9PLAYLIST

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST in mag.

9LIST

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST in mag.

HIGHER ART & GOOD EATS WITH RON SILVER

We head to the studio office of Ron SIlver's restaurant, Bubby's in the Meat Packing District. Bubby's also located in Tribeca as well as 6 outposts in Japan and is known for its comfort foods. We found out about how he created one of the quintessential destinations for brunch with his passion for great food and keeping it simple. We also talked about how his interests and passions in CBD and THC that led him to create Azuca which compliments food as well as the love for creating art which you can see in his restaurants as well as his show in Mexico City.

ATHLEISURE MAG: So what was the moment that you realized that you wanted to be a chef?

RON SILVER: I would say that there were multiple moments where I realized that I wanted to be a chef. One of the things is that when I was a little kid, I realized that I loved to cook and part of that was because it was mischief – it was fire and knives. So, I take to mischief very well and then I would say another small thing was that my mother took my $5/a week allowance from me and I went to get a job washing dishes. That was $80/a week so that was another realization that was my spot. I washed dishes for a long time.

AM: So when did you wash dishes?

RS: When I was 13.

AM: Ok!

RS: And I washed dishes until I was 21 in and out.

AM: That was a long time to wash dishes.

RS: I liked washing dishes – I did other things in between. I was washing dishes in Alta Ski Resort and I wiped out and broke my rib, I was out for 6 weeks. So I decided during that time that I would be a chef. So I think that was when I really decided to go for it when I was 21.

AM: So what were all the places that you went to in terms of culinary school or restaurants that you worked for prior to coming up with Bubby’s?

RS: I worked for some hotels for awhile and then I moved to Atlanta because I lived in Salt Lake and there wasn’t any real good dining there. I moved to Atlanta and worked for some of the best restaurants in Atlanta and I was offered a scholarship to the Culinary Institute but I did a quick cocktail mathematics and realized that I couldn’t afford that scholarship and didn’t go to school. I moved to NY when I was 24/25 and just worked my way up and I opened Bubby’s when I was 28.

AM: What made you realize that you wanted to open this up and to create this kind of cuisine here?

RS: Well the style of cuisine in the 80s was really weird, nouvelle cuisine with small plates and small portions and I wanted a place that really had good home cooking and large portions on small plates. I really just wanted to cook the food that I wanted to eat.

AM: What’s the average day like for you, being at Bubby’s?

RS: I’ve been running Bubby’s for a long time, 28 years - so my average day at Bubby’s, I am sort of regimented about how I do what I do. I go to Tribeca and have a coffee and go around and talk to everybody. I go around and kind of see if things are looking good and then I come up to Highline and I do the same thing and then I come up here to my office and I’m a painter. So that’s what I want to do when I come up here, is paint. Once I know that everything is kind of locked down, I can paint. I am also in the cannabis business.

AM: We’re going to get that too as well. So you have the 2 restaurants here and the ones in Japan as well.

RS: Yes, 6!

AM: How do you decide where the next place will be for your restaurant and the community that it serves?

RS: Well I suppose that the world decides for me. I’m not a business person really. So the Japanese people called me 10 years ago and I was like, “there’s no way that I’m doing that” and then we were having lunch the next day and I was walking around the space about a week later. I don’t really make a plan.

AM: Do you think that you would create another concept that is outside of Bubby’s that’s something different?

RS: It’s a good question. I don’t have a lot of reason to do that, but at the same time, I do come up with a lot of ideas that are interesting sometimes so I think that the jury is still out on that.

AM: We were at the Specialty Food Show here in NYC and we saw Azuca. We know that you launched it last year. Can you tell us more about why you are in this space and what made you want to create this?

RS: I’ve been in cannabis space since I have been washing dishes really. So, I’ve smoked weed since I was a kid - like everyone in the kitchen does. I think what really inspired me to get into this business was that I felt that I really had something to offer it. Maybe 6 years ago, I discovered that there was a very large problem which is how cannabis edibles deliver. So I really set up to solve that problem in that regard. I was able to make really good progress with that. In a way, it sort of fell in my lap, but I did a ton of research.

AM: What did you initially launch and are there more launches for this year?

RS: So what we have is a technology really. Azuca is a cannabinoid edibles technology and what that means is that it allows edibles to be consumed in an understandable way which is helpful for people who want to take cannabis or CBD or also for people who want to make edibles. We’re very much in the business of helping people understand cannabis edibles.

AM: What are your plans for that looking at the rest of this year and going into next year?

RS: Well, we’re working with some of the biggest cannabis companies in the country and we’re just getting started with those guys. We are selling CBD, edibles – like our sugar Azuca packs which will be available online and in stores soon. We have THC edibles in Massachusetts with a partner up there and we are also talking to people and other countries about CBD stuff.

AM: You’re also a painter. How long have you been painting and what is it about that that draws you to that form of creativity?

RS: I’ve always been an artist and I started Bubby’s so that I could make art. I can’t really answer what draws me to it. I know that if I don’t do it, I get very crappy.

AM: How many paintings do you create a day?

RS: It depends. I am always working on something. At the moment, I’m doing it on paper which is a little quicker than oil paint. So then all these paper things will be mounted on fabric so that is going to be a big job. I can paint a bunch of things it’s just going to take forever to get them mounted.

AM: Will you ever or have you ever been in a gallery?

RS: I had a show in Mexico City in August.

AM: Wow how exciting! How many pieces were in that show and were you nervous?

RS: 40 pieces and yes it was my first show!

AM: Congratulations! What are 3 signature dishes that we should eat when we come to Bubby’s?

RS: Well the Fried Chicken and pancakes, that’s a thing to eat, we have really good Watermelon Lemonade – that’s a thing to drink and the biscuits! Well the burgers are great too!

AM: When you’re not painting and you’re not focused on Azuca and Bubby’s – what are 3 things that we could find you doing in terms of relaxing and getting your athleisure on?

RS: Smoking bong hits, reading and I have 4 kids.

AM: Do you have any philanthropic efforts that you are a part of that you would like to share?

RS: Bubby’s does a lot of philanthropy. We give stuff to people all the time and support a number of things like New York City's oldest men’s shelter - New York City Rescue Mission. Azuca will have a huge amount of social stuff to do because the cannabis business is very ripe for a lot of different opportunities for a lot of different people who deserve them and don’t have them. So we’re very focused on how we are going to sort of set our company up so that it is incorporating the social aspects of things that we need. Especially the War on Drugs that has been particularly hard on brown people and we’re very much focused on making sure that we’re staying aware of creating opportunities almost in an artificial way. We’re getting a lot of help thinking about that and it’s the biggest deal. In setting up our company it’s run by women and my CEO as well as everyone in the company really has a deep moral compass. I think the jury is out on how we are going to be helpful. Not just philanthropically but also responsible and opportunity creating way. Philanthropy is great, but I think it’s a lot of challenge to create actual opportunity and we’re very much so focused on that.

AM: What legacy do you look to leave behind with all of the fingerprints that you have put down on all these areas?

RS: That is a tough question. I hope that I leave something behind that my kids are part of and something that continues to do good work after I’m gone and maybe I hope to leave behind a bunch of beautiful stuff.

IG @Bubbys

You can hear Ron Silver right now on our show, Athleisure Kitchen which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multi-media podcast network! Make sure to subscribe to find out when the episode drops. You can hear it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts and wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcast.

Read the September Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Higher Art & Good Eats with Ron Silver in mag.

ATHLEISURE BEAUTY

Read Athleisure Mag’s Sept Issue and see Athleisure Beauty in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | LE TEA

For those that enjoy having cups of tea that are innovative and filled with decadent flavor, Le Tea is your new destination. Since June 20th of this year, they have had a rolling soft opening with its grand opening being on August 18th.

Located in NoMad on Broadway, there is an active exploration of space in NYC for additional locations such as Long Island City and Staten Island.

Le Tea was founded by fashion graduates of Parsons The Newschool for Design in NYC. They believe that their aesthetic as a medium for beverages draws a connection between art and life. In addition, environmental protection is key as they have recyclable stainless steel "Golden Straws" and high-quality Pet 1 non-disposable plastic cups.

The brand utilizes French Purée and authentic Chinese tea sources which satisfies their customers with a novel tea beverage that is bitter yet sweet. This not only refers to tea culture, but the art of life as well. With all the senses being utilized, guests can enjoy a tea that is highly aromatic with a drink that resonates with their personal life as well.

Three signature teas that are recommended are Mango Fruit Tea & Milk Foam, Mixberry Fruit Tea & Milk Foam and also Starry Kumquat Lemon. Fruit tea is the most popular category on the menu. An interesting offering that one should try is Le Cheese Coffee which is only available at Le Tea. It's a mixed taste of cold brew coffee and salt cheese foam. It's definitely a unique tasting experience.

We suggest pairing these beverages with some of our faves: Rose Mille Crepes, Mini Croissants and Moon Cakes. In addition, if you're looking to take a few moments for yourself or with friends, then sitting in the tea salon is a great way to take in the fall and catch up on emails, reading or taking a moment of zen.

LE TEA

1134B Broadway

NY, NY 10010

www.leteaus.com

IG @letea_usa

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE LIST | Le Tea in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | CITY WINE TOURS

Wine is definitely one of those beverages that we enjoy drinking with our meals, sharing with friends and knowing more about it. We took a moment during NYFW to checkout City Wine Tours which allows you to choose a neighborhood where you will visit 2 eateries to know more about 3 wines that you will sample at each place as well as appetizers at the culinary destinations. You walk away knowing more about the varietals, taking notes about the wines you enjoy during the tour and being able to flex your wine muscles.

Back in 2011, 3 wine-drinking friends; Dan Andrew, Rick Goldberg, and Christian Iannucci began this company in Boston in 2011. Wes Narron joined as Chief Wine Ambassador soon after. Wes believes that learning about wine should be as much fun as drinking it.

For those in Boston, you can select tours in North End, South End, Back Bay and Harvard Square. In NYC, these tours are available in Soho, West Village and Upper West Side. Those in Philadelphia can go to Old City, Center City and Fishtown.

When it comes to pairing restaurants within the tours to the wines, City Wine Tours tries to find restaurants that have a wine list pricing based on value, rather than obscurity or exclusivity. Then they set up the 6 wines like you would see at any official wine tasting. They include a sparkling wine, dry white, sweeter right or rose, light bodied red, medium to full bodied red and something interesting.

In addition to signing up for a tour that has various people within it, there are options available when it comes to private ones as well. City Wine Tours wants their guests to have a great experience. They have put together corporate dinners, in-house or in-office tastings, Match.com dating events, wine blending competitions, birthday tours, bachelorette tours and intimate 2-person tours (where the dessert was a marriage proposal).

PHOTO COURTESY | Galli

In terms of adding a twist to offerings that are available and providing options to stimulate their guests, they have tried various approaches such as Sparkling Wines only, Big Red Wines only, Mommy's Night Out as well as Wine and Chocolate.

City Wine Tours' focus is to continue to add more options in the East Coast and then to spread through the rest of the US. For those in Washington, D.C., Nashville and Providence, keep your eye out for this experience to roll into these areas.

CITY WINE TOURS

Visit the website to check your city!

www.citywinetours.com

IG @CityWineTours

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | City Wine Tours in mag.

BINGELY STREAMING

BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE

Netflix Originals

Netflix brings back the popular web series with Zach Galifianakis who showcases how he is the worst celebrity interviewer ever! The movie is filled with deadpan insults and plenty of pained expressions between the interviewer and the interviewee. Within the movie, he plays an altered version of himself and is tasked by Will Ferrell (who plays a cartoony villain of himself) to conduct 10 interviews in a span of 2 weeks in order for him to get a real network talk show that he really wants.

Throughout the movie, you're treated to a number of star-studded interviews (Keanu Reeves, David Letterman, Brie Larson, etc.) that all end horribly.

Ultimately, viewers will enjoy seeing their favorite celebs allowing themselves to be subjected to Zach's antics as well as trying to keep a straight face through it all.

THE MISSING CRYPTOQUEEN

BBC Sounds

Apple Podcast

This BBC Sounds podcast investigates the details of missing cryptocurrency OneCoin founder, Dr. Ruja Ignatov in 2017 who promised to change money forever. Host, Jamie Bartlett walks us through the finding of this case that includes: data leaked to the BBC found that the scam was worth between £3.6 - £4bn worldwide, and shows for the first time the scale in the UK. At least £26m was invested from the UK over one six-month window in 2016 - and maybe as high as £90-97m between 2014 - 2017 and over 175 countries had victims in the largest crypto-scam of all time that is still running to date.

Within 2 years of launching the company, they claimed to have over 3.5 million members with hundreds of thousands of investors and offices that opened in major cities around the world with events, she seemed unstoppable; however, rumors were swirling about the legitimacy of the currency and thus digging into the scheme that ended with Dr. Ruja vanishing.

BUNGALOW SK

Athleisure Studio

iHeartRadio

As you know, Athleisure Media is comprised of Athleisure Mag as well as our podcast network, Athleisure Studio.

These days, your calendar is supercharged and you find yourself having to pencil in when you need to breathe! As we're always moving and grooving between our offices, home, studio and out, we could all take some moments to spend time and hear from our faves in pop culture on what they're up to and how they keep it together as well. In Bungalow SK, you'll hear from your favorite celebrities and get the inside scoop on what they are working on.

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Bingely Streaming in mag.

THE ART OF THE SNACK | FALL FINDS OF COMFORT

Earlier this year, we headed to The Usual to enjoy regional hamburgers created by Filipino, Chef Alvin Cailan who is known for LA's Eggslut. The Usual opened last year and is his canvas to showcase his Filipino inspired approach to American comfort food. Recently, he launched Burger Happy Hour where guests can enjoy 6 different types of burgers after 10pm as well as a daily rotating "Burger of the Day" where he comes up with new creations every day (yes 365 new burgers this year). He also just launched a $5 lunch burger.

On our initial visit, we watched the 3rd season of Complex Magazine's The Burger Show where he showcases regionality through one of America's favorite foods - hamburgers alongside a number of celebrities. In this month's The Art of the Snack, we look at comfort food as it applies to what we like to eat in the fall as the weather begins to shift to cool temperatures and sweater weather.

We enjoyed eating there during his premier and took some time to find out about his signature dishes, the importance of pairing wines with them - which are done by Sommelier and his brother, Anthony and the importance of seasonality.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your culinary background and restaurants you came through prior to opening The Usual.

CHEF AC: I grew up in LA, and attended the Oregon Culinary Institute. I then worked at spots like Olympic Provisions, Bouchon, French Laundry, and more, before opening Eggslut and Amboy, a Filipino fast-casual restaurant in Chinatown. I then moved to NYC to open The Usual!

AM: When did The Usual launch and what one can expect when you’re coming into dine there. grants. It’s a family run business - my brother is the sommelier, my girlfriend is the manager and I’m in the kitchen with my team that has been cooking with me for years. It’s the neighborhood spot with great food and even better drinks.

CHEF AC: The Usual opened in June 2018 and is my dream restaurant, American comfort food cooked by children of immigrants. It’s a family run business - my brother is the sommelier, my girlfriend is the manager and I’m in the kitchen with my team that has been cooking with me for years. It’s the neighborhood spot with great food and even better drinks.

AM: We went to The Usual for the launch of your latest season of The Burger Show and had a pretty epic burger – why are burgers such an integral part within the culinary world to you?

CHEF AC: Burgers are important to me, it was the first dish I was a connoisseur of. I think many people can relate and as my career evolves I’ve come to find joy making burgers.

AM: How would you describe the vibe and menu of The Usual?

CHEF AC: The Usual has a neighborhood vibe – it’s somewhere you can come every night for a burger and glass of wine, or come once in a while for a fancy occasion. It’s fun, lively, warm and welcoming.

AM: What are 3 signature dishes that we should eat when coming to The Usual?

CHEF AC: Of course, the Usual Burger and the Fried Chicken. But the sleepers are our seasonal dishes, we serve peak season fruits and vegetables.

AM: There is an extensive wine list offered at The Usual – what are 3 that are perfect to pair with our next meal there?

ANTHONY CAILAN: I would suggest:

2017 Methode Sauvage Chenin Blanc, San Benito County, CA - Textural and refreshing white made by Chad Hinds in Richmond, CA. Perfect middle ground white wine to work with a vast majority of the dishes on the menu.

2018 Alfredo Maestro Rosado "Amanda," Castilla y Leon, ES - Darker, more fleshy rosé from Spain made by one of the great natural wine producers in the country. Floral and dry that works with our richer dishes on the menu.

2018 Arianna Occhipinti "SP68," Sicily, IT - The darling of natural wine in Sicily, Arianna is making some of the most sought after wines in the world. This blend of Frappato and Nero d'Avola is perfect with our Ham and Cheese or Usual Burger.

AM: Do you change the menu based on seasonality?

CHEF AC: We always have seasonal menu items. We have one dish that specifically evolves with the seasons - our “Kung Pao Vegetables” is a constantly rotating veggie dish.

AM: Will there be another season of The Burger Show and is there anything that you can tell us about it?

CHEF AC: We are filming season 5 now and it’s bigger and better than ever!

PHOTOS COURTESY | THE USUAL

IG @TheUsual_NYC

IG @AlvinCailan

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Art of the Snack | Fall Finds of Comfort in mag.

VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK SS20 | DENZIL MAPFUMO

Day 1 of Vancouver Fashion Week included an array of designers that hit the runway to share their collections for SS20. One of these designers included looks for men and women that defintiely give us all the Spring feels. See 3 of our favorite pieces from Denzil Mapfumo.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

NYBFW FW20 | ROMONA KEVEZA COLLECTION

It was all about sophistication and elegance at Romona Keveza Collection which showcased it’s Fall/Winter 2020 collection held at her NYC headquarters. This line is known as one that can be enjoyed by The Minimalist, The Aristocrat, The Fashionista and The Principessa. We selected our 3 favorite looks from the collection that enjoyed an array of gasps as they entered her salon.

PHOTO COURTESY | Joseph Chen

PHOTO COURTESY | Joseph Chen

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag

ROCK THIS LOOK DURING SWEATER WEATHER

See the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Rock this Look During Sweater Weather in mag.

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW WITH TRACY WOLFSON

When you're enjoying your favorite sport, more than likely, it's more than just watching the game, it's about the mechanics, knowing about the team, specific players, coaching staff, its history, how you feel about it in terms of memories growing up and more. It's about the storylines and how sports is immersed in our day to day lives from the community, pop culture, social good and entertainment. We had the chance right before the start of the 100th season of the NFL, to talk with Tracy Wolfson 4 X Emmy Nominated Lead Reporter, NFL ON CBS, NCAA Basketball and Studio Host for the network. We talked about when she fell in love with sports, her journey in sports broadcasting that brought her to CBS, the importance of preparation in her field and storylines that are exciting to keep an eye out for.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment when you realized that you wanted to work in sports?

TRACY WOLFSON: I was about 7 or 8 years old. I was sitting in my room, I was a little tomboy and all I really wanted to do was watch sports. My parents had no idea how I came to wanting to do that. I had no brothers, my father wasn’t really into sports, but I became obsessed with it and I became so intrigued with every sport out there. So, that’s when I decided that I would do everything that I possibly could to be a reporter and to talk about sports for the rest of my life. I watched the NBA Inside Stuff which I’m dating myself, but back then, it was Ahmad Rashad and Willow Bay. I said, “you know what? If Willow Bay can do it, then I can do it.” That’s when I decided to do it.

AM: Wow, well we have had the opportunities to interview a number of broadcasters especially those in sports. What was your journey to get to CBS – how did that happen?

TW: Well it was a really long journey because back then, there wasn’t really a It was a long journey. Back then, there wasn't a blueprint for it and there weren’t a lot of people that you could reach out to and talk to or for anyone to give you advice. I knew I wanted be in sports so I went to the University of Michigan for the academics but also because they were surrounded by sports, so I figured that at least I would be around it. I could meet people and find a way to get into this business that way. I took some communications classes and I did a few internships and met a few people from CBS around that time. They said, “ok when you go back to school, why don’t you help us out when we come to do games? You could be a runner and get water and coffee.” And that’s what I did. I did a bunch of football games and some basketball games. I did some ice skating shows with them and I kind of got my foot in the door, but I wanted to be on camera and I didn’t have any experience and there were no classes I could take at Michigan at the time that I started out as a researcher at the time at CBS. They hired me and it was my first job out of college. I would basically get research for all the other reporters and announcers out there and I put portfolios together. I was there for about a year and I got the offer to move up to the next level as an Assistant Producer type thing. I said that I would go for it, even though I knew that I wanted to be in front of the camera, but I didn’t have a tape. So I got the interview and the guy said, “I know you love sports and you know sports, but not like the guys do.” I was like – huh? That was my first experience of being a woman in this business so, I said, “really?” It was like the best kick in the pants that I could have gotten – I was like, “I’m out of here.” He’s no longer with CBS by the way. I found a job as an agent representing broadcasters and seeing a completely different side of the business: how to put together a tape, how to sound, how your voice should sound, what you should be wearing and what news directors you are looking for. I sent a bunch of tapes around for other people. I got one girl by the name of Jenna Wolfe who is now out in this business. I got her a job from Upstate New York to Philadelphia. She was my age and she was already in the number 1 market and I said, “oh my gosh, she’s already in the number 1 market and I haven’t even gotten on the market yet – come on! What are we waiting for here?”

So I left and I still had to get in front of the camera. I got a job as a producer on News 12 Long Island producing sports. Every time a reporter went out and did his reports, he’d let me do my reports. I made a fake tape and sent it out all across the country and I got one job in Trenton, NJ. I was never live there and was there for a year and a half. They didn’t have any live sports, so I just did 5 minutes of sportscasts a day – highschool, minor league stuff and college sports. I put together a tape and sent it to some agents and different people and I got a job at MSG Network. I got a job doing Oxygen Sports at the time. I was with ESPN for a year doing college football. It was my first time being live for ESPN College Football ever doing a live game. It was pretty incredible, I didn’t know what I was doing. I was yelling into the microphone. They were like, “you don’t have to yell, that’s why you have a microphone!” So I did whatever I could. I was there for one season and then CBS had an opening for a number 2 reporter and because I had been there, I think they kind of remembered me and I had a lot of friends. It was between a few of us, but then I got the job and now I have been with CBS for 17 years.

AM: You do so much on CBS, as we enjoy seeing you report on the NFL and obviously during the Final Four – what are the different roles that you have there?

TW: I do a lot of different things and it has grown over time. I started at CBS and I covered rodeo, covered auto racing, track and field, tennis, gymnastics – you name it. Anything CBS would have, they would ask me to cover. Now, I specialize a little bit more on just the NFL. I did college football for 10 years covering the SEC. So now it’s just NFL, college basketball and the NCAA Final Four March Madness and I have a show with the most incredibly talented women on CBS Sports Network called We Need to Talk where it’s former athletes whether it’s Summer Sanders (Team USA Swimming 4 X Olympic Medalist, sports commentator, reporter), Dara Torres (Team USA Swimming 12 X Olympic Medalist), Swin Cash (retired WNBA athlete and VP of Basketball Operations and Team Development for the New Orleans Pelicans), Lisa Leslie (retired WNBA athlete, studio analyst for the Orlando Magic broadcasts on Fox Sports Florida and Head Coach for Triplets in the BIG3), Laila Ali (retired undefeated professional boxer and TV host), Amy Trask (former CEO of the Oakland Raiders) and so many other women with different perspectives on sports. We just don’t talk about women’s sports. More often than not, we’re talking about the NFL, but it’s a really good show and it’s something different then my normal reporting. There’s a lot of hosting involved and also just a talk show giving our opinions and our viewpoints. A lot of times our view is different than a man’s.

AM: What we love so much about how you approach it is the fact that you have a storytelling aspect and just getting everyone into it. How do you prepare for your NFL coverage and how does that work with you?

TW: It really stems from my research background. I love it and that’s what you need to do to find the stories. It’s kind of like Groundhog’s Day. You come home on Sunday or Monday, you unpack that wheelie bag, you repack that wheelie bag, and then you get focused on the game at hand. A lot of time, I start back to my previous game. So I know that I have my 2 games and I start studying to find something that's different. I start reading all the beat reporters because they’re there 24 hours a day with those teams. I switch teams every week. So I really read everything that I can find whether it’s on the Internet or what they send us from the teams. I make calls and dig deeper and we’ll have meetings with each of the teams and their star players – the quarterbacks, coordinators, coaches, defensive players and really find out more information. You know the X’s and O’s – you have to know that because your questions are going to come from that and your story lines are going to come from that. But you can also weave in different stories at the same time and I think that that is really the balance between being a good reporter and having the best broadcast – how do you weave those stories in and then what can you find from the field? A lot of the stuff, you can’t prepare for. You’re the eyes and the ears on the field. You’re getting things that the men and the women in the booth can’t get. So, I just run the field over and over again looking, searching and listening whether it’s an injury or something that the offensive line coach may say or maybe it’s the way that a quarterback reacts after throwing an interception. You try and bring that to light and bring it to the broadcast and make the viewer at home feel like they are right in the game.

AM: How do you take time for yourself as you’re all over the place with your travels. How do you manage it all by having a family as well as your schedule?

TW: The juggling is really difficult and I tell anyone that wants to get into this business and have their family as well as working on sports and being on the road or anyone that is doing a business and juggling their families, you really do come last. You really have to do that as for me, my number 1 job is actually being a mother. I always say that and I will continue to do this until it doesn’t work for them. If it doesn’t work for them, then I am out! It does work for them because I am able to juggle and I have the experience and I have figured out what’s worked. I know what’s right and how to balance that time.

I make sure that I set my routines for my kids. I get them to bed on time, they get a good night’s sleep and they can get up in the morning feeling refreshed. It makes my job much easier and then they go off to school and that’s when I focus on my work. And then when they come back home, we get back into that routine and once I get their bedtime routine going and getting them into bed, I know that they’re getting their rest and I can focus on myself again and do more work. Then I get myself into a really good routine and I think that that’s the way of really finding time for yourself. If you feel good, if you’re refreshed, if you’re energized, you know that you’re in a good spot and place, then that’s ok. That’s where I really need to be because you’re being spread so thin everyday of our lives.

AM: How essential is it for people to have great sleep and what should we do around that so that we can get it?

TW: I see it from the top watching athletes. They need to get good sleep, they talk about it all the time in order to have peak performance levels out on the field or on the court. Then it starts with me, I need to be at my top game every single day and every time I’m out there. Not only working as a sideline reporter, but waking up early and being on the field for 7-8 hours. But also as a mother being on my peak. I need to be at the top of my game and being refreshed and ready for them. So I try to pass on those routines to them and I truly believe that sleep, especially going into the school year, is so important to set those routines. Being a partner with Sleep Number, I’ve learned and always have been a huge proponent of this by setting up a routine early, getting that consistent schedule down, limiting the light, taking away those phones, Playstations, devices so that they have the time to relax. Understanding that sleep is coming and being consistent with that. An hour before bedtime, I have an 8 year old, a 10 year old and a 13 year old – so all my kids are boys and they’re all hyper with a lot of energy and it’s important to have them wind down.

But the schedules are all different. The 8 year old needs something different than the 13 year old. The schedules stay the same in terms of having them calm down, taking away devices an hour prior to bedtime, they get their reading done in bed and I come in with them and sit down to go over some things with them. Maybe I read with them, they love that and look forward to that and then I turn the light off and I move onto the next kid with my 10 year old who enjoys the same routine. Then the 13 year old, well teens are difficult, they have a lot of stuff. They have sports, a lot of school work, their after school activities and they have their friends and they want to be social. I have to be able to balance that out with him as well and set a good schedule with him. I have to remind him that sleep is crucial in terms of lowering that stress level, making him have that best performance that he can in the classroom and on the field. I talk to him over and over about it and then I show him that I do it and that it’s time for my bed too. I need a schedule also and hopefully I set a good example also for them.

AM: As someone who does travel so much, what are 3 things that are must have in your carryon?

TW: Ok well, I definitely bring sneakers with me. I don’t wear sneakers on the field because I’m only 5’2” and everyone that I interview is a lot taller than me. I actually need the height, but I bring the sneakers with me because I feel that exercise is so important and it gives me a chance to just calm down and to relieve all the stress that’s around me. It allows me to have some alone time which is really important. I definitely bring a little tinted moisturizer that will maybe cover up a little of the bags under my eyes or the imperfections that we all have because that HD screen shows everything! Then, I bring a really good book because a book is really important to set that sleep routine up for me. I want to turn my TV off, I want to limit that light, I want to have that same schedule that I have at home, on the road. That way, I can be ready for that game in the morning. I bring a book, it may not be a lot and I may not have time to read a lot, but I want to be able to put my work away and just focus on relaxing, spending that last hour to chill out and to just have that me time and knowing that I will be refreshed and ready for the morning.

AM: What are you excited for this season?

TW: I’m really excited. We have tremendous match ups and so many exciting things going on at the NFL right now! I’ve been talking about the Cleveland Browns which really excite me with all of their personalities, faces, and the excitement in Cleveland to potentially have a winning team! All the noise – can they handle the pressure, as we kick off the season with that game against the Tennessee Titans. They have questions of their own like who’s going to start as quarterback it’s Marcus Mariota’s team but Ryan Tannehill right in the back? Then you have the Oakland Raiders and Antonio Brown with helmet gate. You also have Jon Gruden and can they get back to their winning ways? Then there’s Le’Veon Bell switching teams and how are the New York Jets going to do? Can they take over and make that next step? Are the New England Patriots going to be back on top again? How is Tom Brady going to perform now at age 42? It’s incredible!

Then you have the Chicago Bears, a team that really made a run at the end of the year. Can Mitchell Trubisky take that next step? I think that their defense is going to be very strong and can they take that North? We can go down that line, but that’s what’s exciting about this season as there are so many storylines and hey, we just found out about the Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck.

AM: YES! We couldn’t believe he retired!

TW: I can’t tell you. I was sitting at home with my kids. We were watching a college football game and when I found the news, my heart kind of sunk. It was so upsetting.

AM: We were preparing questions for this interview and when we heard, we literally went to Twitter on your feed.

TW: I didn’t even know how to react. I got up the next morning and I was still really upset. I have had a lot of time to be around him and he’s such a good person, so smart, he knows the game, comes from a great family, I know his father well and to see the toll that it took to get to this point. You feel for him because of what he’s been going through, you can just imagine over the last few years and it’s so sad that it had to come to that. He’ll be fine and he’s in a good spot because he is so smart and he will have a lot of good opportunities ahead of him.

AM: It definitely tugged at our heart. But it’s a reminder that selfcare is so important and you really have to take care of yourself.

TW: I think that the game is trying to get better too and trying to prevent a lot of those hits and the physical side to it. They’re changing these rules in trying to do that so that players don’t have to go through that as much. It wasn’t necessarily hits to the head, but your body just breaks down after awhile. It was really devastating and that’s yet another storyline with Indianapolis and I know you will be following that!

IG @TracyWolfson

You can hear Tracy Wolfson next month on our show, BUNGALOW SK which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multi-media podcast network! Make sure to subscribe to find out when the episode drops. You can hear it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts and wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcast.

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Something You Should Know with Tracy Wolfson in mag.

NYBFW FW20 | LEGENDS ROMONA KEVEZA

We enjoyed seeing Legends Romona Keveza’s New York Bridal Fashion Week show for their Fall/Winter 2020 collection which is an ode to an enduring elegance of classic shapes with a modern twist. The line included a new fabrication of silk Mikado which is in a number of silhouettes and necklines. In addition, the presentation showcased sparkle courtesy of sequined Damask lace as well as Trellis lace. As always, we’re sharing our 3 favorite gowns that we viewed at Rockefeller Plaza Gardens, her NYC headquarters.

Legends Romona Keveza began in 2005. Known as a bridal line that is inspired by legendary fashion icons including Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn.

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IN OUR BAG | FOR A DAY OF APPLE PICKING

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see In Our Bag | For a Day of Apple Picking in mag.

NYBFW FW20 | ROMONA NEW YORK

ROMONA New York showcased gowns that are ethereal and soft during New York Bridal Fashion Week FW20. These looks are perfect for the bride that is playful, romantic and whimsical. ROMONA New York launched in 2017. As always, we’re sharing 3 of our favorite looks from this portion of the line.

NYBFW FW20 | NAAMA & ANAT HAUTE COUTURE

We had the privilege of attending noted designer, Naama & Anat who shows during New York Bridal Fashion Week with private appointments. But this evening, she had her first Bridal Fashion Show which showcased her New Infinity collection that included delicate lace, intricate floral appliqués, structured silhouettes and capes. Our 3 favorite looks from the show are presented here.

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NYBFW FW20 | BERTA

We had an early morning as we headed to ASPIRE at One World Observatory on the 102nd floor to watch the FW20 New York Bridal Fashion Week show from Berta. Her perennial muses showcased the line which consisted of strong, powerful and confident pieces. Our 3 favorite looks are within this post.

Designed by Berta Balilti, her namesake line was created in 2004 and carries her signature avant-gard design style that pushes the boundaries of modern fashion design. Her pieces are known as bold, sexy and modern fits that also incorporate vintage materials and retro style whether you’re enjoying her bridal or evening wear.

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HOW TO DRESS IN TRANSITIONAL WEATHER

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see How to Dress in Transitional Weather in mag.

6 OF THE BEST INTERNATIONAL HANDICAP VACATIONS TO TAKE IN 2019

Approximately 25.5 million Americans over the age of 5 have some kind of travel-limiting disability.

Are you part of this group? Do you have a loved one or family member who is?

Certain disabilities can make traveling more difficult. It's not impossible to find a vacation location that's more accessible and inclusive, though.

Read on to learn about some great handicap vacations you can take with your friends or family this year.

1. Disneyland and Disneyworld

When most people think of Disneyland and Disneyworld, they think of endless walking and standing in lines. The truth, though, is that all the Disney parks work hard to make the park accessible to those who need wheelchairs or other accommodations.

All you have to do is let a park official know what you need and they'll do their best to ensure you're taken care of.

2. New York City Tours

Some New York City tours are designed specifically for those who require wheelchairs to get around.

These tours take you through all of the greatest attractions in the Big Apple, and, while you're on them, you never have to worry about navigating your way through a location that isn't ideal for those with mobility limitations.

3. Hanauma Bay

You can even take a beach vacation when you're dealing with limited mobility or a disability.

Hanauma Bay in Honolulu, Hawaii makes it easy by offering beach-friendly wheelchairs. These chairs are free, too, so you don't have to worry about fitting one into your travel budget.

4. The National Ability Center

If you want to visit a location that has lots of activities available for people with disabilities, the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah is a great option to consider. Here, you'll find fun and engaging activities for people of all abilities, including tons of different sports and recreation programs.

5. Washington, D.C.

There are plenty of wheelchair-friendly and accessible attractions available in the nation's capital.

You or your loved one can participate in all kinds of tours here, including a free tour of the White House. You do need to secure tickets in advance, but they're free of charge.

6. Las Vegas

Las Vegas is another place that's surprisingly wheelchair-friendly. Almost all of the attractions are wheelchair-accessible, including the SlotZilla zip line on Fremont Street.

If you're not sure about whether a particular attraction will work for you or your loved one, just check out the brochure template ahead of time (most of them are available online for free).

Start Planning Your Handicap Vacations Today

As you can see, there are tons of great locations for handicap vacations that you might want to consider.

It doesn't matter if you're traveling alone, with your friends, or with your family. Either way, there are tons of options for everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Do you need more help planning your dream trip? Are you ready to book your stay?

If so, take advantage of our free online booking tool today. We'll help you get your trip schedules and plan all of your accommodations in no time.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

#TRIBEGOALS

Read the Sept Issue and see #TRIBEGOALS in mag.