Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Bob Bowman is the coach of the most famous swimmer in the world: Michael Phelps. While he won’t confirm if Phelps will compete in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, he says the two enjoy competition of another kind: horseracing. “Michael and I own some horses (Water Cube, By a Hundredth),” says Bowman, who is based out of Baltimore. “These horses are amazing athletes in their own right.”
Entrepreneur Dan Storper has always loved traveling and music. With Putumayo World Music — his independent record label that specializes in world music — Storper has been able to combine his two passions. “Most of my travel over the years has centered around business,” says Storper, 62. “But I love researching museums and hotels and usually let the people I’m meeting suggest the restaurants.”
“Traveling is good for the brain,” says musician Jonathan Butler, 52. “The mind needs it. I can’t imagine life without getting to see all the amazing, different parts of the world.”
Newsman Chris Matthews is a proponent of young folks studying overseas or taking a year off to travel before settling down in their careers. “I wanted to bop off to Europe, but I had to save money for graduate school,” says Matthews, 66. “I remember talking to the head of admissions at school about it, but he advised me to stay home and work. And that’s what I did. Taking time off seemed like such a luxury back then.”
A bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics, swimmer Kim Vandenberg is hoping to be part of the United States contingent that will compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London this summer. “You never know what can happen at the Olympic Trials,” says the 28-year-old Californian. “I’m more experienced than the last time and I feel well prepared. There’s definitely some nervousness when you compete, but since this is my second time trying to make the Olympic team, I know what to expect in terms of emotional requirements at trials. I’m looking forward to it and try to take things one day at a time.”
You’ve probably seen — or heard — Alexandra Breckenridge on some of your favorite television series. She portrays Katerina on HBO’s “True Blood” and spent six years doing voice work for such shows as Fox’s “Family Guy” and “American Dad.” Her latest role is playing Moira on the new FX series “American Horror Story,” which is the brainchild of “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy. Born and raised in Connecticut, Breckenridge and her mother moved to California when she was 12.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Richard Wiese, field scientist and host of ABC’s travel program “Born to Explore,” based on his 2009 book of the same name, was born to explore. His father was the first man to fly solo around the Pacific Ocean. At the age of 11, Wiese and his father climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and when he got older, Wiese led numerous expeditions there. Wiese, who’s been to all seven continents, lives in Connecticut with his wife and three young children.
Ultimate Fighting fans know Chuck Liddell as The Iceman. But since retiring last year, the 41-year-old mixed marital artist is now known as The EVP—the executive vice president of business development for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He’s also featured in the new DVD and Blu-ray release, “UFC: Bad Blood — Liddell vs. Ortiz,” which documents Liddell’s longstanding rivalry with fellow MMA superstar Tito Ortiz.
I recently did an interview with classical musician Ray Chen. His label, Sony Records, has given me a copy of his latest CD, “Virtuoso.” And I’d like to give it to one of my readers. It’s fantastic and a fine addition to any record collection. #WinWithJae
Born in Taiwan, raised in Australia and currently residing in the United States, classical violinist Ray Chen doesn’t spend much time in Philadelphia these days. “I really live out of a suitcase,” says the 21-year-old musician, whose debut CD “Virtuoso” hits stores February 1. “But I love seeing the world and traveling so I’m not complaining. I’m building up lots of frequent flyer miles so it’s a win-win situation for me.”