BHL - January 2026

Libby Ulring Inspiring Women to Live Their Healthiest Lives

Dakota Sky Stone THE OFFICIAL TURQUOISE OF THE BLACK HILLS STOCK SHOW

DAKOTASKYSTONE.COM FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1971 BLACK HILLS STOCK SHOW RODEO JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 7, 2026 LACROIX HALL • BOOTH 1038-1040

ON THE COVER

By Tanya Manus; Photos by M Photography

INSPIRING WOMEN TO LIVE THEIR HEALTHIEST LIFE LIBBY ULRING

8 Libby describes herself as an empath who’s always found satisfaction in helping others. She became a first-time entrepreneur three years ago when she started running Fit Body Bootcamp, and Libby is grateful she’s able to show women they can make positive changes at any age or stage of life.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS JANUARY 2026

DORTHY ROSBY - RESOLUTIONS I SHOULD HAVE MADE

BLACK HILLS LIFESTYLE

CONTRIBUTORS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Patty Stover 605-390-2617 | patty@michelscom.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Melissa Chinn

TEAM OF WRITERS

Tanya Manus, Dorothy Rosby, Elizabeth Freer, Margi Culhane

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COVER PHOTOGRAPHER M Photography

EDITOR

Margi Culhane 605-940-4724 | margi@michelscom.com

SD CEO - ELEVATE YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING Cory Johnsen 605-951-3567 | cory@michelscom.com

REGIONAL MANAGER / GSM

Kevin Culhane 605-661-8509 | kevin@michelscom.com

SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR

Stace Osthus 605-261-0437 | stace@michelscom.com

CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

Hanna Sitting Crow 605-760-4269 | hanna@michelscom.com

26 HOME IN THE HILLS

Every month Black Hills Lifestyle showcases local human interest stories along with beauty, fashion, family, home, career, health and nutrition information all with beautiful photography. Black Hills Lifestyle also feature businesses, men and women in the Black Hills region. Want to subscribe to Black Hills Lifestyle and receive a copy in your mailbox every month? One year subscription is only $40. ©Copyright 2026 Michels Communications Corporation All rights reserved. No part of this publication December be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the expressed written permission from the publisher. Black Hills Lifestyle does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented. www.michelscom.com P.O. Box 91606 Sioux Falls, SD 57109 | 605-332-0421

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Inspiring

WOMEN TO LIVE THEIR

Healthiest Lives Meet Libby Ulring

By Tanya Manus | Photos by M Photography

WHEN LIBBY ULRING NEEDS A RETREAT FROM STRESS AND ANXIETY, SHE TURNS TO EXERCISE. As the owner of Fit Body Bootcamp in Rapid City, Libby has turned her love of exercise into an opportunity to encourage and inspire women.

Libby describes herself as an empath who’s always found satisfaction in helping others. She became a first-time entrepreneur three years ago when she started running Fit Body Bootcamp, and Libby is grateful she’s able to show women they can make positive changes at any age or stage of life.

Libby was 52 when she became a personal trainer.

“I had never run a gym before. You can be older and you can still learn things and you can still get to recreate yourself,” Libby said. In fact, being in her 50s is an asset in business for Libby because that’s part of what makes her approachable.

“Women between 40 and 60 can relate to me. We can talk about menopause and our bodies. We’re not afraid to talk about that,” she said.

“The gym is so rewarding that way. We have women who will come up and say they’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, and we support them throughout the journey. Thankfully, we’ve seen them all on the other side,” Libby said. “Or they’ll tell me about their divorce, and the gym gives them a support system and a place to get a hug or to just cry. That is one part I really like.”

The emotional and mental health benefits of physical fitness have fueled Libby’s longtime passion for exercise since her teen years.

Photo cutline 1 (right)

“With the stress and anxiety of high school, I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety or depression but I kind of knew I had it, so that’s where I started exercising. I started swimming. I would dive in the pool and it would be so quiet,” Libby said.

The benefits of exercise have helped her navigate life’s changes ever since. Libby and her husband, Bryan, spent most of their adult lives in Montana. They both attended college there and had “tons of mutual friends,” but finally met through another of Libby’s passions, running a riding stable.

“I just wanted to train horses. My parents sent me to college anyway, and it turned out I studied exercise physiology,” Libby said.

“Bryan was learning to ride. A friend was teaching him and the friend kept a horse at my barn,” she said. “We met there and it went quickly. We got married in two years. It was a really good fit.”

Coach Steven & Libby

Bryan loves being a cowboy, Libby said, and the couple started cattle ranching in Montana for a wealthy family.

Libby was the director of a horse program that offered people the chance to stay at the ranch and learn about conservation and eco-friendly ranching practices.

While enjoying their dream jobs at the ranch, the couple started a family. Libby and Bryan are the parents of two children adopted in infancy.

Charlie, 17, has autism. Libby home-schools Charlie, while Bryan mentors him on life skills. “There are areas that Charlie’s a genius,” Libby said. “He’s taking flying lessons.”

Abby, 14, thrives on creative pursuits such as baking and creating charcuterie boards. She was a finalist on the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship.

The family enjoys traveling to their vacation property in Florida where they like to relax and fish, Libby said.

Eight years ago, the Ulrings swapped rural life on thousands of acres in Montana for an urban neighborhood in Rapid City. The Ulrings are surrounded by a support system of Bryan’s blended, extended family.

“Three of us are in the same neighborhood, which is awesome.

His parents divorced and remarried. The spectacular thing is there’s all kinds of brothers and sisters-in-law, and we all have the same interests,” including reading, hiking, cooking, skiing and wine, Libby said. “There’s not a bad egg in the bunch.”

“Charlie feels best in nature, so we’re pretty lucky because our backyard drops down to Rapid Creek and we have lots of trees, and close to places he can go. … He spends a lot of time with his dad at the ranch and he learns life skills like changing oil and learning to fix fences.”

Bryan and Libby found another opportunity for ranching in Rapid City, managing Jim Scull’s ranch. They implement the “healed landscapes” techniques they learned and used in Montana, which grazes cattle close together. Ultimately, it results in richer soil, nutritious grasses, and attracts birds and bees.

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Bryan & Libby Ice Fishing on Sheridan Lake

Son Charlie, Libby, Bryan celebrating daughter Abby

Libby, her sister Sarah with their late mother Donna

Libby & Bryan at the Rodeo

Amid the joys and challenges of parenting and ranching, Libby saw an ad for boot camp classes and decided to try a new kind of exercise. She liked the classes, where the atmosphere was welcoming and she made friends.

Libby also had ideas for ways to make boot camp classes even better. That inspired her to buy Rapid City Boot Camp, which became Fit Body Bootcamp.

Fit Body Boot Camp specializes in 30-minute group fitness classes designed to help burn fat, build lean muscle, and boost metabolism. In a world where people are disconnected and on their phones constantly, Libby is proud that Fit Body Bootcamp is a place where people can build friendships and work out in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

“The culture is one of the things I’m most proud of,” Libby said. “We’re small enough we know if you are married, if you have kids, what you do for work. We know everybody’s name.

We have people of all ages, all sizes of people, all economic backgrounds, and everybody is so warm and so welcoming.”

“We all have a lot to deal with,” Libby said. “You never know what somebody’s going through when they walk in. I feel like my way of coping is helping other people, inspiring fitness, and helping change lives.“

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5 Things to Know About Libby Worry less about others’ opinions.

It’s never too late to try again!

Libby’s encouraging philosophy about New Year’s fitness resolutions: Though many diet or fitness programs might start on Jan. 1, the reality is “people don’t really decide to make that change until sometime into February. A unique aspect of Fit Body Bootcamp is that it keeps people accountable for their workouts with an app, calls or texts. “We try to be their cheerleader,” Libby said.

Parenting her son with special needs has given Libby this confidence. She’s inspired by the way Charlie follows his passions. “He puts on an outfit and out in the front yard cracking a whip after watching ‘Indiana Jones.’ We are all so concerned about what other people think, and we don’t express our bliss. We’re too afraid of what the neighbors will think,” Libby said. “I’ve learned a lot from Charlie, and I’m trying to grow to be the best version of myself I can.”

Libby is fascinated by sharks.

“They’re so misunderstood,” she said.

Libby is an avid fan of Ocean Ramsey, American shark conservationist, and her show “Shark Whisperer,” on Netflix. Libby is obsessed with learning about sharks and how to divert them. “You have to read their energy and pay attention to what they’re doing,” Libby said. A dream on Libby’s bucket list is to call Ramsey and go out into the ocean with her to see some sharks.

My parents were very adventurous, especially for that day and age.

“The best place I’ve every been was Africa,” Libby said.

“It was exactly like it is on ‘Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.’ All the animals walked together down to the water. It’s so beautiful and fascinating.”

She also recalls another family vacation that turned terrifying.

Her parents had a Bareboat Certification License so they could go anywhere and rent and sail large sail boats. While Libby and her family were on a boat trip, moored in a bay, they were caught in a huge storm. “The current was so bad our parents would tie us to the boat,” Libby said. “The next morning, my sister and I woke up and there were boats on the shore, boats upside down. That was the scariest trip. My parents took us crazy places but with that said, I got to see a lot of the world, and I wish I could do that for my kids.”

Hunting is one of Libby’s favorite outdoor pastimes.

“I’m definitely a tomboy,” Libby said. “The first time I sat on Santa’s lap, I asked for a truck. I love to go hunting. I love to fish.” Libby is especially passionate about ethical elk hunting that prevents overpopulation. She was a vegetarian before she met her husband, and he taught her how to hunt ethically. “It’s fascinating to follow them around. There’s no going running after the elk,” Libby said. For her, hunting elk is similar to slaughtering organic beef cattle on their ranch.

“We try to do it in a field or in a way they don’t know what’s coming. We don’t want to eat their adrenaline and fear.

Ideally, they’re standing still.”

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Chinook Days in Spearfish January 17-24, 2026

By Margi Culhane

The character of a community is revealed in how it embraces the world around it. For Spearfish, South Dakota, that spirit is embodied in Chinook Days.

For those unfamiliar with the history behind the celebration: on the morning of January 22, 1947, Spearfish experienced one of the most dramatic temperature swings ever recorded.

At sunrise, the temperature sat at –4°F. Then, within less than two minutes, warm Chinook, aptly nicknamed “snow-eater” winds swept into town, sending the temperature soaring to 45°F. Roughly two hours later, the winds shifted again. The temperature plummeted from 54°F back down to –4°F in just 27 minutes.

That extraordinary event still stands as the world record for the fastest temperature change caused by Chinook winds, securing Spearfish a unique place in weather history.

Chinook Days is a mid-winter celebration honoring that worldrecord weather event while highlighting the community’s resilience, creativity, and love for winter. What began with extreme temperature change has evolved into a tradition that brings both residents and visitors together across Spearfish’s snow-covered landscape.

This year’s Chinook Days runs January 17–24, with activities happening throughout the community- from scenic trails in the Black Hills to the vibrant heart of downtown.

The festivities kick off on Saturday, January 17, with the popular Winter Carnival at Big Hill Trailhead, featuring skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, rides, games, and outdoor activities for all ages.

Downtown Spearfish joins the fun on Sunday, January 18, with the always-playful Luau at Killian’s Food & Drink. Now in its 14th year, this tropical-themed party offers island-style food and beverages, plus prizes for the most festive attire- proof that winter can be warm when the community comes together.

On Wednesday, January 21, the Chinook Days Pub Crawl invites participants to explore local breweries and bars offering special Chinook-themed craft brews, food features, live music, and prizes. Many attendees travel between locations by bike or on foot, enjoying crisp winter air along the way.

The celebration continues on Thursday, January 22, with the Backcountry Film Festival and Soup Feed at the Matthews Opera House. This is a favorite evening of adventure films and comforting winter fare featuring a variety of soups from local restaurants.

Creative energy takes center stage on Friday, January 23, with Snow Sculpture Building hosted by Visit Spearfish. Tools and materials are provided for sculptors of all ages from 2–5 p.m.

A community event to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and love for winter!

Visit the official event website at www.chinookdays.com.

That evening, the music returns to the Matthews Opera House for the “Jam-uary” Spread the Tunes Live Music Benefit, supporting the Spearfish Trails Coalition.

Chinook Days culminates on Saturday, January 24, from 2–5 p.m. with the Community Bonfire and Beerfest Finale at Lookout Amphitheater (100 Saint Joe Street). Attendees can enjoy live music, kids’ activities, a variety of food trucks, more than a dozen top breweries, burn barrels, and the region’s most spectacular bonfire and fireworks lighting the winter sky. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable close to Spearfish’s signature winter celebration.

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Resolutions I Should Have Made

By Dorothy Rosby

I have just one bad habit. Besides lying, I mean. In my defense, I didn’t realize it was that bad until recently. At my last checkup my dental hygienist asked me casually if I’m one of those people who walks around the house while they brush their teeth.

Huh? Doesn’t everybody?

I told her I do “occasionally.” As we’ve already established, my other bad habit is lying. Actually I do it all the time. Walk around while I brush my teeth, that is. Not lie.

The hygienist pointed out that people who do other things while they brush their teeth risk doing a poor job of brushing. I didn’t mention it but I happen to know they also risk having to change their shirt sooner than they intended.

I not only stroll while I brush, I pet the cat, read the mail, sort the laundry and do a variety of other onehanded tasks. My fancy electric toothbrush alerts me after I’ve been brushing for the recommended two minutes and I can get a lot done in those two minutes, though none of it well.

So right there in the dentist’s chair, I made a New Year’s resolution: Beginning January 1, 2026, I would stand still while I brushed my teeth. It’s not what you’d call a lofty goal but given my past success with resolutions it seemed like one I could manage.

And I was proud of myself for coming up with it well before New Year’s Day.

Unfortunately I forgot all about it by the time I got home and I didn’t think of it again until today when I noticed little spots of toothpaste on the sliding glass door leading to my deck.

It’s too late to start working on a New Year’s resolution now. This is, after all, the time of year set aside for giving up on them. Instead I’ll make a note of it for next year. And while I’m at it, I’ll come up with a few more resolutions for 2027. It’s a good time to do it because right now I’m experiencing that glorious feeling of ambition and confidence you get when whatever you’ve decided to do won’t have to be done for a very long time—or ever.

So here are a couple more resolutions for next year that I should have made this year and maybe last year and the year before that too. Turns out I have more bad habits than I thought.

One of my resolutions has been summed up by time management experts with the clever acronym OHIO, which stands for “only handle it once.” In other words, deal with paperwork the minute you get it by tackling it, tossing it or filing it and not just in Ohio.

Instead of the OHIO philosophy, I practice something I call the IDFLDWTRN method or “I don’t feel like dealing with this right now,” which isn’t nearly as efficient. Consequently there are stacks on my desk, filing cabinet and kitchen counter and it’s possible that some of the paperwork in them is so old it’s no longer relevant. Businesses have been shuttered.

Accounts have been closed. People who sent me birthday party invitations have grown old and gone on to their great reward.

I’m not a total slacker. I do deal with the stacks occasionally—for two minutes at a time when I’m brushing my teeth. But it’s OHIO for me in 2027. By then I’ll have some really big piles to practice on.

Starting in January of 2027 and not a minute before, I’ll also stop wandering aimlessly around the internet. It won’t be easy because writing an insightful column requires research. At least I think it does. I know for sure writing a not-so-insightful column requires research. For example I just did an internet search on the question of whether or not other people walk around the house while they brush their teeth. I came up with 12,000,000 results. Clearly I’m not the only one doing it.

That was important information for this column and also quite a relief to me. And it would have been fine if I’d stopped right there. But no, for the next half hour I followed link after link.

I read articles about various toothpastes and toothbrushes as well as a fascinating feature about why some brushing techniques make you more likely to spray toothpaste. I was interested of course, given the issue with my sliding glass door.

Still I wasted a lot of time I could have used to go through stacks of paperwork, write a better column or clean the door to my deck.

There’s always next year.

(Dorothy Rosby also resolves to stop lying but not until 2027.)

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Deadwood

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608 MAIN STREET • DEADWOOD QUESTIONS? CALL US! 605-641-6644 Across from Mineral Palace In the Eagle Bar building

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Elevate YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY IN 2026

By Elizabeth Freer

What does it take to become a confident, effective leader in today’s workplace? For many, the answer lies in intentional development, strategic selfawareness, and connection with peers who share similar career aspirations.

The SD CEO West Women in Leadership program offers women exactly this opportunity through a four-day summer professional development intensive designed to accelerate your professional growth and help you define your unique leadership approach. Whether you’re building your career within an organization, launching your own venture, or balancing entrepreneurial and corporate roles, this program provides the framework and tools to maximize your impact.

Developing Your Leadership Foundation The program begins on June 17 & 18 in Spearfish, where we dive in deep personal discoveries through the CliftonStrengths34 Assessment, led by Michelle May of G.A.T.E. Consulting. This session goes far beyond just a typical strengths assessment. Each

participant gains insights into her complete talent profile, learning not just what her strengths are, but how to strategically apply them in real-world situations. This foundation of self-knowledge becomes the lens through which future leadership decisions can be made with greater clarity and confidence.

Understanding your natural talents allows you to lead authentically rather than trying to conform to someone else’s definition of leadership. When you know where your genuine strengths lie and how to use them, you can build a leadership style that feels natural, sustainable, and uniquely yours.

Building Essential Professional Skills The second half of the program will take place on July 22 & 23 in Rapid City, where our focus shifts to practical application of our strengths to professional skill development. Armed with insights from the first session, participants dive into the challenges leaders face daily and addressing critical professional competencies: navigating difficult conversations,

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and grant-hosted by Black Hills State University. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or BHSU. While the programs at SD CEO West are designed to support women, our services are available to all aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. Training and counseling are available for men and women.

Black Hills State University 1200 University St, #9511 Woodburn Hall, 216 Spearfish, SD 57799 BHSU.edu/SDCEO (605) 642–6948

INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUTURE

The complete four-day program is $499 and includes your CliftonStrengths Assessment, daily lunch, refreshments throughout each session, plus one ticket to the Women’s Business Summit on October 22, 2026, at The Lodge at Deadwood (valued at $150).

Most importantly, you’ll gain frameworks for decision-making, strategies for career advancement, and build confidence in your leadership abilities that will serve you throughout your professional life.

“

“

The WIL program was impactful because it helped me inch out of my comfort zone in a place where I felt comfortable doing so. It showed me several opportunities and strengths I am not sure I would see on my own. It was encouraging to see so many other local women also on their career journeys and succeeding in doing so.

Whether you’re seeking to advance within your current organization to a position with greater responsibilities, shift to the next phase of your career, or enhance your effectiveness as a leader, the Women in Leadership program builds a foundation for your unique next chapter. This is your opportunity to invest in yourself and develop skills that will distinguish you as a leader.

-Katie McManus, Ketel Thorstenson LLP

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 cohort and will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Deadline to apply is May 15, 2026.

developing strategic career plans, and understanding the transition from individual contributor on a team to your role as a people manager of a team.

Take the next step in your leadership journey and join us this summer! ·

These aren’t theoretical discussions—they’re practical workshops that provide immediately applicable strategies for workplace scenarios you’ll encounter throughout your career. From learning effective interviewing techniques to meeting facilitation skills, each component builds toward a robust leadership toolkit.

The Value of Community Beyond the curriculum, the cohort model creates lasting professional relationships. Connecting with other women from across the region provides networking opportunities, peer support, and collaborative problemsolving that extends well beyond the program days.

These connections often prove to be as valuable as the formal instruction, creating a cohort of professionals who continue supporting each other’s growth.

For more information and to apply, visit our website (bhsu.edu/SDCEO), or use the QR codes to sign up for email updates and program announcements (left) or to apply for the program (right).

Program Updates & Announcements

Online Application for the program

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CONTEMPORARY BATH DESIGN WITHIN A BUDGET Presented by Lori Barnett, Engel & Völkers VOLUME

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For years, bathroom design was defined by straight lines, sharp corners and a sense of heavy minimalism. The 2010s were all about clean chrome fixtures, glossy tiles and match-everything finishes. But like all trends, the pendulum is swinging back. Today, we’re seeing softer curves inspired by mid-century design, tactile textures that add depth to flat surfaces and finishes that don’t need to match perfectly to feel cohesive. The bathroom space itself is also shifting from utilitarian to something reminiscent of a personal retreat. With so much changing, the big question becomes: How do you bring these contemporary touches into a remodel in a way that feels fresh, functional and most importantly, within budget?

SHAPE: THE RISE OF CURVES Today, straight, rigid lines are giving way to softer, more organic shapes. Arched mirrors, rounded shower openings and curved vanities are showing up everywhere, immediately making any bath space feel more inviting and full of character. With curved designs becoming a go-to choice, faucet fixtures are one of the easiest ways to experiment and introduce this trend. Adding a newer faucets that includes a curved, arched spout and clean handle design that strikes the perfect balance between modern edge and approachability. There are several options available at a price point that makes an elevated, contemporary bathroom refresh achievable.

SURFACE: TEXTURE & TACTILITY Flat, high-gloss surfaces are losing ground to materials with dimension. Fluted wooden cabinetry, ribbed tile and natural stone with dramatic veining are all on the rise. Introducing these textures in your next bathroom remodel can add visual depth and craftsmanship that plain finishes can’t deliver. Pairing them with softer silhouettes can also help keep the space from feeling too heavy-handed, creating a layered look that feels thoughtful rather than busy. If premium materials stretch your budget, mix in textured laminates, patterned tile or stone-look alternatives, as these affordable options still bring warmth, movement and modern sophistication to the space.

FINISH: MIXING METALS WITH INTENTION The “everything must match” rule is officially out. Today, mixing metals is not only acceptable, but recommended. If you’re renovating a bath space with limited resources or maybe can’t decide between metal finished accents, this design trend is for you. Matte black faucets can ground a space - making all the difference when paired with a brushed nickel or charming bronze finished mirror, for example. The trick is choosing one finish as your anchor and layering the others as accents to give you a collected and curated feel.

FUNCTION: WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE For any bathroom remodel, it’s important to keep in mind that design conversations aren’t just about looks anymore; performance and responsibility are now part of the package.

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Wet rooms and spa-style showers are redefining what a bathroom can be, and they don’t have to cost a fortune.

Using simple upgrades like a rainfall showerhead, frameless glass panels or budget-friendly waterproof wall panels can create that spa-like feel without a full gut renovation.

Accessibility is also increasingly important, especially as about 75% of adults over 50 want to stay in their current homes or communities as long as possible. Features like ADA-friendly handles ensure the bathroom works for everyone, both now and in the future. .

A CONTEMPORARY BLUEPRINT Bathrooms today are about balance: Curved lines soften bold textures, mixed finishes create layers of personality and efficient fixtures deliver performance and functionality without compromising style. Taking inspiration from current bathroom remodel trends makes it easier than ever to recreate a space that feels contemporary and thoughtfully designed without requiring a large investment.

By embracing these trends and crowdsourcing the right fixtures and/or products, bathroom remodels can achieve the ideal combination of contemporary appeal, lasting value and affordability.

LO R I BAR N E T T Owner/Broker

M +1 605-786-5817 O +1 605-716-4847 www.loribarnett.evrealestate.com VOLUME

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