9PLAYLIST | NAOMI CAMPBELL

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Naomi Campbell in mag.

BAYWATCH STARS: THEN AND NOW

Baywatch was a TV series which many will still remember. It was 11 seasons long, from 1989 to 2001. David Hasselhoff played the main character, and the cast had dozens of male and female actors which played mainly the roles of lifeguards.

The Los Angeles beach lifeguard team saved lives and fought crimes. There were different plot conflicts apart from saving people from drowning, like shark attacks, serial killers or earthquakes.

The series gained huge popularity that now, almost 20 years after the last episode, gamblers and nostalgic fans can enjoy a videoslot named Baywatch. This is one of the most popular slots at Unibet. The videoslot was created in 2017 by International Game Technology, a gambling company producing slot machines and other gambling technology.

But what are the Baywatch actors doing now? Here is a list of them – then and now:

David Hasselhoff (Mitch Buchannon)

David Hasselhoff played lieutenant Mitch Buchannon, for 220 of the 242 episodes of the series. He was also the executive producer. Mitch was the leader of the team and featured in all seasons.

The 67 year old actor and singer also developed a career in producing movies and in business. He played in 40 movies in the past 45 years, and also starred in a casino-style series online, soap operas, reality shows, and plays. He had a cameo in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and one in the Baywatch movie from 2017, which had Dwayne Johnson as Mitch.

On a personal level, the actor lives in Wales with his 40-years old Welsh third wife. He is very popular in Germany and Austria for his singing skills.

Pamela Anderson (C.J. Parker)

Pamela Anderson is the actress with most episodes, 96, across five seasons. The show was a boost for her career, both on and off the screen.

Now 53 years old, Pamela Anderson played in 30 movies, most of them comedies and documentaries. She also featured on the cover of “Playboy” magazine, wrote two books and is the mother of two, having been married several times. In present day, Anderson is an animal rights activist and advocate for the Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Jason Momoa (Jason Ioane)

Undoubtedly the most famous of all actors in present day, Momoa played for 44 episodes in two seasons at the end of the TV series.

He has since became a real star, featuring in Game of Thrones where he played Drogo, and several DC Comics movies, where he plays the character Aquaman. The 40-years old Hawaiian also played Conan the Barbarian and starred in Stargate: Atlantis series. His next movie will be Dune, which will be launched in December.

He is in a relationship with actress Lisa Bonet, since 2005, and the couple have two kids together.

Alexandra Paul (Stephanie Holden)

Alexandra Paul featured in eight seasons, for 93 episodes, before her character being killed by the mast of a ship while trying to save someone else.

Now 56, she is a health coach, athlete and activist, being arrested many times while protesting, but also still acting. Having several titles in work or announced, Alexandra Paul has played in over 50 movies and appeared also in Melrose Place and Mad Men.

Carmen Electra (Lani McKenzie)

Even though she has been in for just 22 episodes, Electra made a successful appearance in the series. After Baywatch, she became a movie star, featuring in many comedies, and also had a brief marriage with Chicago Bulls basketball legend Dennis Rodman.

Now 48, Carmen Electra played in two TV series in the past five years, and had a career in singing and modelling. The actress is also involved in charity work, supporting many charities.

Yasmine Bleeth (Caroline Holden)

The actress featured in 71 episodes, from 1993 to 1997, but just six years later, in 2003, she had her last role. Now 52, Yasmine Bleeth met her husband, Paul Cerrito, a few years after Baywatch, when she was in rehab. Now they live away from the spotlight in Arizona.

Erika Eleniak (Shauni McClain)

Erika Eleniak appeared in the first seasons, for 47 episodes, but from that point on her career advanced very fast. She featured in dozens of movies and TV shows. Now 50 years old, she has a daughter and had some challenging weight issues.

DOG WOODEN CRATES: ARE THEY REALLY THE BEST FOR YOUR PET?

MD: Creating a space for their pets is a vital task for any dog owner. A dog needs a place to hide, rest, and feel safe. Let’s see if wooden dog crates are really the best pick for your dog.

Wooden Dog Crates – The Best Pick Both for Your Dog

Wood is not only an ideal material for creating a stylish interior but also a running material for your dog’s house. Considering that the offers and options for materials for your dog’s house are diverse, from metal cages to soft textile houses, it’s worth considering why wooden boxes are the perfect choice for you and your four-legged friend.

As soon as you bring a dog to your house, you need to make sure that the provided space is comfortable and not scary. Large open spaces can both delight and frighten your pet. Therefore, it is important to create a comfortable place for your dog, where it will rest and hide. It is the purchase of durable and comfortable furniture for your dog that is an important step and a gesture of love for your pet.

Dog wooden crates fit any interior of your home. Choose a material that is similar to the materials of your furniture, from cedar to cherry wood. Also, pick a color that will harmoniously look in the house.

A wooden crate will be not only visually pleasing but also durable and comfortable for the dog. Usually, such homes for dogs are coated with moisture-resistant paint and polish, and also have a frame door. Make sure that the used paints for coating are non-toxic to your dog, as it is important to ensure the healthy comfort of your pet.

Also, a wooden box is usually made with a small opening so that it provides more privacy and comfort to your pet. Four-legged friends often miss us when we are not at home, and small enclosed spaces help them to feel comfortable and reduce anxiety from being alone in the house. That is why a cozy wooden house with a pillow inside will be useful for your pet.

Any material of the dog house requires additional care and the readiness of your pet to rest inside. When choosing a house for a dog, you need to consider the size of the pet and its character. If you have an adult dog and it likes to sleep in bed with you, you are unlikely to accustom it to the dog house, no matter how comfortable the item looks. In this case, there’s no point in spending a lot of money on a wooden box, which an adult dog may not like. However, if you want to provide your pet with a dog house outside, it would work great.

Let’s look at the main pros and cons of acquiring a wooden box for your dog:

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CONS

It is difficult to accustom an adult dog to a crate

Not suitable for aggressive or overly active dogs that tend to scratch surfaces

Cannot be used to carry or transport dogs

Cheap wooden dog crates are hard to find

PROS

Increases the comfort and sense of security of your dog

The crate can be used as a table or bedside table

Looks great in any interior

Saves space if you use the house as a table

Ensures protection from harsh weather conditions if placed outside

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How to Pick a Wooden Crate That is Easy to Take Care Of

When buying a house for your dog, it is important to consider how much maintenance the product requires. In terms of maintenance, metal boxes are much easier to take care of than wooden ones. But most of the dog houses made of wood are already treated with anti-thermal agents and water-repellent coatings. Therefore, most often, you will have just to wipe the box with a damp cloth from time to time so that the box will not be saturated with unwanted odors and dirt.

It is better to spend a little more money but to be sure that the wooden box has the necessary water-repellent coating because only this way, it will simplify how to care for the house and extend its shelflife. Also, check whether it is easy or difficult to assemble a dog house before buying, which will also facilitate care and cleaning. Ideally, a wooden crate should have a removable pallet.

Details to Pay Attention to Before Buying a Wooden Crate

In addition to the correct size of the box (it should be not too large and not too narrow for your pet), you must also take into account the design features of your place. First of all, pay attention to the design of the door. Ideally, the door should open fully and have side stops. Thus, your dog will not be at risk of pinching its tail or paw due to an accidentally triggered mechanism or an unsuccessfully closed door.

Pay attention to both the exterior and interior of the dog house before purchasing one. Choosing the right design should completely depend on the nature of your dog. If it is troubled while parting with you, get a more enclosed design. If the dog is very active and inquisitive, in an enclosed dog house, it may can feel locked up. A design feature of open drawers, large windows, or the complete absence of walls will work better for such a pet.

Although most wooden dog crates are more suitable for small and medium-sized dogs, you can also find large wooden dog crates that will fit your interior. However, be ready that they will be much more expensive.

Design as Important Factor When Choosing a Dog’s Crate

Although when choosing a dog house, functionality is first and foremost important, simplicity and comfort in use for both you and your doggie also matter. Do not forget that the dog crate design plays an important role. Perhaps you care about the environmental-friendliness of the materials or want to create color harmony and the combination of materials in the house. All these factors are important when buying a new item in the house.

Therefore, do not hesitate to think not only about the benefits of dog crates wooden but also the design. Nothing prevents you from looking for white wooden dog crates, which will not only be comfy for your dog but also bring joy to your eyes. Choose the dog crate of the right size and color and provide your pet with a comfortable place to rest.

6 CAMPING MUST-HAVES FOR SERIOUS OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS

If you have a passion for the outdoors and time spent in nature, then this camping must-haves will stand you in good stead. Learn more in this blog!

Are you ready for a break from the stresses of daily life?

If so, it might be time to plan your next camping trip. Camping has many benefits, such as increasing your mood and unplugging from technology, so camping can be a great break from the daily grind.

Before you head out, you need to be prepared. What are the key camping must-haves for your next trip?

Read on to learn six of the most important items for your next camping adventure—some of them might surprise you!

1. Solar-Powered Charger

One useful item for your camping checklist is a solar-powered charger. It’s great to switch off and relax in nature, but you still want to have your phone for photos and in case of emergencies.

Pack along a handy solar-powered charger, with USB ports to charge not only your phone but also your flashlight or camera.

2. Hatchet

Hatchets are essential on the camping list. You can use a hatchet for chopping firewood, building a shelter, or for cleaning wild game.

If you plan to go off the grid, you’ll need a hatchet as part of your toolkit for both practicality and safety.

3. Hammock

Why bring along camping chairs when you could relax in your own hammock?

Camping hammocks are easy to attach to trees or poles, without doing any damage to the natural environment, as they can easily be removed when you’re done.

Many people enjoy a hammock for stretching out and reading a book, or even as an alternative to sleeping on the ground.

4. First-Aid Kit

Always include a first-aid kit on your camping packing list, even for short trips.

You never want to be caught out in an emergency. Even mild problems, such as blisters, cuts, or headaches can be a huge nuisance when you’re camping. Make sure your kit is well-stocked with not only the essentials but also any daily or emergency medication you may need.

5. Biodegradable Soap

When camping, you’ll probably want to wash both yourself and your dishes after cooking but regular soap can be hazardous to the environment if it gets in our lakes or waterways.

As an alternative, always camp with biodegradable soap. They completely break down, so they don’t leave any grease or chemicals in the environment.

6. Lightweight Backpack

When you’re camping, you’re likely to spend much of the day out hiking, exploring, and making the most of nature. Don’t forget to bring along a lightweight daypack.

You can leave most of your equipment back at the campsite, but a backpack is useful for snacks, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a towel.

Look for one that is lightweight, waterproof, comfortable to wear, and large enough to fit what you’ll want to carry each day.

Check Out These Camping Must-Haves Before Your Next Adventure

Now that you know the most important camping must-haves, you can pack accordingly for your next trip.

Being prepared with everything you need is one of the most important elements of camping, so make sure you have everything you need. That way, you can make the most of your camping trip and enjoy the relaxation and serenity of nature.

Did you find this article useful? If so, please check out some of our additional content.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN WITH BROOKE ENCE

We had a great time chatting with International CrossFit Star and actress, Brooke Ence who took her love of dance, fitness and being a natural athlete to another level. She shared the road to the CrossFit Games. We have enjoyed watching her in Wonder Woman as well as Justice League as well as in her new show where she plays a Resident Tagger in FOX's Ultimate Tag which takes the game to another level with an array of courses. She talks about her journey, the importance of timing, sacrifice and being ina team of people that are focused on her success. We also talk about her new app that she recently launched that allows us to stay fit and embrace a community that supports the efforts that she believes in.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We know you have a dance background and that you have been in the fitness industry for some time, when did you know that you wanted to work in this industry?

BROOKE ENCE: I never really knew that I wanted to be in fitness. As far as in dance and performance, since I was like 3. I really found CrossFit in preparation for an audition that I had for a show in Las Vegas called Le Rêve which is a Cirque du Soleil show. It really started as me training in CrossFit to compete against an individual athlete in 2013. I was doing it before hand while still going to school. I was a fulltime Dance Major at the University of Utah. I was one of stronger girls in the gym, I was on the team and I didn’t decide that I wanted to compete and do it as an individual until 2013 CrossFit Games when I was spectating. I didn’t expect other opportunities that came across and happened. The opportunities that came were byproducts of what I was doing. Now everything that I do, health, fitness, performance, dance, training, competing or just to have a voice and influence on people to live a happier and healthier life, I know that this is where I’m definitely meant to be. I still like to do other things like dabbling in movies and films.

AM: What is it about CrossFit that you enjoy? We know of a number of our followers and listeners that started it a few months ago and they’re just obsessed with it. Can you tell us what CrossFit is and what is it that people embrace about it?

BE: CrossFit as a sport is very different then CrossFit as a training methodology. The goal for training is to keep you doing the things that you love. You use it as a means to get better at doing other things that you do a sport or an activity. Beyond that, it’s about keeping people functional as long as they are living. Keeping them to do a series of basic functions and tasks so that they feel that they can do better and to be able to do things for yourself. It’s just about living a happy, healthy lifestyle that you can maintain forever.

As we get older, some things will be different, but the biggest goal is to keep you in whatever time that you’re on in your life journey as healthy as possible. I think that what people are really drawn to – people who come from an athletic background or played sports, at a certain age, if a professional athletic career wasn’t in the books for you, it’s a great opportunity for people to kind of do this and it feels satisfying to give them another chance to be really good at something competitive for that want and that drive. A lot of people maybe never were as they didn’t play sports and weren’t on team sports or anything competitive like that. It transfers over to how you work in your family, your business and it’s a community.

When it comes to fitness, when you’re thinking of truly having a better lifestyle, that’s how we create health and fitness longevity. You have to adjust your lifestyle. Being able to connect to a community where everyone is doing the same thing, you have these things that you can really connect with and relate to. It feels so amazing when you are able to do something that you have never done before and it becomes very addicting. It’s the opportunity and experience to become better, accomplish goals and to see yourself do things that you couldn’t do before. It's very motivating and you see yourself getting better. When you have a group of people doing it with you, you have the better chance of sticking with it longterm and making the lifestyle changes.

AM: What is involved? We’re definitely excited to hear from a World CrossFit Champion on what that is!

BE: Right! Just to clarify, I didn’t win the CrossFit Games, but I was the Champion of the California Regional and in my Rookie appearance, I took 2 first place finishes and I finished 14 in the world! When you want to get better at anything. You have to be willing to sacrifice, time, how bad you want it and when do you want it. Fitness isn’t free and the work that you’re going to put it in it is what you are going to get out of it. People are in training mode - they’re in that schedule all the time. It becomes like the most important thing. Everyone that is part of their team, everyone is thinking about that person’s training. You have to be super consistent. You’re training has to be really balanced. Your coach whether they are at your CrossFit gym or someone that is just for you. It’s this big road map that you have to think about in terms of looking at the big picture. You can’t take a week, it’s months and years of being really consistent. The better you get, the stronger you get, the harder it is for you to have adaptations and the longer it takes for you to get stronger – it takes time. The only way to do that and to reach those goals and get better is that you have to constantly push the limit so that your body can adapt to what you’re doing. It’s a full time job!

AM: In addition to that, you crossed over to Hollywood by being in Wonder Woman and Justice League. We enjoyed both of those movies. How is that to go into this part of your career and how did it take place?

BE: I always wanted to be in a movie growing up. I really wanted to be on Broadway! I spent most of my time doing dancing, singing and doing musical theater. Musical theater is much more theatrical. It was crazy to me to get a call out of the blue to read for a movie and I was just focused on my training in 2015 when they called me. I was on my way to the CrossFit Games and I almost turned it down!

AM: Wait what – it’s Wonder Woman, we love that movie.

BE: I found out that when they called me and I got the part, I thought it was cool and a great opportunity. I thought that we would be filming in Hollywood so I could continue to train in the gyms down there so I could keep up my schedule. I was worried that I would do this and what if I didn’t make it back to the CrossFit Games and it disrupts my training so much that I would let them down.

AM: Now on May 20th, you will be one of the Resident Taggers in FOX’s new show, Ultimate Tag which is hosted by NFL brother’s JJ, TJ and Derek Watt. Can you tell us more about this show and why you wanted to be apart of it?

BE: It is Ultimate Tag! It is the adult athlete version of a flag football version of tag and awesome. It’s high intensity, really fun – like most games we played as kids. You get beat up! I got beat up! I didn't know anything know anything beyond that when they called me. I was brought in extremely last minute. BE: It’s a brand new show and I wanted to try something new, do something exciting and be around people where we would have a really positive experience. It’s so much more than what you think it would be and I think that they have done a really good job in showcasing that in the way that it is filmed too. Fingers crossed that they have a second season and that they can get even better at being able to show the best way that an audience and the people at home can experience this! You’ll feel the intensity on the floor.

AM: As a Resident Tagger, will you be on the show every season?

BE: No so, we have a pretty big tagger team. Not every tagger plays every game. We sub taggers in and out. You don’t want one tagger being out there and taking too much time taking out one person. It’s so intense out there as you’re going from 0-100 that we play our teams the smartest way possible. We think about the strengths of the taggers to put the best person in based on their abilities.

AM: You must have been really tiring after filming each episode with so much energy and physicality going into it!

BE: For me, the other taggers were there when I went down to try out. They had been there. Fun Fact: Every time we played, it was my first time seeing the game and doing it! Every time I was like wow – it was my first time seeing the game and doing it! Every time I was like wow – my nerves were very high and coming from a very athletic background and playing a lot of sports growing up, even with CrossFit and the practice of adapting to things and learning on the fly and learning quickly. That helped me.

AM: That is insane! Many of us during this time have figured out how we can continue to keep our workouts going. What are some tips that you have that we can share that people should think about in terms of their fitness as well as items they can buy to aid their fitness goals?

BE: Of course, I’m going to just plug myself as I 100% stand behind this program – it’s called Naked Training App. We launched 2 at home programs. One is with body weight and one is with dumbbells. If you need some kind of equipment at your house, I would say that a couple pairs of dumbbells is great. We have all the videos to show you how to do things. What’s cool with what you’re trying to do when you’re working out, it’s so much easier when someone is there to show you what to do. It’s like, “what am I doing – oh that? Ok let me do that.” Not only do that, but my team creates the road map because we know we’re all here to get fit and strong. Our team does the work of programming it for you with the big picture in mind If you want to get fitter, stronger etc you do have to adapt with the times and your circumstances and to be realistic about it. You have to do more then just something. If you’re looking for minimal equipment and the goal in mind when programming is to get you closer to being a stronger, healthier more fit person – while the programmer understands where we are in our situation right now, you have a better chance of sticking to your goal while not sacrificing too much as we can’t really leave our house too much!

AM: For the Naked Training App, do you have nutrition in there as well as a sense of community?

BE: We do have nutrition. We have a Facebook Group. We have an ebook available to get you started and we do talk about nutrition through our Facebook Live and we're in the process of launching our own nutrition along with coaching. It will become much more than just hearing this information to get started – but then it would be in the person’s hands and a lot more 1-on-1 coaching and following. We didn't want to run too fast into nutrition without having the team behind it.

IG @BrookeEnce

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 121 + 126 Brooke Ence | PG 118 + 127 FOX | 122 Michael Becker/FOX |

Read the May Issue of Athleisure

Hear from CrossFit Star and FOX's Ultimate Tag Brooke Ence 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 May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Let the Games Begin with Brooke Ence in mag.

3 EXERCISES YOU SHOULD DO TO BUILD OPTIMUM MUSCLE STRENGTH

Gaining muscle can be a tricky affair, and quite tortuous to some. It involves countless workout exercises and diet plans, many of which are marketed as the sure strategy to take. However, with consistency and enough effort, you can start seeing results as you achieve that ripped body you’ve always desired.

Of course, to achieve this, you will need to hit the gym more times and engage in a variety of exercises. Here is a breakdown of some of the exercises you should do to build optimum muscle strength:

1. Deadlifts

Deadlifts are some of the best full-body workout exercises. Many people altogether avoid them or do them wrongly.

When done correctly, deadlifts will increase the strength and stability of the posterior chain and abdominals. The posterior chain includes the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and lats. Some people argue that they can’t do deadlifts because it will hurt their backs. Wrong! Poor deadlifts will hurt your back while proper deadlifts will improve your back.

This is how you do proper deadlifts:

●      Using your arms, forearms and hands, clutch onto the barbell. Make sure that the bar is in the right position and is stable throughout the lift.

●      Use your shoulders and traps to hold the weight in a stable position.

●      Keep your entire body stable and tight using your back and core. This will help keep your spine secure.

●      Use your posterior chain and legs to act as a lever as you lift the weight.

The deadlift is perhaps the primary measure of strength. Either you can lift the weight off the ground, or you can’t.

2. Squats

Squats are another cornerstone for optimum muscle strength. They develop strength in the lower back, quads, abdominals, and glutes. It has been established that squats activate over 200 muscles in the body. Squats will help you build more muscle, much faster.

As with all other forms of exercise, the technique is crucial with squats. The setup for squats is simple. You should stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips. Your toes should also be somewhat pointed outwards, about 5 to 20 degrees. Choose a spot at the wall ahead of you and look at that spot the entire time. Do not look down at your feet or up at the ceiling.

Here is how you are supposed to move your body:

●      Put your arms straight in front of you. They should be parallel to the ground. Keep your chest up and your spine in a neutral position.

●      Your weight should be on the heels and balls of your feet. You should be able to wiggle your toes when squatting.

●      Your body should be tight the entire time. Breathe deeply into your belly. Break at your hip and push your butt back. Continue pushing your butt as your knees begin to bend. You should always begin with your hips and not the knees.

●      As you begin to squat, keep your knees in line with your feet. Do not push your knees out to track your feet. If your knees come inside your toes, push them out, but not wider than your feet.

●      Squat until your hip joint goes lower than your knees. Once at the bottom, it’s time to get back up.

●      Keep your body tight, breathe out, and drive through your heels. The balls of your feet should stay on the ground as well.

●      Drive your knees away from each other, as you did while going down. Squeeze your butt at the top to use your glutes.

Once you start doing more squats correctly, you can advance to barbell squats.

3. Bench Press

Bench press exercises build the chest muscles and the triceps and the fore-facing deltoid shoulder muscles. You can do bench press exercises with dumbbells or barbells.

If you are a beginner, you can lift the bar without weight to warm up and get a feel. This will also teach you how to do it with good form.

Here is how to do bench press correctly:

●      Using your back, lie flat on the bench under the rack that holds the bar. Your eyes should be aligned with the front of the barbell rack. Head, shoulders, and butt should be flat on the bench. Only a slight bend at the spine is allowed. Also, your feet should be flat on the floor and quite apart.

●      Use your thumbs to grasp the bar in a closed fist and overhand grip. The arms should be slightly wider than shoulder-width. The upper arms angle to the body should be about 45 degrees.

●      Lift the barbell away from the rack and lock your elbows. Slowly lower the bar to the chest at the nipple line. You should move the bar in a direct line and not an arc.

●      Take a deep breath then raise the bar above the chest. Extend your arms and exhale as you push upwards. Consistently aim at the same spot on the ceiling. Watch the ceiling instead of the bar.

●      Lower the bar again to just above the chest and repeat this process. You are recommended to do three sets of 10 reps.

Once you are able to do bench press exercises correctly with proper form, you may start adding muscle weight.

Final Word

You can achieve your dream body by being consistent in your body workout. Exercises that involve building optimum muscle strength include squats, deadlifts, and bench press. In all these exercises, the technique is far more important than the weight you are able to lift. Make sure you are doing them correctly to avoid injuries.

Visit us at anabolicbodies.com to gain your optimum muscle potential.

BINGELY BOOKS

THAT CHEESE PLATE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

The Dial Press

Marissa Mullen

One of our favorite Instagram accounts to follow is @CheeseByNumbers which walks you through how to create stellar cheese plates through videos that lay out what you need for your desired look. Being that we can never get enough cheese, we were very excited to hear about Marissa Mullen's new book that is the next coffee table book that we will actually enjoy doing as we have time on our hands!

What we love about her approach is that she breaks down the cheese plate by laying out what you need in terms of the cheese, meat, produce, dips, crunch and garnish.

It's a great way to get creative and will change all of your future gatherings as well as create at home Instagram worthy moments! You can also enhance it by adding your favorite beverages to make it an occasion whether it's watching a movie, having a friend swing by or to do the ultimate self-care solo!

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CAMINO WINDS

Doubleday

John Grisham

We have been fans of John Grisham since his first novel, A Time to Kill. His ability to take legal situations and make them into gripping thrillers that also became movies includes: The Firm, The Client and more, means that we know when he releases another book, we need to get on it!

Camino Winds takes place at Camino Island, Florida. Bruce's Cable Bay Books is preparing for bestselling author Mercer Mann. In addition to this arrival, Hurrican Leo decides to also head to the island. As the governor decrees a mandatory evacuation and residents board their homes and head to the mainland, Bruce decides to ride out the storm.

We're introduced to an eclectic assortment of mystery and crime authors - some which are felons who discover that Nelson Kerr, a friend of Bruce's and an author of thrillers has been murdered! Who would want him killed?

As officials are focused on the storm and its aftermath, this assembled group decides that they will solve the murder on their own. They all learn that the plot twists are even more dangerous than his novels.

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BUTTERMILK KITCHEN

Gibbs Smith

Suzanne Vizethann

This cookbook has 100 farm-to-table redefined breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner recipes with a modern Southern sensibility. Recipes utilize traditional cooking techniques, healthier comfort foods and farm-fresh ingredients, regional favorites, as well as pantry and refrigerator staples like granola, preserves, pickles, pastry recipes, beverages, vegan, vegetarian options a leftovers chapter and other condiments.

Suzanne trained in several kitchens with “Top Chef” winner Richard Blais. She won the Chopped competition on the Food Network competition show, owned the small restaurant The Hungry Peach, and now is the chef and owner of the award-winning Buttermilk Kitchen.

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Bingely Books in mag.

S2. E4. | #TRIBEGOALS WITH 2 X TEAM USA OLYMPIC BEACH VOLLEYBALL APRIL ROSS

On today’s episode of #TRIBEGOALS, we catch up with 2 X Team USA Olympic Beach Volleyball medalist, April Ross (she is also Athleisure Mag's May 2020 Issue #53). Avid readers know that we interviewed a few months after she won Bronze at the Olympic Games in Rio with her teammate, Kerri Walsh Jennings. Today we talk about how she continues to train as she looks towards the AVP schedule which is currently postponed as well as focusing on the Olympic Games in Tokyo that are slated to begin the summer of 2021. She shares her transition from indoor volleyball to beach, staying fit by creating her backyard gym and her sponsorship by KT Tape and staying active.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

ROCK THIS LOOK WHEN YOU'RE JOINING VIRTUAL HAPPY HOURS

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Rock This Look When You’re Joining Virtual Happy Hours in mag.

PAPAYA BEAUTY

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Papaya Beauty in mag.

S1. E11. | BUNGALOW SK WITH SENIESA ESTRADA

On today's episode of Bungalow SK, we catch up with Seniesa "Superbad" Estrada, who is a WBA 18-0 flyweight boxing titleholder (you can also read her interview in Athleisure Mag's May Issue, #53). We talk about how she fell in love with the sport of boxing, how she broke through an array of challenges to get in the ring, her sponsors and how she wants to give back. We also talk about how she is staying in fighting shape as she prepares for her upcoming fight in July as we all navigate our routines in the times of COVID-19 as well as what it's like to have Danny Trejo in your corner!

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IN OUR BAG | WHEN RESTING BY THE POOL

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see In Our Bag | When Resting By the Pool in mag.

HOW TO DRESS | FOR STRETCHING YOUR LEGS A BIT

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see How to Dress | For Stretching Your Legs a Bit in mag.

HOW TO EAT HEALTHY WHEN YOU'RE STUCK AT HOME

The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the world in ways we couldn't have imagined. While many are stuck at home, taking precautions to reduce the potential spread of the virus, it's getting harder to maintain healthy eating habits.

Most restaurants and eateries have been closed indefinitely, and many people can't eat in their favorite food chains. Many grocery stores are now running out of essential ingredients, making it difficult to get fresh vegetables and other food supplies.

Though there's no concrete evidence regarding specific dietary factors that can reduce the risk of acute infections, eating a healthy diet is critical to keeping your immune system strong. Here are tips for eating healthy while you're stuck at home.

Use Meal Delivery Services

One of the best ways to get a healthy diet when many groceries out there are running out of stock due to the pandemic is by using meal delivery services. These professionals will deliver food right to your doorstep.

These services are amazing time-savers. You don't have to deal with going to the grocery store nearly as often since they will deliver everything you need.

They are exceptionally convenient for people with tight schedules, especially when you're trying to balance your work-from-home schedule and family life. You only need to place your orders online for whichever meal you'd like, and it'll be delivered to you.

Letting a meal delivery service, such as Factor75, prepare and deliver your food ensures that the meal is healthy with proper nutrition proportions. All you need to know before you order Factor 75 meal delivery is that their meals are freshly prepared on the day of delivery, ready to eat.

Stock Your Fridge with Fruits and Vegetables Instead of Junk Foods

Try your best to keep junk food out of your fridge—those foods that trigger a binge in you! Vegetables should be the most abundant food item on your plates.

Instead of hunting the stores for starchy food supplies, load up your cart with vegetables, including seasonal spring veggies such as asparagus, bell pepper, greens, strawberries, and sweet onions.

Some fruits, such as apples, can last for several months if refrigerated in the produce drawer. Buy more perishable fruits like berries, bananas, pineapple, and cantaloupe freeze well. Chop into small-sized pieces and place them in freezer bags.

Plan Your Mealtimes and Stick to Them

Just as you plan out the rest of your day, establish when you're going to eat. If you like to eat lunch around noon, stick to that and avoid eating outside of those times. If you often indulge in snacks in the late afternoon, plan for that as well.

When there's plenty of food available, and the fridge is all yours, you might get tempted to grab an extra snack every hour, throughout the day. This habit can break off your weight loss goals and halt your productivity.

Emotional eating from stress and boredom can also lead to consuming extra calories. Pause, take deep breaths, and ask yourself whether eating an extra snack alleviates your anxieties or boredom.

Get Your Vitamin C from Foods, Not Supplements

Vitamin C plays a vital role in your body, such as boosting your immune system. Before you grab a vitamin supplement, note that mega doses of Vitamin C, greater than 500 milligrams per day, haven't been shown to reduce your risk contracting the common cold or other illnesses.

Instead, experts recommend getting the daily Vitamin C dose from foods such as broccoli, red bell peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes. These foods also contain other nutrients and antioxidants that benefit your body.

Focus on other nutritious foods, too, like protein, healthy fats, fruits, fiber, and vegetables. Planning what to prepare for lunch or dinner ahead of time will also make it easier for you to avoid grabbing on whatever looks quickest to cook at the moment.

Be Careful of Too Much Caffeine

Having easy access to endless cups of coffee might seem a great idea, but you need to be careful. Too much caffeine can cause headaches, anxiety, digestive issues, and even fatigue. Aim for no more than two cups a day to avoid the jittery feeling. Avoid flavored creamers and other high-calorie beverages as well.

Plan Family Meals

Gathering around and eating together as a family has all kinds of benefits. They allow parents to be role models and create a supportive environment that promotes healthy eating.

Moreover, children of families who often eat together are more likely to have higher intakes of vegetables and fruits. These kids also have a healthy weight and are less likely to have health or behavior problems.

Balancing Act

As many people stay home because of social distancing, chances are they may shift to unhealthy eating habits due to boredom, anxiety, or food availability. To stay healthy and boost your immunity during these difficult times, try your best to keep a balanced diet routine.

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ATHLEISURE MAG | #53 MAY 2020

This month’s cover and back cover is April Ross, 2 X Team USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Medalist. Our cover shoot editorial – To the Beach, talks about April’s career, the difference between indoor and beach volleyball, her relationship with KT Tape and how she is staying fit at home while she waits for the return of the AVP Tour and Olympic Games in 2021. We will also have this interview as an upcoming podcast for #TRIBEGOALS. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we chat with Emily Skye, Celebrity Fitness Expert about staying fit, being a wife and mom with baby #2 on the way and a great workout we should incorporate into our routine. This month, we chatted with Seniesa Estrada, WBA’s 18-0 flyweight title holder. She talks about her career, how she is training during this time and what it’s like to have Danny Trejo in her corner. We also talk with International CrossFit star, actress and Resident Tagger on FOX’s Ultimate Tag, Brooke Ence. She talks about CrossFit, being in Justice League and Wonder Woman as well as her new show.

As usual, we have our monthly roundups including our 9LIST (Athleisure Mag’s picks that we’re loving this month in style, beauty and fitness) featured roundups. This month’s 9LIST STORI3S (picks supplied by celebrities) gives us insight into tennis powerhouse, Rafael Nadal. This month’s 9PLAYLIST includes Supermodel and Fashion Icon EDM DJ Naomi Campbell who shares her favorite songs with us. As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List (Peleton and Purple Carrot), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, Rock This For Your Virtual Happy Hours, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and Papaya Beauty. 

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW TO CHOOSE RUNNING SHOES. SIX QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS) TO MAKE NO MISTAKE

Running is one of the most popular activities among those who want to keep fit. But how do you choose the right shoe?

Running shoes I like to stop and watch how people run, there would be a lot to say, but this is not the right arctic; then I look at people how they dress, how they breathe, what shoes they use.

It is incredible to note that even the less professional and more neophyte person wears technical clothing that is sometimes very expensive, mp3 with a stratospheric value but and here comes the bad unsuitable shoes. If you wear a Calvin Clain T-shirt or pick it up in the most remote corner of your home, your body reacts the same way, your performance will not change, and the harm or good of running will be the same.

There are many models of running shoes and the latest one is always called revolutionary. The consumer is confused (especially if he is a neophyte). Each new model is always presented as better than the previous ones, manufactured with materials, processes and / or ergonomics capable of guaranteeing comfort and effectiveness for runners. And advertising is likely to make the choice even more difficult. But if you miss the shoe, you can't run well and, moreover, you put your joints and back at risk. Some experts, confidentially, admit that around 130 or 150 dollars per pair, all models are the same. However, you need to know which one best suits your expectations, even if you choose among the cheap running shoes. Beyond the tastes and colors, which are not discussed, the choice of a shoe depends on very specific criteria that correspond to the morphological profile of the runner, his level of practice and the chosen terrain.

What are the criteria by which you must choose?

Basic rule: your running shoe must be suitable for your type of support. Whether you have a neutral support or a more or less slight pronation support (translated in a nutshell with the foot falling inside) there are many models on the market perfectly suited to your way of running. How to understand the way you place your foot? Specialized stores have treadmills, special platforms and above all a very long experience of feet and footwear: very simply I suggest when you change shoes to bring your used shoe with you because you just have to observe the sole to understand where it is most worn and consequently how you rest your feet.

Is it true that it also depends on the morphology of the foot and the weight of the runner?

There are models more suitable for a large plant or a narrow plant, a high neck or a narrow neck or the shape of the toes of one's feet. Without forgetting that the most sophisticated running shoes have tires with different densities for male and female models, models that already differ in the weight and width of the plant. And proposed weight: it is clear that ultralight shoes are perfect for performing athletes but are absolutely harmful for beginners, perhaps even overweight. I always suggest as a first running shoe a very cushioned shoe as if it were an accident insurance policy, then the time will come for the lighter and more flexible models.

Does the choice also depend on the terrain on which you run? Because?

On the market there are trail running models (and brands specialized in this sector), shoes designed to run on unpaved terrain, with a often very sculpted sole and with strong grip and with a series of reinforcements to repair your feet that in case of climbs and descents need even more protection. In general, instead, to run in city parks with unpaved but well-beaten sections, classic running shoes are fine.

After how long is it good to change shoes and why?

In recent years, the manufacturing companies have chosen the path of lighter, softer materials for shoes that are immediately ready for use: all this has led to a shorter product life. Going beyond 1000km of full reliability with a modern running shoe is now almost impossible except in the case of very light athletes or efficient biomechanics. Many take their mileage into account thanks to their loyal training companions or their GPS watches. If in doubt, you can easily do some empirical tests to understand where your shoe is. You can place it on the table and see if it hangs to one side (imagine the stresses your foot is subjected to in that crooked shoe ...). Or you can check the forefoot: if by pressing with the thumb in the area where there are notches for flexing the foot, the material yields as if it were 'deflated', it means that the shoe is now empty.

To run efficiently, do socks also count?

Definitely. That's why it's always better to have at least a few running socks in your drawer. There are a thousand types (for height, weight, material and obviously color) and they are often a real concentrate of technology specifically for your foot. The right sock of the right size, better if differentiated right and left, with reinforced heel and toe working in synergy with the right shoe can preserve from blisters, sores and mycoses. And forget about the cotton tubulars, a material that absorbs and retains sweat and humidity. It is better to choose technical and synthetic materials that make the foot breathe, expelling sweat outside and always keeping it cool and dry.

How to adjust with the measure? Does the shoe have to be perfectly right, a little narrower or on the contrary wider?

The running shoe is always to be purchased half a point larger than the models you use every day. Because it is true that thanks to the new uppers often without seams, the shoe quickly takes the shape of its foot. But it does so by expanding by not stretching. And with the wrong number, the hated marathon runner's black nail is lurking.

WHAT IT TAKES TO STAY FIT DURING QUARANTINE

Many people were taken by surprise when quarantine orders were announced. The first few weeks can be a highly stressful experience even for the recluse. Chances are if you’ve been in quarantine, you lost the motivation to stay in shape since the gyms are closed.

Staying fit during quarantine is vital to your overall well-being. Being sedentary and eating junk food all day will take a toll on your mental and emotional health. In this article, we’ll take a look at what you’ll need to do to stay fit while you’re indoors.

Image by rob9040 from Pixabay

Keeping Your Heart Healthy

While under quarantine, make it a point to perform some sort of cardiovascular exercise two to three times a week. If your local authorities allow you to go for runs, then that’s great! 

If not, it might be worth investing in a treadmill if you have space for it. There are plenty of high-quality treadmills under $1000.

If running just isn’t an option for you, a great alternative would be the skipping rope. In fact, as you progress with your skipping skills, you can actually burn more calories than running! 

Cardio isn’t only good for your heart’s health, but the endorphins released will enhance your mood. If you’ve been down in the dumps lately, this may be the solution.

Resistance Training

If you think that you can’t work on your muscles without weights, you’re wrong. 

Bodyweight training can be just as effective as training with weights. Your muscles don’t recognize whether you’re lifting a barbell off your chest or doing a push-up off the floor. 

For as long as there’s tension within the muscle combined with the right volume and intensity, you’re set for muscle growth! An exhaustive list of bodyweight exercises can be found here.

With some creativity, you can also create makeshift weights using things scattered at home. I’ve been experimenting with barbell curls using a broomstick with two filled gallon jugs hanging at both ends. 

It’s not as heavy as I’d like, but with slow negative reps, it really becomes an intense workout!

Watch What You Eat

Being stuck at home isn’t an excuse for you to stuff your face with brownies (you can get away with the occasional one, though!). At home, you have the luxury of time to prepare healthy meals. 

If you don’t know how to cook, now’s the perfect time to learn!

It is comforting to know that you are watching out for your own body and accrediting the fact that you did it on your own will improve your self-esteem. With a well-balanced diet, you’re reducing the risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and a whole host of heart problems.

The Internet has a boatload of healthy recipes for you to try. Instead of buying random ingredients off the shelves, plan ahead. Find a few interesting recipes you’d try for the week, and create a list before you leave for the store. 

When you’ve envisioned what you want to eat, you’re less likely to grab those chips as you walk by the aisle. This way, you reduce the anxiety of grocery shopping and waste less money.

FROM THE RING TO THE WORLD WITH DARIA BERENATO

We're excited to have Daria Berenato for this month's cover. She wrestles in the WWE under the name of Sonya Deville. This athlete started as an MMA fighter and transitioned into becoming a WWE Superstar who uses her platform as an activist for the LGBTQ community, supporting those that are looking to break barriers and of course continuing to expand her empire in fashion, acting and more. We also talked about her upcoming fight with former tag team partner, Mandy Rose on WWE SmackDown on May 8th!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Great to catchup with you and an honor to have you as our cover as we've enjoyed having Nattie, Carmella/Leah Van Dale, Naomi/Trinity Fatu, as well - when was the moment that you realized that you wanted to be an athlete?

DARIA BERENATO: Oh my God, an athlete? From the first! I used to play basketball at 4 or 5 years old in the driveway. I spent my entire life playing sports from basketball to lacrosse, soccer, track and field. Then on to MMA – Mixed Martial Arts to professional wrestling. So, I don’t even know what my life would look like without sports!

AM: I remember you on WWE Tough Enough but you actually started as an MMA fighter! What was it about that sport that drew you to it and what was your transition to wrestling and joining the WWE?

DB: Yeah so when I was 15 or 16 years old, I was in high school and I played school sports my entire life. I just wanted a change of space and I wanted something different. I always had dreams of graduating from high school, moving far away and being on TV and acting as that was always a passion of mine. I wanted to explore something else also. I didn’t know if it was going to be playing a musical instrument or a marital art.

This was a discussion that I had with my mom one day. I had been watching a lot of MMA videos and had been watching Gina Carano, a big female fighter back in the early 2000’s/2010 probably when I was watching her. I thought it would be so cool to see a chick in a cage and get into a fight and then you see her interviews in a dress. It was so cool to see someone so badass and then to be able to see her feminine side. I liked the idea of someone being beautiful and then being tough at the same time. It was really cool and I became obsessed with the MMA. I started watching every UFC and every Pay-Per-View fight night and eventually I was like, “I want to fight MMA,” and my mom was like, “I don’t even know where you would do that around here.” There weren’t any UFC gyms around here to do that. I went to a local boxing gym that was 45 minutes from my house and I started boxing judo and Jiu-Jitsu and I just loved how pure the sport was. I loved how it was a one woman sport, but that you had a whole team of coaches and training partners that you needed to work with together to get the win and stuff. It was just a really cool community and I loved it. So I moved to Florida to train with American Top Team which is one of the best teams in the world when I was 17. Literally, the day of my high school graduation, I drove down to Florida.

AM: Wow!

DB: Yes. I’m really impulsive like that. When I want something, I will do anything to get it and my heart and my mind is 120% in what I do. So yes, MMA is what I did. I fought and trained while also pursuing acting at the same time. I did that for the next 4 or 5 years and finally, I was hosting AfterBuzz TV podcast in LA where I was living at the time. Maria Menounos, is also part of the WWE family and used to be on E! News.

AM: She’s actually in this month’s issue as well! Completely random that this happened!

DB: No way! Aww that is like so perfect! So her and her husband owned Afterbuzz TV and they became mentors to me. They just took me under their wing and told me that they loved my attitude and they loved my spirit. They thought that I could do something special. So the WWE asked Maria to be on Tough Enough as a contestant and she was like, “hell no. I’m too old for this. But I have the perfect girl and she’s a fighter.” They called me and they thought I was going to say no because they thought that I was so MMA that I wouldn’t want to depart from it.

But they called me and I said yes right away because I saw the opportunity. I didn’t necessarily think that that meant leaving MMA at that moment, I just thought that it was a competition and reality show that sounded like a good opportunity. I just said, let’s do it. That led me to WWE and I ended up getting it. I mean, I was working my butt off to be ready for the tryout and to do the best that I could. I kind of felt out of place at tryouts because there were a lot of bikini world champions like Mandy and fitness models and I was just this little rough around the edges Jersey girl who fought MMA. I definitely stood out in that sense.

A couple of months later, I was hired and the rest was kind of history. I just fell in love with the world of WWE. It was everything that I had always been looking for. It was the performing and competition aspect all rolled into one for my career. Honestly, it was so meant to be and it’s just exactly where I should be.

AM: In terms of Sonya Deville, can you tell us about this persona and what are the similarities and differences between you and her?

DB: When I was first developing Sonya’s character, she was very simplistic at first. She was just a badass that was an MMA fighter who was coming into this world. All she cared about was fighting and winning. She’s a very straight to the point kind of character. Over time, being with Absolution (trio that comprised Paige, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville) on RAW and being on Fire and Desire (tag team of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville) on SmackDown with Mandy and working with Paige in the past. It all kind of added to the persona of Sonya Deville. Because life experiences make us who we are as people.

So that’s kind of the case with Sonya. She was definitely third wheeling it a little with Absolution and with Fire and Desire, took a backseat to Mandy Rose because it was about Mandy’s magazine covers ironically. It was Sonya always taking the back seat to everything that Mandy was doing because that was just the dynamic of the team. So, Sonya had enough and a lot of what you’re seeing now on SmackDown is a compilation of everything that Sonya has been through emotionally. Everyone is starting to realize that Sonya is a bad B.

AM: Yeah she is!

DB: She doesn’t mess around and she has a little bit of an anger issue I think that we are starting to see and a little bit of an anger problem. But she’s calculated and much more calculated than what I think that we ever thought Sonya was. She’s not as impulsive as she once was. She’s more calculated and every move and everything that she does is made with intention and purpose.

AM: You guys have a fight this Fri on SmackDown!

DB: Yes we do!

AM: The internet is all over the place talking about this. So many of our readers are asking what you can tell us about this and any goodies you can tell as we will drop this issue a few hours before your fight!

DB: Oh wow! I think that you’re going to see a side of Sonya Deville that you have never seen before. Nobody has ever seen this before! She’s been waiting to get her hands on Mandy Rose for years! You have to understand that this isn’t something that just developed over night. The fans are just seeing it happen overnight because Sonya has been keeping it inside just planning and bottling it up. They have to understand that this is a plan that has been coming to fruition that has been in the works for 4 years. 4 years that Sonya has been getting stepped on and has been keeping a mental piggy bank of things that she can use against Mandy Rose. You’re going to see all of that come to fruition on Friday night!

AM: Oh my gosh. Well obviously we can’t wait to see all of this, how it develops and what happens afterwards.

So right now, when you look at the word normal, it’s an interesting word to say, but when you look at an average week as a WWE Superstar, what is it like with you training, getting prepared for matches and you guys are actively still participating in your sport where others are not able to do this. How has that been for you?

DB: We’ve all just kind of developed our own systems at home. Because obviously no gyms are open so I have been training in my home gym that I have built over the past few months. It’s great and I’m blessed that I have it as it is a space that allows me to stay in shape and ready at all times for the ring.

When we show up to film, it’s a completely closed set and we’re doing everything that we can – no crowd nothing! I think it’s pretty remarkable to see that we are able to go forward in a way that is still keeping everyone safe and healthy, but also being able to put a product on television right now so that people can hopefully be distracted for a few hours of their week and not have to think about everything else that is going on out there in the world right now.

AM: We totally agree with you. When your shows were coming out, we wondered how you would be able to do what you guys do without an audience. But when you’re watching it, you’re still seeing the drama as if there were a million people in that room. We commend you for that. The amount of travel that you guys do, the hours you spend going from one place to another while being fresh faced and ready to give it all for your fans is just something that you guys do as a team that is so great.

DB: Thank you. I mean being part of the WWE, it’s a very special thing and very unique. Because of the scheduling, the travel, the amount of shows that we put on a year that people don’t realize. So in a time like this, we have to reinvent the wheel a little bit and recreate. It’s fun for me as an artist and as a performer. It’s been super fun for me to have to dig a little deeper and to see what we can do to still put on an incredible show without the fans. Obviously, the fans are a huge part of what we do.

AM: In terms of training, what are your go-to workouts that you focus on to stay fit and what are workouts that we can do at home?

DB: I switch it up almost every day. Because it obviously gets monotonous to do the same thing every day. I’ll wake up some mornings and do a mile run or an 8-10 mile bike ride on the days that I don’t feel like lifting weights. Some days I don’t feel like lifting weights and my body is telling me to take it easy on the weights. So I’ll just do some cardio on some days or do some laps to the pool. Some days I will do a full on lift mode for weight training. Usually I will do a high intensity workout or a circuit workout one day a week. Then the other 3 or 4 days, I will do an actual weight lifting workout which will have a back and thigh day, shoulders and tri day or a lower body day. That’s kind of how I break up my week.

I’m always switching it up and I always say that if you have a kettlebell or a dumbbell, there is so much that you can do. The options are endless and they’re still available if you go on Amazon and so many other websites that are still selling them. Resistance bands are so amazing. I have a couple of at home workouts that are on my YouTube channel – Daria Berenato. You just have to reinvent the wheel a little bit right?

AM: What are your 3 power foods that you like to eat when you're training?

DB: Redcon1 Mint Chocolate Chip Protein is my favorite thing in this entire world! I’m obsessed. There’s these Kodiak Protein Pancakes mix that are the best in the entire world that I have had in my entire life. Eggs are then my day one go to! I probably have them 6 days a week if not 7. Eggs are so easy and I will do egg whites a lot too. It’s easy to get protein.

AM: One of the things that we love about you is the fact that we know that you’re athletic, you have a fitness focus and you also enjoy eating fun stuff like donuts and other things like that. That’s so important as coming from a fashion/fitness perspective, there are so many people that make others feel bad that even those who do take care of their bodies – that there is a stigma if you engage in that. You’re able to hold both of those things and you normalize that. Why was that so important to you to include that and bring it into your brand for fans to also see that.

DB: I truly believe that life is all about balance. I definitely have a type of personality where if I become focused on working out, I become obsessed with working out. If I’m dieting, I become obsessed with dieting. I’ve always kept a really healthy balance with my diet. Ever since stopping MMA, in MMA you’re dieting and your carb depleted and calorie depleted because you’re cutting weight for your fight. That was super stressful on the body and the mind. So when I switched over to WWE as a professional wrestler, where we don’t have weight classes and a weight to make, I kind of promised myself never to diet that hard again just because I didn’t like how I felt even mentally doing it. Now I have developed something that works for me. Everybody’s body is different, we have different genetics and we work out and train differently too. But I have gotten my body to a point where I know what I can and can’t have in a week and what I need to do to burn it off if I do want to have it. That’s how I think. Work hard, play hard is definitely a motto that I have that follows me into the kitchen too. I love donuts, I love pizza – I probably have pizza once a week, I’m not even going to lie.

AM: Nice.

DB: Yup, I have those pancakes, they’re protein – but they’re still pancakes. I have them probably once or twice a week. I like to enjoy my food for sure. Me and Mandy had our donut show DAMANDYZ DONUTS which is now Daria’s Donuts! We don’t do that show together and I have been producing my own content for that show. I think she has been doing her own show. I don’t pay attention to her in what she does. It’s been really fun to try different donut places all over the world and I cooked my own for the first time.

AM: How’d that go?

DB: It was an absolute mess in the kitchen! But they actually didn’t taste that bad!

AM: Well there you go!

DB: I baked them, I need to fry them next time.

This week, I’m dropping a poolside workout for my fans. So it’s a really cool brand that we have created with Daria’s Donuts and is everything that we have talked about with health, fitness and a little bit of enjoyment and lifestyle stuff.

AM: What is your favorite donut in your favorite city?

DB: In Louisiana, I’ll never forget when I took a bite out of this donut. It was in Lafayette, Louisiana and it’s called Meche's Donut King. It’s a tiny little hole in the wall. Best donut that I have ever had in my life.

AM: What donut was it?

DB: A hot, classic glazed donut. But it was warm, the bread was moist and it was just perfect.

AM: I've been a fan of E! Total Divas and have enjoyed seeing your storyline on it. What was it about being on this show that made you want to be apart of it?

DB: They auditioned me for Total Divas two years in a row actually. The year before, they decided not to add anybody new. When they asked me to do it, I immediately said yes. I love Total Divas, I think it is one of the coolest shows because it gives the mainstream demographic a look into our lives. People don’t watch wrestling – like growing up, I didn’t watch wrestling. But I remember walking into my mom’s room and she had on Total Divas. It was the episode when Nattie busted her nose or something like that. I’ll never forget it. I asked my mom who the girls were and if they were wrestlers because I couldn’t understand it. She explained it to me and I knew I wanted to do that.

I swear on my life, I went online and went to apply. I don’t remember why, but I couldn’t apply. Either I wasn’t 18 yet or at the time, you couldn’t have tattoos. Either way I forget. There was some stipulation on the website where I told my mom that I couldn’t do it yet. It’s really funny because life comes full circle!

I was intrigued through Total Divas because I watched E! It was such a cool look to show our world and what goes on behind the scenes for those that don’t watch wrestling. Maybe looking at it could help them get into wrestling, enjoy the sport and fall in love with it just like we did. It’s really been fun and it was a no brainer when they asked. Of course, I was nervous about putting my whole entire life out there – my family, my friends and my relationship. That was nerve wracking. Obviously, it's much more nerve wracking to be yourself on camera versus playing a character on camera. It was a really cool experience and I feel like I have learned a lot more about myself doing it and I would definitely do it again.

AM: Who are you close to in the WWE that you consider being in your squad?

DB: Well Mandy was. Liv Morgan, Carmella – those are the ones that I’m closest too. Bayley, Becky Lynch – those are like my girls.

AM: Love that. Once again seeing all of those interactions on the show is fun for the Athleisure Media team as we love seeing a number of the people that we have done photoshoots and interviews with and seeing how their personalities on the show are just like when they were with us on set. Or seeing a scene and knowing that we were with them the day before.

DB: Right! That’s funny. We have such a good locker room because we all get along so well – we’re blessed. We have Trin, Saronas – we have such a cool locker room.

AM: We have been media sponsors for the past 4 years of NYC Pride as we think it's so important to celebrate and be allies to the LGBTQ community. As the first openly lesbian Superstar in the WWE how important was it for your to share your sexuality and how can the WWE improve representation and equality?

DB: Absolutely. It’s funny and I’m reminded every single day why I share my story and why I’m open about my life to the fans. Obviously, it’s not the easiest decision and not the easiest way to live. It’s much easier to just be yourself and to think that no one needs to know. I chose to share my story and I’m s happy that I did because I hear from people every single day that they are struggling with coming out and figuring who they are and sharing it with their loved ones, family and friends. We’ve made leaps and bounds in the LGBTQ community and in the world with acceptance and equality. But there is still so much to do. The fight is never over and I think it is so important to have an ally in the public eye. For me when I was growing up, the only gay person that I ever saw on TV was Ellen Degeneres and so there wasn’t many other representatives that I knew at the time.

So for me, a closeted gay girl that grew up in a small town in south New Jersey, I didn’t even think that it was a thing. I didn’t think that I could possibly be gay because I didn’t know anybody that was. I would have thoughts and I would push them way down in there because I didn’t think it could be. It seemed far fetched and I didn’t allow myself to be who I was. I find a lot of light in being able to do that for this generation’s Daria. I want to be the voice for the little me that never had one. For all of these kids, teens and adults who are dealing with these things now – they know who they are but they don’t have anyone to talk to about it or they don’t think it’s ok – just help them with their struggling emotions and let them know that it is more than ok. It’s more than ok to be who you are, it’s more than ok to love who you love and there is nothing to be apologetic about. Anybody who is meant to be in your life, will remain in your life, those who aren’t will exit. Everything happens for a reason and there is no love that is not pure.

I like to be that voice because I know all to well that feeling of not feeling you have anyone to relate to.

AM: What LGBTQ initiatives do you support?

DB: About a year or two ago we worked with WWE to get the first line of LGBTQ wrestling shirts. I got my “Put Your Hair Up and Square Up” rainbow shirt, Finn Balor got his, Becky Lynch got hers, Charlotte Flair – a bunch of Superstars I think 10 of them got them. The proceeds of the rainbow shirts went to GLAAD We were on the GLAAD Pride parade float in the NYC World Pride Parade. I was the representative for that! I got to ride the float and to represent WWE which was a super cool experience. We did the Spirit Day Lounge and NY ComicCon a few years back in NY. Slowly but surely, we’re getting a lot more involvement with community and I push for it every year. We’re always having meetings about it and what we can do to represent.

I have my own line called Rainbow Love which is completely LGBTQ friendly forward clothing line. One of the first shirts that we dropped said, “You Are Not Alone” with the Suicide Prevention Hotline on the back. It’s a super cool shirt and one of my favorite designs in the entire line. It’s so strong and it’s just so powerful. It just speaks for itself and lets you know that you shouldn’t be afraid to talk – to reach out for help to talk to somebody as we’re all going through shit and life isn’t every easy, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel with a silver lining. It’s ok to have a Heavy Heart, but Rainbow Love. There’s a bigger line which is called Heavy Heart which this is apart of.

There’s a bunch of different ways that I try to do stuff like that. This year, I had planned on being on 6 or 7 Pride floats with the WWE behind me. Obviously, plans have changed on that a little bit, but we are working and talking about how we can be there to support virtually.

I look back at myself before I came out and know that I wasn’t able to be myself. When you’re keeping this secret from people that you are close with and those that you love the most, and you can’t act the way you want to in public it’s such a depressing feeling – it affects and manifests in ways that you can’t imagine and you don’t realize it. I mean, hindsight is 20-20 and all I can say to people is that being open and honest with who I was was the best decision that I ever made.

AM: Tell us about Quibi's WWE unscripted series "Fight Like a Girl."

DB: This was a really cool project. WWE partnered with Quibi which is a network with bite sized videos and a new series called “Fight Like a Girl,” focuses on a young woman who wants to make changes in her life for the better. She is teamed up with a WWE Superstar to help reach those goals and accomplishments. They go through a training program at the state of the art WWE Performance Center in Orlando as well as an extensive physical training, emotional training, mental training and mentorship program with Superstars. It’s really a cool show. I was partnered with a girl named Samantha who was closeted to half of her family and she was nervous to tell her father’s side. We just talked honestly and I just told her my journey and I think she was able to relate to the things that I said. I used fitness and force and working out as my biggest crutch when I was going through everything. It was my sanity and happy place when I was going through a lot of the stuff that I have been through. I think she was able to relate to that and she really got into working out and got in incredible shape and it was such a cool experience to see her total mind and body transformation. It was really cool.

AM: Circling back, we were talking about your clothing line, Rainbow Love, how did the line come about?

DB: My good friend Bobbie owns Black Craft clothing which is in Hot Topic and a couple of other stores. He wanted to expand and make a new line as he had been working on that for years. He wanted to make a new line, Heavy Heart and he called me up to be apart of it. He said that he didn’t know the kinds of things that I was into, but he knew that I wanted to make a clothing line anyway. He asked me if I wanted my own line under Heavy Heart. I would be able to name it, come up with the concept – whatever. We went back and forth for months with ideas and throwing things against the wall to see what would stick. I told him that I wanted to do something that I was passionate about and I didn’t want to just throw a logo on a shirt and call it a day. I suggested doing a LGBTQ forward line and he thought it was dope. We came up with the “You’re Not Alone Shirt” with the Suicide Prevention Hotline and a few other shirts, another one called True Colors, a couple that just says Rainbow Love with a cool graphic of my face on it. We just hand designed all of the stuff and we wanted the line to be very raw. We wanted it to speak for itself and let people know that it is ok to express your emotions and to be as dark or as bright as you feel. Life’s not always perfect and it’s ok to be in your feels. It’s ok to have a Heavy Heart, but Rainbow Love. It’s been really cool and I think the fan response has been incredible.

We’re trying to set something up where maybe one of our product’s proceeds will go to a charity or maybe a percentage of all of the products will. We don’t know all the details yet but we are working on that. I just want to be able to help in any way that I can with Suicide Prevention and LGBTQ community in general. It’s been so cool and my fans love it because it is something that they can relate to. The clothing line is friendly to them. It’s more inclusivity that’s subtle but really sweet at the same time.

I wanted it to be clothes that I would rock everyday that you would see me in. I wear the shirts all the time and it’s totally my vibe. Obviously, it’s black because I wear a lot of that, but it’s got the color pop on it too and that matches with my personality as well. I am a little social butterfly despite my dark character persona with Sonya Deville. It’s relatable and true to who I am.

AM: A number of people from the WWE like Dwayne Johnson and John Cena have gone on to having movie careers, competition reality shows etc - do you have plans to follow in their footsteps?

DB: That’s been a goal of mine as acting is my passion and my first dream! Something I have always kept in mind is that you have to go where your path takes you. You have to work hard, but if life hands you a lemon – you have to make lemonade. That’s what I did. I got a little off of the path of becoming an actor, but I actually found something that could get me there in a better way in my opinion. To follow in the footsteps of John Cena, Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista – guys that have come over from WWE and stepped into Hollywood. That’s ultimately the long time game plan. I want to act in television and in film. I’d love to be in The Mandalorian or The Fast and The Furious.

AM: Could so see that.

DB: Right? It would be so fun! I feel like I have created a little brand for myself with WWE and that’s just going to continue to grow and it will make the transition nice and smooth. In the meantime, I have been working with an acting coach, Sean Whalen for the last 2 years. I have been putting in extra hours which isn’t always easy when you’re on the road, but it has helped tremendously with everything that I do from WWE to acting. That’s my goal to be the first female that has made that huge leap.

AM: What advice do you have for women and girls on how they should blaze their own trails in career and in life?

DB: Well if it helps any – I was called crazy and ridiculous. I was 17 moving out of my house saying I was going to be a professional MMA fighter and an actor in a time where Ronda Rousey didn’t exist yet in the UFC. It was a horse of a very different path and no one thought that I was capable except for myself. The power of believing in yourself is so strong! I would say, say less – do more. Put your head down and work your ass off and you can literally accomplish anything. My story is a testament to that. There were so many times that I got down on myself and I said, "I'm not going to make it," I still woke up every day at 6am and trained for 4 hours and then bartended until 2am and did it all over again. You’ve got to grind if you want it. Just don’t ever give up on your dreams. There’s nothing more gratifying in your life than living your dreams.

AM: We like asking people who are 3 people that inspire them in their careers or in life whether you know them personally, follow them online etc?

DB: Ellen Degeneres for sure, Gina Carano and I’m going to go with my mom. Everyone plays a certain role. Ellen showed me at a very young age so much strength and resilience. She wasn’t only in a very male dominated world but a hetero dominated world. She broke down so many barriers for women and LGBTQ people. She’s inspirational in her own right and went through so many struggles being who she is.

Gina Carano was the first pioneer of the MMA for women and was one of the first huge female superstars that people would actually pay to go see. She’s incredibly badass.

My mom is just the definition of unconditional love and support. Although everyone else called my dreams crazy, she did not call them crazy and for that, she is my day one!

IG @SonyaDevilleWWE

PHOTOS COURTESY | PG 16, 26, 28, 30 + 32 WWE | PG 18 + 21 Vince Trupsin | PG 22, 24 + 39 Ryan Loco | PG 35 TOTAL DIVAS -- Season 9 Gallery -- Pictured: Sonya -- (Photo by: Brian Bowen Smith/E! Entertainment) | PG 36 TOTAL DIVAS -- Maui Vacation -- Pictured: (l-r) Carmella, Sonya -- (Photo by: Mario Perez/E! Entertainment) |

Hear WWE Superstar & E! Total Divas', Daria Berenato/Sonya Deville this month on our show, #TRIBEGOALS -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 April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see From the Ring to the World with Daria Berenato in mag.

COMMON FOOT INJURIES ON ATHLETES: HOW TO MANAGE THEM

Athletes, more than anyone else, put their feet through their paces and the result of this is of course an increased chance of causing an injury. Injuries in the feet can be caused over a long period of time or they can be the result of an impact, either way there is nothing which will whip you off your feet quicker than a painful injury. To explore this further we caught up with the manager of a podiatry clinic called Mod Pod Podiatry, an expert in all things feet, to find out what the most common foot injuries are, and how they are managed.

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon in the ankle is one of the most common locations for an injury and it normally comes about through overuse of the foot. The Achilles tendon is the largest in the body and it is essential to our mobility and dexterity, this is of course why it is such a common injury. The best treatment for this is to stay off the feet wherever possible and to wear a support for future activities.

Plantar Fasciitis

There is a band of tissues which support the arch of the foot and they are responsible for absorbing the stress which we put on our feet. Naturally when they have absorbed too much stress for too long, they can become very strained, inflamed and cause problems at the base of the heel. It is said that almost 2 million people are treated for this every year, and the treatment which is used to manage the issue is a mixture of ice and physical therapy. Calf stretching is also beneficial for the treatment of mild Plantar Fasciitis.

Stress Fractures

A stress fracture is a very small crack in the bone, not a break or a large crack, but a very minor and incredibly painful chink in the armor. This is usually caused through poor technique, poor equipment or a lack of conditioning. Eventually these stress fractures will repair themselves but when it does occur it is important that no weight is put on the foot for a long time, until it has properly repaired. If someone with a stress fracture keeps on playing or running, it can grow in size and become a far more dangerous problem.

Neuroma

Neuroma is a pinched nerve in the foot which results in a numbness in the ball of the foot and pain in between the toes when walking. There is no exact cause of this but those with high arches or flat feet seem to suffer from it more. Overuse and stress on the feet are also contributory factors in neuroma. In almost all cases non-surgical treatment such as supportive footwear and corticosteroid injections are used to reduce symptoms which are caused and to increase strength and mobility in the foot.

There are of course many more conditions which may take place in the feet, but generally speaking these are the most common amongst athletes.

WHEN ATHLETIC STUDENT LIFE STARTS TO SUCK: HOW TO GET BACK ON TRACK

The process of receiving offers from the university is quite complicated and tiring, what to speak of when receiving scholarships as an athlete's student. Sure thing, you went through all the circles of hell and want to breathe out and relax as the student life is bright and filled with fun.

PHOTO CREDIT | Pixabay

Alas, when you are a student-athlete, everything becomes much more complicated. It is especially challenging to adapt when you are a freshman when the tasks and loads of both sports and studying can be overkill. Due to high expectations, your mood can significantly decrease, because you need to cope with the volume of new responsibilities, adapt to a new environment, and work hard to affirm your image as positive.

Regardless of the sport that you practice, student life will become even more difficult and eventful than the graduation class. Wake up daily much earlier than classes, workouts before classes, lunch workouts, attempts to allocate at least some time for lunch, and rest between classes and workouts and homework.

Of course, if necessary, you can always find professional assistants who will help to cope with endless essays and assignments, which will free up time for parties with friends. But your life will still fly at the speed of an airplane. You can get lost in the loop of the same days if you do not periodically reboot to something new. Even worse, if your scholarship does not cover all the necessary costs and you still need to squeeze extra part-time jobs into your schedule.

If you are not a superman or a spider-man, this can be not easy. And this may make you give up. But don't you dare! Instead, try the following techniques to help you get back on track and regain the champion spirit.

Try to Find a Balance

Balance is not so much about success but of your emotional and mental health. Only when you feel yourself entirely can you control your life. But when you try to be the first in work, in school, in sports, and personal relationships, most likely, a lot of things will go completely wrong. Therefore, it is crucial to appraise adequately and soundly your forces and rationally distribute them to those areas that now seem most important.

Write Every Little Task Into a Planner

Even If it's lunches and parties, write down a list of all areas that you need to handle - first of all, sports and studies, then health, family, and friends. Examine your typical schedule and examine how much time of the day sport and studying takes. If you have problems in one of the areas, write down the most urgent tasks and those that can wait.

Make a daily schedule, where sport and studying take no more than 60% of your time. Plan for a week; it will help you choose between additional training or exam preparation. Such an approach will help you not only articulate your goals more clearly but also show you as a serious student, as well as teachers and teachers. Having a structure and a complete list of tasks for the day will help you avoid losing your head from additional duties and the risk of forgetting about something important.

Don't Skip Classes

It's very tempting to miss that class that overlaps your training or sleep an extra hour between the training. However, it's a way of leading to a grand headache at the end of the semester. Professors usually inform students regarding their class rules and give you full information regarding final grade evaluation.

If the final paper costs 40% and class attendance is only 10-15%, you may skip some of the classes in an urgent situation. It is the only cheat you can allow yourself. So be sure to check whether the final grade depends a lot on class attendance. Besides, at least regularly visit the classes before starting the playing season, as your professor will remember you as a successful student and will treat you better If you skip a few levels later.

Don't Neglect External Help

If the schedule seems to be overwhelming whatever you try, search for some help to minimize your time spent on studying. If you feel that you fell behind some classes, it's ok to seek a tutor or essay writer online. Also, learn about all the perks of being the athlete student and be sure to use all the benefits to a full extent. Some colleges can offer you, dietitian or personal trainer to help you reach sports milestones much quicker.

Remember to Love Yourself

That's a rule. Simple as that, if you're under too much stress and you find it hard to handle it any longer, take a little pause. Having a day for yourself where you do nothing or do things for yourself only can genuinely do wonders with your mindset. After a small break, you'll gain extra powers to help you overcome any obstacle on the way.