Author: openjargon

• Apple is preparing to supercharge iPhone with Apple Intelligence.
• Samsung is readying a counterattack with Galaxy AI.
• The South Korean company is about to reveal fresh AI features as it goes into battle with Apple. 

For more than a decade, the leaders of South Korea's grandest chaebol could take pride in their company's edge over Silicon Valley's most powerful smartphone maker.

From the city of Suwon, Samsung — the family-led titan of Korean industry — has been the world's top smartphone seller, beating Apple.

While Americans generally prefer iPhones, the rest of the world has preferred Samsung's Android-powered devices sold for competitive prices. However, all that changed last year.

By the end of 2023, Apple overtook Samsung for the first time in 12 years with a 20.1% share of global smartphone market, per figures published in January by data firm IDC.

In part, Samsung was hit by forces affecting the wider smartphone business. Shipments fell 3.2% in 2023 to 1.17 billion units, IDC found, suggesting consumers were less willing to upgrade, especially against a backdrop of higher inflation.

Samsung has also been grappling with difficulties closer to home.

Lee Jae-yong, executive chairman of its most important division, Samsung Electronics, and South Korea's richest man with a net worth of $11 billion according to Bloomberg, has been wrapped in bribery and financial crime scandals since the mid-2010s.

In 2017, he was found guilty of bribery involving then-president Park Geun-hye but was pardoned in 2022 after serving a short prison sentence. Earlier this year, in a separate case, Lee was acquitted on charges of stock price manipulation and accounting fraud.

With that drama now behind its leadership, Samsung is focusing on the sector's most important development in years: artificial intelligence and the new smartphone wars it's about to trigger with Apple.

Samsung gears up for the AI era

The South Korean company hopes all eyes will be on Paris on Wednesday as it prepares to reveal the "next frontier" of its AI ambitions at an event dubbed "Galaxy Unpacked."

The timing couldn't be more important.

Last month, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence, a vision of generative AI that will give its devices a total refresh. In doing so, Apple hopes to inspire consumers to upgrade their iPhones so they can access its suite of AI features.

Such features include a revamped Siri, tools to boost emails and messaging, image creation support, and the integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into the operating systems of iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

For Apple, which is facing tough competition in key markets like China, Apple Intelligence represents a huge bet that its take on AI will be so enticing to consumers that they're willing to upgrade their phones to gain access. (Only newer models like the iPhone 15 Pro and upcoming iPhone 16 line-up will offer Apple Intelligence).

For Samsung, it means needing to get serious about AI too. It debuted Galaxy AI, its first take on generative AI features for its devices, at the January launch of its flagship Galaxy S24 range.

Galaxy AI includes features such as "circle to search" from Google, which allows users to search for whatever they see on their screens, as well as live translator tools for calls and enhanced photo editing capabilities.

While Apple is pushing users to upgrade to new devices if they want to gain access to top AI features, Samsung appears to be taking a different approach.

Galaxy AI has already been rolled out to older phones, such as the S23 and Z Fold5, as Samsung aims to make its AI features as widely available as possible — as early as possible. That will give existing Samsung users a chance to assess the value of AI and buy another Samsung device when they next upgrade.

There are signs that Samsung is already making a comeback.

On Friday, Samsung Electronics estimated a huge boost in its operating profit to about 10.4 trillion won ($7.54 billion) for the second quarter, up from 670 billion won ($485 million) a year ago.

Samsung overtook Apple again in the first three months of the year as the world's top smartphone seller, per IDC figures, with the caveat that it was boosted by the launch of a flagship phone in a quarter when Apple did not launch a new phone of its own.

The South Korean company's hope now will be that its vision of AI keeps it on top of Apple for the entire year.

Samsung says Wednesday's launch is about entering "a new phase of mobile AI" — one it hopes will crown Samsung as king again in the smartphone's AI era.

• Socks from Alo and sneakers from Asics are some of the most coveted items by men right now.
• They also can't get enough of expensive lounge chairs, home golf simulators, and cold-plunge tubs.
• These items have become status symbols of sorts, showcasing men's wealth and style.

What makes a man cool right now? As it turns out, a few items help men tap into their rizz.

Since the start of this year, men — from Gen Z to boomers — haven't been able to get enough luxury items like Arc'teryx outerwear, $7,000 lounge chairs, and Dior cologne.

But there are also some more affordable pieces — like Asics sneakers and trendy socks — that have also become status symbols for men.

Here's a look at the most popular items of the year so far and why men are obsessed with them.

It seems like every man's wardrobe includes Alo accessories, especially socks and hats.

Alo has become the go-to fitness fashion brand in recent years — even surpassing LuLuLemon.

The brand's athleisure pieces are loved by celebrities and quiet luxury fans, and its high price points have pushed Alo to reach more than $1 billion in sales. The company is also expected to have 100 retail locations by the end of 2024.

But two Alo accessories have become especially popular with men: the brand's $24 half-crew socks and its $68 baseball caps.

The appeal, of course, is that both are extremely simple in design, featuring nothing but the brand's buzzy, three-letter name.

When it comes to sneakers, men are choosing "ugly" options that cost less than $150 each.

The "ugly shoe" trend is nothing new, especially among Gen Z fashion fans, but one old-school sneaker brand has reigned supreme for men.

Asics shoes have become a staple of men's street style, pushing the brand to record sales and profits last year, according to Footwear News.

The gel-soled, stripe-covered sneakers are also a major talking point on TikTok. Creators regularly show their collections of Asics Kayanos and give glowing reviews to other styles from the brand.

It also helps that Asics running shoes typically retail under $150, so they're as affordable as they are trendy.

The most popular athletic shorts come from Vuori.

For men, the brand's sport shorts are worn not only during workouts but also as a fashion status symbol.

Its popular Kore style, for example, costs $68 and is sold in at least 14 colorways. They were highlighted in Vuori's most viral TikTok video of the year so far, which was posted in late February and has gotten 7.2 million views.

Since launching in 2015, California-based Vuori has held a steady role in the athleticwear industry. It's been valued at $4 billion and is on track to have more than 100 storefronts by 2026, according to Forbes.

Publications like Business Insider, Forbes, and New York Magazine have also cited Vuori as one of the best athleisure brands for men this year.

Arc'teryx continues to dominate the fashion landscape.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you're likely familiar with Arc'teryx. The brand was formed in 1989 and has sold high-quality outerwear that's said to protect from strong weather elements ever since.

But it's just as likely that you've discovered Arc'teryx on social media. Its Instagram is especially buzzy, with 1.4 million followers, and TikTokers regularly make content about the brand.

That's because Arc'teryx sits at the intersection of fashion trends and luxury. Its popular jackets typically cost upwards of $300.

Add to the mix that musicians like Lil Yachty and Frank Ocean regularly wear the brand, and it becomes pretty obvious why Arc'teryx clothes remain a style status symbol for men in 2024.

Many men are rocking vintage-style Casio watches.

When you think about men's watches, luxury brands like Rolex might be the first that comes to mind. But in 2024, it's actually all about affordable pieces from Casio.

The brand is especially big on platforms like TikTok, where male creators regularly make videos (and garner over a million views each) that showcase the Japanese company's timepieces.

Variations of Casio's AQ-230A design — which features both analog and digital clocks — are especially popular, typically retailing for less than $50. The trendy style was inspired by a similar watch Casio sold in the mid-'80s.

Others have their eye on a statement timepiece from Patek Philippe.

If you prefer expensive designer watches, you're probably familiar with Patek Philippe's Golden Ellipse designs.

Publications like Forbes have named the $60,000 Rose Gold variant, which has 300 hand-crafted links and 18-karat gold pieces, as one of the year's best watches.

And according to Google Trends, searches for Patek Philippe reached their highest peak since 2018 in May.

Everyone is buying their three-piece sets from Suitsupply.

When you search "#suitsupply" on Instagram, you're met with more than 361,000 posts — many of them being "fit checks" posted by men this year to show off their designer garments.

That's because pieces from the brand have become major fashion status symbols as of late. Some customers have chosen to mix SuitSupply pants with other pieces from their wardrobe, while others are rocking full monochrome outfits, like the $859 Havana set, from the brand.

Speaking with Business Insider, a representative for SuitSupply said the company "is breaking sales records in stores worldwide" and that demand for suits is especially "accelerating in the USA."

And the scent of Dior Sauvage is everywhere.

Calabrian bergamot, vanilla, and patchouli are the top notes of Dior Sauvage — arguably the most popular fragrance for men in 2024.

Sephora's website lists the designer cologne, which is sold in five sizes between $85 and $270 each, as one of the best-sellers for men.

Dior has also gone viral with Sauvage advertisements, like one extremely short "film" narrated by Johnny Depp. Since being uploaded to YouTube in early March, the video has been viewed more than 11 million times.

Corporate guys love expensive lounge chairs from Herman Miller.

In particular, the expensive Eames lounge chair has become the ultimate status symbol for wealthy men. It's covered in leather, features a matching ottoman, and has been a staple of the designer brand since 1956.

Its regular model costs $6,895, while the tall version is priced at $7,395. However, depending on the wood and leather you choose, the chairs can actually cost closer to $10,000 each.

"The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is consistently one of our bestselling products," Jennifer Nield, the vice president of lifestyle at MillerKnoll, Herman Miller's parent company, told BI.

She also added: "Although the word "icon" is overused, it's exactly the right word in describing the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman."

What man doesn't want a golf simulator in his home?

Indoor golf simulators seem to be popping up everywhere, from office spaces to breweries.

But some men prefer having golf tech added to their homes — something Larry Olmsted cited in a Forbes piece earlier this year. The quality of at-home simulators is improving, and price tags are becoming relatively more affordable.

Some of the most popular options from FlightScope and Skytrak, for example, retail between $3,995 and $6,298. The technology is still expensive but not as pricey as the $50,000 set-ups that some professional golfers use.

The ultimate wellness status symbol is cold-plunge tubs.

Everyone seems to be into cold plunges, from influencers to celebrities like Mark Wahlberg. And this year, many folks are opting to take the plunge at home.

According to Google Trends, searches for "cold plunge tubs" peaked in January and are back on the rise this month.

A $132 tub from The Pod Company is one popular option, as is the more luxurious $8,490 tub from Plunge.

Every guy who wants to try rucking needs a strong backpack.

Rucking, or the practice of carrying heavy weight over long distances, is a huge fitness trend this year.

So naturally, many men are now purchasing rucking bags to participate in the activity. Those from GoRuck, which can cost up to $585 each, are especially popular.

The brand also experienced a peak in online searches this month, according to Google Trends.

• Young professionals in China are sharing their "naked resignations" on social media.
• The term refers to quitting your job without having another one lined up.
• Younger people in China appear to be more open to taking time out of their careers to travel.

Gap years haven't traditionally been the norm in China.

Taking a year off work to travel and explore new passions isn't necessarily associated with a fast climb up the career ladder or the pay scale.

But in recent years, young professionals in China have been more willing to share their struggles dealing with long hours and poor pay on social media. The facade of corporate life seems to be lifting as people come to terms with the reality of working exhausting hours without time for themselves.

For more young people, the ultimate luxury is to take time off to escape the grind.

'Naked resignation'

One popular phrase on Chinese social media is "两点一线," which translates to "two points, one line." It refers to the endless commute from home to work and back again without the opportunity to see anything new, Jack Porteous of China-focused consultancy firm Tong Global told Business Insider.

This feeling of monotony and overwork has inspired unsatisfied workers to push back and start videos online of themselves "loud quitting" — publicly sharing news of quitting your job on social media to explore China or further afield for a period of time, Porteous said.

It's a trend similar to the QuitTok social media trend in the West, where China's young workers aren't being shy about resigning from their jobs.

And discussion is rife on Chinese social media about 裸辞 — a term that translates, quite literally, to "naked resignation." And it means just that — quitting one's job without a backup plan to rely on.

Take, for instance, a viral post penned by a 28-year-old on Weibo, China's version of Twitter. The person, who wrote the post on July 5 under a pseudonym, said they resigned without a backup plan right after getting a raise because they wanted to "stop for a while."

"In the last two years, my pay has risen once every half year, but I always thought that the most important thing in my life shouldn't be work," read the post. Business Insider was unable to verify the identity of the social media user.

The post's author also lined up a bucket list of what they intended to do after leaving their job — learning English, getting fit, becoming a better cook, and going on a trip to "see all the great scenery I never had the time to see."

"I don't know if my life will be better after this 'naked resignation.' But I think that if I stay the same, then the things that I don't dare to do at 28 will become things that my older self would simply never attempt," the person wrote. "Life is short. There's no time like the present."

It isn't just this one person who has "naked resignation" on the brain. Weibo is also chock-a-block with trending topics — akin to hashtags — expanding on the topic. Examples seen in BI's search of the keyword included "how much to save before naked resignation," "three things to consider before naked resignation," and "20 jobs to try after naked resignation."

Over on Xiaohongshu, a platform akin to Instagram, people also post stories of their lives after "naked resignation." Some posts detail the pros and cons of "naked resignation." Others read like travel diaries, advocating for a slower, more fulfilling life outside the corporate rat race.

Taking a career break

Porteous told BI that some people are taking the opportunity to spend quality time with family and visit parts of China they never had the opportunity to explore.

He added that activities related to crafting and spending time outdoors have been especially popular with those looking to learn a new skill or reconnect with nature.

A gap year is also an opportunity to visit somewhere outside the traditional bucket list destinations like big cities in Europe.

"There is a preference for niche destinations and unique experiences, aiming to escape reality and immerse themselves in authentic local cultures," Laurence Lim, founder and managing director of branding agency Cherry Blossoms Intercultural Branding, told BI.

For younger people, gap years can allow for personal growth and exploration often before they embark on their careers.

"They want to travel, learn new skills, or engage in volunteer work before committing to long-term career paths," Sally Maier-Yip, the founder of China-focused communications consultancy 11K Consulting, told BI.

"A gap year can provide a much-needed break and help young people enter the workforce more refreshed and motivated," she said.

China's tough work culture and economic downturn

It's no secret that China's job market has been less than favorable for its young graduates and early career professionals.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the unemployment rate of people aged 16 to 24 was 14.9% in December, compared to 6.1% for those aged 25 to 29 and 3.9% for those between 30 and 59.

The recent economic downturn and the pandemic have led many young people to rethink their careers and try to find new meaning in their lives.

Viral social media trends like "lying flat" are examples of this disillusionment with work, Lim told BI. "It reflects a shift away from traditional definitions of success, focusing instead on freedom, happiness, and health rather than career achievements," she said.

And many of those opting to take gap years come from the tech sector, Porteous said.

It's an industry notorious for the highly competitive "996" work culture," which demands workers clock in from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week.

Alibaba CEO Jack Ma once endorsed the grueling schedule, calling it a "huge blessing" for young professionals. Qu Jing, a former PR lead at Chinese tech giant Baidu, stepped down earlier this year after posting videos online ripping into staff who disagreed with her extreme approach to work.

"Finding a decent job in big techs is a dream shared by young aspirants from elite universities," Jenny Chan, an associate professor of sociology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, told BI. But succeeding in China's tough tech industry requires full devotion of time and effort, which blurs the boundaries between work and home, she said.

The economic turndown and tough work culture can leave people feeling like mere cogs in the machine of larger corporations, Lim told BI. "They are often disillusioned and demotivated."

Generational divides

With the help of social media, the younger generations are more inclined to question the status quo regarding careers. But older generations haven't felt so favorably about taking time out of work.

"Older Chinese generations are generally suspicious of the concept of gap years," Lim told BI.

"There are articles on Chinese social media criticizing gap years," she said, "arguing that it is a Western concept that does not adapt well to Chinese society."

She said older generations may see it as a hindrance to career progression, while Gen Z is perhaps more open to prioritizing self-awareness and self-care.

"There's a popular internet buzzword among Chinese young people, "Gai溜子," which can be roughly translated to "drifter" on the street," Lim added.

It's a term used to poke fun at themselves for not having a plan and wandering through life. "It reflects a laid-back attitude where they're proud to step back from the traditional hustle and simply enjoy life", she said.

• My father has always been older than most of my friends' dads.
• Our opinions on some topics differ, but we're surprisingly aligned on other things.
• He gives me great advice, and our relationship is built on respect.

I'm 22, and my father has always been much older than my friends' dads. Growing up, this difference was a constant source of fascination. During elementary school events, my father's age always stood out. But over time, what once seemed unusual became completely normal to me.

He would let me help on his farm when I was on break from school. It was more than just bonding; it was an opportunity to learn from his enviable work ethic and perspective. I cherished those moments together, immersing myself in the activities that kept the farm running. He always emphasized that work wasn't just about the tasks at hand but about the person you become through the process. That's not all I learned from him.

We view technology differently

When he finally got his first smartphone, after much convincing, it was an opportunity for me to teach him new things he found challenging to understand. My father was born in the age of handwritten letters and couldn't understand why statuses disappeared after 24 hours on WhatsApp.

Amusingly, he views social media as an utter distraction, while I see it as a tool that enhances my daily life. He frequently warned my siblings and me about spending too much time in front of screens, which led to constantly tracking my screen time and ensuring I kept it as low as possible.

He taught me about hard work

As my siblings and I grew older, he became intentional about instilling a sense of responsibility and agency in us. Every parent wants their children to appreciate the value of hard work, but I think my dad took it a notch higher. He had us set goals annually and develop actionable steps to achieve them.

While his views and approach have sometimes clashed with my more progressive, digitally influenced perspectives, these differences have often led to enriching discussions. We debate various topics, from the significance of social media activism to the evolving definition of success. These conversations not only broadened my understanding but also taught me to value and respect diverse viewpoints.

I was pleasantly surprised by his views on mental health

The pandemic brought to the forefront a significant generational divide in views on mental health. Like many of my Gen Z peers, I found myself struggling with anxiety and depression during the lockdowns. The constant barrage of alarming news, social isolation, and the uncertainty of the future took a toll on my mental well-being.

My father's approach to wellness and happiness, shaped by his boomer values, initially seemed out of step with my own understanding of mental health. He grew up in an era where mental health issues were often stigmatized and rarely discussed openly. Many in his generation value stoicism and resilience, often equating mental strength with the ability to endure hardships without complaint.

In contrast, my Gen Z perspective on mental health is more open and proactive. My peers and I are more likely to seek professional help, use mental health apps, and openly discuss our struggles over lunch.

However, my father's perspective on wellness was surprisingly holistic. He emphasized the importance of a balanced life, drawing from his experiences of overcoming adversity. His approach was centered on maintaining physical health, building strong relationships, and finding joy in simple pleasures. He often shared stories of coping with difficulties in his youth by staying active, engaging with his community, and practicing gratitude.

During the pandemic, his views became a lifeline for me. He encouraged me to establish a daily routine, incorporating physical exercise and regular sleep patterns, which helped anchor my days. He stressed the importance of staying connected with loved ones, even if only through phone calls or video chats, to combat the isolation. His insistence on finding joy in small, everyday activities — like cooking a meal together, gardening, or simply taking a walk — helped me reconnect with the present moment and alleviate my anxiety.

Teaching and learning from each other, my father and I have built a relationship grounded in mutual respect and understanding.

• Summer camps and care cost parents thousands, pushing many into debt or altered work schedules.
• Parents are facing rising childcare costs, exacerbated by post-pandemic economic pressures.
• Despite financial strain, parents view summer activities as essential for their children's wellbeing.

Between taekwondo, time at the local community center, and other types of camp and summer programs, Paige Connell and her husband will end up spending over $6,000 for her two oldest kids to stay busy this summer.

Connell created a spreadsheet to keep track of the varying costs, times, and weeks for these programs. It shows that the family paid $360 per week for one of the children and $345 for the other for recreation department programs. One of her children is attending taekwondo, which costs $300. One child will partake in a music camp for several days, which costs over $500.

Camp is not the only summer expense for Connell's family. They also took a week-long family vacation at a beach house.

The 34-year-old mom of four said most of these summer camps were already paid up front earlier this year. Connell, who also has two younger kids who attend daycare, said of the older children's camps, "that's kind of our childcare for the summer" given she and her husband work full time.

"It is something that we budget for, so we try to plan accordingly for how we're going to pay for it, and obviously in combination with paying for our other childcare throughout the year," she said.

Summer fun may be priceless for kids, but it's increasingly costly for their parents. Some go into debt to pay off a summer; others adjust their work hours, scramble to find care, or have to deal with their children feeling left behind by peers headed to pricey summer programs.

It's a function of a system parents say isn't cohesive with the needs of working caretakers, like how school ends before many professionals' workday or how daycares sometimes have sporadic schedules. And, like other facets of the economy, it's something where costs are only growing.

For parents, "it's such a hard dichotomy because obviously summer's exciting, kids are out of school, they're excited for the opportunity to spend more time with them," Courtney Alev, Credit Karma's consumer financial advocate, told BI. "But this need to continue to find additional childcare — and often more expensive — can just add a lot of stress to parents."

Why summer camps are so expensive, and what it means for families

Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association, is well aware of camps' costs and demands.

"The price of camp has gone up as the costs of operating a camp have gone up, but the camp operators in general are not able to raise their prices sufficiently to cover the increase in their costs," Rosenberg said. Camp directors, like childcare providers, have struggled to staff up and boosted wages to try to lure in young adults in a competitive market.

"Kids need more today, so we need more staff to manage to take care of the children," Rosenberg said, comparing needs to pre-pandemic times. "Camp experiences are unique opportunities for them to learn and grow undistracted by social media and technology and with a measure of independence from their parents and family."

Camps are also coming up against an expensive — yet quiet — headwind that's eating away at wallets: Skyrocketing insurance costs.

"Both on the property and casualty side of things, insurance costs for youth programs like this are through the roof, frankly, if they can get coverage," Rosenberg said. "There's food and transportation, the cost of capital to expand their facility to be able to take additional campers in or to just operate their program; everything has gone up."

Rosenberg said the challenge "is to be able to serve more kids in an affordable way given the inflationary environment that we are currently in."

For Alex Mnatsakanov, summer is worth going into debt.

The 45-year-old single dad, who shares custody of his daughter, describes her as creative and extroverted. Summer is a chance for the pre-teen who dreams of being on Broadway to hit the stage at theater camp and star in at least three different shows.

"It's great seeing her be confident on stage — and she is very confident on stage — but it's also, I feel like, has been tremendous for her mental health as an outlet to support her through things that have gone on in her life," he said.

And so, he and his co-parent are shelling out around $3,000 total this year for two different day camps that add up to six weeks of activities — but that's only about half of the summer. He said those costs usually end up on a credit card. But that investment is worth it to not see his kid languish bored all summer.

"The experience, the outlet for all of that creativity, for all that interaction with peers is worth it for me to potentially grow my debt," he said.

Indeed, an Intuit Credit Karma survey of 2,006 American adults in June found that 29% of parents said they can't save money during the summer because of childcare costs, and over a third said they need to adjust their work hours because care is so expensive.

Meanwhile, 23% of parents, among those who reported they'd be paying for summer programs, expected to pay over $1,000 a month per child during the summer. Broadly, 61% of parents with kids under 18 years old said it "feels even more expensive to raise kids in the summer months." And 28%, among those who noted enrolling their kids in programs, said they planned on taking on debt to help cover the costs of summer programs.

"That — even if it's necessary for certain families — is really concerning given that credit card interest rates and debt, they're at really high levels right now," Alev said. "And so going into that debt now is likely going to end up costing you a lot more over time."

Connell, the parent with two of her children attending various camps this summer, noted that she understands how expensive it is to operate and staff camps and that the people working there "deserve to be paid well."

"I think, unfortunately, the costs are very prohibitive to parents," Connell said, adding that government subsidies and funding for camps and care "would go a long way" for workers at these places and families.

It's not just a summer problem. "I think the cost of childcare is a major infrastructure failure in our country. I think it is disproportionately impacting women who are leaving the workforce because they can't afford childcare," she said.

And other small expenses — like sending a lunch or giving kids spending money for camp excursions — add up. Dana Bowling, a mom of an 11-year-old and a 9-year-old, said she pays for a hot lunch daily for her kids' day camp, and then also for a frozen treat — she knew if she didn't pay for that one, she'd hear from her kids every day saying that everyone else got one. On top of all of that, some parents are forking over thousands for services that help their kids pack and prepare for camp.

Bowling wants to give her kids what she sees as the important cultural experience of going to camp. Bowling, who lives in LA, sends her children to a Jewish summer camp, which has long been held as an important cultural touchstone in the American Jewish community.

"I think it's a big deal, and it's kind of necessary for kids to experience those things. So it's a non-negotiable, but because of that, it's so expensive," she said. She estimates that, just for day camp, they're spending around $150 to $200 per kid a day; sleepaway camp is running them around $6,000 per kid for three weeks. To make costs manageable, she uses a payment plan to pay throughout the year for camp.

"It's kind of like highway robbery because they can charge whatever they want, and we'll have to do it," Bowling said.

While camps and other summer activities can be costly, there are some options for assistance out there.

"We do offer financial aid at all of our locations, and no family is ever turned away because of an inability to pay," Lisa Garcia, senior executive of youth programs, afterschool and day camps at the YMCA of Greater New York, said. "At the Y, we really want to make sure summer camp is accessible for all."

Garcia, who said she was a camp counselor back in the day, sees the benefits of attending camp. "It's where campers can be silly and be who they are and explore who they want to be, fine-tune their skills, develop those skills that they already have," Garcia said.

Some parents agree that summer experiences are worth the cost.

"I do feel like the experiences for her are worth it. I'm a strong believer in less about material things and more about experiences where you do create memories that last a lifetime — not to sound super cliché," Mnatsakanov said of his daughter. He added: "I want her to five, six years down the road when she's a teenager and doesn't want to do camps — because she's too cool for school — have these memories from her tweens."

How much are you spending on activities and childcare this summer or in a year? Share with these reporters at jkaplan@businessinsider.com and mhoff@businessinsider.com.

• Mai-lan Phan and her husband Ryan Wagoner achieved financial independence but chose not to retire early.
• They amassed over $4 million by living modestly, investing wisely, and avoiding lifestyle creep.
• Despite their wealth, they prioritize intentional spending, future planning, and financial education.

Mai-lan Phan and her husband, Ryan Wagoner, both 36, reached financial independence, but neither wants to fully retire early.

They reached a total net worth of $4.1 million, including their two homes, from working high-paying jobs, cutting back on spending for most expenses, and avoiding lifestyle creep. Phan left dentistry full-time after experiencing nerve pain and having her son, working part-time while Wagoner works full-time. They live modestly and save for their family's future, though they still go on vacations and to Seahawks games.

"Financial independence is not having to work full-time and the freedom to be able to send my child to full-time preschool, 40 hours a week, and come home and be able to do the things that I want to do," Phan said.

Many Americans are working to achieve financial independence — or having enough savings or income to live comfortably for life. Some are hoping that will allow them to retire early, thus making them part of the FIRE movement, though some like Phan and Wagoner continue working for extra financial security and personal satisfaction.

"I want to be able to walk away from any job if it's not working," Wagoner said. "What I really care about is the financially independent part, so if I wanted to take a year off and go travel, or if I wanted to get out of a job that is really stressing me out and causing me mental difficulties."

Working toward financial independence

Phan was born an hour south of Seattle to parents who "weren't wealthy by any means," though they took her on vacations and allowed her to participate in various extracurricular activities. Her parents taught her to live frugally and only spend on what's important.

She worked at Subway, drove a used car, and got a phone as a senior in high school after most people in her grade. She got financial aid for her bachelor's degree and then enrolled in dental school. She rejected half the student loan package offered because she didn't need it and wanted to live debt-free as soon as possible after graduation.

Across eight years of school, she borrowed $140,000 — $80,000 was from the government, which she paid off two years after graduating, and $60,000 was from her parents, whom she paid back a year after graduation.

Wagoner grew up in a small Michigan town and worked at his father's grocery store starting at 14, allowing him to buy a car before his 16th birthday. His accountant mom taught him how to set up a bank account and spend frugally — though he admits there weren't many places in his town to do so.

He was the first in his family to attend college, and he chose Michigan State University with various scholarships paying for half his tuition. He paid for his living expenses through internships at Microsoft and drove his car until it stopped working. He read financial independence books emphasizing spending on important things and cutting back on unimportant ones.

He saved up enough to buy a condo, knowing his income was stable and growing, which he and Phan later paid off and rented to tenants.

Phan and Wagoner met in 2015 while he was still at Microsoft — he had four more years of income, 401(k) matching, and no student debt. While dating, he told her he wanted to retire by 40. Phan was less convinced — she wanted to start a dental practice and knew it would take years to get it off the ground.

"I thought he was crazy, and I said, I'm not going to eat rice and beans the rest of my life," Phan said.

They decided to map out their family expenses and used Wealthfront, an automated investment service, which helped them build wealth through investments and high-yield savings. They both have kept their finances separate but share their numbers openly.

Starting to strategize

They didn't strategize much in their first few years of dating, instead just living below their means without sacrificing their quality of life.

They paid for their wedding themselves in 2019 and then planned and paid for their honeymoon right before the pandemic. They also put 25% down on a home with an interest rate of 2.75%, which they chose not to pay off because of the low interest rate.

"We got approved for a $1.5 million house, and I told my realtor, don't waste your breath showing us these houses; we're not going to spend it," Phan said. "We're choosing not to have a very large mortgage payment, so that positive cash flow has really propelled us above our colleagues."

Over the last few years, they've kept expenses down by driving a used car, investing in an e-bike instead of a second vehicle, and being intentional about food purchases. They've both maxed out their 401(k)s and IRAs and do everything they can to strategize their tax advantages. They also automated their savings and investments, which helped them keep expenses down and stay more organized.

They had a son in 2020, and Phan transitioned from a full-time dentist to a stay-at-home mom doing part-time dental work. Nerve damage in her right hand prevented her from returning to work full-time. She said their finances were solid enough from not "keeping up with the Joneses" that she could work less while her husband continued to work full-time. Two years ago, Wagoner switched to a job paying two-thirds less than his Microsoft job, though it's in the video game space, which he enjoys more.

Phan made a spreadsheet to track her net worth, and she was surprised at the number: over $4 million in total assets, about two-thirds of which are liquid. It was enough for both to fully retire, though they chose not to so they could send their kids to college without worrying about the financial burden.

Planning for the future

They put almost $100,000 in their son's college fund, which they will continue to contribute to, though when he turns 16, they will encourage him to find work. They plan to enroll him in public school but are considering some private options. Phan said she's already toying with starting his financial education young by giving him a toy allowance.

"I want him to understand the value of money, that he can't just get whatever he wants, but if he works hard and saves up, he can have his guilt-free spending," Phan said. "I just don't want him to have the pressure of paying for school like I did."

They've discovered ways to parent without breaking the bank, such as using public resources like parks and getting cheap museum passes.

Still, they prioritize spending on what they love, such as recent vacations to Mexico and Paris and season tickets to the Seahawks. They find cheap flights, such as $500 round-trip flights to Thailand, and other ways to reduce travel costs without sacrificing quality. They hope to take their son on a months-long trip to Europe or Asia to immerse him in different cultures.

Phan recently hired an interior designer to redo the furniture in their primary home. Wagoner recently spent money on a new office setup, a gym membership, and eye surgery.

Sometimes, it's hard for her to spend, as she has little desire for anything luxurious, though she said she's trying to feel less guilty about some higher-cost purchases. They have also loaned over $400,000 to friends as business loans.

Recently, they've talked about combining their money and being more open about their finances, allowing them to make better plans for the future.

"We are being more transparent and looking at all of the numbers and being able to talk about these things and say, looking at this account that will keep growing, I think we can do this," Wagoner said.

They've considered what they would pivot to after full retirement — Phan would become a wedding planner, while her husband would consider being a football coach.

"We've lived a very humble life and flown under the radar, which is how I think we've been able to all of a sudden catapult into this wealth just on hard work," Phan said.

Are you part of the FIRE movement or living by some of its principles? Reach out to this reporter at nsheidlower@businessinsider.com.

• Growing up, my names were mispronounced so often I considered changing them.
• Kids made fun of my maiden name by tying it to accentuated physical characteristics.
• While names can come and go, connections remain—so I decided to leave my name alone.

My maiden name has 20 letters, with half residing at the end — Sheryl Lynn Sirotinsky.

Imagine growing up with an uncommon spelling for your first name, "S" instead of "C," and a last name people tripped over. As a youngster playing make-believe, I kept Princess Sheryl and dumped Sirotinsky in fairy dust.

Confusion began with my first name and went down from there

From kindergarten through high school, a teacher would invariably yell out for roll call, "Sheri Siro-sky" (sounding like heaven above rather than "ski"). I couldn't understand the difficulty in reading these names — all others were phonetically accurate.

One instructor asked, "Wouldn't you rather go by Sheri?" I hated being called "Sheri" and defended my parents' choice of name despite its history.

Around age 10, I learned "Sheryl" was selected in memory of a deceased cousin.

Mom, Grandma, and I were sitting at the kitchen table when Grandma mentioned, "That poor girl dying in a train accident."

"Girl? I shrieked. "Don't you name a baby after someone who lived long?"

Grandma joked, "Don't ever get on a train, and you'll be fine."

Already harboring a healthy dose of superstition, it would take a herculean effort to get me back on the "L" in Chicago, the Metro when living in DC, and the same strength to ride the New York Subway. I'd love to see the countryside by railway, but I still can't mentally step on board.

Classmates made up nicknames for me

As a teenager, known for big boobs and a nose out of proportion with its face, kids often referred to me as "Cyrano" (as in "Cyrano De Bergerac," the man and subsequent play known for his ugly nose) and called me "Siro-tit-sky." Students who couldn't figure it out would yell, "Sheryltinsky," like a one-named superstar. I'd laugh, but nicknames hurt.

I married my high school sweetheart, so I had practiced drawing my future signature in cursive, print, backward, and forward in every notebook since age 14. But soon after saying "I do," even with having said "Stillman" countless times, the reality of losing my identity sank in. While secretly postponing the paperwork erasing the person I had been for 26 years, a kind assistant arranged for a new office nameplate and 500 business cards to be ready upon returning from honeymoon.

Swapping Sirotinsky for Stillman did make life simpler.

I got divorced but kept the name

Divorcing when my kids were adolescents, sharing a surname was important to me. Plus, who'd return to one with four syllables? On the anniversary of my 30th nuptials, with kids now adults, I considered releasing the last name linking me to my ex. But what would I change it to? I made up something merging the past and present — "Skye" — and floated it with my offspring. The youngest liked the idea; the oldest said I was crazy. I worried, likely projected, that they would feel abandoned.

Of course, I realized more than a name connects me with my kids and their father. I pondered who I'd been for over 56 years. Ultimately, our experiences shape who we are, and while names can come and go, but staying "the Stillmans," no matter my children's ages, is here to stay.

• Earlier this week, Steve Ballmer's wealth briefly overtook that of his former boss, Bill Gates.
• It was only a brief blip, though: They're now tied at $158 billion, Bloomberg data shows.
• Ballmer spends his fortune on the NBA's LA Clippers, the Intuit Dome arena, homes, and more.

It's not often an employee becomes richer than a company's founder, but that's just what happened this week — at least briefly — with Bill Gates and his former assistant.

Steve Ballmer's wealth leapfrogged that of Gates, his former boss and Microsoft's cofounder. Bloomberg's Billionaires Index showed Ballmer's pulling ahead was short-lived, though: The men are now both worth $158 billion, as of late Friday, according to the index, which is sure to move again as the markets fluctuate.

Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 as the company's first business manager and climbed the ranks to become CEO in 2000, succeeding Gates in the position. Ballmer remained CEO until 2014, when he passed the baton to Satya Nadella.

Here's a look at how Ballmer spends his vast fortune:

Ballmer owns the LA Clippers NBA team.

Ballmer is one of the world's wealthiest sports team owners.

He bought the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team in 2014, the same year he stepped down as Microsoft's CEO. He paid $2 billion, a record for the sale of a professional basketball team at the time.

He's bankrolling the Clippers' new arena, the Intuit Dome.

Ballmer says he's footing the bill to build the most expensive arena in the NBA. The Intuit Dome, which is still under construction in Inglewood, California, just outside Los Angeles, is expected to cost $2 billion.

(Ballmer added that his obsession with the arena is "toilets, toilets, toilets." The 17,500-seat arena will have 1,160 toilets and urinals, Bloomberg reported.)

In Washington state, Ballmer has purchased several homes.

Over the years, Ballmer has snapped up multiple homes in Washington state, where Microsoft is headquartered.

In 2019, he and his wife, Connie Ballmer, with whom he shares three children, paid $9.8 million to buy the home adjacent to their existing home in Hunts Point.

The couple began buying property on Whidbey Island in Washington in 2005.

Ballmer created and funds a website that focuses on government data.

In 2017, Ballmer launched USAFacts.org, whose website says it "makes government data accessible and understandable."

He told The New York Times that year that he'd spent upward of $10 million on USA Facts in direct funding and grants, and that it could cost up to $5 million a year to sustain.

The Ballmers in 2015 founded the Ballmer Group as a family office to support their goals.

The Ballmer family office funds organizations with the goal of "improving economic mobility and opportunity for children and families in the United States," according to its website.

Through the couple's philanthropic arm, for example, they've pledged $425 million to the University of Oregon for an institute for children's mental and behavioral health.

• LVMH's $15.8 billion Tiffany acquisition was its biggest ever — and was met with high expectations.
• Some investors are skeptical about the turnaround, but things are looking up at the jewelry brand.
• LVMH's playbook of marketing, price hikes, and store re-dos are setting Tiffany up to shine again.

On an April night last year, a veritable who's who — Blake Lively! Gabrielle Union! Hailey Beiber! Katy Perry in concert with the Rockettes! — made their way to midtown Manhattan. Many wore outfits with pops of robin egg blue.

They were there to celebrate the renovation, whispered to be the most expensive retail remodel ever, of the Tiffany and Co. Landmark store on New York's 57th Street and Fifth Avenue.

The store wasn't the only thing under renovation. When luxury giant LVMH shelled out $15.8 billion for storied jewelry company Tiffany in 2021, it faced outsize expectations. It was the conglomerate's biggest acquisition ever. It had also been a dramatic process, with LVMH trying to duck out of the deal and eventually buying Tiffany for hundreds of millions of dollars less.

One of LVMH's biggest challenges was reinvigorating the brand, which had taken a beating in the 2010s and become a mid-market version of its former self. Going from mass appeal to upmarket is tough in any industry, let alone in jewelry, where things move slowly. Plus, pushing an American brand further into the massive luxury market of China isn't easy, no matter the macroeconomic conditions.

That's led some in the industry to whisper that things haven't turned around with the speed LVMH boss Bernard Arnault would have wanted. It may just require a bit more patience.

"The perception of investors is, 'Tiffany's not working,'" Erwan Rambourg, the global head of consumer and retail research at HSBC, told Business Insider. But "I think if you speak to people internally at LVMH, they're super happy."

He continued: "To turn around a luxury brand is difficult, but to turn around a jewelry brand — it takes a lot more time than to turn around a handbag company or a ready-to-wear-heavy company."

Revenue-wise, things are already on the up. HSBC estimates Tiffany's sales will be $5.96 billion this year — up 83% from 2020. And while its EBIT margin is still lagging behind that of jewelry competitor Cartier, per the bank's estimates, it's set to hit 20% next year. Profits in LVMH's jewelry and watches division, which is predominantly made up of Bulgari and Tiffany, were up 7% last year. On the luxury resale site The RealReal, Tiffany is the most-searched jewelry brand of 2024 so far.

LVMH, which does not break out revenue for individual brands, did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

It looks as if the LVMH playbook — spending big on marketing, raising prices, focusing on the in-store experience — hasn't failed.

"I'm very confident about Tiffany, but it takes time," Arnault told Bloomberg last month. "You cannot do things instantly, you know?"

How Tiffany lost its luster

Since Tiffany first started buying diamonds in 1848, it has been a destination for the wealthiest and most prestigious Americans: It's where Abraham Lincoln purchased earrings and a necklace for Mary Todd to wear to an inaugural ball and where Theodore Roosevelt bought his engraved hunting dagger.

But by 2019, when LVMH first tried to buy Tiffany, the jeweler had decidedly lost its luster. Sales had fallen throughout the 2010s, and margins were low.

The brand had lowered pricing on its more accessible lines, selling bracelets and the like for $200 or even less. The result was that Tiffany went from outfitting first ladies to sometimes being seen as a has-been mall brand preferred by, as the head of global luxury goods at Euromonitor Fflur Roberts put it, the very traditional stereotype of a middle-class white American.

"You should be ashamed of selling products that are competing with Pandora if you aspire to be competing with Cartier," HSBC's Rambourg said, adding that, at the time of the acquisition, Tiffany was a sort of "sleeping beauty."

To make matters worse, it had developed an overreliance on silver, which had fallen out of favor with European and Chinese buyers, and its stores had become dated and obsolete.

"Asia is a humongous market for luxury, but lots of Chinese consumers were saying, 'when I go to Tiffany, it's like going to a hospital; it's cold, it's clinical,'" Rambourg said.

LVMH deploys its nearly bulletproof playbook

Paris-based LVMH is a brand of brands, and Bernard Arnault's baguette and butter is buying companies and making them blow up.

"It was really exciting to think that a brand that is traditionally very American and has a very strong American or North American heritage, that this big global luxury conglomerate is buying it with obviously a huge amount of industry knowledge and financial backing," Euromonitor's Roberts told BI.

LVMH has done it in jewelry before, with the more upscale Bulgari, which it purchased in 2011 (its classic Serpenti collection starts at $1,600). By 2019, the brand's revenue doubled, and profit increased fivefold.

"Bulgari became one of the top preferred gifting brands for Chinese high net worth individuals — that was a really good achievement," Jelena Sokolova, a senior equity analyst for Morningstar, told BI.

Meanwhile at Tiffany, LVMH is using a team of Cartier veterans. ("Arnault has been not so secretly obsessed with Cartier over decades," Rambourg said.)

Step one is marketing: Make people talk about Tiffany again — and use big names to do that. Even before the star-studded opening of the Fifth Avenue store, the brand brought in the big guns, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, in a multifaceted campaign incorporating a Basquiat.

Another campaign incorporated the slogan "Not Your Mother's Tiffany," a not-so-subtle nod to the fact that the brand needed a makeover, and a partnership with Nike brought it new relevance.

Next, there had to be a product rehaul. To sell itself as upscale, many products going for less than $300 were cut or their prices raised. Gold — popular in China — was incorporated more into collections, and it purchased a 71.26-carat yellow diamond to show its dedication to fine jewels.

There was also a renewed focus on branded lines, like the Lock and T collections, which are the "equivalent of putting a big fat logo on a bag," Rambourg said. The hope was that Tiffany products would become status symbols, the equivalent of a Cartier Love bracelet or Van Cleef Alhambra necklace, which is particularly desired in China.

"Their goal was to obviously expand the reach, so to make it more global, and to increase, Asia Pacific was No. 1," Roberts said.

The final and ongoing step involves renovating those dated retail locations. Not all will have the grandeur of the Landmark store, but there will be warmth, color, and an overall refresh.

The before-and-after store renovation, especially given "the obsolescence of the previous version and how colorful, welcoming, feminine and commercially efficient the new concept is," will be a big deal, Rambourg said.

Growing pains have tarnished Tiffany

But reviving a luxury brand isn't easy, and investors have been murmuring that Tiffany's turnaround hasn't met expectations. It's still Van Cleef Alhambra bracelets on the arms of influencers and celebrities — not Tiffany Ts. (Although Taylor Swift was recently spotted with a ring from the T line, which may change that.)

"Tiffany has been underperforming other jewelry brands in the last few quarters," Chiara Battistini, JPMorgan's head of European luxury and sporting goods research, told BI.

Part of it is the industry's nature: Fine jewelry is, by definition, not an everyday purchase.

Someone may buy a new pair of shoes every few months, allowing them to experiment with new brands and become a loyal shopper in no time at all. Jewelry is a rare splurge. When people shell out a paycheck or two (or more), they want it to be on something they know will have lasting appeal and are thus less likely to experiment. That means it takes longer for new trends — the Tiffany T, perhaps — to catch on and gain the status of a Cartier Love bracelet.

"At the very, very high end, the chances are you'll be a bit more careful because it's a huge investment, and you want to make sure that that fashion or trend will last," Roberts said.

China, specifically, has proven challenging. Nearly 50% of Tiffany's sales are still in the US, one of the most challenging markets for luxury at the moment. Macroeconomically, China has not maintained the post-pandemic growth many in the industry were hoping for.

There's also the sort of je ne sais quoi that can't simply be fixed with money. Hiring influencers and raising prices can only do so much to remove the tarnish of "uncool" from Tiffany, especially with younger consumers.

It "still needs to add to the fine jewelry offer with more contemporary, less intricate, and highly recognizable designs," Battistini said.

And regardless of sales growth, all of the brand work — the marketing, the store renovations — is expensive and translates to a temporary hit to profitability.

Tiffany still has time to shine

Since 1961, when Audrey Hepburn immortalized it in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," the brand's Fifth Avenue flagship has held a romantic allure — it's also one of the brightest spots in LVMH's Tiffany takeover.

The Landmark, as it's called, underwent a massive renovation before reopening in 2023, including adding a café.

"Tiffany has been hugely successful with the Blue Box Cafe — it's a tourist destination in itself," Roberts said. "When you go into a Tiffany store, you're going to expect to have that amazing experience in customer service."

And if LVMH gets its way, the other pieces of its plan for Tiffany will similarly fall into place over time.

"It is a very long journey, especially in jewelry," Sokolova said. " You shouldn't expect that to happen sort of overnight."

The store renovations, which analysts agree are a key component of the strategy, are certainly happening gradually. There are about 300 Tiffany locations, and only 30% of them will be renovated by the end of this year, Rambourg said. It will take another year before half of them are up to the company's standard.

But once those renovations and the marketing blitz surrounding them are complete, margins will have a chance to catch up.

"This year, I believe Tiffany will underperform its jewelry peers because they don't have the appropriate retail setup. Conversely, whatever the macro next year, I'm quite convinced they will outperform strongly," Rambourg said.

In another bright spot, branded jewelry — just the thing Tiffany has leaned into — is set to continue to grow, including in China. Branded jewelry was only 15% of the market in 2019 and is expected to reach 25% to 30% of the market next year, according to a 2021 McKinsey report, with growth driven predominantly by Asia.

"It's a growth industry, not just a market share gain industry," Sokolova said."There's still an upside from switching from nonbranded to branded."

It's already having a trickle-down effect: On The RealReal, demand for the brand is up 14% from last year.

And quite simply, there is the fact that LVMH very rarely fails and is taking its signature approach full speed ahead. "Whether it's handbags, whether it's Champagne, whether it's cognac" — or whether it's jewelry, LVMH's attitude, Rambourg said, is "Let's do what we do in every single other sector. Let's dominate."

• Mirna Valerio is an ultramarathoner who runs the "Fat Girl Running" blog.
• She wants people to know that anyone can be a runner.
• Valerio gave four tips for people wanting to get into running, no matter what they look like.

Mirna Valerio is well aware that she doesn't look like a stereotypical runner. That hasn't stopped the founder of the "Fat Girl Running" blog from running 11 marathons and 16 ultramarathons.

Valerio, 48, started running in high school as part of field hockey training. Apart from a brief interlude when her child was young and "life got stressful," she continued running to keep herself "fit and sane" she told Business Insider.

Valerio first gained attention as a "plus-sized runner" in 2015 when she was featured in an article about her blog.

But things took a negative turn in 2017, when a clip from a documentary about her released that year went viral. It featured a hate email she'd received that accused her of trying to kill people with the idea of fat acceptance and lying about her running ability. Ironically, the email came through while she was running a 50 km race.

But far from tearing her down as the sender perhaps intended, the attention from the video spotlighting that email actually led to an influx of followers and brand partnerships.

Now, Valerio is a full time influencer and sponsored athlete. She loves that she gets to spread the message that anyone can be a runner, as long as they run, which is important because of how "wonderful" running is for "every aspect of your life," from your mood to your physical health, she said.

"We've been fed this narrative that there's a certain look to running," she said. "And that's what I'm out here fighting daily."

Her message is particularly pertinent at a time when running has become the latest fitness trend — 400,000 videos have stacked up on the more athletic side of Tiktok, #runtok, mostly in the last two years, and the majority feature slim, white runners.

Maybe it's a hangover from habits started during COVID-19 lockdowns — data by Nielsen for World Athletics suggests that a fifth of all runners run more now than they did before the pandemic. Whatever the reason, more millennials are taking up running than previous generations — 62% of millennial Strava users uploaded runs to the app, compared to 51% of Gen X and only 29% of boomers, according to Strava's 2023 trend report.

If starting running feels daunting, Valerio has four tips for beginners.

Forget what you think running should look like

Valerio said it doesn't matter what you look like, "athletics is for everyone."

"Other people will have ideas about what it means to run, how you should look, and how fast you should go. But that stuff can coexist with your curiosity and your want and need to explore running," she said.

Try to focus on your own happiness and the joy that comes from moving your body instead, she said.

Build up your confidence

Valerio acknowledged that it's hard to completely put aside ideas of what running "should" look like.

So get started by building up your confidence, as well as your fitness, with incrementally longer runs.

"Maybe you just go out for five minutes the first time, then 10 minutes, then 15. And then eventually you find yourself at an hour, not even thinking about all that stuff because you're so focused on your own happiness," she said.

It's OK to be slow

Don't worry about being slow when starting out, Valeria said.

You should be running at a "conversational pace" anyway, she said, meaning you can say a sentence or two without gasping for air.

"A lot of us start out running too fast or thinking that we have to be sprinters. But you should start at a pace that's sustainable," she said.

Just keep running

The main thing, Valerio said, is to go for a run. "And then do it again. Give yourself a rest day, and then go out there again," she said. "Don't have any expectations of yourself, just get out there."

It doesn't matter if you're slow or have to take breaks, she said — "don't ever feel bad about that. You're giving your body a chance to reset so you can run again."