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Nick Offerman Would Be Happy With a Guinness or a Delicious Passion Fruit-Flavored Candy Drink

“If the writing is good, that's all I care about. I don't think things like, "OK, I've played Ron and I did a sci-fi thriller, now I should do a musical. I'm not like checking off a list,’” Nick Offerman tells me in the dimly lit backroom of a Brooklyn studio space.

Even with the mustache shaved off and the Lagavulin put away, the actor, comedian and carpenter will always be followed by his iconic “Parks and Recreation” role as Ron Swanson. And while Offerman acknowledges his good fortune, he repeatedly finds himself declining roles that give off a similar vibe to the legendary NBC series — for good reason.

“I'm lucky enough that offers come my way, and I'm able to sort of pick the things that I find inspiring that I think are part of our society evolving,” he says. “You know, as you can imagine, I sometimes get offered parts on network sitcoms and those to me ... I have a hard time imagining an experience that would be as good as ‘Parks and Recreation’ was, so I tend to avoid those.”

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According to Offerman, he and wife Megan Mullally have two rules when it comes to picking their next projects: “Do we think the writing is good, and do we think the people that are making it are not assholes?”

While he spoke highly of “genius” Alex Garland, creator of FX’s “Devs” in which Offerman stars in, the focus of his praise during our chat went towards Guinness, the beer brand in which he’s partnered with to make sure this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration is the best it’s ever been.

AskMen: Of all the possible partnerships in the world, what stood out the most to you when approached by Guinness?

Nick Offerman: Well, I mean, growing up Guinness had sort of a mythic quality. I grew up in a small town in Illinois and so I knew about Guinness. Here and there I would see, you know, those charming old advertisements of pelicans, and back when they used to be a little more hyperbolic in their advertising of like "Guinness will make you impervious to disease."

And as a man of the theater and an Anglophile, I knew one day I would hope to get to London, try bangers and mash and get a Guinness poured for me. When my life brought me all the way around to where Guinness wanted to do this with me, it seemed like a wonderful and natural sort of inevitability.

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A post shared by Nick Offerman (@nickofferman) on Feb 24, 2020 at 10:25am PST

You’ve described Guinness as the “superhero of beers.” What superhero qualities does it have and if it took on a superhero form, who would it be?

The superhero Juggernaut springs to mind. Pretty simple, dependable, has pretty much one trick, but it's quite substantial. If you can do what Juggernaut does, you only need one trick.

How has your experience with St. Patrick’s Day evolved from your youth to today in 2020?

It's probably reflected the rest of my life. In our youth, I think that we perhaps over enjoy the treats of St Patrick's Day, and we tend to maybe over celebrate until we learn that is not wise or healthy. Some of us take longer to learn those lessons than others. My St Patrick's Day now becomes more about quality than quantity, and I really savor the flavors. But by and large, I'll have to drive somewhere so I'll maybe have a fraction ... I'll have one or two pints instead of seven or eight.

If someone’s not a fan of dark Irish stouts, how would you convince ‘em to try a Guinness?

I've done it many times over the years. I'm not very good at it because I always say, "Come on, try it, it's like drinking a loaf of bread." It's much more of a meal than a beer, and usually the petite young ladies that I'm saying that to don't feel that as an incentive for some reason.

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You’ve touched upon the topic of masculinity before, suggesting we stop genderizing everything in society. What’s your take on that in relation to booze — should a person be defined by the drink in their hand? 

Yeah, I mean, it's like Barbie dolls and baseball bats. I know women that are incredible baseball players, and I know guys that are obsessed with dressing dolls and are geniuses of fashion for that reason. I've seen every gender and every walk of person sort of drink every ilk of cocktail.

I'm a very open-minded person, [and] I just enjoy life. If I went to a party and somebody offered me a drink that was considered feminine by closed-minded stereotypers, I would say, "I don't see that. I see this as a delicious passion fruit-flavored candy drink." And again, I've seen guys love those and I've seen the ladies drink whiskeys straight from the bottle.

I think our society is coming into a time when those of us that are interested in moving forward and progressing have come to understand that everyone should be allowed to like what they like. We shouldn't tell our kids, "You're a girl so you don't get to play football, and you're a boy so you don't enjoy sewing." I love sewing. I take great pleasure in mending a tear with a whipstitch or mending a button.

On a similar note, as someone with such an open mind, what does “being a man” mean to you?

Given what biology has handed us, I think it's understanding the pros and cons of our particular makeup and representing ourselves with good character and values. Sort of eschewing the old fashioned notion of the John Wayne masculine kind of guy who punches people and is mean and instead, I think it takes a lot more courage to be open about your emotions and to treat everybody with respect. It's something that, slowly but surely, we're sort of pulling our civilization out of the dark ages into a time where everybody gets the same rights afforded them.

Back in 2015, you told me “you have a ballet dancer’s grace inside a linebacker’s build,” and that you’re “also pretty handy with a sewing needle. That was 5 years ago — have you picked up any other handy talents since?

I've gotten better at the guitar since then. I do think it's important to have disciplines in your life, [and] that you are trying to improve something as we go forward. I think it just makes life more fruitful and it keeps us happy. If you think you're done learning, you're looking for diversions and bitterness can set in. 

I'll turn 50 this year, and my next sort of checklist thing is ... I can speak a little Spanish and a little French, but I live in Los Angeles and I think probably more people speak Spanish than English in L.A. And a lot of the people I deal with out in the world, like at my woodshop or at the lumberyard, a lot of them are Spanish language first … so that's on my list. To learn to speak Spanish fluently with them. And that, to me, it's an important part of continuing to grow so that I don't turn into more of an asshole.

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Golden Couple Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar Do It Every Night Do You?

The survival rate of any couple in Hollywood is painstakingly low. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries filed for divorce 72 days after strolling down the aisle. Pam Anderson and new hubby Jon Peters? Yep, dunzo after a mere 12 days. That’s why people go bananas over any celebrity pairing that continues to go the distance year after year — like Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar, for example.

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Tying the knot back in 2002, the real life Fred and Daphne are clearly doing something right when it comes to maintaining a healthy and happy relationship. And while the two have never spoken publicly about their sex life, a new Cascade spot is letting viewers at home in on the supposed secret to their everlasting love: They “do it every night.”

“When they pitched us the campaign, Sarah and I both started laughing,” Prinze Jr. tells AskMen. “We really thought it was charming, slick and smart. We live in Southern California, and all you hear every single day is conserve your water. We're in a drought, we're coughing dust."

He goes on, saying "[Cascade] threw statistics at us like you use four gallons of water every two minutes out of your sink when you're washing dishes, which just kind of blew my mind. They're like, ‘Yo, you can run your dishwasher with just a handful of dishes and save money, save water, save everything,’ and I just didn't believe it. It didn't seem right, but they weren't lying to me. So I've literally stopped hand-washing dishes. No matter the number, everything goes in the dishwasher now.”

And while Prinze Jr. considers himself a better Californian now (“not the Californians that people hate and tell you how to vote,” he adds), doing his part to save the planet certainly isn’t the only thing that makes him a good husband, father ... and Dungeon Master.

More on that last one later, though.

AskMen: The slogan of “Do It Every Night” is obviously a fun one. Playing off that, is there a routine you find yourself in on most days?

Freddie Prinze Jr.: Honestly, man, I've always found Sarah and I are the kind of people where if we get in a rut, that's a bad thing. We try to mix it up and not do the same thing every night. We do have special places that we enjoy like our first date place, that we've been going to for 20 years, but even though we live further away now, we still make it a point to get out there and have those memories.

But sometimes we'll go to the beach, sometimes we'll stay in, sometimes we'll try a new restaurant. We’ve got a lot of good chefs out here in L.A., and they're always opening up those sneaky spots and these little pop-up restaurants that'll stay for the summer. So we do little things like that. We don't really do habits because that starts to get into that rut, and then you're like Conan on the wheel, right? Not Conan O'Brien, Conan the Barbarian. You don't want to be on that wheel, man. That was a deep rut that he walked.

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A post shared by Freddie Prinze (@realfreddieprinze) on Feb 11, 2020 at 8:57am PST

Being married for almost 20 years, what’ve you learned is essential in keeping that relationship thriving?

You have to know yourself before you get into anything serious, whether it's a relationship or business. You have to know who you are, what you want and have a strong sense of self. That's why parents tell young people don't get married young because it takes time to get life experience.

My wife knew that I played video games before we were ever serious, so if she ever gave me a hard time about playing video games, we wouldn't be having this interview because we wouldn't be together. That's just a part of who I am, and I'm not going to be made to feel bad for that. Conversely, Sarah enjoys reality television. I don't, but I don't give her a hard time about it. I don't talk trash about it.

So know who you are. Own it. Don't try to be someone you're not, otherwise, that's a lie that you've got to keep forever, That's the best advice I can give. I don't know if it's good advice, but it's the best advice I can give.

You mentioned video games, something you have no shame in talking about even at 43. What’s your message to pushing past the stigma that older men shouldn’t partake in things like that?

When I was a boy, my mom said people are going to find a reason to hate you no matter what, so like what you like and don't care what they think. I would say that social media, things like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, you can find a lot of local communities and people that do the exact same thing you do. Within those circles, there are boys and girls, there are gays and straights, there's every race, religion. I've met hundreds and hundreds of local players here, and those circles that we all play in eventually interlink like the Olympic rings, but without the corruption. We all start mingling, and all of a sudden a guy and a girl meet at a D&D game, they're like-minded and that's a great relationship.

When I was a kid, it was harder to find girl gamers when you're 12 years old, because there was no internet. There was no social media to go, "Hey, does anyone else like the Legend of Zelda?" I never got a date until I grew up, but I stayed true to myself and I would say, again, it's back to knowing who you are and owning who you are. Sarah and I work out because she hasn't tried to change me. She respects me and I respect her.

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A post shared by Freddie Prinze (@realfreddieprinze) on Feb 6, 2019 at 9:12am PST

You were branded a teen heartthrob back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Why didn’t audiences ever get a chance to see you play that nerdy guy who was in his basement playing Dungeons & Dragons?

This business wouldn't allow me to do a role like that unless I wrote it and financed it. Even to this day, this was the first year where pilots would come my way where I wasn't the lead. I had stopped acting for a long time, and they would send pilots and be like, "Hey, here's the lead of this. It shoots in Canada." I'm like, "No. I'm only working in L.A. for work. Those are 15-hour days, five days a week, nine months a year. I'd never see my kids." I want the fifth lead on a show where I can just come in, be a good influence on the young actors and go home to do my thing.

But this business doesn't have that kind of vision. Once they see you as something, they can really only see you in that ... unless you're motivated to finance your own film with a role that's incredibly different and jump in. That's just the way it goes for 99 percent of the actors in this business. Every once in a while there's someone that can break all the rules and do that, but that wasn't me.

And finally, what might be a controversial topic for you — can you please explain why you despise mayonnaise so much?

It's pretty much the most disgusting substance on planet Earth. It looks gross. The sound it makes when people knife it out of the jar, it sounds gross. The taste is sour, but not like a yummy dill pickle, just in a horrible violence in my mouth kind of way. The consistency is the worst consistency of any substance known to man. It doesn't need to exist. I don't know why people like it. I judge people that enjoy it. It's that and Nazis are the only kind of people I don't like, and they're getting real close. They've been trying to push it on me now, especially jerks like Kelsey Cook. Yeah, it's horrible and awful and I hate it. I didn't grow up with it. We go with what we know. I don't know mayo.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Curtis Stone Says Valentines Day Is the Perfect Time to Express How You Feel Through Food

Being skilled in the kitchen is a true art form. Whether it’s crafting a soufflé or just scrambling some eggs, producing a dish that is appealing on the eyes (and won’t give the consumer food poisoning) is quite the accomplishment. And while food certainly has a huge impact on our day-to-day, its spotlight shines just a smidge bit brighter when Valentine’s Day rolls around. 

Do you make an elegant dinner reservation for you and your partner? Do you stay in and cook each other's favorite meals? Are all those classic aphrodisiacs — oysters, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries — too cliche, or at this point, a requirement of the occasion?

RELATED: Make Her Day With a Romantic Breakfast in Bed

To answer all those questions, plus a bunch more food-related insights perfect for anyone trying to schmooze a special someone, AskMen referred to an expert: none other than professional chef Curtis Stone.

AskMen: So what is it that makes food such an important part of Valentine’s Day?

Curtis Stone: If you think about it, so many dates (especially early in a relationship) revolve around sharing a meal together, so Valentine’s Day really is the chance to go the extra step and do something special. Whether it’s snagging a reservation at the restaurant you’ve been wanting to check out, or cooking your significant other’s favorite dish at home, you can express a lot about how you feel through food. 

Aphrodisiacs are a thing of the past — is that an unpopular opinion or are you someone who is all about ‘em?

I’m certainly not going to stop anyone from eating oysters and chocolate if that’s what feels right to them! They’re both classics, but I also encourage people to mix it up and rethink what kind of cuisines and foods are romantic. Perhaps there’s a dish that has sentimental value to you and your partner. 

For me, Valentine’s Day is about the whole family so I love cooking up my favorite Croque Madame recipe – it's cheesy and delicious but it’s also easy enough that the kids can jump in. 

What are some foods or dishes that kill the vibe of a date night because they’re so messy?

Well, ribs, burgers and foods you eat with your hands probably aren’t a lot of people’s first choice for date food, but I think there is something romantic when both people are that comfortable together. That being said, if you’re in a new relationship, you may want to opt for fish, chicken or dishes you can cut into or eat in small bites. Think risotto versus spaghetti. 

For a total kitchen novice, what’s one rule (whether cooking for yourself or someone else), that you should always abide by?

I recommend avoiding a sink full of dishes and cleaning as you go. Truth be told, I’m a bit of a clean freak and just discovered Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray. No need to soak and wait, just spray, wipe and rinse no matter how messy, and you can put that pan back to use or in the drying rack. 

If you do decide to cook for someone else, is there such a thing as doing too little or too much?

If you’re going to cook for your date, you need to be willing to put in the effort while being realistic about your skills. If your cooking experience is limited to pasta and eggs, don’t promise a coq au vin to your partner. 

A general rule is to keep it simple, use high-quality ingredients (this is the moment to splurge) and then you don’t have to worry about putting together a five-course tasting menu. You can make a simple cacio e pepe, but maybe on Valentine’s Day top it with caviar. 

At what point of a relationship do you think it’s OK to cook for the person you’re seeing?

Every relationship is different and it really depends on your personal dynamic, so I would say trust your gut on the right moment. Ignore the naysayers who say it’s too soon if you want to go for it early on. It shows you care about the person.  

Do you think even the pickiest of eaters should venture outside their food comfort zone for love?

Absolutely. I think it’s a great idea for couples to try out a new or different cuisines together, and the shared experience is a memorable bonding moment. Also, I think a lot of partners appreciate the willingness to try new things. 

Are food choices as important as topics like politics and religion when it comes to finding “the one?”

Everyone will put a different weight behind how important food choices are to them. But, in general, if you’re going to be spending a lot of time with someone, having a shared love for a certain kind of food certainly helps.

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What to Do When Someone's Using Your Face to Catfish Others

“I just got a request follow from a Dan James who is … you.”

A former coworker’s mid-afternoon message left me feeling dumbfounded yet flattered. Upon further inspection, I was able to confirm what I immediately suspected: Someone was using my face to catfish people on Instagram.

Why? Couldn’t tell you, really. I mean, thanks, but dream big. I am a nobody with a following that might break 1K, but is still mediocre at best. Whatever plan “Dan James” had, he (or she, or it — based on the poor grammar in the profile’s bio, this could very well be a spam bot), I’m not sure how the three photos selected of me would help achieve it.

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Regardless, their plan was quickly foiled. After jokingly sending the images to a few friends, insisting that I’d “made it,” Instagram moved quicker than expected. A few reports submitted that the profile was not who they said they were brought it right to its knees, erasing it off the social media platform for good.

But what else could I have done upon discovering that someone was using my face to catfish others? Sure, I couldn’t exactly give Nev Schulman a call, but I figured other actions could be taken in this case.

To find out what those actions are, AskMen spoke to Connell Barrett, dating coach for The League and the founder of DatingTransformation.com, to dive a little deeper on the topic of catfishing (and what to do in a situation like mine).

If You See Someone Using Your Pictures on Social Media, Should You Just Ignore It?

The short and simple answer? Definitely not.

“You might think, ‘Haters gonna hate, scammers gonna scam,’ but imagine someone with bad intentions walking around with your face and your body, interacting with people as you,” says Barrett. “That sounds like a sci-fi movie, but it’s exactly what a catfisher is doing. This creates a real risk to your reputation and can hurt others, depending on what the identity thief’s agenda is. They may be trying to date scam money, verbally abuse women, or traffic in illegal porn — all as you. The potential consequences to you and others are too steep to ignore this.”

So What’s the First Thing to Do?

“Your first instinct may be to flag the account and get it blocked ASAP, but before doing that, gather all the evidence you can — the fake page’s link, the handle, email address, location, age, and screenshots of the stolen photos,” he suggests. “If you rattle the scammer before you gather this evidence, they may block you or hide their profile, making it harder to shut them down. Next, contact the platform or the site host and file an ‘impersonation report.’ All reputable platforms have policies to delete fraudulent accounts. Just be ready to verify your identity and have as much evidence as possible that someone is using your face.”

What If the Social Media Company Won't Take It Down?

As long as you have support to your statement (reporting it from your own profile is certainly solid proof), you should be OK.

“It’s highly unlikely that a top social media company won’t take down a fake profile, assuming you can verify who you are and show that your face is being fraudulently used,” notes Barrett. “They’ll likely need a few days to investigate, but from Tinder to Twitter to Instagram to Facebook, most every social media company follows policies to promptly remove false accounts. It’s in their interest to take down catfishers.”

Should You/Should You Not Reach Out to the Person Directly?

While my catfishing experience was relatively harmless, others might not be so lucky. In some cases, Barrett suggests “sending a cease-and-desist message to the scammer’s inbox.”

“My client had his dating app photos stolen,” he says. “A catfisher used his portraits, selfies and even childhood photos to become “Fake Martin,” all so he could verbally abuse women — calling them ‘bitches,’ ‘whores,’ and the C-word. Typical toxic ‘manosphere’ ugliness. His only goal was to get attractive women to write to him so that he could spew venom at them.”

Barrett’s client utilized a cease-and-desist template he found on the internet, sending a version over through the app to the catfisher.

“It’s a double-barreled approach for maximum leverage: The platform acts on your behalf while you send a threatening note demanding your images be removed,” he continues. “The scammer blocked Martin, but the guy was freaked out enough to take down the pics. A couple days later, the app finished its investigation and deleted the account.”

According to Barrett, catfishers “fear getting caught,” so even the slightest of serious warnings is most likely enough to rattle them.

“Other than such a letter, I don’t recommend communicating with a scammer in an interpersonal way,” he says. “There’s no point in asking them why they did it, or trying to get them to admit it. They’ll just deny everything or block you. To engage with this kind of person is to go down a deep, dark rabbit hole.”

Can Your Friends Do Anything If They've Been Contacted?

Just like in my case, your friends may be the one to signal that there’s someone impersonating you on the internet.

“It’s a smart move to mass-message your social circle and tell them that they might hear from a fake ‘you,’” says Barrett. “This protects your reputation, and if anyone you know hears from the fraudulent account, you’ll have more evidence to ensure it gets shut down.”

Do You Bother Asking Around to See Who Might Have Done it?

“Why bother? It’s a sad, small, dishonest person of low integrity — likely someone you’ve never met and who you don’t want to know,” he adds. “It’s best to get this person out of your head and out of your life as soon as possible.”

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Here's Every 2020 Super Bowl Commercial That's Been Released

All eyes might be on the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday for Super Bowl LIV, but it's the commercials that air during the game that'll garner plenty of attention.

With so many people tuning in, companies spend months putting these spots together, spending millions of dollars for what might be just a few seconds to get their promotion in front of your wing sauce-covered face.

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But the really ambitious ones who know there are people who would rather watch reruns of "Jeopardy" than anything related to sports go the extra mile, releasing their commercials a few days leading up to the big game.

Below, you'll find all of the Super Bowl commercials released thus far, with more being added as they hit the airwaves.

Hyundai's "Smaht Pahk" 

Featuring: Rachel Dratch, Chris Evans, John Krasinski

Amazon's "Alexa"

Featuring: Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi

Budweiser's "Typical American"

Michelob ULTRA's "Work It Out"

Featuring: John Cena, Jimmy Fallon

Google's "Loretta"

Walmart's "Famous Visitors"

Squarespace's "Winona in Winona"

Featuring: Winona Ryder

Porsche's "The Heist"

Cheetos' "Can't Touch This"

Featuring: MC Hammer

Bud Light's "PostyStore"

Featuring: Post Malone

Genesis' "Going Away Party"

Featuring: John Legend, Chrissy Teigen

Mountain Dew's "The Shining"

Featuring: Bryan Cranston, Tracee Ellis Ross

Pringles' "Rick and Morty"

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Jason Biggs Has Moved on to a Different Type of Pie for Super Bowl Sunday

21 years later, Jason Biggs still can’t get enough pie. Only this time, he’s shifted from the classic apple to … macaroni and cheese?

Gearing up for the Super Bowl Sunday, the actor figured in order to have the best seat in the house (he’s rooting for the Chiefs, by the way), he’d pair up with notable dip company Heluva Good! as it pushes out its new portable, compact seat for the big game. Biggs says the brand doesn’t “take itself too seriously,” making it an organic partnership as it incorporates some of the “American Pie” star’s sense of humor into the campaign.

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To learn a little more about what goes into a Super Bowl soiree at the Biggs residence, AskMen laughed through a phone call with the actor about being a proper host, fatherhood in real life, his new show “Outmatched,” and explaining his raunchy, sex comedy legacy to his children.

AskMen: Whether it’s the Super Bowl or a different kind of occasion, what’s the key to being a proper host in your household?

Jason Biggs: Well, I think that for starters, you want to make sure that there is as much seating as possible. And if not, you better hope that they brought their Heluva Good! Best Seat in the House. You want to make sure that there's a nice variety of things to eat, to do. You probably have some vegetarians in the house. You make sure you have your vegetable crudité. You've got chips people, you've got some wing people. Bottom line, you start with the dip, and you work your way from there.

Heluva Good!

Is there a Jason Biggs original that you always make sure is served when guests are over?

When I was a drinking man, I used to make a nice punch. Now I do it without the alcohol, but yeah, I do like a good fruit punch. Because I feel like, look, you've got the snacks, you've got the food but you also need the drink. You want to make sure there's something fun more than just the standards. So yeah, I like to do a punch.

Super Bowl gatherings are notorious for getting a little rowdy. As a father, how do you make sure the adults are having a good time while still catering to the kids that are there?

I think part of it is having separate spaces. You make sure that the kids have a room with the right toys, the right video games or the right thing playing on the TV. Look, at the end of the day, they're going to be running around everywhere. If you know that they have a space they can go to, and a space for the parents to hang, then that's sort of the ideal.

Heluva Good!

With playing a dad on “Outmatched,” are there any situations on the show that you've filmed so far that have mirrored your experiences in real life?

On the show, I've got kids that are in high school. I don't know that there has been anything that’s mirrored real life, so much as, I think, prepared me for real life. We just did an episode where we talked to our kids about sex. And I'm not there, my kids are only six and two years old, but it was interesting doing these scenes with these teenage actors and thinking, "Oh my gosh, this will be me soon." A lot of that is happening. Like, "Oh, is this what it’s going to be like? OK. Got it."

What has being a father allowed you to tap into when it comes to the acting side of things?

I'll say for me, the biggest thing is access to vulnerability. As soon as I became a dad, it rips open a part of you that you just didn't even realize you had. You have feelings, and you're able to love and feel on a level that you were never able to before. And so, that translates to my acting.

I feel like for so long, too, that's why I've done so much comedy. It's a mask. I get to hide behind it, to not have to really feel anything. I feel like as I've gotten older, and as I've done more dramatic parts, I'm able to act access stuff now because I'm a parent, that I wasn't able to in the past. And then, of course, even for “Outmatched,” just this way you communicate with your kids, and you're constantly feeling like you're outnumbered by them. That, to me, all rings totally true.

You mentioned talking to your kids on “Outmatched” about sex. In terms of the infamy that surrounds the “American Pie” movies, have you already thought about what they're going to say when your two children inevitably discover them?

That's a great question. Not what I was going to say specifically. Yeah, it's actually starting to happen, my older son, I think one or two kids [in his grade] have already come up to him and said, "My dad knows your dad from TV," or something to that effect. My son knows what I do, he knows that it's my job. For him, it's just very normal. He doesn't care. He doesn't really care.

In terms of the subject matter of the movies, having to deal with that, my hope is that it doesn't happen for a really long time. But if I'm going to have to explain those movies, I'm glad that I'm doing it to two boys and not to a girl. That’s the only silver lining, that I don't have to explain some of the things that I did to my daughter.

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5 Big GuyQ Problems Solved

It's OK to ask for help. In fact, here at AskMen, we encourage it.

That's why we have GuyQ, a place for you to come and submit any and all questions you have about ... well, just about anything. From dating and sex to style and grooming, we've got you covered. And while we consider ourselves experts on the topics, we've recruited two other professionals to assist in providing a resolution to your problems — 5 of your problems, that is.

RELATED: 7 Questions That Guys Are Dying to Know the Answer To

Below, you'll find 5 random GuyQ questions, along with their answers to 'em:

Question for people who feel like they found the right one?

"I don’t believe that relationships happen because they’re 'meant to be,'" says Dr. Jess O'Reilly, award-winning sex and relationship expert and the founder of Happier Couples Inc. "I believe fulfilling relationships arise (and survive over the course of time) because you commit to working on the connection, remain adaptable to change and put in the effort required to be compatible. When you’re dating, it’s natural to want to put your best foot forward, but you still want to be yourself. If you adjust your behavior too much, you simply won’t be able to keep it up."

She goes on, saying, "If you’re worried about seeming needy, for example, you might want to look at what you can do to look after yourself (emotionally and practically) while also acknowledging that we all need love and support. You’re going to have emotional and practical needs as the relationship unfolds, so don’t hide your needs in the beginning. When it comes to seeming too available or showing too much interest, I think it’s fine to be honest about what you want. If you’re into someone, let them know. You don’t have to ask them for a lifetime of commitment, but you can let them know that you’re interested in something more longterm."

What’s the deal with this girl?

"Ask her! [And] notice that I didn’t say accuse or confront," says psychotherapist Daniel Olavarria, LCSW. "Admittedly, this pattern is a bit odd and it’s easy to let the mind wander when communication gets cut off at the same time each day without any discernible explanation. But the truth is, there is no way for you to know unless you ask her. You might be shocked by how simple her explanation could be. She may enjoy having some down time at the end of the day where she doesn’t have to be 'on' by carrying on a conversation. Asking the question of why your communication tends to end at 8:00 P.M. with a genuine sense of curiosity, instead of accusation, can allow you to get more information instead of running around in circles in your own head."

What are the signs an ex have given up on trying to get you back?

"That depends on what the signs were that they wanted to get you back in the first place," notes Olavarria. "Perhaps they are not reaching out to you anymore or, if they are, that the tone of your interactions has shifted toward a more platonic dynamic. They might have moved on to a new relationship or are focused on other things in their life besides dating. If their attention is aimed at things other than your relationship, it may be safe to say that their focus is no longer on getting you back."

He goes on, asking a question here: "Why do you still find yourself preoccupied with trying to figure out whether or not they want you back? Your question implies that your ex has already tried, unsuccessfully, to get you back. Something told you that getting back together wasn’t a good idea, otherwise you’d be partners again. What has changed? If you feel that you made a mistake by not responding to their past attempts, maybe it’s your turn to make yourself vulnerable by making your case to them. These are some tough questions that you can ask yourself in order to figure out how you would like to move forward."

How should I interpret this conversation?

To O'Reilly, it sounds like "he’s saying that he’s open to a relationship, but hasn’t decided if he’s open to a relationship with you yet. He’s not saying he isn’t, but he’s not saying he is."

With this response, she's under the assumption "he specifically expressed that 'he is very much the kind of person to make the right time for the right person.' If it’s the latter, it might be safe to assume that he’s not open to a relationship. Of course, the only way to know is to ask him: 'Are you open to a relationship?'"

As for Olavarria, he believes it'd be best to "take him at his word."

"Based on what you shared, it sounds as though he recently had a difficult breakup which had left him wanting to have some time to himself instead of intentionally seeking a new relationship," he says. "Since the two of you have met, however, he’s enjoying the time that you are spending together. Therefore, as you get to know each other at this early stage of going out on dates, he doesn’t mind making an effort to spend time together which is made clear by the fact that you have been on multiple dates, and have to put in effort to see one another due to the distance. In short, it sounds like he is not on a mission to find a relationship, but that he is open to investing energy into the right relationship should it come along."

Relationship moved too fast. What should I do to fix it?

Olavarria thinks this is the perfect opportunity to start things over with a hit of "the reset button."

"Use this slowing down period as an opportunity to approach the relationship with more patience, and to see whether this girl is someone who you connect with in a more meaningful way," he suggests. "The two of you can go out on dates, get to know one another, and enjoy that early phase of dating that is thrilling and filled with uncertainty instead of rushing past it. You’ve seen what happens when you rush into a relationship without setting up a solid foundation – don’t make the same mistake twice."

O'Reilly agrees, noting that there's no real data that says "moving slowly is more likely to lead to a breakup." That being said, "if she’s pulling back, I’d ask her what her intentions are, [and] ask her to be specific." 

"In terms of her criticisms of your confidence and overthinking, if you want to work on these things for yourself, I say go for it," says O'Reilly. "But don’t do it just for her. You definitely don’t want a partner who is critical of you."

Have a question you need answered? Submit it over to GuyQ and check back to see if it's answered. 

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Readers' Choice Awards 2020: Fitness Studios & Gyms

A new year means new fitness goals.

Unfortunately, figuring out exactly where you should get your swole on is easier said than done. Each fitness studio and gym attempts to stand out above the rest, luring you in with an abundance of amenities at a discounted rate. But, is that enough? When it comes down to it, if you're really trying to incorporate fitness into your day-to-day for 2020, where's the best place to do that?

We asked you in our latest Readers' Choice survey on health clubs and uncovered the top fitness studios and gyms you’re into with these parameters in mind:

Overall satisfaction Cost and value Customer service Convenience Facilities and equipment Classes Training and coaching Pool and aquatics Likelihood to recommend 

Here are the results...

Best Fitness Studio: Orangetheory Fitness

(Rated the highest for overall satisfaction, facilities/equipment, likelihood to recommend)

Fitness franchise Orangetheory came out victorious, earning a rating of 9.3 for "Overall Satisfaction."

Founded in 2010, the brand's fanbase has continued to grow with more and more studios continuing to pop up across the globe. While those surveyed didn't give it high praise for the cost ("If it cost less, I would probably pay for more classes than once a week," said one AskMen reader), they did rank it high for great customer service and equipment. 

"I've been a member for a year now," said an OTF regular. "Orangetheory has transformed my life." 

Best Fitness Program: CrossFit

(Rated high for customer service)

Coming in at number two? The beast of a fitness regimen that is CrossFit. Defined by its focus on physical exercise and as a competitive sport, CrossFit blends HIIT, lifting, some gymnastics, calisthenics, and a few other full body elements that make it so goddamn addicting to those who step into the studio. 

"One of the main reasons CrossFit has become so entrenched is because it has also grown a strong community of extremely dedicated supporters," said AskMen writer Chris Aung-Thwin. "Although you can, you don’t just go do CrossFit on your own. As soon as you join a CrossFit affiliate, you become part of a larger group. People at your box (CrossFit slang for gym) become defacto teammates and are instrumental in helping you get the best results."

With a 9.0 for "Overall Satisfaction" and "Customer Service" (the winner from our survey in that category), CrossFit's price (anywhere from $75 to $225 per month) lands it just below Orangetheory at a 7.7.

Best Gym: Crunch Fitness

(Rated high for cost/value)

Third for "Overall Satisfaction" is Crunch Fitness, the first traditional gym in this ranking.

This franchise hits the bullseye when it comes to targeting the everyday gym go-er: affordable, a variety of classes and employees who actually like their jobs. "I have always been scared of joining a gym, but at Crunch, everyone made me feel welcomed and not judged," said an AskMen reader, with another calling the instructors "highly trained professionals."

That said, you get what you pay for. With a budget-friendly gym membership comes a lack of amenities, something that can rub the average Joe the wrong way during their workout. "The equipment is poorly maintained, and the facilities are too limited," said another AskMen reader, with another yearning for "more free weights," but saying Crunch is "good overall."

But even with an 8.0 for "Facilities/Equipment," Crunch Fitness still takes the cake for "Cost/Value" and "Customer Service," securing its spot at number three right below CrossFit.

As for other fitness studios and gyms that might've ranked, but just not as high? In order of "Overall Satisfaction," we have:

Life Time Fitness: 8.4 YMCA: 8.3 Planet Fitness: 8.0 Anytime Fitness: 8.0 Equinox: 8.0 Gold's Gym: 7.9 24 Hour Fitness: 7.4 LA Fitness: 7.0 Town Sports: 5.3

The AskMen Readers' Choice survey for fitness studios and gyms was in the field from December 1, 2019, through January 8, 2020. For more information on our surveys, read the sweepstakes rules here.

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Actor Miles Teller Adds Co-Owner of Long Drink to His Growing Resume

In between flying high alongside Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick” and rooting for an almost Superbowl bound Philadelphia Eagles (maybe next year, guys), Miles Teller has been quite a busy man. Despite a full plate, the A-lister still found time to add something else to his forever growing resume: co-owner of Long Drink. 

Back in August 2019, the award-winning beverage company known for its alcoholic beverages in Finland brought on Teller in this role to help with its expansion into the U.S. The canned drink, a citrus soda blended with liquor at 5.5 percent alcohol branded as “Finnish Fuel,” caught Teller’s eye in a New York City liquor store just a year prior to him coming onboard. After that, the rest was history.

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Initial rumblings of the actor’s new partnership might surprise some, but Hollywood’s finest venturing over to the world of booze isn’t all that uncommon. With where Teller found himself in life, it all just made sense. 

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve looked into a few different areas to branch out and further

expand my business,” he said to AskMen. “If I told 21-year-old me that one day he’d be co-owner of a brand like Long Drink, he’d be very excited.”

Long Drink

So what’s Teller’s plan of attack in this new role? While he says he plans on applying “all of the knowledge” he garnered from working in the entertainment industry to his role with Long Drink, there’s not much he actually wants to change about the drink itself. 

“I think Long Drink is an incredible product with a rich cultural history behind it,” says Teller. I simply want people to have the opportunity to try it because the taste sells itself.”

That aforementioned history dates back to 1952 during Helsinki’s Summer Games. To provide enough drinks for Finland locals and all those visiting for the multi-sport event, the gin and grapefruit soda concoction was created, and thus, ‘long drink’ was born.

Another thing that helps Long Drink stand out in such a competitive market? It’s not spiked seltzer, something every brand under the sun has attempted at crafting in their own unique way. Teller describes Long Drink, when compared to a spiked seltzer, to be “more complex, full-bodied and refreshing.”

Long Drink

“It’s also a completely different buzz,” he notes. “The Long Drink buzz, because of the high quality ingredients, is entirely unique. It’s [also] a high integrity product with a long storied history behind it, which is all you can ask [for]. When I went to Finland, everyone I talked to seemed to have a Long Drink story, and were proud it would be sold in the States. It is truly one of a kind and once you try it, nothing else compares. There’s no substitute for Long Drink.”

The Long Drink is currently available in Connecticut, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Texas with further expansion planned for the future.

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Behind Rowgatta: What It Is, How It Came to Be and Why You Should Take It

For many, a new year means a brand new set of fitness goals to accomplish.

With 2020 underway, you might be in hot pursuit of the latest workout that’ll keep your focus from fading away come February. If you’re someone who prefers a group class over a solo gym outing, what’s something that’ll give you that full-on beast mode feeling post-workout without breaking the bank? Well, move over Barry’s … Switch, Orange Theory, GRIT or just about any other boutique fitness class in town. Rowgatta, described as a “high-intensity, low-impact (HILIT) bootcamp experience,” is ready to take over.

RELATED: Top Health & Fitness Trends for 2020

We spoke with co-founder Nadav Ben-Chanoch about how Rowgatta came to be, the ins and outs of a Rowgatta class, the benefits of rowing and what’s to come down the road in 2020.

AskMen: Let’s start from the beginning — what was the process like to get Rowgatta up and running?

Nadav Ben-Chanoch: It’s been quite a journey. My business partner Kenny and I met while we were working as corporate lawyers at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. We left the firm within a month of each other in June of 2017, and I actually left NYC and was training for an Ironman race in Hawaii. Kenny came up with the idea for Rowgatta and quickly sold me on it. Next thing I knew, I was back in NYC working on Rowgatta full time.

The idea behind Rowgatta evolved over time, and we’ve had to adjust and make more than a few tough choices. However, despite working 7 days/week and all the sleepless nights, this journey has been the most exciting and fulfilling of my life. I really enjoyed building out the studio and being here every day overseeing construction. Watching the studio come to life and now seeing people enjoying it is incredibly rewarding. While we’ve raised money from friends and family, Kenny and I have funded a large portion of the business and, unlike some other new studios in the area, have to be very efficient with our resources.

The result is that we do basically everything around here – hiring, training, coaching, front desk, marketing, HR, and everything else that goes into running this place. It can be exhausting but I wouldn’t trade it in for anything.

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How does Rowgatta stand apart (aside from the obvious incorporation of rowing) as a unique fitness studio?

We actually don’t consider ourselves a rowing studio, the same way people don’t consider Barry’s Bootcamp a running studio. We offer High-Intensity, Low-Impact (HILIT) bootcamp classes. What sets us apart is that everything we do here is aimed at creating the best possible experience for our Rowgatta Athletes (as we like to call them). This includes everything from the way our class is structured to the people we hire, to the way we utilize our space.

First, we do things very differently than the “rowing studios” in town. For example, these rowing studios spend the vast majority of class time rowing while at Rowgatta, you’ll always spend half your time rowing and half on the “floor” station doing resistance training. We’ve also designed our space to function differently that other studios. For example, we have a large community space downstairs, our Huddle Zone, where we have the same equipment we keep in the studio, as well as Theraguns, foam rollers, etc. It’s really important for us to build a strong Rowgatta community, and we’ve invested heavily in the space to foster that environment. Our locker rooms are also larger and more spacious than any I’ve seen, and our seven showers just might be my favorite thing about this place (come check out our blue tile).

Finally, the thing that separates us more than anything else is our team. We interviewed a ton of great people to coach here and carefully selected an elite group of amazing and knowledgeable individuals. Unlike other studios where the instructors are handed a script with a pre-set workout, our coaches do their own programming and music. You can go to Chris’s Full Body class on Saturday morning and then Lex’s class that same afternoon with two very different experiences (both of which will be great).

We also only hire certified fitness professionals with group fitness experience. Most importantly, with our coaches, what you see is what you get – they’re a group of authentic, knowledgeable, and passionate folks that are focused on helping our Athletes improve, not on improving their Instagram stats.

Not many classes highlight the rower as an essential machine during their workouts, so why did you think it was important to do that?

People always find this surprising, but neither Kenny nor I have a rowing background. We were introduced to rowing, and the concept 2 specifically, in CrossFit. We chose to build our workout around the rower for several reasons. First, it’s a full-body exercise that engages 86 percent of your muscles on each stroke. Second, it’s incredibly efficient and burns more calories than running or spinning. Third, it’s low impact, which was very important to us.

Unlike running, for example, rowing does not strain the joints. People are placing a greater emphasis on recovery and longevity than ever before, which is evident by the various stretching and recovery boutiques popping up all over. Our low-impact approach allows our Athletes to continue working out with us for years to come. Fourth, rowing is a great combination of strength and conditioning. Unlike a treadmill, for example, you have to create your own resistance on the rower and really push hard with your legs. This is how you build strength rowing. At the same time, try sprinting for a full minute on the rower and let me know how high your heart rate gets.

Finally, the rower is optimal for a great variety of complementary exercises, since it’s easy to strap in and out, doesn’t take up much space (like a treadmill) and doesn’t require special shoes (like a spin bike).

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For a novice, what are some essentials to know about rowing and its benefits?

First of all, while rowing is a full-body sport, about 70 percent of the power is generated by your legs. There is a misconception, especially among women, that rowing will make your upper body bulky, which is far from the truth. In fact, proper rowing technique is driven by the posterior chain (the backside of your body), and primarily by your glutes. If you’re looking to keep that tushy strong and sturdy, rowing is one of the best ways to do so.

Second, our classes are designed in a way such that each Athlete works relative to his or her own work capacity. Unlike the “rowing studios” in town, we don’t row in unison or at the same speed. Rather, we work in four zones – recovery, base, push, and sprint. We help each Athlete find his or her own “base pace” during their first couple of classes. This is a pace which they can hold and build off so that when we start pushing, each Athlete is doing so relative to his or her specific ability.

Finally, as I’d mentioned previously, rowing is a great combination of strength and endurance training, so if you’re looking to get stronger while burning maximum calories, rowing is the way to go.

How does a typical Rowgatta class work? What should someone know before going in, and what are some things they’ll learn the more they come to class?

Each class is 50 minutes, split between rowing blocks and resistance training blocks for strength training. Each Athlete will start on a designated rower or floor station and swap to the other side when instructed to do so. Typically, you can expect to spend two blocks on the rower and two on the floor. This is why we consider ourselves a bootcamp class and not a “rowing studio” which tend to focus the vast majority of class time rowing.

Also, while rowing is by definition a full body sport, we vary the focus on the floor each day of the week so that our Athletes can mix it up and target different muscles groups. For example, on Monday we focus on Arms & Abs, Tuesday is Legs & Glutes, Wednesday is Core, etc. A large percentage of our first timers have never rowed before, and there is really nothing they need to know in advance to take the class. We do a brief introduction for our first timers about 10 minutes before each class where we explain proper rowing technique, as well as the way the class is structured. We find that most of our Athletes’ technique improves dramatically over their first couple of classes as they become more familiar with the rower.

All we ask them to bring into the studio are good vibes, and I guarantee they will have an awesome experience.

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A post shared by Rowgatta (@rowgatta_nyc) on Oct 30, 2019 at 11:15am PDT

What’s planned for Rowgatta’s future, whether that’s more studios, the approach to classes, and so on?

We are focused on perfecting the experience at our Union Square location, but we already have our eyes on studio number two starting in 2020. We’ve had folks approach us about franchising opportunities, but for us it’s really important to make sure the brand remains authentic, so we’re focused on responsible and organic growth.

In terms of classes, we’re always learning and taking in the feedback we receive both from our Athletes and our coaches, and continue to tinker with the formula so that each person walking through our door receives an absolutely awesome experience from the check-in at the front desk, to the class, to the post-class shower.

For anyone who hasn’t been yet, I really recommend stopping by for a class and, if for no other reason, because there is a very good chance Rosie (the Rowgatta mascot who works the front desk 7 days/week) will be there to greet you as you walk in.

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Robbie Amell Puts a Twist on the Superhero Genre With Sci-Fi Film Code 8

“Code 8” was never just supposed to live on its own.

Robbie Amell calls what happened after the short film’s initial release to an intimate New York convention crowd a “perfect storm” of sorts — and for good reason. Amell, along with cousin and fellow Arrowverse legend Stephen Amell, went the crowdfunding route to help turn the short from passion project to feature film. Before they knew it, a target of $200,000 quickly surpassed the $1 million dollar mark.

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“We front-paged Reddit, which was a big deal, and people really dug the short film,” he told AskMen. “We just kind of caught fire. We never in a million years thought we would raise that kind of money on Indiegogo, and it gave us the opportunity to make a much bigger movie than we expected.”

“Code 8” creates a futuristic dystopia where 4 percent of the world is gifted with these extraordinary, elemental-driven powers. Unfortunately, those deemed average take issue with the power-enabled, forcing them into lives of poverty and rubble without a real place to turn. Amell takes the lead as Connor, a level 5 electric who, after realizing his current job situation will not be enough to save his sick mother, finds himself mixed up in the world of crime and illegal substances. That’s where he encounters Garrett (Stephen), along with some other not-so-positive people that take advantage of his current situation.

Those familiar with Amell’s line of work know he’s no stranger to sci-fi lore. Along with his stint as Firestorm on “The Flash,” the former superhero has also powered up on “The Tomorrow People,” a short-lived CW series that lasted just one season. Having first-hand experience from working in the genre (and knowing the budgetary restrictions they’d face), the goal of “Code 8” became quite clear. 

“When we talked about making the movie, we talked about movies we liked: “Chronicle,” “District 9,” but also movies like “Heat,” said Amell. “We wanted to essentially make a crime drama that had sci-fi elements blended into the background. We love those $200 million movies, we go see those $200 million movies, but we knew we weren't going to be able to do anything like that. I also think people have gotten a little numb to seeing people throwing through buildings.”

Amell just wanted there to be more. A sci-fi story didn’t mean the finished product had to end up as a cheesy, obviously fictional green screen flick where it was easy to tell the real from the fake. He and the rest of the team aimed to “blend the real and CG into a world where people can get lost in, and might trick them a little easier.”

“That was always a big deal for us,” he notes. “For us, we just wanted to make a story that was grounded and relatable, but above all else, we knew we had to entertain people.”

Having family on set certainly made the creation of “Code 8” an enjoyable one, too. Of the 11 episodes Amell spent on “The Flash” set, he never had the opportunity to directly play off his older actor relative. As their characters’ relationship grows in the film, he says “it was nice to bring a little bit of our own relationship into it, and the chemistry that we have being family.”

“It was also just nice to spend five weeks hanging out in Toronto, just getting to enjoy some time together because he's been shooting in Vancouver for so long,” adds Amell, referencing his time on “Arrow,” which wraps up its final season in early 2020. “It was just one of those sets where everybody on set was so excited and happy to be there, and cared about what they were doing. Everybody was working their ass off, but it was always enjoyable.”

With the film set for a release date of December 13, at this point, all Amell hopes is as many eyes see the film as possible. Even if you can’t get to a theater where the action is bigger and louder, he highlights iTunes or video on demand “where you can rent it for five bucks, or buy it for like 12 bucks.”

“I think that it's an entertaining movie with some pretty prevalent themes right now,” he says. “It might make you question some of the character's decisions, but that's what we wanted. We didn't want to make this movie about right and wrong, we wanted to make this movie that was real, these kinds of gray areas where people make bad decisions for the right reasons, and I think it'll make people think and ask questions, but they’ll really enjoy the 90-minute experience.”

As for what’s next? Even with a spin-off series already in the pipeline, don’t count Amell out of the superhero game just yet.

“Jeff [Chan] and I talked about how fun it would be to make a ‘Batman Beyond’ live action, but these properties are really tough to get into,” he admits. “They're very well guarded by the people who own the IP. Right now, we're just really concentrating on ‘Code 8,’ and hopefully the next step of what we're going to do with that.”

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Erin Andrews Probably Knows More About Football Than You Ever Will

Erin Andrews knows a thing or two about unpredictability.

As a sideline reporter for the NFL, Andrews lives her life on the fly. Her days involve research and constant studying, filling her brain with reports and highlights from the week before pressing refresh and doing it all over again. Frankly, she probably knows the players better than they know themselves, keeping herself up to date with what she refers to as “storylines.” But while both hectic and exciting, this unscripted reality TV-esque life is just work, work and then some more work without much opportunity to take a pause.

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“It's hard, especially when you do two games a week,” she says. “And I also fly and do a feature. I'm home probably one day out of the week when we have two games a week.”

As for the ins and outs? Andrews describes her typical routine as “information overload.”

“It's a lot of studying, a lot of reading articles over the past month,” she says. “You skim through articles, you go back and you watch press conferences, you watch film, you get on the phone. We've got four guys from each game, we talk to them and take notes. There’s an hour and a half conference call with the coaches and the star players. You're watching NFL shows, skimming the internet and Twitter to see what's coming out of each practice. You feel like you haven't done enough with the amount of information that's being pumped out there … it's a ton of work.”

And yet, despite a schedule that has her mentally bursting at the seams, Andrews is pursuing a separate passion project: WEAR, a clothing line designed for women, like herself, who want to be fashionable and support their favorite NFL teams without having a huge logo across their chest.

AskMen spoke with Andrews about her success in a male-dominated industry, finding a way to connect with players and what separates WEAR from the other sports-inspired clothing lines out there.

AskMen: Aside from the usual football talk, how have you come to make sure players feel at ease when talking with you? Is there a key to earning their respect and making them feel comfortable?

Erin Andrews: I did a sit-down with Baker Mayfield who hasn't had the season that he predicted or wanted. Usually, I sit down with guys that are having great years, great seasons and really lighting it up, and that’s not the case for Baker, but he was great about answering every question.

I was just a person, I wasn’t just like, “So what went wrong? Why did it go wrong?” He's a human. He had a season that hasn't gone his way. He's still a person, he's got a family at home. He's trying to figure out how to correct all of it, and as lame as it sounds, you're just a person.

I was trying to make jokes, full self-deprecating, and the interview went really, really well. And then we had that horrible ending of the Browns-Pittsburgh game, and Baker was great enough to do that fantastic, post-game interview with me that a lot of guys would probably blow off. I think because he had felt comfortable with the sit-down interview that we did that week about his season, he knew he could trust me and he knew he could get his message out there.

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A post shared by Erin Andrews (@erinandrews) on Nov 16, 2019 at 11:30am PST

You pull double duty between NFL reporting and co-hosting “Dancing With the Stars” alongside Tom Bergeron. How tedious is it to switch hats so frequently?

It's not easy. In preparation for two games, I don't have a lot of time. In my dressing room, I have football coverage on. I'm always checking my phone during the show to see what's going on. On my drive home from “Dancing With the Stars,” I'm listening to the Monday night games. Leading up to the show, I'm still trying to pump in information, schedule calls and talk to players to get my week together.

And for other women interested in a career path like yours, what would you say to them? What's the thing that’ll encourage them to follow this dream despite the obstacles in their way?

It's definitely got to be one [that] you love because you are away from your family more than you are with your family. I mean, there's obviously some really great perks of it all, but you miss the holidays. I haven't had a Thanksgiving at home in probably 15 years. You miss your friend's wedding if they decide to get married during the football season, you miss the parties, the weekends and all that.

You're often living out of a suitcase. You have to tolerate traveling, you have to know that marriage and kids and all that, a lot of that stuff is put on hold. There are a ton of sacrifices, and while there are a ton of exciting perks and advantages to the job, it's a grind. It is.

Even though you’re moving non-stop, you’ve found time to pivot into the fashion world with WEAR by Erin Andrews, your new clothing line. What’s the inspiration behind putting that together?

I'm in a football stadium twice a week, and I see what's out there. And also, I'm a fan. My husband played in the NHL, I went into the pro shops trying to find things to wear to games, and I thought that there was just a really big white space for women who wanted to be fashionable and support those teams, but couldn't wear it out to dinner.

I kind of looked in my closet and saw the basics of what I wear every single day on the planes, out to dinner, out to a bar, and thought, “What if we put logos on here in a subtle way?” People would still be able to support their favorite team, but be able to wear something that they could go out in everywhere and anywhere. It kind of took on a life of its own, we were able to get it done and thankfully it's really caught on.

How important is it that this line has been conceptualized by someone with your experience on the field? Do you think there’s a big difference in your line compared to other lines created by those who don’t have your sports background?

I think what's cool is that I'm actually there, like you said, at the games. I'm not just somebody that doesn't know what the demographic is like. I see what women are wearing, I hear what they're saying and yeah, I think there is something really cool about being there. I've seen my stuff the last couple of weeks on fans in the stands, and I look at them like they're an athlete. I start screaming, freaking out and asking them for a photo. I know from being a fan, I felt like a lot of the times stuff for women was very uncomfortable and unflattering, and our stuff is comfortable, like being in your jammies.

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A post shared by Erin Andrews (@erinandrews) on Oct 3, 2019 at 10:54pm PDT

With 2020 fast approaching, what’s next for the line that you’re excited about? Is there another business venture you’re looking to tackle in the new year?

I just can't wait to see how we've grown within a year and expanded our line, I'm really excited for everybody to see. There's one article of clothing I wear a lot, and it was actually my husband's idea, he said, “Hey, what about this? You wear it all the time. What if you guys put a little logo on it? And every team could wear that.” Not going to give it away, but it is awesome. I don't think there's anything like that out there yet.

And in terms of football, look, I love what I'm doing. I can't imagine that Sunday or Thursday that I'm not on-air, so that's something I definitely want to do. Outside of football, I love being a part of “Dancing With the Stars,” and the entertainment side of things. We're looking at some opportunities coming forward, working in that area and expanding it as well. That was a very, very vague answer, but just doing more, which is crazy, but it'll be fun.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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