Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag and see The Pick Me Up in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Fachry Zella Devandra
Football cleats may seem like a small part of the game, but their evolution mirrors the transformation of football itself. From heavy leather boots to ultra-light, performance-driven designs, cleats have continually adapted to the sport’s increasing speed, physicality, and strategic complexity. Each era of football has demanded something new from footwear, and cleats have risen to the challenge.
The Early Days: Function Over Form
In the early days of football, cleats were far from the sleek designs we see today. Players often wore modified work boots made of thick leather, reinforced with metal studs hammered into the soles. These shoes were built for durability, not comfort or speed. Fields were muddy, uneven, and poorly maintained, so traction mattered more than agility. While these early cleats provided grip, they were heavy, stiff, and offered little flexibility, making quick cuts and explosive movement difficult.
Despite their limitations, these boots laid the foundation for football-specific footwear by establishing traction as a core performance requirement.
Mid-Century Advancements: Safety and Standardization
As football grew in popularity and organization, equipment standards began to emerge. By the mid-20th century, cleats became more specialized, with rubber or molded studs replacing those dangerous metal spikes. This shift improved player safety and allowed leagues to regulate equipment more effectively.
Leather was still the dominant material, but designs became slightly lighter and more ergonomic. Cleats started to resemble athletic footwear rather than industrial boots, supporting better foot movement while maintaining durability. These improvements coincided with the game becoming faster and more structured, especially at the professional and collegiate levels.
The Speed Era: Lighter, Faster, Sharper
The late 20th century marked a turning point. As football strategy evolved and athleticism became more prominent, cleats had to keep up. Manufacturers began experimenting with synthetic materials that significantly reduced weight while increasing flexibility. Lower-cut designs emerged, giving players greater ankle mobility and responsiveness.
Position-specific needs also became more apparent. Skill players favored lighter cleats for speed and quick direction changes, while linemen needed sturdier designs for stability and power. This era cemented the idea that cleats weren’t one-size-fits-all. They become tools tailored to how the game was played.
Modern Cleats: Technology Meets Performance
Today’s football cleats are the product of advanced materials science and biomechanical research. Lightweight synthetic uppers, carbon fiber plates, and precision-molded studs are designed to maximize acceleration, traction, and energy return. Many modern cleats weigh a fraction of their early counterparts, allowing players to move faster and react quicker than ever before.
Stud configurations are now engineered for specific field types, including natural grass, turf, or hybrid surfaces, helping players maintain control while reducing injury risk. Cleats also incorporate improved cushioning, foot lockdown systems, and breathable materials to support comfort over four quarters of intense play.
Customization and Player Identity
Another major shift in cleat evolution is personalization. Modern players use cleats as an extension of their identity, featuring custom colors, designs, and messages. This reflects football’s growth not just as a sport, but as a cultural platform where individuality and expression coexist with team unity.
While performance remains the priority, cleats now also tell stories about players, causes, and moments that matter beyond the field.
What This Evolution Tells Us
The evolution of football cleats highlights how closely equipment development follows the demands of the game. As football became faster and more explosive, cleats evolved to support those changes. What began as heavy, utilitarian footwear is now a finely tuned piece of performance gear, designed to give players every possible edge, and looking ahead, innovation shows no signs of slowing.
PHOTO CREDIT | Pexels/Volodymyr Felbaba
College life often feels like a nonstop loop of screens, deadlines, notifications, and late-night study sessions. Between lectures, assignments, and part-time jobs, many students barely step outside unless they have to. But what if the simplest way to feel more focused, calmer, and motivated was already waiting right outside your door?
A nature-focused lifestyle is not about escaping responsibility or living off the grid. It is about intentionally spending time outdoors and letting natural environments support your mental, emotional, and academic life. For students especially, nature can become a powerful, and often overlooked, study partner.
So why does nature matter so much for students, and how can it genuinely improve academic life?
Ever notice how your brain feels fried after hours of staring at a screen? That mental exhaustion is real, and nature helps counter it in ways that textbooks and productivity apps cannot.
Studying demands constant focus. Reading, writing, and problem-solving all rely on directed attention, which drains quickly. Natural environments help restore this attention by giving the brain a break from intense concentration. Trees, water, and open spaces gently engage the mind without overwhelming it.
A short walk outside before studying can feel like hitting a mental reset button. Instead of forcing yourself to focus harder, nature helps focus come back naturally.
Nature does more than calm the mind. It also stimulates creative thinking and memory formation. When students spend time outdoors, their brains form connections more easily, which supports learning and idea generation.
That is why some of the best ideas come during a walk or while sitting in a park. The relaxed mental state allows thoughts to flow instead of getting stuck.
Motivation can disappear fast when studying feels endless. Nature helps reconnect students with purpose and momentum.
Burnout happens when effort never seems to pay off. Many students quietly admit, “There are moments when deadlines pile up and I catch myself thinking, do my essay because I need breathing room to stay engaged with my education.” In those situations, assignment help becomes a way to manage academic pressure rather than escape responsibility, allowing students to refocus on understanding course material, participating in classes, and maintaining steady progress instead of slipping into exhaustion. Nature interrupts that cycle by offering recovery without guilt. Taking breaks outdoors feels restorative rather than wasteful.
Even when students rely on structured support, guidance, or an essay writing service to manage heavy workloads, pairing that help with outdoor breaks keeps motivation intact instead of draining it further.
Studying outdoors, reading near a window, or starting the day with a short walk creates routines that support consistency. These small habits signal the brain that it is time to focus.
Over time, nature becomes part of the study process rather than a distraction from it.
Student life comes with pressure. Exams, social expectations, and future uncertainty can weigh heavily on mental health. Nature offers a surprisingly effective form of emotional support.
Spending time in green spaces lowers stress levels by slowing heart rate and calming the nervous system. Even brief exposure to nature can reduce feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.
Think of nature as a natural pause button. When academic stress builds up, stepping outside helps put problems into perspective. That chemistry exam feels less suffocating when you breathe fresh air and feel grounded again.
Sunlight, fresh air, and physical movement all play a role in regulating mood. Students who regularly spend time outdoors often report feeling more emotionally stable and less irritable.
Nature does not judge or rush you. It simply exists, which makes it easier to process emotions and reset after a tough day.
PHOTO CREDIT | Pexels/Jędrzej Koralewski
A nature-focused lifestyle supports the body as much as the mind. And for students juggling packed schedules, energy matters.
You do not need a gym membership to stay active. Walking through a campus park, cycling to class, or studying outdoors all promote gentle physical activity. This movement boosts circulation and oxygen flow, which increases alertness and stamina.
Unlike forced workouts, outdoor activity feels less like a chore and more like a break.
Time spent outside helps regulate circadian rhythms, which improves sleep quality. Better sleep leads to better concentration, memory, and academic performance.
Students who struggle with late-night scrolling often find that daytime exposure to natural light makes falling asleep easier and waking up less painful.
Nature also shapes how students connect with others and with themselves.
Outdoor activities encourage relaxed conversations and shared experiences. Group walks, outdoor study sessions, or casual meetups feel less pressured than indoor settings.
These interactions help students build friendships that feel more authentic and less performance-driven.
Spending time alone in nature fosters reflection. Students gain clarity about goals, values, and personal limits. This self-awareness supports better decision-making in academics and life.
Nature creates space to think without noise, which is rare and valuable during student years.
Adopting this lifestyle does not require dramatic changes. Small steps add up quickly.
Start by choosing outdoor study spots when weather allows. Walk or bike instead of taking transport when possible. Take study breaks outside instead of scrolling on your phone. Add plants to your room to bring nature indoors.
Think of nature as a tool, not a luxury. It is accessible, flexible, and free.
A nature-focused lifestyle offers students more than fresh air and nice views. It supports focus, mental health, physical energy, motivation, and personal growth. In a world that constantly demands attention and productivity, nature provides balance without pressure.
By making room for green spaces and outdoor moments, students can study smarter, feel better, and enjoy their academic journey more fully. Sometimes, the most effective study strategy is simply stepping outside and letting nature do part of the work.
Michele Kent is a content writer with a strong focus on academic writing, research-based content, and structured essays. Her work explores how students approach writing tasks, organize arguments, and work with sources across different academic formats. She is particularly interested in clarity, evidence-driven writing, and the ways thoughtful content structure can support learning and effective communication.
PHOTO CREDIT | LIV Golf
In this month’s issue, our front and back cover story is with 24X PGA Tour Champion, 2016 US Open Champion, 2020 Masters Champion, LIV Golf 3X Individual wins Dustin Johnson. We talk with him about the passion for his sport, preparing for the upcoming and his 5th LIV season, being Owner/Captain of the 4Aces, how he stays in shape, and more. 4Aces' GM, Chris Rosaasen also talks about how he came to the team and what we can expect as the season kicks off in Riyadh.
The NHL season is well underway and we had some time with NJ Devils star, Jack Hughes to talk about how he came to hockey, being drafted in 2019, his partnership with Mucinex Kickstart and how he takes time for himself.
We caught up with the most decorated X Games Winter female athlete, Jamie Anderson to talk about how she navigates being a snowboarder and what it means to her. We also talk about how she trains, takes time for herself, and participating in Rockstar Energy Open and the Legendary X Games!
With the Super Bowl approaching on Feb 8th, we're looking forward to seeing the Seahawks vs the Patriots to see who will win this season. This time of year brings so many events that take place during then. We talked with Ashley Daniel, NFL Director of Marketing and E-Commerce to talk about Origins: NFL Collection which is a collaborative effort between the league and designers to create products that have the spirit that the Big Game takes place and being created by those from that area. We also chat with Aaron De La Cruz to find out how he became part of this project and what he is looking forward to.
We're looking forward to festival and this season we talk with DJ/Producer KAAZE about his upcoming schedule which includes debuting at Tomorrowland, new music, his collaboration with Steve Aoki via their EP Head Rush, and how he approaches creating music and what that process involves.
We also sat down with HYPATON to talk about how he got into the industry, working with and being mentored by David Guetta, how he approaches his music, and his upcoming Tomorrowland debut.
We have had a few weeks to get used to being in 2026. We sat down with Michelle Buteau to talk about how this entertainer, comedian, and actor approaches her work, concluding the final season of Netflix's Survival of the Thickest where she is the lead and Co-Creator, her upcoming projects, how she navigates the New Year, and her partnership with Premier Protein.
We sat down with the filmmakers, Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti of BALANCE: A Perimenopause Journey which not only brings awareness to this series of periods in women's lives, but also the issues of how to navigate it whether through Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT) or through natural means. We hear from an array of doctors on all sides of the issues, regular women, and from Executive Producers Alyssa Milano and Jeannie Mai with their stories as well.
This month's The Art of the Snack takes us to DC at Daru where we enjoy cuisine from India and Nepal.
This month's Athleisure List comes from Pave Padel, a padel club located in Montauk. We also included Four Seasons Resorts Bali as well all think about warmer weather and phenomenal trips.
Our 9LIST ROUTIN3S comes from Jack Hughes where he shares what he has, does, and enjoys Morning, Afternoon, and Night for his GAM3DAY. Our 9PLAYLIST MULTI which looks at what Dustin Johnson is listening to as well as streaming. Our 9PLAYLIST comes from Aaron De La Cruz. Our NEW YEAR N3W YOU includes Jamie Anderson, HYPATON, and KAAZE.
Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Australian Open
In tennis, the year kicks off with the first Grand Slam of the season at the Australian Open which started on Jan 12th and ends on Feb 1st! We are now in the quarterfinals and are looking forward to see who will take it all! We can’t wait to see the athletes and stories that will dominate this season as well as how it culminates when it hits the final Grand Slam of the year here in NYC for the US Open.
Most fitness enthusiasts underestimate the complexity of multi-sport racing by nearly half. Athletes often obsess over swim splits or bike speed while ignoring the silent time killer lurking between disciplines. Research from the 2022 IRONMAN World Championships reveals that transition inefficiencies alone can cost competitors several minutes regardless of fitness level. Those precious seconds add up faster than lactic acid in your quads.
Smart athletes know that preparation begins long before the starting horn. Every race demands precise calculations across three distinct disciplines plus two critical transition zones. This complexity explains why experienced competitors rely on specialized tools like SwimBikeRun.rocks to map their race day strategy with mathematical precision. The platform helps athletes predict their splits and optimize pacing across all five segments of the event.
Triathlon success requires understanding how energy systems interact across different movement patterns. Your body switches from horizontal swimming to vertical cycling to upright running. Each transition demands different muscle recruitment and cardiovascular demands. Smart pacing accounts for these physiological shifts.
Elite performers treat each segment as a distinct equation. Swimming demands controlled aggression to establish position without draining reserves. Cycling requires steady power output management. Running mandates careful conservation after the bike leg's fatigue accumulation.
A 2023 study published in Scientific Reports examined professional IRONMAN athletes and found that running performance predicted overall success better than cycling or swimming metrics. The top ten finishers maintained remarkably even pacing throughout the marathon portion. Their speed variation stayed within tight parameters while slower competitors showed erratic pace fluctuations. This research suggests that bike pacing directly impacts run performance through accumulated fatigue mechanisms.
Transition zones represent the fourth discipline in triathlon racing. T1 moves you from water to wheels. T2 shifts you from pedals to pavement. Each requires distinct physical and mental adjustments.
Smooth transitions demand rehearsal. Lay out your gear in precise order. Practice removing wetsuits quickly without losing balance. Mount your bike efficiently without breaking stride. These movements should feel automatic through repetition. Fat fingers and shaky legs make simple tasks complicated after intense exertion.
Volume alone does not guarantee multi-sport success. Strategic intensity distribution produces better results than random hard efforts. Your training must mirror race demands through specific periodization.
Academic research reveals counterintuitive truths about endurance pacing. A comprehensive review published by the National Institutes of Health examined factors influencing triathlon performance. The analysis showed that even pacing strategies generally outperform aggressive starts for overall race times.
Drafting plays a huge role in sustainable speed. During swimming, drafting behind faster swimmers reduces drag significantly. This position can save substantial energy for later stages. On the bike, legal drafting zones allow energy conservation through reduced wind resistance. These tactics require practice to execute safely at speed.
The concept of "variable pacing" applies differently across disciplines. Uphill cycling segments demand power increases while downhills allow brief recovery. Running requires steady cadence maintenance despite terrain changes. Understanding these nuances separates pack finishers from podium contenders.
PHOTO CREDIT | Pixabay/Maurizio Rossetti
Weakness in one sport disproportionately affects overall performance. Many athletes enter triathlon from single-sport backgrounds. Runners struggle with swim technique. Cyclists fight the running economy. Swimmers battle bike fit issues.
Cross-training provides injury prevention benefits alongside performance gains. Smart athletes integrate complementary activities into their weekly schedules. Tools like e-bikes for conditioning offer low-impact aerobic maintenance between intense training blocks. These devices allow active recovery without the joint stress of pounding pavement daily.
Your weekly schedule should reflect your limiting factors. Identify your weakest discipline. Allocate specific training time to address technique and efficiency gaps. Avoid the temptation to only train your strengths because they feel satisfying.
Equipment choices impact race day comfort and speed significantly. Decisions made months before race day determine your transition speed and energy conservation.
Kit selection requires compromise between swim hydrodynamics and cycling comfort. Many athletes choose trisuits that function across all three disciplines. These garments dry quickly and eliminate change time between segments.
Practice swimming in your race kit before competition day. Feel how the fabric moves against your skin when wet. Notice any chafing points during longer efforts. The chlorine smell should trigger muscle memory through repeated training exposure.
Bike fit adjustments can improve both power output and running performance post-ride. Small saddle height changes affect muscle recruitment patterns. Handlebar position impacts aerodynamics and breathing efficiency. Professional bike fitting services prove worthwhile investments for serious competitors.
Fuel represents another calculation requiring precision. Depletion hits suddenly during multi-sport efforts. Gastric distress from poor timing ruins races faster than fitness gaps.
Practice your nutrition strategy during training. Determine what foods settle well at race intensity. Calculate carbohydrate intake per hour based on your body weight and sweat rate. The physical activity guidelines from Health.gov suggest that endurance athletes require careful energy management beyond standard recommendations.
Hydration needs vary with environmental conditions. Hot races demand electrolyte replacement alongside fluid intake. Cooler events might require less aggressive drinking strategies. Your urine color provides immediate feedback on hydration status during taper weeks.
Endurance gains happen during rest periods, not just training sessions. Sleep quality directly impacts your ability to absorb hard workouts. Stress management plays a crucial role in consistent performance.
Post-workout nutrition should include protein alongside carbohydrates. This combination supports muscle repair and glycogen replenishment simultaneously. Consider exploring mood-supporting supplements that help manage the psychological stress of intense training blocks. Mental fatigue impairs physical performance through complex neurological pathways.
Active recovery sessions should feel almost embarrassingly easy. These workouts promote blood flow without adding training stress. Walking, gentle swimming, or easy spinning all serve this purpose. Respect these sessions as training components rather than skipped workouts.
Triathlon rewards those who respect its complexity. Every detail matters when margins separate finishers. Your training, equipment, nutrition, and pacing calculations all integrate into a cohesive race day experience.
Start your preparation with an honest assessment. Calculate your current fitness across all three disciplines. Build your training plan around your specific limiters. Practice transitions until they feel automatic. Test your nutrition repeatedly. And utilize specialized calculators to remove guesswork from your pacing strategy.
The finish line awaits those who prepare intelligently. Your fitness lifestyle has already built the foundation. Now apply these specific strategies to conquer the multi-sport challenge ahead.
If you've been injured in an accident, you're probably focused on getting better and rightfully so. But here's something that might surprise you: the medical treatment you receive can dramatically impact the outcome of your injury case. In fact, your medical records often become the most powerful evidence in proving your claim.
Your injury case isn't just about what happened during the accident. It's about proving how that accident affected your life. Medical treatment creates a documented trail that tells your story in a way courts and insurance companies understand. Understanding how your medical care connects to your legal case is important to protect both your health and your right to fair compensation.
PHOTO CREDIT | Freepik
According to the Insurance Research Council, injured parties who seek legal representation receive settlements that are 3.5 times larger on average than those who don't. But even with an attorney, your medical records are what truly strengthen your claim. Comprehending the connection between medical documentation and legal outcomes can feel tiring when you're already dealing with injuries and recovery.
In states like South Carolina, where personal injury claims must be filed within three years, and damages are reduced under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, clear medical documentation and strong supporting evidence often play a decisive role in case outcomes. Understanding how medical documentation is interpreted from a legal standpoint can also make a meaningful difference in the direction of your claim. Many injury victims who are facing such conditions choose to speak with a Rock Hill personal injury lawyer, such as professionals at Stewart Law Offices, to better understand how treatment records are evaluated by a court and how small gaps or inconsistencies might affect case outcomes. Having clarity early on may help keep your medical care and legal strategy aligned during recovery.
If you are facing such circumstances in Rock Hill, SC, you can visit the Stewart Law Offices at 1242 Ebenezer Road, just 4 minutes drive from Miracle Park of Rock Hill, or you can directly call 803-328-5600 to speak with a personal injury attorney and can discuss your case.
Think of your medical records as the foundation of your case. Every doctor's visit, diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription creates evidence that:
● Establishes the severity of your injuries
● Links your injuries directly to the accident
● Demonstrates the impact on your daily life
● Shows your commitment to recovery
Without this documentation, you're asking the insurance company to take your word for it. And unfortunately, that rarely works in your favor.
One of the biggest mistakes people make after an accident is delaying medical care. Maybe you felt okay initially, or you wanted to see if the pain would go away on its own. Perhaps you were worried about medical bills or simply didn't have time. Whatever the reason, gaps in treatment send red flags to insurance adjusters.
Insurance companies exploit treatment delays to argue your injuries either weren't caused by the accident, aren't as severe as claimed, or stem from another source. While many legitimate injuries like whiplash, soft tissue damage, or traumatic brain injuries don't show immediate symptoms, explaining delayed onset after the fact is much harder than having early medical documentation.
Visiting a doctor promptly helps create documentation that may support the connection between the accident and your injuries.
Getting that initial exam is just the first step. Following through with your treatment plan is equally important. Follow your doctor's orders. When you skip appointments, stop physical therapy early, or ignore your doctor's recommendations, insurance companies interpret this as evidence that you weren't really hurt. Here's what consistent treatment demonstrates:
● You're genuinely injured and not exaggerating.
● You're taking reasonable steps to recover
● The injury requires ongoing care
● Consistent treatment may support claims for continued medical care costs.
According to the National Safety Council, the total cost of work injuries in 2023 was $176.5 billion, which included medical expenses of $36.8 billion. Making proper documentation of these medical expenses important to recovering compensation for your case.
Not all medical treatment carries the same weight in an injury case. While you should always follow your doctor's recommendations for your health, understanding how different treatments are viewed can help you make informed decisions.
Insurance companies generally expect injured parties to start with conservative treatments before moving to more aggressive interventions. This progression might look like:
Conservative approaches:
● Rest and activity modification
● Over-the-counter pain medication
● Physical therapy
● Chiropractic care
More aggressive interventions:
● Prescription medications
● Injections
● Surgery
● Long-term pain management
Following a logical treatment progression strengthens your case by showing you exhausted reasonable options before pursuing costly interventions.
Seeing specialists demonstrates the seriousness of your injuries. A referral from your primary care doctor to an orthopedist, neurologist, or pain management specialist shows that your condition requires definitive evaluation and treatment. These specialist reports carry significant weight because they provide professional medical opinions about not only the nature and extent of your injuries, the expected recovery timeline, but also potential long-term complications and necessary future medical care.
Your settlement should cover both current and future medical costs. If you'll need ongoing treatment, future surgery, or long-term medication, include these expenses. Medical specialists can project future treatment needs, ongoing care costs, potential complications, and permanent limitations requiring assistive devices. Complete medical documentation is essential to support these future cost projections.
Here are some key points to keep in mind to avoid diminishing the value of your own case.
● Don't use only attorney-referred doctors - Mix in your own established physicians for added credibility.
● Don't rely solely on alternative medicine - Supplement chiropractors/acupuncturists with traditional MDs for comprehensive documentation.
● Don't discuss case details in medical settings - Stick to medical facts; avoid speculating about fault or settlement value in medical records.
PHOTO CREDIT | Freepik
What happens if I can't afford medical treatment after my accident?
Don't skip treatment due to cost. Many doctors work on a lien basis (payment after settlement), and you can use health insurance, auto insurance, medical coverage, or payment plans. Skipping treatment will hurt your case more than the expense.
Can I still win my case if I missed some doctor appointments?
Yes, but missed appointments weaken your case. Insurance companies view gaps as evidence that you weren't seriously injured. Resume treatment immediately and document any legitimate reasons for missed visits.
Do I need to see a specialist, or will my regular doctor be sufficient?
For serious injuries like broken bones, back/neck pain, or head trauma, see a specialist. Specialist opinions carry more weight with insurance companies. Always follow through if your doctor recommends a referral.
Walk into most gyms and you'll witness countless bicep curls, chest presses, and leg extensions. Yet the forearms—those crucial muscles connecting hand to elbow—receive remarkably little dedicated attention. This oversight creates a glaring weakness in many training programmes, limiting performance in compound lifts, creating aesthetic imbalances, and leaving untapped potential for functional strength development. Understanding why forearm training deserves deliberate focus, and how to implement it effectively, can transform both your appearance and physical capabilities.
Forearms serve as the critical link between your hands and upper body. Every pulling movement, carrying task, or gripping action depends on forearm strength and endurance. When forearms fatigue during deadlifts or rows, you're forced to terminate sets prematurely despite having capacity remaining in larger muscle groups. This bottleneck effect limits training stimulus and ultimately constrains overall strength development.
Beyond the gym, robust forearms contribute to countless daily activities. Carrying shopping bags, opening stubborn jars, using hand tools, or maintaining posture during extended computer work all demand forearm capability. Weakness in this area creates functional limitations that compound over time, particularly as we age.
From an aesthetic perspective, well-developed forearms create visual balance and convey physical capability. They're visible year-round regardless of clothing choices, unlike arms or shoulders that remain hidden under long sleeves. For those interested in physique development, neglecting forearms creates noticeable imbalances that undermine overall appearance.
The forearms contain numerous muscles responsible for different movements. The flexor muscles on the palm side control wrist flexion and finger closing. Extensor muscles on the top of the forearm manage wrist extension and finger opening. Pronators and supinators rotate the forearm, whilst various smaller muscles control individual finger movements.
This complexity means comprehensive forearm development requires varied exercises targeting different movement patterns. Simply performing wrist curls addresses only a portion of forearm musculature, leaving gaps in strength and development.
These fundamental movements directly target the primary forearm muscles. Wrist curls, performed with palms facing upward, develop the flexors. Reverse wrist curls, with palms facing downward, strengthen the extensors. Both variations are essential for balanced development and injury prevention.
Proper execution involves controlled movement through full range of motion, avoiding momentum or compensatory movements. Higher repetition ranges typically work well for these exercises, as forearm muscles respond favourably to endurance-focused training.
This variation of the standard bicep curl places greater emphasis on the brachioradialis—the prominent forearm muscle visible when flexing the elbow with palms facing downward. Reverse curls bridge the gap between bicep and forearm training, developing both regions simultaneously.
Loaded carries challenge forearm endurance whilst building functional strength applicable to real-world tasks. Simply carrying heavy weights for distance or time forces forearms to maintain grip under sustained tension, developing both strength and muscular endurance.
The beauty of farmer's carries lies in their simplicity and transferability. The strength developed translates directly to carrying luggage, moving furniture, or any activity requiring sustained grip.
Whilst bodyweight and free weight exercises provide solid foundations, dedicated forearm exercise equipment offers unique advantages. Wrist rollers, for instance, combine wrist flexion with rotational movement, creating a comprehensive forearm challenge impossible to replicate with standard exercises.
Adjustable resistance devices allow precise progressive overload, essential for continued adaptation. They also enable isolation of specific movement patterns, valuable for addressing weaknesses or rehabilitating injuries.
Forearms recover relatively quickly compared to larger muscle groups, allowing higher training frequencies. Most people benefit from 2-4 forearm sessions weekly. However, these muscles also receive substantial indirect stimulation from pulling exercises, so consider your overall training volume when planning dedicated forearm work.
Sessions needn't be lengthy. Fifteen to twenty minutes of focused training provides sufficient stimulus when performed consistently. Quality execution trumps extended duration.
Like all muscle groups, forearms respond to progressive challenges. This might involve gradually increasing weight, adding repetitions, extending time under tension, or reducing rest periods. Tracking progress ensures continued adaptation rather than stagnant maintenance training.
Start conservatively, particularly if forearm training represents new stimulus. The numerous small muscles and connective tissues require adaptation time. Excessive initial enthusiasm often leads to overuse issues that derail progress.
Forearm training complements rather than replaces compound pulling movements. Deadlifts, pull-ups, and rows all develop forearm strength whilst building back musculature. Strategic programming combines these compound movements with targeted forearm exercises for comprehensive development.
Consider training forearms after primary pulling exercises when they've already received substantial stimulus. This "finishing" approach ensures you don't compromise performance on major lifts through forearm pre-fatigue.
Many enthusiasts focus heavily on flexor development whilst neglecting extensors. This imbalance can contribute to conditions like tennis elbow and creates functional weaknesses. Balanced programming addresses both muscle groups proportionally.
The forearms' relatively high training frequency tolerance doesn't mean they're immune to overtraining. Persistent soreness, reduced grip strength, or sharp pains signal excessive volume. Respect recovery requirements despite forearms' ability to handle frequent stimulation.
The lowering phase of exercises provides valuable training stimulus. Rushing through eccentrics or allowing weights to drop sacrifices half the exercise's benefit. Controlled eccentrics throughout full range of motion maximises development.
Sporadic forearm training produces sporadic results. These muscles respond particularly well to consistent, regular stimulus. Brief, frequent sessions outperform occasional marathon training days.
Visible size increases typically require 8-12 weeks of consistent, progressive training. However, strength gains often manifest sooner, within 3-4 weeks. Genetic factors significantly influence forearm development—some individuals build forearm mass readily whilst others require persistent effort for modest gains. Consistency matters more than genetics long-term.
Balanced forearm strengthening, particularly of the extensors, may help prevent overuse injuries like tennis elbow. However, if you're currently experiencing elbow pain, consult healthcare professionals before beginning training. Rehabilitation protocols differ from preventative strengthening programmes.
This depends on your goals. If maximising deadlift strength is paramount, use straps to prevent grip limiting your performance. If forearm development is prioritised, periodically train without straps. Many athletes compromise by using straps for heaviest sets whilst performing lighter sets strapless, developing both maximal pulling strength and grip capability.
Select weight allowing 2-3 complete rolls (up and down) with proper form. If you can easily complete more, increase resistance. The wrist roller provides intense stimulus, so conservative loading initially prevents overuse issues. Progressive increases maintain appropriate challenge as strength develops.
Forearm muscles contain mixed fibre types, though many exhibit higher proportions of slow-twitch fibres suited for endurance activities. This composition explains why forearms often respond well to higher repetition training (12-20+ reps) combined with some heavier, lower-repetition work. Varied training approaches ensure comprehensive development.
Forearm training represents one of fitness's most overlooked opportunities. The relatively modest time investment required—brief, focused sessions several times weekly—yields returns far exceeding the effort. Enhanced grip strength improves performance across countless exercises, well-developed forearms create aesthetic balance, and functional capabilities extend into daily life.
Whether you're a strength athlete seeking to eliminate grip as a limiting factor, a physique enthusiast addressing visual imbalances, or simply someone wanting comprehensive physical development, dedicated forearm training deserves a place in your programme. The forearms' responsiveness to consistent training, combined with the variety of effective exercises available, makes this an accessible yet rewarding aspect of physical development.
Start with foundational movements, progress systematically, maintain balance between flexors and extensors, and remain patient with the adaptation process. Your forearms will respond, strengthening your literal and figurative grip on physical performance.
PHOTO CREDIT | Ralph Lauren | Team USA Opening Ceremony Ice Dancers Evan Bates (1G) and Madison Chock (1G)
The Winter Olympics 2026 takes place from Feb 6 - 22nd in Milano Cortina (these games will be co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo)! It’s a time to see your favorite athletes competing on a global stage from curling, snowboarding, alpine skiing and more. As we get closer to these games, we also enjoy seeing when each country unveils the looks for the teams from Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony and for competition looks. Ralph Lauren who has Team USA Olympic and Paralympic athletes for nearly 20 years unveiled their uniforms.
As we watch the Opening Ceremony, you’ll see Team USA arriving in a white wool coat with wooden toggles, a turtleneck sweater and wool trousers that are tailored. For the Closing Ceremony, they will have a color-block puffer jacket, wool turtleneck sweater, and white utility pants. Accessories will include knit mittens in red, white, and blue as well as a leather belt and suede alpine boots.
Via a release, David Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s Chief Branding and Innovation Officer shared that, “Ralph Lauren has had the immense privilege of outfitting Team USA for nearly 20 years, and the significance and sheer magnitude of dressing our nation’s incredible athletes—on the most dramatic stage in sport as they pursue their lifelong dreams—is an honor that never fades. Our design philosophy has always been about creating dreams and telling stories through style, and these uniforms, both timeless and modern, reflect the passion, optimism, and relentless pursuit of excellence that embody the American spirit.”
Each time they present the looks, the brand also features athletes who will be participating in the games.
PHOTO CREDIT | Ralph Lauren | Team USA Closing Ceremony Snowboarder Red Gerard (1G)
“I’ve been doing a lot of training, spending a lot of time over in Europe pretty close to where we’ll be competing in Milan,” says Red Gerard. “Trying to get better snowboarding but in a safe way without getting hurt before the Olympics! I’m stoked to represent Team USA with Ralph Lauren and to be a part of the unveiling of my personal favorite Opening and Closing Ceremony Uniforms!!”
PHOTO CREDIT | Ralph Lauren | Team USA Closing Ceremony Looks | Ice Dancers Maia Shibutani (2B) and Alex Shibutani (2B)
In addition to the looks that are worn by the athletes, Ralph Lauren also creates a collection that allows us to purchase them to support the team as well as the Winter Games. Ralph Lauren’s 2026 Team USA is available now and can be purchased online, at select Ralph Lauren stores, select department stores, and if you will be at the Winter Games this year, you can purchase pieces at their pop-up shop at the Rosapetra Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
PHOTO CREDIT | Ralph Lauren | Ralph Lauren Team USA Collection
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Alen Kajtezovic
Injuries don’t just pause training. They take over your schedule. One week you’re focused on mileage or reps, the next you’re counting down to scans, follow-ups, and the words you want to hear most: “You’re cleared.”
That shift comes with a quiet power imbalance. Doctors, specialists, and therapists control access to treatment and timelines, while the athlete shows up tired, sore, and eager to get back. Most care is professional and respectful, but the setup still matters. When recovery happens behind closed doors on a tight clock, it can be harder than it should be to slow things down, ask questions, or set boundaries.
When an athlete gets injured, independence shrinks fast. The decisions that used to be yours, how hard to push, when to back off, get replaced by referrals, test results, and someone else’s clearance. Recovery becomes a process managed by professionals, and for a while, you’re working inside their timeline.
This isn’t just the pro-athlete experience. It’s the runner who can’t shake a hip issue. The cyclist who went down and can’t sleep on one side anymore. Pain limits movement, schedules fill up, and the urge to get back to normal can make you surprisingly compliant. You stop asking questions because you don’t want to derail the plan.
Appointments also squeeze time and choice. You get five minutes of explanation and twenty minutes of instructions. A provider uses terms you’ve never heard, then looks at the clock. Plenty of athletes decide it’s easier to nod than to ask for translation. Over time, it creates a quiet hierarchy in which expertise outweighs the patient’s voice, even though recovery depends on the athlete's understanding, consent, and participation.
Power in medical care isn’t usually obvious. It’s the pace of the room. It’s the assumption that you’ll comply. It’s whether you feel you can slow things down without being treated like an inconvenience. For injured athletes, it often shows up on the days when pain is loud, energy is low, and the only thing you want is a clear answer.
Sports medicine and recovery work involve close contact by design. Physical assessments, manual therapy, and guided movement are standard parts of care. Athletes are often alone, partially undressed, and dependent on the person directing the session. In that context, professional misconduct concerns in healthcare settings aren’t theoretical. They come down to whether consent is explicit, explanations are clear, and the athlete feels safe asking for a pause, a second opinion, or a different provider.
Athletes also bring a particular kind of conditioning into these spaces. You learn to tolerate discomfort and accept blunt feedback. That mindset can be useful in training, but it can backfire in a medical setting. If something feels off, too personal, too unexplained, too rushed, it’s easy to blame yourself for overthinking it. And when clearance feels like the finish line, speaking up can feel like risking the entire race.
Boundaries in healthcare show up in the basics: how touch is explained, how privacy is handled, and how much say the patient has in what happens next. During recovery, boundaries matter more because injury can make athletes feel exposed.
Clear boundaries give athletes a foothold. When a provider says what they’re doing before they do it, checks in during treatment, and treats consent as ongoing, the athlete can relax into care instead of bracing for it. When boundaries are loose, confusion creeps in. Athletes may leave appointments feeling unsettled and replay the interaction later, wondering if they misread it. That mental noise can linger through rehab and recovery workouts.
Professional standards protect everyone in the room. They protect athletes from being put in compromising situations, and they protect providers by making expectations clear and consistent.
Most athletes expect rehab to be uncomfortable sometimes. But there’s a difference between a tough session and an interaction that leaves you uneasy afterward. Red flags are often small: treatment that isn’t explained, questions that get brushed off, a tone that suggests you should stop asking.
Pressure is another tell. Being rushed through an exam, discouraged from clarifying what’s happening, or made to feel difficult for wanting details can tilt the whole experience. Inconsistency can, too, especially when boundaries seem to shift depending on the day or the mood. Any one moment might be nothing. Patterns are what deserve attention.
Taking your discomfort seriously doesn’t require a confrontation. It can be as simple as asking for a clear explanation, requesting a chaperone, bringing a trusted person to an appointment, or getting a second opinion when something doesn’t sit right.
Accountability exists because healthcare happens in spaces where patients can be exposed, dependent, and unsure how much control they’re allowed to claim. For injured athletes, that imbalance can feel sharper. Pain shortens patience. Progress feels urgent. “Getting cleared” can start to sound like the only thing that matters.
Professional standards are meant to steady that dynamic. Patient safety work has long emphasized that harm drops when expectations are consistent, and communication is explicit, themes reflected in the CDC’s overview of patient safety. Those ideas show up in simple ways: whether an athlete understands what’s being done, agrees to it, and feels comfortable stopping it.
Sports learned this lesson the hard way, with everyone watching. The concussion reckoning pulled legal accountability into the conversation because the old mindset left athletes exposed. That same baseline belongs everywhere athletes receive care: clear standards, clear consent, and no pressure to stay quiet just to stay on track.
Injury already takes enough from athletes. Medical care shouldn’t take their voice, too. Recovery works best when trust is mutual, boundaries are clear, and athletes are treated like active participants in their own care.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Jean-Karim Dangou
Stress affects everyone at some point, but the way people respond to it can make all the difference. Daily life brings challenges that can feel overwhelming, from work deadlines to personal responsibilities. However, the good news is that simple changes to everyday habits can help the body and mind better handle stress.
Lifestyle choices play a powerful role in how well a person manages stress and builds resilience over time. Small adjustments to daily routines, such as how someone moves, eats, sleeps, and organizes time, can reduce stress levels significantly. These strategies work together to create a foundation that helps people cope with both sudden pressures and ongoing tension.
This article explores practical lifestyle changes supported by research for stress management. The focus remains on actions anyone can take without special equipment or major life changes. From physical activity to nutrition and time organization, these approaches offer real solutions for those who want to feel more in control of their stress response.
Aerobic activities provide a natural way to reduce stress and improve mental health. Brisk walking, jogging, and cycling raise heart rate and trigger the release of endorphins. These chemicals in the brain act as natural mood lifters. Many psychiatrists in Burbank area recommend that patients add regular movement to their treatment plans.
Even short sessions make a difference. Research shows that a 10-minute walk can provide benefits similar to a longer workout. The key is consistency rather than intensity.
Activities like swimming, running, and dancing also fall into this category. Each person can choose what feels most enjoyable and sustainable. The goal is to move the body in ways that feel good and reduce tension.
Aerobic exercise offers additional benefits beyond stress relief. It improves sleep quality, boosts energy levels, and supports overall physical health. People who exercise regularly often report better ability to handle daily challenges.
Mindfulness meditation focuses on present-moment awareness without judgment. This practice helps people notice their thoughts and feelings as they happen. Research shows that regular practice can lower stress hormones and reduce anxiety.
A daily mindfulness routine can start small. People can begin with just five minutes each morning. They focus on their breath and observe thoughts that come and go. This simple act creates space between stressful events and how someone responds to them.
The brain changes with consistent practice. Studies reveal that mindfulness can calm the part of the brain that processes stress. It also improves memory and concentration over time. These changes help people better manage daily challenges.
People can practice anywhere, at any time. They might focus on sensations while they eat breakfast or notice their surroundings during a walk. The key is regular practice rather than perfect practice. Even a few minutes each day can make a real difference in how someone handles stress.
A regular sleep schedule helps train the brain to feel tired at the same time each night. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep, though most people do well with seven to eight hours. The body's internal clock works best with consistency.
People who go to bed and wake up at the same times each day tend to fall asleep faster and sleep better. This pattern holds true even on weekends. A consistent routine reinforces the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and makes rest more predictable.
A regular sleep schedule also lowers stress levels in several ways. Adequate sleep reduces cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. It also improves mood and sharpens focus throughout the day. These benefits make it easier for people to handle daily challenges without feeling overwhelmed.
Setting up a bedtime routine 30 minutes to two hours before sleep can support this schedule. A reminder alarm helps people stick to their chosen bedtime until the habit forms naturally.
A balanced diet helps reduce stress by providing the body with nutrients it needs to function properly. The right foods support brain health and help regulate mood. Therefore, what someone eats can directly affect how they handle daily pressure.
Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that support the nervous system. These foods provide fiber, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the day. Stable blood sugar prevents energy crashes that can make stress feel worse.
Whole grains offer complex carbohydrates that the body breaks down slowly. This steady release of energy helps maintain focus and calm. Examples include brown rice, oats, and whole wheat bread.
A good approach divides the plate into sections. Half should contain fruits and vegetables, a quarter should have whole grains, and a quarter should include protein. This simple method makes it easier to build balanced meals.
Fresh snacks like raw vegetables or fruit can replace sugary options. This swap helps avoid blood sugar spikes and drops that affect stress levels.
Effective task prioritization starts with a clear understanding of what truly matters each day. The Eisenhower Matrix offers a simple way to sort tasks into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. This method helps people focus on what deserves their attention first.
Another proven approach involves the ABCDE method. Tasks labeled "A" require immediate attention, while "B" tasks are important but less urgent. "C" tasks are nice to complete, "D" tasks can be delegated, and "E" tasks should be eliminated entirely. This system creates a clear roadmap for daily work.
Time blocking reserves specific hours for particular tasks. For example, someone might dedicate 9 AM to 11 AM solely to high-priority projects. This practice prevents less important activities from taking over the schedule.
The two-minute rule suggests that if a task takes less than two minutes, it should be done immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up and creates mental clarity for larger projects.
Stress management through lifestyle choices offers a practical path to better mental and physical health. Simple changes like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and social connections can reduce stress levels significantly. These strategies work together to build resilience and improve overall well-being.
The key is to start small and find methods that fit individual needs and preferences. Consistent daily habits matter more than perfect execution. Anyone can take control of their stress response through deliberate lifestyle adjustments that support both mind and body.
Have you had a look at the outfits teenagers are wearing these days? You might have noticed that they’re always wearing some type of accessory. In 2026, they’re not only wearing accessories. They’re curating them. Broadcasting their personalities. Dropping hints about what their passions are, who they are, and which corner of the internet raised them. For this generation, accessories have officially transformed from cute extras to full-blown identity statements. Kind of ironic, right?
We checked the trends for accessories for 2026, and we can tell you that they feel more playful, louder, and intentional than before. Nothing seems random. Every piece, from bags to clips, chains, and charms, has a story behind it. In this article, we’ll discuss what’s actually trending among teens and why they are gravitating toward particular pieces.
Statement Bags That Carry the Whole Personality
Layered Jewelry That Looks Effortless (But Isn’t)
Hair Accessories That Refuse to Be Subtle
Phone Accessories That Are Basically Fashion
Belts That Do More Than Hold Things Up
Socks That Demand Attention
Pins, Patches, and Micro-Decor for Everything
Sunglasses That Feel Playful, Not Serious
This is clearly a non-negotiable because teens in 2026 use bags for more than carrying stuff. Bags complete their outfits. They are leaning into accessories with bold designs and pop-culture references. They are wearing crossbodies, backpacks, bags and more that feel rather collectible than practical. Think bright colors, character-inspired designs, textured finishes, and shapes that immediately stand out in a hallway or on a bus seat. This is where a platform like Loungefly comes into the conversation, as it sells bags directly inspired by fandom culture, nostalgia, and ideas that feel personal rather than generic. These are bags you don’t just match with an outfit, you build the outfit around them. What’s interesting is how bags have become emotional accessories. They signal what a teen loves without them having to say a word. Gaming references, animation, cult movies, fantasy worlds, all of it lives right there on their shoulder.
Jewelry h these days is all about layering, stacking, and mixing things that shouldn’t mix well, but somehow they look great together. Teenagers are mixing metals, wearing multiple necklaces at once, adding beads, initials, charms, and tiny lockets. They don’t want to achieve perfection but showcase their personality, which often is a little sentimental, chaotic, and very expressive. Brands and platforms like Etsy creators, Claire’s, and small independent jewelry sellers are thriving here because teens want pieces that feel unique, not mass-produced. One necklace might be a gift, another a thrifted find, another something bought at a concert or pop-up shop. The overall look says: “I threw this on,” while secretly meaning: “I curated this carefully.”
You might wonder, is anything subtle with this generation? Hair accessories are having a main-character moment in 2026, and teens encourage subtlety to leave the building. Claw clips in oversized shapes, pastel colors, marbled finishes, and even novelty designs are everywhere. So are ribbon ties, embellished headbands, and decorative hair pins that feel halfway between cute and rebellious. Retailers like Urban Outfitters, ASOS Accessories, and independent Instagram shops are pushing this trend forward with playful designs that feel very online, very expressive, and very teen-coded. Hair accessories are no longer an afterthought. They’re part of the outfit’s personality, sometimes the boldest part of it.
Did you think for a minute that phone accessories are boring? A teenager will strongly disagree because they use phone cases layered with chains, straps, charms, and stickers. Wrist lanyards double as jewelry. Beaded phone straps swing from pockets like fashion statements. Even wireless earbuds are accessorized with cases that match outfits. Platforms like Casetify and Society6 are popular reference points here, offering customizable designs. Phones aren’t hidden anymore. They’re styled.
A couple of years ago, the only purpose of a belt was to hold your pants up, but now it does several other things. Teenagers are wearing belts in different combinations, with low-rise jeans, oversized hoodies, dresses, and skirts. Chain belts, studded belts, fabric belts with graphic buckles, all of them are fair game. This trend is being fueled by retailers like Pull&Bear and Bershka, as well as vintage resellers specializing in early-2000s aesthetics. Belts are no longer practical. They’re decorative punctuation marks for an outfit.
Yes, you read it right, we’re talking about socks that became accessories over the last couple of years. Stay with us. This year, socks are more deliberately loud and visible. You will see teens wearing pastel socks, graphic socks, mismatched socks, ribbed textures with tiny illustrations or logos. And they are styled with all kinds of shoes, from sneakers to loafers and sandals. Teens are buying statement socks from places like Happy Socks, Uniqlo, and independent streetwear brands, using them as a low-commitment way to experiment with color and identity. It’s a small detail, but it carries big personality.
You might have seen these microelements around you and didn’t know what to think about them. For teens, everything that can be decorated will be. From pencil cases to backpacks, jackets, headphones, and tote bags, they cover everything with small decorative add-ons like patches, pins, and similar items. Platforms like Redbubble and independent artist shops are popular sources, letting teens support creators while building a visual language that’s entirely their own. This is customization culture at its purest.
During the summer, sunglasses are essential for comfort, but they can be worn year-round. Teenagers opt for colored lenses, tiny frames, exaggerated silhouettes, heart designs, and other similar bold models in 2026. Teens wear them indoors, outdoors, in selfies, and sometimes just because they match the outfit. Retailers like Quay Australia and fast-fashion accessory sections (carefully chosen, of course) are feeding this trend.
Why Accessories Matter More Than Ever
Accessories in 2026 aren’t just trends. They’re tools. Tools for identity, creativity, and belonging. For teenagers navigating a hyper-connected world, these small items offer control, expression, and comfort. A bag can signal fandom. A necklace can hold meaning. A phone charm can say, “This is me,” without having to explain anything at all. And that’s why these trends stick. They’re not about following rules. They’re about rewriting them, one accessory at a time.
PHOTO CREDIT | Freepik/GPoint Studio
For a long time, the world of cannabis felt like it was operating in the shadows, leaving people to rely on word-of-mouth or pure luck. As the landscape shifts toward a more professional and open model, the way people choose their products has evolved dramatically. Today, the most important currency in the market is not just a low price or a flashy label, but the willingness of a source to be honest about what they are selling.
Access to clear information does more than satisfy curiosity; it actively reduces the anxiety that often comes with trying something new. When buyers understand how a plant was grown, tested, and handled, decisions are made based on facts rather than marketing claims. This shift toward openness has raised expectations across the industry, pushing providers to operate with greater accountability.
People are no longer content with being told a product is good; they want to see the proof for themselves. For those who value a straightforward, data-first approach, resources like https://avldispensary.com/ make it easier to evaluate products with confidence. Having direct access to transparent details builds trust over time, turning a single purchase into an informed and reliable choice.
The backbone of any transparent operation is a commitment to rigorous, third-party lab testing. These reports act as a neutral witness, confirming that the contents of a jar actually match what is printed on the outside. By making these results easily accessible, a source is proving that they value safety and accuracy over everything else. This level of disclosure validates that the product is clean and that the potency levels are exactly where they should be for the user.
When a company hides its lab results or makes them difficult to find, it naturally raises questions about what else they might be obscuring. Openly sharing these documents shows a level of professional pride and a respect for the person who will ultimately use the product. It allows buyers to skip the guessing games and focus on finding the specific profiles that work best for their unique needs and personal preferences.
Supporting this kind of validation creates a feedback loop of quality that benefits the entire community. It encourages cultivators to maintain higher standards because they know their work will be scrutinized by an objective laboratory. For the consumer, this means a more predictable experience every time they restock. You aren't just buying a product; you are buying the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what is entering your body and your home.
Walking through a shop and seeing labels that actually explain the science behind the plant is a major step forward for the industry. Comprehensive labeling goes far beyond just naming a strain or listing a weight; it provides a map of the chemical compounds that create the experience. When people can see the specific terpene profiles and cannabinoid ratios, they gain a much deeper appreciation for the complexity of the botanical materials they are interacting with daily.
Clear ingredient lists are also vital for anyone who might have sensitivities or specific dietary requirements. Knowing exactly what went into a tincture or an edible prevents unwanted surprises and ensures that the experience remains positive and safe. This level of detail shows that the producer has considered the diverse needs of their audience and isn't trying to cut corners with mysterious additives or low-quality fillers that could compromise the final result.
This educational aspect of transparency helps turn casual users into savvy enthusiasts who know what to look for. By providing all the necessary details upfront, a source empowers its community to take control of their own wellness journeys. It moves the conversation away from vague promises and toward a technical understanding of how different elements work together. Professional labeling is a silent but powerful indicator that a business operates with a high degree of integrity and care.
The journey of a plant from the farm to the shelf is a story that every buyer has a right to know. Transparency in sourcing means being open about the specific farms, the growing methods used, and the ethical standards of the workers involved. When a source shares these details, they are inviting the customer into the process, creating a sense of connection that you just can't get from a completely anonymous corporate entity.
Honesty about production methods is equally important, especially when it involves the extraction of concentrates or the formulation of topicals. Explaining the techniques used to preserve the plant’s natural properties shows a dedication to craftsmanship that resonates with discerning buyers. It proves that the team isn't just looking for the fastest way to turn a profit but is instead focused on maintaining the biological integrity of the harvest throughout every single stage.
This kind of openness builds a perception of trust that is incredibly difficult to break once it has been established. It creates a brand identity rooted in reality rather than just a collection of cool logos and catchy slogans. People want to support businesses that align with their own values, and being transparent about the supply chain is the best way to demonstrate that alignment. It turns a standard business transaction into a partnership based on mutual respect and shared goals.
Nothing erodes consumer confidence faster than a source that provides conflicting or incomplete information. If the website says one thing but the physical packaging says another, it creates an immediate sense of doubt and confusion. This lack of coordination suggests a lack of attention to detail that likely extends to the quality of the products themselves. In a market where safety is a top priority, these kinds of administrative errors are often seen as major red flags.
Missing information is just as damaging because it forces the buyer to fill in the gaps with their own assumptions. When a seller can't answer basic questions about where their inventory comes from, it sends a message that they don't really care about the details. This kind of dismissive attitude is a quick way to lose customers to competitors who are more than happy to provide the clarity and documentation that people have come to expect.
Long-term brand loyalty is built on the foundation of being a reliable source of truth in a sometimes chaotic market. Once a person feels like they have been misled or kept in the dark, they are unlikely to return, and they will probably share their negative experience with others. Maintaining a consistent and open line of communication is the only way to protect a reputation and ensure that the community feels valued and respected at all times.
In the end, transparency is about much more than just following regulations or checking boxes on a list of requirements. It is a fundamental philosophy that prioritizes the needs and safety of the customer above everything else. By choosing to be open and honest, a business is making a long-term investment in the health and happiness of its community. This approach is what ultimately separates the industry leaders from those who are just passing through.
The benefits of this transparency are felt throughout the entire purchasing process, from the initial research to the final use of the product. It creates a sense of stability and reliability that makes it easy for people to incorporate these products into their daily routines with total confidence. When you don't have to worry about hidden ingredients or false claims, you can truly focus on the benefits that the plant has to offer.
As the market continues to mature, those who embrace total transparency will be the ones who thrive and grow. Buyers are becoming more sophisticated every day, and they will continue to reward the businesses that treat them with the respect they deserve. Staying open, staying honest, and staying dedicated to quality is the only path forward for anyone who wants to build a truly lasting and meaningful connection with their audience.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Haberdoedas
Hunting wild hogs has become one of the fastest-growing pursuits for outdoorspeople across large parts of North America. These intelligent, adaptable animals are rewarding to hunt, provide plentiful meat, and — importantly — play a role in population control for a destructive invasive species. If you’re wondering how to hunt wild hogs, or looking for practical hog hunting tips for beginners, this guide covers biology, behavior, equipment, safety, tactics, meat handling, legal and ethical considerations — and links to authoritative sources so you can read deeper.
Feral swine (wild hogs) are non-native, highly fecund animals that cause serious agricultural, ecological and disease risks. They root and wallow, damaging crop fields, pastures, wetlands and fragile habitats; they can spread pathogens and parasites that affect livestock and people; and their fast reproduction makes populations difficult to control without sustained effort. Hunters who remove animals responsibly help limit these impacts.
Know your quarry: biology and behavior
Understanding hog biology makes you a more effective hunter. Sows reach sexual maturity as early as 6–8 months and can produce one to two litters per year, with average litter sizes commonly 4–6 piglets (but sometimes more under ideal conditions). Hogs travel in family groups called sounders (typically sows and piglets); mature boars may be solitary. They are opportunistic omnivores and will feed day or night, depending on pressure and food availability, which affects whether you choose daylight stands, baiting, or night/thermal hunts.
Health risks and meat safety — take them seriously
Feral hogs can carry diseases transmittable to humans and livestock, including brucellosis, pseudorabies, and various influenza viruses. Hunters have been infected after field dressing or consuming undercooked meat, so basic precautions are essential: wear nitrile gloves when dressing animals, avoid contact with bodily fluids and aborted fetuses, cook pork to a safe internal temperature, and report sick or abnormal animals to authorities
Rules for hog hunting vary widely. In many U.S. states, feral hogs are considered unprotected, allowing year-round harvests on private land, baiting, and the use of dogs or lights — but some public lands restrict these methods and states differ on permits, tagging, or disposal requirements. Night hunting laws and the use of thermal or artificial light are especially variable. Always check your state wildlife agency regulations and any local landowner rules before you hunt.
You can hunt hogs with a wide range of tools, but match gear to the tactic and terrain:
● Firearms: Many hunters prefer medium- to large-caliber rifles (e.g., .223 to .30-cal family depending on range and shot placement), shotguns with slugs, or powerful handguns for close encounters. Shot placement is critical because hogs are tough and can be dangerous if only wounded.
● Archery: Compound bows and crossbows are widely used, including at night with thermal sights in some jurisdictions. If using archery equipment, ensure broadheads and draw weights are adequate for ethical kills.
● Optics and lighting: Binoculars for daytime hunts; trail cameras for scouting; during legal night hunts, powerful rifle sights, thermal or night-vision optics, and proper back-up lighting are common. Remember that technology legality varies by state.
● Field kit: Nitrile gloves, game bags, sharp knives, bone saw, rope/drag strap, first aid kit, and a way to cool meat quickly (if not using game processing immediately). Veterinary/extension guides emphasize safe field dressing practices.
There is no single “best” way to hunt hogs — success depends on region, season and pressure — but the following methods are time-tested.
Stand hunting over bait or food sources. Hogs can be predictable around feeders, corn piles, or water holes. Elevated stands and careful scent control let you pick off animals as they feed. Baiting legality varies, so confirm local rules.
Spot-and-stalk/spotting from glass. In open or brushy country, locate sounders from a vantage and make a careful stalk. This requires good wind management and patience.
Driven hunts and dogs. In some regions hunters use dogs to bay or tree hogs; this method is effective in heavy brush but requires experienced handlers and adherence to humane practices and local regulations.
Night hunting with lights or thermal. Because hogs are often most active at dusk and night, legal night hunts can be highly productive — particularly with thermal optics. Always follow local law, prioritize safety (positive identification and secure backstops), and respect private property.
Shot placement and ethical kills
A quick, humane kill reduces animal suffering and the chance of lost meat. Broadside or slightly quartering-away shots into the heart/lung area are ideal; for head shots, be aware of small target size and risk of deflection on skull and shoulder bones.
Field dressing, meat handling, and home processing
After a clean kill, field dress promptly to cool the carcass and prevent spoilage. Wear gloves, avoid contaminating meat with intestinal contents, and keep the carcass shaded and ventilated while transporting. Because feral hogs can carry pathogens, cooking pork to safe internal temperatures (per USDA guidance) is an important final safety step. Extension services and university veterinary guides give practical step-by-step dressing instructions and disease precautions.
Safety for hunters and landowners
Wild hogs can be aggressive, especially sows with piglets or wounded animals. Approach downed hogs cautiously — do not assume a dead animal cannot move. Use safe backstops, don’t shoot at uncertain targets or across fences/roads, and communicate clearly with hunting partners. When hunting on private land, have written permission and understand landowner expectations about carcass removal or leaving trophies.
Conservation and ethics — hunting with purpose
Because feral hogs are invasive and damaging, many wildlife agencies encourage their removal where feasible. However, hunters should act ethically: take shots you can cleanly make, report disease or abnormal animals to authorities, avoid illegal translocation or release of animals, and follow rules on baiting, dogs, and night hunting. Well-managed removal programs balance hunter recreation with broader goals for agriculture and native ecosystems.
If you’re new to hog hunting, keep this short checklist in your pack:
● Learn the laws for your state and land (baiting, night hunting, dogs).
● Invest in basic safety and field-dressing gear (gloves, sharp knife, game bags).
● Practice shot placement with your firearm or bow.
● Scouting: set trail cameras, note wallows, rooting and travel corridors.
● Respect landowners, get permissions, and leave no trace when possible.
Hunting wild hogs can be a gratifying recreation and a practical service to the landscape when done responsibly. Learn the animals’ habits, respect public and private rules, prioritize safety and hygiene, and practice ethical shot placement. With the right preparation, even hog hunting tips for beginners can turn into lasting skills that benefit the hunter — and the environment.
Global Hunting Solutions provides luxurious Texas helicopter hog hunting experiences across 1.5 million acres of private land.
A hard case bumps a door frame faster than most people expect, especially in a crowded terminal line. A violin can be fine at home, yet feel exposed once bags start stacking and shifting.
Travel also adds heat, cold, and rushed handling, which can stress wood and hardware in quiet ways. Many players learn this after one tight connection, one packed overhead bin, or one rainy curbside pickup.
A protective case is the first layer, and it matters more than a stylish cover or a clever strap. Resources like Great Violin Cases help players compare case styles by instrument type and travel needs. The goal is simple, reduce movement, reduce impact, and keep the instrument stable through long hours.
A travel ready case should stop the instrument from shifting, even when the case tilts or lands awkwardly. Look for a snug suspension fit, firm padding, and strong latches that stay closed under pressure. If the case has a neck support, it should feel steady without forcing the instrument into a bend.
Shell strength matters, yet interior design matters just as much during real travel. A rigid shell can still fail if the instrument rattles inside during a long ride. Before you leave, place the instrument inside and gently shake the case, then listen for any movement.
Airport rules also shape what protection makes sense, since handling is not always predictable. The TSA shares guidance on instruments and screening, which helps you plan what may be opened during checks. After that read, label your case clearly and keep the interior neat, so inspection stays quick.
Many travel dents come from small items inside the case, not from a big external hit. Loose rosin can crack, shoulder rests can pry, and metal mutes can mark varnish during vibration. Treat every accessory as a potential projectile once the case starts moving.
Use a simple rule, nothing hard should touch the instrument at any angle. If your case has compartments, close them fully and confirm the lids do not sag. If it does not, use a soft pouch and place it away from the top plate.
A short packing routine helps, since it stays the same before every trip. Put spare strings in a flat sleeve, and keep them away from the bridge area. Add a small cloth between the instrument and any strap hardware, so nothing scrapes during carry.
Wood responds to air changes, and travel exposes instruments to fast swings in both moisture and heat. A cold cargo hold, a hot car trunk, or a dry hotel room can pull moisture out quickly. That stress can loosen seams, shift pegs, and change how the instrument speaks.
The best defense is slow change, not perfect control in every place. Keep the instrument with you whenever possible, and avoid leaving it in a parked vehicle. If you must step away, bring the case inside first and let it sit closed for a short time.
A few simple items cover most trips without adding bulk to your bag.
● A small case hygrometer that fits inside a pocket compartment
● A humidity pack made for string instruments, replaced on schedule
● A clean microfiber cloth for sweat, dust, and quick wipe downs
These tools are not fancy, yet they reduce the risk of quiet damage building over days.
If you can keep the instrument in the cabin, you reduce exposure to heavy handling and stacked luggage. Airlines vary, though a plan helps you avoid surprises at the gate. Check your carrier’s instrument policy before booking, and save a screenshot for travel day.
Boarding order also matters more than many people admit. Early boarding gives you a better chance at safe overhead space, with less pressure from other bags. If you are offered a gate check, ask about closet storage first, since some crews can help.
The FAA offers consumer guidance on carry on baggage and airline responsibilities, which helps set expectations. Use that information to ask calm, clear questions at the counter, and keep your case within reach until you are seated.
Travel risk is not only drops and dents, it is also cost and timing if repairs are needed away from home. Before the trip, confirm your policy covers travel, baggage handling, and out of town repairs. Keep the policy number and claim steps saved offline, since airports and stations can be spotty for service.
Take three quick photos, full instrument front and back, plus the case exterior. Note the serial number or maker label in your phone, and pack one simple repair contact in your destination area. If something goes wrong, you have proof of condition and a faster path to help.
A case that looks plain can travel better than one that looks expensive and attention grabbing. Use a durable luggage tag with your name and a working phone number, then place a second card inside. If the outer tag tears off, the inside card still helps recovery.
Handling habits matter, since most damage happens during rushed moments. Carry the case with two hands when moving through tight spaces, and avoid swinging it at knee height. When you set it down, place it on its side or back in a stable position, not upright on a crowded floor.
If you travel often, take photos before departure and keep them in your phone. Include the instrument, the case exterior, and any existing marks you can point out later. That record helps if you need a repair estimate or an insurance claim.
Your instrument does best on the road when the basics stay consistent and repeatable. A case that prevents shifting, plus smart accessory packing, cuts most avoidable damage. Simple humidity control and a calm carry on plan protect the wood from fast climate swings and rough handling. Add clear ID, careful set downs, and a quick photo record, then travel feels less risky and more predictable.
PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/Oscars
Today, the 98th Oscars announced the nominations for this show that will take place on Sunday, Mar 15th on ABC and Hulu at 7pm ET from the Dolby Theatre in LA. The show will be hosted by Conan O’Brien for his second year in a row. 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.
Bugonia (Focus Features); Ed Guiney & Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone and Lars Knudsen, Producers
F1 (Apple); Chad Oman, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer, Producers
Frankenstein (Netflix); Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Scott Stuber, Producers
Hamnet (Focus Features); Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, Producers
Marty Supreme (A24); Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Anthony Katagas and Timothée Chalamet, Producers
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.); Adam Somner, Sara Murphy and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers
The Secret Agent (Neon); Emilie Lesclaux, Producer
Sentimental Value (Neon); Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Producers
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler, Producers
Train Dreams (Netflix); Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer and Michael Heimler, Producers
Hamnet (Focus Features), Chloé Zhao
Marty Supreme (A24), Josh Safdie
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.), Paul Thomas Anderson
Sentimental Value (Neon), Joachim Trier
Sinners (Warner Bros.), Ryan Coogler
Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme (A24)
Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon (Sony Pictures Classics)
Michael B. Jordan in Sinners (Warner Bros.)
Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent (Neon)
Jessie Buckley in Hamnet (Focus Features)
Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (A24)
Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue (Focus Features)
Renate Reinsve in Sentimental Value (Neon)
Emma Stone in Bugonia (Focus Features)
Benicio Del Toro in One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein (Netflix)
Delroy Lindo in Sinners (Warner Bros.)
Sean Penn in One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
Stellan Skarsgård in Sentimental Value (Neon)
Elle Fanning in Sentimental Value (Neon)
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas in Sentimental Value (Neon)
Amy Madigan in Weapons (Warner Bros.)
Wunmi Mosaku in Sinners (Warner Bros.)
Teyana Taylor in One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
Bugonia (Focus Features); Screenplay by Will Tracy
Frankenstein (Netflix); Written for the Screen by Guillermo del Toro
Hamnet (Focus Features); Screenplay by Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.); Written by Paul Thomas Anderson
Train Dreams (Netflix); Screenplay by Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar
Blue Moon (Sony Pictures Classics); Written by Robert Kaplow
It Was Just an Accident (Neon); Written by Jafar Panahi; Script collaborators Nader Saïvar, Shadmehr Rastin, Mehdi Mahmoudian
Marty Supreme (A24); Written by Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie
Sentimental Value (Neon); Written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Written by Ryan Coogler
Arco (Neon); Ugo Bienvenu, Félix de Givry, Sophie Mas and Natalie Portman
Elio (Walt Disney); Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Mary Alice Drumm
KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix); Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (GKIDS); Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han, Nidia Santiago and Henri Magalon
Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney); Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Yvett Merino
Brazil, The Secret Agent
France, It Was Just an Accident
Norway, Sentimental Value
Spain, Sirât
Tunisia, The Voice of Hind Rajab
The Alabama Solution (HBO Documentary Films); Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman
Come See Me in the Good Light (Apple); Ryan White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro and Stef Willen
Cutting Through Rocks; Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni
Mr. Nobody Against Putin (PINK); Nominees to be determined
The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix); Geeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu and Sam Bisbee
Butterfly (Sacrebleu Productions); Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens
Forevergreen; Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears
The Girl Who Cried Pearls (National Film Board of Canada); Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski
Retirement Plan; John Kelly and Andrew Freedman
The Three Sisters (Polydont Films/Rymanco Ventures); Konstantin Bronzit
Hamnet (Focus Features); Nina Gold
Marty Supreme (A24); Jennifer Venditti
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.); Cassandra Kulukundis
The Secret Agent (Neon); Gabriel Domingues
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Francine Maisler
Frankenstein (Netflix), Dan Laustsen
Marty Supreme (A24), Darius Khondji
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.), Michael Bauman
Sinners (Warner Bros.), Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Train Dreams (Netflix), Adolpho Veloso
Avatar: Fire and Ash (Walt Disney); Deborah L. Scott
Frankenstein (Netflix); Kate Hawley
Hamnet (Focus Features); Malgosia Turzanska
Marty Supreme (A24); Miyako Bellizzi
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Ruth E. Carter
All the Empty Rooms (Netflix); Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones
Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud (HBO); Craig Renaud and Juan Arredondo
Children No More: “Were and Are Gone” (Sky); Hilla Medalia and Sheila Nevins
The Devil Is Busy (HBO); Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir
Perfectly a Strangeness (Second Sight Pictures); Alison McAlpine
F1 (Apple); Stephen Mirrione
Marty Supreme (A24); Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.); Andy Jurgensen
Sentimental Value (Neon); Olivier Bugge Coutté
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Michael P. Shawver
Butcher’s Stain (Tel Aviv University Steve Tisch School of Film and Television); Meyer Levinson-Blount and Oron Caspi
A Friend of Dorothy; Lee Knight and James Dean
Jane Austen’s Period Drama; Julia Aks and Steve Pinder
The Singers (Netflix); Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt
Two People Exchanging Saliva (Canal+/The New Yorker); Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata
Frankenstein (Netflix); Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey
Kokuho (GKIDS); Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino and Tadashi Nishimatsu
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine and Shunika Terry
The Smashing Machine (A24); Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin and Bjoern Rehbein
The Ugly Stepsister (Independent Film Company/Shudder); Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg
Bugonia (Focus Features); Jerskin Fendrix
Frankenstein (Netflix); Alexandre Desplat
Hamnet (Focus Features); Max Richter
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.); Jonny Greenwood
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Ludwig Goransson
“Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless (MasterClass/Greenwich Entertainment); Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix); Music and Lyric by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seon and Teddy Park
“I Lied to You” from Sinners (Warner Bros.); Music and Lyric by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson
“Sweet Dreams of Joy” from Viva Verdi! (Viva Verdi!); Music and Lyric by Nicholas Pike
“Train Dreams” from Train Dreams (Netflix); Music by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner, Lyric by Nick Cave
Frankenstein (Netflix); Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau
Hamnet (Focus Features); Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton
Marty Supreme (A24); Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.); Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Monique Champagne
F1 (Apple) Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo and Juan Peralta
Frankenstein (Netflix) Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke and Brad Zoern
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.); José Antonio García, Christopher Scarabosio and Tony Villaflor
Sinners (Warner Bros.); Chris Welcker, Benjamin A. Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor and Steve Boeddeker
Sirāt (Neon); Amanda Vil
Avatar: Fire and Ash (Walt Disney); Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett
F1 (Apple); Ryan Tudhope, Nicolas Chevallier, Robert Harrington and Keith Dawson
Jurassic World Rebirth (Universal); David Vickery, Stephen Aplin, Charmaine Chan and Neil Corbould
The Lost Bus (Apple); Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen and Brandon K. McLaughlin
Sinners (Warner Bros.) Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter and Donnie Dean
As we look ahead to the weekend, we’re excited that the X Games will bring us our favorite Winter sports from Aspen, Jan 23 - Jan 25th. With a number of phenomenal athletes including our DEC ISSUE #120 cover Mark McMorris who is the most decorated Winter athlete in the history of the X Games with 24 medals (11 G, 10 S, 3 B) and is a Winter X Games Founder Athlete for the X Games League! In addition, there are a number of athletes that will be hitting the snow that we can’t wait to see! If you won’t be in Aspen to catch all the action, you can tune in on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, Hulu+, and streaming on The Roku Channel and XGames.com.
PHOTO CREDIT | Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for Mucinex Kickstart
We’re in the New Year and whether it’s wrapping up things from 2025 or beginning the marathon of the months ahead, we have all got into the flow. With the holiday season behind us, we tend to countdown to the Spring. Part of that process is navigating Cold & Flu season. We took some time to sit down with NHL New Jersey Devils Center, Jack Hughes to talk about his love for the game of hockey, playing on this team, his Olympic debut, and his partnership with Mucinex Kickstart!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you fell in love with hockey?
JACK HUGHES: Like honestly, super young I would say! Like, my older brother played (Editor’s Note: Quinn plays for the Minnesota Wild and his younger brother Luke plays for the Devils - they are the first trio of brothers to all be top-7 NHL draft picks and are cover athletes for EA Sports' NHL 25), both of my parents played, and growing up, hockey was always around! I always had a stick in my hand. It was probably when I was extremely young and we were on the ice skating. My brother did it so I would say that I would have been 2 or 3.
AM: That is pretty crazy and amazing!
At what point did you realize that you wanted to go pro?
JH: I mean, I don’t think that you really realize that, I think that when you’re 8 years old, you’re playing to have fun and then it’s the same when you’re 12 and then 14. But maybe, when I was 16, that’s when I started to realize that maybe that would be realistic, you know? That’s when hockey gets more serious and the pyramid starts to shrink a little bit! Just growing up, that was always a dream of mine! I just wanted to play – to play in the NHL, but it just seemed so far fetched at the time.
AM: You got drafted in 2019 and you play for the New Jersey Devils, what does it mean to you to be on this team?
JH: Yeah, it’s good! I enjoy playing on the team and also living there. It’s the only team that I have played for in my career and I really enjoy it. It’s a place that I call home now and I love it and I have really loved my time here.
AM: Clearly playing this sport is a total body workout! What are 3 workouts that you do to get ready for Game Day?
JH: Well, workouts that I do, it’s kind of hard because you’re playing every night! You’re kind of just warming up and activating and you’re trying to keep your body feeling good and staying loose. But you also want to be kept strong and to keep it that way throughout the year. It’s important to get your rest obviously and your cardio is at such a high level because of all of the games and all of the skating, so there is so much that goes into it. But you’re just trying to keep your body feeling good for when you do play.
AM: What are your foods that are you’re go-to’s that you enjoy eating?
JH: I obviously love desserts, but I can’t have those all of the time! But things that keep me going for Game Day are things like sweet potatoes, a lot of high protein things like steak and chicken – you have to do all of that! Eggs, a ton of eggs in the morning is another one. I don’t know, it’s kind of like, you don’t really eat for food or enjoyment, it’s for fuel so that you can fuel yourself so that you can feel good and you can feel energized.
AM: With the Olympics coming up, you’re going to be competing on that global stage, what does it mean to you to be able to do this?
JH: It’s just a huge dream of mine. You know, I grew up as a proud American so it’s a big dream to be able to play for your country in the Olympics and it’s the biggest stage in hockey. So to be able to be a part of it is something that I have dreamed of for my entire life and I’m excited to be able to go through that process.
AM: You’ve partnered with Mucinex and Athleisure Mag is based in NYC and we’ve had a mix of some mild days and some cold days but you know this is the time of year where we are navigating Cold + Flu season. Why did you want to partner with Mucinex and what are you doing to make sure that you are staying cold and flu free?
JH: Honestly, you have a ton of late nights traveling and you’re always moving around going from city to city. You try to stay at your best, but obviously, you get sick sometimes! I feel like Mucinex is at every locker room. Players are taking Mucinex for multi-symptom relief so that they can feel better and feel ready to try to be able to perform at their best. You have to do that and you have to get your rest as well. You just try to feel as good as you can!
AM: Can you tell us about the Kickstart to Greatness Campaign that you launched as you have partnered with Mucinex Kickstart which honors the real key heroes of youth hockey - the mentors and programs that have helped shape young hockey players?
JH: Yeah! They have partnered with USA Hockey Foundation and have donated $20,000 to help fund the young American kids that are playing hockey. It’s something that I am super passionate about because I was super young too and obviously, youth hockey is something that is close to my heart. I was grateful to help Mucinex host a youth clinic with USA Hockey and Hockey in New Jersey to help kickstart the next generation of hockey stars. It’s an easy thing for me to be involved in this as they donated to something that I care about and it is an easy merger with something that I really care about and it is an easy thing to support.
This month, we end the year with a cover star that we are very excited about who is the most decorated snowboarder in X Games history, with 24 medals (G11, S10, B3) as well as being a 3X Bronze Olympic Team Canada Snowboarding medalist - Mark McMorris! He is known for taking to the snow in Slopestyle, Big Air and Backcountry as he truly has a passion for his sport! His love for it has taken him all over the world, whether he’s competing or doing stunning films such as his latest PAVED in collaboration with Red Bull and Burton, that are both sponsors of his! He has additional coveted list of sponsors as well as including Oakley, Dove Men + Care, KLM Airlines, and Toyota to name a few.
We caught up with him ahead of some phenomenal competitions including Rockstar Energy Open that took place this month, X Games next month, and the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milano Cortina, Italy - for his 4th appearance - just for starters. We wanted to know more about how skateboarding led to snowboarding, the styles of snowboarding that he enjoys doing, the importance of competitions, how he approaches training, the upcoming season, and how he gives back through the McMorris Foundation!
ATHLEISURE MAG: We know that you enjoy skateboarding. What took you from that sport and drew you to snowboarding?
MARK MCMORRIS: Honestly, we went on a family trip and my brother and I are 2 years a part and my mom was about to have us go on a ski lesson and we saw snowboards for the first time! They were on the wall in the rental zone where you would sign up and get your gear for your lesson. I had skateboarded the entire Summer before and I thought, “I want to stand sideways, I want to be able to skateboard on the snow.”
Thank God our neighbors on our street were skateboarders and kind of got me into that and hooked on that! If not, I might have went into ski lessons! I’m very thankful that I became a boarder and it is a huge kudos and thank you to skateboarding!
AM: At what point did you think that you wanted to go pro and really do this as a career?
MM: I think when I was 12 or 13. I knew that I had potential and that I loved nothing more than being able to snowboard and to be up in the mountains with my friends. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I was definitely plotting that I would be able to stay in the mountains and to enjoy this and to do it for the rest of my life! I didn’t know what avenue I was going to go, but I did have my mind made up that I wanted to snowboard for the rest of my life.
To do so professionally was the dream. I mean, when you’re super passionate about something, it’s crazy how hard the human can work towards it!
AM: 100%!
You’re known for Slopestyle and also Big Air, can you tell us about these disciplines and why you are drawn to them?
MM: Slopestyle is a combination of rails and jumps – kind of what you would see around every single snow park. Most resorts will have a couple of jumps and a couple of rails. That’s what a lot of kids grow up doing in that freestyle of things of riding. There’s less and less half pipes nowadays. Where we grew up in Western Canada, there wasn’t many half pipes if any! So, that’s kind of what I was drawn to and obviously, I liked catching big jumps.
So, catching Big Air, is just one single jump. Slopestyle is a combination of jumps and rails which we really love and are drawn to. That’s kind of what you would see in the movies and things like that. So, I have always had a big love for it, and still do!
AM: Clearly, snowboarding is a full body sport, but do you find yourself doing other fitness methods or workouts that help to optimize you when you are doing this?
MM: For sure! Having mobility and strength in those deep ranges will keep you less injury prone, will make you be able to stay on the mountain longer – so strength and mobility are kind of the 2 bigaboos and I work on those daily. Especially as I get older, it’s always been very important to me and I came up during a time where my elders were like, “you have to stretch and you have to do gym work.” If you want to be a pro, you have to be a pro athlete and you have to have fitness and that kind of strength to be able to do it at the level that we are doing it and to of course have that kind of longevity! You want to try to stay out of that rehab zone!
AM: From what you can tell as we’re talking to you as you’re preparing for the Rockstar Energy Open in Breckenridge – how is it different than other competitions that you have been in as I know this is their first debut in snow.
MM: Yeah. I think it is really exciting that there is a different kind of contest that is happening in an Olympic year where it’s usually very regimented. It’s nice to be able to switch it up and kudos to them to get a unique group of riders together and to have a very unorthodox, fun, creative course that we would normally not see and to have a fun twist on things! I’m really stoked to be here and it’s nice to have this break in the season. You’re still competing and you still want do well and you’re making a plan and trying to do a run. At the same time, it feels a little more laid back and you’re not chasing points to qualify for the Olympics or going for broke on some 80’ jump – it’s all fun sized and extremely creative.
AM: You have the X Games coming up as well as the Winter Olympics. What’s a week of training look like when you are focused on competitions like that. Are you doing anything different?
MM: A week of training during a major competition like the X Games or the Olympics, is a lot of planning around when the practice sessions are. You’re trying to peak at the right times, trying to get the rest you need – when you have a day off, maybe you’re going to do a lift then. Most of the time, it’s a lot of recovery and mobility, breathwork, thoracic spine, and things like that – trying to just keep the chassis in tip top shape. Trying to eat clean and prioritizing a good 8 hour rest, things like that.
I would say that on non-competition weeks, you’re lifting more weights and doing harder gym sessions. But the practice sessions are a ton of impact and a ton of mental stress. So when you get off the hill, you’re in the gym, but it’s more about spinning, recovery, mobility, eating clean, and sleeping.
AM: Wow!
You’re one of the most decorated snowboarders and with the X Games being a few weeks away, what do you love about competing there and what are you looking forward to?
MM: The X Games has been so amazing for my career! I have had great success in Aspen and I love the town – it’s a special place. I can’t say enough good things about X Games and Aspen – it has truly built my career to what it is. I’m just thankful that I am still doing it and my first X Games was in 2011 in Aspen –
AM: Which is crazy because that’s veteran status there!
MM: Yeah, 15 years now! I’m thankful to still be going out there, I’m thankful to still be able to have a shot at winning. I’m feeling healthy and happy and I’m really excited to be able to get back there!
AM: This will be your 4th Olympic appearance. What does it mean to you to represent your country, participate in the opening and closing ceremonies, and to compete on that kind of global stage?
MM: It’s an honor to represent your country! Like you said, it will be my 4th time around which I am extremely proud of. There’s not a single male that I competed with in 2014 at the Sochi Olympics that will be at the Olympics in Italy. I am proud of that longevity and I am proud of the hard work that I have put in. I am really looking forward to going out there and doing my best and riding to the best of my ability. I really feel like that if I do that, I have a good shot at some hardware. I’m excited for family and friends to be around because the last one in 2022, it was quite COVID’d out. It wasn’t a ton of spectators.
When I go to an Olympics, it’s always been pretty focused mode – horse blinders on. Not really like taking in a ton – you’re just kind of focused on what you’re doing. I actually went to Paris for the last Summer Games and it was a lot of fun to be able to take in an Olympics and not to compete! I could just be a fan and I really enjoyed that! So I’m excited for friends and family to come to get that experience and obviously, as I get older and mature more, I know that there is a lot more to life than that, but I will definitely be locked in and focused and I will try to enjoy it as well as the pizza and pasta as well!
AM: Pizza and pasta – that’s our language right there!
MM: Yup! If we’re going to get a big work in, you get to have a carb load!
AM: As someone who has competed all over the world, you have filmed all over the world, are there 3 places that are your top destinations to snowboard in that you can share?
MM: It’s really hard for me and I guess I’m biased, but I will say that Western Canada has got to be in my top 2 if not 1! I think Japan is a place that if you love to ski or snowboard, it’s a must! Anytime after the New Year to late Feb, it’s really hard not to score there. It’s a really special place and it’s neat to go there and to experience that culture. I spend a lot of time on the glaciers in Europe during the Fall for training and I like spending time in Switzerland, Austria – places like that! I really like Italy – their mountains are amazing and the people and the culture are also amazing there. I think that the Alps, Japan and Canada are my 3 favorite places to go.
AM: Because you do travel so much, are there 3 items that you like to take with you that make you feel like you’re at home?
MM: Yeah! You know I return to the same spots a lot over the last 15 years. Something that always comes with me is this little portable blender and then I have juicers all around the world at the places that I stay! Then, there’s my roller! Like I bring that in my carry-on because sometimes I get off the plane and when I am waiting for the next flight, I can just roll my back out and it’s such a good feeling – I love it! I would say that those are obviously my essentials – I mean clearly there’s my passport and things like that.
But the things that I bring that I like, my portable smoothie, I have juicers everywhere and my roller!
AM: What do you think has allowed you to have such longevity in this sport?
MM: I think what has helped me to have such longevity in this sport is keeping a good circle of people around me. Keeping friends, family, agents, and managers that keep it fun for me. That’s really important and people that want to work hard and succeed, you need to surround yourself with people that have like minded goals for sure! Then there’s my overall passion for snowboarding, my love for snowboarding has been something that has definitely pushed me and helped me to elevate my career. My love for the community of snowboarding, and how thankful that I am that it has given me the life that I couldn’t have even dreamed of. It has literally been something that I couldn’t have even dreamed of. It’s really important for me to try and to give back. We do that with the McMorris Foundation and things like that. We just try to break down the barriers of entry. I think that giving back to a community that has given you everything is really important with longevity. Also not just competing my whole career – it’s also breaking off and doing some films and just not doing the same thing constantly – it has kept it fun for me!
AM: You mentioned the McMorris Foundation that you started with your brother, Craig, did you think that it would be where it is at today?
MM: No! Honestly, I’m so thankful that we did it as far back as we did. It kind of seemed like we weren’t big enough to have a foundation when we started it, but that’s not true. We got to meet some incredible people and some generous people and have had quite a big outreach. We’ve had connections to other athletes, we’ve got to do some amazing things and to raise tons of money and I feel like we’re so lucky and have been able to play hockey, to play baseball, to snowboard and to do this and to do that. It taught us a lot in life. You can learn a lot through sport and I want every kid to have that experience and it is something that is near and dear to my heart.
AM: When you’re not competing, how do you take time for yourself?
MM: Um, I am a huge sports person so even when I have time off, I’m engaging in sports whether it’s surfing, playing hockey, skateboarding, going to sporting events! Obviously, spending time with my family – we all like to golf. I like to chill with my friends really and just doing normal stuff. I definitely like to try and experience some of the places that I have been lucky enough to go to, but it is so work focused. So I prioritize that more by going on trips to see places and really immersing myself in the culture which I quite enjoy. It can be like I said, like horse blinders sometimes when you are going to these places and you have such a goal and it’s like work – well it is work because you’re grinding. So, I want to experience these places and more things and those places that I love. I’m a huge food guy, I love food from different places around the world. So I really indulge in that when I can!
AM: You’re also known for snowboarding in the backcountry and last night, we watched PAVED.
MM: Nice!
AM: Yeah, it was the best 42 mins of our time last night watching this in prep for this interview!
MM: Sick! That’s really cool to hear – thank you!
AM: We’ve snowboarded and we are nowhere near your level, but we do like doing it to go out a bit and then to have drinks after.
But watching you and the other athletes in the backcountry at locales around the world was really great to see as we are fans of theirs as well. Tell us about this movie as we know it was done in partnership with Red Bull and Burton and why did you want to participate in this?
MM: I mean, it was a little tricky timing in terms of being in such a big year coming up. It was something that is so important to me in being able to have such a presence in the backcountry and the film world. It was really cool to hear that you watched it because you see how cinematic it is in the backcountry and how it looks. Of course it can look a little scary sometimes.
AM: Oh it was terrifying to see the ones in Alaska – couldn’t imagine it!
MM: Yeah it’s like wow! Snowboarding on these untouched slopes it’s just so majextic and picturesque and honestly, it’s a ton of fun to be out there for me. I love pushing myself like that as well and it’s such a team effort filming. You’re all helping each other and you have each other’s backs! That’s a nice change sometimes – I mean we all have each other’s backs, but we’re also competing. So being in the backcountry with Zeb Powell (X Games G1 + S1) for the first time and long time friends with Danny Davis (X Games G2), Brock Crouch, and Ben Ferguson (X Games S1 + B1) – to have that crew together and just making an awesome film! Thank you to Red Bull and Burton for giving us that rad opportunity! It was something that I definitely couldn’t pass up and I think that they did an awesome job on the movie!
AM: It was beautiful and what came to mind was in watching surfing for years and specifically things like the big waves in thinking about HBO’s 100 Foot Wave, you know about the tow in for surfers. The film illustrated this with drops ins from the helicopter as well as the Ski-Doos - not sure if that is correct...
MM: Oh yeah the Ski-Doo, you’re right – you nailed it! It’s crazy what you can access on those things and that’s a big part of it. Of course, as you saw, the triangle has the Helli on top which is the top mode of transportation! But Ski-Doo, they’re amazing what you can get to. I loved being back there and being able to enjoy that with friends, it’s freaking special and you don’t have that kind of instant gratification. Like if you’re doing a competition and you do well, you’re on that podium. But when you do this and you get clips and you see it all come together, and it’s such a team effort – that’s comparable, if not more gratifying at times.
AM: The film was awesome and the music – everything was just produced and came so well together. It was very cool!
MM: Thank you! I’m happy that you enjoyed it.
AM: You have 24 medals from the X Games, 3 from the Olympics, you’ve won US Opens, you have coveted brands that are sponsoring you, you’ve been in a number of films, and you have left your fingerprint on the sport. What do you want your legacy to be known as when they are looking at Mark McMorris and this incredible career?
MM: Ooo. Someone that pushed the limits. Someone that had a love for the sport and really focused on all sides of the sport and wasn’t just kind of like a one lane kind of guy. Someone who gave back to the community. That would be something that I would be truly proud of!
AM: We appreciate you taking the time, we didn’t realize that you will be training tomorrow in prep for the competition that is taking place this weekend!
MM: No problem! I’m so excited for this cover and it’s so neat that I will be on the cover as there have been some very impressive people that have been in it!
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | FRONT COVER/BACK COVER Chris Singer/Red Bull Content Pool | PG 16, 27 Frederik Kalbermatten | PG 19, 20, 28, 30, 34, BACK COVER Aaron Blatt | PG 23, 24 Emily Tidwell/Red Bull Content Pool | PG 33, 40, 44 - 51 X Games | PG 36 Christian Pondella | PG 38 Cole Giordano/Red Bull Content Pool | PG 42 Rock Star Energy Open |
Read the DEC ISSUE #120 of Athleisure Mag and see PUSHING THE LIMITS | Mark McMorris in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Valeriia Bugaiova
All-inclusive holidays have evolved over the years. While you can still expect all the traditional inclusions, from food and drink to access to in-resort activities, these getaways deliver elevated experiences.
Today’s packages are formed around how you actually want to feel when you get home: rested and energised. As well as being an indulgent escape, these holidays now build wellness into your stay.
The end of decision fatigue
Daily life demands that you to make hundreds of small decisions before lunchtime, and that constant mental load easily follows you onto your holiday. Choosing where to eat, tracking spending and planning activities can drain your energy before you even reach the pool.
Well-crafted all-inclusive holidays remove that pressure completely. When meals, activities, and experiences are taken care of, your mind finally stops juggling options. You wake up knowing that everything you need is there for you, which means you can focus on switching off for a week or two.
Nutritional rejuvenation
Resort dining has moved towards quality ingredients that support how your body functions. Many properties now work directly with local farms and fisheries, which means you eat fresh produce – and lots of all-inclusive resorts have eateries helmed by renowned chefs.
You benefit from menus that reflect modern eating habits, whether you lean towards plant-based dishes or anti-inflammatory ingredients. Better still, you get to move away from snacking and filling up on unhealthy options.
Active recovery and movement
While hotel gyms have always had the basics like a treadmill or a rowing machine, resorts are now investing in a range of facilities that encourage active movement during your holiday. From movement studios led by trained instructors to luxury gyms filled with extensive equipment, this is a reimagined way of getting in some exercise.
Pilates sessions, guided stretching, and group mobility classes support your body instead of pushing it to exhaustion. There are also sauna experiences that encourage rest and connection rather than silent endurance.
These inclusions let you explore new disciplines in a low-pressure environment, without paying separately for private tuition.
Nature as a natural reset
When a resort sits beside the sea or near protected landscapes, nature becomes part of your daily routine. Exposure to water and fresh air supports a calmer nervous system, which explains why coastal settings feel so restorative.
Activities like sunrise paddleboarding or guided coastal walks encourage presence without demanding performance. You remain immersed in the natural world while still enjoying the seamless service and comfortable spaces of your all-inclusive break.
This balance allows you to reset, without sacrificing ease, and return home feeling both grounded and restored.
