Sjuelz

Not every great app costs hundreds of dollars a year in subscription fees. Whether you're looking to edit photos or work with PDFs, here are some of the best free Windows apps available.

Want to try yoga but not sure where to start? Try these moves to get your practice going.

With some products, like phones, you have a myriad of options to sort through. But if you want to buy one of Peloton's spin bikes, you only have two choices: the Bike or the Bike+ (pronounced “bike plus”). That little “+” costs an extra thousand dollars, so is it really worth it? Let’s dive in. 

Overview of the important features

I’ll go over the details below, but here’s the short answer: if you just want “a Peloton,” the regular Bike is the original. It’s the one most people have, it’s cheaper, and it does the job just fine. I have a regular Bike and I’ve never felt like I’m missing out. The regular price for a Bike is $1,445, but with a good sale you can find it closer to $1,000. If you're willing to look at used models, they can often be had in the mid to high triple digits.

Original Peloton Bike | Indoor Stationary Exercise Bike with Immersive 22" HD Touchscreen (Updated Seat Post)

$1,250.00

$1,445.00 Save $195.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$1,250.00

$1,445.00 Save $195.00

The Bike+ costs significantly more, so what are you paying for? The tech components are nicer, so the on-screen experience will feel a bit faster and smoother. Other than that, the big features are auto-resistance (the bike will follow along with classes without you having to turn the knob) and a swiveling screen so you can turn it to the side for things like strength workouts and guided yoga sessions. List price on the Bike+ is $2,495, with deals sometimes bringing it as low as $1,995. Refurbished and used models will, of course, cost a bit less.

Peloton Bike+ | Indoor Stationary Exercise Bike with 24” HD, Anti-Reflective Rotating Touchscreen

$2,100.00

$2,495.00 Save $395.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$2,100.00

$2,495.00 Save $395.00

What’s the same between the Bike and the Bike+

Most of the differences between the two bikes are tech-related, and we’ll get into those in a minute. But first, you should know what’s the same between the two bikes. 

First, they’re the same size. Both have the same footprint, 4 feet by 2 feet—Peloton recommends that you allow 24 inches on each side of the bike, and that you put it in an area with at least 8-foot-high ceilings. This allows even tall riders to be able to stand up and pedal. (If you don’t care about standing, or if you’re shorter, you might be able to squeeze into a tighter space. I’m 5’6” and never had an issue with my attic’s 7-foot ceilings.)

The controls and the frame are the same, with the exception that the original Bike had a seat post recall, and the Bike+ did not. (If you’re buying used, make sure that the seat post was replaced.) Both have a hard wired 3.5mm headphone jack, although it’s probably more common to use the onboard speakers or a bluetooth headset rather than plugging in a pair of headphones.  

Both flavors of bike can accommodate a rider who is anywhere between 4’11” and 6’4” and weighs up to 297 pounds. The Bike itself weighs 135 pounds, and the Bike+ weighs 140, due mainly to the hefty flywheel (with spin bikes, the heavier the flywheel, the better).

Both the Bike and Bike+ have access to the same subscription options. For the $44/month All-Access subscription, you get: 

• Classes on the bike—these are the classic offering, with a charismatic instructor leading you through a structured workout (and often peppering it with motivational speeches).

• Scenic rides on the bike, with “Peloton radio” for music (I usually mute it and just play my own music from my phone).

• Lanebreak (a sort of ride-along video game) on the bike.

• Access to classes through the Peloton app on your phone.

• The ability to create multiple profiles for family members, so you can all share the bike without additional subscriptions.

Besides cycling classes, the bikes and the app can also provide follow-along classes for strength, stretching, yoga, and more. You can take bike classes on the phone app as well, a handy feature when you have access to a spin bike but it’s not a Peloton (for example, at a gym). 

Now that we know what’s the same, let’s dig into the differences.

The Bike+ has a swiveling screen, but don’t buy it just for that

The first thing you’ll notice about the Bike+ (and arguably its only visually distinctive feature) is the fact that its screen is on a swivel. This lets you set up a space next to the bike, perhaps with a mat and dumbbells, to do other types of workouts. Hop off the Bike+, point the screen toward your mat, and you can do a yoga class without having to crane your neck to see over the seat. 

The screen on the regular Bike doesn’t swivel, but it does tilt. This lets you adjust it for the most comfortable angle or to avoid glare while you’re riding. If you want that swiveling feature, though, you don’t have to pony up an extra grand for a whole new bike—an aftermarket swivel mount is only about 50 smackers.

TFD The Pivot for Peloton Bikes (Original Models), Made in USA | 360° Movement Monitor Adjuster - Easily Adjust & Rotate Your Peloton Screen | Peloton Accessories

$49.99

$54.99 Save $5.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$49.99

$54.99 Save $5.00

The Bike+ has auto-resistance and a real power meter

If the Bike+ has a killer feature, it’s this. When an instructor tells you to set your resistance to 30, you don’t need to touch the knob—the Bike+ will adjust the resistance for you. 

You can turn this feature on or off during a ride by tapping the lock icon next to the resistance numbers. On regular rides, the Bike+ will adjust the resistance whenever the instructor announces that the resistance is changing; on power zone rides, it will adjust as needed to keep you in your power zone. 

The catch is that auto-resistance only works for rides where “target metrics” are programmed. This includes most rides from Peloton’s back catalog, but it does not include rides where you’re following along with an instructor in real time. After those live rides, Peloton will add the target metrics, but they say it can take up to 24 hours for that feature to become available for a given ride. 

The Bike+ also has a power meter built in, so that it can tell exactly how many watts your output is. (The regular Bike will show you an estimated wattage, but Bikes can become miscalibrated and the wattage may be off.) While you can calibrate a regular Bike, the Bike+ always knows how hard you are actually pedaling, and you may appreciate this extra accuracy.

The Bike+ has better quality tech in its tablet

The screen on the front of your Bike or Bike+ isn’t just a screen; it’s a whole tablet computer with its own processor, RAM, and other electronic components. An under-appreciated part of the Bike+ upgrade is just that everything in the tablet is nicer, better, and faster. The screen itself is larger: a 23.8” diagonal instead of 21.5”. The Bike+ also has:

• 4 gigabytes of RAM instead of just two

• A 2.5 gigahertz Qualcomm processor instead of a 2.0 GHz Mediatek

• A 26-watt sound system with front- and rear-facing speakers instead of a 16-watt system with just rear-facing speakers

• Bluetooth 5.0 instead of 4.0

• A USB-C port so you can charge your devices while you ride (the regular Bike has a charging port, but it’s micro-USB, so most of us would need to get an adapter).

• A smudge-proof, reduced-reflection coating on that big ol' screen.

There are also two features that are better on paper but that won’t matter to most of us. First, the Bike+ supports GymKit, a protocol for connecting your Apple Watch to the Bike+ for heart rate data. (They briefly stopped supporting GymKit, since there’s a Peloton Apple Watch app that does most of what GymKit does, but got enough complaints that they brought it back.)  

Second, the Bike+ has a nicer selfie camera, 8 MP versus 5 MP (and a privacy cover for said camera). Wait, the Peloton has a camera?? I hear you say. Yep, and according to Peloton its only use is for taking a selfie to use as your profile picture. (You can also just take a photo on your phone and add it to your profile through the app.) That said, Peloton users have said they’ve used the camera for video chat—but nobody seems to actually like that feature.

Ultimately, these features mean that your experience will be just a little bit faster and smoother. Some Peloton riders say that the nicer tech means that Lanebreak is less likely to have that occasional lag when you change “lanes” during the ride, and that the interface is just generally a bit more responsive.

The bottom line: Peloton Bike vs. Bike+

The Bike is a solid choice that will fulfill pretty much all your Peloton dreams. The Bike+ has some features that are nice-to-haves. 

Buy the Bike if: 

• You just want a dang Peloton.

• You don’t want to pay an extra $1,050 for minor upgrades.

Buy the Bike+ if: 

• You want the fastest and smoothest tech experience.

• You’d like the Bike to adjust itself during (most) classes.

• You’re a numbers nerd and want to know your exact wattage and know that the bike is perfectly calibrated.

Ultimately, both are good choices. The exact price differential between the two models will depend on whether you can find your chosen bike on sale, used, or as a rental (I crunch the numbers for those scenarios here).

“Dark Beetroot” styling isn’t new to the NIKE, Inc. family of footwear products, but it’s only recently landed on what may turn out to be its most popular appearance: a Nike Dunk High.

Akin to some of the most iconic takes of Peter Moore’s 1985 design, the upcoming pair indulges in a cool grey base layer, which sets to the stage for the titular “Dark Beetroot” tone. Panels around toe, along the tongue and across the heel appear in the aforementioned, wine-reminiscent color. Other Nike Sportswear models (i.e. Air Max 97, Air Force 1) have indulged in less “Dark Beetroot” styling before, but have drawn sizable attention too. Underfoot, the high-top Nike Dunk keeps things simple with tread a shade darker than the upper’s most prominent color.

Enjoy official images of the two-tone pair ahead, as you anticipate a Nike SNKRS launch sometime before the year ends.

Elsewhere under the “Swoosh” banner, the Kobe 6 Protro “Mambacita” has recently surfaced via official images, suggesting a release date is imminent.

North America2022

• Nike SNKRS US Check Site

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Last seen in 2017, the Nike Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet” is set to return on November 11th in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Back in 1997, the silhouette pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved by the Swoosh, offering the first full-length visible Air Max unit up to that point. The original “Metallic Silver” color scheme also became iconic in its own right, going on to be the go-to sneaker for countless creatives across Italy and other parts of Europe. Christian Tresser drew inspiration from the high-speed bullet trains in Japan for the AM97’s design, but also from mountain biking and the ripples commonly found in ponds. The shoe’s wavy upper has emerged in dozens of different styles over the last 25 years, although the “Silver Bullet” take continues to reign supreme.

Enjoy another look at the anniversary retro ahead, courtesy of 43einhalb, as you wait for a Nike SNKRS launch on Friday, November 11th, for $185 USD.

For more from NIKE, Inc., check out the Air Jordan 11 “Cherry” set to drop in December.

Where to Buy

Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.

UPDATE (10/12/2022):

A release date is expected on November 11th, 2022.

Nike Air Max 97 "Silver Bullet 2022"
Release Date: Nov 11th, 2022 (Friday)
Color: N/A

Mens: $185 Style Code: DM0028-002

After MarketAvailable Now

Buy it Now

North AmericaNov 11th, 2022 (Friday)

• Nikestore US 10:00 EST
• Foot Locker 10:00 EDT
• Finish Line 10:00 EDT
• JD Sports US 10:00 EDT
• Nike SNKRS US 10:00 EST
• TAKOUT NY 10:00 EDT
• MR PORTER Coming Soon
• Nordstrom Coming Soon

EuropeNov 11th, 2022 (Friday)

• Luisa Via Roma 13:00 CEST
• END. Raffle
• 43einhalb Raffle
• Asphaltgold Raffle
• Overkill Raffle
• BSTN Raffle
• AFEW Raffle
• Foot District Raffle
• SVD Raffle
• Footshop Raffle
• SNS Raffle

Womens: $180

Style Code: DQ9131-002

North AmericaNov 11th, 2022 (Friday)

• Nikestore US 10:00 EST
• Finish Line 10:00 EDT
• JD Sports US 10:00 EDT
• Nike SNKRS US 10:00 EST
• TAKOUT NY 10:00 EDT
• MR PORTER Coming Soon
• Nordstrom Coming Soon

EuropeNov 1st, 2022 (Tuesday)

• Luisa Via Roma Check Site

Grade School: $160

Style Code: 918890-001

North AmericaNov 11th, 2022 (Friday)

• Nikestore US 10:00 EST
• Foot Locker 10:00 EDT
• Finish Line 10:00 EDT
• JD Sports US 10:00 EDT
• Nike SNKRS US 10:00 EST
• Nordstrom Coming Soon

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There’s much chatter about a so-called “Post-Sneaker” world, as loafers and derby shoes have become extremely popular. But not all are trading in casual for formal, with many still gravitating towards offerings the likes of Crocs and Merrell Hydro Mocs. Even influential figures the likes of Ye and Salehe Bembury have crafted their own competitors — the Foam Runner and Pollex Clog — propelling the clog to the cultural forefront.

Now, following in the footsteps of the above-mentioned, Matthew M. Williams is bringing his own spin to the formula. Alongside Nike, the ALYX head has created a slide that feels closely related to past works. The toe box, for example, proffers a brutalist, squared shape reminiscent of the Zoom MMW 4. And the rest of the shoe is kept sleek, its foam chiseled along the midsole and perforated across not just the forefoot but the footbed as well.

For a closer look at MMW’s upcoming Nike Slide, check out the available imagery below. No release date has been announced yet, but we should learn more details soon.

In other news, BEAMS Paperboy New Balance 920s are coming soon.

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Resources Related to the Podcast

• Gary’s bio on Wikipedia
• American Business History Center
• How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler
• AoM Article: How to Read More Books
• AoM Article: Culture You Can Heft
• AoM Article: 7 Reasons You Should Still Keep a Paper Map in Your Glovebox
• AoM Article: 100 Books Every Man Should Read
• AoM Article: The Best Way to Retain What You Read
• AoM Article: How and Why to Become a Lifelong Learner
• AoM Podcast #493: 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die

Connect With Gary Hoover

• Gary’s Website: Hoovers World

Listen to the Podcast! (And don’t forget to leave us a review!)

Listen to the episode on a separate page.

Download this episode.

Subscribe to the podcast in the media player of your choice.

Listen ad-free on Stitcher Premium; get a free month when you use code “manliness” at checkout.

Podcast Sponsors

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Transcript Coming Soon!

The post Podcast #733: What a Man With 60,000 Books Can Teach You About Lifelong Learning and Building Your Home Library appeared first on The Art of Manliness.

October opens with Mercury retrograde in Libra, which might find us running into people from the past or revisiting plans and conversations. We’re exploring how things can move forward with the new moon in Libra, which calls for justice and clarity. A full moon in Aries also takes place, inspiring us to be courageous as we release the past, and the sun enters water sign Scorpio, heralding a season of transformation. What does this mean for you? Read your monthly horoscope to find out:

Aries

It’s an exciting time to connect with your friends, lovers, and collaborators! Read your monthly horoscope here.

Taurus

You’re reflecting on balance this Libra season. Read your monthly horoscope here.

Gemini

It’s a time of peace and pleasure! Read your monthly horoscope here.

Cancer

Libra season has you feeling nostalgic, dear Cancer. Read your monthly horoscope here.

Leo

It’s a wonderful time to connect with others! Read your monthly horoscope here.

Virgo

You’re diving deep into themes like money and desire. Read your monthly horoscope here.

Libra

Happy solar return, dear Libra! Read your monthly horoscope here.

Scorpio

This is a particularly intriguing time of year for you, little scorpion. Read your monthly horoscope here.

Sagittarius

It’s a big moment for your hopes and dreams! Read your monthly horoscope here.

Capricorn

This is a season of reward and recognition for you, dear Capricorn. Read your monthly horoscope here.

Aquarius

You’re feeling adventurous! Read your monthly horoscope here.

Pisces

Libra season invites you to get clear on love and money. Read your monthly horoscope here.

Want these horoscopes sent straight to your inbox? Click here to sign up for the newsletter.

A 24-year-old woman from Illinois was arrested on Sunday while trying to enter Hawaii with a fake covid-19 vaccination record card. How did authorities know it was fake? For starters, the counterfeit card said the woman had received the “Maderna” vaccine rather than the Moderna vaccine.

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CBD, the non-psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant, has been receiving positive buzz over the past few years for its healing and medicinal properties. It’s widely known for being a quick, holistic solution for chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. There’s even ongoing research into its potential use in treating…

Please click the link below to read the full article.

CBD for Dummies: How to Properly Microdose CBD
CoS Staff

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The American Homebrewer’s Association just released their “2019 Best Beers In America” list. Why should any of us care? Well, because the AHA asked readers of Zymurgy magazine, which all AHA members are subscribed to, what they thought the best beers and breweries in the country are. And considering these are people who love beer so much they’ve decided to brew it in their own homes and read magazines dedicated to the art of making beer, we’re going to go ahead and trust their advice. (That, and the fact that several of the beers and breweries on this list overlap with our own expert coverage.)

Whether you’re all about finding beers perfect for summer or if you’re more of an experiential drinker and need a dope setting to amplify the experience, between us and this list, you’ll have all the best-tasting beers and breweries in the country dialed in.

Coming in on top of the AHA’s list is Bell’s Two Hearted Ale with their third consecutive win. “Receiving this honor once, twice even is incredible,” said Bell’s president and founder Larry Bell. “But a third time? I am speechless and incredibly thankful to the homebrewing community and everyone who has helped make this beer what it is today.” Check out the full list of beers and breweries below or head over to The American Homebrewer’s Association’s website to see the results broken up by state.

Top-Ranked Beer

T24. Russian River Blind Pig IPA
T24. Odell IPA
23. North Coast Old Rasputin
T21. The Alchemist Focal Banger
T21. Allagash White
20. Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout
T18. Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
T18. Lawson’s Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine
T16. New Holland Dragon’s Milk
T16. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
15. Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA
14. Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro
T12. Three Floyds Zombie Dust
T12. Tree House Julius
11. Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
T9. WeldWerks Juicy Bits
T9. Founders Breakfast Stout
T7. Bell’s Hopslam
T7. Founders All Day IPA
6. Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout
5. The Alchemist Heady Topper
4. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout
3. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
2. Russian River Pliny the Elder
1. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

Top Breweries

T24. Surly Brewing Company (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
T24. Goose Island Beer (Chicago, Illinois)
23. Left Hand Brewing Company (Longmont, Colorado)
22. Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine)
21. Avery Brewing Company (Boulder, Colorado)
20. Tröegs Independent Brewing (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
T18. Oskar Blues Brewery (Longmont, Colorado; Brevard, North Carolina; Austin, Texas)
T18. Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California; Chicago, Illinois)
17. Three Floyds Brewing Company (Munster, Indiana)
16. New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, Colorado; Asheville, North Carolina)
15. New Glarus Brewing Company (New Glarus, Wisconsin)
T12. WeldWerks Brewing CO. (Greeley, Colorado)
T12. Cigar City Brewing (Tampa Bay, Florida)
T12. Boulevard Brewing Company (Kansas City, Missouri)
T10. Stone Brewing (Escondido, California)
T10. Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California)
T8. Odell Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado)
T8. Deschutes Brewery (Bend, Oregon)
7. The Alchemist (Stowe, Vermont)
6. Tree House Brewing Company (Charlton, Massachusetts)
5. Dogfish Head Craft (Milton, Delaware)
4. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (Chico, California; Mills River, North Carolina)
3. Russian River Brewing Company (Santa Rosa and Windsor, California)
2. Founders Brewing Company (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
1. Bell’s Brewery (Comstock, Michigan)

For years Gmail has ruled the land of web-based email services, but slowly and surely Microsoft has been making Outlook.com a force to be reckoned with. We’re not yet at the stage where we can confidently declare Outlook.com is superior to Gmail for your online email checking—but what we can say is here are nine cool…

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No chocolate sprinkles for Bowls. He likes his donuts dusty. This second installment of Another Token Jazz Hour gets as deep and dusty as it gets to dig up 70+ jazz originals as sampled by Dilla. No half measures, either: all tracks were ripped from original vinyl pressings, with the exception of two songs only released on …

Continue reading "Another Token Jazz Hour: 60 Minutes of Samples Used by J Dilla (Mixed by Bowls)"

The post Another Token Jazz Hour: 60 Minutes of Samples Used by J Dilla (Mixed by Bowls) appeared first on The Find Mag.

Throughout this past year alone, Jordan Brand has switched gears in regards to women’s exclusives, offering up both the Jordan OG as well as a string of collaborations from the veritably talented Melody Ehsani. And this Summer, with its Air Jordan 11 Lows and Flint 13s, also has no shortage of standouts as many look forward to the release of the WMNS Air Jordan 1 High “Tie-Dye.” Just revealed by way of official images, the pair treats the once again trending pattern with a wash of cool tones. Hits of aqua blue as well as the more saturated Royal dye the overlays from the toe cap to the heel wrap while the toe box and profile hue to a neutral black and white, respectively. Tongues as well as their laces opt for the darker of the two, matching that of the “Nike Air” branding at the tongue as well as the overlaid swoosh. Grab a detailed look the adults, PS, and TD sizes here and expect a release to arrive at Nike.com as well as select retailers on June 11th.

In other news, the Jordan 13 Flint drops this weekend.

Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.

Where To Buy

• Nike Coming Soon
• Finishline10am ET
• JD Sports10am ET

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UGG Closet Sale | UGG

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Yesterday, when it was announced that Jay-Z’s Roc Nation had partnered with the NFL on a new deal to make the mogul the league’s “live music entertainment strategist,” some fans were miffed by the seeming about-face from the Roc Nation chief. Just a year ago, he was sporting a Colin Kaepernick jersey on television in support of the blackballed quarterback while also turning down offers to perform at the Super Bowl — and trying to convince other artists to do the same. Critics called out the perceived hypocrisy, but to his credit, Jay isn’t shying away from their questions.

In a press conference discussing the move, Jay “didn’t duck questions about the fact that he struck a deal with the NFL despite Colin Kaepernick still not having a job,” according to ESPN’s Jason Reid, who writes for The Undefeated. Reid recounted the press conference on Twitter, writing that “J’s position is that he’s focused on trying to help as many people as he can and working on the system from within. From his perspective, the protests were about shining a light on the problem and everyone now knows what the problem is. Now, what’s next?”

The most interesting press conference I’ve ever attended just finished. Jay-Z and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke candidly about their new partnership. J didn’t duck questions about the fact that he struck a deal with the NFL despite Colin Kaepernick still not having a job.

— Jason Reid (@JReidESPN) August 14, 2019

J’s position is that he’s focused on trying to help as many people as he can and working on the system from within. From his perspective, the protests were about shining a light on the problem and everyone now knows what the problem is. Now, what’s next?

— Jason Reid (@JReidESPN) August 14, 2019

As far as the accusations from some online critics who say that Jay’s move betrayed Kaepernick, Reid says, “J shared that he spoke with Kaep, but he didn’t reveal what was said.” Meanwhile, Kaepernick has apparently been staying in shape in case he gets a call despite receiving an undisclosed settlement from the NFL in his collusion case against it.

Nobody wants to schlep to the gym in the dead of winter, but you can work out nearly every muscle group in your body at home with this $117 Weider gym. It uses your own body weight for resistance, but optional bands can add up to 50 pounds of force to your workouts. But the best part of using a home gym? You get to…

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Sami Udell

It’s 7pm on a Monday night and Sami Udell is prepping a five-course dinner for her brother’s wedding party. Wearing her signature “Eat Good Food” t-shirt and apron, she chops fresh sweet potatoes while reading off a handwritten menu taped to her cabinet. As usual, the dinner will be centered on fresh fruits and vegetables, paired with a lot of heart. The potatoes will ultimately accompany the main course of crispy vegetables, halibut with cashew cream sauce, and a smokey, olive and herb relish. Though Udell has just returned from San Francisco, where she was invited to cook for NBA superstar Kevin Durant, she accommodates a last minute request to add four more people to the dinner party. These are the sorts of spur of the moment pivots she’s grown accustomed to as a personal chef.

At just 27 years old, with no formal training or accolades, Udell is a full-time personal chef for some of the world’s biggest athletes and musicians. She began teaching herself how to cook in college as a means to be healthier. When she moved to Los Angeles, she spent most of her time cooking for her friends, gardening, and learning everything she could about food to hone her craft. In a serendipitous moment of preparation colliding with an extraordinary opportunity, Sami’s hearty but healthy fare caught the attention of the personal assistant to Ludacris, after she catered a party he was at. After months of persistent follow-up, Sami received a call from Ludacris himself inviting her to cook for him. Her warm, disarming demeanor and infectious curiosity for nature and food have parlayed that into a star-studded list of clientele — including NBA star DeMarcus Cousins and rap icon 2Chainz.

I recently sat down with Sami in her makeshift commercial kitchen to discuss the highs and lows of working in such a physically demanding yet rewarding profession. She was incredibly candid about the difficult moments, the breadth of personalities, and the day to day joys and struggles behind all the glamour.

So, I know your story, but can you contextualize how you started cooking and how you first become a personal chef?

I started cooking just because I thought it was fun. I cooked for one of my brother’s networking parties, where I was lucky to meet Ludacris’s personal assistant. He actually delivered and ended up connecting me to Ludacris, so I started cooking for him when he was here in LA. I was really faking it honestly — pretending I knew how to cook while literally Googling “how to cook.” But the thrill of learning to cook was so fun that I was hooked. I ended up getting a job at a restaurant to enhance my skills. It’s such a brutal industry and I didn’t feel like I fit in. I didn’t go to culinary school but here I was cooking for a very famous celebrity. People were naturally judging me a little more than the other cooks because they didn’t understand how I had that job since my skills didn’t really align.

After being in that kitchen, as a 24-year-old, I didn’t have a lot of inhibition, and I wasn’t really scared to take risks, so I didn’t know what I was getting into when I decided to start a food truck. I figured I could run a restaurant, or a food truck on my own, and I did run the truck for two years, which was so fun, and I did love it. But what I realized through the truck was that, for now, I love cooking for fewer people and keeping the quality at its highest. Meanwhile, as the truck was running, my clientele grew and I started getting a lot of calls from NBA players. It started with DeMarcus Cousins, and I cooked for DeMarcus at his home for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for three months straight with no days off — for him and six other guys that were all well past six feet all. As much work as it was, I loved that personal connection, being in his house, listening to him talk about, say, ramen noodles. You know silly, normal things that he talks about. Seeing someone that people put on such a pedestal versus me being their chef is almost humorous. I get to know them in such a personal way and I love building that relationship, knowing who they are and understanding their food preferences. From there it just kept growing. I started working for NBA players and then 2Chainz and the family that owns Medmen, the cannabis company.

As long as I feel like I respect the person in some way, I’m happy. There does have to be a connection we build that makes me want to cook for them, because I devote every waking hour to cooking for them.

I know from personal experience that there’s something really special about your food, but what do you think it is that Ludacris, and ultimately all of your clients, love about you as a chef?

I think my passion for what I do has carried me really far, versus having a ton of skills. I’m not that person, but I’m very relatable and when I’m in someone’s kitchen, they can feel that I really love the food, and I care. Anyone can have skills, but not everyone has passion and care for what they do. I don’t even think I could teach it. I don’t know if it’s something that you can grow or ease into, but it only enhances as I continue. I feel so blessed to have such passion for cooking and learning about food. I have a nourishing spirit, I’m easy going, on-time, and I communicate.

You’re also really accommodating.

I do go above and beyond, even when it’s hard for me. It could have been easier to say that I can’t add four more people to the dinner tonight, but I will go above and beyond to make clients feel special, I want all my clients to feel like they’re my priority.

Tell me about how the relationship with DeMarcus Cousins came about.

I was cooking for him for two weeks and the night before my last day of meal prep, I got a call from his team saying that it would be my last day and they were going to continue with a different chef. I asked why they didn’t want me and they said they didn’t love deliveries and wanted someone who would cook in person. So I left a party in Venice and went to Erewhon to make the best homemade food I could make. It was 9:30 p.m. the night before I was supposed to drop off the food I had already made, and I decided to show up in person the next morning and do my best.

When I showed up the next day, they had already hired another guy who was on Top Chef. He had all the skills and was super extra. I looked DeMarcus straight in the eyes, he’s like 7 ft. tall, and said, “I know you hired someone else. But I will do my best, and no one is going to care more than I will.” I saw him light up, and I thought, “I think I have the job.” They called me the next day and said, “We had another chef, and we decided to go with you.” It’s so funny now because DeMarcus and I are so tight. It’s almost like we’re friends and that would never have happened if I hadn’t been so ballsy.

I love that story, and it’s such a testament to who you are as a person. So other than say, the potential rejection, what is the hardest aspect about what you do?

The hardest aspect is probably time. Imagine throwing an Easter party, or Christmas or Hanukkah dinner party for even five people. Imagine what you have to do: find the recipes, make a list, get groceries, go to multiple grocery stores, and because I like to be farm to table, I go to the Farmer’s Market. So there’s making your menu, then add LA traffic, parking, come back home, and by the time you get home, you have to make sure the kitchen is perfectly clean and then you prep and go to your client’s house. I wake up at 6 a.m. to be at the Farmer’s Market by 7 a.m. and then I go to one client’s house for breakfast, and then another for dinner, and I get home at 11 p.m. and I haven’t even looked at my email. As a personal chef, you do everything yourself. At a restaurant, they have a dishwasher or purveyor, but you’re really it — you do every aspect and having time to do all that is hard.

You cook for a number of NBA players. How do you take in their needs as top performing athletes and what do you think is unique about their diets?

Their diets are intense, especially when it comes to macronutrients. You have to take into consideration an exact amount of carbs or proteins. So as a chef, and wanting to be creative, you have to weigh things out: you’re a makeshift nutritionist and a chef. I also have to make sure they’re getting what they need to perform at their optimal level. But when you think about what they do, they have to be at peak ability, so I take it to heart and I really want that for them. To be creative with the restrictions, I go to the Farmer’s Market. Living in LA, we have access to amazing produce, maybe they can only have one cup of fruit, but I can find something interesting and make it special. I’m always finding new cool products, like a new spice or a new noodle that’s low in carbs, and because the grocery stores and Farmer’s Markets know me, they’re always giving me new products to try. Or sometimes I’ll watch an episode of Chef’s Table or eat at a Michelin starred restaurant and I think, “man, DeMarcus can’t have this…so what can I do to make it in a way that he can?” So I deconstruct my favorite dishes and I reintroduce them with things NBA players can eat.

What about rappers and hip-hop artists you cook for like Ludacris and 2Chainz? Are there similar considerations for their diets?

They’re actually quite similar. I got used to certain categories — like gluten-free is no problem. But their diets vary in calories since they’re not high performing athletes. Usually, it’s no dairy and no sugar. My brain is categorized by client — like “these two clients have the same diet,” or “this client is dairy and gluten free.” You can tell me to cook raw and I’ll figure it out.

What do you think would surprise people the most about being a personal chef?

How much work it takes or communicating. Or how physically draining it is. I’m always standing and running around. I’m always working even if I’m not at a client’s house. I’ll wake up in the middle of night, thinking about what they need for breakfast. It’s all-encompassing, in that way.

Also, the food can be pretty simple. They’re not eating foie gras every meal. Once in a while, it’s fancy but they really want tasty and healthy.

I know you’ve worked with a lot of different personalities. Are there any moments in particular where you thought, “I just can’t do this” or were really challenging? How did you keep going?

Yeah, I cooked for the founder of a major TV network and one day I brought a bottle of olive oil onto the driveway and it shattered on his driveway. They wouldn’t even let me in the house or let me clean it up, they just kicked me out. I went to my food truck after and just started crying. We’re all doing our best, so I didn’t understand why they would treat me that way. But, that stuff makes me stronger, as cliche as it sounds. After that, I cried, after DeMarcus originally told me “no,” I cried — I’m sensitive. But when I go home, I’m really good at looking at the whole picture: “What did I do wrong, and where can I go from here? Where can I grow instead of letting it stop me?”

Wow, that’s insane. But I think that goes to show why working with good clients as a chef is so important.

Yeah, I really value the people I work with, and I want all of my clients to do the best they can in life. So many people think it’s a glamorous industry, and it is… in a way. But I think people may not know that clients choosing me and me choosing a client are both important. I don’t care how much someone is willing to pay me if I’m not respected. When a client thanks me or texts me saying how much they loved a meal, I’m so grateful that they’re treating me well. Some celebrities don’t see this job as another human being, but my clients do and I respect that.

Where do you think your passion for food is headed?

I want to expand my business. I’m lucky that I’m young and that I work this hard. I know my body won’t be capable of this for a long time, but I‘m just in the present. I work as hard as I can and I work with people from all walks of life. I work 24/7 and I’m learning. When I look at my food from even a year ago, I see what I’ve done and how much I’ve grown. I’m putting in my 10,000 hours of cooking. When I watch things react in the pan, I know I have the skills and the sky’s the limit. I’ve built a strong foundation for a company and I ran a food truck for two years, so I have business knowledge which I think is only going to benefit me.

I do have goals, but I want to be present and learn so in the future I can do whatever I want. But I strongly believe I’ll be in the food industry until I die. I just really love what I do. I really love it.

Anything else you think is important to know about being a personal chef?

People are constantly texting you at the last minute with all kinds of requests [laughs]. People always want to know what my clients eat and what their personalities are behind closed doors and, honestly, I don’t think they’re the same but never in a bad way. People are always more down to earth — nice and humble. I choose to work with really good people. Being in someone else’s home takes away society’s glorified version of celebrity. It doesn’t really matter who people are, because at the end of the day everyone has to eat.