Feelin' bubbly

Good morning Staker! Here’s what’s cookin’ today. A breakthrough for achy joints, decorators say enough already with the matchy matchy, and do you fancy a stay at a train station? 🚂

Let’s get into it!

Vita Coco was founded in 2004 by Mike Kirban and Ira Liran after they saw people drinking coconut water on beaches and in gyms in Brazil, and figured the market in North America was ripe, untapped, and massive.

They started out partnering with megastar athletes Alex Rodrigues and Marshawn Lynch, and became the go-to for athletes.

After several years it became clear consumers were using it for many reasons beyond just hydration in athletics. People were nursing hangovers with it, ironically just hours after mixing it in with their cocktails. On top of that, they found people putting it in their smoothies or mixing it with protein shakes.

The brand exploded in popularity, particularly during the 2020s as consumers became obsessed with wellness. Vita Coco booked $310 million in revenue in 2020, and in 2024 was pulling in $516 million.

On its way to ten figures a year, Kirban says sales in the sports and hydration category are accelerating. While Vita Coco has well over half the market share of North America’s coconut water space, it’s taking an increasingly bigger piece of the hydration space as well, traditionally dominated by Gatorade and BodyArmor.

One of the most common chronic conditions associated with aging is osteoarthritis. It’s also one of the most chronically painful conditions, and according to a new study conducted on mice, it may be possible to reverse one of the key contributors to cartilage degeneration.

The Stanford researchers discovered the protein 15-PDGH increases with age. This protein is known to negatively affect tissue repair and inflammation regulation, making it at least partly responsible for cartilage breakdown and the resulting pain and stiffness in the joints.

They tested a 15-PDGH inhibitor on older mice with cartilage degeneration in their knees, and noticed the cartilage not only stopped degrading, but grew thicker and stronger. In younger mice, the inhibitor prevented the symptoms of arthritis from developing in the first place.

"This is a new way of regenerating adult tissue, and it has significant clinical promise for treating arthritis due to aging or injury," said Helen Blau, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology.

Interior designers are pretty unanimous on what they want changed in home decor this year. For starters, not everything always has to match.

“We don’t believe in matching,” said interior designer Tavia Forbes in an interview with The Spruce. “Matching is safe; it’s flat. We’re interested in tension—mixing metals, styles, eras.”

She noted a situation in which a client wanted every metal surface brushed with gold, and instead convinced them to mix it with matte black.

“The gold ended up shining even more because of the contrast. That’s what we love—when the mix feels intentional but effortless, like it’s evolved over time.”

Lots of people like a good pair of black leather sofas. What about pairing one with red leather, adding color to the room and presenting a little character rather than just a monolith? This somewhat leads into the next trend Forbes wants gone: choosing function over form.

“Beauty is a kind of function,” Forbes explains. “The way a room makes you feel—calm, inspired, grounded—matters just as much as where the outlets go. People move differently in a space that reflects who they are.”

The Forge Valley Line in Northern Yorkshire, England was built in 1882 and its last passenger-train ran on June 3, 1950.

The wayside architecture of William Bell was built into the heart and soul of line’s Ebbertson Station, which closed when the line went out of business, and was used as a private home until 1996.

That year, Carol and Mark Benson—just a regular couple of train lovers—bought the station, and have spent the last three decades renovating and turning it into a lodge.

Three former first class train cars converted into living spaces are now available for booking, along with the ticket office—which itself has been converted into a cottage.

Now referred to as The Old Station, the Bensons live on the hallowed grounds of their 30-years-in-the-making historic project. They stay in the old stationmaster’s quarters, which of course they’ve also renovated to make more homey.

“We always had the idea of running a business that would enable me to continue working full time as a quantity surveyor until I could retire,” said Mark. “Carol also didn’t want to return to working at a school as a nurse, so it worked out well.”

Dreams are out there waiting to come true. All aboard!

A dancing machine

Get ready to make some moves, Staker because in today’s trivia we’re quizzin’ you about dancing songs🕺

Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 eGift Card ;)

Winner will be notified on Friday afternoon. Keep an eye on your inbox and don’t forget to check your spam folder!*