shoulders 0.7%

Arms 19%

Arms 0.5%

Chest 17%

Chest 26%

Abs 7%

Abs 2%

Legs 2%

Legs 7%

Butt 10%

Butt 47%

Admiring Her Magnificent Asset Her butt was guys’ favorite part in 2006, and its lead has, er, widened from 35 to 47 percent. The reasons are pop-cultural (Kim K., Jen Selter) and primitive: “Lordosis” is a pose of a female mammal inviting rear entry. Arched-back model shots are “advertising to the male brain the basic copulatory pose,” Fisher says. Plus skinny jeans. “All you see is their fanny.”

M i c h a e l O c h s A r c h i v e s / G e t t y I m a g e s ( E l v i s) , G a r r y H u n t e r/ G e t t y I m a g e s (m a n c l o s e u p)

30%

of women have recorded sex on video, versus 19 percent of them 10 years ago. For men, the percentage jumped from 23 to 37.

And the number of people who foolishly share these videos? Too many.

Spreading my legs wider

Waking me up with oral sex

Using sex toys on me

69

Sex while spooning

Too many to list!

FASTER. NO, SLOWER. NO—BOTH! People tend to have sex sooner in a relationship than they used to, our numbers show—but they’re also getting married later. Fisher calls this “slow love,” which may lead to an era of more happy marriages because couples know each other better. So while couples have more sex and earlier sex as they wade through a widening dating pool, the pre-commitment stage is lasting longer. “Marriage used to be the beginning of a relationship,” says Fisher. “Now it’s the finale.”

SHE’LL WATCH

Is an iPad a sex toy? About half the women we asked use porn during foreplay or sex. And of those who haven’t tried it, 75 percent say they’re game. “Porn is the psychological equivalent of using a vibrator” for some women, Dr. Snyder says. Porn for them may have interesting stories and more kissing; plus, says University of Western Ontario researcher Taylor Kohut, Ph.D., free porn may have actually led to higher quality as producers try to compete. (Evidence: x-art.com, ErikaLust.com, and forthegirls. com. Check the couplesfriendly list at welovegoodsex. com.) What’s more, watching porn together may improve your relationship, Kohut’s research suggests. One in four women in our survey say it’s helped their sex life. Feel awkward bringing it up? Don’t use the p-word, Kerner says—just say “Want to watch something fun and sexy?”

women watch porn or “often.”

48% of“sometimes”

SWIPE NIGHT

The Internet is the biggest thing to happen to courtship in the past 100 years—and perhaps since the agricultural revolution thousands of years ago, says Garcia. By the time you two meet, you’ve already been flirting for hours, courting with emails, texts, even emojis. You can learn tons about a person—job, romantic history, cocktail preferences—before the first date. Over half of dating app users met their last partner online, our survey showed. Seventy-two percent of them have slept with someone they met online, and 43 percent say technology has helped their sex life. (Just 4 percent say it’s made it worse.) Sexting, FaceTime sex, yawn—now there’s even “teledildonics,” interactive sex toys that transmit sensations in real time. But Tinder won’t do all the work for you. “They’re not dating sites. They’re ‘introducing’ sites,” says Fisher, an advisor to Match.com. It’s still up to you to meet, listen, flirt, and charm.

Your great profile pic is no match for your dazzling personality.

still aren’t taking advantage of online dating. you waiting for? Start swiping!

36% ofWhatsinglearemen March 2017 | MensHealth.com 107

Our sanitized world is making children sicker, not healthier.

We’re designed to live in nature. Biologist and father Rob Dunn, Ph.D., says it’s time to let our kids—and ourselves—get dirty again.

109 PA G E

110 MensHealth.com | March 2017

I was recently reminded of all this when my son’s kindergarten class took a field trip to a local pond. I’m a biologist at North Carolina State University, so the teachers asked me to come along. To prepare, I loaded up the car with nets, rubber boots, binoculars, field guides, and a snake stick. In my enthusiasm, I forgot to pack lunch for me and my son.

When we pulled into the parking lot, I realized that I was the only one who’d brought a trunk full of gear. So as not to embarrass my son, I pulled out just one net, one guide, and one pair of binoculars. Reluctantly, I left the snake stick behind.

O p e n i n g s p r e a d: A s h l e y C a r l o n /O f f s e t ( p h o to), D o u g M o r e h e a d /A l a m y (te x t u r e); A n g e l a P a r ke r/O f f s e t (a b o v e)

Some of my favorite times in childhood were when I was outside catching things. I caught frogs. I caught fish. I caught snakes by the hundreds. I overturned logs and climbed trees.

I explored. There must have been limits to my journeys—times I was supposed to be home, distances I wasn’t supposed to exceed— but I don’t recall them. Instead I remember only what I caught. Any childhood photo of me in which my feet are dry and I’m not holding a live animal was probably staged.

Illustration by REMIE GEOFFROI

Each child was assigned a spot on the edge of the pond.

One by one they were given a net, told to scoop out some muck and examine it, and then pass the net to the next child. It was a good strategy for getting kids to dip a toe into nature. And somehow everyone resisted going into the pond—except me.

I’d spotted a very large bullfrog just beyond where the kids were quietly gathering netfuls of nature. I couldn’t resist. I left my son and carefully waded into the swamp and grabbed the frog. I got it just right. My body tingled with the joy of the hunt. I held it up and returned to shore where everyone gathered around. I

handed the frog to my son, and he held it out to the kids. Parents looked on, some anxiously. The frog let out a barbaric squeak.

My son held it for a moment longer and then, satisfied, let it go.

Suddenly I realized that I was soaking wet and wondered whether I’d brought a towel to sit on in the car.

Now on one hand, that moment was glorious. A frog in the hand is worth, well, it is damn great. But on the other, it was a reminder that kids today have a relationship with nature that’s far different than mine was. Every so often they may still get their hands on a big wild frog, but such experiences are far more rare and far more likely to be circumscribed by a parking lot, parents, and detailed rules of engagement.

This is a big change from not only my own childhood but also the experiences of children going back thousands of years.

Kids have explored and grabbed stuff since the beginning of humankind. We may not have all the intel on the lives of huntergatherers living 10,000 years ago, but we can be certain that their children waded through muck and explored.

People are moving to urban areas where it’s harder to be part of the wild. But the thing I’m most conscious of, as a father and as someone who has spent the past decade studying nature, is that this disconnect dramatically increases the odds that kids will get sick. It may even detract from our kids’ ability to mature into happy, well-adjusted adults. A frog in the hand, as it turns out, may be a sort of microbial medicine.

There is some evidence that to increase your kids’ odds of being allergy-free, they need to be exposed to many kinds of microbes. This exposure teaches their immune system which microbes are good, which are bad, and which are neither.

Boost Your Body’s Good Bacteria Unclean living can be a smart idea for everyone, not just kids. These unusual strategies may strengthen your microbiome.

Don’t shower every day if you can get away with it. This may help protect your skin biome, which acts as a protective coating against pathogens.

Forgo antiperspirants on weekends or on days you can go without them. Believe it or not, your armpits harbor their own special microbial colonies.

Dry-brush instead of using toothpaste. The chemicals in most pastes disturb your oral biome, and research suggests that dry-brushing actually fights plaque more effectively.

Skip the mouthwash, too, for the same reasons.

Walk barefoot through the grass. It not only feels great and relieves stress but also helps your foot microbes flourish. Keeping your dogs in shoes and socks all the time kills the good bugs and brings on the stinky ones.

Billions of microbes live on your skin. They also live in your gut, mouth, and virtually everywhere else on your body.

They form incredibly complex, interconnected communities, called microbiomes, that scientists like me are just beginning to understand and appreciate.

Human beings rely on these microorganisms for their health and very existence.

But the shift to urban environments has caused some of these species to disappear. Their absence puts all of us—including, in some cases, our kids—at greater risk for allergies, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, dementia, and other maladies.

Kids raised in rural environments rarely had autoimmune disorders or allergy-related conditions. In urban areas, these disorders are much more common. In fact, half the kids at the pond that day had some sort of food sensitivity or allergy.

We need to reconnect our kids with the microbes they need and, more generally, with the wild they need, however tiny that wild may be.

Some remedies are easy.

For example, here are some of the things we do in my family.

When we wash our hands, we use soap and water only. We steer clear of antimicrobial gels, wipes, and clothing containing triclosan. Using products containing triclosan can impair your immune response because it will kill microbes across the board—the good bacteria as well as the pathogens.

We pick wild fruit. I’ve planted an urban orchard that my kids and the squirrels love. In some studies, children with access to a green space or backyard containing native plants have more diverse skin microbes and are less likely to develop allergies.

When we shop, we stay in the perimeter of the supermarket, where the fruits and vegetables are located. CONTINUED ON P. 119 March 2017 | MensHealth.com 111

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The Workouts “I like to start my day with a run. It relaxes me and gets me ready for what’s to come.”

MH cover guy Tyler Wood

P. 114

P. 116

The Triathlon Training Trifecta

Finish Your Six-Pack in Just 10 Minutes

Build winning strength and speed with our triple-threat workout.

Four simple moves to carve abs that pop.

P H O T O G R A P H B Y T U R E L I L L E G R AV E N

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 113

The Workouts (from page 39)

The Triathlon Training Trifecta Whether you’re aiming to take the podium at your next race or you just want to be stronger and leaner in general, these three workouts will help you build a body that can swim, run, and ride farther and faster.

DIRECTIONS You have two options: Do all three workouts as one large triathlon workout, or simply add one workout to your normal routine. If you’re trying to get stronger on the bike, for example, you could do the “ride” routine at the end of your ride or gym day. Whichever strategy you choose, follow each workout’s specific directions.

Do these three moves as a circuit (in any order), completing 5 to 10 reps of each exercise before moving on to the next. Stop 1 rep short of failure or when your form declines; rest as needed. Do 3 circuits, changing your weights and rep numbers each workout.

SWIM

Medicine Ball Slam from Box

Pullup Hang at arm’s length from a chinup bar, using an overhand grip that’s slightly beyond shoulder width. Bracing your entire body, pull your chest up to the bar and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Pause and slowly lower your body back to the starting position.

Trainer: Peter Park, pro athlete trainer and owner of Platinum Fitness Summerland in Santa Barbara County, California

114 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Barbell Landmine Twist Secure one end of a bar in a landmine or the corner of a room. Load a plate on the other end. Grab the loaded end and hold it out in front of you, your feet shoulder-width apart. With your arms straight, bring the bar to your right, pivoting your hips and feet. Then bring it to the left. Return to center. That’s 1 rep.

PH OTO G R A PH S BY B EN G O L D ST EI N

G r o o m i n g : B r i t t a n y S p a u l d i n g / Tr u e B e a u t y M a r k s ; s h o r t s a n d s n e a k e r s p r o v i d e d b y N i k e ; A l i E n g i n / G a l l e r y S t o c k ( i n s e t )

Grab a medicine ball and stand on a box or bench. Raise the ball overhead; push your hips back as you slam it to the floor as hard as you can.

RIDE

Start with the founder (2 reps); next do the barbell deadlifts (3 sets of 2 to 5 reps). Finish with the Zercher squats (3 sets of 3 to 10 reps). Change your weights and reps each workout.

Founder

Barbell Deadlift

Zercher Squat

Stand tall with your hips back and knees slightly bent, and lower your torso to a 45-degree angle, maintaining a neutral spine and braced core. This is the starting position. Keep your arms straight as you raise them overhead. Hold the position for 10 to 15 seconds; return to the start.

Bend at your hips and knees and grab the bar overhand, your hands shoulder-width apart. With your back straight, brace your core, lock your upper back and lats, and drive your hips forward to stand up with the bar. Lower it safely by hinging at your hips and maintaining a neutral spine.

Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, hold a barbell in the crooks of your elbows. (You can wrap the bar in a towel for comfort.) Keep the bar in close as you push your hips back, bend your knees, and squat until your thighs are about parallel with the floor. Push back up.

RUN

Start with 5 to 10 split squats; then do 5 to 10 bent-over rows and 10 to 20 kettlebell swings. Rest as needed. That’s 1 circuit. Do 3, changing your weights and rep numbers each workout.

Dumbbell Bulgarian Split Squat

Wide Position Bent-Over Row

Kettlebell Swing

Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand with your back a couple of feet from a bench. Place the top of your left foot on the bench. This is the start.

Bend your right leg and lower your body until your left knee is a few inches from the floor. Return to the start. Do all your reps and switch legs.

Grab a barbell using an overhand grip that’s about twice shoulder width. Keeping your back naturally arched, bend at your hips and knees and lower your torso so it’s almost parallel to the floor. Let the bar hang; then pull it toward your upper abs. Pause and slowly lower the bar.

Assume a quarter squat with your hips pushed back and spine aligned, and grab a kettlebell with both hands. Hike it between your legs. Now stand and swing the bell to chest level while extending your hips and contracting your glutes. That’s 1 rep. Repeat the pattern, swinging back and forth.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 115

The Workouts (from page 50)

Finish Your Six-Pack in Just 10 Minutes These moves might look old-school, but add this core finisher to your routine and you’ll shred your abs fast. Prepare to be sore for days!

DIRECTIONS Do these exercises as a circuit, performing them in order for 30 seconds each.

Once you’ve completed all four, rest for 30 seconds. That’s 1 circuit; do 4.

1 Situp

2 Flutter Kick

3 V-Sit Kickout

Lie on your back with your heels firm and knees bent 90 degrees. Keep your hands in a fist in front of your chest. Now raise your torso to meet your upper legs, keeping your back straight throughout. Lower your torso back to the floor.

Lie on your back with your arms by your sides, palms down. Lift your feet and shoulders slightly off the floor. Now make small, rapid scissor kicks in the air—one leg rising while the other falls—while keeping your abs contracted.

Sit in a V position—feet off the floor, hips and knees bent, torso at a 45-degree angle. Your arms should be straight out in front of you. Lower your torso and straighten your legs, keeping your legs off the floor. Return to the V-sit.

Bobby Maximus

4 Plank Assume a pushup position, but with your elbows bent and your weight resting on your forearms.

“Push” your upper back toward the ceiling. Brace every muscle in your body, especially your abs and glutes, as if you’re about to be punched in the gut.

116 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Trainer: Bobby Maximus, general manager, Gym Jones, Salt Lake City Time: 10 minutes

PH OTO G R A PH S BY B EN G O L D ST EI N

G r o o m i n g : B r i t t a n y S p a u l d i n g / Tr u e B e a u t y M a r k s ; T h e L i c e n s i n g P r o j e c t / O f f s e t ( i n s e t )

Now that many guys think they should never do situps, they’re incredibly weak in the movement.

But you need them to perform better in many sports, and for more-defined abs.

INSIDEOUT EVENTS&PROMOTIONS

MORE MEANING. MORE FULFILLMENT. MORE MONEY.

CARAT

CONGRATULATIONS TO GREG KELLY,

HUSTLE teaches you how to look at reality through a new lens—one based on fearless doing, demanding more (from ourselves and others), and never giving up on what’s important in our lives.

who won the Best ‘Stache contest NEIL PATEL

CARAT and MEN’S HEALTH JOIN FORCES FOR A UNIQUE EVENT Last November, Men’s Health and Carat partnered to raise money to help change the face of men’s health. In total, Carat team members raised over $8,500, and had some fun along the way by growing their mustaches out for the entire month.

A huge thank you to Carat’s team members and those who donated at least $10: Anthony Bruno, Dakota Klaes, Malachi Randolph, Greg Kelly, Troy Tenn, Stephen Nemeth, Antoine Abeille, Seth Faber, Tyler Mascarello, Robert Duca, Mike DeGiorgio, Scott Shanfeld, Dylan Beaumont, Dave Morrison, John Winchell, Cassel Kroll, Toby Sanders, Arthur Greene, Christopher Ravanello, Patrick McGuiness, Steven Hernandez, Shayne Minick, Cody Sharp, David De Rosa, Drew Forte, Cory Burdick, Mike Makhlouf, Roberto Ramirez, James Seelye, John Bohlinger, Jayme Pounders, Mathew Metelitz, Deanna Cullen, Victor Chavez, Akshay Sharma, Fallon Bonaiuto, Ashraf Ali, Claire Kehlenbeck, Marie Loureiro DeSousa, Joey Medici, Carolyn Breen, Roxanne Miller, Sean Krueger, Team Kargo, Frank Trofa, Allison Slaght, Ryan Collins, Jeffrey Snair

Cofounder of Crazy Egg and Hello Bar

PATRICK VLASKOVITS New York Times bestselling author of The Lean Entrepreneur and founder of Superpowered Inc.

JONAS KOFFLER Creative media consultant, producer, and writer for global startups and billion-dollar companies

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THE BIG D, FROM P. 101

It’s an astounding improvement, one that kicked them out of the diabetic range (above 125) and into prediabetic (100 to 125). Five saw their A1c return to normal.

These results aren’t a fluke, says Newcastle professor Roy Taylor, M.D., who led the research team: “Patients of mine have remained nondiabetic for many years by achieving and maintaining substantial weight loss.”

To be sure, we already knew that weight loss helps people with diabetes. The long-running Look AHEAD study, which has more than 5,000 participants, shows that losing just 5 to 10 percent of body weight lowers blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity. Losing more is even better.

The reason seems pretty straightforward.

“If they had not been carrying around their current amount of fat for many years, they would not have developed type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Taylor says. Reversing the disease has to begin with reversing the cause of it.

But not all fat is equally culpable. The subcutaneous fat that hides your abs or pluralizes your chin may be aesthetically inconvenient, but it doesn’t destroy your health. People with diabetes, Dr. Taylor says, store excess fat in their liver, which spills over into the pancreas, eventually crippling that organ’s ability to make enough insulin. Dr. Taylor calls that tipping point the “personal fat threshold.” Although the heaviest people are at the highest risk, nobody can predict when any individual will reach it.

“The average body mass index at diagnosis is around 30,” he says, which is the borderline for obesity. “But more than 70 percent of people with BMIs over 45 don’t have diabetes.” (To put that into perspective, a 6-foot guy who weighs 221 has a BMI of 30. At 332 pounds, his BMI is 45.)

Weight loss reverses diabetes because it releases fat from your body, including the metabolically chaotic fat in your liver and pancreas.

Unfortunately, weight loss is no guarantee of success. All the people in Dr. Taylor’s study lost a lot of weight—an average of 35 pounds for the responders, versus 29 pounds for the others—but the 12 with the best results tended to be younger, with less body fat and lower blood glucose. They were also more recently diagnosed. They’d known about their disease for four years, on average, compared with 10 years for the nonresponders.

That matches Dr. Nadolsky’s experience with his own patients, and it gives Mamon hope.

Beat Diabetes at Dinner Mamon estimates that he weighed 185 to 190 in high school, and then “gained the typical 5 to 10 pounds a year.” It wasn’t until he opened a baseball card shop in 1998, when he was 24, that he ballooned. “I couldn’t play sports 118 MensHealth.com | March 2017

because we were open until 8 at night,” he says. “I was single and I had business responsibilities, so a lot of times I was eating at Bennigan’s at midnight.”

Seven years later he closed the shop and went into the restaurant business, where long hours on his feet couldn’t mitigate the damage caused by stress-fueled eating and drinking after his shift. Even then, when his weight blew past 300 on its way to 400 and beyond, he told himself he carried it well. “I never thought of myself as a big, fat slob,” he says. “People would always think I was 50 to 100 pounds lighter than I was.”

The time for deceiving himself was long past. With Dr. Nadolsky’s guidance, Mamon started tracking every single bite of food that crossed his lips. “I dropped my calories to 1,000 to 1,200 a day for the first three to four weeks,” he remembers. “When I think about what I would’ve been eating a year ago, I’d say it was easily 4,000 calories or more a day. Easily.” He lost 20 pounds in two weeks, and 40 more in the next four months.

Mamon also became militant about his carbs, for a simple reason. “Lowering carbohydrate intake will automatically lower blood sugar,” Dr. Nadolsky says. The logic: Diabetes begins with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes high blood sugar. That sugar comes primarily from the carbohydrates in your diet. The more carbs you eat, the higher it goes, and the more insulin your already-stressed pancreas is forced to produce. Mamon follows these rules: No more than 40 grams of net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) per meal No more than 20 grams of net carbs per snack No meals or snacks that are 100 percent carbohydrate (except an apple) The cascade also works in reverse. Fewer carbs means less blood sugar, which means less insulin. Over time your insulin sensitivity should return to normal. “If I could get my patients on low-carbohydrate diets, I would,” Dr. Nadolsky says. “But it’s very tough from a practical standpoint.”

Adherence is the biggest stumbling block.

For example, a 2010 study in the journal Obesity assigned 70 volunteers with diabetes to follow a diet with just 30 grams of carbs a day—the equivalent of an English muffin or a mediumto-large banana. At the beginning of the study they were eating about 200 grams a day. But by the end of the study they were only down to 193 grams. And that’s simply because they were eating less total food. Their percentage of calories from carbs actually went up.

That’s an extreme example, of course, but it highlights the unfortunate disconnect between the logic of cutting carbs and the reality of it for

people who have diabetes. Short-term studies sometimes show dramatic results for one diet or another, while long-term research shows little difference. How much weight you lose matters far more than how you lose it.

There is, however, one other way to fight diabetes.

Every Step Matters If you don’t have type 2 diabetes, you have three ways to avoid getting it: Stay lean. For every 1-point increase in your BMI (for a 6-footer, it would mean gaining about 8 pounds), your risk of developing diabetes goes up 8.4 percent.

Maintain your waist size. A 1-inch gain in waist size boosts your risk by 8 percent.

Exercise more. Physical activity cuts your risk by a whopping 50 to 80 percent, not least because it helps prevent weight and fat gain.

And if it’s too late for prevention? You won’t be surprised to learn that exercise can help you roll it back. For example, a 2016 Duke University study took a group of inactive middle-aged people with prediabetes and had them exercise for six months. The ones who walked at a casual pace for an average of 11 miles a week saw significant blood sugar improvements.

Dr. Taylor’s team at Newcastle University tried for something much more challenging.

Those who did 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) decreased their liver fat by an average of 39 percent while also improving postmeal glucose tolerance and several aspects of cardiovascular function. The protocol they followed three times a week is as complex as any you’ll find in published research. They started with five two-minute intervals the first week and advanced to nearly four-minute intervals in week 12, all at an intensity described as “very hard.” They also did 60 seconds of upperbody exercises with resistance bands during the three-minute recovery periods between intervals. (Dr. Taylor adds that they were supervised “by a very motivational person.”)

But it doesn’t need to be that complicated to be useful. “People think they need to do P90X or something,” Dr. Nadolsky says. “They have a cartoonish idea about what exercise is, and that extreme training is the only way for it to be effective. They don’t realize something that feels good is actually beneficial.” That’s why he encourages his patients to start by simply walking, preferably after meals, when it does the most to reduce blood sugar.

But strength training is almost equally valuable. A 2014 study in Sports Medicine comparing published research found that those who did aerobics lowered their A1c 18 percent more than those who lifted. Practically, though,

Satisfaction GUARANTEED! PLAY DIRTY, FROM P. 111

there’s no reason to choose one over the other, and most guidelines recommend doing both. What matters most is that you do something, and common sense tells us that you’re most likely to do more of something you enjoy. (See “Cool Off Your Risk” on page 99 for a particularly effective workout idea.)

“Exercise is very good for you,” Dr. Taylor says, which should not come as a shock to anybody. For people who have diabetes, any type of exercise helps keep excess postmeal blood sugar from flowing into the liver, where it’s converted to havoc-wreaking fat. But he follows that ray of sunshine with a grim reminder: “Most people who’ve eaten themselves into a state of diabetes simply cannot exercise themselves out of it.”

The Long Road Back For his part, Mamon is sold on the benefits of regular exercise. He and his wife walk 3 miles almost every morning, and when weather permits, they walk again after work. “We found some nice trails locally that we do on the weekends as well,” he says. He also plans to get back into the gym, although with a full-time job and night classes (he’s working toward a master’s certificate in supply-chain management), his schedule remains tight.

Mamon has now lost 83 pounds, which is 22 percent of his diagnosis-day weight.

At his last appointment with Dr. Nadolsky, his fasting blood sugar was 89 and his A1c was 5.5 percent, both well below the cutoffs for prediabetes. That’s with the help of three drugs, none of which is insulin.

His long-term goal is to reduce his need for them, especially one that’s frequently advertised on TV. Mamon says he’s never gotten used to seeing the commercials and realizing, “Hey, I take that!”

At moments like those, or when his progress stalls, he admits it’s hard to keep a positive attitude. But that’s when he most appreciates Dr. Nadolsky’s optimism. “I can be pretty pessimistic,” Mamon says.

“But he’s like, ‘Are you kidding me? You lost weight! You’re healthier!’”

Mamon knows he could’ve gotten here sooner and made his road back to health smoother and easier if he had paid attention to that initial warning, the one that told him his blood sugar was elevated and he was heading for a disease he wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy.

But considering the condition he was in a year ago, what he’s accomplished is very much worth celebrating. In moderation, of course. Followed by a long walk. 쐍

We buy organic produce when we can—not because it’s pesticide-free (it isn’t always), but because the plants are more likely to have retained beneficial microbes.

We try to avoid sugar, which feeds the bad microbes, and eat live foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir. Live foods may or may not help gut microbes, but they certainly can’t hurt.

We don’t use antibiotics—which lay waste to many beneficial microbes— unless one of the kids really needs an antibiotic for a bacterial infection. (Antibiotics won’t cure viral infections.) We also avoid meat produced using antibiotics. It can contain drug residue as well as antibiotic-resistant pathogens, which makes it especially dangerous for kids.

We let our kids chew their nails if the mood strikes. This practice, along with thumb sucking, has actually been shown to reduce certain allergy risks.

This is all based on the latest science.

But the truth is, until we know more, the best thing for kids—in order to keep their minds going, instill a sense of adventure and wonder, and just maybe keep their little microbiomes healthy—is to get them out into nature, with the space and freedom to explore on their terms. Of course, exploring the big and wild is most awesome. But if that’s not possible, a stinky urban pond with a bullfrog or even just a narrow band of trees will suffice.

A few weeks ago my wife and I took our kids to the beach. We stayed at a friend’s house that was separated from the water by a half dozen pine trees and some rocks. From that thin band of forest, the kids gathered sticks and vines and built a raft. They rolled dozens of logs, peeled off bark, twisted vines, dug through dirt, stacked rocks, and went up and down the shore gathering building material.

When it was all built to their satisfaction, they put the raft in the water and sat on it. It sank. They couldn’t have been happier. Then they spent the rest of the day trying to make a net.

They did all this in a wild area far smaller than the one I explored as a child. And yet it was wild enough for them to imagine the world, to imagine an odyssey, to imagine a connection to our ancestors, and to collect some friendly microbes on which, in one way or another, their futures depend. 쐍 Rob Dunn, Ph.D., is the author of The Wild Life of Our Bodies and The Man Who Touched His Own Heart.

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you’re at the top of your game, you can lose it all in an instant.

There’s another quote by another legendary coach: Yoda.

Who? The little green guy with the big ears from the Star Wars films.

[Laughs.] Okay.

Yoda once said, “Do or do not, there is no try.”

Do you agree?

Not really. That discounts the idea of being thoughtful before leaping into something.

When you try, you’re setting yourself up for a possible failure. If you go into something only if you’re absolutely certain you can do it, there’s no challenge there. There’s no fear of, “Will I live up to this?”

You’re saying Yoda was wrong?

There are times when it’s vital to say, “Let’s just try this out and see how this goes.”

Lord of the Rings

Meet the man who brought order—and 11 NBA titles—to the court.

BY ERIC SPITZNAGEL

PHIL JACKSON HIT A MILESTONE THIS YEAR: half a century with the NBA. He started as a player in 1967, helping the Knicks win two titles. After that he coached for the Bulls (1989–98) and Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–11), leading those teams to a combined 11 championships. Now he runs the Knicks’ front office as president.

Nicknamed “the Zen Master,” Jackson is known for his calm, new-age style of coaching. But is there a part inside him that needs to scream till veins pop out of his neck? When we asked him that, he just laughed. “Yeah, it’s there,” he admitted. “But then you remember that it’s just a game, and it’s created by people who are human and judged by referees who are fallible, and things happen out there that are beyond your control.”

We sat down with basketball’s most enigmatic coach to unravel some of his secrets.

Basketball as Metaphor MEN’S HEALTH: If life is a basketball game,

120 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Lombardi vs. Yoda Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all-the-time thing...

Winning is habit.” Do you agree?

A part of what happens to people who win is they grow accustomed to winning. Even when

The Downside of Victory We all know the excitement of winning. But what’s the unromantic drudgery that comes with being part of a winning team?

The unromantic part is there’s still tremendous letdown. When you’ve been chasing after this perfect moment and then you catch it, there’s an emptiness that comes after. You have to wait till the next season to start creating that feeling all over again. That’s something we used to tell teams when they won a championship.

“You are only as good as the last successful act you’ve completed.”

Did you come up with that? Or was it cribbed from Buddha?

It’s an old adage. Tex Winter, my mentor and coaching assistant, used to say it all the time.

He also had another motivational saying: “Let’s not start sucking each other’s dicks quite yet.”

That’s definitely not a Buddha quote.

[Laughs.] I don’t think so, no. 쐍

Kwaku Alston/Corbis/Get t y Images

should we be focusing on offense or defense?

PHIL JACKSON: Defense. It’s all about defense.

But not in the way people usually think of that word. It’s about the watching aspect of being defensive. You’re watching and reacting to what’s happening around you.

What if it isn’t going well? How do you turn it around?

You have to change the tempo of the game and put on some full-court pressure.

Change the tempo how?

It’s about manipulating expectations. What is the other team expecting from you? Then do the opposite. The element of surprise makes all the difference.

Are NBA championship rings heavier than normal rings?

It depends on the year. The newest ones, they’re huge. When you wear them, the ligaments in your fingers ache and you can’t shake hands because you feel like a hand crusher.

So you’re not walking around all day with NBA brass knuckles?

I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Most of them don’t fit. I started wearing one that fit—it was the fourth championship, a team that won 72 games and lost 10 (the 1995–96 Bulls). That was the penultimate moment, as far as season records go. It was the only ring that fit, so I wore it for a couple of weeks.

You have 11 championship rings as a coach.

If they did all fit, would you just pick your 10 favorite wins and wear those rings?

No, I couldn’t do that. These are my children and they’re all special. I’d just jam the extra one on a thumb knuckle.

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FROM THE MAKERS OF

SPRING 2017 GUIDE TO STYLE

PAGES OF BOOTS, JEANS, AND JACKETS THAT GET THE JOB DONE

Filson backpack, J.Crew jacket, Nautica Henley, Gap shirt, Red Wing Heritage boots

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

Breitling reinvents the connected watch firmly geared towards performance. Every inch an instrument of the future, the Exospace B55 multifunction electronic chronograph pushes the boundaries of comfort, ergonomics and efficiency.

The titanium case of this compendium of innovations houses an exclusive SuperQuartzTM caliber chronometer-certified by the COSC and featuring a range of original functions tailor-made for pilots and men of action. Welcome to the world of precision, feats and high-tech sophistication. Welcome to the vanguard of instruments for professionals.

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C o v e r : R I C H A R D P I E R C E ( p r o d u c t s) , s t y l i n g: P e t e r Tr a n /A r t D e p a r t m e n t ; C o r b i s / C o r b i s v i a G e t t y I m a g e s (w o r k e r) , i S t o c k . c o m /A i g a r s R (g e a r s) , i S t o c k . c o m /s s t o p (f a c t o r y) , i S t o c k . c o m /n a n o ( l u n c h p a i l a n d t h e r m o s) , i S t o c k . c o m / G H 01 (w r e n c h) , i S t o c k . c o m / j e t c i t y i m a g e (f a c t o r y) . T h i s p a g e: L e w i s W. H i n e /G e o r g e E a s t m a n H o u s e / G e t t y I m a g e s

“Opportunity is missed by most people, because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Thomas Edison

Detroit Endures

Channeling History

Made by Hand

Best Boot Forward

Portfolio

Form and Function

John Varvatos on the origins of his rugged designs, forged in the Motor City.

The evolution of men’s workwear, from loincloth to jeans to spacesuit.

Small batches yield high quality—a belt, flask, wallet, and other accessories.

The season’s toughest and most stylish boots. Pick a pair that will last a lifetime.

Five top car designers wear the latest styles and talk about their creative inspirations.

Seven performance watches that also look amazing. (You can have it all.)

MEN’S HEALTH Vol. 32, No. 2 (ISSN 1054-4836), is published 10 times per year (monthly except for January and July) by Rodale Inc., 400 South 10th St., Emmaus, PA 18098–0099; (800) 666-2303. Copyright 2017 by Rodale Inc. All rights reserved.

In U.S.: Periodicals postage paid at Emmaus, PA, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster (U.S.): Send address changes to Men’s Health magazine, Customer Service, P.O. Box 26299, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-6299. IN CANADA: Postage paid at Gateway, Mississauga, Ontario; Canada Post International Publication Mail (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 40063752. Postmaster (Canada): Send returns and address changes to Men’s Health magazine, P.O. Box 927, Stn Main, Markham ON L3P 9Z9 (GST# R122988611). Subscribers: If the postal authorities alert us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within 18 months.

O N T H E C O V E R : P H O T O - I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S E A N M C C A B E

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 5

Designer John Varvatos talks about the durability and resilience of his hometown—and how that hardworking spirit forged his own rugged, authentic style.

6 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Men are attracted to workwear because it’s authentic, functional, timeless, and masculine. The idea of restoring workmanship to things is critical. Whether it’s a car or clothes, it’s not just “What’s the cheapest I can buy?” It’s about the combination of value and quality.

When you look at something like a pair of work boots, there’s the authentic part—the functional design and durable construction— and also an element of style. They look good and speak to getting things done.

Men today are connecting with things that have a familiarity to them. They appreciate the history behind them. There are a lot of similarities between this concept and my hometown. When I was a kid, Detroit was in survival mode. By the late 1970s, the city had completely fallen apart. Growing up in that environment, you learn to be a scrapper. The city is like a fighter. It’s been on the mat, like Rocky, battered and bruised, but somehow it just keeps getting back up.

That’s why its music is tougher, sexier, angrier, and bluesier.

Even the auto industry, reeling since the ’70s, is starting to come back. I’m blown away by the quality, value, and innovation of its products. The companies are doing great things and competing on a global field.

Detroit is turning around in other ways too. Young people are coming to Detroit from all over the United States. There’s a sexiness to the grit and the opportunity.

They’re opening art galleries, restaurants, speakeasies, stores, and music venues.

They’re working hard, many as entrepreneurs. It’s a new frontier.

Everywhere you turn, there’s something interesting happening. There is such a sense of pride among Detroit natives. Five years from now, when we’re talking about urban development, I believe that Detroit will be the most talked-about city in the world. And the spirit driving that is reflected in its work ethic, its progress, and its clothes.

D a n n y C l i n c h ( Va r v a t o s) , U n d e r w o o d A r c h i v e s /G e t t y I m a g e s (c a r)

Growing up in Detroit, I spent two summers during college working at Chrysler’s Trenton factory. I worked the 3:30-to-midnight shift in the chemical plant, where they also assembled brake pads. It was a 40-hour-a-week job, but I probably averaged another 16 to 20 hours in overtime, usually as double shifts.

Some days I would set up the lab for the next day’s shift; other days I built brake pads.

It was 90 percent men. Our uniform was heavy-duty protective clothing: canvas jackets, rugged jeans, work boots.

We have a long history with workwear in this country. In fact, these clothes originated here in America, on the backs of factory workers and gold miners. If you go back to the 1960s, it was what we wore on weekends. Every generation evolves workwear in a new, cool, manly way. Today we love heritage brands and identify with items soaked in history. Men care less about logos, which is why these iconic brands are more popular than ever.

PE R R Y E L L IS

C OM

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE

148,000 BC

Man Discovers Leather Dried, scraped-out animal hides were pretty much it for Stone Age fashion. The leather loincloth protected men from rogue sparks when grilling mastodon or flying rock chips when crafting spearheads. About 40,000 years ago, we started sewing with needles fashioned from antlers and bones.

1850 The Debut of Flannel Woolrich created the Buffalo Check shirt in 1850. The popular pattern, which makes every guy look capable, is still produced by Woolrich in the nation’s oldest woolen mill in Chatham Run, Pennsylvania.

1863 Boots on the Ground The mid- to late 1800s were a boon for toes and ankles.

Frye, launched in 1863, became a favorite of homesteaders, stevedores, and cowboys. The brand earned 8 MensHealth.com | March 2017

1863

a reputation for comfort and durability, one reason why its Jet Boot was so popular with World War II servicemen.

1873 Denim Invades the Land The men charged with building America needed rugged, indestructible pants. To the rescue came Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis and the invention of Levi’s denim “waist overalls.” Those genius metal rivets on the pockets and base of the fly forever changed the look of labor.

Belt loops would later arrive in the 1920s, and the crotch rivet vanished during World War II.

1873

1877

1914

1914 The WellDressed Explorer As a work environment, the 1897 Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska was a murderous, bone-cold hell.

The Filson company arrived to marginally improve the prospectors’ quality of life and in 1914 patented its Mackinaw Cruiser jacket, made of 100 percent virgin wool and featuring natural rain repellency and insulating warmth that protected the wearer from water, ice, and northern death sleet. It’s still around today and is even available in charcoal for architects and other stylistas.

1917 1877 Workwear Goes Waterproof On the North Sea, in 1877, an enterprising sea captain from Norway named Helly Juell Hansen outfitted his crew in a waterproof oilskin fabric—linen soaked in linseed oil—to keep them dry, unfrozen, and productive.

The Chore Coat Checks In Carhartt started getting men dressed for work in 1889 in Detroit, and in 1917 introduced its classic Chore Coat, with four pockets and a roomy structure. It eventually became a favorite among men working in agriculture, oil exploration, British punk,

1917

1934

and Southern hip-hop.

Meanwhile, L.C. King launched his Pointer Brand overalls; the company still runs the nation’s oldest continuously operated family-owned cut-andsew factory.

1934 Boots Made Even Better Red Wing’s heavyweight leather boots debuted in 1905. The Billy Boot—with a handy space for a pocketknife—arrived in 1925, followed by a very sturdy model with a “ton-tested steel toe cap” for oilfield workers in 1934. The company also adopted the Goodyear welt—a strip of leather stitched between the shoe’s upper and insole, allowing the boots to be resoled over and over. Thanks to the current Red Wing Heritage line, many similar models, including the Beckman (a.k.a.

Gentleman Traveler), are still sold today.

1936

1936 The Invention of Shade Sunglasses didn’t really catch on until the 1930s. That’s when the Army Air Corps put out a call for antiglare goggles, and Bausch+Lomb answered with its aviator shades. They would soon become standard issue in the 1970s for celebs from Elvis to Gloria Steinem. The droopy style was meant to aid pilots who spent a lot of time looking down at instrument panels.

In 1937 they were rebranded as Ray-Ban Aviators.

1936 Going Up with Down Seattle outdoorsman Eddie Bauer first designed the Skyliner, a superwarm jacket for climbers that was stuffed with goose down. But the lightweight warmth of down and durability extended to anyone working in the cold: ranchers, linemen, geese, and the Air Force. The B-9 Parka and matching A-8 Flight Pants made up what the Air

Woolrich shirt, $69; Levi’s jeans, $90; Filson jacket, $385; Red Wing Heritage boots, $350; Ray-Ban sunglasses, $200

To m M c H u g h / G e t t y I m a g e s ( N e a n d e r t h a l ) , U n i v e r s a l H i s t o r y A r c h i v e / U I G v i a G e t t y I m a g e s ( l o g g e r s ) , c o u r t e s y W o o l r i c h ( W o o l r i c h a d , B u f f a l o C h e c k s h i r t ) , c o u r t e s y T h e F r y e C o m p a n y ( F r y e b o o t s) , L e v i S t r a u s s & C o . A r c h i v e s (m i n e r) , c o u r t e s y H e l l y H a n s e n (f i s h e r m a n) , c o u r t e s y F i l s o n (c a t a l o g p a g e) , C a r h a r t t A r c h i v e ( j a c k e t) , c o u r t e s y M i n n e s o t a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y (f a c t o r y w o m e n) , c o u r t e s y R a y - B a n (a v i a t o r s)

150,000 Years Ago

AD 1850

MUCH OF WHAT WE WEAR WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR MANUAL WORK IN WILD WEATHER. IT STILL WORKS TODAY ON CITY STREETS AND CLIMATE-CONTROLLED OFFICES. THANK YOUR ANCESTORS FOR TOUGHING IT OUT. BY JEFF VRABEL

P h o t o Q u e s t / G e t t y I m a g e s ( m a n i n s u n g l a s s e s ) , c o u r t e s y D u l u t h Tr a d i n g C o . ( h a n d c r e a m , L o n g t a i l T - s h i r t a d , T - s h i r t ) , A l b l e c / G e t t y I m a g e s ( z i p p e r ) , W. L . G o r e & A s s o c i a t e s I n c . (G o r e -Te x m e m b r a n e) , R o b e r t H o l m g r e n / z u m a p r e s s . c o m (J o b s) , C a s t l e R o c k E n t e r t a i n m e n t /c o u r t e s y E v e r e t t C o l l e c t i o n (S e i n f e l d ) , B i l l S t a f f o r d / N A S A (s p a c e s u i t) , L e v i S t a u s s & C o . A r c h i v e s ( D o c k e r s)

1942

1947

Force called the “Cold Weather Buoyancy Flight Suit”— the first that was insulated with down.

The B-9 is still around, stuffed with 650-fill premium down and featuring a water-resistant finish.

1942 Dickies Goes to War Dickies was selling denim bib overalls in the 1920s, but the company really established its reputation making durable cotton khaki military uniforms for millions of soldiers during World War II. Grinders in the SoCal skate scene in the ’80s were among those who appreciated the brand’s quality, price, and durability. Now the company’s making khakis out of recycled plastic bottles.

1969

But not worrying about it only made it worse. Enter some nongreasy, ultra-moisturizing stuff informatively called No-Crack Hand Cream. Developed by Arthur Hebberd, it’s still cooked up by real people in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

1947 The Rise of the Zipper By the 1930s, denim jeans had crossed over to weekend wear, and by the ’50s they were the purview of Brando and Dean. They were also getting upgrades: Zippers didn’t appear until the late 1940s, when East Coast jeans adopters turned against the button fly. Other improvements included triple stitching, which is just what it sounds like—three rows of stitching instead of one.

1969 1942 The Dawn of the Metrosexual In the early 1940s, American men faced a post-Depression society, a world war, and the VA. The last thing they worried about was dry skin.

Insane in the Membrane Developed in the late 1960s, Gore-Tex uses a membrane that repels water but allows evaporating sweat to pass

1985 1986

through, which is why it now appears in every outdoor brand you’ve ever heard of. It’s the uniform of the rain delay and in 1981 went into space as a component of the suits worn on the Space Shuttle Columbia. It’s trusted by the military and law enforcement and anyone who needs shelter from a storm.

1983 The Pocket MacGyver The Swiss Army knife hails from the 1890s, when the Swiss military brass wanted to outfit soldiers with ways to open bottles and cans, fix equipment, and, of course, cut stuff. The American workingman’s version, the Leatherman multipurpose tool, didn’t arrive until 1983.

The original had 14 tools, while the recently updated 300 model boasts 19. It’s regularly employed by all kinds of workers and confiscated at all kinds of airports.

Eddie Bauer jacket, $299; Arc’teryx jacket, $849; Leatherman multitool, $90; Dockers pants, $68; Duluth Trading Co. shirt, $20

2002

2017

1985

2002

The Silicon Valley Gold Rush Brainiac innovator Steve Jobs applies the uniform ethos of the workingman to the corner office at Apple Inc.: Wearing the same damn thing every damn day.

Following the less-is-more approach and inspired by uniforms of Sony employees he observed in Japan, Jobs eventually ignored everything but his Levi’s 501s and his Issey Miyake black mock turtlenecks.

The Riddle of Plumber’s Butt Duluth introduced its near-mythical Longtail T-shirt, which solved the centuriesold problem of plumber’s butt by adding 3 inches of shirt length, an idea so simple and so desperately needed that you kind of can’t believe it took until 2002 to work that out.

1986 Khaki Reports to the Office By the late 1980s, the usage of such inventions as computers and phone banks meant workers spent more of their lives sitting motionless in the fluorescent indoors. Yet they still craved the functionality of military-inspired khaki. Enter Dockers, which arrived in the mid-’80s, appeared later on Seinfeld, and blew up with the popularity of casual Fridays.

2017 Workwear Goes to Mars Space fact: NASA technology is probably around you right now. Look! There’s Nike Air next to your Outlast stuff and your flame-retardant fabrics. NASA is currently working on technologies for a suit that will one day make it to Mars. The Z-2 advanced prototype, released in November 2015, is a lightweight, high-durability outfit that will test systems for carbon dioxide removal, water evaporation, and temperature regulation. It’s designed for serious work. But then, so is a leather loincloth.

RELAX L I KE YO U â&#x20AC;&#x2122; R E AT T H E W AT E R

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE No. 165 Waxed Canvas Carryall Undo the brass buckles, and this waxed-canvas bag expands to a foot wide to swallow the tools of a modern man’s trade—like gym gear, books, and that 17-inch laptop. Interior compartments separate work stuff from play stuff, and leather protects the base from scrapes. $440, billykirk.com

Rewax Your Bag

CLEAN IT Sponge-clean the bag with cold water; let dry.

Heat wax* in a shallow pan of water until clear.

MASSAGE IT Apply the wax with your fingers in short, circular strokes (seams too).

Wipe off excess wax.

BAKE IT Use a hairdryer to smooth out the finish.

Let the bag dry overnight. *We like unscented Martexin Original Wax PHOTOGR A PH BY R I C H A R D PI ERC E

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 11

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE Soft faces need sharp edges. State Optical Co., $425

STEAL THESE STYLE TIPS FROM FOUR INSTAGRAM INFLUENCERS. BY BRIAN BOYÉ

Eye Catchers CHANGING THE FRAMES OF YOUR EYEGLASSES CAN CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU. By Danielle Fox

FRANK MUYTJENS @fmuytjens Head of menswear design at J.Crew For a low-maintenance indoor plant, adopt the ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), which thrives in low light.

JENS @sel.vage Nurse and workwear enthusiast in Germany Check out 877 Workshop’s handcrafted jewelry, belts, and blankets (877workshop.com).

CONTRAST YOUR FACE SHAPE ROUND = Angular frames will narrow out a wide face.

SQUARE = Use round frames to soften a hard jaw.

HEART = Frames that are wider at the bottom or dip between the eyes minimize a fivehead.

OVAL = Anything, as long as it’s proportional to your face.

DON’T CROSS THE BRIDGE SHORT OR STUBBY NOSE =

NATE @cuffington L.A.-based online marketing analyst Create the cleanest cuff by flipping up the fabric once, an inch from the bottom of your jeans.

PAUL @bothrops1 Biology professor and yoga instructor Find vintage watches from brands like Rolex and Panerai at Crown & Caliber (crownandcaliber.com).

Clear or metal bridges help slim and lengthen a puggy snout.

LONG =Low, dark, and straight bridges will shorten a pronounced beak.

Sources: Lindsey Ruhe, The Vision Council; Meera Dua, senior director of product, LensCrafters

Fast Fixes REBOOT YOUR LOOK WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Swap Out Your Buttons

Upgrade Your Watch Strap

Resole Your Heels

Buttons do more than keep your coat closed, says stylist Jacqui Stafford: They telegraph class. To improve any coat, replace cheap-looking plastic with faux horn or leather-wrapped buttons. Try sites like M&J Trimming and Etsy.

The strap is almost as important to your look as the watch face. Instead of a traditional metal link bracelet, wear an updated silicone or leather strap to better match your style. For inspiration, search online at Hodinkee and Timex.

Dress shoes and boots can be reheeled for a mere $15 to $30. Replacing the whole sole can get pricey, though. Don’t spend more than 50 percent of what you paid for the shoes, says David Mesquita of Leather Spa in New York City.

12 MensHealth.com | March 2017

I l l u s t r a t i o n s b y J O H N B U R G O Y N E ; I c o n s b y H U B E R T T E R E S Z K I E W I C Z ; p r o p s t y l i n g ( p r e v i o u s p a g e a n d o p p o s i t e ) : N i c o l e S o f e r / C o r n e l i a A d a m s ; B j o r n I o o s s / Tr u n k A r c h i v e ( M u y t j e n s )

MATCH YOUR SKIN TONE TO THE FRAME COLOR DARK = Go bold in red, or stay subdued in tan or light yellow.

Black is easy but strong.

MEDIUM =Tortoiseshell and jewel tones, such as burgundy or forest green, flatter olive skin.

PALE =Navy or eggplant creates contrast. A light to medium tortoiseshell adds interest.

If the natural wood grain doesn’t woo you, the leather slipmat will.

Listen Up Dave Buick, reissue specialist at Detroit’s Third Man Records, picks four albums every man needs.

Cowboy in Sweden, Lee Hazlewood (1970) Like Serge Gainsbourg and Leonard Cohen, you can’t go wrong with him.

A Different Spin Not ready to go full analog? The wireless Trntbl, from the subscription club Vnyl, connects to Sonos and Spotify without skipping a beat.

Introducing Scientist, Scientist (1980) If your reggae library consists of Bob Marley alone, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

$499, trntbl.co

Illustration by BERND SCHIFFERDECKER

ANALOG RISES AGAIN WITH SHINOLA’S NEW TURNTABLE. BY SANDRA NYGAARD In a time when the swipe of an index finger can score you a date and a double-tap is considered connecting with friends, there’s something novel about using both hands to play a record.

Shinola, the Detroit-based brand in constant pursuit of artistry in American-made watches, leather goods, and bicycles, recently introduced the Runwell turntable, produced with oldschool craftsmanship so you can spin vinyl the old-fashioned way.

PH OTO G R A PH BY R I C H A R D PI ER C E

Audiophiles will notice the stellar sound generated by the belt drive, friction-free tonearm, modular phono preamp, and moving magnet cartridge. The rest of us will admire the clean lines and minimalist design— a vibration-absorbing aluminum platter on a sleek oak base.

The retro design might draw modern men toward the music their fathers listened to, but anyone can appreciate the experience of listening to full records

from one artist without cherrypicking songs on a playlist based on mood or preference. “It’s a fundamental shift,” says Alex Rosson, director of Shinola Audio. “The turntable locks you into the process—it makes you physically and psychologically engage, so it speaks to you in a different way.”

The Runwell Turntable is available online, in Shinola stores, and at a handful of select retailers. $2,500, shinola.com

Suicide, Suicide (1977) These two dudes paved the way for punk, industrial, hip-hop, noise, rockabilly, and more. Game changer.

Maggot Brain, Funkadelic (1971) The third studio LP from George Clinton is worth it for the gatefold photos alone.

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE

IN PRAISE OF HANDMADE, TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED COOL STUFF. BY DAN MICHEL 1/ WINTER SESSION TRIPLE WALLET Stow your goods in its three sturdy pockets. Made in Denver from a single piece of vegetabletanned Horween leather. $85, winter-session.com

2/ WILL LEATHER GOODS HORSEHAIR ARROW BELT For three decades, this Oregon family business has specialized in making rugged leather belts, including classics like this one. $185, willleathergoods.com

3/ EZRA ARTHUR IPHONE WALLET Four brothers in Phoenix create high-end leather products, like this iPhone case. Its lifetime guarantee means your device will wear out long before the case does. $85, ezraarthur.com

4/ GILES & BROTHER HOOK KEYRING HEMATITE Ditch the carabiner: With its tarnished metal, this ring is classier. $130, gilesandbrother.com

5/ GILES & BROTHER ORIGINAL RAILROAD SPIKE CUFF Capture the spirit of the railway with this rugged brass cuff; personalize it with a monogram or mantra. $95, gilesandbrother.com

6/ DETROIT GROOMING CO. STAINLESS STEEL CREDIT CARD COMB Keep your mane tamed with an ultrathin comb that fits neatly in your wallet. Bonus: Flip it over and it’ll open your beer. $29, detroitgrooming.com

7/ ODIN NEW YORK 08 SEYLON A laborer can smell good too.

Made in New York City by a smallbatch perfumer, this citrusy scent has a woodsy backbone and works all day. $165, odinedt.com

8/ SHWOOD X STANLEY FLASK Shwood, a design workshop based in Portland, Oregon, elevates the venerable stainless steel flask by wrapping it in leather. Perfect for your coffee or bourbon—or both together. $40, shwoodshop.com

Founded on the premise that if you can’t find what you want, make it yourself, The James Brand has a minimalist approach, as evidenced by this slim pocketknife. $150, thejamesbrand.com 14 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Photographs by MITCH MANDEL

9/ THE JAMES BRAND THE COUNTY

“BEAUTIFUL” - Way n e S . , J a c k s o nv i l l e , F L

T H E F I R S T- E V E R M A ZDA M X- 5 M IATA R F One word. That’s all it takes to capture the feeling evoked by the lines of the all-new MX-5 RF. The way its curved subtleties speak to one’s heart. Our obsession to redefine the world’s most iconic roadster was also driven by one word: Why. Because Driving Matters.

DRIVIN G MATTERS

®

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE

A good pair of work boots can last a lifetime—or several. By Joshua Bingaman When I was 13, I found my dad’s hunting boots in the garage. They were tall and caramel colored, and they smelled musty—not like feet, but like the trick that time plays on something damp. Those boots predated my birth, and in their presence I felt like the newcomer I was. Beveled and creased, and with their scrunched markings, they had decades on me.

Crunchy, weathered laces had survived rusted eyelets, and the cracking white rubber sole was bent up at the toe like a wry smile, knowing the years I had yet to see.

These boots made me feel connected to my father. I could imagine walking through the fields, hunting, or working in the yard with him.

My father’s father died when I was still young, but I’ve seen photographs of him working on cars or standing by the ambulance he drove. His boots were always present, taking steps with him on his journey. These boots are family legacy to me.

They’re what the men who came before me wore and worked so hard in.

My dad didn’t pass his boots down to me; I found them, like a treasure, symbolic of a work ethic and sense of satisfaction that comes from a job done well.

I suppose collecting and even making boots represents an important piece of personal history. But it’s also a tangible connection to something: physical proof of the sweat and effort that make a living feel earned.

Bingaman is the founder and CEO of Helm Boots, based in Austin, Texas.

16 MensHealth.com | March 2017

PH OTO G R A PH BY R I C H A R D PI ER C E

MACYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

W I L D AT H E A R T

AVAILABLE AT DIOR.COM

INSIDEOUT

EVENTS & PROMOTIONS

CASIO • SKITTLES • MEN'S HEALTH BOX CASIO G-SHOCK WATCH PREVIEW and SHOPPING EVENT DECEMBER 1, 2016 TOURNEAU TIMEMACHINE NEW YORK CITY

PHOTOS: SEAN SIME

1

3

2

Men’s Health Associate Publisher, Integrated Advertising Chris Peel and Brian Boyé, Executive Fashion Director gathered with over 200 watch enthusiasts to celebrate the Casio G-SHOCK Master of G collection, honoring First Responders with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

4

1| Event attendees viewing the G-SHOCK Master of G Series 2| David Johnson, VP Timepiece/Casio America, Inc. 3| Casio First Responders and special guests wearing G-SHOCK watches 4| (left to right) Richard Gellman, VP Advertising & Marketing/Tourneau; 2015 UMHGS winner Tim Boniface; Ira Melnitsky, CEO/Tourneau; 2016 UMHGS winner Jed Ballard; Chris Peel, Associate Publisher, Integrated Advertising/Men’s Health

IT’S NOT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE, IT’S WHO HAS MORE SKITTLES®.

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“DETERMINED”

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE

Cole Haan Lockridge Waterproof Moc Toe, $350

Danner Quarry, $260

The hand-distressed leather is legit; feel free to add your own scuffs.

Oil-tanned leather keeps your feet dry in the slushiest of urban swamps.

The soles and heels resist electrical shock, in case you step on a live wire.

Blundstone #1451 Lace Up, $200

Red Wing Heritage 9075 Classic Moc, $270

Dsquared2 Whistler Ankle Boot, $980

This Tasmania brand’s boot has a shock-absorbing heel.

Minimal sole tread equals less dirt dragged in. Your rug will thank you.

The vibe is rugged, but lambskin and calfskin add a refined touch.

Chippewa Boots 1975 Original Trekkers Mountaineer, $412

Johnston & Murphy Karnes Alpine Boot, $140

John Varvatos Six O’ Six, $650

Thinsulate Ultra lining handles whatever extreme weather brings.

Hand-stained, burnished leather adds character and refinement.

Vintage military style with a modern attitude. Friends may salute your good taste.

18 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Photographs by JENS MORTENSEN (this spread); previous page: prop st yling by Nicole Sofer/Cornelia Adams, vintage Red Wing boots cour tesy Red Wing, por trait by B ERND SCHIFFERDECK ER

Bed|Stü Protégé, $265

“My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud.”

—Henry Rollins

Timberland Smugglers Notch 6-Inch Lineman, $475

Cat Footwear Abe Canvas, $152

The Frye Company John Addison Lace Up, $398

Inspired by Prohibition-era bootleggers’ footwear. Works in today’s speakeasies.

Tough canvas and leather create contrasting textures.

Made in the USA, honoring the founder of the company, John Addison Frye.

Thursday Boot Company Commander, $249

Filson Uplander, $410

Chippewa Boots Service Boot, $298

Gorgeous looks can still handle harsh weather and terrain.

Heavyweight, oil-tanned leather will last for years. Make that decades.

Old-school durability in sophisticated suede with contrasting laces.

Helm Boots Marion Olive Blucher, $495

J.Crew Kenton Leather Pacer, $248

Orvis Walking Boot, $329

Named after the founder’s grandmother, with distinctive olive-colored leather.

They’re built for comfort—and with burly lugged soles, they’re also built to last.

Hand-sewn in Wynne, Arkansas, with a nice waxy finish.

36, CHIEF DESIGNER, RAM TRUCK/ COMMERCIAL/ PERFORMANCE INTERIORS DREAM CAR The 1996 Dodge Viper GTS. I drooled over it when I was growing up.

Its clean, aggressive nature with the beautiful blue-and-white paint scheme is timeless.

JOB SATISFACTION I love that design is one of the main drivers of a purchase or experience. My father is a retired toy designer, so I grew up understanding and appreciating design.

THE BEAUTY OF WORKMANSHIP I feel a strong connection with the craftsmanship of a product; it’s the key that bonds the product and the consumer. I believe the interior of a vehicle, while complex and made of hundreds of elements, needs to work in symphony.

INSPIRATION The architecture work of Frank Lloyd Wright and the writing and art of Elbert Hubbard. Both were part of the arts and crafts movement. The “craft” speaks to the quality of the work they produced.

Filson jacket, $198. L.L.Bean shirt, $50 Prps Goods & Co. jeans, $198. John Varvatos boots, $650. Diesel watch, $275

SIGNATURE PROJECT

Ram Rebel TRX Inside the tough exterior is a sophisticated dashboard and comfy seating that turn your pickup into a rolling office.

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE

How the men who shape our future rides generate ideas that never go out of style.

By Brian BoyĂŠ Photographs by Robert Maxwell

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 21

32, LEAD EXTERIOR DESIGNER, LINCOLN DREAM CAR A 1960s Ferrari 250 Lusso. I love its thin pillars, pontoon fenders, subtlety, and feminine shapes. I’m a sucker for front-engined Ferraris.

They’re very gentlemanly.

INSPIRATION I think subconsciously I’m drawn to shapes, patterns, and colors found in nature.

Designs that seem natural usually appeal to me far more than something arbitrary and artificial.

BEST ACCESSORY I have a silver bracelet that was handed down to me from my grandfather. It means a lot to me. It’s bent and has many scratches and it gets in the way when I’m sketching, but I love wearing it.

John Varvatos jacket, $1,698. Spectre & Co. shirt, $55. 7 For All Mankind jeans, $249. Red Wing Heritage belt, $89 The Frye Company boots, $428

SIGNATURE PROJECT

Lincoln Continental Concept The ride of presidents is now a sleek beast, from its iconic grille to seamless tail lights and touch-sensitive door handles.

S t y l i n g : B r i a n B o y é , S a n d r a N y g a a r d , D a n M i c h e l ; g r o o m i n g : Ta i C r a w f o r d ; p r o p s t y l i n g : K a t h l e e n F e n n e s s y ; a s s i s t a n t p r o p s t y l i n g : M i c h a e l M o r a n ; p r o d u c t i o n : D a v e K r i e g e r

BIGGEST CHALLENGE Having empathy for a brand’s heritage and being sensitive to its design philosophy. I always keep in mind that a vehicle needs to age gracefully for at least a decade. Timeless design can’t be too busy or loud, because trends change. An automobile also has to make a statement. Consumers always appreciate unique, bold designs more than something repetitive.

SIGNATURE PROJECT

Corvette Grand Sport The latest descendant of the legendary 1963 racer displays data on the windshield so you can keep your eyes on the road.

L.L.Bean shirt, $40 Bonobos sweater, $158 Paige joggers, $189.

The Frye Company boots, $428. Salvatore Ferragamo bracelet, $210

37, DIRECTOR OF DESIGN, CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE CAR INTERIORS

BIGGEST CHALLENGE I enjoy making a design aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. Take the new C7 Corvette: It’s a high-performance, highstress cockpit, so we made the controls and displays as straightforward as possible.

JOB SATISFACTION It’s rewarding to see a design I worked on out in the world being used by real people.

TELLING DETAILS I pay attention to the contrasts between textures. For example, on the C7 interior

we contrasted high-gloss carbon fiber and suede.

DREAM CAR The 1920s Bugatti Type 35.

It was a purely functional racecar with no extraneous elements. Yet every bolt head, pulley, and bracket

is beautiful. And the 1963 Corvette Stingray splitwindow coupe. It was adventurous in its day.

WORKWEAR WATCHWORD Authenticity—the aesthetic and detailing evolving to meet a functional need.

March 2017 | MensHealth.com 23

46, DESIGN DIRECTOR, GMC FINDING BALANCE I’m hypersensitive about how things look, and I’m always dreaming of ways to make everything more aesthetically pleasing.

There has to be the right balance between soft and hard, or making sure the stitch details look right. It’s similar to fashion— getting the right proportions and mix of colors and patterns.

DESIGN APPROACH You have to dare to try new things. The only way to get something new is to create designs that make you feel a little uncomfortable. When you are affecting the development of something as expensive as a vehicle, it takes guts and a strong vision for future trends.

FAVORITE DESIGNER Charles Eames. He had such a large effect on architecture and furniture design.

Eames embraced the new manufacturing processes of the time and came up with enduring designs that people still collect and attempt to recreate today. I picked up an Eames lounge chair in 1995, the second I could afford it.

BEST ACCESSORY My wife gave me a TAG Heuer Kirium watch 18 years ago, and I wore it nearly every day. It only recently stopped working. I still love it.

It’s an iconic, beautifully designed timepiece.

GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate This worksite workhorse features 12-way adjustable seats and a heated steering wheel. Because you deserve it.

24 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Illustrations by Mike Sudal

Jack Spade shirt, $138. Mavi jeans, $98. Jean Shop jacket, $198 To Boot New York boots, $398 Will Leather Goods belt, $85

SIGNATURE PROJECT

SIGNATURE PROJECT

Ford Evos Concept The gull-winged coupe with a plug-in hybrid engine never went into production, but some of its design elements will show up in future Fords.

Gap shirt, $60. Paige jeans, $199. John Varvatos jacket, $1,898 Koio Collective shoes, $248. Nautica belt, $38

35, GLOBAL ADVANCED INTERIOR CHIEF, FORD MOTOR COMPANY

JOB SATISFACTION What I love about designing is that outside of human relationships, it’s one of the few ways to create meaning for people.

KEY TO STYLE Fit and detail. The best pieces of clothing are beau-

tifully crafted, and their cuts have evolved and been refined with each season. I also focus on details and I’m intrigued by new construction techniques, like mixing suede and cotton, or new material choices, like using jersey in tailored pieces like jackets.

INSPIRATION Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.

These French brothers have a diverse portfolio of design work, from furniture to homes.

I like how emotional yet simple their work is. They’ve created furniture for my favorite brands, like Hay and Ligne Roset.

DESIGN VISION My aesthetic is who I am. I’m encouraged to draw from far outside the automotive world.

A desire for a more human and softer design approach is constantly informing and shaping the work of my team and our results.

Clockwise from top left.

26 MensHealth.com | March 2017

Shock Resistance It’s tough as nails and has a movement set in gel to absorb bumps, shakes, or blasts. The scratchproof sapphire crystal protects the dial no matter how grueling your to-do list.

G-Shock Master of G Mudmaster, $320

Time Zone Adjustment For frequent travelers, this Seiko has built-in GPS that automatically adjusts to the local time.

That means you’ll always be on time and never have to reset it. Seiko Astron GPS Solar WorldTime, $2,200

P r o p s t y l i n g : N i c o l e S o f e r/ C o r n e l i a A d a m s

Two centuries ago, Louis Moinet invented the chronograph to track the movement of the stars. Since then, pilots, divers, racers, explorers, and other workingmen have pushed watch design and functionality. Big crowns, light-up numbers, rotating bezels, and waterproof housings are examples of trickle-down tech, says Jack Forster, editor-in-chief of the watch site Hodinkee. “It’s about useful features and extreme durability.”

Tachymeter & Pulsometer Like most race watches, this one has a chronograph. But it will also calculate your heart rate, a measurement that shows up on the red second hand. Tag Heuer Monza Automatic Chronograph, $5,200

Batteries not included: This sleek watch is powered by the sun.

Perforations in the leather strap keep your wrist dry when you’re sweating.

Deconstruct the strap and you’ll have a rope that can support 550 pounds.

The extra-large crown on this watch lets pilots adjust it—even with gloves on.

Flyback Chronograph In the cockpit, fractions of a second can mean life or death, so this chronograph resets instantly to time your air speed—or your next 800. IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun, $10,900

Survival Strap The strap, made of military-grade parachute cord, unravels to yield 30 feet of lifesaving rope.

Innermost strands can function as dental floss if dinner out is your next adventure. Victorinox I.N.O.X. Paracord, $625

Emergency Beacon Lost at sea? Trapped in a crevasse? This watch can save you. Its extendable antennas broadcast your signal anywhere in the world and can summon the nearest rescue team.

Breitling Emergency, $16,475

Compass & Altimeter Whether it’s the Matterhorn or midtown, you won’t get lost wearing this solar-powered watch. Its compass and altimeter show where you’re going and how high you’ve climbed. Citizen Watch Promaster Altichron, $850

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE

The indispensable work coat is still on the job.

By Sandra Nygaard Photograph by Richard Pierce

L.L.Bean A dark color can scale the distance between refined and rustic, so this navy herringbone twill works equally well with a tee or a buttonfront shirt and tie. The soft flannel lining keeps you comfortable.

Polo Ralph Lauren You can look buttoned up while staying true to your inner rebel in this distressed workwear blazer. It’s just as comfortable as your favorite jean jacket, but lapels add interest. Bonus: It’s already broken in.

Prop st yling: Nicole Sofer/C ornelia Adams

Arc’teryx arcteryx.com Bed|Stü bedstu.com Billykirk billykirk.com Blundstone blundstone.com

Bonobos bonobos.com Breitling breitling.com Cat Footwear catfootwear.com Chippewa Boots chippewaboots.com

Citizen Watch citizenwatch.com Cole Haan colehaan.com Danner danner.com Detroit Grooming Co. detroitgrooming.com

Diesel diesel.com Dockers dockers.com Dsquared2 dsquared2.com Duluth Trading Co. duluthtrading.com

Eddie Bauer eddiebauer.com Ezra Arthur ezraarthur.com Filson filson.com Gap gap.com

Giles & Brother gilesandbrother.com G-Shock gshock.com Helm Boots helmboots.com IWC IWC NYC Flagship

Jack Spade jackspade.com J.Crew jcrew.com Jean Shop worldjeanshop.com John Varvatos johnvarvatos.com

Johnston & Murphy johnstonmurphy.com Koio Collective koiocollective.com L.B.M. 1911 lubiam.it Leatherman leatherman.com

A friend of farmers and factory workers at the turn of the century, the utility coat had plenty of places to put your stuff, and its stiff cotton could handle hard work. Now it’s been adapted to meet modern needs. The new breed is sleek, slim, and less boxy than the original but with the same core traits: versatility, durability, and personality. You can clean it up with a sweater or dress it down with a sweatshirt. “These are qualities we all consider no matter where we live or work,” says John Mooty, founder of Wilson & Willy’s, a Minneapolis workwear brand. The best pieces still have utilitarian game pockets to stow a phone, and durable double stitching so your coat won’t fall apart from everyday use. Updated fabrics resist both wrinkles and stains. Treat it well and you’ll have an ally for life.

Levi’s levi.com L.L.Bean llbean.com Mavi mavi.com Nautica nautica.com

Odin New York odinedt.com Orvis orvis.com Paige paige.com Polo Ralph Lauren ralphlauren.com

Prps Goods & Co. prpsjeans.com Ray-Ban ray-ban.com Red Wing Heritage redwingheritage.com Salvatore Ferragamo ferragamo.com

Seiko Seiko NYC Boutique 7 For All Mankind 7forallmankind.com Shinola shinola.com Shwood shwoodshop.com

Spectre & Co. shopspectre.com State Optical Co. stateopticalco.com Tag Heuer tagheuer.com The Frye Company thefryecompany.com

The James Brand thejamesbrand.com Thursday Boot Company thursdayboots.com Timberland timberland.com To Boot New York toboot.com

Victorinox victorinoxwatches.com Will Leather Goods willleathergoods.com Wilson & Willy’s wilsonandwillys.com Winter Session winter-session.com

Woorich Woolrich John Rich & Bros. woolrich.com

2017 MH STYLE GUIDE

They help build a life— and tell your story.

By Nina MacLaughlin

The pianist lived in the apartment below me, and the sound of him practicing plinked up the stairs. One morning he knocked on my door.

“Will you help carry a chair?” he asked. The thick-shouldered deliveryman and I wrangled the wide, white plushness up the stairs.

The pianist thanked us. “I cannot, you see,” he said, holding out his hands, palms down.

His fingers were long, strong. His nails were manicured, his skin soft and unmarked. These long, lean fingers were his livelihood, and he couldn’t risk bashing one of them in an awkward collision between sofa and wall. The music he made was beautiful. But if we’d been sitting as strangers on a bus and I looked at his hands, I wouldn’t have known he was a pianist.

At the newspaper where I used to work, I sat next to a writer. He wrote with intelligence on politics, media, and religion. For years he tip30 MensHealth.com | March 2017

tapped on his keyboard next to me. He had long fingers too, and wide, gentle, athletic hands.

The stories he wrote were beautiful. But if we’d been sitting as strangers on a bus and I looked at his hands, I wouldn’t have known he was a writer.

Several years ago I left my journalism job to work as a carpenter. It was a world, initially, that was entirely unfamiliar to me. I look at the hands of the men in the trades I work with now—the plumbers, electricians, and painters, the men who use their hands to build and make and fix. Their hands speak.

The plumber’s knuckles are smooth. There are no lines that crease the middle like elephant knees; they’ve been erased by years of scraping skin against metal and wood in tight spaces. His thick hands show the years of grip and twist. If we were strangers on a bus, I would know his hands and know the work they did.

Painters’ hands are not hard to spot. Wash as much as you can, paint seeps into where skin cups nail, in the thin lines that map across the

derma. Specks dot his wrists. A painter’s hands you can spot on a bus.

Carpenters’ hands speak of splinters, of the drying force of sawdust, of hammer bashes.

They speak of loading, lugging, tapping, prying, pounding, of cracks and calluses, or sometimes of a missing tip of finger or stub of thumb from a moment of inattention at the table saw. I like to think I’d recognize a carpenter’s hands on a bus. At very least, I would know by the strength of the fingers, the width of the palm, a scar, a cut, a roughness, that this man works with his hands, that he has the earthbound knowing that comes from a daily grapple with material reality, with tools and wood.

Music, stories, all the trappings of shelter: essentials, all three. The pianist, the writer, the carpenter sit down on a bus. Look at their hands. They speak. It’s the carpenter’s hands that tell a louder truth.

Nina MacLaughlin is the author of Hammer Head: The Making of a Carpenter.

PH OTO G R A PH BY R O B ERT M A X W EL L

I K S S I F I D AU

D L R O W P U C S L A N I F ASPEN