(FORTUNE Magazine) – This is not a normal issue of FORTUNE. Normal issues are full of stories about the economy, markets, corporate strategy, and business leaders getting it right or wrong. This special issue is all about getting the most out of your life as a businessperson. It's full of stories on health, great ways to reward yourself (hot cars, the latest gadgets, cool gear), and what top execs do for fun--and it features an inside look at a man who arguably does a better job than anyone else of mixing business, pleasure, and family: Virgin Group founder and CEO Richard Branson.

To produce this special issue, we reached outside to the extraordinary woman pictured below, Time Inc. development editor Susan Casey. An award-winning editor, designer, and writer, Susan approaches the Magazine Life just the way we imagine the Business Life is lived--with enormous energy, creativity, and a sense of humor. "In my idealized life I'd spend every day heli-skiing, open-water swimming, and motorcycle racing," she says. "What I do every day in real life is come to work." Yes, like senior writer Betsy Morris (above), who interrupted a family vacation to hang out with Branson and report the cover story, Susan is a bit of a workaholic. (She celebrated her birthday at the office the night this issue closed.) But I hope that just shows you how serious we at FORTUNE are about fun. Enjoy.

Rik Kirkland MANAGING EDITOR