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Health & Fitness, MSM Online

Miami’s March to Summer: Crafting Your Beach-Ready Body with a Conscience

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By Diana Lammerts  As the Miami sun starts heating up as summer approaches, our city’s residents sharpen their focus on achieving that coveted summer ‘beach body’. March marks not only the beginning of spring but also a crucial time for adjusting our focus towards wellness on both a physical and mental level. While our city is passionate about all things stylish — from fashion to music and more — it is easy to see that, for many, aesthetic heralds performance. The Unseen Hazard Hiding in Your Workout Wardrobe While Miami’s fitness enthusiasts diligently work towards their summer body goals, a silent adversary might be undermining their efforts. This adversary isn’t a lack of motivation or the wrong workout plan but something far less expected: our workout clothes. Recent studies, including those by the Center for Center for Environmental Health (CEH) and findings in the journal Environmental Science & Technology,, have revealed a troubling truth. The very sportswear we rely on might be compromising our health, with chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA)—linked to severe health conditions such as breast and prostate cancer, metabolic disorders, and heart disease—leeching from the fabric into our skin. The Price of Our Fitness Fashion In a city celebrated for its fashion-forward ethos, the appeal of affordable, stylish sportswear is undeniable. However, the hidden costs of these choices often extend far beyond our wallets, implicating us in global issues of unfair labor practices and environmental degradation. “I couldn’t find actually the items which really fit my lifestyle and the design approach,” reflects Rafi Ahmed, the founder of MOROTAI, on his motivation to start a brand that stands as a beacon for sustainable fashion. This stark reminder challenges us to consider the broader implications of our purchasing decisions, influencing not just our health but the wellbeing of workers and ecosystems worldwide. Embracing Sustainability and Ethical Choices in Miami MOROTAI started in Germany, has expanded to Asia, and now the US. It’s philosophy: harmonizing style, functionality, and ethical responsibility. This echoes Miami’s own ethos of vibrancy and sustainability. As we prepare for summer, let’s look beyond the aesthetics of our workout gear to its impact on our health and the planet. Choosing brands that prioritize ethical production and sustainability can steer us towards a more conscious lifestyle, aligning our fitness goals with our values. Moreover, Ahmed’s journey from the inception of MOROTAI to its expansion into global markets serves as an inspiration for Miami’s entrepreneurs and leaders. “If you have the right product, you don’t need to buy like 10 or 15 different shirts,” Ahmed states, advocating for a shift from fast fashion to durable, sustainable choices. His story reminds us that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of our health, ethical standards, or the environment. His vision also convinced the judges on the German version of Shark Tank.  Miami’s Path Forward As we move closer to June, let’s not only focus on sculpting our bodies but also on making mindful choices about our workout gear. It’s a call to action for all of us, from beach-goers to boardroom leaders, to choose options that benefit not just ourselves but our community and the planet. This season, Miami has the opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating that our commitment to fitness can also reflect our dedication to a healthier, more sustainable future.

Health & Fitness, MSM Online, Uncategorized

Do it like Michael Phelps – Detox your mind

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By Nadja Atwal Many people all over the world were stunned when Olympian swimmer super star Michael Phelps opened up about his experience with anxiety and depression and how therapy saved his life. It showed that even those who seem to have it all can reach a stage where they feel absolutely hopeless and fearful. Phelps described his alarming experience like this: “I questioned whether I wanted to be alive anymore. I realized I am the strongest person I know, but I felt like the weakest”. Not surprisingly his project Talkspace (check www.talkspace.com and their instagram @talkspace) – an app that connects people with licensed therapists –  is a massive success due to high demand. It is great news that people now dare to look inwards more and tackle their issues. We have been so consumed with physical fitness and looking great especially in a city like Miami, but we’ve grossly neglected the well-being of our mind. More celebrities are talking openly now about their past and present mental health challenges and events that may have caused them. The #MeToo movement certainly helped many to open up about their life-altering events. The average Joe and Jane feels encouraged to share their own issues with friends & family and yes, a therapist. But how can we act more preventative and improve our mental and emotional well-being so that we may avoid stages of severe depression or anxiety? Some mental diagnosis are beyond our control – but what about those circumstances where we could actively help to make ourselves feel better? If we can feel physically so much better after a few days of juicing, is there such thing as a little mental detox? A quick fix that makes us feel rejuvenated, more optimistic, balanced, and just simply better? A new trend from Europe attempts to deliver a solution and many who tried it call it a game changer. Joachim Kaeser, famous for his many inventions and treatments on the physical and mental well-being front, developed a so-called “re-setting” that helps us to rid ourselves from emotional and mental baggage that weighs us down. Having gone through the diagnosis ‘cancer’ twice!, Kaeser knows what sincere physical and mental challenges look like. “ I was my own test subject on both fronts”, says Kaeser – who resides mainly in Germany and Switzerland but sees clients from all over the world and who is planning to open an office in Brickell next year. When asked about how to best explain his Re-setting method, Kaeser refers to our every day PC: “Just imagine a virus scanner on your PC. It scans for viruses that you do not see, but which hinder the perfect functioning of your programs on your PC – often without you knowing it. You too accumulate ‘viruses’ in the form of negative feelings such as disappointment, anger, anxiety – just to name a few. They develop their own activity deep in your subconscious mind and work against you and your life, often without you realizing it.  My mission was to develop a method that activated your own inner scanner for the purpose of detecting your unconscious and conscious issues – from the past to the present; issues that weigh you down and weaken you and can cause anything from mild stress to sincere burnout, fears, phobias, anxiety attacks or depression. While real psycho therapy is usually sought out when the issues already make us feel mentally and emotionally ill, I wanted to tackle the problems before we enter such a severe stage. A reliable prevention method with and immediate improvement effect”. Many of his clients come to Kaeser with the so called burn-out syndrome which is surging also among very young people – especially in the finance world. “The increasing private and professional demands, the permanent availability and the individual setbacks that life experience brings to each of us all, that paired with the demand for mental stability is the basis for whether a person gets a burnout or not”. “The development of a burnout is always the same. The soul suffers, the mind imperceptibly changes its world of thought and in the end the body is going on ‘protest’ mode and malfunctions. So it’s a chain reaction within our mind soul and body in a spiral of excessive demands. The result is helplessness and futility, which results in an inner and outer foreclosure. In my practice, I had people who could not even pronounce their name due to the burnout. As an expert in burnout with specialized training, I then started to use my Re-Setting method for prevention. Why? Because it makes you enormously resilient. The same way you boost your immune system to increase it’s resistance to a cold or flu. The effect: Your inner and also external constraints dissolve. You get a tremendous natural inner strength and energy. You feel like nothing and nobody can stop you. You become stronger  – inside and out. Another common experience many of us have had or can relate to is being frustrated over attracting the same bad situations – and people!  No one wants to become damaged goods. So freeing ourselves from mental and emotional excess baggage that makes us go in circles is obviously something that can only help” says Kaeser.  As a result, Kaeser’s clientele is as diverse as our world itself. “It’s the soccer pro , the stay at home mom or dad, the stockbroker, the salesman, the student, the CEO. What they all have in common is the desire to improve their quality of life and the belief that they themselves may hold the key to it. “I’m just providing the tools” says Kaeser. He has often been called the Success Doc and eventually accepted the compliment and turned it into his job description. “More profound than hiring a life coach but less intense than therapy. And for all us who seek instant gratification, there is good news: you do one session and instantly feel better. Clients describe it as a mix of feeling lighter and freer” says Kaeser.  I guess all of us could use a little mental detoxing that feels like an internal spring cleaning. But no matter what path you choose for improving your mental health: get healthy,

Health & Fitness, Health & Fitness, MSM Online

Hypothyroidism – a dangerous epidemic among women

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  Hypothyroidism & Women by Nadja Atwal There are frequent neurologic conditions associated with an under-active thyroid – our recurring guest author , top neurologist Dr.Adam Zuber, explains the commonly encountered symptoms.  Dr. Adam Zuber: The thyroid gland is located below the Adam’s apple in the throat.  Hypothyroidism is a decreased function of the Thyroid gland and affects women quite differently than it does men. A lot of times the diagnosis is often made only when a blood test is done routinely for other conditions or as part of her medical checkup. Normally hypothyroidism begins slowly and presents with weight gain, and lack of energy. Frequently women will notice that their hair changes in texture, becomes thin, dry and breaks easily, dry or yellowish skin, brittle nails, slow body movements, feeling cold and inability to get warm, occasionally constipation may be noted.  Also associated with hypothyroidism is difficulty sleeping and sleep apnea. Memory problems may be seen including dementia, lack of concentration and depression.  Frequently one develops hypothyroidism due to unknown causes but it may be autoimmune like in Hashimotos disease or with a goiter enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck.  A lot of times it is related to body habitus as your body is just not able to produce enough thyroid hormone for one’s body size due to weight gain or during pregnancy. Neuropathies are common conditions associated with hypothyroidism, even when treated.  Within ten year’s women who have been under treatment for hypothyroidism frequently develop nerve disease, called neuropathy. This is quite similar to diabetic neuropathy. The symptoms associated with neuropathy are numbness, tingling, burning and pinprick sensation of the feet, some people may also encounter unsteadiness and difficulty maintaining their balance. Also frequently associated with hypothyroidism is restless leg syndrome which is a state of persistent restlessness in the feet and legs.  The person suffering from restless leg syndrome cannot sit still and have to move around constantly to settle the sensation in their feet and legs. Other conditions that may be associated with hypothyroidism is periodic limb movements of sleep which is a jerky movement that happens during sleep every 90 seconds. This can cause disruption in sleep and non-restorative sleep. Other neurologic conditions commonly associated are increased frequency of problems of nerves that can be easily compressed. These are carpal tunnel effecting the wrist with pain and numbness of the hands, tarsal tunnel of the feet with numbness and pain in the bottom of the foot and occasionally lateral meralgia paresthetica with pain and burning sensation of the lateral thighs. NA: Hypothyroidism is treated with oral thyroid supplements and can be managed by your primary physician and may need consultation with an endocrinologist for further correction. It is Dr. Zuber from Neurology Associates of Scottsdale Arizona recommendation that women should get checked for thyroid dysfunction annually as part of their routine physicals and be treated adequately if needed as consequences of untreated hypothyroidism are serious.

Fashion, Health & Fitness, MSM Online, Sponsored

Multitasking Sportswear? Yes Please!

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Active wear has become every wear. It is often stylish enough to make it by the velvet rope and if you are serious about working out and looking great, you have plenty of options that slim you down or keep you dry or simply support your exercises.  One of the new gurus in the active wear arena is Nathalie de Champlain, Founder of Caliloko. She made the sought after ingredient “compression” her main focus while injecting a high dosage of fashionista in her designs. Since she also knows a lot about fitness and nutrition, we felt compelled to direct some personal questions her way. MSM: As a trendsetter in the active wear business, what do you see as the main trends for the coming season? NDC: Since I am a competitive squash player, high-performance fitness athlete, entrepreneur and busy mom of two sons, I know how important fitness, style and comfort are to me – and I’m certain for all who include fitness into their daily routines.   As the fitness, health and wellness trend is increasingly becoming a key part of many people’s lives, wearing compression technology clothing to prevent injuries and reduce soreness is now added to the shopping list. However, technical wear has to be stylish, durable and very comfortable. The coming season will continue to see new lightweight textures and fabrics as well as a lot of matching sets of long tights, capris and shorts with tank tops and sports bras. Tones are more neutral. Women will continue to wear their leggings with hoodies and post-workout lightweight layers. MSM: In a booming but highly competitive active wear market, you saw a niche … tell us what you saw. NDC: Over the past couple of years, after testing compression wear during competitions, long runs, recovery (including while sleeping) after a race or even when we travelled long distances, my husband and I realized that compression clothing helped us recover much faster, reduce soreness and prevent injuries. However, the products available then in the highly technical active wear market were not fashionable and not always comfortable. I saw a unique opportunity to make technical more fashionable clothes by creating a premium range of high quality products — helping to boost performance and prevent muscle injury all while looking amazing. MSM: What sets your brand apart from the others ? NDC: Caliloko is different in many ways. We are technical with a fashion twist. It sets us apart.  Our designs are nothing like what we see out there. We bring the compression wear industry to a new level of experience and a more prominent part of people’s wardrobes. We use body mapping to guide the technical drawings and created patterns and textures that are unique to our brand. We sculpt the body and bring health benefits, with fabrics that are breathable, moisture wicking and anti-bacterial with UPF 50+ sun protection.  MSM: For those who just decided to get fit and dress the part, what work out routine and matching outfits do you recommend to get “started” ? NDC: Fitness is so important for everyone so I recommend for newbies to start slow and gradually incorporate a fitness element as part of a weekly routine. Add fitness in your agenda and stick to it, treat it like a client meeting or an important presentation. I also recommend buddy training. It is way more motivating, fun and consistent. Caliloko is dress ready. You can wear our active tights under gym pants or as a single layer to tackle your leg day or any of your fitness activities such as jogging, running, cross fit training. Should you choose yoga, a long walk or spinning, our recovery long tights are perfect for you. You can also use them for your post-training recovery and some people even sleep in them to reduce soreness the next day. You look good on the street and in bed! MSM: What’s your personal work-out routine? NDC: As fitness and squash are part of my life, they allow me to channel my energy, and feel more balanced as a mother and business woman. I have built in strength, cardio and core training in my schedule and mix it with squash drills and matches. My husband is also very involved into fitness as an amateur triathlete and Ironman. We use compression daily and it allows us to get going and enjoy our high intensity workout routines. He even uses our recovery long tights through the night after a long distance run or bike ride. Since we travel a lot, we also use our long tights on planes and when we need to stand on our feet for many hours. It helps to avoid swollen muscles and reduces soreness. MSM: Any diet secrets to boost the work out results? NDC: We love to eat healthy at home. It is a way of life and it has become even more important when 10 years ago, we learned that my husband’s cholesterol level was too high. As the main cook of the house, I then started to control what we ate; avoiding processed food and red meat. I started to prioritize super foods, fish, grains, fruits and vegetables in our diet. Since then, my husband’s cholesterol level is under control and actually way under the harmful levels. And as part of our fitness, we regularly make our fresh juices (using a juicer) and smoothies especially within 20 minutes after a workout where your body absorbs fuels in the most optimal way. What boosts our workout results is the combination of our healthy eating habits, combined with proper hydration and enough hours of sleep.  For more information on Caliloko and their products, visit them today at www.Caliloko.com [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10429″]

Health & Fitness, MSM Online

The Top Tips for Better Sleep

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By Nadja Atwal Everyone has a friend or a family member with  sleep issues. If you are one of the many millions who wished for a more restful night, then know the issue already starts with the wrong idea of how many hours of sleep we need; as a result we force all kinds of unnatural schedules on ourselves. “People need around six hours of sleep, as adults, to feel well rested.” says Dr. Adam Zuber from Neurology Associates of Scottsdale Arizona, one of the top sleep experts and neurologists in the US. “However the reality is people will force themselves to sleep longer, but after the six hours of rest, they wake up and cannot go back to sleep. Sleep consolidation, a term that means organizing ones sleep to an optimal level, is an accepted measure to treat insomnia and restless sleep. Sleep consolidation is not a term commonly known or heard of, by most non sleep specialists.  As sleep specialists we recommend limiting the total time in bed to six hours.  Meaning if one’s natural wakeup time is 6 AM then one should go to bed at 12 midnight.  This pattern of sleep helps a person fall asleep easily and treat insomnia. Sleep consolidation also increases Non Rem sleep.  Non Rem sleep is the critical part of a human’s sleep cycle. About 80% of the sleep cycle is Non Rem sleep, it is the period when short term memory is converted to long term memory.  That is why people who have insomnia, sleep apnea and restless sleep, have poor memory and complain of not remembering things readily, this can also lead to having difficulty with job performance and productivity. Apply these tips for getting closer to that perfect sleep: The caffeine trap “Decaf is a lie”, says Dr. Zuber “ It does contain caffeine, just less that regular coffee, but enough to keep many people up at night. So next when you want to finish your dinner with a decaf latte, opt for a relaxing pure herbal tea instead, like Camomille or lemon ginger. Just make sure the tea has no black nor green tea base.   Choose blue No one wants to stumble while making that trip to the bathroom by night, but stay away from white nightlight . “White light wakes you up. Instead choose blue light in order to stay more relaxed and able to fall asleep again”, says the doctor.   The pillow The right pillow that does not only give you a great level of comfort, but also serves as an anti-snoring pillow and anti-teeth grinding device. For side sleepers only, there is the Sonoma Pillow, for those who variate their sleeping position, try the super pillow. “On top of that the NASA developed material and the unique shape these are also beauty pillows, as it puts your face in a position that keeps the skin from creasing.”, Dr. Zuber praises. Over 6 million Superpillows have been sold and the reviews are impressive. Worth a try ! www.remarkablelifeusa.com   The alcohol factor Lke a nice glass of red before bed to make you sleepy? Zuber shakes his head.” Try to avoid that habit. While alcohol does make it easier to to fall asleep, it makes it harder to stay asleep.” Often patients wake up earlier than they would without alcohol in their system.   Keep it cool Especially during the  colder season of the the year we tend to get to cozy with the heater. But a warm room interferes with your chance of better sleep. “68 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for a goodnight sleep”, Zuber advises.   Unwind time Many of us feel light anxiety, even stress when thinking about all the things we have to take care of the next day. Dr. Zuber has a solution : ” You should always unwind 30 minutes before going to sleep. To make it relaxing and productive at the same time, take a pen and write down all the thing you have to do tomorrow. With this trick it’s ‘done’ in your mind and you don’t have go over it endless times at night.”  

Health & Fitness, MSM Online, Sports

10 Orthopedic Injuries You Need To Know About Before Tee Off with Dr. Alejandro Badia

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Orthopedic Surgeon to the Golf Pros, Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS, Sheds Light on the Top 10 Orthopedic Injuries Impacting Golfers Although originated in Scotland in the 15th century1, golf has been embraced by nearly 30 million Americans coast-to-coast ever since, adding roughly $70 billion a year to America’s economy.2 It is increasingly popular and serves as a fabulous de-stressor, but did you know that there are 10 orthopedic injuries that commonly occur when golf is not played properly? Many do not. Orthopedic surgeon to the golf pros, Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS and Founder and Chief Medical Officer of OrthoNOW®, the nation’s only network of orthopedic urgent care centers, shares his insights. Dr. Badia is a highly respected and sought out hand and upper extremity surgeon that has a strong connection with golf, having treated some of the best players in the world including renowned Peruvian PGA players Sebastian Salem and Hector Gonzalez, Sean Edey one of the top junior Caribbean players from Barbados and #80 French golfer in the world, Perrine Delacour on whom Dr. Badia successfully performed an arthroscopic procedure on her wrist followed up by ARPwave Neuro Therapy that got her back to the game after only three months. With this beneficial information, golfers can be more mindful of their body position and their swing while on the green. The top 10 most common orthopedic golf injuries include: 1. Golfer’s Elbow: Also referred to as “tennis elbow,” this is a condition aggravated by overuse of the arm, forearm and hand muscles that result in elbow pain. The term came into use because it can be a significant problem for some tennis players. “Golfer’s elbow” refers to the same process occurring on the inside of the elbow. Some people have an underlying tendency towards developing these conditions, which then become aggravated with overuse. 2. Back Strain/Disc Herniation: The vigorous twisting and core energy expended in the golf drive can cause soft tissue injury to paraspinal muscles, which are next to the spine and direct motion of the core or trunk area, or even to the discs between the vertebral which may lead to pain, weakness, tingling, muscle pain and spasms. 3. Rotator Cuff Tear: This may be caused by an injury to the shoulder, or due to progressive degeneration or wear & tear of the tendon. Symptoms include pain and extreme stiffness when raising your arm above your head or when moving your shoulder. Too many repetitive rotations at one time can strain the ligaments and muscles in your shoulder. 4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This is caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist. Things that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include: hypothyroidism, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, obesity, wrist injuries and bone spurs and smoking because it can reduce blood flow to the medial nerve. Patients should see an orthopedic specialist if they are experiencing tingling, weakness, or pain in the fingers or hand that keeps coming back or that has not gone away after 2 weeks of home treatment. A common misconception is that typing or texting causes carpal tunnel syndrome. Although these can certainly aggravate the symptoms, typing or texting alone does not cause carpal tunnel syndrome. 5. Ankle Sprain: A sprained ankle is an injury that is common within activities or sports which involve a high level of jumping, pivoting and running. It’s an injury to one of the ligaments in your ankle and although ligaments are flexible, all it takes is a sudden twist for them to stretch too far or snap entirely. 6. Plantar fasciitis: This is the most common cause of heel pain. It is caused by repeated strain on the plantar fascia, the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes, supporting the arch of the foot. A strained plantar fascia causes weakness, swelling, and inflammation in one or both heels. 7. ACL Tear: Knee injuries, much like ankle injuries, occur in activities involving quick turns, abrupt stops and starts, or unpredictable motions. Hearing a pop or experiencing a sharp pain in your knee after taking a hard turn may mean that the ACL was injured. An ACL tear makes it difficult to bend the knee, and people often suffer a feeling of instability when standing. 8. Meniscus Tear: This is a very common knee injury among professional athletes and the elderly. The meniscus helps the knee joint carry weight, glide and turn. This is usually caused by twisting or turning too quickly when the foot is planted and the knee is bent. This injury often causes the knee to be in pain, lock, click and swell. 9. Stress Fractures: These types of injuries are overuse injuries. Muscles become fatigued and they are no longer capable of reducing the shock of repeated impacts. When this happens, the muscles transmit the stress to the bones. Over time, those affected bones can no longer repair themselves organically, leading to small cracks or fractures. 10. Distal Radius Fracture: Commonly known as wrist fractures, these occur when you fall on an outstretched hand. In some cases, a cast may be all that is necessary to treat these injuries, but these fractures tend to be unstable and usually require surgical treatment. In today’s age, whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, proper form and technique can help you take care of your body now, and build healthy habits for the future. There is a new technology that until recently was only used by elite athletes but is now available to the public at OrthoNOW® called ARPwave Neuro Therapy, which dramatically alleviates acute and chronic pain and expedites recovery from surgery. ARPwave is a system comprised of a proprietary electrical device with carefully designed protocols which target injury at the source and has been use to prevent injury and to condition and prep the body to endure the physical commitment that’s required of the activity being experienced by the patient. The technology can help improve your game by improving range of motion and it

Health & Fitness, MSM Online

One on One with Ross Franklin, CEO of Pure Green Juice + Smoothies

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By Carolina Rodriguez CEO Ross Franklin of Pure Green from Westchester, New York, speaks to MSM Online about his professional background, challenges and his vision to establish Pure Green to help millions of people get into a healthy lifestyle. Can you reveal to us a childhood experience which influenced your business career, especially your relation with nutrition? I grew up in a Kosher household in Westchester, New York with two younger brothers. From not eating pork products or shellfish, discipline in regards to food selection has been ingrained in me since childhood. However, many of the kosher foods we ate growing up were processed foods including sugar cereals like captain crunch and fruity pebbles. I have certainly come a long way since then. It didn’t occur to me until high school when I was captain of the wrestling team how food impacted athletic performance and mental focus. While on the wrestling team at Hastings High School in New York, the goal was to drop weight to get into the lighter weight class to gain a competitive advantage. This was the start of me realizing how eating clean foods improve performance and improve my cognitive ability with academics. Which person has inspired you throughout your career? Why? I have been fortunate to have had many mentors throughout my professional career. Straight out of college, I was hired as the Fitness Manager at The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers , managing over 50 personal trainers. The General Manager at the time Bill Abramson, took me under his wing and taught me the difference between leadership and management. He showed me the art of managing multiple department heads and how to report performance metrics to the owners. While working as a General Manager at Equinox Fitness, I met Mark Wood, a seasoned entrepreneur who sold his restaurant group for millions. Mark was a master of executing systems and process at a high level and he exposed me to Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, took me to Tony Robbin’s live events and had me read dozens of books on leadership. Mark taught be how to build teams, develop people and the science of flawless execution.  How did your initial process to establish Pure Green originate? Could you provide us with a business insight? After starting my own consulting company specializing in opening new gyms, spas and fitness centers all throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, Liquiteria, a juice and smoothie bar in New York City hired me when they only had one location. A new owner bought the company and brought me on to grow the brand. I expanded Liquiteria to 4 locations with each new location more successful than the previous one. I became obsessed with the juice and smoothie business as it allowed me to stay true to my passion for health and wellness and I learned how a single 600 square foot location can make as much revenue as a 30,000 square foot fitness center. I became hooked on the juice and smoothie business and decided to start my own company, Pure Green. What is a recent chief achievement with Pure Green? What are your challenges? My vision is for Pure Green to help millions of people get into a healthy lifestyle which is quite the undertaking. We now have 3 retail locations and we recently launched Pure Green wholesale. The challenge now for Pure Green is how to get into big box retail like Wholefoods, Costco and high traffic malls within every major city in the US. Can you please tell us about a personal good experience with your business? Helping people transition into a healthier lifestyle is what brings me the greatest happiness. When I walk around New York City and see people on the street carrying the lime green canvas Pure Green bags, drinking Pure Green super food smoothies and hearing people rave about Pure Green even when they don’t know I am the owner makes me feel great! How do you divide your time among family, business and Pure Green? It can be difficult to give family and friends the attention they deserve especially when I am so focused on bringing Pure Green to the world. I am blessed to have such supportive family and friends who believe in me and my mission for Pure Green. I have an amazing girlfriend who is totally understanding and knows that all the late nights I spend focused on growing Pure Green will help to make the world healthier… or at least I would like to think so 😉 What is a ‘normal’ day in the life of Ross Franklin? A “normal” day in the life of Ross Franklin includes many supplements, super foods, green juice, bulletproof coffee, brainstorming, strategizing, meetings with Pure Green General Managers, checking on Pure Green retail locations, Pure Green wholesale meetings, meetings with vendors to reduce COGS, researching new products and menu items, looking at new locations, talking with Pure Green guests, keeping the Pure Green team focused on hospitality and making sure everyone is having fun. Would you describe yourself as a spiritual person? If so can you share with us one of your more profound spiritual experiences? Although I rarely discuss this with people, I would consider myself a spiritual person. I find it interesting that many people who start to eat clean, get into cold pressed juice, super food smoothies and make a shift toward a healthier lifestyle become more spiritual. I have delved into Kabbalah, meditation, Qi Gong and a variety of other spiritual practices. I believe in balance and have discovered certain elements from different spiritual practices resonate with me but none that I embrace 100%. Too often, I find people often look to external stimuli to deal with their problems and seek answers from outside sources. After a long personal journey, I have full-circled and have come to learn that by looking inward and relying on your gut, your intuition and taking 100% accountability for your actions, you can learn to “own” yourself and be of greater service to

Health & Fitness, MSM Online, Tech

TRN: Access to Elite-Level Personal Training

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By Gisel Habibnejad If you’re looking for all-access to personalized workout programs instantly, TRN has a solution for you. Now available in Miami, this health and fitness app covers four disciplines: general training, yoga, Pilates, and swimming. The app offers all functionalities to meet the needs of busy lives that understand the importance of fitting a workout into their schedules. Through TRN, you can review, choose, and get to know the qualified trainer of your choice before booking your in-person training session. All training Specialists are handpicked by TRN and hold a high level of expertise in their fields. Each Specialist takes the time to learn about their client’s medical history, capacity, and goals in order to personalize each workout catered to the client’s needs. With these qualities, clients should be seeing results in no time. Founders Pat Manocchia and Greg Peters sought to bring health and fitness accessible to all and have succeeded. Manocchia is also the founder of the premier health and fitness provider in the U.S. known as LA PALESTRA Center for Preventative Medicine and, Peters is a well-known fitness expert. “Miami has evolved into a place of high end, quality and luxury services; this audience demands convenience and personal service whenever they want, which is what we do,” shared Peters. TRN IOS is available for download at the app store For more information, please visit www.TRNME.com

Health & Fitness, The Issue

The New Year Standard Procedure

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By Gisel Habibnejad With the New Year comes new resolutions. The most common of all is health and fitness related; however, rarely do people stay true to it all year long. You can make this year different by searching for fun and unique ideas. The Standard Spa Miami has health and fitness activities that will make you not want to stray away from your goals. Just as fitness is important to you, it is just as important to The Standard Spa Miami. They want to ensure you enjoy your workouts with a unique experience. Paddle Board your way to a better body with their exclusive stand up session that strengthens your core and builds balance. The spa also provides various options for yoga classes. H2-Om is a class inspired by a different international or national instructor each week. Known as “meditation in motion,” Power Vinyasa burns calories while remaining in a relaxation state-of-mind. In addition, the hotel also offers one-on-one fitness classes to ensure you receive personal and customized sessions. Building the right nutrition regimen takes your fitness levels to the next step. The Standard Spa Miami encourages a nutritional balance with its Combination Cures and Health Workshops. The Nutrition and Cooking features explore new and inventive ways to change-up your daily meals inspired by international dishes. Soak your body with sweet orange and milk warm compressions to soften your skin with the Vitamin Wrap. Everyone knows massage and spa time is just as important as fitness, right? Relaxation and skin stimulants do contribute to good health. With your choice between three different types of mud formulas, the Mud Lounge consists of applying mud all over your body infused with algae that will tighten pores, expel blotchiness, clear toxins, and tone your skin. Afterwards, you can lounge on their bayside terrace as the mud sits in and works its magic. The Standard Scrub begins with a full-length bathtub dip to soften your skin and open your pores followed by a full-body scrub down using gingergrass and bamboo grass for exfoliation. Then, finish off with a “head-to-toe-rock-your-body” cleansing. One of the popular spa attractions is the Solar Circle. The spacious, green area allows for alone time with a good book, exercise, picnic, or just relaxation with friends. A special experience offered by The Standard Spa Miami is their Hamam feature. Defined as the “spreader of warmth,” it slowly raises your body temperature, allowing for de-stressing of body tensions and soreness. The segments to further your Hamam experience includes dipping into the Hamam bath, which can be filled with your choice of bath salts. The DIY Hamam Bar allows clients to enjoy Hamam their own way and own enjoyment. The Hamam White Clay Detox consists of combining Hamam with the Mud Lounge. To add bellystones to your bath, try the Turkish Hamam Rub and Scrub. After your workout and spa treatments, what better way to end the day than with a manicure and pedicure? The Standard Spa Miami uses special and earth-friendly chemicals to treat your hands and feet to a healthy revival. Photography Courtesy of THE STANDARD MIAMI SPA Click here to view post on the January/February 2015 issue. 

Body, Health & Fitness, Health & Fitness, Healthy Recipes

EAT TO LIVE

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By Polina Ivko To quote Benjamin Franklin, “One should eat to live, not live to eat.” Since the beginning of time, human society searched for sources and ways of improving their longevity and quality of life. Do you recall the fountain of youth or recent hormone therapies? In the history of modern science there were many successful experiments done to test the effects of nutrition and diet on our health. The recent rave is about calorie restriction. This dietary regimen promises to improve lifespan, promote weight loss, boost body repair function and survival rate after a major trauma or disease. The research on calorie restriction dates back to 1930s. Initially, the studies consisted of experiments on small animals under various nutritional conditions. For example, in 1982 Dr. Donald K. Ingram at the National Institute of Aging, Baltimore, Md., conducted a study in which mice fed every other day lived 82% longer than mice fed every day. Currently, Dr. Luigi Fontana at the Washington University School of Medicine is working with people who switched to a daily calorie restriction diet. It will take many years to get the true results, however, Dr. Fontana already observed some life improvements of the subjects and even calls them “new species.” He predicts that “calorie restricters” lifestyle will change how a human body works and ultimately result in better and longer life. You may have heard of many stars, models and gurus talk not only about what they eat, but also about how much they eat. For instance, a supermodel mentioned in countless interviews that she eats at her stomach’s want, but gives the indulgences up for a few days before or after that. Also, Fauja Singh, marathon runner, is a living proof of calorie restriction benefits. The man is 101 years old who has been active all his life, never had a surgery, has no signs of heart disease and takes no medication. He believes that the secret is in his diet that consists of simple foods and half-portions. In other words, Singh eats half of the amount of calories a regular person consumes. So, what is really happening in your body during fasting that makes you healthier? Scientists at the Whitehead Institute tied cell hyperactivity with mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) which decreased production of ketone, a known sign of aging in mice. When you fast, your blood glucose and insulin levels decrease aiding in mTORC1 inhibition, hence, prolonging your life. Calorie restriction is an up and coming trend in the health and fitness world, that might not have enough scientific evidence yet, but is certainly worth your attention. Take a look around at your friends and family, evaluate their dietary lifestyle and make your own conclusions.  http://www.miamishoot.com/msmwinter2012/files/70.html  

Health & Fitness, Health & Fitness

THE TRUTH ABOUT HANGOVERS

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          by Ingrid Macher Okay, so you had some fun last night. But you ended up drinking too much and now you’re paying for it. Oops! Chances are… if your pounding headache allows you to, you’re probably searching the internet for cures for your hangover. But you need to be careful with that because there’s a lot of misinformation out there. And it turns out… a lot of commonly shared cures for hangovers aren’t just ineffective… but can actually harm your health. Don’t worry though… I’m about to give you the truth… and help you get over that hangover quickly. Make the pain go away. When we aren’t feeling good, we want that pain to go away fast. So we often rely on pain medication as a quick fix to get over whatever’s ailing us. Have you ever heard the term, “Take two Tylenol and call it a day?” Well it turns out… Tylenol is one of the worst things you can take when you’re hung over! Because Tylenol contains a substance called acetaminophen. That’s what makes it effective at getting rid of your headache. The only problem is, it places a burden on your liver. And if your liver is in a vulnerable state (like it is after drinking), you can end up with liver damage! So stay away from the Tylenol. If you need that quick fix pain reliever, stick to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen. Does coffee give you energy? Since you’re usually feeling lifeless the day after a night of drinking, it makes sense you’d want to drink some coffee for a quick “pick me up”. But as tempting as that may sound, coffee may be one of the worst things you can drink! Why? Because coffee contains a lot of caffeine, which dehydrates you! And if you’re feeling the standard hangover symptoms of a pounding headache and dry mouth, then you’re already dehydrated! The last thing you need is to start flushing out more water (which coffee does, since it’s a diuretic). So if you need a little boost of energy, what should you do? Well, oolong tea is a great alternative to coffee. It contains much less caffeine… and more vital nutrients, which you’re also depleted of after drinking. Another option is to drink water with a squirt of fresh lemon. Water is the substance your body needs most after drinking. You desperately need to rehydrate yourself. And the lemon adds minerals and antioxidants. But a third alternative many people don’t know about… is coconut oil. It is one of the best foods you can eat for a quick burst of energy. It’s made up of special fats that are instantly used for energy (instead of stored around your waist). It’s also a strong natural antibiotic known for its immune boosting properties. So taking down a spoonful of the stuff can get you going quickly. Put the booze away. Another myth often spread is that drinking more alcohol in the morning will help make the hangover go away. This is because hangovers happen when your body rapidly returns your blood alcohol level to zero. So by drinking again, you can delay the process and ease the pain. The only problem is, all this does is delay the inevitable. By drinking again, you’re putting your body under a heavy burden of stress at a time it’s already depleted. Not to mention… drinking so regularly is a dangerous path you don’t want to go down. So when your night ends, so should your drinking. So then what should you do? Well, take some ibuprofen, rehydrate yourself, give yourself an energy boost with some coconut oil, and then be sure to eat nutritious foods to start putting the minerals back in your body. When you follow those steps, you’ll get over your hangover the healthy way. If you found this information helpful, please share it with your friends. http://www.miamishoot.com/msmwinter2012/files/72.html

Health & Fitness, Health & Fitness

YOGA – THE HARMONY OF SOUL

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    THE HARMONY OF SOUL Yoga is my passion. The first time I took a yoga class I knew it would change my life. It made me feel invigorated, stress-free, healthy, strong, graceful and feel more beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. I continued to practice yoga and every time I discovered more benefits such as weight loss, resolution of my scoliosis, mental clarity and a feeling of unity of my body, mind and spirit. Some of the most common questions that I hear every day as an instructor are; why should I do yoga and what benefits does it bring? The answer is very simple. Yoga induces one’s health on many levels: psychological, physical, biochemical, intellectual and spiritual. If people are healthy they are happy. Yoga is a great way to escape every day stress for anyone. It is a path through which you can resolve your emotional and psychological problems by meditation, exercising pranayama (deep breath) and asanas (body positions). Everyone expresses different levels of stress over a lifetime, that translates into muscle strain and eventually creates a tension shell over the body. Yoga has a large variety of exercises channeled towards relaxation that can help you unlock that tension shell and prevent future physical and mental stress by creating a stronger willpower, a mental ballast and an ability to enjoy life easily. Moreover, a person who is free of the muscular and psychological tension will experience an improved quality of sleep. Yoga is also a perfect road to physical well-being. The exercises that are done during a yoga practice help to restore the proper structure of spine, normalize the work of musculoskeletal system and all the internal organs, regulate blood circulation, endocrine system, digestive tract and respiratory system. After every practice you will find yourself feeling limber, relaxed and as light as a snowflake. In terms of biochemistry, yoga helps to lower the levels of glucose, sodium, cholesterol, white blood cells and increase the levels of hemoglobin, lymphocytes and thyroxine in blood. Hence, it can prevent or regulate existing conditions such as diabetes, obesity, sports injuries, arthritis, osteoporosis and countless others. Everybody can find something in themselves to fix with yoga. Yoga improves the intellectual abilities by properly regulating hemispheric interactions of the brain which forms wholeness and interconnection of all psychological processes. Furthermore, the practice influences spatial thinking and teaches the brain to develop creative approaches to solving any problem and increases the quality and volume of attention and memory. Do not be surprised to find yourself more successful in your career, social circles and socio-economic standing. Harmony of soul is another element that is exercised through meditation during a yoga practice. You will learn to balance your life, love the world as it is and ultimately find peace. Indeed, yoga has a very unique system that enforces development and unification of every component of human psyche and body. You will not find any other activity that offers such a wide range of work on yourself physically, mentally and spiritually all at once. __________ Polina Ivko is a Yoga instructor in South Florida born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine. She got her first taste of exercise as a ballet and traditional dance student at Kiyanochka Choreography Academy at the age of 6. Through out her life she was looking for ways to balance and unite mind, body and heart. Finally, she found herself in yoga. After an extensive training, she became an instructor at the age of 16. Currently, Polina specializes in many formats such as yoga, pilates, cardio training and silver sneakers. For a consultation, please contact her at: indulgeinyogahealth@yahoo.com

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