From a company-wide initiative to show out in the 2024 Boston Heart Walk®, to donating to the organization’s Life Is Why™ Campaign, Reebok is committed to saving lives in support of the American Heart Association®. Q: Hey Scott, thanks for chatting with us today. Before we dive in, could you tell us a little about yourself and your role at Reebok? A: I’m the General Manager of Reebok USA, which means I oversee the brand and commercial elements of the business here in the States. But I’ve worked at Reebok for 27 years now, and have focused on product management, including running, training and classic shoes as well as on apparel. I’m an avid sports fan—both watching and playing—and still make sure to walk 6-8 miles daily, play soccer weekly and bike periodically to stay fit. I also enjoy reading—especially on the beach during vacation!   Q: In your words, what does the American Heart Association do? And what's the Heart Walk? A: The American Heart Association brings focus and support to one of the primary medical challenges impacting our nation, heart and brain health. Their fundraising and awareness impacts communities with added funding for research, as well as awareness and education initiatives. The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s largest community-facing initiative that raises critical funds to advance lifesaving research. Through fundraising and community education, the Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training, increase bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research and ultimately, save lives. Q: How did you (and Reebok) get involved with the American Heart Association? A: Roughly eighteen months ago, Reebok was looking for a compelling brand to support and to help encourage more people to get walking, so we approached the organization to work together. At Reebok, we champion movement for all, and the American Heart Association was the perfect organization to help us reach more people with a message of encouragement to get moving and walking on a path to a healthier lifestyle. We also know that giving our employees a purpose is important. Our relationship with the American Heart Association provides both our employee and customer base a way to show that they are making a difference. But on the personal side, I already had an affinity for the American Heart Association. Like so many of us, my primary risk factor for developing heart health issues is hereditary. When I was young, my uncle passed away while doing a stress test. And then in the 1980s, my father also had a heart attack that he was thankfully able to recover from with bypass surgery. He continues to live a relatively healthy life and is a current pickleballer at 79 years of age.  More recently, I had my own experience just a couple of years ago where I had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery. Today, I have a great prognosis and no limitations, primarily due to the awareness and availability of the best healthcare in the world that we have here in Boston—and due to efforts of organizations like the American Heart Association. Q: Can you speak more about Reebok’s involvement in the 2024 Boston Heart Walk? What’s the walk plan? A: To demonstrate full company support of the American Heart Association, Reebok is participating in the 2024 Boston Heart Walk as a company team. Our goal is to have 100 walkers and raise a minimum of $50,000—but we’re aspiring to raise $100,000. The engagement level has been strong across so many within the organization and is a big part of how I view success. So far, we have 129 walkers and have raised $53,613.00. I’m personally committing to raising $10,000, so all in all, I’m confident we’ll achieve the fundraising goals too. The 2024 Boston Heart Walk takes place on Saturday, October 26, 2024 with both 1-mile and 3-mile routes. The event opens at 9 AM and the walk begins at 10:30 AM at Boston Common, 1 P Charles Street, Boston, MA 02116. You can register to walk at this signup page. Q: So then, how did you get involved as Chairman of this year’s Boston Heart Walk? A: When meeting with the American Heart Association to develop the relationship between them and Reebok, they asked for my leadership help support the walk and spread the word, and I said ‘certainly.’ When I was formally nominated for the chairman role, I accepted without hesitation.This was an opportunity for me to participate in a significant way with something that is meaningful, and I have found the experience really rewarding and insightful. It has allowed me to think beyond my ‘day to day’ and more about my ability to impact larger community at a deeper level. It also helps to foster connections with other business leaders with similar challenges, as well as value. I’m also incredibly grateful to several people here at Reebok that have taken this initiative to heart as well.   Q: Can you describe the importance of walk events and how they contribute to the American Heart Association's overall mission? A: Walks raise the level of awareness and bring the larger community together, which speaks to the importance and engagement that’s needed to continue to make progress. It also makes these challenges seem shared vs isolated for those impacted which can be helpful many living with, at risk of or fighting heart health issues. It’s a way to rally around and fundraise for a widespread cause that many may care about but may not necessarily know how to get involved with.   Q: How else is Reebok supporting the American Heart Association this year? A: For every pair of Walking Shoes sold from October 8, 2024 to December 31, 2026 on reebok.com and in Reebok retail stores, Reebok will donate $1.00 of the purchase price to the American Heart Association’s Life Is Why™ Campaign, with a minimum donation commitment of $425,000 and a maximum amount of $700,000. Our goal is for consumers to know they’re supporting a good cause with their purchase. This initiative supports the Association’s life-saving mission while encouraging more people to live healthier, longer lives by staying active. Also, earlier in May, Reebok HQ hosted an executive leadership breakfast with about 50 executives from various local companies. The goal of the breakfast is for the American Heart Association to showcase the work they have done in the Boston community, hear from survivors and inspire the executives to make a difference in the lives of those around them by ultimately joining the American Heart Associate with a sponsorship, engaging their employees with the Heart Walk Campaign or participating in some other way. I even got to speak about my experience with heart issues and my passion for the cause.   Q: To sum it up, what makes you excited about working with the American Heart Association?   A: I’m excited about supporting a cause that has a personal connection to me, while at the same time reflecting our brand value of promoting movement. I’ve gained so much more awareness on health and wellness too—the work the American Heart Association does impacts so many because heart health impacts so many. The progress that’s been made in made in treatment and care over a couple of generations is truly remarkable thanks to this organization. And, the opportunity to do this with family, friends and colleagues makes it all the more rewarding. Through Reebok’s commitment to this relationship, our company will be able to give our customers the opportunity to be a part of raising lifesaving funds for the American Heart Association, while also becoming educated on this critical mission.

Learn more about Reebok’s partner, Puerto Rican rapper and music superstar Anuel AA. Reebok sat down with him to chat about his design inspiration, sense of style, fans, upcoming tour and more. This is your first apparel and footwear signature collection drop with Reebok - What are some of the reasons that made you want to be part of the Reebok family?  I wanted to be a part of a brand that cared about culture. Reebok has been a part of trend setting history like for example working with AI in a time when he was bringing the streets and culture to the mainstream. The brand developed something special that transcended sport and became a lifestyle. You’re known for your strong style. What are some of your go-to style rules and tips?  My vision is not just to wear something, it is to style it and make it your own. Doesn’t matter what it is, if it’s rocking my chains and stuff or wearing my sunglasses, it is about staying true to myself and expressing who I am with no limitations or by thinking about what other people might say, be Real Hasta La Muerte. What is the inspiration behind this new signature collection? What product details are you most excited about in the product designs?  I’m very excited for this collection. What inspired me was that I wanted it to be more than a product, I wanted it to be my story, mix classic elements and mix them with vibrant colors that reflect a positive outlook on life and style. We came up with something truly meaningful, something about my life that I think my fans will really connect with. What are some of your favorite Reebok products?  I love the classics - Classic Leather Shoes and Vector Tracksuits. You have such a strong fan following. What message do you have for your fans?  I wouldn't be here without each and every one of them. That energy, that loyalty, that's what keeps me pushing, keeps me making music for them. From the streets of Carolina to selling out arenas, this is all because of you. Thank you! You have an upcoming Tour in 2024, what are you most excited about for your Tour?  The most exciting thing for me is connecting with my fans, feeling that crowd erupt when we step on stage and share the experience together. There's nothing like it. We are going to turn up every single night, make it a party and make it a celebration we won't forget. Any advice to share with aspiring artists?  To all the aspiring artists out there, you feel that fire within you? Hold on to that. This industry ain't easy, there will be doubters, there will be setbacks, look at me. But if you believe in yourself and your music, keep grindin', keep hustlin'. Refine your craft, learn the game, but most importantly, stay true to yourself. That's what makes your voice unique, that's what will connect with the people. Let your passion guide you, and remember, nunca dejes morir el sueño y se “Real hasta la Muerte.”

CrossFit founder Greg Glassman has long declared CrossFit as a workout regimen that prepares individuals for “the unknown and unknowable.” Perhaps that’s why many of the  CrossFit Games  events are not revealed until athletes actually arrive at the competition venue. In other professional sports, athletes walk into a stadium with a clear idea of what their work day will look like (and at least the structure is the same day after day). But for Games athletes, everything from the number of events to the equipment that will be used can be up in the air until even just a few minutes before “3, 2, 1, Go!” While competitors rely on the hours of sweat they’ve put in at the gym to get them through whatever physical feats are presented, there’s one factor that always leaves me questioning: How do these athletes know what to eat when they don’t know what tests of fitness will emerge? I mean, personally speaking, my meal of choice wouldn’t be the same before a 10k run and a heavy barbell circuit. But according to the reigning second Fittest Man on Earth  Brent Fikowski  , if you fuel your body intelligently year-round, by the time you reach the Games, choosing pre-competition meals is actually quite simple, even if the workouts haven’t been disclosed. “I think it’s about discovering the foods that both fuel you and sit well with your stomach,” says Fikowski. “Sure, there may be a particular food I’d prefer to eat if I know I’m going for a long run on a given day, but the nature of CrossFit is that the tests vary. It’s about finding meals that can withstand that variety.” In a quest to find out exactly what these uber-fit individuals eat for uber-fuel, we asked six veteran Games competitors, Fikowski included, to reveal their competition day breakfasts. Let’s just say, eggs and oats are on the menu! BRENT FIKOWSKI 3 eggs Seasonal vegetables, fried over coconut oil 2 ½ cups of oats with strawberries, blueberries, cinnamon and plain yogurt over them Glass of water TIA-CLAIR TOOMEY 2 pieces of sourdough toast with butter 3 scrambled eggs 50g of fresh salmon Green smoothie that contains coconut water, carrots, spinach, kale, blueberries and cucumber Cappuccino RICH FRONING 2 eggs Piece of toast with peanut butter Cup of oatmeal Glass of milk Glass of water CAMILLE LEBLANC-BAZINET 8oz of low-fat Greek yogurt 1 cup of raspberries ½ cup of blueberries 2 spoons of almond butter Handful of spinach and fresh vegetables Bowl of oatmeal Glass of water SCOTT PANCHIK 4 organic Eggs 1 cup of gluten-free oatmeal Smoothie that contains blueberries, kale,dried figs, hemp seeds and acai powder Glass of water ANNIE THORISDOTTIR 45g oatmeal with 10 chopped salted almonds and 30g of raisins over it 3 fried eggs, fried in coconut oil 200ml whole milk Glass of sparkling water with a spoon of super greens powder