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Table of Contents Featured Article
The Women She Had To Become By: Joy Hoover Page 16
Articles
Community Spotlight 4 5
What Story Do You Want To Leave Behind By Rae Indigo
Top 5 Las Vegas Businesses Top 5 Las Vegas Service Providers
Activities
The Power Of Inclusion by Jennifer Hass
20 Strength The Feels Like You Again By Jessica Waugh
Building A Life Around People And
Recipes
Purpose By Jasmine Benavides
14 Steak Bites with Chimichurri Sauce and a Tomato Corn Salad By Jennifer Affronti
Molly Pop’s
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Ask Rae
Rae Indigo, is an esteemed yogi and martial artist known worldwide for her unique courses on wellbeing, including mind science, meditation, and breathwork. As a biochemist, she also pioneered a line of high-end, organic skincare. When she’s not teaching others how to live stress-free, she’s likely surrounded by the love of her three feisty Pomeranians.
With Rae Indigo Defining Your Legacy: What Story Do You Want to Leave Behind? does not define you. It simply moves through. Most of us move through life without stopping to ask one quiet This approach challenges the common idea of healing as a long, but powerful question: When I am gone, what story will remain? gradual journey. Many of us approach healing by assuming time Your legacy is not about grand achievements or how much itself will transform us. money you leave in the bank. We create an identity around being wounded and then spend years It is the sum of the values you lived by, the way you treated trying to repair or improve that identity. We gain skills, regulate our people, and the patterns you choose to pass forward or break. nervous system, and build better habits, which is valuable work. Yet This month we are exploring legacy in a deeper way, because improvement and true liberation are not always the same thing. A building one starts with honesty about where you come from person can become highly self-aware while still carrying the quiet and courage about where you want to go. belief that something inside them remains broken and needs fixing. Many of us inherit more than furniture or family recipes. We At some point we must question whether the constant search for inherit emotional patterns, unspoken rules, and survival stratthe next breakthrough keeps wholeness feeling just out of reach. egies that once kept our parents or grandparents safe but now What if the part of you that has never been broken is already here? limit us. What if healing is less about becoming someone new and more These inherited legacies show up as harsh self-criticism, diffiabout recognizing what was never damaged in the first place? culty trusting others, people-pleasing, or a constant fear of not This does not dismiss therapy, growth practices, or personal debeing enough. velopment. Those tools matter deeply. It simply invites us to hold They travel silently through generations until someone decides them lightly so they serve freedom rather than reinforce the story of to look at them clearly and say, “This stops with me.” deficiency. Healing your inherited legacy does not mean blaming your As you heal in this way, you create space to rewrite your personal family. It means seeing the patterns with compassion and legacy. Who were you told you had to be? choosing something different. The real shift happens when we The responsible one? learn to interrupt these patterns at the level where experience The quiet one? itself is being generated. We cannot break old cycles by fighting The achiever who never fails? their final expression. When we manage a thought, regulate an The caretaker who puts everyone first? emotion, or control a reaction, the mind and body simply organ- These roles may have helped you survive childhood, but they can ize around the pattern. become cages in adulthood. True interruption requires earlier awareness and precision. Letting go of who you were told to be is an act of love for your The critical moment occurs when raw sensation in the body future self and for everyone who will come after you. It starts with gets turned into psychological meaning. A tightness appears small acts of rebellion against the old script. Say no when you used in your chest. Energy surges through your stomach. An old to say yes out of guilt. Pursue a creative interest you were once told impulse to please or withdraw arises. was impractical. Most of us immediately narrate what it means: Something is Speak up even when your voice shakes. wrong. I am overwhelmed. I cannot handle this. We build an Each time you choose to stay with raw experience instead of identity around the feeling before we even notice we are doing falling into the old narrative, you weaken the inherited pattern and it. strengthen the new story you are writing. Interrupting the pattern means slowing that process down. You Rewriting your legacy also means deciding what you want to pass stay with the sensation itself. on. Imagine your future children, friends, or community members Feel the pressure, the heat, the contraction, without rushing reflecting on your life. to label it or fix it. Stop bracing against the discomfort. The What do you hope they remember? moment you stop resisting what is happening in your body, the The way you listened without judgment? old defense loses its fuel. The pattern no longer gets to write the Your willingness to admit when you were wrong? next chapter of your story. You begin to see that the experience Your joy in simple things?
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Your courage to meet life exactly as it is? Get specific. Write it down. Turn it into a personal legacy statement you can read often. A strong legacy statement might sound like this: “I want to be remembered as someone who loved deeply, spoke truthfully, and showed that it is never too late to meet life with presence and kindness.” Keep it short, positive, and personal. Then begin living in alignment with it, one choice at a time. Here are practical ways to support this deeper work this week: Each evening, sit quietly for a few minutes and ask: What sensation arose today that I quickly turned into a story about myself? Did I stay with it or rush to interpret and react? This gentle reflection builds the muscle of early awareness. When old family patterns appear, pause and feel the body first. Let the tightness or heat be there without resistance. Notice how the urge to react loses power when you stop feeding it with meaning. Practice small boundary moments as acts of legacy building. Say no with kindness. Protect your energy. Each healthy boundary teaches the next generation that love does not require self-abandonment. Write a short letter to your future loved ones describing the patterns you chose to interrupt and the presence you learned to bring to life. Don’t just think about doing this, actually do it. I did, and putting it on the page brings your life in tune swiftly with your inner legacy. These words become tangible pieces of the new legacy. Focus on contribution beyond your immediate circle. Mentor someone. Share what you are learning. Don’t wait till you perfect it, that never happens and just serves as a way to avoid our radiant awesomeness. Legacies grow strongest when they ripple outward. The calm presence you offer today may echo long after you are gone. You do not have to have it all figured out right now. Start where you are. Stay with one sensation today without turning it into a flaw. Release one old role. Choose one small action that aligns with the story you want remembered. Be the turtle, taking small consistent steps forward and you will arrive faster than the hare. There is great meaning in that old, silly story. Over time these choices compound into a life that feels meaningful and a legacy that truly reflects you.
The beautiful truth is this: You are already asking for help, and lets her children see creating a legacy whether you think about her cry, rage, laugh fully, heal openly. it or not. Every moment of presence, every In doing so, she embodies the divine femboundary, every time you refuse to pass on inine not as some distant archetype but an old wound adds a line to the story. as a living force: nurturing yet unyielding, The only question is whether that story will intuitive yet bold, receptive yet radically be written by inherited patterns or by your transformative. conscious heart. Real women live this every day. One Take a deep breath. mother, raised by a narcissistic figure who Read your legacy statement aloud. demanded perfection and offered condiThen go live it. The generations after you are tional love, realizes only after becoming quietly counting on the version of you that a parent how much of her softness was chooses presence, courage, and the recogni- suppressed. tion that wholeness was never missing. You She begins reclaiming it, through energy have everything you need to become that work, therapy, and daily affirmations that person, starting in this moment. honor her right to softness, and refuses Rae Indigo is a yogi, writer, martial aritst to pass on the same suppression. Her and guide who supports people in creating daughter grows up watching a woman conscious, intentional lives. who chooses peace over performance, You can explore her free yoga videos, medi- self-compassion over survival mode. tations, and writings at www.worldyogainsti- Another, carrying the echo of ancestral tute.org. She also created Formula Flawless, silence around trauma, starts ancestral a fresh and highly effective skincare line rituals and forgiveness practices; suddenly rooted in natural ingredients and mindful her voice strengthens, and her children care. learn it's safe to name their feelings instead Rae teaches a weekly Slow Yoga + Soft of burying them. Qigong class every Monday at 7:15 pm at This path isn't easy or linear. Facing inherSacred Space LV. ited sorrow can feel like drowning before protection. When she does this, she doesn't it feels like liberation. There are days of just lighten her own load, she lifts the invis- doubt, moments when old patterns pull ible weight off her children's shoulders and hard, ripples that unsettle family dynamics keeps it from landing on her grandchildren's. as the status quo cracks. This is generational healing stripped to its Yet the tending itself, the compassionspiritual core: that raw, unapologetic love ate, ongoing attention to what's arising, that declares, "I will weep the tears my fore- alchemizes everything. Old wounds stop mothers were never allowed to shed in safe- defining the story; they inform it, becomty. I will voice the truths that were choked ing sources of empathy, wisdom, and silent by survival. I will live in my wholeness unbreakable resilience. so my bloodline finally gets to know what To the mothers walking this edge right unfettered flourishing feels like." now, in the blooming light of May: your It's not gentle reform but a sacred rebellion, quiet revolution echoes through time. a fierce reclamation of the divine feminine Every time you pause to feel instead of power that hardship tried to bury under flee, every boundary you hold with love, layers of endurance and self-denial. every whispered prayer for guidance and The mother wound, the ache from unmet strength, you are rewriting the lineage. needs, from a mother who couldn't fully Not erasing the past, but transmuting show up because her own needs were it: fracture into forgiveness, silence into never met, often feels like a personal failing authentic song, mere survival into soverat first. eign, radiant living. Your children inherit But when a woman begins to trace it back your wholeness as their natural birthright, through her maternal line, she sees the freer hearts, deeper self-trust, an embodied bigger story: grandmothers who endured knowing that the divine feminine lives in war or poverty or cultural erasure, mothers them too. who numbed out to cope with abuse or In honoring mothers as these lineage-shiftneglect, all passing down survival strategies ers and cycle-breakers, we celebrate not that once protected but now constrict. flawless perfection but courageous presBy naming these patterns without blame, ence. You are the quiet revolutionaries, the she creates breathing room. Awareness holy vessels of transformative love. becomes sacred ground where the Divine Through your willingness to break what Feminine can step in, softening the shame was broken, the divine feminine rises and illuminating what was hidden. again, healing families, mending the colFrom there, the shift is visceral. She interlective, and lighting the way for generarupts the old autopilot, maybe the reflex tions yet to come. May your courage be to over-give until she's empty, or to silence met with grace, your tears with reverence, her needs so others stay comfortable, and and your legacy with endless, unbroken chooses differently. She sets boundaries that radiance. feel terrifying at first but eventually feel like home. She rests without apology, models
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THE POWER OF INCLUSION: RISING TOGETHER By: Jennifer Hass When I first envisioned RISE, it was never just about business. It was never just about magazine covers, networking events, or even celebrating success. At its heart, RISE has always been about people. It has always been about creating a space where individuals feel seen, supported, encouraged, and inspired to become the very best version of themselves while helping others do the same. obstacles As we prepare for one of the most meaningful that many people never see. events of the year, the RISE Gala, I find myself Yet despite our differences, there is one reflecting on the incredible people who make thing that connects us all: the desire to up our community. The entrepreneurs who create something dared to meaningful. take a chance on themselves. The leaders This is why inclusion is so important. who quietly serve behind the scenes. The Inclusion isn’t simply inviting someone into volunteers the room. It’s making sure they have a seat who give their time without expecting at the table. recognition. The parents who juggle countless It’s creating environments where people responsibilities feel valued, respected, and empowered to while pursuing their dreams. The individuals contribute their who use their voices to advocate for others unique perspectives and experiences. and create At RISE, we believe there is room for lasting change. everyone. We believe that success isn’t What I have learned is this: making a limited. Opportunities difference isn’t about having the biggest aren’t scarce. Someone else’s achievement platform, the most does not diminish our own potential. In fact, followers, or the most impressive title. It’s when we about how we choose to show up in the lives lift others up, we often find ourselves rising of others. alongside them. Entrepreneurship often comes with the As entrepreneurs, we have a unique misconception that success is built alone. We opportunity to create positive change. Every celebrate the business has the end result without always acknowledging ability to make an impact. We can choose to the village it took to get there. Behind every support local initiatives, mentor emerging thriving leaders, business is a network of people who believed, create inclusive workplaces, and use our encouraged, collaborated, and supported one platforms to amplify voices that may another along the way. otherwise go No one rises alone. unheard. The truth is that community matters. Inclusion This month’s Gala is a celebration of matters. Representation matters. resilience, leadership, service, and people When people feel like they belong, they who have thrive. dedicated themselves to making a One of the most beautiful things about meaningful difference within our entrepreneurship is that there isn’t one path community. to success. While awards are certainly an honor, the Entrepreneurs come from every walk of true purpose behind this event extends far life. Some start businesses after years in the beyond corporate recognition. It is about shining a light world. Others begin from their kitchen tables on the stories that inspire us. It is about with little more than an idea and a dream. acknowledging the Some have individuals who continue showing up with mentors and financial support. Others have courage, generosity, and determination. had to navigate challenges, setbacks, and Every person being honored has
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demonstrated what it means to rise. They have faced obstacles and chosen perseverance. They have encountered setbacks and continued moving forward. They have found ways to serve others while pursuing their own dreams. Every single one of us has the ability to create positive change. The question isn’t whether we can make a difference. The question is how we will choose to use the gifts, talents, and opportunities we’ve been given. Small actions matter. Consistency matters. Showing up matters. At RISE, our mission has always been rooted in resilience, inspiration, success, and empowerment. Those values extend far beyond entrepreneurship. They represent a way of living. As we celebrate this Gala season, I invite you to reflect on the difference you are making. Who have you encouraged? Who have you supported? What legacy are you building? How are you helping others rise? Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for believing in the power of connection, collaboration, and compassion. Thank you for continuing to show up with courage and authenticity. Because when we choose inclusion over division, collaboration over competition, and service over self-interest, extraordinary things happen. We build stronger businesses. We create healthier communities. We inspire future generations. And together, we rise. With love and gratitude,
Home Cooked Happiness: Cooking with Love with Jennifer Affronti
Jennifer Affronti is a former model, actress, stage performer, television personality and burlesque dancer. Her personal journey through chronic illness led her to completely change her career path to become a resource and advocate for people who want to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. She is now a certified Holistic Health Coach and the founder of Wholelistically Healing, where she focuses on empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being through personalized coaching and guidance.
Steak Bites with Chimichurri Sauce and a Tomato Corn Salad With Father’s Day just around the corner, I can’t help but think of the memories of my dad and stepdad standing at the grill, steaks sizzling and laughter filling the air. My stepdad, Frank (RIP), was the one who showed me the ropes. How to confidently “woman” the grill, how to handle tools, even how to change a tire. More than anything, he made me feel capable, strong, and safe. To this day, every time I fire up the grill, I think of him and smile. This recipe is made in his honor—he would’ve absolutely loved it. Happy Father’s Day, Frank. And let me tell you about the salad that goes along with it. It’s a must-have at every cookout I attend. It disappears fast and I’m talking NOT a single bite left behind. It’s one of those dishes everyone asks for again and again. So, are you ready to create something truly special for the people you love? First things first—let’s get happy! You’ll hear me say this often, because I truly believe food carries the energy you bring into the kitchen. Turn on your favorite music, maybe even a fun podcast, and don’t be afraid to dance a little while you cook. Say a quick prayer or take a moment of gratitude. That joy, that love—that’s the real secret ingredient that makes every meal unforgettable. What you will need: 2- 12 oz Ribeye steaks (Pictured is my hunk of Ribeye that is about 24oz) Black Pepper Sea Salt Grass fed butter Granulated Garlic
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1 bunch of flat leaf parsley (approx. 1 cup) 1 bunch of cilantro (approx ½ cup) 3 cloves of garlic ½ lemon juiced or ¼ cup of lemon juice
Juice of a lime or ½ Tbl of lime juice 1 Tbl of raw honey 2 cloves of garlic minced Sea salt and pepper to taste
1 cup of extra virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon of red chili pepper flakes
Instructions: I start everything off with taking my steak out of the refrigerator and letting it sit out for an hour before I grill it. I shake as much of black pepper, sea salt and granulated garlic on it as my heart says on each side. I have a Blackstone Gas Griddle and not a traditional grill. I turn on my grill and make sure it is hot before I place my steak on it to grill. I place a slab of about 1 Tablespoon of grass fed butter on the grill, let it melt and then place my steak on top. I grill each side of my steak on medium high for 4 minutes on each side. I like mine medium rare. If you like yours more cooked, leave it on for a minute longer on each side. If you have a traditional grill, turn it on, make sure it’s clean, brush it with a little olive oil or butter and grill it for the same amount of time. (As you can see in the picture, at this time I grill my corn for the salad at the same time) For the chimichurri sauce, I cut off the parsley leaves and some stems into a blender (approximately 1 cup). I cut off half the amount of cilantro as I have the parsley into the blender (approximately ½ cup) Add everything else into your blender: garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and chili flakes. Blend for about 30 seconds and you have your Chimichurri sauce. If it is too thick, add more olive oil. Cut up your steak into bite sizes and pour your chimichurri sauce over them.
Directions: Remove the husks from the corn. Wrap your ears of corn in foil, and place a slab of butter in it before you close it. Place on the grill and grill for ten minutes. I like mine pretty roasted evenly, so I turn mine every couple of minutes. Cut the corn off the cobs and place in a bowl. Slice the grape tomatoes in half and place in your mixing bowl. Dice up your avocado and place in the bowl. I use my kitchen scissors and cut the cilantro leaves off. I normally cut about a half cup for the recipe, but not everyone is a fan of cilantro. At least get a bit of it in there. For the dressing, in a small bowl place your olive oil, lime juice, raw honey, minced garlic, sea salt and pepper. Mix this together. Take your dressing and mix up the salad. Make sure the dressing is evenly coated on your salad. Once mixed together, I place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to let everything get cold and flavors meld together.
Totato Corn Salad Enjoy!!!! What you will need: 2 ears of organic corn and a slab of butter 1 pint of organic grape tomatoes 1 avocado Cilantro ¼ cup of olive oil
Discover more content by Jennifer! Visit her website or follow her on social media: Website: www.wholelisticallyhealing.com Facebook: Wholelistically Healing by Jennifer Affronti Instagram: @WholelisticallyHealing
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The Women She Had to Become When Joy Hoover first arrived in Las Vegas everything she owned fit inside a Volkswagen Jetta. She and her husband, Phil, packed up their lives, loaded the car with everything they could fit, grabbed just enough snacks to keep their marriage intact, and drove west believing they could build something bigger than the life they were leaving behind. Like most twenty-somethings, they had more optimism and determination than money and concrete plans. They also shared the belief that if they worked hard enough, cared deeply enough, and stayed just a little stubborn, they could build a life they loved. They were right. What Joy couldn't have known then was that the following two decades would ask her to become many different versions of herself: entrepreneur, advocate, nonprofit founder, inventor, mother, survivor, and rebuilder. Some of those roles would come from joy. Others would be born
from unimaginable loss. Long before the awards, media appearances, entrepreneurship accolades, or leadership roles, Joy was a woman with big dreams. Those dreams evolved into businesses, nonprofits, advocacy campaigns, and social impact ventures. They fueled her work supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and inspired her to challenge systems that weren't working while asking the hard questions about why so many people were being left behind. Joy often notes that she has built an entire career out of refusing to mind her own business. If she sees a problem, she wants to solve it. If she sees someone being left behind, she finds out why, as she helps them back up. If a system isn't working, she's going to challenge it. That tendency has gotten her into plenty of good trouble over the years and it has become one of
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her greatest strengths. But the women she would become weren't shaped by success alone. They were shaped by grief, resilience, and a refusal to quit. On April 10, 2013, Joy’s daughter Vivian was just eight days old when she and Phil took what felt like a monumental step for exhausted new parents: leaving the house. She was wearing real pants for the first time in weeks as they shopped for a tiny outfit for newborn photos when Phil's phone rang. Two people were dead at his parents' property. Authorities couldn't find his father. Within hours, their worst fears became reality. Phil's father had murdered his mother and brother before taking his own life. In a single afternoon, their family was shattered. Most people remember the milestones of early parenthood. The first smile. The sleepless nights. The newborn photos. Joy remembers planning three
funerals while recovering from childbirth. She remembers carrying her infant in a sling while navigating wakes, memorial services, and unimaginable grief. She remembers trying to support the person she loved most while learning how to be a mother herself. Some experiences divide life into before and after. That was one of them.
cake Girls and advocating for policy reform, or building Esoes, the world’s first tech enabled lipstick, Joy has consistently focused on the belief that people deserve better. Over the years, her advocacy helped create real change for survivors, including supporting legislation that removed barriers for trafficking survivors trying to rebuild their lives. What matters most to her are the people and the reasons Grief arrives as an interruption. they’ve fallen through the cracks. For Joy, grief became a compan- That commitment to rebuilding ion. It sat beside her as she became deeply personal again in raised children, built organiza2024. An attic fire destroyed tions, launched businesses, and Joy and Phil's home, their befought for causes she believed longings, and most of their busiin. ness. Decades of memories It never disappeared completely, disappeared overnight, but the but over time it transformed into fire reminded Joy of something something else: purpose. she had learned years earlier. Her in-laws' deaths forced Joy The most important things to confront a reality that far too cannot burn. The fire took their many women already know. things, their photos, and their Violence against women is not keepsakes, but it couldn't take rare. It is not isolated. And it is their family. It couldn't take their not someone else's problem. purpose. For over twenty years For over 16 years, Joy has worked of marriage, Joy and Phil have alongside survivors of domestic navigated grief, entrepreneurviolence, sexual assault, ship, parenting, and rebuilding and trafficking. Through nonafter profit leadership, advocacy, disaster together. They are raisdirect services, and entrepreing two incredible kids and creatneurship, ing businesses and missions she has raised millions of dollars centered on making the world a that directly helped support little safer and a little better. more than 10,000 survivors Parenthood has become one across of the most important lenses the country. As a founder, Joy through which Joy views her has always believed innovation work. should solve real problems. That She wants her children to grow belief eventually led to Esoes, a up knowing they are loved exactcompany built on a simple, clear ly as they are and that their idea: value isn't tied to achievement, Women deserve better tools, appearance, or anyone else's exbetter systems, and better suppectations. She's showing them port. that resilience isn't pretending Whether she was leading the everything is okay. It's telling the nonprofit she founded, The Cup- truth about what's hard, asking
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for help, and choosing to keep showing up anyway. Her confidence was built while standing in funeral homes ten days postpartum. It was built through years of advocacy battles, startup setbacks, and moments when quitting would have been easier. It was built through showing up for other people even when her own heart was breaking. The young woman who arrived in Las Vegas could never have predicted the life that awaited her. After 16 years, Joy sees a series of women who emerged from each chapter of her life. Each carried a little more wisdom, a little more courage, and a little more conviction than the one before. One of the most powerful things Joy Hoover has learned is that the hardest chapters of our stories do not have to be the end of them. Sometimes they are a new beginning. Sometimes they are the reason we fight harder, love deeper, and dream bigger. Sometimes they introduce us to the person we were capable of becoming all along. And sometimes, if we're really lucky, they help us become the kind of person who uses their pain to create something better for someone else. That is the legacy Joy leaves behind. Not a list of accomplishments or titles. But proof that resilience is possible, that rebuilding is possible, and that ordinary people really can create extraordinary change. After all, she has spent her entire life doing exactly that.
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Strength That Feels Like You Again By Jessica Waugh
Summer often brings an invitation to move more, do more, and experience more. Longer days, warmer weather, and a sense of adventure encourage us to get outside, be active, and reconnect with life in a more physical way. And for many women, that invitation can feel both exciting and frustrating at the same time. Because the way your body responds to movement, energy, and exertion may not feel the way it used to. Workouts that once felt empowering may now feel depleting. Energy can feel inconsistent. Recovery may take longer. And the instinct is often to push harder, to try to get back to where you were, or to follow the same routines that once worked. But what if strength in this next chapter of life is not about pushing harder? What if it is about learning to move differently? Redefining Strength For years, strength has been defined as intensity. Sweating more, doing more, pushing through discomfort, and proving resilience through effort. But the body does not measure strength that way. True strength is the ability to listen, adapt, and respond. It is knowing when to push and when to pause. It is recognizing when your body is asking for
movement and when it is asking for Moving With Your Body recovery. It is understanding that do- Strength in this season of life comes ing more is not always what creates from learning to move with your better results. body instead of against it. Especially during perimenopause, That might mean choosing a walk when hormonal shifts make the in the sun instead of a high-intensibody more sensitive to stress, the ty workout. It might mean strength way you approach movement training with intention instead of matters more than ever. What once urgency. It might mean allowing worked may now create more strain rest days without guilt, rather than than strength. seeing them as a lack of productivThe Nervous System and Movement ity. Movement is not just physical. It is It also means paying attention to neurological. how you feel after movement, not The nervous system plays a cenjust during it. Do you feel energized tral role in how your body experior depleted? Grounded or overences exercise, activity, and even whelmed? Clear or fatigued? adventure. When the body feels Your body is always giving you safe, movement can be energizing, feedback. The question is whether regulating, and supportive. When the you are listening. body feels stressed or overwhelmed, Adventure Looks Different Now the same movement can feel deplet- Adventure does not have to mean ing. extremes. It can be as simple as tryThis is why two identical workouts ing something new, spending time can feel completely different deoutdoors, or creating moments of pending on your state of mind and connection with your family that being. If your nervous system is alfeel joyful rather than exhausting. ready in a heightened state of stress, It can look like hiking instead of adding more intensity may not build forcing yourself through a workout strength. It may reinforce the very you dread. It can look like playing stress your body is trying to move with your kids, swimming, traveling, out of. or simply being present in your This is often where women begin to environment. feel stuck. They are doing more, but Adventure, in this season, is not feeling worse. Not because they are about proving anything. It is about doing it wrong, but because their experiencing life in a way that feels body is asking for a different apgood in your body. proach. Strength That Sustains You
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There is a version of strength that depletes, and there is a version of strength that sustains. The first is driven by pressure, expectation, and the belief that you need to push through no matter what. The second is built on awareness, alignment, and trust. In my work, I often see women following routines that once worked for them, wondering why they now feel exhausted, inflamed, or even gaining weight. What they do not realize is that the patterns they were praised for, pushing harder, doing more, ignoring their body’s signals, are often the very ones disrupting their hormones and energy. When those patterns begin to shift, everything else can begin to shift too. A New Way Forward This summer, instead of asking your body to do more, consider: Asking it what it needs. Moving in ways that feel supportive. Rest in ways that feel restorative. Explore in ways that feel expansive, not exhausting. Strength is not something you force. It is something you build by working with your body, not against it. Because the goal is not just to be strong. It is to feel strong in a way that actually supports your life.
About the Author Jessica Waugh is a Certified Menopause Specialist & Lifestyle Practitioner and a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach with over half a decade of experience helping women navigate the complexities of mid-life transitions. As the Founder and CEO of The Pause Affect and CoFounder of Hot Flash Heroes, Jessica’s mission is deeply personal, inspired by her own experience with very early-onset perimenopause and the lack of support she faced along the way. That journey drives her passion to ensure no woman feels dismissed or alone during this transition. Jessica specializes in rewiring the everyday habits that hijack hormones, helping women break free from patterns of self-sacrifice and exhaustion so they can step into the fullest version of themselves, not who they became for others, but who they were always meant to be. Blending root-cause science with compassion and actionable strategies, Jessica empowers women to embrace this phase of life with clarity, resilience, and unwavering confidence, transforming menopause from a source of frustration into an era of empowerment. Through community events and small group workshops Jessica creates safe, supportive spaces where women can connect, share, and thrive. Learn more at www.ThePauseAffect.com.
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Building a Life Around People and Purpose By: Jasmine Benavide If there’s one thing that’s remained constant throughout my life, it’s my love for helping people. I found fulfillment in supporting others and building meaningful relationships. What I didn’t always know was how that passion would eventually become my career. Like many people, I spent time figuring out where I truly belonged professionally. I wanted more than just a job; I wanted work that felt meaningful. I wanted to wake up each day knowing I was making a difference in someone’s life. Raised in Las Vegas since the age of five, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside a city that is constantly evolving. Over the years, I’ve watched neighborhoods expand, businesses flourish, and communities come together. Living in such a diverse city introduced me to people from all walks of life and helped shape my appreciation for relationships, connection, and community. Those experiences taught me that every person has a story, and every interaction is an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a positive impact. Being bilingual in English and Spanish has also allowed me to connect with people from different backgrounds and better understand the importance of making others feel comfortable, understood, and supported. No matter where someone comes from, everyone wants to feel heard, valued, and respected. That journey eventually led me into two industries that allow me to do exactly that: help people. Today, I work in real estate and am actively involved in helping manage our family patio cover business. While they may seem like very different industries, they’re actually rooted in the same purpose: helping people create spaces they love and feel proud to call their own.
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In real estate, I have the opportunity to guide clients through some of the biggest milestones of their lives. Whether they’re purchasing their first home, upgrading for a growing family, investing in their future, or starting a new chapter, I love being part of that journey. Watching someone achieve a goal they’ve worked so hard for is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do, and being trusted during such an important time in their life is something I feel incredibly grateful for. Alongside real estate, I also help manage and support our family patio cover business, Universal Patio Covers LLC, where I am involved in operations, client communication, scheduling, and customer service. I love watching a project come together from start to finish and seeing homeowners transform their outdoor spaces into places where they can relax, entertain, and create memories with family and friends. Although the work looks different from day to day, both businesses have taught me the same lesson: people matter. No matter what I’m working on, I believe people deserve honesty, communication, and someone who genuinely cares. Success isn’t just about completing a transaction or finishing a project it’s about creating an experience that leaves people feeling supported, valued, and confident in their decisions. Outside of work, some of the most meaningful parts of my life revolve around the people I love most. One of the greatest blessings in my life is the man I share my life with. His support,
encouragement, and belief in me have been a constant source of strength, and I’m incredibly grateful to have someone who stands beside me through every chapter of life. Together, we’re building a future, pursuing our goals, and creating a life filled with love, laughter, adventure, and plenty of good coffee along the way. Our dogs, our fur babies, are a huge part of that life and bring so much joy, unconditional love, and personality into our home. Anyone who knows me knows just how much they mean to me. They have a way of making even the busiest days better and serve as a daily reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple things. When we’re not working, you’ll usually find us trying new restaurants, exploring local coffee shops, meeting new people, or planning our next adventure. I genuinely enjoy connecting with others and hearing their stories. Some of the best conversations happen over a cup of coffee, and some of the best memories come from stepping outside of your comfort zone and experiencing something new. Those experiences have taught me that life is about so much more than professional success. It’s about the people you share it with, the memories you create, and the impact you leave on others. While I am proud of the work I do, I believe some of life’s greatest accomplishments can’t be measured by titles, awards, or achievements. They are measured by relationships, character, and the difference we make in the lives of those around us. I am also proud to serve as Vice President for The Women’s Executive Circle, an incredible
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organization dedicated to helping women build meaningful relationships, grow their businesses, and support one another. Being part of a community of driven, inspiring women has been incredibly rewarding, and I love seeing the connections, friendships, and opportunities that come from bringing people together. Watching women encourage one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and create opportunities for growth is something I find truly inspiring. As I look toward the future, I am excited for what’s ahead. I hope to continue growing both personally and professionally, helping more people achieve their goals, building meaningful relationships, and creating opportunities to make a positive difference wherever I can. At the end of the day, I am simply someone who loves connecting with people, helping others achieve their goals, and creating a life filled with purpose, gratitude, and meaningful relationships. And for me, that’s what success is all about.
Vegas, Served COCKTAILS, CHAOS & REAL LIFE Don’t forget to tip your server.
By Julie Heather
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after sharing more of my life online this past month, it’s this: people will hear what they want to hear… not always what you actually said. Working as a cocktail server on the Las Vegas Strip for over 20 years, I’ve built a platform around the things I see every day funny, frustrating, confusing, and sometimes just plain bizarre. My goal has always been simple: entertain a little, educate a little, and maybe help both guests and service workers meet somewhere in the middle with a bit more understanding. And lately, that little corner of the internet I’ve created as Vegasbornjules has been growing in ways I didn’t expect but I’m definitely enjoying the ride. This past month alone has been a mix of momentum, new opportunities, and a few
reminders that social media isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. One video in particular struck a nerve. I talked about something that seems pretty simple from a service perspective: if you order a drink, it helps to stay in the same area so we can actually find you. Otherwise, you might feel like you’ve been waiting forever, when in reality, you may be bouncing in between servers sections and not even realize. To me, it was practical advice. A little behindthe-scenes insight into how things actually work on a busy casino floor. To some viewers? Not so much. The comments ranged from supportive to surprisingly harsh, and while I’ve been online long enough to expect a mix of opinions, I’m still getting used to the reality of trolls. It’s one thing to have a different perspective it’s
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another to come in hot over a cocktail tip. But I remind myself: I’m not here to argue. I’m here to share. Most people genuinely don’t know how the system works in Vegas, and if a short video can make someone’s experience better (and maybe help their server out too), then it’s worth it. Think of me as your slightly sarcastic Vegas tour guide. I genuinely want you to have a good time while you’re here. Another video that caught me off guard in a completely different way was one about the “blank stare.” If you’ve ever worked in customer service, you know the moment. You ask a simple question “What can I get you?” and are met with silence, hesitation, or that look where it’s like the brain just temporarily clocked out.
of moments that reminded me why I started sharing in the first place. I spent the last four weeks taking a Michael Jackson dance class, which was equal parts challenging and fun. There’s something about stepping out of your comfort zone, learning something new, and just letting yourself enjoy it without overthinking. It also gave me a whole new appreciation for the effort that goes into performing blessed to be taught by Bianca and Malaena from @Oknowladieslv who were original cast members in Michael Jackson One. On the content side, I had one of those “wait… is this real life?” moments when an article was written about one of my videos specifically the one where I explain the difference between ordering a drink neat versus on the rocks. Something I say It’s a universal experience, and I multiple times a week at work made the video to be relatable turned into something people and a little funny—something wanted to read about. service industry people would That’s when it really hit me: the instantly recognize. everyday things I’ve experienced What I didn’t expect was people for 20 years aren’t everyday to assuming I was making fun of everyone else. someone with a disability. I also had the opportunity to be That honestly shocked me. a guest on a podcast, which was Because that couldn’t be further another step outside my comfort from who I am or what my page zone but in the best way. Sitting is about. People who know me down and talking about my or who have followed me for experiences, my perspective, and any amount of time know that I how this whole Vegasbornjules would never make fun of anyone thing started made me realize for something like that. Ever. just how much it’s grown. My content is based on realAnd how much I’ve grown with life interactions, not targeting it. individuals or situations that This whole journey has been deserve sensitivity. unexpected, sometimes It was a reminder that intent uncomfortable, occasionally doesn’t always translate online misunderstood but also the way you think it will. But it incredibly rewarding. also gave me an opportunity to Social media can be a strange be clear about something that place. It connects you to people matters to me: you can be kind who get you instantly, and and still be sarcastic. The two others who completely miss the are not mutually exclusive. You point. It teaches you to have can laugh at everyday situations a thicker skin, but also to stay without being mean. You can grounded in who you are. point out the awkward or So I’ll keep showing up. I’ll keep frustrating parts of life while still sharing the funny, the frustrating, respecting the people in them. and the educational moments That balance is important to from life on the casino floor. I’ll me and it’s what I’ll continue to keep dancing, treating myself to stand by. a shopping day here and there, Outside of social media lessons, and sharing what its like to be a this month has also been full woman over 40 and everything
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that comes with it. And I’ll keep reminding myself that growth doesn’t always look perfect it just means you’re moving forward. Life as Vegasbornjules is evolving, and for the first time in a long time, I’m not overthinking every step… I’m just enjoying the ride. IG, FB, & TT: Vegasbornjules
Your Emotions Are Essential By: Stephanie Hymas not just the painful ones. This is what happens when we experience criticism or judgment for our emotions. We build a false belief system that expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions is somehow a bad thing, when really, it’s exactly those things that make us human. It gives depth to our lives. Have you ever been criticized for mostly so I could “fix” myself. From Essential oils play a vital role in my your emotions? As women, we’re a very young age it was clear to me coaching. Your sense of smell is the constantly being told what we that what I was experiencing was not fastest way to shift your emotions. should feel, why we should feel, normal. My depression and anxiety Your nose is directly connected to and how we should feel. Even if were so crippling that I felt on a funda- your limbic system, the emotional you can’t remember specific momental level that something was very control center of your brain, so the ments in your life where you faced wrong with me. moment an aroma enters your body, emotional criticism, your nervous a chemical response takes place. system does. I was so afraid of these parts of me that I became an expert at hiding Every essential oil carries an emoOur emotions leave measurable them. I suppressed everything just to tional resonance a feeling it can epigenetic marks on our genes, and get through the day. From the outevoke, a memory it can stir—making left unattended, they can harm our side you would never guess the kind them powerful agents for emotional mental and emotional wellbeing. of internal chaos that consumed me. healing. Your body knows how to Emotions are more than passing The only treatments presented to me heal itself, you just have to provide it feelings, they are a physical part of throughout these years were medica- with the right environment. who we are. Shutting down your tion and talk therapy. I’m here for the woman who was emotions, refusing to acknowledge criticized for her emotions and now or accept them is like actively And though they helped in some she doesn’t want to feel them. You deciding not to use your left arm. aspects, they weren’t enough to create do have a choice, and the power is The arm is there, it serves a great real and lasting change. I was still bare- yours you’ve just never given yourpurpose, why would you ignore its ly functional. There had to be more. self the permission. Let me be your existence? And there was. Neuroscience showed guide. me that I had far more control over my The same can be said for your mental health than anyone had ever emotions. They are not meant to told me. Stephanie Hymas Certified Essential be managed, controlled, or supEmotions Coach, I’m also a sitting pressed, they are meant to be felt board member of The Mental Health and experienced. Wouldn’t it be This led me to the work that I do Moment, Vice President of Kiwanis wonderful to shift from feeling now. As a certified Essential Emotions Club of Mental Health C.A.R.E.S of weighed down by your emotions Coach, I work with women who find Las Vegas. My office address is to being excited to feel them, to themselves emotionally overwhelmed, 2520 Saint Rose Parkway Ste experience them fully and embrace stuck, or actively shutting off their 205, Henderson, NV, 89052, what’s there? This is emotional emotions. Your mind runs on both 702-721-7142 and my email is freedom and it’s a skill that can be reason and emotion, and the two rootedstrength.steph@gmail. learned. are built to work together. You need com. I spent the majority of my life trying both to thrive. When you disconnect to figure out the “why” and the yourself from your emotions you are “how” behind my mental health, closing yourself off from all emotions,
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Sunshine Jars: Sharing Joy with Seniors By Tateonna Hass
Did you know that one small act of kindness can completely change someone’s day? A smile, a kind word, or a thoughtful gesture may seem simple, but they can mean so much to someone who needs a little extra joy. This month, we’re encouraging everyone to spread kindness by creating Sunshine Jars for residents at local senior centers and nursing homes. Many seniors spend long periods of time without seeing family or friends. Some may feel lonely or miss having regular visitors. A handmade gift filled with encouraging messages can remind them that they are loved, appreciated, and remembered. Your Sunshine Jar may seem like a small gift, but it has the power to brighten someone’s day in a very special way. What You’ll Need Mason jars or clean recycled jars Ribbon, string, or colorful yarn Construction paper or colorful note paper Markers, crayons, colored pencils, or stickers Small treats such as individually wrapped candies (optional) Lots of creativity and kindness! How to Make a Sunshine Jar 1. Decorate Your Jar Start by decorating the outside of your jar. Use bright colors,
stickers, ribbons, drawings, or anything else that makes your jar cheerful and fun. Think of sunshine, flowers, hearts, rainbows, or happy faces. Make it something that will bring a smile to someone’s face before they even open it. 2. Create Encouraging Notes Cut small pieces of paper and write positive messages on each one. You can write compliments, words of encouragement, inspirational quotes, or simple reminders that someone is cared for. Here are some ideas: “You are loved!” “You make the world brighter!” “Hope you have a wonderful day!” “Your smile matters!” “You are stronger than you know.” “Thank you for being you.” “Wishing you happiness today.” “You are special and appreciated.” “Sending you a big hug and lots of sunshine!” Try to write as many notes as you can. The more notes you add, the more moments of joy someone can experience. 3. Fill the Jar Place all of your positive messages inside the jar. If the facility allows it, you may also add a few individually wrapped candies or small treats. Every note inside becomes a little surprise waiting to brighten someone’s day. 4. Deliver Your Sunshine Ask a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult to help you deliver your Sunshine
Jar to a local senior center, nursing home, or assisted living community. Some facilities may even have special programs that welcome handmade gifts from children and families. Why Kindness Matters Kindness is one of the most powerful gifts we can share because it costs nothing but can mean everything. When we take time to think about others and show compassion, we help make our communities stronger and more caring. Imagine how you would feel if you were having a difficult day and someone handed you a jar filled with encouraging messages written just for you. Chances are it would make you smile. That’s exactly what your Sunshine Jar can do for someone else. The best part is that kindness doesn’t stop with one person. When someone receives kindness, they’re often inspired to share kindness with others. One Sunshine Jar can create a ripple effect that spreads happiness far beyond what we can see. This Month’s Challenge Challenge yourself to create at least one Sunshine Jar and share it with someone who could use a little extra encouragement. You can even invite friends, classmates, neighbors, or family members to make their own jars too. Together, we can fill our community with kindness, compassion, and hope. Remember, you don’t have to be a grown-up to make a difference. Even the smallest hands can have the biggest hearts. So let’s get creative, spread some smiles, and share a little sunshine wherever we go this month!
About The Author Tateonna Hass loves making crafts and teaching others how to create them too. She enjoys sharing her creativity through hands on projects, from sewing pillows to making colorful handmade items. Tateonna is the founder of Sunshine Beads, her own small business where she creates and sells handmade bracelets at pop up locations.
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seasonings together. (Clean hands work best— squish, squish!) 1 tsp sea salt Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Mixing bowl Divide the meat into two parts and place one on each sheet. Knife + adult helper Place another piece of parchment paper on top of the meat. Roll it out flat using a rolling pin (or cup). The thinner it is, the crispier your chips will be! Remove the top parchment paper (leave the bottom one). Bake for 40 minutes. If you want extra crispy chips, bake 5 more minutes. Let them cool (this part takes patience!). Then break or cut into chip-sized pieces. While your chips are baking, it’s the perfect time to make your guacamole! Fresh Guacamole Dip What You’ll Need: 3–4 ripe avocados 2 Roma tomatoes (diced, seeds removed) 1 jalapeño (seeds removed, chopped) ½ red onion (chopped) Juice of 2 limes 2 garlic cloves (minced)
Directions (safety first!): Carefully cut the avocados in half (ask an adult to help!). Remove the seed and scoop the green goodness into a bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork until creamy (chunky or smooth—you decide!). Add diced tomatoes (without seeds). Chop the jalapeño (wear gloves if you can!) and add it in. Wash your hands after—no touching your face! Add chopped red onion (try the wet napkin trick to avoid tears!). Mix in garlic, lime juice, and salt. Stir everything together and give it a little taste test! Substitutions: Try ground chicken or turkey instead of beef or even plant-based meat for a veggie version for your chips
Home Cooked Happiness: Cooking with Love with Jennifer Affronti
Carnivore Chips with½ tspFresh Guacamole garlic powder Father’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate the dads, stepdads, grandpas, and everyday heroes who take such great care of us. Today, we’re doing something a little different! We’re making crispy, crunchy Carnivore Chips paired with a fresh and creamy guacamole dip. This snack is packed with protein and nutrient and trust me, it’s so tasty, it disappears FAST! First things first, it’s time to bring the HAPPY! Turn on your favorite song, dance around the kitchen, and get those happy vibes going. Cooking is more fun when you’re smiling! You can even say a little prayer or “thank you” for your food and your family. That love you put into your cooking? That’s the real secret ingredient. Carnivore Chips What You’ll Need: 1 lb ground beef (grass-fed if possible) 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp cumin 1 mixing bowl 2 baking sheets Parchment paper Rolling pin (or a cup works too!) Directions (with a little adult help!): Preheat your oven to 300°F.
1 tsp sea salt In a bowl, mix the ground beef and all the 14
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Table of Contents Activities
Recipes
4 Design Your Adventure Bagpack
14 Carnivore Chips With Fresh
Guacamole
6 Summer Maze Adventure 9 My Best Summer Memory
Readings
13 Draw Your Perfect Day
11 Lyrics from Leah
17 Create Your Summer Hero
21 Sunshine Jar’s Sharing Joy With
Senior’s
22 Wildlife Matching
Crafts
23 Camping Word Scramble 24 Adventure Journal
7 Color By Number
25 Adventure Acrostic Poem
16 Create Your Summer Hero 19 Summer Poem Builder
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