PHOTO COURTESY | Chef Kardea Brown/Food Network’s Delicious Miss Brown
FOOD FOUND HER | CHEF KARDEA BROWN
Food storytelling has been something that we have talked about multiple times. In enjoying those bites, you’re able to get the intention that the chef has whether it’s their style of food, infusing a culture that they represent or are passionate about as well as how they want you to feel! Once you consume it, you have memories that are set that you will come back to again and again!
Chef Kardea Brown is the host of Delicious Miss Brown which gives us recipes and stories about Southern cuisine from the low country that highlight Gullah culture on Food Network! She is also a judge on the same network for Spring Baking Championship alongside Nancy Fuller and Duff Goldman! We wanted to know more about how she got into the culinary industry, her passion for food, having her show, her partnership at PEPCID, and upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for! We talk about how food found her, coming to TV, being nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and being a New York Times Bestselling Author.
We also delve into the issues surrounding food insecurity and her attendance on June 12th for Chef’s Tribute to Citymeals on Wheels fundraiser in New York, an annual tasting event, where PEPCID is the exclusive heartburn brand sponsor and 100% of public proceeds help Citymeals prepare and deliver nourishing meals to older New Yorkers in need. She teamed up with PEPCID, the #1 doctor recommended over the counter acid reducer brand, and is proud to support their efforts in the fight against food insecurity with Meals on Wheels America through their $50,000 sponsorship.
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s such a pleasure to speak with you as we have been such fans of your show! Where does your love of food come from?
CHEF KARDEA BROWN: It would have to be not only the city that I come from, but my grandmother and my mother! They are some cooking women. They absolutely love cooking and I believe that it is one of our first loves. We have always found ways to spend time in the kitchen. I grew up around women that really loved being in the kitchen and I love food you know! Good food is always good for the heart and the soul!
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be a chef?
CHEF KB: You know, I believe that it chose me. My first initial thought was that I was going to become a social worker and that I was going to work in the not-for-profit sector, in my life. The universe would say that it was a bit of a course redirection like, “this is great, you’re doing great there, but I think that I have something bigger and better for you there that’s going to involve food.” That’s how it kinda chose me and I’ve always loved cooking, but I never thought that I was going to do it for a living! It was kind of like, this is your purpose and this is your mission. Here it is!
AM: It’s so great to hear that! How did you get your own show, Delicious, Miss Brown which we love and we also love that you talk about your background coming from Gullah influences and things like that. How did that all come together?
CHEF KB: So, I was dating a guy at the time. We are no longer together, but we’re still great friends! I’m pretty sure that I owe my career to him! He signed me up to be on a show for the Cooking Channel and out of thousands of submissions, they chose me to do the show with Bobby Dean and it was all about taking that Southern food and making it light and fresh. He wanted to go to a house of someone who cooked heavy Southern meals and kind of flip that and make it into a lighter meal. So, I did that show and it didn’t get picked up by the network, but the network’s executives saw the show and said, “man, she’s really great! Has she thought about doing food television?” At the time, I was working at Big Brothers, Big Sisters and I wasn’t thinking about doing food or cooking on TV! Somehow, I ended up being on several shows after that and eventually, they pitched me to the network to have my own in the kitchen show and I would say about 5 years later, I got my opportunity to host my own show and now I’m in my 8th season!
AM: That is incredible and congratulations on your recent nomination for your Daytime Emmy Award as a Culinary Host and in your category is Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse, Justin Sutherland, Andrew Zimmern, and Ina Garten! That is amazing!
CHEF KB: Blew my mind! To be mentioned in the same room and category with these greats, with these people that I grew up watching is insane and so it’s a great filling!
PHOTO COURTESY | Pepcid
AM: You’re going to be part of the 36th Annual Chef’s Tribute to Citymeals on Wheels, tell me about this and why you’re excited to be part of it?
CHEF KB: Oh my gosh! I personally use PEPCID in my life! If you have ever seen any of my shows, I cook – you know I like to fry things, I like my spicy foods and all of the things that give you heartburn and so when the opportunity was presented, I thought it was a no-brainer.
The Chefs Tribute that is going on Jun 12th – I am really excited to be there! It’s for a great cause with Citymeals. They’re combatting food insecurity and that’s something that is very important to me because what I do for a living is to teach people how to cook. I can’t do that for people, especially when the demographic that watches Delicious Miss Brown, it’s usually between the ages of 25 – 56 and even older! So a lot of these people watch the show and I want them to be able to have the opportunity to be able to go to their local supermarket or have food delivered that makes my job easier! I want to be able to show you how to cook it and I need you to be able to have the food in order to be able to do that! So Citymeals is doing a really great job of that and combating food insecurity especially here in NY.
For this event taking place, PEPCID is the only heartburn brand that will be there and they have personally sponsored Meals on Wheels America with $50,000. So as soon as I heard of the initiative and PEPCID’s involvement, I said, sign me up!
AM: That’s definitely exciting.
What is it that you enjoy about taking PEPCID? Do you take it before you eat something or is it after for those that have yet to use this?
CHEF KB: So, you don’t have to take it before. I usually take it after especially when I kind of feel the heartburn kind of starting. I know immediately that when I eat something, especially at night, I might eat something spicy or tomato-based which we do a lot in the Gullah culture. When I eat my red rice, I know that I will have to take some PEPCID immediately after to have a good night’s rest! Even when I film my show, I’m tasting, I’m eating constantly. I can’t do that if I’m suffering from heartburn. If you have ever suffered from heartburn, you know that it’s not pleasant. I take PEPCID immediately, it works just like that and it makes my job that much easier!
AM: In addition to you hosting Delicious Miss Brown, you’re also judging Spring Baking Championship on the same network! We’re also huge fans of this show! What are you looking forward to with this show?
CHEF KB: Oh my gosh, Spring Baking Championship is one of those shows that I really stumbled in and it’s an amazing show! I have learned so much. It took me awhile to get into baking. I have always been a savory person, but now I do both! But now that I feel that being part of this show has taught me so much and being on the judging panel with Nancy Fuller everyone’s grandma and then Duff Goldman who is a pastry and cake genius! I’ve learned so much and I’m just really excited about what’s to come with the show and many more seasons! The show did really well last season so I’m really excited about more season with Spring Baking!
AM: It’s such a fun show and everyone is so creative! We couldn’t do any of those things, but we always love hearing Duff talk and how excited he is when he’s eating things!
CHEF KB: Yes! He really does get into it and he’s like the cake genius! He is the mechanics of the show and I feel like I bring in the heart where I’m like, “oh this is good, girl!” You know, that type of thing.
AM: You need both!
CHEF KB: Yes, you do! It’s a good balance!
AM: Last year, you dropped your cookbook, The Way Home: A Celebration of Sea Islands Food and Family with Over 100 Recipes, what was it like working on this project and you’re also a New York Times Best Selling Author!
CHEF KB: Yes, it was really fun! It was my first cookbook so I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into, but it was a learning lesson and it was an experience. I’m really happy about it because for so many years and actually decades, my family had these recipes within my family, but we never had a way to keep those recipes beyond word of mouth. So now, there’s a place where recipes can live and I really feel like I’m making my great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother proud by creating history within our families! Being that it is right out of the gate and it made it to the NYT Bestsellers was just mind-blowing to me. A little girl from Charleston, South Carolina had big dreams and I never dreamt that it would be this.
AM: Your journey has been amazing and we’d love to know more about your frozen food line! What’s it going to be and what can we expect from it?
CHEF KB: Oh my gosh! I can’t give all the details yet, but it’s going to be with a major distributor/retailer, and it’s going to be all the things that everyone loves about the South and the low country as many of the foods that you have probably seen on my show or people who have watched it who say, “man, I wish I could taste that!” You will be able to soon!
AM: We can’t wait to see it! Just looking at all of the things that you have done in your career, these are really big moment! Food is such a big vertical at Athleisure Mag, what do you want your legacy to be whether it’s on the culinary side or being an overall entrepreneur?
CHEF KB: You know, I want my legacy to be that I wasn’t afraid to take that leap of faith and that I somehow landed on my feet. If anyone ever has a dream, a hope, or something to aspire to – just do it! I literally did it and I had no clue what to do and somehow I ended up in a very great place! I want my legacy to be that I jumped, I landed, and it did well! If I can do it, anyone else can!
IG @kardeabrown
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured
PHOTO CREDIT | Adobe Stock/M.Studio
FUELING YOUR WORKOUTS: 6 TIPS FOR PRE- AND POST-EXERCISE NUTRITION
Are you tired of feeling sluggish and hitting a plateau in your workouts? Do you wish you could push through your exercises with more energy and endurance? When you run or jump, are you worried about suffering from sprains or Achilles tendonitis?
Whatever the reason, performance and recovery are both crucial to your workouts. One factor that affects these is the type of food you take before and after you engage in physical activity. For instance, going to the gym on an empty stomach might leave you feeling weak and unable to complete your routine. On the other hand, overeating before a workout can cause discomfort and sluggishness.
Thus, balancing your pre-and post-workout nutrition is essential in maximizing your potential and avoiding injuries.
Whether you're an avid gym-goer or just starting your fitness journey at home, here are some tips to help you make the most of your exercises:
1. Consuming Protein-Rich Foods
Protein is crucial in aiding muscle recovery and growth.
However, when it comes to protein bars, the question arises: 'are protein bars good for you?' The answer depends on the quality of the bar you choose.
Some protein bars on the market contain excessive sugar and artificial additives. To ensure you make a nutritious choice, look for ones with natural ingredients and a well-balanced macronutrient profile. For instance, opt for bars that contain a minimum of 20 grams of protein and no more than 10 grams of sugar per serving.
While protein bars can be convenient, relying on bigger protein sources for your pre-and post-workout meals is best. Consider consuming protein-rich foods like chicken breast, Greek yogurt, or fruits. These options provide a lot of protein and supply essential amino acids aiding muscle repair and growth.
You can choose a tofu scramble or a smoothie made with pea protein powder if you prefer plant-based alternatives. They offer substantial protein content without the artificial ingredients often found in other protein products.
2. Avoiding Heavy Meals
Dumping before workouts can cause sluggishness. You don't want heavy meals to burden you when you break a sweat.
Instead, opt for lighter options that provide sustained energy without causing discomfort. Snack on a combination of carbohydrates and a moderate amount of protein.
You could eat a banana with a tablespoon of peanut butter or enjoy a small serving of whole wheat toast with a scrambled egg. These options offer a balanced mix of nutrients that provide enough energy for your workout without inducing bloat.
3. Avoiding High-Sugar Foods
It can be tempting to reach for a sugary energy drink or candy bar for a quick energy boost before exercising. However, these high-sugar foods do more harm than help. While they may provide an instant energy spike, their short-lived effects can result in a crash later.
Rather than relying on sugar for fuel, focusing on carbohydrates is better. They provide a steady and sustained release of energy throughout your workout.
Opt for carbohydrate sources like whole grains like oats, quinoa, or brown rice. Combine them with lean protein sources like chicken or fish to support muscle repair.
4. Replenishing Electrolytes Regularly
Proper hydration is essential for effective workouts.
Sweating causes the loss of electrolytes, minerals that help maintain the balance of fluids in your body. For optimal performance and recovery, replenishing them is a good practice.
An excellent way to replenish electrolytes is by incorporating foods rich in these minerals into your diet. Coconut water, for example, is high in electrolytes and can fill the body quickly. Consuming a small portion ensures your body can function optimally during your workout.
5. Refueling With Carbs
After completing your workout, consuming carbohydrates will replenish the energy you lost. Exercise depletes your body's glycogen stores, which are the primary fuel source for your muscles. Loading up on carbs after a workout helps restore these stores, boosting recovery.
Great options include fruits, sweet potatoes, and whole-grain bread. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, providing a nourishing and balanced post-workout meal. Don't forget to pair them with a lean source of protein, such as a turkey sandwich or a tofu stir-fry.
6. Focusing On Whole Foods
Finally, try to prioritize whole foods in your diet. Unlike processed foods, these are minimally processed and packed with various nutrients that can benefit your health.
With this in mind, consider grilling chicken breasts or preparing a fillet of salmon. These lean protein sources offer a wealth of essential nutrients. Pair them with roasted vegetables and quinoa for a well-rounded and nutrient-dense meal. These provide your body with the necessary nutrients for optimal performance and recovery.
Supercharge Workouts With Proper Nutrition
Fueling your workouts with proper nutrition is essential for maximizing your exercise routine. The next time you hit the gym or dance in your bedroom, consider fueling your body with these tips. You'll improve your physique and boost your energy levels and health.
Be smart with your fitness journey!
Featured
PHOTO CREDITS | Craig Sjodin/ABC
THE BACHELORETTE S.20 E.3 | WE'RE LEAVING LA
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Craig Sjodin
ABC’s The Bachelorette Season 20 brings us to the 3rd week where there are less guys and we can’t say that there won’t be drama, but we know that it will be a different variety. The guys recap what the past few days have been like.
Charity Lawson arrives to sit down with the men and apologizes for ending the barbecue early with them/ She lets them know that they are leaving LA and are going to Oceanside. Tonight’s 1-on-1 date is with Brayden. The guys pack to their new place and Charity drives off with Brayden to start their date. They go to the Padres Stadium where the helicopter lands and they get to play on the field.
The guys make their way to their new home (we wonder what Xavier is making) we see their lunch date on the field of the ballpark. Charity wants to know more about him and to get her red flags answered.
The group date card arrives and we learn that Joey, Aaron B, Michael, James, Caleb, Aaron S, Sean, Xavier, Tanner, Adrian, Dotun, and John are on the group date. Warwick got the other 1-on-1 date.
Back at the ballpark, they are having dinner on the field and she addresses that she was concerned when he wanted to get up and leave the process. He explains that this was a traumatic experience for him because he had bad relationships. She gives him the rose - we wonder how this relationship will progress long term.
The group date is at a Barbie boutique and they’re able to see Jojo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers. The boutique is filled with Ken looks which are known items that the doll has worn over the years. It’s another fun twist to the Barbie movie that we have been seeing over the past few months. They are tasked with writing a song while wearing his outfits and they will perform in front of a live audience for the Barbie Beachfront Concert. The winner of this challenge is Sean.
The cocktail party from the group date begins and the guys have left their Ken outfits and are back in their own looks. They’re all looking at the group date rose. They all hype themselves up and Sean comes in singing the Barbie song that he won. The guys tell him to stop being an only child and to act like he’s used to nice things.
Charity arrives wearing another great piece of outerwear that’s pink. Sean steals her and says he has to steal her to finish their conversation. He’s rubbing the men the wrong way no matter what he does. She spends time with each of the men and she actually brings Dotun up to his room so that she can have more time to talk with him. Dotun gets the group date rose and the rest of the men receive a hug before she heads out.
The 1-on-1 with Warwick begins and without a doubt, he looks great in a suit. They are all dressed up to go to Belmont Park to ride as many things as they want. She says she’s attracted to him, but she wants to know more about him as she knows that he is reserved. Unfortunately and not unsurprisingly, she sends Warwick home after giving him all the opportunities to open up. It’s a shame because we saw the most emotion out of him during the date, but when it came to communicating - which he said wasn’t his strong suit, it was flatlining. She had no choice but to send him home!
The guys know that Warwick has been sent home and he is the first one that had a 1-on-1 that happened to him. Brayden let the guys know that he could continue to date her; however, he is not sure about an engagement. This throws Aaron B for a loop. He makes a note to tell Charity about this at the cocktail party. She lets them know that her biggest fear is to spend time with someone who is not truly ready for the commitment. She begins to chat with Aaron B and he decides that he has to tell her his thoughts on what Brayden said so that she has all of the facts. He lets her know that he is not ready for an engagement, not being sure of her, and not wanting to date someone who has been dating his friends. Aaron B talks with Brayden and lets him know what he told Charity.
Charity addresses it with him and the men tell Aaron that they don’t like that he brought it up when he did as that affects other’s time with her. Many feel that because he has a rose on his chest, that he is safe. We finally see Jesse Palmer who pops up. He acknowledges that he is coming in early and that the rose ceremony is still happening, but the cocktail party has come to an end. The guys say that they like Aaron, but they can’t believe that what he did has taken time from them. After giving out all of the roses, she sends Aaron S, Adrian, and James home. She lets Brayden stay and feels that she is going with her gut.
The rose ceremony begins and before she sees the men, Jesse asks if he trusts Brayden. Aaron B gets the first rose of the night! She gives out roses and sens Aaron S, Adrian, and James home! We had Aaron S and James as possible contenders for heading to Hometowns!
Charity gave roses to | Aaron B, Caleb B, Brayden, Dotun, Joey, Michael, Sean, Tanner, Xavier
Charity sent home | Aaron S. Adrian, James, and Warwick
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Bachelorette 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!
WHO WE WANT TO SEE GO TO HOMETOWNS
THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured TV Show
9PLAYLIST | INNA
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | INNA in mag.
Featured
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Fiona Murray
WHAT OPTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR A LONG-TERM INJURY?
Suffering from a long-term injury means that you’re not able to live your life in the way that you once did, and it might be that this is something that leads to other symptoms, such as depression. Part of this depression and despair can come from a sense that you’re not able to do anything about your situation. Perhaps you feel as though you’re stuck on a more negative path, and you have no choice but to go along with it.
Fortunately, that might not be the case, and while the nature of your injury might vary, so do the choices that you have for changing your life for the better.
Medical Options
You’ve likely already gone over certain medical options, as would have been the case when you first sought medical help after your initial injury. Different things are possible over time, though, and it might be that certain routes are available to you now that weren’t previously. This might be in terms of medication, but there may also be certain devices that could be useful.
It’s natural to be wary of new things, especially when it’s under a field such as medicine that you might not fully understand anyway. Medical devices can embody that daunting anxiety, and it’s important to balance the pros and cons of their use if you’re seriously unsure. However, knowing that you have the option of seeking out medical device failure attorneys should something go wrong might make your decision a much easier one to make. Still, you might find that going in with a more positive and open mind helps you to get the most out of what’s available.
Physical Therapy
While some might consider this to be under the medical umbrella, it’s important to consider its unique qualities and the way that it factors into your life moving forward. Physical therapy might indeed be your best chance to get to a point where you’re living a more comfortable life, one that’s relatively unhindered by your injury, but it’s also important to be realistic about the prospects.
Not only is this something that’s going to be more applicable to some than others, with the results naturally varying, but it’s also something that can take a lot of time. This might be a part of your life for a long time going forward, and the progress that you make could be gradual, even incremental. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing, just that you should manage your expectations.
Psychological Therapy
That sense of depression doesn’t make your job any easier, though, and it might be a factor that’s preventing you from seeking out the help that you need in a physical sense. Therefore, looking into options such as therapy and counseling might help you to start working toward a more practical solution. These are services that people can benefit from regardless of what they’re going through, but if you’re increasingly burdened by the impact that your injury is having on your life, you’d likely benefit from some time with a mental health professional.
Featured
9LOOKS | CHRISTIAN DIOR
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS in mag.
Featured
THE 9LIST
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see THE 9LIST in mag.
Featured
THE PICK ME UP
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see THE PICK ME UP in mag.
Featured
HOW TO DRESS | WHEN YOU'RE ON AN ACTIVE VACAY
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see HOW TO DRESS | When You’re On an Active Vacay in mag.
Featured
ATHLEISURE BEAUTY
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE BEAUTY in mag.
Featured
#TRIBEGOALS
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see #TRIBEGOALS in mag.
Featured
PHOTO CREDITS | Craig Sjodin
THE BACHELORETTE S. 20 E. 2 | GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Craig Sjodin
We have an understanding of the men from the premiere episode last week, on tonight’s ABC’s The Bachelorette Season 20 we’re getting down to business as Charity really gets to start her journey to finding the man of her dreams. It’ll be interesting to see what takes place in this episode.
Jesse Palmer congratulates the 19 men that have moved forward and checks in with them to see how they are approaching getting more time with her.
Charity Lawson is looking forward to her 2 group dates and her 1-on-1 date. The first date is Aaron B. She greets the men and takes him out to the convertible that is waiting for them. She drives away with him and the men talk about what they’re missing. They all realize that since he will have an entire day with her, that’s less time that they have to impress her.
Charity takes him to the Hollywood Hills sign and they toast to the 100 years of this destination. They talk about their families and the longevity of their parents marriages. The first part of their date goes well and they continue their Old Hollywood date by having dinner in a theater. They talk about their vulnerabilities, self-love, and how he wanted to be a better person by getting therapy. They dance to a performance by Lauren Alaina. He receives the date night rose.
Back at the house, the next date card arrives with the list of men who will be on the group date. Aaron S, Dotun, Tanner, Adrian, John, Caleb A, Caleb B, Xavier, James, Sean, and Brayden. The group date begins and she looks forward to hanging out with the 12 men on the date. She tells them that they’re just going to hang out on the beach. After a bit of sandcastle being made, Jesse shows up and lets them know that they are participating in the 4th Annual DodgeBowl! They are left with speedos. The winners will get to go to the after-party and the losers will go home. Although it was back and forth between the pink and the green team, the pink team wins. The MVP award is given to the green team’s Adrian
She connects with those on the date to get to know more about them. Brayden continues to rub the guys the wrong way. Brayden and Adrian have a bit of a spat and the results from that led to Adrian telling Charity that some men are treating their time there as if it is a Spring Break. Charity addresses it with the men and tells that her purpose is for her to find her person and she’s not playing games. She gives the group date rose to John. The men wonder who said this to her which causes another uncomfortable moment.
The remainder of the men will be on the second group date. She’s in a park in LA and is joined by Gabby and Rachel, last season’s The Bachelorettes! There is also an audience John Henry, Michael, Warwick, Spencer, Joey, and Josh. The date is for the longest kiss in Bachelor Nation history ever. The record was set by Sean Lowe at 3:27s. The men have to answer questions Newlywed Game style. The guys are nervous about the kiss having to be more than 3 mins as well as the fact that this was not the way that they thought they would have their kiss with her. The person’s responses that stood out the most was Joey so he will have the opportunity to break the record for the longest Bachelor kiss. They kis for 4:25 seconds and then they learn that he will get a 1-on-1 date with her that night. The rest of the men on the group date suffered through the kiss and then realized that they wouldn’t be able to have additional time with her. This was a brutal date for sure for them!
The remainder of the men go back to the house and fill them in on what happened. Of course Brayden and Adrian get into their tiff. We head back to Joey and Charity where he shares his background with her and how his parent divorced because his dad came out. It’s interesting to hear him say that they’re divorce didn’t lead to a broken home because of the circumstances and that he felt love from both of them. Joey is given the now hybrid group date/1-on-1 date night rose. We’ve liked him from last week’s episode and can see that he is genuine in his feelings for her.
The rose ceremony is later on that night, but Jesse makes his way to the house to connect with the men. He lets them know that there will not be a cocktail party, but there is a barbecue day. Brayden lets us know that he is going to talk with Charity about a few things and that if he doesn’t hear what he thinks he should, then he will leave. She makes sure to have time with the guys that she has a connection with as well as those that she doesn’t yet. She has great chats and then Brayden tells her that he has started to doubt her character because of her second group date. The conversation goes over well and of course, Brayden didn’t leave. Adrian shares the conversation and lets her know that Brayden said that what she did at the date was classless. That rubbed Charity the wrong way and she left - the guys are a little annoyed because they still didn’t have time with her. At this point, some of the guys feel that both Adrian and Breydan should go home.
The 2nd rose ceremony begins and everyone knows about the tensions between the men. Many people are on the same page that they should both go home as the situation is becoming increasingly toxic and becoming difficult for the process to go forward as it should. She acknowledges how much she has enjoyed everything, but that she also doesn’t like the negative things that have taken place.
Charity gave roses to | Aaron B, Joey, John, Dotun, Tanner, Caleb B, Warwick, Michael, Sean, Xavier, Aaron S, James, Adrian, and Brayden.
Charity sent home | Caleb A, Kaleb K, John Henry, Josh, and Spencer.
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Bachelorette 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!
WHO WE WANT TO SEE GO TO HOMETOWNS
THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured TV Show
MARSHMALLOW ROOT BEAUTY
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see MARSHMALLOW ROOT BEAUTY in mag.
Featured
ROCK THIS TO BRING THE BEACH TO YOUR EVERYDAY
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCK THIS TO BRING THE BEACH TO YOUR EVERYDAY in mag.
Featured
IN OUR BAG | WHEN KISSED BY SUMMER
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see IN OUR BAG | When Kissed by Summer in mag.
Featured
ATHLEISURE MAG #90 | OVY ON THE DRUMS
In this month’s issue, our front and back cover story is with 4X Latin Grammy Award Nominated, 2X Billboard Latin Music Awards Nominated, Premios Juventud Winner, Producer, Composer, and Singer/Songwriter, Ovy on the Drums! We talk about how he got into the industry, being the producer for Karol G, and working with an array of artists from Steve Aoki, Becky G, Shakira, Future, and more! We also interview singer/songwriter and entertainer, INNA who has a number of songs that are known for feel-good vibes. We talk about how she got into the industry, how she approaches her songs, her collaborations with SOFI TUKKER, Alok, and many more.
We also took some time to talk with New York Yankees shortstop and second baseman, 2X All-Star player Gleyber Torres! We talk about how he took his passion for the game in Venezuela to join one of the most iconic MLB teams in the country. In addition, we talk about how he stays in shape, his passion for his family, and his collaboration with Kings Bred.
We caught up with Chef/Partner Charlie Mitchell of Clover Hill in Brooklyn. Recently, he received a Michelin 2022 NYC Young Chef Award - he is the first Black chef in NYC to receive Michelin recognition and only the second in the US! He was also a James Beard finalist this year as well. We talked about how he got into the industry, his passion for cooking, his approach to food and he gives us an inside scoop into the mind of a chef!
This month, our editorial was shot at Kimpton Eventi Hotel here in NYC. Because we live for a great weekend, our editorial WEEKEND VIBES ONLY is focused on a number of fun accessories and trends and we’re excited to introduce to you our new line, ATHLEISUREVERSE which is all about pieces that you can wear when you're out and about from various sweat sets that are paired with joggers and shorts. We're all about a number of colors, styles, having pieces that are genderful, matchy matchy when you want to wear them with your friends, family, and significant other, and more! We also talked with the property to find out more about the hotel, their location, and what we can enjoy there whether we're on vacation, staycation, traveling for business, etc.
We're fans of our favorites that are within Bachelor Nation and if you're like us, you're watching the current season with Charity Lawson for The Bachelorette! This month, we caught up with Jason Tartick who is engaged to Kaitlyn Bristowe to find out about his partnership with Wyndham Rewards and their Cubicle Caddie for those that want to stay connected and optimize their time on the golf course! He talks about this as well as his thoughts on Charity, hitting the course with Kaitlyn, and his upcoming projects with his podcast and book.
We chatted with Samuel Arnold who plays Julien in Netflix's Emily in Paris. We talk about how he connects with his roles, we ask him about the upcoming season and also being an ambassador for Jovē water and why hydration is so important to him.
We've been fans of Sepideh Moafi for years as she has been in a number of our favorite shows. This month, we find out about how she approaches her roles, her latest limited series, FX's Class of 09 with all episodes streaming now, and we talk about her upcoming projects.
Jordana Brewster of Fast X talks about her latest movie in the Fast and Furious franchise, her new movie Simulant, and how she approaches being a mom with kids in sports!
We have been fans of FX's Mayans MC which is the spinoff to Sons of Anarchy which is another favorite show of ours! As we are watching the final season of this series, we caught up with Sarah Bolger to talk about how she got into this industry, her roles previous to the show, what we can look forward to this season, and upcoming projects!
Last month, we had the pleasure of interviewing the founder of Governors Ball, Tom Russell who prepared us for what we could expect as they inaugurated their new home at Flushing Meadows Corona Park Queens. This month, we have a recap of our favorite moments from Governors Ball which took place Jun 9 - 11th.
This month’s 9PLAYLIST comes from singer/songwriter/entertainer INNA. This month's 9DRIP comes from EDM DJ producer/songwriter Ferry Corsten. Our 9LIST STORI3S comes from Sepideh Moafi of Class of 09 as well as Samuel Arnold of Emily in Paris. Our 63MIX ROUTIN3S comes from New York Yankees' Gleyber Torres and Mayans MC's Sarah Bolger.
Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack shares our new drool-worthy restaurant, Goa New York. This month’s Athleisure List comes from Hakkasan Las Vegas and Restaurant Yuu in Brooklyn. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag.
Featured
LIFTING EACH OTHER UP
We’ve seen Monica Ahanonu’s work with a number of brands so when we had a chance to talk about her latest work and partnership with Johnnie Walker, we wanted to find out more about this leading artist in the digital space. Ahead of the highly anticipated Women’s World Cup, Johnnie Walker is fueling the fandom and increasing visibility for women’s sports alongside powerhouse NWSL teams and partners Angel City FC and NJ/NY Gotham FC this summer. She created a design that will be worn by both teams to strive for gender equality at their upcoming match on July 2nd at Red Bull Arena. This partnership represents a one-team approach towards achieving gender equality, her illustration depicts how “we lift each other up as we rise and break through barriers.” In creating this merch line that will be available for Angel City FC (their crewneck) as well as Gotham FC (tops) will be available as long as supplies last. A donation from the team’s merch proceeds will be going towards the Women's Sports Foundation. We wanted to find out more about this partnership as well as what she has going on.
ATHLEISURE MAG: For our readers who may not know about you, please tell us a bit about your background and what you do?
MONICA AHANONU: I’m an illustrator, creator and model based in Los Angeles. I’m obsessed with playing with color in any form. I started my career at DreamWorks Animation working on some of their feature films and am currently IMG Models’ first signed illustrator. My client roster spans brands in media & entertainment, fashion, beauty, consumer products, and publishing. Some recent clients include Vanity Fair, PepsiCo, Apple, Google, Facebook, Netflix, NASA, Adobe, Sephora, Simon & Schuster, and Ruggable.
AM: What is it about being an illustrator and a creator that you enjoy?
MA: For my digital art, I love playing with color and being able to quickly change the colors of a piece to mix and match patterns or try and make two colors match that wouldn't normally go together. As a creator it’s great that every day of my week is typically different. I don’t do well with monotony so having a wide range of assignments and projects to work on allows a lot of variety in my days.
AM: You're known for spotlighting diverse cultures and including themes of inclusivity and equality in your artwork. Why is this important to you?
MA: It’s important to me that younger generations and people in general who may not feel confident in themselves realize that just because you don’t look like those around you doesn’t mean you aren't beautiful. I find that the world is more exciting when people are being authentically themselves and expressing their individuality as they go about their day however that may be.
AM: Where do you go for inspiration when you're creating your next piece?
MA: Most often I’ll look at fashion to get inspiration. I’ll sit outside and people watch, go to a vintage store, and look through clothes or I’ll look through recent collections online. I love seeing the silhouettes and unique fabrics that are being used to create the newest handbags or pairs of shoes - things that you wouldn’t normally see utilized and then analyzing how it lays on the body and moves as someone walks.
If not fashion, I will often watch old cartoons or take a nap because I have really vivid dreams. I can typically tell myself that there’s something I want to have a dream about and then I can lay down that topic or object will naturally get incorporated into an odd dream that gives me some type of inspiration or direction - mainly if I’m stuck on something or haven't been able to find inspiration by sifting through the internet.
AM: You have collaborated with Johnnie Walker in the past. What is it about this brand that you enjoy working with and what was it like to partner with them on this project specifically?
MA: I first partnered with Johnnie Walker to design signs of empowerment and progress for participants during the 2019 Women’s March in Washington, D.C. These along with other signs carried during the march were then featured in an exhibit curated in partnership with the New York Historical Society – Center for Women's History to commemorate the messages of optimism and unity represented through march signage as well as the spirit of collective progress moving our country forward.
When the Johnnie Walker team reached out to collaborate on this initiative in celebration of their partnerships with Gotham FC and Angel City FC, two powerhouse women's soccer teams, and all women in sports who are breaking barriers on and off the field, I was eager to come on board. It’s amazing to work with brands like Johnnie Walker which have steadfast commitments to gender equality and actively work to uplift underrepresented communities.
AM: This project is interesting as it's focused on increasing the fandom for women's soccer. How is the brand doing this with NWSL teams and their partners Angel City FC and NY/NY Gotham FC this summer?
MA: As women’s soccer takes the ultimate stage this summer, it’s prime time to highlight the significant gender gaps in sports and provoke equal visibility for women athletes, teams and leagues all year long. In collaboration with Johnnie Walker, Gotham FC and Angel City FC, we created a unified design which the players from both teams will wear during warm-ups on the July 2 match at the Red Bull Arena to underscore the one team approach to achieving equality.
The designs are available as limited-edition tops for fans to purchase in the teams’ respective colorways by visiting the Angel City FC and Gotham FC online shops. Not only is this a way for the fans to sport their support and join our mission, but a portion of the proceeds will also be donated to the Women's Sports Foundation to support their ongoing research to help inform the change in culture needed for equality and their mission to enable women to reach their potential in sports.
AM: How did you go about designing the merch for ACFC and Gotham FC for this game that will take place on July 2nd at Red Bull Arena?
MA: In this design, I chose to focus specifically on the hands of the players we are representing. Hands can convey a wide range of emotions, and I wanted to capture the feelings of celebration, camaraderie, teamwork, strength, and unity in a single glance. The lines surrounding the hands represent the dynamic exchange of emotions and energy between a crowd of people experiencing the same event. By depicting hands grasping one another, I sought to illustrate how we lift each other up as we rise and break through barriers. As a team, we often celebrate not only our personal victories but also the triumphs of our teammates and the collective success of our group.
AM: This collaboration is part of First Strides which is a larger initiative. Can you tell us about this and what we can expect for this?
MA: I’ve always admired Johnnie Walker for being a brand that stands for collective progress and its First Strides initiative turns this commitment into action by supporting the people and organizations who are doing the work to push culture forward for underrepresented communities. By celebrating, inspiring and enabling bold strides taken for progress, Johnnie Walker seeks to create more boundary breaking, first time achievement through grants, visibility, mentorship and empowerment.
Our partnership is just the beginning of a summer-long initiative to increase visibility for women’s sport, so stay tuned for more from Johnnie Walker to be part of a community that values and uplifts women athletes.
AM: You're always working on a number of projects. In addition to being the Co-Founder/Creative + Style Dir of Athleisure Mag, I am also a stylist and I loved your Lagos partnership which had stunning imagery and I believe you were at an event with them that I was also at as the team was talking about you while I was there. What are you working on now and what projects do you have coming up that we should keep an eye out for?
MA: Currently, I’m working on some exciting Web3 projects, a fashion campaign that comes out in the fall, as well as a broadcast commercial that will run during later this summer!
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured
PHOTO CREDITS | Craig Sjodin
THE BACHELORETTE S. 20 E. 1 | WELCOME TO CHARITY'S SEASON!
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Craig Sjodin
ABC’s The Bachelorette Season 20 is kicking off tonight and we’re excited for the second part that will take place tomorrow as well! will kick off as we follow Charity Lawson and her journey! Since we still have a few weeks to go, here’s our sneak peek on the men that are slated to be on her season.
Of course, Jesse Palmer is kicking us off and reminding us that this show has been around for 20 seasons! We get to know a little more about her background and what she is looking for. Based on the promo, we know that there are going to be a series of surprises so it’s a “brace yourself” moment for sure. We meet the guys and she definitely has a good group and we meet the mystery man - her brother Nehemiah who is going as Undercover Brother, the bartender. This way he can hear everything that is going on and he can help his sister. During The Bachelor, we know how protective he is of his sister, so this is a great fit! So far, we’re loving James who brought a gift that happened to be a note from his mom who said that she became a fan of hers and the show from the season. In addition, she gave them donuts and cider from their farm in Indiana which was so sweet!
Her brother continues to watch the men as they wait to chat with Charity, We also get to know more about Spencer as he shares that he is a father. It’ll be interesting to see if Charity will allow him to stay so that she can get to know more about him as he comes off a little awkward, but we can understand how stressful it would be for him to be there.
Brayden and Charity have a lot of chemistry. We like Brayden, but after the kiss, he didn’t realize that he was talking to Nehemiah, the bartender aka Charity’s brother and his kiss story came off really cocky. Nehemiah let everyone know that he is her brother and that he was going to let his sister know what he learned and observed from the night. You can see the men rethinking all the things that they said when they were near him. The siblings chat and Charity talks with Brayden as he tries to explain that he wasn’t trying to be cocky. She takes a moment to think about everything. She gives him the First Impression Rose because she feels that if he feels confident about their connection, she knows that he should feel that way! She walks in with him wearing the rose on his lapel and you definitely feel the mood shift in their room.
Charity gave roses to | Aaron B, Aaron S, Adrian, Brayden, Caleb A, Caleb B, Dotun, James, Joey, John, John Henry, Josh, Kaleb K, Michael, Sean, Spencer, Tanner, Warick, and Xavier
Charity sent home | Chris S, Joe, Khalid, Nick, Peter, and Taylor
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Bachelorette 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!
WHO WE WANT TO SEE GO TO HOMETOWNS
THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured TV Show
WAVES OF CHANGE | KAI LENNY
This month's cover is with 8X standup paddleboarding (SUP) champion, and accomplished legendary waterman, Kai Lenny. He has mastered big wave surfing, windsurfing, bodysurfing, hydrofoil surfing, kitesurfing, SUP, prone paddling, and more. Where there's water, he's there enjoying all that the elements can give him as he utilizes his athleticism to navigate it. He's known as a hydrofoil surfing pioneer and was one of the first wave riders to self propel himself into a wave, ride it, kick out, pump his foiling gear back in the sea and then catch another wave! He has had a number of accolades from winning the WSL Men's XXL Biggest Wave Award and the Men's Overall Performance Award in 2019, in the same year he was inducted into the Surfer's Hall of Fame and named Surf Industry Manufacturers Association's Waterman of the Year, in 2020 in addition to winning the Men's Wave of the Day, Team Champions trophy at the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge at Praia do Norte and also received the Biggest Wave and Performance of the Year at the 2020 Big Wave Awards to name a few.
We caught up with Kai while he was in Bali to talk about how he became a waterman, his career, his partnerships and the projects that he's working on from the Life of Kai to his focus on sustainability.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with the ocean?
KAI LENNY: I think that the ocean – I feel like it was just in my veins when I was born because it comes down to the circumstances of where I emerged into this world which was in Hawaii, in Maui, to loving parents that had a real passion for the ocean. When you’re that young and you’re just kind of taking in basically the world that your parents have created or that you’re a part of, you end up becoming your environment. I knew no better then to have a love for the ocean because the culture of just being in Hawaii and it was like being outside, just playing in the waves and riding in the wind – that was just normal. My love, I think it was there before I even knew. I mean in the description, I knew that my parents loved me and I knew that I loved the ocean. That was how I found and felt loved.
AM: When did you decide that you loved doing all of this, and that you wanted to take those passions and make it into a career?
KL: You know, pretty much early on! Obviously, there was no social media back then, you had DVDs, VHS tapes, magazines. My super heroes to me were not comic book heroes, because I actually have real life ones that were these incredible athletes that surfed, wind surfed, kite surfed, rode giant waves because the people that I was looking at in the magazines and in the movies, because I was able to see them also in person, because I was growing up in the mecca of watersports, it really was something that I immediately wanted to do! I remember when I caught my first wave by myself when I was 4 years old, it was like, that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I don’t care what it takes, I just want to be able to do this. It’s just that my life has just evolved in that direction. I’m totally living the dream right now!
AM: We love to hear that!
As a waterman, you have mastered so many modalities from being a wind surfer, SUP, and more! Why is it important for you to be this versatile and to use the water as such a big canvas?
KL: I just think that I looked at a waterman and a waterwoman as being somebody that can do anything in the water – ride waves from 2ft to 100ft, also being able to go below the surface of the water and to be a fish in a way! So, the ocean really is a place that can provide everything for somebody to survive and to live and to enjoy. I think that that is really a testament to ancient Hawaiians and how they sort of figured out one of the best ways of living life and their whole culture was surrounded by the ocean and not only – very few cultures in the ancient world allowed time for leisure and play and fun. The Hawaiian culture did that so kind of just taking what the ancient Hawaiians did before and fortunately, we live during a time of modern advancements and technology so that all of the toys and the fun equipment evolves and there’s more opportunities to see sort of a different face of the same sort of book or cover. You can ride a wave 50 different ways and it can feel like 50 different experiences, but the spot is the same exact one. So it’s all about perspective and how you come into it and at the end of the day, it’s about riding waves, riding wind and having fun and making the most of our time on this planet!
AM: Well, do you remember your first big wave or what you felt at that time was your first big wave?
KL: Well I mean, going way back, I think that waves are relative you know? When you’re I don’t know, 8 years old and you’re riding a 15ft wave, that’s a big wave! My first wave when I was 4 years old, by today’s standards, it would have been maybe chest high for me now which is very small! But when you’re 4 years old, and you stand less than 2 feet tall, it felt like a giant wave! I think that that’s what I love about surfing and what I love about wave riding in general, everyone is a big wave surfer in a way. You only discount yourself as a big wave surfer when you start comparing yourself to others. Because there is always someone out there who’s going to ride a bigger wave probably. You know?
AM: Right!
KL: It’s not something that you can get in on any given Sunday, there’s a bit of luck involved in getting the single biggest wave, but I have always found that at a certain point, above 50ft, it all just feels the same. It just feels gigantic. But yeah, my first legitimate big wave which would be my career starter was when I was 16 years old and it was at Pe’ahi also known as Jaws, on Maui. It's the Mount Everest of big wave surfing, the best big wave in the world with my heroes, Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama – they took me up there for the very first time. I was riding a hydrofoil board, but back then it involved snowboard bindings and so the consequences were extreme, but that sort of was the first day of my big wave career and so I have been surging giant waves every single year since!
AM: If you had to choose, what is your favorite watersport?
KL: I think that that is a really difficult one, it’s like, picking a finger for me, you know? It’s like, which one would you want to chop off, you know? I sort of like all my fingers, but you know at the same time, trying to describe the sensation of these sports, is like trying to describe to somebody a color that they have never seen. It’s hard to explain as each one in their own way is very special and unique and in the right conditions, that sport that I would be doing is my favorite in the entire world. Sometimes when you try to force a sport and not in the right conditions, it can still be fun, but it’s not like when the conditions line up. If I considered myself an ocean mechanic, and I had a tool chest of all of these different tools, one wrench is not going to help me fix the entire car necessarily or work on the entire car. So, it takes having many tools to kind of get to the point of riding the wave in the best possible way that I could imagine.
But that being said, if I could choose at this point, the most ideal condition to be in, it would be the culmination of every single sport that I do which is riding a giant wave on a tow-in surfboard going 55 miles an hour – I think that that sport is born of every sport that I do on a daily basis and it’s the type of sport that doesn’t happen every single day. You only get a handful of times per year to participate in something like that. So that’s like the pinnacle or the culmination of every sport that anyone has ever invented in the water.
AM: Wow!
You have competed in a number of tournaments, you surf the unsurfable, and you have such legendary status, what drives you to continue to do this?
KL: I guess beyond the desire to win competitions or to get another sponsorship deal or whatever, it’s the love of actually doing it! I often think that if I lost all of my sponsorships and I couldn’t be a professional surfer or athlete, I’d probably just be working a regular job as hard as I could so that I could literally go do exactly what I’m doing! I don’t think that I would have the opportunity to be able to do the extent of what I do at the frequency, but I pinch myself everyday that I am able to let my mind and imagination go wild! People support me to be able to go do this. It almost feels like I’m cheating at something in life! I try to just work hard every single day to make it happen. It’s something that I would do no matter what. Even if I had all the money in the world, I was the richest person on Earth, my actual life probably wouldn’t change that much. I’d probably not be on social media much and I’d be surfing even more. But for the most part, I’d be riding the same waves and doing the same sports.
AM: Do you have any routines that you do before or after competitions that are always your go-to’s to get in that mind set?
KL: I always try to go to the basics, I try to go to my foundation which is not thinking about the result. Obviously, I know the result that I want which is to be #1! Sort of less about like, comparing myself to others and I always feel that if I put in my best performance, I’m going to win and I don’t necessarily need to compete against anyone because surfing, and the collective surfing sports, are judged so it’s kind of a subjective view and you can ride the way that you want to ride, but at the end of the day, you kind of have to conform yourself to what the judge is looking for. That’s just the art of the game. If you’re playing a game of chess, there's the way that you want to play and then you’ve got to do what your opponent is giving out and you sometimes have to consider your opponent is the judge too. You’re kind of doing a dance with the judges to kind of get their approval.
I think that for me, the lead up to an event, it’s all about doing everything that I can, all of the training, all of the hard work, so that when the day comes, I don’t have to worry. I can fall back on my training rather than feeling like I didn’t do enough. I would say that the categories are, physical training, mental preparation, and then making sure that my equipment and the technology that I got is the best possible stuff that I could be riding. When all of those align, you kind of just have to see what happens. Most of the time, you can come out on top when you do it right.
AM: What is a typical day like when you’re surfing? How many hours a day do you surf?
KL: Before children, probably 8 hours! Now that I have kids and they’re really young, it’s a lot less because obviously, daddy duties and all that! I would say that now, I’ve become a better athlete because of it. In a way, in the past, I would overtrain. I would spend too much time in the water and my body would get fatigued and mentally, I would be drained. It’s pretty intense to be in an environment of these situations, but also just being out so often and pushing your body and never getting a rest day, that also holds you back! Less time on the water has actually meant that I have gotten better, faster because resting is actually training as well. Resting is just as important as lifting really heavy weights or doing your sport. It’s about finding a balance. You can’t be resting too much and you can’t be overtraining.
In a perfect world, I would be out there 100% of my time, but that’s just not the world that we live in!
AM: Clearly, surfing is a total body workout, but are there other workouts that you do either in the water or out of the water to maintain your physique?
KL: Absolutely, you know, it’s difficult when you’re traveling, because you’re just adjusting to time zones and you’re probably spending more time in the water then you have the ability to go to let’s say a gym. The types of gyms that might be around, they may not be existent in the surf world because of the remote places.
When I’m at home, my training routine is to get in the ice bath before bed every night to kind of recover. I have a hyperbaric chamber that can kind of cut down a rest day from 2 rest days to just 1 rest day. Doing hot and cold which is going through a sauna to the ice bath is very important. That’s just on the recovery side of things. I would say, that as far as training and beyond getting the workout in from being in the water, it’s going to the gym and doing different kinds of exercises and working out and actually doing enough heavy lifting with some heavy weights. I would say that it’s not about stiffening up because most people think you have to be as flexible as possible and that’s really important, but you don’t also want to be too flexible because you can actually break joints in the occupation that I participate in. So, it’s building up the muscles around the knees, the VMOs (vastus medialis oblique muscle), strengthening the shoulders, the hips and being able to handle the power of a big wave that crashes onto you. I do that 5 times a week, also going on trampoline training to get bare awareness. That’s a great workout and no more than 30 minutes will do the job! Underwater pool training, so carrying weights underwater and holding your breath simulating a big wave wipe out. It’s hard to – it’s difficult to do all of those things in one day. Depending on the season and depending on the time, you can be very well trained if you play your cards right. They’re all fun activities to do anyway.
AM: What competitions are you focused on for this year that you’re excited about?
KL: So right now, it’s a bit of my off season at the moment. Winter has passed in the Northern Hemisphere and typically, my biggest events are in the winter. But now that we’re in the summer, there’s a lot of opportunities to do some events.
Of course, every event you enter, you want to win. At the same time, my focus is right now riding big waves. One of the races that I want to do is Molokai 2 Oahu which is between one of the most powerful deadly channels in all of the Pacific. I’ve won it 4 times now across different disciplines from SUP to foiling and I’m going to go on a hydrofoil again this next year. That’s a really great test to see where your endurance lies. It’s in the middle of the summer. It’s July 30th, the last Sunday and that’s a good testing block for winter. Because winter is not too far off after that. In between there, if there is a fun and exciting event, I’ll enter. But right now, it’s about the winter time events.
AM: That’s incredible.
It was really enjoyable to watch the first and second season of HBO's 100 Foot Wave which can be seen on Max. Why did you want to be part of this show and what drew you to it?
KL: Well, it’s really cool! I was really honored to be on the 100 Foot Wave show. That being a show that recognized big wave surfers to a mainstream audience when our sport is typically reserved, or at least endemically for who’s riding what – I think any big wave footage that makes it to the mainstream, no one can tell who’s really going down the wave because we all look like specs. I wouldn’t say that I wanted to be on the show, so much as they sort of chose me. I was really grateful for that. It’s not something that you could really force unless you produce the show yourself or someone comes to you. The show wasn't about me, but I was able to be part of it and you know, that legendary figure, Garrett McNamara, is leaving an indelible mark on big wave surfing. His story is unique and special. I’m glad that people are enjoying it. It’s just bringing more eyes to this incredible sport.
The truth of the matter is, riding big waves is probably the most dangerous form of surfing and it’s typically also where maybe, people have the least amount of resources to do it – to support it. The stories that come out of big wave surfing, I’m probably the most successful big wave surfer, but there are so many guys and girls who work hard jobs during the summer months so that they can go surf giant waves in the winter and spend all of their money. It’s really a nomadic, mountain man/woman – it’s just so hardcore and those show really shines a light on the hardest working people in surfing.
AM: What is it about Nazaré that you enjoy being there?
KL: I think that Nazaré is a freak of nature. It’s the perfect combination of monster waves meeting in Europe. I think that if you saw the show, it’s a wave that’s hidden in plain sight. I mean, it was only surfed in the late 2010’s and that’s just kind of incredible because big wave surfers are always looking for the biggest waves in the world to ride. It just so happens that there was one in Europe and in Portugal, a surf rich country that it just came at the perfect time for this town where society and everything it dipped in to, the world supply chain and the small fishing village which once was supported purely by fisherman – it was a dying town. When the surfing world converged into this incredible place, it definitely brought so much new life that the town is now as well known in Portugal as being a fishing village as well as one of the most renowned big wave surfing destinations on planet Earth! It attracts tens of thousands of people per day to go watch these magnificent monster waves. Vertically, they're some of the tallest waves on the planet and some of the most challenging surf that a big wave surfer will encounter. It’s just that the story of the town itself, in a way, is far more interesting than even the waves that are being ridden out there now. It is the one place on Earth that you can go as a big wave surfer and be recognized by people! Most of the time I feel like as a big wave surfer, you’re kind of like moving silently in society before you step outside of the bubble to go ride these monsters out in the ocean. There, it’s a real unique place, and I look forward to going back every year and I count my blessings that I come home safe. Most recently, we had a friend, Márcio Freire, that died there and that was the first death in modern big wave surfing at Nazaré and it was tragic because he was a pioneer and it just goes to show you that no one is safe. You can go and get really unlucky. You just have to put yourself in the hands of a higher power and if you really want it, you have to commit.
AM: Last year, you released your movie Pe’ahi. Why did you want to tell this story?
KL: That film Pe’ahi, was really inspired by part of my life story, partly my director’s life story and I think you know, truly trying to shine a light on the realities of Hawaii, I would say that it’s a yin and yang. On one side, Hawaii gives you the greatest opportunities to become somebody and to do something great. I don’t know if you watch American Idol, but Iam Tongi just won and he is the testament to exactly why we wanted to make this film.
Coming from humble beginnings on the east side of Oahu to being at the very top, I’d say that our film really lines up with his story because that’s a real Hawaiian story. If you play your cards right, you're passionate and you love what you do, you can become the greatest because everyone is looking to Hawaii at all times. But, Hawaii in some ways, is like a third world country. There's a lot of poverty, there's a lot of homelessness – on one side, there’s this billion dollar tourism industry and there’s also locals who can barely afford a tent. Cost of living in Hawaii is just outrageous, especially for the ones that generationally, have been born and raised there.
Instead of just feeling sorry for ourselves, there was this need to try to make a film that would inspire kids who do come from the most humblest of beginnings to go all the way to the top and to be the best at anything that they want to do. Surfing was just a natural vehicle to carry the story. It’s a story of hope and perseverance and working hard to get to where you need to be. It’s just wanting to tell that story that we always knew existed, but that not a lot of people outside of our community, knew existed.
AM: Tell us about the Life of Kai? How did this come about? You’re in your 3rd season which is amazing!
KL: The Life of Kai is basically, adventures that I’m very lucky to partake in. It’s about the people that I’m meeting along the way. It’s not just about showing my best moments, but showing – I wouldn’t say the struggle, but the uphill battles to get to the ultimate goal and if you want to do anything amazing in this life, there’s always going to be a lot of work that is going to need to be put in. There’s going to be the ups and the downs. It’s showing that with perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle and you can do fun stuff and that’s kind of like the whole idea behind the series. I’m sharing this adventure and at the end of the day, it’s about inspiring the next generation and most importantly, being able to entertain people too, you know and letting people be able to takeaway what they want from the show. Not necessarily trying to sell them on anything – not that they have to be a surfer or ride giant waves. If they can see the passion for what I like to do, hopefully, they can translate that into what they want to do.
AM: As passionate as you are about the sport and what you do, you’re also vocal about the oceans and beaches. You’ve partnered with A New Earth Project in this effort. Can you tell us more about this?
KL: I’ve been given so much from the ocean that it only feels like my responsibility to give back and raising awareness is always great! We’ve done so many beach cleanups. It’s only the tip of the iceberg. What I really love about working with the A New Earth Project is that it's not just about bringing awareness, it’s not just about cleaning up beaches and rivers, it’s actually about going to the source of the solution and A New Earth Project is part of Atlantic Packaging which is located on the East Coast. Their whole goal is to change the plastic wrapping that goes around every soft drink or soda that is shipped around the world into something that is environmentally friendly. That company is working on ways to produce product that is not going to affect the end user in any way. The end user won’t even see a change, but behind the scenes, I think that that is the only way that we can save our oceans from plastic pollution. Not trying to get people that don’t really have a real relationship with the ocean to change, why not just change the stuff that has been delivered to them. They can still enjoy it the same way and that’s sort of the thought process.
So this trip that I came to Bali was inspired by A New Earth Project. Bali is one of the most beautiful places on the face of the Earth, but it is plagued with trash when western society reached these islands, everything before that was wrapped in banana leaves. Plates were made out of banana leaves, wrapping food was in banana leaves and traditionally, you’d throw the banana leaves into the river because there are so many rivers here and it would flow down into the ocean and it would biodegrade. It was really a cycle of this place, a cycle of life in Indonesia. Without educating the locals and the public here that plastic will stay for 1,000's of years, there just seems like there is no education behind that. So being able to come down here with A New Earth Project, we got to link up with a lot of local groups that are working to basically educate the people and to kind of figure out a way for waste management. Any plastic that does end up being produced is never going to end up being net zero, can be picked up. Because there is no trash service like we have in the states. So it’s trying to find solutions that help these people and help the environment. We ended up getting in one of the most gross rivers that I have ever been in in my life because they have these nets that catch all of these plastics and we were just loading up bags. That was a real eye opening experience because every time that you travel to a beautiful place like this, I never want to feel that I am just here to take their waves or to take advantage of anything so it really felt good to at least clean up an entire river for the surrounding people that make this place so special.
AM: That’s really amazing to hear!
Travel is such a big part of what you do. Where are your favorite places to go and what do you do when you’re not in the ocean?
KL: Yeah so, of course, my “vacations” are going to waves! My family vacations are just one tropical place from Hawaii to another! Here we are in Indonesia! Truly, I love to go to places that inspire me and people find inspiration in a number of different ways. For me, big mountains inspire me, big waves inspire me, the ocean of course inspires me! I’d say that 2 places that I have been that have had the nicest people that I have ever encountered, which is really a draw and makes you want to be a better person, is here in Bali in Indonesia. I don’t know if people get any nicer! You can literally drop your wallet and I’m telling you, as beautiful as it is, it’s a 3rd world country and there is a lot of poverty. You drop your wallet with $500 in it, somebody will track you down and give you back your wallet and not take any money. That’s just – it can be the Hindu religion here or just be the way that the upbringing is here – everyone here is just so gracious and kind. It’s amazing! If there’s any kind of crime at all, it’s typically, outsiders or foreigners that are causing a ruckus.The other place is Fiji.
Some of the most amazing people and I think that one thing stands out with these 2 places for Bali, Indonesia and Fiji, is that you can be gone for 10 years and you can return and see the same person, and they will remember your name. There’s nowhere else on Earth like that where they will remember you, they will remember the experience that they had with you and a lot of the people in these areas, may not understand the same way as we do in western society, but they are some of the smartest people that I have met – they speak 5 or 6 languages. If they can remember the simplest of things like your name when you return in 10 years, it’s really unique and exceptional. The destination is one thing, but it’s really the people that you meet along the way that make the places that you go to, what they are.
“Life of Kai is basically, adventures that I’m very lucky to partake in.It’s about the people that I’m meeting along the way. It’s not just about showing my best moments, but showing - I wouldn’t say the struggle, but the uphill battles to get to the ultimate goal and if you want to do anything amazing in this life, there’s always going to be a lot of work that is going to need to be put in. There’s going to be the ups and the downs. It’s showing that with perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle and you can do fun stuff, it’s about inspiring the next generation to entertain people too.”
AM: You’ve been sponsored by Hurley for a number of years and have done a number of collabs with them as well. What is it about this brand that is so synergistic with you?
KL: You know, I try to always align myself
with brands and companies that I can relate to or that are equal minded. Hurley really embodies the surfing culture and there is something so amazing and pure about how in a way it is exclusive, but it is also welcoming to anybody.
That’s the one cool thing about traveling
the world because you get to meet so many unique people from different ethnicities, creeds, and just perspectives. We may be in sort of one group here on land, but together in the water, we’re all the same thing.
Surfing, I think, is a really great craft to be able to gather people. Beyond Hurley being a great brand with amazing product, you know, their ethos is, just have fun. That I think, a lot of companies want to be hardcore like surfing is for surfers and that’s attractive to many people, but I have always been drawn to having a lot of fun in the water with people that you don’t even know and sharing this great experience, because like the great Gerry Lopez once said, “the one having the most fun is the best surfer.” I think that Hurley as a brand, embodies that ethos.
I think that if you can go out and get some Hurley stuff – their trunks and stuff, that literally makes you feel good enough that you want to go out there on the water and do something. That’s the whole point of surfing – it’s sharing this experience and sharing this life. There is always going to be another amazing wave and there’s plenty for everybody!
AM: Tell us about the Kai Lenny Paddle Series that you have with Hurley?
KL: I mean, the paddle series that we have created with Hurley, was really inspired by my trip here to Bali, Indonesia in 2021. I learned so much about my surfing and my athletic performance, but I also realized that I needed certain tools to allow me to surf longer and to have more fun so that I didn’t have to be stuck outside of the water with either reef cuts, rash or sunburn! We developed a board short that had a lot of pockets in it so that I could carry stuff like my GoPros, my sunscreen, basically a snack and anything that I needed, but also up to that point, no one had created a board short where the pockets wouldn’t turn inside out and you’d lose all of your stuff or they became more drag in the water as opposed to being hydrodynamic.
Really, the idea was to have a board short that was something that you could wear on land, dry really fast while you go from one adventure to the next! Maybe it even means going hiking in the woods because most of the time, the best boardshort is one that you only use for surfing. Whereas this trunk is amazing for hiking, it’s amazing for even going out to dinner, going out to lunch, or breakfast. You can carry all of your normal things, but then you can go surfing and have something that’s high performance. Then moving to something like the rashguard or the top that we use, it has a hood to protect you from the sun when you’re trying to surf for hours. It has a pocket in the back where you can put sunscreen, snacks, water, food, tools, and then it’s also designed to not give you rash. But it also has a cushion and a protective layer around your body. Again, all of these things are ideas that were put in that I really wanted. I feel like if I needed these things as a professional athlete, everyone can benefit from it. So far, everyone that sees it, wants a pair of both. I think that that’s pretty cool and it feels cool to develop something that people might want to use themselves.
AM: It’s definitely really cool when that happens and to get that feedback from people!
You have all of these different sponsors including Red Bull and Go Pro for a number of years, what do those partnerships mean to you?
KL: I mean, my sponsors, those partnerships, they are the reason why I get to live this life that I do and they all bring something so amazing to the table. For example, Red Bull has been – above the nice paycheck to basically live and to afford being alive - they are incredible at allowing me to have opportunities to up my level of performance and I mean most recently, and we just filmed this for the Life of Kai series, they brought me to the mountains of Alaska with one of the greatest snowboarders of all time, Travis Rice! I’d always been inspired to ride giant waves from and to look towards snowboarders that they’re doing on giant mountains and in particular, with Travis Rice and they made probably a once in a lifetime dream trip come true. The stuff that I was able to learn by riding giant mountains with my hero Travis Rice, is something that – snowboarding is so far removed and different from surfing. Something like that would have never come up on its own without kind of the support from Red Bull. It’s opportunities like that that make me a better athlete and I’m just always so grateful to be part of that company because they’re more than just trying to give an athlete a paycheck, they’re really about trying to help the athlete become the best that they can possibly be and to support them. They do feel like a family at this point.
With my other sponsors for example GoPro, I love GoPro because they give me the cameras to capture what’s going on in my world and bring people into this crazy environment – to take a camera that no other camera could go into.
And so, those relationships, if I go down the list even farther, Cariuma shoes, they have been amazing. They’re this environmentally safe skate shoe that is the most comfortable shoe that I have ever worn. But for every shoe that they sell, they plant a tree in the Amazon Rain Forest because they are based in Brazil. That’s really cool and their shoes being environmentally friendly is awesome and they’re the best shoe that I have ever worn!
Of course, the people that develop my equipment, people like KT Surfing and Goya Windsurfing, they make the equipment that I ride today. It really does take a village to raise somebody and it also takes a village to allow a professional athlete to perform at the highest level.
AM: How do you give back to those that are coming up in the sport who are also passionate in it?
KL: I remember being a kid and the mentorship that I had from the best water people on the face of the planet and I'm only 30 years old, but every time I do see a kid that’s coming up, I do try to like help them in any way possible to get them to accelerate their performance or to help them not necessarily make the same mistakes and to basically get them to their ultimate goal quicker. Certain things in life, you have to go through yourself of course and you have to learn on your own before you truly understand it, but you know, I think that at one point towards the end of my career which still seems so far away, being in a mentorship role will be probably more exciting than doing it myself. To see the excitement and passion of kids, that want to become something great whether it’s in the water or not, that’s inspiring. Having that young and excited energy really drives me to want to improve!
I may be 30 years old, but deep down, I’m probably still that same 12 year old kid that is just as excited or even more excited to be able to do what I am doing. It’s really important to be there for the next generation and help guide them through whatever passion they’re going in. The next generation is going to be better than whatever I can be and that’s just how you know a sport remains healthy – when the next generation overtakes the previous. That’s good for sport!
“I think that that is the only way that we can save our oceans from plastic pollution. Not trying to get people that don’t really have a real relationship with the ocean to change, why not just change the stuff that has been delivered to them. You can still enoy it the same way...”
AM: As someone who is always on the go, being a dad, a husband, traveling – what kind of self-care do you incorporate just so that you can be present?
KL: I think it’s being able to really turn off the switch. It’s so easy to be consumed by your quest and your passion. You can definitely feel like all of your focus is going to one thing. I think that the way that you get the best out of yourself is when you get home at night and you can turn that I think it’s being able to really turn off the switch. It’s so easy to be consumed by your quest and your passion. You can definitely feel like all of your focus is going to one thing. I think that the way that you get the best out of yourself is when you get home at night and you can turn that off. I can turn it off and just be a dad. I can just be there for my little girls, be a good husband to my wife, and just basically be able to transition and to have my focus be on my profession and then being able to just do what I need to do at home and do it with love. I think that that is the real trick to finding balance. You can’t overly consume yourself in anything. You may be able to sustain it for awhile, but eventually you might be crashing down. Finding balance is the key to life. So it’s learning when to turn things on and turn things off.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects coming up that you want to share that we should keep an eye out for?
KL: There’s always something coming up, I mean we’re in the middle of the season of Life of Kai and like I said, we just did this incredible trip to the mountains where I was probably the most scared that I have ever been in my entire life. No big wave has scared me as much as those mountains did and so that’s going to be really exciting to share that episode and to kind of share what went down on this incredible trip. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series dropping.
I’m in the works with new equipment of course and nothing really that’s anything yet, it’s all just ideas on paper, but I’m hoping that by this next winter, I’ll have it all dialed in and figured out and I’ll be able to go out there and do something that has never been done before!
AM: That will be interesting to see!
What do you want your legacy to be in the sport?
KL: I don’t know if you can ever have any say in what your legacy is going to become. That’s almost reserved for everyone else watching what they are going to brand you as. I think that if there is one thing that I would like to leave this Earth being known for is just being able to accomplish things and to do many things that people didn’t think that you were allowed to do necessarily. Having that enthusiasm, that passion and that love and that excitement for the sport that I do. I would say, that as a whole, I couldn’t say the one thing that I would want as a legacy. If anything, it’s to inspire the next generation to do what they love regardless of whether it’s surfing or not.
That’s the same thing that I have as a goal for my kids too! I want to give them every opportunity to be the absolute best people that they can be and to always go for it and sometimes, just taking that leap of faith. So, I think that’s what every great dad wants to be known for is that. Maybe that’s my legacy, raising the best kids I can. I want to be known not as Kai Lenny, but I want to be known as my daughters' father basically – Senna and Willa’s dad.
IG @kai_lenny
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Front/Back Cover + PG 46 Hurley | PG 16-41 , 48 + PG 146 for 63MIX ROUTIN3S Red Bull | PG 42-45 HBO/100 Foot Wave |
Read the MAY ISSUE #89 of Athleisure Mag and see WAVES OF CHANGE | Kai Lenny in mag.
Featured
