Read the MAR ISSUE #87 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Marshmello in mag.
In this month’s issue, our front and back cover story is with 4X James Beard Award Winner, Restaurateur, Hotelier, Entrepreneur, Best-Selling Author, TV Host/Personality, Food Advocate, and Philanthropist Chef Todd English. We talked about how he got into the industry, his passion for food and upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for. We also chatted with Chef Kristen Kish to talk about her latest show which is available on National Geographic and streams on Disney+ Restaurants at the End of the World. In our interview last fall, we heard a bit about this show, but now we're able to find out how this project came together, where she traveled to, who she cooked with and what she learned from this experience. With the final season of NBC's The Blacklist currently airing, we caught up with Hisham Tawfiq to talk about how a career in the Marines, being a Firefighter for the FDNY as well as a Correctional Officer in Sing Sing led to him being one of our favorite actors on this show. We also talked with Tetiana Gaidar a choreographer, dancer and tactical trainer who recently appeared as the antagonist in BOSCH: Legacy as well as a trainer for Keanu Reeves in John Wick 4. She tells us how she got into the industry, how she navigates between her skillsets and her upcoming projects.
We also have our editorial Weekend Muse which highlights looks from WFH, fitness, active and date night that we'll be wearing this spring. This shoot took place at The Muse New York Hotel in Times Square and includes some of our favorite items (MPG Sport, Dagne Dover, Tracksmith, Mavi Jeans, Athleisureverse, Sequin Jewelry, Fabletics, Athletic Propulsion Labs, Psycho Bunny and Lagos. We also interviewed the General Manager of The Muse New York to talk about the buildings history in the city, how it serves its guest and what amenities it offers. Our team for this shoot includes PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Farkas | STYLIST Kimmie Smith | MUA Hannah Lauren | HAIR STYLIST Brooke Bogle | MODELS/STATE MANAGEMENT Tora Rozario + Christopher Aldea.
This month’s 9PLAYLIST comes from EDM DJ/Producer Marshmello. Our 9LIST STORI3S comes from Leah Van Dale, a WWE Superstar who wrestles under Carmella. Our 63MIX ROUTIN3S comes from Tetiana Gaidar. We share our favorite looks from Awards Season in THE 9LIST R3DCARP3T where actors and their glam team share how they created the looks for their big night.
Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack shares a must visit to A Fish Called Avalon in Miami’s Art Deco district. This month’s Athleisure List comes from Escape and Döner Haus in the East Village. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.
Read the MAR ISSUE #87 with Chef Todd English.
As we look to close the decade, there are a number of phenomenons that have marked significant changes, pushing an array of industries forward. When you talk about the music industry and how people are connecting and inspiring fans, landing hits, distributing their music, collaborating with people and finding ways to engage with their communities in an enhanced way. Marshmello has become a larger than life figure in music as a collaborator and producer across genres, a streamer and gamer - his in game concert on Fortnight made him the most listened to DJ without a doubt. His ability to cut across a number of age groups who enjoy his music is easily seen when you're able to see the energy that hits any room that he walks into. We hung out with Marshmello and his manager, Moe Shalizi to toast a new business venture with his partnership with Stuffed Puffs who will open a large factory in Bethlehem, PA. The Philidelphia born DJ and producer sat with us to talk about some of their achievements this year, working across industries, their favorite collaborations and about artists that they would have loved to have collaborated with in this cover story.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment when you guys realized that Marshmello as a brand was something that you wanted to focus on?
MARSHMELLO + MOE SHALIZI: We always wanted to focus on it, but I think that when we saw things like what you’re seeing right now, kids wearing the costume as such an early thing – we realized that it transcended audiences and demographics of people and things like that. It’s just that the music resonated globally with people which is very different. So we knew that we had something on our hands.
AM: How would you define the Marshmello sound?
M + MS: I always like to say that he is the modern-day Timbaland. He’s someone that can hit every genre. We have a whole Number 1 country song with Kane Brown, 'One Thing Right'. We just put a single out that’s an alternative rock single 'Rescue Me' with A Day to Remember, the song with Bastille, 'Happier' hit 3 different categories (editor’s note: it’s worth noting that in 2018, 'Happier' spent an entire year at No 1. on the Billboard Dance Chart – which had never happened before). So the sound is everywhere. He’s a producer at the end of the day.
AM: What are a couple of highlights from being on tour or awards shows that are some of your favorite moments?
M + MS: I think that Fortnite was really one of the biggest things that he had ever done. It was something that no one had ever done before and the impact that it had was insane.
AM: How do you go about deciding on the types of collaborations that you do?
M + MS: We just try to be innovative the same way that Stuffed Puffs is in its category – we try to be as innovative as possible with our collaborations. It’s really easy for us to go and get collaborations with the normal people. But for us, it’s about finding that next top person and to work with them.
AM: Clearly the travel schedule is hectic and you’re always on the go, what are 3 things in your carry-on that you have when you’re about to hop on that next flight? M + MS: Probably headphones, Tylenol and gum – a lot of gum. AM: Who are 3 people that are living or dead that you would like to collaborate with?
M + MS: Prince, TuPac – he’d be dope and I wish we had done something with Nipsy - that would have been amazing - he was the man.
As someone who has been trailblazing in the industry, Marshmello pushes the boundaries on what it means to lea in a number of fields and how he likes to present himself. When you think about Marshmello, it's hard to not think of actual marshmallows and if you're familiar with his fun YouTube show, Cooking with Marshmello, you know that he shares how to cook an array of cool treats - some of them being marshmallows. It's not a surprise to see that he has now partnered with Stuffed Puffs, an innovative approach to making it easier to take your S'mores game to the next level. Each marshmallow has chocolate inside and is ready to eat right out of the package or heated. As is the case with many things that are all about serendipity, Marshmello crossed paths with the founder of Stuffed Puffs, Michael Tierney and the rest was history. We took a moment to chat with Michael to find out how this partnership took place as well as more about how he came up with the idea of his company.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Prior to launching Stuffed Puffs, what was your background before creating this company?
MICHAEL TIERNEY: Prior to founding Stuffed Puffs, I was in the fine dining world working in the kitchens of The French Laundry and Eleven Madison Park. Since founding Stuffed Puffs, but before bringing it to life this year, I also founded the better for you baking brand, Mikey’s.
AM: Where did the idea for Stuffed Puffs come from?
MT: Not surprisingly, sitting around a campfire. I have always been a foodie but never found traditional s’mores to be appealing. My issue, the chocolate never melted. As I am sure many others have, I carefully pulled apart a marshmallow and inserted a piece of chocolate before carefully seaming the marshmallow back together. Roasted over the fire, the chocolate melted perfectly from the inside out. The idea was the easy part. The execution, however, took much longer. I was laughed out of most candy manufacturers I tried to partner with who said that Stuffed Puffs were impossible to make. Eventually, we did it ourselves and built our own plant to prove up the innovative manufacturing processes we developed.
AM: When did you launch Stuffed Puffs and when did you know that you had a hit on your hands?
MT: Stuffed Puffs has been seven years in the making and we finally launched at retail with Walmart just before Memorial Day this year. We knew we had a hit by July 4th, only roughly five weeks later, when we had gone from zero to the number two item in the category by dollars sold.
AM: We're fans of Marshmello, you've been working with him for a bit now - how did this collaboration come about?
MT: In September of 2018, I was invited to the U.S. Forbes “30 Under 30” conference in Boston, along with Marshmello, who made the cover, and other honorees. I arrived late in the evening Marshmello was performing and got locked out of the packed outdoor venue. However, I lingered by the gate, loved the music, and marveled at his ability to mesmerize an audience. Returning to my hotel, I researched the name of his manager, Moe Shalizi, and sent him a note telling him about my marshmallow. I had zero expectation that I would get a response, which ended up arriving just minutes later. The next day, I met Moe in Boston and pitched him the idea. Two months later, Marshmello and Moe joined as my equity partners. They have been phenomenal partners and are always promoting and otherwise supporting the brand.
AM: What can we expect to see with your partnership between Stuffed Puffs and Marshmello?
MT: Our partnership will only continue to grow through a number of different avenues as we increase our retail footprint and portfolio of items throughout 2020 and beyond. Stay tuned!
AM: What are 3 ways that you like to enjoy eating Stuffed Puffs?
MT: Roasted over the fire is the obvious choice, but they are also phenomenal in the microwave for seven seconds if you want to enjoy S’mores indoors. For me though, they are best just popped in your mouth right out of the bag!
IG: @MarshmelloMusic
Read the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Master of Sound with Marshmello in mag.
This month’s cover and back cover is EDM DJ/Producer and Entrepreneuer Marshmello. We headed out to Bethlehem, PA to the ribbon cutting of Stuffed Puffs plant where he and his manager are equity partners in this sweet treat! We catch up with him on his successes, music and more. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we sit down with Chef Elizabeth Falkner and No Kid Hungry’s Jenny Dirksen to talk about initiatives of this program, holiday meals and more. You can also hear this interview later this month on our podcast show, Athleisure Kitchen which is available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcast and wherever you enjoy listening. We also spent time at the 14th Annual StarChefs International Congress which was a weekend filled with food demonstrations, panels and more for the culinary community. We have a number of interviews in this piece from Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli (of Don Angie), Emily Hyland, Ben Turley and Brent Young of The Meat Hook and you can also listen to the Managing Editor of StarChefs, Will Blunt later on this month on Athleisure Kitchen. We sat down with one of our faves from The Hills and The Hills: New Beginnings’ Whitney Port to find out why she decided to come back to the reality show in it’s reboot as well as what she’s up to, how she takes time for herself and more. In this month’s The Art of the Snack, we head to Midtown East’s Chola which is known for it’s savory Indian cuisine. We also have our Holiday Gift Guide (there is an additional one that will be in the Dec issue out later this month).
As usual, we have our monthly roundups including our 9LIST (Athleisure Mag’s picks that we’re loving this month in style, beauty and fitness) featured roundups. This month’s 9LIST STORI3S (picks supplied by celebrities) gives us insight into Celebrity Trainer, Nutrition Expert, Best Selling Author, TV Personality and Gym Designer – Harley Pasternak. This month’s 9PLAYLIST (9 songs that our celebs are loving this month) comes from, LaLa Anthony of STARZ’s Power. As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List (Crown Plaza HY36 and Murray’s Cheese Mac Bar), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, Rock This Sleep Style Overnight to Breakfast, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and Bergamot Beauty.
Read the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag, Issue 47.
