AM JAN ISSUE #121

ISSUE #121
PHOTO CREDIT | LUIGI COMBA
@AthleisureMag

PUBLISHER
Paul Farkas
EDITORIAL
Kimmie Smith
Co-Founder, Creative + Style Director
Paul Farkas
Co-Founder, Artistic Director, Tech Director + Men’s Lifestyle Director
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTIONS
PHOTOGRAPHERS | Calvin Kim | LIV Golf | Netflix/Vanessa Clifton
| Tom Thongkam |
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@ATHLEISUREMAG
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table of contents
issue #121
jan 2026
142
STYLE FEATURES
HOW TO DRESS
178
162
IN OUR BAG
187 ROCK THIS WHEN
HEADING TO TRIVIA
NIGHT AT THE PUB
BEAUTY FEATURES
GOLDEN PEAR BEAUTY
Champion Legacy
Dustin Johnson
This month’s Cover Story is with 24X PGA Tour Champion, US Open and the Masters
Champion, Dustin Johnson. We talk with about his phenomenal career, joining LIV
Golf, his team the 4Aces that he is the Owner/Captain and the upcoming season.
16
151
ATHLEISURE BEAUTY
The Ice Prince
Jack Hughes
We sat down with NHL NJ Devils defender, Jack Hughes. We talk about his passion for
the game, how he gets ready for GAM3DAY, and his Team USA Olympic debut for the
2026 Winter Games.
52
174
LIFESTYLE FEATURES
ATHLEISURE LIST
PROVE PADEL
KAAZE 84
We talk with Swedish DJ/Producer KAAZE
on his sound, process and new music!
Jamie Anderson
88
We chat with the most decorated female
snowboarder Jamie Anderson to talk
about the sport, and competitions,
176
ATHLEISURE LIST
FOUR SEASONS RESORT
BALI: JIMBARAN BAY

Go Get ‘Em Mode
Michelle Buteau
We chatted with actress, standup comedian, producer, co-creator and author, Michelle
Buteau. We talk about how she came to be an entertainer, Co-Creator/Executive
Producer and lead of Netflix’s Survival of The Thickest which will be back for it’s
3rd and final season, how she takes time for herself, and more!
98
Mastering Remix
HYPATON
We connected with HYPATON to talk
about how he got into music, his creative
process, the importance of the
remix, and more.
108
Finding Your
Balance
120
We sat down with the filmmakers of Balance:
A Premenopausal Journey to find
out more about this period in women’s
lives and the varying approaches to it.
Origins an NFL
Collection
130
With the Super Bowl around the corner,
we sat down to talk with the NFL about
this collaborative project and one of
their designers, Aaron De La Cruz.
Art of the Snack
Daru
164
This month, we head to DC to enjoy
cuisine whose roots extend to India and
Nepal. We get the scoop on what we
should enjoy on our next visit.

This month’s cover star is a golf legend
who has 24 PGA Tour wins, has won the US
Open as well as the Masters and has dominated
in the sport. At LIV Golf, he is an Owner/Captain
of the 4Aces and has achieved
success here as well! Dustin Johnson is passionate
about the game of golf and with
the season kicking off in Riyadh on Feb
4th, we wanted to know more about how
he came to this game, how he trains for
it to optimize himself for his game, and to
know more about why he joined LIV Golf
and to understand what it is like for him
to be in this role. We also talk with 4Aces
GM, Chris Rosaasen to know more about
this team, its vision, sponsor brands, and
more!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall
in love with golf and when did you realize
that you wanted to play it professionally?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I fell in love with golf
as a kid when I was 6 years old. I always
wanted to play professionally since I
started playing. I knew I was going to play
on tour when I was a Junior in college.
AM: In terms of optimizing yourself to hit
the course, what is an average week like in
terms of fitness or workouts that you do?
DJ: After dropping my kids off at school in
the morning, I head straight to the gym.
My personal trainer’s name is Joey D, and
I have been working with him for a long
time. After the gym I head straight to the
golf course. When I am on the road during
tournament weeks, I am in the gym every
day, whether it’s at the gym at the golf
course or the hotel. Working out is in my
DNA.
AM: You have had a number of accolades
in your career, from 24 total PGA wins, being
ranked number 1 for 135 weeks, winning
the US Open in 2016, winning the
2020 Masters and winning all 4 World Golf
Championship events, just as the topline
notes. What do those achievements mean
to you?
DJ: [Laughs] It means I am pretty good
and I won a lot of tournaments.
AM: Why did you want to join LIV
Golf as you have done this for 4 seasons,
you won the inaugural 2022 LIV
Golf Team Championship, and you are
about to start your 5th!
DJ: I appreciate and enjoyed my long
career on the PGA Tour, and LIV offered
me a new opportunity I really
believe in. I get to travel the world
growing the game that I love, while
building one of the first sports franchises
in professional golf.
AM: You just signed a 3-year extension
to continue playing with LIV. Why are
you invested in this League and how
are you going to continue to build off
your team’s success?
DJ: Similar to my answer above, I feel
LIV is the best place for me, and I truly
believe in its vision and growth and
the 4Aces.
AM: For those that may not be familiar
with LIV Golf in terms of its season
and its team play, can you tell me
more about this?
DJ + CHRIS ROSAASEN: On LIV we
play a 14 event global schedule. We
play in nine different countries and incredible
countries/cities. We are like
the Formula 1 of golf, putting on the
biggest events in the most exciting
places across the world.
AM: You’re the Captain as well as the
Co-Owner of 4Aces. Can you tell us
about how teams are created?
DJ: In 2022, we started the league
with a draft. We’ve continued to
evolve and mature as a league, as we
welcome new players to the Aces and
across all of our teams. I always have
my eye on new & young up & coming
stars to continue to carry the legacy
of the 4Aces.

AM: Chris, you were previously the CEO of
TravisMatthew before becoming the GM
of 4Aces. Can you tell me about your background,
how you came to this team, and
what your role entails here?
CR: I originally was introduced to LIV
through a handful of players that decided
to make the switch from the PGA Tour.
I attended the first US event in Portland,
Oregon in July of 2022. While attending,
I saw team golf apparel being sold for
the first time and approached LIV about
getting the contract to do apparel for
all the teams at the time. That got my
foot in the door to understand what LIV
was all about. I started sponsoring the
4Aces in 2023 with an apparel company I
founded called Extracurricular, and midway
through the 2023 season, Dustin approached
me about becoming GM of the
4Aces. I have been running the team ever
since.
AM: What is your relationship like in working
together in this Captain/Co-Owner and
GM dynamic?
CR: It’s been great. Dustin has given me
the freedom and his trust to run the team.
I still see Dustin as my boss, and I run all
important decisions by him before they
are made, as we are running this business
together.
AM: From a back of house perspective,
what are the kinds of things that you
worked on in the off-season to prepare for
the upcoming season?
CR: I work with Max Russell (Our 4Aces
Head of Sponsorship) on sponsor pipeline
and getting deals to the finish line for the
season. Also, strategizing on our team
roster for the upcoming 2026 season is
always top of mind. Lastly, from a brand
building standpoint, we are investing in
a new YouTube Series Behind the Aces
which will be making its official debut later
this year.
AM: How would you define the 4Aces
brand?
CR: Our tagline is Primetime. We are
the aspirational team on LIV that always
gets noticed first when we show
up at events. We model our brand off
of the winningest, most prestigious
brands in professional sports a la Lakers,
Yankees, and Mercedes Benz of
Formula 1.
AM: Tell us about your fellow teammates
and what are your goals for the
upcoming season?
DJ: Really excited to add Thomas
Detry to the team, our newest team
member. He is a proven winner on
the PGA Tour and is hungry to continue
getting better. I am also pumped
to have Thomas Pieters back for this
season. He is one of the most talented
players on LIV and has so much upside.
I am expecting big things from
everyone and am optimistic this will
be the best roster the 4Aces have
ever fielded on LIV.
AM: Throughout the season, you play
all around the globe in a number of
amazing destinations. What are your
favorite destinations and why?
DJ: Love Australia and the energy and
atmosphere that crowd brings. Hong
Kong is really special and is a great
city to play and stay in. Lastly, I am
thrilled to be playing in South Africa
for the first time and have heard really
exciting things. It’s honestly hard
to choose, we go to so many great
places...
CR: Australia is always top of mind for
me and on top of the great crowds
and city, the music LIV brings is always
top notch and full of energy. Mexico
City is the best if you love a food energy
on top of a really unique challenging
golf course. Finally, my favorite
is Valderamma, Spain, an iconic golf
course set on one of the most beautiful
coastlines of the Mediterranean.
AM: As someone who is always on the

go, what are 3 items that you like to bring
with you so it feels like you have a sense of
home with you?
CR: [Laughs] The road feels like home
more than being at home sometimes. We
are living out of suitcases 24/7.
AM: You just played at the Hero Dubai
Desert Classic and you’re about to begin
the 2026 LIV Golf season at Riyadh. What
are you looking forward to as 2026 seems
exciting with going to a 72-hole format.
DJ: I am excited about the 72 hole format.
It goes back to the type of golf and
format I grew up playing. Also, I think it
favors the better players, which I believe
benefits my game out here on LIV.
AM: For fans who come to watch you
play, what is that experience like as the
blend between golf, entertainment, and
culture must be such an immersive experience.
CR: LIV Golf’s format is unique in the
sense that there is an individual and team
competition occurring simultaneously.
The shotgun start with everyone teeing
off at the same time lends to fans having
a 5 hour window on the golf course which
allows them to see more of the action in
a condensed period. I think LIV does a tremendous
job bringing in local food and
sourcing world class musical acts, making
the experience something that is new and
unique to golf. We have artists like Calvin
Harris, John Summit, etc playing at tournaments.
These are some of the biggest
names in Music.
AM: What is the 4Aces Social Club and
how does this take attendees enjoyment
to the next level?
CR: The 4Aces Social Club is something
we are really excited about ramping up
in 2026 and beyond. We use it as our
moniker to activate exclusive hospitality
events both on and off the golf course. In
2025, we had our own private structure in
Miami where we hosted friends and family
of the team, sponsors, and VIP’s,
and threw a couple amazing offcourse
activations – one being at a
private car museum in Indy and a private
dinner in Dallas. We have more
events planned in 2026 and are continuing
to invest in the success of the
programming.
AM: From a brand perspective, you
have a number of partnerships including
your recent Under Armour contract,
Santo Studio, Celsius, FlyHouse,
SWAG Golf to name a few, You are
the first team to have a men’s jewelry
partnership via JAXXON and your
brands reflect an incredible intersection
between culture, luxury, and
performance! What is the thought
process you implement in terms of determining
those brands that you feel
best fits 4Aces ecosystem?
CR: Everything with our partners
starts with authenticity. Our partners
reflect our players and team ethos.
Having new partners such as Under
Armour – a leader in performance
athletic wear and footwear – exemplify
those premium brands who
are coming on board because of our
shared vision for the future of the
sport. Frankly, all of our partners fit
categories that are important to us
as a team, whether that’s Celsius and
their Live Fit mantra, which is core to
us or FlyHouse, as our Private Aviation
Partner and a standard of excellency
and innovation in private travel,
to DAOU Vineyards which is a world
class wine California Wine Brand.
AM: You have a phenomenal career
and you’re an owner of this franchise.
Who have been mentors of yours as
you have navigated your career?
DJ: I have had a some really important
mentors in my life. Most important
have been my dad, Wayne (Gretzky,
my FIL) and Coach Terrell, my college
golf coach.

AM: Why do you love this game so
much and what do you want your legacy
to be known as in this sport?
DJ: I love the challenge of golf. You
are never going to be perfect at it.
There’s always something you need
to work on.
@dustinjohnsongolf
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | LIV Golf

We’re in the New Year, and whether it’s
wrapping up things from 2025 or beginning
the marathon of the months ahead,
we have all got into the flow. With the holiday
season behind us, we tend to countdown
to the Spring. Part of that process
is navigating Cold & Flu season. We took
some time to sit down with NHL New Jersey
Devils Center, Jack Hughes to talk about
his love for the game of hockey, playing on
this team, his Olympic debut, and his partnership
with Mucinex Kickstart!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize
that you fell in love with hockey?
JACK HUGHES: Like honestly, super
young I would say! Like, my older brother
played (Editor’s Note: Quinn plays for the
Minnesota Wild and his younger brother
Luke plays for the Devils - they are the first
trio of brothers to all be top-7 NHL draft
picks and are cover athletes for EA Sports’
NHL 25), both of my parents played, and
growing up, hockey was always around! I
always had a stick in my hand. It was probably
when I was extremely young and we
were on the ice skating. My brother did it
so I would say that I would have been 2 or
3.
AM: That is pretty crazy and amazing!
At what point did you realize that you
wanted to go pro?
JH: I mean, I don’t think that you really realize
that, I think that when you’re 8 years
old, you’re playing to have fun and then
it’s the same when you’re 12 and then 14.
But maybe, when I was 16, that’s when I
started to realize that maybe that would
be realistic, you know? That’s when hockey
gets more serious and the pyramid
starts to shrink a little bit! Just growing
up, that was always a dream of mine! I just
wanted to play – to play in the NHL, but it
just seemed so far fetched at the time.
AM: You got drafted in 2019 and you play
for the New Jersey Devils, what does it
mean to you to be on this team?
JH: Yeah, it’s good! I enjoy playing on
the team and also living there. It’s the
only team that I have played for in my
career and I really enjoy it. It’s a place
that I call home now and I love it, and
I have really loved my time here.
AM: Clearly playing this sport is a total
body workout! What are 3 workouts
that you do to get ready for GAM-
3DAY?
JH: Well, workouts that I do, it’s kind
of hard because you’re playing every
night! You’re kind of just warming
up and activating and you’re trying
to keep your body feeling good and
staying loose. But you also want to be
kept strong and to keep it that way
throughout the year. It’s important
to get your rest obviously and your
cardio is at such a high level because
of all of the games and all of the skating,
so there is so much that goes into
it. But you’re just trying to keep your
body feeling good for when you do
play.
AM: What are your foods that are
you’re go-to’s that you enjoy eating?
JH: I obviously love desserts, but I
can’t have those all of the time! But
things that keep me going for Game
Day are things like sweet potatoes,
a lot of high protein things like steak
and chicken – you have to do all of
that! Eggs, a ton of eggs in the morning
is another one. I don’t know, it’s
kind of like, you don’t really eat for
food or enjoyment, it’s for fuel so
that you can fuel yourself, feel good,
and you can feel energized.
AM: With the Olympics coming up,
you’re going to be competing on that
global stage, what does it mean to
you to be able to do this?
JH: It’s just a huge dream of mine. You
know, I grew up as a proud American
so it’s a big dream to be able to play
for your country in the Olympics and

it’s the biggest stage in hockey. So to be
able to be a part of it is something that
I have dreamed of for my entire life and
I’m excited to be able to go through that
process.
AM: You’ve partnered with Mucinex and
Athleisure Mag is based in NYC and we’ve
had a mix of some mild days and some
cold days, but you know this is the time of
year where we are navigating Cold + Flu
season. Why did you want to partner with
Mucinex and what are you doing to make
sure that you are staying cold and flu free?
JH: Honestly, you have a ton of late
nights traveling and you’re always moving
around going from city to city. You try
to stay at your best, but obviously, you
get sick sometimes! I feel like Mucinex is
at every locker room. Players are taking
Mucinex for multi-symptom relief so that
they can feel better and feel ready to try
to be able to perform at their best. You
have to do that and you have to get your
rest as well. You just try to feel as good as
you can!
AM: Can you tell us about the Kickstart to
Greatness Campaign that you launched as
you have partnered with Mucinex Kickstart,
which honors the real key heroes of
youth hockey - the mentors and programs
that have helped shape young hockey
players?
JH: Yeah! They have partnered with USA
Hockey Foundation and have donated
$20,000 to help fund the young American
kids that are playing hockey. It’s something
that I am super passionate about because
I was super young too and obviously,
youth hockey is something that is close
to my heart. I was grateful to help Mucinex
host a youth clinic with USA Hockey
and Hockey in New Jersey to help kickstart
the next generation of hockey stars.
It’s an easy thing for me to be involved in
this, as they donated to something that I
care about, and it is an easy merger with
something that I really care about and it is
an easy thing to support.
@jackhughes
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 52 - 59
+ PG 62 NJ Devils | PG 60 Adam Hunger/AP
Content Services for Mucinex
Kickstart |

We sat down this month with Mick Kastenho
aka KAAZE who is a DJ/Producer who
has created music that keeps the good
vibes going, as well as working with a lot
of our favorites from Steve Aoki, Calvin
Harris, Britney Spears, to name a few! We
wanted to know more about his upcoming
exciting projects; where we will see
him play his next sets; how he approaches
creating his music; and how he stays fit!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall
in love with music?
KAAZE: With music in general? Oh wow,
my father is a musician actually. So, it
came I think if I remember when I was
around between 1 and 2, I grabbed a CD
which was a Queen record when I was
very young and it was my favorite record.
Since then, I was obsessed with music! My
mom was also very into disco and groovy
music so they fed me a lot of music in the
home. So it definitely comes from my parents.
AM: It’s a cool idea to think of you as a 1
year old grabbing that record as we love
that band as well.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall
in love with music?
KAAZE: With music in general? Oh wow,
my father is a musician actually. So, it
came I think if I remember when I was
around between 1 and 2, I grabbed a CD
which was a Queen record when I was
very young and it was my favorite record.
Since then, I was obsessed with music! My
mom was also very into disco and groovy
music so they fed me a lot of music in the
home. So it definitely comes from my parents.
AM: It’s a cool idea to think of you as a 1
year old grabbing that record as we love
that band as well.
K: Oh yeah and Queen is still my favorite!
Freddie Mercury is still my hero to this
day. It’s kind of an odd role model to have
in terms of my music choice. But I don’t
know, he inspires me so much.
AM: When did you realize that you
wanted to be a DJ/Producer?
K: I think I was 15/16, I discovered David
Guetta on MTV, and it was definitely
when I heard the first records
from David Guetta. I was like what is
this? I dived right into it and was just
like, I think a week later I bought this
little CD mixing thing and then it started.
So definitely, the answer is David
Guetta.
AM: How would you define your
sound? You have done the Groovy
Electro House, you’ve also done Underground
Techno, and you have now
pioneered the concept of Hot Teknō.
Can you tell us more about what this
is and to describe the genre?
K: I mean, Hot Teknō is something
that I give credit to my fans. I used
that term in a funny way and they
caught up on it on my social media.
They kind of named it. I would describe
Hot Teknō as a more groovier
and a little bit more of a touch of
mainstream techno, than a traditional
techno that we have. It leans more
towards the harder side of the techno
as opposed to the melodic techno
based on higher tempo.
Whatever style I have been doing
whether it is Progressive House or
Pop, I have always been driven by
energy so I love energetic music –
something that keeps you going. It
was just me a couple of years ago,
trying to find something new and at
the same time, I was going back to
my roots, because I started 18 years
ago with a lot of techno. So in finding
that balance, between something
melodic and fun that’s still way more
harder than what I have been doing
the last 10 years.
AM: When we think of EDM and what
we enjoy listening to regardless of

the subgenre, Sweden has had just a number
of our favorites in general – Swedish
House Mafia, Alesso, Avici, and Galantis!
What is the music scene like in Sweden and
how do these artists influence your work?
K: I would say that the Swedish artists
very much influenced me in the beginning
of my career.
I would say that the music scene in Sweden
in general – I have not technically performed
in Sweden yet.
AM: Oh wow!
K: I’ve had opportunities, but I’m waiting
for that perfect moment where I feel that
that would suit me.
The export from Sweden is just unbelievable.
Everything from obviously, the
DJs to even songwriter/producers like
Max Martin (Shake it Off/Taylor Swift,
Dark Horse/Katy Perry, Problem/Ariana
Grande), who is responsible for 90% of the
American market. I don’t know what it is
but, Swedes are really, really talented at
making music, but of course, that inspired
me a lot. I’m pretty proud to be Swede
because of it without sounding patriotic.
AM: It’s pretty cool. Because in thinking
about going to Sweden as we have never
been, we have always wondered what
it would be like from a music perspective
due to how much music comes from there.
K: Especially since it is so small!
AM: Right!
K: It’s such a small country. It’s the size of
California, minus all of the people!
AM: What is your creative process like
when it comes to working on your music
and where do you like to start?
K: Oh, it’s always different. I’m that type
of artist that it kind of comes to me. Not
all the time, but it comes to me. I hear
something on the radio. I love to go over
really, really old music on my playlist.
I don’t listen to electronic music privately,
I only listen to everything else.
That’s a lot of times where I find inspiration,
whether it is a sample or a
melody. It could be a vibe, it doesn’t
matter, but I find everything outside
of the electronic world. A few times,
I do sit down with a clear mind and I
don’t know where to start and I will
just play around with sounds and
sometimes, nothing happens.
The only cool thing I do is sometimes
when I start my productions, I have
always done this and it works really
well for me, I know some other DJs
do – such as Fred again.. I put a timer
on myself for 35 mins and within
those 35 mins, I need to come up
with something solid. It can be super
rough but as long as it has something
to work on, and if after 35 mins I’m
still like waa – I delete it and I restart.
I reset the alarm and I do it until I find
something. It puts a little pressure on
really activating every single cell in
your brain. I think at least for me. So
that’s kind of how I do it, but a lot of
times I do have a little idea from some
old playlist or some old song and I try
to take that idea and put it into 35
mins and see what happens.
AM: In hearing you say that that
is your process, you would have so
many snippets that if those didn’t go
forward, you would have to delete
them, but it’s interesting because if
you did keep some of them – maybe
there would be things that would bud
back together again!
K: Yeah you know, obviously, there
could be something that is tiny tiny
tiny that I’m not sure about so some
of them I do save. But if it is too nonsense,
then I just let it go. Because if
the idea is good and I delete an idea,
that idea is most likely going to come
back at some point. And that has happened
a couple of times where I had
an idea, I scratched it and I am sitting

down 2 months later, and I was like wait
– I have done this melody before and that
was a sign that it was better than what I
thought.
AM: That’s really cool.
Well you have collaborated with a lot of
phenomenal artists from David Guetta to
Britney Spears to Steve Aoki, Calvin Harris
and more – what do you look for when it
comes to doing a collaboration?
K: Not much really! It’s just a song pretty
much. The song is the most important. I
don’t really mind if it’s David Guetta or a
very young up and coming artist. It comes
down to the material and the potential
of that song. Of course, I am extremely
grateful and blessed to have worked, and
to have songs coming up, with names like
David Guetta and stuff! I would never believe
it if I told myself that 18 years ago.
So that is really really cool, but in the end,
the song is what is most important and it
always will be. I just try to always focus
on the song and whoever is a part of it,
great. It’s about making the best result of
the song.
AM: You ended 2025 last year with dropping
Head Rush with Steve. Tell us about
the project and what was it like working
together again with him?
K: We have been working on the project
for about a year. We had already planned
a year back that we were going to drop
an EP together. We were going back and
forth between a ton of demos and which
ones should we include. Overall, I just
love to release music with Steve. Mainly
because he is a great, great friend of mine
and is the closest friend that I have in the
industry in terms of DJs. He is what I call, a
proper G. He is such a sweetheart and he
cares so much for me and everyone else
and it’s very, very rare that someone on
his level acts the way that he does. I have
never heard anything bad about him. Everyone
just loves him and I understand
why. So that’s why I love to work with
him so much because of the friendship
and we have so much fun. He invites
me to shows and he really believes in
my sound and he believes in my vision
with myself. That’s really cool. He’s
not trying to take shine, he’s like, I
want to KAAZE in this direction and
he feels that’s cool and he wants to
be part of it. That’s what makes making
music with Steve so fun. This is
why we have such a great friendship.
AM: This month, you’re dropping Antidote
which is also exciting! Tell us
about this song!
K: I really, really love Antidote, especially
the vocal! The vocal is absolutely
phenomenal. It’s 2 guys Mentum.
I worked with them before on an album
called Mick, so this is our second
song together. Amazing songwriters.
The cool thing about this song
is, I had a demo of a song that I have
been playing since 2023 and I have
just been playing it on my sets, as a
mashup with Travis Scott on a vocal
on it or something and then Mentum
reached out to me with a ton of
new ideas including Antidote Antidote.
They had the vocal and everything
with a rough idea of the track
and I heard – this just happens, a few
times, but sometimes it happens that
I hear that this song could really fit
this song and it was very similar in the
arrangement, the key, and the overall
vibe. So, I literally took parts of that
song and I put it on top of my 2023
demo and it was just done so it was
like 45 mins and the track was just
complete. So that vocal was really
just meant for that demo. It was pretty
cool that I have just been having it
for 3 years laying around and playing
it here and there and now we have a
full track! So that was really dope and
I am looking forward to that track. I
think that the coolest thing with that
song is that it has that Hot Teknō kind
of energy. It’s a techno track and it
also has that vocal and melody which
is very poppy in a way as well as commercial
so it is very hard to pinpoint

exactly what type it is if you want to put
a genre on it. It’s really really hard. I think
that it is really to experiment and you
don’t really know what kind of a song that
it is. It’s a party and still vocal.
AM: You’re constantly traveling for shows
and festivals. Do you have anything scheduled
that we should keep an eye out for?
K: Schedule wise, yes a couple of shows. I
can’t say just right now. I have some shows
that I have dreamed of doing – some festivals
which is a dream come true that I
am going to do and it will be announced
soon. So you should look out for that! I
think that people can read between the
lines on which ones they are. That’s going
to be super dope and I have been waiting
for that moment.
I have a lot of cool projects that I have
got going on as well. I’m working on my
record label SE7EN Records. I have some
other really cool side projects as well. I’m
working on a big project for KAAZE that’s
a bit outside the music world, but still a
very strong passion for me which I’m excited
to share more info about very soon.1
It’s been a hobby from the beginning.
AM: You just mentioned your record label
SE7EN. Tell my why you wanted to do this
and what has that process been like?
K: For SE7EN it has been a dream of mine
since the beginning to have a record label.
Ever since I understood that other
DJs had record labels and why, it was
always a dream come true. I could have
done it earlier, but I wanted to do it the
right way at the right time. It takes a lot
of effort and things to make it happen. It
feels like now is the right time and I have
a vision for how I want to go about SE7EN
Records. It’s dedicated to my daughter
because that is her name. I think it is a really
good time to do it. I do it to be free
and have fun, to build a community, and
to find new talents, especially finding new
talents. I would like to finally be that person
who helps others because I have been
in that position with Tiësto and Hardwell,
who have helped me throughout my
career. Then I have experience from
that and a vision for how I would do
it. I really want to give other kids that
opportunity as well.
AM: How important is fitness to you?
Clearly when we look at your IG, you
work out.
K: I’m a gym rat!
AM: It’s quite clear! How important is
it to you to incorporate that into your
routine?
K: I mean, it’s really important. Of
course I love like everyone that you
love to look good and you go to the
gym. The key reason why I go to the
gym is that since I really took it seriously,
it really improved my workflow
and traveling and DJing in general,
it really puts – if I have a hectic work
schedule, I go to the gym every day
it doesn’t matter if I am in Australia,
Tokyo or home in Sweden I go to the
gym. I do not drink alcohol. I eat very
good and by doing those little things,
it really made me look at my career as
more of a sport than a party! It’s very
easy to fall into the party life of a DJ.
Of course, I have responsibilities and
I’m a father. I want to be my best for
my daughter. So that is kind of the 2
reasons that I work out for my daughter
and a stable sporty kind of look at
my career.
AM: It’s about longevity!
K: Oh yeah!
AM: Are there 3 workouts that you enjoy
doing that you can share with us
that our readers and community can
consider putting into their routines?
K: Maybe not a workout per se, but
what I love to do which I found really,
really effective for me is something
called a Push-Pull system. This is
where on Mon I do all things push. So

they are all push movements and then on
the next day, I do all pull movements and
then on the Wed, I do all legs for example.
Then I go back to the days of Push
and Pull. So that includes everything that
is Push which is chest, shoulders, triceps
and so forth. The Pull is back and biceps
you know? Then, you split it with a proper
leg session and it is up to each individual
to think about the break that they want
to take. But I love to go jump because I
keep the muscles activated and you still
let them rest enough where it works. As
long as you eat enough, the Push-Pull
method has been the best set up for me
when working out. I feel like sometimes
you have a schedule where you do chest
on a Mon but then the next chest is on
Fri – for me that is way too long for a rest
period between that group!
AM: This is interesting and it makes sense.
K: For me, the Push-Pull Method is a highly
recommended for you to try out at least.
AM: When you’re saying it, it totally
makes sense, because we’ll do a series of
movements that focus on a group on one
day, then there are 2 to 3 days before we
go back to that group. But in hearing you
talk about your workout, the body has just
enough time to come up and then goes
right back into it which is really smart!
K: It’s also about that the muscles are
eventually going to adapt. If people are
hearing this and thinking that it is so intense,
it’s all about making the body used
to a certain weight, a certain time frame,
and eventually, your body will adapt to
that as well.
AM: Right.
K: Then you can push the envelope even
more. The gym is about pushing the envelope.
I really recommend this and you
should at least try.
AM: Just hearing it makes sense so we’re
going to try it. It sounds like a much better
flow.
Obviously, you love fragrances and
collecting them. What do you love
about collecting scents and how did
you get into this?
K: It’s actually a very funny story. The
reason why I am obsessed and have
perfumes and different kinds of them
as a little hobby is when I was 16 and
I just started making music, my dad
helped me get this little studio. I decorated
it and I put some IKEA scented
candles in there. I was just a guy
and I didn’t know a lot about scented
candles, but I found a vibe with it. I remember
I was smelling cinnamon or
something like that, and I was smelling
it and it was giving off a great
vibe. I was making music and that led
me to realize that I loved scents, and
then I had a perfume once that I was
spraying it on in the studio and I got
inspired by it! I was like, “oh shit!”
So I realized that it made total sense
because your ear and your nose are
connected right? That’s why you can
hear something and bring a memory.
You can smell something and
get a memory. I started an experiment
with different scents in terms
of what idea or vision that I had. So,
if I woke up one day and I wanted to
make something super Summery or
something that was like Ibiza with all
of these ideas in my head like palm
trees, I would spray something very
citrusy or Summery on my skin or on
my hand. I would sit and breathe this
in and I would produce and find it.
That became really a thing for me and
I started to find things to add to my
collection, which has everything from
citrus to woody. I have the whole
shebang just for the sake of finding
the right inspiration. So that technically
is why I love it, because it really
helps me with my music, and then of
course, it became an obsession! But in
the end, it was for music. I think that
it’s pretty cool because some people
use pictures or travel, but you can do
that with smells as well!

AM: You also enjoy fashion and once again,
in looking at your IG, we see that you’re a
well put together individual.
K: Thank you!
AM: What is your approach to your style
whether you are doing a set or you’re out
and about?
K: I don’t think too much about the
clothes, I have just loved fashion and
clothes since I was a kid. My mom was so
good with fashion and she taught me a
lot as a kid. So I have always liked to experiment
through clothes. If you look at
me throughout my career, I have had rock
inspired to more sway oversized Balenciaga
style to now that I am a little bit older,
I’m a father now, I dress a bit more
mature which I really love. I just love to
experiment with it and I don’t think too
much about it. I love that it comes with
me along with my personality. I really love
it and I always think a little extra about!
For example, my New Years show in Warsaw,
I wanted to wear a tuxedo but I
wanted it to look a little bit different. So, I
customized a tuxedo that was cropped to
my belly button and then I had really high
waisted pants with a bow tie to make it a
bit different, but classy still. Those are the
things that I think about. But I really enjoy
that, I guess I would say that KAAZE is
dressing more like Mick now. It has a little
bit more of a touch of being a father and a
little bit older as I said. Then I try to bring
in some kind of a formal artist touch into it
when I’m KAAZE, compared to when I’m
out and about. But it’s fun and I hope that
one of my goals in the future is to do my
own clothing line or work really seriously
with a brand to make my own collection
of stuff. I hope that is going to happen
one day.
@iamkaaze
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | KAAZE

One of the most decorated women’s snowboarders
is none other than 3X Team USA
Snowboarding Olympic Medalist and 21X
X Games Medalist, Jamie Anderson. With
a number of accolades under her board,
she owns the most X Games hardware of
any female athlete and the second most
Winter medals of any athlete! She’s a 5X
ESPY Female Action Sports Award Winner,
is an 11 career World Cup winner, has 8 career
U.S. Open wins, and wins across every
other major action sports series in the last
2 decades! She has even joined X Games
League Winter Founder Athletes ahead of
the Winter League debut in 2027.
We wanted to know more about this phenomenal
athlete, her passion for the sport,
how she approaches snowboarding, and
competing at Rockstar Energy Open last
year, as well as the X Games which took
place this month.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Do you remember your
first moment on a snowboard and when
did you fall in love with it?
JAMIE ANDERSON: I fell in love with snowboarding
when I was 9 years old. My two
sisters had started the season or two before,
and as soon as I fit into their hand me
downs, my mom took me to Sierra Tahoe
and I had a ski school lesson. I remember
it being super difficult at first, but later
that day or the following day, I remember
it clicking and being able to kind of ride
and do my turns and that’s the moment I
really fell in love with snowboarding and
just having that freedom being on the
mountain, exploring, riding trails through
the woods. It brought me so much joy and
presentess - just being in the moment.
And literally almost 30 years later, I still
just absolutely love snowboarding.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted
to go pro?
JA: I would say relatively early, I think by
12 years old, I had a few years under my
belt and I was starting to compete in amateur
events right away. I really loved it
and loved the whole industry. When I was
13, is when I qualified for my first X
Games and I was definitely still an
amateur at that point, and competing
at Boardercross at the X Games,
but I knew I really wanted to go Pro,
travel, and have sponsorships. It was
about two years later when I was 15,
when I got to compete in freestyle
and slopestyle, and I won my first
medal. That really was the start of my
professional snowboarding career.
AM: You are focused on Slopestyle
and Big Air. What is it that you enjoy
about competing in these 2 areas?
JA: I love Freestyle because it’s creative,
it’s fun, it’s ever changing. I like
going to different parks around the
world and riding and figuring out my
flow. It’s just fun. It’s playful. I kind
of imagine it like a playground on the
mountain for adults.
AM: In order to perform at the most
optimized level, what does an average
week of training in terms of fitness
routines/methods?
JA: Well, I’m a lot different than most
athletes. I now am a busy mother of
two, so my training program is a little
bit all over the place. I like to do
yoga. I try to snowboard as much as
I can, but sometimes that is two or
three days a week. And yeah, when I
can, I like to do some weight training
-- but I haven’t, to be honest in quite
some time. For me, my kind of overall
fitness and health routine is trying
to get good sleep eating, nourishing,
whole foods, exercising and staying
as active and fit as I can without a
gym -- the walking, the yoga, the carrying
little babies around.
AM: How does nutrition play into that
and what are 3 foods that you eat to
assist you in your training goals?
JA: Nutrition is everything. I really believe
we are what we eat and I love
whole foods. I don’t have any nec-

essary diets, but I try to eat as much grassfed
or wild meat.My fiancée hunts, so we
eat a lot of venison. I do a lot of pasture
eggs, I like milk and apples and I also love
my carbs. I eat a lot of pasta. I like making
lasagna. I like Mexican food. I like anything
as long as it’s fresh and good ingredients.
AM: How important is recovery in this
sport?
JA: For instance, at the Rockstar Energy
Open event, we had a nanny come in and
help me with the kids during practice. But
when I got home, I would hang with the
girls, maybe take them for a walk or go
swimming, do a little stretching and a recovery,
and then try to look at footage
and make a game plan for my run. Then
have dinner, maybe take a bath and go to
bed. It’s very busy with the two kids because
I really love momming and it’s my
number one priority. We’re trying to kind
of balance a lot, but it’s fun.
Recovering in this sport is huge. I think
you have to feel good to perform good,
so I think being strong and flexible is really
key, and nutrition plays such a huge
role in recovery as far as breaking up lactic
acid, having your body and muscles hydrated.
I often travel with a Bemer mat,
which is like a PEMF, that really helps flush
lactic acid and helps me recover. I’ve been
using the Bemer mat for many years and
I think it really, really helps me. It’s key.
Taking care of my skin and letting it recover
is also super important while spending
so much time in the mountains. I love using
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.
AM: You recently competed in the Rockstar
Energy Open in Breckenridge and it
seems different than other competitions,
why did you want to participate in this
event?
JA: Now we’re a little bit past the Rockstar
event, I chose to support and compete in
this event because it felt like a real core
snowboard event. I like that it had a different
format with the final round being
head to head. I loved that the course was
unique and creative and it had rails.
It had a butter pad type of jump. It
had a hip, a quarterpipe, which really
showcased all over skill and talent,
and I just thought it was so fun. I’m
really stoked I landed a good run. I
ended up in the finals. I ended up in
the last final round and took second
place, and I am so grateful and proud
of that.
AM: This month, we have the X Games
and you are one of the most decorated
snowboarders to have competed!
Why do you love being at this event
and what’s that like?
JA: Oh, I love the X Games because
honestly, it’s like the mecca of action
sports. I feel the X Games has done so
much for snowboarding and all action
sports, and it’s just fun. They have a
sick course and take good care of the
riders. My sponsor Monster is a huge
part of it. It’s just a really fun event
that I look forward to every year. My
career started there when I was just
13 years old. Here I am, 35, still doing
it and still loving it more than ever.
AM: Of course, all eyes will be on Italy
for the Olympics. As a hopeful, what is
it like for you to compete on this global
stage and are you excited to be going
back?
JA: I am so excited to be hopefully
going back to the Olympics. I’ve yet
to lock in my spot, but I am doing my
best to ensure I make the US Team.
I feel nervous about the big world
stage, but I feel honored and that it’s
truly such a privilege to compete at
an Olympic level event. And not even
an Olympic level, just at the Olympics
itself is really an honor and a privilege.
I feel so stoked to represent the
U.S and ride with our team. I think it’s
going to be a really beautiful experience.
And I’m so excited to soak up
the Italian culture. Eat a lot of pasta
and just embrace the whole experience.

AM: You also love pushing boundaries in
the Backcountry - why is this part of snowboarding
so important to you?
JA: Backcountry snowboarding is kind of
like it’s riding for your soul, you know?
Backcountry snowboarding is just so fun.
I feel like it really fills my spirit with joy
and there’s nothing like riding the powder,
riding Alaska, riding big lines or even
just writing the resort with all your friends
after it’s blanketed with beautiful, fresh
snow. Yeah, backcountry snowboarding
is a gift from God.
AM: As someone who has been in this career
for awhile, who has had many success
and is a mom of 2, how do you feel you’re
approaching the sport now?
JA: Now I feel I have a way different approach
to the sport. I’m kind of doing it
for fun. I know the younger generation
has progressed the sport so much, and
I know I’m not going out there trying to
do the most technical runs, but I just feel
stoked to be getting out there at all and
linking fun runs and just doing my best.
My approach is way more relaxed in shell
and I feel at peace with it.
AM: Tell us about the Jamie Anderson
Foundation and what it does?
JA: So I started my foundation in 2013 to
essentially give back to kids in the community.
Growing up in a big family, I’m
aware of how expensive it can be getting
into snow sports ao I wanted to give back
to kids in our community. We sponsor
young athletes, peers and snowboarders,
and give grants to help them with their
careers, with travel expenses, accommodation,
even snowboards and outerwear
and things like that. It’s still pretty grassroots,
but I want to see it grow more as
time goes on, and hopefully help as many
kids as possible.
AM: You have amassed a number of accolades
and have competed at the highest
levels! What do you want your legacy to
be known as when people think about Jamie
Anderson?
JA: I mean, I hope when people think
back of me, I would like my legacy
to be like spreading the love, having
fun, embracing the journey, having a
lot of gratitude and a full heart, and
giving back to those around me.
@jamieanderson
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | X Games

We’re 2 days into the New Year and we’re
making sure that we are setting ourselves
up for the best success! Although we know
that the 1st is the beginning of the year,
it’s that first Monday that really lets us
know what we’re in for. Jan 5th is really
the beginning of a series of days and
weeks where we really have to get in gear!
We sat down with actor, standup comedian,
producer, Co-Creator and star of
Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest Michelle
Buteau to talk about her career, her creative
process, her projects and why she
partnered with Premier Protein! She talks
about the importance of showing up for
herself and being good to herself.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Hello! We met briefly
at Chuks Collins dinner this Fall when he
shared his collection at Bryant Park Grill.
I was waiting to be seated, turned around
and then there you were looking stunning
walking by and all I could get out was, I
love you in Survival of the Thickest!
MICHELLE BUTEAU: Oh yes, that was a
great dinner and Chuks is so special!
AM: Yes it was such a good dinner and it’s
great talking with you now.
MB: I love to hear that people love the
show because it makes me feel like I am
doing my job, so thank you for that! I will
never get tired of that.
AM: I am a fan of your energy, your humor,
your authenticity and all the things! Honestly,
I don’t know where I was in life, but
it wasn’t until the pandemic that I was like
wait who is this – I loved you on Netflix’s
Barbecue Showdown, you were the host
of a social reality show that I loved watching,
being on BET’s First Wives Club – I was
like this woman is working! You literally
got me through the pandemic which then
brought me to watching the other things
that you do as well!
You’re an actress, a comedian, a producer,
a host, you can do drama – when did
you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?
MB: Oh my goodness! I feel that every
kid thinks that they can be an
entertainer. I think that it was when
I was around 12 or 13 that I was like,
“I think that I want to do this” to my
parents and they were like, no you
don’t. I don’t think that I really told
myself or gave myself permission or
license to really go far with this until
my 20’s which is so crazy, but you
know, whatever makes you happy!
AM: Well, whether you’re preparing
for a character or an upcoming film,
or series, what is your creative process
or what do you pull from when
you’re trying to get ready for things
that you’re working on?
MB: You know, that’s such a great
question! I don’t really have a process,
the main thing that I have to do,
because I have a husband, 2 dogs, 2
kids, are responsibilities at home and
in life. The main thing for me to do is
that I am happy and healthy, that I
have all of my vitamins, and I am taking
care of myself because my brain is
working! When I have a good amount
of rest because I like to be busy – the
main thing is that I am taking care of
me throughout the day!
AM: In Survival of the Thickest, I love
it with the energy of that show! You
are showing the industry and what
goes on in it. I am the Co-Founder/Creative
+ Style Dir of Athleisure Mag but
I am also a Fashion Stylist. So when I
am watching the show and your character,
I’m like oh yeah – that is what
it is!
MB: Yeah, you get it!
AM: Yup, I’m like, that’s pretty much
it! It’s glam when it’s glam and then
it’s just not.
MB: Yeah and I love that about it. It’s
a parallel to comedy which is why I

chose that job for my character. That job
will humble you real quick and the next
day you could be flying first class or private
in this whole different realm, so I think it is
important to know that there are a whole
of different places that you can live especially
with the job that you love.
AM: What made you want to be a Co-Creator
of this show and also star in it as well?
I know that you’re back in production on
S3 and I am so bummed that this will be
the final season – but the series has everything!
MB: I mean, it was just really natural
right? I have been doing standup for 24
years and it has helped me figure out my
voice, my platform – and when I wrote
this book when I brought my kids home
from the hospital. I was like, “oh, I have
twin babies now and I guess I will be at
home so I need to write a book – I mean
what? What?” But I will say, hot tip, I do
put some Premier Protein Shake in my
coffee because that’s how I get my protein!
I get my coffee kick, my caffeine kick,
my protein kick! So that was very helpful!
Obviously lots of hugs and fresh hugs too
– but anyways!
AM: What is life without fresh veggies and
hugs?
MB: Ok now! Downward dogs and everything
– cat/cow!
I mean, I wrote the book and then when
Netflix optioned the book, they said, “do
you want to build this world yourself or
would you like to work with someone?”
There’s nothing better than collaborating.
When you find the right person it just
sings and so I am so happy that Netflix
introduced me to my Co-Creator Danielle
Sanchez-Witzel (My Name is Earl, New
Girl, The Carmichael Show) because we
had a time! We had a whole kiki! It’s been
so fun! It is 3rd and final, but that’s ok because
I think that it is a gift knowing that
you are not coming back so that you can
do what you want to do. Also, no one is a
1 trick pony! We can go out there and do
other things – I mean look at you!
AM: Tell me about The Surviving and
Thriving Tour!
MB: Oh my goodness! Well, you know,
everybody has got – the whole point
is that we can live in 2 places at once.
While we feel like this is really hard,
there also some really good things
too. You have to wake up really early,
but isn’t it really good that you get to
wake up really early and get to do all
the things that you want to do? I feel
like being busy or stressed is a privilege
– I get to have the responsibility
to do these things which is really fun.
So Surviving and Thriving is named
kind of after that. I love standup and
I can’t wait to go back out on tour. I
love performing and just writing hard
jokes, hard jokes. I want people bending
over with laughter! I want people
to just be cackling because laughter is
medicine and I’m a doctor!
AM: I mean, I will take in all the prescriptions
that you’re providing!
MB: Yeah! There’s no Co-Pay, come
get you some laughs!
AM: Spa Weekend looks amazing! It’s
a great cast! Why did you want to be
part of that project?
MB: I mean, there is just this beautiful,
wild and comedic powerhouses coming
together! I love Isla Fisher (Now
You See Me franchise, Confessions of a
Shopaholic, Nocturnal Animals), Leslie
Mann (The Other Woman, Blockers,
Motherless Brooklyn), Anna Faris
(Scary Movie franchise, Mom, The
House Bunny) and how could I not
want to be part of that team? I also
love the idea of strong female bonds
and relationships when we are from
different walks of life. The one thing
that we have in common is that the
women of Spa Weekend, go on a spa
weekend because they need it. They
are really busy with theresponsibili-

es and the mundane things that are done
in life and they have to go away. They just
go away for a wild weekend and they just
have a lot of fun stuff going on and a lot
of hijinks!
AM: I cannot wait to see it!
You recently partnered with Premier Protein
as a part of their New Year campaign
and Go Get ‘Em Mode. Tell me about this
mode and what it is and why did you want
to partner with this brand?
MB: Oh my goodness because I like to Go
Get’ Em so let’s Go Get ‘Em, come on sis
– let’s roll! Are you for real? So I remember
and this was a full circle moment. My
dad, he was like the busiest man alive. He
would lift weights in between meetings,
take me to the mall and he was so busy.
He would always have a Premier Protein
Shake! So I grew up watching the busiest
man I know always being in Go Mode and
getting it done and always taking care of
his body. So when Premier Protein Shake
approached me, I said yes! Everyone
knows about that hard start of the year at
the top of January 1st and it isn’t always
that and then people beat themselves up
– it’s the Monday – it’s the January 5th
of it all. It’s really exciting because Premier
Protein wants to set people up for
success by going to goget2026.com and
you can go on there and try them out for
free! They will send it to you in your house
in select cities (Atlanta, NY, Chicago, LA,
Philadelphia and Miami). We all know
what that is! We know what the pre-party
is before you have to go to work so it’s
that 5-9 where you’re like, uh-oh how am
I going to do this, who am I going to be,
what am I going to wear? You know, can
I touch my toes, will I have enough energy
– yes you can! It’s Premier Protein and
they want to help you get that energy sis
so let’s go!
AM: I love that and a shake is a great way
to do all of that!
What do you love about drinking these
shakes? Do you have a special flavor?
MB: I’m a Chocolate or Caramel girlie!
What I love about it is that I am doing
something for myself. I feel like because
women – I mean, I’m no doctor
– I only play one on TV – actually I did!
AM: I was going to say you did!
MB: You got me!
AM: You did!
MB: We need between 40 and 65
grams of protein a day. So you get 30
in one shot with the bottle, it’s like
pretty great! When I have more energy,
I’m nicer to people! There’s no
road rage you know what I mean? I
hope you heal! Oh my God there’s a
spot! I found a parking spot? Yes you
can cut me in line! You go –
AM: That’s right!
MB: I’m just a nicer person when I
have more energy. So yes, I do that
for myself - treat yo’self all year long!
@michellebuteau
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Netflix/Vanessa
Clifton

Even though we’re in the thick of the Winter
season complete with a snowstorm to
close out the end of January, we all dream
of warmer days ahead which includes
lighter layers, eating outside, long nights,
and enjoying our favorite music festivals!
We caught up with Giorgio Ortenzi aka
HYPATON, an EDM DJ/Producer who has
been making music that includes some of
our favorite classic songs remixed and giving
it club life vibes!
We wanted to find out more about his passion
for music, his approach to creating his
style of music, working with mentor David
Guetta, and upcoming dates as well as
music that we should have an eye out for!
ATHLEISURE MAG: We’re a little jelly as
we’re connecting with you here in NY and
you are in Dubai right now! It’s really cold
here in NY and we wish that we were in
Dubai right now!
HYPATON: The weather is so nice right
now! It feels like Summer! It’s going to be
a trauma tomorrow when I am back in Italy!
AM: Haha yeah, here in NY it’s 18 degrees
at the moment.
H: That is very cold!
AM: When did you first fall in love with
music?
H: It was easy because I grew up in a family
where music was a little bit of the center
of everything! Even my parents, who are
not musicians, music was really important
to them. At the age of 4, I started taking
lessons for the electric guitar.
AM: With music being such a big deal in
your family, you were also in the family
business of dentistry as well! So how did
you transition from that to being an EDM
DJ/Producer?
H: It was fun because I was always in the
mindset that I would be a musician in my
life – an artist, a DJ, and a producer. I literally
started making music everyday
right after school and then I went to
University, and the activity was the
same there as well. After I finished
the University, I went back on to the
music. I always tried to do 50 and 50 –
music wasn’t taking over, University
was not taking over.
AM: You had a nice balance!
H: Exactly! I’m here thanks to social
media of course – Tiktok and IG. Everything
started with social media
and everything went so fast. I’m lucky
because I had the chance to go from
0 to 100% right after University.
AM: That is insane and we know that
your cousin, Giuseppe Ottaviani is a
renowned trance DJ and producer as
well. How did that influence you?
H: It was and it still is really important.
He’s part of the family and I always
listen to him a lot. As I say, I started
with the electric guitar, and then the
more that you see your friends going
to the club, you see the cool pictures
and you say to yourself, “woah,
I have Giuseppe in my family let me
talk with him about the electronic
music scene!” He started giving me
a master class, helping me to choose
the right plug-ins, the right sound,
and then we go!
AM: What can you tell us about what
Future Rave Rework means?
H: Future Rave Rework is, of course,
at the core of the rework is taking
a big track – it doesn’t matter if it is
from the past –
AM: Like the really past!
H: Yes, the really, really past. But the
core is having one of those really big
hits where people can sing the hook,
lyrics and then turning them into a
club work with all of the big energy
without losing the soul of the original

track – this is really important!
AM: When you’re doing these, because
you’re known for working on 90’s classics,
where do you start when it comes to doing
these kinds of projects.
H: First of all, I always start by looking really
precisely at the vocals. I like big tracks
that have meaning – always filled with happiness
and love – this is the secret sauce.
So vocals comes first and then around
vocals, most of the time, I start pitching
them up and down and kind of exploring.
Sometimes I start chopping the track and
I reverse it and make a bit of a mess with
it, and then I develop the full picture with
a lot of energy and club elements.
AM: With all of this, you caught the attention
of David Guetta which is amazing!
How did that happen and what do you enjoy
about having him as a mentor?
H: That was probably one of the best days
of my life! The amount of happiness I had
on that, I can’t even scale it! I wish that everyone
could experience that happiness
once in their life because it’s really amazing
and it happened on IG actually.
AM: Of course!
H: I woke up one day and I saw that he
sent me a DM and at that point –
AM: It was off to the races!
H: Oh yeah!
AM: What was it like for you to make your
DJ debut with him at Hï Ibiza? Once again
that is such a phenomenal moment!
H: Yeah it was really amazing and it was
kind of a test for me, because I had never
DJ’d before, and it was my first show ever
to play in front of a crowd. So he was telling
me that I could do that. I was like, “I
know David, but you know –“ He kept saying
that I could do this and that he trusted
me. If you trust me, then you’re my mentor
and I’m going to make you proud of
my work, and I trained so hard every
day, I don’t know how many hours,
but I did it every day, every week.
Then we smashed the night!
AM: You did the remix of the iconic,
Be My Lover, which we are fans of this
song and we love your version. What
was it like working on such a major
song, having it blow up in so many
ways, including Juventus playing it on
their social platforms which is crazy!
H: Yeah! It’s an amazing feeling even
the chance to work on those big records
– big hits from the past! You
get really nerdy about it. Having the
chance to listen to the original master
and the original stamp of the track is
just so special. Juventus of course is
my humble team so it was a mix of
wow and crazy stuff!
AM: When we saw it, we knew it
was a big deal! We had the pleasure
of having Paul Pogba (il Polpo Paul -
PogBoom) as a cover for our AUG IS-
SUE #80 in 2022 when he was with Juventus
– so we know how massive this
soccer club is.
What lessons have you learned from
working with David Guetta, as it’s
such an experience and relationship
to have with him.
H: This is really good and I always love
this question, because he’s teaching
me the way of the hard work. It’s all
about working, working, and working.
Once you get your dream, you’re
on a mission. The mission is to keep
working on the dream, you can’t disappoint
the dream, so you’re always
working on the dream. It’s all about
perseverance and discipline.
AM: All of those which David Guetta
has in spades and he is always working!
So your remix of RAYE’s Where is My
Husband with David Guetta, which is

yet another one that we loved – it was added
to our playlist the minute that we heard
it. It’s so great to listen to when you’re out
and about, working out or just hanging at
home. What did you love about working
on this track? It’s such a crazy song and
you hear it everywhere!
H: First of all, thank you for listening,
loving, and adding it to your playlist. It
was fun because I was actually scrolling
through my good friend’s IG and the track
was everywhere – everywhere! It came
up to my mind where I said, let’s try to do
something with it. I did a short snippet of
it like just 30 seconds and it went crazy
on social, and then I sent it to David because
I was feeling that it was really powerful
and really cool. When he heard it, he
was like, wow! So RAYE is his friend and
so thanks to David, we have the remix accepted
due to his friendship with her and
we were able to release it super fast! I was
really happy about that because normally
when it is a remix or a rework, or a cover –
AM: It takes time!
H: Exactly and this one was like woop.
AM: It was fast! We downloaded the original
and yours came pretty quickly after
it! Although both are so good, yours is the
one that is on constant rotation.
When you’re not DJ/producing, we hear
that you’re an avid gamer which is amazing.
Where did this passion come from,
what are you playing, and how does gaming
influence when you are DJing?
H: This is really fun because I’m not the
guy that was going out every night. I was
more the chill guy at home and of course,
after doing my music, the way of relaxing
was gaming with my own friends. That’s
how it started actually and it has kept going
for life and I’m not sure if I am going
to stop gaming.
AM: Of course.
H: I can say that gaming when I am speaking
about music, it is inspiring, but
most of the time it helps me to disconnect
from the world because I am so
focused on what I am doing because I
am not focused on music or anything.
In this way, my brain and my ears can
relax and can reset.
AM: In talking about gaming and music,
we’re reminded of Father Guilherme
Peixoto who is a priest and is
known as DJ Padre. We first found out
about him when he did the techno remix
of the Super Mario Bros. theme
song which was phenomenal! As
someone who is a gamer, would you
ever do a remix to a game?
H: I would love it!
AM: Right?
We can’t say how many times we have
replayed it or looked at other places
that he has played it as it’s crazy good!
So what is going on with you in terms
of your schedule for upcoming dates?
Will you be coming here to NY, in the
States, etc?
H: We are working a lot on that and
we’re still in the planning stages to
make sure that everything is happening.
This year, we are doing more than
last year!
AM: Are there any festivals globally?
H: Yes, I can announce that my debut
at Tomorrowland is happening!
AM: That’s amazing and of course, we
can continue to watch your IG to see
other places you’ll be at as well!
Obviously, you’re on the road quite
a bit. What are 3 items that you like
to bring with you in order to feel like
you’re at home?
H: My sweatpants that is my pajama!
My gaming controller so I can play

from my laptop and my flip flops!
AM: You have to be comfortable.
H: Exactly, I feel like I’m in my home outfit
and I’m more relaxed.
@hypaton
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | HYPATON

Avid readers of Athleisure Mag know that
a few months back we had an article that
was focused on fitness and menopause
where we talked with Dr. Jessica Shepherd,
Board-Certified OB/GYN, Chief Medical
Officer at Hers, and Pvolve Advisory
Board Member for Women’s Health & Longevity.
It was the first time that we covered
this topic.
She shared how menopause is comprised
of perimenopause, menopause, and
post-menopause. She also talked about
symptoms that many of us may be familiar
with from hot flashes, irregular periods,
brain fog and more. We know that
this tends to happen to women between
40 and 50. Although a number of elements
of menopause seemed to be new to what
we knew about, we were not prepared
to learn so much more in Balance: A Perimenopause
Journey which is a docuseries
created by 2 monastic filmmakers, Sadhvi
Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti, who
not only started their menopausal jounrey,
but wanted to share their experiences
and how they are approaching it as they
found that there was quite a bit of misinformation,
lack of research/education, and
stigme around this portion of a woman’s
lifecycle. This docuseries premieres on Jan
30th on Apple+ and Prime Video.
We do not only hear from them and the
doctors that are treating them as one focuses
on Hormone Replacement Therapy
(HRT) and the other opts to do so utilize
natural remedies. They also have medical
professionals who have varying opinions,
regular women along with their partners
who weigh in, and even Executive Producers
Alyssa Milano (Who’s the Boss,
Charmed, Spin City) and Jeannie Mai (The
Real, Raid the Cage, America’s Test Kitchen:
The Next Generation) share their accounts
as well. In watching this 4-part docuseries,
we were constantly reminded of so many
aspects that people don’t talk about and
why we need to do the research necessary
to assist us as we navigate this time as for
many, this journey start 10 years prior to
the target age of menopause which is in
the 30s for many of us!
ATHLEISURE MAG: First off, we have
to say that we’re positively frustrated
in watching this docuseries. That is to
say that this is an incredibly informative
docuseries where we learned a
number of things that we didn’t know
about the menopausal journey and
that it makes us want to do more research
and yet to see the gaps that exist
that shouldn’t be. We could go on
and on but I am excited to sit with you
to hear from you as filmmakers and
women navigating the menopausal
journey.
Why did you want to make this docuseries?
SADHVI SIDDHALI SHREE: We wanted
to make these docuseries Balance,
because we wanted to educate women.
We are not prepared and because
we’re not prepared, we don’t know
what we’re going through. We often
criticize ourselves, we blame ourselves
and we feel all kinds of frustrations
because we are going through
this transition but no one told us how
to navigate. So, to reduce that suffering
is important to us as monks and
filmmakers.
AM: What’s really impressive in this
docuseries are the different voices
that you have coming together to talk
about this topic. You have different
kinds of medical professionals, those
who are pro HRT, as well as those that
aren’t, I was so excited to see Dr. Jessica
Shepherd who I met a few months
ago and I had interviewed her about
menopause as the event was on the
topic, having regular women, Alyssa
Milano, and a former cover of ours –
Jeannie Mai – both who serve as Executive
Producers of this docuseries.
So why did you want to approach it
in this way by having those on various
sides of the issue for, against, and
those in the grey area?
SADHVI ANUBHUTI: You said it right!
We wanted to make sure that we cov-

ered everything. When you are treating
perimenopause and menopause, you
want to treat it holistically. So we wanted
to make sure that we had nutrition, activity,
and a full understanding of what is
happening to us from the OB/GYNs and a
full scope of everything. So it was very important
that we included trusted voices.
AM: Why do you think that there is such
a stigma around the transition of menopause
from the awareness, the marketing
aspect, the fact that there is this timeline
of life prior to menopause, 1 day which is
the actual menopause, and then after. I’m
46 and I will be 47 in Sept. When I went
to my first menopause event last Fall I remember
thinking well that is for people in
their 50s and 60s – is this even a fit? Then
learning about the menopausal journey, it
was like, “oh no you are in that mode and
you need to learn about this!”
SA: You are right! It’s that misunderstanding
of what is happening in this space. It’s
the fact that women have not been included
in that research and we have been
underfunded, under researched, and misunderstood.
That needs to change. So information
needs to be out there and that
is why this series needs to be there.
AM: It covers so many things from the social,
emotional, and physical aspects of
this journey. How long did it take you to
think about creating this, doing this, traveling
all over the world, and the research?
What was the process in creating this?
SSS: I would say, that we were going
through the early perimenopause symptoms
for a few months and as filming was
going on, we realized that no one knew
about this. We were researching for ourselves
and so we knew we had to do a docuseries
in 4 parts so that it would cover
everything. So the whole process took
about 2.5 years. So as soon as we knew
that we could film our appointments because
we wanted to show this raw and
honest from the very get go.
AM: It took 2.5 years and it’s now coming
Jan 30th, what has been the response
that you have received from those
with early previews/screenings? Even
for those that have participated in it
as we get to see other people’s journeys
along with their spouses as well
and how they are doing. You also have
your journeys as well.
SA: I think that for the first time, many
women are starting to feel seen, validated,
believed, they’re not crazy –
this is something that all women go
through. I think that we are building
our own community of women who
are saying that they are not going to
suffer anymore, they’re not going to
go through it like their mom did, and
so it is very empowering to see that
response.
AM: Where should people go to find
out more information about the movie
as well as this journey of menopause?
In watching this and hearing
certain responses in the docuseries, I
think about things I have noticed and
just attributed it to other things. I’m
someone who eats healthy, works out
etc, but maybe something I felt that
I just assumed I was tired could be a
symptom so I know I will be rewatching
and taking personal notes to get
to the bottom of things that I didn’t
know could be more aligned to this
and not just something that is about
age or being tired. So where can people
go to find out more about this?
SSS: Our viewers can go to the Balancedocuseries.com
website where
there we will have resources and
viewers can follow all the doctors that
they resonate with featured in our series
because they have education on
this, they are posting all of the time
on social media and you can always
go to the Menopause Society as well.
It’s one of those things that you need
to go to a trusted resource so that
you have the right guidance as that
is critical in this time and that’s why
Balance is such a trusted resource be-

cause it is raw and it is real and we’re
not holding anything back.
AM: You guys are filmmakers and I
have enjoyed seeing other documentaries
that you have done. What do
you enjoy about storytelling, and how
was it to do this particular story because
it is personal? You’re telling this
story and you have also injected yourself
in this as well as we’re following
your journey, as well as others in this
docuseries as being objective must
have been something that was always
in mind in navigating telling this story.
SSS: I think that it comes from our
experience of being monks and filmmakers
on 3 other films – 2 on human
trafficking and another one on animal
cruelty. So, these are very dark and
human subjects and we are passionate
people. What we practice in our
system is that there are so many sides
and you have to see them and there
are various truths to those sides and
how do you do it – no pun intended,
in a balanced way? That is really important
because you have to honor
all voices and as you have seen in this
series, I have taken the hormone therapy
path and she (name) has taken
the natural approach which will resonate
with audiences and we have our
own questions so it kind of covers the
whole spectrum of the topic.
@siddhalishree
@sadhvianubhuti
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Balance: A
Perimenopausal Journey

It’s been another great NFL season and it
all culiminates with lev which takes place
on Feb 8th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa
Clara, CA, the home of the San Francisco
49ers! This year, the Seattle Seahawks and
New England Patriots will battle it out to
see who will be the champions! During this
time of year, there are a number of events
and activations taking place. One of them
is Origins: An NFL Collection which in addition
to be a collaborative line of apparel
that is created with designers who are in
the community that the Super Bowl is being
held, but it is a time where those who
are in the area can enjoy the pop-up! We
wanted to find out more about this collection,
the pop-up event, the NFL’s committment
to highlighting artists and bringing
them in to the experience of Game Day!
We took some time to catch up with the
Director of Marketing and E-Commerce at
the NFL, Ashley Daniel to find out about
this and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell me a bit about
your background prior to coming to the
NFL.
ASHLEY DANIEL: I’ve spent most of my
career since coming out of college working
for the NFL. During undergrad, I volunteered
with the Super Bowl Host Committee
and later interned with the NFL
in the Media Strategy & Business Development
department. After graduating,
I was selected for the NFL’s Rotational
Program and have continued to grow my
career within the Consumer Products department
ever since.
AM: As the Director of Marketing and
E-Commerce at the NFL, what does your
role entail?
AD: The role is dynamic, which is one of its
most rewarding aspects. My work ranges
from leading our Local Club Collaboration
Program and developing capsule collections
with small, local brands to collaborating
with our advertising team on national
NFL Shop TV campaigns. At its core,
the position is about tying inspiration to
conversion and strengthening fans’ connections
to their cities and teams
through product.
AM: Tell us about Origins: An NFL Collection
in terms of why this program
was created and what it serves to do.
AD: The Origins program was first
developed for the Super Bowl in Los
Angeles. Although we produce incredible
Super Bowl merchandise,
there was an opportunity to showcase
products from local brands that
authentically represent the host city
and its communities. The program
emerged from that insight, grounded
in the belief that every host city
is home to artists and designers who
reveal dimensions of the city often
overlooked.
AM: How do you go about finding designers
to partner with, and what are
you looking for?
AD: Each year, the approach evolves.
In previous years, my colleague,
Xaimara Coss, who is also a Director
on the Consumer Products team at
the NFL, and I relied heavily on web
research and social media, tracking
who was showing up at local markets,
consistently launching collections,
actively engaging with their communities,
and creating truly distinctive
work. This year, we partnered with
our licensing partner, NoCallerID,
to support the search. Together, we
spent several weeks reviewing candidates
and hosting introductory conversations
before ultimately selecting
the final group of brands.
AM: Tell me about the designers who
will be participating in this year’s Origins:
An NFL Collection.
AD: Each designer brings a distinctly
different point of view, which is what
makes this group so compelling. Aaron
De La Cruz is an artist by trade,
and his work immediately stood out
to us, particularly his use of shape

and movement, which introduced an aesthetic
we hadn’t previously explored within
the Origins program. We knew he would
bring a bold, unexpected reinterpretation
of the Super Bowl. Nostalgia approaches
design through incredibly unique silhouettes;
when we saw a previous collection
featuring intricate woven paisleys, it was
clear they would offer a fresh perspective
on what fan apparel can be. Lastly, there’s
Blvck Scvle, an iconic Bay Area streetwear
brand that has been shaping the culture
since 2007. Their product is elevated and
refined, with exceptionally strong design
execution. Together, the three brands
form a powerful cohort that authentically
represents the spirit and creativity of the
Bay.
AM: This year, there will be a one-day popup
event ahead of the Super Bowl in the
Bay Area. Tell us more about this.
AD: Each year, we host a launch pop-up
retail event that serves as the first opportunity
for fans and the community to
shop the new collection. The event brings
together shopping, music, and a strong
community presence in support of the
participating brands, attracting both locals
and visitors in search of authentic Super
Bowl products and experiences. This
year’s launch will take place on Thursday,
February 5, at the Pearl from 11 a.m. to 5
p.m., and is free and open to the public.
AM: For those who are unable to attend
the event, how can they be part of this experience?
AD: On Friday, February 6, at 9 AM ET, the
product goes live on NFLShop.com/origins.
They can also follow the brand stories
as they launch on @NFL on IG and on
NFL.com/origins.
AM: In terms of the Super Bowl, will this
collection of Origins: An NFL Collection be
at the stadium?
AD: No. Any product that does not sell out
at the launch event will be sold at the NFL
Shop Presented by Visa at Super Bowl Experience
Presented by Jersey Mike’s.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects
that you would like to share with us
that we should know about at the NFL
that you are involved in?
AD: There are a lot of great drops
coming out around the Super Bowl.
We can’t say much right now, but
stay tuned.
@nfl
After speaking with Ashley about Origins:
NFL Collection, we wanted to
talk with one of the designer collaborators,
Aaron De La Cruz, to find out
more about his work, participating in
this assortment, and more!
AM: Before we delve into this collaboration
that you did with Origins: An
NFL Collection, can you tell me about
your background and what led you to
design?
AARON DE LA CRUZ: From as far
back as I can remember, I have loved
to draw. As a kid growing up in the
80’s and 90’s, I spent a majority of my
time outside surrounded by skate and
graffiti culture. The graphics I would
see on clothing, skateboards and art
in the streets influenced me to create
my own at home, school and, eventually,
on the streets too. I was fortunate
enough to have the support
of my parents and teachers who recognized
my talent, which helped me
get into programs and eventually art
school. I graduated from college with
a BFA and went into teaching art for
ten years until I became a parent and
I decided to pursue being a full-time
artist. That was exactly 13 years ago
this month – wow, time flies! I’m the
first full-time artist in my family, so
my main focus is to show my kids that
being a creative for a living is possible.
This occupation is hard and definitely
has its challenges. They are old
enough now to see what it’s really

like, but projects like this are moments
to celebrate and make it feel like a dream
come true.
AM: You have done a number of collaborations
with Maison Margiela, Diesel, ESPN,
etc. What is the creative process that you
go into when you are creating something
for or with another brand?
ADLC: When taking on collaborative projects,
I prefer to have a personal connection
with the client or find a way to connect
the project to my family. Because
many of my works are considered abstract
at times, they can appear as decorative
considering the context in which
they are displayed. I always try to find a
way to integrate my family into these
types of projects because, for me, these
are the people in my life I’m surrounded
by the most. When given the opportunity,
I make it a point to provide a story that
will connect with the audience, especially
for those who are interested in what’s beyond
the surface.
AM: How much does the Bay Area influence
your work?
ADLC: The Bay is a special place. We have
a rich history of movements that were
born here that have spread throughout
the world. That, plus our unique landscape,
draws people to visit and live here,
including myself. I don’t know if the Bay is
something visually noticeable in my work,
but I can say the culture here has definitely
influenced what I do with my artwork.
Social justice is something very important
to me, and I use my art as a vehicle to express
my opinions. I try my best to donate
works to nonprofits that are doing amazing
work. I also give away my work from
time to time for those who might not be
able to afford it and promote social interaction.
AM: As one of the collaborators in the
Origins: An NFL Collection, what does it
mean to you to be part of this project?
ADLC: This project is HUGE! As a kid, I was
a kid, I was a big NFL fan, and now as a
parent, football plays a big part in my
life 24/7. I have twin sons (and a wife)
who are borderline obsessed with the
sport, so for me to be involved at this
level is definitely a project I am happy
about, and so are they. Being Mexican
and a fan of the sport, you don’t
see much representation on the field,
so for me, this project was an opportunity
for us to be seen at this level. I
really wanted to show any kids who
are artists or have a desire to play
the sport that we can find ways to be
seen on and off the field in the NFL.
AM: What were you inspired by in
terms of the items that you designed
in this collaboration?
ADLC: Many of the works I create
involve the idea of deconstruction
and breaking something down to its
simplest form. For the collection, I
wanted to create something that my
fan base – who might not be football
fans – would appreciate, and for football
fans who aren’t familiar with my
work would recognize.
First, the use of black and white was
inspired by the referee uniform. The
referee is someone who plays a big
part in the game and, at times, can
control the game. The artwork on the
garments is scaled at 2” wide, which
is the width of the black and white
stripes found on the official NFL referee
uniform.
Second was the location of the artwork.
This was inspired by the player,
their passion and what they put their
body through playing the sport. I created
an all-over design because they
take hits all over the body and sometimes
walk away with wounds and
scars that they have for life, all for the
love of the sport.
Third was the design, I created unique
marks using my signature style that
reference routes found in a playbook.

I wanted to capture the simplest
thing that was recognizable and had
that feel of hand-drawn.
The colors of the garments are white
on black (chalk on board), black on
white (marker on dry erase board)
and the grey colorway is a nod to San
Francisco and our reputation for being
covered in fog.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects
that you would like to share with
us that we should know about?
ADLC: Please be on the lookout for
the online release of the collection at
AARONDELACRUZ.COM on Feb 7th.
If you happen to be in San Francisco
for the Super Bowl, be on the lookout
for a city-wide project I’m doing on
Feb 6th. This project will involve me
creating 11 original works of art and
dropping them off at 11 different locations
throughout the city. I’m using
this as an opportunity for people to
discover and support independently
owned businesses within the 11 districts
(11 players on the field!) of San
Francisco. All of this will take place on
my Instagram (@aarondelacruz) so
you will need to follow and see what
happens!
Aside from that, I’m working on multiple
projects and continuing to play
this game of life while supporting my
team (family). Trying my best to win
the MVP for being the best Dad in the
league and not end up on the injured
reserve list haha.
@aarondelacruz
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Origins:
An NFL Collection

Each year in Dec and Jan,
Athleisure Mag interviews
celebrities to discuss their
N3W YOU: THE GOOD, THE
ADD and THE BUZZ.

NEW YEAR
N3W YOU

THE GOOD
Well, my biggest highlight of 2025 was
bringing our second daughter into the
world and continuing to grow our family.
And I think another great thing that happened
in 2025 was my charity got a $20,000
grant from the P&G Grant for Good Program.
I'm so happy because we're happy
helping for young women this year with
$5,000 each to support their snowboarding
and their travel expenses.
THE ADD
bring their families out and have some
type of auction to raise money for the
charity to keep the energy moving. So
hopefully that'll all happen.
@jamieanderson
PHOTO COURTESY | X Games
through the Jamie Anderson Foundation
is an event in Tahoe I started called 18 Under
18 - 18 amazing young kids in the community
who have done amazing things
and honor them. We had a dinner party,
where we brought their families out and
I gave them a little certificate of just their
achievements. There are so many incredible
kids, who had done different things
in the areas where they're inspired. It’s
gone dormant for the last 18 months but
I would really like to bring that back and
have it be an annual event.
THE BUZZ
This is pretty exciting this journey with
the family and the kids, but another thing
we're working on as a kind of family project
is my partner doing a film -- a ski flying
adventure film, and he'll essentially be setting
up a base camp in the Whistler backcountry
that's accessible by ski plane. He's
a bush pilot and we're going to head out
there and camp out overnight and bring
the kids and do some touring and make
a short film out of that project and really
excited to do that.
And hopefully one other thing I really
would love to do to give back in the Tahoe
community is host a gala where we can
have a fun end of the year event hopefully
in November or December and shine light
on the kids from the JA Foundation and
hopefully the 18 under 18 kids that have
had great achievements and honor them,

JAMIE ANDERSON
2X TEAM USA OLYMPIC MEDALIST +
2X X GAMES MEDALIST
CATCH HER @ ASPEN X GAMES

THE GOOD
I think that 2025 was a roller coaster of a
year for me. For KAAZE it was great, for
Mick it was a roller coaster. My answer
is going to merge them into 1. The best
thing that happened to me in 2025, was
how I grew as an individual, as a person,
and as a father based on my situations
with divorce and etc. etc. I really understood
that these are the things that I am
going to grow on and become better especially
for my daughter and as a person.
I think that in looking at all of 2025, I am
very grateful that there were some things
that I looked at and felt that I would take
responsibility of things for myself. It was a
growing year I would say as a person and I
am grateful for that. Sometimes as a person,
you are in denial and I faced a lot of
problems and tasks as a person and I tried
to solve it as good as I could. It sounds a
little bit sad, but you can look at it in a different
way.
THE ADD
sound now and I’m just trying to have super
fun with it and it’s still going to have
elements where you can hear that it is me!
I have 1 specific song that I am so proud of
and that one belongs on the radio. It’s a
vocal track and it is so beautiful and I just
want to be everywhere at the same time
that I am trying to put a red line between
it. Musically, this will be the most exciting
year so far for me. I took away all the limits
and the boundaries. Now, there is just
a highway and I’m going to go with whatever
I think makes sense. The record label
is also a huge milestone as well.
@iamkaaze
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | KAAZE
I would say that based on my personal issues
with divorce that took a lot of time
away from KAAZE, the plan was to launch
SE7EN Records, my label last year. That
didn’t happen last year, but at the same
time, even though there was personal situations
that caused it, I’m also happy that
now it is happening in 2026, because I had
more time to prepare and not rush and to
really do it exactly the way that I wanted
to do it. So it was good and bad. It didn’t
happen when I wanted it to, but now it is
being done the way that I would want it
to be and it is happening this year.
THE BUZZ
Mainly the songs! I am going really full
blast with the music this year! I am going
to start popping at least 1 song a month
or even 2 songs a month. I’m going to
keep going like that the whole year. I have
songs that goes everywhere from very
underground Hot Teknō to almost a radio
song. I am going very broad with my

KAAZE
DJ/PRODUCER
CATCH HIM @ TOMORROWLAND

CATCH
THE GOOD
I think that the highlight was playing at
[UNVRS] Ibiza! That was such an amazing
moment. It was their first year, so being
able to play during their first year – it was
totally insane! Also, I got my 2nd Gold record!
THE ADD
I can say that more club music those kinds
of records that are made for the DJs!
THE BUZZ
well and you can see me at Tomorrowland
this year as well!
@hypaton
PHOTO COURTESY | HYPATON

HYPATONAN
EDM/DJ PRODUCER
HIM @ TOMORROWLAND

THE ART OF
THE SNACK:
DARU

We’ve hit those really cold temperatures
so comfort food that is vibrant to your
taste buds and the eye are an essential!
In this month’s issue, The Art of the Snack
taks us to DC to Daru where we enjoy cuisine
from India and Nepal. Chef/Owner
Suresh Sundas talks about this restaurant
which has received a Michelin Bib Gourmand
for the 4th year in a row as well as a
James Beard Semifinalist nomination. We
wanted to know more about the restaurant
and what we should enjoy when we
come in for our next visit!
ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into
Daru, tell us about your culinary background,
kitchens you trained in and why
you wanted to create Daru?
CHEF SURESH SUNDAS: I am originally
from Morang in Eastern Nepal. After moving
to the U.S., I worked throughout the
DC dining scene, including roles at Rasika
West End and Maydan. I met Dante Datta
at Rasika in 2012, and we spent years
dreaming of a neighborhood restaurant
where I could honor my Nepalese and Indian
roots through a playful, unexpected
lens.
AM: What does Daru mean?
CHEF SS: Daru is Hindi for moonshine—
specifically “desi daru,” a traditional beverage
made from molasses. While we
originally envisioned Daru as a cocktail
bar, we kept the name when it evolved
into a restaurant because it captures our
spirited, creative nature.
AM: What cuisine can guests enjoy here
and what are the ingredients and spices
that are indicative of this?
CHEF SS: We describe our cuisine as “Indian-ish”—traditional
Indian and Nepalese
techniques inspired by global influences.
We use foundational spices like
garam masala, turmeric, cardamom, and
fenugreek alongside timur (Sichuan peppercorn
sourced directly from Nepal). We
use high-quality, often unexpected ingredients
like Thai green chiles, fermented
black garlic, blue cheese, and burrata.
AM: What is the ambiance of Daru?
CHEF SS: Located in the historic Star
Grocery building, Daru features 40
seats centered around a vibrant bar.
The atmosphere is intimate, warm,
and energetic—offering the polish of
fine dining with the comfort of a favorite
neighborhood spot.
AM: In looking at the menu, you have
it broken out into various categories
including Snacks! What are 3 that you
suggest?
CHEF SS: I suggest, Bison Momo:
Nepalese-style bison dumplings with
timur peppercorn and Szechuan tomato
chutney, Dahi Puri: A refreshing,
classic bite, and Reshmi Kebab with
Blue Cheese: Tender chicken with cashew
paste and sour cherry chutney.
AM: What are 3 Mains that you suggest
that we should enjoy?
CHEF SS: You should try, Nariyal
Lamb Shank: A robust dish in Kashmiri
chili-coconut curry with saffron,
Chicken Tikka Masala: Made
with fermented black garlic paste
and Thai green chiles for depth, and
Striped Bass Paturi: Bengali-style fish
wrapped in banana leaf with makrut
lime, and coconut.
AM: In terms of Sides, what are 3 that
we should consider?
CHEF SS: To accompany your meal
the Black Daal Burrata: Our signature
dish featuring burrata melting
into spicy black dal, Eggplant Bharta:
Smoky, fire-roasted eggplant mashed
with aromatic spices, onions, tomato,
and coconut milk, and Wok-Fried Cabbage:
Crispy, charred cabbage tossed
with bold Indian spices, and timur
pepper in a hot wok.
AM: For Breads/Extras, what are 3 we

should try?
CHEF SS: Herb Laccha Paratha: Ideal for
pairing with our curries, Zaatar Olive
Naan: A blend of traditional naan and
Middle Eastern flavors, and Chutney Platter:
an assortment for chutneys, Tomato-
Sichuan, Tamarind, Mint, Achar (Mango
Pickle), and a Habanero Kashmiri Chili Hot
Sauce.
AM: What are 3 Winter cocktails we should
try?
CHEF SS: Our Winter cocktails you should
try are our Chai-tini: A dessert-like rum
cocktail with warm chai spices, Bandit
Queen: A Boulevardier with garam masala-infused
rum and Sichuan peppercorn
amaro, and Divine Contraband: an old
fashioned riff using bourbon fat washed
with cashew butter, golden raisins, and a
touch of palo cortado sherry.
AM: What are 3 mocktails we should try?
CHEF SS: Acid-Adjust Carrot, Garam Masala,
Soda (Carrot infused n/a margarita),
Love and Demons:Zero-Rum, Hibiscus,
Lemon,Tulsi Tea, Ginger Beer, Mint ( Collins
style drink with indian herbal tulsi
tea), Seasonal Lassis: Fresh fruit and spice
combinations that change throughout
the year. (pear/mango and peach/ Blueberry
Cardamom).
AM: Are there any upcoming events we
should know about?
CHEF SS: Our Cielo Rojo DInner!
AM: Daru has received for a 4th year in
a row, the Michelin Bib Gourmand (2022 -
2025) what does it mean to you?
CHEF SS: This recognition validates our
goal of providing high-quality, high-value
cooking in a neighborhood setting. Retaining
this distinction since our opening
year proves we are successfully honoring
tradition while pushing creative boundaries.
AM: You personally just received a nomination
for 2026 James Beard Semifinalist
for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic - what does this
distinction mean to you?
CHEF SS: This honor recognizes our entire
team’s dedication. It motivates me to stay
connected to my roots while continuing to
evolve and create dishes that surprise our
guests.
@daru.dc
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Calvin Kim

ATHLEISURE LIST: Montauk, NY
PRIVÉ PADEL
Former professional tennis player and
Wall Street banker, Nicholas Solarewicz
and entrepreneur, Chris Moore joined
forces to launch Privé Padel. Their vision is
to push the sport of padel forward, which
is one of the fastest growing sports and
their first phase is opening up this club.
Padel’s roots can be traced to Latin America
in the 70’s. It gained momentum in Argentina
and Spain where padel is the second
most popular sport by participation
behind football, and is now all across Europe.
Padel is more similar to tennis and
squash as it mixes elements of both. It is
a doubles game sharing the same scoring
as tennis with the addition of glass walls
surrounding the court. Padel shares much
of the culture of tennis, but is quicker to
learn, softer on the body, and more of a
social experience.
With an initial target of players in NYC
and Miami - as well as to bring padel
to the most beautiful travel destinations
and hospitality, the Hamptons
was the ideal setting for their first
concept at a luxury resort. Privé was
the first padel club to build and independently
operate as an amenity of
a luxury resort in the U.S. Guests can
expect a stunning backdrop and hightouch
experience.
They offer 2 tiers. Gold is perfect for
the player who hits the court a few
times a week, offering 50% off court
bookings and a set of guest passes
each month. Platinum is designed for
the true padel enthusiast. While it
comes at a premium, it includes unlimited
complimentary play, so if you’re
serious about your game, there’s real

value there.
This year marks the 3rd season and in addition
to their Montauk location, you’ll see
Privé Padel at some exceptional resorts
around the globe. Pop-ups, tournaments,
brand collaborations, and members-only
events are in the works for this year.
It’s worth noting that if you are a beginner,
padel is about having fun, not perfection,
especially if you are playing with
those that are at your level.
If you are somone who has played a racquet
sport consistently, it’s a seamless
transition into padel in terms of getting
on the court and having a great experience!
Be mindful that having that know
how is great especially if you are playing
someone who may be a non-racquet
sport player; however, padel is much less
about phsyical power and prowress and
more about finess and touch.
PRIVÉ PADEL ARMEL RETREATS
58 Star Island Rd
Montauk, NY 11954
prive-padel.com
@privepadel
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Privé
Padel

ATHLEISURE LIST: Bali
FOUR SEASONS RESORT
BALI: JIMBARAN BAY
Many of us have been navigating very cold
temperatures and snow, so of course you
start thinking about your next vacation
that is warm! We suggest a luxurious stay
at the Four Seasons Resort Bali: Jimbaran
Bay which lets you feel like you’re enjoying
a slice of the White Lotus (sans drama)!
You’ll enjoy 3 miles of sandy beach on the
bay and an array of villas, which will allow
you to connect to the calm and unique experiences
available to you at the resort.
You can enjoy the beach or have access to
your private pool. You can also gaze at private
gardens and take it all in from your
sun terrace.
Whether you’re in the ultimate relaxation
mode or simply want to immerse yourself
into the culture, the options are endless.
There are a number of restaurants
on property that will satisfy your
tastebuds, whether you’re looking
for classic Jimbaran cuisine, Asian, or
Western. If you have dined in their
restaurants or simply want to change
it up, you can have a unique experience
such as a Floating Breakfast, a
Gazebo Dinner, a Beach BBQ Dinner,
or a private meal on the beach.
For those wanting a bit of an adventure,
you can book culinary experiences,
such learning how to make
cocktails, a cooking class with a traditional
market tour, and an ocean to
table experience where you can learn
how to fish and enjoy having it for a
meal for a fun day out.

Of course, the Four Seasons is known for
their spa treatments and there are a number
of transformative offerings for you to
indulge in throughout your stay.
If you are looking to take in the bay, we
suggest that you consider snorkeling, a
sunset cruise, or taking out a boat for a period
of time. There are also tours around
the area, an Ocean Blessing (an ancient
Balinese tradition), and a Goa Cong Cave
Blessing. With so many things to do and
see, it’s best to plan ahead and to reach
out to their concierge in order to plan the
perfect getaway whether you decide to
keep all of your activities on property or
you want to spend time away from the resort.
FOUR SEASONS RESORT BALI:
JIMBARAN BAY
Jimbaran, Kuta Selatan, Bali
80361 Indonesia
fourseasons.com
@fsbali
PHOTOS COURTESY | Four Seasons
Resort Bali: Jimbaran Bay

THE NEW CAFE BEAUJOLAIS
COOKBOOK
The Collective Book Studio
Julian Lopez
In The New Cafe Beaujolais Cookbook: Recipes
From the Iconic Mendocino Restaurant,
you will see 85+ recipes that celebrate
California coastal cuisine from Cafe
Beaujolais by Chef Julian Lopez. They are
perfect for eating solo or entertaining
friends and family.
We’re looking forward to trying Pine-
Lemon Cheesecake, and more!
You’ll also learn more about this
restaurant.
MY HUSBAND’S WIFE
Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar
Alice Fenney
If you enjoyed watching His &
Hers on Netflix, then you are
familiar with Alice Feeney who
wrote this bestselling book
which was turned into a very
successful series!
My Husband’s Wife is another
novel that she created which
has already been optioned into
a movie as well by Carnival Films
(they were behind Peacock’s All
Her Fault, The Day of the Jackal,
and Downton Abbey films)!
In this novel, she has created another
psychological filled with
twists and turns that focuses on
love, identity and revenge. We
meet Eden Fox who is an artist,
who is about to make her big
break at her first exhibition.
To clear her head, she goes on
a run and finds that her home
(known as Spyglass) and everything
in it is not as she left
it, from her key not working, a
woman who looks like her living
in the house and her husband
saying that the strange woman
is his wife!
We learn more about the mystery
woman and the twists and
turns in her own life. We see
how deception, obsession, and

We get a front row seat to find out
about the secrets of this town, mean
girls, mean moms, and how everyone
comes together to see who is left
when all the chaos settles down!
mystery come together.
ALL THE LITTLE HOUSES
Sourcebooks Landmark
Mary Cobb
The author of The Hunting Wives (who
also can be seen on Netflix as a series), is
back with All the Little Houses. We head
to Longview, Texas in the mid-80s to te
Aderson family dynasty and we meet
Nellie Anderson. Nellie is beautiful and
is known for getting what she wants
which she gets from her mom Charleigh
who is a selfmade woman who grew up
on the wrong side of town and had to
navigate the world to get to where she
got to!

THE BEAUTY
FX Original
Hulu
What is the price of being undeniably
beautiful, hot, and desirable? If you could
take a supplement or dose, would you? If
it meant that that beauty may ultimately
bring you closer to death, is it worth it?
The Beauty looks at a string of supermod-
el deaths that take place in fashion’s
global destinations. They
seem to be connected, but how
is difficult to say and as the investigation
continues, they realize
that there are a number of powers
that be that are involved! You
should also watch their companion
podcast, The Beauty Official
Podcast to get more details on
each episode of this series.
THE NIGHT MANAGER
Prime Original
Prime
If you’re looking at a gripping
thriller that checks off all the boxes,
a phenomenal cast, stunning
locations, well dressed people,
and constantly questioning who
is involved in the various acts of
espionage, then The Night Manager
is a must watch. If you have
yet to check it out, you need to
binge S1 where we first meet
Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston)
in his hotel where he is a night
manager. It’s a fateful encounter
that ultimately changes his life’s
path and brings him to being the
ultimate spy!
S2 catches up with him 10 years
later and interestingly enough,
S1 launched in 2016 and now the
current season which is streaming
now kicked off a few days
after the New Year. We catch
up with him firmly in his role as
a spy working with agencies on
new and old missions! We see
how the past is still unresolved
and continues to be a threat. We
also move to a new location to

see him bring justice for those that he
has lost as well as those that are in the
cross hairs of a villain that he knows all
too well!
A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN
KINGDOMS
HBO Original Podcast
HBO
Fans of Game of Thrones and House
of the Dragon have a new series that
brings us to Westeros for us to enjoy, A
Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which just
launched earlier this month. We follow
a hedge knight who is finding his way in
the world along with his young squire
in this prequel to the flagship show. In
many ways, this series lets us see elements
of the families that we will come
to know while also looking at what is
taking place in other areas of Westeros,
and how these communities grew into
what we know today.
There is more humor in these episodes
as they are more light hearted as we see
how knights train, the countryside and
so much more. After each show, you
can watch and/or listen to the companion
podcast which provides more
insights into each episode along with
interviews from an array of those who
are in front of, as well as behind the
camera.