Spring/Summer 2022—Good News Utah

P O S I T I V E LY U T A H

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Spring/Summer 2022

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Finding the Unfindable Helping families with missing loved ones find closure

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Rising Above the Violence How two former gang members are giving back

GoodNewsUtah.com

The Job Doctor HOW NATIONAL SENSATION TESSA WHITE IS TRANSFORMING CAREERS ONE PERSON AT A TIME

Li a life  lo LET’S GROW TOGETHER My Strong World was created to encourage people to “Ask Yourself.” It’s a place that reminds you that everything is inside of you and offers a safe place to come back to your body and find your center. I offer one-on-one coaching, group coaching, workshops, and retreats with a guarantee that when you apply the principles taught, you can create your best life.

mystrongworld.com

Spring/Summer 2022 Contents

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28 The National Ability Center: Where “I Can” Lives

IN EVERY ISSUE p. 6 The Bright Side

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Feature Stories

p. 74 Good News by the Numbers p. 75 High Note

From skiing and mountain biking to horseback riding and river rafting, the National Ability Center, located in Park City, has been providing adaptive outdoor recreation programs for decades.

But these activities are about much more than empowering individuals of all abilities to have fun. They also build self-esteem, confidence, and lifelong skills.

BY LORAL IE PEAR CE

34 Transforming Careers One Person at a Time

Tessa White understands the power of transformation. Having gone from being a struggling single mother to one of the country’s top career experts, she is now helping millions of people to create a career path that is brighter than they could have ever imagined.

BY DANIEL L E WAG NER

42 Rising Above the Violence

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When Samson Phommabout and Levi Lieske were just young boys, they were lured into a gang life filled with violence, death, and prison time. But with hard work and determination, these two former gang members have turned their lives around by creating successful businesses and giving back to their community.

BY CAR R IE SNIDER AND MEGAN PICKET T

Spring/Summer 2022 Contents

14 10 Bringing Magic to Kids Who Need Cheering Up A COVID-19 outreach project has turned into something much more for one Utah woman looking to bring smiles—and magic—to children going through hard times.

By Carrie Snider

Spring/Summer 2022

14 Treehouse Talks: Connecting Young Adults From backyard to large venue, Treehouse Talks has grown exponentially as real people share real stories.

Along the way, those listening gain so much of what they’ve been missing— connection and understanding.

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By Carrie Snider

18 Hope and Healthcare for Those in Need What started out as a pinky swear at a Starbucks has now turned into a place that provides hope to those who would have nowhere else to go. The Hope Clinic provides free healthcare and medical treatment to anyone who can’t afford to pay.

By Halen Hubbard

Departments & Columns

22 22 On Top of the World Since setting a goal to become the first woman to climb the Seven Second Summits—the second-highest mountain on each of the seven continents—Jenn Drummond has literally been on top of the world, successfully conquering Mt. Everest and becoming the first U.S. woman and second woman ever to summit Antarctica’s Mt. Tyree.

By Amanda Scheldt

48 Helping Pets Through “Ruff” Times When unforeseen circumstances leave a family without a home, some of those hit the hardest are our little friends with fur, feathers, or scales.

Thanks to Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, pet owners who are experiencing a crisis can now find a safe place for their beloved animals to stay until the storm passes.

By Michael Young

52 How Adam Nugent Lost 120 Pounds For most of his life, Adam Nugent turned to food to cope with his emotions, and as his unhappiness grew, so did his clothing size. Here’s how he completely transformed—both physically and mentally.

By Jamie Armstrong

52 56 Choosing Kindness: One City’s Unique Initiative Choosing kindness is in style year round in Pleasant Grove, but especially during February—the city’s official Choose Kindness Month.

By Michael Young

60 Helping Families with Missing Loved Ones Find Closure Two self-professed “tech nerds” with hearts of gold use their unique approach to deploy drones in planned, effective search operations. The result is finding the unfindable.

By Carrie Snider

65 A Sweet Way to Change Lives Flourish Bakery gives ex-convicts and those in addiction recovery a chance to rise up through its life-changing internship program. Now that’s pretty sweet.

By Carrie Snider and Kierstynn King

COLUMNS 5 The Power to Change When we harness the power to change, the possibilities of transforming ourselves and our community are endless.

By Jamie Armstrong

8 Living a High-Vibration Life How do we create and then cultivate a life filled with positive, impactful energy? After years of practice, here are my top tips.

By Teresa Collins

68 3 Keys to Thriving Relationships Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home. Here’s how you can refresh your relationships for healthier, more intentional living.

70 Mary’s Fab 5: Local Food Products When it comes to locally produced food, Utah is home to lots of secret gems. Here are five of my favorites.

By Mary Crafts

72 Resetting Your Personal “Thermostat” Take control of your destiny by resetting your internal “set point” temperature and adding more value to your career, relationships, and community.

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By Dan Clark

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Spring/Summer 2022

By Tiffany Peterson

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, it can often be difficult to know what to do or where to turn.

We’re here to help!

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• The bigger and more complex your case the better legal representation you need.

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• Siegfried & Jensen is a team of eighteen attorneys that has resolved dozens of multi-million dollar cases over the past thirty years.

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Publisher’s Note

Jannalee Sandau Madeline Thatcher Business Development

Val Butcher

Contributing Authors

Carolyn Campbell Dan Clark Teresa Collins Mary Crafts Halen Hubbard Kierstynn King Karen Painter Loralie Pearce Tiffany Peterson Megan Pickett Amanda Scheldt Carrie Snider Madeline Thatcher Danielle Wagner Michael Young

Design and Production

Hales Creative Kelly Nield, Design Director Anika Meyers, Production Designer

Good News Utah @GoodNews_Utah Good News Utah Advertising/Sponsorship

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The Power to Change When we harness the power to change, the possibilities of transforming ourselves and our community are endless.

One of the greatest gifts in life is our ability to change.

Whether it be a small adjustment or a complete transformation, change is the catalyst for personal growth and evolution, and this issue of Good News Utah is filled with stories about people who are changing themselves and their communities.

Take the inspiring examples of Samson Phommabout and Levi Lieske—two former gang members who have completely transformed their lives for the better. From the time they were young boys, they were immersed in gang life. After years filled with violence, death, and prison time, they both decided to rebuild their lives to become successful business owners who give back to their community in their own unique ways (“Rising Above the Violence,” p. 42).

On our cover, we are honored to feature Tessa White. Once a struggling single mother, she is now a national sensation who is helping millions of people to improve their lives by creating a better career path (“Transforming Careers One Person at a Time,” p. 34).

In this issue, Adam Nugent also shares his weight-loss journey (“How Adam Nugent Lost 120 Pounds,” p. 52). For most of his life, he turned to food to cope with his emotions rather than face the things in his life that weren’t serving him. He was finally able to change when he decided to look inward and face the guy in the mirror.

As Barack Obama once said, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” May we find the strength and courage to change our lives for the better, and may we begin today!

All my best, Jamie Armstrong

Spring/Summer 2022

Editors

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Publisher & CEO

Jamie Armstrong

Column: Fun facts, Column/Dept. inspirational Name quotes,Title and other interesting stuff

The Bright Side “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

—maya angelou

Pluto Platters, Anyone?

Did you know that Utah native Walter Frederick Morrison invented the Frisbee? The inspiration first came to him in 1937 when he and his future wife, Lucille, were tossing a popcorn can lid back and forth. They soon discovered that cake pans flew better and were more durable, so they started selling “Flyin’ Cake Pans” on California beaches.

During World War II, Morrison served as a pilot, which gave him a better understanding of aerodynamics. In 1946, he sketched his design for the world’s first flying disc. After producing a few different prototypes of his invention, he sold the rights to his “Pluto Platter” to the Wham-O toy company in 1957. The company changed the name of the toy to Frisbee upon learning that college students were using that name instead.

Fun Fact

The world’s first surf rescue by drone was performed in Australia in 2018 when two men were swept out to sea. The drone dropped an inflatable device, and the men were able to use the device to float back to shore. Turn to p. 60 to read about a team of Utah drone pilots that searches for missing people free of charge.

“Life is the flower for which love is the honey.”

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Fun Fact

The Korawai tribe of West Papua lives in treehouses deep within the jungle. To learn how young adults are creating connections and sharing ideas through the organization Treehouse Talks, turn to p. 14.

The Best Medicine—Seriously!

The idea that “laughter is the best medicine” has been around for ­centuries. In fact, in the early 1300s, French surgeon Henri de Mondeville used humor as part of post-operative therapy. So, is the old adage true? Health experts say yes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter provides short-term benefits such as enhancing oxygen intake, releasing endorphins, ­stimulating circulation, and aiding muscle relaxation. Long-term benefits include strengthening the immune system, lowering stress, relieving pain, and easing depression and anxiety. It can even improve your self-esteem! So, what are you waiting for? Watch a funny movie or your favorite stand-up comedian and get giggling!

(Morrison, treehouse) wikipedia.org; (flower) licensed by Ingram Publishing

Spring/Summer 2022

—victor hugo

Tired of the snow? Take a breath of fresh air.

Visit the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point for live music, springtime treats, festival games, and over 250,000 blossoming tulips. Experience the beauty of spring like never before, only at Thanksgiving Point’s Tulip Festival.

APRIL 8 - MAY 7 Tickets and details available at www.ThanksgivingPoint.org

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Column: Perpetually Positive

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Living a High-Vibration Life How do we create and then cultivate a life filled with positive, impactful energy? After years of practice, here are my top tips. BY T E R E SA CO L L I N S

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Spring/Summer 2022

s humans, we are made of energy, and in turn we can create amazing energy.

This means that each new day, we have a new opportunity to present ourselves to the world.

We get to decide if we’ll show up, and when we determine that we will, we can increase and manifest positive thoughts and energy to transform the way we live our lives.

Start the Day off Right

My daily mindset is to make intentional decisions that are what I call “high vibrations.”

They are the fulfilling decisions that ultimately shape our happiness. It can start with being intentional with our thoughts and feelings and following our intuition that comes from within us. I feel a great sense of joy when I’m following that inner voice because I know that I’m leading from my soul.

When you’ve fine-tuned your intuition, you can then practice taking positive action from those intuitive thoughts. My advice for my clients is to give those good thoughts a real chance—just say yes!

There is a unique energy you get when you feel confident in your life choices. While there can be a tendency to overthink your choices, there is a great sense of freedom from making decisions that wake up your soul. And it doesn’t need to be complicated— it can be as simple as ordering your favorite drink at lunch or taking some extra time to see a friend. It’s allowing yourself to truly experience and live life.

Open Your Heart

When you begin to practice listening to your inner voice, you’ll then start to find yourself presented with more opportunities to be open to new experiences.

High-vibration decisions bring

My daily mindset is to make intentional decisions that are what I call “high vibrations.” They are the fulfilling decisions that ultimately shape our happiness.

clarity, and with clarity comes a daily intention to unleash our best self into the world. These daily decisions don’t need to be big, and in fact they usually go back to focusing on the basics.

The simple goal is to live the life you dream about.

We must be open to spending time daily, making progress, and focusing on things that make us feel lifted to our best selves. But openness is also a willingness to

say no to tasks or obligations that make us feel out of alignment with our daily or life goals. It’s a simple principle, but it’s easy to forget: saying no is just as important as saying yes. It took me years of being a people pleaser to master this concept.

I’ve found that it’s easier to say no when you remember that you have the power and responsibility to determine your life—every single day. It’s vital to live life on your own terms instead of responding to the expectations of others.

It’s a simple principle, but it’s easy to forget: saying no is just as important as saying yes.

Believe in Your Energy

I believe strongly in how we create our energy. I believe in making high-vibration decisions from the moment we wake up in the morning. It’s vital to wake up and check our attitude, our thoughts, and our heart. I have my “Top 3” routine that I do every single day. It has become a foundation for me to see ongoing and lasting change.

1. Give gratitude.

2. Give back.

3. Accomplish one goal for the day that you have been putting off.

We have the power to raise our energetic vibrations. We can change our focus in order to bring more ease and flow into our lives. And when we intentionally make higher-vibration decisions, we will experience more peace and happiness.

For your daily dose of positivity, follow TeresaCollinsStudio.

Spring/Summer 2022

I am often told that my energy or vibration is one that people want to be around. I know this energy comes from within me. After experiencing a stroke, I know that I am blessed to be alive, and I choose each day to truly live. I am now actively choosing what I do with my time and attention.

I choose where and how my energy is used each day, and I do that by choosing joy.

Choosing joy comes from choosing other things: to not complain about the troubles in my life and instead give thanks for all the things that I do have. It comes down to perspective—it’s looking for the great, not just the good. I no longer say, “Let’s have a good day!” or “Let’s have a good meeting.” Instead it’s this: “I’m going to have a great day.”

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Photo licensed by Ingram Publishing

Choose Joy

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Bringing Magic to Kids Who Need Cheering Up

A COVID-19 outreach project has turned into something much more for one Utah woman looking to bring smiles—and magic—to children going through hard times. BY CA R RI E S N I DER

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hen Sarah Pugliese started her internship helping children of trauma and abuse, she felt that she had found her calling. It was what she had always wanted to do. Unfortunately, like it did to so many things, COVID-19 cut her internship short. Not being with the kids anymore was disappointing to say the least.

“I missed helping hands on,” Pugliese says.

But maybe there was something else she could do. Or maybe something a magical fairy could do.

The Topaz Fairy Is Born

Under her new fairy persona, Topaz (named for her birthstone), she sent personalized care packages to

Spring/Summer 2022

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them—things like the child’s favorite color, animal, a few children who needed cheering up. With the toy, snack, and hobby. intention of delivering a few boxes to children in Using donated funds, she purchases gifts her hometown, Pugliese—er, Topaz—got to work the child would appreciate, depending on their compiling packages with items of interest for each interests. Toys, craft supplies, journals, snacks, and child along with a personalized note. other items make up most of the box, with small She posted a “boxing” video on social media filler toys as well. where she showed viewers what went into a very The Topaz Fairy also includes a personalized, special care package that was on its way from handwritten note to encourage the child. Parents Topaz to a child. That’s all it took for things to or others who know the child blow up. fill her in on what the child Requests for more packages is going through and provide came in, as well as donations Pugliese has assembled special details that will from generous people wanting help make the letter more to help her continue bringing and sent care packages meaningful. smiles to others. What had to 375 kids in 45 states.

“I write what they need to started as a tiny seed of an idea Each box of goodies is hear to help them get through quickly grew. a hard time or to boost their “I never expected to do very as unique as the child confidence,” Pugliese explains. many. I was only going to do who has needed them.

She always includes a them for a few children,” says self-addressed stamped Pugliese. But clearly there was envelope so children have a need out there for Topaz to the option of writing back to Topaz. And many spread magic further. She officially started the do—about 30 or so have replied once, Topaz Fairy Project and put her magic and about 5 regularly correspond to good use. with Topaz. That’s why she Pugliese recently passed always keeps track of what the one-year anniversary she writes in each letter of those first packages, to keep the conversaand to date she has tion going. assembled and sent “One girl was care packages to 375 terrified of going to kids in 45 states. school in person.

Each box of goodI sent her a neckies is as unique as lace with fairy the child who has dust on it to keep needed them. her safe, along with a poem,” Behind the Pugliese says. “She Magic sent a picture of her Once a name has first day.” been submitted, Other children Pugliese finds out draw pictures of what about the child, typically they think Topaz looks ages 2–16, from parents or like or just thank her for the the person who nominated much-needed care package.

While the original internship of her dreams was cut short, she’s been able to keep doing what she has felt called to do.

She only ships in the United States, and she likes being the brains behind choosing items for the child as well as She always includes a writing the personal messages self-addressed stamped from Topaz. Her creativity envelope so children and personality come through, as well as her empathy for have the option of children going through tough writing back to Topaz. times.

And many do—about Thank goodness for magic.

“There are so many sad stories,” Pugliese says.

“As long as there is a kid in need, there is a need for magic in the world.”

Spring/Summer 2022

Making a Difference, One Child at a Time

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For one child who lost a grandpa, Topaz sent a package with a note saying that Grandpa was watching over them. To another set of siblings who had lost an uncle very close to them, Topaz sent packages with dinosaur fossils inside, along with a note that said fairies can talk to angels like their uncle.

“They had been through such loss,” Pugliese recalls. “I just wanted to put a smile on their faces.”

Aside from personalized packages, Pugliese has sponsored a Christmas party for 80 kids at a justice center and made 100 bags for police officers and justice centers.

30 or so have replied once, and about 5 regularly correspond with Topaz. That’s why she always keeps track of what she writes in each letter to keep the conversation going.

To learn more, follow The Topaz Fairy Project on Facebook.

Donations can be sent via Venmo to @TopazFairyProject or via PayPal to Sarahbug47@gmail. com.

Whether you’ve done the

before or want whole food recipes for your family, this book will inspire you.

Learn more and get started at Whole30.com

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Treehouse Talks: Connecting Young Adults

From backyard to large venue, Treehouse Talks has grown exponentially as real people share real stories. Along the way, those listening gain so much of what they’ve been missing—­ connection and understanding. BY CA R R I E SN I D E R

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he pandemic hit everyone hard, but there’s one demographic that it hit in a unique and profound way—young adults. Whether living away from home for the first time, studying online as college students, or starting their first jobs, this group of people keenly felt the effects of being

separated from the rest of the world. So, some of them decided to do something about it.

Brigham Young University students Hollis Hunt and Mio Cannon, who live south of campus in what’s called “The Treehouse,” opened their backyard for the first-ever Treehouse Talks (THT)

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In the course of listening, attendees feel that gathering in May 2021. They invited a few people to they are learning about a diverse group of people give PowerPoint talks on a subject of their choice. on a deeper level. And after the talks are done, The idea was akin to TED Talks, but these talks attendees connect with each other easily and would be simpler. More vulnerable. Rather than naturally. listening to experts, those coming to Treehouse “These talks are empowering,” explains Hunt, Talks would be listening to other young adults who is an experience design and management trying to navigate life. They could learn from each student. “You can agree or disagree, and that’s okay. other in ways they couldn’t anywhere else.

It’s a safe place to come and share.” Hunt’s specialty The first meeting was rudimentary. They put up is networking, and Cannon a simple sheet and a projector focuses on social media. and some lights. But really, Cannon adds that THT they didn’t need anything Rather than listening is something that grew fancy. People attended and to experts, those out of who they wanted to listened to the talks. They be—people who help to foster learned and met others and coming to Treehouse understanding and make the perhaps for the first time Talks would be world a better place. in a long time, felt deep listening to other Within months, a ­staggering connections with others going number of people were through similar life changes. young adults trying attending. And they got Hunt and Cannon had to navigate life. They multiple requests for people hoped people would like the wanting to speak, to the point concept of THT, but they could learn from each where they don’t need to go didn’t realize just how much other in ways they out and find speakers. That’s of a response they’d garner in couldn’t anywhere else. when they knew they had hit a a very short amount of time. nerve—when people willingly They all liked THT so much shared personal experiences that they decided to do it all with a group of strangers. again. And again. And again.

By then, THT had standing “It snowballed,” Cannon room only, so they found a explains. “I’ve learned so much bigger venue that could from the speakers already.” accommodate hundreds, and it is free, to boot.

Hitting a Nerve They now meet weekly Young adults kept coming on Thursdays at 9 p.m. to listen and learn from at 407 West 100 South the talks, of course, but in Provo. also for the connection No doubt, the key to the speakers and the to their success is the other attendees. The organic nature of the subjects ranged from setup. Speakers come up funny—“Why I Like with their own topics and Crocs,” for example—to talk from their hearts. And more serious talks centered they bring diverse stories that on coming out gay as a people want to hear. Organizers BYU student or one speaker’s also bring in local music artists who ­experience making and selling perform between talks. All in all, it’s a illegal drugs.

safe space where people from all backgrounds can show who they really are to an open audience.

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Key People, Key Growth

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it sounded intriguing. One of THT’s taglines is that you don’t need to bring a friend because you’ll make plenty while you attend. That was the case for Bersie, who attended and met Niemann, who then introduced him to Cannon and Hunt.

“I loved the vision,” Bersie says. “I love the way we feel during these conversations. As a college student, you’re alone trying to figure things out.

We’re not experts, but we’re trying to figure out what makes us tick. This was huge.”

Bersie now fills the role of managing finances and making connections to local vendors, and he is another key person in THT who helps the organization reach more people.

THT saw some incredible growth early on, but as each challenge came, such as finding a venue or figuring out better equipment, key people came along, and what they needed showed up.

“Everything was popping up, like we were supposed to do this,” Hunt says.

Michael Niemann, who graduated from BYU in information systems, attended some of those first meetings and felt something that he had been missing—connection and understanding.

“It was one of the first times that I felt seen,” More Talks in More Locations he says. Niemann quickly met Hunt and Cannon It didn’t take long for other young adults in other and soon wanted to be areas to come knocking on part of bringing THT to life THT’s door. They wanted to each week. He is part of the replicate what the original core organizing group, and THT Provo did, but in their “I love the way we his focus is logistics and own cities. THT granted feel during these operations, as well as working them permission, and so conversations. As a with vendors and building up far, THT has expanded to merchandising.

Logan, Salt Lake City, and Laie, college student, you’re To Niemann, the concept of Hawaii, with plans to expand alone trying to figure THT makes sense, especially into southern Utah and things out. We’re not for the young adult crowd.

Washington, D.C. Other cities “Everyone secretly wants across the country probably experts, but we’re to share their story and be aren’t far behind. trying to figure out understood. They want to be Hunt says, “We never known for more than just their went outside to recruit. They what makes us tick.” name and major and work.” reached out to us.” That Another local resident, fact is a testament to how Jake Bersie, was working for a much young adults everycompany in 2021 that consumed his life. He craved where could benefit from the connection and a change in a big way. ­understanding from THT. “I was longing for connection,” he says. A The organization has minimal expenses since friend from high school told him about THT, and they get venues free thanks to the generosity

Visit treehousetalks.co to learn more.

Spring/Summer 2022

Looking back, Hunt and Cannon, and now Niemann and Bersie, can’t believe how much THT has grown. At the same time, they aren’t surprised.

Each of them have been able to bring in their own unique backgrounds to help THT thrive. And while they all currently also have day jobs or college classes, someday they’d love to see THT grow and become their full-time careers—which wouldn’t feel like work at all.

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of others, so the bulk of the expenses is sound equipment and a projector. The biggest input is the organizers’ time, plus the time and courage of the presenters. But finding organizers hasn’t been hard; people are attracted to the vision of fostering understanding.

The original THT has proved that their framework works, however they encourage different locations to make it their own, while ensuring safe spaces for young adults to connect with each other and learn from a diverse group of people.

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Hope and Healthcare for Those in Need What started out as a pinky swear at a Starbucks has now turned into a place that provides hope to those who would have nowhere else to go. The Hope Clinic provides free healthcare and medical treatment to anyone who can’t afford to pay.

BY HALEN HUB BAR D

W

hen they were in medical school, Jane Powers and Monsoor Emam started working at an emergency room. After a while, they started to find themselves helping and treating people in the parking lot because some people—for example, those who were undocumented or financially insecure—were too afraid to

come in. After working with this particular group of patients, Powers and Emam knew that they had to do something to help. In 2005, they worked with the Sonami Foundation to start a clinic.

After Emam took a brief hiatus due to a family matter, he returned to Utah, where he met with Powers again to continue their project. However,

Young University send students to volunteer at The Hope Clinic to gain experience.

After their degree is finished, many of them return.

“Can you imagine?” Powers asks. “You’re in school, you have a heavy schedule, and you drive in horrible traffic to get here in the morning. You’d better bet I’m going to give you a big hug and a treat!”

Matt Pierce has been a All Hands on Deck volunteer since 2013. While he was David George is just one of approxistudying medicine at the University of Utah, mately 200 volunteers that work at the clinic. one of his roommates suggested that he volunteer He’s also on the board of directors for the clinic at the clinic. and helps with the accounting “I was just barely getting and paperwork. But most into medicine and the health importantly, he is Powers’s They started to find world. He said, ‘You should right-hand man. really go to this clinic. This is a “Anything that Jane doesn’t themselves helping and good place to learn, and it’s know how to do or wants done, treating people in the a good place to serve people she’ll tell me to go take care of parking lot because in the community, especially it,” he says with a laugh. immigrants and refugees.’ I George claims that Powers some people—for felt like that’s what I should does all the “real work” around example, those who do,” he shares. the clinic, but Powers might were undocumented or Pierce moved from filing claim otherwise. The value charts in the back office and of each one of the volunteers financially insecure— interpreting Spanish to doing is almost palpable as soon as were too afraid to triage and taking vital signs you walk into the clinic. Every after he got his medical single person is treated with come in. technician license. “Then I the same amount of imporwent back to school to become tance because things really a physician assistant, and as couldn’t be done without all soon as I graduated, I came right back here,” he says. hands on deck.

“It doesn’t matter your denomination, race, or anything. Everybody just comes here to help,” A Piece of the Pie George says. “If somebody needs something, we The Hope Clinic can’t do everything themselves, are here to help.” but with the help of other institutions in the valley, Medical students make up a big part of the they are able to provide as much care to their volunteers. The University of Utah and Brigham patients as possible. Intermountain Healthcare

Spring/Summer 2022

to achieve that objective, they swore to keep it simple. They wanted to keep the clinic small, staffed with 100 percent volunteers.

By 2009, they began to work toward their goal, and in 2010, The Hope Clinic officially became a 501(c)(3).

After keeping it simple for 12 years now, Powers proudly says with a smile, “It works!”

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almost every single language has been spoken in contributes a lot to the clinic; they’ll donate supthe clinic at some time. plies and medicine, along with additional services Nawris Alhassan is a volunteer who helps with such as MRI scans and other treatments. Even the getting patients’ prescriptions refilled, along with Astro Burger next to the clinic will hold on to some following through to make of the shipments that are sent sure that patients are regularly to the clinic when it isn’t open. checked up on.

The doctors who volunteer “I was a refugee myself, and at the clinic are invaluable.

“The beauty of Salt I came to the United States “Some of the best doctors in the Lake is that we have when I was a little girl,” she state come and volunteer,” says explains. “I saw the barriers Pierce. “These are people who all kinds of languages with healthcare growing I would be put on a year-long here. We have up. My mother didn’t speak waiting list to see. Orthopedics, interpreters who come English, and my father was dermatologists, gynecologists, working two jobs just to stay and even dentists are just and speak Spanish or afloat. As a child, I remember some of the many different Chinese or Tongan or getting frequent ear infections, types of practitioners who whatever.” and my mom didn’t really will give some of their time to understand why. So, oftenhelp here.” times, my mom would do a Olive Pharmacy is the home remedy to try to heal it, clinic’s main supplier of but she was really just making it worse. She didn’t prescriptions, providing medication to patients that know that she could take me to clinics like this.” they would otherwise not be able to afford. Even Alhassan has made it her mission to reach out over-the-counter medicines that cost just a few to disadvantaged minority groups in Utah and to dollars are a huge help. And because of the parteducate them about healthcare. She wants to pave nerships they have with all of their fellow medical the way for other little Muslim girls so they can providers, The Hope Clinic is able to refer their see that there is representation of them in the patients to other places to receive free healthcare medical field. from them.

“Many girls in my culture aren’t really allowed to finish school,” Alhassan explains. “I had to beg A Medical Melting Pot my father for me to finish homeschool. When little Starting with the founders, The Hope Clinic has girls can see women like me, women of color, they always been home to diversity among the patients can hopefully see that they can do it, too.” and volunteers. The three directors of the clinic include a Muslim, a Latter-day Saint, and a Catholic.

When the clinic was first opened, Russell M. Nelson A Place of Miracles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Powers says that miracles happen almost everyday and Monsoor’s local imam both gave dedicatory at the clinic. Just recently, a woman from El prayers for the well-being and blessings the clinic Salvador came to visit her family in Utah, and she would bring. The clinic’s patients and volunteers had some pretty severe medical problems. She are also racially and culturally diverse. went into the clinic, and they found that she had “The beauty of Salt Lake is that we have all kinds a colostomy at some point in her life. She didn’t of languages here,” Pierce says. “We have interhave the necessary bags and equipment to properly preters who come and speak Spanish or Chinese treat it, and sadly, the clinic didn’t have them either. or Tongan or whatever.” He goes on to say that the Colostomy bags are very expensive, and she and her clinic has seen such a wide range of patients that family are very poor, so many times, she would just use a towel instead of the proper bag. The day after

The Hope Clinic is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is located at 65 East 6850 South, Midvale, Utah.

To volunteer or donate, visit utahhopeclinic.org or follow their Facebook page, @HopeClinicUT.

Spring/Summer 2022

“I remember seeing him for the first time. He came here, and he was really nervous because he just didn’t know how much he could say about his story,” Pierce recalls. “We started working on him and taking care of the things that he needed, and after a couple of visits, I could see the relief in his face. It was really important to me to see him come here and feel heard and seen and taken care of.”

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the woman came into the clinic, one of the volunteers, Miko, found the exact equipment needed to treat the colostomy.

“I don’t know who dropped them off, or where they came from!” Powers exclaims. “And these are usually something that Miko would never use or stock. Things like this seem to fall from the sky whenever we need them.”

Pierce remembers working with a man from Venezuela. As a lawyer, he just couldn’t make it in the country because of the turmoil Venezuela is going through. Over the course of a year, he made his way to cross the border into Texas where he was detained. After that, he was released and came to Utah where he had a friend. He had some health concerns, alongside serious trauma induced by his journey.

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On Top of the World

Since setting a goal to become the first woman to climb the Seven Second Summits—the s­ econdhighest mountain on each of the seven continents—Jenn Drummond has literally been on top of the world, successfully conquering Mt. Everest and becoming the first U.S. woman and second woman ever to summit Antarctica’s Mt. Tyree.

BY AMANDA S CHE LDT | P HOTOS COU RTESY O F J E N N D R U M M O N D

J

enn Drummond is a force to be reckoned with.

After surviving a life-altering car accident in 2018, this dedicated Utah mom of seven is ­proving that people can accomplish their dreams while raising a family. “Instantly, everything became more clear,” she says of the accident.

“I thought to myself, ‘I’m not putting my life on hold for my kids anymore. I can do both.’”

In fact, it was one of Drummond’s children who challenged her to climb Mt. Everest. “That started this whole Seven Second Summits journey,” she says.

Preparing for Mt. Everest

Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain, towers 8,848.86 meters or 29,032 feet in the air. As of December 2021, only 6,014 have successfully summited Mt. Everest, with an average of 700 to 800 people attempting to climb the mountain each year.

In preparation for her climb, Drummond incorporated endurance training and utilized her climbs on Ama Dablam, Ojos Del Salado, and Mt. Kenya to train for her Mt. Everest summit push.

Interestingly, Mt. Everest is considered to be a less technical climb than K2, the second-highest summit globally. Drummond aimed to use Everest as a training ground to prepare for her K2 climb—a climb in which one in five people die in their attempt to reach the top. But the experience of climbing Mt. Everest turned out to be much more than a training exercise. For Drummond, it would be a profound and life-changing experience.

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On April 28, 2021, Drummond arrived at the Everest base camp to prepare for her summit climb. She spent her first few days connecting with the other climbers and conducting regular safety training.

“Those first days there, we did a great deal of ice field practice, which helped me get accustomed to my crampons on uneven terrain,” she explains. crevasse between Camp 1 and “We also practiced a lot of Camp 2. On Instagram, she ladder work, which was my said of the tragedy, “Still trying first time dealing with ladders “Still trying to process to process it all. Today is heavy on a mountain. Ladders are a with emotion. Events like necessary part of an Everest it all. Today is today are devastating.” ascent, and while originally heavy with emotion.

Still, Drummond and there was only one ladder to Events like today are her team pressed forward. cross for this year’s ascent, After successfully reaching the ground shifted enough to devastating.”

Everest Camp 3, Drummond require five ladder crossings.” descended and flew back to In her initial ascent, Katmandu for a few days to Drummond made it to the give her body time to acclimatize, especially since third of six camps on Mt. Everest. “It was a much the path up Everest above Camp 3 is far more icy, bigger challenge than I expected,” she explains. treacherous, and prone to avalanches.

“Our path consisted of zig-zagging and actually going down in the crevasses instead of simply across them via ladder, like normal years.”

Reaching The Summit An already difficult journey turned tragic when Drummond returned to base camp, and the one of Drummond’s sherpas died after falling into a remainder of her journey would include several

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Tragedy on the Mountain

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10 p.m. in Chile, and full nighttime dark doesn’t more mental and physical challenges. She strughappen until around midnight,” she explains. gled with altitude sickness. She also felt homesick After several days in Punta Arenas, Chile, being 7,500 miles away from her kids for Mother’s Drummond officially landed in Union Glacier, Day, but she stayed focused on what having their Antarctica, on December 18, 2021. Unfortunately, it mother climb Mt. Everest would mean to them. was three days before Drummond would be able “This climb was about teaching my kids that limitato travel to the base camp tions are a belief system. We at Mt. Vinson, Antarctica’s are the ones who usually get highest mountain, which she in our own way. Doing Everest “Emotionally, you get would climb in preparation was about showing them what for Mt. Tyree. “We got going after big goals looks to the top, and you are snowed in at the main base like—not just talking about it,” filled with immense camp multiple times,” she says Drummond. gratitude.” recalls. “Antarctica’s weather On May 25, 2021, is extreme in that it is cutting, Drummond and her summit abrasive, and unforgiving. You team began the ascent back can’t have exposed skin or it up Everest by skipping Camp 1 will get burned, and layering is a and staying at Camp 2. After spendchallenge.” ing more time than expected Drummond summited at Camp 2, Drummond and Mt. Vinson on December 26, her team ascended to using the climb to better Camp 3 on May 29. Then, acclimate to the altitude on May 31, 2021, she before attempting to summited Mt. Everest. ascend Mt. Tyree. “I She describes the could feel the lack of experience as “surreal,” oxygen in the air during and one that ultimately the Vinson summit,” she made her feel “more recalls. “I wanted to use connected to the world this climb in hopes that it than ever.” “Emotionally, would absorb in my body you get to the top, and you and I would have a better are filled with immense time on Tyree.” gratitude,” she says.

On New Year’s Eve, Drummond and her team of four Conquering Antarctica guides began the climb up Mt. Tyree.

Before traveling to Antarctica at the end Then on January 1, 2022, after 18 hours of of 2021, Drummond had successfully summited climbing (much sooner than the expected 24 hours), three of the Seven Second Summits and had Drummond became the first American woman unsuccessfully attempted to summit K2, but she and second woman ever to reach the summit of knew that climbing Antarctica’s Mt. Tyree would Mt.Tyree. “It was about 5,300 feet of climbing, and be a completely different experience. The first new we climbed 21 pitches total to reach the summit,” experience was the dramatic difference in daylight she says. “It was forecast to be –34 °C, yet the sun hours in the southernmost parts of Chile, where was out a lot during the climb, so it didn’t feel that she stayed before continuing to Antarctica. “The cold the whole time. While the ridge was sharp and sun officially rose at about 5 a.m., yet the beginsteep, the views were endless in all directions. It nings of sunrise in the sky began around 4 a.m. most days. The sunset does not set until around

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tested positive for COVID-19.

Therefore, flights were at a standstill until the crew could “This climb was about return from quarantine.

A Lesson in Patience teaching my kids that “We were still stuck at After the official summit Union Glacier for about and descent from Mt. Tyree, limitations are a belief six days with the crew in Drummond was once again system. We are the ones quarantine,” says Drummond. at the mercy of the weather, who usually get in our “However, ‘stuck’ is all a which determined when she matter of viewpoint. I saw it could finally begin her journey own way.” as still getting to experience home. Drummond and the Antarctica and all its glory. We group were able to fly back to took the time to connect by Union Glacier on on January 4, playing board games, going on hikes, and enjoying 2022, but they had to remain at that camp until the the time the best we could. It was the ultimate test next flight back to Chile was available. Drummond in patience, waiting for the flight to come and then received the news that the plane’s crew that travel back to Utah.” flies between Antarctica and Punta Arenas had was fun to see Vinson during the summit of Tyree as well.”

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Conquering Your “Personal Everest ”

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climbing the literal mountain or conquering your own personal challenge, it is important to identify what that persona looks like to you.

“Think about the movie The Incredibles or Batman or any of our superhero movies,” she says. “When they put on their super suits, they rise to the occasion. It helps to do the same thing when going after big goals. When my super suit is on, I become superhuman and achieve big things.”

A big mantra in Drummond’s Now that she has family is about conquering literally climbed your “personal Everest”—a Mt. Everest and is big goal you are trying to achieve. Now that she has well on her way to literally climbed Mt. Everest conquering all Seven and is well on her way to conquering all Seven Second Second Summits, Summits, Drummond’s advice Drummond’s advice to others seeking to conquer to others seeking their “personal Everest” is to “know your ‘why.’” She advises, to conquer their “Anticipate your weaknesses “personal Everest” is to and have motivational songs, quotes, and stories on speed Drummond’s next adventure will “know your ‘why.’” dial so you are equipped to be traveling to Canada to summit knock out any doubts at any Mt. Logan, another Seven Second time from different angles.

Summit, later this spring. She Mentally prepare.” will also make her second attempt to summit K2 this When preparing for her Everest journey, summer. You can follow Jenn Drummond’s journey on Drummond said that she had to come to underInstagram at @­boldbravebeautifullife or at her website, stand what type of person it was going to take ­boldbravebeautiful.com. to make it to the top. She calls this person her “Everest persona” and says that whether you are

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The National Ability Center:

Where “I Can” Lives

BY LORALI E P E A R C E PHOTO S CO URT ESY O F T H E N AT I O N AL AB I L I T Y C E N T E R ( EXCEPT W H ERE OT H E RW I S E N OT E D )

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n 1985, Meeche White and Pete Badewitz, a veteran of the Vietnam War, started Park City Handicapped Sports Association (PCHSA)—an organization that eventually became the National Ability Center (NAC). They built the organization from their home, and after receiving a grant from the Disabled American Veterans of Utah, they began providing ski lessons for veterans at the base of Park City Mountain. Over the decades, donors both known and anonymous have provided funding, support, and 26 acres of land located at Quinn’s Junction on the eastern edge of Park City. What began as a small outdoor adaptive program is now a world-renowned organization helping to transform the lives of thousands of people every year.

White and Badewitz weren’t the only ones with big ideas and dreams of changing lives by “challenging and expanding one’s notion of ability through meaningful outdoor adventure.”

In 1978, Splore founder Martha Ham and Ken Sleight Expeditions partnered up to host the first accessible rafting trip on the Green River. Then, in 2017, Splore and the NAC joined forces in order to provide a wider variety of activities. Today, Splore serves as the adaptive outdoor adventure arm of the NAC, offering a host of activities for people with different abilities, including a summer favorite: river rafting in Moab.

A n E x p e r i e n c e f o r E v e ryo n e Danny Glasser is the CEO of the National Ability Center, and he loves his job. In his role, he oversees more than 2,000 acres of trails, an equestrian center, a lodge for short-term stays, a multipurpose facility, an archery range, and partnership programs at both Jordanelle Reservoir and Deer Valley Resort. Although his job might be complicated, when asked about the overarching mission of the NAC, he puts it very simply: Our focus is to take a variety of different populations who are usually told, ‘No, it’s too hard to do that, we can’t make that work,’ and

we say, ‘Yes!’ We find a way to enable those populations to get out in the outdoors and enjoy what so many of us here in Utah love, which is to get out and about, experiencing the hills, the mountains, the ski slopes, and a lot of other places.

Like their motto says, “Whether you are a never-ever, an accomplished athlete, or somewhere in between, we welcome you, your family, and your friends.” Most of the NAC’s programs cater to those with a different ability or disability, and many have been designed with inclusion as a first priority.

But while the focus is simple, the industry has not always been friendly to participants who didn’t fit the traditional mold, which is why Glasser sees his work as vital to the community.

“It is transformative to watch our veteran population rediscover that which they were before an injury—to experience the adrenaline rush again,” says Glasser. “It is empowering to watch those who never had an opportunity, because they were governed by a different ability, to suddenly feel the thrill of skiing downhill, mountain biking, or camping and rock climbing with their family. It’s transforming to see them freed by it. To share in that discovery and experience is just wonderful. It’s amazing to see.”

What began as a small outdoor adaptive program is now a world-renowned organization helping to transform the lives of thousands of people every year.

A P a r a ly m p i c D r e a m One of the best things about the NAC is its training opportunities for Paralympic athletes. Orlando Perez is one such competitor, and he has a very simple message: “The National Ability Center saves lives.”

Perez was born and raised in Puerto Rico but found himself a parapalegic at age 19 after an accident during a United States military training exercise. “Serving in the military was something I always wanted to do,” he says. “I felt cheated because it got cut short.”

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equipment, almost anyone—no matter the disability, physical injury, or cognitive ability—can participate. The NAC’s current suite of gear ranges from monoskis to mountain bikes and everything in between, and if they don’t have it, they’ll get it. Glasser is adamant that the NAC will never turn anyone away. With the financial help of many generous donors, the organization will do everything they can to help provide the means for anyone, anywhere, to participate in their programs.

Spring/Summer 2022

A Community Experience The NAC’s usual clientele includes a host of different people. About 30 percent are veterans who often suffer from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, wounds from active combat, and amputations. Another third of the NAC’s participants are part of the neurodiverse community, who find themselves on the autism spectrum or suffer from ADHD or anxiety disorders. The rest of the group is made up of people who have conditions like multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy. “Often these people struggle with something that inhibits them from feeling comfortable to get out and into the outdoors,” Glasser explains. “The programs that we have are enabling those populations to experience different things.”

The National Abilities Center sees about 7,000 people and provides about 37,000 experiences each year, but those numbers aren’t only for individuals who are part of their underserved populations.

Because outdoor recreation is usually more fun with friends, Glasser and the NAC make community connections the center of their work, meaning families, friends, teammates, coaches, mentors, and volunteers are all encouraged to get involved.

For many families with a member who is disabled or has difficulty with traditional outdoor recreation experiences, participating in various activities can be daunting, challenging, and expensive, often creating situations where the family has to choose between each member doing something different or simply doing nothing at all.

But the NAC proves that isn’t the case. Because their facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art adaptive

“It is empowering

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to watch those who

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As he grappled with his new reality, Perez became depressed. “You feel less because you’re not able to do the things you used to,” he explains. “You have an idea of what you wanted to be, how life was going to look, but then that completely changes. Instead of me attacking life, it felt like life was attacking me.”

One day, while at the VA hospital, Perez saw an ad for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and decided to look into them, which resulted in him competing in wheelchair basketball for almost two decades. When he realized that his basketball career was coming to a close, he decided to take up skiing. After a brief stop in Colorado, where he met his wife, he headed to Utah, and after joining the National Ability Center, he made the United States Paralympic skiing team and competed in the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics.

Perez also made history as the first athlete to represent Puerto Rico in the Winter Paralympic Games, and he credits his coaches and the NAC with his success. “My coaches and the organization aren’t there for just a job. They really care about helping me individually and as an athlete,” he says.

And while Perez knows that it sounds “corny,” he really believes that the NAC saves people. “I think disability brings up fears about anxiety and depression that can lead to people ending their lives, but programs like the NAC help,” he says.

“I’ve lost so many friends to suicide. I wish they could have found programs like I found that took me out of it.”

Finding the Right Fit Andrew Haraghey, a two-time Paralympic athlete, has always loved being active. And the NAC has been paramount in helping him achieve his goals and make his dreams a reality.

After contracting viral encephalitis as an infant, Haraghey developed cerebral palsy in his legs. With limitations to his mobility, he tried to find a sport he loved, but none of them fit—until he found skiing. He discovered skiing when he was 8 years old and fell in love with it. Over the course of three years, Haraghey worked with his mother to build

never had an opportunity, because they were governed by a different ability, to suddenly feel the thrill of skiing downhill, mountain biking, or camping and rock climbing with their family.”

up endurance in his legs. “My mom would hold up a ski pole and I would hold on to the other end, and I’d drag her down the mountain,” he explains. “I slowly built up my strength, and one day I just let go of the pole and started going. I haven’t stopped since.” This hobby allows him to keep up with his friends. “It’s freeing,” he says. “I don’t feel limited when I ski.”

Haraghey moved to Utah when he was 14 and began working at the NAC to eventually join the Paralympic ski team, which he made in 2018 and in 2022. The organization helps him train five days a week, provides top-of-the-line equipment, and ensures that everyone stays active.

“Instead of going to physical therapy, I ski or mountain bike,” Haraghey explains. “In the disabled world, not being active can worsen the disability.

But getting outdoors or getting into recreation boosts your quality of life.”

When asked what advice he would offer to others, he stated, “There’s always some way to work around a disability and make it a positive opportunity. Not every disability means that there’s a negative outcome. Sometimes it just means that the outcomes are different or that you approach the problems differently.”

Something to Look Forward to Since the Paralympics may not be everyone’s goal, the NAC has lots of other programs for people who are looking to get outdoors—people like young Carter Johansen.

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When Carter was a toddler, he was diagnosed with Coffin-Siris syndrome, a condition that causes various degrees of intellectual disability, global developmental delay, and autism spectrum disorders. He also struggled with respiratory The National infections, ­plagiocephaly (flat Abilities head syndrome), torticollis (which causes a tilted neck), Center sees about and d ­ ysphagia (a condition that makes drinking liquids 7,000 people and difficult). It was during one provides about 37,000 of Carter’s many doctor’s appointments that his parents experiences each learned about the NAC, and year. specifically about their equine therapy program.

Because the gait of a horse mimics that of a human’s, equine therapy helps thing that we’ve seen because there has strengthen the core muscles in those who struggle been so much in his life that has been uncertain. with both upper and lower body disabilities.

For him to have this outlet where he can go that Brion Johansen, Carter’s father, remembers the is about Carter just enjoying being with the horse first month being difficult. “Carter loved the horses, and the volunteers and staff is just an awesome but he was very intimidated. They are big animals, experience.” and they make big noises and big movements,” he Brion sums up the National Ability Center says. But they kept at it, and eventually Carter grew this way: more comfortable around the animals. “Carter doesn’t have the massive anxiety anymore to get People who do this kind of work and dream up on the horse,” says Brion. “Now, his whole week is these types of programs—there’s not enough based on ‘What day is Token Day?’” of them. They’re like angels because there’s Much of Carter’s life has been full of poking and so much need that most of us don’t recognize. prodding, testing, being put under anesthesia, and It’s so easy to become wrapped up in our own other procedures that are uncomfortable, scary, lives and not see the need around us. To have and painful. Brion explains, “There are just a lot people who see and do something about those of things that he doesn’t do well with because he needs is just phenomenal. doesn’t understand or know if they are going to hurt. To see how that has morphed over the time we’ve been going to the NAC has really been life For more information about the National Ability Center, changing. I really think that it has helped Carter’s visit discovernac.org. ability to be able to approach things that are A d d i t i o n a l p h o t o c r e d i ts : unfamiliar, that he might view as difficult.”

P. 34 (full page) courtesy of Andrew Haraghey He continues, “There are definitely physical p. 35 (top right) courtesy of Brion Johansen benefits of being on the horse, but the confidence p. 35 (bottom right) by Luc Percival that has come from it is probably the best p. 37, 39 (skiers—far right) courtesy of Orlando Perez

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Spring/Summer 2022

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Transforming Futures One Person at a Time

page

THIS KIND OF A DIFFERENCE, IT MAKES ME WANT TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE FIND THEIR

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“IF MY ONE VOICE CAN MAKE

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VOICE, THEIR DIRECTION, THEIR CALLING.”

TOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE

THE JOB

Spring/Summer 2022

THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB D

Utah

Tessa White understands the power of transformation.

Having gone from being a struggling single mother to one of the country’s top career experts, she is now helping millions of people to create a35 career path that is brighter than they could have ever imagined.

BY DA N I E L L E WAG N E R

TOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE

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“People thought I was nuts—just absolutely crazy,” Tessa White says, laughing.

It was 2018. As an executive working with Fortune 50 companies, White had reached a pinnacle in her career, the height of her earning potential.

That’s when she decided to quit her job, reinvent her career, and start an ­unprecedented venture.

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A Leap of Faith

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“All of us have this list in our head. We say, ‘When I have time, I am going to do this or I am going to try that,’” she says. For White, that included writing a book and empowering people to determine their career paths instead of letting a company or circumstances determine it for them.

“I thought, ‘If it’s not now, it’s never,’” she says.

“I decided that making a difference in the world is more important to me than money, so I took that trade off.”

As an HR executive with decades of experience, White had a 360-degree view of the career stagnation and growth of hundreds of thousands of employees. “I get to see the back-room conversations. I get to see how the employee feels. I get to see what the manager is thinking,” White explains.

Through that experience, White witnessed how a

little preparation and knowledge can change the trajectory of careers.

“People just don’t understand what is really going on,” White says. “Nobody’s talking about it, and there’s a place for it. So I took the leap of faith.”

White decided to start those critical career conversations through corporate training, public speaking, business advising, and career coaching.

“I always thought it was going to be a choice between money and making a difference,” White says of her new career. “It’s not. They are not ­mutually exclusive. If my one voice can make this kind of a difference, it makes me want to help other people find their voice, their direction, their calling.”

The Power of One Voice

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought White’s speaking engagements and corporate trainings

WITHIN ONE YEAR, WHITE HAD MORE THAN HALF A MILLION SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS AND HAD BEEN FEATURED

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career field she loved, she was able to negotiate a salary that was $15,000 above her last salary because of White’s coaching and advice.

“That initial $15,000 difference makes a $300,000 impact to that mother’s lifetime earnings,” White explains. “If that money is invested, that difference could jump as high as one million dollars. Add on top of that increased confidence and career satisfaction, and that one job transforms everything for that mother and her children.”

She adds, “You take one single mother who has gone from, ‘I don’t even know that I can get a job’ to ‘I have a job and I have already gotten a raise’ or ‘I have a career path that will keep food on the table for my family,’ and that will keep you motivated to keep doing what you are doing.”

Empathy Through Experience

White is passionate about helping others build a career strategy because she has experienced firsthand the difference it can make.

Most of White’s followers would never guess that the story behind this put-together, outspoken executive included years of struggle and heartbreak.

From death and divorce to helping family through addiction and mental illness, White knows what it feels like to be beaten down and broken.

“There are a lot of ways my life went sideways, so I understand pain and I understand broken

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THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB D

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to a screeching halt, she began to reevaluate her business approach.

“Out of everything I do, I love working with individuals and helping them move their careers ahead the most,” White says. “The idea came to me to form The Job Doctor and to pivot from being a consultant with companies to being a consultant with individuals.”

While the nation was quarantining, White was busy building a website and remaking her company.

In the fall of 2020, White launched The Job Doctor, and, at the urging of her daughter Hannah Matthews, she began building her social media presence.

“My daughter said, ‘You should get on TikTok,’ and I said, ‘I can’t even log in to TikTok,’” White recalls with a laugh. But within 72 hours of posting career advice on this new social platform, White had 10,000 followers.

“I always knew if there was an outlet for her to spread her knowledge and give advice, then it would go viral,” says Matthews. “The only thing that surprised me was how many avenues it opened up.”

Within one year, White had more than half a million social media followers and had been featured by Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, Good Morning America, The Doctors, and countless other national outlets.

White found that no matter the platform, people were hungry for career advice, especially during such an uncertain time. “People during the pandemic were really having a hard time with careers and the shifting of industries and how to get a job.

So, it was the right idea at the right time that was born,” she says. “It went from being a business to being the way that I can do good in the world.”

White receives hundreds of messages every day from grateful followers telling her that they received a promotion, had the courage to change their career, or received a raise because of her advice.

“You don’t even realize the people you are impacting and changing,” White says. The power of those interactions grows exponentially. White shared a letter from a single mother who was terrified to reenter the workforce after a four-year break. Not only was this woman able to enter a new

“THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS MY LIFE WENT SIDEWAYS, SO Spring/Summer 2022

I UNDERSTAND PAIN AND I

UNDERSTAND BROKEN

VERY WELL.”

TOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE

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38 DREAMS VERY,

THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB D

TOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE

THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB D

Looking back at what it was like to be raised by a successful executive, Matthews says, “She saw our potential and was always striving to get us there.”

White balanced education with fun. Matthews remembers White taking them to Toys “R” Us when she would get a raise, playing Pokemon, and dressing up in a shark costume to scare her children and neighbors. She also remembers family nights filled with mock interviews and resume building.

White admits, “I may not have been the mother who made cookies, but I was the mother who taught my children how to invest in the stock market.”

Matthews has seen the ways her mother has taken her own struggles in the workplace and channeled those toward making a better world for her children and for future generations. When Matthews told her mother that she wanted to be president of the United States, White would support her, buy her books, and help her map a plan to get there. When Matthews would change her mind and decide to become an archaeologist, White would again support her, buy her books, and help her map a plan to get there. That drive to help people achieve their potential and forge their own path is what fuels White today.

Women comprise 44 percent of the labor force in Utah. In fact, a higher percentage of Utah women participate in the labor force than the national average. Yet, the median annual earnings for a full-time female worker in Utah is $39,061 compared to $54,845 for men. For both employed and unemployed workers in Utah, women have the highest poverty rates across the board.

White witnesses these statistics in action daily in the lives of the women and single mothers she mentors. That’s why White stresses the importance of every woman receiving an education and having access to resources that will allow them to excel in the workplace, no matter their chosen path.

“I dropped out of school at 19 to get married and raise a family,” White says. “I never anticipated that I would become a working single mother, and I was told I would never have a good job.”

But White made the sacrifices and defied expectations to build a better life for herself and her family. And she continues to volunteer her time to help future generations.

White sits on the advisory boards for Utah State University’s Huntsman School of Business, Utah Valley University Women’s Center, and Dahlia’s Hope, a center that helps sex-trafficking victims rebuild their lives.

“As a single mom, there weren’t many resources readily available to her, and I think it is amazing that she spends so much of her time giving back to ensure the next generation of women in the workforce are prepared,” White’s daughter Hannah Matthews says. “She taught me feminism without ever using the word. For women, she shows that you can do anything.”

Source: jobs.utah.gov

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Accomplishing the Impossible

Empowering Women in Utah’s Workforce

39 White’s role as The Job Doctor has provided her with a platform to share her message and continue improving the workplace for millions around the world. But this is only the beginning.

Utah

dreams very, very well,” she says. “The fact that I came out the other side is what gives me confidence when I help other people who feel like they can’t rise above their circumstances.”

She continues, “I made so many life-altering decisions between the ages of 19 and 23 without knowing the impact it would have, so I have a very sweet spot for helping young people and helping single mothers get started on the right foot and make good decisions.”

That’s why White uses social media to reach that demographic in a way and with a message that resonates with them. “They want to get their information fast and furious,” she says. “Social media provides this perfect platform to give them exactly what they need, which is the CliffsNotes on careers. If I could reach out and help every single young person start on the right foot, I would.”

“I LOVE PROVING PEOPLE WRONG. IF I STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN AND CONTINUE TO JUST TAKE ONE STEP EVERY DAY TOWARD WHAT I WANT TO DO OR BECOME, THE UNIVERSE SEEMS TO SUPPORT IT AND FIND ME.”

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R + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR

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“I am uncomfortable every single day,” White says. “I am finding that personally having my brain always firing and learning new things so fast that I can hardly take it in is incredibly fulfilling.” This new growth has helped White learn to dream bigger at a time when many people are happy to settle in their careers.

But Tessa White is preparing to accomplish the impossible. “People telling me that something is impossible has always made me tick. I love proving people wrong,” she says. “If I step into the unknown and continue to just take one step every day toward what I want to do or become, the universe seems to support it and find me.”

Some exciting developments include White’s recently launched 12-week mentoring courses as well as a new book scheduled to release in the fall of 2022 titled The Lies That Got You Here: How to Reclaim Your Work Satisfaction. These are a few of the many ways White hopes she can leave people “armed with knowledge” and empowered to improve their lives.

About the exciting future she has planned for her business, White says, “I have seen so many dreams come to pass over the last year that I am certain that I can get there.”

One certainty about that future is that White will continue to help others build better careers and lives. White loves the Joseph Campbell quote,

TOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE

THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTO

TOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE

THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB D

THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB DOCTOR + THE JOB D

“Follow your bliss. Find where it is, and don’t be afraid to follow it.”

She says, “I found my bliss, and I am trying to help other people do the same because I do not think life has to be miserable. I do not think our jobs and our careers have to be miserable. I think there’s a better way.”

The Job Doctor’s 10 Career Commandments • • • • • • • • • •

Never be more loyal to a company than it can be to you.

Results are your greatest currency.

Your manager’s perception of you is reality.

Money goes to those who ask, not to those who wait.

Promises that aren’t in writing aren’t promises.

Your job description isn’t the roadmap to success.

You’re only as relevant as your last accomplishment.

If you aren’t clear on your value proposition, the company definitely won’t be.

When you go is when you grow.

The language of business is numbers. Speak it.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's

2022

A Sundance Mountain Resort Presentation in Partnership with Utah Valley University

July 21 AUG 13 S U N D A N C E R E S O R T. C O M

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e t v h o e b Violence

When Samson Phommabout and Levi Lieske were just young boys, they were lured into a gang life filled with violence, death, and prison time.

But with hard work and determination, these two former gang members have turned their lives around by creating successful businesses and giving back to their community.

By Carrie Snider and Megan Pickett

Seeking Revenge

or

Samson Phommabout, the dark part of his life started as early as elementary school. Growing up in the “bad part of town” near Salt Lake City, he was surrounded by gangs. As the only Asian in his school, he was also a prime target for bullies.

“I just ignored it. Then they started trying to fight me. I’m like, ‘All right, cool. Let’s go. I’m never going to back down,’” Phommabout recalls.

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Fighting for Respect

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Once the fighting started, it never stopped.

“Every time I fought, I got more respect,” says Phommabout. Fighting was his way to protect himself and gain friends. Why would he stop?

Then the gangs hit closer to home. His sister married a gang member, so Phommabout officially joined the gang when he was 15 years old. The violence continued to escalate.

One man in particular started threatening to beat up or kill him. When the time came, Phommabout was ready with a few friends. “I caught him at Valley Fair Mall one day. We beat him up so badly that he ended up in the hospital,” he says.

Soon after, rivals came for revenge.

Phommabout and his friend were drinking outside near their homes when a van pulled up and started shooting. “I was ducking, dodging bullets,” he remembers. “I could even hear the bullets flying past my ear. Then I turned around, and I saw my friend down. He got shot seven times—six in the chest and one right through the chin.”

Despite Phommabout’s best efforts, his friend didn’t survive the ordeal. “His last words were ‘help me,’ but there was nothing I could do.”

In an effort to avenge the death of his friend, Phommabout immersed himself in gang life. Even the birth of his son didn’t stop Phommabout from getting more entangled in that world, and he was soon arrested in Iowa for transporting drugs across several states. The case was thrown out because of an illegal search, but the thought of being so close to long-term prison time scared him.

“I was like, ‘Man, I’ve got to change my life.

I could have been gone for 10 years,’” he says.

“Every time I fought, I got more respect.” —samson phommabout With outstanding warrants back in Utah, Phommabout went home and turned himself in.

After some negotiation, rather than serving three years, he was sentenced to three months in jail.

“Not being there for my son was really making me sad and hurt. I got out, and I was like, ‘I ain’t never going back. I’ve got to change. I am never going to have my son see me in jail through the windows again,’” he recalls. So, he told his family and fellow gang members that he wanted out. Thankfully, they respected his decision.

Now, the question was, what would he do with his life? Who could he turn to now?

Same Gang, Different Story

Levi Lieski was in the same gang, but his story is a little different.

A few years older than Phommabout, Lieski grew up in the 1990s in Ogden, where he constantly got into trouble—to the point that he was placed in foster care. Being taken away from his family and the life he knew was incredibly difficult.

“To be stripped from that, a lot of darkness came into my life—a lot of anger and confusion,” Lieski explains. “Every single one of my foster

and having kids. But he wasn’t sure how to get there. He had made friends in prison, so the cycle continued. “I started selling drugs to survive. And it was so crazy because deep down inside, I wanted to change my life, but my social group was so sick with criminality,” he says.

Things turned from bad to worse when Lieski picked up a keg of beer and 100 pills of ecstasy for a party. As he was sitting in front of his house, his parole officer showed up and searched the car.

The keg and the drugs, along with a gun that was hidden under the hood, were grounds to charge Lieske with a federal crime.

“At this moment, my whole family had come outside. My sisters were crying, my mom was crying,” he recalls. “I was so egotistical at this time. I was such a hardened criminal.” Lieski was sentenced to seven and a half years at Florence Colorado Penitentiary. That’s when it really hit him—he didn’t want this life.

“I started selling drugs to survive. And it was so crazy because deep down inside, I wanted to change my life, but my social group was so sick with criminality.”

—levi lieski

His fourth day in prison, Lieski witnessed someone get stabbed almost 40 times. “I don’t know how he didn’t die,” he says.

Lieski was transferred to Victorville, California, where he was held in a 23-hour lockdown regimen for seven and a half months. He was only allowed one hour outside of his cell, which was a cage outside. During those months, he got into drawing, reading, and meditation—which ultimately helped him change his mindset.

When he was released from prison, the now almost-30-year-old Lieski wanted to make a real change in his life. But he encountered obstacles at every turn. “The world isn’t set up for anyone to really succeed once you have ruined your life to that level,” he says. “I was a two-time felon living in California. I got away from my friends because

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Choosing a New Path

45 Utah

brothers was in a gang, and it wasn’t no ‘Twitter fingers.’ You had to physically fight your bullies.

And because of that, I had to man up in a sense.

I had to tuck the child away.”

Lieski’s foster brothers welcomed him with open arms and provided the love and protection that he craved, so he decided that gang life must be for him. He saw violence, though not quite as extreme as Phommabout, who was younger and joined the same gang eight years later.

At age 18, Lieski drove a car while a friend shot a .22-caliber to intimidate some people who had wronged him. Luckily, nobody was hit by the bullets, but Lieski was sentenced to three years in prison for driving the vehicle.

When Lieski got out of prison at 21 years old, he had a hard time breaking away from gang life.

He dreamed of getting a good job, getting married,

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Shortly after getting out of prison, Lieski ran into Phommabout. They were hesitant to talk to each other because they wanted to let go of their pasts. that’s what I needed to do, but I didn’t know how to make a change.”

For a time, Lieske was homeless and sleeping in a car, still refusing to go back to his friends and the old life he had before. Then one day, he passed a homeless man on the corner holding a sign—an experience that changed his life.

“I caught his eyes, and at that moment, I saw myself in him,” Lieske recalls. “It broke me down.

And it was at this vital moment that I learned forgiveness—self-forgiveness. And by forgiving my past, I was able to destroy that table and let go of all that was on it,” he explains. “I broke down crying and said, ‘From this moment on, I am only living with this new table. I’m only going to put things I’m grateful for on it.’”

Changing Their Lives, Together

Shortly after getting out of prison, Lieski ran into Phommabout. They were hesitant to talk to each other because they wanted to let go of their pasts.

But Lieski had heard that Phommabout was doing well and had even become a pro mixed martial arts and Jiu-Jitsu fighter.

The two former gang members went to dinner and started making plans for the future—plans to make their lives better. And they followed through.

That’s exactly what Phommabout and Lieski are doing. And the sky’s the limit with the next phase of their lives.

Lieski believes in the innate power people have to manifest good or bad in their lives. “If I had the power to manifest something so dark and so hurtful, how high would I have gone with that same amount of energy, but on a positive note? Would I be a multi-billionaire? Would I be an inspiration to the world?” The answer is yes, he adds.

That means that he and Phommabout, together, have the power to change their lives—and the lives of others. And they’re both hopeful about what the future holds. “I’m really excited,” Lieski says. “We are both at this turning point in our lives and in our careers.”

“I’m very lucky to have Levi as one of my friends to be here for us to keep on going in positive ways,” says Phommabout. “We want to use our life stories to change other people’s life stories—to give them motivation and determination to keep on fighting through those adversities, through those hard times. We want to motivate others to push forward and stay positive.”

To see where their lives and careers take them, follow Samson Phommabout at @union_barbershopSLC and Levi Lieske at @lv1tattoos.

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“Surround yourself with people who are going to build you up, give you light, and give you energy to follow your passion.”

—samson phommabout

47 Utah

Since that day, they have each made 180-degree turns. Their lives are no longer filled with violence and revenge and worrying about prison. Instead, they have hope.

They have since each created their own businesses next to each other in Salt Lake City.

Lieski opened a tattoo shop called LV1Tattoos, and Samson opened Union Barbershop. Being so close by has allowed them to support each other as they change their lives for the better. Having someone who knows what it was like, but also is a good influence now, has been essential to remaining committed to their new direction in life.

Their new lives have exploded with positivity, and they owe it to their new focus. “I have made the decision to only count my blessings,” says Lieski. “I have reconnected with my family. I have literally traveled the world as a tattoo artist.” In fact, he’s visited Indonesia, Italy, Norway, and the UK. He even met famous motivational speaker Tony Robbins.

“We went through adversity with each other in our own lives,” Phommabout says, “but we set each other back up, and we continue to change our lives and help other people. Levi changed his life through tattoos, and I changed my life through MMA and barbering.”

Phommabout even volunteers some of his barbering time by cutting hair for at-risk youth. During those haircuts, he’s able to connect with them and help them reflect on what they want their lives to be like. He urges them to surround themselves with good people instead of friends who hold them back.

“I always tell the kids, ‘You’ve got to move on. Keep yourself so busy that you don’t even have time for them. Surround yourself with people who are going to build you up, give you light, and give you energy to follow your passion.”

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Helping Pets Through “Ruff” Times When unforeseen circumstances leave a family without a home, some of those hit the hardest are our little friends with fur, feathers, or scales. Thanks to Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, pet owners who are experiencing a crisis can now find a safe place for their beloved animals to stay until the storm passes. BY M I CHAE L YO U N G

R

uff Haven Crisis Sheltering is on a mission to help vulnerable animals through difficult times by making sure they have a place to stay. Their slogan is “Keeping pets with their people,” which they achieve by providing temporary foster care for pets while their owners look for new housing. This takes an important responsibility off

the pet owner’s plate and assures that the animals will be well taken care of in the meantime.

Marissa Hernandez is one of the co-founders of Ruff Haven and the current director of operations.

Before Ruff Haven, she owned a boarding facility and had many low-income people ask for help.

One of her first clients was a woman with dogs who

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49 Utah

already had a good home,” she says. “They only asked for help taking care of the dogs while she needed to be watched for a month or two so that found a permanent place to live. they didn’t have to go to a new home.”

In January of 2020, Hernandez and the other Volungis started fostering pets in January 2021 founders began organizing and then hit the ground and has had at least one foster dog about 90 percent running later that summer. “There has been a lot of the time—about six or seven in the course of a of demand during the pandemic,” Hernandez says. year. The shortest stay was only three days long That’s because the pandemic has caused a rise in while the longest lasted for more than four months. housing instability due to disruptions in employment, which has likewise led to an uncertain future After having a dog in your home for so long, it is easy to grow attached. But for many beloved pets.

Volungis explains, “It is easier Most of the pets taken in to let these dogs go because I are dogs and cats of various know that they have a loving breeds, but, depending on the The pandemic has home to go back to. Most of situation, Ruff Haven can also caused a rise in these animals have been with place a variety of other small their original owners their animals as well. “We once took housing instability entire lives. It is so much in a ferret, and my daughter due to disruptions in better than having to put them takes in reptiles,” Hernandez employment, which up for adoption.” explains. “But sometimes it is Volungis encourages hard to find vets who can help has likewise led to an those who like the idea to care for these small animals.” uncertain future for apply to be a foster caregiver.

A typical foster contract is many beloved pets.

Because the pets come from written up for 60 days, but they established homes, they are can extend up to 90 days or usually housebroken, trained, even further if the client shows and well loved, which makes a specific need. Hernandez them much easier to look after. “It’s a short-term gave the example of a wheelchair-bound veteran commitment,” Volungis says. “And it’s a huge help who had to wait for government agencies to to people and their animals.” approve funding for his housing. “The typical stay In order to apply, applicants must simply fill out is about 30 to 40 days,” she says. “And it has been the online application at ruffhaven.org. A represenmy experience that people usually do their best to tative from Ruff Haven will then reach out within get their animals back.” a few days to gather some additional information.

They want to make sure they are sending pets that Foster Volunteers are a good fit for the homes and lifestyles of their Lisa Volungis is a foster volunteer who takes in pets foster families. For example, if your health doesn’t in crisis. She has been a dog lover for many years permit you to run around with a high-energy dog, and has three of her own. “I’ve taken in everything they will make sure not to send you one. “They from 5-pound dogs to 150-pound dogs,” she says. want to make sure you are comfortable with what “Right now, I’m fostering a senior chihuahua.” you are getting into,” Volungis says.

Before meeting up with Ruff Haven, Volungis Foster volunteers also sign an agreement to had been working with another rescue operation provide transportation to and from appointments, for homeless pets for more than a decade. During while Ruff Haven coordinates any vet visits that this time, she saw people losing their pets permaa pet might need during their stay with the foster nently when they were temporarily unable to care caregiver. for them. These pets were sent to entirely new While the pandemic has necessitated mostly homes, causing trauma to both the pet and the online interactions, the organization is moving original owner. “I didn’t want to rehome pets that

forward with quarterly in-person meetings for foster volunteers to talk about new opportunities, address concerns, and allow foster caregivers to meet each other. The central office in Salt Lake City is also a repository for pet supplies and pet professionals that foster families can use.

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From Client to Board Member

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50

She reached out to Ruff Haven as the date when she had to be out of her old house rapidly approached.

On the last day before she would have been forced to take her cats to a shelter, Ruff Haven contacted her and found a foster home.

After a few months, Payne was reunited with her cats, and a few months later, she heard about an opening in the Ruff Haven board of directors. They especially wanted to bring on people who had been through the foster experience so they could get their unique perspectives.

Lexey Payne, a former client of Ruff Haven, now serves on “There are tons of the organization’s board of places that help you directors. While living with two beloved cats, Payne expegive your pet up for rienced a personal crisis that adoption, but I don’t resulted in the need to find Staying Connected think there is anyone a new home. While she was For those who need assistance, between living accommodaPayne describes the process else who is doing what tions, she desperately looked as straightforward. It usually Ruff Haven is doing. for a place for her cats to stay entails filling out a form There were so many in the meantime. Wondering if on Ruff Haven’s website, there was a shelter who could but the nonprofit also has permanent solutions, help her, she combed through representatives monitoring and I didn’t want the search results on Google. their Facebook and Instagram “I ended up on the hundredth accounts to respond to something permanent.” page of a Google search trying emergency messages as well. to find a place. There are tons The application provides them of places that help you give with information about the pet your pet up for adoption, but I don’t think there is owner and their pets so they can make sure to find anyone else who is doing what Ruff Haven is doing. the best fit for the animals.

There were so many permanent solutions, and I While animals are in foster homes, the original didn’t want something permanent.” owner is assigned an ambassador from Ruff Haven.

The ambassador checks in once a week with the

For those who want to support Ruff Haven, Payne has several suggestions. “Every little bit goes a long way,” she says. “It only takes a few dollars a day to take care of a pet.” In addition to direct donations, she says that they also need volunteers to walk the dogs that are staying at the facility in Salt Lake City or to help clean out the cat facilities there. For those who shop on amazon.com or ­chewy.com, they have

To donate, volunteer, or get help, visit ruffhaven.org.

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A Little Goes a Long Way

dedicated links that allow a part of your purchases to be automatically donated to Ruff Haven.

“We want to expand to more communities in Utah,” Payne says. She describes the various community outreach programs Ruff Haven puts on throughout the year. These include hosting pet vaccination clinics throughout the state and opening their facilities for people to bring their pets in to be cared for by professional vets and pet groomers.

They also visit unsheltered encampments with a vet to help take care of animals living there.

Hernandez says that she enjoys the work, but she knows who the real heroes are. “The real heroes are the people who are working hard to get their animals back.”

51 Utah

owner, providing any updates and seeing to any needs. The ambassador can relay photos and videos of the pets to the owner, though the identity of both the owner and foster volunteer are kept private. For dogs of the right temperament, owners can come visit their pets at the shelter Dogs All Day in Salt Lake City to help ease the pain of being separated.

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How Adam Nugent Lost 120 Pounds For most of his life, Adam Nugent turned to food to cope with his emotions, and as his ­unhappiness grew, so did his clothing size. Here’s how he completely transformed—both ­physically and mentally. BY JAM I E AR MST R O N G

I

t all started when Adam Nugent was 9 years old.

“My parents noticed that I had been gaining weight, so the pediatrician recommended that they give me a jogger trampoline to encourage me to exercise more,” he recalls.

Unfortunately, that gesture only led Nugent to feel self-conscious about his body for the first time in his young life. He developed an increasingly unhealthy relationship with food and continued gaining weight throughout junior high and high school.

A Vicious Cycle

“I’d starve myself or go on the HCG diet to get my weight After high school, Nugent “Food controlled me, just down. But then I’d put it right was able to lose a significant like alcohol controls back on,” he says. “I felt bad amount of weight. “I worked about myself, and I would out like crazy until I was 21,” an alcoholic. The use food to cope and to numb he says. But then life became difference is that you the pain. Then afterward, I more complicated and more would feel even worse. The stressful. “All of the sudden, I can give up alcohol, but truth is that I felt like a zombie. was dealing with the stresses you can’t give up food.

Looking back, I didn’t even of college and dating. Then You have to have some realize that I was in that cycle.”

I got sick with mono, and I Nugent compares his past turned back to food to cope. I interaction with it.” relationship with food to that got even heavier than I was of other addictions. “Food before.” controlled me, just like alcohol Like countless others who controls an alcoholic,” he says. “The difference is struggle with their weight, Nugent resorted to that you can give up alcohol, but you can’t give up crash diets. food. You have to have some interaction with it.”

He continues, “I’d look at other people and wonder, ‘How can they stop eating?’ I was even jealous of my kids. They’re like, ‘I’m full.’ But I would constantly eat—even when I wasn’t hungry.

And often, I didn’t even realize I was eating.”

Nugent recognized that before he could succeed at losing weight, he needed to heal himself from the inside. So, he started seeing a therapist and a life coach. “My therapist asked multiple times, ‘Do you even feel worthy of love?’ and I couldn’t answer

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Healing from the Inside Out

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Facing the Mirror

Three years ago, Nugent’s weight peaked at 342 pounds.

“It was hard to look at that person in the mirror.

I hated myself,” he says. “I had just gone through a divorce. I was alone, and I didn’t believe anyone could want me.”

Nugent’s “lightbulb moment” came after a triggering phone call from his ex-wife. “She hung up the phone, and I just started to eat,” he remembers. “When I ran out of food, I called DoorDash and ordered even more food. When it was all said and done, I just started crying. I realized how much I was using food as a crutch. I finally reached that breaking point where it hurt so much that I decided I was going to change—no matter how hard it was.”

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to other people. “If I say I’m the question,” he says. “I had going to do something for a serious lack of self-love, “I needed to heal someone else, I do my best to and I didn’t believe that I was my inside and my show up for them,” he says. enough.”

“Why wouldn’t I show up the Nugent’s life coach assigned outside—they are same way for me?” him mirror work—the practice both connected. It’s Nugent recommends of looking at your reflection in the inner work that creating a support system the mirror and telling yourself and telling others about your positive affirmations. “I was matters more than goals so they can help hold supposed to say things like, ‘I anything.” you accountable. He adds, am beautiful,’ but it didn’t “Morning rituals are also key. resonate for me. I couldn’t say Create one that will set you up it at first, so I’d write it, but I for success and then stick with it.” didn’t really believe it,” Nugent shares. “Then I’d look in the mirror and say it. It was so hard that sometimes I had tears streaming down my face.”

2. Meditate and breathe.

But Nugent was diligent. “As I started this “Guided meditations are great, and it’s easy to journey of self-discovery, I slowly healed on the find specific ones about weight loss,” he says. inside and really got in tune with my emotions,” he “Meditation helps me release the energy tied to says. “It exponentially enhanced what I was able to other people so I can get in alignment with myself. do physically. It exponentially enhanced my ability It clears the noise in my mind and helps me to to form a new relationship with food.” focus.”

Nugent also does a lot of breathwork—­ intentional breathing exercises to reduce stress, A Complete Transformation release emotions, and balance mind and body.

Over the past three years, Nugent has lost 120 “When I get in tune with my breath, I release things pounds by gradually and consistently changing his that aren’t serving me,” he says. habits and his mindset. “I needed to heal my inside (Conscious Breathing Workbook by Holly Semanoff and my outside—they are both connected. It’s the is a great place to start.) inner work that matters more than anything,” he says. “A lot of us hold on to trauma from our past, and until we release it, it’s going to continue to 3. Keep a daily gratitude journal. show up.”

“I have a gratitude journal, and I write it every day.

So, what is Nugent’s advice for succeeding on It’s one of the quickest and most effective ways to your own weight-loss journey? Here are five habits improve my mood,” says Nugent. “I specifically that have made all the difference for him. express gratitude for what’s bothering me. It shifts the energy around it and helps give me perspective.”

1. Ask yourself questions and hold yourself accountable.

According to Nugent, success starts with becoming more self-aware. “I ask myself questions like, ‘Am I hungry, or do I just want to eat? Is this going to help me? Is this worth it? What else can I do besides eat?’

If I am hungry, then I get to choose with intention the types of foods that I put into my body. We are always in choice,” he explains.

Nugent also believes that honoring his word to himself is just as important as honoring his word

4. Stop the negative self-talk and use “I am” statements.

“Thoughts are powerful. You are what you think you are,” Nugent says. “I used to beat myself up: ‘You’re so weak. You can’t do it. You’re an idiot.’ But if I wouldn’t say it to somebody else, why on earth would I say it to myself?”

Nugent has replaced the negative self-talk with “I am” statements that include qualities that are important to him. “I write down ‘I am’ statements

“Thoughts are powerful.

You are what you think you are.”

“My weight still fluctuates from time to time, but it’s not a sprint—it’s a marathon,” says Nugent. “Give yourself time. I had to keep telling myself, ‘You spent years getting to this point. It’s not going to be an instant fix.’ It’s a continual effort that comes down to being consistent and being intentional.”

Nugent also encourages others not to dwell on past mistakes. “I’ve learned that I’m not going to be perfect all the time, and that’s okay,” he says. “Like

Continuing the Journey

Nugent’s journey is far from over, and he is confident that his best days are ahead of him.

“I’ve completely transformed my body. I’ve done a ton of work. And the amount of love that I have for myself, I know with certainty that I will never go back,” he says. “I’m excited to take it to the next level and see what else my body can do.”

He adds, “All my successes have come when I pushed myself. Magic happens when we’re outside of our comfort zone.”

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5. Be patient and give yourself grace.

everyone, there will be times when I have a bad day, a bad week, maybe even a bad month. But I don’t hold myself in the past. That was yesterday. Focus on today.”

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every day, so when I have negative thoughts, they might be there for a minute, but I don’t let them stay,” he says.

“Now, I can look in the mirror and say: ‘I am beautiful. I am enough. I am worthy of love.’

Because I know that I am.”

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Choosing Kindness: One City’s Unique Initiative

In the heart of Utah County, one city is making kindness a core part of its culture. Choosing kindness in Pleasant Grove is in style year round, but especially during February—the city’s official Choose Kindness Month. BY M I C H A E L YO U N G

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n early 2017, pro basketball sensation Jimmer Fredette was living in China when he became friends with Greg Cook, one of the founders of the essential oils company dōTERRA. As their friendship progressed, Fredette told Cook about some of the anti-bullying initiatives Fredette had

helped foster in Provo and Idaho. Cook loved the idea, and the two decided it would be a good time to expand the initiative but with a focus on schools.

Together, they gathered school principals, business leaders, and community leaders to form the Choose Kindness organization in Pleasant Grove.

Teaching Kindness in Schools

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The assembly is called “Kindness Is Our Superpower,” “I love how the and members of the Kindness A Community Effort Club come dressed up as Brooklin Burns was Miss Kindness Club is so superheroes. For many of Pleasant Grove in 2019 and involved with the these assemblies, Fredette continued her role in 2020 community as well makes an appearance to because of the pandemic. As inspire the students. The part of her public outreach as the high school! I assembly focuses on strategies campaign, she created a love going to all the to promote kindness, such nonprofit organization called elementary schools as encouraging students to The Ripple Effect, which is enlarge their circle of friends focused on promoting acts and seeing the big and finding lonely kids so they of kindness. (To learn more, smiles on everyone’s can be included. visit ­thepositiverippleeffect.com Many of the students love or follow the.ripple_effect on faces as we teach about to be involved. Lydia Gabbard, Instagram.) spreading kindness.” a student at Pleasant Grove Burns teaches a kindness High School, says, “I love lesson to the high school how the Kindness Club is so clubs, and then the high school involved with the community as well as the high students teach these lessons in local elementary school! I love going to all the elementary schools schools. and seeing the big smiles on everyone’s faces as we “The high school kids see the impact they make teach about spreading kindness.” on these younger kids,” she says. “They are getting “Kindness Club is amazing because it gives me those good feels.” multiple opportunities to spread and teach kindAt the high school level, the Kindness Club ness in ways that work with my schedule! There are holds assemblies at elementary schools throughout enough activities we participate in that everyone the school year and organizes monthly events. gets a chance to help often. I’ve liked being able

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Charlene Day took on the key leadership role of Pleasant Grove’s Choose Kindness organization in 2019 and has worked closely with various schools and their Parent Teacher Associations.

“Each school does things a little differently,” she says. “Usually, they prepare a monthly lesson to promote kindness and have an activity throughout the school year, such as creating a kindness paper chain.”

For these chains, students and staff write down kind things they have done for people on a slip of paper. They then staple the ends together in a loop that can be added as a link in a growing chain. By the end of the school year, the chain wraps around the entire school. Each school also created an official Kindness Club to help coordinate charitable efforts. Currently, every school in Pleasant Grove is participating in the Choose Kindness initiative.

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Day adds, “Kindness can impact people in individual ways, and they don’t have to look the same from everyone.”

Burns approached the mayor and Pleasant Grove city council to propose the idea of a month of kindness. They thought it was a great concept, and the mayor made it official. Together, the Choose Kindness organization and The Ripple Effect created several activities surrounding Choose Kindness Month and spearheaded school assemblies to teach students about kindness. There is a different invitation or challenge for each day, which the schools announce on a daily basis. Members of the community can follow along with the calendar posted on the Choose Kindness website.

“The whole Choose Kindness movement in our “We are in such a town has just been perfectly state of ‘My way is timed,” says city council memright,’ and having ber Dianna Andersen. “We are in such a state of ‘My way this town focus on is right,’ and having this town just the awareness of focus on just the awareness of being kind has lifted being kind has lifted everyone.”

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to help with some of our school’s blood drives and even donating in it myself, making a difference to someone whether they knew it or not,” says Alexandra Harding from the Pleasant Grove High School Kindness Club. “One of my favorite memories is when we went to an elementary school everyone.” and taught about the power of kindness. It was really fun going to different classrooms while wearing superhero capes as we discussed some of the many ways you can be kind. You don’t have to be in a club to be kind, but it’s nice to be surrounded by other people who are being kind!”

Making an Impact

Day has seen firsthand the impact that these assemblies have had on students.

“There was one girl, Katelyn, who was mute by choice when she came to school,” she recalls. “After Brooklin came to teach lessons, she started to warm up and started to stand by her and started to talk to her. The first time they went to the assembly, she just stood there. The second time, she sang the song they were learning. It helped her to share kindness with others even though it was hard for her. It was a sweet little miracle.”

A Month of Kindness

Choose Kindness Month begins with a kickoff event for the community. This year, Cosmo the Cougar, the Brigham Young University mascot, made an appearance, as did the local fire department with their fire trucks. At the end of the month, they wrap everything up with a community service project.

One year, the Kindness Clubs at the high schools collected donated socks for people in need, such as refugees and the homeless. Last year, they made blankets and cards for hospital patients.

This year, in conjunction with the organization Housing Connect in Salt Lake City, local schools did a service project for refugees. This entailed putting together packages for refugee families, including personal and cleaning supplies for the adults and books and games for the children. They then bundled everything together in baskets and distributed them to refugees who are trying to get on their feet.

The ideas that Pleasant Grove has put into place are starting to spread, and other Utah schools have reached out to ask how they run their program.

Recently, Bountiful High School held a kindness assembly, and afterward the high school launched a kindness week and a program of kindness clips, where students write something nice on a clothespin and then pin it on a backpack of another student. The hope is that this trend will continue to grow, creating not only a community but an entire state that has kindness at its core.

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Spreading Kindness

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Several local businesses and residents have joined in as well.

Zeke Perry, owner of Zeke’s Daylight Donuts, saw the announcement about the refugee service project and came to a donation site with a big box of games and books and a $100 bill.

During Choose Kindness Month, local resident David Hartle, with the help of Choose Kindness, wanted to make a visual reminder that everyone in town could see. Together, they backpacked up the mountain and created an enormous red heart out of solar lights that shone all month long.

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Helping Families with Missing Loved Ones Find Closure

Two self-professed “tech nerds” with hearts of gold use their unique approach to deploy drones in planned, effective search operations. The result is finding the unfindable.

BY CAR R IE S NID E R | P HOTOS COU RTE SY O F WE ST E R N STAT E S A E R I A L SE A R C H

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t first, drones were just a hobby for Greg Nuckolls and James Badham. Over the years, the Utah men have honed their skills and put their unique perspectives to work as they use the technology. Now, their drone hobby has turned into much more as they have found meaning in

helping others by doing detailed aerial searches for missing people.

Nuckolls began tinkering with drones a number of years ago, and in that time he’s become somewhat of an expert on the nuts and bolts of how drones work. Badham’s interest in drones has centered more on aerial photography.

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Another problem the two noticed was that many The two met a few years times drones would be ago when a call came for flying at different altitudes drone hobbyists to assist depending on the spot. in searching for a missing The variance in height, person. When the terrain from nearly 300 feet above of a search area is extra the ground to only 50 feet rugged, it can be difficult above the ground, made it for people to search on nearly impossible to use the foot. Helicopter searching photo footage later. can be effective but over “There was no consistency time may be too expensive of scale,” says Badham. As a to continue. Drones have the result, it would be hard to use a potential to offer help in a unique photo to easily direct a foot searcher to way—and the two men had the skills to a specific spot on the ground. make it all happen.

Clearly, they needed to go to After the men’s initial the drawing board and create meeting and search experia process that would provide a ence, Nuckolls asked Badham When the terrain of a targeted search. to join him on another missing search area is extra So, Nuckolls and Badham person search. At this point put their heads together. They in the missing person’s case, rugged, it can be pulled up their chairs and the person had been missing difficult for people spent time finding solutions. for some time, and it was to search on foot.

Their goal? To develop therefore considered a “search an effective drone search and recovery” mission. The Helicopter searching operation. two put their skills to the test can be effective but Their objectives included to try to locate the remains of over time may be too a well-researched and prethe missing person and give planned area for the drone to closure to the family. expensive to continue. search, based on information Drones have the from the family, officials, Developing an and terrain maps—ensuring Effective Drone potential to offer help searchers are in the right area Search Operation in a unique way. makes all the difference when The men quickly realized that looking for missing persons, there was no established triedthe men say. Also, success and-true method for deploying included pre-mapping the drone’s course so it can drones and doing a meticulous search in difficult travel on autopilot while following the terrain at a terrain. Even those extremely experienced in consistent altitude, all the while keeping discovsearching for missing persons didn’t have a specific eries meticulously filed and recording images that way of using drones to aid in the efforts. are geotagged.

“There was no process of using drones on They’re always trying to improve their process, searches,” explains Badham, who works as a but the men have already helped find the remains systems analyst. “It was like throwing spaghetti of several missing people, offering much-needed on the wall. There was lots of overlap. It was very closure for the families. Nuckolls and Badham haphazard. Drones aren’t very good at huge plots of land.”

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Answering the Call

the case. It can take hours, days, or even weeks to comb through the footage. Clues are shared with those on the ground. With a geotag, clues can be located within feet.

Providing Closure

knew they had something that could become more widespread and hopefully help more people.

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Starting a Nonprofit

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In 2018, they founded Western States Aerial Search, a 501(c)3 that focuses on using drones to help find missing persons. In some cases, people have been missing for quite some time and are presumed deceased. But the reason they spend hours working on the case knows no time limit.

“Our motto is, ‘Because it matters to you,’” says Nuckolls. “This isn’t about us. It’s about the families.

I can’t imagine the pain they go through, and we have the skills to help bring closure.”

WSAS has grown to a team of seven drone pilots that help plan and carry out operations. They also do several test missions as they continue to develop their drone deployment operation process. The group also has a board member who has experienced having a missing family member to offer insight and keep the group focused on the main goal at hand.

The timing of WSAS helping with a search and recovery mission depends on the case. Sometimes police or other officials ask for the group’s assistance in locating remains. Sometimes the family asks them directly. Other times, the drone pilots just start searching on their own.

After a lot of pre-planning, WSAS meets on site and deploys the drones. Thousands of high-resolution photos are taken and saved on a secure server and only shared with specific people involved with

In just a few short years, WSAS has helped locate three people whose remains have been recovered and properly laid to rest. Most importantly, they’ve helped answer the endless questions of the families who have been wondering what happened to their loved one. It’s that closure that keeps them going.

Knowing they’ve helped reunite family members is all the thanks they need.

Nuckolls recalls a time when he participated in an active search and rescue operation for a person who had gone missing. But after several days, the searches halted. “I’ve been there when the last day of search is over, and the family has that look in their eyes like, ‘What now?’” he says. WSAS can be that next step.

One such person they’ve located went missing in 2018 in Joshua Tree National Park in California.

WSAS learned about the case and contacted the family, who offered information as to his lastknown whereabouts, which helped the drone pilots plan and deploy effectively. The team was able to locate human remains, which were later identified as the missing man.

The next step, the group hopes, will be to figure out a way to accelerate their drone deployment process. For now, they tend to step in and try to locate people who are presumed deceased, since their current process requires a lot of pre-planning.

A newly missing person is a spontaneous event, however, and needs immediate action.

“We don’t have the luxury of time in those situations,” Nuckolls explains. The group is exploring the idea of developing their process into real-time and combining that with thermal imaging.

Western States Aerial Search never charges a fee for its services. Those interested in donating to the group’s efforts can do so on the group’s GoFundMe page. Learn more at wsasearch.org.

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A Sweet Way to Change Lives

Flourish Bakery gives ex-convicts and those in addiction recovery a chance to rise up through its life-changing internship program. Now that’s pretty sweet.

BY CAR R IE S NID E R AN D K I E R STY N N K I N G | P H OTO S BY B E T WE E N T H E CA N YO N S P H OTO G RA P H Y

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here are two things that Aimee Altizer knows how to do well: bake pastries and help people, which is why the idea of Flourish Bakery was a natural fit from the start.

A classically trained pastry chef, Altizer’s long career in the culinary industry took an abrupt turn when she became an Episcopal priest, which

eventually saw her working in recovery centers.

While recovery work was rewarding, there was something missing.

When people come out of jail or recover from substance abuse, total healing doesn’t really ­happen until the person is integrated into a

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community where they can offer part of themselves in return. That’s when an idea hit her.

Altizer researched and visited different organizations across the country with similar models and came up with the concept of Flourish Bakery, now a nonprofit located in Salt Lake City. It offers a 15-month comprehensive internship program, where participants learn accountability, self-love, and baking.

“I absolutely love what I do,” Altizer says. “When we are all together, we are more alike than we are different. That’s the gift Flourish Bakery offers. We are all incredibly similar.”

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participants in the program truly need.

“I love seeing the bond From Job Skills to “Those in recovery between the staff and the Life Skills interns,” says Vogel. “We all need support, To find the right participants, work together and really bond, Flourish Bakery does outreach accountability—they and we even eat lunch together with recovery centers to need community. every day.” find individuals who may be Once participants complete interested. Once they apply, Flourish Bakery the internship at Flourish interested students interview is where they can Bakery, they do a three-month and meet the team to see if practice their life “externship,” which helps them they’d be a good fit. gain real-world experience Sarah Vogel, Flourish’s on their own while that they can take with them. social media coordinator, stabilizing skills.”

Much like an ER is the first explains, “We also see where stop for those who have experithey are in their recovery enced physical trauma, Altizer journey. Based on that, we explains the importance of the initial recovery start the internship.” process from drug abuse or incarceration. However, Vogel describes the internship as more of a job if someone doesn’t continue their treatment with training skills program rather than a traditional physical therapists or others who help them truly internship. heal, then another ER visit is sure to follow.

“When you’re an intern here, we do a reflection “Those in recovery need support, ­accountability— every day. We all sit down and talk about a given they need community. Flourish Bakery is where topic, or what’s been going on at the bakery,” says they can practice their life on their own while Vogel. “We do weekly workouts with Warrior stabilizing skills,” Altizer says. “Many grow to love Strength, which is a recovery-based fitness the culinary arts and continue in that field through program. We also work with AAA Fair Credit the externship and eventual employment, while Foundation to help folks get their financial needs others move on to other things. Either way, they in order, and we provide a variety of other wellness learn a lot during their time at Flourish.” programs.”

She adds, “There are many parallels from baking Flourish also has a chaplain on staff who interns to life. You can ask, ‘How did I end up here?’ can meet with one-on-one and receive support Baking is organic chemistry that requires balance. for a particular issue they may be struggling with.

Just like in life, you have to figure out why someThat along with the staff and other participants thing is working or isn’t working.” at Flourish offer a sense of community that

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Flourish has had 24 participants so far, some of them staying a short time and others completing an internship and an externship.

When participants “graduate” from Flourish Bakery, it’s always bittersweet. On one hand, the staff and other participants say goodbye. But they also get to experience watching the participant flourish.

One of Vogel’s favorite memories was when Dennis Sisneros, a recent intern, finished his time I ended up up at Flourish. relapsing and going “We have a chef of the day where this individual presents a variety of baked goods that he had made,” on the run. When I got back, I wasn’t Vogel recalls. “Dennis did the actual physical able to go back to presentation but then also shared why each recipe drug court, but I was important to him. Just seeing the community was able to apply surrounding him and supporting him and getting for Flourish again.” to taste these delicious treats he made, it was really Sisneros ended touching.” up staying at Flourish Sisneros started selling drugs when he was 21. for 18 months, and During his time in federal prison, Sisneros learned now he is getting ready to bake, and it was the beginning of him turning to graduate—the third his life around. graduate from Flourish. He is “They had a lot of jobs, but I didn’t want to be currently working in the bakery a cook. I started out as a dishwasher and worked at Harmons my way up into the bakery,” Grocery, something Sisneros says. “I was in he never would have pictured federal prison for six years, Baking is organic himself doing only a few and during that time I found years ago. out that I loved to bake and chemistry that requires “I’ve found my passion,” became the lead supervisor balance. Just like in he says. “Everyone at federal while I was there. After a while, court and Flourish believed in I learned that making 2,000 life, you have to figure me when I was going through cinnamon rolls for people out why something a rough patch, and they every Wednesday takes talent.” is working or isn’t believed that I could do anyTwo years ago, Sisneros thing I wanted to do. I couldn’t was at federal drug court and working.” have done this without them was asked what he liked to backing me. I’m really proud do during his time in prison. to be the third graduate. I wish Baking came up. there were more programs out there for people in “The federal prosecutor introduced me to recovery because you know, when we go through Flourish and asked if I was interested, and I said, rough patches, it’s hard. You have to have people ‘Yeah, I’m interested! Show me the ropes. What do I who believe in you to make it.” have to do?’” Sisneros says. “They told me that I had to have sobriety under my belt first before I could apply. I was doing really good; they let me apply.

Visit flourishslc.org to learn more.

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Dennis’s Story

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Column: Motivation

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3 Keys to Thriving Relationships Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home. Here’s how you can refresh your relationships for healthier, more intentional living. BY T I F FA N Y P E T E R SO N

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t’s spring—the season of the new! With new beginnings, fresh starts, and nature blooming again after a hard winter, spring brings a unique energy of “coming alive” that can’t be replicated during other times of the year.

One of my deepest passions is helping others to create a thriving life and a business they love with a sense of intention. And for all of us, a central, core influence to creating that thriving life is the quality and richness, depth and connection of relationships.

A Thriving Life Has Thriving Relationships

Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, and with the right tools, you can intentionally invest in thriving relationships with conscious choices that can directly influence the quality of relationships you desire.

Whether you’re wanting richer, deeper connections with family and friends or you’re wanting to see your customers and sales grow, the principles I’ll share here will help you thrive in your personal and professional life. Let’s look at three key strategies to nourish your relationships this season: 1. Freely show appreciation.

Everyone wants to be seen, appreciated, and valued. And while people may not verbalize that desire, this is directly affecting the “thrive” (or, if “thrive” is lacking, the struggle) in your relationships.

Relationships are always personal, and how people feel with us is our ultimate impact, influence, and “business card.”

Ask yourself, “Do the people in my life feel important when they’re with me? Do they feel seen? Significant? Appreciated?”

If you’re unsure, or if you’re

Feeling heard and understood is vital for closeness, connection, and trust. It’s like oxygen for the relationship. looking for ways to create more fulfilling relationships, know that small but thoughtful gestures go a long way. Taking time to write or verbally express your gratitude and appreciation has an immense power to help nourish and grow your relationships.

Pro Tip: Start your “nourishing” with those who’ve been in your life for quite some time.

No one outgrows the need to feel appreciated, and old relationships are well fed with appreciation and recognition.

Adobe Stock

3. Tap into the power of play.

Play is a powerful opportunity for creating and nourishing connection in your relationships.

Often when I’m coaching a couple or someone in an intimate relationship, I invite them to commit to playing together on a regular basis. It’s fresh air, new life, and a chance to liberate the connection.

Sometimes at home or work, we can get bogged down in the familiar. To break out of that rut, put some play into your time together. Book that staycation or plan a fun date. Take the team

Sometimes at home or work, we can get bogged down in the familiar. To break out of that rut, put some play into your time together. out to lunch or to get pedicures together. Mix it up!

A thriving life has thriving relationships. By investing in others with intention, our own lives and relationships will thrive. Have a happy spring, my friends—and even happier relationships!

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or judge, we open space for our relationships to connect and thrive. Practice asking more questions at home and at work. Show up with the intention to understand and create that safe space and watch your relationships grow.

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2. Listen more and talk less.

While this line is often applied to sales, it’s a life and relationship mindset that will help you have more success in all of your relationships.

Early in my professional career path, I had the opportunity to work with the great Stephen Covey on his world-­ renowned book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. One of the key habits is known as “Seek First to Understand Before You’re Understood,” and it was the most requested principle to be revisited during trainings. It is a literal game changer in relationships, connection, conflict resolution, friendship, trust, and sales.

Dr. Covey explained this idea very simply: most people listen with an intent to reply instead of to understand. Usually in conversations, we might be sort of listening. We nod our heads, maybe even make eye contact, but are we really listening? Are we seeking to understand? Are we asking more questions to understand someone’s heart or their challenges at work?

Whether you want to help your children or your team at work move forward and make progress, that comes from understanding their needs and challenges and asking more questions to deepen the relationship. Feeling heard and understood is vital for closeness, connection, and trust. It’s like oxygen for the relationship.

While we won’t always agree with one another, if we seek to understand rather than shame

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Column: Mary’s Fab 5

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Mary’s Fab 5: Local Products In 1999, I had my first tasting meeting with the International Olympic Committee. They told me that while it was the finest tasting they had experienced, they were dismayed that I didn’t serve them anything from Utah! They then informed me that I had two years to discover the state’s hidden gems to serve at the Winter Olympic Games in 2002. So began my journey to discover Utah, and it continues today. In honor of the twentieth anniversary of Salt Lake City hosting the Winter Olympics, here are five of my favorite local food products!

BY MARY CRAF TS

1. Creminelli Fine Meats

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Creminelli Fine Meats has been making artisan salami for centuries in northern Italy. In 2006, one of the brothers moved to Utah to embrace the freedom from the strict Italian consortiums and create new and exciting varieties of aged meats to please even the most refined palettes. I am always so proud when I’m in the delis of New York and see Utah’s own Creminelli Fine Meats showcased as the top choice for discriminating charcuterie boards. I wouldn’t use anything else!

Personal Recommendation: Tartufo

2. Beehive Cheese

Beehive Cheese began in 2005 when Tim Welch and Pat Ford jumped off the corporate bandwagon with a dream of making the finest cheddar cheese in the country. With a lot of hard work, they’ve become some of the finest cheesemakers in America. From humble beginnings, they’ve become internationally renowned for the quality of their cheese and their incredible, creative flavors.

Personal Recommendation: Seahive

3. amano artisan chocolate

Amano Artisan Chocolate is the innovative creation of Art Pollard, a physicist from Brigham Young University. In the late 1990s, he began to study the production process of chocolate and soon discovered the fine nuances of using a single-source bean. Previously, fine chocolate used a blend of beans from around the world to mask unique regional flavor in favor of something more uniform, but Pollard blazed a new trail that revolutionized the chocolate scene in the western United States. Found in artisan stores around the world, Amano chocolate is made in Orem!

Personal Recommendation: Dos Rios

4. redmond salt

Martin James was just 9 years old when he started raising bees with four hives. Today, his honey business has grown to more than 3,000 hives! Located in Mendon, Martin and his sister Karla are known throughout the United States for their beekeeping knowledge, and they are working tirelessly to keep American bees alive and well.

Each sale of their products helps fund research to find better ways to keep honeybees healthy and happy.

Personal Recommendations: Honey Wine Vinegar

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5. slide ridge raw honey

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Redmond has been mining salt in Utah for more than 60 years.

One of the purest salts in the world, it’s mined deep below the surface of the earth from the ancient sea beds of Lake Bonneville— away from the open sea and pollutants that come from living in a densely populated area. The flavor of Redmond’s salt is very different from other sea salts, and I love how the clean taste makes all my food more flavorful!

Personal Recommendation: All of them!

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Column: The Last Word

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Resetting Your Personal “Thermostat” Take control of your destiny by resetting your internal “set point” temperature and adding more value to your career, relationships, and community.

BY DAN CLAR K

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national survey reported that 80 percent of America’s workforce are not working in their dream jobs. In fact, most people dislike their jobs. Often, we find ourselves looking forward to Friday instead of Monday.

And while we’re paid by the hour, the real difference in how we feel about and perform at our jobs comes from the value we bring to that hour.

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Spring/Summer 2022

Clarify Your “Why”

In order to focus more on the value of our work rather than the work itself, we must ask ourselves, “How do I make myself more valuable, more irreplaceable, to my personal relationships and professional organization? What must I learn today that will make me more qualified to be a better partner, parent, coach, entrepreneur, leader, manager, teammate, co-worker, neighbor, or friend?”

The answer is simple: clarify your “why.” Believing that we deserve the best kinds of love and personal intimacy,

For us to enjoy the things we want, we must first reset our thermostat to expect more, learn more, and be more so that we are empowered and equipped to do more!

friendships, job opportunities, income, vacations, and lifestyle brings those desires into our lives. So why is it that so many never achieve this level of success, significance, and enduring happiness? Marianne Williamson explains it best when she said: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate but that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” Who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. As we let our

own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

Change Your Internal “Set Point ”

Achieving this powerful transformation comes when we change or reset our personal “thermostat.”

A thermostat works by sensing the difference between the actual outside temperature and the desired temperature. It switches heating and cooling devices on and off to maintain that desired temperature.

In terms of our human thermostat and set point, it is always dialed to the level of our self-­ esteem, sense of self-worth, and degree of personal development.

Adobe Stock

As we work to create a society that is unconditionally loving and nonjudgmental—where diversity, equity, inclusion, mutual respect, and support are the norm instead of the exception—we must keep our focus on the solution, not the symptoms.

We must focus on what we can do in the present and the future, not dwell on the past.

In my experience, the ones who find reason to complain are usually those who have not dedicated themselves to becoming better today than they were yesterday, hoping instead

that someone else will do it for them. French philosopher Pascal explained it this way: “Too many live their lives hoping to be happy, but because they only hope, they never really are.” It’s like waiting to get invited to the prom but never taking the time to learn how to dance!

Decide today what you will do to reset your thermostat and begin to make yourself more valuable to those in your personal life, organizations, community, country, and the world. And if you need inspiration, look no further than the words my dear friend Regie Hamm, who wrote the hit song “The Time of My Life” for American Idol champion David Cook: And I’ll taste every moment and live it out loud I know this is the time, this is the time To be more than a name or a face in the crowd I know this is the time, this is the time of my life.

Spring/Summer 2022

Focus on Solutions, Not Symptoms

No matter what happens on the outside with money or our weight, or even our relationships, our internal thermostat is always going to try and match our outside world to our internal set point.

To learn more, follow @danclarkspeak on Facebook and Instagram or visit danclark.com. +

Dan Clark is a Hall of Fame speaker and The New York Times best-selling author of The Art of Significance.

73 Utah

For example, how many times have we seen someone win 100 million dollars in the lottery only to be flat broke three years later? How many people do we know who go on a crazy diet and lose 50 pounds or more, but six months later they have gained all the weight back and then some?

Why is this?

It is simply because of their personal thermostat. No matter what happens on the outside with money or our weight, or even our relationships, our internal thermostat is always going to try and match our outside world to our internal set point. To find more joy and fulfillment in our lives, or our “outside world,” we must become more on the inside.

For us to enjoy the things we want, we must first reset our thermostat to expect more, learn more, and be more so that we are empowered and equipped to do more!

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Good News by the Numbers

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Topaz

Did you know that topaz is Utah’s official gem? In fact, according to the Bureau of Land Management, Topaz Mountain in Juab County is one of the best places in the world to find topaz. Read on for more fun facts!

1% 4

feet

18th & 19th

Topaz that features reddish-orange hues

Height that topaz crystals can reach

Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 9+

pounds

Weight of the heaviest known piece of topaz

31,000 carats

Weight of the largest faceted gemstone in the world, the El Dorado Topaz

4"x6"

Size of the 9,381carat Ostros Stone, believed to be the world’s largest blue topaz

300

Number of years when Europeans believed that topaz could break magic spells

1737

Year the name “topaz” was given to the gemstone we know today. Previously, the name was used for a variety of yellow stones.

Chemical formula for topaz

4th & 19th Wedding anniversaries when topaz is a traditional gift

23rd

Utah

Spring/Summer 2022

600

Colors of topaz, including blue, white, purple, yellow, green, and pink

1740

Year that a 1,680-carat gemstone named the Braganza Diamond was mined and set on the Portuguese crown. The jewel has since been identified as a colorless topaz.

1996

Year that topaz was named Utah’s official gem

Wedding anniversary when imperial topaz is a traditional gift

To learn how one Utah woman created the Topaz Fairy to help bring cheer to children going through a difficult time,

turn to p. 10

Centuries when imperial topaz, which has a reddish-orange or pinkish-orange hue, was used in the jewels of Russian czars and their families

(Topaz) Adobe Stock

less than

Utah

High Note

Photo by Drew Armstrong |

@travelsfromutah

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“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

—henry david thoureau