Latest news with #Thrive
9 News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- 9 News
'Sickening': Former AFL gun's plea to thieves over stolen footage
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Koby Stevens and Australian Hollywood star Eric Bana had been working on the upcoming footy documentary for five years when Stevens' car was broken into in St Kilda. The "brazen" thieves stole camera gear and a hard drive containing hours of interviews for the project. Thieves have stolen footage for an upcoming footy documentary from homegrown Hollywood star Eric Bana and former AFL player Koby Stevens. (Supplied) "It's kind of sickening. You know, we never usually travel with that sort of gear," Stevens told Today this morning. "And it just happens to be that it was in my car for a bit and I was packing, unloading." Luckily for Stevens and Bana, the documentary footage was backed up and all is not lost. But the ex-AFL great said he still didn't want the hours of unaired footage to be in the wrong hands. "It's more about that there's something out in the world that no one's seen," he continued. Luckily for Stevens and Bana, the documentary footage was backed up and all is not lost. (9News) "For me, as someone who's been creating and running that project with a big team who have had my back the whole way, it's about protecting that." Stevens said he hoped the offenders would realise the sentimentality of the hard drive's contents. He pleaded for the thieves to return it, even anonymously. Stevens said he was unloading the car when it was broken into. (Instgaram/@koby____) "If they have it, just drop it off. There's not much you can do with it," he added. "People know now what it is. So that's the message "Look, you can have my camera equipment for stealing my stuff, but just drop the hard drive off." He pleaded for the thieves to return it, even anonymously. (Today) The film, Thrive , is due to enter post-production at the end of the year. "The film's pretty game-changing and on that hard drive was some pretty game-changing stuff," Stevens said yesterday. "It's just the sensitive nature of it all, that's now floating around in Melbourne somewhere." national AFL police crime theft Australia Melbourne Victoria CONTACT US
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Forgotten AFL star has ‘a million dollars' stolen in car smash and grab
Former AFL star Koby Stevens has revealed his car been broken into and he has lost 'over $1 million in documentary footage. Stevens, who retired in 2018 due to concussion injuries, is filming a documentary called Thrive which was expected to be released this year. The former footballer, who played for West Coast, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda has called the documentary an 'extraordinary cinematic journey that spans continents and showcases real-time evidence of brain healing'. 'It's been a long road raising finance, overcoming challenges, and telling a story that is as much about hope as it is about healing and building out a global media company,' he has previously said. Famous Aussie actor and St Kilda superfan Eric Bana has been involved in the production (he is the narrator), and it also includes key people from the movie industry. But now an emotional Stevens has revealed the footage has been stolen from his car in a smash and grab. 'My name is Koby Stevens. I played AFL for ten years and had to retire in 2018 due to concussion. You might have seen the story around,' he said in social media post, shared by sports presenter, Jacqueline Felgate. 'We have been shooting a huge documentary the last four years, travelling the world about concussion, and following some of the biggest athletes in the world and their healing journeys ... doing so with Eric Bana. 'This morning in St Kilda I loaded one of the huge hard drives and camera gear into my car and it was smashed into before I left and stolen. 'The hard drive is backed up but it has over a million dollars worth of footage on it from all over the world for the film, and some pretty important people in it like Eric Bana, etc, which is obviously extremely important and sensitive and hasn't been put out to the public yet because we are still in production. 'It's pretty distressing someone has this now.' Stevens, who only managed 91 games in a nine-year career due to his injuries, has previously said he is obsessed with 'brain health and repairing'. He said his obsession started because he wanted to do the things he loved 'well into the future and live without fear of breaking down' as he aged. 'I explored everything from functional neurology to psychedelic-assisted treatments, plant medicine, TMS, hot-cold, mindfulness, week long fasts to repair my guts from smashing painkillers and anti-inflammatory pills for nine years,' he said. 'If there was research to back it up, I was all in, now, life's never been more beautiful.' And he said he wanted to share his experience to help educate others. 'I've always been a big believer that our stories should be used as education for those next in line,' he said. 'I planned to deal with the fallout privately, hide it and just escape. I was embarrassed and angry, and like most men wanted to deal with it alone. 'My belief was (that) pain was just part of the game and respect was earned that way – you kept moving and didn't talk about it.' Fans were shattered for Stevens after he went public with the crime. 'This is devastating,' one fan said. 'Heartbreaking,' said another. And another: 'I'm so ashamed of what Melbourne has become 😞so hoping you get this back.'
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Forgotten AFL player Koby Stevens has $1m worth of documentary footage stolen from car
Former AFL star Koby Stevens has revealed his car been broken into and he has lost 'over $1 million in documentary footage. Stevens, who retired in 2018 due to concussion injuries, is filming a documentary called Thrive which was expected to be released this year. The former footballer, who played for West Coast, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda has called the documentary an 'extraordinary cinematic journey that spans continents and showcases real-time evidence of brain healing'. 'It's been a long road raising finance, overcoming challenges, and telling a story that is as much about hope as it is about healing and building out a global media company,' he has previously said. Famous Aussie actor and St Kilda superfan Eric Bana has been involved in the production (he is the narrator), and it also includes key people from the movie industry. But now an emotional Stevens has revealed the footage has been stolen from his car in a smash and grab. 'My name is Koby Stevens. I played AFL for ten years and had to retire in 2018 due to concussion. You might have seen the story around,' he said in social media post, shared by sports presenter, Jacqueline Felgate. 'We have been shooting a huge documentary the last four years, travelling the world about concussion, and following some of the biggest athletes in the world and their healing journeys ... doing so with Eric Bana. 'This morning in St Kilda I loaded one of the huge hard drives and camera gear into my car and it was smashed into before I left and stolen. 'The hard drive is backed up but it has over a million dollars worth of footage on it from all over the world for the film, and some pretty important people in it like Eric Bana, etc, which is obviously extremely important and sensitive and hasn't been put out to the public yet because we are still in production. 'It's pretty distressing someone has this now.' Stevens, who only managed 91 games in a nine-year career due to his injuries, has previously said he is obsessed with 'brain health and repairing'. He said his obsession started because he wanted to do the things he loved 'well into the future and live without fear of breaking down' as he aged. 'I explored everything from functional neurology to psychedelic-assisted treatments, plant medicine, TMS, hot-cold, mindfulness, week long fasts to repair my guts from smashing painkillers and anti-inflammatory pills for nine years,' he said. 'If there was research to back it up, I was all in, now, life's never been more beautiful.' And he said he wanted to share his experience to help educate others. 'I've always been a big believer that our stories should be used as education for those next in line,' he said. 'I planned to deal with the fallout privately, hide it and just escape. I was embarrassed and angry, and like most men wanted to deal with it alone. 'My belief was (that) pain was just part of the game and respect was earned that way – you kept moving and didn't talk about it.' Fans were shattered for Stevens after he went public with the crime. 'This is devastating,' one fan said. 'Heartbreaking,' said another.
The Star
7 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Dogs and cats get allergies too – here's how you can help them
About five years ago, Gail Friedman noticed her Parson Russell Terrier was constantly licking his paws and seemed super uncomfortable. "The poor dog. I would put baby socks on his feet so that he wouldn't lick them or bite at them,' said Friedman, of Oak Brook, Illinois. "I was constantly changing the socks, washing his feet a lot. Nothing worked.' It turned out her canine companion, Mr Friedman, had allergies. It's a common and tricky problem in pets – caused by various things such as pollen, dust, mold, chemicals and food – but veterinarians say there are several ways to ease their suffering. Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. Cats and dogs react to many of the same things people do, as well as pests like fleas. There are no definitive recent statistics on how many pets have allergies, but research suggests the problem is growing. "I probably see allergic dogs and cats every single day, probably multiple times a day,' said Dr Karen Woodard, medical director at Thrive Pet Healthcare-Elmhurst in Illinois. About 90% of allergic pets react to environmental triggers, Woodard said, and the rest have food allergies only. Dog breeds that are especially vulnerable include various types of terriers, boxers and bulldogs; in cats, it's Persians, Siamese and Himalayans. Pets can even be allergic to other animals – cats to dogs, dogs to cats and either to another species. "It's possible for them to be allergic to us, just like we are to them,' said Thrive's Dr. Anthea Elliott Schick of Scottsdale, Arizona, immediate past president of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Friedman (right) holds her dog, Mr Friedman, while Dr Woodard checks his ear for signs of allergies. — Photos: LAURA BARGFELD/AP Scratch and lick Allergic cats and dogs aren't as likely as humans to sneeze and cough. More often, they scratch and lick themselves, shake their heads and develop ear infections. Woodard said her Yorkie mix, Teddy, had the classic signs – scratching around his shoulders and getting rashes and ear infections starting as a six-month-old lived in the South at the time, and he tested positive for allergies to various trees and grasses there. A common sign of allergies in her feline patients is "overdoing their grooming,' said Woodard, who's on the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association's board of directors."Cats shouldn't be pulling their hair out when they groom. So if you start seeing bald patches on your cat, even though the skin underneath it looks normal, that could be a sign of allergies.' Even food allergies, often to chicken, beef, lamb or other protein sources, frequently show up on the skin, although pets can have vomiting or diarrhoea, too. Rarely, pets can develop life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, perhaps after being stung by an insect. But most allergies are simply miserable for the animals. "It breaks my heart because it gets to a point that not only do I have socks on poor Mr Friedman – which is humiliating for him – he sometimes gets so bad he has to wear the cone of shame,' Gail Friedman said. "And that's not fair because he can't move around right, he can't sleep right. It's terrible.' Get help The first step is to get a diagnosis from the vet. This could involve allergy testing, or in the case of food allergies, an "elimination diet,' which involves feeding limited ingredients the pet hasn't previously eaten. If the allergy culprit is environmental, there are medications like anti-inflammatory drugs and newer oral and injectable medications for dogs to block chemical signals associated with allergies may be treated with special diets such as "hydrolysed' food, in which proteins are chemically broken down into tiny pieces. All this can get expensive. Friedman estimates she's spent about $10,000 (RM42,495) on testing, medication and care for Mr Friedman and another allergic dog. But vets say there are also ways to help pets at home by cleaning their bedding frequently, wiping their fur with a wet washcloth and giving them baths. Outdoors, "they're almost acting like little Swiffers, getting allergens on their skin, and it goes through their skin and actually becomes a problem,' Schick said."We say bathe your dog, at a minimum, once a week if they're allergic.' After she's tried nearly everything, Friedman's dogs are still vexed by allergies. But they're doing better. "I'm going to keep experimenting until we find what stops it completely,' she said. "All you can do is try.' – By LAURA UNGAR/AP
The Star
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
High-flying Indonesian and leading South-East Asian R&B band Juicy Luicy to headline Malaysia's Ruang Inspirasi Festival (RIF) on Aug 17
High-flying Indonesian band Juicy Luicy, South-East Asia's top pop-rock R&B band, is coming to town. And save the date - Aug 17, 2025; as music fans in Malaysia, especially the younger generation, will be treated to a more happening, inspiring, and emotional concert experience through the Ruang Inspirasi Festival (RIF), which is set to take place at the Mega Star Arena, Kuala Lumpur. And this is only the first phase of the announcement, as the organisers plan to bring more top bands for the festival, which will be the second phase of the announcement — the concert is presented by Expoindo together with local concert organiser Thrive. "RIF brings a fresh concept that combines musical performances with elements of inspiration and sharing the stories behind the popular works of the artists involved. "This festival is not just an ordinary concert, but rather a platform to instill positive spirit and inspiration through music," said organiser Expoindo, adding RIF is a music show featuring the most awaited musicians by fans in Kuala Lumpur. 'The name 'Ruang Inspirasi' itself was born from our desire to provide a space where music not only entertains, but also touches the soul and inspires. This edition, we feature the famous alternative pop group from Indonesia, Juicy Luicy, as the main artist. This group is no stranger to local music fans through their hit songs such as 'Lantas', 'Lampu Kuning', 'Sialan', and many more. They have also been mentioned by many top music writers to currently be the foremost R&B group in the Nusantara region. 'There is no doubt that Juicy Luicy is one of the most loved artists by the younger generation in Malaysia. Their songs are not only close to the listeners' life experiences, but are also loaded with strong emotional messages. That is why they were chosen as the main focus of RIF this year,' said Bram Tulong, representing Expoindo. Juicy Luicy is the first phase artist for the Ruang Inspirasi Festival (RIF) 2025. The announcement for the second phase artists will be made soon! This is an inspiring combination for everyone. A combination that is the first time in Malaysia, specifically for fans here. According to Bram, the artists who perform at the festival will also share their personal stories and their journeys in the music world, making it a closer and more meaningful experience for everyone in attendance. 'We want the audience to feel closer to the artists, not just watching from afar. There is a space for sharing, stories, and inspiration that makes every moment more personal and profound,' he said. Through this festival, Expoindo also plans to expand the organisation of RIF to other major cities in Malaysia, to strengthen the community spirit through music and make this festival a regional platform that connects artists from Indonesia, Malaysia, and also the region. 'We hope that RIF will be a cultural bridge that further strengthens the bilateral relationship between the Malaysian and Indonesian entertainment industries. At the same time, we want to spread positive values and inspiration to the community through the music we bring,' explained Johnathon Wong, representative of BBO Events. RIF 2025 will have two performances in one day, namely in the afternoon and evening. Ticket prices for the afternoon performance have been announced on Instagram and TikTok via ,,, Tickets are priced between RM528 and RM158. RIF 2025 tickets were available for sale from July 3 via the BBO Events app or the official website
