10 years.
I remember seeing the Craigslist advertisement: Missoula Valley Lifestyle seeking writers. I had just moved to Missoula from New York City and left a plum publishing job behind. I Googled Missoula Valley Lifestyle—nothing came up. Mhm, interesting! I replied to the ad with my resume and a few writing samples. What did I have to lose?
To my surprise, the magazine was real. It had just launched in April, 2015—the same month and year that I arrived in Missoula. What luck. The stories were about local people and places, events and art and all things lifestyle. I was a magazine geek in college, designing layouts and finding stories in everyday people and places. This was such a positive place to curl up in a new town.
And it was that positivity that brought Mike Tucker, our publisher, to launch this magazine here in this community. He wanted something that locals and visitors alike could relish—a place where they could feel safe and revitalized. When someone reads these pages, front to back, they might feel restored, inspired, or hopeful. I'd like to think that over the last decade we've hit our goal of becoming a beacon of light to community members. The people and places we have featured have become part of my personal journey here, and that's the good stuff. That's what community does when you stitch yourself into the fabric of it.
With this being our "Investment" themed issue, we share stories that not only reflect but celebrate the many ways in which you can invest—in your health, in your community, in traveling. Anyone who lives in this special place knows the importance of moving your body and exploring, and that's a huge piece of how we support one another. Investing in ourselves is the key to investing in the overall picture of community. I hope this issue inspires you to reevaluate what really matters in your own life, and if you've been with us since the beginning, or you're just joining us now—thank you, for your support.
CHELSEA LYN AGRO, EDITOR @MVLMAGAZINE
April 2025
PUBLISHER
Mike Tucker | MTucker@CityLifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Amanda Tucker | Amanda.Tucker@CityLifestyle.com
EDITOR
Chelsea Lyn Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Marla Huggins | Marla.Huggins@CityLifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Rick Szczechowski | RSzczechowski@Gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Marko Capoferri, Shelby Humphreys, Emma Trotter
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Renske Photo
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Proverbs 3:5-6
Pickle Pie
A Decade of MVL
Meet
Alpine
Missoula
A Decade of MVL
MEET THE MISSOULA VALLEY LIFESTYLE TEAM AS WE CELEBRATE 10 YEARS IN THIS COMMUNITY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK SZCZECHOWSKI
Michael Tucker
Publisher Assistant
Being a Montana boy through and through, my roots run deep in this beautiful state. I was born in Havre, and over the years I’ve called many Montana towns my home. Yet, Missoula has always held a special place in my heart, and now in my sight’s memory. Due to a condition called Optic Neuropathy, I am now completely blind. The community here is unlike any other, and that’s something to be immensely proud of. After years in the media industry, I decided to take a significant leap of faith. I noticed a little magazine circulating in towns like Missoula and felt a calling to bring something
similar to our community. I believed in Missoula’s ability to embrace these pages and I wanted to contribute something uplifting and community-based that would highlight the beauty of the people and environment here. Ten years ago, Missoula Valley Lifestyle was born. From the start, our readers, writers, photographers, and partners have been the heart of this publication. Their contributions and support have been invaluable and I am deeply thankful for the trust the community has placed in us. This connection has allowed Missoula Valley Lifestyle to thrive!
CONTINUED >
Amanda Tucker
Publisher Assistant
Returning to Missoula has been like opening a treasured book filled with familiar stories and characters. The community here is vibrant and welcoming, filled with passionate individuals dedicated to preserving the essence of our town. It’s a place where traditions are honored, yet new ideas are embraced, creating a dynamic environment that is constantly evolving. As I look toward the future, I am filled with enthusiasm and anticipation for the memories created in Missoula. This journey, with all its twists and turns, has taught me
the importance of embracing change and trusting the path I am on. With my son Everett by my side, every day is an adventure waiting to unfold. Here’s to the endless possibilities that lie ahead! With each new day, I am reminded of the beauty of new beginnings. Our community and the breathtaking backdrop of Missoula fill me with gratitude and hope. As we forge ahead, I am excited to see this story unfold, weaving together the past, present, and future into a tapestry of cherished memories and shared adventures.
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Shelby Humphreys
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Marko Capoferri
Writer
I often forget that I’ve lived a fairly unique life: I’ve worked on public lands in eleven U.S. states, including Montana; for a few years in my mid-20s I probably slept more nights in a tent than in a bed; I briefly studied geology in community college (couldn’t handle the math); I briefly worked at a photo lab in Hollywood that primarily served actors, both successful and struggling; on a good weekend you’ll find me in a Western Montana bar playing country or rock and roll ‘til the wee hours of the morning.
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I'm a Missoula native and have seen many changes in the last 50 years. There’s always something new but I don’t want to lose those quintessential elements that make us #SoMissoula. I think we all know what that means, and we each have our own version. Here are some of my favorites—going by seasons because our four distinct climes define Montana life. Spring: the Wild Walk Parade with all its funk and flare. Summer: body floating the Clark Fork River by Kona Bridge. Fall: shuffling through crisp leaves in the university district while relishing that musty autumn scent. Winter: walking downtown amidst holiday decorations and window scenes (bonus if it's snowing!)
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KC Lostetter Photography
Chelsea Lyn Agro
Editor
It’s hard to believe that Missoula Valley Lifestyle and I share the same 10-year anniversary. I like to think that we were destined for each other—call it kismet! This town has told me its stories and strangers have become friends. My babies—two sons—were born here. Life has simply, and beautifully, unfolded in this dreamy and mountainous setting. But it’s hard to take a nostalgic look at “My Missoula” without considering Raven, my lifelong
friend and childhood horse. I hauled her out here from New York 10 years ago; I was 24-years-old at the time and I had driven a trailer maybe once or twice prior to that 2,700-mile trek—yikes! But Missoula evokes this gutsy sense of adventure. Ask any transplant what their travel story to Missoula was like and be prepared for laughs, cringes, and amazement. I’ll never forget exiting the highway with her in tow and thinking, we’re home.
Emma Trotter
Writer
When I lived in San Francisco and New York City, my love of camping and hiking set me apart from most of my fellow big city dwellers. Now that I live in Missoula, those traits mean I have something in common immediately with most other people I encounter, and I love it. My husband and I moved here for the easily accessible outdoor recreation, and, now parents of three, we stay here for the sense of community. At toddler pace, it will take me roughly three billion years to finish exploring all this beautiful place has to offer. See you out there.
Writer
As a freelance writer, I’ve had the pleasure of writing for Missoula Valley Lifestyle since its inception. One of my favorite things about writing for the magazine is the opportunity to meet and talk with so many interesting and passionate people in our community. When I’m not in Missoula, you’ll find me driving the backroads of Montana exploring every corner of our amazing state while chatting with people passionate about their own communities. This deep love for the people and places of Montana led me to write my first book, “100 Things to Do in Montana Before You Die.”
Susie Wall
I am a dedicated certified health and wellness coach with a passion for helping others achieve lasting results through lifestyle behavior changes. With a background in nutrition coaching and personal training, I guide clients toward sustainable habits that support their long-term goals. Beyond my work, I’m a proud wife, mom to three amazing
adult kids, and stepmom to two wonderful daughters. My greatest joy is being a nana, cherishing every moment with my growing family. I also enjoy running the social platforms for Missoula Valley Lifestyle, which keeps me connected to the community. I believe true wellness is about balance and lifelong learning.
Marla Huggins
Social Media Coordinator
Rick Szczechowski
Staff Photographer
Photography is not only my career and passion—it is truly my life. While I enjoy other hobbies like hiking, archery, shooting at the gun range, and cooking, I never go anywhere without a camera, just in case an unforgettable shot presents itself. It all started in the mid 1970s. My father introduced me to the world of cameras and film processing and I’ve been hooked ever since. Next steps presented themselves, and in 1987 my wife and I left our home in Buffalo, NY to pursue our careers in California. In 2018, when our daughter chose to attend MSU in Bozeman we instantly fell in love with Montana— the scenic beauty and the warmth of the people made it irresistible. In 2020, we decided to relocate to Missoula for a simpler life, leaving behind the hustle of city living. While I still maintain a few clients in California—Disney being a favorite—I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Missoula Valley Lifestyle. It allows me to connect with local communities and businesses, an experience I find truly rewarding.
Investing in Movement
ALPINE PHYSICAL THERAPY BELIEVES IN LETTING YOUR VALUES BE YOUR COMPASS
ARTICLE BY MARKO CAPOFERRI PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK SZCZECHOWSKI
Talking to Samantha Schmidt, co-owner and managing partner of Alpine Physical Therapy, one begins to get a sense that the word community can operate on multiple levels, and at multiple scales of inclusion. And that’s another key word—inclusion—that has been a guiding principle for Alpine since they opened their doors in 2004.
For instance, Samantha likes to think of Alpine as a unique kind of healthcare facility where patients will feel the organic comfort and acceptance that those words evoke.
“We want people to feel community as soon as they walk in,” she says, “to feel that belonging, that there’s not judgment, that we’re here to help, from the time someone calls on the phone to getting them back out on the field.”
“Alpine Physical Therapy has been operating here for 20 years,” Samantha continues. “We see the importance of belonging, of having a sense of a bigger mission; not just running a business or even caring for people, but really caring for our community.”
This atmosphere of generosity begins with the staff. Alpine strives to foster that same sense of belonging for their physical therapists that they facilitate for their patients.
“As a company, we want to say ‘yes’ to our employees and make it work for them,” Samantha says. “We try to have pathways so that they feel like we want them there, that we want them to grow.”
Some of these pathways include, beyond professional development via paid education, “little
things” like complimentary passes to Discovery Ski Area or Peak Fitness, “so our employees can live our mission to change life through movement,” Samantha says. “And if they can get out and move themselves, they know that we’re investing in them.”
“We see a lot of healthcare now being corporate. By that I mean it’s volume-based care,” she continues, “how many patients you can see, hustle, hustle, hustle. We have refused to go that route. We want our providers to have the time they need with their patients, the time they need to research, to attend continuing education classes, and making sure people can be 100% present at work. Someone has an infant who’s sick with the flu and they’re at work, I’ve said to them ‘what are you doing here? Your kiddo is more important right now.’ I don’t want someone providing care who’s thinking about their baby being sick; that’s not investing in an employee, or an employee that’s going to represent our company and give to our community the best they can.”
This is, at its heart, a description of community-minded care, mutually beneficial for provider and patient alike. It’s a simple yet profound model that opens up the possibility for a deeper kind of care than what many of us may have experienced in the past.
“There’s not enough ‘health’ in ‘healthcare’; it’s sick care. Physical therapists are the absolute perfect health professional to really give people
“There’s not enough ‘health’ in ‘healthcare’; it’s sick care. Physical therapists are the absolute perfect health professional to really give people that healthcare, where we are giving them more health in their medicine.”
“You come to the table with your values. It’s made us a really strong team of leadership, and it’s kept the compass in the right direction over the years, so we can make sure we’re investing in those values.”
that health care, where we are giving them more health in their medicine,” Samantha says. “Each physical therapist has their own way of dealing with the patient. It’s art meets science, because everybody is wired differently and you have to acknowledge that.”
A neat parallel to this thread of “art meets science” is Samantha’s presentation she calls “401k For Your Body,” which she has presented at financial institutions and conferences far and wide, and which she has tailored to that specific numbers- and data-focused audience. It’s a concept, however, that can have resonance for anybody interested in their physical well-being (which, could be argued, is just about everyone).
“The idea is: ‘how much do you invest every month into your retirement?’ And we know that there are key performance indicators that tell us how well our stocks are doing, and you can go look and see when you might be able to retire, and that’s pretty straightforward, it’s all numbers,” Samantha says. “But we don’t really have something like that for health, and specifically mobility and function.”
“Then, we talk in the physical therapy world of key performance indicators that people can take away after they hear this presentation and say ‘here are some gold standards that I can follow that are pretty easy,’” she continues, “and these can tell the average person ‘where are you?’ and ‘are you investing where you should in your body?’ We talk about numbers and finance and business, and we give them that shift: ‘how much are you investing every month into your body?’ and ‘could you do more?’”
In addition to spreading the good word of health through bodily investment, Samantha has taken the cause of physical well-being all the way to the Montana state capitol. As vice president and legislative chair of the Montana chapter of
the American Physical Therapy Association, she is at the forefront of efforts to expand access to physical therapy across the state.
“Monthly, I lead six-to-eight physical therapists from across the state to talk about legislative issues that are impacting healthcare and specifically physical therapy, and then what we can do about it,” Samantha says. “Then we get that information out to our other members across the state. And that has led me to Helena; now our association has two bills that we’re sponsoring: to get increased reimbursement for our services from Medicaid, and direct access for those that have been injured at work.”
“Access is a huge issue, societally,” she says. “If we can encourage that to happen, I think that’s a big win.”
This legislative work, Samantha says, has been “totally different than treating patients in here, but it is also still getting to know people, getting to know what their purpose is, and what their end goal is. And getting to talk to all these different physical therapists across the state feels good, that investment in keeping our state as healthy as possible through movement.”
All this talk of investment and community has to begin somewhere, and with Alpine Physical Therapy it begins at the top, with the owners and their ongoing commitment to health and well-being in all forms.
“We’ve always believed that values are really important; they’re the compass that you come back to when you’re making decisions,” Samantha says. “For us there’s not a ‘business’ decision and a ‘personal values’ decision. You come to the table with your values. It’s made us a really strong team of leadership, and it’s kept the compass in the right direction over the years, so we can make sure we’re investing in those values.”
Your Body is a Bank
Recognizing the mind-body connection means investing in whole body health at Aralia Health
When symptoms persist, despite all you’ve tried, the doctors and care team at Aralia Health in Missoula can work collaboratively with physicians to find solutions when all else has fallen short.
Dr. Stephanie Raven recounted one patient’s remarkable journey to healing. "She came to us after years of debilitating pain. Initially, her discomfort was centered in her lower back, but after a nerve ablation she experienced a worsening of her chronic pain,” Dr. Raven explained. The pain became so intense that even simple tasks felt overwhelming. She had sought help from multiple physicians and tried various treatments, but nothing brought lasting relief. The doctors at Aralia listened carefully and developed a personalized treatment plan. After a series of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections targeting her lower back, she saw significant improvement. “For the first time in years, she wasn’t just managing pain. She was reclaiming her ability to move freely without fear,” said Dr. Raven.
In addition to chronic pain, clinicians often see patients who sense that something isn’t right, even though their traditional doctor couldn’t find anything wrong. Practice
ARTICLE BY SHELBY HUMPHREYS PHOTOGRAPHY BY RENSKE PHOTO
Manager, Arielle Wilson, sees the frustration in their faces when they first walk in the door and are at their wit’s end. “People feel defeated and exhausted. They were told nothing is wrong, but something feels off. Their hair might be falling out or they haven’t changed anything but gained 30 pounds. They’re doing their best, but nothing is changing,” she said.
That’s when it's time for the kind of behind-the-curtain care that Aralia physicians provide. The care collective includes Dr. Stephanie Raven, Dr. Marissa Cavalier, Dr. Payton Robertson, medical assistant Renée Kennedy, and Practice Manager, Arielle Wilson. Although patients may come to Aralia seeking a natural way to feel better, they soon discover that they’re getting the best of both traditional and modern medicine. “We take a whole-person approach and are deeply
rooted in evidence-based care,” said Dr. Raven. “We also acknowledge the importance of the mind-body connection, and if we can support healing with fewer medications, then that’s a win for the patient,” she said.
Arielle does everything in her power to ensure a seamless transition for someone coming from a conventional care situation. The first priority is to avoid putting a patient in the uncomfortable role of being a middle-man and interpreter between two different medical approaches. “It takes a team,” Arielle said. “Our doctors have really great referral networks with other physicians in town. They’ll never undermine what other physicians recommend.” Doctors at Aralia can also process labs, exchange health records with other clinics, and write
up orders for imaging. Beyond the exam table and prescription pads, each doctor has done the work of becoming credentialed with all major insurance carriers, so most services can be billed through a patient’s insurance. In addition, they’re always working toward affordable self-pay options.
At Aralia Health, patient care is not one-size-fits-all. “We don’t dictate what patients must do but instead, ensure they understand their options and feel confident in their plan,” Dr. Raven said. Making each patient’s confidence a priority engenders a level of trust that strengthens the provider-patient relationship. “We invest in our community by focusing around community-centered natural medicine,” Arielle said. “We recognize that both physicians and patients learn from one another. When we can be present with someone who had lost hope for improving their situation, that’s two more people going out into our community and feeling better.”
I had a great experience working with
Petrino and his staff.
Helping Patients Live Healthier Lives
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50 STATES TO HOME
MISSOULA VALLEY LIFESTYLE WRITER SHARES HER STORY ON TRAVELING TO ALL 50 STATES BEFORE PLANTING ROOTS HERE IN MISSOULA
ARTICLE & PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA TROTTER
My journey home to Missoula put about 35,000 miles on my car.
It started with a cross-country move for grad school. Having lived all my life in California, I was determined to go elsewhere to continue my studies. New York University’s scholarship offer was both an academic investment and a chance to experience life in a new place. So my then-boyfriend and I packed my car to the gills and made for Brooklyn.
That first long drive, we took a fairly direct route, mostly staying on I-80. We stopped at some classic roadside attractions like the Corn Palace and Wall Drug, both in South Dakota, and the World’s Largest Truckstop, in Iowa. We spent about two hours hurriedly taking in the Tetons, and we shuffled past the Liberty Bell with a bunch of other tourists.
By the summer after my second year, we had gotten wiser. Faced with two cross-country journeys, to and from San Francisco for my summer job, we decided to invest enough time to see more of the country and do things we thought we would enjoy. We planned a meandering journey that veered north on our way west, encompassing New England, Montreal, time with family and friends in the Midwest, and Moab, Utah; then south on our way back east, pausing in Utah again before continuing on to Santa Fe, Austin, and New Orleans. I think of it as the 10,000 Mile Summer but in truth it was probably even farther than that. So once again, while classmates jetted off to Ibiza to make the most of limited downtime between school and work, we squeezed back into my car.
Moments that stand out:
Hiking Angel’s Landing, in Zion National Park for epic views during a lightning storm (I do not recommend). Luckily we were fine, and it remains one of my favorite hikes in the world.
Lying on the picnic table of our campsite between Zion and Bryce National Park, gasping in awe at almost continuous shooting stars during the Perseids meteor shower.
Eating étouffée in pie form at Bon Temps Grill in Lafayette, Louisiana, on the recommendation of a colleague from my summer job.
Listening to The Mortified Podcast, also on the recommendation of a colleague, forever immortalizing “PEACE ONE LOVE” as a catchphrase in our relationship.
Arriving after dark to our campsite in Mammoth Cave National Park, where my grandfather once worked, and waking in the morning to finally glimpse our surroundings. I have similar memories of waking up on the ground in Yosemite, Moab, and Glacier, and watching in wonder and excitement as the sun rose over towering cliffs.
Rediscovering North Cascades National Park. Now, I have to flashback here for a moment. My family had visited when I was a child and hiked to Pyramid Lake. Climbing almost 1,500 feet, the hike is not easy. Upon arrival at a log-filled pond that we eventually realized was, in fact, the main attraction, my family rechristened it Pyramid Puddle, and to this day the term evokes a hike for which the eventual reward of the destination is not worth the corresponding effort to reach it. This trip, we chose Cascade Lake, and, with an assist from perfect weather, I now have a much more favorable impression of North Cascades.
Hiking Glacier National Park’s Highline Trail, another one I had done as a child. (Shout-out to my youngest brother, five years old at the time, who hiked over 11 miles on his own little legs!)
Departing Congaree National Park after walking along the nature trail mostly alone, but turning around when we
“One big takeaway from all our driving was how many wonderful small cities dot this country.”
realized many people, mysteriously, were just arriving as sunset neared. We were astonished as, out in the darkening forest, thousands of fireflies began to blink in unison. The internet informs me a reservation is now required to see this spectacular light show, which only happens for a couple weeks each year.
Back in Brooklyn, we figured we had one more year to explore the Northeast, since we didn’t see ourselves living there after I finished school—not enough mountains. We had decided paying for a parking spot was worth the investment. I was told this was “so Californian” of me, but I prefer to think of it as “so Western half of the US.” In parts of the country where things are spread out, we like our cars!
That fall, we took a leaf peeping trip, did an heirloom apple tasting at Scott Farm, and explored the Vermont Cheese Trail. Then in October, two notable things happened: we got engaged, and I accepted a job in the farthest away state to drive to—Alaska. So that summer, after detours to California and Colorado for the wedding and bachelorette party of two of my closest friends, we headed north.
During the year we lived in Anchorage, we made sure to visit all eight of Alaska’s iconic national parks. A few don’t even have roads, let alone a visitors center. To reach Gates of the Arctic, our pilot had to fly in circles and wait for a brown bear to vacate the spit of rock he had selected as our runway.
It was only on our drive back to California from Alaska that we finally made it to Missoula. (I know, I know… it’s not on the way at all. By this point we just loved driving around together.) We spent only one night but we knew immediately we were in a special place. Still missing Anchorage’s mountains, but thinking the winter produce might be slightly better here, we resolved to return and invest more time exploring Missoula.
At the time, though, we headed onwards to North Dakota—my fiancé’s 50th state. We were floored by the beauty of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, complete with wild horses, and Bismarck was surprisingly charming. One big takeaway from all our driving was how many wonderful small cities dot this country. We are very grateful to live in Missoula today, but I know now that we could be happy in any number of places. As long as there are mountains.
North Dakota was only my 48th state, however, a fact which my husband lorded over me in his wedding vows. I still had Florida and Hawaii to go. I ended up flying to both for weddings. So yes, that means my car, a 2009 black Prius, traveled to 48 states before I sold it in Missoula last year with my third child on the way.
Now a family of five, we continue to explore the diversity of America by wheel. Over New Year’s, we drove to visit family in Arizona, logging four states for each of my kids’ nascent lists. Perhaps one day, they will make it to all 50, too.
We are very grateful to live in Missoula today, but I know now that we could be happy in any number of places.
Sustainability in Action
