CREATIVITY RULES | MARIA BRITO

A few years ago, we had the pleasure of meeting Maria Brito who is an award winning NY based contemporary art advisor, author and curator. She is known as a Power Players in the Art World and in 2020 she was named by ARTNEWS as one of the visionaries who gets to shape the art world. With her finger on the pulse of noted and rising artists, we wanted to catch up with her to talk about how she came to this industry, what it's like to build a personal collection versus when she is working with her clientele who includes A-list celebrities, demistifying art, the impact of NFTs on art, what her Art Basel experiences are and finding out about her book which is available next month!

ATHLEISURE MAG: You are a noted and well-respected power player in the art world. Prior to working in this industry, you graduated from Harvard Law School and practiced corporate law for a period of time. How did you come to the world of art and realize that this was an industry that you wanted to work in?

MARIA BRITO: I grew up in a family that prioritized art as a cultivation tool, like a hobby, but not a career. I went to every art exhibition, museum, gallery and artist studio my parents took me to, and it was really a very hands-on training for me. I continued furthering my passion when I moved to New York City in 2000 as a newly-minted attorney and started going to galleries and buying for myself.

AM: When you began building your personal collection of art work, what were you drawn to initially?

MB: I have always been drawn toward figuration, the human form, saturated colors, narratives that move me. I started collecting the work of Black artists way before all the galleries went crazy for them in the past 5 years. I am very proud of that.

AM: Can you tell us the difference between being a curator and an art advisor and why you love working in these areas?

MB: An art advisor is someone who makes suggestions as to what to acquire and why. It brings access and an eye to a client and it’s the eyes and ears of the art collectors who can’t possibly navigate the art market which is a global $300 billion market. A curator is someone who makes sense of how a collection looks together or envisions an art exhibition that has a theme that is coherent. The curator is an editor, the advisor is a strategist.

AM: Why is the concept of buying art and ultimately curating a collection intimidating to those that are outside of the art world?

MB: I think for too long people have had the wrong idea because what gets written in the big newspapers or reported on mainstream TV are the insanely high numbers that happen when a piece of art sells at auction for $200 million - that is intimidating. Or when people go to a gallery and the environment feels sterile and impersonal - that is intimidating. But that’s just the surface, there are thousands of galleries around the world as well as websites and art fairs that sell art priced under $5000 - people have no problem saving up money to buy a handbag for that amount of money or more. But a piece of art bought with a little bit of an understanding of the market can not only multiply its value 100x but also stay with you forever.

AM: How do you demystify the experience so that it’s more approachable to those that want to obtain art for their pieces?

MB: As I mentioned above, there are all sorts of levels in the art market. People take bets in emerging artists because they see the potential. There has never been a better time to collect or to be an artist. Besides, it’s all a cultural dialogue that is formed between the art and the collectors.

AM: I know that you have been an art advisor to Sean Combs, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracy Anderson – what is the client relationship like in terms of making them aware of pieces, educating them about collections and ensuring that that it meets the requirements that they are looking for?

MB: I have hundreds of clients and they are all important to me. Every client gets a tailored approach with offerings that resonate to who they are and what moves them. That happens because I spend a really good amount of time getting to know my clients’ tastes and their objectives.

AM: Art Basel took place a few weeks back, what’s that time of year like for you and can you give us insight into how you navigate this show personally as well as when you’re doing it with/for your clients?

MB: That’s the busiest and most intense time of the year. It’s an insane amount of work because physically you have to go not only to Art Basel which can easily take 4 or 5 hours to see but to all the satellite fairs like NADA and Untitled which is where all the new talent gets to be shown. Clients come and walk around the aisles with me but the thing is that for the most part almost all of these galleries have circulated PDFs with all the images and the previews of what they will be showing so much of the good stuff has already been sold. That’s why an art advisor is so important for people who want to collect if they can’t dedicate themselves to building all these relationships with galleries.

AM: You curate art shows such as Greek Gotham in Mykonos a few years back with NY based artists such KAWS, Nir Hod, and Erik Parker, what do you look for when you are putting shows together like this?

MB: First I have an idea and then I let the idea marinate inside my head. Then I discuss it with the person who hired me to do the exhibition and then I go for the most talented artists I can approach who actually fit the idea or theme I had.

AM: How do you keep your pulse to the ground in terms of finding new artists and phenomenal pieces?

MB: By pounding the pavement! It’s easy to get complacent and more so now in a world that has gotten so digital but I still go to as many art galleries as I can every week, every art fair I can attend and artists studios when I can.

AM: Your firm Maria Brito LLC, includes your work as an advisor, but it also includes being an interior designer which seems like a natural progression with lifestyling as well as your fashion accessory design collaborations. Tell me about your firm and what your day-to-day is like.

MB: I actually don’t do interior design anymore because as a creative entrepreneur I know when to pivot - that business is good for the money but my mission in this life isn’t to place rugs in people’s homes. With accessories that was a very fun time but I did it for several years as an extension of my relationships with the artists and because there was nothing like it in the market. However, when my advisory practice grew and grew, and the headaches with factories and retailers also grew, I knew it was time to end that too. I still get called to consult with companies on product collaborations and I do that from time-to-time. Last year I launched two fine-porcelain collections with Showfields in collaboration with artists Cydne Coleby and Allison Zuckerman.

AM: Last year, NFTs became the conversation across all sectors of business. What does it mean to the art world and how are you navigating NFTs with artists you work with and clients that you curate/advise for?

MB: NFTs are a very important development in terms of digital ownership and because society is moving more and more toward a digital world, this movement found the perfect timing to flourish. Like everything that's new, right now it’s a lot of confusion, gray areas, speculation, like the wild west. My clients mostly collect art that is tangible, to live with in their homes or their offices, so while NFTs are a lot of fun, they will never replace physical art.

AM: Who are 3 artists that are currently on your radar that you’re looking at that we should be aware of?

MB: Cydne Coleby, Ryan Wilde and Cristina BanBan.

AM: Next month, your book, How Creativity Rules the World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas into Gold drops. What was your motivation behind writing this book and what is it about?

There has never been a more crucial time than now to develop your creativity and your ability to innovate. Coming up with original ideas of value is today’s most precious skill.

MB: I wanted to debunk the myth that creativity is only for the few chosen ones or that it is genetic. Creativity is not about arts and crafts and cutouts or technical wizardry. Creativity is about fostering specific habits, making associations, and standing behind the ideas that come out of them. Whether you are an entrepreneur, an artist, or an employee, your creativity will help you turn the mundane into the extraordinary.

This is a book that helps leaders access their creative potential and profit from their ideas. It took me 13 years to be able to gather all the information that is here, and it’s a comprehensive, practical and actionable blueprint that will get you there even if you don’t think you can be creative and innovative.

I used every technique and everything that’s in this book to transition from a miserable corporate attorney to building an industry-leader seven-figure art advisory business and I have taught the same methods to people in companies as well as to hundreds of entrepreneurs, freelancers, managers, and artists through my online program Jumpstart.

I know these methods work and the time was right to bring them to a greater group of people through a book that is timely and timeless.

AM: Are there any projects that you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for that you’re working on?

MB: Writing a book, selling it at auction to a major publishing house and launching it is like having a full-time job on top of your full-time job. The book is the biggest project that I have worked on in a long time.

IG @mariabrito_ny

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Maria Brito

Read the FEB ISSUE #75 of Athleisure Mag and see CREATIVITY RULES | Maria Brito in mag.

KUMINGA MODE ON JONATHAN KUMINGA

It's been a great season for the NBA and this month, we're looking forward to All-Star Weekend as well as anticipating the back half of the season! We caught up with Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga who is in his rookie year (just a year ago he was drafted into the G League) and was drafted 7th in 2021. We talked with him ahead of being added to the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend. He talked with us about coming to the Warriors, how he values playing with his teammates, where he sees himself and being able to play against his mentor, Kyrie Irving.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with basketball and what was the moment that you knew you wanted to be able to play it professionally?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: I think I fell in love with basketball at the age of 10. That’s when I was trying to go to the gym every single day. My parents weren’t interested in me doing that because the area that I grew up in, it wasn’t like here where there were gyms everywhere and so it was a long walk for me to be able to get there. So at that age, my parents weren’t really letting me do it.

AM: You went 7th in the NBA Draft in 2021. What was that experience like and how excited were you to come to the Warriors?

JK: I mean, it was a good experience. People don’t get drafted twice! When I heard my name and that I was going to the Warriors, it was a blessing. It was a good thing for me and I felt that it was a perfect fit. And as you can see now, I’m getting comfortable with the team. I was super happy when that happened.

AM: What workouts do you do that help to optimize you when you’re on the court?

JK: I mean, it’s not just about the workout, but it’s about listening and watching films over and over. You have to see how you play and how they play and on top of that, it’s about the work ethic that you put in every single day. I think that's really important.

AM: What does your week look like when you’re leading up to a game. What would you say your flow is?

JK: Honestly, I’m super laid back and chill guy. I don’t do too much, I just stay home. I have my 2 dogs so I have my guys with me and I like to kick back and play 2K and just chill with my dogs. That’s all that I do. I don’t really do too much. I don’t go to the mall – I don’t go nowhere.

AM: Ok, you’re a homebody!

JK: Yeah!

AM: Do you have any routines that you have to do the night before a game or moments before a game?

JK: No. So I don’t have a routine. I just go out there and play. When I get in the gym or I get on the court, my mind changes. My mind switches right away. I don’t think about anything else but basketball when I’m out there. So I don’t have a routine although I am trying to think about having it.

AM: You play with some incredible people on your team from Steph, Klay, Wiggins and Draymond! What’s it like to be around that energy and to learn from them as well as play with them?

JK: That’s the fam right there – that’s the legends! I’m learning every single day and it’s super exciting especially being the rookie and playing along with those guys. They never complain about anything that you do on the court if it’s bad or good they just encourage you to be good. To have those legends like that giving you advice – a lot of people don’t get it. There are a lot of rookies that got drafted to different teams and they don’t have that given to them. I’m just super blessed to be on that team.

AM: You played at the same high school as Kyrie Irving did and I know that he has been a mentor to you over the years and he recently gave you his jersey. What’s that like to have that relationship with him and finally being able to play against him now that you’re in the NBA?

JK: It’s actually crazy because even growing up, I used to watch Kyrie. We went from meeting each other to him being a mentor to me and then finally being able to play against him! It’s just crazy because I never thought that that would happen! But it happened and him giving me his jersey – a lot of people don’t get something like that from him. It was a good moment and a special one.

AM: What are your goals for this year, what are you looking forward to as you play through the season – do you have anything that you’re aiming for?

JK: I’ve got the biggest goals of anybody else. People would say, “man you’re a rookie and you’re already thinking ahead of you.” My big goal this year is that I want to play for the Championship. I feel like we have a chance to do it with the way that we play, the way that we get better every day and the way that we get to know each other every day. I feel like we have a big chance to do it and that pretty much is my biggest goal. As long as I’m on this team and helping them win and getting better every day, I think that’s my biggest goal.

IG @jonathan_kuminga

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see KUMINGA MODE ON | Jonathan Kuminga in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #74 FEB 2022

In this month’s issue, our cover story is with actress, author and educator, Christina Ochoa. We talk with her about her love for the arts and sciences. You can watch her currently in ABC's Promised Land as well as the upcoming final season of TNT's Animal Kingdom. You can also see her share her answers in this month's 9LIST STORI3S where she shares her must haves in beauty, fitness and style. EDM duo, Adventure Club shares how they stay inspired musically, the release of their sophomore album LOVE//CHAOS which dropped this month as well as who they collaborated with. We chatted with Rebecca Henderson about her current roles in Freeform's Single Drunk Female as well as Netflix's Inventing Anna. We talked with art advisor and curator, Maria Brito about her career in the art industry, what it's like to be at Art Basel as well as her latest books, How Creativity Rules the World. We caught up with Golden State Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga on being in his rookie year, what his goals are for the season and the mentorship he receives from Steph, Klay, Draymond and more. We also talked with CIROC's Love Squad ambassadors, content creator and actress Jasmine Luv and Chef Richard Ingraham who is the celebrity private chef for the Wade's. They talk about how they have navigated their careers, obtain inspiration and upcoming projects that they are focused on.

This month’s 9PLAYLIST is from Ultra Record's President David Waxman. Red Bull Downhill Mountain Bike Athlete, Jill Kintner shares her 63MIX ROUTIN3S of what she does Morning, Afternoon and Night. Our 9DRIP comes from content creator, actress and comedian Jasmin Luv as well as art advisor and curator, Maria Brito. Our 9LIST STORI3S comes from our cover, Christina Ochoa as she shares her must haves in beauty, style and fitness. This month’s 9LOOKS shares some of our favorite ensembles from Alice + Olivia. 

Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack focuses on Vineapple Cafe in Brooklyn. This month’s Athleisure List comes from Mr. C Miami Coconut Grove and Hot Tub Boats. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 here.

OFF THE MAT | NIA DENNIS

We have been a fan of National Championship Nia Dennis' gymnastic routines for a while, but then it was her iconic routine set to Beyoncé that went viral and this UCLA athlete alum popped up on everyone's radar! We've seen her at the Met Gala in 2021 and on the Gold Over America Tour alongside Olympians Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Laurie Hernandez to name a few.

We chatted with Nia to talk about her sport, how she got into it, recovering from her injury, giving us that Black Girl Magic moment and her partnership with Pressed. In this issue, you'll also hear about her 63MIX ROUTIN3S and NEW YEAR, N3W YOU.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What drew you to gymnastics?

NIA DENNIS: When I was younger, I honestly tried a couple of other things, such as ballet, and piano lessons but I cried at every lesson! My parents told me that I used to flip around on the playground as a young child kind of unsafely lol so they decided to put me in gymnastics lessons & I didn’t cry for once!! Haha. And ever since I could remember, I’ve absolutely loved gymnastics, the feeling of flying and being free had me hooked.

AM: You tore your Achilles 3 months before the 2016 Olympics. What did you learn and how have you approached the sport since?

ND: During that time I was feeling really depressed about my injury & honestly wanted to quit the sport. I no longer found gymnastics enjoyable. Through digging deep and understanding there were other goals in the sport that I wanted to accomplish, such as, competing for team UCLA and getting an education, I discovered how resilient I was. Once entering UCLA I was able redefine my identity as a gymnast, and also rediscover the joy I used to feel for the sport. I began to approach gymnastics as I used to when I was a child, when it was fun and freeing.

AM: I remember seeing your Beyoncé themed floor routine and being blown away by the energy, skill, and confidence that you exuded. How did you come up with this routine and I know when I watched it, I loved seeing this Black Girl Magic moment and it made me proud and excited – how has it impacted you?

ND: Thank you so much!! This routine was inspired by my annual Thanksgiving trips to New Orleans. Every year we would go to battle of the bands because a lot of my family down there went to the big school that battles in the event, Grambling. I loved the majorette dancers and loved the energy they brought to performing. Ironically enough, while I was beginning to come up with my theme for my routine, Beyoncé dropped her Homecoming album that was just perfect for what I wanted to do. I wanted to bring some of Black culture to the sport of gymnastics and it was so personal to me because a lot of my family went there. The response my routine has received truly has blown me away. I feel overwhelmed with love and light. Ya know I used to be that young girl who looked up to Gabby and Dominique Dawes & representation is so important, so I feel honored to be in this position for the next generation of young girls.

AM: As an athlete, you’re always focused on optimizing your body and mind and you recently partnered with Pressed – why did you want to work with them and what are you doing together?

ND: This year it’s not about making big resolutions but taking small steps to make big changes and my first step is getting more fruits and veggies into my day. To do that, I’m so excited to announce my new partnership with Pressed and share my new Limited-Edition Nia Dennis Routine featuring my three favorite Pressed juices and three Pressed well-being shots which is available in store and on pressed.com.

IG @niaadennis

PHOTOS COURTESY | Pressed

Read the JAN ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see Off the Mat | Nia Dennis in mag.

HIS TIME IS NOW | JOSEPH SIKORA

Throughout the past few months we have loved interviewing those who have been in POWER, POWER BOOK II: GHOST, POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN and with the release of POWER BOOK IV: FORCE on Feb 6th, we were excited to chat with Joseph Sikora (POWER, Ozark, Jack Reacher) who is back playing fan favorite, Tommy Egan. We talked about how he got into acting, being on POWER, where we find Tommy in the latest series and what projects he has coming up that we should keep an eye out for!

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

JOSEPH SIKORA: I was 10 years old. There was a show that used to be on called KIDS Incorporated. Fergie used to be on it and I think even Jennifer Love Hewitt. They were just the kids that were being rockstars and actors. I went to my mom and I said, I’d love to be an actor. She said that if I still wanted to be an actor in a month, come back. So I’m waiting and counting down the days. I said, “ma I want to be an actor.” She says ok and pulls out the Yellow Pages and we look up acting and there isn’t much in there. We look up theater and my mother, to her credit starts cold calling theaters and says, “my son wants to be an actor, how do we do this?” Eventually, I auditioned for a role in A Christmas Carol at The Goodman Theater in Chicago, but I didn’t get it. The casting director said that I was really talented and that I should audition for The Little Prince which was up in a far suburb in Lake Forest in Chicago. I ended up booking the role so my mother had to trek me out all the way to Lake Forest for rehearsals and performances. I did it and it was really a bug. Then my mother again cold-called agencies and said, “my son is in a play will you come watch it and would you want to represent him afterward?” Some of them came and then I got representation, I did some commercials which really helped pay for college and saved all of my money and even when I was just getting into mischief in high school, I kept paying my SAG dues and I have been a member of SAG since 1988. That’s how I started acting, it was through the theater and doing little bits of pieces here and as you know, I have done a ton of stuff! But none of it was any real success until really the POWER show. It’s my biggest thing for sure!

I was a series regular one of the series leads of an Adult Swim show called The Heart, She Holler that I am very proud of. It was directed and written by Vernon Chatman and John Lee starring Patton Oswalt which was so much fun. I did stuff here and stuff there, but acting is a tough thing and it’s truly a calling in some ways that I just never gave up.

So in a lot of ways, Tommy Egan, he’s that same guy. Tommy Egan never gives up and he says as much in episode 1 of POWER when he takes Holly out for their first date to the bar. He just keeps fighting and so I really just kept fighting and I did it not for reasons of fame. I didn’t want people to recognize or know me, I did it because I wanted to be able to explore the human condition and to see what it would be like to be other people and from what other people experienced. To see what it’s like to love, lose and win in other bodies.

AM: What made you want to be part of POWER?

JS: I mean, I was starving! I had no money, I was auditioning, I had a couple of little things around that time that I was really happy to do. I had just done Jack Reacher and I had done True Detective, the series Banshee – I was dating a girl who is now my wife and I had found something that I loved more than acting. For whatever reason in the irony that is life, when you don’t want something so bad, things start coming to you. This is one of those things.

There were 5 auditions for POWER for Tommy Egan, which was originally called Eddie O’Neal by the way!

AM: Where did we leave Tommy in POWER and where do we pick him up again in FORCE?

JS: Well, where we leave Tommy in the POWER show, is with Tommy and NY in his rearview mirror. But then, in POWER BOOK II: GHOST, we realize that he made a U-turn to take care of some unfinished business with Tasha played by Naturi Naughton and obviously the lead of the series Michael Rainey Jr who plays Tariq. After he leaves Tariq in Monet’s capable hands, but makes an enemy of the Tejada group, it’s even more of a reason for Tommy to get out of town. He’s not welcome back in the town of the city that raised him, so now he’s on his way to Los Angeles to take care of the ports and to work at the ports of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles. But he makes a pit stop in Chicago for what people will find out in the first episode. But then he ends up saying, “you know what? Chicago may be talking to me right now. This may be my land of opportunity.” It’s a harkening back to the 1890’s where the NY papers said, “go West young man, go West!” Tommy did it and he ended up in Chicago and he sees a possibility of a future in the gem of the prairie in Chicago, Il.

AM: How does it feel to have this whole spinoff wrapped around your character?

JS: It’s great! I love working and I get to work more, it’s a win-win! I’m so happy and grateful for the audience demanding it and that Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson made it happen!

AM: Is there anything that you can tell us about it as I know it’s out very soon but any insights would be appreciated!

JS: Absolutely, I think that it’s super exciting and that it’s really truly different city, different rules, same Tommy. I’m so excited about the pilot directed by Larysa Kondracki (Legion, Gotham, THEM) and then we have Kieron Hawkes (POWER, POWER BOOK II GHOST, POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN) a POWER alum who directed in Raising Kanan and on the POWER BOOK II: GHOST, he’s an amazing director – so it’s great to have Kieron Hawkes! Another director that I am so excited about is Deon Taylor (Kicks, Meet the Blacks, Black and Blue) who directs our incredible finale. Everyone knows him from The Intruder and Black and Blue, Supremacy, and I am doing another film with Deon that’s going to be coming out in March called Fear, also starring Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor, T.I., Annie Ilonzeh, Iddo Goldberg and Terrence J – so a bit of an all star wonderful cast that is a thriller and a horror film that revolves around our current state of pandemic so you have to check that out!

AM: I just finished watching Ozark Season 4 part 1. It was nice seeing you in that!

JS: Nice! Frank Jr! Frank Jr is the antithesis to Tommy! Tommy is everything that Frank Jr is not. But they share the same struggle. They want to be able to make their way, they want to get outside of somebodies shadow, but Frank Jr is as unsuccessful as Tommy is successful.

IG @JosephSikora4

PHOTOS COURTESY | STARZ's POWER BOOK IV: FORCE

Hear STARZ's POWER BOOK IV: FORCE's Joseph Sikora on our show, #TRIBEGOALS - which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multimedia companion podcast network! Subscribe to be notified when the episode drops. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

Read the JAN ISSUE #73 of Athleisure Mag and see HIS TIME IS NOW | Joseph Sikora in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #73 JAN 2022

this month’s issue, our cover story is with 3 X Pro Bowl Indianapolis Colts' Darius Leonard. We talk with him ahead of the Pro Bowl game taking place on Feb 6th. He talks about how he came to the sport, being with the Colts, how he prepares for game day and the importance of giving back via The Maniac Foundation.We talk with TV Host and Bachelor/Bachelorette favorite Ali Fedotowsky-Manno about what it's like being on this franchise and what one can expect when signing up and we also talk about the importance of self-care and mental health. She talks about her partnership with PEBBLES and upcoming projects. We talk with TRU TV's Fast Foodie hosts Chef Kristen Kish, Chef Justin Sutherland and Chef Jeremy Ford to find out about their second season which is out now, their favorite go-to's when they're having their own Fast Foodie late night meal and their upcoming projects. Our NEW YEAR, N3W YOU comes from Team USA Surfing Olympian and National Champion Caroline Marks, 3 x NY Times Best Selling Author and Kimberly Snyder, National Gymnastic Champion Nia Dennis and PGA TOUR VP of Community and Inclusion Marsha Oliver. Ahead of STARZ's POWER BOOK IV: FORCE premier, we talk with Joseph Sikora about how he came to being an actor, playing Tommy Egan and upcoming projects. We talk with Sosie Bacon and Joe Mantegna about their series As We See It which follows 3 roommates who are on the spectrum and how they navigate life. They talk about how they connected to this series, the importance of representation and how they hope the series will be embraced. National Gymnastic Champion Nia Dennis talks about how she got into the sport, giving her Black Girl Magic moment and upcoming projects.

This month’s 9PLAYLIST is from TRU TV's Fast Foodie hosts Chef Kristen Kish, Chef Justin Sutherland and Chef Jeremy Ford who talk about what they listen to when cooking and why! Team USA Marathon Olympic Medalist Molly Seidel and National Gymnastic Champion Nia Dennis shares their 63MIX ROUTIN3S of what they do Morning, Afternoon and Night with us in a 3 page spread. Our 9LIST STORI3S comes from Team USA Surfing Olympian and National Champion Caroline Marks, who shares her must haves with us. This month’s 9LOOKS shares some of our favorite ensembles from Michael Costello collections. 

Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack focuses on Sarashina Horii in NY. This month’s Athleisure List comes from The Pilates Class and ICHIRAN Ramen NY Times Square. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.

Read the JAN ISSUE #73.

9LIST ROUTIN3S | KYLE BUSCH

Read the DEC ISSUE #72 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST ROUTIN3S | Kyle Busch in mag.

9LIST STORI3S | MATTHEW JUDON

Read the DEC ISSUE #72 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Matthew Judon in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #72 DEC 2021

In this month’s issue, our cover story is with film, TV and stage actor, Curtiss Cook who plays Abe in the film adaptation of West Side Story, Otis “Douda” Perry in The Chi and has appeared in countless other shows. He talks with us about how he got into acting, how he plays dynamic characters and brings them to life as well as upcoming projects that we can expect to see him in. We also have the first of 2 NEW YEAR, N3W YOU features with Curtiss Cook, STARZ’s POWER BOOK II: GHOST’s Alix Lapri and NBA Minnesota Timberwolves’ Taurean Prince. They share The Good, The Add and The Buzz as they look at 2021 and 2022.

This month’s 9PLAYLIST is from Ryan Seacrest as he shares songs for our playlist as we countdown to the New Year. NFL New England Patriot and 3 X Pro Bowler, Matthew Judon, shares his 9LIST STORI3S with us. Our 9LIST ROUTIN3S comes from NASCAR’s 2 X Cup Series Champion and 220+ trophy winner Kyle Busch, who shares his Morning, Afternoon and Night with us. This month’s 9LOOKS shares some of our favorite ensembles from Zimmermann’s Resort 22 collections.

Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack focuses on Sapphire Cuisines of India in NY. This month’s Athleisure List comes from Mad Morton and ONE19 Wine Bar + Food. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.

TALKING GHOST WITH METHOD MAN AND LARENZ TATE

We caught up with 2 co-stars from STARZ’s 2nd season of POWER BOOK II: GHOST which premiered on Nov 21st! We sat down with Method Man and Larenz Tate. In the first half of the podcast, we catch up with the legendary performer of the Wu-Tang Clan, and actor in a number of TV series and films, Method Man. We talk about his diverse career and what we can expect on the latest season. We delve into the writer’s room and the phenomenal cast which includes his co-stars and musical collaborators – Mary J. Blige and Redman. We also talk about his commitment to fitness and how he continues to increase expanding his business into the cannabis industry and NFTs.

ATHLEISURE MAG: As one of the stars of POWER BOOK II: GHOST, what was it about the series that made you want to be involved?

METHOD MAN: Well I mean, that first series was great and the way that they ended it in that season finale, it was unheard of!

AM: You play Davis MacLean. What’s your process like in playing him and how do you get into that mindset?

MM: Well now it’s just throwing on the suit. Of course, in the beginning, you do your due diligence. You do your research, you try to find their voice for this character. You want to know his intentions and all of this stuff that goes into building a character. But once you get into it and you and the writers are on the same page, it’s just all hitting the ground running after that. It’s all pretty easy.

AM: Did you find that you added more into the character than what was in the script?

MM: No, I give all the writers 110% credit! I mean, outside of an ad lib here and there like a motherfucker or something like that, they get all of the credit. They know exactly who this man is. The only time that I would ever say something is when I feel like they're not being true to the character the character which hasn’t happened.

AM: Last year when it launched, many of us were so excited to see that you and Mary J. Blige (she plays Monet Tejada) were in the show. This season, Redman (he plays Theo Rollins, Davis’s older brother) has joined the cast! How exciting is it for you to be on set and to have all of these cultural moments with great people that you have worked with?

MM: I’m glad we made our music quota, we needed it. It’s great. I mean, Mary’s great. The days that I see her on set, it’s always fun and she likes to laugh and I like to joke which is the perfect combination right there. What can I say about Redman? I’ve been working with dude for like most of my career. They knew they had something there – it was instant chemistry when they brought him in. So it was pretty simple and pretty cool.

AM: To catch our readers up on what’s taken place, where did we leave Davis last season and what’s coming up that you can share with us that we can expect?

MM: Last season, Davis kind of ended on riding a high because he won one of the biggest cases of his career. He got his nemesis fired in the process which is icing on the cake. But where other people would be gloating, Davis sees an opportunity and he hires the former US attorney on his team. There’s a bit more layers there that I am not at liberty to say right now, but I think that Davis being as calculated as he is – there is a reason for him in hiring Cooper Saxe (Shane Johnson) at this moment, so just stay tuned!

AM: We are excited to see how it all plays out this season. Here at Athleisure Mag, when we’ve watched your IG, we know that you are always in the gym and staying ready!

MM: I mean with everything that I do, that’s why!

AM: Exactly! In the SEP ISSUE #69, B-Real said that he gives it up to you that you are always working out. So that was his shout out to you.

What are 3 moves that you love doing when you hit the gym?

MM: Deadlifts, bench and squats are my favorites.

AM: As someone who has had such a great body of work, a successful career in TV, film, being a member of the Wu-Tang Clan and you’re going into NFTs and cannabis, how do you take time for yourself because you are a busy man.

MM: I don’t. I never have any time anymore. But, I could be doing a hell of a lot worse!

AM: Exactly!

MM: As a matter of fact, I take that back. When football season starts, they occasionally interrupt my Sundays, but usually Sundays is all football from 1:00 through 11:00, so you know where to find me!

IG @MethodManOfficial

After catching up with Method Man and finding out more about how his character, Davis MacLean ended the last season and what we can expect from this season, we had to talk to Larenz Tate to find out about Councilman Rashad Tate! Larenz joined the original series of POWER in the last 2 seasons of this show. He talks with us about how his character continued in the premiere season and what we can expect in this season! We also talk about what drew him to this show, his character and how he has maintained longevity in this career.

ATHLEISURE MAG: You were in the last 2 seasons of POWER, the flagship and you also joined the regular cast in POWER BOOK II: Ghost as well. What does it mean to you to not only have your character continue on into the series, but also to just be part of this cast?

LARENZ TATE: I love it! I signed up because I wanted to continue and the fact that the incredible Courtney A. Kemp which is the creator of the show, found value in incorporating me into the show – just meant a lot. As you said, I was able to be a part of the original POWER series, which was a fabulous show. To be able to find my character in this show is great. I mean, the writing is fantastic and it’s probably the closest thing to POWER. The demographics are a little different and there are some that are a little younger, there are some new people and there are some similarities. But certainly, the fact that there is some value in seeing that Tate is still surviving from the original show! I mean there are so many people who didn’t make it out of that show and they didn’t make it. So we get to see a show and a storyline where there are a lot of wins, some losses and there are some good people with good intentions, but bad decisions! I think that life is kind of like that, so it’s relatable when people watch our show. They get a chance to either see themselves or how they would interpret or react to the characters that they are watching. As an actor, it’s great to have words, dialogue and stories that are really multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. When they write, they’re not paint in trope or painting by the numbers. It’s truly gratifying and I’m excited!

AM: What drew you to want to be in the amazing show?

LT: Well, I can take it all the way back to the original POWER. I loved the show and when I saw it, I said, “I dig this!” These characters should be materialized and this representation should be there because it’s more that what people may think on the outside. It’s a show about the underworld, drug dealing and so much more. It’s a show about family, brotherhood, sisterhood, deceit, deception, big decisions, people finding a way out of their circumstances, empowerment and all of it! Originally, I was cast to portray a different character who was in season 4 through 6 – the lawyer, Terry Silver (Brandon Victor Dixon) who helped Ghost (Omari Hardwick) when he was going to jail. He also falls in love with Tasha St. Patrick (Naturi Naughton). I was away working and it didn’t happen. Long story short, I called Courtney and I said, “listen, I love this Black excellence. I’m down – whatever you want me to do. Let’s do it. I’ll come and do an episode, whatever.”

AM: Just get me in there!

LT: Yeah. I told her that it was me talking, not reps, agents and managers – all of that stuff – it was just me. She said that there was a really cool character that she was about to start filming on. She let me know that it was a politician and that his last name was Tate and I was like, “ok let’s go this is dope!” She didn’t give me a whole lot to go from, but we talked about it and she wanted to see what I would do with him. She gave me the setup and she trusted me and I was able to come in and to dispel the idea that this politician, as soon as he walks into a room has this stigma that he’s not trustworthy. So to combat that and to finesse it, he comes in with a high five and he’s smiling. He’s got all of the cool things to say and he throws people off.

AM: He diffuses everything!

LT: Yeah, yeah, yeah. He lets you know, “I’m welcome and you can invite me to the barbecue.” That being said, it’s been a joy. Unlike a movie, unless you’re doing sequels – you get in, you get out and you do your job. You live with that character for a period of time. With this, you’re able to really lean into it and you get a chance to be able to find different things that the writers are creating for you. They can take you in any kind of direction and you have to be willing to do it. Especially when the writing is good. So, I have been very fortunate to be part of this and to just see where the value is and in telling the story along with Rashad Tate.

AM: Where did we leave off with him last season and where do we see him this season? What can you tell us about what is going on for some of our readers that need to catch up?

LT: Season 1, you find him going for the Gubernatorial race. He’s trying to be the Governor and he’s trying to win. Where we find him in season 2, literally, he’s in his brother’s basement, on a couch, hiding under a rock from the world because he lost the gubernatorial run. He’s out of it and his brother Kamaal Tate (Lahmard Tate) who is played by my real life brother.

AM: Which is really awesome!

LT: Yeah it is, I love it! He’s telling him that failure is not acceptable and that he is a Tate. Rashad knows that he should not look at this as a failure, but as a lesson learned and how he can find a way to get back into the game and to climb that political ladder. He can also incorporate some of the things that he has learned along the way and he’s going to cross paths with another St. Patrick – more St. Patricks! It’s 3 – 3! This young boy Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey Jr.), once he crosses paths with him, he’s looking at how he can utilize him to be an ally or will he ultimately be an enemy?

That’s what’s nice about the storytelling. There’s always this duplicity and duality that’s going on – you know, it’s the tug of war of power.

AM: That’s amazing! You’ve had such an amazing and dynamic career that has included so many movies and so many films. We’ve enjoyed seeing you in them and yet, you never age! So how do you stay in shape, stay positive and optimize yourself?

LT: You know for me, I just want to be the best version of myself. I’ve been in the game for a long time and I have been in this industry for 3 decades and I have seen how it has taken a toll on a lot of people. For me, I want to run the marathon as opposed to a sprint. So I try to avoid all the pitfalls that would cause self-destruction, that would cause a situation where I am aged before my time. It has an affect on your life all together. I decided to go the other route – I don’t want that other route, I’ve seen it. The demise of so many people that I respect. So now for me, I just want the best version of myself and I have to be mindful of my health, my mental space and my body and mind and conscious. It all plays a part in it. It’s all about responsibility and accountability!

IG @LarenzTate

PHOTOS COURTESY | STARZ POWER BOOK II: GHOST

Hear STARZ POWER BOOK II: GHOST co-stars Method Man and Larenz Tate now on our show, #TRIBEGOALS - which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multimedia companion podcast network! Subscribe to be notified when the episode drops. Listen on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

Read the latest issue of NOV ISSUE #71 of Athleisure Mag and see Talking Ghost with Method Man + Larenz Tate in mag.

LINK TO BETTER BEAUTY WITH LEXI THOMPSON

This month we catch up with 12th ranked LPGA's Lexi Thompson. We talk with her about how she came to golf, her passion for the sport representing Team USA at the Olympics and her career. We also talk with her about her skincare line, Lexi Skin and why she has included this within her portfolio.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with golf as we know that both of your brothers are professional golfers as well?

LEXI THOMPSON: I first fell in love with the game when I was 5 years old watching my brothers begin to compete in local junior golf tournaments.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to go professional?

LT: By the time I was 9 years old, I was consistently winning junior golf tournaments and was encouraged by my family to continue the process of improving my game with the hopes of one day playing professionally.

AM: I know that your schedule in the LPGA is busy, what is a typical week like when you’re on the course and in the gym when you’re preparing for your next tournament?

LT: Weeks out on the LPGA Tour can sometimes be long and strenuous. I often arrive to a golf tournament on Monday of tournament week with two practice rounds prior to the first round of competition. When I’m at home, I work out twice in the gym daily. I always like to work out in the morning as I am an early riser and typically will do cardio later in the day.

AM: With a number of tournaments throughout the year, when does the golf season start and end?

LT: The LPGA tour schedule is very busy between the months of March and October. I used to travel globally for many years. As I'm now entering my 12th year on the LPGA Tour I don’t play as many events as I once did, and I try to stay in the United States as much as possible to focus on my other interests outside of golf like my skin care line.

AM: What is your next tournament that we should keep an eye out for? When will this be published?

LT: November 11-14th, it’s the Pelican Women’s Championship.

AM: When it’s tournament time, do you have a series of routines that you do to get into a mindset that optimizes your play?

LT: My routine is extremely important to my success on the golf course. Prior to leaving for a tournament, I typically play multiple rounds of golf at my home course before leaving. I try to put the least amount of stress on my body during a tournament week, so I am prepared to go for round one and maintain my energy through the final round. By keeping a consistent routine, I am able to perform at the highest level consistently.

AM: What’s your favorite tournament to play?

LT: The ANA Inspiration is my favorite tournament – my win there in 2014 was special!

AM: In doing research for our interview with you, I saw that you are considering to play on the PGA Tour! Only 7 women have done this previously. Are you still thinking of doing this and do you have a course in mind?

LT: I’ve always wanted to play a PGA TOUR event to see how my game stacks up against the men. I've always thought I would have a chance to make the cut on a golf course that is close to 7000 yards.

AM: You have great partners/sponsors including Red Bull, Puma Golf, Rolex and Bentley to name a few, how important is it for you to have these relationships and their support?

LT: Partnerships are an extremely important part of my success as a professional golfer. Over my eleven-year career, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest brands in the world. They have helped me grow as a person and develop great relationships.

AM: You are a 2X Olympian, what’s it like representing the US on a global stage?

LT: There is nothing like representing your country on a global stage like The Olympics. Being a two-time Olympian is one of the greatest honors I’ve had in my career.

AM: During the off season, what can we find you doing?

LT: During my off-season you’ll most likely find me in the gym. Fitness is an extremely important part of my routine and has become an extremely important part of my overall life.

AM: Last year, your website Lexi Thompson got a rebrand with Lexi Golf, Lexi Fitness and Lexi Skin. Before we delve into Lexi Skin, what can your fans expect when they come to your site?

LT: For the first time in my career, I decided to develop my own brand. The Lexi brand is coming to life and I’m excited to have three different components to the brand. Lexi Golf, Lexi Skin and Lexi Fitness will all be different avenues that I will focus on as I enter the next stage of my professional life.

AM: Last month was National Women’s Small Business Month and the third week of the same month is National Business Women's Week, what led you to launching Lexi Skin and partnering with Dr. Swift?

LT: Skincare has always been a passion of mine. Playing golf and outdoor sports my whole life, I have had a ton of sun exposure. I have really had to learn how to protect my skin and as I have become a little older, prevent it from premature aging. I was introduced to Dr. Arthur Swift and Dr. Stewart Davis, and together we have developed unique anti-aging skin care products that are highly effective and priced appropriately for active women like me.

AM: Copper is known for its antimicrobial properties, but copper peptides for potential age-defying benefits may not be as known. Do all of the products have copper peptides which penetrate and stimulate collagen in the skin? Tell me a bit about the assortment that is currently available in Lexi Skin and what are your 3 go to products that you enjoy using?

LT: All of our products have copper peptides and our proprietary delivery system for these copper peptides. That is what is so unique. We can get our copper peptides into the skin to work their magic. Copper is naturally antimicrobial for sure, but it also naturally stimulates collagen and is anti-inflammatory. That is what makes it so special for skin care. I really can’t pick just three. I love them all and use them all. We have our 5 targeted products. Eye cream, face cream, neck cream, hand cream and foot cream. Then we have our silky-smooth facial cleanser. And finally, our amazing scar gel that works great for all new cuts and burns.

AM: It’s worth noting that the brand is Leaping Bunny certified and makes annual donations to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. How important was it to you to create this kind of impact by the brand?

LT: The Susan G Komen Foundation has an important tie to my own life. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. I’ve always felt it’s extremely important to give back to a foundation such as Susan G. Komen as they work to find a cure, as well as comfort and support those living with breast cancer, and advocate for access to care for all.

AM: When you’re not playing or working on your skincare line, how do you take time for yourself?

LT: Spending time with family and friends, and my dog, Leo. I also love laying by the pool or the beach.

AM: You were the youngest golfer to ever qualify to play in the U.S. Women’s Open and have received 11 career victories, what legacy do you want to leave on the sport?

LT: I want to leave the sport in a better place than it was when I first started by growing the game and being a role model for young girls who have the same aspirations that I did when I was their age.

IG @Lexi

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 80 + 90 Lexi Thompson | PG 82 - 89 Red Bull |

Read the NOV ISSUE #71 of Athleisure Mag and see Link to Better Beauty with Lexi Thompson in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #71 NOV 2021

In this month’s issue, our cover story is with Lightweight Boxer 21-0 with 18 knockouts, Ryan Garcia. We talk with him about how he got into boxing, his career, brands he's partnered with and being the Co-Owner and Chief MARLOWE. Officer of skincare brand, MARLOWE. We talked with Chef Duff Goldman about his work with No Kid Hungry that he has been involved in for well over a decade, his passion for baking, how he approaches giving feedback to contestants by taking them on a culinary journey and more. LPGA golfer Lexi Thompson talks about her passion for golf, upcoming tournaments and her skincare line, Lexi Skin. We also sit down with 2X Team USA Olympic Bronze Foil Fencer and World Champion, Miles Chamley-Watson to talk about the sport, why he wants to increase its footprint, his partnership and documentary with Daring Foods and more. We also connect with Food Network Personality and Chef Aarti Sequeira who also tells us about she approaches judging Halloween Wars and Holiday Wars. She also talks about her her new book, My Family Recipe Journal and the importance of keeping recipes passed down from one generation to the next. 

This month’s 9PLAYLIST is from one of our favorites, Idris Elba. BMX rider Matthias Dandois as well as Ryan Garcia, shares their 9LIST STORI3S with us. Our 9LIST ROUTIN3S comes from football Super Bowl Champion, Hall of Famer and broadcaster Troy Aikman, Chef Duff Goldman and LPGA golfer Lexi Thompson. We also have our Miles Chamley-Watson sharing his 9DRIP with us. This month’s 9LOOKS shares some of our favorite ensembles from Tom Ford's FW21 collections.

Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack focuses on Tusca in NY. This month’s Athleisure List comes from Pua Manu Club and Juicery Harlem. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.

Read the NOV ISSUE #71 of Athleisure Mag.

SKY'S THE LIMIT WITH NOAH NEIMAN

This month, we've been sharing a number of people that have been focused on building their brands that impact the lives of others. Joining this group is Noah Neiman, who is known for his successful studio fitness gyms that include RUMBLE Boxing and Rumble Training. He's known for his dynamic personality and pushing people beyond their limit while also empowering them to believe in themselves. We took some time to talk about how he came to the industry, building his gyms, how he continues to grow his brand as well as his recent partnership with EASTBAY.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We remember the first time we saw you when Work Out New York premiered. How did you come to fitness and when did you decide to work in the industry?

NOAH NEIMAN: Wow! Not the Bravo throwback! Do you remember when Andy Cohen had me half naked on his show!? Sorry mom! My start in the fitness industry was one of those stories that was a lifetime in the making; I just didn’t realize it at the time.

I was one of those overweight kids that would always try to finesse my way onto the shirts team instead of skins playing pickup ball. T-Shirt on in the pool type. So early on, I started to study and learn all I could about physical fitness and nutrition. I had a lot of behavioral problems as a kid, and I found the more that I trained, the less likely I was to act a fool running around the streets of Pittsburgh, Pa. Fast forward to post-college, where I went to Hofstra and got my degree in accounting, a series of unfortunate events led me to leave NYC and returning to my hometown of Pittsburgh.

During my stint in Pittsburgh, I was being incredibly self-destructive again. I was heavily depressed, suffering panic attacks regularly, and forgot how training my physical body helped me keep me emotionally in control. I let myself spiral into a pretty dark place. I remember being in the hospital after a hard night of partying and seeing the concerned and disappointed look on my parent’s faces as they rushed to see me. Seeing that look is one I will never forget. That night, I stopped doing drugs! Now over 13 years ago!

That following week I happened to be driving by a new jiu-jitsu studio that was opening up near my hood: Warren Stouts Renzo Gracie Training Studio. I traded the drugs for jiu-jitsu. I trained with those guys for a year while going through on and off again anxiety issues; 'til finally my parents told me that I needed to head back to NYC. They conveyed in me the belief that I was destined to accomplish great things, but I had to do so in New York.

So I returned back to NYC with very little money and no real purpose. A friend asked me to attend a workout class with him at the newly opened Barrys BootCAMP; and that ended up being the serendipitous moment that most underdogs stories have at the beginning.

I was in that class cheering on my friend and losing myself in that workout. Fortuitously, the now CEO of Barrys, Joey Gonzalez, was the trainer leading the class. He approached me and asked if I wanted to become a trainer there. All my football, strength, conditioning, jiu jitsu, training and a lifetime of studying was about to pay off!! I was READY for a moment, I didn’t even know was coming; but you know the old saying “if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

I found my purpose. For those hours I was training people and leading these big group classes; all my anxiety and all my depression seemed to just melt away. I had to focus on OTHERS. Making sure they were hustling and making sure they were having a great time. It was therapeutic to me. So I THREW every ounce of effort and energy into it. The world quickly responded; and I became one of the most talked about and featured trainers. Finding myself featured in everything to Vanity Fair to the New York Times, then ultimately landed that show on BRAVO!

Fast forward a few years of building my reputation, my now business partner Eugene Remm; the founder of iconic CATCH restaurants (CATCH HOSPITALITY GROUP) and I got together and started planning what our own gym experience would look like. We wanted to bring an elevated experience to the group fitness game; one the was highly effective, but highly FUN. One that had the aesthetic and vibes that only we could create because of our unique lenses built by decades of our own tastes…. and so RUMBLE was born.

AM: If we wanted to train like you do in an average week, what are your workout routines and what are the foods/meals that you are eating throughout the day?

NN: I actually take RUMBLE Boxing and Rumble training for a majority of my workouts each week. That’s why I created the space! For my body; strength training coupled with conditioning via running and boxing has always had me feeling and looking my best; and the MENTAL benefits of punching things, hard, throughout the week are immense! I try to eat as healthy as I can so I normally hit up my go-to spot HONEYBRAINS to eat fresh whole foods. Throughout the week I eat a lot of fish, steak, eggs, and chicken coupled with potatoes, white rice, spinach, salads, beans. Then when I feel like it, it’s burgers and fries..pizza and ice cream. I try not to be one of those holier than thou trainers. I like to keep it real, eat sloppy when I want, and then get right back to eating clean when I want.

AM: I remember a few years ago I took a class led by you at Barry's Bootcamp and then when Rumble Training opened, I attended an editor event that was led by you. As a well-known group fitness instructor, your passion for motivating and empowering people is so impactful regardless of your workout level - what is your approach to working out with your celeb as well as daily clients and why is this important?

NN: I call fitness the great equalizer! It doesn’t matter who you are, how many followers you have, I treat everyone the same! I keep that same energy like Teyana Taylor (coincidentally also one of our investors). My passion and energy is the driving force of what I do, and I treat every class like it’s Jay Z's My First Song; I treat my first class, like my last class, and my last class, like my first class, so my thirst and energy is the same as when I came!

Everyone is the same at the end of the day. You either do the work and get better by it, or you don’t. I think that’s one of the most refreshing things about training with me, and our philosophy at Rumble. We treat every like Jason Derulo, or Justin Bieber…you just might also happen to work out next to them one day.

AM: Boxing is one of my favorite sports to watch and I know you are passionate about it. Why is this your preferred workout method?

NN: The efficacy of boxing is undisputed as the champ! There’s a reason they call fighters “Lean mean fighting machines,” but to be honest, boxing was always mediative for me. I had a lot of problems growing up. ADHD, getting kicked out of schools. So training to me became therapeutic. It was an outlet for a lot of anger and the vast well of energy I had. Meditation comes in many forms, and this one is mine!

AM: You’re the Co-Founder of RUMBLE Boxing. When you were in the early days of launching this brand, what was it like to know that you had people such as Sylvester Stallone and Justin Bieber as investors?

NN: When you open a boxing gym, and have Rocky believe in you; the provides you with a certain level of confidence. However, at the end of the day, if the experience and workout doesn’t live up to that level of hype, you’re going to fail. It was important for us to come correct, especially knowing we had so many powerful and renowned personalities backing us!

AM: Tell us about RUMBLE Boxing, Rumble Training and Rumble TV and why you wanted to create this universe. For Rumble Boxing and Rumble Training, what cities are you located in and are there new cities you will open in?

NN: Plainly put, I wanted to bring boxing to the masses. Polish and package it in a way that I thought our clients would love! So Rumble Training, Rumble TV, and our OG RUMBLE Boxing were just ways we could positively impact our already highly engaged customers. We’re in NYC, DC, Philly, San Francisco, LA, Chicago; and with our new partnerships with Xponential; you’re going to see Rumbles popping up from Alaska to Australia with 100’s of locations opening up across the world.

AM: In terms of working on the Rumble brand, what is an average day like for you?

NN: As an entrepreneur in general, there are no average days. Especially living in NYC! My role is to really make sure our brand is staying just that; OUR brand. To ensure consistency and clarity in delivery; and making sure our trainers and staff have the discipline and help they need to execute. I’ve never been a great boardroom leader. I need to be in the mix with my team. Teaching classes, seeing how the front desk engages with clients, cleaning the benches and studio if need be! I try and keep that Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines approach; don’t tell. Show! Be there for your team and they’ll be there for you. It requires a tremendous amount of energy to lead in that manner; which is why I’m so passionate about health and mental wellness. It provides you with that unlimited well to tap into. You said you responded to my energy when you were at my classes long ago; and I told you I have to keep that same energy. So when I can; I’m investing in myself, so I can better serve others!

AM: What is the best piece of business advice that you received that has allowed you to navigate the industry as a fitness entrepreneur?

NN: I’d like to think I’m just an entrepreneur; working and consulting with companies in a variety of spaces; but my number one rule of thumb is 'chase relationships, not checks”. Everything I have been able to achieve has been a collaborative effort. I’ve earned my spot at the table by freely giving my energy and skills to whoever engages with me. You’d be surprised the return you get on an energy investment when you invest in PEOPLE.

AM: Recently you partnered with EASTBAY with the release of their new line EASTBAY Performance. You were a team captain for a flag football game in McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We heard that your team was impressive through 3 of your games and you just missed out on the championship game. Why did you want to participate in this event?

NN: I’m on that Peter Pan! I was so honored to get the call to participate it was a no brainer. Thinking back on my childhood; running home to check out the EASTBAY catalogue, or taking a girl on the date to the Monroeville Mall in Pittsburgh to check out the FOOTLOCKER, is super nostalgic. To be surrounded by such iconic brands, in iconic Brooklyn, and most importantly surrounded by such positive and powerful PEOPLE; I HAD to be a part of this. I'm still rocking scabs on my knees as I answer this question. I look at it as a badge of honor. Young me would be so proud that I’ve worked hard enough to be recognized by EASTBAY and Footlocker; and to be honest, old me is too! Plus, that new EASTBAY line is fire, had to be one of the first to cop!

AM: What are your 3 favorite products from the Eastbay Performance line?

NN: The t-shirt, tights, and shorts combo is a trifecta. Deion Sanders said “if you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they PAY good!" I took that to heart as a child, so rocking the new line it not only LOOKS fresh, but it’s functional to enhance you playing good too...and you know what happens when you PLAY good. Ka-ching $$$!!!!!

AM: In looking at your IG, beyond your passion for fitness and style, we know that you love your dog Oz. How has he been impactful in your life especially when we were all going through the craziness of quarantine?

NN: I’m gonna go super mayonnaise corny on you now; Oz saved my life. He taught me firsthand what it was like to care about something, and have to take care of something other than myself. I learned not to be selfish from him. This dog has been with me from first blood; through thick and thing. Through happiness, depression, poor, rich; Oz has been by my side. During the pandemic I actually rescued two more dogs that look exactly like Oz from Buddy’s Rescue. I may be biased, but I have the sweetest and best-looking trio of dogs on the island of Manhattan.

During the pandemic, I was feeling very anxious and uncertain like the rest of us; so once again I found myself needing to get out of my own head. Who better to escape with than with two little puppies and one sage old pitbull. The puppies even earned a little money over the pandemic shooting for brands like KITH and PETCO.

AM: When you’re not working out, focusing on your business, appearing on TV etc, how do you take time for yourself?

NN: I’m an ambivert so to contrast the extreme extroverted nature of my job, I like to spend a lot of time by myself. I love to walk the dogs through Washington Square Park, read a book, going to ZERO BOND which is my friend’s members-only club. I like to ride my Ducati motorcycle around NYC like the island-ordered Batman on WISH! Sorry mom, I won’t sell it! It’s also meditative to me. The correlation between boxing and riding a motorcycle is strong. In both pursuits, you have to be present. You have to live in the moment. You can’t think about the past or the future; you have to live in the now. I think more people would be better served if they could find those things they love that ground them and bring them home to the present moment.

Growing up, I was never ok to be by myself, because I didn’t love the person I was spending time with; so as I get older, I’m learning to love and invest in that person more. To contrast all that; when I’m really trying to get after it. I will 100 percent get a table at CATCH and hit that dance floor full up on a belly full of the best steak, sushi, and tequila. The perks of being in business with Eugene Remm are numerous; but that is definitely one of the best!

AM: As someone who is always on the go and working on the next thing, are there any projects that you can share that you are working on?

NN: The universe provides if you know how to harvest, so I keep working on my universal agricultural skills. I’ve been fortunate to work with brands across a variety of industries, from NIKE, to BOSE, to Tag Heuer, to Vital Proteins, to MCLAREN to name a few, and each one has been a great learning experience. Its enabled me to spot opportunities across a wide spectrum.

The biggest things I’m focusing on now is helping EMERALD EQUITY GROUP create a brand around their new high end luxury rental building they just purchased 2 COOPER SQUARE. Helping create that elevated living experience people have come to expect from me, albeit in a different arena, with Rumble.

I'm a longtime fan and investor in HONEYBRAINS, the restaurant I mentioned before where I eat 80 percent of my meals. I used to just be a customer and ending up striking up a conversation with one of the owners. Now I’m an investor and helping them grow the brand! All because of giving off that welcoming energy that created the environment for me and the co-owner to strike up a conversation. Remember what I said about chasing relationships! You have to be open, aware, and receptive to the early stages of them!

I’m working with my boy Louis Denaples who owns Ducati New York City on some branding projects for his motorcycle shops; and helping him create a retail line around the Ducati lifestyle.

I’ve been in talks with SIRIUS and other networks about my own show which is something I’m extremely passionate about now. At the end of the day, I just want to impact people. I want people to engage with me, through a variety of platform; yet always know that they are going to get that positive energy and support they need to unlock the greatness within themselves. I pitched a lifestyle travel show with my own unique twist pre-pandemic that is picking up some attention and steam; so stay tuned for announcements on that!

IG @noahdneiman

PHOTOS COURTESY | Noah Neiman

Read the OCT ISSUE #71 of Athleisure Mag and see Sky’s The Limit with Noah Neiman in mag.

9PLAYLIST | TIËSTO

Read the OCT ISSUE #70 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST in mag. Listen to Tiësto’s 9PLAYLIST here.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #70 OCT 2021

In this month’s issue, our cover story is with DJ/producer and founder of Club Quarantine, D-Nice. We talk with him about his legendary career, being a founding member of Boogie Down Productions with KRS-One and the late Scott La Rock, launching Club Quarantine, how he continues to evolve the brand, his recent performance bringing Club Quarantine to Hollywood Bowl and more. We talk with Celebrity Fitness Trainer, Harley Pasternak to talk about how we can tackle our fitness goals regardless of the season, the way we should approach working out and healthy food hacks that we need to know. Founder of RUMBLE, Noah Neiman talks about his career in the fitness industry, his love for boxing and how it led to his own gym and his approach to life. We also talk with Celebrity Fitness Trainer Gunnar Peterson and pulmonologist, Dr. Cedric Rutland about asthma and how it affects fitness enthusiasts and athletes. They share their perspective on this condition and how they are involved with the LungZone campaign.

This month’s 9PLAYLIST is from one of our favorites, Tiesto. The NY Giants’ John Ross shares his 9LIST STORI3S with us. Our 9LIST ROUTIN3S comes from Gunnar Peterson and Noah Neiman. We also have our AUG ISSUE #42 cover story from 2019, EDM DJ/producer, SAYMYNAME to share his 9DRIP with us. This month’s 9LOOKS shares some of our favorite ensembles from Chanel’s PFW SS22 collections.

Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack focuses on Tuscany Steakhouse in NY. This month’s Athleisure List comes from Afternoon and No Strings Attached Noodle Bar. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.

 Read the OCT ISSUE #70 of Athleisure Mag.

DISCOVERY OF POWER WITH LO BOSWORTH

We first learned about Lo Bosworth as one of the cast members of MTV's Laguna Beach as we were introduced to a friendship group in Orange County of young people that navigated the transition between high school and college. We continued on with her and other members as they navigated adulting post college in The Hills. Lo was always a grounded member of this friend group who we would learn after these succeful reality shows that she had a passion for wellness and would become the founder and CEO of Love Wellness which focuses on self-care with a focus on body positivity and science. We catch up with Lo to talk about her brand, partnership with Baileys and how she takes time for herself.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When you were on The Hills, there wasn’t programming that focused on adulting in that way. The show also laid the foundation for a formula that we look for in these shows from friendship groups, getting to know main character’s facets of life, introducing audiences to popular boutiques/restaurants and designers that are being worn – which is standard now. What does it mean to you that you participated in a show that laid this groundwork and what did you learn by being involved in these shows?

LO BOSWORTH: I learned the power of my own voice and community. I'm so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to connect with an audience on a large scale and have always tried to do my best with the opportunities given to me.

AM: Back in 2019, we attended a fitness event that Love Wellness hosted. I was drawn to the packaging and your messaging. What led you to creating this self-care brand and what role does self-care play in your life?

LB: I became more interested in health and wellness when I dealt with a few health setbacks in both 2014 and 2019. Going through these challenging moments forced me to focus on my well-being, search for alternatives, and when I was able to heal, I was inspired to share my journey able to heal, I was inspired to share my journey through the founding of Love Wellness.

AM: What products can we find at Love Wellness?

LB: We make everything from vaginal suppositories to de-bloating supplements. Our total body care products for women are made with clean ingredients, are innovative and trendsetting, and give women the real results they're looking for from a wellness company.

AM: You guys just launched probiotics – tell us more about this.

LB: Our recent probiotics launch was actually an expansion of this product category at Love Wellness. One of our original products, Good Girl Probiotics, launched 5 years ago with a focus on improving vaginal and urinary tract health with the use of diverse live bacteria strains organic to the vagina. After closing in on selling one million units of Good Girl Probiotics, we made the decision to expand our probiotics category to focus on other microbiomes in and on the body. Our new best-sellers include Clear Skin Probiotics for reducing the number of acne pimples on the skin, and Gut Feelings Probiotics which is a pre-probiotic blend that helps support overall gut health and immunity.

AM: What are you currently working on whether it’s with Love Wellness or outside of it?

LB: I'm the founder and CEO of Love Wellness and operate my business full-time everyday alongside my excellent team in New York City. My primary focus is helping women discover our innovating products, education, and community.

AM: As we’re all continuing to venture out after the past 19 months that we have endured, it seems like every opportunity to celebrate whether solo or in small groups is a must! How can we host the appropriate end of summer party or kick off to the fall?

LB: Aside from putting together a fun group and great spread of food, Baileys Deliciously Light is one of my secrets to entertaining at home. Baileys Deliciously Light is a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed so many ways including over ice, chilled, in a smoothie or with hot, iced or whipped coffee so there’s truly something for everyone!

AM: Why did you want to partner with Baileys Deliciously Light?

LB: I always make sure to partner with brands that represent my lifestyle. Baileys Deliciously Light gives me a chance to treat myself to a delicious cocktail or baked good, and it’s also made with 40% less sugar and 40% less calories than Baileys Original Irish Cream so it gives me the balance I always look for in my life!

AM: We’re all enjoying that transition into fall weather and in many cases, that also means our cocktails take this journey as well! What’s your go to fall cocktail that we should think about including into our rotation?

LB: I love experimenting in the kitchen and making new things for me and my friends to try. Baileys Deliciously Light is a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways – but my favorite is including it in hot and iced coffee drinks or even espresso martinis. One of my favorite cocktails to make this season is the Baileys Frothy Coffee – it’s made with Baileys Deliciously Light, espresso and frothy milk. It’s the perfect, simple fall drink that’s a major crowd pleaser.

BAILEYS FROTHY COFFEE

Ingredients

2.5 oz Baileys Deliciously Light

2 oz Espresso

2/3 Cup Frothy Milk

Preparation

1. Combine Baileys Deliciously Light and espresso into a coffee mug.

2. Heat up milk and blend/whip until frothy.

3. Top coffee and enjoy!

AM: When you’re not running your business or taking on a project, how do you take time for yourself?

LB: I take baths, eat amazing meals at my favorite restaurants in New York City, and spend quality time walking my neighborhood with friends.

IG @LoBosworth

PHOTOGRAPHY | Baileys Deliciously Light

Read the SEP ISSUE #70 of Athleisure Mag and see Discover of Power with Lo Bosworth in mag.

9PLAYLIST | DWAYNE JOHNSON

Read the SEP ISSUE #69 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Dwayne Johnson in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #69 SEP 2021

In this month’s issue, our Sep cover is Cypress Hill and founder of Dr. Greenthumb’s, B-Real. We talk about Cypress Hill, his solo project and the expansion of Dr. Greenthumb. We also talk with Lo Bosworth, founder of self-care brand, Love Wellness. She shares her journey in wellness as well as taking time for herself and friends.  This month, The Art of the Snack comes from Sushi Ginza Onodera here in NY. Our Athleisure Lists include BADSHAH and BODi. This month, we enjoyed getting back to in person events by attending Electric Zoo and Governor’s Ball, we share our favorite moments from both of these music festivals.

This month, our 9DRIP comes from B-Real, our 9ROUTIN3S comes from Bar Malik founder of BARCODE as well as Lo Bosworth. This month’s 9PLAYLIST comes from Dwayne Johnson as he shares 9 songs on his playlist. Our 9LIST STORI3S comes from Celebrity Hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons who shares his must haves in style, beauty and fitness. We also share 9 of our favorite looks in 9LIST R3DCARP3TS from the Emmys and talk with Stylists, MUA, Hairstylists and Nail Artists that created the looks. In this months 9LOOKS we share some of our favorite looks from CHAANCE’s NYFW SS22 presentation.

See the SEP ISSUE #69 of Athleisure Mag here.

9DRIP | TRINITY FATU

Read the AUG ISSUE #68 of Athleisure Mag and see 9DRIP | Trinity Fatu in mag,

9PLAYLIST | ADAM LEVINE

Read the AUG ISSUE #68 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Adam Levine in mag.