Lake Norman Woman - January 2020

HOW GETTING THEIR

private school

ZZZ’S

GUIDE

CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHILD’S

learning

pg. 48

pg. 50

featuring

Kelly Stranburg of Excellence In Wellness: Solutions for Optimal Aging

TEENS

AND THEIR

WEIGHT …

BODY BATTLE or

BODY BLISS? pg. 42

Imagine your home, totally organized!

Custom Closets Garage Cabinets Home Offices Pantries, Laundries and Hobby Rooms

40% Off plus Free

Installation

40% off any order of $1000 or more. 30% off any order $700 or more. Not valid with any other offer. Free installation with any complete unit order of $1000 or more. With incoming order, at

2016 Š All Rights Reserved. Closets by Design, Inc.

time of purchase only.

Follow us

Call for a free in home design consultation and estimate

704-588-7272

www.closetsbydesign.com Licensed and Insured

LNW

RandyMarion.com MOORESVILLE

BUICK

HUNTERSVILLE

Crossovers SUVs - Trucks

STATESVILLE

WILKESBORO

LAKE

NORMAN

V O L U M E

X I I I

,

FIND US ON

WOMAN

N U M B E R

V I I

from the

womenpower

but now that the madness—I mean, the magic—has ended, I could use a bit of a break and some time to get my house and my office and my calendar, and … who am I kidding? ... my life in order. After all, pulling off a fantastic holiday experience is quite the endeavor, isn’t it? From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, it’s go, go, go.

And if you’re the host of the go-to place, there’s the decorating and the cooking and the cleaning and the wrapping and, well, the hosting to add to the mix. It’s no wonder that some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions are to slow down, relax more, and stress less.

I LO V E T H E C H R I S T M A S S E A S O N ,

DANA JORDAN

Since I’m feeling tired and overwhelmed, and I don’t have time for a trip to the beach (my number-one happy place), I’m going to take some time and go to my local happy place. I find myself grinning from ear to ear just thinking about it, and no, it’s not the wine shop. It’s a book store (Although if I’m being honest, the wine store is a very close runner up).

For me, a book store is a magical, wonderful place, a safe haven where I can get lost in dreams. The books they house are much more than just bundles of paper; they’re invitations—passports, really—to different worlds. Going to a book store has always been one of the ways I relax. Which brings me to my point: we all need to unwind; to take some time to put first things first and to energize our minds and bodies. The real beauty of it all is that there are as many ways to do this as there are people on the planet.

It just depends on whatever works for you.

Some people I know go for a run or to the gym; and I have a couple of acquaintances who meditate or journal. I have a lot of girlfriends who drink wine. And apparently, the rich and famous need to unwind as well. I have it on good authority that Ryan Gosling likes to knit, Leonardo DiCaprio tends bees, and Tom Hanks collects vintage manual typewriters. It really doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you give your overworked mind and body a chance to reset.

So as we enter another year, refresh and renew YOU by doing things that give you pleasure and by finding your happy place. Heck, I’ll even share mine! Meet me at the beach … I’ll be the one with a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. w

DANA JORDAN PUBLISHER

KIM CROSS

JANUARY CONTRIBUTORS:

Nancy Beard; Cyndy Etler; Michelle Love; Lindsay Martell; Starr Miller; Morgan Rhodes; Joanna Jie Zhao CONTACT US:

704.895.6168

PO BOX 1000 | CORNELI US, NC | 28031

W W W. L A K E N O R M A N W O M A N . C O M AD SUBMISSIONS:

ADS@LAKENORMANWOMAN.COM

Lake Norman Woman reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing that does not meet Lake Norman Woman standards. Submissions are welcome but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned.

Lake Norman Woman assumes no responsibility for information, products, services, or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. An advertised special printed in this publication is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

7

CELEBRATING THE

SUCCESS

OF

WOMEN

28

p

Tips, tricks, & hacks to help you around the house

PHOTO: TONI LOVEJOY

january

contents 2020

ate schoo l priv

GUIDE

features 14

38 ashley p

CALLAHAN

8

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L A K ENORMAN

MY FAVORITE THINGS: Dr. Nicole Whitehead

24

WOMAN TO WATCH: Stacy Smith

30

COVER STORY: Ageless Power.

38

HERE SHE IS: Ashley Callahan

52

SUCCESS STORY: Each Day Is A New Adventure

HOLA!

12

p

8 ways to rock 2020, including learning a new language!

SPECIAL SECTION!

46

10 Things To Ask Your Child Instead Of "How Was Your Day?"

48

Private School Guide

50

How Sleep Impacts Learning

ON THE COVER: KELLY STRANBURG OF EXCELLENCE IN WELLNESS P H OTO G R A P H Y: CHELSEA BREN

p

24 stacy family 42

SMITH

recipe

TEENS ALOUD: Body Battle Or Body Bliss?

You Decide.

22

Chicken Spinach Bake

self

health 16

Ginger - A Spice Of Life!

20

What Is PEMF And Is It Right For You?

home 26

16

Ginger A Spice Of Life!

12

8 THINGS: 8 Ways To Rock 2020!

28

TIPS, TRICKS, & HACKS: Home Edition

54

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT: Find Your Joy

Turn On The Light In Your New Year

52 vanessa p

RICHARDSON

in every issue 10

LIVE, LEARN, GROW

36

35

SCENE WITH LKNW

WOMEN ON THE MOVE

40

WORDS MATTER

Summer

WATER FRONT

Robinson Tabor 19 years of Real Estate Experience

704-502-2352

LakeNormanSummer@aol.com

www.SummerTabor.com

7945 Buena Vista Drive, Denver $659,000

172 Balmoral Drive, Mooresville $1,649,500

Fabulous brick home with pool, pool house and boat slip in the popular subdivision of Sailvew.

Soaring ceilings in the great room and foyer. Formal office and dining room. Master suite on the main level. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a bonus room up. 2 level covered porch out front. Awesome outdoor living space with patio, pool & pool house with steam shower and golf cart storage!

Waterfront home with 200 ft of lake frontage.

Custom brick home built in 2003 has over 4200 sqft, 4 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms. 1.5 story with finished basement. Almost an acre lot.

Grandfathered Boat Ramp. Screened in porch, deck and covered patio below all have awesome views of the lake. 3 car garage. Treed front yard. Circular driveway. No HOA!

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

9

LIVE, LEARN, Life takes practice! And though they don’t always come wrapped in a shiny red bow, the lessons we learn along the way are invaluable gifts that are worth sharing. Here are a few noteworthy examples featured in this issue:

"

FROM THE WEST COAST to the East

Coast and back again, Dr. Nicole Whitehead, owner of Advanced Spinal Fitness in Mooresville, eventually landed in Lake Norman and has been taking care of locals ever since. Check out a few of her Favorite Things on page 14 and see what makes her life a success!

FOR LAST

YEAR’S WORDS BELONG TO

READ ABOUT ARMY VETERAN Vanessa

Richardson on page 52. Owner of Cygnal Consulting and a West Point graduate, see how Vanessa puts her training to good use in her business and in her personal life.

LAST YEAR’S

LANGUAGE.

STACY SMITH, owner of Rootz Unique Gifts in Cornelius,

offers some sound advice for business owners on page

AND NEXT

24 stressing that kindness is key: “I do believe that any

YEAR’S WORDS

day where you can make a positive difference comes

AWAIT ANOTHER

pretty close to being the perfect day.”

VOICE. AND TO MAKE AN END BEGINNING.”

–T.S. ELIOT

JANUARY 2020

LAW SCHOOL

WITH HONORS AT AGE 24 AND OPENING HER OWN PRACTICE

BY THE TIME SHE WAS 30, ASHLEY CALLAHAN, OWNER OF THE CALLAHAN FIRM IN HUNTERSVILLE, HAS SOME VALUABLE INSIGHTS FOR

US ON page 38.

Skip on over to page 30 to meet Kelly Stranburg, owner of Excellence In Wellness: Solutions for Optimal Aging. From entrepreneurship to caring for the elderly, Kelly has much to share. w WANT TO BE INSPIRED?

IS TO MAKE A

10

GRADUATING

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

11

SEL F

8 things

HOLA! PLANT A GARDEN LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

TO 8 WAYS

!

READ A CLASSIC BOOK

ROCK MEDITATE

TAKE MORNING WALKS

VOLUNTEER

12

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L A KENORMAN

EAT MORE VEGETABLES & FRUITS

TAKE AN ART OR COOKING CLASS

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

13

my

favorite things

Below, Nicole gives us an inspiring glimpse of the woman behind Advanced Spinal Fitness as she shares some of the things, experiences, and people that motivate her, fill her heart, and bring a smile to her face.

HEIRLOOM COOKIES

Nicole is frequently asked to bring the chocolate chip cookies she makes from her great-grandmother’s recipe to parties. She’s teaching Roxie and Bridgette the recipe, too, so they can continue the family tradition.

THE SIMPLE STUFF

Things that make Nicole smile? Her family, a good day’s work, the big beautiful trees in her backyard, and a great cup of coffee.

DR. NICOLE WHITEHEAD Advanced Spinal Fitness

Though she had to be nudged by a friend to see a chiropractor when she was a teenager, the experience was a life-changing one for Nicole Whitehead. “Not only were the results of my adjustments amazing,” Nicole remembers, “but my doctor planted the seed for my future career by telling me he thought I’d be a great chiropractor!”

CHARMED, I’M SURE

Instead of getting a typical mom’s necklace with her girls’ initials or birthstones, Nicole hunted down charms that represented each of them. “I love wearing it and keeping them, literally, close to my heart all day while I’m at work,” she says.

Nicole’s journey to becoming a chiropractor took her from her hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area to the East Coast for her undergraduate work and then back to the West Coast for her doctoral degree, and then to Michigan. From there, Nicole and her engineer husband, Scott, came to North Carolina and the Lake Norman area so that he could take advantage of the opportunities to work in the NASCAR series here.

Their family has grown since their arrival—daughter Roxie was born in 2012, and Bridgette came along four years later. Like her busy home, Dr. Nicole’s office is full of the laughter and delight of children, too. Though she enjoys all the different patient populations, because she is able to help change the trajectory of their young lives by helping them overcome health challenges, Nicole says that caring for infants, “really takes the cake.” And with an advanced certification in pediatric and pregnancy care since 2007, she sees “tons” of babies and toddlers. All the sweet baby snuggles in the middle of a workday are an added bonus! w

14

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

HIP HOP ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF NICOLE’S WEEK IS HER ADULT HIP HOP CLASS AT MINNITI’S ACADEMY OF DANCE. NOT ONLY DOES SHE GET AN AMAZING WORKOUT, SHE’S ALSO ABLE TO DECOMPRESS AND BOOGIE DOWN!

UP IN THE AIR

With Roxie and Bridgette getting to the age where they have more options, Nicole is looking forward to picking an annual vacation spot they can all enjoy together as a family. While she loves NYC, New Orleans, and Carmel/Monterey, she’s excited about the world of new places they will discover together.

WRITER DANA JORDAN

PHOTOGRAPHER CHELSEA BREN

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

15

health

ginger—

A SPICE OF life!

GINGER GROWS IN CHINA, INDIA, AFRICA, THE CARIBBEAN,

Nausea and digestive issues.

L K N e x p e rt

Ginger has long been a remedy for stomach problems of all sorts.

Cough and cold—have a cup

of ginger tea (2-3 slices of fresh ginger with 1tbsp brown sugar in a cup of hot water).

Joanna Jie Zhao is a certified acupuncturist and owner of NC Acupuncture & Wellness Clinic located in Birkdale Business Park in Huntersville. A third-generation medical provider, Joanna can be reached at 980.229.3206.

Stiff joints or muscles. Apply

a combination of ginger, mastic, cinnamon, and sesame oil to sore muscles as ginger has excellent antiinflammatory qualities.

Please consult your TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) doctor before you use or consume ginger. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together.

Always consult your physician before adding any substance to your diet or health regimen.

16

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L A KENORMAN

Ginger has been shown to

lower blood sugar levels and

improve various heart disease risk factors for patients with type 2 diabetes.

There is some evidence that ginger can lead to significant

reduction in LDL cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels.

Although more research is needed, ginger contains a substance called 6-gingerol which may have protective effects against cancer.

Ginger has been effective in reducing

There are some encouraging studies that suggest ginger can protect

against age-related damage to the brain as well as Alzheimer’s disease. w

menstrual pain.

WRITER JOANNA JIE ZHAO

© Vitaliy Fedorov | Dreamstime.com

and other warm climates. The root of the ginger plant is well known as a spice and flavoring agent and has been used medicinally for thousands of years. In Chinese medicine, ginger is an herb which warms up the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians (in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, meridians are a set of pathways in the body along which vital energy flows).

Ginger has many uses and has been proven effective with the following:

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

17

health

what is

PEMF

and is it right for you?

P E M F, O R P U L S E D E L E C T R O M A G N E T I C F I E L D T H E R A P Y,

uses electromagnetic fields in an attempt to heal everything from fractures to brain tumors to depression. The FDA has cleared several such stimulation devices, and PEMF has been available in the U.S. for over a decade and has been used for medical conditions in animals and humans worldwide.

PEMF stimulates cell metabolism causing a chain of responses in the body that leads to improved health without side effects. The National Institutes of Health has made PEMF a research priority, and NASA made a four-year study showing that devices are considered safe and therapeutic.

L K N e x p e rt

Morgan Rhodes is the owner of Kindred Equestrian in Mooresville and offers PEMF to keep horses, dogs, and humans in optimal health. You can reach Morgan at 704.654.5782 or KindredEquestrian. com. You can find more information on PEMF at www.pemf.com and remember to always consult a physician before beginning any regimen.

Is PEMF Right For You?

PEMF is well-known in the equine world and is rapidly gaining popularity for humans and canines. Magnetic therapies have been around for decades. There are thousands of university studies showing the benefits of PEMF … here are just a few things PEMF can assist with:

20

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

We have approximately 37.2 trillion cells in our bodies. Every tissue and organ in our body relies on our cells for daily function. Optimal health relies on our cells to process and relay information – thousands of messages at a time. This comes in the form of cellular energy. Our cells, much like a battery, deplete over time. Depleted cellular energy results in dysfunction. Our cells can naturally recharge by drinking water and eating fresh raw foods, and we can also assist in recharging our cells through PEMF. Dr. Jerry Tennant, MD, author of the book Healing book Is Voltage, states: Voltage, “The cells in the body are designed to run at -20 to -25 millivolts. To heal by making new cells, we must achieve -50 millivolts. We get chronically sick when voltage drops below -20 millivolts. In addition, oxygen levels drop since they are controlled by the voltage level. Thus, chronic disease is always defined by low voltage.”

In a nutshell, the PEMF device sends gentle, pulsing magnetic currents to expel toxins at a cellular level and allows fresh nutrients and water to enter the cell – restoring its energy. Most PEMF sessions last between 30-60 minutes while you, your dog, or your horse relax. Cellular exercise, much like physical exercise, is cumulative. The more you do it, and the more frequently, the better the results. w

•

Painful joints

•

Cognitive decline

•

Fragile bones

•

Anxiety and depression

•

Weak immune system

•

•

Poor circulation

Performance stress and body soreness

•

Soft tissue injuries

WRITER MORGAN RHODES

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

21

recipe

YOU WIL L NEE D: 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 16 oz. box of penne pasta 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

CHICKEN SPINACH

BAKE This is simple, delicious, and healthy … plus, you can get your kids to eat spinach!

1 8 oz. package of shredded mozzarella cheese 1 large jar of Alfredo sauce 1 bag of fresh baby spinach Salt & Pepper

TO PREPA RE:

1. Preheat ov

en to 400 degr

ees F. 2. Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add on ions and garlic , salt & pepper to taste. Add chicken breast s and sauté un each side is a til light golden br own.

3. Meanwhile prepare penn e pasta.

4. Combine co oked pasta, sp inach, and Alfredo sauce and pour into an casserole dish 11x13 (be sure to co at your bakin dish with non g stick spray).

5. Place chicke n breasts on to p of pasta mixture.

6. Cover with parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

7. Bake for ab out 30 minut es, depending thickness of br on easts. Chicke n is done when juices run clea r or internal te mperature is degrees F. w 180

22

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

self

FEATU R E

woman to watch on INSPIRATION: My parents are my greatest inspiration. My mom with her love of nature, people, and artistic eye and my dad for his commitment to hard work and loyalty. I try to honor their memory in everything that I do. on THE BEAUTY OF TRAVEL BUT ALSO PUTTING DOWN ROOTS: My dad was in the

service, so I grew up moving around the country a lot! Every new place afforded me the opportunity to learn about different communities and gave me a true love of travel … I love meeting new people and experiencing different places and cultures. One of my best friends lived in North Carolina so I was fortunate enough to visit this beautiful area. I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to call Lake Norman home.

on CREATING A HOMEY VIBE: I wanted to create a store where we offered things to help make a house a home—carrying unique gift items and art from smaller companies and artisans to express and illustrate ourselves. I wanted to bring more items in the store that replace single-use products, that are all-natural, and that promote a healthier environment in and out of the home. After all, our homes are the canvasses of our lives.

stacy smith ROOTZ UNIQUE GIFTS Cornelius

on TACKLING CHALLENGES: I think that the woman entrepreneur has a greater challenge in many respects … personal expectations, responsibilities, and demands have so many more layers and textures. Women have to be more creative, flexible, and determined. My advice is to always have a plan of action, know your customer base, and cultivate patience. It doesn’t happen overnight and you will have to handle many obstacles.

STACY smith

LKNW RECOGNIZES A WOMAN DOING EXCEPTIONAL WORK IN THE L A K E N O R M A N C O M M U N I T Y, A L E A D E R W H O I S PAV I N G T H E W AY T O C H A N G I N G O U R AT T I T U D E S A N D I N S P I R I N G C O N F I D E N C E I N T H E F U T U R E .

24

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

on CREATING KINDNESS AND THE PERFECT DAY: I do believe that any day where

you can make a positive difference comes pretty close to being the perfect day. My favorite quote is by the Dalai Lama — “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” w Stacy Smith is the owner of Rootz Unique Gifts, Handcrafts and Natural Goods located at 19801 South Main Street, Suite 4, in Cornelius. You may reach her at 704-997-5504, via email at info@weloverootz.com, or visit them now at www.weloverootz.com.

WRITER LINDSAY MARTELL

PHOTOGRAPHER CHELSEA BREN

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

25

home I have been working as the co-chair of a large showhouse project in Davidson. Imagine in one neighborhood a cul-de-sac with three houses, by three custom builders, and designed by 45 designers. Each of these houses has 15 designers working in concert together to create unique, cohesive homes, while also using their individual styles and talents to stand apart. It is truly a fantastic collaboration! A typical home tour has scattered homes, and each is designed as a model by one designer.

F O R T H E PA S T Y E A R

turn on the light in your new year

During this time, I have had the great opportunity to view design through 45 different designers’ eyes. While each team has a unique way of standing out, the common denominator is always stellar lighting. It not only helps define the spaces, but also adds the jewelry that makes each space (and designer) stand apart. It is like going to a white party where everyone is in bright white. The basis of the outfit might be the same, but it is how the guests accessorize their outfits that make the overall look memorable. In the case of a showhouse, you find a cornucopia of designs, fabrics, rugs, and furnishings, and it is the lighting that brings it all together.

• Fanciful details like birds, leaves, and flowers

Here are a few of the lighting trends we are seeing in the marketplace for 2020:

• Soft gold and silver and leaf and antiqued brass are here to stay • Matte black and white will be more prevalent • Barrel lamp shades make way for conical or cone shapes • Wicker, rattan, woven and beaded pendants, in clusters and, when oversized, by themselves

L K N e x p e rt

• Geometry-- not curlicues.

Clean-lined circles, hexagons, and spheres are the rage pulled from the modern aesthetic

Starr Miller is the president and principal of StarrMiller Interior Design located in Cornelius. Her national award-winning firm specializes in residential new construction and renovations. For more information visit www.StarrMiller.com or call 704-896-3321.

26

JANUARY 2020

Takeaway: Lighting is bigger and bolder, yet refined and clean in execution.

S HOWHOUS E UPDATE – January 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

Do not forget the lightbulbs!

• The bulb or lamp, as we call it in the trade, will make or break your lighting plan. In your home you want a kelvin of 2700 to a maximum of 3000. This is the heat, or color, of the light. This kelvin most closely resembles the incandescent/soft lighting we need in the home.

• Lumens for LED bulbs is the new terminology for what watts were to incandescent bulbs. It is calculated in a whole new manner. Work with your design or lighting professional to determine what lumens you need for the type of light and type of room you are designing.

• Finally, it is important when planning your room or your home to thoughtfully choose where you want dimmers for your lighting.

Some LED fixtures can be dimmed, and some cannot. All should be planned in the electrical phase of your design to make sure you will not need to make changes later and that the products chosen suit the plan. w

The IDS Charity Showhouses will kick off 2020 on February 12th with the Sip and See event. Come and join us for a view of the rooms to come, through renderings done by the famed artist Jane Gianarelli. Meet the designers and share a nibble and toast. The rooms in the homes will be bare bones and will only glisten with decorative lighting.

The IDS Charity Showhouse Gala will kick off the finished showhouses on Friday, March 13th.

FO R V I P & GENE RA L A D M I S S I O N T I C KE T S:

www.IDSCLTShowhouse.com

self

We know how busy life can get—kids, work, family, friends … sometimes just getting dinner on the table is a Herculean feat! So in an effort to save our readers some time, effort, and money here are a few tips, tricks, and hacks that might come in handy in your busy world!

Bacon pancakes. Fry your bacon

and set aside; then when ready, put back in pan and pour your pancake batter around the bacon … the perfect any-time-of-day treat!

TIPS,

Easy oven potatoes potatoes. Cut slits

across the potatoes by taking two wooden spoons or two chopsticks and place them either side of the potato, so you don’t accidentally cut too far down. Brush the potatoes with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and rosemary (making sure it gets in between the slices).

Bake at 425 degrees for 1 hour.

tricks,

& HACKS

HOME EDITION

Toaster or waffle iron to warm pizza pizza.

Turn your toaster on its side and slide the pizza slices in, cheese facing up. For waffle iron, fold your pizza over so crust is outside and press. Although the microwave is not the best way to warm pizza, a cup of hot water in with your pizza will prevent it from becoming too dry.

28

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

Add lemon or lime soda to a vase of cut flowers to help them

last longer. The lemon/ lime juice reduces the pH level in the water, and the sugar provides nutrients for the cut flowers and keeps them smelling sweet too! It doesn’t matter if the soda is fresh or flat since carbonation does not play a role.

Store milk in the lower back of fridge fridge; that is the coldest part of the refrigerator thus it will keep longer. w

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

29

FEATU R E

cover story

Ageless

power.r power

A S A F O R M E R GY M R AT,

it’s tough for

me to admit this, but…my junk hurts.

And by “junk,” I mean joints. And hips.

And shoulders. And calves. All of it. My junk. It hurts. I was stretching my junk today, thinking deep thoughts like, “I wish I could jump around in aerobics classes without getting injured” and “Why do all the fitness trainers focus only on jump higher harder?” And “Why aren’t there any professionals out there saying, ‘Let’s get you fit, not injured’?”

Then I got the assignment for this story: to interview Kelly A. Stranburg, M.Ed., about her business, Excellence In Wellness: Solutions for Optimal Aging. And wouldn’t you know, I was wrong. There are fitness pros melding healing and fitness. One of them just fell into my aching lap.

WRITER CYNDY ETLER

30

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

PHOTOGRAPHER CHELSEA BREN

K

elly, who is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist and an Exercise Is Medicine Level 2 Instructor, is a trailblazer in the world of health and exercise offerings. She is driven to help those whose fitness goals go beyond the simple, singular “I want to look great in a bathing suit”—in other words, the many of us who feel our needs are overlooked by the fitness industry.

Kelly was 22 years old when she discovered her calling.

And—go figure—she was literally looking great in a bathing suit when it hit her. While working at the YMCA in her town, she was the lifeguard for a seniors’ aerobics class. The participants of that program became her dear friends, sharing jokes and life stories…and supporting her as she tried to figure out her life plan.

Those relationships made her realize how much she loved working with aging adults. She switched her graduate program of study to applied exercise science, to forge a career doing the work she loved, with the people she loved.

She has seen that vision come to life countless times over the years, and her inspiration is renewed with each client’s transformative experience. She tells me about a letter she received from a gentleman she worked with at a retirement community. He described the empowerment and confidence that came with his renewed ability to stand up from a chair without assistance, and the thrill of going to the dining room with his peers without aid. Pride had replaced his shame. Socializing had replaced isolation. His quality of life had been transformed thanks to the specific, personally-targeted exercises he had worked on with Kelly. Was it science…or was it magic? Maybe it was a little of both.

Kelly then had another epiphany: “I felt I was not helping enough people in their aging journeys, and that I was capable of so much more. Owning my own business would allow me to help many more individuals and organizations.” So she opened Excellence In Wellness.

Her company’s offerings are unique and vital, meeting the often-overlooked needs of a huge swath of the population. With her keen eye for blind spots in the wellness industry, Kelly noticed another lack.

“Chronic diseases and conditions continue to rise.

Outcome-driven exercise classes offer supportive

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

31

solutions, but programs addressing these needs are not often found in the traditional fitness setting,” she says.

In order to meet those needs, Kelly is working on building partnerships with Lake Norman fitness facilities and active aging communities to offer special, targeted eight-week programs. The program titles tell the story: Sugar Busters, for those looking to lower blood-sugar levels related to type 2 diabetes; Stronger Bodies, which will be available at two different levels, for folks seeking to counter age-related loss of muscle mass; and Better Balance, featuring progressive balance and strength challenges.

In her independent practice, she has broader offerings, including total brain health training,

health coaching, and support with developing senior health solutions. Kelly wasn’t kidding, that day by the pool. She means business, when it comes to supporting the aging population.

She’s quick to admit that it’s not easy to be your own boss.

“It strikes me as comical,” she says, “that I help people live their best lives because sometimes I struggle to do so for myself!” She strives diligently, however, to find balance between her business, her life as a newlywed to Phil, and her family, which includes four cats, one dog, and two step-children, Erin and Evan, every other weekend.

“With cell phones and email, work "Her company’s never really stops, so offerings are unique deciding when and vital, meeting you’re done the often-overlooked each day, in needs of a huge swath order to be present with of the population." your family, your friends, and yourself, is critical.”

From there, though, she’s quick to move on to describing her future goals: “I want to support animal rescue efforts in a greater way, and hope that, with the growth of my business, I’ll be able to do so. I look forward to reaching the point where physicians and therapists recommend clients for support with healing and aging optimally.”

Kelly Stranburg is driven, and that’s a good thing.

There’s a lot of us whose junk needs her brand of support. w

32

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

33

women

move ON THE

NANCY BEARD,

President of United Church Homes and Services Foundation, was recently elected President of the NC Council of Charitable Gift Planners which brings together charitable planning professionals from all relevant specialties to learn, collaborate, and inspire one another.

Rachel Sutherland Communications, owned by Mooresville resident RACHEL SUTHERLAND, was recently presented with an award of excellence by The Charlotte Chapter of The Public Relations Society of America for work on a campaign for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

LOUISE CASHION

recently announced a leadership gift of $500,000 from her family to Cain Center for the Arts as a gesture for their support to a $25 million campaign which will create an arts and community center to serve the Lake Norman region. The Cashion name will grace the center’s entryway and public art corner.

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

35

w

WITH LKN

Be SCENE with the staff of Lake Norman Woman or the magazine we create!

LKNW’s Stephanie Sullivan’s twins Hayley and Hayden working the Dewey's pop-up store supporting North Lincoln high school band

LKNW’s Chelsea and Dana at Nevins Inc.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration, with Pam of Nevins Inc.

Lembo-Montgomery and team are proud sponsors of Taste of Lake which helps support our local YMCA in the Lake Norman community. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this grand event in October.

*

Kelly Cutler and Stacey Polito (Wells Fargo) show off our September issue at a women’s conference this past fall.

Anna Stowe, Great Design 4 U, takes LKNW to the high seas, and we want to see how far we can reach. So, take a photo with a copy of LKNW wherever you might be and send to Leslie@lakenormanwoman.com. If your photo and location make our Scene section, you could win a $10 Starbuck’s gift card! Let’s see how far we can go!

36

JANUARY 2020

LKNW’s Chelsea and Dana at Nevins Inc.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration.

LKNW’s Chelsea and Dana celebrating Chelsea's third baby boy!

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

Kelley Ireland, Village Real Estate Group, and LKNW’s Stephanie take a quick break at a recent photoshoot.

The LKNW staff, L to R, Kim, Stephanie, Chelsea, Dana, and Michele at lunch.

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

37

FEATU R E

here she is!

You get to sit down with a younger you for coffee, what do you tell her? Don’t give up!

There will be bad days where you want to throw in the towel and question why you opened your own business and why you even went to law school. There will be days so great, you can’t help but celebrate (even if it’s alone in your office). Expect the unexpected and roll with the punches.

Build a strong tribe around you and find a mentor. There are no days off and you will never want to be away from your phone.

If you’re not actually working, you’re networking, marketing, or just thinking about potential ways to grow.

Who has inspired you along the way?

First and foremost, my parents. My dad is a retired firefighter and my mom was a school administrator. They sacrificed so much to provide for me and my brother and to put us through college. Also, my female colleagues who excel at their careers, balance their personal lives, and encourage others to believe in themselves. I have received invaluable advice from them in every aspect of my career – even when I didn’t want to hear it.

With so many accomplishments, what are you most proud of? I’m a first-generation college graduate. I’m the only person in my family to go to law school. I graduated law school with honors when I was 24. I became a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and opened my own law practice at 30. Knowing what I’ve accomplished in a short time motivates me to keep pushing forward.

ashley

HOMETOWN:

AT L A N T I S , F L O R I D A

callahan

Now for the obligatory question, how do you juggle it all? The short answer… LOTS of caffeine! I’m all about planning in advance and scheduling. I’ve also learned that I’m never going to be able to accomplish everything on my to-do list each day.

I’ve been much less stressed ever since I’ve made peace with that. I also have an awesome husband who picks up a lot of my slack at home when my business obligations take priority. w

LKN TOWN:

HUNTERSVILLE

HOUSEHOLD:

HUSBAND THOMAS A N D ST E P- DAU G H T E R ALLISON, 6

Ashley Bonomini Callahan is the owner and managing attorney of The Callahan Firm, located at 8712 Lindholm Drive, Suite 300, in Huntersville.

You may reach Ashley at 704.237.0859 or email her at ashley@ thecallahanfirm.com.

i am an LKNw oman because…

“I grew up in the West Palm Beach, Florida, area and after graduating from Florida State University, I moved to Charlotte to pursue my law degree. I immediately fell in love with the area and knew I wanted to make it my permanent home.”

38

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

WRITER LESLIE OGLE

PHOTOGRAPHER TONI LOVEJOY

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

39

WORDS

Words are magic. They actually change our brain

matter

chemistry! As wordsmiths here at LKNW, we are especially fond of words that will resonate with our readers, in hopes they will help guide & inspire you:

Go confidently in the direction of your

Dreams!

Are you wishing on a star or rolling up your sleeves? The answer could make all the difference in the world.”

–AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Live the life you’ve

imagined.

–HENRY DAVID THOREAU

WHAT YOU THINK, YOU BECOME.

–JIMMY BUFFETT

WHAT YOU FEEL, YOU ATTRACT.

Call us crazy but we love to see people happy and succeeding. Life is a journey to be shared, not a competition.

WHAT YOU IMAGINE, YOU CREATE. –BUDDHA

– L K N W S T A F F V A U LT

House of Hope Counseling, PLLC • Grief

• Anxiety/Depression

• Trauma

• Children/Teen Behavioral Issues

• Chronic Pain/Brain Injuries • Relational Concerns

Where Your Healing Begins Madison See, LPCA 980-689-1919

Jennifer Garcia, LPCA 980-494-3205

Serving the Lake Norman Area www.houseofhopecounseling.com

40

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

41

F AMI LY

teens aloud!

teens aloud!

YOUR TEEN, TRANSLATED

OR

. e d i c e d you

MY HAIRDRESSER HAS THE CUTEST FIGURE. Not too slim, not too thick, not too straight, not too angular. Meanwhile, I have a metric ton of hair. So when I see my hairdresser, who’s a perfectionist, I see her for hours. For days. Which means I’m privy to her habits. So I know how she got that figure. What’s her secret? She doesn’t slave away at the gym for it; as a business owner and mom, she doesn’t have time for such obsession. No, she doesn’t exercise for it. She eats for it.

I roll up with a massive Dunkin’ coffee, but my hairdresser will never let me bring her one. She’s all set with her water bottle; with her lunch back in the mini fridge. Four hours later, when it’s time for the color to set, she sits down next to me and breaks out that lunch. And it’s always just…adorable. Homemade soup with beans and veggies. A cup of plain yogurt and an apple. Whole carrots. This is not some Weight Watcher’s Points regimen; this is just…how she eats. How she wants to eat. How she’s always eaten. She’s not craving a massive carby bread roll and some cookies; she’s perfectly satisfied with her celery. Amazing.

“My family grew a lot of what we ate. I spent summers pulling weeds and picking tomatoes, cucumbers, apples….my grandparents had muscadine vines, and I would go hide out there and just feast on that fruit. They’d find me and holler, ‘Get out from there! You’ll ruin your supper!’

But I just kept on popping handfuls in my mouth.”

Curious about how one develops this idealized relationship with food, I asked her what she ate as a child. For me, it was a steady diet of candy and Suzy-Qs. If I didn’t have two quarters to buy it, I had five fingers to steal it. We’re talking hard core addiction that’s lasted through the decades, resulting in unwanted pounds and fearful self-contempt. For my hairdresser, her food bliss came from a different source.

In a coaching session recently, a teen girl I’m working with broke down in sobs. Long and lean, she’d been a varsity athlete in high school and is now in her freshman year of college. The girl told me through her tears that last night her mom had yelled at her for the few pounds she’s gained since going away to school. That her mom said that’s not how she raised her. That she had to increase the mileage

42

JANUARY 2020

Each in our own way, we were little food thieves. And our thieving developed into adult behaviors. Hers: satisfaction and pleasure in cooking and eating produce.

Mine: a fever-pitched battle against sugar, carbs and the specter of diabetes.

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

© Tapio Salmela

| Dreamstime.com

of her daily runs. She felt hurt. She felt ashamed. She felt afraid.

When my hairdresser was hiding in the muscadine vines, gorging on fresh, plump, sun-warmed grapes, she didn’t feel hurt, or shame, or fear. She felt bliss.

As she grew older, she associated eating fresh, healthy foods with that feeling of bliss. The result? She happily, easily maintains a healthy body.

I see a lesson in this for those of us with influence over kids. If we want them to have a happy, healthy relationship with their body, we should equate healthgiving foods with happy moments, with celebration. If we want them to associate their body with hurt, and shame, and fear, we should comfort them with sugary foods, and insist they use exercise as punishment. I’ve seen how both approaches work in the long term. Oh, to have been raised with the former. w L K N e x p e rt

Cyndy Etler is a board-certified teen life coach and awardwinning young adult memoir author. Her work has been featured on CNN, NPR, CBS’ The Doctors, Huffpost, Today’s Parent, and other international media.

WRITER CYNDY ETLER

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

43

44

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

s e t c h a v o i ol r p

GUIDE Choosing the right school for their child can be one of the biggest challenges parents face.

There are certainly plenty of options to consider, and sometimes just figuring out where to start can be the most frustrating part of it all. In this special educational guide, Lake Norman Woman provides some valuable information to help make your decision a little easier.

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

45

ate school v i pr

E D I GU

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

an tell me u o y n ou Ca dness y n i k f o e day? exampl owed to h s D N saw A Who did you sit with at lunch today?

Can you share some of what you talked about?

Was there an example of unkindness? How did you respond?

WHAT MADE YOU SMILE TODAY? What was the hardest rule to follow today?

10 THINGS TO ASK YOUR CHILD

“HOW WAS YOUR DAY?” “How was your day?” we ask them before the car door is even shut—and often that is followed by obligatory utterances such as “good” or “ok” or even the ubiquitous “fine.” But ask more detailed questions and you will get some pretty amazing answers. I tried a few of these recently with my young niece and we had the most delightful and engaging conversation! Here are a few questions to consider---

one have y r e v e id D t lunch/ a friend a id you recess? D someone befriend ded it? who nee

HOW WOULD YOU RATE TODAY ON A SCALE OF 1-10 AND WHY?

Teach me something that you learned today.

Tell me something you know today that you didn’t yesterday?

If you could change one thing about today, what would that be and why?

46

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

Gathered from www.parenting.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

private school GUIDE British International School of Charlotte

Carmel Christian School

1145 Pineville-Matthews Rd. Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 849-9723 carmelchristian.org

7000 Endhaven Ln. Charlotte, NC 28277 (704) 341-3236 bischarlotte.org

Covenant Classical School

3200 Patrick Henry Dr. NW Concord, NC 28027 (704) 792-1854 covenantclassical.org

Cannon School

5801 Poplar Tent Rd. Concord, NC 28027 (704) 786-8171 cannonschool.org

Davidson Day School

Charlotte Christian School 7301 Sardis Rd. Charlotte, NC 28270 (704) 366-5657 charlottechristian.com

Charlotte Country Day

1440 Carmel Rd. Charlotte, NC 28226 (704) 943-4500 charlottecountryday.org

Charlotte Latin School 9502 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28277 (704) 846-1100 charlottelatin.org 212 Boyce Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211 (704) 366-5994 charlotteprep.org

17301 Statesville Rd. Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 892-5601 gracecovenantacademy.org

Hickory Grove Christian School 7200 E WT Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28215 (704) 531-4008 hgchristian.org

16301 Old Statesville Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 987-9811 lknc.org

Liberty Prep Christian Academy

Christ the King High School 753 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy. Mooresville, NC 28115 (704) 370-3273 christthekinghs.com

Christian Montessori School

14101 Stumptown Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 875-1801 christianmontessorischool.org

JANUARY 2020

Grace Covenant Academy

Lake Norman Christian School

Charlotte Preparatory School

48

750 Jetton St. Davidson, NC 28036 (704) 237-5200 davidsonday.org

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

4–12 & Administration: 246 Blume Rd. Mooresville, NC 28117 K–3: 433 Williamson Rd. Mooresville, NC 28117 (704) 660-3933 libertyprepnc.com

Mountain Island Day

8101 Fallsdale Dr. Charlotte, NC 28214 midschool.org

Phoenix Montessori Academy

12340 Mt Holly-Huntersville Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 875-2139 phoenixmontessori.org

Providence Day School 5800 Sardis Rd. Charlotte, NC 28270 (704) 887-6000 providenceday.org

Saint Mark Catholic School

14750 Stumptown Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 766-5000 stmarkcatholicschool.net

Southlake Christian Academy 13820 Hagers Ferry Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 949-2200 southlakechristian.org

Statesville Christian School

1210 Museum Rd. Statesville, NC 28625 (704) 873-9511 www.statesvillechristian.org

Statesville Montessori School 1012 Harmony Dr. Statesville, NC 28677 (704) 873-1092 statesvillemontessori.com

Woodlawn School

135 Woodlawn School Loop Mooresville, NC 28115 (704) 895-8653 woodlawnschool.org

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

49

ate school v i pr

E D I GU

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Sleep Learning

HOW

IMPACTS

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN

sleep, memory, and learning is a complex phenomenon that is not entirely understood; but, say researchers, the quality and quantity of sleep are essential when it comes to brain function. If we don’t get enough sleep, our moods, motivation, judgment, and perception get off track, all of which affect learning. This is especially true for children as they are acquiring knowledge at a very rapid rate, and sleep patterns can be tricky—if not downright challenging—for our kids. Here are additional factors why sleep is so important to your child’s learning and overall brain health: • Sleep deprivation keeps you from being able to focus your attention properly, which inhibits the learning process.

• Adequate sleep is essential for proper memory function, a vital component of learning.

• Recall occurs when we’re awake, but research suggests that memory takes place during sleep when neural connections are being strengthened.

5 Things To Help Your Child Sleep 1 Establish a bedtime routine and be consistent.

2 Begin dimming the lights and settling the mood as bedtime approaches.

3 Have healthy bedtime snacks. Proteins such as oatmeal or whole wheat toast with peanut butter encourage sleep.

4 Get away from electronic devices and read aloud together before bedtime instead.

5 Do not use bed/bedtime as a punishment.

• REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is critical in visual learning, and SWS (slow-wave sleep)—which is deep, restorative sleep—contributes to memory and newly acquired information.

• If you are sleep deprived, your focus and attention drift, making it more difficult to receive and process information.

Neurons become overworked and no longer function properly.

• Without recuperative sleep, you lose the ability to make decisions because you can’t fully assess the situation, plan accordingly, or choose the appropriate behaviors and responses. Judgment becomes impaired.

50

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

For more information on sleep and learning, visit www.sleepfoundation.org.

FEATU R E

success story

EACH

day adventure IS A NEW

I T W A S H E M I N G W AY T H AT O N C E S A I D,

“Every man’s life ends the same way – it is only the details of how he lived … that distinguishes one man from another.” In those details are one’s adventures in life. Vanessa Richardson’s passion lies in those adventures. “I love anything and everything new,” she says, “visiting new places, meeting new people, taking on a new challenge – it makes me feel awake and alive!”

Vanessa graduated from the prestigious West Point United States Military Academy and spent almost six years in the US Army where she traveled the world. Two things Vanessa loved about the Army were the opportunity to lead highly capable men and women, and to travel and live in different places.

vanessa richardson CYGNAL CONSULTING, LLC Huntersville

“There was a lot of thinking on your feet and adapting to a changing battlefield,” she describes. She realized that risk management is a defined process that mirrors how she naturally approaches problems.

“Life is a series of struggles and challenges, so we must remember that nothing is constant – everything changes so we should cherish and find joy in the moment.”

Segueing that military experience into civilian terms has been a bit like translating a conversation between an English rugby coach and an American football coach. You have to understand the nuances of each world to be able to seamlessly fit one into the other. That’s exactly what Vanessa has done with Cygnal Consulting, LLC – her risk management consulting firm. In the Army, she was a Logistics Officer who planned, resourced, and led teams to successfully complete equipment recovery and maintenance operations.

52

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

As her service time took her across the world, she came to understand how emersion in other cultures expands our views. “People are a reflection of their experiences,” she says. “Living in different cultures enriches our perspective, and I have found that it also allows one the ability to see problems differently and apply solutions from a unique vantage point,” she adds.

Now that Vanessa is stateside and married with a toddler daughter, she still makes an effort to travel.

“It’s hard to identify a single favorite place,” she explains. The quaint town of Davidson is home now. “It has a home town feel – and it’s a place where kids can learn to be individuals, go to the playground, or ride their bike by themselves – where people smile and say hello,” she smiles.

“Life is a series of struggles and challenges,” Vanessa says, “so we must remember that nothing is constant – everything changes so we should cherish and find joy in the moment.” Vanessa suggests that when things get hard, remember to pick your head up, look into the future with hope and determination, seeing the many adventures that lie ahead. w

WRITER MICHELLE LOVE

PHOTOGRAPHER CHELSEA BREN

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

53

self

BETTER ME … BETTER YOU … BETTER WORLD

MIND body SPIRIT

By mixing the ingredients of attitude and action, we can change the flavor of our own lives. Learn to nurture your body and soul to lead a more balanced life.

Here are some examples of what I mean--four small things that bring me joy:

joy

FIND YOUR WHAT DOES JOY MEAN TO YOU?

Merriam-Webster defines Joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; a state of happiness; a source or cause of delight.”

Theopedia describes Joy as a state of mind and orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence, and hope.

My personal definition of joy is the ability to delight in people or things that make you SMILE. What brings you joy? Quickly name four things that bring you joy without listing your family or friends. How did you do? Do you have your list and are you smiling? Or, are you struggling to remember when you last thought about joyful things?

54

JANUARY 2020

w OMAN.COM

L AKENORMAN

1. When I am walking early in the morning and hear baby birds chirping-- I love it! I smile and slow down my steps so that I can listen for a moment. I don’t think too deeply about why they are chirping; I enjoy being present in that space at that time. (**Side note: Did you know that birds begin chirping while in the egg to let the momma bird know that they are about to break free from the shell?) Finding our joy can be compared to breaking free.

2. I find JOY when I hear young children belly-laugh. I love the sound of unfiltered laughing from a place of innocence and wonder. Pure laughter that makes a child buckle over and feel the joy from the belly to the chest to the throat. I too belly-laugh when I hear that joyful sound from children.

3. I love R&B music, the kind that was sent out by Motown in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Put on Motown Greatest Hits and I find joy that wraps me with love, contentment, and deep appreciation for life. I am ready to put on my platform dancing shoes and throw back to disco and the ‘70s.

4. The color magenta brings me great joy. It is a color that sparks sassy and fun when I see it or purchase a special garment in that color. What color brings you joy?

Best-selling author, life coach, and speaker Martha Beck, states that “if the only thing you ever did was fill your life with the people, things, and activities that bring you genuine joy, you’d find your own North Star almost immediately.”

Think about what you can do to find your joy. Are you ready to surround yourself with people, work, and activities that bring you genuine joy? It is your choice in the New Year to set a goal to cling to joy or push it away.

Are you ready for change? Are you ready to find your joy? Go into 2020 giving up anything or anyone who keeps you from finding your true joy. w Nancy Beard is a certified life coach who works with women to help them “Find Their Joy.” Connect with Nancy to learn about individual coaching or motivational speaking at www.nancybeardcoachingllc. com, find her on Facebook at Nancy Beard Certified Life Coach and Motivational Speaking, or on Linked-In. WRITER NANCY BEARD

w OM AN.C OM

L AKE NOR M AN

JANUARY 2020

55