STYLE of SPORT | Gear & Apparel Curated for the Stylish Sports Enthusiast

 
Back in May we did a follow up piece with Dr. Richard Firshein on our guide to the three Covid vaccines (read here). At that time, the FDA and CDC had just recommended resuming the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after a pause due to rare cases of blood clotting that occurred – in one case resulting in death. Despite vaccinations being on the decline at that time, there was a feeling of optimism as cities were reopening. It felt like things were getting back to normal just in time for summer.

Then came the Delta variant and the surge in cases among the unvaccinated. With breakthrough cases, booster shoots, and new kinds of treatments the latest topics of discussion, we wanted to check back in with Dr. Firshein for an assessment on the state of Covid and the pandemic’s evolution. Dr. Firshein is one of the leading authorities and practitioners of integrative medicine and our go-to expert for the latest medical news and information.

STYLE OF SPORT: When we last spoke, it seemed like we might be getting out of the woods with this pandemic. I’m hearing that again now. But I remember you saying about how insidious this virus is, and how it loves people who are unvaccinated because that’s where it mutates. While Covid has become the pandemic of the unvaccinated, they keep it a threat to us all. Read More

DR. ANDREW HUBERMAN (LEFT) ON THE RICH ROLL PODCAST

For the most pioneering and essential health, fitness, and wellness information, look no further than these ten podcasts. Each show presents a conversation with a curated group of the most respected and influential experts from the worlds of fitness, medicine, sports, nutrition, mindfulness, and more. They often feature leaders from other industries like entertainment, finance, and technology who bring another point of view and takeaways applicable to any mental and physical endeavor. Equally accomplished are the hosts — be they entrepreneurs, doctors, or athletes — who bring their own unique experience, qualifications, and insights to the show.

We’ve spent the last few months researching and listening to the list below. Hope you enjoy and learn as much as we have from these hosts and their guests, who often switch places, appearing as guests each on other’s podcasts!
 

THE RICH ROLL PODCAST

Rich Roll is a vegan ultra-endurance athlete, wellness evangelist, and the author of the bestselling inspirational memoir Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself. Each episode of The Rich Roll Podcast is like a masterclass in physical and spiritual growth, taught by some of the most forward-thinking and paradigm-busting minds in health, fitness, nutrition, and entertainment. Intimate, deep, and often intense, these are not interviews; they are conversations that educate, inspire, and empower you to be your best self. Read More

STEVEN KOTLER

We all know what it feels like to be “in the zone”, that sense of effortless execution, be it on the tennis court, a ski run, or even working on a project. It’s total focus, clarity, and absorption in the task at hand, a challenge solved with ease, and seeing both the finish line and the steps to get there. We’ve all experienced this state that’s known as “flow”, and it’s more than a feeling. Neuroscientists have in fact discovered that flow is a physiological and recreatable state of consciousness in brain.

The term flow has recently been popularized by Steven Kotler, Executive Director of The Flow Research Collective. Kotler has spent decades researching and decoding the neurobiology of flow, and the connection between the brain and the body when humans are performing at their best. The Flow Research Collective is an organization whose mission is to understand the science behind human performance, and train individuals and organizations how to achieve more flow and optimize the benefits it provides.

The concept and term “flow” is not new. It has been around since the 1970’s, and was originally introduced by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist who was the first to identify and research the phenomenon. Csikszentmihalyi coined the term in his 1990 book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience and described flow as “a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience is so enjoyable that people will continue to do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it”. Read More

With Covid restrictions lifted, summer celebrations have kicked into high gear and cocktails are flowing. But as festive as they may be, many of those tasty mixed drinks are loaded with sugar and the quickest way to sabotage any training program. Generally it’s not the alcohol that’s the problem, as clear liquors like tequila, vodka, and rum have zero grams of sugar. It’s what you mix them with. The good news is with some easy substitutions you can still have your favorite cocktails and drink them too.

Here are four quick tips for any cocktail:

1. 1 tsp. of sugar only has 16 calories and 4 grams of carbs. That’s enough to sweeten any drink. If you’re having just one, and not adding other sugary liquors, that’s not such a big deal. If you are going to indulge, or following a Keto diet, healthy sugar substitutes like stevia are a great alternative. It comes in both liquid and granular form, so you can muddle it, and even make your own simple syrup. The recipe is below.

2. Fresh fruit squeezed into your drink, citrus wedges, and other seasonal fruits added for flavor are a far better choice than sugar, syrups, or even juices.

3. Presentation is key! A chilled cocktail glass, salted rim, and beautiful garnishes like fruit wedges, cucumber slices, and mint leaves add visual appeal that make any drink taste better!

4. Drink responsibly… it’s the best way to keep calories in check! Read More

About two months ago, just after the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine was cleared for emergency use by the FDA, we turned to Dr. Richard Firshein for a side-by-side breakdown and comparison of the three vaccines currently available in the US, including Moderna and Pfizer (read here). Dr. Firshein is one of the leading authorities and practitioners of integrative medicine, and our go-to expert for the most cutting-edge medical news and information.

At that time, there were high hopes for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. It required just one dose and could be stored at temperatures similar to any other vaccine. Unlike Pfizer and Moderna, which require two doses and subzero refrigeration, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine would be far easier to distribute and get into people’s arms… the primary goal of all three.

Fast forward six weeks to April 13th when both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a pause in the Johnson & Johnson vaccinations after rare blood clotting occurred in six recipients causing serious illnesses, and in one case death. All six were women between the ages of 18 and 48, and all developed the illnesses within one to three weeks of vaccination.

10 days later following a thorough safety review, the FDA and CDC recommended resuming the Johnson & Johnson vaccinations, citing that the vaccine’s benefits outweighed its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years and older. Out of the roughly 7 million people in the United States who had received Johnson & Johnson shots at that time, the chance of these serious and life-threatening side effects was about one in a million. Read More

DR. DARYL GIOFFRE

Dr. Daryl Gioffre describes health as energy, and the energy he exudes is off the charts! A celebrated chiropractor and functional nutritionist, Dr. Gioffre is the founder of the Gioffre Chiropractic Wellness Center. He is a passionate motivational speaker, most recognized from his regular appearances on Live with Kelly And Ryan, and believes peak health and longevity come down to one simple concept… Get Off Your Acid! It is his mantra and the title of his first book, Get Off Your Acid, as well the goal behind his line of “Acid-Kicking” supplements. His follow up book, Get Off Your Sugar: Burn the Fat, Crush Your Cravings, and Go From Stress Eating to Strength Eating, recently debuted and picks up where Get Off Your Acid leaves off.

The pH balance of acidity and alkalinity in our bodies has become a popular health topic in recent months, one that we have written about in numerous posts, as well. Basically, our bodies function optimally at a blood level pH balance of 7.4 on a scale of 0 to 14, where 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most alkaline. When the scale tips too far towards acidic it creates inflammation that causes fatigue, bloating, congestion, and a host of more serious symptoms. Dr. Gioffre, like many other health and wellness experts, believes the acidity in our bodies that comes from diet, stress, and lifestyle choices is at the heart of most chronic health issues.

Our bodies are designed to maintain a healthy pH balance but numerous factors can throw it off, most obviously what we eat, like rich, processed, and sugary foods. According to Dr. Gioffre however, stress is the primary cause of acidity and inflammation. And think of what we’ve been experiencing over the last year! “Our baseline stress level is so elevated right now”, says Dr. Gioffre, “that we are essentially marinating in our stress hormone cortisol, 24-7”. Read More

About 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Although not always serious, left untreated, lack of sleep can cause an array of problems for daytime function, and lead to other health issues. Physiologically, when it comes to our fitness goals, not getting enough sleep can interfere with performance and even sabotage our weight loss… regardless of whether we are exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.

Sleep has become one of the buzziest wellness topics, amplified over the past year by the inordinate amount of stress and anxiety the pandemic has caused. More than ever, people are not sleeping well. There is even a name for it, “Coronasomnia”. Here, at the start of Sleep Awareness Week we turned to our resident health and wellness expert, Sarah Wragge, for some answers and solutions to the sleep conundrum facing so many of us.

STYLE OF SPORT: I feel like I could not be talking to you at a better time as you just had a baby a few weeks ago and are the mother of a 4-year old as well!

SARAH WRAGGE: (Laughing)… You could definitely say I’m sleep deprived!

SOS: I know you’re usually on top of your sleep game, so let’s talk about this phenomenon of sleep deprivation and how it’s affecting so many of us. Read More

 
Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine was just cleared for emergency use by the FDA, bringing the total to three vaccines, alongside Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech, that are now available in the US. Though the numbers might appear as if it is less effective, this Johnson & Johnson vaccine might be the one that many of us have been waiting for. Thus far we have not been given a choice between the two available vaccines and it is unclear whether that will continue to be the case with three in the mix. Dr. Anthony Fauci and the CDC all agree the best vaccine is the one available to you.

We turned to Dr. Richard Firshein of the Firshein Medical Center to guide us through the three vaccines. Dr. Firshein is one of the leading authorities and practitioners of integrative medicine, and our go-to expert for the most cutting edge medical news and information.

What are the basic differences between the three vaccines?

The three vaccines really fall into two categories: Pfizer and Moderna in one category, and Johnson & Johnson in the other. There are basic differences between the two categories. Pfizer and Moderna require 2 doses and subzero refrigeration for storage, while Johnson & Johnson requires just 1 dose and can be stored at temperatures similar to any other vaccine. Those two differences in themselves make the Johnson & Johnson vaccine far easier to distribute and get into people’s arms… the primary goal of all three. Read More

Every January, after a festive month of non-stop eating and drinking, many people decide to go on a “cleanse”. It’s usually a quick fix deprivation program designed to shed those holiday pounds fast, jump start your New Year’s goals, and get you mentally back on track. No sugar, no alcohol, no carbs, no fat, no more fun. It’s short term, so people think it’s doable, and a cleanse does usually result in some initial weight loss. The problem, however, is what happens after the cleanse… or during, should you slip up.

We checked in with our resident nutrition and wellness expert, Sarah Wragge, about whether to cleanse or not to cleanse after a period of indulgence. “Most people decide to do a cleanse because they think they must do something extreme to undo what they’ve been doing,” she says. “It’s an all or nothing extremist mentality, with no room for failure, and so it’s not sustainable.”

So here you are feeling congested, bloated, and confused. The good news, says Sarah, is there are a number of things you can be doing right now to get back to your fighting form and sustain it for the long term. Cleansing doesn’t have to be extreme, and it can actually be a regular part of your daily routine. Here are some healthy ways to kick off 2021, and keep it going all year!
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Photographs by Coliena Rentmeester

Back in October we did a feature with our contributing nutrition editor Sarah Wragge on energy and how to get more of it. With the crazy busy lives we were living then — going from home life, to the gym, to work, and out at night — energy seemed a priority. While we are certainly still living crazy lives, ones that have been upended by the Coronavirus pandemic, our priorities have shifted. What we really need now are strategies to stay calm and relax. Not easy to do!

We are all super stressed out by the direct and indirect effects of this virus in ways we might not even be consciously aware. All we hear is bad news 24-7 and there seems to be no end in sight. Our baseline emotional state is one of high anxiety, which is very taxing on the immune system as well. With all this in mind we conferred with Sarah again on some tactics to chill out and relax in these unprecedented times…
 

EXERCISE

STYLE OF SPORT: Exercise is a great emotional outlet and while most of us are trying to stay fit at home while gyms are closed, it’s not like we’re getting the same benefits from our workouts. I’m doing the best I can, but my workouts just aren’t as intense on my own.

SARAH WRAGGE: With screaming kids in the background, technology glitches with Zoom workouts, and other distractions at home, you’re not getting that exercise high you normally would with the energy and support of a classroom and teacher pushing you. Our usual stress outlets have been taken away, so our exercise needs to be more harmonious and calming. Maybe your workout style shifts. It might be different now than it was before. I find I’m doing more yoga because it’s relaxing, Yin and Restorative yoga in particular, as opposed to a HIIT workout which revs me up. Figure out what type of movement is going to benefit you not just physically but emotionally — after the workout as well. Read More

Arthur Belebeau/Trunk Archive

 
One of people’s primary questions during this Coronavirus pandemic is, “What can I do to boost my immune system?” Wondering that ourselves, we turned to our resident health and nutrition expert, Sarah Wragge, for some answers. It turns out there are a number of simple things we can be doing right now in the comfort of home — and the first place to start is with our gut.

You hear the term “gut health” all the time. Over 75% of our immune system lives in our gastrointestinal tract. Lined with about 100 trillion live microorganisms – this complex ecosystem of both beneficial and harmful bacteria promotes healthy digestion, protects the body from infection, and regulates the immune system.

“If our gut microbiome is balanced and functioning well, then our immune system is ready for action”, says Sarah. “Make your gut the priority right now.” Here are 3 simple ways: Read More

 
One of the topics about which I get asked all the time are bars — not where to have a drink with friends — but snack, protein, and nutrition bars. Walk into any health food, grocery, or even drugstore, and you see aisles filled with them. But how do you know which ones are actually good for you, which are filled with additives, or which are candy bars in healthy packaging?

I am a snacker. I prefer to eat smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to bigger breakfasts and lunches. A nutrition bar is usually one of those smaller meals, and I’ve found different options I like depending on the time of day, my activity level, and nutritional goals. For a meal replacement, I like a Quest bar. It’s got 20 grams of whey protein, 10 grams of fat, and 13 grams of fiber, so it’s very filling and low in net carbs. If I do want more carbs than protein, I go for a GoMacro bar, which is plant-based too. You don’t have to look very far for either of these options, which makes them very convenient on-the-go.

Nutrition bars are also a topic which our resident expert, holistic nutritionist and wellness coach Sarah Wragge, gets asked about too. Prefacing her list of favorites with the statement, “Snacking is not my preferred choice of nutrition – it’s about eating meals that are balanced in protein, fat, and fiber, so you’re not hungry every couple hours” — did acquiesce that a nutrition bar can be a good option in a pinch. She looks for one that’s organic, plant-based, and additive-free.

Below is a combined list of our favorite nutrition bars!  Read More

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS FAST FOOD

 
I’ve got friends and family who have been vegan for years. The easiest way to understand vegan, one of them told me, is you don’t eat anything with a face. So in addition to the obvious meat, fish, and chicken — that means no dairy, eggs, and any other products that contain them. Veggie burgers, Tofurky, and soy cheese have been the basic go-to substitutions, available in a limited selection, and tailored primarily to a vegan taste palate. But all that has changed…

Go into any coffee shop or supermarket nowadays and you find menus and aisles of plant-based milks like almond, coconut, and oat — and freezer sections filled with delicious plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. Designed to taste and smell exactly like a hamburger, and engineered with the multi-faceted texture of one — these new savory “veggie” burgers are featured prominently on the menu at major fast food chains like Burger King and McDonalds – along with Beyond Sausage sandwiches at Dunkin’ Donuts and Beyond Fried Chicken at KFC. Plant-based eating has gone mainstream — and Hollywood. It was a veggies only dinner last Sunday at the Golden Globes Awards.

A recent article in the New Yorker quoted some powerful statistics on the environmental impact of eating meat. In a nutshell, agriculture consumes more freshwater than any other human activity, and nearly one-third of that water is devoted to raising livestock. One-third of the world’s arable land is used to grow feed for livestock, and cattle are responsible for 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions from the methane they produce in digestion. That’s as much each year as from all cars, trucks, airplanes, and ships combined! (NYT)
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My edited food journal above may look overwhelming, but the changes come down to a few basic concepts. Back in July we launched a contest offering 2 lucky readers the chance to win a diet makeover by Sarah Wragge, our contributing nutrition editor, with just 5 Simple Fixes. Yes, there are the obvious splurges like pizza, ice cream, and cookies, but lurking in many of our diets are extra hidden calories of which we are completely unaware. I found that out firsthand when I asked Sarah to take a look at my diet.

Thinking I ate pretty clean and expecting a pat on the back, instead I got, “OMG… you eat so much sugar!” Unbeknownst to me, what I thought was my healthy fruit and rice cake snacking was like sugar dosing and carbo loading all day. With some simple substitutions like adding more healthy fats such as avocado and nuts; swapping dairy for plant based alternatives like almond milk and coconut yogurt; and replacing my fruit dessert with dark chocolate (yes!), those abs I work so hard for started to pop — and with no feeling of deprivation because I was eating satiating and nutritious foods.

Our 5 Simple Fixes contest winners, Suzanne Donaldson and Mike Loftus, learned some of the same lessons and few more of their own — along with some easy fixes to attain their fitness and nutrition goals. Our contest should probably have been called “1 Simple Fix” because the leading culprit for all 3 of us was hidden sugar.

We all want to look good and feel good. We want those workouts to show on our bodies. For those of you who entered the contest but didn’t win, we wanted to share a sample 3 days of our diets, with the changes Sarah made. Many of you might have similar habits, and we hope seeing our mistakes and the easy fixes can help you achieve your fitness and nutrition goals too.  Read More

Everybody wants more energy — and we want it all day! In the insanely busy lives most of us live, balancing the demands of work and home, we go at full speed from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep. We need that energy sustained for our workouts, jobs, kids, and spouse — not just for the body, but also the mind. Whether you’re a busy exec or stay-at-home mom, our physical and psychological demands don’t discriminate.

64% of us start the day with a cup coffee, and the average American drinks about 3-4 cups per day. One cup of coffee is the morning is fine, but drinking too much coffee can have adverse effects, and leave us feeling more exhausted. When we feel tired, our brains do too. Not only is cognitive function impaired, but our emotional stability as well. We’ve all been known to “lose it” when we’re wiped out. The goal is to avoid the highs and the lows.

Since fatigue is not an option, we asked our resident nutrition and wellness guru, Sarah Wragge, for some tips and tricks to have more energy now. The good news is you don’t have to give up that morning brew!  Read More

YOUR EDITOR FEELING THOSE SUMMER VIBES!

 
Elite athletes eat to fuel their bodies for optimal performance and inherently understand the concept that food is fuel. They generally don’t eat something just because it tastes good. They train their bodies like machines, and are not putting bad gas in the tank. Many of the rest of us, however, have gotten away from this basic concept. TV commercials tantalize with images of irresistible fat, sugar, and calorie-laden foods. We order what is most delicious on the menu. We fuel our mouths, but not our bodies.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we all had the performance driven motivation of these athletes? What if it were effortless? For those trying to lose weight, it’s generally thought to be a matter of willpower to resist those foods that have put on the pounds. But what if those foods had no appeal, because not eating them felt so much better that eating them?

I recently shifted to a Paleo diet, which includes meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, and nuts — but no dairy and no grains. That means no bread, which I would have considered impossible a few months ago. But when replaced with delicious and satiating healthy fats like nuts, avocado, and coconut, the temptation has kind of disappeared — especially when my body has leaned out using its fat stores instead of sugar for fuel. Read More

Collage Images Martin Rusch/Trunk Archive

 
Keto diet, 10 Day Challenge, Celery Juice… it seems like everyday a new nutrition trend takes the wellness scene by storm. Some of it’s legit and some it’s BS, but we wanted to get the scoop on all to share with our readers. Meet Sarah Wragge, our nutrition wiz, who every month is going to give us the real deal on a variety of different health trends.

Sarah Wragge is a holistic nutritionist and wellness coach who has lived on both sides of the health spectrum. After a 15-year career in advertising, Sarah found herself fed up with steak and martini dinners, and feeling worn out. Having always been drawn towards wellness and nutrition, she ditched the corporate life and decided to make her passion her career — with a particular focus on designing health and nutrition regimens for those same busy execs. What we love is her practical approach to integrating wellness into real life.

One of the buzziest nutrition topics you hear about right now is “over-exercise”. The fitness obsessed — or you might say addicted — daily doubling on SoulCycle classes, going from a cardio to a strength class, working out every day with no rest days off (guilty, as charged). And yet, many of these people are not losing weight. In fact they find the opposite. “I don’t understand… I’m eating so well”, they say, “Why am I getting fat?” Read More

JAMES TRUMAN AT HIS VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT NIX

WITH A FEW OF THE TASTY MENU OFFERINGS

 
Just about two years ago, James Truman, the former Editorial Director of Conde Nast, opened Nix, a style and cuisine focused vegetarian restaurant in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. This was not, however, his first foray into the restaurant business. He had partnered previously with hotelier André Balazs on Narcissa in the East Village and Chiltern Firehouse in London. But, really, his first restaurant was the famous Conde Nast cafeteria at the company’s former Times Square headquarters. It was his project to oversee. He hired Frank Gehry to design the space, and it became the hot spot for lunch. The only way to get in was if you worked there or knew someone in the building.

When I’m asked to describe what is STYLE of SPORT, my one liner is it’s where sport intersects with fashion, design, art, news and culture. James Truman, who once held one of the most influential positions in fashion and publishing, opening vegetarian restaurant – with a Michelin star no less – is very much at that SOS intersection. Add to that the coincidence that he and I worked together at Conde Nast on a women’s sports magazine, Conde Nast Sports for Women, that was his idea to launch in the mid-90’s.

James and I met for lunch last week at Nix, where we chatted about his evolution from the magazine to the restaurant business, and the passion he has for sport, food, and the healthy lifestyle.  Read More

 
Happy New Year everyone and welcome to the “31 Days of Wellness”! In years past, January 1st has commenced my 31 Days of Fitness odyssey, with SOS (aka me) sampling all the hottest workouts every day for 31 days straight. With a few nagging injuries from 2017, I decided to shift the focus this year from the outside to the inside with 31 days of the most buzzed about wellness trends, classes, and studios. Yoga, meditation, sleep, breathwork, cleanses, sensory experiences, restorative therapies, and more… it’s about looking good AND feeling good in 2018, which can only happen with that mind and body connection.

CLICK TO ENTER THE

SOS WEEK OF WELLNESS GIVEAWAY

DEADLINE TO ENTER FRIDAY, MARCH 9 AT MIDNIGHT!

What’s also unique this January is that the first day of the week, year, and month are all on January 1. The planets have aligned for a fresh start! So here we go…

Day 1: HOT VINYASA YOGA. With most of the country in an arctic freeze, what a perfect way to kick off our 31 Days of Wellness than with a Hot Vinyasa class — especially as I started the new year with the 9 degree NYRR Midnight Run at 12:01am this morning! Read More

AMANDA MURDOCK, DECEMBER 2017

I belong to Pure Yoga in NYC, a popular members-only yoga studio on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. There is one on the Upper West Side as well. As I have discussed before on STYLE of SPORT, I really don’t like yoga, but force myself to go as a counterpart to all the running and spinning I do. Like any fitness class you take, it’s about finding an instructor you like, and one of the first yoga teachers I found at Pure, whose class enjoyed, was Amanda Murdock. For me, that’s saying a lot.

I first took Amanda’s class back in 2013 during my annual 31 Days of Fitness feature. I remember thinking then that she was very skinny. With a ballerina’s physique and muscle definition, my assumption was she was or had been a dancer. I didn’t presume the other explanation. It was only a couple of years ago, when I noticed her body started to change and become much healthier looking, that I wondered if she might have had an eating disorder. The Pure community is fairly tight knit, and when I asked another instructor, a friend of both of ours, she told me that had been the case.

Amanda has gone from about 90lbs. to 120lbs. since I have been a member of Pure. As a fitness instructor Amanda’s transformation has been very public. I started thinking about what it must be like to have a classroom of eyes staring at you every day — going through such a challenging and emotional journey while on display. I wanted to know her story and tell her story. Although Amanda and I were friendly, our only contact was in class, and I was very hesitant to ask her about something so personal. Read More

 

“On 4/3/15 I woke up like the picture on the left. I’d had a stroke in my sleep which caused a palsy in the 3rd nerve of my brain, causing my right eye to swing out. I saw two of everything and could only see straight if I closed one eye. It’s taken over a year and a half, 3 surgeries, an ocean of tears, and the desperate need to regain my life to get ME back. I took the pic on the right just after taking my new SoulCycle instructor photos — hence the incredible and very fake lashes. I never imagined having the courage to share the ‘before’ pic, but think it’s important to recognize and celebrate the journey, no matter how painful. Unlike so many stories, this one has a happy ending, one that will hopefully inspire determination and hope!”

-Emma Zaks, Facebook post, November 18, 2016

This is the story of Emma Zaks, a bubbly, energetic, and very popular SoulCycle instructor. Those who ride with Emma watched this healthy and fit 33-year old woman go through an unimaginable two-year journey — becoming increasingly ill with debilitating symptoms, both gastro-intestinal and neurological, that ultimately resulted in a stroke.

On and off the SoulCycle schedule at first, Emma began subbing out her classes for other instructors. Then followed a long absence. She would later return to teach — a patch on one eye and face swollen from the steroids doctors had prescribed for devastating symptoms no one really could explain. An autoimmune disease of some sort was the rumor. As is her nature, Emma remained her upbeat self through it all, or so it appeared, never letting her riders see the pain and fear going on inside.

Luckily, this story has a happy ending. After her illness was finally diagnosed and treated, Emma started posting little bits of her journey on Facebook. So moved and overwhelmed by her strength and bravery, we asked her to tell us what happened from beginning to end. This is her story in her own words…. and her Facebook posts.
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THE DEN

While you might consider meditation a discipline for only the deeply spiritual or those still stuck in the 70’s, it is now one of the hottest new wellness trends. Meditation studios have been popping up all over the country, many designed with the modern feel of a boutique fitness or yoga studio, and with a variety of class options. Chic, contemporary, and very zen, these drop-in studios offer a new spin on traditional meditation practices.

Tal Rabinowitz, founder and owner of LA’s newest drop-in meditation studio The DEN, started penciling meditation into her daily schedule as an NBC executive. She and several colleagues would try to block off time in their busy days to reflect and unwind. But she wasn’t satisfied, saying, “Sometimes it’s hard on your own. I wanted something better and something regular, before work or after work, kind of like exercise classes.”

That’s when she came up with The DEN. Rabinowitz’s studio is a beautifully designed multi-use space which she says embodies “exactly who I am.” She and her clients can not only take a class, but also lounge, relax and read with a cup of tea. The DEN is unique because of its variety of offerings and evoked feelings of “home.”

While the aesthetics may have changed, the benefits of meditation remain the same, and are perhaps more important than ever. Meditation is proven to reduce tension and anxiety; improve mood and focus; and boost energy and creativity. In this digital era in which we are always connected to the outside, meditation provides an opportunity to unplug and re-focus on the inside. Says Rabinowitz, “We’re all just craving a moment of balance.”

From NYC to LA, here are the new meditation studios that have got even the busiest learning to check out to check in:
 

MNDFL

MNDFL is located in NYC with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. MNDFL’s inventors, spiritual blogger Ellie Burrows and The Buddha Walks Into A Bar author Lodro Rinzler, dreamed of a non-traditional, non-religious space to meditate. The modern studio at MNDFL features exposed brick walls, large greenery and neutral-colored plush cushions. MNDFL offers drop in classes for 30 or 45 minutes of modern guided meditation. When you book your cushion, you chose from a “menu” of meditations catered to your mood or current state; for example, there is MNDFL Breath for relaxation, MNDFL Mamas for expecting mothers, or MNDFL Sleep for insomniacs. When classes aren’t taking place, the studio is open to the public for self-guided practice. 10 East 8th St, New York, NY. Photograph: Stephen Wilson

UNPLUG 

Founded by Suze Yalof Schwartz, former executive fashion editor at Glamour magazine, LA-based UNPLUG was the first of its kind as a chic, boutique meditation studio. Clients can “drop-in” for 30 or 45-minute guided meditation classes, a format that the The New York Times described as “a Drybar for meditation” UNPLUG’s minimalist aesthetics make it a peaceful and uncluttered place to unwind. The classes focus on mindfulness, breath work, and imagination, and the “drop-in” style allows people to investigate the practice of meditation. UNPLUG offers crafted unique meditation programs for kids and corporate groups, too. 12401 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, Ca.
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SURFER LAIRD HAMILTON WITH HIS NEW LINE OF COFFEE AND CREAMERS

For years coffee drinkers have been told that their love of the buzz was bad for their health. Studies in the 1970s and 80s showed that the ingredients in coffee were tied to increased risk of cancer and heart disease. It is time now to rejoice! In recent years, researchers around the globe have learned that coffee may not be so bad for you after all, and in fact there are quite a few health benefits in that cup o’ joe. Coffee is…

1. A MOOD BOOSTER
We all know that coffee makes you feel more alert and energetic, but researchers report that those who consume 4 cups a day were 20% less likely to be clinically depressed than those having just one cup. Caffeine stimulates the brain’s release of dopamine for mood and anxiety regulation.

2. A HEART NOURISHER
Several studies have found that coffee fanatics drinking 3-5 cups a day have the lowest risk for cardiovascular disease. Please take note this means plain black coffee. Hold the milk and sugar!

3. A METABOLISM SUPPORTER
Caffeine has been linked with weight loss and prevention of weight gain because it can suppress appetite and stimulate calorie burning.

4. A NATURAL LAXATIVE
If you’re feeling backed up, coffee may be able to help. Many ingredients, namely chlorogenic acid, stimulate the distal colon which helps to quickly rid waste from the body.

5. A CANCER FIGHTER
In early 2015, three studies were published that found coffee to reduce risk of skin, endometrial and liver cancer. The National Cancer Institute published a study showing that people who drank four cups of caffeinated coffee a day had a 20 percent lower risk of melanoma than non-coffee drinkers. An AACR journal found that women who drink four cups a day have a reduced risk of endometrial cancer. U.K. researchers released an analysis of 34 studies conducted around the world and concluded that coffee consumption—even just one cup a day—reduces the risk of liver cancer.
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