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Nile River PHOTO COURTESY | UnSplash/Mo Gabrail
11 MUST VISIT PLACES TO VISIT IN EGYPT IN 2021
Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations in the world and also a mysterious travel destination. The charm of the land makes it a favorite tourist hub. There is culture and history to enjoy between the Red Sea and the Nile, cities like Cairo and Alexandria, and the historical pyramids.
Against the backdrop of the Sahara Desert, the land is full of wonders and has beauty to entice you. Being a year-round destination, Egypt is favorable to visit anytime and in any season. Here is a list of the most beautiful and mystical places to visit when you plan your vacations.
11 amazing places to visit in the captivating land of Egypt
1. Pyramids Of Giza
One of the world's seven wonders, the three pyramids, held within the tombs of ancient pharaohs, are a must to visit sites. With a history in its very existence, the pyramids could withstand the test of time for years and years.
Location: Giza
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Egypt has now reopened its airports, and you can book your flight with Egyptair airlines and travel to the land of mystique and civilization.
2. Cairo
Cairo district is the capital of Egypt and has monuments, medieval mosques, and madrassas, and attracts thousands of tourists every year. The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan offers a visible Islamic heritage of the beautiful city.
Location: Cairo
3. Citadel Of Saladin
This place is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Built by the famous Ayyubid ruler Saladin to safeguard Fustat and Cairo against invaders, the fort has many houses and watchtowers, numerous magnificent mosques, and the Well of Joseph. When you visit Egypt, make sure that you visit this marvelous place.
Location: Central Cairo
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
4. Valley Of Kings, Luxor
Situated on the bank of the Nile, it is one of the most popular tourist spots. It is best known for the Valley of Kings and houses tombs of pharaohs made from cut rocks. The famous ancient rulers like Amenhotep and Tutankhamun were buried here. Out of 63 graves, only a few are open to visitors. Tutankhamun's tomb is one of the haunted places in the world and has different entry fees.
Location: Luxor
Timings in Summers: 6 AM – 5 PM (4 PM in the winters)
5. Aswan
Away from the chaos of city life, if you are looking for a relaxing travel destination, Aswan, located in Southern Egypt, would be the best place to go. Known for its breath-taking views of the Nile and the desert dunes, this is a perfect getaway to relax and unwind yourself into the lap of nature.
Location: 900 km from Cairo
6. Egyptian Museum
Egyptian museum is a treat to the eyes. Egypt is a land of ancient cities with temples, tombs, and palaces. They are famous for their burial rituals with the dead and different things like books, golden artifacts, gold, and more. The pyramids will say just half of the history and mysteries; the rest are housed in the bosom of the museum. You can also see things that were excavated from the tomb of Tutankhamun, which makes it one of the most stupendous man-made things on this earth.
Location: Cairo
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
7. Rock Temples Of Abu Simbel
The twin temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari were carved out of mountains and astounded the visitors. The rock representation of the royals seated on their thrones and overlooking vast Egypt is an iconic image to view. Situated on the Western banks of Lake Nasser, this place should be on your bucket list.
Location: Abu Simbel, Nubia
Timings: 5 AM – 6 PM
8. Abydos
A spectacular open-air museum and a dream place to visit when you are in Egypt. The Mother of Pots homes the burial ground for the first pharaohs. The excavation site got its name as shards of pots were found, scattered in honor of the kings. In Abydos , there is the temple of Seti I with the famous Abydos List known for the hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Location: 500 km from Cairo
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
9. Alexandria
With very few remains of the place, the city is yet one of the most popular destinations of Egypt. Housing the world's biggest library, the town is a unique attraction for book enthusiasts. You can try hanging out in the Pompey pillar square and explore the streets with a row of cafes spread for people to chill and enjoy delectable cuisines that will give you the nostalgia of the land forever.
Location: 200 km from Cairo
10. Bahariya Oasis
The oasis became famous in 1996 with the excavation of 30 tombs depicting it as a massive burial site. There were about 250 mummies made of gold and dated back to varying periods of history. The site also contains remnants from the temple dedicated to Alexander. Besides being a burial spot, Bahariya is a significant place in Egypt, known for wine production.
Other attractions surrounding Bahariya are the Crystal Mountain and the White Desert, both being unique geological structures that captivate visitors.
Location: Western Desert, Egypt
Karnak Temple PHOTO COURTESY | UnSplash/Mo Gabrail
11. Karnak Temple
Situated in Luxor, the temple is one of the most visited tourist places. It includes the Karnak Open Air Museum and holds an aura that can astonish everyone. The complex is a vast site, so it is recommended to spend at least 3 hours exploring thoroughly.
Location: El-Karnak, Luxor
Timings: 6 AM – 5.30 PM
Wrapping up
After this pandemic, wondering where to go to relax and travel? In its supreme beauty, Egypt is a place of a mix of culture and heritage, and we recommend this land on the bank of the Nile. Planning your holiday in Egypt but confused about your stay? Whether you are looking for the best or the cheapest, Hotels in Sharm El Sheikh will serve you both the interests. Enjoy their food, embrace the beauty of the land and carry home nostalgic moments.
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9LOOKS | CAMILLA
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ATHLEISURE BEAUTY
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IN OUR BAG | EMBRACING YOUR WANDERLUST
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#TRIBEGOALS
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PHOTO CREDIT | ABC The Bachelorette
THE BACHELORETTE S17. E9. | HOMETOWNS HAVE ARRIVED
Tonight’s ABC’s The Bachelorette is what we have been waiting for - Hometowns! WIth only 3 men: Greg, Blake and Justin, it’ll be interesting to see who will continue on although we feel that there is a drama in the air.
Katie Thurston kicks off Hometowns with Blake and they do a Canada-themed date prior to when she meets his family. He brings a number of elements from Canada to her and he bartends for her and shares that they use syrup for everything and have it everywhere. They do shots of syrup and they also learn that he has used it in the bedroom before as they keep it by their bedside? They also play darts with a series of questions to get to know more about one another. Of course, they play hockey in the street and they ride a mechanical Moose. While they are enjoying their date, Greg sees them and he’s not ok - especially when he sees them go into the penalty box and make out. Seeing their 1-on-1 date, Greg can’t take watching them and seeing how unhappy they are.
As she heads into Blake’s second portion of the date with his family, she realizes that Blake isn’t in love with her yet; however, she wants to make a great impression. She also wants to mesh with his family and see where he comes from. His family definitely seems like they’re cool and the kind of people that would give her a chance to know more about her. They see there is a connection, but they wonder if there is a real connection as opposed to just an infatuation with her. Katie is very honest in letting her know that they haven’t told one another that they love each other; however, they are willing to continue to see where it goes. Blake’s sister really asks the tough questions with him to ensure that he understands what’s going on as she has seen him fall in love with a number of people quickly. Blake and his mom chat and feel that they are a good fit, but wants to know if he sees her as his wife. She also agrees that he should tell her that he loves her just so that he is clear with her on what he wants. The date ends with a bit more street hockey and a successful date. Blake didn’t tell her that he loved her at the end of the night.
We see that Justin’s family is not coming to the resort for Hometowns. But he gives them a call to get their feedback. He’s bummed that he is unable to share his parents with her. His parents say they will support him, but by them not being there, it’s unfortunate that he will not be able to share them with her. Thankfully, his friends will be there. He will show Baltimore to Katie for his Hometowns. Katie feels that their connection started early and she is excited to know more about him and where he comes from. He shares the grafitti wall that is iconic to the area and they find out that they both love Blue Cheese over Ranch. He also has a crab lunch with her and lets her know that this is just a major part of where he’s from. Their connection is one that has always been undeniable. He wants to let Katie know about the dynamics of the date and where he is out. He lets her know that his parents couldn’t come and she will only meet his best friends which are like his brothers. Katie is happy that she told him and is looking forward to meeting his friends. She does wonder if he is ready for a marriage since his parents won’t be there.
His friends defintely seem like his brothers and you can tell that they have his best interest at heart. His friends let him know that his vulnerability has been an issue in the past. By not sharing his thoughts and being reserved, they feel that he has had some missed opportunities in the past. Katie realizes that his friends are shocked to see him being so comfortable with her and hopefully that lets Katie know that even though his parents aren’t there, that there are things that they can continue to explore. Justin lets her know that he is falling in love with her. She kisses him and although she will reserve saying “I love you,” until there is only 1 man, it’s for the best that he lets her know so that she can properly assess what is going on.
The final Hometown will be with Greg, but we already know that he has been having issues throughout this process as she has dated others in the house. After seeing Blake’s date, we know that he is feeling even more unsettled! Greg gives a taste of his town in New Jersey which will kick off with a tandem bike. Their first stop is the iconic pork roll and cheese. They also enjoy an Italian ice as well as a bouncy wave that has them surfing. He brings her to the basketball court and lets her know that his dad coached him throughout his career and he hasn’t played since his dad passed away. He thought it would be great to do something sentimental as they did that with the last 1-on-1 date that he had with Katie when she shared what her and her father did. Greg’s mom, brother and his friend will be there for Hometowns. He enjoyed the rain in Seattle and then let her know that it rains in Jersey too - which it did and it gave them the moment to enjoy a few kisses.
When she meets Greg’s family, even though some of his other members were unable to be there, his mom shares pre-recorded video of them showing their support. They all talk about how they have not seen him this happy in a long time. They notice that he is glowing. When Greg’s mom talks to Katie and tries to get specific questions out of her, Katie answers but is also clear on why she will not say, “I love you,” until it’s the last person that’s there as she wants to give that gift. As he speaks with his mom, he tells her that he wants to hear that she is in love with him, but he would love to hear that validation. He tells her that he is falling in love with her and hasn’t been this happy in such a long time. She tells him what she talked with his family about and that she knows he will be there next week, but he looks hurt that she will not be vulnerable and share more of her thoughts with him. Katie asks him to trust in their relationship, but we can see that Greg probably will not make it to the end.
All 3 of the Hometown dates have been completed. Blake and Greg talk about how the uncertainty is tough to handle and they both agree that they don’t know what she is thinking. Greg is sad because he feels that his heart opened up to her and that she didn’t really respond and that she just shut down. He feels that he needs to talk to her because he feels it’s clear that she doesn’t feel the same as him as she hasn’t given the indications that he is looking for. He swings by her place and lets her know that he wants to talk to her about the other night. He lets her know that he told his family that she was the one and when he let her know those feelings, he felt that she dismissed him and his feelings. Katie tells him that she only wants to say, “I love you,” to one person. He says that he gets that, but he didn’t even see an emotion from her and he says that he’s not asking for her to give a “love you” or that he is guaranteed a rose the following week - he didn’t like the way that she hasn’t shared. He is also upset that she told him that she doesn’t trust anything. He lets her know that this is his breaking point and that he will no longer continue. Her lack of acknowledgment is his issue and not the fact that she didn’t say that she was in love with him. He feels that there is a wall. He’s also embarrassed that he told his family that he thought she was the one.
Katie attempts to chat with Greg once he leaves, but he’s completely over the entire situation. She heads back to her room and lets production know that she is done and wants a plane ticket home. Kaitlyn comes over to talk with Katie. Through the door, Kaitlyn connects with Katie and she explains that she has been there as she remembers crying into her salad. Kaitlyn walks her through what happened to see if there is a nugget that they can learn. She then asks her if there is anything that could change, at that point Katie lets her in and they have a heart-to-heart moment as they figure out where they can go from where she is. Kaitlyn being able to hold her hand and to share how she understands is probably something that Chris Harrison would have not been able to do in the same way. Katie wonders if it is worth it and to be blindsided by someone that she knows that she connected with and to see him go away. She ticks off that Michael as well as Greg left - is there a reason for her to be able to continue as her confidence is shaken.
Katie doesn’t know how to navigate the rest of the process and asks for someone to book her a flight home. Without knowing what the future holds, we do know that the season finale is next week. We see her chatting with her mom, we know that Tayshia and Kaitlyn talk to the remaining men Blake and Justin about what has taken place.
Each night, when the season airs, we’ll tweet about The Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we will let you know who our faves were last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
SEASON 17, EPISODE 9
Last week, we knew that Andrew, Blake,and Greg would be introducing Katie during Hometowns.
THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
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ROCK THIS ON ENDLESS SUMMER DAY ACTIVITIES
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THE PICK ME UP
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ATHLEISURE MAG | #67 JUL 2021
In this month’s issue, our cover shoot is with WTA 4th Ranked, Australian Open Champion 2020 and French Open 2020 Finalist, Sofia Kenin. We talk about when she fell in love with the sport, training as well as participating in a number of tournament around the world and what she’s focused on this season as we get closer to the US Open. We talk with one of the fashion industries most respected people, Tim Gunn who talks about his career and the 2nd season of Amazon Original’s Making the Cut which is releasing episodes now. We also catch up with Chef Nyesha Arrington about her culinary career, falling in love with food, appearing on a number of shows including BRAVO’s Top Chef, the importance of identity and her upcoming show that she will co-host with Gordon Ramsay in FOX’s Next Level Chef. We talk with Ghanian-American Chef Eric Adjepong who is also a Top Chef Alum. He talks about why sharing his West African culinary POV is so important, projects that he’s working on, his upcoming books and his latest foray with AYO Foods. We became fans of London Brown when we first saw him in HBO’s Ballers. We talk with him about his career as an entertainer, how he frames his characters and his current role as Uncle Marvin in STARZ’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan. He also talks about the importance of giving back and manifesting where you want to be.
This month, country music star, Tyler Rich shares his favorite songs in 9PLAYLIST. Our cover star, Sofia Kenin shares her favorites and why in our 9LIST STORI3S. One of our faves and previous cover, Ray Donovan and The Game (which is getting a reboot on Paramount+) actor, Pooch Hall shares his 9DRIP with us. We also have another former cover, Chef/Restaurateur/TV Personality Jordan Andino, share his 9DRIP with us as well. Celebrity fitness trainer and nutritionist, Harley Pasternak shares his favorites and why in our 9LIST ROUTIN3S. In addition, celebrity chef + TV Personality, Nyesha Arrington shares her 9LIST ROUTIN3S that she enjoys in the morning, afternoon and night. This month’s 9LOOKS shares our favorite looks from Miami Swim Show with a brand that we have always enjoyed sharing, Camilla.
Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack focuses on YUCO in Greenwich Village. This month’s Athleisure List comes from PJ Bernstein and Citrovia. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.
Read the JUL ISSUE #67 of Athleisure Mag.
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WHEN YOU'RE HOSTING FRIENDS AND FAMILY
We’re all looking forward to planned and impromptu events where we’re hosting our friends and family or being invited to someone else’s home. Although we have all navigated a lot of uncertainty, we have all found our comfort zones when it comes to getting back to the lives that we lived prior to the pandemic. We took sometime to chat with Claire Robinson who is a TV Personality on Food Network, a cookbook author and chef. We wanted to find out how we can get back into preparing for a number of meals that we’ll be cooking whether we know weeks in advance or need to do so in a flash!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with food and realize that you wanted to make it your career?
CHEF CLAIRE ROBINSON: My French-speaking grandmother was a major influence on my love for food, a joy that was passed on through many generations in my family. After graduating from college, I worked multiple jobs in media and sports marketing. But, I realized I would never love another career the way I loved cooking, so I decided to pursue my dream and attend the French Culinary Institute in New York City.
AM: Tell us about your culinary background.
CHEF CR: I graduated from the French Culinary Institute in November 2005. Along with being an accomplished private chef, I also spent time working on culinary production teams for several cooking series, including Food Network’s Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello and PBS’s Everyday Baking for Everyday Food. In 2009, I launched my own Food Network show, 5 Ingredient Fix, as well as a cookbook by the same name. In April 2010, I also joined Food Network’s primetime lineup as the host of Food Network Challenge.
AM: With many of us getting vaccines and beginning to re-enter into entertaining with friends and family, what ingredients should we have on hand for summer get-together?
CHEF CR: For me, the best dishes feature carefully selected foods with distinct flavors that make for easy and straightforward cooking. Having a good base of versatile ingredients is key so you’re not stuck in the kitchen the whole time. For the summer, that means fixings like fresh, seasonal fruit and veggies – such as from local farmer’s markets – and a variety of protein options so people can cater to their likes. Then you’ll also need the staples like premium butter and cheeses to bring any dish from standby to standout. My go-to brand is Kerrygold, which is made from Irish grass-fed cows and has a rich, creamy flavor.
AM: What are 3 go-to dished that you like to include for a planned event that you’re hosting?
CR: Everyone wants to be grilling in the warmer weather, and who doesn’t love the classics? I revamped a summer staple, a grilled chicken sandwich, by adding a Hawaiian twist. They’re super simple to put together, and the sweet pineapple mixed with the savory barbecue sauce screams summer. My secret to making this dish stand out even more is to place one Kerrygold Savory Cheddar Cheese slice on top of each chicken breast and cook until melted. This unique, full-flavored cheddar, with a slightly sweet profile and a smooth finish, hits all the right notes for a rich, Irish cheese. Finally, spread some Kerrygold Irish Butter with Olive Oil on your buns, grill those for a few minutes and you’re all set. Top with grilled pineapple rings, red onion, lettuce and extra barbecue sauce on the side.
Another tried-and-true seasonal dish is grilled corn on the cob. The unique add to this recipe is infusing your butter with chili and topping off with toasted pumpkin seeds. After you’ve grilled your corn, you’ll take softened, premium Kerrygold Irish Butter with Olive Oil – which was recently ranked “Best Butter” in the 2021 PEOPLE Magazine Food Awards – and whisk that with your favorite hot sauce.
For a crowd-pleasing starter, kick-off the meal with a summer cobb salad. Romaine lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, eggs and more are tossed with quality, creamy Kerrygold Mild Shredded Cheddar Cheese and served with ranch dressing.
AM: If you’re attending an event hosted by a friend or family member that has a planned menu, what do you suggest that a guest could bring?
CHEF CR: I’d recommend a fresh summer dessert, such as a strawberry layer cake, or a classic, yet easy to pull together, appetizer like a cheese and charcuterie board.
AM: Many are returning to the Hamptons or the Shore to stay at beach homes. If you’re hosting a weekend or series of days, what is the best way to approach creating dishes for family meals?
CHEF CR: It’s impossible to please everyone, so when entertaining big groups, I keep things classic and simple. I like using ingredients that can be used for several different meals, that way I cut down my grocery store runs. Customization is also key when planning for multiple days – I always buy a mix of protein options, such as chicken, steak, burgers, portobello for the veggie lovers or more, and I stock up on a variety of cheeses and fresh veggies and fruit. I’ve found that allowing your guests to build their own meals means they can choose what they like, and you can enjoy the party, too! For example, if you’re making that Hawaiian chicken sandwich I mentioned, leave out your other protein options and lots of extra pineapple, tomatoes, cheese and sauce, that way people can add or take away what they like. I know I’ll be loading up my sandwich with extra Kerrygold cheese!
AM: For an impromptu gathering you’re hosting, what are dishes that are quick and easy, but look like you spent a lot of time for arriving guests?
CHEF CR: For an easy wow factor, bring a variety of colors into each dish presentation. Whether that’s tropical fruit for salad toppings and cocktails or an array of hues for your specialty cheeseboard, a little color will go a long way for your next gathering.
Sandwiches are one of the easiest meals to whip together. An easy presentation tip for those is to stack them. I always do that at the very last moment, though – letting them cool on their own so things don’t melt and stick together too much. The trickiest part of sandwiches can be getting the cheese to melt perfectly. It definitely takes some perfecting, so if I’m in a rush, I’ll use shredded cheeses, like Kerrygold’s Savory or Mild shredded cheddars, to ensure an even melt where I don’t overcook my protein. Plus, with Kerrygold, I know I’m getting the same rich and creamy flavor in their shreds that I do in their slices and specialty cheeses.
AM: What are some tips that you have that can help us get ready when it’s time to prep for entertaining?
CHEF CR: Using a butter with olive oil is perfect when grilling— it saves a step because you’re able to put the butter straight on the grill since it can stand a higher heat point than regular butter! I was ecstatic when Kerrygold came out with this product earlier this year, because now I can use my favorite butter brand for all occasions. Whether for at-home cooks or professional chefs, butter is the easiest way to add more flavor to any dish.
Another easy trick is to use the ingredients in all your meals as your tablescape and décor. If you’re using fresh tomatoes, grab a handful of them and put them in a bowl on the table, and there you go! Now you have extra ingredients out if you run out and it adds a pop of color to the space.
AM: What tips do you have to build the perfect charcuterie board?
CHEF CR: Start with the cheese, using a variety of Kerrygold premium specialty cheeses with sweet and sharp notes – like Dubliner, Skellig and Cashel Blue. For a fun twist, cut them into different shapes to add pops of color that make the board look as delicious as it tastes. Next, add in a couple of quality meats, like prosciutto or salami. Pair them with crackers, bread, nuts and some mustard, jam or honey. Finally, add a fruit that you already have on hand. And voila!
AM: We’ve seen you on Food Network and always love hearing your take on dishes being made, do you have any special projects coming up that we should keep an eye out for?
CHEF CR: Thank you! Check out my newest show, Real Time, streaming with Discovery+, where I show you how easy it is to rival takeout and be your own chef as I lift the veil behind cooking shows and cook every dish in Real Time!
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PHOTO CREDIT | ABC The Bachelorette
THE BACHELORETTE S17. E8. | WELCOME TO HOMETOWNS
Tonight’s ABC’s The Bachelorette has an honest conversation between Tayshia and Katie Thurston. In Matt’s season, she didn’t make it to Hometowns so she doesn’t know what to expect and she is also thinking about holding off to tell anyone that she is in love with them as that is the 1 thing that she can give 1 of them. Tayshia says that if she feels it, she should say it and if it is with multiple people that’s ok. She lets her know that Zac wasn’t in the running, but when she was at Hometowns with him, that’s when she knew.
The guys all talk about the importance of the week and why this is so integral for them as they get closer to the end. We see Michael talking with his son letting him know that they will go on a vacation when he is back. But the call ends up leaving him conflicted when he feels that his son James believes that his father doesn’t want to see him. Michael begins to question him being there as he doesn’t want him hurt. He finds Katie and lets her know how much he has enjoyed being with her and now he feels that because of his son, he can’t focus on anything else and that’s his priority. He feels that he can only give her half of who he is even though he sees so much. He lets her know that he is going home because of his son James. He is sad that he has to leave there with all the what ifs. She tells him that she saw them going to the end and she is very confused. He reiterates that he is not leaving because of their relationship, but that he needs to be there for his son. She shares that she had so many things that she wanted to tell him and it’s really sad to see that they’re not going to be able to continue.
Michael leaves and then there were three: Greg, Blake and Justin. We’re holding out for the possibility of her connecting with Michael later, but we also see him at the Men’s Tell All! It’s getting hard to figure out who she will ultimately be with - if at all!
Now we’re at the Men Tell All and looking back on the season and it’s being hosted by Kaitlyn and Tayshia. This episode is definitely going to be cringey as we see things playback and everyone hears what was said. They delve into Cody and Aaron’s beef which we didn’t hear a lot about but definitely could glean the issues that they have as they’re from the same area. While the guys chat, Karl jumps in and says the house was a witch hunt and he’s reminded that Cody only had one person that wasn’t his fan, Aaron and that Karl wasn’t liked because everyone saw through him.
Each night, when the season airs, we’ll tweet about The Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we will let you know who our faves were last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
SEASON 17, EPISODE 8
Last week, we felt that Andrew, Blake, Greg and Michael A. would be on their way to Hometowns.
This week, we finally know who will be sharing their families with Katie during Hometowns: Blake, Greg and Justin.
THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
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GET VACCINATED, ACT UNVACCINATED WITH DORRY SEGEV, MD. PHD
The Covid-19 pandemic has deeply altered all of our lives and we feel truly blessed to have the opportunities to have high quality vaccines available in the US. We came across some truly excellent work in this area by world-renowned organ transplant surgeon, Dorry Segev, MD, PhD, particularly around the efficacy of the vaccines for organ transplant and immunocompromised patients, and reached out to find out more about his studies and findings and definitely have important information to convey to our reader community. Please take note and pass along this information to your family and friends if applicable.
Dr Segev is the Marjory K. and Thomas Pozefsjy Professor of Surgery and Epidemiology and Associate Vice Chair of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University. He is the founder and director of the Epidemiology Research Group in Organ Transplantation (ERGOT), the largest and most prolific group of its kind in the world.
People who are immunocompromised or immunosupressed should get vaccinated when possible and also continue to strictly follow Covid-19 safety measures after vaccination, including proper mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing as the efficacy after their vaccine series may be less than people with healthy immune systems due to their condition or medicines they take. Studies are also underway focusing on these patients, especially those taking certain types of immunosupressants, who may be considering a third dose when seeing no/low antibody response after their vaccine series while working with their doctors and careful medical consideration.
We spoke with Dr. Dorry Segev about his recent groundbreaking study on Antibody Response to 2-Dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Series in Solid Organ Transplant Patients, that evaluated the state of transplant and immunocompromised patients and Covid-19 vaccination in the US today; some upcoming studies he is currently working on; and some of the core fitness and wellness activities and life lessons that he focuses on in his active lifestyle.
See Dr. Segev’s groundbreaking study on Covid 19 mRNA vaccine response.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What led you to study the response efficacy of Covid-19 mRNA vaccines in transplant and immunocompromised patients?
DR. DORRY SEGEV: As a transplant surgeon, I take care of people who are on immunosuppression and who are vulnerable. We know that transplant patients were at higher risk of getting Covid-19 and higher risk of dying from Covid during the pandemic, so as soon as there was talk of the vaccine coming out I knew 2 things, 1) that transplant patients might be fearful of taking the vaccine because transplant patients and anybody with on immunosuppression were excluded from the original trials – so they did not have evidence the vaccine was safe specifically for them (eg. an organ rejection or a flare of auto immune disease) - so very early on we wanted to make sure it was safe for immunosuppressed people and we did that very early on; and 2) we also wanted to understand how much immune response immunosuppressed people were having, because to have an immune response from the vaccine you have to have a functioning immune system and we purposefully inhibit the immune system of people with transplants and autoimmune diseases and things like that by putting them on medications that specifically blunt the immune system so that they don’t get rejections and flares and manifestations of their conditions. So it’s a balance between not wanting them to have a rejection but probably we are limiting the ability of their immune system to mount a response with the vaccine. Since this was a new vaccine technology and particularly dealing with a virus out there more fatal disease than say the flu - we did the study very early on. With the initial roll-out prioritizing medical staff and frontline transplant broadly on social media so we could very quickly say things about safety and immune response.
AM: What was your reaction to the results?
DR. DS: I knew that the immune response would be less - I had no idea it would be this much less. Basically, after 2 doses of the vaccine, the overwhelming majority of transplant patients do not have evidence of the same level of protection that people with normal immune systems have. More specifically, half of them have no antibodies detectable after 2 doses which is in stark contrast to every single person with a normal immune system who would have high levels of antibodies, and even the half who have antibodies have lower levels than those in the general population with intact immune systems. So this is highly problematic for transplant patients. They probably have some level of protection if they get the vaccine, maybe they get less severe disease, but assuming they have the same level of protection as people with normal immune systems is a very dangerous assumption.
AM: So this is largely about the medications transplant patients and immunocompromised patients take?
DR. DS: That’s why I found myself as a transplant doctor also studying people with autoimmune diseases because it is specifically related to the medications that we have people take. So anybody who takes immunosuppression, medication that specifically impacts for example the B-cell or T-cell immune systems, is at risk of having a lower response to the vaccine. For example, the typical triad cocktail of immunosuppression for transplant patients is steroids, antimetabolites, and calcineurin inhibitors, and all of those attack certain aspects of the immune system which are necessary for the best immune responses to a vaccine.
AM: Now – it's definitely still recommended for transplant and immunocompromised patients to get the vaccine when it’s feasible for them?
DR. DS: No question, other than very rare cases where someone is not a candidate for the vaccine, the overwhelming recommendation from all the transplant societies and societies that deal with rheumatic and autoimmune disease is for sure to get vaccinated. Because whatever is happening, it is an immunologic journey to go from no protection to, ultimately, adequate or some protection from Covid-19. You need to prime the immune system, get the B-cells and T-cells activated, etc. You need to start that journey as soon as you can and things will start to move around. If you will ultimately need a 3rd dose, for example, you still need to get the first 2 doses anyway. For sure get vaccinated, as soon as possible, with the full series as recommended in the US. And an area of ongoing investigation is what to do next for people who don’t have a response to the vaccine series.
AM: Can people take antibody tests to see if vaccines are working?
DR. DS: There are established quantitative antibody tests, but there are dozens and some are more reliable than others. In our studies we’ve included what tests we’ve used with thousands of patients and there is some reliability there, like the other big JAMA studies, but some others haven’t been evaluated as carefully. If you’re working with doctors and considering a 3rd dose, then an antibody test is a reasonable place to start to see if a patient has antibodies, in weighing risks and benefits of that, in knowing where you are starting antibody-wise - so it can help you make the decision if it may be a right move for you. Another instance where antibody tests may be really important is - say you’re a transplant patient being required to go back to work in a mixed-vaccinated, mixed-mask wearing setting, and it is a high likelihood you don’t have high antibodies, then a test result could show being your employer that you are far safer to work remotely, and that may be some useful quantifiable evidence for that.
AM: We were just going to ask about third doses, so this is an option to consider for some specific people when working with their doctors?
DR. DS: A number of transplant patients with sub-optimal responses to the initial vaccine series have gotten third doses in consultation with their doctors, and careful medical consideration. We’re actually running an observational study, where anybody who has done or is doing that is welcome to check out and join our study and we check their B-cell and T-cell, and entire immune system, before and after that third dose. We did another published on June 14, a 30 patient study to look at the safety and immunogenicity of a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in solid organ transplant recipients. Here is a link to this study. From our study we saw if you had a very low antibody response and had a 3rd dose, you got boosted to a high antibody response, and if you had no antibody response, even then about 1/3 got boosted to having an antibody response and the other 2/3 didn’t, but we’re still studying their T-cell immunity and deeper immune system. In France, a patient group sent our first JAMA paper to, the French government, who then said anyone taking immunosuppression medication should get 3 doses already. So we’ll probably see a lot of data coming out of France to see if there is a better immune response with 3 doses than 2 doses for these patients.
We have an ongoing observational study, and after careful medical consideration with their doctors, we are welcoming patients to visit/join Transplantvaccine.org.
We are also working with the NIH with to launching an interventional trial where we’ll be able to give people a third vaccine dose under standardized and formal circumstances, while carefully monitoring their transplanted organ. The plan is to start as a pilot study at John Hopkins in Baltimore and to expand to multi-center national trial. For that pilot study, we are awaiting the necessary approvals for that. We hope to get these approvals and then we may be enrolling people this summer if it goes forward.
AM: So due to the medication use, it is recommended that patients taking immunosuppression medication be aware and more cautious after being vaccinated?
DR. DS: Anybody in the US who is taking immunosuppression of any sort that purposely blocks their immune system should be talking to their doctors about efficacy and risk protection, rather than read trying to make sense of the massive published literature on their own, or getting information from other sources. Right now all that is being measured are antibodies, not B-cell or T-cell immunity, so maybe in a couple months we can look on per-drug levels under the surface for other assurances. You should be talking to your doctors and be careful, some medications that people take with autoimmune diseases may have a negative impact to the immune response like transplant patients include antimetabolites – like Mycophenolate or, Azathioprine – like Rituximab - like, Brentuximab, and Tacrolimus, which is a calcineurin inhibitor also taken by transplant patients, and are showing similar issues. There are many medications for autoimmune patients, but this is all still being looked at.
AM: So what can everybody do in the meantime to help people that are transplant patients and those that are immunosuppressed?
DR. DS: The best way we can deal with this pandemic is for everyone to get vaccinated so people with normal immune systems can develop the kind of protection that can reduce the prevalence of this horrible virus in our communities and can help protect the people who have more compromised immune systems who can’t mount that level of immune protection for themselves.
We’d like to thank Dr. Segev, and his colleagues, for the amazing work done shedding light on these issues for transplant and immunocompromised patients. It was interesting to see that all of the studies published so far have been entirely funded through philanthropy.
If people are interested in helping with philanthropic efforts for Dr. Segev’s other studies and trials, they should can contact the doctor directly at Dorry@jhmi.edu.
This work was supported by the Ben-Dov family; grants F32DK124941 (Dr Boyarsky), K01DK101677 (Dr Massie), and K23DK115908 (Dr Garonzik-Wang) from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); grant K24AI144954 (Dr Segev) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); and by grant gSAN-201C0WW from the Transplantation and Immunology Research Network of the American Society of Transplantation (Dr Werbel).
AM: What kinds of things do you do for leading an active lifestyle in terms of fitness and wellness?
DR. DS: I try to cycle every other day, do water skiing when I can, and rock climb outside or inside at Earth Treks in-between. My wife, Sommer Gentry, a MIT-trained PhD mathematician, and I have been in the competitive partner dance community since 1999, and were competing in Lindy Hop swing dancing at national level, and for 3 years and were in top 5 nationally. I was a musician for most of my life and loved discovering that you can move physically to music, and that swing dancing is improvizational like jazz is improvizational, so improv with a partner in dance as a physical expression in a partnered way was similar to jazz on stage with other musicians, but was more physical.
AM: What kinds of nutrition goals do you have in your diet?
DR. DS: I try my best to eat healthy, lots of green stuff, and avoid carbs and sugary foods. The only dessert I’m willing to eat is 80% or higher Cacoa chocolate, but really try to cut out foods that are chemical reactions versus those you find in nature, and also try not to eat emotionally but only only when hungry. I’m willing to eat 80% or higher Cacoa chocolate, especially by training myself this is my reward, being super healthy, but can have this incredibly delicious chocolate while having some tea, although I’ll admit that this high-level of Cacao is an acquired taste. It’s a great experience while staying fit. Another advantage for this as a sweet is that most people don’t ask for a bite!
AM: What general life aphorisms do you follow?
DR. DS: I follow 2 which are great to share.. My favorite quote from Stephen Sondheim is – ‘wishes come true, not free.’ You can fulfil your wishes, but you have to work hard to do so - I love how he says this so elegantly and efficiently. Another is a life motto of mine is to try something you’re not good at every day, with the goal of reminding of yourself embracing humility, being only human and trying to improve. Sure, others can do many things better than I do, so it’s how to start getting better. When I started dancing I was a terrible dancer, but by being humble and working hard I was able to reach a nationally competitive level. It takes hard work to make changes!
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 134 - 135 Unsplash/Nick Fewings | PG 138 - 139 Unsplash/CDC | PG 140 Unsplash/Elizabeth McDaniel |
PHOTOS COURTESY | PG 137, 143 - 149 Dr. Dorry Segev |
Read the JUN ISSUE #66 of Athleisure Mag and see Get Vaccinated, Act Unvaccinated with Dorry Segev, MD. PhD in mag.
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TOKYO 2020 | OPENING CEREMONY
It’s been quite a process and in many cases, we wondered about whether we’d be able to have the Olympic Games taking place in Tokyo. But after a year in postponement, this morning (Friday, July 23rd), the Opening Ceremonies for the Summer Games will take place! Usually, we watch them during prime time but with the time difference of 13 hours in Tokyo, the schedule is a bit different this year!
NBC is the home of Olympic coverage (although throughout the NBC Universal network, you’ll be able to see a number of your favorite sports and countries competing). Below we have included the schedule regarding the ceremony. In addition to the links below and NBC, the ceremony will also be live on the NBC Sports app and on NBCOlympics.com.
JULY 23 TOKYO OLYMPICS CEREMONY PROGRAMMING ON NBC
6:55 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Live Opening Ceremony Coverage
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Special Edition of TODAY (interviews and reactions from athletes will take place)
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Tokyo Olympics Daytime
7:30 p.m. – Midnight | Primetime Opening Ceremony (this is the re-airing of the Opening Ceremony which was live as well as some bonus content that was not included from this morning)
JULY 24 TOKYO OLYMPICS CEREMONY PROGRAMMING ON NBC
12:35 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. | Overnight Replay of Opening Ceremony
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9PLAYLIST | STEELE JOHNSON
Read the JUN ISSUE #66 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Steele Johnson in mag.
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