Traveling through Memphis
Visit the home of great barbecue, blues, and Elvis
The art of harmonizing facial features
Welcome our New Team Member
Meet Dr. Anthony Braswell
How she beat the World Record for circumnavigating Australia in a surfski
by J. Drew Sanderson, MD
If a person were to ask one of our long-time patrons, “What is Live Young Wellness Spa?” They would likely answer, “It’s a great place to get botulinum toxin and filler,” or potentially, “It is where I get my hormones managed. I love the team there.” While these are both true, Live Young Wellness Spa is so much more. At Live Young Wellness Spa, there are a few principals we hold dear.
First — we will serve our customers. We understand you have chosen us for your aesthetic and wellness needs. With hundreds of other options in the DFW area, you have chosen us. We hold that sacred. We will do our very best to serve you.
Another valued principle — if the treatment does not work, we do not sell it. There is a lot of snake oil, so to speak, in this business, and honestly, it is why I do not offer non-invasive body contouring treatments. As of early 2024, I have not been able to convince myself there is enough of a difference after the treatment to sell them to our customers. We work very hard to vet the new treatments on the market before offering them. We hope this helps build trust.
Finally — we will be the best at what we do. I explain to all new team members, if you were the top 1% of authors, you probably would have written the Harry Potter series or if you were the top 1% of quarterbacks, you would play for the Dallas Cowboys. Okay, maybe the Kansas City Chiefs, but you get the point.
My entire team understands they will need to continuously work to improve and get better at their job if they want to stay on the team at Live Young Wellness Spa. Our laser technicians will be the top 1% of their field. Our injectors, our customer service representatives, and our managers will all work and actively seek out opportunities
for growth and learning, so collectively we are all great at what we do. To put it another way, we will be top 1%ers.
More than just a location or a team, Live Young Wellness Spa is a lifestyle or ideal. The people who come here want to make the most of every minute of their lives and intently look for quality and purpose for the entirety of their lives.
We want to help people look their best and feel their best so they can maximize every minute doing what they love. Life is finite. With that understanding, we encourage goal setting and celebrate when those, sometimes elusive, goals are achieved.
It has been said, “In every older person there is a young person wondering what happened.” It’s true. But who cares? Keep pushing.
The old, the young, the rich, the poor, the educated or not, should all be doing their best every day to improve themselves and make the most of their time here. We celebrate when our team members or our customers achieve a goal like running a marathon or receiving a graduate degree.
Along those lines, the articles here span a breadth of topics from healthcare to travel, but most of all we hope you find this publication entertaining, educational and inspiring.
by Peyton Sanderson
Music serves as a vibrant bridge to our fast-paced world, keeping us in tune with the rhythm of modern life. Imagine the excitement when your children, eyes wide with surprise, ask, “How did you know this song?” Or the exhilaration of introducing a spouse or friend to a fresh, new artist, leaving them in awe at your ahead-of-the-curve musical tastes. These valuable moments not only foster connections, but can also boost your confidence in staying attuned to the ever-changing soundscape in today’s music scene.
Unlike my father, who swears by Rolling Stone magazine, I have found my musical muse in the boundless explore page of Spotify. If you or anyone you know has a Spotify subscription, diving into this treasure trove is an absolute must. Spotify’s sophisticated algorithms are adept at uncovering emerging artists that align perfectly with your current jams, making it a powerful antidote to the trap of outdated musical tastes stuck in the 80s. Plus, Spotify’s personalized “discover” playlists are like a fresh breeze to a musical rut, constantly introducing you to new sounds and ensuring your musical repertoire never grows stale. With that in mind, let’s embark on a journey through some of my favorite artists and songs that I have unearthed in my recent music endeavors.
Lukas Nelson
“Find Yourself” & More
Did you know that Willie Nelson has a son who makes music? Neither did I, until I found myself front row at a free concert in my college town. Imagine stumbling across Willie Nelson’s son like a whispered invitation to explore the depths of an iconic musical lineage. I felt like I struck country music gold. Lukas emerges with a sound that echoes his father’s iconic resonance, but with a vibrant twist of modernity. Lukas and his band, Promise of the Real, have garnered recognition for their blend of country, rock, and folk genres. He also notably helped write music for the film “A Star is Born.” From the heart-wrenching depths of “Find Yourself” to the nostalgic yearning of country life of “Just Outside of Austin,” Lukas paints a portrait of emotion with his lyrics, leaving listeners with goosebumps as their only testament (a tell-tale sign of great music). More recently, he released a song called “More Than Friends” reminding the listener of the exhilarating tumble into love’s embrace. I encourage you to listen to the entirety of the album “Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real.”
Hozier
“To Someone From a Warmer Climate” & More
Having witnessed Hozier’s live performance firsthand this year, I can humbly say he possesses one of the most ethereal voices in today’s alternative music scene. You may already be familiar with the Irish-born artist, perhaps through his chart-topping song “Take Me to Church.” Experiencing this song and “Cherry Wine” live was akin to being enveloped in an otherworldly symphony,
leaving me awestruck by its sheer beauty. However, Hozier’s recent album release has further solidified his musical prowess. Unreal Unearth: Unheard is a “no skips” experience, as every track is a masterpiece. My personal favorites are “De Selby (Part 2),” “To Someone From A Warmer Climate,” “First Time,” “Who We Are,” and “Too Sweet.” The perfect harmony of string instruments and lyrics leave the listener no choice but to dive deep into their emotions. With each of his albums, he showcases his versatility as a musician, effortlessly transitioning between rock and soulful ballads.
21 Savage
“Redrum” & “No Heart”
Whether you are exasperated from running endless miles or pushing through reps at the gym to the same old songs or you just love to indulge in explicit rap lyrics in your car, here is a curated selection from some of today’s most popular rap artists. Kicking off with “Redrum” by 21 Savage, the title of this song immediately evokes imagery from Stephen King’s iconic novel, The Shining. This song stands out as one of his most popular from his latest album, “American Dream.” The song starts off with a measured pace before diving into a bass-heavy groove
– a vital ingredient for any solid workout playlist. Another 21 Savage song I thoroughly enjoy is “No Heart,” a slightly slower offering from the 2016 album, “Savage Mode.” Despite its slower tempo, it packs enough punch to fuel an intense workout session or a jam session in the car.
Kendrick Lamar
“Money Trees” & “King Kunta”
Another fantastic rapper of this era is Kendrick Lamar. Raised in the gritty streets of Compton, California, Lamar has proven his ability to tell stories while utilizing intricate rhythms and infectious beats. From his mentions of the difficult reality of inner-city life to reflections of spirituality, his lyrics paint vivid images of struggle and success. The first song I recommend listening to is “Money Trees,” off the 2011 album “good kid, m.A.A.d city.”
While some may argue that listening to music from 2011 is “outdated,” I stand firm in my belief that this song remains just as relevant in 2024. The lyrics combined with the catchy beat is perfect, once again, for working out or jamming out. The next song I recommend is “King Kunta” which has a faster tempo, a heart pounding bassline and complex startstop rhymes, making it an essential addition to any rap playlist.
by Duke Silver
These are exciting times at Flower Mound Plastic Surgery and Live Young Wellness Spa. We have enjoyed the good fortune of continued growth, and we are ready to take the next step to expand our services. We are proud to introduce Dr. Anthony Braswell as the newest team member to the practice. Dr. Braswell is a double-board certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon whose professional background brings knowledge and surgical experience to Flower Mound Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Braswell was born and raised in North Texas. He grew up in Colleyville and was deeply involved at North Richland Hills Baptist Church (now Cross Church) with his parents and two older sisters. It was during a summer youth mission trip at the southern Texas border that he was introduced to the fields of medicine and missions.
After graduating from Grapevine High School, Class of ’93, he followed his father’s footsteps to Auburn University with an Army ROTC scholarship. He deferred his active duty commitment to be the first in his family to go to medical school. It was on the first day of medical school at U.T. in San Antonio that he met his future wife, Dr. Lezli Braswell.
After medical school, Dr. Braswell entered active duty in the U.S. Army and spent six years in general surgery residency at the Army’s trauma and burn hospital at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. It was during this time that the attacks of 9/11 occurred and changed the course of Dr. Braswell’s career.
After his second year in surgical training, he discovered a passion for reconstructive surgery as a surgical subspecialty, specifically breast reconstruction and facial recon-
struction, but the Army had just entered two separate wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and was in desperate need of general surgeons. Therefore, after graduating from his surgical training in 2007, Dr. Braswell spent the next seven years attached to Combat Surgical Hospitals (CASH) and Forward Surgical Teams (FST) in both wars.
He deployed four times to these combat zones as a general/trauma surgeon, eventually becoming a recognized expert in Forward Surgical Team optimization to decrease the mortality rate of soldiers in the “golden hour” immediately after injury. In 2011 Dr. Braswell was selected as part of a specialized trauma team assigned to the U.S. State Department in Baghdad to teach these “best practices” to their trauma teams after the U.S. Army withdrew from Iraq.
In 2013, ten years after discovering he wanted to be a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Braswell entered a three-year
plastic surgery residency at Northwell Health System in New York. He trained in all aspects of plastics and reconstruction, emphasizing breast reconstruction and facial reconstruction.
After finishing this program, the Army then assigned him to start a reconstructive surgery service at the new hospital at Fort Hood, Texas. He spent five years as the only plastic surgeon at the world’s largest military installation.
His main mission at Fort Hood was to be a surgery consultant for the other surgical specialties who encountered complex cases requiring reconstructive techniques. Due to his background in cancer surgery, Dr. Braswell’s commander assigned him to chair the Committee on Cancer, where he headed a multidisciplinary committee that reviewed all cancer diagnoses and created treatment plans for each case.
This fortuitous assign ment allowed Dr.
Evaluating an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast injury in Afghanistan, 2008.
Braswell to build a robust cancer reconstruction practice treating all types of skin and breast cancer, as well as supporting general surgery, gynecology, and urology with complex reconstructive procedures after the removal of malignant tumors.
After twenty years of active-duty service, Dr. Braswell and his wife decided it was time to retire from the U.S. Army and stabilize their family as their three children were in their teenage years.
In transitioning from military to civilian practice, Dr. Braswell completed an American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) endorsed aesthetic plastic surgery fellowship in Charlotte, NC. This fellowship concentrated on all aspects of cosmetic surgery, with an emphasis on high-definition body contouring, facial rejuvenation surgery, and revision breast surgery.
Dr. Braswell’s life mission statement is simple: Love God completely, Love self correctly,
and Love others compassionately. During the previously mentioned youth group mission trips to the Texas-Mexico border, Dr. Braswell’s eyes were opened to the difficult reality of those living outside the affluent “bubble” of American Suburbia. Years later, his deployments to desolate areas in the Middle East and witnessing the plight of the population in the developing world further influenced his mindset that he would spend his life showing gratitude for what he has by serving others.
Dr. Braswell has been involved in multiple medical mission trips to Peru, Jamaica, and within the U.S. borders. He and his wife taught a weekly church ministry for young married couples for three years while stationed in Columbus, GA. The Braswells also founded a Christian Medical and Dental Association chapter at the Mercer Medical School campus in Columbus. Every Wednesday night for 18 months they provided a meal
and taught a Bible study for 15-25 medical students. Since moving to Flower Mound, the Braswells have become involved in the Village Church and are looking for the right mission opportunity to serve.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Braswell describes himself as having way too many interests. He has an unhealthy passion for artisan coffee. He has taken a deep dive into the world of Central Texas BBQ and will admittedly “geek out” for hours about firewood species, fire management, smoking techniques, and dry rub recipes.
He admits that his daily goal in life is to be able to work on his tractor every night. He is a student of military history and geopolitics but is even more interested in diesel engine technology and commercial lawn-care equipment. Dr. Braswell prides himself on being able to find a way to connect with almost anyone because of his affable personality and wide-ranging interests.
