Posts tagged with "athletic"

Michelle C. Smith via JT Hainje & Whitney Peterson by 360 Mgazine

Michelle C. Smith

Hollywood’s Top Stuntwoman & Queen of the Lightsabers

Watch a clip of 360 MAG’s podcast with Michelle C. Smith HERE


Michelle C. Smith is an actress, stuntwoman, speaker, educator, and professional badass. She was born and raised in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Since she was 5 years old, she has been training to create and develop a level of Mastery around unique and valuable Prop Spinning / Manipulation skills. When she turned 11, she began competing at the World Championship level and trained 8 hours a day, 7 days a week during competition. Michelle competed in this sport’s world championships for eight years, winning several medals. ”I won a bronze medal and 3 silver medals,” she mentions.

Physical activity is essential to achieve emotional and physical well-being, but it can become something negative if it is done under a lot of pressure. In these circumstances, it can cause trauma and other problems. ”My biggest trauma is overtraining and the pressure that myself and the adults in my back environments put on me as if I’m not good enough,” she stresses.

As an International Baton Twirler Champion turned martial artist and professional specialist, she has seen the immense benefits that 30 years of training with different tools and movements have brought her. With these intricate and coordinated paths, Michelle has created choreographies and learned three specific skills that have come to her achievement: Confidence, speed, and ease. “Because of these intricate and highly specific abilities, I CAN DO ANYTHING!” says Michelle. “And so can you!”

Michelle’s passion to share her skills led to the creation of Freestyle Staff Spinning, a tool and weapon-based practice that combines the best technical material from Baton Twirling with Acrobatics and Martial Arts. This combination of sports “is so special that I really love that it’s athletic and artistic,” she adds.

The purpose of Freestyle Staff is to create and win an open and accessible space for all kinds of people to learn and fall in love with everything that Staff Spinning, Weapons Spinning and Baton Twirling have to offer. Michelle and her community of Freestyle Staff Spinners can be found on the official Freestyle Staff Academy website.

Michelle moved to Vancouver to pursue a career in dance. Through dance, she met people who worked with the Underground Circus (a professional circus group). This was her first taste of life as a working artist, as her company booked large corporate events for her to perform at.

From there, Michelle began taking martial arts classes, specifically Filipino Martial Arts and Muay Thai. She became popular in the industry for her ability to teach, train and explain the movement to the actors she doubled for or worked with on set, allowing them to feel confident and at ease with all of her physical movements. In 2014, she started doing tricks and baton and bo staff videos on her social media.

As one of the world’s foremost experts in the arts of movement and staff turning, Michelle has used her skills and strength to act as an actress, stuntwoman, or educator in many internationally known films, stage productions, and television shows such as Deadpool, SuperGirl, Van Helsing, The 100, Supernatural and Smallville, Red Riding Hood, Percy Jackson, and many more!

Michelle is an active person who is always eager to learn new things. She is a huge advocate for awareness of mental health, fitness, and training in general. Michelle’s dream is to create a world where creativity, authenticity, and bravery reign by empowering people to embrace their Own Inner Ass.

Follow Michelle C. Smith: Website | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Other

Listen to Michelle and Vaughn chat about her career on 360 MAG podcast HERE.

Article: Andrea Esteban

Shaq Reebok via 360 MAGAZINE

Reebok – Shaq Attaq

Reebok’s “Shaq Attaq” Celebrates 30 Years, Available September 23

As Reebok continues to highlight its vast basketball archive through the likes of Allen Iverson’s Question and Answer lines, the disruptive Hurrikaze and Hurrikaze II, Dee Brown’s Pump Omni Zone II, and more, today the global sportswear brand has confirmed a September 23 return for Shaquille O’Neal’s coveted “Shaq Attaq” ($170/GX3881) sneaker, 30 years after its initial release.

Issued in ’92 for the larger-than-life rookie star, “Shaq Attaq” – created by former Reebok designer Judy Close – became Shaq’s first signature shoe. Combining new “Shaq” branding elements with innovative Reebok technologies like a custom-fit Pump bladder and carbon fiber footplate, the design put on display Reebok’s disruptive approach to performance footwear. Most importantly, the shoe provided Shaq with best-in-class comfort and stability on court as he tore down countless rims, backboards, and records.

On its 30th birthday, the shoe returns in near-1992 form, offering premium OG features including the combined Pump-lace closure, carbon fiber footplate, midsole-integrated crosscheck and side stripe, anodized synthetic collar, and Shaq ‘Dunkman’ branding at the tongue-back and heel.

Fabletics Swim

Fabletics Makes a Splash

By: Yash Thadani

Fabletics, the brand that has taken the athletic wear space by storm is now entering the swim apparel market. To showcase their new collection, the team put on a spectacular event in a beautiful house in Los Angeles, CA. 

Approaching the residence, the women’s swim collection was on display in the center of the house. Immediately able to tell the quality of the fabric was exceptional, and the silhouettes of all the women’s pieces depicted originality. A few of the styles included were different variations of bandeau bikini tops and flattering one pieces. The crowd favorite from the women’s collection was the Noa String Tie One Piece in wild wisteria. The piece is appropriate to wear around your grandparents, but desirable enough to wear at a pool party with friends.

The assortment of mens swim garments were to die for. The wardrobe consisted of chic colored swim trunks made with chlorine resistant material. The mens collections also  included a matching terry-cloth shirt and shorts for throwing on when you hop out the pool. The athleisure brand’s design team had really outdone themselves with this compilation of swimwear.  

“Our members love Fabletics because they can count on us to always offer something new and bold. We are thrilled to officially introduce swim and deliver the best combination of style and performance at an unmatched price to complement the rest of our customer’s lifestyle and wardrobe,” said Jennifer Chevchek, VP of Design.

Wandering towards the back of the home, an enormous backyard with the guests participating in yoga and enjoying brunch with an amazing view of Los Angeles. Attendees were welcomed to blueberry muffins, croissants, fruit cups and more. There was also a bar that was serving coffee, pressed juice and hard kombucha.

The entire event was planned extremely well, and the whole collection exhibited versatility. The emphasis on the brand trying to be inclusive of all body shapes and sizes is admirable. Size from both collections range from XXS-4XL. Shop their latest collection on April 1st, 2021 at www.fabletics.com

About Fabletics

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in El Segundo, CA. Fabletics is the largest digitally native activewear brand in the world. By fusing style-centric designs with high-performance technology, Fabletics is creating the world’s most fashionable, high-performance active lifestyle products at an accessible price. Driven by its innovative VIP membership program serving over 2 million loyal members and powered by analysis from its Fashion OS tech platform enabling deep customer understanding, Fabletics has evolved activewear beyond the gym into every walk of life, guided by its foundational belief that everyone and everybody deserves to look and feel their best.

See and shop the collections in the US, Canada, Europe and in person at the brand’s state-of-the-art retail stores in over 75 locations.

Black Ice via Elliot Stares PR for use by 360 Magazine

Black Ice

On February 29th, 2020, Akwasi Frimpong became the first Skeleton athlete from Africa to win an elite Skeleton race sanctioned by the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation in Park City, Utah. From a one room hut in Ghana to the Netherlands at age eight, where he became a professional track athlete before suffering a career-ending Achilles’ injury, the remarkable story of his lifelong dream is now being told in a short film depicting unwavering persistence and desire that holds up a torch of hope and inspiration for an entire continent, as Akwasi campaigns to compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing this February.

In association with Hungry Man productions, the Swiss sportswear company, On, presents “Black Ice”, an original short film written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Richard Bullock. The film uniquely combines live-action footage, graphic design, and animation. Depicting Akwasi’s humble origins, growth, and arduous journey which forges his resilient spirit and ultimately transforms him into a symbol of modern Africa, Black Ice can now be seen HERE.

Developed over six months and with filmed excerpts on-location across Europe and Africa, Black Ice brings the pages of a graphic comic book to life through the eyes of the children it aims to inspire. An athletes’ strength and determination in the face of lifelong adversity is unraveled within a portrayal of Akwasi’s journey, presented as a chronology of his life up until the present day that presents a symbol of bravery and courage for the entire African population.

The film centers around a graphic novel that is initially pulled from the bag of a schoolboy with Black Ice as the title, showing an iron clad superhero on the cover depicted as Akwasi. His inquisitive sister reads along with him, and their voices become the narration for the story. They read from the graphic novel aloud and together they follow Akwas’ real-life journey as viewers are taken on a visual expedition.

“Black Ice comprises of a highly original storytelling technique that is the sum of its live action and drawn elements that is rarely seen in a filmed production of this nature,” says Feliciano Robayna, Executive Producer and Head of Sports Marketing at On. “For a long time Akwasi’s dream was simply to make it to the Olympics. Despite all the setbacks, he soon saw the power of his achievements and what they could mean for Africa. He was no longer competing only for himself or a country, but for an entire continent. At the forthcoming Winter Olympics, a billion people can see in him the proof that with self-belief, strength and dedication you can pursue and fulfil your lifelong dreams.”

After speaking with Akwasi, director Richard Bullock decided to approach the story in a completely different way. “Instead of a script or storyboard I wrote out his story in the form of a graphic novel. I handed that to my illustrator who was tasked to bring it to life as a printed graphic novel,” said Bullock. “The book itself has become a character in the film and it forced the filmmakers to think differently about all aspects of the production. “It’s uncomfortable and new for all of us,” was the response. Probably what Akwasi felt like the first time he slid headfirst down an ice run at 90 miles an hour.”

While Akwasi’s life feels like the original story of a fictional superhero, it is all fact. As a child, his grandmother whispered into his ear at bedtime: “What you need for success is already in you. It is a matter of believing in yourself, having the will to work hard and never giving up.”

After moving to Holland to join his mother at 8 years-old, the former Olympian, Sammy Monsels, watches over Akwasi and ignites the Olympic flame of desire within him. Akwasi reacts by making the Olympics his one true ambition as a rapidly growing track athlete. At age 16, Akwasi becomes the Dutch National 200m champion, despite being unable to travel to European competitions due to his citizenship status. Akwasi is accepted into the Johan Cruyff School and works tirelessly to become International Student of the Year. While training for the 2012 London Olympics, Akwasi ruptures his Achilles tendon, putting his Olympic ambitions in danger. While recovering, Akwasi considers his options, applies to American colleges and is accepted into Utah Valley University, where he would graduate with honors in Business Studies.

With Utah being such a cold mountainous climate that was ideal for Winter sports, and after meeting the Dutch national team, Akwasi was invited to try his hand as a brakeman on the Bobsleigh team. Akwasi surprisingly came within one place of making it to the Sochi Winter Games in 2014, which re-ignited his desire to become an Olympian. Akwasi decided to turn to a different sport and took part in a Skeleton trial which he exceled at. In pursuit of his Olympic goal, he focused on his new skill and defied all expectations by qualifying for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Akwasi became the first black male Skeleton athlete in Olympic history. He decided to become the hunter instead of the hunted and this self-determination allowed him to be the first African athlete to win an elite Skeleton race sanctioned by the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation. Akwasi realized a new Olympic dream and would soon become an even stronger, more dangerous competitor with his sights set on the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. He also wanted to dream for the people of his continent.

In 2008, Akwasi chose a helmet with a lion holding a rabbit in its mouth. The image, he said, represented the story of his life: the rabbit running from the lion that threatened his survival and success. It became a design inspired from his past. However, in stark contrast, his new suit and helmet put him in the role of the hunter and no longer the prey. And rather than wrapped in his African heritage, it was a helmet designed with eyes firmly fixed on the future. His new suit is now inspired by Afrofuturist themes of modernity, technology and innovation. Spray painted on the front of his helmet, laser focused eyes look ahead, while on the back of his helmet is his own personal mission, “Hope of a Billion.” Through his actions, Akwasi Frimpong wants to inspire all Africans.

Akwasi became the first male African skeleton racer to compete at the Olympics in 2018 thanks to the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation‘s (IBSF) continental quota system. The system was dropped by the IOC for next month’s Beijing Olympics, dampening the hopes of any African athletes competing. Frimpong tested positive for Covid-19 on December 29, while preparing for his last three Olympic qualification races in Altenberg, Germany. This gave his qualification for the Olympic Games a crushing blow, despite being ranked only three places below the top 60 needed for qualification. Since then, Akwasi and his team have been campaigning with the IOC to allow Akwasi his chance to compete in Beijing, representing his nation of Ghana as the only African nation represented in the Skeleton. This request to the IOC was recently denied, sparking an outcry of public support for his plight.

To help him perform his best at upcoming competitions, Akwasi will be wearing On’s exclusive shoe designed specifically for professional bobsleigh and skeleton athletes.

Bo + Tee

Bo + Tee Christmas Soiree

Oh Polly, the brand that has been sweeping the internet and part of every major influencer’s wardrobe, is now redefining the women’s athleisure space with their sister company Bo+Tee. The UK based brand debuted their latest collection at The Bonaventure Brewing Company on December 15th, 2021.

The infamous brewery located on the fourth floor of The Westin in DTLA was the perfect venue to host their first event. Immediately walking in, guests are greeted with a DJ playing hits from Drake to Megan the Stallion, and with a bar serving drinks from red wine to hot chocolate spiked with Baileys. Finger foods were served throughout the evening including chicken skewers, cheese burgers, and a stand with churros and cotton candy for those sweet lovers. 

Christmas came early this year! Attendees picked a set of their choosing from the latest collection. The articles of clothing were displayed in the back of the venue for guests to admire, while walking away with free Bo+Tee. We continued to canvas the floor deck of the venue, eventually stumbling upon a screen printing booth giving out special tote bags.

To end the night, fragrance brand Sarah Horowitz Parfums set up a station to concoct your own custom perfume. The process started with questions asking about one’s favorite citrus and favorite foods. In only fifteen minutes, the team constructed the scent of your dreams based on your answers. 

The Bo + Tee’s capsule collection consists of five different pieces. This includes different variations of contemporary colored crop tops and seamless leggings. The pieces from the latest drop range from $30-$40. The collection can be available for purchase on us.ohpolly.com

More on Bo+Tee:

Bo+Tee is the sister company of Oh Polly, selling activewear and fitness accessories globally. Bo+Tee was first launched in 2020 and since then has grown online at an impressive rate, with the official Instagram account boasting over 1 million followers. Their mission statement is to make people look and feel their best through form fitting activewear which combines innovation, style and function. Bo+Tee is one of the few UK activewear brands which designs and produces its own garments. As a result, they combine both exceptional quality (which they carefully control) with unique trends and performance driven styles.

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Conor McGregor illustration by Kaelen Felix for 360 MAGAZINE

ROOTS OF FIGHT


Roots Of Fight and global superstar Conor McGregor announced the launch of a new clothing collection honoring the fighter’s roots. The capsule collection makes it’s debut ahead of McGregor’s highly anticipated match up against Dustin Poirier on January 23rd.

Considered one of the most fashionable men in sports and entertainment, McGregor joins the lifestyle and apparel brand that pays tribute to heroes and legends of the fight world such as Bruce Lee, Muhammed Ali, Duran, Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Joe Frazier, and more. Much like the moments in McGregor’s career that have launched him to where he is today, Roots of Fight highlights the moments of these icons and all they stand for. They celebrate the unending fight at the root of every human triumph.

With this collection, Roots of Fight pays respect to the undeniable force of nature that is Conor McGregor. The collection features a variety of styles including tees, a thermal, hoody and sweatpants. Retailing for $48 – $85, the full collection will be available exclusively on rootsoffight.com starting today through January 23rd. All proceeds from the sales of the collection will go towards the Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin in Ireland.

ABOUT CONOR MCGREGOR

Conor Anthony McGregor is a professional boxer and mixed martial artist who has gained fame from his success in fighting. He is a former champion for the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight and lightweight competitions. As of December 24, 2020, McGregor was ranked fourth in the UFC lightweight rankings. He is also the biggest pay-per-view draw in MMA history and is known for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. McGregor also founded Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey.

Conor McGregor image furnished by Berk Communications for 360 MAGAZINE

New Snow Collections From Oakley

With temperatures dropping, travel restrictions being lifted, and cooler destinations preparing for an influx of visitors while being COVID-19 safe, many snowboarders and ski junkies are looking for new pieces to invest in. With frightful temperatures and the need for gear to support intense athletic performances, investing in the right collection is paramount. For the most dedicated winter athletes, Oakley is an excellent choice for cold-weather attire.

Today, Oakley launches two all-new snow collections to get snowboards and skiers ready for the upcoming season. The Thermonuclear Protection Collection draws inspiration from the brand’s heritage in motorsports, while the Team Collection garners influence from professional Norwegian Olympic snowboarder Stale Sandbech and his life of travel and adventure. Both collections strive to combine style and performance.

About the Thermonuclear Protection Collection: 

The TNP Collection fuses provocative colors, bold designs, and daring styles for those looking to make a statement on the mountain. All of the looks are sure to grab attention, especially in context of the stark winter surroundings. The collection includes a variety of outerwear and accessories designed with reflective properties, hi-tech fabrics and modern silhouettes, available for both men and women. Full TNP

About the Team Collection:

Inspired by Stale’s adventures all over the world, the Team Collection features men’s pieces that can easily transition from mountain gear to streetwear. The range can be adapted for the “on-the-go” lifestyle through modular layering and includes outerwear with premium stretch fabrics, goggles, a helmet and two pieces made from 100% recycled material. Overall, the collection strives to be dedicated to a more eco-friendly approach.

Stale Sandbech is a famed Norwegian snowboarder. He participated in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 Winter Olympics and won a silver medal in Men’s slopestyle in 2014 at the Sochi Olympics. With his Olympics debut in 2010, Sandbech became the youngest Norwegian Olympian in 82 years. His partnership with Oakley reflects his on the go lifestyle as he adventures and trains.

Oakley, Inc. based in California is a subsidiary of the Italian corporate giant Luxottica based in Milan. Found in 1975, it began in the garage of James Jannard with an initial investment of just $300. The company designs, develops, and manufactures sports performance equipment as well as lifestyle pieces, with the new snow collections falling into the former category. Yet, typical to Oakley the pieces retain a stylish flare.

Most famous for their sunglasses, Oakley also counts sports visors, ski/snowboard goggles, watches, apparel, backpacks, shoes, optical frames, and other accessories. A vast majority of the designs are completed in house, with Oakley currently holding an impressive number of patents, over 850.

Adaptogens for Athletic Performance: What You Should Know

Could adaptogenic supplements and herbs help improve athletic performance? Well, every athlete is looking for an edge, and it should be something that will make them better than their competitor – legally, of course. At the very least, it should help them improve endurance, focus, strength, oxygen utilization, mood elevation, and recovery from long workouts faster.

While various solutions can help them reach peak performance levels, the list of natural solutions is relatively small. Some synthetic solutions are banned for their specific sports, while others come with side effects. Finding a natural solution that will elevate their performance without these side effects can be a blessing for the typical athlete.

Luckily, adaptogens offer just that. All an athlete will need to do is to introduce them into their diet. Here is what you should know about adaptogens and how they can elevate an athlete’s performance:

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that help the body cope with stress better, whether physical, mental, or biological. These herbs have been around for centuries and have been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic healing traditions. While some can be consumed as part of a diet, others are mainly brewed into teas or consumed as supplements. Each herb’s benefits might differ from one herb to another, but the general benefit is stress relief.

How Adaptogens Work?

Adaptogens help maintain the right balance in the adrenal system, which is responsible for releasing the stress hormone. Anytime you are dealing with stress, you are likely to develop adrenal fatigue. While stress is supposed to be a temporary state of wellbeing, people are always stressed in today’s environment.

Stress might arise from heavy workout sessions for athletes, having their name circulated in the media, and even family and career problems. The faster they can deal with this stress, the easier it will be to focus on improving their performance.

Sadly, this constant stress often leads to adrenal fatigue. This results in people experiencing symptoms like having a craving for salty foods, extreme fatigue, weakened immune system, and irritability. Different adaptogens relieve the body of this stress in a variety of ways. Here are three adaptogens every athlete should consider trying:

  • Ashwagandha

Athletes who want to perform optimally can always rely on Ashwagandha benefits. Being among the most vital Ayurvedic herbs, Ashwagandha is known to improve brain health, boost adrenal functions, increase stamina and endurance, and improve moods. It also plays a crucial role in controlling cortisol levels in the body.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that is mainly released by the adrenal glands to respond to stress. If the cortisol levels in the body become chronically elevated, the athlete can experience increased fat storage in the abdomen and high blood sugar levels.

  • Rhodiola Flower

The impact of Rhodiola on athletic performance and recovery is an issue that has been widely researched. The plant boasts anti-fatigue, anti-hypoxic, anti-stress, immune-enhancing, antioxidant, and sexual stimulation properties. Besides increasing oxygen rate use in the muscles, it also helps produce creatine phosphate and ATP.

The fact that it is also an antioxidant and can lower elevated cortisol levels also makes it ideal for athletes’ consumption. These benefits can help enhance muscle strength and stamina during periods when peak performance is required. Research has also shown that the herb can also help with perceived exertion, assisting athletes in working harder for longer.

  • Ginseng

Ginseng has, for long, been a prized energy enhancer in Chinese medicine. The adaptogenic herb has its primary active ingredients in its roots, which are known as ginsenosides. These active ingredients increase strength by enhancing creatine production. In one Canadian research, ginseng was administered to rats for four days. Observations showed that the rats extended their exercise time to exhaustion since the herb encouraged the body to burn fat for fuels and spare glucose.

This proved that the herb could increase endurance and aid in fat loss. Ginseng also helps lower muscle fatigue by inhibiting the production of serotonin in the body. Since the body has low levels of hormones that signal exhaustion, you can train for longer.

How to Include Adaptogens in Your Diet

For athletes to enjoy the benefits adaptogens have in store for them, they need to include them in their diet. While they are used to complement well-balanced nutrition plans, adaptogens aren’t in any way meant to substitute living a healthy lifestyle. They should be included in a diet that already has whole food components like carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins within them.

In case you want to add them to your diet, you might only need to buy premixed powder before using it to spice up your food. Alternatively, you can also mix most of these herbs with teas or combine their tinctures with water.

Some adaptogens are also sold as capsules to be taken as supplements. However, athletes need to be careful with the specific pills they choose. Reading the ingredient list will help them assess whether the supplements will improve their workout routines and performance, without causing any side effects.

Adaptogens Contribute To Your Long-Term Health

When taken consistently, adaptogens will do more than enhance an athlete’s performance in the gym or a sport. They promise long-term health benefits without the side effects of most exercise supplements, such as sleep disruption and irritability. Unlike other supplements that the body forms a tolerance towards and demands more of, to enjoy the same effects, adaptogen benefits increase with usage.

The more you use adaptogens, the more you can enjoy their stress-reducing qualities. These herbs are also known to adjust themselves to the specific needs of the user. For instance, if one user has low cortisol levels, they can encourage the body to produce more. Ideally, the herb you opt for during your training will depend on the benefits you need and its availability.

Adaptogens Are Great for Your Overall Health

Your training sessions and performance need every boost they can find out there. Adaptogens happen to offer performance enhancements while improving your overall health. Consider including them into your diet today to enjoy the above benefits and more.