Proudly banking on Elevations member since 2020
Heather Watters FNP-C, FMACP
Character of a Gentleman
One thing I’ve always loved about Fort Collins is how connected this community feels in the summer. The patios fill, the mountains call, and the longer days somehow create more space for what matters most. Family, friendships, and time spent together.
June's Gentlemen’s Issue is a reflection of that spirit.
More than anything, this issue became a reflection of the people who quietly make Fort Collins special. I kept coming back to one thought: some of the strongest people in our community are often the quietest. They’re the ones showing up early, staying late, leading by example, investing in others, and building something meaningful, not for recognition, but because they genuinely care about the people and community around them.
That’s what this issue is about.
Not perfection. Not status. But character.
The men featured in these pages represent leadership in many different ways, through healthcare, athletics, business, mentorship, resilience, family, and service. But truthfully, they are only a small glimpse of the incredible men who help shape Fort Collins every single day.
There are so many remarkable men in this community, fathers, husbands, coaches, business owners, mentors, friends, neighbors, and leaders quietly making an impact behind the scenes. I wish I could highlight all of them in one issue. This month's issue is simply a small reflection of the many men across Northern Colorado who lead with integrity, work hard, care deeply, and help make this community such a special place to call home.
This community has a way of blending ambition with authenticity. It’s a place where people still believe in supporting local, showing up for one another, giving back, and building relationships that truly matter. There’s a genuine sense of community here that’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it, a reminder that success means very little if it doesn’t positively impact the people around you.
As Father’s Day approaches, I hope this issue encourages you to slow down a little this month, spend time with the people you love, and appreciate the fathers, mentors, leaders, and everyday gentlemen who help make Fort Collins such an incredible community.
With gratitude and purpose,
PUBLISHER
Carli Taylor-Drake carli.taylor-drake@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kennidi Holcombe, Rob Trenz
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ashley Redding, Colorado State Athletics, Photography by Desiree June 2026
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs
QUALITY
Kevin Unger Shapes
Wayne
How
Longevity
It’s not just about adding years to your life, it’s about adding life to your years.
Our Longevity Program is rooted in advanced diagnostics and personalized care, aiming to help you look, feel, and function at your highest potential.
We start with in-depth lab testing to uncover your body's unique needs, then create a personalized plan using peptides, hormone optimization, and targeted supplements.
Because aging well is an art we specialize in.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-7: NOCO Unify’s Down & Derby Party lit up Northern Colorado, bringing big energy, bold generosity, and a powerful community together to create lasting impact for local youth.
Photography by Karalyn Radford Photography
this year’s FoCoMX. 11:
team supported runners during their 50-mile journey at the NOCO Urban Ultra. 12: Animal Dental Care & Oral Surgery supporting NOCO Humane’s Fire Hydrant 5K on May 30th. 13: Colorado Sound’s, Ron Bostwick with Rebecca Folsom, at this year’s FoCoMX festival. 14:
this year’s FoCoMX.
8: Holli McElwee, owner of Kilwins, sweetening the Fort Collins Foodie Walk 9: Chef Steven Nalls of The Cooking Studio bringing flavor to the Fort Collins Foodie Walk. 10: Lindsey O’Brien Band blending soulful rock and powerhouse vocals at CooperSmith’s during
Planet Fitness's
Uncle Jesse Blue Skillett taking the stage at Avogadro’s Number during
Animal Dental Care & Oral Surgery Residency Training Site
Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery is proud to be a residency training facility, training the next generation of board-certified veterinary dentists. Animal Dental Care & Oral Surgery has been an approved residency training site for the American Veterinary Dental College since 2021. Current residents, Dr. Rachel Siddall & Dr. Erin McGuirk are passionate about providing pets in Fort Collins with high standard of care and educating clients about their pet’s oral and dental health.
Photography by Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery
Blue Federal Credit Union, Invest Your Money and Earn More
Looking for a smart, secure way to grow your savings? Blue Federal Credit Union is currently offering Term Share Certificates, a low-risk investment option similar to a Certificate of Deposit (CD). With fixed terms and competitive rates, you’ll know exactly what to expect and when your investment matures. It’s a simple, reliable way to build savings, plan ahead, and make your money work harder for your future.
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F45 Training Fort Collins South launches HYROX
Train with purpose at F45 Training Fort Collins as they launch HYROX Training beginning June 4th. Designed to build endurance, functional strength, mental toughness, and race-day performance, these two weekly classes combine high-energy coaching with proven functional fitness training. Whether you’re preparing for your first HYROX event or looking to challenge yourself in a new way, F45 Fort Collins is ready to help you train stronger, faster, and smarter. Race-ready starts here.
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ARTICLE BY CARLI TAYLOR-DRAKE
ROOTSof LEGACY
Kevin Unger shapes healthcare through leadership and deep community connection.
In Fort Collins, leadership isn’t defined by titles, it’s defined by roots, relationships, and a deep commitment to community. Few embody that more fully than Kevin Unger, President and CEO of UCHealth Northern Colorado, whose journey is as much about place as it is about purpose.
For Unger, Fort Collins isn’t just where he works, it’s where his story began. Raised in a community he describes as both collaborative and grounded, he credits the city’s culture for shaping his leadership style. “There’s something different about Fort Collins,” he reflects. “It’s a place where people genuinely show up for each other.” That spirit, equal parts innovation and humility, has remained a constant throughout his career.
Today, Unger leads one of the region’s most influential health systems, part of a nationally recognized organization with more than 30,000 employees and a multibillion-dollar footprint, yet his approach remains deeply local, grounded in relationships and trust. His early years were marked by formative influences that would quietly steer him. His parents Don and Karen Unger, longtime Fort Collins residents have provided direction and guidance throughout his life and modeled what it meant to lead with integrity and compassion. Mentors like Dr. Ruth Rumley and Dr. Bud Rumley didn’t just offer guidance, they guided me to healthcare and showed him what it meant to give back to the community.
That sense of purpose led him to Poudre Valley Hospital, where a 25-year tenure would become the foundation of his leadership legacy. What began with curiosity, childhood tours through
hospital corridors, evolved into a career defined by transformation. Under his leadership, the organization earned national recognition for quality and performance, including the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a reflection of an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Central to that evolution has been a belief that world-class care should exist close to home. Unger has long championed the idea that patients shouldn’t have to leave Northern Colorado to receive exceptional treatment. That vision has guided the recruitment of top-tier physicians and specialists, bringing both innovation and expertise to a community he knows intimately.
He’s quick to point out that this growth didn’t happen in isolation. Fort Collins’ philanthropic spirit has played a defining role. Families like the Everetts, Gleasons, Erions, Markleys, Houskas and Dellenbachs to name a few have helped shape a culture of giving that continues to ripple through the region. “There’s a shared understanding here,” Unger notes, “that success means lifting others along the way.”
That ethos extends into his own philanthropic work. Through organizations like NoCo Unify, UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation, just to name a few, Unger remains deeply engaged in initiatives that strengthen community connection and support those in need. It’s not about recognition, it’s about responsibility.
His ties to Colorado State University run just as deep. A proud CSU graduate, Unger later continued his academic journey with advanced degrees spanning healthcare administration, business,
“There’s something different about Fort Collins. It’s a place where people genuinely show up for each other.”
UCHealth President and CEO photographed at Ginger and Baker.
Photography by Coleman & Co.
and a doctorate focused on organizational development and change. This educational foundation mirrors the thoughtful, people-centered leadership he brings today.
Despite leading at such scale, Unger remains grounded in the things that bring him joy outside of work. He’s an avid car enthusiast, drawn to craftsmanship and precision. When he’s not behind the wheel, you’ll likely find him outdoors, skiing, hunting, fishing, or simply taking in the landscapes that make Colorado home.
But at the heart of it all is family. A Fort Collins native, Unger and his wife have built their life here, raising their three children in the same community that shaped him. It’s a full-circle story, one rooted in connection, continuity, and care.
Looking ahead, his vision for UCHealth is both ambitious and deeply personal: continued growth, expanded access, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. Yet, even as the organization’s reach continues to grow, Unger remains focused on preserving the community-centered approach that has defined his journey from the very beginning.
Beyond the accolades and accomplishments, what defines Unger most is the consistency of how he shows up, thoughtful, approachable, and deeply invested in the people around him. Colleagues describe a leader who listens first, values collaboration, and never loses sight of the human side of healthcare. In an industry constantly evolving through innovation, technology, and growth, he has remained focused on creating meaningful impact not just within hospital walls, but throughout the communities UCHealth serves. That balance of visionary leadership and genuine humility is what continues to set him apart. For Kevin Unger, success has never been measured solely by expansion or recognition, but by building something lasting, trusted, and deeply connected to the people of Northern Colorado.
Because for him, leadership isn’t about moving beyond where you started, it’s about honoring it.
“Fort Collins shaped who I am. Giving back to this community has always felt personal, purposeful, and deeply connected to the people and families who call it home.”
The Unger Family
Local owner, Holli McElwee, a Colorado native and proud CSU alum, re-opened Kilwins Ice Cream, Chocolates, Fudge & Confections three years ago. Located in the heart of downtown Fort Collins, this specialty dessert and retail shop has been a town favorite for decades. It is one of those nostalgic places that has been bringing people together to celebrate life's biggest and smallest moments over FREE daily fudge samples, scoops and rainbow sprinkles.
Celebrating 30 Years in Business 970.221.9444 | kilwins.com/fortcollins 114 S. College Avenue
Photography for Every Season, Story, and Celebration Now accepting bookings for weddings, commercial projects, engagements, and lifestyle portrait sessions.
Ashley, owner of Coleman & Co Photography captures weddings, engagements, families, portraits, and commercial brands through timeless, true-to-color imagery that feels honest and full of life. Every session is approached with calm direction, intentional storytelling, and a focus on genuine connection — creating photographs that not only look beautiful, but hold emotion, personality, and the feeling of the moment for years to come.
THE LONG COURSE
The Mindset Leading Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLEMAN & CO PHOTOGRAPHY
Sixteen times, Wayne Fraleigh has stood at the start line of an Ironman—knowing exactly what waits on the other side of the water, the miles, and the hours still ahead. A 2.4-mile swim. A 112-mile bike ride. A full marathon to finish. Seventeen hours to complete it all. It is a distance that tests not only physical
Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies’ CEO Wayne Fraleigh photographed at Ginger and Baker. Photography by Coleman & Co.
endurance, but mental resolve in its purest form. For Wayne, it became something more than a race. It became a framework for how he approaches challenge, leadership, and the quiet discipline required to keep moving forward when the outcome is uncertain.
Today, as Chief Executive Officer of Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR), Wayne leads with a perspective shaped far beyond boardrooms and strategy sessions. Long before that role, his life was defined by endurance of a different kind. As a student-athlete on the University of Arizona football team, he learned discipline early, but it was a devastating, career-ending injury that would ultimately reshape his path. A serious neck injury during a college football game forced everything to stop, stripping away the identity he had built and leaving him to rebuild from a place few ever anticipate. What followed was not immediate clarity, but a gradual shift in perspective— one that would later define how he navigates both personal and professional challenges.
Years later, in 2013, that perspective was tested again in an unexpected way. While serving in a leadership role connected to the former Ironman Sports Medicine Institute in Houston, Wayne was invited to the Ironman World Championships in Kona to learn about their medical set-up. There, standing at the finish line, he witnessed something that reframed what endurance truly looked like. Many athletes crossing that line were not defined by ease or even by physical perfection. They were defined by persistence—blind competitors, amputees, cancer survivors, and individuals who had faced extraordinary setbacks yet still chose to move forward. “I looked at them and thought, why not me?” he says. At the time, he had never run more than a couple of miles, and lingering physical challenges, including his serious neck injury and a heart condition, made the idea seem even more unlikely. Still, he started.
The first endurance event, a half marathon, was difficult in ways he had not anticipated. The first half Ironman brought even more uncertainty when his heart went into atrial fibrillation midrace. He finished anyway. Soon after, doctors told him he would need a cardiac procedure and months of recovery—timing that
could have easily marked the end of the pursuit of completing an Ironman. Instead, it became part of the process. By November 2014, just months after surgery, Wayne completed his first full Ironman, crossing a finish line that represented far more than physical endurance. It marked a shift in how he understood limitations, not as fixed barriers, but as variables to be worked through with patience, resilience, and discipline.
Today, Wayne has competed in 16 Ironman races, completing 13. Each one carries its own set of challenges, but one in particular stands apart. At the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France, he threw his back out the morning of the race. Bent forward, in extreme pain, and unsure if he could even begin, he made a decision that had nothing to do with time or placement. “My dad taught me that it’s not what happens to you, but it’s how you handle what happens to you. I told myself I’ll push through each discipline until my body is unable to.” Wayne noted. He was eventually pulled for missing the run cutoff, meaning the race would not count as an official finish. Still, he continued and completed the distance. What remained was not a medal, but something far more defining— the understanding that breaking through your physical and mental limits can matter far more than any recognition or reward.
Finishing the 2025 Colorado Marathon
That distinction matters, because for Wayne, the Ironman has never been about the finish line. It is about what the process demands: consistency, resilience, and the ability to stay steady in moments that test both physical and mental limits. Those same principles now shape how he leads Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies. Healthcare, much like endurance racing, is constantly shifting, requiring leaders to make decisions in an environment where variables are rarely within their control. Costs rise, systems evolve, and independent practices face increasing pressure to adapt to stay relevant. Leading through that requires more than strategy. It requires perspective. “You can’t get too high or too low,” Wayne says. “You deal with what’s in front of you and make the best decision you can.”
That mindset carries into how he approaches leadership on a daily basis. Rather than stepping away from the clinical side of care, Wayne remains closely connected to it, maintaining his physical therapy license and spending time with both physicians and staff. The goal is not distance, but alignment—understanding how decisions made at an organizational level impact the patient experience in real time. “If you take care of your team, they’ll take care of the patient,” he says, a philosophy that reflects the same interconnected support system required to complete an Ironman. “It’s never just about you. My support team, especially my wife and kids, have sacrificed a lot for me to pursue this journey. Success comes when the whole team works together to make dreams and aspirations possible.”
Wayne Fraleigh & Ashley Bruning, OCR’s COO participating in the 2026 Ironman
2022 Ironman Chattanooga
“I looked at them and thought, why not me?”
Outside of work, that same sense of discipline and connection shapes his approach to life. Rather than separating work and home, he views them as integrated, recognizing that the ability to lead effectively is tied to how well everything else is aligned. Strong in his Christian faith, early mornings begin with devotion, prayer, and exercise, grounding the day before it begins in mind, spirit, and body. Family remains a constant priority, not as something balanced against work, but as something that exists alongside it. It is a structure that allows for both intensity and presence, a combination
that mirrors the endurance required in both racing and leadership.
At its core, Wayne’s story is not about titles or accomplishments. It is about the moments that ask more than expected, and the decision to meet them anyway. Most will never stand at the start line of an Ironman, and they do not need to. The distance itself is not the point. What matters is the question it represents, one that extends far beyond the race course.
What is the challenge that feels just out of reach—and what would it take to pursue it anyway?
1st Ironman race in Cozumel-2014
1st Half Ironman Texas- 2014
How Ryun Williams is Shaping Culture, Character, and Lasting Impact in Fort Collins
ARTICLE BY CARLI TAYLOR-DRAKE & ROB TRENZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLORADO STATE ATHLETICS & PROVIDED
CSU Women’s Basketball Head Coach photographed at Ginger and Baker. Photography by Coleman & Co.
Colorado State Athletics
There’s something quietly powerful about the way Ryun Williams has built his life, and his legacy, in Fort Collins.
Since arriving in 2012, the Colorado State Rams women’s basketball head coach has led his program to remarkable success: six Mountain West Conference Championships and multiple appearances on the national stage at the NCAA Women’s Tournament. But for Williams, the story has never been defined solely by banners or brackets.
It’s about something deeper.
With the program preparing to step into the reimagined Pac-12 Conference, a new level of competition awaits one that will demand more, test more, and ultimately elevate the Rams’ national presence. Yet if you ask Ryun Williams, success isn’t defined by championships alone. It’s found in the quiet, daily victories, the discipline of showing up, the commitment to outworking yesterday, and the mindset of embracing the grind when no one is watching. It’s about building something meaningful over time, where growth, resilience, and character matter just as much as the final score.
For him, it begins at home.
Fort Collins, once perceived as a “big city” shift from his small-town roots, quickly revealed itself to be something else entirely, a place where authenticity still matters. A “big small town,” as many call it, where community isn’t just a word, it’s a way of life. It’s here that Williams and his wife, Lyndy, chose to raise their children, surrounded by the kind of warmth, connection, and opportunity that defines Northern Colorado at its best.
That sense of place has become foundational, not only for his family, but for the culture of the program he’s built.
Inside the locker room, the philosophy is simple: love the grind. Not just the physical demands of the game, but the mental and emotional resilience it requires. It’s about showing up daily, embracing adversity, and doing the work when no one is watching. It’s a mindset that extends beyond the court, one that Williams has instilled not only in his players, but in his own children. And then there are the moments that can’t be measured on a scoreboard.
The Williams Family
Proud Coach, but being "Papa' might be my favorite title yet.
Like the tradition of staying long after the final buzzer, win or lose, where players gather on the court, signing autographs, connecting with fans, and reinforcing something bigger than basketball. Or the Cancer Warriors game, a powerful reflection of the program’s commitment to community, empathy, and impact. Because for Williams, leadership isn’t about recognition, it’s about responsibility. It’sabout empowering others, cultivating a staff and team grounded in character and integrity, and surrounding himself with people who genuinely live those values every day. There’s a quiet pride in building something bigger than himself. One where effort is consistent, attitudes are contagious, and both players and coaches carry themselves with purpose and a sense of joy, on and off the court.
It’s the respect he holds for every student-athlete who walks through his program, and the understanding that his role isn’t just to coach, but to shape, guide, and influence lives long after the final season ends. In a world often focused on outcomes, Ryun Williams has built something far more enduring in Fort Collins.
A culture rooted in humility.
A program defined by purpose.
And a legacy that reaches well beyond the game.
WHAT RYUN WILLIAMS BELIEVES
Love the grind. Show up daily. Character matters when no one is watching. Leadership is responsibility, not recognition. Culture is built through consistency, humility, and trust. Success is bigger than the scoreboard. Community comes first. Build something meaningful that lasts beyond the game, where effort, resilience, and purpose shape lives long after basketball ends.
Colorado State Athletics
Colorado State Athletics
Photo: Colorado State Athletics
GRIT. PURPOSE. LEGACY.
A LEADERSHIP PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON VISION, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY
In Fort Collins, where community isn’t just a word but a way of life, the story of Sage Marketing Group (SageMG) stands as a reflection of something deeper than business success. It’s about people, purpose, and the power of showing up.
For Doug Larson, success didn’t begin in a conference room. It started in Walden, Colorado, on a ranch where long days, early mornings, and relentless responsibility weren’t optional. They were expected. That environment didn’t just shape his work ethic, it defined it.
“Show up. Do the work. Be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Those principles followed him from the ranch to the basketball court at Colorado State University, and eventually into the business world; where he would go on to build SageMG into something far more meaningful than an agency.
From the beginning, Larson believed marketing wasn’t about transactions, it was about connection. About turning clients into advocates. Fans. Believers. That philosophy, what he often describes as “fanatical marketing,” became the backbone of Sage’s growth over the past 24 years. From its early days as a virtual agency to its evolution into a modern digital powerhouse, Sage has stayed ahead by staying grounded.
Grounded in people. Grounded in purpose.
As SageMG enters its next chapter, David Finkelstein brings a new layer of leadership, as the Agency’s Creative Director, one that complements Larson ’s foundation with a focus on scale, intention, and culture.
Finkelstein’s path, from creative roots to leadership at the Bank of Colorado, has shaped a perspective that prioritizes both performance and authenticity. He understands that growth without alignment is unsustainable. And that the strongest brands aren’t the loudest, they’re the most genuine.
Doug Larson and David Finkelstein photographed at Ginger and Baker. Photography by Coleman & Co.
His leadership philosophy is refreshingly simple: lead by example. It’s not about hierarchy. It’s about presence. About building trust within a team and creating an environment where people don’t just work, they care. Where culture isn’t stated, it’s lived.
But what truly sets both Larson and Finkelstein apart is their shared commitment to something beyond business.
Both Larson and Finkelstein are deeply invested in Northern Colorado, particularly through their involvement in initiatives like Northern Colorado United for Youth (NOCO Unify). What began as a local chapter of a national organization has grown into an independent nonprofit focused on raising funds for children’s charities in Northern Colorado while developing the next generation of leaders. It’s not networking for the sake of business, it’s about giving back through time, talent, and resources.
This commitment reflects a shared belief: real impact is built over time. It’s found in the relationships you nurture, the culture you create, and the legacy you leave behind.
At its core, SageMG isn’t just an agency. It’s a living example of what happens when passion meets purpose. When leaders prioritize people, stay grounded in their values, and invest in the communities that shape them.
Because in Fort Collins, success isn’t just about what you build. It’s about who you build it with, and who you lift along the way.
Rooted in community and driven by purpose, SageMG exists to help local businesses build meaningful connections and brands people genuinely believe in.
One of the things both Larson and Finkelstein understand deeply is that great marketing, much like great leadership, starts with listening. In an industry constantly evolving through technology, algorithms, and AI, SageMG has continued to stand out by never losing sight of the human side of business.
For Larson, adaptability has been one of the defining factors behind Sage’s longevity. Over the past two decades, the agency has continually evolved alongside the changing media landscape, embracing innovation while staying rooted in authentic storytelling and meaningful relationships. That balance between strategy and connection has allowed Sage to grow with its clients rather than simply market to them.
Finkelstein brings that same mindset into the agency’s future. His approach centers around understanding not just what a brand does, but who it truly is. He believes the most impactful marketing happens when businesses communicate with honesty, clarity, and purpose. It’s about building trust over time, not chasing quick wins.
Together, Larson and Finkelstein represent a leadership partnership grounded in collaboration, creativity, and community. Their vision for SageMG isn’t simply continued growth, it’s building an agency that leaves a lasting impact on the businesses, people, and communities it serves throughout Northern Colorado. In Fort Collins, where community isn’t just a word but a way of life, the story of Sage.
SageMG Team
The Larson Family
Kevin Unger, Wayne Fraleigh, Doug Larson, Ryun Williams, & David Finkelstein
Is Whiskey On Ice
Nice?
BY EVE BUSHMAN
In speaking to Whiskey lovers (most happen to be men, but do accept me in their brethren as a fellow enthusiast, writer, and educator), I’ve learned a great many opinions on how to drink Whiskey. Specifically, preferences on adding water and ice vary greatly.
A brand ambassador that I had the privilege of listening to recently said the obvious: both dilution and temperature change when you add ice, so if you are going to add something, a little water is best. I personally prefer to use a water dropper, so I can add one drop at a time until I get to the desired taste.
THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY YOUR WHISKEY: ON THE ROCKS, ROCK, NEAT, OR WITH WATER
HERE ARE THE DIFFERENCES:
Rocks: Provides the highest rate of dilution as a lot of ice melts quickly. If you are drinking a barrel proof Whiskey, it kind of defeats the purpose as the distiller didn’t add water as they do in every other type of finished Whiskey.
On the Rock: The single rock, cube, or sphere is the slowest to melt and thought to be the most aesthetic. It’s nice if you want to stretch out your tasting. I often order on the rock if I want my drink to last longer.
Neat: This is the way single malt Scotch is served at a tasting event, in a branded Glencairn or Neat glass so that proper nosing for aromas can be achieved - and a dram of Scotch, smaller than an ounce, fits in them perfectly.
Water: As I mentioned above, quoting the brand ambassador, a little water is better for a fine Whiskey over any kind of ice. Often, if ordered with water, the water is served in a separate vessel on the side so you can add in as much as you want.
Quoting another expert on the subject, Richard Paterson of The Dalmore famously and enthusiastically demonstrates in his Scotch classes how to drink single malt Scotch Whiskey: Paterson fills a lowball glass to the rim with ice, adds Scotch and then ceremoniously throws it over his shoulder onto the carpet of the classroom – because that much ice makes the drink worthless. One more quote, never “add green tea or milk to Whiskey. You can add a little water, but not a lot of ice.”
Ultimately, the reason we add ice can be for aesthetics, to stretch out the time spent on one glass, for cooling, and for dilution. However, the number one reason enthusiasts add water is … drumroll please … because adding a little water actually opens up a Whiskey to show more aromas and flavors.
AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When in all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
JUNE 2026
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JUNE 5TH
Downtown Fort Collins
First Friday Art Walk
Old Town Fort Collins | 6:00 PM
Downtown Downtown Fort Collins comes alive during First Friday Art Walk™, a free self-guided evening celebrating local art, live music, creativity, and community. Stroll through Old Town shops, galleries, restaurants, and businesses while discovering featured artists, pop-up exhibits, and unique experiences throughout the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
JUNE 10TH - JULY 22ND
Lagoon Concert Series
Colorado State University | 6:30 PM
The Lagoon Summer Concert Series returns to Colorado State University beginning June 10, bringing free live music, food trucks, theme nights, giveaways, and community fun to the scenic CSU Lagoon every Wednesday evening through July 22. A longtime Northern Colorado summer tradition, the family-friendly series is one of Fort Collins’ favorite outdoor concert experiences.
JUNE 24TH
Bike to Work Day
Fort Collins | 6:30 am
Fort Collins’ Bike to Work Day returns June 24, bringing the community together for a day of cycling, connection, and celebration. Riders can stop at breakfast and afternoon stations hosted by local businesses and organizations throughout the city. Whether commuting, exploring, or simply joining the fun, the event highlights Fort Collins’ strong biking culture and commitment to healthy, active living.
