Amanda Cerny Talks Fitness, Modeling, and Charity Work

Yes, Amanda Cerny was once Playboy’s Miss October in 2011, but that is only scraping the surface of all that she has accomplished. Amanda has quickly turned this opportunity into a successful career in many areas. She knows the importance of fitness and has created an enormous social media following, consisting of nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram. Also, with her role as an international model, she gets plenty of perks, including the chances to travel the world. Yet, she has turned this into an opportunity to help those in need through her Play Foundation. She is the chairwoman and founder of this charity. This is a perfect example of the type of person Amanda is and why she should be looked at as an inspiration for many others. This past week, I had the chance to ask Amanda some questions. Here is the Q&A:

When did you first get into modeling?
I started modeling for fun in high school… Although I began modeling professionally while I was in college at Florida State University.

What has been the hardest aspect of being a professional model?
I guess the hardest part would be dealing with the harsh criticism that every professional model is bound to encounter.

How about your first time meeting Hugh Hefner, what was that like?
My first time meeting Hef was in October 2010. They flew me out to Los Angeles from Florida to test shoot to become one of the famous playmate centerfolds… I hopped in my limo from the airport and as soon as I arrived to the playboy mansion, I had to rush to the dining room to meet Hef himself. I accidentally sat in his seat but he insisted that I remained sitting there. He was such a gentleman! The entire experience was so surreal.

Can you briefly explain an average daily workout for yourself and the importance fitness has on the career of a model?
Fitness is extremely important for models and for just about everyone else as well. Of course it is our job to look our best but it is also important to live a long and healthy life. Eating healthy and fitness are both equally important for living a happy and healthy life. My average daily workout consists of one hour of High intensity interval training. This allows me to get a workout in every day and receive the most benefits from my workouts. I try to squeeze in long distance running and some weight training in a few days a week as well. 

What is your go-to-song or artist for a workout?
I switch up the genres just about every day. It gives me something new to look forward to during my workouts.

So, you also ran track in high school. What events did you do and do you still compete in road races now?
Yes I did varsity track and cross country. I participated in all of the long distance events… I no longer compete but do enjoy running long distance still. It is a great workout and a form of meditation for me.

Are you a sports fan and if so, which teams?
Yessir! I’m from Florida so Miami Heat basketball has my heart although I’m not a die-hard fan…. I still root for other teams when they are not playing the heat of course ;) I also love watching football, soccer (futbol), hockey and tennis. Sports are fun to watch especially when you bet on them ha! I always find myself dreaming that I was talented enough to play professionally like some of these star athletes.

You were also featured in the movie Pain and Gain with Mark Wahlberg and the Rock, what was that experience like? Is it possible acting will be something you will pursue in the future?
It was so much fun! I saw a lot of friends and familiar faces on set. It was a small role but a cool experience. Acting is definitely something that I will consider pursuing. I love being in front of the camera and providing entertainment for others to enjoy.

Could you talk about your trips to Haiti with the Play Foundation and the effect that had on you as a person? 
Yes. I actually starting going to Haiti in 2010 after hearing about the earthquake. I decided to go with a few friends and their charity to donate clothing to an orphanage and ended up falling in love with the children and the country. I have been going to help and visits different orphanages ever since. In working with other charities, I found myself wanting to do more and to also have more control over how efficiently the projects were being carried out. With my career success and friendship with DJ Chuckie, I was able to create the Play Foundation. I want children to enjoy their youth while building social skills as well as their basic core values.
(Picture shown to the right is from one Amanda's trips to Haiti)

What is the central message behind this charity?
It is a Global Foundation with a vision to improve social problems and a mission to build better playgrounds for the children of tomorrow. Being an international model, there is plenty of traveling.

What would you say are some of the more memorable places you have visited?
I am in love with Europe! It is hard to choose the most memorable countries I have been to as many of them have been so amazing and have created lifelong memories for me.

What can fans look forward to in the upcoming year?
A lot! It is hard to put it all down in writing…and I like to keep things as a surprise. My fans know that I am like a box of chocolates… they never know what they are going to get, but it’s bound to be amazing. So if anyone has an interest, their best bet is to stay updated with me through all of my social media platforms… I update them daily!! Probably even hourly haha!

 Feel free to follow Amanda on:
Twitter: @AmandaCerny
Her Website: http://amandacerny.com/
Youtube Channel
Instagram: amandacerny

Johnny Being Johnny

There is currently one player getting the majority of media attention this preseason. This is Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Johnny Manziel. During his two-year stay at Texas A&M, he made plenty of both positive and negative headlines. However, the present situation is Manziel trying to beat out veteran Brian Hoyer for the starting job. Through two preseason games, neither has showed they truly deserve to get the starting nod week one. After going 7/11 for 63 yards in the first preseason game, Manziel took a large step back against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. His final line was 7/16 for 65 yards and a touchdown. I wouldn’t give him much credit on the TD though, as it was a mere flip to Dion Lewis where Lewis did most of the work. He consistently was throwing behind receivers resulting in multiple incompletions on makeable plays. With this said, Hoyer again did nothing to run away with the job, going just 2/6 for 16 yards.

It was a gesture Manziel threw out in the third quarter that won’t sit well with the coaches. After a play that ended near the Redskins’ bench, Manziel flipped the bird to the Redskins while heading back. Per ESPN, Manziel stated, “I felt like I did a good job of holding my composure throughout the night, and you have a lapse of judgment and slip up.” He’ll likely receive an $11,025 fine for his actions and potentially the chance to start week one. When you play in the NFL and receive the attention Johnny gets, you have to know the cameras are always going to be on during the game. This likely won't sit well with head coach Mike Pettine either, who doesn't seem too fond of the young quarterback. With the chances being limited before the start of the regular season, I expect Brian Hoyer to simply win the job on default of neither taking a handle of it and Hoyer being the more experienced option. Personally, I don’t think the starting QB job of the Browns is a great situation for any quarterback to prove their worth in the NFL due to the slim receiving core, especially if Josh Gordon is suspended for the season as expected.

Jay Cutler Primed For Big Year

With fantasy football coming up, everyone has their own strategies. Whether it’s nabbing those early running backs or taking the breakout receiver, it is not uncommon for many people to call themselves “experts.” I’m not going to tell you to go out and get Adrian Peterson or Jamaal Charles rather there is one player easily capable of having a huge season. This man is the Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler. Love him or hate him, Cutler has had both a praised and criticized career thus far. Currently ESPN ranks him as the 15^th quarterback for this upcoming season. I’m not saying take him over Peyton or Brees, but he is definitely someone you can wait on, which will allow you to load up on other skill positions. Now, let me tell you why I think 2014 will be a big year for Cutler. No one has ever doubted the talent of the Bears’ signal-caller. Turnovers and injuries have consistently haunted the quarterback. Coming off a three-year, $54 million contract extension, it is clear the Bears have entrusted plenty in the 31-year-old. What else does he got going for him?

Strong Supporting Cast
Any NFL quarterback would love to have the talent Cutler currently has around him. First off, there is his former Broncos’ teammate, Brandon Marshall, who has produced back-to-back 100 catch seasons with the Bears. Opposite Marshall is last year’s breakout player, Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery put up a line of 89 receptions, 1421 yards, and 7 touchdowns. Add in the 6’6” tight end Martellus Bennett and dual threat running back, Matt Forte, leaving Cutler primed for a career year. One other side point to look at with these weapons is what Josh McCown was able to do with them last year. For most of his career, McCown had been a backup. However, last year after an injury to Cutler, he was thrown into the fire and produced, putting up 13 touchdowns to 1 interception over eight games.

Solid Relationships with Coaching Staff
Head coach Marc Trestman is someone I consider to be one of the more underrated coaches in the NFL. He has an extensive background coaching quarterbacks and the Bears’ offensive coordinator, Aaron Kromer, is thought of by many to be one of the future stars in the coaching world. Not to mention he is on good terms currently with both Kromer and Trestman.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, a lot of Cutler’s successes will depend on his decision making. He isn’t near Peyton or Brees on this category, but with his elite arm-strength and passing ability, he could put up some big numbers in a hurry.

4,300 yards - 32 TD's - 14 INT's

Dougie Kent Discusses Making It Big in Rap and Future Plans

Every year, new rappers hit the scene and try to make a name for themselves in the music industry. Some of these end up making it big, while others struggle due to a variety of reasons. One duo that has been making a consistent rise and I expect to be heard by many more listeners is Jbre x Dougie Kent. This past week I had the chance to ask Dougie Kent some questions about his personal journey in the music world and where he would like to take his talents in the near future. With nearly 75 thousand followers on Twitter, their music is no secret to a large number of people. Jbre and Dougie Kent’s unique style of music is something I think may separate them from some of the other mainstream rappers in today's market. They know it’s not easy to make it big and you can’t just mimic what other guys do. The duo provides a mix of not only mainstream music, but at the same time including underground techniques, which is not used as much as it should be in the rap world. Ultimately, you have to create a brand that is going to separate yourself from the pack. I would strongly recommend checking out what these guys got to offer, as they are catching the eye of many artists as well, with their recent showing at a concert with Chanel West Coast.

When did you first grow an interest in rap/hip-hop music and who were some of the key artist’s sparking this interest? Were there any singers that you tried to imitate or were constantly listening to when getting started?
Yeah for sure, I'm a huge Wiz Khalifa fan...so I always looked up to him being roughly 4 hours away from the state, Pennsylvania. I grew an interest mainly from being a drummer in a band back in 2008-2012. So beats made sense to me.

How has your relationship with Jbre affected you as an artist and the hip-hop tracks you have created with him?
Man...Jbre is legit my best friend. I think a lot of people try to fake stuff but we are some bros. Our whole team is...Purple Planes we all do it together and feed off positive vibes.

Explain the moment when you realized that the duo “Jbre x Dougie Kent” had the potential to rise in the ranks of the hip-hop and music industry at the quick pace it ended up happening in.
We have been workin real hard for our new album to take off titled After Hours, and it sold decent but we went back to the drawing board and really focused on the brand and what we wanted to deliver as a true sound. So I'd say when we started doing shows not just on the East Coast but West Coast and Central U.S completely independent with no agents was when stuff got real serious. 

How has opening for artists like Wale, G-Eazy, and DMX inspired yourself to continue working on your music and help spread your music to people that maybe have never heard it before?
Trying to start from the bottom is hard, but when you open for people like this it's hella inspiring because it gives you a blueprint on what to strive for. I like headlining of course the most, people show love but opening for some big acts like that is a different contagious vibe as well.

Having already produced a song with Fresh-n-Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, who are some artists out there you are looking to do some collaborations with? Would fellow-Pennsylvania-bred rappers Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller be possibilities?
If we did a song with Wiz...that'd be the moment I'd look at the Planes and be like "boys, fuck we made it!" hahaha like he's such a personal inspiration for me every day of living a positive life and being who you want to be: a free spirit. So it's a long shot to say the least, but I'm working for that day.

What do you consider separates your music from some of the mainstream rappers in today’s market?
The cultural backgrounds for sure. Its two totally separate walks of life but like that's what makes us mesh well. It's crazy to look how segregated music crowds are these days. I really admire Wiz because if you look out at the crowd, it's a nice mix. I don't want to be that white rapper that only has white fans. Ya know? Neither does him. We love people in general and we don't really see people as what their nationality we see them as a family. The fact that we are best friends from college and independent really puts us in a separate bracket. Lancaster where we are from is so DIY, it's amazing. And that's how we like to do things: Real hands on. I'd probably also add the fact that we combine mainstream with underground too. That's the main element that a lot of the fans seem to like.

What can fans look forward to from you and Jbre in the near-future? Any tours coming up?
Well, we are trying to wrap up this new album which we are stoked as hell for everyone to hear. You can expect some various tour dates in between the summer 2014 and the fall as we try and put the finishing touches on this record. But to be honest, that's part of the journey of being indie man. You don't know what the hell is going to happen! Nothing's super planned out months in advance. You just wake up some days, and there's dope show offers or collabs waiting to happen.

Do you have some advice for young rappers trying to make a name for themselves in the music industry?
I'd say follow your dreams which is way too cliche, but such a true statement. Personally speaking, I noticed that being single definitely helps because you need to really find yourself. When you find yourself your fans recognize it in your music. Connect with them on a personal level too. People are always going to peg ya and think you're cocky or whatever no matter what you do, but as long as you're doing your personal best to stay humble then the majority of people will become fans and rock with the movement. Let the work speak for itself. And no days off it’s so vital. Like if you really wanna go get it, it's there for you. Make it happen. That's the fun part, you know there's a key somewhere to unlock the door but you gotta find it.

Check out their website and @iamdougiekent on Twitter.

Should Team USA Continue Using NBA Players?

When Paul George went down with that nasty injury during a Team USA scrimmage, many critics came out demanding NBA players not be made available for international competitions. Nonetheless, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver held his ground telling USA Today Sports, “I don’t anticipate a major shift in the NBA’s participation in international competitions.” The main opponents to Silver’s stance will be the NBA owners, including Dallas Mavericks’ Mark Cuban. Cuban claims NBA players are sent to international events with the NBA paying their yearly salaries and the IOC or FIBA receiving the financial benefits they provide during international tournaments. Ultimately, I believe USA Basketball is a critical part of the sport for our country. It is a way to showcase our talent just as we do in other Olympic sporting events. Obviously, Paul George being sidelined for all of next season is a huge blow to the upcoming season for the potential title-contending Indiana Pacers, but injuries are part of the game. This issue is virtually the same thing as MLS teams or other soccer leagues across the world having their players compete in the World Cup and other international matches.

While all of this news was going around, I started to think of what Team USA would look like if NBA players weren’t allowed to compete. It would largely consist of college players and with the increased amount of 1-and-dones, this could potentially be a very young unit. Here is what I came up with for the non-NBA Team USA:

STARTERS
PG: Marcus Paige, North Carolina
SG: Ron Baker, Wichita State
SF: Stanley Johnson, Arizona
PF: Cliff Alexander, Kansas
C: Jahlil Okafor, Duke

BENCH
Montrezl Harrell, Louisville
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
Tyus Jones, Duke
Georges Niang, Iowa State
Caris Levert, Michigan
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
Olivier Hanlan, Boston College

Despite this squad not even being comparable to a squad with NBA guys, this team could definitely be very competitive in this summer’s FIBA competition. Yes, it has some freshman in the starting lineup who have never played in a collegiate game, but these are future top-10 NBA draft picks. A couple other players, like Baker and Niang, fit perfectly into the style of play exhibited at the international level thanks to their versatility. All of this is just speculation as it looks like Adam Silver is in no hurry to prohibit NBA players from suiting up for Team USA, but it is interesting to see what kind of team the United States is capable of assembling if the circumstances presented themselves.

Caroline Wozniacki to Run the NYC Marathon

Caroline Wozniacki is well known throughout the tennis and sports world. The former #1 player in the WTA is currently ranked 13th in singles. She recently announced via Twitter "Excited to get my New York on as a 1st time marathoner @nycmarathon! #TCSNYCMarathon! Support me @TeamforKids." The NYC Marathon is scheduled for November 2nd, which would be the opening week of her off-season. It is definitely a change from what the typical tennis star would do after a long tennis season. She will be competing with the New York Road Runners club and in support of the Team for Kids foundation, as mentioned in her tweet above. I definitely commend her efforts to try something out of the ordinary even after a long and strenuous tennis season.

November was also supposed to be memorable month for Caroline before her engagement with golfer Rory McIlroy broke off in May. However, this isn't the only reason she is lacing up the running shoes for 26.2 miles. She wasn't just adding this to her calendar to forget about the failed engagement. It "was a personal goal" for her, as well as a chance to raise money for charity. As a tennis player, I'm sure she is already in solid fitness and Wozniacki stated in a recent interview she already runs approximately 30 to 40 minutes a day with her daily tennis training. Adding in some miles on a couple of days will help to start getting her into the shape needed for longer distances. She will join fellow world-class athletes like Jennie Finch (2011) and Apolo Ohno (2011) on list of recent athletes to run the NYC Marathon.

You can support Caroline's efforts in the NYC Marathon at http://www.crowdrise.com/carolinew.

World's Only Aerial Violinist Talks Music, America's Got Talent, and Future Plans

Janice Martin is a jack-of-all-trades that manages to combine her vast talent in the musical world with an aerial display that is sure to keep an audience on the edge of their seats. While she grew up with a musical focus, after seeing a performance by the Cirque du Soleil, she was inspired to take her performing to a new level. USA Today has referred to her the "World's Only Aerial Violinist." Her aerial acts will impress anyone, but her wide range of artistry abilities allow her to connect with everyone from a classical music fan to a jazz-filled audience. Janice has put her act in front of millions of people when she performed for NBC's America's Got Talent and for the Discovery and History Channels. She currently performs at the Branson Belle in Branson, Missouri. The show consists of her various musical talents, including impressive violin work while on the silks. I highly recommend seeing the show if you are ever in the area, well worth the money. If all of this didn't already have your attention, Janice is also a veteran of the United States Army. While her resume is already very impressive, from the awards she's received to the venues she has starred in, Janice is focused on continuing to add new aspects to her acts. I was able to catch up with Janice recently and discuss how she got to the point where she is now and tried to break down this aerial work.

What was your childhood inspiration that got you started in becoming a musician? 
I had two older sisters who both played piano and violin and I wanted to be able to play too!

Do you have any gymnastics in your background to help with your aerial skills? 
Yes. I started gymnastics when I was 8, was a cheerleader in high school and have studied dance and movement in one form or another ever since.

Also with these aerial stunts, they look like they require plenty of strength and endurance. What does your fitness routine consist of in order to keep you fit for your shows and how important was it when you first started with the aerial violin?

I work with a Pilates / Physical trainer 3 times a week on Pilates equipment, I stretch every morning and then right before my aerial act, I do various other exercises depending on what I need to work on - sometimes ballet, sometimes just running in the gym or sometimes just perfecting a move by getting to the theater early and practicing on my silks before the show.

Can you discuss your experience from being on America's Got Talent? 

It was crazy exciting - I did really well and had an incredible experience onstage and with the audience. Pierce Morgan had me perform almost 15 minutes because he kept asking me to do all kinds of things -- he thought I should quit everything and be a singer while Sharon Osborne and David Hasselhoff loved my aerial violin act and combination of talents. I got a big standing ovation from the crowd and I thought it was the greatest performance of my life! Unfortunately, after I filled out all the paperwork for the producers, the PRODUCERS cut me from the show, and I'll never know why. It was funny though that when they aired my audition on national television that the editors utterly altered what actually happened by the way they put footage together. Nevertheless, it remains in my mind as just a great experience.

Out of the many venues you have performed at, from the White House to Carnegie Hall, has any one place been more memorable than the others? 

Well, yes. Carnegie Hall was of course a huge thrill - I played my first major recital there with New York Times critics and other important reviewers there...the hall was phenomenal and the experience was daunting yet glorious. The first time I played in an arena with 26,000 people was scary and exciting! I played a lot of tours in Japan and performed in some incredible halls like Suntory Hall in Tokyo as well. The Rudolfinum in Prague was especially meaningful to me because I had heard a concert there when I was much younger and had dreamed of performing there myself, so that was a crazy dream come true. What has always meant more to me than anything; however, is WHO is in the audience rather than what the hall is. It is thrilling for me to perform for great artists and performers, so when I know they are in the audience, I cannot help but be inspired beyond what I normally do.

Since you are considered to be the world's "only aerial violinist," do you think there will be others in the future pursuing similar forms of music?

Possibly!

Do you play any other instruments aside from the violin and piano?

I used to play trumpet in junior high and high school. I play a little bit of guitar, the Chinese violin (called an Erhu), and I can fake my way around a viola and cello.

How has your time at the Branson Belle compared to your past stops?

It's great here! I love being in a beautiful location on the water with natural beauty and greenery everywhere - VERY different from New York City! It's also very refreshing to work in a family friendly environment that encourages families to spend time together. The Branson Belle nurtures a supportive environment and I really enjoy working with the other performers, the crew, the staff...everyone!

What can fans look forward to from you in the near future?

l always have something up my sleeve. I recently just published a children's book called "How I Learned to Fly" which is available in hard cover on the boat after my shows, on my website and also a Kindle version available. I'm producing a special Star Spangled Banner aerial violin video forYoutube and several other videos that are geared for national TV.

Feel free to follow her on: 
Website 
Facebook 
Twitter

Charlie Strong Already Making an Impact at Texas

             

When former-Louisville football coach, Charlie Strong, took over for Mack Brown, the reactions were mixed. Many Texas fans were probably in favor of the departure of Brown after some less-than-spectacular seasons. With this said, I truly do believe Strong was the right choice. Having resurrected the Louisville program, I think Coach Strong was more than worthy of landing a big-time job. However, when he took over the Longhorns job, there was some cleaning up that needed to be done. Discipline needed to be installed from the inside out and the culture required some altering. Since officially becoming the coach, he has already kicked six players off the team, as well as suspending two others who were charged with sexual assault. The first two dismissals were fullback Chet Moss and defensive back Leroy Scott, who were kicked out in March. The players that have been dropped most recently have been a little more important players. Some of these are guys that figured to be focal parts for this season and the future.

First, there was senior running back Joe Bergeron. The running back has seen his fair share of ups and downs during his three years as a Longhorn with the highlight being his 16 touchdown season in 2012. Nonetheless, Bergeron figured to be another back in Texas’ arsenal, especially in goal-line scenarios. Senior safety Josh Turner also was looking to put a solid capstone on his college career before being dismissed this past Friday for violation of team rules. Turner was slotted in to be a starter after starting 3 games in 2013. The next to go was sophomore running back Jalen Overstreet. Originally a quarterback, Overstreet made the move to the running back position last year and put up 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. He looked to slot in as a change-of-pace back for most of the season, pending any injuries to those ahead of him. Lastly, Chevoski Collins, a redshirt defensive back, received a heavy workload with the number 2 defense in the spring game this year. He figured to be a special teams’ contributor for this season.

As I mentioned before, there was also two Texas players arrested on sexual assault charges and these were receivers Kendall Sanders and Montrel Meander. Strong has suspended both of these players indefinitely. It was not Sanders first time in trouble with the law, as he missed last year’s season opener due to a DUI. He posted stats of 37 catches for 361 yards, while starting 7 games last year, while Meander redshirted last season.

All of these dismissals and suspension could definitely have some immediate negative effects for this season, but it is the message Charlie Strong is sending that will have long-term results. He is working to instill a discipline all coaches should follow along with and it is this culture which helped build the historic Texas Longhorns’ football program.

Breaking Down The Purge: Anarchy

In a summer season loaded with intriguing films, such as Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Hercules, Lucy, and many others, one of the movies that I was particularly looking forward to seeing was The Purge: Anarchy. Although I felt the original Purge movie came up short in terms of expectations, the idea behind the movie was something that caught people's attention. I'll admit it, the first wasn't terrible and wasn't terrific, but it was rather narrow in scope. It left the viewers with many unanswered questions. All we saw was how the night was witnessed by one individual family. I left the theater thinking what the annual night consisted of on the streets or in downtown. However, The Purge: Anarchy lets you see an unlikely group of individuals trying to survive their night out on the streets. If you don't already know the idea behind writer/director James DeMonaco's Purge movies, it is the existence of an annual 12 hours where all crime is legal. The result of this is lower unemployment levels and decreased amounts of crime. It is a unique idea that seems to separate itself from the other movies out there.

Now, let's look into this group of individuals who for different reasons are forced to try to survive the 12 hours outside. There is a waitress mother and her daughter (Carmen Ejogo and Zoe Soul), who are kidnapped and dragged out of their home before being saved by a mysterious man (Frank Grillo) determined to avenge the death of his son. Closing out the group is a couple (Zach Gilford and Kiele Sanchez) forced to try to find shelter after their vehicle breaks down on the highway. The cast of lesser-known actors and actresses may stop some people from viewing the film, but I feel that is a mistake. DeMonaco has created many thought-provoking moments in this film. While the Purge itself will likely never happen, it makes you think of how the only reason unemployment is said to be at an all-time low is because the rich are killing off the poor in the film. There are definitely times where the movie fails to reach what it could be. However, I was surely impressed by the overall production and would recommend anyone going out to see it.

Image Source: (www.insidethemagic.net)

Real Madrid Spending the Money

Coming off a Champions League winning campaign, Real Madrid are looking to again be one of the world's elite in soccer behind superstars Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. Already, in this offseason, they have nabbed James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos. The German, Toni Kroos, might possibly be replacing fellow countryman Sami Khedira, although Kroos is not as strong lining up as a holding midfielder. The addition that I am more looking to talk about in this article is the Colombian, James Rodriguez. After his remarkable World Cup campaign in which he won the Golden Boot, Rodriguez looked primed to be a hot commodity in the transfer market. Despite never really proving himself against top-quality competition, albeit this past summer, Rodriguez still received the fourth-highest transfer sum ever with the 88 million euro price tag for his move to Madrid from Monaco. With Monaco, he did notch 9 goals and 12 assists against solid Ligue 1 competition, but it will be interesting how he performs on the Champions League stage given his inexperience.

This past season, Real Madrid's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, employed the 4-3-3 formation. The top three consisted of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. There is no one there in which you can just send to the bench, so a 4-2-3-1 formation with Benzema up top looks nearly eminent, given the money spent on these attackers. At the same time of all of this happening, Angel Di Maria will likely be put on the market to generate some money to compensate for the big purchases. This is yet another move I feel isn't deserved. Ultimately, Di Maria earned the right to stay at Madrid, while Rodriguez doesn't have the resume just yet to earn the fourth highest transfer fee. In the end, James Rodriguez is the new player that everyone wants to talk about and Real Madrid didn't want a pass up the opportunity to sign the Colombian midfielder.

The Lasting Impact of Tony Gwynn

On June 16^th, the baseball world truly lost a legend that will be remembered for his actions both on and off the field. Tony Gwynn, given the nickname Mr. Padre, is considered to be one of the most pure hitters in MLB history. A 2007 first ballot Hall of Famer, Gwynn was one of the elite players during his 20 year career. Putting up lifetime averages of a .338 average, 3,141 hits, 8 time batting champ, and being a 15 time all-star proves this point. Yes, Tony was a great player, but many recall him as being a great person. Former Colorado Rockies great, Todd Helton, said, "Tony had a smile that would light up the room. That's who he was. He always had a smile on his face, but he was very hard on himself as a hitter." (Denver Post) Everyone respected Gwynn as a player and an individual. However, while his success on the baseball field will forever be remembered, I feel there will be another area that will have a lasting impact.

Tony Gwynn passed away at the age of 54 due to cancer of a salivary gland that he thought was caused by the smokeless tobacco used during his playing days. Everyone knows how the dipping tobacco habit has become a large trend in this sport. Gwynn picked up the habit during his days in Walla Walla playing rookie ball. However, despite what Gwynn thought, it is not 100 percent certain the cancer was caused by the tobacco. There is no scientific evidence connection chewing tobacco with this type of salivary cancer, but there are plenty of doctors who have witnessed numerous patients develop the cancer with the part of the mouth they chew their tobacco on.

Shortly after the news of Gwynn's death, a couple of former San Diego State players announced they would quit their use of smokeless tobacco after seeing it take the life of the Hall of Famer. Both of these guys were under the tutelage of Gwynn during their stay at San Diego State. One of these was Washington Nationals ace, Stephen Strasburg. In an interview with MLB.com, the pitcher stated, "I want to be around for my family. This is something that can affect people the rest of your life." The other player was Arizona Diamondbacks' closer, Addison Reed, who was a college teammate of Strasburg. I wouldn't be at all surprised if we start seeing more of a trend of current baseball players giving up the habit. Ultimately, it is going to come down to what Major League Baseball chooses to do. With this recent news of Tony Gwynn dying at just 54, MLB will have to answer questions of whether chewing tobacco should continue to be a part of the game. Former catcher, Joe Garagiola, chose to quit this habit and has been urging current players to do it before it is too late. "With oral cancer, you die one piece at a time. They operate on your neck, they operate on your jaw, they operate on your throat." (Mercury News) It's not guaranteed chewing tobacco caused the salivary cancer. However, there is a reasonable possibility it had something to do with it. It will be interesting to see what the next couple of years present in the baseball world on this issue currently looming large in the public. In conclusion, I'll give a quote from Mr. Padre. "Remember these two things: play hard and have fun." A quote that any young baseball player can instill in their own playing style.

Sources Used:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2014/06/17/rockies-icon-todd-helton-remembers-greatness-tony-gwynn/17861/
http://www.mercurynews.com/athletics/ci_26050343/tony-gwynns-death-and-baseballs-dirty-habit 

No Shortage of Guards for the Phoenix Suns

Coming off a surprise season that saw the Phoenix Suns go 48-34 and narrowly miss the playoffs, the Suns look to continue their climb into the 2014-15 season. With this said, I thought the Suns have had an interesting off-season between their draft picks and free agency acquisitions. The Suns were potentially interested in signing LeBron or Carmelo Anthony, but were unsuccessful in both of those possibilities. They are still in contract discussions with restricted free agent, Eric Bledsoe, so that is definitely something worth keeping an eye on. Here is their current depth chart as of today:

PG: Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas, Tyler Ennis, Archie Goodwin, Ish Smith
SG: Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green, Leandro Barbosa, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dionte Christmas
SF: P.J. Tucker, Marcus Morris, T.J. Warren
PF: Markieff Morris, Shavlik Randolph
C: Miles Plumlee, Alex Len, Emeka Okafor, Alec Brown

One thing I notice immediately is the plethora of talent at the point guard and shooting guard position. When healthy, the triple headed monster of Dragic, Bledsoe, and Green was dominant last year for the Suns posting points per game averages of 20.3, 17.7, and 15.8, respectively. This year’s squad will also feature last year’s first round pick from Kentucky, Archie Goodwin, and this year’s first round pick, Tyler Ennis, from Syracuse. Finally, this leads us to the last big gun in the arsenal for the Phoenix Suns, Isaiah Thomas. As the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Thomas has always seemed to have a chip on his shoulder, while steadily improving each season. Coming off a year in which he averaged 20.3 points per game, it was expected the Sacramento Kings would make a bigger push to keep him on the club, but they opted against that and are left with Darren Collison to run the show. No offense to Collison, who I think is definitely an underrated point guard, he just likely won’t provide the production left behind from Thomas. Adding Thomas into the Suns’ depth chart will provide some interesting situations. The issue still with this team may be inside depth. Plumlee made huge strides last year, the Morris’ brothers looked good again, and Alex Len will look to continue to grow in his second season. The looming question that may define this year’s team will be whether or not they should of used one of those first round picks or free agency dollars to go after an elite big.

Lydia Callins Talks Post-Hero Life, Boxing, and Much More

Over this past weekend, I had the great opportunity to interview Lydia Callins. She is well-known for appearing on TNT's The Hero, a reality competition TV series hosted by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. However, Lydia has also appeared in various movies and TV shows. Despite having a rough start, her goal is to go "from poverty to fame." With this fame, she hopes to inspire many and raise awareness of the many social problems that currently exist throughout America. Along with acting, she has done a wide variety of things, including boxing, modeling, and being a personal trainer. She is a true inspiration to many who have heard her story and know the motivation she has to keep pushing forward. I would like to thank her for taking the time to do this interview and wish her the best in all her future endeavors that she is pursuing. 

What has been your primary inspiration growing up?

My inspiration has come from within, the need and want to have abundance, to be great, and to be the best me I can possible be

How has your childhood made you the person you are today?

My childhood forced me to become independent, and strong at an early age; and it also ironically made me grateful for my life thus giving me purpose. I survived my childhood so that I can one day help other children who grow up underprivileged, neglected and abused.  

How did being on The Hero with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson affect your life? Whether it be interacting with your fellow contestants, completing the challenges, or receiving guidance from “The Rock”, how did it impact you?

The show impacted me in several ways, I learned more about my self and my strengths. Interacting with the contestants widen my closed minded perspective on people, I now look at people in a different light and give them the benefit of the doubt, instead of immediately prejudging and placing them in a box. I have a better understanding that we are all products of our environments.  My interaction with The Rock was very limited, at the end of the day he was the star of the show and we were just cattle. 

Was there any one specific line or moment from being on The Hero that you feel changed you personally?

When I won my challenge and had the opportunity to take home 70k that was a very powerful moment for me, I felt like I won a gold metal or something, it was very empowering, for the first time in my life I felt fearless.   

How has your life been changed since being on the show?

To be honest participating on the hero did not change my life at all. Once the show was over, it was right back to the real world. The only thing I walked away with were the memories of wonderful experiences in doing things that I would have never done. 

Could you talk about how your experience and former career in the tough sport of boxing has affected your mindset going forward, including your participation in Knock Out for Girls charity?

Boxing changed my whole life, it taught me how to focus and to be discipline in order to obtain a goal. Boxing made me stronger physically and mentally. I apply the discipline learned from training to my life daily in everything that I do, and in turn  giving me a winning attitude towards all my endeavors and a healthy mind and  body. 

What was your inspiration for the writing of your novel, Chena The Making of An Orphan, and what kind of message are you trying to send to your readers?

My inspiration for writing my novel was to inspire and up lift, I want my readers to understand that we do not have to become products of our environment. We have the choice to change, and want better for our lives, and that our destinies are truly in our hands. 

What sports teams do you follow and cheer for?

I love my Oakland Raiders and Oakland A's.

Do you have anything planned out for future endeavors?

I would like to get a publishing deal for a trilogy, become a New York Times' best seller, obtain an Oscar and open an orphanage. 

What advice do you have for people that may be struggling with a unique situation or challenges of their own?

My advise is that you can do anything you put your mind to, instead of focusing on the negative, dwell on the positive and keep hopeful. Stay prayed up, because through God you can do and overcome anything.  If you don't like something about your self or your life, make a plan to change it and empower your thoughts with action. 

Ray Mac Has Arrived

Ray McCallum has now arrived on the scene in the NBA. After being drafted 36th overall by the Kings in the 2013 NBA draft, he has spent on-and-off stints in with the Reno Bighorns of the D-League. McCallum does have an interesting path as to how he got to this point. He was a McDonald’s High School All-American and many figured he would play for a D-1 basketball powerhouse before taking his talents to the professional level. Contrary to this normal path, he made the decision to attend the University of Detroit Mercy because that is where his father coaches at. Some of his other offers included UCLA and Florida. Anyways, he was pretty much the top recruit they have ever had at Detroit and went on to be a difference maker each of his three seasons, including being the recipient of the Horizon League Player of the Year in 2013. After he chose to leave Detroit early after three years, he got drafted by the Kings, who already have plenty of talent and depth, but have just been lacking to mesh the talent together. They already had Isaiah Thomas at point guard and also had Greivis Vasquez before he was dealt in December for Rudy Gay. So, it was clear minutes might be tough to come by for the rookie initially. It wasn’t until January that McCallum was able to play 10 minutes in a game and took till February 25 for him to play 20 minutes. However, when Isaiah Thomas went down with an injury in late March, a huge opportunity opened up for Ray McCallum. Although it has been a relatively small sample size, it is easy to see the potential in the one-time McDonald’s All American. Listed below are the lines he has put up in this stint from March 26th to April 2nd:

March 26th vs. Knicks – 43 Minutes – 3-14 FG – 10 Pts. – 6 Reb. – 5 Ast.
March 28th vs. Thunder – 46 Minutes – 6-16 FG – 13 Pts. – 4 Reb. – 5 Ast.
March 29th vs. Mavericks – 48 Minutes – 7-17 FG – 16 Pts. – 4 Reb. – 8 Ast.
March 31st vs. Pelicans – 44 Minutes – 9-19 FG – 22 Pts. – 2 Reb. – 10 Ast.
April 2nd vs. Lakers – 46 Minutes – 12-22 FG – 27 Pts. – 4 Reb. – 5 Ast.

It is easy to recognize the trend with these numbers as they have consistently increased with each game he has gotten under his belt. Once again, it is a small sample size, but McCallum is making the Kings look very smart for drafting him with a 2nd Round pick. Once Thomas gets back, it will definitely be interesting to see how the Kings will handle the point guard situation, especially considering the big minutes McCallum has been getting in Thomas’ absence.

Insane Frisbee Trick Shots at Butler

I just saw this on YouTube and had to post it. The guy throwing them is Brodie Smith (@BrodieSmith21).

Sweet 16 Preview (Day 1)

10 Stanford vs 11 Dayton -- Thursday - 7:15 PM ET
Both teams are coming off big upsets, with Stanford taking down Kansas and Dayton defeating Syracuse. It should be a pretty close game throughout. Dayton likes to spread the scoring around and is led by former-Ohio State Buckeye, Jordan Sibert. Stanford has great length among their bigs and is led by junior guard, Chasson Randle, who brings an 18.7 PPG average into tonight's contest.

PICK: Stanford wins 66-61

2 Wisconsin vs 6 Baylor -- Thursday - 7:47 PM ET
Baylor comes off a highly impressive recent run of play. Having made it to the finals of the Big 12 Tournament and a complete dismantling of 3-seed Creighton, Baylor looks to be clicking on all cylinders. On the other side, Wisconsin made an amazing comeback to beat Oregon in the round of 32 after falling behind a double digit deficit in the first half. Both teams like to shoot it from deep and it should be an entertaining game.

PICK: Wisconsin wins 74-66

1 Florida vs 4 UCLA -- Thursday - 9:45 PM ET
Florida has been as-advertised so far in this tournament. The number 1 overall seed has showed no signs of a let down, taking down Albany and Pittsburgh with ease. They are led by a group of seniors, which includes Scottie Wilbekin. UCLA also seems to be meshing at the right time. Behind Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams, the Bruins have looked strong taking down Tulsa and Stephen F. Austin.

PICK: Florida wins 68-63

1 Arizona vs 4 San Diego State -- 10:17 PM ET
Arizona looks to be one of the top candidates to cut down the nets in Arlington. In a well-balanced attack, Arizona destroyed a solid Gonzaga team by 23 points in the round of 32. Despite facing an easier foe in the round of 32 (North Dakota State), San Diego State was still focused on the problem at hand. Xavier Thames led the charge and San Diego State came out on top 63-44.

PICK: Arizona wins 77-64

1 World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) B.A.S.E. Jump

This has received big headlines today. The actual jump occurred on September 30, 2013 and they were just recently arrested for the jump when they turned themselves in yesterday. The tower is the Western Hemisphere's tallest tower.


(Start at 2:45 to see the actual jump)

The question I would like answered is where is the security? Between this and the 16-year old New Jersey kid last week getting on the top of the World Trade Center, this is already too frequent of an occurrence.

What do you guys think?

Interview with Katie Spotz

This past weekend, I had the chance to chat with the individual who became the youngest person to ever complete a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. This individual is Katie Spotz. As stated on her website (katiespotz.com), “she is an adventurer and safe water activist.” Through many different projects, she has generated thousands of dollars in support of these campaigns. Katie’s many different adventures have been well documented, as they have been featured in Sports Illustrated, CBS Evening News, Anderson Cooper 360, ABC News World News with Diane Sawyer, and many others. Along with being a world-class adventurer and safe water activist, Katie is an inspiring speaker. She has spoken for many different audiences and is very well respected in that setting. I strongly recommend reading about her story and if you have the chance to listen to her speak, I would take advantage of the opportunity. During this interview, I have provided you with her responses on how these different adventures helped her grow as a person and an activist.

What inspired you to pursue all of these different adventures, from running your first marathon to an Ironman triathlon?

Most of my life I was not a star athlete. The position that I played the most was the bench! Then, at 18 I signed up for a walking and running class in college. I started running a few times each week and week by week I would run a few miles more. After doing a ten mile run, that's when I considered doing my first endurance challenge – a 26.2 mile marathon. I saw people of all walks of life completing the run and it made me realize that we are all much more capable than we think.

Did you ever see yourself doing these various adventures when you were growing up?

Not at all. When I was growing up the thought of rowing an ocean or cycling across America didn't even cross my mind. I didn't know it was possible and never heard of anyone doing something like it. However, I would have mini-adventures of my own. I remember how amazing (and exhausting!) it felt to cycle twenty miles with my dad to the beach. My dream job as a kid was to be a bicycle messenger.

Which project that you have worked on would you say was the most memorable?

Each adventure has been very special for different reasons. While the row was the most challenging and rewarding, I feel like my first marathon was just as important. If I didn't take that first step it wouldn't have led to the rest of the adventures. The marathon was mentally challenging in that I spent some much time and energy worrying about it and doubting myself, instead of just having focus on the run itself. Once I realized that we truly can do anything we set our minds to everything became much easier and I trusted the process.

Why has the safe drinking water campaign always been so important to you?

 I was in class and my professor mentioned that the wars of the future would be on water. It was like someone told me the wars of the future would be on air! I didn't understand the world water crisis living one of the greatest sources of fresh water on our planet. After learning all the facts I knew I wanted to help. The water crisis is huge but it's a problem with solutions. There are ways to help like digging and drilling wells, capturing the rainfall, and protecting mountain springs. After traveling to Kenya it's given me that extra boost of motivation to find more ways to help and I am continuing to work with an amazing charity called H2O for Life to inspire schools in America to help schools all around the world get clean, safe drinking water.

Can you talk about your trip to Kenya as a part of the safe water project?

 The different athletic events and campaigns have raised more than $250,000 for safe drinking water projects around the world. A huge portion went to support schools in Kenya and about a year after the row I was able to visit some of those projects. After traveling to Kenya it's gave me that extra boost of motivation to find more ways to help and as a result launched a campaign called Schools for Water. It was a way to challenge ten schools in the states to help ten schools in Kenya. The schools raised more than $100,000 or enough to help 10,000 students gain access to safe drinking water. To celebrate, the students gathered and broke the world record for the most people carrying water jugs on their heads!

What was the most challenging aspect of your 3,038 mile solo row across the Atlantic Ocean that spanned 70 days, 5 hours, and 22 minutes?

 The sleep deprivation was brutal. I would not be able to sleep more than a couple hours because the crashing waves against my boat. I reached a point that I was so tired that I couldn't sleep because my body was so used to the lack of sleep.

Is there any advice you could give to people looking to do something adventurous and how should they go about doing so?Sometimes the biggest hurdle is ourselves. When I was a bit younger and looking at other people's adventurous lifestyles, I remember feeling a bit jealous. But that mindset did not get me to the adventures so I started to look at what was within my reach. Adventures are available to all, whether it means sneaking in a two hour row across a lake or 70-day row across an ocean.

Katie in the boat she used in her solo row (Source: NESN)

Katie has been a true inspiration to myself and many individuals around the world. I would like to thank her for participating in this interview and wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.

Virginia Tech Nabs Buzz Williams as Next Head Coach

With the NCAA Tournament going on right now, many people are forgetting about the coaching carousal that will become much busier in the coming weeks. Yesterday, one of my favorite college teams, Virginia Tech, got a huge signing when they announced Buzz Williams would be the next head basketball coach. He is replacing James Johnson, who struggled in his two years at the helm on Hokies’ basketball. The deal is said to be a 7 year deal worth around 18 million. I consider Buzz to be one of the most underrated coaches in all of college basketball. During his time at Marquette, he went 139-65, which included an Elite Eight appearance in 2013. He spent six years there, with his only prior coaching experience being for the New Orleans Privateers of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2006-2007 season. In the end, signing a coach of Buzz Williams’ caliber can elevate a program in a hurry, just like what happened with the Golden Eagles of Marquette.

FC Kansas City Season Preview

In recent years, my interest in soccer has grown. This has been coincided with the rapid increase in overall talent of players in the United States. While the MLS has been active for a while, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) began play last year. This league was essentially replacing the previous league, the WPS. What got me really excited about this new league was that there would be a team placed in Kansas City, known as the FC Kansas City Blues. We had already had professional men’s teams for a while, but this was a nice addition to the growing soccer buzz around the Midwest.

In this article, I will write a short preview to the upcoming NWSL season for FC Kansas City. After reaching the semi-finals and placing second in the regular season during the inaugural season, KC looks primed to make another run at the title this year. The club won every individual award handed out last year and returns all of those players. This list is composed of Lauren Holiday (MVP), Becky Sauerbrunn (Defender of the Year), Nicole Barnhart (Goalkeeper of the Year), and Erika Tymrak (Rookie of the Year). FC Kansas City also picked up Amy Rodriguez when they traded Kristie Mewis for the former-USC forward in November. Between this pickup and the pieces the Blues already have in place, I expect them to continue their winning ways this season.

Preseason Action

The team played their first preseason game against the University of Missouri on March 18. It was a dominant effort by the Blues that saw them defeat Missouri by a score of 5-0. They were led by a hat-trick from Jen Buczkowski, along with goals from Morgan Marlborough and Merritt Mathias. Marlborough was the 12^th overall pick in this year’s draft, so it’s nice to see her already making an impact in game situations.

Preseason Squad

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart, Sara Keane, Emma Stevens

Defenders: Kasey Kallman, Becky Sauerbrunn, Nia Williams, Nikki Phillips, Leigh Ann Robinson, Shelina Zadorsky

Midfielders: Jen Buczkowski, Amy Rodriguez, Erika Tymrak, Many Laddish, Liz Bogues, Merritt Mathias, Molly Dreska, Frances Silva, Lauren Holiday, Jenna Richmond

Forwards: Melissa Henderson, Morgan Marlborough, Meagan Kelly, Stephanie Rose.

Key Departures from 2013 Team

- Sinead Farrelly was traded to Portland for the 16^th pick. Farrelly placed in 16 game last year, starting 10, while holding down the midfield for the Blues.

- Courtney Jones was dealt to Boston along with the 7^th pick in exchange for the 4^th pick. Jones played in 22 games and scored 4 goals, which was good for fourth on the team.

- Kristie Mewis was exchanged with Amy Rodriguez. Mewis, the club’s inaugural first round draft pick. The star midfielder would then be traded for U.S. National team star, Sydney Leroux.

- Desiree Scott transferred to Notts County. The Canadian national teamer played and started in 20 games with the Blues in 2013.

- Lauren Sesselmann was drafted by the new expansion franchise, the Houston Dash. Sesselmann was a staple in the starting defense, by starting 19 games.

Upcoming Season

I expect FC Kansas City to be one of the elite squads in the league again this season. The tandem of Lauren Holiday and Erika Tymrak should provide plenty of scoring punch. It will be fun to watch how Tymrak grows this year after an amazing rookie season. Along with the addition of Amy Rodriguez, there will be plenty of excitement in the upcoming year.

Bold Prediction

Erika Tymrak (pictured below) continues the momentum she had from her rookie season and national team experience to lead the NWSL in goals scored for the 2013 season, making her the second straight FC Kansas City player to bring home the MVP. She is followed close behind by the reigning MVP, Lauren Holiday.