ATHLEISURE STUDIO | INTRODUCING THE ROAD TO TOKYO 2020

What does it take to be an athlete that dedicates years to making a national team and to compete on a global stage for the coveted medal that defines their career. We all enjoy watching the Olympic Games whether it’s a sport, a specific athlete or just getting into the competitions. Before they hit the stadium, there are years of work, drive and focus that take place with countless training session, coaches, and qualifying competitions. Athletes come from various backgrounds and walks of life. They sacrifice their lifestyle, homes, jobs and personal life to prepare for and win these monumental moments and leave a lasting legacy.

The Olympics is a registered trademark of the International Olympic Committee.

The Road to Tokyo 2020 is produced and mixed by the team at @AthleisureStudio

AthleisureStudio.com/TheRoadToTokyo2020 | Instagram: @TheRoadToToyo2020 | @AthleisureStudio

ATHLEISURE STUDIO | S1. E1. #TRIBEGOALS WITH LA LA ANTHONY

La La Anthony has had a phenomenal career that began in radio, continued with her being a host on MTV's TRL, continuing on to a series of successful seasons of her own reality show on VH1, being a bestselling author and of course her role on STARZ Network’s Power as LaKeisha. As she is currently back on set filming another season of this epic show, #TribeGoals took a few minutes to talk with her about who she is inspired by, how she is able to stay organized in the midst of a busy schedule while juggling being a mom and more.

Check out #TRIBEGOALS on Athleisure Studio, Athleisure Mag’s multimedia podcast network.

ATHLEISURE STUDIO // #TRIBEGOALS EPISODE | INTRODUCING #TRIBEGOALS

We’ve been teasing this for a bit but we are excited to finally announce that Athleisure Studio, our multimedia podcast network for Athleisure Culture is now live! Athleisure Studio’s programming focuses on inspirations, stories and shared moments with athletes, designers, artists, celebrities, and entrepreneur changemakers creating dynamic impact. Today, we just released our first show on the network, #TribeGoals that teases who will be on our upcoming episodes!

We’re all about tribes. We join those that speak to us and align with our vibe. In #TribeGoals, we sit down with key changemakers as they share some of their inspirations, thinking and flow with creating, building and joining their communities.

#TribeGoals will feature guests bi-weekly. We will share stories and memorable moments with Industry and lifestyle leadership from wellness, fitness, and style to sports, entertainment and entrepreneurship. Hear about how our featured guests #TribeGoals and what fuels those tribes, passions and members.

Enjoy these constructive insights across industries so we can better our selves, others and the world with our time, attention, and love together. #SOWTAL

#TribeGoals is produced and mixed by the team at @AthleisureStudio

AthleisureStudio.com/Tribegoals | Instagram: @#Tribe.Goals | @AthleisureStudio

WHEN FANTASY IS REALITY WITH FIELD YATES

This month's cover is graced by Field Yates, an NFL Insider for ESPN who contributes analysis, breaking NFL news and fantasy football for the network. We enjoyed catching up with him to know more about how he got into the industry, shows he's on and more about Fantasy Football.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment when you realized you wanted to work in sports?

FIELD YATES: For as long as I can remember, I wished to work in sports. I often joke that I had an early realization that my future in sports was not going to be on the field forever - my college career at Wesleyan University on the football and lacrosse teams - was inglorious. But, without hesitation, I always knew that I wanted sports to be a foundational part of my life. So much of my life has revolved and will continue to circle around sports, which I'm grateful for everyday. So while pinpointing a specific moment is difficult, I'm hard pressed to remember a time when I didn't envision a career in sports.

AM: We know prior to coming to ESPN, you worked in the front office on the staff for scouting and coaching. Tell us about your background and how you transitioned your career into joining the ESPN family.

FY: My career at ESPN was, well, not by design. My desire growing up was to enter into the world of football coaching, and after spending several training camps working with the Patriots during my high school and college years, I was hired by the Chiefs in 2009 following my graduation from Wesleyan University. My summers with the Patriots were a combination of scouting and coaching duties, learning the ins and outs of each while contributing in any way that was asked of me. I draw the parallel to learning a new language: for me, training camps were my football Rosetta Stone. Learning from an organization with incredible success was my foundation and my time in Kansas City (2009-2011) provided me with a chance to put my football education into action. Both were truly remarkable opportunities.

AM: What shows on air as well as on the podcast are you a part of and tell us about these as well?

FY: My role at ESPN has some elements of a utility player, as my assignments span across almost anything tied to football. During the season, I serve as the co-host of the Fantasy Focus Football podcast with the amazing Matthew Berry and Stephania Bell. Our show is live-streamed daily on Twitter, making it a bit different than a traditional podcast -- it's TV-lite. On Sundays, I appear on our popular Fantasy Football Now show, with in-season work on NFL LIVE, SportsCenter and any other football-related segments on other shows. My work also includes extensive ESPN Radio opportunities and some writing for ESPN.com.

AM: What is an average week like for you as we know you are at ESPN HQ as well as work out of Boston?

FY: During the season, my week lays out as such: I depart Boston first thing Sunday morning, arriving to Bristol by about 7:30 AM in advance of our meeting for Fantasy Football Now. From then until Friday afternoon, I remain in Bristol (I'm familiar with all of the local hotels near Bristol by now!), as our podcast airs every Monday-Friday. It's a blitz from Sunday-to-Friday, but one that seemingly goes by at the speed of light. Between TV obligations, the podcast, developing our weekly rankings for those who play Fantasy Football and so much more, there is rarely a dull moment.

AM: How do you take time for yourself with such a busy schedule?

FY: My goal is to carve some time each day for myself to unwind from the ever-moving football news cycle. I'm a morning person - always have been - so my days begin with a workout every day. It's a chance to decompress and set the tone for the day ahead. As a creature of habit, I know that bypassing on a workout in the morning will inevitably result in it falling by the wayside later in the day. Get up and get going is my mindset.

AM: What is it about reporting about football, focusing on fantasy sports and giving fans analysis that resonates with you?

FY: I truly believe the advent of fantasy football has led to make the sport relatable in a way that is incomparable. Hardly a day goes by when I don't hear from someone who has a question about his or her fantasy lineup or favorite team. That connectivity to fans, readers, followers, listeners, viewers, etc. is something I am truly inspired by. The appetite for football is insatiable; from the 17 weeks of the regular season to the playoffs, the draft, free agency and so much more, everyone seemingly loves football!

AM: What is your personal style when you're on the air, when you're podcasting and when you’re at home with friends and family?

FY: I aim to be myself above all else. That's the starting point for how I approach my work, as it's easy to see others in the world of reporting or podcasting and try hard to emulate their style. But that is what works for them; it's important to be authentically yourself in any walk of life. Style-wise, specific to apparel, my goal is to always look sharp: an outfit that you aren't trying to draw attention to, but an outfit that when people see it, they understand there was thought put into pulling it together.

AM: How do you stay in shape? What are 3 of your go to workouts?

FY: My workouts do tend to go into phases: sometimes they involve more weightlifting, while other times I place more of an emphasis on cardiovascular activity. But three workouts that you can never go wrong with: a run around the Charles River in Boston, any sort of core workout and a full-body exercise.

“My desire growing up was to enter into the world of football coaching, and after spending several training camps working with the Patriots during my high school and college years, I was hired by the Chiefs in 2009 following my graduation from Wesleyan University.”

— Field Yates

AM: What's on your playlist when you're working out and what do you listen to when you're hanging out?

FY: The world of podcasting is not one I live in simply as a host; I'm a huge consumer of podcasts as well. Be it the other fantastic podcasts we have on our ESPN feed (Adam Schefter or Mina Kimes football-themed shows) or anything related to the NBA - I'm a hoops junkie - podcasts are a perfect workout soundtrack for me.

AM: In Boston, where would we find you grabbing a drink/getting a meal, working out and shopping?

FY: Boston has such a great mixture of culinary options and I'm fully convinced its on the rise. Our local seafood is as good as and deserves to be advertised and the next time I ever grow tired of eating lobster will be the first time. During the summer, the Seaport area has seen tremendous growth, becoming one of the best areas to spend time in its mixture of top restaurant options, activities and shopping make it a can't miss Boston spot. For my favorite sandwich in the city, 3 Little Figs in Somerville is hard to beat.

AM: Let's talk Fantasy Football. How important is the draft and what are some tips if you are with a group you know well versus venturing out into new waters?

FY: The draft is supremely important in fantasy football, but it is unquestionably just the first step in the process. I always remind people, the team you draft is not the team you finish your season with! It's essential to be active on the waiver wire and fielding/offering up trades. Along those lines, the most important thing to remem ber in the draft is to find value; even if you start your draft with a surplus of wide receivers, it won't be long before someone with a dearth of pass catchers comes calling with a compelling trade offer. While NFL teams often draft for need in the NFL draft, draft is based for value in fantasy football!

AM: What are some surprises you've seen for this season?

FY: While I had an extremely optimistic outlook for Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen, his emergence into the best fantasy football wide receiver so far in the league has been tremendous to see. He does everything well, is consistent and represents one of the best values in this year's draft. On a non-fantasy side, the robust number of trades has been fun to see as well. NFL teams have often been hesitant to make trades when compared to what we see in other major sports league (i.e. NBA, MLB, NHL), but the spike in trades has been neat in the NFL. Teams are far more wheeling and dealing than we're typically accustomed to, as was evidenced leading up to the recent trade deadline (October 30th).

TWITTER @FieldYates

Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see When Fantasy is Reality with FIeld Yates in mag.

BINGELY STREAMING

THE BRIGHT SESSIONS
Spotify

There is nothing better than listening to one podcast and finding out about another one! The Bright Sessions is a science fiction podcast that follows a group of therapy patients. But these are not your typical patients - each has a unique supernatural
ability. The show documents their struggles and discoveries as well as the motivations of their mysterious therapist, Dr. Bright.

This series started back in 2016 and actually
concluded its main storyline this summer; however, there are plans to create spinoff shows through the podcast, books as well as TV shows - so it's worth listening to this show as well as to stay tuned for bonus episodes, updates and more.

DR.DEATH

Wondery

Apple Podcasts

We were hooked on Wondery when we got hoked on Dirty John (which will now be a TV series on BRAVO). Dr. Death introduces us to a surgeon and 33 of his patients who trusted him to do spinal surgeries.

This kind of surgery leaves us at our most vulnerable when we go to our doctors. We feel that there is a level of trust to the person that will be at the other end of the scalpel. We trust the hospital. In the end, we trust the system. Dr. Christopher Duntsch was a neurosurgeon who radiated confidence, charm and comfort. He always told his patients in Dallas that he was the best and would challenge others to look him up to verify his claims.

If you had back pain, and had tried everything else, Dr. Duntsch could give you the spine surgery that would take your pain away. But soon his patients started to experience complications. And all they had to protect them was a system ill equipped to stop the madness. This podcast focuses on the medical system that failed to protect these patients who were operated on by him.

The series focuses on Dr. Christopher Duntsch, his approach to being the best from his athletic career to going to medical school. The host takes the listen er through conversations with patients, those who worked with him in his practice and the aftermath.

MANIAC

Netflix

Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone) and Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill) are two struggling strangers who are drawn to the late stages of a mysterious mind-bending pharmaceutical trial.

Their reasons for participating differ as Annie is disaffected and aimless, fixated on broken relationships with her mother and sister. Owen lives his life with a disputed diagnosis of schizophrenia.

The radical treatment, using pills that the inventor (a doctor with mother issues and an emotionally complex computer) claims can repair anything about the mind, draws Annie, Owen and 10 other subjects into a three-day drug trial that they're told will permanently
solve all of their problems, with no complications or side effects. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned.

Read more from the Sep Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Bingely Streaming in mag.

NEXT STOP, TOKYO WITH DAGMARA WOZNIAK

This month's cover is a 2 X Team USA Olympian, Dagmara Wozniak who won a Bronze Medal in fencing as a member of the Women's Saber team. With the the Olympics a little less than 2 years away, Athleisure Mag is excited to turn our attention to the upcoming summer Olympic games that will take place in Tokyo 2020. Our shoot took place at the Manhattan Fencing Center where she has trained with her coach since 2005, and we talked about her goals for the upcoming season, what drew her to the sport and the importance of bringing positivity to the game.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When we met you at your shoot, you made a great analogy to what fencing is - can you share with our readers?

DAGMARA WOZNIAK: I look at fencing as a sport with three different weapons (Epee, Foil and Saber) and you specialize in one because the tactics and training is so different in an of itself. I compare Saber, the one that I do as the Sprinter of the sport. If you look at the sport like Track & Field you have sprinting, hurdles and marathon, it’s completely different. You may have some athletes that do both, but you’re working on specific techniques for the sport itself which is very similar to fencing. People think it’s one sport and that we just change weapons, but it’s like 3 mini sports within the sport. It differs by target area, differs by tactic, and differs by training, so it’s very specific and different then what most people think.

AM: What drew you to fencing initially and then the discipline of saber?

DW: I actually started off with the original weapon which is Epee when I came first. My dad just took me to a fencing class one day and it was at the Polish Cultural Foundation and I think it was more to keep me busy and to help me practice the language as my coach was Polish. It was an after school program kind of thing and I did it once or twice a week and I just started falling in love with it.

AM: What did you like about it after you started playing in the sport?

DW: I liked how different it was. People laugh, but I was definitely a tomboy, still am and beatng up kids and not getting in trouble was great. I did karate before that and I had a lot of fun with that. I had friends who were in it with me and when I had to go up to get a new belt or whatever, they would say, “don’t hit me too hard.” I was very ready to go all out. There is something on the line, “sorry we’re not friends right now.” The whole aspect of combat sport is just very appealing to me and I liked it a lot and it’s challenging. One of the things that I have grown to like about it is that there’s a lot of unpredictable factors. You might know what someone generally does and let’s say they are having a bad day or they’re fencing much better than they have ever done before, you need to be able to adjust to things like that. So the fact that you’re not sure how someone is going to necessarily compete, you can make a plan, but that’s not what’s going on and you need to adjust or you are going to lose.

So not to take away from swimming or track and field, but the ground is never going to move from you, the water is never going to dip and become a crazy wave. It’s the fact that it’s really a battle against you and yourself. And fencing and combat sports is a battle against you and yourself and you have the variable of someone else who also has a brain and can adapt to situations and make mistakes as well and capitalize on your mistakes. I like the cliché way of explaining fencing that it’s a physical chess game and it’s spot on. I love that about it.

AM: So what was the moment that you went from enjoying this personally to realizing that you could compete professionally and go to an Olympic stage?

DW: It came very late for me I guess! It was only when I qualified as an alternate for the Beijing Olympics that I even thought about it because people said that that would be my next step to go to the games and I would say, “you’re crazy.” But in the end it was like, if I wasn’t gunning for the Olympics then why the hell was I training so hard? For me it was the whole idea of wanting to be the best and doing something that I was good at and I loved it. I was nev-er upset or felt forced that I was going to practice – I was excited. The losses were so personal for me that I would cry for hours and keep telling my mom that it would never happen again, but even though it did – I was just driven to it without having a goal. I just wanted to win and that was the first goal. But then when I was graduating highschool, I had some teachers that were like, “you know what’s next – the Olympics,” and I was like, “no my God, don’t push it.” But shortly after that, my coach was like you should start thinking about it and I thought, “wow I didn’t know that this was possible for me.” Once my coach and I kind of made a plan, it was up from there.

AM: Your first trip to the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 was as an alternate, how did that affect 2012?

DW: I qualified in 2008 as a replacement athlete and the only way that I was able to compete is if someone from my team got injured. That didn’t happen and they got the Bronze medal and because I never set foot on the actual playing field, I went home with nothing. I remember a lot of people were saying that that was as far as where I could potentially reach and what was I expecting and why I was so  upset. They kind of wrote me off from ever being an actual Olympic athlete and I told my mom, "I was there for the experience and I saw how it was and these next 4 years it will be different.” I made sure that I made a plan that was going to get me there as an actual competing athlete. So qualifying for the team for the Olympic Games in London 2012 was a highlight and so much more meaningful because of the people that said I couldn’t do it.

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“But in the end it was like, if I wasn’t gunning for the Olympics then why the hell was I training so hard? For me it was the whole idea of wanting to be the best and doing something that I was good at and I loved it.”

— Dagmara Wozniak

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AM: We know that you have a 4 year gap between each Summer Games. There are a number of championships and tournaments that you do in a given period of time to get onto the team for your sport (the process is different for each of the Olympic sports). What is that snapshot like for you in terms of qualifying when you are getting into the next Team USA as we’re looking for The Road to Tokyo 2020?

DW: Right so there are many sports that just went to one competition closer to Rio and it could be as soon as just a month out! But that’s just what they are used to and it’s a completely different stressful situation. For us, it’s a year long process so when we start the actual Olympic year, we go to about 10 International competitions where we compete and we get points based off of that. Because now, all the team events are allotted under one big medal, before in 2012, our team event was rotated out so the IOC didn’t allow all of the events to compete at the Olympics so 2 of the team events – all of the individual team events were there so that’s 6 events and then we only received 4 team events the - relay. So in 2012, Women’s Saber got rotated out and we only got to qualify individually. In 2016, we had the opportunity to qualify as a team and we did. It’s a different qualification process, but now we have team events for everyone which is amazing and everyone has the opportunity which is more chances for Team USA as we’re doing well right now and we can bring more medals home, and it’s great for fencing, the sport and the development.

The qualification process is different. We go to competitions, we get points based on how high we rank and it’s the first 4 teams that qualify automatically and then to finish the bracket it goes by zone!

AM: So your Olympic year would start summer of next year. But yet, you are still doing championships and competitions leading into that.

DW: Yes.

AM: You’re having a well deserved rest.

DW: Right. Our season typically started in Oct and then we have 1 competition every month. It was ok, but then I felt like it never gave me an opportunity to necessarily peak. Now, they're giving us quite a bit of an off season which is going to let us have more competitions condensed together, but right now there is an opportunity to kind of change the training style, to change the schedule and to be able to capitalize physically and mentally and then just to ride out how much work you have put in through the season. You won't feel the need to play catch up and your peeked and you're ready to go.

AM: What is your training like when you’re preparing for a typical tournament, an Olympic one and then just maintaining in general?

DW: I don’t necessarily treat the Olympics any different then any other competition. I just think that you can’t treat it differently because of the environment because that is when you are going to put the pressure on yourself and I know that there are differences as there are more people, there’s more press and more points – everything that’s for sure. That’s why going into the Olympics for London 2012 which was my first time competing, I told myself that I wasn’t going to do a lot of interviews because we don’t usually get a lot of that stuff usually during the competition and I know that that’s at least how I work as an athlete as I would get distracted by trying to give everyone a story and all of that. I felt that if the result was going to be there, then people would want to talk to me after.

I focus on preparing just like I would for any other competition. I know that a lot of people function better when they are exposed to something for the first time. I’m not going to say beginner’s luck as they go in with no expectation and for me, it’s the opposite I put more expectation in when I am doing something for the first time. Now if I qualify for Tokyo which I am very confident that I will and that it’s going that way.

I feel more confident the more times that I have been on the Olympic stage.  Through loss, through heartbreak, through everything all together it’s learning experiences that make me stronger.

AM: What does your workout look like?

DW: Right now, I’m not fencing so I am taking a small break from that, but I am working with my trainer on capitalizing on endurance. Fencing during competitions lasts throughout a whole day. There is a lot of stop and go! You compete and sit around for an hour and a half, then compete and sit around for another hour and a half. Not necessarily until you get into the finals you win and keep going and you have about an hour and a half and maybe even 2-3 hours before the next match. So it gets tedious in terms of keeping up the endurance, the stamina and the focus. What we have been doing right now as you can’t really simulate an actual competition, but we have been training really early in the morning, I have been doing a lot of crossfit lately and catering more to fencing specific stuff. I’m not going really crazy with the weight, but focusing on building short muscle and fast push muscle – going down and up. I am driving really fast up and again focusing specifically on what will benefit me and my sport, but at the same time, having the intensity of the class and the timer. The repetitiveness is all there and that benefits me. I like to change things up when I feel that I am pushing myself a little too hard. There was a good portion of the time that I was doing pilates with the reformer and some mat work. What’s great about fencing and in fitness in general. Your body is always changing whether you’re in your 20’s, 30’s, a women, a male, come down with a sickness etc – there are so many things that are constantly changing. I never really like to stick to something all the time and kind of plateau. Keeping the body not in a rhythm in terms of a workout which is why I like crossfit so much as there is always a way to challenge yourself. It’s not more weight in terms of taking more time if there is a 12 minute gap, so maybe you get less rounds in or you put less weight and you gauge how many rounds you get in and next time you can keep the same weight and just try to push how many things you can do to fit in the time frame.

I like pilates, I was spinning for awhile but it’s about more sport specific stuff. Making sure that the right muscles are firing.

AM: What are three go to foods for the gym and what are your splurges?

DW: You say splurge foods and it’s the first thing that comes to my mind! I love donuts – I have loved donuts forever and if you give me one, I can’t resist. The homemade ones are amazing. I love how pretty they are and how creative they can be. I’m not a fan of cupcakes or cake, but donuts – yes donuts are my thing. It’s first, second and third. I can’t choose ha!

My go-to in terms of what I’m eating when training. I like protein shakes. They are something that I definitely include post workout as a meal replacement. There is a company I like, Athletic Greens and they are safe for athletes to use and they have dehydrated greens that you can throw in your smoothie as well or in your shakes and it’s easy on your stomach and doesn’t have a metallic aftertaste like most of them do. I’m all about safety and a clean sport. Having a trusted product like that makes me feel great and since I started using that which has been awhile now – maybe a year. I have really decreased how much coffee I have been drinking. I love the taste of coffee but sometimes I forget when the last time was that I had it because the proteins and the greens give me so much energy. Thats what I'm about.

Clean food yes – I think I’d have to say that I am a Paleo/Ketogenic diet – obviously not Keto like what people are doing out there limiting carbs etc., as I think after what I have read a lot about as athletes, it's not the best things especially for women. But keeping high protein and high fat and carbs is something that I have found has given me the optimal training and recovery.

AM: We enjoyed shooting at the Manhattan Fencing Center. How long have you trained here and do you have responsibilities there as well?

DW: There aren’t necessarily responsibilities, but I do think of it as a helping hand in terms of talking to my coach about athletes and my opinion. I am more of a mentor. My fencing gym is my second home. I’m a big stickler for organization, cleaning up after or organizing the lost and found and even small tasks. I love to be respectful of it and take care of it. I hope that others do the same.

I’ve been with my coach since 2005!

AM: Beyond your sport, what else are you interested in doing?

DW: For me, I feel like I have definitely gotten involved in and interested in clean eating and watching documentaries about processed items that are in our foods and how we are slowly killing ourselves with the items that are in our foods. Like a bunch of fries that are really filling is $1 but healthy vegetables for a little snack pack is $6 or $7. A family that can’t really afford too much will go for McDonald’s and fast food stuff. It breaks my heart that there are all these monsters in our country that are destroying food. So healthy food has been a huge working area for me. I love learning about it and I am very intuitive with my body. The second I eat something, I can feel how upset my stomach is and I know it's not good for me. It sucks because donuts have a lot of sugar, not just in terms of weight gain, but it upsets my gut bacteria and I am in tons of pain. Just seeing that I want to spread the knowledge because even healthy peanut butters are actually not healthy. People think that they always have to work out and work out to do so 2-3 times a day to get to whatever your fitness is, but there is so much that can be achieved through diet and what you put into your body. I’m passionate about that.

In terms of athlete preparation, I would like to be a strength and conditioning coach myself and it has become dear to me. Not necessarily just for fencing. I think being able to compete at the highest level mentally and physically – I may not always do it, but being there and known what it takes, and having that knowledge because of my experience, I would like to take that step and prepare those athletes that want to take it to this level and if not higher.

AM: You travel a lot. What have been your favorite places?

DW: I get that question a lot and people are always surprised at my answer. I have fallen in love with Belgium. I’ve never said that I could retire and live in Europe but it’s the first place I went to when I was like, I could see myself living there in terms of the food, the culture, the people are so nice and the architecture is beautiful. There’s a coffee shop and then there is a castle around the corner, you don’t get that in the United States. It’s very interesting to see that kind of setup. This past summer, we had a training camp in Japan before our World Championships in China and I have to say that Japan is such a cool place. The people are so cool and it's just a different world over there! I enjoyed my time in Japan and you know, my heart is in Cuba and I love that place and it's the top three of where I would love to go to.

AM: Where can we find you eating and shopping?

DW: The things that I love about Jersey City and Hoboken is that there are a lot of boutique places in terms of clothing that you can find great stuff and I'm not into labels, but when I do shop for that, I love All Saints - they're rugged and raw with colors that aren't too bright. I love denim with raw materials in terms of dressing up. So I love jean shorts and a black tank top which is my go to. I'm about comfort while still being able to express myself.

There are a lot of cool cafés here. Recently, my boyfriend and I got interested in some refreshing drinks, cheese and meat platters which I love. There is a place called The Archer which has a great selection of this. Down by Grove there are a lot of cool restaurants. We don’t go out too much because we try to just focus on eating healthy and when we go out, I love outside dining and the gardens. There is a lot of that here and it’s fun to jump around.

AM: Do you do any philanthropy?

DW: I find myself getting involved with the athletes in my club and giving advice. I have worked one on one with girls in my club. The pressure of being a female athlete and it’s interesting as everyone always deals with their problems and I don’t necessarily showcase what is going on with me as I  have gone through some troubled times. When they talk to me and say, "how do you seem so calm and confident?" I'm like, "woo you have no idea! That's so far from the truth." I am a thankful that I come across that way and everyone is dealing with their issues and I try to impart some wisdom on the girls and the guys at the club.

I talk to my middle school in Avenel, NJ and I have done a few high school talks in terms of setting goals and how many times that people have come and said I couldn't do something. If you listen to what people say, you're just going to dig your own hole and never crawl out of there. Especially when you're doing well, people seem to have more things to say. I think I did a lot of listening to those people for a long time and at 21, I thought that I had it all figured out, by 26 I thought I knew more and now at 30 I'm like, "damn I'm so far from when I thought I did have it figured out!" Life is a constant learning experience and being able to walk away from people that aren't good for you and are negative – I just get involved with the kids at my club. I have had the harsh talks with other coaches on what I am capable of and am supposed to do but when you follow your own plan, that’s when you can really blossom!

AM: What are your goals for the Summer Games?

DW: I’ve set the goal of coming home with 2 gold medals for individual and the team. It’s that goal or no goal for me. Maybe it’s my last time competing or I go another 4 years, who knows. I’m doing everything I can now and not looking back to say shoulda, coulda, woulda and I have a new game plan now. I don’t have injuries, there are a lot of things that are different then when I was training for Rio than how it is now. I may not be the kid that went to every Olympics and medaled in every one, but I have the opportunity to go out there and do some damage with an individual gold medal and team gold medal - even if it's one time. That's very important to me and that puts the icing on my cake in terms of a career.

IG @DagmaraWozniak

Listen to our conversation with Dagmara Wozniak on an upcoming episode of The Road to Tokyo 2020 on Athleisure Studio, our multimedia podcast network.

Read more from the August Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Next Stop, Tokyo with Dagmara Wozniak in mag.

BINGELY STREAMING

HIP HOP SAVED MY LIFE ROMESH RANGANATHAM

Spotify

We became obsessed with Romesh Ranganatham when we binged his Showtime TV Show, 'Just Another Immigrant' which covers this UK based comic who comes to America to do a show at the famed Greek Theater. Throughout the season (which you can watch On Demand), we see Romesh trying to promote his show with his family and various comedic luminaries. In one of the episodes, he actually records his podcast Hip Hop Saved My Life (which focuses on hip hop) and in another he has Lupe Fiasco in the TV show which is the inspiration for the name of his podcast. We highly suggest watching the show as well as checking out his star studded podcast!

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
Season 6; July 27th
Netflix Originals

It's season 6 of one of our favorite Netflix shows, Orange is the New Black! Avid readers know that we have had 2 actresses - Vicky Jeudy and Alysia Reiner on our covers. We continue the journey of the female inmates of the Litchfield crew as the season ended with the 3 day riot that took place at the prison.

Season 6 begins with our favorites in a new environment in maximum security. Although there will be a few new faces to be sure, we will also see how a number of characters post the riot are continuing on. Will they continue to be connected with one another, will there be new alliances or will this be a new beginning in a completely different direction?

ESPN 30 FOR 30 | BIKRAM
Spotify

In the third season of 30 For 30, ESPN's podcast focuses on Bikram yoga for five episodes available now. The show focuses on the intricate world of Bikram yoga, its rise and fall debuts and how the community is dealing with it since the sexual assault allegations that were made against its founder, Bikram Choudhury.

The series shares how a young Indian yogi used his relationships with celebrities to launch a hot yoga empire that changed this sector in America forever. As Choudhury made money in the fitness industry, the Speedo and Rolex-wearing guru utilized healing powers of his yoga revolution and hid other activities that included allegedly bilking business partners, verbally
harassing students, and ultimately sexually assaulting several followers. Curently, there is a warrant for Choudhury’s arrest and he has filed for bankruptcy and left the country.

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Bingely Streaming in mag.

THE PICK ME UP

Read more from the June Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Pick Me Up in mag.

BINGELY STREAMING

THE HANDMAID'S TALE
Hulu; Starts April 25th

This month, Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale is back for its second season and all eyes are on Offred/June
(Elisabeth Moss) and Gilead. If you haven't seen Season 1, then you need to go back and binge the first season where viewers are privy to a patriarchal society of Gilead which is an intense nightmare. Season 1 focuses on content that you can find in Margaret's book and ends with Offred/June bundled into the back of an anonymous van as she makes an attempt to escape.

Season 2 lets viewers see if she was able to escape or if the Eyes, agents of Gilead took her back to the Colonies. Expect to see more about her pregnancy as well as her fight against this obtrusive system. In addition, we'll find out more about her past and her friends as well. In case you were wondering, plan on another "really dark" season -promised by Moss herself!

#LIPSTORIES
Girl Boss Media

From Girlboss Radio and in partnership with Sephora Collection, #LipStories is a podcast that accompanies the Sephora Collection of lipsticks available in their stores and online. The lipsticks are 40 colors strong and are inspired by real life stories. The podcast also shares stories over six episodes with six influential inspiring female founders, creatives, entertainers, thought leaders and activists.

Stories include Aminatou Sow, Molly Hayward, Pia Arrobio, Jen Rubio, Aurora James and Sarah Robb O’Hagan talking in their own words about their memories and what sticks out to them and how it framed who they are and where they are now!

Hosted by Sophia Amoruso, founder of Girlboss Media and former CEO of Nasty Gal she navi-gates their stories to find out more about them as they continue to trailblaze in their careers, enjoy time with friends or reflect on memories in the past that stick out to them to this day.

SANDRA
Gimlet Media

When we ask Siri, Google, Cortana to sing us a song, check our calendars or to tell us the time - we simply make our requests and receive an answer that points us in the right direction. But who are these assistants that we use? Where does this information come from and how do we keep getting it?

Sandra is a podcast from Gimlet Media that delves into the person or people behind these assistants. In Oklahoma, there is an office where Sandra is actually a number of people that are able to provide you information in her voice but who have a number of personalities and issues that they are dealing with.

One of the many people who play Sandra begins the podcast looking for a job and a means to live her best life, gets her dream job and due to being her best self as Sandra, finds herself not only on the outside looking in but becoming close with one of the users who has plans of his own that can harm someone in his life.

Sandra tackles the nature of identities, what it means when human behaviour merges with technology and what we do when it's time to make the right call and to add a personal touch.

Read more from the April Issue and see Bingely Streaming in mag.

BINGELY BOOKS

THE REAL FOOD GROCERY GUIDE
Fair Winds Press
Maria Marlowe

You get caught up in a number of projects
and then you realize that it's time to eat - do you get something from one of your favorite places or do you dare enter your local grocery store? Many find this place to be a bit intimidating - how does one tackle the aisles, getting enough ingredients to make
a meal, keeping it healthy and make it out alive?
 

Maria Marlowe, Food Evangelist, created The Real Food Grocery Guide which breaks down the mysteries of the aisle and whether you're a devout wellness follower, clean eater or are on the path to doing so - she breaks it down so that you can tackle the healthiest finds while
seeing what your options are when you're thinking about organic verus conventional foods,
how to purchase and store them, and beyond.

This easy to read guide will bust your food myths and let you know more about where your food comes from and allow you to tackle the aisle like a pro. From grabbing random items to being fully navigational - this book will change how you go about feeding yourself and those that are with you. In purchasing this book, you'll also be able to unlock addition books that give you the secret and power behind foods that you may not have known.

FITNESS JUNKIE
DoubleDay
Lucy Skyes + Jo Piazza

Health and wellness are topics that everyone is aware of. Janey Sweet is an accomplished woman who is the CEO of a bridal couture company. When she is photographed sitting in the front row eating a bruffin - things take an interesting turn. After her divorce, she gained 30 pounds; however, her best friend and business partner told her that she had to lose the weight or she would lose her job.

Janey dives into the world of fitness with traditional as well as emerging methods as a means to meet her friend's challenge. As she embraces the unique personalities of this world as well as commiting to take classes as well as to change her diet, she wonders if it was essential for her to immerse herself in this ecosystem.

HELLO, SUNSHINE
Simon and Schuster
Laura Dave

Life is great and moves along, until it doesn't. Sunshine Mackenzie is living a full life as a culinary celeb with millions of fans, a #1 bestselling cookbook as well as a husband who is devoted to her. When she gets hacked, Sunshine's life is turned upside down as her secrets are revealed, her husband leaves her, her show is taken away, she loses her fans and her apartment.

These changes force her to go back to her childhood home and to re-connect with her estranged sister. In the midst of such upheaval, the novel shows how she rises above all that has happened to her.

The novel challenges the notion of what you see versus its actuality. What does being a celebrity mean and how are your curating your life towards your fans to connect with you while
also being authentic to yourself.

Read more from the July Issue and see Bingely Books in mag.

BINGELY STREAMING

OZARK

Netflix

Jason Bateman and Laura Linney star in Ozark, a Netflix Original show that debuts this month. Marty (Bateman) is a financial planner who is married to Wendy (Linney) who suddenly relocates from a Chicago suburb to a summer resort community in the Missouri Ozarks. After a money laundering scheme goes wrong, Marty must pay off a debt to a Mexican drug lord.

TANIS

PRA/Spotify

A thriller told via a podcast which mixes fact and fiction together is a great way to prepare yourself with TANIS. With a number of characters, twists with the plot, bonus episodes and more - this podcast is the perfect show to listen to when you're in the middle of work, commuting or simply want to step away.

The journey of finding the information and how the characters on the show interact with one another is another series of layers that add to your enjoyment. As is the case with most podcasts, there is a bonus show where Rabbits is revealed along with an excerpt to get you ready to subscribe to this new podcast.

THE SECRET TO VICTORY
Gimlet Media/Gatorade/Spotify

Athletes train long hours for those moments that we see them on the field. The Secret to Victory looks at athletes that are on top of their game, but how one moment that took place during their gameday, changed their lives. This branded podcast, in partner-ship with Gimlet Media and Gatorade, includes interviews with Eli and Peyton Manning on their first season, Serena Williams and more. The show focuses on how these athletes and more took their
heartache in their sport to become legends and icons. They take their challenges and allow this to fuel them for their future successes.

The Secret to Victory is hosted by ESPN writer and former NFL player Domonique Foxworth.

Read more from the July issue and see Bingely Streaming in mag.

BINGELY STREAMING

GLOW

Netflix

When you think about wrestling, you think about the 80's when it was becoming a part of pop culture! Netflix takes us on a journey of the early days with this comedy which looks at the women of the sport in Glow. From metallic outfts, spandex, crimped hair, big hair and Hollywood misfits that are full of personalitiy and of course, the sport of wrestling - this has something for everyone.

MOGUL
Gimlet Media/Spotify

When we started listening to Mogul's podcast, we couldn't stop hearing about the birth of a number of hip-hop legends that Chris Lighty came across as he built talented performers into global sensations, as well as moguls whose brands partnered with a number of corporations.

Through the stories of talents as well as Chris' own words, listeners also become acquainted with the man himself through his journey in the early days of hip-hop through major labels, as well as launching his own label and highlighting his marketing genius.

In the midst of his greatness, we also learn that Chris Lighty battled a number of demons that
would eventually end his life and leave a legacy of a roadmap that entertainers to this day utilize beyond the music.

REPLY ALL
Gimlet Media/Spotify

Reply All is a podcast about the Internet. The topics that come across each episode span from how Pizza Rat came about, hijacked Uber accounts that are sold on the dark web, and more. A number of episodes also circle back to previous ones to provide updates on stories that they have researched. As we binged a number of episodes, we got the hang of the eclectic conversations and the approach of the team that's always trying to find the truth.

For those that are starting out, we suggest starting at the beginning and as many episodes are around a half hour or so, it's perfect to enjoy while getting work done or during your commute.

Read more from the June Issue and see Bingely Streaming in mag.

POP INTO GOOD HEALTH WITH CASSEY HO

It's all about balance. Looking and feeling your best is all about giving yourself what your body needs from exercise, eating right, having personal time and also getting sleep. Our lives are pretty hectic so sometimes it may be tough to make sure that we have everything that we need. We took some time to chat with Cassey Ho, who is not only the founder of Blogilates and continued on to POP Pilates.

, but travels around the country motivating others to embrace their bodies and to stay moving. We chatted with Cassey to find out more about how she got started, what her day is like and her partnership with Zzzquil and how essential sleep is to her routine to stay on top of it all.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We've been fans for years! Please tell our readers how you came to creating Blogilates?

CASSEY HO: I created Blogilates back in 2009 when I was teaching a class at 24 Hour Fitness in Los Angeles after college. I was teaching about 30-40 students every Tuesday and Thursday
night. I was about to move to Boston for my first job out of college and my students were like “what are we going to do without you during the week? No one else teaches Pop Pilates.” I decided to film a video just for those 40 people, put it on YouTube and then I left [for Boston]. The next time I looked at that video, it had thousands of views and hundreds of comments. I read the comments and people were asking if I could do another butt video or another ab video and these were not just the people at 24 Hour Fitness, they were from people all over the world. Now we have over 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube, which is craziness, and it all is stemming from the intention to want to teach.

AM: What drew you to Pilates and why is this such a good method to do in terms of toning your body?

CH: I really love Pilates because it is all about competing against yourself and who you were yesterday. You do not have to compete with anyone else. Pilates is so good for your body because if you are doing mat Pilates you do not need any equipment and you are using your body strength, which also means you have fewer excuses when you are traveling. You don’t have to go to the gym to do Pilates; you can do it literally in your hotel room or at home. My form of Pilates is called POP Pilates, which is Pilates with pop music, so it makes it really fun to do and it is like a dance on the mat.

AM: What are you currently working on and tell us more about Sheroic podcast?

CH: I am currently working on the next POPFLEX collection, which is my active wear line and we are hoping to launch some new lines in the fall, which will be fun! Also on June 21, we are launching the Sheroic podcast. I am super excited about it and I am hosting it with my good
friend and fellow female entrepreneur, Lisa Bilyeu. We are talking everything female empowerment, how to follow your dreams, how to have successful relationships and how to deal with failure. We also talk about body image, plastic surgery and pretty much anything and
everything else. We get real, we get raw and every episode will leave you with at least one nugget of knowledge that will enrich your life.

AM: What are 3 exercises that are good to tone abs, legs and your butt?

CH: A great one for abs is the eagle crunch. You would cross your knees over each other and then cross your ankles if you can and cross your elbows over each other and then your wrists, if you can. Essentially, you are trying to make the body nice and tight. While you are laying on your back, squeeze and crunch up touching your elbows to your knees and then you release. That action is really going to attack your core, your abs and it is pretty insane. You will want to
try about 15 or 20 of those and the slower, the better.

For legs, I really like squat lunges. This is from my PIIT28 workout (Pilates Intense Interval Training), in which you begin in a squat with your legs hip width apart and toes tracking forward. You squat down with your chest open and back flat. Your butt will be almost to the floor, at least parallel to the floor. You then jump up and land in a lunge. Then you go back
into your squat, jump up and land in your lunge on the other side. This is all cardio, lots of legs and added butt too.

If you want another butt exercise, one that I really do enjoy is the standing single leg lift. Imagine you are balancing on one foot, leg is straight, hands on the hips and the other leg extended behind you, nice and long with your toe pointed. Now, while balancing on that foot like a flamingo, bend your knee and extend it up. That is really going to tack that one glute. Then to get the other glute, you lift the other leg high in the air and bring it back to that parallel position. This entire sequence is so good for your legs and your butt.

AM: What are great power foods that we can eat in order to maintain our energy when we're running around or about to work out?

CH: If you are looking for energy foods, you are looking for something with a bit more carbs in it for that quick energy. For me, I enjoy a really good acai bowl. You get your fruit, maybe some granola and it is fun to eat. Acai is really so good for you so I like that. They also make beautiful pictures.

AM: What is your personal style when it comes what you wear when you work out vs what you wear for brunch vs going out for date night?

CH: For working out, I love looking really cute because it keeps me motivated. I also think that looking cute helps with better form. If you look in the mirror and feel good about your outfit, you will have better form. I like wearing my own line, POPFLEX Active, because I like testing
my clothes to make sure they are working. I want to make sure that the pants are not see-through when you squat or that your boobs stay in when you do jump squats. These are all very important things, so I love testing the clothes before anything comes out.

In terms of what I wear for brunch versus going out, sometimes I finish my workout and head straight to brunch. I’m cool with doing that because I feel like the workout wear is very versatile, but I also really love rompers. I can wear rompers all day long. Rompers for brunch, rompers for date night, rompers all the time.

AM: Being healthy focuses on eating right and working out, how important is sleep to this formula?

CH: The three pillars for health are eating healthy, being active daily and getting enough rest daily. I think many people skip on the sleep part because it is not often talked about with the same level of emphasis as working out and eating right. I think people need to try to get 7-8 hours of sleep a day. Obviously, everyone is different but that is the number that tends to work for me and when that happens you will not only learn better, but you will remember more and
feel happier, which studies have proven. A recent ZzzQuil survey found that nearly nine in ten Americans (87%) say they experience trouble falling asleep—I can definitely relate to this! When life keeps me up, like when I get back from a big trip, I get major jetlag and it is very difficult to fall asleep, which screws with my entire weekly routine. On those occasional nights when jet lag keeps me up, I will take ZzzQuil, a realistic solution that helps me fall asleep usually in as little as 20 minutes. Then I am able to wake up the next day feeling refreshed and
ready to go!

AM: Tell us about your partnership with ZzzQuil and why do you prioritize sleep?

CH: I’m very excited to be partnering with ZzzQuil to promote the importance of sleep and rest to my fans. Sleep is so important and people often try to take time out of their sleep so they can get more done. The truth is when you try to get more done, you are not as productive because you don’t feel as good or energized.

Sleep needs to be there and it needs to be done every day. Of course sometimes when you aren’t able to sleep because you’re going to go out later or something comes up, that’s fine every once in a while. However, over a long period, it can be detrimental to your wellbeing.

So many people ask me my secrets to maintaining a healthy lifestyle when life gets busy and honestly, one of the biggest factors for me is sleep. I prioritize sleep because it helps my body literally function. I had issues with not being able to lose weight because I was not sleeping enough. That was something that I didn’t realize until I discovered it, because I didn’t sleep enough. Sleep also helps with my memory, which is awesome because I have to memorize
POP Pilates choreography all the time and that is a lot of moves and sequences. Getting a good night’s sleep after practice is helpful to be able to drill the moves into my memory.

AM: Do you have a sleeping routine, such as writing in a journal, drinking a tea etc. to begin the process?

CH: My sleep routine consists of some stretching at night and if I have time I’ll put on one of my favorite Netflix shows and stretch for about an hour to really open up my body. That puts
me in a calm mood physically. Then I’ll head to bed and I will begin to read, which calms my mind and helps me drift off into sleep.

AM: Please share anything that you feel you'd like our audience to know!

CH: For anyone out there that feels like they can’t pick their butt off the floor and they feel unmotivated to work out, I would say you need to figure out what it is that makes you really excited and really happy when you are moving. Even if it’s something as simple as walking, that’s fine. It doesn’t have to be crazy or intimidating, like CrossFit or running a marathon, but everyone has something that will really work for them and get them excited. We are all different human beings, so all of our workouts and diets are going to be a different prescription for ourselves. I suggest you try everything and I know you are going to find that one thing that gets you excited to want to jump out of bed and just do it, and that will be the right workout for you. Working out should make you happy, it shouldn’t feel like a chore.

Read more from the June Issue and see Pop Into Good Health with Cassey Ho in mag.

BINGELY STREAMING

MISSING RICHARD SIMMONS
Podcast by Dan Taberski 

Whether you've done it or not, one of the most known fitness personalities is Sweatin' to the Oldies with Richard Simmons. His short shorts, tank tops and socks are equally as memorable as it was his uniform. With his curly hair, bigger than life and persona, people were drawn to his energy and commitment to others. 

As his empire was built on those that simply wanted to connect and to have fun, he made himself available through his LA studio, tapes, appearances and more. But in recent years he vanished! The man who was connected and even made himself available to bus tours by his home, was no longer there!

Dan Taberski goes on a journey via his podcast to find out what happened to Richard Simmons and where he is? Along the way, he interviews those who attended his classes, people who worked for him and those whose lives crossed path with him. In a means to connect with his family and Richard himself, he begins to generate a number of theories on why Richard chose this form of behavior to disconnect. This podcast is an easy listen that can be enjoyed in a few hours.
 

S-TOWN
Podcast from SERIAL + THIS AMERICAN LIFE

We've been stalking everywhere online for the release date of the next SERIAL and yet, all we know is that Sarah Koenig has been seen in various places suggesting that she could be working on the next season. It wasn't until we heard about S-Town (from the creators of SERIAL and THIS AMERICAN LIFE), that we realized that we could be temporarily satiated with this twisty murder mystery that takes place in a backward town when a person states that no one has investigated a murder that has taken place in a small southern town that even the residents mock. 

The host, Brian Reed, looks at the town and how they are connected with one another while investigating a murder that takes on a whole other story the more Brian investigates. 

This podcast is definitely worth listening to and generates so many emotions as you learn about the people involved as well as seeing how Brian becomes wrapped up in this tale.
 

IRON FIST
Netflix Original Series

Netflix and Marvel Comics come together yet again to bring Iron Fist to life. Danny Rand returns to New York City, after being presumed dead for 15 years, to reclaim his family company from Harold Meachum and his children Ward Meachum and Joy Meachum. When a threat emerges, Rand must choose between his family's legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist. 

Read more from the April Issue and see Bingely Books in mag.