SPRING AWAKENING WITH ASHLEY BUSCH

It's been quite a winter! Thankfully, March reminds us that our dreams of sunny days and rising temperatures is closer to being a reality. This month's covergirl is one of our new faves, Ashley Busch - US Polo player, Global Brand Ambassador of U.S. Polo Assn, Wilhelmina model and wife of NASCAR's Kurt Busch! Our shoot incorporates Spring's must haves and we get the scoop on playing polo, hanging out with Ashley and seeing what she's up to.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What does it take to be a polo player?

ASHLEY BUSCH: It takes a few things to be a good polo player. Of course, previous riding experience is always an advantage. To me, the most important skill is to have good hand-eye coordination. Also, the skill of the pony is just as important as the skill of the player.

AM: Are there things that people don't realize in terms of coordinating the mallet and riding?

AB: Most people do not realize that when we are riding we are standing up in the stirrups 90% of the time. In order to hit the ball it takes hand eye coordination. How far it goes has a lot to do with timing of where your horse is and where your mallet is in relation to the ball.

AM: What are your favorite plays?

AB: There are not really any set plays or off sides in polo. Any player can go anywhere on the field. Typically, I play number 1 or number 2 and those positions are the ones that do most of the scoring which are my favorite plays of course!

AM: What has been your favorite match that you have played in?

AB: My favorite match was the 12 Goal tournament I won with my dad at the International Polo Club.

AM: How has the Polo season been and what races are you looking forward to this year?

AB: Polo season has been great so far. I played my first tournament in January and we got to the finals where we only lost by one goal. The second tournament I played in February, we won
by 2 goals. So, I would say this season has been a success!

I look forward to all of the races whether I'm there or watching on TV. I get really into each race because each track is different and it’s fun to see how everything transpires. One of my favorite
trips is the west coast swing that we are on right now. From Vegas to Phoenix to LA. Some other tracks that I love are Bristol in Tennessee, Talladega, and Sonoma.

AM: As this month's cover girl of Athleisure Mag for the kickoff to our Spring Issue, what is it about this time of year that you find exciting?

AB: I am someone that has always gravitated towards warm weather. I love that the flowers are starting to bloom and everything is warming up. I look at springtime as an opportunity to do some spring cleaning and really hone in on my goals for the year. It’s a reboot in my opinion!

AM: The Spring is definitely a great time to add new pieces to your closet - what are some of your favorite spring must-haves that you love in your closet or will be adding to soon?

AB: With all the fashion weeks coming to an end, a lot of designers start putting out their spring lines, which I am always excited to see what new prints and styles are featured. I especially enjoy it because I am a designer myself and look forward to seeing what they come up with and what is trending. As far as new pieces, I am a sucker for a good pair of jeans that can be worn from day to night and I am always looking for fun shoes to mix it up!

AM: You do a lot of traveling and with NASCAR season starting back up, how do you juggle your calendar versus your days on the track to support your husband?

AB: The key for us is basically just looking ahead and scheduling everything accordingly. Some races I inevitably miss because I am playing polo. Regardless, though, we are both very supportive of each other and we make it work! 

AM: With such a busy schedule, great skincare is essential to ensure that you always look like you have a well-rested glow - what beauty products do you swear by?

AB: I typically do not wear much makeup, mainly because I am always on the go. Some of my go-to products are the La Mer oil-infused lotion to hydrate and smooth my skin. I also love Drunk Elephant's day and night serums to help balance out my skin tone. I use the Elta MD tinted moisturizer almost every day, especially when I have a polo match. It provides nice, even coverage, but more importantly has SPF to prevent wrinkles. When traveling, I always carry the Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist! I use it whenever I feel like my skin needs a little boost of hydration.

AM: The last time we chatted with you, you were working on your swim line, how is that going and what can you tell us about it?

AB: We are still in the creative process of my swim line and ironing out all of the details. What I can tell you is that 10% of the proceeds will go to charity, as philanthropy has always been a major part of my life. I will be posting updates on my social media as we progress and am shooting to launch this summer!

AM: When you're not training for your next polo match, designing your line, in a photoshoot or hanging out with Kurt, what can we find you doing when you're taking time for yourself?

AB: In my spare time, I am most likely spending time with friends and family. I also really enjoy being at home just relaxing with my dogs.

AM: When you're home, where can we find you shopping, grabbing cocktails and a drink and do you have a workout studio that you enjoy going to?

AB: My go-to store to shop is Intermix. I also love to check out local boutiques in the area. In Charlotte, Kurt and I enjoy going to Sushi at the Lake for dinner and drinks. In Florida, HMF is a super cool spot. Most of the time, Kurt and I will cook dinner together at the house though.

When I am in Florida, I train at the International Polo Club with polo trainers. In Charlotte, we have a personal trainer who comes to our house to workout. I also like to take aerial silk classes at Air-fit Charlotte.

AM: What charities or philanthropies do you give your time to?

AB: Children's National Medical Center in DC. Capital Hospice Care. Cancer Research and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Local Humane Societies.

We shot Ashley Busch in Brooklyn at the 1 

Hotel Brooklyn Bridge which has great views of Manhattan and is in a neighborhood with a number of options to enjoy. We chatted with General Manager, Cornelia Samara to find out why this property is one that you should get to know as we continue into the Spring and Summer.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about 1 Hotels in terms of the family of properties within this group and what one can expect when staying here generally?

CORNELIA SAMARA: We currently have 1 Hotels open in South Beach, Manhattan, and most recently, here in Brooklyn. Soon guests will be able to get closer to nature in Cabo; Sanya, China; West Hollywood and Sunnyvale. While every property is unique in its design and offerings, you can always expect a home away from home, with thoughtful service and personal touches. Every 1 Hotel is designed to celebrate nature and bring touches of the outdoors inside.

AM: Are there different personalities that 1 Hotels represents depending on the city/community?

CS: Definitely. Each 1 Hotels property is directly influenced and inspired by their local surroundings – the natural landmarks it sits on or beside, as well as the community it is part of. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, for example, is inspired by the industrial history of the Brooklyn waterfront, and its design takes cues from the park it sits upon.

AM: Specifically, tell us about 1 Hotels Brooklyn Bridge - when did it open, what is the atmosphere?

CS: We opened our doors to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in February 2017, making us just recently 1 Tree Ring year old. The atmosphere at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is first and foremost welcoming, and it has a special balance of energy, liveliness in the midst of tranquility.

AM: What makes the Brooklyn location one that is great for business travel, business meetings, vacations and staycations?

CS: Much like Brooklyn itself, what you can experience at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is very diverse in its offerings. We operate 6 different outlets that can cater to just about every traveler, with a spa providing treatments to relax and re-energize, a rooftop pool & bar that
is calm by day and energetic by night, a lobby lounge and café that are both great for settling in with a good book or hunkering down to get work done, visit The Osprey for an elevated dining experience, or Brooklyn Heights Social club for unparalleled views and an unmatched cocktail list.

AM: What amenities are offered by the hotel and what are the touches that are specific to this hotel?

CS: -Bamford Haybarn Spa

-24 hour Field House fitness center

-Seasonal rooftop bar and pool

-Full Service Restaurant, The Osprey, with seasonal outdoor seating

-Brooklyn Heights Social Club, a bar on the 10th floor with stunning views of NYC skyline

-Neighbors café located in the lobby

-24 hour in-room dining

-Complimentary Tesla electric house car

-Filtered water taps in guest rooms

-Location on Brooklyn Bridge Park

We put a great deal of effort into bringing nature into our public spaces and guest rooms. It’s important that people feel at one with nature even when they aren’t able to actually get outside.

For example, each guest room will have green elements like living green moss, small trees or even hanging gardens.

AM: The public areas are so welcoming, who designed this hotel and what was the thought process behind the design?

CS: The hotel was thoughtfully designed by INC Architecture & Design, guided by a specific vision from our founder, Barry Sternlicht, and our design team. From the beginning, we knew we wanted our guests, community and visitors to feel at home and close to nature. We like
to think of our lobby a place to gather, where you can find locals and guests busy at work or socializing with friends.

AM: We saw that you offer car services to the area - why is this an amenity that was added and tell us more about it?

CS: We do offer a complimentary Tesla house car for our guests, to whisk them away to destinations within 3 miles of the hotel with low-impact (it’s electric!) We chose an electric car to be our house car because it minimizes our contribution to air pollution and also gives our
guests the chance to see that electric vehicles can be true replacements for gasoline powered vehicles. We hope it encourages them to take measure to reduce their own carbon footprints when they head home.

AM: What can we look forward to for the Spring and the Summer that is offered at the Brooklyn Bridge location?

CS: -New seasonal menus items made with market-fresh ingredients throughout our food and beverage outlets and our in-room dining menu

-Our seasonal rooftop bar and pool will reopen in the spring

-Exciting outdoor programming from our partners at Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy

AM: What do locals have the ability to enjoy whether they are staying as guests or just wish to stop by?

CS: -They can always expect warm and welcoming greeting from our team

-They can always expect amazing cuisine with ingredients locally sourced from their own communities

-Unobstructed views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge

-Locals are always welcome to get comfortable and work from our lobby lounge

-Special offers from the hotel and our outlets, extended specifically to our neighbors and local community

AM: Tell us about your commitment to wellness as we saw the yoga mats in the room and we know you have a gym as well.

CS: It’s important to us to encourage our guests to take care of themselves both physically and mentally. We can only put our best foot forward in taking care of the planet when we also take care of ourselves. We hope the yoga mats remind guests the importance of taking a moment each day to get centered and focused in their mind and spirit. We offer Mind & Movement programming to help create experiences that allow guests to do this.

AM: Two of our favorite places are rooftops and spas and we know you have both, tell us about this.

CS: You are definitely not alone in that! There are few things better than an amazing view or being pampered. While our service definitely sets us apart, there’s no question that our views are taken to the next level on our rooftop. At Bamford Haybarn Spa, the commitment to holistic treatments and organic ingredients is a major differentiator.

Read more from the March Issue and see Spring Awakening with Ashley Busch in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | OBE, OUR BODY ELECTRIC

For the past few weeks, we have enjoyed streaming obè to workout when we can't hit the gym or when we're traveling. We're obsessed with the vibrant pops of color that remind us of aerobic workouts a la Jane Fonda and Olivia Newton John's, 'Let's Get Physical' song. 

Founded by Mark Mullett and Ashley Mills (both formerly with Creative Artists Agency), they believed in an on-the-go fitness platform based on the belief that incredible fitness talent and experiences should not be limited to a privileged few in NYC or LA. Both embrace a love of fitness from Mark's need to motivate and change up the workout. Ashley's need to work out came from finding a way to combat the stress of her job, while also turning to yoga to ease her psoriatic arthritis.

"obé finally provides you with a workout to look forward to.  Every morning we bring the boutique fitness experience straight to your living room from our electric, light filled studio in New York City has to offer. Where else can you wake up 5 minutes before a class, sweat it out like you’re in your own music video, and leave sore, but smiling ready to conquer the day?"

On average, there are 8 hours of LIVE programming every day, which is 16 classes! They are focused on making magic every morning across the country, 7 days a week. By sweating it out first thing, members are motivated, energized, and teed up for a productive day. Morning is the most popular time to workout for a reason!

There is also a series of obé Express programming, which are on demand classes ranging from 8 to 15 minutes.  These are perfect as targeted add ons to members’ morning obé routine, or if they are pressed for time later in the day, but still want to fit in a fun, effective workout! 

obé launched on Friday, March 9th of this year. Workouts are web based, accessible through PC, mobile device or tablet. Many members mirror or cast up to their smart TV. Mobile apps for IOS and Android are on the near horizon allowing people to easily take obé with them throughout the day. 

Programming takes place across three verticals: SWEAT (dance cardio and circuit training) | DEFINE (body sculpting and strength training) | FLOW (yoga and restorative stretch).

Each class is full body, only 28 minutes,  and does not require any equipment!  The schedule is purposely crafted so that if you only have one specific time to workout each day, you can experience a variety of diverse modalities and instructors.  Always fresh, never boring!

A small selection of obé merchandise will be available online shortly. This will include fun post-sweat hoodies, colorful tanks, and resistance bands that are perfect for travel.  
 

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OBE OUR BODY ELECTRIC

STREAMING

www.ourbodyelectric.com

Read more from the March Issue and see Athleisure List | OBE, Our Body Electric in mag.

HANGING WITH SOLEIMA

We kicked off the month by heading uptown to a listening party for electropop Big Beat Records' artist, Soleima whose music is the perfect way to get you ready for Spring with a hip-hop and world infusion. This Danish artist chatted with us prior to her party to talk about her entry into music, her love of the collaborative scene and Copenhagen and the Scandanavian festivals that she'll be at this year!

ATHLEISURE MAG: How long have you been in music?

SOLEIMA: I kind of just grew up with music. I had been doing it forever. We had a piano and I grew up doing it with my mom as a child, since she played as well. I also played – she always took me to these music clubs where I was taught music and I grew up in an East African music environment.

AM: We’ve been listening to your music and including it in our workouts. It has this mix of hip-hop and that tribal feel to it – we are definitely fans.

S: Yes! That’s what I was introduced to and I never learned the theory behind music. It was an acoustic way of learning music and for me it was the best way to learn it. So somehow, it’s always been in my life – some sort of music.

AM: When did you realize that this was something that you wanted to do?

S: Actually, I have been doing it as a  hobby for most of my life! But then last year, I got signed and I started working on this EP with friends and we thought about putting it on SoundCloud and then we thought, let’s try to get it released. We sent it to some Danish labels and one of them wanted to release it and this was nice, but I never thought of it as a direct career opportunity. But then everything went pretty fast! I guess when an opportunity like that shows itself, you just jump on it. So I feel like it was meant to be somehow?

AM: What inspires you when you’re performing, making your videos and writing your music?

S: I guess I’m very inspired by many different things. I get super inspired by other musicians. I think there are so many great ones out there right now. People doing amazing stuff. Right now in Copenhagen – where I’m from in Denmark, the music scene is very interesting. We are a very small industry and somehow we are all friends and know each other! We work together. People have a lot of stuff going on that is really interesting. Right now, we’re inspiring and motivating each other. When someone does an amazing song or has a great project going on, we’re like – “Oh that’s so good – that’s amazing. Let’s do something together!” We just make each other better in a positive way.

I’ve always heard people talk about how in this industry when someone has something good going on that there is a feeling that there isn’t room for someone else. I’ve just never realized that in our environment in Denmark, which I think is a very healthy thing.

AM: So are you currently working on other music as well?

S: I’m working on an EP as well right now. It’s going to come out shortly.

AM: Are you doing any touring or any festival dates?

S: Yes. I am writing a lot. I was in LA for a month writing recently and I do it all the time. I have quite a few festivals. I am playing in Scandanavia, in the UK. In the UK, there will be a few shows in the Spring – a number of clubs and then over the summer, a very booked festival tour. In the fall, I am doing my own shows which is really exciting.

AM: Exciting! What’s that like concepting your own shows?

S: Actually, I will have my first 2 headlining shows in Dec. I never tried to play my own shows before. We have played quite a lot together but it’s been showcases out and about. So now, that’s such an overwhelming feeling. Because now, people are there and they bought a ticket with real fucking money and like they know the songs!

AM: So how do you keep your balance and check in with yourself through all of this?

S: That’s such a good question! How do I stay sane? Can you teach me please?

I think definitely because this is all so new, I am still in the process of learning that. With being in music, there aren’t too many in-between feelings. There are extreme highs and there are a lot of extreme lows. So one day you’re like, “wow this happened and I like it – you’re so high and then literally the day after you get some kind of boring mail and you’re like, “no – that didn’t happen anyway” and now I have to go back to life.

You know what I mean? So, it’s like a good and a bad thing – it’s very addictive and you become addicted to going into these highs and lows. It can be a bad thing because you kind of need a balance where you’re neither super excited or super depressed. So I am still learning that, but I can say that I am addicted to it already. I think it would be difficult to not be that way as well. Regarding the zen, I think I should start meditating – can you teach me!

AM: It’s a work in progress for sure. The best ones for us are meditations that are led by someone and we can sit down and start going through the process. But sometimes when we quiet our mind, those things that were really sticking out there wanting to be thought about pop in and it can be tough to push them to the side!

S: Exactly! It’s like when you go to sleep and then those thoughts pop in and it’s like – argh!

AM: We’re working on meditation, but in terms of fitness or activities in general – what do you do?

S: I’m a runner. I run a lot and I am really addicted to it – I love to do it! I listen to audiobooks and listening to them makes me so excited that I’m like, “I have to run more”.

AM: We have to try that as we’re obsessed with podcasts and that could give us the kick that we need to run.

S: Oooo I love This American Life, it’s my favorite!

AM: Yes and then Serial – love!

S: Ohhh but then S-Town that was AMAZING!

AM: Yes, so obsessed with that!

S: I was in London away from home and I was so emotional and the story was so insane. I was like how can this be real? I would run and listen to these shows and it just makes me run. If I didn’t have them, I would be bored. It’s the perfect way and it’s like free time where I can listen and do this. I’m not working out and it becomes a treat. It’s a really good trick.

AM: Absolutely. So, tonight, you have a listening party – are you excited?

S: I’m so excited and a little nervous maybe. Because I feel very honored and humble about people coming here. It's my first time doing it and I have never seen it done in Scandanavia, but I think that it is a really really good way to present an artist.

AM: So what else – what are you up to this summer even outside of music?

S: Yeah. I’m going to play a lot, which means I am going to be in Scandanavia because of the festivals. You may play Thurs and Sun then you have a few days off and then you have Fri and Sat and then 3 days off. So it’s not like you have to work everyday, but you have a couple of months where you have to stay in the same area. That’s actually nice because I have been away from Denmark a lot this year.

AM: What do you like to do in Denmark?

S: Mainly I write. That’s also where my friends are and I really really like to hang out with the when I am home. We do lots of good stuff. I deeply recommend Copenhagen as it’s a fun town.

AM: We may do a shoot there!

S: You should come during the summer as it has really good festivals. We have this festival called Rosklide. It’s like the second biggest in Europe and it’s amazing. Come for that and then stay and have a small week in Copenhagen to see stuff. Hit me up and I will give you tips!

AM: Do you prescribe to hygge?

S: I don’t know what that it is – tell me.

AM: Last year, we interviewed Meik Wiking who wrote a book about being and living a hyggelig lifestyle. Essentially, the concept is that you create an atmosphere and experience which creates a sense of comfort, well-being and togetherness. He outlines ways that one can bring it into their homes, work environment and to share with friends in order to create an optimized lifestyle. It’s about being cozy, spending time with close friends and family and
checking in with yourself.

S: I had not heard of that, but that seems like something that I would love! Send me info on this as I’d love to check it out!

Check out Soleima's latest music video "Low Life" and keep an eye out for her mini album, "Bulldog" which arrives April 6th at Big Beat Records.

PHOTO CREDITS | Dennis Morton/Big Beat Records |

Read more from the March Issue and see Hanging with Soleima in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | FIERCE GRACE

We took a class at Fierce Grace when it first opened. Although we have taken a few hot yoga classes and have a go to that we enjoy, we had to add another to the list with this studio that just came to the States after the success that it has enjoyed overseas!

Fierce Grace is a revolutionary system of 8 interconnected classes, and is the brainchild of one of the UK’s most well known teachers, Michele Pernetta (who led our class). The studio is owned by 3 yoga teachers. Tricia Donegan, a renowned teacher in the NY yoga scene and owner of the original Bikram studio on Allen St., Kelly Isaac entrepreneur, yoga teacher and
business partner of clothing brand Yogangster and Michele Pernetta, an ex-fashion and costume designer, and one of the UK’s most respected yoga teachers and founder of Fierce Grace, who brought hot yoga to the UK in 1994. FGNYC isn’t a franchise, it is a deeply personal project, a transformation of a loved studio into the hottest yoga brand in the UK.

They represent 45 years of yoga teaching experience. They will be hands on running workshops, events, trainings and bringing the Fierce Grace manifesto to the Lower East Side, in its irreverent, down to earth, no-nonsense way.

“Fierce Grace is the perfect fit for the yoga community I’ve built here, it’s the logical next step. It’s a brilliant yoga system that welcomes all body types and levels, has inspiring classes - from
strength and fitness classes, to slow deep classes, flowing classes to great music and alignment and injury classes, but all in an integrated system that brings continuity and safety," says Pernetta.

Fierce Grace launched in 2013 and currently has over 20 locations with the NYC studio opening a month ago. There are currently six Fierce Grace studios in London, with a brand new one opening in the summer, and classes offered in ten more UK locations including the prestigious David Lloyd clubs, as well as licensed studios in Dublin Ireland, New York City and in Rome, Italy. There are studios offering running the business, teaching there, the method in Ohio, Cincinnati, Washington DC, Sweden, Sao Paolo, and Brazil. There are instructors trained to
teach the Fierce Grace method globally.

time to time with UK brands such as "Yes to” and Jason, Aveda, Vita Coco, and they have their own in-house juice man/chef called Davide who makes organic juices.

At Fierce Grace, they value simple, safe poses that everyone can do and the repetition of template poses has huge benefits. From Pernetta's Ashtanga Vinyasa's practice she believes in the value of a more flow-based practice and how non-static movements, such as Sun Salutations, which develop a sense of freedom and non-rigidity can free the practitioner on an emotion al and mental level. As the body is so complex, one needs a large number of asanas in order to approach the body from every angle and to confuse weak or dormant muscles and habitual physical patterns. To this end, the Fierce Grace system is a system of classes that encompass all these qualities and contains nearly 200 poses. This ensures the entire body is used and moved in every way possible.

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FIERCE GRACE

LES
172 Allen St 2nd Fl NY, NY 10002 

Locations include London, Rome, Brazil, Sweden, and Ireland

www.fiercegrace.com
 

Read more from the Feb Issue and see Athleisure List | Fierce Grace in mag.

SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK | MARCH 12TH - 16TH

Sleep is always something that we're trying to do better when it comes to getting it, ensuring that we are having enough deep sleep and even creating an environment that is conducive to enjoying it! Our bodies become stronger and happier while we're in various sleep cycles so of course, having a week that is dedicated to the awareness of sleep! We have a number of favorites to loop you into but we're loving the microsite created by Dermalogica which focuses on their new product, Sound Sleep Cocoon - but it also offers some much-needed sleep tips that you might want to know about.

The site has a playlist which will assist in sleep, provides tips on sleeping as our skin is nocturnal and of course they share some facts on what makes Sound Sleep Cocoon something that you would want to know about and to include in your bedtime routine.

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW | FLU RECOVERY FACIAL

For those that have battled the flu, you fight to get back on your feet by increasing your fluids, getting rest and trying any remedy that you may have come across. But did you know that there is such a thing as a Flu Recovery Facial that helps the recovery process! We chatted with Celebrity Esthetician Thai Morrison about this beauty must.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is the flu facial?

THAI MORRISON: The Flu Recovery Facial consists of double cleansing with Kanvas Flower Power Oil Wash to restore hydration and moisture to the skin. This process is followed up with the Kanvas md Polished Emollient Cleanser to exfoliate dead skin cells while executing an amazing sinus trigger point face massage. The next step involves applying the Kanvas Glow Mask and allowing it to sit for 10-15 minutes. The mask contains essential vitamins, oils and collagen to hydrate and plump the skin. While the mask is penetrating the skin, Kanvas Plump Gold Eye Pads are applied under the eyes to relieve puffiness and dark circles. Steam is applied. After thoroughly rinsing the mask, the skin is infused with Avené Thermal Spring Water to calm and soothe the skin. This is followed up with Kanvas Glow Cream moisturizer and Kanvas md Antioxidant Sunscreen Cream. We are all aware that the flu wreaks havoc on the skin and this facial aids in restoring vitality to the skin from essential elements lost during the process of recovering from the flu.

AM: Who (besides someone getting or currently has the flu) would be a good candidate for this?

TM: The Flu Recovery Facial is an excellent hydrating facial for anyone needing a hydration boost to their skin care routine. While the Flu Recovery Facial is targeted toward clients who need immediate impactful hydration results, the Kanvas skin care line accommodates all skin types and can be customized for essential skin care needs based on skin type. This facial is a great way to recover and look amazing going back to work or returning to your normal activities.

AM: How did you come up with this?

TM: This concept was derived as a direct result of having the flu and saw that my skin was dehydrated due to not being able to really eat or drink much. I noticed that a lot of my clients were also having the same issues with their skin and I found this treatment to be most effective.

AM: What makes is so special?

TM: The Kanvas Flu Recovery Facial is special because it gives instant results and minimizes the damage to skin from the flu. Clients leave the spa with visible results of highly moisturized and
hydrated skin. The facial massage relieves congestion and results in sinuses opening up. The icing on the cake is that these products can be purchased for home use immediately to maintain the look.

AM: What else can you tell us about the facial?

TM: The facial takes roughly 45-55 minutes depending on the client’s skin condition upon arrival. The implementation is in the details and we always go above and beyond to ensure results. Some processes may take longer than others to achieve consistent results. Our clients love the facial and love our Kanvas high quality ingredient products that deliver results. Kanvas products are available in our boutique spa store and can be purchased online as well either through www.koffeedayspa.com or www.kanvasskin.com.

Read the Feb Issue and see Something You Should Know | Flu Recovery Facial in mag.

TACKLE WINTER SKIN

Every year our skin goes through a number of cycles and we're always trying to figure out how to keep our skin soft and supple as lower temperatures can do a number on our faces! Take notes as we sat down with Dr. Evan Rieder to find out about a number of questions that we have from whether there's such a thing as over moisturizing, why the winter and summer affects our skin differently, Dry Brushing and products that we should have in our vanity! Of course, he also shares some tips that will assist our beauty goals regardless of the season that we're in!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What takes place in the body that makes skin drier in the winter versus the summer?

DR. EVAN RIEDER: It’s not so much the body as it is the environment that causes skin to become more dry in the winter than in the summer. Temperatures drop, humidity levels fall, and indoor heating systems tend to provide dry air. All of these factors can impair the skin barrier,
leaving it dry, scaly, cracked, and itchy.

AM: This change that takes place in the skin means that many times we have to change our moisturizers and lotions, what are ingredients that we should look for in our products to ensure that our skin continues to look moisturized and soft?

DR. ER: One ingredient that can help lock in moisture and keep skin soft during the winter months is Petroleum Jelly. An ingredient found in the new Dry Skin Relief expert repairing balm, it’s excellent at repairing your driest spots including stubborn dry patches on knees, elbows and heels. 

For those with dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, products containing Colloidal Oatmeal can help relieve skin irritation. This is a key ingredient in the Dove DermaSeries Eczema Relief soothing body lotion.

AM: Is there such a thing as over moisturizing?

DR. ER: In a word, no, at least not for the majority of your body. If you suffer from dry skin, moisturization is the best way to repair the damaged skin barrier. Excess moisturizer could make skin sticky, making it uncomfortable to wear clothing. Though your clothes may become greasy, your skin would likely thank you for your efforts.

For the face, it depends on the products that you are using and your skin type. If you have oily skin and are noticing that you are developing acne, blackheads, and clogged pores, you might be using too much moisturizer. One way to prevent this is to make sure that your facial products are oil-free and non-comedogenic (which means that they don’t cause acne). The Dove DermaSeries Dry Skin Relief replenishing face cream is an excellent facial moisturizer that is not only gentle and non-comedogenic, but also provides protection from the sun.

AM: A number of people are talking about Dry Brushing your skin. Can you tell us what this is and what it is intended to do? Do you believe that this is something that is beneficial for skin?

DR. ER: Dry Brushing involves running a dry, soft-bristle brush over your bare skin in an upward motion toward your heart. This is said to increase blood flow and circulation, which will help your body and lymphatic system clear away toxins. Dry brushing is also thought to reduce cellulite and exfoliate, leaving your skin softer, more toned and better hydrated. Though there is no evidence for dry brushing in the medical literature, that doesn’t mean that it is not effective.
Particularly in people who may have extremely dry skin, dry brushing might soothe and help with exfoliation. I would be careful about the frequency in which you dry brush, as it could
potentially damage the skin barrier, especially in winter months where there is inadequate moisture in the environment. That being said, modified bathing habits and the use of an effective cleansers and topical moisturizers offer more evidence-based treatments for the skin.

AM: The Dove DermaSeries is a line filled with a number of products from cleansers to moisturizers. Can you tell us more about the repairing balm and what it does?

DR. ER: The Dry Skin Relief expert repairing balm is truly a one of a kind product in the Dove DermaSeries line. The silky, non-greasy formula provides fast dry skin relief and leaves skin looking healthier over time.

AM: In addition to using the products, what are additional methods that should be included in our skincare routine that will assist in keeping our skin moisturized (i.e. consuming x amount
of water, eating certain types of foods)?

DR. ER: Additional methods to keeping your skin hydrated include:

Use a humidifier to moisten the dry air coming from indoor heating systems

Maintain a healthy diet and eat foods high in water content may help hydrate your skin from the inside out. Try watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, oranges and watery veggies like celery,
tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots

Moisturize twice a day (night and day), and always immediately after bathing

Get the appropriate amount of sleep. That means at least 7-8 hours per night for the average person. Don’t underestimate the effects of proper sleep hygiene on your skin!

Read more from the Feb Issue and see Tackle Winter Skin in mag.

IN OUR BAG | WE'RE OFF TO HOT YOGA

We're always asked what's in our bag. We're focusing on what we bring with us to Hot Yoga. Our current obsession is Y7 as a good flow and sweat is sometimes just what the doctor ordered as we battle the up and down temperatures lately. Here are some of our must have beauty and style finds!

Read more from the Feb Issue and see In Our Bag | We're Off to Hot Yoga in mag.

4 TIPS TO GET BACK ON YOUR SLEEP TRACK AFTER TRAVELLING

Take the road less travelled. Venture off-the-beaten path. Escape the tourist trail.

Such route-based clichés are thrown around with wild abandon when we refer to travel. But there’s one we seldom remember to advise upon: Get back on your sleep track, when you return.

Ok, so it might be a less catchy piece of advice. And you’re unlikely to see it adorning posters in a travel agent’s window, or on a piece of distressed wood in a hipster coffee joint. But it’s one that’s well worth bearing in mind.

After all, travelling isn’t all paradise beaches or perfect sunsets. It’s cancelled flights, dodgy stomachs and lost passports. Sure, there’s the adventure of the unknown; but there’s also the loneliness, chaos and pure exhaustion of being thrown into a surreal environment. It can be downright stressful, at times! And of course, it can wreak havoc on your sleep patterns.

A combination of different hotel rooms, overnight buses and noisy neighbours can make it hard enough to sleep when you’re away. Then there’s the homecoming – when you have to readjust to a new time zone, catch up on all the sleep you’ve missed during your journey and get used to it being dark during your morning commute when just last week, you were up for a sunrise jog on the beach 3 hours before.

Such disturbances to your sleep can make those post-holiday blues a whole lot darker. Luckily, I’ve got a few tips to help you stay in the light.

1. Stay up and don’t crash out

Climbing into bed after a long journey might seem like the best idea in the world...until you wake up in the middle of the night, thinking it’s breakfast time. Or not being able to get up before 2pm for a week after you’ve landed.

Unfortunately, giving into the temptation to crash out post-trip is a sure-fire way to jetlag. This knock to your sleeping pattern will leave you feeling lethargic, irritable and emotional. On the other hand, by making it through a day of pure exhaustion when you land, then having an amazing, deep sleep that night, you’ll feel like a new person come morning!

I know which person I’d rather be after my holiday.

2. Resist the urge to party

Not to be a total killjoy here but jumping straight into a “welcome home, me!” party when you land isn’t a great idea, either. Sure, you might be high on adrenaline and excitement that night but the repercussions can last for days…giving jet lag another look in when you should be kicking it firmly to the kerb.

My advice? Lie low for at least a day or two when you land. Get to sleep a little earlier than usual and allow yourself more time in bed in the morning, too. Catch up on missed sleep in those first few days and you’ll look better, feel healthier and be more energetic for that reunion when the time comes!

3. Beat off the bug

Of course, the travel bug is something that you’ll probably never shake off. But there are other bugs linked to travel that you definitely can…like the mysterious flu that always seems to kick in right after take-off.

Whether it’s the cabin pressure, or the combination of a laughably thin blanket and ice-cold air con or the hotbed of germs that long-haul journeys seem to involve, falling ill after a flight is a fairly common occurrence.

To avoid this happening to you, drink plenty of water during the flight, make sure to get enough sleep between movies and steer clear of caffeine and alcohol if you can. (I know. The teeny flight bottles are so cute. But they’re not your friend.)

After you get home, keep your hydration and Vitamin C levels up with plenty of orange juice and bundle up in lots of layers to help your body adjust to the change in climate. If you must show off that new beach dress, at least pair it with leggings and boots!

By staying healthy when you land, you’ll be able to sleep more easily; and better sleep will lead to you feeling even healthier! Win-win.

4. Listen to those in the know

Whether it’s your partner sensibly talking you out of a mid-week cocktail party (you’re not still on holidays, after all!) or the experts who know their sleep stuff, be willing to take whatever advice is offered. Take it with a pinch or with a shaker of salt if you prefer but take it all the same!

Because if you’ve just returned home from a trip, with full-on travel blues, chances are you won’t be in the soundest of minds. And if you’re sleep-deprived, you’re probably feeling more irritable, less motivated and incapable of making wise decisions. On the other hand, if you take the advice of those around you and get to bed early, rest rather than partying and so on…well, let’s just say you’ll know what’s good for you come morning!

Your eating, sleep and work habits will improve, making the return to reality a whole lot easier.

That’s about all for now, travel fans! Here’s to a great trip, wherever you go next…and to sweeter dreams when you return.

5 REASONS WHY MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE SAYING ‘NO WAY’ TO VALENTINE'S DAY

Dr Sanam Hafeez shares 5 reasons why more and more people are saying no way to Valentine's Day.

Whether you’re in a couple or rolling solo, Valentine’s Day comes with expectation and pressure. With #CoupleGoals as a consistently trending hashtag, countless pictures of couples on social media, the obsession of celebrity break ups and make ups and TV shows like the Bachelor and Bachelorette serving up contrived romance sprinkled with drama, the way we think of love and romance has changed. Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a New York Board Certified Neuropsychologist explains why so many people say ‘no way’ to Valentine’s Day and offers some alternatives that shift this negative mindset.

1. “Valentine’s Day is a ‘Hallmark Holiday’ and I’m still broke from Christmas.”

When money is tight many people may want to cut back on spending especially for things they feel are frivolous. “Financial stress is a common thing and when people are made to feel pressured to spend, they get resentful and want to claim their power,” explains Dr. Hafeez. Instead of boycotting all romance, put a $20 maximum on gifts and you’ll see how sweet, thoughtful and creative you can get.

2. “Every restaurant is crowded and the service is terrible.”

Nothing kills romance faster than crowds and a bad experience dining out. Since everyone goes out to eat on Valentine’s Day there will be a lapse in service. “One way for couples to celebrate is to call their favorite restaurant in advance and have a meal prepared they can pick up and heat up at home,” suggests Dr. Hafeez. “You can either break out the fancy dishes and dress up or you can put on sweats and eat while watching a movie, the important thing is that you enjoy yourselves and aren’t stressed,” she adds.

3. “We’ve been together for ages. Every day is Valentine’s Day! Do we really need to celebrate?”

“Celebrations and traditions are important in a relationship and when they fall away it’s usually a sign of trouble and disconnection. While you may not feel the need to do anything extravagant use the day to appreciate the love you have and life you’ve created, even if it’s in a small way,” Hafeez advises.

4. “I’m single so what’s the point?”

Rolling solo on Valentine’s Day again, all the more reason to turn it into a Self Love Day. Being single on Valentine’s Day can be tough for people, especially those still healing from a break up or divorce. “You want to really be kind and caring to yourself. Booking a massage, getting a haircut, or arranging a single ladies night with your single friends could be just what’s needed. Focus on creating your own happiness,” says Dr. Hafeez who often sees a link between break up depression and anxiety over holidays.

5. “I’m just to busy for love and romance and all that stuff.”

Some people are just focused on other things that are top priority in their lives. There are plenty of women who are turned on more by generating income for their businesses than concerning themselves with outside approval or validation. There has been a rise in female entrepreneurship with more millenials and Gen X’ers preferring to build empires than romantic relationships. For them it’s just February 14th the midway point to a short month. “There’s nothing wrong with women wanting to focus on their professional lives. They often feel to focus on business, romance, which may cause them to lose focus, has to be shelved for a while, this is more common these days,” Dr. Hafeez shares.

While many say ‘no way’ to Valentine’s Day there are millions saying I DO.

According to a 2017 survey of 1000 people done by James Allen, an online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer, 43 percent of millennials say Valentines Day is their top pick for proposal day. November – February is considered proposal season.

Some other mind-blowing stats that clearly show Cupid isn’t going away anytime soon are.

In 2017, the National Retail Federation put the estimated total spending at over $18.2 billion. That's an average of $136.57 per person.

Jewelry is the most popular gift with 20 percent of consumers expected to buy jewelry, with a total of $4.3 billion on bling, the NRF said.

$2 billion will be spent on flowers, with roses being most popular. 250 million roses are produced for the holiday, the Society of American Florists said.

The American Greeting Card Association puts that industries pay out at 1 BILLION… yes folks $1 … for paper.

WHAT WOMEN REALLY WANT | VALENTINE'S DAY CONFESSIONS

Think about how you spend your Valentine's Day and what you would really want to. There are a number of options out there and Summer's Eve released results on "How Ladies Do V-Day" to show how women today are redefining the holiday to modernize it for their needs. Participants are women from across the country and we have a few of the results below - enjoy. 

Make sure to check out Summer's Eve and their micro-site which allows you to find out about a fun series of experiences that you can enjoy when you purchase two items.

Who Will Be Mine?:

• While women’s views of Valentine’s Day have changed over the years, the excitement around being with their lover on the special day has remained the same - yet the lack of a date hasn’t deterred them from finding ways to celebrate the day. Survey results found that 61% of women spend Valentine’s Day with a date or significant other, 30% fly solo by spending it alone and 9% pal up with their friends.

#Binge&Chill:

• When it comes to the great debate of going out or staying in, a majority of women (58%) would rather skip the crowds and spend Valentine’s Day at home chilling out rather than on an extravagant date.

A Date with Intimacy:

• What’s on the to-do list this Valentine’s Day? Survey results found that 62% of women view getting intimate as a priority on Valentine’s Day. Millennials (74%), are especially eager to get under the covers, compared to older generations. 

Cuddling Up Won’t Cut It:

• Survey results found that the pressure is on when it comes to getting it on! More than half of women (58%) agree that Valentine’s Day is the best time to try new things in the bedroom! In fact, that number is even higher among moms (67%) and ladies who are married or in a relationship (65%).  

Passion Prep:

• With all the time set aside for bedroom antics, women will be engaging in extensive beauty routines this Valentine’s Day – even prioritizing feminine care over getting a hot outfit! The top ways women plan to get ready this February 14th are:
• Shaving or waxing (63%)
• Picking the perfect scent (50%)
• Selecting special lingerie (43%)
• Using feminine hygiene products (36%)
• Buying a new outfit (35%)
• Women are taking their sweet time to get ready for Valentine’s Day! Nearly half (47%) of women who ever go out on Valentine’s Day estimate they’ll spend at least an hour preparing for their V-Day date.Millennials will be starting their routine earlier than their older counterparts, requiring an average of 60 minutes, compared to a slightly speedier 47 minutes for Boomers.

For The Love Of Money:

• Looking good for Valentine’s Day is not only time-consuming, but it’s also breaking the bank. On average, women spend about 30% more getting ready for a Valentine’s Day date than they do for a regular date. Millennials are the biggest spenders when it comes to dolling themselves up for love, with more than a third (34%) estimating they spend 50% or more on their Valentine’s date prep than a regular date, while only 19% of Baby Boomers said the same.

I’ll Be There For You:

• For some women, Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating bonds with their best buds. Given the choice between a few famous duos to spend the holiday with, more than 1 in 3 (38%) of women picked best Friends Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox as favorites.
• This was followed by 26% who would choose funny women Amy Poehler and Tiny Fey, 19% would want to chill with pop princesses Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez and 12% with early morning favorites Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. In last place – catwalk superstars Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid with only 5% of women wanting to hang out with the trending models.

Reel Love:

• Get ready to que up the cliché romances on your streaming service this Valentine’s Day. The Ryan Gosling tearjerker “The Notebook” is the most popular choice of women (27%) for V-Day date watching, followed by the ’90s classic “Pretty Woman” and the risqué “Fifty Shades of Grey,” with 24% of women choosing each.
• With the “Fifty Shades Freed” film’s release on Valentine’s Day, most women are viewing it as foreplay for the night. Indeed, 52% would prefer to watch it with a date to “set the mood,” versus48% who would opt to take it in with friends as conversation fodder.

IT'S ALL ABOUT RESOLUTION WITH BILL + GIULIANA RANCIC

When you think about the month of January, it's all about having that clean slate to really get into those activities that will take you to the next level personally, in your career, friends, family and your personal relationship with your significant other. It's about goal setting that we all do, regardless of who we are and what we do.

We sat down with one of our favorite power couples Giuliana and Bill Rancic. We know them from their successful show together that gave us insight into their lives and how they manage running their businesses, their family etc. We know that Bill is an entrepreneur with a number of successful projects under his belt and of course, Giuliana is synonymous with interviewing celebrities on and off the red carpet for E!. Together they are raising their son Duke, involved in an array of businesses that include lifestyle oriented ventures of food, beverage, apparel and more within their portfolio. But just like us, they are looking to optimize their life making key foundational decisions that start with their resolutions, accountability and of course, adding a bit of glamour in all that they do!

ATHLEISURE MAG: How important is it to make resolutions?

BILL RANCIC: I think it’s very important. It’s a way to create a roadmap for what you want in life and where you want that year to take you. If you want to get to the desired destination, you’re never going to get to where you want to and what you want to achieve in 12 months without it.

GIULIANA RANCIC: Bill’s all about the roadmap. And I love that about him. We always say that his .99 solution is a legal pad. He always says that the solution to where you want to be is only
.99.

BR: Well it’s not real until you write it down. 

GR: Well you know, what we love to do is the family resolution – it’s the new resolution. The individual resolutions get broken early as there is a study that says it’s broken by the second week of Feb! But the family resolutions are those that can be written down together and you can help and support one another in terms of sticking to them.

BR: Well that’s what we do so if we’re kind of getting off the path, she pulls me up and if she is, I pull her up. Pretty soon, our son will be able to pull us up, one by each hand!

GR: That’s why you want to set family resolutions.

AM: Tell us about how your family, resolutions and your partnership with Marshalls will allow people to set and keep them as we continue through 2018?

GR: We’re really big fans of Marshalls. You should see me walking through here – I mean everything I’m wearing right now is from here – my shoes too! I love their clothes as they have a lot of high-end products, designer labels at affordable prices, wellness and they’re really focused on family. I don’t know if people really realize how family oriented it is. Everything you need for your family is there. Some store you go to, they have women’s shoes and men’s, but nothing for kids. For us, one of our family resolutions is to carve out a game night. So we do dinner as a family obviously, but what we want to do is to make a dinner and start it from scratch and then play a game. We’re able to do that as we can come here and get our games (I mean I’m talking to you and they’re right there) and then we can get our cooking items here – they have wonderful olive oils, pots and pans. In terms of home they have you covered and they’re very into wellness. They have activewear, foam rollers, fitness gear, even little kid weights.

BR: Our son loves working out with those!

AM: Is Duke a little yogi in training?

GR: No he likes lifting weights!

BR: He loves pumping iron haha. You know that apparatus where you strap yourself in and then go up? He wanted to go in there and do it.

GR: They did it together.

BR: Yes I helped him haha!

GR: In our home gym we have the foam rollers, mats, weights, and things we use at home. He can use them with us as obviously, we don’t take him to the gym with us. It’s fun and he likes to roll on the foam roller and he stretches with daddy on the mat. I buy all my soaps from here, candles, picture frames and I did a lot of them for Christmas as gifts. It’s really a family destination.

AM: What are your resolutions that you are making?

BR: First and foremost, Giuliana and I are going to do dinner at home one night a week with no cell phones allowed. Cook together with our son cooking and having that game night. Making it healthy and that’s the big one – we want to improve the quality of our time together.

GR: Do you know what’s nice about doing it together as a family and having a child involved? The resolution really starts to teach you more than just a resolution, it’s also about keeping it and having that conversation when there are set backs. If we miss a week because of a vacation, we know it’s ok because we can recover and come back from that. These are qualities that he can add into his life.

AM: How can other people adopt this and make themselves accountable?

BR: Well, once again, you have to write it down as it's not real until you do that! It needs to be in places that you see it. For us, I put it on the mirror of the bathroom. So every morning when you’re brushing your teeth, it’s a constant reminder of what you want to do.

GR: Obviously it’s also about having the right products. If one of your resolutions is that you feel like you don’t print out enough pictures (I was actually thinking about this the other day), I
was like, “Bill can we add another thing to the resolution?” We all have a million pictures on our phones and maybe our computers, but do we print any of these out? Where will they end up one day? You want your family and friends to be able to one day open up a book and see these pictures and not have to go looking for your old phones to get them! SO I wanted to make this a resolution to begin printing them out. So every month, I will go online and print a bundle of them out to create photo albums and journaling. So buying a few albums, picture frames, the journal etc – if you buy these items you’ll more likely to follow through. It serves as a great
reminder.

AM: We're in the thick of Awards Season and you looked amazing as you always do – what are you looking forward to?

GR: You know, I love glamour. The red carpet is the time to be glamorous and to wow us! You have to do something different. Red carpets have been around for some time now and have
been popular for the past couple of decades at least. So you've seen a lot of styles and silhouettes.

AM: Absolutely right now, our Style Director is focused on the Grammys as she's styling a few clients for it.

GR: Yes, so you know how it is! I was just trying on my dress for the Grammys the other day and I was like, I want to do something different – should I try a high boot? I never really do that with an evening gown but why not, because it’s about breaking the rules a little bit and changing it up. It’s ok that you’re not “Best Dressed”. I always say that the true fashionista is on the Best Dressed List and The Worst Dressed List as she’s taking chances and not just being safe.

So for me at the Golden Globes, for instance, it wasn’t a traditional hairstyle and I was like, “let’s do a knotted ponytail”. It was just fun. I do 6 big red carpets a year and I’ve done that for 15 years – you do the math, but my point is, I have done a lot of hairstyles to change it up. So resolution, I said I’m going to do something different at each one that is a departure – so I’m hoping to see that also translating to those walking the carpets this season.

BR: It gets you out of your comfort zone and I'm putting it on the list.

AM: So how is it living in Chicago?

BR: I’m from Chicago and I love raising our son there and having four seasons. And the people – it’s something about the Midwest, it’s hard to articulate it. When they see someone that is lost, you stop and say, “hey can help you get to where you’re going?” It’s pretty cool and people have great work ethics. The winters there are great character builders. It’s a great
character builder for mommy!

But I think that Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world. We have world class museums, the lake front is spectacular and we live across the street from one of the greatest beaches that you could ask for – 6 months a year and then food! We own a handful of restaurants there.

AM: When are we getting an RPM in NYC?

BR: Hopefully soon!

GR: We’re looking at our next one and we have an announcement coming up soon. But we’re looking at NY, LA, Dallas, Nashville and a few other cities. I’m not from Chicago and am from the East Coast – from Maryland. Even I have embraced Chicago wholeheartedly, and for our son, it was just a deal Bill and I made. We have been married for 10 years, together almost 12 –
that was our deal from day one before we got engaged. We wanted to raise our son in Chicago and it’s been great.

The other day at school, our son was asked what Mommy’s job was and he said, “she’s a singer.” I was like thank you – he has no idea that I am a TV host and a reporter. He just knows that I love to sing and we sing together at home, we have a karaoke machine and microphones. So he doesn’t think that Mommy is on TV interviewing celebrities – he just thinks that I sing. He says, "we sing together and we have a band." It's really cute.

AM: What other projects are you working on that you can share?

BR: We just launched Giuliana Prosecco with our partners Terlato Wines (a luxury wine importer with over 80 global brands). Most importantly trying to be a great dad!

GR: Yes he’s a great husband and a great dad – great friend. We have so much fun together. It’s so important as time is so precious. Bill always says that you have to reverse engineer your life. Start at the end and work your way back. What will you say that you wish you had done more of versus what you would have done less of. You will never say that you wish that you had less time with your family or your kids. You’ll probably never say that you wished that you spent more time at the office for work. We’re really trying to use the past couple of the years and those coming to have a great family foundation and to nurture that.

We’re working on a couple of other things we have the wine, restaurant and I have my clothing line on HSN.

BR: We have a project we’re launching together as well – soon.

We'll have our eye on Giuliana throughout Awards Season as she reports Live from the Red Carpet on E! to see the array of looks for each show and how Giuliana continues to change it up on the carpet as well.

PHOTO COURTESY | PG 108 + 112 Courtesy of E!, PG 110 Photo by Stuart Ramson/Invision for Marshalls/AP Images

Read more from the Jan Issue and see It's All About Resolution with Bill and Giuliana Rancic in mag.

SUMMER BODIES ARE MADE IN THE WINTER

Last month we introduced our readers to Dr. Greuner, a cardiovascular surgeon who has a passion for fitness. The response was so great, we thought that he should have a column to share various elements of fitness to get to where we want to be. This month we're focused on
kickstarting our workouts and are taking our lead from Dr. G!

ATHLEISURE MAG: With the notion of summer bodies being made in the winter, what should a work out week look like for men vs women to get great arms, legs, abs and butts?

DR.GREUNER: I’ve always stressed that there are two separate components to the look most of us want to achieve, and they should be targeted in two different ways. For toning and shaping, strength exercises are crucial. To put that hard earned, toned, and shapely muscle front and center for the summer's revealing ensembles, diet is absolutely crucial to lose any fat that might overshadow what lies beneath. To lose the weight, simple arithmetic is all it takes. You must eat less calories than you burn. A simple BMR calculator, or devices such as a FitBit are crucial to estimating what you burn daily, and I use these routinely. The mistake we see sabotaging diets most often, however, is an underestimation of the caloric count of foods. Things like sauces, dressings, and alcohol can foil an otherwise valiant effort at weight loss, and that is why I recommend on diet days, that you prep your own meals, so you have a firm grip on it.

When it comes to shaping, compound movements are not just the most efficacious in building muscle, but also in terms of improving function. For arms, dumbbell or barbell bicep curls are one of my favorites. Simple to perform, and work very well. I typically do 6 sets of 10, or to failure with strict form. For triceps, my faithful move is the French press, 6 sets of 10. It’s an easy exercise to do well, and form fails minimally with fatiguing muscles.

For legs, NOTHING beats the old-fashioned squat. 4 sets of 10. I typically follow that with 4 sets of weighted lunges 10 reps, each side. Trust me, simple but effective. This works well for your butt, as It is a direct extension functionally of your legs.

For abs, I work this muscle group 2-3 times a week, as opposed to most others once weekly. This is because your abs have a higher percentage of fast twitch, or endurance fibers, and recover quickly, but typically don’t require as much training as the other muscle groups at each
session. They are constantly under tension stabilizing your body. For advanced athletes, I recommend 6 sets of hanging leg raises, 10 reps, but this is a very difficult move to do correctly. For those of you that are newer to this, I typically recommend 4 sets of incline leg raises, followed by 4 sets of crunches, each for 10 reps. Simple and strict is the key to isolating these muscle groups.

Remember, If it isn’t uncomfortable, you aren’t stimulating the muscle to change. Get out of your comfort zone, you will thank me for it later.

AM: For those that may have slipped into not working out during the holiday season, how can they get back into putting this into their routine?

DR G: The easiest solution is to grab a partner. That is a quick way to ensure that you have an obligation to meet your schedule, or hear about it later. Other incentives include signing up for
work incentives, or competing with fellow employees if your job has a plan. In my company, we use Fitness Amigo, and award rewards to those that “win” their fitness goals.

Lastly, make a mental, or physical picture of what you want to obtain, and make sure you see it constantly to drive you. Other options include, entering a competition that mandates you get in
shape, or a self-awarded reward once you hit your goal.

My workouts change from mostly outdoor in the summer to mostly indoor in the winter. I take part in activities such as martial arts and group classes. I'll present some of my favorites in a future article, but some classes that provide a competitive environment, such as Flywheel that allows you to compete with you classmates, is always an impetus for me to push harder.

AM: For those who like working out outdoors who don't enjoy doing it in the cold, what would you suggest for workouts?

DR. G: Winter is the time I pick to explore new classes, and activities, and even pick up a new sport. I'll go into detail about these in a later story, including my pros and cons about each, but briefly some of my choices this year included:

1. Boxing and martial arts, including classes such as Rumble, Work Train Fight, Dogpound, and others, as well as true sparring one on one with some of the most talented coaches in NYC. Be
careful, it’s addictive!

2. I’m an avid cyclist in the summer months, so spinning classes are a mandatory part of my arsenal. In general, I prefer Flywheel given the objective power data they provide and the ability to compete with classmates.

3. Circuit training with weights, which is a constant part of my regimen.

4. Boot Camps such as Barry’s Bootcamp, one of my favorites.

5. Flexibility work such as Pilates, yoga, and capoeira.

6. Climbing walls are a great way to simulate the outdoors.

7. Other typically outdoor sports such as parkour are now omnipresent in NYC.

AM: How beneficial is a couple or buddy workout and how do you stay on track with this as it can also have distracting effects?

DR. G: Its crucial for me that my partner is as fitness inclined as I am, or its unlikely to work. Sports occupy so many categories of benefit in my life, from psychological, to meditative, to performance, that it’s absolutely mandatory for my overall well-being, and having a partner that is so inclined can be one of your best motivators to staying healthy. Everything is easier when your best friend is there beside you! At the same time, distraction can be an issue if one of you is self-conscious or less motivated. You can see this two ways…a chance to coach each other to be better, or as a roadblock. Decide early, and act accordingly.

AM: How long do you feel it should take to start seeing results and how do you think you should go about tracking these areas for proper motivation?

DR G: Although it may sound terrible, often the heavier you are, the longer it takes to see visible results as the layer of fat on top of muscle is thicker. Talk about an incentive to stay lean! Although you won’t see the results immediately, you will lose weight and increase function quickly, typically within a month if you put a significant effort in. The leaner you are able to stay, the less time it takes to see distinct results as the layer of fat covering your muscle is much thinner and disappears with less effort. The take home message? Keep lean, allow some discrepancies here and there, but make your hard work last with lifestyle changes that make the task less and less daunting with each coming year. It’s absolutely possible to enjoy your life, and still look great. Moderation is the key. I look forward to giving more guidance about doing just that in future articles!

We're excited for upcoming articles that Dr. Greuner will share with our readers at Athleisure Mag, and are looking forward to his future contributions! Make sure to follow him on IG @Doctor.DavidGreuner to see what he's up to and where he's working out.

PHOTOS COURTESY | Dr. Greuner

Read more from the Jan Issue and see Summer Bodies Are Made in the Winter in mag.

MISSION TO LOVE WITH SUSAN TROMBETTI

When one holiday ends, we move onto the next one and during this time of year, Valentine's Day creates a mixture of emotions from romance, inspiration, anxiety and apprehension. There are those looking for love and others who are in it, but are assessing where they are in their journey.

When we realized that we had the opportunity to talk with Susan Trombetti, Matchmaker and CEO of Exclusivematchmaking.net - we wanted to ask all the questions that we had about her
job in finding love for others, assessing our relationships, as well as tips regarding Valentine's Day. Of course, you'll want to use this information beyond the day of love!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and how you became a matchmaker?

SUSAN TROMBETTI: I owned a skip tracing and asset investigation company. During my time doing investigations, I worked with banks mostly liquidating fraudulent portfolios. One of my specialties is my background in pursuing people that commit identity fraud. Since I have the same skill set as a private investigator, individuals would ask for little favors even though I didn’t do domesticate types of assignments. A little old lady came to me and asked me to find her long lost love from the war when they were together as lovers in Paris over 50 years before. I found him that night and reconnected them. The man had never married after all those years. He said "there has never been anyone else”. When the economy slowed down, good people couldn’t get loans, much less fraudulent people. I had time to think what I wanted to do and not just go through the motions of the investigation business. I decided to become a matchmaker and bring my skills set to the table to do backgrounds on the matches. It comes in handy when you can figure out if someone is lying about their age or marital status. I deal with very wealthy people and they can hire me just to vet the person before they let them in their social circle. I am a matchmaker and relationship investigator.

AM: What is a matchmaker and what role do you have in connecting people to come together to find their match and eventually love?

ST: Matchmakers are headhunters for love. I recruit at a very high level to find someone they match with for their particular needs. I help them get clear on the difference between what they need and want, how to break bad dating habits and patterns that are holding them back, and teach them how to connect. The back story to what I do is important to ensuring that the match flourishes into a lasting relationship.

AM: Are there any celebs that you can share that you have worked with?

ST: I have worked with several, but they are confidential. One I hit on the first introduction and they had a baby by the time they were together a year. They just ran off into the sunset. It was
amazing.

AM: What is the process like in taking on someone who is looking for love - what kinds of questions do you ask to see if they are a match to work with you as well as whether they are truly open for the process?

ST: I ask them what they are looking for to see if it’s superficial. There are only a few criteria I will work with and the rest is just being too picky. I ask about the former relationships to see
if I can identify patterns or problems that are holding them back from finding love. I look to make sure they are commitment minded and truthful.

AM: For those not using a matchmaker, what can they keep in mind when they are prepared to get back out there?

ST: Realize you aren’t perfect. Things have changed. Don’t settle for the first person you meet and go exclusive before 90 days. Just wait. You could save yourself so much heart ache and wear and tear on your emotions.

AM: Finding love is really about being comfortable in being vulnerable with someone due to established trust - what advice or checklist do you have that we can keep in mind (even for those that are in a relationship and need to make sure it's in a good place)?

ST: That’s really a good point. Remove the walls and try to be a little more open, have a little more fun, and invest more time than a cup of coffee when meeting someone. Realize that what
you generally think of as chemistry is just lust. Give chemistry time to develop.

AM: Sometimes the adage of, "if it's too good to be true, it probably is" does take place. How can we be on the lookout for someone who seems good on paper, but has red flags that pop up that we need to be aware of?

ST: By trusting your gut when you meet the wrong person and not continuing if you feel there are red flags. Also, realize what is truly necessary in a relationship and base what you are looking for on that and not where they went to school or their job.

AM: As a matchmaker, it appears that your role is on the front end of obtaining a relationship; however, with your clients - how involved do you stay in the process as it progresses?

ST: Completely involved. They need to think of me like their best friend or we will get nowhere fast. If we don't match, I probably can't match you because I need to understand you in order
to spot your match.

AM: To find the partner that is your best fit, is there a mental checklist that we should use or refer to whether we are looking or believe that we have found that person?

ST: You need to not have a checklist at all. Toss your list. Chances are it’s holding you back. Prepare yourself to observe over time how someone treats you, loves you, and that their actions meet up with their words.

AM: Why do people cheat and can you break down common reasons for men vs women?

ST: People cheat for a number of reasons. Women tend to cheat when they feel they aren’t appreciated and some times men cheat when they don’t feel valued by the woman. They look for validation elsewhere. Women may even cheat more than men at this point. People cheat to stroke their egos, they cheat because they don’t want to end the relationship they are in, they cheat because they are serial cheaters, and they cheat because of opportunity. They also cheat when it’s just a one time mistake. There are people that are cheating emotionally and that’s worse a lot of time.

AM: Sometimes matches don't work even when it seems like it should. Have you had clients that were in a long term relationship (whether they simply lived together or married) that you matched that you were involved in transitioning them to the next relationship? Is there an assessment that is made in terms of realigning their goals to prepare them for the next one and what are tips that you provide that those reading can use in their take away to finding their partner?

ST: No I haven’t had that happen. I think in general if you break up and there are no fatal flaws, you should find away to stay together and work it out in the absence of fatal flaws if you both want to do so. You are only going to meet someone else and there are always challenges to work through. Are you better with the one you are with, or better without them? Do they respect you, do they love you, and will they put forth the effort to reconnect? Stick it out; however, it doesn’t take 2 people as we have been told to make a relationship go wrong. It only takes one that wants out. You can’t do anything when one person wants out. When moving on to the next person if you must, make sure you are emotionally over the ex. Most people ruin a lot of their potential relationships out there when moving on too fast. Everyone is hung up on someone whether it’s real or in your head. Clear that out first.

AM: How can you ensure that you and your partner are connected especially those that are power couples?

ST: By devoting time to each other and TLC no matter what. Those little couple rituals go a long way and act as glue to hold the relationship together.

AM: As a matchmaker, what is the significance of Valentine's Day and how can we infuse it into every day with our loved ones?

ST: Valentine’s Day is a fun, romantic day. It isn’t the end all be all. You celebrate your love all year, but on this one day, it’s a time to stop and have a little romance and flirtation whether you are in a relationship or not. Just have fun! Flirt with your partner if you have one; flirt with the doorman if you don’t.

AM: As someone who loves love - can you share places in NYC that are great sources of feelings of love whether they are restaurants, bars, parks etc?

ST: I think the Boathouse in Central Park and Tavern on the Green are great spots, but also there are just so many. The top of the Empire State Building can be so romantic if you believe the hype behind An Affair to Remember. I can’t say I have only one favorite romantic spot, but these are some of my favorites. Walking through the city staring at the tree at Xmas and skating is so romantic. I think just driving into the city at night looking at all the buildings lit up and seeing the Statue of Liberty is magical.

Read more from the Jan Issue and see Mission to Love with Susan Trombetti.

WELLNESS TRENDS 2018

We're always looking to the next and when it comes to wellness trends, we have identified some that you'll be hearing a lot more about in the next few months. In 2018, we'll focus on Digital Wellness, Transparency, Smart Sleep, Biohacking, Interior Therapy and Detox Beauty. In this month's issue we're taking a look at Smart Sleep via Eight Sleep which focuses on technologies that optimize sleep and Transparency with Agent Inc's app providing awareness in the fashion industry.

SMART SLEEP

EIGHT SLEEP

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is Eight Sleep and when did it launch?

EIGHT SLEEP: Eight is a sleep technology company improving the way we sleep. It’s signature product, the Mars+ Smart Mattress, is an exceptionally comfortable mattress with a technology
layer that tracks sleep patterns and bedroom environment data. The Eight app provides feedback to users on each night of sleep, and allows for effortless integration with other smart products to regulate bed temperature, lights, door locks and more, in real time. Eight was founded in 2014 and is based in New York. It has raised over $13M in funding by leading Silicon Valley investors including Y Combinator, Stanford University, Yunqui Partners, Azure Capital, Cota Capital and Comcast Ventures.

AM: Eight Sleep's Smart Mattress pairs with other devices in your home like Alexa, are there other devices such as Google Home etc that you can also connect it with?

ES: Yes, Eight works with any WiFi device via IFTTT, this includes Google Home, Nest, and other smart home products.

AM: Eight Sleep's Smart Mattress provides data that is similar to what you get in trackers that we wear in terms of heart rate, your sleep cycle etc. Is there additional information that it provides that is more in-depth than what these devices currently share?

ES: The benefit of the Eight Smart Mattress is that it seamlessly tracks sleep patterns without having to wear anything or remember to charge something. All you have to do is lie down. The
Eight Smart Mattress also comes with many features unavailable to wearables like bed warming and a smart alarm that wakes you up at your lightest stage of sleep.

AM: You offer 3 mattresses in the Smart Collection. What is available in all of these models and then how does each one differ?

ES: The 3 models differ in pricing and materials.

Saturn+: As the most affordable smart mattress on the market to date, the Saturn+ has three layers of high-quality foam for ultimate comfort, ensuring users their best night’s sleep and a daily morning report via Eight’s advanced sleep technology to prove it.

Starting at $699 for a Full mattress

Jupiter+: Made of four layers of dynamic reactive foams, the Jupiter+ is a perfect medium firm. It contours and cradles the body in all right ways making for a dreamlike sleep experience.

Starting at $849 for a Full Mattress

Mars+: The perfect mix of innerspring coils and an industry leading four layers of soft foam that are combined to keep you cool all night long. The Mars+ mattress hugs the body while providing excellent support, bounce and unparalleled breathability.

Starting at $1,299 for a Full mattress

AM: If someone likes the current mattress that they have, can they purchase the Sleep Tracker as an accessory to add it to their current sleep system?

ES: Yes - you can purchase the Eight Sleep Tracker separately. It fits over any mattress like a fitted sheet.

AM: How does the mattress regulate heat and is it able to do it for the whole bed or can it split temperatures for both individuals?

ES: The Eight Smart Mattress offers dual zone controls allowing you and your partner to select different warming levels for each side of the bed.

AM: How important is the temperature to getting optimal sleep?

ES: Very important. Your bedroom should be kept at 68 degrees for optimal sleep, but your bed should be warm enough to help you relax. Eight takes care of this by offering bed warming as well as an integration with Nest so you can automate bedroom temperature the minute you climb into bed.

AM: Are there additional functions that you are looking for this collection to provide that we should keep an eye out for?

ES: Our team is always working to advance the product, so stay tuned for more features!

AM: As a technology forward company, why did you select tackling issues that involve sleep and how important is this technology to giving its users a better rest?

ES: Think about it, there hasn’t been a major innovation in sleep since memory foam was invented over 50 years ago! We still sleep the same - lying on a piece of foam. Technology has enhanced nearly every aspect in our lives, so why not use it to improve sleept? At Eight, we believe technology can measure, understand, and optimize the way we sleep for the ultimate goal of a healthy and happier life. Our products are designed to promote health, energy, productivity, and happiness for everyone.

TRANSPARENCY + EMPOWERMENT
AGENT INC.

The fashion industry, like the film industry has been one that is filled with excitement and dedication to break into the industry and to hone one's skills. But there are a lot of facets of these industries that have existed for decades that are finally being talked about in the mainstream as we continue to see those who have fallen victim to #MeToo there is a renewed and ongoing effort to provide transparency so that talent and firms can work together in a
synergistic environment. We sat down with Agent Inc. to see how they are contributing to these issues in an era that is truly beginning to understand the importance and balance of
transparency.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about Agent Inc., when it started, why you wanted to create it and who is able to use it?

MARK WILLINGHAM: Agent is a technology-driven platform which is the result of our focus to completely re-imagine the modeling industry.

The modeling industry, at its core, has pretty much remained the same for the past 70 years with modeling agencies representing models, often on an exclusive basis, and connecting them with companies that want to book models. The traditional modeling agencies take a commission of up to 20% from both the model and the company. And, the process of booking a model can be quite time consuming as the companies need to search through an agency’s
book of models, either online or in print, identify which models are of interest to them and then communicate this to the agency – via phone or email - who then need to determine the model’s availability for the proposed job. Depending on the complexity of the job and a variety of other factors, this process can take from a few hours to a week or more. Then, there are issues of safety (does the person hiring the model have a criminal/sex offender background?),
payment (will it take weeks or even months for the model to be paid?), lack of transparency (how much is the modeling agency actually getting paid by the client) and career control
(exclusivity agreements between models and agencies tie the model's hands, preventing them controlling their own destiny).

Now, with the Agent platform, things are much different. Agent offers companies more diversity and overall options than a traditional modeling agency. Agent provides real value to both sides of the marketplace, empowering companies to efficiently find and book highly-vetted models in minutes by utilizing powerful, granular search filers. The Agent platform is free to use and a small fee of 5% is only charged to companies once they have completed the
job and electronically paid the model. Further, for companies which book models, Agent provides a guarantee of 100% satisfaction and offers 24/7 customer support.

For models, the Agent platform is focused on empowering them and providing the tools and guidance to control and grow their careers. We have created a much safer work environment
for models by running a criminal/sex offender background check on every person who wants to use the platform to book them. In addition, the models set their own rates on the platform and they are electronically paid immediately (direct deposit in to their bank accounts) when the job is completed. Further, Agent is non-exclusive, free for models to apply and be listed and only charges a 10% booking fee when they are paid for a job (as opposed to the 20% fee charged by traditional agencies).

In addition, the Agent provides for total transparency, giving both the power to rate each other at the completion of each job.

The company was actually formed in December 2015 (Wow! 2 years ago already!). My two business partners, Dustin Diaz and Ashley St. Clair, originally conceptualized Agent when
Dustin was named photographer of the year on Flickr and was awarded a book deal on photography and lighting. He was trying to hire 20 models to shoot for the book and, not knowing where to find them, he ultimately ended up reaching out to models on Instagram
and Model Mayhem. Well, his experience was less-than-desirable with more than half of the booked models not showing up for the job and, of those that did, there was a range of issues
from not being experienced and not looking like their online photos to not being able to accept payment by credit card. He ended up having to go to the bank to get cash and one model
even asked if she could give him marijuana as change for a $100 bill!

All of this got Dustin thinking that if he had such a bad experience trying to book models for one job there must be a much bigger overall problem in the industry. It turns out he was right.

Our goal at Agent is not to replace traditional agencies but to re-imagine the entire industry where all the players – models, companies that hire models and traditional modeling agencies
themselves – benefit from the efficiencies and safeguards which are core to the agent platform.

We currently offer our service in 4 cities: New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami with plans to expand to other major US cities during 2018 and then across the entire country and then into Europe and Asia.

The initial focus is on models and companies (brands, marketing agencies, photographers, etc.) that book models for a broad range of needs including photo shoots (fashion, commercial,
online), trade shows, runway shows, events, promotions, etc.

AM: Although the Agent platform is meant for models, are others who are in the industry (photographers, stylists, makeup artists etc.) able to use this as well?

MW: While the talent side of the Agent platform is currently focused models, during 2018 we will also open it up to photographers, stylists and makeup artists. That being said, we have
thousands of photographers already signed up on the platform as clients so that they can hire models. It is super exciting how responsive photographers have been to our service.

AM: Although the Agent platform allows you to book talent, how is it beneficial in keeping models and other hired talents safe or aware of the people that they are working with?

MW: With the Agent platform we have created a much safer work environment for models by running a verification and criminal/sex offender background check on every person who wants to use the platform to book them. In addition, with our rating system, where the models rate the clients after every job, models can make informed decisions regarding the clients with whom they want to work. We also have many other safeguards in place including educational tools for models which lets them know that they are empowered to say, "no" and can leave a job at any time if the situation is uncomfortable. We are also implementing a “safety” button in
the platform which, in the event of an emergency, allows models to get immediate help without requiring them to make a physical phone call.

Also, by requiring that all clients provide the information necessary for us to run identity verification and background checks they know that the Agent platform is certainly not a place
for them to attempt anything shady. There are many places for predators to go such as Instagram, Model Mayhem, etc. where nobody is sure who they are or what illegal or unsavory
deeds they may have committed in the past . . . Agent certainly would not be a first choice for these characters as we know too much about them.

AM: What top models are currently using this platform?

MW: We already have more than 10K models registered on the Agent platform. And, while we do not break them down based on their annual bookings outside of the platform, I can confidently say that we have as many high-end models as any top modeling agency in the U.S. In addition, we are about diversity not just the stereotypical model-look.

AM: This is available on IOS but will this be available on Android?

MW: The Agent platform started with an iOS app but our goal is for accessibility from any device. In January we will be launching our new web interface which will provide the same functionality as the iOS app. We will soon follow that up with an Android app. Simplicity of access and use is core to our focus.

AM: Can anyone set up an account and if so, what is the application process like?

MW: Anyone can apply to be a model listed on Agent and any business can apply to book models. It is free for both models and clients.

For models the process is super simple and only takes a few minutes. Simply download the free app from the App Store, fill out some basic information including a short bio, measurements,
areas of focus (i.e., runway, commercial, promotional, events, etc.), and upload up to 10 photos. Then, tap on the “submit” button. The review process for model applications takes approximately 2 business days and then the model will be notified of the committee’s decision.

For clients the process is equally simple. Creating a base client account takes less than a minute. Once signed in a client can search for models using the granular search filters. However, in order to book a model, a client must first provide additional information so that we can verify their identity and run a background check. This process too is super-fast and allows clients to quickly begin booking models once they are approved.

AM: How important is transparency to all parties especially in the current #MeToo, #NotMe and #SheKnew climate that we're involved in?

MW: Transparency, at all levels, is fundamental to what we are doing at Agent. We want models to know that by booking jobs on Agent we are providing a much safer environment for them. This peace of mind is not only good for their personal security and well-being, but it also allows them to maintain a positive outlook and focus on their modeling careers which results in better models. On the other hand, clients, by booking models through Agent, are taking a stand in support of the models and making a statement that they will not turn a blind eye nor tolerate inappropriate behavior towards models. With 90% of models (some say this number is higher!) having experienced some form of sexual abuse or coercion while on a job it is time for total transparency to be the norm and it is our goal at Agent to be a catalyst in this movement.

AM: How are you spreading the word about this app and with the upcoming Fashion Month taking place next year, what are your plans to have brands/agencies adopt this as a part of their booking plans?

MW: Even though we have thousands of models and clients already registered on Agent, we are actually still in a live beta (with clients continuously booking models)! We will formally be
launching the Agent platform, including the new web interface, in early January 2018 and then begin our marketing outreach to anyone who books models including brands, marketing agencies, photographers, etc.

We have already been receiving fantastic media coverage (Forbes, Marie Claire, FastCompany, Bloomberg, etc.) and expect this coverage to continue at an increasing rate as we formally
launch the Agent platform. Additionally, we will be executing on a traditional and online sales and marketing strategy to introduce both models and clients to Agent. And, lastly, word-of mouth has been super important for us and we anticipate that this, along with social media, will continue to play a major role in spreading the word about Agent and what we are doing to
improve the modeling industry.

Read more from the Dec Issue and see Wellness Trends 2018 in mag.

PEPPERCORN BEAUTY

Beyond adding peppercorn to savory dishes, it's a beauty ingredient that fights wrinkles and exfoliates the skin. We suggest adding these to your routine.

| CRABTREE & EVELYN Rosewater & Pink Peppercorn - Hydrating Body Gel | MOLTON BROWN Black Peppercorn Body Wash | NAKED PRINCESS 24K Love Dust - Boudoir Blush |

Read more from the Dec Issue and read Peppercorn Beauty in mag.

#TRIBEGOALS | RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR TRIBE TO EAT, WORK & PLAY

After the ball drops and you had the most epic night at the Marquee Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan Hotel, to begin a prosperous New Year, you'll want to give your body extra love. We have our three must haves for proper TLC.

| VASELINE® INTENSIVE CARE Cocoa Radiant Smoothing Body Butter | CO2LIFT Single Pack Anti Aging Treatment | ICONIC PROTEIN Grass Fed Protein Drink |

Read more from the Dec Issue and see #TribeGoals in mag.

THE GEM OF MIAMI

With the holiday season upon us, we wanted to share one of our favorite luxury jewelry designers with our readers. Our Style Director has included pieces in shoots in this publication and we sat down and talked with Miami based, Buddha Mama which is created by Nancy and is also designed by her daughter Dakota. The brand is the perfect mixture of fine jewelry, dramatic pieces and wellness. We found out about how they are inspired to create luxe pieces, what they do during Art Basel that took place earlier this month and how they give back.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We've been fans of the brand for years, but tell us how Buddha Mama was created and what are the inspirations behind the pieces?

BUDDHA MAMA: My mother Nancy started stringing Mala’s for her local Buddhist center to help raise funds and it sort of took off from there. To this day we still donate a portion of monthly proceeds. The inspiration comes from everywhere, travel definitely has a strong influence on our collections. Different architecture and symbols appreciated in other cultures, these are things that inspire us to keep creating and share what we love.

AM: Who is the Buddha Mama girl or boy?

BM: We never really know how to answer that question. It seems like it can be just about anyone, whether you are drawn to the beauty of a mandala pendant because you know of the
meaning or you just appreciate the piece. I wouldn't say we have one specific client, there's certainly a range of people we've come across.

AM: How do you decide what pieces are a part of each of the collections that are in the line?

BM: Depends on the collection. Some pieces are placed in certain collections due to gemstone colors, others are specifically created - such as our Lantern pieces for the lantern collection. Our auspicious collection is by far our largest, with everything from mandalas to flowers, skulls and cross pendants.

AM: What charity/philanthropy are you involved in?

BM: We donate a portion of proceeds to Kristi House in Miami, which is a center for sexually abused and trafficked women and children. As well as Tibet House in New York.

AM: During Art Basel, do you do anything in conjunction with this event?

BM: Usually Nan and I are pretty busy creating new collections for the COUTURE Show in Vegas but we always attend at least a few Basel events. Miami is always a blast in December and we try to enjoy as much of it as we can!

AM: How important is Art Basel to the Miami scene?

BM: It’s incredible. One of the main areas for Basel is called Wynwood and it’s literally unrecognizable from just a few years ago. I feel that Art Basel is important because Miami has always had an art and graffiti scene- maybe not like New York but it was always present. To
now watch it expand and get its recognition, it’s great.

AM: With the holidays coming up, what can we look forward to in terms of great gifting options from the brand?

BM: We have a daintier collection that is great for gifting! Also of course our special one of a kind pieces are always a hit.

AM: Where are your favorite places to eat, grab a cocktail and to do yoga/meditation in Miami to keep on our radar?

BM: Macchialina’s on the beach for great Italian. River Oyster Bar in Brickell for amazing food and drinks. For yoga we’d have to say Dharma Yoga Studio in Coconut Grove.

Read more from the Dec Issue and see The Gem of Miami in mag.

FRESH START | GET RAPID RESULTS

Throughout this month, we will share a number of ways for you to get a fresh start. A new year means focusing on what matters to you in order to have an effective change. Earlier this week, Jenny Craig launched their new program, Rapid Results - an innovative science-based program that leveraged the body clock's natural circadian rhythm to help optimize metabolism and accelerate weight loss.

We know that when we work out, our trainers or books we have on hand tell us that studies show that the body's cells contain biological clocks that allow a unique pattern on a daily 24-hour cycle - a natural circadian rhythm of light and dark that is matched with the body's natural awake and sleep patterns. When your body works in tandem with this circadian rhythm, optimal weight management and metabolism are more likely to take place.

Most importantly, this program divides the day into two segments, a nourishment period and a rejuvenation period. During the nourishment period, members eat six times and choose from chef-crafted and nutritionist-designed meals. There is no counting, cooking, or meal prep and the daily menu is based upon appropriate nutrition for healthy weight loss. Throughout the nourishment period, Rapid Results provides more calories when your metabolism is burning the most calories.

The rejuvenation break plays a critical role in the weight-loss plan as a reset time. Research demonstrates that the rejuvenation period, which includes sleep time, allows the body's cells to rejuvenate and regenerate, boosts the immune system, manages appetite and hunger, helps preserve muscle mass, decreases the risk for dementia, as well as enhances mental alertness and mood. A key benefit of the rejuvenation period is that body fat, especially belly fat, decreases while muscle mass is maintained. This reduction in belly fat decreases obesity as well as the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Check out our Dec Issue

ATHLEISURE LIST | YOGA UNWINED

When you're selecting a workout studio or method, it's about finding a class that fits what you're interested in targeting as well as what fits your mood at the moment. A few weeks ago, we took our first Yoga Unwined class, which is founded by Morgan Perry and yes this combines yoga and wine together in a responsible and fit way!

Yoga Unwined is a yoga and wine education company. The classes weave together vinyasa-based yoga and fun wine facts through creative yoga poses. Each hour long educational class
ends with a meditative wine tasting, inviting you to mindfully taste what's in your glass while applying what you learned through the poses.

Morgan worked in wine marketing for a decade and fell in love with wine when she had the chance to visit wineries and vineyards in Chile on a press trip. She came back to New York and
started taking wine classes to learn more, and has been hooked ever since. She had practiced yoga for the past seven years. When she left her job in 2016, she immediately enrolled in an immersive yoga teacher training program. It was during this time that she created a yoga class that included wine education.

Each class focuses on one grape varietal (like Pinot Noir or Chardonnay) or category (like rosé or sparkling wine), so you will get a chance to learn about 20 facts about that particular wine. Instructors discuss some basic, but fun facts, which can include winemaking information, tasting notes, food pairings and more. These facts are woven seamlessly into the yoga flow, which is about 45 minutes long. After a five minute savasana or breathing meditation, you have the chance to comparatively taste two different expressions of the wine you just learned about and are able to see, smell and taste firsthand what is learned on the mat.

In New York City, they have partnered with The Arlo Hotel for their series - Bubbles & Brunch (look for these monthly classes in 2018). Students can book a package that includes a Yoga
Unwined class (focusing on sparkling wine), followed by bottomless brunch at Arlo Nomad's restaurant, Massoni. Recently, they concluded a series with Outdoor Voices and have partnerships with several yoga studios, such as Yoga Vida, with bi-monthly workshops. In January, classes will be held at Lululemon and SOLACE.

Expansion for Yoga Unwined will take place in Austin, TX due to the founder being from Texas. After the success of an event held in Austin this past summer, she will be offering a course this
Feb at Austin Winery. YOGA UNWINED Visit the website to find out more about Yoga Unwined series in NYC and additional cities. For those that are members of private clubs or luxury
buildings, you can find out when they are coming to these locations as well.

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YOGA UNWINED

www.yogaunwined.com

Read more from the Dec Issue and see Yoga Unwined in mag.