We’re squeezing the most out of citrus season! Our aisles are full of quick and easy solutions that deliver on avor for weekly meal prep, plus impressive chef-prepared grab-and-go options that rival any restaurant reservation.
ROOFING SOLUTIONS
Since 1964, City Roofing Company has been the trusted name for roofing services in Fort Worth. For six decades, we’ve provided topquality roofing solutions to homeowners and businesses across the city, earning a reputation for reliability, professionalism, and outstanding craftsmanship.
Our mission is to provide high-quality roofing solutions with integrity, expertise, and a personal touch. We believe in treating every customer like family, ensuring that their homes and businesses are protected with the best roofing materials and craftsmanship available.
Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Issue 45 | Happiness Comes from Health
January/February 2025
Publisher Victoria Wise
Editor Lee Virden Geurkink
Associate Publisher Jennifer Kieta
Contributing Writers
Ambyr Davis
Mollie Jo Jamison
William Wise
Contributing Photographer
Paige Walker Photography
Illustrator
Trish Wise
Lead Design
Conor Dardis Cover Design Victoria Wise
Madeworthy Magazine is an extension of Tanglewood Moms, LLC., and serves to tell community stories for a family audience. For website and magazine advertising opportunities, please contact: Victoria@MadeworthyMedia.com
Looking for more copies of Madeworthy Magazine? You can subscribe at TanglewoodMoms.com for free or pick up copies at Central Market in Fort Worth.
Aging... Gracefully?
by Lee Virden Geurkink
I turned 53 while we were in production for this issue.
First, let me say how grateful I am to be 53. Many don’t make it to 53. In centuries past, I would be considered either a wise old crone or a horrid old witch. (Be nice. I can hear you giggling.)
I LIKE being in my 50s. BUT…
There’s a reason clichés are clichés. They contain at least a kernel of truth in them. And boy, this cliché’s kernel of truth is more like the iceberg that sank the Titanic. Get ready. I’m going to lay it on you.
Growing old ain’t for the faint of heart.
Contributors Question
What is the most useful self-care practice that you've adopted as you have gotten older?
Investing in great produce and embracing food as medicine is my favorite form of self-care.
If I awake in the night and can’t get back to sleep, I just get up and paint or read. I don’t worry about it.
Q
I’ve learned that, at the grand old age of 53, I’m not young anymore, and I can no longer survive on two or three hours of sleep a night. I need at least a solid four hours to function.
William Daily prayer.
After a
rejoined restorative yoga. Take a look at the 60- and 70-year-olds in your yoga classes. This stuff works.
My favorite form of
is group
It was not until my 30s that I realized the importance of investing in physical health. It helps improve all areas of your life.
I look at my beautiful mother and aunts and remember my lovely grandmothers. How did they age so gracefully? Did they not deal with all this… WEIRDNESS? Because let me tell you, growing old is seriously weird. We all know about the joys of hot fashes and mood swings, but some symptoms of menopause are just odd.
As I progress from perimenopause and its delightful hormonal fuctuations into the hormonal aridity of menopause, are other people struggling like I am? Well, it turns out they are. Misery loves company, right?
In preparing to write this article, I talked with some of my oldest friends about how they are handling the trip of the SS Hormones. Are they aging as gracefully as they seem to be? It turns out that we're all experiencing weirdness of various kinds, which I've kindly cataloged for easy cross-referencing.
[Author’s note: All names have been changed to protect the innocent and the not-so-innocent.]
[Author’s second note: Please know that there are treatments to alleviate most of these symptoms, but that's not the purpose of this article. Talk to your doctor about treatment options.]
Hair
It's amazing how much a good hair day can bolster the spirits, while a bad hair day will torpedo any joy you might feel when you wake up. Our hair is a method of self-expression. It's also an outward sign of health. So when your hormones start fuctuating, your hair reacts and not always favorably.
"My hair is slowly migrating," Camila said. "I'm getting bald spots on the top of my head and around my temples, but my eyebrows and mustache are growing in nicely." [Author's note: You can spend a lot of money on getting rid of facial hair, or you can use your husband's razor and shave. It's cheaper.]
Eleanor said, “It’s just so dry and brittle now. I run my hand through my hair and can pull out handfuls. This happened after each of my kids, but it always grew back. I’m really scared it’s not going to grow back this time.”
Not to play one-upmanship here (after all, we're all sisters in this), but I had the weirdest thing happen recently. I decided I wanted to lighten my hair just one level, from Dead Mouse Brown to Dead Mouse Blonde. My lovely hairdresser, whom I trust not only with my hair but also with my children's hair and who has colored my hair numerous times in the past, used a product that we have used before to great success.
This time? Not so much.
Instead of a nice ash blonde, my hair turned orange. Pumpkin orange. Pumpkin orange with brassy yellow highlights.
We were, naturally, horrifed. I went off to get some color-depositing conditioner to try to stop looking like a jack-o-lantern, and she went to consult the color gurus at Wella. "It's rare, but it does sometimes happen when a woman is in perimenopause or menopause," the Wella representative said. Unfortunately, she didn't have any suggestions on how to fx it other than colordepositing conditioners. So that's my menopause hair horror story.
Aridity
There is no lack of advertisements that tell the world that a lack of estrogen and progesterone can cause vaginal dryness. There are creams and ointments and unguents to alleviate this condition. However, you don't see ads talking about menopauseinduced dry mouth. Or dry eyes. Or dry skin. Sure, you may think you have dry skin, but until progesterone and estrogen have packed their bags, you do not know what dry skin means.
continued on page 18
Ambyr
Trish
Lee
Victoria
two-year break, I
Mollie
self-care
exercise.
BEGIN YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY HERE
FLOAT THERAPY
By floating in a body-temperature pool with 400kg of Epsom salts, you enter deep relaxation. This reduction in sensory input can lead to pain relief, enhanced creativity, and better sleep.
INFRARED SAUNA
Our infrared saunas use heat and light to warm your body, o ering pain relief, increased circulation, skin purification, and muscle relaxation. Enjoy a book, a podcast, or just relax.
MASSAGE THERAPY
We treat sports injuries and back pain with massage techniques to release muscle tension and calm your body. Choose from deep tissue massages for stress and anxiety relief.
Fort Worth Events
Through Jan 5 Freeman + Lowe Sunset Corridor: The Modern themodern.org
Through Jan 5 Wild Kratts® Creature Power Opens: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History fwmuseum.org
Through June 30, 2025 Jean Shin: The Museum Body: Amon Carter Museum of American Art cartermuseum.org
Jan 2
Jan 2
Watercolor Club at Southwest Regional Library fortworthtexas.org/ departments/library/ events
Jan 4
Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth: Carrying the Torch themodern.org
Jan 4
Carter Family Workshop: In Black and White cartermuseum.org
Jan 10
89th Annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic cottonbowl.com
Jan 10
courtesy of SiNaCa Studios Open Studio Night at SiNaCa sinacastudios.org/calendar
Jan 12
Family Festival/Fiesta de la Familia kimbellart.org
Jan 17 – Feb 8 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo fwssr.com
Jan 20 The Music of Sam Cooke Basshall.com
Jan 22
Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma State gofrogs.com
Jan 22
The Carter Society’s Rodeo Pre-Party on Bull’s Night Out cartermuseum.com
Jan 23
Meatless Meals: A Mexican Meal centralmarket.com
Jan 23
FWSSR Auditorium Entertainment Series: Clint Black dickiesarena.com
Jan 23 Jeff Dunham: Artifcial Intelligence americanairlinescenter.com
Jan 25 Pat Green billybobstexas.com
Jan 26
Make & Take: Game Day Appetizers centralmarket.com
Jan 28 TCU Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Tech gofrogs.com
Jan 29
courtesy of The Cliburn Sir Stephen Hough at Tannahill’s Tavern, presented by The Cliburn cliburn.org
Jan 30 – Feb 16 Primary Trust stagewest.org
Jan 30 – Feb 22 Destroying David circletheatre.com
Jan 31 – Feb 16 Rooted amphibianstage.com
Jan 31 – Mar 2
The Movement: An a Capella Musical jubileetheatre.org
Jan 31 – Feb 2
Jim Gaffigan: Everything Is Wonderful! dickiesarena.com
Feb 4
Pictures and Pages/Fotos y Libros: Beautiful Brushwork kimbellart.org
Feb 7
FWSSR Auditorium
Entertainment Series: Chris Janson dickiesarena.com
Feb 8
Second Saturdays: Northern Baroque Sounds featuring Texas Camerata kimbellart.org
Feb 8
Bubbles, Boots & Bingo dspnt.org/programsspecial-events
Feb 9
Kelsy Karter & the Heroines tulipsftw.com
Feb 11-16
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg: The Life and Times of the Temptations basshall.com
Feb 13
Second Thursdays at the Carter: Love & Libations cartermuseum.org
Feb 15 Alan Jackson dickiesarena.com
Feb 17
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour 2025 dickiesarena.com
Feb 20
The Mavericks: Moon & Stars Tour ‘25 tannahills.com/eventscalendar
Feb 20
College Night at the Carter cartermuseum.com
Feb 21-23
2025 Cowtown Marathon cowtownmarathon.org
Feb 22
MammothMarch Texas at Dinosaur Valley State Park raceroster.com/ events/2025/95364/ mammothmarch-texas
Feb 22 & 23
Cliburn Family Concerts: Voyager cliburn.org/family-concerts
Feb 25
TCU Baseball Home Opener vs. Tarleton State gofrogs.com
Feb 26
The Importance of Being Earnest: National Theatre Live amphibianstage.com
The Spanish Kitchen: Paella Valenciana centralmarket.com
courtesy of TCU Athletics TCU
Fresh Family Recipes
We have gathered some delicious, easy, and healthy recipes to add to your culinary repertoire for our health and wellness issue. Kasey Benavides is a functional nutritionist who helps her clients rehabilitate their relationships with food and heal and balance their bodies. Deb Cantrell, founder of Savor Culinary Services, is a personal chef who has been creating healthy meals for clients who understand that food is medicine for over 20 years.
by Lee Virden Geurkink
Italian Chicken with White Beans
This delicious dish is an easy weeknight dinner and is one of Savor Culinary Services’ most popular recipes.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine or extra broth
1 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1 15- or 19-ounce can white kidney (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained Garnish: grated parmesan cheese
Directions
In a slow cooker, combine the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Add the chicken halves and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, chicken broth, wine (if using), and Italian seasoning. Pour the mixture over the vegetables and chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or on high heat for 3 to 3 ½ hours. Remove the cover, turn off the slow cooker, and stir the beans into the mixture. Replace the cover and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and vegetables from a serving dish. To serve, divide the chicken into 8 servings. Drizzle the chicken and vegetables with enough liquid from the slow cooker to moisten, and sprinkle each serving with parmesan cheese.
Serves 8
Nourishing Tahini Bowls
Bowls have been popular since the early 2010s and are a great way to feed a family of particular eaters. Kasey Benavides says this recipe is a favorite in her house. [Editor's note: It's also become a favorite in our house.]
Ingredients
For the bowl
1 bunch kale, washed and torn into small pieces
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved if you like
1 head broccoli, cut into forets
1 large sweet potato, diced [Editor's note: I don't peel the sweet potato to keep more nutrients.]
½ can chickpeas, drained
1 rotisserie or roasted chicken, skinned and shredded
1 avocado, sliced or diced
2 to 3 teaspoons sesame seeds for topping
For the dressing
½ cup tahini
1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon honey
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Water to thin, if needed
Directions
For the dressing
Add all the dressing ingredients except the water to a bowl and whisk together. Add water to thin if the tahini is thick. Allow the dressing to sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
For the bowl
Preheat the oven to 425°.
This is an old-fashioned recipe that is due for a renaissance. It’s simple and healthy, and your guests will swear you spend ages making dessert.
Ingredients
4 Bosc pears (you can use Anjou, too, but DO NOT use Barlett)
3 cups cabernet sauvignon or syrah
1 large navel or cara cara orange, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise pods
1/3 cup honey
To serve: Greek yogurt and a little more honey for drizzling.
Toss the broccoli and sweet potato with seasoning. Kasey likes using garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder. Spread the vegetables out on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is browning on the forets and the sweet potato is cooked. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking.
While the broccoli and sweet potato are roasting, dry the chickpeas with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Spread the dried chickpeas on a baking sheet and roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until the chickpeas are dry and crispy. Toss the warm chickpeas with seasoning. You can use the same seasoning Kasey recommends for the vegetables.
Place the kale in a bowl and add about half of the dressing. Massage the leaves until they are slightly wilted.
To assemble the bowls, place the warm vegetables on the kale. Add some chicken, tomatoes, avocado, and chickpeas. Drizzle with a bit more dressing. Serves 4.
Directions
Combine the wine, sliced orange, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and honey in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. While the wine is coming up to temperature, peel the pears, being sure to leave the stems.
Once the wine is boiling, add the pears to the saucepan, cover, and reduce the heat to a simmer. The wine will not cover the pears, so you'll have to turn the pears every 5 or 10 minutes. Poach for 25 to 30 minutes or until a thin knife or a skewer inserted into the thickest part of the pear meets no resistance.
Remove the pears from the wine and bring the wine back to a boil. Reduce the wine for about 5 minutes or until it's syrupy. Strain out the oranges and spices, place the pears back into the syrup (I know, I know), and allow them to cool.
To serve, spoon some Greek yogurt into a serving bowl (although I use large coupe or crystal goblets to be extra fancy) and top with a cooled pear. Drizzle with some of the wine syrup and extra honey. Serves 4.
Red Wine Poached Pears
illustrations by Trish Wise
BROADEN YOUR CULINARY HORIZONS and YOUR HEALTH
by Ambyr Davis
As we look to jumpstart our health in 2025, it's tempting to sign up for a new ftness membership, start a new diet, or dive into dry January after a particularly happy New Year’s Eve. Yet, we often overlook something that could be right outside our door, in our spice cabinets, or growing on our windowsills: herbs. Delivering vibrant favors that can bring any dish to life, myriad herbs can boost antioxidants, improve circulation and cognitive function, and even stave off cold weather sniffes. So, here is a rundown of healthy, easy-to-grow herbs to boost your wellness in the new year.
I recently sat down to speak with herbalist Andrea Garcia of Inspired Botanical Living. Andrea is a nutritionist and herbalist who teaches classes at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, where she has done a deep dive into various herbs like ginger, basil, chamomile, rose, and more.
Andrea discovered her love for herbology as many do – through the passed-down knowledge of her grandmothers. She studied nutrition in college and found her true passion
during the herbalism rotation. After an eye-opening conference during school, she embarked on a program through Austin's Wildfower School of Botanical Medicine and made a budding dream a thriving reality. Andrea and I discussed some of our favorite plants and their benefcial properties to kickstart a year full of wellness.
relief. It is also quite helpful in easing digestion.
LAVENDER
GINGER
A warming root used for millennia, ginger is a digestive and nausea aid. It reduces infammation, boosts immunity, and delivers loads of antioxidants and bioactive compounds. This vibrant spice is as powerful as it is delicious and is used in juice, tea, cocktails, and as a cooking spice in various global cuisines.
CHAMOMILE
Andrea discovered chamomile in a soothing cup of tea from her grandmother’s kitchen, as so many of us do. The aromatic fowering herb is emotionally soothing and relaxing and is benefcial for restful sleep and stress
Lavender is not only an aromatic and culinary favorite, but it also has potent medicinal properties. A calming herb, it supports sleep, reduces stress, and naturally improves the body’s melatonin levels. With anti-infammatory properties, lavender can reduce pain as well as infammation. Its active chemical compound, linalool, reduces anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and even helps alleviate menstrual pain. With its antiviral and antimicrobial properties, lavender acts as a natural antiseptic and can boost collagen levels. Before modern antiseptics, lavender was actually used to clean hospital wards! Diluted oils can be used topically or as an aromatic, while the culinary variety is one of my favorite ingredients in baking, especially when paired with lemon.
LEMON BALM
A delicious herb in the mint family, lemon balm will take over any pot you plant her in. Lemon balm “gladdens the heart,” according to Andrea. With loads of antioxidants and other benefcial chemical compounds, it's known to alleviate stress, improve cognitive function, aid in restful sleep, relieve indigestion, support cardiovascular health, and even aid in the healing of cold sores; lemon balm is a vibrant and useful herb for
your herbal medicine chest. Although lemon balm tea is soothing and widely available, it is simply delightful when used as a fresh herb in a salad or muddled fresh in a drink in place of mint. [Editor's note: Use it instead of mint in your next julep. You’ll be glad you did!]
BASIL
A classic culinary herb, basil is packed with anti-infammatories, antioxidants, and vitamin K. It’s benefcial for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar and boosting mental health and cognition. It’s an aid to digestion and has potential as a cancerfghting anti-carcinogen. An effortless grower in our Texas climate, basil is a standout in cuisines from around the globe. It is a quick, favorful component in fresh pesto and caprese salad and is essential to Thai curry.
These plants are just the tip of the herbal iceberg. There are countless favorful medicinal plants to explore, including rosemary, oregano, cilantro, sage, thyme, wild mushrooms, and turmeric. A warning: although essential oils are a powerful way to treat illness and boost wellness, they can be harmful undiluted and have contraindications. Use them with knowledge of dosing or under the guidance of a licensed herbalist like Andrea. But you can never go wrong utilizing herbs to enliven your cooking; the health benefts are truly incredible. So, get creative in the kitchen to delight your tastebuds and boost your health. A votre santé!
Using Her Gi s: Dana Stilley Fitnessonand Faith
After 15 years as a nurse and becoming a mother of two, Fort Worth’s Dana Stilley discovered a passion for helping people meet their health and wellness goals. With the support of her family and a lot of hard work, the 45-year-old personal trainer built a thriving online community and found a way to turn faith-based ftness into a full-time business.
“If I can be here on this end, to change one or two people's lives and to make themselves a better, healthier individual, and change their lifestyle so that they have fulfllment, and, you know, joy, throughout the rest of their lives," she said. "Then that makes me happy, and I feel like I am doing my job on Earth."
Growing up in the East Texas town of Henderson with a father who coached football, Dana was always involved in and exposed to all kinds of sports. Her frst love was gymnastics, in which she competed until she went to college.
“There was a point in my life where I almost chose gymnastics as my journey and started training for the Olympics,” she confessed.
Instead, Dana decided to pursue cheerleading and cheered at Texas Christian University during her fve years there. She met her husband, Shawn, through sports as he was a member of the Horned Frog football team. After fnishing nursing school at TCU, she worked as a labor and delivery nurse for the next 15 years.
“I always knew I wanted to work with women and do something with babies,” said Dana.
After having a child herself, Dana says she enjoyed doing on-demand workouts like “Beachbody” and other short cardio sessions on television. At the time, they worked perfectly for her, and she was able to meet her ftness goals.
“I loved it,” she said. “I just fell in love with how quick it was.”
After having her second child, Dana experienced postpartum depression and found it much harder for both her mind and body to bounce back to her prebaby baseline. She knew it was possible and began looking for ways to make it happen.
“Muscle has memory,” she said. “Just learning and doing my own research into ftness and strength training inspired me to get my personal training certifcation.”
Her new path took her away from nursing. Leaving her beloved nursing job was not an easy decision to make, but Dana remained driven to help women who were trying to cope with the same postpartum struggles she underwent.
"Transitioning to personal training allowed me to use the gifts that God had given me and be a disciple through teaching,” Dana said. “Using my ftness knowledge and wisdom to help other women out there like me has brought such joy.”
In 2017, Dana started substitute teaching at Camp Gladiator in Fort Worth, and by 2019, she began training clients one-on-one in their homes. That same year, she launched an online platform that has since grown to include more than 92,000 followers on Instagram.
“It was hard for me to step away from nursing,”
by Mollie Jo Jamison
photos by Paige Walker Photography
Dana said. “I prayed for the direction to be led. Your head can tell you one thing, but you may not have peace in your heart. And this is especially for entrepreneurs: if you pray about it and if you have peace about it, that is, to me, your all-tell sign.”
Dana’s ftness routines are so appealing to new or busy moms because she incorporates many compound moves to keep home workouts quick, fun, and dynamic.
“[Sacrifce] is a big part of what moms do,” Dana said. “They just kind of give up on themselves, and they let their bodies go because they are taking care of their children. I have learned that you can do both.”
30-minute weekly workouts and helps you develop good habits and a healthier lifestyle.
“Anyone can do these workouts,” Dana said. “By the end of the six weeks, you are going to feel signifcantly stronger if you abide by the program design.”
Even though Dana runs a Christian faith-based business, she is proud to have followers from different backgrounds worldwide.
"That's crazy to me that I can reach someone over in another country [through the Internet], and the people that want to be on my page are going to be here,” she said. “They are not going to let someone else's faith deter them. If anything, it is going to open their eyes.”
One follower from Belgium who claimed to be an atheist told Dana that the faith-based aspects of her account did not really make a difference to her.
Because of the religious nature of her programs, Dana is sometimes challenged to defend herself and her faith online.
"You're going to have people that judge you," she said. "I am not perfect, and people sometimes want to associate me with a Christian account as being perfect."
She continued, "There are people out there who do not believe. [The follower from Belgium] does not have a frm belief, but she continues to follow me. She says it doesn't bother her because she loves my workouts, but she also loves my authenticity, and she loves to be open to the idea of being a Christian."
“”
"You're going to have people that judge you," she said. "I am not perfect, and people sometimes want to associate me with a Christian account as being perfect."
These days, Dana only has a few personal training clients left. One of these clients is Laura Davidson of Fort Worth, who has been training with Dana for fve-and-a-half years after knowing her for 14 years.
“Dana is a true gem and was made to be a health and ftness coach,” said Laura. “She pushes me when I think I can’t go anymore but gives me grace when she knows I’ve reached my limit. She pushes me out of my comfort zone but doesn’t judge when I need a break. Dana is a true cheerleader in every sense of the word. She’s seen me at my darn-near worst but challenges me to be my best.”
Now, the exercise expert has switched gears and is launching her own smartphone application in hopes that it will reach more people. The app will feature a new six-week program called “Focus Now, Finish Strong" that teaches the foundations of strength and cardio training. It includes three 20- to
Dana plans to add up to four more ftness programs in 2025 and will use the new app to offer ondemand workouts similar to the ones she currently posts on YouTube. In terms of equipment needed for her workouts, she likes to keep it minimal. Generally, all you need are hand weights or resistance bands to follow along.
“I do focus a lot on dumbbells, but I also incorporate resistance bands for lower-impact style options for people, including those with joints that are hurt or who have had surgery,” Dana said. “And then there are workouts that are just body weighted because I do like travel workouts. Traveling with bands is super convenient. You don't need fancy equipment to get a workout in. You don't even need a gym to get a workout in. I like to focus on that.”
The certifed ftness trainer also suggests adding a walk to any workout or fnding other ways to enjoy cardio.
“Our bodies do need cardio,” Dana said. "We need to be aware of our heart’s health, and heart health is achieved by doing cardio. That means going on a walk, going on a bike ride, or playing tennis. It doesn't have to be high-intensity. Do what makes you happy, but don't forget walking because it does so much for our mental health.”
Dana remains positive while dealing with an ongoing heart condition that was discovered after she had COVID-19. The condition requires her to limit her cardio workouts while monitoring her heart rate closely. She also believes in the importance of taking the time to care for yourself and says that self-care will impact your life in more ways than one.
"When you pick up a dumbbell, when you take that frst lap around your neighborhood, you are going to feel the physical benefts from that," she said. “But the mental benefts that come from that
workout are going to bring a whole new light to you and the people around you because you're going to be happy."
Of course, the most signifcant piece of advice Dana gives clients is that consistency is key to reaching your health and ftness goals.
“You want to throw in the towel when you don't get that result in a week or even sometimes six months, but you have to stay consistent,” she said. “You will change your body type. You will see the benefts when you start to plant that seed. You'll see it eventually, but it doesn't grow overnight. Plants don’t grow overnight. You have to give your body time.”
While staying consistent is hard, Dana believes it can be an especially great teaching moment for new (and not-so-new) parents.
“You're being a good inspiration to the kids around you who see you doing hard things,” she said. “It’s going to encourage them. It's going to carry on your legacy. You’ve got to do hard things. You’ve got to be consistent, and you've got to just take that frst step in your workouts and in your life.”
Although she has a background in medicine as a registered nurse with a certifcation in obstetrics, Dana likes to make it clear she is not a nutritionist but rather a certifed ftness nutrition coach. She helps her clients understand things like micronutrients and calorie defcits, but her favorite piece of dietary advice is pretty straightforward.
“If it has a mama or it grows from the earth, eat it,” she laughs. “If it doesn't have a mama, then it is probably processed.”
Dana advocates eating minimally processed and whole foods, farm-to-plate style meals, and clean meat, including elk, bison, and other wild game.
“I married a hunter, and so one of our biggest things we do is to shoot a deer for the season, and we live on venison," she said. "My son just got his frst buck, and we just had venison chili Sunday night, and it was the freshest meat because it is literally from our ranch.”
When she is not working out, you will fnd Dana watching TCU football, hunting, fshing, dancing, and traveling far beyond her lovely Ridglea Hills neighborhood.
“I love to see different cultures,” she said. “I especially love being able to relate to other cultures online because my followers are from all over the world.”
At the end of the day, Dana knows there is a lot of mixed information about health and wellness, especially on the internet, and fnding your path to ftness can be daunting.
“You know, in the ftness world, there's a lot of noise out there,” she said. “And so, it boils down to this question: what are your wellness goals? What do you want your body to do for you? What part of life are you in? Once you fgure that out, you can fnd people that understand you to help you achieve those goals.”
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SUMMER SUMMER BODIES BODIES
Fort Worth's Favorite Health, Beauty, and Wellness Experts
by Lee Virden Geurkink
Where do you go in Fort Worth for the best recommendations? I'm talking about the tried-and-true, frst-rate, absolutely correct recommendations that you and, more importantly, your family can trust. Tanglewood Moms, of course! From plumbers to pediatricians, arborists to accountants, the ladies of the Tanglewood Moms group on Facebook know the best person, place, or thing for the job in Fort Worth. So naturally, they knew the best beauty, ftness, and wellness experts in town when we asked for their recommendations!
Fit Life
www.ftlifetx.com
Fit Life is a personal training studio that focuses on one-to-one ftness training. Jennifer, Becca, and Jen will work with you to create a customized plan that takes into account your limitations and your goals in order to develop ftness habits that will last a lifetime.
b. well styled
www.biancaschiffman.com
We always hear that frst impressions are the most important, and they are. The way we dress tells people a lot about us. Bianca Schiffman understands this. As a Certifed Color Consultant, Bianca uses her two decades of experience in the retail industry to teach you how to dress to impress. After all, when you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you are more confdent. When you’re more confdent, others defnitely notice!
Panther City Strength
www.panthercitystrength.com
The trainers at Panther City Strength understand that strength training is more than just slinging around weights to look good. Whether you’re working to heal after an injury or surgery, take your powerlifting to the next level, or just get a little stronger, Panther City Strength is a safe, supportive environment for everyone.
Hotworx
www.hotworx.net
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past decade, you’ve probably heard about hot yoga. Its followers swear by it and its benefts, including improved fexibility, increased caloric burning, lung capacity, better skin, better circulation, and detoxifcation. Hotworx takes the idea a step further. From hot yoga to hot Pilates to hot barre to hot spinning, the workouts at Hotworx, performed in an infrared sauna, help you achieve your ftness goals while reaping the benefts of a hot workout.
Fort Worth Concierge +
www.fwcplus.com
No matter if you need to see a doctor for the fu, want nutritional counseling and weight loss support, or are interested in microneedling and chemical peels, Fort Worth Concierge + has you covered. Using a holistic approach, the lovely people at Fort Worth Concierge + are ready to provide health, beauty, and wellness services when you need them most.
Peak Physical Medicine & Wellness
www.peakphysicalmedicinetx.com
Pain, whether chronic or acute, affects every aspect of your life, from work to relationships. The team at Peak Physical Medicine and Wellness understands this and employs a noninvasive, whole-body approach to fgure out why you're hurting and fnd the best way to solve the problem.
Next Jen Aesthetics
www.nextjenaesthetics.com
A full-service wellness spa, Next Jen Aesthetics offers everything from injections to facials to permanent cosmetics. But what really motivates owner Jennifer Mitchell is the work she does for her foundation. The Rustin Luther Foundation was created to honor the memory of Jennifer's life partner, who died in 2017. In his memory, the Rustin Luther Foundation provides free skincare to cancer patients, their families, and cancer survivors because a little bit of pampering goes a long way to boosting the spirits of those who need it most.
Kari Does Makeup
www.karidoesmakeup.com
TCU alumna Kari Ann Schuler is a favorite of Tanglewood Moms. From weddings to corporate headshots to senior proms to galas, Kari has made Fort Worthians look and, by extension, feel fabulous for almost two decades. (Fun fact: Kari did Victoria and Lee's makeup for the Madeworthy launch party, and I have to say, we looked GOOD.)
Spavia Day Spa
www.fortworthtx.spaviadayspa.com
The offerings at most spas these days is overwhelming. All those choices when all you want to do is enjoy some self-care and rejuvenation. Spavia can help. Their licensed estheticians and therapists will help you choose the best treatments for you so that you can relax and recenter.
Bijou
www.bijouaesthetics.com
Bijou is an award-winning spa and salon that understands that if you look good, you feel good. Whether you need a head-to-toe "facial” to address the unique needs of ALL your skin or your hair, brows, and lashes need attention, the ladies of Tanglewood Moms highly recommend the team at Bijou.
Fort Worth's Favorite Health, Beauty, and Wellness Experts...
Fort Worth Wellness
www.fortworthwellness.net
Founded by Allison Blakewell in 2011, Fort Worth Wellness is a holistic healing center that combines the best of Eastern and Western medical practices to set you on the path to wellness. From physical therapy to somatic coaching, the team at Fort Worth Wellness works together to keep you and your body working together so you can live your best life.
House of Tesla
www.houseoftesla.com
Owner Halley Hamer loves making her clients feel beautiful, confdent, and powerful. House of Tesla's motto is "Beauty is Power." Once a woman learns how to accentuate her attributes, she radiates power, and Halley and her team are ready to teach you to be your most beautiful, most powerful you.
Fort Worth Hair by Amy
www.styleseat.com/m/v/amykropik
What is it about a new haircut that makes you feel GOOD? Whatever it is, Amy Kropik understands. With a horde of devoted clients who have enjoyed her magical hair skills for years, Amy knows that a good haircut can make your life better. Offering hair services for the whole family (the kiddos especially love Auntie Amy!), you can trust Amy to help you look your best.
Face Foundrié
www.facefoundrie.com
“You have to be comfortable in your own skin.” The founders of Face Foundrié couldn’t agree more, so they created an all-inclusive facial bar. Choose from an impressive variety of facials, brow and lash enhancements, and waxing options. Their estheticians work with you to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Le Reve Skincare & Laser Center
www.livelereve.com
For over a decade, Le Reve Skincare and Laser Center has helped Fort Worthians look their best. Whether you want a relaxing facial, laser hair removal and photofacials, or more intensive therapies like injectables and body contouring, Le Reve’s team has the experience and expertise to make you look and feel good.
Clinic Concierge
www.clinicconcierge.com
During the global pandemic, the founders of Clinic Concierge saw a need for in-home Covid testing and treatment. Fast forward, and now the Clinic Concierge team offers a variety of health, wellness, and beauty treatments for the whole family in the comfort of your own home when needed. Whether your little one has a sore throat, your husband needs blood panels, or you are interested in injectables, the Clinic Concierge team is here for you.
Fort Worth Strong
www.fwstrong.com
You can work out anywhere. The team at Fort Worth Strong strive to be different by providing customized ftness programs for their clients and offering the accountabilty to sustain their lifestyle changes while building a community of people who will support and cheer you on in your journey.
Perfect Touch Day Spa
www.perfecttouchspa.com
When I was a young mother, a friend gave me a gift certifcate for a massage and facial at Perfect Touch Day Spa. Now, 20 years later, I’m still a devotee of this oasis of calm in my hectic life. While I’m a huge fan of the Blissful Retreat (massage, facial, mani/pedi), the folks at Perfect Touch offer a wide range of services for your skin and body.
Life Unbound: Tamara Parker, LMT
www.salonsofvolterra.com/fort-worth/professionals_list/life-unboundtamara-parker-lmt/
Massage isn’t just about pampering (although there’s nothing wrong with pampering!). According to the Mayo Clinic, massage therapy can help with nerve pain, circulation disorders, migraines, anxiety and depression, TMJ, and more. Tamara Parker is a Licensed Massage Therapist who has been helping North Texans for over 20 years with what she calls “intuitive massage.” She listens to your body and uses a variety of massage therapies and techniques to help you on your way to wellness. a devotee of this oasis of calm in my hectic life. While I’m a huge fan of the Blissful Retreat (massage, facial, mani/pedi), the folks at Perfect Touch offer a wide range of services for your skin and body.
City Cave Float & Wellness
www.citycave.com/nearsouthside
New to Fort Worth, City Cave Float & Wellness offers foat therapy, infrared sauna, and massage therapy. “What is foat therapy?” I hear you ask. In a foat therapy session, you will foat in a private pool in warm water; this therapy can help sore muscles, reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and decrease blood pressure. Perfect for those after-holidays nerves!
Trimm O
www.trimmoff.com
The founders of Trimm Off know that losing weight isn’t easy. They also believe that losing weight shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Through personalized weight loss plans that can include medications, the Trimm Off team will help you achieve your goals at a reasonable price with exceptional care.
Influencing with Purpose: Jenn Kautsch of SoberSis
We started Infuencing with Purpose to spotlight local social media infuencers who use their platforms for more than self-advertising. For our health and wellness issue, who better to feature than Jenn Kautsch, the founder of SoberSis? [Editor's note: We have removed some questions and answers due to the limited space. We will run the full article online in January.]
"I became motivated to make some healthy changes in my life"
Madeworthy: What made you want to pursue an alcohol-free lifestyle?
Jenn Kautsch: Well, I was stuck in what I call the "detox to retox" loop. Super healthy and mindful by day, only to turn around and undo it with mindless sipping in the evenings! Ugh. "Wine o'clock" had just become a habit, a part of every social event, and I thought of it as a "reward" at the end of a long day. Almost a decade ago, when I was in my mid-40s, I realized how much I was living on "autopilot," and I became motivated to make some healthy changes in my life and decided to start by changing my relationship with alcohol. Little did I know that this would be the lead domino empowering me in other areas of improvement and freedom!
MW: What is a "gray area" drinker?
JK: It's been so eye-opening to understand there is a FULL drinking spectrum, and the majority of those who drink are somewhere in the middle. Gray area drinking refers to a pattern of alcohol consumption that falls between casual drinking and alcohol dependence or addiction.
It's characterized by drinking habits that can seem socially acceptable and have no big "rock bottom" or negative external consequences. However, it's internally problematic because it can start to feel like a (poor) default coping strategy for stress, anxiety, loneliness, or even boredom. People in this category might feel conficted about their drinking and an internal game of mental tug-of-war. They often set limits ("I'll only have one glass") but struggle to stick to them, leading to regret or guilt. Unlike physical alcohol dependence, the gray area drinker can stop on their own at any time but may fnd it hard to give it up completely because many fnd their habits supported and even normalized by a society that glamorizes and promotes alcohol at every turn. As someone who's been there, it's important to ask yourself the right questions.
by Madeworthy Editorial Team
Comparison is a trap, and it's vital to look at your own personal relationship with alcohol. Rather than, "Is it bad enough?” it’s better to ask, “Is it good enough…is this serving me?”
MW: With so many in the SoberSis community, what’s it like helping women on their journey?
JK: Well, frst off, it is humbling and has become my life's work to create this safe space for women to grow personally and in connection with others! I always say it's a personal journey but not a solo one! We are so much stronger together than we are apart. Our sisterhood literally has a sister representing every state and multiple continents. Our community thrives in diversity and has an age range that spans six different decades.
The power of women supporting women is like rocket fuel when it comes to making the world a better place - all by starting with ourselves and letting the ripple effect spread throughout our families, communities and the world! This is done through practicing one's PRESENCE versus being numbed out and playing small in our own lives!
I've been doing this work full-time for 7 years, and my passion continues to deepen as I feel driven to keep going. There's someone reading this right now who needs to know there is great hope and she's not alone. I show up every day because there’s still a woman at the kitchen sink doing dishes, on her third glass of wine, thinking,' "How in the world did I get here?” That woman was me.
"Comparison is a trap... look at your own personal relationship with alcohol"
MW: Now, tell us about your book!
JK: My frst book came out in April 2023, just in time to launch at a 300-person LIVE SoberSis event in Dallas! The book is titled, "Look Alive, Sis: 40 Days to Awaken Your Sober Mind." It's exciting because it's a light read for someone "sober curious," as well as encouraging those
"I see it as a joy and privilege to have clear purpose and passion"
further on the journey. It's a 40-day reader, with each short chapter having a "sober-minded seed" to plant in the garden of your mind. It's topical, and many of the stories were taken from my own experience as well as those from our SoberSis Tribe. The process of writing this book was unique because it was pulled together from much of my previous writing in blogs and social media. I do believe there is another book inside of me that will be more personal and an expansion of my 10-week online course where I go into the foundational pillars of creating an alcohol-free lifestyle.
MK: What does the future hold for you?
JK: Great question! When I started SoberSis, I had no idea what God had been preparing to do. I quickly realized, in an effort to reach as many women as possible, that I was going to need to run it as a business, even though we've got the heart of a ministry. When I started at age 47, it was just me and my visionary husband Craig. Now, at almost 54 years old, with a welldeveloped infrastructure and a full-time team of people behind me, it's exciting to think of new ways to get the message out there. I've recently pursued more speaking at women's retreats and conferences. It was a pleasure holding 2 workshops at MomCon in Denver through The MomCo this past fall! (formally known as MOPS).
I see it as a joy and privilege to have clear purpose and passion- especially during this "empty nester" season! I know there are new seasons ahead, and the way I prioritize my time and energy will change, too. I continue to seek a clear vision for the future from the One who has already gone before me. I believe God will always make a way for women to step into more freedom and live fully alive through our sisterhood. I believe only three things will last for eternity: God, His Word, and the souls of people. That's where I want to invest and leave a legacy.
Aging...
Gracefully?
continued from page 4
“I’ve got all these pots of moisturizers and serums and creams and oils sitting on my counter,” Madeleine said. “I've spent a small fortune, but nothing is working.”
Lillian said, “I’m going through more gum now than when I did when I was quitting smoking. My mouth is like the foor of Death Valley. I don’t want to kiss my partner anymore.”
Elisa’s problem is her eyes. “I wake up every morning, and my eyes are almost gummed shut. There isn’t enough Visine in the world to make them stop itching. I had to stop wearing my contacts because my eyes are so dry.”
Sensory Changes
Who knew it had such an impact on your senses? For about six months, I swore SOMEONE was smoking in the house. I smelled cigarette smoke constantly. I dreamed I was in a little French café, surrounded by elegant people drinking aperitifs and smoking Gauloises and Gitanes. Turns out that’s a lesser-known symptom of menopause. (Fortunately, it passed once the hormones fnally said goodbye.)
Amy had menopause-related tinnitus. Fortunately for her, it stopped when she started hormone replacement therapy.
My friend Elizabeth is a baker. She complained that the apple pie flling she makes for her delicious apple pies smells like wet dogs. “Maybe it’s the nutmeg?” she said. Her sister is a doctor who got interested in Elizabeth’s symptoms. She’s now researching menopausal symptoms and treatments. (Stay tuned to future issues to learn what her research yields.)
Autumn said menopause took away her ability to taste sour foods. Lemons? Nope. Vinegar? Not a pucker. “I can’t taste anything acidic. Most foods taste really fat now.”
My friend Marta would probably kill for fat-tasting food. She has Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). She said, “My mouth feels like I just ate a handful of habaneros all the time.” BMS sometimes occurs with dry mouth or altered taste and smell. While the causes of BMS are unknown, a majority of the sufferers are postmenopausal women. The most prescribed treatments are reassurance and antidepressants. Fortunately, most women who suffer from BMS experience at least a partial recovery after several years. Oh goodie.
Brain Fog
Oh yes, the menopausal brain fog is real, my friends. Every single one of my friends and I agree on this. We can’t remember anything, even if we write it down. We lose everything from keys to our cars in parking lots. And we can’t retain anything we’re told.
“I used to be proud of my memory, you know? My ability to remember everything everyone in the family needed to do at all times. Now? I’m useless. And because I’m the mom,
the whole family is messed up,” Angela said. “Everyone got so used to relying on my memory, which I realize is totally my fault, but now, no one can fgure out what to do when.”
Angela raises a good point. Moms tend to be the nerve center of the family. We’re the ones who remember everyone’s schedule, who coordinate soccer games and birthday parties and homework and projects and piano lessons and play rehearsals and SAT tutorials and… When Mom can’t remember what she planned for dinner or where she put her keys, the whole family is thrown into chaos. We need to learn to ask for help – from our family, from our doctors, from our community. We’re not alone, no matter how much we may feel like it.
***
This self-indulgent little article is just a partial list of the symptoms of
perimenopause and menopause that we experience. I didn’t get to the electric shock sensations, heart palpitations, changes in your body odor, exhaustion, and so many more utterly delightful things that happen to our body as we pass gracefully into the next stage of life.
It should go without saying, but if you are experiencing ANY of these symptoms, please talk to your doctor. Most menopausal symptoms can be symptoms of other conditions. And there are treatments for many of these symptoms, so don't just grin and bear it. Make a comprehensive list of everything you’re experiencing and make an appointment. Do it now before you forget!
There are few medical conditions with a broader reach than Attention-Defcit/Hyperactivity Disorder (aka ADHD). Characterized by symptoms such as diffculty focusing, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior, ADHD is generally considered to be, frst and foremost, a genetic disorder. While genetics defnitively play a signifcant role in who has ADHD, it is becoming more and more clear that certain environmental factors can have a profound impact on the severity and management of the disorder.
While little was known about ADHD before the 1960s, ADHD is now one of the most widely and thoroughly researched neural conditions. There is increasing evidence that certain foods, food additives, chemicals found in household products, and lifestyle choices can and do exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Traditionally treated with powerful psychoactive medications, this research points to potential avenues for intervention and management.
Leaving to one side the causes of ADHD and the rise in diagnoses, there are some simple things those with the condition can do to improve their lives. The most obvious is proper diet and nutrition. It’s not just a matter of what one eats, but what one should avoid.
Diets high in sugar, certain food additives, and artifcial food colorings have been shown to contribute to hyperactivity and attention problems in some children. A 2007 UK study revealed that certain food additives led to an increase in hyperactivity in children. The study found that Allura Red AC, known in the US as FD&C Red 40, may be linked to increased hyperactivity and irritability. This observation has prompted many parents of ADHD kids to strive for a dye-free diet, many with observable positive effects.
On the other hand, a defciency of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain function, has been linked to an exacerbation of ADHD symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like oily fsh and some nuts and seeds, but dietary supplements are recommended if levels are low.
ADHD and You Mitigating the Symptoms
by William Wise
Poor sleep quality and disruptions to our natural circadian rhythms also negatively affect ADHD symptoms. Chronic sleep problems, such as sleep apnea, can mimic or exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Sleep deprivation affects the brain’s ability to regulate attention and behavior, so getting a proper night’s sleep regularly can improve symptoms.
Additionally, disrupted sleep-wake cycles, often caused by screen time and late-night activities, negatively affect cognitive functioning and increase symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. Some people with ADHD swear by blue-blocking glasses worn especially at night, but conventional wisdom stresses the importance of simply turning off all screens at least an hour before bedtime.
It's not just the blue light from screens disrupting circadian rhythms that exacerbates ADHD symptoms. Excessive exposure to screens of all kinds at all times has been linked to attention
problems. Though the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, some scientists believe the fastpaced and highly stimulating nature of the digital media that kids consume these days contributes to attention problems by making it harder for children to focus on less stimulating tasks. Let's face it: everything seems boring to a child's brain compared to TikTok and Fortnite. And strictly reducing screen time has shown positive results for all kids, not just those with ADHD.
Basic diet and lifestyle changes, along with medications, if necessary, are often the easiest ways to mitigate many ADHD symptoms. Some ADHD triggers, however, aren’t so easy to deal with. Many environmental toxins and contaminants, including air pollution, have been shown to negatively affect brain function and cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. Exposure to air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide has been linked to an increased risk of ADHD, particularly in children.
Certain chemicals, such as fame retardants used in furniture, clothing, and electronics, have also been associated with ADHD-like symptoms. Lead exposure in early childhood is one of the most widely recognized environmental risk factors for ADHD because lead affects the nervous system, leading to cognitive defcits and behavioral issues, including inattention and hyperactivity. Exposure to mercury and other heavy metals has also been linked to developmental delays and ADHD in children. That’s why women are encouraged to avoid certain fsh, such as tuna, during their pregnancy.
While environmental, lifestyle, and dietary factors do not cause ADHD by themselves, they can act as triggers for ADHD behavioral symptoms, especially when combined with genetic predispositions. Taking control of your family’s diet and environment by radically reducing exposure to these known triggers has proven benefcial to many people living with ADHD and can be the difference between merely surviving and thriving.
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It Starts with the Internal Changes, The Physical Changes Are Just Perks
by Lee Virden Geurkink with Jennifer Kieta photos by Delaney Johnson
It will probably not be surprising when I say that physical activity is good for us. It keeps our hearts healthy. It keeps our brains healthy. It helps with depression and anxiety and low self esteem. It helps our bodies recover after injury and illness. It helps reduce stress levels.
It’s good, okay?
However, knowing that intellectually and understanding it corporeally are two different things. Yes, we know exercise and movement are good. But we can't understand it until we make physical activity an unbreakable habit.
And who better to explain the almost unexplainable than Madeworthy’s own Jennifer Kieta? Jennifer has been a ftness instructor for nearly a decade, and she is opening her own studio with her husband Brian. Union will open in spring 2025 and will offer indoor cycling, personal training, nutritional coaching, and more. Jennifer not only knows about the power of physical activity, she understands it in her bones.
"I frst started taking care of myself with exercise when I was going through a really bad breakup in college," Jennifer said. "I had done a little bit of exercise like videotapes, Jane Fonda, you know, but that was really just checking a box to be like everybody else. I didn't think, 'I need to exercise because I'm stressed out and need to get the endorphins moving.'"
Motivated by the anger and the hurt of her breakup, Jennifer went for a run. “I probably ran for about 30 minutes at a VERY slow pace, but I remember coming home and thinking, ‘I will always want to do that.’ It was so transformative. When I was running, I was processing the breakup, and moving allowed me to release my emotions and sweat it out. It wasn’t about the ftness. I actually felt like a different person.”
After that initial run, Jennifer kept running. She also began experimenting with different exercise
modalities, like weightlifting and CrossFit. There is something very empowering about lifting weights, especially for women, and Jennifer reveled in it. She continued running because the combination of moving and music was healing. That combination allowed her to let go of the worries of life and reconnect her body and her brain and her heart. And then she discovered indoor cycling.
“I went into that frst class not knowing what to expect,” Jennifer remembered. The lights were very low, and the music started up. The instructor spoke into us, not at us. He spoke about things we were struggling with: not being strong enough, not being like everyone else in the class, not being good enough. He used the buildup of a song to get even deeper into our feelings. It was a crazy, therapeutic moment, and I left that class knowing I was forever changed."
That was 10 years ago. Since then, Jennifer has become a ftness instructor, helping hundreds feel how moving can transform their lives. (It's a bit hyperbolic, I know, but it’s true.) Most of us live most of our lives in our heads. We're bombarded by information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We live through our screens and have become disconnected from our bodies. But you can't be on your phone when you're exercising. Well, you can, but it's not recommended for many reasons.
Jennifer said, “To have just 45 minutes to be away from your phone and to be present is essential. To be present in your body. To be present with how you’re breathing. To be present with how you’re struggling, and yet you're still doing it. You're still moving. That sense of accomplishment carries throughout the day. That's powerful and healing." If anyone understands how moving is healing, it’s Jennifer. On December 8, 2017, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery less than a month later. She was lucky; the cancer was caught early, she didn’t have to have radiation or chemotherapy, and the surgeon was able to do the double mastectomy and place her implants in one surgery.
“I was able to have that one surgery because of good blood fow. I had good blood fow because I exercise so much,” Jennifer said. “If I didn’t have good blood fow, I would have had to have spacers for several months to get ready for the implants.”
Unfortunately, major surgery meant that Jennifer couldn’t move like she was used to for a long time.
“I’ll never forget that frst walk after my surgery,” she
grinned. “It was about a week post-op, and I just had to get outside. I just had to move a little bit. So my husband held my hand, and we walked in slow motion, I mean really slow motion, from one end of the cul de sac to the other. I was barely shuffing, but what it did for my psyche was incredible. Every day, I craved that short little shuffe.”
From that frst shuffe, Jennifer didn’t stop moving. “About four weeks after the surgery, I was feeling really good, so I decided to take a spin class because I needed to move. I needed to be around people, and I needed to sweat. Of course, I posted about it, and my oncologist saw it. She called me and scolded me, but it helped me get back to myself.”
Having cancer and major surgery really brought home to Jennifer how much she had changed since that frst run in college. “It really made me understand not only the physical changes but the emotional changes that I went through. I always tell people in my classes that it starts with internal change. It starts with acceptance of where you are. Then there is the drive to fght for something more for yourself, something better for yourself. The physical changes are just perks.”
She paused for a minute. “Exercise is like life insurance for me, especially after breast cancer. It prepared me for what was ahead. No one likes paying for a life insurance policy that they’re never going to see, but they do it for the ‘what ifs.’ Exercise for the ‘what ifs.’ It gives your body a chance to fght harder than it would otherwise.”
