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WHERE STRENGTH MATTERS MOST ADVENTURES IN BINGE THERAPY If one shrink couldn’t AT SOME POINT AFTER, Idunno, resolve an anxiety-borne tic, maybe the 12th time that the pandemic would a squad of them did not in fact “end,” my Hot Vax Summer work better? got so compounded by stress—another kid on the way, dad in the hospital, BY MATT SULLIVAN cross-country move—that I felt almost blind. A tic, which began with occasional ILLUSTRATION BY EDMON DE HARO blinking, had devolved into a full-on MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 51

MIND BINGE THERAPY facial contortion, all squinting and We can be at our most snorting and—ahem!—a socially awk- stressed-out during ward clearing of the throat. Strangers moments of alleged calm. asked if I was okay, then shuddered. I wore sunglasses in the shade. a commitment, then to build a lifelong Which I did, several times. And my tool kit that could be tailored for the diary proved that the moments I was The eye doctor deferred to Therapist shrink averse. blinking most often were . . . when I was No. 1, also known as my judgmental ana- typing up the diary. So Sugar helped me lyst and her weekly hour of couch-bound DBT has since expanded into an employ a different set of three letters: CBT, guilt, but rambling about my mother was entire university of mindfulness to for cognitive behavioral therapy, empha- no cure for a case of the blinks. For a address everyday stressors including sizing not so much long-term self-care as second opinion, I turned to my second sleepless nights and partner conflicts. immediate, targeted tricks. She taught me mental-health regular—aka Therapist Linehan always sort of cribbed from to tolerate stress and create new manner- No. 2, aka my psychiatrist, aka the Buddhism, Sugar told me, and the most isms—you know, the opposite game. When overpriced drug dealer for my anxiety relevant of today’s behavioral-therapy I sensed a snort coming on, I breathed medication—then asked her to refer me brain hacks is a decidedly Zen approach: out of my mouth like Darth Vader at a to a third opinion. And a fourth. And a “radical acceptance.” yoga class. An ahem erupted; I swallowed fifth. If you could expect a menu for your my spit instead. As with any intensive mouth, I figured, why not a buffet for your In the face of crises as sprawling as regimen, behavioral reps pay off: Five brain? Why order the usual when you Covid or as personal as a tic, our nat- weeks into my therapeutic pupu platter, I could try it all and choose a new favorite? ural instinct is denial, especially and was picking up dog shit each morning with obviously when it comes to bad habits one eye open while exhaling through my My shrink suggested three additional like drinking and gambling. But let’s say dad-bod belly instead of my snout. The tic options: a solo specialist in a different, you’re a tennis fanatic and you’ve started wasn’t totally gone, but in my radicalized more interactive brand of therapy; a to feel a pinch in your back lately—a mind, I knew it never could be. self-help group; and a textbook featuring bad pinch that docs haven’t been able to 422 pages of mental-health workouts. resolve. What if, instead of presuming THERAPIST NO. 4: Indeed, I was assured that any one of you’d never pick up a racket again, you these referrals could function more like admitted to having that pain in bed each FIGHT CLUB a new personal trainer offering exercises morning and decided not to let it bother FOR YOUR MIND in cognitive jujitsu—no Xanax required, you? What if I stopped worrying about no couches allowed. Determined to snorting like a pig and learned to love the I HAD PLENTY of sessions with Sugar outsmart the tic at any cost or insurance tic? “Radical acceptance sounds really ahead, one-on-one, but I kinda missed premium, I signed up for all of the above. kind of simple,” Sugar said, “but it’s those reunion Zooms of the early pan- These new modalities might take at incredibly difficult to practice, because demic—fraternities, aunties, Hamil- least a month or two to rewire my worst we don’t want to do it—the radical is in ton—when we could swap solitude for instincts, but then, as Therapist No. 3 there because it takes all of you.” solace, personal anxiety for an orchestra soon promised, “You become your of it. And I did have an hour and a half own therapist.” At the end of our next session, Sugar free on Thursdays. So I signed up for eight gave me my first homework assignment weeks of the DBT self-help group that THERAPIST NO. 3: since college: a stress diary, which was was recommended by my shrink, at the more like an Apple Notes file to log all Center for Anxiety in New York City, with THE the places where I flared my nostrils, eight total strangers. RADICAL coughed unnecessarily, or blinked too hard—walking dog, pushing stroller, The first rule of Group was you must STEFANIE SUGAR, PSY.D., struck me taking a leak. But the act of documenting show up for Group. The second rule of as more of a teacher, really, than a judge. my habits revealed their hiding place. We Group was . . . you do not log out of Group. At our initial appointment, the founder can be at our most stressed-out during The cheerleader of a host shared TED of New York City’s Behavioral Psych moments of alleged calm, when our anx- Talks on his screen, then asked if every- Studio navigated me through the school iety floats toward catastrophe and our one was ready to use their “wise mind.” of problem-solving known as dialecti- emotions give way to an urge. “Anticipate Crickets. Sitting through this Zoom cal behavioral therapy. DBT was first those urges,” then walk away or close made me nod off faster than watching developed in the 1970s by the revered your eyes, Sugar told me. “Just don’t pee bad golf on TV. But there was real talk psychologist Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., for all over the toilet or anything.” patients with urges toward self-harm and borderline personality disorder who’d sat on the couch for years, invalidated and in danger. “The problem,” Linehan once said, “is talking—being listened to and understood—doesn’t necessarily make anything change.” Her method was not to diagnose madness but rather to engage 52 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

amid the woo-woo, and in the fourth Skills Training one night during a week, been making me do all the talking, week, a woman in the top-left box of blowout in the NBA playoffs, though, I without any of the teaching, all along. our Group grid explained that she had realized these tear-away handouts con- been worried about the primal, hunter- tained multitudes of free mindfulness. At the conclusion of my two-month gatherer fear of becoming ostracized from I scanned the index for acronyms: ABC exercise, I dumped both my analyst of six friend groups, so she’d brazenly been stood for Accumulate positive emotions, years and the psychiatrist who’d recom- more vocal than the rest of us. I unmuted Build mastery, and Cope ahead of time— mended her own competition in the first myself and confessed that, in a pandemi- not easy. Habit reversal therapy (HRT) place. I continued with Sugar for the tic cized panic, I’d straight-up forgotten how had me turning up my palms, prayerlike, but considered how to spend the out-of- to make friends in the first place. in a drill designed for people who pull out network savings elsewhere. Art therapy, their hair. And then there was the STOP maybe. I’d heard they were taking That week at daycare drop-off, I method: Stop, as in freeze; Take a step patients in the metaverse. admitted to Group, a cool new dad had back; Observe how your body is clenched; introduced himself; I’d disguised my eye and Proceed mindfully, knowing that you But my eyes were open. I had become convulsion behind a pair of Ray-Bans, are not gonna make it to daycare on time a radical. Now every Saturday could be fogged up my mask, and airballed a fist with that new kid. Opposite Day. So I got back out there, to bump. This was not merely anxiety, the true rager that is a four-year-old’s which my longtime analyst had origi- As with any good wine list, however, birthday party. I gathered myself for ten nally identified as the source of the tic. there is such a thing as too much tasting. seconds at the door, in a state of fatherly This was shame, explained our Group Brain-hack memorization only added to Zen, and immediately lost my older leader—the urge may be to hide, but the my general anxiety. The ahems returned, daughter, only to find myself surrounded opposite game says to let your secret out. and my mental-health calendar left too by four stranger dads. One of their aging I began to speak about my tic freely in little room for after-school parenting. parents was in the hospital as well. Two and out of Group, like Ed Norton in Fight But a friend recommended the startup of them were solo parenting for the Club crying into Meat Loaf’s man boobs. Minded, which connected me to a guy on weekend. Another was new in town. With I’d thought I craved company, but what I Zoom who could efficiently prescribe my each piñata crack of awkwardness, our truly needed was feedback—not a couch meds for $60 a month. “Like Netflix,” pandemic PTSD let loose a little more. We but a springboard. he said. And I’d come to appreciate that had become therapists for ourselves, then Therapist No. 1 had, for an hour every for one another. I took off my sunglasses “No type of therapy is going to and jumped into the bouncy castle. make the pandemic go away,” Marcia Kimeldorf, Ph.D., director of clinical ser- TEN-SECOND TRICKS vices at the Center for Anxiety, reminded TO HACK YOUR ANXIETY me. “Everybody’s freaking out. So to be able to have that group is a lifeline—and YOUR BAD HABIT MIGHT BE drinking, eating, and/or shopping too much, it’s based on learning tools and skills, not or a tic like mine, or some other urge that doesn’t enhance your life. But the telling us your deepest, darkest secrets or skills I learned can help you accept those impulses and redirect them. “Mind- the way your mom treated you as a kid.” fulness is just like a biceps curl: It takes a lot of repetition to get strong,” says Marcia Kimeldorf, Ph.D., of the Center for Anxiety. Like so. —M. S. THERAPIST NO. 5: URGE-SURF ACRONYM OVERLOAD 1 If you can sense the looming wave of a drink you don’t need or a fight you don’t have to pick, close your eyes, then rock side to DESPITE OCCASIONALLY tripping side and up and down, from your toes to your heels. over the dog leash with my eyes closed, I was virtually blink-free seven weeks into FLIP YOUR PALMS this self-induced therapy binge. But the stress behind the tic had only advanced: 2 Stress often leaves the remnants of hunched backs and Two daughters were indeed a handful, clenched fists. Place the backs of your hands on a desk; it’ll tuition was getting expensive, and now feel like inserting a battery pack into your spine. my wife’s dad was in the hospital. Group had equipped me with general brain HUG A TREE hacks and YouTube bookmarks, but between the morning meditation, a dif- 3 Literally. Or at least lean on one. Easier than a hike, and it ferent doc every other day, and my actual counts as engaging with nature while activating your “wise personal trainer, I hadn’t found much mind” between reason and emotion. time for Group’s homework. PEOPLE-WATCH My fellow Groupers and I had relied upon a spiral-bound textbook by Line- 4 While you’re at the park, find a bench and create your own fan han, the OG of DBT, which made for a fiction for each passerby. Narrating in the moment lets you see decent coaster. Flipping through DBT beyond yourself. MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 53

MIND GET UNSTUCK READY FOR YOUR Harness the self-awareness that builds over describe you. Then ask ten of your closest 20 to 30 years of adulting to move yourself family members and friends to give you five words that they would use to describe forward in work, life, and relationships. you. Take those 50 words and look for the ones that show up most often. Are they on BY MICHAEL CLINTON your own list of five? When I did this, the top word that came from my squad was I DON’T BELIEVE IN theidea 1 DO A generous. It’s a self-identifier for me, so SKILLS it validated how I view myself. Now begin of a midlife crisis. Instead, let’s call it a AUDIT to mine your top words. How do you turn midlife awakening. them into action? It will give you the fuel to IF YOU ARE in business, you know about move from being stuck to deciding what’s That moment in your life when you the SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for next. For me, it included launching a foun- might feel stuck and question some big strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, dation that was based in generosity, as well issues, like: Am I in the right profession and threats. Do your own SWOT analysis: as getting involved with philanthropy, or did I get derailed from my purpose? Write down your strengths, weaknesses, mentoring, and several nonprofits. While Has my grip on my fitness and my health opportunities, and threats. While I am I didn’t ask everyone to give me five neg- loosened? Am I happy with my family life? proficient at reading financial state- ative things, that’s a good exercise, too. I Sure, it’s sobering, but also exhilarating. ments, I know I’m not great at math. As would have to include impatient, rigid at a result, I steer away from projects that times, and possessive. Having insights on After 30 years in the publishing busi- require deep number skills. However, I’m how to move forward from those traits has ness, I felt stuck. I came to the realization strong at identifying market trends. If also helped me get unstuck, particularly that I had accomplished all that I could. your company is going through a reorga- in my personal relationships. As I stepped back to assess the situation, nization, that might give you an oppor- what I recognized was that the digital tunity to present your accomplishments. 3 PICTURE IT, revolution was coming fast and all those As for threats, are you happy with your PLAN IT, zeros and ones would disrupt my world in health and weight? There are also digital DO IT a big way. Rather than quit, I decided to tools, at sites like UnderstandMyself dive in headfirst to try to understand this .com and RichardStep.com, that can MY GRANDMOTHER always taught me to fast-evolving digital space. It gave me a help you identify your best traits. Some dream big and envision what I wanted my whole new impetus moving me out of the of them may validate what you already life to look like in the future. If you don’t inertia that had trapped me. Sometimes know, but you may also uncover hidden know what you want and who you want to we just have to look around ourselves to talents and skills. be, how can you get there? discover how to reboot. 2 TAP YOUR Every January, I create my yearlong It takes time to get unstuck. For my book FAMILY AND journal plan, identifying what I hope ROAR Into the Second Half of Your Life FRIENDS to accomplish that year across all of (Before It’s Too Late), I interviewed more life’s areas. You can do it anytime, but than 40 individuals—reimagineers— BRACE YOURSELF—this next task may by thinking about the next 12 months, who’d all made meaningful changes at make you feel vulnerable because it you’re giving yourself a chance to focus on midlife. What they had in common was explores whether how you see yourself is long-term plans when so often we’re just that they did the work to go deep inside similar to how other people see you. Write looking at our smartphone screens and themselves to understand what was both- down the five words that you think best thinking about the next five minutes. My ering them so they could figure out how to 12-month plan includes relationships, escape. Most of them reported that it took a year or more to find their solution. These are some of the mental tools that helped me (and the reimagineers) get unstuck. 54 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

career, health and fitness, passions, and When your job is to help lead the nation’s Covid-19 response more. This “vision board” also includes and its health initiatives, finding time to catch a breath pictures, inspirational ideas, and even phrases. Earlier in my adult life, I was is an extreme sport. Surgeon General VIVEK H. MURTHY, a marathon runner but ultimately M.D., has it covered. Here’s how the 45-year-old husband switched to triathlons. What I realized one year was that I felt stuck in my fitness and father of two keeps his cool through the madness. regimen. I missed the simple pleasure of long-distance running. In my mid-50s, I —TAYLYN WASHINGTON-HARMON returned to marathoning! Running puts Jason Raish (Murthy) me in a Zen state, a sort of moving medi- 6:00 A.M. 5:30 P.M. 8:00 P.M. tation that allows me to get rid of my anx- ieties, sort out problems, and find clarity RISE AND SHRINE RIDE AND CONNECT SPIN BEDTIME on what’s important to me. At ten miles, STORIES the endorphins are working big-time Dr. Murthy wakes up On the way home, and my mind and body are in lockstep. I and starts the day Dr. Murthy talks with After dinner, Dr. Murthy make most of my big life decisions during with “some form of friends. “One thing I gets the children ready a run. Figure out what physical activities meditation, gratitude, realized the hard way for bed. “I’m the des- work for you and use them to help you get or prayer,” he says. is that if I’m not stay- ignated storyteller in unstuck with whatever issue you face. Then it’s on to email ing in close touch with the family. When I was for any medical fires my family and friends, a kid, I would make up 4 EXCAVATE he needs to tend to, I become unhappy bedtime stories and YOUR YOUNGER like rising Covid cases and I burn out,” he tell them to my older SELF or other new disease says. “I used to hold sister. That’s what I’m outbreaks. off on calling people, doing now with my JOURNEYING BACK to my younger self because I thought I kids. Sometimes the to find direction for my future path has 7:00 A.M. needed more time to characters have magic really helped me. catch up with them. powers, sometimes BE DJ DAD Now I call even if I have they’re regular people What did you leave behind that brought two or five minutes. It’s like us, but my kids you joy and excitement? We all know the Every minute with better to have several really love these, and story of the person who wanted to be an his kids is precious, short chats than to that’s what we do.” archaeologist but became an accountant and Dr. Murthy says the wait weeks or months because it was the more practical choice. time spent helping his for the long conversa- 10:30 P.M. How do you reengage with your younger four-year-old daughter tions to happen.” self and reclaim what turned you on? and six-year-old son READ SOMETHING Spend the time to find at least one thing get ready for school 6:30 P.M. UPLIFTING that you gave up and dedicate yourself “is really sacred. It’s to embracing it again. I began my career a time to just be with DINE AND After reviewing his as a journalist but moved to the business them and play DJ as I DISCONNECT briefing book for the side of publishing, where the compen- drive them to school.” next day and checking sation was better. In my 50s, I started Dr. Murthy switches in with public-health writing again. It made me realize how 8:00 A.M. his phone’s sound on, leaders, Dr. Murthy much I loved the process of sitting down to then places it away ends his day by reading. compose a story on a topic that interested FIND THE MOMENTS from the table so “I try to read some- me. It also stoked my inherent curiosity, he’s reachable in an thing uplifting or which had led me to journalism in the Staff meetings, media emergency but the inspiring that doesn’t first place. I plan to keep writing as my interviews, coordinat- phone isn’t front and have to do with work. creative passion. What did you leave ing with White House center. Dinner is usu- I have a bunch of behind that you can go back to as a way to and health officials, ally vegetable-forward writings from three move yourself forward? and more—“from dishes with lentils, heroes of mine—Nel- morning to night, rice, and kid-friendly son Mandela, MLK Jr., MICHAEL CLINTON isthefounderofROAR— we’re back-to-back,” noshes like corn and and Gandhi—and I read Reimagine, Own Who You Are,Act on Your Dr. Murthy says. “I try broccoli. “I don’t want those. I love inspiring Plan,andReassessYourRelationships, a to use moments in to give you the con- speeches—those are book, website, and event series to help you between meetings to stant impression that my go-tos.” thriveinthesecond half ofyour life. breathe and just be, we only eat healthy— even if it’s just for ten my kids are always to 15 seconds.” asking for ice cream,” he says.

MIND ENVIRONMENTAL IDENTITY THESOLUTION TO ECO-ANXIETY IS ACTION More Americans than ever fear that global warming will affect them personally. That’s giving rise to a new field of study of what’s called eco-anxiety—and a new sense of urgency to do something about it. BY BEN COURT DAVE FINOCCHIO, thecofounderofBleacher that can transform our lives, but 95 percent of the climate Getty content out there was aimed at an intellectual audience or Report, describes himself as fairly moderate politically was very doom-and-gloom, end-of-the-world-type stuff.” and says he assumed climate change was something he wouldn’t have to deal with in his lifetime. Finocchio, 39, Finocchio’s climate-change awakening mirrors what lived in San Francisco when he sold Bleacher Report for many feel: Sixty percent of American adults now say that $214 million in 2012, and soon afterward his attitude they are concerned that global climate change will harm toward climate started to shift, as California wildfires them personally; what’s more, 74 percent of Americans are caused an extended smoke season in the Bay Area. willing to make a lot of or some changes in their lifestyle to deal with climate change, according to data from the Pew It happened again in 2016 and in 2018, when Finocchio Research Center. We’re scared and want to do something. and his wife welcomed their first and second daughters onto the planet. “What was previously the nicest time of year was Thomas Doherty, Psy.D., a psychologist based in Port- all of a sudden a new reality—living in smoke,” he says. “It land, Oregon, has been studying this phenomenon for made climate change real for me in a different way to hur- more than a decade. He published a study in 2011 about ricanes in Florida. I started paying more attention to what the psychological impacts of climate change, including was going on and listening to climate-technology podcasts insomnia, anxiety, and depression. In a Zoom interview like My Climate Journey.” He expected it to be a chore but earlier this summer, Doherty wryly notes that this isn’t found the innovation and science around climate change the first time in history people have thought the world fascinating. “There were all these interesting technologies was going to end but adds that the flood of negative news 56 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

on social media about extreme storms, blistering heat Sustainable waves, and species sliding into extinction makes this Self-care potential apocalypse seem more real. Pioneering eco-anxiety psychologist Thomas Doherty, Doherty says many of us feel like “climate hostages” Psy.D., uses three strategies to help patients manage their because we don’t have a lot of power to direct the gov- roiling emotions about climate change. ernment or corporations to address climate change, so it seems as though we’re stuck on this planet spinning 1. Create Your toward immolation. “This especially impacts American NATURE TIMELINE men because of our tradition of being self-reliant and rugged individualists,” he says. “Dealing with this anxi- DOHERTY ASKS new patients to do a nature timeline as a way ety—literally the weight of the world on your shoulders— to explore their relationship with nature and better under- requires both vulnerability, being honest about your stand their environmental identity. Start at birth and go to fears, and also figuring out how to sustain yourself.” the present, noting your significant experiences with nature. Doherty has various coping strategies (see “Sustainable These can be as simple as taking stock of your pets, sea- Self-care,” at right). The key is recognizing the oppor- sonal changes, activities you did in the outdoors, and travel tunity to think about your environmental identity—the experiences. Doing this can help ground you and establish series of factors that inform your outlook on nature and your environmental identity, he says, so you’re not just being sustainability—and adjusting your values accordingly. pushed around by waves of bad climate news. Naturally, it also propels you to think of the future, what environmental Many people are doing just that. A record 49 percent experiences you want to have more of, and sustainability of Gen Zers and 44 percent of millennials chose their practices you may want to adopt. preferred work or employers based on personal ethics, according to a recent survey from Deloitte, with climate 2. Upgrade Your change and protecting the environment as the top EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE concerns of the youngest cohort. This is where Finoc- chio comes in: This past July, armed with the lessons WHEN A PATIENT is suffering eco-anxiety, Doherty gives of building Bleacher Report into a traffic juggernaut, them some homework: Scan a vocabulary list of words he launched a website, an app, and a newsletter called describing feelings and sensations on his blog (selfsustain The Cool Down with Ryan Alberti, 40, a Bleacher Report .com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Thomas-Doherty-PsyD- alum and a former Army Ranger. Feelings-Senations-Actions-List.pdf). Then highlight the words that resonate with your state of mind. The goal is to Their mission statement reads: “The Cool Down help guys identify and express their emotions in more pre- encourages and empowers Americans to make transfor- cise ways. Everyone has emotional reactions, he says: You mative choices for themselves and their planet.” Finoc- move toward things you like and away from things that are chio says the website will amplify the voices of emerging threatening. What you feel is the expression of your emotions, creators across unexpected categories—from finance and the words you use, the language and vocabulary, can be and home improvement to cars and outdoor sports—with expanded. That’s emotional intelligence. Once you can better the ultimate goal of making climate content relatable, name your feelings, you can better control them. accessible, actionable, and engaging. They’re not trying to green-shame or badger anyone into making sacrifices, 3. Reroute Your but rather show people that climate may touch on the ANXIETY LOOP things they care about. There may be sustainable choices that make sense because they save money, boost health, THE PLANETARY SCALE of the environmental crisis can be or make you feel better, says Alberti. Just as Bleacher overwhelming and lead to an endless loop of anxiety. Doherty Report built an audience around sports teams, The Cool says sustainability starts with your self, and he uses “positivity Down hopes to build content around climate topics. bricks” to help patients build a stronger psychological foun- dation. He likens it to a pyramid and has patients identify eight Alberti, who spent a chunk of his 20s living a zero- to ten key bricks in the foundation, things like exercise, sleep, carbon-footprint lifestyle, dumpster diving for food and nutrition, family, and friends. Then he asks patients to focus on walking everywhere, recognizes the importance of prog- how they can strengthen those bricks and review their prog- ress over perfection. “It’s about finding a personal niche ress daily. Once you’re managing the daily, he adds weekly and contributing to the solution any way you can,” he and monthly layers of bricks like activities and longer-term says. He notes that we live in a society that’s increasingly goals. Often those involve a social element, like joining a oriented toward the idea of handing off hard or unpleasant recycling squad or a trail-cleanup group. Figuring out daily, tasks to someone else, tasks that might be as small as cut- weekly, monthly, and longer-term goals empowers you. ting the grass or as big as fighting a war. “I see that same dynamic at play in the context of climate action: ‘This is MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 57 an overwhelming topic, so I’m just going to let someone else worry about it.’ I hope that TCD can be part of the solution by showing people all the various ways they can take action. Action is the ultimate antidote to anxiety.”



MEN’S HEALTH SEPTEMBER 2022 WiathcttohrraehnedimsaoacwjtoinrviinnswetnwaJoyOvpbHareotNyijveoBecnOtpdYsrSEaoGntdadAurciWtsimoanruscs.oclminpgany, PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANNY KASIRYE 59

HIGH IN THE manicuredhillsofPomona,NewYork,abucolic suburban town in a galaxy far, far away from bustling Manhattan, is where you’ll find John Boyega quietly idling next to an infin- ity pool. For the better part of a five-hour photo shoot, Boyega has been “on,” flexing his newly won biceps and striking poses with a Hbillowing parachute. “I feel like I’m in an Adele video,” he jokes at one moment,crooning“Helloooo”andservingupblue-steelgazesfromthe driver’s seat of a Day-Glo-orange McLaren GT. When he’s not dancing to Burna Boy, he’s switching in and out of Gucci tank tops and gam- hugging hoochie-daddy shorts by Dior. He has indefatigable energy andisdownrightsilly,whichcomesasacompletesurprisetothoseofus who know him only from his sober turns UpperRoom Productions, which has He’s in a sharing mood in an epic franchise and several critically already inked development deals with Net- and riffs about his acclaimed indies. You would never guess flix and ViacomCBS. childhood. His family, that he’s fresh off a flight from London, whom he’s always been sleep-deprived and starving. In fact, when Boyega’s returning after an emotionally extremely close to, grew I ask him how he’s feeling, he flashes the crippling rough patch in 2017 that found up “without money.” type of winning smile that makes knees him contemplating quitting acting. No Peckham was filled buckle and hearts skip. “I feel sexy,” he time off between back-to-back projects— with fast-food chains declares. “I can’t lie. I feel very, very sexy.”  Star Wars: Episode VII, Pacific Rim: Upris- and liquor stores, and ing, and the stage play Woyzeck (in which Boyega was “chunky as Days later, when Boyega talks about the he played the title role)—left him feeling hell,” he says. “Not fat feel-good vibes he emanated on set, the “exhausted, frantic, and paranoid,” he fat, but I hated being 30-year-old grows philosophical. “You have says. “You’re tired by your own dream, what topless because I had two options as an artist,” he says. “Fixate you love.” He took a hiatus to recharge and a little bit of a hanging on your fatigue or acknowledge that you’ve to work on building a better version of him- belly. I gained weight arrivedandexpressyourextremegratitude. self, one who was stronger physically, men- in the most awkward of When I was broke and no casting director tally, and spiritually and ready to embrace places while everybody wanted to see me, if someone said, ‘We’re leading-man status and the high visibility was looking athletic, going to fly you out tomorrow, take care that comes with it. During a break on set, ripped, and lean.” of your hotel, shoot a Men’s Health cover, he stands in front of a monitor and stares at then fly you back,’ I would’ve cried with joy. images of himself in a yellow windbreaker. Proud of his Nigerian Yeah, I just got off a flight, but that’s what He’s traded his signature cornrows for heritage, the actor has an autobiographical the rappers sing about. I’m living it.” a clean fade, and the actor who was once sleeve tattoo on his left arm, beginning at described as “being built like a bullet” has his shoulder with an image of Africa (high- These are indeed the moments Boyega, leaned out considerably, as evidenced by lighting his homeland) and winding down the British-born son of Nigerian immi- his prominent cheekbones and sculpted to two beautifully rendered depictions grants, dreamed about as a lad in Peckham, frame. He’s impressed. “That’s real Black- of his parents just above his wrist. They a working-class community in London. boy joy,” he says gleefully. “Black-boy joy!”  immigrated to England in the 1980s. “My Back then, he regularly practiced being mom and dad will always be my heroes, late-night-show charming in his bathroom BOYEGA HASN’T because at the end of the day, man, they for future interviews, which helps explain made the fundamental choice moving why he’s so affable when chatting about how always felt so great about his own body, he from Nigeria, coming over to London,” this year promises to be a big one for him. admits while on a road trip the day after he says. “If they didn’t make that choice, I He’s part of a new wave of actors of African the shoot. We’re driving from New York don’t think any of us would be here.” descent who are storming Hollywood— City to test-drive the 1965 Chevrolet Cor- Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong’o, Chiwetel vette he’s just purchased from Motorcar Amid the elaborate ink tableau is an Ejiofor, and Damson Idris, to name a few. Classics in Farmingdale, on Long Island. image of a lion that Boyega says represents West African culture—Nollywood movies He already owns a Lamborghini Urus that his dueling spirits. “I like to fight and I like on Netflix and Afrobeat on the radio—is he keeps in London and a Jeep Wrangler to cuddle,” he says, before bursting into also enjoying an unprecedented level of vis- Rubicon at his home in the Caribbean. His laughter. His father, Samson, a Pentecos- ibility. Boyega has three major films hitting newest whip will stay in America. tal minister, and his mother, Abigail, a theaters in the coming months: Breaking, caregiver, have been married for 35 years, The Woman King, and They Cloned Tyrone. Boyega is upbeat on this overcast day, and he has two sisters, Grace and Blessing. Then there’s his work with his company, as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. They’ve championed his work ever since he 60 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

Page 58: Tank by Jockey; cargo pants by New Balance; sneakers by Converse. This page: Shirt by H&M; track pants by Tier; sneakers by Nike; H08 watch by Hermès; 2022 McLaren GT by McLaren Automotive. first appeared onstage in an update of the ness. You have to take a joke, too, know how Director J. J. Abrams loved him enough African folktale Anansi the Spider in pri- to laugh at yourself and understand why as the precocious alien fighter in 2011’s mary school. “I used that as an opportunity people may be laughing at you, and then sci-fi comedy Attack the Block to cast to crack jokes and flirt with the girls—it be like, ‘You know what, if I wasn’t me, I’d him in his Star Wars update years later. was cool.” He enjoyed the attention and the probably be laughing at this shit, too.’ ”   Boyega—a huge Star Wars fan—audi- crowd’s positive reception. tioned for nearly a year before landing the Femi Oguns, Boyega’s drama teacher part of Finn in Abrams’s trilogy. It was a Soon Samson was taking his son, born turned agent, first observed his talent at life-changing opportunity that would John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega, to Identity School of Acting, an academy ultimately prove bittersweet. Yes, it made kiddie auditions at local performing-arts Oguns founded for talent from marginal- Boyega rich and gave him access to front- centers in London. In those formative ized communities in 2003. Having worked row seats at Burberry runway shows, but years, Boyega learned to deliver Shake- with Boyega for more than a decade, he it also put him in the crosshairs of racist spearean monologues, tap-dance, and plié, says, “It was very evident that he was some- Internet trolls who could accept a world and he perfected his American accent by body that had a maturity at a very young filled with Ewoks and Wookiees but studying rom-coms like The Best Man and age but also had a wonderful openness to couldn’t fathom a stormtrooper of color. Idris Elba’s portrayal of Baltimore drug the craft. There’s a truth that he brings to dealer Stringer Bell on The Wire. He honed everything he does.” Boyega is drawn to The actress Moses Ingram, who stars his quick-wittedness at Westminster City scripts that inspire a visceral reaction. He on Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, School, a state-funded secondary academy knows he’s found the right one when his recently endured a similar backlash, but for boys. “Every other morning, [class- chest begins thumping and “I can visual- she’s been publicly supported by her cast- mates were] cussing the size of your head, ize the film. The concept is clear; the inten- mates, and Lucasfilm execs were forth- the size of your ears. If you don’t know how tions are clear. I’m going through each page coming about the online abuse she could to snap back, you might end up in some sad- and wishing I could read it in five seconds.”  face. Was Boyega similarly forewarned? MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 61

Tank by Adidas x Gucci; shorts by Dior Men; sandals by Aldo.

Styling: Ted Stafford and Jason Rembert. Styling assistance: Daniel Lee Spellman. Hair: Johnny Cakes. Grooming: Jessica Smalls/the Wall Group. Prop styling: Michael Sturgeon/Monday Artists. Tailoring: Darlene Deandrade. Production: Area 1202. “Hell no,” he states. “I’m the one that first big checks. But that ambition drove ested in people who go to dark spaces and brought this to the freaking forefront.” He him to feel like he “had to say yes to every- are able to flip that,” he says. Downey told says he was blindsided by the racist vitriol thing” on his way up. “It’s tiring and it’s him, “They’re not going to know what to do hurled at him, and at times it made him stress, and then dealing with the fact that with you when you come into the industry; question if he even wanted to be part of the you eventually have to perform,” he says. they’re going to be like, ‘Oh, let’s just make sci-fi juggernaut. Boyega has consistently “There are many different ways careers can him well-spoken and nice.’ That’s kind of voiced his frustrations about how his char- exhaust you, but the artistic way is unique.” the filter. You’re going to go through some acter was underdeveloped and ultimately turbulence. You’re going to try to find who marginalized. He remains vocal about THE PHYSICAL part of you are within this. It might be rocky, feeling unsupported in those days, which but you’ll come out the end with a solid iden- he hopes has compelled execs to become Boyega’s post–Star Wars rebuild involved tity. That’s literally what happened to me,” more accountable to actors of color. “At working out for 90 minutes five or six days Boyega says. least the people going into it now, after my a week with London-based trainer Tim time, [they’re] cool,” he says. Lucasfilm is Blakeley. His fitness regimen, a mix of car- He learned to surround himself with “going to make sure you’re well supported dio, weight training, and yoga, is as effec- trusted friends and family. “You choose and at least you [now] go through this fran- tive as it is excruciating. “Leg day is the your circle in which you can accept how you chise knowing that everybody is going to worst day,” Boyega says. “All the training express yourself. Once you feel that accep- have [your] back. I’m glad I talked out that I do is about detail, posture, and get- tance, they can help you, help motivate you. everything at that time.” ting the most out of each rep.” I ask if he lis- That’s your safe place as a celebrity. So you tens to Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and can actually complain. I still want to say His sister Grace says he’s been outspoken the other ratchet rappers who currently fuel that shit. Like, this is petty, but I want to since childhood. “Whatever John believes my gym workouts. “I’ve got a confession,” tell my sisters, ‘Oh, this is just how I feel.’ in, he’s going to stand by it.” His speech at a Boyega says, leaning in conspiratorially. And they’re going to be like, ‘This is petty, Black Lives Matter rally in London in 2020 “I rarely listen to music with lyrics in the but yeah, I hear you.’ Whereas in the world wasn’t planned. That day, he and Grace had gym. I listen to movie scores. . . . I love Hans it’s going to be like, ‘You’re a fucking mil- intended to quietly protest about the death Zimmer. I love Harry Gregson-Williams.” lionaire, you idiot. You know what I had to of George Floyd. However, one of the march Epic, orchestral soundtracks from films do this morning, and you’re complaining organizers handed the actor a megaphone like Gladiator, Inception, and The Dark about that?’ Let me just chill and complain and invited him to speak from his heart. He Knight are his go-tos. “It’s harder to run on to the people that understand that I’m not did. In his nearly five-minute monologue, the treadmill when Drake is talking about trying to be evil. It’s just today, I’m sad. I’m he was angry, raw, and breathtakingly hon- being on the jet,” he jokes. “The workouts I experiencing [this phase of my career] as est about the trials of being Black in a world do [are] hard. I need me some motivation.”  a more balanced person who is willing to that rates him as a second-class citizen. “I improve. I know it’s a weird, random thing need you to understand how painful it is to Of course, Boyega also reworked his to say, but I’m willing to say sorry.” be reminded every day that your race means diet. Ditching sugar was a “massive” nothing,” Boyega declared in his speech, game changer. “That’s my enemy,” he There are two main things that Boyega which immediately went viral and cement- says. “Doughnuts, chocolate, candy, pie, wanted to achieve upon entering the busi- ed him in the annals of activist artists.  sodas . . . the stuff that kills you. I had to ness. “To disrupt the industry and also to get rid of that habit.” His diet now con- make history, and nothing has changed,” “Any of us keeping our mouth shut at sists of Grace’s nutritious, home-cooked says Oguns. “For John, it was never about this point, it doesn’t really feel too com- meals. Lots of lean chicken and brown trying to fit into the box. He wants to be fortable,” he later tells me. “Because even jollof rice, a Nigerian dish made with the outline of the box.” That’s why Boyega if you’re British, [you’re] working in the tomato paste, onions, and spices. has sidestepped playing enslaved people States; the gun’s going to go off before your or drug dealers and appearing in clichéd accent does.” His message for people still Resetting mentally was perhaps the sports movies, his agent explains: “For bothered by his bluntness and unapologetic most difficult. Boyega tells me he found John, it’s all about accountability. He embrace of the BLM movement? “Our guidance from fellow franchise star doesn’t want to be defined by any stereo- empowerment is not your demise,” he says. Robert Downey Jr., who has struggled typical roles.” But there are rumors that Did he experience any backlash? “Of course with his own challenges. “I am very inter- Boyega has secretly joined the Marvel there’s backlash. Seen and unseen,” he says cryptically. “It’s just how it goes. You’ll see who’s for you and who’s really not. . . . [But] this is who I am. I’m going to speak about what I believe in and make sure that what- ever I do is aimed at supporting the people.”  Reaching this level of self-acceptance came at a cost for Boyega. “Ambition is my battery power,” he tells me. At age 19, he decided he wanted seven figures in his bank account before age 25. “I was a million- aire by probably 22 or 23.” He purchased a new home for his parents with one of his MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 63

RAPID FIRE Cinematic Universe. “That’s not in the maintain his dignity in BOOK YOU’RE long marriage and egalitar- vision for me now,” he says. “I want to do the film—based on the READING? ian partnership have been nuanced things. . . . I want to donate my services to original indie films that come true story of a Marine “The Intelligent Investor, hugely inspirational. “My with new, fresh ideas, because I know it’s veteran whose PTSD by Benjamin Graham. No dad would plait my sisters’ real hard to topIron Man in that universe.”  leads him to stage a time for business school.” hair while my mom was botched bank robbery. cooking,” he says. “They’re Boyega describes one of his upcoming His performance is LAST TIME inseparable at this point.” films, They Cloned Tyrone (due later this already being compared YOU CRIED? He too wants a ride-or-die year), as a “unique and strange story that to Al Pacino’s virtuosic woman who’s curious, quick blew me away.” I admit that I’m confused turn in the 1970s classic “On the plane over, I to laugh, and spontaneous. by the film’s premise and ask him to make Dog Day Afternoon. watched [Respect]. It was And, he adds, grinning it plain. He can’t, really. “Pimp. Prostitute. the scene where [Aretha slyly, “I like them thick Try to uncover a mystery in the ’hood. That’s The movie gave him an Franklin] was exhausted all I’m giving you,” says Boyega, who plays multiple clones ranging in age from 28 to 78 and said to her family, and costars with Jamie Foxx, who, unsur- ‘If I’m not good, y’all can’t prisingly, went a long way toward making it the most fun he’s ever had on set. “We were eat.’ And their reaction filming all over Atlanta, so you can imagine the energy. We in the strip clubs, we in the opportunity to act oppo- was like, no. They and brown.”  streets,” Boyega says. “It was a joy.”  site one of the titans he covered her basically.” Boyega and I have finally Flexing a different kind of dramatic mus- used to watch on The Wire, TV SERIES arrived at Motorcar Clas- cle alongside Viola Davis in the historical Michael K. Williams, who YOU’RE INTO? sics, where sleek rides thriller The Woman King, Boyega plays plays a hostage negotiator. lovingly restored to their King Ghezo, a conflicted ruler in late-19th- Working with Williams, “Moon Knight. My boy youthful glory preen like century West Africa. Due in theaters who died of an accidental Oscar [Isaac]’s got a British pageant queens. We check on September 16, it tells the story of the Dahomey warriors, a fearless band of accent in it. He’s quite all female fighters who battled European col- right, know what I mean?” onizers. When he’s asked why he said yes to thisproject,Boyega’seyeslightup.“Thefact drug overdose in 2021, MEAL YOU COOK out ’70s Stingrays and that I would be able to speak in my father’s was “phenomenal,” he TO IMPRESS? tricked-out ’80s Ferraris. accent, in my native tongue, and portray says. “And when I met Plus, of course, Boyega’s something that’s different from what I’ve “I’ve only cooked one meal done before, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m coming. I want to be a part of that big-time.’” him, it was a full-circle like that, and it was pasta Corvette, a silver beauty moment for me.” Wil- Bolognese, garlic bread, with sumptuous red-leather In his third major project of the year, liams gifted him a cologne and a Greek salad. I went interior. But it’s the Aston Breaking (out August 26), Boyega stretches from a small Black-owned Martin, with its significant yet again. He shines as a diminished man on YouTube and asked abandoned by his country and fighting to my sister for recipe tips.” business during their first EUPHEMISM pedigree and the license days on set. “It’s finishing, FOR SEX? plate JB 007, that causes the and I feel sad about it,” he actor to stop in his tracks. “I don’t have one. Sex.” says. “I always say that Coincidence? Or could it Michael K. Williams is be subtly announcing that the nicest-smelling man in the industry. he’s appearing in another iconic franchise His smell is ridiculous.”  soon, trading lightsabers for shaken marti- During our nearly two-hour journey to nis, perhaps? No, Boyega says with a wish- the car dealership, Boyega has been amus- ful glint in his eyes. “But you know if they ing me with tales of his newly adopted give me that call, I’ll be there.” roller-skating hobby—“I’m bloody freak- ing good. The way I turn these corners, it LOLA OGUNNAIKE has written about cul- don’t make no sense”—as well as his search ture,art,anddesignforTheNewYorkTimes, for the perfect companion. His parents’ Rolling Stone, and Architectural Digest. BUILD A BOYEGA BACK WHETHER HE’S PREPPING for a role or not, John Boyega hits the gym at least five days a week with trainer Tim Blakeley, who’s worked with him since 2019.The goal, Blakeley says, is to avoid having to “cram” training just before a film. It’s paid off for Boyega, who’s built serious muscle. WIDE-GRIP CHINUP BARBELL BENT-OVER ROW NARROW-GRIP PULLDOWN SINGLE-ARM DUMBBELL ROW Ben Mounsey-Wood (illustrations) Hang from a bar with an Hold a barbell with an over- Sit at a lat-pulldown machine Start with a dumbbell in your underhand grip, hands wider hand grip, then push your butt and grasp a V-shaped handle. right hand hanging down and than shoulder width. Pull your back and lower your torso so it’s Squeeze your shoulder blades your torso nearly parallel to the chest to the bar. Lower. That’s at a 45 degree angle. Pull the bar and pull the bar to your chest. floor. Row the dumbbell to your 1 rep; do 3 sets of as many to your ribs; lower with control. Pause, then return to the start. right hip; lower. That’s 1 rep; do good-form reps as you can. That’s 1 rep; do 3 sets of 8 to 12. That’s 1 rep; do 3 sets of 8 to 12. 3 sets of 8 to 12 per side. 64 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

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REASONS ESCAPE You don’t need to choose between fitness or relaxation or emotional well-being. We’ve found the best spots that combine the wellness, action, fun, and chill-out time that all of us crave. Pack your bags! BY RINA RAPHAEL 66

WORK HARD, RECOVER HARDER 1 Fast-trackyourfitnessatthese sweaty getaways that serve up specialized training, wild adventure, and intense recovery. ROGUE EXPEDITIONS WHAT: It’s a roving retreat for runners of all levels, with trips in places like Patago- nia, Oregon, and British Columbia. TYPICAL DAY: In Oregon, you’ll run six to 12 miles over single-track trails through Douglas-fir forests and past waterfalls. TIP: Focus on efforts, not paces, says cofounder and elite runner Allison Macsas. “Navi- gating roots, rocks, and steep climbs takes practice. Ignore the numbers on your watch and concentrate on each step. Stay relaxed for the first half so you can finish strong.” FUEL: Frittata brunches over- looking thousand-foot cliffs, picnics alongside pristine riv- ers, and dinners cooked over campfires. RECOVER: Relax by floating down lazy rivers. COST: About $2,600 for five nights; roguexpeditions.com MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 67

SURF YOGA BEER MOVNAT— LEARN TO NATURAL MOVEMENT WHAT: Created by Soul- BLISTEN Cycle instructor Mantas WHAT: The three-day, ETO Zvinas, this pop-up retreat eight-person, men-only TYOUR celebrates his passions— fitness camps take place in surfing, yoga, and, yup, wilderness locations, where BODY beer—in hidden spots in you learn to lift explosively, Nicaragua, Morocco, and move with greater agility, T Mexico. TYPICAL DAY: At and sleep outdoors. (Bring a E Playa Maderas in Nicaragua, blanket or a sleeping bag.) R schedules are based on the TYPICAL DAY: In Embudo, waves but usually feature New Mexico, at MovNat surf lessons, fitness classes, Crucible, led by Vic Verdier, yoga, and snorkeling. TIP: C.S.C.S., a former French Single-leg yoga poses can naval officer and wilderness fine-tune your balance, says EMT, you’ll lift logs, climb Zvinas. “Try the Superman trees, carry rocks, and take pose to strengthen your core on other challenges that and lower back muscles,” he push you out of your adds. It mimics many move- comfort zone. TIP: “Sprint- ments in the water: Drop ing is a great way to build down onto your stomach, lift explosiveness and mobility,” both legs and arms to assume says Verdier. “A safe way a flying position, then move to begin is to sprint uphill. It one arm at a time as though will self-limit your sprint in you’re paddling on a board. order to avoid any injury.” Continue for 20 seconds Sprint for 10 to 20 yards for each set. FUEL: Local and take as long as you and fresh fish tacos washed want to recover. Do 10 reps. down with fruit smoothies. FUEL: Very little water RECOVER: Dance on the and almost no food. beach and drink ice-cold RECOVER: You’ll be fried. local Toña lager. COST: Sleep, sleep, sleep. Five-night getaways start at COST: $800 for three $1,950; surfyogabeer.com nights; movnat.com  A workout at Surf Yoga Pages 66–67: Gabe Steger. This page: Courtesy Surf Yoga Beer. Beer in Nicaragua. 68 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

Zip-lining at the adventure park next to Sensei Lanai. At Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, MH’s fitness director, EBENEZER SAMUEL, C.S.C.S., reboots his mind and body in ways he didn’t even realize he needed. Robb Aaron Gordon IT’S JUST HOURS intomyfirstdayat skeptical, but my Whoop data revealed MEDITATION: ENJOY THE NOISE that I was overtraining, and the blue Sensei, and I’m already working out. sky—and ocean—provided an inspiring New York City leaves little room to Well, sort of. I’m jumping straight up as backdrop for new thinking. contemplate silence, so meditation trainer Kyle Silvey, C.S.C.S., studies my expert Nico Akiba proposes I try vertical. Silvey is my guide on this trip to BREATHING: KEEP IT SIMPLE listening intently to any and all sounds Sensei, a new wellness resort created by around me for 90 seconds. Instead Oracle founder Larry Ellison and David When I meet with mindset guide Marcus of cutting myself off from the world, Agus, M.D., founding director of USC’s Washington, the last thing I want is I’m learning to focus and choose what Institute for Transformative Medicine. another complicated breathing tech- I hear. Months later, I do this often, nique. Washington sticks to the basics. whenever I need to collect myself. Together, they built a 24-acre com- He has me choose either four-second pound on a small island in Hawaii. The inhales and exhales or six-second inhales FITNESS: CONTRAST IT tranquil, no-kids-under-16 resort has and exhales. All I have to do is maintain trails through a forest of Cook pines, pri- one technique for two minutes. I appre- On the last day of my trip, Silvey vate spa areas, open spaces for horseback ciate the simplicity of deep breathing, suggests a solution to my lack of explo- riding and archery, and an adventure especially when Washington shows me siveness—contrast training. We do course where you can zip-line through how it affects my heart-rate variability. A four reps of heavy Romanian deadlifts, the jungle. It’s also home to Sensei’s high HRV signals that your body is ready then immediately do four vertical Optimal Wellbeing Program, which for action. Washington connects me to a jumps. The heavy move recruits an aims to deliver personalized insights to real-time HRV tracker, and I watch as it abundance of muscle fibers, he says, me in four key areas: fitness, nutrition, rises during this drill. I now breathe like prepping my body to jump higher. mental health, and breathing. this for two minutes pre-workout. We do five sets, resting two minutes between them. I’m here for a five-day mind-body NUTRITION: OATMEAL UP reset. The go-go stress of New York City Five weeks later, when Silvey checks has me frazzled, and I want better tools On my second day, I sit down with in with me (your guide stays in contact to manage that. As my tiny vertical leap registered dietitian Marlee Finkelstein, with you for several months), I tell him I attests, my workouts need an infusion who walks me through the results of a feel more explosive, thanks to twice-a- of athletic moves. Fourteen days before blood-panel test and analyzes my diet. I week contrast sessions. With the help of my flight, I’d completed a questionnaire mention to her that my muscles haven’t breathing drills to control my HRV, I’m about long-term wellness goals and looked as full in recent months, and she finally logging high Whoop recovery linked my Whoop 4.0 fitness tracker pinpoints the problem: My high-protein scores again. Sensei’s guides gave me to Sensei’s portal so that Silvey could diet lacks carbs. The fix: a cup of oat- the lessons I needed—and listening to scrutinize my metrics. Sensei built my meal with brown sugar every morning, a the rhythmic sound of crashing waves itinerary using that information and set snack that I add to my rotation. didn’t hurt, either. From $1,355 per out to guide me to wellness gains. I was night; sensei.com MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 69

RE-WILD AND TAP INTO THE POWER OF NATURE IN CALIFORNIA, 45 minutes south of IN COSTA RICA, at the brand-new San Francisco, Canyon Ranch Woodside’s Hacienda AltaGracia from Auberge redwood-canopied retreat inspires a connec- Resorts—encompassing 180 acres of rain tion to nature. Sleep in a glass-clad tree house forest—tranquility comes in the form of with a deck, run creekside stairs during hikes to bird sanctuaries and waterfalls. outdoor group workouts, hike to the oldest Need a bit more adventure? Explore the and largest living tree on the peninsula, and nearby hills and coffee plantations on exhale on guided forest meditations. You’ll horseback. There’s also a six-hour high- unwind with calming evening yoga or work- altitude mountain hike, tree climbing shops like drawing and origami. From $1,325 (where you can abseil back to the forest per person, all-inclusive; canyonranch.com floor), and surfing in the nearby town of Uvita. $1,550 per night, all-inclusive; Exploring the trails at aubergeresorts.com/altagracia Hacienda AltaGracia IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, hiking is the from Auberge attraction at Mountain Trek Fitness Resorts, Costa Rica. Retreat and Health Spa, cocooned in the rugged Canadian Rockies. Start your day with yoga and a smoothie before hiking the peaks, increasing in intensity each day. Highlights include millennia-old glaciers, raging rivers, and turquoise lakes. Back at the lodge, recuperate in an ice-cold plunge pool or an outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking Koo- tenay Lake, detox in a sauna, and recover with a massage. $6,100 for one week, all- inclusive; mountaintrek.com IN ALASKA, at the nine-cabin Stillpoint Auberge Resorts Collection Lodge on Kenai Peninsula, the emphasis is on wildlife and wellness. Hike or kayak to spot bears, bald eagles, orcas, and otters, then practice mindfulness with yoga and meditation sessions. Much of the menu is grown or caught locally. The lodge sits on Halibut Cove, which is also home to king salmon and Pacific cod, and its gardens produce greens, root vegetables, and berries. Unlike at many retreats, kids ages six and up are welcome. Activities include fishing, interpretive hikes, and tide-pool expeditions. Three- night nature and nurture packages from $8,250; stillpointlodge.com

Underwater 5COOK XPT drills in & EAT Malibu. LIKE 4TRAIN WITH YOUR A KING FAVORITEFITFLUENCER NESTLED IN THE Courtesy XPT Fitness (XPT). Courtesy Art of Living Retreat Center (Art of Living). WORK LIFT DO YOGA AND Great Smoky Moun- OUT WITH HEAVY WITH FITNESS WITH tains in Walland, LAIRD DON BRITNEY Tennessee, luxe HAMILTON SALADINO SHINE retreat Blackberry Farm now has Well- Join the legendary surf- The celeb trainer’s At this four-day house, a full-service er in Malibu or Costa annual retreat, Don December yoga and spa. Join a chef Rica and be immersed Con, is a six-day fitness adventure and learn to cook in his XPT training meth- fitnessfest on a private retreat in Scottsdale, dishes like shaved od, which emphasizes island off Puerto Arizona, you’ll take fennel and rhubarb strengthening what he Vallarta. Saladino uses two classes a day salad and seared calls “the whole organ- the intimate setting with the yoga lumi- salmon with grilled ism,” aka your mind and to teach advanced nary and Sui Yoga shishito peppers. body. Expect intense muscle-building NYC instructor, doing Best of all, you get to underwater workouts, techniques, work- everything from HIIT eat the meal paired ice-tub sessions, and shops on form, and to handstand work- with wines from lots and lots of breath- key moves to get those shops. Chase that with the 160,000-bottle work (Costa Rica, superhero abs and a desert hike or horse cellar. From October 11–13). $6,500; arms. From $1,750; ride. From $1,775; $845 per night; shop.xptlife.com donsaladino.com ketangafitness.com blackberryfarm.com 6DABBLE IN SILENT MODEGET BACK ON TRACK withtheultimatemetime:asilentretreattoreflect MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 71 and recharge. “People often tell me they get more done in the week after a silent retreat than they got done the month before,” says senior instructor John Osborne at the ART OF LIVING RETREAT CENTER in North Caroli- na. Choose how much silence you’re after; each retreat can be customized. (Chatting by the campfire is permitted.) Activities include nature walks, pottery, and yoga. $1,295 for four nights; artoflivingretreatcenter.org

RECONNECT WITH YOUR SELF At the new Miraval Berkshires Resort & Spa, BEN COURT tries to exorcise trauma, takes a smoothie workshop, and seeks emotional-intelligence tips from a horse. I’M MAKING my best cowboy clicking sounds and staring at Maple, urging the 800-plus-pound, 15-year-old chestnut Missouri Fox Trotter to walk toward me. Maple is my equine partner in this nonverbal-communication exercise. The goal is for me to lead her, showing her where to move in a collaborative dance of space. She is not budging. Horses don’t respond to auditory cues or eye contact, says animal-connections specialist Jen Leahey, call sign NATURE. (All instructors here wear a name tag with a word that characterizes their true essence.) Horses communicate using energy and touch and are all about being emo- tionally present. They also see the world in the soft gaze, favored by expert meditators. First, I need to connect with Maple by petting her with long, firm strokes, “like a mare licking a foal.” Then I need to project where I want her to move and trust she will go there. Our dance is more of a shuffle—I walk to where I want Maple to go, and she follows, sometimes quickly and other times slowly—but soon we’re grooving. By connecting with Maple, I’m also connect- ing with myself. Before arriving at Miraval Berkshires in western Massachusetts, I had a consultation about “the intention for my jour- ney” and identified a word to guide me. Mine is connect, with my partner as well as myself. We’re working parents, with a two-year-old and a tween, and after two years of cooped-up pan- demic living, we wanted—okay, needed—some intense self-care and uninterrupted together time. Miraval is seeing more people like me, says Courtesy Miraval Berkshires Simon Marxer, associate vice president of spa and well-being, “guys who are seeking a personal The new Challenge experience, some dimension of transformation, Course at Miraval and a sense of inspiration, versus simply seeking Berkshires. relaxation.” The experiences menu glows with

wellness options, everything banana protein, berry antioxi- EXPAND YOUR MIND 8 from paddleboard yoga and dant, and power greens—even adventure-course exercises more nutritious and tasty. My WHILE BUDDING to forest bathing and aura favorite is the berry smoothie imaging. Along with dancing that JOYFUL says doubles as a research—and centu- with Maple, three other experi- hangover cure and digestion ries of practice in var- ences stood out. aid—the chia seeds help scrub ious cultures—attests gunk from your gut. to the potential thera- USE EXERCISE TO peutic benefits of psy- EXORCISE STRESS BERRY ANTIOXIDANT chedelics, you can test In a blender, mix 2 cups them out for yourself at In the 80-minute session called mixed berries, ¼ cup chia international retreats Tension Release Exercises, seeds, ¼ cup rolled oats, (until they’re fully spiritual coach Mark Gerow, 1 apple, juice from ½ lemon, available in the U. S.). At call sign RESILIENCE, explores 1 tsp cinnamon, and 16 oz the Costa Rican seaside how your muscles can store coconut water. Serves 2 jungle retreat Soltara trauma and stress and guides Healing Center, Peru- you to release both. We target STRETCH A SMILE vian Shipibo healers the psoas, the girdle of muscle UPON YOUR FACE work with the thera- that runs from your lumbar peutic plant ayahuasca spine to your hips, by doing a “Be kind; be compassionate to focus on whatever series of exercises that fatigue to your body,” says fitness guests need, be it spiri- the muscles around it. Then I specialist Tariq Pinkston, tual healing or creative lie down with my knees apart aka EMPATHY. In his Happy expression. Baths and but the soles of my feet togeth- Hips class, we’re spending 45 pre-ceremony yoga er, inhale and exhale deeply, minutes doing gentle yoga- ensure the experience bring my knees closer together, inspired moves to open up the is as relaxing as it is and...wait. I didn’t expect hips and improve mobility. I transformative. anything to happen, but after now do three of them once a From $1,875 for a several minutes, my hips start week as a hips circuit: five-night retreat; to quiver. RESILIENCE explains 1. Foam-roll: Quads—front soltara.co that this is normal and that and back—and glutes. my body is releasing stress. 2. Raises: Lying on your side, RINA RAPHAEL is based in Los Angeles and is the It’s deeply unnerving as the raise your top leg for 5 reps, author of The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, shaking and fluttering come in circle it for 5 reps, and pulse Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care. unpredictable waves. I imagine for 5 reps. Switch sides and traumatic memories leaving repeat. Do 3 rounds per side. MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 73 my body like Slimer & Co. 3. Openers: Lying on your being zapped in Ghostbusters. back with your legs straight, It’s that weird and goes on for take your right foot and draw about 30 minutes. Afterward, I a semicircle toward your butt. feel profoundly relaxed. RESIL- Repeat 5 times, then circle the IENCE says it’s a therapy that other way. Switch sides and can be used to treat back pain, repeat. Do 3 rounds per side. anxiety, and even migraines. The totality of those expe- SEED A BETTER riences, plus the mindful vibe SMOOTHIE of the resort—with down- time by the pool, hikes in the Miraval Berkshires offers forest, tasty local food (think culinary and nutrition classes grass-fed filet, broccolini, on everything from knife aubergine puree, and beef skills to kombucha brewing. jus), and healthy-ish cocktails In Blend ‘N’ Balance Smooth- (mescal, pomegranate liqueur, ies, a 45-minute workshop ancho-chile liqueur, and led by program chef Beatrice lime juice)—helped shift our Blais, aka JOYFUL, I learn to world into a softer, kinder make three classic smooth- focus. Maple would approve. ies—chocolate/peanut butter/ From $899, all-inclusive; miravalberkshires.com

SALADS, EXCEPT ACTUALLY AWESOME! Great chefs all over the country are finally giving greens the attention and deliciousness they deserve. These four salads will completely change how you eat your vegetables—just in time for peak-season produce. Grab a fork. By Todd Kliman Photographs by Paola + Murray

FARM CRUNCHMASTER CRISP LETTUCE LETTUCE GRILL! SALAD Cabbage works on the grill, THE LESSON: Croutons too, because it has a low water don’t own crunch. content. Other options: Yes, the paper-thin radicchio, bok choy, Belgian squash, salty cheese, and tangy lemon dressing endive, basically any make this salad incredible. kind of kale, romaine—oh, But don’t discount the pistachios, which do way and also Savoy and more for texture (not to purple cabbage. mention heart-healthy fats) than croutons ever THE LESSON: Yes, you can sear salad. could. —Recipe by Michael Paley, chef/owner of Amara Adding char to sturdy greens brings out their natural sweetness while adding a subtle smoki- at Paraiso in Miami ness. Balance those flavors with something tart (like the apple in this recipe), something crunchy (a triple threat of frizzled onions, toasted nuts, and puffed rice), and something fresh WHAT YOU’LL NEED (picked herbs) and you have a main-course-worthy meal. —Recipe by Garrett Benedict, chef/ owner of G Love in Portland, Oregon 5 OZ CONTAINER LITTLE GEM LETTUCE OR SPRING MIX WHAT YOU’LL NEED HOW TO MAKE IT zle each wedge with 2 Tbsp of the vinaigrette and scatter ½ SMALL RED ONION, 1 HEAD SAVOY CABBAGE, 1. In a large cast-iron pan with some of the raw cab- VERY THINLY SLICED AND CUT INTO 8 WEDGES over medium high, heat bage, apple, and onion mix. SOAKED IN ICE WATER (ROOT/STEM INTACT) 1 Tbsp oil. Add 3 cabbage Garnish with mint and cilan- wedges and sear until dark tro. Makes 3 salads ½ LB SUMMER SQUASH, VERY 2 TBSP CANOLA OIL brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. THINLY SLICED Using tongs, flip each wedge; SESAME VINAIGRETTE In a ¼ CUP FRIED ONIONS repeat. Transfer to a plate blender, puree 2 Tbsp tahini, 1 CUP PISTACHIOS, TOASTED and sprinkle with salt. Repeat 2 Tbsp mirin, and 2 tsp Hon- AND SHELLED ¼ CUP RICE KRISPIES the process with the remain- dashi granules. Add ¼ cup ing oil and 3 more cabbage rice wine vinegar and 1½ ⅓ CUP LEMON DRESSING 2 TBSP HAZELNUTS, TOASTED wedges. Set aside. Cut the Tbsp soy sauce and blend on (SEE BELOW) AND CRUSHED last 2 raw wedges into ¼-inch low, slowly pouring in 2 Tbsp strips. Set aside. sesame oil till emulsified. ½ CUP SHAVED 6 TBSP SESAME VINAIGRETTE PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO (SEE RIGHT) 2. In a small bowl, combine the fried onions, Rice Krisp- EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, 1 HONEYCRISP APPLE, DICED ies, and hazelnuts. Set aside. FOR DRIZZLING MINT AND CILANTRO LEAVES, 3. Arrange on each plate 2 HOW TO MAKE IT FOR GARNISH charred cabbage wedges, fanning out the leaves. Driz- In a salad bowl, toss the lettuce, onion, squash, pistachios, dressing, and salt and pepper to taste. Divide the salad among 4 plates and top each with some of the cheese and olive oil. Makes 4 salads LEMON DRESSING In a blender or food processor, whir till smooth the zest from 1 lemon, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 small minced garlic clove, 1½ tsp Dijon, ½ cup extra- virgin olive oil, and ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt. Sea- son with salt and pepper. MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 75

ARUGULA S A L A D ROASTED MAITAKE THE LESSON: Expand your definition of dressing. MUSHROOM SALAD However you feel about arugula, there’s so much to love about this salad—roasted potatoes, creamy olives, cheese. But it’s the basil pesto that’s the unsung star, tying all those amazing THE LESSON: Meaty salads flavors together. —Recipe by John Sidoti, executive chef of Pizzeria Vetri in Philadelphia don’t need meat. WHAT YOU’LL NEED HOW TO MAKE IT thickened. Season to taste Earthy mushrooms, slow-roasted with salt and pepper. Chill in in the oven, turn smoky and crisp- 5 LARGE FINGERLING POTATOES 1. Preheat a charcoal grill so that the fridge. edged. Match them with a sweet- the coals are white and ashy. In corn dressing and crunchy endive 1 SPRIG ROSEMARY a small bowl, toss the potatoes, 3. In a lidded jar, add the red and this fungi-focused salad will rosemary, crushed garlic clove, wine vinegar and remaining 3 make you forget grilled chicken 1 CLOVE GARLIC, CRUSHED, and 2 Tbsp olive oil. Season Tbsp olive oil. Shake well to over iceberg. —Recipe by Greg PLUS 1 CLOVE with salt and pepper. On a wide emulsify. Season to taste with Vernick, chef/owner of Vernick sheet of aluminum foil, empty salt and pepper. Set aside. Food & Drink in Philadelphia 5 TBSP EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, the contents of the bowl and PLUS ¾ CUP make a loose package with the 4. In a large bowl, add 1 Tbsp WHAT YOU’LL NEED foil. Roast directly on the coals of the basil pesto, plus the red ¼ CUP PINE NUTS till tender, 30 to 45 minutes. wine vinegar, arugula, potatoes, 2 EARS SWEET CORN, CLEANED  Remove potatoes, let cool, and and olives. Toss lightly. Divide ¼ CUP FRESH GRATED PARMESAN, slice on the bias.  the salad among serving plates 6 OZ MAITAKE MUSHROOMS, BROKEN PLUS 2 TBSP SHAVED and top with shaved Parmesan INTO SMALLER CLUSTERS 2. In a food processor, pulse and more salt and pepper to ⅓ CUP BASIL LEAVES the garlic clove and pine nuts till taste. Makes 2 salads 2 TBSP EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, PLUS a coarse paste forms. Add the MORE FOR DRIZZLING 1 TBSP RED WINE VINEGAR  ¼ cup grated Parmesan and the basil. Pulse, adding the ¾ cup 1 HEAD BELGIAN ENDIVE, END 1½ CUPS ARUGULA olive oil in a thin stream till TRIMMED, LEAVES SEPARATED 8 TAGGIASCA OR CASTELVETRANO 6 TBSP CORN-MISO DRESSING (SEE O L I V E S  BELOW), PLUS MORE FOR SERVING 20 LEAVES FRESH TARRAGON HOW TO MAKE IT 1. In a large, dry cast-iron pan over medium high, add the corn. Cook, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool, and slice off the kernels. Reserve 1 cup of the kernels for the dressing. 2. Preheat your oven to 475°F. On a sheet pan, toss the mushrooms with the 2 Tbsp olive oil and sea- son lightly with salt and pepper. Roast until the mushrooms begin to caramelize and lightly char, 6 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool. 3. In a large bowl, add the endive, mushrooms, a big pinch each of salt and pepper, and 2 Tbsp of the dressing. Toss gently. 4. Spread some dressing on a serving plate, arrange the mush- room mixture on top, and garnish with some of the remaining charred corn and the tarragon, plus a swirl of extra-virgin olive oil. Repeat twice. Makes 3 salads CORN-MISO DRESSING In a small pan over medium heat, brown 4 Tbsp butter. Add to a blender with 1 small shallot (thinly sliced), the zest from 1 lemon, 1 cup of reserved grilled corn kernels, 2 Tbsp fresh ginger (peeled and thinly sliced), 1 Tbsp room-temp water, ½ cup white miso paste, ½ cup rice wine vine- gar, 2 tsp honey, ½ tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp salt, 8 tarragon leaves, and a pinch of cayenne. Puree till smooth. 76 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

3 MORE PLANT-BASED POWERHOUSES These umami bombs add a deep “meatiness” to salads: 1. Cubed, presmoked tofu. 2. Grilled teriyaki-marinated eggplant. 3. Baked Buffalo cauliflower wings. Food styling: Olivia Mack McCool. Prop styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart.

THE RISING GENERATIONS OF RACISM AND OPPRESSION HAVE CREATED A DEVASTATING HEALTH CRISIS WITHIN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES. WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, IT BROUGHT ANOTHER DEADLY THREAT. HERE’S HOW A NEW VANGUARD OF INDIGENOUS CHANGEMAKERS IS STEPPING UP AND FINDING MORE WAYS FOR THEIR PEOPLE—AND ALL OF US—TO BUILD STRONGER BODIES, MINDS, AND EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS. BY SHEA VASSAR THOSH COLLINS is the coauthor of The Seven Circles, an Indigenous guide to physical, spiritual, and emo- tional well-being. 78 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

SEAN SHERMAN SUTTON KING is a chef and a cofounder is the cofounder of a nonprofit that trains cooks and entrepreneurs. of ShockTalk,a mental-health app. INEARLY2021, as the first batches of corona- virus vaccines were being distributed around the country and many places struggled with availability, I walked into a Cherokee Nation health clinic in our tribe’s main city of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and rolled up my sleeve. As the needle plunged in, I felt relieved. More important, I felt accountable. American Indians and Alaska Natives experienced the highest death rate among all ethnic groups during the height of the pandemic, with a mortality rate twice that of their white counterparts, according to the CDC. The pandemic only magnified the poverty and existing health crises of many in our communities—while cutting off critical out- lets of support. As a culture, together we have survived colonial- ism and forced assimilation, the theft of our land and resources, and systemic oppression such that the majority of us have left our ancestral lands to seek opportunity elsewhere. That’s right: An estimated 70 percent of Indigenous people in the U. S. now live in urban or suburban areas. And no matter where we live, there are huge challenges accessing tribal health services. American Indians and Alaska Natives face higher rates of obesi- ty, diabetes, alcohol-use disorder, and suicide, among other health issues. While the average life expectancy in the U. S. has risen in recent years, ours hasn’t. It’s now seven years shorter than that of white Americans. Once the vaccine went into production, our trib- al government coordinated closely with the federal Indian Health Service to enable early access to elders, frontline health workers, and the native speakers who still teach and embody our culture. Then officials quickly opened access to everyone in the tribe—and helped supply clinics serving other people around the state. I never expected to be at that Cherokee clinic. I normally live in Brooklyn, but after months of isolation, I felt the pull to visit with my elders and reunite with my tribal community through get-togethers like local hog-fry fundraisers. Months later, I con- tinued to find ways to feel energized. Because amid the turmoil of the past couple years, a new wave of Indigenous changemakers has arisen. Its members are combining ancient spiritual values with modern practices to help all of us feel stronger and more vital so we can shape a healthier future together. SHEA VASSAR is a Cherokee Nation citizen based on Lenape land (Brooklyn). She holds a master’s in legal studies from the Univer- sity of Oklahoma, where she focused on Indigenous peoples law.

MOVE WITH are 50 percent more likely to be obese Courtesy Thosh Collins. Opposite: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images. Previous spread: Courtesy Thosh Collins (Collins). DEEPER PURPOSE than non-Hispanic whites are. Ne-Dah-Ness Greene (Sherman). Courtesy Sutton King (King). THOSH COLLINS, 40, Tempe, Arizona Collins, who is Onk-Akimel O’Odham and Haudenosaunee, thinks that the Cofounder of Well for Culture, a wellness consultancy, and sedentary lifestyle is a direct result of coauthor of the upcoming book The Seven Circles, an Indigenous assimilation: While tribal elders have always preached the importance of guide to physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being staying active, Collins watched his own family members slow down, gain weight, THERE’S NO SHORTAGE of jacked shirtless guys tossing around huge weight on Ins- and cope with substance abuse, type 2 tagram. But for those in the know—that’d be 35,000 followers and counting—Thosh diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Collins’s IG feed just hits different. Take the recent video in which he paired seated overhead lever pushes, Dynamax ball pullups, and banded dips with a healthy dose of In 2014, he and Luger launched Well for gratitude. “I give thanks for the spirit that drives my physical self,” he wrote in the post. Culture, a wellness consultancy that does presentations in Indigenous communities Or the one in which he and his wife, Chelsey Luger, completed a set of landmine and schools. Since the pandemic, the duo complexes while matching each other move for move. “As Native people, we’ve been have doubled down on their social-media moving, singing, and dancing synchronously for millennia,” he wrote, adding that presence, sharing fitness tips, recipes, these activities build confidence and belonging. and Indigenous-focused perspectives for well-being. Their book, The Seven Circles The dispatches are just part of a more ambitious campaign to encourage everyone— (out in October), explores how the spir- especially Indigenous people, both in cities and on reservations—to keep moving. itual, physical, mental, and emotional Nearly half of Indigenous people are obese, and American Indians and Alaska Natives sides of wellness are all connected. “It’s a model for living well,” Collins says, one rooted in both Indigenous practices and Western medicine. Try his tips for finding purpose in movement and his bodyweight workout on the opposite page.

STEP 1 BE A “GOOD RELATIVE” MATCH THOSH’S TO MORE PEOPLE MINDSET FRANCYS CREVIER, Washington, D. C. “When I was growing up, a lot of CEO of the National Council of Urban Indian Health elders would say not to take our body for granted. That when we run, NEARLY A YEAR INTO the pandemic, Francys Crevier helped rewrite the we’re also giving thanks that we have playbook for how American Indians and Alaska Natives in urban areas legs, that we have a heart, that we can receive vaccines. Crevier, who is Algonquin, serves as the head of the have a mind, and that we’re taking National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) in Washington, D. C., advantage of the gifts that were given which represents 41 Indigenous urban organizations that work together to provide culturally respectful health care in major cities. by Natakam, the creator. Despite the fact that an estimated 70 percent of Indigenous people in “This can be applied whether you’re the U. S. are now living in cities or towns, the Indian Health Service spends running on a treadmill, using weights 1 percent of its budget on urban Indian health. That caused a huge problem once vaccines became available, because there was no central hub for dis- in a gym, playing conventional tribution and infections were skyrocketing. American Indians and Alaska sports, doing yoga, bike riding, or Natives had three and a half times the number of confirmed Covid cases swimming. Whatever the movement compared with non-Hispanic whites during the peak of the pandemic, not modality may be, you can think to mention far greater rates of hospitalization and mortality. “Our bodies are not inferior; the systems that serve us are,” Crevier says. about it in a deeper sense. Rather than wait for state rollouts, Crevier tapped into the vaccine supply “When you’re moving the body, that was given to the Indian Health Service and partnered with the Univer- you’re not thinking about ‘Oh, sity of Maryland to establish clinic sites throughout the hard-hit North- I’m moving this body because I want a east. She also worked with a nonprofit called Native American LifeLines nice set of abs, or I want this lifted.’ to develop the “Be a Good Relative” campaign, which focused on personal You’re thinking about ‘I’m giving responsibility. A survey of nearly 1,500 people from more than 300 tribes thanks that I have this body to move, conducted by the Urban Indian Health Institute showed that at least 75 per- and I’m going to take advantage cent were willing to get vaccinated, primarily motivated by “a strong sense of of these gifts.’ Or ‘I give thanks for responsibility to protect the Native community and preserve cultural ways.” what health I do have.’ Many tribal leaders pushed a similar message on reservations while quickly opening access to everyone. Partly because of this, American Indi- “And this is good for people that ans and Alaska Natives had the highest vaccination rates among all ethnici- might be experiencing health compli- ties by mid-2021. “Our population said that they were going to get vaccinated for the community, which I think is beautiful,” Crevier says. The NCUIH has cations. Oftentimes when they’re since sponsored legislation that would increase funding needed to provide focused on their treatment, they’re better health care for all of Indian Country, including urban populations. focused on their deficit. We’re MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 81 not focused on the deficit, but we’re focused on thriving health. And that’s a way for us to really manifest better health.” STEP 2 DO THE WORKOUT This bodyweight workout from Collins is a great way to build power, endurance, and core strength—no gym required. Try these 4 moves, doing 2 or 3 sets, with 15 seconds of rest between sets. ALTERNATING Do 8 to 12 reps per leg. REVERSE LUNGE Take 2 seconds to lower on each rep. SINGLE-LEG ROMANIAN Do 5 to 10 reps per leg. DEADLIFT DOWNWARD DOG Start in plank position, TO PUSHUP then lift your butt high. Return to plank SIDE PLANK position and do a push- KNEE-TO-ELBOW up. Do 8 to 10 reps. Start in a right side plank. Pull left elbow to left knee, then return to side-plank position. Do 10 to 12 reps per side.

EAT LESS AND First, the pandemic delayed things. Nate Ryan. Opposite: Courtesy Nanggaahlaangstangs. FEEL BETTER Then, in May 2020, protests over the murder of George Floyd rocked Minne- SEAN SHERMAN , 48, Minneapolis apolis. As his city struggled, Sherman used the food lab to address the spike in Cofounder of North American Traditional Indigenous homelessness among the impoverished Food Systems, a nonprofit group Indigenous population. His team served more than 400 healthy Indigenous meals SEAN SHERMAN, co-owner of the company Sioux Chef, believes that Indig- a day in the middle of the pandemic. By enous recipes do far more than honor heritage: They can also undo some the winter of 2021, they’d joined forces serious problems. An estimated 15 percent of the Indigenous population with other Native nonprofits to distrib- suffers from diabetes—a rate that’s nearly twice that of the non-Hispanic ute nearly 80,000 meals to families and white population. The Oglala Lakota tribe member hopes to change that. elders all around Minnesota, supporting nine tribal communities. “We all kind of got pushed into this colonial diet and being so disassoci- ated with where our food comes from,” Sherman says. “But if we’re actually In July 2021, Sherman and his partner, eating nutritionally dense foods, we can eat less and still feel better.” Dana Thompson, opened a new restau- rant, Owamni, which received a James For example, toss together a few readily available Indigenous staples and Beard Award for best new restaurant the you can create a tasty, protein-packed dish like bison meatballs with wild following year. Looking ahead, they are greens salad (see recipe on opposite page)—one of the hits from Sherman’s set on opening new food labs in heavily James Beard Award–winning cookbook. Indigenous places adjoining ancestral lands, including Anchorage, Alaska; Sherman got his first kitchen job at 13. He has since spent years research- Rapid City, South Dakota; and Bozeman, ing how his ancestors ate, preserved foods, and found ways to live off the land. Montana. “Not only will they have access In early 2020, he’d planned to showcase all that delicious potential in the to their Indigenous foods but also the heart of Minneapolis with the Indigenous Food Lab. (Imagine a nonprofit education on how to continue Indigenous learning space for training more Indigenous cooks and entrepreneurs.) food systems into the future,” Sherman says. It’s a recipe worth repeating.

CORN AND BLACK BEAN ADMIT THAT Teamwork BISON MEATBALLS WITH Wins the Day THINGS CAN SUCK WILD GREENS SALAD “Being a great teammate— SOMETIMES what does that mean?” Nang- Recipe from The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous NANGGAAHLAANGSTANGS, 32, gaahlaangstangs asks. It’s Kitchen, by Sean Sherman rarely about being the highest with Beth Dooley Hydaburg, Alaska scorer. You can accomplish Founder of Tlaatsgaa Development, WHAT YOU’LL NEED a basketball camp and consulting agency more by “cheering and empowering others” to get 1 LB GROUND BISON THE QUOTE IN his high school yearbook goes like stronger.“What does it mean this: “If I’m remembered for being a good basket- to show up on time? What KERNELS FROM 1 EAR OF CORN ball player and nothing else, I have done noth- does it mean to pay attention ing with basketball.” Nanggaahlaangstangs, a to all these small little things 1 SMALL WHITE ONION, DICED member of the Haida and Tlingit tribes in Alaska, that young athletes can kind wrote that message as a senior nearly a decade 5 SMALL CLOVES OF GARLIC, and a half ago. The six-foot-nine, 245-pound pro of tie over into real life?” MINCED prospect, who once went by the anglicized name Damen Bell-Holter, went on to star at Oral Roberts Stay 100 Percent 1 (15 OZ) CAN BLACK BEANS, University and play with the Boston Celtics. Transparent DRAINED But he always kept his message in mind. At “I was not good at academics 1 TSP KOSHER SALT 19, he started his first basketball camp for other and had a ton of trauma Indigenous players. Within a couple years, he’d back home—domestic vio- 1 TSP OREGANO, CHOPPED run dozens more on reservations around the coun- try—and then many more by the time he left hoops lence, alcoholism,” he says. As 1 TSP CHIVES, CHOPPED in 2017. He now runs those camps full-time. “My an Afro-Indigenous athlete, first mindset was ‘I want more Native basketball he also faced anti-Blackness 1 TSP SAGE, CHOPPED players playing at the highest levels,’ ” he says and racism within his com- about developing young players’ athletic skills. munity. “I tell [players] 1 TBSP SUNFLOWER OIL, Now he knows it’s not that simple: “There’s a lot of about all the difficulties and PLUS 2 TSP things we have to navigate through first.” Thank- that things are going to suck fully, he’s learned plenty of lessons along the way. at times.” That way they’re 8 CORN TORTILLAS better prepared to cope. (BLUE CORN PREFERRED) Listen. Shhhh! 4 CUPS WILD DANDELION LEAVES, No, Really. PLANTAIN LEAVES, CREEPING CHARLIE LEAVES, OR GREENS OF “We’re not taking the time YOUR CHOICE to listen and get a better understanding of [all the 1 LARGE STALK RHUBARB, people] who are carrying SLICED THIN hurt,” he says. “If I can create space for men who 2 LARGE YELLOW TOMATOES, will show up as better THINLY CUT IN WEDGES fathers, then we’re going to be creating a 1 CUP BLACKBERRIES better generation.” HOW TO MAKE IT 1. In a large bowl, mix by hand the bison, corn, onion, garlic, black beans, salt, oregano, chives, and sage. Using an ice cream scoop, make tightly packed meat- balls and set aside. 2. Add 1 Tbsp sunflower oil to a large cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. 3. Carefully wipe out the pan, add 1 tsp sunflower oil, and return to heat. Grill the tortillas and set aside. 4. In a salad bowl, add the greens, rhubarb, and toma- toes. In a small bowl, crush the blackberries with the re- maining sunflower oil. Add to the salad bowl, toss, and serve with the meatballs and tortillas. Feeds 4 MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 83

STAY CALM LOREN DESPITE THE CHAOS BYTHENUMBERS LOREN ANTHONY, Gallup, New Mexico 1,700 Actor and founder of Chizh for Cheii, a nonprofit that helps families heat their homes Total truckloads of wood WHEN DEXTER: NEW BLOOD dropped on Showtime in November 2021, it marked the 36th time delivered in 2020 by Chizh Loren Anthony had participated in a major film or television project. He played Sam, a zoologist for Cheii, along with mutual creating issues for the Dark Passenger. Still, he was more excited by another milestone: the start of aid. “We believe in commu- his tenth season with Chizh for Cheii, which translates to “firewood for Grandpa” in Diné, Antho- ny’s first language. Each winter, the nonprofit cuts and delivers hundreds of truckloads of wood to nity,” Anthony says. “We help isolated and impoverished people living in the Navajo Nation heat their homes. believe in doing things together, because that’s the The group’s task is critical, with temperatures on the open plains of Arizona, New Mexico, and only way it’s going to work.” Utah regularly dropping below freezing for up to five months each year. But with Covid, people there faced an even tougher reality: Prior to the release of the vaccine, the Navajo population was 112,000 decimated, with the highest per capita infection rate in the United States. Total boxes of food given out So Anthony’s team worked year-round, making hundreds of deliveries of hand sanitizer, food, at the peak of the pandemic. and water in addition to the firewood. “During the chaos of everything, we were calm,” he says. The hard work was enjoyable. “We were chill, and we brought a sense of normalcy to a lot of the elders.” All of these actions are “We feel a deep responsibility inspired by the Diné system of K’é, which roughly means “true kinship.” And Anthony continues to generate more numbers in hopes of inspiring others. “I’m like the Navajo version of Forrest Gump,” to do something with he jokes. “I just wear so many hats.” what we’ve got, because who 84 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH else is going to do it?” 1 Number of movies Anthony walked away from, finding its portrayal of Native Ameri- cans disrespectful. In 2015, he and others left Adam San- dler’s The Ridiculous 6. They felt the so-called satire played into prejudice, not against it. 117 Pounds that Anthony shed in a personal transformation. In 2009, the actor weighed 298 pounds and was diag- nosed as prediabetic with high blood pressure. So he focused on his diet and took up powerlifting. At least 300 Total membership in the Iron Warriors, a community exercise group that Anthony has led in free weekly work- outs at Gallup’s public school stadium. They include field sprints, bear crawls, walking lunges, and pushups. 13 Years of sobriety from drugs and alcohol. He’s mentored kids in crisis. “I’m trying to show especially our Native kids that it’s possible to be sober, to be educated, to stay where you’re from, and just be a positive person.”

BREAK DOWN BARRIERS OTHER TO MENTAL HEALTH INDIGENOUS CHANGEMAKERS SUTTON KING, 29, New York City @NOTORIOUSCREE Cofounder of the Urban Indigenous Collective and cofounder of ShockTalk, a mental-health app A hip-hop dancer turned hoop-dance artist who has Courtesy Sutton King. Opposite: Steven St. John. WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT and the world went my own body didn’t start with me.” performed at the Olym- into lockdown, Sutton King saw another crisis But seeking professional help remains a pics and honors an ances- looming—one of mental health. tral art. He went viral challenge, because most therapists aren’t after sharing his rendi- American Indians and Alaska Natives face Indigenous. “We have to explain the intergen- tion of TikTok’s “Blinding a suicide rate 20 percent higher than that of erational trauma. We have to explain the cul- Lights” dance video. the non-Hispanic white population. They tural nuances just so that we can begin the talk are also 60 percent more likely to experience therapy,” King says. Many Native Americans @CHELSEY.MOVES the feeling that “everything is an effort” all are also denied access to federal services from or most of the time, as compared with non- the Urban Indian Health Program because A fitfluencer who Hispanic whites, based on data from the Office they don’t meet the federally mandated “blood cofounded Well for Cul- of Minority Health. quantum,” a measurement of direct lineage ture with husband Thosh that many Indigenous advocates consider Collins. She shares her King, a descendant of the Menominee and intentionally restrictive and blatantly racist. own active lifestyle and Oneida tribes who grew up in Wisconsin, has culturally inspired work- experienced her own mental-health struggle. That’s why she launched the Urban Indig- outs and training tips. “My family on the Native side were [once] enous Collective (UIC) in New York City in sent to a school where the motto was ‘Kill the October 2019. The mental-health and wellness @HOT.GLUE.BURNS Indian, Save the Man,’ so [I had an] under- nonprofit advocates for resources for all self- standing of that trauma,” she says, “and that identifying Indigenous people, regardless of A cosplayer who has ele- the mental-health experience that I have in blood quantum. As the world closed down with vated the art form with his bold depiction of Captain the pandemic, the group Native America. His surveyed the Indigenous heroic character reimag- community to hear firsthand ines the iconic super what they thought might be soldier as a tribal icon. their most pressing needs. @ARIELTWETO The result: In July 2020, the members of UIC pro- An Alaskan runner who duced ShockTalk, a free pilot has run every day since app on Facebook Messenger May 2002. Her nonprofit that connects all Indigenous Popping Bubbles works to people to Indigenous ther- break social and physical apists for telehealth visits. barriers so people can The service helps people lead happier lives. book appointments while navigating hurdles like bene- @SUPAMANHIPHOP fits and insurance. UIC has partnered with researchers A DJ, hip-hop artist, at Columbia University to and flute player who keep testing and improving sports bold ceremonial their service and expects to regalia. His award- release a mobile app. winning music mixes Indigenous cultural vibes The group remains com- with looped beats and mitted to being as informed smart social commentary. and intentional as possible in everything it does. “We @HUDDLEBERRYFINN really curated this around the community voice,” King A fashion designer and the says. The goal now is to creative director behind keep listening. the Sovereign line at Urban Native Era. His streetwear collection is based on reinterpreting the concept of self-governance. MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 85

86 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

AN ESTIMATED ONE IN FIVE AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS HAS MEDICAL DEBT. THIS IS ONE MAN’S JOURNEY AS HE ATTEMPTS TO STAY OUT OF IT WHILE TRYING TO HELP HIS SICK WIFE GET HEALTHY. MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 87

My wife books an appointment with a nephrol- wife taught movement: Pilates, yoga, cho- ogist. A nephrologist—we learn—is a kidney reography. She was an adjunct in the dance specialist, and there are two reasons my wife department of a large university. Years of will see one. First, a primary-care doctor has good, socially useful labor, and none of it flagged excess protein in her urine. Excess came with insurance. We purchased private protein is most likely due to dehydration, the insurance through Covered California, the doctor explains, but there’s a chance it could be state’s Obamacare exchange. We bought insurance because we had to—coverage is Msomething kidney related. She refers my wife, mandatory in California—and because we just in case. But this isn’t the only reason my needed to: My wife was vaguely unwell, and wife will see a nephrologist. The second rea- we didn’t know why. But do not make the son she will go is because she can; I have a new mistake of confusing health insurance with teaching job—fourth grade—and the school health care. We did. TWO PILLARS OF EXTREMELY SHITTY HEALTH INSURANCE: 1. Networks too narrow. 2. Deductibles too high. pays for half of a decent PPO plan. For the first WITH THE EXCEPTION OF afew PPO plans, the majority of the Obamacare time in five years, my wife and I can visit a wide options we had were HMOs. We discovered network of specialists. We have entered our that HMOs, to put it plainly, are shit. In our experience, you’re not covered if you want Age of Less-Shitty Health Insurance. to see a specialist without a referral from a primary-care doctor. Even if you have seen “Call me as soon as you’re out,” I tell her. countless primary-care doctors in the past, as my wife had. She promises she will. Even if you know every question they’ll ask. Doesn’t matter. So fine. You’ll play by HMO rules. IN MY EARLY 20S, I began saving my health insurance But then comes the first pillar: networks so narrow they are practically one-dimensional. Good luck finding a primary- cards. Every new job, every move, every change in plans. care doctor nearby who is accepting new patients and has an Anthem BlueCross, Molina, Oscar. . . . My collection has be- open appointment in the non-distant future. And that’s for pri- come a stack, inches thick. I don’t know why I started collect- mary care. You want a nephrologist? Ha. Even if you didn’t need ing them. I must have found something darkly absurd with a referral—which you do!—you’d have better luck in Vegas. the system even then, back when I had no need for doctors or Then, looming above all, is the second pillar: the annual hospitals. When everyone I loved and would come to love was deductible. Our deductible with one company was more than healthy, and always going to be so. $12,000. When we changed plans the next year, our deductible My wife calls after her appointment. She is trying not to was nearly $14,000. Catastrophe aside, no family will ever cry. Then she’s crying. She’s not dehydrated, she tells me. The hit those numbers. What this means is that almost every visit nephrologist, by examining her blood and a patchwork of past costs full price. Eye-popping bills have an instant chilling records, has determined that her kidneys are in rapid decline. effect: My wife slowly convinces herself that maybe she doesn’t Have been in decline for approximately five years. Had my wife need a doctor. Maybe she just feels sick because she’s not been diagnosed earlier, the nephrologist explains, treatment getting enough sleep? Eating the wrong foods? Exercising too would be a different story. But now, after a half decade of much? She cuts caffeine. Spends less energy—less time, less unchecked deterioration? The nephrologist is blunt: This is stress—trying and failing to find a doctor who can help. extremely serious, she tells my wife. Your kidneys are failing. This is how Extremely Shitty Health Insurance works: not by denying claims, but by making it nearly impossible WALK COMPOST BUCKET to neighborhood to access care to begin with. Death by a thousand hurdles. Extremely Shitty Health Insurance, we decide, is closer to garden. Bike at sunset. Read in bed. Cuddle with Dog. Watch a theoretical concept of insurance than anything useful. stand-up comedy. Stay present. What has happened has Attempting to use it triggers a series of small battles, which happened. We are husband and wife. We have now. The past is—by definition—a war. And unless you are quite fortunate, shouldn’t matter. But oh my God it does. our insurance battles are yours, too. But you already know The five years in which my wife’s kidneys were failing this. This is our story. This is America. overlap almost precisely with our Age of Extremely Shitty Insurance. During the Age of Extremely Shitty Insurance, I AMERICA’S FOR-PROFIT health insurance system tutored, I installed solar panels on rooftops, I taught at a youth prison. I weighed crates of lobsters as a deckhand on a boat. My took off during World War II, when— 88 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

No. I can’t. I’m a calm man by nature—just ask my students— industry provides zero health-care services of its own. but discussing health insurance has the same effect on me as That means, for example, that none of Oscar’s 2,600 employ- leaf blowers: Merely thinking about the topic makes my blood pressure climb. Healthier to take deep breaths. Go for a jog. Be ees are paid to nebulize your asthmatic nephew. Not one of the present for my wife in the days leading up to her kidney biopsy. 14,000 people working at Molina is responsible for helping your The nephrologist needs a tissue sample to learn what is causing mother when she seizes. Don’t bother asking any of the 98,000 the damage and what—if anything—can be done to halt it. Until employees at Anthem BlueCross to treat your wife’s kidneys. the biopsy, there is nothing to do but live life and wait. What, then, do these corporations do? I HATE TALKING about insurance. I can’t stop talking They collect our monthly premiums. They use a portion of that pool to cover “direct health-care costs”—for example, about insurance. These two facts are both true at once. the hospitals, doctors, and nurses who treat us, as well as the I can’t possibly not explain, for example, how health insur- medications we need. The companies pay their overhead and administrative costs and tally whatever is left as profit. ance exists in cycles, and how each cycle begins with imme- We could say that they benefit from us as a society, yet bene- diate delay. If you’ve recently moved, or experienced another fit at our expense. “Qualifying Life Event” that allows you to change your health We could ask a biologist what to call such a relationship. care, your new Obamacare insurance won’t kick in until the Any biologist could tell us. first of the next month after enrollment. Until the first of next The relationship is parasitic. month, cross your fingers. Buckle your seat belt. Hope your kidneys are not deteriorating. MY WIFE AND I, in the days leading up to her biopsy, We change Extremely Shitty Health Insurance plans. My are anxious. My wife’s mother died of cancer. Cancer looms wife searches for a doctor. Your insurance does not cover that on the worried frontiers of our minds. On the eve of the biopsy, doctor, she is told. Not that doctor, either. That doctor is a the hospital calls. My wife thinks it might be the nephrologist specialist; you’ll need a referral. That primary-care doctor with a last-minute reminder. It’s not the nephrologist. It’s is out of network. That one isn’t accepting new patients. That the billing department, asking for $3,600: a prepayment for one has an appointment open—in five weeks. tomorrow’s procedure. Five weeks later, the doctor is running late. The family After a brief panic, an Internet search assures us that pre- clinic—the one place she found accepting our insurance and payment, while phrased to sound mandatory, is not. Prepay- new patients—is overcrowded, overwhelmed. My wife has ment is a new tactic used by hospitals to secure the goods from work. She misses work. She waits. Her name is called. Two patients without involving insurance. If this sounds manipula- months after enrolling with insurance, she is finally in a room tive and mildly immoral, I agree. Also, I get it: Hospitals want with a doctor. She describes her symptoms—chills, aches, to avoid dealing with insurance just as much as you and I do. fatigue, nausea. Blood is taken. A follow-up appointment is scheduled at the next available date, in five weeks. CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE AGE OF Five weeks later: The doctor she last saw works here only LESS-SHITTY HEALTH INSURANCE, EXCERPTS: Wednesdays and Fridays. Nobody told you? Your blood work? Your hospital will bill you separately for hospital Huh, we don’t seem to have the results. We’ll need new sam- ples. Now please, tell me, what brings you here today? services; this is for professional fees only. This is a bill. The cycle resets. No genuine care is administered. Mean- This is not a bill. while, my wife’s kidneys continue their quiet decline. This bill is for laboratory work requested by your We upgrade my wife’s plan from Bronze to Silver in hope of physician. better results. The next open enrollment period, we ditch the These charges were not included in your physician’s bill. company altogether and switch to another. Nothing helps. Your insurance has been billed twice. They have not Why is this so hard? We are intelligent people. How could going to the doctor be this confusing? My wife only wants to responded or made payment. know why she is sick. What are we paying for? At some point We are unable to process the following claim. it becomes difficult to believe that the hurdles themselves Your insurance coverage was terminated on the date are not the core of any health insurance company’s business model. It becomes difficult to extend the benefit of the doubt. of service. Are they sincerely trying to help? Because we are trying. We’ve If you believe your insurance is responsible, please been paying our premiums. For years. contact them directly. I TALK ABOUT insurance with my father-in-law at the The service was reviewed and it’s not approved. If payment in full has been sent, disregard this notice. kitchen table. I talk insurance with other teachers at lunch. My Please provide the necessary information and re-file brother and parents on the phone. My friends. I don’t want to be this person. Am I insufferable? I try not to talk about insurance the corrected claim, in its entirety. with my wife—stress is unhelpful—but I do. God grant me the Immediate payment required. serenity to accept the things I cannot change. God grant me Act immediately. the space to remind everyone that America’s health insurance Please make payment immediately. This is your 2nd notice. This is your final notice. Dear Member: We hope to see you again if your health-care need arises. MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 89

Is there such a thing as Non-Shitty Health Insurance? Call Cuts work hours. Walks with friends. Cuddles with Dog as me a skeptic. Insurance, at its historical heart, is a financial often as Dog will tolerate cuddles. instrument, meant as protection from uncertain loss: And yet she must continue to visit the lab to give blood Your spice caravan may perish in the Gobi, or it may not. and urine. She must see the nephrologist. She must navigate Your tea ship may sink in the Atlantic, or it may not. claims, co-pays, networks. Insurance greets her at every step. Your phone may shatter on the bathroom tiles, or it may not. How does one avoid stress yet receive health care in America? But we are not objects. We are people, bound to our magical, mortal bodies. There is no may not. There is disease. There What is the sound of one hand clapping? are accidents. There is—if lucky—old age. Insurance is the wrong tool to treat the inevitable. When my wife needs care, I AS MY WIFE’S KIDNEYS suffered, the net worth don’t want financial protection from uncertain loss. The loss is happening. Do not talk to me about deductibles. There is no of the people running the insurance companies didn’t. In maximum out-of-pocket. I will do anything. 2018, for instance, Molina’s president and CEO, Joseph M. Zubretsky, received a $3.9 million bonus. He is not—has BIOPSY RESULTS are back. No cancer. Joyous news. never been—a doctor. My wife’s kidneys have not failed. More joyous news. The health-care startup Oscar was cofounded by Josh But: Her kidneys have half failed. Kushner, brother to Jared—husband to Ivanka, son-in-law Scar damage. Fifty percent. Irreversible. to Donald. Oscar has a cheeky, techy flair. Kushner and his Words the nephrologist speaks from behind her N95. She cofounders, just like Joseph M. Zubretsky, have no medical background. He is a billionaire venture capitalist who made is baffled: A doctor should have caught this years ago. How a fortune on companies like Instagram and Warby Parker. was this allowed to go undetected for so long? We don’t waste He recently bought a Manhattan penthouse from his family’s her time explaining how Extremely Shitty Insurance made a real estate firm for $35 million. relatively simple diagnosis impossible for us to obtain. We can hardly understand it ourselves—how my wife was unable to see The CEO of Anthem BlueCross, one of the largest health in- the same primary-care physician long enough to flag the issue, surance corporations to ever exist, is Gail Boudreaux. In 2021, order blood work, schedule a follow-up, analyze blood work, she made $17,109,952. refer her to a specialist. A straightforward process that would have required a continuum of care but which our HMO— In 2021, Joseph M. Zubretsky made $17,812,327. In 2021, on the day of Oscar’s IPO, Josh Kushner’s shares No. We won’t bother the nephrologist with this. Her job is reportedly became worth $1.1 billion. not navigating insurance. Her job is treating my wife. She If it seems as though I’m being passive-aggressive with offers a tentative diagnosis: IgA nephropathy, an inflamma- these facts, that isn’t my intention. I’m openly aggressive. tory disease. But the nephrologist isn’t sure; my wife’s labs I’m angry. I don’t know what else to be. don’t present like the IgA on which she has published. The nephrologist wonders aloud: Alport syndrome? She orders a MOLINA HEALTHCARE (MOH) Q2 2018 genetic panel. Whatever the cause, the goal is remission. Halt the decline. RESULTS, EARNINGS-CALL TRANSCRIPT: Number of times word doctor is spoken: 0 How? Number of times word hospital is spoken: 0 Lessen inflammation. Lower blood pressure. Avoid stress. Number of times word patient is spoken without prefix in- Stress raises blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a destructive force on kidney function. or out-: 0 So my wife gets plenty of sleep. Exercises daily. Eats healthy. Example: “inpatient cost.” Example: “outpatient fee schedule.” IF IT SEEMS AS THOUGH Imagine a school-board meeting with no mention of I’M BEING PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE teacher or school or education. Imagine the board isn’t WITH THESE FACTS, pretending to discuss anything but profit. Imagine what it must be like to feel so secure—so comfortable in the take— THAT ISN’T MY INTENTION. that you don’t even need to fake it. I’M OPENLY AGGRESSIVE. L AST YE AR, before Thanksgiving, our insurance com- I’M ANGRY. I DON’T pany denied the genetic panel the nephrologist had ordered KNOW WHAT ELSE TO BE. to test my wife for Alport syndrome. Panel testing is investi- gative and not medically necessary because we have not seen 90 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH information that panel testing improves health. We will pay $1,500 for the genetic-panel test out of pocket because of course we will. The results come back: no Alport syndrome. Great. But my wife’s kidneys are still irreversibly half damaged and struggling. The nephrologist prescribes a powerful steroid to combat inflammation, along with two drugs to counteract side effects, plus another for blood pressure. The cocktail fills my wife

with an iridescent power over the summer, which she enjoys. never break character. Which company was it? What was I The part she does not enjoy is that the drugs make pregnancy fighting for? Did we win? I can’t remember. What I remem- a dangerous risk. She is 37. Just before her diagnosis, we had ber is holding the phone at arm’s length so I could laugh at arrived at the decision to try for a family. I had my teaching job the enraging absurdity of it all. with Less-Shitty Insurance. We were ready. Now plans have changed. Which is fine—we will have wonderful years, with MOLINA HEALTHCARE (MOH) Q2 2018 children or without. But kidney function directly correlates with life expectancy. Which is not fine. And the nephrologist RESULTS, EARNINGS-CALL TRANSCRIPT, EXCERPTS, said that this should have been caught earlier. The loss never JOSEPH M. ZUBRETSKY, PRESIDENT AND CEO: should have been allowed to happen. . . . Our marketplace business has continued to outperform A WAR STORY: It is the Age of Extremely Shitty Insur- our forecast . . . It is becoming clear that the price increases we placed in ance, and my wife has been on the phone with the insurance company for hours. I offer to take over so she can get ready for the market along with improved . . . work, but they won’t allow it unless she submits some authoriza- . . . Across all product lines, we managed to a medical care tion form. I lose my calm. I yell bad words. Insurance hangs up. My wife cries, furious at me, the system, everything. She leaves ratio favorable . . . for work. I stand in the quiet of the kitchen. Then I call back. I in- troduce myself as my wife. I speak in a Michael Jackson falsetto. Medical care ratio: a key metric that health insurance I know my date of birth, my Social Security number, my address. corporations use to calculate earnings. Under any name— Are they going to claim I’m not who I say I am? They are not. benefits expense ratio (Anthem), health benefits ratio (Centene), medical benefits ratio (CVS Health)—the math For hours, as they transfer me around, we all pretend. I is simple. Total medical expenses paid by insurer / total premiums collected from members. MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 91

To put it simply: lower medical loss ratio, higher profits for I am aware that without Less-Shitty Insurance, a nephrolo- the insurer. gist may never have diagnosed my wife. Less-Shitty Insurance helped start her on a path to possible recovery. More simply: From my perspective, the longer they can de- posit your premiums while making it as difficult as possible for That’s one way of viewing it. your family to get reimbursed for care, the more they make. Another way: Our insurance company at the time erected fewer hurdles between my wife and the care she needed. We think of these corporations as faceless behemoths riding Should I be grateful? the cold algorithms of market capitalism. They’re not. They’re I’m asking in good faith. I’m honestly conflicted. captained by people who eat and sleep and shit like you and me. The Manhattan condominium where Josh Kushner was living I FIND PURPOSE in protecting those I love. I ask them in 2019? You can see photos online. What a place. There’s the kitchen where he poured his wine. The toilet where he scrolled to wear helmets while biking. Seat belts, people. Do you his phone. I’m not saying that the people who run health insur- know where the nearest fire extinguisher is? I do. I keep an ance companies are evil. I don’t know them well enough. But earthquake kit beneath the bed. Every day in my classroom, I do know them better than they know my wife. None of them I’m making a mental plan for a shooter—how to save as many were—are—aware she exists. Yet each has impacted her—and of my students as possible. Captain Safety, my wife calls me. our family, our future—in profound and irreversible ways. It must be a biological drive coded in our DNA—not unique to masculinity, but one way our genome compels me to be a good I guess what I’m saying is this: They are the ones who made man. An impulse to protect. this personal. So what happens to the spirit—the man—when confronted Not me. Not my wife. Them. by a threat like the health insurance industry, so relentless and labyrinthian that even with all your waking hours, even MY WIFE ENJOYS a good summer followed by a not with your best falsetto, you cannot help those you most love? What to do with the anger? The frustration? The hopeless- great fall. Numbers that should be low are rising. Numbers ness? What to feed it to keep it from feeding on you? that should be high are falling. It’s October. Halloween. It’s autumn in America: pumpkin patches, open enrollment. MORE THAN A YEAR has passed since my wife’s My wife and I stand before the computer, 20 tabs open. Open diagnosis. She continues to see the nephrologist, and some- enrollment is our chance to select a new insurance plan from times an acupuncturist and an herbalist. Our Less-Shitty the eight that my school offers through two corporations. Each Health Insurance says it covers acupuncture, but it rejects my plan has different premiums, deductibles, networks. So much wife’s claim (reason: “a smudged stamp” on the form) and it’s choice. So much freedom. It’s terrible. less stressful to pay out of pocket than to appeal. There’s no point in filing a claim for the herbalist. Her numbers go up, her Open enrollment exists—like much of Obamacare—to numbers go down. Good weeks are followed by terrible weeks. safeguard the insurance industry. Without open enrollment, One terrible week in early 2022, she faints at the lab while hav- the argument goes, healthy people would game the system by ing blood drawn. I half carry her across the street to the ER. enrolling in insurance only when sick or injured. After a long night, we return home, exhausted, to find a $900 medical bill in the mailbox, dated, inexplicably, nine months But to view their argument differently, gaming the system earlier, and claiming that— would look a lot like accessing health care simply, without barriers, and when needed. NO. I AM so sick of this. I can’t. I just can’t. Instead, we are given a few weeks to predict what disease or I hate talking about insurance. Why can’t I stop talking accident might afflict our family in the calendar year ahead. about insurance? Then we must balance this fortune-telling against our budget. My wife and I do the math for all situations. One situation Because I must process what’s happening to the woman I love. involves kidney-disease remission. Other situations do not. But there is another reason, I think—another reason we One situation involves a baby. Most do not. My wife, ordered are compelled to tell stories. We are a social species. Our to avoid stress, must think hard on whether she will get to be a success stems almost exclusively from cooperation. We mother in this lifetime. She looks up kidney disease life- are not built to defeat huge existential threats alone. We expectancy charts. She tells me I should get a new girlfriend if tell stories not just for catharsis but for strategy. To share she dies early. She apologizes to me for being sick. We cry. knowledge. To plan. What worked? What didn’t? What might we do—if not in our lifetime, then for our nieces, our My school gave me two months to select a new plan. What nephews, the fragile, gorgeous world to come—to eliminate seemed at first like an excessive amount of time isn’t nearly the threat for good? enough. We hate talking about it. We have to talk about it. We can’t stop. We shouldn’t. MORE THAN 29 MILLION Americans carry NICK FULLER GOOGINS is a fourth-grade teacher and the medical debt. author of the upcoming novel The Great Transition. One third of the money raised through GoFundMe is for medical costs. There is something worse than Extremely Shitty Insurance. I am aware of this. Medical bankruptcy is worse. Not taking your child to the ER because you can’t afford to is worse. No insurance is worse. 92 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

How to Reduce the Worst Health Insurance Headaches Ways to take down the bills and runaround you get even with Less-Shitty Health Insurance. BY KEVIN DUPZYK YOU SOMEONE DON’T HAVE TIME MADE A MISTAKE TO DEAL 50: Approximate percentage of bills the National Patient Advocate Foundation encounters that 22: Average number of phone calls it takes a professional have an error. (Other estimates are higher.) medical advocate to THE HEADACHE: There’s an error in your out-of-network guy put you under before resolve a billing dispute. bill. For example, a few stitches on your a colonoscopy, your bill should show the arm was billed as Tommy John surgery. in-network price for anesthesia, too. THE HEADACHE: You don’t have the time you suspect it will take to untangle the WHO CAN HELP: Your insurer. THE HEADACHE: Your insurer denies thorny billing issue you are facing. you coverage after a procedure. THE SOLUTION: Call your insurer and let it WHO CAN HELP: A patient advocate. know about the problem so it can do the WHO CAN HELP: Your doctor. tangling with providers—after all, your THE SOLUTION: You share your information insurer foots most of the bill, so it has a THE SOLUTION: Every insurer offers an with a medical billing advocate and they strong incentive to make sure it’s right. appeals process that essentially amounts take over, researching options for reducing Note: Thanks to the new No Surprises to arguing your case against the reasons your bill and doing much of the legwork. Act, all hospitals are now required to treat for denial. You want to gather as much ev- Some nonprofits offer this service for free; emergencies as in-network services. (Ma- idence as you can for why your care was there are also for-profit advocates, such as jor exception: Ambulances can still bill necessary—think authoritative sources those listed in the AdvoConnection Direc- as out of network, so consider Ubering if like medical journals and, most important, tory. Some corporate benefits packages you have the wherewithal.) And you can’t a thorough explanation in writing from include access to companies like Wellthy, get an out-of-network bill for services you your doctor of why your situation called which offers patient advocacy services. didn’t have a choice in. For example, if for the procedure. your in-network gastroenterologist has an THE HEADACHE: Your bill is on its way to a collection agency because it’s YOU DON’T been outstanding for too long. HAVE THE MONEY WHO CAN HELP: You, or a patient advocate. 3 MILLION: Number of Americans who owe more than $10K in medical debt. THE SOLUTION: It takes chutzpah—and a willingness to risk your credit getting THE HEADACHE: You opted to pay for a THE HEADACHE: The bill is correct but dinged—but if you let a medical debt per- procedure out of pocket—but it turned more than you can afford right now. sist long enough to go to collections, you out to cost way more than you were told. may be able to negotiate a better deal. WHO CAN HELP: The hospital billing de- “The older it gets, the more the billing WHO CAN HELP: A government arbitrator. partment. office will want to get rid of it,” says Linda Michelson of the Medical Bill Advocate. THE SOLUTION: Under the No Surprises THE SOLUTION: You’ve got options de- When you hear from collections, make a Act, which took effect at the beginning of pending on how out of reach the expenses settlement offer that’s supported by data: 2022, if you pay out of pocket for a service, are. Some hospitals offer a “prompt pay” Find prices via the nonprofit FAIR Health you should be given a good-faith estimate discount: If you can put the whole thing on (fairhealthconsumer.org). Note: The three of its cost in advance. If the bill comes in your credit card on the spot, they might major credit bureaus have made big more than $400 above that estimate, you knock off up to 10 percent. And if you changes, and you now have a year—up can submit a claim to the U.S. Centers for have a deeper need, most hospitals offer from six months—before medical debt in Medicare & Medicaid Services (see how at payment plans or financial aid for patients collections harms your credit. Also, paid- cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers), and an under a certain income threshold. Appli- off debt will now drop off your report. arbitrator will determine what’s fair. cation details should be on its website. IT’S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE THING THE PROBLEM: You’ve been wronged, plain and simple. Remember the story of how one person paid $199 for a Covid test out of pocket and his friend used insurance at the same place and got a bill for $6,408? Like that. WHO CAN HELP: The media. THE SOLUTION: Show proof you have unjust, sky-high bills to a journalist. If the story breaks big, your provider will be under ma- jor pressure to relent, or a sympathetic public could help with something like a GoFundMe campaign. “That seems to have by far the best track record at getting people’s bills to disappear, if you’ve got a story good enough that someone might cover it,” says health-care economist Loren Adler.

FAST TIMES In case you don’t know DANIEL RICCIARDO— F1’s most charismatic driver since Andretti—let us bring you up to speed. BY JOSHUA ST. CLAIR WINNING A PODIUM in Formula 1— that’s finishing first, second, or third—is a big deal. Big enough that Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo thought podium winners should, you know, actually celebrate. So in 2016, Ricciardo poured his winning Champagne into his sweaty Puma racing boot and drank, a stunt now called a “shoey.” He’s done one nearly every podium. No shoeys yet for Ricciardo this season, which is all the more reason to stay loose and have fun. “I’ve only just started wearing my own clothes at the track,” says the standout from Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive. He wants to bring more life to the paddock now, too. “Every now and then, I’ll rock up with a party shirt.” Not a Hawaiian Dad Shirt. Some- thing fun. Maybe with unicorns. When he’s not racing, Ricciardo wants to keep his style fast and simple. “Black jeans,” he says of his go-to outfit, starting from the bot- tom. Then: “A vintage music T-shirt. I’ve got this vintage Pantera T-shirt, which I love. It’s just got the sickest rips in it. And it’s also got a big number three on the back.” (That’s his racing number.) He’ll complete the look with a few rings, a necklace, and a watch. Ricciardo says his style combines elements of action sports, punk rock, and skateboarding. That means skinny jeans (he likes Amiri these days) and oversize shirts. Sneakers? Those have to be Vans or Rhudes, Ricciardo says. Pumas and Nikes are only for when you win, when you need a glass for the Champagne. 6 SEPTEMBER 2022 | MEN’S HEALTH

CONQUER THE WATER These Polo Ralph Lauren utility pants are made of heavy-duty, quick-drying canvas, so you can wear them just about any- where. Cliff diving, clam digging, motoring around the inlet—they’re durable as all get-out and look way cooler than waders. Life vest ($128) and RXP-X Apex 300 personal watercraft by Sea-Doo; Polo Sport pants ($125) by Polo Ralph Lauren.

KEEP IT COOL Sweatshirts during shoul- der seasons are a tough call. Go with a crewneck to prevent overheating. This one from Outerknown leverages a hemp-cotton blend that lets you breathe, is wrinkle resistant for when you’re on the move, and takes up way less room in your suitcase than a bulky hoodie does. Sweatshirt ($98) by Outerknown; Trialmaster pants ($275) by Belstaff.

FIND YOUR FOOTING Wear-everywhere sneak- ers are as light as they are durable, purpose-built for weekend hikes, terminal- to-terminal slogs, and urban exploration. This Skechers pick reinforces its outsole with Goodyear rubber (yeah, like Good- year tires), and Salomon’s grippy hiking lace-ups have an ultra-breathable mesh upper. And both the EA7 Emporio Armani and the Sorel Breakthru sneakers are easy to slip on and tie up in a rush. From top: Crusher Distance sneakers ($195) by EA7 Emporio Armani; Kinetic Breakthru Tech Lace sneakers ($130) by Sorel x Alfred; sneakers ($110) by Mark Nason x Skechers; sneakers ($230) by Salomon Sportstyle. MEN’S HEALTH | SEPTEMBER 2022 5

MAKE EVERY SECOND COUNT New watches mix racing and diving elements, enhancing their basic functionality. The Omega Seamaster sustains dives of 20,000 feet (or the pool’s deep end). The Tudor Black Bay Pro, the TAG Heuer Formula 1, and the Seiko Chronograph can measure split-second race times (or TGIF countdowns). And the IWC Pilot’s Watch’s titanium case with its EasX-change system allows you to switch out the strap in seconds. Clockwise from top right: Essentials watch ($285) by Seiko; Black Bay Pro watch ($3,675) by Tudor; Seamaster Ultra Deep Planet Ocean watch ($12,300) by Omega; Formula 1 watch ($1,550) by TAG Heuer; Pilot’s Edition Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team chronograph ($7,850) by IWC. Styling: Ted Stafford. Grooming: Evette Villanueva/ENV Makeup. Prop styling: Jojo Li/Hello Artists.