WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 THINGS TO DO TO YOUR HOUSE BEFORE SELLING IN GRAND RAPIDS?

Homeowners often assume that their house needs to be in a premium condition before they put it out on the market for sale. But that’s not necessary. Basic maintenance, cleanliness, presentation and realistic pricing are some of the things that are enough for selling a house.

So, if you are wondering what the top 10 things are to do to your house before selling in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this article will tell you all about it. Preparation depends on factors such as the property’s condition, budget and selling goals.

If you want to sell a house fast in Grand Rapids, contact Sell House Fast USA to discuss your property's circumstances.

The following steps will help homeowners decide where to spend time and money before listing. If you cannot afford major repairs or need to move quickly, you may have alternatives to a traditional, fully prepared sale. 

1. Assess Your Home's Condition

Walk through your property and identify issues that could concern buyers. It could be water stains, leaking faucets or malfunctioning heating equipment. You should be able to distinguish between necessary repairs and cosmetic improvements.

Prioritize safety, active leaks, moisture problems, and major systems. Obtain professional estimates for significant repairs. Older Grand Rapids homes may need closer attention to aging components, without implying that all older homes have defects.

The best improvements depend on the home's condition and at what price you are offering the house. You should also estimate costs with likely buyer expectations before authorizing expensive projects.

Differentiate between essential repairs and optional upgrades. A full kitchen remodel or bathroom renovation may not be necessary. However, consult a local real estate professional for property-specific advice.

2. Declutter and Remove Personal Belongings 

A seller should declutter their house. Remove excess furniture, crowded shelves, and personal collections. Also, pack away items that are not needed for daily living and organizing storage areas.

Clear countertops, entryways, and heavily used rooms. Also, remove personal photographs and excess decorations.

Sort possessions into items to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Homeowners preparing to relocate can pack nonessential belongings early to reduce last-minute work.

3. Deep-Clean the Entire Property 

A thorough cleaning of parts of the entire property is essential. Include kitchens, bathrooms, floors, windows, appliances, and frequently touched surfaces. Odors, dirty grout, dusty fixtures, and neglected corners can undermine an otherwise well-maintained home.

Cover carpets, baseboards, ceiling fans, windows, and bathroom fixtures. Ensure there are no pet odors and dispose of rubbish. Professional cleaning is optional if the homeowner can do the work.

Keep the home tidy after the initial deep clean, especially when several showings are scheduled.

4. Improve Curb Appeal

Buyers often form an initial opinion from listing photographs and the property's exterior. Choose improvements that make the entrance and front yard look maintained.

Mow the lawn, trim overgrown plants, remove weeds, and clear walkways. Clean the front door and consider a modest refresh if needed. Remove outdoor clutter and check that exterior lights work.

Outdoor maintenance should reflect the season in West Michigan, including fallen leaves in autumn, snow and ice in winter, and lawn care during warmer months.

5. Make Minor Repairs and Refresh Paint 

Repair loose handles, sticking doors, dripping faucets, etc. These small defects may be inexpensive to fix but can make it seem like routine maintenance has been neglected.

Prioritize visible defects and functioning components. Call qualified contractors for electrical, plumbing, or structural work.

6. Stage the Most Important Rooms 

Staging involves arranging existing furniture and accessories to make rooms feel functional, comfortable, and easy to navigate. Sellers can often improve presentation without renting furniture or hiring a professional stager.

Prioritize the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen. Remove oversized furniture that obstructs pathways. Use simple bedding, tidy surfaces, and restrained decorations.

Start with free or low-cost changes and consider professional staging only when the property's condition, price point, and likely buyer expectations justify the expense.

7. Check Major Systems and Safety Features

Check if the essential home systems such as heating, plumbing, electrical systems, and installed appliances are functioning. Buyers may have questions about the home's maintenance history, especially if the property has older equipment or visible signs of wear.

Review service records and warranties if available. Investigate unexplained moisture, unusual odors, or recurring mechanical problems.

Identifying potential safety issues early can give sellers more time to understand their options. Address serious hazards instead of relying on cosmetic improvements to distract from them.

8. Gather Paperwork and Property Records

Having relevant records ready can help sellers answer questions and move through the transaction more efficiently. Collect available information about improvements, maintenance, warranties, permits, and major systems.

Include receipts for significant renovations and contractor work. Gather appliance manuals and transferable warranties where applicable. Locate relevant permits and records of completed work. Missing records should not be invented or misrepresented.

9. Research the Market and Set a Realistic Asking Price 

Pricing should reflect the property's location, size, condition and recent sale prices. A well-presented home cannot sell if its price doesn't align with the market.

Examine comparable sales instead of relying solely on active listings. Consider differences in condition, property type, and neighborhood. Review local market evidence with a qualified professional. 

Sellers should consider more than the asking price when evaluating their options. Potential expenses include outstanding mortgage balances, closing costs, agreed repairs, moving expenses, and any applicable transaction fees.

10. Choose the Selling Method That Fits Your Situation

A traditional listing may suit homeowners willing to prepare the property, arrange showings, and work through the usual selling process. A direct home-buying company may offer an alternative for sellers who prefer to explore selling without completing every cosmetic improvement. Sell House Fast USA in Grand Rapids can help you in the process.

Preparing a home for sale does not require fixing everything or undertaking expensive renovations. The priority is to understand the property's condition, address important problems, present it well, and choose a selling strategy that fits your circumstances.

FROM INDIVIDUAL COMPOUNDS TO BLENDS: THE BASICS OF PEPTIDE FORMULATION

Peptide research has evolved considerably over the past decade. Where laboratories once worked almost exclusively with single isolated compounds, there is now growing scientific interest in how multiple peptides interact when combined in formulated blends. This shift reflects a broader maturation in the field, moving from characterizing individual molecules in isolation to investigating how they behave together in more complex experimental systems.

Understanding the basics of peptide formulation, what drives the decision to combine compounds, what technical challenges blending introduces, and what researchers need to know about quality and documentation when working with multi-peptide preparations, is increasingly relevant for anyone working in this space.

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/D koi

For researchers exploring blend formulations, sourcing decisions matter as much as they do for single compounds. Platforms where you can Buy Klow Peptide and similar blend products from documented, research-focused suppliers reflect the growing sophistication of the research peptide supply market in meeting this demand.

Why Researchers Move From Single Compounds to Blends

The simplest answer is that biology is rarely driven by a single signaling molecule acting in complete isolation. Physiological processes involve cascades, feedback loops, and parallel pathways where multiple signaling molecules act simultaneously or sequentially. Research designs that attempt to replicate or investigate these processes sometimes require multiple compounds present in the same experimental system at the same time.

There are also practical research rationales for blend formulations. When two peptides are known to act on different but functionally related targets, combining them allows researchers to examine potential additive, synergistic, or antagonistic interactions in a controlled experimental context. This kind of interaction research is not possible if each compound is always studied in strict isolation.

Convenience is a secondary but real consideration. A well-characterized, pre-formulated blend prepared to verified specifications reduces the number of preparation steps a researcher needs to perform, which in turn reduces variability introduced by individual weighing, reconstitution, and combination steps at the bench level.

The Scientific Logic Behind Peptide Pairing

Not all combinations of peptides make scientific sense. The rationale for pairing specific compounds in a research blend should be grounded in an understanding of their mechanisms of action, their receptor targets, and the biological questions being investigated.

Peptides that act on receptors in the same signaling network are natural candidates for combination research. If peptide A activates a receptor that initiates a signaling cascade, and peptide B acts on a downstream component of the same cascade, studying them together allows investigation of how upstream activation interacts with downstream modulation.

Similarly, peptides that act through complementary rather than redundant mechanisms provide interesting combination research subjects. When the mechanisms are truly parallel, combining them in appropriate experimental systems can reveal whether and how those mechanisms interact at the cellular or systemic level.

The scientific literature on peptide combinations remains far less developed than the literature on individual compounds. This is partly because combination research introduces additional complexity that makes interpretation more demanding. But it also represents a genuine frontier where careful experimental work can contribute meaningfully to knowledge that single-compound studies cannot access.

Formulation Chemistry: What Changes When You Blend

Moving from individual peptides to blended formulations introduces technical considerations that do not arise when working with single compounds. Each of these deserves careful attention in research contexts.

Compatibility Between Components

The most fundamental question in any blend formulation is whether the individual components are compatible with each other under the conditions of the formulation. Compatibility has several dimensions.

Chemical compatibility means that the peptides do not react with each other in ways that alter their structure or activity. Peptides can potentially interact through electrostatic interactions between charged residues, through disulfide bond formation if both contain cysteine residues, or through other chemical reactions that could modify one or both compounds in the blend.

Physical compatibility concerns whether the compounds remain properly dissolved or suspended in the same formulation matrix. Peptides with very different solubility profiles may be difficult to combine in a single aqueous preparation without one or both precipitating.

Stability compatibility considers whether the presence of one compound affects the degradation rate of another. Some compounds can catalyze or accelerate the degradation of other sensitive molecules in the same solution, reducing the effective concentration of active material over time.

pH and Buffer Considerations

The pH of the formulation matrix affects the solubility, charge state, and stability of each peptide component. Many peptides have pH-dependent solubility, meaning they dissolve readily at some pH values and poorly at others. Finding a pH that supports adequate solubility for all components of a blend simultaneously can require careful optimization.

Buffer composition also matters. Some buffer components interact with peptides in ways that affect stability or analytical measurements. Phosphate, acetate, and histidine-based buffers are commonly used in peptide formulations, but the best choice depends on the specific compounds involved and the intended storage and use conditions.

Quality Documentation for Blend Formulations

The quality documentation requirements for peptide blends are more complex than for single compounds, and researchers should expect this complexity to be reflected in what a reputable supplier provides.

For a single-compound peptide, the certificate of analysis confirms identity and purity for one target molecule. For a blend, the documentation needs to account for each component individually as well as the final formulated product.

Ideally, documentation for a research-grade peptide blend should include identity and purity confirmation for each component before blending, the nominal ratio or concentration of each component in the final formulation, analytical verification of the final blend composition, stability data for the formulated product under recommended storage conditions, and lot-level traceability that connects the final blend to the analytical records for each individual component.

This level of documentation is the standard that serious researchers should expect and demand. Blends supplied without component-level analytical data leave significant uncertainty about whether the observed ratio and quality in the final product reflect what was intended.

For researchers evaluating specific blend products designed for particular research applications, seeing how documentation is structured and what information is provided upfront is part of the evaluation process. When you Buy Klow Peptide or any comparable blend product from a quality-focused research supplier, the documentation accompanying the product should give you a clear picture of what each component is and how the formulation was characterized.

Reconstitution and Handling of Blend Formulations

Most research-grade peptide blends are supplied in lyophilized form, meaning they have been freeze-dried as a combined preparation rather than as separate powders. This approach simplifies the researcher's workflow but requires that the lyophilization process was validated for the specific blend composition.

Reconstitution of a lyophilized blend should follow the supplier's recommendations closely. The choice of reconstitution solvent, the volume used, and the reconstitution technique all affect how completely the material dissolves and how stable the resulting solution is.

Some peptide blends may require specific reconstitution conditions to bring all components into solution fully. If the recommended reconstitution approach differs from what you would use for one of the individual components in isolation, follow the blend-specific guidance rather than applying assumptions from your experience with single-compound preparations.

Once reconstituted, blend solutions should generally be stored at the lower end of the recommended temperature range and used within the defined stability window. Multi-component systems can have different stability profiles than individual compounds, and the stability window for the blend should be treated as the binding constraint regardless of what individual component stability data might suggest.

Analytical Challenges in Blend Research

Working with blends introduces analytical challenges that researchers need to plan for when designing their experimental protocols.

Quantifying each component of a blend in solution requires analytical methods capable of resolving the individual compounds. Reverse-phase HPLC can often separate peptides with different sequences, but the resolution may be insufficient if the components have very similar physical properties. Developing validated analytical methods for quantifying each component in the presence of the others is an important step before beginning research work with a new blend formulation.

Mass spectrometry can help by providing molecular weight information that distinguishes individual components even when they are not fully resolved chromatographically. Combined LC-MS approaches, where the mass spectrometer serves as a highly selective detector following chromatographic separation, are often the most powerful analytical tools for blend characterization and quality verification.

Practical Tips for Researchers New to Blend Formulations

Start with clear scientific rationale. The decision to use a blend rather than individual compounds should be driven by a specific research question about interaction or combined signaling, not simply by convenience. Establishing that rationale upfront makes experimental design and result interpretation clearer.

Request complete documentation before ordering. For any blend product, ask specifically for component-level analytical data and final blend composition verification. Suppliers who can provide this information promptly and clearly are demonstrating quality systems appropriate for research supply.

Run initial characterization experiments before committing to a large-scale study. Understanding how a specific blend behaves in your experimental system, including how it reconstitutes, how stable it is under your storage conditions, and how it performs in your assays, is valuable information to develop before investing in extensive experimental work.

Final Thoughts

Peptide blend formulations represent a scientifically meaningful extension of single-compound peptide research, enabling investigation of interactions and combined effects that are not accessible when compounds are always studied in isolation. The move from individual peptides to formulated blends introduces real formulation chemistry challenges and more demanding quality documentation requirements, but it also opens research questions that reflect the genuine complexity of biological signaling systems.

Approaching blend research with the same rigor applied to single-compound work, including careful attention to sourcing quality, documentation standards, and experimental design, positions researchers to generate results that contribute meaningfully to the scientific literature in this developing area.

Disclaimer: All peptides and blend formulations referenced in this article are intended strictly for laboratory and scientific research purposes only. These products are not approved for human consumption, self-administration, or any application outside of formally regulated research environments. This content is purely educational in nature and does not constitute medical advice, treatment recommendations, or endorsement of any specific use. All researchers must ensure full compliance with applicable institutional guidelines, regional regulations, and national laws when procuring, storing, and handling research compounds.

THE ART OF THE SNACK | PARK AVE KITCHEN BY DAVID BURKE

Last month, we had dinner at Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke. We enjoyed a night filled with a curation of spirits, cocktails, and dishes that were filled with flavor and with a savory progression that we’ll be thinking about before we return on our next visit.

During dinner, Eddie Pugsley, the Director of Operations at David Burke Hospitality Management walked us through the menu, talked about the curated spirits that were available, and more. We talked with him for this month’s The Art of the Snack along with David Burke himself tell us about what we should know for our next visit.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about the ambiance and vibe of this restaurant?

EDDIE PUGSLEY: The Power Breakfast starts your day in the dining room. Park Ave Kitchen has a vibrant lunch, with guests enjoying a leisurely afternoon as well as people gathering for a delicious meal before heading back to work. The ambiance loosens with a fantastic Happy Hour (4p-7p daily) before melting into an unforgettable dinner experience. The professional staff buzz about, focused on the guest experience while some visitors pop in for a cocktail hoping for a chance to chat with their favorite celebrity Chef.

AM: Park Ave Kitchen is an interesting concept as there is the sit down dining menu as well as the Euro Market Style. What can you tell us about both sides of this space in general?

EP: Beautiful dining room and bar, highlighted by pink Himalayan salt brick walls and huge windows stretching down 48th street and along Lexington Avenue. The Cafe and Grab & Go space surround the very popular Park Ave Kitchen Coffee Counter. The restaurant is an oasis in a sea of midtown NYC business, providing a place for your Power Breakfast, delicious lunch, tension relief at Happy Hour and dinner for one to 100+.

AM: For the Market, tell us about 3 items for breakfast that we should consider?

EP: The most popular BEC - bacon, egg and cheese - made with Cooper’s Sharp cheddar. Be sure to request Chef Burke’s famous thick slab bacon! Avocado Toast with Chef Burke’s amazing pastrami-style salmon. When hungry, be sure to get the Scrambler with sausage, eggs and breakfast potatoes.

CHEF DAVID BURKE: Amazing Coffee. Breakfast sandwiches, including the Ham and Gruyere Croissant. A fresh made juice or smoothie from the juice bar - the Nut Butter Elevation Smoothie is packed with protein.

AM: In the Market, tell us about 3 items for lunch that we should consider?

EP: The Market Salad. A top seller! Kale & romaine blend, roasted beets, roasted sweet potato, farro, pickled blackberry, haricot vert, roasted Brussel sprouts, toasted walnuts, goat cheese, walnut sherry-shallot vinaigrette. Add grilled chicken for fresh protein. The Pastrami Sandwich is amazing. Rye bread, spicy brown mustard, smoked overnight, delicious. Our Grain Bowls are healthy & filling. Rice or farro as a starch, roasted veggies & choose from shaved prime rib, hard boiled eggs, tofu, baby shrimp, grilled chicken or salmon. Double your protein if you’re REALLY hungry!

CHEF DB: Angry Bird Fried Chicken Sandwich. PAK Burger. DB’s Poke Bowl

AM: For dinner, in the Market, what are 3 items for dinner that we should think about?

EP: The Angry Butcher Pizza is a show stopper with Mozzerella cheese, Pepperoni, Chorizo, Crispy Prosciutto, Arugula, & Mike’s Hot Honey. Park Ave Kitchen’s Steak Frites are a best seller with fresh hangar steak, thin cut fries and David Burke’s B1 steak sauce. Sushi! The quality of fish that comes into Park Ave Kitchen every day is exceptional.

CHEF DB: DB’s Signature BLAT Salad. Crispy Dynamite Roll from the sushi menu. Care Hangar Steak Frites

AM: For those coming to the dining room for breakfast, what are 3 dishes that you suggest?

EP: The 277 Park Breakfast options allow you to choose various options, including oatmeal, eggs, sausage, bacon, avocado toast and include coffee, tea or espresso. Blueberry & Banana Pancakes are amazing! An Acai Berry Booster Smoothie from David Burke Juice Co, the creative Juice Bar at Park Ave Kitchen.

CHEF DB: Breakfast in our dining room will feed the appetite with choices such as Creme Brûlée French Toast, Burke’s Smoked Salmon Platter & Bagel, and the pastrami hash and eggs. The Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes are also really special.

AM: For lunch, what are 3 dishes that you think that we should enjoy when eating in the dining room?

EP: Park Ave Kitchen’s popular Express Lunch options allow you to choose 3 courses from a variety of items for $45. Must try David Burke’s famous Lobster Dumplings as a first course. The Crispy-Skin Salmon is wildly popular, with angry broccolini, celery root puree & beet vinaigrette.

CHEF DB: The Tomato Soup “au gratin”. Burrata and Prosciutto. Crispy Skin Salmon

AM: For dinner what are 3 appetizers that you suggest that we should enjoy?

EP: Clothesline Bacon for everyone! For sharing or solo, thick slab bacon, finished with black-pepper-maple glaze, torched tableside, served in all of Chef Burke’s restuarants. Oysters come in fresh daily. Have them naked with lemon varbana mignonette on the side. Tomato Soup “Au Gratin” is unlike any tomato soup you’ve had before. Fabulous!

CHEF DB: The Lobster Dumplings. Tuna and Salmon Tartare. The Gruyere Popovers

AM: What are 3 mains for dinner that we should be thinking about?

EP: Have you ever had DB’s Roasted Belle Chicken? No one roasts chicken like this. It’s unforgettable. Bison Short Ribs fall off the bone. The Rigatoni Bolognese is made with fresh beef and port sausage, smoked mozzarella and finished with toasted garlic breadcrumbs. Excellent!

CHEF DB: The DB Burger. Angry Lobster. 42 oz dry aged “swinging” Tomahawk for two.

AM: For sides to accompany our meal, what are 3 that we should have our eye on?

EP: Asian Glazed Brussels Sprouts accompany any main course. Just the right amount of crispness & very flavorful. Grueyere Popovers, a David Burke specialty, can be ordered as bread service OR as an accompanyment to any dish. They’re perfect for soaking up all our delicious sauces and dressings. The NY Times wrote a wonderful article on the thinly cut french fries, perfected by Park Ave Kitchen’s Executive Chef, William Lustberg. They go with everything!

CHEF DB: Midtown Hipster Fries. Angry Broccolini. Creamed Leeks & Spinach.

AM: To complete our meal, what are 3 desserts that we should think about sharing?

EP: The Cake Pop Tree! Chef Burke invented the cake pop so these should be shared by all at your table. Topped with cotton candy that brings nostalgia to your table. Classic Vanilla Creme Brulee is the most popular dessert, and we serve it with a fortune cookie as an added surprise. If anyone has dietary restrictions, Park Ave Kitchen serves Macrons and Berries made with almond flour, as well as fresh sorbet (current flavors are coconut and raspberry).

CHEF DB: DB’s Triple Chocolate Mouse Cake. DB’s Cake Pop Tree (get your camera out!). Black and White Sundae

AM: What are 3 cocktails that you suggest?

EP: DB’s Best Espresso Martini can be made with vodka OR tequila, pick your poison! Our Smoked Cold Fashioned brings the blowtorch and cherry wood chips tableside. The show is only topped by the flavor of this cocktail. The Pisco Sour at Park Ave Kitchen is a perfect blend of fresh lemon & lime juices, with cracked egg white and aromatic bitters.

CHEF DB: Rockey Jones Boulevardier (named after my first grandchild!). The Barreled Martini (an award-winning NY potato vodka). Yuzo Bees Knees

AM: For those that are coming in for Happy Hour, what are 2 dishes and cocktail that you suggest?

EP: The Martini Flight is ONLY available during Happy Hour! THREE mini-tini’s - select your flavor - served on a tree for one or to share. Also only served during Happy Hour is the Sushi-Sake-Tini. Two pieces of nigiri, alongside a sake-tini garnished with a skewered piece of a Rainbow Roll.

CHEF DB: Everything is great and you should have the Deviled Eggs. Flatiron Steak Sanfo. Martini Flight. Anejo Tequila Flight.

AM: You’re also known for your sushi menu, tell us about it.

EP: The quality of fish that comes into Park Ave Kitchen every day is execptional. We stock the Grab & Go shelves with a wide variety of sushi, shumai and nigiri, and make custom rolls to order in the dining room. Park Ave Kitchen’s sushi chefs are on site from 6am until 10pm Monday through Friday.

CHEF DB: We’ve collaborated with Chef Sang Choi at Park Ave Kitchen to develop our sushi menu. We keep our signature rolls fun and fresh- with both familiar and inventive options and also offer them in the market for grab and go.

AM: Tell us about Brunch as well as 3 dishes that we should thnk about as we look ahead to the weekend?

EP: Steak and Eggs is a playful approach to a classic dish. Eggs any style are served INSIDE a greuyre popover, NY strip cooked to perfection and breakfast potatoes on the side. Chicken & Waffles is very popular, with a freshly made waffle topped with Chef Burke’s Fried Chicken. A big plate! Chef David Burke’s salt-aged beef patty means the burger blend is absolutely delicious. Order the burger. It’s the best in the city.

CHEF DB: Brunch is Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 AM - 3PM. Asian Fried Chicken & Waffles. Blueberry and Banana Pancakes. Brunch Flatbread

IG @parkavekitchenbydb

@chefdavidburke

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ART OF THE SNACK | Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke in mag.

WHY BEACH DAYS DESERVE A PLACE IN YOUR WELLNESS ROUTINE

Wellness routines often revolve around structured workouts, balanced meals, and carefully planned recovery days. Yet one of the most enjoyable ways to support your well-being might be spending an afternoon at the beach.

The coast offers something different from the usual fitness studio or meditation space. Fresh air, open water, gentle movement, and time away from everyday demands create opportunities to unwind without following a strict schedule. Research into natural environments, particularly coastal areas known as blue spaces, suggests that spending time near water may support mental well-being.

Here's why beach days deserve more than an occasional spot on your vacation calendar.

Coastal Environments May Help Reduce Stress

There's something comforting about sitting beside the ocean, watching waves roll toward the shore. For many people, coastal surroundings provide a welcome change from crowded streets, constant notifications, and demanding schedules.

Research offers some support for this experience. A study published in Scientific Reports examined the relationship between natural environments and mental health across 18 countries, involving 16,307 participants. Researchers found that more frequent recreational visits to green and blue spaces were associated with higher positive well-being and lower mental distress (White et al., 2021).

However, these findings demonstrate associations rather than proving that visiting the beach directly improves mental health. One way to make the most of your visit is to create a comfortable place to rest. Bringing a portable beach chair by Ozzi Gear can provide a practical seating option for reading, enjoying the view, or taking breaks between activities.

You don't need to fill every moment with something productive. Giving yourself permission to sit quietly can be part of the experience.

Beach Activities Make Movement Feel Less Like Exercise

Not everyone enjoys structured workouts. Fortunately, staying active doesn't always require a gym membership or carefully timed exercise intervals. A beach provides opportunities for recreational movement, from walking along the shoreline to swimming in designated areas.

According to the World Health Organization (2020), adults should aim for 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity.

A brisk coastal walk may contribute toward these recommendations, depending on your pace and effort.

Consider incorporating activities that suit your fitness level:

●       Shoreline walks: Walk along firm, wet sand for more stable footing.

●       Beach volleyball: Enjoy an active game that encourages movement and social interaction.

●       Swimming: Choose lifeguard-supervised areas and check water conditions.

●       Gentle stretching: Find a stable, comfortable surface for mobility exercises.

Walking on loose sand can feel more demanding than walking on pavement because the surface shifts underfoot. Start with shorter distances, particularly if you have balance difficulties or existing joint problems.

Spending Time Outdoors Can Support Mental Well-Being

A beach day can also offer a welcome break from spending long hours indoors. In a 2019 study published in Scientific Reports, researchers examined data from 19,806 adults in England.

They found that participants who reported spending at least 120 minutes per week in nature were more likely to report good health and high well-being than those reporting no nature contact (White et al., 2019).

Importantly, the researchers identified an association, not a guaranteed health benefit. The findings also concerned natural environments generally, rather than beaches specifically. Still, the research provides an interesting reason to make outdoor recreation a regular habit.

Try spending part of your beach visit away from your phone. Read a book, watch the changing tide, or simply observe what's happening around you. These moments don't require special equipment or complicated techniques. Sometimes, a change of scenery is enough to make leisure time feel more restorative.

The Beach Offers Opportunities for Mindfulness

Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without immediately judging or reacting to what you notice. Coastal surroundings provide plenty of opportunities to practice this.  The sound of breaking waves, the sensation of a sea breeze, and the changing colors of the water can all serve as points of attention.

Try a simple five-minute exercise during your next visit. Find somewhere comfortable to sit, preferably in the shade. Notice the sounds around you, then bring your attention to your breathing. If your thoughts wander toward unfinished tasks or upcoming commitments, gently return your attention to your surroundings.

You don't need to empty your mind or achieve a particular feeling. The exercise is simply an opportunity to practice being present. For people who find traditional meditation difficult, this informal approach may feel more approachable.

Beach Days Create Space for Social Connection

Wellness isn't exclusively about individual habits. Spending enjoyable time with friends, family, or loved ones can also contribute to a satisfying lifestyle. Beach outings naturally accommodate different interests and energy levels.

One person might prefer swimming while another enjoys reading beneath an umbrella. Friends can catch up over a picnic, play games, or take a leisurely walk together. The relaxed setting makes it easier to spend time together without organizing an elaborate itinerary.

Consider making beach visits a recurring social activity rather than reserving them for special occasions. A monthly morning walk, an occasional weekend picnic, or an afternoon with friends can provide something enjoyable to anticipate. Remember that social wellness looks different for everyone. A peaceful solo visit can be equally worthwhile when you're craving time to yourself.

How to Make Beach Days Part of Your Wellness Routine

The most sustainable wellness habits are often those that fit comfortably into everyday life. You don't need to spend an entire day at the coast to enjoy the experience. A shorter visit can offer time for movement, relaxation, and outdoor recreation.

A few practical choices can make visits more comfortable.

Prioritize Sun Protection

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (2024) recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, and use shade, protective clothing, and sunglasses to reduce UV exposure.

Plan for Comfort and Hydration

Bring drinking water, snacks, a towel, and somewhere comfortable to sit.

Choose a shaded location and take breaks when needed, especially during hot weather.

Respect Ocean Conditions

Before entering the water, check local warnings and choose a lifeguard-supervised swimming area.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (n.d.) advises swimmers to remain aware of rip currents and avoid swimming alone.

Keep Your Plans Flexible

Some visits might involve swimming and long walks. Others might consist of reading under an umbrella for an hour.

Both can have a place in a balanced routine.

Conclusion

A meaningful wellness routine doesn't have to revolve around strict schedules or demanding fitness goals. Beach days offer opportunities to move, spend time outdoors, connect with others, and enjoy quiet moments away from daily responsibilities.

Research suggests that recreational visits to natural environments are associated with better mental well-being, although individual experiences and benefits vary. The next time you're planning your week, consider setting aside some time for the coast. A simple walk, a swim, or an afternoon watching the waves might become one of your favorite ways to unwind.

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS

Rollover crashes accounted for 38% of pickup truck occupant fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data also showed that 33% of SUV occupant fatalities, 25% of van occupant fatalities, and 20% of passenger car occupant fatalities in 2023.

A rollover crash is one of the most perilous kinds of accidents in the automotive industry. Because of the sudden turnover of the vehicle, occupants have a higher chance of getting injured, being displaced from the vehicle, or even dying. But what is a high mechanism rollover?

There are many reasons for cars to rollover. It could happen while taking a turn sharply, driving too fast, hitting an object, or due to hazardous road conditions. A high-mechanism rollover is a serious vehicle crash in which a car or truck flips over with significant force, creating a high risk of severe injuries or death.

Here are the common causes of rollover accidents, the injuries they can cause, and the steps drivers can take to reduce their risks:

The Vehicle Decides More Than the Driver Does

Rollover risks can predictably follow the shapes of vehicles. In 2023, rollovers accounted for the highest share of occupant deaths in pickup trucks at 38%, followed by SUVs at 33%, vans at 25%, and passenger cars at 20%. 

A vehicle that’s tall, with a narrow track width and a high center of gravity, tilts at a lower lateral force than a low one. The difference between swerving and rolling is much less the higher up the weight is. Adding load to the roof rack makes it even smaller.

The aftermath of a car accident can be frustrating. And according to New Haven car accident lawyer Joseph R. Grippe in their website overview, when seeking compensation for the damages, hiring a car accident lawyer to handle your case can maximize your chances of success in your recovery efforts.

What High Mechanism Actually Means

“High mechanism” is a trauma term describing the force involved in a crash, and it signals a higher risk of serious injury. 

This may result in grave injuries. Victims may suffer head injuries, spinal injuries, bone fractures, and internal injuries. This still depends on the intensity of the impact and the type of accident.

Rollover is not included as a separate category among the high-risk automobile accidents in the national field triage protocol for emergency services. What it lists is partial or complete ejection, intrusion including the roof past roughly a foot at the occupant’s seat or a foot and a half anywhere, the need to extricate a trapped patient, a death inside the passenger compartment, and vehicle telemetry data consistent with severe injury.

Those criteria describe what happened to the space around a body, not what the vehicle did in the air. A car can roll four times, keep its roof and its occupants, and still meet none of them.

The Technology Already Cut This Nearly in Half

Electronic stability control is among the most effective safeguards NHTSA has evaluated for this crash type. NHTSA's 2025 evaluation of the stability control standard put the relative risk reduction for first-event single-vehicle rollover crashes at 47.7 percent, with equipped vehicles showing roughly half the odds of involvement.

Stability control has been required on new light vehicles built since September 2011, which means the remaining exposure sits mostly in older vehicles. 

Rollover Claims Look Different in a File

Most rollovers are single-vehicle events, which removes the thing every other crash claim starts with. There is no other driver to blame.

What replaces that defendant is a longer list of possibilities. A tire that failed. A shoulder drop-off or a missing guardrail on a road somebody designed and somebody maintains. A roof that deformed further than its structure should have allowed. A belt that spooled out under load.

Each of those needs a different kind of proof and a different expert, and every one of them depends on a vehicle that still exists. The car gets hauled off, written off as a total loss, and sold for salvage on a schedule that moves a great deal faster than anybody's decision to investigate.

The safety situation has gotten better here, an occurrence worth mentioning due to its rarity. The technology of stability control is working, and the roofs have gotten stronger. What hasn’t changed, though, is the asymmetry. A rollover is a collision where both the car’s design and the road design, as well as occupant protection, are put to the test together.

NYFW SS27 EDIT

It’s that time of year again where fashion descends on various cities for fashion shows, presentations, pop-ups and more. As we looked ahead to SS27 trends and designs, it was another great season. We started off with New York Men’s Day to look at items that should be in our closets.

NYFW SS27 NYMD SESSION 1

Each season, New York Mens Day shares a number of designers that we should keep our eye on. This season, the first session had Avon Anglers, Ouila, Clara Son, and Alienant presenting their upcoming collection via standing presentations and rotating runway shows at Mercedes Benz Manhattan.

Of the 4 shows that presented their collections, we enjoyed seeing Clara Son which we have seen a number of seasons. We also enjoyed Alienant who was on Project Runway S21 with it’s Founder and designer, Yuchen Han. The collection had a number of streetwear looks. In attendance at his show was Project Runway S21 winner Veejay Floresca as well as S22 contestant, Bi Pham.

IG @newyorkmensday

@avonanglers

@ouilaworld

@clarasonstudio

@alienant_temple

NYFW SS27 MANKIND ON STAGE

We left that show to make our way to Jack Studios to see Mankind on Stage Presentation. This collection included an array of looks for men and women that were in white and black. Pieces included items that could be worn as evening wear as well as bridal looks. In addition, there were elevated looks for brunch and other special occassions.

IG @mankind_on_stage

NYFW SS27 RYNSHU

A few SS seasons ago, we had the pleasure of attending Rynshu’s fashion show. At this year’s show, we found ourselves at Virgin Hotels NYC in NoMad at their beach club where men’s and women’s streetwear was shown by a number of models including noted entertainer, Billy Porter (Kinky Boots, Pose, American Horror Story: Apocalypse).

IG @rynshu

NYFW SS27 NYMD SESSION 2

The second session of NYMD brought us back to Mercedes Benz Manhattan with collections from Ethan Lewy, Science Project Company, and Big Ocean X Andy Yu.

IG @ethanlewy

@scienceprojectcompany

@big_ocean.official

@49andrewyu

NYFW SS27 MODEST NOW THE SHOWS

As we continued through NYFW, we made our way to Rockefeller Center’s Radio Park to see Modest Now The Shows runway show while we enjoyed a pleasantly warm day. A number of the looks showcased elegant modesty fashion all in white from dresses outerwear and more.

IG @modestnow.theshows

NYFW SS27 CUSTO BARCELONA

Custo Barcelona is known for vibrant designs that have you vacation ready. So we were excited to go to Radio Park to see their SS27 collection which had vibrant garments that make you think of epic getaways by the beach and enjoying disco parties into the night! Cut outs, retro styles, and a bit of glam was on display during this show with NYC as its background.

IG @custobarcelona

NYFW SS27 Frederick Anderson

AS NYFW drew to a close, it was time to see the SS27 Frederick Anderson show at Nebula whose theme was My Garden Party. The runway show opened with a perfomance by Grammy Award and 3X Juno Award winner, Allison Russell. She also closed the show as well.

The show had models carrying stunning florals and wore looks of white, neutrals, lilacs, and more. Whether it was pantsuits, dresses, or separates the collection took you an array of parties, midday galas, and more.

IG @frederickanderson_designer

NYFW SS27 Valerian Hughes

Our final show of this year’s SS27 collection was at an art gallery space in Chelsea to see Valerian Hughes. The collection included dresses, suiting, and more for men and women that had a bit of island vibes woven throughout. The tailoring, accessories, and vibe of this show was a great way to end this season.

IG @valerianhughesparis

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 147 Max Bernetz | PG 148 + 149 PHOTOS COURTESY Ethan Lewy | PG 150 + 151 Alex Korolkovas | PG 152 + 153 PHOTOS COURTESY Modest Now | PG 154 - 156 David Warren

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see NYFW SS27 EDIT in mag.

WHAT MAKES SERIOUS ROAD ACCIDENTS SO COMPLICATED?

A road accident can happen in seconds, yet the consequences can take months or even years to unravel. What begins as an unexpected collision can quickly become a complicated situation involving medical appointments, insurance claims, financial worries, and questions about who was responsible. While some accidents are relatively straightforward to resolve, others leave those involved facing challenges they never anticipated.

The reality is that serious road accidents rarely affect just one part of a person's life. Understanding what makes them so complicated can help explain why the aftermath is often more difficult to navigate than the accident itself.

Establishing Who Was Responsible

It might seem obvious who caused an accident, particularly when one driver appears to have made a mistake. However, determining responsibility isn't always as simple as identifying who was behind the wheel. Several factors may have contributed to a collision, from poor road conditions and mechanical failures to distracted driving or inadequate vehicle maintenance. In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility.

Accidents involving commercial vehicles can be particularly challenging because trucking companies, maintenance providers, and other businesses may also need to be investigated. Fortunately, there are legal professionals such as Accident Law Firm that can deal with these complexities, helping injured individuals understand their options when responsibility extends beyond a single driver.

The True Impact of Injuries

One of the more difficult aspects of a serious accident is that the full extent of an injury isn't always immediately apparent. Adrenaline can mask pain, while certain conditions may only become noticeable in the hours or days following a collision. Even injuries that initially seem manageable can interfere with everyday routines. Someone accustomed to an active lifestyle may suddenly find themselves unable to exercise, work comfortably, or enjoy their usual activities. Recovery can also be unpredictable. Physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and ongoing discomfort may become part of daily life, making it difficult to establish exactly how long the effects will last.

Insurance Claims Aren't Always Straightforward

Insurance is supposed to provide financial protection when things go wrong, but navigating a claim can introduce another layer of stress. Insurers may request medical records, accident reports, repair estimates, and evidence of lost earnings before determining what compensation may be available. Disagreements can arise over liability, the severity of injuries, or the cost of future treatment.

These complications become more significant when several vehicles or insurance providers are involved. Keeping accurate records from the beginning can make a considerable difference when questions arise later.

The Emotional and Financial Consequences

Physical injuries often receive the most attention after an accident, but the less visible consequences can be equally disruptive. Some people experience anxiety about driving again, while others struggle with the frustration of losing their independence. Financial pressures can add to that burden, particularly when medical expenses increase while income is reduced. For families, the effects may extend even further. Changes to household responsibilities, caregiving needs, and everyday plans can create challenges that weren't there before.

Finding a Way Forward

Serious road accidents are complicated because their consequences rarely fit neatly into one category. Medical, financial, emotional, and legal concerns often overlap, with each affecting the others. Although the recovery process may take time, understanding these challenges can make the next steps feel more manageable. Seeking appropriate medical care, documenting important information, and obtaining professional guidance when necessary can help individuals regain a sense of control as they move forward.

ATHLEISURE LIST | NOFAR METHOD

We’ve been taking pilates for awhile on the classic reformer. This month, we had the chance to try out Nofar Method founded by Nofar Hagag who has a pilates background. She was focused on a method that combines the foundations of classic Pilates with a more athletic, dynamic style of training. By combining the Reformer and Cadillac within the same group class - Cadillac is normally reserved for private sessions at most Pilates studios. At Nofar, this allows a more dynamic, full-body experience while giving clients the benefit of 2 very different pieces of equipment in one 50-minute class. The classes are intentionally small so the experience remains highly personal, their instructors are trained in the Nofar Method. This signature class incorporates strength, cardio, mobility, coordination, and breathwork.

Their Intro Nofar Method are for clients that are newer to the method as well as those that are more advanced, but are looking for an additional challenge.

Throughout the year, they have specialty classes and workshops. They offer programming focused on areas such as longevity and movement for clients 55+, Pilates for men, and Pilates for teens, as well as educational workshops and certification programs for Pilates instructors. Clients who prefere a completely individualized experience, they also offer private one-on-one sessions. The Nofar Method Academy will be resuming their workshop and certification classes in October.

The Flatiron studio has an infrared sauna which was a great way to transition from the workout to having 45 mins of a reset. The studio also has changing rooms and restrooms. Studios are designed to let clients focus on the experience from the moment they arrive.

To get the most out of class, listen to the instructors, focus on form rather than trying to rush through a movement, and stay consistent. Pilates is a practice, the more consistently you do it, the more you begin to notice changes in your strength, posture, mobility, coordination, and overall body awareness. Make sure to bring your grip socks.

NOFAR METHOD

Tribeca

20 Murray St 2nd Fl

NY, NY 10007

Flatiron

20 Murray St 2nd Fl

NY, NY 10007

15 W. 18th St 2nd Fl

NY, NY 10011

Miami

1370 Washington Ave Ste 201

Miami Beach, FL 33139

nofarmethod.com

IG @nofarmethod

PHOTOS CREDITS | Nofar Method

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE LIST | NoFar Method in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | SALUMERIA ROSI

We made our way to the East Village to enjoy Northern Italian cuisine at Salumeria Rosi which launched in the UWS in 2008 and recently reopened in the East Village after 20 months of construction.

Upon stepping into this eatery, it has a mix of a cafe feel as well as a cozy restaurant. Owner, Andrew Loscalzo grew up in English pubs which served as an inspiration for this location. He wanted to create an envirnoment where people can come for a coffee, stay for lunch and then enjoy an afternoon aperitif. At 5pm, the lights come down, the candles come out and you may just stay for dinner as well.

For breakfast, there are a number of authentically Italian choices, but 3 to keep an eye out for are imported Sfogliatella from the famed Napolitan Pistecceria, Sal de Riso, and there is a choice of Stuffed Butter Croissants with Prosciutto or Mortadella. Their most popular item for this time of day is their Pressed Butter Croissants topped with dill crème fraiche, lox and lemon zest.

The perfect caffeine pairings take place at the espresso bar where they encourage “no espresso to go.” That means enjoying the espresso as much as the coffee. With a number of options, they suggest their Iced Lattes as well as their house Nutella Cappuccino.

For lunch or dinner, 3 Antipasta dishes that we have our eye on is their Burrata and Apricots as well as their Carciofi Fritti and their Alla Giudia style with Cacio e Pepe Cream.

For pasta options, we suggest their Cacio Pepe which we enjoyed. Their housemade Spaghetti alle Vongole is their most premiere dish. They import the vongole direct from Italy. The most popular pasta their signature Rigatoni Alla Salumeria which is their housemade rigatoni mixed with sauce, imported cured meats, and plum tomatoes, topped with Pecorino Romano.

For dessert, keep in mind their Torta Di Ricotta, Pistachio Panna Cotta, and Delizia al Limone (lemon cake).

We enjoyed their Hugo Spritz which was refreshing! They pride themselves on having a fantastic house wine selection as they believe guests should always have something very good to drink when choosing house wine. They have an Enzoni which is a grape twist of a classic Negroni. Their most popular drink over the years has always been their Aperol Gimlet.

For those looking for their next Brunch destination, Andrew wants us to know that it is all about eggs, eggs, and more eggs! If you are looking for something else or to add to this - they have Pancakes made with ricotta. Both their full menu and brunch menu are available during brunch hours.

SALUMERIA ROSI

222 Avenue B

NY, NY 10009

salumeriarosinyc.com

IG @salumeriarosinyc

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | AKSSS Studio

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE LIST | Salumeria Rosi in mag.

BINGELY BOOKS

TAIPEI STORY

William Morrow

R.F. Kuang

This coming of age novel, Taipei Story is a coming-of-age novel that navigates dealing with grief, language, and culture shock during an unforgettable summer in Taipei. We find Lily Chen spending time in Taipei during an intensive Summer program alongside other Chinese American students that are looking to learn and connect with their heritage. Due to a number of activities she finds that she is frustrated and feels isolated and wonders why she is there and not back home.

When her grandfather passes away, she realizes that she needs to understand things about her family history which allows her to know more about herself.

Now she sees being in Taipei as a necessary experience that combines memories, stories that she’s been told and how it all connects to her.

WE CHASE SHADOWS: A WE SOLVE MURDERS MYSTERY

Pamela Dorman Books

Richard Osman

This book series is part of the A We Solve Murders Mystery collection. In We Chase Shadows, the italian hills at sunrise reveals a body that was found on the steps of a beautiful private villa! The body also contains a threatning note that is signed by a mystery man.

At We Solve Murders HQ, Amy, Rosie, and Steve are eager to tackle their next case. They realize that their suspect list continues to grow and they’re in more danger than they could have possiby understood.

OUR NOBLE SELVES: A NOVEL

Doubleday

Kate Atkinson

In Our Noble Selves: A Novel, we meet Harry Flynn during post-World War II in London. He was a crime correspondent turned war reporter makes his way back to Britain from Singapore in 1945. He has settled into a much quieter life with the Festival of Britain which is a government funded initiative that celebrates the nation’s creativity, grit, and ingenuity. He begins to work and connect with an interesting band of fellows that are ready for the Festival that is about to launch.

As he settles into this new role and life, a Frenchwoman is missing and he becomes a primary suspect for her disappearance as well as her murder! As more evidence comes in, he begins to wonder if he may have been involved in what happened. He also realizes that the people he is surrounded by have their own secret agendas.

The juxtaposition of horific events as well as the backdrop of a country whose focus on emerging from a war is one worth noting as these events come together.

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see BINGELY BOOKS in mag.

IN AND OUT OF THE RING | CHELSEA GREEN

For our WWE fans, we all have our favorites that we enjoy watching their storylines, promos, wins, and all the moments in between. Over the course of our 129 issues, we have enjoyed sharing these athletes on our cover. For our SEP ISSUE #129, we sit down with Chelsea Green who is the current WWE Women’s Champion! Whether you have seen her in WWE 2K26, Netflix’s Unreal or follow her on her IG, we enjoy seeing her energy and athleticism as she navigates the WWE Universe. We wanted to know more about how she got into this industry, being in the ring, and putting her passion and love out there as performs on global stages!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We’ve had the pleasure of watching you wrestle for a number of years.

CHELSEA GREEN: Love!

AM: We’ve loved seeing you on Netflix’s WWE: Unreal and seeing what happens outside of the storylines that take place in the ring on WWE.

We’ve watched you over the years. Obviously, those in the WWE Universe have watched you. What is the first wrestling match that you remember watching?

CG: You know, I actually didn’t grow up a huge WWE or WWF fan, but I went to a live show. A couple of friends from school dragged me to a live show. I will never forget seeing Kelly Kelly in a purple sparkly beautiful outfit and it was the first time that I had connected the thought of you can be badass and also look like a beautiful Barbie, you know? I think that that’s what really got me thinking that the 2 can coexist together. That’s how I’ve always been. I’ve always played a million different sports, but I still wanted to wear makeup. I still loved, you know, like cute outfits or getting my hair done.

AM: Yeah.

CG: That was kind of the most beautiful combination of those 2.

AM: At what point though, did you think to yourself, okay, well, I want to wrestle. I want to do this professionally.

CG: I was going to school for Kinesiology in Calgary and I was also bartending on the side. People kept talking in Calgary about this infamous Hart family. A quick Google search would show me that they were basically the biggest wrestling dynasty family ever! That kind of snowballed into Googling how to be a WWE Diva and turns out, there was a school, one of the best schools in the world, only 10 minutes away from where I lived at the time.

AM: Oh, wow.

CG: It was just perfect because I wanted a new hobby. I kept hearing about this wrestling thing and I decided, that they had a 3-month course. Let me check it out. So I ended up signing myself up for Storm Wrestling Academy. I mean, I took one look at the ring when I got there and I fell absolutely in love.

AM: It’s always interesting to hear how people come to whatever it is that they do.

What’s an average week like for you when it comes to training and getting ready for matches? One of the things that we really respect, and we’ve interviewed a tons of athletes across an array of sports. But the WWE athletes that we have had as covers from Nattie, Leah Van Dale, Daria Beranato, Danielle Moinet, Trinity, etc – you guys are traveling 300+ days a year! You’re wrestling, doing promos, special projects philanthropy initiatives, being with fans – the schedule is not easy. You were in Indy Thursday night and you could be in Dubai 2 days from now!

What’s that average week like for training?

CG: Of course, growing up being an athlete and then getting into personal training and Kinesiology, I loved to work out 6 to 7 days a week. Even when I said I wasn’t working out, I was still doing active recovery. I was going for walks or I was doing something that kept my blood flowing. But I’ve had to learn to be really forgiving with my body since getting into WWE. For the past 3 years, I have been lucky if I had one day off a week. So with all that traveling, and of course, now being in my 30s, I’ve really had to make sure that I take time not so much for lifting, or for getting cardio in, but for sleep, and for healthy habits. So if that means, you know, just making sure that I get all my protein in, or if that means getting 8 to 10 hours of sleep, if that means just making sure that I walk from point A to point B in between my appearances. That’s what I do. I give myself that grace and that freedom to take time off.

You know, that’s easier said than done because mentally I want to work out 6 to 7 days a week and I want to go hard. I want to always feel the burn that you feel when you’re having those amazing workouts and the sore muscles. We have to be careful because we are on the road, like you said, basically 365 days a year. So it’s my workouts and the way that I frame working out that has changed.

AM: What are 3 workouts that you do that optimize you as a wrestler that could be beneficial for those of us who are not wrestling, but would be great for our fitness routines?

CG: I love. a plyometric workout and I think the beauty of plyo is that you can expand on it. So you can do little mini jumps and then you can also go faster and harder and higher with plyo. You can pick up the pace, you can slow down the pace, you can do long jumps as opposed to high jumps - like there’s just so many ways that you can fit plyo into a short workout. You can do a hip plyo workout for 15 minutes and be absolutely drenched! So I think plyo is the easiest way to be able to do a workout without weights, without anything - except body weight. You can take that with you and workout anywhere.

Okay now I know everyone is on the pilates train!

AM: Yes

CG: I’m absolutely here for it. I like a high intensity low impact pilates class. I like one with a mega reformer. I think that people are so afraid of that machine, but if you just go in and face your fears one time everything else after that in that class will be such a breeze. It’s like plyo where you can add the weights and you can take them away. You can build on it. So I think that’s a beautiful workout to do to be able to keep kind of growing in your stability, flexibility, or lengthening your muscles.

The third one is a good old fashioned only dumbbell workout. It’s gonna get you everywhere. I’m telling you people who say that they don’t have the knowledge, the time, or the equipment for a workout - like you’re lying! You can pick up milk jugs, you can do body weight things there’s always an answer. All I need personally and this is coming from somebody who I’ve been working out for over 20 years. All I need is 10lb dumbbells. That’s it. That is it. I can build any workout I want with 10lb dumbbells. There’s no excuse.

AM: So true. We love Pilates. Like you said, it was intimidating the first time. I just tried a new method called the Nofar Method, they have them here in NY and in Miami they have the Classic Reformer and the Cadillac Reformer. So you do the 50 mins class and you have half of it on one maching and the other half on the second machine. It was the first time we were on the Cadillac and we were a little apprehensive, but you could feel the benefits a few hours later so we may be bringing that into the rotation.

CG: Ooh, that’s a lot. I get it. You know what I have taken? So I do, Hili here in Florida. It’s not everywhere, but it’s growing in South Florida and Central Florida. I brought some fellow athletes with me.

AM: Yeah.

CG: Some are totally intimidated. They hate it. They’re shaking the minute they get on and some think it’s a breeze. So, I think that’s kind of the beauty of these Pilates classes. We’re finding all these different methods, but, but they all have something in common, which is using some form of reformer. I mean, they’re hard as hell.

AM: Oh yeah, such a respect for it.

CG: I’m going to be taking my husband there. He agreed. He would try it out.

AM: What was your road to getting to the WWE? Years ago, MTV had a show where you had WWE hopefuls and you saw them compete to get a contract.

CG: Yes! Tough Enough!

AM: It was a great show because you saw people taking that step towards their dream, dedicate their time, but not everybody gets to win. The WWE has so many tracks/organizations as a way to get in, what was your road?

CG: So that’s funny you say Tough Enough. I actually was on Tough Enough, but my journey started before Tough Enough. So I started in 2014. After, you know, what I thought was going to be a fun little hobby for 3 month training at Storm Wrestling Academy, I fell absolutely in love with it. And I decided to kind of plunk myself in the middle of independent wrestling. So I wrestled all around North America. I wrestled in Japan. I wrestled in Mexico on the indie scene.

AM: That is very gritty.

CG: I was only getting paid $20. I’m killing my body. I’m doing death defying stunts. It was a lot, but for me, it was about showing my respect for this sport – professional wrestling. That was the right avenue and I’m so thankful I did that. I actually ended up on the indie scene for years and years and years on and off. I was hired at TNA for awhile and became Knockouts Champion. I went to Lucha Underground and wrestled Penta who we now know in WWE. I ended up having a brief stint at WWE for about 2 years before the pandemic.

Then with everything that happened with the world, I was actually released. That’s when I kind of reinvented myself. I changed my mindset. I reinvented myself as a wrestler. You know, I really had gotten into this vicious cycle of negative self-talk and negative talk within work. Instead of walking into the Performance Center and walking into WWE saying, “what an amazing day it is and how blessed we are to have this job.” I was like, “oh, it’s raining out and we have to wrestle for the next 8 hours.”

AM: Right.

CG: When I was released, I was like, “what was I thinking?” That was everything I have worked for since 2014. So I tried to do a master reset on my brain and just get into a space of being grateful. And that changed everything. When I was rehired back at WWE in 2023, I looked at the opportunity as, anything that I do from here on out is a blessing because I’m at WWE. I have a beautiful life, a beautiful husband, beautiful dogs. I’m building my dream house. I have everything I’ve ever wanted. So anything past this is just, it’s the icing on top of the cake. So that really changed everything for me because I said yes to absolutely everything that came my way in WWE. I never said no to an opportunity whether I was exhausted, sore, I hadn’t been home. I was losing a match or it seemed like it wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I just had this mindset of say yes and smile about it for everything.

Eventually after a year of doing that people started to recognize that and they started to appreciate it. They were able to rely on me. They knew that they could ask me to do things within WWE and I would never, ever complain or I would never make them feel like that was an opportunity that I was too big for. Eventually, that is why I ended up as the first United States Women’s Champion and again as the WWE Women’s Champion because I became reliable and there’s something to be said about just being a good hand.

AM: Agreed and I think that’s why it’s enjoyable to watch you because we know that you’ve been busting your butt while being authentic and staying present even when something wasn’t exactly what you wanted. You’re like, you know what? There is this grit and you just get in there.

CG: I grew up in a household where there’s no pitying ourselves. We’re not having pity parties. We’re not feeling sorry for ourselves. We’re going to do the job. We’re going to do it the best way that we can. We’re not going to quit. If we don’t want to go back and do it again, fine. But that’s kind of like what was instilled in me. So I tried to take that mindset that my parents gave me at an early age and apply it to WWE and to the workplace because trust me, there’s a lot of stuff that I don’t want to be doing! I want to be at home with my animals cuddling up to them on the couch but there’s only so much time that I’m going to have in this industry and I want to make the most of it.

AM: For someone who’s new to the sport, describe who Chelsea Green is when we’re seeing her on the screen, in the ring, and we’ve entered your bedazzled world in your closet in Unreal – who wouldn’t want to be in there?

CG: I’m literally talking to you right now from my closet!

AM: Thought so!

CG: I’ve taken the fans on a crazy ride for this character in the past 3 or 4 years. We started out as a very typical Karen character. She was annoying. She was outspoken. She was a complainer. Then it started to kind of shift after Unreal came out. Even though I was still playing that character in my heart, the fans kind of switched me into more of an underdog character where it didn’t matter that I was complaining. I deserved and I was allowed to complain. They got behind me because of, you know, the journey that I’ve been on, the indie scene, the broken bones and the blood, sweat and tears that they’ve watched me shed for 12 years. And so that’s where my character ended up becoming a good guy. And now, I’m in this new era where I am Champion and I am a good guy and that’s everything I was in 6 months ago. So, I’m trying to figure out who am I now? Because I never want to just night and day switch up just because the fans decided that I’m a good guy. I want to keep that character that has fire and spice and she’s quick-witted. She says exactly what’s on her mind and she’s got comedic timing. She makes people laugh and she’s the butt of the joke. I don’t want to lose that, but now we’re going to shift into a more likable version of that. So, you know, TBD on who Chelsea is in the following 6 months.

AM: Speaking of Unreal, this show lets us see what’s going on on the stage, how the stage comes together and the lives of the wrestlers as they navigate their world. In many way, it fills in the gaps. So in watching you, we know that you’re resilient, you bounce back, you have tenacity, but getting to know more about you to fill in the gaps at home.

What did it mean to you to be a part of the series? It’s really nice that they highlight and showcase Cody, you, CM Punk, Triple H, as well as those that are coming up.

CG: Well, you know what’s funny? I’ll never forget sitting in the Salt Lake City airport and getting the call about Unreal. I had no idea how big it would be. I had no idea that it would change the trajectory of my character and my career within the company. I just wanted to do it because I knew I had so much more to give to the WWE Universe. I understand that people watch me every Friday night and they think I’m annoying or they think I’m funny or whatever it is. But I’m just, I’m a normal Canadian girl who loves her family and who is on this journey building this house and who, you know, dated a wrestler and ended up marrying him. Like, there’s so much more to all of us that we don’t always get to show. And that was why Unreal really meant so much to me because I finally had the platform to show people that I am just a human and I am just a normal girl when the cameras go down. I have the same feelings everyone else does at their 9 to 5. I’m exhausted, I’m emotional, I’m just trying to make money for my retirement. All those things are relatable and all those things are what we are like on our days off. I think it’s really important. There’s some people who may not want to show that side of them, but for me I want everyone to feel like they can come up to me if they see me in a grocery store and talk to me. I think that that’s exactly what Unreal did.

AM: We used to watch WWE Divas when it was on E! We loved seeing how these women interacted with one another, being on the road, and in the ring. Once we started doing photo shoots with them, it was amazing to see those personalities in real time with us and we have had a number of those from the cast in our issues as covers. With Unreal, it has elements of that show but still feels new and different. There’s even more of a realism and being able to see the balancing act between the ring, reality, and planning. It’s a phenomenal show. I’m glad that they’ve brought that element back for those of us that want to see all those intricacies and how they come together.

CG: Yeah, you know, there’s something really special about being a fan of somebody and then finally being able to see the curtain pulled back and see who they really are. You know, I always loved watching documentaries about my favorite celebrities. So I knew that that’s why Unreal would be special. And I laugh every time I see online people say, like, “Unreal is scripted.” It’s not. It’s exactly what you see. It’s cameras following me. And sometimes I don’t even know they’re there because we’ve got so much going on. It truly is very, very real. When you watch Unreal, I also am watching at the same time. So when episodes drops, I’ve never seen a single episode ahead of you. I have no idea what you guys are going to see. I’m watching it at the exact same time. It’s really, really a unique experience.

AM: Wow.

What’s match day like for you? Do you have things that you have to do or want to do prior to getting into the ring just to get ready for that match?

CG: So there are a lot of wrestlers that have pre-match rituals and I’m actually trying not to. And the reason that I try not to is my schedule and my life and the companies I’ve worked for have been ever-changing since 2014. I have never been able to keep a routine on show day ever because sometimes we’ve got media, sometimes we’ve got meet and greets. Sometimes I’m filming a pre-tape, or like liners for social media, 10 minutes before I go out there. So I never want to rely on something and feel that because I didn’t do that thing, that everything’s going to fall apart.

Of course, you know, there are certain things like the night before. I need to make sure I get X amount of sleep. I need to make sure that when I get off a plane, I walk to try to get my body moving and try to get that puffiness out because I’ve got to get in my tiny little outfit. You know, it’s all those things. It’s taking electrolytes. It’s making sure I get enough protein on show days. It’s just sitting in the locker room with the girls and decompressing. It’s all of those things that matter. Making sure that I get enough food and water on show day is my number one priority outside of just being at work and doing the work.

AM: When the match is over, are there treats that you give to yourself for doing everything that you just did?

CG: On the road, every little city or town that we’re in is going to be different. The one thing that almost is in every town is Chipotle.

AM: There you go.

CG: I love me a little queso and chip Chipotle. Oh, damn.

AM: Yeah.

CG: So good. So, you know, unfortunately, like show days, we go from 8 to 10. So it’s tough because a lot of things are closed when we get out of our show. But I will try to pre-order some chips and queso and I will enjoy that in bed watching my favorite reality tv show and decompressing. You know, one thing that people forget is we are on such an adrenaline high after our show and that adrenaline - I mean it can really stop you from sleeping so a lot of us, we don’t get much sleep on show nights. Then we usually are on a flight around 6am the next day to go to the next city or to go home. So it’s just a matter of getting yourself as comfortable as you can for those hours until you have to catch that flight.

AM: You’ve had such an amazing ride. As you said, you’re the current WWE Women’s Champion. You’ve been in a number of WWE video games, which we think is so cool. What has it meant to you to be a part of this organization?

CG: I mean, it’s the top of the mountain, isn’t it? I am the WWE Women’s Champion, the champion of the best wrestling company in the entire world! If you had have told 8-year-old me that this is where I would be at 35, I would be absolutely amazed with my future self. I just every day, I wake up and I feel incredibly grateful. I feel surprised and amazed with myself. I thought when I first started wrestling that I was just going to blow up immediately. So the fact that I’ve now been doing this 12 years and I’m still going strong and I’m still in love with it - it just feels surreal. To be able to have these moments where you see that you have tangible moments of success –

AM: Yeah.

CG: The action figures and Unreal and a number of WWE video games (Editor’s Note: Chelsea Green has been in WWE SuperCard, WWE 2K24, WWE Champions, WWE 2K25, and WWE 2K26.) It’s just, it’s truly crazy. I’ve got a really amazing group of girlfriends back in Canada that they keep me equally humble, but equally, equally in that, “wow, you made it.” They remind me that I did the thing that I set out to do, they watch me, they support me, they buy my T-shirts and it’s amazing to have a support system that they don’t let my head blow up, but they also remind me that I did that. I did that thing that I set out to do.

AM: With all of the things that you have going on, how do you take time for yourself when you do have moments off?

CG: Well, My husband and I are Disney adults. Luckily, we live in Orlando, Florida. We’re close to Disney. We can go and treat our friends to Disney days and little mini staycations. I think that’s the key is just to fit fun into the work. Even if that’s something little like going with WWE’s Maxxine Dupri to the coffee shop and enjoying a iced vanilla latte or walking around London with my makeup artist, Ian. It’s just bonding, finding moments of beauty within the chaos because our lives are chaotic and the bigger you get, the more chaotic it is. The more chaotic it is, the more money you make and the more money you make, it’s just this cycle. So you just have to kind of take those little itty bitty moments that you get to just relish in whatever it is you want to relish in depending on the city.

AM: We call it a positive snowball because there’s a lot going on and you’re super happy about it, but it is still a snowball.

CG: That’s a perfect example of it. It is this snowball effect. It’s this vicious cycle, but it is a cycle. The bigger you get, there’s amazing things that come with it, you know?

AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share with our community that we should know about?

CG: I’ve actually got a horror movie coming out. It should be coming out in 2027. It’s starring Rory Culkin from Scream and Signs and Lauren Lavera from The Terrifier – these are horror actors. I’m excited to be a part of that. It was the first horror movie I’ve ever done. I’m trying to break into that moment. It’s very exciting that I get to be a part of that with 2 incredible actors.

IG @chelseagreen

PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM CREDITS | FRONT COVER, BACK COVER PG 18 - 22 Chuck Jackson, LOOKS Ryde Swim, TAN Tinted Sunless | PG 16, 30 Netflix/Unreal | PG 25 Michael Marques, GLAM TEAM - Jet Emini + Karen Perez , DESIGNER - Bohemian Prince |

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see IN AND OUT OF THE RING | Chelsea Green in mag.

HOW TO MAKE OUTDOOR ESCAPES PART OF YOUR WELLNESS ROUTINE

Between back-to-back meetings, constant notifications, and long hours at a screen, many people are discovering that the best reset is not another app or supplement. It is a few hours outside. A walk in the woods, a morning on a lake, or an afternoon on a ridge can lower stress, sharpen focus, and improve sleep. The challenge is turning those escapes from occasional treats into a habit.

The biggest obstacle is rarely motivation. It is friction, because the easier it is to get outside, the more often you will go. For some people, that means a trail within walking distance of home or a bike share dock near the office. For others, it means sorting out transportation to bigger landscapes in advance, such as arranging car rentals near the DEN airport so a Rocky Mountain trailhead is a short drive away from the moment they land. Either way, removing small barriers turns wellness into a plan rather than a wish. Here are some practical ways to get started.

Start Small and Local

You do not need a national park to feel the benefits. A tree-lined street, a community garden, or a neighborhood park can all provide a mental break. Aim for 20 minutes a few times a week, and leave your phone in your pocket. Small, repeatable outings build the habit far more reliably than one ambitious trip that never quite happens.

Schedule It Like a Meeting

If outdoor time is not on your calendar, it will lose out to everything that is. Block out a lunchtime walk, a Saturday morning hike, or a sunset stroll, and treat it as seriously as any appointment. Choose the same days and times each week where possible. Routine removes the daily decision of whether to go, which is often what stops people from heading out.

Match the Escape to Your Energy

Not every day calls for a summit. When you are drained, a gentle walk along a river or a quiet hour on a park bench can restore you just as well. When you have energy to spare, try a longer trail, a paddle, or a bike ride. Keeping a few options in mind, from easy to challenging, means you can always find something that fits how you feel.

Unplug to Get the Full Benefit

The point of an outdoor escape is to step away from constant input, so give yourself permission to disconnect with a short digital detox. Switch your phone to airplane mode or limit it to taking photos. Notice the sounds, smells, and changing light around you. Many people find that even an hour of genuine disconnection feels longer and more restorative than a whole afternoon spent glancing at messages.

Bring Others Along

Accountability makes habits stick. Invite a friend, join a local hiking group, or turn a family walk into a weekly tradition. Shared outings add social connection, which is its own powerful ingredient in wellbeing. If you prefer solitude, tell someone your plans anyway, and consider keeping a simple shared calendar so your outings feel committed rather than optional.

Plan Longer Escapes Around Ease

A weekend or week away can deepen the benefits, but only if the logistics do not drain your energy first. Choose destinations that are simple to reach, book accommodation near the trails you want, and decide in advance how you will get around. In a compact mountain town, that might mean a shuttle or your own two feet. In a spread-out region, a rental car may be the most flexible option. A smooth journey leaves you with more energy for the trip itself.

Notice How You Feel

Habits last when you can see the payoff. After each outing, take a moment to note your mood, energy, and stress levels, either in a journal or a quick phone note. Over a few weeks, patterns tend to emerge: better sleep, a calmer mind, or a sharper afternoon. Seeing those benefits in your own words is often the most convincing reason to keep going.

Step Outside and Stay a While

Outdoor escapes work best when they are regular, realistic, and easy to reach. Start with something small, put it in your calendar, match it to your energy, and leave the screen behind. Over time, those short breaks add up to a steadier, calmer, more resilient you. The next time you feel stretched thin, skip the extra scroll and step outside. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR TEEN ABOUT GETTING BRACES

Teen anxiety about braces often stems from uncertainty and appearance changes. The pain and the look of the braces do not appeal to them. This is when parental support is crucial. Positive encouragement can build a smooth experience for your child.

Having a talk about the process can help mentally prepare the child. In this guide, we will share some communication techniques about braces for teens. You will learn to boost your child’s confidence in a healthy way.

PHOTO CREDIT | Pexels/Cottonbro Studio

When Is the Best Time to Talk to Your Teen About Braces?

Teen orthodontic treatment usually begins at the age of 10 to 14. During this time, their permanent teeth have fully emerged. Yet, their jaw and other structures are still developing. It is the prime time for realignment.

These are some signs that suggest a dental visit. The child may need braces.

• Physical appearance
  Noticeable teeth misalignment will not go away as they age. Any visible alignment issues should be assessed by the orthodontist.

• Functionality problems
  If your child has trouble chewing or often bites their tongue or lips, alignment issues might be the cause. Unaddressed problems can affect their speech ability.

• Pain
  Jaw/teeth pain should be examined as soon as possible. It can be caused by the growing jaw that keeps pushing against the teeth.

How Can Parents Address a Teen's Fear of Getting Braces?

In explaining braces for teenagers, try these techniques. 

• Long-term benefits
  Aligned teeth can improve oral health. Provide a bright vision that can encourage the teen to receive the treatment.

• Normalize the experience
  Getting braces is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a common procedure that many teenagers receive.

• Timing advantage
  Explain why realignment is often easier at their age. Starting the process sooner may mean a shorter overall timeframe.

• Timeline expectations
  Inform them about timeline expectations. Some teens are not against getting braces. They are simply worried about the uncertainty.

How Can Parents Give Their Teen More Control Over the Decision?

Offer your child a chance to be involved. Give them a few options. A sense of autonomy can help them open up to the idea.

• Choose the start time
  Is your kid concerned about showing up at school with braces? How about letting them choose a start time during term breaks? 

• Choose the treatment options
  Based on the orthodontist's advice, let your child select the treatment options. Usually, there are a few modern alternatives to choose from. 

• Choose the provider
  The clinic you prefer may not be your child’s first choice. They often have their own preference. Let them choose their orthodontist if possible.

How Can Parents Prepare Their Teen for Life With Braces?

If braces are necessary for life, parents should:

• Explain clearly the reasons for this

• Prepare home care supplies to meet the needs

• Be honest about realistic expectations

• Provide emotional support

• See if diet changes are needed

The teen should not feel that their life is defined by the braces. The best thing parents can do is listen to the child’s needs. Making accommodations can help them live a normal life with braces. 

What Should Parents Avoid Saying About Braces?

Teen anxiety about braces can be severe. Occasionally, parents may feel frustrated and say things they don’t mean. Here is a reminder of some things parents should avoid during a discussion.

• Avoid using negatives
  Don’t describe potential problems by using negative phrasing. For example, don’t say that the teen will get bullied or that they will not find a prom date if they don’t fix their teeth. 

• Avoid misleading them with expectations
  Never lie about the potential results and timeline. Overselling the promise can be devastating when the truth comes out.

• Avoid arguing
  Compose yourself even if the discussion is getting heated. Debate on the topic calmly. Don’t argue intensely. They will likely be more against the idea after an unpleasant argument.

• Avoid belittling the child
  Don’t say things like “Many people do it. You are weak not to.” Belittling the child can hurt their self-esteem in the long run. 

What Questions Should Teens Ask the Orthodontist?

During the assessment, you can ask the orthodontist a few questions. A responsible provider like Smiles + Grins will always answer every question clearly.

• What are the realistic expectations (results/timeline)?

• What options are suitable for me?

• Can I make adjustments if I’m not happy with the progress?

• What happens if I choose to do nothing?

• How do I get support for emergencies?

In conclusion 

PHOTO CREDIT | Pexels/Cottonbro Studio

Teen orthodontic treatment does not have to be scary. With the right provider, the process can be comfortable and efficient. Speak to your clinic about your needs. Work with your child together through the journey.

9LIST STORI3S | JASMINE "JB" BADIE

Read the SEP ISSSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Jasmine “JB” Badie in mag,

THE 9LIST

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS in mag.

FOLLOWING HARRY

We enjoy a great documentary that allows us to immerse ourselves into a story where we even get to know more than what we assumed! We just watched Following Harry which focuses on the life of Harry Belafonte who in addition to being a phenomenal entertainer, he also had a passion for Civil Rights. He not only had an interest in organizing, but he also wanted those who were engaged in the work to think bigger about the impact that they were making. Although he passed away in 2023, this documentary looks at the last 12 years of his life. We had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Emmy nominated Director, Susanne Rostock to find out more about the film, her work with Harry, and what the takeaway should be in watching this film which will be available on a number of streamed platforms such as Apple TV.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into following Harry, what is it about storytelling that you enjoy and what topics are you drawn to?

SUSANNE ROSTOCK: Well, what I enjoy about storytelling is essentially a beautiful way for us to connect as humans. You know, it allows you to share intimacy and secrets and to really understand each other better. So I think storytelling is such a gorgeous way to do that. When I started out in film, I was actually in anthropology and doing ethnographic filmmaking, which is storytelling from around the world, hearing the stories of other cultures and how amazing people are and how they choose to live and how they choose to relate to each other and rear their children and eat their food and dress, you know. Just such a gorgeous way to connect. The topics I'm most interested in are humanity, you know, stories about healing and love. And, you know, I work on a lot of films that deal with horrendous injustice, but there's always light and hope in there because there are these beautiful people who fight and, you know, what we do, how we choose to live. and live justly and fairly, and as Harry says in the film, and enjoy the universe. How do we enjoy each other and life?

So those are the films I'm interested in, which is pretty broad.

AM: This wasn't the first time, obviously, that you've worked with Harry. You know, what did you enjoy about working with him?

SR: Well, first of all, I never, ever thought in my life that I would get to even meet Harry Belafonte, let alone be allowed into his life the way he allowed me in. So what I enjoyed was... know, his wisdom, his passion, the way he lives his life, witnessing somebody, you know, I'm not a young person, but he was considerably older than me even when we first met. He's always been older than me. The way he even approaches aging and what you do with your life.

So I appreciated his choices, witnessing how he chose to live his life and the love, the love that he shared, the generosity. of him, of Harry, the generosity of him and the purity of his soul and really, really wanting to do good. I just appreciated being in that realm. Plus, he was just a great guy. He was fun. You know, we would dance. He was, you know, I told him that I took tap when I was a kid. At the end of each day, he'd come into my side of the office because he invited me to share an office with him after I met him. first film yeah yeah after I made the first film he invited me he was moving into a new office he said move in with me so I moved into this big loft and then he invited Carmen Perez in with the gathering for justice which he had started how he had started and she became the head of and so but he would come at the end of each day to my my side of the office and sit down and talk.

Harry was a real guy. He was a real person. And he owned up to anything. You know, he didn't feel that he had the absolute word on anything. He just shared his wisdom and listened. He listened to what other people had to say. You can see that in the film, how it brought all these young people in and listened to them and wanted to just help them not reinvent the wheel every time. Every time there's a movement and a crisis, but let's learn from the past and build for the future.

AM: This film covers the last 12 years of his life and it is about his activism. It also looks at how he took on these projects, how he infused the thoughts of other people, and made them think larger about what they were doing. Throughout the doc, we’re reminded about 2 parallels I'm constantly drawn to is that you're the participants of history that understands that things are happening and then reminding people that everything in history repeats again whether it's by an era, a decade, or even a location. How did you tackle all of these topics in just an hour and a half of the film?

SR: Well, there were so many more topics that I had to leave out because, I didn't want to short change anything. It was a real challenge because there's so much more depth to each story. Yet, I didn't want it to feel glossed over and fragmented. So I'm glad that it worked for you. I'm very glad, you know, because it was a challenge. People's attention span is not great these days, so I didn't want to make it an epic length.

Although, you know, I did have a much, much longer version. I'm sad about what I had to leave out. You'll never know, I hope someday that the footage will be repurposed and used because it's so important and this film is so powerful. You can sit for 90 minutes and you can have a real-life experience that changes your whole worldview. So instead of having to talk and talk and talk at people - you are able to watch something and then they can decide for themselves for what they will take it in. They will take it into their bodies. They'll feel it. They'll live it. Then they come to a real understanding rather than just words - words are very valuable, but the film is so powerful. I wanted to be sure that I hit the points that spoke to the period that I was making the film in. Now, of course, I worked on that film for a long time, so the periods kept on changing and got worse. So when Angela Davis stands up there and says, “you have to vote now because you have no idea what will happen.” Now is the time that we wanted to make sure that we got this out in the world. And, you know, now I'm hoping that the film can continue to influence others which is why we are releasing it now.

We feel it's very important for young people and all people to see this and be reminded of our own power and what happens if you don't use it for good. I think will be a continued reminder, just like when you watch films about the civil rights movement, a reminder of our power and the power of love and the power of demonstrating peaceful activism and the need to continue to fight. So that's my spiel.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW ATHLEISURE BECAME A PERMANENT PART OF THE MODERN WARDROBE

Athleisure began as a convenient compromise, but it has become one of the clearest symbols of how people live now. The category blends the stretch, breathability, and ease of workout gear with the polish expected from everyday clothing. Once limited to gyms, yoga studios, and weekend errands, leggings, joggers, performance tees, and sleek sneakers now appear in offices, restaurants, airports, and schools. Its rise is not a passing trend; it reflects a lasting shift toward wardrobes that prioritize movement, comfort, and versatility.

The transformation did not happen overnight. It accelerated as activewear brands, luxury houses, and celebrity-led labels such as SKIMS made fitted, minimal, body-conscious basics feel fashionable rather than merely functional. Designers improved fabrics, silhouettes, and color palettes so pieces once associated with exercise could mix easily with blazers, wool coats, denim, and jewelry. At the same time, consumers became more willing to invest in clothing that could serve multiple purposes during a long, unpredictable day.

Comfort Became a Lifestyle Value

The biggest force behind athleisure is the normalization of comfort. For much of the twentieth century, looking “dressed” often meant tolerating stiff waistbands, restrictive tailoring, or shoes built more for appearance than ease. Modern shoppers have rejected that trade-off. They want clothes that support commuting, sitting at a laptop, walking the dog, meeting friends, and squeezing in a workout without requiring a full outfit change. Stretch knits, elastic waists, moisture-wicking fibers, and soft layers answer that demand while still looking intentional when styled thoughtfully.

The Pandemic Made Flexibility Essential

Remote and hybrid work pushed athleisure from acceptable to indispensable. As homes became offices, classrooms, gyms, and social spaces, people needed clothing that matched blurred routines. Sweatpants and matching sets offered a sense of composure on video calls without sacrificing comfort off camera. When offices reopened, many employees were reluctant to abandon that ease completely. Dress codes softened, and the idea of “business casual” expanded to include polished sneakers, knit pants, elevated hoodies, and performance polos. The pandemic did not create athleisure, but it removed the stigma around wearing it daily.

Technology Elevated the Look

Fabric innovation turned simple sportswear into sophisticated everyday apparel. Today's athleisure often resists wrinkles, dries quickly, retains shape, and feels smooth against the skin. These technical benefits help garments look fresh after hours of wear, which matters to busy consumers. Brands also learned to refine details: flatter seams, richer textures, muted neutrals, sculpted cuts, and tailored proportions. The result is clothing that performs like athletic gear but reads as modern casualwear, especially when paired with structured outerwear or clean accessories.

Celebrities and Social Media Changed Perception

Visibility made athleisure aspirational. Celebrities photographed in leggings, cropped sweatshirts, bike shorts, and designer sneakers helped reframe casual clothes as part of a curated image. Influencers then showed followers how to style these pieces for brunch, travel, school drop-off, and nights out. Social media rewarded outfits that looked effortless yet put together, and athleisure fit that formula perfectly. Instead of signaling that someone had given up on style, a coordinated set or sleek tracksuit began to signal confidence, wellness, and awareness of contemporary fashion codes.

Gender, Age, and Price Became More Inclusive

Another reason athleisure endured is its broad appeal. It crosses gender and age lines more easily than many fashion categories because it is built around function first. Teenagers, parents, retirees, professionals, and frequent travelers can all find versions that suit their lives. The market also spans price points, from affordable basics at big-box stores to premium pieces made with luxury finishes. That range keeps athleisure accessible while allowing consumers to personalize it according to taste, budget, climate, and body type.

Why It Is Here to Stay

Athleisure has become permanent because it solves real problems. It reduces the need for separate wardrobes, supports active and sedentary moments alike, and adapts to changing expectations around work, travel, and leisure. The modern wardrobe isn’t organized around rigid categories like “office,” “gym,” and “weekend.” Instead, people want pieces that move across contexts with small styling changes. Athleisure offers exactly that: sneakers with trousers, leggings under an oversized coat, joggers with a crisp tee, or a performance dress with a cardigan. Fashion always mirrors culture, and today's culture values flexibility. As long as life remains fast, mobile, and hybrid, athleisure will remain a foundation of everyday style. Its permanence is practical, not accidental, and that is why it keeps evolving each season.

BPC-157 UK: WHAT THE STUDIES SHOW AND WHERE TO BUY IT

BPC-157 has attracted growing interest in fitness and recovery research because of its potential role in tissue repair, tendon and muscle healing, and gastrointestinal protection. Early laboratory and animal studies have explored several promising biological effects, while a small number of human studies have begun investigating clinical applications. For UK readers interested in the science, Origin Peptides offers BPC-157 research products in different vial sizes. This guide examines the potential benefits, current research findings, related peptides and the importance of product quality.

BPC-157 UK: What Is It and Why Is It Attracting Attention?

BPC-157, also known as Body Protection Compound 157, is a synthetic peptide consisting of 15 amino acids. It has become a topic of interest in experimental research examining tissue repair, inflammatory processes and gastrointestinal protection.

Its appeal is particularly understandable within fitness and recovery culture, where muscle recovery, tendon health and maintaining physical performance are recurring priorities. As recovery becomes an increasingly important part of modern fitness lifestyles, research into compounds associated with tissue repair has attracted wider attention.

Much of the scientific interest in BPC-157 comes from preclinical studies investigating how the peptide interacts with biological pathways involved in healing and tissue maintenance. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation, although they do not yet demonstrate equivalent benefits in humans.

For researchers exploring this field, Origin Peptides BPC-157, available through SARMs Store's BPC-157 UK listing, is offered in 5 mg and 10 mg research vials. The products are designated for laboratory research only and are not intended for human or veterinary use.

What Are the Potential Benefits of BPC-157?

Researchers have investigated BPC-157 across several areas relevant to physical recovery and general health. The most frequently discussed potential benefits concern connective tissue repair, muscle recovery, inflammatory responses and gastrointestinal protection.

Tendon and Ligament Repair

Tendons and ligaments are essential for movement, joint stability and physical performance. Their relatively limited blood supply can also make some injuries difficult to recover from.

Preclinical research has examined whether BPC-157 influences processes involved in tendon and ligament healing. Some animal studies have reported improvements in measures of tissue repair, including collagen organisation and functional recovery following experimentally induced injuries.

Researchers have also explored its potential interactions with biological pathways involved in blood vessel formation and tissue regeneration.

These observations are promising research directions, particularly for understanding connective tissue recovery. However, controlled human trials are still needed to determine whether comparable benefits occur in people.

Muscle Healing and Recovery

Muscle recovery is another area that has contributed to interest in BPC-157.

Animal studies have investigated the peptide in models of muscle injury, examining outcomes such as tissue regeneration, healing progression and recovery of muscle function. Some experiments have reported favourable results compared with untreated controls.

These findings have helped establish BPC-157 as a compound of interest in experimental muscle-repair research.

For fitness-focused readers, the distinction is important: research into muscle healing does not yet establish that BPC-157 improves post-workout recovery, athletic performance or recovery from sports injuries in humans. Those applications require dedicated clinical investigation.

Inflammation and Tissue Protection

Inflammation is part of the body's natural response to injury, but excessive or prolonged inflammatory activity can interfere with normal tissue function.

Experimental studies have examined whether BPC-157 affects inflammatory signalling and tissue responses following injury. Researchers have reported changes in certain inflammatory markers and tissue outcomes in preclinical models.

These observations suggest that BPC-157 may interact with biological processes relevant to tissue protection and recovery.

However, its effects on human inflammatory conditions remain uncertain, and the available evidence does not establish it as an anti-inflammatory treatment.

Gastrointestinal Health

BPC-157 has also been investigated in gastrointestinal research, including experimental models involving damage to the stomach and intestinal tissues.

Animal studies have explored its potential influence on mucosal protection, tissue repair and responses to gastrointestinal injury. Some findings suggest protective effects under specific experimental conditions.

This area is particularly relevant to the peptide's research history and its association with protective biological processes.

Although the results provide interesting avenues for further study, they do not demonstrate that BPC-157 treats gastrointestinal disorders in humans.

What Do Human Studies Reveal About BPC-157?

Although most BPC-157 research remains preclinical, early human investigations provide an initial perspective on potential clinical applications.

A 2026 systematic review by Poolton and colleagues identified three human studies involving 30 participants altogether. These included:

• A retrospective study examining intra-articular BPC-157 injections in patients with knee pain.

• A retrospective pilot study investigating intravesical BPC-157 for interstitial cystitis.

• A small prospective pilot study evaluating the safety of intravenous BPC-157.

The reports included preliminary observations concerning symptoms and tolerability, providing starting points for future research. However, the studies were small, used different methods and did not provide the rigorous controlled evidence needed to establish treatment effects.

The review rated the overall certainty of evidence as very low, citing methodological limitations, risk of bias and imprecision.

The systematic review of human BPC-157 research provides a detailed examination of the available findings.

The positive development is that research has progressed beyond laboratory and animal models into limited human investigation. The next step is larger, well-designed clinical trials capable of evaluating efficacy, appropriate clinical applications and safety more reliably.

BPC-157 vs TB-500: How Do Their Research Applications Differ?

BPC-157 and TB-500 are frequently discussed together because both have attracted attention in experimental tissue-repair research.

However, they are distinct compounds, and their respective research findings should be evaluated independently.

BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide investigated in models involving connective tissue, muscle and gastrointestinal protection.

TB-500 is commonly associated with a synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring protein involved in several cellular processes. Research involving thymosin beta-4 has explored cellular migration, tissue repair and wound-healing mechanisms. Findings involving the full-length protein cannot automatically be attributed to the fragment marketed as TB-500.

The main distinction is therefore not which peptide is more effective, but which molecular structures and biological processes individual studies have examined.

What Is the Wolverine Blend?

The term "Wolverine blend" is commonly used in research-product listings combining BPC-157 and TB-500.

The name reflects the compounds' associations with experimental tissue-repair research and the popular concept of accelerated healing.

From a scientific perspective, however, combining two compounds creates a separate research question. Findings involving BPC-157 alone do not establish the effects of a BPC-157 and TB-500 combination.

Researchers would need to investigate the combination directly to determine whether the substances interact and how their combined effects compare with those of the individual compounds.

Origin Peptides BPC-157: Research Products and Vial Options

For UK researchers comparing BPC-157 products, Origin Peptides is one brand available through SARMs Store.

The Origin Peptides BPC-157 listing presents the compound as a lyophilised laboratory research product, with two stated quantity options.

Product	State quantity	Research-product description
Origin Peptides BPC-157 5 mg	5 mg	Lyophilised peptide for laboratory research
Origin Peptides BPC-157 10 mg	10 mg	Lyophilised peptide for laboratory research

Both options contain the same named research compound, with the stated quantity differing between vials.

The availability of different quantities can be relevant when comparing laboratory product specifications. It does not indicate that either amount is clinically effective, safer or appropriate for personal use.

Origin Peptides products are marketed for laboratory research only, not for human or veterinary administration. The research findings discussed in this article concern BPC-157 as a compound and should not be interpreted as clinical findings specifically established using Origin Peptides products.

Buying BPC-157 in the UK: Why Product Quality Matters

Product identification and analytical documentation are important considerations when evaluating research peptides.

SARMs Store presents Origin Peptides BPC-157 with information about the compound, available quantities and batch testing. The listing refers to documentation concerning product identity and purity.

For laboratory researchers, several factors are relevant when reviewing such information:

• Product identity: Documentation should identify the compound being supplied.

• Purity testing: Analytical results should specify the purity measurement and testing method.

• Batch traceability: Certificates should correspond to the particular batch being evaluated.

• Clear product specifications: The stated quantity, formulation and research-only designation should be identifiable.

• Documentation transparency: Testing claims should be supported by relevant analytical records rather than general marketing language.

These details help researchers assess how a product is described and documented.

For example, a certificate of analysis may provide evidence about identity or purity, depending on the methods used. It does not independently demonstrate sterility, safety for human administration, therapeutic effectiveness or medicinal authorisation.

Origin Peptides' research-only designation is therefore an important part of understanding the product category. Laboratory product documentation and clinical evidence serve different purposes, and both should be interpreted within their respective limits.

What Could Future BPC-157 Research Reveal?

The potential applications of BPC-157 remain an active subject of scientific interest because its preclinical findings span several biological systems.

Future investigations could help answer questions about the peptide's interactions with connective tissue, muscle repair mechanisms, inflammatory pathways and gastrointestinal tissues.

Three research priorities are particularly relevant.

First, larger controlled human trials are needed to determine whether the effects observed in experimental models translate into measurable clinical outcomes.

Second, researchers need more comprehensive human safety data, including information about adverse effects, longer-term exposure and potential differences between methods of administration.

Third, studies must establish which findings are reproducible and whether any observed effects are clinically meaningful rather than limited to particular experimental conditions.

Progress in these areas would help distinguish promising laboratory observations from potential medical applications supported by robust evidence.

For brands such as Origin Peptides, growing scientific interest provides context for the research-product category, but it does not replace the need for independent clinical studies.

The Outlook for BPC-157 Research

BPC-157 continues to attract attention because experimental studies have explored potentially valuable biological effects involving tendon repair, muscle healing, inflammatory responses and gastrointestinal protection.

The emerging human literature represents an early stage in that research journey, although its methodological limitations mean that efficacy and safety remain unestablished.

For UK readers exploring Origin Peptides BPC-157, the 5 mg and 10 mg laboratory products provide examples of how the compound is supplied for research purposes. Product specifications and batch documentation can inform laboratory purchasing assessments, while clinical studies address the separate question of possible health benefits.

The central takeaway is that BPC-157 offers several promising directions for scientific investigation, but its potential health applications still require rigorous human evidence.

WHY TIE-DYE DRESSES ARE PERFECT FOR A RELAXED AND SPORT SUMMER WARDROBE

Summer fashion is all about balancing comfort, style, and practicality. As temperatures rise and outdoor activities become more appealing, people naturally gravitate toward lightweight, versatile, easy-to-wear clothing. Tie-dye dresses have become a popular choice for anyone looking to embrace a relaxed yet sporty summer wardrobe.

With their colorful patterns, comfortable silhouettes, and effortless appeal, tie-dye dresses fit naturally into the growing athleisure fashion movement. Whether you're heading to a casual brunch, enjoying a beach day, or exploring a new city, these dresses offer a simple way to look stylish without sacrificing comfort.

The Growing Popularity Of Relaxed Summer Fashion

Fashion has gradually shifted toward clothing that prioritizes comfort without compromising personal style. Athleisure has played a key role in this shift, encouraging people to add relaxed, functional pieces to their everyday wardrobes.

During summer, this approach becomes particularly appealing because heavy fabrics and restrictive clothing can feel uncomfortable. Lightweight dresses, breathable fabrics, and loose-fitting silhouettes make it easier to stay comfortable while looking fashionable.

Tie-dye dresses reflect this relaxed approach to dressing. Their playful patterns and casual designs create an effortless look that works particularly well with sneakers, sandals, and other sporty accessories.

Why Tie-Dye Fits The Athleisure Aesthetic

Athleisure fashion blends athletic elements with everyday casual wear. Although tie-dye dresses aren't designed for exercise, they complement the laid-back aesthetic of active lifestyles.

The appeal lies in their versatility and relaxed appearance. A comfortable tie-dye dress can easily be styled with athletic sneakers, a baseball cap, and a lightweight crossbody bag for an outfit that feels sporty without looking overly casual.

Tie-dye patterns also introduce personality into wardrobes that often rely on neutral colors and simple designs. Their vibrant combinations offer a chance to experiment with fashion while keeping the comfort that makes athleisure so appealing.

Comfort Is Essential During The Summer Months

Comfort becomes a major consideration when choosing clothing for warm weather. High temperatures, humidity, and busy schedules make breathable fabrics and practical designs especially valuable.

Many casual summer dresses are made from cotton, jersey, or other soft materials that allow comfortable movement. Choosing breathable fabrics and relaxed silhouettes can help reduce discomfort during outdoor activities and everyday errands.

Tie-dye dresses come in various lengths and styles, making it easier to find options that suit different preferences. Loose-fitting T-shirt dresses, sleeveless designs, and flowing midi dresses all add comfort to a summer wardrobe.

The key is choosing clothing that feels good all day. When an outfit allows freedom of movement and doesn't require constant adjustments, summer activities become much easier to enjoy.

Easy Styling For Everyday Activities

One of the biggest advantages of tie-dye dresses is how easily they can be incorporated into everyday outfits. Their colorful designs often serve as the main visual feature, so you don't need complicated styling.

For a sporty daytime look, pair a casual tie-dye dress with white sneakers and a simple baseball cap. This combination works well for shopping trips, casual lunches, or exploring local attractions during summer weekends.

For a more relaxed look, flat sandals and a woven tote bag create an outfit that works for beachside restaurants or outdoor gatherings. Minimal jewelry keeps the effortless feel while letting the colorful fabric remain the focal point.

Accessories can also change the overall appearance without requiring an entirely different outfit. Switching sneakers for sandals or adding a lightweight denim jacket can make the same dress suitable for several occasions.

Adding Color And Personality To Your Wardrobe

Summer is an ideal time to experiment with brighter colors and expressive patterns. Tie-dye offers a creative alternative to plain clothing, letting you choose combinations that reflect your personality.

Soft pastel designs create a subtle, relaxed appearance, while bold blues, pinks, greens, and oranges deliver a more energetic aesthetic. Neutral tie-dye combinations can also work well for people who prefer understated outfits.

For those interested in incorporating colorful pieces into their seasonal wardrobes, tie dye dresses by Free Spirited Clothing offer an example of how this playful pattern can become part of everyday summer fashion.

The beauty of tie-dye is that every pattern looks distinct. This individuality makes the style particularly appealing to people who enjoy expressing themselves through clothing rather than following rigid fashion rules.

Perfect For Travel And Weekend Adventures

Summer often brings opportunities for weekend getaways, vacations, and spontaneous outdoor activities. Versatile clothing makes these experiences easier, especially when luggage space is limited.

A comfortable tie-dye dress can serve several purposes during a trip. It might be worn while sightseeing, enjoying a casual meal, browsing local markets, or relaxing at a vacation rental.

Choosing wrinkle-resistant fabrics when possible can also make travel easier. Dresses that roll or fold compactly are especially useful when packing for short trips.

Another advantage is creating multiple outfits with just a few accessories. A single dress, paired with different shoes, bags, and layers, helps travelers maintain variety without overpacking.

Combining Sporty Accessories With Casual Dresses

Sporty accessories can transform a simple summer dress into an athleisure-inspired outfit. The combination creates an interesting contrast between feminine silhouettes and practical athletic elements.

Classic sneakers work especially well because they offer comfort for walking while complementing casual dress styles. Canvas sneakers, retro-inspired trainers, and minimalist athletic shoes can all work depending on the dress's colors.

Baseball caps, belt bags, and lightweight backpacks further enhance the sporty aesthetic. These accessories are also practical for summer activities, letting you carry essentials without relying on bulky handbags.

For cooler evenings, a zip-up hoodie or oversized denim jacket adds an extra layer. Keeping these pieces relatively simple helps balance the colorful appearance of tie-dye patterns.

Choosing The Right Dress For Your Lifestyle

Not every summer dress offers the same level of comfort or versatility. Selecting the right design involves considering fabric, fit, length, and how the garment will be worn.

Shorter T-shirt dresses may appeal to those who prefer casual, sporty outfits, while midi-length styles offer more coverage and a flowing look. Sleeveless designs can feel comfortable in hot weather, whereas short sleeves may provide more coverage for everyday activities.

Fabric care is another important consideration, especially when choosing clothing for frequent summer use. Checking washing instructions and choosing materials suited to your routine can help the garment maintain its appearance over time.

Ultimately, the most useful wardrobe pieces match everyday habits. Choosing dresses that complement your existing shoes and accessories makes it easier to create outfits without buying many additional items.

Creating A Versatile Summer Capsule Wardrobe

A summer capsule wardrobe focuses on a smaller collection of clothing that mixes and matches easily. Instead of buying separate outfits for every occasion, the goal is to choose versatile pieces that work together.

A tie-dye dress can introduce color into a capsule wardrobe built around neutral basics. White sneakers, comfortable sandals, a denim jacket, and a simple tote bag offer several styling options.

Balancing statement pieces with understated accessories also helps prevent outfits from feeling overly busy. This approach lets colorful clothing stand out while keeping the relaxed look of summer fashion.

Building a wardrobe around comfort and versatility can also simplify daily decisions. When clothing works across different casual settings, getting dressed becomes quicker and more enjoyable.

Embracing Effortless Summer Style

Tie-dye dresses capture many of the qualities that make summer fashion enjoyable, including comfort, creativity, and versatility. Their relaxed designs and expressive patterns make them a natural addition to wardrobes inspired by casual and sporty lifestyles.

Whether paired with sneakers for an active day out or sandals for a relaxed weekend, these dresses offer plenty of styling options. With comfortable fabrics, practical silhouettes, and complementary accessories, anyone can build a summer wardrobe that feels fashionable, functional, and uniquely personal.

9PLAYLIST | GREEN DAY

PHOTO CREDIT | Alex Baxley

PHOTO CREDIT | Alice Baxley

PHOTO CREDIT | Emmie America

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Green Day in mag.