Missoula Valley, MT January 2022

JA N UA RY 2 022 | T H E H E A LT H + W E LLN E S S I S S U E

pressing forward F O O D + B E V E R AG E

BE YO N D TH E BAR P R O F E S S I O N A L S E RV I C E S

RO OTED IN M ISSOU L A H E A LTH + W E LLN E S S

M IKE H IKES

Remodeling Your Bathroom & Kitchen?

Best

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Mountain Supply is a Montana based, locally owned and operated seller and distributor of water supplies. We provide a full range of supplies, including pumps, water systems, fixtures, irrigation systems, pipes and fittings, and other plumbing supplies.

2101 Mull an Road Missoul a, MT 59808 | 406.543.8255 | mountainsupply.com

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January 2022 PUBLISHER

Mike Tucker | MTucker@LifestylePubs.com EDITOR

Chelsea Lyn Agro | Chelsea.Agro@LifestylePubs.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

COPY EDITOR

Health is like happiness.

Erika Fredrickson | Erika.Fredrickson@LifestylePubs.com

I remember it clearly: showering in my little glass corner shower in my first New York City apartment and seeing the tangle of hair left on my hands. My hair was falling out, at twenty-two years old.

I was working 50-hour weeks, commuting an additional 10, riding horses and sitting in traffic on the weekends in Long Island. Eating was an afterthought. Bagel and coffee in the morning, maybe. Water throughout the day, maybe. And almost always, appetizers and afterwork drinks, which were never—and I mean never—during happy hour.

I'd be somewhere in the sand arena at the equestrian facility where I kept my horse, admiring the bare trees and perfectly blanketed paddocks of fresh snow when I did my best contemplating. Do I want to just ride horses and write? Or do I want to give everything to this career I started in the big city? The latter meant that I'd have to sacrifice a big portion of my life, which was in the saddle.

I guess you know by now which one I chose. But the best part is this: Making big life choices in the wake of a hobby isn't too far-fetched for Montanans, whether we grew up here or came from somewhere else. I have friends who have moved here just to fish or ski. The rest figured itself out. As a professional hobbyist (I'm making that up, so just go with it), I love that this community fully embraces out-of-the-box thinking. We are artists and fitness gurus and outdoor adventure seekers. We love long lunch hours and mandatory snow days at the mountain. We know that playing hard makes us work hard, which is something the rest of the world might be starting to realize, too.

I think I needed that scary hair day a decade ago. It made me realize that health is like happiness—always fleeting, yet always within reach. There will be new goals as we age and we'll be evolutionary in how we accomplish them. If we are moving forward, we are moving in the right direction.

AD DESIGNER

C H E L S E A LY N A G R O , E D I T O R @MVLMAGAZINE

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/MISSOUL AVALLE Y |

ACCOUNT MANAGER S

Marla Huggins | Marla.Huggins@LifestylePubs.com, Heather Cassidy | Heather.Cassidy@LifestylePubs.com STAFF PHOTOGR APHER

Erika Spaulding | InspiredByMontana@Gmail.com

Whitney Lockhart LAYOUT DESIGNER

Dani Moore CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Chelsea Lyn Agro, Jill MH Taber, Susie Wall CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Mike Tucker

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER Bruce Ianni DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise Proverbs 3:5-6 City Lifestyle™ Missoula Valley is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Missoula Valley area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in City Lifestyle™ Missoula Valley is gathered from sources

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

A Single Momen t In Time

Go to MandMTuck .PicFair .com

A Single Moment taken of the Beauty of the Montana Outdoors

J A N UA RY 2 0 2 2

inside the issue The Health & Wellness Issue

18

30

24

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

18 Rooted in Missoula

6

Lifestyle Letter

10

Business Monthly

F E ATU R E D

12

Local Experiences

24 Beyond the Bar

14

Inspired By

18

Family Care

F E ATU R E D

24 Hometown Hero

30 Mike Hikes

30 Healthy Lifestyle

Diggs Dental Care bridges the gap between family and business.

Local business breeds local business for Blayne Larson.

One year of self challenges—and counting.

34 Self Care

LI FE + C U LT U R E PR O FES S I O NA L SE RV IC E S FO O D + B EV E R AG E HEA LT H + W E L L N E SS

FI T NES S

40 Events 42 Our Town

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Erika Spaulding, Inspired by Montana

Matt Devlin, owner of PMD Productions and founder of the Montana Fishing Film Festival, releases a trout back into the river.

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LI FE + C U LT U R E

J A N UA RY 2 0 2 2

business monthly A roundup of exciting news from local businesses.

The Ranch at Rock Creek Are you newly engaged and planning a wedding? Or maybe you're buying a ring and thinking of the perfect place to pop the question. The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg is an unparalleled luxury experience. Book your special occasion at TheRanchAtRockCreek.com.

Strive Nutrition Denise and Kate Zimmer are a mother-daughter duo based right here in Missoula, and they offer nutrition counseling that cultivates a healthy relationship with food. They utilize a non-diet and intuitive-eating approach that nourishes your body and mind while improving overall health and wellbeing.

Visit StriveNutritionLLC.com to book a session and start fueling your body.

Doing Right by Our Pets The Humane Society of Western Montana offers an array of classes and private lessons to help your new furry friend acclimate to his or her new life with you!

Whether your pet needs to learn the basics, brush up on some forgotten skills or modify an existing behavior, they can help. Email Training@MyHSWM.org to discuss the best option for you and your pet. To learn more about what they offer, visit MyHSWM.org or better yet, pay them a visit!

If you want to be included, send us a message!

Visit CityLifestyle.com/MissoulaValley to get in touch.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

A Single

Moment in Time

Go to MandMTuck .PicFair .com A Single Moment taken of the Beauty of the Montana Outdoors

J A N UA RY 2 0 2 2

local experiences Locals recommending the best places and things to do in the city.

The New Year is the perfect time to make your health and wellness a priority, so why not pamper yourself at one of the many spas around town? Invite a friend for a day of relaxation or take some time for some much needed quality alone time. Whatever you prefer, we have you covered.

Day Spas & Health Treatments MOUNTAIN SUPPLY CO: What's more luxurious than transforming your

home bathroom into a spa? Indulge in everyday spoils by finding a beautiful jetted tub at Mountain Supply. Find the right tub and the right aesthetic for your home by visiting their showroom! 2101 Mullan Road Missoula, MT PROADJUSTER CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC DR. GREG CHAPMAN: Standing up all day at work or even just living an active Montana lifestyle can take a toll on your feet. Treat yourself to a free consultation. 1526 S Reserve St Missoula, MT FULL CIR CLE NATUR AL MEDICAL CLINIC: Regenerative medicine is a new field of therapy that specializes in rejuvenating body function and tissues. Treat yourself to a second opinion when it comes to your health. 521 S 2nd St W Missoula, MT MONTANA ACUPUNCTUR E & HER BAL MEDICINE: Migraines, infertility, arthritis, digestive issues? Douglas Womack specializes in difficult cases so treat your body to the acupuncture it deserves. 320-A Expressway Missoula, MT MISSOULA MASSAGE CLINIC: Massage shouldn't be a luxury but a ticket to happier living. Book yourself a 60-minute massage with Michelle. 1116 S Russell St Missoula, MT

Mountain Supply Co

Scan for more photos and the full list.

Want to recommend a local experience?

Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

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LOCA L E X P E R IE N C E S

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT from the Chemicals used to De-Ice our Winter Roads

Magnesium Chloride, Salt and Sand are Harmful to your Vehicle.

Wintertime road salt, treatments like liquid magnesium chloride, sand, snow and moisture can cause rust on a car, and rust can spread across your car over time. Not only does rust not look great, at its worst, it can cause major damage to your vehicle. Keeping your car freshly washed and clean in the winter can help limit long-term damage.

Some experts recommend washing your car after every big storm or when you think your car may have been exposed to salt, sand or other chemicals on the road. Our 2-stage under carriage flush with our signature ‘Rust Guard’ application helps ward off corrosion to keep your vehicle clean and protected.

UNLIMITED WASH PLANS START AT ONLY $2499 MONTH

METRO EXPRESS CAR WASH • 3550 BROOKS STREET • MISSOULA

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ERIKA SPAULDING

Fish MATT DEVLIN WADES INTO THE WATER

On!

Matt Devlin, owner of PMD productions and founder of the Montana Fishing Film Festival, is an independent videographer who works to capture people’s stories through cinematography, especially those who have found healing through time on the river. He was a fishing guide for years and now spends much of his time passing this tradition he learned from his father to his own son, Noah. Watching Matt handle fish is like watching a mother hold her newborn: Proud, careful, gentle. It is pretty special to see someone do something that so clearly is a passion.

To learn more about the Montana Fishing Film Festival, visit MTFishingFilmFest.com.

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I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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M ON TANA AC UPUNC T U RE & H E RBAL M E D IC INE montana-acupuncture.com

proudly located in the heart of Missoula, MT

Dr. Amy Haynes N.D., founder of Full Circle Natural Medical Clinic, practices holistic medicine in Missoula, MT. For over 35 years, Dr. Haynes has used natural methods to treat the whole body, rather than masking symptoms.

Another Option Beyond Pain Meds and Surgery Full Circle Natural Medical Clinic is delighted to offer Regenerative Medicine to restore joint and back function naturally!

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE is an exciting new field of therapy that specializes in rejuvenating body function and tissues. It includes therapies such as: • Prolotherapy • Placental Allografts, 2 nd Gen Stem Cell Therapy • Platelet Rich Plasma • Facial Rejuvenation • O-Shot/P-Shot • Prolozone Therapy

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“Doug gave me my life back. I am seeing the world through whole new eyes. I am a better Mom, a happier wife and I look forward to each and every day ahead of me because I know I am in a great place. And no matter what is put in front of me now, I am able to handle it.”

Westside Lanes and Fun Center GET OUT OF THE COLD

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JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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rooted in missoula ARTICLE BY SUSIE WALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA SPAULDING

Diggs Dental Care bridges the gap between family and business

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FAM ILY CA R E | PR OFESS I ONAL S E RVI CE S

Tanner and Kate

Dr. Tanner Diggs has a deeply rooted family history in the dental arts. Born and raised in Missoula, Tanner’s father and paternal grandfather were both orthodontists in town and his maternal grandfather was a dentist in Minnesota. Knowing he wanted to follow in the family’s professional footsteps, Tanner attended the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. It was there that he met Kate, who would become his partner in his personal and professional life. They were married one week after graduation in 2015.

Kate had a much different background from Tanner as far as dentistry goes. There were no dentists in her family, but growing up in Rochester, Minnesota—home of the Mayo Clinic—and with a large population of health care workers, Kate knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue some form of a health-related career. And she actually loved going to the dentist.

“Dentistry is great because you can really get to know your patients and their families over the course of many years of routine visits,” said Kate. “These personal connections and relationships, paired with the art and science of improving and maintaining smiles, is why I love working in dentistry.”

Kate never thought she would leave Minnesota but Tanner had his heart set on returning to Missoula.

They made several visits back so Tanner could show off Missoula to Kate as a wonderful place to build their lives and careers. They returned in 2018, for good.

Transitioning to Missoula, Tanner found a position at a tribal health clinic and Kate at Family Dental Group, where she still practices today. Then the office in the Bitterroot Building came up.

“It was always a dream to own something together,” said Tanner. Since dental school, Tanner and Kate had hoped to open their own practice and this looked like the perfect opportunity. Tanner’s grandfather was one of the original owners of the building and had his orthodontic practice here with Tanner’s father joining him in his own practice in 1982. Tanner has fond memories of visiting the building as a child. Kate and Tanner purchased the space for Diggs Dental Care in September of 2020.

A full-service dental office, Diggs Dental Care offers a wide range of restorative and preventive services such as extractions, crowns, and fillings.

They also offer cosmetic services, which provide Kate and Tanner a great deal of job satisfaction.

CONTINUED >

JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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“We hear patients say, ‘I had this horrible experience when I was a kid that made me want to never come back to the dentist.’ We don’t want anyone to feel that way,” said Tanner. “We want everyone’s experience to be a good one and we work our tails off to make sure that happens.”

These procedures may be elective but they are often life-changing.

“It’s rewarding to get someone out of pain but it’s also rewarding to transform a smile,” said Tanner.

Today, Tanner and Kate are working to continue the Diggs family legacy in Missoula with the addition of their two-year old son, Everett, and another child on the way.

D I G G S D E N TA L C A R E :

1547 South Higgins Avenue, #103 406.543.8591 DiggsDentalCare.com

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FAM ILY CA R E | PR OFESS I ONAL S E RVI CE S

Their hope is that they can serve this community by providing quality dental care.

“We hear patients say, ‘I had this horrible experience when I was a kid that made me want to never come back to the dentist.’ We don’t want anyone to feel that way,” said Tanner. “We want everyone’s experience to be a good one and we work our tails off to make sure that happens.”

JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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Serving Missoula and surrounding Areas

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M O R G E N R OT H M U S I C C E N T E R S Life is short...don’t forget to play!

RENT-TO-OWN BAND AND ORCHESTRA

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www.montanamusic.com 406-549-0013

JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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OND TH Y E E B

LOCAL BUSINESS BREEDS LOCAL BUSINESS FOR BLAYNE LARSON

BAR

ARTICLE BY JILL MH TABER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA SPAULDING

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H OM E TOWN H E R O | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Blayne Larson grew up in a bar.

His mom, a true “mama bear,” shielded her children from the less pleasant parts of bar life. But when your family’s bar is a Missoula institution—Stockman’s Bar, to be exact—you learn the family business.

“My dad used to take me down to the bar every Sunday,” Blayne said. “He’d do the books and I’d vacuum the back arcade room for two bucks. Then we’d go to Paul’s Pancakes. I thought that was so cool.”

Blayne’s grandfather bought Stockman’s Bar in 1956. Back then, it was a little hole-in-the-wall, sharing a building with an insurance agency, John R. Daily’s Meats, and John Deere.

Eventually, he purchased the whole building, expanding the bar’s footprint to what it is today.

Blayne’s father, Mike, started washing dishes at the bar when he was 14 years old, eventually partnering with Blayne’s uncle to buy into ownership of Stockman’s. Blayne went from Sunday-morning vacuuming to Friday-night bartending when he turned 21, spending ten years behind the bar.

“Stock’s has been a staple of Missoula. It’s given us a rich life of family and friends,” Blayne explained. “My grandpa always taught us that if you’re going to do something, be proud of it.”

Blayne’s family has certainly devoted much of their lives to the family bar, building not only an enduring Missoula establishment but a business that has led to other connections, especially for Blayne.

“It’s a fun lifestyle,” he said. “You can build other things off of it.”

Because of the close-knit ownership, Blayne said his family spent a lot of time together, enjoying Montana’s outdoor activities—hunting, camping, and fishing—as an alternative to vacations that would take them too far from Missoula and thus, too far from the bar.

After bartending throughout his 20s and early 30s, Blayne wanted to expand his career opportunities. Not that he didn’t love the bar. In fact, he still puts in a few shifts every week.

But he knew that to stay in Missoula, he needed to be willing to work and take advantage of opportunities.

“I want to have as many irons in the fire as possible,” Blayne explained.

He’d considered medical device sales before he settled on real estate, getting his license in 2018, starting his real estate career on the anniversary of his first day tending bar at Stockman’s. For the first couple of years, he’d work a 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. bar shift, head home and sleep, then get to the Pure West real estate office at 9 a.m. to show and sell properties to clients.

The relationships he made through his years at Stock’s got his real estate business off the ground.

“Working at the bar, running a business, has helped me learn how to run this real estate business,” he explained. “I think everyone should work in the service industry at some point. It teaches you how to treat people, how to talk to people.”

CONTINUED >

JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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Blayne’s Missoula life—one that transitioned from a childhood here to a hometown career—is a source of pride. While he knows that it can be difficult to stay in Montana, he’s never wanted to leave. Of his close group of friends, he’s one of only a few to make a career in Missoula.

“There’s nothing really that has drawn me away from Missoula,” he said. “I’ve known since day one that I’ve had every reason to stay here: my family, my horses, my dogs, the outdoor life.”

The Montana outdoor life is one that is loved by longtime locals and transplants alike. Unlike bigger urban areas, Montanans can often walk out their backdoor and be in the backcountry within a short drive. That, coupled with Missoula’s special flavor, is what keeps Blayne in Montana, likely forever.

“Missoula beats the other cities in Montana. Missoula’s soul is still here,” he said. “Yeah, it’s kinda quirky and weird but that’s how we like it. In Missoula, people smile and say hi.”

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H OM E TOWN H E R O | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

As a city, Missoula has changed over the years from a town of thriving lumber mills to an economy fueled by the University of Montana, the hospitals, and tourism. Blayne said that change is not uncommon but that it probably has made it tougher for those who are from here to remain in their hometown.

And while he says the stars aligned for him to remain in Missoula, he believes more locals could stay in the Montana they love.

“Figure out what you want to do. Find a niche,” Blayne said.

“Missoula is growing. Be willing to work a couple of jobs to start out. Don’t be afraid to ask people for help. Learn a trade and start your own business.”

Missoula brims with opportunities for people who want to make a life here, Blayne said. His has a mentality of old-fashioned Montana grit coupled with ingenuity and maybe a bit of the Montana frontier spirit of long ago.

CONTINUED >

JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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“I try to live what I sell,” he said of his love for the outdoors. “Staying in your hometown can breed complacency. I try to look forward to something every single day. It’s a lifestyle mindset.”

An active community, Missoula is an obvious choice for people who would rather spend a morning on a trail than sitting at a desk. Blayne’s seen this through not only his own life but through the lives of people he works with, both in real estate and at one of Missoula’s most famous watering holes.

“If you’re bored in Montana, you’re just doing it wrong,” has been Blayne’s marketing tagline for the past couple of years.

“The bar hasn’t been helpful just for selling real estate,” he explained. “It’s a place where people are sharing recommendations for good horseshoers, the best fishing guides, and top outfitters. I go into the bar and I’m excited to see people.”

It’s the people who bring a town to life: from slinging drinks and stories at a family bar to helping people find their perfect slice of Montana.

“Missoula is a hometown, for sure,” Blayne said. “It’s a special way of life.”

“IF YOU’RE BORED IN MONTANA, YOU’RE JUST DOING IT WRONG,” HAS BEEN BLAYNE’S MARKETING TAGLINE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. 28

H OM E TOWN H E R O | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

SO YOU CAN BE STRONG FOR HIM

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Mike

Hikes One year of self challenges—and counting 30

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | HEALTH + W E LLNE S S

Six and a half years. One hundred and twenty thousand feet. Four hundred and sixty miles. Twenty eight pounds. And even now, as you’re reading this, these numbers tick upward. But numbers are just numbers without a story behind them.

Michael Tucker is a Montana boy. He grew up in Havre, is a University of Montana alumnus, and he stayed in Missoula to raise his family and do good work, but this story isn’t really about Mike, our publisher of Missoula Valley Lifestyle.

One year ago, we were all just getting by, whether it was in sanity, dollars, or literal survival. So Mike hiked. He took his losses, grief, battles, his backpack, four rocks, and some water, and he hiked. The four rocks are his family: father, mother, brother, and sister. All of whom passed away within a few years. The trickier part of bearing the gigantic hole in your chest that is loss, is carrying the weight of sobriety, too. When life gets hard the brain tries to call on an old friend dressed as a drink, but Mike wouldn’t let that happen. He didn’t need to report to anyone, save for one particular individual—himself.

Mike took accountability to a new level, proving to himself that there are other highs out there, quite literally in the form of high elevation mountain peaks. Age or experience had nothing to do with it. He wanted to summit as many mountains as he could without breaking for long periods of time in between. Sometimes those hikes are endurance related, maybe a test of physical strength. And other times they’re to get closer to heaven, closer to those he’s lost, and building his mental and emotional strength on the climb.

“There’s always going to be a mountain that looks too high, a problem that looks too hard to overcome,” said Mike. “All we need to remember is to take small steps and breathe, and you can conquer anything.”

CONTINUED >

ARTICLE BY CHELSEA LYN AGRO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA SPAULDING & MIKE TUCKER JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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“My ‘why’ in life is just living it to the fullest. Since the loss of my parents, my brother, and my sister. Since I had a stroke, since I drank too much. I learned that life is as long as the next moment.”

There is no guidebook for life, no chapter that explicitly tells us how to move onward and where to gently place our feet so as to not get hurt along the way.

But there are books for hiking—where to go, how to get there, what kind of climb it is, how many feet in elevation, what the ground might be like. There are equipment recommendations and tried-and-true ways of hydrating and fueling ourselves so we can conquer our goals. Hiking is where the mapless route of our lives intersects with physical trails to unmatched vistas.

“My ‘why’ in life is just living it to the fullest. Since the loss of my parents, my

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H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | HEALTH + W E LLNE S S

brother, and my sister. Since I had a stroke, since I drank too much. I learned that life is as long as the next moment,” said Mike.

Since his first “self challenge” hike last year, Mike has summited dozens of mountains including but not limited to Lone Mountain, Crow Creek Canyon, Babcock Mountain, Trapper Peak, Saint Mary, Mount Baker, Mount Saint Helens, Manitou Incline, and the indescribable and utterly insane, Mount Rainier. And his stamina and determination have followed him on vacation and business trips to Arizona, Hawaii, Colorado, Washington and of course, to right here at home in Montana.

So if you do anything for yourself this year, find that thing that beats you up a bit, but in a good way. Find something that makes you yearn to be better the next day, and then the next month, and the next year until you look back and surprise yourself because you can’t always count on things to go the way you think they should. But counting on ourselves?

That’s a bet worth making.

Follow Mike’s hikes at MandMTuck.

PicFair.com or on Instagram @ OutdoorsInspiring

JANUARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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The Cold Plunge

Dive Into The Wellness World’s Hottest (Actually, Coldest) Addition 34

S ELF CA R E | FITNESS

Are you ready to take the plunge? It’s a question you may not have asked yourself before but will now. So what is “The Cold Plunge?” In short, it’s a brisk, three-minute immersion into a cold tub that triggers the body into a state of regulation, greatly improving levels of energy, mental and physical strength and blood circulation.

Co-founded by two entrepreneurs who bonded over their love for health and business, Ryan Duey and Mike Garrett found a friendship and created a vision to rejuvenate people. Two to three minutes a day of plunging into 39-55 degrees of cold water stimulates the mind, body and soul and sets your day into optimistic motion.

Mike and Ryan both previously owned their own flotation therapy centers. Early pioneers in that space, they discovered they shared many of the same values, business practices and interests. Therefore, the formulation of a business together became inevitable. With finding himself feeling sick on a consistent basis, Ryan found solace in cold plunging. With an engineering background and having built his own chest freezer, Mike found cold plunging tubs on the market unattainable. Together, they set out to create a more realistic solution for half the price.

“Everything else on the market was $10k, and it’s not really achievable for a lot of people,” they say.

In a short 12 months, The Cold Plunge quickly garnered attention as a result of organic growth, wellness influencers who embraced the product, and a pandemic that forced people to focus on their health and added time at home. It’s also worth noting that the likes of Tony Hawk and Kerri Walsh Jennings swear by their cold plunges for their athletic recovery.

“It’s an interesting moment in time. There’s this heightened sense of, ‘how do I become more resilient, how do I boost my immune system?’ Health and wellness is way more in the spotlight, and the trend of more people being at home has launched a new consumer process,” they say.

It doesn’t hurt that they are designed with your home in mind. The elegant and unique physique makes it an easy decision for everyone to appreciate.

“The design passed the wife test—everyone was happy to have it! We appreciate aesthetics and design, that’s been a key piece. It fits with a beautiful home and we are proud of that.”

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“What’s also exciting about this is that we have partnered with American Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman, who has a very specific protocol: Get in for sixty seconds, get out for sixty, do three to five rotations and get to the point of a shiver.”

Everyone from homeowners to commercial businesses are hopping on the train to add these beautiful accessories into their space. Hot or cold environment, home or commercial studio—the tubs were built with design and longevity in mind.

Ryan also compares it to working out, citing weightlifting as an example. “The whole thing is tearing your muscles down so they become stronger. You are going through an intentional stressor. You will get a relaxed response after, but you are intentionally putting yourself into a fight or flight state.

The goal with the cold water is to lower your core body temperature, and it takes time to do that. “Water cools your body at 25 times what cold air does. Cold water is the quickest activation to do it.”

Ryan shares his sentiment on doing something uncomfortable first thing in the morning to make the biggest, most positive impact on your day. What you can expect to feel is, “I did something first thing in the morning that I didn’t want to do, but I know it is good for me.”

Ryan has his own process—getting in, breathing four seconds in and four seconds out, transitioning his hands in and out of the water because their different nerve endings create a different blood flow and kick off the fight or flight mechanism.

His nervous system then calms down and his mind sets into calmness roughly two and a half minutes in. After a three minute plunge, he comes out super energized with mental clarity.

“It feels like a back door to meditation for people who don’t meditate, i.e. two to three

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S ELF CA R E | FITNESS

minutes vs twenty,” he says. “It’s a totally different process, but you push out the mental chatter and you become more present.”

Cold plunging can be done daily or multiple times a day. It’s all about getting people to explore what works for them.

They may offer up recommendations, but ultimately it’s you building a relationship with your cold plunge. Many like the morning plunge, others enjoy nighttime. For some, it cools the body down resulting in better sleep.

“A lot of people who come for our product just want to do hard things, uncomfortable things. They say, if it’s good for me AND it’s difficult, then they are completely motivated by that.”

The Cold Plunge offers four different models, all the same size, all cold at 39-55 degrees, and one that can turn into a hot tub at 103 degrees. The heat can be great for clients in really cold environments.

There is also an app to control the temperature via bluetooth.

“One of the things that has been rad that we did not anticipate is parents doing it with their children,” he says. “It’s become this ritual where they do it together, a family plunge.” CrossFit frontman Rich Froning told the team that the coolest thing about having The Plunge is doing the plunge together every night with his daughter. It’s another layered benefit for their clients to know, one of creating special time around doing something uncomfortable and getting healthier, together.

You can find The Cold Plunge at thecoldplunge.com and @the.coldplunge on Instagram.

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 2

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in the city.

JA N UA RY 1 ST

Resolution Run 5k

PIN EVIEW PARK PAVILION | 9:0 0 A M Runners Edge Events and Run Wild Missoula are excited to bring back the Resolution Run! Enjoy coffee or hot chocolate in the 2022 Resolution finisher mug.

JA N UA RY 2 N D

Winter Break

T HE R ES ORT AT PAW S UP January 2 to 9, plan on experiencing winter break as intended—a break from the holidays and school! Go for a spin on the ice-skating rink and take a horseback ride between the glittery pines. Try the exhilarating experience of dogsledding or skijoring! Call 877.588.6783 to make your reservation.

JAN UA RY 4 T H

Intro to Podcasting

MIS S OULA PUBLIC LIBRARY | 5 :30 P M MCAT purchased The RODECaster podcast recorder. It has four microphone inputs and headsets with microphones so everyone can talk and listen in the audio environment. The RODECaster Pro features eight programmable pads for instantly triggering sound effects, jingles, applause, and commercials.

JA N UA RY 5T H

Crafty Hour Project Session

CREATE ART BAR | 3:00 PM Forget happy hour, crafty hour is where it's at. Well, ok, happy hour, too! CREATE Art Bar is a DIY studio and bar and they're offering a project session where the full menu of projects is available to you, as well as the full bar menu. Happy hour specials apply!

JA NUA RY 1 3T H

Banff Mountain Film Festival

T HE WILMA | 6:00 PM In 1976 a tight-knit group of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts conceived The Banff Festival of Mountaineering Films. Tickets are on sale now at The Top Hat, online or by phone at 1.800.514.3849. All tickets are general admission seating with fixed theatre seating available in the balcony on a first come, first served basis. All ages are welcome.

JAN UA RY 3 1 ST

And Then We Danced

T HE R OXY THEATER | 7:00 PM The Roxy Theater and Bare Bait Dance are proud to present Just Dance, a brand new screen dance offering, presented on the last Monday of every month.

A passionate tale of love and liberation set amidst the conservative confines of modern Georgian society, And Then We Danced follows Merab, a devoted dancer who has been training for years with his partner Mary for a spot in the National Georgian Ensemble.

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F RO M C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E M I S S O U L A VA L L E Y !

HAPPY NEW YEAR 42

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Missoula Valley Lifestyle thanks you, our dear readers, for sharing your stories with us and reading about the inspiring people who make up our community. This town is pulsing with vibrancy and determination. We are full of grit and yet we polish up like a fine gemstone. It is our duty and honor to share your voices. We wish you a year of happiness and health!