Paulina Gretzky talks wellness routines, motherhood and shares her favorite golf destinations globally as she travels the world with her husband and former #1 golfer Dustin
The best destinations for envirionmental and cultural impact Top courses for golfers who are looking for a considered and laid-back
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BY NIK VALSAMIS
STORY BY SAMANTHA KUSSMANN
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“Reaching this state of elevation and evolution into our higher selves is possible—but only when we stop to reflect on the journey we have taken so far. The ego is the soul in its infancy, and the ancestral landscapes that sustain our existence are our teachers.”
“Our technology-dependent, whirlwind lifestyles have created a culture of being so far removed from each other, from our natural guidance systems and from the inner knowing that we are never alone, that we allow it to distract us from the raw, uninhibited beauty that envelops us.”
It is only once we return to our breath and to nature that we allow for essential moments of reflection—a time to slow down and reconnect with ourselves; the loving, life-sustaining oxygen continuously supplied to us by our mother earth; and in turn to each other.
“Climbing a mountain is humbling. It shows you how much time it takes for an unshakeable landmass to form and how patience is essential when learning, growing and creating.”
Compared to the age of the earth, humans have only existed for an instant. We have a lot to learn from the wisdom of nature. The act of rising to an improved vantage point or elevated state through adversary, struggle or hits to the ego is only possible once we’ve taken the time to internalize what we would like to improve upon and acknowledge that we are inspired by something greater than ourselves.
Paulina Gretzky—supermodel, designer, actress, mom—has intentionally waited her whole life for her closeup. Now, in an exclusive story for Further, she’s decided the time is right for her to shine.
INTERVIEW BY
BEN KAPLAN
Paulina Gretzky was raised in the strobe lights of Los Angeles and came of age as children of celebrity parents with high cheekbones turned their last names into brands. Paulina did things a bit differently. She sang and acted in movies, modelled and maintained a profile on Instagram, but the daughter of the Great One and Janet Jones, the actress, who starred in The Flamingo Kid and A League of Their Own, and the wife of Dustin Johnson—winner of more World Golf Championships than anyone other than Tiger Woods—has been more reticent. Thoughtful. Wary. She says she admits feeling society’s tug for her attention, but intuited, for her family, that she had to be patient before telling the universe who she intended to be. She first had to find out for herself.
“Growing up in the 90s, there was this pressure on us as if we had to do it now, but I had to find myself—find my true happiness, first,” the 35-year-old says from her home in North Palm Beach, which she shares with Dustin and their two kids, eight and five. Her parents live ten minutes away and they often have Sunday dinner and play softball as part of a neighbourhood league. Family, she says, comes before branding; comes before fortune and fame.
However, leaning into her routine as a wife, designer and mother and a healthy lifestyle built around clean eating, mental health check-ins and CBD, she’s also learned a few things on her road from model to mom and thinks, today, that she has something to share. “I was stuck in this, ‘What
is Paulina Gretzky going to do?’ But like, I don’t always know and it’s OK to not know—not many of us do—but at the same time, I like who I am—I love who I am—and I’m ready to venture out now. Positive energy, surmounting roadblocks and just thinking about How to Be Happy, especially for women. I feel like women can be our own harshest critics and everyone wants to tear us apart, but sometimes we do it to each other. I’ve learned over time that it’s OK to be upset. Let’s just process it in a healthy way.”
The Health & Wellness issue of KIND always begins with a long list of professional athletes. When we think about health, we imagine big muscles, white teeth and the Wheaties box cover. But now more than ever, certainly than when Paulina’s dad brought hockey to the US the way Messi is doing today with soccer, sports are impossible to detangle from mental health. From Simon Biles at the Olympics to the world’s best tennis players, Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, athletes are showing the rest of us how important our mental and emotional well being is to our overall physical health. It’s less about alley-oops and abs and more about empathy and communication. Paulina says she arrived at this coming out moment after a reflective pandemic and turbulent postpartum years.
“Pregnancy was tough and I’m not going to lie, adjusting to my new body, it took a toll,” she told KIND, “but then I realised I had to pull myself out of this for my children. But then I realised again, that —
In Walter Gretzky’s basement, Paulina remembers looking around at her father’s memorabilia as a child and feeling shivers in her bones. Big skates to fill, she’s uniquely aware of the pressure faced by her own children. She knew of all her father accomplished—hockey’s all-time leader in goals and assists, the player simply known as The Great One. However, it was her time at her grandfather’s house in Brantford, Ontario—her grandfather, a former Citizen of the Year, who passed away in spring, 2021, and Paulina tearfully will discuss—where she learned about the true legacy of her dad. He changed the Canadian game with skill and dedication but his embodiment as a teammate and ambassador is what showed Paulina, her sister and four brothers, how to live.
“Growing up in the family I did, I was constantly surrounded by sports, but we’re not hard on ourselves. The lesson is always to do the best you can and have fun,” says Paulina, who plays golf, tennis and hockey, in addition to the family softball outings and loves swimming and running, but also adheres to the lesson of all busy people—she gets her exercise wherever she can. “You do what you can with the environment that you’re given and so even if I’m just walking on a golf course, everything is about staying active: start small, set little goals and try to build healthy habits for consistency over time.”
Paulina has always been thoughtful and introspective and after spending time with the television personality, in her home and
with her team, it’s clear she believes a sports hero is someone you admire, a father is someone you love. After twelve years with Dustin, it’s not the slapshot that she most admires about Wayne Gretzky. It’s the way he still looks at her mom.
“The way he loves my mom and respects her is a huge part of everything and not just for me, but for all of us kids,” she says, and also recalls seeing that same kinetic romantic camaraderie in Walter’s home in Brantford when she was an impressionable little kid. Sports are terrific, as are accolades and big paydays, but when she thinks of success and happiness, it’s not money or Instagram followers she sees. It’s the way Paulina imagines Canada, to see the very best of us and how she wants to move forward with her step into the public sphere: the way her father and grandfather treated the women they loved. They listened. And always treated them with respect.
“It’s the same way my dad is with Dustin, and how he is with all his grandkids, both of my parents set an amazing example and it comes down to paying attention and treating each other kindly, being present, and I also need to point out how great Dustin is with our kids.”
When the Further crew arrived in Florida to photograph Paulina—photographer, assistants and a team of stylists from the trendiest corners of LA—the team took a moment to process our surroundings: was one of history’s greatest golfers taking a nap on the couch.
“Hi, everyone,” smiled Dustin, who, on a Sunday afternoon, looked more like the little league coach that he is than the holder of 24 PGA Tour wins. By the front door stood his TaylorMade clubs and a middle-aged dad could almost see himself in the golfer’s legendary spikes. “Make yourself at home,” said Dustin, who then resumed his spot on the couch.
Paulina looked at her husband and smiled. She said she was originally nervous to start a family with a professional golfer, someone who spends half of his life out of a suitcase, competing in tours. But she herself grew up the child of an actress and professional athlete, and says what she sees in Dustin is patience, attention, tenderness and care.
“The example I set for my kids with Dustin is we have to do it together. We’re not always on the same page, but we trust each other enough so that I know he’s doing right by our children and he knows I’m doing right by our kids—we talk about it, but at the fundamental level is trust,” she says, and marvels at Dustin’s ability to focus. When he’s on the golf course, he’s golfing. Every other time, he’s with her and the kids.
“His patience is fantastic. No ego, and it was funny seeing the kids realise who their dad is, and who my dad is, but we don’t want them to be raised differently. Of course we want them to know that they’re special, everyone is. But around the house, my dad is grandpa and Dustin is dad.”
Around the house, Paulina also likes CBD. Once gifted to her at a party, she says she uses it as massage ointment and in bath bombs and the healing nature of the cannabidiol helps
her with breathing exercises and sleep. “CBD has been life changing,” she says simply. “It helps my body relax and since sleeping is so vital to everyone’s health and overall wellness, after the first time I tried CBD, I never looked back. It’s definitely part of my overall health and wellness routine.”
Today Paulina is feeling herself—healthy, radiant, alive. She has her good days and bad, like everyone. On the weekends, her kids might not eat broccoli at each meal and she has cheat days just like everyone else. She knows she needs to drink more water and she can get tired and testy and twist herself up into knots. These are conditions, however, she’s come to accept they’re fleeting. And today she’s feeling empowered and comfortable—even in times of self-doubt and fear. “If I’m having a moment, I know not to put that energy around other people,” she says. “As you get older, you realise it’s about consistency, making little changes and not becoming overwhelmed. Focus on one goal at a time and take care of yourself. You have to tell yourself: ‘You’re worthy, you’re perfect, you’ve got this.’ Anything you need to feel lighter, more present, to feel in control.”
So maybe now Paulina will go into television or return to the movies. Maybe she’ll cut a record, release a CBD line or work on her own designs. Maybe she’ll do all the things. She cites Vera Wang as an influence—a designer who launched her brand at 40 and became one of the wealthiest female CEOs in the world—and thinks about what she wants to do with her platform. She’s seen her peers navigate their own lives and realises the power she wields and how it affects her innercircle. A child of the tabloid 90s, Paulina Gretzky has worked all her life to reveal herself.
BY MARYAM SIDDIQI
The frenzy of post-lockdown travel is subsiding, which is a good thing for a few reasons: calmer journeys through airports, dinner reservations are easier to get and finding a date for that dream trip is simpler. It’s also an ideal time for a shift in how we approach travel. For the sake of the planet, local communities and ourselves it needs to be a more mindful activity—less getting that perfect shot for Instagram, more connecting one-onone with a resident of the town you’re visiting.
As you think about where to go in 2023, consider destinations and experiences like the ones listed here. Designed to minimize their impact on the environment or created to sustain an Indigenous community’s traditions, they offer visitors a deeper insight into the place and way of life.
In 2010, the volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted on Iceland, shooting steam and ash into the atmosphere and bringing European travel to a standstill. Now that the country had everyone’s attention, it was just the start of massive tourism to the island nation. With a constantly evolving landscape thanks to volcano eruptions and glacier movement, Iceland offers sophisticated, environmentally sensitive experiences, from North Sailing’s whale-watching tours on electric boats to carbon-neutral land-based tours around the Golden Circle and further afield from companies like Hidden Iceland. Immerse yourself in the fruits of geothermal activity with lunch at Fridheimar, an organic family farm that grows everything in a greenhouse. You’ll dine among the vines, and learn how green energy grows delicious produce.
VOCO AUCKLAND CITY CENTRE, AUCKLAND.VOCOHOTELS.COM
Looking to lead the world in sustainable tourism, New Zealand has developed a national sustainability commitment with a goal of every tourism business in the country committing to sustainability by 2025. It involves restoring nature, eliminating waste and showing visitors how
to be better travellers when on the island. The newly opened voco Auckland City Centre hotel was designed with sustainability in mind. Along with filtered drinking water in rooms (avoiding plastic bottles), aerated shower heads reduce water consumption, and bedding is filled with 100% recycled materials. For exploring, the hotel has partnered with Wyld Bikes, makers of bamboo bicycles, to help guests get around the city with a minimal footprint.
The appeal of Hawaii is easy to understand—the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific offset by volcanic mountains and lush rainforest. But to travel responsibly there, a destination that’s struggled with overtourism, is to engage with Native Hawaiian experiences. These are activities and experiences that honour Native Hawaiian culture and knowledge. One such is the Old Lāhainā Lū‘au, in Lāhainā, Maui. Unapologetically authentic, this is an evening that adheres strictly to traditional Hawaiian dance and performance. Many tourists come expecting fire play, for instance, which is not Hawaiian. The show, which includes musical performances, is accompanied by a five-course meal of traditional Hawaiian dishes.
During the pandemic, the peoples of the Haida Nation of Haida Gwaii, in northern British Columbia, developed a pledge for visitors to sign before their arrival in the delicate ecosystem, which is referred to as the Galapagos of the north. “I will respect Haida Gwaii and Haida ways of being during my visit.” The goal: to ensure guests experience the environment and interact with the people in a way that will preserve and protect both for future generations. A stay at Haida House immerses visitors in the land and culture. Formerly a bear hunting lodge before it was taken over by the Haida Nation, the lodge focuses on cultural and eco tourism, with experiences that include interpretative tours of the area’s carved poles, meeting with artisans, and hikes.
The bespoke cocktail chef serves up something tasty for Further
INGREDIENTS
½ cup Amaretto
½ cup Hennessy
2 cups eggnog
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix these ingredients and garnish with some nutmeg/ground cinnamon on top and a cinnamon stick.
BY JOE TIMMINS
Nothing says summer like a round of golf in a beautiful location. Here, Joe Timmins putts his way across Canada at some of the best courses to take a swing on adventurous summer afternoons.
Stretching out along the Bay of Fundy, the Algonquin Golf Club is the perfect oasis hidden away in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Whether you’re looking to spend the night in one of the 233 rooms of their 130-year-old hotel or spend the day taking advantage of the scenery and banging out a casual 18 holes in the afternoon, the Algonquin Club has you covered. Even if golf isn’t your thing, who wouldn’t enjoy collecting golf balls along the St. Gour River while soaking up the picturesque whiskey-brown skyline overlooking the Bay? Still, the Algonquin Club has a breathtaking 18-hole course equipped with a completely redesigned back nine created by renowned golf course designer Rod Whitman. The Algonquin will
start you out in a parkland-style front nine surrounded by New Brunswick pines. As you progress, or digress, you’ll notice the trees part ways to make room for glimpses of the summer sun bouncing off the bay. Once you’ve reached the 9th green, the trees dissolve completely and leave you with a stunning cliffside view. Keep on progressing through the tenth and fourteenth holes, and you’ll find yourself along the Bay of Fundy—ocean-kissed with a crystal clear view of Maine. And when you’re done, make your way to the clubhouse, have something to eat or drink at Braxton’s Restaurant & Bar, take a dip in the pool, enjoy the sights overlooking Katy’s Cove or hop on one of the club’s complimentary bikes to explore St. Andrews. “We opened in top shape; most golfers that came here in April couldn’t believe the conditions that we have. The greens were running at a ten—probably an eleven now,” says Zach Rogriguez, director of golf. “It’s almost unbelievable.”
Let’s talk Nova Scotia: seafood, friendly people and the great outdoors; everything you want out of the great Maritime province, right? Digby Pines is more than a golf course, a perfect setting. Picture this; you arrive at their 100-year-old hotel and konk out for the night, wake up the following day to breakfast and the sound of crashing waves and the smell of the sea opening you up for an unforgettable golfing experience. The course would impress even the pickiest golfer; it’s a Stanely Thompson-designed 18-hole course equipped with greens, hazards, and beautiful brooks that section off into ponds on holes two and sixteen. Possibly the coolest part of Digby Pines is their state of the art spa where you can chill and get a massage, facial, or a manicure after a long gold day in the Nova Scotia sun. With the likes of Babe Ruth choosing Digby Pines as their #1 spot, you can’t miss at this local favourite.
Golfers have been having a beer or two on the course for years, and now they can enjoy smoking and play the game. “
ON.
The name says it all: a fresh new golf course in Toronto that’s affordable, friendly and blissfully close to home. Start with an early morning staring out at swaths of fresh green hills and practising your swing while basking in the Ontario sun. A work of art from Rolling Greens Golf Course visionary
Gordon Taylor, this is cutting-edge, fast and fun. “Golfers have spoken that they want more options in Toronto and we have responded,” Taylor says. Located only six kilometres from Smiths Falls, Rolling Greens is the perfect option for a fun local golfing afternoon.
FAIRMONT JASPER PARK LODGE, AB.
Could this be the most beautiful course on our list? Jasper Park Lodge will take everything you know about golf courses, throw it away, and give you a whole new perspective on what’s possible. The iconic golf course is hidden away directly in the Rockies and, as a result, can be enjoyable for golfers and those who would like to appreciate Banff from a friendly Fairmont perspective. This course is perfect for those who are willing to travel purely for the sake of playing golf and celebrating life. Out of a scale of five clubs, this earns six.
Oh, the great province of B.C., home to Nanaimo bars, beautiful wildlife, the Pacific Ocean and Talking Rock Golf Course. Overlooking the Shuswap Lake, Talking Rock hits you immediately with a breathtaking view and a welcoming atmosphere. Talking Rock welcomes golfers to book a massage, body wrap, facial, or use some of their facilities which includes a pool, hot tub, and infrared sauna. I also recommend partaking in their onsite dining. Chef Chris Wittaker creates an ever-changing seasonal menu to provide restaurateurs with the best quality and freshest local ingredients possible: tastes great after a long day on the links.
