Advance Sports, an executive search, talent strategy and HR consulting firm launched by former Comcast Spectacor executive Pete Powell last year, is joining Phoenix Sports Partners’ portfolio of companies upon Phoenix acquiring Ventnor Ventures, an early backer of Advance and the firm’s controlling shareholder. Powell is Advance’s only full-time employee and will, along with contractors, transition to Phoenix post-acquisition. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Pre-acquisition, the Chicago-based Phoenix was Advance’s biggest client, including Advance placing Phoenix portfolio company LeagueSpot’s COO. Phoenix’s portfolio, which focuses on early-stage youth sports and sports technology companies, also includes football tackling analytics firm Atavus, visual training platform Vizual Edge and mobile concession-ordering platform FanFood.

Life Fitness’ machines are pleasing to any gym goer, both functionally and visually — and both matter more than you might think.

Even with concepts like functional wellness and mental health picking up steam, there will always be a place in fitness for things that “look good.” That’s true for  individuals themselves as well as the places where they work out. 

While Life Fitness has been in the business of the former since its inception, including emerging wellness sectors, its concentration on gym design and aesthetics is now abundant as well with each being key engagement boosters. 

“In recent years, we’ve seen fitness transform from a purely functional space into a lifestyle experience, especially in the hospitality sector,” said Travis Hoppe, Regional Segment Manager at Life Fitness. “This shift has been driven by heightened consumer expectations for immersive wellness environments, the influence of boutique fitness studios and a growing emphasis on wellness as a pillar of luxury travel.”

It’s an industry-wide shift that everyone should watch closely. 

“For hotel brands, multi-family developers and premium fitness operators, the gym is now an extension of brand identity,” Hoppe added. “As a result, aesthetics, ambiance and spatial harmony are just as important as performance — and equipment is expected to reflect that balance.” 

Life Fitness not only understands that, but is acting on that insight through its manufacturing process and B2B operational strategy. 

Life Fitness’ Approach

Life Fitness drives engagement by creating aesthetically appealing products that integrate seamlessly into premium spaces without sacrificing functionality.

“The most prominent example of this evolution is our Symbio cardio line, which reimagines traditional cardio equipment with a refined, sculptural aesthetic,” said Hoppe. 

The Symbio line includes treadmills, cross-trainers, upright bikes and recumbent bikes, featuring tools like Adaptive Flex Deck Technology for customized running surfaces, on-demand exercise options, muscle activation visuals and connectivity between machines for trackable, personalized workouts. 

But as Hoppe noted, these products have the beauty to match their brains. The Symbio line also features organic curves, customizable finishes and minimalist digital interfaces.

“This makes it ideal for high-design environments like boutique hotels and wellness resorts,” Hoppe said. “Since its debut, Symbio has been embraced by luxury hospitality partners and developers looking to differentiate their fitness offerings. Early feedback from flagship installations has been overwhelmingly positive, with user engagement metrics showing increased dwell time on cardio machines and improved satisfaction scores for wellness amenities.”

Performance hasn’t been overlooked in the process.

 Hoppe called the balance between durability and design “central” during the Symbio line’s development. Life Fitness walked the tightrope by using premium materials, testing extensively in commercial environments and designing for intuitive use to meet the expectations of both casual hotel guests and seasoned fitness enthusiasts.  

“While aesthetics drive first impressions, performance drives long-term value — and we never compromise on that,” said Hoppe. “Symbio’s internal engineering is built on the foundation of Life Fitness’  proven biomechanics, reliability and digital connectivity. We’ve simply wrapped  that performance core in a more refined, hospitality-forward exterior.”

Behind the Blueprint

Delivering these aesthetically pleasing, functional fitness machines requires a group effort. Life Fitness partners directly with architects, interior designers and developers early in the design process to set itself and its clients up for success.

“This allows us to align equipment aesthetics with the overall interior design scheme — whether it’s through finish customization, spatial layout planning or integration with AV and lighting systems,” said Hoppe. 

See Also

For the Symbio line, Life Fitness offers tailored surface and frame options, allowing designers to create fitness spaces that feel like natural extensions of a property’s style rather than an afterthought. 

New Projects & New Goals

Hyatt represents one of the many brands benefitting from this careful crafting process and strategic implementation from Life Fitness. Last year, the brand made a series of installations at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Chicago. 

“From the beginning, we collaborated closely with Hyatt’s wellness and design teams to ensure the cardio equipment supported the property’s elevated guest experience,” Hoppe said. “Symbio equipment contributed to creating an elevated experience and an environment that feels worlds apart from the traditional gym aesthetic.”

As Life Fitness aims to do this for more partners now and in the future, it understands brands are looking for products that meet their specific needs through greater customization, taking aesthetics and integration strategies to an entirely new level. 

“Design customization is already reshaping the expectations around fitness equipment, especially in premium and lifestyle-driven environments,” Hoppe said. “As personalization becomes more central to wellness, operators want fitness spaces that reflect their brand ethos — whether that’s through color, texture or technology integration.”

Through its established manufacturing principles, systems of operation and experience, the brand is eager to meet these new demands. Hoppe reports Life Fitness is already investing in modular design platforms, sustainable materials and custom finishes, with the Symbio line serving as a blueprint. 

“Customization will no longer be a premium feature — it will be the baseline for operators who want to create differentiated, high-touch lifestyle experiences,” he added.

07/17/2025 – 09:00 AM

MESA, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2025 / Medical Care Technologies Inc. (OTC Pink:MDCE) is pleased to announce that all three of its divisions are currently experiencing their most dynamic and productive period in over a year, with unprecedented engagement, deal flow, and innovation across the board.

Infinite Auctions, the Company’s premiere high-end memorabilia and investment-grade collectibles platform, is preparing for its most powerful auction lineup to date. With rare photo-matched game-worn assets from legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James headlining the July event, the marketplace has seen a sharp uptick in interest from institutional collectors and high-net-worth individuals.

Real Game Used (RGU), MDCE’s AI-driven authentication subsidiary, continues to go viral across social platforms for its groundbreaking photo-match validations. Following its aggressive efforts to combat fraud in the collectibles space, RGU has become the go-to source for authenticity, resulting in a backlog of incoming items and record-level submission volume.

Medical Care Technologies, the Company’s health-focused R&D division, is making solid progress on the development of its AI-powered self-care medical application, designed to transform how consumers monitor wounds, mental health, and chronic disease risk using nothing more than their smartphone cameras. This technology is being built to disrupt the growing $300B+ digital health and diagnostics sector.

The Company also confirms that it is in the process of transitioning its transfer agent from Manhattan Transfer Company, which has halted operations, to V Stock Transfer, LLC. Once this transition is finalized, MDCE will proceed with the previously announced cancellation/restructure – a shareholder-friendly move reinforcing transparency and alignment with long-term value creation.

Contact Information:
Medical Care Technologies Inc. (OTC Pink: MDCE)
www.medicalcaretechnologies.com
Infinite Auctions – www.infiniteauctions.com
Real Game Used – www.realgameused.com

Investor & Media Contact:
Infinite Auctions / MDCE
info@infiniteauctions.com

Safe Harbor Statement:
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current expectations and projections but may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. Investors should perform their own due diligence and consult financial advisors before making investment decisions.

SOURCE: Medical Care Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK:MDCE)

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

New Collaboration is a Digestion-Friendly Fitness Experience Rooted in Movement, Mindfulness and the Power of Peppermint

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IBgard®, ranked the #1 gastroenterologist recommended brand for abdominal comfort^ǂ, today announced its collaboration with fitness coach Katie Austin to create the ‘Peppermint Power Flow’ – a virtual yoga class designed to give consumers who experience occasional tummy troubles a new way to support their digestive health. Through yoga and the calming power of naturally sourced peppermint oil – the core ingredient found in IBgard herbal supplements – Katie Austin and the IBgard brand are helping adults support their digestive health in a holistic way.^†

“I’m thrilled to partner with the IBgard brand to curate a yoga sequence designed to gently support digestion, soothe occasional gut discomfort and bring balance to both body and mind,” said Katie Austin, fitness coach and IBgard partner. “I’m excited to get more gut health girlies on their mats to discover the benefits of yoga and IBgard in this workout. As someone who is passionate about feeling strong from the inside out, I love sharing tools that actually work, and IBgard has been a game changer for my digestive wellness.^†“

Each capsule of IBgard contains tiny spheres of ultra-purified peppermint oil. The spheres are triple-coated with time-released layers that dissolve in the small intestine, delivering the calming power of peppermint oil to the source of occasional symptoms. IBgard calms the gut in two ways – by soothing the digestive tract lining and supporting nutrient absorption, and by relaxing temporary muscle contractions in the lower digestive tract, which can cause occasional gut symptoms. ^†

The Katie Austin and IBgard ‘Peppermint Power Flow’ is a 35-minute yoga flow featuring poses that support digestion and calm the mind. The class is available now on Katie Austin’s YouTube channel and on the IBgard website at www.yourgard.com/peppermintpowerflow. 

To learn about IBgard® peppermint oil supplements, please visit www.yourgard.com. Find the IBgard® brand at national retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger and Target.

About IBgard®
IBgard® has been recognized as the number one gastroenterologist recommended digestive health brand year over year.^ǂ Made with naturally-sourced peppermint oil, IBgard is clinically shown to help manage a combination of occasional symptoms including cramping, diarrhea, bloating, bowel urgency, constipation and gas.^† IBgard is safe for daily use, so you won’t miss a moment due to unpredictable tummy troubles.^† For more information about IBgard, visit www.yourgard.com and follow @YourGard on Facebook and Instagram.

^†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
^ǂAmong gastroenterologists who recommended peppermint oil for abdominal comfort. July 2024.

Media Contact
Carmichael Lynch Relate
[email protected]  

SOURCE IBgard

Top 5 Naruto Characters Who’d Be Tech Geniuses Today

The Naruto world has Jutsu, Scrolls, and Chakra. But still, many of these characters kind of match with the world we live in now. If someone gave them smartphones, computers, and AI tools, they might do wonders. Not all ninjas are just fighters; some of them have brains fit for modern-day jobs.

When you look closely, their powers and thinking style sometimes feel just like modern apps and gadgets. It’s weird, but also kind of makes sense. Here are the top 5 Naruto characters who would fit in just right in the modern world. 

Shikamaru Nara: Genius Who Hates Working

Shikamaru doesn’t like doing too much, but he’s too smart to sit still forever. In the modern world, he is likely to make some tech that helps people do less and still finish the work. Right up his alley would be some smart home gadgets that work with one voice command. Or mobile games that play themselves. And of course, he’d be good at strategy games, maybe even become a top esports coach without trying hard.

Pain: Control Through Technology

Pain liked peace, but his way was scary. He’d be all over military drones and automatic defense. His Six Paths style was like a ninja version of remote control warfare. In modern day, he’d build robotic systems to watch everything and make sure rules are followed. He’d probably also talk a lot about AI responsibility and how machines can bring peace or destroy it.

Danzo Shimura: Always Watching, Always Controlling

Danzo was into secrets, spying, and control. That ROOT group of his was already like a secret organization online. He’s the type who’d be good at cybersecurity. Maybe not fun at parties, but great with encryption, data tracking, and building systems no one can break. You can almost imagine him reading articles about blockchain every day and telling people how to stay “digitally hidden.”

Lady Tsunade: Medical Tech With a Punch

Tsunade knows medicine better than anyone. She would love trying out modern hospital stuff, like surgery robots and health scans. With her healing powers and the new machine, she may invent cures for things we don’t understand yet. Science mixed with chakra, Tsunade would do it in a heartbeat.

Itachi Uchiha: Watching from the Shadows

Itachi always noticed things others missed. He’d be perfect for digital spying and system security. With his sharp eyes and brain, he’d break into hidden codes, stop online threats, and maybe even protect networks from cyberattacks without leaving his chair. He wouldn’t bra,g though, he would just finish it quietly.

Also read: Top 5 Most Overpowered Fighters in Bleach Anime History

You think ninjas and gadgets don’t mix, but turns out, they kind of do. The way they use chakra is not so different from how we use smart tech. Maybe they don’t need to learn; maybe the systems need to catch up to them.

Imagine a ninja like Itachi running your data center or Shikamaru designing your smart home. Sounds strange, but maybe that’s the future we didn’t expect.

Written By “Sujoy Bhowmik – India Today Gaming”

The All-Star Game showcased baseball’s ability to innovate, but the Rockies continue to struggle, failing to evolve with the sport. While MLB has implemented new rules and technologies to engage fans and improve gameplay, the Rockies lag behind with stagnant management and disappointing performance on the field. Despite claims from ownership about wanting to win, the team’s lack of successful scouting, drafting, and development underscores a deeper organizational issue. Fans are left questioning the franchise’s commitment to competitive success as the Rockies hold the worst record since 2020 and show little sign of improvement.

By the Numbers

• The Rockies are 274-441 since General Manager Bill Schmidt took over in May 2021.
• As of now, the team must go 20-46 in their final 66 games to avoid the worst record in modern baseball history.

State of Play

• The Rockies are currently last in the National League West and have the lowest win percentage in MLB.
• The franchise has made no significant trades or draft picks in recent years to bolster their struggling roster.

What’s Next

As the trade deadline approaches, the Rockies must make strategic decisions to improve their roster and regain fan trust. A failure to adapt could lead to more years of mediocrity and may prompt ownership to reconsider their approach or make significant changes in leadership.

Bottom Line

The Rockies’ inability to embrace change and innovation is jeopardizing their future, and ownership must prioritize accountability and strategic planning to rebuild a competitive team. Fans deserve more than the Rockies’ current status as an afterthought in Major League Baseball.