5 GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR FOOTBALL FANS

When you know someone who is into football, buying a gift for them is both a blessing and a curse. Obviously, you have to get something football themed because they will love it, but how do you find something they don’t already have? Trawling through the internet to find the perfect gift can feel like a sport in itself at times which is why we have put together the following list.

Player-Specific Gifts

If you know your recipient’s favourite player, then you could try to find them something from that player. Look up the player, they might have released an autobiography that you could get, or you could get their number on a piece of merch like a strip, mug, poster, et cetera. If you want to get them something regarding a specific player, then anything that can help them to learn more about that player is a great choice.

Club Merch

If you aren’t sure who their favourite player is but you know their club, then that is a start. There are so many pieces of club-inspired merch out there to choose from. You could go for houseware like mugs, sports bottles, framed posters or pictures, or other trinkets. You could also opt for wearable items like the strip, a t-shirt, PJs, dressing gown or jacket. You can find the club logo on almost anything nowadays. This is where your knowledge of the recipient comes in; what would they get the most use out of?

Nostalgic Gifts

If you are struggling to find anything new to get them, then why not get them something old or older? There are so many cool gifts that you can find that feature vintage team designs. Classic football shirts make a great gift; you can choose one that you think that they will like or one from a significant period of their life. Classic Football Kit has a huge range of vintage shirts from teams around the world. You can also find other vintage pieces of team merchandise. It could be a really cool way to feed into their interests while getting them something they might not expect.

Tickets

This is possibly one of the more expensive gifts. But, if it is a special occasion, then it may be worth it. Think about getting them a ticket to a game so that they can see their heroes in action. It would truly be a gift to remember. If you have the means, you could even get them a season ticket.

Training Sessions

If the recipient is young enough, then enrolling them in football training sessions can be a great gift. Check within your local area to see what is available. There may be a skills school that they can attend to learn new skills and further their capabilities. Some of these schemes are even run by ex-professionals and coaches.

In The End

As long as you have tried your best to get them a good gift, they will appreciate it. That being said, you might want to include a gift receipt with their present to allow them to swap it if they want to. Come up with a budget and stick to it. If you are really struggling, even after considering the ideas above, then you can always ask for help from mutual friends.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

IT'S ABOUT THE CHARACTER | REBECCA HENDERSON

We always have a series of shows that we look forward to watching and have placed on our Bingely Streaming list. This month, a number of shows are currently in that group. We caught up with Rebecca Henderson who is currently in Freeform's Single Drunk Female, Netflix's Inventing Anna and the upcoming 2nd season of Russian Doll.

She shared how she came to acting, preparing for her characters, chatted about these shows that are out now, upcoming projects and how she takes time for herself.

ATHLEISURE MAG: You have appeared in a number of shows we enjoy from Westworld, Orange is the New Black, Russian Doll and I am really enjoying seeing you in Single Drunk Female. What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to act and to do it professionally?

REBECCA HENDERSON: Oh my gosh! Nobody has asked me that, that’s such a good question!

AM: Really?

RH: Yeah! It’s so funny. I’m from Canada and I was a synchronized swimmer – it’s a different kind of performance and then I didn’t want to be a swimmer anymore and I was in junior high basically and I took my first drama class and I just loved the people so much and the community of it. I loved how much it taught me about being a teenager and just not knowing anything. I was such an uncomfortable and embarrassed person that it made me feel that we all pretty much feel like that. I never stopped. I went to undergrad for it and I came to NY and I did my Masters degree in Theater at Columbia and that was that!

AM: What’s your process like when you see these projects coming to you. How do you decide on something that you want to do and be attached to?

RH: Basically, I read it and if I like it, then it’s like – let’s go! It’s not that mysterious. If it speaks to me, I go for it generally and I would say that there is something about actors that when we start auditioning for something, you start to fall in love with the thing and you start to really want it which is part of it. So sometimes when I get offered roles that I don’t audition for, I kind of find it more difficult because it’s like, “ok, now I’m here – I hope that they like what I’m going to do.”

AM: Ha it becomes a bit of a grab bag!

RH: Yeah, it’s like, “is that what you wanted – am I fired?” Once I get a part, I tend to read it over and over again. I am obsessed with knowing the lines word perfect forward and backward and I tend to just write, fantasize about it – I think about the voice, the movement, the costumes. The hair always helps. I love to do my hair for parts. Then of course, when you’re there for the day and you’re there with the other actors, that’s when it hopefully comes together.

AM: Once you have immersed yourself in your character, is it difficult for you to step away from that when you’re no longer doing that role?

RH: It depends on the material. I find that if I have worked many days in a row and then suddenly, I have time off, there is a dip more so in my own personal mood. When you’re on all the time and you’re so focused on these long hours and then you’re just like, “ok, what am I going to do today?” I don’t have makeup on, I look weird – so that I find harder. I have done a lot of theater and sometimes I think that when you do theater and you have done it for such a long time and you’re always living for that 8pm current, it can be a little more all-encompassing.

AM: What drew you to Single Drunk Female?

RH: Well, I love the sponsor/sponsee dynamic. I have many friends in recovery, addiction is something that has touched so many of our lives and I thought it was hilarious as someone who is very honest and very straightforward, I think that I would make a good sponsor. I loved the idea of this show that was just this young person – we don’t have that many young female protagonists trying to get sober – we just don’t have that. So I liked that that story was being told.

AM: What did you pull from to become Olivia who is such a great character.

RH: Thank you!

AM: There’s such a bite to her, but at the same time, we see this duality of how she is in her sponsor relationship, and we also see how she is in her own relationship with her wife. You get the sense that when you see people who are dominate in one area of their life, that they have a different personality in other areas of their life and they’re juggling just like everybody else.

RH: Yes, that’s so smart. She’s an alcoholic. She happens to be sober for 10 years, but I think that at work and when she is in her sponsorship role, she really understands what she is talking about and then at home with her wife, there’s another source of energy where it’s like, “I don’t know and are you happy?” She really throws herself into work and working with her sponsees so she could probably stand to spend a little more time with her wife and paying attention to her needs.

AM: The other thing that is really great about this show is that you see all of these different interactions. When we first heard about the show, we knew that it would be about seeing the process of someone who is an alcoholic and their journey to being sober. But then we really get a birds eye view on how it affects the family members and the quirky things that they are trying to deal with. How important is it to show these full 360s of what it is like when someone is part of that community of people?

RH: I think that the show really shows the way that alcohol has brought her to this point. How alcohol isn't going to fix what's currently going on and how she has a lot of repairing to do and that she has to exist in a world without alcohol. So there are so many firsts that she has to make it through. She has to make out first with someone without alcohol, she has to apologize to somebody without alcohol, she has to put herself in all of these awkward situations and attempt to not start drinking again. That’s the way life is and we have a real problem in this country with alcohol. If you go out to dinner and sit down at the table, there are wine glasses already there. I’m glad that this show is in the half hour comedy format where it can go out to the country and it’s a light touch on how we can start talking about these things.

AM: I think it’s also great that with the show being on Freeform which has other programs that are also focused on making its viewers aware of issues – there is a scene in the series where she goes to where her friend is trying on bridal gowns and the glass of champagne is being passed to her and you see her navigating that situation. Prior to COVID, if I was out for a media event and you decided not to drink there was a need to explain why and that you weren’t feeling well or to have a club soda with lime in your hand to give the appearance of a cocktail so that you didn’t have to say anything. So it’s definitely something that people are aware of.

RH: Yes and there’s a lot of pressure around it where people feel like, well if you’re not drinking, where is my drinking buddy? Then you start thinking about your own drinking. I love that scene from the show because she gets that glass and she’s holding that glass way out!

AM: Yeah and eventually she tells someone else to hold the glass.

RH: Yeah, she was very scared. I think that that is a big fear for a lot of alcoholics that they will go to a party and a drink will be put down on the table and it will look like seltzer but it’s actually a vodka.

AM: That juxtaposed against the St. Patrick’s scene where the two sober friends are “playing” a game as they navigate past people who are drinking and heading to various parties. As a viewer, it makes you think about this on another level and even though this season is only 10 episodes, what is your hope if there is another season – what will we see between your character and her wife and how would you like to explore that sponsor/sponsee relationship?

RH: I mean, I was just thinking that I would like to see Olivia’s rock bottom and how she got sober if we did flashbacks. I think that that would be really interesting. Perhaps how she met Stephanie and how they fell in love. I’d love to see them become parents and see how that relationship as a mother/child is sort of mirrored in a way like Carol and Sam’s relationships. Also, what might that bring up for someone who is in recovery? To suddenly have a baby in the house and not be able to sleep. It would be interesting to be able to dig into those tools.

AM: The other part that is interesting to watch with Olivia is the sponsor/sponsee relationship where she operates in two different ways. Sometimes she’s like, look you have to figure things out and have a plan and then there is a compassionate side where she says if you can't be by yourself, come with her and her wife on a weekend trip – even though she was not down for that. This tough love and safety net paradigm is such a powerful relationship to see there.

RH: I mean, I think it goes to a bit of a codependent area where her wife is telling Olivia that Sam has to take care of herself. I think that Olivia really sees herself in Sam and she has a kind of a motherly quality toward her. She really wants her to succeed.

AM: While talking with you about this, I’m really excited that Inventing Anna has dropped and can’t wait to see it.

RH: I’m so excited to and I’m so happy that it’s finally out there!

AM: We’ve listened to so many podcasts about Anna Delvey and since we’re based in NY it’s definitely been making the rounds of conversation. What was it like being apart of this project, being able to work on this Shonda Rhimes production and tell us about who your character is on this show.

RH: I loved, loved, loved working on this show and I also live in NY and we shot in NY. I’m basically obsessed with Shonda Rhimes – meeting her was the highlight of my life! She appeared and was like, “I’m Shonda” and I was like my God! She’s an amazing woman. We started shooting right before the pandemic. It was one of the best projects that I have ever had. There were tons of NY theater people and amazing actors. Julia Garner and Anna Chlumsky are just like unbelievable. I play the prosecutor, A.D.A. Catherine McCaw. I’m obsessed with putting this woman away in prison. I was just saying that I feel like Shonda has successfully just told the first female sociopath story. By the end, you really get it and you understand why people lent her this money and she’s very, very smart. I also like that this series puts forth this idea that if she had been a man, she probably wouldn’t have gone to jail because men on Wall Street do this all the time.

AM: Very true.

RH: Yeah, but she’s in jail and I put her there.

AM: It’s definitely going to be good and there’s such great buzz around it.

Are there other projects that you have going on that we should keep an eye out for?

RH: Yes, in April, Russian Doll season 2 comes out. I’m back in my character Lizzie with blonde hair and I’m very excited for that. I did 2 movies with Sigourney Weaver. One I play her daughter and in the other, I play her friend. One of them is called, Call Jane it was just at Sundance and now it’s at the Berlin Film Festival and The Good House should be coming out soon, it was at TIFF earlier this year and it should be coming out in the next couple of months.

AM: When you’re not in the mix of planning projects, how do you take time for yourself – do you have a workout regimen, do you like shopping? What does Rebecca do?

RH: Well my wife works in the industry as well and is currently making a Star Wars series (Editor's Note: Leslye Headland is an executive producer, showrunner and writer for Disney+'s The Acolyte). I love being a wife and I really love taking care of her. People who really work at a high level in this business really need help. Maybe it sounds silly to say, but I really love cooking meals, making sure she has what she needs!

I do love walking and I spend a lot of time talking with my friends that are also a bunch of actors and we process all of our stuff together. I love shopping and everything that you said I love!

IG @therebeccahenderson

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Freeform/Single Drunk Female

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see IT’S ABOUT THE CHARACTER | Rebecca Henderson in mag.

I CAN RELATE | JASMINE LUV

We continue chatting with CIROC's Love Squad to find out more about them and what they're working on. We have spent countless days scrolling through our feeds to watch creator, Jasmine Luv's skits on IG that focuses on situational comedic experiences that we have with our friends, families, colleagues and those we interact with randomly. She has grown this brand to a number of acting roles, hosting and more. We wanted to find out how she got here, navigating her brand and her partnership with CIROC.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We've enjoyed seeing your sketches on your IG. We didn’t know that you have an MA in accounting – what was the moment that you realized that you wanted to work in entertainment?

JASMINE LUV: I realized I wanted to work in entertainment when I noticed I was writing scripts at work instead of actually working. The majority of my day was consumed with thinking of sketches and then work came last. That’s when I realized I found my passion and it was time to pursue it.

AM: What led you to creating your brand with relatable comedic videos about day-to-day life?

JL: I just saw a niche and pursued it. When Vine was out, I would scroll and never see Black women doing sketches. Once I realized there was an area that lacked what I had to offer, I stayed consistent and was able to build a brand from it.

AM: Do you remember creating your first video? How did you get started?

JL: Yes, I remember being at work and writing every line to the script and thinking to myself, “I’m going to film this when I get home.” I already knew how to edit using iMovie so that was one less thing to teach myself. I was so excited that I got off work early just to shoot it. I went home, shot it, edited it and it actually went viral.

AM: Although you’re playing the characters, it’s easy to watch and imagine yourself and someone you know (friends, family, coworkers, or person on the street) as the other person(s) in the video. There’s something transformative about the way that you present the situations – did you always intend that people would see themselves or their world through your work?

JL: Yes, thats always been the goal when I made a videos. I want people to see themselves within my videos and be able to relate. I just never thought I would have “millions” of people being able to relate to my work.

AM: Where do you get inspiration from your videos and as a creator, do you find that you have to step back to assess new directions that you want to incorporate into the brand and how you can do this in a way that your audience can still embrace it?

JL: I got a lot of my inspiration just from my everyday experiences. A lot of my videos were real life situations whether it was real in my life or a friends. I notice I get a lot of my inspiration just going along my day. I can be in a grocery store and see something that I think would be funny and relatable. I then go home, shoot it, edit it and post it.

AM: We enjoyed seeing you in Starter Pack and BET Her’s The Waiting Room. What are some upcoming projects that you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for?

JL: I’m currently doing a lot of things from writing scripts, hosting, auditions, and constantly perfecting my craft. 2022 is going to be a great year, just wait and see.

AM: You’re an actress, content creator and host. Are there other areas that you also want to take on?

JL: Now that I’m married, I’m excited to take on motherhood. That’s the next area that I excited to eventually explore.

AM: It's great to see those who focus on a specific passion and end up navigating other opportunities that become part of their brand. You have increased the scope of being an influencer in not only comedy, but in the areas of skincare as well as fashion – what’s your process in terms of deciding what brands you want to align with to ensure that it synergistic with you.

JL: I love to work with brands that I either personally use/like or want to try. When aligning with a brand, it has to do just that, align. If not, it won’t be authentic.

AM: You recently joined CIROC’s Love Squad – tell us about your partnership with the brand and this specific initiative that you were part of.

JL: I recently partnered with CIROC as a part of the Love Squad for their Valentine’s Day Sweepstakes where a lucky winner will receive a one-of-a-kind experience for a loved one and them to be brought to life by some of our favorite voices in food, style, and entertainment including myself.

AM: Do you have a favorite CIROC recipe that you enjoy drinking?

JL: I love the limited-edition flavor CIROC Pomegranate, and the Sweetheart Cocktail is my favorite to enjoy.

1.5 oz CÎROC Pomegranate

1.5 oz Hibiscus tea

1.5 oz Concentrate coffee brew

0.5 oz Grenadine

Glass: Coupe

Garnish: Red currant/grated chocolate

Method: Add all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 6 to 8 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish.

AM: Your wedding was stunning. It was great to see you partnered with The Knot as well as being on the covers of Black Bride. What were 3 must-haves that were essential to your wedding day?

JL: My 3 must-haves were pretty simple. My family, dream location, and my husband.

AM: Now that you’re married, will your brand include your husband as well?

JL: When we met, we both had our own individual brands and identity and we always wanted to keep that. Therefore, we created a brand named Luv N Slim, which is the brand we built together where we create beautiful content outside of our individual brand.

AM: As someone who is running their own brand and as someone who trained to be an accountant, do you work with brands or participate in initiatives to provide information about the importance of financial literacy and if so, what are those projects like?

JL: Yes, I actually recently partnered with Chime to give more insight on the importance of financial literacy especially in the Black community. I love these projects because it represents something I’m passionate about which is the importance of education, knowing how to save, and handle finances.

AM: How do you take time for yourself to ensure that you’re having the proper self-care and/or mental health that you need?

JL: My husband and I always set days and time based on our week to have time for each other as well as individually. I ensure I have self-care time by properly managing my weeks and making plans in between working.

IG @luv_jjp

PHOTOS COURTESY | CIROC

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see I CAN RELATE | Jasmine Luv in mag

CREATIVITY RULES | MARIA BRITO

A few years ago, we had the pleasure of meeting Maria Brito who is an award winning NY based contemporary art advisor, author and curator. She is known as a Power Players in the Art World and in 2020 she was named by ARTNEWS as one of the visionaries who gets to shape the art world. With her finger on the pulse of noted and rising artists, we wanted to catch up with her to talk about how she came to this industry, what it's like to build a personal collection versus when she is working with her clientele who includes A-list celebrities, demistifying art, the impact of NFTs on art, what her Art Basel experiences are and finding out about her book which is available next month!

ATHLEISURE MAG: You are a noted and well-respected power player in the art world. Prior to working in this industry, you graduated from Harvard Law School and practiced corporate law for a period of time. How did you come to the world of art and realize that this was an industry that you wanted to work in?

MARIA BRITO: I grew up in a family that prioritized art as a cultivation tool, like a hobby, but not a career. I went to every art exhibition, museum, gallery and artist studio my parents took me to, and it was really a very hands-on training for me. I continued furthering my passion when I moved to New York City in 2000 as a newly-minted attorney and started going to galleries and buying for myself.

AM: When you began building your personal collection of art work, what were you drawn to initially?

MB: I have always been drawn toward figuration, the human form, saturated colors, narratives that move me. I started collecting the work of Black artists way before all the galleries went crazy for them in the past 5 years. I am very proud of that.

AM: Can you tell us the difference between being a curator and an art advisor and why you love working in these areas?

MB: An art advisor is someone who makes suggestions as to what to acquire and why. It brings access and an eye to a client and it’s the eyes and ears of the art collectors who can’t possibly navigate the art market which is a global $300 billion market. A curator is someone who makes sense of how a collection looks together or envisions an art exhibition that has a theme that is coherent. The curator is an editor, the advisor is a strategist.

AM: Why is the concept of buying art and ultimately curating a collection intimidating to those that are outside of the art world?

MB: I think for too long people have had the wrong idea because what gets written in the big newspapers or reported on mainstream TV are the insanely high numbers that happen when a piece of art sells at auction for $200 million - that is intimidating. Or when people go to a gallery and the environment feels sterile and impersonal - that is intimidating. But that’s just the surface, there are thousands of galleries around the world as well as websites and art fairs that sell art priced under $5000 - people have no problem saving up money to buy a handbag for that amount of money or more. But a piece of art bought with a little bit of an understanding of the market can not only multiply its value 100x but also stay with you forever.

AM: How do you demystify the experience so that it’s more approachable to those that want to obtain art for their pieces?

MB: As I mentioned above, there are all sorts of levels in the art market. People take bets in emerging artists because they see the potential. There has never been a better time to collect or to be an artist. Besides, it’s all a cultural dialogue that is formed between the art and the collectors.

AM: I know that you have been an art advisor to Sean Combs, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracy Anderson – what is the client relationship like in terms of making them aware of pieces, educating them about collections and ensuring that that it meets the requirements that they are looking for?

MB: I have hundreds of clients and they are all important to me. Every client gets a tailored approach with offerings that resonate to who they are and what moves them. That happens because I spend a really good amount of time getting to know my clients’ tastes and their objectives.

AM: Art Basel took place a few weeks back, what’s that time of year like for you and can you give us insight into how you navigate this show personally as well as when you’re doing it with/for your clients?

MB: That’s the busiest and most intense time of the year. It’s an insane amount of work because physically you have to go not only to Art Basel which can easily take 4 or 5 hours to see but to all the satellite fairs like NADA and Untitled which is where all the new talent gets to be shown. Clients come and walk around the aisles with me but the thing is that for the most part almost all of these galleries have circulated PDFs with all the images and the previews of what they will be showing so much of the good stuff has already been sold. That’s why an art advisor is so important for people who want to collect if they can’t dedicate themselves to building all these relationships with galleries.

AM: You curate art shows such as Greek Gotham in Mykonos a few years back with NY based artists such KAWS, Nir Hod, and Erik Parker, what do you look for when you are putting shows together like this?

MB: First I have an idea and then I let the idea marinate inside my head. Then I discuss it with the person who hired me to do the exhibition and then I go for the most talented artists I can approach who actually fit the idea or theme I had.

AM: How do you keep your pulse to the ground in terms of finding new artists and phenomenal pieces?

MB: By pounding the pavement! It’s easy to get complacent and more so now in a world that has gotten so digital but I still go to as many art galleries as I can every week, every art fair I can attend and artists studios when I can.

AM: Your firm Maria Brito LLC, includes your work as an advisor, but it also includes being an interior designer which seems like a natural progression with lifestyling as well as your fashion accessory design collaborations. Tell me about your firm and what your day-to-day is like.

MB: I actually don’t do interior design anymore because as a creative entrepreneur I know when to pivot - that business is good for the money but my mission in this life isn’t to place rugs in people’s homes. With accessories that was a very fun time but I did it for several years as an extension of my relationships with the artists and because there was nothing like it in the market. However, when my advisory practice grew and grew, and the headaches with factories and retailers also grew, I knew it was time to end that too. I still get called to consult with companies on product collaborations and I do that from time-to-time. Last year I launched two fine-porcelain collections with Showfields in collaboration with artists Cydne Coleby and Allison Zuckerman.

AM: Last year, NFTs became the conversation across all sectors of business. What does it mean to the art world and how are you navigating NFTs with artists you work with and clients that you curate/advise for?

MB: NFTs are a very important development in terms of digital ownership and because society is moving more and more toward a digital world, this movement found the perfect timing to flourish. Like everything that's new, right now it’s a lot of confusion, gray areas, speculation, like the wild west. My clients mostly collect art that is tangible, to live with in their homes or their offices, so while NFTs are a lot of fun, they will never replace physical art.

AM: Who are 3 artists that are currently on your radar that you’re looking at that we should be aware of?

MB: Cydne Coleby, Ryan Wilde and Cristina BanBan.

AM: Next month, your book, How Creativity Rules the World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas into Gold drops. What was your motivation behind writing this book and what is it about?

There has never been a more crucial time than now to develop your creativity and your ability to innovate. Coming up with original ideas of value is today’s most precious skill.

MB: I wanted to debunk the myth that creativity is only for the few chosen ones or that it is genetic. Creativity is not about arts and crafts and cutouts or technical wizardry. Creativity is about fostering specific habits, making associations, and standing behind the ideas that come out of them. Whether you are an entrepreneur, an artist, or an employee, your creativity will help you turn the mundane into the extraordinary.

This is a book that helps leaders access their creative potential and profit from their ideas. It took me 13 years to be able to gather all the information that is here, and it’s a comprehensive, practical and actionable blueprint that will get you there even if you don’t think you can be creative and innovative.

I used every technique and everything that’s in this book to transition from a miserable corporate attorney to building an industry-leader seven-figure art advisory business and I have taught the same methods to people in companies as well as to hundreds of entrepreneurs, freelancers, managers, and artists through my online program Jumpstart.

I know these methods work and the time was right to bring them to a greater group of people through a book that is timely and timeless.

AM: Are there any projects that you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for that you’re working on?

MB: Writing a book, selling it at auction to a major publishing house and launching it is like having a full-time job on top of your full-time job. The book is the biggest project that I have worked on in a long time.

IG @mariabrito_ny

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Maria Brito

Read the FEB ISSUE #75 of Athleisure Mag and see CREATIVITY RULES | Maria Brito in mag.

THE POWER OF FOOD | CHEF RICHARD INGRAHAM

We took some time to chat with Chef Richard Ingraham. We wanted to find out how he took his talents in the kitchen to a career that has led him to being the private chef to power couple, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union and creating a private chef network whose clients are those in the NBA, NFL and entertainment industries. We also talk with him about Grown Southern, his upcoming projects and his partnership with CIROC.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to be a chef?

CHEF RICHARD INGRAHAM: I’ve always loved cooking. I started making omelets, cookies, and milkshakes at the age of 10. During that time, I had no desire to become a chef. I was doing it because I loved creating. My family cooked all the time and it just rubbed off on me. It wasn’t until my mid to late 20’s that I decided that I wanted to become a Chef.

AM: Where did you train and what has your culinary journey been?

CHEF RI: I received my formal training at The Art Institute of Atlanta. My first job was at the Buckhead Diner where I was a line cook. I worked at the diner while I was in culinary school. As if I didn’t have enough on my plate, I got a second job working across the street at the Corner Café, where I learned all about pastries.

After I graduated, I became a Sous Chef at a restaurant called the Bubble Room. I left the Bubble Room and moved on to Insigna where I was a Sous Chef and Executive Pastry Chef.

AM: How would you define your style of cooking, and have you always been focused on sports nutrition?

CHEF RI: That has always been a difficult question to answer. Difficult because I'm influenced by so many different cuisines. If I were backed into a corner, I’d call my style “Eclectic American.” I really didn’t become focused on nutrition, until I started cooking for Dwyane Wade and other athletes.

AM: What led you to becoming Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union’s private chef?

CHEF RI: A friend of mine who just happens to be Dwayne’s Business Manager, Lisa Joseph Metelus, asked if I would like to cook for a NBA Rookie that was just drafted. I asked her who it was. She said that it was Dwyane Wade. After I did my research on who he was (I wasn’t a big basketball fan, so I didn’t know who he was) I told Lisa I’d like the opportunity. The day of the tasting, I arrived at his home with 10 prepared items. I made him everything I could think of, from smothered turkey wings with mashed potatoes to my grandmother’s lemon pound cake. Even though I’d prepared all this food, Lisa wanted me to prepare something fresh so that Dwyane could see that it was me preparing these dishes. He liked it and the rest is history.

AM: Can you share 3 go to meals that they enjoy eating?

CHEF RI: Gabrielle: Bhindi Masala; Pasta Alla Checca; Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes over Heirloom Tomato; and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Honey Vinaigrette.

Dwyane: Blistered Cherry Tomato and Shrimp over Angel Hair Pasta; Pan Roasted Sea Bass Sweet Potato Puree; Sauteed Spinach and Ponzu Ginger Sauce; Stewed Chicken Thighs with Chickpeas.

AM: What are 3 ingredients that you always like to have on hand that are versatile to use in several dishes?

CHEF RI: Creole Seasoning, Five Spice, Cumin, Red Pepper Flakes and Smoked Paprika. I know you said three, but I couldn’t help myself. lol

AM: When you’re a private chef to a celebrity or a family, what are the challenges that you're navigating when creating meals?

CHEF RI: In my case, I have 7 individuals who all eat differently. So, I must create meals for each of them that are creative, flavorful, and still help each person achieve their goals. If you’re a Chef who cooks in a restaurant you have a set menu that you execute daily. You may create daily specials which would give you some variety. Whereas I must come up with something different each day for each meal - Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Not only do I think about the food, I also pride myself on maintaining an elite level of service for my clients. I do everything from making sure their glasses are never empty to inquiring about personal health issues, to preparing and executing a menu for 75 guests on Christmas.

AM: You created Chef RLI, a network of Private Chefs that work with celebrity clientele. How did that venture come about?

CHEF RI: One day Dwyane and Gabrielle came in the kitchen and mentioned that Chris Bosh was looking for a private chef. They told him that I had a company that had chefs for hire. When they told me that, I couldn’t believe it because I had no such company at the time. I just had a few chefs helping me with the meal prep service. Well, they told me that I needed to figure it out because they had already put me out there. So, my business partner and I created Chef RLI, and began placing some of the chefs who were helping with the meal prep as private chefs.

AM: You partnered with Michelle Bernstein and Michael Schwartz during former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Chefs Move to Schools White House Initiative. Tell us why you wanted to be involved?

CHEF RI: The First Lady’s Initiative was such an important one because it helped spotlight the problem we are having as a nation bring healthier food options into our schools. As a former educator, I’ve seen first hand how the lack of nutrition stunts the scholastic growth of our children, especially in our lower income communities. So, when I was asked to join this initiative in support of Miami Dade County Public Schools, I jumped at the opportunity. The Chefs worked with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and cafeteria managers to create healthier dishes using what was already in the school’s inventory. Of course, we had to take into consideration the differences in culture and eating habits of each school. As an alumnus of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, it was incredibly rewarding to support my community.

AM: You released Eating Well to Win. Tell me more about it and why you wrote it.

CHEF RI: Eating Well to Win is a cookbook for everyone. I found that when we talk about eating better or healthier, we seem to think that the only thing we can eat is food that is bland or out of reach for us. This book shows that you can take some of your favorite foods and by just changing a few ingredients make it better.

Because I’ve had so many different careers, I feel that I can speak on the importance of eating healthier and better. Whether you're a teacher standing in front of a class full of students, a sanitation worker running your routes, or a 3-time NBA World Champion, what we put in our bodies helps us perform better.

AM: Will you release another cookbook?

CHEF RI: Yes, I’m currently working on my second book.

AM: Tell me about Grown Southern!

CHEF RI: Grown Southern is a restaurant concept we developed in collaboration with Grown Restaurant, owned by Shannon Allen. It features organic southern inspired soul food prepared with passion and care. We have great menu items like our Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich, Old School Mac & Cheese, and Red Velvet Cake with Rich Cream Cheese Frosting.

AM: You're constantly working as a chef as well as giving back to others – why is this important to you?

CHEF RI: When I started working with Dwyane, I was still teaching culinary arts at a high school as well. My classes were held at a homeless shelter called the HAC (Homeless Assistance Center). The student demographic of my classes consisted of the homeless population of the center, as well as students that were bussed from various high schools. So, every day I would see both sides of the spectrum.

I would go to work in the morning and see broken people trying to put themselves and their families back together. Then in the afternoon, I would drive to this massive estate, where life couldn’t be better. Seeing this each day made me realize that we are all one mistake from our lives becoming entirely different. That experience keeps me honest with myself. It keeps me hungry. It has made me more compassionate towards others and their struggles and instrumental in motivating me, to find a way to help them.

AM: Tell us about your partnership with CIROC and how you became involved.

CHEF RI: I’ve been working with CIROC for about a year. I was featured in their CIROC Stands Black Excellence campaign in 2021. They profiled my story through a mural in Wynwood, FL. painted by local Miami artist Mojo. Then in November, I collaborated with them to create delicious Friendsgiving recipes and cocktail pairings with their CIROC Pomegranate. Now, I’m excited to be back with CIROC Pomegranate as part of the Love Squad. Our goal is to give one lucky winner a one-of-a-kind experience for them and their loved ones.

AM: We enjoy CIROC when we're celebrating or relaxing at home. We have a feeling that you may have a recipe that you can share and how we can pair it!

CHEF RI: Of course, I have recipes!!!! One of the cocktails that I created using CIROC Pomegranate is called “The Ingraham.” It’s my take on the classic sidecar. It consists of CIROC Pomegranate, Orange Liquor, Lemon Juice, and Cinnamon Simple Syrup. It’s the perfect cocktail for my Asiago and Herb Crusted Rib Eye Roast.

AM: Are there upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for?

CHEF RI: I’m going to be in Miami for the South Beach Food and Wine Festival from February 24-27. I’ll be hosting a brunch at Grown in Miami Beach on February 27. I'm also working on potential show ideas as well.

AM: We love your statement eyewear! What do you look for when it comes to your frames of choice?

CHEF RI: Listen, I said to myself a long time ago 'If I’ve got to wear them, they have to be FLY!!!' When looking for my frames I look for a statement piece that evokes conversation. I love large frames with color or interesting patterns. I use my glasses as a part of my total look. I would love to have my own eyewear line one day.

AM: Being on the move constantly, how do you take time for yourself?

CHEF RI: It’s difficult to carve out time for myself while taking care of my family, Dwyane and Gabrielle’s family, and Co-running my businesses. There aren't enough hours in the day. So, I give myself more hours by waking up around 4 each morning and working out. This allows me time to gather my thoughts and organize tasks for the day. It gives me a sense of accomplishment that helps me get the day started. Being in the kitchen all the time is murder on my hands and feet. So, I make it my business to get manicures and pedicure regularly.

IG @chefrli

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | CIROC

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see THE POWER OF FOOD | Chef Richard Ingraham in mag.

HOW WE ALIGN | CHRISTINA OCHOA

This month, our cover story is with Christina Ochoa who plays Renn Randall in TNT's Animal Kingdom as well as Veronica Sandoval in ABC's Promised Land. We talk about what drives her when she is selecting projects In addition, we also talk about how she balances her love for acting and being creative with her passion for science with a focus on the oceans through marine biology. She shares how she continues to make an impact on the world with others through her work and staying stimulated in these efforts.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you loved acting and that you wanted to do it as a profession?

CHRISTINA OCHOA: I realized it really late in the game. I was probably in my mid 20’s compared to all of the wonderful child actors that already came and knew what they wanted to be! I realized when I took an amateur theater class in order to just help my public speaking engagements for science! It had nothing to do with having an ambition to be an actor. Then, I just had so much fun. I fell in love and that’s all she wrote!

AM: That’s awesome, you never know when something like that will happen! What’s your approach when you’re thinking about whether you want to take on a project? What are you looking for?

CO: The number one thing that I look for is the caliber of people involved. So for me, having a conversation with either a showrunner, director or producer prior to joining at this point just makes sure that creatively – that 1, I can bring in any added value, and 2 that we see eye to eye on how to go about a project which is really important.

When it comes to the character choices, I like admiring the characters that I play and being enamored with them and their complexities. High-level competence is a factor that all of my characters have one way or another regardless of the realm that they inhabit. They are all very competent women and also, they have real questions and doubts and concerns and color! They’re not just necessarily written in one specific way. I like that.

AM: We first saw you in Animal Kingdom which we are fans of this show. Your character Renn is one that we love to watch. We know our readers have so many questions going into this final season which comes back this summer – is she coming back and what’s it like to play this character?

CO: Oh come on! You didn’t think that that was all it would take to get rid of Renn did you?

AM: Haha we didn’t, but we know that there have to be people wondering out there!

CO: Craig and Renn are a very interesting dynamic that I think was one of the most fun things to play with. Ben Robson (Vikings, Emperor, The Boy) and I talked about it all of the time. They are just meant to be together and they have no idea how! In a weird way, they’re childish in their approaches and it’s so volatile. They act like they are going to explode or implode, you never know. I think that in the last season coming up soon, we get to see maybe what it’s like for them to really come together in a new way. Like for the first time, maybe not opponents, but teammates.

AM: Yeah! Being on the same side!

CO: Exactly!

AM: Another show that we love which you’re in is ABC's A Million Little Things. We love the storyline and we’re glad that it’s resumed it’s midseason break this month. Your character, Ashley was in the first season and we saw her working with Jon Dixon and got clues on what was going on with him. As they’re currently in their 4th season, will your character come back to this show?

CO: Well you know, conversations that I have had a lot with DJ Nash (Truth Be Told, Growing Up Fisher, Guys with Kids) have been ongoing for awhile for a couple of years. Where is Ashley and will she come back or not? I consider myself to be incredibly lucky to have joined some of my closest friends on this. At the end of the day, that was a job where being able to work with James Roday Rodriguez (Psych, Blood Drive) again which I had already worked on in a number of different capacities was just a chance that I just had to jump on.

I hope that there is still a space for Ashley to be there and to be able to pop in. But I do not have that information. If they want to give me a call, I’m here!

AM: Well seeing you on your latest show, Promised Land, it’s definitely a great show that we’re getting obsessed with. We love that we’re getting to learn about the wine industry and how a family is maintaining that power, which has that Succession vibe. We’d love to know more about Veronica which you play and what can we expect from this season as it continues to unfold?

CO: The thing about Veronica that I gravitated to the most from the get go, she was in this very male dominated environment – very muy macho - her father, her brothers and siblings - everyone around her. Yet, she managed to tap into a very powerful position without having to emulate the men or to compete with them on their turf and that was something that was really intriguing to me and there were a lot of conversations with Matt Lopez (Race to Witch Mountain, The Wild, The Sorcerer's Apprentice) and Adam Kolbrenner (Free Guy, The Tomorrow War, Slender Man) initially before the pilot in terms of how they wanted to see this character.

This is such an important milestone in the journey for real diversity on network television and ABC decided to take an entire Latin cast and infuse the show behind the camera with a lot of Latin crew as well. I think that for me, that was one of those things where how could I ever say no to doing something that was so meaningful? Human first, entertaining second.

It was really wonderful to jump on board and I think that for me, Veronica in particular, is just one more version of that diversity that I want to see within a certain ethnic group. So yes, they’re all Latin but that’s the number 10 on the list when you describe them. There is diversity of thought, diversity of perspective, diversity of political opinions within this Latin family and you get all of that and what a beautiful thing. That's a diversity that nobody ever talks about. That's one that is very close to my heart. Heteradox thinking is the number 1 thing that I want to see in a group of characters that are all defined by this one common denominator.

AM: In the months and weeks leading up to the show and seeing the previews for it. I was excited to see this on TV. I have to say that as a Black cofounder of Athleisure Media and doing all the things that I do, I’m always excited to see the depth of diversity across various racial groups and how they are portraying characters who work in fields that some who are viewing may not have thought that they would be there – but they are! So it’s amazing that your show is presenting this and you have an incredible cast.

What should we be looking for as we continue through this season?

CO: Oh I think that for Veronica in particular – how to do it her way is one of the most common things especially during the pandemic that we all went through this. We evaluated our life choices, figured out what we wanted and thought about whether we were fulfilled – did we want to make an impact where we could make things better?

I think that she is the personification of some of those journeys where she has done everything that she should do and she has done it right most of her life and suddenly, she has to be confronted with, what does she even want and how does she want it? And how is she going to get things done and do the ends justify the means? All these big questions, she is being faced with for the first time in her life. So going along that journey and seeing where in that fight for power, what’s going to happen with Michael and her and that relationship? Those worlds are in chaos and in limbo and that’s going to be so interesting. People will be able to see themselves in it.

AM: What are some upcoming projects that you have in film/TV that we should keep on our radar, that you’re able to share?

CO: Well, I have a movie coming out soon called Boon. It’s a western thriller – very different and very exciting. Then, another movie coming out called MVP about an NFL player who is also a veteran and it’s about his journey. That’s coming out soon and of course season 6 of Animal Kingdom that is coming back very soon.

AM: At Athleisure Mag, we love sharing great people with our readers and giving them insight on what they know about them as well as things they may not. In prep for this interview, we knew about a number of your shows and your work in them. In addition to your work in the arts, you’re all about the sciences as well and that was fun for us to learn about how you’re a badass in this area as a marine biologist and what you do for the community. When did you embrace your love for science and more specifically focusing on the oceans?

CO: For me, the ocean is the Alpha and the Omega, it’s the love of my life. If I fell in love with acting, the ocean is still the love of my life and it always will be. I try to maintain a bit of a balance. I find that having something, especially in the entertainment industry and any of its forms and I’m sure for you, it’s the same.

Having something that you believe in that’s greater than you and more important than anything in your immediate surroundings whether that be a family, religion or a cause – I think that that’s so fundamental! This way we don’t become myopic in our world and what matters to us as individuals. That’s kind of always been there and hopefully always will be.

I was very fortunate to be at James Cook University and a lot of wonderful friends that I am still in touch with – I get to still piggyback off of a lot of the amazing cool adventures that they’re having when I have time off. I get to go jump in the water and do expeditions and fieldwork and help out and go shark tagging. It’s definitely something that will never go away – maybe I should put that in the credits some how haha, “also come join her shark tagging!”

AM: Yeah the duality of someone who does both and their passions in both are just great to see that. I can appreciate this as someone who is just as comfortable coding as I am with my work in this magazine, styling a project or doing interviews. It’s always amazing to see other people especially those that are women who also like to embrace work in art, tech and science fields. What does it mean when you’re saying that you’re a marine biologist, tagging sharks and doing fieldwork – what are you doing?

CO: Because I’m not actively in the academia community anymore because I’m acting, what I’m doing is basically jumping on board to do the expeditions and projects that my friends and colleagues are doing. I come in and I try to collaborate and contribute in whatever ways that help them. So for shark tagging, I work with the American Shark Conservancy and a lot of researchers that are monitoring healthy communities of Great Whites, Hammerheads or Tiger Sharks and that kind of work that they are doing. If I’m with my friend who’s a primatologist, I’m working with the orangutans in Sumatra and I’m going on an expedition there and just trying to help gather information and samples for their research. So it kind of varies and like you, it’s like that “Jack of all trades” mentality which has always been a thing right?

I saw a video online once where they said that when people say, “A Jack of all trades is a master of none,” they leave it there – but there is a full saying that’s much longer than that –

AM: Yeah, the way many of us have learned that quote, it’s a “Jack of all trades, master of none” which definitely is not something that I would want to be associated as but when you have the full quote, “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” It really gives you that agency to explore multiple interests.

CO: Totally!

AM: It’s so great that you love the oceans and clearly you love protecting them. You’re involved in so many philanthropic efforts – Oceana, Earth’s Oceans, and CARE. Can you talk a little about what you do in those organizations and why you wanted to be involved?

CO: I mean, all of these organizations, for the most part, the reason why I like to be involved is that my personal motto is replacing condemnation with inspiration – right? Tapping into things that are uplifting and motivating and as an example, putting your efforts into places where they do have an impact and a reward. As opposed to just shaming societies in saying that everything that we do is wrong. These organizations, all of them Oceana, Earth's Oceans, CARE and Sustainable Ocean Alliance they are all solution-based as opposed to problem-focused. To me, that is fundamental in being able to catalyze movement and mobilize communities to do something whether it’s on an individual level or not. Most of them are policy based as they want to change legislation and they want to tackle things on the governmental level whether it's local or national. I think that for me, being able to do that in such a tangible way - partnering up with these organizations because they align so well with my personal philosophies is easy. I don’t feel that the work that I do with them or are on the board is effortful. I feel that the work I do is so rewarding and easy it aligns.

AM: I have always felt this way and it’s become the way that we go about our work on out team as well – if a lot of the things that you do are in the same vein, even it feels different or sounds different to other people, you're not really spreading yourself thin. You’re just doing what you’re really passionate about and you’re able to chop it up in different ways.

CO: Yeah, I like that – it’s the key right? It’s finding something that you align with so closely that it doesn’t feel separate to you. It doesn’t feel like, “oh I have to do philanthropic work. Let me go find an organization.” The philanthropic effort comes from you aligning your core values and then you can change your own surroundings.

So with Earth’s Oceans, for example, they have a big partnership with a lot of our shows including Animal Kingdom now. They take a lot of the recycled plastics that are not normally recyclable. Things that people don’t think about - lawn chairs, hair brushes from makeup trailers, everything in the film production – the production is now a green production. They take these plastics and they use it to make consumerable goods.

It’s just, changing your own environment is easier than just thinking about, “oh I have to go somewhere else to do it.”

AM: Wow that’s pretty amazing. You’re also a member of the Los Angeles Science for Society. What is that and how long have you been involved with them?

CO: They are fantastic! They host these incredible Intel International Science Engineering Fairs (ISEF) that are pre collegiate level! These children – these prodigies are so innovative and it celebrates them and it brings them from all across the world and from different areas of STEM and now it’s called STEAM because they include a lot of the arts into it. They bring them together and it’s a wonderful cause and something that I am very passionate about in catalyzing that kind of curiosity in children is fundamental. It's really amazing and I know that you interviewed the director of Science Fair?

AM: Yes! We interviewed Science Fair's filmmaker and director, Cristina Costantini, Dr. Serena McCalla and student Kashfia Rahrman. The film was amazing and it was so impressive to see these students and the teachers that worked with them being able to create these projects and to see the kinds of impacts they could make in the world!

CO: They are fantastic and I’m very lucky that I have been able to work with them for so long. I also just think it’s really wonderful because children are encumbered by a lot of the limitations that once you get into collegiate levels whether it’s someone that’s going on a tenure track or corporate side of things – a lot of the time, you start seeing limitations whether it’s funding, access and you see them. Children don’t have that. They’re imagination really reigns in this arena and it’s so beautiful to see that overlap between their imagination and the science that they are doing and the causes that they tackle. It’s all very personal as one will say that they want to improve the hospital energy supply in their local area because refrigeration is a big thing, so they invented solar cells that people can replace themselves. It’s just fascinating to see and of course, the awards are largely education based with grants and college scholarships.

AM: We were excited to share that with our readers to show how these students are making an impact and are being infused with these skills that will help them as they continue to navigate their careers.

In addition, thinking back to things that we have talked about, it’s great to hear that you’re the keynote speaker at these conferences, podcast guest for a number of these science shows, you’ve been a member of MENSA since 2009 and you are doing a number of fascinating projects –

CO: Oh thank you.

AM: Absolutely, I mean I think that the work you’re doing is incredible and when you look at it in the lens of being a woman who is doing this and owning her space it’s amazing how you are using your platform to showcase – why is it so important for you to do this and to have this mix of arts and sciences?

CO: Apathy is the devil to me. To me, everybody wants an intellectually stimulating life. Everyone wants a creatively stimulating life. I don’t care what arena or industry you’re in. That’s something that as human beings, we crave and to me, mixing those two helps to avoid that apathy. It’s so easy to become self-centered in an industry that encourages that because hey we are tools, our creativity, your imagination – all of these things. For me, mixing the two is just a way that I find balance in those things that I care about because I also think that creativity benefits from all of that. You were saying that you benefit from your knowledge and mastery of technology every single day. I feel that I benefit from mine too because – famous quote of course, “it’s not a body of knowledge, it’s a way of thinking.” To me, it’s about asking the right questions whether it’s for a role or one of these organizations working with them or in the field working with wildlife.

So, learning to ask the right questions and questioning yourself, that is so important. Asking ourselves, ”what if this did work and what if we did it this way?” What if we got it right, what if we did make an impact – what if whatever I did in the next hour mattered to somebody or to something? Learning to ask different questions depending on the circumstances is so fundamental to me and something that I use daily. I think that it helps stomps out apathy first and foremost for myself and other people around me and inspiring them to do the same. So for me, that has been the guiding force I guess.

AM: It’s been so fascinating to talk with you and to hear about what you’re involved in and how you continue to take on new things as an educator, author, being published in Vogue Spain etc. Are there still things that you wish to tackle that you have yet to do at this point?

CO: A social life – ha! I mean, I see myself as a storyteller so for me, that in general has come through acting, it has come through writing. It has come through writing research papers and it has come through podcasting, producing and things like that. To me, it’s not just one medium and I’m very fortunate, knock on wood that I have, like you, that true Jack of all trades gene. So anything that feels labeling and limiting is not going to satisfy that fluidity. I get energy from transitioning from podcasting to producing or from acting to writing a research paper or writing an article. I enjoy that fluidity and I assume you do too as you built your life around that structure.

AM: I do find that if I am only doing one thing, then I feel a little stuck, but if I can flow or see something that’s presented and even if it’s not a fit, pivot it so it leans back to things that I can execute on – then it makes sense to me. But if it’s constantly the same that’s really going to be a bit of a wall until we can put a twist on it because you want to be challenged! You to be a bit of a wall until we can put a twist on it because you want to be challenged! You don’t always want to feel like you can do it with your eyes closed all the time. I don’t like every bump that comes along but I can appreciate certain bumps – depending on time and place.

So when you’re not on set, and I assume you’re going to say the ocean, where can we find you in terms of getting back to yourself and making sure that your cup is replenished?

CO: I mean wildlife, water, nature – those things really replenish me. They don’t have to be grand scale – I don’t have to be at the Bimini Shark Lab free diving for Tiger Sharks - it's as easy as taking a walk with my dog or honestly, reading a book! I mean, to me, it’s the cheapest form of travel and cheapest form of escapism and I suffer the need for escapism constantly, I think! I like the idea of going away to a cabin on the cliff by the ocean is my dream in general! Books are a very easy and quick way for me to do that. It’s a go-to that definitely replenishes. Anything that’s creative and is not result-driven or process-driven – so painting – even when I know it might go in the trash 20 mins later – that is very replenishing for me! Not having to get something right is great – so anything in that vein.

IG @ochoachristina

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | FRONT COVER Rachael Porter | PG 16 - 27 ABC/Promised Land | PG 28 - 30 TNT Animal Kingdom/Eddy Chen | PG 33 + BACK COVER ROGUE EXPEDITIONS | PG 156 Still from video provided by Christina Ochoa |

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see HOW WE ALIGN | Christina Ochoa in mag.

THE BACHELOR S26. E12. | THE FINALE

We continue with the 2nd part of ABC’s The Bachelor finale. We catch up with Clayton Echard at the Hilton in Iceland as he wonders about what he will say to Susie. Jesse Palmer swings by Susie’s room and lets her know that Clayton has been distraught since she left. Susie obviosuly decides to talk to him and finds him there with his parents! She asks to talk with him privately and lets him know what she was thinking.

She lets him know that she can’t answer right now if she is willing to stay and he says that he understands. He decided to let Rachel and Gabby know that he is no longer continuing with them and they don’t take it well.

Back at the finale studio, Gabby comes to the stage and we see her grandfather which we all love as we know he loves her. Gabby shares her thoughts on what took place as she listened to Clayton saying that he was no longer interested in pursuing them and how she thought that she would be the one in the end.

Clayton joins Gabby on the stage and Gabby lets him know how she feels. Although she says she doesn’t think that he is malicious, he isn’t transparent. She believes that he didn’t compartmentalize the relationships even though he said he did. She also explains the importance of loving someone, saying it to the person it is intended to, protecting them and more.

Back on the show, he chats with Rachel and listens to her lay out the timeline and as Rachel notes, he doesn’t even shed a tear. He leads her to the car and she’s left to pick up the pieces. Back on the stage, Rachel watches it playing back and thinking about how in love she was with him. She also sees that in looking back, she fought hard for it and that Clayton just showed disrespect to them. As she talks about her experiences in Iceland, we see her tear up and at one point, Jesse asks if she is still in love with him. She explains that now that she sees everything that went on, she has no feelings for him because all she sees is the disrespect that he show the women that were still trying to continue their journey for them.

Rachel and Clayton are on the stage together. She feels that she will use this time to stand up for herself and to say the things that she didn’t get the chance to stay. Unlike Gabby, she didn’t get up to give him a hug. Rachel shares her thoughts and talks about how she sees him now and how he maneuvered the season. She lets him know that she doesn’t believe them. Throughout, we see that her parents are anger and we can only imagine what they really want to say if they had the ability to do so! Clayton maintains that he did what he thought was best, but he is angling to be a better person.

With both Gabby and Rachel out of the picture, he is focused on doing whatever it takes to win Susie back. He has his Neil Lane (who is also in the audience) ring and hopes that he can leave Iceland with his love. He tells her how much he loves her and how ready he is. She thanks him for his letter and can appreciate all the sentiments but she plans on leaving the island alone as she is not where he’s at and doesn’t feel that she can get there. He asks her if it’s really over or if she needs more time and she lets him know it’s over!

Back in the studio, Jesse says it’s the first time in Bachelor history that there has been a rejection at the final rose ceremony of the Bachelor and the journey ends with no one - or is it? Ultimately, Clayton and Jesse talk about the show and we learn that he is currently dating Susie! Even though she left the experience, they took time apart and then they reconnected! Before we get more details, we learn that the next Bachelorette will not be Gabby or Rachel! We now know that he will be moving in with her in Virginia as he has given up his job, sold his condo etc. He also asks her if she will accept the final rose which she does.

Gabby and Rachel will not only both be The Bachelorette but they will be in the same season! We loved how these two were with one another and this is a new twist to the show that we didn’t expect! We also love their families which we hope we will see more of in their journey! We also learn that Jesse will be the host which will be nice as there’s something to be said for someone that has been through the process and that they already know well.

With that, it’s a wrap! This season had various twists and turns and now, it’s time to look forward to The Bachelorette and our two fave ladies from this season, Gabby and Rachel!

Each night during the season, we 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 from the 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 26 - EPISODE 12

So Gabby and Rachel will be The Bachelorette in the same season! We couldn’t be happier to seethis.

GABBY

RACHEL

---

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

CASSIDY | 26 - Los Angeles, CA (Copy)

CLAIRE | 28 - Virginia Beach, VA (Copy)

DARIA | 24 - New Haven, CT (Copy)

ELIZA | 25 - Berlin, Germany (Copy)

ELIZABETH | 32 - Highlands Ranch, CO (Copy)

ENCY | 28 - Burbank, CA (Copy)

GABBY | 30 - Denver, CO (Copy)

GENEVIEVE | 26 - Los Angeles, CA (Copy)

HAILEY | 26 - Orlando, FL (Copy)

HUNTER | 28 - Charlotte, NC (Copy)

IVANA | 31 - Queens, NY (Copy)

JANE | 22 - Los Angeles, CA (Copy)

JILL | 26 - Scituate, RI (Copy)

KATE | 32 - Lake Hollywood, CA (Copy)

KIRA | 32 - Philadelphia, PA (Copy)

LINDSAY D | 27 - Jacksonville, FL (Copy)

LYNDSEY W | 28 - Houston, TX (Copy)

MARA | 32 - Collingswood, NJ (Copy)

MARLENA | 30 - Gainseville, FL (Copy)

MELINA | 27 - West Hollywood, CA (Copy)

RACHEL | 25 - Clermont, FL (Copy)

RIANNA | 26 - Dallas, TX (Copy)

SALLEY | 26 - Charlottesville, VA (Copy)

SAMANTHA | 26 - San Diego, CA (Copy)

SARAH | 23 - NY, NY (Copy)

SERENE | 26- Oklahoma City, OK (Copy)

SHANAE | 29 - Sycamore, OH (Copy)

SIERRA | 26 - Dallas, TX (Copy)

SUSIE | 28 - Virginia Beach, VA (Copy)

TEDDI | 24 - Highland, CA (Copy)

TESSA | 26 - Brooklyn, NY (Copy)

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

READY FOR LOVE//CHAOS | ADVENTURE CLUB

We never need an excuse to go about our days and nights listening to a number of of our favorite tracks. As we begin to think about warmer weather (or heading there if we can't wait), we're also planning for a number of festivals, shows and more that we can enjoy with our crew.

We caught up with Montreal based Electronic duo, Adventure Club - Christian Srigley and Leighton James - to find out more about their sound, how they joined forces and how they stay inspired. This month, they dropped their sophomore album, LOVE//CHAOS, their follow up album to RED//BLUE and will be touring this spring and summer on their LOVE//CHAOS TOUR. They talk about songs that they dropped last summer that we love, their schedule and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the song that made you fall in love with music and ultimately lead to you doing it professionally?

ADVENTURE CLUB: The earliest songs I can remember were listening to The Pogues or Susan Aglukark.

Those are so deeply embedded inside me. I would just sit and listen to any and all CDs our family had. Pat Metheny, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac. Until I had every single lyric and tracklisting memorized.

AM: How did you guys come together to form Adventure Club?

AC: Christian and I have known each other since highschool. We started a metalcore and then a pop punk band together. Working on various different projects until ultimately, we found our calling with Adventure Club.

AM: How would you define the Adventure Club sound?

AC: We used to call it music to make babies to, I guess that still stands today.

Melodic bass or sadboi is what I think would encompass it now.

AM: We remember your remix with Lullabies with you and Yuna as well as Rise and Fall with Krewella which is another favorite. Both have such great energy! What is your process when you’re creating your music when it’s just you guys versus when you’re working with a remix or collaborating with other artists on a song?

AC: We treat every musical endeavor/project the same. It’s really the vocal that we try to work around and make the star. So whether it's a remix or original, everything we do is to showcase the vocal and create a story around it.

AM: Where do you get inspiration when you’re in the creative process?

AC: Anywhere and everywhere we can find it. Dreams are a great source of inspiration for the moments you can actually remember and properly recreate once you wake up. We listen to so much music in a given day, so much seeps into our unconscious and manifests it self while we’re creating. Sometimes will hear a motif in a completely different genre and be like that overall idea would be cool in this setting.

AM: The past 2 years have been interesting to navigate. During the thick of quarantine, how did you guys look at that time in terms of creating music and interacting with your fans?

AC: It was very interesting to say the least. I'll focus on the positives. It was nice to have a forced break from tour life. To really be grateful for all our friends and family, just reflect on our career and take a moment to cherish every moment. We found a great routine, made some time for side endeavors as well as create music whenever inspiration, and of course finish our album.

AM: It feels like now that things are opening up, everyone is adding to their schedules, are you guys touring and do you have any shows that you can share with us?

AC: Hell yes! We’re back on the road almost every weekend now.

AM: We've been excited since the summer to hear this albume. Now that you've dropped it this month, what can we expect to hear on Love//Chaos?

AC: So excited to share it with the world. 25 tracks. We worked with every single one of our favorite artists.

AM: At least while we waited for the album to come out, you did drop certain singles that are on the album. Can you tell us more about Safe With Me and how it came together?

AC: We’ve always wanted to work with our fellow Canadian producer Soar, he just has such a unique approach to melodic bass. Luma is one of our favorite vocalists right now. Soar sent us an idea and we were like “THIS IS IT.” Immediately messaged LUMA and she came back with the most perfect vocal.

AM: Color Blind has been another song that we enjoyed this past summer from this album – tell us more about this and how it came together with you, Nurko and Dayseeker.

AC: Thank you. Nurko is probably our top candidate to take over the scene in the near future. We’ve been fans for a while now, and we’ve always spoke about wanting to collab. Quarantine provided that time. Dayseeker is another one of those bands we’ve had on repeat all year. Rorys vocals are just incredible. We love being able to bridge our two favorite genres, and this seemed like the perfect fit.

IG @adventureclub

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Adventure Club

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see READY FOR LOVE//CHAOS Adventure Club in mag.

THE BACHELOR S26. E11. | AFTER THE FANTASY SUITES

On tonight’s episode of ABC’s The Bachelor, we’re back in the thick of it with all the drama from last week. Clayton Echard sent Susie home after she shared that she couldn’t believe that he had been intimate with someone else. Of course, we know the full story - but where do we go from here? With a 2 night finale, it’s definitely going to be interesting!

After seeing Clayton in a church getting his thoughts together and realizing that he feels broken, we see him catch up with Jesse Palmer on where he should go from there. Jesse suggests the format of the show should still be done.

Meanwhile, Gabby and Rachel are on their way to the rose ceremony without knowing that Susie was sent home the night before! Even Jesse says that this is the Rose Ceremony from Hell - yikes!

Jesse meets each of the women and they have nothing but great things to say about their connections, how they have felt etc. They see that there are 2 roses and they’re looking to see where Susie is! It dawns on them that she is not there. Clayton lays it all out there and tells them what took place! It’s definitely a stark moment as he becomes transparent and to see how the women absorb what he just said.

Gabby chats with him and although previously, she said that she wanted him to explore relationships fully, she’s clearly annoyed that he said, “I love you” to each of them and that ultimately, the one he picks is the one he loves the most! Gabby is not pleased and although she wants to know, at one point she tells him that she doesn’t need all the details.

He chats with Rachel and she is equally as hurt, but it seems like she’s willing to stay - but she is conflicted.

Both women accept his rose and they both meet his family. The family likes them, but they are looped into the fact that he became transparent with all of them. The family can see why Gabby and Rachel are upset about everything that has transpired.

Ultimately, the women bond well with his family; however, he lets them know that he wants to reach out to Susie! Jesse shares that Susie is still in Iceland! Tomorrow is the finale and we’re going to see how everything shakes out!

Each night during the season, we 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 from the 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 26 - EPISODE 11

So Gabby and Rachel are still on the road to finding love - but will Susie be placed back in the mix?

GABBY (Copy)

RACHEL (Copy)

---

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

CASSIDY | 26 - Los Angeles, CA

CLAIRE | 28 - Virginia Beach, VA

DARIA | 24 - New Haven, CT

ELIZA | 25 - Berlin, Germany

ELIZABETH | 32 - Highlands Ranch, CO

ENCY | 28 - Burbank, CA

GABBY | 30 - Denver, CO

GENEVIEVE | 26 - Los Angeles, CA

HAILEY | 26 - Orlando, FL

HUNTER | 28 - Charlotte, NC

IVANA | 31 - Queens, NY

JANE | 22 - Los Angeles, CA

JILL | 26 - Scituate, RI

KATE | 32 - Lake Hollywood, CA

KIRA | 32 - Philadelphia, PA

LINDSAY D | 27 - Jacksonville, FL

LYNDSEY W | 28 - Houston, TX

MARA | 32 - Collingswood, NJ

MARLENA | 30 - Gainseville, FL

MELINA | 27 - West Hollywood, CA

RACHEL | 25 - Clermont, FL

RIANNA | 26 - Dallas, TX

SALLEY | 26 - Charlottesville, VA

SAMANTHA | 26 - San Diego, CA

SARAH | 23 - NY, NY

SERENE | 26- Oklahoma City, OK

SHANAE | 29 - Sycamore, OH

SIERRA | 26 - Dallas, TX

SUSIE | 28 - Virginia Beach, VA

TEDDI | 24 - Highland, CA

TESSA | 26 - Brooklyn, NY

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

KUMINGA MODE ON JONATHAN KUMINGA

It's been a great season for the NBA and this month, we're looking forward to All-Star Weekend as well as anticipating the back half of the season! We caught up with Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga who is in his rookie year (just a year ago he was drafted into the G League) and was drafted 7th in 2021. We talked with him ahead of being added to the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend. He talked with us about coming to the Warriors, how he values playing with his teammates, where he sees himself and being able to play against his mentor, Kyrie Irving.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with basketball and what was the moment that you knew you wanted to be able to play it professionally?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: I think I fell in love with basketball at the age of 10. That’s when I was trying to go to the gym every single day. My parents weren’t interested in me doing that because the area that I grew up in, it wasn’t like here where there were gyms everywhere and so it was a long walk for me to be able to get there. So at that age, my parents weren’t really letting me do it.

AM: You went 7th in the NBA Draft in 2021. What was that experience like and how excited were you to come to the Warriors?

JK: I mean, it was a good experience. People don’t get drafted twice! When I heard my name and that I was going to the Warriors, it was a blessing. It was a good thing for me and I felt that it was a perfect fit. And as you can see now, I’m getting comfortable with the team. I was super happy when that happened.

AM: What workouts do you do that help to optimize you when you’re on the court?

JK: I mean, it’s not just about the workout, but it’s about listening and watching films over and over. You have to see how you play and how they play and on top of that, it’s about the work ethic that you put in every single day. I think that's really important.

AM: What does your week look like when you’re leading up to a game. What would you say your flow is?

JK: Honestly, I’m super laid back and chill guy. I don’t do too much, I just stay home. I have my 2 dogs so I have my guys with me and I like to kick back and play 2K and just chill with my dogs. That’s all that I do. I don’t really do too much. I don’t go to the mall – I don’t go nowhere.

AM: Ok, you’re a homebody!

JK: Yeah!

AM: Do you have any routines that you have to do the night before a game or moments before a game?

JK: No. So I don’t have a routine. I just go out there and play. When I get in the gym or I get on the court, my mind changes. My mind switches right away. I don’t think about anything else but basketball when I’m out there. So I don’t have a routine although I am trying to think about having it.

AM: You play with some incredible people on your team from Steph, Klay, Wiggins and Draymond! What’s it like to be around that energy and to learn from them as well as play with them?

JK: That’s the fam right there – that’s the legends! I’m learning every single day and it’s super exciting especially being the rookie and playing along with those guys. They never complain about anything that you do on the court if it’s bad or good they just encourage you to be good. To have those legends like that giving you advice – a lot of people don’t get it. There are a lot of rookies that got drafted to different teams and they don’t have that given to them. I’m just super blessed to be on that team.

AM: You played at the same high school as Kyrie Irving did and I know that he has been a mentor to you over the years and he recently gave you his jersey. What’s that like to have that relationship with him and finally being able to play against him now that you’re in the NBA?

JK: It’s actually crazy because even growing up, I used to watch Kyrie. We went from meeting each other to him being a mentor to me and then finally being able to play against him! It’s just crazy because I never thought that that would happen! But it happened and him giving me his jersey – a lot of people don’t get something like that from him. It was a good moment and a special one.

AM: What are your goals for this year, what are you looking forward to as you play through the season – do you have anything that you’re aiming for?

JK: I’ve got the biggest goals of anybody else. People would say, “man you’re a rookie and you’re already thinking ahead of you.” My big goal this year is that I want to play for the Championship. I feel like we have a chance to do it with the way that we play, the way that we get better every day and the way that we get to know each other every day. I feel like we have a big chance to do it and that pretty much is my biggest goal. As long as I’m on this team and helping them win and getting better every day, I think that’s my biggest goal.

IG @jonathan_kuminga

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see KUMINGA MODE ON | Jonathan Kuminga in mag.

AWARDS SEASON | 27TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS TV + FILM WINNERS

The Critics Choice Awards TV + Film Awards too place tonight with a number of our faves being recognized! Tonight, viewers could watch on The CW and TBS as Awards Season continued from the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel. Who we believed would win is in bold, winners that won who we did not predict correctly are italicized and those that we correctly predicted are in bold italicized.

TELEVISION NOMINATIONS FOR THE 27TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS

BEST DRAMA SERIES

Evil (Paramount+)

For All Mankind (Apple TV+)

The Good Fight (Paramount+)

Pose (FX)

Squid Game (Netflix)

Succession (HBO)

This Is Us (NBC)

Yellowjackets (Showtime)

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us (NBC)

Mike Colter – Evil (Paramount+)

Brian Cox – Succession (HBO)

Lee Jung-jae – Squid Game (Netflix)

Billy Porter – Pose (FX)

Jeremy Strong – Succession (HBO)

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Uzo Aduba – In Treatment (HBO)

Chiara Aurelia – Cruel Summer (Freeform)

Christine Baranski – The Good Fight (Paramount+)

Katja Herbers – Evil (Paramount+)

Melanie Lynskey – Yellowjackets (Showtime)

MJ Rodriguez – Pose (FX)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Nicholas Braun – Succession (HBO)

Billy Crudup – The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Kieran Culkin – Succession (HBO)

Justin Hartley – This Is Us (NBC)

Matthew Macfadyen – Succession (HBO)

Mandy Patinkin – The Good Fight (Paramount+)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Andrea Martin – Evil (Paramount+)

Audra McDonald – The Good Fight (Paramount+)

Christine Lahti – Evil (Paramount+)

J. Smith-Cameron – Succession (HBO)

Sarah Snook – Succession (HBO)

Susan Kelechi Watson – This Is Us (NBC)

BEST COMEDY SERIES

The Great (Hulu)

Hacks (HBO Max)

Insecure (HBO)

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

The Other Two (HBO Max)

Reservation Dogs (FX on Hulu)

Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Iain Armitage – Young Sheldon (CBS)

Nicholas Hoult – The Great (Hulu)

Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Kayvan Novak – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Elle Fanning – The Great (Hulu)

Renée Elise Goldsberry – Girls5eva (Peacock)

Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) 

Sandra Oh – The Chair (Netflix)

Issa Rae – Insecure (HBO)

Jean Smart – Hacks (HBO Max)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Ncuti Gatwa – Sex Education (Netflix)

Brett Goldstein – Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

Harvey Guillén – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Brandon Scott Jones – Ghosts (CBS)

Ray Romano – Made for Love (HBO Max)

Bowen Yang – Saturday Night Live (NBC)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Hannah Einbinder – Hacks (HBO Max)

Kristin Chenoweth – Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)

Molly Shannon – The Other Two (HBO Max) 

Cecily Strong – Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Josie Totah – Saved By the Bell (Peacock)

Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

BEST LIMITED SERIES

Dopesick (Hulu)

Dr. Death (Peacock)

It’s a Sin (HBO Max)

Maid (Netflix)

Mare of Easttown (HBO)

Midnight Mass (Netflix)

The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime Video)

WandaVision (Disney+)

BEST MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Come From Away (Apple TV+)

List of a Lifetime (Lifetime)

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (Amazon Prime Video)

Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (Lifetime)

Oslo (HBO)

Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas (The Roku Channel)

BEST ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Olly Alexander – It’s a Sin (HBO Max)

Paul Bettany – WandaVision (Disney+)

William Jackson Harper – Love Life (HBO Max)

Joshua Jackson – Dr. Death (Peacock)

Michael Keaton – Dopesick (Hulu)

Hamish Linklater – Midnight Mass (Netflix)

BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Danielle Brooks – Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (Lifetime)

Cynthia Erivo – Genius: Aretha (National Geographic)

Thuso Mbedu – The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime Video)

Elizabeth Olsen – WandaVision (Disney+)

Margaret Qualley – Maid (Netflix)

Kate Winslet – Mare of Easttown (HBO)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Murray Bartlett – The White Lotus (HBO)

Zach Gilford – Midnight Mass (Netflix)

William Jackson Harper – The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime Video)

Evan Peters – Mare of Easttown (HBO)

Christian Slater – Dr. Death (Peacock)

Courtney B. Vance – Genius: Aretha (National Geographic)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Jennifer Coolidge – The White Lotus (HBO)

Kaitlyn Dever – Dopesick (Hulu)

Kathryn Hahn – WandaVision (Disney+)

Melissa McCarthy – Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu)

Julianne Nicholson – Mare of Easttown (HBO)

Jean Smart – Mare of Easttown (HBO)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE SERIES

Acapulco (Apple TV+)

Call My Agent! (Netflix)

Lupin (Netflix)

Money Heist (Netflix)

Narcos: Mexico (Netflix)

Squid Game (Netflix)

BEST ANIMATED SERIES

Big Mouth (Netflix)

Bluey (Disney Junior)

Bob’s Burgers (Fox)

The Great North (Fox)

Q-Force (Netflix)

What If…? (Disney+)

BEST TALK SHOW

The Amber Ruffin Show (Peacock)

Desus & Mero (Showtime)

The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBC)

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (Bravo)

BEST COMEDY SPECIAL 

Bo Burnham: Inside (Netflix)

Good Timing with Jo Firestone (Peacock)

James Acaster: Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 (Vimeo)

Joyelle Nicole Johnson: Love Joy (Peacock)

Nate Bargatze: The Greatest Average American (Netflix)

Trixie Mattel: One Night Only (YouTube)

FILM NOMINATIONS FOR THE 27TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS

BEST PICTURE

Belfast

CODA

Don’t Look Up

Dune

King Richard

Licorice Pizza

Nightmare Alley

The Power of the Dog

tick, tick…Boom!

West Side Story

BEST ACTOR

Nicolas Cage – Pig

Benedict Cumberbatch – The Power of the Dog

Peter Dinklage – Cyrano

Andrew Garfield – tick, tick…Boom!

Will Smith – King Richard

Denzel Washington – The Tragedy of Macbeth

BEST ACTRESS

Jessica Chastain – The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Olivia Colman – The Lost Daughter

Lady Gaga – House of Gucci

Alana Haim – Licorice Pizza

Nicole Kidman – Being the Ricardos

Kristen Stewart – Spencer

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Jamie Dornan – Belfast

Ciarán Hinds – Belfast

Troy Kotsur – CODA

Jared Leto – House of Gucci

J.K. Simmons – Being the Ricardos

Kodi Smit-McPhee – The Power of the Dog

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Caitríona Balfe – Belfast

Ariana DeBose – West Side Story

Ann Dowd – Mass

Kirsten Dunst – The Power of the Dog

Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard

Rita Moreno – West Side Story

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS

Jude Hill – Belfast

Cooper Hoffman – Licorice Pizza

Emilia Jones – CODA

Woody Norman – C’mon C’mon

Saniyya Sidney – King Richard

Rachel Zegler – West Side Story

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE

Belfast

Don’t Look Up

The Harder They Fall

Licorice Pizza

The Power of the Dog

West Side Story

BEST DIRECTOR

Paul Thomas Anderson – Licorice Pizza

Kenneth Branagh – Belfast

Jane Campion – The Power of the Dog

Guillermo del Toro – Nightmare Alley

Steven Spielberg – West Side Story

Denis Villeneuve – Dune

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Paul Thomas Anderson – Licorice Pizza

Zach Baylin – King Richard

Kenneth Branagh – Belfast

Adam McKay, David Sirota – Don’t Look Up

Aaron Sorkin – Being the Ricardos

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Jane Campion – The Power of the Dog

Maggie Gyllenhaal – The Lost Daughter

Siân Heder – CODA

Tony Kushner – West Side Story

Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth – Dune

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Bruno Delbonnel – The Tragedy of Macbeth

Greig Fraser – Dune

Janusz Kaminski – West Side Story

Dan Laustsen – Nightmare Alley

Ari Wegner – The Power of the Dog

Haris Zambarloukos – Belfast

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Jim Clay, Claire Nia Richards – Belfast

Tamara Deverell, Shane Vieau – Nightmare Alley

Adam Stockhausen, Rena DeAngelo – The French Dispatch

Adam Stockhausen, Rena DeAngelo – West Side Story

Patrice Vermette, Zsuzsanna Sipos – Dune

BEST EDITING

Sarah Broshar and Michael Kahn – West Side Story

Úna Ní Dhonghaíle – Belfast

Andy Jurgensen – Licorice Pizza

Peter Sciberras – The Power of the Dog

Joe Walker – Dune

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Jenny Beavan – Cruella

Luis Sequeira – Nightmare Alley

Paul Tazewell – West Side Story

Jacqueline West, Robert Morgan – Dune

Janty Yates – House of Gucci

BEST HAIR AND MAKEUP

Cruella

Dune

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

House of Gucci

Nightmare Alley

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Dune

The Matrix Resurrections

Nightmare Alley

No Time to Die

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

BEST COMEDY

Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar

Don’t Look Up

Free Guy

The French Dispatch

Licorice Pizza

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Encanto

Flee

Luca

The Mitchells vs the Machines

Raya and the Last Dragon

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

A Hero

Drive My Car

Flee

The Hand of God

The Worst Person in the World

BEST SONG

Be Alive – King Richard

Dos Oruguitas – Encanto

Guns Go Bang – The Harder They Fall

Just Look Up – Don’t Look Up

No Time to Die – No Time to Die

BEST SCORE

Nicholas Britell – Don’t Look Up

Jonny Greenwood – The Power of the Dog

Jonny Greenwood – Spencer

Nathan Johnson – Nightmare Alley

Hans Zimmer – Dune

SEE HER

Halle Berry

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Billy Crystal

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9DRIP | MARIA BRITO

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9PLAYLIST | DAVID WAXMAN

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63MIX ROUTIN3S | JILL KINTNER

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9DRIP | JASMINE LUV

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THE ATHLETE AND THE FLU SHOT: 3RISKS AND BENEFITS

Every September and October, people flock in droves to their local clinics for their annual flu shots. For most, it’s common sense to get a vaccine for an endemic illness that’s known to be deadly when not treated properly. However, many individuals are still wary of receiving a flu vaccine every year. Their doubts may seem unfounded, but it’s understandable.

Any vaccine for any illness has pros and cons. The benefits often outweigh the risks, making it safe for most people to receive. But it’s still important to check if you acquire adverse reactions after that one shot. Everyone has to face the needle for the community to obtain herd immunity since anyone can catch the virus. Athletes, especially, are at high risk due to their frequent traveling and close-contact engagement during sports.

Surprisingly, only around 30% of athletes get flu vaccines every year. This number isn’t enough to cover herd immunity for non-athletes and at-risk individuals like the elderly and immuno-compromised. As an athlete, it’s also your responsibility to ensure your neighborhood, teammates, and fellow athletes don’t contract any virus from you.

This article will include the pros and cons of receiving a flu shot, starting with the risks first, then with the benefits:

Flu Shot Risks:

1. Nerve Damage

Athletes need a mastery of their movements to achieve peak performance in their sport. Hence, nerve damage can put a halt to your professional sporting career. Fortunately, although nerve damage from a flu shot may be possible, it’s pretty rare. However, it can become serious depending on the kind of damage. Issues like Parsonage-Turner syndrome and brachial neuritis can affect the arms and, if not treated immediately, can spread to the spinal cord.

If you act on the symptoms early, you can prevent further nerve damage from happening. If it does get serious, you may be compensated by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP). The NVICP’s Vaccine Program covers the cost of any legal fees you’ll incur when filing a vaccine injury claim. As a claimant, you could pay little for the legal claim or nothing at all.

2. Headaches, Fever, And Soreness

These three are common side effects most people experience after taking a flu vaccine. Muscle soreness and headache intensity can vary from person to person, while fevers are often low-grade for most. The good thing is that they usually go away in a few days. This means that you can get back to sports training almost immediately afterward.

After getting a shot, you can still take painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol to relieve discomfort if you get these side effects. These pills are safe to ingest after having the flu vaccine, so you don’t have to worry about other risks.

3. Allergic Reactions

Anaphylaxis, like nerve damage, is a pretty rare occurrence after getting the shot. If you’ve taken the flu vaccine before and did not have any allergic reactions right after, you should be fine for your next scheduled shot. 

There are flu shots that include ingredients that may trigger allergic reactions. Athletes with egg allergies can receive the standard flu vaccine, though they can also receive an egg-free flu vaccine if it’s available. The vaccine also includes gelatin, which some people are allergic to.

If it’s your first time taking the vaccine, the doctors or nurses in charge should ask you if you have any existing allergies. In case you happen to have one with severe symptoms, you may need to avoid the shot. But if you don’t have these preexisting health conditions, the flu vaccine will provide benefits not just for you but everyone else around you.

Flu Shot Benefits:

1. Protect Vulnerable Groups

Not everyone can receive the flu vaccine. This specific group of people may include children, the elderly, pregnant women, and the immuno-compromised. Because of this, they rely on the herd immunity created by others like you who can take the shot. 

When the community creates herd immunity against viruses like influenza A and B, those without the vaccine are less likely to get sick. You’ll make a safer, healthier place for the people around you by denying the virus an opportunity to proliferate and infect others.

2. Prevent Complications

Athletes are at risk of a condition known as overtraining syndrome. Simply put, this condition leads to burnout wherein you experience declining performance and fatigue after training. This moment of weakness lowers your immunity due to stress and makes you vulnerable to various sicknesses, including the flu.

If you’ve experienced overtraining syndrome before or feel like you might have it, taking the flu shot would be a wise decision. It’ll protect you from the virus and allow you to build up immunity during colder seasons.

3. Prevent The Spread

Influenza is highly contagious, and it spreads faster during fall and winter. That’s why people get their shots during this time. However, many people—maybe even you—avoid the vaccine thinking it’ll make you more vulnerable to flu. Despite being one of Americans’ popular winter health myths, that's not the case.

When you’ve been vaccinated, your chances of catching the flu go down, and the virus will find another host to infect. But if those around have the vaccine, too, the virus may die out, keeping you and your circle protected. This way, you’re sure not to miss crucial training days during the flu season.

In Conclusion

As an athlete, your health is one of the things you should look out for. The flu may sound harmless since flu season happens every year, but getting sick with it can greatly and negatively affect your performance in your sport. 

However, it would be best if you weren’t getting vaccinated a day before a sporting event you’ll compete in. Even if you’ve taken the flu vaccine many times before, you’ll never know if you might experience mild side effects. Moreover, always make sure to communicate with your physician before you get the shot.

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THE BACHELOR S26. E10. | FANTASY SUITES

On tonight’s episode of ABC’s The Bachelor, we see Clayton prepping to go to Iceland and to meet the 3 women. We also see the uneasy grouping of Rachel, Gabby and Susie. Jesse reminds them how key this week is since it involves the Fantasy Suites. Rachel is given the first date card and prepares for her date.

The beginning of Rachel’s date is a helicopter ride over Reykjavik, Iceland. When they land, Clayton tells her that they are about to go into a volcano.

Their date continues onto dinner where they get a chance to talk with them. Rachel knows that she wants to use this time to connect with him and to see where he’s at. She asks him directly what he thinks about them as a couple. He lets her know that he was not able to be 100% transparent with her when he was with her family. He says that he wishes that he told her that he is falling in love with her. Of course, she’s so happy to know this and it makes her feel better as they head to the Fantasy Suites.

The next morning, we find that they are very close and cuddly and they look like a great couple - but he has 2 more dates to go! He leaves her and announces loudly that he loves her too!

Rachel lets them know that they had a great date and is respectful in not divulging the details. We can see that Susie is a little rattled and Gabby gets ready for the date.

Gabby and Clayton have a dune buggy date. At their dinner, he lets her know that he is in love with her. They continue onto the Fantasy Suite. Clayton wakes up next to Gabby and they enjoy some breakfast. When he leaves, he lets her know that he is falling in love with her and how it feels great!

Susie and Rachel chat with one another and talk about how hard the week is. They ask Gabby how her date went and she says it was fun since they rode dune buggies. Gabby tells them that they stayed in a yurt that had a huge bed in the middle. She kept it PG but then Susie called out her very visible bedhead.

Susie decides that she wants to get all the info to find out everything that she feels that she needs to know. Clayton realizes that he has told 2 people that he is falling in love with them and is feeling the weight of that.

Clayton moves on to his 3rd date with Susie. Their first portion of their date is in a cold room, a cold plunge and into a body scrub which is a lot warmer than the elements that they were in. They have dinner together and Clayton plans to tell her that he is in love with her. Susie enjoyed the date and she feels secure in her relationship with him. She wants to ask him some questions and she wants to know where he is with her and everyone else. He acknowledges how he was happy to hear her say that she was in love with him and since that time, he’s realized that things are getting serious and that the night she shared that, he was falling in love with her too. He them emphasizes that he is in love with her. So, Clayton is in love with Rachel and Susie and is falling in love with Gabby. Susie is excited to hear about this, but she feels the need to tell him about things that she doesn’t want to compromise on. She asks if he feels this way with others and whether he has slept with another woman. She lets him know that it woudl be impossible to move forwad if he did that because she doesn’t want to share. Clayton is startled but then lets her know that he has said that he was in love with someone else and that he slept with someone else.

She lets him know that she doesn’t know if she can go forward knowing this info (although she doesn’t know she slept with 2 women). Clayton tells her he doesn’t want her to go just because of that, he claims that if he knew she felt that way, he would have approached things differently. Susie doesn’t know if she can continue on. Clayton is upset and talks with Jesse to work through what he is feeling. Clayton wants to iron things out with her and he feels like he’s being torn apart. Susie and Clayton continue to talk to figure out what they can do now that everything has been brought to life. He sends Susie home! He tells her that the fact that she didn’t fight for him during this “rough patch”, that she was not the person for him. He told her that what she did invalidated their relationship and ultimately, it makes him feel that the entire situation is invalidated!

Each night during the season, we 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 from the 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!

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SEASON 26 - EPISODE 10

Hometowns took place last week with - Gabby, Rachel, Serene and Susie. After an explosive episode, Susie’s date was cut short after she sought for clarity and Clayton sent her home!

GABBY

RACHEL

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THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

CASSIDY | 26 - Los Angeles, CA

CLAIRE | 28 - Virginia Beach, VA

DARIA | 24 - New Haven, CT

ELIZA | 25 - Berlin, Germany

ELIZABETH | 32 - Highlands Ranch, CO

ENCY | 28 - Burbank, CA

GABBY | 30 - Denver, CO

GENEVIEVE | 26 - Los Angeles, CA

HAILEY | 26 - Orlando, FL

HUNTER | 28 - Charlotte, NC

IVANA | 31 - Queens, NY

JANE | 22 - Los Angeles, CA

JILL | 26 - Scituate, RI

KATE | 32 - Lake Hollywood, CA

KIRA | 32 - Philadelphia, PA

LINDSAY D | 27 - Jacksonville, FL

LYNDSEY W | 28 - Houston, TX

MARA | 32 - Collingswood, NJ

MARLENA | 30 - Gainseville, FL

MELINA | 27 - West Hollywood, CA

RACHEL | 25 - Clermont, FL

RIANNA | 26 - Dallas, TX

SALLEY | 26 - Charlottesville, VA

SAMANTHA | 26 - San Diego, CA

SARAH | 23 - NY, NY

SERENE | 26- Oklahoma City, OK

SHANAE | 29 - Sycamore, OH

SIERRA | 26 - Dallas, TX

SUSIE | 28 - Virginia Beach, VA

TEDDI | 24 - Highland, CA

TESSA | 26 - Brooklyn, NY

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THE BACHELOR S26. E9. | WOMEN TELL ALL

On tonight’s episode of ABC’s The Bachelor, we go into the Women Tell All episode which will let us know more about what happened over the season. We can’t wait until tomorrow’s episode as it’s really starting to get very serious as we enter the Fantasy Suites.

Claire shares why and how she knew that she was no longer interested in being with Clayton on the first night. The episode also opens with Shanae and Cassidy as they address their misbehavior throughout their time on the show. Shanae spends some time on the hot seat explaining her actions. Genevieve also joins her to talk about their 2-on-1 date.

Sarah has time on the couch where she lets the ladies know that it was never her intention to make them feel like she was trying to manipulate the situation. It seems like the women will follow up with Clayton to get their answers. A Bachelor Nation favorite, Teddi sits on the couch to talk about how their relationship was and how it was ultimately cut short.

Serene is the last woman to sit on the couch as she had a warm and successful Hometown and was eliminated in last week’s episode. Serene felt that there is a lot of confusion around her being sent home. The women chat with Clayton and call him out on things that he did throughout the season and he admits that there were mistakes that he made. He also lets Shanae know that what she did was not ok . We also got a sneak peek at the remaining episodes!

Each night during the season, we 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 from the 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 26 - EPISODE 9

Hometowns took place last week with - Gabby, Rachel, Serene and Susie. Clayton sent Serene home. Now that the Women Tell All took place, we’re all excited for tomorrow’s episode to find out who he will continue with and what takes place at the Fantasy Suites.

GABBY

RACHEL

SUSIE

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THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

CASSIDY | 26 - Los Angeles, CA

CLAIRE | 28 - Virginia Beach, VA

DARIA | 24 - New Haven, CT

ELIZA | 25 - Berlin, Germany

ELIZABETH | 32 - Highlands Ranch, CO

ENCY | 28 - Burbank, CA

GABBY | 30 - Denver, CO

GENEVIEVE | 26 - Los Angeles, CA

HAILEY | 26 - Orlando, FL

HUNTER | 28 - Charlotte, NC

IVANA | 31 - Queens, NY

JANE | 22 - Los Angeles, CA

JILL | 26 - Scituate, RI

KATE | 32 - Lake Hollywood, CA

KIRA | 32 - Philadelphia, PA

LINDSAY D | 27 - Jacksonville, FL

LYNDSEY W | 28 - Houston, TX

MARA | 32 - Collingswood, NJ

MARLENA | 30 - Gainseville, FL

MELINA | 27 - West Hollywood, CA

RACHEL | 25 - Clermont, FL

RIANNA | 26 - Dallas, TX

SALLEY | 26 - Charlottesville, VA

SAMANTHA | 26 - San Diego, CA

SARAH | 23 - NY, NY

SERENE | 26- Oklahoma City, OK

SHANAE | 29 - Sycamore, OH

SIERRA | 26 - Dallas, TX

SUSIE | 28 - Virginia Beach, VA

TEDDI | 24 - Highland, CA

TESSA | 26 - Brooklyn, NY

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