In a sport where both fans and competitors regularly take things far too seriously, Daniel Ricciardo is a breath of fresh air.The affable Australian, who currently races with McLaren, is just as loved for his personality as he is for his his driving. His great sense of humour and sunny disposition is contrasted only by his ferocity on the track, a striking contrast that’s lead to his nickname of ‘The Honey Badger’.Despite returning to his race-winning ways in 2021 during his first season with McLaren with a spectacular win at the Italian Grand Prix, many question marks still remain about his talent coming into 2022. After struggling to wrap his head around his MCL35M car last year and getting outperformed by his younger teammate, Britain’s Lando Norris, many commentators have suggested that Ricciardo might be over the hill.That might be a bit of a premature conclusion to make, and one that Ricciardo’s fans would rankle at. A recent interview, however, might give his supporters some insight into, and hope for, his 2022 game plan – while at the same time potentially hinting at a deficiency that might explain Ricciardo’s teething issues.

Ricciardo was a guest on action filmmaker Jase Macalpine’s Gypsy Tales podcast, where the pair shared a wide-ranging chat about F1, life and Ricciardo’s personal growth. Something they touched on was the fact that Ricciardo – like many modern F1 drivers – isn’t particularly techincally minded about the cars he drives, but actually, Ricciardo views that as a positive.RELATED: Daniel Ricciardo’s Former Boss Finally Delivers On His Infamous Tattoo Bet“It’s funny because my mates will say ‘dude, you’re driving these multi-million dollar cars with the most technology, the most advanced machinery, pretty much, in the world and yet you might not know how to change a spark plug…but I like that,” Ricciardo explains.

“I like not really knowing a whole lot. I like investing more of my energy into the driving and I like just being a little bit blase about it all. It makes me approach it with a bit more of a carefree attitude and I think that helps me drive better, perform better and take the pressure off it.”

It’s an interesting take for sure, and one we can understand. At the end of the day, Ricciardo isn’t employed by McLaren to be an engineer or mechanic. He’s employed as a driver. It makes sense for him to focus on driving. Yet this lack of technical aptitude or interest; this more carefree approach to being an F1 driver, could also be the X factor he’s missing.

Many of the most successful F1 drivers of all time – like Niki Lauda, Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher – were exceptionally technically-minded, working closely with their engineers and even on their own cars. Australia’s greatest F1 champ, Jack Brabham, was also a technical whiz, and remains the only driver to ever win a World Championship in one of his own cars.Even Ricciardo’s own teammate, Lando Norris, has demonstrated an aptitude and willingness to work on his own car, notably being spotted helping his team dismantle his car after the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix. Could Norris’ more technical mind and less ‘carefree’ attitude to his job be the reason why the young gun seems to be getting the best of his more experienced teammate?RELATED: McLaren F1 Driver Spotted Dismantling His Car Whilst Casually Wearing $300,000 WatchAgain, that might be a premature conclusion to come to; too long of a bow to draw. Norris is undoubtedly a very talented driver but it’s probably not because he picks up a spanner every now and again, or at least, not just because.Ricciardo also emphasised during the podcast that while he might not be the most technically minded, he still plays an active role in the development of the car. “Where I’m good with my driving? Feedback. I think I’m really good at feeling what the car does and relaying that back to the team.”

Ultimately, it’s Ricciardo’s job to get the best out of his car by any means necessary. If he feels that staying away from the more technical nitty-gritty of his car helps him focus as a driver, that’s entirely his perogative. Indeed, drivers are often criticised for focusing too much on data and technical information and not just, you know, driving.RELATED: Driving A Formula One Car For The First Time… What It’s Really LikeDoes it demonstrate a lack of committment to his job? Quite the opposite, really. Sure, it probably doesn’t do him any favours to come out and say that he “likes not knowing a lot” but at least he’s being forthcoming and honest.Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding. 2022 brings with it a whole suite of new regulations and dramatically different cars – it’s a clean slate. After struggling with the 2021 car, Ricciardo might be able to succeed with the 2022 car, particularly on 2022’s more level playing field.The 2022 Formula One World Championship kicks off in just over two months time with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the 18–20th of March.Read Next

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The post Daniel Ricciardo’s ‘Carefree Attitude’ Is His Greatest Strength… & Weakness appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s hard to believe that Sir Michael Caine is almost in his 90s. The legendary actor has been a paragon of British cool since the Swinging Sixties: his iconic Cockney accent, unflappable charm and suave dress sense, as well as his iconic roles in films such as Get Carter, The Italian Job and The Dark Knight trilogy.Caine continues to dominate at the box office and on the silver screen – notably appearing in Christopher Nolan’s most recent mind-melter Tenet – but now, in 2022, he’s finally decided to slow down a bit. While he hasn’t retired from acting, he announced last year that he doesn’t want to make another film. Fair enough, too.He’s also decided to sell some of his most prized possessions as he heads into his autumn years. Yesterday, noted London auction house Bonhams Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, an auction of what they described as “a wonderful selection of items reflecting the breadth of Sir Michael’s career”… Including, most notably, Caine’s very own Rolex.Specifically, it’s his 18ct yellow gold Rolex Day-Date Oysterquartz (ref. 19018), which he’s worn on and off since the 80s, and even in films such as 1988’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Easily the highlight of the auction, the rare timepiece sold for a whopping £100,000 (US$133,440 / AU$182,146) – actually, once you include Bonhams’ premium, it was £125,250 (~US$167,134 / AU$228,180). That’s a lot of money for an old quartz watch. That’s around ten times Bonhams’ admittedly conservative auction estimate of £8,000 – £12,000.Quartz (or electronic) watches are something out of the ordinary for Rolex, which typically trades in automatic mechanical watches. A reaction to the quartz crisis of the 70s, the Oysterquartz isn’t just atypical thanks to its movement – it also features a unique integrated bracelet design which Rolex hasn’t revisited since.Typically quartz watches are less desirable than mechanical watches, but the Oysterquartz has a unique cult following thanks to its relative rarity. Rolex discontinued the Oysterquartz range in the early 00’s, so these watches remain somewhat of a novelty; a curious historical footnote. Of course, this one is particularly desirable thanks to its great condition, as well as its celebrity connection.RELATED: Keanu Reeves Buys ‘John Wick’ Stunt Team Rolex SubmarinersCaine is actually a bit of a watch connoisseur, having amassed a rather respectible collection over the years. Other than his Oysterquartz, he also owns a similar-looking, mechanical Rolex Day-Date ‘President’, as well as pieces from brands as diverse as Accurist, Breitling, Certina, IWC Schaffhausen and Timex.

It’s not just his Rolex that went up for auction. Some other highlights of the sale included a pair of his iconic hexagonal glasses (pictured above) as well as a director’s chair from the set of Get Carter and a framed set of autographs from the 1970 Tony Awards ceremony including Julie Andrews, Mia Farrow, Barbra Streisand, James Stewart, Maggie Smith and of course, the great man himself.RELATED: Kanye West’s Million-Dollar Sneaker Auction A Turning Point For Modern Luxury“It’s going to be quite a wrench to part with so many treasured parts of my life and career, but it’s the right time to be moving on. I hope these mementoes will give their new owners as much pleasure as they have given us,” Caine explains.You can check out all the goodies and what they sold for at Bonhams online auction house here. Not a lot of people know that.Read Next

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The post Sir Michael Caine’s Personal Rolex Watch Sells For £100,000 At Auction appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It was the popular 90s sitcom that launched Will Smith’s extremely successful acting career; The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air followed a fictionalised version of Smith as his life got “flipped turned upside down” and moved from West Philadelphia to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Los Angeles’ silver-spooned suburb, Bel-Air.

The show ran for six seasons, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations along the way, and was beloved by viewers so much that when NBC cancelled the show after Season 4, they received so many outraged letters that the network decided to grant the show a further two seasons.

While The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air still draws in new viewers over thirty years later, thanks to streaming services now prolonging the longevity of older series, the story of Will Smith (the fictional one) moving to Bel-Air is getting a dramatic reboot in 2022.

Bel-Air, launching on February 13, will follow the same storyline and feature the same characters as the 90s sitcom but there will be no live studio audience and from the looks of the trailer that just dropped, there won’t be too many side-splitting jokes in the dialogue either. Instead, Bel-Air looks dark and gritty; similar to how Riverdale revamped the light and playful Archie comics into a sinister (albeit now ridiculous) show.

The Bel-Air trailer highlights that Will, now played by Jabari Banks in his first acting role, hasn’t moved to LA because of a simple playground bullying incident like the original; instead, we see a tense confrontation that moves to violence, a gun being pulled, and Will being arrested by police officers. The trailer also reveals that “some bad man from Philly” wants to “deal with” Will, showing a rather menacing man staring Will down from a jail cell while he mimics a gunshot to the head.

It’s not all doom and gloom though; we see Will attend a swanky private school complete with overly preppy uniforms, an awesome DJ’d alcohol-fuelled pool party – the kind that makes you think ‘boy, my high school experience sucked’ – and Will gets to suit up in a fresh (pun intended) cool look. Will Smith has signed on to executive-produce the Bel-Air reboot and the series will be available to stream here in Australia on Stan.

And, if you missed the Bel-Air trailer, you can check it out below: 

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The post The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Is Back With A Dark, Gritty New Direction appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

New York men are expert dressers – no matter the season. In the long, sweaty summer New Yorkers know how to wear just the perfect amount of linen, while winter sub-zero temperatures see them layering like it’s second nature.

How to dress like a New Yorker? In the city that never sleeps, each man boasts his own distinct look. But, from Manhattan to Queens, Brooklyn to Upstate, New York offers certain style themes that can easily be replicated by who live outside America’s capital of cool.

How To Dress Like A New Yorker

Men in New York are ambassadors of clean lines and slim cut shapes. Most men get suits tailored and even take it to the extent of made-to-measure jeans and shirts. The most important thing to New York men is their shoes, recognising a solid, leather pair can essentially dress up a casual outfit and take it to the next level. The final touch is an accessory such as a watch or ring. Then you’re ready to hit the prim Upper East Side before crossing the bridge to the eclectic (and hectic) Brooklyn.

Night-To-Day Black

New Yorkers like to wear an outfit that can ride functionally during the day but is chic enough to party at night. How? Tailored formalities with the ease of casual wear – under a mood of black. A typical look might be a classic overcoat with rounded shoulders, layered over a textural knit and button shirt; the trousers made a tad technical with a sheen-y sports fabric and zip details, providing a visual feature and as well as a function.

Tying it all together, black dresses down traditional pieces without losing the overall effect of being sophisticated – and chic.

Wall Street Wolf

Home to the world’s most influential stock exchange, Wall Street plays its own trading games with the suit in New York. Unlike the stuffiness of the grey power suit that swept the city in the Eighties, the modern broker sports fresh tones of blue – from cobalt to midnight.

Darker suits work well with subtle pinstripes before basing-out with burgundy shoes, while marine tones match swimmingly with marsala – the wine-like hue rouging up key New Yorker accessories, such as ties and neckwear.

Manhattan Mod

Taking the lead from Sixties Britain, the ‘mod’ theme rides wild in New York. It’s the perfect mix of tailoring and smart with the brashness of Dandy colours being just that little bit playful – and goes hand in hand with the eponymous Manhattan cocktail. Although New Yorkers don’t necessarily have a penchant for soul music or motor scooters, you will see them in fruit-inspired hues like mulberry, peach and orange (especially on relaxed trousers).

Keeping it chic, a clean waist coast under super structured outerwear in only the best wool, captures the retro look. Don a brimmed hat under barber-ed slick hair and you’re officially part of the mod squad.

Accessories Swag

New Yorkers love a good accessory more than a cream cheese bagel or corn dog. And they pile them on. How to accessories like a New Yorker? For casual looks, especially those lacking in colour, men drape themselves in chains – from the pocket wallet chain to around the neck – as well as multiple metallic rings, and a statement watch that is slimmer than your average Breitling. Tailoring also gets a sprucing with fedora hats, acetate vintage glasses frames and floral pocket squares that become much the statement themselves, rather than the suit.

Sophisticated Hipster

New York’s Brooklyn hipsters are the most clean-cut and luxurious in the world. Strong-lined tailoring and symmetrical silhouettes get a sophisticated twist with interesting natural fibres such as wool and satiny nylons. Layering is important to the hipster and lets him show-off his ability to pile on trend after trend after trend in the same look. An important tip on how to dress like a New Yorker, keep the tone neutral as it will allow the textures of your outfit to be the feature. Plus, it highlights the New York fashion crowd’s disdain for colour – unashamedly pushing black-on-black-on-back.

So, now you know how to dress like a New Yorker, it’s time you learnt the brands that will have you looking like you genuinely belong in The Big Apple.

The post Secrets To Dressing Like A New Yorker When You’re Not One appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Curling in the squat rack. Squatting in the curl station. Leaving your weights strewn around the gym. Not cleaning your bench. Showering without thongs. Giving unsolicited advice. Doing cardio in a really busy weights area. Copying a personal trainer’s workout.

There are many things you shouldn’t do in the gym, in order to avoid irritating other gym goers. But what about those things that sabotage your own workout? On that note, retired navy SEAL, current ultra-endurance athlete and fitness motivation specialist David Goggins has some advice for you, that, if you follow it, could take your fitness to the next level.

Goggins recently took to Instagram to share one such action, which he noticed in what he describes as a “benchwarmer” NBA player a few weeks ago.

Video: David Goggins Shares The ‘And Then Some’ Rule

“I was in the gym working out. This NBA player walks in with his trainer. I could tell by the exercise they were doing he was used to doing just twelve reps, because when the trainer said ‘let’s do 15 today’ he got a little attitude. It became very clear to me why he’s a bench warmer – having that bare minimum attitude will keep your ass on that bench.”

Goggins added: “If he heard what… he was being in that moment, he wouldn’t have said it. It motivated me though. It was locked in my brain. It’s still there now… of how he sounded. It kept me in the gym for another 2 hours. The thing about it is this – it’s not just the three reps he failed to recognise, it’s what happens with those three f*cken reps that make you better.”

“Never do the bare minimum. Stay hard.”

Goggins then posted the video to Instagram with the following caption: “Once again, this message is not for everybody. No one cares, especially me, about where you are in life or who you are. I am speaking directly to those people who want more out of themselves. Those are the only people I am speaking to. So if you find my message offensive for trying to make you better, I apologize for trying to make you better.”

“It’s no wonder why some people are where they are. If you are one of the countless people out here giving the bare minimum, you shouldn’t wonder or have to ask why you are where you are in life.”

“There is always someone out there listening to what you say and watching what you do. Doing the bare minimum will only take you so far. It may get you all the way to the NBA, the NFL, or into Harvard or Yale or the C-level position at your company, but sadly, that is where it will stop. Your natural talent and gifts will only take you so far.”

“You will ride that bench, you will not get the promotions, you will not be valedictorian, etc.”

“The funny thing is I know what some of you may say, you may say ‘well, he made it to the NBA’ or ‘she made it into Yale’ and while that is great, think about how much further you could go. It’s the ‘that’s good enough’ attitude that keeps you right where you are for the rest of your life.”

“Even with everything you have achieved in life, there should be an AND behind it… you are the CEO of a company AND you are also the Founder of a Non-Profit, etc.”

“You should always be striving for the AND!!!!”

Though many are quick to scoff at Goggins’ extreme philosophy, citing injuries and overwork as negative forces on your overall happiness – and maybe even gains (or in the case of business, productivity) – we’d argue they are missing the point.

RELATED: David Goggins Fans Show Off Their Incredible Body Transformations

Goggins’ (though sometimes it may seem like it) isn’t suggesting you run yourself into the ground, but encouraging you to do better on those 1% decisions that are hard to make, but which build up to a more extraordinary life. Like doing those extra three reps (if you can do them with good form and not injure yourself).

Not to mention: throwing logic to the wind and doing a randomly long workout, however potentially damaging to your muscles and ligaments, can have incredible motivational value, which is hard to quantify, from the sheer ego boost you get by doing something normal people wouldn’t even dream of.

Dangerous levels of fitness incoming…

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The post This Ruthless David Goggins Advice Could Get You Dangerously Fit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The following article was produced in partnership with Breguet.

Luxury watch brands love to talk endlessly about their history, legacy and inventions, but Breguet has more than virtually any other watchmaker on the planet – on all counts.

Founded in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, widely regarded as the greatest watchmaker of all time, Breguet is in a league of its own when it comes to prestige, refinement and technological advancement. Abraham-Louis Breguet himself was responsible for some of the most important developments in haute horlogerie: the tourbillon, the ‘pare-chute’ shock protection system, some of the very first self-winding movements… But most importantly, Breguet created the world’s very first wristwatch, a commission from the Queen of Naples in 1810.

In 2021, the House of Breguet remains one of the most innovative and prestigious watch brands on the planet. No other watchmaker features such a unique and compelling combination of aesthetic and technical brilliance.

The other remarkable aspect of Breguet is how diverse its offerings are. Each of Breguet’s collections brings something different and new to the table, yet each embodies that unique Breguet philosophy of melding both art and science.

Breguet’s Tradition collection demonstrates this perfectly. Inspired by Abraham-Louis Breguet’s cutting-edge approach to watchmaking – and more specifically, his groundbreaking 1796 souscription watch, the world’s first single-hand watch – these complication-packed timepieces blend technological wizardry with traditional watchmaking elegance like few other watches on the market.

Take the Tradition Quantième Rétrograde (ref. 7597BB/G1/9WU), a true masterclass in contrast. Its stunning exposed movement contrasts brilliantly with its small offset dial; the purity of the dial paying homage to designs of old while the avant-garde movement epitomises Breguet’s modern know-how.

Its mechanisms are both beautiful in their symmetry and impressive in their complexity, with the large retrograde date complication given pride of place. It would be worth staying up until midnight on the 31st just to see that date hand fly back to the 1st on this stunning watch! Its uniquely-shaped rotor, viewable through its crystal caseback, also pays homage to Abraham-Louis Breguet’s first automatic watch designs.

Another collection that reflects Breguet’s respect for tradition, as well as its drive to innovate, is the Marine collection. Abraham-Louis Breguet produced some of the first marine chronometers – invaluable tools that were indispensable for ocean travel during the Age of Exploration and the subsequent Industrial Revolution.

Indeed, Breguet was appointed chronometer maker to the French Royal Navy, the highest distinction a watchmaker could receive at the time. Inspired by this, Breguet’s modern Marine watches feature traditional nautical designs combined with thoroughly modern capabilities.

The Marine Chronograph in rose gold (ref. 5527BR/G3/9WV) demonstrates this. A contemporary chronograph with a water-resistance of 100m, screw-lock crown and a silicon balance spring, this timepiece is hardly enough to withstand adventures, yet luxurious enough to complement more relaxed, gentlemanly pursuits. Its unique lug design and wave-patterned dial give it a purposeful, distinct aesthetic.

Sportier still are Breguet’s Type XX, XXI and XXII collections. The Type XX was first released in 1954 and was initially commissioned by the French Ministry of Defence for the French Air Force – demonstrating how Breguet has always been at the forefront of horological innovation, from the 18th century to the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Type XX’s success kicked off a long tradition of Breguet pilot’s watches, which continue to delight watch fans. These sporty, technical flyback chronographs are modern, functional tools: that unmistakable Breguet DNA shines through in every aspect of their design.

The stainless steel Type XXI (ref. 3817ST/X2/3ZU) is an exemplar of this tradition. At first glance, it’s perhaps not the sort of watch you might expect from Breguet, with its tough military aesthetic – but appearances can be deceiving. Its flyback double chronograph function and immaculately lumed raised Arabic numerals make it stand out from the pack. It’s not just any old pilot’s watch.

Perhaps the purest expression of Breguet as a maison is found in the Classique collection. This collection epitomises Breguet as a brand: unparalleled refinement, traditional values and time-honoured know-how combined with the latest and greatest in watchmaking technology.

One only needs to take one look at the Breguet Classique Hora Mundi in rose gold (ref. 5717BR/AS/9ZU) to know that this is a rare watch. It takes the time-honoured tradition of world time watches and turns it on its head with its instant-jump time-zone display with synchronized date, day/night indication and city.

Classic Breguet ‘apple’ hands and a globe display – which can display either Asia-Oceania, Europe-Africa or the Americas, whatever the lucky owner prefers – complete this superb example of haute horlogerie.

What do these four models demonstrate?

In short, they all demonstrate that owning a Breguet means owning a piece of history. From dress watches to tool watches, traditional looks to avant-garde designs, Breguet is truly a brand for connoisseurs

These watches are more than just time-telling devices: they’re works of art from one of the world’s most influential, innovative and desirable watchmakers. That’s what makes Breguet so special.

Discover these four models, as well as the rest of Breguet’s exquisite range of high-end watches, here.

The post A History Of Heritage: What Makes Breguet Watches So Special & Timeless appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Banter and heckling are a normal part of Australian sport, for both spectators and players. From sledging on the cricket pitch to institutionalised cultural rivalries such as rugby league’s State of Origin, it’s arguably one of the things that makes Australian sport great.But too often, cheekiness devolves into something far uglier, as rising football star Josh Cavallo experienced over the weekend.The 22-year-old Adelaide United player made headlines last year in October when he came out as gay, becoming the only current top-flight male professional footballer in the world to ever do so. It was a brave and candid move that garnered him praise both at home and abroad, including from top players like Gerard Piqué and Marcus Rashford as well as clubs such as Liverpool and Juventus.Yet just months after going public about his sexuality, Cavallo has spoken out about the deluge of homophobic abuse he copped during Adelaide’s away game against Melbourne Victory last Saturday both from spectators at the game as well as on social media.“I’m not going to pretend that I didn’t see or hear the homophobic abuse at the game last night,” Cavallo posted on Instagram.

“There are no words to tell you how disappointed I was. As a society it shows we still face these problems in 2022. This shouldn’t be acceptable and we need to do more to hold these people accountable. Hate never will win. I will never apologise for living my truth and most recently who I am outside of football.”

“To all the young people who have received homophobic abuse, hold your heads up high and keep chasing your dreams. Know that there is no place in the game for this. Football is a game for everyone no matter of who you are, what colour your skin is or where you come from.”

He’s also called out Instagram itself, saying “I don’t want any child or adult to have to receive the hateful and hurtful messages that I’ve received. I knew truely being who I am that I was going to come across this. It’s a sad reality that your platforms are not doing enough to stop these messages.”Cavallo’s shown extraordinary grace under fire and has made some salient points, especially where Instagram is concerned. The social media platform and its parent company Meta (better known as Facebook) is notoriously hands-off when it comes to moderating hate speech, bullying, fake news and the like. It’s a toxic, Silicon Valley libertarian, irresponsible attitude that’s caused a litany problems in our society.RELATED: Colin Kaepernick’s ‘Black & White’: Why Is Nobody Talking About Its IMDb Rating?But the real issue is this: how many times does Australian sport, and Australia more broadly, need to learn this lesson? How many times must history repeat itself?There’s a long history of Australian sporting fans taking things too far when it comes to chants. Traditionally, we’ve seen it in the form of racism: just think of the AFL’s ugly Adam Goodes booing saga. Hell, it was only last year where we saw our Test series against India marred by allegations of fans shouting racist slurs at Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.We haven’t encountered as much overt homophobia before, perhaps because so few athletes remain in the closet precisely because of their fears about facing discrimination from fans and fellow players. Clearly, those fears are well-grounded, as Cavallo’s experience demonstrates.

The issue goes beyond gross chants or online abuse. Research from Pride in Sport Australia has revealed that 75% of Australia believes an LGBTQI person would not be safe as a spectator at a sports game, and that there remain significant barriers hampening the participation of people with diverse sexualities and genders within Australian sport.“We know that 87% of gay men and 75% of lesbians remain completely or partially in the closet while playing youth sport in Australia,” Beau Newell, Pride in Sport Australia’s national program manager, tells The Star Observer.“The reason for that is many fear discrimination from coaches, other players, and officials. That’s compared to 55% of people in the workplace environment. Our research shows that only 20% of people in Australia believe that their sport is genuinely committed to LGBTQI inclusion.”RELATED: Anthony Davis ‘Chokehold’ Incident Highlights Professional Sport’s Homophobia ProblemIan Roberts, the first high-profile Australian sportsperson and first rugby player in the world to come out to the public as gay, recently shared his frustratation with Reuters about the glacial pace of change when it comes to tackling homophobia in Australian sport:

“It has been a quarter-century, I hate to think about that, but truly it has been a quarter-century since I came out… yet it seems nothing is changing.”

To be clear, this is not just an Australian problem (nor do we want to conflate racism with homophobia). But it is a problem that affects all forms and levels of Australian sport, from high school tennis to the top tier of football.Australians value free speech. There’s a big difference between robust support at a game or gentle digging at mates in the locker room – and straight-up vilification. But we really need to reflect as a country on why hate speech and negative attitudes are so common in Australian sports. We need to set a better example for younger generations, and actually learn from these unfortunate incidents.Because we all lose out if our fellow Australians are discouraged from getting involved in sports because of homophobia. As Cavallo puts it, it’s 2022 – it’s time for a change.Read Next

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The post Australia’s First Openly Gay Professional Footballer Has Every Right To Be Angry appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Anyone who exercises in any capacity probably does so to better their health and improve how they look. While we can always say we simply feel better after exercising for some time, one of the best ways to properly track progress is to take photos.

These ‘before’ and ‘after’ images are a great tool for noticing any changes in your body, such as an increase in muscular size, a decrease in body fat, or improved muscle definition. Some people also find them very inspiring. They can, however, be a source of serious debate when they are shared on social media. In fact, some people believe we shouldn’t use them as a tool anymore at all.

RELATED: ‘I Ate Like Chris Hemsworth For 4 Months. It Nearly Broke Me’

Enter: the following before and after images recently posted to Instagram by Australian fitness program entrepreneur (and former bachelor) Sam Wood, owner of the 28 by Sam Wood, an at-home fitness program consisting of workouts and meal plans. 28 by Sam Wood recently released an 8-week program, designed to get you into the best shape of your life in a short time frame. In a recent Instagram post, Sam shares that he used the program himself to improve his fitness.

Sam captioned the post, “You might recognise this bloke…..Last year I was sick of going through the motions so on the first of September I joined my own 8 week challenge and these are the results.”

“I made a decision and I went for it and I cannot believe how much better I feel. Forget how I look. It’s how I feel. More energy, better mood, more confidence, sleeping better, more productive. Feeling better mentally and physically in every way. I needed a circuit breaker. I needed to get out of a rut.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sam Wood (@samjameswood)

While there has been an outpouring of support for Sam’s post – “Love it mate”, “I need to do this” and “Leading by example” – there have been a few other comments thrown his way questioning the whole ‘before’ and ‘after’ image approach.

The majority of the comments revolve around the fact Sam didn’t use the same pose in both images, and many believe him to be forcibly pushing out his stomach in the first one (something Sam denies in a follow up video).

“It would be more authentic if you held the same posture in both photos, rather than sticking out your stomach in the first?” one wrote.

Another comment read: “Ok I’m all for exercising to feel better, and sustainable change not ‘quick fixes’ or diet culture. But someone has to say we can’t be serious with this before and after posture/angle/lighting…I hope that ‘quick fix’ challenge expectations don’t lead people down the wrong path.”

Sam replied to the comments, adding, “To the sceptics and the haters it’s all good I get it. The photo on the left is me and it was taken in the last week of August last year. I’m not sticking my guts out. They were just out and my posture was many of things suffering.”

“I’m not sharing this as a marketing ploy. I’m sharing it to show that I’m real and was struggling like so many others as so many assume that as a fitness guy I’m always in good shape. It was scary and confronting to share a pic that I hate looking at but once it’s out there, it’s actually incredibly empowering and liberating.”

“This is me. This is real. This is the shit I share with my 28ers on a daily basis. If you don’t like it, unfollow, move on and happy new year x.”

We’re not here to comment on the pictures themselves, we’re more interested in discussing how helpful before and after images actually are in the current climate we’re living in. It’s a tough one with some people saying Sam’s photos made the idea of getting after it less intimidating, and seem more attainable, inspiring them to have a crack at starting an exercise program themselves.

Others argue that when you post a ‘before’ and ‘after’ image, you’re effectively suggesting looking out of shape is wrong. They say that for someone who may struggle to lose weight, or put on muscle, seeing these images might make them feel bad about themselves, with the idea being that the worse you feel about yourself the less likely you are to begin exercising, as depression makes people lose motivation. According to this school of thought, body positivity is actually key to getting overweight or out-of-shape people inspired to exercise.

It’s a tricky issue, as different people respond differently, with some being inspired to make hugely positive changes to their lives thanks to ‘before’ and ‘after’ images of people like Sam Wood or tough love rants by fitness gurus like David Goggins, and others simply being made sad or intimidated by them.

There are clearly two sides to this debate. On one hand, you have people like Washington DC-based fitness instructor Chad Raymond, who previously told DMARGE: “I hate the glorification of obesity and tha we’re supposed to accept being inside an unhealthy body.”

“It’s OK to love yourself, but you should always want to improve. As a fitness professional, it’s frustrating!”

On the other, you have those who are criticising Sam Woods just for posting a ‘before’ and ‘after’ photo of himself (and who wasn’t talking about or holding up anyone else as an example, only himself).

Sam Wood has previously spoken to DMARGE about the impact social media has on our fitness goals. He told DMARGE in 2020: “The danger is you are often drawn to someone’s aesthetic rather than their qualifications and knowledge. It tends to show you lots of exercises that look fantastic but don’t necessarily have any functional benefit to you.”

“I love that seeing a physique that you would love to have is perhaps the catalyst for getting people moving, but people absolutely need to understand that these freak fitness physiques should not be what we are aiming to have.”

“People should be focusing on being healthy and strong far before worrying about what they look like from an aesthetic perspective.”

Sam also touched on this in a follow-up Instagram post – a video where he answers the criticism he received on his before and after post – and said much of his transformation was about his energy levels and where he was at mentally, not just physically.

“To the haters that have never met you and all the ‘experts’ with no idea,” Sam wrote. “Having success in anything is hard. Really hard. So here’s to using our energy to support and love each other while also improving ourselves rather than sitting around doing very little except take others down.”

The gist of the video was basically that he was trying to be honest and vulnerable with the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photo, and was genuinely hoping his experience over that 8-9 weeks would inspire other people who had ended up feeling a little bit “groundhog day” over the last couple of years with the challenges COVID-19 has brought. He wasn’t trying to shame anyone (as some people wrongly claimed) but just share his own personal experience. He wasn’t trying to shame himself either or say how he was before was wrong – but rather share his feeling of pride for turning his energy levels and fitness around.

An influx of comments below the video can be seen from supportive commenters and fans encouraging him to “keep it real” and telling him he shouldn’t have to explain himself and that they understood the real intention of the previous post all along.

To give you an idea, one such comment included: “You have always supported 28ers when faced with social media rubbish. Sending back stacks of love and know it will only make u shine 10000x brighter. The real ‘followers’ will always have your back Sammy xx.”

Andy Anderson, change expert and founder of the Ultimate You Change Centres, has also previously told DMARGE how the ideal male body has been influenced by what we see on platforms such as Instagram.

“Over the last five years or so, it’s become more of a social norm that men work out, have more lean muscle mass and are focused on being strong,” he said.

“There are definitely more men who want that lean, toned, harder look. But I think what’s missing is the understanding of what it takes to achieve it!”

Andy added that ultimately, we should be more focused on our physical health than our physical appearance (something Sam is a proponent of too). “We should ask ourselves: ‘Do I feel good? Is my energy increasing? Am I sustaining my momentum during the day? Do I feel happier? Do I have more clarity? Do I feel more motivated? And not just: ‘What do I look like?'”

Food for thought.

Read Next

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The post Celebrity Personal Trainer Sam Wood’s Body Transformation Sparks Debate appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In what will likely come as the most unsurprising news ever, there is a large number of sex apps designed specifically for couples to help them improve their sex lives. 

We now rely on our smartphones for just about everything – including our relationships – and with the range of sex apps on offer (for everyone from candle wax drippers to the missionary-only crew), these days it would be weird not to use your phone between the sheets.

In the past, we’ve warned you never to touch your mobile mid-coitus, but we stand ever so slightly corrected. A crop of saucy sex apps are designed specifically to spice up your sex life, whether it’s by increasing your libido, teaching you new positions, or helping you share your fantasies with your partner.

We’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best sex apps for couples currently available. You never know, they may change your sheet shuffling experiences forever. 

Lover

How handy would it be to have a sex therapist at your beck and call 24/7? Incredibly, we would imagine your answer to be. Well, that’s exactly what you can benefit from when you download Lover. Designed to cater to all aspects of sex, including couples who need to inject a little bit of spice into the mix, Lover takes a science-based approach to solving any problems through the use of guides, videos and games.

Pillow

We get it: you’re anxious to get to the sex, and if you could press a cosmic fast forward button, you would.

But unless Elon Musk isn’t telling us something, that button doesn’t exist yet. There’s no skipping the intimacy process if you want an enthusiastic sex life (or any sex life) with your partner.

Enter Pillow, an app that fast tracks intimacy via audio exercises. The exercises come from a team of therapists, coaches, and tantra teachers, and are designed to encourage communication, closeness, and desire for couples. Pillow’s 30-day program promises to boost things like confidence and appreciation in a playful way, after which you and your partner will be aching for a good romp between the sheets.

OhMiBod

OhMiBod is behind some of the most luxe, and tech-savvy, pleasure products on the market. The company initially rose to fame as the creators of the original iPod vibrator, and have since explored the worlds of wireless remote control, Bluetooth connectivity, and triple stimulation.

RELATED: Best Sex Toys For Couples

The wi-fi enabled OhMiBod Remote App syncs with a vibrator and can be connected to a partner to control their vibrations, making it a must-have if you’re in a long-distance relationship and need to spice up your Skype sex life. The app also has a messaging function to chat and share photos with your partner, and a log to track your orgasms over time with the Oh-Dometer.

Kindu

The bad news: Fifty Shades of Grey is officially mainstream. The good news: it has inspired kinkier bedroom antics the world over.

If you or your partner are too shy to talk about your X-rated interests, Kindu is here to help. The app allows couples to search through thousands of intimate activities individually and swipe yes or no to indicate interest. If you get a kink match with your partner, you’re both told what it is. If not, it disappears into the ether and your partner will never know how depraved you really are.

iKamasutra Lite

iKamasutra puts the power of the world’s most famous sex manual in your pocket. View over one hundred sex positions in nine categories, each tastefully drawn and explained, and track your progress from Novice to Kama Sutra Grand Master by marking which ones you’ve tried. You can create a list of favourite positions as well as a ‘to do’ list or shake your phone to choose a random new position.

Desire

Desire users have been known to start out in prim marriages of convenience and end up dripping candle wax all over each other. Exaggeration? Perhaps. But what starts as a flirty game has a tendency to end in erotic competition.

How does it work? Desire lets you send your partner thousands of “dares” from its velvety database, many of which are quite naughty. Or, if you’re the candle dripping type, it lets you write your own.

When your partner has worked hard enough to earn the requisite ‘sexy’ points they can unlock new sexy challenges (and vice versa).

You can also send each other private messages through the app, record ‘intimate’ memories and track which bedtime (or secret-but-in-public) challenges you’ve enjoyed the most.

iPassion

Think you know your partner’s sexiest secrets? Think again. While this app appears a little more vanilla than some of the others on this list, it makes up for it for being super approachable – and giving you sex tips from the one person you really need them from: your partner.

“Play this brand new sexy, adult game and increase the intimacy and upgrade your sex life!” iPassion promises.

Do they deliver? Well, while ‘upgrade’ is a big word, iPassion indeed helps you learn things about your partner’s desires you never knew. Whether it’s pigtails or two-day-old stubble, a biker chick fetish or a sexy business woman’s outfit, this app helps get things out in the open.

YONO

While YONO is technically not a sex app, it could affect the quality of your next bedroom romp more than all the others combined. Why? It helps you pinpoint exactly when you are going to be at your horniest, enabling you to plan your next date night or weekend getaway far more aptly.

And if the man in your life starts using the app Habits To Increase Your Sex Drive, you may find yourselves needing to buy a new mattress sooner than you’d think…

Read Next

• Best Online Sex Stores
• Best Fleshlights For Men

The post Best Sex Apps For Couples 2022 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.