Read more from the Mar Issue and see #TRIBEGOALS in mag.
Featured #TRIBEGOALS
Read more from the Mar Issue and see #TRIBEGOALS in mag.
It all comes to tonight! In our March Issue, we had a number of March Madness oriented content from going to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as well as checking in with a number of ESPN analysts to see who they are rooting for, who they think will win and what they have been enjoying this season in terms of style, beauty and tech! Where will you watch the NCAA March Madness Tournament Game which starts tonight at 9pm with Villanova versus University of Michigan? If you're here in NYC, we have a few ideas!
Watch the National Championship Game at Atwood Sports Bar and Lounge which will be sharing the game on 15 of their HDTVs as well as offering specials that include: A Shot and a Beer ($8), Pitchers of Bud Light ($12), Fully Loaded Tator Tots Skillet ($25), Mozzarella Sticks Plate ($25), 20 Wings ($30), Bucket of Fries & Chicken Tenders ($30), Bucket of Bud Light + 20 Wings ($40), 24 Beers + Bottle of Fireball ($300) and Bottle of Don Julio, Jack Daniels, Jameson or Ketel One ($350).
Treadwell Park Downtown (where we shot our Oct 2017 cover with Food Networks Jaymee Sire) is a great place to grab a number of savory comfort foods, playing games at communal tables and getting your own Crowlers to take home to continue the good vibes. We also love that if the private room is available, you can rent it out so that you and your crew can have a private viewing party just for yourselves while taking in the game! Call ahead to see if its an option to take the experience to the next level!
One of our favorite places to enjoy meeting up with friends is The Ainsworth which has a number of locations in the NYC, Hoboken and the Hamptons. There are a number of TVs that you can take in the game and then menu is pretty fantastic as there is something for everyone from comfort foods to those that are healthier in nature! In addition, the craft beverages take a twist off of classics that will allow you to continue cheering throughout the game!
Catch up on the March Issue.
Read more from the Mar Issue and see How To Dress | For Spring's Transition in mag.
It seems like snow has been an interesting challenge over the past few weeks and this month, Athleisure Mag editors decided to take a roadtrip to Vermont courtesy of our friends at BUICK to try out the BUICK Regal TourX, a crossover that has the dynamics of a car while having the versatility of a SUV.
The 5 hour drive to Woodstock, Vermont allowed us to enjoy a number of luxury amenities that included OnStar access, OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (essential for doing laptop work and
keeping our phones connected when we started to get into spotty coverage areas), plenty of USB ports, SiriusXM Radio (we loved Lithium, the Pearl Jam and Beatles channels), and navigation that kept us aware of accident areas and re-routing us as needed.
We're all about storage as we had a bit of equipment with us from camera gear, outfits for the slopes, snacks and more. The cargo space was quite substantial and as we drove into the night,
the illumination of key areas on the dashboard was a great way to keep areas lit.
While in Vermont, we stayed at the Woodstock Inn + Resort, which was a quaint resort that provides easy access to Woodstock Inn Nordic Center (we took the opportunity to go Snowshoeing), as well as a number of other mountain resorts such as Killington Ski Resort. Our room had a fireplace, as well which was a homey touch and there were attendants available to
start the fire if needed. In our downtime, we took advantage of our stay at the Woodstock Inn enjoying fine dining at the properties' Red Rooster and Richardson's Tavern, which had a
number of savory comfort foods and well-made cocktails. We also enjoyed our fill of basketball games as we're in the midst of March Madness!
There were a number of common areas with fireplaces that continued the woodsy vibe of this resort from the lobby, cozy nooks as well as a library that gave guests a number of places to connect with friends, family and other guests. We dove into chapters of Re-Engineering Humanity over hot toddies.
We explored the town of Woodstock, which had a number of churches, historical sites and covered bridges that highlighted the New England town.
When we added the trip to our calendar, we knew that we wanted to explore a few areas and decided to make a pit stop on our way home. Interestingly enough when we crossed Vermont's state line into Massachusetts, we saw the exit for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. With March being the month of one of college's biggest tournament's, NCAA March Madness we decided that we had to make a stop here.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is in honor of Dr. James Naismith, a physical educator who invented the game at the age of 30 in 1891. He wrote the original basketball rule book and founded the University of Kansas basketball program. He was the first Kansas Jayhawks' Coach (1898 - 1907) as well as the school's Athletic Director (1919 - 1937). Prior to his death, he saw the game become an official Olympic event in the summer games of 1936, the birth of the National Invitation Tournament (1938) and the NCAA Tournament (1939). At his tenure at Kansas, he would coach Phog Allen who later became the coach for Kansas for 39 seasons. He would also coach Adolph Rupp and Dean Smith.
This building is home to more than 300 inductees and has over 40,000 square feet of basketball history from NCAA teams, NBA, interactive exhibits and live clinics. Visitors can see signed memorabilia, sneakers, plaques, uniforms and more that have a place in Hardwood History.
It was a great weekend checking out the car, snow sports and paying homage to the inception and heritage of basketball.
Read more from the Mar Issue and On the Road with Buick in mag.
MICHAEL EAVES | ESPN SportsCenter Anchor
ADAM SCHEFTER | ESPN NFL Insider
BETH MOWINS | ESPN Play-by-Play Announcer NFL + Women's College Sports
JAY WILLIAMS | ESPN College Basketball Analyst
Read more from the Mar Issue and see March Madness in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | UnSplash
Whether you made resolutions or organized a vision board, this time of year is the perfect way to assess where you are in your goals - especially your career. We had the opportunity to chat with Joy Altimore about assessing where you are in your career, what networking sites she believes in and how to have proper growth in your role. It's a great time to see where you are as the Spring is the perfect time to make sure you meet your benchmarks.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your corporate career and how you got to your current firm?
JOY ALTIMORE: I have a uniquely non-traditional path to the C-suite. I started my career in advertising, working at some of the most recognized advertising agencies – Publicis, Ogilvy & Mather – and there I learned so much about both collaboration and leadership. After I left the agency world, I wanted to find an opportunity to impact individuals and culture in a way that authentically represented my passion. I love fitness, lifestyle and technology. I worked at Equinox Fitness, SOLS (an alternative, algorithmic manufacturing company) and now, EHE which allows me to combine all of my interests.
AM: What is EHE and what does the company do, how does it benefit our health and what is your role there?
JA: EHE is a preventive health company. We specialize in employee health – and we engage healthy employees. We help employers engage their population in a more meaningful way while also assisting the employee on their personalized health journey. My role as Chief Engagement and Brand Officer is to lead the evolution of our engagement strategy to drive interest, conversion and completion of the EHE product.
AM: Your positions seem to focus on tackling growth, innovation and challenges across a number of industries - why are these areas essential to the growth of a person and/or brand?
JA: Flexibility is essential to growth – you have to be able to take a reflective glance at your contribution, pivot when necessary and provide relevancy so that you can grow as a person. And the same is true of a brand. Nothing exists in absolution. Everything constantly evolves and in order to grow, you must be present to the change and evolve too.
AM: We're living in a time of a corporate shift where the need to acknowledge and embrace diversity across experience, gender, orientation etc is truly wanted in the workplace. How does bringing this in as a priority to a company assist in their advancement?
JA: According to a 2017 McKinsey report: "Companies in the top-quartile for gender diversity on their executive teams were 21% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile. For ethnic/cultural diversity, top-quartile companies were 33% more likely to outperform on profitability." – so the proof speaks for itself. When companies adopt a culture of diversity and inclusion not only is it good for the diverse employee(s), but it’s great for productivity across the board. It speaks to acceptance, transparency and promotes employee engagement at a much more higher level.
AM: What career advice do you have for women that are looking to advance in their career whether it's at the same firm, changing fields or even starting their own businesses?
JA: Be the best person in the room – not just the best woman. Have a sense of humor, but stay focused on our trajectory without comparing yourself to others. What is meant for you is yours; you do not need to step on someone else nor be jealous of anyone's success in order for you to realize and reach your potential.
AM: What is some of the best advice you received that you still utilize to this day?
JA: Be yourself. There’s only one you and you’re pretty extraordinary.
AM: When working for yourself or others, you're constantly learning from others, what organizations or websites do you suggest as vital to increasing your community that you network within?
AM: How important is mentorship and paying it forward by doing so with others?
JA: It’s super important to recognize those coming behind you – and offer support and guidance. I think it’s essential to personal growth to identify your potential successor and provide them with the tools/resources so that they can succeed.
Mentorship is akin to great management; and great management begins with understanding motivations behind behavior. It’s not that we/they are particularly different than any generation that has come before us/them – there’s always new stimuli, advanced technology, etc. The opportunity is for us to look at those generations that follow us, as we should look at everyone, and figure out how can we meet them where they are and mentor, grow them to where they are able to go.
It’s about them; not about trying to have them fit into our ideal construct.
PHOTO CREDIT | UnSplash
Read more from the March Issue and see And Now, A Bit of Career Advice with Joy Altimore in mag.
This month's celeb cover (front and back) is Ashley Busch, US polo player, global Ambassador of US Polo Assn, Wilhelmina Model and wife of Kurt Busch, Ashley Busch. This Spring cover shoot includes a fun Q&A with Ashley talking about Polo, her favorite places to eat and shop as well as hitting the track for NASCAR. It also includes an interview with our venue host, at 1 Hotels Brooklyn Bridge. Our March issue has a focus on fashion and sport as we cover style that is oriented for MLB's Opening Day (today), March Madness - with our features on 4 ESPN broadcasters, and a road trip with Buick that took us on an exploration of the Buick Regal TourX, Vermont and a side trip to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. Spring is all about amazing ideas and we're honored to have interviewed innovator and HSN queen, Joy Mangano!
Musically, we sit down with Soleima of Big Beat Records to talk about her electropop sound, upcoming festivals and more. Speaking of music, we chat with Siri Daly (Today Show Food Contributor, Author and wife to NBC's The Voice, Carson Daly) to talk about her new book, Siriously Delicious! We love our reality stars and our interview with Claudia Jordan, former castmember of BRAVO's Real Housewives of Atlanta talks with us about her new role as Co-Host of The Raw Word which is Executive Produced by Ice-T. Aging is always a topic of conversation and there was no better person to talk to about this topic then, Dr. Nick Perricone who also released Perricone Hydrogen Water which we have had on a number of our sets over the past few weeks. We also have contributor, Dr. David Greuner share how we can get Summer Body Pump 2018 - as well as a fun fitness editorial! Fresh off of the Winter Games, we chatted with the stunning Lindsey Vonn to talk about training, what she's up to and her Oscar moment.
We have a number of features that are in each month's issues including The Art of the Snack, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Something You Should Know, Athleisure List, Athleisure Beauty and more.
Read the Mar Issue here.
ALTERED CARBON
Netflix Original
Altered Carbon takes us 350 years into the future in this science fiction series created by Laeta Kalogridis that is based on a novel of the same name by English author Richard K. Morgan.
Set in the year 2384, people's memories have been decanted into "cortical stacks", storage devices of alien design which have
been reverse engineered, duplicated en masse, and surgically inserted into the vertebrae at the back of the neck. Physical bodies, called "sleeves", are disposable vessels that can accept any "stack". We meet Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman), a political operative with mercenary skills (the
sole soldier survivor of those defeated in an uprising against the new world order 250 years prior) who wakes up 250 years after the termination of his previous sleeve. He is given the choice to either spend the rest of time in prison for his crimes, or to help solve the murder of Laurens Bancroft (James Purefoy), one of the wealthiest men of the settled worlds.
SLOW BURN
Slate Plus
We know about The Watergate Scandal whether you watched it take over media outlets in real time, you have seen documentaries going through what took
place or you have watched movies that focus on this topic directly or indirectly. Slate's eight episode podcast miniseries, Slow Burn looks at the political scandal hosted by Leon Neyfakh by looking at intricate details that you may have missed that include various players beyond the main ones as it took place step by step.
GOOD TIME
Amazon
Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson) forcibly removes his developmentally disabled brother Nick (Ben Safdie) from a therapy session. The two rob a New York City bank for $65,000. In the getaway car, a dye pack explodes in a money bag, causing the driver to crash. Connie and Nick flee on foot, washing the dye from their clothes in a restaurant restroom. Stopped by police, Nick panics and runs; Nick is arrested while Connie escapes.
Throughout the movie, attempts at making a bail bond and paying for it are made, as well as breaking his brother out of the hospital after being beaten up in jail - only to find that he grabbed the wrong man and finding a way to secure funds to get him out ensue. The caper brings a number of interactions with a seedy underworld in an effort for Connie to get his brother Nick back.
Read more from the Feb Issue and see Bingely Streaming in mag.
JUST ADD SAUCE
America's Test Kitchen
We've been fans of America's Test Kitchen for a about a year now! You may know them from their TV show and now you can recreate their meals. In this cookbook, they focus on over 175 modern sauces as this is one of the essential and most creative elements of any meal!
These sauces include those for vegetables, drizzling on steak, curries, and stir-frying noodles. With just a few of these elements, your dishes will take on new flavors and interest in your meals.
With the power of creating these simple
sauces, there are also 100 recipes that you can pair them with. Sauces include dressings for salad, herb sauces, Teriyaki Stir-Fry sauces, molés, relishes, yogurt sauces, curries and more.
A home cook's must, this cookbook will bring a new life to preparing fresh made
meals or even giving leftovers a twist that makes it a favorite dish for a second night in a row!
RECIPES FROM AN ITALIAN BUTCHER
Phaidon
The Silver Spoon Kitchen
We're in that time of year where comfort food is very much so on our minds as we continue through the winter and get teased with spring (and sometimes summer)
weather. The team at The Silver Spoon Kitchen shares an array of savory and authentic dishes that ensure that you will be able to make a number of mouth watering
Italian meat dishes that are perfect for roastng, stewing and braising no matter the occassion.
Not only will you enjoy being introduced to new dishes, but with over 150 illustrations, you're also taken on a tour of Italy as well. Your vegetarian friends don't need to feel left out as in addition to meat focused dishes, there are side dishes that are veggie based which become the perfect pairing for any meal. This book also includes tips that focus on American, British and Italian cuts of meat.
CLODAGH LIFE-ENHANCING DESIGN
G Arts
Clodagh
Clodagh is known for her timeless and responsible design. She has helmed a number of award-winning, commercial and residential projects, including Miraval Resort and Spas, W Hotels, and Equinox Fitness Clubs.
A Clodagh designed space is a serene and indulgent experience. Her design aesthetic is based in that although clutter undermines serenity; however, minimalism shouldn't be self-denying. Ultimately, her style can be defined as "life-enhancing minimalism".
As a believer in integrative medicine, she embraces both ancient and cutting edge methods in an effort to comfort not only the body but also the soul. Her design practice incorporates Feng Shui (she is an early adopter). In addition, she includes chromatherapy and biophilia into her projects as she believes that good design supports well-being and transforms people's
lives.
With international acclaim, Clodagh Design projects and products are illustrated to showcase her life's work.
Read more from the Feb Issue and see Bingely Books in mag.
Finding your signature look can be as easy as wearing bespoke items that are tailored to you as well as your needs! We chatted with lifestyle designer, Matteo Perrin whose passion for fashion has been seen on apparel and accessories that have been worn by celebrities, socialites and more. We found out how he got into the business, why he designs and how he channels his passions.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us when you realized that you were interested in being in the fashion industry, your fashion background and when/why you began designing your line.
MATTEO PERRIN: As a teenager living in a small town outside Verona I went through many style transformations, some of which I am still proud of and some not so much. But I am not afraid to explore. I was about 14 when I realized that I really enjoyed creating things to wear. I had lots of inspiration from my grandmother and our dear family friend, a tailor in Rome who inspired me to create beautiful creations. I played around thinking I was not good enough to create my own line for a few years, until a tilting point in my life where I had to go one way or the other. I am grateful I chose my passion.
AM: In a world of fast fashion and mass production, bespoke design and personalization is such a coveted element to add into your look. Why is this something that you have embraced?
MP: I grew up around the artisan’s world with my great grandfather who only owned a few incredible pieces since, at that time, you owned a small wardrobe but it was all bespoke. My
grandmother was also the same, quality above quantity. So I experienced the difference between fast fashion and bespoke designs. I chose the latter as it is more fitting to my style of life and personality. I love how special it is to create something that embodies the person and their personality fully and makes them feel and look as they should.
AM: What is your work influenced by and what is the process like when you are creating unique pieces for your clients?
MP: Every single piece and every single situation is different. I design creations that are meant to make the person glow, so of course each person is a big influence in what I do. The process
is quite special; it's like a wine tasting, takes time, passion, and by the end you have a full understanding of the person in front of you, so the magic can happen.
Of course, same as wine, I choose the people I work with carefully. If I don’t feel the vibe is right and that they ultimately understand and can appreciate what I can create, then no matter
who they are, I don’t work with them.
AM: We know you have dressed John Travolta for years; however, who else has your work been on that we would know?
MP: Privacy of my work and design is key for me. But I’d like to invite you to stay tuned – there are gonna be big surprises coming.
AM: In addition to menswear, do you also design pieces for women?
MP: Yes of course, I consider myself a lifestyle designer. I design lots of pieces for women. Pretty much anything that can complement a person’s lifestyle, from clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, luggage, blankets purses, etc.
AM: In addition to apparel, we know that you have designed accessories as well. What is the power of an accessory on a look?
MP: A great accessory can be used as the main piece of a look or as a compliment to an even more outstanding piece of clothing, depending on the type of effect you want to create.
AM: In addition to outfitting people, you have also brought your luxury brand to cars, yachts, and private jets. Can we expect to see you collaborating with hotels or other areas that are in need of your signature luxury?
MP: I love creating, so I am very open to new areas where I can add my signature and contribute to making this world a little more beautiful and enjoyable for people.
AM: When you are not designing, how do you take time for yourself and what would we find you doing?
MP: Well, in some way I am always designing, but I spend most my free time with my family. I have two children and a wonderful wife. So spending time with them and my close circle of friends brings me lots of joy.
AM: Who have you yet to work with that is on your list to in the future?
MP: Michael Jordan, David Beckham, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Elon Musk, to name a few.
PHOTOS COURTESY | MATTEO PERRIN
Read more form the Feb Issue and see Bespoke by Design in mag.
We've walked by a number of Orangetheory Fitness studios here in NYC, as well as other locations across the country. Known for their interval training and having the data accessible for accountability as well as to create positive competition, we were thrilled to have an opportunity to talk to its founder Ellen Latham. We wanted to find out more about her motivation behind the creation of the studio, empowering others and how she gives back.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and were you always interested in being an entrepreneur?
ELLEN LATHAM: Before Orangetheory, I owned a pilates studio and my members were very frustrated. Pilates was giving them some fantastic core strength, but was not hitting their metabolism, so I opened a studio with a solution I called ‘Ellen’s Ultimate Workout’ that included cardio and strength training. A year later I was approached to franchise it and that’s how Orangetheory developed.
AM: What was the aha moment that made you realize that Orangetheory Fitness was something you wanted to create and what was the process like in realizing that this was something that should become a national chain?
EL: The members at my pilates studio were complaining it wasn’t affecting their metabolism. They were taking cycling classes, boot camps and working out at the gym and nothing was working. I wanted to find the best way to coach people in fitness. That’s why I committed to growing Orangetheory into something everyone can experience and enjoy.
AM: Tell us about HIIT and why you feel it is beneficial for everyone?
EL: Interval training is the most efficient way to increase calorie burn. At Orangetheory, we’ve made it very simple with our endurance, strength and power routines that push members to work harder in bite-size intervals to produce afterburn. Our members burn up to 20 percent more calories the first 24 hours after a workout.
AM: How important is it to motivate whether you're in the gym or outside of it?
EL: The coaches at Orangetheory focus on being inspiring and coaching with language that encourages people and makes them successful. This positive reinforcement, inside and outside
the gym, is the key to success at Orangetheory.
AM: What recent successes have taken place at Orangetheory and what should we keep our eye out for?
EL: 2017 was amazing for Orangetheory Fitness. We opened our first studio in Tokyo, Japan, which was a tremendous success for our international endeavors. We’ve also taken our technology to the next level and passed the 800-mark for the number of open studios.
Our primary goals for 2018 are to continue to open 5 to 6 studios a week and to continue bringing our fitness professionals to the next level. We’ve hired a clinical exercise physiologist
and have plans to build a lab at the corporate office to prove Orangetheory not only gives you more daily energy, but can extend your life. As always, I plan to continue to be an intentional
learner and work on being a better version of myself.
AM: When did you realize that in addition to giving people the keys to a great body, that you also wanted to empower others through motivational speaking and what do you enjoy about this portion of your work?
EL: I’ve always tried to connect with members beyond the physical benefits of a workout by speaking to the mind and spirit. I enjoy the motivational opportunities that public speaking provides.
AM: Are there charities/philanthropies that you give your time to?
EL: Orangetheory has raised more than $2 million dollars for Augie's Quest (ALS). We hope to raise this amount to $3 million dollars in 2018. Personally, I’ve been involved with Women in Distress and children's hospital fundraisers.
Read more from the Feb Issue and see In the Orange with Ellen Latham in mag.
Just days after the Super Bowl, we got some time on the calendar to talk with NFL Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LII Champion, Bryan Braman! Coming off of so much excitement playing a game that he loves while also taking in the moment of a great success, we were impressed by his humble nature and his focus on hard work, having a goal and being a leader that his teammates can connect with.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We know that the last few days have been crazy for you and really appreciate you coming by to chat with us - how has it been knowing that you're a Super Bowl Champion?
BRYAN BRAMAN: It's been crazy and I'm just taking it all in right now!
AM: We have to ask, you have really great hair and the perfect man bun - you have to spill how you take care of it as a number of readers were asking us in preparation of this interview!
BB: I don't really - it just grows. I don't really trim it although recently I just cut the dead ends off. I don't use any special shampoos. I have tried things that people have recommended, but nothing has really stuck. Honestly, most of the time I don't brush it - I just woke up like that and get up and go. I shower, rinse it out real good and then go afterwards.
I actually had an undercut and so all of the sides and the back were a different length and I wasn't able to pull it up. But now it's at a length that I can actually pull it up and it stays for a little bit and then it falls out. Hopefully, those parts will grow out a little bit more. I didn't want to cut them off and the undercut started getting jagged and crooked so I just stuck it out to grow it out.
AM: When did you know that you wanted to play football?
BB: A long time ago - I was probably 6 or 7 years old. I knew I was going to play in the NFL when I was 13.
AM: What was your journey to get to the Eagles?
BB: Starting from me entering the NFL, I played for the Houston Texans for 3 years and my rookie deal was coming to an end and at that time, I was a restrictive free agent so they owned all the rights to me and we just didn't agree on a contract and they ended up releasing me. From there, I was able to get in with Philly back in 2014. So I played with them in '14, '15, '16 and then similar situation, they allowed my contract to expire and from there I took some time off and then the New Orleans Saints called and they let me play for 2 preseason games and they liked me and wanted to bring me back. But due to an injury that I sustained to my shoulder, they didn't feel comfortable bringing me in. Philadelphia ended up calling me a few weeks after that and the rest is history.
AM: That's exciting, we're sure that was stressful when you were in between teams, but then to come back to this team must have been great! The Philadelphia Eagles is our Style Director's second favorite team as she is a major Indianapolis Colts fan since it's her hometown!
BB: Oh really that's cool. How do you feel about Frank Reich (Super Bowl LII Offensive Coordinator for the Eagles who was just hired as the Head Coach for the Indianapolis Colts)?
AM: Really good actually! It was a little weird when Josh McDaniels (Offensive Coordinator and Quaterbacks Coach for the New England Patriots) was announced as the coach for the Colts as it didn't seem to make sense and then of course within hours of the announcement, he decided to stay.
BB: I thought it was strange that they pulled out. That took me by surprise. But Frank's a good guy though, I think he will do well! He'll be really good for the team.
AM: We think so too and we're excited to see what he does.
What do you think it is about your energy that your teammates embrace you so much and that the fans do as well? Many times people know very specific positions and those who are on Special Teams (the position that he plays) are not always as known - what makes you so memorable? Is it your humble nature?
BB: I don't know if it's that or moreso the passion that I play in the game. If you were to ask anybody, "Does Bryan love the game of football?" I'm sure that you would get a yes everytime. I just feel that the passion and the love of the game is something that has really carried me and that you can see that in my play style and the way that I run on the field and the way that I try to hit people, the way that I pace on the sideline - I love it - I love the game.
AM: What are your workouts like in the regular season versus off season?
BB: There's a difference between building strength and maintaining strength. Offseason leading up to the season, I really just use as much of that time as possible to get as strong, as fast and as physical as possible. Then during the season, you just want to maintain that.
The biggest difference more or less, would be the weight, the intensity, the regularity etc. So, lifting everyday in the off season compared to lifting twice a week during the season. Just try to keep that extra off your body, the rehab of making sure that the joints and the muscles are all firing and working properly. Definitely intensity is the biggest difference for regular season and off season.
AM: What was your mental focus like coming into the Championships and then transitioning into playing Super Bowl LII in terms of just having that mindset to prepare for the game?
BB: For me, it was about not making it anything bigger than it actually is.
AM: Wait - so you had no nerves when you walked out? It was just another game for you.
BB: Yeah. I mean you could feel the energy and the biggest thing was that for the amount of time, especially for the Super Bowl, compared to a regular season game, the amount of time you spend pre-game and half time it's all extended. So by the time you're at the end of the game, you're looking at an extra hour and a half of time that's in there that you wouldn't have for a regular game. You can really get burned out during those times with your energy or you peak too high too early or at the wrong time. It can throw your game off so I just remembered that whole time that I kept repeating to myself, "take it easy - take it easy, you've got time - you've got time - you've got time." I just tried to keep as calm as possible. I would think about it, take it all in, look at the stadium, see all the fans and everything that they did with it. It was incredible!
AM: It was such a good game!
So, you're a snappy dresser especially when you're rocking suits. We've checked out your Instagram - what's your personal style and what are your favorite brands?
BB: Thank you - I just have to see it on the hanger. If it's something that I like and I can see it then it doesn't matter about the brand. The fit obviously when I put it on has to be right or I'm not wearing it. I'm not about beauty is pain. I want to be nice and comfortable and I feel like I look my best when I am. I don't really have too many brands but I do like Alberto for jeans. I like G-Star they're pretty savvy for me and I love their jeans. Being a Swedish brand, they have taller lengths that just fits me right as I just can't walk into Macy's and find a pair of Levi's that fit you like that. Shirt wise, I wear a lot of v-necks - H&M Has a lot of the long line tees - TopMan has this as well.
AM: What do you do in your personal time?
BB: I spend time with my girls. I have two daughters. I like firearms so I worked as an armor for a little while and have a nice little collection of rifles and handguns that I like to spend time with. I enjoy the fire range, hunting, hog hunt - I'm an outdoorsy guy. I like to snowboard, fish - anytime outside is something that I like to do quite a bit.
AM: Are you catching any of the Olympics that's going on right now?
BB: So, figure skating has always been my favorite to watch. Back when Scott Hamilton was doing back flips - that's what got me. I mean this guys just did a backflip on iceskates - NO WAY!!! I would be in my living room like, "gymnastics on ice!" It was great and I was hooked ever since. It would just be something that I would do with my mom.
We'd channel surf and see ice skating and watch it together. One of the restaurants we'd go to would have figure skating on and we'd catch it there. This year, I haven't watched it as intently as I'd usually do.
AM: How do you give back in terms of charities and philanthropies that you are apart of?
BB: So I have a pretty interesting story. I feel like sharing that with people and being able to let them know that it doesn't matter how down you feel or out you feel - you have to keep pushing and keep your eye on the prize. Never falter as it's easier to give up than to push forward. But the reward for pushing forward will always be greater then any risk! That's big time!
AM: Knowing your backstory and how you came through this process to be where you are and to be so humble and zen, you never know the turns that will come along but if you manifest your reality - thats what's going to happen!
BB: Predicted destiny - manifest destiny!
Read more from the Feb Issue and see Fly Bryan Fly in mag.
We enjoyed Husqvarna Motorcycles' launch of their highly anticipated new range of “real street” motorcycles to the North American market in NYC. The VITPILEN 401, VITPILEN 701, and SVARTPILEN 401 feature new advanced technology for the world of motorcycling. Inspired by the minimal simplicity of classic Swedish design, Husqvarna's new urban motorcycles combine high quality, state-of-the-art technology and progressive technology to redefine the modern riding experience.
Guests enjoyed previewing the three sophisticated, urban-styled models to celebrate Husqvarna's return to street motorcycling. Hasselblad X1D camera demos were on hand for motorcycle photography amidst the backdrop of Husqvarna's VR experience, its 2018 fashion accessories preview and a cocktail party atmosphere at the Skylight Modern event space in Chelsea Gallery District, NYC.
Read more from the Feb Issue and see Riding with Husqvarna NYC Launch Party in mag.
Read more from the Feb Issue and see Sunflower Beauty in mag.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Carlos David | STYLING Kimmie Smith | GROOMING Vi Hyunh
A regular skincare routine is a must for every man. It’s more important, however, for those who love sports. Sporty men sweat a lot and spend a lot of time outdoors. With exposure to the heat of the sun, among other things, the skin can easily get damaged. With that, this post will tackle some of the best things that can be done to take care of your skin.
Use a Razor Bump Cream
A lot of sporty men tend to have rough skin. For some, this is aggravated by the presence of razor bumps. To prevent the latter, one thing that can be done is to use a razor bump removal cream, such as the one that you can find at Frederick Benjamin. The latter will soothe and moisturize the skin, which will minimize the likelihood that you will end up suffering from razor burns.
The razor bump cream from Frederick Benjamin can prove to be a good choice because it’s made of natural botanicals and not harsh chemicals.
Make Sunscreen your Best Friend
If you spend a lot of time training and playing outdoors, there is perhaps no other skincare product that is as important as a sunscreen. You should be careful in your selection of which product to choose, making sure that it has the prerequisites to provide the protection that your skin needs. For instance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the minimum SPF for sunscreen should be 30, which means that it will be able to screen up to 97% of UVB rays.
Cover Up
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, another good way by which it will be possible for athletes to take care of their skin is through having the right cover. Use fabrics that are tightly-woven or dark-colored. Look for clothes with Ultraviolet Protection Factor of at least 30. It will also be good to wear a visor or a cap to provide shade on your face. Also, consider wearing sunglasses that will block UV rays.
All about Timing
To take care of your skin while enjoying the sport that you love, it’s also best to choose the right time to be outdoors. As experts would suggest, if you have to do outdoor training, make sure that you do not do it between 10 am to 4 pm. Such is the time when the sun is at its peak, and hence, it can do the most damage to your skin. If you have to practice or play, do it early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This will also provide you with more energy and hydration compared to doing so when the sun is at its most glorious state.
A lot of men love being sporty, spending most of their time outdoors. Yes, it’s fun and good for your health. However, it can be bad for your skin. To prevent serious skin damages, keep in mind the things that have been mentioned above.
Read more from our Feb Issue and see Athleisure Beauty | Swipe to Refresh in mag
Andrea Rogers is the founder and Creator of Xtend Barre. Launched 10 years ago, she began with one location in Florida and began teaching classes that grew to waitlists and franchises
in the US, Canada, UK and Australia. She is a former professional dancer, choreographer and certified Pilates instructor. In 2008 Rogers designed the Xtend Barre workout by merging elements of dance, pilates and ballet to create an adrenaline-fueled formula that strengthens, lengthens and chisels your body.
Classes are 55 minutes, set to upbeat playlists and incorporate moves that focus on your upper body, lower body, core, flexibility and strength. Where other barre programs focus only on the
small movements, Xtend Barre's diverse programs focus on movement of the whole body delivering cardio, strength, endurance, and flexibility.
Beyond the signature Xtend Barre class, you can take Pilates, TRX, HITT classes as well. Xtend Tribeca offers amenities from The Honest Company to freshen up before and after class. Essentia Water is also available for purchase.
XTEND BARRE
TRIBECA
80 Warren St, NY, NY 10007
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
147 Remsen St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Additional US and global studios
Read more from the Feb Issue and see Athleisure List | Xtend Barre in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | UnSplash
Starting a skincare routine can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve never really been into beauty and skincare before. There are so many skincare products and so much information out there that it can get overwhelming and pretty confusing to know exactly what you should put on your skin. That said, a solid skincare routine is essential to achieving healthy and beautiful skin. If you are a beginner to skincare and are interested in establishing a routine, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Feed Your Skin Only the Good
Nutritionists will often tell you that if you want a strong and healthy body, you’ll need to cut out the highly processed junk food and stick to “real,” wholesome and whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood and meat. It’s the same for your skin. If you want it to look clear and healthy and be in its best condition, you’ll have steer clear of harsh and harmful chemicals, and feed it only the finest ingredients. Well Within Beauty is a beauty and wellness brand that uses only the finest plant-based ingredients in their comprehensive range of natural beauty products.
They offer a comprehensive range of organic beauty products that will nourish your skin and leave it feeling healthy and pampered, and you won’t have to worry about any of them containing potentially toxic ingredients that could damage your skin or cause health issues.
Identify Your Skin Concerns
Each individual’s skin is unique, almost like our fingerprints. You won’t have the exact same skin type and skin concerns as everybody else. Take some time to figure out exactly what your areas of concern are, so you can better decide what kind of products you’ll need in your routine. Do you have excessively oily or dry skin? Do you suffer from acne or are you prone to blackheads? Is your skin very sensitive or reactive? Get to know your skin so you can narrow down your choices when it comes to what skincare products to add to your regimen.
Introduce the Basics
Everyone has individual needs, concerns and goals when it comes to skincare, but there are a few basic rules that apply to everyone, regardless of skin type, age or gender. First, you should start with a gentle yet effective cleanser. Choose one that can effectively get rid of sweat, dirt and excess oil without stripping your skin of its natural moisture and leaving it feeling tight and dry.
Second, choose a no-frills moisturizer that will keep your skin hydrated and plump without clogging your pores and causing breakouts. Don’t skip moisturizer even if you have an oily skin type. Keeping your skin properly hydrated actually helps to regulate oil production so that your skin doesn’t produce excess oil.
Lastly, you must absolutely use sunscreen every day, no matter what the weather. The sun’s harsh and harmful rays can damage your skin in many ways, including causing dark spots, fine lines, sunburn, and even skin cancer. Protect your skin by using a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and choose a lightweight, non-greasy formula so you won’t feel uncomfortable wearing it every day.
Once you’ve gotten these three basic steps down, you can start adding products to your regimen as needed. Never put too many products on your skin, and introduce new products slowly, one at a time. Throwing everything on all at once can stress your skin out and result in sensitivities or breakouts. Just take it slow and be patient, and you should start to see results in about a month or so.
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.
FIERCE GRACE
LES
172 Allen St 2nd Fl NY, NY 10002
Locations include London, Rome, Brazil, Sweden, and Ireland
Read more from the Feb Issue and see Athleisure List | Fierce Grace in mag.
SHOT AT Sky Residences | PHOTOGRAPHY Paul Farkas | STYLIST Kimmie Smith | GROOMER Felicia Graham | CELEBRITY COVER CNBC's Squawk Alley Co-Host Jon Fortt
COVER + THIS IMAGE | ROBERT GRAHAM Blazer + Woven | REISS Pant |
This month's cover is graced by another one of our faves, CNBC's Jon Fortt who we see everyday as Co-host of Squawk Alley where, he shares his insight on what's going on with startups as well as tech companies. In addition to rocking an array of menswear that is transitional winter/spring style, he shares with us how he got into the industry from journalism to broadcasting, his approach to his work and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us your background and how you got into broadcasting and ultimately to CNBC?
JON FORTT: I’m kind of an accidental broadcast guy. It was never a big goal of mine to get on TV. I actually started out working for newspapers as a print reporter. There was a national newspaper chain called Knight Ridder and they had this amazing scholarship for aspiring journalists and media businesspeople from ethnic minority groups. Every year, they’d pick four high school students to win a financial award, and more important, summer internships during college. Unfortunately, Knight Ridder doesn’t exist anymore, and there aren’t enough programs like the one they had.
Anyway, I worked for a Knight Ridder paper called the Lexington Herald-Leader after college, then got a job in Silicon Valley at the San Jose Mercury News just before the dot-com bust. I eventually made the move to magazines, editing at Time Inc.’s Business 2.0 and writing for Fortune. That’s where CNBC found me. They’d have me on every now and then to talk about Apple, which had become my specialty. Back in 2010, they decided they wanted to take a chance on a new correspondent, and fortunately, I was it.
AM: We know that you enjoy talking about tech companies, startups, products and services. What is it about technology that makes you so passionate and do you have a specific topic within it that you really enjoy focusing on?
JF: That’s a cool question, because I don’t think anyone’s asked me in that way before. It’s a little bit of an accident of timing that I’m into technology, I think. I got out of high school in 1994, the same year the web browser was born, and I think that has a lot to do with it. I got to the college newspaper and we were suddenly facing this question of what we were going to do about the web. Some of us started learning HTML, and built the first website for the paper. (I don’t think I had much to do with the final product, but it was fun to learn.) Not long after that, the paper got its first digital camera, which was seriously high-tech back then. It could only shoot black-and-white photos, and the resolution was really bad, but it was about 10 times faster to get a photo shot and processed compared to the darkroom. It became clear pretty quickly that technology was going to be the edge I would need in my career to get things done faster and at higher quality. That’s what I like covering most, I guess – the way seemingly small ideas can completely change the way we get things done.
AM: When we're watching CNBC, you talk about a range of companies and startups - and you have a fresh and fair approach to present it to those of varying levels of understanding - how important is it to make these topics relatable to a wide, as well as a niche audience?
JF: Maybe it’s the writer in me, and maybe it’s the time I spent doing tech reviews. I try to remember that there’s no excuse for making the audience feel dumb. Our audience is smart, but a big portion of our viewers aren’t into all of the jargon – they’re people managing stock portfolios preparing for retirement, or retirees trying to understand the forces that are affecting the stocks they own. The temptation is always to match the wonkiness of the guests we have on – economists and investment managers – to sort of prove that I can go toe-to-toe in the conversation. But I think it’s always important to remember why I’m there: as a representative of the viewer.
THIS PG | HANRO Luis Zip Jacket, Cotton Sporty Vneck Tee + Living Lounge Pant |
AM: We love the Fortt Knox Podcast. How did it come about and what is its mission? What are some of the challenges that live interviews bring?
JF: Thanks! The Fortt Knox Podcast was born because I felt like I was leaving too much good stuff on the cutting room floor. I mean, sometimes a Fortune 500 CEO is willing to spend an hour with me, and I’ve got five minutes of live air time. Depending on what’s happening in the news, maybe I’ve got to ask about the company’s stock price, or something political – if that’s what’s moving markets that day, it’s what you’ve gotta do on CNBC. That’s a third of the live interview time, gone. Why not record a longer interview, and offer it up to people who want to go deeper?
The mission? There’s a line I say to introduce each episode, and I think it sums things up: “We’re going to learn how the very best climbed to the top, and pull out lessons along the way.” The stuff I do live on CNBC is mostly for investors and fans of the public markets who want to understand where to put their long-term dollars. Fortt Knox is for people who want insight into building their careers, who want to understand how high-achieving people get things done.
At the same time, because I’m a little crazy, I decided it would be cool to do a live streaming show, Fortt Knox Live. That’s also weekly, and a CNBC producer, Evan Falk, works closely with me on it. The mission behind that is to answer the question, "What are the best ways to manage your time and money in a culture where tech is taking over?"
AM: Walk us through what it is like to prepare as a Co-Anchor for Squawk Alley and for your podcast Fortt Knox? Wow, what does your day look like when you're preparing for Squawk Alley and then when you're getting ready for your show?
JF: It’s sometimes a bit nuts. I get up in the morning at 6 or 6:30, and I immediately check my phone (iPhone X at the moment) for headlines and indications of how stocks are likely to begin trading that day. I look for emails from the producers about changes to the guests and timing of the show. I copy that over into a folder I keep in the cloud in Microsoft OneNote. (See, I’m not a total Apple guy.) Eventually, I walk to the train, about a mile and a half, and catch New Jersey Transit to Hoboken and then a PATH train to World Trade Center. I’m really conscious of all the spots where I will and won’t have Internet access, because I’m compiling my research for Squawk Alley the whole way. I walk from World Trade to the New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan, where we broadcast the show live from the floor.
After Squawk Alley ends at noon, I might head up to the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to record a Fortt Knox Podcast interview, or on Wednesday to stream Fortt Knox Live. From the Nasdaq I’ll make my way to CNBC headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. I finish the in-office day there. I might be editing the audio for the podcast, which I produce and edit myself, or I might be planning the next Fortt Knox Live with Evan. Or I might be pouring over stats and trying to figure out how to boost the distribution and quality of both the podcast and live show. Sometimes that bleeds over into time at home, too. But I try to get home by 6, in time for dinner with my wife and two boys, who are 7 and 9. I like to give them a hug goodbye in the morning, have dinner with them and get them ready for bed if at all possible. That means bringing Fortt Knox work home sometimes, but ideally the kids don’t see too much of it. I try not to pull out my phone much in the evening. One of the upsides of technology is that it helps us to be more flexible in where and when we work. Of course, that can backfire if we use it to overwork ourselves, but it can also give us more time with family if we can work it right.
AM: What's your hectic time of year in terms of covering tech and startups?
JF: I used to say it was the springtime, but now, with Fortt Knox, there is no slower season. If things are getting slow, it means I need to step up my game in booking guests.
AM: What are your impressions on the state of the crypto asset ecosystem? Do you have any recommendations for people interested in the space?
JF: I’m not one to give in-depth investment advice – that’s my colleague Jim Cramer’s gig – but I’ll say this: if you’re doing it right, investing is a game of skill, not a game of chance. You shouldn’t put your money into anything unless you believe you have a decent idea of what makes its value go up and down. I see a lot of people putting money into cryptocurrencies who have no idea what’s making prices move. Some people say, “If you just put 1% of your net worth into cryptocurrencies, it’s OK.” But let’s be real, if 1% of your net worth is $2,000, and you buy some Bitcoin and it doubles, you’re either going to sell it and say, “that was fun,” or you’re going to be tempted to start chasing it and put $10,000 in. Hey, unless your 401(k) is fully funded with the match, you have 6 months’ worth of expenses saved in cash, you're carrying zero student loans and you're not carrying a balance on any credit cards, don't even think about putting more than a couple hundred bucks into cryptocurrencies. It'll distract you from more important uses of your money and time. That’s the advice I’d give family, anyway.
AM: We love that you call it like you see it. How does your approach to journalism best bring out the story? How have you adapted with new media and distribution platforms along the way?
JF: After a certain period of time, with certain subjects, I think the audience gives a journalist permission to offer what I’d call “informed analysis.” How’s that different from opinion? Well, everyone’s entitled to their opinion, right? Informed analysis is different. You get to deliver analysis when people understand that you have a bit of background in the subject, and you can give historical context for why something is likely to happen, or why a product or strategy is important or risky or not. I try to be careful about that, but I think the “call it like you see it” approach is important in today’s journalism, when some executives or companies might be trying to put up a smokescreen or overhype technologies. The key is that the analysis be informed.
AM: Who are some of your favorite interviews so far on-air? Who are some people you’d love to have a session with?
JF: Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, is fun because he has this unique approach to leadership. He doesn’t take the drill sergeant approach, or the admit-no-faults approach that’s popular in some circles of leadership today. He’s thoughtful. Jeff Bezos was great too, but it’s been too long. I’d love to have him back. It’s also been a few years since I last talked to Mark Zuckerberg on air. Now would be a great time for him to sit down with me again. Subtle, no?
AM: What would you tell those that are interested in getting into broadcasting and podcasts? Anything to add with tech-specific shows particularly?
JF: The great and horrible thing about getting into media right now is, you no longer have to ask for permission. If you’re really passionate about telling people’s stories and about sharing knowledge, you can just do it. If you have a broadband connection, a PC and a phone, you have everything you need to start showing the world what you can do. So whenever young people tell me they’re interested in getting into media, I’m like, “Show me what you’ve done.” Don’t tell me, show me. And I’m not looking for top quality necessarily, but I’m looking for drive and evidence that this person is getting better. Often, young people can’t show we much they’ve done. And that tells me you’re not truly passionate about media, you maybe just like watching videos. There’s a difference.
With tech-specific shows – it’s just like anything else you’re interested in. Be a voracious student of the area you care about, hone your craft as far as how you write, and speak, and present information, and you’ll be surprised how far you’ll go.
AM: When you're not on air, what can we find you doing?
JF: I’ve become something of an amateur photographer lately. I shoot with a Sony A7ii, a full-frame camera I got from an eBay auction a year and a half ago. (The secret with those auctions is to use a sniper program like Gixen.) I just recently put together the newsletter for my youngest son’s elementary school PTA. It was 12 pages, full color, far too elaborate.
AM: How do you maintain balance between your schedule from being on air, hosting events and your family?
JF: I try to limit the business dinners and do lunches instead. Then there’s the whole being home for dinner thing. I read the kids a Bible story, read to them from a book (right now we’re in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, powering through C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series). I tend to be the parent who primarily handles bigger projects like book reports, speeches and science projects. My philosophy is, if I make specific commitments at home the way I do at work, I have to move other things to make them happen.
AM: What's your personal style on air and how does that differ when you're running errands or out on the town?
JF: I’m one of those guys who knows what I like, but I wouldn’t say I qualify as someone who’s deep into fashion. If I’m just going to be around the house, it’s sweats or the same athletic gear I wear to work out. If I’m going out, I’m one for dressy jeans, a button-down and layers. Lately I’m into more details, collars and cuffs, and quality stitching. It’s the nice thing about being an adult who’s not growing anymore and being able to maintain a pretty constant weight. Quality stuff lasts. Some of my favorite pieces are more than 10 years old. I’ve got a couple of leather jackets that I picked up in Italy on our honeymoon 11 years ago.
AM: What fitness studios do you go to?
JF: I know this is sacrilege, but I don’t do fitness studios. CNBC has a free gym at headquarters, and when I’m doing what I should, I get in there two or three times a week for some time on the bike and a few weights. My staple now that I’m over 40 is body weight exercises – pushups, pullups, planks, squats, lunges – that sort of thing. At home I’ve got resistance bands, which are great for promoting flexibility and muscle elasticity. I get the fitness studio thing - the camaraderie, the motivation - but it's not my thing. The last gym I went to was a Gold's in Silicon Valley. I went at 5 a.m. with the old people and bodybuilders, and it was a cool $15 a month. Very business-like. Come to think of it, if I were single I’d feel differently, but at this point I’m not trying to meet new people at the gym, you know?
AM: What are three must-haves that you take with you to work daily?
JF: I’m not going to count my phone, because that’s a gimmie. I’ve got to have my Anker portable battery, because there’s no way any phone can get me through a full day on a single charge. I always carry my Tascam DR-40 with two XLR mics for podcast recording. And I’ve got a pair of JLab Audio Epic2 Bluetooth earbuds.
AM: What's currently on your playlist?
JF: I’m all over the place. I’m still bumping A Tribe Called Quest’s last album, and I have a mild obsession with Dua Lipa’s New Rules – particularly that spot in the chorus where the rhythm shifts from 3-2 to a standard back beat. X Ambassadors are the most underrated alternative band out there… “Love Songs Drug Songs,” and “Unconsolable” get heavy rotation from me. And of course real hip-hop from The Roots, Mos Def, Nas… I don’t touch the new mumble rap stuff.
AM: What charities/organizations do you support?
JF: We’re longtime supporters of World Vision and Children International, and over the past five years, we’ve stepped up our giving to International Justice Mission. IJM is a pretty phenomenal organization that goes into communities around the world and works to free slaves. Their work includes victims of human trafficking, the fishing industry, brick-making operations... you name it. They work with local law enforcement to not only liberate people, but also bring criminals to justice through the courts.
AM: If you weren't working in your current field, what you be doing?
JF: I thought about taking a year off after college and trying to make it as a singer/songwriter. I’m glad I didn’t have to resort to that. In high school, I took architecture classes and thought I might do that for a while. Whatever I’d be doing, it would probably have to involve bringing creative concepts to life using technology.
Jon's shoot took place in the Hudson Yards and Hell's Kitchen neighborhoods, which are two hot areas in the city on the west side in midtown. Throughout the shoot, we showcased luxury living at Sky, which is developed by The Moinian Group. We wanted to know more about why this property has had so much buzz due to its location, amenities and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What is the concept behind Sky Residences?
THE MOINIAN GROUP: The largest residential tower in the country, Sky debuted in January, 2016. With an abundance of resort-like amenities and services, Sky was designed to provide the ultimate luxury experience for its residents. The 71-story building, which offers studio to two-bedroom homes, sits at the nexus of two thriving neighborhoods – Hell’s Kitchen and Hudson Yards – allowing residents to immerse themselves in best-in-class services while experiencing one of Manhattan’s most vibrant, growing communities.
AM: Who developed this property?
TMG: Leading NYC developers, The Moinian Group are the development team behind Sky. The Moinian Group is one of the top national real estate entities to develop, own and operate properties across every category including office, hotel, retail, condos and rental apartments. The team's portfolio of 20 million square feet spans across many major cities including New York, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. Bold New York handles the leasing for the building.
AM: Who created the interior design?
TMG: The stunning interiors at Sky were designed by celebrated architecture and design firm, Rockwell Group. Founded by award-winning visionary David Rockwell, Rockwell Group was also responsible for spearheading all of the building’s design features.
AM: What amenities are offered?
TMG: Sky leads by example in luxury residential living, featuring a myriad of world-class amenities including including an outdoor deck with two zero-edge pools; a private park; full-service spa with nail salon; professional-sized basketball court designed by Carmelo Anthony; water club with Turkish hammam; indoor/outdoor yoga spaces; billiards lounge and café; two libraries with fireplaces; a Spot Canine Club; and a 10,000 square foot fitness floor. The building also features world-renowned artwork by Yayoi Kusama, including a larger than life, carved bronze pumpkin in the building’s infinity loop motor court, as well as the two Kusama “Infinity Net” paintings in the building’s David Rockwell - designed lobby. Sky also features Gunther Forg’s Lead Paintings.
AM: What bespoke services are offered?
TMG: Sky offers a 24-hour doorman, valet services, on-site lifestyle concierge service by Luxury Attaché, Spot Canine Club, exclusive events, in-house room service from LifeCafe and a full-service spa with an adjoining nail salon and massage studio.
AM: Tell us about LifeTime Athletic at Sky.
TMG: LifeTime Athletic at Sky - NYC's premier health and fitness club - features an unparalleled array of amenities and services. Residents can enjoy four fitness studios with offerings such as Pilates, Yoga and Cycle in addition to a full range of group fitness classes. The 70,000 square foot space also offers LifeSpa, LifeCafe, expansive indoor lap pool, spacious locker rooms with lavish amenities and towel services. LifeTime provides an ease of access to all residents, allowing them to take an elevator straight into the fitness club and enter through the residence entrance.
AM: Tell us about the neighborhood.
TMG: Sky is positioned right in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, the home to many of NYC’s famed theaters and award-winning restaurants. Residents are also in close proximity to the iconic Highline and West Chelsea’s renowned art galleries. The booming Hudson Yards District, set just a few blocks from Sky, will soon feature brand new office towers along with more than 100 new luxury shops and restaurants.
AM: What is next to Sky?
TMG: The retail space next to the Sky residences is curated by the Moinian Group. This past year The Moinian Group created Sky Art, a nonprofit art center founded by Frahm & Frahm and The Moinian Group that featured exhibited work from Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. The artist's latest collection, I <3 John Giorno, was designed as a tribute to American poet and activist, John Giorno. The location, now named Sky Space, has been transformed into a premier event venue fit with high ceilings and glass curtain walls.
AM: How can people contact you?
TMG: For more information visit liveatsky.com, email us at hello@liveatsky.com, or call our leasing office at 212.588.0042.
PROPERTY PHOTOS COURTESY | THE MOINIAN GROUP
Read more from the Feb Issue and see Tech Reality Check with Jon Fortt in mag.