Body & Mind
PROVIDING PEACE AT THEIR NEW LOCATION PG. 14
Feeling Blue?
A TIME TO TALK RAPID CITY COUNSELORS PG. 22 A CLEAN HOME CLEARS YOUR MIND PG. 28
FUEL YOUR BODY WITH PEAK WELLNESS PG. 8
GIFTING SELF-CARE
LOCAL BUSINESS FIGHTING BACK AGAINST SEASONAL BLUES
REACHING
Harts
MICHELLE PAWELSKI
Binger
BY JENNA CARDA
BODY
Mechaley
CALLIE MEYER
MICHELLE PAWELSKI
Tax Season is Around the Corner!
To start your tax preparation, have these essential documents ready:
■ Income Statements: W-2s, 1099s, 1098s
■ Deduction & Credit Info: Charitable donation receipts, childcare receipts, education expenses
■ Personal Info: Social Security card(s), bank account and routing numbers
■ Other Docs: Last year’s tax return, IRS notices/letters, foreign tax forms
This is a general guideline. Specific documents will vary based individual circumstances
Sometimes families in our community struggle to pay their energy bills. Black Hills Cares is a way for you to help. Whether it’s a one-time or monthly donation, we’ll match your gift to our neighbors in need.
PRESIDENT & CEO
Tom Johnson
SENIOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR
Taylor Davis
SENIOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Shiloh Francis
SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Lori Frederick
SENIOR PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR
Garth Wadsworth
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Liz Highland
EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR
Rachel Nelson
WORKFORCE PLANNING DIRECTOR
Reese Niu
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Laura Jones
ECOSYSTE M SUPPORT & PROPERT Y MANAGE R
Loni Reichert
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Kallie Ruland
BUSINESS PROSPECT MANAGER
Drew Staufer
CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER
Bailey Sadowsky
EXECUTIVE
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Ashley Simonson
DEALING WITH SEASONAL STRESS
Last month, I was lucky enough to speak to the Elevate Leadership Institute (ELI) class of 2025. While there was a lot of discussion about the nuts and bolts of management training, one of the questions they asked me was whether I had strategies for dealing with the stresses that invariably come with being a manager or leader.
It was a great question—and not surprising. Self-care has always been an important topic, but in a postpandemic world, even more so. Stories abound about the detrimental impacts of long-term stress on physical and mental health. Even a decade ago, it wasn’t uncommon to hear someone say, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Now we know that if it’s a choice between sleep or hitting another deadline, sleep, and mental health matter more.
It's also more than simply getting enough sleep and avoiding burnout; it's about thriving in your role. The research—and there are heaps and heaps of it now—is clear. Leaders who prioritize their well-being can foster a healthier, more productive work environment. This doesn't just benefit the individual; it benefits the entire organization by promoting a culture of wellness. And that benefits the bottom line. In other words, self-care is good for business.
Welcome to this issue of Elevate, where we practice our own form of self-care by bringing you some of the stories from the Black Hills that remind all of us that rest and recuperation—both mentally and physically—is a prescription for success.
This month we’re featuring stories on The Body Spa & Cryo, Lemon Fresh Cleaners, Peak Wellness, and Rapid City Counselors. There’s a little bit for everyone, physically, mentally, spiritually, and even those who want to remove a little bit of clutter. These stories will remind you that the triple-bottom line, which has always been a way to measure success in terms of profit, people, and community, extends not just to one or two businesses, but to the entire ecosystem of the Black Hills (and beyond).
So, take a break, relax, drink some tea, maybe even put on a record. Then enjoy these amazing stories as much as we did.
Stay safe (mentally as well) and God-speed,
Tom Johnson, President & CEO
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
DECEMBER 1 - 29
STORYBOOK ISLAND
CHRISTMAS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
Storybook Island facebook.com/events
DECEMBER 3
NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET
The Monument nutcracker.com
DECEMBER 5
HOME FREE: ANY KIND OF CHRISTMAS
Deadwood Mountain Grand deadwoodmountaingrand.com/event
STAND-UP COMEDY OPEN MIC NIGHT
Aby’s Rapid City facebook.com/events
DECEMBER 6
SAILESH
Loud American loudamericansturgis.com/event
DISNEY JR. LIVE ON TOUR
The Monument themonument.live/events
FORCES OF FLIGHT: DRONES
The Journey Museum journeymuseum.org/upcomingevents
DECEMBER 6 - 21
THE WICKHAMS:
CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY Catalyst Theater Company catalyst.art/2024-2025-season
events
DECEMBER 7
JINGLE & MINGLE: A CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Box thebox.live/events-calendar
BASSOON IT WILL BE CHRISTMAS
Performing Arts Center performingartsrc.org/events
DECEMBER 7 - 29
1880 TRAIN
HOLIDAY EXPRESS
Keystone, SD 1880train.com
DECEMBER 12
WINTER WONDERLAND
The Box thebox.live/events-calendar
DECEMBER 12 - 14
RAPID CITY RUSH VS. WICHITA THUNDER
The Monument themonument.live/events
DECEMBER 13 - 22
A CHRISTMAS STORY
Matthews Opera House & Arts Center matthewsopera.com/event
DECEMBER 13 - 31
CHRISTMAS CAROL Seraphim Theatrical Entertainment seraphimte.com/season
DECEMBER 14
HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
POPUP
The Monument facebook.com/events
DECEMBER 15
DAVE MARTINSON BIG BAND PERFORM THE “NUTCRACKER SUITE”
Homestake Opera House homestakeoperahouse.org/event
DECEMBER 17 - 21
LAKOTA NATION INVITATIONAL
The Monument themonument.live/events
DECEMBER 21
ALEX MASSA PRESENTS: A HOLIDAY COLLAGE FEATURING ADANTE CARTER
Performing Arts Center arts-people.com
DECEMBER 31
ROCK THE BOX
The Box thebox.live/events-calendar
DECEMBER 31JANUARY 4
RAPID CITY RUSH VS. TULSA OILERS
The Monument themonument.live/events
Reaching your peak
STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI \\ PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS
LIKE MANY FAMILIES,
Tanner and Brandi Hart stay busy. With two young boys—Dempsey, 9, and Summit, 5—and a growing business, the Rapid City couple is constantly on the move.
For them, the key to maintaining balance in their crazy schedules is creating habits of healthy living – a model they share with those who walk through their doors at Peak Wellness.
Tanner and Brandi opened Peak Wellness in August of this year after Profile by Sanford, a weight loss program designed by physicians and researchers from Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, was purchased by a North Carolina private wealth management advisory firm and decided to move virtual with the program.
Tanner and Brandi, both from Nebraska, along with Tanner’s dad opened a Profile franchise in Rapid City in 2017. When the Profile franchises dissolved, the Harts decided to take what they learned and rebrand into Peak Wellness.
“We have something great established here,” Brandi said. “We didn’t want to close and we didn’t want to become a virtual place because we had built up all these relationships.”
Tanner’s background in nursing, Brandi’s education and experience as a health coach, and the couple’s work at Profile created a perfect combination to help those needing a little guidance especially in the upcoming cold winter season.
The opportunity to open Peak Wellness gave them the freedom to create their own path.
“A lot of what we carried on with Peak Wellness are things we learned operating as Profile, coaching people with their nutrition, activity, lifestyle, but we have changed the way we are supporting individuals,” Tanner said.
Initially, the program focused on getting an individual to an outcome driven around weight loss. “What we have come to learn more and more is that it is not about weight loss but about deeper reasons and helping people regain their energy, come off medications, and controlling their anxiety and depression in doing that.”
Instead of approaching change for outcomes, Peak Wellness focuses on people’s habits and creating sustainable systems they can rely on.
“WITH THE DARKNESS AND COLD, YOU AREN’T GOING TO WANT TO START SOMETHING NEW. WE WORK ON BEGINNING BEFORE THE WEATHER CHANGES. THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE A LOT, ‘WHAT CAN WE BEGIN NOW THAT WILL HELP YOU THROUGH THESE WINTER MONTHS – THINGS THAT WILL PROVIDE SELF CARE AND GIVE YOU THOSE PICK-ME-UPS.’”
-TANNER HART
It’s about changing one’s identity, Tanner said.
“If you want to lose 50 pounds that is great, but we want to focus on creating better habits, health systems, creating evidence that supports this identity. That is really where we are seeing so much success with individuals,” he said. We are not here to just support the surface level change. We want to peel back the layers.”
Tanner and Brandi implemented a free consultation allowing them to get to know each client. “It helps us determine if they are a good fit for what we want to support, but also gives people a sense if we are a good fit for them as well,” Tanner said. “Each person is different, some are athletes, some are new mothers or have medical needs. We meet them where they are at. We get to know the individual and begin building a relationship.”
They start with a blank canvas and create a unique picture for each person helping with one-on-one health coaching, nutrition, exercise goal setting and behavior change, Brandi said.
They also work on creating habits prior to the winter months setting in, she added.
“With the darkness and cold, you aren’t going to want to start something new. We work on beginning before the weather changes. Those are conversations we have a lot, ‘What can we begin now that will help you through these winter months – things that will provide self care and give you those pick-me-ups.’ ”
Tanner added that ensuring individuals get the right balance of macro and micronutrients is also key to combating the winter blues. "This helps regulate our feel-good hormones—dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins—at optimal levels."
Both said that living in the Black Hills provides a perfect playground for those looking for any kind of activity from dog walking to rock climbing.
“Exercise is meant to be enjoyed and there is so many things to do here that check that box of exercise and activity,” Tanner said. “A lot of time people think the gym and running, but with the Hills they can hike, bike, paddleboard, kayak.”
With their passion for helping others, Tanner and Brandi are inspiring locals to build healthier, more sustainable lives—one habit at a time. •
Caring for the
body mind &
TARA MECHALEY TURNS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE INTO A COMMITMENT OF CARING
STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTOS BY BAILEY SADOWSKY
AT ONE POINT
in Tara Mechaley’s life, she believed all hope was gone, and the thought of dying felt like a better solution than the struggle to live.
“I went through a really dark time in my life. I am a suicide survivor. God gave me a second chance, and I believe very much that I am here to give back. That’s how I have gone forward in my life.”
That second chance renewed Tara’s outlook on life and became a commitment to caring for others, nurturing their mental and physical well-being.
“That is what really put a fire under me to want to be able to help others,” Tara said.
With over two decades of experience as a massage therapist, Tara opened The Body Spa in 2014, later renaming it The Body Spa & Cryo after introducing cryotherapy to western South Dakota. Cryotherapy, a treatment that uses freezing temperatures for full-body wellness, activates the body’s natural healing process and reduces inflammation. It’s a fast, dry-cold treatment often used by NFL players as an alternative to traditional ice baths.
Two months ago, Tara realized her dream of expanding with a new, 3,500-square-foot location, marking a new chapter for the Black Hills native.
“I want everyone who walks in here to feel like they are listened to and cared for,” she said standing in her newly renovated, spa, thoughtfully designed for inclusivity and accessibility.
“I want to educate the community that there are alternatives to taking care of themselves and that self-care is not selfish. You have to think of yourself as the Titanic and if it is going down you have to a life jacket on yourself before you can help anyone else. You have to be able to step away, take a pause and let the world make sense again.”
Tara calls her place a lifestyle spa, something in between a luxury and medical spa, that provides a variety of cutting-edge services focusing on whole body wellness, the body, mind and spirit.
The Body Spa & Cryo offers powerful treatments, from the cryotherapy pod and Kaasen portable device to the Halo salt sauna and red-light therapy, targeting conditions like migraines, arthritis, anxiety and allergies. These services are also highly effective in combating depression, especially during the winter months when seasonal affective disorder (SAD) strikes, leaving millions vulnerable to the winter blues.
“Serotonin diminishes a lot during the winter months with less sunlight and people living a more sedentary lifestyle. Our services will keep your body mobile during those winter months and help increase circulation and serotonin levels – that happy drug that affects our mood.”
With discounts on additional services, many spa guests use a combination of treatments to boost their wellness benefits. "We often see clients who do cryo, then a massage, and finish with red light therapy," she said. "One of the big things in the winter months is our internal clocks can get thrown off due to the reduced daylight."
Sleep is vital for both mental and physical health, Tara noted. "When you're not getting proper rest, it will start to crash your body. Many of our services help reset and balance that internal clock, improving sleep quality."
Human wellness is not the only therapy provided at The Body Spa & Cryo. The spa offers an animal cryotherapy, nicknamed the critter cryo, that treats a variety of animals. “I’ve worked on horses, cats, a raccoon, and a wolf. It does the same thing targeting treatment concentrating on the spine of the animal in order to reset the nervous system. It is another way to provide pain relief without medication.”
“ELEVATE HAS BEEN AMAZING WITH THE GRANT AS WELL AS HELPING WITH THE TRANSITION TO THE NEW FACILITY. I WENT DOWN TO ELEVATE SEVERAL TIMES TO GET ADVICE AS WE MOVED THROUGH THE PROCESS.”
-TARA MECHALEY
-TARA MECHALEY “
I WANT TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES TO TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THAT SELF-CARE IS NOT SELFISH.”
Tara, alongside her husband Marshall—a combat veteran and her biggest support in keeping things at the spa running smoothly—has a deep passion for supporting those who serve our country. She partners with the local Veterans Affairs to offer massages for the area veterans, addressing issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain management, and depression.
“We provide massages to 150 to 200 veterans every month,” Tara said noting her specialized training in veteran and first responder care. She also proudly displays an “Honor Wall” in her spa filled with challenge coins given in recognition of her volunteer service.
Tara is expanding her support for veterans through a new grant, secured with the help of Elevate Rapid City (ERC). Funded by South
Dakota’s share of the National Opioid Settlement, the grant, administered by the state’s Department of Social Services, focuses on using cryotherapy as an alternative to pain medication.
"This research grant will allow us to use whole-body cryo therapy to help veterans reduce their reliance on pain medications," Tara explained. "We’ll be able to provide 72 veterans with 12 free cryo sessions each."
The pilot program will launch in January, once Tara receives her new electric, cryotherapy unit. This advanced machine features two walk-in chambers for full-body cryo treatment.
ERC was integral in securing the grant connecting Tara with U.S. Sen. John Thune’s office and partnering her with the City of Rapid City.
“Elevate has been amazing with the grant as well as helping with the transition to the new facility. I went down to Elevate several times to get advice as we moved through the process,” she said adding that at one time she was afraid she would have to close the spa. “Elevate wanted to ensure that didn’t happen by providing mentorship and someone to go over numbers.”
Tara also plans to launch a gift certificate program where local residents can contribute funds for services, which the spa will then offer to community members in need— whether they're going through a difficult time or have made a positive impact in the community. The idea began when a guest donated a gift certificate he had received. "That day, we had a teacher who had been deeply affected by a suicide a few months
earlier. At the end of the session, I told him there was no charge, and that someone in the community wanted him to know he was cared for."
This is why Tara believes she has a second chance.
One day, she hopes to have the spa at a place where she can step back and expand her community outreach. “I never thought it would be possible to have my own growing business. My eventual dream is to get the spa to a place that it can run on its own, and I can step aside and just volunteer my hands.” •
THE BODY SPA & CRYOTHERAPY
405 Sturgis St. | Rapid City (605) 391-1678
thebodyspaonline.com
season to talk
Stacy Keyser sheds light on the impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
STORY BY CALLIE MEYER \\ PHOTOS BY BAILEY SADOWSKY
"THE STIGMA of mental health has loosened since COVID”, says Stacy Keyser, Owner & President of Rapid City Counseling. “It’s normal that we all go through phases where we need healthy support. Counseling isn’t about a diagnosis or a label, it’s about helping you process whatever you’re going through.”
Stacy, a Licensed Clinical Practicing Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Supervisor, found her path into counseling in the South Dakota National Guard and Reserve. She found she had a natural ability to help soldiers work through issues in their lives and getting them to a place where they were more confident in themselves and their decisions. Through this work, Stacy decided to develop this skill into a profession. She received her master’s degree in counseling from the SDSU Graduate program for Human Resource Development and Counseling via the University Center here in Rapid City.
This allowed her to do her studies, practicum, and internship locally while residing in the Black Hills. Stacy always knew she wanted to open her own practice. After graduating in 2011, she opened Rapid City Counseling as a private practice and now manages a group practice employing six full-time counselors and two support staff. She’s dedicated to combining her life experiences with the opportunity to mentor the next generation of counselors.
A misconception some might have about counseling is that you need to be in a crisis to work with a counselor. However, Stacy encourages people to start building a relationship with a counselor before an obstacle inevitably prevails. “We all go through stages where we need support; it’s not ‘if,’ it’s ‘when.’ When you're able to build a relationship with a client, you know what makes them tick and what gets them through. Having that knowledge provides peace to clients knowing there is someone special they can turn to when facing challenges.”
A common challenge that Midwesterners face is Seasonal Affective Disorder. Stacy notes that it’s common to see this increase this time of the year, “With less daylight, our bodies are getting the signal it’s time to tune down, but we still have to do life.” She highly recommends that people stay physically and socially active this time of year. An avid outdoor enthusiast herself, she encourages everyone to stay connected to nature, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.
Stacy also highlights that it’s important to talk to someone when the things that people are doing individually aren’t helping. “We’re not meant to be totally independent. We need healthy support, or those pent-up emotions are going to come out in a destructive non-helpful way.” She compares counseling to opening a shaken-up bottle of soda, “We’re here to slowly let the fizz out, instead of the cap being ripped off and exploding all over everything.”
HELPFUL THINGS TO KNOW
Most insurance companies have some sort of mental health coverage. Check with your HR department or call a provider directly to see what could be covered.
Many providers are able to have counseling sessions via Telehealth.
Your privacy is protected – if you see your counselor out in public, they won’t engage with you unless you interact first.
“WE’RE
NOT MEANT TO BE TOTALLY INDEPENDENT. WE NEED HEALTHY SUPPORT, OR THOSE PENT-UP EMOTIONS ARE GOING TO COME OUT IN A DESTRUCTIVE NON-HELPFUL WAY.”
-STACY KEYSER
One of the most fulfilling aspects of Stacy’s work is when a client is confident that they have the tools to face the future. “It’s rewarding when a client says, ‘I’ve got this. Life is going better.’ and then we’re in a place where if they need a pick-me-up, or they hit an obstacle they can just give me a call. We’re able to work through those things in a productive way as we’ve already built up that relationship.”
For those on the fence of exploring counseling, Stacy says that making that first phone call is the hardest step, but it’s also the most courageous. “It can be overwhelming for people to start therapy or counseling, but we can take
it one step at a time.” She also mentions that counselors aren’t there to form an opinion on you, “There’s no judgement here, we wouldn’t be in this profession if we held any judgement whatsoever. You’ll be met on this journey with warm, welcoming people who truly deeply care.”
As we head into a season that can have an impact on so many people, Stacy encourages people to be kind to themselves if they need support, “It’s not weak to ask for help, it shows strength.” Whether it’s individuals, couples, or children, Stacy and her team strive to be a resource to walk with people through the complexities of life. •
Shaking off the winter blues
WITH A FRESH, CLEAN HOME
STORY BY JENNA CARDA \\ PHOTOS SUBMITTED & BY BAILEY SADOWSKY
KIA BINGER
knows firsthand
how overwhelming it can be to balance a busy business with the demands of life. After years of working in advertising, she realized the powerful connection between a clean, organized home and overall mental health. For many small business owners, home becomes the place where both work and personal life collide. As a result, the lines between the two blur, and things like cleaning and tidying often get pushed aside.
Inspired by her desire to help others experience the peace and clarity that comes with a clean, well-organized space, and after ending up on too many waitlists for residential cleaning services herself, Kia founded Lemon Fresh Cleaners in 2022 with her partner Shane.
“The idea initially started because we needed someone to clean our home, as well as other properties we managed, and we kept running into roadblocks,” said Kia. “Either the services we were reaching out to only did commercial businesses, or they had waitlists that would be impossible to schedule with.”
Combining her love of branding and advertising with her educational background in entrepreneurial studies from South Dakota State University, Kia set out to provide a solution for busy professionals and parents to reclaim their time and energy by offering professional
cleaning services that reduce stress, refresh each space, and support a healthy mental well-being— especially during the long, isolating winter months.
“In the Midwest, we tend to have an independent mentality, thinking that if we don’t do it ourselves, we are being lazy or acting elite,” said Kia. “However, adding services like house cleaning can give you back time and energy elsewhere that can mean so much more to reach goals, create memories with friends and family, and relax.”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the mess piling up in your home, you’re not alone. Research has shown that clutter can have a significant impact on our mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and even fatigue. For working professionals, this can be especially difficult. After a long day of managing employees, handling client needs, and taking care of the administrative work, the last thing you want to do is come home to a messy, disorganized space.
A tidy home, however, can have the opposite effect—it can become a sanctuary, offering you a chance to recharge and unwind. Organizing and cleaning can help clear your mind and provide a sense of control, which is especially important during the winter months when the lack of sunlight and outdoor activity can exacerbate feelings of stress and fatigue.
Photos by Nathan Hoogshagen.
“ADDING SERVICES LIKE HOUSE CLEANING CAN GIVE YOU BACK TIME AND ENERGY ELSEWHERE THAT CAN MEAN SO MUCH MORE TO REACH GOALS, CREATE MEMORIES WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND RELAX.”
-KIA BINGER
By maintaining a clean and organized space, you can reduce the mental clutter that accumulates over time. This means less anxiety, better sleep, and improved focus which can translate to increased productivity and a more positive outlook, both at home and at work.
“My favorite part of the job is when our client comes home and we’ve completed our work,” said Kia.
“You can just see the relief in their interactions. They are so happy to come home to a chore that has been crossed off their list, and I’m glad we get the opportunity to do that for them.”
In 2023, Kia and Shane franchised the Lemon Fresh Cleaners brand to allow other communities to experience the same top-notch services and products available to the Rapid City community. Over the past year, there have been
four franchisees with others in the works.
“Every location is locally owned and operated by their own team; it is their business with a few provisions like using our vetted natural cleaning products, great customer service and professionalism, and making time to give back to the communities we serve,” explained Kia.
For Kia and the other Lemon Fresh Cleaners, the services they offer aren’t just about cleaning; it’s about providing a service that enhances the lives of busy professionals, people, students, and more; offering them the time and mental clarity they need to thrive. As the expression goes: with a tidy home comes a tidy mind. Having a bit of brightness and energy brought into your space can help you offset the impending blues this winter season. •
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