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LEAVING A
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Felipe Navarrete and Luis Rodriguez Lake Nona Wave Hotel Unveils World-Class Sculpture Garden
WELCOME
N ONA
LETTER FROM THE
PUBLISHER
L AK E N O N A S OC I AL M AGAZ INE
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7
A publication of LAKE NONA SOCIAL
Publisher Omar Hickman Graphic Design Renée Blair Blair Creative Group, Inc. Contributing Writers Amado J. Bobadilla Katherine Foote Denee Hickman Emily Murphy Photography Jack Goras Denee Hickman
ADVERTISING Shy Guthala 321.514.3069 Shy@lakenonasocial.com
Nona Magazine is published by Lake Nona Social. The publisher disclaims all liability for any and all advertisements, promotions, articles, and other affiliated content contained within this publication. The opinions of the authors are those alone. We do not accept any liability for information or advice provided by any advertiser, sponsor, or associated business provided in this magazine. ©2022 Lake Nona Social. All Rights Reserved.
DENEE HICKMAN
LakeNonaSocial.com
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This issue is dedicated to residents who love our community and the businesses we share it with! We’ve added many layers that make this issue special, such as insight into dating in Lake Nona from a resident's point of view, home decor inspired by life in Lake Nona from another talented local, along with restaurant updates and fun things to do. Check out the events calendar to see what’s coming up and stay in the loop! Omar Hickman Publisher
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Felip and Luise RNavarrete odriguez Lake Nona Unveils WWave Hotel or Sculptureld-Class Garden
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CONTENTS
4 1
Welcome
HOT TOPICS 4
Lake Nona Wave Hotel Must-See Destination for Art Lovers
Rob/Lindsay Design Latest home project
8 ON THE COVER
14 Financial Team Invests for Clients' Future Cover Story
By Amado J. Bobadilla
Local activites for adventurous couples
HOME & GARDEN 8
PEOPLE OF LAKE NONA
Date Spots in Lake Nona By Katherine Foote
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ON THE SCENE 16 OneMed Ribbon Cutting 17
Brunch with Snow
18 Taste of Bravo 19 JEFRЁ Exhibit 20 Things to Do
Calendar of Events
NONA EATS
Felipe Navarrete and Luis Rodriguez, owners of Northwestern Mutual, Lake Nona office. Photo: Jack Goras
10 Azteca D'Oro
Highlights from the Lake Nona grand opening By Denee Hickman
HEALTH & WELLNESS 12
4
How Focusing on Hormone Balance Leads to Weight Loss Exercise and nutrition tips By Emily Murphy
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OrlandoHealth.com
HOT TOPICS | DATE SPOTS
LAKE NONA
DATE SPOTS
IN LAKE NONA FOR ACTIVE COUPLES
BY KATHERINE FOOTE
Lake Nona Performance Club
L
iving in Lake Nona, I love finding new, active things to do with my better half around our community. Now that the beautiful Florida winter weather is here, I thought it'd be the perfect time to share some of my favorite date ideas for all of the adventurous and active couples in Lake Nona. Ready, set, let's go!
Bring Your Date to Drive Shack
Get Active at Lake Nona Performance Center
You probably read all about the brand-new Lake Nona Performance Center in the last issue of Lake Nona Magazine. But what you may not have thought about is how you can plan an energetic date with all of the incredible amenities at this facility. Whether you and your better half want to try a spin class, practice your free throw or hit the
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Drive Shack
weight rack, there are plenty of options for you to try. Pro tip: check out the rock climbing wall for something new! Or head over to the indoor pools and challenge each other to swimming laps.
Make a Splash at Nona Adventure Park
One of my boyfriend and I's favorite spots in Lake Nona is the Nona Adventure Park. While I'm not a wakeboard-
LAKE NONA PERFORMANCE CLUB (TOP); DRIVE SHACK (BOTTOM)
Growing up across a beautiful golf course in Maryland, I always wanted to learn how to golf. I was SO excited when Drive Shack came to Lake Nona because it's the perfect spot for beginners and pros! For an active date night, it's a great way to get your heart rate up while practicing your stroke and playing all sorts of fun games with your significant other. Our top picks for the games you can play at Drive Shack? Darts and Black Jack are both a lot of fun, especially for golfing beginners like us.
Veg'n Out
Splashes Bistro, Nona Adventure Park
er myself, I love watching Chase hit the water to try new tricks, and I bring my camera to capture the moment. Plus, there are plenty of options for me as someone who loves to stay active but is not necessarily ready to wakeboard. Whether you like to paddleboard, rope climb, or are feeling up to the challenge of the water obstacle course, there are plenty of activities to keep your heart rate up! Whatever route you choose, finish your active day with bites from Splashes Bistro right at the Adventure Park.
Head to the Beach
While this isn't quite in Lake Nona, one of the biggest perks about living here is the easy drive to the coast to spend time at the beach. With plenty of great options nearby, our favorite spots are in South Cocoa Beach, Playalinda Beach and New Smyrna Beach. For an active date idea, plan a picnic at the beach! Pick up a to-go charcuterie board from Chroma, take a long walk by the ocean, swim, and enjoy.
COURTESY KATHERINE FOOTE
Hit the Local Trails
If you're like us, we love exploring the beautiful nature that Florida has to offer. With a few trail options right in our backyard, you can start your date with a long and scenic nature walk. In Laureate Park, you'll find the Nature Trailhead in Phase 10 of the neighborhood. This trail takes you through a wooded landscape with beautiful views. Our favorite time to walk this trail is either first thing in the morning or just before sunset; the colors through the trees are amazing. Whenever you choose to hit the trails around Lake Nona, we recommend grabbing a post-walk smoothie from Veg'n Out or Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
ange Theory Fitness. It's never a bad idea to challenge your better half to a little friendly competition! Whatever active date idea you choose, be sure to tag @lakenonasocial and let me know on my personal Instagram @katherine_foote your active date ideas around Lake Nona. l Follow Katherine's Blog, Creatively Katherine: www.creativelykatherine.com and on Instagram: @katherine_foote
There are so many great ways to stay active within our amazing community. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Sweat Saturday events at Boxi Park too! With alternating hosts, you can enjoy an outdoor spin class with Rukus Cycling Studio or a high-intensity workout with Or-
LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE
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HOT TOPICS | WAVE HOTEL
LAKE NONA WAVE HOTEL
Faith by JEFRË
UNVEILS 50,000 SQUARE-FOOT, WORLD-CLASS SCULPTURE GARDEN
Lake Nona Becomes a Must-See Destination for Art Lovers With Sculptures from One of the Largest Private Art Collections in the World and New Hotel with 500 Artworks
A 50,000 square-foot Lake Nona Sculpture Garden debuts as an enchanting tropical enclave brimming with lush landscaping and a definitive collection of eight world-renowned sculptures, including one of the most recognized sculptures in the world, the iconic Charging Bull by Arturo di Modica, to create an outdoor art gallery. Together with the opening of Lake Nona Wave Hotel, set to become one of the most impressive experiential hotels in the nation with over 500 pieces of art, the destination will rival the country’s leading art meccas.
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LAKE NONA SCULPTURE GARDEN
At the foothills of the newly opened Lake Nona Wave Hotel, the Sculpture Garden is an outdoor space designed for the exploration and discovery of a distinguished selection of sculptures from one of the world’s largest private art collections, The Lewis Collection. An inviting canopy of verdant palms and fragrant flowers surround meandering walking paths through the garden’s collection of eight sculptures such as the legendary bronze Charging Bull by Arturo di Modica, one of the greatest sculptors of the modern era; Mother and Child and Upright Motive by Henry Moore, best known for his enormous bronze masterpieces; Leda and the Swan by Fernando Botero, Postmodern Man by Eric Goulder, Jeté II by Enzo Plazzotta and Cloister Conspiracy and The Don by Philip Jackson. The exhibit also features four pieces
COURTESY TAVISTOCK
L
ake Nona is truly becoming a thriving destination attracting creatives and artists from around the world. Now, adding to the richness of its public art program, the destination is unveiling its newest and most esteemed project to date.
Charging Bill by Arturo di Modica
Jeté II by Enzo Plazzotta
by local internationally acclaimed artist JEFRË, including Faith, Empowerment, Time and Passion that were recently featured in his applauded show at the Orlando Museum of Art. “Lake Nona Sculpture Garden is a place ripe for discovery,” said Lake Nona Director of Landscape Architecture Jeff Thompson. “From the variety of Florida-grown palms to the selection of plants and flowers, everything is designed to showcase the artwork. The landscaping has been meticulously planned so guests can discover the sculptures as they walk through the garden. You never know what’s behind the next tree or flower bed.”
COURTESY TAVISTOCK
In addition to palms, the garden features climbing vines, fragrant shrubs including ylang-ylang, gardenia, and night-blooming jasmine that will rotate seasonally. As the sun sets, the garden comes to life with a coordinated orchestra of multi-hued lighting elements and special night-blooming flowers. “We see this space as an extension of the hotel — an outdoor living room,” said Lake Nona Wave Hotel General Manager Suzie Yang. “It’s a truly one-of-a-kind location for weddings, special events, and so much more. Just like the other iconic art installations in Lake Nona, we can’t wait to see the Sculpture Garden become a backdrop for guests celebrating life’s milestones. l Passion by JEFRË
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HOME & GARDEN | ROB/LINDSAY DESIGN
NEW YEAR OF DESIGN
R
LATEST PROJECT:
For this client, we sought to display their bold collection of art while maintaining a timeless yet cozy aesthetic. Our goal was to blur the lines between what one sees in a museum and what one feels at home. We achieved this through the clever use of stylish furnishings and the innovative use of form, color, and texture, which dramatically transformed their space. l
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COURTESY ROB/LINDSAY DESIGN
ob / Lindsay Design is a design team based in Orlando, FL, specializing in bringing each client's space to life through exceptional service and inspiring design. Their philosophy is to create inviting, livable and versatile spaces that reflect each client's personality. Rob & Lindsay met while traveling the world as performers and bonded over their passion for beautiful, unique spaces. Their work often incorporates details of travel, adventure, and whimsy.
COURTESY ROB/LINDSAY DESIGN
Rob / Lindsay Design roblindsaydesign@gmail.com www.roblindsaydesign.com Follow on Instagram: @roblindsaydesign
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NONA EATS | AZTECA D'ORO
AZTECA D'ORO RESTAURANT BY DENEE HICKMAN
A
zteca D'Oro Restaurant in Lake Nona recently celebrated its grand opening. Upon walking into this lively atmosphere and being greeted with warm smiles upon arrival. With their authentic Mexican flavor, they offer a range of traditional dishes such as ceviche, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and there is something for the vegetarians too. They also provide a full bar and have specialty drinks, including margaritas, rum cocktails, and mezcal cocktails. Given the choice of hot or cold, the coctel de camarones was served hot in a tall wine glass with shrimp draped down the side and a diced avocado. When ordering a margarita, there is an option of on the rocks or frozen. The mango and passionfruit margaritas were the perfect beverage to compliment the coctel de camarones.
DENEE HICKMAN
Azteca is a must-try! l
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HEALTH & WELLNESS | HORMONE BALANCE
How Focusing on Hormone Balance Leads to Weight Loss BY EMILY MURPHY FUNCTIONAL NUTRITIONIST, WEIGHT LOSS EXPERT AND HORMONE SPECIALIST
I
talk to a lot of women who are having a hard time finding the UMPH to get up and get after it like they used to and wondering why they are lacking motivation along with other symptoms like feeling constantly fatigued but unable to sleep well, no sex drive, bloating, being irritable and anxious, muscle weakness and shortness of breath during non-exercise activities.
So here are some real-life tips that you can start to implement to get back on track: 1.
Get enough protein and healthy fats. Most women are eating less than half of their protein needs and eat diets very low in healthy fats, which are crucial to balancing blood sugar and having more energy.
2.
Go for a light 15-30 minute walk every day. You may not think it is enough, but studies are showing the immense benefits of walking and weight loss, particularly because it lowers stress levels and blood sugar.
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3.
Your bed is for two things: sex and sleep. I know unwinding with a couple of hours of Netflix or social media at the end of the night is the norm, along with less than 6 hours of sleep and never feeling "in the mood." Without sleep, our bodies can't naturally reset, our blood sugar stays high, never allowing us to burn fat, and we can't manage stress as well. Creating habits like keeping screen time out of the bedroom can dramatically improve your hormone balance and your love life. l
Emily Murphy Functional Nutritionist, Weight loss Expert and Hormone Specialist www.resetwithemily.com
SHUTTERSTOCK (TOP); COURTESY OF EMILY MURPHY (BOTTOM)
Beating yourself up about not being able to get up early and hit the gym before work isn't the answer. Getting back to hormone balance is. But the typical "get in shape starter pack" usually consists of less food and more exercise, which is the exact opposite of what your body is telling you it needs right now.
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PEOPLE OF LAKE NONA | COVER STORY
LEAVING A
LEGACY
FINANCIAL TEAM INVESTS FOR CLIENTS’ FUTURE BY AMADO J. BOBADILLA
The duo applies that same driving, uncompromising aplomb to developing financial strategies for their clients. The two have served the financial planning and investment needs of a wide variety of clients since 2013 in downtown Orlando. In June 2020, amid the pandemic, they opened a Lake Nona office. It was the perfect fit for two uncompro-
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mising professionals searching for their niche. “Lake Nona is a young, innovative, entrepreneurial community,” Navarrete says. “We’re both career-minded entrepreneurs. We’re young, we’re married, we have kids. We know what Lake Nona is all about. Living here makes me feel like I’m part of a movement; like I’m making the world a better place. It’s a very innovative little city here and everyone is looking for growth.” “It’s a city looking and moving toward the future, and that’s what our company is all about: preparing the next generation,” Rodriguez adds.
DENEE HICKMAN
F
elipe Navarrete and Luis Rodriguez have long been competitive. In fact, they met at a friend’s birthday party trying to one-up each other at ping pong and cornhole. In their intense—albeit good-natured— jockeying for ascendency that day, a friendship formed that has gone on to pay great dividends for them.
The duo’s approach to financial planning and investing is just as innovative and creative as the community they serve. “All financial planning firms carry similar product offerings,” Navarrete says. “Many financial advisors often focus on what products they can sell you. We are concerned with deeper areas of your financial goals, ‘such as how we can plan to save for your family over the next 20-30 years or planning for something happening to your business partner and what comes next for the business.” When Navarrete and Rodriguez first meet with a new client, they say they don’t even talk about product offerings. They make it a priority to try to understand what their clients’ position is financially, considering what their balance sheet looks like and what it should look like in 10 years to reach their goals. “What sets us apart is who we are,” Navarrete says, adding that he and Rodriguez are entrepreneurs themselves and not just financial advisors. “We’re younger, and we own our own businesses. We’re building a coffee shop down the street, we own a transportation network of trucks and we have apps for sale in the app store. We’re consistently investing outside our present scope and looking to grow into new areas of business so we can better relate to our clients and understand how their businesses work.” The two work closely with their client’s CPAs to develop effective fiscal strategies. They also work closely with estate planning attorneys for the most effective game plan for their clients’ financial future. “Our typical client is in their 30s and married with kids,” Navarrete says. “If something happens to them, their kids will need financial stability. Even with life insurance as part of your plan, you still may need to set up a will and a trust in order for it all to function properly.” Another arm of the business helps professional athletes manage their earnings, a discipline well suited to Luis Rodriguez,
who played for the New York Mets from 2004 to 2006. After a shoulder injury forced his retirement, he moved to Central Florida, acquired a degree in sports management and became an agent. Under the banner of R&S Sports, he represented professional baseball players. He then met Navarrete and came to understand the game plan offered by Northwestern Mutual. At 33, he says, through Navarrete’s coaching, his eyes were opened to what was fiscally possible. The two added a business partnership to their already fast friendship, and, today, he counsels professional athletes, helping them make the most of their assets while at the peak of their earning potential. “My focus is educating professional athletes in the Spanish community the same way Felipe educated me,” Rodriguez says. “I have friends and clients who, like me, came from nothing into a lot of money. Because of a lack of planning, I’ve also seen these same people lose most of their money. Athletes need someone they can trust, who understands where they are, who can guide them where they need to go when they retire.” His clients include professional baseball, soccer and basketball players for whom he works tirelessly to build a legacy for them and their families., “I once heard a speaker ask a crowd, ‘how many of you can name at least two or three of your great-great-grandparents?” Navarrete says. “That got me thinking about leaving a legacy and that’s what we want to build for our clients.” l
1000 Legion Place, Suite 1400 Orlando, FL 32801 407. 440.6008 Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Felipe Andres Navarrete and Luis G Rodriguez are Insurance Agents of NM. Investment brokerage services provided as a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), a subsidiary of NM, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and member FINRA (www.finra.org) and SIPC (www.sipc.org)
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ON THE SCENE
DENEE HICKMAN
ONEMED RIBBON CUTTING
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ON THE SCENE
DENEE HICKMAN
BRUNCH WITH SNOW
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ON THE SCENE
DENEE HICKMAN
TASTE OF BRAVO
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ON THE SCENE
DENEE HICKMAN
JEFRЁ EXHIBIT
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ON THE SCENE | THINGS TO DO LUNAR: ASIAN FOOD + CULTURE FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29th 12 P.M.–4 P.M. Nona Adventure Park 14086 Centerline Drive • Orlando Join us to celebrate the Year of the Tiger! Lion dancing, music, a traditional cultural gown fashion show, great Asian food, kung fu performers and lots more! Come and bring your family! It is a kid-friendly event all day! We will have different activities for our youngest, and performances for all. We will see performances representing many Asian countries and taste Asian food from businesses around the city. Children 5 and under are free. Lion Dancing • Chinese Drumming • 7+ Food Stations • Photos w/ Mulan • Kids Crafts Wah Lum Kung Fu • Tai Chi Demo • Music & More • www.lunarlakenona.com
BALANCE: HEALTH + WELLNESS FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12th Nona Adventure Park 14086 Centerline Drive • Orlando
This one-day event will connect you with an array of health and wellness vendors showcasing incredible products, services, and food. You will also be encouraged to participate in interactive workshops aimed at helping you achieve an outstanding balance for your health and wellness.
COMING SOON:
Let BALANCE be your one-stop-shop for gaining knowledge on staying true to your New Years' resolutions and becoming the best you mentally, physically, and spiritually.
ON THE BAYOU: TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26th More details to come…
LUAU LAKE NONA
SATURDAY, MARCH 12th • 12–4 P.M. Nona Adventure Park Unique Polynesian Experience featuring Fire & Hula Dancers, Tiki Bar, Pig Roast & Food Trucks, Live Music, and more. Nona Adventure Park will have 50% off Aqua Park activities.
FESTIVAL OF COLORS
SATURDAY, MARCH 19th More details to come…
>> For more information and/or to register for events, visit: lakenonasocial.com/news/things-to-do 20 N O N A M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 2 • I S S U E 7
Networking Events
Join us for the next Medical City Mixer at Drive Shack Lake Nona and connect, learn, golf and network with Lake Nona Healthcare, Wellness, and Business professionals and industry authorities from across the city. Want to make new connections, create partnerships, explore collaborations, nd a new job or look for new employees ... maybe you just want to have a nice conversation with some like-minded adults - come join us!
www.MedcialCityMixer.com
