IN THE OFF SEASON | SEBASTIAN LLETGET

The holiday season has a lot going on from wrapping up the year, a number of events and this year, we all got to watch the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the biggest soccer event in the world! We got to catch up with MLS FC Dallas midfielder, Sebastian Lletget to find out about how he got into the sport, his passion for the game, his predictions as we talked with him when there were 8 teams left in the tournament, his partnership with Old Parr Whisky and how he has spending his time in the off season!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We are huge fans of soccer and are excited to talk with you! When did you fall in love with soccer and when did you realize you wanted to do it professionally?

SEBASTIAN LLETGET: Oh my God, man you’re taking me back! I think like most, my story really started with my dad and his background is full Argentinian. I don’t know if some of your readers would know, but the Argentinian fan base is just that people really live the game and it’s so different! For me, it started at a very very young age. I think that as soon as I could understand my father’s words or his actions, soccer was a starting point in our relationship! As young as 2 years old when you’re really starting to walk and play and it only got more competitive. I think that the story is interesting too because you live in a country – I mean when you think of the story of soccer in the US, it has come such a long way as there used to be such minimal opportunities! So kind of carrying that passion without it being supported by the 4 walls that I grew up in, when I would leave home it would be about baseball, basketball and all of the American sports. To see how much it has grown now here is truly beautiful thing.

AM: You played previously for LA Galaxy, NE Revolution and you’re currently with FC Dallas, what did you like about this 2022 season?

SL: Man, I loved this season! I think individually for me this season, I just learned so much because you go from being at a place for 6-7 years here in LA and then sometimes you need a breath of fresh air, new opportunities and something to spark your career again and to spark your love for it. I think that I reached that point here. As much as I loved it in LA and New England gave me that opportunity and I go there, you know things kind of work their way out the way that they are supposed to and I thought that I would be there for the rest of my standing contract and then 4 or 5 months later, an opportunity comes up and I get to go to Dallas and I take that! I always try to tell young kids that you just have to learn how to adapt and pivot. It’s probably one of the biggest lessons that any player can kind of learn because you can’t plan anything in this sport!

AM: Absolutely!

What are you looking forward to next season?

SL: Oh man, now that I signed a new deal, I’m so blessed and grateful to be part of the club for a consistent basis for the next few years – for me, it’s always going to be to win a championship. I won things with the National team last year, it was a very successful year, but I never won anything on a club level. So that’s definitely on the top of my list. I think that to do that with Dallas and the culture that is being built there, it’s a very very exciting time. So that’s my goal!

AM: We’re all glued to the World Cup! At the time of this interview, we still have a few days ahead of us! What are your predictions that we should be thinking about as we head into the last days?

SL: Oh my God! Isn’t it a crazy one? There’s been a lot of amazing stories right? It just keeps getting better! It’s crazy to think that we’re already at 8 teams. For me, tomorrow is a big day right? For my family, for the household – especially when Argentina played Mexico it was very much so divided because my fiancé, Becky G, comes from Mexico, my family is Argentinian!

AM: Yeah, separate rooms for awhile until everyone cools down haha!

SL: Haha I know right? It’s going to be tough because Argentina plays Holland. I mean, that’s the game that I am looking forward to. That’s going to be the biggest test! I do hope that Argentina does go all of the way and I think that someone like Messi deserves it. I think what he had done for the game and I just hope that that story gets written!

AM: Obviously, I’m used to the World Cup being in the summer time. So when it takes place, I’m pulling clothes for our cover shoots and then you’re popping in and out of the bars to see how everything is going! This year, it’s kind of cool that it’s during the holidays and we can have our watch parties and take it to the next level. You’ve partnered with Old Parr Whisky for their Golden Moments Campaign. Can you tell me why your brands were synergistic to get together and what’s a go-to cocktail that we can enjoy while we’re hanging out with friends and cheering on our teams?

SL: Yeah, I think that the partnership with Old Parr couldn’t have come at a better time. Like you said, just the serendipity timing between the World Cup and the holidays and then partnering up with a whisky brand like Old Parr, it just all goes together so well. What really drew me to the brand is how intertwined Old Parr is with the Latin community. Obviously, my background is that I come from Latin America so that’s what really brought me close to the brand. I’m just really happy that it all worked out and as far as a cocktail that you can enjoy, my signature cocktail is called Off the Pitch! It’s actually really good and I’m not just saying that!

That’s where we are at the moment and we have definitely enjoyed some whisky in the off season and again, because it’s my off season, I get to really have a good time! Because during the season, I have to be very on it, so this was perfect timing.

AM: With the holiday season being in full swing, how are you spending it because it is your off season as well!

SL: I don’t know if it’s me getting older, I feel like I used to go a little more crazy and being everywhere. But now, I’m just like waking up at home. You turn 30 and things start to change! It’s the little things I swear! Just being with family, my fiancé and her family! It’s been a beautiful time. Watching soccer and connecting with people that you don’t always get to connect to on a normal basis. With this career, you have to sacrifice a lot to get anywhere and it’s the same in your industry! I’ve just been using that time wisely!

AM: Outside of soccer, you’re also an entrepreneur what are some projects that you’re working on that you would like our readers to know more about?

SL: Aww man! That’s a really good question! There’s a lot of things that I’m working on kind of on the low. Now that you ask, I’m working on my first venture capitalist fund. That’s a really exciting time because I’m just a big advocate to breaking barriers. For athletes, especially in this country and in the MLS, we have always been told to stay in this box and you can only just be there and work around that space. But I’m just like, somebody’s got to go in a different direction and to break barriers and to break those generational patterns you know what I mean? So that has been my goal and I think that this is a way that I can change that. I can fund really amazing projects and of course, there’s money and stuff, but it’s also about changing people’s lives and giving opportunity to those people that are coming up under me and that’s really my goal. I’m still at the starting point, I’ll be honest. But I am learning and it’s definitely a fun and exciting time!

OFF THE PITCH

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz Old Parr Aged 12 Years

.75 oz of Mango Liqueur

.75 oz of Ginger Liqueur

.5 oz Lime Juice

GARNISH

Spicy Mango (Candied Mango rolled in chili salt)

GLASSWARE

Rocks Glass

HOW TO PREPARE

In a shaker add 1.5 oz Old Parr Aged 12 Years and remaining ingredients and top with ice. Shake and strain into an ice filled glass. Garnish with a spicy mango using a cocktail pick and enjoy.

IG @theylovedaboy

PHOTO COURTESY | PG 70-72 + PG 147-149 9LIST STORI3S FC Dallas | PG 75 Courtesy of Sebastian Lletget |

Read the DEC ISSUE #84 of Athleisure Mag and see IN THE OFF SEASON | Sebastian Lletget in mag.

GETAWAY PLACES FOR VALENTINE'S DAY 2020

Sure, Valentine’s Day is much more about capitalism than love, let’s be honest. The “romantic” holiday makes the least sense of them all. After all, we ought to celebrate love every day, right?

But things are as they are, and you can decide to skip the day and just have a blockbuster marathon.

If, however, you are still in the mood for trying something new, check out our suggestions. In the list that follows, we tried to include some really cool things you can try this doomed Valentine’s Day. Furthermore, we will encompass the best getaway destinations for you – or you and your partner.

Whether you’ll be alone or not, it’s always a good time to try things out. Alright, let’s dig in!

On a side note, we made sure to include locations for everyone’s wallet.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Wherever you are in the world, Eastern Europe is the most affordable travel destination all year around. The developing countries will wholeheartedly welcome tourists pretty much anytime. If you’re looking for a cheap getaway destination, the capital of Bulgaria is the perfect way to go.

Flight tickets are typically low-cost and a great number of airlines are selling them.

If you end up visiting Sofia with your significant other, you’ll have many attractions to check out. Art lovers should certainly pay a visit to the National Literature Museum. Additionally, should you be interested in learning more about the country’s history, check out the Museum of Socialist Art.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Contrary to popular belief, not all metropolises are expensive to visit. Let’s take Buenos Aires as an example, the world’s eighth-biggest country’s capital. The visit to this place will surely not break the bank.

The best way to spend your time as a couple in this hot city is to feel the nightlife. Buenos Aires is alive at night, perhaps even more so than during the day. The city is swarmed with nightclubs and pubs. You’ll have your dreams come true if you’re a clubber. Buenos Aires has a truly serious house and techno devoted venues.

Furthermore, if you’re really into unveiling the secrets of the night, check out the city’s thriving underground scene. Just go to Nicky NY Sushi and ask to see the wine cellar. You’ll be surprised.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Now let’s move on to someplace a bit more extravagant. If you want to take the edge off this Valentine’s Day, go to Atlantic City. The city oozes with luxury and it’s a definite must-see in the American state. To live your childhood memories, go to the Steel Pier amusement park. There you can ride the Ferris wheel or you can try the trademark slingshot. Another option is the Disko, an adrenaline-charged ride that will spin both your guts and your brains out. Not literally.

The ultimate adult entertainment that you can experience in Atlantic City is gambling. Hard Rock Café Atlantic City is the place to go to feel opulence and hedonism. Treat yourself and your S.O. to a game of slot machines or Roulette. And when you get tired, head back to your lavish hotel room and play real money slots online. These games are the ideal alternative to in-person casinos.

Dominican Republic

Exotic countries, are we right? The Dominican Republic has some of the finest, most beautiful beaches in the world. If you’re tired of the cold February weather, consider migrating briefly to the Caribbean.

There are few sweeter ways to celebrate the weekend of love. Plunge into the hot ocean and feel the air breeze on your skin. Dry on the golden, sun-drenched strands as you sip a cocktail.

To avoid sunstroke, keep the necessary gear on. When you need to relax your muscles from all the swimming, visit Los Haitises National Park. As you approach the island, you’ll float over the turquoise waters. The view is simply stunning. Then the area itself is packed with gorgeous greenery and rich wildlife.

Galway, Ireland

We will wrap up the list with a classic. And no, it is not Paris. Have you considered going to Ireland anytime soon? Well, you should, because there’s so much to see. Perhaps a single weekend won’t do it justice, but you can try!

Since you don’t have much time, we would not recommend going to the big cities. Instead, head straight to quaint, rural Galway. Everything is way cheaper than in the urban areas anyway, especially Guinness. Have it for almost half the price in Galway. And what better way to experience the tradition than going to the countryside anyway?

If you want to take a piece of history with you back home, drop by John F. Kennedy Park (Eyre Square). The square is the perfect place to observe locals and their daily routines. You can also have a stroll down the 600-acre valley and have the best of both worlds.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

MASERATI 2017 GLOBAL POLO TOUR

The second leg of the Maserati 2017 global Polo Tour, held at the Desert Palm Polo Club from 11 - 17 March 2017,  concluded with Team Abu Dhabi winning the Maserati Dubai Polo Trophy by an outstanding score of 7 to 4 over Team AES International.

Six polo teams, featuring talented professional and amateur players from United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and Argentina produced competitive yet entertaining polo. Ali Saeed Juma Albwardy, UAE President of the Polo Association and Founder of Desert Palm Polo Club was among the celebrities, VIPs and special guests that enjoyed the special finale.

Team Abu Dhabi with Captain Faris Al Yabhouni (UAE, Handicap 0), Kian Hall (UK, Handicap 2), Yousef Bin Desmal (UAE, Handicap 0) and Alfredo Capella (Argentina, Handicap 8) won the tournament in a thrilling finale against Team AES International with the end result of 7 to 4. Team Ghantoot won the Subsidiary Trophy.

In addition to the horsepower on the field, guests enjoyed Maserati horsepower from the entire model range that was on display, which included the latest addition to the Maserati family, the Levante SUV, as well as the flagship Quattroporte, the executive sedan Ghibli and the sporty GranTurismo and GranCabrio models.

Enrico Roselli, CEO of La Martina Europe, said: "As for every leg of the tournament, we are thrilled to take part to a one of a kind sports event that celebrates our roots and enhances every time our partnership with Maserati.”

The official polo shirt worn by the Maserati Team on the field is a product of the partnership between La Martina and Maserati.
 

The Dubai leg of the Maserati Polo Tour saw the official launch of the first of the four “Maserati Polo Tour Special Edition” polo shirts created by La Martina for Maserati as a tribute to each tournament. The “Maserati Dubai Polo Trophy Special Edition Polo Shirt” is made of pure cotton and featuring exclusive detail of the shiny metallic Dubai map print on the back, the shirt comes in black with contrasting details in silver and bright blue. The shirt is now available in La Martina stores across the UAE and on the La Martina online store.

Following St. Moritz and Dubai, the third installment of the Maserati Polo Tour 2017 will take place in the UK in June.

FIND YOUR SHIBUMI

As we grow up, many of us begin working on our life plan that consists of what is expected of us by friends and family, and influences from interactions and our informed opinions. Whether these are our actual passions or not can only be told in time. Sometimes, after following this plan, you wake up and realize that you need to hit the reset button and start from the beginning to reintroduce yourself to yourself. UNBOUND looks at this journey in understanding the ultimate self, honoring the past lessons and growing the seeds of a new life that can be truly embraced. We chatted with Steph Jagger, who found this connection through hitting the pause button and hitting the slopes, and shared her novel of self-discovery with us.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Steph, it's so good to connect with you as your book is the perfect blend of goal setting, humor, self-discovery, honesty, and weighted reflection - what are your 3 biggest takeaways from the Vertical Feat experience?

STEPH JAGGER: My three biggest take aways from my journey are:

• Moving from fear based motivation, which came with truck loads of ego, to what I call “love based motivation” – asking myself if this is going to help me grow and expand and transform versus asking myself what this will help me prove.

• I also learned so much about the feminine and what strength means for women. I used to have a masculine ideal, one that came with an “armor up and go into battle” mentality and know I see strength very differently. I see it as putting all the armor down, as being authentic and vulnerable with yourself as well as others.

• Last but not least…huge take away about the quality of red meat in Argentina. And chocolate, and wine!

AM: We fell in love with many of the people that you mentioned in the book
- do you still talk to or visit some of our faves, Tree, Joseph and the group that you met in Chile?

SJ: Of course! I just saw Tree this week. She’s still a close friend and Joseph is still very much my yoda…in fact, I call him my wizard. I wrote a fair chunk of the book at his estate in Tel Aviv and I plan on seeing him later this year. I’m still in touch with MANY of the others and of course, spoiler alert, Chris and I  are still sharing a bed!

AM: Going into the Vertical Feat you were set on check marking this goal, but did you have other matters you were wrestling with in order to find yourself besides realizing that you had been a goat who was really a Tiger?

SJ: Ultimately I wrestled with a lot of things – goat to tiger and also masculine ideal as my predominant belief system to a balanced masculine and feminine ideal. I didn’t have a clue that would be part of my journey, but that’s how the Universe works. It’s very smart. It baits you into adventures using something that will snag your ego just enough to pull you in – “Hey, over here!!! How about 4,000,000 feet???” – and once you’re on the journey the truth and the battles and the learning all unfold.

AM: What lessons can we take from Unbound when people are in a transitional experience?

SJ: I think that is the truth of transition. What you think you’re getting into is probably not what you’re getting into. I also think we need to look at transition (even positive ones) as part of the grief process. Becoming a mother means letting go of and grieving the woman you were in your teens and twenties. Becoming a person who values feminine ideals means potentially letting go of and grieving the people in your life that are still operating under a masculine-only ideal. If you’re looking to transition to the monkey bar in front of you, you HAVE TO let go of the one you’re holding on behind you.

AM: We were so happy to see that you and Chris got married and that you did embark on a different journey, what is your life like now in terms of career, where you live?

SJ: My life right now is very much based around the principal of having two things and two things only on my bucket list: Am I listening to what I am called to do…AND, when I hear it, do I have the courage to do it. That’s how I decide what projects to work on, where to travel, etc. To get technical, Chris and I currently live on the edge of a canyon on southern California with our giant black dog, Auggie. I run my coaching company from home and split time between that and writing.  Our plan…because we’ve felt the call…is to return to the mountains in the coming months. Our hope would be to move to Colorado or BC by the summer-time.

AM: Do you see yourself taking on other challenges of this nature?

SJ: Yes and no. I’ll refer back to question five…if I’m called to go on another adventure of this nature, I hope I’ll heed the call. That said, I just don’t feel it…I feel other adventures rolling towards me. More books, perhaps a career in speaking, MORE travelling for sure but perhaps with less of an agenda. So yes and no.

AM: We loved that you came to terms with being someone who could accept their femininity while also embracing an aggressive nature and that you could be both - why do you think that some women find that to be difficult?

SJ: I think a lot of women find that to be difficult. The idea of having it all. The concept of balance. The desire to be aggressive, persistent, ambitious, etc. with a career, at the same time as being a friend, a mother, a daughter, a sister…roles that often require a fair bit of nurturing, slowing down, etc. I think that’s the question of our generation – how do we first choose what it is we want (with consciousness and a lack of guilt) and then how do we actually make that happen in the real world…hint hint…this might be a theme of my second book.

The why behind it all feeling difficult has everything to do with the way our society is structured. The expectations placed on women (and men for that matter) to play certain roles, the patriarchical ideal. I could go on about this but I think it’s built into our collective thought process.

AM: If you were able to do this trip all over again, what would you change?

SJ: Nothing. Not a thing. It all lead me to where I am and who I am today and I’m very proud of that. From a technical standpoint I probably wouldn’t have planned as much so I could have responded better to the weather as it happened. Other than that…nothing.

AM: What mementos did you keep from your trip as a means to remember the experience?

SJ: What do I have to remember the trip…um, well, a book for starters! Ha! I don’t tend to lug mementos around, but I do have some gorgeous photos, a husband, and a small Japanese change purse that help me remember it all.

AM: What was your favorite mountain/resort to ski at during the Vertical Feat and what was your favorite place/experience that you went to unwind while you were on this journey?
 

SJ: Favorite resort – SO HARD. I still LOVE Whistler/Blackcomb, but Jackson Hole, and Alta are also standouts. I’ll always remember Cerro Catedral in Argentina, because it’s where I met Chris and Happo One in Japan is out of this world – in fact, the whole Hakuba Valley in Japan is out of this world. I’ll also make the latter the fav place to relax. A ski and then an onsen (Japanese hot baths) at the end of the day?!? You can’t get much better than that. Unless of course, you’re at the Scandinave Spa up in Whistler – that place is also to die for when it comes to pampering and relaxation.

AM: We love the concept of Shibumi and how you found it at various times, what is your Shibumi moment now?

SJ: My Shibumi moment now is the book tour. It can’t be perfect, travel plans get messed up, I’ve got a bit of a sore throat going at the moment, I lost my ski socks somewhere...BUT, I feel like my energy is aligned with the book and that when I go out and connect with people at event and local bookstores there’s an effortless perfection to the interaction and exchanges that are happening. That makes me very happy. It’s total Shibumi!

AM: What was the process like in writing this book and how is your book tour going?

SJ: Well, I just told you a little about the book tour and I think I would say similar things about the writing process. It’s utter shibumi – it’s a glorious mess, it's throwing words around and cutting and chopping and praying and surrender and faith that it will all work out in the end. It's discipline but also freedom. 

I loved the writing process, the concept of learning and honing my very rough skills as a writer. I hope I get to keep doing it. What a gift of an opportunity I’ve had to unravel my own narrative and sew it back up together again. If that’s not Shibumi, I don’t know what is!
 

AM: What's next for you?

SJ: What’s next for me is a question  I get a lot – most times it comes in the form of  “What’s on your bucket list” – there are two things – One, am I listening for the call to adventure. Two, do I have the courage to say yes when I hear it. I really do feel a second book coming to the surface and as I mentioned before, Chris and I would love to find the perfect home in the mountains. And a vacation! Maybe a visit to Greece to see my dearest Joseph! He just built a new home there and we’ve been dying to see it. Just thinking of the sun and calamari makes me drool.

AM: What would you tell someone who decided to go on a path of self-discovery (not necessarily in the same manner that you did) so that they could expect many of the feelings that you came to grasp with?

SJ: This is such a huge question. First I would ask them if they had three or four hours and a good bottle of wine or two. Then I would sit down with them and I would read them Joseph Campbell quotes for hours. I would tell them “you must let go of the life you have planned, as to accept the one that is waiting for you” and I would also go all Sue Monk Kidd on them and tell them that “the truth may set you free, but first it will shatter the safe, sweet way you live.” Then I would tell them to leave the rest of the wine with me. After that, I’d hand them my phone number and tell them they’ve got an open line and to call when ever they want, I would say, “Search for the best, most wildest version of you and when you find it grab it and don’t let go. Oh…and you know that when you’re on the monkey bars of life, you MUST let go of the one behind you in order to grasp the one in front of you…you know that right???” That’s what I’d say.

Pictures courtesy of Steph Jagger and book cover by Harper Wave/Harper Collins

Read more from the Feb issue as well as Find Your Shibumi in mag.