If Anthony Ramos is going to take on a new endeavor, chances are he’s going to be successful at it. He’s already thrived in acting, as evidenced by his efforts as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the iconic stage play Hamilton, which he also took home a Grammy for. He’s also been prominent on the big screen in A Star is Born, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and Twisters.

Now he’s set to do something completely different: run the 2025 New York City Marathon. Ramos has played baseball and is usually active but has never been an avid runner. However, he woke up on his last birthday and made a snap decision.

“I was just ready to make some changes in my life and live a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to lock in a different way.”

Not one to do anything on a small scale, the NYC Marathon seemed like a perfect opportunity to do just that. He may not have had experience running long distances, but he’s adapted since he started.

“I wasn’t a runner, but I’ve grown to love it,” Ramos said. “I understand why people do it.”

Preparation is Key

The journey has not been an easy one for Ramos. He’s still been very active traveling, working, and helping his family start a new bar in his hometown of Brooklyn. In between the takes, flights, and establishing Milly’s, named after his mother, Ramos has been working with Olympic coach Des Linden to get the runs in and prepare for running the streets of the City that Never Sleeps.

“She’s been really encouraging. She’ll send me workouts every week and remind to get in speed work, or focus on this.”

Considering Ramos’ busy schedule and being a running rookie, he didn’t become a seasoned runner overnight, but thanks to learning from Linden and being as consistent as he can, he’s gotten better and more comfortable with longer distances.

“In the beginning, even three or four miles was hard. But as I stuck with it and stayed locked in, now even a half-marathon is light work.”

A key to that progress is making the most of opportunities to run whenever and wherever he can.

“I’ve had to run in Venice, not even knowing where I’m running, I’ve had to do ten miles in Toronto after a film festival. You just go.”

Ramos has also found that there is more to running than just the basic runner’s high. He has found it to be a time for meditation and mental clarity, which is one reason he won’t stop running after he races on Sunday, November 2, the weekend of his 34th birthday.

“Some of my best ideas come on these runs too. It’s crazy.”

Ramos also made sure he had the best gear to run with, including Brooks shoes. Ramos plans to run with their Glycerin Max shoes, but they have several options for runners of all levels. Ramos also suggests snack gels and making sure you’re following a sound nutrition plan if running is in your future.

“You gotta have electrolytes, lots of water, and carbs. I will be carbing up over the final couple of days before the marathon to be ready.”

Having an app like Strava to help you track your runs can help you gauge your progress. Ramos just advised not to get overwhelmed comparing your times with others.

“I will see Des’s times on there like six or seven-minute miles, and I said ‘I gotta stop looking at this,’” he joked.

Last, but certainly not least, is recovery. Staying off his feet when he can is crucial, and quality sleep is non-negotiable. He’s also been using any options that are available to him as well.

“I got a Thai massage recently as well. You don’t have to do that, but it also doesn’t hurt.”

Running For More Than Himself

Running may be an individual endeavor, but having people working with you or running with you definitely can make you accountable and push you further than you may go on your own. Ramos has more people in his corner beyond Linden. He will have his brother as well a former teacher running alongside him as well as others. They will also be raising money for his scholarship, making this a passion that others can benefit from.

“I’ve got a scholarship through an organization called Scholarship Plus. There’s been a lot of amazing opportunities that have come through this.”

Ramos already has his sights set on future events as well, such as a half-marathon in Puerto Rico that he intends to enter after the NYC Marathon. He will also be busy professionally as well with promotion of his next film, A House of Dynamite. As for the near future, he only has two items on his to-do list once he crosses the finish line this Sunday.

“I’m gonna hug my mama to thank her for giving me legs to run with, then go take a nap.” You can follow Ramos on Instagram.

Young Americans have more opportunities to succeed and thrive than ever before. One avenue that has seen growth in recent years is service through the military. The nation’s future will be riding on the shoulders of the brave men and women that choose to serve in all branches, and the leaders of each have faith that the heroes in waiting will be ready to answer the call.

One shining example of this is Yale Air Force ROTC Cadet-Captain Samantha Tishler. The native of Glastonbury, CT, is studying Mechanical Engineering, has a certificate in Russian, and is already well on her way to reaching some big goals that she has made for herself.

“My goal is to become a pilot in the Air Force,” said Tishler, who knows what it will take and is preparing herself for what lies ahead on that journey.

“I am incredibly passionate about all things related to leadership, fitness, and aviation.”

When Tishler was looking for a school to go to, Yale was one of those she got to visit and knew it would be a perfect fit.

“It is a great community, and I chose them because of the great education as well.”

Fitness as a Foundation

Knowledge is power, but the physical requirements of serving in the military are great. Fortunately, Tishler has already invested many hours into becoming her best physical self because being active was a big part of her growing up,

“My family does a Turkey Trot every year, and I’ve done the Manchester Road Race. Our family loves to run, bike, and hike.”

She’s played soccer for as long as she can remember but also took up softball in high school. That commitment to self and a team has carried into college where she played intramural sports like soccer and basketball. She has also run in three half-marathons and participated in a 9/11 stair climb.

Tishler expressed that sports can be a great avenue of learning skills that can apply to being a part of a team as well as leading one.

“You have to obviously compete both physically and mentally. Pairing up those two things is a really good practice.”

Tishler got to take her focus on fitness and leadership to a new level last year when she served as one of two Squadron Physical Fitness Officer, which meant she worked under the Head Physical Fitness Officer and got to lead her squadron through Tuesday and Thursday morning workouts.

Many would feel pressure from being ready at 0600 for this role, but Tishler excelled because she knew the workouts, could set the tone, and was very capable of showing others what to do and how to do it.

“I loved this role as it gave me the opportunity to set the tone on bringing energy, morale, and camaraderie to ROTC training,” she stated. “It boosted my leadership skills a ton.”

Leading From The Front

Tishler takes on any opportunity that helps her grow and make a difference. Her role as President of the Peace and Dialogue Leadership Initiative, a fellowship between Yale students and West Point cadets, does just that. They have recently been studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which provides a chance for her to learn about international matters. Knowing you can learn more by listening and observing, she also pays attention when other leaders are speaking to constituents and each other.

“I also frequent political union debates to sharpen my ideas and how I communicate them,” she shared. Tishler isn’t sure if she will have a role in politics in the future, but the debates do serve as a learning tool for leadership.

“I’m not sure where my career will take me, but there are so many opportunities in the Air Force that I’ve started to discover. I think it would satisfy a lot of my interests.”

She has been in positions to learn from leaders that came before her. Two sources of inspiration she credits as influences are Air Force Lieutenants Nita Qiu and Thomas Nardini, who were both seniors during Tishler’s first year.

“They were always looking out for me,” Tishler recalled. “They both saw I was really dedicated and guided me by giving me a lot of tips. They also gave me the opportunity to be their first salutes at the commissioning ceremony.”

Whether it’s from the front of the room, behind leaders that mentored her, or during a game, Tishler has learned and shares the importance of making the most of whatever position you are in or where you stand in a room.

“You can lead from anywhere, regardless of your title or situation.”

Ready To Defend Freedom With Others

Tishler looks forward to the day she is officially a pilot and begins her military career. She’ll be ready to put the work in but understands that being a part of the Air Force means working for and alongside many other patriotic people like herself. That is more than a goal for her, it will be ways to satisfy several passions that she’s had her whole life.

Tishler said, “I’m already studying Mechanical Engineering, I’m interested in the political side, I love flying, and I love leadership. My interests are all over the place.”

The prospect of service excites Tishler because she knows with every assignment, mission, or other chance to put her skills to good use, she is not only serving herself but those that are making the same commitment she is and ultimately, the American people. Being a part of something bigger than herself and doing important work that will benefit others is a chance she does not intend to waste. The experience she has gained at Yale will be put to good use because she has proven that she can thrive when helping others.

“You can do a lot as an individual, but when you start to put the success of the group above your own, you can do so much more as a team.”

You can learn more about Yale University’s ROTC program at their website.

M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this article

Dancing with the Stars may look nothing short of fun and light hearted from all the glitz and glam with the fun celebrities that participate. But one of the show’s professional dancers, Ezra Sosa, explains just how hard on the body all the prep for the weekly shows really is.

“Being a dancer is the perfect balance of artistry and athleticism, and that’s why I love this art so much,” Sosa explains. But being paired with someone who actually appreciates both sides of it, Jordan [Chiles] is an athlete, but also she’s a very artistic person, especially with artistic gymnastics. And so, I definitely feel like our partnership is so special, because when we are together and we do collaborate on these numbers, we are pretty equal, and we always see eye to eye with all the dances. Especially when it comes to the show, my job is to really show different sides of my partner to America through dance.”

After the Tuesday live show wraps, Sosa and Chiles head right back into the studio to get started on the next week. How he prepares them physically all depends on the style of dance they’ve been assigned.

“It’s a lot of, like, hamstring stretches,” the 24-year-old explains of their warmups that take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. “It’s a lot of hip mobility too, because you’re using hip action. And then, for me, it’s different because I have to make sure that my back is solid and my shoulders are strong, because I am leading her through a lot of these dances. But for her, she has to make sure she has a strong core, and she has to make sure she has really good alignment.”

Skipping Cooldown is Never Cool for Ezra Sosa

While prepping for rehearsals is important to Ezra, the cooldown routine is what really counts.

“Your body tends to go [into] shock when you’re going from being so active to not,” Sosa says. “You have to let your body adjust a little bit. It’s relatively the same thing (as warming up), but it’s all about breathwork and breath control, so just like, really just lowering your heart rate. But also, you kind of revisit a lot of the same stretches and exercises that you did before. I think it’s a good way to rev up the engine and then also just to rev it down, too.”

The couple does drills in between dancing at rehearsal that includes many wall handstands to target certain muscles and practice keeping their legs straight for extended periods of time.

“[We do them] for 5 minutes,” he says, adding they are dancing four hours a day while Jordan still spends time working on her own athletic career. “She usually does her gymnastics in the morning, and then she’ll meet with me. When she’s in gymnastics, I’m actually choreographing and prepping the routine with someone else. Especially for a celebrity, it’s quite literally impossible to choreograph a routine for them, especially if they don’t really have dance experience.”

Dancing with a Bunch of Annoying Injuries

Ezra and Jordan are over halfway through the show’s 10-week journey to make a run for the mirror ball trophy. He admits he’s still “feeling physically good,” but it’s come with a lot of wear and tear on the body.

“I’m sore today and I will be very sore this week,” Ezra laughs, adding that he attends physical therapy a couple days a week to help him try and stay healthy. “I’m really proud of myself and how I’ve been taking care of my body, especially this year, because I’m just realizing how important it is for longevity in my career.”

Sosa admits that he has even battled some injuries this season, too.

“Week 1, I had mild, subscapularis tears,” Sosa says. “And then I had a little ligament tear in my chest.”

He adds: “My fridge is full of ice packs. Icy Hot is really big for me. It’s just stretching, I do. I have little PT exercises I do every single day, just to make sure that my body stays in check.”

What really gives Ezra a shot at winning his first championship title in the show’s ballroom is the fact that he is paired with another athlete.

“A lot of people praise her for being an Olympian and for all the accolades that she does,” Ezra explains of Jordan who won medals in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris games for Team USA. “But the thing I love about her is her work ethic, her drive, her determination, and ultimately, that’s what got her where she is today.” Prep, rehearsals and recovery are important to Ezra, but so is his diet when burning all those calories during the show’s season which is why he’s teamed up with Carl’s Jr. for a special partnership to keep his energy up.

“I honestly kid you not, am not a fast food girlie,” Ezra, who loves the company’s Bacon Western Cheeseburger for a well-rounded meal, says. “But my partner this season is, so she got me back on my fast food kick, and Carl’s Jr. has been my go-to ever since. I need to eat my calories, but also there’s a lot of protein that is in their hamburgers, so it’s really good for me to have good protein as well.”

Brigadier General Craig McPike is the Deputy Commander of the United States Air Force Recruiting Service. The Air Force Recruiting Service includes 3,700 total people, including Airmen and civilians. Throughout his three decades plus of service, McPike has established himself as a leader whose impact has benefited many Americans as well as the country itself.

While many kids had several dreams of what they wanted to be when they grew up, McPike knew very early on what he wanted to do.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be an Air Force pilot and a Wing Commander. Those were goals I had from a very early age.”

Being His Best for Others and Self

Being in any branch of the United States Armed Forces required being fit, strong, and holding yourself to a high standard. Like many young Americans, McPike grew up playing football, basketball, and baseball. Football was where he excelled, and he went on to play at the college level as a Texas A&M Aggie.

“Being fit and in shape was always a big part of my life.”

During those formative years in college, McPike split time between his roles as student-athlete and a member of the Corps of Cadets. He was also studying to become a civil engineer. Aside from PT with the Corps of Cadets and practice with the football team, McPike had to find ways to get his own workouts in, but he managed to hit the weight room on some evenings.

“I had to make it a priority in my life,” McPike said. He offers that advice to other college or high school folks that are looking to get in better shape for service, sport, or self. It isn’t a matter of finding time, making the time is a must.

“The bottom line is you have a commitment, and you have to stick to that commitment for the team and for your Corps outfit.”

Career Highlights

Thanks to his commitments and standards he placed on himself, McPike realized his childhood dream and then some. Since entering service in 1994, he has held assignments at five different major commands. He has over 3,700 flying hours that includes

educational, testing, tactical, and combat missions. Some of those hours include being involved in operations Southern Watch, Allied Force, and Freedom’s Sentinel.

Thanks to his service and leadership, McPike has earned numerous awards throughout his career, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, among several others.

“I’m very honored to have served 32 years and be able to stay within the Air Force standards. That has been a major highlight in my mind.”

The Commitment Remains the Same

Now that he’s in his mid-50s, McPike acknowledges that he may not be able to do what he could do back in his college years, but he still pushes himself to stay in great shape both for his career and life.

“Once I hit 45, I really had to pay attention to what I eat and spend more time in the gym and on the track.”

That said, whether he is putting more steps in on the treadmill or having smaller meals with his wife, Jennifer, McPike has found ways to honor his self-commitment to excellence. One such way is by cycling, which he recently started doing and is really enjoying.

“I found it to be less wear and tear on the body, but it requires a little more time on the bike to get the same results.”

If cycling is something you would think about doing, then McPike suggests finding a rhythm and doing your best to maintain it.

“If you shift down and pedal faster, especially while going up a hill, it gives you more endurance, and you can stay on the bike longer.”

Focusing On The Next Generation of Airmen

McPike is now focused on his role as AFRS Deputy Commander, and he sees this as not only another opportunity to serve but as a way to thank those that helped him as well as pay it forward.

“I get to use my story as an example and to help others set their own goals and help them achieve it.”

Recruitment for the military had seen its fair share of struggles in recent years, but the pendulum has swung the other way, and the Air Force has seen great success on this front. They met their 2025 recruitment goals early and are well on their way to do the same for fiscal year 2026.

McPike gives a large portion of the credit to effective marketing and the recruiters for their efforts and being where the future members are. This is despite being outnumbered by the other branches. McPike also acknowledges that the success for all branches goes directly to those that are joining.

“There’s a sense of people wanting to serve and putting service before self. I’m very thankful for that.”

The Air Force Recruiting Service is responsible for recruiting members for the Air Force, Space Force, Air National Guard, and Reserves. Their doors remain open for more members to be a part of their force.

“There are great benefits in the military, great pay, experience, education, you can learn how to be a leader and work with people,” he explained. “In the end, you have a great resume, attributes, and if you choose to stay long enough, a retirement check.”

Get Ready So You Can Stay Ready

If joining the Air Force is a part of your future, or if you are simply inspired by the military and want to get in better shape, then the time to start is now. McPike suggests that being able to run a mile and a half at least in no more than 15 minutes and being able to perform 50 pushups and sit-ups in a minute each is a solid starting point. McPike suggested making it a part of your regular workouts will help both with training efficiency and serve as checkpoints for progress.

“I try to do PT tests every time I go to the gym,” he stated. “When I take the Air Force PT test, then it is just like another workout.”

McPike is thankful for Jennifer and their five children for supporting him throughout his career and is hopeful that those that do join him in the Air Force will be able to experience similar success while carrying the mission of service forward.

“It’s something you’ll be proud of yourself for. The accomplishments you’ll make will give yourself great leadership skills,” McPike said. ”You will give yourself a huge head start in life.”

To learn more about joining the Air Force or Space Force, go to their respective websites.

M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this article.

Luke Ambler and Jonny Mason are the men who want you to find your “Mission Possible,” to make small changes that eventually lead to big wins. While taking part in IRONMAN demonstrates the boy’s own dedication to endurance sports, and is an impressive endeavor it its own right, the “why” behind their tenaciousness runs deep. Luke has always taken solace in the fact that being active is a great way to find clarity, but when his brother-in-law took his own life, he launched “Andy’s Man Club” to offer support through self-help and peer-to-peer interactions. Luke’s good friend, Jonny Mason, has also lost loved ones to suicide and is along for the highs and lows of each and every IRONMAN journey. Both men hope that their efforts will put a spotlight on the issues surrounding suicide—a leading cause of death in men under 50—and prevent further tragedy through building a caring community.

Luke and Jonny are both 35 and were born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. In 2025, the close friends set out to complete five UK IRONMAN events in a single season, but they achieved greater success than they ever thought possible. The guys finished IRONMAN 70.3 events in Bolton, England, and Swansea, Wales, along with full IRONMAN events in Leeds, England, and Tenby, Wales. “But the momentum and inspiration generated by our “Mission Possible” campaign caught the attention of IRONMAN itself,” explains Luke. “They offered us ambassador slots at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice and that turned our challenge into something extraordinary, with two full IRONMAN races within seven days, in two of the hardest locations on the circuit: Nice and Wales.”

The road to the finish line has not always been smooth. Luke was a professional rugby player before turning to endurance sports. Being active has always provided him with a purpose, helping to deal with being bullied, family separation, and his mother’s traumatic brain injury as a child. He was scouted by Leeds Rhinos but when they let him go, Luke’s mental health suffered once again. Then, in 2016, following the tragic suicide of his brother-in-law, Andy Roberts, he founded Andy’s Man Club to support like-minded men who are struggling with mental health. Luke’s close friend, Jonny Mason, a proud father of three and passionate triathlete also found healing through IRONMAN races after losing loved ones to suicide.

Andy’s Man Club Proves Ordinary People Can Take on Extraordinary Challenges

Of their enduring efforts in IRONMAN, Luke says, “It was never just about crossing finish lines. It was about using the stage of IRONMAN to show that ordinary people can take on extraordinary challenges, while raising awareness for something far greater.”

Like Luke, Jonny Mason has built a love of endurance sports thanks to the positive effects they have on his mental health. “The hope is that through our journey, people see what we’re doing and feel inspired to chase down their own ‘possible,’” he explains. “And while we’re doing it, we’re raising that all-important awareness for Andy’s Man Club and pushing the message loud and clear: ‘It’s okay to talk!’”

The Office for National Statistics in the UK reports that males accounted for around three-quarters of all suicide deaths registered in 2023. The same year, data showed that suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 49,000 people. Suicide is a global problem.

To date, Andy’s Man Club supports more than 6,000 men every week with hundreds of peer-to-peer support groups and public speaking events. “Our mission is to prevent male suicide and smash the stigma around men’s mental health,” explains Luke. “Challenges like ‘Mission Possible’ aren’t about medals or personal glory—they’re about inspiring men to speak up, to find their own “possible,” and to realize they’re not alone. By taking on these races in front of a worldwide audience, we’re carrying that message further than ever before.”

And that’s the point of Mission Possible: You don’t need to be an elite athlete to get involved.

“I wouldn’t say I was particularly sporty before I started this journey in triathlon as an adult,” says Jonny. “But like with most people: family, business, and life became the priority as I got older, and sport dropped off. Once you stop, your lifestyle soon changes. More drinking, eating bad, and generally not looking after yourself. So, after years of that, I realized I needed to make a change.” Jonny tells M&F that he started out with “a bit” of running, and that small change led to entering endurance challenges alongside Luke. “Crossing that finish line, running down the red carpet, it’s unreal,” he shares. “But for me, it’s never just about the moment, it’s about everything behind it. It represents the hours of training, the discipline, the sacrifices… not just mine, but my family’s, too. It’s proof that with the right mindset, you can take on hard things and come out the other side stronger. The truth is that the hardest part isn’t race day; it’s the weeks and months before, juggling training around work, family life, and everything else that matters. That’s the real struggle. So, when I finally get to that finish line, the overriding feeling is gratitude.”

Luke tells M&F why pushing himself out of his comfort zone has been so good for his own mental health. “An IRONMAN is the ultimate test of endurance,” he says. “It combines the swim, bike, and run into one continuous battle, demanding not only physical strength but also mental toughness, patience, and resilience. Coming from a rugby background, I was used to explosive power, but IRONMAN requires a very different type of discipline. That challenge hooked me straight away. Sport also represents community, inspiration, and transformation. In each race you see people from all walks of life, overcoming their own struggles to get to the finish line. That message aligns perfectly with our work in mental health and with the values of Andy’s Man Club.”

For more information on Andy’s Man Club, click here. 

To find an IRONMAN event near you, click here.