One of the many cool things about watching the Olympics is pretending to be an Olympian. Or am I the only grownup who actually does that? I love going outside and tearing around after watching runners break the tape. Or I’ll watch tennis and throw a tennis ball onto the roof and try to catch it, pretending I’m Roger Federer (without the racket or movie-star looks).
In this issue of Southwest’s inflight magazine, Spirit, we offer both a chance to see sport in a new way, and tips on how to participate personally. Our cover model, Oksana Masters, is one of the most awesome people you’ll ever meet. Her story—abusive orphanage, loving foster mother, indomitable courage—will get you totally jazzed about the Paralympics.
And if you want to create your own triumphant story, check out our package on fun runs, shepherded by Assistant Editor Austin Morton. We have some great pictures of participants in the Color Run, a Dallas event that sprays runners with colors so they finish looking tie-dyed. Plus, my pal John “the Penguin” Bingham tells how to turn your weekend 5K all the way into a marathon.
We stay on the good-for-you theme with our Business Idea. Associate Editor Noah Bunn and I were kicking around an idea I’ve had for a few years. What if you could cut insurance costs by helping people get fit, overcome bad habits, and eat right? And what if you incentivized people by paying them to succeed? A win-win-win. And it turns out we weren’t the only ones to think of it.
Our adventure this month takes place in Tampa, one of my favorite cities. The cocktail is Oaxaca punch, which turns tequila into a cool nectar.
And now for the Numbers: Recruiters spend 6 seconds reviewing your resume. The most expensive parking spot in New York costs a million bucks. And almost 69% of the world’s freshwater is frozen. Um, for now, at least. Hot enough for you this summer?