SELF Magazine

New York City isn’t hurting for holiday traditions, but even among iconic events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and the New Year’s Eve ball drop, the Rockettes’ “Christmas Spectacular” show remains a bucket-list item for many folks. Since the 1920s, the all-female dance troupe has wowed New Yorkers and travelers alike with their elaborate costumes, expert moves, and of course, those sky-high kicks. SELF caught up with four members of the troupe in mid-November before catching their opening night performance. The polished production is the tip of the iceberg; a churning mix of raw talent, tenacious passion, and hard work makes up the rest. Tamia Strickland, 23; MacKenzie Howse, 25; Hannah Hawkins, 27; and Paige McRae, 29 took us behind the scenes as they prepared for the busy day ahead—applying makeup, stretching, paying visit to an athletic trainer, and changing into the first of many costumes. To read the full interview about representing an iconic cultural institution, the best ways to prep for (and recover from) shows, the bonds forged amid the hard work and long hours, and how they balance life as a Rockette with, well, life the other nine months of the year, tap here: https://lnkd.in/ehKEnjME

Keke Palmer is SELF Magazine's December cover star! The actor-singer-CEO-author-mother has earned a reputation as one of the most employed and employable women in Hollywood. But what is also true, and what she perhaps doesn’t get as much credit for, is that Palmer does the work. This fall, Palmer sat down with SELF editor in chief Rachel Miller to discuss self-discovery, her desire to be of service, and her new memoir-cum-self-help book “Master of Me.” Irony, indifference, and detachment from our feelings is isolating, but facing uncomfortable emotions head-on is “where the true magic happens,” Palmer says. “The sweet spot where pain makes way for connection and community. This outlook on the human experience has not only informed my work but creates the drive for it.” All of this from the woman who gave us “Sorry to this man”? Baby, that’s Keke Palmer. To read the full cover story—including her perspective on fame, community, and why she’s so damn funny—tap here: https://lnkd.in/e9SFQVwY Photographer: Jason Kim Wardrobe Stylist: Dione Davis Makeup: Kenya Alexis Hair Stylist: Rico Roberts Manicurist: Aja Walton Set Designer: Jacob Burstein Creative Director: Amber Venerable Production: Melissa Kramer

Check your fridges! A bunch of cucumbers were just recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination—and may be responsible for a host of illnesses in 19 states across the country, according to the FDA. The affected cukes were sold between October 12 and November 26 throughout35 states, as well as in Canada. For more info on how to ID the cucumbers, plus everything else you should know to stay safe, tap here: .https://lnkd.in/e9RpiUsF

Most folks with a period transition into menopause sometime between the ages 45 and 55. But medical menopause—when your ovaries are removed, shut down, or stop working as a result of chemotherapy, radiation to the pelvis, medications, or surgery—can mean this process begins well before age 45. Here's a digestible breakdown for SELF Magazine about how some cancer treatments can lead to early menopause. Thank you to Shanthi Sivendran MD, MSCR, MBA with American Cancer Society and Dr. Meghan Karuturi with MD Anderson Cancer Center for your expertise and insight 🤍 #earlymenopause #prematuremenopause #cancertreatment

Saweetie had a jam-packed 2024—between hit records, tour stops, and red carpets, a day off often felt like a distant dream for the “Is It The Way” rap hitmaker who is currently performing in select cities on the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, and who just released her “I Want You This Christmas” music video. But don’t be fooled: When she does get some time to herself, Saweetie has no problem turning off her phone and embracing the moment. Her ideal downtime includes anything from a meditative hike or painting session to spending time with her family and a homemade meal. SELF sat down with the queen of the “Icy Gang,” to chat through her perfect 24 hours off—get her full itinerary here: https://lnkd.in/e5jfHFDZ

Welcome to SELF’s 2024 Home Fitness Awards! We firmly believe that you don’t need to join a gym to create a functional (dare we say joyful?!) workout routine that’s tailored to your goals and favorite types of movement. So, for the third year in a row, we put together a list of the very best machines, gadgets, virtual classes, and accessories to help you build your perfect home exercise experience. How did we do it? We tapped a panel of fitness experts—as well as our very own staffers—to nominate the gear that makes home workout sessions easier, more accessible, and, most importantly, more enjoyable. We evaluated their nominations by cross-referencing them with past reporting we’ve done at SELF—we’ve been testing fitness equipment for a very, very long time—along with other online consumer reviews. Ultimately, we narrowed down the list to 36 truly exceptional winners perfect for lifters, runners, cardio enthusiasts, yoga lovers, and beyond. To see them all, tap here: https://lnkd.in/eEazG55E

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, your holiday food preparations are probably in full swing—but if you’re planning on making (or eating) anything with carrots, tap here: https://lnkd.in/edyGSRqw

“Traditionally, people would think of it as black or white, like you either have a serious disorder or you don’t,” but people need to “see the shades of gray,” said Anne Fernandez, associate professor of psychiatry at Michigan Medicine. “That's one of the biggest barriers I find to people understanding what problems they might be having with alcohol use and seeking treatment.” via SELF Magazine: https://lnkd.in/eWaUugky

I kept seeing people with migraine chat online about how a crispy cold Coca-Cola offers relief that their meds sometimes can't on their own...so I wrote about for SELF Magazine. Turns out there's some science behind this fizzy fix. #migraine #cocacola

At Thomas Boyland Park in Bushwick, a crowd is gathered to watch a pickup basketball tournament. Despite the rain, the athletes play on, as the time on the clock winds down, AJ, the team captain, launches the ball from half court, sinking the basket and beating the buzzer. Her team’s hands all fly into the air in celebration. This is Basketdolls, an all-trans streetball pick-up league in Brooklyn, New York. With team names like the Whore Moans, the Metropolitan Trans Authority, and the New York LiberT-Slurs, there’s never any doubt that this is a community for trans folks, by trans folks. The league was born after 23-year-old Devin Myers got a taste of playing streetball last summer; Myers was hooked, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from the experience. “When I played last year, I felt really insecure—not because of anyone else, but because of what I projected on myself,” she tells SELF. “I was the only trans woman in the tournament and the whole time I was wondering, ‘Am I playing too physical? Am I too tall?’ I felt this weird presence on the court and I knew I couldn't be the only person feeling this. I really wanted to create a space for trans people who are brand new to the game to have a space to really develop a relationship with their body.” Not only does the league provide a safe space for trans people to get involved in athletics, it’s a way for people to make friends without logging onto a dating app or going to a bar. To see Hunter Abrams joyful photos from the Doll-Star Game and to read Frankie de la Cretaz's full story, tap here: https://lnkd.in/dF5U2Tpk