FROM THE EDITOR
We live in a country that capitalizes on sickness, thrives off poisons, and benefits from injuries
Routine care takes a back seat as temporary cravings, inactivity, misinformed decisions, or poor practices cause harm Prevention remains stuck in the past rather than serving as an active plan for a better, healthier future
Luckily, this is something Wellness+ Studio and its team of dedicated professionals and masters of their work aim to rectify
This month, the studio welcomes a brand new addition to the team: physical therapist, educator, and trainer, Brent Brookbush!
I had the honor of interviewing Brent for this issue, and not only did I find a PT that could potentially solve my issues, but I was also refreshingly reminded that there are professionals actively ailments
working to help people, not only put their bodies back together, but also prevent them from falling apart in the first place
After all, when you ’ re sick, injured, or in pain is the worst time to have to sort through websites numbers, and yellow pages (if they still exist) to find a quality, experienced professional who knows what they’re doing, who you click with, and who prioritizes your well-being above all else
I hope you enjoy this issue, which celebrates Wellness+ Studio’s third anniversary and the exciting addition of its physical therapy services
Publisher Michael Ennis
Be sure to read the bios of the studio’s new powerful professional trifecta, and don’t miss a very special (and very exclusive to our readers) invitation to a birthday cocktail celebration!
We hope to see you there
Thank you, as always, for being here and being a part of our story
Until next month!
With love, light, and gratitude,
Eleonora Fogg EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
eleonora@svvl net
Drax Digest is published monthly by Drax Publishing, LLC Don t hesitate to contact us with your ideas for future issues at eleonora@svvl net! Editor-In-Chief
Eleonora Fogg
THE WELLNESS+ TRIFECTA
Meet the Leadership Trifecta Behind the Magic of Wellness+ Studio, Featuring Founder and Director, Eva Peña; Medical Director, Dr. Carlos Rodriguez; and Newly Appointed Physical Therapist, Dr. Brent Brookbush
Founder and Director, Eva Peña
Eva is the founder and heart behind Wellness+ Studio a space born from resilience reinvention and a deep belief in the transformative power of movement and wellness Raised in the Dominican Republic, Eva did not grow up with wellness as a guiding value in fact she was often perceived as fragile and was discouraged from physical activity entirely It wasn’t until the age of 28, during one of the most challenging chapters of her life, that she discovered fitness, and with it, a profound awakening
What began as an escape quickly became a lifeline Through movement, Eva rebuilt both her physical and mental health, inspiring her to study nutrition and exercise physiology, earn an international personal training certification, and become a bodybuilding athlete As strength grew, so did her reputation; people didn’t just notice her transformation, they wanted to learn from it
After relocating to the United States and leaving her engineering career, Eva started from scratch, navigating a new country, language, and culture with unwavering determination, applying her civil engineering expertise to help clients build stronger bodies Her dedication, expertise, and genuine care quickly spoke louder than words, earning the trust of clients who remain with her to this day
Wellness+ Studio emerged from this journey during the pandemic, sparked by a shared vision and the support of Mike Ennis and Mrs von Liebig Today Eva pours her home heart and purpose into W+S nurturing it as both a business and a family one built on strength, growth, and the belief that wellness can change lives
Medical Director, Dr Carlos Rodriguez
As Medical Director, Dr Rodriguez brings a refined, holistic approach to aesthetics rooted in his extensive background in internal medicine After completing his residency in 2011, Dr Rodriguez spent years practicing as both a hospitalist and outpatient physician, while continuing to deepen his long-standing connection to dermatology and aesthetic medicine His career has seamlessly evolved at the intersection of wellness, dermatology, hormone therapy, and aesthetics an evolution that now finds its natural home at Wellness+ Studio
Dr Rodriguez is known for his thoughtful, personalized philosophy of care, emphasizing prevention, balance, and treatments that work in harmony with the body Rather than chasing trends or dramatic transformations, his approach focuses on enhancing natural beauty through age-appropriate, carefully tailored plans From preventive Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers to advanced collagen-stimulating treatments every recommendation is guided by the individual’s lifestyle skin quality and long-term goals
At Wellness+ Studio Dr Rodriguez integrates aesthetics with total wellness combining fitness skincare nutrition hydration therapies, and regenerative treatments to support clients from the inside out His commitment to continued education, honest communication and subtle natural results has earned him a reputation for delivering outcomes that feel effortless yet transformative
Dr Rodriguez’s greatest reward is helping patients look and feel like the best version of themselves confident, refreshed, and unmistakably natural
Physical Therapist, Dr. Brent Brookbush
Dr Brent Brookbush, DPT, is a personal trainer, physical therapist, educator, and founder of The Brookbush Institute, bringing decades of experience and a deeply integrative approach to human movement and rehabilitation to Wellness+ Studio Brent’s path into health and wellness began through the arts, originally studying Jazz at a performing arts high school, and getting a scholarship to pursue jazz studies in college As a naturally skinny kid, he began strength training to build muscle, and originally became a personal trainer to support his jazz career
An unexpected injury that resulted in facial muscle tears abruptly ended his jazz career transforming personal training from a side job into a lifelong calling Dr Brookbush went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master’s degree before deciding to further his impact by pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy with a strong focus on orthopedics
With over 28 years as a personal trainer, 15 years as a physical therapist, and nearly 25 years teaching continuing education, Dr Brookbush has dedicated his career to both healing individuals and advancing the profession itself Through The Brookbush Institute, he has helped improve clinical outcomes and elevate the practices of thousands of movement professionals worldwide
Dr Brookbush was immediately drawn to Wellness+ Studio after meeting Eva first in Brazil, then again upon stepping into the studio itself Inspired by her vision, energy, and holistic philosophy, he saw Wellness+ Studio as the ideal environment to deliver proactive, routine orthopedic care centered on strength, longevity, and injury prevention His mission is simple yet powerful: help people stay strong, protected, and moving well so pain doesn’t get the final say
Be sure to book your complimentary assessment and book sessions with Eva, Dr. Rodriguez, or Dr. Brookbush on the Wellness+ Studio’s website today!
wwwwellnessplusstudiocom
YOU’RE INVITED!
Celebrate our 3 anniversary by joining us for a toast and get to know more about our new services and our dedicated staff!
The evening will feature special programming, community networking, and delicious refreshments including: Sushi
Pastries by Delicias by Denisa Piña Coladas Chinola Mojitos & Coconut Mojitos
980 Madison Avenue, Suite 203, New York, NY 10075 6:00 PM FEBRUARY 18TH
Please RSVP with info@wellnessplusstudiocom before February 12th
www.vivobarefoot.com
Revolutionary Body Composition Analyzer
Good health begins within InBody leverages class-leading BIA technology to deliver non-invasive, accurate, and precise body composition scans tailored to each unique person
Track key metrics like muscle, fat, water, and more to make more informed decisions for better health and wellness
Available at Wellness+ Studio
THE DRAX BUSINESSES
Bread Story
Bread Story has been outdoing itself year after year, month after month! With new sandwiches (like their mouthwatering smoked salmon sandwich with creamy herb and garlic whipped cheese, avocado, and arugula topped on Bread Story’s fresh-baked, soft-seeded Viennois bread) and other limited-edition, seasonal treats, you can literally never get bored going to Bread Story And guess what? Valentine s Day is around the corner, so you know Chef Yann has some tricks (or should I say treats?) up his sleeve Last year, he amazed us with a flaky Love Croissant in the shape of a heart, filled with vanilla cream and fresh raspberries; Valentine butter cookies with raspberry jam; and the classic heart-shaped palmiers
Is your mouth watering? Well there is only one cure and it’s located on 264 1 Avenue New York New York 10009 st
Burr Hall Farm
Winter is always a season of slowness planning and reflection for the team at Burr Hall Farm Planning for the launch of our agritourism program is underway, as well as plans for our very own farm store, featuring our high-quality products, honey, and various other local farm goodies and necessities So don’t rule out a visit to Middlebury in the summer! A day trip to a farm in the country side should most definitely be on your list
Drax Productions
It’s official! The trailer is out, the date is set; go see Drax Production’s very own The Dreadful, starring Sophie Turner and Kit Harrington, in theaters February 20th!
Wellness+ Studio
In other news, Wellness+ Studio is taking part in Madison Avenue’s Beauty + Wellness Month! Cultivate your best self, celebrating Beauty + Wellness month with an exclusive, complimentary wellness consultation, valued at $1,200 This bespoke experience includes a 30-minute comprehensive fitness and nutritional assessment, followed by a 30-minute personalized aesthetic consultation, thoughtfully designed to support your overall well-being from the inside out Available by appointment only and throughout Beauty + Wellness month (aka February)
The William J. von Liebig Foundation
It is with deep sadness that we share the recent passing of 2025 von Liebig Prize winner Kelly Sutliff’s dog, Stella Stella was the protection dog that changed Kelly s life, and is one of the major reasons Kelly s K9s Tails of Courage exists We consider Stella an honorary, unspoken recipient of the prize, and our hearts and condolences go out to Kelly and her other two pups who have been blessed with having Stella as a strong, and loyal companion
Dermatologist recomended. Science driven. Barcelona born.
THE RECIPE
Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
Recipe by Jessica Beacom from The Real Food Dietitians
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients:
FOR THE CHICKEN SALAD:
3 cups diced cooked chicken (about 1 lb. raw)
1 ½ cups broccoli slaw (may substitute shredded cabbage or cole slaw mix)
½ medium red bell pepper, diced
¼ cup slivers or sliced almonds, toasted
2 green onions, ends trimmed and chopped
FOR THE DRESSING:
½ tsp orange zest
Juice of 1 orange (about 3 TB)
3 TB coconut aminos
2 TB almond butter or peanut butter
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
½ tsp freshly grated ginger (or ¼ tsp ground dried ginger)
FOR SERVING:
Lettuce wrap, salad greens, or wrap of choice (tortilla, etc.)
½ medium avocado, diced or sliced
For garnish: cilantro, green onion, sesame seeds, and/or toasted almonds
Directions:
1 Cook the chicken, if it hasn’t already been prepared
2 In a large bowl, combine the chicken, broccoli slaw, red peppers, almonds, and green onions; set aside
3.Prepare the dressing: Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
4.Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until the chicken and vegetable mixture is completely coated.
5 Serve scooped in lettuce leaves, over a bed of greens, or rolled into a wrap along with diced or sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Top with sesame seeds, sliced green onion, and/or additional toasted almonds.
6 Enjoy :)
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: ¼ of the recipe (chicken salad w/ dressing)
Calories: 290
Fat: 13 g
(Sat Fat: 1g)
Sodium: 880 mg
Cholesterol: 75 mg
Carbohydrate: 12 g
(Fiber: 3 g)
(Sugar: 6 g)
Protein: 36 g
