Issuu

A MEANS

FOR CHANGE PG. 36

PEDALING FOR

A PURPOSE PG. 30

BOXER

CALEB SUNIGA PG. 58

AUG 2018

MAGAZINE

THE KID

Issue FIT KIDS

P.40

AUSTINFITMAGAZINE.COM

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August 2018

THE GOOD STUFF

BOXER CALEB SUNIGA

36 RBI AUSTIN AUGUST

40 FIT KIDS 6

2018

LOEWY LAW FIRM

Contents Editors Letter 10 #keepaustinfit 11

HIGHLIGHTS

Event Recap 15 Ask Sam Now 16

Fit Finds 24 Bring your Kids Guide 52

Events 78 Rides + Races 80

PEDAL THE PACIFIC The women who are fighting to put the brakes on human-trafficking by way of a bike

PROMOTING BODY POSITIVITY Austin community is building a place where kids feel welcome to express and love themselves unconditionally.

LAX IN ATX Here in Central Texas, a new sport is gaining traction among youth athletics: lacrosse.

NUTRITION

LIFESTYLE

WELLNESS

FITNESS

Flautitas De Pollo 18 Paleo and Vegan Diets for Kids 20

Real-Life Superheroes 26 Student Athlete Spotlight 48

Medical FAQ 68

Family Yoga 74 Run Lab Column 82

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2018

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From the Editor Well, spoiler alert: I didn’t make it as an olympic gymnast—or as a gymnast at all for that matter. Though I sure do have the height, or lack thereof, for it. I played soccer for the majority of my life, and hung up my cleats after high school. My athletic career didn’t end up the way I envisioned, but I’d say it’s pretty cool that I get to write about sports for a living. It always gives me a good laugh thinking about the wild imagination I had at six years old. I love that about kids—they have big imaginations that lead to crazy dreams. Sometimes those dreams pan out, or sometimes they turn into something better. This month is all about kids. We have stories about kids who dream of competing in the Olympics like I did, how youth lacrosse is continuing to gain traction in Central Texas, and how an organically grown nonprofit is bettering the lives of kids using baseball and softball as the medium. You’ll also want to read about the real life superheroes who put their hearts and souls into caring for children at Dell Children’s, and the incredible ladies who are pedaling their way across the Pacific coast to raise awareness about the realities of child sex trafficking— all displayed in a new design by our art director, Carley. It’s only my third issue, but I think it’s my favorite so far.

WHEN I GREW UP I WANTED TO BE AN OLYMPIC GYMNAST.

Keep Austin Fit,

Kat Barclay E D I TO R

t all started while watching Kerri Strug, Dominique Dawes, and the rest of the “magnificent seven” win the gold during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Inspired by their grace and sheer athleticism, I started practicing alongside them. I turned the living room into my own gym, cartwheeling and jumping over the furniture to mimic their moves. The ottoman was my vault, the railing on the stairs my bars, and the area rug simultaneously served as the floor mat and beam. I even would run upstairs to put on my swimsuit as a “leotard.”

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2018

#KEEPAUSTINFIT CEO | LOU EARLE PUBLISHER | LYNNE EARLE

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER | ALEX EARLE EDITOR | KAT BARCLAY ART DIRECTOR | CARLEY METZGER SALES AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | ALEX ECENIA ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Karen Dauskurdas, Betty Davis, Jamye Friess, Trey Suddeth WRITERS Nicholas Barancyk, Lauryn Lax, Amanda Powell, Lisa Hickey Baile PROOFREADER Danylle Salinas PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Fitzsimmons INTERNS Shelby Espinosa and Kelly Frossard

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411 W. Monroe St. Austin, TX 78704 p 512.407.8383 Austin Fit Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements, in that the views expressed therein may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any magazine employee or contributor. This publication and all of its contents are copyrighted. Austin Fit Magazine is the assumed name of its publisher, Louis M. Earle, who has no interest in the business of Denis Calabrese who operates an exercise program under the assumed name of Austin Fit, which trains individuals to improve their jogging or running skills to participate in marathons. The views, opinions and other representations published in Austin Fit Magazine are not those of Austin Fit or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.

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KIDS AND SCREEN TIME.

FIVE STEPS for introducing your family to “real food.”

AUGUST

EIGHT WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES to do with your kids in Austin before summer ends.

2018

Clockwise from top: StockProduction; Ditty_about_summer; Collin Quinn Lomax\Shutterstock.com

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

J U LY 2 0 1 8

Event recap

EVENT

THE 9TH ANNUAL TYLERâ€™S DAM THAT CANCER L O C AT I O N

Lake Austin

PHOTOS BY

Reid Griffith

All 185 paddlers completed the 21 miles on June 25

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

ASK

SAMNow Welcome to Sam’s hot sauna! Home of straight talk without the B.S. Open and frank advice on matters ranging from practical to taboo. Topics of discussion include fitness, nutrition, and sex—so ask Sam now!

We should all be able to get the vitamins and minerals our body needs through rich and nutritious whole foods. But let’s be honest, this isn’t always simple with busy families and schedules. Ask yourself these questions: • Am I preparing three wellbalanced, fresh, whole food meals daily? • Is my child eating everything nutritious on their plate? • Am I providing them two nutrient-rich snacks daily? • Is my child eating these nutritious snacks?

HAVE A QUESTION FOR SAM? ASKSAM@AUSTINFITMAGAZINE.COM

AUGUST

If you answered ‘yes’ to all those questions, then you are amazing. If you answered 'no' to one or more, you are probably more like the rest

of us. Maybe you feel cooking is an ugly chore, maybe your child is a picky eater and won’t finish the goodness on the plate unless it’s drenched with ketchup or ranch dressing. With that in mind, re-ask your original question. If you think your children are not getting all the vitamins and minerals to power their minds and bodies, then I recommend starting with a multivitamin. As always, consult with your doctor or nutritionist first. If your child is taking a prescribed medication, some supplements should be avoided as they could conflict.

2018

Ermolaev Alexander (Top); Elena Fedorina (Left) / Shutterstock.com

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Do kids really need multivitamins or can they get it all through food?

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What are some stretches or exercises that can alleviate growing (knee) pains in kids? The term growing pains comes from the 1800s, and there’s no proof it has anything to do with growing. One in three children suffer from growing pains, concentrated in the muscles. These pains typically sneak up in the evening, waking kids up. Stretching can help alleviate some of these nagging pains, and may serve your child best on active days early in the morning and before bed. Try these stretches with your children so you can better understand their needs.

Quadricep Stretch

1 Partner Quadricep Stretch: Child lays on stomach, arms by sides, relaxed body, hips flat on floor. You gently lift one foot and slowly bring heel towards bottom. Solo: Child uses a yoga strap to hook around foot/ankle. Lie on stomach, hold strap and gently pull strapped foot towards bottom until a stretch is felt. Keep back relaxed and hips flat on floor.

leg. Gently, pull foot towards you until you feel a stretch in the calf. Hold for 10-15 seconds. Repeat several times.

Photographee.eu (Top); Monkey Business Images (Right) / Shutterstock.com

3 Partner Hamstring Stretch: Child lays on back, lift one leg gently by the heel to the ceiling to stretch the hamstring (back of the upper leg). Stop if the knee begins to bend. Solo: Use a yoga strap or towel. Hold for 10-15 seconds. Repeat several times. Child lays on back and hooks the strap around 2 Partner Calf Stretch: Child lays on stomach while one foot. Lift this leg toward the ceiling while maintaining a straight knee. Keep opposite leg you gently hold foot and ankle. Bend one leg straight and flat on floor. at knee to 90 degrees, heel is stacked over the knee. Gently push the ball of the foot down to Hold for 15-30 seconds. stretch the calf. Repeat several times. Solo: Child sits tall with back against a wall, legs extended, feet flexed. Place towel or yoga strap around one forefoot of completely straight

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I just had a baby and am experiencing mood swings. Is this hormones or postpartum depression? Social media presents birthing as a marvel. Tons of happy, grinning faces are blasted. Society can make women feel as if moms must feel good and happy. But, the baby blues is a real thing. Mood swings from happy to sad, sudden crying outbursts, feeling impatient, irritable, anxious, and lonely go hand-in-hand with the baby blues. Good news, it’s normal and typically only lasts a couple of weeks after delivery. Studies say leaning on your loved ones, and talking about your feelings helps ease these symptoms.

However, ostpartum depression is beyond the baby blues. It’s a complex mix of emotional, behavioral, and physical changes that happens to many new mothers. It happens days or even a few months after childbirth, and not just after your firstborn. These are chemical changes and involve a drop in your hormones. You could have appetite changes, excessive fatigue, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and depression. In some cases, feelings

of worthlessness, suicide, or even thoughts of hurting someone else can occur. No one can or should have to function like this. Just talking is not the solution—visit your doctor or mental health professional. They will be able to provide you a solid treatment plan to get back to being feeling like your normal self again.

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

NUTRITION SPONSORED BY

Maudie’s Tex-Mex

PHOTOGRAPHY

Tracy Rassett

Bake for a healthier version

AUGUST 2018

Recipe Maudie’s Tex-Mex shares their familyfriendly recipe that will satisfy hungry tummies and keep everyone at the table happy.

AUGUST

2018

FLAUTITAS DE POLLO Makes 30 flautitas

F L AU T I TA C H I C K E N F I L L I N G : 1 ¼ C Diced Onions 1 ½ Tbsp Finely Diced Serrano *can be omitted or reduced 2 ½ C Diced Tomatoes 1 ¾ lbs Shredded Chicken 1/3 C Chicken Stock 4 tsp Oil of your choice 4 oz Shredded Jack Cheese Salt and Pepper to taste F O R F L AU T I TA S : 30 4” Corn Tortillas

To Make the Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions in oil for 1-2 minutes then add serranos and cook for 2 more minutes until soft. Add diced tomatoes, sauté for 2 more minutes Add shredded chicken and stir. Add stock and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Once chicken is hot, place into a strainer to drain off excess liquid. After chicken is drained, place it in a pan to cool. Once chicken is cool, add the jack cheese.

To Make the Flautitas:** Rub tortilla with a little oil and place 1.5 oz of chicken along middle of tortilla. Roll up tightly and secure with a toothpick. In saucepan, heat oil to 350° and fry flautitas for 4-5 minutes until crispy. Serve on a bed of shredded lettuce, topped with a sprinkle of cotija cheese, cilantro and pickled red onions. Dip in Maudie’s Tomatillo Avocado Sauce or your favorite dipping sauce. **For a healthier version, place flautitas on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes, turning once, until desired crispiness.

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

NUTRITION AUTHOR

Lauryn Lax

ARE PALEO AND VEGAN DIETS SAFE FOR KIDS? These days, both parents and kids are experimenting with paleo and vegan lifestyles, but are diets like these safe for kids?

op-Tarts, Goldfish, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Honey Nut Cheerios, and Lunchables. Unfortunately, these foods are anything but real. So when debating whether paleo or vegan diets are safe for kids, it simply comes down to the fact that eating real food is always best.

THREE BENEFITS OF PALEO DIETS FOR KIDS ONE: JUST LIKE MOM’S MILK

The “perfect food” (mother’s milk) contains a complete nutritional profile of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and probiotics. The paleo diet? It emphasizes the same exact

AUGUST

nutrients—making it the perfect transition for the growing little humans. T WO : “ K I D F R I E N D LY ” V E R S I O N S

Think your little one has to give up french fries, pizza, or donuts? Nope. There is a paleo-friendly version for them all—within the context of moderation, of course. (Expert Tip: Check out the local startup Guiltless Goodies, found at HEB, Central Market, and People’s Pharmacy) T H R E E : S U S TA I N A B LY R A I S E D M E AT S

The claim “meat causes cancer” should be, “bad meat causes cancer.” Certain brands of frozen chicken are completely different from the pastured chicken from the cold case at Whole Foods or the local farmer’s market. Contrary

NOTE: If the organic

options are not in the budget for every meal, no sweat. On the totem pole of paleo importance, after organic meats buy the natural versions of leaner cuts of meats or the fattier cuts of organic cuts of meats—often the same price as the natural versions. *The fat of animal meats is primarily where any toxins are stored in nonorganic (unhealthy) animals).

2018

Ekaterina Pokrovsky (Top); FabrikaSimf (Right) / Shutterstock.com

to popular belief, the paleo protein philosophy is aimed at encouraging adherents to consume local, sustainably-sourced, grass-fed, wild-caught and pastured-raised meats and seafood. Meats, poultry, and fish provide your kids with a complete amino acid profile, essential to their growing and developing bodies and brains.

THREE BENEFITS OF VEGAN DIETS FOR KIDS O N E : V E G E TA B L E S

Traditional vegan-based diets are built upon a colorful plate of vegetables galore, and more vegetables for kids is never a bad thing. Though it can take

kids an average of 17 times to try a new food and actually like it, and vegetables may be one of those.

Processed Foods: Proceed with Caution!

TWO: AVOID PROCESSED AND PACKAGED FOODS, S UGAR S , A ND A DDIT IVE S

If you are introducing a vegan diet as it should be (i.e. based on real foods), the vegan way doesnâ€™t include processed and packaged foods, sugars, and additives are not includedâ€” similar to paleo. Again, contrary to popular belief, cleverly marketed vegan cheddar bunnies, cocoa puffs, and fruit gummies are not technically real vegan foods. Proceed with caution.

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

NUTRITION T H R E E : E D U C AT I O N A L

Feeding your kids a sustainable, real food, diet gives them a fast-track educationâ€”saving them years of learning the hard way. Certainly, us older folks ate Frosted Flakes and still managed to succeed, but perhaps not without some health consequences along the way.

For kids, no diets are necessary (besides allergy limitations). Theoretically, one could take the benefits of both the paleo and vegan diets, and combine them. Your child is a growing human and needs nutrientdense, whole food nutrition. No need to put a dietary label on itâ€”just feed them real food. afm

WHICH IS BEST?

Ekaterina Pokrovsky / Shutterstock.com

Just like a plant needs three primary nutrients: clean water, rich soil, and sunshine, human beings need three primary macronutrients to thrive: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

AUGUST

2018

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Finds A curated list of our favorite items (for kids and parents) to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle.

Bearded Brothers Energy Bars $3 Available at REI Stores All bars are both USDA organic and verified nonGMO, and either gluten and soy free, vegan, paleo, or low glycemic. The bars are also a great source of protein and fiber, and come in five different flavors including “bodacious blueberry vanilla” and “mega maca chocolate.”

Lotus Mat $40 Available at lotus-design.com Lotus yoga mats are made specifically for kids and serve a variety of purposes. They can be used as a yoga mat, a sleeping pad, or a surface for an outdoor picnic. The thick and luxurious textures provides plenty of cushioning, also making it a great play mat.

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2018

photos by Brian Fitzsimmons

40 percent lighter than most conventional children’s bikes

Raw Probiotics Kids $29 Available at gardenoflife.com Garden of Life’s raw, organic and whole food probiotic formula is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of children. Raw Probiotics Kids is made with powerful probiotics, 23 raw and organic fruits and vegetables, and raw inulin—a prebiotic that supports probiotic growth. It also delivers over five billion live probiotic cells in one daily serving.

Woom Bikes Start at $199 Available at us.woombikes.com With a branch located here in Austin, Woom Bikes craft highquality bikes for children of all ages, starting from one to fourteen years old. The lightweight design makes them about 40 percent lighter than most conventional children’s bikes, and are designed to fit each child’s anatomy and needs.

Goddess Garden Kid's Natural Sunscreen Tube (SPF 30) $13 Available at Natural Grocers

Plant-based ingredients

Goddess Garden Kid’s Natural Sunscreen Tube is a mineral-only sunscreen, packed with safe and plant-based ingredients. It is a broad spectrum, SPF 30, and will keep you and your children protected from the sun’s rays for all outdoor activities.

vívofit jr. by Garmin $79 Available at garmin.com The vívofit jr. encourages kids to stay on the move by tracking their activity. It has an adventure trail app to make activity fun for kids and it is also water-friendly. Parents can also control the app to monitor children's’ steps and active minutes, assign chores, and hand out virtual rewards.

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

LIFESTYLE AUTHOR

Amanda Powell

AUGUST

PHOTOGRAPHY

Brian Fitzsimmons

2018

Megan Harlan, registered nurse at Dell Children’s Medical Center

THE REAL-LIFE SUPERHEROES OF DELL CHILDREN’S Heroes aren’t born. They’re built from compassion, drive, and hard work. And the superheroes of Dell Children’s Medical Center are using their powers to heal and help kids be kids again.

ne of the greatest lessons learned from any superhero film is that extraordinary people with incredible talents live and work among us. But what makes these individuals so… super? Maybe it’s the fact that they don’t think they’re super at all. Or it could be that some very special heroes are working to heal children and allowing them to run and play again. For Megan Harlan, a registered nurse, and Dr. June-ku Brian Kang of Dell Children’s Medical Center, days revolve around keeping children safe, happy, and healthy.

As the Medical Director of Dell Children’s Medical Center Sleep Lab, Kang works with kids with respiratory and sleep difficulties. Harlan works with children in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMC), which is a middle ground between the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the medical-surgical floor. These two incredible heroes move mountains for their patients, but being a superhero is, of course, no easy feat. And for Harlan, it’s not the life she expected when she went off to college. With a track scholarship in-hand, she was going to major in sports marketing and fully dedicate her life to the world of sports. That was until she took a

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

LIFESTYLE

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summer job at Camp Soaring Eagle, a camp for children with neurological disorders. “Camp went by and I was blown away,” Harlan says. “They [the kids] just completely proved me wrong. They got up, got on the zipline, went through obstacle courses in their wheelchairs, helped one another, encouraged one another. It was just amazing.” It was then that she knew that she wanted to dedicate her life to helping children. “I finished camp, left the next day, went to campus, and changed my major to nursing,” she says. Harlan has no regrets. “It’s rewarding to see these tiny little humans struggle through so much but then come out so strong. And the resiliency just absolutely blows my mind.”

Dr. Kang feels similar. He originally decided to become a doctor because of the physicians who helped him when he was growing up with asthma. “They were sort of my role models in terms of what I wanted to become as I got older,” Kang says. “The main driving factor was just drawing from my own experiences.” Kang decided specifically on the pulmonary field when his oldest daughter had sleep issues early on in life. And because of this, he can easily relate to patients and parents that he works with every day. “I’m a father of three kids, so to be able to be around kids as part of my career has been the greatest, most positive experience,” Kang says. As employees of the highest-ranked children’s hospital in Central Texas, the care and empathy that exudes from each of these superheroes is overwhelming. They both responded with almost identical answers when deciding what superpower they’d like to have. “To be able to heal and cure diseases. That’d be a great power,” Kang says. It’s obvious that both of these professionals always

2018

I FINISHED CAMP, LEFT THE NEXT DAY, WENT TO CAMPUS, AND CHANGED MY MAJOR TO NURSING

AUGUST

Dr. June-ku Brian Kang, Dell Children’s Medical Center

put others before themselves, as any true hero seems to do. Every time someone steps into Dell Children’s, it’s clear they are going to be loved and welltaken care of. “Here in Central Texas we have a great children’s hospital with Dell Children's Medical Center, where we have all the specialists related to pediatrics represented,” Kang says. “If there's any concern, Dell Children’s has the resources to be able to help. And all of the specialists here work together to communicate. We are able to work together in a multidisciplinary manner to help these children.”

There is a support system at Dell Children’s that allows families to feel relaxed and a little more at ease when they walk into the hospital, from the colorful walls and playrooms to the activities and the staff “Every single person that's here is here because they want to fight for your kid,” Harlan says. It’s pretty clear that when Harlan and Kang are strapping on their super suits each morning, the gear looks more like scrubs, stethoscopes, and white coats. afm

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

LIFESTYLE Nicholas Barancyk

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mattie Claire Photography | Lexie France

PEDALING FOR A PURPOSE

s twilight sets over the Pacific, the sun ignites the waves, transmuting their cerulean hue to a thousand shades of amber fire. It illuminates strips of shoreline and bent sea grasses, redwood pine cones, and 11 women cranking bicycles chains. Theyâ€™ve already traveled many miles to make it here and it will be many more sunsets until they stop for good. These women comprise the second generation of cyclists for Pedal the Pacific, a fundraising event

The women who are fighting to put the breaks on humantrafficking by way of a bike

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2018

Mattie Claire Photography (Above and lower right)

AUTHOR

Lexie France (Top)

The 11 riders bought their bikes in February ot begin training for the ride.

aimed at raising awareness of human trafficking. Each year a new team of eager participants tackles the 1,700 miles of coastline from Seattle to San Diego, creating dialogues in their wake. Grace Pfeffer, Pedal the Pacific cofounder, says when people see a group of women on bicycles, suited up in matching uniforms and camping gear strapped to their bike racks, it leaves people with no choice but to ask: Why? “It uses something as small and simple as a bike to start conversations,” Pfeffer says. Through these conversations, the "PtP" women are able to mobilize not only the communities on the coast, but also those back home. This, they hope, will spark a chain reaction of activism. “The more it grows, the more people get involved, the more people become interested and the more people hear about it,” biker Emma Orlando says.

A HIDDEN CRIME

PtP’s location plays a crucial role in their efforts, as both California and Texas have the highest rates of human trafficking according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. However, because trafficking such an intrinsically

underground crime, Pfeffer says it’s difficult to imagine it perpetrated so close to home. “It’s still hard for people to believe it’s happening here in Austin,” Pfeffer says, “It’s happening around the corner. It’s not just in the bad neighborhoods and it’s not just happening across the ocean.” When children are thrown into the mix, it's a bitter pill to swallow. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, of the 25,000 child runaways reported to the organization in 2017, one in seven were victims of sex trafficking. “It’s easier for people to believe that a child was abducted and forced into prostitution then it is to see somebody who in some ways has chosen that lifestyle,”

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LIFESTYLE

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

One of the critical areas of need revolves around women and young girls, which

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“It’s easier for people to believe that a child was abducted and forced into prostitution then it is to see somebody who in some ways has chosen that lifestyle,” biker Kelly Coles says, “But in reality, they had no other choices.”

constitute 75 percent of global human trafficking cases. This is where Pedal the Pacific’s main beneficiary, The Refuge, comes into play. Located on 50 acres of ranchland just outside of Austin, The Refuge focuses providing comprehensive care to young women who are survivors of sex trafficking. Coles says cases involving minors are complicated, because the law requires them to be under the care of a legal guardian. However, a shortage of volunteers and care facilities means they’re often sent to juvenile detention or even returned to an abusive family. “They’re being treated as criminals instead of victims,” Coles says, “[People] don’t understand what they’re going through.” Where The Refuge differentiates itself is in their long-term approach to survivor rehabilitation. Through physical, psychological, and social therapies, they aim to create a pastoral sanctuary that will help aid their road to recovery. However, The Refuge would be just a dream if it wasn’t for their volunteers.

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From couples acting as surrogate parents to hand-painted dove tiles made by community members, many have lent a hand to aid their efforts. This is best exemplified in the chapel’s beams, which are covered in the Sharpied thoughts and prayers of their supporters. “It’s incredible to see how many people are standing behind them, willing to do what it takes for their recovery,” Coles says.

ABOVE AND BEYOND

Pedal the Pacific grew from a desire to help. Pfeffer says none of the three founders were athletes, nor were they cyclists. In fact, not one of them even owned a bike. But their drive to make their voices heard pushed them to step out of their comfort zones and accomplish something grand. “This injustice is so big and so overwhelming,” Pfeffer says, “and we don’t want to sit back and believe the lie that we can’t make a difference at all.” They first set their total fundraising goal at ten thousand dollars. But after some outside counsel, they raised it higher, doubling it to twenty thousand dollars. “That is the biggest number in the world,” Pfeffer said. By the time they left for the coast on June 14, they’d raised forty thousand dollars. “As the money just kept coming in,” Pfeffer says, “we realized how much bigger of an effect this trip had than we ever thought it would, and also how much people are looking for ways to get involved.” Orlando says their runaway success has inspired the cyclists this year to push the envelope and raise more. By working on the foundation set last year, they’re able to focus less on the logistics of the ride itself and more on fundraising efforts. And that structure has paid off. Currently, the 2018 team has raised over one-hundred thousand dollars and counting for The Refuge. Coles hopes this growth will compound, as next year’s bikers will benefit from this year’s efforts to make PtP a more established organization.

Mattie Claire Photography ; Lexie France (bottom right)

biker Kelly Coles says, “But in reality, they had no other choices.” In shining a light on these dark statistics, PtP hopes to make a difference in a few of the most needed areas. “If we don’t educate ourselves,” Pfeffer says, “There’s nothing we can do to help.”

2018

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LIFESTYLE “It’s only going to get stronger in years to come,” Cole says.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Coles’ favorite thing about PtP is the ability it gives her to make a difference. Heavily involved in combating sex-trafficking throughout her college career, she says numerous obstacles have barred her from helping out to her fullest capacity. Whether it was an age restriction or an issue of proper licensing, she says her efforts for the cause always felt too indirect. “There’s only so many gardens we can help replant,” Cole says. With PtP, however, those restrictions have vanished. The ride allows teens and young adults to contribute in a real and direct way to a cause they feel so passionate about. This year, their youngest rider—and most enthusiastic, Coles says— has just finished high school and is taking a seat alongside college graduates. “We can’t sit back and think that someone else better will come after us and do something,” Pfeffer says, “We have to say ‘yes,’ and do it now.”

A NEW DAWN

The women pedaling the coast hope the event grows big enough to raise more than they ever wished. They hope to expand The Refuge, extending its services to adults and young boys, and to deal a significant blow to a murky crime. And one day, they hope to bring sunrises back to the survivors, so that they may once again glow in a thousand shades of amber. afm

Lexie France

Cannon Beach, Oregon

AUGUST

2018

Austin

HEART & STROKE WALK

AustinHeartWalk.org

10.20.18

5K Walk Miracle Mile Timed 5K Run

Be a Heart Walk Hero and help fight heart disease and stroke. Downtown racing with city skyline views | FREE family-friendly activities

Heart Walk is presented by Healthy For Good sponsors

And locally supported by:

A MEANS FOR CHANGE B Y K AT B A R C L AY

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2018

Nonprofit RBI Austin is using baseball and softball to reach inner city kids.

BI has a couple of different meanings, depending on the context you are using. In regards to baseball statistics, it means “runs batted in.” But if you are talking about the summer baseball league in east Austin, it stands for “Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities.” RBI Austin hasn’t always been RBI Austin, though. It originated in 2009 as a summer team at Reagan High School when RBI Austin founders, Matt Price and Andy Harris, both former college baseball players, were asked to help out with the baseball team. The team had barely enough players and the field was unusable, but aftering finding out the boys weren’t playing summer ball, they decided to step in. “We asked the guys where they played summer ball and they told us they weren’t,” Price recalls. “We said ‘You have to play summer ball. You’ll get even better,’ and then they said, ‘Well, coach, we don’t have anywhere to play.’ That was really one of the first dominoes that started.” After praying about it, Harris and Price scrapped together a high school summer baseball team known as the East Austin

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“

WE WENT INTO WITH AN IDEA OF WHAT IT WOULD BE, BUT WE REALLY SAW GOD MOVE THROUGH THOSE RELATIONSHIPS Blazers. They had no particular or clear plan for what it would become other than giving the kids a place to play baseball for the summer, and trying to make somewhat of a difference in their lives. “We went into with an idea of what it would be, but we really saw God move through those relationships,” Price says. “Hearing their stories was eye-opening, and I think God showed us that something as simple as a baseball team could fill some of those voids in their lives—we knew we needed to keep that going.”

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2018

Most of the Reagan players had absent fathers, or little parental involvement in general. Price and Harris offered rides to games and practices, which led to building deeper relationships with the kids. After seeing the need for positive influences in their lives, both Price and Harris felt called to continue the program, and even to begin reaching kids at a younger age. “I think we were envisioning coaching a bunch of kids, hoping they would like it enough that we could do it again the next year, and they wouldn’t end up making bad choices in life,” Harris says. “Really, that was the bare minimum threshold of what we wanted, and obviously God had a lot more in store for it.” RBI is a part of a larger nonprofit, For The City, a family of organizations, which they joined in 2010. It receives its funding from contributions from individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors, with the majority being individual donors. “It was all very grassroots,” says Price, who left his job as a banker to start the organization fulltime. “I had no fundraising experience at all.”

RBI reaches kids in the eastern crescent of Austin. Its mission and vision is driven by the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing opportunities for kids to develop spiritually by offering optional mentoring and discipleship programs. The league has grown from about 20 kids to 1,300 participants this summer, with roughly 400 volunteer coaches and mentors. It also now has seven full-time employees. “I love getting to see kids who maybe didn’t have a chance, maybe haven’t played the game or any organized sport before, become young athletes,” says Casey Baeslack, a volunteer t-ball coach who has been with RBI since it was it first started as the East Austin Blazers. “I’ve seen so many rewarding things. I saw kids from their freshman year of high school graduate and go on to college. I was able to have relationships with them not just through being their coach, but leading them through Bible studies and being a mentor.” For both Price and Harris, their intent for the program isn’t to develop athletes, but to invest in the lives of young people in order to see change in the community. It just so happens sports is the gateway. “The concept of what we wanted to do is listen to the community and respond,” Harris says. “If the folks in east Austin, Manor, Del Valle, and so forth didn’t want this we’d find another way to pour into these kids' lives.” afm

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FIT KID

Frankie Hardee, 19 months

Whether itâ€™s soccer or scootering, we love seeing Austin kids outside and playing this summer.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

BRIAN FITZSIMMONS AUGUST

2018

Zan Shuman, Age 3 Favorite sport: soccer

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JAYDA KENNEDI TAYLOR, AGE 8 Favorite Sports: Gymnastics and basketball

LONDYN KATE TAYLOR, AGE 4 Favorite Sports: Dance and soccer

RYLIE SALISBURY, AGE 4 Favorite Sport: T-ball

ZAN SHUMAN, AGE 3 Favorite Activities: Soccer and weeball

WILL RIDDLE, AGE 6 Favorite Sport: Baseball

NOAH N GUYEN, AGE 6 Favorite Activities: Swimming, tennis, golf, and hiking

MIHIKA DAGA, AGE 3 Favorite Activities: Soccer, swimming, riding her bike, dance class, and aerobics

HENRY (HANK) SPADIER AGE 3 Favorite Activities: Riding his scooter and basketball

2018

Jayda, age 8

C E F G B

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

AFTER SCHOOL

e d i u g

As we head back to school it’s also time to plan after-school activities. With less scheduled PE in school, it’s up to parents to keep kids active and outside. Here are our top three picks to keep kids moving throughout the fall.

AUSTIN BOULDERING PROJECT Austinboulderingproject.com 512-645-4633 | 979 Springdale Rd #150, Austin, TX 78702

Whether it’s your child’s first time on the wall, or they’re a seasoned pro, After School Clubs at Austin Bouldering Project offer a place grow and thrive both on and off the wall. Participants will learn climbing technique, movement, team building and play unique climbing games. Enroll your climbers in Mini-Mountaineers for ages 4-6, Dyno-saurs for ages 7-9, Bombers for ages 10-12, and Crushers for ages 13-17. Our experienced Youth Programs Instructors foster a safe and supportive environment to aid participants in growing as people and members of the climbing community. The fall semester runs from September-November and the spring semester runs from January-May. You can register for After School Clubs by visiting austinboulderingproject.com, or by calling our front desk at 512-645-4633. Hop on the wall and join the fun!

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2018

SPECIAL PROMOTION

SOCCER SHOTS: THE CHILDRENâ€™S SOCCER EXPERIENCE admintx@soccershots.org soccershots.org/austin 512-420-9450

Soccer Shots, the official two to fiveyear old soccer program of United States Youth Soccer, offers a high energy, fun, and age-appropriate introduction to the beautiful game of soccer for children ages two to eight. Our innovative curriculum emphasizes both soccer skills and character development. Our goal is simple: leave a lasting, positive impact on every child we coach. In each 30-40 minute class, experienced, enthusiastic coaches focus on having fun while playing imaginative games that teach basic soccer skills. Soccer Shots offers over 20 public locations throughout the greater Austin area. Find a location near you!

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

SPORTBALL www.sportball.us/en (512) 407-8814 8705 Shoal Creek Blvd #203, Austin, TX 78757

Sportball has helped Austin kids improve their skills and develop a confidence and love of athletics since 2004. The creative methodology and instruction break down skills into kid-sized bites of fun that promote the fundamentals and encourage teamwork. Their popular multi-sport programs rotate through basketball, soccer, baseball, football, volleyball, hockey, tennis, and golf. Program options range from 18 months to 12 years, and include weekly classes, camps, birthday parties and special events. Sportball is tested and proven to improve gross motor function and physical literacyâ€Śall while having a blast! Visit sportball.us to find a location near you!

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2018

HEALTHY EATING

CENTRAL - 1000 WEST LYNN ST NORTHWEST - 8127 MESA DR SOUTH - 9911 BRODIE LN WWW.GALAXYCAFEAUSTIN.COM

1110 WEST LYNN ST WWW.ZOCALOCAFE.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN FITZSIMMONS

STUDENT ATHLETE

SPOTLIGHT At Austin Fit, we strive to know all the athletes in our community. We chatted with standout athletes and students, Jaelene Etkie and Trey Johnson, at Texas School for the Deaf about what playing sports means to them.

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2018

JAELENE ETKIE, 18 Which sports do you play? Volleyball, Basketball, Softball

Favorite sport? Basketball

Future plans? Attend Gallaudet University and try out for the women’s basketball team.

What has playing sports taught you? “It’s taught me commitment and dedication. You get what you earn.”

Favorite sports memory at TSD? “Last year when we went to the final four in basketball and beat two teams we had never beaten before.”

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TREY JOHNSON, 14 Which sports do you play? Basketball, Football, Track and Field

Favorite sport? Basketball

What do you like to do outside of school and sports? Camping, Swimming, and Riding Bikes

What have you learned from playing sports? “I learned teamwork. You have to learn how to work together with people from different backgrounds.”

Favorite sports memory at TSD? “In seventh grade when my football team went undefeated.”

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2018

“I’ve learned teamwork”

FEATURING

LOCALLY

BAKED BREAD

30 locations in Central Texas

SPECIAL PROMOTION

BRING YOUR

KIDS Foodie AUGUST

Shutterstock.com

Looking for healthy, kid-friendly restaurant options? Look no further. We have chicken tenders and cheese quesadillas along with some healthy surprises such as smoothies and açaí bowls.

2018

SPECIAL PROMOTION

JUGO jugo-austin.com | 512.474.0444 Downtown. 603 Brazos St., Austin, TX 78701

Parkside Project’s newest venture, Jugo is a fresh take on a neighborhood staple. With wellness and convenience in mind, we’ve created a menu featuring food, drinks, and snacks, all handmade and served inside beautifully designed locations in central Austin. A perfect place to get the kids a healthy meal, snack or smoothie. Offering delivery and online ordering, Jugo is fresh and ready for your family’s on-the go lifestyle. Check us out Downtown or at our newest location on North Lamar (coming September 2018).

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

MAUDIE’S TEX-MEX maudies.com Seven Austin locations

Hayden Spears

Maudie’s Tex-Mex has been serving up tried and true Tex-Mex for over 25 years. With seven area locations, our goal is to bring the best of Tex-Mex to a neighborhood near you. Locally owned and operated, we strive to provide a family–friendly experience where you and your family can enjoy hand-prepared dishes and fresh-squeezed juices daily and select natural proteins, because we take healthy eating to heart alongside flavor and tradition. Quintessential Tex-Mex for today’s Austin.

GALAXY CAFE galaxycafeaustin.com Three locations (South, Central, and Northwest) Galaxy Cafe was established in South Austin on Brodie Lane. in 2004. Now with locations on West Lynn St. in Clarksville and on Mesa Drive in Northwest Hills, families consider this a neighborhood gathering spot. The counter service-style concept is popular with parents because it allows the family to dine at their own pace, which can be especially important when eating out with younger children. Kids menu items are portioned for smaller appetites and include a beverage of choice in a reusable souvenir cup. For those with a sensitive diet, gluten-free items are available as well. Friendly staff are welcoming and enjoy seeing familiar faces. Call-in orders are conveniently ready in 15-20 minutes for pick up, making Galaxy Cafe a great choice when time doesn't allow for dining in. Breakfast is served starting at 7 a.m. with the restaurants staying open until 9 p.m., serving a menu with lunch and dinner choices. to appease even the pickiest eater.

BLENDERS & BOWLS blendersandbowls.com Locations: Downtown, Westlake, Eastside and Guadalupe (new) Blenders & Bowls is the place where families love to hang out. The food is delicious and nutritious which makes the whole menu kid-friendly—plus they have kid sizes! Açaí bowls are the go-to at B&B—it is the perfect healthy meal and can often be disguised as dessert for the little ones. There is open seating, colorful decor, and the friendliest staff. A win—win for the whole fam! The Westlake location in particular has the most space for large groups including a family picnic table inside.

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2018

MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER The water is waiting for you this summer at the Yâ€“ along with all of your favorite group exercise classes, personal training programs and summer enrichment activities for kids. Kick off your day with an invigorating splash, cool down post-workout, spend quality time with the family or relieve some stress with a few laps after work. No matter your reason, jump on in!

LEARN MORE & JOIN TODAY

AustinYMCA.org

locations across

Travis, Hays & Bastrop counties OFFICIAL 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT

Float Like a Butterfly

STING LIKE A BEE

Thirteen-year-old boxer Caleb Suniga has a quite an impressive athletic resume. Some of his feats include three-time Texas Silver Gloves champion, Red River Invitational champion, Junior Olympic Region/State champion, and four-time Texas champion While those are nothing short of impressive, he has a bigger goal on his mindâ€”represent the U.S. at the 2024 Olympic games.

PHOTOS BY

Brian Fitzsimmons

AUGUST

2018

A student at New Tech Middle School in Manor, Caleb devotes 40 hours a week to training, even while in school. He spends two hours training in the morning before school starts, mostly working on cardio and footwork drills, then four hours in the afternoons for technical work and fighting.

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Caleb is trained by his dad, Joseph. As a former boxer himself, Joseph began training with Caleb when he was just five years old. He competes both nationally and internationally, with a trip to Ireland in the works for next year.

Though proud of his son’s accomplishments in ring, Joseph strives to make sure Caleb is well-rounded. Boxing is tough sport mentally and physically. It teaches character, discipline, and promotes the ability to take direction. “My concern is that he’s the next great kid. If he’s a world champion, great, but I want him to be successful in all he does,” says Joseph.

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2018

Caleb also trains with Sean Clements at Onnit, who is able to spend more time with him during summer break. Clements focuses on stretching and exercises that work smaller muscles for better mobility and durability. He also has helped the Sunigas formulate a dietary regimen, having Caleb load up on â€œgood carbsâ€? like sweet potatoes and greens prior to fights, as well as introducing supplements for improved recovery.

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As far as burnout, Caleb isn’t concerned about it. “I think I’ll always love [boxing],” he says. “It’s an adrenaline rush. During a fight you can’t feel anything—you’re just in the moment.”

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2018

In July, Caleb defeated the first-place fighter of his division. While the official standings wonâ€™t be announced until October, Caleb is likely to be the new number one.

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

WELLNESS AUTHOR

Amanda Powell

AUGUST

2018

BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN ATHLETES: A POSITIVE OUTLOOK While social pressures to look a certain way seem to loom with the influence of social media, the Austin community is building a place where kids feel welcome to express and love themselves unconditionally.

here’s no denying that the pressures of young girls and boys to look and act a certain way are increasing every day. From followers on social media to competition among peers, it can be a lot for kids to handle. Fortunately, organizations such as Ballet Austin Academy and ChampionsTX, a gymnastics and cheerleading training facility, are changing the way athletes think about themselves and are instilling a different message: respect. Bill Piner is the Academy Director at Ballet Austin and keeps the school running smoothly. Piner has been teaching since 1982 and understands how the pressures

outside the studio can affect his dancers inside the studio, which is why he’s working to ensure that Ballet Austin is considered a safe space for students. “We [the staff ] work in a cohesive, collaborative way, and we all keep communication open, so we understand that the kids are being challenged to grow and be the best that they can be," Piner says. "At the same time, they're kids, so we want to make sure that it’s happening in a good way and in a positive atmosphere. Whether they go on to dance professionally or to any other pursuit, they should leave with a positive experience that will help them be successful.” This safe environment is important because the expectations of

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WELLNESS

kids within social platforms, such as Instagram, are becoming increasingly more difficult to navigate. Maggie Holmes Jackson, a former member of the University of Texas Pom Squad, and Courtney Hosea, a former University of Texas cheerleader, understand the difficulties young women are facing in a world dominated by social media. “I think social media is a doubleedged sword," Hosea says. "There’s a lot of positive energy out there and people encouraging you to love your body just how it is, which is great, but there’s also a heightened sense of awareness of what everyone else is doing and

how they look. Most people only put the most flattering photos out there, so it’s easy to get caught up comparing your flaws in the mirror to other people’s best angles.” “Social media opened the door to having our bodies critiqued by friends and even strangers,” Jackson adds. It’s a scary reality. To a certain extent, our youth no longer get to focus on making friends and cultivating relationships in social settings. Instead, they’re forced to grow followers and post images without flaws. And with apps readily available that assist with editing images, there’s a sense of perfection that is unattainable. But just as Ballet Austin is a safe space for dancers, ChampionsTX is creating a positive atmosphere for gymnasts and cheerleaders. “Some gyms focus on the image of the athletes, and this is exacerbated by social media, which, in general, puts pressure on young kids and teens to look and

2018

“

I THINK SOCIAL MEDIA IS A DOUBLE

—EDGED SWORD.

AUGUST

Associate Artistic Director, Michelle Martin, instructs one of her students at Ballet Austin.

act a certain way. When kids see their role model athletes, called 'cheerlebrities' in the cheer world, they may feel a desire to be like, look like, or act like them,” says Molly Goodyear, Cheer Director at ChampionsTX and Head Coach of EPIC Elite Cheer. “It is, in the end, a competitive sport and athletes are competing to be the best they can be, so out on the competition floor the pressure is there. But, in our gym, we make sure that the focus is on the team, and we make sure that the body image pressure is not there. We are all about family. We respect, love, and support each other.” This idea of respect is resounding between Ballet Austin and ChampionsTX. Respecting their athletes and teaching their athletes to love and respect each other is of the utmost importance. “We make sure that all of our athletes know we are on one team," Goodyear says. "We cheer each other on, clap for each other’s successes, and you’ll hear them encouraging each other to hit skills.” "[At Ballet Austin] there’s understanding that there is a culture of respect and responsibility of resilience. The three R’s. We talk to the kids about having respect for yourself and others,” Piner says. While not often thought about, resiliency plays a big role in children attempting to reach perfection. There’s an essential lesson to be taught when skills don’t come as easy to one student as they do to another. Each child has different strengths and abilities, and the team at Ballet Austin is working to help students recognize their gifts and work toward their goals. For Jackson, it’s a refreshing change to have a positive outlook for dancers. "I love that there’s more conversation around creating positive body images for dancers," Jackson

says. "It’s something that I didn't grow up with. Dance is one of the most beautiful art forms, and I want my future children to be able to experience all the wonderful benefits of dance without the damaging pressures from false media images and societal expectations.” afm

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WELLNESS W R I T T E N A N D S P O N S O R E D B Y:

Jill Birt RN and RPYT

WELLNESS

FAQ

PREPARING FOR CHILDBIRTH Rather than focusing on birthing location, I feel it is more important for pregnant women to focus inward, taking the time to prepare their mind, body, and spirit for childbirth and motherhood. The lifestyle of our modern culture does not naturally prepare women for labor, delivery, and motherhood. We are a very busy culture and many of us sit for several hours of the day in cars, at desks, on computers, etc. Our daily lifestyles are an ironic mix of sedentary bodies and overactive minds. This combination can leave us in a simultaneous state of weakness and constriction physically, mentally, and emotionally. When considering the impact this has on the process of labor and delivery these factors can leave a woman illequipped to progress toward an organized and successful labor pattern leading to delivery without medical intervention. Understanding this and taking time to incorporate both physical movement and quieting of the mind into pregnancy can help women awaken the connection of mind, body and spirit aligning them fully for childbirth. We as women have the ability to care for ourselves in partnership with our healthcare providers. The environment in which a woman feels comfortable giving birth is a very personal decision. What is most important overall is taking the time to adequately prepare mind, body and spirit. Women who have taken the time to prepare these three realms have the tools necessary to find comfort in either location as one or the other may not always go as planned.

How mindfulness, meditation, and movement can prepare soonto-be mothers for pregnancy, labor, and motherhood.

iill Birt is a Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT). Prior to stepping full-time into teaching yoga she worked as a Labor & Delivery Nurse in Austin for 15 years. She considers herself to be an integrative healthcare provider, holding awe and respect for the healing power nature offers; she also values modern medicine and relies upon the wisdom and spiritual teachings of yoga. Jill shares her insights into the importance of a physical, spiritual, and emotional approach to birth preparation.

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2018

Lacey Melguizo

ARE AT-HOME BIRTHS BETTER THAN HOSPITAL BIRTHS?

HOW DO I STAY CALM AND NOT PANIC WHEN GOING INTO LABOR AND DELIVERY?

First you must understand the role of your central nervous system and more importantly the inner workings of the autonomic nervous system. By understanding the process of “fight or flight” you can overcome anxiety using the power of breath. Through focused breathing exercises and meditation techniques you can tap into your autonomic nervous system and foster a sense of calm and peace within. This work translates beyond labor and delivery and into motherhood and the potential struggles of postpartum. Here are some practices I use myself that can be used for childbirth preparation as well as overall happiness: Slow Down/Sit Still/Breathe: Seated pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) or meditation. The length and location of this practice varies for me depending on the day, but I aim for a minimum of five minutes in stillness every morning. Sometimes it occurs right after I attend to the typical morning rituals, sometimes it doesn’t happen until after the morning rush of my family. Often this practice happens more then once throughout my day as taking time to slow down, breathe, and be present is the best tool in the box. Our bodies communicate in sensations and feelings. Pausing to give full attention to myself and check in with my overall state of being helps me to better understand the messages of my body and trust my intuition. It keeps me connected to the strength and calm I have within. Move: Aerobic activity daily: walking, running, dancing, yoga...anything that gets you moving. While it’s important to adjust exercise to accommodate pregnancy, it’s also important to continue to incorporate it into your daily routine. It improves circulation, strengthens the immune system,

may prevent potential medical complications, improves digestion, increases stamina and ability for physical demands of life (childbirth and motherhood) and brightens the mind and spirit among many other benefits. Be sure to communicate with your healthcare provider when it comes to choosing the best activity for you. Nurture: I use pure therapeutic grade essential oils to support my physical and emotional well being daily. I do the same for my family, either applying or massaging with oils that best suit the current need, or diffusing them into the air. I love utilizing the power of nature to connect and support all of us. This practice translates to love and nurture Prepare: Looking ahead at my week on Sunday afternoons allows me to observe patterns and arrange my time as best I can to support my truth, my practices and my heart’s desires. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BIRTH PLAN, SO IF I HAVE THAT I SHOULD BE FINE, RIGHT?

I encourage women to see a birth plan most importantly as a discussion with their partners about what is important to them, and then as a tool to discuss these priorities with their healthcare providers. I teach women not to attach firmly to a plan or to romantic ideals that come along with statements like “women have been giving birth since the beginning of humanity” and “your body knows how to do this.” These statements are true, but what is also true is that not all of the outcomes in the history of birth have been picture perfect. Clinging to a specific plan or ideals can potentially inhibit women from being fully present during the delivery and precious moments of meeting their baby. Understanding the components of labor and delivery and individual variances among us can reduce emotions of anger, shame, and failure when an experience isn’t how a mother “planned” for it to be. afm

Jill offers a prenatal series called PREPARED for expecting mothers.

To learn more visit MAMAPREP.ORG. QUESTIONS? Reach her at JILLBIRTYOGA@GMAIL.COM.

FROM JILL BIRT

MY MORNING RITUAL

I sit in a comfortable place in my room that I have arranged. I apply a drop of essential oil, most often frankincense, to my inner wrists, and then swipe them behind my ears and down the sides of my neck before holding them close to my nose. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I rest my hands and continue to breathe in and out through my nose. I follow my breath deep into my center and back toward my spine. This is the physical space in me where I connect to my highest self. After a few breaths like this, I begin to silently say the words for my daily intention, one sentence / word for each breath in, one sentence/word for each breath out, pausing between each breath to let the words resonate. I repeat this three to four times and then return to a normal, easy breath. Grounded, centered and ready for my day to start. **I recommend using only pure certified therapeutic grade essential oils. My personal preference is doTERRA essential oils. For some, and especially during pregnancy, it is best to dilute essential oils. Always refer to the guidance and recommendations of your healthcare provider.

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FITNESS AUTHOR

Lisa Hickey Baile

LAX IN ATX

ormer Syracuse University’s lacrosse captain, Ella Thorpe, remembers growing up in small town Elbridge, New York, where she played pick-up lacrosse games with her neighborhood friends. Everyone had a stick and everyone knew how to score. Fast-forward 20 years, and about 2,000 miles southwest, to the athletic field at Murchison Middle School

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in Austin’s Northwest Hills neighborhood. It’s Friday morning and several girls slip on their goggles, put in their mouthpieces, and grab their sticks. It’s time to practice cradling, the art of keeping the ball in the pocket, and one of the most important skills a lacrosse player can possess. Eleven-year-old Eliza Wilson is impressively keeping up, despite only playing for five months. She’s already certain about one thing: she loves lacrosse.

2018

Troy Walker and Elite Lacrosse

Here in Central Texas, a new sport is gaining traction among youth athletics: lacrosse.

For her dad, Rob Wilson, who grew up in Central Texas, lacrosse didn’t exist when he was young. Watching these girls now scooping ground balls, dodging, and shooting, Wilson says he and his wife know little about the sport. “That’s probably a good thing because I am learning the game right along with my daughter,” Wilson says. “I have to step back and let someone else teach her.” Thanks in part to Thorpe, now a Westlake and Iron Horse coach, and scores of other elite lacrosse players who have relocated to Austin, lacrosse—or lax for short—is surging in popularity and benefiting from the expertise of northern transplants. According to U.S. Lacrosse, the governing body for the sport, almost 3,000 boys and girls, ages 14 and younger, registered to play in Central Texas last year. The number of girls has nearly doubled in just two

years, says Southwest Regional Manager Tim LaBelle. He anticipates membership will continue to increase. Capital Area Youth Girls Lacrosse League (CAPLAX) President Guillermo Ponce agrees with these ambitious projections. He says the league has 13 active recreational teams, ranging from third to eighth graders, for a total of almost 500 players.

Patrick Severson

Iron Horse, Girls Lacross

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

FITNESS level. After playing in college, she moved on to coaching, and was later recruited to lead Iron Horse Austin. “There are so many opportunities in this sport, even at the collegiate level. soccer is much more competitive and the pool is much bigger. Lacrosse is not nearly as saturated.” For all of the Austin lacrosse newcomers, there are a few who have been here since the beginning. Johanna Owens started the first girls high school lacrosse team at Bowie High School in 1996. Since then, she has been a prominent figure in Austin lacrosse. As the founder and owner of Texas Play Hard, home of The Texas Outlaws select teams, she points out that we have the same problems today that we had back then— finding experienced coaches and securing field space. One thing that has certainly changed, Owens says, is that youth lacrosse is exploding right now Austin in Austin. Elite

LACROSS GEAR LIST

GIRLS goggles mouth guard cleats stick

Lacrosse

B OY S helmet arm and shoulder pads gloves mouth guard cleats stick

*You can find equipment at Lacrosse Unlimited, a specialty store owned and operated by former lacrosse players. 6203 N Capital of TX Highway

AUGUST

2018

Troy Walker and Elite Lacrosse (Left and Sidebar bottom); Patrick Severson (Sidebar top)

“Our goal is to get more young ladies to play and to keep them active in lacrosse,” Ponce says. He points out that there are teams located throughout the city and anyone is welcome to join. “Since lacrosse is not yet an UILsanctioned sport, it is considered recreational,” Ponce explains. “Registration usually begins in November or December and then practices start in February. The season runs from March through May.” If a player is ready to ramp up their game, Iron Horse and Texas Play Hard are Austin’s two select programs. “This community is relatively new to the sport,” explains Iron Horse Director Alyssa Murray. “By traveling, the players expand their game, experience a new level of play, and face harder competition.” Murray knows about competition. She started playing lacrosse in kindergarten in Long Island, thanks to her older sister’s team needing a warm body to help fill the field. By fifth grade, she loved the sport and was playing club

Troy Walker and Elite Lacrosse

NO PAIN, NO GAIN! PAIN “It’s so dynamic because it combines soccer, basketball, and field hockey," Owens says. "It’s fast moving, and girls who start young tend to stick with it." Similar in name only, lacrosse for boys is more aggressive and has a different set of rules. Central Texas Youth Lacrosse Association (CTYLA) was created to facilitate the growth of youth lacrosse, encouraging the growth of high school lacrosse. The boys' program starts younger than the girls' with recreational teams ranging from bantam (K-2nd) through seniors (7-8th). Having played with CTYLA since second grade, 13-year-old Ben Christie says he likes the camaraderie he has with his teammates. “No one blames each other and everyone is very supportive,” says the Trojan Youth Lacrosse Association (TYLA) athlete. “Getting the ball and running across the field is a big thrill. I want to be like my brother and play in high school and then maybe play in college.” TYLA Coach Jake Watts knows what it takes to compete at the college level from his years playing lacrosse at the University of Texas. “It is so important to play multiple sports,” Watts says. “I started lacrosse in my sophomore year in high school in San Antonio, mainly

because I had baseball burnout.” He fell in love with the sport and tells his players to keep a stick in their hand year-round but to still participate in other activities. Watts' number one goal is retention; he wants the boys to have fun so they keep playing. “They are the future of this sport,” Watts says. For the more serious player, there are select teams like Austin Elite Lacrosse and Iron Horse, which offer select programs starting as young as third grade. Luke Cometti, who moved to Austin four years ago to start Iron Horse, has seen a steady climb in talent and enrollment numbers. He’s confident Austin will catch up to more established programs. “This sport is so fun to watch, especially because it’s high scoring," Cometti says. "And for those who are interested, there is a lot of opportunity to play at the college level." While no one knows how far the trend will go, Thorpe has a wise perspective from being around it for so long. “Lacrosse is special,” she says. “It teaches you so much more than just the sport. It teaches you to be a good teammate, to be a good student, and to be a good person. It gives you a lot of confidence.” In that case, bring it on, y’all. afm

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FITNESS YOGIS:

Abby Nagler and Kylie Copeland

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Brian Fitzsimmons

FAMILY YOGA FLOW Is your at-home practice constantly interrupted by your little one wanting to climb on you or join in? Turn the distraction into a connection by incorporating your child into your flow. These 10 poses from The Little Yoga House are great for strength and balance, but most importantly, for teamwork.