xixi

Author: blogs2025

  • Digital risk management: March 2025 newsletter

    Digital risk management: March 2025 newsletter


    Digital risk management tools for 2025

    Who else remembers the episode of Friends where they’re trying to move a couch around a tight corner on a staircase, and Ross starts yelling “Pivot!”

    That pretty much sums up how a lot of businesses are feeling these days.

    There’s plenty of uncertainty to go around, and there are plenty of questions about what lies ahead — and what the impact will be on businesses across the country.

    If only we had a crystal ball that actually worked. Until then, the best thing businesses can do is prepare and plan ahead, which is the crux of risk management.

    Not sure how to handle monitoring and risk-proofing all the different aspects of your organization? Good news: Digital risk management tools take the guesswork out of risk management and make it easy to identify, assess, and respond to threats.

    So, since uncertainty has become a buzzword, and our “unprecedented times” have become a lot more precedented, we thought this would be an ideal time to look at digital risk management tools and how they can help businesses mitigate threats before they turn into problems. We’ll also keep looking for a working crystal ball.

    Let’s get into it.

    • What’s going on?
    • Cybersecurity assessment platforms
    • Business continuity planning software
    • Supply chain risk management tools
    • Compliance management systems
    • Employee security training platforms
    • Employee training tools
    • What’s new from Embroker

    What’s going on?

    Business Continuity Plans Lacking Among SMBs: Nationwide Survey — Insurance Journal

    A recent survey found that one in five businesses lack a business continuity plan, leaving them vulnerable to operational disruptions.

    A Matter of Trust: How AI Is Reshaping Risk Assessment — PYMNTS

    We’ve all heard the cyber horror stories of hackers and other threat actors using AI tools to conduct more sophisticated cyberattacks. But, on the flip side, AI is also helping companies to “supercharge their defensive capabilities.” And that’s a trend we can all get behind.

    Five Things to Know On CrowdStrike’s New Exposure Management Launch — CRN

    There have been a lot of headlines lately about CrowdStrike’s fast-growing Falcon Exposure Management offering. If you’re unsure about what’s been going on or looking for a rundown of just the highlights, this article covers the latest.

    Global Trade Disruption Reshapes Business Risk Landscape — Risk & Insurance

    Heightened risks around the economy, geopolitics, and climate change are leading business leaders to develop new frameworks for managing global supply chains. TL;DR: We weren’t kidding about there being lots of uncertainty to go around.

    Cybersecurity assessment platforms

    Gif image of Jim Carey typing in extra fast

    No one wants an unwanted visitor to crash a party. Now, let’s translate that to businesses and the digital world. Preventing unwanted guests (hackers) is where cybersecurity assessment platforms come in.

    Cybersecurity assessment platforms are designed to help companies check how secure their digital information is — and then suggest ways to make it even safer. These tools can thoroughly analyze a company’s cybersecurity policies, regulatory compliance, and vulnerabilities, like setting the network password to “password123,” so businesses can remediate digital weaknesses. It’s all about making sure no one can sneak in through an unlocked side door and wreak havoc.

    Examples include:

    Bitsight: With more than 3,300 customers and 65,000 users, Bitsight provides real-time visibility into cyber risk and threat exposure, which can enable teams to quickly identify weak spots, detect threats, prioritize actions, and mitigate risk. Bitsight says its security ratings solution helps companies understand their own security performance and that of their vendors, clients, and other third parties.

    SecurityScorecard: Recognized as a trusted resource by the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, SecurityScorecard delivers end-to-end supply chain cybersecurity to safeguard business continuity. SecurityScorecard created Supply Chain Detection and Response, which helps security teams actively prevent third-party breaches by enhancing the security preparedness of their organization and suppliers.

    UpGuard: Helping businesses manage cybersecurity risks across their supply chains, UpGuard’s integrated risk platform provides businesses with a comprehensive view of their risk. Using proprietary security ratings, data leak detection capabilities, and remediation workflows, UpGuard helps organizations of all sizes proactively identify security vulnerabilities.

    Software to keep your business running

    Gif image of Forrest Gump running

    Business continuity planning tools can save the day when a curveball is thrown your way — whether that’s a minor inconvenience or a major disaster.

    These tools facilitate developing, documenting, and managing business continuity plans, ensuring operations can continue during and after a crisis. Designed to automate business continuity management processes, business continuity planning software helps organizations minimize downtime, protect assets, and ensure a swift recovery when disaster strikes.

    Examples include:

    Archer: Used by customers in 48 countries, Archer helps organizations transform risk management into business-enabling strategies. Archer offers a scalable approach that allows businesses to proactively prepare for and protect against potentially devastating disruptions. With Archer, businesses can identify and catalog critical processes and systems to develop business continuity and disaster recovery plans to safeguard operations.

    Fusion: Fusion helps businesses build proactive continuity and resiliency strategies. The Fusion Framework System provides interactive ways to analyze all business aspects to identify risks, points of failure, and the appropriate response to mitigate damages. Fusion recently launched BC Plan inFusion, which lets customers upload static business continuity plans to have the information converted into usable data in just a few minutes.

    Supply chain risk management tools

    Gif image of a hippie looking woman waving arms around with text overlay reading: Supply, Demand, the Market Baby

    Supply chain risk management tools, unsurprisingly, help keep a company’s supply chain running smoothly. They help businesses identify, assess, and mitigate potential problems, such as supplier reliability, political issues, natural disasters, or sudden market changes.

    By using these tools, businesses can stay ahead of challenges and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and disruptions, which is increasingly critical in today’s interconnected business environment.

    Examples include:

    interos.ai: Described as the world’s first and only automated supplier intelligence platform, interos.ai offers lifecycle supply chain risk management to help mitigate hidden threats. The company uses AI to continuously map and monitor millions of suppliers and billions of relationships to protect organizations from various weak points for a comprehensive view of risk across physical and digital supply chains.

    Resilinc: Resilinc’s supplier-customer collaboration platform integrates comprehensive data analytics, real-time risk event monitoring, mapping, and AI-powered predictive insights to give businesses an understanding of their multi-tier supply chain. Resilinc’s AI-powered platform can help organizations anticipate, mitigate, and respond to disruptions. Companies can track and analyze a variety of supply chain data points and potential risks.

    Compliance management systems

    Gif of Kramer from Seinfeld, with text reading: Hey a rule is a rule, and let's face it, without rules, there's chaos

    Compliance regulations are constantly changing, and keeping up can feel like a challenging and never-ending game of catch-up. And the stakes are high since failing to meet regulatory requirements can lead to hefty financial penalties.

    Compliance management systems are tools and controls that automate and streamline compliance monitoring, managing, and reporting processes, reducing the risk of violations and penalties. A compliance management system can include anything from risk assessments to compliance training.

    Examples include:

    LogicGate: A cloud-based platform, LogicGate says its goal is to make governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) processes easier for all businesses. LogicGate’s no-code app builder and pre-built templates let organizations adjust processes and workflows as needed and automate their own GRC tasks. LogicGate recently launched its Value Realization Tool, which provides insight into the financial value of GRC programs.

    MetricStream: With over a million global users, MetricStream offers integrated risk management and GRC solutions that enable companies to transform risk into a strategic advantage. MetricStream’s platform promotes a holistic and collaborative approach to enterprise-wide GRC activities. According to MetricStream, its customers, on average, see a 90% reduction in time managing compliance activities.

    Employee security training platforms

    Gif of a man typing on a laptop, with a second man emerging from inside of 1st man's sweater

    Think of employee security training platforms as a cybersecurity boot camp for your team -– but fun and without any of the militaristic intensity. These platforms teach employees how to spot cyber threats in the workplace, which is increasingly important since 95% of data breaches are tied to human error.

    With employee security training, companies can promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness and empower employees to act as the first line of defense against cyber risks.

    Examples include:

    Infosec IQ: Infosec says its mission is to put people at the center of cybersecurity by providing knowledge and skills to help employees stay cyber-secure at work and home. Infosec IQ’s industry- and role-based cybersecurity training personalizes education so that it is relevant to an employee’s role and the cyber threats they’re most likely to encounter.

    KnowBe4: KnowBe4’s HRM+ platform includes security awareness and compliance training, cloud email security, anti-phishing, real-time coaching, and more. KnowBe4 says it uses personalized and relevant content, tools, and techniques to “mobilize workforces to transform from the largest attack surface to an organization’s biggest asset.”

    Employee training tools

    Gif of Rocky with arms upraised from the movie Rocky

    Employee training tools are designed to promote a positive and collaborative workplace environment. Basically, they help get everyone on the same page with the company culture.

    The tools can cover things like company policies, improving communication and teamwork, and even training for job-specific skills. The benefit of using employee training tools is more than just compliance — they can help boost employee morale, which is a definite bonus for recruitment and retention.

    Examples include:

    Emtrain: Emtrain’s solutions help develop inclusion, ethics, and respect as professional competencies. Emtrain partners with industry experts and uses current events to create video-based training on topics such as unconscious bias and respect. With Emtrain, companies can benchmark their corporate culture against the global community to identify issues before they become problems.

    Traliant: Traliant offers tailored, interactive, story-based online training designed to engage employees. An in-house legal team ensures that the courses offered are continuously compliant. Traliant’s library of courses, including training on inclusion and code of conduct, can help broaden perspectives, achieve compliance, and elevate workplace culture.

    Excelerator Consulting: Excelerator delivers custom programs focused on achieving measurable workplace improvements in areas like compliance training, leadership consulting, and HR functions. Their Excelerator HR Essentials option gives clients access to a dedicated virtual advisor, a mini HR audit, and an extensive document library.

    What’s new from Embroker?

    Upcoming events, stories, and more

    Business Insurance Index: Tech Sector

    The wait is over! Embroker’s 2024 Business Insurance Index: Tech Sector is here. Our detailed analysis reveals how tech companies are navigating business insurance decisions in the evolving risk landscape. One surprising trend: Tech companies with $25M+ in funding are increasingly opting for lower D&O limits.

    Introducing Embroker’s new VP of Underwriting

    We’re thrilled to welcome Stephen Easley to the Embroker team as the new Vice President of Underwriting. With more than 25 years of specialty underwriting expertise, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge that will help expand our underwriting capabilities and refine our specialty insurance products. Check out this recent blog post to learn more about Stephen’s experience and vision for Embroker’s future.

    Employment Practices Liability Insurance: Why Small Businesses Need EPLI

    Embroker’s Head of Claims, Corrie Hurm, was recently interviewed for a business.com article regarding the importance of employment practices liability insurance for small businesses. This quote highlights the issue perfectly: “What is particularly troubling is that many organizations don’t recognize the need for EPLI until they are already facing a claim.”

    Like what you’re reading?

    Check out the Embroker Resource Center for more

  • Consumer Debt Statistics: Data, Trends & Demographics

    Consumer Debt Statistics: Data, Trends & Demographics


    Younger Americans have relatively low levels of debt, but high levels of debt stress. This is evidenced by the high rates of serious delinquency for younger holders of credit cards and car loans[6].

    Consumer Debt by Ethnicity

    American households of all ethnic backgrounds carry debt. Black and Native American households are likely to owe more relative to their household assets and to carry higher-interest debt[7].

    Black and Hispanic households carry higher levels of credit card debt than white households.

    Black and Hispanic households tend to have lower levels of credit card debt than white households. They also typically have lower incomes, which leaves fewer resources available to pay these debts.

    💳 Read more: Master your finances with our guide on how to use credit cards wisely, featuring 11 essential rules to follow.

    The median mortgage amount is $130,000 for white and Hispanic borrowers and $116,000 for Black borrowers. However, focusing solely on the median amount masks a deeper issue: Black, Hispanic, and Native American homeowners often face higher-cost and riskier mortgages compared to white borrowers[5].

    Consumer Debt by Family Structure

    A study conducted by credit reporting agency Experian revealed that U.S. consumers with children carry 14% to 51% more total debt than the national average[9].

    Debt balances for credit cards and personal loans increased significantly with the number of children. Student loan balances remained relatively constant, suggesting that most individuals have completed their education and student loan payments by the time they start having children.

    The average credit scores of parents fall slightly below the national average, suggesting that families are paying average or above-average interest rates.

    👉 Learn more: Unveil the most effective credit building tools in our latest guide, designed to help you establish strong credit in 2025.

    Consumer Debt by State

    Debt levels vary significantly from state to state. California is the most indebted state with the average resident carrying $84,050 in debt.

    State Total Debt per Capita
    AZ $70,350
    CA $84,050
    FL $58,610
    IL $53,730
    MI $46,680
    NJ $64,820
    NV $69,290
    NY $57,560
    OH $44,610
    PA $48,030
    TX $56,610

    There are several notable trends and reasons behind the geographical variations of consumer debt in the US.

    Regional Variations in Income Distribution

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in the United States in 2021 was $70,784. This figure remained relatively stable compared to the 2020 median household income of $71,186[9].

    Median incomes varied across the four major regions of the United States. The West and Northeast regions had the highest median household incomes in 2021, with $79,430 and $77,472, respectively. The Midwest followed with $71,129, and the South had the lowest median household income at $63,368[9].

    The difference in median household incomes between the Northeast and the West in 2021 was not statistically significant. This indicates that the income levels in these two regions were relatively similar. Additionally, none of the four regions experienced a statistically significant change in median household income between 2020 and 2021[9].

    The variations in median household income across regions reflect underlying economic and demographic factors. Factors such as educational attainment, employment opportunities, and industrial composition can contribute to income disparities. Understanding these regional differences is crucial for policymakers in addressing economic inequality and promoting inclusive growth.

    Cost of Living and Job Market Stability

    Hawaii for example claimed the top spot as the most expensive state in terms of cost of living[10]. This high cost of living is contributing to high levels of consumer debt.

    While New York had the fifth-highest cost of living nationwide, its residents held the most disposable income.

    States with more stable job markets and lower unemployment rates, such as those in the Midwest and Plains regions, tend to have lower levels of consumer debt.

  • AFPA Student Success Story – Dr. Nikki LeToya White

    AFPA Student Success Story – Dr. Nikki LeToya White


    During the last 31+ years, AFPA has certified over 130,000 health, nutrition, and fitness professionals. We regularly feature distinguished and new graduates who are using what they have learned to inspire others and make a difference. 

    Meet one of our featured graduates, Dr. Nikki LeToya White. Dr. Nikki has earned her Holistic Nutritionist Certification, Health and Wellness Coach Certification, and Weight Management Specialist Certification (now our Coaching for Weight Loss Certificate) from AFPA.

    Meet AFPA Graduate Dr. Nikki LeToya White, M.S.Ed-TL, Ph.D., RHN

    Tell us about yourself.

    My name is Dr. Nikki LeToya White, and I wear many hats—trucker wife, proud mom of four, and a devoted advocate for women in recovery.

    I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Health Service Administration, a Master’s in Education (Teaching and Learning), and a Doctorate in Christian Counseling.

    As a Trauma-Informed Nutritionist, Herbalist, and Recovery Coach, I specialize in helping high-achieving women navigate the complex intersection of emotional trauma, addiction recovery, and wellness.

    Through my private practice, Spiced Life Conversation Art Wellness Studio and Botanica in Conyers, Georgia, we offer a safe and nurturing space for women seeking deep recovery, emotional wellness, and practical tools to heal.

    Dr. Nikki LeToya White

    My team and I provide personalized support that addresses addiction triggers, builds sustainable coping mechanisms, and empowers women to reclaim their lives after years of navigating unresolved emotional wounds like abandonment and childhood neglect.

    My approach is both holistic and trauma-informed, blending evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and somatic therapy to guide women through their healing journeys.

    How did you first become interested in health and wellness?

    My journey into health and wellness began during one of the most vulnerable seasons of my life. As a new trucker wife and mother, I felt lost and overwhelmed, struggling with mom-shaming, isolation, and debilitating panic attacks. Five visits to the ER later, I took the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study and discovered that my separation anxiety had triggered an old abandonment wound from childhood—a wound caused by my mother leaving me to be raised by my great-grandmother while she pursued her career. The physician’s words were life-changing: unresolved childhood trauma was fueling my current anxiety and binge eating disorder.

    Unfortunately, my first therapy experience wasn’t successful, leaving me to navigate this overwhelming emotional terrain alone. I started blogging about my struggles as a trucker wife, which led to coaching other women in similar situations and writing The Loner Wife Diaries series.

    My healing took a transformative turn when I was introduced to a life coach and Hoodoo practitioner with decades of sobriety experience. Her wisdom and guidance taught me how to lay the foundation for my recovery. But healing is rarely linear, and life brought new challenges—a relapse in my binge eating disorder, digestive issues, and hormonal imbalances stemming from low estrogen levels after my third and fourth cesareans. Diagnosed with vaginal atrophy at just 28 years old, I faced surgeries and chronic pain that left me saying, “Enough is enough.”

    I decided to educate myself, stumbled upon the AFPA Holistic Nutritionist Program, and enrolled to learn how to use food as medicine. The knowledge I gained was life-changing. I healed my digestive issues, managed my hormonal imbalances, reversed my binge eating relapse, and even lost thirty pounds unintentionally.

    Which AFPA certification have you earned, and why did you choose that certification program?

    I actively use my certifications in Holistic Nutrition, Health Coaching, and CEUs such as The Herbal Apothecary and Natural Strategies for Menopause to serve women in recovery.

    I’m currently preparing to take the AFPA Gut Health Nutrition Specialist Certificate to deepen my expertise in healing the gut-brain connection—a critical aspect of emotional and physical recovery for my clients, this will put me on track on becoming a Master Nutrition Consultant.

    Master Level Nutrition Consultant Program Guide Cover

    Become an Expert Nutrition Coach at Your Own Pace

    Download your free guide now.

    Tell us about your business and how you serve people.

    My passion is taking everything I learned and sharing it with women who seek to make their self care and sobritey a top piority. The most profound lesson I learned is that health and lifestyle are deeply interconnected—you cannot separate mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

    My studies gave me a holistic perspective on the body and its relationship with trauma, addiction, and nutrition. I learned that unresolved emotional pain—especially from abandonment and childhood neglect—often manifests as addictions like binge eating, sugar dependency, or substance abuse.

    These behaviors not only impact emotional health but can also lead to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and inflammation. This understanding has shaped my work, allowing me to bridge the wellness, mental health, and substance abuse industries. With the right education and personal experience, I’ve been able to guide women toward healing on all levels—body, mind, and spirit.

    Many of my clients struggle with emotional eating, sugar addiction, anxiety, and women’s health concerns, all stemming from deep emotional wounds. By combining nutrition, herbal wellness, and emotional support, I empower my clients to break free from harmful coping mechanisms and build sustainable lives in recovery. This approach has not only helped me celebrate 8 years of full remission but also enabled my clients to thrive as they heal.

    How has becoming certified with AFPA impacted your life?

    As mentioned earlier, the knowledge I gained was life-changing. I healed my digestive issues, managed my hormonal imbalances, reversed my binge eating relapse, and even lost thirty pounds unintentionally. What started as a personal pursuit turned into a calling as others began reaching out to me for advice. I realized that rebranding my private practice to focus on women in recovery aligned perfectly with my purpose. Today, I continue to navigate my own sobriety while empowering women to do the same. None of this would have been possible without the education and tools I gained through my holistic nutrition studies.

    What advice would you give others considering getting certified through AFPA?

    If you’re thinking about becoming certified with AFPA, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the leap. AFPA’s programs are not just about gaining knowledge; they’re about transforming your own life while equipping you to help others do the same. My journey began with a desire to heal myself from binge eating, anxiety, and unresolved trauma.

    Through AFPA, I gained a deeper understanding of holistic wellness, nutrition, and the mind-body connection. The courses are comprehensive, easy to follow, and rooted in practical tools that allow you to create real change—for yourself and your clients. The most rewarding part is being able to combine your passion for health with a purposeful career. Whether you want to improve your own well-being or help others navigate their healing journeys, AFPA gives you the foundation to make a meaningful impact. Trust the process, invest in yourself, and let this certification change your life.

    How can we find you online?

    Spiced Life Conversation

    Read more AFPA graduate success stories

  • The Next Chapter for Streetball? How Creators Are Taking Over Basketball

    The Next Chapter for Streetball? How Creators Are Taking Over Basketball


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Every basketball player dreams of making it to the NBA — but for most, that dream goes unrealized.

    “When you stop playing, a part of your identity as a basketball player fades,” says Scotty Weaver, a former college hooper turned basketball content creator. “It’s always that feeling of never making it.”

    While playing overseas or in semi-pro leagues is still an option, it rarely comes with the recognition that the NBA offers. With The Next Chapter, Weaver is aiming to change that.

    Co-founded with fellow basketball creator D’Vonte Friga, The Next Chapter (TNC) is a premier 1v1 basketball league spotlighting some of the most dynamic streetballers in the game. Players go head-to-head for cash prizes in a format reminiscent of cage fighting.

    Related: 7 Lessons from Basketball to Help You Succeed in Business

    The prologue

    Weaver was in the streetball content world long before TNC, starting out working with BallisLife doing content with their East Coast squad, where he met standout player Isaiah Hodge, aka Slim Reaper. They left Ballislife and started making their own street ball content with a group called The Wild Hunt. Weaver would bring his Wild Hunt team to local parks and film five-on-five basketball videos.

    “We had a bunch of guys who were characters,” Weaver says. “Slam dunkers, guys doing creative dribbling, big talkers. Everyone brought their own personality and energy.”

    The five-on-five format helped draw big crowds, but it made it tough for Weaver to pay the players involved consistently.

    “To help pay the team, we asked after the event if they wanted to run some one-on-ones with people at the park,” he explains. “When that video comes out, we’ll post it as the next chapter — and whatever it generates will be how we pay you. So your ability to earn is directly tied to your performance in the video.”

    That model incentivized players to talk trash, play flashy and stand out, turning the games into even better content.

    They started featuring one of their players, Lah Moon, in a one-on-one after every park run, challenging the best and bravest from the crowd. After a string of undefeated performances, Moon finally met his match in former college hooper Nasir Core, whose dominant showing made him a standout in the community.

    Sensing they were onto something, Weaver brought Core in as another featured one-on-one player, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become The Next Chapter. Season One featured seven players, each compensated based on how well their videos performed. They shot all seven episodes in a single day and posted them over several months.

    “Season one did great,” Weaver says. “Players started to see how much money they could make on this.”

    What began as a way for players to make some extra money has unexpectedly evolved into a potential career path for streetball creators.

    “We just paid attention to what people wanted to watch,” Weaver says. “What we’re building is a basketball league — whether it’s one-on-ones, two-on-twos, three-on-threes, or five-on-fives. Right now, we’re focused on ones because they’re far more marketable. But we never want to close ourselves off to the idea of doing it all.”

    Related: ‘This is the Future’: WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie Reflects on the WNBA’s Growth and Championing Small Business

    The ‘UFC’ of hoops

    TNC’s marketing strategy channels the spirit of Vince McMahon and Dana White, building stars by spotlighting unique personalities and skill sets. YouTube phenom Devonte Friga knows this process well, having grown his personal channel to over a million followers.

    “We’re trying to build the UFC of one-on-one basketball,” Friga says.

    He points to one of TNC’s standout players, J Lew, whom the marketing team cleverly labeled “the internet’s shiftiest hooper.”

    “There are so many players like that — each with small, unique parts of their game that define who they are. Take NAS, for example. Online, he’s dominant. He doesn’t just win — he wins big — and makes sure everyone knows it. Then there’s Moon, whose unorthodox one-on-one style is so distinctive that NBA 2K flew him out to capture his crossover move, even though he’s not an NBA player. It’s those little things — the way a player stands out — that turn them into a star.”

    The next chapter for The Next Chapter

    Although most TNC players are streetballers, the league is experimenting with a new format on June 6: a one-on-one showdown between former NBA players Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley, with $100,000 at stake.

    The matchup will serve as the finale of Season 2, which featured 20 episodes of the two pros coaching opposing squads, building anticipation for their long-awaited faceoff. The event will be available via pay-per-view, a bold move for a league whose audience is accustomed to free content.

    Still, Weaver is confident fans will see the value.

    “I think it’s about proving to your audience that when you ask them to spend their money, there has to be a clear sense of value — like, wow, I actually got something great in return — rather than, this just feels like the same thing I was getting for free, but now I have to pay for it.”

    While some details are still being finalized, Weaver estimates that moving forward, about 95% of TNC content will remain free, with roughly 5% behind a paywall.

    While others — like former NBA star Tracy McGrady with his OBL league — have explored the 1v1 basketball space, The Next Chapter is carving its path from the ground up.

    “Unlike Tracy’s league, we don’t need to be something big right away,” says Friga. “What we’re building is completely different, and I believe it has the potential to become a billion-dollar industry.”

  • Here Are the Nearly 2,500 Medical Research Grants Canceled or Delayed by Trump

    Here Are the Nearly 2,500 Medical Research Grants Canceled or Delayed by Trump


    Awards under $100,000 are not shown. Amounts shown are for the most recent fiscal year.

    In his first months in office, President Trump has slashed funding for medical research, threatening a longstanding alliance between the federal government and universities that helped make the United States the world leader in medical science.

    Some changes have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye, a New York Times analysis found. To understand the cuts, The Times trawled through detailed grant data from the National Institutes of Health, interviewed dozens of affected researchers and spoke to agency insiders who said that their government jobs have become unrecognizable.

    In all, the N.I.H., the world’s premier public funder of medical research, has ended 1,389 awards and delayed sending funding to more than 1,000 additional projects, The Times found. From the day Mr. Trump was inaugurated through April, the agency awarded $1.6 billion less compared with the same period last year, a reduction of one-fifth. (N.I.H. records for May are not yet comparable.)

    The impacts extend far beyond studies on politically disfavored topics and Ivy League universities like Columbia or Harvard. The disruptions are affecting research on Alzheimer’s, cancer and substance use, to name just a few, and studies at public institutions across the country, including in red states that backed Mr. Trump.

    Scale is larger than in previous graphic.

    “I think people should know that research that they probably would support is being canceled,” said Eden Tanner, a chemist at the University of Mississippi, who had been working with a colleague at Ohio State University to develop a novel approach for treating glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Their grant had been awarded through a program designed to diversify the biomedical workforce; in April, they were notified that it was being terminated.

    “I would like to cure brain cancer,” Dr. Tanner said. “I think that’s not particularly controversial.”

    Mr. Trump’s campaign against medical research has been carried out without congressional approval, and the legality is unclear. Lawsuits have challenged the slashing or delaying of funding.

    Federal officials, who have accused the N.I.H. of wasteful spending, have attributed the cuts to changing scientific priorities.

    The N.I.H. “regularly examines its research portfolio” to determine which projects are “the most meritorious,” Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in an email. “Regular reviews of ongoing activities will help us determine the most strategic balance of projects to support and the best way to manage them going forward, especially as we need to be responsive to the often-changing nature of biomedical scientific progress.”

    Scientists fear that the sweeping cuts could do long-term damage to U.S. scientific research, which has long driven medical and financial progress for the nation. “The country is going to be mourning the loss of this enterprise for decades,” said Dr. Harold Varmus, a Nobel Prize-winning cancer biologist who served as the director of the N.I.H. during the Clinton administration and the director of the National Cancer Institute under President Barack Obama.

    Publicly announced cancellations

    The federal government has announced the termination of 1,389 awards, with more than $820 million in recent funding.

    N.I.H. grants, awarded in a competitive process, are typically paid out in installments. A researcher with a $1 million four-year grant, for instance, will get about $250,000 a year. Scientists can use this money to buy equipment and supplies and to pay the salaries of the researchers who work in their labs, among other things.

    From 2015 to 2024, there have been fewer than 20 terminations a year, on average, according to Jeremy M. Berg, former director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the N.I.H. from 2003 to 2011. They were generally for extenuating circumstances, such as illness or research misconduct.

    But since late February, the government has publicly announced the cancellation of 1,389 N.I.H. awards. The agency scoured grants for key words and phrases like “transgender,” “misinformation,” “vaccine hesitancy” and “equity,” ending those focused on certain topics or populations, according to a current N.I.H. program officer, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution.

    Studies focused on sexual and gender minority groups were among the first on the chopping block.

    Katherine Bogen, a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, had been studying post-traumatic stress, alcohol use and intimate partner violence against bisexual women. The termination notice she received assailed studies “based primarily on artificial and nonscientific categories,” calling such research “antithetical to the scientific inquiry” and alleging that it was “often used to support unlawful discrimination on the basis of race and other protected characteristics, which harms the health of Americans.”

    The language was “very insulting,” she said. “I get this letter that tells me, ‘Your research is not science. Not only is it ascientific, it’s a useless drain on resources, and, in fact, your research could be used to discriminate against ‘actual’ Americans or ‘regular’ Americans,’ or whatever they mean.”

    The cuts spread to grants on health equity and racial and ethnic groups. Affected projects sought to improve access to mental health care for Latino, low-income and rural communities; to reduce maternal mortality among Black women; and to prevent gun violence in Asian American communities.

    Tsu-Yin Wu, a researcher at Eastern Michigan University who led the gun violence project, said that community leaders and study participants were “greatly disappointed” by the grant cancellation. “Some felt betrayed that their voices and engagement no longer matter.”

    The agency cut grants for research on vaccine hesitancy, disinformation and misinformation, including a Northeastern University study on cancer misinformation on social media.

    It also axed research on Covid-19, including studies that could have helped the nation respond to many infectious disease threats. Among them: a grant to Emory University and Georgia State University, where researchers had developed three potential drugs that showed promise against many RNA-based viruses, including coronaviruses, Ebola, avian influenza and measles, said George Painter, a pharmacologist at Emory who was co-leading the research.

    In April, the agency terminated, in part or in whole, more than 350 grants meant to support students, early-career scientists or researchers from groups underrepresented in science. Among these terminations were F31 diversity grants, awarded to Ph.D. students who were members of certain racial or ethnic groups, disabled or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    At the University of Pittsburgh, Luzmariel Medina-Sanchez, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and Sierra Wilson, a first-generation college student from Utah, both had their grants canceled. “It’s not even about the work I’m doing,” said Ms. Wilson, who studies how liver cells respond to drug overdoses. “It feels like it’s about me.”

    Ms. Medina-Sanchez, who studies how a microbe can help treat celiac disease, said she may leave science altogether. “I feel racially targeted,” she said. “I feel like I’m not going to be a professional in the field of science in America, because obviously my name is Luzmariel.”

    (Ms. Wilson and Ms. Medina-Sanchez stressed that they spoke only for themselves and not for the university.)

    Delayed funding

    In addition to publicly announced cancellations, these are the nearly 1,100 grants that have been delayed, with nearly $740 million in funding.

    Awards under $100,000 are not shown.

    Besides outright canceling projects, N.I.H. failed to distribute annual payments to more than 1,000 grants, The Times found.

    The delays have stifled research on drug discovery, blood vessel health and injury response. In some cases, scientists have cut staff, paused hiring, trimmed back supplies or delayed experiments. Health officials have not explained which projects have been held up, why or for how long.

    The Times compiled a list of the delayed grants by searching N.I.H. databases as of June 2 for ones that were funded in 2024 and expected to last beyond 2025, but have not gotten disbursements on schedule.

    In the past, annual renewals were routine. Scientists submitted progress reports; the N.I.H. reviewed them and usually continued funding them, occasionally with a week or two of delays. But longer delays have become much more common since Mr. Trump took office.

    Joshua Kritzer, a professor of chemistry at Tufts University, investigates the basic science behind potential drug candidates, laying the groundwork for future medications. Most of his lab work is supported by a five-year N.I.H. grant that received $1.4 million over the past two years. But since February, he had been waiting for the third year of expected funding to come in. He slashed purchases of essential supplies and contemplated laying off crucial researchers on his team.

    On Tuesday, Kritzer finally received word that his funding had been released, several days after The Times asked federal officials about his and other delayed awards.

    “Every week that’s delayed, it’s easily probably three to four weeks to get that research back to where it was,” said Dr. Kritzer, who noted that he was speaking for himself and not for his institution.

    Mr. Nixon, the Department of Health spokesman, said that the agency would not discuss deliberations about specific awards but encouraged grant recipients to “speak with the designated N.I.H. officials on their award notice when questions arise.”

    In some cases, delays have lasted so long that scientists wondered whether their grants were subject to a “shadow termination.”

    The delays stem in part from additional screening for whether the grants align with Trump administration priorities, N.I.H. officials said. Other renewals have been delayed as overstretched N.I.H. staff members work through backlogs in funding. And political appointees are now vetting some projects, too, slowing the process further.

    N.I.H. officials said they feared being fired if they processed a grant renewal that the administration disfavored.

    In early May, Jon Lorsch, a longtime N.I.H. institute director who was recently promoted to acting deputy director of the agency’s external funding arm, emailed staff members denouncing the renewal of grants “that focused on topics that are not supported under N.I.H./H.H.S.’s priorities,” according to a copy of the email seen by The Times.

    “The consequences of approving an award that should not have been approved could be very serious,” he wrote.

    But Courtney Griffin, who leads a lab at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and studies blood vessel development and disease, including complications due to diabetes, expressed confusion as to why her expected funding is not coming through. She and her colleagues were making contingency plans and looking for other sources of funding.

    “It’s, ironically, a really inefficient use of people’s time to be in this guessing game,” she said, adding that the time could be better spent on biomedical research.

    Months-long delays are also affecting new grants that were being vetted when the Trump administration cracked down on grant reviews.

    A number of major Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers, some of which have operated for decades, have waited months for the Trump administration to decide whether to award them fresh five-year grants. The funding gaps have set back ongoing studies and curtailed efforts to take images of patients’ brains, though the N.I.H. has recently told some centers that they would soon receive funding.

    “These centers have become a safety valve for people who can’t get a neurology appointment at a private center,” said Dr. Ann Cohen, a co-director of the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s center. Now, she said, things have changed. “There are fewer clinic appointments, fewer opportunities for these individuals to get brain imaging.”

    The N.I.H. has also said that it will no longer fund projects in which U.S. researchers distribute some of their money to international partners, throwing the future of many global health projects into question and creating funding delays for ongoing research.

    Beyond the disruption of individual projects, other proposed changes could undermine scientific research across the board, experts said. One would sharply curb funding for indirect research costs, such as building maintenance and administrative staff. And then there is Mr. Trump’s proposal to slash the N.I.H.’s total budget by about $18 billion, a cut of almost 40 percent.

    A budget cut of that scale would be “truly draconian,” said Dr. Varmus, the former N.I.H. director, who said he hoped Congress would not approve such a sharp reduction. It could leave the agency without enough money to fund promising new work, drive some scientists overseas and prompt some up-and-coming researchers to leave science altogether, he said. “You can completely destroy the system in just a couple of years,” Dr. Varmus said.

    Methodology

    The Times’s analysis of cancellations is based on the list of terminated grant awards published by the Department of Health and Human Services as of May 30, 2025, and on records from RePORT, the National Institutes of Health’s registry of grants and projects, as of June 2, 2025.

    Each circle in the graphics represents a grant award. The circles are sized by the total funding that N.I.H. authorized for each award. H.H.S.’s list of terminations includes a mix of main grant awards, supplements and amendments. The list also indicates a “total amount obligated,” but that figure generally is the total amount awarded to a grant over its lifetime, including any supplements and amendments, rather than the amount for the specific award terminated. The Times’s analysis above uses only the amount authorized for the specific award listed. In some cases, scientists had already spent much of the money they had been awarded before their grants were cancelled, but in others, they lost out on their entire awards. Award amounts and totals — including the year-to-year funding shortfall calculated by The Times — do not include N.I.H. grants administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, because their funding amounts are not available in RePORT.

    The Times examined cancellations of grants intended to train and support research by groups underrepresented in science. These include the R25 education program; the T32 and T34 training programs; F31 diversity grants; R01 research grants under funding opportunity number PAR-22-241 and research supplements under funding opportunity number PA-23-189, both of which are specifically intended to promote diversity among grant recipients.

    To identify grants with delayed funding, Times journalists used information about each grant’s planned duration and prior awards, focusing on those that were eligible for continuation or noncompeting renewal. To account for reporting lags in the RePORTER database, The Times limited this analysis to a time period from Jan. 20 to April 30. The Times excluded grants that appear on H.H.S.’s public list of terminations and grants that have been marked in RePORTER as terminated. Based on interviews and an analysis of historical renewal data, The Times found such grants typically receive a notice of award at roughly the same time each year. Each circle representing a delayed grant is sized by the amount its main award received in fiscal year 2024. This list may include a small number of grants whose renewals are not yet recorded in N.I.H. databases, and others whose renewals are expected to be delayed, because of conversion of grant status for an investigator changing roles or institutions.

    To classify each grant’s area of research, The Times extracted the title, the public health relevance statement and the abstract from the N.I.H.’s RePORTER database and ExPORTER files. These fields were used as input for a series of automated prompts to a large language model.

    The model generated a brief description of the grant’s research objective. The model also determined if grants were related to research in areas like chronic diseases, vaccines, pandemic preparedness, misinformation, sexual and gender identity, health disparities and certain ethnic and racial groups, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and then assigned categories.

    Times journalists read the projects’ public health relevance statements and abstracts, and they checked the assigned categories for accuracy. They also checked hundreds of grant descriptions and edited them for accuracy and clarity. Only the project descriptions that have been edited by Times journalists are displayed in the article.

  • NCAA softball transfer portal: 5 stars from Women’s College World Series look for new teams

    NCAA softball transfer portal: 5 stars from Women’s College World Series look for new teams


    Some of the best players in college softball from this past season will be playing next year in a new place and with a different uniform.

    East Carolina’s Emma Jackson, who slapped 21 home runs over the fence this season, landed at Missouri. All-American catcher Jasmyn Burns, previously of Ohio State, has already joined Texas Tech. The national leader in strikeouts, Belmont’s Maya Johnson, and the national leader in hits, Boise State’s Sophia Knight, have entered the transfer portal too. Knight has already signed with Tennessee.

    Now that the Women’s College World Series is over after Texas beat Texas Tech in a thrilling three-game series, many key players from the eight teams that made the trip to Oklahoma City have decided to look for greener pastures. As evidenced by their performances this past season, these are players that could help their new teams win a whole lot of games and make deep runs into the postseason.

    These are the best players in the transfer portal from the softball teams that played in the World Series this year:

    Kaitlyn Terry — Pitcher/Utility, UCLA

    The Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2024, Terry had another strong campaign for UCLA as a sophomore as she became the first Bruins’ pitcher since Rachel Garcia to open her career with back-to-back 20-win seasons. In addition to posting a 2.64 ERA with 172 strikeouts, Terry had a decent season at the plate too with 35 hits and 30 runs scored. Terry, a lefthander, was 11th nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio with a 5.06 mark.

    Mia Williams — Second Base, Florida

    The daughter of former Florida basketball player and NBA champion Jason Williams, the sophomore infielder was a crucial part of the Gators’ success this season and earned All-SEC and All-American honors. Williams posted a 1.144 OPS, 61 hits, 52 runs, 19 homers and 44 RBI.

    Addisen Fisher — Pitcher, UCLA

    The right-hander from Bend, Oregon, had a standout season for the Bruins as arguably their second-best pitcher, piling up a 16-2 record, 100 strikeouts and a 2.59 ERA in 113 innings of work. Fisher was named a First Team Freshman All-American by D1 Softball and was a finalist for NFCA Freshman of the Year. She was ranked as the No. 1 recruit in 2024 by Softball America.

    Corri Hicks — Catcher, Oklahoma

    Hicks didn’t play all that much as a freshman this past season for the Sooners, but showed flashes of the potential that made her a top 15 recruit in the 2024 class, like when she hit a walk-off home run against Boston University in the regional stage of the NCAA Tournament. In 23 at-bats this season, Hicks had six hits, three of which were dingers. She posted an OPS of 1.045.

    Raegan Jennings — Infielder, Texas Tech

    Jennings led the Red Raiders’ bench with 35 hits and 20 runs scored in 88 plate appearances. Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco called her an “All-American-type pinch hitter” after she came up with a big single and scored a run in the Red Raiders’ Game 2 World Series win over Texas. She’s a sophomore who hits left-handed and had a .398 batting average this year.

  • The binary big bang: Building agents that build apps in insurance   | Insurance Blog

    The binary big bang: Building agents that build apps in insurance   | Insurance Blog


    The annual Accenture Tech Vision report has always been a beacon for the future of technology. Now in its 25th year, this year’s report AI: A Declaration of autonomy highlights four key trends that are set to reshape the tech landscape – 1) The Binary Big Bang, 2) Your Face in the Future 3) When LLMs get their Bodies and 4) The New Learning Loop. I am going to zone in on “The Binary Big Bang”, the generation-defining moment of AI transition, as a transformative force for the insurance industry. The trend name really reflects the next great evolution in AI, particularly generative AI. The Binary Big Bang tracks the emergence of agentic systems, and how they challenge conventions around software development and the cost of building digital ecosystems. It dives into a major change underway in how software is designed, what we need from it, and who uses it. And it sets the stage for always-there AI, which will be rich with autonomous agents defined by rapidly expanding digital ecosystems.​  

    Cracking the natural language barrier 

    When foundation models cracked the natural language barrier, they started pushing the limits of software and programming, multiplying companies’ digital output and vastly accelerating innovation. As AI expands exponentially, this trend underscores how AI/generative AI (gen AI) is not just an add-on to existing processes but a fundamental shift in how technology is integrated into the core of insurance operations. AI models and agents are becoming integral parts of the insurance enterprise infrastructure, influencing everything from customer service and risk assessment to underwriting and claims processing. To fully harness the potential of these technologies, insurance companies need to rethink their approach to technology. Executives are in effect building AI ‘cognitive digital brains’ where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. AI is not just about automating existing processes; it’s about creating new processes, workflows, and software that can drive innovation and efficiency. 

    How insurers can capitalize on agentic frameworks 

    So what exactly are AI agents? They are goal-oriented, autonomous systems that reason through problems, make decisions, leverage tools, and take actions on their own. AI agents are based on multimodal foundation models and can access external tools and data. With the evolution of GenAI towards agentic frameworks, insurers can go to market faster by breaking down the technology development lifecycle and delegating it towards agents:  

    • The requirement managing agent : Bringing the industry knowledge along with best practices to effectively analyze the requirements and manage the progress, prioritization and completion.  
    • The Code development agent : Breaking down the code creation into logical components to have a structured, function-oriented code that can be traced back towards requirements.  
    • The testing agent : Agents programmed to perform various levels of testing mimicking the end user for accurate sampling and effective testing iterations.  
    • Deployment and support agent : Agents that can help push the code to production and provide post-production fixes specific to environment. 

    Three key benefits of AI model and agent integration  

    Powered by intelligent data analytics, AI copilots, and sustainable AI, the integration of AI is causing three pillars of technology to emerge, each hugely beneficial to insurers: Abundance, Abstraction, and Autonomy. 

    1. Abundance: The rising costs of legacy technology mean that insurers can no longer afford to delay modernization efforts. AI and gen AI are accelerating code generation, enabling everything from legacy code reverse engineering to reducing tech debt and eliminating obsolete code. For instance, 78% of insurance executives agree that AI agents will reinvent how their organizations build digital systems. This modernization is crucial to remain competitive. The shift will enable insurers to launch new products and services more quickly, with 62% of executives ranking this as a top priority if they had unlimited software engineering resources. An equal percentage prioritize adding new features to existing products and services. 
    2. Abstraction: Gen AI is simplifying complex tasks and making them more manageable. This abstraction can lead to more efficient workflows and better user experiences for both insurance employees and customers. For example, generative AI and panoptic coaching can aid underwriting and claims decision-making, while agentic AI can drive personalization and enhance customer experiences. By creating simpler, more intuitive interfaces, AI can streamline processes and improve overall efficiency.  
    3. Autonomy: AI systems are becoming increasingly capable of making decisions and performing tasks with minimal human intervention. This leads to faster and more consistent service, reducing the potential for human error and freeing up staff to focus on more strategic tasks. Once data integration is advanced within what we are calling the ‘cognitive digital brain,’ insurers can hard-code workflows, institutional knowledge, value chains, and social interactions into a system that operates at a higher level. 

    AI makes the best use of data 

    In addition, AI is revolutionizing how insurers use data. It aids in decision-making, identifies trends, uncovers unknown facts, and provides the right data at the right time. This not only enhances efficiency but also reduces underwriting and claim costs with increased accuracy. AI and gen AI enable: 

    • Generation of documentation, use cases, data dictionaries, and user stories 
    • Automated configuration into new modern platforms 
    • Rewriting for the new modern tech stack 
    • Reimagining requirements earlier in the lifecycle 
    • Presentation of test cases for the entire application to the business prior to new build 

     AI-powered underwriting pioneers 

    Exemplifying all of the above is QBE Insurance Group, a multinational insurance company headquartered in Sydney. To help make faster, more accurate decisions across multiple lines of business, QBE is scaling industry-leading, AI-powered underwriting solutions co-developed with Accenture. A series of learning sessions helped drive the design and build of the solutions that are now used to analyze new business submissions for completeness, appetite check and risk evaluation insights. As a result, for the product lines with solutions in production, QBE can now process 100% of the submissions they receive from brokers, greatly accelerating market response time. Through this collaboration, QBE will be able to identify and select risks more effectively, improve broker and customer experience and support growth. 

    Swiss Re is also working with Yukka lab to transform reinsurance underwriting by providing each of their underwriters with an AI assistant that aggregates and pre-assesses the world’s news in real time to facilitate better and faster decision-making. The goal is to reduce the underwriting cycle, improve the cost ratio and finally, reduce claims. 

     A paradigm shift in how insurance companies operate 

    The Binary Big Bang is more than just a technological shift; it’s a paradigm shift in how insurance companies operate. By integrating AI and gen AI into their core operations, insurers can achieve greater flexibility, faster development times, and enhanced innovation. The benefits of abundance, abstraction and autonomy are clear, and the industry is poised for an AI tipping point where these changes are embraced with enthusiasm. As AI continues to evolve, the insurance industry will become more efficient, more responsive, and more customer-centric, setting the stage for a new era of growth and innovation. 

  • How Much Does It Cost to Buy A Horse? – GrowthRapidly



    January 29, 2023
    Posted By: growth-rapidly
    Tag:
    Uncategorized

    Buying a horse is not as expensive as you may think. However, be ready to spend a few thousand dollars. Not only that, there are several ongoing costs associated with owning a horse. As with any purchase, do your due diligence and speak with a financial advisor to make sure you’re making an informed decision.

    How Much Does It Cost to Buy A Horse?

    The cost of a horse can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as breed, age, training, and location. Prices can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 for a well-trained horse.

    ***Next Steps: Planning for Retirement can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor. This tool will match you with up to three advisors.

    Here’s how it works:

    • Answer these few easy questions about your current financial situation.
    • Sit back while our tool matches you with up to three advisors who can provide expertise based on your specific goals. It only takes a minute.
    • Check out the advisors’ profiles, interview them on the phone or in person and choose who to work with in the future.

    Please enter your zip code and Find Your Advisor.

    Costs You Will Incur After Buying A Horse

    After buying a horse, there are several ongoing costs that you should be prepared for:

    1. Feed and hay: $100 to $300 per month
    2. Farrier (hoof care): $50 to $150 per visit
    3. Veterinarian: $300 to $1,000 annually for routine care, more for emergencies
    4. Boarding: $300 to $1,500 per month
    5. Equipment and supplies: $500 to $1,000 upfront and ongoing
    6. Training and lessons: $50 to $200 per hour
    7. Insurance: $100 to $500 per year

    Note: These are rough estimates and prices may vary depending on your location and the needs of your horse.

    Ways to Invest in Horses and Horse Racing

    1. Buy a racehorse: You can purchase a racehorse and enter it into races. The cost of a racehorse can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
    2. Own a breeding farm: Invest in a breeding farm and breed and raise thoroughbreds for racing or other purposes.
    3. Participate in racing partnerships: Join a racing partnership, where a group of individuals own and race horses together.
    4. Invest in racetracks or horse racing companies: You can invest in publicly traded companies in the horse racing industry, such as racetracks or companies that provide services to the industry.
    5. Bet on horses: Place bets on horses at racetracks or through online betting platforms.

    Note: Horse racing is a high-risk investment and requires a significant amount of research and due diligence before making any investments. It is important to understand the financial and legal aspects of the industry and the specific investment you are considering.

    Tips For Horse Buying

    1. Determine your budget and needs: Set a budget for your horse purchase and determine what you need the horse for (riding, showing, racing, etc.).
    2. Research different breeds: Research different breeds to find one that fits your needs and budget.
    3. Find a reputable breeder or seller: Look for a reputable breeder or seller with a history of healthy, well-trained horses.
    4. Arrange a pre-purchase examination: Have a veterinarian perform a pre-purchase examination to check the horse’s health and soundness.
    5. Try the horse out: Take the horse for a trial ride to see how it handles and to make sure it is a good fit for you.
    6. Ask for references: Ask the seller for references and speak with past buyers or trainers to get an idea of the horse’s background and behavior.
    7. Consider insurance: Consider purchasing horse insurance to protect your investment.
    8. Have a contract: Make sure to have a written contract that includes all the terms of the sale and any warranties or guarantees.

    Take your time and do your research to ensure that you make an informed decision when buying a horse.

    Put Your Money to Work

    Managing your money effectively starts with careful planning. With SmartAsset, you can get matched up with three advisors who can empower you to make smart financial decisions. SmartAsset also helps take the mystery out of retirement planning by answering some of the most commonly asked questions in a simple, personalized way. Learn more about how SmartAsset can help you find your advisor match and get started now.

  • 30 minute high intensity workout

    30 minute high intensity workout


    Sharing a 30 minute high intensity workout if you’re looking for something that can challenge you and make you sweat in a 30-minute block of time.

    Hi friends! I hope you’re having a lovely morning. We’re off on some adventures and looking forward to family dinner with our Sevilla friends tonight.

    For today’s post, I wanted to share a workout with you! There’s a ton of noise out there about HIIT, low intensity training, Zone 2, which ones are harmful/helpful for women’s health, and I wanted to share my thoughts. Between navigating nutrition, managing stress, and finding the motivation to move, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the good news is that you don’t need hours at the gym to see results, and you can pick which type of training works best for your unique body and lifestyle.

    A 30-minute high intensity workout can be a game-changer if you have lots of energy and want something to challenge you. These sessions are designed to get your heart rate up, torch calories, and build strength in a time frame that can work with busy schedules.

    Today, I’m sharing a 30-minute high intensity workout routine that combines optional cardio machine intervals with bodyweight exercises. Whether you’re sprinting on a treadmill, cycling on a Peloton, or doing jumping jacks in your living room, you can easily adapt this workout for your needs.

    Important Reminder: Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new fitness routine.

    High intensity workouts aren’t for everyone. I’m just NOW building back up to higher impact and intensity workouts after about two years off for my healing journey. So, just a friendly reminder that you should always listen to your body, and talk with your doctor before making any fitness changes.

    If you’re on a healing journey – hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue, or other health concerns – high intensity might not be the best fit right now, and that’s perfectly okay. Listen to your body, honor its signals, and don’t hesitate to modify exercises as needed. If you’re looking for a lower impact option, check out the Sculpt classes on Sculpt Society – try it free here.

    30 Minute High Intensity Workout

    This workout alternates between cardio intervals and bodyweight strength exercises.

    The structure is simple:

    5 Rounds Total

    Cardio Interval: 3 minutes

    Bodyweight Circuit: 2 minutes

    Rest: 1 minute between rounds

    You can choose your preferred cardio machine – treadmill, stationary bike, rower – or opt for high knees or jump rope if equipment isn’t available.

    What Is High Intensity Workout?

    High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief recovery periods. This approach keeps your heart rate elevated, maximizing calorie burn and improving cardiovascular fitness.

    Potential benefits of HIIT:

    Efficient calorie burning in a short amount of time

    Improved metabolic rate, even after the workout ends

    Enhanced cardiovascular health

    Preservation of lean muscle mass

    Flexibility to adapt exercises based on fitness level and equipment availability

    How To Do High Intensity Workout At Home

    Cardio Intervals (3 minutes)

    Option 1: Treadmill Sprints

    Structure: Alternate 30 seconds of sprinting with 30 seconds of walking.

    Modification: Opt for a brisk incline walk if sprinting isn’t suitable.

    Maintain an upright posture, engage your core, and land softly with each step.

    Option 2: Stationary Bike

    Structure: Alternate 20 seconds of high-resistance pedaling with 40 seconds of moderate pace.

    Modification: Maintain a steady pace if intervals are too intense.

    Keep your spine long, shoulders relaxed, and core engaged.

    Option 3: Rower

    Structure: Alternate 30 seconds of powerful rowing with 30 seconds of gentle strokes.

    Modification: Focus on consistent, moderate-paced rowing if new to the machine.

    Drive through your legs, engage your back, and maintain a straight line from head to tailbone.

    Option 4: Bodyweight Cardio

    High Knees: Run in place, bringing knees up to hip level.

    Jump Rope: Perform continuous jumps, keeping feet together and arms relaxed.

    Modification: March in place or perform toe taps if jumping isn’t suitable.

    Stay light on your feet and maintain a steady rhythm.

    Bodyweight Circuit (2 minutes)

    Exercise 1: Jumping Jacks (30 seconds)

    Starting Position: Feet together and arms at sides.

    Movement: Jump feet out while raising arms overhead, then return to starting position.

    Modification: Step side-to-side while raising arms.

    Land softly with knees slightly bent.

    Exercise 2: Squats (30 seconds)

    Starting Position: Feet hip-width apart.

    Movement: Lower into a squat, keeping chest up and knees over toes, then return to standing.

    Modification: Perform half squats or sit-to-stand from a chair.

    Keep weight in heels and engage glutes.

    Exercise 3: Push-ups (30 seconds)

    Starting Position: Plank position with hands under shoulders.

    Movement: Lower chest toward the floor, then push back up.

    Modification: Drop to knees or perform against a wall.

    Maintain a straight line from head to heels, engaging the core.

    Exercise 4: Mountain Climbers (30 seconds)

    Starting Position: Plank position.

    Movement: Alternate driving knees toward the chest at a brisk pace.

    Modification: Slow down the movement or perform standing knee lifts.

    Keep hips level and core engaged.

    How Often Should You Do High Intensity Workouts

    The frequency of HIIT sessions depends on individual fitness levels, goals, and recovery capacity. For most individuals, 2 to 3 sessions per week are effective, ensuring at least one rest or low-intensity day between sessions to allow for recovery.

    It’s soooo important to listen to your body. If you’re feeling fatigued, experiencing prolonged soreness, or noticing a decline in performance, it might be a sign to reduce intensity or incorporate more rest days.

    Balancing HIIT with other forms of exercise, such as strength training, flexibility work, and steady-state cardio, can provide comprehensive fitness benefits and help reduce the risk of overtraining.

    This 30-minute high intensity workout is designed to be efficient, adaptable, and effective. By combining cardio intervals with bodyweight exercises, you can achieve a full body workout that boosts your heart rate, builds strength, and burns calories.

    Remember, consistency is key. It’s better to perform this workout once or twice a week consistently than to push too hard and risk burnout or injury. Always prioritize proper form, listen to your body’s signals, and make modifications as needed.

    For more workout ideas, check out this full body HIIT workout or this jump rope HIIT workout to change up your routine.

    How often do you do HIIT workouts in your routine?? Is it a fit for you, or have you changed your cardio in the past few years?

    xoxo

    Gina

  • Hurricane Season Considerations: Generator Edition

    Hurricane Season Considerations: Generator Edition


    Last week, we answered the question; What do people need to know about hurricane season?

    In responding to that question, it occurred to me that there is more to the answer and I want to focus on the question of power.

    For most of us most of the time, a power outage is relatively rare and short-lived.

    But during a hurricane, all bets are off. A power outage that would normally take a couple of hours to fix could take three days to get to during a hurricane because

    • It may not be safe to deploy restoration crews.
    • Some crews may not be able to leave their own homes.
    • Your line may not be in a high-priority area.

    So that leaves us with the question, how do I provide power at my home when the grid is down. Life is better if you think about this question well before the storm begins to show up on the evening news, your tik tok feed, or YouTube. Like, think about this now.

    There are three high-end ways to make sure that you have power when the grid is down. You could invest in solar panels and since you’re already in that far, make sure that they install the battery backup so that you can store a few days’ worth of power. You could also buy an electric vehicle if you’re a fan of those. They can be your battery backup if you lose power. Just make sure that you keep that EV charged because they can’t charge without power. You could also have a whole home generator installed at your house. These may run on gasoline, natural gas, or propane, and are designed to kick in automatically if the power goes down.

    Now that we have that crowd out of the way, let me talk to the rest of us, who are looking for some way to have power just in case the grid goes down, and we don’t have the bankroll for the other solutions.

    For those who want power, but don’t want much in the way of maintenance or fuel cost, there are several types of power stations that are relatively small and can power anything from a couple of phone chargers and fans to operating small kitchen appliances. These power stations can be charged by plugging into the house (before you need them) and many include a solar panel or can be connected to a portable solar panel.

    Maybe you’re thinking about a more traditional generator. So let’s talk about those. A portable generator is usually small enough to be moved by one or two people and they can normally power much of your house, although pay attention to the running wattage, not the crank wattage, and make sure that you don’t exceed your generator’s ability to provide power. That’s why they have fuses, and they can go out on you if you’re not careful.

    If you get a generator, take the following precautions.

    • Use it outdoors in a well-ventilated area. I don’t care if you think someone might steal it, keep it outside. It’s burning gas and creating carbon monoxide. If you don’t know why that’s bad, just search the internet.
    • Get a plug professionally installed. That way, when your neighbor comes over for the next cookout, you can show it off and humble brag that you’re ready for the next storm.
    • Run it on the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Put gas in, crank it up, and plug something in. Run it for a little while, and then shut it down and put it away. Not only can you flex on the neighbors who don’t have a generator, but it keeps the mud daubers from building a nest in your carburetor.

    One more thing, if you get a generator that you hook into your home at all, no matter how you do it, or how big it is, this last point is the most important for you.

    Turn off your main power shut off before you hook up, or turn on your generator. If you don’t do that, you will feed at least some of your power into the powerlines. It may not be enough to provide juice to your neighbor for their freezer, but it could be enough to injure or kill a power restoration crew member and you don’t want that. Their jobs are too hard without us adding a surprise level of difficulty to them.

    Topics
    Catastrophe
    Natural Disasters
    Hurricane

    Interested in Catastrophe?

    Get automatic alerts for this topic.