GET OUT AND VOTE

It's been a long 18 months, but today is the day! For those that didn't vote early or mail in their ballot - it's time to hit your polling station. If you don't know where to go, you can see where you can get this done. Make sure to check your tribe to ensure that you've all made your vote count!

TCS NEW YORK MARATHON 2016

We're cheering on all those that are running in today's TCS New York Marathon! If you aren't running or there to cheer on your friend, you can track them here.

ESCAPE TO FITNESS PARADISE; IN THE ART OF YOU LUXURY RETREAT WITH TERRI WALSH

by Joseph Pastrana

The cooler, winter months, hectic with festive and indulgent holiday parties and dinners, make itparticularlyeasytogainweight.  Youcanavoidthisalltoocommonlikelihood,  getintothe best shape of your life, and enjoy a week-long getaway to a tropical paradise at the same time. TheArtofYou –  createdbyacclaimedNewYorkcelebrityfitnesstrainerTerriWalsh – is luxuryfitnessretreatinsun-drenchedCostaRica.  Customdesignedtosuitindividualneeds, Terri takes you on an eight day and seven night journey that explores your strengths, challenges your stamina and ultimately leaves you feeling and looking amazing.

"Idesignedthisretreatasatotalexperiencethatbringstogetherthebestcircumstancesfor achievingincredibleresults," saysTerri. Havingtrainedsomanydifferentpeople through the years, I know how important it is to engage, not just your body but your mind and soul as well. First, removing   you   from   your   natural   environment   and   surrounding   you   with   nature’s breathtakingbeautygivesyouasenseofrenewedpurpose,  tohelpfocusyouremotionsand intent. My assessment of your physical state then allows me to create a program suited to your needs.

Theretreatincludesyourstayandhealthymeals(fresh,  locally-grownfood,  alsocarefully plannedbyTerriwithdueaccommodationofspecificdietaryrequirementsandpreferences - includingglutenfree,  dairyfree,  vegetarian,  veganandpaleo baseddiets),  overallfitness assessment,  dailymeasurementswithimagestovisuallytrackprogress,  customworkout and strength training prescription based on a prior Facetime or Skype consultation with Terri.  

As a base of determining precisely what you need, Terri provides three fundamental categories fromwhichtochoose: Detox&  Push isintensiveandgoal-specificforbrides-to-beorthose with upcoming photo shoots or events in mind; Reset & Renew is for rebooting healthy habits and overall rejuvenation; and Jump Start & Focus is geared toward serious fitness and weightloss.  YourneedswilldeterminehowTerriwilldesignsan appropriateregimen,  usinghervery own ART (Active Resistance Training)® Method  –  a definitive fitness practice that engages the body’s four active resistance points.

TheArtofYouLuxuryFitnessRetreatstartsat$15,000.00 forindividualsto$20,000fora couple(there’sonlyonevilla)  Sunday to Sunday(orcustomdaterangeavailableatadditionalcost)  and requiresbooking30-daysinadvancetoproperlyplaneverything.  TheflightintoJuanSanta MariaInternationalairport   inAlajuela,  CostaRicaisnotincuded, butafterarrival,  the connectingdomesticflighttotheretreatiscoveredandwill bearrangedbyTerri.  Fromthe momentyouarriveataprivatevillainManuelAntonio,  youwillbesweptawayto a meticulouslycraftedblendofstrengthtrainingandconditioningwork- outsamidstabeach,  waterfallor jungle setting,  alternated with endurance adventure hikes, activities, and massage treatments to support energy levels and recovery. After a transformative week, you may never want to leave.

See more from the Oct Issue

LIGHTBULB MOMENT: A CONVERSATION WITH STACY LYON

We truly enjoyed chatting with the founder of Healthy HooHoo, Stacy Lyon who is a 20 year ski veteran turned, feminine care brand. As we chatted about parabens, women's bodies, fitness and her gypsy soul - time and time again she continued to echo her sentiment of "you can't pick your lightbulb moment."

ATHLEISURE MAG: Why did you create Healthy HooHoo?

STACY LYON: I always say, it was the perfect storm. One of the main reasons I started a few years ago when my roommate from college called me up and said she had breast cancer. It was one of those conversations where your inner eagle comes out. I had never had a friend who had cancer and so you start asking all of these questions.  You want to know, what did she do that I don't want to do that causes cancer?

So I asked her, "now that you know that you have cancer, what are you doing to change your diet - what are the doctor's saying?" She explained that the doctors found a paraben in her breast tissue biopsy. I had never heard of that word "paraben" before and I felt that I was pretty aware - but it caught me off guard. She explained that it is a preservative that is found in a lot of our products and that they found this toxin in her breast cancer tissue. It lives in fatty tissue like in our breasts and reproductive areas where women carry all these fats.

She joked that she had changed all of her products, except for her feminine wash. I thought, "who still uses that?" That was early in the week and by the middle of the week my triathalete buddy was training with me for the Danskin Triathalon and she complained that she had issues down there and what I had done. I explained that you should let it be and not douche.  But it made me research this. Then that Fri, my gynecologist said she was getting out of the practice and that a lot of peoplewere getting vaginities and vagitosis. She said that 10 - 20 years ago she didn't see this because women now have a high sugar diet, we're over cleansing and we wear tight synthetic fabrics. At the time, she was referring to the tight polyester thong. As the pelvis moves, the thong moves from back to front as you walk and it relocates microscopic bacteria.

I'm here in Bend, Oregon, home of the most fit human beings - and I will be heading to the gym and am already in my active clothes. Everyone runs around with kinseology tape because we're home to some of the best runners and it's all about active leisure. I walk a fine line, because I wear all of this stuff but then I have to also tout the fact that I am here for one thing only - vulva and vaginal health.

AM: We love wearing the gear when we're running errands or hitting our studio fitness centers. Various workouts put you in more contact with bikes and other apparatuses.

SL: You hit it right on the head. I found this because I had a light bulb moment after this strange week of hearing from women. My background comes from spending 20 years in the ski industry. I came up with the idea 7 years ago and we launched 4 years ago. All my ski industry buddies now joke that I used to talk verticals and now I talk vagina! I always joke that I wished it had been something in the wine industry but you can't pick your lightbulb moments.

Parabens actually do their job as they keep bacteria from growing in our products. Many times, the bacteria is worse then the parabens. My semi-business partner who is a retired gynecologist, she figures out that the parabens' fragrance is the worst chemical of them all. We run into problems when we layer this stuff on everyday. So think about your makeup, skincare, hair products etc - it's not just one product that we're using but the culmination of the mass use.

I had never used any wipes before. Years ago,  I did a long backpacking trip in Nepal which meant being out there for weeks without showering. So I thought I would use a feinine wipe and I literally used one and immediately got a rash! I threw them out.

So the wipes were created as I love to travel and have a gypsy soul and needed something for those times. The other products are for the shower obviously. What I like to say is that my gynecologist and partner says that we should all be washing with water, but the vulva has a lot of sweat glands and creates a lot of heat. When you are sweaty, you need to remove the sweat as that is where the bacteria grows.

So if you are working out, you have to do a little more then just water and this is the healthiest option out there.

AM: What is pH and what is the best range?

SL: pH is the alkalenity of the vagina. The big thing here is, I spend much of my day educating people on the difference between the vagina and the vulva.
 
The vagina is all the inside bits. It's a self cleaning oven, we leave it alone and don't need to touch it. It's really similar to the inside of the nose (we wash our faces but not the inside of our noses). You wash your vulva. So it's the vagina's pH that is the whole key to keeping everything happy. If you can keep the pH of the vagina in a certain range - it keeps it at its age appropriate acidic environment.

I say age appropriatebecause it changes. We're very alkaline as little girls and then when our periods start, we drop to a very acid state sometimes as low as 4.2/4.3. That acidity goes up and down everyday based on our thyroids, hormones, stress levels, what we have eaten etc. The pH can change without our massive intervention by messing it up with soap and other things like that. Periods really can kick off the alkaline and some people receive yeast infections at that time because during menses the pH can rise. As she goes into menopause, the acidity starts to climb and she will go from the low 3s to the low 5s. 7 is right down the middle (it goes from 0 - 14). So if you think about it this way, the vagina's acid environment is there as a protective barrier. The bacteria can't multiply in this environment so it is brilliant by design. It's there because the neanderthal gal was getting bread and she was protected by her acid environment. The key is to keep it as acidic as possible and it is affected by dozens of things. We can control it by our diet, exercise, what we wear and how we cleanse ourselves.

AM: Will there be additional products?

SL: These products are the core and I have 3 products that are in development now in the hands of the coolest gal who really loves to work out! She's a Yale graduate and natural product chemist and she is the one that comes up with the formulas. She tests them and then we test them on friends and then perform stability tests, pH tests, paraben tests - and third party laboratory tests. These care products will be out late Spring '17. They are there to help women who have a few more issues. They are not FDA - they're really gentle and mild.

AM: Where is Happy HooHoo sold?

SL: Right now we're expanding within Whole Foods as we're in 5 regions currently. We're not in the NYC region just yet, but from Connecticut all the way to Maine. We have been expanding in the natural world. I love my products being sold in natural homeopathic clinics as it seems to be doing really well there. Since we're there, the doctors will say, we know you're using something more then just water and you can't talk many patients into just using water.

We're weeks away from launching our brand new Shopify website. So we've always been wholesale, pharmacy, etc but this is one of those products that women want to buy from the comfort of their home. We know that we do well on Amazon so we were like, ok if we're doing this well, we need to sell direct.

Anna Kaiser just called me up as she has our bottles in her gym shower. We did a trunk show with her last fall so we included the single wipes within her AKT in Motion Road Show swag bag. She's a big fan and she has that great A list clientele.

AM: Do you guys work with any charities?

SL: I don't have a direct charity but we do a lot of philanthropy. We work with #HappyPeriod, they do menstrual kitsfor homeless teens and women. We donated 20,000 wipes to Togo Africa for their Clitoral Mutalation Clinic. We work with a lot of homeless shelters!

See more from the Oct Issue

KOMBUCHA REVOLUTION

Whether you purchase your favorite Kombucha from your local Whole Foods, Farmer's Market or make it yourself, there has been an increase in demand of this beverage has taken with a wellness plan for your lifestyle. Stephen Lee, co-founder of Tazo Tea and the founder of Wonder Drink, created a book that looks at Kombucha as a lifestyle with over 75 recipes of homemade brews, elixirs, mixers and even sauces for meals.

In his own words, Stephen shares insight on what led him to creating this book and sharing the revolution with fans around the world. In addition, if you're looking for ways to infuse Kombucha in different ways, we have selected a recipe worth trying.

Kombucha. It’s been called the “elixir of life,” a cure-all that detoxifies the body, aids digestion, reenergizes the mind, and even helps reverse the symptoms of cancer. Drink several glasses of this fermented tea a day and, according to some, its healing properties will lower cholesterol, help with weight loss, reduce hot flashes, and create a general sense of well-being.

Its origins are shrouded in mystery. Two-thousand-year-old fables tell of exhausted warriors rejuvenating their weary bodies by drinking a fermented concoction infused with tea leaves. Even its name, pronounced com-BOO-cha, connotes something both alien and ancient. Nobody seems to know where it came from or how long it’s been around.

I discovered kombucha on one of my many tea-selling trips to Russia. I had been in the tea business for more than twenty years at the time, and while I had heard about this exotic tea drink called kombucha, I had never tasted it. One night I was having dinner with an associate at his St. Petersburg apartment. Peter lived with his mother—I knew her only as Mrs. Lisovski—and after a wonderful meal of borscht, piroshkies, and lots of pickled vegetables, I excused myself to use their loo. On my way down the narrow hall, I looked through an open door on my right and saw something strange.

There, on the nightstand next to Mrs. Lisovski’s bed, was a one-gallon jug of brownish liquid with cheesecloth stretched over the top. I felt ridiculously guilty peering into the bedroom of an eighty-year-old woman, but I couldn’t resist taking a closer look at that jar. Straining my eyes in the dim light, I saw something really odd. There was a pancake-sized gelatinous blob floating on top of the fluid.

When I returned to the kitchen, I admitted to Peter that I had looked into his mother’s bedroom, and then rather sheepishly asked what was in the glass jar. He laughed and then reached into the refrigerator. He pulled out a pitcher and poured us both aglass. “It’s kombucha. My mother calls it mushroom tea,” he told me.

When I tasted Mrs. Lisovski’s brew, I was amazed. There was effervescence to it—the lightly carbonated beverage tickled my tongue—with a tanginess that my taste buds told me was like an apple cider flavor. The finish was slightly acidic, yet the overall mouth feel was very pleasurable. I had never experienced anything like it.

I begged for the story behind this wonderful drink. Through Peter’s translation, Mrs. Lisovski related the story of how her great aunt from Siberia had passed down the recipe for her chainii grib. She received her “mother” culture in 1939 and had been making a batch every week since. I later did the math and marveled at the fact I was drinking batch number 2,860 of Mrs. Lisovski’s personal brew. What blew me away was before I left the apartment, the lovely little lady presented me with a peeled-off section of this grayish-white patty (think bottom half of a hamburger bun). I knew what it was (after all, I had spied it on her nightstand), but I didn’t know what I was supposed to do with it. Peter explained that it was common practice for anyone who made “mushroom tea”
to peel off the top layer of the “mother” and give it to a neighbor or friend so they could use it to make their own batch of kombucha.

GREEN PAPAYA SALAD

The two papayas commonly grown are red and yellow in color, but pick either early, and it’s called a green papaya. The unripe green fruit isn’t sweet; it is actually kind of sour, which works well with the tanginess of kombucha in this ultimately savory dish. Combine with tastes common to Thai cuisine— fish sauce, hot chiles, salt, sugar, and sour lime—and you have a bowlful of complex flavors sure to please as a precursor to dinner or as an entrée that can stand alone. If available, you can substitute fresh Thai chiles for the chili paste. Serves 4 to 6

1/2 cup plain kombucha
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons Thai or
Vietnamese fish sauce
1 tablespoon sambal olec chili paste
2 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 large green papaya, peeled and shredded or finely julienned
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped and toasted

Combine the kombucha, lime juice, fish sauce, sambal olec, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl and mix. Add the papaya, tomatoes, cilantro, and macadamia nuts and toss until well mixed.

CREDIT | Kombucha Revolution, by Stephen Lee and Ken Koopman (Ten Speed Press, 2014) PHOTOGRAPHY COPYRIGHT 2014 by Leo Gong

CONGRATULATIONS, CHICAGO CUBS

The Curse of the Billy Goat is over. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series in game 7 (8-7) against the Cleveland Indians - even with a mini rain delay. The team finally brought the trophy home for the first time since 1908! We know that the streets of Chicago are still in full swing with everyone converged at Wrigley Field.

THE ART OF THE SNACK: OATMEAL

TUSCAN BEAN AND KALE

Via Grainful

Ingredients:

Water
Kidney Beans
Garbanzo Beans
100% Whole Grain Steel Cut Oats (Gluten Free) Tomatoes
Kale
Tomato Paste
Onions
Garlic
Olive Oil
Salt
Granulated Garlic
Parsley
Oregano
Basil

Directions:

The Art of the Snack always looks at various treats that one can enjoy with shared ingredients and we include a recipe so you can make it yourself! But every now and then, it's nice to have something that is already made.We love that Grainful focuses on savory meals using Steel Cut Oatmeal. For our Gluten Free friends, this is a must to have in your freezer!

Simply follow the directions on the back of the box to heat this conveniently (and easily) in your microwave.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Lorie’s Mississippi Kitchen

MAPLE AND OAT BANANA ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Via Lorie's Mississippi Kitchen

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
3 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts
5 medium very ripe bananas, peeled and cut into small chunks and completely frozen
5 teaspoons maple syrup

Directions:

Heat butter and 1/2 cup maple syrup in a small sauce pan, whisking until melted and smooth. Place the oats and walnuts in a large mixing bowl. Add the maple syrup mixture and mix to evenly coat.  

Line two 8 x 8 inch square pans with foil letting foil hang over sides, then lightly spray with cooking spray.  Divide the oat mixture between the two pans, pressing firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan.  Freeze until very firm, about 3-4 hours in deep freeze.

Place the bananas in a food processor with 5 teaspoons maple syrup and process until smooth and creamy.

Immediately spread the banana ice cream evenly over one frozen oat layer.  Carefully lift the other frozen oat layer out of the pan by using the foil, then peel the foil off and place on top of the ice cream, pressing down slightly.  Freeze until firm.  Remove from pan using the foil to lift it out, then cut into bars quickly.

Tip: Peel very ripe bananas and freeze them on a baking sheet that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  When they are frozen they go into a ziplock bag to store in the freezer for smoothies or ice cream.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Vida Bienestar

AGUA DE AVENA

Via Vida Bienestar

Ingredients:

1 cup of oatmeal
1 green apple
1 tablespoon of flaxseed
2 cups water

Directions:

Cut the apple into cubes with the skin and seeds. Blend all ingredients.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Grainful.com

See more from the Oct Issue.

ATHLEISURE LIST: PHYSIQUE 57; NYC, HAMPTONS, BEVERLY HILLS, DUBAI + BANGKOK

Physique 57 is a boutique fitness studio that offers group fitness classes with its signature barre method. The first studio opened on East 57th Street in Manhattan with a signature class of 57 minutes, so it seemed like a perfect name.
 
Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi and Tanya Becker are the co-founders of Physique 57.  Jennifer came from a background on Wall Street and Tanya has always been a dancer and fitness instructor.  Physique 57 was born when Jennifer’s favorite studio, The Lotte Berk Method, announced it was closing its doors. Jennifer recruited Tanya, a beloved and leading Lotte Berk instructor and the two joined forces in an effort to reinvent the fitness industry.

Currently, Physique 57 has 8 locations – 4 in New York City, 1 in the Hamptons, 1 in Beverly Hills, and 2 internationally (Bangkok and Dubai).  It plans to continue expanding to various cities internationally.  In the meantime, anyone can access anytime and anywhere via our VOD platform.

All of the NYC studios have separate locker rooms for men and women with showers, towels, shower caps, hair dryers, brushes and all the essential (and not so essential) toiletries one would need to get ready for the day (specifically shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, deodorant, dry shampoo, hairspray, cotton swabs, etc).

Most Physique 57 locations have retail; they sell both branded merchandise as well as fitness and athleisure brands such as MICHI, Alo, and Spiritual Gangster.

All of the workouts are based on the essential principles of Physique 57: using your own bodyweight as resistance to target all the muscles in your body to the point of fatigue then stretch them for relief. The effective process, called Interval Overload, includes muscle-defining arm exercises, intense thigh and seat sequences, waist-chiseling ab moves, and fluid stretches. Each class blends the most effective elements of cardio, strength training, and stretching to sculpt your body and burn fat. Plus, workouts target all areas of the body, from head to toe, and all the small and large muscle groups in between, to get every inch cinched in just 57 minutes. No two classes are ever alike so you’ll never reach that dreaded fitness plateau. Expert and inspiring instructors make sure your form is correct so you're sure to get in the most effective, safe and challenging workout.
 
Special holiday classes and workshops are offered around the holidays. Some of these include a “Sizzle and Soothe” workshop around Thanksgiving and a “Barre Crawl” around St. Patrick’s Day. Plus special Black Friday promotions in both our studio and on VOD are offered to give our clients some extra motivation to stay committed during the festivities.

See more from the Oct Issue.

ATHLEISURE LIST: EAST END; SOUTHAMPTON + NYC

East End Row is a boutique rowing studio founded in Southampton NY.  The Hamptons is a region of Long Island that is colloquially referred to as “The East End,”  known for it’s world class beaches a perfect spot to conceive a fitness class based on a water rower.
 
East End Row was founded by husband and wife team, Liza and Alan Benson. Liza has been a boutique fitness addict since the late 90s. Liza introduced her husband, Alan, to her obsession and they both found rowing to be the most effective total body workout that treated their joints kindly!

Alan and Liza are joined by master instructor Jess Lynn who designed the unique program that focuses on rowing choreographed to music in “waves.”

Southampton’s premier rowing studio, is opening its first NYC location on Manhattan’s Upper East Sidein mid-October. East End Row launched on to the Southampton fitness scene in May of 2016 and quickly became one of the “hottest workouts in the Hamptons” according to the NY Observer and the “It” workout according to Beaches Magazine.

The first Manhattan outpost will be docked on East 74th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, just three blocks from the 6 train, making it a convenient fitness destination for more than just Upper East Side dwellers.

East End Row’s classes are conducted on The GX Water Rower, a high-end rowing machine outfitted with a water-filled flywheel.

The new studio will maintain the same high standards and amenities to which East End Row’s Southampton clientele has grown accustomed to including complimentary bottled water and fresh towels in a beautifully executed boutique studio setting. Their own high end apparel is also sold.

The East End Row method consists of an instructor led class on low-impact water rowers, incorporating weight-based strength training. This unique format choreographs traditional rowing pyramids to hit music – these “waves,” as they are known at East End Row, promise a heart pumping work-out.

See more from the Oct Issue.

WORK IT

Our fall style shoot took place at Aalto57 located on the UES. We had to find out what sets these units a part from others.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is the meaning behind Aalto57? 

AALTO57: The boutique rental building’s name—Manhattan’s prestigious 57th Street—its elegant design. Inspired by Alvar Aalto’s iconic vase, the tower’s sculptural architecture reflects classic concepts of design both inside and out. The curved silhouette is made from Italian glass and gives the 65-story tower a sculptural silhouette from every vantage point, and of course its location

AM: Tell us about the model unit's interiors

A57: (The 2-bed, 2-bath C line model unit) The unit was decorated by Eduardo Rodriguez, the principal of DSGNR, LLC. A Venezuelan native, Eduardo is a former Fashion Designer turned Interior Designer who has designed for television shows and commercials. His modern design style is minimalist with clean lines, bringing in color through furniture, accessories, paint and fabrics to reflect the owner's lifestyle and individuality.

AM: Tell us about the open floor plans in your units? 

A57: The 169 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences redefine luxury rentals with quality, condo-like finishes and high-end appliances. The spacious, open floorplans are complimented by 9-foot ceilings and curved-glass walls designed to flood the residences with natural sunlight. Residences on the ninth floor have private terraces, while a selection of additional units offer private balconies.

AM: Who are the creators/development team behind this property and when did it open? 

A57: World Wide Group and Rose Associates are the renowned New York real estate developers behind the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill  (SOM)-designed glass tower which opened its doors in August 2016.

AM: What amenities are offered? 

A57: Aalto57 sets itself apart from other rentals, and even many condos, due to the second-to-none elite services are offered at the building. It is one of the few rental buildings that will grant residents with exclusive access to the premier concierge and lifestyle management company Luxury Attaché. Residents will have their own onsite Attaché charged with providing them with customized and unprecedented experiences, such as move-in/out coordination, travel, event planning and gifting, and access to trusted child and pet care services. Additional building amenities include exclusive access to a landscaped terrace designed by Mathews Nielson Landscape Architects with a fire pit on the seventh floor, as well as a fitness center, resident’s lounge, business center and conference room, field house with a basketball court, kids playroom, Bosch washer dryers in every apartment, access to Spot 57 for pet care, bike room with a DIY tune-up station, onsite residential manager and a 24-hour doorman. 

AM: What is behind the design of the lobby? 

A57: An atmosphere of calm, comfort and style envelopes you from the moment you step into the SOM-designed lobby. One of the many stand-out elements in the lobby is a wall that is comprised of five glass panes with a banding of mirrors and frosted glass, which creates an abstract moment. The lobby also features a skylight that offers views straight up to the top of the building. 

AM: What are elements of note in the neighborhood that residents will enjoy from a culinary as well as a fitness perspective? 

A57: Aalto57 is located in Manhattan’s most elite Midtown neighborhood: Sutton Place. The area is a true dining mecca with opulent offerings such as Mr Chow, Betony and Le Cirque. The building is within walking distance to Central Park and the East River, popular fitness options such as Soul Cycle (located directly across the street) and Equinox, worldclass shopping destinations including Barneys New York and Bloomingdale's, and famous cultural institutions like MoMA and The Met. Residents can also enjoy the convenience of having a Whole Foods right next door!

ATHLEISURE LIST: ELEMENT FITNESS

Elements Fitness is a fitness, wellness and life style brand featuring boutique fitness studio locations, corporate and hospitality fitness activations, and on location small group and private training. The brand features a signature class series centered around functional training, barre, dance and hiit training that serves as the foundation for all of the fitness and wellness classes. While pulling together identity and messaging for the brand Andrea Hunsberger was looking for a name that would incorporate all aspects of a healthy, well balanced, rich lifestyle. In addition, the name Elements was also fitting because the idea behind each of the modalities that she teaches pull together all different parts of her training and career. She identifies as a Dancer, a Trainer, a Fit Fashion Lover, and Lifestyle guru, and the term Elements seemed fitting to represent the work that is done with her clients and the message of the brand. From theirBarre, Dance Fusion, HIIT, SUP, and SUP BARRE signature class series to their wellness boutique featuring Barre & SUP inspired Athletic and Athleisure wear, Elements is specific enough to deliver the brand message, and broad enough to cover our diversity.

Elements operates in The Hamptons, Manhattan, and South Florida, featuring our Flagship studio in East Hampton, In home private training & corporate wellness activations in Manhattan, and Pop up locations in Miami.

As the Founder, director, and head trainer at Elements, Andrea started the brand from inception in 2010, as a small private training and fitness consulting group and have grown into a large fitness wellness and life style brand. Having been in the industry for over 15 years she had a very specific vision of what she wanted and where she wanted it to go. She is a professional dancer, trainer, and has taught fitness and dance classes for high profile studios throughout Manhattan prior to starting Elements. She began teaching a survival job in between broadway gigs and then changed to her focus because of Andrea's passion and drive to create a successful meaning full brand and company.
 
Elements Fitness is currently located in East Hampton, and has private training and corporate wellness in Manhattan. Keep an eye out for Elements flagship in Manhattan in the near future, as well as pop up locations in Miami, London, and beyond.  

Elements Features is a three story facility featuring a large group fitness studio, lower level private training room and lounge, and a curated retail & wellness boutique. The studios feature Elements' signature wall mounted custom ballet barre system, sprung dance floor system, high ceilings and beautiful natural light. The retail boutique features a curated collection of luxury lifestyle, active and athleisure wear, an artisan tea collection and organic fragrances.

The elements lifestyle boutique features a curated collection of top brands such as Vimmia, Vie Active Wear, Prism Sport, Sondra Roberts handbags, Koral, Gracied by Grit and more.

Elements Fitness has a custom branded fitness tee that is powered by Phat Buddha, and features other emerging brands for trunk shows and events!

Elements Fitness offers Barre, Dance Fusion, HIIT, and SUP classes and feature a holiday inspired pre and post turkey burn! A HIGH INTENSITY fusion of strengthening and toning exercises perfect to pre burn or post burn before and after all of this delicious holiday meals.

PUT AN END TO SEX TRAFFICKING

Athleisure Mag proudly supports SOLD in efforts to help stop children sex trafficking.
 
The story of one brave thirteen-year old Nepalese girl who dreams of buying a tin roof for her family home, only to be tricked and taken to a prison brothel in India where she is coerced into bonded sexual slavery. Despite conditions, her will is never broken. Gradually, she builds friendships and trust with others, creating a new family, while secretly planning her escape. Grounded in hope and the resilience of the human spirit, the film rouses feelings of outrage and inspires action.  

ATHLEISURE MAG: What led you to begin the project and mission? (tell us more about the book by Patricia McCormick)?

JEFFREY D. BROWN: My father is a pediatrician who worked in refugee camps most of his career helping children in dire circumstances in Haiti, Somalia, Biafra, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sorevjo, and many other countries.

I wanted to make a film that could drive a campaign to help real children.  When I read SOLD in one sitting 10 years ago, I knew I had found the vehicle I was looking for.

AM: Who else joined forces to get the film made?

JDB: Jane Charles was the first call I made and she read the book and came on board immediately.  Together we raised the funds to get the film made and distributed and now we are raising the funds to continue our campaign across the world. We made SOLD as a tool for change, and everyone can be part of it by bringing SOLD to your community, church group, college, high school or corporation.  We created two versions of the film for this purpose - the full length version which has opened in 9 film festivals, won 4 audience awards and two Jury Awards and a shorter 50 min version which is rated PG-13 for high schools and corporations.  If you go to www.soldthemovie you can request a screening there.

AM: Tell us about the film? How is it a call-to-action and what light does it shed about human spirit?

JDB: The film, ike the book, is in a first person account.  We put you in the shoes of one amazing girl who we follow as she is tricked and trafficked.  By telling one girl's story - we tell the story of the 5.5 million children who are trafficked every year. Statistics go into your head - SOLD goes straight into your heart.  

When you learn first hand what is happening - you have to then do something about it. The Taught Not Trafficked campaign gives our audience a way to become part of the solution. Along with our many partner organizations we are re-building schools in Nepal destroyed in the earthquake. If you can keep a child in school until they are 16 years old, their chances of getting trafficked drop 80%. We are bringing vocational training and healing to children who were trafficked.  And we are building safe houses to get the children of sex workers out of brothels before they are forced into the work their mothers do- so we are interrupting second generation trafficking.

AM: What personal lessons and growth have you seen over the course of doing the film and project?

JDB: Making this film and waging this campaign has personally made me much stronger.  We have encountered all kinds of tests and challenges.  It has affirmed my faith that nothing succeeds like patience and any time not spent on love is wasted.  I have described this journey as a long and winding walk on red hot coals.  You have two choices- keep going and trust or get off.  Jane and I have kept going because in meeting thousands of girls who were trafficked- we now must make a difference in their lives.

AM: What were the first steps to action (and what were difficult obstacles to get going)?

JDB: We went to India and made a trailer before we made the film. We did this incredibly inexpensively to give people a feel for what we were aiming to create. It still took 2 years to raise our funds. It also took 6 months to find the lead Niyar who is just amazing. We saw over 1000 girls before she was cast.

AM: What went into the casting process and tell us about some of the amazing talent in the film?

JDB: Tess Joseph in Mumbai was our casting agent and she found amazing talent for us.  There are so many wonderful, well trained actors in India. Sushmita Mukerjee who plays the iron fisted brothel madam - auditioned for us- she is famous in India and had never auditioned for anything.  She is an amazing TV star.  She rented a long wig and just nailed the part in her audition. She is funny and scary and unpredicatable. The other amazing cast includes Gillian Anderson from X- Files and David Arquette from Scream - both were friends of mine.  From India we have many award winning cast members: Tillotama Shome (Monsoon Wedding) Seema Biswas (Water, Midnight's Children) Ankur Vikal (Slumdog Millionaire) Parambrata Chatterjee (Kaahani).  But the most incredible performance is from Niyar Saikia who plays the lead - Lakshmi.

AM: How many schools have been rebuilt so far and what are short and longer term goals? Tell us more about the educational awareness and boarding facilities programs.

JDB: So far, with Childreach International and the #TaughtNotTrafficked campaign we have re-built 90 classrooms.  We will build another 200 in the Spring when SOLD goes out to 40 UK Universities.

32,000 classrooms were destroyed in the earth quakes, that is 5,000 schools leaving over a million children with no schools to attend.  They are now 300% more likely to get trafficked then they were when they were attending school.

We are also with Arto of Living's Care For Children Initiaitive, using SOLD to raise funds to build 10 boarding safe houses for children of sex workers. If we can get thousands of children out of the brothels before they are forced into prostitution at age 13- things will change.

We are bringing vocational training with Build A Nest and healing with iRest training from the iRest Institute.  Initially we are bringing this to survivors at 5 NGO's and also to three businesses which employ survivors. With vocational training the girls who were trafficked can earn their own way. Sadly, most of them cannot go home because of the shame and stigma.  Our long term goal is to prove this vocational training and healing work and spread it to the 50 other NGO's in India and to all NGO's with survivors in Nepal as well.

AM: Where can we see the film and what is the present campaign?

JDB: If you go to www.soldthemovie.com,  there are buttons to click there with links to bringing the film to your community or school.

If you go to our website and click on Take Action - there is a host of things you can do to become part of the solution including shopping from survivor made products like clothing and jewelry. All of what you purchase supports survivors and 15% of sales that go through our website support the #TaughtNotTrafficked campaign.

It will take hundreds of people working together to make change. Together we can do it.

AM: How can people help?

JDB: Arrange to see SOLD in your church, school, rotary club, club or corporation and support the #TaughtNotTrafficked campaign.  

Bring others to this issue by showing SOLD. After the screening unite the audience together with a pledge to make change. Funds are needed for local and international non-profits who are dedicated to making a difference.  Our supporters started StolenYouth.org in Seattle and have made huge changes there.  We have a downloadable PDF called Circles of Change- which shows how to start an organization like that which simply raises funds each year for existing organizations in Seattle to help them scale up.

ATHLEISURE LIST: SIN WORKOUTS

SIN, standing for Strength In Numbers, is an industry leading Fitness Concierge service that launched in 2012 in Manhattan Today SIN Workouts is servicing clients in major US cities and abroad assisting in client training scheduling, program design and bookings at boutique fitness studios.
 
Founded by Vanessa Martin, CEO. Vanessa got her start in the NYC fitness scene after graduating from The University of Tampa and moving to New York to begin her career with a Residential Design and Management Firm. During her time as an acting Director for this company, Martin took it upon herself to introduce the concept of the boutique fitness industry that was on the rise to these projects in the residential space. Vanessa began to take multiple classes a day at leading studios and soon understood the phenomenon of boutique fitness. She recognized niche opportunity in this industry on the customer service front and organically grew SIN Workouts to what it is today.

Currently, SIN Workouts does not have a physical location in which clients are trained. SIN partners with existing studios and training facilities to send their members to. These services take place in New York City, The Hamptons, Miami, Boston, Chicago, LA and oversees.
 
SIN Workouts sends clients to an areas most elite fitness studios. At these locations clients have juice bar options for pre and post recovery shakes, name brand toiletries and exceptional upkeep of the clubs. They also have an apparel line. The beauty behind what is offered through their Fitness Concierge services is that each individuals program is customized specifically for them. Since SIN partners with many studios and training facilities, we are able to schedule clients with an incredibly diverse fitness program ranging from Bootcamps, Indoor Cycling, HIIT training, Yoga, etc! As a company, they also host special event classes and workouts throughout the year, known as signature SIN CRAWL that takes place on the West Side Highway Pier in the Fall.

ATHLEISURE BEAUTY

MAI COUTURE

SWEAT COSMETICS

MILK MAKEUP

| MAI COUTURE Blush Papier | SWEAT COSMETICS Skin Balancing Cleansing Wipes | MILK MAKEUP Eye Marker |

See more from the Sept Issue

ART OF THE SNACK: CHAI

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BUTTERCREAM CHANTILLY

CHAI TEA FUDGE

Yields 36 Squares

Ingredients:

Chai tea syrup / concentrate:

1 Liter / 4 cups water
3 sticks cinnamon
10 cardamom pods, crushed
10 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns
1 inch section of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
1 vanilla bean, split in half
10 tsp black tea or10 bags
240g / /1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

Put all of the spices in one large tea filter bagand tie it shut with kitchen twine.  The samecan be done with the tea in another filter. If you use teabags don’t forget to take the labels off. You can use a cheesecloth square section as well, or you can just add your spices to the waterand strain them out later.

Bring the water to a boil in a large pot.

Add tea and spices. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20/25 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat.

If you are using tea filter bags or cheesecloth and tea bags, just take them off the water. (If not strain concentrate and pour it back into the pot.)

Add brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir well to dissolve and bring toa boil.

Reduce heat toa simmer.

Continue simmering,uncovered, until the liquid reduces to a syrup, approximately 1 cup.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes then pour the syrup into a sterilised bottle/jar.

Store in the fridge.

Chai Spice Mix:

1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
2 tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp vanilla powder (or one vanilla pod gratted)

Steps:

Mix all the spices in a small jar.

Store in the fridge.

Ingredients:

396g / 14 oz /  1 can condensed milk
56 g /  2 oz /  1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 pinch salt
425g / 15 oz /  2 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
3 tsp Chai spices
2 Tbsp Chai Tea Syrup

Directions:

Line an 8×8 inch (20cmx20cm) pan with parchment paper (leaving a 2-inch /5 cm overhang on two sides).

In a large microwave safe bowl combine condensed milk , butterand salt.

Microwave on high for 3 minutes. It will be very bubbly.

Add the white chocolates chips.

Stir well until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is really smooth.

Add the Chai spices and Chai tea syrup. Mix one more time and freeze until completely set.

Lift bars from pan and cut into36 squares.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SWEET BOAKE

CHAI SPICED MACARONS

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup ground almonds
1/4 cup corn starch
2 tbspground chai tea
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 pinch cayenne pepper

Beat the butter until fluffy.

Add the icing sugar, beat until incorporated.

Add one ingredient at a time, add the ground almonds, corn starch and ground chai.

After each addition, scrape down the sides and mix thoroughly.

Lastly, add the spices and vanilla and mix.

Transfer into a small pastry bag fitted with a round tip and pipe a dollop onto half of the macaron shells.

Sandwich two of the shells together and slightly squeeze.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH HEARTS

NO COOK CHAI ICE CREAM

SERVES 2

Ingredients:

1/2 cup whole milk
6 scoops Trader Joe’s Spicy Chai Tea Latte Mix
half and half (about 1/2 cup)
3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

Heat up the ½ cup whole milk in a microwave proof measuring cup (the flex-it ones are my favorite for liquids) until is warm and just before boiling. Add 6 scoops of the chai mix and stir until the mix completely dissolves. Top it off with half and half until there are 1 ½ cups of liquid. Place the mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes so it can cool.

Whisk together the chai mixture, heavy cream and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into a running ice cream maker and run it according to the manufacture’s directions. I recommend tasting the mixture before pouring it into the ice cream machine. Since the Trader Joe’s chai mix already has sugar in it, I chose not to add any, but you may want to add 2 tablespoons of sugar to make it a bit sweeter.

If you’re using the Cuisinart one, like mine, I recommend running it for 20-25 minutes. Any longer and the ice cream will overflow. Once it’s churned, spread the ice cream in an air tight ice cream container (this one is my favorite because you get perfectly round scoops) and put it in the freezer overnight. Then it’s ready to be enjoyed tomorrow!

See more from the Sept issue.

ATHLEISURE HOUSE NYFW SS/17

Earlier this month, Athleisure Mag presented its first event during NYFW with ATHLEISURE HOUSE, a fitness, fashion and branded showcase event. We showcased: HOM, a mens underwear and activewear line (this show was paired shoes by Sand by Saya as well as Pikolinos), Maaji Swimwear, a vibrant swim line (paired with feather accessories by SoundChick Accessories, gold jewelry from Kemi Designs, shoes by Sand and Saya as well as Yosi Samra), and pool floats by Big Mouth Inc),  and Noli Yoga, a NYC based activewear line (with accessories from Misfit, Apple Watch, Yosi Samra, and Sand by Saya)  which took place in a private luxury residential property, 535 W 43rd St, in Hell's Kitchen.

Our event was supported by a number of partners including: TRULY Spiked Sparkling Water, JUST WATER, Maple Water, Bai, Truth Bars, Macro Bars and Organic Gemini. Guests enjoyed a lifestyle curated bag filled with Nature Republic, Trilogy, Victorinox Swiss Army, The Green Blender - placed in a Quilted Koala market tote.

For the backstage, a number of our food and beverage sponsors were enjoyed by our models and creative team members. Our Official Makeup Sponsor was Eve Pearl which created 3 great looks to showcase the lifestyle of each of the lines that were presented.

To the right, you can find out more about our teams and brands featured within this immersive event during fashion's biggest week.

ATHLEISURE HOUSE CREDITS

| MENSWEAR SHOW Hom | FOOTWEAR Pikolinos, Sand by Saya | ACCESSORIES Sand by Saya |

| SWIM SHOW Maaji Swimwear | FOOTWEAR Yosi Samra, Sand by Saya | GOLD ACCESSORIES Kemi Designs| FEATHER ACCESSORIES SoundChick Accessories | WEARABLE ACCESSORIES Misfit |

| YOGA SHOW Noli Yoga | FOOTWEAR Yosi Samra + Sand by Saya | ACCESSORIES SoundChick Accessories, Quilted Koala | WEARABLE ACCESSORIES Apple Watch, Misfit |

| MAKEUP LEAD Nydia Figueroa | MAKEUP KEY ASSISTANT Kat Osorio | MUA TEAM Angelica Alberti, Agnes Barnet, Sasha Dalger, Lorena Ferreira, Auralis Flores, Jordan Norberto, Hadar Sagi, Aleck Zajac | HAIRSTYLE LEAD Brooke Bogle | HAIRSTYLE TEAM Saidy Cepeda-Criado, Lea DeLoy, Diva LaSha |

| ATHLEISURE HOUSE ASSISTANT Christina Sanchez |

| PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY Paul Farkas |

| MODELS | MSA Callie G, Deandra, Johanna, Julie D, Taylor, Becky B, Jordan | COUTURE MODELS Jessy L, Lauren A | TRUE MODEL Nicholas, Oheni Morris, Christian, Lance| Vicky, Margo, Fazon Gray |

See more from the Sept Issue.

FALL SKIN

With the summer coming to an end, we're starting to navigate back towards our Pumpkin Latte and favorite boots. Amidst our style and culinary transitions, we begin to think about our skin and how we can protect it to maintain that healthy glow. We chatted with Dr. Janet Prystowsky about this very topic to let you know about what you need to do to be prepared for this season!

ATHLEISURE MAG: How does skin change from the Summer season to the Fall season?

DR. JANET PRYSTOWSKY: Humidity levels change between warm and cold months, so that’s going to impact the kinds of skincare products you need to use. Moving into Fall, it’s time to start up a consistent moisturizing routine to keep your skin hydrated. Otherwise your skin can become dull and dry.

AM:  What can be done to ensure that the skin has enough moisture (ie drinking water, certain nutrients one can have within the body)?

DR. JP: Staying well hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet will definitely be reflected in your skin. This is more of a lifestyle tip than a quick tip though. One apple or donut won’t immediately make your skin better or worse.
 
AM: When showering, what temperature should water be set at for the best way to cleanse the skin without damaging it?

DR. JP: Don’t take hot showers! Hot showers may feel nice and hydrating, but they actually cause evaporation of water from your skin by melting off your own natural moisturizing oils, thereby drying you out. Opt for a warm shower every time. Also, a little soap can go a long way. Using too much soap can wash off your body’s natural, and protective oils. If you use a washcloth, you’re almost certainly rubbing off your body’s natural oils. Try ditching the washcloth, using less soap, or using a gentler soap if you have dry skin issues. I’ve recommended Dove gentle cleansing bars to my patients for years, and recently started working with the brand. If you still have dry skin issues, use a body oil right after you get out of the shower. I’m a fan of body oils with vitamin E.

AM: If you have chapped lips, what is the body telling you and how can we treat as well as eliminate this?

DR. JP: If your lips are chapped, they are probably dry and irritated. If you frequently use lip balms or are constantly licking your lips, stop! You’re only going to make your lips more chapped. Go to your local pharmacy and pick up a small tube of Aquaphor. It’s great for lips and other chapped skin too. Just wipe or blot off the excess if you use too much.

AM: Dry/Ashy skin is always annoying, how can we treat this to ensure that we don't see this?

DR. JP: Use a moisturizer with vitamins and essential oils. There are certain vitamins, like vitamins A and D, that are naturally found in your skin. I like to call them bioidentical vitamins. By providing your skin with those same vitamins, I think you’re giving your skin its best chance to stay hydrated and soft. I made my own moisturizer that you can find on my site. It has three essential oils and three bioidentical vitamins. We just finished a consumer perception study where 100% of the participants said our cream hydrated and nourished their skin.We’re coming out with a complexion cream, cuticle cream, anti aging cream, and after sun cream too if you’d like to try them when they come out as well!
 
AM: What lotions, balms, salves, etc do you suggest for us to have on hand as we transition into fall?

DR. JP: Besides my moisturizer, I recommend buying a gentle bar cleanser like Dove’s. I also recommend buying a body oil for right after the shower in the morning. Also Aquaphor for your lips. I think skincare should be simple and easy. Less is more.

AM: Lightweight lotions, water based lotions, rich creams - tell us what we need to know about these and how it works within our skincare and when/how they should be used?

DR. JP: Lightweight lotions are for late Spring to early Fall. There’s not much reason to bog down your skin with a heavy cream during the warmest, most humid time of the year. During the late Fall through early Spring, I absolutely recommend a richer cream. We all need something during the Winter that can combat the icy wind and office heaters that take out our skin’s moisture.

AM: Are there certain skin areas that need to be treated differently than other areas ie softer skin (like underarms)?

DR. JP: More often than not you’ll be O.K. treating your skin the same way across the board. If you notice any areas that need a little more tender love and care though, there’s probably a specific way to treat it! Dry cracked feet, itchy scalps, irritated inner thighs, and ashy elbows all can be nuisances, that vary case by case.  Consult with your skincare expert, i.e. your dermatologist.
 
AM:  What are your thoughts on Skin Masks - how often should they be done and what are your thoughts on foot masks that peel layers of your skin off days after applying the booties?

DR. JP: I don’t recommend skin masks. I’m not convinced that they are any more efficient than other moisturizers at rehydrating skin. I especially do not recommend DIY face masks. It’s difficult to know how fresh your ingredients are and how your skin may react. Allergic reactions are common! I wouldn’t recommend using foot masks that peel layers of your skin. If you’re interested in chemical peels, I recommend consulting a dermatologist. While there are over-the-counter products that are considered safe, it’s always best to have a trained professional take the helm when skin peeling chemicals are involved.
 
AM: How can we maintain glowing fall skin?

DR JP: Establish a solid moisturizing and cleansing routine. Cleanse just enough to feel clean in the morning and wipe off your makeup at night. Aggressive cleansing with hot water is an easy way to strip away your natural oils and dry your skin out, and dry skin isn’t as healthy as hydrated skin. Other than that, keep your skin well hydrated with moisturizers. 

See more from Sept Issue.

CALIFORNIA STRONG

Earlier this year, we interviewed one half of Team USA'S women's volleyball team member, Kerri Walsh-Jennings. In this month's issue we sat down with Cali girl, April Ross (this duo took Bronze home) to talk about the importance of safe sun, especially as it pertains to eye health and her partnership with Xperio UV, training for Rio, dancing with Kerri, what she's up to off the court and the beauty of being strong and how important that is for women!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is Xperio UV eyewear?

XPERIO UV: Xperio UV is a polarized lens brand that you can get it in your prescription or you can get it in non-prescription. We have a lot of cool colors that you can choose in either solid, gradient or mirror.

The lenses can go in any frames. We have mirror, plum with a silver mirror on top - there are a lot of combinations on top. There are so many colors that allow you to rock your look.

AM: How long has the brand been around?

X UV: The brand is new, but the company itself has been around for over 100 years and is headquartered in France. In terms of this brand, the good thing is that they are polarized lenses, but on top of that they have maximum UV protection as it is on the front and on the back of the lens. A lot of times, you don't think of the fact that the back of the lens has rays coming from the opposite direction which bounces into your eyes. They are also scratch resistant, which we put our sunglasses in our bags without the cases. They are also very easy to clean as well.

AM: So April, you wear the lenses.

APRIL ROSS: Yes, I wear them for protection as she said. Because of the polarization as it makes whatever I am seeing - super clear - especially when I am playing volleyball.

AM: How vital is sun protection for you especially when you're on the court?

AR: The first 2 years that I played, it wasn't really something that I thought about that much! I didn't wear a hat a lot of times I didn't wear sunglasses, and I feel that I kind of paid the price for that I played in some really hot places. Ever since then, I definitely upped my suncare game. I think that I have improved the quality of sunscreen I use and I make sure that I always have zinc oxide (editors note: this is identified as a physical sunscreen that is made of natural elements found on the earth, and are said to “block” or “scatter” UV rays so they don't penetrate the skin in the first place. Zinc Oxide has more broad-spectrum protection and lacks hormone-disrupting effects on my skin). I always wear glasses with UV protected lenses 100% and I always wear a visor all the time. Even when I'm not playing, I'm always wearing sunglasses and a hat - even when I am driving. Sun gets in through the windshield and can damage your skin as the UV rays come in since you are in the sun driving. I feel like I have it down now!

AM: What's the difference between the shades you were for volleyball and the ones that you wear off the court?

AR: The ones on the court are very performance oriented. I sweat a lot so I have to have rubber on the frames so that they don't fall off of my face - it's my number 1 thing besides the lenses being polarized. I think it makes the image so much clearer. Off the court, I'm a huge sunglass fan - it's a huge part of my personality. You can use it to show who you are. I like to do something different and I never buy the same pair!

AM: How many sunglasses do you own - we have a feeling it is going to be a big number!

AR: I don't know the actual number. The sad thing is I go through them quickly. I horde them and then I leave them places. So I'm always needing new pairs of sunglasses and it's a really bad habit of mine. I love them so much - so I find a pair, I buy them and then I lose them!

AM: What are your must haves to wear on the court and then what do you wear when you're going out to brunch with friends?

PHOTO COURTESY WANG/HAOFEI/XINHUA/ALAMY LIVE NEWS

AR: Must haves on the court - I always compete in my Mizuno bikini and then sunglasses, and a hat. I really love the suit we wore at the Olympics with the high cut as I am a huge fan of the high cut bikinis - I like the way it looks and it's full coverage so you don't have to worry about it. Purple is my favorite bikini color to wear. I feel like it is feminine and powerful at the same time. I call it my power color as I love purple. Off the court for brunch and stuff, I'm super casual. I like to be feminine as I feel that as an athlete I'm so aggro all the time. I'm always in performance gear so I like to have frills and lace and flowy stuff. I'm almost always in jean shorts, but I'll have a flowy flower top and sandals.

AM: How did you prepare for Rio and how was it having a different partner as well?

AR: Preparing for Rio was one of the most intense experiences in life. My team with Kerri was all encompassing. We trained really, really hard as our coach Mario Sicoli had a very clear progression for us, and we stepped to that and we trusted him 100%. So everyday at practice was really tough. We had a sports psychologist that we worked with, which I hadn't done before. That was big! We added in a lot of meditation and visualization and had a ton of help with physical therapy. I felt the best that I have ever felt this year because of all of that support. But it was a 24/7 job that you never stopped thinking of it. When we got together 3.5 years ago, it wasn't like that - it was more like, let's see how this goes.

AM: That's what Kerri told us ...

AR: Yeah, we just said, let's just get on the court and do the best that we can and slowly it became more and more detailed. By the end, it was all-day every day on how we could perform the best that we could in Rio.

AM: All of that effort paid off as you guys looked so in sync watching you in Rio!

AR: We felt so in-sync. We felt it, it was crazy! From the first time, that we got on the court, I thought that we played well and had rhythm so the amount that we grew from that point astonished me. By the time we got to Rio, we were in each other's heads and we could flow together - we call it "dancing" and we danced together really well there. Then right after Rio ,we played together in the Long Beach World Series Beach Volleyball.

AM: We saw that and had no idea that your season continued on after the games!

AR: I was like, what are we doing still playing volleyball - but it was so mindless at that point and we just played together so well that we just breezed through that tournament. But yeah, it's super sad to me that it's over as our last tournament ended last weekend and we've played so well and worked so hard to get to this point, like I just want to keep playing. I'm bummed that it's over, but I'm really proud of the point we got to and how we played in Rio.

AM: Now will you guys continue on as partners when the season starts again?

AR: I am gong to try to start a family with my husband. As an Olympic athlete you have to base it on the quad and so if I can have a baby as early as possible in the quad that works the best, I might have to miss next season, but then the plan is to come back and qualify for the next one. If it doesn't happen according to plan, then I would end up playing next year and I'll play with Kerri.

AM: What do you do now that you're off for the season - what do you indulge in and what do you get back into doing?

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EUGENE DELUCIE

AR: I travel a lot, which is crazy because I do it a lot for my job as well. Honestly, I book as many trips as I possibly can. It's tempting to stay home, but when I do I get antsy.

Especially if it's not a purpose and I'm not training - I'm like what am I doing here? Any opportunity that comes up I am prone to say yes to. So we're going to visit President Obama this month with the whole team, throwing out the first pitch for the Angels, going to Vegas for a weekend, a trip to Italy and Germany to see friends that I have who are playing over there, I'm going to Mexico with a company called South of the Border Volleyball Vacations where volleyball fans go down and play and they bring in pros to hang out. I'm then going to Montana for a week after that for Thanksgiving and then onto Hawaii with my friend after that. It's super busy, lots of traveling and I like to have fun!

AM: How do you stay balanced and give yourself enough time that you need?

AR: I focus on what feels good to me and I don't know, if it's balanced but for me, it's what works. Like during the season and leading up to Rio the balance was off because I was training so hard and it was all about volleyball and now I feel like the balance will go in the other direction and that I will have too much fun because I am traveling too much. It will be hard for me to get into the gym and stay in shape because I definitely want to stay in shape for sure and eat healthy. When I was leading up to Rio, I didn't feel like hanging out with my friends or doing fun things and it's just understanding that being tired isn't an excuse to shirk on the balance in your life. Now that I am traveling a lot - last night I didn't want to go and workout but you're just tired - it's not like it's a death sentence. Just go and get it done. It's do what you know you should do. If you can be aware of that, it's a good way to keep balance in your life.

AM: What were your workouts like for Rio and what are they like for maintenance?

AR: Leading up to Rio it was very strength-based for explosive-minded speed and agility. It was hours and hours and hours of time spent in the gym every week. And now, I'm shifting to more cardio based. In between cardio - higher reps, lower weights for circuit workouts. You warm up and then do the circuits with lower weight higher reps and I end with running for about 20 minutes or so. I think that's a great balanced workout that's not killer and doesn't deter me from doing it. There are enough variations in the weights to keep it fresh and then I want to get inot pilates as I haven't done it and that's a goal.

AM: We loved your comments in ESPN's Body Issue about strong versus skinny.

AR: I think that being strong is more important then being skinny. If you focus on being strong, you're going to have a fit body type. Mentally, it makes us feel stronger as a person and I think it just makes us feel better.

For me, if I'm not strong, I ache a lot more. My back hurts, my knees hurt and I get tired more easily. The whole package of being strong makes you feel better about yourself and physically. Being skinny is all about deprivation and denying yourself and not living life, to the fullest. You need to be able to indulge when you're eating and enjoy food and then focus on getting in the gym, sweating and getting those endorphins going. It's a much better lifestyle that promotes health as opposed to focusing on skinny. And I think that it (being strong) looks better. I think that looks are the last thing you should worry about, but it makes you feel healthier I think.

AM: How did April Ross and Xperio, come together in this partnership?

AR: For me, it was a no-brainer. I wear sunglasses all the time and their product is one of the best. It goes along with a healthy lifestyle and you have to protect your eyes. They have the best protection and performance wise the quality is very good for vision and clarity. They are launching a new program, All day Coverage when Exposed to Sun (A.C.E.S.) for that awareness. I like that and I like to have a bigger cause than just wearing a product. That was a big thing for me too.

Find out more about A.C.E.S., All day Coverage when Exposed to Sun and how you can support positive eye health.

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ALEX AND ANI

Accessories tell a story and the story is one that tends to combine the designer’s vision, his/her background, the pieces themselves and how the wearer embraces it within their lives. The story of ALEX AND ANI is no different. Carolyn Rafaelian serves as the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Creative Office.

She has created an accessory brand that illustrates the way that empowerment, storytelling, authenticity and connecting humanity come together. She creates each piece within this coveted line, that is worn by athletes, celebrities, an influencers. The eco-conscious line that utilizes recycled materials that are processed ethically, was created in 2004 in the basement of Carolyn’s father’s factory in Cranston, Rhode Island (interestingly enough, her vivid memories are growing up within the jewelry business as her father used to make American Flag pins during the Vietnam War).

In addition to being a brand that is Made in America, she is proud that her business has grown exponentially from 25 employees to well over 1,000 people (which she views as her tribe) – some having started from the very beginning. Her belief in a healthy work-life balance is demonstrated within her Rhode Island headquarters that has a subsidized café, which has local and organic foods available. In addition to retaining great staff, her commitment as a philanthropist is evident as ALEX AND ANI- has provided well over $30 Million to organizations locally and internationally to continue the concept of Doing Good.

There are a number of areas where the success of Alex and Ani can be seen with nearly 60 retail stores, over 1800 external retailers, boutiques, etc. These environments are not just points of sale, but places where customers can share their journey through jewelry by connecting in a meaningful way through the product as a story. The brand has instilled a movement towards compassion, as well as individuality, through its themed collections as well as symbolism that is used.

The success of the brand has everything to with Carolyn who is led by a commitment that is filled with purpose that allows her to clearly connect to her vision and to optimize the brand as she sees fit. She also believes in enriching those who work with her, who are dedicated and instrumental in carrying out her needs for the brand.

ALEX AND ANI has a number of partnerships with an array of national sporting organizations, the Olympics, but it is her focus on redefining corporate-giving through CHARITY BY DESIGN that allows a unique way to impact giving back to others through her jewelry via over 550 charities. In her way, she feels that this brings communities together and creates a sense of consciousness and empathy.

With so many fundamentals of the brand, it’s easy to see how she creates a narrative that is welcoming to her customers. Earlier this month, ALEX AND ANI unveiled and exclusive jewelry collection that incorporates original copper that was preserved from the Statue of Liberty National Monument, which inspires the world to Carry Light. This copper is a part of a centennial restoration partnership with the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc, and includes 26 pieces. The pieces are an exact replica of Lady Liberty’s torch that are made from her preserved copper.

From 1984 – 1986, the Statue of Liberty had its stainless steel armature bars replace the original, iron frame and copper supports. This copper, was preserved at that time. “The biggest honor of my life is to take her message and make it literally, physically attached to each and every one of us. LIBERTY ENLIGHTENING THE WORLD. That’s who she is. She holds the torch to light our path,” said Carolyn.

Via ALEX AND ANI’s social, you may have noticed the #CARRYLIGHT hashtag, which encourages followers to be inspired by Lady Liberty and to see how they bring light into the world. They are asked what do you CARRY LIGHT for – whether this is a passion, a cause, friends, family etc. Those who purchase this collection receive the signature meaning card that accompanies each LIBERTY COPPER collection which states, “Bearing her torch … we welcome Lady Liberty’s movement of light and hope. When we CARRY LIGHT, we ignite the light in others, and create one light indivisible.” This collection supports the work of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.

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PUMPKIN BEAUTY

Around Athleisure, we love the fall season - there's a mix of warm weaher as well as crisp cool weather. For this month's roundup of beauty must haves, we're excited to include pumpkin within our routine as it can be enjoyed in more ways then in your Spiced Pumpkin Latte.

| FARMHOUSE FRESH Splendid Dirt | BEAUTYKIND Plant Apothecary | FIG + YARROW Bath + Body Oil Meadow | SHEA TERRA ORGANICS Gingered Pumpkin Shea Butter & Malawi Sugar 2-in-1 Body Scrub |

See more from the Sept Issue.