Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see MATCHA BEAUTY in mag.
Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | ILLENIUM in mag.
Indoor golf training depends on a clear, bright image that tracks every shot with precision. A poor projector setup can distort the screen, cast shadows, and reduce detail. However, the right setup turns a basic room into a focused practice space that supports real skill growth.
To set up the right projector for indoor golf training, a golfer should choose a model with the correct throw ratio and at least 3,000 lumens of brightness, match it to the screen size and aspect ratio, and mount it at the proper distance and height to avoid shadows and image distortion. This approach creates a sharp picture that fills the impact screen without glare or blur.
The sections ahead break down how to select the best projector for the space, how room size affects placement, and how to install the unit with care. With the right plan, any golfer can build a clean and accurate indoor setup that supports steady practice at home.
The right projector shapes how real the course looks and how clear the data appears on screen. Image quality, throw distance, brightness, and resolution all affect how well the simulator performs in a home setup.
A projector for indoor golf must handle fast ball speeds and sharp graphics. It should support at least 1080p resolution, strong contrast, and accurate color. Clear turf, sky, and hazard detail help the player read distance and spin without strain.
Throw ratio also matters. The projector must fill the impact screen without shadows from the player or club. Ceiling mount support and lens shift add flexibility in tight rooms.
For a professional home golf simulator, durability and lamp life deserve attention. Golf sessions often last over an hour. Therefore, a projector with a long lamp life or a laser light source reduces maintenance and keeps image quality stable over time.
Low input lag supports smooth ball flight animation. In addition, multiple HDMI ports allow easy connection to launch monitors and control systems.
Short-throw projectors sit close to the impact screen. They create a large image from a short distance, often 3 to 6 feet away. As a result, they reduce shadows and protect the unit from stray shots if mounted above and slightly behind the player.
However, short-throw models demand exact placement. Small alignment errors can distort the image. They also cost more in many cases.
Standard throw projectors need more depth, often 8 to 15 feet from screen to lens. They allow easier alignment and may cost less. Yet they require enough room behind the hitting area.
Room size usually decides this choice. A garage with limited depth often suits a short throw. A long basement room can support a standard throw without issue.
Brightness, measured in lumens, affects image clarity under indoor light. Most golf simulator rooms need at least 3,000 lumens. Rooms with bright overhead lights may require 3,500 lumens or more.
Lower brightness can work in dark spaces. However, many players prefer some light for safety. Higher lumen output keeps the image sharp even with lights on.
Resolution should match screen size. Full HD (1920x1080) works well for most home setups. Larger screens, such as 12 feet wide or more, benefit from 4K resolution. The higher pixel count keeps text and course detail crisp.
Therefore, balance brightness and resolution with room size and budget. A clear, bright image helps the player trust both visuals and shot data during practice.
Proper setup affects image clarity, ball tracking accuracy, and player safety. A clear plan for placement, screen choice, and software setup helps the projector perform as expected in a golf training space.
Projector placement starts with throw distance. The owner should check the projector’s throw ratio and match it to the room depth and screen width. For example, a projector with a 0.5:1 throw ratio needs about 5 feet of distance for a 10‑foot wide screen.
Short‑throw models work best in most golf bays. They sit close to the screen and reduce shadows from the player and the club. Ceiling mount placement also keeps the unit out of the swing path and lowers the risk of damage.
The lens should align with the center of the screen. If the projector sits too high or too low, image distortion appears. Use lens shift if available, since keystone correction can reduce image sharpness.
The mount must hold the projector steady. Even slight movement can affect image alignment and ball data on the screen.
A golf impact screen must handle ball speed and frequent contact. Thick, tightly woven fabric works better than thin material. The screen should stretch flat across a frame to prevent wrinkles and image distortion.
The bottom of the screen should sit close to the floor. A small gap can cause bounce back or let light pass through. In addition, side netting or curtains protect walls and contain stray shots.
Screen size depends on room width and ceiling height. A 16:9 aspect ratio matches most projectors and golf software. However, the player should confirm that the simulator supports that format to avoid black bars or cropped images.
Room light also affects picture quality. Dim overhead lights near the screen and direct brighter light toward the hitting area instead.
The projector should connect to the simulator computer through HDMI for the best video signal. Secure cables along the ceiling or wall to prevent trips or damage.
Next, set the computer display resolution to match the projector’s native resolution. A mismatch can create blur or scaling issues. The refresh rate should also match the projector’s supported range.
After image setup, adjust focus and test alignment inside the golf software. Many programs offer calibration tools that align the virtual hitting area with the real mat. The player should confirm that the ball impact appears in the correct screen location.
Audio setup also matters. External speakers placed near the screen create clear feedback without echo from the rear of the room.
A golfer should match the projector type to the room size, screen width, and ceiling height. He or she must set the correct throw distance and mount height so the image fills the screen without shadows or glare. In addition, proper brightness and light control help the picture stay clear and easy to read. With the right setup and careful adjustment, the indoor golf space can deliver a sharp image that supports steady practice and accurate feedback.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Florian Schmidinger
The way people live at home has changed significantly in recent years. Spaces are expected to support productivity, recovery, movement, and overall well-being. A home can now serve as an office, a place to recharge, and even a personal fitness environment within the same footprint.
This shift has raised expectations for how homes are built from the start. Layout, structural integrity, materials, and environmental performance all shape daily life. Construction decisions can influence everything from how natural light moves through a room to how well a space supports focus or relaxation.
Modern living calls for homes that are intentional in every detail. Open flow, durable materials, efficient insulation, and thoughtful spatial planning have become essential for a home that can keep up with an active and evolving lifestyle.
At the center of this transformation is the quality of construction. A well-built home creates the foundation for comfort, function, and long-term performance.
A high-performance home is built with intention at every level. It begins with a layout that supports how people move through their day. Open pathways, defined zones, and efficient use of space all contribute to a smoother rhythm from morning to night.
Energy efficiency is another key factor. Proper insulation, high-quality windows, and airtight construction help regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy waste. These features improve comfort while lowering long-term operating costs.
Durability is equally important. Materials selected during construction determine how well a home holds up over time. Flooring, structural components, and finishes should withstand daily use without demanding constant maintenance or early replacement.
There is also a strong connection between construction quality and everyday experience. Noise control, air circulation, and lighting conditions all depend on how the home is built. When these elements are handled well from the beginning, the result is a space that feels balanced, functional, and ready to support modern living.
Behind every well-functioning home is a level of planning and execution that often goes unnoticed. While finishes and décor tend to draw attention, the real performance of a space is determined much earlier during the construction phase. Decisions made at this stage influence how the home feels, how it functions, and how well it performs over time.
Working with an experienced professional ensures that each part of the build aligns with both structural requirements and lifestyle goals. From accurate measurements and load considerations to material selection and installation methods, expertise helps reduce costly errors and inefficiencies. Poor construction choices can lead to uneven surfaces, inadequate insulation, and long-term maintenance issues that affect daily comfort.
Choosing a qualified professional such as a K Graber construction contractor allows homeowners to move forward with greater clarity and confidence. It reflects a commitment to precision, accountability, and a standard of work that supports both immediate needs and future use.
A well-executed build brings together structure, function, and usability in a way that feels natural. Spaces flow better, systems perform as intended, and the overall environment stays consistent throughout changing seasons and routines.
A home has a direct impact on how people feel, both physically and mentally. The quality of construction plays a major role in shaping that experience. Air circulation, temperature stability, lighting, and sound control all begin with how the space is built.
Air quality, for example, depends on proper ventilation, well-sealed structures, and materials that do not introduce harmful pollutants. When these elements are handled correctly, the indoor environment feels cleaner and more balanced. This can support better focus, improved sleep, and overall well-being. Standards around indoor environmental quality show how construction decisions can influence long-term health outcomes.
Comfort is also closely tied to insulation and temperature regulation. A well-constructed home maintains consistent conditions throughout the day, avoiding sudden shifts that can disrupt rest or productivity. This is especially valuable in spaces designed for recovery, where a calm and stable environment supports relaxation after physical activity or long work hours.
Sound control is another important factor. Proper wall construction, flooring choices, and insulation techniques reduce unwanted noise, creating quieter and more focused living areas. Whether the goal is a peaceful home office or a restful place to unwind, these details improve how the home functions each day.
Every home begins with an idea of how it should look and feel, but turning that vision into a functional space depends on the quality of execution. Custom construction allows each detail to be shaped around specific needs instead of forcing a lifestyle into a generic layout.
Tailored construction aligns the structure with daily habits. Room dimensions, ceiling heights, storage solutions, and transitions between spaces can all be planned with purpose. This creates a more natural flow and makes the home easier to use.
Material selection also plays a major role. High-quality materials contribute to durability and visual consistency. From structural components to finishing details, each choice affects how the space performs over time. Surfaces that resist wear and finishes that maintain their appearance add lasting value.
Craftsmanship is what brings these elements together. Precision during installation ensures that everything fits and functions as expected. Clean lines, proper alignment, and close attention to detail elevate the final result and create a space that feels cohesive and well considered.
The true value of a home becomes clearer over time. While initial construction costs often receive the most attention, long-term performance matters far more. A well-built home reduces the need for frequent repairs, lowers the risk of unexpected expenses, and maintains its functionality through years of daily use.
Quality construction has a direct effect on maintenance demands. Proper installation, durable materials, and accurate structural work help prevent issues such as cracking, shifting, or premature wear. This allows homeowners to spend more time enjoying the space and less time fixing it.
There is also a strong connection between construction quality and property value. Homes built with attention to detail and solid craftsmanship tend to retain their appeal in the market. Buyers notice the difference between a space built to last and one that may require significant future investment.
Efficiency adds another layer of long-term value. Energy-conscious building methods can lower utility costs and reduce strain on systems over time. Heating, cooling, and insulation all work more effectively when the structure supports them properly.
Investing in the right construction approach creates a home that remains reliable, efficient, and comfortable well into the future.
Modern homes need to keep up with changing routines. A single space may serve multiple purposes throughout the day, shifting from a workspace to a relaxation area or a place for movement and exercise. This level of flexibility begins during the construction phase, where thoughtful planning allows rooms to function in more than one way without feeling crowded or inefficient.
Open layouts with clearly defined zones make it easier to adapt spaces as needed. Structural decisions such as wall placement, ceiling height, and built-in features influence how easily a room can transition between uses. Storage solutions also help maintain order while allowing quick adjustments between different activities.
Future needs are another important consideration. A well-constructed home can account for lifestyle changes over time, whether that involves remote work, growing families, or new wellness routines. Planning for these possibilities during construction can reduce the need for major renovations later.
Current ideas in modern living trends continue to reflect this demand for flexibility, highlighting spaces that support both activity and recovery within the same environment. When construction is approached with adaptability in mind, the result is a home that remains functional and relevant as daily habits evolve.
Modern living places higher demands on the spaces people call home. Comfort, efficiency, and adaptability have become essential parts of daily life. From productivity and movement to rest and recovery, every aspect of the environment is influenced by how well it was built.
Expert construction brings structure and clarity to this process. It ensures that each decision, from foundational elements to finishing details, contributes to a cohesive and reliable living space. When done correctly, the result is a home that feels consistent, performs efficiently, and holds its value over time.
Choosing the right approach to construction means prioritizing quality, precision, and long-term thinking. It creates a space that aligns with modern expectations and continues to serve them as lifestyles evolve.
Athletes deal with pain differently to everyone else. It is not a signal to stop — it is a constant variable to manage. CBD oil has moved into serious athletic circles because it addresses pain, inflammation, and recovery without the side effects that come with long-term NSAID use or prescription painkillers. If you want to buy CBD oil from OriginalsCBD, you will find products built around independent testing and traceable European hemp — two things that matter more in sport than marketing claims.
This guide covers how CBD oil works for pain in athletes, the correct legal position in the UK, what the research actually shows, and how to use it without putting your anti-doping status at risk.
CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound from the Cannabis sativa plant. It does not produce a high. It works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), a regulatory network that governs pain perception, inflammation, sleep, and immune response.
Two receptor types are relevant here. CB2 receptors, concentrated in immune tissue and peripheral joints, respond to CBD by modulating the release of pro-inflammatory signals. TRPV1 receptors, sometimes called vanilloid receptors, are directly tied to the sensation of heat and pain. CBD acts on both pathways, which is why its pain-related effects are not limited to one mechanism.
This is different from how NSAIDs work. Ibuprofen blocks COX enzymes to reduce prostaglandin production. CBD operates through a broader, multi-pathway system. That breadth is both its strength and the reason the evidence base is still catching up.
CBD oil is legal in the UK as a food supplement when it meets FSA novel food authorisation requirements. The source plant must be an EU-approved industrial hemp cultivar containing less than 0.2% THC at the cultivation stage. In finished products sold to consumers, the legal THC limit is 1mg per container — not 0.2%. That distinction matters when you are reading product labels.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Braden Collum
The Food Standards Agency sets the daily consumption guidance for healthy adults at 10mg of CBD per day from food supplement sources, updated in October 2023.
For competitive athletes, the position is clear. UK Anti-Doping confirms that CBD is not on WADA's Prohibited List and is permitted in sport. Every other cannabinoid, including THC, CBN, and synthetic cannabis compounds, remains prohibited in-competition. UKAD classifies CBD products under the same use-at-your-own-risk category as all other dietary supplements. If a CBD product causes an adverse analytical finding for THC, the athlete's use of that product does not reduce their fault.
The risk is not theoretical. CBD extraction leaves trace cannabinoids in many products. Full-spectrum oils carry the highest contamination risk. Athletes in testing pools should use isolate or verified THC-free broad-spectrum products only, with a batch-specific certificate of analysis confirming the full cannabinoid profile, THC levels, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbiological safety. Certificates must come from an accredited independent laboratory.
A 2024 systematic review published in Nutrients analysed studies on CBD and athletic performance and recovery across physically active individuals. The review found limited positive evidence for improvements in aerobic parameters including VO2 max and mean power output. It found no significant effect on strength-based performance. Pain reduction and reduced post-load fatigue showed moderate positive signals, with the authors noting that no significant adverse effects were reported across the included studies.
A 2025 survey of elite-level Canadian athletes, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, found that 77% of CBD users reported reduced pain from training, 93% reported improved sleep, and 90% reported improved relaxation. These are self-reported outcomes, not controlled trial data, but they reflect the reasons athletes actually use CBD and the areas where practical benefit is most consistently reported.
A 2024 systematic review in Pain Management Nursing examined CBD for chronic pain management across 15 studies and found that the majority reported pain reductions of between 42% and 66% with CBD alone or in combination with other cannabinoids. The heterogeneity across study designs limits the strength of these conclusions, and the authors called for larger controlled trials.
The overall picture is this: CBD shows genuine signals for pain and inflammation reduction, with sleep and anxiety as consistent secondary benefits. What the evidence supports is safety, tolerability, and enough biological plausibility to justify its use as part of a structured recovery approach.
Post-training inflammation is where most athletes start. After high-intensity sessions, the body triggers an inflammatory cascade as part of normal repair. When that response is excessive or prolonged, it delays recovery and compounds soreness. Oral CBD taken after training, typically as a sublingual oil, works through CB2 modulation to reduce the amplitude of that inflammatory signal without shutting it down entirely.
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) peaks between 24 and 48 hours after intense or unfamiliar exercise. CBD addresses DOMS through the same anti-inflammatory pathway, and some athletes report additional benefit from combining oral CBD with topical application directly to affected muscle groups. Topical CBD does not enter systemic circulation in meaningful quantities. It acts locally on peripheral receptors in the skin and connective tissue.
Chronic and injury-related pain is a different use case. Athletes managing the residual effects of old injuries, including joint pain, tendinopathy, and nerve sensitisation, often find that CBD forms a useful adjunct to physiotherapy and structured rehabilitation. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that make CBD useful acutely remain relevant in chronic pain contexts, where the goal is reducing background pain levels rather than addressing acute tissue damage.
Sleep quality deserves separate mention even in an article about pain. Sleep deprivation lowers pain thresholds significantly. An athlete sleeping poorly will perceive training pain and injury pain as more severe than the same athlete sleeping well. CBD's reported benefits for sleep onset and sleep quality, documented consistently in athlete surveys, mean that some of its pain management value is indirect, mediated through better recovery rather than direct analgesia.
Start at the lower end of the dosage range. The FSA guidance of 10mg per day for healthy adults is the correct reference point for food supplement use. Some clinical research uses higher doses in controlled protocols. For day-to-day supplementary use, staying at or below 10mg is the cautious and legally supported position.
Sublingual oil is the most common delivery method. Hold the oil under the tongue for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing. This increases absorption through the mucous membranes and produces faster onset than capsules or edibles. Topical products, creams and balms, work alongside oral CBD for localised pain without adding to systemic CBD load.
Timing matters. Post-training is the most logical point for CBD directed at inflammation and recovery. For sleep-related pain management, a dose 30 to 60 minutes before bed works for most users. Avoid introducing any new supplement variable on competition day, particularly if you are in a testing pool.
Product selection is the most important decision you will make. Use isolate or verified THC-free broad-spectrum products. Require a batch-specific certificate of analysis tied to the exact batch you are purchasing, not a general test or a manufacturer's claim. Confirm the certificate covers cannabinoids, heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents, and microbiological safety. Check that the product is linked to a valid FSA novel food application.
CBD oil addresses athletic pain through multiple routes: anti-inflammatory action at CB2 receptors, pain modulation at TRPV1 receptors, and indirectly through sleep quality improvement. The legal position in the UK is settled. CBD is permitted under FSA food supplement rules and under WADA anti-doping regulations, provided the product meets quality and THC content standards. The real risk for athletes is product quality, not legality. A contaminated or mislabelled product is the hazard. Buy from suppliers who publish full laboratory documentation, use isolate or verified THC-free broad-spectrum products, and stay within the FSA's 10mg daily guidance.
PHOTO CREDIT | Ed Sloane/World Surf League
In this month’s issue, our front and back cover story is with current #2 ranked WSL Champion of 2023 and Team USA Surfing Olympic Gold Medalist, Caroline Marks. She talks with us about the love of the sport, how she optimizes her fitness for it, what her favorite tournaments are on tour, being a surf ambassador for Lexus and what she is looking forward to in the upcoming season! She also talks about her Red Bull film, Now Days.
On April 16th, the Youth America Grand Prix will have their 2026 Stars of Today, Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala which brings the best ballet talent together from those that are rising stars to those we enjoy seeing on the stage. This year, Misty Copeland will be the host and there will be a number of people honored at this event, performances, and an auction for pointe shoes.
We grew up watching Joshua Jackson in Mighty Ducks as well as Dawson’s Creek. He continues to act in a number of shows that we enjoy including: The Affair, Dr. Death, Dr. Odyssey and more. We talk with him about his passion for hockey, partnering with the NHL to fight against cancer, and a number of projects coming up that we will want to check out!
We enjoy the tennis season which takes us all over the world! One of the most noted WAGS is Morgan Riddle. We caught up with her to talk about how she navigates constant travel, her beauty routines, the importance of SPF, and more!
March is a busy month and when March Madness takes over, we’re all excited for weeks of basketball on end! We made our way to the Reese’s Bracket Summit to hear how NY Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, and analysts - Andraya Carter and NBA Champion Richard Jefferson focused on their brackets. We also talk with them about their love of the game and how a busted bracket can win you Reese’s!
We caught up with Team USA Olympic Speed Skaters, Erin Jackson and Jordan Stolz to share what they love about this sport, how they continue to push boundaries in it, and their participation in Happiness is the Real Gold Campaign with Hershey’s.
Last month, our Athleisure Mag Summit Series took place at SaltDrop in the East Village. Dino Malvone, founder of this fitness method sits down with us post class to talk about how he came to the fitness industry, why he wanted to create this method, class offerings, and what we can keep an eye out for this brand!
The Boston Marathon is coming up (along with a number of marathons) - we caught up with Becs Gentry to get tips on how we can prepare for our next race, her passion for it, and more.
We connected with Chef Chris Valdes to talk about his style of cooking, what dish he fell in love with, and pairings that he enjoys with Tanqueray cocktails.
In this month’s issue, we made our way to Brooklyn Glass to watch noted glass blower, Deborah Czeresko S1 winner of Netflix’s Blown Away, create her noted potatoes! She shares with us about her passion for this medium, phenomenal projects that she has been able to do, and more.
This month's The Art of the Snack takes us to NYC for Brazilian cuisine at Berimbau Brazilian Table which is filled with savory dishes, cocktails, and great vibes all around!
We sat down with Founder of Black Girl Tennis Club, Kimberly Selden to find out why she wanted to create this organization, the power of tennis and it’s roots as well as upcoming events that we want to know about.
This month's Athleisure List comes from New York Pilates, a studio with a number of locations in NYC as well as the Hamptons that is the city’s go-to-spot. We also included Carlisle Bay in Antigua that woudl be perfect for our next trip!
With Awards Season coming to an end, we recap some of our favorite looks from this season along with insights from glam teams that participated as well as the talent walking the red carpet themselves in THE 9LIST 9R3DCARP3T. Our 9LIST STORI3S comes from Morgan Riddle where she shares her must-haves in beauty, style, and fitness. Our 9PLAYLIST comes from EDM DJ/Producer ILLENIUM to see what he is listening to now. Our 9LIST ROUTIN3S comes from Dino Malvone and Misty Copeland.
Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag now.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Elena Leya
If you’re leading an active lifestyle, nutrition plays a direct role in performance, recovery, and long-term health. Clean eating is a practical approach if you want to fuel your body with intention. Among all macronutrients, protein is the most important for muscle development. Yet, while many focus on hitting high protein targets, we don’t always consider where that protein comes from.
The quality of your protein sources can influence how efficiently your body repairs muscle, supports energy levels, and maintains overall wellness. This guide explains why quality matters more than quantity and how to make smarter choices in fitness nutrition.
When discussing clean eating protein, quality refers to more than just protein content per gram. It involves how well a protein source supports the body’s needs.
High-quality protein sources typically contain all essential amino acids. These amino acids act as building blocks for muscle repair and growth. Your body can’t produce them on its own, so your diet must supply them consistently.
Beyond amino acid profiles, quality also includes how the food is produced. Whole, minimally processed protein sources often provide additional nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. These compounds support recovery, immune function, and overall performance.
In contrast, highly processed protein products may meet numerical targets but lack the broader nutritional benefits that whole foods deliver.
Selecting high-quality protein doesn’t require drastic dietary changes. Instead, it involves making more informed choices within your existing routine.
Lean meats, fish, eggs, and plant-based options like lentils and beans contribute to a well-rounded intake. The key is variety. Rotating protein sources ensures you receive a broader range of nutrients while keeping meals interesting.
For those who include poultry in their diet, sourcing becomes especially relevant. Choosing responsibly sourced options like The Organic Butchery organic chicken range, from tender breast fillets to whole free-range birds, responsibly raised to organic standards, can make a noticeable difference in how your body recovers and performs.
It’s also helpful to think beyond post-workout meals. Consistent protein intake throughout the day helps maintain muscle repair and energy balance. Simple additions like eggs at breakfast or legumes in lunch dishes can make a meaningful impact.
Where your protein comes from matters just as much as what it contains. Farming practices, animal welfare, and feed quality all influence the nutritional value of protein-rich foods.
Responsibly raised animal products often contain fewer additives and a more natural nutrient composition. For example, poultry raised to organic standards typically avoids unnecessary chemicals and supports more natural growth conditions.
For those prioritizing clean eating, sourcing becomes part of the decision-making process. It reflects a broader commitment to consuming foods that align with health and sustainability goals.
Brands like Organic Butchery focus on offering responsibly sourced meat options that align with these principles. This approach helps consumers access protein that supports both performance and conscious eating habits.
After a workout, your body enters a repair phase. Muscles experience microscopic damage during exercise, and protein helps rebuild those tissues stronger than before.
If your protein source lacks essential amino acids, your body struggles to complete this repair process efficiently. That can lead to slower recovery times, increased fatigue, and reduced performance over time.
High-quality protein sources also improve nutrient absorption. When your body can easily digest and use protein, it reduces strain on your system and supports consistent energy levels. This becomes especially important for athletes or anyone training multiple times per week.
Clean eating protein choices, such as whole cuts of meat, eggs, legumes, and dairy, provide a more balanced nutritional profile that supports both short-term recovery and long-term progress.
While protein intake matters, consuming excessive amounts without considering quality can place unnecessary strain on digestion and may not improve performance outcomes.
Instead of focusing solely on hitting high numbers, aim for steady, balanced intake. Pair protein with other macronutrients, such as complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, to support sustained energy.
Listening to your body also plays a role. Recovery, strength progression, and overall well-being often provide better indicators of nutritional success than strict protein targets alone.
By prioritizing high-quality protein sources, you can often meet your needs without overcomplicating your diet.
Building a clean eating routine around protein doesn’t require perfection. Small, consistent choices tend to deliver the best results over time.
Start by planning meals that include a reliable protein source. Preparing food in advance can make it easier to stick to your goals, especially during busy weeks.
Focus on whole foods whenever possible. Fresh ingredients tend to offer more nutritional value than heavily processed alternatives. Cooking methods also matter. Grilling, baking, or steaming helps retain nutrients without adding unnecessary fats or additives.
Pay attention to how your body responds. Energy levels, recovery speed, and overall comfort after meals can help guide your choices.
Protein remains a cornerstone of fitness nutrition, but the conversation is shifting. Instead of asking how much protein you need, it’s more useful to ask where that protein comes from and how it supports your body.
High-quality protein sources provide more than just muscle repair. They contribute to better recovery, improved performance, and a more balanced approach to clean eating.
If you’re living an active lifestyle, focusing on quality over quantity offers a sustainable path forward. With thoughtful choices and consistent habits, protein can support long-term health and performance.
There's something deeply satisfying about a craft room that's fully stocked and ready for whatever project strikes your mood. Whether you're into woodworking, jewelry making, paper crafts, or mixed media, the right tools don't just make your work easier — they make it more enjoyable. As we head into 2026, the world of creative tools has expanded in exciting ways, giving hobbyists of all levels more options than ever to outfit their ideal creative space.
Before adding new tools to your wishlist, think about storage and organization. A well-organized craft room means less time hunting for supplies and more time actually creating.
● Clear stackable bins for quick visual access to smaller supplies
● Pegboard wall systems to keep frequently used tools within arm's reach
● Rolling carts with labeled drawers for portability and easy reorganization
● A large, dedicated work surface — adjustable-height tables work especially well for people who switch between detailed hand work and larger layout projects
Pair your work surface with a comfortable stool and strong overhead lighting, and you've built a foundation that every other tool on this list will benefit from.
Once your space is set up, it's time to think about the tools themselves. Precision tools — the ones that let you add fine detail, personalize your work, or cut with accuracy — tend to be the most rewarding investments.
Engraving pens have quietly become one of the most versatile tools in the modern craft room. They work on:
● Wood — cutting boards, frames, furniture accents
● Glass — ornaments, wine glasses, candle holders
● Metal — keychains, jewelry, tool handles
● Leather — journals, wallets, bag straps
● Some plastics — custom signage, decorative pieces
Brands like resparked.com have built a strong following among hobbyists because their tools are designed for everyday creatives, not just professionals. Resparked's flagship Customizer Engraving Pen has been used by more than 650,000 people, and the brand carries an "Excellent" rating based on nearly 2,500 customer reviews — a strong signal that it's worth a spot on your wishlist.
● A quality craft knife set with spare blades
● A self-healing cutting mat in a generous size
● Fine-tip paint markers for detail work on mixed media projects
No craft room is complete without reliable cutting and measuring tools. These are the workhorses you'll reach for on almost every project.
● Rotary cutter and quilting ruler — invaluable even if you don't quilt; perfect for fabric, felt, and thin foam sheets
● Paper trimmer with a built-in ruler — takes the guesswork out of straight cuts for cards, scrapbook pages, and packaging
● Vinyl cutting machine — opens up custom stickers, iron-on transfers, stencils, and more; prices have dropped significantly, making them much more accessible for the average hobbyist
Heat tools are easy to overlook, but they round out a well-stocked craft room beautifully.
● Embossing heat gun — small, affordable, and useful for rubber stamping, resin work, and shrink plastic projects
● Adjustable-temperature hot glue gun — a mid-range model with temperature control makes a noticeable difference in how cleanly your projects come together
● Double-sided tape runners for clean, flat bonds
● Foam adhesive squares to add dimension to paper projects
● Liquid glue pens for precision application without the mess
A dedicated adhesive station — everything in one spot — saves time and keeps your main work surface cleaner.
One of the biggest shifts in the craft world in recent years is the move toward personalization. People want to make things that feel uniquely theirs — or create thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts for the people they love.
● Wooden cutting boards and serving platters
● Glass ornaments and drinkware
● Metal keychains and jewelry
● Leather journals and accessories
● Ceramic tiles and plant pots
Resparked has positioned itself squarely in this space, marketing its engraving pen as a beginner-friendly tool requiring no prior experience. That's a meaningful claim for anyone who has ever felt intimidated by a new craft tool and let it collect dust in a drawer.
The best craft room isn't the most expensive one — it's the one that's tailored to how you actually create. Before adding something to your wishlist, ask yourself:
● Will I use this across multiple project types?
● Is it beginner-friendly enough to actually get started with?
● Does it fit the space I have?
Focus first on tools that earn their place across a wide range of projects:
● A reliable engraving pen
● A solid cutting system
● Quality adhesives
● Strong, adjustable lighting
These will take you further than a dozen single-use gadgets. From there, layer in more specialized tools as your skills and interests grow.
A well-curated craft room is less about having everything and more about having the right things. As 2026 brings new tools and creative possibilities, the best wishlist is the one that keeps you actually making — not just collecting.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Liubov Novikova
Varicose veins are common in many people, which can cause a lot of suffering and aesthetic problems. Advanced techniques of the last several years have completely altered the treatment of these venous problems. With these changes, people are now looking forward to better comfort and a speedier return to day-to-day life. Now is a relevant time to highlight how new techniques aid rapid recovery, which may ultimately lead even the most reluctant payment seeker to take that first step. In this post, we will go through the most important aspects of how to recover smoothly and quickly.
Before, traditional surgery necessitated hospital visits and lengthier recovery times. Modern methods involve small incisions or cyst injections, which allow for a much simpler recovery process. The techniques minimize the trauma to surrounding tissues, thereby reducing pain and swelling. As a result, it often leads to a quicker recovery time for patients. Many can walk straight after the operation and go home on the same day. It makes this radical shift, requiring fewer interruptions of regular life and work schedules. With El Paso Vein Doctors, patients gain access to advanced procedures that ensure relief, circulation, and long‑term wellness.
Current treatments aim to ensure patient comfort throughout each phase. Usually, local anesthesia is given so as to numb a particular area, but the person is fully aware. The second method circumvents the inherent dangers and residuals of general anesthesia. To be clear, patients often describe only mild soreness rather than fierce pain and are able to resume gentle movement afterwards. With less discomfort comes less need for stronger medication, which will further accelerate the healing process.
Safety stands at the forefront of all medical advancements. Current vein treatments are less dangerous and have far fewer complications than old-fashioned surgical approaches, as they lessen bleeding, infection, and other dangers. Under ultrasound guidance, they are able to target the diseased veins with outstanding precision. This precision aids in protecting blood vessels and adjacent structures from potential injury. This leads to fewer complications and fewer buts during the healing process. There is less chance of requiring further procedures, leading to a more even and reliable recovery process.
You could take weeks off work from earlier treatments or have very long restrictions on physical activity. This period has now been reduced, but with more advanced methods. Most people are back to light duties in days rather than weeks. "There may be temporary caution following exercise, lifting, and prolonged standing, but many regain full mobility quite quickly. The recovery is faster, and so is the impact on the mental state of the patient. The fact that progress is quick gives them a sense of control over their health.
Not only can vein care help you feel better, but it can also help you look better as well. Reduced incision size leads to less noticeable scars, which would please anyone worried about the marks left after an operation. Methods: Laser or radiofrequency closes off damaged veins without removal, resulting in smoother skin. Better legs (with far fewer bruises and less swelling) in less time. These enhancements can increase your confidence and promote a more active lifestyle.
Follow-up services are essential in facilitating a speedy recovery. Instead, providers have begun providing recommendations specific to individual needs, public health actions, and health ambitions. Such advice might involve the use of compression stockings, light walking, and sitting less after, for instance, a two- to five-minute walk. Concise preparation also minimizes the anxiety that patients experience while healing.
Among the biggest benefits of current treatments is that they cause little to no disruption when returning to normal life. Most patients are driving, working, and caring for family responsibilities within days after their procedures. The decreased pain and improved looks result in solid emotional reprieve and contribute positively to the overall satisfaction level. One of the main advantages of advancements like this is being able to live life without worrying about what's going to happen to our health.
The modern solutions for varicose veins clearly provide a more rapid, comfortable way to recuperate. A mix of less invasive techniques, ease during the procedure, and satisfactory aftercare helps people feel confident and get active sooner. All of this has led to more individuals coming forward to seek help, as we are now aware that we can recover quickly, thereby returning to our regular lives in no time but with greater energy and wellness. Modern care means long-term results and an easier journey to legs that feel healthy and free.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Sean Oulashin
When a life is lost due to negligence or misconduct, families are often left searching for answers while coping with overwhelming grief. In these moments, a wrongful death lawyer becomes an important guide, helping families understand their rights and the steps needed to pursue accountability.
Wrongful death claims are not just about compensation—they are about uncovering the truth and honoring a loved one’s life. In a city as large and complex as Chicago, these cases can involve detailed investigations, local laws, and multiple parties. With the legal support from a Chicago wrongful death attorney, families can navigate this difficult path with clarity, focusing on healing while their case is handled with care and attention.
Legal procedures for wrongful death cases are difficult to comprehend. Lawyers guide families in understanding their legal rights and take the time to walk them through the claims process. While legal terms and requirements are often complex, a qualified professional can break them down for you. This guidance allows family members to focus on grieving, ensuring that all details are properly managed.
Wrongful death is investigated in great detail to establish proof. To build a strong case, attorneys gather together medical records, police reports, and witness statements. Experienced professionals understand the scope of documents that are necessary to establish liability. This level of thoroughness is beneficial to families, since every little detail counts when seeking justice and damages.
Insurance companies will do anything to reduce the amount they pay out on claims or may even deny claims altogether. Lawyers speak with these companies directly so that families are not taken advantage of. In the absence of negotiations, this direct interaction saves families from the stress of discussions and keeps their interests at the forefront. Having a lawyer means that justice will be served more often, and grieving relatives will not have to deal with a headache.
The funeral expenses are just one part of the equation for fair compensation. Lawyers take into consideration lost wages, pain and suffering, lost future earnings, and even the effect the death may have on surviving dependents. The experts estimate the long-term effects of these issues, ensuring that families receive the care they require over time. Accurate calculations help prevent financial strain on families experiencing the pain of loss.
Like all legal cases, wrongful death claims also follow specific time frames, known as statutes of limitations. Lawyers have these deadlines on their radar to prevent cases from being thrown out. Taking action promptly is important as missing a deadline could mean losing your chance for justice. Having someone to guide you legally ensures that all documents are filed appropriately and on time.
Most wrongful death cases settle before the courtroom. Whether a divorce needs to be challenged, altered, or refined, attorneys negotiate with opposing parties to ensure the highest-quality results for families. They position themselves to negotiate for proper pay while keeping family and friends in the loop throughout the entire process. They can help them achieve closure and obtain some financial means without going to trial.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the attorneys take the case to court. They collect evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and humanize the family story with empathy. A qualified advocate provides peace of mind in court, which can be intimidating. Being represented by someone who is experienced is likely to yield a more successful result.
When you add the complexities of a will's legalities together, it can seem insurmountable, along with the loss. Lawyers provide more than just legal advice; they provide comfort and empathy. With their help, families are free to focus on healing, knowing their case is in safe hands. Loving assistance at such a difficult time can go a long way.
If you contact a wrongful death attorney, their guidance can be tremendously helpful to grieving families. With expertise in handling steps such as explaining legal procedures and negotiating settlements, the professionals take pride in what they do. They keep you emotionally lighter and make sure that justice gets its due. Those families enduring such hardship deserve all the help and support they can get as they search for those answers and closure.
Although the Olympics have complete this cycle, we still have a few stories from the Winter Games 2026. We sat down with Erin Jackson Team USA Olympic Speedskating Gold Medalist to talk about her love of the sport, how she got into it, competing at Milan-Cortina and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with speed skating, and what do you love about this sport?
ERIN JACKSON: I actually loved this sport for as long as I can remember. You know, some of my earliest memories of skating were just up and down my driveway and the little plastic skates. So it started out as just a hobby for me. I didn’t have any dreams of being competitive in the sport. I just started doing it because I loved it. So that was my intro which was through roller skating and then roller skating led me to inline skating and then inline skating led me to ice skating. So, yeah, it was just kind of a, I guess, a very natural progression, but it did just start with the love of the sport and the love of the hobby I guess!
AM: I mean, there are so many things you could have done! Why did you decide that figure skating wasn’t the thing, but speed skating was?
EJ: I actually did go that route first, so I did what’s called artistic skating. And that’s like figure skating, but also on roller skates. Who knows? That that could have been where I ended up, but my coaches in artistic skating they actually moved away to pursue figure skating on Ice for their daughters. Their daughters ended up competing in Sochi, I believe.
AM: Wow!
EJ: So who knows? Maybe I could have gone that route, too? But when they moved, I just let that be the end of figure skating.
AM: Well, what does an average week look like when it comes to training for upcoming competitions?
EJ: So we train six days a week, most days, it’s two training sessions. One of those days, we’ll have three training sessions one of those days, we’ll have one training session, but we’re training most the time. It’s kind of like a full-time job, so we’ll have a morning session for probably 3 hours or so, and then rest in the afternoon for lunch and then come back and have another session later in the day.
Normally skating once a day, and then the other session can be, you know, like, bike intervals, or, you know, cardio or weightlifting or something like that.
AM: We were just going to ask about three workouts that you do to optimize for this particular sport? You kind of just answered it. Our minds are still wrapping around six days a week. I mean, clearly, that is what you have to do.
So this past Olympics marks your third, where you were competing in the 500 meter and the 1000 meter? What does it mean to you to be able to compete on such a global stage?
EJ: It’s a really cool honor, I guess, like just being part of the Olympics and just being able to be part of this really large thing where people from all over the world are coming to do the thing that they devote their lives to. We all just come here and do it together. It’s just a really cool community aspect, you know, part of this large community of Olympians and Team USA. And it’s, yeah, I feel like that’s the best feeling of it, just like doing it all together.
AM: What did you love most about your experience this year, and you know, being in the Olympics, and are you thinking ahead to 2030?
EJ: Yeah, I am thinking of 2030, yeah, I couldn’t imagine stopping the train at this point. I definitely want to keep going with all the progress I’ve made this season, and I really want to carry that forward. Some of my best memories from this games were a toss-up between watching my teammates this time around, because for most of them, it was their first Olympics. It’s getting to see all the amazing firsts that they were experiencing and then also watching other Team USA events, like with athletes from those sports. You know, they can give a lot of insight and like behind the scenes info about the scoring and sometimes even the drama in the sport. So, yeah, that was a really cool thing too.
AM: Well, you are part of Happiness as The Real Gold Hershey Campaign, which is so fun to see that and to get to see other aspects of you while you’re talking. Why did you want to be involved in it? And what does happiness mean to you? And where do you find it?
EJ: Yeah, the Happiness is The Real Gold Campaign, I feel like was a really important thing to get out there in a really important message, because it can just like remind athletes and just people in general that the people in your lives who love you and care about you like, they’re gonna love you, no matter what, because what they really want for you is happiness.
AM: Yeah.
EJ: Your achievements are just kind of a bonus for that. I feel like it was a really great message and one that was really heartfelt and emotional campaign, especially with having our families involved. I was really happy to be a part of it.
IG @speedyj
After chatting with Erin, we caught up with her fellow Team USA Speedskater, Jordan Stolz. We wanted to hear from him about his passion, a successful Winter Olympics, and more!
ATHLEISURE MAG: How did you come to the sport of speedskating and for those that are not familiar with it, how would you describe it to them?
JORDAN STOLZ: I would describe it as a sport where you are constantly trying to keep progressing and a sport that is very satisfying when you improve. The feeling of being able to go fast on turns is a feeling that I can’t get anywhere else! I can’t get it in a car, I can’t do it on a mountain on a bike – it’s something that is very surreal and I think that people get addicted to it!
I first got into it because of Apolo Ohno (G2, S2, B4) back in 2010 and I was watching him compete and it was the first Olympics that I had ever watched in my life. I was just really into it and it caught my eye with the way that he was passing people. It was like a showman and I asked my parents if I could start skating and I actually started with my sister on our frozen pond in our backyard. We shoveled a track and ever since then, I have been doing pretty good.
AM: What are workouts that you find beneficial for speedskating?
JS: I would say a lot of cycling. The number 1 thing that changed for me is when I spent a lot more time on a bike. The weight room too – just building up your squats. You have to have power on the ice. You want to combine those two, but you don’t want to go too far with either one. You don’t want to be this cyclist that weighs 130lbs, but you also don’t want to be a body builder and then you would be super slow on the ice – you’d have too much weight. It’s kind of factoring all of that in to work with the mechanics of skating and the technique. I have found that to be the most beneficial for me.
AM: What were the Opening Ceremonies like for you and what does it mean to you to compete on such a global stage?
JS: It means a lot to compete for Team USA on the Olympics as a global stage and to win 3 medals, the highest medal count. That means a lot, not just for me, but for speedskating itself and the whole country. It’s great that I can bring more awareness to speedskating as it’s such a cool sport and I’m glad to be able to do that.
I didn’t walk the Opening Ceremonies, but I loved watching it on TV when I was in the Village.
AM: When it’s your gameday, do you have or do anything that gets you into the mindset to compete?
JS: I try to relax a lot and not to think too much about the races. I want to be able to get into the zone before getting into the rink. Before that, I like to chit chat with people, sit in bed and watch some reels, and then I can get out there and be ready!
AM: You had an amazing Winter Games 2026! You won a Gold in the 500 M and then another one in the 1,000 M - the first American male to do it in the same Olympics since 1980 and you got Silver in the 1,500 - you also made 2 World Records - what does it feel like to leave the Games with those accolades?
JS: It means a lot especially to have my name attached to Eric Heiden (5G) and it means a lot to be thought of as a successful speedskater in Olympic history for the US. I hope that I can continue to progress and do better going into 2030 and this is just one of those stepping stones. When I went to Beijing, I didn’t win any medals there and then 4 years later, I trained a lot and the World Cup had a lot of experiences and then I was able to come here to the Olympics in a very prepared way! Who knows what can happen over the next 4 years? Hopefully something very similar and I am feeling very good about the results that I have had this entire season and not just the ones that took place at the Olympics. I’ve been skating some fast times and had great track records.
AM: In your downtime in Milan, how did you take time for yourself to reset between competitions?
JS: It was just – there wasn’t a lot to do in the Village, so it was about laying in bed and trying to relax and focus.
AM: You partnered with Hershey’s For the Happiness Campaign. Why did you want to partner with them and what does Happiness is the Real Gold mean to you?
JS: I wanted to partner with them because they are a huge household name company. Having that name tied around you at the Winter Olympics really special. It’s the highest achievement that you can have as a speed skater. First of all going to the Olympics, and then being able to win a Gold medal, with the name Hershey’s behind you – that just means a lot especially how they support my family in general. It’s authentic and I feel that they really put the truth behind the slogan that Happiness is The Real Gold. They are 100% right about that!
AM: Now that you are settling in post Olympics, are there any projects or upcoming competitions that we should keep an eye out for?
JS: I have the World Champions coming up – the World Sprints and the World All Arounds – it’s a combination race. It’s kind of like the 2nd thing to the Olympics if you are considering the Netherlands view. They view it super seriously here. I think it’s really cool and I will compete in both and try to win both of them. It will be fun and really hard! Everyone wants to hear if I will be doing anything in cycling and that’s probably not going to happen because I will be focused on skating.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Hershey’s
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Pull up any supplement brand's Instagram and play a little game. Cover the logo. Can you still tell who it is? Probably not. Most wellness brands are practically interchangeable right now, and the problem isn't the product. It's that nobody thought hard enough about what makes them different from the other forty brands sitting on the same shelf. Getting remembered is the actual work, and most brands skip it.
Here's what's worth knowing: growing a wellness brand consistently isn't about one campaign or one clever post that takes off. NutraMarketers spends all their time in the supplement and functional food space, and what they see over and over is that the brands with staying power aren't necessarily the ones with the best formulas. They're the ones that built something people recognize and trust before they ever decide to buy.
PHOTO CREDIT | Pexels/Jonathan Borba
There's a version of this mistake that almost every wellness brand makes at least once. You spend real time and money getting the logo right, the colors right, the packaging looking clean. Then a year in, nobody seems to recognize you, and the instinct is to blame the marketing budget. But the logo was never the problem.
What actually sticks with people is harder to design. It's the tone your brand takes in an email. It's whether your product page sounds like a human wrote it or a committee approved it. It's having a point of view that comes through whether someone finds you in a store, on Amazon, or through an ad they weren't expecting to see. When all of that feels like the same brand, people start to remember you. Without that, you're basically introducing yourself to the same person over and over.
A strong brand identity generally covers these areas:
Brand voice: Pick a tone and stick with it everywhere, from your packaging copy to your email subject lines.
Visual consistency: Your website, ads, and product label should look like they came from the same place.
A clear point of view: Brands that earn loyalty in wellness usually stand for something specific. Clean ingredients. Honest performance. No fluff. Pick yours.
Focused messaging: When you try to speak to everybody, you end up resonating with nobody. Know exactly who you're talking to and talk directly to them.
Wellness shoppers have been let down enough times that skepticism is basically their default setting. By the time someone is looking at your product, they've already been burned by something that didn't work. So they read the label. They Google the ingredients. They check Reddit threads from three years ago. Brands that show up in all of that with honest, specific information don't just earn a click. They earn the benefit of the doubt from someone who wasn't giving it out freely.
You don't need academic papers for this. Take a magnesium supplement brand. A simple breakdown of why glycinate works differently than oxide, written in plain conversational language, does something that a paid ad never could. It tells the buyer that whoever made this actually understands it, which is a bar more brands fail to clear than you'd expect.
The Global Wellness Institute pegs the global wellness economy at over $5.6 trillion. That kind of money draws in a lot of brands making claims they haven't earned. Buyers know this, and they're filtering hard. The brands that keep showing up with content that's actually worth reading tend to become the default recommendation in their category, not because they out-spent anyone, but because they kept being useful when others stopped.
Content formats worth investing in:
Blog posts answering the real questions your buyers are already searching for
Email newsletters that teach subscribers something useful, not just promote a sale
Short videos showing honest, practical product use with real expectations
Ingredient deep-dives that connect clinical research to everyday outcomes people actually care about
Most brands treat packaging like a form you fill out before you can launch. Get the nutrition facts right, meet the regulatory minimums, sign off on the proof, and move forward. But here's what that thinking misses: no ad you ever run will reach a buyer at the exact moment they're physically deciding whether to pick your product up. Your label gets that moment every single day, in every store that carries you. That's not a small thing.
Supplement shoppers aren't browsing slowly. They're moving through that aisle on autopilot, and most products don't even register. What breaks through is something that reads fast, looks intentional, and communicates clearly who it's for before the person even consciously processes it. Brands that underinvest in this lose sales that never show up in any report, because the shopper just grabbed something else without thinking twice.
On Amazon and brand sites, the packaging you chose six months ago is actively shaping how your listing performs right now. A well-designed product photographs better. Better photos load faster in the eye. And when someone's scanning ten listings in thirty seconds, the one that looks more polished gets the click almost every time. Plenty of brands with genuinely better formulas get outsold by competitors whose packaging simply photographs more cleanly.
The sponsored post model is pretty much done in wellness. Audiences scrolled past enough of them that it became second nature to tune them out, and wellness buyers in particular are already suspicious of anything that feels like it's selling too hard. A single post from a large account rarely moves anything meaningful for a brand, and most people in the industry quietly know this by now.
What tends to work a lot better is finding people who already live in the space your product belongs to and letting the relationship grow from there. Someone with 18,000 followers who's a registered dietitian posting about their actual supplement stack carries more weight than a lifestyle influencer with 400,000 followers dropping a promo code. The audience is smaller, but it's dialed in, and dialed-in audiences actually buy.
Research from Nielsen found that 92 percent of consumers trust personal recommendations over direct brand advertising. In wellness, where buyers come in guarded and have been oversold to for years, that number isn't just a stat. It's the whole game. The partnerships that actually move the needle are the ones where the creator's audience already trusts their opinion, the product fits naturally into what they talk about, and nothing about the content feels like it was written by a marketing team.
None of this works in isolation. Brand awareness in wellness is the result of showing up consistently across all these areas at once: a clear identity, content people actually find useful, packaging that earns attention, a well-run Amazon presence, and creator relationships that feel real. Brands that get all five working together don't just grow. They become harder to displace.
PHOTO CREDIT | Ultra Music Festival/Alive Coverage
We’re looking forward to the DJ (we’re looking forward to Afrojack, Swedish House Mafia, and Major Lazer) sets, warm weather, and food that will be at this year’s Ultra Music Festival (check out who is performing along with their sets times, days, and stages that hey will be at) which kicks off tomorrow and goes through Mar 29th! If you are attending, make sure that you download the app so that you have this information in real time! If you won’t be there this year, make sure you catch their Ultra Livestream to get in on all the action.
PHOTO CREDIT | Ultra Music Festival/Alive Coverage
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Sofwave
In recent years beauty and skincare trends have moved beyond creams and serums to include high tech non invasive treatments and one of the most talked about options today is Sofwave the skin tightening and collagen boosting procedure famously used by Kim Kardashian to get ready for red carpet events like the Met Gala
Whether you are new to this treatment or just curious why celebrities love it, this guide explains everything in simple terms. One of the most talked about options today is Sofwave the skin tightening and collagen boosting procedure famously used by Kim Kardashian to get ready for red carpet events like the Met Gala.
Sofwave is a gentle ultrasound treatment that makes skin tighter and lifts it without surgery or needles and with little rest time and it works by helping your body make more collagen and elastin which keep skin firm and stretchy.
Unlike regular laser treatments that work on the top layer sofwave sends ultrasound energy deep into the middle layer of the skin about 15 mm down and this starts a gentle healing process that slowly makes skin look smoother and more even.
Celebrity endorsements can turn any beauty treatment into a worldwide trend and Sofwave is no exception.
Kim Kardashian has share her experience with this treatment on social media and said it is one of the few options that truly concerns the skin and she has used it many times for events like the 2025 Met Gala.
Her sister Khloe Kardashian has also praised the treatment and said it helps both face and body and supports collagen without harming the skin.
This kind of visibility has helped the treatment gain not only celebrity attention but also interest from skincare experts and beauty fans.
Sofwave uses focused ultrasound energy delivered through a handheld device placed on the skin and here is what happens step by step:
Ultrasound Energy Targets Dermis:
The device sends energy about 15 mm deep into the dermis where most collagen is
Controlled Heat Stimulates Healing:
This heat causes micro injuries that trigger your skin's natural healing and collagen production.
Collagen Regeneration:
New collagen and elastin fibers grow over time and lift the treated areas.
Although it sounds high tech the procedure is quite quick usually 30 to 60 minutes and does not need needles or anesthesia in most cases.
Sofwave is not limited to one problem and it can treat several common skin concerns:
The ultrasound stimulates collagen which helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and signs of aging.
It can lift and firm areas like the eyebrows jawline under the chin and neck without surgery.
Although results vary by person, Sofwave can improve the appearance of cellulite and acne scarring when multiple sessions are used.
If you have researched anti aging treatments you may have heard of Ultherapy Thermage or radiofrequency microneedling and here is how Sofwave compares:
| Treatment | Technology | Recovery | Comfort | Typical Use |
| Sofwave | Ultrasound | No downtime | Mild discomfort | Fine lines, moderate lift |
| Ultherapy | Ultrasound | Little to no downtime | More intense | Stronger lifting |
| Thermage | Radiofrequency | No downtime | Variable> | Skin tigthening |
| Microneedling RF | Needles + RF | Some healing time | Moderate | Texture & laxity |
Pro Tip: Sofwave is often considered more comfortable than deeper ultrasound treatments like Ultherapy especially for first-timers.
Here’s what most people experience during a typical Sofwave session:
Expect around 30–60 minutes, depending on the areas treated.
Comfort Level
Most providers use a numbing cream to reduce feeling and some people feel a warm or sharp sensation.
Everyone's results are different and some people may see better results than others depending on their skin type and goals.
Initial tightening can be visible within a few weeks, but full results usually appear over 8–12 weeks as collagen builds.
Like any cosmetic treatment Sofwave has advantages and limitations.
✔ Non-invasive — no incisions or injections.
✔ No significant downtime — go about your day right after.
✔ Collagen stimulation — helps restore elasticity and firmness.
✔ Multiple areas can be treated.
⚠ Results are subtle and gradual — not as dramatic as surgery.
⚠ Multiple sessions may be recommended for some concerns.
⚠ Costs vary widely depending on provider and region.
Note: Everyone experience is different and some people may see better results than others depending on their skin type age and what they want to achieve.
Safety Considerations
Sofwave is usually safe for most skin types.
However anyone who is pregnant and breastfeeding or has certain medical conditions should talk to a qualified professional before booking a session and always ask your provider about risks and expected results and any necessary aftercare.
Celebrity influence plays a big role in beauty trends and Sofwave is no exception and Kim Kardashian’s repeated use and public praise have greatly increased awareness of this treatment.
Beyond celebrity endorsements and clinical results and growing demand show that many ordinary people are also choosing Sofwave as a non surgical alternative for skin tightening especially for early signs of aging.
If you want an easy treatment without surgery and little rest time to improve your skin and make it tighter and sofwave can be a good option especially if you are in your 30s or older and starting to see slight sagging or small lines.
Although it will not replace surgery it offers a gentler celeb approved approach that fits busy lifestyles and with famous fans like Kim Kardashian sharing positive experiences Sofwave is quickly becoming one of the most talked about skin treatments today.
What does it mean to be part of a dynasty and how does it begin? This month’s cover is riding a major moment that although he struck the Golden Goal, when asked about it, he will always reflect on the fact that the win is a culmination of a team win and one that could only take place with the combined efforts of them working together to break the dry spell since Team USA Hockey back in 1980 while pushing the sport as a whole further here in the US as both the Men’s and Women’s team swept Gold! We sat down last month with Jack Hughes and interviewed him days ahead of him heading to Milano Cortina for our JAN ISSUE #121 where we talked about his passion and love for Hockey, how he trains for the sport, his Olympic debut and how he prepares for game day. It was clear from our interview with him last month that he is someone that we will continue to talk about for years to come.
As we all watched copious hours of Olympics coverage, Hockey was always top of mind for us to watch at Athleisure Media. For him to debut in the Olympics and to play alongside his brother Quinn was amazing. We know that the Hughes brothers are dynamic as a trio as they all play in the NHL and Jack plays for the NJ Devils alongside his brother Luke! If we look at the concept of team, as Jack always says when talking about the success, we have to look at a major team element – his family.
This family affair doesn’t stop there as his mom, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes is a former ice hockey player who competed internationally for the US Women’s National Team at the ’92 Women’s World Championship, where she obtained Silver while being named to the tournament’s All-Star Team. When she stopped playing professionally, she was an advisor to Norway’s Women’s Hockey Team in ’94, she has reported on Women’s Hockey at various Winter Olympics, as well as for ESPN and she was has been a consultant most recently at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina where the US Women’s team took home Gold. Although she never had the chance to play in the Olympics, as Women’s Hockey was introduced in 1998 for the first time, the US Women’s Hockey team has medalled at every single Winter Games since it debuted! His father, Jim Hughes is a former Hockey player who worked at Toronto Marlies and Toronto Maple Leafs. His family and love for this sport is such a life line to Jack and how he looks at the sport!
Jack Hughes is this month’s cover for our FEB ISSUE #122 and as the Golden Goal took place, we were thrilled to know that we would be seeing him at the first home opener post the Olympic win! We made our way to the Prudential Center in Newark, home of the NJ Devils. After the whirlwind of activity that he has been on, watching him during the celebration toasting his win once again solidified his team mentality; and the Sport! As the entire stadium cheered him on, when he hopped on the mic, he accepted all the love that was being given to him while also making sure that Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Padres who played that night at this home game also shared the spotlight with him as well! This camaraderie is what we love to see in the sport and makes us understand his greater vision, it’s about growing the sport and highlighting the efforts of the elite men that have the privilege to play it.
We spent a number of hours at the stadium for the first home game post the Olympics from the celebratory portion of the program, the game, heading to the locker room, and continuing to the post game conference to hear from Coach Sheldon Keefe and Jack himself on the epic moments that led to the Golden Goal, celebrating, coming home to NJ, and looking ahead!
Coach Keefe shared with us that even in the midst of Jack coming back from the Olympics and the festivities, upon his arrival, “he just got here before the game – right before pregame. He began with our different meetings, going through preparations to play, and media obligations.” Even with everything that has been going on, “he made some good plays and posts that put us in some good spots.”
He even reflected on the tribute to the Team USA Hockey and the fact that Jack highlighted Tage Thompson who was also on Team USA and played for that night’s opposing team, “I thought it was tremendous and I think it’s a good sign of his character to do that. It’s acknowledging that it’s not all about him and obviously, there’s a lot of things that go into him having the moment that he had, score the goal that he had and for his teammates to be here for that tonight, I thought it was appropriate. I don’t think he was planning to say that necessarily, I think it was Jack in the moment, but I mean, I thought it was a tremendous gesture by Jack for sure!”
Much like Jack’s focus on the team, Coach Keefe also acknowledged the efforts of the organization, “I think all the way around that the tribute was exceptionally done. I thought our organization and our operations team pulled that off on short notice! To have the fans there was amazing! Coming out to the ice tonight, it was very clear that there was an extra buzz in the building. It was a wonderful reception all the way around!” He continued by letting us know that the win as a whole was well deserved for Jack, Team USA, the state of NJ and the country as a whole. “This moment is well deserved and it’s not just for Jack, he’s representing his country, he’s representing our organization, and he’s representing the sport of Hockey.”
Hearing from Coach Keefe, we were excited to sit down with Jack to dig deeper into his Olympic experience. Although the game was on 2.22.26, the final day of the Winter Games, the past few days leading up to the home game we attened had a number of celebrations that he got to share with his Olympic team. He laughed while reflecting that, “it’s been some of the best 3 days in my life probably. I’ve had so much fun with this group of guys!” As much as he had an amazing time, he’s also very present in the moment as he acknowledged that, “it’s nice to get here with the team and get back with my teammates,” at the NJ Devils.
For days we have been talking about the Golden Goal and have seen the videos as it’s an epic moment. For those that may not be familiar with Hockey, the Golden Goal is a sudden-death winning goal during overtime to instantly end a tied game. It denotes a Championship winning goal and was last done by Sidney Crosby in 2010 and now by our Cover Star, Jack Hughes!
We wanted to know more about what led up to the moment during overtime. Listening to Jack share these moments was like being in a film reel and seeing the moments through his eyes. “Obviously, by the time you’re in that locker room, there are so many alphas in one room. We all believed in ourselves as well as who we were as a group.” He explained that they all felt that it didn’t matter who got it, but that someone from there team did, “we were just happy to get it done and the belief in that room was what was going to carry us.”
In terms of the actual moment, this was the play-by-play that we really wanted to know about. Seeing the video and hearing all the think pieces are great, but listening to Jack share it with us as if it was happening in that moment was something that was inspiring to hear. “You know, I get goose bumps watching the video now just because the emotions are so raw, and it means so much to every single one of those guys! I just remember that the goalie shot out at me hard and I couldn’t really see the puck go in initially, and the puck didn’t even shoot out of the net. It hit behind the camera so I just turned the corner, and I saw Dylan Larkin – the first guy I saw, just sprinting up the ice and I just couldn’t believe and I was so proud of our group!”
Once again, it’s worth noting that even when we were talking about his moment and how he felt, he always incorporated the importance of team and what it meant to everyone involved. That feeling that is so intrinsic to his core syncs up to him talking about Tage during the pre-game ceremony on the ice. “When I was told that they were going to do a little celebration before the game you know, I was laying in bed before my nap (Editor’s Note: last month Jack shared his THE 9LIST STORI3S GAM3DAY routine with us and we know how important his naps are) and I was thinking about Tage. I will never be about one person and it’s always about the team and that group of guys. To share that moment with Tage, I hope that when he has his first home game in Buffalo, they do something for him and I really hope he’s playing one of his American teammates and he does the same thing! It’s all about the USA Hockey Brotherhood – that’s what we are.”
As we know, the game took place on the most global of stages – the Olympics and on the home opener of the restart of the 2025-2026 season, you could see that there were so many emotions and the fans in Jersey got the chance to feel close to that kind of win. We wanted to know what coming back to where he plays means and how that moment has that extra layer.
“I really do love living in New Jersey and playing in New Jersey. I got drafted as their first overall pick and I just feel like they accepted me so deeply - I’m their, guy. I come to these games and every time I drive in, all I think about is when I see people walking at 4:30pm with huge jerseys on and I’m unrolling my window and screaming at them and they love that you know? To represent New Jersey and our fans, I’m so proud to be a Devil. I’m so proud to play for the Blitzer family, the Harris family, and the Fitzgeralds. These people, they mean so much to me, so to represent them through all this - New Jersey means so much to me!”
While many are focused on the activities that took place during the overtime goal and what it means in terms of how his life will change, Jack always looks at the bigger picture! “A lot of cool people have been reaching out and that’s important, and they have supported me. But the fact that I’m on a USA Hockey Championship Olympic Gold Medal Team it changes all of our lives – all of the teammates. We’re Champions and we’re Olympic medalists and we’re the team that broke the run of not being able to win! To break that streak and win a Gold medal, it bonds us forever as Olympic Gold medalists. As Hockey players, we did our job. We went over to the Olympics and won a Gold battle. We also have so much respect for the Women’s Hockey Team and they have so much respect for us and we’re all just proud Americans and we’re happy that we both swept the Olympics.”
Going back to the ideology that Jack is steeped in the concept of the power of the team the propulsion that takes place when you have a village that facilitates and supports you, we brought it back to family. Coming from the Hughes Dynasty and the dynamics that are involved, how does this Championship win play into that portion of his life? “First of all, just bringing that Gold medal home - my parents have put in so much work with us. They’ve been everything to us and the 3 of us, we have everything to thank towards them. We’re just so proud to represent them and represent the Hughes family name. Obviously, everyone’s parents mean so much to them and the support, love, care - we’re just so proud that we could celebrate that moment with them. One of my favorite things is my dad’s reaction. I don’t even know if he was kissing Keith Tkachuk or what was going on up there, but they were all so excited for us and we celebrated in Milan with them afterwards. It’s just unbelievable to share that moment with my family and my brother, and so many people that helped us get to this point.”
As we enjoyed spending time with Jack post game and look ahead to the back half of the season, there are a number of great moments from Mike Eruzione who scored the iconic game winning goal for the US Hockey Team in the 1980 Winter Games, Sidney Crosby who achieved the Golden Goal for Canada against the US at the 2010 Vancouver Games, many feel that this Golden Goal will also be talked about for generations to come and even studied by those coming up in the game! But for Jack, “It’s just a moment. It’s an unbelievable moment of my life, but It’s all about the team. I’m looking forward to the times we’re going to enjoy. Hopefully, every year we get together and enjoy that moment but for me it’ll never be about the Golden Goal, it will always be about 3 weeks at the Olympics, that we’re Champions, and what a special group that it was!” He also noted that the Tkachucks said, “It Takes a Village. It Takes a Village,” with the equipment department in the locker room, “from every guy in the group to friends and family that have supported us. Representing your country is the best and this is something that you dream of, but when it happens, you can’t even describe what it feels like. I’ve said it a million times, I’m so proud to be American and so happy that we could get the job done!”
IG @jackhughes
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | FRONT COVER + PG 31 NJ Devils | BACK COVER + PG 16 -47 Paul Farkas shot with SONY Alpha |
Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ICE KING | Jack Hughes in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Dan Nelson
If you’re using the internet, then it’s worth understanding the basic theory behind encryption, and the practical ways that it can be used to protect you while you’re browsing. This applies especially if you’re often using the internet while travelling, perhaps with the help of an unfamiliar hotel wi-fi network.
The Risks of Traveling Without Encryption
To begin with, we should look at the dangers of unsecured public wi-fi. An attacker might first trick you into connecting to a hotspot that they have connected, by simply presenting you with an SSID that looks convincing. Check the name of the real network if you don’t want to fall victim to an ‘evil twin’.
Another approach might be to steal a session’s ‘token’, and thereby intercept the data being sent. This is something that can be done fairly easily by a competent hacker.
How VPNs Shield Your Data on the Road
So, what can be done about this?
To begin with, a Virtual Private Network might seem an obvious option. It’s a means of creating an encrypted tunnel between your machine and a remote server, somewhere in the world.
This means that anyone trying to intercept packets on the local network will find it impossible to unscramble them. For this reason, a VPN is a great means of ensuring privacy when interacting with sensitive accounts and services. What is a proxy vs VPN? It’s worth doing a little bit of research before you decide what services to invest in.
Smarter Network Choices: Hotspots, HTTPS & Device Hygiene
A personal hotspot, perhaps generated using your phone, will almost always be preferable to public wi-fi from a security perspective. This way, you’ll be able to ensure that the network you’re connecting to is valid, and to control every aspect of that network.
Basic device hygiene is worthwhile, too. Make sure that you’re connecting only to websites that use HTTPS (which is indicated by the padlock in the URL bar).
Preparing Devices Before Departure
You might also back up all essential files before you travel, and encrypt your storage drives. Enable multi-factor authentication on essential services, and make sure that your devices aren’t set to auto-join any network. Keeping the software you use up to date, and turning on any remote tracking and remote wipe features, will help you to limit the damage caused by theft. You might also install a polarizing filter for your laptop screen, to reduce the opportunity for ‘shoulder surfing’.
We made our way to Olympic Week a few days ahead of the Opening Ceremony taking
place for the Winter Games in Milano Cortina courtesy of Hershey’s for their Fireside Chat at SOHO House’s LES destination, Ludlow House. We had the opportunity to sit down to hear from Paralympic Team USA Snowboarder Amy Purdy (1S, 2B), and Olympians Team USA Gymnastics Aly Raisman (3G, 2S, 1B), and Team USA Figure Skating Jason Brown (1B). The 2 of them participated in a panel moderated by Hershey’s at the Hershey Company Senior Brand Manager, Katrina Vatter to talk about their Happiness Campaign featuring US Olympians. We heard about their athleticism, their passion for their sports and how they enjoy the happy moments that take place on and off the podium.
KATRINA VATTER: We are so pleased to be with all of you during Olympic Week and to have you here! I’m so honored to be doing my dream job and having a dream moment right now being here! Coming into this role, this brand has been around for over a 100 years but I felt that we have had this opportunity and this moment to bring what we do into the relevancy of today! Hershey’s has always stood for happiness. But for us, now more than ever, as we look around the world you see where we want to get happiness – this is where we got to to get to this campaign!
We knew that this campaign is a moment where folks are really striving hard for an incredible accomplishment and you know, happiness is really the goal here. This is an important moment to celebrate the achievements, but also to look at all of the hard work along the way. You can see the film that we created with our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and then we’ll have a nice chat with our athletes to talk about what happiness means to them and what it is sparking for them as well as we launch this campaign.
It’s my distinct honor to welcome our esteemed Olympians and Paralympian. Give it up for Jason Brown, Amy Purdy, and last but certainly not least, Aly Raisman. Thank you for being here again and thank you for participating in what I am deeming is a heart to heart on a Tues that looks at happiness and the meaning of life. The ability to have the balance\ to strive for something that you are really passionate about but then finding those moments along the way that make everything worth it.
To start us off, I’m a mom with 3 kids and I’m curious to hear how you guys got started on this journey? When you entered into your sport, what were those initial moments of pure happiness? My daughter’s dabbling and skating a little bit of gymnastics, and she just seemed like pure joy out there, and I know at some point that shifts into the competitive intensity, but I’d love to hear from you. Jason, what were those initial moments on the ice like for you?
JASON BROWN: So I fell in love with skating, cuz I have an older sister, and she took skating lessons, and it led to the annual ice show at the local rink. I saw her in that ice show and I saw all these kids skating to music in costumes, expressing themselves together, having so much fun. And it just was, like, I want to be part of that world, and I want to be able to express myself and I want to speak to music and I want to work hard to perform like that, and it just was like that pure happiness and joy that I just instantly gravitated towards.
KV: I love that!
AMY PURDY: I grew up in Vegas, which is not exactly where you expect a professional snowboarder to come from, but my family skied. I was horrible at skiing, but my friends snowboarded, and the first time I got on my snowboard, I just felt freedom like, I’ve never felt before. My sister was a cheerleader, so I was trying to be a cheerleader, and I didn’t make it. But then I found myself, I found myself. I found my friends. I found my passion it made me feel alive. I’d snowboard every day after school, which we had a lot of snow outside of Vegas at that time. I literally found myself and I knew that it was something that I would want to do for the rest of my life, didn’t know I would go on to compete, had no idea I would lose my legs at 19, and then go on to compete in the Paralympics so, but I just knew that I wanted snowboarding to be a part of my life in some way for the rest of my life, and it took me places that I never could imagine.
ALY RAISMAN: I started gymnastics when I was 2, and I just fell in love with it. I started with Mommy & Me classes, and I just can remember that I would daydream all day about going to gymnastics practice. And then, when I was 8, I watched the ‘96 women’s Olympic gymnastics team, and it was on a VHS tape, and I just watched it over and over again. I loved it and I think part of the magic of being a kid is that for me, it felt like there was no dream that was too big, and so I watched them. And at 8 years old, it didn’t occur to me about how hard it would be to get there, and that it was so difficult to make it. Now there’s only five gymnasts on that team, so it’s just there’s so little room for error. But at that age, I just sat in front of that couch and watched it over and over again, and I loved it. And I knew I, that was my passion. And I wanted to be out there. When I look at little kids doing gymnastics now to see the joy they have it just brings me back, and it makes me so happy. You know, my hope is that every kid has something that they love and makes them so excited. Whether or not that is sports, but I think about if every person in the world has something they were passionate about and they loved, I really think the world would be a much better and happier and more healing place.
KV: I love that. I love what all you guys said, that thread of, I can be free - I can finally be myself in this moment, kind of lose yourself. I think that’s so powerful. As you shift ahead, then to your Olympic/Paralympic journey, what were some of those things those comforting elements along the way that either took you back to the beginning or would help ground you as the competitive intensity would get started?
AP: I think one of the things that always kept me grounded was visualization. So, I’m a huge visualizer, I’m sure all athletes, are. You really need to be because you need to be able to see yourself win, you need to be able to see yourself perform in the way that you want to perform. And even when I lost my legs, I was laying in the hospital bed, visualizing myself snowboarding again, and I thought so vividly, and it makes me emotional to think about. I didn’t know how I’d do it, but I knew that I would. And then I did, and so I just kind of took that visualization into everything that I did standing in the staircase at the Paralympic Games, like visualizing every single move that I wanted to make, or even the night before, when I would get nervous and I think about, I’m going to make a mistake and I’m going to mess this up. You’re feeling the pressure, the world’s watching, and I’d just go back to visualizing. I would take some deep breaths, remember why I was there in the first place, knowing the impact that it makes to actually just be there and get the opportunity to be there. I would also just visualize as a means to ground myself for what I want to do and how I want it to feel and then kind of just letting it happen. So for me, that was very much a pretty nice grounding practice.
KV: Thanks so much for sharing and it’s super inspiring to hear that even in these very difficult moments, kind of like envisioning how you want it to be, how you want it to feel. Jason, how about you?
JB: I mean, there is as you mentioned, so much visualization that goes on. And even when Ali was talking about just that, seeing the kids at the gym for me, you know, as we get older and as the goals get bigger, we can get this tunnel vision and this focus and just be on the ice with it’s better just aspiring to better themselves. There’s just this unbridled joy around them. For me, when you’re skating to music, it’s like they’re skating to whatever song like warms their heart, and they’re just like running around the rink. Seeing the kids have that camaraderie with their friends, and that always brings me back to why I am in this sport. We have the opportunity in skating to perform in shows and that is another outlet where, when that focus on competition gets really heavy - you have that opportunity to express yourself to different pieces of music, explore yourself and who you are in different ways. That outlet is just so special and unique to the sport.
KV: The outlet piece or the balancing the intensity of the competition is a great element to highlight. It is something to see the unbridaled joy of children when they’re doing sports. It’s so fun to see the world, through kids eyes.
Ali, how about you?
AR: I loved both of your answers! I’m trying to think about something else that has helped me because both the visualization and then also just being around kids and seeing their joy has really helped me and impacted me, I think. Also, for me, being honest with other people - my support system about what I’m experiencing and what I’m going through. I think people tune in and might see the highs and the exciting moments of us competing at the Olympics, but there’s so many days where I don’t feel my best or I’m having a tough day, and so I think leaning on people in my life that I can go to for help and support, where I’m having a tough day or I’m just feeling a little bit off has been really critical for me in my gymnastics career, but then also post gymnastics career is just knowing that I’m not alone. And I think when I was younger, it was when I was competing in 2012 and 2016 that you know anxiety and depression wasn’t as much of a conversation as it is now. It’s still very stigmatized, but it’s still too many people are suffering in silence, but I think, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve really realized that when I’m vulnerable with my friends and open about what I’m experiencing it, it feels scary, but it also allows other people to open up and share what they’re experiencing and then, I think we form a deeper connection and relationship, and then I can feel like I’m getting better from it and able to work on myself in a way, and so I, I think leaning on my support system and being honest, especially in a sport like gymnastics where a lot of the things we’re doing are very scary and very dangerous. So I think communicating with my coach and letting him know if I felt a little bit off or felt like I might need a little bit more of a spot on something one day was very important, because, it’s hard to be at your best all the time. And it’s impossible. So I think allowing ourselves that Grace has been something I’ve had to learn and work on and being okay with asking for help and being comfortable with that, I think, has been one of the biggest gifts I’ve given myself is just letting go of this perfectionist mentality or having to be the best because I think being courageous and brave is being able to ask for help because we all deal with stuff. We’re all human.
KV: Thanks so much for sharing that. I think that’s super powerful. I feel like sometimes there’s always this pressure to be fine. But really, that power in connecting with somebody and opening up, helps you realize that you’re not alone and things like that.
As you think through where you guys started from and then heading into our Olympic/Paralympic Journeys, how does the definition of success change for you? What did success look like for you in the beginning, how did that evolve over time, and what do you think about it now after all of your accomplishments and achieving the heights of your athletic careers?
JB: Oh my gosh! It’s changed drastically I think throughout every experience. You know, when I was younger and still to this day, but my parents, I’m so grateful, celebrated everything. They celebrated every win. They celebrated every loss. Because of skating, I got to travel the world and compete all over. And we saw the world, you know when I would go to an event good bad, however, you know what? We took the next day to really explore the city that we were in and, and that’s something that I really don’t take for granted. And we did that when I was. young, traveling the Midwest. I’m from Chicago, and like we would be in Iowa and we’d see the city there, or if we were in Des Moines, or wherever we were. We really took the time to explore that place and I think that it really grounded me. But also, there was this level of happiness and joy that this sport that I loved was this vehicle to see the country and to see the world.
As I got older, of course when you have that tunnel vision, you have those goals. It gets harder and harder, and you know you want to grip on tighter and tighter. Having that reminder and having that perspective that my family always gave me in those tough moments win, lose, or draw - you wake up the next day you, you’re hungry for more. And I think what’s so incredible about this campaign, but also about that search for happiness is that it’s, it’s a constant thing that we seek that we have at times that comes naturally that we also struggle with.
You know, Ali talked about that anxiety and that pressure and being able to say I’m not okay, I’m not happy. How could something that I love so much, also tear me down in some moments, and how can I struggle with something and be okay with that? Being able to share those moments and it’s a constant learning experience.
It’s not something I think that we ever master or ever reach. It’s a constant striving to grow, learn and adapt. And I think that, as I got older, and the more I achieved, the more I learned that you just keep waking up hungry for that next experience.
AP: Well, I love what both of you guys are saying and along the same lines, so for me, how happiness has changed, and maybe success has changed. So I think earlier in my career going into Sochi, I put so much pressure on myself that even though I loved my sport and I loved what I was doing, I felt the pressure and that took some of the happiness away because I felt like this is my first time to show what we can do as Paralympic athletes. It was the first time that snowboarding was a Paralympic sport, and I was kind of the one to watch. And I was, like, I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing myself, you know, and I hope I do good. And so, I put all this pressure on myself. I’d see myself on billboards, and I’d see myself on like, you know, in magazines and all this stuff, and I would just get so nervous, and so then, going into my second Paralympic Games, I thought I don’t want all that pressure. I just want to enjoy the ride. I just want to enjoy it because I might not have it forever. I know I won’t have it forever, and so I loosened up. I allowed myself to just be present and enjoy the ride. And then, now I am retired. And I would say success for me now is not trying to be the best, which is kind of as a perfectionist self that I’ve had to overcome, it’s trying to take care of myself, the best. And when I do that, then I show up as my best self. When I can sleep good, eat good, relax, listen to my body, listen to my mind, and let that pressure go. It’s really hard as athletes because you’re competing against each other. Even though you’re on a team, so you don’t necessarily feel like you can always open up to your teammates about what you’re going through, so you’re kind of like this furnace, you know, like, ready to combust, sometimes with all this pressure that you feel, but being able to really focus on self-care. Like now, if I’m not comfortable, I don’t want to do it. I used to be uncomfortable all the time. I’m pushing my comfort zone all the time. And now, I’m like, no, I can actually sit back, take care of myself, and enjoy what I’m doing. I can be present and make sure my head’s on straight, like that, feels like success to me to have that breathing room and to be able to do that.
AR: Can I ask you, what age do you feel like you got to that point where you felt comfortable prioritizing how you feel?
AP: Okay, so I’m 46 now, and I will tell you what one of the best things about aging is that’s what comes with it, because even I think when I was 40, so I actually got injured, severely injured, injured my left leg that knocked me out of my sport and everything until now. I’m still kind of working my way back, and it was really hard because I still wanted to show up. I still wanted to compete. I still wanted to be the best because I felt like I was at the top of my game when it happened. And then I had to learn some real acceptance of, like, I’m not gonna be what I was and really be able to do it. I was grateful that I didn’t, but then with that came this aging thing that, you know, so many people, especially women complain about right now - of how it feels when you’re in your mid-40s in your mid 50s. But for me, there’s a sense of calm that I appreciate so much. I don’t feel like I have to compare myself with anybody else. I’m proud of my accomplishments. There’s more than I want to do. There’s just this calm confidence that I’ve never felt in my life, especially being an introvert. I honestly think it’s also just age, and it’s something that we can really look forward to. And I find myself more happy in the little moments now.
KV: I love hearing all of this and as we’re passing out some golden chocolate medals to you now, I would love to hear from you guys in your Journeys, whether growing up or at the Olympics and Paralympics, what was a moment where you’re like, no one knows about this, but like this deserves a medal! What are the small things that epitomize what it means to be happy along the way?
AR: I think I was pretty good at pin trading. Did you guys do that? It’s really cool, because at the Olympics, you have your credential and you’ve got pins, and not everyone speaks the same language. So it was really cool to be able to communicate with athletes from around the world and to trade pins, and I just loved it. And then you get to have all these really cool memories, and I became very competitive with it, and I loved it so much, and it was just a really nice, healthy distraction.
And then, I’d also say, my favorite moments from the Olympics, I love this Hershey’s Campaign because it really is meaningful to me when I think about my Olympic career. I’m not thinking about the podium. I’m thinking about really the fun times with my teammates, and we all still have such a great relationship, but we would laugh so hard when we weren’t at the gym, and we really, you know, when we’re at the Olympics, we’re in the Olympic Village. We’re training, eating, and sleeping. That’s it. And we just, it was, like, laughter, was the best medicine for us, at least for me. I can’t speak for my teammates. I was so stressed, and so to have that just being goofy and silly and just having fun together. I just cherish those moments so much because it really helped me stay grounded, and so the pin trading and the friendships that I made, I think, are my medal moments.
KV: I’ve heard about this pin trading situation. It sounds amazing and like the perfect balance to everything that you guys are experiencing.
AR: Do you guys have pins?
KV: We don’t! Next time for sure, we have to!
AR: Ok for LA the Summer Games for LA28!
KV: It’s happening!
Amy, how about you?
AP: I missed out on the pin trading in Sochi because I was so focused on competing and I didn’t realize that everybody was doing this whole pin trading thing until I went to my next Games!
It’s not really a moment, but I think it’s everybody who supported me on the path like they should get the medals because there was so much that went on behind the scenes that people don’t realize. I think about my doctors who saved my life, my kidney transplant doctor allowed me to do things that most transplant patients can’t do. I traveled the world, and you know, he knows that. So, he’s like, part of my team. I had engineers working on my legs. Prosthetists who make legs, literally working hundreds, if not thousands of hours on my legs, to get them comfortable enough for me to snowboard again. So for me, I think I’d turn the medal to give it to everybody who supported me on the journey.
JB: Truly what you guys both said, I wish I was a better pin trader to be completely honest. I was so nervous to go up to anybody. When I went to my first Olympics in 2014, I was just so star struck. I felt like a kid in the candy store! Just everything and everyone, I couldn’t believe that I was a part of something that I had grown up looking to. But what Amy said, it’s that support team. Many people don’t realize how much truly goes into it. You see these medal moments or you see these moments when we’re out doing the sport that we love and a lot of the times, it’s like game face on and you’re locked in. But like people don’t see all those scars or all those long days or all the good and bad moments and highs and lows that go into that. I think that those moments of perseverance, those moments of growth where you learn so much about yourself - and your team that unconditional support from them regardless win, lose, or draw. They’re like there the next day, being like, okay, how are we gonna turn this around, or maybe get better or learn from this moment? Or, and we’re here to celebrate. And I think that those are the moments that people don’t always see.
KV: I’m just curious if there’s any words of wisdom that you would give to your younger self or those striving to be where they want to be?
AR: I would tell myself to trust my gut. I think that we live in a world where at least I noticed this with gymnastics, where, from a very young age, I was kind of taught if I finished a cartwheel - I would immediately turn to my coach or the judge for approval, and I think along the way, I forgot to think about how it felt for me first. Because it’s a subjective sport, I was always seeking outside approval. I’ve just seen over the years, whether it’s parents or coaches and well meaning people. When a kid says, you know, oh, my foot hurts, or I’m kind of tired. They’ll say, no, does it. You’re fine, or they’ll push them to keep going.
And you know, sometimes, when we do ask for help, we don’t always get the support that’s important. So, to not give up until I find someone who does support me and does believe in me. It’s also about doing what makes me feel calm, gives me peace and prioritize what makes me feel good and be okay with saying no, which I’m still working on.
JB: I constantly struggle with the ability to trust my gut! I still, every single day, I’m fighting that battle, and like, trying and as Ali mentioned skating, being a subjective sport. There’s so many people giving so much input all the time that it’s very easy to lose your way in situations so huge, huge one.
I think another big thing that I learned along the way is there’s no one path. I think that we sometimes fixate on do X, Y, and Z - it will get to a certain point and I think that sometimes it’s A, B, and D. There’s just no formula in that sense, but if you are doing something because you’re passionate about it because you love it because you’re driven and motivated, that’s the formula to success, because as we have discussed today, the definition of success has changed drastically through our lives and what we think we want or what we think will be that definition or that defining moment, isn’t or may not be. I think some of the my lowest moments or some of the times where I haven’t trusted my gut and it’s gone poorly, I’ve grown the most because I’m never gonna do that again, and it’s taken me places that I never thought I could imagine. So, I think those are big things that I would definitely tell myself.
AP: I’m kind of along that journey as well. It’s not about the outcome talking about happiness and trying to find happiness. It really is the journey, and it really is finding purpose in the journey. If you can live in a way that you have purpose every day, a drive, whatever it may be.
Like what that taught us? It was just having this driven purpose is really what created so much happiness for myself, and so I would just ket my younger self know that that it really is in the pursuit of happiness that you find happiness, not once you win that Gold medal.
We truly enjoyed being able to hear from these 3 athletes while enjoying a very cozy lunch. We were given some time to sit with them to delve more into what they talked about on the moderated panel, as well as a few questions that we had that we know our readers and community would like to know more about as they were all heading to the Olympics as Aly was experiencing her first Winter Games, Amy is one of the Olympics Team USA Creators for the Olympics as well as the Paralympics, and Jason was a first alternate for Team USA Figure Skating.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We enjoyed hearing you guys on the panel and I’m glad we have some time to chat as our readers/community are always happy to hear from their favorite athletes and I have a few additional questions.
Happiness means what to you and where do you find it?
AP: I’ve just learned it’s not really about the outcome. It’s not about, like reaching the thing that you’re going after. It really is having purpose, so if I can wake up and have purpose in my day, that makes me take action that keeps me busy. That keeps me moving towards something that’s meaningful. That’s where happiness comes from for me. And I’ve even found it in my darkest days, so I severely injured my leg years ago. I already mentioned that, but, in some of my darkest days where I wasn’t walking at all, and I went actually a couple years like that. I had 10 surgeries in a 3-year time frame. I wasn’t walking at all and I didn’t know if I was going to walk again. I definitely didn’t know if snowboard would happen again or any of that.
AR: I just think that’s really powerful.
JB: How you said purposeful action! I think that combination, because I think you can feel like I have this purpose, but you feel stuck. I think that feeling of actually taking the action, taking the steps to move towards something whatever that might be, whether that’s that athletic goal, whether that’s a mission that you have or honestly, a relationship, and any in any given way.
AR: Those answers were so powerful. I really appreciate what they both said, and I think it’s really feels like what you guys are saying is such a value-driven answer and so meaningful. I really think about the fact that I’m almost 10 years out from competing, which is a really long time, and I think I’m sort of at a point in my life where I don’t think about my gymnastics career all the time, and I think for a long time my worth was defined by how I did or didn’t do, and I was so devastated and so hard on myself. If I didn’t do well. I try to think about if I Googled myself and deleted everything on there, who would I be and what would I be doing? I think when I try to really give myself time to reflect on what makes me happy - who am I with, What am I doing, where am I an really reflecting of even going to dinner with friends. Do I feel good about myself after? Does it feel like a really meaningful relationship? Do I feel really drained, or what are the types of things that I want in my future, and what am I doing to get there?
I also saw this thing online that said, if you were a movie and everyone was watching, what would they be screaming at you, telling you to do? I just think that’s really powerful.
JB: Oh my God!
AR: I tried to also give myself Grace and realize we’re all human. We all have good and bad days, and I think as long as we are trying to be in alignment with what’s important to us. I think that that’s a recipe for success, and I think success means something different to each of us. But for me, now, it just means waking up and feeling peace and spending my time with people that are just really good people. And then I can learn and grow from, like, you guys.
AM: The Olympics and Paralympics is such a global stage that you have all done. What did you love about doing that, and what are you looking forward to and looking at? I mean, we’re days away from 2026, which is exciting.
JB: I think for me. I think the fact that you get to share what you love to do with the world is so special. I think that is something that’s so rare and beautiful about the Olympic Games. I think that’s a reason why there is so much pressure to get yourself there because you know how not only rare of an occasion, it is, but also how badly you want to do what you love on the biggest stage and really get to share your passion with the people around you! As I’ve gotten older, and as I’ve experienced more, I think you do realize that you’re able to do that everyday. Like, regardless of an Olympics or not, but I do think that heightened attention is also something that you just, you just also know, and everyone around you. There’s a different energy and a different intensity and a different focus and a level of –
AR: Scrutiny?
JB: That too! It’s interesting, too. I think it. It brings out the best and the worst. I think it tests you and it challenges you and it teaches you. And sometimes, it’s like magic happens and sometimes you fall. It’s really tough. I think that’s the beauty of the Games.
AP: Okay, the very first Games was incredibly special because it was the first time that snowboarding was in the Paralympic Games. Snowboarding was my passion before I lost my legs. I lost my legs below the knees when I was 15, and all I cared about was snowboarding again. So I went on a mission to figure out how to do it, and I ended up building my own feet to snowboard in because there weren’t any feet at the time for snowboarding. And I knew the motion that I needed, and so I like built a pair of feet where I took like an ankle from one brand and a foot from another brand and turned the ankle around backwards and added all this wood under the heel and a bunch of duct tape, and I realized that I could snowboard with prosthetic legs.
At that point, my boyfriend, who’s now my husband, but we started a non-profit organization called Adaptive Action Sports so that we could help other people with disabilities snowboard, and through that we were able to help to get snowboarding into the Paralympic Games for the very first time. So we really kind of in the US, headed the charge to get snowboarding into the Paralympics. So, then, to actually be at the Paralympics in the start gates, thinking of everything that I went through to get there, even walking out in the Opening Ceremonies that was incredibly euphoric and emotional because I thought, oh, my gosh, it took losing my legs to get here. It took every little step along the way and we created a sport, literally created a sport, and it’s here, and there’s people from all around the world competing in it. It was just the most powerful experience to go, we did it, and you can create something that doesn’t exist and you can. And there’s people who believe in you and there’s other people doing it. And like, you can have a vision and actually have it come to life on the biggest stage in the world! What a cool life experience to know that you can put something out there and make it happen. It wasn’t just me, but like, collectively, make something happen that didn’t exist before. Now to sit back and watch because now snowboarding has been in the Paralympics and will be in it’s fourth Paralympic cycle.
I did 2 out of the 4. Now, I watch all these athletes from around the world like, it’s just grown. It’s taken on the life of its own. There’s athletes, I don’t even know. It’s, like, I mean, it’s unreal. The level of competition is huge. So for me, I get to be a super fan, and like I was a part of the beginning of it, and now I get to sit back and just be like, you know, in awe of what the athletes are doing so. I’m just really. I’m proud of it. I think I’m in a spot where I get to be, like, proud of it because we helped to create it and let it kind of launch and do its thing.
AM: That’s amazing.
AR: I’m going to be in Milan, so I’m very excited, and I feel so grateful that I get to be there to watch. It’s my first Winter Olympics getting to watch in person. So I think for me, this it also kind of, I think, allows me to really reflect on my own career, so I’m really looking forward to watching it and just being able to try to be present and just take in. You know, I think that in the Olympics you use this word and I use it too - there’s so much magic, and I think it really brings people together from around the world, and it’s a really beautiful thing that I’m really looking forward to is to be able to cheer on athletes from the US, but also from other places around the world and to hear other people’s stories and experiences and to see sportsmanship and to see so many wonderful stories and I think positive with social media is that we’re not just now hearing about the athletes that are on the top of the podium, we’re learning about athletes who you know in Paris, there was someone that was going viral for eating a muffin on TikTok.
ALL: Yeah!
AR: My teammates call me Grandma because I never know what’s what’s happening, but there was someone talking about eating muffins. People are now being recognized, not just for their performance, but for their sportsmanship. And just like their personalities and who they are, and that was really not the case when I was competing, and so I really like that because it’s too much pressure. And I think it’s not right to only showcase athletes who are winning, and I think the fact that we can really get to know who these athletes are and to hear about the amazing charities and organizations they’re starting is really wonderful. And that’s what I’m excited about it. I think this will hopefully be a pinch me moment just to be able to be there in that experience, and I’m really looking forward to it.
IG @alyraisman
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Hershey’s
Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see HAPPINESS IS GOLD in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Pixabay/3D Animation Production Company
The Arizona Cardinals finished the 2025 season with a disappointing 3-14 record. The unit averaged only 20.9 points per game, which ranked 23rd in the National Football League. Even worse, they ranked 29th in scoring defense, the league's worst.
But they are not losing hope. This year, they are aiming to rebuild the entire organization. This includes letting go of the past and embracing a fresh start. Let’s talk about how they’re getting ready for the next NFL season so far.
The Cardinals officially let go of their long-term player Kyler Murray last March 11. FanDuel Arizona Cardinals schedule showed the timing was great. The move allowed them to avoid an additional $17 million in salary guarantees for 2027.
The team is moving forward with a “bridge” approach at quarterback. They signed veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II. Brissett is currently the frontrunner for the QB1 spot, while Minshew II is for either a high-end backup or starting job as well.
Last month, the Cardinals hired Mike LaFleur as their new head coach. In 2023–2025, he was Los Angeles’ offensive coordinator. He oversaw the Rams’ offence as it led the league. He also helped Puka Nacua earn First-Team All-Pro honors and Matthew Stafford MVP-caliber season last year.
However, some fans and analysts are not in his favor. He was recently dubbed “the worst coaching hire.” One reason is that there’s too much unknown. It’s his first time rebuilding a team. They’re afraid it’ll likely end up rocky, just like his first stint with the New York Jets hack in 2021-2022.
LaFleur will likely use a wide zone running scheme. This features an offensive line moving laterally in unison to stretch the defense sideways and create horizontal gaps. This allows the running back to “read” the flow. Then, the RB can find a specific crease and make a single decisive cut to burst upfield.
Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay have greatly influenced this offensive concept. LaFleur worked as their assistant before becoming the Cardinals’ head coach. This part of his resume is one of the reasons why many thought the Las Vegas Raiders could use his offensive creativity earlier this year.
FanDuel Research finds signing veteran Isaac Seumalo is key to LaFleur’s heavy-running plans. To run the Wide Zone, a lineman must move like an athlete rather than a stationary wall. Seumalo’s lateral movement and quick feet allow him to outrun defensive tackles and cut off their pursuit.
This sideways pressure stretches the defense to open running lanes. Because he is a mobile 303 lbs, he can quickly move past the first line to block linebackers and create big plays. His ability to lead the charge creates the home run opportunities the Cardinals' offense lacked last year.
To fit LaFleur’s run-heavy scheme, the Cardinals loaded up their stable with the addition of Tyler Allgeier. Allgeier has never fumbled in his entire career. With an 84.0 rushing grade over the last two seasons, Allgeier is firmly in elite company among the league's top backs
The team also re-signed Bam Knight, who was a great help last season. He proved he can shoulder the load as a decisive north-south runner. Knight's ability to stick his foot in the dirt and get upfield gives the Cardinals a reliable one-cut threat.
Besides LaFleur, the team has also replaced several key coordinators to complete the new leadership. For instance, LaFleur hand-picked Nathaniel Hackett to be Cardinals’ Offensive Coordinator. He was one of the key persons behind veteran Aaron Rodgers winning back-to-back MVPs in 2020 and 2021.
The team also brought in Michael Ghobrial as the new Special Teams Coordinator. During his time as the assistant special teams coordinator for the New York Jets (2021–2023), the unit was consistently a league leader. In 2023, they ranked third in the NFL and led the league in kickoff yards allowed.
Not all staff were changed. LaFleur kept a surprising amount of continuity in other areas to help the team transition. One is Defensive Coordinator Nick Rallis. LaFleur believed Rallis is too smart not to be able to improve from the 2025 season.
The team also kept Justin Frye as the Offensive Line Coach. He is highly respected for his work with young blockers. LaFleur is eyeing him to teach the new Wide Zone system to veteran Isaac Seumalo and the rest of the front five.
The Cardinals started their reset by hiring Mike LaFleur as head coach. LaFleur kept a few key coaches to provide stability while bringing in new leaders to run the offense. To fix the running game, the team signed agile blockers like Isaac Seumalo and powerful runners like Tyler Allgeier. A veteran group of quarterbacks, like Gardner Minshew II, was also brought in to lead the huddle during this transition. With a top draft pick and a fresh identity, Arizona is finally preparing for a future flight.
This month, we have all enjoyed watching the Olympics and seeing so many stories whether our favorites or new to athletes that hit the podium, played our favorite sport, or just seeing them navigate their Olympic journey! We love snowboarding and Team USA had a number of great stories that we enjoyed watching. Bea Kim has been on our radar for a bit, watching her journey on the global stage along with seeing her hanging out with Chloe Kim and Maddie Mastro. We caught up with Bea as soon as the Olympics concluded to talk about her Olympic debut, the sport, being at her first Olympics and more!
ATHLEISURE MAG: What is your first memory of being on a snowboard and when did you fall in love with it?
BEA KIM: I honestly don’t think I can remember my first memory on a snowboard. I just remember things about when I started. My family would ride on Chair 7 at Mammoth and I had a green jacket and this 8-ball helmet. The jumps were tiny but I was having the time of my life. I think I’m honestly trying to chase that feeling every time I strap in.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to snowboard competitively and at what point did you go pro?
BK: I realized I wanted to try snowboarding competitively when I randomly entered and podiumed at the JLA Banked Slalom in Mammoth. I saw a kid ride by with a Mammoth Snowboard Team Jacket and I told my dad I wanted to join. He initially laughed because we live by the beach, not close to the mountains, but he allowed me to join and has been my biggest supporter since. I decided I wanted to go pro when I watched Chloe win her first Olympic gold in Korea. That was a pretty pivotal moment for me.
AM: Tell me about halfpipe and why do you love doing it?
BK: I love the halfpipe because it’s always challenging me, both mentally and physically. There are always new tricks to learn and technique to refine. I honestly nerd out on the super little things and sometimes my coaches have to say, “Stop thinking so much -- just go snowboard!” Great advice. I
think playing that line between being analytical and going with what feels right is super exciting.
AM: We always like knowing about what athletes do to optimize themselves in their sport. Are there 3 workouts that you do that you can share with us?
BK: My top three are:
• Bulgarian split squats
• Squat jumps
• Shoulder press
AM: What is an average week like when you are preparing to compete?
BK: Hectic. I’m historically not great during competition practices, so I typically feel a little weird on my board. Majority of the week is spent recovering physically and resetting my brain to approach the next practice or competition day with a strong mindset.
AM: This year, you made it to the Olympics and you placed 8th in your debut! What has the journey to get to the Olympics been like and what are your biggest takeaways in competing this year?
BK: The journey has been wild! I mean it’s been almost a decade now, so to finally get to the Olympics and have the opportunity to compete was super surreal. If I’m being honest, I got caught up in the “Olympic stress” leading up to the Games and had a few rough days. But landing a run in finals really reignited that childish love for snowboarding and has made me super excited for the future. Moving forward, I am going to try and not take everything so seriously. Still put maximum effort and hard work into everything that I do, but loosen up. It makes the journey more enjoyable.
AM: What were the Opening Ceremonies like?
BK: A lot of standing haha. It felt like prom or a graduation because everyone was all dressed up taking pictures just hanging out. I like to think it was our joint celebration of the hard work we all put in of training and qualifying for the Olympics.
AM: We’ve enjoyed seeing images of you and Chloe Kim together. How did you guys connect and what has it meant to you to be able to share your Olympic experience with her competing as well?
BK: We connected through the U.S. Team once I made the pro team. It was very full circle to be able to share my Olympic experience with her. Before she even knew who I was, she was inspiring me to go out and snowboard. Now, she not only continues to inspire me but treats me like a little sister. We talk about snowboarding and life. Lots of selfies and exchanging lip products haha.
AM: When you were not competing or preparing to compete, what was your favorite Olympic experience?
BK: Ooh. The late night pizza runs after training.
AM: What’s next in terms of your snowboarding career?
BK: Having fun. That might be in the halfpipe, or the backcountry, or just riding with my little brother. I want to keep pushing myself while learning to maintain a better relationship with snowboarding.
AM: This Fall you will be attending Columbia University, which is exciting! What are you looking forward to?
BK: Everything! It’s going to be such a new experience and world, than snowboarding, so I am looking forward to all of it. Getting to meet new people and grow a different part of my brain!
AM: You partnered with Protect Our Winters. Can you tell me more about that and why this is synergistic with you?
BK: I grew up in the outdoors. Snowboarding, camping, and hiking were such a huge part of my childhood and who I am as a person. The outdoors has given me my career and so many amazing adventures and opportunities. As I started to travel more it became impossible to ignore climate change. I got in contact with POW because I want future generations to be able to explore and adventure like I did.
AM: When you are not snowboarding, how do you take time for yourself?
BK: It’s pretty simple, haha. Reading, eating, spending time with my friends and family.
IG @hellobeakim
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 78 - 82 Courtesy of Bea Kim | PG 84 Trevor Brown Jr./X Games | PG 87 - 89 Isami Kiyooka/Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games |
Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see HER HALF PIPE JOURNEY | Bea Kim in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/John Arano
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