Popular health and fitness app Centr, run by Aussie Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth, has just been acquired by HighPost Capital, a private equity firm cofounded by David Moross and younger brother of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos.
In an effort to enter into the health and wellness sector, HighPost purchased Centr as well as Inspire Fitness, a company who manufacture gym and exercise equipment. HighPost plan to combine the two companies, which have a combined value of over $200 million USD.
Chris Hemsworth remains the second-largest shareholder behind HighPost.
Hemsworth has been an icon of health and fitness for some time now, and is as recognizable as such almost as much as he is as the Hollywood actor portraying Marvel’s ‘Thor’. “I started Centr in 2019 with a vision to share my health, wellness and fitness experience with a broader community,” he says.
Credit: Handout
Centr currently provides fitness regimes and meal plans to over 200,000 subscribers worldwide. The combination of Centr with Inspire Fitness will help to grow the home gym experience around the world.
Moross says that subscriber count is set to hit “700,000 in four years” but believes that numbers will grow much larger than that. Hemsworth’s recognition as a ‘Hollywood heartthrob’ and famous actor has earned him a social media following of 85 million across a variety of platforms. Centr has already been well established in the US and Australia, but Moross says that they hope to expand that to Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Hemsworth plans to add additional languages to the platform and make it more accessible to a wider variety of customers. Consumers reportedly generally aren’t looking for a Chris Hemsworth body, but rather genuine health and fitness improvements that can be maintained for a long time.
The concept of scalp care has come a long way from the days when Selsun Blue and Head & Shoulders were your only options. Popular skincare brands like The Ordinary and Dr. Barbara Sturm and hair care favorites like Verb and Act + Acre have released scalp treatments in recent months. On top of that, new brands like Jupiter have launched entire grooming product collections that put a strong emphasis on scalp care. Bottom line: Now’s a good time to take care of your scalp.
Among the many new offerings on the market are products that specifically target hair loss or thinning hair. Many scalp care products offer a similar overall promise: a clarified, healthy, exfoliated scalp will help promote healthier, stronger hair. To achieve that, many of these products utilize nourishing vitamins and familiar ingredients like aloe vera. In addition, serums or sprays that are specifically designed to prevent hair loss often include ingredients like minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine that stimulates new hair growth) or biotin, which thickens the strands of hair you already have.
Adding a scalp care component to your hair care routine might feel like a burdensome step, but many of the new products are easy to use or can be used just once a week for results. And unlike the Selsun Blue days, the new generation of scalp treatment products come with stylish packaging and inviting scents that won’t be out of place among other modern grooming essentials. Read on for our picks for the best scalp care products to help with hair growth.
The 9 Best Scalp Care and Scalp Treatment Products to Prevent Hair Loss
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When it comes to making a lasting impact, few strongman athletes can compare to the sizable footsteps of Žydrūnas Savickas. A four-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion (2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014), among other illustrious achievements, Savickas is one of the most decorated people ever to lift an Atlas stone or press a log over their head.
On March 27, 2022, the Lithuanian strongman, known as “Big Z,” appeared on Nick Best‘s podcast, Legends of Iron. Alongside his fellow strongman and bodybuilding co-hosts — Jon Andersen and Akim Williams — Best and Co. appeared to leave no stone unturned (pun unintended) when it came to Savickas, the strongman, and Savickas, the person.
In an illuminating conversation, Savickas detailed how he made his career so exceptional and, in the process, what he’d tell rising strongmen to do if they wanted to emulate his uncommon ledger of work.
Advice to Future Rising Stars
In a professional career that dates back almost three decades, there are few things Savickas hasn’t seen or lifted. Due to that longevity and his possession of at least one championship in the prestigious WSM, the Arnold Classic (ASC), and the Europe Strongest Man’s (ESM), many argue “Big Z” is the greatest strongman of all time. It could be hard to find a rebuttal to someone with over 300 trophies (his words) and counting.
At the age of 46, Savickas still competes fairly regularly. Since April 2018, he’s had a hand in 10 sanctioned events, including a notable win in the 2020 Lithuania’s Strongest Man.
Here’s Big Z’s advice for young strongman athletes who want to be tremendous and model themselves after a professional career that began on the very precipice of adulthood.
Always Have Big Goals
In discussing his beginnings in his home country of Lithuania, Savickas muses that he wanted to reach lofty heights from the start.
“I first went to the gym when I was 13, and of course, I started to build muscle, get stronger,” says Savickas. “Later, I saw a strongman competition, and I wanted to compete there…and when I was 16 [in a competition], all the athletes were 25, 30, 35, and I was just a kid.”
The contrast didn’t stop there. It appeared Savickas wasn’t afraid of these ostensibly more seasoned competitors in this undisclosed event. He wanted to win anyway. He says an athlete in a similar position today should have the same approach.
Aim high, keep the ambition as motivation for a diligent effort, and let the rest take care of itself.
“My goal from the first competition was to win first place,” says Savickas. “The big goals help to motivate every day for hard work.”
It took some time before Savickas made a name for himself on the international scene. For example, he didn’t qualify for the WSM Finals until he was 26-years-old in 2002. Years later, he won first place and captured the esteemed Barry Frank Trophy during the 2009 World’s Strongest Man — well over a decade into his strongman endeavors.
During this period, Savickas says he never fretted over his career pace. He bided his time, gradually built his strength, and won events he competed in when he could. He didn’t stress, and he didn’t rush because, according to him, an excellent strongman career takes time.
“A lot of young guys try to get ready, and [they] get strong very fast, and [they] get injured,” Savickas says. “Don’t make that mistake.”
How to Set World Records
In what might have been the first-ever reveal, Savickas said he never intentionally tried to break any records during competitions. His 20 world records — like a 228-kilogram max log press (502.6 pounds) set during the 2015 Arnold Strongman Classic Brazil— came as a result of the Lithuanian trying his best and coming out on top anyway.
He controlled what he could control and flourished.
“The funny and the sad thing is that I never prepared for any world record in my life,” Savickas says. “[During] m best years, there was no money for records, there were no special events to make the world record, and it just happened.”
From this perspective, Savickas says a young strongman shouldn’t necessarily overthink their place. They should focus on competing and let the dominoes fall accordingly.
“I just went to [a] competition, competed, I feel great that day, and I will try to get a great lift — oh, [a] new world record.”
Whenever Savickas does decide to hang his lifting belt up, he can rest assured his place in strongman history is secure. Here are some of the more notable achievements of Savickas’ career:
As far as what he thinks his ultimate legacy will be, Savickas didn’t mince his words.
He beat some incredible, powerful athletes repeatedly, and, while not impossible, he believes that kind of consistency will be hard to replicate in the future.
“The main thing that I did was I won the most competitions ever in strongman sport,” Savickas says. “And it’s difficult to repeat because the level of the athletes is more close. And it’s difficult to dominate because everybody’s strong now. You make one mistake, and you [don’t win] the competition.”
Perhaps if a current young unknown strongman follows Savickas’ tried and true tenets, they might be able to challenge him someday.
After all that—a 13-week player lockout, uncertainty about Major League Baseball’s economic structure, and canceled-then-reinstated games—the 2022 MLB season will start on April 7.
The collective bargaining agreement the league and its players union reached in early March will change the sport in ways big and small. At the top end of the sport, the status quo will remain—the new agreement did little to encourage bad teams to spend more money or good ones to spend less of it. But in terms of actual baseball, fans will notice a difference in the way the game is played and in how the pennant races unfold this year.
Ahead of Opening Day, here are three stories to keep an eye on in the 2022 MLB season.
1. How will the new rules change the sport?
Two changes in particular will make waves from the first pitch:
The universal designated hitter. Pitchers haven’t hit in the American League since 1973. Now that rule will apply to the National League as well (this was also the case in the 60-game, pandemic-chopped 2020 season).
The expanded postseason. Twelve teams—six in each league—will make the playoffs, up from five clubs per league, which has been the case since 2012.
The universal DH rule changes a lot. It makes the sport more exciting in the long run, because we don’t have to watch pitchers (who struck out over 40 percent of the time each year since 2018) attempt to swing a bat. I politely clapped for a well-executed sacrifice bunt just as much as the next person, but let’s be honest: It’ll be more fun to watch professional hitters hit.
For National League teams, though, the DH rule means teams need an extra hitter who’s worthy of an everyday lineup spot. Some teams, like the Washington Nationals, went out and found one (in their case, slugger Nelson Cruz). The gap in hitting ability between various teams’ pitchers was usually small—unless we’re talking about Shohei Ohtani—but the gap between a good DH and a bad one should be quite noticeable. It’s time to beef up those rosters.
The 12-team postseason is more of a mixed bag. The good seems obvious enough: More teams will be in contention for longer, and that will mean more meaningful games later in the season. But the bad is likely to show up, too: The 162-game regular season will mean less for teams that are safely in the playoff picture, and teams at the bottom of the league (hello, Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles, among others) could easily use the expanded playoffs to justify not investing in their rosters. With a larger postseason, they might assume they can skimp on talent and sneak into the playoffs anyway within a few years (before quickly getting bounced). That said, it will take a year or two before we get a full picture of how teams respond to the new rule.
2. How will the National League’s game of free-agency musical chairs work out?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the NL’s most consistent winner over the last decade. The Atlanta Braves (who dethroned the Dodgers in the championship series last year before winning the World Series) and the San Francisco Giants are their most competitive rivals. Interestingly, there has been a lot of roster turnover among these teams at the top of the National League.
The Dodgers watched shortstop Corey Seager, trade deadline rental ace Max Scherzer, and closer Kenley Jansen sign big deals elsewhere. In fact, it was the Braves who took Jansen, but they only did that after the Dodgers signed Freddie Freeman, the longtime first baseman and franchise cornerstone in Cobb County.
The Braves replaced Freeman with Matt Olson, a similarly good first baseman who came their way via the tanking, mid-firesale Oakland A’s. The Braves also let outfielder/DH Jorge Soler head off to the Miami Marlins.
The Giants, meanwhile, let deadline pickup Kris Bryant go to their division rival, the Colorado Rockies, while starting pitcher Kevin Gausman headed north to the Toronto Blue Jays. (The Giants did pick up Carlos Rodón, the fireballer coming off a great year with the Chicago White Sox.)
What do all these trades mean for the 2022 MLB season? The Giants outperformed projections last year and will have to do that again; Fangraphs predicts they’ll be only a few games better than .500. The Dodgers and Braves should continue to be the premier clubs in the NL, but we’ll see how their various shuffles play out for them.
3. Many teams aren’t trying to win. How bad will it get, and how will they skew the playoff race for everyone else?
The expanded playoffs mean that most of the league is within shouting distance of October baseball this year. But some teams aren’t even making an effort to entertain that possibility. Four are set to have payrolls below $45 million on Opening Day, meaning they’re spending about one-fourth or one-fifth of what the top teams are spending.
Three of the five teams in the NL Central (the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Pirates) are in full rebuilding mode, which might reduce an entire division to a two-team race between the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Orioles have essentially bowed out of the highly competitive AL East, where four teams have preseason playoff odds north of 50 percent—and Baltimore is at 0.1 percent. By trading away not just Olson but his corner infield partner Matt Chapman and pitcher Chris Bassitt, the A’s have similarly disappeared from an AL West that has just one clearly good team, the Houston Astros.
That’s a bummer for fans of these teams, who are looking at lackluster seasons in 2022. But the new playoff schedule could be exciting for fans of teams who are making an honest near-term effort. And considering that some clubs have checked out, the 12 playoff spots are actually up for grabs between just 22 or 25 teams rather than 30—which means better chances for some postseason action.
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On March 19, 2022, former World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champions Eddie Hall and Hafthor Björnsson ironed out their “dirty laundry” in the boxing ring. Björnsson defeated Hall by unanimous decision in what might have been the capper to a long-standing back-and-forth.
As Hall moves forward, he took to his Instagram on March 29, 2022, to reflect on the defeat. His address included a few important notes about the fight and what’s next. Among them, was a humble expression of appreciation for his rival.
Hall first offered deference to Björnsson. He shared his admiration for the Icelandic athlete’s achievements, even before they took to the ring together.
“It’s time for me to eat a little bit of humble pie and address a few things,” Hall says in the video. “Firstly, I want to say a massive well done to Thor. I want to say well done for the fight. I want to take this opportunity to say what a great Strongman you are, or were.”
Hall’s commentary makes it appear that he always respected Björnsson, regardless of any potential bad blood. When push came to shove, it seems Björnsson was only another elite strongman who happened to compete against Hall over some of the highlights of his career.
Nothing more. That dynamic could understandably establish healthy regard between two top strength-sports athletes and two human beings.
“I appreciate you [Björnsson], as a man and the things you’ve done and who you are because, at the end of the day, you’re a phenomenon,” Hall continues. “You’re a giant of the world amongst us.”
True to His Word
The lead-up to the fight saw Hall and Björnsson discuss the terms of defeat.
Initially, there was minor contention over the amount of money the loser would donate to the winner’s chosen charity. The two eventually agreed to both donate $200,000 to the winner’s preferred charity. There was also an apparent agreement on the loser getting the winner’s name tattooed on their body.
Adding fuel to the fire post-match, bodybuilder, powerlifter, and strongman Larry Wheels stipulated that Hall owes him $10,000 over a bet about who would win the fight. The two had previously verbally sparred intermittently over social media in 2021.
Wheels mentioned Hall’s debt again in a post-match interview with Björnsson on his YouTube channel.
“We’ve got to wait for people to pay up,” Hall says. “We’ve got like a month sort of clause in the contract for these things to be paid over. Everybody is going to get their money. Larry [Wheels] is going to get his money. I’m a man of my word.”
Notably, Hall leaves the tattoo out of his address. Due to possible miscommunication, he says that he and Björnsson never agreed to formal terms on body ink. As such, he won’t be getting one for now.
Hall stopped short of ruling out the tattoo altogether. He left it as a chip on the table to potentially entice Björnsson into a rematch in the future.
“So, it’s going to be used as a tool for the rematch, which is fine,” Hall says. “I would do the same. I wouldn’t do the rematch unless Thor got the tattoo. It’s going to happen.”
What Lies Ahead
Hall’s rivalry with Björnsson began during the 2017 WSM, where Hall claimed the championship over his competitor. That win did not come without controversy. An official appeared to miss the call for one of Björnsson’s Viking Press reps — Hall’s margin of victory.
Later, in 2018, when Björnsson eclipsed Hall’s previous world record 500-kilogram deadlift (1,102.3 pounds) by precisely one kilogram, the competitive spirit continued to fester. Similarly, because Björnsson’s record occurred outside of a sanctioned competition, Hall made it clear he thought it shouldn’t count.
With both men since retired from professional strongman competitions, they couldn’t settle their differences by lifting Atlas Stones. Instead, they took to boxing, and Björnsson ultimately got the last laugh.
Of course, if Hall gets his tattoo, that might change. He could use it as a precursor to continuing his now friendly rivalry with Björnsson.
Star jockey Rachel King is making waves in racing. Through her trailblazing success in the world of elite racing she continues to prove it’s possible for women to reach new heights in a highly male-dominated sport.
Having completed her jockey apprenticeship with renowned racehorse trainer Gai Waterhouse, she lined up for her first professional race in 2016 and in a few short years landed in the history books — becoming the first female jockey to ride in the world’s richest turf race, The Everest.
One of the most in-demand jockeys in Sydney, Rachel will be riding on Converge in The Star Doncaster Mile on Saturday, April 2, at Day 1 of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick Racecourse. We spoke to Rachel ahead of the big race for her honest take on how she fuels her body for race day, and if ‘making weight’ is as hard as it sounds.
I am lucky that I’m able to normally eat three meals a day. Breakfast is normally something like avocado on toast or some cereal. If I want something lighter I’ll have a wholemeal English muffin with either Vegemite or peanut butter. Poached or boiled eggs are always a good option too.
Lunch
Lunch depends on whether I am at home for the day or going to the races. If I’m at home I like to have something like a chicken salad or wrap and some kind of fruit or yoghurt.
“I grew to love this because Gai Waterhouse used to bring bags of nuts into trackwork when I first worked for her!”
Dinner
Dinner is generally something pretty quick and easy, as I’m not one for spending a long time cooking and normally I don’t have much spare time. I really like seafood, so that’s always a favourite and regular on the menu. I would eat some kind of red meat once or twice a week also. Dinner is normally accompanied by salad or vegetables without dressing.
Dessert
Dessert, this is where I probably make most other jockeys a bit envious as I can always have dessert if I want to! I’m a sucker for chocolate, so anything chocolatey.
Snacks
Fruit and nuts are a very handy snack. I grew to love this because Gai Waterhouse used to bring bags of nuts into trackwork when I first worked for her! It was always a great snack mid-morning. I’ll always have some fresh fruit in the house and yoghurt pouches, I find, are a very handy snack too.
On race day, what changes do you make to your day on a plate?
I am quite lucky that I don’t ever have to skip a meal to make a light weight, so I don’t have to vary my diet too much come race day. The only thing that normally changes is lunch, as that is while I’m at the races. I try not to eat too much too close to a race as it’s the same with any kind of high-performance sport — you don’t want to feel full or bloated when race riding.
When training, how do you like to fuel your body?
During training I can eat and drink like a normal athlete, so that means plenty of electrolytes.
How does your diet vary during your racing off-season?
We don’t really have an off season, so I guess this is more for when I get the chance to have a holiday. I actually don’t eat as much if I’m not riding or on holiday, just because I’m less active, therefore I’m generally less hungry.
Are there any practices you need to follow to make weight for race day?
Basically, no! This is why most other jockeys envy me! If I am riding around 50kg, which is probably only two to three times a year, I will have a lighter breakfast but apart from that I don’t have to change my diet at all. I’m blessed with a fast metabolism and small body structure, I guess, so am largely consistent throughout.
How do you like to exercise in the lead up to race day?
I normally ride track work on Saturday morning, so that’s a great warm-up for me on a Saturday race day where I need to be an my optimum.
I have two border collies, Amber and Aria. They are the best companions and exercise buddies. Walking them every day ensures I get out and do some decent exercise regularly. If I haven’t gone to trackwork on a race day morning, then going for a good walk or run along the coastal tracks with my dogs is a great way to start the day.
Any health, mindfulness techniques you adopt as a jockey?
I’ve probably learnt to stay relaxed but focused on a race day, which I think comes from experience. I love the big days and there is nothing better than riding in the best races against the best jockeys. And a good horse!
I always like to go through race replays after a race day to analyse my performance, but I think it’s equally important to come home and be able to switch off — no matter what industry you work in. [My dogs] are also great to come home to. If I’ve had a bad day at work, coming home to these smiling dogs makes it all better. They are the best distraction and I adore them like family.
This article was published in partnership with Blu Atlas.
Are you starting to notice new wrinkles during your Zoom meetings or when you look in the mirror? Men may not be as forward-thinking or proactive as women when it comes to aging, but their skin undergoes the inevitable aging process all the same—if not more. Thankfully, some of the best wrinkle creams for men are easily accessible and effective to help men age more gracefully.
So what are the best wrinkle creams made just for men? We are diving into all of your aging concerns by sharing facts about men’s skin, ingredients to look for, and our list of 18 amazing men’s wrinkle creams. Before you know it, you will be ready to fight wrinkles and put your best, manliest face forward. Let’s get into it.
Do Men Really Need to Use Wrinkle Cream?
If they worry about wrinkles, then of course they do! Many men spend decades of their life outdoors while their skin fights the elements. Sun exposure, dehydration from wind, dry air conditions, and pollution all take a toll on the skin and help expedite the first signs of aging.
Wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots naturally develop over time, and while prevention is key to mitigating their appearance, men are simply not as proactive about wearing SPF as regularly as women. Therefore, many men may start to show the signs of aging sooner in life than women. Even if you do not yet have wrinkles, it is smart to begin using a wrinkle cream for their rich, nourishing and preventative benefits.
Thankfully, there are plenty of products specially formulated for men to lessen the signs of aging and prevent future skin concerns. Men have thicker and coarser skin than women, so they need ingredients that penetrate deeper and absorb quickly. Men’s products also often differ in scent, color and bottled appearance, but they are sure to pack the same anti-aging punch and powerful ingredients.
Ingredients to Look For in Men’s Wrinkle Creams
Looking for the best men’s wrinkle creams, but unsure what to search for on the bottle? Here is a quick breakdown of the ingredients you should keep an eye out for on product labels. Each ingredient is ideal for aging skin and especially effective for men.
Seaweed Extract
Laminaria Algae, a.k.a. Seaweed extract, is a miracle worker for fighting aging skin and the first signs of wrinkles. Seaweed works in three ways. It is an antioxidant, an exfoliant, and a hydrator. It helps regulate oil production as it brightens and moisturizes dry, dull skin.
Seaweed is especially great for wrinkle creams because it contains a plethora of vitamins and minerals. It is known to smoothe and soften the skin while reducing irritation and sensitivity. The cells within seaweed are very similar to our very own skin cells. When applied, Seaweed Extracts work seamlessly to protect and maintain our skin’s natural balance, fight wrinkles, and maintain moisture levels.
Natural Butters
You can thank Mother Nature for some naturally buttery options that improve the skin. Natural ingredients like Mango or Shea Butter have intensely hydrating properties thanks to natural fatty acids. Mango Butter hosts an abundance of both Vitamin E and C (more on those next) which work to protect your skin from environmental stressors while locking in moisture levels. The smooth consistency these butters provide also condition the skin on contact.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes collagen production within the skin. As we age, we naturally lose collagen every year causing the skin to deflate and wrinkles to form more easily. Vitamin C works to thicken the skin, smooth out fine lines, and physically firm up our outer layers for a more youthful complexion. Plus, Vitamin C also protects the skin from free radicals like UV exposure.
Vitamin E
As you know, antioxidants are powerful against aging skin, and Vitamin E is exactly that. It is specifically effective at reducing UV damage within the skin. When applied topically, it works to nourish and protect the skin from future damage caused by daily free radicals like sun exposure, pollution, and the elements.
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Retinol belongs to the retinoid family of Vitamin A derivatives. It works by supercharging cell turnover. This improves the skin overall by diminishing hyperpigmentation, reducing acne, boosting collagen production, and softening fine lines and wrinkles.
It is a powerful anti-aging ingredient, but it can be harsh on sensitive skin or when you first begin using it. Be sure to gradually ease retinol into your routine or only use it every few days, not daily. Retinol also requires continuous sun protection, so it is vital to wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day if you use retinol regularly.
Hyaluronic Acid
Produced naturally by the body, Hyaluronic Acid (or HA) is a substance found mostly in the fluids in our eyes and joints. This tiny acid is a miracle worker for the skin because it acts as a cushion and plumps the skin on contact.
Hyaluronic Acid works as a “humectant” and helps the skin lock in moisture and retain water. It hydrates the outer layers of skin and improves its appearance for long lasting hydration. It is safe to use daily—even twice a day—as it is totally natural and amplifies the skin’s overall health.
Broad-Spectrum SPF
The best way to ward off wrinkles is to prevent them in the first place. Choosing a wrinkle cream that contains broad-spectrum SPF is a smart and easy way to fight aging before it begins. Make it a habit to wear SPF routinely if you plan to be outside or work in a fancy corner office that lets in plenty of sunlight.
Just be sure that if you use a product with SPF during the day, you have another SPF-free product for nighttime to let the skin breathe. If having two specific creams is just too complicated, pick an ideal lotion that works day and night and simply apply SPF on its own when you need it.
Now that you know some of the best anti-aging ingredients available for men, let’s look at some products that contain them. Here are 18 of the best wrinkle creams for men on the market today. This long list varies in price, texture, and scent, but they all have one thing in common: They are amazing at fighting wrinkles!
Which Men’s Wrinkle Cream Is Best for You?
It may take some trial and error to find your ideal wrinkle cream, but we are confident that one of the 18 on this list could become your new favorite.
There is something here for everyone and every skin type because of the wide variety of textures, ingredients, and benefits we have provided. There are infinite options of men’s wrinkle creams, but you only need one to work.
Good luck finding the best men’s wrinkle cream for you. We know your new secret weapon against age reduction is within reach!
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Every year, the world’s elite strongmen gather in one place with a singular mission — to be crowned the World’s Strongest Man (WSM). This year the WSM will be held from May 24-29, 2022, in Sacramento, CA. As always, the competition should showcase some of the world’s current stellar strongmen while they vie for the sport’s top title.
On March 4, 2022, some of the initial athletes competing in the 2022 WSM were announced. On March 27, 2022, with the event a little under two months away, the entire 30-person lineup was confirmed. Here it is:
2022 World’s Strongest Man Lineup
Here’s who will be making their way to Sacramento in a matter of weeks:
Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom) — Reigning WSM Champion
Brian Shaw (United States) — 2021 WSM 2nd place
Maxime Boudreault (Canada) — 2021 WSM 3rd place
Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
Rob Kearney (United States)
Gabriel Peña (Mexico)
Kelvin de Ruiter (Netherlands)
Kim Ujarak (Greenland)
Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
Shane Flowers (United Kingdom)
Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (Australia)
Bobby Thompson (United States)
Aivars Smaukstelis (Latvia)
Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
Evan Singleton (United States)
Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted (Iceland)
Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
Charles “Trey” Mitchell (United States)
Mika Törrö (Finland)
Peiman Maheripourehir (Iran)
Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
Kevin Faires (United States)
Nedžmin Ambešković (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Gabriel Rheaume (Canada)
Martins Licis (United States)
Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
Often, the WSM will pit the athletes against each other in six groups of five people while they tackle different heats consisting of specific events. Seeing as how that group format has not yet been announced, this year could instead be five groups of six people. The only constant is that there are 30 total competitors. Examples of events include the Farmer’s Walk and Stone Carry, among many others.
Only the top-performing strongmen from these respective heats will advance to the 10-person Finals group. During the 2021 WSM, the winner of each initial group advanced to the Finals. According to the event’s history, this setup usually tends to be the case. In typical WSM fashion, each 2021 group’s second and third-place finishers battled in a Stone-Off — where the two competitors lifted the same increasingly larger stones in a sequence until either of them failed the rep.
2021 WSM reigning champion, Tom Stoltman, had to win a Stone-Off against Mark Felix to advance to last year’s Finals. Suffice to say, Stoltman’s effort more than earned him the title of World’s Strongest Man and the famous Barry Frank Trophy.
Before each WSM, a few athletes might enter with higher expectations. Here are some of the possible 2022 contenders to keep in mind:
Tom Stoltman
Best Career WSM Finish — 2021, 1st place
Any 2022 WSM preview should start with the British strongman and reigning WSM Champion. Stoltman enters this year’s competition having recently captured the 2022 British Strongest Man title in late February. It’s the second of back-to-back championships. The 27-year-old will assuredly be on the hunt for another prestigious strongman title repeat in May.
Martins Licis
Best Career WSM Finish — 2019, 1st place
One of the favorites for this year’s title, Licis has been on a tear of late. The 31-year-old former WSM Champion is coming off wins in the 2022 Arnold Classic and 2021 Rogue Invitational. If he stays true to his recent form, it would not be a surprise to see Licis stand atop the podium when all is said and done.
Charles “Trey” Mitchell
Best Career WSM Finish — 2021, 4th place
A former America’s Strongest Man Champion (2018), Mitchell is no stranger to the upper echelons of strongman competition. Last year was the second time the 29-year-old competitor grabbed a spot in the WSM Finals. While he ended up just missing the podium (fourth overall), he could be a good bet to eclipse that performance and surprise some people this May.
Mateusz Kieliszkowski
Best Career WSM Finish — 2nd place (2018, 2019)
This year’s WSM marks the return of one of the sport’s brighter stars in Kieliszkowski. After finishing second in two consecutive WSMs, the 28-year-old Polish athlete missed the 2020 event due to a triceps injury and the 2021 competition for undisclosed reasons. Another undisclosed injury also kept him out of the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic in early March 2022.
Notably, in each of Kieliszkowski’s four career WSMs, he qualified for the Finals every time. If he’s closer to full strength, he might, at minimum, achieve the same this spring.
Featured image: @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram
This article was produced in partnership with Cole Haan.
With airlines cutting costs at every turn and record crowds funneling through the world’s airports, it might seem like the halcyon days of glamorous travel will never make a comeback. But that doesn’t mean mens’ style should also become a victim of today’s air travel woes.
“It’s tempting to just throw on your coziest clothes, but we all can put a little more effort into crafting an elevated jet-set look that doesn’t forgo the comfort of sweats,” mens’ fashion stylist Seppe Tirabassi tells Men’s Journal. “The return of travel is something worth celebrating. Don’t spoil it for yourself by looking sloppy.”
While the jury is still out on whether dressing to the nines might win you a surprise flight upgrade, it certainly won’t hurt your chances. And if there’s one shoe worthy of a first-class ticket, it’s Cole Haan’s 4.ZERØGRAND Stitchlite™ Oxford.
Cole Haan seamlessly marries innovative material craftsmanship and striking design with the 4.ZERØGRAND Oxford. Constructed in a breathable Stitchlite™ knit, the uppers will ensure that your feet stay cool and comfortable throughout your journey. When it’s time to tackle the airport security line, sliding your shoes off and on will be a breeze thanks to the slight stretch factor of the fabric. (Just make sure you’re wearing Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Performance Crew Socks so you don’t have to waltz through barefoot.)
Be prepared: Fellow travelers will be ogling your Oxfords—blame it on the handsome wingtip embellishment on the uppers, something you’d typically find on a dapper dress shoe. But they’re more than just an attractive pair of kicks; they’re comfy and ideal for traveling, too. When travel days keep you on your feet for extended periods, you’ll appreciate the shoes’ layers of proprietary cushioning compounds. They softly pad each step, whether you’re loafing around the terminal or sprinting to the gate just before the boarding door closes. In addition, the Oxfords’ lightweight construction makes them easy to pack: They won’t weigh down your suitcase on the return trip home (though we think they deserve to get shown off at the airport).
The 4.ZERØGRAND Oxford comes in four colorways, but for traveling, Tirabassi likes the Glacier Gray color, which serves as the foundation for this low-profile monochromatic look.
“Each piece is more or less a gray tone, but the bright yellow sole adds a fun pop of color that will catch peoples’ eye,” says the stylist, who travels frequently for photoshoots.
As for the rest of the look, Tirabassi points to one material that essentially defines sophisticated comfort: cashmere.
“There’s nothing like the sensation of slipping on a jogger made from one-hundred percent cashmere,” he says.
He recommends the brand Naked Cashmere for its solid selection of high-quality yet surprisingly affordable cashmere garments.
“Skip the shapeless cotton sweats and go for Naked Cashmere’s matching set of monochromatic zip-up hoodies and joggers,” Tirabassi says. “These pieces are breathable and lightweight, but will keep you nice and warm on a drafty red-eye. Plus, they won’t wrinkle, so you’ll touch down at your destination looking like a million bucks.”
Underneath, a plain white cotton T-shirt, like Mott & Bow’s Classic Crew Driggs, is all you need.
When traveling, it’s vital to master the art of layering. Whether you’re escaping your chilly hometown for a beach getaway or heading out on a ski trip, the last thing you want to do is lug around a bulky coat through the airport.
“Not only can it get pretty cold on a flight, but even in the height of summer, you may find yourself needing an extra layer when the A.C. is blasting indoors,” Tirabassi says. “Keeping with the monochromatic gray palette, this quilted down vest from Brunello Cucinelli is a smart layer because it can be rolled up into a backpack or suitcase when you’re not wearing it.”
He also notes that while Brunello falls on the higher end of the price spectrum, you can find similar lightweight puffer vests in nearly any budget.
Complete the look with a plain gray cap—Loro Piana’s super-soft Ty Baseball Cap sticks with the cashmere theme—for an extra dash of anonymity or to cover up unkempt hair. You can also pull the brim over your eye to catch a snooze mid-flight.
Last, but certainly not least, every traveler needs a durable, TSA-approved backpack to keep all their essentials within easy reach. Cole Haan’s water-resistant ZERØGRAND Slim Convertible Backpack was designed with ergonomic backpack straps to rest lightly on the shoulders, and it comes with a trolley pass strap to slide over the handle of your carry-on luggage. Multiple interior compartments make it easy to organize important documents, electronics, and other gear.
“Like the Cole Haan Oxfords, this is a fun, functional accent piece that will add a bit of personality to your monochromatic look,” says Tirabassi. “Ironically, this bold camo print is going to make you stand out from the crowd.”
This article is available to subscribers who have digital access included in their subscription.
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