Jonathan Simos is a man of many talents. He is a fitness fanatic, avid Strongman Competitor, trainer, weekend spanakopita chef and newly appointed Guinness World Record Holder, setting the record for heaviest weight lifted while hanging suspended in the dead hang position for one minute. Simos set the record last week by hanging for a little over a minute with 300 pounds strapped to his body, a feat that took 2 months of dedication and specialized training to accomplish.

Simos has always had a competitive spirit and passion for all things fitness, leading him to not only compete in numerous competitions as a performance drug free athlete, such as the popular American Ninja Warrior course and Hercules Hold competitions, but also to become both a trainer and entrepreneur. Along with working as a coach at MADabolic gym in downtown Sarasota and running his homemade spanakopita business, Greek Triangles, Simos’ newest venture is a fitness education program called Neuxist that aims to help teach people how to train in a functional style of fitness and reach their goals. It was through this venture that he began researching an array of fitness-inspired Guinness World Records and discovering that he could actually beat some of them. “I began to realize I wasn't very far off from getting a couple records with the way that I was training. I thought it would be a great way to bring more credibility to the program while inspiring others to realize that they're capable of a lot more than they think.”

His specialized training regiment for the record included an array of pull movements using a fat grip bar extender used to help with grip endurance, including single arm cable rows, heavy barbell shrugs and lat pull downs. Along with the dedicated dead hang workouts, Simos also maintained his usual regiment, consisting of weightlifting three to four times a week and running two to three times a week. While setting a weighted dead hang record is no easy task, neither is gaining the paperwork and evidentiary support required by Guinness World Records. The process of gaining approval to even just attempt the record takes anywhere from 8-12 weeks to be completed. During the actual attempt, everything has to be continuously recorded, including ensuring that both the weights and timer are completely accurate.

In the future, Simos plans to continue breaking world records, already eyeing the set records for longest 200 pound weighted dead hang and fastest explosive four meter pull up. Above all, Simos hopes to inspire and motivate others through his journey. “As a lifetime drug-free athlete, I am working to push physical limitations. Through passing conventional expectations, I want to inspire others to realize that they are capable of much more than they may think, motivate them to break down self imposed limitations and strive to live up to their truest potential in all aspects of their life.” 

Pictured: Jonathan Simos setting a Guinness World Record for heaviest weight lifted while hanging suspended in the dead hang position for one minute. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Simos.

For more information about Neuxist, visit @neuxist on Instagram.

“Standup paddle boarding (SUP) is a relatively young sport. It’s really only in the last 15 years that it’s become a sport at all,” says Greg Wingo, organizer of the Last Paddler Standing race. “Traditionally speaking, SUP races are typically done in either a sprint style–something fast and not very long distance–or are more technically focused, which are still pretty short races that feature buoys and other obstacles in the open water. There are some longer distance SUP races around the world, but they tend to be somewhere in that six to twelve mile range. There are not many ultra distance SUP races.”

That is, except for the one that took place in Sarasota’s Nathan Benderson Park this past Saturday. Last Paddler Standing returned to Sarasota for its second year of determining who is the toughest paddle boarder out of some of the sport’s top athletes. Created by Wingo, a long-time ultra runner and full-time organizer of endurance races, the Last Paddler Standing, to put it lightly, is the hardest thing anyone will ever do on a paddleboard. The endurance race is a test of strategy, stamina and mental fortitude: racers must paddle a 3.33 mile loop around the lake within a one-hour period, with each consecutive loop beginning on the hour. At the 48 hour mark–and yes, the race has gone for that long–the length of the loop is increased to 4.9 miles. Racers must dismount their boards and get out of the water after completing each lap. The last paddler standing wins.

“This concept of a last man standing style event exists in other sports but not within the paddle boarding world and so I took my knowledge of directing other races and basically just tried to see how it could be created within the SUP world,” says Wingo. “Pretty much everybody quits or gets timed out in the process of the race happening and you’re left with one person at the end. It’s pretty unique and pretty insane.”

This year, Blake Carmichael proved to be the Last Paddler Standing out of 31 competitors after completing 50 laps, with two extra laps of 4.9 miles after the 48 hour mark. In a test of strength, stamina and just plain grit, Sarasota’s Last Paddler Standing race stands alone. 

Pictured: Second place finisher Alex Somoano (left) speaks with winner Blake Carmichael (right) during the Last Paddler Standing race. Photo courtesy of Last Paddler Standing.

The Orioles recently announced that individual tickets for all Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale Tuesday, December 12, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The club also announced its Spring Training game times and the promotional schedule, which is highlighted by five giveaway items. Beginning December 12, fans can purchase individual tickets for the Spring Training season. Birdland Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance as part of a members-only pre-sale on Thursday, December 7. In addition, fans can sign-up for the Sarasota 365 newsletter for pre-sale access on Friday, December 8. All tickets must be purchased online at Orioles.com/SpringTickets. The Ed Smith Stadium Box Office will open for in-person sales at a later date to-be-announced. The 2024 Spring Training promotional schedule features giveaways and experiences for fans of all ages. Again this year, the Orioles invite children and seniors to run the bases after select home games. Kids Run the Bases, presented by The Out-of-Door Academy, is open to all fans ages four to 14, and will return following every Sunday home game, while Seniors Stroll the Bases, presented by Sunways Senior Living Concierge, will return following each Monday and Tuesday home game for fans age 60 and older. The promotional schedule is highlighted by special event days such as Heroes Day (February 29), presented by Cheney Brothers, Youth Sports Day (March 10) presented by First Watch, and Fireworks Night (March 23), as well as various giveaways, including a Magnet Schedule (February 24), a Spring Training T-shirt (March 8), a Chick-fil-A Plush Cow (March 13), an Orioles Rally Towel (March 17), and an O’s Cap (March 22). During every Saturday and Sunday home game, the Orioles will honor members of the Sarasota community who are selflessly working or volunteering to improve the lives of others through the Birdland Community Heroes program. To nominate a hero, visit Orioles.com/Spring. The CEO Seats program, created to give back to the community while using baseball to inspire the next generation of leaders, will return this season. Founded in 2023, the CEO Seats program donates the partnership group’s seats, located near the Orioles dugout, to local organizations that are making a difference in the community. The seats, which will be donated by the Orioles during both Spring Training and Regular Season games, serve as “thank you” to those making a difference in the community, and act as a reminder to young people that if they set their goals and work hard, they can accomplish whatever they put their minds to. The 2024 Spring Training marks the club’s 15th spring season at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles will play 16 home games at their home park, including 10 afternoon games, all beginning at 1:05 p.m., and six night games, each slated to begin at 6:05 p.m.

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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College (OLLI at Ringling College) presents its fifth annual Listening to Women, a six-session series that recognizes women whose brilliance and fortitude have reshaped industries and who are making a difference in today’s communities. The series takes place on Thursdays at 1 pm, from Jan. 18-Feb. 22, 2024, at Sarasota Art Museum, the Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Registration for the complete series is $81 for OLLI Gold Members and $90 for OLLI Silver Members and general admission; register at www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org. Holly Freedman, co-chair of the OLLI Advisory Council, is the founder of the Listening to Women series. Members of the Listening to Women team include Victoria Eckl, Louise Gallagher, Susan Gorin, Bev Harms, Victoria Kasdan, Judy Levine, Terry Rixse, Sherry Suggs, and Tobie van der Vorm. 

Art Center Sarasota presents a two-day Holiday Art Festival, Friday, December 8, and Saturday, December 9, noon to 5 p.m. The event features paintings, hand-dyed garments, crochet apparel, ceramics, ornaments, drawings, jewelry, sculpture and more—all created by area-based artists and artisans. Admission is free. 

Pictured: Work by Dorothea Calvert.

Registration is open for the 2024 winter semester at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College, which offers noncredit educational opportunities for adults to pursue new interests, expand intellectual horizons, and enrich their lives. The semester, which runs Jan. 8-March 1, 2024, features more than 50courses, workshops, lectures, and special presentations covering a wide variety of topics, including arts and entertainment, history, music appreciation, health, literature, philosophy, religion, and science. Semester highlights include Searching Dr. Google. What Should I Believe?; The History of Psychiatry: Winners and Losers; Voting Behavior and the Electoral Process; Glass: The New Hot Contemporary Art Form; andThe Historic First Federal Prosecution of a U.S. President. Classes are offered at Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; and online via Zoom. To register, or for more information about becoming an OLLI member, visit www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org or call 941-309-5111.   

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Step into a world of enchantment and Holiday cheer with Belle’s Princess Parties at their Royal Holiday Musical Spectacular! Join them for an unforgettable experience as 10 Princesses take the stage in a live theatrical stage performance. From enchanting songs to captivating dances, immerse yourself in the festive spirit with the Princesses of Belle's Princess Parties!
Join Anna and Elsa as they host 8 of their Princess friends for a Holiday Spectacular like never before! You can expect to see Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Moana, Mirabel, Jasmine, And TInkerbell! The Royal Holiday Musical Spectacular will be held in the beautiful outdoor stage at The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime in Sarasota, FL, on December 17th, from 5pm to 7pm! Get ready for an enchanting experience filled with joy, laughter, and holiday cheer. Event Highlights included in your ticket: 10 Princesses in attendance to entertain, charm, and delight! Live Stage Performance: Immerse yourself in a captivating show filled with holiday music, royal tales, and festive spirit. Meet and Greets: Interact with your favorite princesses up close, capture precious moments, and create memories to last a lifetime. Yummy Treats: Indulge in delectable snacks and treats fit for royalty. Cash bar available for adults 21+. Bounce House: Let the little ones bounce away, adding an extra layer of fun to the festivities- brought to you by Sunhouse Inflatables! Vedors: Explore a variety of vendors offering unique and delightful treasures just in time for the holidays. Tickets available now! Don't miss out on the royal celebration of the year. This is an all ages event. Children under 12 months are free with an adult. Every guest must have a ticket to enter. GA Adult/Child : $25, VIP (Very Important Princess)- $45 *LIMITED AVAILABILITY*, Includes Upfront Seating, Tiara, Private photo op with all 10 Princesses after the event!* For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bellesprincessparties.ticketleap.com/royal-holiday-spectacular/ Or visit www.bellesprincessparties.com. 

The School District of Manatee County is proud to announce its Principal of the Year is Joshua Bennett of Braden River Elementary School, and Assistant Principal of the Year is Jessica Kane of Palm View K-8. Both are eligible for the Florida Department of Education’s Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year programs. Principal Bennett has led Braden River Elementary School since 2019. He formerly served as Principal of Bashaw Elementary, as well as Assistant Principal at Bayshore and Kinnan Elementary Schools, and ESE Teacher at Mills, Bashaw and Oneco Elementary Schools. He has been with the school district since 1999. Jessica Kane became Assistant Principal of Palm View K-8 in 2021. Previously, she served as Assistant Principal at King Middle School, as well as a dean at Lakewood Ranch High School, a student support specialist at Haile Middle School, the ESE department chair at Horizons Academy and ESE teacher at Manatee High School. She has worked for the school district since 2007. The Principal and Assistant Principal Achievement Awards for Outstanding Leadership recognize exemplary school administrators for their contributions to their schools and communities, according to the Florida Department of Education. The program honors leaders who have spearheaded initiatives to increase student performance, promote safe learning environments and establish partnerships with parents and community members. 

Williams Parker is proud to announce Stella Kim as the winner of the 2023 Holiday Card Design Contest in partnership with Ringling College of Art and Design. This marks the sixth year of collaboration between the law firm and the college in seeking creative designs from students for their annual holiday card. As part of the recognition, she has been awarded a cash prize to assist with her school-related expenses. Stella Kim, a talented Illustration freshman from South Korea, stood out among numerous impressive submissions. Her project involved designing a captivating holiday card, showcasing not only her talent but also her passion for visual storytelling. During her free time, Stella draws inspiration from the fusion of illustration and music, crafting visually stunning pieces that showcase her distinctive style. As she continues to make her mark on the vibrant artistic community at Ringling College, Williams Parker eagerly anticipates the next chapters of Stella Kim's artistic journey. 

SRQ Magazine is calling home builders, architects, landscape architects and interior designers to submit their projects from the past year. The winning entries are awarded Home of the Year Platinum, Gold, and Silver Awards and the winning entries are published in the March 2024 awards edition of SRQ Magazine. 

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