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Sareta Gladson was ready to compete in her first official United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association fight the national championships in March 2020. She had mastered novice skills and had never missed a practice, but the organization had no one in her weight class to compete against her.

Before the fight, Gladson, the most recent president of Syracuse University Boxing Club, received an email from SU Recreational Services which said that she and the rest of SUs boxing club would be unable to attend the USIBA national championships due to COVID-19 concerns. But after Gladson informed USIBA that their SU team would not be able to fight in the championships, she got a reply letting her know that they had finally found someone in her weight class.

They basically said, Oh wow. Thats such a shame, we finally had someone for you to fight, Gladson recalled. That was just so devastating because I finally had my shot to prove myself, that all of my training was going to be for something.

Eventually the entire tournament was canceled, but despite this, Gladson was able to find a new responsibility going into the 2020-21 academic year.

After COVID-19 hit, a lot of my mentality was focused on keeping the club alive, Gladson said. Itd be really easy for the club to just die if no one pushed for it.

Gladson kept the club active even though training sessions were extremely limited. During fall 2020, the club was only allowed to train outdoors, so Gladson made it a point to reserve the basketball courts outside of the Womens Building.

During fall 2020, the club was only allowed to train outdoors. Now, theyre back in the Barnes Center. Courtesy of Ellie Huth

Her determination to keep the club active and compete was not just shared by her and her teammates, but also through those who came before her.

In 2011, newly enrolled Syracuse student Joseph Stray wanted to continue to pursue boxing his favorite sport and one of his passions. As a child, Stray was always around boxing, and he became dedicated to the sport as a teenager.

Stray found a boxing club listed on SUs recreational website, but the club had been inactive since the 1950s. He contacted Angie Petrie, the assistant director of sports programs, and inquired about the club.

While several students had had an interest in restarting the boxing club, many had no prior experience with boxing. Stray was different. With plenty of experience under his belt, his proposal was approved, and in 2012, SU Boxing Club was back.

Initially there were around 25 members, but over Strays time as a SU student, he said membership grew to nearly 80. The club attracted undergraduate students (most notably future NFL safety Shamarko Thomas), faculty, staff and even DPS officers. People joined SU Boxing Club for various reasons, but their motivation usually centered around learning and self-improvement, Stray said.

I dug deeper into understanding why people joined, Stray said. Some people joined to learn about American culture. Some people were going to work to increase their self-esteem and feel good about themselves.

Stray graduated from SU in 2014 and began teaching boxing in the local Syracuse area, and by that time, he had laid the foundation for SU Boxing Club.

After Stray graduated, Philip Benedict took over as coach, and he has occupied that position ever since. Benedict currently works for SU military services and is an adjunct instructor in the exercise program.

Benedict, who also leads a self-defense workshop in Syracuse, learned self-defense sports at 12 years old to defend himself against bullies, he said. As he matured as a fighter, he didnt want to be a feared fighter but a teacher, a mentor and a respected fighter.

Gladson, who assists Benedict when he leads self-defense workshops, found the coach to be an incredible influence in her life.

He wants people to know how to defend themselves, Gladson said. He wants them to know how to assert themselves in situations in the world.

Ivan Palacio, a junior and the most recent vice president of the club, says Benedict preaches the importance of having respect while in the ring.

Theres a lot of respect because at the end of the day, you are going to risk your health and youre also going to try to harm the other person, Palacio said.

Benedict stresses that club members should be respectful not just in the ring, but in the classroom and the community. Although he appreciates the dedication of his boxers, he reminds them every practice to remember they are at SU to learn and attend school.

During workshops, the boxers first warm up with some basic drills. Then, the club moves into shadowboxing where fighters shadow box for 3-4 rounds before ending the training session with high-intensity drills. Despite rigorous training sessions, Benedict always found the practices to empower the boxers to challenge themselves and improve.

When the pandemic forced the club outside and prevented them from sparring, all of the members still showed up to training, committed to the ideas of respect, improvement and empowerment. The members determination kept the club alive during a period where they trained for a contact sport without actually making any contact. And despite not competing at USIBA in 2020, the club remains active and continues to train.

Palacio, who, like Gladson, was preparing to fight at the national championships, is eager not only to train like he did in the pre-pandemic days, but also to prepare for fights.

I look forward to it because (fighting) was a big thing that (may have) discouraged people to not come anymore, Palacio said. I also look forward and feel confident to win my first competition.

Published on August 22, 2021 at 10:31 pm

Contact Henry: [emailprotected]

Read more from the original source:
SU Boxing Club members return to ring with more determination since pre-pandemic - The Daily Orange

Every 30 days or so, the Sun visits a new zodiac sign. During this "season," everyone feels the energy of this prevailing astrological sign, no matter what your Sun sign horoscope may be. The Sun moves through orderly Virgo, from August 22 to September 22, helping us streamline and systematize the chaotic areas of our lives.

Virgo is the second of the zodiac's threeearth signsand one of threemutable signs, meaning it's adaptable and always up for a little self-improvement. Virgo is the zodiac's editor, with keen eyes that can spot what needs to be fixed or improved. Maybe it's time to address some health and wellness issues or to clear out the clutter and organize your workspace.

While there couldn't be a better time for practical changes that will bring efficiency, try not to take on Virgo's nitpicky tendencies in the process. Sometimes "done" is better than "perfect."

As the sign of selfless service, Virgo loves to lend an assist. This has its pros and cons. Where's the line between "being supportive" and meddling with unsolicited feedback? Be mindful of your intentionsand other people's boundariesduring Virgo season 2021.

As we say goodbye to bombastic Leo season, here are seven ways to capitalize on the efficient, analytical Virgo season 2021 vibes:

See the original post:
How To Embrace The "Back-To-School" Energy Of Virgo Season And Have Fun Doing It - mindbodygreen.com

If not yet Crazy 9 perfect strangersLet me provide you with the only plot points you need to know: Manny Jacinto. NS Handsome Filipino-Canadian Actor Playing the role of Yao, a wellness consultant at Trunki Lamb House Retreat, its very hard to ignore how wonderful his personality is.Jacinto replaces the nicely shaved chin and nicely organized hair he had Good placeBeloved Jason Mendoza, which may be suspicious to others, is a completely unfriendly mans bread and goat combo that absolutely works on him.

of Hulu series, Yao works under the guidance of hypnosis Nicole KidmanMasha supports the self-improvement journey of nine retreat participants. He is calm, level-headed and offers a calm presence to calm the brewing turmoil. Sure, hes wrapped up behind the scenes with the weird things Masha is cooking (no spoilers here, dont worry), but its what he sees on the screen in different shades. Of gray clothes that dont prevent you from wanting to endanger it every time.For both those who are not familiar with 9 perfect strangers And those who invested hard in the show gathered all of Yaos handsome photos in one place for repeat viewing.Check all the previous snaps and catch up All of 9 perfect strangers Book spoilers If so, please.

Source link View photos of Manny Jacinto as the Yao of the Nine Perfect Strangers

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View photos of Manny Jacinto as the Yao of the Nine Perfect Strangers - Floridanewstimes.com

Anyone who's been to a U.S. national team game before has probably seen it: The team has dispersed and the field is empty, except for one player. Carli Lloyd, by her lonesome, is still out there, doing push-ups or running sprints. But pretty soon, that ritual will be gone and the field will stay empty. Carli Lloyd, at age 39, is retiring and will appear in her final U.S. national team matches this fall.

- USWNT legend Lloyd announces retirement

Lloyd walks away as undoubtedly one of the most important players in the history of American soccer. With 312 appearances -- second only to Kristine Lilly -- and 128 goals, the fourth-most in U.S. national team history, chances are that if the U.S played a game in the last decade-and-a-half, Lloyd was a key part of it, leaving behind a legacy that is more complex than it seems at first glance.

It's almost surprising to see Lloyd call it quits -- it's not something she's ever done, so much so that such tenacity has become her personal brand. She loves sharing inspirational quotes about hard work on her social media accounts, and she has seemed to relish in defying people's expectations just so she could say "I told you so." There is perhaps no better example of it than the 2015 World Cup, the tournament that made her a household name and earned her the title as FIFA's Player of the Year.

The U.S. started the tournament poorly, and Lloyd especially struggled with the two-way midfield role she had been given. She openly lamented feeling restricted by the tactics of coach Jill Ellis and being unable to, as she put it, express herself.

2 Related

After Ellis gave in and handed Lloyd the keys to the attack, Lloyd scored the goal against Japan that has become the piece de resistance of her career: a shot from half-field to seal a hat-trick (scored in the opening 16 minutes) in a World Cup final. In the post-game press conference of the U.S. team's 5-2 win, she told reporters she expected it. During a "burning" training session, she said, she envisioned scoring four goals in a World Cup final, one greater than her real-life tally.

Lloyd will be remembered as a winner, pure and simple. As record books become the primary point of reference, all that will be left is her sensational career, which saw her win two World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals. Look a bit closer, though, and Lloyd's legacy is that of a complicated and sometimes contradictory hero. A 2011 headline from her hometown newspaper -- "Lloyd an exciting, if inconsistent, U.S. star" -- could have been written at almost any point in her career.

For all her magic in major tournaments, pundits often derided her non-peak performances, where she was labeled "a turnover machine" and "below average." Fans wondered, based on her non-tournament appearances, why she was even in the U.S. team at all. She didn't look like the same player in friendlies, and she never led any of her club teams to tangible success -- her 2013 season with the Western New York Flash the lone exception.

Coach Pia Sundhage famously benched Lloyd because of her propensity to lose possession, telling reporters before the 2012 Olympics: "It's too big of a difference between when she's really good and when she's bad." When starting midfielder Shannon Boxx was injured in the opening game of the 2012 Olympics, Sundhage's only choice was to put Lloyd in. Suddenly, after being told she wasn't good enough, Lloyd had a chance to defy expectations on the biggest stage and she did that, scoring in that first game against France and again to win the gold medal over Japan.

At the time, Lloyd was as defiant as always, telling reporters of Sundhage's lack of faith: "When someone tells me I can't do something, I'm going to always prove them wrong. That's what champions do."

Lloyd has earned a reputation as a big-game player, someone who will win trophies for the U.S. on her own. She did it in 2008, when she scored the game-winner in the Olympic gold medal match against Brazil. She also did it in the gold medal match of the 2012 Olympics against Japan, darting in front of Abby Wambach's foot at one point to score, and then finding the game-winner with a rocket strike. But she also choked in the shootout of the 2011 World Cup final, skying her shot over the bar and allowing Japan to win; it's a moment often forgotten when discussing her clutch credentials.

Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to bring you the latest highlights and debate the biggest storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only).

She has claimed the critics fuel her, but the criticism clearly never sat well with her, prompting her to see criticism where there was none. In a press conference earlier this year, she called out the journalist from her local newspaper who has covered her longest, labeling him "the hometown dude that can never support me" because he dared to see it as an open question as to whether Vlatko Andonovski would bring Lloyd to the Tokyo Olympics. When other journalists wrote something she didn't like, they found themselves blocked by her on Twitter even if they'd never tagged her.

She named her memoir "When Nobody Was Watching," yet she has always made sure everyone was watching, sharing curated clips of her workouts on social media. After the U.S. lost to Canada in the Olympic semifinal earlier this month, she ran sprints after the game to make sure she was conditioned for the bronze medal game. But just in case anyone missed it, she took a photo from a journalist in Japan and shared it on her own Twitter account.

Such contradictions and inconsistencies in how Lloyd wants to be remembered vs. who Lloyd was as a player may have been necessary for her to reach the heights of her greatness, though.

Soccer has been a relentless act of self-improvement for Lloyd, a pursuit that requires constant effort and evolution. If success always came easy to Lloyd, how would she ever find that next level? It's the failures and setbacks that have made Lloyd better the next time around. Sometimes, she seemingly needed to remind herself of her own greatness, too, just so she knew it was ready to be deployed. Indeed, Lloyd has not been the same player over the course of her career, and not just because of the ups and downs of her performances. She has had to adapt and find new ways to elevate her game -- an approach that is responsible for Lloyd's rare and remarkable longevity.

In her late 30s, Lloyd transformed into a striker, which she said forced her to improve her off-the-ball movement and finishing. Earlier in her career, she played pretty much every role in the central midfield, where she was tasked with different duties from defending and controlling possession to playmaking. It wasn't always a perfect match, but she almost always found a way to make it work.

Lloyd's ability to redefine herself as a player is undeniable, which may be why some fans have been left wanting more from her off the field. As other U.S. national team players have grown into their own voices, Lloyd has refused to engage in any of the causes some of her teammates have taken up. During the Olympics when most teams (not just the U.S.) took a knee before games (not during the national anthems) in an anti-racism gesture, Lloyd stood. It seemed that Lloyd felt anything not related to winning was merely a distraction, but some fans have labeled her selfish or an unfeeling robot.

Such stubbornness is all part of the Carli Lloyd mystique, though. While she may chalk up her success to hard work and determination, her most powerful tools have always been a large chip on her shoulder and a single-minded defiance. Her drive to win was so strong that ultimately she broke ties with her immediate family over it, not patching that rift until before the Tokyo Olympics.

Back in 2013, Lloyd told me she wanted to be named FIFA's Player of the Year -- at the time, a seemingly ludicrous notion that she knew would earn her ridicule. "The end goal is I want to become FIFA Women's Player of the Year," she said back in April 2013. "Some may laugh and think, 'Wow, she's crazy,' but there's no sense in dreaming to get to the top if you don't think you can get there. There's no point in putting a limit on yourself."

Indeed, Lloyd has believed she could achieve the impossible, and she has. At 39 years old, she became the oldest goalscorer in Olympic history and netted the game-winner in the bronze medal match against Australia, sealing a remarkable career since 2005 in which, as long as a trophy was on the line, she was never merely a participant for the U.S. national team, but a key figure.

Before that bronze medal match, Lloyd admitted the bus ride to the stadium felt different. Knowing it was the last game of the last major tournament of her career, she reflected on everything she had done to reach that moment. She was proud, she said, of the player she became.

"Never wavering, just being me," she said. "Unapologetically me. It's been hard at times, but I've trusted the process."

Read this article:
USWNT star Carli Lloyd did it her own way, retiring with complicated and dominant legacy - ESPN

During his time on the NBA hardwood, Kobe Bryant established a reputation as a fierce competitor who was more than capable of taking over a game singlehandedly. While that bred a combination of fear and respect, Gilbert Arenas was always one to play by his own rules. On one occasion, that manifested in an unthinkable move: Agent Zero trash-talked Kobe.

Bryant, as you might expect, couldnt overlook those remarks. Although he needed to wait two months, the Black Mamba eventually managed to exact some painful revenge on Arenas.

During the 2000s, Bryant and Arenas were two guards who were capable of stuffing the stat sheet on any given night. Their reputations, however, couldnt be more different.

Kobe arrived in Hollywood with the intention of following in Michael Jordans footsteps and, on the whole, did a pretty good job of accomplishing that seemingly impossible task. He found plenty of on-court success the guard averaged 25.0 points per game for his career and claimed five championships and, like his role model, honed a relentless work ethic. Bryant became famous for his Mamba Mentality, which manifested itself in intense workouts, an obsessive focus on self-improvement, and an overall desire to be the best.

As for Arenas, the guard possessed an incredible knack for lighting up the scoreboard. During his prime, Agent Zero was one of the purest scorers around; he averaged 29.3 points per game during the 2005-06 regular season and upped his game during the playoffs, averaging 34.0 points per contest. With all of that being said, though, the Arizona product also developed a less-than-ideal reputation. He was known to be a bit of a practical joker and infamously brought guns into the Washington Wizards locker room.

In a way, that gun incident and the subsequent suspension are representative of Arenas career. For all of his on-court ability, most fans will remember the guard for his poor choice over anything else he accomplished.

In December 2006, Arenas stepped up and dropped 60 points in a win over the LA Lakers. After that game, Agent Zero was understandably feeling pretty good about himself.

Once [Arenas] scored 60, Gil got a little mouthy, Brendan Haywood saidon an episode of Wizards Postgame Live (H/T NBC Sports). Were on the team plane, and Caron Butler was talking to Kobe, and Gil starts talking trash to Kobe. He tells Kobe, If you the Black Mamba, then my new nickname is the Black Mongoose.'

Mongooses, of course, are renowned for their ability to fight poisonous snakes. Kobe, however, wasnt going to allow himself to be bested in metaphorical combat, even if he had to wait to exact his revenge.

Kobe said, Keep that same energy when [I] come to D.C.,' Haywood recalled. I thought Kobe forgot. Two months later, Im not eventhinking about it, I put my hand out, [Kobe] walked right past me. He did not shake anybodys hand, he walked up to Gil, slapped him on his butt, and said, Remember you asked for this, and make sure you guard me the way Im gonna guard you. He gave us 45, the meanest points Ive ever seen. He pulled the 360 dunk with the airplane, he did everything.

While Haywood might have slightly exaggerated Bryants performance, the Lakers guard did come to play on that fateful night in February. He scored 39 points, helping Los Angeles claim a 118-102 victory.

In isolation, it would be reasonable to think that Arenas could have held onto somewhat of a grudge against Kobe. No one, especially a professional athlete, wants to be shown up. Agent Zero, however, didnt seem to be too bothered by Bryants actions.

Shortly after the Lakers legends untimely death, Arenas took to Instagram to share a memory of Bryant. Instead of flashing back to their playing careers, though, he posted a picture with Kobe in the bowels of the Staples Center and added a rather personal caption.

I will fulfill the task u requested from me in this picture, the former Wizard wrote. You told me to use my bright basketball mind on some form of coaching on an nba/college bench or coaching kids stop wasting it being an idiot on social media Today Im starting my coaching career with@socalcavs14u the legacy of an assassins mind will live on#mambamentality. He also added the logistical details for those wishing to join the team.

For basketball fans, Kobe Bryant was an unforgettable figure who towered over the sport. Gilbert Arenas experienced that reality firsthand, both on and off the court.

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.

RELATED: Kobe Bryant Once Dubbed Himself the Caramel Cat to Top Michael Jordan

Read the original:
Kobe Bryant Once Waited 2 Months to Exact His Revenge on Gilbert Arenas After Some Ill-Fated Trash Talk: Remember, You Asked for This - Sportscasting

These are uncertain times, but if you want to find out what your future has in store keep up to date with our daily horoscope forecasts and astrology readings.

TODAYS MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:

Talk doesnt cook rice. Chinese Proverb

TODAYS WISDOM FROM AROUND THE WORLD:

If you let everyone walk over you, you become a carpet. Bulgarian Proverb

TODAYS CHINESE PROVERB:

There is no one to sweep a common hall.

FOR THOSE OF US BORN ON THIS DAY:

Happy Birthday! The months ahead are likely to start on a great note, as romance starts to smolder. Singles are likely to find themselves the center of attention, while attached people will spend some quality time with their partners! October is the month for promotions, rewards, and new career directions, while November introduces a potential friend! Beware of making an unwise decision regarding cash matters in December, or youll spend much of January trying to do an about face! February is a great month, with travel well aspected, but you might need to tighten your belt beforehand if you are to fund these travels! March should bring a fabulous opportunity to make some definite changes to your life! August might slow down in terms of love, but September will pick up again!

Its a day to take care with how you respond, particularly with new suggestions and/or proposals. It certainly wont help your reputation if you ditch any previously agreed commitments and ongoing deadlines for something on the near horizon. All that said; it may be possible to have the best of both worlds!

Todays Numbers: 2, 11, 15, 21, 33, 46

An easier vibe is likely to contain a half-liberating, half- unreliable quality. It may well feel as though its a good choice to step beyond your comfort-zone for the best results, especially when it comes to ongoing agreements and arrangements, but it may be wise to have a safety net too!

Todays Numbers: 7, 16, 24, 31, 37, 42

Its quite possibly a day to be more receptive to verbal, informal advice, guidance and direction. Something might seem like a good idea right now, but others may well express doubt. If so, listen. In addition; an ongoing development could contain a hidden advantage for romantic matters!

Todays Numbers: 5, 14, 22, 25, 40, 47

Theres a dominant theme of getting ahead and achievement. Everyday and routine matters will be well-aspected, and although you could feel as though youre not really making much progress, its possible that a current obstacle will begin to shift. Just give this a little more time!

Todays Numbers: 8, 13, 24, 26, 33, 44

In the light of fresh and liberating planetary accents you may be tempted to rush certain matters. You may even feel as though you need to take full control, particularly when it comes to a personal matter. However, if offered the choice between perfect but slow or speedy but adequate, try opting for the middle of the road!

Todays Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 31, 36, 42

Fresh planetary accents are likely to point to remedies, solutions and good strategies when it comes to a personal matter. Youre also likely to get that little bit more determined and ambitious when it comes to one specific, possibly ongoing goal. Just be careful that you dont take on too much just to prove a point!

Todays Numbers: 3, 7, 12, 24, 36, 45

Breezy planetary accents have the capacity to revitalize your airy traits and possibly lift a weight from your shoulders. Communications are well-aspected, but you may feel reluctant to act on any incoming information. If you can shake off this reluctance, there may be something to be gained!

Todays Numbers: 5, 11, 22, 26, 32, 48

Fresh planetary shifts have the capacity to help you negotiate an obstacle or mental block, particularly when it comes to material matters. There could be some insightful exchanges. However; dont believe everything that you hear. Do hold off from committing to anything that cant be reversed!

Todays Numbers: 1, 5, 16, 27, 34, 43

Small but significant changes to your lifestyle, your image or your career aims could begin to filter through from today. Theres a distinct emphasis on self-improvement, but you may have to deal with something that right now youd rather shelve. A postponement may be a short-term answer!

Todays Numbers: 2, 18, 23, 34, 37, 49

Something that seems to have been going wrong could finally be corrected, thanks to fresh planetary accents. Theres the potential for catching up or making up for lost time, and although this may involve taking a few steps back, it may well benefit you in the longer term!

Todays Numbers: 7, 13, 19, 26, 31, 45

Communications are strongly aspected, with a definite angle on your friendships in general. That said; it is possible that youll have mixed feelings about one particular development and lingering doubts could play a part. It might be a sensible strategy to avoid looking for hidden meanings!

Todays Numbers: 2, 16, 23, 34, 37, 43

Fresh planetary shifts will usher in a more cooperative vibe. There is also the potential to boost your reputation on the work- front. A single opportunity could develop, but you may need to postpone something else in order to take advantage of it. This could develop into an either/or choice!

Todays Numbers: 5, 14, 21, 26, 31, 48

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY:

Famous people born on your birthday include:Kel Mitchell, Gene Simmons, Regis Philbin, Tim Burton, Elvis Costello, Sean Connery, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom Skerritt, Claudia Schiffer

CELEBRITY GOSSIP:

It may be a surprise to many, but the movement of the planets indicates that Courteney Cox is about to pushed back into the public eye. It isnt clear why, but the planets are definite that a celebrity boost is about to happen for Courteney!

Horoscope content supplied under license. The feature and content may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise.

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Lucky Numbers and Horoscopes for today, 25 August 2021 - The London Economic

In the wake of a mass shooting in Plymouth, England, fresh questions are being asked about incel culture and whether crimes committed by its adherents should be considered terrorism.

Jake Davison went on a shooting spree in his hometown, killing five people, including his mother, before taking his own life.

As part of our ongoing research into online radicalism, our team at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation archived Davisons social media profiles before they were shut down in order to investigate the extent to which he was engaged with incel subculture.

In the three months prior to the attack, he was active on multiple Reddit subforums (known as subreddits). He also uploaded eight YouTube videos in the month leading up to the attack. Davison had an Instagram account where he mainly followed pages of young, female Instagram models and a Facebook account, where he was ostensibly less active.

The term incel, a portmanteau of involuntary celibate, is used as a self-description by some individuals who desire sex but find themselves unable to obtain it. While this condition is not necessarily confined to one gender, inceldom exists largely in misogynistic online forums frequented by men.

Within this ecosystem women are demonised as the architects of mens failure to have sex. Incels claim that women control the sexual marketplace, leaving them without chance of a romantic partner if they are not considered good looking. While not all incels support violence, the subculture has been connected to a string of attacks.

Davison appears to have had an ambivalent relationship with inceldom. He did not explicitly identify as an incel but did describe his mental state as being blackpilled a term some incels use to describe a fatalistic belief that they will remain virgins forever due to a predetermined genetic order that rules them out of the social order. According to blackpill incels, no amount of self-improvement acts, often referred to as looksmaxxing can alter this.

In a Reddit post made three months prior to the attack, Davison admitted that reading about the blackpill was getting him down, describing it as toxic negative bullshit. However, in a YouTube video uploaded one month before the attack, he suggested that being blackpilled is increasingly common among men. He said that in modern society women no longer have need for average men as they are able to be more selective in choosing sexual partners, settling only for chad which is the term incels use for a stereotypical alpha male.

Davison also engaged in misogynistic tropes. In one YouTube video he described a lot of women as very simple minded and as being conditioned by social media to want to be treated like princesses by rich, good-looking men. This dehumanising language is typical of men embedded in the online communities of the manosphere, including inceldom.

Davison stressed that since being exposed to the blackpill he had become increasingly self-conscious about his looks. In multiple posts he expressed a desire to become leaner, posting three videos of his workout routine to YouTube, and shared multiple pictures of himself on various subreddits, asking users to rate his physical appearance. This indicates that he may have been interested in looksmaxxing.

In one of his final YouTube uploads, he lamented the fact that going to the gym for years had not changed his life outcomes. He also commented that 80 percent of men are plain looking and illicit no emotional response upon seeing them, indicating that he may have bought into the incel concept of hypergramy. This is the incel belief that only 20% of men are deemed attractive by 80% of women, known as the 80/20 rule.

While it is not yet known whether Davison spent time within more extreme incel communities, it is worth noting that the subreddits he posted in were neither extremist, nor places which necessarily indulged hateful aspects of incel subculture. The subreddits he frequented were dedicated to mocking commentary of incels, or in theory helping others out of inceldom.

These pages explicitly rule against posts containing misogyny or calls for violence. So although he went on to commit the gravest form of violence, we cannot automatically assume that his violence stemmed from violent incel culture specifically.

Davison also framed his lack of sexual experience as one of many problems he was facing, indicating that he wasnt singularly consumed with the incel subcultures obsession with a lack of sex. He also appeared concerned with his mental and physical wellbeing, as demonstrated by various posts he made to the r/Depression subreddit.

He said he was feeling socially isolated and beaten down and defeated. Davison also frequently referenced domestic tensions with his mother, whom he described as vile, and felt played a role in his lack of romantic success with women. Therefore, Davisons grievances cannot solely be associated with a lack of sexual success.

Davisons online footprint reveals a complicated picture. We know he was familiar with incel tropes and expressed views which were steeped in misogyny, yet his social media also suggests he may have attempted to distance himself from the incel label. Davison also appeared to struggle both with his mental health and his relationship with his mother.

The explicit motivations which triggered the attack remain unclear but Davison clearly had diverse grievances. That indicates the need for a broader conversation about how involvement with misogyny online, including the incel subculture, may interact with a persons other personal problems. That will better help us understand how violent acts ultimately happen.

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Incel culture: what we've learned from investigating Plymouth attacker's digital footprint - The Conversation UK

I am Gucci Grandpa.

I am excited for an anxiety-free summer.

If all else fails, I can just marry a monarch.

Prior to this year, these statements may have come across as arbitrary proclamations, grand statements of manifestation that fall into the category of obvious denial or irony but since the advent of @afffirmations, it might just be the most 2021 thing ever.

If youve been on Instagram at all since January, you may have noticed people sharing these affirmations to their story. @afffirmations is easily recognisable through its cooked or fried aesthetic nothing to do with food, but everything to do with the incomprehensible level of overstimulation experienced when viewing. Its posts consist of heavily saturated, glowing stock images stretched to a square ratio, reminiscent of tacky 2000s real estate pamphlets, and accompanied by glowing sans serif font as the icing on the cake. Theres a glorious sense of ugliness, absurdity and viral subversiveness to the pieces.

Mats Nesterov Andersen is the genius (I would be careful using terminology as such, he warns) behind what he terms a Global Self Hypnosis. This is what I usually say that Im doing. Im doing self-hypnosis on stories and posts, he says.

Andersen joined me on an evening Zoom call (mid-morning for him in Norway) seated outdoors at a cafe wearing his signature sunglasses, rugged up in a tan Fred Perry track jacket zipped to the top. We chatted about the weather and our mutual newfound interest in being outside. The only pauses in our conversation were when he ordered a coffee, lit a cigarette and unzipped his jacket. It was almost surprising that he maintained the exact persona he exudes on the account, oozing an ironic level of seriousness and entertaining conviction that is perhaps only paralleled by Mr Worldwide himself.

Anyone who has watched the Instagram Reels of Andersen enthusiastically reading affirmations,each with a different backdrop,may wonder whether its all just a joke (the baguette he flourishes throughout this first video may have something to do with this feeling). But the authority and confidence in his voice, as well as his unrelenting 10-affirmations-a-day content schedule, may just command us into feeling genuinely affirmed. Perhaps this persistent output is just him putting into action one of the earliest affirmations on his page: I CAN BECOME AN INFLUENCER.

I dont know how people consume [@afffirmations]. Im not sure if many people think its satirical, which its not. Its not ironic. Im being serious when Im doing this, he says.

The practice of manifesting and using mantras has entered Westernised practices as a vehicle of actualising our goals and intentions through sheer will. The trend was further popularised through TikTok at a time when hitting goals became an unactionable impossibility. While Andersen is firmly part of the wellness phenomenon on social media, he distances @afffirmations from the aesthetic of simplicity and minimalism associated with more typical wellness accounts. I would say most of these wellness accounts are very bland aesthetically speaking and boring, he says.

Andersen says he created the account as a form of high conceptual art that involved months of research prior to launching at the beginning of January. Eight months on, @afffirmations is creeping towards the 700,000 follower mark a testament of popular success that Andersen expected considering how young people are experiencing an age of loneliness.

This didnt surprise me, I knew that this account would make a huge impact. The thing about doing it in 2021weve spent a lot of time alone [and] looking in the mirror. [@afffirmations is] sort of a reflection of how we are relating ourselves to the world right now. If not me, somebody else would have made this account, he says.

Indeed, it does feel like an inevitability. The account is inseparable from a New Age context centred around secular spirituality, where horoscopes, binaural beats and healing crystals are critical practices of self-care. Revitalising the popular quarantine practice of manifesting, with a post-ironic touch, makes @afffirmations particularly consumable for audiences particularly young people that now view goal-setting as a memory reminiscent of a distant reality. The mere thought of chasing self-improvement and creating memories in lockdown feels prescribed by hustle culture and online productivity gurus where memes, irony and post-irony are the only weapons worth wielding in the face of this hopelessly ridiculous expectation.

@afffirmations artstyle draws on inspiration from early web art, childrens cartoons and Y2K culture, which perhaps appeals to 20-somethings nostalgic for simpler times, and, whether intentionally or not, engages with post-capitalist imagery and consumer culture. @afffirmations has nothing to do with politics whatsoever, says Andersen. But I realised that where we are in the world right now, neoliberal tendencies dominate in our culture. The music scene revolves around materialism and wearing gold chains and using designer clothing. I realised that people are familiar with these things. What Im trying to do is commentate and capture it in some sort of way, Andersen says.

Perhaps then, @afffirmations is the best example of a newer and transcendent kind of art practice one that is able to distill abstract vibes and atmospheres into just a few words and images and genuinely resonate with thousands of people. When asked about how he, as a 20-year-old, was able to start @afffirmations and coin such ~relatable~ terms as CONTINENTAL VIBE, he points to his variety of life experiences.

I was a black metal musician. I wont talk too much about that. I dont do music anymore. And Ive actually written two books in our region. But I have no plans of releasing it. Its just something I did for recreational purposes, he says. In some ways, its hard not to see @afffirmations as a reactionary account,journaling the anxieties and emotions felt by young people from issues ranging from COVID, to student loans and climate change; the cryptic messaging only furthering its appeal. With terms like Epic Life and Coastal DJ having entered my everyday vernacular, I cant help but wonder whether the affirmations are working.

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I CAN BECOME AN INFLUENCER: Wellness and post-irony with @afffirmations - Honi Soit

Updated / Thursday, 19 Aug 2021 09:27

More from Maynooth University

Opinion: if the pursuit of happiness makes us feel better, how come we're wracked by depression, anxiety and other lifestyle diseases?

The self-improvement industry is growing rapidly year on year, and its best-selling topic is happiness. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin hit the bestseller lists within minutes of being published. Cheryl Strayed's book Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found On the Pacific Crest Trail turned into a box-office phenomenon with gross sales hitting almost 50 million and a trail of coaches, consultants and "gurus" following who have made their money advising others how to be happy.

But if the pursuit of happiness makes us feel better, how come our society is wracked by depression, anxiety and other lifestyle diseases? Is it possible that we got it all wrong? Positive psychology, the science of wellbeing, may have some answers to these questions.

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From RT Radio 1's Drivetime, Dr Paul D'Alton from UCD on why it is the pursuit of happiness that is making us miserable

Over the last two decades, researchers in positive psychology have endeavoured to unpack what it means to be well and happy and have also tried to identify the myths of happiness that stand in the way of people feeling better. Research with adults and adolescents suggests that valuing happiness and pursuing it excessively is linked to lower levels of wellbeing and even increased experiences of depression and bipolar. Here are three evidence-based reasons why the pursuit of happiness might not be helpful for us, and may even be harmful if taken too far.

The day we decide to pursue happiness is the day we realise we are unhappy and want to do something about it. If happiness were a measuring stick, we see it in our mind's eye and place ourselves somewhere along its length. This spectrum reminds us that others are happier than us. Worse yet, we are reminded that our future selves will be happier than we are today. This is how we become more deficit-focused, which makes us feel worse.

One of the hallmarks of happiness is an ability to see what we already have for which we are grateful, regardless of how small it is. What helps us do this is downward comparison, whereby we look at others who are worse-off than us and we feel blessed that our situation is not as bad, which as selfish as it sounds, makes us feel more grateful, thus happier.

From RT 2fm's Jennifer Zamparelli show, Prof Brendan Kelly on his new book The Science of Happiness

However, the opposite happens when we begin to pursue happiness and value it too much in our lives. Instead of practicing downward comparison, we practice upward comparison. We start thinking of what others have that we do not have, which results in us feeling more miserable. This is one of the reasons why the pursuit of happiness is often associated with decline in wellbeing and experiences of depression.

We tend to become self-centred when pursuing happiness. We are focused on ourselves and not others. We think about what we want to get from life, not what we can give. Yet, research indicates that others' focus has a more powerful effect on our happiness. When we help others, it means that we have something valuable to give them. This increases our self-esteem making us feel happier.

Being self-centred does not serve us well because an inward focus makes us less mindful of the outside world. Yet, it is the people around us that can help us become happier. We smile 30 times more when in a group than on our own. Supporting others and knowing that we can receive support when needed is more likely to enhance our happiness than aloneness. People matter but we may forget to reach out to others by focusing too much on self, which is why the pursuit of happiness can make us lonelier.

From TED, psychiatrist Robert Waldinger on lessons from the world's longest study on happiness

When we value happiness too much, it prevents us from maximising our positive experiences and enjoying our lives. When we try to figure out why we feel bad, it has the potential of enhancing our wellbeing. When we try to figure out and overthink happiness, it is associated with a decline in wellbeing.

We become so stressed about finding situations that boost our wellbeing that we don't fully engage with the opportunities at hand which make us happier. Furthermore, when we are happy, we start worrying about losing happiness, which ultimately reduces our wellbeing further. This is yet another reason why pursuing happiness may be detrimental to us.

Happiness is not something we can catch and keep. It is a journey, not a destination. Don't ask yourself 'am I happy?' 'Am I happier than last year?' 'How can I become happier?' Insteada, focus on living a good life. Introduce healthy behaviours such as eating well, moving and sleeping soundly. Engage your mind in positive practices, such as reflecting on what went well for you, savouring the good times, boosting your optimism and hopeful thinking. All these activities will impromptu result in enhanced happiness and help you go on a happiness ride filled with peaks and troughs. After all, this is what life is all about.

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RT

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3 reasons why the pursuit of happiness can make you miserable - RTE.ie

By FELICITY DARVILLE

A WOMAN of many talents, Bridgette Bell Bastian has found after decades of using those talents to help others, that all along, they existed for her to help herself most of all.

Its a beautiful thing to help others, and Bridgette gets immense satisfaction from that. But it wasnt until her husband, Vaklev and other loved ones encouraged her to value these talents more, that she began considering starting her own business. For many with a mindset like Bridgette had, they shouldnt be charging for these gifts. Deeply spiritual, Bridgette felt she was doing Gods work and found much satisfaction in making others happy. At some point, she had to realise the long hours and extreme effort she put into helping others would leave her drained and that she deserved compensation.

Today, Bridgette has successfully launched two businesses and there is a possibility even more will be born from this young woman. She is a gifted singer, artist, designer, photographer and so much more.

By profession she is a secretary of 28 years. By calling, she is a counsellor and mentor although she may have never called herself one her story made this evident.

Bridgette is enjoying how her life is unfolding. Because of this, she has chosen to share her story so that others who may be sitting on their talents, devaluing them, or not confident enough to make a business out of them, would be inspired to take a leap of faith and get even more out of life.

Maybe it was having to battle with cancer a few times in her life that made her value herself more and what she has to offer. Maybe its because she helps so many others with their cancer battle that she realised the significance of acting now. Whatever actually spurred her to make her own quantum leap, people have responded overwhelmingly and are supporting her in her business, showing her that it was a decision that was worth it.

Proverbs 18: 16 says a mans gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men... I have multiple talents and if I fail to use them, it would be displeasing to the Lord, she shared.

I loved art drawing and painting as a child. When my mother (Norma Bell) worked at various pre-schools then eventually had her own pre-school, she would give me the wonderful task of outfitting the walls with colourful ABCs. I would draw life-sized cartoon characters to go with them. I did that for years. As I got older, I began doing graphic art and photography.

She started using a programme called ProMaster back in 1993. She then learned Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign. She enjoys using Photoshop most because she has been able to edit her photos as well as create her many designs in the software. She began designing business cards, flyers, logos, stickers/labels, booklets, programmes, menus, brochures and signs.

Bridgette is a graduate of Bahamas Academy of Seventh-Day Adventists. After graduation, she studied Computer Information Systems at Success Training College. She gained additional professional certifications in Computer Information/ Business Administration from Sojourner Douglass College.

So, the talents were all given to me by my Heavenly Father, but none of them I went to school for, she said, explaining that she taught herself.

I started designing anything that people asked me to. I did it for years and years without charging. But everyone kept coming to me. It would take me hours and hours to get it done because I am a perfectionist.

Finally (through the advice of loved ones) I decided to charge for my services. Being one that fought with negativity, never feeling adequate or like I was worth much, I was reluctant to charge, but decided to give it a try. Someone came to me to create a programme for an event and I told them what it would cost. I was afraid but surprisingly, they said ok! I am happy I did because to date, photography and graphic design has become a source of extra income for me. I watched myself grow as I was challenged by some who asked me to create or design things for them and sometimes, I surprised myself! People began to put my work on Facebook, and others referred me by word of mouth. So without officially advertising, I got more customers and I would burn the midnight oil to fulfill the orders.

Bridgette named the business BNB Designs with the motto: If you can think or imagine it, I can create it! Her creative designs are even extending into interior home design something she may develop seriously in the future.

But Bridgette faced a series of health roadblocks that could have broken her, had it not been for her upbeat attitude and support of loved ones. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She first felt a lump in her breast in 2005. At that time, just in her early 30s, her doctors chose to watch the lump and for six months, and sent her home. When they finally sent her for testing, the lump was indeed malignant.

She had the first surgery to remove the tumor. After that, she took a natural, holistic approach and went to Uchee Pines Retreat, a Seventh-Day Adventist institution for natural treatment located in Alabama. She continued the healthy living regimen after the retreat.

In 2008, the cancer returned in the form of a painful, golf ball sized lump under her arm. This time, Dr Charles Diggis was her doctor, and she credits him for his exceptional care during a cancer journey that involved a total of ten surgeries to save her life, including the removal of 14 lymph nodes and a full hysterectomy, performed by Dr Charles Lorne. Dr Diggis performed all of her biopsies and some of her surgeries. For the series of chemotherapy treatments, she decided to seek care in the United States. She says Dr Krill and the staff at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami were wonderful throughout a difficult process, but one that she overcame.

The five months she spent in the US doing chemotherapy was, in itself, a journey: My big sister, Karen, left her home to spend five months with me in the US. The friends who had promised to take me in, changed their mind the week before my first treatment. A friend of Karens put us up for a week while we figured out what to do. Joseph Evans, Jr, was our first angel, then Carlisa Waters. They both opened their homes to me, never asking me for money towards rent or food. Karen and I had to catch the bus to my treatments in the beginning. She had to bathe me, feed me, dress me... she stuck with me every step of the way. I thank all of my siblings who stuck with me and stayed positive for me even when I was in pain and depressed at times. Biggest supporter, my ride or die husband, Vaklev Bastian, would call me and encourage me every day as he patiently waited for me to come home. My mom prayed and cried for me daily. A mothers prayer is very powerful and she kept me covered.

Twelve and a half years later, Bridgette has remained cancer-free. During her trials, she would often sing the song My Redeemer Lives by Nicole C Mullen. She sang that song with such belief and passion that today, she is still called on to sing that song at various church services and special events.

There were not all good days, but I was able to keep myself above water, Bridgette explained.

I would cry whenever I needed to, but I didnt stay there. I had to get up and be like, ok, its time to fight again; lets go, bring it on! I had to tell myself that this is not a death sentence. I had to say even if I have to die, I wouldnt go down just like that... I had to fight. When things happened to me, I used to say, Lord, why me? Now I say, Lord, why not me? You outfitted me to handle this because one day, I have to be an encouragement and a testimony to someone else... So why not me?

Since then, Bridgette has found herself encouraging many others who go through the cancer journey. People would come through and be so encouraged that they would tell others about how Bridgette helped them. In this way, new friends have unfolded in her life and she has found an even higher calling.

Even through her own trials, Bridgette had a burning desire to help her mother, who was getting up in age and all her children had left the nest. She faced medical issues and she also needed repairs to her home. Bridgette decided to sell nuts. She sourced what she felt would be the freshest nuts and found unique packaging for them. She combined her graphic design skills with her products and would personalise them for special occasions. Her friend and church member, Tamara Taylor encouraged her to take her nut business to a higher level, and even helped her to garner new sales. Today, Bella Bella Gone Nuts is a hit and her product line is growing.

As she continues on a quest for self improvement and spiritual advancement, Bridgette has learned that by believing in herself, anything is possible.

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FACE TO FACE: Seize the day and Bridgette's doing just that - Bahamas Tribune