Atayne 360 - January 2009

It's January, Time for Six Degrees

The warmth of the holidays is behind us and now it is time for six degrees. We're not talking about the temperature though. We are talking six degrees of separation. According to the theory, everyone is an average of six 'steps' away from each person on Earth. We think in our network of friends we are even closer than six degrees to some pretty high profile people.

Professional athletes, actors, musicians, politicians, or business leaders. Let's face it. Knowing people in high places can help Atayne in the battles against the giants. If we get the right person in Atayne gear in the right magazine or on the right TV show, it can help us gain great exposure for moving our vision forward.

The rules of the game are simple. Help us get an Atayne top to a high profile person that is in line with our values (performance, people, and planet) and you will get a complimentary Atayne LS and SS top (and of course the satisfaction that you are connected to someone famous).

will ferrellYes, Will Ferrell is a runner (and a big ol' treehugger)Need some ideas on the type of people we are trying to reach? Here are a few of the people on our wish list (in no particular order).
  • President Barack Obama
  • Will Ferrell
  • Joan Benoit Samuelson
  • Leonardo DiCaprio
  • Ed Norton
  • Alicia Silverstone
  • Brandi Chastain
  • Matt Damon
  • Oprah Winfrey

Think you can make a connection?  Email us at adventure@atayne.com.

Monthly Enviro Tip

It's that time of the year when you realize that the holiday cards decorating your door are a bit out of season. What to do with the cards? Recycle them! Likely answer, but you are incorrect.

Donate them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children. The Children at St. Jude's will do their magic and turn them into once again usable cards. Even better, the refurbished cards will be sold to help support the amazing work of St. Jude's.

Words of Wisdom from Billy Joel

"Tell her about it. Tell her everything you feel." One question we have: why is it just about her? We think you should tell everyone. Make a point in 2009 to spend a couple moments every morning upon waking to identify a few sources of optimism and things for which to be grateful. (Even better, if it is a person you are grateful for, tell them.)

At Atayne, we are grateful for the amazing support we received in 2008. We made many new friends and together we will change the way people think about "performance" apparel. If you heart us too, tell the world. A great place to start is by writing an online review. Don't know where to start? Check out our favorite, SustainLane.

sustainlane

One Little Athlete, One Big Heart

Back at Camp Atayne, we talk a lot about what it means to be an athlete. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary will tell you an athlete is "a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina." Sounds a bit archaic to us and conjures up images of dark, smelly locker rooms and grunting men.

We define the term a bit differently. To us, an athlete is a person with the determination and commitment to live and love an active lifestyle. An athlete is a marathoner who logs 70 to 80 miles a week in the hopes of a Boston Qualifier. But an athlete is also a 92-year-old woman who takes a daily 30-minute walk come hell or high water.

kennedyIn our eyes, athletes come in many shapes, colors, and sizes, and one of our favorite athletes comes in a pint-sized package. Atayne community, meet Kennedy.

Kennedy is a very social 8-½ year girl who is full of love, life and energy. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer when she was just 2 years old, and has been battling the disease ever since. Despite the ever-present tumor on her spine, her spirits are high and her hope is unwavering. If it weren't for the braces on her legs and limp hand, no one would ever imagine that she has been battling cancer for most of her life.

Kennedy has had to endure more in life than most of us could ever imagine, but it has never extinguished her athletic spirit. Kennedy stays very active and enjoys skiing, horseback riding, and of course playing with her brother Nate. In fact on a recent ski trip, Kennedy ventured down a Black Diamond, where she spent a decent portion of the ski run sliding on her stomach after a vicious face plant. Her father, Jeff, decided it was time to call it a day, at which Kennedy responded, "No dad...What is it you always say? When we fall down, get up and try again!"

In honor of Kennedy, and her commitment to staying active when most people would want to give up, we will donate 10% of sales through February to Kennedy's Cord Foundation (KCF) when you put the code kennedyscord in the Coupon Code/Promotional Code field at check-out and press apply. KCF is dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric spinal cord gliomas by promoting medical research and increasing public awareness.

If you will be in the Washington, DC area on February 21st, we hope to see you at Kennedy's Chance for Life event.

Like Kennedy's story? Check out her video below.

Where in the World is Atayne?

head of the charles"Down by the River...Down by the River Charles." Brothers Brett and Grant sported their Atayne tops at the Head of the Charles in Boston last October. Since the 1966 song "Dirty Water" referenced the highly polluted Charles River in 1966, great strides have been made to clean it up. However, the river still needs your help. If you would like to do your part, check out the Charles River Conservancy.

Be sure to keep sharing your adventures by sending photos to adventure@atayne.com.

A Glimpse into the Future

It is going to be an exciting year back at the Camp. In the coming weeks and months, we will:
  • Expand the POV (point of view) statements we offer on our performance tops
  • Launch our Trash Tee allowing races and organizations to customize their own Atayne recycled performance top
  • Introduce men's and women's bottoms into the Atayne line


Until Next Month, Keep it Clean,


The Atayners