Life & Lessons with Kay ‘MaMac’
McConaughey
The “Love Local” Issue
When thinking about Austin, from the inside or far and wide, Matthew McConaughey is nearly as synonymous with Austin as its reputation as the music capital of the world. Matthew is the Minister of Culture for both the University of Texas and Austin FC, the city's first major league sports team (another thing we Love). We acknowledge the amazing things the Academy Awardwinning actor, author and entrepreneur contributes to the city and hold him in the highest esteem. But, the McConaughey who’s had us in awe lately is - his mom, Kay ‘MaMac’ McConaughey. We were first transfixed by Kay while attending an event the also amazing Camila McConaughey had for Women of Today where she interviewed her mother-inlaw. During the intimate Q&A Kay responded to each of Camila’s questions with unabashed honesty and wit. She was inspiring, she was funny and she had advice we could all be better for following, including 'saying one of her secrets to a long and happy life is to be positive and ‘always say Yes.’
She wrote a book called ‘I Amaze Myself!’ (which we’re reading here) and she amazed us as well. Check out the story to learn more about what Kay attributes to staying so vibrant, fit and amazing!
Elsewhere in the issue, we catch up with Christy Carlson Romano, who’s competing in the current season of Special Forces on Fox to learn about the experience and how she prepared for it. We talked to 2023’s winner of NASCAR at COTA who's back for this month's race and we checked in with estilo owner Stephanie Coultress O’Neill, a local business owner of more than 20 years who was forced to pivot when her lease was taken over by a new landlord, but turned it into an opportunity, creating her dream store that’s celebrating its official grand opening this month.
This month also marks the start of year five for me as Editor of Austin Lifestyle
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read it each month. We love creating this magazine for you and celebrating this city we love so much.
February 2025
PUBLISHER
Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Jennifer Birn | jennifer.birn@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Dominique Bejarano
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Jenna McElroy
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
JENNIFER BIRN, EDITOR
inside the issue
Newly
Christy’s a Special Force
Actress/Podcast/Entrepreneur Christy Carlson Romano on competing on Season
The
Kay McConaughey, shot at The Colton House
Hair: Kelsey James Make-up:
Lauren Andersen
Stylist: Kay & Stephanie
Coultress O’Neill
Creative Director: Jennifer Birn
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: The 18th Annual Dancing with the Stars Austin raised $2.8 million for the Center for Child Protection 2: Co-chairs Amy Beard and Bridget Ramey with Center for Child Protection CEO Michael Torres 3: Monica Fabbio won the mirror ball & Haley Rubin won the
for a 2-year lease from Mercedes Benz of Austin
raffle
HALEY PLOTKIN
TICO MENDOZA
photo credit: Megan Bucknall
TYLER REDDICK Gears Up for COTA
After his 2023 victory, the NASCAR driver looks ahead to March 2025 race in Austin.
ARTICLE BY DOMINIQUE BEJARANO
NASCAR Cup Series returns to COTA in 2025 and Tyler Reddick, driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team, is aiming for another victory. Fans can watch him race on March 2, 2025. We caught up with Tyler to discuss his life in racing and his love for Austin.
YOUR WIN AT COTA IN 2023 WAS HUGE. HOW DID THE TRACK AND THE ATMOSPHERE IN AUSTIN COMPARE TO OTHER PLACES YOU COMPETE?
The track itself is one of my favorites. When you go to the race track you get a big mix of people from different parts of Austin. Whether it’s your downtown Austin area or people from out in the country that farm, you just feel like Austin has a whole lot going on in it.
ANY TAKEAWAYS FROM YOUR COTA WIN THAT YOU’LL CARRY INTO THIS YEAR’S RACE?
The track is the same shape, but the amount of grip that it has now is significantly increased from 2023. There’s some things that you can carry over, but but also different sections of the track have been repaved and smoothed out and gained a lot of grit, whether it’s been for Moto GP or for the F1 cars.
YOU VISITED THE UT LONGHORN RACING GARAGE LAST YEAR BEFORE THE RACE—WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE, AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO CONNECT WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS AND RACERS?
It’s very important. For me, it was fun to spend time with them and learn about the cars they’re building, the tools that they’re using. They’re using a lot of the same programs, software and hardware that a lot of the race teams utilize. It’s also fun to collectively talk about racing backgrounds, what similarities we have between my racing upbringing and theirs and give them insight to what extent NASCAR is engineering-driven and technology-driven.
YOU’RE RACING ON MICHAEL JORDAN’S TEAM: WOULD IT BE EASIER FOR YOU TO BEAT MICHAEL JORDAN IN A ONEON-ONE BASKETBALL GAME, OR FOR HIM TO BEAT YOU ON THE TRACK?
That’s really tricky. I don’t think I’ve ever beat him at basketball, and there’s at least a chance he could figure out the car thing. I mean, he’s an athlete, and anyone that has a heightened sense of what they need to ask their body to do…But there’s no shot I could ever beat in basketball.
IN 2023 YOU MADE HATS AT MAUFRAIS. DO YOU STILL WEAR YOUR HAT?
I try to save it for special occasions. The last time I wore it was a Christmas party. My wife, I’ve caught her pulling it out of the box and putting it on her head a few times too. More than anything, I just really have a huge appreciation for what they do.
DO YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE ANY OTHER MUST-DO’S WHEN IN AUSTIN?
Me, my wife and my son travel to a lot of these races together and every time we go to Austin they take off in the rental car and go up to a water park in Round Rock. We end the night in the water park, get dinner and then go back to the track. I love live music and depending on where you’re at in Austin, you get a different flavor of music. It’s the tagline, right? Austin likes to keep it weird and I feel like I myself. I’m a unique individual, I don’t always prefer the most straightforward thing.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF RACING?
One thing that’s been consistent throughout my whole life is my love and passion for cars. I grew up in the dealerships that my mom and my dad worked at, so I just grew up around cars. What got my start in racing was playing video games. When you become a dad, you get a few more responsibilities, but it’s something I still enjoy doing in my free time. But it’s also very important to be present and be at home and be mentally present, physically present, at home with my family and try to give them the best that I have.
YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS FEATURING SCOOTERS AND SHOES HAVE BECOME POPULAR—ARE THOSE SOMETHING YOU ENJOY DOING WITH YOUR SON?
My wife gives me grief about it, because she says I stole his idea, and it kind of was, he’s always really liked scooters, and so did I when I was younger. We started bringing them to the track because it gives us something fun to do outside. What started as a way to hang out in the neighborhood turned into an efficient way to do the track walks. And it was a great opportunity to showcase the Jordans and spotlight some of my favorites that they send to me on a monthly basis.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
Someone once told me, if you try to split yourself up 50/50, you’re gonna fail. It’s really important to be 100% dedicated to family and 100% dedicated to racing.
LIFE & LESSONS FROM KAY MCCONAUGHEY
NEWLY
93 AND STILL FULL OF FIRE, ENERGY AND OPTIMISM
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
Kay McConaughey, or as her son Matthew and daughter-in-law Camila McConaughey affectionately call her, MaMac, is a firecracker. She turned 93 in January, is razor sharp, crackles with energy and leaves those in her presence cracking up with her quick wit and steadfastness on what she likes, and what she doesn’t. After being in the audience at a Women of Today event late last year where Camila interviewed Kay and left us drenched in inspiration, we
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNA MCELROY
wanted to share Kay’s wisdom. Following a photo shoot at The Colton House where she did pilates moves many half her age aspire to do, we sat down for a chat in the library and talked about everything from love to longevity.
YOU AND JIM MCCONAUGHEY HAD QUITE THE LOVE STORY, BEGINNING WITH YOU PROPOSING TO HIM?
Jim McConaughey couldn’t make up his mind whether he wanted to get married or not. I met him in college and we were pretty tight, but he couldn’t seem to make up his mind. I knew he loved me, but if we didn’t get married, I could go back
to New York and model. So, I sent him an invitation to his wedding and I said if you can make it, fine, but if you don’t show up at the altar, then it’s over and I’m going to New York. But, he did show up. It wasn’t that he didn’t love me, he simply could not make up his mind. And I don’t think he wanted to get married at the time, but I wanted to get married!
YOU GOT MARRIED AND DIVORCED THREE TIMES.
Yes, all to Jim. Not many people can say that. I had three traditional real weddings, once in the Presbyterian church, once in the Catholic church and once in the Methodist church.
“THAT I’M A HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY PERSON. THAT’S WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY AFTER THEY’RE AROUND ME, THAT I DON’T TALK NEGATIVE, I JUST SIMPLY DO NOT, SO I AM A HAPPY PERSON.”
AND YOU AND JIM HAD A SON, ADOPTED A SECOND SON, AND THEN MATTHEW WAS A SURPRISE?
Oh my, was he ever! Oh my god yes, he was. In fact, he was such a surprise my friend took me up to the hospital to have Matthew and Jim McConaughey said, ‘Well, I don’t know if that’s my son,’ and I said, ‘Then don’t come up and see if he’s your son.’ But he did, he decided to come up and see the baby, and I said, ‘What do you think?’ and he came around. I mean, who else’s baby would it have been?
JIM PASSED IN 1992, AND AROUND 2000, YOU FELL IN LOVE AGAIN.
Yes, with C.J., my soulmate. He was such a kind, thoughtful person and we
were together for 17 years until he died of leukemia.
BUT YOU NEVER MARRIED?
No, and I never wanted to. I was just so happy to have two men in my life that I really, really loved.
THAT’S REALLY LUCKY. Yes, aren’t I?
WHAT DO YOU THINK KEEPS YOU SO VIBRANT AT 93?
I think a lot a lot has to do with my positive attitude. I really have a positive attitude, and I eat well. I eat clean. I exercise. I do pilates for one hour, four days a week, and that keeps me fit. But, the biggest
thing for me is I don’t stress. Like, if you and I were really good friends and, and you were talking to me and you had a situation, I would listen to you and I would give you advice and if you didn’t take it, then that’s it, I wouldn’t stress over it. I don’t have to fix everything, and for me, that’s a very positive. Women think they always have to fix everything, and I don’t think that way. I will help you, but I’m not going to stress over fixing everything, So, my main things are I eat clean, I exercise and I don’t stress.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A STRESSFUL SITUATION?
I don’t let myself get it them, trust me, I don’t. If I see that’s where I’m headed, I back off. I’m not going to let people do that to me.
DID YOU STRESS WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? No, I never really had any reason to. I was really popular and I had a zest for life and stress is not a word I can apply to me, ever.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE THAT SOMEONE HAS GIVEN YOU?
My father was very healthy and he taught my sister and I that you are what you eat, and you are what you think, and I’ve tried to live by those two things, really and truly, because if you think you’re dumb, guess what? You’re probably dumb. If you think you’re smart, then you’re probably smart. So, I have always thought I am what I think, and that’s why I think positive.
YOU HAVE A SIGN IN YOUR HOUSE THAT SAYS ‘YES?’
Yes, I have a big sign that says ‘Yes’ on my bar and then underneath it is a sign that says, ‘Life Is Good.’ Always say yes.
RICHARD BRANSON GAVE ME THAT ADVICE, HE ALWAYS SAYS YES AND HIS BOOK IS CALLED SCREW IT, JUST DO IT. Yes, but I’m older than him and I came up with it first.
BUT YOU ALWAYS SAY YES?
Yes, I always say yes. But, I slipped a maybe in back there, didn’t I?
There is always a ‘but,’ but there are two words that I try not to use because they don’t work, they’re ‘never’ and ‘always.’ When someone tells you, ‘Oh, I never do that,’ I’ll bet you ten to one that they do. Or, ‘I always do that.’ Think about it, do you always do that? So those are two words that I don’t like to use in my vocabulary, and I probably don’t, because they’re not true.
HOW MANY YEARS WERE YOU A TEACHER?
Off and on for 20 years. I lived in Uvalde for 10 years and I was a kindergarten teacher, and then we moved to Longview, Texas and continued to teach. Then I substituted in junior high. I just loved to teach. I’m very didactic.
YOU’VE REALLY SEEN AUSTIN GROW.
Yes, I moved here from Longview. I really wanted to move to a bigger city, but when I saw all the traffic that blew my mind because I don’t like to drive in traffic, but my biggest surprise was how big Austin has gotten.
DO YOU STILL DRIVE?
No. I was asked to turn the keys over. My boys got together and said I was making poor choices. And I was. I’ve heard of 90-year-old women driving, but I don’t know about that, and I’d never had the chance because they asked me for the keys. I was hitting cars on the side, going too close. I’m not a good driver, not at all, but I don’t like to drive.
THEN IT’S A GOOD THING, NOW PEOPLE CAN DRIVE YOU.
Yes, isn’t that nice? Matthew and Camila loan me their driver Marcel.
AND MARCEL CALLS YOU THE QUEEN OF TEXAS
Yes, he does. He’s the one that started that, and there’s only one queen of Texas honey, and that’s me! Can’t take that one away (singing) you can’t take that away from me…
YOU WROTE YOUR BOOK I AMAZE MYSELF AT 76 YEARS OLD. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?
Well, I would ride my bike, a lot. And when I would ride my bike, I would think of things and thought, ‘Kay, you need to write that down!’ So, I would get home, get off my bike and start writing things down on a yellow pad. Those things that I would write down are the things that are in
my book, ideas that I have thought of when I wasn’t really trying to think of anything. They’re just motivational suggestions. It’s a fun, motivational book that is supposed to be lively, inspirational and get you going.
WHAT’S AMAZED YOU ABOUT YOURSELF LATELY?
That I’m very resilient. That’s always amazed me and it still amazes me.
WHAT’S BRINGING YOU JOY LATELY?
What brings me the most joy is my grandchildren, I have six of them, and whenever I’m around any one of them my heart is full of joy. They keep me young, and that’s where I get my joy from now.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR?
Another good year of good health, because I plan on living until 98. I just picked that number. I think that’s a nice number because if you get too old and you can’t get around and your mind isn’t good, then what’s the point?
SEEMS LIKE YOU’RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE RIGHT NOW.
Yes, but I work at it. I read a lot, I keep up with things, you have to work at it at my age.
WHAT ARE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU DO TO WORK ON IT?
I keep up with current events on my ipad. I want to know what’s happening in the world. I’m curious, very curious about life, still.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE SEEN IN 93 YEARS THAT SURPRISED YOU? LIKE I WAS DRIVING NEXT TO A CAR WITH NO DRIVER YESTERDAY, AND THAT SURPRISED ME.
Oh gosh! No kidding? That would surprise the heck out of me. Well, I’m being kind of flipped now, but by the time you get my age, not a lot surprises you.
WHAT DO YOU EAT FOR BREAKFAST?
I love my breakfast. I have yogurt, usually mango or peach and then I have lots of different fruits, bananas, kiwis, mangos, a very healthy breakfast. I’m healthy, we never have any sweets in our house, ever.
BUT YOU DO HAVE A GLASS OF WINE EVERY DAY.
Yes, I do. I have a glass at 5 o’clock and then I have a glass when I go to bed.
WHAT KIND OF WINE?
Kendall Jackson, that’s my favorite, I don’t drink any other kind. If I came to your house and you didn’t have Kendall Jackson and you had a nice chardonnay, I
would drink it. I wouldn’t be obnoxious and say it’s not Kendall Jackson, I’m not drinking it, but if I can get Kendall Jackson, that’s what I prefer.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
I love Camila’s cole slaw. And salmon. I only eat fish and chicken, I don’t eat red meat. When I go to Matthew and Camila’s house I do because they like red meat and I would never refuse it, but it’s not something that I would choose.
DO YOU COOK?
No. I only cook stew. It’s fun, you just put everything in a pot, meat, carrots, potatoes, some mushrooms and a cup of red wine and stir it and put it in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour and it comes out a wonderful stew.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN AUSTIN?
Eddie V’s
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ONE OF MATTHEW’S MOVIES?
“Dallas Buyer’s Club.” He did a really great job, really and truly. That made me cry.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?
Would have to be anything by Michael Connelly. I love anything he writes.
WHAT’S A FAVORITE MANTRA?
Turn the page.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
That I’m a happy, happy, happy person. That’s what I want people to take away after they’re around me, that I don’t talk negative, I just simply do not, so I am a happy person.
I’ve had situations in my life, that I wrote about in my book, with my real mother and my stepmother, that did not make me happy. But, I learned to be anything other than those two people. That’s advice that I’ve given myself and consequently I’ve chosen to be happy, in spite of the way that I was treated by those two women. You have a choice, and I will never let you take my choices away. We always have a choice.
And, I know I’m not going to live forever, but I can’t imagine dying. Some people think about it, but I don’t. I’m mature, but I’m not old. I do love life, I do, I do, I do.
The shoot team: Tatum Hentemann, Jenna McElroy, Kelsey James, Lauren Andersen, Kay, Stephanie Coultress O'Neill and Jennifer Birn
A WORD FROM KAY’S PILATES TEACHER
Sought after pilates instructor Nonna Gleyzer calls Kay her inspiration
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNA MCELROY
Pilates professional Nonna Gleyzer has trained talent including Gisele Bundchen, Natalie Portman, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Garner, Jake Gyllenhaal and more. She teaches at Body by Nonna, her private studio on the Sunset Strip in LA, but teaches some special clients, like Kay, virtually. Specifically, one-hour sessions 3-4 times each week. We had a chat with her to learn more about how Kay stays so fit at 93.
WHEN DID YOU START WORKING WITH KAY?
I was working with Camila for many years and during Covid we took a break. Then in September 2020 she asked me to train her and Kay. At the time, Kay was 88 and I was hesitant.
AND WHAT DO YOU THINK NOW?
She’s kicking my butt, and I’m a former gymnast from the Ukraine. She’s made so much progress and challenges me more than I’m challenging her. Her abs are like a rock. Each session we do 80-100 different ab exercises. Young people can’t handle it.
AND SHE USES WEIGHTS?
Yes, 2-3lbs for arms and 1lb on each leg.
DOES SHE EVER COMPLAIN?
No, only when I don’t push her, then she yells at me.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH KAY?
Her nickname is Inspiration. She’s my inspiration. I love her positive energy and positive outlook on life. She told me she always told her boys when they wake up, ‘Make it a great day.’
She calls me Sunshine and I call her Inspiration.
CHRISTY’S A Special Force
ACTRESS/PODCAST HOST/ ENTREPRENEUR CHRISTY CARLSON ROMANO ON COMPETING ON SEASON 3 OF SPECIAL FORCES & WHAT’S NEXT
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
Austin-based multi-hyphenate Christy Carlson Romano has been acting since she was a kid. She’s done television and stage and paused to attend college at Columbia in New York, where she met her now husband, a Marine. She’s a podcaster and started a podcast network, a mom and an entrepreneur. She’s accustomed to pivoting and adapting, skills easily underestimated when she began competing on the current season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test alongside contestants like Denise Richards, Brody Jenner, soccer star Landon Donovan and Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole.
We caught up with Christy when she returned from filming in Whales, England for a chat about the show and what she has on deck for 2025.
WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE ON SPECIAL FORCES CAME UP, DID YOU HAVE ANY HESITATION?
I did have hesitation because I hadn’t worked out in a really long time. I asked my husband if it was a good idea and as my partner, what he thought I would get out of it spiritually. He thought it would be really character-building for me and thought it would be something I could add to my list of life experiences and really reflect on being female and 40 in the entertainment industry.
HAD YOU PREVIOUSLY WATCHED THE SHOW?
I hadn’t previously watched the show, but I’d seen a lot of promotion for it and it seemed like a really crazy thing for actors to do.
ONCE COMMITTED, HOW LONG DID YOU TRAIN BEFORE LEAVING TO FILM?
I trained for three and a half weeks pretty much three times a day.
WHAT DID YOUR TRAINING ENTAIL?
My training entailed swimming while wearing combat boots and clothing, holding my breath underwater as long as possible, running with a weighted vest and a weighted hunting backpack, getting screamed at by my husband as if
“I truly don’t know what’s next for me, but what I love about living in Austin is that I know I have so much support. Austin has been such a supportive community for me, more so than anywhere I’ve ever lived.”
he was the DS, holding squat positions for a really long time… already had the training of being a mom who never sleeps, so that wasn’t really hard for me to anticipate, but I swam quite a lot and it ended up helping me.
YOUR HUSBAND SERVED IN THE MARINES, WHAT ADVICE DID HE GIVE YOU?
My husband told me my mental strength is my superpower, because you can build muscles, but you can’t build mental strength, so that’s what I was really focused on. It’s something I acquired being a child performer and pivoting so many times in my career that I feel like I had a mental resilience of never giving up. My husband being a Marine helped me understand the concept of adapting and overcoming because we’ve been together forever and through adversity, I’ve seen him adapt and overcome and I’ve been there adapting and overcoming as well. I think there’s a kindredness some of the veterans have to that of child performers.
WHAT ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
I think the bragging rights at having done it. I also enjoyed the promotion leading up to it because I knew what people are going to watch and it’s insane. The insane situations that we electively put ourselves in is wild and I think people will be shocked to see how I performed and approached each challenge.
WHAT WERE YOUR INITIAL THOUGHTS WHEN YOU SAW THE OTHER CONTESTANTS?
We didn’t know who was going to be on until the morning the show starts. When we were in England to get processed to go to Whales they kept us separate and we weren’t allowed to leave our rooms. They do it in a way that’s very dramatic and when you
see the other contestants either you know them, or you know of their face but they may not know you. I definitely fan-girled when I saw Denise Richards and Stephen Baldwin.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU BONDED WITH ON THE SHOW YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH?
I’m definitely bonded with most of the recruits, everybody kind of has a trauma bond together in that we all went for a singular experience that I think everyone received and it didn’t matter how many days you made it, you put yourself on the line and you pushed yourself to the edge.
KNOWING WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN?
I would do it again because I’d want to perform even better. I’m very proud of my performance and without giving anything away, I’d want to do it again.
WHAT ELSE ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT IN 2025?
I’m finishing writing my memoir and I anticipate in the fall or shortly after we’re going to get a release date. There are a lot of things that need to be done in my next steps, but the thing about Austin is I get to live here and breathe into my creativity and grow into my next phases of life. I’ve changed a lot since I moved here in 2020. I went from your average YouTuber with a cooking show to a podcaster to a partner at my own podcast company to now being a contestant on this extreme reality show. I truly don’t know what’s next for me, but what I love about living in Austin is that I know I have so much support. Austin has been such a supportive community for me, more so than anywhere I’ve ever lived. I’m really grateful for the support from my friends and I know they’re rooting for me, which in short is a celebration in itself.
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Jess Pryles the Hardcore Carnivore
Jess is Australian-born but has been coming to Texas since 2008. We caught up with her to learn about where she sources her meat in Austin, takeaways from a graduate degree in Meat Science, what to expect on the second season of her show Hardcore Carnivore and more.
WHEN DID YOU MOVE HERE?
It’s my 10-year Texa-versary! It took years of back-and-forth travel until I realized I should just stay put here.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO MOVE TO AUSTIN?
I’d completely fallen in love with Austin and I figured the best place for a budding career in BBQ would be Austin.
AND YOUR HUSBAND IS A TEXAN?
He is - he’s actually one of those unicorns who was born in Austin.
HOW DID YOU MEET?
Not going to lie... Bumble!
WHEN DID YOU START COOKING?
I’ve always enjoyed cooking. After I had my first taste of BBQ at the (now defunct) Artz Rib House on South Lamar, I knew I wanted to learn more.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOUR NICHE WOULD BE MEAT?
It sort of chose me. I wanted to learn more about BBQ and how it’s made and
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
inadvertently started learning so much about the raw product. I loved how empowering it was to be able to cook a perfect steak after being intimidated by it for so long. At the end of the day, it’s just one of my favorite things to eat.
WHAT ARE TAKEAWAYS YOU LEARNED FROM STUDYING MEAT SCIENCE?
First - I think it was most valuable to understand and demystify the chemicals used in meat curing, and why. Part of getting the (graduate) certificate was dealing with processed meats. Getting to know the function of each ingredient was really interesting. Learning about the conversion of meat to muscle and all the different factors that can affect tenderness is fascinating! There’s so much that happens before you even start to cook the steak at home.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SOURCE MEAT IN AUSTIN?
I get the majority of my meat from H-E-B - they have an incredible meat program and often source from local ranchers. Sometimes
Photo by Scott Slusher
The live fire cook, author and TV host carved out a niche cooking meats
I pick up specialty cuts from local wholesaler Lone Star Meats, and I love buying jerky and exotic meats from Hudson’s Meat Market.
HOW MANY DAYS/WEEK DO YOU EAT MEAT?
Every single day. Protein is the most important part of my diet, so I do a lot of fish and chicken, but red meat at least three times a week too.
WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT ON SEASON 2 OF “HARDCORE CARNIVORE?”
Lots of meaty adventures! In season two we got to dive deeper into so many different areas of meat - we visit a meat science lab in West Texas, do a whole hog, cabrito in Monterrey style, and of course a couple of hunting adventures too.
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN AUSTIN?
Este, Vaquero’s, and Odd Duck are some of my faves – it’s so hard to choose just three, but to be honest, BBQ has to have its own list. For that, La Barbecue, LeRoy & Lewis, Interstellar, and Moreno BBQ - just to name a few.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE BUY YOUR SPICES AND PRODUCTS LOCALLY?
We’re lucky enough to be in some bigger stores like Academy, Cabela’s and H-E-B, but we’re also stocked at lots of great Austin local small businesses like LeRoy & Lewis, Hudson’s Meat Market, Longhorn Meat Market, Faraday’s Kitchen Store, BBQ Outfitters, Chud’s provisions, Goodstock and Tejas Meat Supply. You can also find our products on our site https:// www.hardcorecarnivore.com/ .
DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PASSION THEY’VE MAYBE BEEN AFRAID TO PURSUE?
Stay focused and continue to push. Success is rarely instant, but if you never try you’ll never know.
For recipes and more check out Jess’s website https://jesspryles.com/
Photo by Hayden Walker
We’re dedicated to helping students achieve their biggest goals.
www.cramcrew.com 8705 Shoal Creek Blvd #200 Austin, TX 78757 512.297.2001
The boutique that caters to the whole family started humbly nearly two decades ago
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
The Next Chapter of estilo
Stephanie Coultress O’Neill started selling clothes out of her 800 square foot apartment nearly 20 years ago before moving into her first brick and mortar, a 2100 square foot space on 2nd Street downtown. She’d relocated estilo to Cassis Village in Tarrytown ten years ago, and added separate stores for estilo Men and estilo Kids. This year, she combined the three stores into the first boutique department store of its kind in Austin, occupying 4200 sq ft., something she calls a life-long goal. “My dream for the store was always to create a space where people genuinely enjoyed visiting. While my love for fashion and styling was the foundation, it was about creating an environment that made people feel good,” she says, “Boutique shopping is about experiencing thoughtfully curated collections and I wanted that experience for the whole family. Although she’s been in the often stressful world of retail for so long, weathering the pandemic and pivoting when her lease changed hands, she still loves it as much or more than when she started, sharing, “I’ve been fortunate to combine my love for people and fashion into my dream job. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is that I get to see and interact with friends every day—our customers truly feel like friends. They come to us because they trust and value not only my opinion but also the expertise and care of our staff. We’ve created an environment that’s welcoming, fun, and friendly, and that’s what keeps me passionate after 20 years.”
In that time she says, “I’ve learned the critical importance of convenience in every aspect of the business. From location and parking to store hours and the checkout process, everything needs to be seamless and customer-focused.”
Stephanie plans on the new store to being the boutique’s final evolution. She says her favorite part about it is, “Each space has its own unique vibe and aesthetic, seamlessly reflecting the clothing it houses. The men’s section is designed to be contemporary and masculine, while the kids’ area is colorful and vibrant. At the same time, the intentional connections between the spaces create a cohesive experience. I also love the flexibility of the movable elements—when open, they create a wonderful flow for parties and events, but when closed, they provide privacy and distinction between each area.”
Look out for many fun events at the new space, from a grand opening celebration this month, to a monthly book club for kids and of course, the sip & shops for fun and philanthropy.
Find estilo at: 2727 Exposition Blvd #121, Austin, TX 78703 and follow on Instagram at @estilo_austin
The original boutique on 2nd Street
Starworthy Austin Restaurants
In November many Texas restaurants received the recognition they deserved and we at Austin Lifestyle are thrilled for the winners! Yet, we couldn’t help but notice exceptions we think shine bright in ATX but were overlooked. Here we’re highlighting three we think are obvious, but this list could also include Aba, Este, Otoko, Fonda San Miguel and more.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
Uchi Chef Tyson Cole
This snub was our biggest surprise. Uchi has a reputation that far exceeds our city and is often on the short list of Austin restaurants people who don’t even live in Texas can name. Owner and Chef Tyson Cole, who began as a dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant while he was a student at the University of Texas in 1992, spent 10 years training in Tokyo and opened Uchi in 2003. He’s received a James Beard Foundation Award, made appearances on several cooking shows, trained a Top Chef winner, as well as several notable chefs in Austin and opened Uchiko and Uchiba in Austin, all while consistently turning out award-worthy sushi and service.
Sushi by Scratch Chefs/owners Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee
Sushi by Scratch originated in Montecito, CA, earned a Michelin Star there and we were sure one would follow for their Hill Country location tucked in a speakeasy-like space at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines. Their signature omakase-inspired tasting menu experience features fish flown in from Japan and molded into exquisitely prepared bites that force guests to pay attention to each bite, and often look like little works of art. Whether or not boasting a star (yet), this duo is winning, recently opening a location downtown where guest can enjoy 21 total courses with 4 plated canapés added in the lounge to start.
Canje Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph
Canje is part of the Emmer & Rye Hospitality family, which received a star for Hestia, a Green in Austin recognition for Emmer & Rye, a Bib Gourmand award for Ladino and a Michelin recommendation for Nicosi. Although impressive, Canje was a noticeable omission. Canje is a passion project conceived by Chef Tavel that’s an homage to the food of his roots in Guyana. It’s brought an under-represented cuisine to Austin with a modern take on Caribbean food. The Jerk Chicken and West Indian Curry are absolutely delicious and pair perfectly with the fruit-forward cocktail menu.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
FEBRUARY 15TH
Horeshoe Bay Resort’s 9th Annual Comedy Festival Weekend
Horeshoe Bay Resort: 200 Hi Cir N, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 | 6:30 PM
Legendary comedians Tom Papa and Greg Warren will be among the comics to take the stage at Horseshoe Bay Resort for an intimate evening of hilarious fun over Valentine’s Day/President’s Day holiday weekend.
FEBRUARY 25TH & 26TH
Texas Medal of Arts Award
The Long Center for Performing Arts
Through the Texas Medal of Arts Awards (TMAA), the Texas Cultural Trust spotlights Texas leaders and luminaries who have achieved greatness through their creative talents, as well as those whose generosity has opened doors to artistic opportunity for Texans of all ages. Some of this year's recipients include Gary Clark Jr., Richard Linklater and Dennis Quaid
FEBRUARY 25TH
Fourth Annual Imagine Muny Gala
ACL Live Moody Theater | 8:30 PM
Wynona Judd is performing at The Muny Conservancy's centennial celebration for Lions Municipal benefitting the Save Muny effort to preserve, protect and promote Lions Municipal Golf Course. Sponsorship and floor table opportunities are available by contacting The Muny Conservancy Co-Chair Scotty Sayers at sayers@bencrenshaw.com and you can by general admission tickets and learn more at https://themunyconservancy.com
FEBRUARY 28TH – MARCH 2ND
NASCAR at COTA
Circuit of the Americas: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle, TX 78617
The three-day weekend will feature two NASCAR national series race and a pair of 45-minute sprint races. The series features three different classes and includes exotic, prototype sports cars racing alongside GT-style race cars from many of the world’s greatest sports car manufacturers.
FAVORITE THINGS 5
1. WOOM:
This Austin-based kid’s bike company set out with a goal to build bikes that inspire children and their parents. They currently sell six bikes in a variety of colors for children between 1.5 and 14 years of age, with more to come https://woom.com
2. DANGEROUS LATITUDES:
Looking forward to digging into this historical fiction novel from Austinite Jack Woodville London set in the Republic of Texas in the early 1840s. Pre-order is available on Amazon and there will be a launch event at BookPeople March 2 at 4pm.
3. ZIMMERMAN:
The iconic women’s label that started in Sydney in the early 90s has its first storefront in Austin, opening in the Domain last last year. Inside you can expect a curated selection of their collections that are sleek, modern and embrace sophisticated femininity.
4. MATTR BIOWELLNESS:
MATTR, which opened last year, is home to many health, wellness and longevity-hacking modalities, including an Ammortal Chamber that uses cutting-edge technology designed to reset your nervous system and enhance overall well-being. https://www.mattrbiowellnessclub.com/
5. HOLLYWOOD VIRGIN:
Sprinkled with celebrity stories (both positive and not), Texas-bred author Jason Felts’ book recounts how he successfully climbed to the top of Hollywood, “made it” and then walked away, trading a suit for his robe and a cozier, more grounded life.
THE RIGHT ANSWERS BEGIN WITH THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
What are the options for senior living? How can you be sure the standards remain high? What if your parents have different needs? What if those needs change?
At Belmont Village, we understand each situation is unique. Our experienced advisors will listen to your family’s story, then help you consider the questions you need for the answers they deserve. So you can confidently navigate the options from active adult to memory care and know what to look for in terms of management, food, care, and accommodations for couples with differing needs.
Our advisors are here to help. Just ask.
BelmontVillage.com/JustAsk
