DJ DREZ | JOURNEY OF SOUNDS

Whether he's on the stage or in the studio - DJ, producer, musical director and sound ambassador DJ Drez is about the journey into sound. By cutting and composing original tracks his sounds assist the body's movements when dancing or doing yoga asana.

He integrates elements of hiphop, world music, soul, funk, jazz, and reggae into his signature sound. He has worked with a number of top artists, including KRS 1, Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray, as well as brands that include Adidas, X Games, and ABC to name a few. We talked with Drez to find out more about his style, his recent solo work and Alpine Swift.

ATHLEISURE MAG: How is a Yoga DJ different then other DJs that we're familiar with?  

DJ DREZ: I actually don’t consider myself a “yoga DJ.” In that I dj all kinds of music in many different kinds of venues which include everything from a hip hop club and world music festivals to yoga studios and yoga festivals.  I do play a huge range of world music that is appropriate for a practice.  I think the fact that I practice yoga and have many related spiritual practices adds to my ability to connect the students and teacher in any given environment.   If anything, that's what makes me a very good “yoga DJ.”  

AM: What music do you focus on for yoga?

DJ DREZ: I play a lot of instrumental world music. I also produce specifically for the practice and again I draw upon my own experiences on the mat. Practicing yoga has helped me tremendously in how I am able to support students and teachers sonically. It is actually a careful play of energy between us all. I never have a set play list and instead let the music flow organically with what is actually happening in the room.

AM: What styles of music do you play/produce?

DJ DREZ: I come from a hip hop, soul, jazz and world background. So this always heavily influences anything I play and produce. You can hear my roots in the music I play. Even if it has elements of Africa or India you can feel the hip hop and soul, Vice Versa.

AM: 'Alpine Swift' recently dropped. What was its inspiration?

DJ DREZ: My literal travels, my mind travels, my family and my art. I realized how often I am on a plane, train or in a car.  Starring out of a window. Meditating or imagining.  Always in flight to create and do what I love, which is make and share music. My art. Traveling has been a big part of my career and journey, with pockets of touching down here and there. I wondered if there was a bird like that, always in flight and Alpine Swift came to mind. Did you know that bird can fly for hours, days, and months, while sleeping, and eating mid-flight.  Its not by choice for me, but part of the unglamorous road I have to walk in order to do what I love to do and make a living. Now can you imagine what that feels like sometimes? Can you imagine what that might sound like? Alpine Swift.

AM: What other artists have you worked with and do you have a genre you like to work in?  

DJ DREZ: I love working with my wife Marti Nikko. She is an amazing singer and we released an album last year called Dreaming in Sanskrit which is a sweet, boomin' mantra album supported by hip hop and reggae beats.  It's really something special. We have already started working on its follow-up. I also work with many MCs, singers and some super fresh musicians. I really enjoy collaborating with others.

AM: What's your favorite music to listen to?  

DJ DREZ: Thats difficult to answer. That's like asking which child do you love more. I love what I love, especially what is really done well.   I don’t worry about boundaries and categories so much. If it sounds good, is well made and moves me then I can listen to it. I do come across music that sometimes isn't for me, but I can appreciate i because it's well done. No matter what, it has to have soul.

AM: With your busy schedule (solo projects, collaborations) of being a family man, working with a number of artists and sought after organizations, how do you stay grounded and balanced?

DJ DREZ: Yoga, mantra, breath, good nourishing food and great yummy sex!  Those are all super important.  I wouldn’t be able to work it at this level without those practices supporting me.

AM: When you're not working - what do you when you have time for yourself?

DJ DREZ: I try to spend my off-time with my family and in nature. I nurture them and they also nurture me. It's one of the reasons i do what I do. They inspire me to be the best me.  Nature supports these qualities too, helping me to feel the earth under my feet. To be in quiet when I am alone and with them. I even hear my son differently in nature. So we try and take many nature walks and spend a lot of my off time at the beach or hiking up our mountain. Included in this are practices of yoga, mantra, breath, good nourishing food and great yummy sex!

1. Sound Ambassador - Anahata Ether

2. Bombay Dub Orchestra - Dust (Pigment of Your Imagination Mix)

3. Marti Nikko - I Am Love {Plum Mood edit)

4. Sound Ambassador - Anahata

5. Moby - Memory Gospel

6. Bonobo - Terrapin

7. DJ Drez - Light Me Up

8. Trevor Hall - Who Ya Gonna Turn To

9. DJ Drez - Sugar Drop 77

10. Domonic Dean Breaux - Morning

Read more from the Jun Issue.

KYLOSOPHY

The world of fitness training goes hand in hand with motivation and providing it to those that you work with. During this season of NBC's Strong (Executive Produced by Sylvester Stallone), the Athleisure Mag team was introduced to Ky Evans who was a professionally trained dancer turned top trainer (Shape named him in the top 50 in 2014). After seeing him for a few episodes, not only did we find his passion and energy contagious but we liked his methods and how he works with his clients.

Ky's classes have a month long waitlist in Studio City, Venice and in Hollywood. His clientele
includes Olympians (Carmelita Jeter), professional athletes (Ronda Rousey) and TV/film personalities (Giuliana Rancic, Hayden Panettiere, Sophia Bush, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Rosario Dawson) to name a few. We took a moment to find out about Ky's experience on the show, his fitness method and how he obtains balance in his life.

See Athleisure Mag's Interview with Olympian, Carmelita Jeter

ATHLEISURE MAG: We enjoyed seeing you on Strong and love your energy that you brought
during the weeks you were on! Prior to being a fitness trainer, you were in ballet - tell us how
you chose to work in that field, what company you were in and when you realized that you
were ready to transition your career.

KY EVANS: Strong was an incredible experience and it allowed me the opportunity to show the world that fitness is not about muscles, or medallions, but about the ability to truly express ones greatest gift – our body! I never really chose the career of dance, it chose me. I never really wanted to be a great dancer, I just wanted to feel free and alive, expressive, and safe. I spent a life time of feeling small, and not enough. Dance was the only time I felt alive and free. I started dancing at a very young age with ethnic Macedonian “Oro” circle dancing at church functions. This led me to study Ballet in college. The power and grace with the vulnerability and truth of ballet was the real reason I danced. I never wanted to be famous. I never danced in a company, never even auditioned, you see its much easier to have unlimited potential and
not try, then try and fail. I was so afraid of failing that after college I never put on ballet
shoes again. Instead I spent the next 10 years lost in complete state of fear, doubt, judgment and anger all because I was afraid to fail, afraid that I would never be enough, afraid that people would laugh at me! So I stopped doing the one thing that set me free, and started doing what most people do when they are that lost, drugs.

AM: How did you decide upon being a fitness trainer?

KE: It’s the same kind of theme, I never really thought about being a fitness trainer. I loved
expressing my body, but never really cared about the results, just the feeling and sensations that it gave me. When you train, you want to fail. Failure is a good thing when you train. You go 'till you fail, yet in life I was paralyzed by the idea of failure. I mentioned above that I spent 10 years in black hole of pity and self-hatred. At my lows, of lows at the age of 36, I had my awaking. I was homeless, couch surfing were I could, partying every night when I got a phone call from my father. It was the first time I ever heard him cry and he said to me, “I know what you’re doing. We did not escape the communists to get to this great country for you to end up like this. I want you to get up, stand up, and make it happen.” He then hung the phone up, I didn’t say a word, instead I walked down to Venice beach and took a plank position in the sand, closed my eyes and began to weep so hard that when I opened my eyes I was holding plank for almost 30 minutes. That’s when it hit me, that’s when I decide to dedicate my
life to teaching HOPE, and giving the gift of FAILURE!

AM: We know that your classes have quite the waitlist and that Shape noted you as one of the top 50 hottest trainers - what is it that keeps your clients coming back?

KE: I am truly blessed with the most amazing clientele on the planet. I am currently teaching
close to 500 people a week. I have been blessed with a lot of attention, but I think the real reason that people keep coming back is that it not about me. Its not what I can do, its not about how fast I can get you results, but what I can get them to believe in what they can do if they just embrace how truly great they already are! There can only be one you, so why do we spend so much time trying to change that. Instead we need to embrace how great we are through expressing or gift, or body! My classes are not about adding on, but rather the peeling away to the truth of how great we really are. But to do that we must first embrace failure. My classes are like a journey of self, but you're not alone. You are failing with others, proving the point that everyone fails, that we are not as alone as we might think. And when we fail together we realize we are all the same!

AM: What is Kylosophy?

KE: Kylosophy is just my interpretation of life and art. When I teach I go into a flow state where I take a lot of philosophical ideas and apply it to expression, life and failure. I studied a lot of philosophy in college and the fastest way to free the soul is to exhaust the body to complete failure so that the mind turns off and the spirit is set free. The fastest way to God is through the body. I believe that true meditation isn’t stillness, rather the ability to own one’s self during complete physical and mental failure. Adversity introduces us to our self, and failure erases the ego!

AM: What is the Megaformer and how integral is that to your training as well as to your clients?

KE: The Megaformer saved my life. It is the perfect combination of art and science. It allows me to create like no other and is limitless in its possibilities. It is my canvas and my clients are my paint. The machine itself is a custom built machine designed and created by Sebastian Lagree. Simply put it is the ultimate in neuromuscular non impact strength and conditioning. It’s the future of you!

AM: You worked with Sebastian Lagree who taught you the Lagree Method - what was that like?

KE: Sebastian Lagree was the only person that gave me a chance. After I had my awakening, I was washing dishes at a hotel on Sun got to see and train on his first machine in the “Proformer.” After that class my search was over. I found my vessel of truth, and the man to mentor me. He took me under his wing, and the rest is history. He still is my mentor and I am currently working at his newest studio with his newest creation the SUPRA.

AM: How was it being on Strong and what did you learn from being on the show?

KE: Strong for me was never about showing off, or look at me, I’m fit! It was never about
winning money or even the tower. Strong for me was about sacrifice. Sacrificing my ego for the benefit of my partner’s growth and success. It was about vulnerability and being able to fail in front of the world. Owning the idea that win or lose, I am enough. At the end of the day, it was just a TV show. The real tower started when I got back. The only tower that matters, is LIFE! And when I got back from filming the show, my partners told me that I was no longer needed and that the brand that I started was going in a different direction. So basically when I got back, I lost everything. At the highest point of my career, I was back to zero. Talk about the ultimate test of Strength! Losing one’s entire identity, career, and income in less than 10 minutes. Now the real Tower begins!

AM: Were you able to meet with Sylvester Stallone who Executive Produced the show?

KE: That was my only regret. I never got to meet Sly. But the wardrobe people keep telling me that I reminded them of him. Sly gets it. He trains to express who he is and how he feels. He is an artist. He writes, directs, produces, and acts. He does it all. All because he embraces his body, he lives to train because he knows that his training keeps him in total inspiration! The ROCK is like that too!

AM: Will there be additional seasons and will you be coming back for the next one?

KE: There is a good possibility that there will be a season 2, I am currently on hold by the
network and that I might be coming back. So I better get practicing on my climbing!

AM: What's next for you?

KE: Everything and anything! Right now I am working on opening my own super gym here on the west side of LA. I have spent the last 10 years helping others uncover there gifts and reach their goals. I have opened over 12 gyms in LA, and it is time for me to own my worth and create my own place. A place that is the ultimate in self-expression, creativity, and inspiration for all to experience. After that I need to finish my book, and hopefully turn that into a motivational speaking tour. I am a huge fan of Mastin Kipp, Bob Proctor, and of course Tony Robbins. And I hope to be that next generation of self help guru’s that end bullying, and show people how truly great they really are if they would just trust their body, embrace failure, and lead with
their heart.

AM: What exercises that can be done to get that lean ballet style body?

KE: No workout changes body composition better than the Lagree method. There are over 300 studios world wide, so go out and find one near you and get to class. Also nutrition will be key, I have an amazing program on my site. It was designed by PFC Nutrition and it was the same programming I used for my partners transformation. You are what you eat! Your sport is Life and your body your instrument. You can train all day but if you are not eating to support the demands of your daily life nothing will ever change!

AM: Do you guest teach in other cities?

KE: I would love to travel and do a guest teaching tour. We are currently working on getting
that up. With over 300 studios would wide I hope to be coming to a city near you very soon! So if there is a studio near you, have contact me and I would love to come out and do a little preaching and teaching! For more info go to my site: kyevans.com

AM: How do you maintain balance?

KE: HA! Balance!? It’s called no sleep and a lot of coffee! Actually when you truly embrace one’s higher purpose, it’s never work, and its play. I am truly blessed to be doing what I love, and I can never really get enough of it. I am driven with the simple idea that if I can just get through to one person day. Show that one person that he or she is enough. That there is one you, and there can never be another you ever. And that the worlds needs you. That you are enough! That we train to reveal how truly great we already are. So stop competing, and start creating. My fear is that if I stop, I wont be able to get through to that one person that needs me the most. And that would crush me.

Personally, I try to meditate once a day. Sometimes it's for 5 minutes, other times is an hour I try to train 6 days a week, again sometimes it's 30 minutes other times its 2 hours. I read a lot and on Sundays I go to a monastery and hang out with monks in Malibu to kind of recharge myself. The bottom line is, its not about how much you do, or how often you do it. It’s about doing the things you need to do so that you are always the best version of yourself at all times. To truly understand self, one must truly embrace failure. I try to fail at least once a day!

AM: Please feel free to share anything that you would like to from charities that you are apart of, projects that we may not have covered etc.

KE: I am currently working on getting with this amazing charity called “Defeat the Label.” It's an anti bullying organization out of Detroit, where I am from. I spent my life being made to feel small, not enough. And I am really excited to help teach others to take back their power by own their greatest gift, their body!

Pictures courtesy of Ky Evan

ROBOTS

Are robots going to take away all of our jobs? Some, but not as much as you might think!

by Ed Maguire

Will humans be irrelevant in the future? What kind of jobs in the future will survive? How can we make sure that we don’t make career choices that end up like buggy-whip makers, or switchboard operators? What will we do if there is no work left for most people to do?

There’s a lot of conversation these days about what could happen to jobs with the pace of advances in robotics and artificial intelligence. When people think of robots doing work, the first thing that comes to mind is often a loveable robot from popular culture like C3PO in Star Wars, or Data in Star Trek. Or maybe on the dark side, a malevolent super computer like the HAL9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey? In reality, robots are far more likely to look like something you’d find on an assembly line. The automation that replaces jobs is apt to look a lot more like the EZ-Pass tag for your car, or the self-checkout line at the store.

The truth is that automation has been replacing jobs for hundreds of years, making people
uncomfortable and scared for their future. If you go back to the early 1800s, a weaver named Ned Ludd smashed knitting frames (new technology) and gave rise to a movement of weavers opposed to automation known as Luddites. The proportion of the US workforce employed in agriculture declined from 41% in 1900 to 2% in 2000 due to automation. We've seen big declines in other jobs. Automobiles reduced the number of blacksmiths and stable hands; machines have replaced many jobs in construction and manufacturing. In the past, the workers seemed to be able to retrain skills as new types of professions arose. 

The concern today is whether the accelerating pace of change brought about by exponential growth in computing power, advances in Artificial Intelligence and the integration with automation and robotics will destroy jobs faster than workers can adjust. Some recent studies seem to give reason for concern: a 2013 paper entitled “The Future of Employment: How Susceptible Are Jobs to Computerisation?” by Dr. Michael A. Osborne from Oxford University’s Department of Engineering Science and Dr. Carl Benedikt Frey of the Oxford Martin School, estimated that 47% of jobs in the US are “at risk” of being automated in the next 20 years. They found that jobs in transportation, logistics, office and administrative support are at “high risk” of automation with other occupations within the service industry also highly susceptible. Larry Summers, the former American treasury secretary, looked at employment trends among American men between 25 and 54. Only one in 20 was not working In the 1960s, but according to his forecast this could reach one in seven within 10 years. In his view, technical change is increasingly taking the form of “capital that effectively substitutes for labor.” Other prominent economists including Nouriel Roubini and Paul Krugman have publicly expressed concerns that successes in technology are eliminating jobs. Robert Reich has said that robots will “take away good jobs that are already dwindling. They will in short supplant the middle class.”

The topic of technological unemployment has been discussed at great length in books like Martin Ford’s “Rise of the Robots” and Terry Kaplan’s “Humans Need Not Apply.” In Ford’s view, the writing is on the wall: we are already seeing so much technology-driven unemployment that ultimately society will have to provide a Universal Basic Income, or UBI, to every member of society to account for the declining cost of producing goods and the shortage of jobs for everyday workers. This idea is gaining a lot of ground, with a considerable amount of discussion at the 2016 World Economic Forum.

Not everyone believes in the doom and gloom forecasts. A new study by Melanie Arntz, Terry Gregory and Ulrich Zierahn for the OECD argues that studies on robots or computerization destruction of jobs, vastly overestimate the risks. They believe disruption is much less than feared, “finding that on average, across the 21 OECD countries, 9% of jobs rather than 47%, as proposed by Frey and Osborne face a high automatibility.” The McKinsey Global Institute sees job “redefinition” instead of unemployment, foreseeing that very few occupations will be automated in their entirety in the near or medium term. Rather, certain activities will be automated, business processes will transformed, and jobs redefined. Authors Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfssen in “The Second Machine Age” see that disruption is inevitable in the short term, but remain optimistic that society will adjust.

So how do you make sure that robots don’t take YOUR job? The first question to ask is whether what you do all day can be easily automated by a machine. Working as a cashier or customer service person can be replaced by self-service kiosks or online (we’ve certainly seen a lot of shopping mall jobs go away because of e-commerce). If it’s a task that’s repetitive, or can be replaced in part by software processes or an online app, it’s likely the job will look different in a decade’s time. Of course, there are some jobs that could change dramatically – like taxi drivers or truck drivers with the adoption of self-driving technologies. Others are not likely to see much change at all – gardeners, nurse practitioners, therapists- jobs where there needs to be a human touch.

I like to think that robots and computers don’t have a sense of style, or good taste, or empathy, and that can never be replaced by a machine. What are those human qualities? Creativity, the ability to inspire others, the ability to organize groups of people are examples, though there are many more. Being a designer, storyteller, or an artist can never be replaced by a machine. What are those human qualities? Creativity, the ability to inspire others, the ability to organize groups of people are examples, though there are many more. Being a designer, storyteller, or an artist can never be automated, and we as human beings crave contact and social connections. While it does help to have your Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) chops, never underestimate the value of an English or Art History education (I’m not talking about a degree, that’s another conversation entirely). Embrace what’s best about being human, and  let the machines handle the rest!

Ed Maguire has worked as an equity analyst covering the technology sector since 1999 for a variety of firms including CLSA Americas, Merrill Lynch and CIBC. Previously he led sales for independent music distributor Twinbrook Music while working as a professional musician performing on bass, violin and keyboards, composing, arranging and producing a variety of styles of music. Ed holds a B.A. in Music from Columbia and an M.B.A. from Rutgers in Finance and Management Information Systems. He lives in Millburn, NJ with his wife Lily, their two kids and the dog Spock.
 

MOTIVATIONAL IMPACT

When you think of fitness luminaries and their famous systems, Tony Horton comes to mind without a doubt! With his innovative and successful systems that include P90X, P90X2, and P90X3, he is a household name. We caught up with Tony to talk about TH Care by Tony Horton, his new hair and skincare line, motivation seminars, 22 Minute Hard Corps, and living a consistent lifestyle. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you? 

TONY HORTON: Simply, you must be very consistent with your exercise and have a purpose beyond the aesthetic, weight, scale, tape measure, and what other people say about you. It's about eating whole foods as much as possible, from anywhere between 80 - 95% of the time, depending on the individual.

AM: What are your favorite experiences training celebs and are there differences training  them?

TH: I believe that there are nuances for sure. My first celebrity client was Tom Petty and when he called me up at my tiny two bedroom apartment, I hung up on him thinking that it was my friend pulling a prank on me. Once I met Tom, it was a really phenomenal experience because I was dealing with someone who hadn't really trained consistently or in the kind of way that I was trying to show him - with weight lifting, boxing, kick boxing, and cardiovascular exercises and basic stretching. It was a 3 month experience and I went on tour with him for 3 weeks in the middle of that tour after we trained, and I think that what was the most unique about it was that it opened up the door to other celebrities like; Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Stills, Annie Lennox, Sean Connery, Shirley MacLaine, Usher, and so on. The Tom Petty experience opened all the doors to being a celebrity trainer.

AM: Is being on tour with clients hard for you in terms of staying on your training schedule for yourself?

TH: My training doesn't get affected. Tom was kind enough to know that I needed some time in the day to exercise too. On tour, he's got soundcheck and reheasals so there's hours between the workout in the morning and his show where I could workout. Then there were times that we would just work out together.

AM: What's the ideology behind your famous fitness methods?

TH: My trademarked phrase "Do your best, so forget the rest," explains everything. I think that in this industry, there are a lot of people that fail because they feel like they have to compete with the past, with others or with the expectations of how it is supposed to go throughout the course of whatever program they have decided to do. My philosophy is, you just take care of the basics and don't think too much about the aesthetic change (how many push- ups you have to do and how many pull-ups you need to do or how perfect your yoga Asana needs to be). These things are causing people to have too much angst. To be consistent for the process and the lifestyle is about making sure that you do what you can and it changes from day to day. From things as unpredictable as biorhythms, lack of sleep, hydration - there are just too many variables that are difficult to track that allow you to have the perfect fitness experience. Sometimes Lebron scores 40+ and sometimes he doesn't. Even the best athletes in the world don't have the same exact performance every time and neither should we expect that from ourselves.

AM: Does fitness go hand in hand with motivation?

TH: I think you need some kind of motivation to be consistent with your fitness. If your motivation isn't as important as food, shelter, water and breathing as it should be - then chances are you won't be able to sustain it. It's not about losing weight so that you can show your friends how great you look in an outfit. It's about being able to sustain how you look for decades. When your purpose is aligned, then there is a greater likelihood that you'll make the switch and stay with it for the rest of your life. 

AM: What are your motivational weekends like?

TH: It depends from event to event. A corporate one is different than a beach body event. If it's a 4 hour excursion, it's different than a 2 day excursion. On average, most of them are a workout or two, seminar based, and we do some autographs/photos. For example, at the Omega Institute coming up June 24 - 26. It's a 2 day intensive so we break off in groups and analyze aspects of our health/fitness lifestyle. Last year, it was motivation - how do we get it, why aren't we consistent, and what are the plans that need to be in place so that we can create accountability. These were the things that were important in last year's seminar. 

This year, it focuses on food and diet. In my opinion, exercise is about fitness but most people don't realize that health is the result of the food you eat. Food is either medicine or poison. You have opportunities throughout the day - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between that allow you to make healthy or unhealthy choices. When you make healthy choices, it seriously impacts the quality of your life, sleep, the likelihood of you getting sick and the ability for you to perform better when you exercise and for the body to recover so that you can come back the next day. That is the importance of food - it's not just exercising so that you can eat whatever or to try and watch your weight. That is about as archaic as driving around in a Ford Pinto. The goal is to be more sophisticated and to know that it's not complicated.

The Omega Institute has a session where we do a simple workout, yoga, meditation - there's three where we break off into groups to solve some of the food issues that people have. We also have obstacle courses and goofy games.

I want people to come away knowing as much new information as possible so that they can feel that they come away with how they can start over. So often, if it is a workout in a seminar, 8 out of 10 people will think that what they did was fun, but they won't apply it. Two days is almost like you're re-wiring people. That's why it works.

AM: Tell us about TH Care by Tony Horton and will there be additional products in the future?

TH: I have always been a fan of Patrick Dockry, who is the owner/creator of Ultimate Salon Professionals and I was on his TV show and part of his magazine. Out of courtesy of me doing that, he sent me boxes of his products. My wife and I loved them. One day she and I were talking and I said, "Why don't we see if we can come up with a line of products that will accomodate some of my personal needs?" Due to damaging effects of the sun, my skin and hair are dry. So, I asked him to mix a little nature and science together for my hair and skin and he did. It's been a great improvement to the quality of my skin and my hair is manageable and under control. I started sharing it with friends and they suggested that I should get it packaged. 

We came out with two products, one is called Fitness (face/skin spray) and the other is  Workout (hair/bodywash). They're unisex and we wanted to create something that was simple, effective, and traveled well for athletes and /or those that exercise a lot. The scent was important because it couldn't be too feminine or masculine. Everyone who smells it always says it's like summer in a bottle. I don't know what that smells like exactly but it's clean, fresh and warm. People love it and we're already looking at including a shaving cream within the line and a hair and skin oil that is just the bomb that we've been experimenting with. I really love this oil! When you think oil - you think greasy but this absorbs deep into the skin and makes the skin look younger and feel better. But we have to get the first two off the ground before looking at the next ones.

On Monday nights, I do a plyometrics class at my house and I wear TH Care all the time. When we're in a room, people will ask what I'm wearing and they really think that the smell is amazing. When I tell them it's my skincare, they say that they should put it on more. I let them know that you have to in order to smell good - a lot of guys who are younger don't realize that they need to maintain their skin. Doing it now will get them into the routine of taking care of themselves. You get out of the shower, dry off a bit and then slap on the lotion to go about your day. 

AM: Tell us about the fitness methods that you created.

TH: P90X was a departure from anything else that existed in the market. No one had created 12 separate discs with 12 different workouts on them. There are a lot of specific routines out there in the areas of yoga, pilates, body building, cardio etc. A lot of trainers like to just stick with what they know and a lot of them are very good, but the issue with sort of a one-dimensional myopic approach to fitness is that people will plateau. The lack of variety usually causes people to settle into a certain place. Maybe they're happy and maybe they're not. 

With P90X, it forced all users to work on their weakness much more than their strengths, due, to the extent of the variety. The offerings include: weight lifting, body resistance, core and functional, pilates, yoga, plyometrics and so on. That's always been my theme. When you look at the course of my week in training, every workout is different from the next. I try to train 7 days a week and maybe taking one day off, but I schedule 7. I need to do plyometrics. I need to do yoga. I need to do chest and back. I need to do shoulders and arms and I need to do core and functional and ski training. I need 9 days in a week but I only have 7 - sometimes I will take off a Sat. or a Wed. I usually train 22 - 25 days a month. That's how your body truly changes. 3 or 4 days a week, you're playing catch-up all the time.The days off always supersede the day on. If you only train 4 days a week, you end up with what I call, Exercise Bipolar Disorder and that's not a good thing. The goal is to be consistent with everything.

The thing I tell people on the Motivation Seminar is that I want everyone to take a deep breath and hold it. Then I never tell them to stop and people have to gasp to catch their breath. I let them know that consistency is as important as taking your next breath. This allows you to live the kind of lifestyle that I think most people want to live.

The brand new method is called 22 Minute Hard Core, and it's a big departure from P90X/2/3. P90X2 was more of a balanced functional fitness version of P90X. Many people thought it was more difficult and it was meant for those that are athletes. But it also took P90X graduates and turned them into athletes. P90X3 is half an hour because a lot of people who

bought the other two systems were not finishing the 3 month program. The half hour allowed more people to participate everyday to not skip workouts and P90X3's success rate was the best of all three.

22 Minute Hard Core is an 8 week bootcamp with a 9th that's a Hell Week that is optional. The routines are 22 minutes and from the minute they start - it goes. You sweat during routines of cardio, core spec and resistance because it is relentless and it has to be because it's only 22 minutes. It's intense with modifiers - 1, 2 and 3. You get profficient at 1 and then it transitions into 2 and then 3. The same with resistance as well. There is a modifier option that if you have Beach Body on demand or on disc, you can choose it where you only look at the modifier and are not distracted by people on the video that are at a higher level then you.

AM: How can we live in a preventive way? 

TH: I think that those things go hand-in-hand. If you are eating well and exercising regularly, then you are preventing a lot of the illness and injuries that occur to people that aren't. That's what prevention is. It's not about relying on your pharmacists and/or doctors to solve your problems through meds. It's about taking control of your life and healing thy self. It's not an easy solution, it's more of a difficult one. When we were growing up, we went from one grade to the next and for many on to college. You just did it. I'm only asking for you to work out for 8 weeks - good lord!

It's being able to understand that exercise is fitness and food is health. If you understand that those two things are true and you practice healthy eating and regular exercise, then it is a very preventative lifestyle right out of the box.

AM: How do you stay balanced?

From the outside, it may look like I'm busy as hell, but I'm not. I know how to find my own down time. Some days there is literally nothing, just emails, phone calls, doing interviews, making my bed, making sure I eat well, hanging out with friends, and working out. That's quite often, but there are other days when it's super intense. I am in the midst of development, voice-overs, rehearsals, media, and PR tours. But what I do (what anyone would do not to burn out) is that they tell the people around them that they need their down time and sleep etc. 

No one schedules anything during my workout hours. Those that know me are aware that I work out Tues./Thurs. from 7:15am - 9:00am,  Mon./Wed. and Fri. nights after 5:30pm are blocked off as well. Sat. is yoga, so don't bug me and Sun. is my track or gymnastic workout. Everybody in my life knows when these things occur and they don't plan something else there. Then I sit down and negotiate my time. 
  
AM: You have worked with the First Lady, Michelle Obama on the 'Let's Move Campaign,' are there are other organizations you're involved in?

TH: I am a real fan of Rain Catcher. They bring fresh water to people that are in Africa and Asia as they usually have to walk for miles and miles to drink mud. So the technology that they have created is amazing which allows them to have drinkable water in their own village. 

The other one is Go Campaign which is a charity foundation that started from my friend, Scott Fifer. He was an attorney and screenwriter who went on a working vacation to Tanzania and ended up in an orphanage for three weeks. These kids lived in squalor and he couldn't believe it and they were learning gymnastics. The people that climbed Mt Kilimanjaro would make donations at the tiny orphanage. Scott decided that he would re-route his entire life to help them. He's helped raise 100s of millions for orphanages in Africa, Asia, Russia, South America, Harlem, Mexico, and Indian Reservations etc. 

It's amazing work that he does as he lives in a one-bedroom apartment and drives a Mini Coo
per - he doesn't pay himself and gives all the money to the kids. He pays for schools, books, kids, instruments, shoes, etc. It's an amazing organization. 

Pictures courtesy of Tony Horton

ATHLEISURE LIST: UPLIFT STUDIOS

Uplift is a (women-only) fitness studio and female society that offers signature group fitness classes, specialized personal training, and a unique social community. Their philosophy is pretty simple, but powerful: in everything they do, they are devoted to the power of "US". They create an environment where strong women empower, inspire, and connect with each other, through fitness and in all areas of life.

Leanne Shear is the co-founder of Uplift. Before conceiving the idea for Uplift, Leanne was a professional writer and the author of 'The Perfect Manhattan and Cocktail Therapy: The Perfect Prescription for Life’s Many Crises,' and her writing has also been featured in The Nation, The New York Times, New York, Glamour, Maxim, and Men’s Health, among others.  Leanne graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania and received a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and Cultural Politics from New York University.  

Uplift offers five signature classes: Endurance, Power, Strength, Sculpt, and Uplift Express, which is a sampling of the other four formats. They offer personal training tailored specifically toward a range of female demographics. The studio also hosts a number of events including retreats, day trips, career panels, love/dating  events and nutrition workshops to name a few.

Uplift was on the top of the studio fitness game for amenities from the very beginning. In its full-scale NYC studio, they offer a range of beauty products, complimentary filtered water, coffee, tea, and post-workout refeuling snacks, and often  work with strategic partners to provide juices, nutrition bars and other goodies. The LA studio is providing similar offerings.

The studio will launch a new line of apparel in early July centered in "US"/aka the Uplift Studios moniker ("FocUS on the Good"). They will reintroduce their hugely popular muscle tee with the phrasing "Strong Women Uplift Each Other".

In addition to the NYC location, they also recently opened a second studio on the left coast in the heart of West Hollywood.

UPLIFT STUDIOS FACTS

LOCATIONS:

8254 Melrose Ave LA, CA
24 West 23rd St 2nd Fl NY, NY

STUDIO OFFERINGS: 

They offer personal training tailored specifically toward a range of female demographics.

THE ART OF THE SNACK: AVOCADO

This vegetable is always trending whether enjoying it on toast, solo, in salads or a number of other ways. In this issue's The Art of the Snack we share recipes for Avocados from Peru for a smoothie as well as a twist on a breakfast classic.

Pictures courtesy of Stuart Ramson/AP

Pictures courtesy of Stuart Ramson/AP

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Food Deco

PERUVIAN AVOCADO SUPER FOOD SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

1 ripe Avocado from Peru, peeled and pitted
1 (13.5-oz) can lite or regular coconut milk
1 cup pineapple juice
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup ice cubes

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender, secure with lid and puree until smooth.

Options:

• For added sweetness, dip the moistened rim of the glass (water or citrus juices work well) into a pile of sugar that is about ¼” deep.  Shake off the excess sugar and pour the smoothie.

• Before blending, add your favorite protein powder for a nutritionally boost.  

Yield:  4 cups; 1 cup per serving

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Food Deco

PERUVIAN AVOCADO EGG SCRAMBLE

Ingredients:

1 large egg
¼ cup liquid pasteurized egg product
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 ounce (2 slices) Peruvian Avocado
Salt
Pepper
Slice of whole wheat toast

Directions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together egg product and egg until smooth.
2. Stir in salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil. Whisk in egg mixture and cook while constantly stirring until mixture sets.  
4. Place eggs on toasted bagel and top with avocado.

Options:

• Add 1 Tbsp scallions, minced or thinly sliced, to the egg mixture before cooking.

• Sauté 1 tsp fresh gingerroot, peeled and minced, then add egg mixture.

Yield:  1 serving

A CHIT CHAT WITH AIMEE KESTENBERG

The summer is a perfect time of year that allows every moment to be special simply due to the fact that the days are longer, the weather is warmer and any and every activity is possible. One of the most essential accessories that are carried (specifically during this time of year) is a handbag. Although we can debate on whether there are "IT" bags and how one is placed in the running - we all know that you want the perfect style that takes what you need and allows you to go about your day without having to change it within the same day.

We have a number of handbag brands that we're fans of and we took a moment to chat it up with Australian designer, Aimee Kestenberg who has a range of cute styles and fabrications within her line that includes handbags and shoes that are available in a number of specialty stores, department stores and QVC.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to create your handbag line and what was the initial process like?

AIMEE KESTENBERG: I was lucky enough to train with some of the best luxury accessory brands while studying at Parsons The New School for Design, which really gave me a foundation of knowledge and skill set in handbags and leather goods. Having had a background in Industrial Design and then Fashion Design, handbags and accessories seemed like the perfect fit for a fashion conscious engineering based mind like mine. 

I launched my namesake brand, Aimee Kestenberg after realizing that nothing existed in the world of handbags that was right for me, my sisters and friends both in casual contemporary styling, luxury leathers and affordable prices. 

Going out on my own was scary and a big risk financially, but was the most thrilling and rewarding experience of my life. 

AM: Tell us more about your fashion background.

AK: My father is an entrepreneur, my grandparents were all jewelers so it's safe to say creativity is in the family. I studied Industrial design prior to moving to New York upon acceptance to Parsons School of Design. I interned and trained over the years with companies including Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren and Sass & Bide to name a few, as well as becoming a two time winner of the Independent Handbag Designer Awards. I also apprenticed for 3 years at The House of Couture where I ghost designed for luxury labels and celebrities before going out on my own.  

AM: What inspired your Spring 16 collection and anything you can tell us about your upcoming Fall and Holiday collections?

AK: Spring 2016 was inspired by free spirited energy in a world of chaos. It focuses on bringing elements of peace and colors that evoke happiness and calmness in addition to unique hand crafted detailing to focus on the human element missing in fashion world today. 

The upcoming Fall and Holiday collection continues to bring a beautiful earth tone color palette combined with unique exotics and soft slouchy shapes and leathers. 

AM: What are your favorite styles in the collection?

AK: The belt bag and my Iconic Tamitha Backpack. Both are chic and made for girls on the go like me!

AM:  Who is the Aimee Kestenberg girl?

AK: She's fearless, family oriented a free spirit, works hard but knows how to have fun. She is a lover of all things fashion, but not a sucker for those top dollar prices. She appreciates unique design and high quality at an affordable price point.

AM: Do you see yourself adding to the collection beyond handbags luggage, small accessories etc?

AK: Definitely! We are growing daily and have also recently launched footwear! We fully intend to take the Aimee Kestenberg brand to be full lifestyle.

AM: How did you enjoy being on QVC and what did that mean for the expansion and awareness of your brand?

AK: I love being on QVC! There is no other platform in the world that puts me inside of people's homes to have the ability to speak to people one on one and explain my inspiration as well as show them what I love about each piece I create. Not to mention that there is no marketing in the world that so seamlessly allows people to get to know you!

AM: In terms of balance, how do you keep it all together with working with your stores availability in a number of countries and taking time for yourself/family?

AK: It's tough, but when you're on 24/7 like I am, you just make it work. Giving up is not an option in the mind of a true entrepreneur. I have learned different management tools along the way that have also helped me to juggle everything. You learn that time is the most precious thing you have and learn to manage it carefully.

AM: Do you plan on making Aimee Kestenberg stores?

AK: I would love to launch a flagship store, both in New York City and my hometown in Melbourne, Australia!

AM: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

AK: Live to the fullest and remember that the only person that controls what you can or cannot do is you! Pushing through the hardest times will make you stronger and dreams are real and do come true. :)

Read more from the June Issue.

HOMME GARDEN

Plants have always been of interest to have within your home or office space whether they're flowers, succulents, etc. We sat down with Caroline Bailly, owner of L'Atelier Rouge to find out how to create the perfect arrangement as well as how they are the perfect gift for men whether's it for your boyfriend, Father's Day or just because! 

ATHLEISURE MAG: Have you always been interested in flowers - what is your background in the floral industry?  

CAROLINE BAILLY:  Yes my Mom was a botanic specialist in France and flowers have always been part of my life. Even though I have a food and beverage background through the course of my career, I was hired as Events Director by the famed Olivier Giugni who was a wonderful floral mentor and taught me a lot.

AM: When did you launch L'Atelier Rouge?  

CB: In March, 2010.

AM: How can we create the perfect floral arrangement?   

CB: When you design a floral arrangement I feel that emotions are very important and you want to share / create a story when designing.

AM: What kinds of flowers should we always have on hand?   

CB: I feel like answering all of them! This is a challenging question as I feel that there is always a certain flower for a specific purpose and the message you want to send. (i.e. Peonies are soft / sweet and delicate. Calla lillies are more structured and clean.) So to keep it simple you would want to have different sizes of heads, different textures and at least 3 colors to add more depth to your designs. Right now, I would say that I always want to have some proteas / peonies / roses / sweetpeas and orchids on hand. 

AM: Succulents seem to be a popular trend - what is it about them that are making them have such a moment?

CB: I think that the beauty of succulents is that they do last and add texture and muted colors to your home. They do not need a lot of maintenance and you do not need to be a floral expert to have fun with them. 

Arrangements created by L' Atelier Rouge's Head of Floral Design, Takaya Sato

AM: When it comes to florals, and men, how can we choose an arrangement that is perfect for them?    

CB: For me a more masculine arrangement is structured, geometrical and not overly colorful. Ornithogalum / Calla Lillies / Lady Slippers / Tulips and exotic flowers such as anthurium are my recommendations.

AM: Are flowers an appropriate gift for Father's Day and what do you suggest?   

CB: Totally, I love the idea of offering a plant such as an interesting agave as an alternative to succulents or a creative orchid garden for the office as a father's day gift. 

AM: What are popular florals that are perfect for the summer?   

CB: Sunflowers / daisies / chamomille and dahlias are some of my Summer favorites. 

Read more from the June Issue

SCULPTING VENUS

We're all about making sure that as you're working out, whether it's maintaining or to lose weight that it's done in the healthiest way possible! For those that have a little to lose, there are options that could make sense for you. We took a moment to chat with plastic surgeon, Dr Julius Few of the Few Institute in Chicago and NY to talk about Cool Sculpting and Venus Freeze. These systems assist in taking care of the last few pesky inches that seem to escape you when you're close to the goal.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What are the most effective body sculpting treatments?

DR. JULIUS FEW: Cool Sculpting is the number one non-surgical fat reducing, contouring technology on the market. It creates permanent fat reduction. We have extensive experience with this technology and find it extremely effective and associated with a high level of patient satisfaction. We use “dual sculpting” to create the desired contour in half the time. At the Few Institute, we find the use of Venus Legacy and Venus Freeze can help tighten loose, sagging skin on the body to further the desired body contouring need.

AM: Who is the best candidate for each type of body sculpting treatment?  

DR. JF: The best candidate for contouring is a man or woman close to their ideal body weight, living a healthy lifestyle with good skin tone. If there is a small area of unwanted fat, like the love handles or lower belly, in an otherwise shapely person, the effect of Cool Sculpting is quite powerful. 

AM: What is the approximate cost of each type? 

DR. JF: Cool Sculpting starts at $1,500 for a small area of treatment. Venus Freeze starts around $1,000. 

AM: When should someone expect to see results? 

DR. JF: One typically starts to see results as early as 6 weeks, but the optimal improvement is 3 months. 

AM: Are certain body areas more likely to get better results than others?

Dr Julius Few

DR. JF: The outer thighs, lower abdomen, and love handles have shown the most dramatic results in our experience. 

AM: Does age play a factor in effectiveness? 

DR. JF: Age is relative, as we have seen women in their 50’s with great skin tone and elasticity. They get great results and the outcome is comparable to what we have seen in 22 years olds. In general, as someone gets older, the skin quality does get looser, and less elastic, making the fat contouring treatment less powerful. 

AM: What happens to the skin when a patient undergoes Venus Freeze?

DR. JF: The skin becomes tighter after Venus Freeze treatments, potentially enhancing the effects of Cool Sculpting to make a smoother, smaller waistline. 

AM: How long does the patient see the effects of Cool Sculpting/Venus Freeze?

DR. JF: If the patient is good about maintaining healthy lifestyle and weight, the results are permanent. 

AM: Post the treatments, is a patient able to exercise and do other activities?

DR. JF: The are no restrictions after, a major advantage over surgical offerings. 

AM: How often would one need to continue to do the treatments for long terms results?

DR JF: Because the skin continues to age over time, at the Few Institute we recommend patients do 1 to 2 annual maintenance treatments to maintain skin tightness. There is no need for maintenance with Cool Sculpting, as there is permanent fat reduction. 

AM: Is there anything else you'd like to add? 

DR. JF: It is really important to consider “Stackable Treatments,” where both Venus Freeze and  Cool Sculpting are combined in those patients who have looser skin and want to reduce unwanted fat for body contouring.

Read more from the June Issue

AS I AM: THE LIFE & TIME$ OF DJ AM

'AS I AM: THE LIFE AND TIME$ OF DJ AM' looks at the meteoric rise of Adam Goldstein aka - DJ AM. He was  a talented DJ and changed the game by increasing the payscale, establishing the field in the celebrity world and more. While he created a platform, he never forgot his friends and those that he felt made him better as a professional. He truly believed his mantra of "starving the ego, to feed the soul." But behind the fame, he was a man that coped with his own issues rooted in his sense of self and escaping deep unresolved portions of his life. 

In addition to telling the story of DJ AM from birth to death and his love of music as a genre, this film has a number of interviews with luminaries in the industry whom he worked with: Mark Ronson, Samantha Ronson, Steve Aoki, Paul Oakenfold, Diplo, and A-Trak to name a few. 

Throughout the film, you hear from DJ AM himself talking about his influences, his performances and thoughts on the DJ world at large. More importantly, you see how he amassed his empire as a seven-figure DJ which, included collaborations, appearances in films, co-founding a DJ management firm, Deckstar (co-owned by Steve Aoki) and his work in DJ Hero.

We sat down with producer/director Kevin Kerslake (who has produced a number of music videos that include Nirvana, Joan Jett, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots; documentaries, live productions, mini-series and more) to find out about the monumental task of creating this documentary, what he aimed to achieve by releasing this film and the greater message at large that he wants to provide to DJ culture, fans and others that are struggling with demons.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to take this project on?

KEVIN KERSLAKE: It's funny - Adam lived the life of 10 men in half the time that those men get. He died at such a young age and there was a lot of story to tell. And as you know, in a film, you don't have a lot of time either. But there are so many aspects of his life that are alluring from a film/story standpoint. Historically, he changed the game in music and culturally. All of those various components are enticing and would be to any filmmaker.

But the thing that pushed me over the edge was that we have lost some really incredible people over the years to this deadly cocktail of fame, celebrity and substance abuse. Andrea, AM's mom, had reached out to me a year before, and  at the time I said no as I was concerned that since she reached out to me then I wouldn't be able to tell the full story and the truth. Ultimately, I lost a friend and it felt like we couldn't keep having this story happening. I went to AM's mom and said that we have the power to help stop that streak of great artists that are lost to the world. I let her know that I was on-board as long as we told the story and the truth from the inside and the outside. As long as I could tell the story and get final cut without having to sugar coat it, then I was on board to tell the story. AM lived such an explosive life that I think the personal life of someone is what turned the corner for me. 

AM: How close were you to AM when he was alive? 

KK: My interaction with him was purely professional as I did all the film and video for Insomniac. Adam played their events so our encounters were strictly backstage and I never hung out with them. I actually think that although I knew his past and certain facts of his life - it was in your face (tabloids, journalism and as a figure in the music world), that objectivity that I had is probably what made the film more legitimate in a way. Even people who knew him didn't know certain aspects of his life because he didn't share it with them or they didn't care to know/ask. The logical aspect of this, in terms of doing research and being able to go into it without a personal agenda, is pretty critical for any filmmaker I think. 

Even when there are stories that I have been asked to tell, I know my own limitations when I have known the artist. It's like talking about your own family member. You get blind to certain truths that are important to share.

AM: There is so much information when you're watching the film as a lot comes from him, how long did it take in terms of pre-, production, and post?

KK: To the day, it almost took 4 years to make! The first thing we did was to go through his laptops and desktop. There was so much material that we estimated that in the end we had over 100,000 stills, 10,000 video clips, 100's of mixes, letters and text messages that he had saved. In a sense, there was no pre-pro we just put things together. Documentaries are made in the edit. They don't follow the normal production pro- cess. You just start putting things together. Early on, we were given an audio element that was critical to the story. It was the Share that he did on his 11th sober birthday.

AM: Seeing that audio run through the film really struck us, we didn't think that people could have access to things that are said in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

KK: Adam put a recorder in his pocket and he did a Share at the meeting. He really tells his story. This film is really DJ AM from the inside- out. He narrates his own autobiography and like you, I thought that this might be (due to anonymity in AA) crossing a threshold. But in further research, I found that there was an entire network of Shares that were available. People who were unable to attend meetings but needed the inspiration that they provided could access them from downloads online to get the assistance that they need.

AM: In addition to his Share, the meditation video was another dynamic element in the narrative.

KK: It's funny, when you see these relics of what he used to bring him peace, they are very evocative of his state of mind. It showed what he yearned for that he didn't have living a life on the road or in the city.

AM: Documentaries pay homage to the person but, you see DJ AM providing tributes to a number of his friends within the DJ world is that something that you planned?

KK: What that said to me was, that he cherished his relationships and was a man for others. He was selfless in that regard. It tells you a lot about someone when you know who their heroes are. DJ Jazzy Jeff was really a central figure in his life. Just as a fan and someone who just has a great heart and is so solid.

AM: What do you think of what AM would think of the state of music now for DJs and doors that he opened?

KK: There is some speculation involved of course, but I think that people are pretty dialed into him within the scope of the music industry. He would be one of the biggest DJs on the planet still and would have gotten into production. He would have followed where that world was going when DJs started to produce more. Who knows where the Travis Barker and AM collab would have gone. Would they have added more people in the band?  Would it have been more of a visual spectacle? That's more speculation too. 

I think that what impressed me about Adam is, he was just a fan of music and I think that his ability to see the virtues of all sorts of genres, the power of music and how it was able to bring people together and move people. I think that would have continued on. The dark underbelly of that is what DJs are doing. A lot of sets are preprogrammed and maybe he would have been able to highlight some of the weakest aspects of where DJ culture is going and to arrest its slide into a bit of a robotic sense.

AM: What were your goals in creating this movie and how did that correlate to the expectations of those within the DJ culture and fans at large?

KK: This film exceeded my expectations, to be honest. My intention was to dive in and tell the truth and the whole story of AM, his musical impact and import as well as the story of his personal life. Once we got into certain periods of his life and found out there was an episode or circumstance that he had to plow through - they entailed a lot more adversity than what I was aware of and even his family and friends. Once we uncovered his secret stuff, the story took on great dimension and in the end you have a real sense that you know him and that you have lost a friend. It's someone that should still be here walking amongst us. 

When you do a film, it involves a lot of things. Obviously, it includes story, structure, tone, laughs, tears and all of that. I think that my intention was to hit all of those different corners in AM's universe, but to do it in a style that had a certain fidelity to what he did musically. The film is a mashup in its own right and could pinball all  over the map with a velocity that he spun. I feel that the film does that and with what I am seeing in terms of the reaction to the film, it's super rewarding.

AM: As the person who dedicated 4 years to the film - what do you do after this - take time off or go into the next project?

KK: Throughout my career, I have been fairly promiscuous with style. I can go from a miniseries to a music video to a documentary to a commercial to still photography. This is the longest time that I have been on a single project. It's also the most difficult job I have ever done politically, emotionally, financially - it brought everyone (especially me) to their knees. 

In the past few years, we started putting the finishing touches on it to get it out to the world. I have been working on various projects as well. Releasing a film entails a lot of work as well and it's not like I am not working on it anymore. Now that we made it, it's making people aware that they can see it and share it with friends. This is less a commercial venture than extending Adam's legacy forward and it takes work and we're still working hard on getting it out there.

-----------

If you have yet to see AS I AM: THE LIFE AND TIME$ of DJ AM, visit their site to see where it airs in your city as additional theaters will be added throughout the summer. 

Read more from the June Issue

ORANGE BLOSSOM

Our June cover girl is a part of one of our favorite Netflix shows Orange is the New Black. Vicky Jeudy plays Janae Watson and is back for season 4 with a number of shennanigans with our favorite girls in Litchfield. 

We took a moment to sit down to find out more about Vicky, what's she's working on and what we can expect from the new season which is available on June 17th!

ATHLEISURE MAG:  When did you realize that you wanted to be an actress?

VICKY JEUDY: I realized I wanted to be an actress when I was in college. It was a profession that I always found intriguing and wanted to pursue. It's storytelling of humanity.

AM: We love getting to know more about your character each season and hope to find out more about Janae Watson - what was the audition process like?

VJ: The audition process was great. My representatives sent me the audition material and I prepared for it. I went in and gave it my best.

AM: After being with you on set for our cover, we know you have an infectious smile and bubbly personality, how are you able to get into the character of Janae and what is the process like?

VJ: Aw! Thank you for that compliment. When I get into character I'm thinking of Janae's thoughts, how she is feeling in a particular situation and what is she trying to accomplish? I believe all of the characters are relatable and the audience can connect with feelings of loss, despair, happiness, etc. 

AM: How long do you guys film for each season and what's an average day like?

VJ: Usually it takes 5-6 months for filming. An average day consist of reporting to work,  greeting everybody, I'll grab breakfast and head straight into hair and makeup. From there my cast mates and I will gather together for rehearsal with the director and then we are ready to shoot. It's a huge blessing  to work with an entire team of people that are professional and friendly. Working on the set of OITNB feels like I'm surrounded with love.

AM: What are you excited about for this season of OITNB?

VJ: I'm thrilled for season 4 and I can't wait for the public to see it. It deals with heavy headline news. I hope it brings insight to the audience and soften their heart about particular matters.

AM: Outside of OITNB, are there other shows, movies etc. that we will see you in?

VJ: Yes! I did an amazing independent film called Armstrong and I can't wait for everyone to see it once it's completed. 

AM: When you're not going to castings, table reads etc. - how do you find balance and giving yourself the personal time that you need?

VJ: My personal time is extremely important to me. It's where I refresh myself. I believe in hanging out with my closest family and friends that I adore,  praying and having fun. I love bike riding, traveling, and exploring my city. It's so important to have a great time when going through this journey of life.

AM: How do you stay in shape?

VJ: I stay in shape by keeping active and eating healthy.  When the weather is nice, I have a weakness for outdoor activities such as biking, walking, running, whatever it is I'm doing it. I also go to the gym, but I'd rather be outside.

AM: What is your personal style when you're out and about in terms of favorite things to wear?

VJ: I love to look naturally pretty, simple and classy at the same time. I adore hats, a sophisticated bag and amazing pumps. Those are my daily fashion go to.

AM:  Do you have any charities or groups that you work with?

VJ: As of recently yes. I had the opportunity to observe the amazing work J/P HRO (Jenkins/Penn Haitian Relief Organization founded by philanthropist Sanela Diana Jenkins and actor Sean Penn) is doing in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Haiti is important to me because both my parents are Haitian. The organization has established schools, medical centers, community centers, housing and so much more. I'm excited to work along them.

AM: How are you spending your summer?

VJ: My summer will be spent on working, reading, traveling, and whatever I feel like getting into. It's never too late to discover more passions. 

Photo taken by Paul Farkas

We shot our June cover at a stunning penthouse at 75 Wall St. With a great location and stunning views, we wanted to know more about this luxury property. 

AM: The Hakimian Organization has developed a number of properties in the city, what sets 75 Wall apart from the rest that you own?

THE HAKIMIAN ORGANIZATION: 75 Wall Residences Atop Andaz is the most diverse and dynamic development in The Hakimian Organization’s portfolio to date. Since the condominium, which consists of 346 units, lies above 253 hotel rooms, retail space, and an onsite garage parking, residents share the benefit of having their own private space, alongside the privileges of staying in a hotel. The notable property, designed by the award-winning Rockwell Group, was named a Best Mixed-Use Development in the prestigious Americas’ Property Awards. 

AM: 75 Wall is currently in the midst of a renovation, when will it be completed and can people purchase units now?

THO: The condominiums at 75 Wall are available for purchase now, with immediate occupancy. However, for the common spaces, 75 Wall has partnered with contemporary high-end furniture company, Ligne Roset, to make upgrades to the building’s lobby, 18th floor lounge and spacious rooftop, which offers sweeping views of lower Manhattan. 75 Wall is also adding a children’s playroom! This is all being done with no special assessment or increase in common charges, and will be completed this summer. 

AM:  With the Andaz Wall Street hotel as a neighbor, what are residents able to enjoy as part of their amenities?

THO: With the Andaz Wall Street as a neighbor, residents are able to enjoy the benefits of a hotel, right in their very own home! This includes hotel services such as room service, catering and the finest treatments from The SPA at Andaz Wall Street hotel.

AM: We shot our cover star, Vicky Judy of Orange is the New Black in one of your penthouse lofts. Tell us who was the interior designer and the thought process behind the decoration. Also, share with us some of the details of the loft in terms of the materials used.

THO: 75 Wall has just released its most luxury penthouses and condominiums onto the market, which includes the space Vicky Judy was shot in, PHL2. In addition to releasing this exclusive collection onto the market, 75 Wall also partnered with Ligne Roset to update the amenity spaces, as well as design the model unit that was used for the shoot. PHL2 has three bedrooms, and a space in the front that could be used for an office, or, as we designed it, for a children’s play space. 

AM: The roof deck is stunning with amazing views, your condos are in a historic part of town and there are great amenities available to residents - what are your key selling points of this space?

THO: 75 Wall’s location is definitely a huge selling point. The building is within walking distance to South Street Seaport, the Fulton Street Transit Center, and latest shopping mecca Brookfield Place, in addition to staples like Dean and Deluca, making it a prime choice for those looking to immerse themselves in all that lower Manhattan has to offer. Additionally, residents are able to enjoy the benefits offered by the building's latest onsite services and entertainment provider, Luxury Attaché, a premier concierge management company that is introducing music and art classes, children’s exercise programs and story time events into the space. Other programs include spa and salon services, event planning assistance, dry cleaning pick-up and delivery, refrigerator and pantry stocking, technology installation, and personalized entertainment and nightlife recommendations. The rooftop lounge and terrace is set to go under renovation as well, and will soon include outdoor and indoor entertainment spaces with fireplace, bar and kitchen. 

AM: What elements are core Hakimian details that you tend to include within your buildings for those that seek out your developments?

THO: With our properties, we put an emphasis on lifestyle, outfitting each building with everyday luxuries that make them stand out. Whether it’s a partnership with a service that offers exclusive entertainment options, premier in-house workout classes, or furnishings from an award-winning design company, The Hakimian Organization strives to deliver unique indulgences to every property we have.  

AM: What is next for The Hakimian Organization in terms of residential properties that we should include on our list for those on the market?

THO: Next up, The Hakimian Organization is looking to build a few properties on the emerging Long Island City. This includes 41-31 27th Street, a 15-story, 45-unit rental building with interiors by David Howell Design; and 33-01 38th Avenue, a six-story, 94-unit rental designed by Greenberg Farrow. The Hakimian Organization is also developing Long Island City’s 44-16 23rd Street into a new retail space, slated to open in 2017.

| COVER + IMAGE 2 | Caftan MAISON DE PAPILLON | Necklace AMI CLUBWEAR | Ring Wrist Bracelet E SHAW JEWELS | OPENING SPREAD | Crop Top + A-Line Ball Gown Skirt JOVANI | Gold Bracelet KATE SPADE NY | IMAGE 1 | Mesh Zipped Jacket, Mesh Sport Bra, + Black Python Pant ALALA | Up4 JAWBONE | Yoga Mat JADE YOGA | Yoga Bag BAGALINI | IMAGE 3 | Crop Top + A-Line Ball Gown Skirt JOVANI |

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BLACKBERRY BEAUTY

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BY YOUR SIDE

Our Fashion Editorial, By Your Side showcases swim style that you'll want to include within your wardrobe this summer whether you're at the pool, the roofdeck or wherever your travels take you!

OPENING SPREAD | Brief HANRO | One Piece Swimsuit with Zip VYVE | IMAGE 1 | Geometric Mesh Black and White Bikini Top + Black String Bikini Bottom YANDY.COM | IMAGE 2 | Brief HANRO | IMAGE 3  LEFT PAGE | Brief HANRO | IMAGE 3 RIGHT PAGE, IMAGE 4, + BACK COVER | White Hooded Monokini YANDY.COM | Brief FRIGO |

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TO YOUR HEALTH

The summer is all about maxi dresses, sandals, warm weather and more. But every now and then you find yourself under the weather or maybe you had a bit too much fun and need a time out, during this time of the year. We have a few must have items that you should always have available for a quicker and more comfortable recovery! 

Yesterday's sandals were perfectly comfortable at the shoe store, however you broke them in today and your feet need a little love with Compeed blister pack! Secure your bandaids and other chic medical finds within this Band-Aid® First Aid Kit by Oh Joy!

A total body workout led by one of your favorite trainers means your muscles need a little love! The MELT Performance Roller is for pre- and post workouts to improve range of motion, flexibility circulation, core strength, and joint stability. This roller targets the connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and organs. It aims to improve performance and reducing aches as well as recovery time - this is a must to have on hand.

When you're under the weather, you need to know what your temperature is and to track your symptoms. Whether you pop this in your bag or have it in your kit, Kinsa's Smart Stick Thermometer is the world's first smart thermometer that pairs with the free companion app to log symptoms, emperatures and any images. You can opt for a number of areas to take your temperature and have all the information you need at your fingertips. 

Summer's Eve Night Time Cleansing Cloths are not only perfect for those with sensitive skin, they are also a great way to wind down and a great replacement for taking a shower at night before going to bed. With their signature avendar scent, it aims to balance your body's natural pH for your feminine parts.

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MAGIC HOUR

When you mix old school with the new, it's a great time had by all. We headed out to Brooklyn for the Magic Hour! This included outdoor roller skating, cool beats and Talib Kweli for a Sat afternoon.

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GRAZE ON THIS

Around the offices of Athleisure Mag. we're always on the go checking out locations, coming back from set, or just being out and about. When you don't know what your schedule will be like or you need positive protein around you, Graze becomes the perfect item to include in your bag! We love that once you purchase a box, you receive 8 pre-packaged containers that include a mix of sweet and savory. The individual containers let you know what it is, the ingredients, calories etc. Whether you wish to share or eat alone, this is the perfect healthy snack that can go from work, the gym, your flight and more. You're bound to have some serious favorites and you can order and gift these boxes within the regularity that works for your lifestyle!

Photo Credit: Christina Emilie

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ATHLEISURE MAG'S JUNE ISSUE IS OUT!

And we're live! The June issue is ready and we're so excited to unveil that we have Vicky Jeudy from Orange is the New Black on the cover! She plays Janae Watson in this Netflix show which goes live on June 17th and we enjoyed shooting with her. This issue also has a number of celebrity fitness trainers including Ky Evans and Tony Horton. We also have an indepth interview with Kevin Kerslake Director/Executive Producer of AS I AM: The Life and Time$ of DJ AM. Make sure to flip through the digital issue now!

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