Read the APR ISSUE #112 of Athleisure Mag and see 63MIX ROUTIN3S | Dillon Gabriel in mag.
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PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Edgar Chaparro
Muscle recovery is an integral aspect of any fitness regimen. Optimizing recovery can enhance performance, reduce injury risk, and improve long-term results. While protein shakes and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are popular recovery aids, collagen supplements are gaining attention for their unique benefits.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, playing a key role in skin, joint, and connective tissue health. In this article, we’ll explore how collagen supplements can help with muscle recovery.
Collagen is rich in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, amino acids essential for tissue repair. After intense exercise, muscles experience micro-tears that require proper nutrients to rebuild stronger. Studies suggest that collagen peptides can stimulate muscle protein synthesis, aiding recovery by promoting the regeneration of muscle fibers. Additionally, collagen supplementation has been shown to increase lean muscle mass when performed with resistance training, making it beneficial for both recovery and performance gains.
For those looking to maximize benefits, choosing the best collagen supplements with hydrolyzed collagen ensures better absorption and effectiveness, as the peptides are broken down into smaller, more digestible molecules.
High-impact workouts can strain joints and ligaments, leading to discomfort and reduced mobility. Collagen helps maintain cartilage integrity, reducing joint pain and stiffness by replenishing the natural collagen lost through wear and tear.
Athletes can experience to significantly reduce joint discomfort, allowing for more consistent training. Furthermore, collagen’s anti-inflammatory properties may help decrease post-exercise soreness, enabling faster return to training.
Tendons and ligaments, composed mainly of collagen, are prone to overuse injuries, especially in high-intensity sports. Supplementing with collagen may improve their elasticity and strength, lowering the risk of strains and tears. Collagen supplementation can increase tendon stiffness and resilience, which is crucial for explosive movements like sprinting and jumping.
Collagen contains arginine, an amino acid that enhances nitric oxide production for better muscle blood flow. Better circulation means faster oxygen and nutrients- delivery to fatigued muscles, speeding up recovery and reducing fatigue. Additionally, collagen’s glycine content supports the production of creatine, which aids in replenishing energy stores post-workout.
Be mindful of bloating or abdominal distension caused by bacterial overgrowth, as it can significantly impair digestion. Collagen strengthens the intestinal lining, which helps prevent leaky gut syndrome and improves nutrient absorption. This ensures your body fully utilizes the nutrients from food and supplements. Additionally, by promoting a balanced gut microbiome, collagen may help reduce inflammation linked to poor recovery and prolonged muscle soreness.
Intense workouts generate free radicals, leading to oxidative stress and delayed recovery. Collagen’s amino acids, particularly glycine, act as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals and reducing muscle damage caused by intense physical activity. This protective effect helps maintain cellular health, allowing for quicker regeneration of muscle tissues after strenuous exercise.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Gorilla Freak
As a key connective protein, collagen enhances skin strength and elasticity, helping it withstand friction and pressure during training. This reduces the risk of abrasions and tears—particularly vital for endurance athletes and contact sports participants, where skin injuries can hinder performance and delay training on recovery.
Studies using blood samples have shown that collagen protein ingestion supports natural collagen production, improving skin resilience. Additionally, different types of collagen (like I and III) contribute to connective protein synthesis rates, which influence tissue repair. For athletes focused on fat-free mass and myofibrillar protein development, collagen supplementation may also play a role in supplementation on body composition, though its primary benefit lies in structural support.
Collagen shouldn’t replace whey or plant-based proteins but can complement them by providing specific amino acids that support connective tissue remodeling and joint functionality. Since it lacks tryptophan (an essential amino acid), pairing it with complete proteins ensures adequate protein intake for muscle repair and recovery from exercise. Combining collagen with a post-workout protein shake (providing grams of protein) can enhance overall recovery, muscle synthesis, and deliver positive effects after a bout of resistance exercise.
For optimal results, consider your overall dietary intake and consult a healthcare professional to assess the effects of collagen supplementation on your individual needs, especially if you have concerns related to human blood markers or connective tissue health.
Quality sleep is essential for muscle repair, collagen synthesis, and overall recovery. Research highlights that the amino acid composition of collagen, particularly its high glycine content. It plays a key role in improving sleep quality. Glycine acts as a calming neurotransmitter, supporting deeper, more restorative sleep, which enhances recovery, hormone regulation, and athletic performance.
A systematic review on the effects of collagen peptide supplementation suggests that bioactive peptides may help reduce muscle damage and support tissue repair in the human body. Different collagen types contribute to joint health and connective tissue strength, while bioactive peptides on muscle damage recovery further highlight collagen’s multifaceted benefits.
Collagen’s amino acids, particularly proline and glycine, play a role in maintaining skin and tissue hydration. Proper hydration improves muscle function and recovery, as dehydration can lead to cramps, fatigue, and delayed healing. Some collagen supplements also contain electrolytes, further aiding in post-workout rehydration and muscle function.
Collagen supplements support muscle recovery by aiding tissue repair, reducing joint pain, and improving recovery time. While not a substitute for a balanced diet or other proteins, they can enhance post-workout recovery, especially for athletes.
For best results, choose hydrolyzed collagen peptides (the most bioavailable form) and combine them with vitamin C to increase collagen production. Whether recovering from a workout or preparing for competition, collagen may help speed recovery and optimize performance.
In this month’s issue, our front and back cover story is with Restaurateur Master Chef Masaharu Morimoto who we first saw via Iron Chef Japan and then continued to Iron Chef America. Whether he is judging, participating in culinary competitions, opening more restaurants, or more - he is always focused on the power of food and how he can continue to entice us with flavors! On May 10th, he will be the Grand Marshal of the Japan Parade on Japan Day in Central Park West. We caught up with him to find out how he got into the industry, his passion for cooking, upcoming projects, and more!
Last month we had an incredible series of conversations with Co-Creator/Executive Producer, and writer Chris Brancato as well as cast members from MGM+’s Godfather of Harlem. We caught up with 2 additional cast members of this series, Elvis Nolasco and Erik LaRay Harvey.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Chef Esther Choi about her passion for Korean cuisine, her restaurants, and her upcoming season of Food Network’s 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing where she serves as co-host for this competition series. She also shared why she partnered with LISTERINE for a fun immersive culinary experience that we enjoyed as well.
This month, the NFL Draft took place and many people that we have enjoyed watching throughout their college career found out where they will be playing this season. We had the pleasure of connecting with QB Dillon Gabriel who played for the University of Oregon days before the draft to talk about his love for the game, how he trains, his partnership with Echelon Fitness, what the NFL Combine is, and what he is looking forward to in terms of the draft. We look forward to seeing him on the Cleveland Browns!
We caught up with noted designer Lele Sadoughi who collaborated with CHLOE Wines on a stunning bottle that we can enjoy. We talk about her line, creative process, and upcoming projects.
For over a decade, we have enjoyed seeing Titus Welliver playing Harry Bosch in Prime Video’s BOSCH and BOSCH: LEGACY! With BOSCH: LEGACY streaming its final season, we sat down with Titus to talk about how he came to this series, what it’s like to play this character, how he prepares, and the takeaways he learned from being in this series. We look forward to the spin-offs from this franchise.
We’ve been fans of Bachelor Nation from the first season and when we were first introduced to JoJo Fletcher in The Bachelor we knew that she was someone who we would continue to see - especially when she became The Bachelorette. Since then, she continues to share her entrepreneurial world with us. We talk with her about what it means to be part of Bachelor Nation, being an entrepreneur, and her latest project - Saint Spritz!
We’ve been a fan of WTA #2 doubles tennis star Taylor Townsend for years! When we caught up with her, we wanted to know more about what she loves about the game, how she trains, what it’s like playing singles vs. doubles and the legacy that she wants to leave!
We head to Singapore for this month's The Art of the Snack which takes us to 3 Michelin Star Zen. We chat with Chef TC and Chef Martin Ofner to find out about their culinary backgrounds, the ambiance of their restaurant, and what we can expect when we come in to dine there.
This month's Athleisure List comes from member’s only The Ra Ra Room located in Phoenix, Arizona - it’s definitely a culinary experience that you will want to know more about! We also talk about one of our favorite places to pop into after a day of running around - Tacombi. With multiple locations including a number here in NYC, it’s always an easy vibe.
This month we have our 9CH3F ROUTIN3S from our cover star, Chef Morimoto who talks about what he does Morning, Afternoon, and Night. This month's 9PLAYLIST MULTI comes Pro Surfer Brianna Cope who shares what she enjoys listening to, streaming, and reading. Our 63MIX ROUTIN3S comes from Dillon Gabriel and from Team USA Olympic Volleyballer Kelly Cheng they share what they enjoy having, doing, and being Morning, Afternoon, and Night. This month’s THE 9LIST STORI3S comes from JoJo Fletcher as well as Taylor Townsend. This month's THE 9LIST 9M3NU comes from Chef Johnny Chan Boon of The Ra Ra Room in Phoenix Arizona, Restaurateur and TV Personality Chef Esther Choi of Mokbar and GAHM, and Restaurateur, TV Personality, Author, Master Chef Morimoto - who shares with us what they enjoy about the Spring, ingredients that they enjoy cooking with, and what dishes we should try when we are at their restaurants.
Of course, we have a number of roundups that you can also check out from our must-haves to yours!
Read the APR ISSUE #112 of Athleisure Mag.
The tennis schedule continues as the Mutua Madrid Open 2025 is taking place Apr 21st - May 4th! We’re looking forward to enjoying great matches between my favorites as we navigate the season. Check out who is playing who and when by visiting the schedule.
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Irina Savcenko
Peru is a dream destination for active adventure seekers, offering a diverse landscape of towering Andes peaks, dense Amazon rainforests, and ancient ruins. From heart-pounding treks to adrenaline-fueled water sports, the country can provide endless opportunities for thrill-seekers. Whether scaling high-altitude trails or exploring remote jungles, Peru’s adventure travel scene is unmatched.
Read on to learn top nine thrilling experiences in Peru.
The Inca Trail is one of the world’s most famous hikes, a four-day journey through cloud forests, past ancient ruins, and over high mountain passes. The trek culminates at the Sun Gate, where hikers are rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise view of Machu Picchu. However, permits are required and sell out quickly, so booking in advance is essential. The physical challenge and rich history can make this a must-do adventure.
Furthermore, travelers wondering how to get to Machu Picchu quickly may consider getting reliable travel services to ensure an unforgettable expedition in Peru.
The Ausangate Trek is a breathtaking 70-kilometer journey around the sacred 20,945-foot Nevado Ausangate, offering one of Peru's most challenging and rewarding alpine experiences. Hikers and trail runners can traverse high-altitude passes above 16,400 feet, passing surreal rainbow-colored mountains, glacial lakes, and geothermal springs while encountering roaming vicuñas and traditional llama herders. The six-day circuit also demands proper acclimatization but rewards it with unparalleled Andean scenery far from tourist crowds, with nights in rustic mountain refugios or under star-filled skies.
The Apurímac River, known as the "River of the Gods," delivers world-class white-water rafting with relentless Class III to V rapids. Cutting through steep canyons and untouched wilderness, the river can offer multi-day expeditions where rafters navigate thrilling drops and camp on remote banks, surrounded by Peru’s rugged natural beauty. The combination of adrenaline, isolation, and stunning scenery can make it a top-tier adventure.
Huacachina's massive dunes—some reaching 500 feet—can create the ultimate desert playground. Adrenaline seekers can sandboard face-first down steep slopes at 40+ mph or hold on tight during wild dune buggy ascents up near-vertical faces. As the sun sets, the landscape glows golden, with buggies carving dramatic shadows across the rippling sands. The nearby oasis lagoon can also provide a surreal contrast to the surrounding sea of sand, making this South a perfect destination for a thrilling adventure trip.
Peru’s Amazon basin teems with biodiversity, offering unparalleled wildlife encounters. Guided jungle treks can reveal vibrant macaws, playful monkeys, and elusive jaguars, while night safaris uncover nocturnal wonders like caimans and tree frogs. Canoe trips along winding rivers also immerse travelers in the rainforest’s rhythm. Lastly, remote eco-lodges can amplify the adventure, blending sustainability with deep wilderness immersion.
Scaling Huayna Picchu's ancient stone staircases rewards adventurers with Machu Picchu's most spectacular vantage point. The approximately 45-minute climb winds through cloud-kissed terraces, culminating in 360-degree panoramas of the citadel between emerald peaks. With just 400 daily permits issued, this vertigo-inducing ascent remains one of Peru's most exclusive - and breathtaking - archaeological experiences. The dizzying heights and Incan engineering marvels can create an unforgettable adventure trip.
Peru's northern coast serves up world-class surfing conditions year-round, with Mancora standing out as the crown jewel. This tropical surf paradise offers warm waters, consistent beach breaks, and long right-hand point waves suitable for beginners to experts. Beyond the surf, Mancora's energetic vibe shines through its oceanfront cevicherías, bohemian beach bars, and pulsating nightclubs that keep the party going until dawn.
PHOTO CREDITS | Unsplash/Wallace Fonseca
Paragliding from Miraflores' coastal cliffs offers a breathtaking aerial perspective of Lima's dramatic shoreline. Tandem flights launch from the Parque del Amor, where thermal winds carry adventurers 1,000 feet above the Pacific. As you glide past Larcomar's seaside mall and along Costa Verde's beaches, pilots often perform thrilling maneuvers for an extra adrenaline rush against Lima's stunning urban-ocean backdrop.
The 15-minute flights can showcase Peru's capital in its full coastal glory, best experienced at sunset when golden light washes over the city.
Soaring across the Sacred Valley on zip lines offers an exhilarating way to experience the Andes' majesty. Adventurers can reach 60 km/h speeds while flying over steep gorges, ancient terraces, and the rushing Urubamba River. Many operators can combine this with via ferrata climbs up sheer rock faces, creating a perfect adrenaline-packed duo. The longest cables stretch nearly half a mile, delivering extended thrills with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and traditional Quechua villages below.
With the information presented above in mind, Peru’s diverse landscapes and rich culture heritage can make it a top destination for thrilling adventure travel. Whether trekking ancient trails, rafting wild rivers, or soaring over deserts, the country delivers unforgettable experiences for thrill-seekers. However, proper planning, physical preparation, and respect for local environments ensure a safe, rewarding, and unforgettable journey.
For us, you know the Summer is around the corner when you hit Derby Week! It’s a series of events that begin Apr 26th and culminates through an array of experiences that end with the Kentucky Derby! With the 151st running taking place whether you’re watching it at Churchill Downs, at home, or your favorite lounge, you can still get in on the fun by having your preferred Woodford Reserve cocktail and to dress up for the occasion.
We're few months out from the NFL being back, and athletes across the league are putting in the work to be ready for the upcoming season as they look at how they will achieve their goals individually as well as on their teams. With that in mind, we're excited to have LVIII Super Bowl Champion Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs as this month's cover star!
We sit down with him to talk about his love for the game, what it's like playing his position, being on the Chiefs, playing for this team, looking at the season ahead, and what he does entrepreneurially as well as philanthropically off the field!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with football?
RASHEE RICE: When I was about five years old, I played for my local community team in Philly called the Island Eagles.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to play football professionally?
RR: I realized I wanted to play professionally when I got my first college offer. It was
like a testament to me - getting a full ride scholarship showed me that I was good enough, and I felt like I could take it even further.
AM: What can you tell us about being a Wide Receiver?
RR: I think the number one thing is that all eyes are always on you. It’s always you versus the man in front of you. So, you get a lot of one-on-one opportunities to prove yourself. You have to make the most of every opportunity you get when the ball's coming your way.
AM: What does it mean to you to play for the Kansas City Chiefs?
RR: It means everything to me. I have the best quarterback in the NFL, the best tightend, and the right guys around me. I also have the best coach - someone I looked up to as a kid growing up in Philly and an Eagles fan. I love playing for KC because the city doesn’t have a NBA team , so we are all they got to represent the city right now and I really enjoy that. We love that and we continue to embrace that.
AM: You played at SMU and had an amazing rookie season which culminated in a Super Bowl ring! What can you tell us about your football career and what the first year meant to you?
RR: I can tell you it wasn’t easy. It took a while for me to get situated and comfortable with who I wanted to surround myself with on the team and learn from. It was a grind - it was the longest season I have ever experienced, transitioning from college to the NFL. Dealing with the transition and training was hard, but paid off.
AM: You're entering your 2nd year in the NFL with this team, what are you looking forward to?
RR: I’m looking forward to competing and showing the the world that I am one of the top receivers in the NFL.
AM: What is it like playing with Patrick Mahomes II as well as other members from this championship caliber team and what have you learned from them?
RR: Playing with Pat and the rest of the guys has been amazing. They already had that championship mindset that I wanted to learn from. So coming in, working and being able to be around them showed me I am capable of being a champion - all I have to do is follow their lead.
AM: What are 3 workouts that you do to optimize yourself in the sport that would be great for our community who are interested in adding items to their routines?
RR: Ladder drills – These help keep your feet quick and ready.
Catching tennis balls – The smaller ball forces you to focus on the catch, improving hand-eye coordination.
Conditioning – Running and endurance training help me stay in shape and prepare for any route I have to run.
AM: What have the past few months been like for you as you have been preparing for your second season?
RR: I’ve been focusing on by making sure my body and mindset are where they need to be. I have been focusing on my training and workouts, also spending time with my close family and friends.
AM: With the 2025 season coming up, what can you tell us about what game day is like for you in terms of things that you do on Sunday ahead of hitting the field and what you do after finishing your game?
RR: On game day, I wake up and pray, then start to get ready to head to the stadium,
depending on game time. When I get there I usually have some type of meeting or walkthrough. Overall, game day is a relaxed day for me. The most important thing for me is music – it’s everything. I listen to music all day getting my mindset right before hitting the field.
AM: Outside of the game, how do you take time for yourself when you're not training, preparing for the next game etc?
RR: I really love being in the crib and I love watching movies. My perfect day off is sitting on the couch, having some good food and watching a good movie.
AM: Tell us about Sun Walker, your clothing line!
RR: Sun Walker is my passion outside of football. It’s my clothing line that I recently dropped, that symbolizes my life. The sun represents the spotlight, and the Sun Walker represents me - everything I have overcome and will continue to overcome.
It reflects my journey and the transition of becoming the person I always hoped to be.
AM: How do you give back philanthropically?
RR: I do a lot for my community, I try to give back to every city that has been a part of my journey thus far. This past season, I held a Thanksgiving Drive for the families of Kansas City. I held a Christmas Drive for the children of Big Brother, Big Sister of Dallas. We were able to take them shopping at Target for some gifts. In April, I’m having an event for the kids of North Richland Hills, the city where I went to middle school and high school, to come out and have fun. In May, I’ll be having a free football camp in Dallas/Fort Worth, the city I attended college. So, I’m definitely doing some things to give back and going to continue to do some more initiatives in the future.
IG @doub11e_r
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | FRONT + BACK COVER, PG 17 - 21 AFTR-DRK | PG 24 Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire | PG 26 + 28 Rashee Rice | PG 26 Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire |
Read the MAR ISSUE #111 of Athleisure Mag and see UNSTOPPABLE | Rashee Rice in mag.
We have been fans of Godfather of Harlem since the first episode premiered in 2019. This historical fiction brings an array of iconic figures in the 60s from Ellsworth "Bumpy" Jackson (Forest Whitaker), Malcolm X (Nigél Thatch/Jason Alan Carvell), Vincent "Chin" Gigante (Vincent D'Onofrio), Rev Adam Clayton Powell Jr (Giancarlo Esposito), Joeseph Colombo (Michael Raymond-James), and more. We get to see Harlem during a pivotal time in American history while also understanding how communities navigated various topics of the time.
We sat down with Creator, Executive Prodducer and writer Chris Brancato (Narcos, Narcos: Mexico, Hotel Cocaine) to talk about the show, its intracicies, and what to expect from S4 launching April 13th on MGM+.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Chris it is so good to see you again! I had the pleasure of interviewing you a few months back for Hotel Cocaine which I loved and I told you then that I love Godfather of Harlem as well. So it’s so great to connect with you again!
What drew you to create Godfather of Harlem. It’s incredible prestige TV, it’s always great to see the depth of characters, dynamics, and interactions!
CB: First of all, that’s entirely due to my friend Paul Eckstein (First Wave, Narcos, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) who passed last year. He was my best friend and Paul told me about Bumpy Johnson who put his grandmother through secretarial school. He told me that Bumpy was this gangster/philanthropist in Harlem and over the course of time, we developed several projects – the movie Hoodlum in the 90s with Laurence Fishburne (What's Love Got To Do With It, The Matrix franchise, John Wick franchise) playing Bumpy in the 1930s and then 20 years later, Markuann Smith (King of Paper Chasin', The Hit Boys Redemption, The Realtor) and Jim Acheson (Numb3rs, For the People, By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem) producers came to me and Paul and said are you interested in doing Bumpy in the 60's?
Ultimately we decided yes – let’s do it. They were bringing Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, Southpaw, Black Panther) to the table. So lo and behold, we develop the show Paul and I and there you have it! Godfather of Harlem which we wanted to make it different in the way that we sought to do that was that Bumpy and Malcolm X were friends. So the friendship and the ability to explore both gangsterism and also the Civil Rights Movement was something that we felt was going to give us a fresh angle.
AM: It’s amazing because as you’re watching it, it’s like you have 80 onions that are all unlayering. You have these iconic people from so many sociodemographic areas layered in – it’s truly amazing. The styling of the show, the setting – what do you love most about it?
CB: I think that I love most about it is the actors that we have brought to the table. In other words, when you have Forest Whitaker playing the lead role, that’s when you can get a Vincent D’Onofrio (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Daredevil series, Daredevil: Born Again series), a Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian, The Residence) etc. etc. Watching these people – obviously writing this show, is difficult to blend all of these historical characters into this story, but then watching the actors make it come to life is my greatest pleasure!
So I love editing the episodes because I’m looking at the footage of the actors and the work that they have done.
AM: What should we keep an eye out for in S4?
CB: S4 is explosive if I do say so myself! We’ve got Frank Lucas coming to town straight off the bus to basically challenge Bumpy Johnson before they end up becoming pals. Then, Bumpy’s daughter Elise (Antoinette Crow-Legacy) joins the Black Panther movement in the wake of Malcom’s death and Bumpy isn’t too cool with that! He supports what the Panthers are doing, but not so much his daughter doing it!
AM: Right!
CB: So that’s going to create some friction! So we feel like we have 2 driving story lines this year. The introduction of Frank Lucas and Bumpy’s continued fight against the Italians and then on the Civil Rights side, we have Elise joining the Panthers and participating in their actions!
AM: We truly appreciate you taking the time! It’s an incredible show and anytime your name is on a project, it’s going to be amazing!
CB: Thank you! I appreciate that!
IG @cbrancato86
After chatting with Chris Brancato, we wanted to speak with the cast. We started by talking with Rome Flynn (How To Get Away with Murder, Grey's Anatomy, Chicago Fire) who is joining the cast as Frank Lucas. We wanted to know what he enjoys about this series, what it's like to play this notable figure, and what he hopes fans will walk away with after seeing this season.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We have been fans of yours since How To Get Away with Murder so it’s so nice to talk with you today!
ROME FLYNN: It’s nice to talk with you.
AM: What drew you to Godfather or Harlem?
RF: I mean, I couldn’t find a reason not to! It was a lot of positives you know - working with Forest Whitaker was at the top of the list and then working with Chris Brancato because I knew his work from Narcos and also just being a fan of the show in general. I was like, to be on a show like this would be a dream as an actor.
AM: You’re playing Frank Lucas which is amazing and exciting. How did you approach playing him?
RF: Yeah, it’s a different process to playing someone who lived and breathed on this Earth and left an impact whether it’s good or bad. There was a heavy sense of responsibility, care, and just an attention to detail on discovering who Frank was and trying not to necessarily imitate who he was but finding his essence and bringing that which was extremely important to me because I don’t think that we have seen a version of him like this.
I was afforded an amazing opportunity to play a character that people know, good or bad – we’ll see.
AM: What did you enjoy about playing him, bringing him to life, making him your own especially because regardless of what you know about him, if you think about American Gangster for example – there is that version of Frank Lucas. So it’s exciting to see it and what did you like about doing that?
RF: Yeah, I got to step into the shoes of a man who was equally charming, but also cutthroat and also unpredictable and dangerous. He was also troubled too. As an actor, you want to play a character who is fully dimensional and is carrying a lot of baggage, trauma, and who is still struggling with their purpose and why they are where they are in life. That’s just really fun and rich to play.
It wasn’t just about being a gangster or playing someone who is put in those situations. It was about playing a man who is navigating his life who is in these situations and trying to find the commonalities with a person like this.
AM: What do you want fans to walk away from after seeing S4 and getting to see Frank Lucas and his interactions and dynamics with everyone else this season?
RF: I just hope that the moment that the season is done that the people are clamoring for another one! That’s how I felt just being a fan of the show too! But yeah, I think that there is still so much story to be told. You guys when you love this show, you should talk about it and share it! There is no other show on TV like it that has this sort of historical precedence and is really honoring the details and honoring people during that time. We’ve got to keep this show going! We have to make sure that people see this show because it’s important.
IG @romeflynn
We were excited to sit down with Lucy Fry (Wolf Creek, Mr. Church, Bright) and Michael Raymond James (True Blood, Jack Reacher, See) who plays Stella Gigante and Joseph Colombo respectfully. Lucy has been in the world of Godfather of Harlem since the inaugural season and Michael came into this series during S3. As they have a number of scenes together, we wanted to know more about how they came to the show, what they love about it and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s so great to connect with you guys as I’m a fan of your work as well as the show!
What drew you guys to want to be part of Godfather of Harlem?
LF: When I first read the script, I guess I really wanted to get into the world of the 60s, gangsters in NY, I thought it was really cool. I'm a fan of Forest Whitaker, so I was really excited to be able to work with him. Yeah that was about 6 yars ago when I first joined. My reasons for loving it have continued to evolve over the seasons, but that was the initial impulse.
MRJ: Yeah, for me, when I got the offer, and when I heard that Forest had asked for me, you know when Forest Whitaker says that he wants to work with you, run you don’t walk. For me, it was kind of a no-brainer.
and when I heard that Forest had asked for me, you know when Forest Whitaker says that he wants to work with you, run you don’t walk. For me, it was kind of a no-brainer.
AM: Obviously you guys play Stella Gigante and Joseph Colombo. How do you approach playing these characters?
LF: I guess there is a mixture of reality and fiction for me anyway with both of us as the story is inspired by real events, but it’s fiction and Stella is a fictional character. So I approached it by looking at the context of the time and the world of NY in the 60s and the gangs and reading the Chin’s – one of his kids actual autobiographies. But then finding the things that are personal to me to fill the fictional world with.
MRJ: You know, Joe Colombo, was a real person and there is an element of – you want to be sort of respectful of that and stay honest to some of that. But, we are doing a show that is historical fiction as Lucy talked about and so it really is all about the material. As an actor, you get the material, you break down that material as opposed to me having to do an impersonation of Joe Colombo. We’re creating a whole new Joe Colombo and Stella Gigante based on the pages that we get.
AM: What have you loved about playing these characters and bringing them to life?
LF: I’ve really loved Stella’s journey over the 4 seasons. She’s really come into herself and grown into a woman that is hungry for power and manipulating the men around her and playing the game that she has learned from her father (Chin Gigante played by Vincent D’Onofrio). It’s been really fun to go from pushing her father away and having all of these romance things to someone who is taking power for herself.
I think that her relationship with Colombo is very informative in that development.
MRJ: Playing the game as Lucy said is really fun and there’s so much nuance and so much in between the lines where it’s not really just the words that you say. It’s the 4 moves ahead that you’re kind of playing. It’s like 3-Dimensional chess with every script. So that’s always fun to play things where there is a lot of nuance and subtext to kind of put your shoulder behind.
LF: I think that the gang world, it kind of gives you a lot more subtext than most genres.
AM: Right.
MRJ: Right.
LF: Because it’s like are they going to kill me? Aren’t they going to kill me? It’s kind of like a constant subtext ha!
MRJ: Ha – but also the people man! Lucy and I show up on set and it’s giggles immediately and sometimes it’s hard to break free from that, but what’s always fun is that the giggles are always just underneath.
LF: Right
MRJ: And you see it come out a little bit in the work. Just a little bit – like holding back laughs and it’s a very serious scene where we’re talking about murder.
LF: It’s quite fun and you can tell that our characters really enjoy the game!
IG @lstowell
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | MGM+/The Godfather of Harlem
Read the MAR ISSUE #111 of Athleisure Mag and see MGM+ GODFATHER OF HARLEM | Return to Harlem in mag.
We love checking in with those that we may have learned about in a previous interview. Back in our AUG ISSUE #92, we had the pleasure of interviewing the Creator and Executive Producer of Prime Video's Surf Girls Hawai'i, Monica Medellin who introduced us to 4 surfers that we were able to watch navigating their careers and growing up. One of the surfers featured was pro surfer Brianna Cope.
We wanted to sit down to find out more about Brianna's love for the ocean, how it fuels her, competing, and how she continues to stay fit outside of surfing. With a passion for cooking, we also wanted to hear about how beach and barbecues are the perfect compliment and how she's able to make amazing meals in a portable way!
ATHLEISURE MAG: We're so excited to be chatting with you. We actually first became aware of you when we interviewed Monica Medellin (Red Bull: Making History: Women Free Ride, Teahupo’o Surf Camp: Road to Paris 2024, LA28 Stories: Black Surf) who was the Creator and Executive Producer for Surf Girls Hawai’i.
BRIANNA COPE: Yeah Surf Girls!
AM: So what was your first memory of surfing and when did you fall in love with it?
BC: Oh, this is like, one of my favorite parts to talk about just because I feel like it just was the best moment of my life, I was actually born with a small hand. So, I started surfing at 3 or 4 years old, and that first wave, you know, you fall down, and it's the best thing because you're like, I just can't wait to do it again, right?
AM: Yeah.
BC: I’ve done so many other sports like, you fall down - ice skating or skateboarding. You're like, eh I don’t know if I want to do that again.
AM: Right.
BC: But in surfing, for me, there is this thrill and that excitement! That connection with something so much bigger than us, like the ocean was really cool for me.
AM: Wow!
When did you realize that you wanted to do it professionally?
BC: Probably the next day. I know that it was a really, really young age. That was my calling in life and the connection that I had with the ocean was much deeper, like, I just felt so much more relaxed when I was in the ocean. Like, you know, when people go and surf sometimes, they're like, oh, I feel nervous, right? The water for me was so healing, and I knew at a really young age. I want to say like when I was really younger, I knew I wanted to be a pro surfer.
AM: That's amazing.
About Surf Girls Hawai’i, what made you want to be a part of that show?
BC: I think for me, wanting to be a part of Surf Girls Hawai’i for Hello Sunshine was about women’s empowerment, right?
Like in sports, we are always told to be better than the other person, or to beat them. Don't get me wrong, I'm very competitive, but I think there's something more powerful to like living in the moment and supporting each other and uplifting instead of tearing each other down, so that's exactly why. A lot of my friends are on the show, so it was really fun.
AM: I mean, it was so fun to watch and we just loved digging into the sport more and seeing the dynamics between you.
When is the surfing season and how has it been going so far for you?
BC: So, the surfing season, thankfully, we get to surf year round, especially living in Hawaii! We have amazing waves. The competitive surf season starts in June this year, and it goes until the end of the year, because of the late start.
The CT starts in January, but the Challenger Series starts a little later. So, in the meantime, I'm competing in a couple races, which is super fun.
AM: Nice.
BC: I love it more for the mental challenge and it’s second nature for me. But, I'm getting ready to run 410 miles in a relay race known as The Speed Project from LA to Vegas with some friends. So that’s a really fun push, and I feel like it translates into my surfing of wanting to push in bigger waves and stuff.
AM: Can’t even imagine, but that sounds fantastic!
What do you consider to be your superpower in terms of when you're surfing?
BC: Oh, I think, for me, it's the connection with the ocean. I just feel like I have a really good read on it, and that's my superpower. I feel like it's the thing I'm most connected to in the world, like when my friends go and hike and they say that they feel so grounded, I never feel that I feel very grounded in the ocean, I think. For me, it's the connection I have to the ocean.
AM: Honestly, you have such a peaceful Vibe.
BC: Ha! It’s crazy because I was in a rush to get on here and I was all stressed!
AM: Well just listening to you – love this Vibe. We need this around us, a lot more!
BC: Call me anytime.
AM: So obviously you love the water and surfing is such a great way to stay in shape. What are three workouts that you do outside of, you know, surfing, or, or in the ocean in general that keeps you in shape because our readers always like knowing what can we add into our routines?
BC: For sure. I think for me, I'm big into strength working out. So, like, I do a lot of rotation movements. I do a lot of squats to build the strength in my lower body and of course, I’m really into running right now. I just love that more for the exertion because you're running for a certain amount of time. Surfing is so quick. You catch a wave, then you're back out there. There is a lot of sitting, so I feel like running really helps. I like to swim, but I am a bad swimmer. My form isn’t great ha – but swimming is really fun for me, too.
AM: How do you take time for yourself when you need a reset?
BC: That's a great question because I love to just go go go, like, if I could, I would go 24/7!
AM: Same.
BC: You just want to take over.
AM: Yep.
BC: Whatever you can do is great. Meditation is really big for me. I love starting my morning off with that and like, for me, I need to have that, like, even if it's 5-10 minutes in the morning to, like, set my day up. That's important. And just like, honestly, listening to my body, I'm not the best at doing it.
AM: Same.
BC: I feel that my glutes are a little sore, but I’ll think to myself that I should still go run. You know, taking that time, in a sauna or in a cold plunge every day, I think that's really helpful.
AM: Well, when you think about going to the beach, here in New York we do have our beaches and obviously, we think about beach activities, but we also think about, barbecuing, and various foods when it comes to the beach. Do you enjoy cooking and what do you love making?
BC: I love to cook! That's actually how I feel like I cannot be on my phone. I'm super present. You're just like in the flow, and it's my favorite thing to do. I actually grew up watching my grandma cook, and then I just took on that tradition myself, but in Hawaii it’s super normal to have beach barbecues, right? You are gonna go down the beach and somebody's gonna be barbecuing or somebody's gonna be cooking on the beach. It’s so normal for me, and when Gozney made this new oven, I was like this is perfect for whether I'm on the beach or if I want to do it after a hike. It's also really light, because like sometimes, you don't really want to start a fire from scratch. I might starve if I do that. But it’s super easy and growing up on an island that was so second nature for us.
AM: And how did the partnership happen because it seems like it’s such a natural synergy.
BC: I slid into Tom Gozney's DMs, the owner of Gozney.
AM: Nice!
BC: I told him I was a huge fan of everything that they were doing. I freaking love to cook. I literally made steak on the Gozney last night.
AM: Oh wow!
BC: You can make so many things on the Gozney.
AM: Nice! We like a multi-purpose situation.
BC: As much as I would like to eat pizza every single day, sometimes I gotta switch it up, right? I like to make food, and so when I saw everything that they were doing, I was like, this is so cool. It's so adventurous, it's not like the typical fine dining. Like, I don't know how to plate my plate like that. But I love to cook and I like having my oven and having a perfect pizza in your house is amazing.
AM: I mean, that must be amazing - now knowing that you put a whole steak in there, you can make all these things and be virtually anywhere to create these dishes.
BC: Yeah, actually. When we were doing the shoot for the Tread and we had pizza on the beach, and it was super fun, but then we took it the next day, and I actually tried to make a steak on the beach and it was pretty cool.
I love to just cook and to be able to hang out with your friends. I feel like on the beach, it’s such a great place to do it and to enjoy it!
AM: What does this partnership look like in terms of what we will see you doing with Gozney?
BC: Hopefully more adventure stuff. I mean, they're so fun to work with. It's like they let me, do you know kind of whatever I want in the content space. It's so nice to just be able to like express how I use the oven. It's been a long partnership and they're awesome.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for? I know that you're going into competitions, and we have this great season ahead.
BC: I mean, I think there's always things coming out. I'm pretty sporadic, too. I'm always like I have a calendar, but I never really look at it.
AM: Wow!
BC: Staying tuned on Instagram is probably the best way to keep up for sure.
IG @briannacope
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Gozney Ambassador Brianna Cope | 63MIX ROUTIN3S Brianna Cope/IG |
Read the MAR ISSUE #111 of Athleisure Mag and see BBQ BEACH BITES WITH BRIANNA COPE in mag.
