PHOTO COURTESY | Rich Storry/The World’s Strongest Man 2024
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST MAN 2024
On May 1st - May 5th, the 2024 SBD World’s Strongest Man took place in Myrtle Beach, SC. This competition took place with full stadium seating for attendees to enjoy all of the action that takes place during the competition. This event started back in 1977 and showcases athletes illustrating their commitment and epic feats of strength. Attendees also enjoyed Fan Fest where those without tickets to sit in the stadium area could enjoy food and retail vendors from the Myrtle Beach area as well as activations from official sponsors. They can watch the action via the jumbotron in the picnic area which allowed those in the community to enjoy and be part of it all for free.
We wanted to get some background on this event and chatted with Lindsey Landrum of sports management firm, IMG so that we can understand the history as well as what took place over the days of compeition. We also wanted to share information on some of the athletes that participated as well as they have their own stories, reasons for competing, and lead interesting lives in addition to competing! You’ll find interviews with: Rob Kearney, Eddie Williams, and The World’s Strongest Brothers, Luke and Tom Stoltman (he won this year’s WSM).
If you didn’t attend the event, you can see all the action this July on CBS Sports Network and CBS. Television coverage of the 2024 championship will be broadcast worldwide to more than 70 different countries and territories, totaling close to 500 million households. In the U.S., 2024 SBD World’s Strongest Man coverage will premiere on CBS Sports Network and CBS beginning this summer. Check local listings for the most updated information.
ATHLEISURE MAG: The World's Strongest Man launched in 1977, can you tell us about the ethos of this competition and what it is focused on?
LINDSEY LANDRUM: The World's Strongest Man is the world’s preeminent strongman competition, held annually since 1977. The competition sees the sport’s most dominant strength athletes compete for the title, from pulling trucks and buses, lifting and pressing logs, carrying 1,000 pounds on their shoulders and more - every event is designed to push the Strongmen to their absolute limits, challenging not only their physical strength, but their agility and mental toughness as well.
PHOTO COURTESY | Rich Storry/The World’s Strongest Man 2024
AM: How do athletes qualify to be able to compete?
LL: Athletes qualified for the competition through several different ways. There is the official qualifying series, Giants Live, which takes place across the UK & the US. While there are others that are nominated for the event and chosen from a selection committee.
AM: How does WSM connect to other Strongman competitions that are held in various countries?
LL: WSM connects to the global strongman events as they are all on the map from our WSM selection committee. The competition invites 30 athletes from around the world, so we look at all ranges of strength from every continent to truly find out who the strongest top 30 athletes are to compete head-to-head at World’s Strongest Man.
AM: What does the WSM winner receive?
LL: The World’s Strongest Man winner receives the prestigious title of becoming the “World’s Strongest Man”. This is the pinnacle for the sport of Strongman. They take home the title, the “Barry Frank Trophy” as well as prize money.
AM: What does WSM do throughout the year when this competition isn't taking place?
LL: The World’s Strongest Man takes place over four days of competition each year to determine the winner. While the competition is only four days, our social media platforms are extremely interactive year-round (1M followers on Instagram), CBS/CBS Sports Network is airing in the US in July/August (with re-runs happening year-round of previous years), Channel 5 is airing in the UK from Boxing Day to New Year’s Day and multiple other international broadcast partners airing the coverage around December. Athletes will continue competing at competitions globally to gain their ticket to come back to next year’s World’s Strongest Man.
AM: How does a new event within WSM get added in, as Sandbag Steeplechase was added this year?
LL: World’s Strongest Man is known for having not only some of the heaviest events in history but being one of the most creative events. It’s a competition that is typically held in an outdoor venue and we work diligently with the location to integrate as much of the city/location as we can. For instance, the sandbag steeplechase made it to incorporate sand, since we are competing in Myrtle Beach! Another example would be when WSM was in Botswana and their focus was on elephant conservation. The Stone Carry event that year had extremely heavy stones shaped to look like Elephant heads. Broadcast announcers and emcees at the event were able to help promote Botswana’s focus by discussing this while the athletes were competing.
AM: Why was Myrtle Beach selected as the site for this year's event, and is there anything that you can tell us about next year's event?
LL: World’s Strongest Man selected Myrtle Beach for the second year in a row after a wonderful partnership began in 2023 with Visit Myrtle Beach and the city of Myrtle Beach. It is a unique destination that allows families to travel in not only for the event, but also as part of a vacation and enjoy the beach and all that the city has to offer. World’s Strongest Man is a family-friendly event that no matter if you are 5 years old or 95 years old, you are impressed by someone who is able to pull a plane or able to press 400+ pounds overhead!
We don't have any news we can share quite yet on next year’s event, but details will be released soon across our social media, including dates of the 2025 event. Follow @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram, @WorldsStrongest on Twitter and @theworldsstrongestman on Facebook, TikTok @TheWorldsStrongestMan, and YouTube @theworldsstrongestman for the most updated information.
PHOTO COURTESY | Rich Storry/The World’s Strongest Man 2024
AM: When did you realize that you loved fitness and sports?
ROB KEARNEY: I started playing baseball when I was young and it was my first love in terms of sports. In High School, when I started playing football, I was introduced to the weight room and lifting weights. From there, I began taking weight training seriously and ultimately made the decision to compete in powerlifting and strongman at the age of 17.
AM: I love that in highschool you played football as well as were a cheerleader during the winter season as well. Obviously, both are very physical. What did you learn from those experiences and what it takes to optimize yourself in both sports?
RK: From both sports I learned that hard work and being a student of the sport is what helps you succeed. It's not always about being the biggest athlete, but learning the best techniques and working hard to perfect those is what will set you apart from other athletes.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to continue your fitness and athletic journey by participating in strength competitions like the Arnold Pro Strongman World Series you won in 2019?
RK: I did my first Strongman competition in 2009 as a senior in high school. I took last place but fell in love with the nature of the sport and the culture as well. When I attended college, I joined the Powerlifting team and decided to make competitive lifting a priority for me. In 2013, I won the Amateurn National Strongman Championship to turn Pro, and in 2017 made my first appearance at Worlds Strongest Man.
AM: In that same year that you won, you got married and Arnold Schwarzenegger himself celebrated your wedding! What did that mean to you?
RK: In 2019, my husband, Joey and I decided to get married when we planned a trip to Australia for me to compete in the Arnold Australia Pro Strongman World Series. A month prior to the trip, Joey suggested we get married while in Australia, to which I excitedly obliged. I was fortunate enough to win the competition and while receiving the trophy, I told Arnold we were getting married the next day. In an amazing turn of events, Arnold invited us to a chartered Yacht Tour of the City of Melbourne, AUS and dinner that evening after the wedding. It was a surreal experience to be able to celebrate our wedding day with the most influential person in the fitness space.
AM: How do you train to be able to compete in competitions of this nature?
RK: Training to be a strongman takes a lot of time and work in order to achieve the level of strength needed to compete at the highest level in the sport. Being strong in the basic power-lifts (bench, squat, deadlift and overhead press) are the building blocks to be a successful strongman. After that, you have to get experience on the strongman implements such as logs, circus dumbbells, farmers carries, yoke walks and so much more. Building the experience on these movements can be done both in training and competitions. A typical training day will last between 2-3 hours with longer sessions sometimes over 6 hours long.
AM: What does the World's Strongest Man mean to you and why have you been competing in this since 2017?
RK: World's Strongest Man is the Super Bowl of Strongman. It is the pinnacle of our sport and being able to compete at this competition solidifies yourself as one of the 30 strongest men in the world. It is a testament to your hard work and performance throughout the Strongman competitive season. Getting invited and qualifying to this competition is not something to be taken lightly and is a privilege to receive.
AM: This year you competed, how do you qualify to be at WSM and what were the competitions that you were involved in?
RK: In 2023, I competed at the Giants Live World Deadlift Championships in Cardiff, Wales. In the full competition I tied for 3rd place. Giants Live is the official qualifying tour for Worlds Strongest Man and if you podium at a Giants Live Show, that qualifies you for the following years WSM.
AM: Tell me about the Knaack Tools of a Strongman and what did it mean to you to win this?
RK: Winning the Tools of a Strongman award was really special because it not only is an award that showcases the hard work and dedication of the winning athlete, but it is also voted on by the other competitors. To win an award that is voted on by your peers is really amazing because it shows that they see the hard work, love and dedication I have put into this sport over the past 15 years.
AM: This year is your final year competing as you are retiring, you have a number of accolades from 3X Arnold Strongman Competitor and you won the Car Walk at this year's WSM event, you've written a children's book, you overcame testicular cancer as well - what are you the most proud of?
RK: To be honest, I am proud of a lot of things, but being the First and Only Openly Gay Professional Strongman who led with love and perseverance is something I will cherish. I never shied away from showing my love to my husband, I never shied away from being my full authentic self and was met with nothing but love and acceptance from the Strongman Community. Being a fan favorite and an athlete who showed character can get you just as much as trophies is something I can hold my head high about as I leave the sport as a competitor.
AM: You and your husband opened CrossFit Iron Legacy, tell us about this gym and any other upcoming projects that you would like to share with us!
RK: My husband and I have been involved with Crossfit for years and this year in January, got the opportunity to open our own affiliate. We have been building the gym while also working other full time jobs, but it has been so amazing and rewarding. We have built an amazing community of people who are focused on living healthier, fitter lives while building friendships and having fun! Other than that, I also serve as a coach to HWPO Training, an online training platform where I run the "STRONG" Program, a fitness based strength program for all ability levels. Now that I am done competing as a strongman I am excited to lean into those other business ventures, and stay connected with Strongman both as a fan and a commentator.
PHOTO COURTESY | Rich Storry/The World’s Strongest Man 2024
AM: How did you come to Strongest Man competitions in general?
EDDIE WILLIAMS: There was a local competition that I signed up for, my friends always said how strong I was moving furniture around. So I decided to give it a go. I ended up winning the competition against guys who trained for it. So I decided to pursue the sport from then on!
AM: What a day like working with you if were to train alongside you?
EW: I normally work all day doing security and then train for 3 hours afterwards. Training looks like, warming up, working up to my heavy sets on the program, event training and then heading home to my family.
AM: You are a 2X Australia's Strongest Man winner and a Southern Hemisphere Strongman Champion, tell us about competing at World's Strongest Man this year!
EW: It’s always the best experience competing at Worlds Strongest Man. I train hard to be able to compete at this level so it’s an honour to be considered one of the strongest men in the world.
AM: What were your favorite competitions that you were in this weekend?
EW: The Webster stone walk was what I was looking forward to most. I love grip events, and I was able to set a World record for walking with the stones the furthest. The yoke is also one of my favourite events. I was really looking forward to the events that I’m normally weaker at. I’ve done a lot of work the last 12 months and I think I was able to prove to everyone that I’m improving and becoming a well rounded, consistent athlete.
AM: In addition to you showcasing your strength, you're also known for singing as you were a finalist on Australia's Got Talent and you appeared on America's Got Talent! When did you realize that you like to sing?
EW: When I was about 15 years old, in high school I realised my love for singing. I grew up in a very musical family so music has always been such a big part of my life.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share that we should keep an eye out for?
EW: Hoping to compete in a few more competitions this year. Other than that just focusing on work and spending time with my family.
PHOTO COURTESY | Rich/StorryThe World’s Strongest Man 2024
LUKE STOLTMAN
AM: What draws you to Strongest Man competitions?
LS: I was always interested in strength training from a young age. My grandad on my father’s side was a really strong hard working man. There's an old photo of him carrying a log on his shoulder that was a real inspiration for me. My training went from bodybuilding concentrated to strongman later in my 20s when someone suggested I try it, it was instant love, the variety of it and unpredictability and moving these massive implements felt really cool.
AM: You and your brother compete in these competitions and you're known as the World’s Strongest Brothers. You have looked after him as a promise to your mother who passed away from cancer. What does it mean to you to watch him compete and to be able to have this shared experience??
LS: Tom is a phenomenon. I knew that early on from taking him to the gym - everything just seemed easy for him. I knew his potential early on and so did Mum. Whe was his biggest supporter through everything he did. There is nothing that makes me more proud and happier than seeing Tom at the top of the world and being discussed as one of the best to ever do the sport, to overcome what he has done in his life, to be here now is the stuff of Hollywood films and to be there alongside him competing in the same competitions makes it even more special. I may not have as many years left in the sport as him, but right now I'm savoring every moment we have. We are a formidable force together, and we use each other's energy in competitions and training to drive us to achieve as much as we can.
AM: You are a 2X Europe's Strongest Man in 2021 and again of April this year, what did it mean to you to win those titles?
LS: Like Tom getting his title back, it was special for me to know I could still mix it in the big competitions. I had also made a number of changes to my training, employed a new coach, worked to maximize recovery and we worked with a sports psychologist who had a huge impact on myself and Tom this year.
AM: How do you train to optimize yourself in these competitions?
LS: A lot is experience, having the right team around us, and consistently following the plans we make. It’s a real team effort. People might be surprised what it all takes. For example, we work with strength coaches, nutritionist, performance psychologist, clinical psychologist, physiologist, sports massage, chiropractor, on top of this we place a huge emphasis on recovery, which includes hot and cold water contrast therapy, hyperbaric chamber, sauna, infrared therapy, maximizing sleep environment, massage, mobility, the list goes on!
AM: For the World's Strongest Man competition this year, what are your favorite parts of the competition?
LS: I get a real buzz from being in this competition in particular. It’s the comp everyone wants to win and the most prestigious. I've been lucky to compete in nearly 10 WSM competitions, and hopefully a few more to come!
AM: You just welcomed a son, what are the firsts that you are looking forward to with him?
LS: Hard to describe the emotions and joy Koa has brought. He is a constant source of energy for me and really drives me on to succeed in competition, business and life. I hope to still compete when he is at an age to remember, and just hope I can make him proud.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share that we should keep an eye out for?
LS: World domination! Haha! We are working hard on our business. Unfortunately, the prize money still isn’t great with the sport so we have to rely on sponsorships and we are working to build our brand. We have a clothing line, an online strength training academy, and we perform a number of talks which I particularly enjoy when covering subjects such as elite performance, overcoming adversity, mental health awareness, and our story.
PHOTO COURTESY | Rich Storry/The World’s Strongest Man 2024
TOM STOLTMAN
AM: You and your brother are very close and you're known as The World’s Strongest Brothers. What does it mean to you to be able to do what you love alongside your brother?
TS: We never thought it would be this way from when Luke took me to the gym all those years ago, and sometimes its hard to believe what we are doing for a job. It really is a dream. We are really close too which helps when you spend so much time together!
AM: What's an average day like for you in training for these competitions?
TS: We train 4-5 days a week and sessions last between 2-5hrs depending on what stage we are at. In the run up to a competition, the event specific training days are the ones that take longer (3.5-5hrs). Recovery and rest is just as important, so we will ensure we have 2 days, usually weekends, off per week. There is a lot of eating too, to maintain our weight (I'm around 185kg) but still burn so many calories in long training sessions. We need to eat a lot!
AM: What's it like competing against your brother in these competitions?
TS: It’s a real advantage, we have such a strong bond as I've said so I think it can be intimidating for the other competitors to see us together supporting each other between events. It's also really special to be able to do it together, so we try to savor every moment and make the most of it as we never know when our last comp together might be.
AM: What are your favorite events within the World Strongest Man competitions?
TS: All of them! My speciality is the atlas stones, but I don’t like to have favorites as the goal is to have no weaknesses and to embrace whatever events come up.
AM: You are now a 3X World Strongest Man with your win this weekend, you were the first Scottish winner in history with WSM, you're the first athlete with autism to win WSM, and in 2019 you and your brother were the first brothers to qualify for the WSM Final - what does it mean to you to have so many historic moments in this sport?
TS: It's an honor for sure but I try not to reflect on it too much at this stage in my career as I just keep focusing on what's next. I’m proud to be Scottish and win the title, but also where we are from in Scotland, we are from the Highlands, a very remote area, that makes me even more proud and to help show what can be achieved with limited resources and that’s the same with autism. I want people to see that you can achieve great things if you set your mind to it. I also hope to use the platform to educate people on it. There can be a stigma around it and people can call it a disability, and in general not understand it. But in truth, there can be positives about living with autism, and I want to inspire people to see that you can achieve great things. I called it my superpower after winning my first WSM title. At that point, I was no longer the autistic kid that was being held back. I had channeled it to help me focus on achieving my goal of becoming the world's strongest man.
AM: What do you enjoy about competing in WSM?
TS: Winning it! Haha! It’s a historic competition and such a prestigious title. We as a family would always watch it on TV at Christmas time so it's extra special to think back on those times and to be actually competing in the competition now, doing well and hopefully making my family proud too.
AM: How do you relax after coming off of a weekend like this?
TS: It's hard, it's such a buzz, but my team we work with and my family help keep me grounded. I like a quiet life outside the sport - spend time with my wife, walk the dogs and watch football really. That’s one good part of living in the Highlands of Scotland. It's nice and quiet, and beautiful scenery for walks.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for?
TS: Very early stages but we are talking to a well known LA film producer about the possibility of doing a film on our life story. That would be pretty exciting if it comes off, although they might struggle to find actors as big as me and Luke!
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured
FORM, FUNCTION, & RECOVERY | LAGREE FITNESS + HYPERICE
We think that it's always a good idea to find the workout that speaks to you whether you do it at home, take it outside, to your favorite studio, or the gym! We've been enjoying our Micro by Lagree Fitness which allows us to do so many workouts to target our desired areas and we also love their Lagree On Demand where we have a number of options that we can do depending on what we're feeling.
We've had a few weeks to use it and defintiely enjoy using, but we always like to check in to see how we can optimize what we're doing. We previously interviewed the Founder and creator of Lagree Fitness, Sebastien Lagree. But we wanted to ask a few questions specifically about this machine to ensure that we're staying on target! So we sat down with the man himself to find out a bit more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Why did you want to create the Micro and why is it great for home use?
SEBASTIEN LAGREE: In 2019, we were getting an overwhelming amount of inquiries for an at home machine but the Megaformer was simply too big to fit in most people's home, so I created the Micro to go and fit anywhere.
You can now do your favorite class or exercises on our micros from the comfort and safety of your home! You can also transport your micro anywhere and do a class anywhere you want!
AM: For those who have never worked out at Lagree Fitness and it's their first time having the Micro, are there any tips that you suggest that we should know so that we can be ready for our workouts?
SL: Yes, we have all the tips and tutorials available at www.lagreeod.com; the most important tip is to move slowly; Lagree is a slow speed and isokinetic method, so super slow and constant speed.
AM: Can you tell us about the springs on the machine and how we can optimize our workout by understanding how they work or in what combination they should be used in?
SL: Yes, the springs are the best source of tension for the body (better than a bungee or rubber tension; and far superior than weights).
The springs also allow you to quickly adjust the tension simply by positioning yourself differently, so either by sitting or standing further forward or back, you can lessen or augment the tension.
AM: Can you tell us about the accessories that can be used with the machine for our workouts?
SL: Of course, you can use our equipment on its own without the accessories. The accessories either add an element of safety, like the platform or carriage straps; or an accessory can allow you to perform new and additional movements like the long black cables that add hundreds of new exercises and variations.
You can perform well over 1,000 exercises on any of our machines.
AM: What are workouts that you suggest that we can do on this machine to target abs, arms, legs, and glutes? Please let us know the accessories that would be used in order to do those workouts.
SL: To target these muscles, you don't need any accessories, you can just use the machine on its own; however, the cables will allow you to target these muscles more efficiently.
AM: Tell us about Lagree on Demand and what are workout videos you suggest that we can use when we are on our Micro.
SL: Lagreeod.com is a new virtual platform that I created for both students and teachers, to make sure that they teach the method correctly (many studios will actually add their own technique to the method which is not good).
This platform demonstrates how each exercise must be performed and we also have almost 2,000 workouts already available on demand.
It is is the official source for everything Lagree.
AM: If there is a Micro video that includes an attachment/accessory that a user may not have, are you able to modify so that you can still do it?
SL: Sure, you can always modify on any of our models.
AM: Can you tell us about Seb's 6 week course as well as Michael's?
SL: Yes, the 6 week course is for people to get acquainted with the machine.
We are adding more 6 week courses and will also offer an 8, 10, and 12 week courses as well. These seems to be very popular.
AM: Is there anything that you would like to share that we haven't covered that we should know?
SL: Lagree is a live method, the method is evolving as the technology evolves. Watch out for our new digital line coming very soon.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 39 + 40 Lagree Fitness
Having a great workout is essential but also making sure that your body has the tools it needs to engage in proper recovery is also an essential. We've been a long time fan of the suite of products by Hyperice that allow us to target desired areas on our body pre and post workout. We also love that with all of the options you can have a great stretching session. In addition, they also have included meditation which if great for a wellness needs. We have been a fan of using this to work on our breathwork and to also utilize practices that will allow us to reduce our anxieties and to give us the mental space that we need to navigate throughout our day.
We caught up with the Jim Huether, CEO at Hyperice to find out more about the brand, their products, and how we can implement them within our routines.
ATHLEISURE MAG: At Athleisure Mag, Hyperice's products have been our go-to when it comes to recovery post workouts. You have a number of devices that target various areas. When you're thinking of creating a new device or upgrading one that may already exist, what are the things that you think about when it comes to bringing them into your assortment?
JIM HUETHER: Hyperice’s mission is to help everyone on Earth move better. We make innovative products to help everyone from elite athletes, weekend warriors, executives who are always on the move, or the busy parent prevent injury, and increase longevity and overall performance in their day-to-day routine.
In the early stages of Hyperice, much of the focus was on elite athlete performance and had not yet spilled over to the everyday consumer. During that time, we listened to and worked closely with athletes and trainers to develop technology that can be utilized and trusted in the locker rooms or on the sidelines.
Today, as consumers are becoming more aware and in tune with their health, we are seeing Hyperice products becoming ingrained into everyday wellness routines. As a result, Hyperice prioritizes listening to our core consumers and partners to push our existing offerings to new heights and further use cases. We aim to broaden our portfolio to offer more products at varying price points, providing access to a broader consumer base for recovery technology, while prioritizing a premium experience with the latest innovation.
AM: Your devices target muscles in various ways whether it focuses on Percussion, Air Compression, Heat, Contrast, Vibration, and Ice Compression. Can you tell us why these methods work well for the body?
JH: Hyperice’s diverse product line promotes recovery in various ways, from percussion technology to air compression and contrast therapy. Each of these methods is beneficial in relieving muscle tension, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, optimizing blood flow, and speeding up muscle recovery. This also goes back to listening to athletes and trainers across multiple sports disciplines to see where the needs were, and how could we come in and provide a more premium experience with the same recovery modality.
AM: For those that are working out at home or do their post workout recovery there, what are 3 products from Hyperice that you suggest that we should have on hand?
JH: Normatec technology is great for those who have an at-home workout routine. The Normatec line features specialized products for different body parts including legs, hips, and arms, offering dynamic air compression while you relax on the couch. Normatec delivers dynamic air compression, which promotes increased blood flow and range of motion.
The Hypervolt, our line of percussive massage guns, is our most universally used technology. The device offers users the ability to work on sore or stiff muscles to help with pain sensitivity as well as enhanced mobility. This past year, we added a new heated head attachment, compatible with all of our Hypervolt models, that heats up to 120℉ (think of blending a Swedish Massage and hot stone into one massage experience). This brings a new element to the at-home massage gun experience that cannot be replicated.
Lastly, I’d recommend the Venom 2 Back. Back issues can creep up on anyone, especially as we age, and we know how debilitating back issues can be from a pain and mobility perspective. The Venom 2 Back is a heat and vibration wearable that offers nine different combinations of the two features while reaching temperatures of up to 130 degrees. Whether you are managing a stiff or sore lower back, or you make this a proactive part of your daily wellness routine to promote preventative care, the Venom 2 Back is a great tool.
AM: If we're traveling or even working out with friends, what should we add into our bag when we're on the go that you suggest?
JH: Hyperice’s Go line is specifically designed for easy use on the go. Venom Go, our revolutionary heat and vibration wearable is a compact device that provides spot treatment to loosen and relax muscles anywhere on the body. Its convenient size is especially useful when traveling. At only 1.5 pounds, Hypervolt Go 2 is another great tool to use for percussion massages on the go. The Normatec Go has become very popular with air travel, as they are designed to be worn on the calves (which are known as the “second heart” because they promote blood flow back upwards in the body).
AM: If someone has never used a Hyperice product such as the Hypervolt, Normatec, or Hypersphere, what would be your advice in using them so that they can get the most out of it?
JH: For those who are new to using Hyperice products, I recommend following the guided warmup, recovery, and maintenance routines available through the Hyperice app. The routines are professionally curated by the world’s best athletes, trainers, and physiotherapists who guide users through their exclusive routines and share personal tips. I’d also recommend that people look to find ways to integrate these into their daily routines in an effort to promote and enhance movement and overall wellness. Too often, we associate “recovery” with the idea that something has happened, or an injury has taken place. Recovery should be a standard practice to help enhance longevity.
AM: We have enjoyed using the Core by Hyperice and love how it has actually helped us get into guided meditation/breath practice that was previously difficult to do. Why is it important to have this as part of your product offerings and can you talk a bit about its design?
JH: Core is designed to help individuals develop consistent meditation and mindfulness habits. Mindfulness is a foundational part of elite performance and is essential for a holistic approach to wellness.
AM: There are a number of options for practices that one can engage in when using the Core by Hyperice. How do you go about deciding what experts are available on the app for this?
JH: Similar to the guided warmups, cool-downs, and maintenance routines in the Hyperice app, where we worked with the best trainers and practitioners to develop routines and protocols for almost any wellness lifestyle or fitness modality, the Core app features such of the brightest minds in the mindfulness space to deliver a premium experience to the users. In some cases, there has been cross-over from our athletes, such as Naomi Osaka, as well as collaborations with other notable names, such as Chris Hemsworth, another outspoken proponent of meditation.
AM: What should we keep an eye out for from Hyperice as we continue to navigate 2024?
JH: Hyperice continues to push the limits on innovation and how people can find ways to improve or enhance their approach to or adoption of wellness technology. We will continue to provide innovative technology and best-in-class resources so individuals can align the products to meet their needs and lifestyles.
IG @hyperice
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 43 + 44 Hyperice
Read the APR ISSUE #100 of Athleisure Mag and see FORM, FUNCTION, & RECOVERY | Lagree Fitness + Hyperice in mag.
Featured
BINGELY BOOKS
HAWAI'I GOLD: A CELEBRATION OF SURFING
Rizzoli
Carissa Moore
We had the pleasure of having Carissa Moore a Team USA Olympic Surfing Gold Medalist and 5X World Surf League Women's Champion as our FEB ISSUE #86 cover. We have always enjoyed seeing her compete and how she does so with a smile on her face!
Hawai'i Gold: A Celebration of Surfing shares her story and what she thinks about her sport, her love of Hawaii as well as surf legends on what it means to be a surfer from Hawaii.
In this book, we find out about the heritage of surfing in Hawaii and of course the images in the book include the island, surf icons, surf prep, and so much more. It's defintiely a book that you will find on your coffee table that everyone will want to look through when they stop by.
EVEREST, INC.: THE RENEGADES AND ROGUES WHO BUILT AN INDUSTRY AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Gallery Books
Will Cockrell
We know about those who climb Mount Everest and in Everest, Inc. The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World, we get to know more about those who are instrumental in that effort - the guides and climbers!
We know that making the climb is not for the faint at heart as there is bad weather, severe altitudes, and it is congested for a number of people who make the attempt whether it's ego driven or to add to their social feeds.
The trip also has an impact on those who don't respect the mountain by leaving trash behind or even exploiting local Sherpas.
This book has a comprehensive focus on the history of the Himalayan guiding industry which started in the 1980's with gritty entrepreneurs who wanted to create a new style of expedition planning. You'll find quotes by those in the industry, writers, filmmakers, and Hollywood notables. All share their thoughts on the climbs to add their thoughts to this portion of the industry.
FASHION'S BIG NIGHT OUT: A MET GALA LOOKBOOK
Welbeck Publishing
Kristen Bateman
The first Mon of May is fashion's biggest night known as The Met Gala and in Fashion's Big Night Out: A Met Gala Lookbook, we look at a legendary event that fuses art, fashion and pop culture. You will learn about its history through imagery which started in 1948. It also looks at the ensembles that hit the carpet based on theme. There is also a foreward by iconic designer, Jeremy Scott who has created a number of looks for this event.
Read the APR ISSUE #100 of Athleisure Mag and see BINGELY BOOKS in mag.
Featured
LOVE IS THE GAME | MATT BARNES + ANANSA SIMS
Relationships and their dynamics can be difficult, but they are also fruitful as well! We sat down with veteran NBA Champion Matt Barnes (All The Smoke, (R)Evolution, JUN ISSUE #54 in 2020 cover) and his fiancé, top model Anansa Sims to talk about their Reality TV show that dropped this month on WE TV, The Barnes Bunch which focuses on their relationship, their busy lives, their family, and how they keep it all together!
We wanted to know more about why they wanted to do this series, how it came about, why they wanted to make sure that they were realistically sharing their lives, and what they have learned to do in the process. We talked about this and more as the keep it all together with their family and busy lives!
ATHLEISURE MAG: So, why did you guys want to share how you’re navigating a family, being a dynamic couple, and your busy schedules in this show?
ANANSA SIMS: For me, it was more so an opportunity that was given to us! I do a lot of sharing already on my Instagram. So, a good friend of mine Datari Turner (Day Shift, They Cloned Tyrone, The Burial) who is partners with Jamie Foxx (Ray, Miami Vice, The Amazing Spider-Man 2) who Matt is friends with said, “you know that your family is dope and this could be a show.” I’m like, really? I never thought about it because I just share to share because I love them so much. The more he started talking to me, I brought it to Matt and he was a little hesitant at first and over time you know, we built trust and decided that we had a good team around us, maybe we could make it into a positive thing and I think that it is more about trusting the people that you are working with. So we decided to go for it.
AM: That’s really interesting. We watched the first screener a bit ago. The vulnerability that is laid bare here and the amount of ground that you guys cover – couple’s therapy, talking about your journey together, your family, and your friends! What are some of the things that you are excited about that we get to see this season?
MATT BARNES: I think normalizing Black positivity in the reality space. Because you see that in the first episode, we are already arguing and we are in counseling and everything, but it’s real you know what I mean? I just think that there’s been such a negative portrayal of the Black community through Reality TV unfortunately. That was one thing that I know that we had both discussed and to just normalize that we are all not crazy and throwing drinks and fighting all the time! I mean, I might fight sometimes haha but not all the time.
AM: Right ha ha not all the time!
MB: But normalizing 1, positivity through the Black family and also normalizing blended Black families which in families in many ways is kind of the new norm. To be able to bring 3 kids from her previous marriage, 2 kids from my previous marriage, and creating a baby together – people out there are going through that. To be able to see us navigate that and for the world to see, not only again promotes positivity, but also realness and humanizes us and lets people know that you’re not alone out here on this journey. Whether you’re going to couples counseling, individual counseling, whether you’re trying to blend a family, trying to get pregnant, or you’re doing all of these things in your 40s like us – it's just about again promoting positivity and letting people know that they’re not out there on your own. Just hang in there!
AM: Anansa your mom, Beverly Johnson (Editors' Note: Beverly Johnson is a model, actress, singer, NY Times Best Selling Author, and entrepreneur who became the first Black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in Aug 1974 after Donyale Luna was the first Black model to appear on British Vogue in 1966. In many ways her placement as the cover in this magazine created a change by 1975 where every major American fashion designer began using Black models.) is an icon and a trailblazer! Years ago I had the pleasure of accepting a fashion award in the same award ceremony where she was being honored for her legendary career!
AS: Oh, that is very nice!
AM: She is stunning, beautiful, and so poised! She also isn’t a stranger to Reality TV as I enjoyed Beverly’s Full House. So what were your thoughts when it came to you guys deciding to have her on the show and to be able to see her in an entirely different light which I love her! Then there’s also the fact that you have your children in this show as well! That’s a big decision to make!
AS: Well, my mom, you know we wanted the show to be real to our lives. My mom is a big fixture in our lives. She helps with the kids, she helps with Matt and I in our relationship as far as giving advice and just being around. She’s always just there and so for me, it’s a no-brainer to just have her to be part of it! I’m happy of course that she agreed to be on and she’s happy to support Matt and I in anything that we do – especially the kids! They top us now as they’re her favorites!
As far as the kids you know, Matt and the twins – Isaiah and Carter are already so visible on social media. The twins have their own podcast, The Barnes Boyz. Matt has been posting them since they were little kids so they are very visible. I also made my kids visible on my Instagram from when they were little so I think that having them on the show, we know what we instilled in them. So we weren’t as worried about it, we’re very hands on parents you know. We have a super open line of communication and we talk to the kids about everything so we check in with them to make sure that they are comfortable and good! None of our kids are shy! These are like 6 very outgoing children. So no one felt like, "oh my God, we don't want to do this.” No, it was the opposite! They wanted to know when we were filming, are they going to be on again, are they in the next scene, why did Matt and I have so much screen time haha! They’re telling the crew when we’re not around that they can do a cartwheel and that they can show them various things. So, they’re willing and ready and we’re super hands on so we don’t let anybody mess with our kids or our family! I feel like we know that we can hold it down and that they will be ok.
AM: What are the biggest takeaways that you guys learned in this experience? It’s a lot of weeks of filming and you talk about a lot of things in that time on and off camera!
MB: It’s a lot of weeks of filming, holy shit!
AS: I think that we filmed double than the normal shows because of our busy schedules! All 6 kids play 1 to 2 to 3 sports, Matt at times is traveling 3-4 days out of the week, and I’m running kids all around town. So, it was a lot and we filmed over a long period of time – we did, we really did!
Luckily, we had a really great crew that we were blessed to have people in our home so it wasn’t dreadful. But it was a long time.
MB: And I mean, you just learn again. We have both done this in the past! I was shoo 15 years ago and I don’t know how long ago that she did it –
AS: 13 years ago.
MB: It’s a lot of work! People think that shooting a show is easy and you’re just capturing what’s going on, but it’s a lot. It’s a lot and then when you’re bringing 6 kids into it – that’s just a lot of communication, a lot of bribing when it came to the kids, when they're not on camera, you're trying to keep them quiet when they are in other parts of the house. Again, I think that it was super important for Anansa and I to be on the same page which we were, but at the same time, you got to see a dynamic of a real couple. Shit isn’t always sweet! We argue like everyone else, we get along, we have bouts where we’re not talking, and then there are bouts where we’re all over each other. So us being on the same page to kind of set the tone for the crew, our kids, and the show in general.
AM: What are some upcoming projects that you guys are working on. Obviously All the Smoke always has something going on and it’s always exciting to the podcast and was just listening to the episode with Deion Sanders earlier today – so what are some things that you’re working on and then Anansa what can we keep an eye out for that you have going on?
MB: Well we’ve built a production company for All the Smoke so we now have All the Smoke Productions now so we have a list of people from Rachel Nichols (Headliners with Rachel Nichols, Hometown with Rachel Nichols, MAR ISSUE #51 in 2020 cover) from ESPN, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and DeMarcus Cousins, so we’re just kind of building a monster over here and through that, we’re not only in sports, but we’re crossing over to different genres and opportunities.
And also, with this show, one of the things that I really wanted to be able to do is to brand our kids. We love our kids and we think that they’re all unique in their own ways and they’re all funny and crazy in their own little ways. So to be able to kind of get them out there a little bit more and to see what opportunities can come from that.
AS: For me, my fulltime job right now is the kids and supporting Matt. You never know, tables can turn in a couple of years when they’re older and Matt will be supporting me in whatever I’m doing. Right now, that is a lot! David and Dean both play baseball, basketball, and football season is about to start. Ava plays basketball and she is running track, and Ashton plays basketball. Of course you know that the twins play basketball and they are in high school so they have AAU tournaments and Matt’s traveling all around the country with them for these tournaments so it’s a lot to navigate on top of them wanting to be A/B students. I spend most of my time yelling and checking homework, rushing to different practices and games from literally 8am to sometimes 7pm on a Saturday and of course, there’s another practice on a Sunday. Those are my projects right now, so making 6 amazing humans that are good people and that can be successful when they go out there in life and when they step outside of our doors, they know what they are doing and they have a good head on their shoulders. They can be successful in life in their own right.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | PG 28 - 32 WE TV/The Barnes Bunch | PG 35 All the Smoke/Paramount Plus |
Read the APR ISSUE #100 of Athleisure Mag and see LOVE IS THE GAME | Matt Barnes + Anansa Sims in mag.
Featured
63MIX ROUTIN3S | SUNI LEE
DEDICATED & BOLD | SUNI LEE
Avid readers of Athleisure Mag know that we enjoy sharing interviews with amazing Olympians with you! As we countdown to Paris 2024, we took a few moments to catch up with 3X Olympic Medalist for Team USA Gymnastics (G1, S1, B1), Suni Lee! We enjoyed seeing her fulfill her Olympic dreams at Tokyo 2020.
As she prepares to take on joining the Olympic team for Paris 2024, we wanted to find out about her passion for the sport, how she got into it, what the next few weeks look like in terms of qualifications, how she goes about training, what she is looking forward to should she make the team, and more!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When was the moment when you fell in love with gymnastics and what do you enjoy about this sport?
SUNI LEE: Well, I started gymnastics when I was 6 years old. It just started by watching a lot of YouTube videos. My dad and I were always constantly trying new flips and then my mom just decided that it would be a great idea to put me in gymnastics because at the rate that I was going, it was getting a little dangerous in the house. I just started competing and I moved up levels pretty quickly and that’s just when I knew that I loved gymnastics and I stuck by it ever since.
AM: Oh wow!
How has that journey been with you competing at Auburn University and then obviously being on the Olympic team during Tokyo 2020 and being a 3X Olympic Medalist?
SL: The journey has been absolutely amazing. You know, a lot of people talk about winning the Olympics, but I honestly think that the journey has been the most important part and the most memorable part, just because it took all of those years and all of the work that I put in to make it to the Olympics. Going straight to college right after that was such an amazing blessing – I absolutely loved college and getting to have a team and just having a team environment. The Auburn community was just truly amazing! You will never find something like that ever again and I’m just so blessed to have been a part of that.
AM: What’s that feeling like when you realized that you’re going to represent our country in Tokyo at the Olympics?
SL: I just remember being in shock! It felt so surreal, I was just over the moon. I was so happy and it just felt like everything was finally going into its place. I just worked so hard for it and for it to just be able to happen and to just be like in the palm of my hands, was the best feeling ever.
AM: A lot of people don’t understand that there are a lot of things that happen podium to podium. So what does your schedule look like in terms of what you are doing for qualifications or meets to make your way to hopefully being at Paris 2024?
SL: So we have a bunch of qualification competitions coming up. So we start off with US Classic and then from US Classic, we qualify to Championships and then Championships there are a number of people pulled from the top of competition which allows you to qualify for Olympic Trials. For that, I believe that the top 2 are automatically put into the Olympic team. Then the remainder of the people are selected so it’s very competitive.
AM: I can’t even imagine!
How is it for you to be able to train, to be able to be part of this and to juggle your personal life? Because obviously you do more than just being a gymnast. So how do you do all of this and to keep it together.
SL: Yeah, it’s been a little difficult because obviously it’s like everybody’s first time doing this so we’re all just trying to do it together. It’s been super exciting just to be able to have the opportunity to work with other brands, but then also to be able to get to go home and to be able to do the sport that I love and train every single day for one of my biggest accomplishments. That’s just something that helps motivate me I guess for the future.
AM: What does an average day of training look like for you? How many hours are you spending?
SL: 3 days a week, I train 8 hours plus an extra hour of strength and conditioning and of course, I have to do like physical therapy to make sure that my body is feeling great and then another 3 days out of the week. So it’s Mon., Tues., and Thurs. I go 8 hours and then Wed., Fri., and Sat, I do 4 hours.
AM: Although you haven’t made the team yet, but if you do, what are you looking forward to in terms of this next Olympic cycle?
SL: If I were to make this next Olympics, I think that I would look forward to having a crowd!
AM: Oh yeah!
SL: Yeah, unfortunately at the last Olympics, it was during COVID and we didn’t have anybody come to our meets and it just didn’t really feel like a competition.
AM: Yeah.
SL: I think that that’s the one thing – like our families and friends giving us that support! I’m just hoping that I make it so bad.
AM: With such a busy and focused schedule, how do you take time for yourself and making sure that you’re checking in with Suni and what’s going on with you?
SL: I spend a lot of my off time shopping or hanging out with my friends. I love journaling, I love working out. So, I do try to balance it out as much as possible. If I have an off weekend, I do try and spend it with my family and friends. Just trying to catch up, I love spending time with my siblings. I really just try to stay in touch with my body and my mind at all times.
AM: Are there any projects coming up that you would like to share that we should keep an eye out for?
SL: I don’t know if I can exactly share what I am working on, but I will say that I have been super blessed and it’s amazing that I get these opportunities to work with some of my favorite brands because I never thought that I would be able to. So that is just something that I will always look back on! It’s like Batiste, it has been super amazing to work with them and exciting because I use their products on a daily basis! So to work with them is just so amazing.
IG @sunisalee
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Suni Lee
Read the MAR ISSUE #99 of Athleisure Mag and see DEDICATED & BOLD | Suni Lee in mag.
Featured
AWARDS SEASON | 45TH SPORTS EMMY AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Today, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced the 45th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards nominations as well as revealing the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, sports broadcaster James Brown. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 21, at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, New York City.
“This year’s sports broadcasting nominees produced thrilling and captivating television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS. “We look forward to welcoming these exceptional professionals to the 45th Annual Sports Emmy Awards in May.”
“The Sports Emmy Awards are proud to recognize the outstanding work of this year’s nominees and to honor James Brown for his long and prolific career,” added Stephen Head, Head of Sports.
As we do throughout Awards Season, we share our predictions in bold, the ones we correctly identified as winners are in bold italics and winners that we didn’t predict are in italics. On the night of the event, we will share who we predicted correctly as well as those we didn’t that won.
OUTSTANDING LIVE SPECIAL
The Masters
CBS
The 105th PGA Championship
CBS
Super Bowl LVIII
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
CBS
Super Bowl LVIII
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
Nickelodeon
[Nickelodeon Productions | CBS Sports | NFL Films]
The 119th World Series
Texas Rangers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
FOX
OUTSTANDING LIVE SERIES
FOX CFB
FOX | FS1
FOX NFL
FOX
Monday Night Football
ABC | ESPN
Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli
ESPN2
[Omaha Productions]
Sunday Night Football
NBC | Peacock
OUTSTANDING PLAYOFF COVERAGE
American League Championship Series
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers
FOX | FS1
College Football Playoff Semifinals
Rose Bowl & Sugar Bowl
ESPN
MLB Postseason on tbs
tbs
NFL Championship
Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers
FOX
·NFL Playoffs on NBC
NBC | Peacock
OUTSTANDING EDITED EVENT COVERAGE
All Access
Davis vs. Garcia: Epilogue
Showtime
·NFL Draft: The Pick Is In
The Roku Channel
[NFL Films | Skydance Sports]
NFL Game Day All Access
Super Bowl LVIII
YouTube
[NFL Films]
Road To The Super Bowl
CBS
[NFL Films]
2023 Special Olympic World Games
ABC
OUTSTANDING EDITED SPECIAL
Chasing Greatness: Coach K x LeBron
TNT
Crown
CBS Sports Network
E60
The Crossover: 50 Years of Hip Hop and Sports
ESPN
[ESPN Films]
GR8TNESS
ESPN
You Are Looking Live!
CBS
[NFL Films]
OUTSTANDING HOSTED EDITED SERIES
E60
ESPN
Kickin’ It
Paramount+ | Golazo Network
The Pivot Podcast
YouTube
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
HBO | Max
The Shop UNINTERRUPTED
YouTube
[UNINTERRUPTED]
OUTSTANDING ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE
BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023
BLAST.tv
[BLAST]
2023 Call of Duty League Championship Weekend
New York Subliners vs. Toronto Ultra
Twitch | YouTube
[Esports Engine | Activision Blizzard]
Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2023 Grand Finals
ENCE vs. G2
Twitch | YouTube
[ESL FACEIT Group]
League of Legends Worlds 2023 Final
T1 vs. Weibo Gaming
LoLEsports.com | Twitch | YouTube
[Riot Games]
VALORANT Champions 2023 Grand Final
Paper Rex vs. Evil Geniuses
ValorantEsports.com | Twitch | YouTube
[Riot Games]
OUTSTANDING SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Dreamcaster
MSG Network | MSG+
[456 Studios | Lord + Thomas | DaHouse Audio | Citizen Music | Vicaps | Helo]
Extraordinary Stories
One-Armed Wonder: The Extraordinary Story of Jimmy Hasty
UEFA.tv
[Noah Media Group]
NFL 360
Gone
NFL Network
NFL Films Presents
Lahainaluna High
FS1
[NFL Films]
SC Featured
Nothing Else Matters
ESPN+
OUTSTANDING LONG DOCUMENTARY
The Deepest Breath
Netflix
[A24 | Motive Films | Ventureland]
Full Circle
Vimeo On Demand
[Level 1 Productions]
Kelce
Prime Video
[Amazon MGM Studios | Skydance | Vera Y Productions | 9.14 Pictures]
The Saint of Second Chances
Netflix
[Tremolo | Stampede Ventures]
Stand
Showtime
[SHOWTIME Sports Documentary Films | MSM]
OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Catching Lightning
Showtime
[Bat Bridge Entertainment]
Goliath
Showtime
[Village Roadshow Television | Religion of Sports]
Super League: The War for Football
Apple TV+
[Words + Pictures | All Rise Films]
Untold
Netflix
[Propagate | Stardust Frames | RAW | The Players’ Tribune]
OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY SERIES – SERIALIZED
Football Must Go On
Paramount+
Formula 1: Drive to Survive
Netflix
[Box to Box Films]
Hard Knocks
Training Camp With The New York Jets
HBO | Max
[NFL Films]
Monster Factory
Apple TV+
[Vox Media Studios | Public Record]
Quarterback
Netflix
[NFL Films | Omaha Productions | 2PM Productions]
OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – WEEKLY
College GameDay
ESPN
FOX CFB: Big Noon Kickoff
FOX | FS1
FOX NFL Sunday
FOX
Inside the NBA on TNT
TNT
The NFL Today
CBS
OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – DAILY
MLB Tonight
MLB Network
NBA Countdown
ESPN | ESPN2
NFL Live
ESPN | ESPN2
Pardon The Interruption
ESPN
[Rydholm Projects, Inc.]
SportsCenter
ESPN
OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – LIMITED RUN
College GameDay
College Football Playoff
ESPN
FOX MLB: The Postseason
FOX | FS1
Inside the NBA Playoffs on TNT
TNT
Postseason NFL Countdown
ESPN
Road to the Final Four
CBS | TNT
OUTSTANDING JOURNALISM
CNN FlashDocs
Blindsided
CNN
E60
Peace of Mind: Psychedelics in Sports
ESPN
E60
The Perfect Machine
ESPN
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
A Blind Eye: Switzerland and the Corruption of World Sport
HBO | Max
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
Call of Duty: How War is Destroying Ukrainian Sport
HBO | Max
OUTSTANDING SHORT FEATURE
College GameDay
The Legacy of Tyler Trent
ESPN
NFL 360
The Chief Who Walked The Sea
NFL Network
NFL 360
Heroes
NFL Network
NFL 360
Miracle
NFL Network
The NFL Today: Super Bowl LVIII
Just Win Baby!
CBS
Sunday Night Football
Madden & Stingley
NBC | Peacock
Thursday Night Football
Marshawn Lynch ‘N Yo City: Intercourse, PA (Yes, this is a real place)
Prime Video
[Amazon MGM Studios]
OUTSTANDING LONG FEATURE
Outside The Lines
Jordan McNair: The Freedom Within
ESPN
Playing Fields
Ornella: Knocking Down Social Prejudices Pursuing Her Olympic Dream
Olympic Channel
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
No Surrender: One Man’s Battle with ALS
HBO | Max
SportsCenter
SC Featured: Dear Mrs. Reid
ESPN
SportsCenter
SC Featured: Running for Martin
ESPN
Unredeemable
Golf Channel
OUTSTANDING OPEN/TEASE
The 149th Kentucky Derby
Timeless
NBC | Peacock
Monday Night Football
In the Air Tonight
ESPN | ABC
NHL Winter Classic on TNT
If This Wall Could Talk
TNT
Sunday Night Football
Heidi
NBC | Peacock
Super Bowl LVIII
My Way
CBS
OUTSTANDING INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
College Football Playoff MegaCast
Rose Bowl Game
ESPN | ESPN2 | ESPN Deportes | ESPNU | ESPNews | SEC Network | ESPN App | ABC | LHN
Fan Controlled Racing Watch Party
Twitch | Kick
[Fan Controlled Sports & Entertainment]
The Magic and Mastery of US Open Champion – Carlos Alcaraz
ESPN.com
NCAA March Madness Live
March Madness Live
Thursday Night Football
Black Friday Football Studio
Prime Video
[Amazon MGM Studios]
Thursday Night Football
Event Coverage Optionality/Customization
Prime Video
[Amazon MGM Studios]
OUTSTANDING DIGITAL INNOVATION
Big City Greens Classic
Fully Animated Live Sporting Event With Integrated Real-Time Animated Talent
ESPN+ | Disney Channel | Disney XD | Disney+
[Beyond Sports | Silver Spoon Animation | Disney Television Animation]
Dreamcaster
MSG Network | MSG+
[Weber Shandwick | Helo]
MLB Next
AR App
MLB
Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
Cross-Platform Storytelling with Broadcast, Web Widgets and AR App.
Red Bull TV
[Red Bull Media House | ProteGear | TeraVolt | Girraphic]
Thursday Night Football
Machine Learning on Prime Vision
Prime Video
[Amazon MGM Studios]
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/STUDIO HOST
Malika Andrews
ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC | TNT
Kevin Burkhardt
FOX | FS1
Rece Davis
ESPN
Ernie Johnson
TNT | tbs
Scott Van Pelt
ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/PLAY-BY-PLAY
Mike Breen
ABC
Joe Buck
ESPN | ABC
Ian Eagle
CBS | TNT | tbs
Kevin Harlan
tbs | CBS | TNT | truTV
Mike Tirico
NBC | Peacock
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/STUDIO ANALYST
Charles Barkley
TNT
Nate Burleson
CBS
Ryan Clark
ESPN | ESPN2 | ESPN+ | ABC
Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN
Mina Kimes
ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/EVENT ANALYST
Troy Aikman
ESPN | ABC
Cris Collinsworth
NBC | Peacock
Greg Olsen
FOX
Bill Raftery
CBS | TNT
John Smoltz
FOX | FS1
Tom Verducci
FOX | FS1 | MLB Network
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/SIDELINE REPORTER
Erin Andrews
FOX
Kaylee Hartung
Prime Video | NBC | Peacock
Tom Rinaldi
FOX | FS1
Holly Rowe
ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
Tracy Wolfson
CBS | TNT
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/EMERGING ON-AIR
Mookie Betts
Bleacher Report | tbs | FOX
Noah Eagle
NBC | Peacock
Carli Lloyd
FOX | FS1
Taylor Rooks
TNT | NBA TV | Bleacher Report | Amazon
Jay Wright
CBS | CBS Sports Network | TNT
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM EVENT
The Masters
CBS
NASCAR on NBC
Chicago Street Race
NBC
Super Bowl LVIII
CBS
Thursday Night Football
Prime Video
[Amazon MGM Studios]
2023 US Open
ESPN | ESPN2 | ESPN+ | ABC
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM STUDIO
FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
FOX | FS1
FOX NFL
Stage A
FOX
NFL Draft
ESPN | ABC
The NFL Today
Super Bowl LVIII
CBS
Thursday Night Football
Prime Video
[Amazon MGM Studios]
OUTSTANDING CAMERA WORK – SHORT FORM
The 155th Belmont Stakes
31 Lengths: Secretariat
FOX
NFL 360
Heroes
NFL Network
NFL Films Presents
Optex Lens
FS1
[NFL Films]
The NFL Today: Super Bowl LVIII
Just Win Baby!
CBS
Super Bowl LVIII
My Way
CBS
OUTSTANDING CAMERA WORK – LONG FORM
E60
Sacred Dog
ESPN
Freeride Skiing
Descendance
YouTube
[Legs of Steel]
Hard Knocks
Training Camp With The New York Jets
HBO | Max
[NFL Films]
Unredeemable
Golf Channel
Vamos Vegas
YouTube
OUTSTANDING EDITING – SHORT FORM
The 149th Kentucky Derby
Timeless
NBC | Peacock
NFL 360
The Chief Who Walked The Sea
NFL Network
NFL 360
Heroes
NFL Network
NHL on TNT
Show and Tell
TNT
Super Bowl LVIII
My Way
CBS
OUTSTANDING EDITING – LONG FORM
Freeride Skiing
Descendance
YouTube
[Legs of Steel]
Hard Knocks
Training Camp With The New York Jets
HBO | Max
[NFL Films]
Kelce
Prime Video
[Amazon MGM Studios | Skydance | Vera Y Productions | 9.14 Pictures]
Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team
Netflix
[Words + Pictures | FIFA | Time Studios]
Unredeemable
Golf Channel
THE DICK SCHAAP OUTSTANDING WRITING AWARD – SHORT FORM
FOX CFB: Big Noon Kickoff
J.J. McCarthy “47”
FOX
NFL 360
The Chief Who Walked The Sea
NFL Network
NFL 360
Still Here
NFL Network
The NFL Today
Kyle Brandt Series
CBS
Sunday Night Football
NBC | Peacock
OUTSTANDING WRITING – LONG FORM
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IN OUR BAG | FOR WELCOMING IN OPENING DAY
Read the MAR ISSUE #99 of Athleisure Mag and see IN OUR BAG | For Welcoming in Opening Day in mag.
Featured
9PLAYLIST | LIONEL MESSI
Read the FEB ISSUE #98 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Lionel Messi in mag.
Featured
PHOTO CREDIT | The New York Times
MAKE ROOM FOR THE BRACKETOLOGIST
You know what time of year it is, we’re all focused on March Madness which allows us to increase our ability to showcase our depth of knowledge in Bracketology, “the activity of predicting the participating teams in a tournament, typically the NCAA. basketball tournament.” With Selection Sunday, March 17th around the corner, we’re all thinking about who is going to the big dance and who we’re adding into the Big Bracket. The New York Times is launching a Bracketologist Sweatsuit Set for college basketball-watching enthusiasts this Friday, March 8th.
This set will exclusively be sold on The New York Times Store and is the first drop from their “Words” Capsule Collection. This will be an evolving product collection that decodes modern language through journalism. This collection will include the Bracketologist Sweatpant ($80) and Bracketologist Crewneck Sweatshirt ($70), the perfect ensemble to wear when you’re out and about or gathering with friends to get your brackets in order!
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured
NEW YEAR, N3W YOU
63MIX ROUTIN3S | ADAM COPELAND
MAKING HIS MARK | ADAM COPELAND
As we look to close 2023, we're excited to have actor and legendary wrestler Adam Copeland! Many know him as a WWE Hall of Famer who wrestled under the name Edge for a total of 31 championships there and he held the World Heavyweight Championship between 2002 and 2013 7 times as well as the WWE Championship 4 times and a number of accolades while there! This year, he transitioned from WWE to the AEW showing that he continues to be dedicated to his passion and crafstmanship of this sport and doing it in his own name.
His love for wrestling is also shared by acting which is another way to fuel his creativity and dedication. Fans of his have enjoyed him over a number of seasons/episodes of Syfy's Haven, History Channel's Vikings, and a number of movies! Now, you can see him in his latest series Percy Jackson and The Olympians where he portarys Ares, streaming now on Disney+. We wanted to know more about how he got into acting, some of his roles that he has been in, being in the Disney+ series, as well as his phenomenal wrestling career. We caught up with him at home to find out more and you can read his thoughts on 2023 and 2024 in our feature NEW YEAR, N3W YOU!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you enjoyed wrestling?
ADAM COPELAND: Honestly, it was the first time that I saw it. I distinctly remember that it was Roddy Piper and this was the old black and white TV where you had to turn it with pliers, 3 channels, and one of the channels was CKVR TV from Barrie, Ontario. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was Pacific Northwest Wrestling out of Portland, Oregon. It was Roddy Piper and I still remember the trunks that he was wearing were like a creamy yellow and green tartan design and he smashed a beer bottle over his head. I just remember – my brain couldn’t process what this thing was, like this guy is a maniac, but I can’t take my eyes off of him. It just kind of blew my mind, because I was young and very impressionable, it just struck some kind of strange chord with me. I think it was because it was just this big larger than life kind of thing. I loved comic books – I voraciously read comic books. I love KISS because they were super heroes but you could go see them in concert. They played characters and so wrestling was that! I could go down to Maple Leaf Gardens and I found out where they came into the building so that I could accost them back there and bug them. So it really was from the first time that I saw it.
Then it was diving into it deeper and discovering Hulk Hogan and going, “woah, what is this guy doing?” His eyes and his energy! And then from there, it was the deep dives and discovering why I gravitated towards certain people’s matches. Like why did I always enjoy wrestling? Watching Bret Hart wrestle and then I guess as I got smarter, more educated to what the industry is, that’s when it dawned on me. I was like, “oh, it’s because he’s really great!” Got it!
Savage I mean, you’re looking at the Macho Man – he’s awesome, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Ted DiBiase, Bob Orton – man, the flood gates were open!
AM: I grew up in Indianapolis and went to school at Indiana University, and we’d have our friends in our dorm watching the matches before we went out or after studying and I remember when I first saw you in the ring and it was explosive!
AC: That was the guy liner phase!
AM: Obviously you’ve dominated in your career as wrestler without a doubt.
My mom was a huge Highlander fan and I am as well. Seeing you in Endgame was great to see. When did you realize that you wanted to pursue acting?
AC: It was never on my radar honestly. It really wasn’t. The Highlander thing was just that WWF at the time said, “hey, there’s a small role in the next Highlander movie. It films in Bucharest. Do you want to go?” I said, yeah sure. It sounded like fun, it seemed like an experience and I had never been to Bucharest. That’s really all that was, but my entire goal as early as I can remember wanting to have a career, I wanted my career to be wrestling.
The acting thing was always like if something popped up, sure cool. It wasn’t until I was forced to retire in 2011 and then it serendipitously landed in my lap again and it was the Executive Producers of a show called Haven saw my retirement speech and they said that they were in tears. So they said that they wanted a tie into wrestling and a tie in to SmackDown and they said, “can we get that guy, he just retired?” A week later, I was up in Halifax filming and 1 episode became 41.
And in that process I realized, ok this still taps into that creative vein. And that’s the way that I am wired. I like to create. I like to tell stories. So whether that's writing or whatever it is. So I really really enjoyed the process. I really started diving into that because wrestling was off the table. So it was like, if my first love is off the table, all of these things come off of the same tree. It’s just different branches on where you go to on this or over on this one. So once I understood that I enjoyed this process and wrapped my mind around the differences too. With wrestling, I equate it to maybe standup or a band with a setlist that they change all of the time. You play off of and read off of your audience. It’s a really, really amazing thing. What I had to get used to in terms of acting was thinking that a take I did which was really, really good – and then they may not use that one.
AM: That’s true.
AC: Then a year and a half later, you see what takes they use and you look at it and say it’s interesting. I had to wrap my mind around that.
AM: Especially since you can work with one director and they think that that was amazing, but the next director or producer wants and looks for something that’s completely different.
AC: Entirely different! I pretty quickly learned too that if a director has an idea, my job is to try and bring that vision. It’s not really my vision because I can have a certain way that I think that I am going to do things, but on the day, it can be entirely different from the set up, the angles, and all of those things. The director is going to get the shot that he or she wants so you mght as well try and dive in with them to get it!
AM: I really enjoyed Vikings! What drew you to that show?
AC: It was my favorite television show. I loved Vikings. I’d sit down, I’d watch Vikings. I was on Haven for gosh, the first 4 seasons and Vikings was in production then. So once I wrapped with Haven and the show ended, I said to my manager that we needed to keep an eye out for Vikings because if something came along there, I wanted to try to pounce on that. An audition came along for it and again, it was kind of like Haven where the character was only supposed to be in 4 episodes and then before I knew it, Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, The Tudors, Vikings: Valhalla) who is the creator and the writer who wrote all of the episodes, he said we need to write more for Kjetill and I said, I’m in.
AM: I love that show and my sister and I watched a number of episodes together.
AC: I loved it too! I can’t show the girls that one, but I really loved that show. I loved the challenge of a period piece, accents, drama, and those were all things that I hadn’t delved into before. So that was super exciting, the challenge aspect of it, because I love a challenge. I would get my scripts and phonetically write everything out. Ok, there’s a hard ‘s’ here, it’s not ‘is’ it’s ‘sss’ and then I would run my lines. So it became second nature and by the end, I didn’t even think about it and I would end up talking like that in between takes.
AM: Percy Jackson and The Olympians is streaming now on Disney+. What drew you to this 8 episode series? How did you get attached to the project?
AC: So, when the books first came out, I was on the grind. 220 shows a year which means you’re generally on the road 250 days a year. So from the years of 1999 – 2011, I didn’t catch a lot of what was happening in terms of social media and mass media. It all kind of flew by me. So I didn’t fully grasp how huge the books were and I’m kind of glad that I didn’t. Because the audition came through and I was like, “oh Percy Jackson – that could be interesting, ok.” I thought that they had made a couple of movies and that was the extent of my knowledge. So I read for the part and I sort of went, “oh, ok this guy, I think that I know this guy.” I found the comedic beats in it. So I wore one of my Edge/Adam Copeland vests and I wore my Andre the Giant T-Shirts cut off. I have never dressed up for an audition in my life, but I thought, what the heck? I shaved my own head, I had my own little mohawk and I read for it and had a lot of fun with it. It was really funny but Beth said, you had a lot of fun with that and I feel like you found that guy. I agreed, but then you have to throw it away because once an audition is done, you have to stop thinking about it. You can’t dwell. About a month and a half, maybe 2 months later, my manager said, the Executive Producers of Percy Jackson want to do a Zoom. I was like, ok and I was trying to remember when I had read for that. I forgot. Then, sure enough, they were like, “when you get out to Vancouver, -“ that’s when I realized that I had got the part! I told them that I was still wrestling for WWE and they said it didn’t matter and that they would figure it out.
AM: Wait, what?
AC: Yeah, that’s unheard of! I guess they had seen my audition and thought, "he's the Ares that I pictured when I wrote him.” That was a huge boost of confidence too.
I hadn’t read the books yet, but I had found the voice of this character in just reading the sides. That was super fun and then I read the books. I was like, “oh man, these are awesome!” Then learning that over 180 million copies worldwide were sold and it made me really glad that I didn’t fully dive into that knowledge before I read it. I mean I think it would have felt like a different kind of pressure I guess!
AM: Of course! It would be like stepping into Harry Potter without having the awareness of the weight of that franchise and then finding out after being in it.
AC: Oh yeah! Even when I got out to set and realized just the scope and the magnitude of this world, it was really really kind of jaw dropping. But it was such a blast and having seen – as I have only seen the first 2 episodes as well, but I watched them with my little girls who are 7 and 10, they have now watched it 3 times. They absolutely love it and watching it with them and seeing how they react and how much of a smile it has brought to their faces already, I am so proud to be a small cog in this giant machine to bring this thing to screen because seeing the kids reactions have been so massive and so much fun for me especially at this stage in my life, 50 years old, 2 kids and this is something that they can watch. I’m so proud to be part of it. The quality of it, it’s such a good show.
AM: How much can you say about the show as some people who are not reading this may not have seen this yet. What can you say in terms of the backstory? Also, we know who Ares is, but how are we seeing him as it is portrayed in this series?
AC: This adaptation of Percy is very true to the books. I think that that is something that movies weren’t. I don’t think that Ares was in the movie, but he is essentially the antagonist in the 1st season of this series. So there is a lot of big holes there with him being so heavily involved in this. I think that for the fanbase, they can take some comfort in the knowledge that Rick Riordan (author of the Percy Jackson series). So from a fanbase perspective, that’s huge!
If you’ve never read the books, you can watch it and get it. It explains itself really well, just like the books do. Within the first 3 or 4 pages, you get what’s going on here. It really brought the character traits together. Walker Scobell (The Adam Project, Secret Headquarters, Blood Knot) is so good as Percy. He has just the right amount of charm and sarcasm. The kid is on his way. He is just so good and at his age, he’s 14 now, but when we filmed this, he was still 12 – ridiculous for him to pull off what he was able to pull off. Just ridiculous to watch all 3 of them Leah Jeffries (Empire, Beast, Something From Tiffany’s) and Aryan Simhadri (The Main Event, Spin, Cheaper by the Dozen) and in between takes, they would go to school. Then they’d come back and they would do another take. Or they would do my coverage and then they would go do a lesson. How are they computing all of this? I don’t remember what I had for breakfast and they’re pulling all of this off. I really can’t say enough about all 3 of them and their work ethic and really just the entire crew! It was a really good place to work even in the time that I was there.
In terms of Ares, he’s – I love him, I really do! He’s just acerbic, a little caustic, he’s angry and a little over his head while being all powerful in a way too. It’s fun to play those beats. Because if he was just a god, this omnipotent thing, how much fun is that? Even when I was in Vikings, ok, this guy goes insane. But you can’t just go insane, there needs to be a reason for that. If I can bite into that, Adam Copeland can bite into that, then hopefully, I can pull out some truths for the character.
With Ares, it’s the classic, he’s the child that feels like he should have gotten more attention and now he’s acting out. He just happens to be in a 6’4” 240lb frame and he’s a god and he has a giant sword. It made for a lot of really fun scenes – and scenes that weren’t in the book and that added more depth into the character. My favorite scene that I was involved in takes place in a diner with Grover Underwood (Aryn) and it wasn’t in the books at all, but it was a really, really fun scene to play off of each other with.
AM: The cast as a whole has incredible actors that are in this alongside with you. What did you take away from this whole experience?
AC: I think that more than anything, it was just, I don’t know – to be 50 years old and go, “right, I’m still wrestling – I’m wrestling again and I’m also working for Disney.” What? When I first started this and started training for wrestling at 17 years old, if you had told me that at 50, A – I’d still be wrestling and B – I’d be working for Disney at the same time, I’d have asked you what are you smoking and can you give me some because that sounds amazing.
Sometimes I just sit back. We did the red carpet for the premier last week and I brought the girls and Beth up with me. Just to see the excitement that they had to be involved in this thing and I think that I actually became a cool dad for about a week!
AM: You know, just walking the red carpet with my dad!
AC: I’ll take it, I’ll take it!
AM: I mean I think back to a lot of the things that I did physically when I was younger and being 44 now, there’s no way that I could do the flips and turns that I could do before! The fact that you’re still doing that, I couldn’t imagine it for myself, so I tip my hat to you sir!
AC: Well, a lot less flips for me now ha!
AM: There’s that, but still! But you’re still out there doing it!
AC: I am!
AM: Are there any upcoming projects in terms of acting that we should keep our eye out for?
AC: With the strike, everything just got put on hold. Then, within that strike, I had transitioned from WWE already and went into AEW, so there has been a lot of change, but all for good! My creative spark has really – not that it wasn’t lit before, but now it’s like woah! I have a blank canvas that I can paint all kinds of different palettes and things that I can use now. There’s a whole roster that I never even touched or told stories with. So that’s very exciting for me.
With acting, I’ve pretty much said since day 1 to my managers and agents, I say no a lot! I don’t even read a lot of stuff. It really has to hit because why do it otherwise? If it’s something that’s meh ok, and maybe it isn’t right or the method that you should use, but a lot of time it’s about who is involved. I would love to work with Kelsey Grammer (Frasier, Boss, Dr. Death) – yes, my mom’s favorite actor. She passes away 6 months later I get offered to play in Money Plane with Kelsey Grammer. I didn’t even need to read the script, I was in. Really more than anything, it’s about what is going to be fun. At this stage, from the time I was 22 on, I don’t feel like I have worked. That’s a gift and I didn’t realize how rare that is, so I don’t ever look past it and that means that I also want to continue that streak. It needs to be fun, not need to feel like work, and it needs to be creative and I’m happy.
AM: We touched on this a bit earlier, but you now wrestle under AEW. What's it like wrestling under your own name?
AC: I think that more than anything, I said this for years and years that I wish that I could have just wrestled under the name Adam Copeland. I mean I don't know, what is Edge? I didn’t even know what Edge was, I just pulled it out of the air, said it, and everyone agreed and that was that! There wasn’t a whole lot of thought put into it. Even as stupid as it sounds, the cadence of chanting – Har-dy, Au-stin, Ro-cky, Ho-gan, E-d-g-e – I was just happy to be there.
So to get the opportunity, I have always used Adam Copeland throughout whether it’s the television that I have done, writing a book, whatever it is. I have always introduced myself as Adam Copeland, never introduced myself as Edge as that was a character that I played on TV. That would be like going up to someone and saying, “Hi, I’m Ares, nice to meet ya.” It doesn’t work that way right?
AM: But an easier chanting name though!
AC: Yes! It is but also Adam Copeland ha! Then also too, in terms of the acting. It’s going to be my name there as well and so if you’re looking at it from a branding perspective it makes a lot of sense in that regard.
AM: Well I think that when you recently did the match with Sting and Darby, those leather jackets! That leather work was stunning. When Beth told me that you are the fashion mastermind behind your looks, how much were you involved in creating that iconic look for the 3 of you?
AC: I came up with the whole thing! I have been drawing my wrestling outfits since I can remember – from 9 and 10 years old. A lot of them from that time saw the light of day. Even drawings from when I was 10, I’ve worn tights that I drew from when I was 10. So, when I knew that we would be teaming, I said, “how do we make this really, really special for this occasion?” Because to me, it is. You have 3 generations. You have Darby, you have me, and you have Sting. To me, you have the future, the present, and this iconic character. So I wanted to be able to have some fun with that. So I said, hey guys, I have an idea for coats are you in and they said, “yeah, sure.” So I got their measurements, I sent them off to Sylvia Jensen who is the mastermind behind Wornstar, she does all of trench coats, my demon wings that I wore at WrestleMania. She and I just sit down and think about the ideas, here’s the shirts – we need Sting’s lapels, we need Darby’s hood, and we need to add elements in. On my tights, I had a skull, but it had the Sting makeup. And then I had the other half of Darby’s skull face and Sting in the middle with his full paint which is a cool visual. So you have half, half, full in the middle.
Those were all the things that ran through my mind because as a fan, I would sit there and notice those things. That made me think, these guys care. They really put thought into what they were doing and what they were presenting. In my mind, my kid mind, it goes to, “oh, that’s an awesome action figure.”
“I think that more than anything, - to be 50 years old and go, “right, I’m still wrestling - I’m wrestling again and I’m also working for Disney.” What? When I first started this and started training for wrestling at 17 years old, if you had told me that at 50, A - I’d still be wrestling and B - I’d be working for Disney at the same time, I’d have asked you what are you smoking and can you give me some because that sounds amazing.”
AM: So to see you guys in the look from Wornstar, the visual texture, the detailing, that futuristic element, I spent quite a bit looking at them from your IG.
AC: What I really wanted to try to convey is that we’re all tipping our hats to each other. We had my coat design, but it still had Stings flavor and Darby’s flavor, but then the face paint is the tip of the hat to Darby the Sting face paint on the tights is the tip of the hat to him and were all paying homage to each other and we all came out with the bats which is Sting and I was like, if we get a single spotlight and the bats come into frame and then it flows and off we go! That’s the stuff that I just love being part of and being really hands on to the point that it becomes fairly annoying to people or that they think, oh great, you took that off my plate – you’ve got it? Cool!
AM: Well I loved it, it was well thought out, and it had quite the production effect!
What are you looking forward to in this portion of your career as it pertains to AEW?
AC: Again, the blank canvas! The massive amount of talent that I have never ever had my hands on! I look at that company and I see Swerve Strickland, I see Darby now that I have gotten to team with as well as Sting! Getting to work with Christian Cage again which we both thought was off the table as he was retired for 7 years and I was retired for 9. Both of us thought that our careers were done and now we’re getting to do this and to tell the story at AEW. There’s Moxley, there’s Bryan Danielson, Claudio, Miro, Hobbs – I’ve never wrestled any of those people and have never performed with any of them. That’s super exciting and gives me a new lease on life. Right? I have 2 years here and there’s a bunch of stories that I’m trying to go down the checklist. In the meantime, I can pass along the vast amounts of knowledge in my 32 years that I have been doing it.
AM: I’m sure you can pass around a lot of knowledge!
AC: Well I figured that that’s part of the job! If I sign anywhere now, I bring all of those years from when I wrestled in Teneessee when 5 people were sitting on barrels of hay all the way to WrestleMania to battle The Undertaker and everywhere in between. With that, if you’re paying attending, you can learn a lot.
AM: With the span of your entire career, what do you want your legacy to be known as?
AC: I have always said that I don’t believe in legacies and I feel that legacies are solidified by the people that are putting together video packages and they’re usually more political than anything else. So I have always said that my legacy is my little girls. Am I raising good human beings – that’s the legacy. I truly feel that my girls are awesome and they are great little human beings. That to me is the legacy.
Did I always work hard? Yes!
IG @ratedrcope
PHOTO CREDITS | FRONT/BACK COVER, 19 - 29 + 34 - 39 Paul Farkas | PG 16 Disney/David Bukach | PG 30 - 33 AEW |
Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see MAKING HIS MARK | Adam Copeland in mag.
Featured
SETTING THE STANDARD | CHRISTEN PRESS
As we reflect on 2023 and look ahead to 2024, it's always good to get other's takes on what went on in their lives as well! We caught up with National Women's Soccer League and US Women's National Team's, Christen Press.
As an athlete, she has competed at the top level with personal and team accolades that include being an all time leading goal scorer with 71 goals at Stanford, 2010 Hermann Trophy winner during her collegiate career. She has played for a number of clubs throughout the world with the latest being Angel City FC. In Rio 2016 Team USA Women's Soccer took the Bronze Medal and on the USWNT, she has had 155 appearances and 64 goals with 43 assists and won 2 World Cups.
We wanted to know more about her passion for the sport, her stellar career, the importance of advocacy and founding RE—INC along with fellow founders, Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, and Meghan Klingenberg. She shares what she is looking forward to and she has thoughts on her 2023 and 2024 that you can read in next month's, NEW YEAR, N3W YOU.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with soccer?
CHRISTEN PRESS: Well, I have been playing soccer since I was 3 and I wouldn’t say that I had fallen in love with it when I was young, as I had a period of time when I was younger, that I didn’t like it. And my dad encouraged me to keep trying. But at some point when I was young, I can say that I fell in love with something about the game.
AM: What do you love about the sport?
CP: Well now at 34, as I reflect on all that soccer has given me and done, the list of what I love about it is quite vast. From learning to cooperate, to work on teams, leadership, the life skills that soccer has given me, I’m tremendously grateful for that. The opportunity to see the world, to be able to travel, and to experience different cultures. I’ve lived and played in Sweden, in England and have just been around the world with the USWNT. I think that the fact that it is impossible to perfect, it kind of leads you on a never ending ascension because you’re constantly striving and I can look at my game and see my strengths and that no matter how good I get at them, there’s always room for improvement which is what I love about it.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to play professionally?
CP: When I was younger, I was always very present and I wanted to win the games that I was playing in and to win the trophy that my team was playing for and then I didn’t really look that far ahead. I think that a lot of that was because, growing up there wasn’t a professional league. So I didn’t even think of that as the ceiling. So it was great to know that I was really good and that was great in that moment. I went to the World Cup 1999 FInal and I have a photo. It’s of me and my teammates at that game and I can see in my eyes that I have a dream to be on the Women’s US National Team and honestly the first time that I was called in to go to camp, I couldn’t even believe that I was picked. I felt that it was such an honor to represent your country and I didn’t even understand how professional sports worked especially at that time. So, I think that it was an evolving dream and obviously, we have lived through a generation of soccer that has completely changed the way that young people view their futures and strive for their goals. Now, there is so much more visibility to see women playing in a lot of local and domestic leagues in this country as well as globally as well.
AM: I totally agree, I was born in ’79 and I grew up in the Midwest. I didn’t really think about soccer until high school as North Central had a great men’s and women’s soccer team. I know that my Alma Mata, Indiana University had a great women's soccer program as well. I never thought about women playing it professionally and frankly, I never thought about Black women playing as well. So to see you and other Black women playing this sport and reflecting this representation, it’s amazing! Looking at my niece who is 5, she’s living in a world, where she can see the sport as well as know that it can be played on the pro level. I didn’t have that growing up.
CP: That is actually so great! When I’m playing in my local market LA Angel City FC, I look up often into the stands and I see those kids that are 5 and 6 years old and they’ll never know – they’ll never know that this wasn’t here before. This is normal to them, to watch women play in 20/30,000 seat stadiums that are sold out which is incredible!
AM: That’s insane. You play for Angel City FC, what’s it like to play for this team?
CP: In a lot of ways, it’s a dream come true because of what the club represents and stands for! It’s women ownership super progressive agendas of how we can reimagine the business of women’s sports. Also, it’s my hometown! I never imagined that I would be able to play at home because the view of women’s soccer that I had a decade ago was that you’re not going to be able to have what you want. You don’t get to choose where to play, there’s not a lot of teams, and as the NWSL continues to expand and grow, so many people’s dreams are going to be able to come true.
AM: I love hearing that!
You’re also on the USWNT which has been a pleasure to watch that and you have obtained a number of accolades there as well. What does it mean to you to be on this team as well?
CP: The USWNT is just the thing that every single girl who wants to play soccer does right? It’s the singular dream! It’s the dream that existed before there even was a league! Still, to this day, what we are able to achieve as a National team is far greater in terms of who we reach, how we’re paid, how we’re treated – all of the things – it’s still kind of the gold standard. I think that I spent the first 25 years of my life dreaming of playing for the USWNT! I’m talking, up every night dreaming about it, trying to figure out how to get there, and I spent the last decade plus experiencing it and it’s been the greatest honor of my life. It’s afforded me so many great opportunities. It’s been such a joy to be able to represent my country, to put on that shirt, to score goals, to celebrate with the fans and my teammates, and to go through the hardest parts of my life fighting for 20 spots on the roster where there are 100s of thousands of people who are playing soccer. So, it is an incredible experience and it’s also a very challenging environment to be in, but I love it!
AM: You also have an Olympic medal with Team USA when you guys competed at Tokyo 2020, are you thinking ahead to Paris 2024, and you must be excited that the Summer Games are coming to LA in 2028!
CP: Part of me is like, I wish I was 15 years younger because the Olympics are coming to LA and it is also rumored that the World Cup is coming to the US for the women and the men. I mean, man if I was 20 years old right now, these would be my prime years! It will be very challenging as I’m 34 to be able to do all of tournaments, but I will absolutely be there as a fan. I tore my ACL and I am on my road to recovery through injuries so I always think that National and the International schedule is a guiding light and it’s something that you always try to make you fight for your roster spot and it also pushes me in my recovery to make sure that I am making progress and have my goals. So I’m thinking about that for next summer’s Olympics and our National Team is getting a new coach and there are a lot of dynamics that are changing and I'm really excited to see what my body wants for me.
Right now, it’s guiding me on the journey and I just follow. I’m really excited for the team to come off the World Cup which was not successful to be able to fight for a gold medal.
AM: You’re entire career has just been so amazing. You’ve done so many things and so many accolades, what do you think they have been as a player?
CP: I think that I reflect on some of the hardest times – coming out of the hardest times. There are things that I am most proud of like the 2016 Olympics in Rio, it was an extremely hard time as an individual player and as a team. I remember that metaphor, getting off the floor and saying, “can I survive these types of lows?” I think that I’m really proud of that. I’m really proud of taking a mental health break after the 2020 Olympics that happened in 2021. I actually asked the National Team for a few months off as I had been playing consistently with that team for 10 years and I lost my mom in that period and I never had time to grieve. I am proud that I made the hard decision to leave that environment because it was extremely difficult to get back in. I think that the other thing that I would point to as a highlight is being around a group of strong empowering women that is normal to me. My expectation is almost beyond gender norms and stereotypes because so much of my life is on a field or in a hotel room and being around these women who are breaking down barriers! So now that I am an entrepreneur as well and I run my business as a Co-CEO, I am really doing whatever I can to create that environment for more people and more women so that you know, some of the imposter syndrome, sort of the placating of the male ego that happens outside of a sports environment is diminished and so women, minorities, and people of color are able to thrive and live at their best. I feel that I learned a lot about how to create that kind of ecosystem in sports.
AM: That is amazing to hear and you’re such a multifaceted person as an athlete, sports journalist, and now taking on this entrepreneurial role with your platform in this way, why did you want to launch RE—INC? What was that moment when you said that you wanted to do this and focus on your advocacy and to embrace the fact that other people can enjoy what you did by doing this?
CP: I think it’s 2 fold. The first thing that led me to this path was the fight for equal pay and really just to understand the financial realities of being a women’s professional soccer player. Knowing that building a business and building a company, I had the opportunity to fight for my values without the restrictions of what US Soccer thought our worth was versus the men. I think there was a dream for my teammates to build something for our own financial liberation and then be able to spread that. I think that that was part of what RE—INC vision that we wanted to bring into the value of women’s sports and women’s soccer ecosystem so that more players can get compensated in more fair ways and to have that rising tide to lift everybody up.
I think that the second part of that was just understanding how amazing our community that we have built, our fan bases, and to make sure that people don’t feel othered. The way that sports is in this country, it’s built for and by men. So the people that love the USWNT, and love Angel City, and love women’s professional soccer, it’s a very unique group of people that need to be served. When we built RE—INC, it was about content, community, and commerce for this group of people. It felt like in a lot of ways that this was the first time that there was something like this that was designed for me. Now through RE—MEDIA, we have a large mission to reimagine the way that women are experiencing sports by recreating the kind of content that reflects how women’s sports is.
I always say that you know what bro culture and what locker room culture is for men. You can see it and you can smell it. You might not love it, but you know what it is. We don’t have that defined in women’s sports. So we’re bringing with the community that we have built, with the content that we have planned to roll out over the next 3 years, we want to set the culture for what women’s sports is and how it can be talked about in an incredibly empowering and exciting way.
AM: You launched Reimaginers United. What can we expect from that?
CP: It’s really dear to my heart. I’m wearing the whole kit right now. It’s a special collection because it kind of takes the concept that I was talking about before with such a group of strong willed human beings and saying, how can we create that team feeling for everybody? So, with Reimaginers United, it’s a team where everybody wins. This is a club for all. As women, we don’t have to build something in opposition to what was built. The current sports house was built for men, but we don’t have to build a sports house for women. Our sports house is for everyone and it will be a co-creation with our community so that it reflects our shared values – it reflects diversity, it reflects equity, inclusion, progress, and art and all of the things that we care about. So I really see this collection, our uniforms for Re-Imaginers, people who want to build a better world, come join our club. We have a membership and our membership is for people who want to be themselves and better themselves. They’re sports fans and change makers because that is such a strong intersection in the women’s sports world. Women’s sports aren’t just about sports, because we have inherently had to fight for equity every step of the way and now it is embedded in our culture. So that’s what Reimaginers United is all about and honestly, it’s what our entire business is all about.
AM: Umbro partnered with you to make the initial kit. What does it mean to have this iconic soccer brand involved?
CP: It was an amazing partnership because I think it’s such a classic heritage football brand! It felt like absolutely the right choice because we’re kind of serving this fluid, modern, progressive, brand and we’re marrying the beauty and history of the sport and the beautiful game that all we love. It’s a kit to wear for people that are out playing soccer, adult league, to wear in the stands, to wear in the streets, and it’s to signal what your values are and who you are. To put it on and to feel the strength to reimagine which is what we always say. We hope that our logo gives people the sense to say, that, “I know my identity, I claim my identity, I love who I am, and I’m strong enough to make a change today.”
AM: That’s amazing.
I love that this brand has so many things going on. You have the RE—CAP show, the podcast that you host with Tobin Heath – why did you want to add this component to it?
CP: It was a huge strategic decision for us. Because we were watching the World Cup and it was the first time that we were on the sidelines and not in the game for over a decade. In the buildup, we were hearing the way that people were talking about it and it just felt that it wasn’t like us. Not like the players and athletes that were actually participating. We felt that we would be able to talk about it in a better way. Our content was sitting at the intersection of sports, progress, and equity. We talked about the games and tactics, we broke everything down – honestly Tobin did that and then we married that with impact. We’ve had a ton of abuse in our league from coaches and owners. We had deep conversations about that. We talked about abuse that players at the tournament were facing like cyber bullying and hate speech which we have seen come out this week with incredibly skewed and bias towards the USWNT and a couple of players on our team. We had real conversations about the issues that mattered to us in our community and we married that with the breakdown of the games and the celebration of all of the stars.
AM: Where do you see women’s sports in general in the next 10-15 years? Obviously, people are looking at soccer more and volleyball is also taking great prime time spots on ESPN, and of course women’s basketball as well. Also where do you see it specifically for soccer?
CP: On a rocket ship, taking off! I mean over the last 2 years, we’ve said record breaking viewership, record breaking ticket sales, record breaking attendance – everything! The ceiling is absolutely blowing off and I feel really proud to be part of that at Angel City and with RE—INC to continue breaking that ceiling! I want to continue to show the value that is already there and to maximize and optimize this sport. I see a future of RE—INC where we could own a team one day and to instill the culture in that way. I think that the opportunity in women’s sports is limitless and I don’t think that what men’s sports is doing is the ceiling at all. I think that we can make women’s sports even bigger or even an imagine a world where they are not compared. We can just focus on our strengths and what’s special to us and I think that that’s exactly what we’re going to see over the next 10 years with people working hard behind the scenes at it.
AM: What do you want your legacy to be known as?
CP: I think it would be 3 things. First and foremost as a little girl, I wanted to be known as a great goal scorer. I think that it’s a very narrow singular focus and I do believe that I have become a great goal scorer and I’m very proud of that. I would say that our fight for equal pay is one of the things that I am most proud of and all of the ripple effects that that will have to set precedent across the industries. I think that most importantly to me and my family was just the idea of representation. When I went to the National team, the entire team was white. Just being part of a generation where the National Team is much more diverse – we had our first 2 ever World Cup players that were Hispanic American this summer, I think right now in the current camp the entire front line minus 1 player, is Black! I think that that is really really cool and it’s something that doesn’t get as much attention as equal pay for women that took place for the WNT as that is such an easy thing for people to connect to and understand. But I think that over the time that I have played soccer, we have really created a revolution by diversifying our sport and I’m really proud of that!
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 56 - 60 Angella Chloe | PG 63-65 Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire
Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see SETTING THE STANDARD | Christen Press in mag.
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9DRIP | ADAM COPELAND
THE ARTISAN | DOMINIC CIAMBRONE "THE SURGEON"
If you've been collecting sneakers and have a passion for some of your favorite Nike, Gucci, Lanvin's etc that are deconstructed, reconstructed and customized with premium and exotic skins, Dominic Ciambrone, a.k.a. The Surgeon is the legendary creative mind that is at the forefront of taking our sneaker game to the next level! His work has been coveted and collected by Justin Bieber, LeBron James, Odell Beckham Jr, DJ Khaled, Canelo, and more. In addition he has worked with Bentley Motors, NBA, NFL, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Heineken, Reese's, Glenmorangie, 7-11, and a number of other brands. We wanted to find out how he got into and pioneered this space, what his work entails, his projects, working with luxury brands, SRGN Studios, SRGN Academy, his passion for sports, The League, and additional projects that he is working on.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to be a shoemaker?
DOMINIC CIAMBRONE: When did I realize that I wanted to be a shoemaker? I would say when I was 19 years old. From the age of 15/16, I was painting shoes, but I realized that to actually be a shoemaker, I needed to take my craft a step further. That realization came I think when I met one of my mentors, Michael Anthony who hand makes western boots.
AM: What was that journey like to be able to be self-taught and learning all of those elements?
DC: It was a long road! I started with painting shoes and then I learned how to sew on top of them – I learned sewing in high school. Then I met my mentor who made western boots so I got to watch him make boots and then I realized that that’s what I wanted to do with sneakers. I wanted to make the highest end sneakers in the world and it took many years working for free and just doing stuff to learn about machines and tools. It was a lot of missteps and a lot of learning. I did paint, I did shoe repair, fixed purses and bags. I mean, I did all kinds of things just so that I could learn.
AM: Back in 2011/2012, I had a collaboration with Sebago and I had a line of their boat shoes and we sold it on HSN, Bloomingdale's and a few select retailers and I was so excited. But my background at that time was in apparel and jewelry as opposed to shoes. I remember reading an article about you and your work when I was on my flight heading to the factory in the Dominican Republic. After reading it, I felt that in hearing your story, how you approached your work etc, that if I could take that same approach and focus on the materials and create another way to highlight this style of shoe much as you do with sneakers that I could do it! So reading about you and just thinking about it in a different way saved me from freaking out on my flight I just wanted to say thank you for that!
DC: That’s awesome!
AM: Why do you call yourself The Surgeon?
DC: I was 18 years old in a hotel in NYC for the first time trying to figure out what to call myself, the brand, and what I was doing. I just wrote down a bunch of things and I was just trying to figure out what do I do to sneakers? What do I do to the shoes? I was like, “surgery,” and that’s where it got birthed – The Surgeon. Now that we're expanding the business, we've taken "Shoe" out of the name and go by SURGEON. Our creativity isn't limited to sneakers and you're going to see that more and more next year.
AM: When you’re customizing shoes, where do you start in that creative process when you’re making sneakers?
DC: I mean it changes. I don’t have one set process. For me, I have always been able to build something to life straight from an idea. I love sourcing materials, I’m really big into materials, I think that I’m mostly a materials person. I mostly just love it so much. You can turn something into a product and that’s a beautiful thing.
AM: I’m also a fashion stylist and an accessory expert, so I’m constantly talking about and believe that when someone is purchasing a handbag, jewelry, or shoes, you’re buying what the designer intended in making that item as well as what the wearer puts into it after wearing it and wanting it. Ultimately, that connection between the person who purchased it and the product creates its own history and meaning. When people are buying your shoes, what are they getting?
DC: I mean, ha – they get a piece of my soul. They get a piece of something that’s my entire life and they get a piece of shoemaking history that dates back all the way to Ancient Egypt! I mean, there’s those hieroglyphics on the wall that I looked at recently and some of the oldest ones have people making shoes!
AM: You have been worn and collected by so many people from LeBron James, Justin Bieber, Drake and more. What’s it like when you’re collaborating with them on specific ideas and incorporating your concepts together?
DC: Sometimes they give me the full range to do what I want and then there’s some that have a couple of ideas and I help bring their ideas to life where they will give a little bit of direction and I’m able to go back and forth. I think that a true collaboration is a very beautiful thing. You have 2 energies that are coming together to create something magical.
AM: You’ve also worked with so many brands whether it’s Gucci or Lanvin or Nike or Reese’s, what does it feel like to be able to work with these types of brands and to bring your creativity and artistry into what their lexicon is?
DC: I mean, it’s a beautiful thing. At the end of the day, I just – a friend of mine told me that I’m making commercial cool right? So a lot of the stuff that I get to do is that I get to make cool commercials and I didn’t look at it that way. People just reached out to me for my craft and my artistry and what I have been able to build from my Instagram to just a true foundation where I hold a high value on my quality and my artisanal work with the team so it’s really cool to be able to be part of it.
AM: You’re SURGEON X Bentley partnership last year where you had the limited edition shoes as well as Surgeon-ifying their car, what did it mean to you to work with this brand and to create in this way?
DC: Bentley is one of, if not the most, prestigious car company in the world. So, to be able to fly to Crewe, England and sit with the makers there and to see how they produced one of the highest quality cars in the world was a very humbling experience and it was so amazing to be able to do that because that car is the top of the top!
AM: Oh yeah!
The materials that you use – the leathers, the exotics are amazing. Have you also used sustainable materials like banana leathers, mycelium and things like that?
DC: Oh yeah, I’ve been using different ideas of sustainability whether it’s even recycled materials. I actually flew to Brazil, developed an Elephant Ear plant material and we have used that on shoes and right now, I have a shoe that is launching that the sole is dyed with turmeric, the swoosh is mushroom, pineapple leather, grape leaf leather – I mean, it’s a really cool shoe.
AM: What has been your favorite project that you have worked on?
DC: I don’t really have favorites …
AM: You’re like me – I don’t have favorites, but there are a lot of things that I vibe with!
DC: I think it’s myself – really working on myself is beauty and I never looked at it that way until recently. So to be able to work on myself and to be able to translate that to my children, the work will speak for itself. myself is beauty and I never looked at it that way until recently. So to be able to work on myself and to be able to translate that to my children, the work will speak for itself.
AM: When you started, this industry and the market didn’t really exist in this way and you definitely have left a mark on it. Where do you see the industry in the next 15/20 years?
DC: That’s a great question. I don’t know. I don’t think like that because shoes and the custom industry was something that I think that I really helped pioneer and now for me, it’s way bigger than that. I’m working on architecture, interiors, car design, and so many other things. So just for custom shoes as an industry, I think that more people will respect the process more. I think that some will try it and most won’t like it because it’s a lot of work. I do think that a lot of things will be going to automation and easy to do things.
AM: Tell me about SRGN Academy which you have in LA, Las Vegas and at the Seaport here in NY.
DC: The SRGN Academy was started 8 or 9 years ago now. Growing up, I didn’t have a class or a school that I wanted to go to so I wanted to offer a trade school that you learn how to make a pair of shoes from scratch and at the same time, it’s not just about the shoes. It’s about going through something for yourself and doing something positive for yourself.
AM: Then there’s SRGN Studios, why did you want to launch this and what does it entail?
DC: SRGN Studios and even SURGEON Worldwide, is just a company that I have been able to build. The studio is like my fantasy factory where we have sports and all things under one roof. Not until you’re able to come into the studio do you really get a feel for it. You can only see so much through social media and online. So it's just a way for people to be able to have fun and live life. Life’s too short. I wanted to create a safe and fun place for people.
AM: Tell me about The League.
DC: The League started out of – well my business partner Dallas Imbimbo, he plays basketball and I play soccer. So once we got into our newer space, we just started playing pickup games and then we were like, “oh, let’s do more.” So we turned it into a league and it’s been very competitive, and fun, and a great outlet for me to not just be creative – but athletic and to compete in a healthy way.
AM: It seems like you have a full schedule. Will you ever have versions where you go to other cities like here in NY or in Miami.
DC: Yeah, we’re working on it.
AM: A few minutes ago, you were talking about how your passion extends beyond just shoes as you’re working in architecture, interiors, and cars. Will you have a clothing line, will we ever see a hotel that you do?
DC: Yeah exactly! I’m working on all of those things. I think that the hotel is definitely something that I love. I’m passionate about traveling and experience is something that is very meaningful to me so a hotel is definitely ideating.
AM: Here at Athleisure Mag, we love talking about food, it’s a great love that we’re constantly covering. You have the Canevari’s Ravioli Factory & Delicatessen – tell us more about this.
DC: My dad took over this deli 12-15 years ago and growing up my whole life, my dad was a chef. My mom cooked and my dad, when I was going into my freshman year of high school, they opened a restaurant and I got to see them live out their passions by just opening up a restaurant. At the time, I took it for granted and I didn’t understand it. I thought that it was normal and it was just my normal. Now that they have the deli, I have helped them remodel it, help brand it, and to get the right eyeballs on it to continue to grow it. It’s helped my dad and I to become closer.
“They get a piece of my soul. They get a piece of something that’s my entire life and they get a piece of shoemaking history that dates back all the way to Ancient Egypt! I mean, there’s those hieroglyphics on the wall that I looked at recently and some of the oldest ones have people making shoes!”
AM: What do you do in terms of working out as we like to know. So what are 3 workouts that you do that we should consider to add into our routines?
DC: Play soccer! Play soccer! It’s such a good workout. I mean and then, steam room, sauna, and I also meditate which is a workout for the mind to relax and physical therapy. I think a lot of people don’t realize how important physical therapy is. We wait until we’re hurt or we need to recover to get to it. But it’s like, if you can be preventative, then you’ll always be good. Mobility workouts are great. It’s less about weight and going crazy, it’s about the body and being really kind to your body and figuring out how to open it up so that you can have it for the longevity of your life.
AM: Totally agree. I turned 40 a few years ago and prior to that I wasn’t as focused on recovering the body post workout and mobility. When I started adding it in, I wondered why I had never done that because your body needs it and you can feel it over time.
When you’re not working, how do you take time for yourself?
DC: How do I take time for myself? I have a life coach that I work with every week. You know, I would say that playing soccer is time for myself even though it is in the studio. It’s really the only time that I ever shut off unless I’m in a meditation or workout. Hiking, traveling, and then working on myself for my children.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share?
DC: Ha! I’d have to ask my team! I can’t even keep up. We’re moving into the new studio, another 20,000 sq ft. We have a collaboration with Allen Iverson that launches next month. I mean, there are so many, I can’t even keep up anymore.
AM: You have so many projects going on and dropping. When a project comes to your attention, how do you decide if that is something that you want to add to your schedule?
DC: We have built such a great team to help manage this stuff so that we can continue to grow and that for me as a creative, I can continue to explore new things. So, it just depends. There are so many great things that we’re working on and a lot of the things that I’m working on is the stuff for the future.
AM: You’re also an advocate and you speak about the importance of mental health which is something we believe in. Why is it so important to you and what do you feel is the connection between mental health and physical health?
DC: As a kid, I went through a lot of mental health challenges, and I don’t think that I knew of it that way. At 24, I ended up jumping out of a window when I was making shoes for Justin Bieber, and I was diagnosed bipolar and I didn’t really know what that meant. Then when I started doing more self-research and figuring more things out, it’s so important – mental health and physical health are one in the same and you need to do both. When you take care of your physical health, your mental health will be better. It’s just true in the same and so it’s very important to physically take care of yourself for your mental purposes and with mindful workouts which is meditation, positive self-talk, it's mindfulness and so many things. And yeah, there’s so many people with how the world is going where people are pushing you know, different types of medicines. There’s something so much more easier about being able to get up and going for a walk, being in the sun, and taking care of your mind, body, and soul.
AM: I heard you like to rap in the office!
DC: HAHA I like to make people laugh! Growing up, my dad always rhymed, more like Dr. Seuss than a rapper, but I do it for myself and also to help people around to laugh. My kids pick it up to and it’s so funny because if I try to start rhyming and rapping, my daughter’s like, “dad, stop!”
AM: I could see you dropping a mix tape!
DC: I mean, I’m working on music more for exploring it. It’s less about rapping and more about just creating!
IG @ciambrone
PHOTO CREDITS | FRONT/BACK COVER, PG 20 + 9DRIP 42-45 Bryam Heredia/SRGN Studios + Grooming/Stefanie Guerra | PG 16-19, 22-41 SRGN Studios |
Read the NOV ISSUE #95 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ARTISAN | Dominic Ciambrone “The Surgeon” in mag.
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63MIX ROUTIN3S | LAIRD HAMILTON
PHOTO CREDIT | Phillip Dixon
ATHLEISURE MAG ISSUE #94 | LAIRD HAMILTON + GABBY REECE
In this month’s issue, our front and back cover story is with Pro Beach Volleyball Athlete, Gabby Reece and Ultimate Waterman, Co-Inventor of Tow-In Surfing, Laird Hamilton. Both have been models, TV personalities, producers, etc and are Co-Founders of Laird Superfood. We talked with them to find out more about Laird Superfood as well as XPT, products that they are focused on as we continue into fall and holiday, and how they balance their coupleship with the work that they do. We also interviewed the first African American principal at ABT, Misty Copeland. She talks about the sport, how she uses her platform to amplify ballet voices, and more.
This month, we have a number of culinary stories that we're so excited to share with you. We covered Food Network's New York City Wine and Food Festival presented by Capital One. We give you an inside look on the events we attended as well as including interviews we have with Chef Brooke Williamson (Chef/Owner - Playa Provisions), Chef Antonia Lofaso (Chef/Owner - DAMA Fashion District, Scopa Italian Roots), Chef Andrew Zimmern, Chef Robert Irvine, Chef Philippe Chow (Chef/Owner - Philippe by Philippe Chow), Chef Franklin Becker (Chef/Owner - The Press Club Grill), Chef Alain Allegretti (Partner Culinary Director - Fig & Olive), Chef Alez Guzman (Chef/Owner - Archer & Goat). We also cover the Concorde Hotel as they were a great partner in this story as we enjoyed a staycation there while covering this food festival.
Our food coverage continues with Hortus NYC in addition to this month's The Art of the Snack which brings the Hamptons to the city, Sagaponack. This month's Athleisure List comes from Paros Tribeca which makes you feel like you're enjoying a Grecian getaway, along with Seasoned Vegan which has opened recently in the East Village. We also caught up with Gaby Dalkin who is known for her take on food to tell us a bit how we can prepare for holiday entertaining as the season is around the corner as well as her latest cookbook. We also talked with Doreen Winkler, a noted sommelier who will bring orange wines to her 2nd Annual Orange Glou Fair. We talk about her boutique, her passion for orange wines, the event, and mroe.
This month’s 9PLAYLIST comes from EDM DJ/Producer, Miley Cyrus. Our 9LIST STORI3S comes from EDM DJ/Producer, Honeyluv and from DJ/Producer/Rapper/Singer/Songwriter, Jesse McFaddin. Our 63MIX ROUTIN3S comes from icons Laird Hamilton and Chuck Norris.
Read the OCT ISSUE #94 here.
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