Maxim Australia - November 2022

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Santi Pintado (spintado@nuclear.com.au)

+612-9363-1464

Box 230, Double Bay NSW 1360 maxim@maxim.com.au www.maxim.com.au maximau maxim_aus maxim_aus maximaustralia

Luke Shaddock (lshaddock@nuclear.com.au)

Dave Van Oosterom (sales@nuclear.com.au)

Michael

© 2022 Nuclear Enterprises Pty Ltd and MAXIM Inc. Portions of MAXIM Australia and MAXIM New Zealand are reproduced from MAXIM’s United States edition and used by permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. The United States edition of MAXIM is published bi-monthly by MAXIM Inc. 268 W. 44th Street, 5th Floor, New York NY 10036.

editions of MAXIM are published in Australia, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Slovakia, South Korea, Switzerland and Russia.

Margot Robbie

Ash Barty

Sam Kerr

Grace Tame

Emma Mckeon

Sarah Snook

Ariarne Titmus

Duckie Thot

Goodrem

Abbie Chatfield

Higgins

Monk

Rahimi

Monique Riley

Roser

Dejonge

Magusara

Chairman and CEO, Biglari Holdings Inc. Mr. Sardar Biglari Senior Paralegal & Rights Manager Catherine Baxter

platters, with freshly caught eastern rock lobsters, some of Australia’s best Sydney rock oysters and a trio of kingfish, salmon, and tuna sashimi.

Bianco Group also cooked up a storm, with award-winning gnocchi. The centrepiece of the celebration was a three-metre-high Manettas Seafood ice sculpture installation, consisting of three towers hosting over 1000 freshly shucked oysters, accompanied by a whole 30kg Bluefin tuna sourced directly

the ShoreTrade platform, in addition to the fresh salmon and kingfish sashimi on display. A massive thank you to all our partners who made this event

follow them all on Instagram now:

massive

event!

Frazer

Beauty and the Geek's Aaron & Lachy

Celebrity trainer Jono Castano

BATG's Aimee Woolley & MAFS alumni Dean Wells

Aussie actor Suzan Mutesi & mates

MAFS guy Nassar Sultan & Sabrina Treffiletti

Rodney O & the MAXIM jumpsuit girls

By BILL VARETIMIDIS

As one of the most iconic automotive brands, Maserati has a sexy back catalogue and a 107 year racing pedigree any competitor would envy. Their new MC20 is a luxury car with aerodynamic efficiency and a sporty soul, with a new Nettuno engine that signals Maserati’s return to producing its own power after an absence of more than 20 years.

Hand-made in Modena, Italy, Nettuno is a 90 degree engine outputting 730Nm of torque between 3000 and 5000rpm. It’s currently the highest-powered six in production, and when mated to a Tremec eight-speed DCT auto with shifter paddles, any squeeze of the throttle awakens a response similar to shock therapy. Towards its 8000rpm red-line the V6 is seriously vicious, claiming the dash to 100km/h in a supercar quick 2.9 seconds. A

lack of kilos (under 1500 kg) results in near flawless obedience when attacking the trickiest of corners.

The cockpit is within a low-slung carbon fibre tub, with butterfly doors rising to reveal a minimalist interior. Alcantara and carbon fibre dominate the interior, with yellow stitching matching the paint - and little else to distract from the driving task at hand.

Connected at all times to the Maserati Connect App, the range of services includes

connected navigation, Alexa and Wifi Hotspot. The five drive modes offer adjustable engine boost, pedal sensitivity, active exhaust valving, and traction control parameters – and not in that order.

Maserati will make 1500 of these in Italy per year, of which about 30 will come down under. With the MC20, Maserati is here to remind Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren to watch their backs – on the road and on the track.

BRING the THUNDER

Move over Tesla Cybertruck, here comes the Thundertuck...

By BILL VARETIMIDIS

Tesla started the insane design trend for electric pickups when it released the Cybertruck across the internet, and now Los Angeles company Wolfgang has picked up and carried on with their new EV called the Thundertruck. In a world with self-driving tech, AI virtual assistants, and cryptocurrency all the rage - they're hoping an apocalyptic-looking electric truck equipped with solar panels and hologram technology just might get peoples’ attention.

Unlike the Tesla, this truck incorporates solar power directly into its design: a solar-enabled awning expands above the truck to capture the sun’s rays to power up the built-in stove, fridge, air conditioning, and satellite phone. The awnings also double up to provide shade while you’re camping or spending time off the grid.

The retractable awning frees up the EV’s 180 kW battery to power the dual electric motors which make 800 horsepower with 800 ft-lbs of torque. This boosts the truck from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, despite its bulky 2775 kg weigh in. Wolfgang claim the truck will be able to travel 640 km on a single charge, which, if true, puts it among the market leaders in distance flex.

One of the most innovative aspects of the Thundertruck is its range extender that transforms it from a standard four-wheel vehicle to a six-wheel behemoth. The combined power with the range extender becomes 940 horsepower (700 kW) and 1200 pound-foot of torque, with 4990 kg towing capacity. Aside from its solar super power, the Thundertruck is a fully capable all-terrain vehicle. Like the Cybertruck, its body has the most angular curves, and because it’s made for overlanding, it comes equipped with extendable loading ramps for bikes and quads.

Inside, a monochrome interior with head up holographic instrumentation displays your speed, temperature and fuel levels onto the windshield so you can keep your eyes on the road – or dirt track. The large touchscreen beside the steering wheel controls the all important infotainment system. If that doesn’t make navigation fun, maybe the integrated military-grade drone designed to fly ahead and give the driver a view of the road ahead, may peak your interest. Pricing is a mystery, but don’t expect an innovative EV monster like this to be affordable. With Ford, Mercedes, and Volkswagen all joining the all-electric revolution - the electric truck wars are just ramping up. ■

Getting to know…

Why this go-getting social media marketer and digital creator, with a passion for all things fashion, beauty, health and wellness, is one to definitely watch…

Photography by NEIL DIXON Interview by SANTI PINTADO

“I don’t take myself too seriously – so, no matter what, I’ll always have fun.”

ello, Jess, congrats on your MAXIM feature. What did you love most about this photo shoot?

Hey, guys, thanks so much! I’m super excited and feel very grateful for the opportunity.

I always feel nervous before any shoot, so it was empowering to step out of my comfort zone and embrace it all. I don’t take myself too seriously – so, no matter what, I’ll always have fun. It helps when the photographer can have a laugh with you, too.

You look stunning. When do you feel sexy? Aw, thank you! I think feeling sexy begins with your mindset and how you feel about yourself.

If you’re comfortable in your own skin, you’ll naturally emit confidence and being confident is sexy. I love a cute lingerie set or swimwear, but I honestly feel sexier when I have a tan, no make-up and trackies on!

What is your best asset?

I’ve been told my smile is my best physical asset. Otherwise, my mind.

Give us a little more background about yourself and life story so far.

I grew up in Newcastle in NSW, studied event management and business whilst working in hospitality and coordinating weddings.

I moved to Sydney to pursue my career in event management and started modelling part-time. I then launched my social media marketing business and now work remotely from the beautiful Byron Bay. I live a healthy, yet balanced, lifestyle and love all things fashion, beauty, health and wellness!

What would people be most surprised to know about you? That I have a superpower… called ADHD. If you know, you know!

When you’re not on social media or posing for the cameras, what else would we find you doing?

Aside from work, you’ll find me at the beach, meditating, journaling, going to the gym, listening to podcasts, procrastinating my work, experimenting in the kitchen, spending time with friends and family between Byron, Newcastle, Sydney and the Gold Coast, trying new restaurants and, as of recently, creating some art.

That’s a helluva list. What’s the best and worst things about being an Influencer?

The worst is the judgement and negative stigma that comes with the title. The best part for me is having a platform to help or inspire others and being able to work with brands I love. Social media is a creative outlet for me, so I love creating and sharing content as a form of self-expression.

Would you ever date one of your social media followers?

Of course, why not?! Instagram is basically a dating app, right?

What do you look for in a man?

Red flags. Haha, joking! A man for me must have a good sense of humour, a positive mindset, good chat, be self-aware, ambitious, honest, kind hearted, patient and not take life too seriously.

How could a man win you over?

By genuinely showing interest in understanding who I am.

Describe your ideal date.

A fun adventure that definitely involves food. A few hours at the beach then jet-ski somewhere for a long, late lunch filled with good chats, laughs and cuddles.

What have you learnt about men over the years?

I’ve learnt that men really are from Mars!

What’s one thing men should always know about women?

I’m holding back a lot of jokes here, but I’ll be serious… Women want to be understood. So, make the effort to really listen and take notice of the details because it’s the little things that matter the most.

What’s next for you? Any exciting upcoming projects you can share with us?

I do have a few projects I’m currently working on which I hope to announce soon! ■

DREW

CAPTAIN

SOCCEROO

As we gear up for the kick-off to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November, we pay tribute to JOHNNY WARREN, the most pivotal figure in Australian football history. In this edited extract from his latest book, author Lucas Radbourne takes a look at the life and times of the legendary Socceroo and how his revolutionary passion provided Australia’s voice in the global game…

With a single utterance Johnny Warren encapsulated the agony and ecstasy; the moment that defines him is the moment that defines

Australian football. He captained Australia to its first international trophy in 1967 and its first World Cup in 1974, and played in its first World Cup match. He won four New South Wales state championships, his final

as the team’s player and coach, and he even scored the winning goal in the grand final before substituting himself – but off the field he was one of the most influential footballing figures of the 20th century. He wasn’t just a player, captain and coach but also a journalist, administrator, author, broadcaster, lobbyist and revolutionary. When asked what his defining legacy should be weeks before his death his response was: ‘I told you so.’ The defining moments of every other great Aussie footballer are evidence he was correct.

THE FORMATIVE YEARS

Warren entered Australian football in the midst of a revolution and left in the midst of one. Born in 1943, he was the youngest of three boys in a sixth-generation, quintessentially Australian family that lived metres away from where Captain Cook’s first fleet arrived in Botany Bay. As his ocker autobiography Sheilas, Wogs and Poofters makes clear Warren wasn’t born into football like the European migrants who dominate Australian teams, but his love ran much deeper than Australia’s cultural divide.

THE WARREN REPORT

NAME: John Norman Warren

BORN: May 17, 1943

HOME TOWN: Sydney, NSW

MAJOR TEAMS: Australia, CanterburyMarrickville, St George Budapest

POSITION: Midfielder

SOCCEROO CAREER: 1965-1974 (42 appearances, seven goals)

CLUB CAREER: 1959-1974 (200+ goals*)

*Not all goals have been recorded.

This page: August 1968 Johnny Warren in action for St George Budapest (Photo: Ian Collis);

page: Johnny — Australian captain at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany

He and his brothers Geoff and Ross were typically competitive young boys at a time when street cricket on quiet cul-de-sacs was the rite of passage. ‘Wogball’, as it was widely derided, may never have entered his consciousness if it hadn’t been for a chance visit to watch Croatian club Hadjuk Split –on tour for the city’s booming and fanatical Slavic population – play in Sydney. At only six years of age Warren couldn’t have realised what hooked him that day, but while he and his brothers were excelling in the suburb’s homogenous soccer tedium for teams such as the Botany Methodists and Protestant Churches, he knew a crucible of real football passion was bubbling beneath Sydney’s surface and that it was about to erupt.

By 1959 when he was aged 15, Warren had joined Australia’s best and oldest football club, Canterbury, in the closest thing apathetic Australia had to an organised competition. Australia had just joined FIFA, but the Australian Soccer Football Association (ASFA) – its name an example of its hamstrung interests – was still a stagnant outpost of the English FA and had an amateur board and no national league to officiate, which meant its focus was centred on the New South Wales First Division. By then more than a million post-war immigrants had arrived in Australia from Europe’s football heartlands, but nearly two decades before the end of the White Australia policy the ASFA’s focus was on ensuring the amateur New South Wales first tier remained a whitewashed suburban relic. This forced émigrés to build their own community clubs from the ground up, which they did in spades.

The migrant-backed clubs were blocked from the first tier but made the New South Wales second division into a vibrant, multicultural league. While first division clubs could barely muster 800 people to Sydney stadiums, second-tier sides were attracting 8,000 fans to suburban parks and generating

JOHNNY’S HONOURS

New South Wales First Division: 1960, 1967, 1971, 1974

Federation Cup: 1964, 1972

Member of the Order of the British Empire: 1974 Sport Australia Hall of Fame: 1988 Football Federation

Australia Hall of Fame: 1999 Australian Sports Medal: 2000 Australian Centenary Medal: 2001 Order of Australia: 2002

FIFA Centennial Order of Merit: 2004 Alex Tobin Medal: 2008

so much revenue they were starting to pay their players. When these increasingly powerful migrant clubs continued to be blocked the revolution began: their owners formed a rebel administration and attracted big deferrers, including Warren’s powerhouse Canterbury, to a breakaway league. There Warren was quickly moulded into a decisive,

tactical midfielder by former Hungarian national team performance coach Joseph Vlasits. By 1960 17-year-old Warren had become a starlet in New South Wales’s new league, and he scored two crucial goals in a 3-2 semi-final win against APIA as Canterbury won the 1960 New South Wales grand final. Over the next two years Warren spearheaded

Above: Johnny passing on his expert knowledge to the next generation of footballers at a soccer clinic in Sydney in 1969 (Photo: Ian Collis)

“He demystified multiculturalism for Australia and opened up corners of the world that Australians didn’t even know existed.”

Canterbury’s dominance and became a commanding yet graceful midfielder with the testament grit and determination that would hallmark his playing career. He had cool, piercing eyes that radiated intelligence, hinting at the mercurial football brain that hid behind them, and a studious, thoughtful demeanour that drew him to the game’s most tactical positions.

He was small and of average build, at just 175 centimetres, but he was tough – never shying away from a challenge – and fair. He’d lash out at an opponent if he thought he’d been wronged, but he was just as quick to turn the other cheek if he’d been decked by a stronger man. His stature and speed made him elegant on the ball, gliding in possession with his head held high and always quick to spot the dutiful lay-off, but he was a ruthless competitor above all else and usually played with a notable grimace slashed across his face.

Vlasits had moved to St George Budapest and helped turn the club into one of the nation’s biggest, so Warren and his brother Ross also moved there in 1963. Warren added an impressive shooting ability to his wideranging arsenal at St George and established himself as one of Australia’s finest midfielders. A natural leader, he was not only named club captain but he took over marketing and promotion for the club. Beyond New South Wales, an Australian national team was almost non-existent: Australia had only ever played sporadic friendly matches before the 1956 Melbourne Olympics gave the team a chance for international recognition. Their failure had relegated the team to international purgatory, and by 1965 Australia hadn’t played another country in seven years.

That year, under the guise of football’s new power brokers, Australia was revived to

compete in their first World Cup campaign under their first permanent coach, Tiko Jelisavčić. Twenty-two-year-old Warren was called up to the squad but was left out for both qualifiers as Australia was dismantled by North Korea and dumped out of qualifying. It was a nightmare: the Australians hated Jelisavčić and were ridden with diarrhoea and other illnesses from their first trip abroad. Warren witnessed Australia’s disastrous reintroduction to global football from the sidelines, but here in the stench, hatred and humidity was the real beginning of the Socceroos.

Jelisavčić turned to Warren to remedy Australia’s disorganised midfield, and he started his international debut against Cambodia two days later in front of 20,000 hostile fans in Phnom Penh and had an

instantly calming effect. Australia’s results improved markedly with Warren but the baptism of fire continued: in just his third match, against Taiwan, the game descended into a riot. Taiwanese fans stormed the team’s dressing room and Warren and his teammates were narrowly saved by riot police. They fled back to their hotel and hid under the tables while fans threw rocks through their windows.

THE VIETNAM WAR

Warren was reunited with Vlasits when the latter took charge of the national team in 1967, and his team was handed the greatest test of its career. The Socceroos were heading to war, at the bloodiest height of Vietnam, as a propaganda exercise to support the Australian troops. The South Vietnam Independence Cup had been held in Saigon each year since 1961, but the Australian military had arranged Australia and New Zealand’s involvement as a public relations exercise. It was the third tournament in Australia’s history, and the team had only played four competitive matches. Warren didn’t realise he had been ‘blindly steered’ into propaganda until years later, but the seriousness of their situation was immediately obvious: “I can remember some of us playing billiards in the mess hall one night when we suddenly heard machine guns firing,” Warren wrote in his autobiography. “All of the players were under the table in the blink of an eye.”

Soon after they arrived Viet Cong soldiers were caught breaking into the hotel with explosives. Australia’s training base was next to a minefield and it was the middle of the monsoon season, so the Socceroos trained on the roof of their hotel, where players would also go at night to watch the aerial

Above: More skills training at the soccer clinic for young players in 1969; Below: Another of Johnny's football clinics at Ireland Park Liverpool in 1970 (Photos: Ian Collis)

bombs exploding in the distance. The hotel’s owner had stolen their food vouchers, leaving the entire team eating ‘substitute ham’, and Warren’s teammate Stan Ackerley was hurtled across the room when he was electrocuted by a power socket. Soldiers with mine detectors walked through the stands during matches, but in the middle of this hell – at 25 years of age and with just six international appearances – Vlasits thrust the Socceroos captaincy onto Warren’s shoulders.

At night Warren slept near the shower, the safest place during an attack, but during the day it was his responsibility to guide the young Australian team – whose members’ average age was just 22 and many of whom had friends fighting in the war – to prove that Australian football could be taken seriously, in the most horrendous of conditions. His captaincy proved to be an incredibly apt decision.

Warren played every minute of every match. He scored in the opener as Australia beat New Zealand 5-3, then scored again in the second game to beat the South Vietnamese 1-0 in front of 40,000 fans. Once again riots

ensued, and tear gas streamed onto the pitch. South Vietnam’s president visited his national team at half-time to offer them money if they won, but there was no stopping Warren’s side. They smashed Singapore 5-1 and scraped past Malaysia 1-0 in the midst of more onpitch brawls and crowd violence for a shot at Australia’s first international trophy in the final against South Korea.

At home the tournament was almost completely ignored, but when Warren led Australia onto the pitch for that final match the crowd that had been so hostile up to that point were cheering them on like the home side. “I can still remember the sensation of hairs standing up on the back of my neck as I stood in the tunnel,” Warren wrote. Composed as ever, he scored the crucial goahead goal and steered his side to a 3-2 win.

“It was one of those moments that I knew I was going to remember for the rest of my life.”

Warren and his teammates, who had to take annual leave from their day jobs to take part, were paid $50 per week for their services, and because they won the tournament they

were allowed to keep their tracksuits. Warren was aged 25, an amateur two years into his national career, and he and his team had been spat at, cheated, sickened, pelted with bottles, nails and rocks, had their legs broken and their dressing rooms stormed and their hotels bombed and shot at. They’d survived multiple war zones, attempted murders, snakes, food poisoning and electrocutions. Barely anyone cared, and many back home actively derided them. They had done it all while sacrificing money, opportunities and relationships to the detriment of day jobs and young families.

THE CURSE

The Socceroos’ first trophy was a watershed moment for Australian football, and it began the greatest period in Warren’s career. By the end of 1967 he was the most important player in the national team and had played 14 of their 16 matches since his debut. He’d led Australia to success on the world stage, and now back home at St George he was glimpsing how phenomenal football in Australia could be. St

Above: The historic 1974 World Cup Socceroos squad (Photo: Nationals Archives of Australia)

George was a stable, successful club and a pillar of their community, even operating their own licensed bar and venue. Rather than rest on their laurels, however, the club always wanted more. In Warren’s first six seasons they made five grand finals but lost four of them, and finished league runners-up five times.

The near misses ignited a burning ambition, and at a time when many Australian teams were delighted to lure ageing émigrés St George developed their own football talent. They cycled through coaches in search of a true innovator, and found two consecutively in future Socceroos coaches Frank Arok and Rale Rasic. Both coaches demanded a new level of discipline and professionalism, implementing modern training methods and controlling their players on and off the pitch. Warren called Arok the “first real manager in Australian club history” and became increasingly confident and skilful in possession, developing a trademark array of feints he used to devastating attacking effect. St George was one of the country’s most dominant teams for Warren’s 11-year spell, and he guided the club to three New South Wales titles and six grand finals and two Federation Cups.

In 1965 Australia only had to beat one opponent to qualify for the World Cup, and they’d failed. In 1969 they had to beat four across nine games, but Warren’s public demands for greater support were beginning to have an effect. Over 30,000 people watched Australia beat Greece in Sydney that year, sending Warren’s side into qualification on a high. The squad of part timers left a scorching Sydney summer on a 20-hour flight to freezing Seoul, but three days later they beat Japan and South Korea back to back – again to smashed bottles and a police escort.

They flew to Africa for a play-off against Rhodesia, and it’s there that Warren’s story becomes a little unusual. He was ruled out sick from the first match and a wayward Australia struggled through two stagnant draws, and the story goes that the Australians hired a witch doctor on the advice of a local journalist to curse the Rhodesians. Warren dominated the next match, scoring in a 3-1 win to send Australia through. The spell caster demanded $1,000 payment but the Australians refused and left the country, and the furious shaman cursed the Socceroos. Whether the story is true or not, Warren believed it wholeheartedly and Australia lost both their final qualifiers against Israel to end their World Cup hopes.

THE FIRST WORLD CUP

Back home in 1971, Warren captained St George to his second Australian football milestone when they were invited to an

international tournament in Tokyo against Japan’s senior and reserve national sides and Danish club champions BK Frem. He led St George to a draw with Japan, thrashed the Danes 3-0 and then destroyed Japan’s reserves 6-2 to win the tournament in style. As captain Warren had now won the first international trophy for an Australian club and for the Australian national team, but that same year he suffered an innocuous knee knock for St George that tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and shattered his career at its peak. It was a devastating injury that semi-professional players rarely returned from in the 1970s, but after 15 months of rehabilitation he fought to return to the Socceroos.

Rasic had replaced Vlasits as national coach and believed the ACL tear had weakened Warren as a player. Fearsome defender Peter Wilson had taken his captaincy and Warren’s midfield role was usurped by Jimmy Mackay, who was the same age and also had a thunderbolt shot in his arsenal. After playing 29 of the Socceroos’ previous 34 matches, Warren appeared in just eight of their next 19 before his retirement. His impact had already been widely acknowledged – he

received a Member of the British Empire award in 2003 – and it was hard to believe he could be replaced, but Rasic was the strongest-willed coach Australia had ever had, a trait that got him sacked by Soccer Australia immediately after the 1974 World Cup. Warren sat on the bench as a Mackay thunderbolt against South Korea secured Australia’s first qualification for the 1974 World Cup.

By then, 31 years of age, Warren played just 44 minutes of Australia’s four warmup friendlies but, given his extraordinary achievements to make it this far, few were surprised when he walked out onto the pitch to start Australia’s first World Cup match against East Germany in Hamburg in front of hundreds of millions of television viewers across the world. Australia had never played a team of this calibre, let alone on such a momentous occasion, but they exhibited the same grit and determination that Warren had instilled in the side in Vietnam. For Warren, however, the curse returned: he suffered a nasty foot injury against the East Germans, and while he endured to finish the game it was the last match he ever played for the Socceroos.

Above (from top): Johnny played 42 international matches for Australia (Photo: National Archives of Australia)

“Warren and his teammates were narrowly saved by riot police. They fled back to their hotel and hid under the tables while fans threw rocks through their windows.”

THE LEGACY

Warren returned from the World Cup to find St George near the bottom of the ladder, and he took over the coaching reins in addition to captaining the side. He commanded a startling turnaround and his side won eight of their last nine matches to make the grand final, in front of a boisterous Sydney crowd. In the final stages he dispossessed an opponent in the central circle and feinted and burst past another defender before scoring the winner with the outside of his foot from the edge of the box. Leading until the end, he substituted himself off the pitch, ensuring his own fairytale finish.

Although Warren’s playing career was over, his football legacy had just begun. The irony of his autobiographical title is that Australian football in the 1960s and 1970s was populated by some of the fiercest athletes Australian sport has ever seen: émigrés from war-torn Europe and hardened Brits spat out by the English football system, all thrown together on sun-baked pitches with little control or volition. He dedicated himself to shifting Australian football’s reputation and encouraging the next generation and helped establish and then coach a football club in Canberra, where he ran famed training camps for Australian youth.

His greatest impact came at SBS, where he and broadcast partner Les Murray, nicknamed ‘Mr and Mrs Soccer’, became the public faces of Australian football for three decades. Warren was an astute analyst,

passionate commentator and tireless advocate who legitimised Australian football to the masses. He hosted the television program Captain Socceroo, which inspired many of the Socceroos’ future golden generation, and wrote or contributed to eight books on football in addition to weekly newspaper columns.

His crying on live television after the Socceroos’ disastrous loss to Iran in 1998 symbolised the suffering of all Australian football fans. “He was the embodiment of Australian soccer’s struggle and the struggle of life,” Andy Harper told The Sydney Morning Herald. “He demystified multiculturalism for Australia and opened up corners of the world that Australians didn’t even know existed.”

Warren was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002, the same year he delivered one of his greatest legacies: the Report of the NSW Premier’s Soccer Taskforce. After three months of writing he listed 11 recommendations, from as symbolic as calling the game football to as major as establishing the A-League. These recommendations became the foundation of the 2003 Crawford Report, a federal government investigation into the systemic corruption and mismanagement of Soccer Australia. Warren was the only footballrelated member of the committee. The Australian Sports Commission threatened to withdraw funding for the organisation, and the resulting changes were tremendous. The Soccer Australia board retired en masse and Football Australia was born.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucas Radbourne thinks he could have gone pro if it hadn’t been for his bad knee. Instead, he settled for being an editor for FourFourTwo Australia, FTBL, The Women’s Game and Beat Magazine. These days he’s planning to spend most of his money on booze, birds and fast cars. He heard once that the rest you just squander.

A frail Warren was presented with FIFA’s Centennial Order of Merit in 2004 alongside Pele and Franz Beckenbauer. His last public appearance was at the announcement of the A-League in April 2004. He died seven months later, exactly 12 months before the Socceroos qualified for their first World Cup in 32 years in front of 86,000 fans and a giant banner reading “I told you so”. ■

THE IMMORTALS OF AUSTRALIAN SOCCER by Lucas Radbourne (published by Gelding Street Press, rrp$39.99) is available at all good book stores or online at geldingstreetpress.com

Above: Johnny, with good mate Les Murray, at SBS where he made his mark during the ’80s and ’90s as a host and commentator on a number of football analysis shows including On the Ball and The World Game (Photo: Nationals Archives of Australia)

Photographed by BRIAN B HAYES

The stunning MAXIM Australia Official Girls of MAXIM 2022 Calendar is out now and is the essential item for you and your mates. Featuring 12 of our gorgeous local and overseas models, this month you can feast your eyes on November glamour Julia...

By ALEXA TOWERSEY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

THE TRAINING ZONES

Everything you do in your training generally fits into one of the following energy systems...

NEUROMUSCULAR CAPACITY OR ANAEROBIC POWER:

THEMIGHTY MITOCHONDRIA

All you really need to know is that mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for your body’s energy production. As you get older, they decrease in both density and function which has a knock on effect in the body and can lead to a decline in cognition, muscular performance and getting rid of glucose, essentially making it harder to lose body fat. In a nutshell, cardiovascular conditioning can be seen as anti-ageing.

This is when you produce the most intense power output, with each effort only tolerable for 20 seconds or less. This is your HEAVY lifting, and your ALL-OUT sprints – try 6-8 repetitions with 3-4 minutes of rest between each effort. If you don’t want to die after each individual sprint, you’re not doing it right. The best modalities to train this are sprints, hill sprints, sled work, ski erg, rower and air bike. Dr Andy Galpin (PhD in Human Bioenergetics) recommends getting to your Max HR at least once a week.

ANAEROBIC CAPACITY:

This is where it’s all about going AS HARD AS YOU CAN. While the duration is important, the intensity is even more important. This can be trained either with longer sets (1-3 minutes) and fairly long rest intervals (use a 1:3 – 1:5 work/rest ratio) or through high-intensity intervals. The best modalities to train this are full body barbell complexes, 150-300m Loaded Carries, 400800m running sprints, 1-3 minute machine intervals (bike, rower, ski erg) OR intervals of 15-30 secs HARD/30-45 secs EASY. Try 6 x 30 secs HARD/30 secs EASY before resting 3 minutes and repeating 3-4 times.

TOPTIP: HIIT OR MISS

The term HIIT is thrown around far too loosely. High Intensity Interval Training should only be able to be done for a maximum of 20-30 minutes TOTAL if you’re doing it properly and hitting the required intensity in each interval. There is a difference between going hard and going as hard as you can. If you can comfortably keep going after 30 minutes, chances are you’re sitting in the grey middle zone of no man’s land – Medium Intensity Steady State – where you won’t reap the rewards of either your top tier energy systems or your easy recovery and endurance work.

3VO2 MAX:

To improve this score, you’re looking at interval repeats of 3-8 minutes at a max heart rate level of 90-100%. The best modalities to train this are running, biking and rowing.

TOPTIP: WHAT YOU DON’T MEASURE, YOU CAN’T MANAGE

If you’re a science geek and love to know your numbers, then VO2 Max Testing is a great tool for measuring the strength of your cardiovascular fitness. Essentially it tells you how much oxygen you can breathe in while exercising as hard as you can. Improving your VO2 max tends to improve most other capacities. The simplest way to do this on your own is to warm up then go at the maximum pace you can maintain for 8 minutes – the distance you cover in that time becomes your VO2 Max training pace i.e. if you make 2 kms in 8 mins then your VO2 max pace is 4 min/km.

4ANAEROBIC THRESHOLD:

The goal here is to spend a good amount of time – up to 15 minutes – with lactate in your muscles. Fartlek training i.e. varying high intensity intervals with “active recovery”, is an effective way of doing this. This style of training has been shown to cause the greatest increase in mitochondria.

If you’re not a fan of traditional cardio, the good news is that you can use a full body weight training circuit of 3-5 exercises followed by 2 mins of active rest.

5ENDURANCE (AKA ZONE 2):

This is what we generally see when we talk about LISS (Low Intensity Steady State Cardio), and you’re targeting a conversational heart rate of 60-70% for a longer period of time – 45+ minutes. This zone most effectively improves the body’s capacity to mobilise and utilise fat for fuel, and more importantly lays the foundation to be able to train effectively in EVERY OTHER ZONE. When I’m starting with a client, I always recommend 4-6 weeks of 2-3 x per week base building here before progressing onto HIIT.

In layman’s terms, this is a phenomenon that was first observed way back in 1980 and it showed that if you performed both strength work and Zone 2 cardio in the same program, it resulted in lower strength, less muscle growth and decreased power improvements compared to resistance training alone. However, thousands of studies since then have disproved this broscience theory with only 2 major caveats – do any performance goal based training (i.e. strength, hypertrophy)

BEFORE your cardio or on a completely different day, and make sure you’re eating enough to remain in a calorie surplus to counteract the extra energy expenditure.

ABOUT ALEXA

“Action Alexa” is an internationally published celebrity trainer, sports model and nutrition and lifestyle coach with over 15 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry, and has worked with NZ’s world champion rugby team, the All Blacks. She has qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs and was named as one of the Five Toughest Trainers in Asia during her seven-year stint in an MMA gym in Hong Kong.

GET BACK INTO IT How to…

Psychologist, exercise scientist, educator, speaker and author

DR GORDON SPENCE, shares his top five expert tips on returning to physical activity after you’ve had a lengthy time out…

So,

you’re keen to get ‘back into it’? You’ve been living busy for a while now and you’re moving less than you’d like. You know physical activity is important but those healthy movement patterns of your youth seem like a lifetime ago. This is the paradox of exercise: we know physical activity and exercise is good for us, but we don’t do as much as we should. We fail to act in our own best interests.

CHOOSE SOMETHING YOU’RE GOING TO ENJOY

What better way of motivating a physical pursuit than choosing something that interests or excites you? Whilst that might be the gym, it might not be! Perhaps the gym just seems most convenient and doable for you? Given we’ve a life to live, that’s not nothing. But is it the option that’ll help keep you moving? How much does it excite you? Is there something else that might excite you more? Try brainstorming this with others and look around. Our communities are jam packed with interesting physical activity options. You might discover dragon boating, or fencing, or something else you’d never ever considered before. Then you just need to be brave and give something a go.

Twenty years of teaching, researching, and facilitating behaviour change has convinced me people do best with health goals the more ownership they feel over them or, to put it differently, the less pressured and freely chosen they seem. Goals that are taken on because they line up with a person’s core values and/or developing interests. Consider these five tips for owning your physical activity goals…

HELP SOMEONE ELSE “OWN” THEIR GOALS

It’s a truism to say that in helping others, we often help ourselves. As an educator, I’m constantly delighted by how much I learn from my students. It’s never a one-way street. So, if you know someone who’s looking to become more active, and you feel you could help, reach out! Maybe you paddle for a Dragon Boat club and you think a workmate might enjoy it, too. Tell them about it, but remember that your passion might not be their passion. So, provide some information and encouragement, but don’t push too hard. If they make their own decision, they’ll own it more. And you might gain too. In helping you’ll have reminded yourself why you love your physical pursuit and what it means to you.

ATTACH WHAT YOU DO TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THE ACTIVITY ITSELF

People often come unstuck with physical activity goals because they quickly get bored. Let me be clear – running around the park, going to the gym, or doing laps at the pool DO NOT have to be connected to bigger things – it can just help if they are. And by ‘bigger things’ I mean something like a running festival if you like to run, a 30km charity walk if you enjoy regular walks with your bestie, or an ocean swim if doing laps at the local pool is your thing. Obviously, this tip is about goal setting and sharpening your focus. Things that add a pinch of spice to what you’re doing, a sprinkle of interest and a dollop of social connection if you’re doing it with others.

CREATE RITUALS THAT ENHANCE INTEREST AND FUN

Being creative can really dial up the ownership factor. Take parkrun for instance. There are over 400 parkrun events across Australia and every Saturday morning – for free – thousands of parkrunners walk, jog or run a set 5km course. Some like to dress up, run with dogs, or be volunteers, and many (if not most) then gather for coffee and a debrief afterwards. These are all rituals that enhance interest and fun. So are the actions of the 7,700+ active ‘parkrun tourists’ who visit as many parkrun events as they can or try to do an A-to-Z of parkrun events. Their rituals involve travelling, parkrunning and staying for the weekend to explore the local area. All good examples of creativity creating interest.

KNOW WHY YOU’RE DOING IT

The other key to sustaining physical activity is knowing WHY you want to do it. Sure, you can lower your risk factors and improve the quality of your life, but so what? If you’re going to age in a healthier way – and I hope you do – what makes that important? How would you make the most of it? What would it allow you to do that seems important? Also, who in your life would benefit from your healthy ageing? These are important questions. Our health status is never just about us, it also affects others. Being clear about that helps to build commitment, and can also help us share our plans with others who might want to encourage and support us. ■

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Gordon Spence, author of Get Moving Keep Moving (published by Longueville Media rrp$24.95), is a highly sought-after speaker, coach, educator and a psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working in academia and private practice. He is passionate about the fusion of psychology and exercise science and the possibilities this creates for helping people to age well. For more info check out drgordonspence.com and www.healthyageingproject.com

“Owning” your return to physical activity is all about self-motivation. If you can put some or all of these five tips into action, you’ll be well on your way to making physical activity and exercise seems less like hard work and drudgery, and more like something worth investing your valuable time in.

By REILLY SULLIVAN

No clothing company has shaped the preppy aesthetic as much as Brooks Brothers. For generations, it was the home of the best American suiting and wardrobe staples for a WASP-y East Coast lifestyle. The brand truly peaked in the public’s imagination with the yuppies of the ’80s, although the company history actually dates back to 1818, officially making BB the oldest operating American apparel brand. Recently out of bankruptcy and now under new ownership, the label is reclaiming the mantle of preppy thanks to new creative director Michael Bastian. “I’m the creative director of a company whose brand I’m very much aligned with,” he tells us from his apartment in New York City. “I’m doing the things I love and want to wear myself.”

Consider Michael Bastian and Brooks Brothers a perfect love match. Tall and a classically handsome bloke, Michael is what many would imagine a creative director of Brooks Brothers to look like. Arriving at the company in December 2020, he has in some respects been preparing for this exact opportunity his whole career. He’s been influencing how millions of men dress for decades through long-term partnerships with brands like GANT as well as his own Michael Bastian label, which nabbed him the

2011 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year award.

Bastian has also designed collections at more accessible prices for Uniqlo and GAP, imbuing the same care and attention to detail into a $40 GAP sweater as a $10,000 shearling coat. “My line was a reaction to being unable to find all the things I used to find at Brooks Brothers. I was very much making those things I couldn’t find any more at the level I wanted to find it at. I said that early on in the press and thought okay this brand is never going to touch me!” he laughs. “All it took was a bankruptcy and a pandemic and here I am.” Bastian’s appointment represents a departure from the recent trend of hiring buzzy streetwear designers to refresh heritage labels. This move suggests that Authentic Brands Group, the company’s new owner, is thinking long term.

Despite its wide recognition as a classically preppy label, there’s still something a bit cult-y about Brooks Brothers. A growing number of Instagram accounts documenting vintage finds portray a broad church of fans who revere the earnestness of old Brooks Brothers. The kind of guys who spend hours searching thrift stores and eBay for the perfect BB Bengal shirt. “You don’t have to dig too deep to see how passionate they are,” says Michael.

“They’ll be very vocal if they think I’ve made a wrong turn and I really appreciate that.”

Bastian treasures the feedback and interactions with the label’s fans. After all, he’s right there on this journey with them. “Of any brand we have the most vocal, loyal and obsessive fan base. I’m one of them –

BROOKS BROTHERS’ creative director Michael Bastian talks the preppy revival, wardrobe heroes and the brand’s latest collection…

I appreciate that obsessiveness because I have it, too.” Now he’s in the driver’s seat, Bastian has been hard at work reissuing, reimagining and elevating pieces from the BB archive. “The first thing I really wanted to put out there was a red and white stripe Bengal poplin shirt. It was the first thing I remember

buying in college and I wore it out.”

As logo mania continues to wane (helped along by shark-jumping moments like Fendace), a new preppy movement appears to be swelling. Labels like Rowing Blazers and

Aime Leon Dore have cropped up in our feeds to cater to a new generation smitten with the vintage street style of Princess Diana and the old-world traditions of the posh set. What’s most exciting about the current prep revival is the absence of the elitism once associated with the subculture. The type of snobbism that would make a young Ralph Lifshitz change his name to Ralph Lauren. “This idea of preppy is getting some fresh eyes on it” observes Michael. In other words, preppy has become less WASP and more woke.

Bastian’s latest Brooks Brothers collection for Fall 2022 taps into our Instagram-fuelled nostalgia, mixing classic striped rowing blazers with rugby shirts and touches of whimsy, like an intarsia sweater with mallards on it. The brand’s iconic Golden Fleece logo also gets the intarsia treatment. It’s highly collegial and yes, even a bit yuppie. Above all, the collection offers the building blocks for a fully-realised preppy style. “These are some fundamental pieces every guy needs in his wardrobe” says Michael of the collection. “I love five pocket corduroys: they’re one half step dressier than jeans. A cashmere crewneck, a down vest – the things you reach for without thinking.”

Although oxford shirts and chinos look good on pretty much everyone, nailing a preppy fit requires a little more effort than just pairing jeans with a sweatshirt and sneakers. Michael is here to help. “What a lot of guys don’t understand is sometimes you buy things off the rack and they don’t fit perfectly. So that tailoring step is very important. It’s usually the pants. I know it’s a hassle but it is so important.” While many of us still balk at the extra time and cost of tailoring, Michael insists it is worth it. “You’re gonna be so happy with yourself down the road – it’ll be perfect.”

Under Michael’s guidance, the new Brooks Brothers is beginning to win back customers and charm a younger audience experimenting with preppy clothing for the first time.

“The funny thing is, as we go through the archive you realise a couple of things. One is that Brooks Brothers has done practically everything. The other thing is that so many things are as relevant now as they were in the ’50s or the ’80s.” He points to the humble oxford cloth shirt as the quintessential Brooks Brothers garment, one he was eager to restore to its highest incarnation.

“I consider that our Levi’s 501. We invented it and it’s been the key identifiable product of the brand for decades.” His current mission is to refresh the label’s offerings and re-establish the company as a place for quality essentials. “It’s a very unreliable world and I’d love it if with Brooks Brothers we could have this certain bucket of things you can always find” he explains. “There’s a place for Brooks Brothers in everyone’s closet.” ■

“You’re gonna be so happy with yourself down the road –it’ll be perfect.”

Introducing...

Meet the actor, model, filmmaker and fashionista embracing the concept of sustainability and playing her positive part in protecting the planet…

Photography by GEORGE AZMY

elcome to MAXIM, Farida. For those who don’t know a lot about you, give us a little more background about yourself and brief life story so far.

I graduated from Beijing Film Academy with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. I am a professional actress and spent the past five years working in the theatre, film and modelling industry in Russia and China.

This is what I’m passionate about and I’ve only recently returned to Australia.

Tell us a bit about the actor and filmmaker side of you.

I love classical realism. Theatre-wise, I’ve toured Russia and China performing the works of Chekhov and Shakespeare – you

name it! In terms of filmmaking, I have produced, translated and assisted in numerous documentaries. Voice dubbing is also something I really enjoy.

What would people be most surprised to know about you?

Probably about my heritage – I was born to a Russian father and Chinese mother and I’m fluent in Russian, Chinese and English.

Nice. How long have you been modelling and what would you do if you were not a model or in the film industry?

I’ve been professionally modelling for the past five years. If I was not in the film or modelling industries I would probably pursue a political career. I have three different world views instilled inside me, to which I understand clearly and can relate to.

Describe the idea behind this MAXIM photo shoot?

The concept of the shoot is about climate change and its effect on mental health. The project is supposed to inspire people to make conscious decisions about their wardrobes and not to give in to “fast fashion”. Hence why all the pieces we

chose were either sustainably made, up cycled or Australian owned.

Tell us more.

Sustainable swimwear is created in a way that minimally affects the earth. We live in the age of “fast fashion” which is detrimental to the earth and impacts climate change, causing droughts and storms, which may affect mental health. If we are more conscious about the brands we buy, we will only have a positive impact on climate change and be happier as a society.

Why is climate change and mental health so important to you?

Climate change affects us all. The economic effects of climate change may cause devastating effects on our emotional and mental state. If we learn the concept of sustainability and incorporating it into our everyday lives, such as our clothing, we can really protect our Earth and save it for the next generation.

Heavy topics aside, you look beautiful. When do you feel sexy?

Thank you! I feel sexy when I have a beautiful golden tan and am dressed to perfection.

“Men need to feel loved, appreciated for who they are and need to be taken care of just as much as women.”

What is your best asset?

My best asset is my face. I have the best mixture of both worlds. Otherwise, I’m very creative and have a great imagination.

When you’re not on social media or posing for the cameras, what else would we find you doing in your everyday life? I’m either reading, at the gym or drawing designs for my upcoming business project.

How can a man win his way to your heart?

By being romantic. Men nowadays don’t know about real romance and chivalry.

Describe your ideal date.

My ideal date would be a romantic candle lit dinner followed by a beautiful theatre performance.

What have you learnt about men over the years?

Men are children at heart. They need to feel loved, appreciated for who they are and need to be taken care of just as much as women.

What’s one thing men should always know about women?

Communication with no boundaries is the key to a woman’s heart and a healthy relationship.

Finally, any exciting projects on the horizon you can share with us?

I am going to be taking on more challenging and exciting projects as well as working on the launch of my fashion business in early 2023. Watch this space! ■

“I have three different world views instilled inside me, to which I understand clearly and can relate to.”

Hair & make-up by SYDNEY HAIR & MAKEUP CO Styling by BHAVNINDER SANGHERA (IG: @BHAV.XO) Creative direction by WILLY BAGATCHOLON (IG: @IAM_FRIENDOFSMALLSTONE)

The inspiring true story of an Aussie man’s journey, of fighting to escape violence and learning to face fears, that changed his life forever...

By LUKE KENNEDY

Severely obese, depressed and an avid drug and alcohol addict, Australian author Luke Kennedy was trying to get his shit together and reset his life. After venturing to Thailand for one final hurrah, he partied hard, overdid it and his path collided with prostitutes, drug dealers and shocking violence. In this edited extract from his latest memoir, he gives us a glimpse into his life before it led to that fateful, and nearly fatal, Thai trip which ended in enlightenment after a Buddhist Monk forced him to confront his demons. The debaucherous trip became much more than just a good story but a fundamental mindset shift and stepping stone towards a silent mind.

I don’t want to do this. What if they’ve got weapons, too? I might get locked up. I might get…

“Punchy, how much do you think they’ll have?” my old friend Stintz asked me, seated next to me in the driver’s seat of a stolen car, his words interrupting my inner thoughts. Punchy, my nickname, I had picked up through graffiti and winning organised street fights. I loved it. “I’m not sure, bro. Don’t know about cash, but they’ll have heaps of pills,” my mouth spat out, trying to drown the other conversation in my head: my doubt and my fears. My thoughts were always there, always loud. Those loud thoughts were the reason I was sitting in that car about to run through a drug dealer’s house to rob him and his friends.

A couple of hours earlier I had been sitting on a warm couch with a bunch of my boys, the morning sun peeping through gaps in the curtains. It was the end of the second night without any sleep but with copious amounts of ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol. Time on drugs gave me what I was after: a slight reprieve from my overactive mind. It gave me some stillness, some silent time. It helped me care less about what other people thought of me –at least, for a short time. As the effects started to wear off and the misery of my harsh reality began to hit, my loud berserk thoughts were back in full force. And they were worse than before I got on the drugs.

Shouldn’t have said that last night. You reckon they’ll care? F–k, I’m going to be sick tomorrow … Should I have something to eat? When did I eat last? Ummm … wonder if I’ve lost weight. I’m gunna go home. F–k going home. Everyone else is still going. How’s my face look? I bet it’s oily. I haven’t showered in a bit. Do the boys think I’m a grub? Have they showered? Wouldn’t mind brushing my teeth. How can we get more drugs? F–k, I need more drugs. Any vodka left? I think I finished it all off. I was facing reality as the drugs wore off, and these thoughts were crawling their way back in. I didn’t want the thoughts back. How can I hold these thoughts back a little longer?

“Anyone got pills? Have we finished the vodka?” I slurred, glancing around the room filled with pale, miserable faces, purple bags sitting under every single defeated eye. There was no response besides a couple of weak and beaten shakes of the head. The room had three lounges in a semi-circle, a large-screen TV playing music videos and a coffee table with empty beer bottles on top, a bong, empty satchels and a bloody tissue after two of the boys had a drunken wrestle a few hours earlier and butted heads. The jovial atmosphere of the night before had disappeared with the darkness of night. What was left was misery, the sun’s rays now illuminating our horrible existence. One of the boys was slouched down into the couch, his head below his shoulders and giving the impression he had no neck.

“F–k… wouldn’t mind a pill,” was all he could mumble. One of the other boys who had been in the wrestle the night before chuckled and coughed, a bit of blood-stained tissue still stuck on his head. “Anyone got pills?” I repeated a little louder. “Think we’re done, brother,” Stintz said, disclosing the information we were all trying to hide from. I had met Stintz four years earlier when he was 15 and I was 17. He was an innocent little skater boy back then, a young boy with an underlying mental health issue. He too was searching for stillness. He also craved silence.

With years of being in Sydney’s most infamous graffiti and street-fighting crew, Stintz’s defence, or more like attack, of the manic mind was to not only bury it in substance abuse but to also crush it down through adrenaline-filled, life on the edge experiences. Not skydiving or swimming with sharks, mind you; more like bursting into a business, jumping the counter, throwing an employee to the ground and robbing them. Or, like me, he also enjoyed a fight. He looked up to me. When I first met him he was a short kid with blond hair who was looking for guidance. Now four years later and still a touch shorter than me, he had broad shoulders, a thick neck with tattoos hugging it and many scars on his beaten face. He also had a team of younger people who looked up to him and did harsh acts at his request – the vicious cycle of gang life. You either fight your way to the top or you’re left at the bottom doing things for those above you. Once at the top it’s your turn to call the shots.

“Punchy, do you think I could beat him, he’s a big boy?” Stintz asked me a few months after I first met him. There was an older guy from a rival crew who had called Stintz out. People in our crew never backed down, even if it meant a possible defeat. “Brother, he might be big, but his heart is nowhere near yours.” “With you in my corner, Punchy, I’ll take on

Below: Luke Kennedy during his “Punchy” days

anyone.” “I’ll always be in your corner, my man.” I was the main fighter in the crew. As I had grown up around the boxing scene and in a family of fighters – my dad and brother were both professional boxers – I won all of my street fights bar one.

I started my downward spiral after getting kicked out of school at 15. When I met the now-infamous graffiti crew RM I fought my way into it. I saw the way my dad and brother were looked up to: fighters were like gladiators in our circle. They deserved respect. I wanted that respect. I just went about it the wrong way. Years of organised street fights, getting stabbed twice – once in the lung and the other time in the head – and an unrelenting approach to gaining recognition meant I soon saw myself at the top of the crew.

I was happy to be labelled a fighter and leader. Again, I saw this as being like an ancient gladiator and it gave me a false sense of power. It gave me an identity, one that helped me feign confidence. In front of the boys I was this big, strong leader. I could handle any situation and wouldn’t back down to anyone. I even looked happy. Internally, though, it couldn’t have been further from the truth. I was anxious, depressed and paranoid, and a lot of nights I would cry myself to sleep after praying to be a better man.

In social situations away from the false confidence of gang life I was incredibly awkward. If I had to meet someone for the first time I would stutter, sweat and be inside my head trying to work out how to get away. The labels of fighter and leader I grasped with both hands because it helped me fake my way into feeling confident. All this fighting, all this crime, all this drama . . . there was a deep method to our franticness. I’m not sure if Stintz was aware –

I don’t suppose I was back then either – but each of these things we were up to was again the result of us searching to relax our thoughts a bit. At the time of us committing these devastating acts our thoughts were gone.

“You’ve got this, Punchy,” one of the boys barked at me from behind as I readied myself for a fight one Sunday afternoon. A park was the setting for our fight, the same park I used to kick the football around with my dad. Now years later I was hopefully going to stand above my knocked-out opponent. Bouncing from foot to foot as I warmed myself up, I looked over at the guy I was about to fight: he had a few boys in his corner and I had the same. My thoughts teasing…

Whack! My first punch brought silence – to my mind, that is. Fighting was an active meditation: no thoughts; stillness of mind. It was pleasurable. I look at everything that most people are addicted to or enjoy and it soon becomes evident that the addiction or joy is caused by a lust of stillness, of silence. Take playing a sport, for example. You’re totally present. A golfer isn’t addicted to walking a course in shitty suit pants, nor do they enjoy hitting more bad shots than good. They’re in love with those microseconds of pure bliss as their eyes scan that ball floating through the air. The world could be ending outside that golf course but none of that matters to a still mind.

Stintz was really a good kid, but he was still a kid. Other people his age were being influenced by sports stars or celebrities. His mentors, like me, were leading him to gaol. “Well, f–k this,” I said a little louder to my zombie-like friends, trying to force some energy into myself and them. “If we’ve got none left, let’s go get some!”

So there we sat: Stintz and me. In a stolen car outside a unit block that housed a drug dealer.

What if he has a weapon? Will he beat me? He’s pretty big. So? F–k him. Imagine what the boys will think if I lose… You won’t lose. You might. I feel sick. Let’s get him.

It was a beautiful beachside suburb, morning walkers strutting past, their smiling faces, healthy figures and joyous energy seeming to glide them across the footpath. The setting summed up my contrasting existence – a microcosm of my entire life. The outside environment didn’t reflect what was happening on the inside. Soon a drug raid. Fuck. What if he has a gun? Hope he has heaps of cash too. How many people are in there? Should’ve brought more boys with us, but then we’d have to split the cash up more. Maybe we will go back and get some more boys. F–k doing it. I want to just go back to the house. I don’t want to do this. What will the boys think if you bitch it? You have to go in. Anyone watching us? Should I do this? F–k, what will Dad do if I get busted? Arrgghhh!

“Alright, let’s go.” Silence… The loud thoughts were gone. The blurry static washed away, and what was left was clean and pristine, a sense of ultimate presence. All my senses rose along with the hairs on my neck, but again the blissful still mind was there. This was what I desired. As we soldiered across a grass patch still soaked with morning mist I zeroed in on the front security door. It was more a hindrance door than a security door for my fat foot with 120 kilos behind it. My armed robbery meditation was underway.

My body was tense, every vein rushing with blood, my accomplice ferocious in his skipping step. The grass sped past my feet. But… my mind was still. Taking a presencefilled deep breath as though I was deep into a

meditation, I leaned on my left leg and lifted my right foot. BANG! The hindrance door wasn’t even that. It ripped off the hinges and fell inward like the first in line of standing dominos. It was loud. That sound meant disorder. Stintz was right behind me as we bounced over the floored door and ran up carpeted steps. I could smell bacon cooking. Although the sounds of our raid were evident – doors smashing to the ground, our feet stomping upstairs – behind all of that was a stillness, a deep silence within my own mind. A focus. My thoughts were gone. It’s what I always yearned for. It’s what all of us want.

We had bought drugs off this guy before and knew exactly where his unit was. Two levels up sat our target. When we reached level one I heard a door slam closed. I noticed another open an inch, probably someone eyeing to see who had just trampled through their front security door. We didn’t care about their restful Sunday morning; we only cared about the reprieve from our minds. We ran up the remaining staircase as I readied myself to kick down another door. I froze. There

Right: Luke with a shiner that tells a story or two

he stood – our silent mind dealer. Standing outside his unit door barefooted, looking like he just woke up. He had no shirt on his white, skinny body. A faded, poorly designed dragon tattoo went from his belly button up over his chest. His hands were behind his back.

“Punchy!” I felt Stintz grab my right arm. “Look out, he’s got something.” Our target heard what Stintz said and responded: “It’s only what you’re after. I don’t want any bullshit.” He revealed what he held in his hands: a plastic bag filled with smaller, sealedup satchels. Inside the satchels sat our little colourful pills of hope. Pills of solace. I went to smile before realising that wasn’t what tough guys do. “Where’s the cash?” Stintz shot out.

“Come on, boys, I’ve got family here,” he pleaded. “Well, you better want to go grab that cash then before we bust down that door too,” I said, nodding towards the blue front door that stood tall behind him. “Wait a sec,” he said, handing me the bag of pills and turning around. “Hey,” I said, grabbing his arm firmly. He turned and looked me in my eyes. “Don’t f–k around,” I growled. He shook his head, and with a turn of a key opened his door before sliding inside, not wanting to reveal to those in the unit that he was being robbed.

“Bro,” Stintz said. I looked over at him, and although he was standing in the one spot he was bouncing a little. He was excited. He looked like a kid about to run out to a filled-up Christmas tree on 25 December. “Let’s just run in there!” he suggested. “Nah, lad, just chill,” I said, looking around at the rest of the units. I could hear people moving around and I pictured them all looking through their peepholes at the robbery going on. “Just chill,” I said again. I heard the unclick of a lock on our target’s blue door. He slid back out with another plastic bag, this time smaller.

“Here, it’s all I’ve got. I’m done with this shit.” He passed the now-unwanted baton. It felt as though he was handing me his old life, ridding himself of the drama that being a drug dealer comes with. Drama I was happy to take for now.

“Look what we got, boys!’ I said, entering the room filled with depleted bodies. I threw the bag of pills on the ground and noticed a touch of energy rise in each person. Stintz sat on the floor to lie down. His energy went the other way. A robbery can take it out of you.

“Open your mouth, brother,’ I said to Stintz as I started throwing ecstasy at him. After four attempts one landed in his mouth and he chased it with some water. “Throw me another,’ he said, as I swallowed two.

These mornings were far too common.

At the time I didn’t know why I searched to always further my high. Often when off our faces on drugs I would get an insight into my boys’ internal struggles. “Punchy, I’m not looking forward to tomorrow when

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For eight years of his life, Luke Kennedy was an obese alcoholic and drug addicted thug. Leading a violent street fighting crew, he was stabbed on two separate occasions. On the outside, he looked strong and confident, but on the inside he was scared, depressed, anxious, paranoid and obsessed with what others thought about him. After losing 50kg, Luke turned his life around and is now one of Australia's most sought after motivational speakers, mental health advocate and mentor to troubled youth.

I’m coming down. I’m already doing my head in. I’m going to try to get a girl over to keep me company. I hate being by myself. You know what I mean?” Before hearing things like this I thought I was the only one with the loud mind. I had no idea my boys were the same. We all suffered internally, so why did we keep doing things that ended in us suffering even more? At the time I didn’t know why. I do now. ■

SEX, DRUGS AND A BUDDHIST MONK by Luke Kennedy (Gelding Street Press, rrp$32.99) is available at all good book stores or online at geldingstreetpress.com

GOD OF WAR RAGNARÖK

DEVELOPER: Sony Santa Monica FORMAT: PS5, PS4

GENRE: Action-Adventure

RELEASE DATE: November 9

CHANGES EVERYTHING

One of gaming’s most beloved heroes returns in a next-generation PlayStation exclusive that’s good enough to blow a god’s mind...

By CHRIS STEAD

God of War is blockbuster entertainment.

It always has been. Since we first stepped into the shoes of a young Spartan warrior called Kratos back in 2005, to the grizzled god killer we see in 2022,

scarred to his soul, Sony has never failed to deliver something special with this series. God of War is the kind of experience that makes you go, “wow, so this is what a game can be.”

For those of you that are new to the series, count us jealous. You can experience it all from the very beginning if you like. There are nine games in the series main lineage and in respect to the fact you may one day go on that journey, we won’t give too much away about the grander story.

Needless to say, after initially playing out in an alternate version of Ancient Greek mythology, in 2018, God

of War repositioned itself. We rediscovered Kratos as an older man, hiding from his past in Scandinavia with a son, Atreus. But hide, he could not. Now embroiled in the Asgardian politics of Norse mythology, a new set of gods would have their way with him and his family.

You don’t need to have played the first seven God of War games to enjoy God of War Ragnarök, but we do recommend playing through the 2018 God of War, to which this game is a direct sequel. See the boxout on how to best do that.

Needless to say, it’s three years after the events of the last game. The great winter is defrosting and the prophesised end of days (i.e. Ragnarök) is coming. Our hero is journeying through the nine realms trying to seek a better understanding of his son’s identity, while preventing the coming apocalypse. Only problem is that he has two vengeful gods on his tail in Thor and Freya.

As we’ll detail, God of War’s action experience is as good as it gets, but what’s made the series so iconic is the attention to detail in the world building and the depth in its characters. Here is a story that will fully immerse you. Performances and dialogue are as good as anything in entertainment, in particular the dynamic between a father who has seen it all, and a rebellious son who has been born into a burden not his doing.

Ultimately its that relationship taking centre stage. “Fate only binds you if you let it,” Kratos teaches tellingly at one point.

Visually, God of War Ragnarök is a powerhouse. The game is playable and beautiful on PlayStation 4, but on PS5 it pushes back the boundaries of what we thought was possible. Detail, lighting, scale, animations and more congeal into a feast for the eyes. It grounds the outlandish setting in a brutal, intimate reality where giant bosses and creatures of folklore come to life.

If you’re into Norse mythology, you’ll be rewarded at every turn. And returning fans will be happy to see a broader depth of environments and settings as they experience Kratos’ new journey. Most notably the massive Dwarven realm of Svartalfheim.

But, yes, God of War is at its core an action game. Despite the two protagonists, it’s a single player experience with Kratos taking the lead. Yet Atreus is no mug in battle, the AI able to hold his own in close quarters combat, but most effective from range where he can fire arrows to help his father mop up the masses. Arteus’ toolkit does expand in some interesting ways, too. For example, he can summon a spirit elk to mount and ride into battle.

The thrill of playing as Kratos is how fluidly the deep combat mechanics come together. He flows through a battlefield like a ballerina of blood. As you come to understand the combat and progress your available arsenal, the litany of attacks, counters, blocks, weapons and special abilities fuse together in a manner that never feels predetermined. The battle bows to your quick thinking, and does so with a brutality that lets the power of Kratos flow through the controller and into your hands.

A huge part of why it works is the way combat and traversal are intimately linked.

Whether you’re grappling up to higher platforms to slingshot into enemies, leaping down on foes below, diving out of harm’s way or pushing back opponents to give yourself a chance to reposition, it all feels cohesive. And setpieces seamlessly transition from cutscene to gameplay. The result is not just immersive, but the purist form of fun.

Like its predecessor, God of War Ragnarök is must-play gaming and one of the best arguments for choosing a PlayStation 5 as your console of choice. Don’t miss it. T

PLAYSTATION PLUS

PlayStation Plus is the online service for Sony’s consoles. Up until June 2022, there was only one version. For $79.95/year it granted you access to online play, a few free games to download each month, cloud storage and discounts. But it has since changed. There are now three tiers. The Essential plan remains unchanged from what you would have experienced previously. However, you can now also get an Extra plan for $134.95/year. As well as the above access, it also gives you entry to a virtual library of around 400 games from across the history of PlayStation to play whenever you like. This includes the 2018 God of War entry, so is a great way to catch up. You also get access to the Ubisoft+ Classics collection, which is quickly approaching 50 games. There is then a third Deluxe tier at $154.95. This adds in the ability to trial some of the newest releases for a limited time before you buy them.

Time to get acquainted with JOCELYN CALDERON, the aspiring model competing for the title of Miss Fashion Global this month… Photographed by MOSAAB ALSARAY

ello there, Jocelyn, tell us a little more about yourself.

Well, I’m Puerto Rican, but was actually born in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts and raised in Vineland, New Jersey USA. I’m currently in the entertainment industry and an ambitious model who hopes someday will be on the cover of every magazine possible and attending fashion week all over the world.

How long have you been modelling and how exactly did competing for Miss Fashion Global 2002 come about?

I started modelling when I was about 15 years old with Barbizon, an international

modelling and acting school in Florida.

I learned so much, met so many great people and it was just an overall great experience. And how this all started is very coincidental, or maybe just the timing of the universe, but I was actually scrolling on Instagram and came across an ad for Miss Fashion Global 2022. My gut feeling told me to go back and check it out. So I did and I qualified to participate in the competition!

What is your best asset?

Physically, my best asset is definitely my eyes physically. Otherwise, my personality – I can a bit goofy sometimes, but I just embrace it all.

You have a few tattoos – what type of ink would you want to get next?

Yes I do, I have about 10 tattoos and I’m definitely thinking about getting a nice big piece of art on my right thigh. I actually have a drawing of it from a friend – it’s of me walking out of the woods with a pack of wolves.

What tattoo would you never get?

I would definitely not tattoo my face!

What do you look for in a man?

I look for a loving, caring, spontaneous man who is also understanding, generous, respectful and willing to teach me a few things without belittling me. Also, a healed

“I’m up for trying new things in life. You never know what you’ll find if you don’t try.”

man – if you’re not healed within then you can’t bring that baggage this way. Oh, and funny, of course – we need to be able to have a great time and enjoy the small things in this life and each other’s company.

How can a man win his way to your heart?

Just be honest with me. I love a man who can tell me the truth about everything –no hiding absolutely anything regardless of how upset I might get. At the end of the day, I might get upset but I’ll respect the fact that the truth was told and there are no grey spots whatsoever.

Would you ever date one of your social media followers?

I’m definitely not against it – I’m up for trying

new things in life. You never know what you’ll find if you don’t try.

Describe your ideal date.

I’m a very simple woman – pizza, wine, some music and nothing but lots of laughter and enjoying one another. Of course, every woman also wants to be spoiled and told to wear that little black dress with the shoes he loves the most and a plan already made.

What have you learned about men over the years?

Oh lord! I just know that in this day and age, everyone’s guards and pride is so high they wouldn’t know a great woman in front of them. Then again, you can’t make a man

do something for a woman he sees no future with.

What’s one thing men should always know about women?

We’re not the easiest species out there, but very much worth it.

Being our Woman of the World this month, where’s the best place you’ve travelled?

Always Puerto Rico – going to my island is like a breath of fresh air, along with great music and phenomenal food.

Have you ever been to Australia?

I’ve never been to Australia but I know it’s a beautiful country and someday I’ll be able to say I have been there! I love koalas, they’re

the cutest creatures, but to be honest I don’t know much about Australia other than the heat, huge creepy crawlers and amazing people with awesome accents.

What would you change about the world? I’d make sure that everyone is more

understanding of one another, to be more gentle on themselves, along with others, and to definitely uplift each other rather than tearing each other down. It’s bad enough we can sometimes be cruel to ourselves let alone have another person be cruel to us.

What’s next for you?

Well, I’m nervous and excited about my competition for Miss Fashion Global this month and look forward to creating a bigger sisterhood with the other beautiful and successful woman who empower and inspire one another.

FULL NAME: Jocelyn Calderon

February 7

HOME TOWN: Vineland, New Jersey USA

SELF-

FIVE

“Dedicated, determined and open minded.”

PHOBIAS: “Spiders, snakes and anything that crawls, slithers or is slimy!”

LIFE MOTTO: “I fall nine times and I get up 10.”

INSTAGRAM &

EVENT IG: @missfashionglobal

Produced by HOUSE OF PARADISE

“I look for a loving, caring, spontaneous man who is also understanding, generous, respectful and willing to teach me a few things.”

by CLEIMAR LÓPEZ

The MAXIM Australia Women of the World Official 2022 Calendar is out now and is the perfect gift for you and/or your mates.

a dozen gorgeous international models, this month we give you November beauty Diana…

engines

REVVING

By REILLY SULLIVAN

Funnily enough, the secret to increasing male arousal isn’t actually in the penis. Scientifically speaking, the male libido occupies two distinct areas of the brain: the cerebral cortex and the limbic system. These two areas allow us to not only become aroused, but also achieve orgasm by merely thinking or dreaming about something sexy. They’re also why stress, diet, lifestyle factors and hormonal changes have a direct correlation to our sex drive.

Despite the fact that we’ll all experience a fluctuating sex drive over the course of our lives, admitting that you’re not as horny or aroused as you once were is a massive taboo among men. As a result, many blokes suffer in silence and are too embarrassed to discuss their sex drive with their partner, or refuse to seek over-the-counter or prescription medicines to help. As Australia and New Zealand’s number one sexual wellness brand*, the SKYN™ brand has a vested interest in helping Aussie men increase their libido in the bedroom.

Open up a new world of intimacy with SKYN™ Arouse for Him, a compelling new addition to the libido supplements market. This product helps support testosterone levels when dietary intake is inadequate.

SKYN™ Arouse for Him is formulated with Tribulus Terrestris, which traditionally has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac, and to promote healthy libido. This makes it ideal for guys looking to help boost their libido without resorting to a prescription medicine.

Each SKYN™ Arouse for Him tablet also contains the godfather of sexual supplements Horny Goat Weed (HGT), which has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to help support healthy sexual function. Containing B3, B5 and B6 vitamins to support energy production as well, what’s not to love about this new product innovation from SKYN™?

omen. Influential women, empowering women, movie women, talented women, sports star women, impressive women, political women, amazing women, model women, funny women, commercial women, beautiful women, Commonwealth Games women, pop star women, artistic women, reality TV women, newsworthy women, incredible women, wonderful women, soap star women, brilliant women, extraordinary women, TV presenter women, fitspo women, awesome women, cool women, gutsy women, Australian women – HOT women.

By SANTI PINTADO & REILLY SULLIVAN

Yes, welcome to the 2022 MAXIM HOT 100 – our annual, eclectic and definitive list of Australian women who have impressed, made headlines or simply had a huge year.

The past 12 months saw an abundance of fine and fierce femmes who have wowed us with their aptitude, intellect, humour, attributes and overall incredible talents.

None more so than this year’s winner, Margot Robbie, whose Hollywood star continues to shine brightly on the silver screen, and as a producer, as she fast becomes one of the most powerful women in entertainment.

Add endorsements, ambassador roles, beauty and brains to the mix and she’s the complete package. This also marks Margot’s third time topping the annual MAXIM HOT 100, which now officially makes her the first person in its history to achieve this unique hat-trick!

However, she’s not the only amazing Aussie woman in our 100 – there’s many, many more. So, sit back and enjoy this super-sizzling special edition of MAXIM Australia.

Santi Pintado EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LIST OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL, SUCCESSFUL, POWERFUL, NEWSWORTHY, TALENTED AND BEAUTIFUL WOMEN THIS YEAR, STARRING MARGOT ROBBIE, SAM KERR, GRACE TAME, ASH BARTY, SARAH SNOOK, SOPHIE MONK, TR1ACY GRIMSHAW AND MANY MORE...

100

Dani Laidley

Following a difficult few years, which drug addiction and a charge for stalking, Dani returned to the spotlight in 2022 and tossed the coin during the AFL’s much-discussed Pride Round. She also turned heads while walking the red carpet at this year’s Brownlow Medal, her first since coming out as transgender. Laidley, who previously played for the West Coast Eagles and North Melbourne (and later became a coach) recently dropped her autobiography Don’t Look Away: A Memoir of Identity & Acceptance Congrats, Dani.

99

Annastacia Palaszczuk

After delivering Brisbane the Olympics last year, 2022 was equally newsworthy for Qld’s Premier. Dealing with sliding popularity, natural disasters and a rocky recovery from COVID-19, AP has remained as dependable as ever – proving why she’s the country’s second longest serving state leader. She is also a good reminder that not all politicians from up north are whacky right wing nut jobs.

Flick & Gabby

This year, the Amazing Race’s Flick and Gabby (aka the Barista Sisters) swapped cafe life for an epic race around the world. Despite pulling out all the stops, the sisters were the 11th team to be knocked out of the TV juggernaut – but not before finding their way into viewers and MAXIM’s hearts with their somewhat funny one-liners.

97

Penny Wong

The arrival of a new Labor government this year saw Penny Wong score the Minister for Foreign Affairs portflio. Our international credibility rose instantly as Wong quickly worked to strengthen ties with Pacific island countries and repair frosty relations with NZ. She’s also the first LGBTI person and first Asian Australian to serve in this position, and was even named Australia’s most trusted politician by Roy Morgan. Wong is in the house!

96

Jodie Haydon

As Anthony Albanese’s official domestic partner, Jodie is the first PM’s girlfriend to occupy the Lodge. The happy couple started dating in 2021 and were said to have bonded over a mutual love of the NRL Rabbitohs. Our unofficial first lady has even swapped a busy career in financial services and women’s advocacy to accompany the PM on official engagements – and to make him look less dorky.

95

Tracy Grimshaw

This year, this legendary broadcaster gave up her iconic role as host of Nine’s A Current Affair. For almost 17 years viewers tuned in nightly to watch Tracy present hard-hitting stories that usually involve dole bludgers, dodgy tradies or demonising non-anglo folk. Although Trace will no longer be on our screens, we can still enjoy some epic YouTube compilations of her most unhinged moments.

94

Karen’s Diner staff

What originally started as an internet catch-all for racist and problematic white women everywhere, Karen’s Diner took a meme and turned it into an oddly successful business concept. The premise is simple: Karen’s is a restaurant where staff are instructed to be rude and aggressive to anyone who dare enter their venue. And if you thought that was pretty niche, think again – Karen’s Diner has grown to include multiple outlets across three Aussie states. So, if you love being mildly insulted and abused by wait staff while eating overpriced food, visit now!

93

Natalie Barr

As co-host of Seven’s Sunrise since 2021, Nat has taken on the top job with ease and made it her own to the point where Sam Armytage has moved to the farm. There’s something oddly comforting about getting the early morning headlines from Barr, who appears more relaxed and may even make Kochie seem more likable. Jury is still out.

92

Allison Langdon

As a Today co-host trying to catch chief rival Sunrise in the breakfast TV wars is tough. And, if you thought brekky TV was all fluff, check out Alli grilling Albanese pre-election or in action covering the Queen’s funeral in London. There’s even rumours Ms Langdon could be making the move to fill Tracy’s old gig on ACA. We’ll stay tuned.

91

Sandra Sully

A member of the 10 News team since 1990, our Sandra brings balance, professionalism and a touch of familiarity in a changing world – including travelling to London to cover the passing of the Queen. She also continues to produce her own podcast called Short Black with Sandra Sully and she will always have a spot on the MAXIM HOT 100 list.

89 Olivia Vivian

The New Wiggles

Already an Aussie institution, this year The Wiggles welcomed some exciting new members – Tsehay Hawkins, a former Latin dance champion born in Ethiopia and adopted by an Aussie family; Evie Ferris, an indigenous Australian and corps de ballet dancer with the Australian Ballet and Kelly Hamilton the first Wiggle to ride a skateboard, completes the trio. The new recruits join the current Wiggles.

It’s been another year of firsts for gymnast turned Ninja Warrior champion Olivia Vivian. In July, she became the first woman in the world to win a semi-final and finish on top of the leader board with the fastest time. A former Olympian, Liv is now turning her efforts to a new challenge – getting obstacle climbing sports more recognised by international sporting federations. Go girl!

86 Jackie O

The better half of Kyle & Jackie O hit a truly astounding ratings milestone this year, reaching their highest number of listeners ever. Despite occasional complaints by the woke police for the pair to be taken off air, listeners old and new continue to tune in for the duo’s mix of kinda funny and relatable content. After all, where else can you go to hear someone asking the PM how many people he’s bedded? Never change, Jack – never!

88 The Rybka Twins

Good things come in twos and the Rybka twins have built a massive social media following based on their fascinating synchronized dancing and acrobatic abilities. Sam and Teagan Rybka first found fame as contestants on Australia’s Got Talent long before TikTok was even a thing. These days, they’re the most famous identical twins since those creepy girls from The Shining. Spooky.

87

Kylie Minogue

We finally got our Kyles back from the Brits this year when the long-time London resident officially returned to Australia and even plonked down $8 million on a new house in Melbourne. Miss Minogue also revived her role as Charlene for the Neighbours finale, although we hear producers had a hard time working around her slight Pommy accent. Next up, the sweet singing budgie will be headlining the WorldPride 2023 in Sydney. Slay it, Queen K!

Heather McCartney

The cheeky MAXIM regular with Scottish heritage proves our long-held belief that a disproportionate number of Australia’s most beautiful and hilariously exciting women live in Brisbane. This year, she also became a MAXIM calendar girl and kept followers titillated with loads of stunning photo shoot by the pool or beach. Keep on doing you, Heather!

84

Kitty Flanagan

One of Australia’s funniest women, Kitty returned to TV screens in season two of her seriously hilarious show Fisk. She also went back on the road for a nationwide comedy tour and, despite being a comedy star, still found time to give back, becoming an ambassador for cat rehoming service the Ninth Life Foundation. Hello, Kitty, indeed!

83

Julia Morris

As co-host of I’m A Celeb…, a show which seriously stretches the definition of celebrity, J-Mo got to make a highly-tweeted opening monologue at the Logies – falling foul of the internet for daring to joke about cancel culture and the gender pay gap. We have a feeling a showbiz survivor like her took it in stride – if they’re not talking you’re not relevant, right?

82

Zoe Foster Blake

Since selling a stake in her cult-favourite Go-To skincare company for a cool $89 million last year, Zoe has continued to grow her empire. With hubby Hamish Blake, the two are one of Aussie media’s new power couples. This year, viewers even got a glimpse inside their new $9 million home when, for some reason, they agreed to appear on Celebrity Gogglebox. Cha-ching!

81

Celia Pacquola

Comedienne Celia Pacquola has continued to make us laugh uncontrollably on Have You Been Paying Attention? and in her new stand up special All Talk However, Pacquola also got serious and hosted a documentary for SBS called The Truth About Anxiety, to explore the science behind this common but little discussed issue. We love you, CP.

80

Rachael Haynes

Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes retired from international cricket this year, ending a fantastic run that helped revolutionise the women’s game. She is one of several prominent Aussie sports women, including Ash Barty and Lauren Jackson, to retire this year – and she was able to exit on top, taking home a Gold Medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games to close out a glittering career.

79

Bindi Irwin

Conservationist and activist Bindi added MARVEL voice actress to her impressive resume, this year, after appearing as guest star on the animated series Spidey And His Amazing Friends. She also continues to star with her family in Animal Planet’s Crikey! It’s the Irwins and is a busy mum to daughter Grace. Her late father, Steve, would immensely proud!

78 Shayna Jack

After completing her controversial suspension from swimming, Shayna made a spectacular return to the pool in Birmingham, adding three medals to her tally, including a silver in the 100m freestyle and a gold in the 4x 100m freestyle relay.

In one of sport’s greatest comebacks, Shayna turned the tides of public opinion and reminded everyone what an absolute gun she is.

Ariarne Lepine

One of two Ariarne beauties to appear on this year’s MAXIM HOT 100. Ms Lepine made waves on our July 2022 cover and became an instant legend within the MAXIM ranks. Currently one of the top swimwear models in the country, Lepine is the quintessential surfy girl and sure to catch even bigger breaks over the next 12 months. Take our word for it!

Zara McDonald & Michelle Andrews

The brains and voices behind the hugely popular Shameless podcast, former Mamamia writers McDonald and Andrews originally pitched their idea to their previous workplace before DIY-ing it. Winning over listeners with their funny and frank discussions about pop culture that never pander to or condescend their audience, it’s since gone gangbusters!

77

73

Erin Molan

Not only did she manage to win a high-profile defamation lawsuit against the Daily Mail (for this and she still false claims the tabloid made accusing her of being racist) this year, but Erin also left the bright lights of Channel 9 for a new role at Sky News – a network that’s no stranger to defamation lawsuits either. All this and she still finds time for her radio co-hosting duties on The 2Day FM Morning Crew with Hughesy, Ed and Erin Molan.

72

The Veronicas

It was a toss up whether to include the Veronicas as a duo or individually on our list this year. After all, Brisbane’s iconic two-girl music machine officially broke up. Or did they? Although Jess and Lisa each released solo songs, they’ve since backtracked to confirm they’ll also continue to perform as The Veronicas. PR stunt or not, we can’t help but love you both – equally.

Sonia Kruger

The Kruger’s busy TV schedule continued over the last 12 months as she juggled hosting duties on The Voice, Big Brother, Holey Moley AND Dancing with the Stars. She was also nominated for her first ever Gold Logie this year and although she narrowly missed out on the night, we give her an A for effort.

74

Havana Brown

The stunning DJ and performer has been busy playing epic live sets at music festivals while being an all-round legend. A former MAXIM covergirl, Havana remains one of the country’s most in-demand DJs over the last decade since bursting on the music scene. We couldn’t be more proud.

71

Isla Fisher

Our favourite ginger ninja (her words, not ours), this year Isla took on a lead role in Stan’s Wolf Like Me as a mysterious advice columnist. She also served as an executive producer on the series, a co-production between Australia and the United States. But after decamping to Sydney, with husband Sacha Baron Cohen for most of the pandemic, Fisher and Borat officially moved back to L.A. and we’ve been missing her ever since.

Kate Ritchie

Author, radio presenter and yes, former Home and Away star, Kate is an all-round national treasure. This year she also served as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent –a show that’s been axed and revived more times than we care to count. When she’s not judging questionable talent, Ritchie continues to bring the laughs as part of Nova FM’s national drive show, Kate, Tim & Joel alongside Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey.

Jayde Heiser

Following multiple appearances on the pages of MAXIM, Jayde made her long-overdue cover debut on our September issue. The stunning model and influencer wowed readers and proving that Sydney girls do it better. But don’t let the killer bod fool you – Heiser, who’s previously worked for luxury brands like Bvlgari, insists her best asset is her kind heart.

69

Carrie Bickmore

It was the end of an era in 2022 when Carrie announced she’d officially be leaving The Project, after helping launch the program way back in 2009. Bickmore transcended the show’s average ratings and accusations of condescension to become one of the country’s most popular on-air personalities. And while she’s so far kept quiet about her future career plans, we hear she’s courting offers from all the bigger networks.

68

Georgie Tunny

We were pretty stoked in August when it was announced that Georgie would be joining The Project full time. And now with the departure of OG Bickmore, Tunny is probably the show’s best bet to survive without its star anchor. Fresh, relatable and sadly engaged to Paris Hilton’s former Aussie lover, Rob ‘Millsy’ Mills, we can’t wait to see a lot more of Georgie on our TV box.

66

Emily Bates

It’s players like Emily who are helping supercharge the popularity of AFLW, as she continues to raise the bar season after season. This year’s AFLW best and fairest winner, Bates is easily one of the most high profile and exciting players in the league. During the 2022 season, she averaged an insanely impressive 22 disposals and six tackles per game for the Brisbane Lions, and was also awarded MVP by the coaches association.

65

Millie Boyle

Newcastle Knights champ Millie Boyle made history after becoming the first dual winner of the Daily M Female Player of the Year award alongside Emma Tonegato. She also led the Knights to a grand final win over the Eels in this year’s NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership and even found time to appear as a recruit on SAS Australia, gunning her way through the show and passing final selection with flying colours.

64 Miah Madden

Breaking a unique record earlier this year by becoming the youngest ever host of Play School, at just 20, Miah now joins bigwigs like Big Ted and Jemimah as the new face of the long-running children’s TV show. A Gadigal and Bundjalung woman, she is here to show why you’re never too young to start a conversation about diversity and celebrate our proud indigenous culture. Awesome stuff.

61 Stephanie Gilmore

Kayla Itsines

One of Australia’s wealthiest self-made women, Kayla has built an empire off her signature workouts and fitness app, helping millions get in shape across the world. This year, the fitness mogul went public with her endometriosis diagnosis and treatment, helping to raise awareness for this common illness that’s seldom discussed. Oh, and good luck with the baby, champ!

62

Ricki-Lee

It’s hard to imagine it’s been almost two decades since former MAXIM cover girl Ricki-Lee first graced screens as a contestant on Australian Idol in 2004. Now she’s back on TV and actually hosting the revival of the show. Although she’s the bright spark of the new Idol, an all-white judging panel probably isn’t what we need in 2023?

Steph surpassed surfing legend Layne Beachley and nabbed an eighth World Surf Title a few months ago. Only Kelly Slater has more World Surf Titles, making Gilmore the most successful Aussie surfer ever. With the surfing world expecting Steph to quietly retire a few years ago, she pulled out all the stops to create some serious magic on the water in California and more than earned her place among the sport’s all-time greats.

60

Chantelle Otten

The fascinating Chantelle continues to help thousands of Aussie men and women feel more comfortable talking about sex each and every day. The psychosexologist (and partner of wheelchair tennis GOAT Dylan Alcott) is also the founder of the Australian Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine. Dylan is one lucky guy!

Tori Wade

Professional dancer, model and TikTok sensation Tori Wade added MAXIM cover girl to her CV in 2022. Swapping Sydney for a Los Angeles life, this mega talent is already smashing it over in the U.S.A. and with almost half a million TikTok followers, Tori represents the new generation of Aussies making it big in the land of opportunity. Watch this space.

59

Robyn Lawley

In March, former MAXIM cover girl and Sports Illustrated favourite Robyn added podcast host to her impressive CV. Entitled Every Body with Robyn Lawley, the supermodel breaks down the constructs of physical beauty with fascinating guests like Turia Pitt. Well played, Ms Lawley!

57

Alexa Towersey

MAXIM fitness guru

Action Alexa just keeps on keeping on – hard at work growing her ever popular career as a fitness expert, podcast host, coach… sharing the best workout tips with her audience including our readers every month.

The all-round fitness, nutrition and lifestyle champion continues to helping others get their best bodies and live their best lives 24/7.

Our abs have never looked better!

56

Hannah Balanay

With over 18 million followers, Hannah is one of the most powerful influencers on TikTok. The FilipinoAussie from Perth started gaining traction on the platform thanks to her popular dance challenges, and her following grew rapidly during the pandemic. Although details are scarce regarding how much she actually makes off her videos, conservative estimates already suggest she’s a millionaire at just 21.

Emily Sears

A four-time MAXIM covergirl Emily is one of our legends and it’s safe to say readers worldwide can’t get enough of this curvy bombshell either.

As she continues to make her mark on the modelling and social media worlds, expect even bigger things from this Melbourne-born stunner in 2023.

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Ruby Rose

Since abruptly quitting her role as Batwoman, this former HOT 100 winner had a quiet 2022 and seemingly put her Hollywood career on hold. Ruby did manage to receive a Razzie nomination this year for worst actress (ouch!) but, on a happier note, has just signed on for two new films and appears to be on her way to kicking butt again. Never count out our Aussie Rose!

Milly Alcock

Taking a role in House of Dragon, the much-hyped prequel to mega-hit Game of Thrones, would be a daunting task for any actor but Milly Alcock does it with ease. Playing the younger version of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, she is the dragon-riding heroine George R. Martin envisioned. And with 29 million viewers per episode, Milly is now an instant sensation across the globe. No doubt 2023 promises to be an even bigger year for this rising star. Fire!

Olivia Dejonge

Olivia DeJonge was one of the year’s breakout stars thanks to her lead role in Baz Luhrman’s Elvis, portraying the legendary rocker’s ex-wife Priscilla Presley opposite Austin Butler. And once you’re the star of one Baz film, a major movie career is pretty much inevitable. She also had a supporting role in HBO’s The Staircase, simultaneously starring in one of the year’s biggest films and TV series.

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Natasha Bassett

Following several years clocking up a range of onscreen credits, the beguiling Bassett made her blockbuster debut this year in Baz Luhrman’s Elvis as Presley’s first girlfriend Dixie Locke. From the King of rock and roll to the King of tech, off-screen Tash was also rumoured to be dating the wealthiest man to ever live, Elon Musk. A star is born.

Markella Kavenagh

The magnificent Markella burst onto screens in Amazon’s much-hyped The Lord of tshe Rings: The Rings of Power – a new TV addition to the popular film series. While it wasn’t technically her screen debut (Kavenagh had a role in 2019’s The History of the Kelly Gang and in several TV shows), the force of the LOTR fandom has definitely made her one to watch in 2023.

Cate Blanchett

She’s the kind of celebrity where you don’t have to be on social media, in the press or even constantly appearing on screens to remain a star. Cate’s class and elegance makes her one of the last remaining famous femmes worthy of the title movie star. For her latest role in the psychological thriller Tar, Cate won Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival and is headed towards an eighth Oscar nod – a record for an Aussie performer.

Nicole Kidman

Nic’s year began with a bang in the form of a fifth Oscar nomination for her portrayal of legendary sitcom star Lucille Ball in Being the Riccardos. She then became an unlikely meme thanks to her weird commercial for American theatre chain AMC, which even became an SNL sketch. Kidman also found time to walk a Balenciaga runway with Kim Kardashian and played a Viking Queen in The Northman. She’s simply timeless.

Ashton Wood

The stunning model and influencer made her MAXIM debut in our March issue and quickly became a fan favourite. Ash also celebrated the launch of her popular podcast, Common Chaos, this year with co-host, bestie and fellow hottie Cartia Mallan. Whether she’s posing for us or working with some of the biggest brands in fashion and beauty, Miss Wood is definitely one to watch.

Married at First Sight cast

Nobody in the Aussie media can rile up an audience like the cast of MAFS, a show that’s strayed so far from its original premise that it’s a headline when a couple actually stays together. Two of the cast’s hotly controversial brides this year were Olivia Frazer and Domenica Calarco. It was a social media shit show when Frazer was accused of leaking photos from Calarco’s OnlyFans. In a totally expected twist, Olivia then signed up for OnlyFans and boasted that she quickly made more money on the app than she ever did as a school teacher. We just wish they’d kiss and make up already.

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Liz Watson

This year, Liz Watson kept the Diamonds at the top of their international game, leading the team to gold at the Commonwealth Games and fighting to win back the muchdiscussed Constellation Cup from New Zealand. With the 2023 World Cup in July, Watson is eyeing off a 12th title for team Australia to cement her legacy as part of netball’s most successful team ever. Go get it, girls!

Sports presenters

From Tara Rushton to Fox Sports’ Yvonne Sampson and Lara Pitt to Seven’s AFL duo Abbey Holmes and Daisy Pearce or Nine’s NRL whizzes Danika Mason and Allana Ferguson, our female sports presenters continue to serve expert coverage of the major sporting codes. And we can’t get enough of these ladies leading the charge for more diverse voices in sports commentary. Well played.

42

Lauren Jackson

Basketball GOAT LJ came out of retirement to triumphantly finish her illustrious career with the Opals by winning a bronze medal at the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Jackson, who’s been a member of the national team for a quarter of a century, returned from a debilitating injury to end her career on top. For now, Lauren is turning her attention back to her role leading women’s basketball for Basketball Australia. Slam dunk!

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Chrissie Swan

With recurring hosting duties on The Project, this year Chrissie also joined the judging panel on The Masked Singer alongside Hughsie, Abbie Chatfield and Mel B. What’s more, she’s also been busy undergoing a years-long lifestyle and health kick and announced she’d shed a whopping 90kg. If that’s not enough, the Swan even helped raise over $130,000 for the Fred Hollows Foundation during Fred’s Big Run.

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Celeste Barber

From Instagram memes to a global comedy tour called Fine, Thanks, the rise and rise of Celeste Barber is pretty epic. Her self-deprecating and relatable brand of comedy has turned her into a one-woman powerhouse and helped Celeste earn lucrative contracts selling everything from audiobooks to undies. She’s also just finished filming her first starring role in a new movie alongside none other than Dolly Parton. We can’t wait!

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Amanda Keller

Our (yes, we wrote 'our') Amanda is wrapping up another huge year behind the mic on WSFM’s Jonesy & Amanda and as the queen of DIY on The Living Room. She also celebrated turning 60 this year and marked the occasion by shooting a glamorous cover for Women’s Weekly. We’re told it was a toss up between the Weekly and appearing in a string bikini on the cover of MAXIM. Oddly enough, our invite to her big birthday bash must have got lost in the post.

Jessica Ferguson Stunning Jess made an awesomely auspicious MAXIM cover debut on our special birthday edition in August. An actor slash model slash influencer slash overachiever, she started out as a pageant girl, winning Miss Multiverse among other international titles and recently appeared in a short film entitled Cobra City. The only way is up for our Fergalicious.

Gabby Epstein

As she continues her rise as one of Australia’s most followed models with 2.9 million Instagram fans, this year L.A.-based influencer Gabby even launched a clothing collection with online retailer Pretty Little Thing. Put simply, Epstein knows how to make an impression – just check out her barely-there outfit for this year’s Coachella Music Festival.

Ellie Gonsalves

A MAXIM favourite and HOT 100 regular, Ellie has been killing it in 2022 as a L’Oreal ambassador and influencer. Already a successful Crypto Girl and Wildlife Warrior, she also successfully launched her athleisure brand 9186 Collective on mega retailer The Iconic. Way to go, Ellie!

Rose Byrne

Beautiful Rose continued to turn up the heat in Season 2 of Apple TV’s Physical. Often appearing on lists of the world’s most beautiful women, Byrne is a throwback to a time when actors kept an air of mystique and weren’t constantly selling or lecturing stuff to us. We Byrne for you!

Jessica Gomes

Supermodel Jess is a familiar face within the MAXIM world, as well as Sports Illustrated, so it was no surprise when last year she branched out into swimwear design. But in 2022, the glamazon devoted much of her time to building her brand, including wiping all of her social media channels and starting fresh and we gotta say we’re loving Jessica Gomes 2.0.

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Jennifer Hawkins

As Australia’s fashion and modelling golden girl, our first ever cover girl (way back in 2011) and former MAXIM HOT 100 winner, Hawko will always have her spot on our illustrious list. This year, Jen and her other half Jake Wall continued to make serious property moves, successfully selling their massive new home at Whale Beach in NSW for approximately $30 million. Now that’s a capital gain!

The supermodel mogul has spent the year tending to her empire as CEO of Kora Organics and even convinced her husband, Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel, to pose with her on the cover of Vogue The couple also finally closed on a mega pad worth $172 million right across the road from the Playboy mansion. Despite looking basically the same as she did when she first came onto the modelling scene, Miranda will turn the big 4-0 in a few months.

Where did the time go?

Ellyse Perry

Cricket all-rounder Ellyse Perry had a big 2022. Firstly, she scored a second cricket World Cup title before leading team Australia to victory and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Next up, Ellyse is eyeing a spot in the T20 World Cup in February. Guaranteed.

Miranda Kerr

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Melissa Leong

Australia’s sexiest foodie continues to serve up epic one liners and harsh but fair critiques on MasterChef Australia. She also released a new book, A Taste Adventure, and missed out on a Gold Logie win to boot. There’s always next year Mel – just ask Amanda Keller!

30 G Flip

After growing a fan base on Triple J and the indie music scene over the last few years, singer and drummer G Flip truly went mainstream in 2022. In addition to their highly publicised relationship with Chrishell Stause from Netflix’s Selling Sunset, she rocked the house down during the AFL Grand Final halftime show. She also appeared in an epic Uber Eats ad promoting KFC where she plays the drums with… yep, chicken drumsticks. Katy Perry could never!

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Jessica Mauboy

This year, Miss Mauboy’s criminally-underrated bop Automatic was overshadowed by an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction at the Logies. The performance went awry when Jess’ coat became stuck to her catsuit and some pretty awkward live TV ensued. Ever the professional, she smiled through it all and reminded us all why she’s more than qualified to judge amateur singers in a swivel chair next to Rita Ora.

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Elisha & Renee Herbert

As two of the country’s top swim models, the gorgeous Herbert twins developing their own swimwear brand, Jumelle Swim, seemed like a no-brainer. However, Elisha and Renee were also keen to give back, which is why five percent of all proceeds from their line go to the Reef Restoration Foundation, helping to protect and regenerate our reef systems. Is there nothing these MAXIM cover girls can’t do?!

Elizabeth Debicki

With the arrival of Season 5 of Netflix’s The Crown, audiences will finally get to experience Lizzie’s portrayal of the doomed Diana Spencer. Based on early teasers, the Melbourneborn actress has an eerily likeness to the previous Princess of Wales and is a shoe in to nab her first Emmy nomination. Global success awaits!

Rebel Wilson Wilson continues to dominate in Hollywood with a starring role in the comedy film Senior Year. In personal news, this year Rebel went public with her female partner Ramona Agruma after discovering a national newspaper gossip columnist was planning to out her. The columnist then proceeded to berate the movie star for daring to reveal her relationship on her own terms and quite rightly copped a lashing on social media. Read the room, mate!

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Madison de Rozario

The fabulous Madison de Rozario won two more gold medals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, proving yet again why she’s one of the greatest wheelchair road racers ever. She also went full glam for a posh Harper’s Bazaar shoot and is under contract for Under Armour. Originally aspiring to become a wheelchair basketball player, de Rozario pivoted to track and quickly fell in love with the sport, and now ranks as among the most decorated para athletes of her generation. Inspirational.

Casey Boonstra

A MAXIM staple and international cover girl, this year our Casey embarked on a seriously lucrative new career on OnlyFans. She’s become such a smash on the platform that she was even tapped to host a show on OnlyFans TV, putting her years of hosting experience to good use. Still lapping it up in Los Angeles, it’s only a matter of time before Boonie really booms!

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Sarah Magusara

Sarah has finished up another year as one of the top Aussie woman on TikTok, with almost 18 million fans worldwide. Sharing a mix of fitness, life and fashion content, Magusara earns big bucks thanks to partnerships with companies like Asics, Pretty Little Thing and Shein. Originally aspiring to become a PE teacher, the Brisbane-based mum is about to welcome a second child and her own wellness and fitness app. Move over, Kayla Itstines?

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Samara Weaving

This year, Samara continued her reign in Hollywood and as an ambassador for Louis Vuitton. Headlining an impressive three movies in 2022 and also signed on to the sixth Scream film, next up Miss Weaving will be sliding down the rabbit hole to portray former Playboy Bunny and Hefner girlfriend Holly Madison in a new mini-series. Hop to it!

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Costeen Hatzi

Most partners of tennis stars quietly watch from the player’s box and are pretty unknown. Not Costeen Hatzi. The stunning partner of Nick Kyrgios, who boasts 153k followers on Instagram, and has even started her own interiors business, caught the world’s attention courtside supporting her mouthy man, and we can’t get enough of it! Power couple alert!

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Minjee Lee

This year’s reigning U.S Open champion, golfer Minjee Lee has had an epic two years on the green. She also was awarded a second Greg Norman medal for her amazing golfing achievements in 2021 and 2022. Part of the new wave of Aussie golfers excelling on the international circuit, Lee has already earned a whopping $12 million in winnings to date. For her latest Open win, Minjee pocketed $2.5 million, the highest amount ever paid to a female golfer. Fore!

Paris Raine

Named after the city of love and with beauty, brains and talent to boot, Paris is jet setting around the globe with a cast of exquisite local and international beauties as the tour leader of Destination MAXIM. Recently touring in Greece, she even graced a special flip cover for last month’s edition. Make it Raaaiiine!!

Jakara Anthony

There’s a few moguls on this list, but only one moguls champion. After taking home gold at the Beijing Winter Olympics this year, skier Jakara wrote a new chapter in Australia’s sporting history. Not only did she blitz the competition in the women’s moguls final, she also earned us our sole gold medal of the entire games, becoming one of just seven Australians to ever win gold at a Winter Olympics. Reflecting the significance of her achievement, Jakara has already been made a Member of the Order of Australia. She really is simply the best!

17 Neighbours cast

This year we said farewell to Ramsay Street with the finale of Australia’s longest running soap opera. Despite dismal ratings during its final decade on air, the last few Neighbours episodes were a hit with fans. For the finale, producers squeezed in cameos from the likes of Delta, Natalie Imbruglia, Holly Valance, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and arguably the soap’s biggest success, Kylie Minogue. It even saw a brief glimpse of Margot Robbie. We will, however, miss more recent fan favourites like April Rose Pengilly and Jodi Gordon (pictured above).

Natalie Roser

The eternally beautiful and talented Nat Roser has had another huge year appearing for various brands on social media as well as for magazines – including returning to the cover of our March issue with a spectacular pictorial. But when she’s not posing for the cameras, Nat is busy working on her lingerie brand Rose & Bare.

15 Monique Riley

The dazzling Monique is your new Miss Universe Australia. Crowned a few months ago, Riley will be competing for the title of Miss Universe in New Orleans in January. Prior to winning the title, Monique was an executive assistant, model and actress. Can she become the first Aussie since Jen Hawkins to nab the biggest crown? We think all signs point to yessir!

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Tina Rahimi

Boxer Tina Rahimi is redefining the sport’s narrow archetypes and inspiring a new wave of Aussie women to enter the ring. Tina made an impact (and history) at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, by only competing as the first Australian Muslim woman boxer, but also taking home a Bronze medal in the Women’s Featherweight Division! What’s even more impressive is that she only started boxing in 2018 at age 22. Beat that!

Sophie Monk

Soph continues to be one of the hardest working people in the entertainment biz, hosting reality shows Love Island and Beauty and the Geek while also appearing as a panelist on The Hundred with Andy Lee. Also this year, men from around the country wept as the Monk tied the knot –officially taking Australia’s most eligible bachelorette off the market. Nooooooooooo!

12 Brittany Higgins

Continuing to spark headlines as her highly-publicised trial for an alleged rape in Parliament House finally got underway, Brittany Higgins bravely fronted the court and a media barrage with grace and dignity, She also continues her high profile work as an activist for sexual assault victims and her case has helped shine a light on how our institutions have downplayed sexual harassment and assault claims. Australia says thank you, Britt.

Ellie Cole

Last year’s MAXIM HOT 100 winner, Ellie has had a big 2022 in and out of the pool. In Birmingham, she narrowly missed out on a medal, placing fifth in the women’s 100 metre freestyle S9 during her final outing as a Dolphin. With her place in the history books firmly marked as our most successful Paralympian ever, Ellie is looking ahead at what’s sure to be an illustrious post-sport career. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

10 Abbie Chatfield

This former Bachelor contestant has become one of the most followed social media identities in the country and a gold standard for parlaying a reality TV appearance into a long term career. An activist, host and The Masked Singer judge, this year Chatfield began hosting her own show called Abbie Chats on 10 Play. Proving she’s the ultimate hustler, Abbie also launched a clothing line, bought her first house and started a political podcast. Let’s face it, she was everywhere in 2022.

9 Delta Goodrem

This year Delta wowed audiences when she popped up during Robbie William’s performance at the 2022 Grand Final pre-show. She was also busy cashing cheques from endorsements for brands like Revlon and touring the USA as the opening act for the Backstreet Boys. Proving she really is a national treasure, DG was appointed a member of the order of Australia, officially becoming Delta Goodrem, AM. Take a bow.

8 Duckie Thot

Top model Duckie’s career continued to go from strength to strength in 2022, with Thot making her sizzling Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue debut as a sensational Rookie. This latest accomplishment puts Duckie among a small group of Aussie models, including Elle Macpherson and Jessica Gomes, to grace the pages of the famed edition. Welcome to the Supermodel Club, Duckie!

7 Ariarne Titmus

Swimming’s reigning golden girl (literally) clocked up four more gold medals to her impressive haul at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She’s also added considerably to her endorsement earnings – Titmus is rumoured to earn around $4 million in sponsorship by the time she arrives at the Paris Olympics in two years. Still, success clearly hasn’t spoiled our Ariarne, who remains the same humble Launceston lass who captured the country’s imagination in Tokyo.

6

Sarah Snook

Snook has been hard at work in 2022 working on the much-hyped fourth season of HBO’s Succession Sarah’s performance in the third season of the series scored her two of Hollywood’s top gongs – a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actor’s Guild Award. She’s also working on a quirky new film which charts the rise and fall of the Beanie Babies bubble of the late ’90s. There’s just no stopping the Snooky success train.

Emma McKeon

Following her epic medal haul in Tokyo last year, you’d be forgiven for thinking Emma McKeon might have taken a breather in Birmingham. Instead, McKeon continued to smash records, winning six gold, one silver and one bronze medals – the most ever by a swimmer at a Commonwealth Games. Despite this truly insane achievement, much of the media coverage at the Games was taken up by the supposed love triangle between McKeon, her ex Kyle Chalmers and singer-turnedswimmer Cody Simpson. Throughout the hoopla, Em kept it classy and proved for the umpteenth time that she’s the GOAT in and out of the pool.

Grace Tame

Among the most widely admired and discussed women on the 2022 MAXIM HOT 100 list, Grace Tame spent most of this year continuing her amazing activism work on behalf of sexual abuse victims and working on The Grace Tame Foundation. She was also presumably delighted when her longtime adversary ScoMo was booted out of office, sharing a smiley photo of herself with new PM, Albo, on election night. Regardless of her political stance, her place in our top five is undeniable.

3Sam Kerr

Some covers, like the front page of a MAXIM issue, are big, while others are sometimes even bigger. This year, Sam Kerr was enshrined into video game history after scoring the cover for FIFA 23 alongside Paris Saint-Germain F.C. star Kylian Mbappé. The highest paid Australian female football star ever, Sammy is the first woman to ever appear on a global game cover for the massively popular FIFA series. Add the multiple trophies and awards she has won for her English club, Chelsea, as well as individual awards such as Best International Women’s Soccer Player, and you’d be crazy not to think Sam Kerr has had a massively successful 2022.

2

Ash Barty

The Barty party officially ended in

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PHOTOS: COURTOSEY

ROGER

ALAMY

1

MargotRobbie

As she has fast become one of the most powerful women in entertainment, Margot Robbie continues to wow audiences with her impressive juggling of lead roles in some of Hollywood’s best movies –case in point is the mystery comedy-thriller Amsterdam , released this month. With producing credits and endorsements for companies such as Chanel, while reflecting her enduring popularity to a multitude of adoring fans worldwide, this year marks Margot’s third time topping the annual MAXIM HOT 100 list. In fact, she is now officially the first person in HOT 100 history to achieve this unique hat-trick! Beauty, brains and talent to boot, she is without doubt the standard for which all Aussies who dream of making it in Tinseltown now look to. Next up, Margot will be playing the original boss lady herself, Barbie, in Greta Gerwig’s long-awaited live action adaption of the iconic Mattel toy. What’s more, she is also set to star in two major reboots of The Pirates of the Caribbean and Ocean’s series. Proving she’s as down to earth as ever, this year Margot even found time to squeeze in a brief cameo in the Neighbours finale as Donna Freedman, the fictional character she played from 2008 to 2011 on the popular Australian soap –a full circle moment for the Hollywood star. There’s just no stopping this juggernaut of talent and a more than deserving winner of MAXIM Australia’s definitive HOT 100 list for 2022.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK