Few artists have had Post Malone’s meteoric rise to fame.The boozy, vibrato-voiced rapper/singer/songwriter is easily one of the most popular musicians in the world. But it wasn’t always this way: after years grinding as a struggling country/grunge artist, the 25-year-old rapper/singer/songwriter (real name Austin Post) only found mainstream success when he transitioned to hip-hop, making it big in 2015 with his single White Iverson.Since then, Post’s leant more and more into the rapper lifestyle – and that has meant getting plenty of tattoos. Post’s got more than most, too, the now multi-platinum-selling musician boasting one of the most impressive collections of ink in the business. It’s become an essential part of his aesthetic… Which makes it all the more striking to look back on how he looked only a few years ago.Take these two photos of Post taken less than four years apart (unearthed after a spot of social media digging by DMARGE) which show just how much tattoos can transform the way someone looks. Post Malone’s tattoos are really are something.

The amount of ink Post’s collected in such a short time is rather confronting. Many have suggested it’s a clear example of ‘tattoo addiction’ writ large. While tattoos aren’t technically addictive, according to the clinical definition of addiction, the adrenaline your body’s stress response produces when you get a tattoo is widely touted as one of the reasons people tend to go back for more.As this article in Psychology Today relates, “tattoos are like potato chips… you can’t have just one.” Seems Posty likes his chips, then.While some would argue that he looks a lot better without the tattoos, one thing we can all agree on is that it’s good he lost that Nipsey Hussle-esque haircut that he used to rock back in 2016. In recent years he’s favoured a buzzcut or a Caesar cut, which suits him much better.RELATED: How To Choose Tattoos That You Won’t Regret When You’re 50What’s hard to debate is how consistent Post’s been with his tattoos. A common mistake rappers (and just everyday dudes) make when getting tattoos is that they mix and match lots of different art styles, colours and themes, which ends up looking trashy and amateurish. While Post hasn’t exactly shown restraint when it comes to quantity, he certainly has when it comes to style: all of Post Malone’s tattoos are monochromatic and done in a traditional style.

Beyond selling millions of records and picking up almost as many tattoos, Post’s 2020 saw him flex his entrepreneurial chops: not only has he launched his own rosé brand, the surprisingly successful Maison No. 9, but he’s also branched out into selling PPE and hand sanitiser as well as launching a number of collaborative Crocs models.2021 has seen him perform at a virtual concert for the 25th Anniversary of Pokémon celebration, and just last weekend he also performed the title track from his 2019 album Hollywood’s Bleeding at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, draped in full Chrome Hearts.Apparently, he’s also got an album in the works that we’re likely to see this year, too. We’ll keep you posted on that front. (Get it?)

Read Next

• I Wore Every F*ckboi’s Favourite Footwear For A Week & It Changed My Life

The post Post Malone’s Four Year Transformation Proves Tattoo Addiction Is Real appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In case you’ve been living under a 5G-proof pile of Ochre linen button-downs for the last 20 years, you will have noticed Byron Bay has become a meme. The laidback, hippified coastal town is never far from the limelight, but with the global situation continuing to put a halt on international travel in and out of Australia, Byron Bay has never been more popular.It’s easy to see why. Stunning beaches (albeit not currently looking their pristine best), a chilled atmosphere and a far-but-not-too-far location from hubs like Sydney and Brisbane make travelling to Byron Bay feel like a genuine holiday. The upshot is that ‘The Bay’ is currently on the receiving end of an influx of domestic tourists (itself a source of controversy).RELATED: The Awkward Truth About Byron Bay’s ‘Locals Only’ AttitudeHailing from England and finding myself a couple of years into my stay in Australia, I feel I can visit Byron without judgement. It’s a rite of passage for backpackers, after all. Byron Bay is easily in the top 3 places us Brits should visit. I’ve already been to Byron Bay a couple of times before for short stays, but with the perfect cocktail of a work from home renaissance (and an understanding boss) I decided to make a change, pack up the car and move to Byron for an indefinite period of time.Here’s what I’ve discovered since living here for a month.

I Should Have Believed My Own Research…

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LINDA ASKESTAD (@lindaaskestad)

For all my writing about it on DMARGE, I wasn’t quite prepared for how competitive the housing market was going to be. Despite joining Facebook groups and looking for listings online, finding a place to live proved to be much harder than I expected.Most listings asked for a specific type of person – vegan females, predominantly – so I felt there was a little bit of discrimination going on, especially when there are so many people looking for places. I was prepared to settle on a hostel for a few months if I had to, and I had a bed frame for the back of my car as a real last resort. An Airbnb was out the question, since prices for stays have skyrocketed.I started to stress a little and told myself I would be forced to move back to Sydney if I wasn’t able to find a place. A friend reminded me I’d only been in the area for 4 days, so I shouldn’t expect miracles to happen right away. Fortunately, I managed to secure a room on a short-term lease for a bargain $200/week.

I (Initially) Felt More Out Of Place Than A British Backpacker In A Nimbin Drumcircle

I’m not the type of person to pass judgement on other people’s interests, but there really is a far greater spiritual contingent in Byron Bay (this won’t come as a shock to many). I’ve never been one to really tap into my spiritual side, which, when coupled with the numerous listings demanding only vegans move in (which I’m not), made me feel as though I’d moved to the wrong place.RELATED: I Went To NSW’s Most Instagram Famous Waterfall. It Was A Complete DisasterHowever, I’m not sure if it’s the hold Byron Bay can have over people or just my inquisitive nature, but I now feel keen enough to at least try to understand the idea of ‘energies’ and meditation. I’m not sure if I’m yet in a position to be performing yoga at The Pass, but I have found myself heading there early in the morning to stretch and to swim.

Good Coffee Is A Mission To Seek Out

Moving away from Cronulla naturally meant moving away from home comforts. When you move, you can often underestimate the importance of a regular joint for services such as coffee and haircuts.I haven’t had to suss out a new barber just yet, but in my first few days I found myself trialling numerous cafes to find what would become my (potentially temporary) elixir (I feel my regular order of an oat milk flat white is one of the more simple ones, unlike this mammoth order spotted in Byron). My coffee champion? The Byron Bay General Store.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Byron Bay General Store (@byron_general_store)

I’ve Already Conformed To Local Style…

Hemp and linen are not just conscious clothing choices. They’re a necessity. It’s been so damn humid I’ve been going through at least two of my relatively thick cotton t-shirts everyday.Breathable clothing is an absolute must, so, without wanting to dress myself head to toe in linen, I’ve had no option but to make myself look like a local (which has helped somewhat in making me feel more like I ‘belong’).

…But I’ve Yet To Do The ‘Food Tour’

I noticed over New Year’s when I visited, several of my friends from Cronulla who were also in town, all visited the same restaurants during their time, to the point where it became clear that there was an unofficial ‘food tour’ all visitors simply have to visit.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IZ (@izy_beith)

Byron Bay is home to some great restaurants, but if you don’t visit the collective of Rae’s; The Mez Club; Lightyears; Bang Bang and The Farm for dinner, or the aforementioned Byron Bay General Store and Bayleaf for coffee, then can you really say you’ve been to Byron Bay?

Despite The ‘Rude Influencer’ Stereotypes, It’s Quite Friendly

I was told before I made the move that I would find it incredibly easy to make friends. I moved up to Byron Bay only really knowing one person, which for me meant I was very much jumping out of my comfort zone. Fortunately that friend knows a lot of people around town, many of whom I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting. They have all been friendly.RELATED: Fear & Loathing In Seminyak: The Truth About Bali’s Most Instagram-Famous DayclubYou can immediately tell nobody cares about anyone else’s personal business. If you feel stressed or embarrassed about anything going on in your personal life, you can be sure that someone else will either relate to it, or just simply won’t care and will offer support.

There Is Less Of A Gym Culture

As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, Cronulla is to Australia what Venice Beach is to Los Angeles. Everywhere you look you see the same type of person: tanned, sleeve tattoos and muscles (and usually no body hair). While those observations did encourage me to hit the gym – which was further benefitted by lockdown – it has been immediately clear that there is far less of a gym culture in Byron.Instead, it’s all surfers and yogis, and combination of the two more often that not. I’ve already been asked several times if I surf or practice yoga. The fact I (currently) do neither is a little embarrassing, but at least the people asking are far less pretentious.

I Feel More Relaxed

Again, I’m not sure if it’s simply because Byron Bay ‘tells’ you to chill out – quite literally on a sign as you enter the town – but I really do feel more chilled and calm. Part of my reason for moving was because I’d spent my entire time since moving to Australia in Cronulla, Sydney, so fancied a change.The other was to do a bit less. To work from home and to not have to commute to work, so that I could head straight to the beach as soon as the laptop lid closed. This is exactly what I’ve been doing, and I love it. I’m someone who thrives off routine, and even though it took a little over a week to feel acclimatised, I now feel very content.

It’s Still Just As Busy

Despite incoming international travellers and holidaymakers to Australia being non-existent right now, Byron Bay still feels just as busy. Head out any evening and you’ll find bars and restaurants fully booked, people wandering the streets and crowds still gathering around buskers.There’s a genuine excitement in the air, the very same type that makes Byron Bay such a special place.

I Promise I’ll Learn To Surf

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Salty Sea Dog | Drone (@saltyseadog.sydney)

I told myself this as soon as I moved to Australia and settled in Cronulla, but in two and a half years I’ve only found myself on a board a sum total of twice. With The Pass’ consistent and usually pretty small waves that favour foam and longboards right on my doorstep – and a number of other amateurs directing attention away from my hopeless attempts – I feel I have one of the best opportunities to teach myself.

I Need To Slow Down & Chill Out

As the entry sign says, I need to slow down and chill out. I’ve always been a forward thinker, wondering what effect my decisions today will have on the future days, weeks and months. But I’m slowly becoming aware I just need to focus on the present and to be happy with how things are right at this very moment. It’s not a simple process and it won’t happen overnight, but I’m actively taking steps to change my way of thinking.Perhaps I am more spiritual than I thought.

Read Next

• The Stunning Australian ‘Maldives Alternative’ Few Tourists Know About
• ‘Most Byron Bay Photo Ever’ Sums Up Australia In 2021 

The post Living In Byron Bay: What I Discovered After Moving From Sydney appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

As cliched as it is to say, hemp is a miracle of nature.

Not only is it a hardy, fast-growing plant, but hemp has a veritable kaleidoscope of uses: food, fuel, rope, insulation, bioplastics... Last year we explored how hemp is also a spectacular textile, and how Australian clothing brands are increasingly using hemp fabrics in their product lines.

Turns out hemp is also great for our skin. Skincare products using hemp seed oil have been common in countries like the United States for many years, and now the trend has hit Australian shores – with one innovative small business leading the way thanks to their unique business model.

Melbourne-based high school friends turned business partners Alex Roslaniec, Fedele D'Amico and Ollie Watts founded hemp-based skincare brand Hey Bud back in 2018 with an initial investment of only $30,000, after noticing that there were almost no hemp-based skincare products on the Australian market. The brand quickly became popular on Instagram, making over $1 million in sales in its first year, and has since become a runaway Australian small business success story.

Indeed, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has been deadly to many small businesses, Hey Bud has thrived – recording a whopping 1160% lift in sales from March 2020 to August 2020. So how did hemp skincare go from zero to hero in such a dramatic way? DMARGE had the chance to chat with the trio, who explain that Australian customers are quickly cottoning on to the wide range of skincare benefits hemp seed oil has, making their product a no-brainer.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hey Bud Skincare ☘️ (@heybudskincare)

"Hemp seed oil has four broad benefits," D'Amico explains. (It was D'Amico's mother – a trained beauty therapist – who first alerted the boys to the benefits of hemp seed oil).

"It's suitable for all skin types – it's not prone to blocking pores; it helps moderate oil production whilst moisturising; it has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect; and it has anti-aging properties: it can reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and prevent signs of aging."

Hey Bud first launched with a cannabis-infused hemp face mask, and has since gone on to offer a hemp moisturiser and face oil, all of which are unisex. Launching with a face mask was a savvy move: fans of the brand started posting photos of themselves with the mask on to Instagram, helping build the brand's profile and creating a participatory culture around the product.

RELATED: ‘Secret Sauce’ That Makes A Successful Entrepreneur In 2021

The trio credit being actively engaged with their customers on social media as instrumental to their success – and it's something they recommend other Australian small businesses do, too.

"Build a tribe around your brand," Watts recommends, "that'll be buying from you over and over again."

"It's really beneficial having all of your customers in one space where you can ask questions... what products they want next, what feedback they have for us. It's started to get a mind of its own: customers interacting with each other, asking each other questions."

Watts shares that it's hugely beneficial to have such a community around your brand when it comes to launching new products – "we just ask our customers what they want" – explaining that if you can build such a dedicated community, "you've hit the jackpot."

[caption id="attachment_284879" align="alignnone" width="920"] L to R: Alex Roslaniec, Fedele D’Amico and Ollie Watts. Image: Hey Bud[/caption]

Why aren't there more hemp-based skincare products on the Australian market? Simply put, it's because of weed.

Hemp and marijuana both come from the same plant: Cannabis sativa. Hemp simply describes varieties of Cannabis that contain 0.3% or less THC content by dry weight, whereas marijuana describes products with more than 0.3% – that is, the stuff that’ll get you high. It's because of this that the cultivation of hemp is strictly regulated, and the plant carries a negative reputation by association.

RELATED: Adorable Instagram Video Proves Why Australia’s Most Vilified Haircut Is Actually Our Greatest

Since the 1990s, Australian states and territories have slowly been permitting the cultivation of hemp – under strict licenses. Australia has the perfect climate to cultivate the plant, but it remains a niche and tightly controlled industry. However, things are changing, Roslaniec relates.

"Hemp was legalised [as an] ingestible at the end of 2017. And then just recently in February, we're now allowed low dose CBD oil from over the counter at pharmacies. So you can start to see a trend that Australia's becoming much more kind of open to the idea of hemp and even cannabis in itself."

"Medical cannabis has been becoming more allowed and legalised throughout all the United States, and now it's allowed to be grown recreationally in Canada as well. That's another really good experiment to see, because there's a lot of similarities between Canada and Australia."

"Canada legalising recreational cannabis nationally is a huge step globally, and I think Australia will be closely following the results of that. I believe that within three to five years, we'll probably be in a very similar spot to them."

[caption id="attachment_284889" align="alignnone" width="920"] Farmer survey a healthy hemp crop near Griffith, New South Wales. Image: Farm Weekly[/caption]

As of last year, the Australian Capital Territory now allows for the possession and growth of small amounts of cannabis for personal use, evidence that Australians are becoming more and more tolerant of the plant. Tolerance for weed also paves the way for the broader cultivation of hemp, which could see even more hemp-based skincare products hit the market.

The irony is that Australia has the perfect climate to cultivate the plant – if legislators made it easier to grow hemp here, Australia could actually be poised to take hemp skincare products globally – among other hemp-based products.

RELATED: Luxury Perfume’s Most Prolific Ingredient Is Under Threat

Unsurprisingly, the Hey Bud boys are naturally paying close attention to developments in Australia: while legalisation could see competition dramatically open up, they're not fazed by the possibility.

"Naturally, legalisation [would bring] a lot more competition, but with competition comes a lot of education, which I think will benefit us as a brand," D'Amico concludes.

Time will tell if more Australians cotton on to the benefits of hemp... Until then, we're going to go have a comfy night in, slap on some face masks, pour ourselves a glass of wine and listen to some Bob Marley.

Read Next

• Bizarre Men’s Grooming Trend Divides The Internet’s Watch Lovers
• I, An English Backpacker, Am On A Mission To Make This Australia’s Most Popular Haircut

↬ READ FULL STORY

Subscribe to the DMARGE newsletter

Follow DMARGE on Instagram

Follow DMARGE on Facebook

 

The post Australian Skincare Trend Set To Go ’Sky High’ appeared first on DMARGE.

If there is one thing we can be sure of, as long as the earth is turning, we’re never going to be short of ways to buy, sell and trade assets. We’ve transitioned from physical assets such as money and gold to digital currencies and crypto-assets such as Bitcoin and ETFs. The latest digital asset now doing the rounds? NFTs.

Although having been ‘a thing’ since 2015, NFTs have only really taken off in 2021 and are already proving to be bought for millions of dollars. Whether they really are the ‘next big thing’, remains to be seen. For now, the only questions we can effectively answer are what are NFTs, what can they be used for, how can you get them and ultimately, why should you care?

Allow us to explain all.

What Is An NFT?

The meaning of nft is ‘non-fungible token’, but what does that actually mean? Well, if something is non-fungible, it means it is unique and cannot be copied. Say, for example, when you were at school, you traded your apple for someone else’s chocolate bar, you haven’t received the same thing back. On the contrary, if something is fungible, it means it can be traded for something of the same value, i.e. a $10 note being swapped for two $5 notes; they have the same value.

An NFT is, therefore, a unique digital file that is uploaded to an NFT auction market – there are several of these, but some well-known ones are KnownOrigin and OpenSea – where it can then be purchased using cryptocurrency. However, where things can get a little confusing is in the fact you can create infinite copies of said digital file – prints of an original piece of artwork, for example – but the NFT is an original copy.

As Geoff Quattromani, founder of the Technology Uncorked podcast, says,

“I can fly to Paris, see the Mona Lisa and take a picture of it on my phone. The picture on my phone is of the Mona Lisa but it doesn’t mean I own the Mona Lisa. The original Mona Lisa is in the museum and everyone knows that, I can print it and frame it at home but the original is undisputed.”

Whoever uploaded the NFT digital file in the first place is able to retain copyright of that asset so that they can then choose to sell more NFTs in the future, but if you buy the NFT, you have an original copy, and this is what makes them so valuable. But there doesn’t just have to be one NFT file, there can be multiple, which we’ll come on to a little later.

You may be thinking, how is an NFT secure? Let us ease your fears; NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain. Because the Ethereum blockchain is decentralised, and every time the particular NFT is bought and traded, an entry is made on the digital blockchain, it is incredibly hard for anyone to create forgeries.

It’s because of these uses that Geoff does indeed see NFTs as “having a future.”

“I think it has become a relevant step in the evolution of the internet, it allows ownership of digital assets to be recorded. Everything is a fad until is isn’t, although the current hype, however, is making it sound like a land grab of digital assets that have perceived value over and above what is real.”

What NFTs Are There?

While it is true that pretty much any digital file could be uploaded, bought and sold as an NFT, it is currently proving popular within the digital art world. Just like art collectors in the real world spend millions on original paintings, the same is true in the digital landscape. And we really do mean, millions. Digital artist Beeple sold an NFT at Christie’s for an unprecedented US $69 million. 

This NFT was a JPEG entitled Everydays: The First 5000 Days (pictured above) ,and was purchased by MetaKovan using just over 42,000 Ether (Ethereum crypto-assets). Despite the high figure, MetaKovan didn’t receive the copyright to the image, but did get some rights to display it.

Likewise, as we mentioned earlier, you can easily right click on that image above and save a copy of your own. But you won’t own the original, so basically, it’ll be worthless.

One contributing factor of the insane figure is that someone genuinely deems Beeple’s work to be collectible, just like someone else views Picasso’s as the ultimate in physical art, but also because it’s a major flex. The owner of the NFT will be able to one day sell it for (hopefully) a profit.

And, as we mentioned earlier, while Beeple’s artwork can be viewed online and you can even save a copy of the image on your computer or phone, you won’t own the original. Think of it like owning a soccer shirt autographed by the entire team.

Music can also be sold as NFTs. US rock band Kings of Leon made their most recent release When You See Yourself  available to buy as an NFT, although they didn’t put a limited number on it. Instead, you can buy it anytime during a two-week run that ends on March 19th. With your NFT you receive a digital copy of the album and a physical copy on vinyl, which will be printed with your unique NFT token number.

Canadian musician Grimes has also had some success with NFTs, selling around US $6 million worth of digital art via the Nifty Gateway platform. There were 10 NFTs available, some however were one-of-a-kind pieces, while others were available in their thousands, each selling for more affordable sums of money that accumulated to big bucks.

Geoff adds, “Artists in any medium will now be able to solidify their work online, it reduces copyright risks and helps creators receive recognition. Almost anything online could become an NFT but that doesn’t mean it should be.”

“When the dust settles and people like Jack Dorsey collect over 3 million dollars for a poorly worded tweet, we’ll start to see NFT mature and it become a normal part of the online marketplace.”

It’s not just artists and musicians that can benefit from NFTs either, as model Kara Del Toro – who has a “passion for modelling and digital content” – recently dropped her own NFT on the OpenSea platform, a 1 of 1 token that grants the owners access to a folder of 10 never-before-seen content.

She says her decision to go down the NFT route came “after taking a deep dive into the rabbit hole and crypto for the past few weeks.”

“It’s super addicting and fascinating to me, and I put so much energy, love and effort into my job as a model. Modelling, creative directing and digital content creation really is an art form to me, and I thought it would be cool to give the buyer the opportunity to own a piece for themselves.”

Speaking to what makes NFTs unique, Kara adds, “I think the coolest thing about an NFT is that the buyer doesn’t just get to view the token, they actually own it. It’s one of a kind and can never be duplicated, think of it like a unique signature.”

“That makes it super exclusive and much more valuable.”

“The image itself could be replicated, but the token cannot. It’s an investment they can sell later if they want to.”

As for whether Kara thinks NFTs really have a future, Kara echoes Geoffs comments, “It’s a bit of a mystery right now. It’s fun and I hope to be using NFTs in the future. It could easily be a bubble that could pop any time. Some may think it really is the future, maybe we will be NFTing everything from houses to textbooks, there are lots of possibilities.”

One thing we haven’t really be able to fully explain just yet, is how you actually buy an NFT. We know its based on Ethereum, but in what form does the content creator receive payment?

Kara tells DMARGE, “You’ll need Ethereum to mind an NFT and typically to purchase one as well. So yes, you’ll need crypto and a crypto wallet. You can then hold onto your Ether or you can convert it to USD or whatever currency you use.”

Are There Any Controversies Surrounding NFTs?

Yes. One, mainly. The blockchain NFTs run on is what is known as a proof-of-work. Bitcoin also works on the PoW and requires people to ‘mine’ for it, which uses lots of electricity. PoW is a little tricky to fully explain in layman’s terms, but essentially, it isn’t particularly energy efficient.

The NFT market has grown,
As eight-figure auctions have shown.
The overall price is
A worse climate crisis
For art you pretend that you own.

— Limericking (@Limericking) March 15, 2021

This means NFT trades have high carbon footprints, which means bad news for the environment.

There is also the very obvious point that NFTs aren’t going to be easy to understand by every Tom, Dick and Harry. While you don’t exactly need a Phd in quantum mechanics to understand them, they are a little harder to condense than simply cash money exchanges.

Geoff adds, “Like anything, the average Joe would need to want to understand NFT and its uses, and if they wanted to learn about it they will.”

“Marketplace are being set up already for NFT trades to occur and even traditional auction houses are getting on board” – such as the aforementioned Christie’s.

“Many people collect artworks, some collect wine and some people collect postage stamps, this is just another version of those.”

“Digital content is worth what someone is willing to pay.”

What Are NFTs FAQ

Read Next

• The Most Exciting Cryptocurrencies You Need To Know
• Best ETFs To Buy In Australia Right Now

The post What Is An NFT? The Digital File Taking The World By Storm appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There was a time when Jackass ruled the world. Packing cinemas from Long Beach to Manhattan, the American reality comedy MTV series, created by Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, and Jeff Tremaine, soon made its way into movie theatres, putting its stake in the ground as the high watermark for funny home videos.The trio lived about as different a lifestyle as you can get from today’s modern standard of celebrated ‘healthy living.’ They weren’t shy about it either. Few individuals have been so open about their rampant drug use, and fewer still have been so unapologetic about it.It was the Eminem Era, after all.Steve-O, however, eventually had an epiphany, almost thirteen years ago to the day. Inspired by good friend Johnny Knoxville he got sober in 2008 – something he took to Instagram to share on Thursday.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Steve-O (@steveo)

“So grateful to be celebrating thirteen years of sobriety today… thanks to everyone who helped me make it this far and, as always, thanks to @johnnyknoxville for giving me the loving nudge that started my journey!”

On the left, in a photo from 2006, two years before he got sober, Steve-O can be seen crouching over a table of pills and booze and blood. On the right, in a photo from 2021, the pills and cigarette have been replaced by broccoli and green juice and he looks healthy and happy.The Jackass legend spoke to Loudwire in 2019 about getting sober: “When I got to the hospital, I was spitting on people, I was just generally so unlovely.”

“They had me for two weeks … It was time. My life was a disaster. I decided about seven days in that I not only wanted to go into treatment, but that I didn’t want to waste my time in treatment.”

Steve-O also told Loudwire that – though he’s never relapsed – making Jackass 3D came with stress that could have put his sobriety at risk.

“I don’t know how close I really was to getting loaded … Certainly, I’ve had plenty of periods of discomfort. It’s always pretty scary, but you’ve just gotta stay plugged in and do the deal.”

He also shared what helps him keep on track: “The disease of alcoholism and addiction is about selfishness and self-centeredness, so the treatment of it; it’s helping others … Us sober people love it when you reach out for help. Join the pack, find someone who’s already sober and let us show you the way.”

Read Next

• This Man’s Epic Transformation Proves Giving Up Alcohol Could Change Your Life
• American Couple’s Fitness Transformation Proves The Power Of Simple Changes 

The post ‘Jackass’ Star Steve O Reveals Incredible 13-Year Sobriety Transformation appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Anyone who has ever stepped foot in a gym will be all too aware of one the unofficial commandments of the gym floor: ‘Thou Shalt Never Skip Leg Day.’ Too often do we see gym bros performing bicep curls, bench presses and lateral raises, all in the name of a muscular upper body. Take a look down, and that bulking frame is too-often supported by a set of chicken legs, which looks completely out of proportion.So if you do any sort of weight training, make sure you always dedicate a day or a session to just your legs, performing squats, deadlifts, lunges and leg presses, to name a few exercises. Common knowledge, right? Right.However, according to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, it’s not the only leg day message you should be mindful of.Taking to Instagram recently, the Black Adam actor tells his followers to “mentally prepare yourself.” And since he’s got literal tree trunks for legs, we’re inclined to sit up and take notice.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by therock (@therock)

The Rock is already a source of mental inspiration, regularly hitting the gym during the early hours of the day, and this leg workout is no different, seeing him hit the gym at midnight on a Saturday. But he adds that “training legs requires ALL YA GOT!” and as a result, adds “my pre workout warm up and stretching is a lot longer (20-30min),” hitting home another key message to ensure you’re properly prepped before attempting any sort of workout so as to avoid injury.RELATED: One ‘Minor Tweak’ To Your Morning Routine Could Massively Increase Your GainsSo, what does The Rock’s leg workout consist of? The answer, “giant sets.”

• Leg extensions/leg curls
• Compound pressing movement
• Chain lunges
• Shark Pit squats (an exercise performed on a Pit Shark machine)

“Multiple rounds of these giant sets. These are a real b*tch so get your mind right and push yourself.”RELATED: Fitness Expert Reveals Hidden Cost Of Achieving The Rock’s Insane Vascularity“Then I’ll finish off with hamstrings and calves. It’s a lot of hard work (especially balancing everything else life throws our way) but I really enjoy the challenge of new goals.”

“New things to build. Pushing myself. It gets my blood going.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by therock (@therock)

He signs off by saying he’s going to indulge in a cheat meal, which as we’ve seen him prove before, isn’t necessarily as detrimental to making serious gains as you might think.The Rock isn’t the only advocate of working out your mind, as well as your body. MMA commentator, podcast extraordinaire and comedian Joe Rogan is another who spruiks the message of challenging your “inner sloth,” in order to increase your mental strength. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from indomitable will.”Let that be a lesson for your legs…

Watch The Rock’s most epic workouts below.

Read Next

• Australian Commando Shows You His Leg Day Workout To Get Explosive Strength
• I Tried The Rock’s Latest Fitness Fad. It Nearly Broke Me

The post The Rock’s Alternative Leg Day Message A Useful Wake-Up Call For Gym Junkies appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The last 12 months have seen more innovation than you can throw a ‘germ repellent’ suite at.There have been futuristic ‘formula one’ seat designs floated for business, bunk bed rest stations thought up for economy, and a whole lot of travel industry soul searching as lockdowns left swathes of the earth’s population grounded.Fitting this theme of innovation nicely, a video has recently bounded across a number of social media news (and meme) aggregators, showing a new airline boarding system in action.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Memes | Culture | Comedy (@pubity)

It is not clear which airline is using this ‘blue carpet’ (though reports suggest it may be a Brazilian one, in operation since September 2020). Wherever it has come from, it’s a feature some want to see considered “by every airline.”What’s so good about it? As the above clip shows, airline boarding gates could be fitted with moving projections on the floor showing passengers how far away they need to be from each other (and how fast they need to move) in the boarding gate line.It even goes as far as to show passengers’ seat numbers, something that would provide peace of mind (and curtail the potential for ‘cutting in’).“I live for this kind of organisation…” reads the video’s on-screen text. “Every airline should have this.”The original clip comes from Instagram account @crosscheck_de and has been reposted by the likes of @todaysyearsold and @pubity.@pubity wrote of the feature: “A clever way to social distance…”Comments underneath the video from followers included: “You are my hero” and “Organisation.”

“This is a clever way to board in general, shit’s always a royal battle.”

Not everyone was sold though. “Hahahahahahaha this is stupid and not to mention you all look like cattle doing it,” one Instagram user wrote.“Imagine thinking you need to social distance, hen sit 4 inches from someone 30 seconds later,” commented another.

“Only for people to just sit near each other on the plane.”

“Wouldn’t work in the US because people will think this violates their freedom,” another chipped in.RELATED: ‘Infuriating’ Instagram Video Has Americans Up In Arms About Life In Australia “Then you get on the plane and everyone removes their mask to eat… captain puts covid on pause.”

“Somehow people would still f*ck this up.”

Others quipped certain airlines would never go to such lengths to make for a better customer experience:

“Spirit Air would be more likely to throw a rock at you with your seat number on it.”

While we certainly understand the absurdity of distancing only to (minutes later) not distance, we back this idea purely for its taking the stress out of boarding. Also: some distancing is better than nothing.Now all we need is an electric fence to stop people clamouring over baggage collection belts, and cattle prods to stop passengers standing in the aisle as soon as the seatbelt light goes off…

Read Next

• Business Class Passengers Urged To Stop Committing Infuriating ‘Chime Crime’
• Business Class ‘Slammertime’ Trend Sparks Outrage At 40,000ft

The post 'Wouldn't Work In The US': New Airline Boarding System Outrages America appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The last twelve months have been tough for Japan.Not only did the country cop COVID-19 harder than most, but the pandemic also forced Japan to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Japan’s just announced that the Olympics will take place this year, but without any foreign spectators: a huge disappointment for the Japanese. Olympic Games are already a largely unprofitable enterprise for host countries, and the lack of tourist dollars will hurt Japan’s economy just when it most needs a boost.2021 also marks the 10th anniversary of an altogether different disaster: the Tōhoku earthquake, tsunami and triple nuclear meltdown in which almost 16,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands made homeless. To this day, much of Fukushima remains abandoned, with the cleanup effort continuing to cost Japan tens of billions of dollars.But in a ghoulish twist, Fukushima has become a tourist destination for thrill-seekers looking to see the aftermath of one of mankind’s most tragic episodes. In recent years, urban exploration (or ‘urbex’ for short) devotees have flocked to Fukushima’s desolate landscapes, and companies now even offer tours of the area. Much like the Ukrainian town of Pripyat, which was frozen in time after the Chernobyl nuclear incident, Fukushima’s abandoned (and still highly radioactive) towns continue to attract and captivate thrill-seeking tourists.RELATED: World’s Most Unlikely Country Keeping Dubai’s Tourism Industry AliveSomething these urbex fans have quickly picked up on is just how many cool cars lie abandoned in Fukushima. Japan has always been a car-loving country and Fukushima’s streets reflect this: they’re a veritable barn find Nirvana. Rare and cool cars are a common sight among the desolation, such as the Porsche 964 above. Other European imports and JDM icons have also been captured by urbex photographers.

They’re tempting for sure, but you wouldn’t want to drive any of these vehicles: they’re all highly irradiated. Instead, they’re fated to stay where they are, a testament to the horrors of nuclear disaster.RELATED: Joe Biden Filled With Regret Over ‘Undriveable’ Classic CorvetteIt’s worth clarifying that when most people talk about ‘Fukushima’, they’re really just referring to the roughly 30km-wide nuclear exclusion zone around the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in Ōkuma. Fukushima is also a prefecture (Japan’s equivalent of a state) as well as a city (Fukushima City being the capital city of Fukushima Prefecture). Fukushima City is itself well outside of any exclusion zone, and Fukushima Prefecture is one of Japan’s largest prefectures.While COVID-19 has certainly hampered the Fukushima cleanup effort (as well as forced remembrance ceremonies to be scaled back), it’s remarkable how well Japan has recovered from the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. Japan remains one of the world’s top tourist destinations, despite seeing an over 85% drop in international arrivals in 2020 compared to 2019 – another consequence of the pandemic.However, unlike many other top tourist destinations, like France or Turkey, Japan’s number of total COVID cases is not only much smaller but is also trending downwards. If Japan is able to roll out vaccinations faster than other countries, it could be in a position to start welcoming international arrivals in a big way very soon. Fingers crossed – we wouldn’t mind a Japanese holiday… Just maybe without the radioactive cars.

Read Next

• ‘Unloved’ Car Brand Becomes Unexpected Australian Sales Success
• ‘Most Insane Offroad Car Build In History’ Blows Automobile Lovers’ Minds

The post Abandoned Porsche Photo Reveals Sad Reality Of Japan’s Most Deadly Attraction appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you think of ‘old-world wine,’ places like Bordeaux, Provence and Rioja probably swirl to mind.When you think of ‘Australian wine,’ $8 paint stripper (or worse: Yellowtail) probably clamp onto your noggin.Suffice to say: even if they don’t all pickle your tongue, Australian wines have an image problem.Until last week, I’m ashamed to say the above tropes were both bouncing firmly around my brain.I’d been this way ever since living in Spain for three years. After drinking enough Tempranillo and cafe con leche to develop IBS (true story), I came back to Australia in 2018 a self-proclaimed expert on all things vino.I also came back dismissive of what the land of salt plains might produce – and determined to keep living my best life (come at me, gout).However, though I have become partial to bottle shop roulette (those Aldi specials can sometimes surprise you), I’ve maintained the snobbish suspicion that wine must be European to be truly classy.

“Australian wines are full of sulphites.”“Australian wines don’t have the history of Europe’s.”“St Émilion is the only thing that won’t give me a headache.”

I had faith in each of the above statements until last week, when a trip to South Australia changed my mind (I travelled as a guest of Qantas).

In fact, at the very first winery I visited, my rude belief that Australian wine isn’t as classy as Europe’s was pulled from my mouth.I learned at Henschke, a family-owned, 152-year-old Australian winery located in Eden Valley, that – despite my scoffing – Europe doesn’t even have the oldest wines in the world. That title belongs to Australia.Thanks to some forward-thinking governance (as well as a helping geographical hand), Australia avoided the ravages of phylloxera (a vine eating louse) that hit most of the world in the 19th and 20th centuries, Ashleigh Evans, brand ambassador for Henschke, explained.

In contrast to the rest of the globe, South Australia guarded its precious vines (the oldest of which date back to 1853) with strict quarantine laws. Winegrowing regions like the Barossa remain phylloxera free to this day.

“Australian wine is actually made from more longstanding vineyards than Europe’s thanks to pest control.”

I got to experience this ‘first foot,’ as our group was asked to rinse our shoes in a light chlorine solution, to ensure no nasties were brought into the area.

I then toured Henschke’s world-famous Hill of Grace vineyard – a hidden gem, nestled in the slopey landscape, with no official cellar door. It’s not signposted, so the only way die-hard Henschke fans can find it is by looking up the Lutheran church across the road from it.Here I learned about Henschke’s history, and about the legendary Henschke viticulturalist Pru Henschke, who spent years in Europe, and refined her art at Germany’s Geisenheim Institute.Not bad for Australian wine being made by a bunch of ‘heathens’…RELATED: ‘Humble’ Photo Smashes Stereotype ‘Sydney Has No Culture’I was then whisked to the Barossa’s Seppeltsfield Wines – a place that totally upended my ‘Old World vs. New World’ preconceptions. Not only was I able to taste my birth year in wine directly from the barrel, but I was also treated to a story that put my snobbish past even further to shame.

Seppeltsfield ambassador Nigel Thiele told my group about the time an important member of Seppeltsfield visited a winery in Porto – a prestigious producer of (you guessed it) port – whilst on holiday. The Porto winery didn’t believe that Seppeltsfield had a complete catalogue of wine dating back to 1878. In any case: the Porto winery admitted (loosely paraphrased), “We certainly don’t.”

“So how could you?”

It’s a fair assumption: there have been two world wars, much social upheaval, and huge economic (and environmental) challenges facing any winemaker hoping to achieve such a feat.Seppeltsfield has done it though: it has the longest lineage of single vintage wines in the world, with no gaps, dating back to 1878. It’s also the only winery to release a hundred-year-old port every year.Take that Porto.

After visiting Seppeltsfield I thought I would redeem myself from my initial sin of snobbery, having been enlightened with this old world knowledge. Alas, I only dug myself a deeper hole. Upon heading to McLaren Vale’s iconic d’Arenberg Cube, which offers visitors the chance to taste (and blend) their own wines, as well as to explore the iconic Alternate Realities Museum, I put my foot in my mouth almost immediately.

This time it was arrogance. Assuming all 25 million people who live in Australia run in the same circles as me, I asked our d’Arenberg wine blending instructor Judy Eccleston: “Why do Australians still think you have to go overseas to get good wines?”“I don’t think they think that at all,” Judy said – or words to that effect – kindly informing me that within wine enthusiast circles, “The quality of top Australian wines is widely known.”Ouch. There went my much-jotted theory that all Australians think like me – an Oat Milk Flat White sipping post-modern knowledge worker – and that we all mytho-poetically rhapsodize the quality of European wines to the same self-conscious tune.

Luckily, one winery was left on the cards, just in time for me to show off my newfound, humble knowledge of The Great Grape: Bekkers Wine. A story of romance that would make Homer rap lyrical, Toby Bekker met his French-born wife and winemaker Emmanuell in 1995.

Together they created Bekkers Wine, a winery that takes a high-end approach to McLaren Vale, focussing on hero varietals like Grenache and Shiraz, and working off the logic, “If you can’t have a second glass…[there must be something wrong with it].”Cue: many knowing glances around the table…Meaningful looks aside, Bekkers Wine is classy but not pretentious – a refreshing change from some of the Big Stuffy Energy on the Big Red market. It was also the perfect place to end my wine trail.

The views from Bekkers Wine’s cellar door also wouldn’t look out of place in the south of Spain (not to mention, if you live in Sydney, it’s a 2 hour flight rather than a 20 hour one).If this plonk pilgrimage has piqued your palette, you might be interested to know that Qantas, who invited DMARGE on this wine trail, yesterday released $99 one way flights (available only as part of a return trip booking, which brings the minimum price to $198) to Adelaide so that you can see South Australia too.This fare is available for passengers flying from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Canberra.It’s a timely offer, with South Australia celebrating 2021 as the Year of South Australian Wine – an initiative that will showcase the quality and variety of winery experiences and events on offer across the state’s 18 wine regions.“As a bonus,” Qantas announced, “Qantas Wine will also give customers a taste of the State’s wine regions with a curated selection of South Australian wines on sale exclusively to its members.”SATC chief executive Rodney Harrex said it was an exciting time for Australians to visit Adelaide and explore the State’s wineries, wildlife and natural wonder, and highlighted the importance of supporting the domestic tourism industry in 2021.“With South Australia in such a great position when it comes to managing the impacts of Covid-19, it makes it an ideal time to travel and enjoy the wide variety of experiences on offer,” said Mr Harrex.“Wine tourism is a crucial segment of South Australia’s visitor economy, and welcoming interstate travellers to South Australia in support of our wine and tourism industry is a must. With such an array of experiences in Adelaide and regional South Australia, we really have something for everyone and there is no better time to explore our great state.”Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully said The Flying Roo was committed to helping boost tourism in South Australia and making it easier for Australians to explore their own backyard.“We’re thrilled to encourage more Australians to visit South Australia and explore its fantastic food and wine scene. We’ve recently introduced even more flexibility on new bookings, so our customers can plan their next trip to Adelaide with confidence,” said Ms Tully.We’ll drink to that.The sale will run for one week until 11.59pm (AEDT) 18 March 2021 unless sold out prior. To book, and for full terms and conditions, visit qantas.com/sasale. For further information about the 2021 Year of South Australian Wine, visit southaustralia.com.

Read Next

• I Tried Bali’s Instagram Famous Floating Breakfast & It Was A Total Disaster
• Qantas Launches Most Mysterious Flight Route Yet

The post Australian Wine Snob Learns Important Lesson After Committing 'Ultimate Barossa Valley Sin' appeared first on DMARGE Australia.