Robert Seale is a Houston-based photographer specializing in dynamic editorial, corporate, and advertising portraiture.

A former staff photographer for the Sporting News, Seale photographed over 200 covers over his ten year career there. In 2006, he left SN to concentrate on his portrait work, and to take on work for a variety of new clients, including: Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine, Rides, SLAM, Businessweek, Rolling Stone and Men’s Health. He recently completed work on a National ad campaign for Under Armour.

Seale has produced portraits of the finest athletes from the past twenty years. His ability to seamlessly and quickly capture images depicting an athlete’s special qualities and personality is respected throughout the photographic and sports industries.

Seale began his career as a photojournalist, eventually working as a staffer at several metro newspapers in Texas and Georgia where he became proficient in the skills of action photography. After a career covering 11 Super Bowls, 11 World Series, 13 NBA Finals and numerous other national sporting events, Robert is now available to take on the challenge of working on any assignment. To see more of his work, you can visit his website: www.robertseale.com.

He can be reached via email at Robert@robertseale.com, or at his Houston office at 832-654-9572. Photographs contained in this article are ©Robert Seale/ Sporting News, or ©Robert Seale. All rights Reserved.

For those of you familiar with the reality TV show Growing up Gotti, it is consider an Aesop’s fable compared to Growing up Rothman……Although the late” Teflon Don” John Gotti may have struck fear and respect in the five borough hoods of New York, maintaining control of the family in his castle was laughable at best. Just look at his sons today. During the same era, approximately 5,200 miles away on the North Shore of Oahu was a four year old toddler named Makuakai (guardian of the sea in Hawaiian) who vividly remembers all the armed forces of Hawaii except for the sixth fleet from Pearl Harbor descending upon his home to take dead or alive Big Daddy Da Hui founder “Fast” Eddie Rothman. Now I could tell you what Da Hui means & who Fast Eddie Rothman is, but then I would have to kill you. So take me off the hook and google it.

For the next two years, Makua as referred to by his friends lived in a tent on the beach in the same exact spot where Big Daddy’s beautiful house stands today. During those difficult times, it would have been easy to take to a life of crime. What carried Makua through those hard times was continuous participation in sports. Playing football, soccer, baseball, water polo, surfing, fishing, & diving on a daily basis, barely left time for him to eat, sleep, and learn something in school. Makua credits his father as having a BIG influence in shaping his life. Eddy laid the law down with tough love and advice in respect to: never start a fight with anyone who does not want to fight you, never make someone who is fat or ugly feel bad about themselves, always strive to reach your full potential, help others in need, & never ever disrespect Da Hui.

Makua’s two favorite passions in life were football & surfing. At age twelve, he was surfing 15-18 foot waves in front of his house at a famous surf spot called Phantom’s. (At age 41, I was crushed and nearly drowned in 6-8 foot surf next to Phantom’s) Fortunately, surfing greats Laird Hamilton and Derrick Doerner recognized Makua’s fearless talents and took him under their wings showing him the way to big wave surfing. At age 13, Fast Eddie bought Makua his first jet ski to start tow surfing into the big stuff and with in no time Makua was hooked on the adrenalin of being towed into 30-foot waves. However, becoming a pro football player was more then just a dream for Makua. Football was truly his passion. He was all over the field hitting ball carriers like a jackhammer. His high school coaches thought he would be the next Junior Seau or Zach Thomas (both Makua’s favorite players) but a career ending knee injury placed football in fantasyland forever.

Once healed up, big wave surfing became prime focus and at age 16 Makua was invited to the World Cup of tow – in surfing on Maui to compete against Laird Hamilton & a host of veteran masters. Makua walked away with 4Th place, although many people felt he should have won it all, but they just could not let a first time 16-year-old beat all the top contenders from around the world. The physical demand of tow-in surfing requires a very rigorous cross training regiment. Father Eddy instilled in Makua’s mind, “that to be the Big Kahuna, you must train your body and feed your body and brain the right foods and no screwing around with drugs of any kind”. So Makua went off to San Diego to train with Rob Garcia, (Oscar De La Hoya’s fitness coach) for conditioning, “Kid Peligro” for Jiu-Jitsu, “Panchito” Bojado (Olympic Boxing Silver Medalist) and Diego Sanchez (U.F.C. combatant). “These guys whipped me into super human shape, changing my body from a marshmallow to marble and most important, increasing my endurance to unimaginable stages”. I discovered that my heart and focus would allow me to do anything I wanted.

Up to the age of 18, Makua’s life had been lived largely through the shadow of his father. A life changing experience took place on a gargantuan November day in 2002 off a Maui break called “JAWS”. During one of the most historic days in big-wave sessions, Makua was towed into surfing history on a last second borrowed Jet Ski known as the “Turtle” for its speed. Makua thought that this was going to be his test run but as the monster wave rose beneath him, he realized this was it, released the rope and began barreling down a 66-foot moving mountain of deep blue thunder. “That beast had so much power and the power went right through me, I was one with the wave”. It went down in the record books as the largest wave ridden to date by a man. This amazing feat earned him at 18 years old the undisputed winner of the Billabong XXL Big Wave Challenge, beating a field of veteran big wave riders whose average age was over twice that of Makua. Rothman received the grand prize of $66,000 – or $1,000 per foot plus the acknowledgement in a Miller Lite beer commercial recognizing him as riding history’s biggest wave. Chicks recognized him as well. Maui-based photographer Ron Dahlquist received $5,000.00 for capturing the image in his lens.

Makua has since been surfing all the major tournaments around the world. His # 1 endorsement sponsorship is Alpine Stars. Rothman’s goal is to win the World Professional Surfing Championship and in addition be the first person to ride a 100+-foot wave all in the same year as well. This in fact would place him as the next great waterman since Duke Kahanamoku whose bigger then life statue stands at the sands of Queens Beach in Waikiki. In the spare time that he is afforded from a global travel schedule, Makua spends personal moments visiting children in hospitals, giving speeches at the YMCA’s and other youth organizations. “I tell kids that anything is possible if you put your heart and mind into it 110%. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something, because you can”! There are many kids who come from broken homes, single parent families and various unfortunate tough situations, I tell them,” do not be discouraged, you can and will persevere”. “I think it is extremely important for people to share their fortunes with others in any way they can. It always gives me a great feeling to help someone else out”.

For those of you who have a desire to paddle out into a lineup throughout the Hawaiian Islands especially on the West and North Shore of Oahu, (wise advice from Marv L.) please get yourself a special permission slip from your local Da Hui enforcement officer. Da Hui to you.

get 2 know Ana Ivanovic

Meet the new “It” girl of tennis. Her name is Ana Ivanovic and she has already overtaken Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Venus Williams in the Sony Ericsson WTA tour rankings. “(Fame) happened quite fast for me,” says the 20-year-old beauty from Belgrade, Serbia, now ranked #4 in the world. Last year the affable, pleasant and popular Ivanovic proved she can not only compete with the best, she can beat them too. Three WTA singles victories in Berlin, Los Angeles and Luxembourg were highlights of 2007 but Ana’s defining moment occurred on the red clay of Roland Garros.

“The French Open was an amazing experience because when I was younger, I used to dream of winning grand slams,’’ Ivanovic says. “But in the final with Justine (Henin) I got very emotional and I couldn’t really play my game. It is something that I have learned from. The way Justine handled it, I’m sure she was nervous too, I can learn so much from that. I’m sure next time I’m in the same place I’ll know how to deal with the pressure better. I think it was a necessary experience in order for me to win a grand slam.”

Miss Ivanovic took time out from her busy training for the Australian leg of the 2008 WTA schedule to pose and speak with MOVES in this exclusive interview/photo layout.

Tennis Inspiration(s): Monica Seles. I was watching her on TV when I was four. During the break there was a commercial for a tennis school. I remembered the number and I kept asking my mom to take me there for maybe a month. Finally she agreed. I fell in love with the game straight away and for my fifth birthday my father gave me my first racket.

First Tennis Memory: I remember my first ever lesson. I can’t describe how happy I was. It’s just a simple love for playing the game.

Hobbies/Interests: I love reading, especially history books, historical thrillers and Greek mythology. I spend a lot of time watching DVDs and going to the cinema. I like to have long dinners with my family and friends, I find that very relaxing. I’m also studying Finance at a private university that allows me to take my exams on the Internet. So I am pretty busy away from tennis.

Favorite Movies: The Departed

Favorite TV Shows: 24, Lost and Prison Break

Musical Tastes: Lots of kinds. Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Serbian

Favorite Meal: Asian food, especially sushi and black cod!

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookies and Cream

Pre-Match Feeling/Mindset: I like to be alone for the final moments before a match. I sometimes play some Sudoku and listen to music. This helps me relax, and then just before I go out I start to really think about my tactics for the match.

First Car: A Peugeot 207

Current Car (color): Peugeot 207 (yellow) I only passed my test last year!

Last Book Read: It was a book of Greek mythology

Greatest Moment of Career: Reaching the French Open final in June of this year

Most Painful Moment of Career: If I had to choose one or two, it would be Rome last year. I was playing really well and I got injured during a 6-1 lead and I had to retire. That was very painful physically too!

Favorite Tournaments to play/visit: There are so many! But if I have to choose one, it’s the Australian Open. I have family in Melbourne, and I love to visit there.

Closest Friends from SONY ERICSSON WTA Tour: Daniela Hantuchova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Maria Kirilenko, Sanja Ancic

Funniest Players Encountered: Novak Djokovic. I’ve known him since we were four, and he always made me laugh a lot. It’s fitting that they call him the Joker.

Toughest Competitors Encountered: Henin and the Williams sisters. They’re the only top players I haven’t beaten so far. They’re great players, extremely tough to play against.

Of all the matches you’ve played in your life, what is the best one or two (or whatever) where you felt the best you ever felt on court? Where everything was working, the finest you’ve played?

It’s funny, I often dream about playing the perfect match. But of course that is impossible. Still, I’ve had some pretty good matches. Beating Sharapova 6-2, 6-1 in the semi-finals of the French Open was one of the best. Against Hingis in the Montreal final was also a great match for me. Then there was the match against Schnyder in Stuttgart a couple of months ago, when I won 6-0, 6-2.

Funny Tennis Memory (anything from tennis that made you laugh): My first ever match in front of a big crowd was an exhibition with Mansour Bahrami and Henri Leconte. Those guys are very funny. I was very nervous, because I was so inexperienced, but they were so funny that I was able to relax. They were all the time joking around. Novak Djokovic is also fun to play with – we played together in mixed doubles in Australia two years ago, and we also played a singles exhibition against each other a month or so before that. I was laughing a lot during all those matches.

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: I was playing a junior tournament in Canada some years ago. I was in the player lounge and they called my match. I wasn’t quite ready, so I was in a bit of a rush. I grabbed my bag and ran to the courts. When I got there I realised I had taken someone else’s racket bag! I ran back to the player lounge to return it and get mine. Luckily, whoever it was didn’t realize, but I was still very embarrassed.

Favorite Players to Watch: Roger Federer. He plays some amazing shots. He is always a joy to watch. I also love watching Novak and Janko Tipsarevic, because they are friends of mine who I grew up with.

Most stylish players – on court: I think Roger looks good on court. I always liked Agassi’s outfits too.

Most stylish players – off court: The guys don’t come to the player parties, so I can’t judge them!

If you weren’t a successful pro tennis player, what do you think you would be now?

It’s hard to say. Probably I would be doing something with languages. I love languages.

Last Vacation: After Wimbledon, in July, I went to Malta. It was great – quite isolated, just what I needed. I did very little, just reading and I went for some walks. It was very relaxing.

People Qualities Most Admired: I think it’s important to be driven, to have a goal. I like people who are caring and generous, and also those who have a good sense of humour.

And, last but not least, who was the very first famous tennis player you ever met or encountered (please share story)?

It was Venus Williams. I was playing the French Open juniors and I was with my friend Sanja Ancic, who was also playing. We were in the locker room and she saw Venus and thought it would be fun to have our photo taken with her. She was very nice to us. I still have the picture.

Christmas came early to the locker room of the Cleveland Cavaliers. When the team came back from morning practice one day in early December, everyone got a surprise – a custom-made pair of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones – the unmistakably cool “must have“ style and sound accessory made by Monster cable that’s turning the pop music, culture, fashion and sports worlds on their ears. Dr. Dre and LeBron James had the customized Beats in Cav colors made for each member of team.

Thanks to the emergence of the Apple iPod and other portable listening and digital solutions, music means something entirely different to people than it did ten years ago. Music is much more portable, so it can make a more intense emotional connection than ever before – and where and how you listen reflects on every aspect of your personal style, taste and outlook.

That’s where the appeal of Beats by Dr. Dre comes in. With their sculpted metal and soft-touch plastic frames and perfectly placed small-case ‘b’ on the sides, Beats can be seen all over MTV and beyond these days, sported by artists like Akon, Ludacris, Snoop Dog, Nelly, will.i.am, Fergie and many others. (In case you missed the nextto- last episode of Entourage, it was Beats that Turtle donned in the final scene to chill out on the jet and avoid Johnny Drama’s noisy questions. LeBron James, like many other athletes who take music practically as seriously as they do their sport and even use it as part of their pre-game routine to get in the zone, has been listening with Beats since last summer. In fact when he made the trip to the Beijing Olympics he traveled with a pair – and also presented pairs to each of his fellow Redeem team members.

the beats backstory

“Screw the sneakers, how about speakers?” That was Interscope Geffen A&M Records chairman Jimmy Iovine’s response to Dr. Dre one day several years ago when Dre called to say he was being asked to promote a footwear product. And that conversation is really what got the Beats ball rolling. Soon after, Jimmy and Dre joined forces with the audio experts at Monster, including “Head Monster” Noel Lee. All three men have lived their lives to the hilt with a passion for music. And while each has his own personal perspective and tastes, they all believe strongly that “sound matters” when it comes to recording and listening to music. Their common goal has always been to improve the listening experience and bring people closer to the music they love. All three were also frustrated by the inadequate sound of normal headphones, which just couldn’t deliver the full sounds of today’s digital audio tracks. They wanted to create a brand new type of headphone that would unleash the total sound of a music mix and kick the entire private listening experience up a notch. When producers like Dre record their music, they listen back in studio on high-performance loudspeakers and high-powered amps, and they create lush musical soundscapes with layers of high and low-frequency sound. This is the power and experience they wanted to re-create in their new headphones.

As Kevin Lee, The Little Monster, describes it: “Today’s music is recorded in digital high definition that precisely captures clear vocals, deep full bass, punchy drums, and the natural harmonics of each musical instrument. But despite highly advanced digital recording technology, most listeners never hear all the details captured in the recording studio.”

The incredible Beats sound was tuned and refined personally by Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine and Monster’s Noel Lee. The breakthrough headphones incorporate several new sonic technologies, including a new type of speaker driver, that have revolutionized the headphone world. With Beats you get unprecedented bass, dynamics and listening luxury, with a level of personal control that really adds flavor.

The Beats experience is all about getting up close and personal to the music you love – and of course looking great while doing it. So to engineer a product that looked and good as it sounded, the Monster “Dre team” brought in the talents of renowned industrial designer (and Apple design alumnus) Robert Brunner, who now runs San Francisco design firm Ammunition. With Brunner on board, the Beats design team was able to create a product that offered the ultimate in aesthetic form-meets-function. Wearing a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones literally tells the world that you care about quality music, and you don’t mind showing it off.

The Beats team has continued to refine and adapt the headphones style to different needs. They recently introduced Beats Tour headphones, which are smaller in-ear style phones that not only elevate the audio experience but offer another major hassleeliminating first: tangle-free cables. Kevin Lee worked on creating the tangle-free cords for ten years, based on the basic concept that Fettucine tangles less than spaghetti.

Never one to mince words, Dr. Dre summed up the Beats mission for the introduction of the new headphones: “When I’m making a track I’m trying to capture the sound that makes me go ‘now THAT’s the shit! And I want that reaction from everybody who hears it. I spend a lot of time in the studio listening to my music through headphones…with Beats, people are finally going to hear it the way they should: the way I do.”

more monster music moves

Many people think of Monster Cable just as the company that creates the world’s high-quality audio and video cables and other accessories, but in actuality, Noel Lee founded the company back in 1978 for one simple reason: he wanted to make music sound better. A former Livermore Labs engineer, Lee had quit his job a few years earlier to tour with his rock band, and was experimenting with a better type of cord to transmit music signals electronically. He unveiled his original “Monster Cable” speaker cables in 1979 and since then has continued to build his family company around a love for music and entertainment.

Monster has even branched out into the production realm with its own Monster Music label, which recently announced with Ludacris that a special DVD and Blu-ray Disc™ version of the artist’s new album “Theater of the Mind” will be released under the Monster Music® label. Like other Monster Music releases, the special “Theater of the Mind” version will be released on a Monster Music High Definition Surround (HDS) SuperDisc, and it will include mixes by Head Monster Noel Lee that will provide listeners with an elevated surround sound experience, designed to maximize the capabilities of 5.1 home theater systems and bring out all the excitement of great audio and great audio equipment. In addition to the elevated audio quality made possible by Monster HDS, the Monster Music releases of “Theater of the Mind” will feature video content in 1080p Full HD resolution for the finest high-definition video performance.

Whether it means teaming up with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine to create a better way to connect to music on-the-go, continuously developing better, more efficient cables for music and video distribution, working with top artists to bring fresh material to fans – or of course, creating special customized products for great athletes like LeBron and his teammates – Monster is a company that is rooted in music as a way of life.