Volume 66 | Grip & Grind

📰 The Pulse

Aaron Donald’s Radical Grip Enhancer

Summary — Aaron Donald has been showing off a new Chalkless grip solution in short social clips—positioning it as a cleaner, high-performance alternative to traditional gym chalk.

The Playbook Take — I’m obsessed with this stuff and every time I send it to someone they buy it for themself. Super cool story on the founders prior chemical engineering background working on navy submarines and fighter jet cockpits to optimize heat transfer/coating leading to the development of Chalkess.

Logan Paul Invests in Aescape (AI Massage Tech)

Summary — Logan Paul has joined Aescape’s investor/partner roster as the company expands its AI-driven, automated massage and recovery offerings into major gyms and hospitality partners. Aescape bills its tech as an in-club, on-demand massage experience powered by smart robotics and software.

The Playbook Take — Paul’s backing accelerates Aescape’s retail and hotel rollout, while signaling that massage tech is an investable slice of recovery infrastructure. I love this brand and move.

Gymshark Steps Into Footwear with R.A.D

Summary — Gymshark launched its debut footwear with British performance brand R.A.D, unveiling cross-training models built for stability, grip, and durability—an intentional step from apparel into full-stack performance gear. The R.A.D One V2 and R-1 styles aim to cover lifting, HIIT, and gym-to-street use.

The Playbook Take — If Gymshark can translate its direct-to-consumer audience into footwear loyalty, the brand’s next decade looks promising. Shoes widen the moat.

Russell Wilson & Ciara Join The Pack NYC as Founders

Summary — The Pack, a new street-defense–inspired fitness studio concept, announced Russell Wilson and Ciara as founding partners alongside the brand’s co-founders. The concept blends self-defense skills, conditioning, and community-driven group classes in a boutique setting.

The Playbook Take — Star founders help studios launch with built-in demand. Wilson and Ciara bring cultural cachet and a mainstream audience, and The Pack’s self-defense angle gives it a distinct programming edge in a crowded studio market.

🧬 The Shop

Rhone | Dream State Collection — Recovery-forward loungewear built for sleep and reset; modern fabrics, structured comfort. Featuring hoodies, joggers, quarter-zips, shorts, and more.

Apple | Watch Ultra 3 — The ultimate sports and adventure watch now features Emergency SOS via satellite, the largest display ever in an Apple Watch, 42-hour battery life, and powerful new health insights.

Amazfit | T-Rex 3 Pro — Rugged outdoor smartwatch with sapphire glass and high-brightness AMOLED for adventure athletes.

Nike Strength | Adjustable Weight Bench — A versatile bench from Nike Strength with 28 adjustment combos for home & pro gyms. Now available for pre-order with shipping mid-October.

Eleiko | Next Generation Bars — Eleiko’s updated barbell lineup: more precise feel, durability, and sensor-ready options for connected lifting.

Verb | Daily Hydrate — Verb’s new daily hydration product aimed at everyday recovery and energy. Featuring flavors Berry Breeze and Lavender Lemonade.

Unwell | Protein Hydration — Alex Cooper’s Unwell rolls out a protein + electrolyte drink to combine refuel + hydration in one bottle. Coming in flavors peach tangerine, raspberry melon, and watermelon strawberry.

👟 Active Recovery Shoes

Recovery isn’t just about what happens after the workout—it’s about what you wear during the grind.

Stand+ are engineered with Energy-Recovery™ comfort tech that reduces strain and fights fatigue, so your feet and joints stay fresh.

Slip-resistant, antimicrobial, and podiatrist-approved, they’re designed for athletes who log endless steps between training, travel, and life.

Think of them as active recovery built into every stride.

👉 Check them out here.

💰 The Boardroom

Gary Payton II Announces Co-ed Skateboard League — NBA vet Gary Payton II launched a pro co-ed skateboard league (Skate Board Association), targeting equal pay and salaried athletes. This will create another athlete-owned sports ecosystem outside traditional leagues. (More)

Patrick Taylor Jr & Sap’s Original — I couldn’t locate a public announcement confirming Patrick Taylor Jr as a new investor in Sap’s Original. Sap’s Original (the Austin hydration brand) is real and active—if you want, I can dig deeper or reach out for confirmation. (More)

Chiron Sports Group Launches Legacy 25 Sports Fund — Chiron announced Legacy25, a $150M initiative focused on college athletics and adjacent businesses, backed by athlete partners and operators. (More)

Blue Jeans Golf Raises $20M — The Golf Ranch/Blue Jeans Golf concept closed $20M to expand its tech-enabled driving range footprint. Expect more “Golf Lite” entertainment ranges popping up.(More)

Model Health Raises $1M — Model Health landed a $1M pre-seed to bring lab-grade movement analysis to smartphone video—AI biomechanics for PTs, clinics, and trainers. (More)

Overtime

Unrivaled closes Series B — valuation hits $340M (More)

Nike tests a new Gen-Z riff: “Why Do It?” (More)

Temple Lifestyle Brands Acquires Rise® Kombucha, Cementing Its Role as a Functional Beverage Leader in Canada. (More)

Vuori Leans Into Athlete Partnerships in Performance Wear Pivot. (More)

Broncos new stadium targeting a 2031 open date. (More)