MAN Magazine- International Men's Day 2020

WINTER 2020/21 | FREE

RUSSELL BRAND SPEAKING HIS TRUTH BEHIND THE MINDSET OF ANDY MURRAY

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

HOME WORKOUTS WITH BRITAIN’S FITTEST MAN

THE 2021

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IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH...

We all struggle with our mental health from time to time. Which is why we at MAN magazine have collaborated with a number of public figures to show our support. Throughout this issue you’ll find inspirational quotes from the likes of Sir Elton John, Stephen Fry and many more, as well as contact information for charities and support networks.

We’re in this together.

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MAN MAGAZINE

CONTENTS Cover credits: Thanks to Russell Brand & his team at Tavistock Wood Cover Photographer: Ki Price Executive Editor: Lee Gatland Art Director: Richard Hejsak Managing Editor: Charlie Thomas charlie@sevenstarmedia.co.uk Sales Team: 01959 543 650 sales@sevenstarmedia.co.uk Published by SEVEN STAR MEDIA LTD 184 Main Road, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent Tel: 01959 543659 sevenstarmedia.co.uk Disclaimer: Man Magazine is published bi-annually (twice per annum) by Seven Star Media Ltd. No part of Man Magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted to any form without permission. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Seven Star Media Ltd, and are included to provide advice only. No content is a substitute for professional medical advice. During printing, images may be subject to a 15% variation. © Copyright of content belongs to individual contributors with the magazine copyright belonging to Seven Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Please either keep this magazine for future reference, pass it on for somebody else to read, or recycle it.

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09 – Six Pack

Unpicking the winners and losers of this year’s Six Nations 16 – Louis van Gaal interview

Why the lauded manager was angry at not getting the time to finish his job at Manchester United 24 – Golf’s Biggest Myths Exposed

Much of what we thought we knew was actually hurting our games…

36 – This Much I know: Padraig Harrington

We chat with the golfing legend about regrets, redemption and Ryder Cups

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44 – The Golf Gear You Need This Winter

The weather may be getting worse but that doesn’t mean your golf game has to suffer.

These products will keep you on course for winter and beyond

46 – The 2021 Golf Bucket List

Looking ahead to your next golf trip? From the best courses to outstanding individual holes, you may want to consider these...

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53 – What it Takes to Become the UK’s Fittest Man

We talk goal-setting, nutrition and mental resilience with the UK’s fittest man, Zack George 64 – Beyond Break Point with Andy Murray

Andy Murray talks pressure, motivation, mindset and how changing the odd dirty nappy keeps the ego in check

Healthy Living 68 – Introducing CALM: The Team on Your Side

Whatever you’re dealing with mentally, CALM is here to help

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Sport

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72 – Relatable, Russell. Really?

We chat to Russell Brand, gaining insight into how he deals with mental health and addiction 80 – It’s OK To Ask

What to look for and where to get support 93 – How to Support a Friend Suffering with Their Mental Health

We all have times when we struggle with feeling low.

Here, two friends share their story and offer tips for dealing with depression...

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108 – Romantic Retreats: Where to Couple Up This Winter

Stuck for where to head with your partner this winter? Look no further...

MOTORING 114 – The Future is Electric

The E-Cars to Watch in 2021 124 – Taxi? London’s Famous Black Cab Gets an Industrial Makeover

LEVC, makers of the London taxi, have transformed the icon into an electric van. How does it perform?

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Celebrations

64 Style 84 – In a Bubble

This autumn winter it’s all about mix-matching smart casual pieces so that you can look your best, but in comfort

129 – Winter Warmers

These fun, inventive recipes will impress your loved ones this festive season and beyond

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TRAVEL 100 – Keep Swinging: 5 Golf Hotels You Won’t Want to Miss

A golf holiday isn’t complete without a luxury stay. These hotels will make it all worthwhile...

102 – The Best Alternative Stag Do Destinations

Tired of the same old stag do spots? Try one of these alternative locales, which offer both fun and intrigue

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

84 106 – The Coolest Ski Destinations to Book This Winter

Few holidays are as tempting to book right now as a skiing trip. Here’s the inside knowledge on where to go...

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SIX PACK

UNPICKING THE WINNERS AND LOSERS OF THIS YEAR’S SIX NATIONS…

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ovid-19 meant this was the longest Six Nations in history – 274 days from start to finish – but we learnt plenty about the teams participating, as Rugby World editor Sarah Mockford explains…

ENGLAND Overview The champions. England lifted the Six Nations title for the third time in five years under Eddie Jones, but captain Owen Farrell insisted: “It feels like we’re just getting started.”

England came into this year’s Six Nations full of confidence having reached the 2019 World Cup final, but were abruptly given a reality check by France in their opening championship match. Still, they recovered to win their next four games and pip the French to the title on points difference.

They have coped with the absence of key personnel at different times – Billy Vunipola missed the early rounds at the start of the year, several first-choice team members were ruled out of their delayed final match against Italy – but the number of quality players at Jones’s disposal will be the envy of coaches around the globe.

Strength in depth is, well, a big strength of England’s, with several new faces coming into the squad in 2020. Four players won their first caps against the Italians – Jonny Hill, Tom Dunn,

Ollie Lawrence and Ollie Thorley – while scrum-half Ben Youngs became only the second man to win 100 caps for England in the same match. It’s that mix of youth and experience that Farrell thinks will be crucial going forward.

Key Man Maro Itoje was first capped by Jones back in 2016 and his stature in the squad has grown steadily in the ensuing years. He’s always had the talent and the physicality to play at international level but whereas previously he could get caught up in the pressurecooker environment of a test, he is now the one pulling other players away from confrontations and being a calming influence.

This maturity, coupled with his nous and game understanding, means he is now a pivotal figure in the squad – and one of the favourites to lead the British & Irish Lions in South Africa next summer.

Rising star

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Such is England’s playing depth that one of the stars of the 2019-20 season didn’t even play in the Six Nations.

Jack Willis was named Premiership Player of the Year after a phenomenal campaign for Wasps, his turnover skills a real standout, and while he was in the training squad for the Italy match he was not selected in the match-day 23.

There’s no doubt the 23-year-old has a big England career ahead, however. He was picked by Jones for the tour of South Africa two years ago only for a serious knee injury to force him to miss the trip, but he’s returned in such good form that he has been impossible for the coach to ignore.

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FRANCE Overview

GREGORY ALLDRITT, THE 23-YEAR-OLD BACK-ROW, HAS FAST BECOME A PROMINENT FIGURE FOR FRANCE

Second place in the table marks France’s best Six Nations performance since 2011 – but for a reckless Mohamed Haouas punch against Scotland they could even have been celebrating a first Grand Slam in a decade.

Still, the 2020 campaign demonstrates a huge step forward for France, who have been so inconsistent in recent years, and they are already showing signs of being genuine contenders at what will be a home World Cup in 2023.

Former France scrum-half Fabien Galthié took over the coaching reins after RWC 2019 and he has quickly got the best out of his country’s next generation. Shaun Edwards, who joined the back-room team from Wales, still has some work to do on defence as only Italy conceded more than their 13 tries in the championship, but they have proved dangerous with ball in hand themselves. They scored more points than any other team and in back-row Charles Ollivon have a captain who is also the tournament’s top try-scorer with four while Virimi Vakatawa is a huge threat in midfield.

Key Man

The scrum-half is described as the petit general in French rugby for so much of the game is run through the nine and in Antoine Dupont they have one of the world’s best.

He not only has a refined skill-set – the pass, the kick, the pace – but he is a brilliant reader of the game, knowing when and where to launch attacks as well as positioning himself perfectly as a support runner. The speed and sharpness of his thinking means he is able to pounce on any opportunity.

Dupont and Romain Ntamack, both of the Toulouse club that is also enjoying a resurgence, look to be forming a highly effective half-back partnership – and one that should be able to guide France to the 2023 World Cup and beyond.

Rising star

Gregory Alldritt, the 23-year-old back-row, has fast become a prominent figure for France. A quick look through the Six Nations statistics shows how much work he gets through on both sides of the ball. Only Bernard le Roux made more than his 83 tackles across the tournament and he also made four turnovers, which puts him in the top ten in that category, while he was second in the carries chart (66) behind CJ Stander and third in metres made (400) – behind two outside backs. With those impressive figures, he looks set for a long run in the France XV.

It was something of a mixed Six Nations for the Irish. In their three wins and two losses, at times they looked slick and others they looked sloppy. They went into the final round as the only team with fate in their own hands and knew they needed just a seven-point win over France (six if they scored a try) to take the title, but they fell away in the second half and ultimately finished third in the table.

Andy Farrell stepped up to the head coach role this year having been part of Joe Schmidt’s back-room team and so far he seems somewhat torn between the structures favoured by the Kiwi and putting his own mark on the side.

Naming Johnny Sexton, now 35, as his captain was a clear link with the previous regime and while he has brought in

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IRELAND Overview

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some new faces – the likes of Caelan Doris, Will Connors and Hugo Keenan – there are still a host of familiar names too. And there was no noticeable shift in style for a team that last year failed to make it beyond the World Cup quarter-finals yet again.

They impressed at the breakdown, winning more turnovers (35) than any other team, and broke the most tackles (58), but their lineout malfunctioned (they won fewer lineouts than any other team) and missed 10% of their tackles, so there is work for Farrell to do to ensure his team are more consistent across the board.

Key Man Not only was James Ryan Ireland’s top tackler in the Six Nations but nearly 20% of those were dominant tackles, ensuring the opposition ball-carrier was stopped on the gain-line and driven back. He is also their top lineout winner and is used as a regular carrier for the men in green – only CJ Stander carried more than him – so his match involvements are high.

Ryan turned 24 in the summer but is already being talked about as a future Ireland captain and 2021 British & Irish Lions tourist. Big things are expected.

Rising star Ireland have a wealth of talented options in the back row and one of them is 24-year-old Will Connors.

He made his Test debut against Italy when the Six Nations resumed and made an immediate impact. He scored a try, put in 20 tackles, made ten carries, won three turnovers and stole a lineout. Little wonder he was named Player of the Match.

Expect more of the same in the tests to come.

SCOTLAND Overview We’ve seen Scotland take a different approach in 2020 – and it has brought rewards. In the past, Gregor Townsend talked of wanting Scotland to play the fastest brand of rugby in the world, but after their failure to reach the knockout stages of RWC 2019 he has changed tack.

The Scots are learning to play with more pragmatism. There is still that desire to spread the ball wide and launch intricate attacking plays, but only when the odds are in their favour.

Previously they gifted opponents scoring opportunities when running risky moves from their own half whereas now they are more likely to put boot to ball.

It has paid dividends too. Last year only Italy conceded more points or tries than the Scots – 125 and 17. This year, their line was breached only five times and they leaked only 59 points – the best defensive stats in the championship. It’s quite a turnaround.

Rugby is all about balance, though, and they now need to work on creating tries as well as stopping them because they scored half as many in this year’s Six Nations as in 2019.

Key Man Stuart Hogg has an important role to play in that need for tries. The Scotland captain and full-back is one of the most dangerous runners in the northern hemisphere and has the ability to really test defences.

He’s won both the Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup since joining Exeter Chiefs post-World Cup and will be keen to lift more major trophies in his national shirt too.

The Scots need him to offer that X-factor, which will no doubt complement the team’s new-found pragmatism moving forward.

Rising star sevenstarmedia.co.uk

Jamie Ritchie is only 24 but his influence on this Scotland team is growing with every test. The abrasive back-rower is adept at winning turnovers at the breakdown as well as putting in momentum-halting tackles – his Player of the Match performance against Wales a perfect example. His leadership credentials have also been recognised, with Ritchie now one of the team’s vice-captains.

He played every minute of Scotland’s Six Nations campaign this year and should become a permanent fixture on the blind side of the pack.

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JONES MAY BE 35 YEARS OLD BUT THERE’S NO DOUBTING HIS HUNGER OR DESIRE Rising star

Teenage speedster Louis Rees-Zammit, the Gloucester wing, is one of the most exciting prospects at Pivac’s disposal but it’s another double-barrelled youngster who could quickly become a central figure for Wales.

Shane Lewis-Hughes won his first cap against Scotland and impressed with a dogged performance in the back row. Pivac has described him as “a clone” of Alun Wyn Jones so he looks set to become a regular starter for Wales.

Welsh fans have become accustomed to success over the past decade. Wales won three Grand Slams and reached two World Cup semi-finals during Warren Gatland’s 12-year reign from 2008 to 2019. Following such a successful regime was always going to be a big challenge for new coach Wayne Pivac and he has not had the start he would have liked.

Wales last finished fifth in the Six Nations table in 2017 but that year they did win two matches. In 2020 they were able to beat only Italy, making this their worst championship since 2007.

Pivac is keen to introduce a more attack-minded, running game to Wales – much like he did during his time at the Scarlets – but it takes time for a new back-room team to implement their philosophy and for players to buy into the change in approach. It clearly hasn’t clicked yet.

While they are generally proving competitive – they picked up losing bonus points in three of their four Six Nations defeats – they have not been clinical or accurate in attack. Only France made more offloads than Wales in the Six Nations, but Wales also made 20 more handling errors than any other team, so there is much work to do on skill execution if this attacking vision is to become a reality.

Key Man Alun Wyn Jones has played in more Tests than any other player in history. When winning his 149th cap against Scotland (140 for Wales, nine for the British & Irish Lions), the lock broke All Black Richie McCaw’s record – and he’s sure to add a fair few more to that tally before hanging up his boots.

His longevity is quite incredible given that he has spent a decade and a half playing in the tight forwards at the top level of the game. Jones may be 35 years old but there’s no doubting his hunger or desire; he’s a highly driven individual who continually sets the standards for his team. He will be as disappointed as anyone by recent results and will be eager to help Wales start delivering improved performances.

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ITALY Overview The Italians picked up the unwanted ‘Wooden Spoon’ for a fifth straight year. Italy have now lost 27 successive Six Nations matches – they haven’t won a championship match since they beat Scotland in 2015 – and as that run of defeats continues questions over whether they warrant inclusion in the tournament grow louder.

They are afflicted by familiar problems, like a suspect defence and lack of creativity in attack, with the Six Nations statistics proving that – they conceded 25 tries and scored just six in their five matches.

Still, they have security on the coaching front with Franco Smith appointed head coach on a permanent basis and he is rebuilding the team for the 2023 World Cup with senior figures like Sergio Parisse (though he is still hoping for a farewell Test in 2021), Alessandro Zanni, Dean Budd and Leonardo Ghiraldini moving on.

Key Man

If Italy is to be competitive they need powerful players who can put them on the front foot with the ball in hand, all the while stopping opposition attacks too. Jake Polledri, the Gloucester back-row, is such a player.

The fact he was one of the top four carriers in the 2020 championship when playing in a team that lost all five of their matches shows how big an impact he can make – Italy just need to get the ball in his hands more often. His try against England proved how talented he is.

Rising star

Italy have been looking for a standout performer at fly-half since Diego Dominguez retired in the early 2000s. Smith is backing Paolo Garbisi to be that man. He gave the 20-year-old his first cap against Ireland after just three Guinness Pro14 appearances for Benetton, and has made clear his plans to play Garbisi as much as possible before RWC 2023.

“I love attacking the gain-line and I try to mix up my game,” says Garbisi. “At 93kg I’m not massive by any stretch, but for a No 10 I do have the capacity to attack the line. Every now and again, I like to do something different so I don’t become predictable.” /21

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WALES Overview

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HERE’S A ST AT I BET YOU DIDN’T KN W

OVER HALF A MILLION SKY BET CUSTOMERS USE DEPOSIT LIMITS TO MANAGE THEIR BETTING BUDGET. THAT’S ENOUGH TO FILL: 6 WEMBLEYS. 201 ALLY PALLYS. OR 8 CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP DAYS. (THAT’S A LOT OF TWEED)

ALL GOOD BOOKMAKERS HAVE DEPOSIT LIMITS. SO WHOEVER YOU BET WITH, SET AN APPROPRIATE ONE FOR YOU AND THEN ENJOY THE SPORT. DEPOSIT LIMITS

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LOUIS VAN GAAL: 16

I WAS ANGRY AT NOT GETTING THE TIME TO FINISH THE JOB AT MANCHESTER UNITED MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

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behavioural issues. In the meantime, I ouis van Gaal lifted 14 major obtained my coaching badges, so in that trophies in four of Europe’s way I followed exactly in his footsteps. biggest leagues – but it’s I combined playing football with my another feat which arguably work as a PE teacher, and also chaired distinguishes him. the Dutch Footballers’ Union [VVCS].

From Ajax to Old Trafford, Van Gaal I was so tired with all of the activities handed chances to a string of young that I drove my car into the crash barrier stars who repaid his faith with stellar a few times. [Laughs] As a PE teacher, I careers. He started in Amsterdam, where learned how to motivate people, but also players including Edgar Davids, Clarence how to change their behaviour – which Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Nwankwo is a long process. It’s about hitting the Kanu stunned Europe to win the 199495 Champions League.

In two spells at Barcelona, the Dutchman waved through Carles Puyol, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdes; then came Thomas Muller, Holger Badstuber and David Alaba at Bayern Munich.

In Manchester, Marcus Rashford’s unforgettable introduction came with chances for Jesse Lingard, Tim FosuMensah and Andreas Pereira.

Van Gaal has always been proud of team building – growing up with eight siblings, he learned its importance very early on. “I was the youngest and everyone in the family had a task to do – it made for good communication and discipline,” he says.

Those were the conditions for Van Gaal’s teams to flourish. But before he could apply them, the 69-year-old was a player – and a different twist could have taken him to England far earlier...

Credit: PA Images

LIKE WITH CHILDREN, YOUR APPROACH TOWARDS PLAYERS HAS TO BE INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED BECAUSE EVERYONE REQUIRES SOMETHING

right tone at the right moment, knowing when to comfort someone or when to leave them alone. Like with children, your approach towards players has to be individually tailored because everyone requires something different.

How did you take a young Ajax to Champions League glory in 1995?

When I took over, Ajax came from a situation where they had almost gone bankrupt, so I was forced to take academy players. We also got a few cheap players from Scandinavia, like Jari Litmanen, plus Finidi George and Kanu from Nigeria. Together with the academy prospects such as Seedorf, Davids and Kluivert, we built a strong team that was consistent. That started to pay off – eventually, we won the Champions League unbeaten playing some very attacking football. We beat holders Milan twice in the group stage, then again in the final. We actually didn’t play very well in that match, though: Milan were more dominant and I made some changes pretty early in the second half, which was rare for me – but they paid off and changed the game. The way that we won the tournament was incredible, with so many goals scored (18) and only a few conceded (four). That was the highest we could achieve.

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What inspired you to eventually become a coach?

When I was young, I watched Rinus Michels’ training sessions at Ajax and his career path was an inspiration to me.

Like him, I also went to the academy of physical education and eventually taught at a school for children with social and

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Photographer Credit : Hamish Brown

“I want to encourage anyone suffering from mental health issues to seek the support they need. There’s no shame in it. We all need to ask for help sometimes.”

HARRY KANE

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You worked with both Mourinho and Pep Guardiola at the Camp Nou. Did you ever expect either to become a Champions League winner like you?

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You can’t predict that, although both showed managerial potential. After I met Mourinho in that first meeting, I offered him a role as our opposition analyst. He fulfilled that really well, so I rewarded him with the opportunity to coach the first team in the Copa Catalunya.

I couldn’t really judge him as a coach, though, because he was often away analysing opponents. I didn’t expect Luis Enrique to become a coach, but with Guardiola it was a certainty. After I arrived, I made him captain straight away. He wasn’t the most logical choice, because players like Guillermo Amor and Miguel Angel Nadal were older, but I chose him because he saw football the way that I think it should be seen. That is very important, because I think a captain represents his coach on the pitch. From the start, I spoke to Guardiola and the rest of the team in Spanish. I was still learning the language, but I did this on purpose to show them that I was able to show a vulnerable side as well – so they could see the difference between the self-assured coach and the person who had to learn. When I spoke Spanish, the players would adjust and correct me.

How do you look back at your first period as Barça boss? Just how good was the team which won the league in your first two seasons?

I think the third year was even better – we played the best football since I

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IN THAT FINAL SIX MONTHS, MY HEAD WAS ON A CHOPPING BLOCK Credit: PA Images

had arrived – but then we didn’t win any trophies. Rivaldo started to show different behaviour after he won the Ballon d’Or [in 1999]. Suddenly, he wanted to play as a No.10, but that position requires different awareness.

Rivaldo had always played as a left forward – at Deportivo before, too – so his brain was adapted to that position. To change behaviour requires a lot of time.

And why change, when you are so good and scoring so many goals? He probably associated the No.10 position with being the best player.

I tried him there, but it disrupted the team balance. I sent him away to the reserves, but then reintegrated him at the request of other first-team players – something I shouldn’t have done. In the end, we didn’t win the league and were knocked out in the semi-finals of both the Spanish Cup and Champions League.

President Nunez resigned and I showed

my loyalty towards him by resigning as well, which meant I gave up two years of wages! [Laughs]

Bayern Munich weren’t in amazing shape when you took over in 2009. What did you change to make them double winners and Champions League finalists in your first season?

First of all, I tried to operate from within the club’s system, changing things a little by switching their 5-3-2 formation to a 4-4-2 with a diamond. I also tried a flat midfield, but neither worked.

That was when I told the board that I wanted Arjen Robben, because with him I could change the system to play with three forwards. I knew he was for sale, because he wasn’t playing regularly for Real Madrid.

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Credit: PA Images

I ALSO LIKED THE IDEA OF GOING THERE, TO COACH THE NUMBER ONE CLUB IN ENGLAND – JUST LIKE I HAD DONE BEFORE IN HOLLAND, SPAIN AND GERMANY

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The fact he could play on the right was good for us, because I had Franck Ribery who liked the left. I also repositioned Philipp Lahm from left-to right-back. I always focus on the positional preference of a player, even if he is not fully aware of it himself – it is my Total Human Being principle.

I don’t only look at the technical qualities of a player, but also the person behind them. I think this approach gave me an advantage early in my career. I recently published my second book about this principle and my career in general, which is not a typical autobiography as it also includes many contributions from people who I’ve worked closely with – Guardiola, Robben, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

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You joined Manchester United after the World Cup in 2014. What can you tell us about your first meeting?

I met with them in Brussels – clubs often organise talks in foreign cities so the media can’t track them down easily.

The Glazers and Ed Woodward were there – they asked me about everything, including my vision and how I would want to organise things, and said they would meet my needs for new players. I inherited an old team that hadn’t been refreshed for some time, and wanted to rejuvenate the squad with players who would bring the same kind of quality.

But to get the ones I wanted proved very difficult. It surprised me, even though I understand that clubs hold out for the highest fee because they know United are the richest in the world. At the same time, though, if you are the richest, you’d expect to get what you want. But

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it didn’t happen: we only got third-, fourth- or fifth-choice players.

Was going to Tottenham ever a serious option before United?

It definitely was. Daniel Levy flew into Holland with a private jet and came to my house, where we spoke for several hours. He even stayed on to watch the Southampton-Spurs match later that afternoon [which Spurs won 3-2]. He asked for my thoughts about that game, so that was a kind of test as well. When Levy wanted to leave in the evening, I noticed there were TV cameras outside my house.

A Dutch broadcaster had heard that he was in Holland, and guessed he would be here for me. As we wanted to keep it quiet, I called my neighbour to ask whether he could take him away in his car. As they did, with Levy hiding in the back seat, I opened my front door and approached the reporters to ask what they were doing. It worked out very well – they were taken by surprise. As a coach, timing is everything! [Laughs] But it took Spurs a long time to make a firm offer, and United approached me in the meantime. They acted far quicker.

I also liked the idea of going there, to coach the number one club in England – just like I had done before in Holland, Spain and Germany. If Spurs had come with a concrete offer earlier on, I’d have signed for them.

Spurs were actually a club I liked when I was younger, as I was a big fan of Jimmy Greaves. I told Levy that as well, but he blew the chance by waiting so long.

IF YOU ARE THE RICHEST, YOU’D EXPECT TO GET WHAT YOU WANT. BUT IT DIDN’T HAPPEN: WE ONLY GOT THIRD-, FOURTH- OR FIFTHCHOICE PLAYERS Which players did you try to sign but couldn’t get for United?

I wanted Robert Lewandowski, but when this proved difficult I tried to get Gonzalo Higuain instead. Before I had arrived, I also spoke with the board about Neymar. If you are at United, you have to think big. He was also interesting for the club in terms of selling shirts, and I wanted to have quick wingers. For that reason, I also tried to get Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez.

Thomas Muller was on my wish list, too, and in central midfield I wanted N’Golo Kanté. I even tried to sign James Milner, who was already quite old but very multifunctional and possessed leadership skills. For the defence, I wanted Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels, because ours wasn’t the strongest in building from the back. Those were my top targets, but we couldn’t get any of them. I don’t know why, because as the manager I wasn’t involved in any negotiations. After I left, players like Mahrez and Kanté ended up at Manchester City and Chelsea, while United couldn’t get them. I found that very odd.

21

SPORT

For the first 18 months there, I really enjoyed it and the fans greeted me enthusiastically on the streets. In the first season we achieved our target by qualifying for the Champions League and rebuilding the team. I was still working on that. If you don’t get the players you want to sign, you have to integrate young players, so that’s what I did. In the second season, we went out of the Champions League after losing to Wolfsburg in the final minutes, and missed out on fourth in the Premier League on goal difference. We still won the FA Cup, though, so it wasn’t that bad – especially if you take the challenging circumstances into consideration. What made me angry was that I wasn’t given the chance to complete the three years they had asked of me. It was me who had suggested a two-year contract, so I could retire at 65 – as I had once promised my mother. They insisted on a three-year contract, as they wanted to give me time to build. In the end, I wasn’t given that time.

Did you know you’d been sacked before the 2016 FA Cup Final?

No, and not even directly afterwards.

Later that evening we had a party to celebrate the cup victory, although none of the directors were present, which was obviously very odd. The next day, when I had arrived home, they asked if we could meet at my house. Only then did Woodward tell me I had to leave. My wife already had a hunch in December – she felt that something had changed in the relationship with Woodward, but I couldn’t believe it because we kept having the same kind of conversations as before. I even told him back then that I’d understand it if they wanted to sack me, because in December we lost four games in a row.

22

Although we played with something of a B team, those results weren’t up to United’s standards. But he told me not to worry, despite the many stories that I would be sacked and that Mourinho was on his way to replace me. In that final six months, my head was on a chopping block. Those things affect the authority of a coach, and it meant that I had to give privileges to some players who might otherwise not have stood behind me. I have a structure of discipline to create a team process, which includes having breakfast and lunch together. I loosened those rules a bit, as the squad had already asked me to do that in the first season. To keep them behind me, I felt I had to give them something, so they had the feeling I was listening to them.

But it wasn’t my preferred choice – it’s important that players communicate with each other. Growing up, I learned that you interact most at the dinner table, and I introduced that at every club I worked.

Wayne Rooney said you are the best coach he worked with, because of your football knowledge and style of play. How did you feel about that?

Those things were really great to read.

I’ve also been a very demanding coach,

so if players still say those things about me, it’s particularly nice. I gave Wayne the captaincy to keep him within the team’s discipline and code of conduct, which he struggled with on occasions.

A new period was dawning and he was one of the older players, so I thought that it could have a positive influence on him. And he was an outstanding player, of course.

How good was Marcus Rashford in the youth team for you to call him up against Midtjylland in 2016?

I saw that he was a handy dribbler. He didn’t always oversee the whole pitch, but that’s a process – and he is still developing. Robben was the same when he was young, and 10 years later he was quite a different player. Rashford already sees more on the pitch than before; the same applies to Anthony Martial, who I signed when he was 19 – he’s also grown as a player. Those are the guys who are currently doing it for United.

The biggest change has been the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, though – he shows how one player can make a difference to the whole team process.

By Arthur Renard (FourFourTwo)

sevenstarmedia.co.uk

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Golf’s biGGest myths

Countless pearls of golfing wisdom have been passed down through generations and been relied upon by players over hundreds of years. But now, thanks to technology and research, we can prove – once and for all – that much of what we thought we knew was actually hurting our games

78 is sue 4 01 To daysgo lfer .co.uk

#1 168mph Ball speed

14°

Launch angle

2,100 Spin rate

E

Tee it lower into the wind

veryone knows a headwind will knock distance off your drives.

So what can you do to combat that? The common answer is to tee your ball lower than normal in order to hit a lower, more penetrating ball flight that minimises wind interference.

Unfortunately, that is actually the worst thing you can do. Teeing the

ball lower makes you more likely to hit the ball low on the clubface, which increases spin – exactly what you don’t want when hitting into the wind. A robot test undertaken by Trackman found that a lower tee increases spin by more than seven per cent, which has a significant impact on carry distance and total yardage. Even into a 30mph headwind,

317.0 yards

Calm

300.6 yards

290.1 yards

10mph wind

278.9 yards

262.6 yards

20mph

256.0 yards

234.7 yards

30mph

232.4 yards

you’ll get more distance by playing from your normal tee height. The best way to cope with tee shots into wind is to tee it at the normal height, focus on making solid contact (which minimises spin), and accepting that you won’t be able to hit it as far as normal. Anything you do to force the issue is going to make matters worse, not better.

168mph Ball speed

7°

Launch angle

2,250 Spin rate

To daysgo lfer .co.uk is sue 4 01 79

#2

N

o one likes missing short putts. There’s nothing more frustrating than doing all the hard work from tee to green, leaving yourself a tiddler for par or birdie, and then missing a putt you know you could hole with your eyes closed.

First things first, accept that you will miss some short putts – 93 per cent of PGA Tour players missed at least one putt from inside three feet last season. Even the Tour’s most clinical short putter, Jon Rahm, missed 12 putts from five feet and in during the 2018-2019 season.

Beating yourself up for missing one will only make it a bigger deal in your mind, giving you more cause for concern over your next one and making you tense up.

But how do you increase the percentage of your short putts that find their way to the bottom of the cup?

Many golfers take the approach of hitting short putts firm in order to reduce the impact of any break, particularly if they’re having a tough time working out which way it is going to turn.

They’ll take dead aim, hit it hard and let the cup get in the way.

But that approach shrinks the effective size of the hole and makes you more likely to miss. Former Tour pro turned golf data guru Scott Fawcett’s (playinglesson. com) DECADE system has helped thousands of golfers – from PGA Tour winners to

handicap amateurs – make smarter strategy decisions and shoot lower scores.

“When a ball is moving faster, it has more of an opportunity to lip out,” he says. “A putt that would finish perfectly hole-high has an effective hole size of 4.5 inches. Hit it at a speed that would go three feet past and you knock it down to about 1.4 inches, so you’ve literally knocked two-thirds of the hole out of the equation.”

That doesn’t mean that Fawcett is saying you should dribble every short putt to the hole. “I don’t think that optimum speed is hitting it exactly hole high or even six inches past the hole, because if you do that you’re going to leave quite a few short and that’s not a very good idea either. Somewhere around a foot to a foot and a half past the hole is probably ideal, so the effective hole size is around 2.5 inches.

“You simply need to pick a good line, put good speed on it, have the hole be as large as possible and accept the outcome. Even on the PGA Tour they only make about 75 per cent of their five-foot putts – that’s because matching line, speed and break is a very hard thing to do. Accept the results and don’t try to hit a putt that you’re already confused on harder. All you’re doing is reducing the effective size of the hole, which is going to make that putt you’re confused on even harder to make.”

Golf’s biGGest mshort yths Hit

putts hard to take the break out

Countless pearls of golfing wisdom have been passed down through generations and been relied upon by players over hundreds of years. But now, thanks to technology and research, we can prove – once and for all – that much of what we thought we knew was actually hurting our games

80 78 is sue 4 01 To daysgo lfer .co.uk

#3

Faster swings need stiffer shafts

#1

Relative hole size at diffeRent speeds

3’

1.4’’

E

veryone knows a headwind will knock distance off your drives.

So what can you do to combat that? The common answer is to tee your ball lower than normal in order to hit a lower, more penetrating ball flight that minimises wind interference.

Unfortunately, that is actually the worst thing you can do. Teeing the

1’

2.6’’

168mph Ball speed

14°

Launch angle

2,100 Spin rate

317.0 yards

Calm

290.1 yards

10mph wind

262.6 yards

20mph

234.7 yards

30mph

0’

4.25’’

s

wing speed and shaft flex go handin-hand… don’t they? Shaft flex has long been something of a badge of honour. Get fitted for an extra-stiff shaft and you’ll tell everyone you’ve ever met; whereas golfers will do anything to hide the extra-soft flex shaft they’ve been given to compensate for their below average swing

speed. Well, what if we told you that swing speed and shaft flex have almost no bearing on each other?

One test of regular, stiff and x-stiff shafts, featuring golfers with different swing speeds, found that a golfer swinging at 111mph (ie a fast swing) actually lost 12 yards in distance when using an x-stiff shaft compared to a regular flex.

A golfer with a 97mph swing speed (a little above average), meanwhile, got the most distance from the x-stiff shaft, as did the golfer with a swing speed of 103mph.

The moral of the story is there’s no substitute for a proper custom fitting.

Guessing what shaft flex you need based solely on your swing speed is no better than picking at random.

#4

Tee it lower into the wind ball lower makes you more likely to hit the ball low on the clubface, which increases spin – exactly what you don’t want when hitting into the wind. A robot test undertaken by Trackman found that a lower tee increases spin by more than seven per cent, which has a significant impact on carry distance and total yardage. Even into a 30mph headwind,

you’ll get more distance by playing from your normal tee height. The best way to cope with tee shots into wind is to tee it at the normal height, focus on making solid contact (which minimises spin), and accepting that you won’t be able to hit it as far as normal. Anything you do to force the issue is going to make matters worse, not better.

hit a 3-wood over a driver for accuracy

f

acing a tight tee shot and don’t trust yourself with the big stick?

300.6 yardsof us will grab the Most 3-wood for a bit of additional accuracy.

Makes sense, right? Well, 278.9 yards not according to the data.

Shot-tracking experts ShotScope have accumulated data from 256.0 yardsthan two million golf more shots hit by players of all abilities and analysed them to help us make 232.4 yards decisions on the smarter course. They found that golfers across all handicaps hit barely any more fairways with a 3-wood than a driver.

“On average, a 3-wood hits 1.5 per cent more fairways,” say ShotScope.

But, considering the distance difference between driver and 3-wood, there is not much advantage to hitting a 3-wood from the tee, unless there is a hazard in range with your driver.

Interestingly, light rough or semi rough will only cost on average the same

as hitting a shorter club off the tee. This tells us that a golfer should be pulling out driver more often. If they hit the fairway, great, but even if they are in the semi-rough they are no worse off than if they were to hit a 3-wood down the fairway for position.”

It’s worth remembering that golfers may be using a 3-wood more often on tight holes, which could skew the data slightly. The only way to determine your own Ballbest speedstrategy is to track your stats over at least a few rounds and then see whether a driver Launch or 3-wood angle sets up lower scores.

168mph 7°

2,250 Spin rate

To daysgo lfer .co.uk is sue 4 01 79 81

MAN MAGAZINE

sevenstarmedia.co.uk

“We are all vulnerable to experiencing poor mental health, it’s important that we first recognise if an unhelpful change in our mental state has occurred, and secondly, take action.

Verbalising what you are experiencing can be a really effective method in figuring out what is going on for you, and put you in a better position to make plans moving forward.

Much like recognising a tweak or strain in our muscles and putting a program in place to get us ‘physically fit’, recognising thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are unhelpful and persistent, and seeking support to better manage these, is important in getting us ‘psychologically fit.”

LEE WESTWOOD

PROUDLY SUPPORTS MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

MAGAZINE

29

#6

Golf’s b i G GAeone-way s tmiss eliminates one m y tsidehof the s course

#5

Swing easy for accuracy, swing hard for power

W

e all know that golf is a power game now and distance is king, but there are still times when accuracy is at a premium.

When you need to hit it straight, you simply worry less about how far you hit it and focus more on accuracy, right?

Well, you’d think so, but a study undertaken by golf professional and sport scientist Steve Buzza, named one of the best young coaches in America, suggests otherwise.

He gathered 17 golfers – 11 professionals and six elite amateurs; so players you’d expect to be able to deliver accuracy on demand – and got them each to hit 60 drives. For 20 of those drives they were told to hit their standard drive; for 20 they were told to focus on

hitting it as accurately as possible towards a designated target; and for 20 they were told to focus on maximum distance, even at the expense of accuracy. (The drives were split into sets of five to prevent order effects.) The results showed that when trying to hit the most accurate drive they could, players hit it offline an average of 17.5 yards, compared to 16.4 yards with their standard drive.

In short, they were more accurate, but not by much.

They also lost 5.5 yards in distance. When trying to maximize distance, they gained 6.5 yards over their standard drive, while missing target by 19.7 yards.

“It is my calculated assessment that accuracyonly strategies leave you vulnerable on the course, especially in the heat of battle,” concludes Buzza.

G

olfers and coaches often talk about the importance of developing a “one-way miss” in order to “take one side of the course out of play”. So well-worn is

the cliché it generally goes unquestioned… until now.

Here are the top-six players in ‘strokes gained off the tee’ and the percentage of the time they miss the fairway left and right.

43.9

Rory McIlroy

56.1

47.2

Jhonattan Vegas

52.8

54.5

Bubba

45.5

Countless pearls of golfing wisdom have been passedWatson down through generations and been relied upon by players over hundreds of years. But now, thanks to technology Dustin 51 and research, we can prove – once and for all – that much of whatJohnson we thought we knew was actually hurting our games

sue4401 01To Todaysgo daysgolfer lfer.co.uk .co.uk 78 82 isissue

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52.5

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47.5

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“As a man, mental illness is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. If you are struggling in any way then it is so important to talk to somebody about it, you are certainly not alone.”

ANDREW BEEF JOHNSTON PROUDLY SUPPORTS

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

MAGAZINE

33

#7

Golf’s Take an extra clubt into biGGes the wind m y t hI s 10

gain

20

0 -10 -20

lost

distance (yards)

As you can see, none of them has a particularly strong miss bias.

The players with the most one-sided miss bias on the PGA Tour are Hideki Matsuyama (67.6 per cent right), Marc Leishman (66.8 per cent right) and Scott Piercy (65.1 per cent right).

They rank 26th, 130th and 47th respectively in ‘strokes gained off the tee’. The thing is, the only way to “take one side of the course out of play” is to regularly miss it on the opposite side, often by a large margin.

As the data shows, that is far less effective than sometimes missing left, sometimes right, but minimising those misses. What can benefit golfers is having one consistent shot shape. The majority of Tour pros have a consistent shot shape – a fade is most common – and stick with it on almost every shot. That produces better results than switching between a draw and fade.

t doesn’t take a genius to work out that approach shots into the wind won’t fly as far as normal, while those downwind will go further than your normal yardage. But the vast majority of golfers massively underestimate the effect of a headwind, and many overestimate the impact of a tailwind.

-30 -40

5 10 15 20 25 Countless pearls of golfing wisdom have been passed down through generations and been relied upon by players overwind speed (mph) hundreds of years. But now, thanks to technologyDataandfromresearch, Trackman shows that, at high wind a headwind will hurt more than twice as we can prove – once and for all – that muchspeeds, of what we helps. A shot that would carry much as a tailwind 140 yards in calm conditions can lose 38 yards into thought we knew was actually hurting oura 25mph gamesheadwind, while gaining just 12.5 yards

78 is sue 4 01 To daysgo lfer .co.uk

with a 25mph tailwind. That means on a windy day, you might need to take three clubs more than normal playing into the wind, but barely one club less on an approach with the wind at your back.

To daysgo lfer .co.uk is sue 4 01 83

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PADRAIG HARRINGTON

96 IS SUE 4 03 TO DAYSGO LFER .CO.UK

REGRETS, REDEMPTION & RYDER CUPS This his much much ii know know...

Padraig adraig harringTon arringTon WORDS NICK HARPER W AOGR EDSS GNEI CT KT YH A IM I MR AP GE ER S IMAGES GETTY IMAGES

ight about now, in a world without Covid-19, ight about now, in a world without Covid-19, Padraig Harrington should be putting the Padraig Harrington should be putting the finishing touches to his Ryder Cup Battle finishing touches to his Ryder Cup Battle Plan. In a sane and normal world, every one Plan. In a sane and normal world, every one of his waking hours would be focussed on Whistling of his waking hours would be focussed on Whistling Straits and defending the Samuel Ryder trophy won in Straits and defending the Samuel Ryder trophy won in rampant fashion by Thomas Bjorn’s European heroes rampant fashion by Thomas Bjorn’s European heroes two years ago. Sadly, it’s not a normal world right now two years ago. Sadly, it’s not a normal world right now and Covid-19 has now officially pushed the 43rd Ryder and Covid-19 has now officially pushed the 43rd Ryder Cup back to September 2021. Happily, the postponement Cup back to September 2021. Happily, the postponement gives Padraig more time to fine-tune that Ryder Cup gives Padraig more time to fine-tune that Ryder Cup Battle Plan – and to reflect here on a lifetime in the game.

Battle Plan – and to reflect here on a lifetime in the game.

could not be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits could not be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it was correct that we all wait until in September, then it was correct that we all wait until it can be. it can be.

Rescheduling the Ryder Cup had to be done. It was Rescheduling the Ryder Cup had to be done. It was never going to be an easy decision given the many factors

I was four-years-old, but I don’t really remember it too well. I spent a lot of time as a small boy on the golf course well. I spent a lot of time as a small boy on the golf course at Stackstown, County Dublin, chasing rabbits or playing at Stackstown, County Dublin, chasing rabbits or playing golf. The whole family worked on the course there, so it golf. The whole family worked on the course there, so it was with me from an early age. was with me from an early age.

R

never going to be an easy decision given the many factors that had to be taken into consideration, but I believe it is that had to be taken into consideration, but I believe it is the right assessment given the unprecedented the right assessment given the unprecedented circumstances we are facing at this time. When you think circumstances we are facing at this time. When you think of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National two years ago. If that atmosphere at Le Golf National two years ago. If that atmosphere

An extra year will give me plenty of time to plan.

An extra year will give me plenty of time to plan.

I know, right now, that September 2021 feels like a long

I know, right now, that September 2021 feels like a long time away, but it will come around quickly and I time away, but it will come around quickly and I guarantee that the European players and I will be ready guarantee that the European players and I will be ready when it does. I can’t wait. when it does. I can’t wait.

Going back through the years, the question I’m asked Going back is through theage years, I’m asked most often ‘At what did the you question start playing golf?’ most often is ‘At what age did you start playing golf?’

I was four-years-old, but I don’t really remember it too

Watching Jack Nicklaus win the Masters in 1986 had Watching Nicklaus winThe thepassion, Mastersthe in hype, 1986the had a massive Jack influence on me. aadrenalin, massive influence on me. The passion, the hype, the it all came out from the TV for me and into the adrenalin, it all came out from the TV for me and into the

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PADRAIG PADRAIG HARRINGTON HARRINGTON

sitting room. You felt as if you were there. I was 15, and it sittingaroom.

You felt ason if you there. I was 15,day. and it made real impression me were that remains to this made a real impression on me that remains to this day.

I played a lot of other sports growing up. I played I played a lot ofand other sports the growing up.team.

I played Gaelic football captained schools I was a Gaelicfull-back, football and the schools team.fit I was a solid but captained probably wasn’t physically enough solid full-back, probably wasn’t physically fitaenough to make it. Andbut I played in goal in football.

I had trial to it. And I played goal in football. had ainvolved trial formake Dublin schoolboys asin a goalkeeper.

The Itrials for Dublin goalkeeper.

TheI trials involved playing forschoolboys 15 minutes.as Inathe first minute received a playing forand 15 minutes.

In themy first minute I received a back pass let it through legs.

It was a blessing, back pass and let it through my legs.

It was a blessing, really, but that finished my football career. I can really, but that finished myfor football career.knowing I can remember standing there 14 minutes, remember standing there for 14 minutes, knowing it was pointless. it was pointless.

I studied accountancy and Ipassed studiedallaccountancy and my exams, but passed all myI would exams,have but I don’t think Iended don’t up think I would have as an ended up as an I think I’d accountant.

I think accountant. have been more likelyI’dto have have been endedmore up inlikely the to have ended upofingolf, the business end business of golf,or managingend a course managing a course or representing players. representing players.

remembered for. The problem you have in America is remembered The problem havesix in America with statisticsfor. showing a playeryou having top 25s sois with statistics showing player having six topyou 25s be so far this year. That’s just ahorrible!

Why would far thisanybody year. That’s justhad horrible! you be telling you’ve six topWhy 25s?would I wouldn’t play telling anybody 25s?the I wouldn’t play the game to haveyou’ve six tophad 25s:six it’stop either chance of the game toorhave six top 25s: it’s either the chance of winning… nothing. winning… or nothing.

I turned pro almost by Iaccident. turned pro almost by I saw the guys accident.

I saw guys I was beating as the an amateur

I knew I had what it takes to win a major when I blew Iitknew I had what major when I blew at Winged Foot it in takes 2006.toI win had athree pars to win it at2006 Winged Foot and in 2006. had three pars win the US Open made Ithree bogeys, buttothat

Iturning was beating asI an amateur pro, so thought turning so Isame. thought I shouldpro, do the It Iwasn’t should do the same.

It because I thought wasn’t because I thought I was good enough. So I Iturned was good So I pro enough. and I thought turned thoughtI’d that if I pro did and well,I maybe that did well, maybe I’d makeifaI comfortable living make comfortable living on theatour.

I thought I’d on themy tour.

I thought I’da couple of years on tour, learn keep head down for keep my head down forIaneeded couple to of do years on tour, learn the ropes and see what to improve.

But the what IOpen needed to do to improve.

But thenropes I wonand thesee Spanish in my first season and it then I won the It Spanish Open in mystuff. first Iseason andmy it all went crazy. was just fairytale just kept all went crazy. waswith justit. fairytale stuff. I just kept my head down andItran head down and ran with it.

At one point I had 29 second-place finishes and it At one had 29 second-place finishes took mepoint timeI to realise that I could play welland on it took me time to realise that play well on Sunday, but not score as wellI could as I played.

I remember Sunday, but not I played. of I remember putting them intoscore sevenas orwell eightascategories how putting them places into seven or eight how those second panned out. categories They wereof actually those second places panned out.aThey actually completely different.

But it was good were learning completely But itcompeting was a goodand learning experience.different.

I was up there just learning experience. my trade. I was up there competing and just learning my trade.

It’s better in golf to be erratic than consistent. You’re It’s better in golfyour to bewins erratic consistent. better off having thanthan being consistent You’re but better off having yourWinning wins than but never tasting victory. isbeing what consistent you’re never tasting victory. Winning is what you’re

WINNING WINNING THAT THAT FIRST FIRST OPEN OPEN WASN’T WASN’T HOW HOW II IMAGINED IMAGINED IT WOULD IT WOULD BE BE AS AS AA KID. I FELL OVER KID. I FELL OVER THE THE LINE LINE 98 IS SUE 4 03 TO DAYSGO LFER .CO.UK 98 IS SUE 4 03 TO DAYSGO LFER .CO.UK

the 2006 Open and made bogeys, but that made meUS realise I could win athree major.

Until then I had made realiseIIwould could win major. thenor I had alwaysme believed needa to get a Until bit lucky, always believed I would need to get a bit lucky, or someone would have to hand it to me. Guys play their someone wouldthey haveget tointo hand it to me.level Guysofplay their best golf when a certain comfort best golf when they get into certain ofneed comfort about whoa they are.level They to be about who they are.their Theyown need to be themselves and do thing. themselves and do their own thing.

I reached that stage of my life after I2006. reached that stage of my lifemajors after From top Against all expectation, I wasn’t turning up at From top Against all expectation, 2006.

Ito wasn’t turning upturning at majors Harrington successfully defended trying get lucky; I was up Harrington defended trying I was turning up The Opensuccessfully at Royal Birkdale in trying to to get playlucky; my game.

The Open at Royal Birkdale in 2008.

Within weeks of lifting trying to play my game.

2008.

Within weeks he of lifting the Claret Jug again, added thethird Claret Jugatagain, hePGA. addedAll his major the US his third major at the much US PGA. All three victories owed to his three victories owed much his near miss at Winged Foot intothe near2006 miss atUSWinged Foot in the Open [below] 2006 US Open [below]

I have two Claret Jugs, but I don’t I haveatwo Claret When Jugs, but don’t have favourite. you Iwin your havemajor a favourite.

When you like win it. your first there is nothing first major there exciting. is nothing like it.

It was incredibly But I was

It was I wasof still leftincredibly a little bitexciting. wanting But because stillway left aI little bitthe wanting because the played 72nd hole at of the way I played the 72ndcarded hole ata Carnoustie [Harrington Carnoustie [Harrington carded double-bogey six to blow a one-shot lead]. That lefta a double-bogey six to blowOkay, a one-shot lead].

That leftplaya little doubt in my mind.

I played great in the little doubt my mind.

Okay, I played great in the off and thatin justified it. But there was still a little bitplayof off andItthat justified ButI there was winning still a little bitOpen of angst. wasn’t quiteit. how imagined the angst.

It wasn’t quite how I imagined winning the Open as a kid. I had a bit of a disaster on the 18th and got a as a kid.chance.

I had aIbit of aalways disaster on conscious the 18th and a second have been of got that. second chance. I have always been conscious of that.

My second win, at Birkdale, was incredibly satisfying.

My second win, Birkdale, was incredibly satisfying.

I was swinging the I was hitting theatball beautifully. wasas swinging I was the ball club hitting beautifully.

I didbeautifully. everything Ithat, a kid of the 15

club beautifully.

I did everything a kid 15 years of age, you would want tothat, do toaswin anof Open years of age, you would towe doall to win an about Open Championship.

That want is how dream Championship.

ThatThe is how all dream about winning an Open. firstwe major win was winning Open.

The first major win was excitingan and the second was satisfying, and it exciting second was satisfying, it justifiedand thethe first.

And I’d say my thirdand major justified the first.

And I’d say my third [the 2010 US Open] was ugly – but fun.major [the 2010 US Open] was ugly – but fun.

The greatest shot I ever hit came shortly greatest I ever hit came shortly At Carnoustie [in 2007] on the after oneThe of the worst.shot At Carnoustie [inall 2007] onbeing the after one the worst.

Sunday, I’dofgone from being ‘in the zone’ day to

Sunday, I’d out goneoffrom ‘in we the reached zone’ allthe dayfinal to being completely it by being the time hole. completely out third of it by the Itime reached finalafter hole.

When I hit my shot, had we to go for thethe green When I hit my third shot, I had to go for the green after driving into the burn – I thought I had to make a five. driving burn – I thought had against to makeme a five.

I hadinto 228 the yards to go, the windI was and I had 228 yards to go, the wind was against me and

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out of the right. I was trying to hit a 4-iron. I duffed it out of the right. I was trying to hit a 4-iron. I duffed it left but, thankfully, I didn’t hit it solid – if I had, the ball left but, thankfully, I didn’t hit it solid – if I had, the ball would have gone out of bounds. So, I end up in the would have gone out of bounds. So, I end up in the hazard. Walking up there was the only time on a golf hazard. Walking up there was the only time on a golf course where I have ever wanted the ground to open course where I have ever wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I was embarrassed. I had choked. up and swallow me. I was embarrassed. I had choked.

It was a disaster. If someone had come along at that It was a disaster. If someone had come along at that moment and said, “OK Padraig, we can leave now,” moment and said, “OK Padraig, we can leave now,” I would have happily gone.

I would have happily gone.

I can categorically say my caddie won me that major.

I can categorically say my caddie won me that major.

My best trait is that I’m very My best trait is that I’m very I always believe that optimistic. optimistic. I always believe that I can win. Even when I went seven

I can win. Even when I went seven years without a win [between years without a win [between the PGA Championship the PGA Championship in 2008 and the Honda in 2008 and the Honda Classic in 2015], I still Classic in 2015], I still believed that I could believed that I could win. I’m very optimistic win. I’m very optimistic by nature. by nature.

If I have a bad day on the If I have a bad day on the course I’m disappointed when course I’m disappointed when I get back that evening. But the minute I get back that evening. But the minute I get back out there the next day or practise I get back out there the next day or practise the following week, I always look forward, the following week, I always look forward, not back. not back.

I’ve never given up in my life. My caddie started into me I’ve never given up in my life. My caddie started into me with all the clichés – ‘this isn’t over yet’, ‘one shot at a with all the clichés – ‘this isn’t over yet’, ‘one shot at a time’, ‘play it out’. At first I wanted to hit him. And for time’, ‘play it out’. At first I wanted to hit him. And for about 50 yards I literally wanted to kill him. But in the about 50 yards I literally wanted to kill him. But in the next 50 yards, for whatever reason, next 50 yards, for whatever reason, his words started to get through. And his words started to get through. And Right Four times a Ryder in the last 50 yards – because I’d only Winning is good for the ego.

Right Four times a Ryder in the last 50 yards – because I’d only Winning is good for the ego.

Cup winner as a player, hit it about 150 yards – I actually Everybody has an ego, every Cup winner as a player, hit it about 150 yards – I actually Everybody has an ego, every Harrington now hopes believed him. sportsman anyway. It doesn’t hopes believed him. sportsman anyway. It doesn’t toHarrington add a fifthnow victory as The pitch shot I hit into the 18th mean you have to show it, but to add a fifth victory as The pitch shot I hit into the 18th mean you have to show it, but captain in 2021 was one of the greatest I have ever hit everybody has it. The most captain in 2021 was one of the greatest I have ever hit everybody has it. The most and it saved me. I hit it really hard important thing in sport is and it saved me. I hit it really hard important thing in sport is and low, exactly like a 15-year-old kid confidence and self-belief and and low, exactly like a 15-year-old kid confidence and self-belief and would when showing off to his mates. Everyone in the wherever that comes from, it all works as would when showing off to his mates. Everyone in the wherever that comes from, it all works as crowd thought I had ‘knifed’ it. But I knew in my head long as you believe it. Winning again was crowd thought I had ‘knifed’ it. But I knew in my head long as you believe it. Winning again was it was going to spin when it landed. I was just like a kid. hard work, but only because I worked hard it was going to spin when it landed. I was just like a kid. hard work, but only because I worked hard And that is how much I was back in the zone. That is so to get back into the winners’ circle. I hadn’t And that is how much I was back in the zone. That is so to get back into the winners’ circle. I hadn’t hard to do. When you are in the zone and drop out, it is lost any motivation or drive. hard to do. When you are in the zone and drop out, it is lost any motivation or drive. so hard to get back in. But I managed it and I stayed there so hard to get back in. But I managed it and I stayed there throughout the play-off. I played great for the four holes Being labelled a tinkerer is one of the throughout the play-off. I played great for the four holes Being labelled a tinkerer is one of the and could say, yes I deserved to win.

I changed my swing great misnomers. and could say, yes I deserved to win. great misnomers. I changed my swing between 2007-08, but did nothing between 2007-08, but did nothing different in 2009 that I wasn’t doing in It’s easy to hit a great shot when you’re feeling good, different in 2009 that I wasn’t doing in It’s hit atogreat shot when you’re feeling good, 2006 and 2007. I’m constantly tinkering but easy reallytohard hit one when you’re feeling bad.

2006 and 2007. I’m constantly tinkering but really hard to hit one when you’re feeling bad. with that side of stuff, but it had nothing to Bob Torrance taught me that. I hit a good shot when I with that side of stuff, but it had nothing to Bob Torrance taught me that. I hit a good shot when I do with the swing. What went wrong with was down at Carnoustie. The following year I hit a good do with the swing. What went wrong with was down at Carnoustie. The following year I hit a good my game was my focus – I tried too hard shot at Birkdale on the Sunday, the 5-wood to the 17th my game was my focus – I tried too hard shot at Birkdale on the Sunday, the 5-wood to the 17th and then if I hit a poor shot, I’d get down on green. It was a great shot, but I felt bulletproof that day. and then if I hit a poor shot, I’d get down on green. It was a great shot, but I felt bulletproof that day. myself over it and That shot at Carnoustie was myself over it and That shot at Carnoustie was put too much better because I was so far out put too much better because I was so far out emphasis on it. I was of the zone leading up to it. emphasis on it. I was of the zone leading up to it. the opposite of being the opposite of being ‘free’ when it came to Things happen for people to ‘free’ when it came to Things happen for people to the crunch – everything win majors. I injured my wrist the crunch – everything win majors.

I injured my wrist was purely mental. the week before Birkdale, so I was purely mental. the week before Birkdale, so I didn’t know if I was going to didn’t know if I was going to play in the Open. That meant A strong mental game won play in the Open. That meant A mental game won Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, mestrong my three majors.

Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, me my three majors. all I did was walk the course I struggled to live up to that – all I did was walk the course I struggled to live up to that – and chip and putt. Two big I became intolerant of my and chip and putt. Two big I became intolerant of my things stemmed from that. First, focus. To this day, I’m still very things stemmed from that. First, focus. To this day, I’m still very it removed all the expectation intolerant with my focus. I put it removed all the expectation intolerant with my focus. I put around me and reduced all the too much pressure on myself around me and reduced all the too much pressure on myself pressure. And second, towards when it comes down to focus, pressure. And second, towards when it comes down to focus, the end of a very hard week I which I suppose comes with the end of a very hard week I which I suppose comes with was the most rested player in the field. That was age. You’re not as innocent as you were and carry a bit of was the most rested player in the field. That was age. You’re not as innocent as you were and carry a bit of key because I’d twigged that so many of my secondbaggage. Also, I’m not as fearless as I used to be. When key because I’d twigged that so many of my secondbaggage. Also, I’m not as fearless as I used to be. When place finishes were the result of me being burned out you realise the heights you can reach because of focusing place finishes were the result of me being burned out you realise the heights you can reach because of focusing

by Sunday. properly, it made it harder for me to focus.

by Sunday. properly, it made it harder for me to focus.

MY MY LEGACY’S LEGACY’S ON THE ON THE LINE LINE AT AT WHISTLING WHISTLING STRAITS. STRAITS. IT IT WILL WILL REFLECT REFLECT ON ON MY MY CAREER CAREER

I’m not superstitious, but I do believe in lucky omens.

I’m not superstitious, but I do believe in lucky omens.

In all three of the majors I’ve won, I’ve played at least one In all three of the majors I’ve won, I’ve played at least one round with Stewart Cink. He’s a very lucky omen for me. round with Stewart Cink. He’s a very lucky omen for me.

My reputation for practising too much was not unfair.

My reputation for practising too much was not unfair.

I closed the range every day on tour and there were

I closed the range every day on tour and there were tournaments where they would leave two buckets of balls tournaments where they would leave two buckets of balls for me to use after everyone else had gone home. It wasn’t for me to use after everyone else had gone home. It wasn’t healthy – but it took me a while to understand that. healthy – but it took me a while to understand that.

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Risk everything to get marginally better. That’s my Risk everything to get marginally better. That’s my mantra. When I walk away, I want to believe that I tried

mantra. When I walk away, I want to believe that I tried everything to get to the very highest level. For me, getting everything to get to the very highest level. For me, getting better is what it’s all about, even now. better is what it’s all about, even now.

I’m a perfectionist, but I understand that perfection I’m a perfectionist, I understand that perfection cannot be attained.but My father told me: “You can’t have cannot be attained. My father told me: “You can’t have perfection but you can seek excellence”, so let’s say I’m perfection but you can seek excellence”, so let’s say I’m seeking excellence. I still want to get better – no doubt. seeking excellence. I still want to get better – no doubt.

PADRAIG PADRAIG HARRINGTON HARRINGTON

The older I get, the harder it becomes.

The older I get, the harder it becomes.

The standard just keeps going up. It’s like

The standard just keeps going up. It’s like a 100m dash. Everybody lines up and they all just a 100m dash. Everybody lines up and they all just sprint off. If you’re not four‑under par after sprint off. If you’re not four‑under par after nine holes, you’re feeling like “Oh my nine holes, you’re feeling like “Oh my God, how am I going to make it up God, how am I going to make it up here?”. But I can still compete here?”. But I can still compete against the 20‑year‑olds. I don’t against the 20‑year‑olds. I don’t feel like I’m giving them anything feel like I’m giving them anything in terms of yardage. And I have in terms of yardage. And I have experience on them, which counts experience on them, which counts for a lot at this level, especially for a lot at this level, especially when you’re in contention. when you’re in contention.

Captaining Europe in the Ryder Captaining Europe in the Ryder Cup feels like a natural Cup feels likeYou a natural progression. move on from You move on from progression. player to vice‑captain to captain, player to vice‑captain to captain, but it’s not something that I take but it’s not something that I take on without a certain amount of on without a certain amount of trepidation. When we do play trepidation. When we do play it, we’re going to a new venue. it, we’re going to a new venue.

We’re going to have, on average, three more rookies We’re going to have, on average, three more rookies coming into the team, and I have to ensure that I find coming into the team, and I have to ensure that I find an edge to make the team perform to the best of their an edge to make the team perform to the best of their abilities. It won’t be easy. abilities. It won’t be easy.

I had to think long and hard about accepting I had think longIt’sand hard about accepting theto captaincy. maybe easier to be a Ryder the captaincy. It’s maybe easier to be a Ryder Cup captain at home, but I also realised that

Cup captain at home, but I also realised that it probably was the best chance for me in an it probably was the best chance for me in an international setting. I think it does fit international setting. I think it does fit nicely that I’ve performed and played in the nicely that I’ve performed and played in the US, and am reasonably well known over US, and am reasonably well known over there. The event itself is not too far from there. The event itself is not too far from Chicago, which has a nice Irish base.

Chicago, which has a nice Irish base.

There are a lot of good reasons for me to There are a lot of good reasons for me to be the captain in the US and all of them be the captain in the US and all of them should be helpful to me and the team in should be helpful to me and the team in terms of support. terms of support.

My legacy is on the line at Whistling My legacy is on the line at Whistling Straits.

The margins are so fine in Ryder Straits.

The margins are so fine in Ryder Cups. If you win, you’re a successful captain.

Cups. If you win, you’re a successful captain.

If you lose, you’re not. How this goes does reflect If you lose, you’re not. How this goes does reflect on my career. I’m like everybody else who takes on on my career. I’m like everybody else who takes on the Ryder Cup; you’re putting your legacy on the the Ryder Cup; you’re putting your legacy on the line. So it’s a risk. I know that. line. So it’s a risk. I know that.

I don’t want to be a losing Ryder Cup I don’t want to be a losing Ryder Cup captain. There’s no point in that. I want to be captain. There’s no point in that. I want to be a winning captain. So if you take it on, it’s a a winning captain. So if you take it on, it’s a big deal to do all you can to come out of it big deal to do all you can to come out of it with the right result. And that’s never easy, with the right result. And that’s never easy, but particularly not in the States. but particularly not in the States.

I think it’s one of those ones where I think it’s one of those ones where if I’m a winning captain I’ll tell you if I’m a winning captain I’ll tell you how important it is for my career how important it is for my career once I’ve won. And if I’m a losing once I’ve won. And if I’m a losing captain, I’ll have other things to captain, I’ll have other things to concentrate on. concentrate on.

But I definitely don’t go into But I definitely don’t go into it lightly. I understand that I it lightly. I understand that I might lose and I understand might lose and I understand that it’s going to take away that it’s going to take away from my playing, but I’m from my playing, but I’m comfortable with that. It’s comfortable with that. It’s good timing in my playing good timing in my playing career and there are a lot of career and there are a lot of good players coming behind good players coming behind me for this Ryder Cup me for this Ryder Cup captaincy, so it’s going to get captaincy, so it’s going to get very busy. very busy.

I don’t have any bad I don’t have anygolf. bad memories from memories from golf.

If I have a bad day, I leave

If I have a bad day, I leave it behind somewhere. it behind somewhere.

Emotionally, I was gutted when Emotionally, I was gutted when I lost a tournament in the Irish Closed I lost a tournament in the Irish Closed as a youth years ago which I should as a youth years ago which I should have won. But that was an early lesson in have won. But that was an early lesson in learning to relax if you lose. I had to go learning to relax if you lose. I had to go through that. You learn to in any through that. You learn to in any professional sport. professional sport.

One course to play for the rest of my days?

One course to play for the rest of my days?

It’s a toss‑up between Royal Portrush and Augusta.

It’s a toss‑up between Royal Portrush and Augusta.

Although Portmarnock’s in my thinking as well.

Although Portmarnock’s in my thinking as well.

That said, the single best view in golf is standing on That said, the single view inBeach. golf is That standing on the fairway on the 8thbest at Pebble view the fairway on the 8th at Pebble Beach. That view really does take some beating. really does take some beating.

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MAN MAGAZINE

for help when you need it. We all need help at different points in our lives.”

IAN POULTER

PROUDLY SUPPORTS

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MAGAZINE MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

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“We all have highs and lows, it’s completely natural and part of life for everyone. It’s important to have a support network around you and to be brave enough to ask

SPORT

THE GOLF GEAR

YOU NEED THIS

WINTER

THE WEATHER MAY BE GETTING WORSE BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOUR GOLF GAME HAS TO SUFFER. THESE PRODUCTS WILL KEEP YOU ON COURSE FOR WINTER AND BEYOND. technology and its Weather Tech Trousers are a great example of this.

Made from a 3-ply fabric with a water-resistant outer layer, the middle layer acts as a breathable waterproof membrane that stops water from penetrating the fabric.

The final inner layer is thermal, which will keep you warm when the weather turns.

Stromberg Tech Trousers

There is nothing worse than wet feet on the golf course. It can really put you off your game, but a lot of the waterproof golf shoes on the market tend to come with an expensive price tag. If you are looking for a high quality,

Stromberg is a brand that’s been built and designed by golfers. It is renowned for its unique fabric

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Rife Element Waterproof Shoe

performance, affordable waterproof option though, look no further than the Rife Element golf shoe (SRP £74.99).

These are cleated (spiked) golf shoes, which give you the extra grip you need during the winter. The upper is constructed with a microfibre material which is 100% waterproof, too.

Big Max Aqua Tour 3 storm silver red If you’ve invested in a golf trolley this summer, then it’s worth knowing that normal flat golf trolley wheels are usually banned during the winter period. The wheels can dig into the ground because of a lack of grip, causing damage to the fairways and tee areas.

Thankfully you can purchase winter wheels, such as these, which have been developed

by Motocaddy and the Hedgehog Golf Company.

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

sevenstarmedia.co.uk

G

olf was one of the first sports that people could play after lockdown, and it has enjoyed a real resurgence ever since.

As well as newcomers, the sport has seen people dusting off their old clubs and getting back out on the course.

Although the nights are getting longer, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy golf through the winter months; just as long as you’ve got the right gear.

Whether you are looking to add to your existing golf equipment, you need to bring your kit up to date or you’re thinking of what you want for Christmas this year, there are plenty of great items to add to your wishlist.

SPORT

The unique design of the wheels reduces ground damage and increases forward momentum to ensure you can carry on all the way through the winter season.

If you are going to be using a trolley, then one thing you may want to invest in is a waterproof cart bag. The BIG Max Aqua Tour 3 is a stylish, 100% waterproof, seam sealed bag which is packed with features that’ll no doubt improve your on-course experience.

The fabric is incredible – you can pour a glass of water on it and it will just glide off. The bag also has nine waterproof pockets, including an oversized cooler pocket for your drinks, and easy access clothing pockets to store all of your apparel and accessories. What’s most impressive though is the fact this bag weighs in at just 2.5kg.

FJ WeatherSof Glove

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Arguably one of the most important pieces of kit any golfer owns is their glove. It comes into contact with every shot you take, which is why you need to replace them on a regular basis. For winter, the all new FootJoy WeatherSof glove is a great choice. It offers performance and durability, with improved fitting, flex and breathability. The glove has a premium cabretta leather thumb and palm patch, with FiberSof™ technology.

It’s soft-feeling, offering consistent performance throughout your day.

PING Anders Trousers When the heavens open, you’re going to need a great rain suit. There’s a lot of variety in price and style when it comes to waterproof clothing, but we think that the latest styles from PING offer a

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

great price-toperformance ratio. The PING Anders trousers are made from a fabric which has been specifically engineered to be waterproof, windproof, breathable and noiseless. The trousers feel great and move well, plus they have an elasticated waist with adjuster and side leg zips. We love the two front pockets and one back pocket as you can easily access your glove or scorecard during the round without having to fumble about.

The trousers are fully seam sealed and come backed with a three-year waterproof guarantee.

THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN WET FEET ON THE GOLF COURSE

PING Downton Jacket To accompany the Anders trouser, we have chosen the PING Downton Jacket. This excellent jacket from PING has absolutely everything you need to battle even the harshest elements. The jacket is fully waterproof and windproof but nicely lightweight, so it doesn’t feel like it’s interfering with your swing. The jacket is also breathable to keep your temperature steady when you need to be focused. We particularly like the look of the brilliant blue version of this Jacket.

Stromberg OCEAN TEE Polo Finally, we have chosen the Stromberg OCEAN TEE polo shirt collaboration. This is a great, athletic fit polo shirt made with a sustainable, environmentally friendly fabric. Its 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton is manufactured in the only factory in the world to have met the textiles procurement standard set

by Greenpeace. This guarantees

the use of natural fibres, organic farming, no harmful substances and fair pay for its workers. If that wasn’t enough to impress you, then OCEAN TEE donates 25% of corporate profits to charities that are focused on tackling plastic pollution and promoting sustainability in golf.

Whether you’re a fair-weather golfer or a more hardcore fanatic, these products will help you enjoy your golf game throughout winter and beyond. americangolf.co.uk

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SPORT

THE 2021

BUCKET LIST

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LOOKING AHEAD TO YOUR NEXT GOLF TRIP? FROM THE BEST COURSES TO OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL HOLES, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER THESE...

Monte Rei, Portigal

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MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

SPORT

F

resh air, beautiful landscapes, chatting to your friends; golf can be a great form of escapism, as many have found out this year. 2020 has seen an increase in the number of people taking up the sport; social distancing is easy and it’s an enjoyable way to stay fit. But what are the bucket list trips, courses and holes you should spend your hard earned money on?

The World’s Best Golf Courses Week in week out, we’re back to watching sport on the TV, albeit with no crowds. This creates a different atmosphere, especially for Tour Golfers.

One of the best things about our sport though is that the courses you see on the TV - on the European Tour, The PGA Tour - you can actually play, following in the footsteps of your favourite Pro Golfers: Beef, Westwood, or even Tiger. If these courses are hosting the biggest names in golf, you can be sure that the course conditions are going to be pure.

The Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland

persistent, constantly changing sea breeze simply adds to the character... and the challenge.

ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB Ireland Following a similar theme is Royal Portrush Golf Club in Ireland; a true links layout and the only course outside of Scotland and England ever to have hosted The Open Championship. Two new holes were developed on the Dunluce Links course for the 2019 Open, where Shane Lowry shot a 63 in his third round before sealing the Claret Jug on a memorable Sunday for Irish golf fans.

The venue offers spectacular views, with elevated tees and many riskreward holes.

WINTER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP

Royal Portrush Golf Club, Ireland

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THE OLD COURSE St Andrews, Scotland For many golfers, playing The Old Course is a bucket list experience. It’s the Home of Golf, a prestigious venue full of history, where the game was first invented.

Golfers from all over the world travel to play here. I mean, are you even a golfer if you haven’t lost a few balls around St Andrews?

It’s an iconic links golf experience.

For a course to be classed as a ‘links’, it must be within sight or less than a mile from the sea, have firm sandy soil and be on the natural lay of the land, with undulations on the fairways & greens. The Old Course is a challenging track and the

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

Trump turnberry, a luxury collection resort

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SPORT

9TH HOLE AT TURNBERRY Ailsa Course, Scotland The 9th hole on the Ailsa Course was previously a fairly standard par 4 but with epic scenery. It was then reconstructed into an exciting par 3 that plays along or over a beautiful rocky bay (depending on which tees you play from) to a green perched right on the edge of the water.

Even if your tee shot goes swimming, this hole is now one of golf’s most prominent par 3s and provides one of the game’s most iconic photo opportunities.

Real cClub Valderrama, Spain

REAL CLUB VALDERRAMA Spain

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16th Hole at Tralee Golf Club, Ireland

16TH HOLE AT TRALEE GOLF CLUB Ireland The par 3 16th, named “Shipwreck” for a reason, is one of many highlights of a game at Tralee. The Atlantic Ocean follows the hole from tee to green and is just a stone’s throw away. This par 3 protects the green with huge dunes (South West Ireland is famous for this feature) and is as striking as it is testing.

This is the kind of hole to stop, take a moment and soak in your surroundings.

Tralee is a tremendous place to play golf.

10TH HOLE AT THE BELFRY Brabazon Course, England The Belfry has hosted The Ryder Cup (on The Brabazon Course) four times, which is more than any other course in the world. The signature hole here is, therefore, one of the most iconic holes in the game of golf. And it’s memorable for lots of reasons...

This short par 4 tempts everyone into going straight for the green - all part of the fun even if you’re unlikely to reach it!

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

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For those of you who like to head to warmer climates and get the Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, USA shorts and T-shirt out, Valderrama is consistently ranked OCEAN COURSE in the Top 10 layouts in Spain and Kiawah Island, USA has played host to countless top level Why not spread your wings next year tournaments including this year’s and head further afield? South Carolina Andalucia Masters and the 1997 Ryder is a golfer’s hub with the Ocean Course Cup. The gorgeous backdrop of the at Kiawah Island topping the charts. It Sierra Almenara, rolling hills and the has previously hosted the Ryder Cup Mediterranean Sea make this place even and was crafted by renowned architect more spectacular.

Pete Dye. Many of the holes follow the rugged coastline and for nature lovers, MONTE REI there is plenty of wildlife to see along Portugal the way.

The Algarve is often referred to as a golfing haven. A golf holiday that all The Best Holes in Golf golfers must do at least once, thanks to Just getting out for a round of golf, the huge volume of high-quality courses whether in a pair, four-Ball or even a and beautiful scenery on offer. The solo mission, helps get the endorphins consistent year-round sunshine also makes flowing. It gets even better when you Portugal a golfer’s paradise and one golf can step foot onto an epic course and course that should be top of your to-play play some of the best holes anywhere list is Monte Rei. Designed by legendary in the world. Often courses have a 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus, ‘signature hole’ - one that is especially Monte Rei measures over 7000 yards from spectacular or tough, the hole that you the back tees with subtle undulations can’t help but think back to when you around the fairways and greens. The word reminisce about your round. You might stunning doesn’t do this course justice even be picturing one as you read this... and the service is second to none.

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IT REALLY IS A ONCE-IN-ALIFETIME EXPERIENCE

Your opponent here isn’t your playing partner, it’s the water hazard and overhanging trees that surround the green. If you can steer clear of these features, you might be able to bang in a birdie; it’s risk vs reward in a nutshell.

12TH HOLE AT DRUIDS GLEN Ireland We’re featuring another par 3! Druids Glen is often referred to as “The Augusta of Ireland” and the 12th is arguably the most thrilling hole on the course. You play from an elevated tee towards a green protected by a water hazard that crosses across the hole from left to right. If you feel like you’re being watched, it’s most likely the statue of a druid in the trees to the right! This hole really looks the part, with the eye-catching giant Celtic cross pattern in the flowerbed just beneath the tee.

16TH HOLE AT VALE DO LOBO Course, Portugal

10th Hole at The Belfry, Brabazon Course, England

The 16th on the Royal Course at Vale do Lobo has the coast running alongside and is set upon the cliff tops.

This hole provides another forced carry to reach the green, so strike the ball well to keep your ball in play, or face reloading. If you play in the late afternoon, you may even get a glorious backdrop of the sun setting beyond the ocean and the view is one you’ll remember forever.

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16th Hole at Vale Do Lobo Course, Portugal

Golf is a beautiful game, in more ways than one. It is about connecting with like minded people, spending time with friends and enjoying the best of the outdoors.

So grab your clubs, ring up a pal and get a game booked in. There are plenty of incredible experiences to have, whether it’s local to you, a road trip away or even the focus of your next holiday abroad.

Want £25 to spend on your next golf trip? Head to engage.yourgolftravel.com/man-magazine 12th Hole at Druids Glen, Ireland

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WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME THE O

ne of the world’s premier CrossFit athletes, Zack George is officially the UK’s Fittest Man 2020. But he wasn’t always at the peak of physical fitness. Over-weight as a teenager, he averaged five takeaways a week and struggled with body image.

So what made him change? We chat to Zack to see what motivates him and whether he can offer any advice to those looking to improve their fitness and mental health.

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You’ve always been into sport but what got you into CrossFit? It was my dad. He showed me a video of the CrossFit games back in 2013 when I was 24 – it’s the pinnacle of CrossFit - and I it was in-sane. I was hooked. I was running my own commercial gym at the time so he knew how keen I was on fitness. Once I saw the games, it was all I was interested in. I spent the best part of

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

UK’S FITTEST MAN

WE TALK GOAL-SETTING, NUTRITION AND MENTAL RESLIENCE WITH THE UK’S FITTEST MAN ZACK GEORGE a year watching every YouTube video on it. These guys are true athletes.

I was always into sport, as a kid I played a lot of rugby and then got my PT qualification from Loughborough when I was 18. But I’d never done gymnastics or weightlifting. My gym is now a CrossFit box. My parents started their own business, so I grew up expecting that was what I would always do. But I was a heavy kid and was a bit of a journey to shift the lifestyle and the thinking.

You weren’t always posing with your top off then?

Not at all (laughs). To be honest, I was self-conscious as a kid. I used to hate taking my top off for swimming at school, as I was pretty overweight. I was eating takeouts four to five times a week then. And it’s not like my mum wasn’t home cooking - she looked

after me and my sister full time when we were younger and we always had home cooked meals. I would just snack on packets of sweets and eat KFC and McDonald’s, so despite all the sport, I wasn’t a very fit and healthy-looking kid.

I wasn’t really happy about it and tried to lose weight several times but didn’t know how to change it I sup-pose, or didn’t have the right motivation.

Then I remember really wanting a PlayStation 2 and my dad saying I could have one if I lost a certain number of kilos by the end of the month – we can’t even remember how many – I just remember that feeling of going to get a PS2 as a reward for reaching my goal. We went straight out and bought it at the end of that month. I think that was not only a turning point in terms of my weight loss but also in terms of my understanding of setting goals.

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How did you make the change?

YOU’VE GOT TO BE WILLING TO PUT YOURSELF THROUGH DARK PLACES TO GET TO THE TOP

What’s your CrossFit training programme like?

I train for 1.5 hours in the morning and have an evening session of 2.5 hours. I’m naturally strong and identified early on that if I don’t touch a barbell for a month it doesn’t make too much differ-ence to my strength. But I do need to work on my agility, flexibility and bodyweight movements because I compete with athletes who are lighter and faster than me.

It’s about understanding what you need to progress in the sport, so the training becomes more individual and personalised the higher you get in the sport. I trained really hard and managed to qualify for the CrossFit Games 2020. And on top of my regular training I’m linking up with Loughborough University for coaching with my running and swimming as well as for testing my vo2max and other full body screenings to make sure I’m at my absolute fittest.

Let’s talk motivation – how do you get through a slump?

You can’t be 100% motivated every day.

It’s important to get the right balance of sleep, rest and food to feel your best. I’m lucky because I have 4-5 training partners and there are always at least three of them at the gym cheering me on. For the big qualifying workouts at the gym there

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are 30 people cheering me on.

Being trim is of course a good byproduct of getting fit and it defi-nitely puts you in a better place in terms of self-image. But a healthier way to look at training is by focusing on an external goal and bringing the best out in your body.

How has CrossFit impacted your life?

CrossFit changed my life. I’m a different person physically from that lazy youngster eating takeaways. There’s a strong mental as-pect to CrossFit

- it helps you to develop the mental resilience you need for everyday life.

You’ve got to be willing to put yourself through dark places to get to the top. You have to go beyond your limit, pushing your bounda-ries to make qualifiers and beat your personal times.

I’ve also been able to travel the world to compete – I’ve made friends on the training circuits and met sponsors that allow me to train full time and focus on developing my CrossFit skills.

Talk to us about downtime: I take Sundays off, when I only go swimming and do a light session working on technique. Active recovery is also an important part of downtime. I use Hyperice products like a massage gun (e.g. hyperbolt) to release tension, wear compression sleeves on my legs, and do 40 minutes of stretching per session.

Downtime is always family time. I see friends, have a movie day at home -

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I just cut down on eating rubbish – I ate takeaways twice a week instead of five times a week and cut out the packets of sweets. Now I have a lot of professional support with my diet and nutrition and I’m lucky enough to have a nutrition expert. Every athlete needs a balanced lifestyle, both off- and on-season. You need snacks that you might crave, so you can enjoy the balance and not mentally burnout.

Now I have three weeks offseason when I get one cheat day a week, when I can eat anything I want, but then it’s no cheat meals for four months straight. Clean eating means 3,500 calories made up of 440 grams of carbs, 120 grams of fat, 178 grams of protein.

In my experience regulating your nutrition makes all the difference.

SPORT How to use CrossFit to benefit your mental health 1. Develop a mindset and goal-setting mentality…

IN MY EXPERIENCE, REGULATING YOUR NUTRITION MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE amazing support. And being part of such a committed CrossFit community massively helps to achieve high-level goals. We train together and it would be harder to stick to training goals without being surrounded by a likeminded and supportive community – it’s a cool aspect of the CrossFit scene.

What are your next goals?

anything different from going to the gym for a training session. I love a good series – Sons of Anarchy or Breaking Bad. And often go for walks. It’s all about relaxing and spending time with family. I don’t take more than a week off for a ‘proper’ holiday, but then I’m definitely a beach person.

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What about inspirations, keeping grounded and the importance of network…

I think it comes down to the type of person you are and what you get from your upbringing. I have amazing parents who brought me up very well, and my Manager James is like a mentor. You attract certain people into your life when you’re grounded and content – good vibes attract good vibes. My parents are definitely my role models. They started from scratch in the textiles business together and kept on progressing.

They’re a massive inspiration. My girlfriend, family, and friends are an

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I’m focussing on qualifiers for next year’s CrossFit Games - my aim is to finish in the top ten and progress with different sponsors along the way.

Find the right motivation to get you started. I went to an Anthony Roberts motivational seminar for three days and it massively helped me towards my goal to become healthier and fitter. My dad was a real support in guiding me. Once you have your goals in mind, stay motivated and driven and don’t let anyone stop you heading towards them.

2. Set yourself mini-goals Make your goals achievable and chip away at them one by one.

3. Build resilience…

My resilience came from my dad. He moved to the UK 50 years ago and times were hard – not just persevering with building a business but he also had to deal with racial abuse. He came out positive and mentally strong.

4. Listen…

I’m very good at listening to my body – knowing when I need to push and when I need to relax. If my body’s really knackered, I won’t do it - it’s important to know if your body is up to the chal-lenge.

You have to develop a sense of when you’re feeling lazy and unmotivated and when your body needs to recuperate.

Know when you’re willing to adapt and use your judgement.

Thanks for taking the time to share your insight with MAN Magazine - we’ll be cheering you on at the CrossFit Games.

By Ara E Lee

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ZACK GEORGE’S WEEKLY

BEGINNER’S WORKOUT

BRITAIN’S FITTEST MAN SHEDS LIGHT ON HOW TO INTRODUCE A WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE INTO YOUR LIFE, WHATEVER YOUR ABILITY

I

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t’s widely accepted that exercise is incredibly important and has a host of not just physical benefits, but mental benefits too. Even simple movement, for just 5 minutes a day, is enough to get your blood flowing and release those all-important endorphins, which help boost your mood.

However, if you’re new to exercise, this is a lot easier said than done and can seem like a daunting task when you don’t know where to start. The truth is, you just need to start. It will get easier the more you gain confidence, strength and fitness, and the combination of these things will also motivate you to push more and continue on your journey.

To help you on your way we’ve put together a weekly beginner’s workout plan to give you the kick start you need. All exercises require minimal or no equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime and anyplace. All movements are also scalable depending on your ability or fitness level and all sessions have progression plans so you can see how you improve week-byweek. Easy.

A useful tip is to track, or journal your workouts. Grab a notebook and jot down how you did in each session, how you felt, what went well, what didn’t. Also note how you felt going into the workout to start with and how you felt once you’d completed it? Making note of these things is an amazing way to not only track how you improve, but it also allows you to keep an eye on your mood. It acts as evidence that each time you’ve accomplished the session, you’ll (hopefully) feel great, so being able to look back over this works as a great motivator.

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Workout 1: The 150 to 300 rep workout.

Time yourself each time, once you’re comfortable with doing the number of reps and they’re easy, step it up with the progressions below.

Make sure to record your times each session too, so you can track improvement.

First session: 150 reps total 25 kettlebell swings – pick

a weight you’re comfortable doing 25 unbroken swings with 25 press ups 25 squats 25 sit ups 25 kettlebell thrusters 25 burpees

Workout 3: Your body might be a little achy by now, perform what I call ‘active recovery’ and take it outside for a one hour walk – getting out in nature is amazing for our health and a proven mood booster. This simple one hour walk will get the blood circulating to your muscles, helping to flush out any lactate and ease soreness, priming you to take on the 4th workout of the week.

Workout 4: First session: For each do 20 seconds work, 30 seconds rest.

Repeat X4.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Jump squats Press ups Sit ups Burpees Mountain climbers Plank hold

Progressions: Gradually increase the periods of work, from 20 seconds, to 30 seconds to 40 seconds and so on.

Further progressions: Increase the amount of times you complete, from 4 times, to 5, 6 etc.

Progressions: Increase the reps each week as you go until you’ve worked your way up to 300 reps total - from 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and son on.

Further progressions: Increase the weight of the kettlebell you use.

Workout 2: First session: 3 rounds of…

20 lunges 20 dumbbell squat, or goblet squat – pick a weight you’re comfortable with and go from there 20 bicycle crunches

Progressions: Increase the number of rounds each week as you go, from 3 rounds, 4 rounds, 5 rounds and so on.

ALL EXERCISES REQUIRE MINIMAL OR NO EQUIPMENT AND CAN BE DONE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME AND ANYPLACE

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Further progressions: Increase the weight of the dumbbell for the squat.

Again, make sure to track how long it takes you to complete the session each time so you can monitor improvement.

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WORKOUT ANYWHERE Whether you’re a gym pro spending more time at home right now, or you’re fairly new to fitness and have joined the gym, we’ve created a helpful guide to help you stay fit and active wherever you prefer right now.

SET REALISTIC GOALS Having a goal you can focus on, and later be proud of, will help steer the direction you take with your training. Write a list of some ideas of things you’d like to really achieve.

Some examples might be:

MAKE A PLAN Break your big goal into smaller ones and off the back of these, think of things you can action in the time you have allocated in your week.

For example, if your goal is to stay active and maintain your current fitness by working out 3 times a week, what are your 3 workouts going to look like? Do you want to break it up into 3 full body HIIT workouts or would you prefer to do 1 weighted upper body session, 1 weighted lower body session and 1 cardio session?

Tailor it in a way that suits your goals and needs.

learn to how to do a handstand improve my mobility so I can move and lift better workout at home 3 times a week

SCHEDULE IT IN Once you’ve come up with a goal or multiple goals you want to achieve, think about how these would realistically fit into your week and add them into your diary. Having a set number of days or a specific time to work on these will help give you some structure to your new routine. That way you have no excuse to forget about it!

THE UK’S FAVOURITE GYM

just your bodyweight, so equipment might not be necessary. Some pieces of home gym equipment that are practical, versatile and which don’t take up a lot of space, include resistance bands, dumbbells, a yoga mat and kettlebells.

If your aim is to build muscle or get stronger, remember to apply progressive overload as your body adapts to the training you are doing. Progressive overload in simple terms is making your workouts more challenging.

Ways in which you can apply progressive overload to your training include:

SET UP A WORKOUT AREA If you are working out at home, allocating a specific area can help to create an environment which supports your activity and goals. The great thing about a home workout is, you don’t need much space or pieces of kit to be able to get a good session in.

If you are in the gym, pick your spot based on your equipment and overall workout needs.

CREATE A WORKOUT PLAYLIST Making a workout playlist with tunes you love can be the difference between you getting your trainers on and not getting a workout in. Especially if you are working out at home, a motivating playlist can get you in the right frame of mind to reach your goals.

DO YOU NEED EQUIPMENT? This will depend on your needs, goals and preferences. If you are working out at home, it is possible to plan an effective training plan using

increasing number of reps reducing rest time changing tempo adding a pause during the eccentric increasing load/resistance Make sure that you are providing enough training stimulus and rest for your body to adapt and build muscle.

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SPORT

BEYOND

BREAKPOINT WITH

ANDY MURRAY 64

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WE TALK WITH ANDY MURRAY ABOUT PRESSURE, MOTIVATION, MINDSET AND CHANGING THE ODD DIRTY NAPPY TO KEEP YOUR EGO IN CHECK…

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

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W

e’ve seen it time and time again from our national football and rugby heroes… winning is the easy part. You get handed a trophy and dubbed a national hero. The minute you lose a championship, the manager gets the boot and you’re training blood and sweat for the qualifiers, building up the hope again. What about when you’re injured and out of the game, recovering, watching your mates and competitors on the pitch and the court battling it out?

How do you get yourself back on track when it’s you, on your own, not part of a conventional sporting team? And what does it take to get you motivated again when you’re less than pleased with your performance, even after a win? We get Andy Murray’s insight on techniques for staying mentally and physically fit, on and off the court.

1.

Let’s talk about mindset – what does it bring to your game?

what drives me and keeps me wanting more.

Although my wife didn’t thank me for it at the time, I delayed my honeymoon before the clay court season in 2015, because I knew I needed extra preparation time on the clay. I went and trained in Barcelona for two weeks, and then went on to win my first ever clay court tournament.

3.

As an elite athlete you have to be mentally as well as physically strong. But what techniques or coping mechanisms do you rely on when feeling low away from the tennis court?

For me it’s really important to have regular contact with my family. I used to get really down about losses, whereas now I’m a little bit more measured in how I process my results. A quick FaceTime with my children usually does

the trick. The last three years have been tough, different injuries and not being sure I would ever play tennis again - my family really helped me get through it.

4.

Is there any advice you can give to those who may be struggling with down days, and their overall mental health?

I know it’s a saying that gets used a lot, but it’s absolutely ok, not to be ok.

Mental health is something we all need to take care of, it’s as important as our physical health and is the driving force behind our motivations so don’t be afraid to talk to someone you trust. One thing I’ve found over the years is that it is completely normal to find things hard sometimes and that quite often the bravest thing you can do isn’t to bottle things or sweep them under the carpet - but it’s actually having the courage to ask for help.

Mindset is central to everything you do as an athlete, often the difference between winning and losing.

You can have all the ability in the world but you have to have the belief in yourself that you can perform at the highest level and to improve even once you have reached the very top you can never stop improving.

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2.

We all have down days when we can’t be bothered.

How do you stay motivated when you have down days?

I KNOW IT’S A SAYING THAT GETS USED A LOT, BUT IT’S ABSOLUTELY OK, NOT TO BE OK

You have to constantly look for areas to improve as an athlete, as you can always do more. Even after big wins or when I’ve played well, I like to analyse the things I could have done better. This is

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SPORT

about my training, my matches and what I need to do to keep improving. I’ve got a young family at home as well - there’s nothing like changing a dirty nappy to keep things in perspective!

5.

How do you handle winning?

It’s one of my favourite things to do! I think it’s important to enjoy your wins but it’s also important to continually learn from them. I’ll always sit with my team after a match, and talk about the things I’ve done well, and the areas that I could perhaps improve on before my next match, that doesn’t change whether it’s a small tournament or the final of Wimbledon. I’ve actually won matches but not been happy with how I served for example, so I’ve gone straight to the practice court afterwards.

66

I have always been tough on myself after losing, possibly too harsh, but I guess that helped keep me motivated to go out and do better. With regard to winning a Grand Slam, there was always a lot of pressure, especially given there hadn’t been many British winners over the years. After a few tough losses in the finals, it was only when I accepted the fact I may never win a slam that the pressure was somewhat relieved.

THE LAST THREE YEARS HAVE BEEN TOUGH, DIFFERENT INJURIES AND NOT BEING SURE I WOULD EVER PLAY TENNIS AGAIN - MY FAMILY REALLY HELPED ME GET THROUGH IT

6.

What keeps you grounded when you’re caught up in the game (how to you keep your ego in check)?

My team and surrounding myself with the right people is so important. I’m fortunate in that a lot of my team have been with me for a number of years and that is really helpful when it comes to having open and honest conversations

8.

You’ve had your fair share of injuries keeping you out of the game. How do you cope when you’re not able to play?

Throughout my career I’ve always trained really hard, but looking back I probably didn’t take enough time to rest and recover - it certainly becomes more important the older you get. It’s tough not being able to play the sport you love, but the thought of playing again keeps me hungry and motivated. The rehab is often slow and boring, I don’t think any athletes enjoy it, but it’s important to take the time to build yourself back up, whilst listening to your body.

Thanks for taking the time to share your insight, Andy. We’ll be rooting for you (virtual) court side!

By A E Lee

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

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Andy on court wearing AMC, a premium tennis clothing brand he codesigned with Castore.

7.

How do you deal with losing?

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HEALTHY LIVING

INTRODUCING

THE TEAM

ON SIDE

YOUR

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e all struggle with our mental health from time to time, but it’s important to know you’re not alone.

If you don’t know us we’re CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

We’re united against suicide and stand together with anyone who’s struggling with their mental health. If you’re in need, we’re here to help.

Every week 125 people in the UK take their own lives. And 75% of all UK suicides are male. CALM exists to change this. Our helpline and webchat answer over 10,000 calls every month - we’re open 365 days a year offering practical suggestions for all of life’s problems.

We’re there for everyone who’s struggling with life, no matter who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through. We use music, comedy, sport and anything in between

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to challenge stereotypes and help people find the strength to seek help.

We’re a movement of thousands of people and we’re growing every day. All with one goal: a more hopeful society.

One where people reject living miserably, get help when they need it and don’t die by suicide.

We know this year has been a tough one for all of us, so we’re here for you.

No matter what.

At CALM we believe everyone should be able to ask for the help they need, but it’s not always easy. So here our squad of ambassadors share some ways their mates reached out when things were tough.

Leon McKenzie Seeing a loved one’s name appear on your screen, hearing their voice, and being able to have a good long chat can really help when things are a bit weird.

International mental wellbeing speaker, Leon McKenzie shares how much a call from a relative can mean: “Many years ago having attempted to take my own life, my dad showed empathy and love but ultimately listened to me. Ever since that day, after waking up, he has called me most days and I always took those calls for granted before. This taught me a valuable lesson: showing someone you care about them and are making an effort that can change your mindset forever. Thank you Dad.”

Marvin Sordell Writer, producer and former footballer Marvin Sordell’s mate took his mind off things with a karaoke session: “A really good example would be my friend Will noticing that my energy was low and not doing great in a car journey to training. He just started playing music and singing along really energetically for song after song before I eventually joined in too which actually helped to lift my mood and energy as well.”

Joe Marler England rugby union legend Joe Marler feels fortunate to have friends he can call on and who will call him when they sense he’s not okay: “I was texting my friend Matt, and I was in a bit of a bad spot. He could obviously sense that in my tone and the next day he rang me. And even though I was trying to make excuses, he convinced me

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CALM:

WHATEVER YOU’RE DEALING WITH MENTALLY, CALM IS HERE TO HELP

HEALTHY LIVING

to go for a coffee and then we just sat and talked for over an hour. And we just checked in with each other and he was asking these questions, just like I would for him. Those sort of things keep me sane – knowing that I have those people who will recognise and immediately pick up the phone.”

But he also knows sometimes you won’t have a mate to chat to - or you may want to talk to someone else. That’s when CALM comes in: “Even though those people might be available to you, sometimes you feel like you might be a burden to your wife or a burden to your friend. And with phone lines like CALM’s it’s about providing a separate support network – someone you feel you can talk to without the worry or guilt you might be carrying.”

How sport can help

There are loads of famous footballing Alans. Shearer. Ball. Smith. But our ALAN is here to give you four simple steps to help a mate: ASK - Ask open questions like, “how are you feeling?” to start a conversation. Show concern but don’t judge.

LISTEN - Let them speak. You don’t need to solve problems, they may just need to get stuff off their chest.

Remember – you can deal with your mental health in your own time. Take a minute. Take 90 minutes. Take extra time if you need to. Do what you need to do to feel OK.

And if you ever need us, please call us. We’re here every day, 5pmmidnight, whatever you’re going through with free, confidential and practical support. Call us on 0800 58 58 58 or contact us through our webchat at thecalmzone.net/help/ get-help/

ACTION - Help them make a plan of action and set some simple goals.

Let them know what help is out there. Arrange your next meet up.

NETWORK - Build a network of support together, with other friends and family. Being there for your mates when things get tough – whether you’re playing or supporting, winning or losing – creates strong bonds that can genuinely save lives.

WE’RE A MOVEMENT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND WE’RE GROWING EVERY DAY

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If you’re struggling, we’ve got loads of tactics to help. Sport has a massive role to play in the way we deal with mental health and suicide. It helps us be there for our mates when things get tough – whether you’re playing or supporting, winning or losing – and it creates strong bonds that can genuinely save lives.

That’s why we’re a big part of Heads Up and the season-long mental health campaign through the FA Cup. That’s why you can play as CALM on FIFA. And that’s why we work with loads of stars from the world of football, rugby and cycling to get our message across.

So whether you’re watching your team in the pub, training on a weeknight or turning out for a team on Saturdays, we’re always here for you - and we help make sure you’re all there for each other.

How to look out for your squad - Introducing ALAN

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HEALTHY LIVING

RELATABLE, RUSSELL. THIS IS A MAN ON A JOURNEY. MOST OF IT BEING INWARD. BUT WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO JOIN RUSSELL ON ONE OF HIS WALKS IN NATURE AND GAIN INSIGHT INTO HOW BEFRIENDING THOSE CHALLENGES THAT TRIGGER US, CAN ENABLE US TO RISE ABOVE THEM AND HELP US BECOME BETTER VERSIONS OF OURSELVES. ACCORDING TO RUSSELL, THE KEY TO MANAGING MENTAL HEALTH IS HAVING A CLEAR PLAN TO KEEP YOU ON TRACK AS WELL AS SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH A STRONG COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE. BUT HE DOESN’T STOP THERE...

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REALLY?

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Photographer Credit : Ki Price

HEALTHY LIVING

I TRY TO CONVEY THE VALUES OF LOVE AND TOGETHERNESS BUT FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN EGOTISTICAL AND SELFISH AND VAIN FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF MY LIFE MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

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The term ‘mental health’ sometimes gets a bad rap.

What do you personally associate with it?

For me, mental health is the same as physical health - it’s something that has to be worked on. We live in a time where we are dominated by external influences, through our culture, not all of which are positive.

We are primarily targeted as consumers.

From every direction we are being invited to turn to our lower instincts: fear, greed and lust. All of these ideas are unconsciously promoted. We’re divided through social media and belittled by advertising.

So, mental health is something we can no longer be unconscious about. I believe we are all on a spectrum of mental health, so it’s really about striking the right balance and finding a practical way to do that.

Would you say your experience with mental health issues has supported you in your personal development?

Personal development and mental health are inseparable. I would say the primary thing that’s helped me is my 12-step program, which I worked around drugs, alcohol, sex and porn addiction. It moves me from a place of unconscious behaviours to awareness. It starts with admitting you have a problem around your behaviour with drugs, alcohol or eating, then you address it through the 12 steps, believing it’s possible to change, and consulting with people who have made that change. “You believe it’s possible to change, you consult with people who have made that change, you

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exist in communities that are aspirational and, significantly, you help others.”

So mental health and personal development are inextricably linked. If you’re in harmony with your reality then you will flourish. If you’re disconnected from your reality, you will suffer.

What would you say helps you to overcome the stigma attached to depression?

I suppose, with depression, it is the acknowledgment that it is okay to feel this way. I regularly feel sad and despairing, so I can’t afford to be stigmatised.

If I feel depressed about work, or feel depressed about other people’s feelings about me, or that I can’t cope, or that I’m not good enough, I turn to other people that are walking the same path as me people that have more experience and less experience than me so we can share our experiences and learn from each other.

What is your view on the level of support available for adults who’ve had mental health issues diagnosed later in life?

I would imagine that that help is insufficient.

Mental health support should be available to everyone. I am privileged enough to be able to pay for some mental health support, but most of the groups I belong to and many of the valuable resources I use are free 12-step support groups, which have helped me through rough patches [and are readily available for most people].

What is not supportive?

I kind of think that we have to be careful that we’re not unconsciously downloading the goals of our culture. What I mean is, when people say, “I’m unhappy”, do they mean “I wish I could have loads of money and sleep with loads of people”?

I’ve fallen into those traps at points of my life and it doesn’t work. You have to make sure that your goals are essentially coming from arcane principles that are in tune with our evolution - kindness, compassion, connection, awareness, transcendence, gratitude - ideas that you find everywhere.

But mental health is not just a challenge for the sufferers but also for carers, friends, family members, partners of those suffering…

I try not to make my wife solely responsible for my mental wellbeing.

Although we are partners in the raising

of our children and our shared goals as a family, I know that I have a complex set of needs (as I imagine all people do), so I turn to other people.

At my 12-step meeting today, I’ll talk to people with less time in recovery than me and more time in recovery than me. So, in spite of what’s going on in my own life and the challenges I have, I remain active beyond the threshold of my own selfish and egotistical needs and fears. This makes me be present in my own life and more effective for the people I share it with.

What comes to mind when you reflect on your mental health?

I would have handled all expressions of my addiction differently. My behaviour around drugs, alcohol, sex and food, I would have foregone. It is my hope that my children and younger people that I have the ability to influence will be able to avoid some of these pitfalls, which are often in some way or another celebrated by society.

Pornography is trivialised. Sex, particularly for young men, is celebrated and lorded (although that is a perspective which is changing). Drugs and alcohol are regarded as sort of ‘cool’ and ‘edgy’.

If I could have avoided those challenges, then certainly I would have done. Food is openly promoted as something other than sustenance and nutrition, often turning into a kind of pornographised thing. All of our basic needs and instincts are used against us through commodification and commercialisation.

Although I have caused myself and others a great deal of suffering, on some level I am happy that I had the experiences I’ve had. It has delivered me to a place where I am happy with who I am and hopefully useful [to others].

Being in the public eye must be uplifting, yet at the same time draining – what are your coping mechanisms?

The way that I cope with being in the public eye is recognising that unless I’m being useful, I feel I am part of something that is potentially toxic. So I try to make sure my shows, videos, books - all the things that I do - convey valuable principles that I’ve learned through my life.

Going on a TV show is enervating and can be exhausting but if I use it to speak honestly and authentically, then that can be valuable [to others].

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I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE USE CERTAIN BEHAVIOURS AND SUBSTANCES IN THE WAY THAT ADDICTS USE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

When I perform live I try to convey the values of love and togetherness, but from a perspective of someone who has been egotistical and selfish and vain for prolonged periods of my life.

I have to focus on what I create, not on what other people think about me and I have to try my best to ensure that what I create is benign and nutritious.

Even the opportunity to be in this magazine is a gift because I know that your goals are to create content that is beneficial to men.

How do you keep a healthy balance of confidence while keeping your ego in check?

What keeps me grounded is my fallibility – my awareness that my time here is temporary, that we’re all fallible, that we all make mistakes and that we are all here together for a short while.

I know how flawed and fallible I am. I know how much I have to learn, and keeping the ego in check is essentially the primary role. Of course it’s vital to have a sense of yourself in the world. But ego is a construct based on memory and projection as well as your own interpretation of your instincts and, to a large degree, what other people have told you about yourself.

I’ll often say to myself: “Do these beliefs I have about myself serve me?”

If I believe myself to be “this type of person” I ask myself does that serve me, and does it serve others? That’s how I keep it in check.

We have to remember what is important and true and what is real and that it mostly takes place inside of ourselves and is expressed in the way that we treat others, hopefully with love.

Photographer Credit : Ki Price

HEALTHY LIVING

Photographer Credit : Ki Price

FOR ME, MENTAL HEALTH IS THE SAME AS PHYSICAL HEALTH - IT’S SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE WORKED ON

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Talk to us about managing change and breaking habits...

I stopped taking heroin in 2002 on December 13th, and one day at a time I have not used drugs or alcohol, at all, since then. I was using [heroin] as a way to deal with certain emotions, but the emotions you’re running away from end up hiding behind your drug use. In some way heroin is a much easier addiction to manage than

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

who tries every day (at least at some point) to be of service to other people, and hopefully anonymously, so that I don’t do it for egotistical reasons.

say, the tech addiction. At least you see the direct and harrowing consequences of heroin. Making that shift, as with breaking any habits we form, means certain neurological pathways are no longer used, they’ve atrophied and new neural pathways have to start up.

Simply, if you aspire to a new behaviour - like exercise or eating healthily or being more awake and conscious in your relationship with your family or your partner or your children or whatever - you get some guidance on how to do it, and you practice it. Then you start to live in a new reality. Simply by acting on the advice and guidance of mentors, I am becoming a different ‘me’.

I’m becoming a different person who no longer uses drugs, who no longer uses pornography, who exercises regularly,

What kind of ‘markers’ do you have for recognising when your mental health is being compromised?

When I start to feel like I’m doing something because I care about what other people think about me, or if I’m experiencing a great deal of fear, these are the markers.

To counter it, I put in place principles – simple, physical things, standards you could call them, that I try to live by. For example, I’m mindful about looking at my phone when I am playing with my kids.

I make sure I give my pets the attention they need and treat my children and wife with respect. (I shouldn’t have really put the pets first there, but that’s the way it rolls in my family.)

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THERE ARE MANY TECHNIQUES I USE TO SUPPORT MY OWN MENTAL HEALTH THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL FOR FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONES Daily meditation There are lots of great meditations available for free on YouTube – look up Mooji, Eckhart Tolle, Sharon Saltzberg – there’s even a few of mine there, for example this guided meditation for anxiety youtu.be/ zq85xzRg6SM

Daily prayer and practising gratefulness The simplest prayer I know is starting each day by simply saying ‘Thank you’

If I notice myself raising my voice or saying “listen, I need time for me”, unless I’m dealing with a particular or specific crisis, it’s a marker. It’s an indication that I have lost my connection to a higher power. Let me tell you in all honesty, my personal programme is about God, a belief in God and a higher power. Even if you are an atheist, I think a higher purpose and a higher power is fundamental to wellbeing. I want every encounter I have over the course of a day to be beneficial to both myself and the other person. It might be an impossible standard, but it’s a good standard to have in place.

What would you say to family members or friends on handling situations where they feel their loved ones... or mates may be suffering from mental health difficulties?

If there’s an obvious problem, like using drugs or alcohol, I’d suggest they look into 12-step programmes. This goes for not only chemical dependency but also behavioural problems around sex, pornography and food. Getting support

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from people who understand is absolutely vital.

We can’t solve other people’s problems but we can support them while they endeavour to solve their problems. If you are the friend or family member then you should get your own support. We can’t support our friends and family if we are disconnected. We can’t support them if we have made their goals and their business, our business.

So the first thing to do, whoever you are, is to check your own reality - check that you’re connected. Then you are in a better position to help others. We can’t be dealing with other people’s lives when we’ve not dealt with our own problems. So, sort yourself out first and then direct friends and family to the appropriate 12-step fellowship, or towards [some other form of] guidance.

In the case of addiction specifically, a lot of people don’t want help changing; they want help staying the same. It is possible to change, for anybody, and I hope that I’m an example of the possibility for change.

Give it a try – find out more at the thetappingsolution.com

Breathing exercises I follow Wim Hof’s breathing techniques - wimhofmethod.com

Jui Jitsu is what works for me, but all physical exercise is great

Being outdoors in nature is a great way to switch off and remind we’re part of something bigger than ourselves Check out Russell’s guided meditation for anxiety here: youtu. be/zq85xzRg6SM Russell’s podcast, Under the Skin, is available on Luminary: luminary. link/russell

RUSSELL’S 9 TIPS FOR STAYING SANE

1

Structure helps

The number one thing we can do for our mental health is have an active, structured programme. It is not a supplement to life; it is the centre of life. It primarily involves changing our perspective. It has to be present in every aspect of our living: the way we talk to ourselves, the way we talk to others, the food we eat, the way we approach our work and the way we approach our family.

2

How I’ve learned to look beyond the addiction

I’ve been fortunate enough to experience mental health challenges through the rubric of addiction. Addiction

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Photographer Credit : Ki Price

Tapping

is often caused by an amplification of conditions we all feel sometimes; isolation, disconnection, emptiness, worthlessness and grief.

I think that most people use certain behaviours and substances in the way that addicts use drugs and alcohol. It could be behaviour around sex, pornography, gambling, fitness, social media, or work; it could be dependence on your partner or your family; it could be your relationship to food, or patterns of negative thoughts.

If you want to know if you’re addicted to something, see how well you can do without it.

You might argue, ‘I can’t live without food, but that doesn’t mean I’m addicted to it.’ True, but there might be a margin in your relationship with food where you are using it not only for nourishment but for undue pleasure, or comfort, or as a kind of palliative to heal unaddressed psychic pain.

3

Get into a programme

I am in a programme for recovery from drugs and alcohol and believe everyone would benefit from living according to a programme. All I mean by that is living by a series of clear principles - being honest about the issues that we face in our lives, tackling them head on with help and support, and living our lives according to principles of kindness, compassion, gratefulness, acceptance, selflessness and love.

By acknowledging there is a problem – i.e. ‘I look at my phone too often’, ‘I drink too much’, or ‘I work all the time’ – or by acknowledging you are in pain you also invite the possibility that there could be another way, that it could be possible to change.

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4

Get help from people around you

You have to be willing to ask for help – this could be through a support group, talking it through with friends, contacting an online support service or seeking professional help. The key thing is that you ask for help - if the answer to your problem was in your own head, you would have found it by now!

With support in place you can start to analyse the underlying feelings that have led you to distract yourself with your phone or with work or numb yourself with drink. There could be unaddressed fears, unresolved trauma, feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy, or financial pressures.

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Spirituality might not be your route to sanity, but it’s a way to show me the bigger picture and purpose

5

What is your feeling trying to tell you?

We need to directly address the pain, not passively address it, or simply sooth the pain. I believe pain, suffering and distress of a mental nature provide information. The information is letting you know that things need to change. The information is inviting you to do things differently.

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Fish out of water

Most of us don’t live in the conditions we were evolved for – small, interconnected communities of 70-100 people where everyone worked together to support each other. A lot of us live in anonymous global cities and all of us are continually bombarded by messages via social media, news media and advertising. Human beings are highly adaptive and while that’s good for us as a species, it can be difficult for us as individuals to adapt to conditions for which we were not evolved.

We live in an immersive culture that tells us that happiness is achieved through the pursuit of wealth, success, beauty, and fame. Our culture tells us if we buy these trainers we’ll feel more important, or if we look a certain way we’ll feel more loveable.

Consumer capitalist culture continually stimulates our feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy and fear to make us buy stuff.

You don’t become an optimal consumer by believing that you have everything you need inside yourself.

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How to shift your perspective

If you are suffering, the answer is not to bend yourself into coping with this system, the answer is to acknowledge that the system we live in is flawed and that we need to look for other solutions.

Mental health is a serious problem and the solutions are simple, but they are not easy. They are about completely shifting our perspective.

You can define a spiritual life in your own way. For me it means finding a purpose that is greater than myself, that is based on something beyond the fulfilment of my own needs. It means being willing to apologise and heal relationships with people that have been harmed by my actions and forgiving people that have harmed me. It means being respectful of other people’s needs and approaching all my relationships from a position of kindness and compassion. It means being honest, self-aware, especially in those times when my underlying fears may cause me to act selfishly, impatiently or with anger. It means being willing to help others, especially when I get nothing out of it. It means accepting life as it is, the good and bad. The techniques I use every day - meditation, prayer, exercise, gratefulness, breathing, being in nature etc. - are all part of continually shifting my perspective; these techniques are ways that I attempt to stay constantly connected to my higher purpose.

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One step on a journey

I am not there yet! I continually drift back to thoughts like “oh I’d be so much happier if I had this car, or this pair of trainers, or this job, or this opportunity.” But I recognise now because of the pain of experience that those things will never truly satisfy me. I think you can attain a degree of happiness by getting a good job or being in a healthy relationship. But I believe deeply that is only possible when you approach your relationship and your job from the perspective of a higher purpose, with a commitment to service and by cultivating a kind and loving connection to others. It’s only then that your relationship, your job and indeed everything else, becomes truly fulfilling.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us at MAN Magazine, Russell.

More in Russell’s book Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions tinyurl.com/y5rt8nn5 Get more on the 12 Step Programme for addiction support: nhs.uk/livewell/alcohol-support/

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Photographer Credit : Ki Price

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“Pain and suffering are the pathway we must walk in order to awaken.

Fortunately it is a path that we do not walk alone. Communicate with other men on the path. You may be surprised how much you have in common.”

RUSSELL BRAND

PROUDLY SUPPORTS MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

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IT’S TO

SOMETIMES WE DON’T HAVE ANY REASONS OR AREN’T AWARE OF SOCALLED VALID REASONS FOR BEING DEPRESSED OR SUICIDAL, OR MANIC OR EVEN ABUSIVE TO OTHERS…

T

he first step is to acknowledge that something isn’t quite right – Sometimes we are off kilter – and we try to braveface it all – why? Because that’s what blokes tend to do… But we can change that by talking to someone; anyone – a friend, family member, therapist – because until everything begins to fall into balance again we may just need a bit of support, whether this is through therapy, treatment, medication, a wellbeing or fitness programme or a GP – Asking is an important step forward to good mental health.

Let’s talk It’s OK to ask, after all. To help you on your way we thought we’d round up some helpful places you can reach out to for support if you or someone in your life is struggling.

Samaritans: samaritans.org Mental Health First Aid: mhfa.com.au

British Association of Anger Management: angermanage.co.uk Drink Aware drinkaware.co.uk (helping those alcohol problems)

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National Health Service: nhs.uk

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Gamble Aware begambleaware.org (helping those with gambling issues)

the phone, having a video call, starting a group chat or messaging someone on social media lets them know you to listen.

Release & MIND Charity release.org.uk (helping those with drug addiction)

2. Listen and reflect

MIND Charity mind.org.uk (helping those with depression) Anxiety UK anxietyuk.org.uk (helping those with anxiety) Fathers4Justice fathers-4-justice.org (helping fathers gain access to their children) Strongmen Charity strongmen.org.uk (helping men during bereavement) Work: Most companies have a designated first aider, and more are assigning mental health first aiders, counsellors, therapists, or psychologists that either visit on particular days or are employed.

Remember all your meetings are confidential.

Banks: The qualified staff at your bank can help if you are dealing with debt or financial pressure.

Ask for advice at your bank’s help desk, or visit the respective website of your bank for further advice.

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CHECK IN: It’s more important to check in with friends and family than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected lots of us, as changes and restrictions to our daily lives continues to cause anxiety and stress.

If someone’s feeling anxious or worried, you don’t need to be an expert on mental health to support them. Think about using Time to Change’s three top tips:

1. Check in If someone doesn’t feel ready to meet face-to-face, picking up

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

Whether you have a mental health problem or not, this will be a challenging time for our mental health and wellbeing. If someone opens up to you, remember that you don’t need to fix things or offer advice. Often just listening, and showing you take them seriously, can help someone to manage.

3. Ask questions Ask how people are managing, and ask again if you’re worried they aren’t sharing the full picture.

Asking again, with interest, can help someone to open up and explore what they’re feeling. For more information and tips on how to cope during this time, visit time-to-change.org.uk.

A GOOD PLACE TO START: MIND.org is a very helpful platform to seek advice on various areas of mental health, covering some of the circumstances that can lead to mental health conditions or disorders. MIND can also put you in touch with other organisations that can help you.

If you, or someone you know has experienced any of the below, MIND could be a good place to start:

Childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect Social isolation or loneliness Experiencing discrimination and stigma Social disadvantage, poverty or debt Bereavement (losing someone close to you) Severe or long-term stress Having a long-term physical health condition Unemployment or losing your job

Homelessness or poor housing Being a long-term carer for someone Drug and alcohol misuse Domestic violence, bullying or other abuse as an adult Significant trauma as an adult, such as military combat, being involved in a serious incident in which you feared for your life, or being the victim of a violent crime Physical causes – for example, a head injury or a neurological condition such as epilepsy can have an impact on your behaviour and mood. (It’s important to rule out potential physical causes before seeking further treatment for a mental health problem).

Remember to always pay attention to your behaviours and feelings and don’t ignore yourself just because you think you don’t fall into the obvious categories!

OFTEN JUST LISTENING, AND SHOWING YOU TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY, CAN HELP SOMEONE TO MANAGE.

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RETHINK MENTAL ILLNESS: Attitudes towards diagnoses like anxiety and depression are improving, yet understanding around less common mental health problems like schizophrenia, personality disorders and bipolar disorder still needs some work. Organisations like Rethink Mental Illness are readily available, providing access to information and help for those living with mental illness. If you suspect yourself or someone you know is suffering from a severe mental health illness, visit rethink.org for more.

PAY ATTENTION

Social withdrawal A persistent drop in mood Disinterest in maintaining personal hygiene or appearance Uncharacteristically reckless behaviour Poor diet changes, rapid weight changes Being distracted Anger Insomnia Alcohol or drug abuse Giving away sentimental or expensive possessions

INDIRECT VERBAL EXPRESSIONS MAY INCLUDE Feelings of hopelessness or failing to see a future Believing they are a burden to others or saying they feel worthless or alone Talking about their death or wanting to die Reasons for suicidal feelings The reasons that people take their own lives are often very complex.

Factors influencing whether someone is likely to be suicidal include:

Previous suicide attempts History of substance abuse History of mental health conditions Legal or disciplinary problems Access to harmful means, such as medication or weapons Recent death or suicide of a family member or a close friend Ongoing exposure to bullying behaviour Physical illness or disability Financial pressure or being in debt

Allow your instincts to guide you – just check in on your self regularly, and on those around you!

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BEHAVIOURS AND FEELINGS sevenstarmedia.co.uk

Completed suicide is higher amongst males than females: If you are feeling the pressures of life then please talk to somebody. If you recognise any of the following in yourself or in your lovedones or work colleagues then please encourage them to talk to somebody about how they are feeling. Remember it is not your job to fix it, but to direct them to a place of support.

CALM, or the Campaign Against Living Miserably is the leading movement against suicide.

If you don’t feel like talking to a friend or family member, CALM should be your first port of call.

Visit thecalmzone.net for more.

NON-VERBAL WARNING SIGNS FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION MAY INCLUDE:

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NORWEGIAN JONE SAMUELSEN ONCE SCORED A HEADER FROM 62 YARDS OUT

A RECORD BREAKING, HEAD SPINNING NUMBER, SURE. BUT NOT A LIFESAVING ONE. We’re CALM and we’re leading a movement against suicide. If you’re finding life tough, our number is:

0800 58 58 58 We’re open 5pm-midnight every day

Number hungry? CALM is a registered charity no. 1110621 (England & Wales) and SC044347 (Scotland).

This interesting number was taken from kentonline.co.uk

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LIFE HAS LOOKED A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, BUT STAYING IN DOESN’T MEANT YOU HAVE TO COMPROMISE ON STYLE. THIS AUTUMN/ WINTER TRY MIXING SMART AND CASUAL PIECES SO YOU CAN LOOK YOUR BEST WHILE REMAINING COMFORTABLE.

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LOOK 3

Blazer £25 Sweatshirt £26 Joggers £38 Trainers £40

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“You are not alone and you are loved. This has been an unprecedented year but I want you to know that it is okay to admit you are struggling and need some help. We need to talk about mental health to normalise the conversation, especially with men. I am thinking of you if you are struggling and hope you find healing love and support.”

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Sir Elton John proudly supports International Men’s Day with MAN magazine to raise awareness of the stigma around mental health.

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LOOK 6

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“Many men still have issues opening up. But it’s getting better. Male suicide and other factors are becoming more known, and men are getting better at talking to each other. But, you need to ask somebody how they are twice.”

ROMESH RANGANATHAN PROUDLY SUPPORTS

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TIME TO CHANGE:

HOW TO SUPPORT A FRIEND SUFFERING MENTAL WITH THEIR HEALTH sevenstarmedia.co.uk

WE ALL HAVE TIMES WHEN WE STRUGGLE WITH FEELING LOW. HERE, TWO FRIENDS SHARE THEIR STORY AND OFFER TIPS FOR DEALING WITH DEPRESSION...

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I felt numb; like a boulder rolling down a cliff wondering where the bottom is.” That’s how Matthew, 45, from Middlesbrough described depression when it first hit.

It was triggered when his wife at the time had a miscarriage. “Everything spiralled from there. I had a breakdown, I had been struggling for months and I couldn’t hide how I was feeling anymore.”

Since then, depression has come and gone but Matthew’s two close friends,

Matthew doesn’t think he will be able to see Craig face-to-face until 2021. So how have they been supporting each other through this difficult time?

“Craig and I have kept in touch via text” and Matthew says the conversation doesn’t have to be about mental health to check in. “Just saying ‘Alright mate, this COVID stuff is a nightmare isn’t it?’ or asking about something we’ve seen on Facebook starts the conversation and we go from there.”

“If something isn’t right, Craig knows.

I’m usually up for a laugh and chat but

when I got really bad I wouldn’t answer my phone or reply to texts. I just couldn’t find anything to say because all I could think was really bad thoughts. Craig once drove for hours from work to check on me when I wasn’t responding to messages. I’m very lucky, everybody should have a friend like that.”

Matthew says it’s the simple things that make a difference when he’s going through a difficult time. “Checking in, telling them that you’re worried about them, that they can talk to you and that you will help them to get help if they need it.

Sometimes it might just be providing a distraction, sending a video for them to watch for instance.

“If they don’t respond it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are ignoring you and it can be important to keep checking in and letting them know you’re still there. You don’t need to know the answers, you don’t need to know the ‘right’ thing to

JUST BEING THERE CAN BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO

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Craig and Simon, have always been in his corner when he struggles. “I’ve always talked to Craig about everything. Simon, whilst we had never really talked a great deal about personal things, showed me he cared in other ways, by getting me out the house regularly to play darts, which gave me a break from everything going on in my head.”

But now the world has changed, and just like many people, Matthew has been affected by lockdown restrictions. “I’ve struggled with isolation” Matthew says, “and I’ve found working from home to be difficult.

I’ve missed that interaction and support from colleagues. Those times when you are finding things hard and no longer have the option of getting out for a drink and a chat – that can be tough.”

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MATTHEW SAYS IT’S THE SIMPLE THINGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN HE’S GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME

say, just being there can be the most important thing you can do.

“Matty is my oldest friend. I met him at the sandpit at nursery when we were both just 3 or 4 years old, and we have been best friends ever since!”

It came as a complete shock to Craig when he found out that Matthew was experiencing depression. “We had a trip to the Leeds Festival planned together, something we did every year, and I was travelling back to Middlesbrough to meet up with Matty for the journey.”

Craig noticed something was wrong straight away. “Knowing Matty and how excited he could get when it came to these kinds of events, I knew something wasn’t right. I was usually greeted with a large grin and “can’t wait to see…” whichever act he was interested in at the time.

“This time was different. He looked like he hadn’t slept for a week, his eyes were empty and expressionless, and he struggled to reply when I asked him how he was. I simply got a shake of the head and a “not good”. On the drive down, Matty proceeded to tell me about the dark place he was in. He found it difficult to speak and string a sentence together. I found it hard to find the right words.

“Here was my mate who I thought I knew as well as anyone, the life and soul, the one with all the wisecracks, the one with “gift of the gab”, and he could hardly speak, never mind describe how he was feeling. I was shocked and tried my best to say the right things, whatever they were?

“I struggled to know whether I was helping during Matty’s really dark times, but now I know I did help (because he tells me!). His self-worth was rock bottom, but I pointed out all the positive things he brought to the world, to his family, to me, to work. He struggled to accept them at times, but that didn’t stop me from reminding him.”

Craig’s biggest piece of advice to someone who’s concerned about a friend’s mental health? “From my experience, it is important just to be there for them; make the effort to

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

HEALTHY LIVING

1. Check in If someone doesn’t feel ready to meet face-to-face, picking up the phone, having a video call, starting a group chat or messaging someone on social media lets them know you are there to talk and ready to listen.

1 in 4 of us will fight mental health problems this year. So if your mate’s acting differently, step in.

Text, call, reach out Listen without judging Be yourself, do everyday things time-to-change.org.uk #inyourcorner

2. Listen and reflect

Funded by

Run by

check in and if they want to talk, listen.

I’m lucky that I have a friend who I can talk to about anything, and Matty has the same in me. Men in general don’t always talk about their feelings as it’s not perceived as the macho thing to do.”

Matthew and Craig are sharing their story to support the mental health antistigma campaign, Time to Change.

If a mate says he’s fine, he might not be. To really find out, ask twice. Now more than ever, a text, a call and a ‘how are you?’ shows you care. Here’s how to go about approaching what can be a tricky situation...

Whether you have an existing mental health problem or not, this will be a challenging time for our mental health and wellbeing.

If someone opens up to you, remember that you don’t need to fix things or offer advice. Often just listening, and showing you take them seriously will help.

3. Ask twice Ask how people are managing, and ask again if you’re worried they aren’t sharing the full picture.

Asking again, with interest, can help someone to open up and explore what they’re feeling.

For more information visit time-to-change.org.uk

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“It’s really important that as men we open up and talk to each other. There’s so much pressure on us all, especially now, so we have to take the time to talk, and to listen.”

JAMIE REDKNAPP

PROUDLY SUPPORTS MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

MAGAZINE

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TRAVEL

KEEP SWINGING

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hen thinking about where to take your next trip, staying active whilst travelling is a key motivation for many. Now, as many of us start to experience the world once again and look to continue making fond travel memories, why not reconnect with the great outdoors and get back into the swing of things with a grand golf stay?

Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, Scotland

Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, Scotland If you’re after an ace of a stay, then look no further than the prestigious Old Course Hotel.

Overlooking West Sands Beach and the impressive seven course St. Andrews Golf Course, this property is not short of scenic views and you can be confident that you’ll receive world-class service. After a day on the green perfecting your swings, why not take a trip to the luxurious onsite spa, rooftop hot tub or dine at the award-winning restaurant? You’ll unwind in no time.

In 1,300 acres of country estate, the deluxe Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort has a spa with an outdoor infinity pool, forest walkways and an 18-hole golf course. You’ll find comfort in the individually decorated rooms that offer panoramic countryside views and the range of onsite facilities means you’ll never run out of things to do. What’s more, the estate promises to offer golfers of all levels a unique and memorable experience, with the course widely regarded as the finest in the county.

Whether you are a novice golfer, a professional player or keen to take a family holiday that allows you to show off your skills, there are many destinations across the globe that’ll let you unleash your inner golf enthusiast. From the idyllic UK countryside to further afield luxurious resorts, here are some getaways that booking.com believes should be on every golfer’s radar.

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Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort, Cavan, Ireland

Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort, Cavan, Ireland

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A GOLF HOLIDAY ISN’T COMPLETE WITHOUT A LUXURY STAY. THESE HOTELS WILL MAKE IT ALL WORTHWHILE...

5 GOLF HOTELS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

Rudding Park, Harrogate, England

TRAVEL Rudding Park, Harrogate, England

Kaya Palazzo Golf Resort, Belek, Turkey Situated on the beachfront, this all-inclusive resort has a 200-metre long private beach, an onsite water park with slides as well as an expansive garden. With three golf courses available within a 1.9-mile distance, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to tee off each day. But that’s not all, this elegantly designed property also offers many additional leisure activities, and ensures that all their guests receive luxurious, VIP-like treatment.

Address Montgomerie, Dubai, UAE

Not only does this elegant hotel have an award-winning restaurant and a luxury spa, but an excellent 18-hole golf course also runs through the 19th century parkland. With professional coaches at hand (only if you need them of course), Rudding Park’s golf facilities also include a floodlit driving range, 6-hole short course and chipping and putting greens. This means you can play as much or as little golf as you please. Then, once you have spent the day trying to perfect your hole in one, remember to check out the Clocktower restaurant or the stylish conservatory for a much-needed bite to eat.

AFTER A DAY ON THE GREEN PERFECTING YOUR SWINGS, WHY NOT TAKE A TRIP TO THE LUXURIOUS ONSITE SPA?

Kaya Palazzo Golf Resort, Belek, Turkey

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Address Montgomerie, Dubai, UAE

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MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

Set within lush green fairways, landscaped gardens and tranquil lakes, this 5-star resort offers luxurious rooms, features an 18hole championship golf course, a spa and an outdoor pool. Before making your way around the course, golf lovers can revel in the extensive practice facilities, the two golf shops as well as the nearby clubhouse. Your day can then be completed by indulging in the exquisite food on offer at the hotel’s many restaurants, as well as a relaxing massage or one of the many spa facilities.

For more golf hotel inspiration, check out

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TRAVEL

THE BEST ALTERNATIVE

STAG DO

DESTINATIONS TIRED OF THE SAME OLD STAG DO SPOTS? TRY ONE OF THESE ALTERNATIVE LOCALES, WHICH OFFER BOTH FUN AND INTRIGUE

Scarborough, England This sometimes-overlooked British seaside town is rated by Booking.com travellers as a top destination for its beaches and abundance of activities.

Along the seafront you’ll find plenty of pubs, award-winning ice-cream to indulge in or local seafood caught daily, including crabs and lobsters. For the adventure-lovers, experience high-level thrills at the Sky Trail Adventure, or coldwater surfing among the powerful waves in Scarborough’s North Sea bays.

WHERE TO STAY? For a group looking for unparalleled views, the Harbourside Apartments are the perfect pick. These 4-star apartments boast designer kitchens and spacious living rooms for guests to make themselves at home in South Bay. For beach lovers, there’s even a free day pass for access to the North Bay Beach Chalets included with your stay.

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To help you on your way, Booking.com has compiled a list of some of the best alternative stag do destinations, both in the UK and overseas. A stay at one of these hotspots ensures an unforgettably fun weekend, all the while offering something a bit different.

Antalya, Turkey Now the fifth highest populated city in Turkey, Atalya’s rich history and prime coastal location will certainly appeal to those looking for a standout stag do experience. Located on Anatolia’s southwest coast and surrounded by the Taurus Mountains, this sweeping landscape is described as the ‘gateway to the Turquoise Coast’. Beyond its blue water beaches, this destination is also home to the running waters of the Düden waterfalls and river. The nearby Koprulu Canyon National Park is perfect for taking a hike, taking in the Mediterranean scenery along the way. Antalya is also regarded as one of the best places in Turkey for its buzzing atmosphere and in the evening, stag groups can head to its breath-taking waterfront and soak up a bit of local culture whilst sipping on a cocktail, or three.

WHERE TO STAY? Trend Suites is a great place to stay for groups looking for a bit of everything. The self-catering suites include a balcony, seating area and a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and stove top. Outside there’s a garden, terrace and pool to enjoy. There are also complementary bikes on offer for exploring, even if it’s only as far as to the nearby beach (which is only 1,350 feet away).

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hen it comes to organising stag dos, there are a few destination choices that may first come to mind.

Blackpool, Prague, Amsterdam - they all offer incredible fun, but they’re far from original. So what about somewhere a bit different? Is there anywhere else that offers similar potential for frivolity, while being a bit less obvious? In short, yes.

TRAVEL Bath, England

Budva, Montenegro This once sleepy coastal town is now a popular tourist metropolis for those wanting to experience its bustling old town’s rich heritage and explore its unspoiled beaches.

Budva is one of the oldest urban centres in the Adriatic, with its old town dating back 2,500 years. What’s more, its island resorts - Sveti Stefan and Sveti Nikola - are not only home to beautiful beaches but also an array of wildlife and places to hang out in the evening.

WHERE TO STAY?

BUDVA IS ONE OF THE OLDEST URBAN CENTRES IN THE ADRIATIC, WITH ITS OLD TOWN DATING BACK 2,500 YEARS

Perfect for soaking up the breath-taking scenery of Budva, the Guest House Villa Jovana boasts a balcony and terrace with panoramic views of the coast and nearby mountains. The guest house is great for any swimming fans amongst the group, as Mogren and Slovenska beach are situated very close by.

With its honey-coloured Georgian architecture, Bath is the ideal spot for a stag do city break. It’s been a wellbeing destination since the Roman times, and the Roman Baths remain a big draw. It is also one of the few places in the UK where you can bathe in natural hot springs, so treat yourself to some pampering TLC and soak in the thermal waters for those after a more relaxed and tranquil stag do experience.

WHERE TO STAY? Set in idyllic gardens and surrounded by the Somerset countryside, the McDonald Bath Spa Hotel is just a 10 minute walk away from Bath Abbey. Known for its luxurious spa and award-winning restaurant, this palatial hotel won’t fail to impress.

With generous use of marble and mahogany throughout its opulent decor, your group will be wowed by this historic building, and for foodies, the Vellore Restaurant is set in the former ballroom of the grand property, serving an innovative British menu and impressive wine list.

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York, England The beautiful city of York offers something to excite everyone in the group. Founded by the ancient Romans, the city is known for its huge 13th-century gothic cathedral - visible from all angles of the city - as well as its cobbled medieval streets and vibrant boutiques. It offers the ultimate dining experience for visitors, with an array of diverse restaurants on offer alongside plenty of local bars.

WHERE TO STAY?

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Situated just 350 yards from York Minster Cathedral, Minster Walk Guesthouse is a 300-year old coaching inn. The rooms are individually designed, some providing views of the Cathedral, and complimentary homemade cakes and drinks are available to guests in the lounge.

For more inspiration, check out

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HERE’S A ST AT I BET YOU DIDN’T KN W

OVER HALF A MILLION SKY BET CUSTOMERS USE DEPOSIT LIMITS TO MANAGE THEIR BETTING BUDGET. THAT’S ENOUGH TO FILL: 6 WEMBLEYS. 201 ALLY PALLYS. OR 8 CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP DAYS. (THAT’S A LOT OF TWEED)

ALL GOOD BOOKMAKERS HAVE DEPOSIT LIMITS. SO WHOEVER YOU BET WITH, SET AN APPROPRIATE ONE FOR YOU AND THEN ENJOY THE SPORT. DEPOSIT LIMITS

THAT’S BETTING BETTER.

TRAVEL

THE COOLEST SKI DESTINATIONS TO BOOK THIS WINTER

FEW HOLIDAYS ARE AS TEMPTING TO BOOK RIGHT NOW AS A SKIING TRIP. HERE’S THE INSIDE KNOWLEDGE ON WHERE TO GO...

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inter sports are often associated with glamorous resorts, glitzy gear and expensive ski passes. But for most people, the joys of a day on the slopes can be much more down to earth: feeling the fresh wind on your face, absorbing the breathtaking views and enjoying the adrenaline rush of the (mostly-controlled) gliding.

Regardless of what exactly you’re after, here are some of the most spectacular skiing destinations for those craving some escapism in the mountains this winter and beyond.

And we’ve thrown in some savvy booking tips for good measure.

Glencoe, Scotland Glencoe is brimming with things to see and do.

Here you’ll find climbing, boat trips, fishing and excursions to castles, museums and distilleries, as well as some of the most incredible scenery anywhere in the world. At Glencoe’s Mountain Resort, guests can experience an unforgettable adrenaline rush by mountain biking in the summer or embracing snow-sports in winter. For those wanting to be savvy with their spending, mid-ski passes can see skiers saving around 20 percent in comparison with weekend passes.

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Solden, Austria Solden is so renowned for its beauty that it was featured as the backdrop to the 24th James Bond movie, Spectre, and its legendary Rettenbach Glacier has for years been the kick-off location for the Alpine Ski World Cup. The skiing season starts very early even for non-professional skiers as well, beginning in mid-November. Accommodation prices in late November and early December are around 40 percent more affordable than the peak of the winter season in January.

TRAVEL Rokytnice nad Jizerou, Czech Republic Rokytnice is a great place for beginner skiers due to its wide slopes and moderate inclines. The wider area of the Krkonoše Mountains (Giant Mountains) are particularly popular with cross-country skiers, as all the resorts and municipalities work together to regularly groom a combined 600 kilometres of signposted trails. Skiing in the Czech Republic is relatively affordable anyway, but the best deals fall in early March, with prices around 40 percent cheaper than prior months.

Kopaonik, Serbia Kopaonik is the largest ski resort both in Serbia and in south east Europe. It also proves that the Alps don’t hold a monopoly on tree-lined slopes and copious portions of hearty food. The official opening of the ski season is the first week of December, and the first two weeks of December are the prime time to go in terms of budget.

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Stoneham, Canada Stoneham is less than half an hour from Quebec City and set in the stunning Laurentian Mountains.

Skiing in Quebec has another advantage: Quebec’s cuisine is rich, nourishing and not infrequently laced with maple syrup – perfect after a long day on the slopes. The lifts open in late November and some great discounts can be found in early December, with prices around 40 percent more affordable at the beginning of the season than at the end of December or early January.

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Please check and follow all government guidance prior to travelling to any of these destinations*

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SOLDEN IS SO RENOWNED FOR ITS BEAUTY THAT IT WAS FEATURED AS THE BACKDROP TO THE 24TH JAMES BOND MOVIE, SPECTRE Adermatt, Switzerland Andermatt is the perfect destination not just for ski enthusiasts but also nature lovers, owing to its numerous mountain lakes and small glaciers waiting to be explored.

Its two main ski areas are Nätschen, a mountain located on the north-east side, and the mountain Gemsstock on the southern side.

For more skiing inspiration, check out

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TRAVEL

ROMANTIC

RETREATS:

WHERE TO COUPLE UP THIS WINTER STUCK FOR WHERE TO HEAD WITH YOUR PARTNER THIS WINTER? LOOK NO FURTHER...

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ith many taking their first steps towards travelling again and with a desire to explore the world likely stronger than ever, holidays are a particularly enticing prospect at the moment. And what better way to venture abroad than with your other half? Recent research by Booking.com reveals that 61% of Brits would like to take their next trip away with their partner, but where to go on the ultimate romantic getaway?

The perfect destination for a quick romantic break, Edinburgh isn’t short of options when it comes to fine dining, tranquil walks, cultural hotspots and unique date nights. Brimming with charm and history, try gliding down the Union Canal, taking a visit up the Royal Edinburgh Observatory or catching the sunset at Calton Hill. No matter what you choose, one thing is for sure – you’ll create endless memories with your significant other.

WHERE TO STAY? The grand Balmoral Hotel is set in the heart of Edinburgh, within walking distance from the city’s main shopping area. The property is not only elegantly designed but also has an onsite Michelinstarred restaurant, a pool and spa facilities and a swanky bar - making it perfect for winding down after a long day. sevenstarmedia.co.uk

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute escape or putting plans in motion for a winter retreat, here are some idyllic destinations, both near and far, for you and your plus one.

Edinburgh, Scotland

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TRAVEL Lake District, England

Prague, Czech Republic With beautiful architecture and first-class restaurants, Prague is full of culture, history and nightlife. The city’s baroque castle looms over a cityscape that’s straight from a fairy tale with its century-old buildings such as Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, National Monument and the Old Town Hall.

WHERE TO STAY? Make your romantic break one to remember and stay aboard the Boat Hotel Matylda, a floating hotel with a unique ambience and setting. Lying anchor on the stunning Vltava River in the centre of Prague, it’s only a short walk from the Charles Bridge and Charles Square. After enjoying dinner at the hotel’s well-known restaurant, why not soak in the surrounding views on your own private balcony for that added romantic touch?

THE CITY’S BAROQUE CASTLE LOOMS OVER A CITYSCAPE THAT’S STRAIGHT FROM A FAIRY TALE

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WHERE TO STAY? Set in beautiful grounds near Lake Windermere, the Burnside Hotel & Spa is stunning both inside and out.

Featuring an on-site spa, two hot tubs, a sauna and steam room, you and your partner will have no trouble relaxing after a long day out exploring the lakes. Providing scenic views and overlooking the beautifully arranged garden, this hotel is perhaps the ideal base for indulging in everything the Lake District has to offer.

For more inspiration, check out

Maldives

Please check and follow all government guidance prior to travelling to any of these destinations*

With sublime scenery, woodland walks, beautiful country pubs, and even a sandy coastline, the Lake District is the perfect destination for a romantic retreat, no matter what time of year. You can immerse yourself in the natural beauty and take a breather from the city, before getting stuck into the wide range of activities it has to offer. From climbing England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, to wandering around the local towns of Keswick or Bowness-on-Windermere or even opting for a boat cruise along the lake, The Lake District has something for every type of couple.

Looking to really splash out? Perhaps considered the most extravagant island escape, a trip to the Maldives is bucket list stuff.

Scattered like jewels across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are home to an abundance of tropical marine life, miles of unearthed pearldust beaches and luxurious villas set on stilts with private access to the cerulean waters.

Romantic attractions include luxury spa treatments with panoramic vistas of the ocean, sunset boat cruises, out of this world diving and island-hopping adventures aplenty.

WHERE TO STAY? Whisk your partner off their feet and stay at the Coco Bodu Hithi, a true island paradise located in North Male Atoll. Surrounded by lush vegetation and coconut trees, the resort boasts luxurious modern villas with private pools and outdoor decks to take in the pristine surroundings. Choose from one of the seven restaurants or enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa for a truly romantic experience.

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MOTORING

THE

FUTURE IS ELECTRIC: THE E-CARS

TO WATCH

IN 2021 sevenstarmedia.co.uk

FROM LIGHTWEIGHT CITY CARS TO 2,000BHP HYPERCARS, THESE ARE THE ELECTRIC MOTORS TO KEEP AN EYE ON

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MOTORING Vauxhall Mokka-e If your idea of a Vauxhall Mokka is a rather unhappy looking car that drives around with a car rental firm sticker in the back window, you’ll unlikely get excited about the news of a new Mokka. But trust us, this new Vauxhall looks set to be a star of 2021.

Why? Well, underneath the super sharp new body, it’s essentially a Peugeot 2008 so it comes with petrol, diesel and electric power.

The Mokka-e (the electric one) is Vauxhall’s version of the e-2008 and that’s an excellent little SUV with 135bhp and a 201-mile range from a 50kWh battery. Vauxhalls could get a lot more interesting from now onwards.

Citroen Ami

IN ITS HOMELAND, QUIRKY FRENCH PEOPLE CAN ORDER ONE IN A DEPARTMENT STORE, SUPERMARKET OR ON THE INTERNET

If Citroen is feeling in a good mood, its new plastic fantastic Ami may arrive in the UK in 2021 and we really hope it does.

In its homeland, quirky French people can order one in a department store, supermarket or on the Internet. Lease deals start at less than £20 per month and it’s delivered to people’s homes. Intended as a city car, non-car-licenceowning French moped riders can get behind the wheel aged 14 and whizz along for up to 44 miles thanks to a tiny 5.5kWh battery. Like the Renault Twizy, it’s charged up with a three-pin plug and there’s a lovely joie de vivre character about it. If it comes here it could cost as little (or as much, depending on your viewpoint) as £7,000. We just hope they take the speed limiter off, as the 28mph maximum imposed in France could be a bit embarrassing.

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Citroen ë-C4 Just like the Peugeot e-208, the new Citroen C4 will come in petrol, diesel and electric versions. The latter, called ë-C4, is the one we’re interested in for obvious reasons, and if it’s anything like the e-208 it’ll be a fine car. It’s Nissan Leaf sized but with styling that mixes SUV with coupe. The ë-C4 gets the same 134bhp electric motor and 40kWh battery pack from the e-208 and a 203-mile range. The interior is more conventional than you’d find in a Peugeot but the exterior look is nicely wacky.

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MOTORING

Tesla Model Y It’s another Tesla and one we’d bet a million kWs on being another roaring success in the UK, if the Model 3 is anything to go by. The Model Y is essentially a taller, more SUV-like version of the Model 3 saloon (that briefly became Britain’s best-selling car during the coronavirus lockdown) which will please families who think the Model 3 is a little too small. Just like a Christmas assortment tin, there will be plenty of choice of models at launch and this’ll develop over time.

When it arrives in 2021 (it’s already on sale in the US), there will be Standard, Long Range and Performance versions with ranges from 240 to 335 miles.

And while it may be similar in size to an MG ZS EV, the Model Y comes with seven seats.

Volkswagen ID.4 Hot on this year’s ID.3 hatchback is… ummm… the ID.4. This SUV-like electric VW is the more important car as it’ll be sold around the world compared to the Europe-only ID.3, and when you remember VW sells more Tiguan SUVs than Golfs these days, you can bet the ID.4 SUV will be a hit. As is the way with an increasing number of EVs, there will be various versions of the ID.4 with 52 and 77kWh batteries and two- and four-wheel drive available. You’ll be able to drive 217 miles in basic versions and a Tesla-rivalling 323 miles in the top spec models. Sounds great but the ID.4’s biggest headache will be the Skoda Enyaq.

Skoda Enyaq

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Easily one of the most important electric cars of 2021 purely on account of the fact it’s one of the cars the VW Group plans to beat Tesla with, and it’s pretty cheap. Arriving in Spring 2021, the Enyaq is a family SUV that’s similar in size to a Skoda Octavia Estate, and yet costs considerably less than Volkswagen’s new ID.3 hatchback. Even more unbelievably the ID.3 is also considerably smaller.

Prices kick off at a frankly amazing £30,450 and just like the VW ID.4 SUV, there will be a variety of Enyaqs – 62 and 82kWh batteries, two- and four-wheel drive models and there will even be a hot vRS version.

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

MOTORING Cupra el Born Yet another car to use the VW Group’s new electric car ‘platform’, the Cupra el Born is essentially a lightly made over version of the Volkswagen ID.3 and it’s being marketed as an electric hot hatchback. If the el Born looks a little familiar then you’d be right as the concept version was originally revealed with SEAT badges. But in an attempt to give its performance brand a bit of spice, VW Group has ditched the SEAT badges for Cupra ones. It’ll be rear-wheel drive with 201bhp and will have a 77kWh battery giving 310 miles of range. It looks great but buyers will need to fall in love with the copper-coloured detailing, though

Ioniq 5

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THAT ‘E-TRON’ IS AUDI-SPEAK FOR ELECTRIC

If you wanted a new electric car wearing a Hyundai badge in 2021 then you’ll be disappointed as the firm has hived off its Ioniq name (used for a Toyota Priuslike hybrid and electric hatchback) and created a new standalone brand building electric cars. It’s similar to what Volvo has done with Polestar and made a cool, modern and premium brand. The first new Ioniq will be the fantastic looking 5 – a slightly retro-looking crossover that’s based on the Hyundai 45 concept car revealed last year. The 5 will be followed by two more models due for release over the next four years.

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Audi Q4 E-tron Audi’s naming strategy has caused a lot of us to scratch our heads but in the electric world all you need to know is that ‘E-tron’ is Audi-speak for electric. There’s already the E-tron and a coupe-like version of that car called the E-tron Sportback, which all seems straightforward enough, but in 2021 there will be a Q4 E-Tron. The Q4 bit tells us it sits between the Q3 and Q5 in Audi’s SUV range, but while those models are petrol and diesel powered, the Q4 is electric. Confusing, right? It also sits beneath the E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback to muddy the waters even further. It’s powered by two electric motors – one on either axle – which should give around 302bhp, and a 82kWh battery pack will give around 280 miles.

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MOTORING

IT’LL BE AN ALLELECTRIC HYPERCAR WITH 2,000BHP. YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT – 2,000BHP

Mustang Mach-E Ford was due to start deliveries of the Mustang Mach-E in 2020 but it’s pushed it back to 2021 – giving people more time to come to terms with an electric SUV wearing the famous Mustang name, luckily. If you’re one of those who can live with the idea of an electric Mustang SUV – and we can – then you’re in for a treat as it currently goes further on a single charge than any rival – up to 370 miles! There are various versions including a performance model with 333bhp and every Mach-E gets a modern interior with a huge 15.5inch portrait touchscreen. Ford has been off the pace when it comes to electric cars for years, but the Mach-E changes that.

Lotus Evija

We may have already driven the new Fiat 500 but you’ll have to wait until early next year before it arrives – but it is worth the wait. Fiat has kept all the character of the outgoing car – and of course the 1957 original – and given it a dollop of quality. It’s pure electric now and with a hefty 42kWh battery, it’ll do 199 miles – way more than the MINI Electric and Honda e. The 500C Convertible will come first – don’t ask us why – followed by the hatchback (the one which will sell more), but with prices starting from £26,995 for the hatchback and £29,000 for the convertible it isn’t cheap.

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Fiat New 500

Lotus hasn’t launched a fully new car for 12 years but the Chinese-owned British brand intends to rectify that by giving us an all-new model in 2021.

It’ll be an all-electric hypercar with 2,000bhp. Yes, you read that right – 2,000bhp. In an instant the brand from Norfolk will have the world’s most powerful car and Lotus only intends to build 130 of them. Lotus also says it will launch in late 2021 and while it’s easy to scoff at that prospect, Lotus is serious about the project. And with Chinese firm Geely paying for it, it’s very likely to happen.

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

MOTORING

BMW i4 We all know BMW really shook things up with the i3 and i8 seven years ago. The i brand really set a marker point in the world of electric cars, but since then BMW has rather neglected EVs and concentrated on brash SUVs instead. Next year, however, we’ll see an all new i model – the i4. It’ll be 3 Series saloon-sized and will take on the Tesla Model 3. It’ll have a very big 80kWh battery giving 373 miles and will be rather quick too with over 500bhp. But can you live with that grille?

Jaguar XJ Jaguar is giving its XJ flagship a serious makeover. Jag is taking all it has learnt with the I-Pace SUV and intends to build more electric cars – and the XJ limo will be one of them.

The XJ has always been the Jag that defines the brand, so it’s no surprise the new one will come with electric power. Rumour has it’ll ditch the saloon body style it’s had since 1968 and have a more practical hatchback instead. And like the I-Pace, it’ll use two electric motors and become four-wheel drive for the first time in the model’s history. You can expect in excess of 300bhp, gorgeous styling and a sumptuous interior to blow the Tesla Model S off the road.

We’ve not yet seen pictures, except for a grainy teaser picture.

For more on electric cars, visit electrifying.com

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Mercedes S-Class Always the leader when it comes to nextgeneration car technology, Mercedes revealed the brand new S-Class in August 2020 and again it sets the luxury car rulebook that all others must follow. At the car’s launch, a great deal was made about the petrol mild-hybrids and quietly in the background was news of the plug-in hybrid version. The S580e uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and a 28kWh battery, giving it an electric range of 62 miles. That’s double the range the outgoing S560e could manage and really shows how far the plugin S-Class has come in a short period of time. It’s likely going to be fantastic and will be the plug-in luxury limo to beat.

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LOCKDOWN CLEAN

TAXI? MOTORING

LONDON’S FAMOUS BLACK CAB GETS AN INDUSTRIAL MAKEOVER

rrive at any taxi rank outside of London and you’ll be greeted by the sight of a row of vans with windows and taxi signs on the roof. Converted commercial vehicles are spacious and hardwearing, and consequently make perfect cabs. But how about a vehicle which reverses the trend and converts a taxi into a van?

That’s what LEVC, makers of the familiar London black cab, have done with the new VN5. It uses the same plug-in hybrid hardware as the world-famous taxi but swaps the passenger compartment for a boxy back end which is designed to carry cargo rather than commuters.

This creates a van with some compelling features, not least the chuckle-inducing turning circle which makes U-turns on narrow streets a possibility. Besides this, it has the ability to do 60 miles on electric only power, the choice of two types of rapid charger (both CCS and CHdeMO) and a 300+ total range once the petrol motor has chimed in to provide

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THE VN5 HAS THE USUAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRAIT OF BEING REALLY QUITE FAST AWAY FROM A STANDSTILL

LEVC, MAKERS OF THE LONDON TAXI, HAVE TRANSFORMED THE ICON INTO AN ELECTRIC VAN. HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

A

power. That engine never has any actual mechanical link to the wheels - it is just a generator which creates electricity to run the motor and charge the battery.

The other figures aren’t quite so convincing when compared to other vans.

The load capacity is 830kg, which is slightly more than smaller rivals like the Ford Transit Connect and the electric Nissan e-NV200 but lower than a full-sized Transit with is closer in size and price. In terms of space it’s on the small side too, with a 5.5 cubic metre bay versus the Ford’s 6.

The biggest shock on the spec sheet is the price though. There aren’t many vans which are bought with cash rather than some sort of finance, but the VN5’s list price is high enough to make your accountant choke on his cappuccino – it starts at £46,500 and goes up to £52,000. Bear in mind the PHEV Transit starts at £40,215 and the all-electric Vauxhall Vivaro is under £30,000 (all excluding VAT) and you’ll start to see why you’d really need to want the VN5’s unique skills to make it add up.

Is it worth it? Well, it certainly has some good features. The driver’s ‘cockpit’ is designed for practicality, and will be familiar to anyone who has driven a modern Volvo. This means there is some neat technology, including a fully digital instrument panel and large iPad-esque central display which has the navigation and other functions.

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

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IT’S A VAN WITH SOME COMPELLING FEATURES, NOT LEAST THE CHUCKLEINDUCING TURNING CIRCLE WHICH MAKES U-TURNS ON NARROW STREETS A POSSIBILITY Don’t expect Volvo-like quality from everything you touch though – the plastics which are unique to the van are cheaper feeling, and even items like the steering wheel feel like they’ve poured the low-rent plastics into the moulds of the pricey parts.

It’s no worse than you’d expect in a van, but don’t be seduced by brochure pictures.

On the plus side, the VN5 is made mostly of corrosion-resistant aluminium under the skin which should last longer than other vans. LEVC hope this means owners will keep them longer rather than changing after a few years. Running costs should be low too, with 25,000 mile service intervals.

Another area LEVC claims to have called on the expertise of its Volvo brethren is in the safety. It has most of the accident preventing tech and kit, although one notable absence is a blind spot warning system. This might seem excessive on a van, but the VN5 really needs it, as the side windows and door mirrors are tiny and leave you craning for a clear view at junctions.

Pulling away from those junctions isn’t an issue though as the VN5 has the usual electric vehicle trait of being really quite fast away from a standstill. It keeps on pulling too, and has performance which feels far better than the figures suggest.

It’s certainly effortless compared to a diesel.

There are three driving modes to choose from, allowing you to select whether you want to use electric power, a mix or just keep the petrol motor running to save the battery power for later. Swapping between then involves poking around on the touchscreen though, and involves a swipe

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2020/21

and two screen presses; a simple switch would be less distracting.

Unlike the Transit PHEV and Nissan e-NV there’s no option to use GPS telematics to swap modes automatically when you enter an urban area or ULEZ – although this option is in the pipeline.

However, the way the VN5 swaps between the motor modes is seamless and you never hear much more than a faint whirr when the engine is running.

It’s never more intrusive than a distant neighbour mowing their lawn.

You can also choose between three braking modes by simply twisting the gear selector. The highest of the three levels gives a reasonable level of braking simply by lifting off the accelerator, although it’s not at the level where you could drive with just one pedal. The VN5’s electronics also seemed to get confused by bumps when using regen braking, causing it to momentarily stop slowing the van.

Minor quirks like this may get ironed out over time, but the VN5 still seems like a van which will only make sense to a very

MOTORING

narrow niche of buyers. While a London taxi has to have a certain specification to be allowed to work in the city, a van doesn’t legally need the tight turning circle, require the capacity to carry a bale of hay in the front seat or carry a passenger wearing a top hat. A cab driver is also never sure where their next fare is going to want to go, so the LEVC cab’s petrol/electric combo gives the flexibility to go from Heathrow into the centre of London or head to Cardiff if asked.

But most van drivers have more predictably of their route than that. If all of your driving is in town, a pure electric alternative such as a Vauxhall e-Vivaro will make more sense, and it will go 140 miles further on electric alone. If you have a long commute followed by short in-town use, a Transit PHEV would suit you better. Both have more space and payload than the VN5, are cheaper and drive better too. For us, it means the LEVC will always seem a rank outsider, except in the taxi world.

For more on electric cars, visit www.electrifying.com

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N E W, U S E D A N D F U L LY R E F U R B I S H E D G YM E Q U I P M E N T

CELEBRATIONS

SERVES 8 NUTRITIONALS (per serving): 258 Kcal | 6g PROTEIN | 28 CARB | 11g FAT

INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons Linwoods Milled Flaxseed & Goji Berries 150g plain flour 150g ground almonds 75g coconut sugar 75g apple sauce 50g soft butter 50ml almond milk 2 eggs

RASPBERRY & ALMOND BAKEWELL LOAF

1 tsp vanilla extract 1â „4 tsp almond extract 1 tsp baking powder 150g fresh raspberries 2 tbsp raspberry jam 2 tbsp flaked almonds

METHOD: 1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees & grease and line a loaf tin.

2. Mix together the dry ingredients - flour, ground almonds, Linwood’s mix, coconut sugar and baking powder.

3. In a separate bowl whisk together your wet ingredients apple sauce, almond milk, butter, eggs, almond extract and vanilla extract.

4. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix together until fully combined, no lumps!

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5. Place a couple of spoons of the mixture into the loaf tin, then layer with raspberries and a tablespoon of jam. Repeat until all the mixture, berries and jam have been used.

Then top with flaked almonds.

6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until fully risen.

7. Leave in the cake tin to cool for 5-10 minutes, then transfer onto a wire rack until fully cool and ready to serve.

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CELEBRATIONS

SERVES 8

SALT & PEPPER PIGS IN BLANKETS

NUTRITIONALS (per serving): 191 Kcal 11g PROTEIN | 8 CARB | 14g FAT

INGREDIENTS: 1/2 tbsp Chinese Five Spice 1 tbsp sweetener 1 tbsp chilli flakes 1 tbsp ground white pepper 1 tbsp sea salt 10 Pigs in blankets (cooked) 1⁄2 onion 1⁄2 chilli 3 spring onions 1⁄2 red pepper Sunflower oil Spring onion and sesame seeds to garnish

METHOD:

1. Mix together seasonings in a bowl with a drizzle of sunflower oil

2. Toss the cooked pigs in blankets in the mix in order to season them.

3. Chop the vegetables and cook in a frying pan with a splash of oil on medium heat.

4. Add pigs in blankets to the pan and stir fry for a further 3-4 minutes.

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5. Serve topped with spring onions and sesame seeds.

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CELEBRATIONS

SERVES 5 NUTRITIONALS (per serving): 622 Kcal 29.9g PROTEIN | 38.5 CARB | 38.5g FAT

INGREDIENTS: Low calorie spray 4-6 tortilla wraps 150g cheddar cheese 10 large/20 small pigs in blankets 6 eggs 8 hash browns 20 mushrooms

METHOD: 1. Preheat oven to 180c.

2. Start by cooking the pigs in blankets, hash browns, mushrooms and eggs to your liking.

3. Grease a large, deep dish rectangle baking tray with low calorie spray.

4. Place tortillas in one by

BREAKFAST CRUNCH WRAPS

one. They should cover the bottom of the tray fully but have some tortilla hanging over the side.

5. Start by adding half of the cheese, the layering up the pigs in blankets, hash browns, eggs and mushrooms, before sprinkling the remaining cheese over the top.

6. Fold over the tortilla wraps and cover with low calorie spray to secure.

7. Place into the oven for 15-20 minutes until crunchy and golden.

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8. Top with your favourite breakfast sauce.

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TRAIN LONGER, RECOVER FASTER Will Thomas, 28, lives in London and has been practising jiu jitsu for the past year. He’s rapidly become a blue belt, gaining Silver in the Gracie Barra National Event.

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Goodbody CBD oil drops allow me to train longer and recover faster, meaning I can go to more and more sessions.

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CELEBRATIONS

SERVES 5 NUTRITIONALS (per serving): 171 Kcal | 20.2g PROTEIN 7 CARB | 5g FAT

INGREDIENTS: 1 MuscleFood Salted Caramel Protein Bar 1 scoop Muscle Food chocolate milk protein powder 85g almond flour 40g unsweetened cocoa powder 25g almond butter 40g zero calorie sweetener 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 20g salted caramel sauce Pinch of salt

METHOD: 1. Preheat the oven to 180c.

SALTED CARAMEL MUSCLE FOOD PROTEIN BROWNIES

2. Prepare a 6x6 inch brownie tin with baking paper, grease the bottom of the tin and lay the paper in the tin, pushing it right into the corners.

3. Mix together the dry ingredients – almond flour, cocoa powder, protein powder and a pinch of salt until fully combined.

4. In a separate bowl whisk together the wet ingredients – eggs, vanilla, almond butter and sweetener.

5. Start to add the dry mixture into the wet mixture until you have a silky chocolate batter.

6. Chop the salted caramel protein bar into chunks then gently fold into the mixture.

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7. Place mixture into your brownie tin and then top evenly with your salted caramel sauce. Use a wooden skewer to make a swirl pattern by moving it around in the mixture in a figure 8.

8. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

9. Leave to cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes until cool and then cut into brownie squares.

10. Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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MAN MAGAZINE

WELL WISHES

THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE, BUSINESSES AND COMPANIES WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THEIR VERY BEST WISHES TO OUR MAN READERS...

4MP Technologies

Mon Naturals

Samsung Mobile

Muscle Doctor Sports Nutrition

Bill & Bens Beneficial Health Products

North Lincs Engineering Ltd

Boots UK

One-Pro Nutrition

Broadies Supplements

Pinnacle Fitness

Cambrai Covers

Pure Products Ltd

CBD By Wisp

Sainsburys / Argos

CBD Premium Flowers Ltd

Sativa Group

CBD Virtue

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Sky Bet

Clarke & Simpson

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Flair Electronics Systems Ltd

Sky Mobile

Generate Products

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Gymstation Ltd

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Supacleen Ltd

iMEDicare Ltd

UK Gas Technologies

John Ayling & Associates / Autoglym

WEARECBD Ltd

Leo Workwear

Wellwood Ltd

The Man Magazine team would like to extend a special ‘thank-you’ to all contributors to this issue.

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