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Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Vir Das does ‘parkour' to reach his gym; netizens say ‘BMC is making us warm up for free'
Mumbai's residents have been vocal about their growing frustration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over the seemingly never-ending road construction across the city. It has turned daily commutes into obstacle courses, and now, comedian Vir Das has joined the chorus of discontent. Taking to his X account, Das posted a video that many resonated with. Captioned 'getting to the gym be like,' the 48-second clip set to the iconic Super Mario music shows him navigating a chaotic street that looks more like a level from a video game than an actual road. Parts of the road are dug up, others are waterlogged, and what's left is a narrow, unpredictable path. His gym lies straight ahead, but getting there involves some serious improvisation—walking along raised platforms, hopping over puddles, and timing his jumps with the precision of a parkour athlete. Watch the video: Getting to the gym be like… — Vir Das (@thevirdas) April 30, 2025 The video went viral, striking a chord with Mumbaikars. One user said, 'Damn bro, lucky you. Your gym's obstacle course puts the Devil's Circuit and Ninja Warrior setups to shame. You'd be a parkour champ in no time.' Another user responded saying, 'Health insurance is necessary. You can do gym and eat healthy all year round. But if you live in India, there is a big chance of losing your life on Indian roads.' A third user offered some classic Mumbai sarcasm: 'Ek toh fukat mein warm up kara rahi hai @mybmc. Logon ko kadar hi nahi hai. Ek mahine baad free swimming sessions ka bhi program hai' (BMC is making us warm up for free, and people don't even appreciate it. In a month, there's also a plan for free swimming sessions). A fourth individual commented, 'There are at least three roads in my area that look exactly like this.' Not long ago, comedian Rohan Joshi took a sharp jibe at the BMC and the Maharashtra government through a fiery Instagram post, calling them out for the state of Mumbai's crumbling infrastructure. Venting his frustration, he accused the authorities of draining public funds while delivering little in return. 'Just give us a number!' he wrote. 'I don't care how outrageous it is–just tell us what it'll take for you to finally stop milking Mumbai's taxpayers.' Joshi even went as far as to offer to organise a fundraiser if that's what it would take to get the city's roads repaired once and for all.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
P90X trainer Tony Horton is in the best shape of his life at 66. Here are his top longevity tips.
Tony Horton, best known for the hit P90X workout, said he's thriving at 66 after tweaking his routine. Horton was diagnosed with a rare illness in 2017, and since then has followed a flexible plant-based diet. His current workout routine includes more yoga but also new challenges like obstacle courses. Two decades after designing one of the best-selling home workout programs in history, personal trainer Tony Horton said he's in the best shape of his life. When Horton's creation, P90X, hit the fitness industry in 2005, it became a smash hit. The program sold more than 3.5 million copies thanks to its high-intensity blend of circuit-style training, explosive movements, and plenty of core work. By that point, Horton had a star-studded clientele, including celebs like Tom Petty, Billy Idol, Rob Lowe, and Usher. Everything shifted in 2017, when he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare neurological disorder related to the shingles virus that can cause facial paralysis, ringing in the ears, and potential hearing loss. Horton said the health scare prompted him to overhaul his routine, focusing less on hardcore workouts and more on recovery and stress reduction. "I needed to add mindfulness components to my regular routine," he told Business Insider. "I looked more to resting, listening to music, taking a nap without feeling guilty about it, focusing on my family." The upshot: doing less paid off, and Horton said he's now in better shape than ever when it comes to taking on adventures, including new physical challenges. On a recent trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Horton said he skied for six days in a row. "I couldn't do that in my 20s and 30s," he said. Horton's latest venture is Ninja Warrior and obstacle course training, navigating ropes, high bars, even the notorious "salmon ladder" at his tricked out home gym in southern California (which you can visit as part of the Paragon Experience event in May). To stay strong and healthy into his 60s and beyond, Horton relies on habits like a flexible plant-based diet, lots of mobility exercise, and finding new challenges to keep things interesting. "To maintain and sustain my athleticism, it's not just pounding the weights and running hills," he said. "Now it's really about quality of life and longevity and avoiding injury as much as possible." Around the time of his diagnosis, Horton experimented with eating a vegan diet, and found he had more energy and better recovery after exercise. While he's not strictly vegan now, he said whole, plant-based foods make up a majority of his diet. Staples like beans, nuts, and seeds are a big part of his regular meals and snacks to make sure he's getting nutrients like protein and fiber for healthy aging. "People don't realize there's a whole lot of proteins in plants," he said. A typical day of eating for Horton includes seed bread with almond butter for breakfast, a protein smoothie with berries, banana, and cashew milk after a workout, and meals like lentil tacos for lunch and dinner. Taking a more flexible diet approach and allowing for exceptions to the plant-based plan — like elk steaks on his ski trips, or desserts when his sweet tooth hits — keeps him from feeling deprived, so he can stay healthier overall in the long-term. "Stick to your plan 80% to 90% of the time and every once in a while, eat that big beautiful chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven," Horton said. As he's gotten older, while Horton doesn't work out any less, he's shifted his focus on training for longevity rather than trying to pack on as much muscle as possible. He's still kept the muscle (Horton is no stranger to lifting heavy when it feels right) but his typical sessions include a lot more yoga and "animal flow," bodyweight exercise that emphasizes agility and graceful movement. "Balance, range of motion, flexibility, and speed work are as essential as lifting weights and everything else," Horton said. He also stays active by practicing with a slackline, a creative way of building balance and stability. The key is consistency, finding time every day for exercise as a regular, habitual investment in your long-term health, just like staying on top of your finances. "It doesn't have to be a lot. You can go for an 8-minute walk," Horton said. "But it has to be consistent. You don't pay your bills every fourth month." Horton said one of his main strategies for staying youthful is finding creative ways to push himself, like Ninja Warrior-style obstacle courses. It started when Horton was humbled by a rope climb, which he expected to be easier since he was strong enough to rep out dozens of push-ups and pull-ups. Rather than accept defeat, he decided to embrace the growth mindset, and obstacle training became a new way to stay motivated and get out of his comfort zone. "The reason why I fell in love with it was because it was another level of challenge," Horton said. "Who cares if I fall or if I fail? Turn your ego off." Read the original article on Business Insider


Fox Sports
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Pick me! Pick me! The definitive guide to choosing your favorite INDYCAR driver
It's almost time for drivers to start their engines for the fastest racing on earth as the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicks off the 2025 INDYCAR season this weekend on FOX. But who should fans root for when the green flag drops on Sunday at noon ET? Well, there are 27 full-time drivers in the series, so there are quite a few to choose from. Below, we give you some helpful nuggets about each, along with their explanations of why fans should cheer for them. The Pop Star: Pato O'Ward Who is he? More than any other INDYCAR driver, Pato O'Ward has the strongest following — at least on social. It's no wonder the Mexican driver has his country wanting an INDYCAR race. The McLaren driver has seven wins in the last four years. Fun fact: He considers himself a foodie. O'Ward says: "I promise to be great entertainment all year." The Determined: Josef Newgarden Who is he? The 34-year-old Newgarden has won 31 races over the last 10 INDYCAR seasons, including back-to-back Indy 500 triumphs. The Penske driver seems to be one of the more emotional INDYCAR drivers when things go wrong and one of the most cold-blooded when he sees a chance to pounce. Fun fact: Has appeared on "American Ninja Warrior" and participated in the NFL Combine. Yes, really. Newgarden says: "If you want to cheer on someone that is the ultimate competitor that wants to do anything to essentially fight for a victory, that's me. That's what I wake up every day trying to figure out how to do better." The Fiery: Will Power Who is he? Power, who turns 44 Saturday, is known to have emotional outbursts when someone angers him with a move or a decision. However, the Penske driver seems to get over it somewhat quickly — or at least much quicker than the highlight remains viral. Fun fact: Enjoys drumming and purchased his first drum set at the age of 15. Power says: "I'm very, very passionate about what I do. I love what I do. I love racing. I love the series. I love competing against the best in the world." The Champion: Scott Dixon Who is he? There are several drivers who have won titles, but Scott Dixon leads all active drivers with six championships and 58 victories. The 44-year-old New Zealander looks like he could race another 10 years for Ganassi, although we figure his career will end sooner than later. Fun fact: Appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019. Dixon says: "The question is probably why shouldn't they [root for me]? ... And try to celebrate a seventh championship." Mr. Consistent: Alex Palou Who is he? Alex Palou rarely seems to have a bad day. The 27-year-old Spaniard has been running at the finish in 42 of the last 43 races. In those 43 races, he finished in the top three 19 times (that's good for 44 percent). No wonder he has won the championship the last two years and three of the last four. Fun fact: Is a passionate pickleball player. Palou says: "They should root for me because I'm going to give all of them attention at the track if they see me and I'm always going to try my best on track." Mr. Popular: Colton Herta Who is he? Colton Herta just seems to attract a following, whether it's because of his wavy hair or the Formula 1 rumors that come with him. The Andretti driver has nine wins and enters his seventh season in INDYCAR. Fun fact: Plays drums in the rock band The Zibs. Herta says: "I'm extremely fast. I win races and I've got a great team behind me." The Beachgoer: Kyle Kirkwood Who is he? Kyle Kirkwood lives in Florida. He likes his surfing. And fishing. And diving. Oh, and he can race, too. The Andretti driver won twice in 2023. Fun fact: Enjoys deep-sea fishing. Kirkwood says: "They should root for me because I'm the best. Plain and simple. Just kidding. I'm the guy that came up from karting with no racing background [in my family]." The Unintimidated: Marcus Ericsson Who is he? Marcus Ericsson races hard and seems to just go about his business racing. The 34-year-old Swede has four career wins, but it's been two years since his last victory in the 2023 season opener. He's changed teams since then, going from Ganassi to Andretti before the start of last year. Fun fact: Was once a youth hockey goalie before pursuing a racing career. Ericsson says: "I'm just a normal guy from Sweden coming over to America and living my dream." The Friend: Scott McLaughlin Who is he? Scott McLaughlin brought his New Zealand spirit to the United States after winning three consecutive Supercar championships. His transition to INDYCAR wasn't easy, but it's still unknown whether the Penske driver will reach superstar results. Fun fact: Enjoys golf and plays weekly rounds with Penske teammate and NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney. McLaughlin says: "I feel like I'm a fun guy. ... Ever since I've come from Australia and New Zealand, I've had a ton of American fans jump on board the "Thirsty 3s" [his number] and I think everyone appreciates that we have fun but are serious about our business as well." The Antagonist: Santino Ferrucci Who is he? Santino Ferrucci gets under the skin of other drivers with what some would say are outlandish moves on the track. He only seems to care a little bit about that, though. The 26-year-old driver from Connecticut loves to race, so driving for A.J. Foyt seems appropriate. Fun fact: Was featured in GQ magazine as an 11-year-old karting prodigy. Ferrucci says: "I'm a breath of fresh air for the series ... and overall a very hard racer." The Fan: Conor Daly Who is he? Conor Daly loves to talk racing, so it's not a surprise that he has a podcast where he ... talks racing. That love of the sport, as well as talent, has kept him in and out of rides and substitute roles over the last 10 years. He starts the season hoping that it will be a full-time year (pending sponsorship, as always) with Juncos Hollinger Racing. Fun fact: Hosts "Speed Street" podcast for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Dirty Mo Media. Daly says: "Fans should root for me because we like to have a great time and celebrate if we're successful. ... I like to be a fan myself. I love racing." The Veteran: Graham Rahal Who is he? Rahal enters his 19th year of full-time INDYCAR racing. The son of driver and team co-owner Bobby Rahal, Graham Rahal has six career wins. Fun fact: Is a diehard fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Rahal says: "I think I'm a nice guy. I've been through the goods, the bads. I've fought the battles, and we keep pushing on." The Frustrated: Alexander Rossi Who is he? Rossi enters his 10th season in INDYCAR and with a new firesuit as he joins Ed Carpenter Racing. This is his fourth organization. The 33-year-old Rossi has had plenty of highs and lows with eight victories and finishes as high as second in the standings and as low as 11th. He does a podcast each week, where he details the ups and downs of a driver who had just two podium finishes in the last two years. Fun fact: Enjoys flying and has his private pilot's license. The Nice Guy: Felix Rosenqvist Who is he? Talk to people around INDYCAR and many say Rosenqvist is one of the nicest people in the paddock. The Meyer Shank Racing driver appeared to be on the brink of a breakout season a couple of years ago but is still searching for it. Fun fact: Hobbies include skiing, skateboarding, hiking and video games. Rosenqvist says: "Why is the sky blue? I don't know [why fans should root for me]. That's a question for you." The Underdog: Rinus VeeKay Who is he? VeeKay spent the last five years at Ed Carpenter Racing. The 24-year-old has finished 12th to 14th in the standings each year but did not earn a podium finish in 2023 or in 2024. So the split from ECR is somewhat understandable but also was a little bit of a surprise. He'll drive for Dale Coyne Racing this season. Fun fact: Enjoys cycling. The Young and Confident: Marcus Armstrong, Nolan Siegel, David Malukas Who are they? These three drivers are all young and all have shown the ability to wheel a race car fast. The expectations from themselves and from their fans are that they will have the best seasons of their careers. The 24-year-old Armstrong had four top-five finishes in 29 starts over the last two years at Ganassi and moves to Meyer Shank this year. The 20-year-old Siegel ran 12 races last year (one top 10) and enters his first full season at McLaren. The 23-year-old Malukas had two podiums in 2022 and 2023 driving for Dale Coyne and then missed his breakout year last year after being sidelined early with a broken hand. Now, he is ready for his first season with Foyt. Fun fact: Siegal was admitted to Stanford University but deferred his enrollment to focus on his racing career. Armstrong says: "They should root for me for performance reasons ... and because I'm, like, kinda cool." Siegel says: "I drive a good-looking race car, I have a good time and I'm going to win some races." Malukas says: "We're going to have some really good results ... and a lot of memes to come out of it for sure." The Ready To Prove: Christian Lundgaard, Callum Ilott, Christian Rasmussen Who are they? Christian Lundgaard moves from Rahal to McLaren, and there will be higher expectations — from fans and from Lundgaard himself. The 33-year-old from Denmark had one win in his three seasons at Rahal. He steps into a solid opportunity after showing promise the last three years. Rasmussen is also from Denmark, and after doing 13 races for Ed Carpenter Racing last year (he didn't do four of the oval races), he ran well enough that he gets all the events this year. Meanwhile, Ilott joined the new Prema Racing team, and while he didn't have a ride in 2024, he finished 11th in a pair of respectable substitute roles for McLaren last year. Fun fact: Rasmussen has a passion for old cars. Lundgaard says: "Hopefully I'm going to beat all of them. That's the plan." Ilott says: "I'm fun, still just about young. I love racing." Rasmussen says: "Good things are happening for Ed Carpenter Racing ... that will boost our competitiveness." The Doubted: Kyffin Simpson, Sting Ray Robb, Devlin DeFrancesco Who are they? These three drivers are still relatively young in their INDYCAR careers and will need to show that they can be in the mix. Simpson enters his second season at Ganassi, and his best finish in his rookie season was a 12th-place finish. Robb enters his third season in the series and first with Juncos Hollinger Racing with one top 10 over the last two years. DeFrancesco was full-time in 2022 and 2023 (his best was 12th) and is back this year with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Fun fact: Robb's unique name is from a combination of his ancestral roots in Stirlingshire, Scotland, and his grandfathers' names. Robb says: "I'm fun, I'm an American patriot, I love racing and my faith is a big part of who I am." DeFrancesco: "I'm a fun, outgoing Canadian. How about that?" The New Kids: Louis Foster and Jacob Abel Who are they? The drivers who finished first and second in the INDY NXT standings last year both make the move to INDYCAR's top series — Foster at Rahal Letterman Lanigan and Abel at Dale Coyne. They won't find success as quickly as they did in the developmental series but no one expects them to do so, either. Abel went to Butler University, not too far from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fun fact: Abel attended Butler University in Indianapolis. Foster says: "I'm a rookie and I'm new. ... It's going to be quite a fun year of learning and hopefully not too many mistakes." Abel says: "At my heart, I'm just a normal, Midwest, American kid. ... I'm one of the most relatable drivers to all the fans in the paddock." The Unknown: Robert Shwartzman Who is he? The 25-year-old Shwartzman was born in Israel and raised in Russia. He is well known to those who follow Formula racing in Europe. He was a test driver for Ferrari, but questions remain on whether he will adapt to INDYCAR and be successful. He has a huge following of 1.6 million on Instagram. Fun fact: Is a massive Star Wars fan nad has a large collection of lightsabers. Shwartzman says: "I'd like to believe that they like me. I'm funny and as an athlete, I want to believe I can deliver results where they can cheer for me." Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. recommended Get more from NTT INDYCAR SERIES Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more