STYLE WEST MICHIGAN
Contributors PEOPLE
PLACES
PUBLISHER DeVries Jewelers
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dawn Pick Benson, GlobeStory
David Chandler Photography
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jim Hossler, Hossler Creative
STYLE CONSULTANT Chris Koens
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Koens Micah Crittenden
GlobeStory Dawn Pick Benson is the owner of GlobeStory, a content marketing consultancy dedicated to helping others lead and market with cultural intelligence. With GlobeStory, companies and organizations can eliminate the guesswork and communicate across cultures—with confidence.
David Chandler is a professional photographer based in Grand Rapids. He is results-driven and passionate about delivering creative, original and timeless photography to his clients.
Downtown Market downtownmarketgr.com
davidchandlerphoto.com
globestorymarketing.com
Brindle & Blonde brindleandblonde.com
Hossler Creative
Kelly Braman Photography ON THE COVER: Michelle Staal photographed by David Chandler at The Grand Rapids Downtown Market
West Michigan Style magazine is dedicated to showcasing West Michigan businesses and utilizing local talent. View our behind-the-scenes videos and additional photos on our Facebook page or at westmichiganstyle.com.
Kelly Braman Photography’s unique, vintage-modern style has quickly made her one of Grand Rapids’ most desired wedding photographers. Her experience and unique style have led to work throughout the state and beyond working with stylish families and commercial and magazine shoots. kellybramanphotography.com
Content, design and production specialist Jim Hossler creates multiplatform marketing and advertising campaigns with direction for publications, video and photo shoots. hosslercreative.com
Gazelle Sports gazellesports.com
Chris Koens With a degree in visual communications and a background that includes both managing fashion retail and working in fashion marketing, Chris Koens brings a unique design perspective to his contributions to West Michigan Style. @chriskoens
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Publisher’s Note |
From
DeVries
Spring is upon us, and in West Michigan, that means it’s time to get out and enjoy it. After a long winter, we’re all ready to explore our communities, soak up the sun and savor everything warmer weather brings our way. That’s why we decided to focus this issue of West Michigan Style on fitness. And we think the perfect place to start is with Michelle Staal’s inspirational story. Her tenacity in the midst of challenges and her dedication to encouraging community members to stay active is infectious—she’s inspired us; we hope she does you as well. We’re also featuring the newly created Gazelle Sports Foundation. The foundation’s dream is to make Michigan one of the healthiest states in the nation. Its hope is to help break down barriers to fitness by focusing on funding projects that encourage fitness-centered activities and programs among lower-income and at-risk community members. In addition to our feature stories, we’re also offering practical advice for getting fit this season. In Trends, we’re including our picks for 7 of our favorite fitness apps. And don’t miss Wish List, where we’re offering suggestions for our favorite jewelry items to add to your “spring bling” collection this season. As you peruse this issue, if you notice any must-have items for the season, be sure to visit our Where to Buy page. It includes prices and locations for finding all of your favorite items featured in this issue. We hope this issue does one thing for you: inspires you to get out and get active this season, enjoy time with friends and family, and soak in all the gorgeous sights and sounds of this amazing home we all call West Michigan. Here’s to the best spring and summer yet, Dan & Dave DeVries
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CONTENTS Spring / Summer 2016
4 | Trends Our 7 favorite fitness apps
5 | Ideas Gift ideas for any fitness lifestyle
6 | Strides of Strength Michelle Staal: Inspiring West Michigan to get out and get active
12 | Foundational Fitness Gazelle Sports Foundation
18 | Where to Buy An at-a-glance list of where you'll find items showcased in this issue.
19 | Wish List Our picks for exquisite spring/ summer gifts.
20 | Designer Spotlight Sholdt Design
facebook.com/WMStyleMagazine WestMichiganStyle.com
Page 6 Michelle Staal on a mission.
STYLE WEST MICHIGAN
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Trends | What's hot this season
FITNESS TECHNOLOGY We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite apps, but there are thousands of options so you’re bound to find one that works for you.
When it comes right down to it, maintaining an active lifestyle can be difficult — especially when you try to go it alone. Well, thanks to the pocket-sized technology we all carry with us every day, staying connected and motivated is easier than ever. Today, mobile apps
MyFitnessPal - calorie counter and diet tracker. Lose weight by tracking your caloric intake quickly and easily.
RunKeeper - track your runs; see your location
can connect you to a cacophony of cheerleaders, trainers, gym rats, cardio bunnies, or like-minded exerphiles. Whatever your current fitness level or goals, there’s an app for you. Pocket Yoga - your personal yogi right in your
on a map. Integrates with
pocket. With Pocket Yoga
fitness tracking devices
you can keep up with your
(Pebble, Fitbit, etc).
practice at your own pace.
ToneItUp - daily motivation; connect with community and share workouts, recipes, photos.
Evernote - collect and share recipes, workouts, and more - from most any website - with Evernote’s virtual notebooks.
Meditation Studio guided meditations to
HealthKit - The Health app gives you an easy-to-
help declutter your mind
read dashboard of your
and improve your health.
health and fitness data.
“I’m a huge fan of incorporating fitness apps into my clients’ programs. Apps give an immediate sense of accountability by tracking their workouts or logging their meals. Recently, I had a client reach her goal weight - her lowest weight in nearly 30 years - she said it was because we used apps to track her daily food and drink. Amazing.” Kimberly Olson, PhD, CNC, CPT www.FitKim.com
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Alpina Women's Horological Smart Watch DeVries Jewelers
Some inspiration for your list
GIFTS
A CTIVE {LIFE}STYLE FOR ANY
We’re not judging, it’s okay if your only marathon is your daily coffee run, or the only lifting your biceps get is the 20-pound computer bag you carry throughout your boring commute. But we all have those people in our lives who do so much more than that—or plan to do so much more than that —and finding a perfect gift for those
| Ideas
BEGINNER Saucony Compression Socks - a beginning runner will never look back after you introduce them to the difference a great pair of socks can make - bonus: Saucony is a subsidiary of West Michiganbased Wolverine World Wide. [www.saucony.com] Shefit® Ultimate Sports Bra - the girls in your life will thank you for supporting their active lifestyle - bonus: this company is based in West Michigan. [www.shefit.com] Goodbyn® Hero - perfect to help a beginner practice healthy meal planning. The Hero is a 3-compartment meal container offering style and flexibility for taking a healthy daily meal to their workplace. [www.goodbyn.com]
people can be an exercise all its own.
WEEKEND WARRIOR One thing perfect for any activity level is a massage! Mandy Hoover, LMT holistic health practitioner at Wright Chiropractic, says an afteractive massage “typically consists of stretching and lymphatic drainage, and helps release lactic acid.” She adds, “I like to incorporate peppermint oil to help with achy muscles - it feels great and gives a nice, cooling effect.” Wright Chiropractic at www.wrightchirogr.com
Plantronics® BackBeat FIT cordless headphones are some of the best wireless sports headphones for the best workout playlists. [www.plantronics.com] BluePrint™ Invigoration Cleanse™ this cleanse can be delivered right to the door and offers the perfect balance for those looking to try a cleanse without giving up too many daily indulgences. Help take an active lifestyle to the next level with a personal trainer. Fitness Together® offers a Jump Start 3-session, one-on-one private training plan. [www.fitnesstogether.com/grandrapids]
Don’t forget, regardless of their active lifestyle level, sometimes it’s nice to splurge - think about giving them a tennis bracelet instead of a tennis racket.
Lafonn's Lassaire Simulated Diamond Tennis Bracelet DeVries Jewelers
HARD-CORE FITNESS BUFF Pay for a month of their gym membership - or ask about other options such as upgrading their plan or putting a credit on their account at the facility’s on-site juice bar. Pebble Time Round - a smartwatch as beautiful as it is functional; technology is not proprietary so it integrates with most mobile phones. [www.pebble.com] Help them explore something new and get them a membership for a local Boot Camp. In the Grand Rapids area, try 8th Day Gym, they have great workouts and an incredible community.
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F
or Grand Rapids native
her kidneys. The disease has undoubtedly
and avid runner Michelle
made everything a bit more complicated
Staal, you’d think running
for Staal—running included—due to
comes naturally. But the
its effects on sensation in her fingers
community outreach
and feet. But Staal’s perseverance is a
training program
testament to her spirit: “It was hard
Thinking of getting more active this summer?
4
TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED
coordinator at Gazelle Sports is also the
to come back and keep running and
Joining a running group can be scary,
first to admit running is just plain hard—
encouraging others … but that is what I
but just do it!
no matter how you slice it.
do, and that’s what I did.”
There are plenty of local running groups
"Everyone has a challenge, and we all have good days and bad days. You just can't let the bad days stop you."
drudgery. The hardest part is making the
informational meeting wide-eyed and
Although her running time is a little
reminder of how strong you really are.
nervous: “They’ve never done anything
different now and her place among the
like this before, and they’re often scared
pack a bit altered, Staal’s smile and
to death.” She says that most don’t know
attitude is unhampered as she focuses on
anyone coming into the meeting, but she
running and pushing others toward their
enjoys watching as they fall in love with
goals. “Running is hard for everyone.
running and their fellow runners.
Everyone has a challenge, and we all have
not how long you run, but that you finish
good days and bad days. You just can’t let
that’s most important.
“It’s hard, and it’s always been hard,” says Staal, who started off as a walker and only began running in her 30s. She trained for her first 5K with a running buddy and never thought she’d be able to do it, but she found support in the community around her and fell in love with them as a result. Staal explains how she often sees new runners come to an
“We have an amazing, supportive
to join that make running more than just decision to join. But the reality is you will find people just like you here and team leaders ready to guide you through the process. Not every run will be a great run If someone tells you every run is a great run, they’re lying! Many runs will be hard and ugly, but they are all worth it—a
Mileage doesn’t matter Don’t get caught up in thinking you have to go for gold every time. Life brings everyone curveballs, so don’t be afraid to adjust your goals as life happens. It’s
the bad days stop you.” Don’t set out to win the race, but to
community, and we want everyone to be successful,” says Staal. “So many in
Running, in Staal’s eyes, is much like
finish it—with a smile
our running groups have found people
life: there are times when you run full
Running is really a race with ourselves.
they didn’t even know they needed in
out, and there are times when you need
their lives at the time.” Staal shares how
to slow down a bit and add intervals of
she’s watched them build relationships
walking or resting in order to recharge.
and form unbelievable bonds through
But in the end, what really matters is
Visit gazellesports.com to learn more
tragedies and heartbreak, but also in
finishing the race with a smile. //
about their training programs.
triumph and joy. “These are amazing people with incredible stories who come together over running. It’s really the people you run with who are the reason you show up.” And it’s these same runners who Staal says have served as her inspiration while dealing with a 2013 diagnosis of lupus, an inflammatory disease in which the immune system begins attacking its own tissues. In Michelle's case, lupus targeted
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For most of us, simply finishing a run or a race is the successful result of selfdiscipline and determination.
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A
lot can be said for the
with a specific goal: To help Michigan
a more formal and organized setting.
community outreach
become healthier by assisting individuals
“It’s parallel [to] what we believe in
efforts of Gazelle
and organizations in implementing
doing … supporting the community as
Sports—a Kalamazoo-
activities and programs focused
well as supporting fitness,” explains
based athletic
on fitness and healthy living. The
Ken Sung, co-owner at Gazelle Sports.
retail store—when it comes to helping
foundation is designed to “break down
“The foundation allows us to build a
Michigan residents live a healthier
barriers to fitness [and] give preference
base of support that we put back into the
lifestyle. With its heartfelt mission and
to lower-income or at-risk community
community … The premise is that it has
philanthropic culture, it only seemed
members,” according to Rachel Ball,
to help encourage change or fitness in
natural that Gazelle Sports would transfer
strategic development & corporate
the community.”
these core values into a more formal
assistant at Gazelle Sports. Every six
setting. The answer has come in the form
months, GSF awards individuals and
Chris Lampen-Crowell had this idea
of the Gazelle Sports Foundation, a 501(c)
organizations up to $5,000 in grants to
in mind when he co-founded the store
(3) organization that supports fitness-
help meet these community health and
in 1985. Gazelle Sports' interest in and
centered programs and activities through
fitness goals.
intent to give back to the community
the biannual awarding of grants to local organizations.
is why, in 2013, the company became a The Importance
Certified Benefit—or B—Corporation. A
Leadership at Gazelle Sports chose
B Corporation differs from a traditional
The Inception
to start a foundation as a way to help
corporation in that it is held to a higher
Gazelle Sports Foundation (GSF) began
channel the company’s giving spirit into
standard, with a focus on implementing
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positive changes in the community and environment, in addition to the traditional emphasis on financial profit and performance. GSF is simply an extension of the company’s desire to impact the community in a greater way. The Impact Since its birth in 2014, GSF has awarded grants to three organizations in Michigan. The winners—Pathways, MI; Let Me Run, Inc.; and the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM)—have since used the money to create a positive impact in their respective communities. Pathways, MI is using its grant to expand its third through fifth grade boys’ fitness program, Total Trek Quest (TTQ), from Ottawa to Allegan and Muskegon counties. Let Me Run, Inc., is using the funding to provide local need-based scholarships for its program for preteen and teen boys that combines exercise with fun activities and life lessons. The DSAWM is funding its Kent County-based Shape Up! and Rapid Runners programs, which provide healthy living education, exercise classes, and 5k training for young individuals with Down syndrome.
"It’s parallel [to] what we believe in doing … supporting the community as well as supporting fitness." Getting Involved
PAST WINNERS
HOW TO APPLY
Pathways, MI—a West Michigan-
The GSF awards grants every January
based organization providing services,
and July. The application can be found at
resources and expertise to individuals
gazellesportsfoundation.org/grants. Only
and families to help them achieve
fully completed forms will be accepted,
positive life changes. [pathwaysmi.org]
and all completed forms can be emailed
It’s no surprise that GSF is already
to info@gazellesportsfoundation.org.
making a positive impact on
Let Me Run, Inc.—a Charlotte, NC-
communities in West Michigan. From the
based running program focused on
beginning, Gazelle Sports has focused
providing preteen and teen boys an
GETTING INVOLVED
on being more than a simple retail store;
opportunity to be active and build
Individuals and organizations interested
instead, its desire has always been to
positive relationships in a healthy
in supporting the positive work that
environment. [letmerun.org]
the Gazelle Sports Foundation is doing
help individuals and organizations in Michigan stay healthy and active. This “deeper impact,” according to Ball, is exactly what GSF is dedicated to bringing to West Michigan, both now and in the future. //
DSAWM—an organization founded as a West Michigan resource to provide awareness, support and opportunities for the Down syndrome community.
Note: grants are capped at $5,000.
can visit gazellesportsfoundation.org to learn more. GSF accepts monetary donations of all sizes. Learn more at gazellesportsfoundation.org/donate.
[dsawm.org]
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AVAILABLE AT DEVRIES JEWELERS
Charm Bracelet, Endless; Diamond Oval Pendant and Earring Set, Cordova, from DeVries Jewelers
Horological Women’s Smart Watch, Alpina from DeVries Jewelers
WHERE TO BUY Unite Cardigan, Lolé; Darling Tank, Lolé; Eden Legging, Lolé; Metcon 2 Shoes, Nike; Dena Bag, Lolé from Gazelle Sports
Did you see a must-have item (or two) on previous pages? We've aggregated all of them onto one page just for you, making them easy to purchase for yourself—or circle a few for your significant other to find.
All wardrobe on this page is from Gazelle Sports. gazellesports.com All jewelry on this page is from DeVries Jewelers. devriesjewelers.com Sterling Silver Inlay Earring and Pendant set, Asch Grossbardt from DeVries
Denim Jacket, Patagonia; Canita Dress, Lolé from Gazelle Sports
Parker Sweater, Prana; Kara Jean, Prana; Sienna MJ Canvas Shoes, Keen from Gazelle Sports
Fish Creek Polo, Smartwool from Gazelle Sports; Torrentshell Jacket, Patagonia, from Gazelle Sports; Aquis Dive Watch, Oris, from DeVries Jewelers
Fezzman Shirt, Patagonia from Gazelle Sports
Fish Creek Polo, Smartwool from Gazelle Sports; Horological Smart Watch, Frederique Constant from DeVries Jewelers
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WISH LIST
Simulated diamonds in sterling silver bonded with platinum LaFonn - Necklace $125 - Earrings $130
14 kt Gold Engagement Ring. Sholdt - $3,675
Spring Bling: Set your sights on these uniquely exquisite spring and summer jewelry items.
18k Yellow Gold and Red Topaz Ceramic Spinner Ring
Sterling Silver Bracelet
Roberto Demeglio - Starting at $1,195
Officina Bernardi - $260
Alpina Horological Smart Watch Alpina $975
Leather Bracelets and Charms Endless - starting at $39 (Promotional Price)
Gemstone Slab Necklace Frederic Duclos - $260
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Designer Spotlight
Kalee Sholdt
"I am beyond proud to be the fourth generation Sholdt to carry on this legacy."
T
imeless. Classic.
Immersed in the world of jewelry
Handcrafted and finished
since childhood, Kalee recalls how
to perfection. For four
she was intrigued as a kid by the wax
generations, Seattle-
process of creating jewelry and then
based Sholdt has been designing
later captivated as an adult by the fun
exquisite jewelry. “We have only
to be had working in her industry.
four master jewelers who work
From traveling the world in search of
together to create each Sholdt
beautiful things to meeting amazing
ring,” says Kalee Sholdt, the fourth
people and selling gorgeous jewelry,
generation member of her family
Kalee says she feels “blessed to be
who took over ownership of the
part of something so special.”
business in 2014. “Together this amazing group has more than 90 years of experience here. They know jewelry, and they have great pride
“I get to play with pretty things and meet happy people every single day,” says Kalee. “It doesn’t get much
in their work here.”
better than that. I am beyond proud
The beauty of the Pacific Northwest
carry on this legacy.”
has always inspired Sholdt jewelry: from the details of a fern to the organic shape of the coastline. And right now Kalee notes bands are the latest trend: “Fancy shaped eternity
to be the fourth generation Sholdt to
Learn more about Sholdt by visiting sholdtdesign.com. You can also find select Sholdt designs at DeVries Jewelers in Grand Rapids, Mich.
bands to stack up are a classic and fun way to personalize a unique wedding set.”
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SholdtDesign.com | @_SHOLDT_
Oris Divers Sixty-Five
Automatic mechanical movement Unidirectional revolving bezel Top ring with black aluminium inlay Water resistant to 10 bar/100 m
AVAILABLE AT
Gwyneth Paltrow supports DonorsChoose
live your passion
More details on foundation.frederiqueconstant.com