(614) January 2021

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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94th Aero Squadron • Aab India • Alqueria • Ampersand Asian Supper Club Asterisk Supper Club Barcelona • Barrel & Boar • Beer Barrel Pizza • Blue Agave Bodega • BRAVO BRIO • Bristol Republic • Bru Burger • Buca Di Beppo Cameron's American Bistro • Cap City Fine Diner • Cimi's Bistro • Columbus Fish Market • Del Mar • Condado Cuco's Taqueria • DogTap • Eddie Merlot's Elevator • El Vaquero • Everest Cuisine • Figlio • G. Michael's • Grandview Cafe Grove City Brewing Company • Hadley's • Hen Quarter High Bank Distillery Hofbrauhaus Hoggy's • The Keep • Hudson 29 • Hyde Park Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce • J. Gilbert's • Kyoto • Lincoln Social • Lindey's Mackenzie River • Marcella's Martini Modern Italian • Matt & Tony's • Matt the Miller's Tavern • Mazah McCormick & Schmick's • Milestone 229 Mitchell's Ocean Club • Mitchell's Steakhouse • Molly Woo's • Moretti's of Arlington Napa Kitchen + Bar • Nomad • Nosh on High • Old Mohawk Tavern Pat & Gracie's • Pecan Penny's • Polaris Grill • Rodizio Grill • Rusty Bucket Saucy Brew Works • Slurping Turtle • Smith & Wollensky • Soulshine Tavern • STADIUM • The Avenue The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek • The Crafty Pint The Guild House • The Pearl • The Pit BBQ • The Rail The Refectory The Top Steak House • The Wine Bistro • The Woodbury • Tucci's • Vittoria Wolf's Ridge Brewing • Yellow Brick

BIG PICTURE Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Polar Bear, Kulu, goes for a swim after some special snacks during his first birthday party on 11-28-20. Kulu, and mother Aurora, celebrated the big day with pumpkins, fish, and a variety of other birthday treats.

PHOTO BY DAVID HEASLEY

BIG PICTUR

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Contents

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C O V E R PA C K A G E THE INTERVIEW ISSUE

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PAINT THE CITY

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BIRDS OF A FEATHER

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SUPER WARIO'S WORLD

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RODO'S

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BREATH WORK

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ON THE COVER:

Design by Paul Barton • Photo by Leonardo Carrizo

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis

STEPHANIE WEST Editor-In-Chief

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press EDITOR IN CHIEF Stephanie West ASSISTANT / DIGITAL EDITOR Sarah Sole

My Mom, the Nurse

614 CAMPUS EDITOR Caroline Cunningham CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

I

knew very early on that my Mom was a superhero.

The way she could make my 5-year-old booboo’s disappear or force the Boogeyman out with just a flip of the lightswitch—WOW. She was like Indiana Jones mixed with Santa Claus mixed with medical miracles. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized other people thought the same thing about my Mom, too.

See, my Mom is a nurse. Almost every day of her adult life has been spent walking into the rooms of people who are sick, in pain, in need of her help.

Sometimes they’re jovial and nice; sometimes they’re so sick and in so much pain, they can’t even speak— sickness is a terrible state of being. It doesn’t phase my Mom. No matter whose room she walks into, she holds the course; steadies the ship; gives the care that’s needed and, sometimes, she gives a little bit more than that.

Sometimes my Mom finds a way to make them laugh; sometimes she tells them a story; many times she will tell them about me, her daughter, and how proud she is. And then she tells me how sometimes people read this column and they know me because they know her and they tell her about it and she beams.

Sometimes she’ll tell stories about my brother and everything he’s done in the Army and how proud she is of him. She’ll tell them about her grandchildren or husband; her dog or her garden. Sometimes she tells them a joke, which isn’t usually funny but they’ll laugh because it wasn’t and she laughs, too. Occasionally, it actually is funny.

Sometimes when she goes to a patient’s house she pets a dog or she tries to come home with a stray kitty they want her to take—which my step-father promptly rejects; but I’ll get the picture of the kitten and we’ll both “oooo” and “ahhhhh.” Every now and again, they send her home with cookies or garden vegetables or a funny anecdote that I get to hear about later.

Occasionally she gets close enough to her patients

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Alex Lefebvre, Leonardo Carrizo, Sarah Pfeifer

that when they leave for good, she’ll cry as if they were part of her family. And they are part of her family.

When you’re a nurse, every patient becomes part of your family; part of your soul. Like a crazy uncle, or your favorite niece, or your funny sister, or your cool kids, or your next door neighbor—there isn’t a patient alive that hasn’t, in some way, affected a nurse that’s been part of their care. It’s part of the job. And my Mom has done it brilliantly for years.

And so have the nurses in this issue, dear readers.

For the annual Interview Issue, we wanted to kick off the New Year by celebrating the people who made an impact on Columbus in 2020—starting with a nurse from every healthcare system in the city. You’ll see and hear from ICU, Trauma, and two other nurses, who talk about the challenges they faced in 2020 and how they’ve gotten through. We happen to think nurses are heroes (and I’m not just talking about my Mom) and so are the nurses in this bunch.

We also have Dr. Amy Acton and Dr. Pete Edwards—the doc who saved the Columbus Crew and helped bring the MLS Cup to Columbus in a year that was tough for everyone. We also have a woman who is helping young, Black girls in downtown Columbus, as well as a forager who is “TikTok famous” and will eat almost anything in your yard. There’s “Birdy,” in our Gallery Space section and some delicious cheesesteaks in the food section. And as we start the New Year, we have a story on how to breathe.

Columbus, we’re kicking off 2021 with some great people, great food, and great art. We hope you join us on the journey today, and every day.

Oh, and if you see a nurse, maybe shoot ‘em a thank you or buy ‘em a cup of coffee. And if it happens to be my Mom, tell her she’s a superhero. Because she’s been my favorite superhero since Day One. Happy reading, Columbus. And Happy New Year.

Here we go.

CONTRIBUTORS Jaelani Turner-Williams Jack Mclaughlin Melinda Green Zak Kolesar

Lindsey Escaja Nicholas Youngblood Melissa Braithwaite DESIGN TEAM LEAD Paul Barton SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER Justin Remotap GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jaime North VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR Maddy Van Buren DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Jayci Haase ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Nikki Harris ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mindy Wilhite

(614) Magazine 458 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43215 Office: (614) 488-4400 | Fax: (614) 488-4402 Email submissions to: editor@614now.com www.614now.com

S TA F F P I C K S

Wanted: Dead or Alive In (614)’s January issue, we're all about the people in Columbus making an impact on our city every day. Some you know, some you may not, but in the annual Interview Issue, we’re hitting up folks in the capital city who have had some kind of impact on our city over the last year. That, naturally, made us curious who our staff wants to hear from. So we asked them, if you could sit down and interview anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Keanu Reeves. I feel like he’s lived a lot of life and has interesting insight into the human condition. And maybe I’d get a ride on a motorcycle.

Jimi Hendrix. Because I think he would have a lot to say about his shows and the energy at the time. Also: It would be cool to hear about Woodstock.

Grimes [the musician]. I'd want to talk to her about artificial intelligence; also ask her how to use Garageband.

Brandon Flowers. No why needed.

— Stephanie West, Editor-In-Chief

— Sarah Sole, Asst./Digital Editor

— Justin Remotap, Senior Graphic Designer

— Maddy Van Buren, Video Producer + Editor

Michelle Obama. Her compassion, poise and leadership abilities are so inspiring.

I would ask her thoughts on the protests and movement of bridging the gap of racial inequality. I would also ask how to continue improving race relations into 2021, and how to instill these values into our children.

— Nikki Harris, Account Executive

X Æ A-Xii in 2040 to see how that all worked out for him.

— Paul Barton, Design Team Lead

Mac Miller because his music had my back through a lot of stages in my life and he was gone too soon!

—Jaime North, Graphic Designer

( LET TER to the EDITOR ) We want to hear from you, Columbus. And Letter to the Editor is just the place to do it. Like something? Hate something? It’s fair game. Send us your thoughts (no profanity or name calling—let’s keep it clean) to editor@614now.com and sound off on the good and bad about us, Columbus, or what you’re seeing in your area of Central Ohio.

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O N t he W E B Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com?

You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’s top news, entertainment, and sports stories from throughout Central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below at 614now.com.

Art in Action CCAD grad, Khaila Carr, uses art to give voice to women of color.

Check out the full story by Jaelani Turner-Williams on 614now.com by scanning the code below

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SO CIAL CO M M EN TARY

61 4 V I D E O Did you know that (614) launched a new YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. We’re expanding our ever-growing content to include video across our web and magazine stories. Keep an eye out for more on our (614) Columbus account and on social media. In the meantime, check out the newest video on our channel:

fa cebo o k Article on HoodPanda's GoFundMe: ANNIE: He needs money for clothes.

KEVIN: Think that eggplant is a little larger than it needs to be...

Check out the newest videos on our channel:

Tuttle Park upcoming skate park:

now playing...

KAYLIE: This headline sounds like a dad in the 90's trying to relate to his JNCO-wearing teenager in front of his friends lol I LOVE IT!!!

inst a gram Repost of deer sculpture photo "What is this Scioto deer thinking about?": @BIGSHIP80: Hope 2021 is better

New issue drop: @I_MAKEITRAINA: Ok wait I love board games

Behind the Scenes Watch our behind-the-scenes take on the Interview Issue photo shoot, from Dr. Acton to Dr. Pete and nurses from Columbus’ four hospital systems—we’ve got a great list of 15. Check it out.

t witte r Best breakfast sandwiches in Columbus: @PATCH_: I'll stick with McDonald's

#AsSeenInColumbus It’s difficult for us here at (614) to catch it all. That’s where you come in: while you’re out there capturing the city, you might as well slide some of your best shots our way. We’ll throw a few of ours in the mix, too. There’s plenty to see in Columbus, so there’s no reason not to share. @hologramsam1111

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@nebulatheshibainu

CALENDAR Have an event you want to shout-out? Send an email to editor@614now.com.

Events Ice Skating at The Chiller

Learn more at thechiller.com

Throughout January, Live Music

Learn more at nataliesgrandview.com

Jan. 15 Virtual Paint & Sip, Franklin Park Conservatory Learn more at fpconservatory.org

thru

Jan. 5

Wildlights presented by AEP at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Learn more at columbuszoo.org

North Pole at Baker’s Village’s Annual Christmas Shoppe Learn more at bakersvillagegardencenter.com

VASO Igloos Experience

Learn more at vasodublin.com/igloos

@theohioguide

@designby.anne

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↑ Lisa McClymont, Marshall L. Shorts III (Amari), Sheri J. Neale, Candice Igeleke, Marshall L. Shorts (L to R)

Deliver Black Dreams aims to create lasting social change with art

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos By Alex Lefebvre

"The message for this is about inspiration as aspiration, imagining a future where all of us are able to thrive."

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O

ver the course of one early November weekend, a group of roughly 40 individuals—artists and volunteers alike—convened on an otherwise nondescript retaining wall located on Fifth St. between Fields Ave. and Penny St. Led by head artist Lisa McLymont, a team of others including Marcus William Billingsley, Hakim Callwood, Francesca Miller, Shelbi Harris-Roseboro, and April Sunami worked diligently while maintaining social distance. As volunteers ferried paint back and forth, the hiss of spray paint cans filled the brisk air; brushes and rollers alike met the cold concrete; and

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

3,500 square feet of public art began to take shape.

By the time they were finished, the expansive mural featured the phrase “Deliver Black Dreams It’s for All of Us” in bold block letters, flanked on either side by an array of raised, multi-colored fists.

The mural is the culmination of the work of several prominent city groups—including Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther himself—and is just the first in what the newly-created Deliver Black Dreams campaign sees as a group of many that will (in addition to other forms of public art) begin to create real change and awareness in Columbus.

The foundation for the Deliver Black Dreams project began with Ginther and Columbus City Council member Shayla Favor, said Jami Goldstein, vice president of marketing for Greater Columbus Arts Council. And while public art was always intended as a crucial component of the initiative, the true endgame for Deliver Black Dreams transcends the creation of art: It’s about enacting real change for the black community in Columbus and beyond.

“I am proud to support the work of Delivering Black Dreams, and cannot think of a time better than the present to uplift and empower our community,” Favor said. “This project is about more than just public art. It is about recommitting ourselves to achieving true racial equity so that future generations can all have the same opportunities to fulfill their biggest and wildest dreams.”

Shortly after Ginther and the Columbus City Council created the framework for the project (which was officially announced in early October), GCAC was brought in to facilitate the creation of the murals and link the project with meaningful groups.

Two such entities were The Maroon Arts Group (a Columbus-based collective that has fostered the creation of African American art since 2014) and the project’s namesake, Deliver Black Dreams, a newlyformed community group looking to make important changes in Ohio’s capital city and America at large.

“My hope is that Columbus will inspire the rest of the country,” said DBD founding member Marshall Shorts, who was working with activists in Minnesota and Michigan to galvanize African American voters for the 2020 election when he was linked with Goldstein and the GCAC, leading to the campaign’s formal creation. “The message for this is about inspiration as aspiration, imagining a future where all of us are able to thrive.”

And while Shorts—who is also on the board of The Maroon Arts Group—knew he wanted to be involved from the jump, exactly what shape the project would take wasn’t entirely clear at its beginning.

“We started off wanting to do street murals with BLM-specific messages like other cities were doing, but we felt like Columbus was a few months behind, so we thought it was befitting to build around some other ideas,” he said.

The Deliver Black Dreams Campaign will include free outdoor exhibitions of the Art Unite Cbus murals created following the June protests, cash prizes to black photographers and filmmakers telling the story of the BLM protests, and privately-funded murals such as April Sunami’s Black Women Matter → (614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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This project is about more than just public art.

It is about recommitting ourselves to achieving true racial equity so that future generations can all have the same opportunities to fulfill their biggest and wildest dreams."

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(located at 859 E. Long St.). The initiative will also feature many “mural cubes,” created by arranging 8 by 8 foot paintings into cubes and placing them in high-traffic areas throughout the city, such as the Huntington Center, Lincoln Theatre, and Ohio History Connection.

According to Maroon Arts Group co-founder Sheri Neale, work won’t begin on new murals until the Spring, as surface temperatures play an important factor in how well paint adheres to concrete surfaces. If all goes according to plan, the next two pieces will be created on the city’s West and South sides, but this may still change.

In these upcoming murals, Neale and MAG plan to merge both the public art and social justice faces of Deliver Black Dreams through a program that will empower young black artists. While each mural will have a lead artist with several supporting creatives behind them, local youth artists will be given the chance to participate in these murals, affording them confidence and important craft experience.

“We know that there are younger artists who have never made art on this scale. Our goal in pairing them will be to provide mentorship to these artists,” Neale said. “Especially with murals, because there’s so much that goes into them that people don’t realize. Finding a location and getting permission from the city or owner, having your ideas picked: It’s not as simple as sitting and painting, and all of those things are a part of helping someone.”

And for Shorts, as Deliver Black Dreams turns out more and more public art, each piece will lead them closer to their largest—and most important— goal, that of real and sustainable change.

“The short-term goals(public art)and long-term goals (changing the culture) of Deliver Black Dreams are inextricably linked,” Shorts said. “People in our community are suffering and discouraged by the injustices we see. We need form to follow functional change in our city. We deliver Black dreams by making sure that the most vulnerable amongst us are heard and can thrive in this city.” •

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CHEF

In a rapidly growing Columbus food and drink scene, the city’s culinary creatives are fast becoming a new class of local celebrities. Over the next several pages, enjoy a snapshot of some of Columbus’ top chefs, all of whom’s work will be on display during Restaurant Week Columbus, slated for January 25-30th.

Then be sure to view all of the menus at EAT614.com. Dig in.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Star

CHEF

EXECUTIVE CHEF/GENERAL MANAGER

Kevin Featherolf

Lewis Center Kitchen Bar 1611 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240 | lewiscenterkb.com Locally sourced scratch kitchen with a global inspired flare. From innovative bar food to vegan comfort food. Our Executive Chef/General Manager Kevin, working with Kitchen Manager Chef Jason, who also bring his diverse cooking skills, are committed to extraordinary foodgasmic tastes from all over the world. Our chefs are excited to present their vision to you and all our guests. Our caring and committed staff make sure you have a fantastic and fun experience with us.We love supporting our local beer companies in our area. You will find local favorites of Olentangy Brewing Company, Wolf’s Ridge Brewers, and our sister city of Cincinnati with Rhinegeist Brewery, along with other popular beers on tap.

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Signature Dishes Vegan French Onion Soup Aussie Egg LC Steak Sandwich with Endless Fries Salmon Rangoon Piadiaa Country Shortbreak

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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OWNER

Gustavo Salazar

Taco Nice 4832 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43228 | taconicecolumbus.com Taco Nice brings you the most authentic tacos in central Ohio. Inspired by the traditional old-world recipes straight from the heart of Mexico City, Taco Nice presents Mexico City street food in a modern and upscale restaurant environment.

Our chefs chefs are native to Mexico City for years perfecting recipes for the most authentic and flavorful tacos. Our aim is to create an everlasting impression in our customer’s mind by serving the most authentic and delicious Mexican food.

We take pride in making our dishes from scratch using the most high quality ingredients and unique recipes. With the largest variety of Tequilas and Mezcal from the highest end to classic brands, Taco Nice is sure to be your new favorite “Taco Tuesday” spot. Life isn’t always Tacos and Tequila, but we think it should be!

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Signature Dishes Al Pastor - Slow spit roasted marinated pork.

Tortas - Mexico’s version of a sub or sandwich, made with your choice of meat Stuffed Baked Potato (Papa Rellena) - Delicious baked potato topped with melted cheese, butter and your choice of meat or veggies!

Tacos - Variety of authentic Mexican street tacos

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Shop + Support Local Nocterra

Family Practice

www.nocterrabrewing.com (614) 896-8000 41 Depot St, Powell, OH 43065

www.familypracticewestcarellc.com (614) 878-7285 3421 Farm Bank Way, Grove City, OH 43123

Located in historic downtown Powell, Nocterra’s brewers have been perfecting their recipes & crafting high-quality ales & lagers since they opened in 2019. They offer a wide array of beers including traditional styles like dunkels, pilsners & porters, but have pushed the boundaries with fruited sours that truly expand the definition of beer. And IPAs? Yep! …everything from citrusy Beta Flash NE IPA to the big bold flavors of Scioto Coast Double IPA w/ honey.

Sarah Perlman, CNP, started Family Practice WestCare in 2018 to ensure our community has access to an independent, locally-owned Primary Care that puts priority on our patients. Services include Tele-Health, Covid-19 testing, sports physicals, knee injections and treating anxiety and depression with compassion. Every patient is treated with respect which is why we accept most public and private insurance plans, offer affordable Self Pay for those without insurance, have Spanish speaking staff, welcome everyone from the LGBTQ+ community and offer Saturday and same-day appointments.

Brewing Co.

Nocterra’s canning line has been pumping out 6-packs for Central Ohio so there are plenty of ways to get their beer. Find a complete list of stores on their website, or, stop by the taproom for a pint & take home a 6-pack to share.

Better yet, try Nocterra’s free local home delivery service and get delicious craft beer dropped off at your house.

WestCare

Telhio Credit

Parsons North

www.telhio.org

www.parsonsnorth.com (614) 824-4208 685 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206

Union

For more than 80 years, Telhio Credit Union has been serving central Ohio as a not-for-profit, full-service financial cooperative. We offer the same financial products and services as a bank –but with a small, important twist; since we are a cooperative, our members are our owners. This means that our members come first and foremost. As an organization, we also believe in our core values of caring, commitment and integrity and being an active presence in the communities we serve. That is why we offer programs to help our members live easier lives, like our Checking that Protects account that gives members the added benefits of local discounts. As Telhio Credit Union grows and expands, we continue to develop new financial solutions for our members and maintain an active presence in the communities we serve.

Brewing Co.

It takes many different pieces and people to make a quality beer.

Parsons North Brewing Co. is committed to providing approachable beers in numerous styles. With a wide array of choices to choose from, you are sure to find a beer that fits your tastes. We provide Carryout, Curbside Pick-up, as well as Delivery for all our offerings.

Visit parsonsnorth.com to place your order for Beer, Merchandise, Gift Cards, and other items from local vendors. 2020 was a tough year for a lot of folks but we are looking to 2021 in a positive light.

With the continued support of you—our loyal customer—we know we will get through this and be back together soon. Cheers, Happy New Year and Thank you so much for your patronage.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @parsons_north and Facebook @ParsonsNorthBeer

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Gallery Space

Local artist “Birdy” finds like souls and towers to climb in Columbus

By Melissa Braithwaite / Photos By Alex Lefebvre

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M

andi Caskey was used to jetting across continents for her art.

After achieving local esteem for her large-scale murals and street art, the 27 year-old Lima native was working as a traveling muralist and visiting extraordinary places to create her art, such as Israel in 2019.

And then—the pandemic. The virus gone global forced her to cancel plans in Africa, Australia, and other countries. She had to stay local and Columbus’s favorite muralist quickly realized it was a fortuitous turn of events—the artist known as “Birdy” found she could find just as much inspiration at home and took the disappointment from canceled mural festivals to fuel an important change in her focus.

“This year I got to look more inward and collaborated more locally and spent time strategizing about how to create public art that is more meaningful to my community instead of making art everywhere,” Caskey said.

Caskey said the internal reflection awoke her to the importance of her artistic viewpoint in Columbus.

“It’s all about the collaboration and getting people to see the absolute adventure and growth that can come with contemporary muralism here.

That’s really exciting to me,” she said.

“I realized that there’s absolutely an opportunity for me to put my flag in the ground here and make something for my city and my state,” she said. “That’s so important to me, and it’s solidifying my place here and my confidence in what I am doing.”

Caskey’s now working as an art consultant for The Fort, a multi-functional business complex in Columbus' south-side Steelton district she came across when she first arrived in Columbus nine years ago as a CCAD student and budding street artist.

Upon arrival, she found canvases in abandoned buildings and structures around town and ended up at what is now The Fort. She even tried to scale the water tower back then.

“That canvas has always been a dream of mine,” she said.

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“That canvas has always been a dream of mine.”

As an art consultant, Caskey plans to bring that dream to fruition. “To say I get to paint it is a bucket list thing for me!”

The Fort is a place that feels like home to Caskey.

“I realized that The Fort has been consistent in my path through Columbus, even in the weirdest, most sketchy times of my career,” she said. “I’ve been there getting chased by cops or shuffling through dirt; now it’s become a real thing for me and I love it and I am super excited.”

Besides painting the water tower, Caskey plans to paint murals throughout The Fort’s campus as well as Grandview and the OSU campus. She is also dedicated to creating a contemporary street art gallery and a contemporary art award.

“There’s not a lot of recognition right now,” she said. “There are great artists coming out of the woodwork doing great work, and it’s super important to recognize those people within our community.”

With a new focus and purpose Caskey is setting down roots in the city she started out in.

“The people at The Fort are so genuine and love it there,” she said. “That passion is what is grounding me in Columbus for the rest of my life.”

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Super World New Arena District spot offers the perfect Columbus sandwich

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos By Alex Lefebvre

"You really can’t cut any corners if you want to know what you’re serving and where it comes from."

↑ Chicken Cutlet Sandwich

↑ crispy chicken cutlet, broccoli rabe, tomato butter, picante provolone, Wario sauce, Turano roll

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W

alk into Wario’s Beef and Pork at 111 W. Nationwide Blvd. (the former location of Arena Sandwich Co.) and you won’t find any chic Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling.

No exposed brick. No tasteful potted plants or sleek, retro booths.

The space is mostly unadorned and straightforward. In fact, most customers don’t even go inside: They simply order from a takeout window just off Nationwide.

And this is exactly the way head chef and owner Stephan Madias wants things to be.

“We did an East Coast-style sandwich shop for a reason” he said. “It’s just because I wanted a platform to be myself. By no means am I advertising that we’re from the east coast, but I think a lot of my ideals, in regards to customer service and how we portray who we are, comes down to that East Coast mentality.

“I think it roots down to no-nonsense; we take a very raw and transparent approach to running a restaurant.”

And stripping away everything that isn’t central to running an eatery well culminates in one delicious outcome: These guys have been making some of the absolute best sandwiches in Columbus since they opened in October.

For Madias, who has spent his career in the restaurant industry, everything starts with the most important part of the sandwich, the meat.

“I’ve always been very fond of butchery and have more of a meat-centric attitude, focusing on the center of the plate,” he said.

“Most times in my household, in the culture I’m from, the center of the plate was always that big protein.”

Taking advantage of his extensive butchery experience, Madias and the Wario’s team process their own meat for sandwiches.

From shaving ribeye primals to breaking down pork butts, everything is done fresh daily, and their protein is sourced from a variety of topnotch Ohio purveyors.

“Everything starts from the beginning. It’s as close as we can get besides processing the whole animal—and there are whole animals that we process from time to time as we need,” he said.

“The devil’s in the details. You really can’t cut any corners if you want to know what you’re serving and where it comes from. You really have to just cut the middleman out.”

Additionally, all of their bread is baked and delivered fresh daily from Matija Breads.

Wario’s offers a steak sandwich, an Italian cold cut combo, roasted pork with herbs on a turano roll, a crispy chicken cutlet sandwich, and a vegetarian option. In addition to their house potatoes (with herbs, parmesan, and garlicky Wario’s sauce) and “Wario Spuds” (topped with shaved ribeye, housemade whiz, garlic, Wario sauce, and long hots), that’s it for the menu.

The limited menu allows them to execute each one to perfection.

Take it from me.

While many swear by the Italian (another great choice), I tried the steak sandwich (done “Wario’s Way” with the addition of White American and Provolone), and was positively blown away. At over a foot long, this sandwich was the pinnacle of indulgence, as the medley of beautifully-cooked steak and cheeses was accented perfectly by the generous addition of tangy, savory grilled onions. → (614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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↑ The Steak - Wario's Way Sandwich

↑ The Cold Cut Sandwich

And while Madias and his team are serious about streamlining the sandwich process, that doesn’t mean they take a spartan approach to service. The rapport between employees (all friends of Madias) is immediately apparent , and this translates to a warm, familiar atmosphere for customers.

In fact, Madias models Wario’s and its service after one particular deli he frequented while growing up in Cleveland “When I was a kid we used to go to a place in my neighborhood called Ferrara’s [Imported Foods]. There was Mr. Ferrara, who always sat behind the counter, Frankie, and another guy named Junior. And they knew all of us, my father, my brothers. Just walking in there and those guys knowing what I wanted, or what my father was going to go for, and how particular he was, it makes

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I want to get to a point where I know my customers’ orders right when they come to the window.

We know your name; you’re 10 people back in line, and what you want is on the grill already.

↑ Stephan Madias, Head Chef & Owner

you feel that sense of home, that you’re part of it. ” he recalled nostalgically.

“We might not have that in-store deli and that guy sitting at the counter everyday and the single-wrapped pepperoni sticks, but we have that same foundation I think, and we’re going to keep that mindset. I want to get to a point where I know my customers’ orders right when they come to the window. We know your name; you’re 10 people back in line, and what you want is on the grill already.”

1 Condado Delivery

$

*

Order Online | condadotacos.com

Find Wario's Beef and Pork at 111 W Nationwide Blvd Add'l service fee applies. $15 min/$240 max, excl tax. Limited time. Add'l terms: condadotacos.com/terms.

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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R New Mediterranean restaurant hopes to bring “homey” feeling to Clintonville

By Zak Kolesar / Photos By Sarah Pfeifer

↑ Erion Permeti and Klaudio Pali, Owners

"Everybody's always been nice, and it reminds us of Europe because there's a lot of people that are walking, biking, and jogging [by]."

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estaurateurs Erion Permeti and Klaudio Pali are considerably gracious and accommodating hosts.

Upon walking into their 3365 Indianola Ave. storefront, one could easily mistake the new Mediterranean street food restaurant Rodos European Grill as either of their homes.

Breathtaking photos of Rome and Acropolis greet you upon entry to the 1,400-square foot building. As you make your way toward the bar seating near the back, pictures of Munich, Tirana, and Budapest line the left side of the wall. Tirana, the capital of Albania, is where Permeti and Pali grew up before moving to Columbus around the turn of the millennium.

“There's a lot of friendly people around this area,” said Pali of the Clintonville area. “Everybody's always been nice, and it reminds us of Europe because there's a lot of people that are walking, biking, and jogging [by], so it gives us that European feel.”

Calling Columbus home for the better part of the 21st century, Rodos’s co-owners Permeti and Pali both worked together at the nearby AT&T retail store—which is now Rodo’s. →

↓ Chicken Kebab

↑ Cold Platter Mix

“Since we worked on this street, we noticed that there's not a lot of restaurants around this area,” said Pali, who added their collective restaurant experience—Permeti at Iron Grill BBQ & Brew and Pali at Red Door Tavern—made it a no brainer they would open their own place at some point. Their connections at both places — as well as to restaurants under the Jimmy V’s umbrella — has allowed them to bring in a team of talented cooks to build the menu.

“Our yeeros (gyros) and souvlaki would probably be our best sellers,” said Pali. “Since that's the most traditional and most popular street food in Europe, I believe that would be here as well.”

Permeti and Pali will be bringing the island’s variety of “authentic and original” European street foods — such as yeeros (gyros) and donors (paninis) — to the Clintonville community at a reasonable price range of $8 to $10. Starters will include street food favorites such as tzatziki and kofta.

Most dishes are ready to plate in five to seven minutes, with meals like chicken and steak kebabs taking just a little bit longer at eight to 12 minutes.

“It's not going to be just fast food; it's not going to be pre-cooked sausage or pre-cooked gyro meat,” said Pali. “It's going to be freshly cooked, but in a timely manner.”

The space will also include an espresso machine and smoothie bar.

As for the decision to call Clintonville home, it ties back to the duo wanting to capture the “homey” feeling of Mediterranean restaurants back home. The Clintonville community has been especially kind to Permeti and Pali, so much so that nearby TongDa Auto Service tremendously aided in the zoning process by lending extra parking space so that Rodos could qualify for its license.

“Everybody that lives in Clintonville and in this area is always willing to help one another,” said Permeti. “It's hard to find that in a lot of these other communities, so that's why it meant a lot to me to stay here.”

The parking lot allowed for a less stressful pandemic-era opening as well. Rodos is utilizing its parking lot pick-up window and offering limited indoor seating for the time being and will focus on to-go orders following its official Dec. 1 opening.

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

As someone who grew up with a family owning a restaurant, Permeti cannot wait to bring that intimate vibe to Clintonville.

“It's always been something that I loved being around, not just the food and the drinking,” said Permeti. “It's always good to have that special place to go and meet another friend or meet somebody else and just hang out.

“Back home, that happens a lot because all you have to do is basically come down (to) the building and all of the restaurants are right there.”

For Clintonville residents walking, jogging, and biking down Indianola, Rodos is striving to do the same. • Find Rodos Rodos European Grill at 3365 Indianola Ave.

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↑ Yeero - Gyro

It's not going to be just fast food; it's not going to be precooked sausage or precooked gyro meat. It's going to be freshly cooked, but in a timely manner.

↓ Interior at 3365 Indianola Ave.

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the

Interview Issue Interview Splash

Every January, (614) selects a small group of folks who have made some kind of impact or imprint on the city and its people.

This year, as we kick off 2021 with hopes for a stronger economy and community, we were delighted to find a small, but mighty, group of individuals who made tremendous waves during a year that some may wish away. But don't be too hasty with all that wishing—these 15 badasses (and two honorable mentions!) remind us why, even through the tough times, there's always a reason to hang on to, and keep hope with, friends, family, and community. From hockey to restaurants; nurses to Bumblebeez—you'll be impressed the caliber of character to kick off the New Year.

Columbus, meet the (614) Interview Issue Class of 2021.

Watch Behind the Scenes at 614now.com

Photos by Leonardo Carrizo (614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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They Fly Anyway

By Lindsey Escaja

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Jamila Collins To ensure that young Black girls would have the confidence and support that she lacked growing up, Jamila Collins founded Bumblebeez. The organization bolsters young Black women by helping them navigate the social and emotional issues that crop up in their teen years.

Read more about Jamila Collins at 614now.com

I knew at that moment I was supposed to do this exact thing on a larger scale, but for girls who looked like me.

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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Act of Kindness

By Jack McLaughlin

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Dr. Amy Acton You know Dr. Amy Acton as the woman in the white coat who gave us COVID-19 updates and stayed calm in the face of intense scrutiny; but her story is less about delivering clinical stats and more about acting with compassion and kindness in every area of her life.

Read more about Dr. Amy Acton at 614now.com

We’re all born with the capacity of care and compassion, empathy, a tendency toward social justice. But we have to be intentional in creating the opportunities throughout our lifetimes to experience that.

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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#SaveDtheCrew

By Melinda Green

“ We get all of our energy from our fans, our supporters, our community. ” 46

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Dr. Pete Edwards When the Columbus Crew seemed doomed to stay in Columbus, Dr. Pete Edwards stepped up to save them. The team’s doctor, and now co-owner alongside former Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and their families, not only kept the MLS team in the capital city, but brought the city its second MLS Cup in December of 2020. The impact is felt across the city from fans to the economy to pro sports.

Read more about Dr. Pete Edwards at 614nowcom

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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Keeping the Faith

By Jack McLaughlin

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Faith Pierce When the pandemic struck, Faith Pierce sprung into action, taking the steps necessary to ensure that the lights would remain on at Yellow Brick Pizza and The Oracle. Her quick thinking helped her employees keep their jobs and allowed Columbus to continue enjoying superior cuisine and libations.In the midst of saving jobs and her businesses, she also had to pivot to virtual learning and become a “teacher� to keep her kids on track.

Read more about Faith Pierce at 614now.com

We exist on a spectrum of chaos.

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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Third time’s the charm

By Zak Kolesa

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Randy Malloy Before he carved out a home for himself on the radio, Randy Malloy was an ambulance driver, a job that helped him learn how to roll with the punches. He would continually revisit this skillset over his long tenure at CD101—nope, CD102.5— nope, CD92.9, doing whatever it took to keep independent radio alive in Columbus—and he succeeded. Read more about Randy Malloy from writer Zak Kolesar at 614now.com.

Read more about Randy Malloy at 614nowcom

“ I felt like the destroyer of worlds. I’m the guy who’s destroyed this legendary thing that people are now like ‘What else can happen in 2020?’ I took it very personally that it was my fault and I couldn’t save it. I was emotionally, physically a wreck that I fucked it up. I felt genuinely bad. ” (614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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Breathing While Black

By Jaelani Turner-Williams

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Ivory Douglas Levert In the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer, yoga and wellness practitioner Ivory Douglas Levert created a safe space for Black people to quite literally breathe. Her biweekly, socially-distanced yoga and meditation sessions, “Breathing While Black,� carved out a place for people to connect with their inner thoughts and their community.

Read more about Ivory Douglas Levert at 614now.com

" Black people deserve to come home to themselves, connect with themselves and know that they can slow down and rest. "

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On the Front Lines

By Melinda Green

To tell family members the real, honest truth about which way things are heading—it’s hard.

It’s really difficult. More than anything, that takes an emotional toll on you.

Chris Cline, BSN, RN ICU Staff Nurse OhioHealth Grant Medical Center

Chris Cline 54

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Melanie Thomas

Chris Cline, Melanie Thomas, Hunter Jefferis, and Jenny Johnson (left to right) While nurses have always been heroes, this year we’ve come to appreciate them even more as they stood—and continue to stand—on the frontlines of the battle with COVID-19. Hunter Jefferis, Jenny Johnson, Chris Cline, and Melanie Thomas provide a snapshot of the challenges those in the Columbus nursing community faced this past year.

Read more about front line workers at 614now.com

Hunter Jefferis

Jenny Johnson (614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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Laughter is the Best Medicine

By Lindsey Escaja

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Sarah Storer Comedian Sarah Storer wasn’t joking when she told everyone she was switching gears from stand-up to nursing. The pandemic sparked a change in Storer that pushed her to want to do more for her fellow men and women in Columbus. So she took a left turn at Shadowbox and embarked on an entirely new, and totally inspired, journey from laughter to medicine—or perhaps laughter as medicine.

Read more about Sarah Storer at 614now.com

I’ve already discovered that nurses have their own very unique blend of dark humor, so I’ll be in good company.

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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Alternative Badass

By Melissa Braithwaite

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Helen Yee From an early age, Helen Yee advocated for herself. She took up TaeKwonDo in the aftermath of a childhood riddled with racism and bullying. As an adult, Yee has focused on lifting others up, through community leadership and via the founding of the American Institute of Alternative Medicine, a space in which she gives budding entrepreneurs the skills they need for success.

Read more about Helen Yee at 614now.com

My belief is that representation is very important, especially in the Asian community.I believe in protecting the diversity of Columbus.

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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TikTok Famous for Foraging

By Jaelani Turner-Williams

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Alexis Nikole Nelson A veteran of improv comedy, Alexis Nikole Nelson has used her time alone during the pandemic to reconnect with nature. She’s reaped the benefits in her kitchen, and also in the world of social media where her foraging ways have earned her TikTok fame.

Read more about Alexis Nikole Nelson at 614now.com

In March, I decided like ‘Oh, I’ll just make a oneoff TikTok about foods you can forage in your neighborhood.’ I posted it, didn’t think anything of it, and the next day it had thousands of views.

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Shelter in Place

By Melinda Green

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Michelle Heritage The rate of COVID-19 inside Columbus’ shelters is lower than in Ohio’s general population thanks to the fast-acting work of the Community Shelter Board, led by Executive Director Michelle Heritage. Under Heritage’s guide, CSB opened social distancing shelters and a medicalized hotel shelter for those who have the virus.

Read more about Michelle Heritage at 614now.com

Things that appear to be rocks can be turned into water. It’s possible, at all times, to get things done quickly and effectively. Obstacles can be removed, when they need to be.

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John Haferman

John Haferman learned about caretaking at an early age and that experience partially fueled his desire to bring hockey to Columbus’s youth who may not have had the opportunity or resources otherwise. But in addition to teaching the kids about the game, the co-founder and executive director of the Columbus Ice Hockey Club has taught generations of kids about life.

Read more about John Haferman at 614now.com

It's not like there was some magic potion or something for all this. It's literally just about how you treat peoples and how you provide a safe environment where people are treated equally and everyone feels like you're part of it.

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For Love of the Game

By Nicholas Youngblood

(614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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Honorable Mention

Heat 101

By Jack McLaughlin

E

Photo by Brandon Peters

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leven seconds. That’s how close Heather “Bella” Peters came to winning the Inaugural International Chile Contest, a masochistic competition in which chili-heads—those from around the globe obsessed with searing hot peppers—traveled to Fort Mill, S.C., to take on a field of contestants hand-selected by none other than “Smokin” Ed Currie himself, the man responsible for creating the Carolina Reaper— now recognized by the Guiness Book of World Record as the hottest in the world.

Peters repped Columbus on the Netflix show “We Are the Champions,” where her impressive showing to make the capital city proud is captured on Episode 2, “Chili Eating.”

The rules of the contest were simple, if a touch horrifying: Contestants had to eat the chilies before them (each was some form of twisted Reaper hybrid) down to the stem. If they tapped out, drank anything to quell the heat, or threw up (a common side effect of “ultra-hots”), they were out. The first person to finish their pepper each round was declared the winner.

The only contestant to beat her? A man who goes by the name of Dustin “Atomik Menace” Johnson.

“That’s the thing, Dustin actually doesn’t have the same kind of heat and pain receptors most people do,” Peters said. “I call him a robot whenever I see him.”

And even though it took a man who quite literally had an evolutionary advantage over the rest of the chili-eating field to beat her, Peters was now even more motivated to come away with a victory. And it didn’t take her long.

“I’m insanely competitive; I’ve been that way my whole life,” Peters said.

The very next weekend she won the chilieating contest at the [2019] Fiery Foods Festival in Columbus. “When I got up on that stage I remember thinking, ‘There [is] no way I’m losing this; I’ll fight through the pain, do whatever it takes.’”

The chilihead even has a favorite among the “ultra-hot” varieties: The Trinidad Scorpion.

Averaging over 1 million scoville units each, these wicked looking, crimson-hued peppers can be 10 times hotter than a habanero, which are no walk in the park, either.

“The Scorpion has always been my favorite.

It was the last pepper I ate to win the Fiery Foods Festival, but I’ve liked it even before that,” she said. “I love the way that it burns. It has this sting at first, and then the heat just simmers.”

And Heather’s love for such recklessly spicy foods—one she shares with her husband—can actually be traced back in large part to a single, fateful incident.

It all started with a trip to the gas station.

The couple had always loved spicy foods, and one day Brandon purchased a bag of Paqui Haunted Ghost Pepper tortilla chips from a nearby gas station. Hot enough in their own right (take my word for it), this package also fortuitously contained a voucher for one of the brand’s newer (at the time) gimmicks: The Paqui Carolina Reaper Madness One Chip Challenge Tortilla Chip.

These individually-packaged tortilla chips (they come in a coffin-shaped box) are criminally spicy, and birthed a social media craze in which brave souls would record themselves eating the single chip.

The Peters decided to do the same. Brandon decided he would film himself eating the chip, a move that not only helped spark their passion for hot food, but also birthed the couple’s nowbeloved YouTube channel.

“We decided we wanted to film it and put it on YouTube, and shortly after, we were doing the same thing with all the spicy stuff we could find,” Peters said.

They named the channel “Heat 101,” to educate viewers about everything spice: Peppers, hot sauce, etc.

Nearly 400 videos and 15,000 subscribers later, the channel became the pair’s lifeline into the world of ultra-hots. Not only would they eventually form a massive communal friend-group with their online pepper-eating counterparts (meeting several times a year for chili and hot sauce conventions), they were also catching the attention of the chile godfather himself: “Smokin’” Ed Currie.

The couple had met Currie a few times at different events, but right around when the pandemic hit, he reached out to Brandon about the couple’s YouTube channel and ended up

When I got up on that stage I remember thinking, ‘There [is] no way I’m losing this; I’ll fight through the pain, do whatever it takes.

offering him a job. Later, he offered Peters a job as brand ambassador.

Working for Currie means the couple has access to all sorts of maniacally-hot chilies that are still technically behind the scenes. They even recently relocated from Ohio to Fort Mill, S.C. to be closer to the epicenter of the pepper world.

But while the couple’s YouTube channel secured the couple a pair of dream jobs, her online presence has allowed her to inspire the next generation of ultra-hot warriors.

Heather is motivated to encourage women to continue participating in the community, especially if they have the interest and passion but still harbor doubt.

“I get a lot of comments and messages from younger girls on YouTube who look up to me, and I reply to every single one of them because that’s important to me,” Peters said. “I tell them: one day you’re going to be up here with me too.” • (614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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Honorable Mention

Don’t Mess With Mama W

By Nicholas Youngblood

hen Amanda Babb was tapped to become the president of Football Parents at Ohio State last January, she was looking forward to a year of planning banquets, communicating with coaches, and welcoming the incoming class of players.

“It was all pretty much spelled out in the handbook: ‘In this month, you prepare for this,’” Babb said. “And I'm like, ‘OK, I can do this.’ You know, getting ready for tailgates and things like that.”

Instead, Babb—stepmother to Ohio State wide receiver Kamryn Babb—found herself penning letters to Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, protesting outside of Ohio Stadium, and fighting tooth and nail for the Buckeyes to have a season at all.

“None of that was captured in the president's handbook, I will say that. So it was kind of flying by the seat of our pants,” she said.

Babb, a molecular biologist and mother of three living in St. Louis, Missouri, got more than she bargained for when COVID-19 put the 2020 football season in jeopardy, but she and the rest of the FPAOS board quickly became some of the loudest voices in college sports. It was a hard and uncertain journey that thrust her into the limelight, but she is confident she did the right thing.

“As a parent, you have to be that voice when they don't have the voice and they don't have the ability to speak out on some of these things,” Babb said.

Babb is certainly no rookie when it comes to supporting her kids’ athletic endeavors. Both of her younger children play soccer, and on any given day, she might have all three of her children playing in a different state. Suffice it to say, she has her hands full even when she isn’t heading up a national movement.

Although Babb admitted it was intimidating, she said it was important that she take on the Big Ten to ensure the hard work of the coaches and players didn’t go to waste. She said she did it for the seniors who would have lost their last season, and for Kamryn, who was forced to sit out his first two seasons with the Buckeyes due to injuries.

“Everybody was putting in the time and the work and doing exactly what they were supposed to do, even away from Ohio State,” said Babb. “With all of that work that the players were doing, it was just, like, they have to have a season, you know? They're doing everything right.”

At first, that meant giving up many of the traditions and events that the parents put together each year, in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus to the athletes. But when the Big Ten decided to cancel the season Aug. 11, Babb and the rest of the board sprung into action.

The FPAOS wrote a letter to Warren, demanding an explanation for the Big Ten’s decision and a chance for well-prepared teams (such as Ohio State, in Babb’s opinion) to play. It was an unusually public position for Babb, and far outside her comfort zone.

“I remember going up to Columbus to the rallies and thinking, ‘Is this the right thing? Are we doing the right thing?’” she said. “You never know if what you're doing is the right thing to do, or if it's just going to work in the opposite way that you're intending.”

Soon, Babb was communicating with parents from across the conference and giving interviews to national sports outlets. Through it all, she said the support of the Columbus community was nothing short of amazing.

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Photo by Lori Schmidt

Despite demanding that the season go forward, Babb insisted that she is under no illusions about the severity of the pandemic. She saw the team’s viral outbreak in late November that benched players and head coach Ryan Day as an inevitability, especially when Franklin County was in the midst of a massive surge in cases.

“I was strong in my belief that the players were safer under the care of the coaching and the trainers at Ohio State than they were out in the general student population. And I still believe that,” she said.

As a scientist, Babb said she follows COVID-19 research religiously and wishes the general public would take the same precautions that she and the other football parents did for the good of their players.

Although it may be hard to forego the backyard barbecues and sports bar celebrations, no fan has sacrificed as much as the players and their families.

“Driving up to Columbus and then watching the game, and then all we get from Kamryn is a wave from the sideline, I mean, that’s hard as parents,” said Babb.

Nevertheless, Babb insisted she was only doing what anyone would, under the circumstances. She firmly believes it is her job as the parent of a Big Ten athlete to advocate for her stepson’s success, as well as his health and safety.

Still, she said she looks forward to next year, when she hopes a vaccine will allow her to step back onto the sidelines instead of fighting front and center. •

As a parent, you have to be that voice when they don't have the voice and they don't have the ability to speak out on some of these things.

Columbus practitioner says breathwork can heal what ails you

By Melissa Braithwaite / Photos By Leonardo Carrizo

"You have every right to shine, know who you are and be you."

↑ Laura Wosiak, Rebirthing Breathworker & Transformational Life Coach, Owner of Boundless Breathwork

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W

e’ve all seen the evidence that deep breathing can calm the body and quiet the mind.

But what if breathwork could heal you from past trauma and help you live in the present? For Rebirthing Breathwork practitioner Laura Wosiak, one session was “like 10 years of therapy.”

“People think it’s woo woo, like what yoga was 20 years ago. But it’s commonplace in New York and California—and it works,” she said, adding that, though the practice is very new to Columbus, now is a great time to learn how to heal yourself with breathwork.

“You have the external stress of the pandemic, unemployment, and childcare paired with internal stress from unhealed trauma from the past—feelings of shame and guilt,” she said. “We feel like something is off in our lives. These things don’t go away unless you heal them properly.”

So what makes Rebirthing Breathwork so therapeutic? It requires changing your breathing patterns by taking deep breaths from the bottom of the lungs instead of breathing shallowly.

“We can trick our nervous system and change this response,” she said. “You have increased energy, improved immune response, and a changed response to

↑ Feelings & Needs cards used in practice

stress. After one session of breathwork, you have improved memory and focus. It really changes our bodies at the chemical level.”

If you are ready to dig deep, with some guidance you can remove the blockages that are holding you back, she said.

“For an hour we talk about your story. We look for family patterns that are leading to emotional blocks. Then we breathe together for an hour,” said Wosiak. “I’ve had some people journey really far into their past. It’s a very individual experience.

Some people are angry during their breaths. We also include forgiveness as a way to heal and let go through conscious circular breathing.”

Creating your reality is your own responsibility, Wosiak said, and the first step to healing is to pause in between thoughts. She learned how to do this through her journey to become a certified Rebirthing Breathwork practitioner, after witnessing how breathwork impacted her husband.

Wosiak said her husband was struggling with an injury and subsequent depression when he discovered the Wim Hof Method, an admittedly more extreme technique that involves not only breathing, but also meditation and cold hydrotherapy and exposure.

“It shifted his path for him at that time,” said Wosiak.

If you are not into climbing Poland’s tallest mountain in shorts and bathing in icy rivers like Wosiak’s husband did on his Wim Hof retreat, → (614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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↓ Feelings and Needs cards

↑ Laura Wosiak, working with one of her clients

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You have increased energy, improved immune response, and a changed response to stress.

After one session of breathwork, you have improved memory and focus. It really changes our bodies at the chemical level."

Rebirthing Breathwork may be more your speed.

“For Rebirthing, which is different from Wim Hof, we are really focused on coaching and unearthing your limiting beliefs,” she said. “If you think about it, most of us think negatively and are bad and mean to ourselves. We tell ourselves that we are not enough or that there’s something wrong with us. When you let go and close your mind, you open yourself up for new inspiration and ideas.”

Wosiak found this power herself when she faced an abandonment issue during her first Rebirthing Breathwork session.

“I was overworked, unhappy, screaming at my kids; my head was in 20 different places,” she said.

“The stress of all that caused this digestive issue. I had one breathwork session and no longer had pain.”

Not only did her symptoms disappear, but her outlook on life shifted.

“Before I was this shy little mouse. I felt very unworthy,” she said. “Now I know who I am and my worth.”

Wosiak says that anyone can benefit from breathwork to eliminate those limiting beliefs we all face.

“You are not your thoughts. You are not your parents. You are not their mistakes,” she said. “You have every right to shine, know who you are and be you. You are not your story. You are you.”

For more information, visit boundlessbreathwork.org (614) MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / 614NOW.COM

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