Latest news with #StuartMcMillan
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'It's about the music' - DJ duo Slam celebrate 35 years
Under the red-brick Victorian railway arches of Glasgow's Platform venue, the familiar thud of techno reverberates around the move closely together, immersed in the repetitive beats as pioneering DJ duo Slam mark 35 years of shaping Scotland's electronic music decades this building, formerly known as The Arches, was home to Slam's renowned the years, they welcomed some of the biggest names in the industry to the venue, including Fatboy Slim, Boys Noize and Nina Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle are back where it all all night long in the infamous tunnels, they sound just as fresh as when they first formed the duo. "I'm proud of still having the enthusiasm that I had when we started doing it," said McMillan."It certainly doesn't feel that long."Slam have witnessed club culture evolve in countless ways over the past 35 years but they say the essence remains unchanged."To me, it's just a DJ and a bunch of people in a dark room," McMillan said."The music can be different throughout time... but essentially, it's something quite tribal. It's the same."Their longevity is rooted not in chasing music trends, but in carving out their own path."Sometimes I just back away from trends because if it's a trend, to me it says it's not going to last," McMillan said."When you've been doing it for this long it's not a good look to jump on every new trend that comes along. "I think by this stage, you should have forged your vibe by now." The duo released their new album, Dark Channel, last week. They describe it as a fierce, club-focused record that channels decades of experience into a reflection of the "fractured, chaotic" world we now sees the album as a response to turbulent times, with the dance floor offering unity in the face of division."I think we are going into a time now where there is discourse, wars, people arguing with each other, a big divide between where people sit on the political spectrum," he said."I guess the only sanctuary for that, a space where people are coming together, is on the dance floor. "I think that's a beautiful thing and I think that needs to be celebrated, and the album is a tribute to that." Slam's belief in the power of club culture goes beyond music. They recalled how when they first started going clubbing in the late 1980s, dance floors played a key role in uniting people."When acid house came in 1988, people stopped fighting at football, which I think is amazing," said McMillan."To see them together on the dance floor was unheard of at the time," Meikle also continue to influence the scene through their label, Soma in 1991, Soma helped launch the careers of countless artists - including Daft Punk, long before their global breakthrough."A big part of our thing is to bring new artists through," McMillan added. Meikle said: "We've always tried to look for something that sounds fresh or new or different. "It's never been about how much money we will make, how popular it will be. "It's about the music, and it's been like that from day one."McMillan joked: "Commercially, I'm the worst A&R man in history."Many also associate Slam with their events, especially the Slam Tent which they ran at T in the Park.A comeback was on the cards after the Covid lockdowns, but logistical issues meant plans fell the pair haven't ruled out bringing back the Slam Tent in some way."It's something we would love to do. It's not off the table," they said."Watch this space."
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Why You Should Start Skipping, According To The Huberman Lab Podcast
Skipping is seen as a kid-only activity. Yet it has been shown to have benefits at any age as a way ... More to practice "explosive" movements safely and build and maintain fast twitch muscle fibers which decline with age. When people think about maintaining their fitness, they sometimes imagine high-tech workout routines or carefully crafted diet plans. But what if the key to better mobility, speed, and even longevity was something as simple as skipping? That's the surprising insight from this week's episode of The Huberman Lab Podcast, where Dr. Andrew Huberman sat down with world-renowned sprint coach Stuart McMillan. Their conversation described the power of plyometrics, sprinting, and, most intriguingly, skipping—not just as a warm-up or a child's game, but as a foundational movement for health and performance at any age. If you're an athlete looking to gain an edge, a weekend warrior hoping to avoid injuries, or simply someone aiming to stay mobile well into old age, here's why you should consider skipping your way to better health. Most think of skipping as something kids do. But according to McMillan, it's one of the most effective and underutilized forms of plyometric training. Plyometrics are exercises that involve explosive movements like jumping and bounding. They are essential for building speed, coordination, and power. Plyometrics improve the function of muscles, fascia, and the nervous system, all of which are crucial for maintaining agility and mobility as we age. Skipping is also an activity almost anyone can incorporate into their routine. Unlike sprinting, which can be tough on the joints, skipping delivers many of the same benefits while minimizing injury risks. Participation in competitive sports that maintain muscle mass—like sprinting—is associated with improved longevity. A 2010 review found that long-term participation in vigorous exercise was linked to lower mortality, mostly driven by lower rates of cardiovascular disease. As we age, strength, mobility, and reaction time declines. Many people assume that slow, steady cardio—like jogging or brisk walking—is the best way to stay fit. But recent research suggests that explosive movements, like those found in skipping and sprinting, may actually be more beneficial for long-term health. Elite sprinters and athletes tend to retain muscle mass and mobility far longer than those who rely solely on endurance exercise. That's because sprinting and other plyometrics train fast-twitch muscle fibers—the fibers most responsible for power and agility. As we age, these fibers atrophy faster than slow-twitch fibers, making it even more crucial to incorporate explosive movements into workouts. Loss of fast-twitch fibers is a central cause of the slowing of gait seen as people move into their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Exercises like skipping (and sprinting) can help slow the loss of these fibers. Skipping might sound straightforward, but there's actually an optimal way to do it for maximum effectiveness. Here are some recommendations: Skipping is not just a warm-up—it can be a workout. A short 10-minute skipping session can provide significant benefits for speed, strength, and injury prevention. Sprinting is one of the most advanced and functional plyometric exercises for speed, power, and athleticism. For those hesitant about sprinting due to fear of injury, here is a simple progression to help get started safely. A key takeaway is that many people injure themselves when they jump into sprinting without proper preparation. It's why skipping is such a valuable tool—it builds the strength and elasticity needed to sprint safely. Another common myth is that sprinting is only for elite athletes. In reality, everyone can benefit from some form of sprint training, even if it's not at top speed. One of the biggest barriers to sprinting is that most adults simply stop doing it. When people stop sprinting, the body loses the ability handle that kind of movement. This is where skipping comes in—it reintroduces explosive movement patterns in a safe and controlled way. By incorporating skipping and sprint drills gradually, anyone can regain their ability to move quickly and powerfully. One of the biggest takeaways from the podcast is that simple movements—like skipping and sprinting—are some of the most powerful tools we have for maintaining health and mobility. McMillan and Huberman make a compelling case for why skipping should be a staple in every fitness routine. It's an accessible, zero-cost activity that improves speed, power, coordination, and even help you sleep better. More importantly, it helps preserve the ability to move explosively—something that becomes increasingly important as we age. So if you're looking for an easy, effective way to boost your athleticism and longevity, it might be time to start skipping again. As McMillan puts it: 'Skipping isn't just for kids. It's one of the best things we can do for our bodies—at any age.'
