This week Breathe Magazine’s January/February issue will hit newsstands. This is my first issue as editor of Breathe and stepping away from the magazine post-production, I feel really good about the diversity of content and voices, as well as the strength of the photography and design. The theme of our January/February issue is inspiration, and not only is the content inspiring, but the writers’ voices and perspectives as well.

Sarah Sekula wrote a story about adventure spas around the world — from South America to our backyard here in the Blue Ridge. She gave a great first-person synopsis of her adrenaline-packed adventures in Chile, trekking up volcanos, running down sand dunes and checking out  the El Tatio geysers.

I did a Q&A with Jennifer Pharr Davis, the Appalachian Trail endurance record-holder, and she dished about her recent AT hike, how to mentally and physically prepare for long-distance hikes, as well as goals for her hiking company.

Another great feature story was by Caroline Shannon-Karasik on gluten-free noodles. She created three unique dishes and talked about gluten-free pasta made from sea kelp, brown rice and quinoa.

I wrote our cover story about the Derby Dames, a roller derby team based out of Charlottesville, Va. I had so much fun researching this story, watching the Dames bout, and interviewing the ladies. My former coworker, dear friend and talented photographer Parker Michels-Boyce did the derby photo shoot. He got some awesome images of the ladies bouting as well as an amazing cover shot of B-one Bomber, the Dames’ star jammer.

Another great feature was by running coach Christine Hinton on how to kick-start a new running program and keep with it throughout the year.

Our department stories include a beauty story on how to get glossy hair by Aleigh Acerni, a Annie Hall-inspired fashion story by Marley Gibson, a boudoir story by Sarah Nowicki, a home gym story by Lisa Maloney, and DIY home story by Carrie Williams.

Be sure to pick up a copy and let me know what you think! Click to find a copy near you.

P.S. And I got to write my first letter from the editor.