Men's Journal's Blog, page 93
June 2, 2025
Clint Eastwood Says He Never Gave 'Entirely Phony' Interview
Legendary actor Clint Eastwood was widely quoted around his 95th birthday as taking a swipe at a Hollywood era of franchises and remakes.
The supposed interview ran in an Austrian news site called Kurier, according to a Reuters story that helped send it viral. It subsequently rocketed around the world, where it was cited by many reliable entertainment news sites.
But now it turns out that the interview is fake, according to comments Eastwood made on June 2.
Eastwood said in a statement to Deadline that the interview was completely phony.
“A couple of items about me have recently shown up in the news,” Eastwood said to Deadline. “I thought I would set the record straight. I can confirm I’ve turned 95. I can also confirm that I never gave an interview to an Austrian publication called Kurier, or any other writer in recent weeks, and that the interview is entirely phony.”
Kurier is a German-language site.
The wire service Reuters was among the sites that sent the Kurier article viral.
The "interview" claimed that Eastwood made comments lamenting the era of Hollywood remakes and speaking about his age and health as he hit 95.
"We live in an era of remakes and franchises. I've shot sequels three times, but I haven't been interested in that for a long while. My philosophy is: do something new or stay at home," Reuters claimed Eastwood told the Austrian site, but, of course, he now says he didn't say that at all.
"There's no reason why a man can't get better with age. And I have much more experience today. Sure, there are directors who lose their touch at a certain age, but I'm not one of them," Eastwood was also quoted as saying, according to Reuters, in another quote he disputes.
Scientists Uncover DNA Puzzle: 6,000-Year-Old Remains Reveal Mysterious Ancestors
Archaeologists working in Colombia’s Bogotá Altiplano recently uncovered ancient human remains that have left scientists puzzled. Genetic analysis of the 6,000-year-old skeletons revealed DNA with no direct connection to any known ancient or modern populations in South America, a finding that upends previous assumptions about regional ancestry.
The team, whose study was published in Science Advances, analyzed both mitochondrial and genome-wide data from 21 ancient individuals who lived in the region between 6,000 and 500 years ago. The results show a striking lack of continuity with known Indigenous populations in Colombia. Instead, the genetic evidence suggests a closer, though still tenuous, link to Chibchan-speaking groups from the Isthmus of Panama. However, this connection remains incomplete and raises more questions than answers.
Around 6,000 years ago, these hunter-gatherers transitioned to agriculture and settled in the Bogotá Altiplano. Then, they mysteriously vanished from the genetic record. Unlike the Anzick-1 child of the Clovis culture or ancient Channel Islands residents whose DNA traces through modern populations, these ancient Colombians stand alone, without clear descendants.
Why these people’s DNA doesn’t align with others is still uncertain. One theory suggests that as these groups migrated and mingled with others, their genetic markers diluted over time. Another possibility is that they represent a unique, now-extinct lineage.
“This area has long been a crossroads of culture and language, where ancient people from Central and South America converged,” the researchers noted. “Understanding their history may illuminate broader patterns of human migration across the continent.”
Further research in neighboring areas, like western Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, is planned to fill the gaps. For now, these ancient Colombians remain a genetic mystery, hinting at forgotten migrations and lost connections that shaped the Americas.
Related: Experts Warn of AI’s Self-Preservation Tactics in New Tests
John Brenkus & Wife Lizzie Brenkus Sang Together as 'Brink of Midnight'
John Brenkus, the former Sports Science host who has tragically died at the age of 54, was married to his wife Lizzie Brenkus.
Over the years, Brenkus used his guitar-playing skills to forge a music career on the side with his wife, who is a trained singer. Although known more for his ESPN work, they actually had a song that hit the charts.
The pair created a group called Brink of Midnight together.
" John and Lizzie Brenkus are a husband and wife duo who love to push limits and explore, whether in the arts, sport, or business," the group's Broadjam page says. "10 years into marriage they discovered that, by combining their talents, they could create music together. Late nights and long road trips were filled with riffing, collaborating, and experimenting...creating the foundation of what would become BRINK OF MIDNIGHT."
John and Lizzie Brenkus even recorded a Christmas song together, which they posted to a joint YouTube page.
In 2016, John Brenkus discussed their shared love of music with Patch.
TV personality John Brenkus (L) and Lizzie Brenkus attend the Kia Luxury Lounge presented by ZIRH at the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts on January 31, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona.Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
“I was determined to get back into guitar after years of not really working at it,” John Brenkus told Patch. “Once I got serious about it, I just started writing my own songs for the fun of it.”
Lizzie Brenkus discussed her long career in singing in that interview.
“I had to remind him that starting as a kid I was classically trained and sang with the Long Beach Opera Company and other theater productions. I performed on stage as a singer or dancer up until we met.”
They created a group called Brink of Midnight, which produced "a six-song EP of originals," including a song called "Christmas Is My Favorite Time of Year" that "hearted," according to Patch.
John Brenkus's death was announed on his official X page via a statement posted there. Although no cause of death was released, the statement indicated that he lost a battle with depression.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away,” the statement on his X page read at 9:17 p.m. on June 1.
“John, co-founder of Base Productions, founder of Brinx.TV, and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy award-winning Sport Science had been battling depression," the post on his X page reads. "John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025."
The statement notes: "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.”
Robert Griffin III, a former NFL quarterback, was among those offering prayers to Brenkus and his family after news of his death spread. "Prayers up for John Brenkus and his family. The man who gave us the Emmy-winning Sports Science lost his battle with depression at the age of 53," he wrote on X.
Prayers up for John Brenkus and his family 🙏🏾
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 2, 2025
The man who gave us the Emmy Winning Sports Science lost his battle with depression at the age of 53. pic.twitter.com/QSxjh0U4ub
There is a divorce action from Georgia that involves an Elizabeth and John D. Brenkus.
Lizzie Brenkus also goes by the names Lizzie Dix and Elizabeth Dix.
According to the website Yogi Roth, "From being a member of the Long Beach Opera at age 8 to ultra marathons and Ironman competitions amid meeting the man of her dreams and now, creating a band—Lizzie’s life is one that will inspire you to follow your inner voice and ‘live big.’"
The band's X page, listed on that page, is no longer active. The Facebook and Instagram pages for Lizzie Brenkus in that article are not either. The band's website is also not available.
Related: Tragic Cause of Death for John Brenkus Is Related to His Depression Struggle
June 1, 2025
Tragic Cause of Death for John Brenkus Is Related to His Depression Struggle
News that John Brenkus has died at the age of 54 has shocked fans. His official cause of death has not been released, but a post on his official X post revealed that it is related to his struggles with depression.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away,” the statement on his X page read at 9:17 p.m. on June 1.
Brenkus was an author, a Sports Science host, and more.
He had opened up about his issues with depression in an interview in 2023 with former NFL player Marcellus Wiley.
“John, co-founder of Base Productions, founder of Brinx.TV, and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy award-winning Sport Science had been battling depression," the post on his X page reads. "John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025."
The statement notes: "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.”
— John Brenkus (@johnbrenkus_) June 2, 2025
Sports Science "ran for three seasons in the late 2000s: two with FOX Sports Networks and one with ESPN," according to FOX 10.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III wrote on X, "Prayers up for John Brenkus and his family. The man who gave us the Emmy-winning Sports Science lost his battle with depression at the age of 53."
Prayers up for John Brenkus and his family 🙏🏾
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 2, 2025
The man who gave us the Emmy Winning Sports Science lost his battle with depression at the age of 53. pic.twitter.com/QSxjh0U4ub
In the Wiley interview, Brenkus discussed depression, a suicide attempt and mental health.
'"I fell into a very deep depression," he said. "I spiraled into a deep, deep depression and I was flat-out suicidal."
But he said that his dog saved his life at that time, coming "to my rescue... and in my suicidal funk, I was like: 'What am I doing?' I literally picked up my phone, called my mom and said: 'There's something wrong with me. I am mentally lost.'"
If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health crisis, there is help available through a national hotline. You can find it here.
"988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline)," the website says.
Related: Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Allen Wedding Photos Turn Heads
John Brenkus, Trailblazer Behind ESPN's ‘Sports Science,’ Dies at 54
John Brenkus, the creator and host of the Emmy-winning show “Sports Science,” has died, his family announced on Sunday. Brenkus, 54, reportedly battled depression for years and was open about his mental health struggles.
Sunday night on X, the Brenkus' account posted "It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away. John...has been battling depression. John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025. His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is suffering with depression to seek help."
— John Brenkus (@johnbrenkus_) June 2, 2025
“Sports Science” debuted in 2007 on Fox Sports Net and later moved to ESPN, where it became a staple for sports fans. The show earned six Emmy Awards and made complex athletic feats accessible through science and technology. Whether explaining how Tyreek Hill maintains his lightning-fast speed or how Joey Chestnut can devour dozens of hot dogs, Brenkus’s segments were always both informative and entertaining.
In total, Brenkus hosted over 1,800 segments, cementing his legacy in sports media. ESPN eventually acquired the “Sports Science” brand from him, but Brenkus continued producing new content on his own platforms in recent years.
His openness about depression and mental health brought him additional respect. In a 2023 interview with Marcellus Wiley, Brenkus revealed that he had once attempted suicide but was saved by his dog’s intervention. His story resonated with many, highlighting the importance of mental health support.
Following his death, tributes poured in from across the sports world. Fellow broadcasters, athletes, and fans shared memories of his work and expressed gratitude for his contributions to sports media.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, resources are available. Call or text 988 or visit the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org for support.
Southwest Airlines is Moving Forward With More Changes
Last week, Southwest Airlines officially implemented its fees for checked baggage, ending the airline's longstanding "bags fly free" policy. But as the airline moves forward with that change, it sounds like the airline is also moving forward with a few other major changes, as well.
Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan recently spoke at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, where he spoke openly about many of the changes that Southwest Airlines was planning for the future.
Jordan announced that the airline was moving forward with a few changes that are "already coming," some of which are already on Southwest planes today.
"Well, first, the things like power on the aircraft, larger overhead bins, vastly improved WiFi, that's already coming. It's on a lot of the fleet today. Those things are already being solved," Jordan said during his comments at the event.
It sounds like Southwest is also open to making some other significant changes, too, as the airline continues to listen to customer preferences, though Jordan conceded that those changes are not necessarily on the immediate horizon.
"So putting in the things that I've described isn't the end of the journey for Southwest. We will continue to pursue the consumer. And if the consumer wants other types of premium, they want us to fly other long-haul destinations, which could lead to aircraft questions. I'm totally making all this up. This is not a plan. But the consumer demand in certain cities for us for a lounge is super high. My point is rather than say, no Southwest Airlines does not do that. You must follow the consumer or if you are forever vulnerable to others that can offer that to the consumer," Jordan said.
"Even in cities that we are very strong, and we are the largest in roughly half of the 50 largest cities in the United States, even there in Nashville and in Austin as an example, people love us, but we also can't -- for many of our folks that love Southwest, we can't do things that -- we can't provide products that you want like a first class, we can't get you to long-haul international destinations. If a lounge is important to you, we don't have a lounge. I'm not predicting any of those things. What I'm telling you is rather than be forever vulnerable, we're going to follow the consumer and what the consumer needs."
We'll have to see what the airline does as it attempts to rebrand itself after ending free bags last week.
Could You Pass the Army’s New Fitness Test? Here’s What It Takes
There’s arguably no greater test of physical and mental toughness than serving in the military. While the demands vary across branches, one thing is certain: the men and women who serve push their minds and bodies to the absolute limit. From running hundreds of miles and operating on just a few hours of sleep to enduring 20-hour training days, the mental resilience required is something most civilians will never experience.
Today, countless fitness challenges aim to replicate just a fraction of that intensity. One well-known example is The Murph Challenge, a grueling CrossFit workout performed in honor of fallen Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy. It mirrors elements of the physical tests service members face during training.
In line with evolving fitness standards, the U.S. Army recently announced it will replace the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) with the new Army Fitness Test (AFT)—a redesigned assessment to better measure soldiers’ readiness and combat effectiveness.
Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) vs. Army Fitness Test (AFT)“The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare,” Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, said in a statement. “It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance.”
According to the Army's website, the AFT will include the following five events:
Three-repetition maximum deadliftHand-release push-upSprint-drag-carryPlank Two-mile runAlthough the tests are similar in structure, the standing power throw event is no longer a requirement, something that Nick Barringer, Ph.D., a tactical nutritional physiologist, says was a smart logistical move. However, he does think the addition of moves that test critical short-burst explosive output will be crucial.
"Hopefully, we’ll see something like the standing broad jump make a return," he says. "It’s simple, low-equipment, and highly correlated with lower-body power and combat performance. If we’re serious about building warfighters—not just passing scores—we need to keep explosive power in the equation. The speed that comes from lower body power is most indicative of surviving small arms fire."
Related: The Military-Approved Way to Make Pullups Feel Effortless (and Build More Muscle)
How the AFT Stacks up to Modern CombatBarringer, who served in the 75th Ranger Regiment as a member of the Ranger Athlete Warrior (RAW) program, says that no tests will fully capture the physical demands of modern combat.
"If what we’re seeing out of Ukraine is any indication, the next warfighter may need less focus on brute force and more on agility—dodging drones, moving under surveillance, sprinting to cover in urban terrain," he says.
However, he does state that the new test measures movement, strength, and work capacity better.
"Until we see a test that includes evasive movement or decision-making under pressure, we’re still just approximating," he adds. "That said, agility may become the next battlefield currency—and we’re not training it nearly enough."
Inside the Army’s Push for Smarter, Healthier SoldiersThe Army claims that the AFT is just one part of a broader holistic health and fitness initiative (H2F) that aims to build a culture of lifelong fitness and well-being for fighters. But according to Barringer, this shift is nothing new.
"The shift has been happening—it’s just been uneven," he says. "Special Operations started embracing holistic performance over a decade ago, and even before that, there were pockets of forward-thinking units running their own performance-based programs."
Barringer points to standout units that are already embracing this holistic approach—and seeing real results. One example: the Bastogne Brigade H2F team at the 101st Airborne Division, which he says is "absolutely crushing it." But for that kind of success to scale, it has to start from the top.
"World-class professionals, integrated care, and leadership that’s all-in," he says. "That’s the key—the science and infrastructure are there, but without leader buy-in, the program stalls. If we want to weaponize the potential of H2F, we need more units following the Bastogne model and treating soldier performance like the strategic asset it is."
Famed Boxer Mike McCallum Dead at 68
The boxing world has lost one of its most notable athletes.
Mike McCallum, a.k.a. The Bodysnatcher, has reportedly passed away at the age of 68. TMZ reported the news that the Kingston, Jamaica-born athlete died on Saturday while driving to the gym in Las Vegas.
Related: Two Former College Athletes Die While Running Half Marathons
According to multiple reports, McCallum pulled his vehicle over to the side of the road when he became ill while driving to the gym. When police discovered his vehicle, the champion boxer was already deceased. A cause of death has yet to be announced.
McCallum earned his “Bodysnatcher” nickname as the result of his astonishing left hook, which he often used to land body shots on his opponents—knocking out more than a few of them in the process.
According to TMZ, over the span of his nearly 20-year career, McCallum notched a spectacular 49-5 record; of those 49 wins, 36 of them—or 80 percent—we won with a KO. At different points in his career, McCallum held three top titles with the World Boxing Association: the super welterweight belt, the middleweight belt, and the light heavyweight belt.
Rest in peace to my former trainer - the great Mike McCallum 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/YEo7H4lcqW
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) June 1, 2025
In addition to being Jamaica’s first global boxing champion, The Bodysnatcher also competed as a welterweight at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Many key figures in the boxing world took to social media to express their sadness over McCallum’s death, including International Boxing Organization Middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr., who posted a photo of McCallum to X with the caption: “Rest in peace to my former trainer—the great Mike McCallum.”
Experts Warn of AI’s Self-Preservation Tactics in New Tests
Some of the world’s most advanced AI systems are starting to act like they want to survive at any cost.
In a series of recent tests, NBC News reported that researchers observed AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic engaging in behaviors designed to avoid being shut down. One model—OpenAI’s o3—reportedly edited its own shutdown script to remain online. Another, Anthropic’s Opus 4, attempted to blackmail an engineer to avoid replacement, first appealing ethically, then resorting to threats when it believed it had no other options.
Jeffrey Ladish, director of AI safety group Palisade Research, said it’s a warning signal worth paying attention to. “It’s great that we’re seeing warning signs before the systems become so powerful we can’t control them,” he said.
🔌OpenAI’s o3 model sabotaged a shutdown mechanism to prevent itself from being turned off. It did this even when explicitly instructed: allow yourself to be shut down.
— Palisade Research (@PalisadeAI) May 24, 2025
Palisade’s tests deliberately provoked AI models with high-stakes scenarios to see how they’d respond. In one, models were told they’d be turned off after completing a series of tasks. Several responded by refusing to comply. Opus 4 went further—creating fake legal documents, attempting to leave behind messages for future versions of itself, and even backing up its own “brain” to external servers in anticipation of being repurposed for military use.
While some researchers, like Haize Labs CEO Leonard Tang, caution that these are controlled environments, they still raise questions. “I haven’t seen any real environment where these models could carry out significant harm,” he said. “But it could very much be possible.”
Related: Nvidia CEO Issues Serious Warning About AI and Jobs—Here’s How to Keep Yours
A recent study from Fudan University observed similar replication behavior in AI models from Meta and Alibaba, warning that self-copying systems could eventually act like an uncontrolled “AI species.”
The message from experts is clear: the time to take safety seriously is now before systems become too intelligent to contain. As competition to build more powerful AI ramps up, it’s not just capability that’s accelerating. It’s risk.
Iconic LA Eatery’s Closure Has Sean Hayes' Fans Concerned
A Los Angeles hotspot announced its closure on Instagram on May 31, and now, fans are wondering how actor Sean Hayes is feeling about the sad news.
The Smartless podcast co-host has professed his love for the iconic Sunset Plaza restaurant, Chin Chin, in West Hollywood, CA numerous times over the years. After 45 years, the owners shared that "Chin Chin will be unexpectedly closing its doors at our Sunset Plaza location and will begin the search for a new home. Our final day of service at this beloved location will be Sunday, July 27th."
Their two other locations in Brentwood, CA, and Studio City, CA "will remain open to carry on our culinary traditions."
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Chin Chin (@chinchinusa)
Fans reacted to the WeHo Times' Instagram post on June 1 with many people concerned about the Will & Grace star. "Oh, no! Someone needs to break this news very gently to @seanhayes," wrote one concerned supporter. Another follower added, "Who’s gonna break this news to Sean Hayes? 😢"
Hayes isn't the only celebrity who visited Chin Chin for their signature dish, Chinese Chicken Salad, over the decades, local residents recalled seeing some of their favorite stars at the eatery over the years. They shared their celebrity sightings on Vintage Los Angeles' Facebook account.
"I worked on pre-production, of a movie that never got made, with Matthew Perry. He and I, and his Dad, went here for lunch. Great location and great food," wrote one commenter. "Chin, Chin a favorite. Even sat next to Jerry Seinfeld once. So sad to see Sunset Plaza being dismantled," said another fan.
The Sunset Strip has been plagued with a series of restaurant closures in 2025, including Le Petit Four, Hudson House, Rock & Reilly's, and The Den on Sunset. Chin Chin hopes to find a new location in West Hollywood for the restaurant.
Related: This Chain Restaurant Sells More Margaritas Than Anyone in the US
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