Letter From the Director

WHO IS A MOVER AND SHAKER?

A mover and shaker is someone who uses their life in a way that moves others to be more, to strive for more, to go against the grain. But this can manifest in a plethora of ways, from participating in activism to leading in an industry to simply trying one’s best each day to bring kindness into the lives of others.

Throughout this issue, you’ll read stories on every kind of mover and shaker — about local people using their passions to make a difference in the lives of others, to inspire and encourage others and to help others become better versions of themselves. Many of our articles even come from experts and doctors who are movers and shakers in their respective fields as well, and I encourage you to read their impressive bios as you move through the pieces.

From the cover story, you’ll learn about Joel Barish — an amazing individual who I got the honor of speaking to and learning about. He wears a lot of hats — helmets? — but each part of his life is devoted to making the lives of the Deaf community and the cycling community safer. He’s inspired so many people to travel the world, strive for more and view the world from a whole new perspective. He is a leader like no other.

Then there’s Brighton Zeuner,. She’s only just turned 17 years old, but she’s already a part of the movement to bring more women into the skateboarding world. As a member of the inaugural skateboarding competitions at the Tokyo Olympics, she’s inspiring young girls to see their own potential, too.

Plus, you’ll be introduced to Black Sheep Boxing, a new gym that’s working to make fitness a prime outlet for those in recovery from addiction through community and coaching; LeAnn Ishcomer, a local park ranger who’s making the green spaces more accessible; the iconic Cap10K, which is revving back up after the past years of bad luck; and so much more!

But even with all this, at the end, I hope you take a moment to reflect on the ways that you, too, are a mover and a shaker — on the lives you touch each day, on the amazing things you’ve overcome and on the person you’ve grown to be throughout your life. No matter what you do or who you are, you are making a difference in someone’s life. Moving and shaking isn’t restricted to just the famous or the most well-known, and I think we often forget that our little acts can have big ripples, too.

Keep Austin Fit,

Monica Hand

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT