Cheers to 2025!
As we enter a new year, the energy of new beginnings surrounds us. This is the time of year when many of us feel inspired to prioritize our health, reset our routines, and refocus on the habits that fuel our bodies and minds. Health and wellness is more than a resolution; it is a lifelong journey, and I’m excited to bring you an issue that celebrates just that.
Before becoming Publisher of Mission Hills City Lifestyle , my career began in the fitness industry as a personal trainer. Over the years, I expanded into group fitness, mat Pilates, Reformer, boot camps, and more. Working with individuals and empowering them to feel their best from the inside out, I’ve seen firsthand how determination, support, and the right tools can lead to extraordinary outcomes!
This month’s issue is dedicated to inspiring and equipping you to make this your healthiest and most vibrant year yet. We’ve curated stories that celebrate wellness in all its forms—physical, mental, and emotional.
Whether you’re setting new goals, refining your routine, or simply seeking inspiration, I hope you find something in these pages that speaks to you. Remember, wellness is a journey, not a destination. Start small, be kind to yourself, and celebrate the victories along the way.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives. Here’s to a healthy and joy-filled 2025!
SARAH JOHNS, PUBLISHER @MISSIONHILLSCITYLIFESTYLE
January 2025
PUBLISHER
Sarah Johns | sarah.johns@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATORS
Victoria Moore | victoria.moore@citylifestyle.com
Chelsey Juarez | chelsey.juarez@citylifestyle.com
Rebecca Spears | rebecca.spears@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Elaina Paige, Bev Weidner
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nicole Bissey, Jzlatphoto, KC Ballet Media, Kyle Rivas, Rebecca Spears, Bev Weidner
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 Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Learn
Proverbs 3:5-6
city scene
We Love To (Face) Party!
Grab 5 or more of your besties and let us touch your face! Face parties are the perfect way to celebrate every occasion including bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, girls days, family reunions and more!
Want to host one? Let us treat you! As a thank you for bringing in some beautiful faces for us to touch, we will give the host 10% of all the services performed back on a gift card! We can’t wait to host your face party!
SCAN THE QR, CALL 816-759-8488 OR EMAIL KANSASCITY@FACEFOUNDRIE.COM TO BOOK!
608 W. 48th Street, Kansas City, MO 64112 facefoundrie.com / @facefoundriekansascity
Kick start a stress free 2025 with a relaxing massage or facial.
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business monthly
Chief
Fit keeps their Plaza rooftop facilities open
during the winter months
Workout on the Chiefs Fit rooftop all winter long! With stunning views and plenty of space to share, the Country Club Plaza location embraces the cold and snow by keeping its rooftop facilities open for business. Enjoy the 40-yard turf and other training and recovery opportunities by claiming your free pass at Chiefsfit.com
Scan to read more
Make
your
travel plans for 2025 through Travel Wright with Barb
Specializing in international destinations, Mission Hills City Lifestyle’s newest partner Barb Wright is eager to plan your next adventure. She has built relationships with incredible luxury brands and companies, which have left clients overjoyed and hooked for life. The process begins with a personalized itinerary and the support does not end until your return home. Savor your memories with family and friends! Schedule a discovery call with Barb: travelwrightwithbarb.com/ Add value to your property with quality countertops by
Custom granite and marble countertops is the specialty of Kansas City-based company Gaumats International. Since 2005, this family-owned business has been providing timeless beauty and unmatched quality for kitchens, bathrooms and other household projects. Owner Apul Gaumat’s knowledge of granite and marble comes from his family-owned quarries and processing plants located in India. Their showroom is open Monday through Friday and free quotes are available online: gaumatsinternational.com/
A new WAY to WORKOUT
City Gym owner and former professional athlete Hailee Bland Walsh and personal trainer Josh Guffey know what it is like to start businesses from scratch. Together, they have over 40 years of fitness experience, have retained loyal, lifelong clients and have overcome the global pandemic of 2020 that threatened to take it all away. The temporary closures of gyms nationwide, including City Gym, drove them into their most recent venture.
Walsh and Guffey revolutionized the fitness industry with the creation of Fit Truk, the world’s first fully-equipped, mobile, outdoor, smart gym that utilizes integrated, easy-to-set-up strength pieces, strength-based group classes and one-on-one training. In their case, thinking outside of the box opened the door into one.
“We aren’t inventors who created a product for the fitness industry, we are industry experts that used our combined acumen to offer the fitness industry a fresh and revolutionary approach to gym entrepreneurship,” Walsh said.
Kansas City-based mobile fitness tool “Fit Truk”
makes the gym accessible to all
ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA SPEARS
What started as a creative idea in Guffey’s back pocket has now transformed into the booming industry of building and outfitting mobile gyms to make fitness more accessible to all. The original goal of Fit Truk was to serve as an extension of City Gym. After only a few short months, the pair received enough interest from buyers to take a prototype to an international fitness trade show. Since then, they have never looked back.
“What we are seeing is how many people now don’t want to come back in!” Walsh said. “Outdoor fitness continues to explode. The power of this tool is its ability to be used in a variety of environments for every population imaginable. The Truk is designed in such a way that it is accessible from everyone from youth athletes to adaptive athletes.”
The inclusivity of Fit Truk is an important quality to Walsh. Understanding how uncomfortable the atmosphere in a gym can feel for some, it has been her mission from the beginning, within City Gym and Fit Truk, to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
“Kansas City wholeheartedly embraced this idea, and this summer we celebrated our thirteenth successful year,” she said. “I am remarkably proud of being an independently woman-owned gym that was able to survive an extended closure due to a global pandemic!”
As Fit Truk continues to grow its presence in Kansas City and around the world, Walsh and Guffey are focused on empowering community recreational organizations, brick and mortar gyms and sole proprietors to utilize this tool to its fullest potential. With each person who encounters Fit Truk, it reinforces to Walsh why fitness is and will always be the place for her.
“The reason I’ve stayed in the fitness industry is for the magic that happens when a person makes an intentional choice to show up for themselves. Having a front row seat to personal transformation is pretty incredible,” she said.
DANCE is for all
Kansas City Ballet School lowers access barriers by offering adaptive dance classes
ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KC BALLET MEDIA
Not every hopeful dancer will land a lead role in The Nutcracker or grace the stage in a Broadway show. While dancing professionally is the path for some, the goal of the Kansas City Ballet School is not for everyone to reach this pinnacle, but simply, to give everyone the opportunity to dance.
“Dance is about storytelling and expression, and everyone has a unique story to share,” partnership specialist Kim Trudell said. “By being inclusive, we enrich the dance community, challenge stereotypes, and create an environment where everyone feels safe, seen, valued, and a sense of belongingness. It’s essential to lower the barriers to access and demonstrate that dance is not just for a select few, but for all.”
Since its inception in 1981 by Artistic Director Todd Bolender, the Kansas City Ballet School has seen tremendous growth in both the academy and recreational program enrollment. For the last ten years, adaptive dance classes have been a fundamental part of the school, supporting its vision of “Outstanding Dance Experiences Accessible to All.”
Trudell led the way in establishing the adaptive program. By consulting with different therapists and community leaders and using her background in early childhood education, she built a team of teaching artists and developed a curriculum for the program. Ensuring smaller class sizes and individualized attention in a studio was important to Trudell, and the feedback she has received is overwhelmingly positive.
“Families often share how the classes have boosted confidence, physical ability, cognition, emotional well-being, given their children a sense of belonging, and have allowed them to explore their potential through dance which had previously not been possible,” she said. “The success of the classes led to the inception of our Sensory-Friendly Nutcracker at the Kauffman in 2018.”
The classes are specially designed to infuse learning with movement. The students have an opportunity to explore and develop skills, with ambulatory and non-ambulatory options. Music plays a key role in setting the tone and inspiring expression. The teaching artists use clear, positive language and offer visual and verbal cues, demonstrations, and tactile guidance when appropriate. The emphasis is on creativity and fostering the joy of dance.
Kim Trudell
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the joy and community that has blossomed from this program,” Trudell said. “Watching students discover and express themselves through dance is a reminder of why I started this journey. Knowing that I’ve played a part in creating a dancing space where we feel accepted and celebrated is deeply meaningful.”
Upon completing renovations in Prairie Village last year, the school’s director Oliver Till is eager for almost all classes to be offered at their two accommodating locations, the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity in Kansas City and the South Campus location, to serve even more students in the adaptive community who want to experience the joy of dance.
“The hope is that we continue to develop our programs, culture and environment so that anyone who comes to any class at the school encounters excellence in their instruction and an accepting space to learn in,” he said.
FULFILL A DREAM. LEARN SOMETHING NEW. HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!
Kansas City Ballet School offers a variety of Open Division classes for children and adults of all interest levels and abilities. Gain the health and fitness benefits of ballet and dance training through one of their recreational dance classes.
All class schedules are available online: kcballet.org/kc-ballet-school/
South Campus
ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE BISSEY AND PROVIDED
time for a GLOW UP!
Your skin is the gateway to the rest of your body. It absorbs the world around you and can reflect the state of your internal health. If there is ever a time to start incorporating new routines into your life, it is at the start of a new year. Why not make regular facials a normal thing in 2025?
Kansas City’s Face Foundrié makes it easy to prioritize your skin, starting with the face. They are an all-inclusive focused facial bar that empowers their customers to look and feel their best by providing cutting-edge services, accessible pricing, and an extensively trained staff of experts who deeply care. Owners Madison Murphy and Lauren Swanberg curated a list of specialty facials that will help elevate your skincare routine.
Kansas City’s Face Foundrié leads the way in personalized skin care
CRYO QUEEN - for those who don’t know where to start
This firming facial uses Cryo technology to lift and tighten the skin while brightening and boosting circulation. It includes an LED light treatment that will make your face glow.
FIRM AF (ABSOLUTELY FIRM)for those who want their youthfulness to show
Our firming peptide mask will take your skin back in time with an intense firming peptide mask and lymphatic drainage massage.
CLEAN + NATURAL - for those with sensitive skin or who are a tad crunchy
This safe and effective facial promotes skin cell turnover with light exfoliation and a Gua Sha massage, finished with a cooling algae mask that will keep your skin hydrated!
THE SCULPT - for those who want a facial workout
Get a workout for your face with our Hungarian massage and facial cupping to lift, tighten and tone the face. No gym membership is required!
OTHER SERVICES -
Lashes: Boost your lashes and have them curled and lifted to perfection.
Brows : Get your best brows with a lamination, tint and wax.
Book a vacation for your face at Kansas City’s Face Foundrié online at: facefoundrie.com/ or call 816-759-8488.
THE BEST FOR YOUR HAIR
ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JZLATPHOTO
One of the first things most people ponder at the start of a new year is their look. “Should I revamp my style? What about finally getting in shape? I should probably take better care of myself.” Any of these could be a fine place to start, but there is one way to kick off 2025 where instant gratification can be delivered.
A NEW HAIRSTYLE.
Led by Kansas City native Rosalie Volavongsa and her incredible team of hairstylists and barbers,
Collective Salon opened in the heart of Mission, Kansas, and in just over one year of business is proving to be a popular choice for both women and men in the area.
With over 25 years of experience in the hair industry, Volavongsa decided it was time to open her own salon, which became a reality in 2023. She was happy to pass down her passion to her son Elijah, who now works alongside Volavongsa on the barbershop side of the salon. Blending the old school, traditional barbershop feel with new, trendy haircuts and styles, barbers
Collective Salon commits to using products known for their transparency and sustainability
Elijah and Daniel have taken Collective Salon to the next level because of their creativity and incredible work with custom haircuts and straight razor shaves.
All of the products used are Davines, a company known for their commitment to sustainability and transparency.
Whether bangs or bobs, cut or color, precision shear haircuts or straight razor shaves--whatever style you are considering for 2025, Collective Salon can uphold your personal beauty and wellness standards.
To book an appointment with a Collective hairstylist or barber, visit collectivesalonkc.com/
High-end, natural products
As one of the few salons that leans into wellness in its beauty standards, Collective Salon intentionally uses Davines hair products because of the company’s commitment to sustainability. Davines proudly displays its values and lists the top four as: decarbonization, biodiversity, circularity and bio-corp. Each year, they release a sustainability report that is not mandatory to share details regarding the environmental and social impact of its activities. Their aim is to remain transparent in all they do.
Start 2025 Financially Strong!
Ask us how we can help you set attainable goals this year for your portfolio
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EMMALEE RATHSAM
TRAIN LIKE A PRO
ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KYLE RIVAS THE NFL MEETS THE FITNESS WORLD WITH THE CREATION OF M6 FOOTBALL
It is safe to say that Kansas City is obsessed with its Chiefs. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is consistently packed from top to bottom and is considered one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. The city itself is covered in red, day and night and its people cannot get enough.
That’s why it made perfect sense for M6 Football’s CEO Mark Mastrov to open not one, but two Chiefs Fit facilities in the Kansas City Metro area, so everyone can have the opportunity to “Train Like A Pro.”
“Kansas City has rabid fans, some of the most rabid fans in the entire country,” he said. “People love the brand, and I think we’ve done a really good job with the Chiefs and their marketing team bringing the brand to life. So, it’s a unique way to experience the Chiefs in another way that you may not have been able to before.”
Outfitted with almost 40,00 square feet of state-of-the-art finishes, equipment, classes and recovery tools, Chiefs Fit combines the love of team and fitness into a one-stop-shop facility, located on the Country Club Plaza and off Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park.
“I’ve had more people tell me that they’re the most beautiful and unique clubs they’ve ever seen,” Mastrov said. “They are really well-built, unique facilities that you’re proud to be part of and enjoy being inside each and every day you go in. We’re always excited in the winter because we have that rooftop (Plaza location) and when it snows, you can workout on the roof.”
With an extensive background in both fitness and business, including founding the 24 Hour Fitness chain, Mastrov’s newest venture M6 Football was specifically created with the vision of uniting the NFL and fitness. Powering through the pandemic, M6 Football has strategically planted this concept all over the country, with gyms in Texas, California, Florida and beyond. In the midst of incredible success, Mastrov recalls an injury and his recovery training as the reason he got started in the fitness industry–the heart behind how all of his locations serve their members.
“The Chiefs have been phenomenal partners, and they’ve been a pleasure to work with!”
“I’ve always been a trainer trying to help people enhance their lives and achieve the ultimate workout. As you get older, it’s about longevity and then recovery. Your bones get a little creaky, your muscles get a little sore, and you’re trying to find ways to get through that,” Mastrov said. “We’re constantly evolving around people in their
—MARK MASTROV
exercise program, and developing programs around nutrition because how you fuel your body generally is how you kind of train your body.”
Throughout his time working with the Kansas City Chiefs, Mastrov admits he has developed an affinity for the team and community of fans, personally and professionally. Attending his first Chiefs game was an experience he will not soon forget.
“The Chiefs have been phenomenal partners and are super supportive of the brand. They’ve been a pleasure to work with,” he said. “I didn’t know much about the stadium culture. At the very end of the National Anthem, when 70,000 people yell ‘home of the Chiefs,’ I think I saw the spirit leave my body, float up in the air for a minute and come back down.
Immediately, you become a Chiefs fan when you see something like that. It’s a really cool culture.”
With the way the team and organization carry themselves off the field, it is no surprise to Mastrov why they have consistent success on the field and the fan base they do. A game plan all of the M6 Football gyms, especially Chiefs Fit, hope to follow as they continue to grow and engage within their communities.
“It’s really about people,” Mastrov said. “Find great people that will help you grow your brand. Create the right culture and the right winning attitude and then follow the Chiefs as they just continually don’t seem to want to lose. We seem to think the same way. We are going to find a way to win no matter what it takes.”
Meet Kansas City’s Elaina Paige
LOCAL PROFESSIONAL DANCER DISCUSSES
HER CAREER AND RUNNING A BUSINESS
ARTICLE BY ELAINA PAIGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACEY ARTIS, STEVEN G AND KYLE RIVAS
1. HOW DID YOU ENTER INTO THE PROFESSIONAL DANCING SPACE?
Graduating from Columbia College Chicago set me up for success in my professional career. The training and connections I gained there opened doors to incredible opportunities, allowing me to dance on stage with some of the industry’s best and earn international touring credentials. This foundation taught me the importance of preparation, discipline, and persistence in achieving success in the industry.
2. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER?
One of the biggest highlights of my career was, without a doubt, sharing the stage with Beyoncé for Oprah’s Surprise Spectacular Show. Beyond that, being recognized as one of the KC Chamber’s Top 10 Small Businesses and becoming the youngest female in the running was an unforgettable honor. I’ve also had the privilege of building programs that inspire and elevate young creatives, which feels like a career highlight every single day.
3. WHAT LED YOU TO WANT TO OPEN A TALENT AGENCY IN KANSAS CITY? WHY IS THE LOCATION IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Kansas City is home. It’s where my roots run deep, and it’s a city brimming with untapped talent and creativity. After traveling and experiencing the industry at the highest level, I saw the opportunity to create something here that didn’t exist—a space where local talent could grow, thrive, and be celebrated on national and global stages. Opening the Next Paige Talent Agency in Kansas City was my way of investing in the community that invested in me.
4. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE NEXT PAIGE?
The goal of The Next Paige is to illuminate the next generation of artists, creators, and visionaries. Whether it’s through our talent agency, creative programs, or productions, we aim to provide opportunities and resources that empower individuals to step confidently into their dreams. It’s about building bridges—between aspirations and achievements, creativity and opportunity.
5. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND HELPING OTHERS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS?
The most rewarding part of this journey has been witnessing transformation. Seeing someone walk through the door unsure of their potential and later watching them shine, whether it’s booking their first major gig or discovering a newfound confidence, is everything. Owning my own business has also given me the freedom to lead with heart and purpose, creating a space where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to pursue their dreams. Over the past four years, we have paid more than $500,000 to contractors within the creative industry.
6. HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE HEALTH & WELLNESS INTO YOUR LIFE AND YOUR BUSINESS?
Health and wellness are central to everything I do, both personally and professionally. Dance has always been a form of physical and mental therapy for me, and I emphasize that same mind-body connection in my programs. In the Creative Camp with my nonprofit Next Paige Foundation, for example, we incorporate affirmations, mental health discussions, and physical movement to nurture holistic well-being. Personally, I stay active, focus on eating well, and prioritize rest to maintain the energy required to pour into others and run my business.
“Kansas City is home. It’s brimming with untapped talent and creativity. After experiencing the industry at the highest level, I saw the opportunity to create something that didn’t exist.”
Fennel and Parsley Salad
ingredients:
• 1 fennel bulb, trimmed, cored, thinly sliced (mandolin works great!)
• 1 mini cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup thin red onion
• 1 cup rinsed parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sliced parmesan for garnish
directions:
Step 1. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, grated garlic, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and a couple grinds of black pepper.
Step 2. In a larger serving bowl, combine the fennel, parsley, cucumber, red onion, almonds, parmesan and fennel fronds from the stems. Add the dressing over the top and toss to coat.
Step 3. Serve immediately! Serves four.
Visit Bev’s blog or Instagram to try more of her delicious recipes: bevcooks.com or @bevcooks
events
A SELECTION OF
UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JANUARY 8TH
Chiefs Cookie Decorating Class
McLain’s Bakery in Brookside | 6:30 PM
Indulge in the art of decorating your sweet treats with the help of professionals at McLain’s. Throughout the year, the popular bakery in Brookside offers seasonal cookie and cake decorating opportunities designed to be an approachable and fun experience for those in attendance. Tickets include light appetizers and two non-alcoholic drinks during the class. Purchase online: mclainskc.com/decorating-classes
JANUARY 10TH – 19TH
Kansas City Restaurant Week
Participating locations | Various Times
Just a week after the holiday festivities end, Kansas City Restaurant Week begins! Savor some of the city’s finest dishes with hundreds of participating restaurants aiming to curate lunch and dinner menus for affordable, adventurous dining experiences. For a complete list of restaurants and menus, visit kcrestaurantweek.com/ or download the KC Restaurant Week app to plan your experiences.
JANUARY 10TH
Disney’s The Sound of Magic
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | 8:00 PM
For one weekend only, the Kansas City Symphony brings your favorite Disney childhood movies to life! The symphony is set to perform live scores while movie clips are projected during the show. Enjoy hit songs from Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and many more. Tickets are available online: tickets.kcsymphony.org/soundofmagic
JANUARY 18TH
Battle of the Bean 5K
Red Bridge Shopping Center | 9:00 AM
Lace your running shoes for the 12th annual Battle of the Bean 5K! Runners will start and end at the Red Bridge Shopping Center, while weaving through residential neighborhoods during the race. Coffee and hot chocolate are available at the finish line. Collections for Wonderscope Children’s Museum will be accepted. Sign up for the race at runsignup.com
JANUARY 18TH
The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes
Muriel Kauffman Theatre | 7:00 PM
Join actor Cary Elwes for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into the iconic film The Princess Bride on Saturday, January 18. Known for his role as the brave farm boy Westley, Elwes will participate in a moderated discussion revealing never-before-shared secrets and personal stories during the filming and beyond. General and VIP tickets are available online: tickets.kauffmancenter.org/princessbride
JANUARY 24TH
Stayin’
Alive: One Night of the Bee Gees
Uptown Theater | 7:30 PM
Put on your boogie shoes, get to groovin’ and let yourself be transported to the finest days of music from the 70s! The Bee Gees Now Tour is performing at Kansas City’s Uptown Theater on Friday, January 24. Tickets are on sale now through ticketmaster.
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