diff --git a/public/images/just-a-skater.png b/public/images/just-a-skater.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81e2553
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/images/just-a-skater.png differ
diff --git a/src/components/Layout.tsx b/src/components/Layout.tsx
index 4c97a61..01f5cb8 100644
--- a/src/components/Layout.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Layout.tsx
@@ -329,7 +329,9 @@ function MobileNav({
     const active = isActive(tab.href);
     const isWallet = tab.id === 'wallet';
     const accent = isWallet ? 'text-orange-400' : 'text-[#ff0040]';
-    const dot = isWallet ? 'bg-orange-400' : 'bg-[#ff0040]';
+    const glow = isWallet
+      ? 'bg-orange-500/15 shadow-[0_0_16px_rgba(249,115,22,0.35)]'
+      : 'bg-[#ff0040]/15 shadow-[0_0_16px_rgba(255,0,64,0.35)]';
     return (
       <Link
         key={key}
@@ -342,26 +344,34 @@ function MobileNav({
           onCustomize();
         }}
         className={cn(
-          'relative flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-0.5 py-1.5 px-1 rounded-xl transition-all duration-150 flex-1 touch-manipulation active:scale-90',
+          'group relative flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1 py-1.5 px-1 flex-1 touch-manipulation active:scale-90 transition-transform duration-150',
           active ? accent : 'text-gray-500',
         )}
       >
-        {active && (
-          <span className={cn('absolute top-0 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 w-1 h-1 rounded-full', dot)} />
-        )}
-        {isWallet ? (
-          <div className="relative">
-            <Wallet className={cn('h-[22px] w-[22px] transition-transform', active && 'scale-110')} />
-            {cashuBalance > 0 && (
-              <span className="absolute -top-1.5 -right-2.5 min-w-[16px] h-4 px-1 text-[8px] font-bold bg-orange-500 text-white rounded-full flex items-center justify-center leading-none">
-                {formatSatsCompact(cashuBalance)}
-              </span>
-            )}
-          </div>
-        ) : (
-          <tab.icon className={cn('h-[22px] w-[22px] transition-transform', active && 'scale-110')} />
-        )}
-        <span className="text-[9px] xs:text-[10px] font-semibold leading-tight tracking-wide uppercase">
+        {/* Glowing pill behind the active icon */}
+        <span
+          className={cn(
+            'relative flex items-center justify-center h-9 w-12 rounded-2xl transition-all duration-300',
+            active ? glow : 'bg-transparent',
+          )}
+        >
+          {isWallet ? (
+            <>
+              <Wallet className={cn('h-[22px] w-[22px] transition-transform duration-300', active ? 'scale-110' : 'group-active:scale-95')} />
+              {cashuBalance > 0 && (
+                <span className="absolute -top-1 -right-1.5 min-w-[16px] h-4 px-1 text-[8px] font-bold bg-orange-500 text-white rounded-full flex items-center justify-center leading-none ring-2 ring-black">
+                  {formatSatsCompact(cashuBalance)}
+                </span>
+              )}
+            </>
+          ) : (
+            <tab.icon className={cn('h-[22px] w-[22px] transition-transform duration-300', active ? 'scale-110' : 'group-active:scale-95')} />
+          )}
+        </span>
+        <span className={cn(
+          'text-[9px] xs:text-[10px] leading-tight tracking-wide uppercase transition-all',
+          active ? 'font-extrabold' : 'font-semibold',
+        )}>
           {tab.labelKey ? t(tab.labelKey) : tab.label}
         </span>
       </Link>
@@ -370,12 +380,14 @@ function MobileNav({
 
   return (
     <nav className="fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 z-50 md:hidden">
+      {/* Top hairline glow — gives the bar a lifted, premium edge */}
+      <div className="h-px w-full bg-gradient-to-r from-transparent via-[#ff0040]/50 to-transparent" />
       {/* Nav bar */}
       <div
-        className="glass border-t border-white/10"
+        className="glass border-t border-white/10 bg-gradient-to-b from-black/70 to-black/95 backdrop-blur-xl"
         style={{ paddingBottom: 'env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px)', paddingLeft: 'env(safe-area-inset-left, 0px)', paddingRight: 'env(safe-area-inset-right, 0px)' }}
       >
-        <div className="flex items-stretch justify-around px-1 pt-1 pb-1">
+        <div className="flex items-stretch justify-around px-1.5 pt-1.5 pb-1">
           {/* FIXED: Map / Shops & Spots */}
           {renderTab(fixedMapTab, 'fixed-map')}
 
@@ -400,30 +412,37 @@ function MobileNav({
                   onCustomize();
                 }}
                 className={cn(
-                  'relative flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-0.5 py-1.5 px-1 rounded-xl transition-all duration-150 flex-1 touch-manipulation active:scale-90',
+                  'group relative flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1 py-1.5 px-1 flex-1 touch-manipulation active:scale-90 transition-transform duration-150',
                   tabActive ? 'text-[#ff0040]' : 'text-gray-500'
                 )}
               >
-                {tabActive && (
-                  <span className="absolute top-0 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 w-1 h-1 rounded-full bg-[#ff0040]" />
-                )}
-                {isLoggedIn && userPubkey ? (
-                  <div className="relative">
-                    <Avatar className={cn(
-                      'h-[22px] w-[22px] border-2 transition-transform',
-                      tabActive ? 'border-[#ff0040] scale-110' : 'border-gray-600'
-                    )}>
-                      <AvatarImage src={userAvatar} alt={userName} />
-                      <AvatarFallback className="bg-[#ff0040]/20 text-[#ff0040] text-[8px] font-bold">
-                        {(userName || '??').slice(0, 2).toUpperCase()}
-                      </AvatarFallback>
-                    </Avatar>
-                    <span className="absolute -bottom-0.5 -right-0.5 w-2 h-2 bg-green-500 border border-black rounded-full" />
-                  </div>
-                ) : (
-                  <User className="h-[22px] w-[22px]" />
-                )}
-                <span className="text-[9px] xs:text-[10px] font-semibold leading-tight tracking-wide uppercase">
+                <span
+                  className={cn(
+                    'relative flex items-center justify-center h-9 w-12 rounded-2xl transition-all duration-300',
+                    tabActive ? 'bg-[#ff0040]/15 shadow-[0_0_16px_rgba(255,0,64,0.35)]' : 'bg-transparent',
+                  )}
+                >
+                  {isLoggedIn && userPubkey ? (
+                    <div className="relative">
+                      <Avatar className={cn(
+                        'h-[24px] w-[24px] border-2 transition-transform duration-300',
+                        tabActive ? 'border-[#ff0040] scale-110' : 'border-gray-600 group-active:scale-95'
+                      )}>
+                        <AvatarImage src={userAvatar} alt={userName} />
+                        <AvatarFallback className="bg-[#ff0040]/20 text-[#ff0040] text-[8px] font-bold">
+                          {(userName || '??').slice(0, 2).toUpperCase()}
+                        </AvatarFallback>
+                      </Avatar>
+                      <span className="absolute -bottom-0.5 -right-0.5 w-2 h-2 bg-green-500 border border-black rounded-full" />
+                    </div>
+                  ) : (
+                    <User className={cn('h-[22px] w-[22px] transition-transform duration-300', tabActive ? 'scale-110' : 'group-active:scale-95')} />
+                  )}
+                </span>
+                <span className={cn(
+                  'text-[9px] xs:text-[10px] leading-tight tracking-wide uppercase transition-all',
+                  tabActive ? 'font-extrabold' : 'font-semibold',
+                )}>
                   {isLoggedIn ? 'Profile' : 'Log In'}
                 </span>
               </Link>
diff --git a/src/pages/LabPage.tsx b/src/pages/LabPage.tsx
index b5ff7be..43503a1 100644
--- a/src/pages/LabPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/LabPage.tsx
@@ -1297,20 +1297,39 @@ export default function LabPage() {
         {/* ── Skater directory cross-link ── */}
         <Link
           to="/skaters"
-          className="group flex items-center gap-3 rounded-2xl border border-white/10 bg-gradient-to-r from-[#ff0040]/10 via-black to-[#ccff00]/5 p-4 mb-5 hover:border-[#ff0040]/40 transition-all"
+          className="group relative flex items-stretch gap-0 rounded-2xl overflow-hidden border border-white/10 bg-gradient-to-r from-[#ff0040]/10 via-black to-[#ccff00]/5 mb-5 hover:border-[#ff0040]/50 transition-all duration-300 shadow-lg shadow-black/40 hover:shadow-[#ff0040]/10"
         >
-          <div className="flex-shrink-0 w-11 h-11 rounded-xl bg-[#ff0040]/15 flex items-center justify-center group-hover:bg-[#ff0040]/25 transition-colors">
-            <PersonStanding className="h-6 w-6 text-[#ff0040]" />
+          {/* Featured photo — framed with a neon edge, consistent with the app's look */}
+          <div className="relative flex-shrink-0 w-[104px] sm:w-[128px] overflow-hidden">
+            <img
+              src="/images/just-a-skater.png"
+              alt="Skater"
+              loading="lazy"
+              className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full object-cover object-center transition-transform duration-500 group-hover:scale-105"
+            />
+            {/* Fade the photo into the card body so it feels integrated, not pasted on */}
+            <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-gradient-to-r from-transparent via-transparent to-black" />
+            <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-gradient-to-t from-[#ff0040]/20 to-transparent mix-blend-screen" />
           </div>
-          <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
-            <p className="font-black uppercase text-sm leading-tight">
-              Just a <span className="text-[#ff0040]">skater</span>?
-            </p>
-            <p className="text-xs text-gray-400 mt-0.5">
-              The Lab is for services. Browse &amp; join the whole skater community
-            </p>
+
+          {/* Copy */}
+          <div className="relative min-w-0 flex-1 flex items-center gap-3 py-4 pr-4 pl-4">
+            <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+              <p className="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[10px] font-black uppercase tracking-widest text-[#ccff00] mb-1">
+                <PersonStanding className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                The Crew
+              </p>
+              <p className="font-black uppercase text-base leading-tight">
+                Just a <span className="text-[#ff0040]" style={{ textShadow: '0 0 12px rgba(255,0,64,0.6)' }}>skater</span>?
+              </p>
+              <p className="text-xs text-gray-400 mt-1 leading-snug">
+                The Lab's for services. Browse &amp; join the whole skater community &rarr;
+              </p>
+            </div>
+            <div className="flex-shrink-0 w-9 h-9 rounded-full bg-[#ff0040]/15 flex items-center justify-center group-hover:bg-[#ff0040]/30 transition-colors">
+              <ArrowRight className="h-5 w-5 text-[#ff0040] group-hover:translate-x-0.5 transition-transform" />
+            </div>
           </div>
-          <ArrowRight className="h-5 w-5 text-gray-500 group-hover:text-[#ff0040] group-hover:translate-x-0.5 transition-all flex-shrink-0" />
         </Link>
 
         {/* ── Sticky toolbar (tabs + search + location + filter button + active chips) ── */}