Reporter for Miami Today, Health and Wellness Editor for Distraction Magazine, Culture Writer for The Miami Hurricane, Creator of lifestyle website Threeohfire.com and freelance writer and journalist
Tri Me — The life of triathletes at the University of Miami
For many college students, waking up at 4 a.m. to run, swim and bike a 32-mile course in three hours might sound like a daunting task. For students on TriCanes — the University of Miami’s competitive triathlon team — it’s an exhilarating monthly ritual.
The TriCanes team accepts all levels of athletes and offers workouts that push each individual to their limits. Distraction recently caught up with two members of TriCanes, Katie Zgorski and Shereen Khatibloo, to learn more about the trials, t...
University of Miami aims test program at Miami Beach shoreline
A University of Miami interdisciplinary team is seeking permits from the State of Florida and US Army Corps of Engineers to deploy three “hybrid” structures in waters off Miami Beach to gather evidence on how best to protect the shoreline from damaging wave energy.
This effort is part of the ongoing “Identifying, prioritizing, and validating green infrastructure approaches to enhance coastal resilience” study, which the UM team began in 2017. The study has received $350,000 from the universit...
Real Food=Real Gains: How to Bulk Up The Healthy Way
It might seem like Americans everywhere are obsessed with losing weight, but for many athletes and fitness enthusiasts the goal is not to slim down but to bulk up. Bodybuilders, competitive athletes and even everyday gym-goers often look to increase their body mass by adding weight in muscle for aesthetic or performance-related reasons. These individuals often look towards the practice of bulking - eating a caloric surplus combined with resistance training- to pack on the pounds. But there ar...
A beginner’s guide to intermittent fasting
Take a look at any fitness magazine, website, podcast or YouTube channel and you’re bound to find at least a feature or two on intermittent fasting. This eating method, not diet, has been linked to a plethora of health benefits from reducing diabetes risk to improving cell processes. It has also been hailed as a steller weight loss strategy, though it can also be employed successfully by individuals looking to gain or maintain their weight since it does not require a caloric deficit. So, what...
How the Meaning of Memorial Day has Evolved for One Vet
As a journalist I don’t really get to interview the people closest to me; that’s probably an unwritten rule somewhere. But since I have this blog, I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to interview a pretty badass subject in the spirit of Memorial Day: my dad.
If you don’t know me or my family, I’ll give you some quick background. My dad joined the Navy in the 80’s, serving for 21 years before retiring and continuing to work as a civilian for the Department of Defense. Don’t even ask ...
UM yogi talks isolation, meditation, shares quarantine-friendly routine
Some people might see an injury as an ending. But, for University of Miami senior Miranda De Gasperi, it was the beginning of a fulfilling new journey into the world of yoga.
After the frequent gym-goer suffered serious injuries to her knee and shoulder, De Gasperi found that high-impact exercise was off the table. Intent on seizing the opportunity, her “yoga nut” best friend finally dragged her to a class after months of protest.
More than two years later, De Gasperi, who is double majoring ...
Coconut Grove housing prices rise despite uncertainty
Residential real estate prices in Coconut Grove continue to climb as buyers seek out this community for its acclaimed schools, high elevation, shopping centers and dining destinations.
Despite the global uncertainty caused by the coronavirus, real estate prices in the Grove have only increased since this time last year, while total sales have hardly dipped.
Michael Light, founder of Douglas Elliman affiliate The Light Group, told Miami Today that, as of May 29, 168 sales had closed in Coconut...
Tips for getting fit the healthy way
With spring break less than a month away, many students at the University of Miami are already looking forward to beachfront getaways, cruises and staycations in the Miami sun. However, the impending vacation often comes with a pressure to get the perfect “spring break body.” While many students may be tempted to resort to crash dieting to achieve their ideal physique, these methods are often unhealthy.
While no one should feel the need to drastically change their body, spring break can serve...
Barry University, Florida Memorial, St. Thomas band together
Within the past two years Florida Memorial University, Barry University and St. Thomas University have all appointed new presidents and focused on visible new initiatives, and now they are collaborating with each other to address challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
David Armstrong, who was appointed president of St. Thomas University in 2018, told Miami Today that the three universities had worked together to meet the needs of their students and communities during this uniqu...
Enterprise Florida grants spur trade shows, business matchmaking
Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s economic development arm, has continued to support Florida’s small and mid-sized businesses throughout the pandemic by introducing two new grant programs and maintaining existing initiatives such as offering certificates of free trade and website customization services.
Manny Mencia, the senior vice president of the organization’s International Trade and Business Development Division, told Miami Today that international trade plays a significant role in su...
This Student Start-Up Is Re-Shaping the Future of Campus Recycling
Overflowing green recycling bins filled with paper, plastic and other discarded materials line our University of Miami campus sidewalks. Although some of the items in the bins will indeed be repurposed, a majority will still end up in landfills or oceans.
Taking initiative to stop the endless pollution cycle, new student-run startup “Cycle” is revolutionizing the way students, faculty and guests recycle on campus. The company’s vision is to “reshape the way recyclables are disposed of in orde...
Property insurance prices soaring, pandemic gets some blame
A hard market, said David Josefsberg, partner with Century Risk Advisors, occurs when some insurance companies drop out of the market due to unprofitability while others increase their premiums to remain competitive.
For the insured, this means a hike in prices. According to Mr. Josefsberg property insurance holders could see their cost of insurance upped 10% to 50% this year, depending on factors such as the age of their home or proximity to the water.
Ryan Papy, president of Keyes Insurance...
Coral Gables Art Cinema readies expansion plans
Movie theaters might not be physically open in Miami-Dade yet, but that hasn’t stopped 10-year-old Coral Gables Art Cinema from providing a plethora of virtual programming for patrons and eying an ambitious city-backed expansion that is to include adding a second auditorium. An update and discussion of the project was planned for the May 26 Coral Gables City Commission meeting but was deferred.
Last May the city committed $350,000 to help the cinema, currently at 260 Aragon Ave., expand into ...
What the f*ck is ‘Tiger King’?
It’s a tale as old as time: the poetic rivalry between a gun-toting, drug-using polygamist and his arch nemesis, a potentially homicidal activist, over the right to own ferocious wild animals. If you don’t know by now the true story of America’s lucrative and ludicrous big cat dealing underworld, then spoilers ahead. But, honestly, you’ve had plenty of time.
After its March 20 release, the Netflix Original docuseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” swept across the nation. We watched...
Miami Beach Pop Festival: From Fanfare to Folklore
Chance the Rapper may be back with new music, but Miami will have to wait a little longer to see him in action. Hot off the highly-anticipated release of his debut studio album “The Big Day”, the 26-year-old rapper was set to headline the first Miami Beach Pop (MBP) festival along with acts Daddy Yankee and Kygo.
The festival was set to run from Nov. 8-10, 2019, but it was abruptly postponed just one month before showtime on Oct. 8. The event planners cited “unforeseen circumstances” for the ...