THE REALITY OF SELF-CARE | KAMIE CRAWFORD

For the past few years, we have enjoyed seeing Kamie Crawford on our screens in one of our long time favorite shows, Catfish! It's always fun to watch her dig into their cases, assist those being catfished, and offering a shoulder to cry on as she looks to understand what they are going through. In addition to her role here, she has expanded her TV Personality work in such shows as Are You The One, and she launched her own podcast, Relationsh*t where she talks about various relationships with her guests.

We caught up with Kamie while she was here in NY at a coffeeshop on the UES which felt like the perfect place to talk about her journey, how she engages in self-care, how she navigates this season and boosts her immunity, as well as some of her favorite reality shows.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have been fans of yours since you were Miss Teen USA in 2010.

KAMIE CRAWFORD: Oh we go way back then. Oh yes, it’s so good to meet you!

AM: So good to meet you and it’s been great to see how you have built your career, and just all the different things that you've done! Did you ever think looking back that you would have been the co-host of Catfish for a number of seasons and doing TV personality, work, and being a voice of women and just all of these different things coming from the Midwest, which I am also from.

KC: I had no idea! So I was born in Cleveland, and as you know, I grew in Maryland, but my roots are still in Cleveland. My grandma still lives there.

I think that when I was younger, I always had it in my spirit that I wanted to do something to make people feel good about themselves. At the time, I thought that I wanted to be a dermatologist so my life was going to look completely different than it does now. But then I realized that I could do that through TV work.

AM: Yeah.

KC: Like, that is what I do on Catfish, it is what I do on my podcast. It’s what I do just in my everyday life. That is something that I strive to do. So, I think that I didn't think that it was going to look like this –

AM: Right

KC: But I knew that my life needed to be in service in some way.

AM: I love that

KC: Thank you!

AM: It's very cool.

You're constantly on the go traveling, where do you enjoy going and how do you stay healthy when you're going from place to place?

KC: Oh, well it is hard because I'm always on a plane and for some reason I always get sick when I travel.

AM: Yup.

KC: So, the good thing is that Mucinex Nightshift is now in my life and I have it as a part of my wellness kit - always with me. It's amazing because you can take it at night, so you can sleep better.

AM: Exactly.

KC: And then have a better morning the next day and be able to Girl Boss your way into things. But you can't Girl Boss when you're not feeling well!

AM: 100%

KC: It's very difficult for me. So that's definitely one tip that I have. The other one is making sure that I'm staying up to date with my vitamins. When my hormones are out of whack, I feel it.

AM: Oh yeah!

KC: I definitely feel it. I feel like newly into as a couple months, like cycle tracking and trying to balance my hormones. So taking the right supplements has been vital for me because you don't realize how many nutrients like you're depleted of. So that's definitely key. And then just like, making sure that I stick to my routines. My workout routine is not just a part of my physical health and well-being, but my mental health and well-being. So while I hate working out just as much as anyone else, I love the way I feel right when I do it. Like I just feel so accomplished.

AM: Yeah

KC: When you finish a workout class and you're like, oh I feel like that you feel good about yourself versus when you like go weeks without doing it - I hate that feeling.

AM: It's the worst feeling. You're like, all right I gotta get it together.

KC: Exactly.

That's why I like living a life with no regrets! It’s part of Mucinex's campaign. So that's what I like to do to make sure that I'm setting myself up right for the week.

AM: Wow.

Tell me about the Living With No Regrets Campaign.

KC: So Mucinex is all about, No Regrets and making sure that you are taking your next Nighshift the minute you feel those symptoms coming up that night. Take that medication so you can wake up the next day and have no regrets because sometimes we'll go through the symptoms and we'll be like “I'll just sleep it off.”

AM: Yeah.

KC: Then you wake up the next day and you feel like you just got hit by a bus! I've been there many times. It's always good and the right decision to set yourself up from that night so that you feel good the next day. But then also the funny thing is that Mr. Mucus, the Mucinex drug is now on Tinder. So if you're swiping and you see him –

AM: Ok –

KC: Make the decision that's best for you. But I went on a date with him today –

AM: Ha!

KC: And it was not great!

AM: Oh

KC: Don't make that regretful decision. Thank you.

AM: So this whole nighttime aspect of this product seems great.

What do you do for your self-care?

KC: Therapy is a part of my self-care. I am in therapy once a week. It's funny though. I've never met my therapist in person, only on Zoom.

AM: Nice.

KC: If we were to cross paths, I don't know what I would do. I think I would give her a huge hug because she's just amazing. So that's a part of my self-care, working out is a part of my self-care. Honestly, some people would say this is not self-care, but Doom Scrolling on TikTok. Sometimes when you're feeling down, you just need a laugh.

AM: I can see that.

KC: TikTok has all the laughs that I need. So I like to do that. But then I also like to spend time off my phone, with my friends, with my family, with my man, like I want to be out at, you know, a cafe with some chips and some Spinach and Artichoke Dip.

AM: Yes.

KC: Having a juicy conversation. Like that is self-care to me.

AM: That's amazing and well-rounded and nicely balanced. I got stuck in The TikTok of WTF Did I Marry! It was a busy time and at first I was like, what is this and then I remember a number of nights where I was on episode 42 getting all the details!

KC: Oh I saw all of the parts – all of the parts every single one!

AM: I'm still following her. Like what what's your life? Like what's going on?

KC: She's doing amazing!

AM: For sure, her life now got optioned into a show. I'll be watching all of it.

KC: She is doing great! I love her and shout out to Reesa Teesa!

AM: You’re killing it Reesa!

it feels like this time of year, you know, obviously we're in the Fall, but we're looking at the Holiday Season. So there's just a lot of stuff that's going on and then you also have the cold and flu season. So how do we prioritize our health and our wellness routines during this criticla portion of the year?

KC: Well I would say, you know, the change in weather and even the change in time affects everyone. It affects everyone. I don't know anyone who is like absolved from seasonal feelings, whether it's using depression, or just like seasonal sadness, we all go through it. The Holiday Season especially isn't happy and jolly for everybody.

AM: True.

KC: So I think that, you know, when you can spend your time with people that love you and care about you, you should prioritize that? Also making sure that you're not getting sick because then you will really miss out! I have had that. I have had the flu on Christmas one year and it was terrible.

AM: Oh no!

KC: This was before Mucinex’s Nightshift as it didn’t exist then, obviously. But I literally had to go to the hospital on Christmas night.

AM: That’s the worst!

KC: Terrible and that's not what we want. So make sure you're taking care of yourself. I'm sure that you're doing that mind-body and spirit all of it together.

AM: What are foods that you like to eat to boost your immune system? Like, I am always about keeping that immune system as high as I can.

KC: Oh yeah! Supplements, I take a lot of supplements, like I said, you know, balancing my hormones. That's a part of it. As women too, I feel like we're depleted of a lot of nutrients and we don't think about. So like B-12 is important, taking vitamin and making sure that you're getting all those things. Outside of vitamins, there's ways to get vitamins out of your food. Leafy greens have been a part of my life. It feels like a pain to have to consume as many leafy greens as we should -

AM: But that is what it is.

KC: That is what it is.

AM: Your body will thank you later!

KC: Kale is a necessary evil.

AM: I’m a big fan of kale!

KC: And then, you know, vitamin C, making sure that I'm drinking orange juice when I'm not feeling well. Another thing that I realized that helps me is like eliminating any kind of milky substance and I love a nice matcha latte, but when I'm feeling mucusy, anything with milk even if it's not whole milk no bueno. So that's like an elimination thing that I do.

AM: It’s always good to know what you have to navigate when you’re working around your health.

KC: Yeah, a lot of like spicy soups to get that nose going - I like to just drain it out.

AM: That’s always a smart one!

Tell me about your podcast.

KC: Relationsh*t!

AM: Yes!

KC: It's like my baby. It is - I love it. It's a relationship advice podcast. So we air every single Friday and I have different guests on every week to talk about a whole range of relationship topics. We say, we talk about all things relationships, the good, the bad and the straight up shitty. Because sometimes it's like that.

AM: Yeah.

KC: And it doesn't even just have to be romantic relationships. It could be the bad Tinder date that I went on. It could be the relationship that I have with myself, which I think is the most important relationship, sometimes even more important than a romantic relationship. But it could also be like I'm having a co-worker dispute or, you know, I'm having difficulty talking to my parents about coming out or anything and I like to bring on guests who can relate to the topic and, you know, we have celebrities, we have influencers, we have experts, you don't have to come on and like, spill your tea, but if you have something that relates to the topic – you’re more than welcome to share.

AM: I love that.

KC: Yeah. So it's a really nice little corner of my universe that I treasure.

AM: That is amazing!

Now I know you love reality shows, because I enjoy reading your posts when you're watching Love is Blind. Love is Blind is so good and I cannot wait for the last episodes.

KC: Exactly.

AM: And I think I'm going to start watching Love is Blind Habibi because I've heard so many things about it.

KC: Yeah I started that too!

AM: Yeah, I mean I have seen a number of the other global editions. Another fave is The Anonymous which just completed its first season.

KC: What is that?

AM: So The Anonymous is created by Studio Lambert which also does The Traitors, The Circle, Squid Game: The Challenge and Undercover Boss! It’s a social competition and when you’re watching it you can see elements from those shows in this. But basically people are all competing for something and then they go Anonymous and talk shit about someone, basically to get the person out. A lot of the competitors come from Survivor and other shows and they even have Andy King from Fyre Festival, but it’s on USA so you can see it on Peacock as well.

KC: Oh, okay. I’m going to have to watch The Anonymous!

AM: What reality shows are you watching?

KC: Love is Blind is everything and I highly recommend Love is Blind UK also!

AM: Same!

KC: It was so good.

AM: So good!

KC: So good - love that one. Love – Love Is Blind Habibi. Obviously I’m watching that. I love The Golden Bachelor.

AM: Yes!

KC: It's so good.

AM: In the best way possible in that the contestants in the house are just besties!

KC: They’re lika a little community. They are so loving and so sweet. Yeah. Just like, you know, they just are older and like don't care about the nonsense. So I love that. I did not watch this season of Love Island USA but I have been an avid Love Island UK watcher. I binged 6 seasons during the pandemic.

AM: Nice.

KC: I started thinking with an UK accent as it was so deeply ingrained in me. So, I love Love Island in general. I also love RuPaul’s Drag Race. Honestly, I don't think there's a reality show, that I haven't, at least tried once!

And obviously, the shows that I'm on, I love those too!

IG @kamiecrawford

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 40 - 45 Courtesy Kamie Crawford's IG | PG 46 MTV/Are You The One | PG 48 Joey Andrew |

Read the OCT ISSUE #106 of Athleisure Mag and see THE REALITY OF SELF-CARE | Kamie Crawford in mag.

KINGS OF THE STRIP | PENN & TELLER

When it comes to taking in an amazing show in Vegas, Penn & Teller have been the dynamic duo sharing their magic act for decades. They have entertained countless fans whether they're at the the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio, traveling around the world, or their CW show, Fool Us. Penn Jillette shared how they got into the industry, their Vegas Residency, their TV show, and their partnership with Mucinex.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with being entertainers, magicians, and comedians?

PENN JILLETTE: We both started working before we met each other, and Teller was doing magic when he was five. I started juggling and doing shows when I was 12.

AM: What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to work together?

PJ: We met through a mutual friend during a show, and Teller was still a high school teacher outside of Trenton. I don't know if we ever really decided to work together, I think it's still on a trial basis.

AM: You have your Vegas residency at Rio at the Penn & Teller Theater! What does it mean to you to be able to perform on stage and what are some of your favorite memories?

PJ: All we ever wanted to do are tricks for people, and I also have all the love in the world for Vegas, but we don't care that we’re in Vegas. I mean, it's our home now and we do a lot with the community. But we want to be wherever the Penn and Teller theater is. We will be there. We just love doing the show every night. I mean, it's what we do.

AM: What are 3 of your favorite tricks?

PJ: That's really difficult! I'd have to say the three newest. The next thing we're working on is what I think we're always most excited about. I think everybody's kind of like that.

AM: You are so busy from your residency, to your show Fool Us on the CW, and all of your appearances, how do you approach your health and wellness while you are on tour?

PJ: We try the best we can to eat well, I'm a vegan so that helps a little bit. We also try to get rest and do that kind of stuff. I'm pretty conscientious about not doing anything else when I'm on the road. When you're on the road, you're not traveling. You're doing shows and that's a different thing.

AM: Why did you partner with Mucinex and how have you made Mr. Mucus disappear?

PJ: It is actually a product that I use, which is very important. I didn't choose Mucinex, my doctor did! Mucinex also offered us to do a live show in Grand Central Station, which is really fun. Its cold and flu season and we all just want those pesky cough and cold symptoms to disappear, so we jumped at the chance to make Mr. Mucus - the epitome of mucus, cough, and congestion go poof! As to how we made him disappear - well it was either smoke or mirrors, one of the two.

AM: Tell us about your Grand Central Terminal Vanderbilt Hall event that took place on Feb 7th?

PJ: It was nice! It was back to our old street performing days. I like people just wandering in as they're walking by. It's kind of a nice thing.

AM: We have used Mucinex for well over a decade. Why is Mucinex 12-Hour your go-to for cough and chest congestion?

PJ: It’s what my doctor recommended! Mucinex 12 hour DM is always our go-to for cough and chest congestion, the last thing you need when you’re trying to present on stage. I love that it takes one pill to get a full 12 hours of relief, unlike other medications that last only 4, so I’m set all day as I go from rehearsals to shows.

AM: Tell us about Fool Us as it has been going on for 10 seasons! What is the format of this show and what is it like to work with various celebs that have appeared in the episodes with you?

PJ: Well for those who don't know, it's a show where the best magicians in the world come on. We don't know who it’s going to be. So they do a trick for us and they do it once, and if we can’t figure out their trick, then they win. And it's really that simple and also that impossible. It's a wonderful feeling. You get into magic not because you want to fool people, but because you want to be fooled. And we luckily have a whole organization in place just to find people who can give us that feeling of wonder.

IG @pennandtellerlive

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Michael Simon

Read the FEB ISSUE #98 of Athleisure Mag and see KINGS OF THE STRIP | Penn & Teller in mag.

PENN, TELLER & WELLNESS

It’s cold and flu season, and don’t you wish your symptoms would just magically disappear? To remind everyone that Mucinex 12-Hour helps vanquish your symptoms, Penn & Teller teamed up with Mucinex to make Mr. Mucus - the epitome of cough and congestion – disappear. We also wanted to know more about them, their Vegas residency, and more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with being entertainers, magicians, and comedians?

PENN & TELLER: We both started working before we met each other, and Teller was doing magic when he was five. I started juggling and doing shows when I was 12.

AM: What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to work together?

P & T: We met through a mutual friend during a show, and Teller was still a high school teacher outside of Trenton. I don't know if we ever really decided to work together, I think it's still on a trial basis.

AM: You have your Vegas residency at Rio at the Penn & Teller Theater! What does it mean to you to be able to perform on stage and what are some of your favorite memories?

P & T: All we ever wanted to do are tricks for people, and I also have all the love in the world for Vegas, but we don't care that we’re in Vegas. I mean, it's our home now and we do a lot with the community. But we want to be wherever the Penn and Teller theater is. We will be there. We just love doing the show every night. I mean, it's what we do.

AM: What are 3 of your favorite tricks?

P & T: That's really difficult! I'd have to say the three newest. The next thing we're working on is what I think we're always most excited about. I think everybody's kind of like that.

AM: You are so busy from your residency, to your show Fool Us on the CW, and all of your appearances, how do you approach your health and wellness while you are on tour?

P & T: We try the best we can to eat well, I'm a vegan so that helps a little bit. We also try to get rest and do that kind of stuff. I'm pretty conscientious about not doing anything else when I'm on the road. When you're on the road, you're not traveling. You're doing shows and that's a different thing.

AM: Why did you partner with Mucinex and how have you made Mr. Mucus disappear?

P & T: It is actually a product that I use, which is very important. I didn't choose Mucinex, my doctor did! Mucinex also offered us to do a live show in Grand Central Station, which is really fun. Its cold and flu season and we all just want those pesky cough and cold symptoms to disappear, so we jumped at the chance to make Mr. Mucus - the epitome of mucus, cough, and congestion go poof! As to how we made him disappear - well it was either smoke or mirrors, one of the two.

AM: Tell us about your Grand Central Terminal Vanderbilt Hall event that took place on Feb 7th?

P & T: It was nice! It was back to our old street performing days. I like people just wandering in as they're walking by. It's kind of a nice thing.

AM: We have used Mucinex for well over a decade. Why is Mucinex 12-Hour your go-to for cough and chest congestion?

P & T: It’s what my doctor recommended! Mucinex 12 hour DM is always our go-to for cough and chest congestion, the last thing you need when you’re trying to present on stage. I love that it takes one pill to get a full 12 hours of relief, unlike other medications that last only 4, so I’m set all day as I go from rehearsals to shows.

AM: Tell us about Fool Us as it has been going on for 10 seasons! What is the format of this show and what is it like to work with various celebs that have appeared in the episodes with you?

P & T: Well for those who don't know, it's a show where the best magicians in the world come on. We don't know who it’s going to be. So they do a trick for us and they do it once, and if we can’t figure out their trick, then they win. And it's really that simple and also that impossible. It's a wonderful feeling. You get into magic not because you want to fool people, but because you want to be fooled. And we luckily have a whole organization in place just to find people who can give us that feeling of wonder.

 Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.