Sometimes, all it takes is a vision and a little extra time to make something incredible. This was true for Anna Yarberry and her mother when they realized a need that they could meet for the babies in the NICU at Baptist Health. Years of collecting an assortment of sewing materials, Anna’s mother became unable to craft any sewing projects because of her failing eyesight. In May of 2015, Anna’s mother passed away, leaving her with an important decision to make… Should she still move forward with their vision? Anna and her niece Kristina, a NICU nurse, decided, “Yes!” They should still use the materials to make blankets for the babies in the NICU. Anna began sewing blankets and giving them to the hospital in hopes of continuing her mother’s legacy of love through the donations. Four years later, Anna’s niece Kristina set up a Go Fund Me fundraiser for her birthday to collect money for supplies to create the blankets. Expecting a couple hundred dollars, Anna and her niece received over a thousand dollars, along with material donations to continue making blankets. Anna committed to watching for sales and stretching the money as far as she could to help as many families as possible with the money given to them. Anna would finish a round of blankets and give them to Kristina to take to the hospital, which was a great system. Then, COVID-19 Pandemic hit and the hospital could not accept the blankets, due to safety restrictions. Anna and her niece did not give up and waited until they could continue, only recently at the beginning of 2023. As of March 2023, Anna has made close to a thousand blankets and delivered their latest donation of over 200 blankets to the hospital when restrictions were lifted. Anna explained her passion by saying, “It is a simple act that seems to make my niece and her coworkers happy and makes the parents of these precious babies smile. That makes it worthwhile”. Anna continues to create blankets as time allows, seeing an opportunity with her vision in mind and remembering her mother with each finished blanket. As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, let’s take a moment to appreciate the amazing work of people like Anna and Kristina. They saw a need and took action, using their skills and resources to make a real difference in the lives of families with babies in the NICU. Their story reminds us that anyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small the action may seem. It’s the compassion and generosity of people like Anna and Kristina that make our communities stronger and more caring. Let’s thank all the volunteers out there who are making a difference in the world, one act of kindness at a time. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Baptist Health.

The City of North Miami has announced the launch of Nomi Tech, an inclusion focused initiative intended to promote economic development in the region by supporting technology driven startups. North Miami is home to a population with over 62,000 residents, 60% of whom identify as Black. Candice Matthews Brackeen, founder and CEO of Lightship Foundation The program will include entrepreneur education programming through Lightship Bootcamp, a multi-day immersive series of workshops facilitated by Lightship Foundation, a national leader in providing resources and support to minority led tech startups throughout typically under-supported US regions including the Midwest and the South. Lightship will work with the City of North Miami to bridge the gap between minority led high-growth startups and meaningful opportunities through talent development and specialized programming. Lightship will provide guidance, support and the network necessary to achieve sustainable businesses in the North Miami ecosystem. “As a Council, we gave our then City manager, Theresa Therilus, a directive to bring technology to our city. Through her hard work and leadership, we now have NOMI Tech. The formation of NoMI Tech has allowed for a partnership with the Lightship Foundation. The Lightship Foundation’s investment in our North Miami community will help create a competitive advantage for our residents that want to stay in the community they grew up in. The NOMI Tech program will provide them with the needed training to develop new skills for higher paying jobs in the technology industry. Keeping our talents at home while investing in their future is how you invest in your community”, stated North Miami Vice Mayor Mary Estime-Irvin. North Miami Vice Mayor Mary Estime-Irvin The Nomi Tech initiative is an ambitious plan to quickly launch the City to the competitive forefront of the greater Miami tech ecosystem. Nomi Tech promises to create a sustainable workforce by capitalizing on the region’s emerging strength as a national tech hub. The City expects this program to provide faster employment growth in “advanced industry” jobs, with the potential to generate higher incomes for small businesses and entrepreneurs located in the City of North Miami. “As Miami is increasingly recognized as a strong force in the global tech driven economy, it’s important that ecosystems like North Miami that are largely represented by founders of color have the opportunity to capitalize, as well.” says Candice Matthews Brackeen, founder and CEO of Lightship Foundation. “We are honored to have been chosen by North Miami to join them in leading this effort and look forward to the progress our partnership will promote.” North Miami’s Economic Development Director, John Lorfils North Miami’s Economic Development Director, John Lorfils, commented, I’m glad to see this partnership come to fruition as North Miami positions itself in the technology industry. Making North Miami a premier destination for underrepresented founders to start and grow their business is a major priority. This partnership between Lightship Capital and the City of North Miami is not only going to provide a home for minority led startups but also the programming and resources needed for them to excel”. More information at www.northmiamitech.com MORE ON THE CITY OF NORTH MIAMI The City of North Miami is the sixth-largest city in Miami-Dade County and is centrally located between Miami International Airport, the Port of Miami and Fort Lauderdale Airport. The city provides access to the beaches and a wide array of tourist attractions that include the award-winning Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Oleta River State Park, which is the largest urban park in the State of Florida. North Miami is also adjacent to Biscayne Bay and is home to the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University and Florida’s largest indoor attraction, Dezerland Park Miami. MORE ON LIGHTSHIP FOUNDATION Lightship Foundation is an impact-driven organization serving remarkable tech entrepreneurs & ecosystems across the United States. We leverage corporate partnerships, specialized programming and capital investments to drive growth within the minority innovation economy. Lightship provides founders the resources and direction their businesses need to scale. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of City of North Miami

Connor McKnight’s 2023 ready-to-wear fashion collection features a modern and edgy aesthetic, combining bold colors and textures with innovative cuts and silhouettes. The collection showcases a range of pieces, from statement jackets to effortless dresses, all designed with the contemporary woman in mind. With a focus on sustainable materials and ethical production methods, Connor McKnight’s Spring-Summer collection is for anyone looking to elevate their wardrobe with stylish and responsible pieces. To learn more visit www.connor-mcknight.com. Click below to launch slideshow > By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Conner McKnight

Female-founded, sustainable tennis apparel brand Jgame is a grand slam in our books. If you love tennis, care about your carbon footprint and want to look effortlessly chic on and off the court, you’ve come to the right place. Meet Jgame, an eco-conscious and ethically made tennis apparel brand that merges style with sustainability. Jgame was founded by Jackie Meretsky, a former NBC News weather anchor turned entrepreneur who has always had a passion for tennis. From playing on USTA teams to forming some of her most meaningful friendships on the court, the sport has been a constant light in her life. But with a renewed global appreciation for the sport and its accompanying apparel, Meretsky wanted to take things a step further. Although much of the fashion industry turns toward fast fashion with little accountability for environmental protections, working conditions or carbon emissions, Meretsky chose a different path. “I thought, if sportswear can represent your style, it can also represent your values,” she says. “This is why I created Jgame, a brand dedicated to putting the planet ahead of profits.” And so, Jgame was born, merging effortlessly chic, timeless styles with beautiful and comfortable recycled fabrics that are eco-friendly and ethically manufactured in NYC. The collection, which features crisp whites, bold colors and subtle prints (the crocodile-inspired pattern is the most popular), includes classic tennis tops, skirts, dresses and compression shorts. Launched in April 2022, the brand has already made a dent in the tennis apparel industry. It especially soared in popularity after last summer’s Wimbledon, when it was seen being worn by Canadian doubles champion Gaby Dabrowski. Sustainability has been at the forefront of Jgame’s ethos from the beginning. For example, all styles are made from sustainably sourced 75%-100% recycled polyester fabrics made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from clear plastic bottles. The bottles are broken down into small chips that are processed into yarn. This helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions and diverts waste by reducing the number of plastic bottles that end up in landfills. The process also uses less water than virgin polyester, and it reduces the dependency on petroleum (the raw material used to make virgin polyester). Meretsky also aims to mitigate the culture of disposability by creating timeless pieces meant to last. Each garment undergoes a rigorous wearing/washing/drying process to test its longevity. Meretsky is proud to have a manufacturing partner in Manhattan. Thanks to her meaningful relationships in the NYC apparel manufacturing community, she and her team can see and feel every design and immerse themselves in the work environment. Shorter distances also mean fewer CO2 emissions, and when they need to make a new sample or check on the sewing of a garment, they aren’t adding significant greenhouse gas emissions through cargo ships or sea freight traffic. Manufacturing locally also leads to transparency, as they can ensure proper working conditions and verify how everything is made. Meretsky is also reducing Jgame’s carbon footprint by partnering with a company that delivers high-quality, sustainable packaging that is compostable, reusable or recyclable. She is also extremely judicious about the brand’s packaging when fulfilling orders. As a mom of a teenager and a pre-teen, Merestsky is always thinking about the future. Whether it’s sourcing eco-friendly materials, finding local factories that produce small quantities or choosing recycled packaging, there are a million hurdles along the way. But she’s up for the challenge because it’s what she believes in and where she sees the future heading. “Jgame is not only a sustainable brand; we are also an ethical brand that prioritizes inclusivity,” says Meretsky. “Tennis requires access, and that’s why we partnered with First Serve Miami to donate new tennis apparel to its Adopt-A-Player Program, which gives children who lack financial resources the opportunity to compete locally and nationally with the goal of using their talent and academics to attend college. We are also making uniforms for their youth camps.” So what is on the horizon for Jgame? “An exciting new pickleball collection is in the works,” Meretsky says. “We will also be launching a men’s line and the cutest mother/daughter apparel ever!” By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Jgame

On Saturday, April 1, JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) brought its signature Fly Like a Girl event to Fort Lauderdale, one of the airline’s six focus cities, for the first time. Fly Like a Girl events offer girls access to different careers in the aviation industry and the opportunity to learn directly from women crewmembers who help keep the airline running. In partnership with the airline’s Women in Flight Crewmember Resource Group (CRG), the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team, the Corporate Social Responsibility team and the JetBlue Foundation, the event supported more than 100 local youth ages 8-14 as they joined JetBlue to learn more and inspire interest about careers in aviation. The event was led by Ursula Hurley, JetBlue’s chief financial officer and president of the JetBlue Foundation, with local government officials, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz who represents Florida's 25th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Senator Nan Rich, Vice Mayor Broward County, in attendance. “We are excited to bring our signature Fly Like a Girl event to our beloved Fort Lauderdale focus city for the first time, furthering our commitments to our South Florida communities and beyond,” said Ursula Hurley, president of the JetBlue Foundation. “As we near our 10-year JetBlue Foundation anniversary, we are proud of how far we have come, but realize that our work is far from over when it comes to continuing to break down barriers of entry into careers in aviation. Through our Fly Like a Girl event, we can inspire more young girls to see themselves within the aviation industry and STEM fields by having them interact and learn from our incredible women crewmembers who continue to pave the way for future generations of aviators.” “I commend JetBlue Airways for encouraging young girls to pursue a career in aviation,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Aviation is a field that is traditionally and heavily male dominated. Programs like this one will help expand opportunities for young girls to increase female representation in the industry.” “I’m excited that JetBlue is hosting their signature foundation event “Fly Like a Girl” in Fort Lauderdale for the first time. This event gives children, especially girls, the chance to learn about the aviation industry, and foster their interest in a career in aviation. Congratulations to JetBlue for engaging young girls in this exciting opportunity!” said Senator Nan Rich, Vice Mayor Broward County. “At JetBlue, we believe every child should have the opportunity to learn about the rich and robust careers within the aviation industry,” said Icema Gibbs, vice president CSR and DEI, JetBlue. “One of most proactive ways we can inspire the next generation of aviators is through educational initiatives that encourage students and provide access to pursue STEM paths as early as possible. We are proud to bring our annual Fly Like a Girl event to more communities throughout our network to demonstrate the variety of successful career paths for women and underrepresented groups within aviation, allowing imaginations to soar to new heights.” Fly Like a Girl is JetBlue’s annual event that aims to promote interest in Science, Education, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) fields and reach future aviators as early as possible to showcase the various career possibilities in the aviation industry. The airline's commitment to diversity is focused on creating opportunities like Fly Like a Girl across its network. The JetBlue Foundation and JetBlue’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility teams share a common goal of ensuring more women are present in the hangars, airports, corporate offices and boardrooms of the future. Through leading by example, JetBlue’s Women in Flight CRG aims to foster and encourage girls to follow a STEM path. JetBlue’s Fly Like a Girl event, held this year at Jetscape Services in Fort Lauderdale, offered girls access to different careers in the aviation industry and the opportunity to learn directly from women crewmembers. The girls not only had the opportunity to interact with women JetBlue crewmembers, but they were also able to board an Airbus A320 aircraft. Guests included students from JetBlue Foundation partner organizations and family members of JetBlue crewmembers. Participants were part of a series of experimental activities, briefings and professional panels with crewmembers from different branches of the airline including pilots, brand design managers, technical operators, and more. For more information visit jetbluefoundation.org. This event arrived on the heels of JetBlue’s recent announcement of plans for more low-fare, high-value flights in South and Central Florida. After its planned combination with Spirit, JetBlue expects to reach more than 250 flights a day at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and 200 in Orlando by 2027, including a long-awaited service between Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee starting in January 2024. Since making Fort Lauderdale and Orlando JetBlue focus cities, the airline’s much-loved experience – with the most legroom in coach (a), free seatback entertainment, free Fly-Fi high-speed internet (b), free snacks, and friendly service – quickly positioned it as a preferred carrier in both regions. JetBlue has a long history of collaborating with Broward County and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) on projects to grow and to improve the customer experience at each airport, as well as its surrounding communities to pave the way for continued growth in the region in the years to come. More on JetBlue JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, Canada and United Kingdom. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com. (a) JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines. (b) Fly-Fi® and live television are available on all JetBlue-operated flights. Availability and coverage area may vary by aircraft. Details on inflight wi-fi and entertainment: https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us. By ML Staff. Photo courtesy of JetBlue.

Subaru of Pembroke Pines has donated $112,395 to its hometown charities, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the Humane Society of Broward County; from funds raised during the Subaru Share the Love® campaign. For every vehicle purchased or leased, from Nov. 17, 2022, through Jan. 3, 2023, Subaru donates $250 to a hometown charity of the customer’s choosing. Every year, Subaru of Pembroke Pines owner and operator Craig Zinn generously matches the amount raised by the campaign. This year, Subaru of Pembroke Pines raised $85,385 for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, and $27,010 for the Humane Society of Broward County. Check presentations took place on March 29, 2023 at Subaru of Pembroke Pines. Since 2018, Subaru of Pembroke Pines has donated more than $628,000 to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; it has donated more than $51,000 since 2022 to the Humane Society of Broward County through the Subaru Share the Love® campaign. The funds raised will support a variety of services at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, which recently expanded its Hollywood location from four to eight floors. Funds raised for the Humane Society of Broward County will support initiatives including clinics, behavior training, shelter services and other programs that promote animal welfare throughout South Florida in hopes of finding furry friends a forever home. Over the last 15 years, through the Subaru Share the Love Event®, Subaru of America, Inc. and its participating retailers have donated more than $250 million to charity, with customers choosing between four national charities and more than 1,700 hometown charities. As one of the largest donors to the Subaru Share the Love program, Subaru of Pembroke Pines is the #1 Lifetime Donor in the Eastern Region and #2 Lifetime Donor in the Nation, having donated over $1.4 million to the local community. Recognizing the diverse needs of the community in its own backyard, Subaru of Pembroke Pines actively supports a number of local initiatives year-round. This year’s campaign celebrated a kickoff event in November at the dealership that was attended by representatives from Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the Humane Society of Broward County. The event raised awareness about the Subaru Share the Love campaign and how a car purchased at Subaru of Pembroke Pines benefits the local community. “It is an honor to continue to raise funds for hometown charities Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the Humane Society of Broward County, and make a difference in the lives of those in our local community,” said Craig Zinn Automotive Group President and CEO Craig Zinn. Additionally, Subaru of Pembroke Pines is committed to The Subaru Love Promise, including actionable commitments to the community through philanthropic efforts. Through more than just donations, Subaru of Pembroke Pines participates in year-round initiatives that move the needle for a number of community organizations, charities and causes. For more information about Subaru of Pembroke Pines visit https://www.subaruofpembrokepines.com/ By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Subaru of Pembroke Pines

Just a few words that come to mind when talking about South Beach’s newest boutique wellness studio: Cycle Seven. Cycle Seven is reshaping the way Miami Beach does wellness. Co-founded by (creator, instructor, and Reiki Master) Frank Vomero and (business partner, rider, and success story) Susan Della Giustina, Cycle Seven is the fierce fusion of physical fitness and mental wellness. Frank is a Miami Beach native and resident. We know, a rare sighting! After jetting off to NYC where he continued his training and career in dance and theatre, Frank began his segue into the fitness industry in 2015. Upon working under and representing several major fitness brands, it became time to put all he had learned under one new roof. A dancer turned fitness professional turned Ironman triathlete, his passion for endurance is greatly complimented by his balanced and holistic lifestyle. “A balanced approach to life is essential when allowing oneself to master the scale of pleasure and discipline. Self-discovery is best tested through experiences”. These experiences, in this case thousands of indoor cycling classes taught and taken separately between Frank and Susan, is what brought together this dynamic duo. Susan, Suzy, Suze, (she goes by them all) reigns from Los Angeles, CA. A wonderful mother of three boys and the partner to her best friend and husband Mark, she is the captain who keeps the ship afloat. But there is more to it than smiles at the front door and a killer run out of the saddle. She will let it be known that this passion project, Cycle Seven, truly began three years ago when she took the leap of faith that carried her clear across the country and landed her right here in Miami. An avid (and I hear skilled) tennis player, she promotes and lends her daily practice to one that too compliments a balanced scale of enjoyment and discipline. The belief that all he needed was six riders and himself to create an amazing, powerful, and authentic experience, mixed with the same belief from a rider who is the truest proof that mindful fitness and consistency work, is what lead Cycle Seven to become all that it is today. An idea. Six riders. One guide. Seven perspectives. Cycle Seven. Within Cycle Seven lies a trinity to balance and clarity: Cycling. Reiki. Sound. (Friction. Light. Vibration.) Cycling-Friction. Welcome to The Journey. This 45-minute experience carries each rider through their own journey of high intensity intervals, choreography, and precision. Slide open the iconic barndoor and step into a 10-bike (the studio was blessed with more space than originally planned) studio that offers an intimate setting perfect for riders of all levels and body types. Be prepared to switch it up with the added upper body dumbbell weight section that is a part of every ride. It is advised to bring personal cycling shoes, or simply wear comfortable running shoes to class. Towels are provided to each rider, and water is available for sale. Reiki-Light. Slip into a complete state of relaxation and clear mindedness with cycle seven’s one-on-one healing room. This personal 60-minute retreat is perfect for releasing daily stress or when seeking guidance for a deeper emotional healing. Reiki uses universal consciousness in the way of guided light energy to help clear and release blockages throughout the chakra system. Combine chakra alignment with the individualized sound therapy offered in each private appointment, and anyone is bound to walk out feeling relaxed and more empowered. Sound-Vibration. Step into the Sound Sanctuary and allow your worries to be washed away in cycle seven’s group setting sound bath retreat. Each sound retreat encompasses the use of crystal singing bowls, chimes and other grounding instruments that cascade the listeners in a bath of sound, cleansing the body on an energetic and cellular level. Yoga mats and eye masks are provided. All that is needed is an open heart and the willingness to let go. Located on the iconic Lincoln Road, Cycle Seven is on the third floor of the historic 420 building, giving this boutique gem even more personality!  Occupying two adjacent suites, all check-ins are met in suite 349 which is where the healing room and cycling room are also located. The Sound Sanctuary is steps down the hall in suite 348. All bookings are easily made via the cycle seven app downloadable for both iOS and Android. Schedules, FAQs and bookings can also be found at www.cycle-seven.com. Be sure to follow along #thejourney on Instagram @thejourneybyseven. Grand Opening prices are here for a limited time! Group Classes – 45min (Cycling or Sound Retreat): $25 drop-in |$99 5-pack Appointments – 60min (Reiki + Sound Therapy): $85 single session | $225 3-pack (All purchases are final and expire 1 year from purchase date. Unlimited purchases available while promotion is being offered.). By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Cycle Seven

When you think fitness, is pole dancing the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe not, but here at Crunch it is one of our top fitness features and for a great reason. The body is a complex machine that needs a lot of care to maintain health and fitness. No wonder pole and aerial workouts are becoming more popular and part of a needed fitness program, due to the benefits they provide. These benefits include: Becoming more limber, increased strength (especially in your back and abdominal muscles), it’s good for your bones and joints, great for circulation, improves balance, mobility and more. It all sounds like a good idea, but what if you have never tried it before? At Crunch our personal training staff is more than just a staff of educated, fit pros that will teach you how to use the gym floor. These professionals range from general fitness experts, rehab specialists, pre/post natal certified training, nutrition programmers, sports performance conditioning, body composition experts, boxing, cross-fit and professional aerialists! Membership Advisor: I get a lot of new members every day, that really love the concept of pole dancing or lyra (aerial class). They often want to try the class, but because they have not done so before they are not comfortable with the thought of just jumping into it. This is where I will always recommend a 1-on-1 session, with one of our expert elite pole/aerial instructors to teach them proper movements and get them comfortable. Once they do a few sessions, that fear quickly goes away and they never stop this new found fitness love! Meet Crunch's elite pole and lyra instructor, Carinne Tator: “I was born and raised in Paris where I was trained in ballet and multiple styles of dance. In 2008, I first tried a pole class and fell in love with it. This started my career in teaching this sport followed by lyra training and I now I have 3 certifications. My passion of pole and lyra teaching is now at Crunch where I can share and teach others what I love. It is a fun way to improve strength, flexibility, and confidence. And an opportunity to nail down some Cirque du Soleil tricks!” At Crunch, you are able to discover this creative form of fitness as well as aerial acrobatics, antigravity yoga, take CirqFIT hoop’s classes, including X-Pole which allows you to strengthen core, increase stability, add grace, while dancing in this fun, sexy and artistic platform. Get your 1-on-1 session started today by calling 305-674-8222 or visit https://www.crunch.com/locations/south-beach Word by Tanya Savage

The past 30 years have been an exciting ride for Crunch gyms as we’ve grown tremendously in size and will continue to over the next five years. Here at Crunch, we stand by our philosophy of NO JUDGMENTS. Regardless of your shape, size, age, race, gender or fitness level, you will feel welcomed at Crunch. Crunch Fitness was founded in a tiny basement studio in New York City’s Village in 1989 as a welcome place for diverse people to workout and get fit. The fun-meets-fitness concept was designed to help individuals relax, loosen up, and really enjoy their workouts, so they’ll want to keep coming back. And years later, they still are! Since Crunch Fitness opened its first gym, we have offered unique and fun classes like high-intensity interval training, Aerial Yoga, pole dancing, and Hard Knocks to countless members looking to get fit and stay fit. When you walk into a Crunch today, you’re not only going to find group fitness classes, you will find HIIT studios, RIDE studios, cardio machines, free weights, and more. Our gyms are filled with the best strength and cardio equipment in the industry. This, combined with world-class personal trainers, help our members get everything they need for a great workout. We offer an excellent value proposition by providing our members with everything they are looking for, including digital and on-demand products. Aside from helping members track their workouts, the Crunch app provides more than 100 online workouts through Crunch Live for gym members who prefer to exercise from home. Our South Beach Crunch location remains our one and only Signature location in Florida, but we also have 23 Crunch Fitness Franchise locations with five more coming soon. Crunch Fitness Franchise is one of the most progressive and competitive fitness franchise models in the U.S. These clubs offer top-quality cardio and strength training equipment, half-hour circuit training, personal training, a functional training area with indoor turf, dedicated group fitness studios, tanning beds and sunless spray options, and more. Today, Crunch serves over 1.3 million members with over 300 gyms worldwide in 29 states, Puerto Rico, and 4 countries. Over the next five years, we will continue to rapidly expand across the U.S. and around the globe. There’s a reason Crunch has been going strong for so long: we care about our team members and members. When diverse minds, hearts, personalities, cultures, and bodies come together for a common goal of getting healthy, everyone wins. For more information on Crunch gyms and franchise sales, check out www.crunch.com. Words by Jim Rowley - CEO, Partner, Crunch Fitness

We have faced many challenges since the spring of 2020. No one is ever prepared to face a pandemic. However, throughout the turmoil, it is gratifying knowing that we have provided an outlet during our city’s time of need. Since the end of March through the beginning of April 2020, Crunch Fitness South Beach has strategically implemented ways to ensure that continual, great membership experiences were maintained. Electronic communication has been kept up to address potential member concerns while awaiting the unknown. In addition to enhancing member relations, Crunch Fitness went a step further and also helped aid members toward their fitness goals with use of a newly established virtual training program called Lift. Many who were left without a fitness facility or equipment were still able to train virtually with their personal trainers from their very own home with custom-designed workouts made especially for them. Now that the facility is open, Crunch Fitness South Beach’s staff works tirelessly to ensure that each member is kept safe with an extreme emphasis on cleanliness and social distancing practices. Innovative technology air purifiers have been installed into ventilation systems to help eradicate pathogens. More importantly, members are required to wear masks at all times while various cleaning stations have been placed through the facility and made easily accessible to its members. Crunch Fitness South Beach has also made some adjustments to its Group Fitness classes. Attendees to each class has been minimized and the entire room has designated markings spaced 6-10 feet apart to ensure social distancing. Moreover, personal trainers are still able to offer the same extraordinary 1-on-1 experiences to members while maintaining proper distance between clients and use of proper protective gear throughout the entire session. Click below to launch slideshow > Though it may be a bit of an adjustment, it is important to me knowing that I work in a facility that is as eager to ensure health and safety to its members as the members are for themselves. As for myself, I like to educate members that fitness not only serves as a tool for health benefits, but it also enhances your mood. Stress hormones known as cortisol are regulated during physical activity by the body’s release of endorphin hormones. Endorphins serve as mood enhancers and help fight off body fat. With our entire nation experiencing troubling times, the least we can do as healthcare professionals is help our members lose unwanted weight, decrease stubborn body fat, and keep smiles on their faces throughout their visit. Vino is an U.S. Military Veteran, a certified personal trainer, massage therapist, and a TRX-qualified instructor. Vino has been in the fitness industry for well over 8 years and joined Crunch Fitness as one of its head trainers in the winter of 2019. He has the passion to help you succeed with his innovative and wide range in variety muscle building techniques. Although building muscle is his forte, he also specializes in training ages 14 through 80 who are looking for sport-specific exercises, body fat reduction, or more rehabilitative approaches. If you are in town near the South Beach, Miami area, definitely look up Vino Matthews if you are looking to make physical improvements. Crunch South Beach | 305-674-8222 |1259 Washington Ave, South Beach, FL 33139 www.crunch.com/locations/south-beach Words by Ralph “Vino” Matthews. Images courtesy of Crunch South Beach

That is what she said! And yes, it does feel good, but even more important are the physiological and neuromuscular responses. In this third part of the series, we look at Percussive Therapy in relation to the world of fitness recovery. The physiological effects range from lowering blood pressure and heart rate to releasing the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. Neuromuscular effects range from relaxed muscles to re-education of the nerve-muscle connection. BUT IS THAT REALLY WHAT SHE SAID? The answer is both complex and simple. The complex answer is that Percussive Therapy is a recovery method that uses a percussive therapy instrument. These instruments vary in size and shape depending on the manufacturer, but are usually a size that fits in the hand. These handheld instruments help break up muscle adhesions, expel toxins (knots are groups of toxins stuck in the muscle), and reoxygenate. The simple answer: it feels good and helps get the bad stuff out of the muscles and the good stuff in. YES, THAT’S WHAT SHE SAYS! Now that we have got the technical details out of the way, we can focus on what’s fun: how to use it. What to use when... Theragun is a very popular brand that I personally love using the most. The ergonomic handle makes self-application easy and enjoyable. That’s right. As for when, this one says that if you have a serious injury, you should see a doctor. The following ideas and practices are a guide to help connect the mind and body. The when is the part that is very close to my heart. Typically, the Theragun and similar devices are used for post-workout recovery. A quick look at the Theragun website will tell you that warming up before a workout is also effective. I’d like to introduce you to a third strategy here: during your workout. • When do toxins build up the most: during exercise. • When do adhesions form: during exercise. • When do muscles need the most oxygen: during exercise. APPLICATION Step one: Locate Robert at Crunch in South Beach (if step one is not possible, go directly to step two). Step two: Use the percussive therapy tool of your choice before the last set of your group on the specific target muscle or muscle chain (example: four sets and bench press, in this example the application is after the third set and focuses on the chest and triceps). Step three: Repeat this for each group of exercises you perform during your workout. The effect is immediate. The result is faster recovery during your workout, so you can achieve a higher volume of work in a shorter amount of time. You’ll also feel better, which will motivate you to finish the workout and maybe get in an extra set! Best of all, you’ll have less muscle soreness the next day, which in turn will increase your motivation to reach and pursue your fitness goals. It’s no secret that good recovery contributes to more efficient muscle building. Recovery can come in the form of a good night’s sleep, cold/ heat therapy (we will discuss this recovery strategy in more detail next time), breathing techniques, massage (self or professional), stretching, and proper nutrition. Today we covered a branch of massage therapy called Percussive Therapy. The simple technique described here is just a small glimpse into the fabulous world of percussive therapy tools. I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me and the many people I have worked with. Visit Crunch South Beach at 1259 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | Phone 305-674-8222. www.crunch.com/locations/south-beach By ML Staff. Words by Robert Northwick. Images courtesy of Crunch South Beach. Top image by Mitchell Griest, Unsplash

Speaking as one of Crunch South Beach’s personal trainers and an AFM/Fitness Lead, I want to share my story about how this industry changed my life forever and how having the right trainer helped me stay motivated. My early years were spent in Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia. At a very young age, I started playing basketball. Sports were my life. I pursued this until high school, when I had a knee injury, forcing my life to take a different turn. Shortly after my knee started healing, I started working out with one of the best fitness trainers and rehab specialists in the country. This was the motivation I needed to keep me going. As a disciplined athlete, I did everything my trainer asked me to do and I noticed my body rapidly changing and recovering. I was amazed how you can shape your own body with the right nutrition and proper training. This is how I realized my true career path. I wanted to do the same thing for others — to help people achieve their goals, as well as motivate and coach them to success. From this moment forward, I started reading sports nutrition books, fitness studies, and watching many fitness videos. I began attending seminars for health, nutrition, fitness, and CrossFit. In 2013, I enrolled in the Fitness Trainer Certification Program, where out of 120 students, I was the top scoring student. I received my Nutrition Certification, which allowed me to further help my clients improve their health and accomplish their goals. One of the things that drew me to Crunch —a brand that cares about their clients’ needs— was being able to deliver life-changing results. Crunch allows me to design programs specifically tailored to my client’s needs, which keeps them motivated. I like to combine different types of workouts, both challenging and fun, such as Functional Training, Body-Weight, HIIT workouts, and body/mass building programs. After working in over 10 gyms all around the world, I have to say, being a part of Crunch is unlike any experience I have ever had. The energy in our community, our team work, and our location are unparalleled. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with one of the best and most experienced fitness centers in the country. I recommend that you check out our facility (Crunch South Beach, where I currently work) and staff —we want to talk to you about your personal goals and help you change your life! See you at www.crunch.com Words by Sergio Spasov | Image by Tokkoro.com