THE MEN'S ISSUE
LIFE + CULTURE
PHOENIX RISING HEAD COACH
PA-MODOU KAH
Men Who Show Up
June has a way of turning our attention toward identity, responsibility, and what it means to grow into the roles we carry as men. This month has caused me to reflect on that journey in my own life, both as a husband and as a young man still learning what it means to lead well, love well, and live with intention.
There is a quiet weight that comes with becoming a husband. It is not about perfection, but pres ence. It is about showing up consistently, listening more than speaking, and understanding that strength is often found in steadiness rather than volume. The best version of manhood I am learning is not defined by status or achievement, but by character, humility, and service to others.
That same idea of strength is reflected throughout our community. The men in Queen Creek are builders, providers, teachers, mentors, and neighbors who contribute in ways both seen and unseen. Their influence is felt in families, businesses, and the culture of our town.
This issue is a celebration of men and the roles they play in shaping community. I am grateful to be growing alongside so many who lead with quiet strength here in Queen Creek.
Jackson
York
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Jackson York | jackson.york@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Florence Daniels | florence.daniels@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Macie Smith | macie.smith@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Kaeden Peterson
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Tiffany Mraz, Garret Johnson
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ashley Blake, Jenny Kaufman, Alexxis Grant, Ashley Orellana
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 CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
1: Girl with family in her pink cardboard car for Cardboard box car drive in movie. 2: Ladies partaking in the Run for Resilience at Pecan Lake Entertainment. 3: Olive Blossom Festival at the Queen Creek Olive Mill.
Disney’s Frozen Debuts at American Leadership Academy
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek 7-12, debuted Disney’s Frozen, directed by Jenny Hansen. Hansen leads their theater department and is also on the state board for theater education. ALA’s theater group competes nationally each year in Anaheim and is also recognized as one of the top programs in Arizona.
MORE THAN SOCCER
ARTICLE BY JACKSON YORK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY ORELLANA
Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah has lived a life that most people only read about, the kind that spans continents, cultures, and entirely different versions of the game. He describes his move from Gambia to Norway in a way that immediately pulls you in. One day, he was barefoot in the sun,
Coach Pa-Modou Kah brings more than just skills to the soccer pitch at Phoenix Rising.
Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa-Modu Kah
“Development matters, but not just on the field. In fact, he will tell you the player comes second. The human comes first.”
surrounded by warmth and familiarity. The next, he was stepping into snow for the first time, watching it melt in his hands, trying to understand what it even was. He was eight years old, alone on a plane, holding a sign with his name on it. That kind of transition could shake anyone. For him, it became a foundation.
His father had already made the move ahead of him, chasing an opportunity in soccer, but when Kah joined him, the message was clear from the start. Education mattered just as much as the game, if not more. Soccer was a dream worth chasing, but it was never the only plan. As his father reminded him, you are always one injury away from needing something else. It is a belief that still shows up in everything he does. Despite having two high-level athletes as parents, he never felt pushed into becoming anything. His mother played basketball. His father played soccer. But neither forced a path.
Discipline, though, was never optional. Kah recalls skipping chores one day to go to practice, thinking he could get away with it. Instead, his father showed up, pulled him off the field, and delivered a lesson that would stay with him long after. He did not bring his son to Norway to become just a footballer. It was about becoming something more.
That idea sits at the center of who he is today, both as a coach and as a father, and it becomes clear quickly when you talk to him. Soccer is a part of it, but it is not the whole story. Development matters, but not just on the field. In fact, he will tell you the player comes second. The human comes first. In a culture that often prioritizes results, rankings, and early specialization, Kah moves differently. He talks about patience before performance, curiosity before control, and the importance of giving young players the space to figure out who they are before
trying to define what they should become. Even with his own daughters, he resists the urge to step in too much. He offers guidance when it is needed, but he lets their love for the game be theirs.
That perspective extends far beyond sports. When the conversation shifts to language and culture, his answer is as simple as it is powerful. Strip everything else away, and there is no real difference between people. It is a belief shaped by experience, not just travel, but a willingness to understand. That same lens carries into how he views soccer in the United States. He sees the growth of the game here, and he feels the passion behind it, but he is also honest about the challenges that come with it. He believes the United States can become a true global powerhouse. But even then, the conversation always finds its way back to something deeper.
Ask what makes him most proud, and the answer has nothing to do with wins or statistics. It is about watching young players grow into who they are, seeing them leave better than they arrived, not just as athletes but as people. That is what he is building here, something that lasts far beyond the field.
To see the schedule of games and purchase tickets to Phoenix Rising FC go to: www.phxrisingfc.com/tickets
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A HISTORY OF SERVICE
ARTICLE BY FLORENCE DANIELS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY BLAKE
HOMETOWN
Gil Figueroa
Gil Figueroa currently runs a successful real estate company with his wife Tammy called The Figz Team Real Estate. They specialize in luxury homes throughout the East Valley and pride themselves on bringing expertise and insight to their clients on their home buying or selling journey. However, Gil has not always been in real estate and has, in fact, had many interesting chapters in his life. He began his career in an entirely different line of work in law enforcement. From 1978 to 1998, Gil worked for the Sheriff’s office for LA County.
Gil was inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps who was a deputy for the Sheriff’s Department. Not only did he look up to his dad but he also enjoyed hearing the many stories from his dad and his friends in the department. ‘I saw them as role-models.’ Says Gil who would join the department when he was just 20 years old. Gil even had the opportunity to work alongside his father and colleagues, observing them in action. ‘It made it easier, there was lots of trust there.’ he says of the chance to work with the men he admired. He also added that because he had grown up under their influence and example, his experience working for law enforcement turned out to be exactly what he expected, no surprises.
During his time with the Sheriff’s office, Gil worked on patrol, in the jails, and eventually he was selected to teach at the academy to train other officers. Of his experience working on patrol, Gil said, ‘It is the most fun you can have on a job because you weren’t being micromanaged, you were making your own calls.’ The worst aspect of the job, he says, was all the paperwork. He particularly loved teaching other officers and sharing his knowledge with them.
GIL FIGUEROA
Of course, working in law enforcement could mean stress and an element of danger but Gil credits living near his parents in Huntington Beach for helping him and Tammy have a better life/ work balance with two kids. His mother, in particular, knew what it meant to be the wife of a deputy and shared her wisdom and understanding with Tammy. When asked about facing the risks of his job Gil said, ‘You’re kind of fearless when you are young, maybe reckless even. But you get more careful as you get older.’
However, working in Los Angeles also came with some perks too. He did security for the LA Open and saw Tiger Woods play. He also did security for the Golden Globes, for Tom Hanks’s Band of Brothers wrap party, and also for Clive Davis who threw a glamorous party every year the night before the Grammy’s. He says they would also run training exercises at places like Warner Brother’s Studios. Though he made many lasting memories, Gil says that he knew it was time for a change when he retired after 20 years of service. He moved into construction after that, running a business for 32 years. Gil said he enjoyed being more in charge, although running a business with so many employees to worry about, brought a different kind of worry.
Finally, Gil and Tammy made the move to Queen Creek and now enjoy running their real estate business together and the lifestyle that Encanterra’s community affords them. Gil, who loves playing golf, has perfect views of the golf course from their home. Working closely with his wife is just another chapter in a long career of service. Gil looks back on his life so far and says, ‘I have the greatest life going.’ Gil and Tammy are also proud grandparents of five children ranging in age from 5-18 years old. The eldest grandson has even mentioned he might be curious about a career in law enforcement one day. ‘He’s been asking more questions.’ says Gil. However, Gil says he would never push any of his grandkids into any line of work. ‘He gets to make his own choices.’ he insists.
Nevertheless, Gil maintains he has ‘such respect for cops.’ while also acknowledging that back when he served it was a ‘different time with different challenges.’ Wherever the road has taken him, it is clear that there are no regrets for Gil. Today, Gil has the best of both worlds. He is able to have the autonomy of running a business, while also bringing his expertise in construction to his clients. Not to mention squeezing in the occasional round of golf when he can.
Atmosphere Luxury Lounge
Two best friends, a trailer, and an idea.
ARTICLE BY FLORENCE DANIELS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAEDEN PETERSON
Owners: Mike Duford and C.W. Hurst
In 2015, Mike Duford and C.W. Hurst started out as neighbors, grew to be friends, and are now business partners of Atmosphere Luxury Lounge. A fresh, new concept that provides a multifunctional luxury VIP lounge for public, corporate and private events. The idea for a mobile lounge came about while enjoying a cigar together and talking about how they’ve attended many local events in the past, that were lacking an area to relax and unwind, amid the activity. They noticed there was a need for a mobile space / VIP lounge, to be provided for all of Arizona’s outdoor events and functions.
The idea got passed back and forth for a few years, while adapting and evolving the original concept, before taking delivery of their first unit in November 2025. Over the course of the next three months, this brand new unit was gutted and turned into a flexible, high-end luxury lounge. This unique concept is equipped with a full kitchen, private bathroom, concert quality outdoor sound system, five flat screen TV’s, air conditioning & heating, Starlink internet, satellite TV, two outdoor patios with a pass-through bar, and a separate VIP space upstairs called “The Emerald Room”. The decor adds an element of class with leather chairs & barstools, custom wall finishes, wood floors, mood lighting on dimmers, and warm colors throughout that create an upscale experience.
Since becoming operational in early 2026, they have provided an elevated atmosphere for golf course events, re-launchings of restaurants, tailgating, a bridal suite, and more. They see their lounge as an extension or even the centerpiece of any event, whether it be a wedding, corporate event, or a bachelor /
“Together, they are building a business that reflects their commitment to quality, service, and trust. They are an example of how friendship and business can mix and flourish.”
bachelorette party. “The unit is flexible, depending on what the client wants and is fully customizable to suit any needs”, says C.W. While the interior can host up to 40-50 people, you can also expand the outside areas with tables and chairs, for 200 plus guests.
Mike says that the business works well because he and C.W. have a shared vision and compliment one another. Together, they are building a business that reflects their commitment to quality, service, and trust. They are an example of how friendship and business can mix and flourish. They are both avid golfers, detail-oriented, and quality focused. In addition, as husbands and fathers, they put their family at the center of who they are.
C.W. and Mike are excited to bring to market a fresh, new concept that is unlike anything currently in the luxury event space.
info@atmosphereluxurylounge.com www.AtmosphereLuxuryLounge.com
Growing Queen Creek one brand at a time
We combine big-agency strategy with a local heart to help your business stand out in our thriving community.
“I believe every business has a unique gift to ensure Queen Creek the orl
Karen Cummings Radiant CEO
ARISE POOLS AND LANDSCAPING
ARTICLE BY FLORENCE DANIELS
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY HUB MEDIA
When we imagine designing an outdoor space for our clients, we are not just thinking about function and style. We ultimately want to establish a space that fosters memories with family and friends. Owners, Jared and Judy Strother of Arise Pools & Landscaping see their business as an opportunity to help clients by creating the backdrop for a time well spent, relaxing with family and friends. Not only do they design and build your dream backyard, but they will also maintain your investment, establishing a long-term commitment with their clients through continued service.
Jared also says he wants their projects to be affordable for families without sacrificing a luxury design, quality of craftmanship and the durability of the products they use. Recently, Jared and his team went as far as procuring material all the way from Texas to get the right travertine for their client. Jared calls this being ‘client centric’.
Another example, in Gold Canyon, they had to regrade a hillside to give the clients the right size pool they desired while maintaining the amazing views of the Superstition Mountains. Their team can design a wide variety of elements and concepts. Then they bring the design to life by constructing the pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, ramadas, fire features and installing the landscaping. They even build putting greens and pickle ball courts should you want one.
Clients are only limited by their imagination; Arise Pools & Landscaping’s design team will customize and create alongside you. Their team has done research too, selecting materials with their clients that are long-lasting and beautiful. Particularly when it comes to building your project, Jared says there are no short cuts to building a quality finished project. This way, you spend less time worrying and more time relaxing by the pool with family.
Jared says they always consider the needs of the client, their family, and how the backyard space is going to be used. For example, he says often designers place the grill in a corner, in the open sun away from all the action. So, for a client
in Queen Creek, they built a pergola for the outdoor kitchen with a bar top so that the hard-working chef can still be a part of the fun.
In another project they designed a pool around the client’s vision for their family. They included custom steps for an easy entry and a full-length Baja bench so that they can get some sun and play with the little grandkids. These are just a few examples of how Jared and his team establish a thoughtful partnership with their clients. They truly want their designs to create an outdoor space that values time with family and friends.
Arise is a local family-owned business that takes pride in the work that they do. Jared says that they want to create an environment that helps place that balance back into life. As a father of one himself, that family time is of paramount importance. “Life is about the time we spend pouring into our family and making memories” he says.
www.arisepal.com
Jared and Judy Strother with their son.
FAMILY PRACTICE
Three generations of dentistry runs in the Macdonald family.
ARTICLE BY TIFFANY MRAZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEXXIS GRANT
The minute you walk into Macdonald Orthodontics you can’t help but smile. You instantly feel like you’ve just walked into a sleek, yet laid back beachside guest house. The relaxed, SoCal vibe is a long way from clinical. ‘UCLA is where I did my residency,” explains Dr. Keith, “One of my co-residents was a friend of mine, and when I got there, said, hey I’m going to start surfing, you want to surf with me? And I said yeah, absolutely. So I started surfing and ended up surfing all over the world.’ While Dr. Keith and his younger brother Dr. Robert have a love for the beach, Dr. Robert prefers a snowboard over a surfboard. Both agree this relaxed, ‘surf’s up’ atmosphere puts patients of all ages at ease - from seven-year-olds getting their first check-up to adults looking for a smile redesign.
“This is a great, calm place,” Dr. Robert emphasizes. “I tell kids, we do things that might be annoying, but nothing that will hurt you.’ For more than 55 years, the Macdonald family has been a staple of the East Valley community. What began as a local practice founded by their father in Tempe in 1970, has evolved into a multi-location legacy. Both doctors now serve patients with the same mission: “Live life smiling”. Today, they blend high-tech orthodontic solutions and traditional braces with a deeply personal touch that only a family-run practice can provide.
“I think that’s why I didn’t want to go corporate,” Dr. Keith says, “so that we had the autonomy to treat cases the way that I would want my kids to be treated, not the way some corporation wants me to treat it.” Dr. Robert reflects on a little girl’s recent, tough Invisalign case. ‘Her starting picture is her very scared and crying, and
her final picture is just this beaming girl of confidence, and that was a great visible case.’ He continues, ‘We care. We try hard, we hold our reputation that my dad started very seriously.’
The Macdonald legacy is set to reach a new milestone as a third generation is ready to get on board. Dr. Keith’s son, Dr. Alex, will be joining the practice this summer. ‘He’s going to be living in the Queen Creek community, so he’ll raise his kids here, be a part of this community. And then we both work here, the proud father says. Alex will be carrying forward a family commitment to community care started by his grandfather. ‘We spend part of our advertising dollars on local sports teams and schools. So we’re happy to be down here. We’re happy to be in this community.”
www.macdonaldortho.com
Dr. Keith, Dr. Robert, and Dr. Alex
and Performance AGING, TESTOSTERONE,
Tips on how to maintain and boost your vitality at any age.
Testosterone plays a central role in muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, and overall vitality. Starting around the age of 30, testosterone levels naturally begin to decline. How old you are matters less than how well your body functions.
THE ROLE OF STRENGTH TRAINING
Resistance training is the most effective intervention for maintaining and even boosting testosterone levels. Compound movements—such as squats, deadlifts, and presses—engage large muscle groups and stimulate a stronger hormonal response.
Equally important is training intensity. Moderate to high intensity workouts, particularly those that involve short rest periods, have been shown to produce acute increases in testosterone. However, balance is key. Overtraining without adequate recovery can have the opposite effect.
CONDITIONING WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Cardiovascular exercise is essential for overall health, but excessive endurance training—especially at high volumes—can contribute to hormonal imbalances. I often guide athletes and active adults toward high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which provides cardiovascular benefits while preserving muscle mass and supporting hormonal health.
NUTRITION: FUELING HORMONAL HEALTH
Diet plays a critical role. Adequate protein intake supports muscle repair and growth, while healthy fats— monounsaturated and saturated fats—are essential for hormone synthesis. Diets that are too low in fat can impair testosterone production.
ARTICLE BY GARRETT JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNY KAUFMAN
Micronutrients also matter. Zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D are particularly important for maintaining healthy testosterone levels. Equally important is energy balance. Chronic caloric restriction, often seen in individuals trying to lose weight too aggressively, can lead to a significant drop in testosterone.
SLEEP AND RECOVERY
One of the most underestimated contributors to testosterone health is sleep. Research consistently shows that inadequate sleep can significantly reduce testosterone levels, even in otherwise healthy individuals. From a rehabilitation and performance standpoint, I stress the importance of 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night.
train@sparaz.com
Garrett Johnson
Stacey Siewert
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
San Tan Valley's Trusted Local Jeweler
JUNE 2ND
JUNE 2026
What’s Poppin’ in QC?
Queen Creek Recreation & Aquatic Center | 10:00 AM
Come meet your Queen Creek Town Council as they host this special community outreach event at the Queen Creek Recreation & Aquatic Center. Find out what’s popping in Queen Creek, while enjoying free popcorn. Learn about new businesses coming to town, traffic and roadway updates, information on the Town’s water strategy. Pop in anytime!
JUNE 12TH
Corn Roast
Queen Creek Olive Mill | 5:00 PM
Join the Queen Creek Olive Mill for their Corn Roast on Friday, June 12th from 5PM to 9PM. Bring the whole family for a summer evening packed with flavor, music, and memories. Enjoy a variety of street corn flavors, fresh watermelon, and baked cornbread. Live music and lawn games in the grove make this a can’t-miss night out. www.queencreekolivemill
JUNE 26TH
Shrek The Musical
Queen Creek Performing Arts
7:00 PM
Based on the Oscar-winning animated film and hit Broadway musical, everyone’s favorite ogre leads a cast of fairytale misfits on a fun-filled adventure to rescue a princess and find that dreams can come true. Performances run from June 26-29th at 7PM with a matinee performance at 2 PM on the 27th as well. For more information go to www.qcpa.com
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