THE LEGACY OF 101 | FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR.

This month, we took a moment with the GOAT , boxing great, promoter, and entrepreneur Floyd Mayweather Jr! When he boxed professionally from 1996 - 2017, he won 15 major championships, was undefeated with a 50-0 record, fought in 5 separate weight classes and has a number of records that are still unbroken!

Even after he retired professionally, he still boxes in exhibition fights; continues to train; and has an amazing portfolio that includes: The Money Team, Mayweather Promotions, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness Gyms, his real estate investment firm VADA Properties and most recently 1 of 1 his supplement brand. He continues to extend his brand across verticals! We wanted to know more about how he came to boxing, his approach to his fights, his legacy, and how he looks at adding to his projects and portfolio.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is it about boxing that drew you in and why do you love it?

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR: Boxing has been a part of my life since day one. My father and my uncle were fighters, so I grew up in the gym, watching and learning. What drew me in was the challenge—the mental and physical battle of proving you are the best. I love the strategy, the discipline, and the hard work it takes to stay at the top. Boxing is not just about throwing punches; it’s about skill, precision, and intelligence. That’s why I dominated the sport for decades.

AM: On Feb 12th, you launched 101. Why did you want to create a supplement brand?

FM JR: During my training sessions through the years, everyone was always asking which supplements kept me at the top of my game. That curiosity sparked the decision to eventually create my own line, a clean brand that is science backed and delivers on its promise. There are too many brands out there in the marketplace that still contain unsafe ingredients, so I set out to create 101 to give consumers a trusted product they can feel working. When a trusted product they can feel working. When it comes to my fitness and nutrition, I refuse to settle for less, and I want the same for athletes of all levels.

AM: What was the process like for you in creating this brand and what was the most important part of the formulation to you?

FM JR: In collaboration with industry leader Magnum Nutraceuticals, we worked hand in hand to ensure products contained only the best ingredients and have met the highest standards. Products went through rigorous testing, are backed by science, innovation, and are truly determined to be safe and effective. Simply put, athletes will feel the difference and see the results with the supplements which is why I created the One of One brand.

AM: Tell us about the initial supplements that you started with and when do you take them?

FM JR: The line of products from 101 helps any athlete’s journey, from energy and endurance to recovery and hydration. There are some products that I take daily. Whey Protein delivers high-quality protein and prebiotic fiber, and digestive enzymes for smooth digestion and muscle recovery. Greens + Gut Health helps supercharge my daily nutrients. It is packed with superfoods, prebiotic fiber, and essential vitamins to promote gut health and digestion. Peptide Builder is scientifically proven to enhance muscle growth and recovery. I reach for our Hydration to keep hydrated and to help with muscle cramping.

There are 3 products that are best used as part of your training regime. Sport Pre-Workout is meant for more moderate energy and endurance and includes caffeine for an additional boost in energy and strength. Loaded Pre-Workout is what I take before looking for high-intensity, extreme focus and maximum blood flow to carry more oxygen to my muscles. Creatine Monohydrate I also take before working out, to help with performance and cognitive function.

Together all these products provide a complete toolset to fuel performance, enhance endurance, and accelerate recovery.

AM: Are there plans to include additional products within this assortment?

FM JR: Yes, we definitely have plans to launch several new innovative supplements, several are in development and testing currently. We will be continuously looking to bring new innovative products to meet the needs of our One of One community on their fitness journey. Watch this space to see what innovations 101 will be bringing consumers next to stay ahead of the game.

AM: In your career you have fought in 5 weight classes. When you make that decision to navigate those classes what are the things that you have to do in order to prepare for that class?

FM JR: Moving through weight classes is all about preparation and making the right adjustments. It is not just about gaining or losing weight—it is about maintaining speed, power, and endurance while adapting to different styles of opponents. I worked closely with my team to ensure I was always in peak condition, no matter the division. We focused on nutrition, strength training, and the right fight strategy for each weight class. Every move I made was calculated, and that is why I remained undefeated.

AM: You have had a number of memorable fights, what are 3 fights or moments that are a favorite in your career?

FM JR: I have had so many great moments, but three fights stand out:

Oscar De La Hoya (2007) – This was a turning point in my career. It was the biggest fight in boxing at the time, and when I won, I became the face of the sport.

Manny Pacquiao (2015) – The world waited for this fight for years, and when it finally happened, I showed why I was the best. It was a masterclass in skill and strategy.

Emanuel Augustus (2000) – Not the biggest name, but one of the toughest fights I ever had. He was unpredictable, but I adapted and proved I could handle any style.

AM: You do exhibition bouts after retiring from professional boxing - why is this important to you to continue to engage in the sport in this way and for you, is the training different?

FM JR: Exhibitions allow me to keep doing what I love while giving fans around the world a show. I accomplished everything I needed to in professional boxing, so now it is about enjoying the sport on my own terms. The training is different. I do not have to prepare for 12-round wars, but I still stay sharp, stay in shape, and put on great performances. It is about continuing to entertain and inspire.

AM: Tell us what a week is like with you in the gym and your wellness game. What are 3 exercises that we can do if we want to train like Floyd Mayweather Jr?

FM JR: I train every day because staying in shape is a lifestyle for me. My workouts focus on endurance, speed, and skill. Three exercises I recommend for anyone who wants to train like me:

Jump Rope – It builds endurance, improves footwork, and sharpens coordination.

Pad Work – Essential for speed, accuracy, and defensive reflexes.

Core Training – A strong core gives you power, balance, and control in the ring.

AM: You retired with an undefeated record 50-0, won 15 major World Championships across 5 weight classes, 3X BWAA Fighter of the Year, 6X Best Fighter ESPY Award, inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2021, and you are known as one of the best defensive boxers in history, and as the most accurate puncher, and one of the most lucrative pay-per-view attractions across any sport - what does it mean to you to have all of these accolades?

FM JR: It means I did exactly what I set out to do. I dominated the sport for over two decades, stayed undefeated, and broke records that may never be touched. People will always debate who the greatest is, but my record speaks for itself. I mastered the sport, changed the business of boxing, and walked away on top.

AM: I've been a fan of boxing since I was 3 years old so I grew up watching Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Manny Pacquiao, Marvin Hagler, and you. What do you want your legacy to be known as in this sport?

FM JR: I want my legacy to be simple: The Best Ever. Not just because of my record, but because of how I changed the game. I showed that boxing is about intelligence, strategy, and discipline. I controlled my career, I made the biggest fights happen, and I made sure I was paid what I deserved. That is the blueprint I want future generations to follow.

AM: Tell us about TMT.

FM: JR: The Money Team is about hard work, dedication, and smart decision-making. People see the success, the cars, the watches, but what they don’t see is the discipline that got me here. TMT represents a mindset - believing in yourself, staying focused, and never settling for less than what you are worth.

AM: Why did you create Mayweather Promotions and what are some upcoming events that we should keep an eye out for?

FM JR: I created Mayweather Promotions because I wanted to take control of my career and help other fighters do the same. Too many athletes let other people hand their business, and they end up with nothing. I made sure I controlled my own destiny. Now, Mayweather Promotions is one of the biggest brands in boxing. We have exciting events coming up, and we are always looking for the next superstar.

AM: You have been in the fitness and wellness space for some time with the Mayweather Boxing + Fitness Gyms. What does it mean to you to offer boxing fitness in a studio format?

FM JR: It is about making boxing training accessible to everyone. You do not have to be a professional fighter to train like one. Boxing is one of the best workouts in the world, and with Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, people can experience my training style in a fun, high-energy environment. It is about building confidence, discipline, and physical strength.

AM: We shoot a number of our editorials in luxury residences here in NY and your diversified portfolio also includes real estate where you founded VADA which has properties here in NY including 410 Tenth Ave Hudson Yards, The Copper, Two Sutton as well as properties in Jersey City, Chicago and The Villa Casa Casuarina at the former Versace Mansion in Miami - it's quite an assortment. Why is having this in your portfolio important to you?

FM JR: Real estate is about building wealth for the future. I made my money in boxing, but I invested it wisely. I own properties across the country because I understand that money has to work for you. The goal is to create generational wealth, and real estate is a major part of that strategy.

AM: We can't talk about you without talking about your style from your luxury brands, diamond necklaces, insane bags, and more. Why do you love fashion?

FM JR: Fashion is about expressing success. When you work hard, you should be able to enjoy the rewards. I take pride in my style, whether it's a custom suit, a designer bag, or a one-of-a-kind watch. Everything I wear is a reflection of my success

IG @floydmayweather

@youare_1of1

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 16 - 20 Floyd Mayweather Jr. | PG 23 + 24 Floyd Mayweather Jr./IG | PG 26 + 32 Gene Blevins Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire | PG 28 Jeff Gritchen/ZUMApress.com/Icon Sportswire | PG 30 Chris Farina/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire |

Read the FEB ISSUE #110 of Athleisure Mag and see THE LEGACY OF 101 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. in mag.

THE POWER OF YOUR HOME | HGTV'S EGYPT SHERROD + MIKE JACKSON

The beginning of the year makes us think about new projects we're taking on, our goals, and it's that time of year that you begin about getting your home in order for upcoming events and gatherings as Spring is on the way! We caught up with power couple Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson who we know from an array of HGTV shows including Married to Real Estate and Property Virgins. They talk with us on how they got into Real Estate, Interior Design, and construction. They also talk about how they work with one another, aesthetics in design for our homes and how they have partnered with TurboTax to keep their business flow on track.

ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s so great to meet both of you!

EGYPT SHERROD: You as well!

MIKE JACKSON: How are you?

AM: I am very good! I have been a fan of yours Egypt since your WBLS days.

ES: Oh wow! Thank you!

AM: Of course I have enjoyed seeing you on HGTV as well Mike.

It's great to see you guys on, Married to Real Estate to see your power coupleship, navigating properties, and projects. How did both of you come to working in real estate, home renovation, and design?

MJ: Okay. Well, for me, mine is pretty simple as it pertains to real estate. My wife said, “get your license or I'm not going to be your friend.” – no haha!

ES: It kind of went like that!

MJ: So you know, proximity, for me!

AM: Right!

MJ: On a serious note, you know, she came to me one day. We were having lunch, and she mentioned, “babe, I'm giving a lot of referrals away. Why don’t you get your license? This way, we can keep it all in-house and it will save us a lot of money and garner us a lot of money. So, in that moment, I thought about it. And the next day, I was right at it, you know, taking the classes getting the material and got my license to be a Real Estate Agent. My wife’s a Broker Agent, but however, at this moment, my license is parked so at any moment, I can unpark it and actually practice, right?

AM: Wow!

ES: But, he's so busy running the construction and that part of the business, that I think that that only allows all of us to super serve our clients.

MJ: Yeah, that's right.

I'm sorry. I got into all of that and looked at her and got flabbergasted.

ES: Whatever ha! Stop flirting, stay focused!

MJ: What was the rest of that question?

AM: Well, how well, just how both of you came to this because it's amazing?

ES: Yeah, well, you said, you remembered me from WBLS. I think that's a perfect example of how we don't have to be a one trick pony at all.

AM: Exactly.

ES: I was obviously a radio personality, but developed a passion and love for Real Estate investing so much that I got my license and became an agent, and I had a dual career which, is then, what led me to television because, as I would talk about on the radio all of my exciting exploits in real estate and making it funny for people, HGTV heard and came calling. That started Property Virgins and then Flipping Virgins and then together Married to Real Estate! Actually, it started on Mike's phone during the Covid years – Married to Real Estate did.

AM: Oh wow!

ES: Many people don't know that story, but you know, it was a natural evolution that really developed through a passion and a thirst for building and leaving a legacy for our family.

MJ: That’s right!

And for me as it pertains to, you know, because you asked for Real Estate, construction, and design, I have always been doing construction with my grandfather and uncle since I was a kid.

AM: Oh wow.

ES: They have their own construction company and they would pull me in and bring me on because they sat aside and saw that I was able to do this stuff without being asked to do it. They saw something in me and said, "listen, come along with us and follow suit,” which I did. And I'm so glad I did. I've always been a creative. I enjoy seeing something, start from nothing, and become something. And in construction, that's what we do all day, you know. We tear it down, and we build it back up. And it was, it was inevitable because I was doing construction while I was touring around the world as a DJ.

AM: Ok, now.

ES: It was like I was DJing at 4am and then at 7am, I'm on somebody’s construction site. It was always there for me and then in New York City, working with the Local 28 Trade and then coming to Georgia and owning my own company, it was like, inevitable.

AM: Well, are there 3 key design elements that are going to be trends in 2025? Whether you know you're here in New York and looking to renovate your space or maybe you're buying home. What are 3 trends that we should be keeping an eye out for?

ES: So number one, as a designer, I'm the principal of a design firm as well at Indigo Road. The one thing I tell all my designers is to be classic. Really embrace the client's aesthetic. Don't follow the trend. Why? Because trends come and go, and if we start designing our home based on trends, you're going to lose money fast every year, every 2 years you're going to want to redesign. But if you do something classic and timeless, then, you can change things up with art and pillows, which you know are a lot more affordable!

So what I will tell you that some of the things that I think are going to be timeless: #1 is, you can change a space, and this is becoming even more popular - you can change the space just with a can of paint. It's inexpensive, you can do it as many times as you want to and you can give the space a totally different feel. So, doing color drenches – color drenches are when the moldings, the walls, the ceiling, everything is the same color, and so you have this amazing, beautiful, colorful canvas to furnish. We're bringing color back, because we went through the years where everything was beige and everything was gray. Now, everybody is embracing color again. So you’re gonna see a lot more of that in 2025!

Arches. We’re bringing arches back (singing it to the melody of Justin Timberlake’s SexyBack).

AM: Nice!

ES: Yes beautiful arches are coming back and that’s coming back in with the wabi-sabi aesthetic (Editor’s Note: Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that embraces imperfection and transience. It’s a philosophy that encourages people to find beauty in imperfection and accept the natural cycle of life. In interior design, it focuses on natural and weathered materials. It often has a rustic and organic feel).

We're also bringing more of the outdoors in with organic luxe and I truly think and this is classic, right? When we were all locked inside for a few years, everybody wanted to get out, to feel nature, and touch.

AM: Yes.

ES: So now, this is being reflected in design where everybody's, like, open my house up. No, I don't mean open floor plan, I mean, open the entire house up. I want just a courtyard of plants in my house.

I want you to knock out the entire back of my house and make it a door that just opens up to the backyard, you know?

AM: Yeah!

ES: Let the outdoors in because I want to feel nature. So, organic luxe as an aesthetic I think it's here to stay, bringing plants and using natural wood.

AM: I love that.

Tell me a bit about the Marriage and Money podcast you guys have. I love this.

MJ: Oh wow, where do we start with that? So, the Marriage and Money podcast is exactly what you hear – we deal with marriage and we talk about money and everything in between. We've had a plethora of guests that have been amazing. It's another idea where you know, in the midst of nowhere I said, “babe, I think we need to reach a different audience, you know, let's create this podcast because we have more to say.”

ES: And I said, no. I said, do not give me another job. Please don’t put anything else on the plate.

AM: Yeah.

ES: Mike is full of ideas! He’s totally the idea guy. I’m the – what do you call me, the Wide Receiver or the Running Back?

MJ: Wide Receiver.

ES: Yeah, and he’ll get me on board with it and I’ll just start running it and working with it!

But no, I'll say this, he was right yet, again. It's fun. It's a catharsis for us and it’s where we let our hair down, because even though our guests and we're talking money, and we're getting into marriage - we have so much freaking fun on the show!

MJ: Yes!

ES: So, we’re very excited!

MJ: And our audience and our fans and our fams – F-A-M-S - fams that’s what we call them because they're more like family. They get to see a different side of us that they may not be used to to get familiar with, right? And one of the things that I love about the podcast is that, you know, it causes others to think and to look at each other when they're listening or watching the podcast because I can't tell you how many times folks have come up to us and say, “listen, I sat down with my husband or my wife and we worked it out because of that particular episode.”

ES: Yeah, or even you know what it allows us to do is teach people through the schools of hard knocks that we had to learn from. Be it in marriage, you know, but also in business, we have made a lot of mistakes, and we're very transparent about it. We could have done things easier and faster, but now we have resources and tools, whereas before we didn't.

MJ: Right.

ES: So on our podcast, we opened Pandora's Box by providing education and resources as well.

AM: You guys have partnered with TurboTax. So, in thinking of like, how important is transparency, especially in couples, you know when you're doing your taxes together? Why did you guys want to work with the brand? I mean transparency and finances is key!

ES: People often ask, how have y'all been together for over 21 years like you seem so perfect!

AM: Yup!

ES: The first thing that we do is chuckle because we've had our hard moments and a lot of them have evolved around business and money.

MJ: Mmm hmm.

ES: It's revolved around taxes. He's the doer, right? And then I'm the organizer. I’d be sitting at the kitchen table with receipts falling out of my ears and my hair just trying to dig us out and to make sense of it all.

MJ: We literally just said a few months ago, when we were doing taxes, that we need to let someone else do this for us from now on. And it made perfect sense for us to partner with TurboTax you know, moving forward.

ES: Then, when you learn, you're like, wait a minute? What have we been doing, all of our lives right? Like, why didn’t we know? So, for us, obviously, we are a champion for the spirit of entrepreneurship. We want people to step out, you know, step on faith and go after the life and careers of their dreams. We want them so we don't want to scare them, which is why we said, you know, what? Let's go out and let everybody know what tools are available. And so, what we loved about this partnership with TurboTax is that number one, they are experts, and they literally have folks who specialize in business taxes. TurboTax Business provides small business owners and solopreneurs access to unlimited live expert help to get your taxes prepared and filed.

That's not what many of us went to school for. We don't want to sit around here doing this. We don't know either. We don’t know all of the deductions that are available for us. So then we lose money because we simply didn't know, trying to save money and not wanting to pay somebody else. They're affordable so, even if you're smaller, just starting out and then they also offer year-round tracking. So, they give you that support year around, because you know with business, you have to file taxes more than once! They provides unlimited year-round expert support at no extra cost, and provides 100% audit protection and accuracy guaranteed. Businesses are matched with a small business tax expert who will securely prepare, sign, and file their taxes virtually.

AM: Exactly.

ES: These are some of the incredible tools that we found value in for our lives and for our business to help us simplify. In short, to get accuracy and peace of mind.

AM: That part.

MJ: I also love how they have the option of integrating their platforms between MailChimp. Turbotax and QuickBooks.

ES: Many people don't even know that they're the same company. But again, that's a business solution. That's an all-in-one package for you to be able to really level up your game and simplify.

I’d love to just kind of encourage everybody as my middle name is Bargain Value and I love giving value to others! So there's something going on that everybody needs to know about. So if you get your business taxes done with TurboTax, you can also get 20% off of your personal taxes right now. So you need to go to turbotax.com/business for more details on that.

AM: Are there any other projects coming up that we should keep an eye out for because I'm always seeing you guys doing tons of stuff?

ES: As far as what we have coming up – we’re talking about March 12th S4 Married to Real Estate is coming at you so put that on your calendar! The podcast.

MJ: The podcast, we’re getting ready to do more episodes of that!

A Thousand Women.

ES: A Thousand Women Owned is my non-profit that we were about to do the formal launch of next month! Our goal is to help, support, provide resources for, and encouragement for a thousand women-owned businesses.

AM: Wow!

MJ: Yes yes

ES: BY 2030, We want to help a thousand women own businesses level up to get the grants that they need to start or to continue running as well.

MJ: And then you can catch somebody I know on, HGTV's Smart Home 2025, as the host!

AM: Ok Mike!

ES: Mike is hosting!

AM: Oh nice, that's amazing. Well, it's always good to see you guys anf I look forward in seeing your upcoming projects.

IG @egyptsherrod

@djfadelf

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 113 PG Egypt Sherrod + Mike Jackson | PG 114 TurboTax

Read the FEB ISSUE #110 of Athleisure Mag and see THE POWER OF YOUR HOME | HGTV’s Egypt Sherrod + Mike Jackson in mag.

HEADING TO THE WINDY CITY | ALISON VICTORIA

We love watching a reality show where we learn something that we can implement in our own lives or be a source of general knowledge to share with our friends, family, and colleagues! There’s nothing better than a educational docu-series that is also a great source of entertainment. We caught up with Alison Victoria, Executive Producer and Host of Windy City Rehab as well as a recent nominee for a Daytime Emmy! We wanted to know more about her passion for interior design and building homes, coming to HGTV, all of the shows that we should have in mind as we settle down in our favorite spot, and what it means for her to receive the award accolades that have come her way. We also loved hearing about how she gives back and the importance of powering others either in the business or even when it comes to getting that first home!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the first space or home that made you realize that you love interior design or being able to create something new?

ALISON VICTORIA: My childhood bedroom. I shared a tiny room with my sister. I started by rearranging the space. It was like, how do I get my bed further from hers? How do I make this room feel like it’s my room? Then I started turning old Laura Ashley dresses into pillows and painting the furniture. Around that same time I was spending a lot of time at the house of my best friend Britt, I remember convincing her to tear up her carpet and get to the hardwood flooring. We ended painting everything peach.

AM: How old were you when you were ripping up the flooring?

AV: 11.

AM: And who was your inspiration?

AV: My mom always loved design and she designed our whole house so I definitely absorbed a lot of that from her.

AM: How do you define your design aesthetic?

AV: I think of it as vintage and modern. I take the heart from objects of the past and add in the optimism of the future to create something new. It’s eclectic and full of life, but it’s design that accentuates the way we live now.

AM: I am the Co-Founder/Creative + Style Dir. Of Athleisure Mag, I am also a fashion stylist. So if I have someone reach out to me I’m looking for people who want to have statement driven looks whether it’s based in athleisure, evening wear, out and about etc. But it’s about people who are looking to take their style and add various elements which includes visual texture as well as accessories. Someone who may be more of a minimalist or maybe they’re into a goth aesthetic, may not be a project that I opt to take on initially. I’m wondering what you look for when it comes to attaching yourself to your various design projects?

AV: It really comes down to personality and the connection that I feel. Sometimes I connect with the people over the project and sometimes it’s the other way around. I’m an artist and when I feel inspired, I design.

AM: I have been aware of you and your work for a number of years; however, I happened to check out your show during the pandemic that was when you turned your warehouse into your home.

With all of your work in the industry, how did you come to HGTV to become the Executive Producers of your shows as well as a TV Host?

AV: X years ago, I got a random email from a production company that was looking for a ghost designer to work on a show in Chicago. I responded, “I’m your girl.” I had no idea what that meant but I knew it was a start. I realized quickly that what it meant was long hours for no money, no credit, and no air time, but it was an entry point.

There were no shortcuts. It hasn’t been a straight line, but I had a dream of what I wanted to do with my life and how I wanted to run my business and I’ve put all of my energy towards those goals.I try to always represent my real vulnerability in the shows I produce and the shows where I’m in. I hope others fin something useful in how that looks, and as long as they do, I will keep going.

AM: You’ve been nominated for the Daytime Emmys and Critics Choice Real TV Awards for Windy City Rehab, what does this mean to you?

AV: Oh my gosh! Dreams do come true! My dream was to be nominated for an Emmy. I didn’t even go as far as to say that I wanted to win. Just being nominated is a huge honor. I love to design, I love making people’s dreams come true. Combining the two and then receiving the recognition just takes it to a whole new level of like, wow, people are actually getting this. And not only are they getting it, they are recognizing it as great television. As an Executive Producer and as a creator of my show, that means much more to me then if I was just talent. I created it, I’m an EP, I’m on air talent, and I’m the designer so it couldn’t mean more to me to be nominated. Now the goal is to win.

AM: Can you tell us a bit about the show for those who haven’t watched it and what you’re excited for?

AV: Windy City Rehab is in its 5th season. The new season is airing on September 24th. It’s a docu-series and it’s one of the first docu-series ever on HGTV where you truly follow my life and my design. There are no overly produced parts of my show. It’s very real. The good, the bad, and the ugly of my life and this business. The show looks at how I navigate successes and setbacks and it gives you glimpses into my personal life and how that marries with my professional life. There’s no smoke and mirrors in my show. What you see on Windy City Rehab is what I’m experiencing in my life. I am the same person you see on the show. I’m not an actress.

For me, it’s about showing people who I am, what I believe in, and how I stand up for myself and my clients. The result are beautiful spaces, but how we get there is the most interesting part.

AM: So you’re working on your own production company, Briefly Gorgeous Productions. Tell me about this and why you wanted to do this?

AV: I created Briefly Gorgeous Productions to help bring truly vulnerable reality TV to smart audiences. I have already created two successful shows but there are so many great stories to tell. Some of those stories will be in the home space but some will be in totally unrelated, but equally interesting, areas of life. I love to laugh, I love seeing real people doing real things, and I love watching lives evolve. There is comedy, tragedy, and triumph in every story. Briefly Gorgeous will make sure the stories are told with true integrity.

I knew that if I could do this for me, I could do this for others. Windy City Rehab has always connected with viewers because they see and feel the authenticity. I want to continue that with everything produced through Briefly Gorgeous productions. This is just the beginning.

AM: That’s really great to hear.

You’ve also worked with Habitat for Humanity and you’re a spokesperson for the Women Build Campaign. I’d really like to hear more about that.

AV: I’ve been doing it for 5 years now and for me, owning your first home, it’s one of the greatest days of anyone’s life – always and forever. Especially as a single woman. When I got my first home, I was the proudest that I ever felt – probably other than getting nominated for an Emmy!

AM: Ha – right!

AV: Anyone that is able to have a house through Habitat, has to put in their own sweat equity. I have the greatest team and they volunteer and come out to help. We work together and help the homeowner build her dream home. We empower her through hard work, empower her through just having fun, and we make sure that she has the support. I love that!

AM: That’s really fantastic.

Are there any upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for as I know you are a very busy woman who is doing tons of things.

AV: Windy City Rehab season 5 is premiering Sept 24th! It’s 12 episodes and I believe this is our best season yet!

Scariest House in America with Retta premiers in October.

Ugliest House in America season 6 premieres this winter and I am going to be on a big show that will be announced very soon! 

I mean, I’m not stopping! It’s go time! It’s time to win that Emmy.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

A PASSION REALIZED WITH JASON OPPENHEIM

Since the launch of Netflix's Selling Sunset, we have enjoyed being able to get the scoop on the real estate market especially within one of the top agencies in The Oppenheim Group this docuseries. We have enjoyed seeing this team booking listings, holding open houses, celebs they work with and the drama that comes along. This month, our cover is luxury real estate brokerage owner, attorney, contractor and developer - Jason Oppenheim. We took some time to talk to the Selling Sunset star to find out how he transitioned from being a corporate lawyer and eventually to working in real estate. He talks with us about his firm, his team, the successful show, which has just been greenlit for a fourth and fifth season, as well as the importance of philanthropy and making it a team effort.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Prior to being in real estate, you were a corporate lawyer, what was the moment that you realized that you wanted to work in the real estate industry as I know that your great-great grandfather Jacob Stern, started his firm in the 1800s and was instrumental in creating a number of deals in the early development of LA?

JASON OPPENHEIM: That’s difficult. I left my law firm not knowing what I wanted to do and not having anything lined up. I went and traveled the world for 3 years after I quit my law firm. So I really wasn’t working for years after that. Even when I got back into the United States, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to get into real estate. I knew that it was a passion of mine and I gave it a shot. But I definitely wouldn’t say that I knew before I left law that I wanted to do real estate.

AM: Why did you decide to ultimately launch your own firm that you’re president and founder of?

JO: I was at Coldwell Banker for many years and getting experience and I was working on a team of two women. They taught me a lot and I actually really liked that team, but I didn’t enjoy working at such a large brokerage at Coldwell Banker. So that was kind of the impetuous of me leaving and just starting my own firm. I think that I had just developed enough of a client base that I felt comfortable and I had always wanted to be an entrepreneur and had always wanted to do my own thing. But I had to create that confidence and make sure that I had enough of a book of business to be able to do that.

AM: We have had a number of people that we have interviewed who began as lawyers and have transitioned into other careers, as well as our co-founder that has done the same. What skills from practicing law have also carried over to what you do within your industry now?

JO: Yeah I think that being a lawyer is probably one of the most applicable professions so I think that there are a lot of things that helped me as a lawyer that have been applied to me being in real estate. I think that creative thinking and critical thinking have been two of the most important things that I took. Being an advocate for your client is something that I understood and of course, just your legal acumen. So much of practicing real estate requires that the more understanding that you have of the law, documents, contracts etc. – I think that the better you will be as a real estate agent. I don’t think that there is probably more of a relevant profession for a real estate agent than as a lawyer!

AM: In terms of location and your territory, what areas do you guys cover?

JO: Oh all over Los Angeles really. Certainly, we are the most prolific agents in the Sunset Strip and Hollywood Hills. We also do a ton in Beverly Hills and we’re opening up a new office in Orange County and we’re getting a lot of new listings down there. I would really say all of Southern California.

AM: In terms of you opening another location, what is the process and/or criteria that you look for when it comes to making that commitment? I know in watching the show, there was talk and hope from some of the agents in terms of opening up in Miami?

JO: Well, it’s a very slow process. I mean I’ve been thinking for many years about opening a second office and I was very reticent to do so until I was certain about a lot of different factors. One of them is that there is a healthy luxury market, another one is great office space, another is that I am able to recruit top agents, another is that it’s a place that I love and enjoy – you know I have to be passionate about it and I’m not going to open up an office in an area that I wouldn’t want to live in myself! I’m probably going to buy a second home in Newport Beach. And also location! It needs to be far enough from LA where it makes sense. You want to expand when you’re doing this. Orange County by far, I thought was an important area that I wasn’t in. I think that there are others like The Valley, Miami, New York, but I thought that hands down, this was the best place for a second office.

AM: Before getting into the show, what is a typical day like for you and how involved are you with the agents that work with you?

JO: I mean a typical day. I’m up – usually, my dogs wake me up because they want to be fed maybe around 7am. I take my dogs to coffee every morning so I take them to a coffee shop, usually a different coffee shop for about half an hour. I go through emails and take things slow on my own. Then I come into the office and basically just work and catch up with my staff and go through emails. I go through showings that I have, meet with clients and a lot of it is on the phone. Sometimes I have interviews but a ton of phone calls – I mean dozens and dozens of phone calls. I don’t even know how many, but it is a lot.

AM: When it comes to onboarding your agents, what are you looking for to represent The Oppenheim Group?

JO: You know, an intelligent, thoughtful, sophisticated person. Experience is preferred but it is less important to me then I think raw intelligence and general ambition. Someone that I get along with.

These are people that I will be out with for lunch or at a listing appointment and it’s important to me that I get along with them and that they get along with everyone else! You know, it’s just about being with good people! I mean I really wouldn’t take an agent, no matter how successful they are, that he or she just wasn’t a good person!

AM: On the show we see some serious open houses that have had some fun themes that your team has put together that remind me of editor events that we can’t wait to get back to – what have been some of the favorite ones that your firm has been part of?

JO: I think that I always like a first open house because I think that is very exciting! So the first open house for a new great listing is pretty exciting. I do have to say that generally, my favorite open houses tend to be my favorite listings. Obviously, my favorite open houses tend to be those that I would want to stay at even if it wasn’t an open house - sexy view, tall ceilings, open floor plan and all the stuff that just kind of makes it more fun. More importantly, I would say, it’s the first one because for me it’s about meeting clients, meeting buyers and it’s also about price point. I like open houses at an attainable price point in the area. Sure it’s fun to sit at a $10 million dollar open house, but I would prefer to sit at a $3 or $4 million open house because I am going to meet more people.

AM: This past year has definitely made a lot of our workflows change in many ways, what did you do to navigate these times and how do you feel the market has been for you?

JO: You know, we’ve done all right. We had a decent year despite the pandemic. The luxury market is not only fine even thoughout the pandemic, but it is extremely well right now. I think that we were extremely fortunate and I think that our clients were extremely fortunate and that they have recovered from this. I wouldn’t say that there is any long-term impact at all.

AM: How did the concept of the show, Selling Sunset come about and ultimately, what are the takeaways that you want to know about this show when they are watching it?

JO: You know, we had been approached by different producers and agents for quite some time and both my brother and I were rather reticent to move forward on a show. But when Adam DiVello (Editor’s Note: Adam is formerly a Senior Production and Development Executive at MTV where he developed Laguna Beach. He left the network and launched Done and Done Productions and created as well as executive produced its successful spinoff, The Hills and The City. He is producing Selling Sunset.) reached out to us, we thought about it a bit more and we took a team meeting and I think he had a bit more influence with us and we started to slowly come around. We wanted Netflix, but we weren’t sure if we would get Netflix so we were excited about that!

In terms of what they would take away from it, you know what I would say? I would simply say, that they should just enjoy and watch the show! There’s so much about television now more than ever, just being able to sit down – for me, I like to sit down with my dogs and just sit down for a couple of hours and just destress and have fun! In many ways, I hope that that would be enough for me! I would hope that when people come up to me that they just say that they enjoyed the show, it makes them happy, it’s fun to watch, they enjoy looking at the real estate and that’s enough for me! If they come out of it with more of an understanding for real estate or a passion for it that would be great. I always think that real estate is such a great opportunity for investors and people generally. So if I can get people to be excited about that whether that means they join the profession and become real estate agents or they want to do it as an investment, I think that either one of those would be great simply for the show.

AM: How did you decide who would be on the show?

JO: I didn’t really decide. Obviously, it would be people at my brokerage but it was more of a production decision than anything else.

AM: As a fan of the show, when you and your team are in the office, we’re always thinking about how close you are together. Is it ever distracting when you’re all in there together between doing calls, maintaining business etc?

JO: Well I do step out sometimes to make phone calls from time to time as everyone will! I do like the idea of an open office, but there are certainly negative effects to having such an open office.

AM: Recently, you were greenlit for a 4th and 5th season. How long do you film each season and how are you able to juggle the demands of your business while integrating the show into it?

JO: It’s not terrible for me. The filming requirements aren’t as demanding for me as they are for some of the other women so I manage ok. But you know, it’s certainly a balancing act and we just work really hard. So we end up just having to work more hours in the day to be honest. That’s ok because we all love what we do and we are all capable of doing that.

AM: You’re getting ready to film the next season and for avid viewers, there was a lot going on! Can you share what a general idea of when this will air?

JO: Well we haven’t started filming yet so there isn’t anything that I can tell you about that!

AM: Alright then. We’ll just have to stay tuned!

What have you learned about yourself in filming this show?

JO: You know, one of my biggest concerns was since I’m a private person, I was concerned about people coming up to me. But I think that what may be a surprise to most is how much I enjoy kind of just having the ability to make people be happy and to smile. Just to enjoy watching people smile is really enjoyable for me. I love when a young person comes up to the window and takes a photo of me and they’re just happy! You can kind of tell that you made their day happier and that feels great! That was one of the things that I wasn’t expecting as much.

AM: Clearly you’re very fit, what are your workout routines that you like to do to stay in shape?

JO: Just the gym and that’s it. I wish that I had something more exciting to say. I mean, I workout less than what people think. I workout for less than 30 minutes and I get teased sometimes on how little I workout, but I don’t do it for so long. I go to Monarch Athletic Club or Equinox.

AM: Do you have certain routines that you like to do?

JO: I like to do everything.

AM: How do you take time for yourself?

JO: Oftentimes, ironically enough, I sit down and watch Netflix you know? Because I really enjoy it. Most days, I’m at home watching TV with my dogs and it makes me pretty happy. I like to go out to dinner with my friends, but most of the time, I like to sit, watch a game, sit down with my dogs with some frozen yogurt and watch Netflix.

AM: One of the things we enjoyed watching in the show was how much philanthropy is very important to you and you get your office involved as well. What organizations do you like to give of your time and/or donate to?

JO: Yeah that episode that you saw on Selling Sunset is the one that I love giving to – Food on Foot. I like to not only spend my time when I can, but more importantly, I like to be charitable with some of the income that I have as I think that they do a really, really good job. I think that we’re going to be on Celebrity Family Feud soon and we have chosen that charity so hopefully we’ll win some money on Celebrity Family Feud.

AM: For #TRIBEGOALS, we like to ask those that are trailblazers in their industry, who are 3 people that you are inspired by that got you to where you are today whether you know them in person or follow them from afar.

JO: I like Albert Einstein definitely as someone that I look up to. I’d say that I was very lucky to have in both of my professions in real estate and in law – I was able to work with very successful people that earned my respect and were able to teach me about leadership, experience and professionalism. The woman that I worked under when I was at Coldwell Banker, her name is Joyce Rey. She is still an icon in real estate and she taught me a lot. Then when I was a lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli is one of the leading attorneys in the country as well, just as Joyce is one of the leading women in real estate. So I guess, I was just really lucky in my professions in law and in real estate to work with someone like Joyce Rey and Dan Petrocelli. I think that they had such an influence on me in terms of my professional life.

IG @JasonOppenheim

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS

| PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | FRONT COVER, PG 22 + 23 Benjo Arwas | BACK COVER, PG 16, 18, 21, 24, 27 - 32 Rochelle Brodin |

Hear luxury real estate owner/broker, contractor, developer at The Oppenheim Group and Netflix's Selling Sunset star, Jason Oppenheim on an upcoming episode of 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 Mar Issue #63 of Athleisure Mag and see A Passion Realized with Jason Oppenheim in mag.

UNSTOPPABLE WITH TRACY TUTOR

As our long time readers know, a number of our cover photoshoots have taken place in phenomenal luxury residences here in NYC as well as other locales around the country. So it's no surprise that we love reality shows that focus on luxury real estate. The OG of these programs includes BRAVO's, Million Dollar Listing. Both NY and LA focuses not only on the housing market in those cities but also follows the brokers to understand what their lives and interactions are like as they are closing multi-million dollar deals.

Tracy Tutor is the first female broker to join the cast of Million Dollar Listing LA. Her no-nonsense ability to wheel and deal, put her clients in check when needed and her belief in empowering those around her comes through the screen every week. In addition, her understanding of the industry due to her years of work within residential as well as her work with her father, Ronald Tutor of Tutor Perini on the commercial side of the business makes her someone you enjoy watching. While she has had successes in her career, and in the show, we saw her navigate divorcing her husband and being a mom of 2 daughters. We took some time to catch up with Tracy to talk about her work, balancing being a mom, how she has embraced fitness into her lifestyle and what she thinks about the current market in these times.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have enjoyed seeing you on BRAVO’s Million Dollar ListingLA by shaking it up as the show’s first female multi-million dollar real estate broker, with your industry know-how, business savvy, and amazing outfits! We know that your father is a noted civil and building contractor, Ronald Tutor, I’m sure that you were aware of the industry from a young age but, what was the moment when you realized that you wanted to work in real estate?

TRACY TUTOR: The truth is, that it was not at all what I had planned. I was an actor and had studied theatre in college. After a couple of years of auditioning post-graduation, I realized that I didn't want to wait around for someone to tell me I had gotten the part. I knew I was good at selling myself, so it wasn’t much of a stretch to sell houses. Candidly, I knew I could sell anything, so I’m glad I picked a product that happens to have the highest return on my investment.

AM: Prior to focusing on residential real estate, what was your path in this industry and what is it about residential that speaks to you?

TT: Residential sort of fell into my lap, after making the decision to stop pursuing being an actress. Residential is about an emotional connection but it’s still a business. I love the marrying of the two! As we know, emotion and business (one is not quite like the other) so when you are able to navigate between the two, that is what excites me.

AM: As one of the top agents at Douglas Elliman Beverly Hills within their Sports & Entertainment division. You’ve represented noteworthy brands, iconic architects, consulted for luxury five-star hotels as well as serving as a US Ambassador for the Royal Atlantis Resort and Residences in Dubai – just to name a few. How has it been juggling all of these roles, projects and opportunities?

TT: I always say if you are not striving for something new and pushing yourself, you are just surviving.

AM: What is your process when it comes to deciding on upcoming projects that you and your team will participate in?

TT: I rarely turn down a project, but when I do it will be about one of two things.

1. Unrealistic price expectation.

2. Ego. I think ego is the toughest to get beyond. I have learned how to get around unrealistic sellers and price, and have many have strategies to get around that in most cases, but ego....well, at my age, Idon’’t have time for it.

AM: Tell us about how you joined the cast of Million Dollar Listing LA and why you felt that this was something that you wanted to do with your brand?

TT: I was on season 9 showing a property of Josh Altman's and we were able to put a deal together on the listing. During the course of shooting, we had great chemistry on screen together. After the show aired, the producers approached me and asked if I had any interest in discussing joining the cast. The rest is history.

AM: What is it like filming each season with you and your team as well as with the other brokers that are also in the cast?

TT: It is a lot of work for all of us. Remember, we already have full-time careers and the show generally shoots for 12 months, so there are days where a normal 10 hour day becomes a 13 hour one. It is hard to juggle the clients and shooting, but we get out there and do it because it is the best marketing tool we could ask for and we are all grateful for it.

AM: One of the things that we have enjoyed watching you on the show is how you speak your mind, you demand more and how you’re not willing to settle. Have you always been this way and how can one get that mindset when they are in their boardrooms in their life?

TT: It really is about fear, isn’t it? That is what truly holds us all back from achieving our highest potential. I have always had the instinct to challenge the system and push back. But to be truly good in the proverbial “boardroom” you have to embrace fear every day, feel and acknowledge it and then put it away so that you can trust your instincts to guide you when you need it the most. If you can’t hear what your gut is telling you because there is so much noise and insecurity in the way, then you can’t win the room. It’s that simple.

AM: How important is it to you to empower women to own their space, handle ego and deflect power plays?

TT: I love women. I believe we are the stronger sex. Period. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually. We have unfortunately for centuries been told we are the weaker sex, so believing in our power, doesn’t come naturally to us. I love that discussion and reminding women that they are all lions, they maybe just haven’t heard their roar yet. We should listen to our intuition more. It’s our greatest gift and trusting it, learning how to use it to our advantage and giving it a real voice is what separates us from our male counterparts.

AM: What led you to creating your best-selling book, Fear is Just a Four-Letter Word: How to Develop the Unstoppable Confidence to Own Any Room?

TT: I knew that I was lucky to have the platform representing women on a show dominated by men. I was hyper-aware of my industry and felt particularly passionate about sharing my experience as a woman in this business.

AM: Do you think that you will continue to write additional books in this area?

TT: I think the next one might be a more personal journey. Who I am in business is greatly affected by my personal experiences. I want to take my own advice to be fearless enough to talk about it.

AM: What words of wisdom do you have for women who are navigating their careers?

TT: Read my book and don’t let anyone tell you what you are capable of. Only you can define that.

AM: How do you balance the demands of a full career, filming, being a mom of 2 girls and your personal life – how do you take time for yourself?

TT: I forgive myself every day for the lack of perfection and I am honest. I am stretched as most working moms are; add in a divorce and the desire to have love in your life again and you have to be forgiving. I schedule time to not do anything. I mean really. I will say I am booked on a Sunday so that I can have that time to do whatever I feel like doing and sometimes that is absolutely nothing and it is fantastic.

AM: We know through the show that you went through a divorce while still having a very full schedule. How did you take going through this process and putting those emotions into focusing on health, fitness, and wellness?

TT: I don’t think that divorce propelled me into health/wellness and fitness. I think owning my truth and finding happiness within myself propelled me there.

AM: What is your preferred method that you enjoy to do when working out?TT:I love to mix it up but what I have found with my body now is that I don’t try to kill myself with anything too high intensity. I love weight training because you have to be mentally strong to push up weight be-yond your comfort zone. I like that challenge. It’s a time where I don’t think about work or friends or family or stress. I focus on my goal for that hour and give it 100%.

AM: Our readers are always looking for routines to add into their workout. What are 3 workouts you do for arms, 3 for abs, and 3 for glutes that you do?

TT: Arms: when I am walking on the tread-mill (which I do 5 days a week for an average of 45 minutes,) I carry 3 lb weights and do arms. 4 sets of 30 reps of each exercise:

o Curls

o Tricep kick backs

o Bicep extensions

o Shoulder press over head

ABS: 3 sets of 30-45 seconds each – upper ab first:

o Slow bicycles

o Toe touch with 10 lb db

o Suitcases

o Then lower – grab a pilates ball and place under small of back

o Out an inch and in an inch

o Single leg toe taps with ankle weights

o Both legs toe taps

Glutes: 4 sets of 20

o Hip thrusts with band – warmup

o Hip thrusts with 20 lb ball on hips

o Barbell squats

o RDL’s

AM: 2020 has been quite a year to navigate from COVID-19, social justice and the election to name a few. How have you been dealing with this especially as a parent of children?

TT: Let’s just say that I am welcoming 2021 as are my children.

AM: In terms of the real estate market, what do you think the impact of COVID-19 will be as we close this year and transition to 2021?

TT: Despite a couple month shutdown, we have rebounded quickly and I anticipate a strong 2021.

AM: What is your advice for those that are debating on whether they should buy a personal home or even one for investment purposes?

TT: Interest rates are at an all-time low and that gives someone attempting to get into the market strong buying power. So my advice is get out there and speak to your banker or financial advisor and discuss your options.

IG @TracyTutor

PHOTO CREDITS | PG 119 + 120 Matt Sayles | PG 123 Tracy Tutor |

Read the Nov Issue #59 of Athleisure Mag and see Unstoppable with Tracy Tutor in mag.

HGTV'S LEANNE FORD TALKS BEDDING, DESIGN, HER NEW SHOW AND MORE

When you think about the layout of your home and more importantly the spaces within it, we all want our inner interior designer to be able to make those changes or at least point us in the right direction. We thought that we’d give you some insider secrets with a fun Q&A we had with HGTV’s Leanne Ford who shared with us the need to have an inviting bedroom and how we can go about it courtesy of Leesa! In addition to outfitting our bedrooms, she also shares a bit about her new show which is available on HGTV, Rock the Block, her new book Work in Progress. We also ask her about the upcoming holiday season as well.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HOME OWNERSHIP

At some point, you begin to think about areas of adulting that include whether you will be buying a home whether it’s solo, with your significant other or even a group of people. Whether it’s a primary home or a vacation one, it’s important to know what you should be thinking about - especially when it’s your first home. We took some time to chat with Farnoosh Torabi to find out about owning vs renting, what the myths are, if the time of year has an impact when you start this journey and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What are the benefits to owning your own home versus renting? 

FARNOOSH TORABI: Homeowners enjoy the benefits of typically more privacy and stability in that they don't have to answer to a landlord and experience the risk of sudden increases in rent. With a fixed-rate mortgage, home owners know what their monthly payments will be each month. They may also be able to deduct their property tax and mortgage interest (both up to a point) from taxable income, which can yield savings. Finally, over the long run and on average, home prices have historically appreciated in the U.S., so some homeowners are able to increase their equity and build wealth over time.

AM: When is the right time to begin thinking about buying your own home? 

FT: The right time is really subjective. And should be based on your financial and emotional readiness to become a homeowner. Some people start to think about buying a home when they want to settle into a city or town for many years. Other times it's when they want to start growing a family. It really depends on your life stage, goals and overall readiness to take on the responsibilities of being a homeowner.

AM: What are the myths involved in home ownership that may keep people away from doing so initially? 

FT: We often hear how complex the home buying process can be and, as a result, this belief can create a lot of early stage overwhelm for people who are interested in becoming home owners. They may push it off, fearful of their ability to navigate the process and making good decisions. That's where an experienced real estate agent can truly be of value. 

I've partnered with Realogy, the company behind household real estate names like Century 21 and Coldwell Banker in their recent rollout of a new homebuying program called TurnKey. TurnKey is a new homebuying program from Realogy and Amazon that makes the experience of finding and settling into a home easier and more rewarding, by aiming to simplify the home buying process and offer savings benefits to buyers. Go to Amazon.com/TurnKey where interested buyers can sign up for the program, and after answering a few easy questions, will be connected to a top-rated real estate agent over the phone. Homebuyers who close on a home through a TurnKey agent can receive complimentary Amazon Move-In Benefits, including $1,000 to $5,000 of smart home products and Amazon Home Services, things like deep cleaning and hanging up a heavy flat screen TV. This makes the process of settling into a home even easier.

AM: For those that are single and are looking to purchase their own home, are there things that they should be aware of that may differ from those that are couples purchasing a home? 

FT: I'm not sure there are really any big differences, but I can say that when I was single and bought my first home, I wasn't as concerned about the home being my 'forever' home, a place where I'd live for decades and raise my family. The size and location of the home was less important to me, as was the resale potential (since I knew this wouldn't be a long-term residence). I made sure to buy in an up and coming neighborhood. Years later, when my husband and I were deciding on our first home purchase together, we did take into consideration how well we could 'grow into' a home, if and when we decided to have children. Location was extremely important to us - more for the fact that we wanted to be near good schools.

AM: What should first time homeowners consider when it comes to buying a home and should they also be thinking about items that involve selling their home? 

FT: I think that first-time buyers want to be financially and mentally prepared for the realities of being a home owner. It can be a big financial undertaking - as well as a big lifestyle change. You'll have to be accountable for repairs and upkeep, whereas if you rented, your landlord would handle the maintenance issues. You have to ask yourself: Is being a homeowner really a fit for my current lifestyle? If you're someone who wants to travel for your job or not be tied down to a location, then homeownership probably isn't the best move for you right now.

AM: Why is now a good time to buy a home as many people think that Spring is the perfect time of year. 

FT: The spring is typically the busiest time of year for home sales, but that just means that if you buy in the "off-season'' you'll have less competition and face potentially fewer bidding wars.  

AM: How can buyers negotiate the best deal and what resources can assist these efforts? 

FT: Having an experienced real estate agent represent you during the buying process can be critical to your success in securing your dream home at the best possible price. It is also important to already be pre-approved for a loan so that sellers know you are a qualified candidate to close on the deal. And the more cash you have to put down as a down payment, the more attractive you'll be to sellers.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

HUMANIZING FINANCE WITH MORGAN BRENNAN

Athleisure Mag’s May issue is covered by CNBC's Co-Anchor, Morgan Brennan of ”Squawk Alley" (M-F 11am - 12pm). In addition to her daily show, she also continues to cover a variety of sectors including manufacturing, defense and space for the network. While her shoot showcases a number of pre-summer styles at 498 West End Ave #PH on the UWS, we sat down with her to find out how she came to working as a financial broadcaster/journalist, the stories that she enjoys covering, being a Co-Anchor on her show, as well as what she does when she is off set.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background. What drew you to being as a financial journalist and broadcaster?

MORGAN BRENNAN: I didn’t go to college promptly after high school since I was pursuing a career in the music industry. In my early 20s, I had a change of heart and decided to go to school and set out to be...an anthropologist. It was in my last year at New York University that I realized how similar journalism is to anthropology: research, interviews and ethnographic studies, identifying your own biases and then moving past them to realize facts and bigger societal truths, and the fact that every major trend, topic or issue has people at the heart of it. Plus, it turns out that most have a money trail as well, so examining the business or financial or economic angle is fascinating. I also think - now more than ever - it’s crucial for people to have an understanding of how money works and how business drives behavior and at times, change. Finances are a key driver of our lives as human beings so I feel very passionately about the role we play at CNBC to make these sometimes jargon-laden, daunting concepts and phrases associated with financial and economic literacy accessible.

AM: Prior to coming to CNBC in 2013, tell us about where you started your career.

MB: I started my journalism career working for magazines. I interned at Newsweek International in the fall of 2008 (as I was finishing school), fact-checking articles and writing some of my own. The world was imploding, and financial news was breaking news. The following Spring I got very lucky and landed my first job two days after graduation as an assistant for the video department at Forbes Media. It was a difficult time in the world of publishing as the internet was disrupting traditional revenue streams and the industry was downsizing drastically. But that bred opportunity as well. I was able to take on extra responsibilities and work my way up the ladder, becoming a reporter and staff writer who wrote regularly for Forbes magazine and had a multimedia presence online. I also appeared on cable news programs as a guest and that experience helped catapult me full-time into the world of TV business news. Writing is actually essential to TV so in hindsight that foundation was crucial.

AM: Tell us about your different roles/positions at CNBC. How did you transition from a general assignment reporter to a reporter focused on sectors (manufacturing, defense, and space), to Co-Anchor of “Squawk Alley”?

MB: Like so many people I speak with, my path has been shaped by a trifecta of hard work, sacrifice, and luck. The transition from print to TV was tricky, since TV requires thinking in minutes and even seconds, versus days or weeks when working on a magazine feature story. Telling a story on paper is very different than telling one in 90 seconds on live television. Once I understood that, I was able to focus my efforts on more companies, more trends, more events, typically targeting sectors and industries that were little loved or perhaps little understood. It evolved from there, with instances over the years of being in the right place at the right time to cover a major breaking news event – a scenario that would then open a door to more sources and more stories. Anchoring came once I had established a strong foundation of comprehension across a number of industries. I love that I get to do both – anchoring and reporting – and I believe they bolster each other.

AM: As the Co-Anchor of “Squawk Alley,” what is your day like in terms of prepping for the day’s general news, going on air and after?

MB: The way I see it is I get paid to learn and then disseminate that knowledge to others. Every day involves hours of reading, as well as lots of writing, networking, sourcing – and TV and video watching. When I first started working full-time in this business the piece of advice offered repeatedly was to grab sleep whenever and wherever I could. Days can start very early, especially when traveling, and can go very long, especially when in the field reporting on a story. It takes an incredible amount of time, effort and resources to make just a few minutes of live television – and no one does it alone. I have an incredible team of producers and co-anchors that I am grateful to get to work with every day.

AM: How do you prepare for your sector coverage?

MB: Again, lots of reading. Also, I try to keep in constant contact with a wide network of sources operating in the sectors I cover, be it aerospace and defense or tech or anything else I may be tasked with covering. I make a lot of phone calls, read a lot of analyst notes and meet with as many folks as the schedule permits. Listening to its earnings calls is a great way to learn - and quickly - about a publicly traded company.

AM: What are some of your favorite CNBC stories or interviews that you have reported on?

MB: I have been blessed to be able to travel all over the U.S. to report on stories. So far I’ve visited 46 states. Among my favorites: being the first person to broadcast live from Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet factory floor as the program was facing scrutiny from President Trump due to costs; live play-by-play coverage of SpaceX's first-ever Falcon Heavy rocket launch, from Kennedy Space Center; and the short documentary I did with the CNBC Investigative unit that focused on illegal home-sharing activity on the Airbnb platform, a project that involved five months of research and reporting and required quite a number of field shoots.

AM: When you wake up, what are 3 sites/apps/platforms that you go to to connect with what is going on financially to jump start your day?

MB: First stop is CNBC.com to see where different markets are trading. Second stop is Twitter to see what’s trending and what the financial and media folks I follow are talking about. After that, I start clicking through articles on the homepages of news sites like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters and Axios. I also receive hard copies of newspapers every day because I think it’s important to visually see what’s made the front page and where (and I still like to hold paper in my hands and make notes with a pen.)

AM: When you’re not at work and taking downtime for yourself, what would we find you doing?

MB: When I’m not working, I’m focused on my other job: raising my amazing (and saucy) three-year old daughter. It is very much a team effort but I try to unplug from my phones for at least an hour a night on workdays to focus all of my attention exclusively on her and the family. I’m also a big Broadway buff. And recently, I’ve been trying my hand at cooking and baking. I make a mean muffin.

AM: Living in Westchester and working in NYC, where can we find you grabbing a meal, shopping and/or working out?

MB: When my husband and I moved out of New York City a few years ago I was nervous about the change; I had been a city dweller for the better part of 16 years. I’m happy to report what millions already know: there is great food, great culture and a great sense of community in the suburbs too. In Westchester, I’m a big fan of the Cookery in Dobbs Ferry, the Inn at Pound Ridge, and for pizza, Johnny’s in Mount Vernon is a must. I currently belong to Equinox because I like the peer pressure of group classes. When shopping, I am in need of adult supervision when visiting Target, Stew Leonard’s, or HomeGoods. I’m also a big fan of diners and will travel for really good coffee, which I drink black, many times a day.

AM: As someone who is a foodie, what are 3 restaurants on your list that you have yet to try, but are looking forward to?

MB: If only it were just three! Definitely Eleven Madison Park in Manhattan; D.O.M. in Sao Paulo, Brazil – which I’m hoping will happen soon since we have a family member from that city; and Osteria Francescana in Modena, a region of Italy that’s highly underrated for its food and from where some of my husband’s family originates. One of my favorite docuseries right now is “Chef’s Table,” on Netflix, which profiles renowned chefs from across the globe, so I have quite the inspired wish list thanks to that.

AM: During our photoshoot, we listened to a 90’s Hip Hop playlist. What are 3 of your favorite songs in this genre?

MB: 90’s hip hop is the best hip hop! But as someone who came of age during that decade I may be partial. Honestly it’s too hard for me to answer because I love music, from classic rock to 80’s pop to grunge. In terms of 90’s hip hop though, I’d say anything by 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan or A Tribe Called Quest. (I may also know all of the words to “Shoop” by Salt-N-Pepa.)

AM: As someone who is always on the move and travels often for interviews, what are 3 items you take in your carry on?

MB: I never leave home without a wireless charger. I also always pack an extra set of clothes, since there have been instances in which breaking news or a last-minute assignment has meant I was on the road for longer than initially anticipated. The other item that’s especially handy is a blanket scarf because airplanes can be chilly and you can use one as a blanket or pillow in a pinch.

AM: Is there anything else you want to share?

MB: I have been very blessed to receive some great advice from accomplished individuals. But one example in particular I love is: don’t take yourself seriously; do take your job seriously. I believe that’s the secret to success - work hard and be willing, and try to have fun along the way.

Our cover shoot took place at 498 West End Ave #PH on the UWS of NYC. This 2 level home has great views of the city and is near a number of restaurants, shops and more! We chatted with Louise Philipps Forbes of Halstead to find out more information about this listing that is currently on the market.

ATHLEISURE MAG: The views and natural light at West End Ave #PH are amazing, tell us about the features of this unit.

LOUISE PHILLIPS FORBES: Set atop a quintessential Upper West Side landmark constructed in 1910 by Neville & Bagge, this 3,646 sf 5 bed, 4.5 bath newly constructed full-floor duplex is a rare combination of prewar craft and contemporary artistry. Thoughtfully designed by CetraRuddy Architecture to accommodate a 21st century lifestyle, this exceptional home has spectacular finishes and grand proportions. The premium grade details that grace the interiors impart a pervasive sense of quality, where space and light mix with elevated materials to infuse traditional forms with inventiveness.

The keyed elevator service to this topmost unit opens up into a warm and inviting foyer. Upon entering the penthouse, the new oversized windows welcome an abundance of light from all directions, keeping the home bright and airy, as you mentioned. The solid white oak floors in a custom 30-inch square rift-and-quartered parquet inspired pattern, accentuate the dining and living rooms.

Designed to deliver equal portions of elegance and functionality, every facet of the kitchen exceeds the highest standards while also delivering innovative design concepts - from the outstanding millwork in custom chocolate-stained oak with contrasting cream-colored ceruse, to a single-slab marble hearth wall that conceals the range hood. Outfitted for the most seasoned cooks, the kitchen also showcases Calacatta countertops, Miele appliances, a 48-inch Bertazzoni gas range, and a Gaggenau warming drawer and wine refrigerator.

An expansive wrap-around terrace, at its longest spanning close to 90 feet, makes for a covetable outdoor space ideal for lounging as well as hosting cocktails and dinner parties against the backdrop of an exquisite panorama f the Hudson River.

AM: What amenities are offered in this building for residents (common areas, services, etc.)?

LPF: Among the many amenities of 498 WEA is a fitness room with cardio workstations and an exercise area. For the younger set, a delightful activity center with an ingenious wood-peg wall allows kids to express themselves to their heart’s content.

AM: Tell us about the neighborhood that is directly around this building (Wholefoods, workout studios, eateries, etc.) and what neighborhood is this considered?

LPF: Flanked by two beautiful parks, the Upper West Side is one of the greenest neighborhoods in Manhattan. A favorite with families with its great elementary schools, safe streets and plethora of playgrounds, the vibe of the Upper West Side is relaxed, yet lively. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to frequent along Amsterdam Avenue, and Broadway. The wide, tree-lined streets also host many mom-and-pop stores, some of the best Jewish delis in the city, Zabar’s and Levain Bakery. Cultures abound as this coveted neighborhood is the home to the American Museum of Natural History, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the West Side Community Garden.

AM: For those interested in this unit, how can they get more information?

LPF: For more information on this home please head over to Halstead.com/19162124

AM: Do you also represent other units in this building as well?

LPF: Yes, as the exclusive broker for new development in this building my team represents new units as they become available. We just launched a fully renovated 2,093sf 3-Bed, 2-Bath residence on the 8th floor with the same designer details and notable features.

AM: Can you tell us about the artwork that is featured in this apartment?

LPF: The artwork throughout the two-story home has been thoughtfully curated by an interior designer to help highlight its architectural features and, of course, the view.

AM: Where can readers find out about properties that you represent?

LPF: www.Louisephillipsforbes.com

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS

Athleisure Mag's May cover story was shot by Paul Farkas, using Canon Mark IV; and selected Canon lenses: EF 50 f/1.2 L, EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II, and EF 70-200 f/2.8 L II.

MAKEUP & HAIR CREDITS

MUAH Bamike Ogunrinu utilized a number of products and tools in order to create the makeup and hairstyles that are in this cover editorial with CNBC's Co-Anchor of "Squawk Alley".

MAKEUP PREPARATION

PREP | BIODERMA Micellar Water | REBELS AND OUTLAWS Love Potion | DRUNKEN ELEPHANT B-Hydra Intensive Hydrating Serum | TWINMEDIX Pro:Refine Eye Correction | TWINMEDIX Pro:Refine Moisturizer | BITE Agave Lip Mask |

FACE | MAKEUP FOREVER Ultra HD Cream Foundation KEVYN AUCOIN Contour Book Volume 3 | ILIA Essential Face Palette Warm | MAKEUP FOREVER Pro Bronze Fusion Bronzer 20M | BROWS | BENEFIT Foolproof Brow Powder 3 | IT COSMETICS Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil |

OUT AND ABOUT LOOK | EYES // STILA Eyes are the Window Shadow Palette #mind | LIPS // CHAPSTICK Total Hydration Moisture + Tint #Rose Petal |

FITNESS LOOK | EYES // NARS Orgasm Illuminating Loose Powder | LIPS // PAT MCGRATH | MatteTrance Lipstick #Femme Bot |

RESORT GLAM | EYES // COZZETTE Infinite Eyeshadows #Aquamarine | LIPS // MAKEUP FOREVER Artistic Rouge Light Luminous Hydrating Lipstick L304 |

HAIR PREPARATION

HAIR PRODUCTS | IGK Laidback + Intern |

HAIR TOOLS | Hot tools ¾" – 1¼" + 1" Nano Ceramic® Salon Flat Iron with Extra-Long Plates + Nano Ceramic® Tapered Curling Iron – Large

FASHION CREDITS

Athleisure Mag's Celeb Fashion Stylist, Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director Kimmie Smith focused on looks that incorporate a number of pieces that will become go-to's in your closet with the onset of warm weather.

OUT AND ABOUT // PG 25 + 26 | SOCIALITE CLOTHING Playsuit in Tobacco | QUPID Ankle Booties | AMATOSTYLE Domenica Cream Leather Cord with Python Tassel Necklace + Novella Python Earrings | LAGOS 18K Caviar Gold Large Dome Statement Ring + 18K Bar 7 Gold Bracelet |

FITNESS LOOK // PG 16- 22 + BACK COVER | BEYOND YOGA Burgundy Sports Bra | WOLVEN THREADS Moonlight Mandala Leggings | HOKA ONE ONE Women's Bondi B | LAGOS 18K Caviar Gold 35MM Hoop Earrings, 18K Caviar Gold Diamond 7 Rounds Stack Ring, Caviar Gold Ring + 18K Caviar Gold 35MM Hoop Earrings |

RESORT GLAM LOOK // FRONT COVER + 29 - 33 | OLIVIA VON HALLE Delphine Muse Full Length Dress | GOOSEBERRY So Chic Sweet Sunrise | LAGOS 18K Enso 30MM Circle with Linear Drop Pendant Multi Length, 18K Enso 30MM Circle with Linear Drop Earring, Black Caviar Ceramic Diamond Pave 14MM Ring, Black Caviar Black Ceramic Diamond7 Link Statment Ring 9MM Bracelet + Black Caviar Black Ceramic 2 Diamond Link 9MM Bracelet |

IG @Morgan_Bren

IG @PVFarkas

IG @Shes.Kimmie

IG @BamikeOgunrinu

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Humanizing Finance with Morgan Brennan in mag.

WINTER CHILL

With a new year ahead of us, we wanted to showcase go to looks when it comes to living our lives - a lounge look, fitness look, an on the go look as well as an evening look. These ensembles take us through a number of the activities that we do throughout the week. There's nothing better than being able to share those moments with a friend and our Wilhelmina models from this shoot, Charlie (cover, right) and Alyne (cover, left) show us how to get out of the doldrums of what can be monotonous weather with hot bodies, fresh faces, fun prints and pops of color.

To create the makeup looks for the Jan 2019 cover shoot, MAKEUP ARTIST Jessica Bonilla used the following products:

CHARLIE LOUNGE STYLE + FITNESS STYLE // MAKEUP | Foundation/Concealer/Contour - Cinema Secrets 500A Series | Foundation Pallet Powder Contour - NYX Cosmetics Contour Pallet | Blush - BH Cosmetics Blush Pallet | Glow/Highlight - MAC Cosmetics Skin Mineralizing Highlight | Lips - KKW Beauty Lip Gloss in Super Nude | Mascara - Inglot | Eyeshadow - KKW Beauty Shadow Pallet in "Albanian" | Sweat - Kryolan Transparent Jelly |

CHARLIE ON THE GO STYLE // MAKEUP | Same products above | Lips - Tarte Cosmetics in "Cast" |

CHARLIE EVENING STYLE // MAKEUP | Same products above | KKW Beauty Shadow in "Loyalty"| Lips - Tarte Cosmetics in "Cast" | Lashes - Ardell in “812” |

ALYNE LOUNGE STYLE + FITNESS STYLE // MAKEUP | Foundation/Concealer/Contour/ Cinema Secrets 500B series | Contour - NYX Cosmetics | Blush - BH Cosmetics | Glow/Highlight - Dose of colors “Mirame” with the Tatcha - Dewy Mist Over Top | Eyes - KKW Beauty in "Armenian, Albanian, and Loyalty" | Liner - Inglot Gel Liner | Lashes - Ardell Faux Mink Wispies | Brows - Benefit Cosmetics Clear Brow Gel | Lips - NYX Lip Liner in “Nude Suede Shoes” with Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Over Top | Sweat - Kryolan Transparent Jelly |

ALYNE ON THE GO STYLE // MAKEUP | Same products above | Eye color was deepened with Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow in “Violetta” |

ALYNE EVENING STYLE // MAKEUP | The look was enhanced with adding a bold lip with the MAC X Selena collab in “I Could Fall in Love” |

To create the hairstyles for the Jan 2019 cover shoot, HAIR STYLIST Lea DeLoy used the following products to achieve the looks:

Lea started each look with Kevin Murphy Anti-gravity spray. Added a light layer of spray to each layer of the hair to protect from heat, hold the curl and add style memory for long lasting waves. Went through the hair picking up random pieces and wrapped on this inside of a classic curling inch iron. Use the inside of a classic iron in the same way as a wand because it gives a better wave. This also was how the finished down do was created on Charlie in the dress.

The lived in side braid- sprayed in KM Bedroom hair for that lived in volumized sexy hair look. Secured the top half if the hair with a hair tie, but placed slightly off to the side. Pulled at it slightly to create loose feel with random pieces pulled out. Pulled the rest over to the side and braided. Pulled the braid apart for a thicker more dramatic braid.

The up styles sectioned the hair into 2 or 3 ponytails. Top/middle/bottom keeping them all close together. Slightly pulled through each pony and pulling them apart creating a messy “bun” look on each pony. Wrapped the extra hair hanging out from each pony and secured them with bobby pins to fill in the voids between the pony tails. Finished up with Kevin Murphy Flex spray for a light moveable hold.

The dramatic bubble pony looks amazing for any occasion, from working out to a dressy evening out. Started with Kevin Murphy Bedroom hair to bulk up the texture. Sectioned hair into 4 pony’s starting at the top and working down to the nape. Secured hair together with a hair tie right below each pony and pulled apart to desired “bubble” size. Simply continued this effect by adding hair ties throughout the Extra hair below the nape and pulled out each section. Finished with KM Flex spray.

FASHION CREDITS

CHARLIE - FITNESS STYLE; COVER, 24-27 + BACK COVER | WOLVEN Sport Bra | HANRO Leggings | APL Sneakers | DAGNE DOVER Backpack // ALYNE - FITNESS STYLE; COVER, PG 24 -29 | HANRO Sports Bra | WOLVEN Mandala Shorts |

CHARLIE - LOUNGE STYLE; PG 16 + 18 | MAISON DE PAPILLON Cashmere Set | HANRO Tank | VIRGINS, SAINTS + ANGELS Necklace // ALYNE - LOUNGE STYLE; PG 18 -22 | THE OVID COLLECTIVE Sports Bra | AUM COUTURE Sweatpants | MAISON DE PAPILLON Cashmere Arm Warmers | VIRGINS, SAINTS + ANGELS Necklace |

CHARLIE - ON THE GO STYLE; PG 30 | SATURDAY SCHOOL V-Neck | MAVI Jean | MAISON DE PAPILLON Cardigan | VIRGINS, SAINTS + ANGELS Jewelry + Belt // ALYNE - ON THE GO STYLE; PG 30 + 31 | HANRO Body Suit + Pants | KUT FROM THE KLOTH Denim Jacket | LAGOS Earrings + Black Caviar Bracelet |

CHARLIE - NIGHT OUT STYLE; PG 32 | LEANNE MARSHALL Gown | QUPID Shoes // ALYNE - NIGHT OUT STYLE; PG 32 +33 | LEANNE MARSHALL Gown | LAGOS Earrings, Black Caviar + Diamonds Necklace | VIRGINS, SAINTS + ANGELS Ring |

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS

Select images from our January 2019 cover shoot were taken with Hasselblad X1D-50c and XCD 3.5/45mm and 3.2/90mm lenses. We find the X1D-50c to indeed be a game changer, bringing mirrorless technology to digital medium format for the first time ever. The 50MP CMOS sensor captures fine details with true natural colors for the studio and on travel. The feel is light and balanced and boasts a modern, sophisticated build per its iconic Scandinavian design heritage. We recommend it for endless opportunities for rich and dreamy professional and personal captures!

IMAGES TAKEN WITH HASSELBLAD X1D-50C | PG 21, 22, 27, 28 + 33 |

Our cover editorial was shot at 498 West End Ave on the UWS in NYC. We sat down with Louise Phillips Forbes, Licensed Assoc. Real Estate Broker, Halstead Real Estate located at 499 Park Avenue to discuss the property.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We were in this building a few years ago when we first interviewed you for Athleisure Mag. What can you tell us about the building as a whole, how you came onto this project and what your involvement is?

LOUISE PHILLIPS FORBES: I remember that interview well and it's always a pleasure to spend time in conversation with you. I'm a big fan of Athleisure! I have the privilege of being the director of sales and marketing for the development project underway at 498 West End Avenue, which is a pre-war conversion of a beautiful turn-of-the-20th century building from a rental residence to a luxury condominium by developer Samson Management. The magnificent bones of this quintessential Upper West Side landmark and its ageless edifice constructed in 1910 by

Neville & Bagge who provided the ideal envelope for CetraRuddy Architecture to thoughtfully design and reimagine it for a 21st century lifestyle. The result is sublime and we refer to it as "A story of exceptionalism."

AM: The lobby is stunning, please tell us more about this area.

LPF: The extensive renovation began outside the building with the restoration of the façade, which was re turned to its original splendor through an extensive cleaning and repair process. A highlight is the elegant and fully-restored ornamental metal marquee with glass canopy. It's a beautiful entrance to the building with period wrought iron doors that open onto a newly re-designed lobby. Complete with a 24-hour doorman, the lobby features decorative bronze wall panels in a geometric pattern, and walls and flooring in a composition of Vanillis Pearl polished and honed marble and St. Laurent honed marble. It's very inviting, and although more contemporary than how it was, it pays homage to the original pre-war splendor.

AM: This duplex penthouse for our January cover shoot has amazing views, multiple terraces, sun-drenched rooms throughout, and abundant bedrooms, what can you tell us about this property?

LPF: It's a spectacular, one-of-a-kind residence that possesses a grandeur, both in scale and workmanship, boasting spectacular finishes and impressive room scale. This newly-constructed, expansive, full-floor duplex penthouse is an addition to the building's architectural heritage, with 3,646 interior square feet containing grandly proportioned rooms, and 3,002 exterior square feet made up of five terraces, two of which are off of the master suite, with amazing views in all four directions. There are five large bedrooms, four full bathrooms, one powder room, and a huge eat-in kitchen with truly high-end appliances and finishes - custom chocolate-stained cerused oak cabinetry with light bronze accent trim and pulls, Calacatta marble slab countertops and backsplash, and appliances from Miele, Gaggenau, and Bertazzoni. The premium grade designer details that grace the interiors impart a pervasive sense of quality, and the curated design ushers in a new vernacular - a rare combination of prewar craft and contemporary artistry, perfect for entertaining as well as restorative time at home. This penthouse residence is a standout amongst its competitors, elevating it to a timeless sophistication satisfying the needs of the most discerning buyer.

AM: The interior design for this unit is gorgeous! Tell us about the interior designer and what was the inspiration behind the aesthetic.

LPF: As we do for most of our projects with this developer, we contracted with Robin Mayer of Robin Mayer Designs. Together with her team and my director of PR and marketing, Richard Johnson, they brought the space to life and created a home that everyone can see themselves living in. It's both inspirational and aspirational, with furnishings and accessories that while lavish and sophisticated, are also warm, comfortable, and inviting. Capitalizing on the abundance of natural light, breathtaking views, and voluminous rooms, they incorporated many notable brands. Highlights include: outdoor furniture and several indoor pieces from Restoration Hardware, rugs from ABC Carpet & Home, furnishings and accessories from Ralph Lauren Home, Keno Brothers Furniture Collection, Homenature, and vintage mid-century pieces from Italian designer Marco Zanuso. I'm so pleased and proud of the results.

AM: Tell us about the artwork that is in this unit and is there anything about the artist that you can share?

LPF: We have many stunning pieces of artwork showcased in the staging of this home, but I'm thrilled to feature two exceptional works by artist Aubrey Mayer - (1) Christopher Wool Contact Sheet v.3, 2016, ink jet on canvas 72"x59", hanging in the foyer, and (2) Laura Owens, Nate Lowman, Mark Grotjahn Contact Sheet, 2017, framed dye sublimation on aluminum 70"x50", hanging in the dining room. We are so fortunate to have his art on display in this home and everyone who's been here has fallen in love with these two pieces. They are simply stunning! Aubrey Mayer is a self-taught photographer and painter, and he has works included in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum and the Columbia University Art Museum. I would like to see the two works we have in the penthouse become permanent additions here (wink, wink). They are so perfect for the space. Fingers crossed the future buyer agrees.

AM: What amenities are offered in the building?

LPF: The renovation of this pre-war gem includes the addition of a fully-equipped fitness center and children's playroom, along with the conveniences of secured storage units and bicycle storage, both of which are things New Yorkers appreciate in a city where space is limited.

AM: What neighborhood is this building located in and what can you tell us about the area?

LPF: This building is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at the corner of 84th Street and West End Avenue. It's an ideal area of the city because it's convenient to so many things. Riverside Park is just one block away with a wide variety of outdoor activities - bike and jogging paths, skateboarding, dog runs, tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields, and much more. You have easy access to the West Side Highway, plus Equinox and SoulCycle are close by, as are boutique shops and retail stores, charming cafes and fine dining restaurants, grocery stores, and parking garages, in addition to the crosstown bus and subway. It's also the area of the city where I call home and reared my two sons, so I might be a little biased.

AM: For people interested in purchasing this apartment, how can they find out more information?

LPF: Showings of the home are by appointment only and interested parties are welcome to contact me directly on my cell at 917-846-8640 or via email at lphillips@halstead.com. They can also check out the online listing to view beautiful photographs and a floor plan here.

AM: Where can readers see other properties that you represent?

LPF: It's easy, simply visit my website at LouisePhillipsForbes.com and click on the tab for "My Listings." I represent a wide variety of homes and we have some very special active listings at the moment so I encourage people to check them out. They can also find out more about me and my team. I have negotiated deals all over NYC and even some in the surrounding suburban areas. I'm networked with the best brokers domestically and globally so I would welcome the opportunity to chat with folks and find out how I can best be of service. I consider myself more of an educator than a salesperson, and it's a privilege to be a part of the buying and selling process for people. After all, your home is the foundation upon which the rest of your life is built.

IG @LouisePhillipsForbesTeam

Read more from the Jan Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Winter Chill in mag.

PROJECT HOLIDAY: TABLESCAPES AND HOSTING

The holiday season is exciting because you have the chance to see a number of your friends, family and colleagues in one place and at various gatherings within a dizzying 6 weeks. You know there are a number of events that you will attend and of course, you will be hosting. In theory, it's exciting until you realize that you will be hosting and throwing a dinner, event or a combination of the two. Before you stress out, we sat down with Camille Styles who knows a thing or two about planning events, cooking meals and being a great hostess. This event planner got her start in the industry planning events and pairing it with food. In addition to sharing her creations and tips on HGTV.com, Cooking Channel, O Magazine, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living and more, Camille also shares her tips on her namesake site.

We took some time to talk with her about how we can tackle being a great host, the approachable way to creating tablescapes, her favorite places in Austin and her partnership with Bounty.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Can you tell us how you got into the event space as we know you have done a lot with HGTV.com and your website is beautiful.

CAMILLE STYLES: So part of my career is in events as you said. About 12 years ago, in my 20’s, I was an event planner for a catering company so I am really thankful that I was able to start as an event planner with a focus on food. I feel that number 1, food is my favorite part and the focal point to any kind of gathering and it also really taught me the nitty gritty ends and outs on what it takes to really create a great event. I got my feet wet there and fell in love with entertaining, parties, hosting and bringing people together. As a side creative outlet, I started CamilleStyles.com really as a creative project. I mean at that time, it was 10 years ago so blogs were really more of a hobby and something to do for fun on the side. Over the next year or two, it started to really pick up speed and gain an audience and as a Journalism major I have always loved to be able to right and really to use that degree to create content even if it was just for fun.

Over time, I built an audience where I was able to see that this was something that could be a full time gig and so I stopped planning events and put my time into creating content for the website. For the next 9 years, I continued to build and built a team of 7 right here in Austin – which I can’t believe that it’s been that long. I also have a few contributors from around the country as well. The content that we created it’s grown from focusing on entertaining to a number of lifestyle topics from design to interiors. But we really do keep the heart of what we do, which is about entertaining and for me it really is about those gatherings and finding ways to connect with people – especially during this time of year around the holidays. It’s about creating these feelings and spaces with those you love.

I’m truly able to do my dream job to create this kind of content around these verticals.

AM: Focusing on entertaining, what advice do you have for someone who is about to embark upon hosting their first holiday dinner with 10 people? How can we curb the anxiety that comes around hosting and making that person feel that this is an attainable task?

CS: This is a topic that is really near and dear to my heart. Entertaining is not just about bringing people together, but also being able to interact with them! Finding ways to host holiday gatherings without feeling stressed is so key because the host should be able to have fun right beside their guests. I think that for me, it all starts with making a detailed plan, especially when it comes to hosting a meal like, Thanksgiving or Christmas that has a lot of components where you are juggling a lot of different menu items. You want to hone in on exactly who is coming, making a specific plan about when they should show up, when dinner will be and of course – planning the venue. A detailed list of exact recipes, ingredients needed and most importantly, what can be done in advance so you can get as much done that’s not on the holiday so that when the day rolls around – you’re not too overwhelmed on what needs to get done.

AM: What are your go to’s that you like to make in advance?

CS: Make ahead recipe wise, there are a few things I always do, like sauces and sal ad dressings can be made a day or two ahead. I pop them in Mason Jars in the fridge. Pie crusts can be made really far in advance and you can actually freeze them. Things like cranberry sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Roasted vegetables are perfect to make a day ahead and then you can pop them in the oven to warm them up. We actually just posted Make Ahead Recipes which are perfect for holiday meals! I have a lot of my favorites in there that really showcases how important it is to do things in advance. If you are actually trying to make 8 dishes ON Thanksgiving or Christmas, you are going to be running around like a crazy person! This is the best way to maintain your sanity.

AM: In terms of tablescapes, what options do people have whether it’s going to Williams-Sonoma, your favorite department store or just going outside? People want to be able to showcase that they took time to present their meal in a beautiful and fun way.

CS: I love during this time of year to really take inspiration from nature. Where I live, we can go on a nature walk and collect branches, leaves, acorns or berries and gather them into a bowl. I’ll go to the grocery store and pick up some pomegranates and put them in a big shallow bowl to place them on the table. Anything that you can do to bring in some of those natural elements and really speak to what is happening outdoors, really speaks to the fall and season. Right now, there are a number of stores that are carrying some really beautiful faux greenery and branches – it’s such a great option for someone that doesn’t have those natural elements – to be able to place them on their table.

AM: In terms of cleaning up from such a feast, what are your tips there – should they be cleaning as they go or accept guests requests to pitch in?

CS: I’m all for guests being invited to participate in any realm except for clean up. Clean up is the one area that I think your guests should not be involved unless you have that one guest that absolutely insists. If it helps them to not feel guilty that’s ok but generally – it’s not something I would accept. When guests arrive, I want them to feel relaxed, so the kitchen shouldn’t look like a mess where they feel compelled to jump in and start cooking. For me, that’s where Bounty comes in as I pretty recently ditched my sponges as it was the one thing in my kitchen that got really gross and make my space look so messy. When you’re using the same sponge to wipe off the counters all day and to clean your utensils it just doesn’t look inviting when you see them there. I don’t want my guests to walk in to see gross dirty sponges and dishtowels when they walk in. I have my Bounty papertowels to wipe things down and to use a good cleaning spray. I can keep my pans clean as I go and it’s like using a dishtowel in that it doesn’t tear apart when you are using it and I can simply throw it away when I am done as opposed to having it out visibly. It’s my biggest cleaning hack.

AM: We know that you recently partnered with Bounty?

CS: For me, I really believe in the product and quality and I use it everyday myself. We really, at our company think really carefully about the products and brands we work with and don't have that many that we do partner with. We want to work with the ones that are integral in my life as well as within the studio as we create content. It’s always great when you have the chance to work with a brand that has a natural cohesion with the things that you are already doing. For us around the holiday season, we’re always talking about how to simplify, how to have beautiful surrounding throw really great parties without being stressed and Bounty is one of the ways that we are able to do that.

AM: With Christmas and Hanukkah and other winter holidays – people have a number of gatherings that are not as intensive as hosting a dinner. What are really simple ways that people can host to enjoy their guests while keeping it stress free?

CS: I like events where guests can jump in and have a bit of interactivity and can lighten the load on the host. So, any type of do it yourself menus like Build Your Own Flatbread Bar where you can make flatbreads and bring them out and they can put on their own toppings and they can build them themselves. It’s perfect with those that have dietary restrictions as they can ensure that they are only adding in items that work for their needs. The same with cocktails, think of a specialty cocktail and have a self-serve bar with a few recipe cards and let them mix their own for the season. I love things like that as it’s a great way to get guests mingling and to use their hands to do something. It also makes my job easier as I’m not mixing up cocktails or making individual plates when my guests are hanging out. I can jump in and enjoy my guests and create alongside them.

AM: We know you’re based in Austin, TX. Where can we find you grabbing a bite/cocktail, working out and shopping?

CS: I love this – I’m such a proud Austinite. In terms of getting a bite to eat, there are so many! I would probably say, oh my gosh I have to break it down by season. In the winter, I love to go to June’s it’s a really cozy spot on South Congress. They have an amazing Chicken Matzah Ball Soup – if you go there, you have to get it! Its so heartwarming and cozy and a fun casual environment. That’s probably my go to winter spot. In the summer, I like to sit on the patio of Laundurette and order a glass of rose and they have an amazing burrata dish and everything they do is really creative and interesting with spicy flavors. Shopping, if I had to choose one place – I LOVE, I’d say Sunroom it’s a really cool shop on South Congress that has a cool beachy vibes. They carry designers and brands that you don’t find anywhere else in Austin and their buyer buys the coolest pieces. I just feel I wouldn’t find it anywhere online and I do a lot of online shopping so when I go there, it is always an experience and different. I work out at MOD Fitness, my barre studio and I also do SoulCycle and I also love to walk and run with a good friend around Lady Bird Lake.

PHOTOS COURTESY | Marc Babin

PHOTO CREDIT | UnSplash

Read more from the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Project Holiday: Tablescapes and Hosting in mag.

WHICH MATERIAL IS BEST SUITED FOR INTERNAL DOORS OF YOUR HOME?

Doors make a huge statement in your home. It is really important to choose the right door which matches your vision to make the right impression. The material you want for your interior door affects the overall privacy, durability, and style of the home. There are many interior doors which possess different materials, configurations, and styles. If you have an insight into the pros and cons of each material, it will help you in choosing the right one.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is undoubtedly best for both exterior and interior applications. It has a natural resistance to corrosion, which makes it great for high salt and chemical applications. It is also not prone to rust and needs to be disinfected. Although it is an expensive material for the doors, it is still preferred in many restaurants.

There is only one downside to stainless steel that it is limited in designs and not very well insulated.

Wood

Wood is the material that forms the most beautiful doors with endless design and finishes options. It also has inherent properties which prevent it from conducting heat and cold. It is used to make all sorts of varying from the latest variations to evergreen style of doors like Victorian and Georgian doors. Online Door Store comprises of a huge variety of such doors in different lavish designs, sizes, and styles. However, wood doesn’t do well in changing weather conditions. That’s why it is not recommended for exterior applications.

Metal

Metal is a very durable material which is made by cold rolling steel. It can stand by the test of time. This kind of material is highly recommended for the places where products are being moved in and out continuously.

The downside it has is the lack of insulation which allows cold and heat to escape. However, you can have a paint coating on it to keep the rust aside. It is also limited in finish and designs. And you can’t disinfect it; otherwise, you will harm the finish during the process.

PHOTO CREDIT | UnSplash

Fibre Glass

Unlike metal and stainless steel, it has different design options. You can even get fibreglass doors which look like wood doors. Moreover, like stainless steel doors, fibreglass doors can easily withstand harsh environments and chemicals.

It is not as durable as stainless steel is which is a turn-off for the buyers. Also, the disinfection can cause damage to the finish.

Laminate

It is quite a durable material which makes laminated doors last for a longer period. All it takes is to manufacture and install the doors properly. Moreover, it offers a huge variety of exuberant designs at very affordable prices. It is also easy to disinfect and clean.

However, there is a downside to it. For instance, if it is not manufactured properly, it can end up causing cracking, peeling, and chipping.

After having a clearer view of different materials, it might be easy for you now to decide that which one is the best door material for your home.

Read from the latest issue of Athleisure Mag

HOW A BOTANICAL DESIGN CAN LIGHTEN UP YOUR ROOM

Spring and summer mean it's time to step outside. But what if it's still Winter, or you live in a country without warm, beautiful Spring days? You would still want to beautify your room with botanical pictures, landscape designs, and green views.

Thanks to a modern art form, home decor can change this for you and create something beautiful to look at.

When you are thinking about remodeling your room or renovating the scenery, you might consider going with the botanical design. It brings back the feeling of being in the garden, breathing clean air and enjoying nature.

You can create a botanical feeling in your room with several design ideas:

● Indoor wall murals

Murals are not only for graffiti art and outdoor work. You can remodel your room wall with a great mural and be happy with it. A lot of people choose to erect a botanical mural on their walls. They like to be surrounded by nature. Muralists use several elements of outdoor view to create a natural feeling of gazing into the wildlife.

You can hire a professional muralist to paint your wall. You can even try doing so yourself. What you can do is to choose a removable mural template or browse through other ideas. Decide if you want to shop for landscape designs. You won't regret gazing into wildlife every day.

● Indoor botanical designs

Many people decide on creating indoor gardens nowadays. It's to create a sensation of freshness and being in nature. A botanical garden is a great way to introduce house and outdoor plants to your family.

A botanical garden is a type of garden that is usually public to the community. But it can be private for you and your house guests. A botanical garden is something that you can enjoy every day. It's something to amaze your guests with.

● Small botanical elements

If you are not ready to transform your room into a small botanical garden. If you don't want to wake up every day looking at a forest mural, but still want to have some botanical elements, this might be for you.

You can include small botanical elements in your bedroom, living room or kitchen. Take, for example, botanical sheets for your bed. Botanical drapes in the kitchen, or hand cloths for the bathroom.

Houseplants are also a good addition. Cactuses, succulents and other types of houseplants can add some natural and green look to your interior.

Go with green pouf chairs. Add some green leafy pillows to your living room couches. Do you use lampshades? It can be an opportunity to give your room a green feeling with a simple lampshade design.

Your room decor is up to you. Botanical design can transform your house into something fascinating and fresh. It gives your room a green and fresh look.

Create your indoor wildlife. It should deliver multiple feelings once you're done with it. A great sense of new life and plenty of oxygen, even if you use artificial elements. You will feel more relaxed and rested. You will wake up to something beautiful every day and enjoy living in your corner even more.

Read more from the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

CREATE THE ULTIMATE ME-CAVE

The battle over where to watch football players duke it out this season can turn into a turf war between men and women. One person wants to watch the big game on the big screen, and the other just wants some peace and quiet. Taking over the spare room for a solo sanctuary can often turn into a game of “He Shed, She Shed” — he wants a man cave, and she wants an indoor she shed. Instead of fighting it out, local couples are finding solace in the concept of the Me-Cave — the latest personal space trend in organizational home design. We talked with our friends at Closets by Design.

Research suggests couples blame their unhappiness more on lack of alone time THAN a boring sex life.

Utilizing a spare room, or even a small nook, as a spot for a multi-use retreat is a great way to make sure everyone in the home has a happy place. It’s easy to create a unique, organized Me-Cave that is suitable for anyone who occasionally needs some alone time.

Here are some ideas for the perfect Me-Cave both men and women can appreciate:

Creation Station – Instead of taking over the kitchen or garage when it comes time to hone your craft, move to a designated space. Using features such as a gift wrap station, organizing slots and craft supply drawers, Closets by Design can build unique hobby centers that will cater to everyone’s specific needs.

Hideaway Haven – Why not hang out in a room with your prized possessions — the ones that you don’t necessarily want to display in your living room, but you don’t want them hiding in your attic? Designing an organized space with adjustable shelves or slatwalls with hooks allows you to keep your collections out in the open, within the limits of your personal Me-Cave.

Break Room – This type of Me-Cave is where homeowners can meditate, practice yoga, read or simply take a break. Pros can add organizational storage features to the room, such as an island with drawers, to make it free of anxiety-inducing clutter.

Dream Walk-In Closet – A spare room can be used to create a clothes-filled oasis. Experts can build a closet system for the room that maximizes wall space, takes advantage of any windows, and keeps the area neat and tidy. Add a comfortable armchair or bench and you’ve got a Me-Cave that makes getting ready for work a dream!

Multi-Purpose Me-Cave – Your Me-Cave can also be a guest room or an office. A wall bed can easily be tucked away after your visitors go home, and Closets by Design’s office systems also make it easy to keep one half of the room for work and the other half for fun.

Read more from the latest issue of Athleisure Mag

PREPPING YOUR GARAGE FOR COLD WEATHER SEASON

We sat down with Home Organization Expert, Marty Basher of ModularClosets.com to get tips on de-cluttering your garage when it comes to the cold weather season!

Do you have any advice for prepping your garage for Fall and Winter?

Cleaning the garage is a perfect first step to setting up for an easier and more convenient Fall and Winter. You’ll enjoy having everything from Summer out of the way and everything you need for the cold weather seasons organized, easy-to-access and ready to be used.

Where do you start?

Start with your goal in mind. Is your garage best described as a mechanic’s dream hangout? Or does the garage double as a storage and laundry room? What equipment, tools and supplies will you need for the upcoming season? Having a plan for the final functionality of the space is key to achieving a successful cleaning and organizing. Prioritizing what needs to stay, what has to go, and how much room you need to maneuver in the garage is a lot easier when you have a goal. Sketch out a rough plan and get started.

What do you get rid of and what do you keep?

When it comes to purging items from the garage, start with expired items like old paint cans, oils, solvents, yard treatments and insecticides. These items break down over time and loose efficacy and quality. Only keep items that will last through the coming season. Before tossing paint, document the color codes for anything in the house you may want to touch up or repaint.

Keeping everything is tempting, especially when you have the space and you don’t need to

Worry about drop in visitors. Deciding what to keep can be determined by itemizing your items into categories: Use regularly, Use Annually, Don’t Use, & Sentimental Storage. If you don’t use it, get rid of it. Check annual and regular use items for signs of wear and tear. Replace or store as needed. When it comes to sentimental storage, focus on what you actually want to keep and what you actually have room to store safely.

What is the best type of organization/storage system?

Depending on the amount of space you have to work with, several options can be useful. Narrow spaces benefit from wall shelves and stackable storage systems. Free standing shelving units give freedom to adapt as your needs change. Built in storage, such as shelving, locker systems, peg boards, or ceiling storage units are extremely functional in addition to making organizing easy.

What should not be in the garage?

Typically, the garage is not a good place for storing food items. Some garages may safely accommodate a second refrigerator or drop freezer. Avoid shelving dry goods or other food items in the garage as this entices insects and rodents. Also note, if you store birdseed or other types of animal feed in the garage, a metal bin away from moisture is best. Rodents can nibble through plastic containers to get to food or birdseed. Also use caution when storing fuels and flammable liquids in the garage. They should be kept separate in an area where they can’t be knocked or spilled easily.

How do you deal with bikes and sports equipment?

A simple solution for bike storage is an S hook and a stud. Using a stud finder, screw a large S hook into the ceiling stud and hang bicycles by the tire. This reduces floor clutter and several bikes can hang in a tight space. Wall rack bike storage systems are another great option. Storing sports equipment can be daunting, especially for multitalented people or families. Wall locker systems can be very helpful for organizing sports equipment. Another option for sports equipment can be found in a stackable bin system. Choose a combination of bin sizes that will hold your equipment and stack. Don’t forget lids for the top layer of bins. The dead space above your equipment storage system can function nicely as a place to store extra paper towels or water coolers in the off season. This system can grow and change with your needs and interests

What about equipment and tools?

Garden equipment can be used and stored easily in a high backed wheeled bucket. Keep the rake, hoe, trowel, gloves and more stored safely in one place in the garage. Keep equipment like snowblowers where it is easy to get them out and back in. Have shovels and snowbrushes for clearing cars off all in one bucket or bin. Keep salt for de-icing in a refillable and easy to carry container with a handle, and where you can easily access it and take it out for use. Another option for gardening items is a lean-to shed attached to the exterior wall of your garage. These small sheds can be built to suit your needs and can double as a gardening shed complete with potting table.

How do you keep it organized

Simple and perhaps cliché, but still useful: a place for everything and everything in it’s place. Assign a home for the items in the garage and be sure to put them there when you finish with them. If you have a family using the garage, you might need to get out the label maker to keep the family on board with the new organization. If you add to your garage collections, avoid reorganizing the whole garage by keeping some open shelf or wall space to assign to new items.

Are there are any rules you should follow?

Rule number 1: It has to work for you. All of the tips on the world won’t help if the job goes against your natural routine. Build and organizational system that accentuates your natural patterns. If you always kick off your shoes by the garage door, put the shoe basket there.

Anything I am missing?

Fall is a perfect time to do a maintenance check on all of the equipment before needing to use them when cold weather season hits. Get a tune up for the snow blower and make sure it's filled with gas.

Read more from the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

THE HITMAKER WITH NATHAN MORRIS

When you think about R&B you always come to Boyz II Men who had one hit after another with their cool sound, great sense of style and music videos that you remember when thinking about their songs. Although they are a phenomenal music group, we had the chance to hear about a project one of the founding members and Grammy winning artist, Nathan Morris is doing with the DIY Network in his new show, a four part series premiering on Oct 6th – Hit Properties with Nathan Morris. We had a moment to chat with him while he talked about the legacy of his group, his interest in real estate, how this show differs from a number of flipping programs and what we can find him doing when he is not touring and flipping houses!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we get into your new show on DIY Network, we know you kicked off this year’s NFL season with Boyz II Men at Lincoln Financial Field. We’ve been a fan of the group since Cooleyhighharmony. How have you guys continued to be an amazing group that has produced a number of hits, videos and more?

NATHAN MORRIS: I just feel that we are truly blessed to still be able to do what we love, to see our fans and for them to still find that after 27 years, our music is still relevant to them. Our fans are from all over the world and they give us so much love. When you hear fans say that the first song they slow danced to was, “I’ll Make Love to You” or they had a Boyz II Men baby – to know that we have been a part of people’s important moments is crazy!

AM: You guys have a residency at The Mirage in Las Vegas – how is it to prepare for these shows and is there a place that you have yet to perform that you would still like to do?

NM: We love that our fans know that 22 weekends out of the year, they can come see us at The Mirage – we have done this for the past 3 years. We know a number of our fans who have really enjoyed our music over the years may have never seen us in concert - so this is the venue to do it! We just signed an additional 3 years there.

I’d love to see us performing throughout South America and we’d love to be able to have the chance to go to the Middle East and to perform in Duabi. We’d also love to go to Africa as well.

AM: Clearly, we know you’ve been a powerhouse in the music business but how did this translate to real estate?

NM: I’ve had the pleasure of investing in some serious real estate deals on the business side and on the personal side, I’ve done some construction, renovation and designing.

AM: Tell us about your new show Hit Properties with Nathan Morris?

NM: I’m really excited about this show. I know that there are a lot of shows about flipping houses, but we really go in there to show you what it’s like. I take this old mansion in Orlando and I Nate-a-cize it – I love luxurious upgrades and I really like smart home upgrades, remote controlled toilettes and WiFi enabled lighting. In addition to showing the work of taking this 8,200 sq feet mansion from a decrepit place to a glamourous one, we also have humor in this show and you see my right hand man, Bryant Gipson working right along side with me as he has done in other projects that we have partnered on together.

AM: Why did you focus on Orlando?

NM: Mainly, the weather is ideal there as you can pretty much work year around and it just made sense to do it there.

AM: What do people who want to get into the flipping industry need to know about the business?

NM: If you’re a person who can’t be flexible and only has a plan if everything goes right – then this is not for you! You also have to remember that when you're flipping a house, you're not building it for you. You want to put finishes and touches that someone buying it could see for themselves. If you make it with amenities that you personally want, you may find that they are too much to your taste and not universal.

AM: What are areas that you suggest a flipper should focus on when doing a home?

NM: I believe that the kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms are essential. I spend the most time in these areas of my home after my bedroom. These are areas where you want to be able to relax. I don’t like small spaces so you’ll see in the show that I increased one of the rooms by 15 to 20 feet in order to be more spacious and inviting.

IG @NathanMorrisPHD

Make sure to check out this season this season of Hit Properties with Nathan Morris on DIY Network which debuts on Oct 6th at 10:30pm EST.

Listen to our conversation with Boyz II Men's Nathan Morris, on an upcoming episode of #TribeGoals on Athleisure Studio, our multimedia podcast network.

Read more from the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Hitmaker with Nathan Morris in mag.

THE ART OF INTERIORS WITH NATALIE OFFICER

This month, we made our way to an immersive launch of Cafe, A Matte Collection which included a new collection of appliances and finishes that could be customized to truly make your home your own. At this event, two concepts were presented a clean white focused design which reminded us os a french provencial look and a very cool modern copper style that was oh so New York. This concept was created by the Louisville based interior designer, Natalie Officer of Natalie O. Design. We talked with her about how she transitioned from the fashion world to interior design, how she works with her clients to create their vision, her attention to detail and her favorite spots in Louisville.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell Athleisure Mag about your background and how you went from fashion to interiors?

NATALIE OFFICER: Fashion is a tremendous place to cut your teeth. It invites you fully understand textiles, the process of creating, and the actual viability and sustainability of style. Working with large national and international brands and how they dance with the wholesale and retail side of existence was tremendously insightful. In this life, if you are lucky, you eventually strive to create something of your own. Something that reminds you of what you are made of. When I left fashion, my then boyfriend and now husband and I jumped into renovating large greystone homes in Chicago; a very expensive and educational "side hustle". After completing the third large scale project, other builders were approaching me to design their developments and stage their properties. Much has been learned since then - gains, losses, and hard lessons. Coming out on the other side of nearly 15 years of study, and seeing Natalie O Design provide for my family, other creatives, and innovative people has been a dream that is finally being realized.

AM: What is your process when approaching a design process?

NO: As a student in Fashion Design, you learn first to appreciate the "hand" of fabric. Years ago, a Couture German instructor impressed upon me the importance of that tactile sense, as well as the "finish" quality of our work. So, we start with the textiles and then back into the space.

AM: How do you obtain inspiration for creating transformative spaces that speak to your client?

NO: Over time, my process has evolved. It started with images, and visual reference goals, really from the time I was a kid. I would eagerly await magazines to arrive in the mailbox. As time has passed, the use of images and over exposure of certain trends/thoughts has complicated this process and lent to industry "sameness". So, I have returned to the trusted inspiration of hand and textiles, along with a bit of an archeological dig into each clients need, life travels, and personal stories. You can find such environmental inspiration all around you. Travel, touch and a good ear are really the big winners in design.

All the qualities of a quality love story.

AM: Tell us about your firm Natalie O’Design what was the nexus to launching it and what is its design ethos?

NO: We are comprised of four people. We listen. We teach one another. Empathize in the journey, and grow. Inspiring one another and our clients all the while.

This has long been our creed:

To inspire others to be their most authentic selves, in their homes and daily walks.

AM: We were blown away by the Cafe event. We love the fact that in addition to the design showcased, the Cafe products, the personalized/customized experiences and great food, that Louisville was also showcased. How did you become a part of this event and why did you choose the design angle to creating your vision of a space that included the products and finishes of your “rooms”?

NO: 'Twas really an organic blend, and that always works the best.

Our partnership came organically from the design and development of the customizable Cafe line, developed internally by Maggie Ballinger. What we have expressed in our brand identity was desirable to the concept, and we were honored to be contacted to participate as the designers of the Matte Black Kitchen for Cafe.

The copper hardware was a driver of course, but really we simply took our vibe and parlayed it into "lifestyle" influences. The venue and map of New York City and the Bon Ton tile hand-made in Minnesota gave a wonderful splash of activity in the space. We coupled it with the use of Maharam fabrics and the mix of forged copper, linen, and hand thrown ceramics on the table.

Of course the Lucas Pete lighting made our heart skip a beat.

AM: The space you created was stunning. Can you tell us about the tiles, countertops etc that were in your space as you had so many stories that really brought this to life.

NO: It is part of our brand to utilize small brands, started concepts, and to work with people who still answer the phone. We utilized Caesarstone and the natural deep emerald Nuvalato stone as our countertop surfaces, and built in the copper Rohl sinks, pairing them with the beautiful and attainable faucets from Cincinnati's own Signature Hardware. Each piece and placement from the tile to the table scape, thought through collectively by our team. I spent almost 8 hours piecing together the mural wall, knowing each tile and tone was integral to highlighting the items.

A list of vendors used in the space:

Maharam Fabric
Helen Levi Ceramics
Crate & Barrel
Bon Ton Designs Tile
Signature Hardware
Rohl Home
Haute Living
Lukas Peet Lighting
Williams-Sonoma
Food52
The Shelter Collection
Industry West
Yield Design
Sertodo Copper

AM: Are there any celeb projects or large products that are public that you’d be able to share that you have worked on?

NO: In true creative fashion, we trip over the word celebrity. As we treat each of our clients with very high regard, and are ambitious about making them feel like a true celeb. Recognizable names? Perhaps not. But, our local coffee go to, Please and Thank You, has honored us with design partnerships on two shops. Certainly eye candy for the masses to view. Julie Metzinger, a dream client, is probably our favorite celebrity home featured to date. Our visions resonated so much she ended up joining our team. We are breaking the mold here in Kentucky and humbled by the work coming to us from across the country.

AM: In Louisville, where would we find you grabbing a bite/cocktails, working out and shopping?

NO: The bright and clever cafe Naive, conversing with artists and makers at our Hope Mills studio space, getting pizza at MozzaPi, spinning records and grabbing cookies at Please & Thank You, local vibes at Bean coffee shop, looking through thrifts and antiques at Mellwood (when we’re not driving outside of town to secret locations), celebration dinner and drink at Butchertown Grocery and Lola, Circe + SWAG for gifts for ourselves and others, EP Tom Sawyer State Park for running on local limestone.

AM: As a wife, working mom and a business owner, how do you take time for yourself?

NO: My studio time is my "me time". Loving my work is really something therapeutic to me. Otherwise... sleep.

AM: How do you give of your time from a philanthropic standpoint?

NO: Relationship and community are built through service, and being on the receiving end of kindness and others generosity in our own lives, humbles you to the importance. It is important to our team to work with nonprofits and philanthropic forces. We are excited to be partnering with the local Fund for the Arts for their spring fund raiser, through our design work. Our long time relationship with friend and founder of Hope Scarves, Lara MacGregor, has helped to yield personal growth as well as mission growth in the organization. They are now a major contributor to Metastatic Breast Cancer Research in our local area, and nationally. What is good for the soul is good for others.

 IG @NatalieODesign

Read more from the August Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Art of the Interiors with Natalie Officer in mag.

HE GETS YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER WITH SIDNEY TORRES

We are fans of CNBC, especially their primetime programming. With the second season of The Deed launching on June 13th, we were excited to talk to developer, Sidney Torres on the show, his success at flipping houses, his advice, and his passion for the city of New Orleans which is still coming back from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We're excited for season 2 of The Deed. For our readers that may not be familiar with you, tell us about your background (would love to know more about SDT Waste and Debris Services) as well as (The Cove in the Bahamas), FQ Task Force, IV Capital and how you got into being a successful flipper.

SIDNEY TORRES: I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do when I got out of high school and I had to get a job to figure out what I wanted to do. I went to work in the music business, first working the graveyard shift at a radio station and then I got a job working for a musician, Lenny Kravitz, traveling the world for a year and a half. I got fired after living the rock and roll lifestyle and thinking that I was Lenny instead of working for Lenny. That pushed me into going and getting a job working at a construction company sweeping the floor and learning that whole thing. I really enjoyed architecture and I liked real estate I just didn’t know anything about it so I got a job starting from the bottom and worked my way up to a foreman and then I ended up getting my own general contractors license and started doing my own real estate flips. The success in real estate is what gave me the ability to take on other challenges in the community like the crime app and other charity type events.

When Hurricane Katrina hit and the city was in need of help and someone to clean it up, I ended up getting into the garbage business. There was a huge need and I ended up housing a

lot of the first responders. Because of that I became the hub and the place to come for things that needed to get done. I ended up renting a garbage truck and I started helping clean up the city but I wasn’t getting paid for it I did it because we needed to clean the streets from all the debris. That ended up turning into the largest hauling company in seven years in the state of Louisiana. I ended up selling it to a big public company afterwards.

Real estate is really what gave me the ability to do all the charity work, to help out and give back, and allowed me to get into all these businesses. My main passion and love was for restoring old properties and turning slighted houses and neighborhoods into livable communities.

AM: How did The Deed come about and how is this season different than last season?

ST: The Deed came about through CNBC’s executive vice-president, primetime alternative, Jim Ackerman. CNBC reached out to me because they were looking to do a show about real estate and they saw all the work that I was doing in New Orleans and they wanted to feature my company IV Capital, that lends money to up and coming developers as a hard money lender. On The Deed, not only am I providing my expertise, but this is my money that I am investing to aid struggling property investors. We go in and really show the full renovation process, from the financing, to determining and working within the budgets, to the sale of the home, and all of the deals being made from beginning to end.

This season is completely different becayse I am able to get in earlier on the process and affect change. I am able to give these flippers guidance and help them make good choices rather than help them fix mistakes. I am teaching them things like how to value the engineer. What’s also great about Season 2 is that whether you are looking to buy your first home or get into the flipping business, it gives you the lessons to do so.

AM: We don't want to spoil the premiere episode; however, we love that we are introduced to someone who has fallen in love with a flipped house - what are the common situations you find that flippers fall into that are bad habits that you look to break them of?

ST: You’ve got to separate your emotions from your flip. Even your first time home purchase when you are remodeling your house. You always have to keep your eye on your comps and know what things are selling for and what you can invest and what you shouldn’t invest. Always establish your budget on the front end and don’t let your emotions get in the middle of the renovation. It becomes very dangerous when your emotions get involved because you don’t keep the budget at the forefront, you start over investing and taking longer than you should and that is where you can get into a lot of trouble.

AM: What checklist would you suggest for someone who is thinking about flipping to assess whether they are the right person to engage in this investment?

ST: I always say try to mentor with someone you know that is a real estate agent or broker who is seasoned in the real estate business. That is what I did in the early stages. You can tap on the shoulder of a family member or friend to mentor with and kind of shadow for a while to understand whether or not that is what you want to do. I think it's really important for anyone trying to get into this business to really make sure because it’s not as easy as they make it look on TV and there's a lot of things that you have to know if this is the business you want to get into.

AM: Upon deciding that they want to enter the world of flipping what are some "rules of the business" that they should keep in mind when they are selecting a property?

ST: You always need to evaluate your comps. You always need to make sure you are looking at what is on the market, how long it’s been on the market, what are the finishes that they have in there, and understanding the area in which you’re going to develop in so you can always keep that on the forefront as the guidelines for value. What I call value engineering, engineering your development, your flip, to sit within the comp set that has been proven to work. It’s so important even if it’s your first time home purchase to make sure that you get all your pricing for your subcontractors and you know exactly what your budgets are so you’re not in a position when it’s all said and done that you’re over invested.

AM: How are the rules of flipping in terms of design and finishes different then what you would do for your own personal or vacation home?

ST: It all depends on the area you’re in, it all depends on what those comp sets show, and making sure that you understand that. The same principles apply wherever you go it’s just the content changes – the information changes. So the same processes and procedures that I would do in New Orleans or New York or Miami are the same it’s just making sure that you get the correct information from the MLS, from the online sites, from a real estate agent to make sure that you're staying in the guidelines of what actually sells and how much per square foot it sells for. So those are the things that I always tell new home buyers or new flippers.

As far as design and finishes if you’re flipping there are certain things you won’t do because you’re not personalizing it. You want to figure out what does the market research show as far as what you can put into this flip like what did you pay for it and how much can you invest in it with your budget based off of what the comps are showing. To me the same applies if you are doing your personal home because you want to make sure that you have equity in your personal home. Just because it’s your personal home, you don’t want to over invest in it so you’re upside down that if you had to sell it you can’t get out of it because you put too much money in it and you’ve got to take a loss. So I would say the same thing applies, but you have to be extra careful on a flip because of the fact that you’re flipping it and you’re doing it to make money.

AM: We love how throughout last season and based on the first episode of season 2, that we continue to see the rebuilding in a post Katrina era which makes New Orleans a character in the show as well. What is it about this city that you love so much and why is it important to continue to drive the point home that the effects of this devastating storm are still being felt today?

ST: Considering it was one of the largest natural disasters I think it’s important to constantly let people know that certain areas of the city are still recovering and they haven’t fully recovered.

What I love about the city of New Orleans is the history, the culture, the architecture, the music, and the food. When I look at other areas throughout the United States it’s hard to find the laid back kind of lifestyle that we have here with so much rich culture where you can just walk outside and have music on the street and see an artist painting. When you walk around the streets of New Orleans, you feel like you're in Europe as far a the architecture and the history and the beauty of it. It's different to me than any other area. I love New York and New York has a lot of great areas and history and culture, but it's so big and moving so fast that you know it will wear you down if you’re there for a certain period of time as beautiful as it is. New Orleans is more laid back the way that the people are here. You get a lot for the value of what you are buying here in real estate. I can live anywhere I want in the world and I always choose to keep this as my base.

AM: Looking through your social, we see that you are definitely an Athleisure kind of guy - how do you stay so fit and is there a fitness method that you are a fan of?

ST: I really just do cardio and use body weight for pullups, pushups and sit-ups. A big part of it is just eating healthy. Making sure that I eat healthy and trying to stay away from the sweets that I love. Just trying to stay consistent with that.

AM: When you're in New Orleans, where would we catch you grabbing a cocktail/bite to eat, where are you working out and where can we find you shopping?

ST: I mainly stay within the French Quarter, that’s where I live. When I do go out I have set spots that I go to, I go to Café Amelie, Irene’s, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop which is one of the oldest bars in America, right around the corner from my house. I like to walk down Royal Street and walk into the galleries there, some of the local stores. I like to take evening walks in the French Quarter and listen to music and really just enjoy the street noise and street performers.

AM: How do you give of your time?

ST: I am on the board of Junior Achievement teaching financial literacy to young kids. I also work with the Leukemia Foundation, to raise money. Additionally, I have a group called Voice PAC that gives everyone in the city the opportunity during election time to ask the tough questions and speak out by doing commercials on TV and other media.

AM: If there is anything else that you want to share that we have yet to cover, feel free to include!

ST: TUNE IN! The Deed airs Wednesdays on CNBC at 10pm ET/PT.

PHOTO CREDITS | PG 106 THE DEED - Pictured: (l-r) Sidney Torres -- (Photo by: Tyler Kaufman/CNBC) Wednesday, June 20 on CNBC (10pm ET/PT) | PG 109 THE DEED – Pictured: (l-r) Sidney Torres, Chelsea Dreyer -- (Photo by: Tyler Kaufman/CNBC) Wednesday, July 25 on CNBC (10pm ET/PT) | PG 110 THE DEED – Pictured: (l-r) Preston Tedesco, Sidney Torres -- (Photo by: Tyler Kaufman/CNBC) Wednesday, July 18 on CNBC (10pm ET/PT) | PG 112 THE DEED – Pictured: (l-r) John Brooks, Sidney Torres, Joan Brooks, James Brooks -- (Photo by: Patti Perret/CNBC) Wednesday, June 13 on CNBC (10pm ET/PT)

Read more from the June Issue of Athleisure Mag and see He Gets Your House in Order with Sidney Torres in mag.

ABOVE IT ALL

Each season, we look at must have style that we suggest you should include in your wardrobe. We love luxury leather goods by Alexandra Clancy known for clutches, wrist straps, satchels, totes and more. We also suggest that Romply is the perfect romper to add to your closet as it goes from day to night.

We loved shooting at 15 Hubert St (we had earmarked this apartment since we went to their launch party) in Tribeca which is a stunning apatment that has a phenomenal terrace. We sat down with Louise Phillips Forbes of Halstead to find out more about this unit!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We enjoyed attending the launch party for this unit as there are so many great aspects to this apartment from its layout to the terrace - what can you tell us about this Tribeca property?

LOUISE PHILLIPS FORBES: It’s the quintessential Tribeca duplex loft with 2-bedrooms, 3.5-baths and 2,830 square feet of indoor living space, and an impressive 630 square foot landscaped terrace with stunning open views facing east and south, including a view of One World Trade Center. Interiors of this former warehouse, ingeniously designed by CetraRuddy Architecture, retain the authenticity and openness of the original space, with wide rooms, truly high ceilings, stretches of exposed brick, and oversized windows. The fixtures and materials artfully echo the historic aesthetic of the building. The expansive living/dining room with open kitchen features, high-end stainless steel appliances, marble counters, a wine fridge, and a large island. The grand master suite contains two walk-in closets and an en-suite marble spa bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, deep soaking tub, and custom double-sink vanity. Located on the upper floor, the media room or den is a highlight of the home,  with access to the stunning terrace. Beautiful wide-plank solid oak flooring, central A/C, full-size W/D, and ample closet space throughout complete this luxury residence.

AM: What amenities are offered in this building for residents (common areas, services, etc.)?

LFP: Nestled on a quiet cobblestone street and with just twelve residences, this boutique building affords residents privacy. The building's lobby is appointed with concrete paneled walls and wood paneled ceilings, and is attended by a part-time doorman, as well as equipped with a state-of-the-art package reception and retrieval system. 15 Hubert boasts a beautifully designed and landscaped communal rooftop lounge offering scenic views of the Hudson River as well as One World Trade Center.

AM: We love the interior design for this unit - tell us more about it as well as the stunning painting that is in the apartment!

LFP: The beautiful interior design of this model residence was done by Cheryl Eisen and her creative team at Interior Marketing Group (IMG). They really did an outstanding job bringing this remarkable home to life with their sophisticated and elegant furnishings and accessories. I’m also thrilled that my dear friend, notable artist King Saladeen, loaned us one of his incredible paintings. Titled, “Fight for Equality”, it’s prominently featured and has an asking price of $30,000.

AM: Tell us about the neighborhood that is directly around this building (Wholefoods, workout studios, eateries, etc.) and what neighborhood is this considered?
 
LFP: Tribeca is one the most coveted areas of the city to live in and this particular building is conveniently located to just about everything, including the West Side Highway, parks and bike paths, multiple fitness clubs, SoulCycle, boutique shops, fine dining and charming cafes, Whole Foods, specialty wine shops, and nightlife. The area is not only family-friendly, it’s also close to Soho, the Financial District, and Battery Park City.

AM: For those that are interested in purchasing this unit, how can they find out more information?

LFP: It would be very easy to call this unique apartment home given the grandeur of the rooms, designer details throughout, and large terrace! To schedule an appointment to see Penthouse-C, your readers can simply contact me directly and I will be happy to give them a private tour and discuss the purchasing details. I can be reached via email at lphillips@halstead.com or at 212-381-3329.

AM: Where can readers find out about additional properties that you represent?

LFP: Visit my website at http://louisephillipsforbes.com/ and click on the tab for “My Listings”. You can view pictures, 3D floor plans, and videos along with detailed descriptions of each property I’m working with from downtown to uptown. The available homes range from this loft in Tribeca to a 4-bedroom corner penthouse on Park Avenue with a large wrap-around terrace on the Upper East Side.

Read more from the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Above it All in mag.

TECH REALITY CHECK WITH JON FORTT

This month's cover is graced by another one of our faves, CNBC's Jon Fortt who we see everyday as Co-host of Squawk Alley where, he shares his insight on what's going on with startups as well as tech companies. In addition to rocking an array of menswear that is transitional winter/spring style, he shares with us how he got into the industry from journalism to broadcasting, his approach to his work and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us your background and how you got into broadcasting and ultimately to CNBC?

JON FORTT: I’m kind of an accidental broadcast guy. It was never a big goal of mine to get on TV. I actually started out working for newspapers as a print reporter. There was a national newspaper chain called Knight Ridder and they had this amazing scholarship for aspiring journalists and media businesspeople from ethnic minority groups. Every year, they’d pick four high school students to win a financial award, and more important, summer internships during college. Unfortunately, Knight Ridder doesn’t exist anymore, and there aren’t enough programs like the one they had.

Anyway, I worked for a Knight Ridder paper called the Lexington Herald-Leader after college, then got a job in Silicon Valley at the San Jose Mercury News just before the dot-com bust. I eventually made the move to magazines, editing at Time Inc.’s Business 2.0 and writing for Fortune. That’s where CNBC found me. They’d have me on every now and then to talk about Apple, which had become my specialty. Back in 2010, they decided they wanted to take a chance on a new correspondent, and fortunately, I was it.

AM: We know that you enjoy talking about tech companies, startups, products and services. What is it about technology that makes you so passionate and do you have a specific topic within it that you really enjoy focusing on?

JF: That’s a cool question, because I don’t think anyone’s asked me in that way before. It’s a little bit of an accident of timing that I’m into technology, I think. I got out of high school in 1994, the same year the web browser was born, and I think that has a lot to do with it. I got to the college newspaper and we were suddenly facing this question of what we were going to do about the web. Some of us started learning HTML, and built the first website for the paper. (I don’t think I had much to do with the final product, but it was fun to learn.) Not long after that, the paper got its first digital camera, which was seriously high-tech back then. It could only shoot black-and-white photos, and the resolution was really bad, but it was about 10 times faster to get a photo shot and processed compared to the darkroom. It became clear pretty quickly that technology was going to be the edge I would need in my career to get things done faster and at higher quality. That’s what I like covering most, I guess – the way seemingly small ideas can completely change the way we get things done.

AM: When we're watching CNBC, you talk about a range of companies and startups - and you have a fresh and fair approach to present it to those of varying levels of understanding - how important is it to make these topics relatable to a wide, as well as a niche audience?

JF: Maybe it’s the writer in me, and maybe it’s the time I spent doing tech reviews. I try to remember that there’s no excuse for making the audience feel dumb. Our audience is smart, but a big portion of our viewers aren’t into all of the jargon – they’re people managing stock portfolios preparing for retirement, or retirees trying to understand the forces that are affecting the stocks they own. The temptation is always to match the wonkiness of the guests we have on – economists and investment managers – to sort of prove that I can go toe-to-toe in the conversation. But I think it’s always important to remember why I’m there: as a representative of the viewer.

THIS PG | HANRO Luis Zip Jacket, Cotton Sporty Vneck Tee + Living Lounge Pant |

AM: We love the Fortt Knox Podcast. How did it come about and what is its mission? What are some of the challenges that live interviews bring?

JF: Thanks! The Fortt Knox Podcast was born because I felt like I was leaving too much good stuff on the cutting room floor. I mean, sometimes a Fortune 500 CEO is willing to spend an hour with me, and I’ve got five minutes of live air time. Depending on what’s happening in the news, maybe I’ve got to ask about the company’s stock price, or something political – if that’s what’s moving markets that day, it’s what you’ve gotta do on CNBC. That’s a third of the live interview time, gone. Why not record a longer interview, and offer it up to people who want to go deeper?

The mission? There’s a line I say to introduce each episode, and I think it sums things up: “We’re going to learn how the very best climbed to the top, and pull out lessons along the way.” The stuff I do live on CNBC is mostly for investors and fans of the public markets who want to understand where to put their long-term dollars. Fortt Knox is for people who want insight into building their careers, who want to understand how high-achieving people get things done.

At the same time, because I’m a little crazy, I decided it would be cool to do a live streaming show, Fortt Knox Live.  That’s also weekly, and a CNBC producer, Evan Falk, works closely with me on it. The mission behind that is to answer the question, "What are the best ways to manage your time and money in a culture where tech is taking over?"

AM: Walk us through what it is like to prepare as a Co-Anchor for Squawk Alley and for your podcast Fortt Knox? Wow, what does your day look like when you're preparing for Squawk Alley and then when you're getting ready for your show?

JF: It’s sometimes a bit nuts. I get up in the morning at 6 or 6:30, and I immediately check my phone (iPhone X at the moment) for headlines and indications of how stocks are likely to begin trading that day. I look for emails from the producers about changes to the guests and timing of the show. I copy that over into a folder I keep in the cloud in Microsoft OneNote. (See, I’m not a total Apple guy.) Eventually, I walk to the train, about a mile and a half, and catch New Jersey Transit to Hoboken and then a PATH train to World Trade Center. I’m really conscious of all the spots where I will and won’t have Internet access, because I’m compiling my research for Squawk Alley the whole way. I walk from World Trade to the New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan, where we broadcast the show live from the floor.

After Squawk Alley ends at noon, I might head up to the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to record a Fortt Knox Podcast interview, or on Wednesday to stream Fortt Knox Live. From the Nasdaq I’ll make my way to CNBC headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. I finish the in-office day there. I might be editing the audio for the podcast, which I produce and edit myself, or I might be planning the next Fortt Knox Live with Evan. Or I might be pouring over stats and trying to figure out how to boost the distribution and quality of both the podcast and live show. Sometimes that bleeds over into time at home, too. But I try to get home by 6, in time for dinner with my wife and two boys, who are 7 and 9. I like to give them a hug goodbye in the morning, have dinner with them and get them ready for bed if at all possible. That means bringing Fortt Knox work home sometimes, but ideally the kids don’t see too much of it. I try not to pull out my phone much in the evening. One of the upsides of technology is that it helps us to be more flexible in where and when we work. Of course, that can backfire if we use it to overwork ourselves, but it can also give us more time with family if we can work it right.

AM: What's your hectic time of year in terms of covering tech and startups?

JF: I used to say it was the springtime, but now, with Fortt Knox, there is no slower season. If things are getting slow, it means I need to step up my game in booking guests.

AM: What are your impressions on the state of the crypto asset ecosystem? Do you have any recommendations for people interested in the space?

JF: I’m not one to give in-depth investment advice – that’s my colleague Jim Cramer’s gig – but I’ll say this: if you’re doing it right, investing is a game of skill, not a game of chance. You shouldn’t put your money into anything unless you believe you have a decent idea of what makes its value go up and down. I see a lot of people putting money into cryptocurrencies who have no idea what’s making prices move. Some people say, “If you just put 1% of your net worth into cryptocurrencies, it’s OK.” But let’s be real, if 1% of your net worth is $2,000, and you buy some Bitcoin and it doubles, you’re either going to sell it and say, “that was fun,” or you’re going to be tempted to start chasing it and put $10,000 in. Hey, unless your 401(k) is fully funded with the match, you have 6 months’ worth of expenses saved in cash, you're carrying zero student loans and you're not carrying a balance on any credit cards, don't even think about putting more than a couple hundred bucks into cryptocurrencies. It'll distract you from more important uses of your money and time. That’s the advice I’d give family, anyway.

AM: We love that you call it like you see it. How does your approach to journalism best bring out the story? How have you adapted with new media and distribution platforms along the way?

JF: After a certain period of time, with certain subjects, I think the audience gives a journalist permission to offer what I’d call “informed analysis.” How’s that different from opinion? Well, everyone’s entitled to their opinion, right? Informed analysis is different. You get to deliver analysis when people understand that you have a bit of background in the subject, and you can give historical context for why something is likely to happen, or why a product or strategy is important or risky or not. I try to be careful about that, but I think the “call it like you see it” approach is important in today’s journalism, when some executives or companies might be trying to put up a smokescreen or overhype technologies. The key is that the analysis be informed.

AM: Who are some of your favorite interviews so far on-air? Who are some people you’d love to have a session with?

JF: Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, is fun because he has this unique approach to leadership. He doesn’t take the drill sergeant approach, or the admit-no-faults approach that’s popular in some circles of leadership today. He’s thoughtful. Jeff Bezos was great too, but it’s been too long. I’d love to have him back. It’s also been a few years since I last talked to Mark Zuckerberg on air. Now would be a great time for him to sit down with me again. Subtle, no?
 

AM: What would you tell those that are interested in getting into broadcasting and podcasts? Anything to add with tech-specific shows particularly?

JF: The great and horrible thing about getting into media right now is, you no longer have to ask for permission. If you’re really passionate about telling people’s stories and about sharing knowledge, you can just do it. If you have a broadband connection, a PC and a phone, you have everything you need to start showing the world what you can do. So whenever young people tell me they’re interested in getting into media, I’m like, “Show me what you’ve done.” Don’t tell me, show me. And I’m not looking for top quality necessarily, but I’m looking for drive and evidence that this person is getting better. Often, young people can’t show we much they’ve done. And that tells me you’re not truly passionate about media, you maybe just like watching videos. There’s a difference.

With tech-specific shows – it’s just like anything else you’re interested in. Be a voracious student of the area you care about, hone your craft as far as how you write, and speak, and present information, and you’ll be surprised how far you’ll go.

AM: When you're not on air, what can we find you doing?

JF: I’ve become something of an amateur photographer lately. I shoot with a Sony A7ii, a full-frame camera I got from an eBay auction a year and a half ago. (The secret with those auctions is to use a sniper program like Gixen.) I just recently put together the newsletter for my youngest son’s elementary school PTA. It was 12 pages, full color, far too elaborate.

AM: How do you maintain balance between your schedule from being on air, hosting events and your family?

JF: I try to limit the business dinners and do lunches instead. Then there’s the whole being home for dinner thing. I read the kids a Bible story, read to them from a book (right now we’re in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, powering through C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series). I tend to be the parent who primarily handles bigger projects like book reports, speeches and science projects. My philosophy is, if I make specific commitments at home the way I do at work, I have to move other things to make them happen.

AM: What's your personal style on air and how does that differ when you're running errands or out on the town?

JF: I’m one of those guys who knows what I like, but I wouldn’t say I qualify as someone who’s deep into fashion. If I’m just going to be around the house, it’s sweats or the same athletic gear I wear to work out. If I’m going out, I’m one for dressy jeans, a button-down and layers. Lately I’m into more details, collars and cuffs, and quality stitching. It’s the nice thing about being an adult who’s not growing anymore and being able to maintain a pretty constant weight. Quality stuff lasts. Some of my favorite pieces are more than 10 years old. I’ve got a couple of leather jackets that I picked up in Italy on our honeymoon 11 years ago.

AM: What fitness studios do you go to?

JF: I know this is sacrilege, but I don’t do fitness studios. CNBC has a free gym at headquarters, and when I’m doing what I should, I get in there two or three times a week for some time on the bike and a few weights. My staple now that I’m over 40 is body weight exercises – pushups, pullups, planks, squats, lunges – that sort of thing. At home I’ve got resistance bands, which are great for promoting flexibility and muscle elasticity. I get the fitness studio thing - the camaraderie, the motivation - but it's not my thing. The last gym I went to was a Gold's in Silicon Valley. I went at 5 a.m. with the old people and bodybuilders, and it was a cool $15 a month. Very business-like. Come to think of it, if I were single I’d feel differently, but at this point I’m not trying to meet new people at the gym, you know?

AM: What are three must-haves that you take with you to work daily?

JF: I’m not going to count my phone, because that’s a gimmie. I’ve got to have my Anker portable battery, because there’s no way any phone can get me through a full day on a single charge. I always carry my Tascam DR-40 with two XLR mics for podcast recording. And I’ve got a pair of JLab Audio Epic2 Bluetooth earbuds.

AM: What's currently on your playlist?

JF: I’m all over the place. I’m still bumping A Tribe Called Quest’s last album, and I have a mild obsession with Dua Lipa’s New Rules – particularly that spot in the chorus where the rhythm shifts from 3-2 to a standard back beat. X Ambassadors are the most underrated alternative band out there… “Love Songs Drug Songs,” and “Unconsolable” get heavy rotation from me. And of course real hip-hop from The Roots, Mos Def, Nas… I don’t touch the new mumble rap stuff.

AM: What charities/organizations do you support?

JF: We’re longtime supporters of World Vision and Children International, and over the past five years, we’ve stepped up our giving to International Justice Mission. IJM is a pretty phenomenal organization that goes into communities around the world and works to free slaves. Their work includes victims of human trafficking, the fishing industry, brick-making operations... you name it. They work with local law enforcement to not only liberate people, but also bring criminals to justice through the courts.

AM: If you weren't working in your current field, what you be doing?  

JF: I thought about taking a year off after college and trying to make it as a singer/songwriter. I’m glad I didn’t have to resort to that. In high school, I took architecture classes and thought I might do that for a while. Whatever I’d be doing, it would probably have to involve bringing creative concepts to life using technology.

Jon's shoot took place in the Hudson Yards and Hell's Kitchen neighborhoods, which are two hot areas in the city on the west side in midtown. Throughout the shoot, we showcased luxury living at Sky, which is developed by The Moinian Group. We wanted to know more about why this property has had so much buzz due to its location, amenities and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is the concept behind Sky Residences?

THE MOINIAN GROUP: The largest residential tower in the country, Sky debuted in January, 2016. With an abundance of resort-like amenities and services, Sky was designed to provide the ultimate luxury experience for its residents. The 71-story building, which offers studio to two-bedroom homes, sits at the nexus of two thriving neighborhoods – Hell’s Kitchen and Hudson Yards – allowing residents to immerse themselves in best-in-class services while experiencing one of Manhattan’s most vibrant, growing communities.   

AM: Who developed this property?

TMG: Leading NYC developers, The Moinian Group are the development team behind Sky. The Moinian Group is one of the top national real estate entities to develop, own and operate properties across every category including office, hotel, retail, condos and rental apartments. The team's portfolio of 20 million square feet spans across many major cities including New York, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. Bold New York handles the leasing for the building.
 
AM: Who created the interior design?

TMG: The stunning interiors at Sky were designed by celebrated architecture and design firm, Rockwell Group. Founded by award-winning visionary David Rockwell, Rockwell Group was also responsible for spearheading all of the building’s design features.  

AM: What amenities are offered?

TMG: Sky leads by example in luxury residential living, featuring a myriad of world-class amenities including including an outdoor deck with two zero-edge pools; a private park; full-service spa with nail salon; professional-sized basketball court designed by Carmelo Anthony; water club with Turkish hammam; indoor/outdoor yoga spaces; billiards lounge and café; two libraries with fireplaces; a Spot Canine Club; and a 10,000 square foot fitness floor. The building also features world-renowned artwork by Yayoi Kusama, including a larger than life, carved bronze pumpkin in the building’s infinity loop motor court, as well as the two Kusama “Infinity Net” paintings in the building’s David Rockwell - designed lobby. Sky also features Gunther Forg’s Lead Paintings.

AM: What bespoke services are offered?

TMG: Sky offers a 24-hour doorman, valet services, on-site lifestyle concierge service by Luxury Attaché, Spot Canine Club, exclusive events, in-house room service from LifeCafe and a full-service spa with an adjoining nail salon and massage studio.

AM: Tell us about LifeTime Athletic at Sky.

TMG: LifeTime Athletic at Sky - NYC's premier health and fitness club - features an unparalleled array of amenities and services. Residents can enjoy four fitness studios with offerings such as Pilates, Yoga and Cycle in addition to a full range of group fitness classes. The 70,000 square foot space also offers LifeSpa, LifeCafe, expansive indoor lap pool, spacious locker rooms with lavish amenities and towel services. LifeTime provides an ease of access to all residents, allowing them to take an elevator straight into the fitness club and enter through the residence entrance.

AM: Tell us about the neighborhood.

TMG: Sky is positioned right in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, the home to many of NYC’s famed theaters and award-winning restaurants. Residents are also in close proximity to the iconic Highline and West Chelsea’s renowned art galleries. The booming Hudson Yards District, set just a few blocks from Sky, will soon feature brand new office towers along with more than 100 new luxury shops and restaurants.  

AM: What is next to Sky?

TMG: The retail space next to the Sky residences is curated by the Moinian Group. This past year The Moinian Group created Sky Art, a nonprofit art center founded by Frahm & Frahm and The Moinian Group that featured exhibited work from Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. The artist's latest collection, I <3 John Giorno, was designed as a tribute to American poet and activist, John Giorno. The location, now named Sky Space, has been transformed into a premier event venue fit with high ceilings and glass curtain walls.  

AM: How can people contact you?

TMG: For more information visit liveatsky.com, email us at hello@liveatsky.com, or call our leasing office at 212.588.0042.

PROPERTY PHOTOS COURTESY | THE MOINIAN GROUP

Read more from the Feb Issue and see Tech Reality Check with Jon Fortt in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | FEB ISSUE

This month's celeb cover is CNBC's Co-Host of Squawk Alley and Fortt Knox podcast, Jon Fortt. This cover shoot includes a fun Q&A with Jon talking about how he came to become apart of the CNBC family, his must haves and what he does when he's not on air. It also includes an interview with our venue host for this shoot at the notable, Sky Residences. Our Feb issue has a focus on a number of sports related content including an interview with Pro Footballer and Super Bowl Champion Emmitt Smith as well as a separate interview with Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Champ, Bryan Braman. We have a number of entertainer interviews including Kayla Brianna (daughter of NBA great, Kenny Smith) and Fabiana Pascali who is a cast member of FX's The Assassination of Gianni Versace. We also have a food editorial that we were media sponsors for the second year in a row for Cochon555 as well as an interview of one of the chef participants Chef Fabian of La Esquina. We interviewed Matteo Perrin a bespoke Italian designer who has dressed a number of celebrities. Another fashion interview includes Tan France, who is a member of Netflix's Queer Eye, Fab5 as the stylist. This month's issue includes an interview with Ellen Latham, founder of Orangetheory Fitness. We also talk with a celebrity piercer, Brian Keith Thompkins who is the owner of Body Electric. 

We have a number of features that are in each month's issues including The Art of the Snack, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Something You Should Know, Athleisure List, Athleisure Beauty and more. 

Read more from the Feb Issue