Today's Woman January 2019

GET A

RUNNING S TAR T PUSHING THE LIMITS Y E S , T H E FO O D M AT T E R S LIKE MOTHER, L I K E DA U G H T E R

JANUARY 2019

Today’s Woman / January 2019

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contents JANUARY 2019

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features 6 Pushing the Limits and What It Does For You

Nancy Millard Erwin and Tracy Green

8 Say Something Nice to Yourself Katrina Kaufman and Debbie Nutt Stein

12 When Your Body is Telling You to Make a Change

Shalita Ford, Shemaine Bridges, and Meredith Walston

spotlight 18 Spreading Your Wings — Find a Community That Expands Your Circle Maggie Harlow, JoEllyn McAtee, and Jordan Rose Wiehebrink

24 Yes, the Food Matters

Jordan Parker Means and Tammy Hubbard

28 Getting the Exercise High

Amy Siegel and Lee Schardein

38 Like Mother, Like Daughter

Tammy Hubbard, Shannon Kessler, and Alison Cardoza

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32 27 THINGS

Happenings, news and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month

44 TRAVEL

Is it time to go?

46 WHAT WORKS

What works for this CEO

48 TURNING POINT

A chat with Kelly Von Busch at Walden School

48 JUST ASK JOYCE

50 PASSIONS

This musical woman loves the warmth of Louisville

50 LOVE ABOUT

“Don’t let anyone tell you what fashion should be...”

52 TRAVEL

The journey inward

54 CELEBRATIONS Kayla and Nate Hammitt

Any ideas on how to make the new year better?

Read full stories online at TodaysWomanNow.com Search with the person’s name in the story.

Today’s Woman / January 2019

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JAN. 2019 | VOL. 29 | NO. 2

January 2019 Today’s Woman Manifesto

I AM SMART, I AM KIND, I AM WORTHY.

WELCOME TO

2019:

R e w a rd “ n o n- s c a l e v i c t o r i e s ” l i ke l o o s e r f i tt i n g c l o t h e s , g re a t e r e n e r gy a n d b e tt e r s l e e p .

I c a n’ t c h a n g e t h e p a s t or predict the future.

AT FITNESS CLASSES: You

make RELATIONSHIPS that ENCOURAGE, MOTIVATE, keep you ACCOUNTABLE, and fill your cup EMOTIONALLY when you leave.

“The stresses of the world are forgotten.”

Intimidation with any new experience is “ inevitable.”

“Think of it is as an investment in yourself.”

It tunes you in more with your thought “ processes.”

YEAR OF CHANGE

“There are times I had to push myself, and it hurt to move, but the more I moved the better it got to where the pain was practically gone.”

Try out-loud, sit-down conversations with friends in which each woman describes her favorite thing about herself.

ON THE COVER:

Jordan Parker Means builds her healthy lifestyle around mindful eating and paying attention to what her body needs the most. Find out what she eats and her tips for people who want to make significant changes in their eating habits for better health.

Cover and all feature photos by Melissa Donald.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anita Oldham editor@todaysmedianow.com EDITOR Tiffany White tiffany@todaysmedianow.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Lucy M. Pritchett Miranda G. Popp miranda@todaysmedianow.com COPY EDITOR/SR GRAPHIC DESIGNER April Allman april@todaysmedianow.com

“I step outside of myself and think about how I would talk to one of my best friends if they were saying the negative things that are in my head.”

State something that you know to be true about yourself —

PUBLISHER Cathy S. Zion publisher@todaysmedianow.com

DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jill Cobb jill@todaysmedianow.com DIGITAL DESIGNER/STYLIST Aubrey Hillis aubrey@todaysmedianow.com PHOTOGRAPHER/PHOTO EDITOR Melissa Donald melissa@todaysmedianow.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Scheri Stewart Mullins scheri@todaysmedianow.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Susan Allen susan@todaysmedianow.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Rachel Reeves rachel@todaysmedianow.com SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS Teri Hickerson teri@todaysmedianow.com Joyce Inman joyce@todaysmedianow.com MEDIA CONSULTANT Deana Coleman deana@todaysmedianow.com CIRCULATION MANAGER W. Earl Zion Today’s Woman is published monthly by: Zion Publications, LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone: 502.327.8855 TodaysWomanNow.com TodaysMediaNow.com The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Woman magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2019

by Zion Publications LLC, all rights reserved.

Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.

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January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Today’s Woman / January 2019

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“

MY COACH ALWAYS SAYS RUN SMART, RUN HARD, AND GOOD THINGS WILL HAPPEN.

”

TRACY IS WEARING: top, $15; pants, $23; jacket, $50; shoes, $90, all from Nordstrom Rack; earrings, $20, J. Nicole.

Makeup by Isidro Valencia

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PUSHING THE LIMITS AN D W H AT I T D O E S FO R YO U

By Jamie Lober

If 2019 could be known for one thing, wouldn’t it be great for it to be the year to break through a barrier? We talked to women in totally different circumstances about how they pushed forward but still were patient with the pain and the improvement.

Nancy Millard Erwin stays highly motivated despite pain from scoliosis. “A therapist told me that ‘motion is lotion,’ and I believe it, so I do a lot of yoga,” Nancy says. She also does Scolio-Pilates, bikes, and snow skis. She confesses to spending winters in Colorado for the Cannabidiol (CBD) that helps her get out of bed and move more. Coming from a family that played tennis, rode horses, and snow skied together, a sedentary lifestyle was not an option. “If you are accustomed to sitting around it is hard to get motivated, but my parents modeled it for me,” Nancy says. Just the sitting involved in traveling the long distances from Louisville to Colorado or to California to spend time with her kids is enough to result in a significant difference in pain level.

Persistence is the key. “There are times I had to push myself and it hurt to move, but the more I moved the better it got to where the pain was practically gone,” Nancy says. If she did not push limits she would not be able to travel and see the world. “I am excited that I am going to India and will be doing yoga there,” she says. A few years ago she participated in the Blueberry Bicycle Route in Quebec, which was a six-day ride around a beautiful lake.

Nancy aspires to see more places in the future. “I know deep in my heart if I bought a condo in Florida, I could sit on the beach for hours even when the sun goes down and read a book with a flashlight because I love reading and listening to waves.

But, that would be so debilitating for me because I need to be moving and pushing myself to be able to enjoy life.”

Tracy Green would not describe herself as athletic. In fact, she was quite the opposite. “In college I had a lot of classes on the third floor and I was out of breath when I got there.

I thought I should be able to walk up, so I decided to start running,” Tracy says. Tracy lived on a big farm so there was plenty of room to train. She did the best she could at her first race which became one of many. “I had so much fun at that first race and did better than I thought,” Tracy says.

The toughest part was being patient, respecting where she was, and sticking with it. “I have been running 11-and-ahalf years now and it is always a learning process,” she says.

She finds the best in every situation. “When I am feeling discouraged or have bad races, I see them as opportunities to grow physically. You just have to find the silver lining and try to persist,” Tracy says.

Tracy advises that the first step in starting a running practice is getting fitted for shoes by a professional. “You have to buy a half to whole size over what you normally buy because your feet need room to swell and space to move around within the shoe,” she says.

When you push your limits you will surprise yourself as Tracy has. “My coach always says run smart, run hard, and good things will happen,” Tracy says. She finds it to be true and encourages women to trust in the work they have done.

She is hoping to set new personal bests in 2019 at races in the spring and plans to run the Louisville Triple Crown and Grandma’s Marathon in Minnesota with its route along Lake Superior.

When she is not running, Green teaches Pilates, does yoga, and strength trains to stay in shape. “When you push your limits you find something you did not think you could do even if it is something as inconsequential as a race and it bleeds into your entire life,” says Tracy, who works as an account executive for Estes Public Relations as her full-time job. “It makes you more confident in everything you are doing and makes you believe you can do other hard things in life that might seem daunting at home or anywhere.”

Today’s Woman / January 2019

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SAY SOMETHING NICE TO YOURSELF

By Rachel Reynolds

We’ve all experienced it — that critical voice inside our head or those niggling thoughts of self-doubt that creep up out of nowhere. Rather than letting this non-stop chatter steer the course of our day, fitness enthusiasts say greet the thoughts gently, send them on their way, and replace them with loving affirmations.

“Every time you notice you’re doing negative self-talk, don’t judge yourself,” says Katrina Kaufman, 30, who practices meditation. “Just notice the thought, let it pass on by, and then add a positive thought about what you love about yourself.”

There are some important “do’s” when it comes to self-talk.

“Do it often, and by often I mean several times a day,” she says.

“State something that you know to be true about yourself — ‘I am smart, I am kind, I am worthy.’ Use your first name when you practice positive self-talk. Personalize it to yourself and get your own attention. For example, “Katrina, you are capable of doing this.’”

Katrina also cautions women to pay attention to what they say aloud about themselves in daily conversation. She even recommends outloud, sit-down conversations with best friends in which each woman describes her favorite thing about herself.

“Don’t talk negatively about yourself to others. It sticks!” she says.

Katrina, who is an aerialist with Louisville Turners Circus and has competed in bikini competitions, says she has embraced her body in the last two years as she went through pregnancy, gave birth to her 1-year-old son Archer, and experienced all the life changes that come along with being a first-time mom.

“That first six weeks after having a baby, don’t expect to look like you’ve never been pregnant,” she says. “I realized that I was going to have to be patient with myself.”

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KATRINA IS WEARING: Dress, $418, earrings, $20, both from House of K; shoes – Calvin Klein, $60, Nordstrom Rack.

Hair and makeup by Emily Roberts and Amber May, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique

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<< PAGE 8 She credits daily meditation — even on her busiest days — as a chance to create a peaceful environment, quiet her mind, and set positive intentions for her day.

“During my pregnancy I was mindful about meditating every day,” she says. “I wrote down some positive thoughts about the health of my baby.

People say Archer is so laid back, and I say that’s probably because I did meditation every day.”

In March, Katrina will host a half-day mindfulness silent retreat at the Speed Art Museum, during which participants will practice mindful walking, eating, basic breathing, and other meditative techniques. A wholesome meal, dharma teaching talk, and chair yoga are also offered.

Debbie Nutt Stein, 56, a physical education teacher at St. Mary’s Academy and a fitness coach at Baptist Health/Milestone Wellness Center, offers these tips for quieting the critic inside our heads and choosing positive self-talk instead.

“I do work to stay in the present moment and think to myself, “‘no day, but today,’” Debbie says.

“I step outside of myself and think about how I would talk to one of my best friends if they were saying the negative things that are in my head. I can’t change the past or predict the future. I think about all of my blessings and that helps fuel me to live in the present.”

Debbie also encourages women not to give too much power to their own internal dialogue and not to take their thoughts too seriously.

“Rather than listening to it and believing it, just notice it,” says Debbie, whose current fitness routine includes Tabata, a high-intensity interval training workout. “Cut yourself more slack. Don’t strive for perfection in your life, strive for progress. I don’t react to every emotion I have. Some days, you just have a bad day. It’s nothing more than that. I don’t give it energy.”

When it comes to fitness, the thoughts and information we consume are as important as the food we consume. Healthy food and thoughts result in a healthy body. Food low in nutrition and media or thoughts that are harsh and negative contribute to poor health.

Katrina and Debbie both encourage women to set realistic fitness goals and start small to increase their chances of success. Don’t start with a 5K race or a weekend of wilderness survival training. Start by walking in your neighborhood or trying a new fitness class.

Both Katrina and Debbie also encourage women to celebrate milestones along their fitness journeys and recognize “non-scale victories” like looser fitting clothes, greater energy, and better sleep. It’s important to reward ourselves along the way. “I love buying new fitness wear, and a trip to lululemon is always fun!,” Debbie says.

Recommended books that can help with changing thoughts and habits include The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins and Atomic Habits by James Clear.

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DEBBIE IS WEARING: dress, $80, J. Nicole; shoes, $38, House of K. Makeup by Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique Hair by Krista Nenni, J. Estell Salon

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

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W H E N YO U R B O DY I S T E L L I N G YO U T O

MAKE A CHANGE

By Julie Engelhardt

Our bodies are always giving off signals, but often we ignore them.

We know we need to do it, so finding that inner strength to become a better, healthier person takes priority.

We talked to three fit, local women who knew it was time to make significant health changes in their lives. Their bodies ‘signaled’ that something was awry, and they needed to find a way to improve and sustain their health.

Four years ago, 31-year-old Shalita Ford’s body wasn’t at its best. She was in her late 20s, suffered from asthma, and weighed 235 pounds. She’d been overweight since she was a child, citing that because of her asthma she had been placed on steroids, but she admits she loved to eat. Part of her weight gain was also due to the fact that she’d put on 50 extra pounds while pregnant with her son.

The realization that she needed to take a serious look at her weight issues happened after she and her sister attended a Nelly concert. Shalita was selected to come up on stage, and her sister took pictures and recorded the once-in-a-lifetime event. After seeing the videos, Shalita cringed at what she saw.

She knew she had to make an improvement.

“I was astonished,” Shalita confesses. “When I put on that outfit (for the concert) it didn’t look like that, to me, but it looked terrible when I saw those pictures. I said, ‘I need to make a change.’ It was like I was seeing myself for the first time.”

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SHALITA IS WEARING: dress, $90, Nordstrom Rack; earrings, $20, J. Nicole; shoes – Jessica Simpson, $80, Off Broadway Shoe Store.

Makeup by Isidro Valencia

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<< PAGE 12 She began her weight loss journey at the beginning of 2015 and started with simple diets, trying things like the cayenne pepper diet and juice diets, but the results were minimal. She says she tried 45 different diets, finally hitting on the right combination, taking a little from each to create her own eating plan. Drinking water and taking probiotics has also helped.

Exercise has also been a substantial key to her weight loss.

“I exercise three times a week or do some type of activity to keep my heart rate up,” she explains. “I love to walk.

Walking is the easiest thing to do. I also love to dance. I’m no Beyoncé, but I put music on for 30 minutes and just move to it to keep my heart moving. I like it the best because I don’t feel like I’m exercising.” She also uses home exercise equipment and adds that yoga has also helped to bring relaxation into her routine.

Shalita’s weight loss journey took several years, but, in 2017, she eventually reached her goal of losing 100 pounds.

She now concentrates on maintenance.

“I think I’ve done something amazing to my metabolism, because I can eat and I don’t pick up weight. I don’t feel bloated.”

Shemaine Bridges, 47, has long incorporated exercise into her life. As a teacher and education professional, she finds that exercising is an excellent way to help keep her calm and reduce stress.

She was a runner when she was younger, and over the years has continued to exercise as often as possible because she finds it enjoyable. She eats a healthy diet and has never struggled with her weight.

In 2006, Shemaine experienced a rather frightening change to her body.

While she was pregnant with her son, her blood pressure began to increase during the third trimester and she had to be placed on bed rest. Five weeks before the baby was due, Shemaine woke up one morning feeling fine, but she sensed numbness on the left side of her mouth.

“I didn’t think anything of it, initially,” she says. “I called my doctor’s office and left a message, and as the day went on the symptoms got worse. My doctor called back and told me to go to the emergency room. When I got there the left side of my face was starting to droop.

The doctors thought at first that I was having a stroke, but it was determined PAGE 16 >>

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“

THE EXERCISE HELPS TO RELIEVE THE STRESS. IT KEEPS ME CALM, BALANCED, AND FOCUSED.

”

SHEMAINE IS WEARING: dress, $418, earrings, $42, shoes, $38, all from House of K. Hair and makeup

by Emily Roberts and Amber May, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

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“

IT’S BECOME PART OF

MY LIFE, AND REALLY, IT’S NON-NEGOTIABLE FOR ME BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER.

”

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<< PAGE 14 I had Bell’s palsy.” While at the hospital her blood pressure began to elevate even further, and the doctors decided to do an emergency C-section.

After the baby’s birth, Shemaine was put on medication to help control her blood pressure levels and she began therapy for the palsy.

Like many who have issues with blood pressure, Shemaine’s was genetic. Both of her parents suffer from high blood pressure, and she says her mother was diagnosed with it when she was in her early 30s. Shemaine continues to take her medication and exercises regularly, which helps to regulate her blood pressure.

She continues to work out at the YMCA doing Body Pump, which incorporates weight lifting, and Pound, which is a full-body cardio jam session, combining light resistance with constant simulated drumming. She also attends boot camp classes at Savoy. “The exercise helps to relieve the stress. It keeps me calm, balanced, and focused,” she says. It has also helped keep her blood pressure at a normal level.

Our bodies can throw us curve balls at times, never knowing when it will happen, or in what form. For Meredith Walston, the change to her body definitely came from out of left field.

Meredith, 35, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008.

The first sign of a problem had to do with her sight. “The first symptom, and what lead to my diagnosis of what’s called optic neuritis, which is a loss or alteration in your vision, happened basically within a day or two. The vision in my left eye deteriorated something like 75 percent, and that was very startling,” she says.

Her first thought was that she had done something to her eye or that it had a scratch or infection. Since she didn’t have a regular eye doctor, Meredith headed to a LensCrafters during her lunch break to have it examined. Although they found nothing wrong with it, they referred her to a retinal specialist.

“I went to see that person, who immediately referred me to a neurologist. From there I had to have MRI’s of my brain and spine. This all escalated very quickly,” she explained.

When they received the results of the scans, the doctors saw images of lesions on her brain and spine, which is an indication of scarring and damage to the nerves. The next step was to do a spinal tap in order to confirm the diagnosis.

All of the markers were positive. “Within a week I went from

not feeling that anything was out of the ordinary to being diagnosed with MS,” she says. Meredith explains that when the optic neuritis began it was actually what’s called a ‘flair up,’ or a relapse of the MS, which indicates a new lesion now exists or one that already exists ‘lights up’ and is attacking those nerves.

In order to treat an active situation such as this, patients are put on mega doses of steroids intravenously. “This is the first line of defense,” she says, “then they put you on a disease-modifying drug, or a DMD. For the first six months I did that, giving myself shots every day.” Another scan was done, showing new lesions had occurred. They switched her to another DMD, and she now has to go each month to an infusion center and receive an IV drip for a couple of hours.

Meredith’s neurologist told her that it would take her a year or two to grasp the fact that she has MS, but also to understand how her body is going to respond and how to recognize what is an indicator of the disease and what isn’t. “She was right,” Meredith says. “When anything was wrong, I thought it was MS. Learning the differences and being hyper in tune with my body has become important.” Being preventative in her behavior, getting enough rest, trying to limit stress, staying away from people who are sick, eating well, and exercise have become part of her daily lifestyle.

In 2016, when we first met Meredith she had taken over 400 classes at her gym of choice, B. You Fitness. She started with a goal of 100 classes, increasing to 250 and once she’d hit her goal, she would increase it to another level. In 2017, she hit her mark of 750, and by the end of 2018, she had completed 1,000 classes.

These include barre fitness classes, aerial fitness — hanging on long silks from the ceiling — and rebounding. “That’s one of my favorites,” Meredith says. “You’re on a sport trampoline. There are a lot of health benefits to that, as far as detoxifying, and studies have been done on the effects it has on your immune system. It’s not hard on your joints and it’s high cardio. The studio offers a lot of different classes.”

The main purpose of setting goals, she says, is to maintain consistency. She attends classes four or five days a week. “It’s become part of my life, and really, it’s non-negotiable for me because it makes me feel so much better.”

MEREDITH IS WEARING: jumpsuit, $50, J. Nicole; shoes, $18, Nordstrom Rack; necklace, $48, House of K. Makeup by Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique Hair by Krista Nenni, J. Estell Salon

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SPREADING YOUR WINGS

F I N D A C O M M U N I T Y T H AT E X PAN D S YO U R C I R C L E

By Bobbe Ann Crouch

Let’s face it, for some, working out solo just doesn’t rank high on the interesting scale.

Today’s woman knows that physical fitness isn’t just about being strong; it’s about achieving a state of health and well-being. She’s learned that aiming for a perfect weight as a goal to fitness isn't enough to hold motivation. This is why across Kentuckiana and beyond, women are enjoying the benefits of boutique fitness studios (Pure Barre, CrossFit, Orangetheory, etc.) and specialized classes held in larger gyms (spinning, Zumba, yoga, etc.). These social workouts are delivering large doses of confidence, camaraderie, and community.

Maggie Harlow, 48, owner of Sign-oRama who works out at Baptist Health/ Milestone Wellness Center, says, “I often feel a sense of friendly competition as well as genuine total acceptance from the women (and men) in these classes. We often shout encouragement to each other mid-class if we see someone either going super strong or taking a break. It’s fun, and we are careful to only shout out to those we know enjoy being called out. My trainer stays in touch with me when I’m gone for long. Even if I fall off my routine, it’s easy to just step back in and feel welcomed, not shamed. I get a ton of ‘welcome backs’ when I step in the room.”

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MAGGIE IS WEARING: jumpsuit, $356, earrings, $58, shoes, $38, all from House of K. Hair and makeup by Emily Roberts and Amber May, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique

“ I OFTEN FEEL A SENSE OF FRIENDLY COMPETITION AS WELL AS GENUINE TOTAL ACCEPTANCE FROM THE WOMEN (AND MEN) IN THESE CLASSES.

” Today’s Woman / January 2019

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<< PAGE 18 With so many exercise options available, choosing one can be confusing. Area fitness professionals advise to keep it fun and adventurous, trying everything of interest until you find what speaks to you. If you are nervous or curious about a particular class, the Internet is your friend. Do a search on what might be expected or even better, go observe a class in person and take a buddy. Practically every gym offers a free trial that can last from one week to a month. The most important thing is to gather your courage, show up, and try.

“The best thing about CrossFit is the community,” says JoEllyn McAtee, 32, co-owner of CrossFit Bluegrass.

“And I’m not just saying that because it’s my business. This is a family and a team. We sweat, cry, stress, and hurt together. You actually make relationships that encourage, motivate, keep you accountable, and fill your cup emotionally when you leave. There is no age, status, political view, or fitness level that matters. Once the workout starts, the stresses of the world are forgotten.

“I see new relationships form with people that would have never crossed paths outside of our building, and that is the ‘social workout’ needed,” JoEllyn continues. “We need conversation. We need different perspectives and advice.

We need a family that will help carry us through the highs and lows of the busy outside world, and we can accomplish all these things while we fitness.”

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“ WE NEED CONVERSATION. WE NEED DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND ADVICE.

”

JOELLYN IS WEARING: sweater:, $50, pants, $49, earrings, $14, all from J. Nicole; shoes – Jessica Simpson, $80, Off Broadway Shoe Store.

Makeup by Isidro Valencia

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<< PAGE 20 Jordan Rose Wiehebrink, 29, senior grad admissions officer at Bellarmine University and Pure Barre instructor, says, “My first Pure Barre class was difficult, unfamiliar, and overwhelming, but I remember walking out of that studio with a sense of strength and pride that I’d never experienced, and that feeling was exhilarating.

Intimidation with any new experience is inevitable, but you have to be willing to take a chance and remember that the right fitness community won’t be laced with judgment.”

In a world where most are spending large chunks of time, earbuds in, heads down staring into some electronic device, it can be easy to forget the benefits of being social. Pushing oneself physically alongside others doing the same, sharing highs, lows, and encouragement is a great reminder that we’re supposed to be going through life together. The byproduct of this is reduced stress, a greater sense of confidence and of course, a new sense of community.

It’s January. The slate is clean. The opportunity to make this the year of your best self is present once again.

Today’s social fitness options and benefits are unlimited. Which will you choose?

“

MY FIRST PURE BARRE CLASS WAS DIFFICULT, UNFAMILIAR, AND OVERWHELMING...

”

JORDAN IS WEARING: top, $40, skirt, $30, both from J. Nicole.

Hair and makeup by Emily Roberts and Amber May, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique

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YES, THE FOOD MATTERS

By Katy Howell

A key factor to living at optimal health lies in your eating habits. From preventing diseases such as diabetes or certain cancers, to keeping off extra weight and feeling your best, changing the way you eat has the ability to change everything.

You can’t go to the grocery store without seeing vegan, paleo, or keto-friendly items throughout the aisles. The impact altering our eating habits can have on our health is apparent; the question is, where do we start?

I caught up with nutritionists and fitness experts Jordan Parker Means and Tammy Hubbard, who were featured in Today’s Woman Best Bodies of 2017, to talk about the eating habits that work for them, and how to help others do the same.

Jordan is the co-owner of By Any Means Fitness and has been on a plant-based diet since April 2017, after the birth of her youngest child. We asked Jordan for advice she would give to readers who are looking to make the plant-based lifestyle change.

“I encourage people to take it slow when it comes to making the switch to plant-based,” Jordan says. “While you can take a cold-turkey approach like me, I’ve found that most people I work with are more successful over the long-term when they take it slow. They are less likely to crave what they’ve eliminated. Start with one meal and build from there. Or, eliminate beef, then chicken, then cheese, and so forth.”

As a nutritionist, Jordan noted that ideal diets vary from person to person, based on their individual needs. “Don’t get me wrong, a vegan can be a high-performing athlete with the right fuel,” she says.“My saying is ‘there’s no one right way’.

While there are definitely foods that are more nutritious than other foods, like plants over packaged and processed snacks, you truly have to take the time to learn your body and what

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works for you. If that includes meat, just eat meat in a healthy amount and cooked in a healthy manner. Listen to your body and practice moderation.”

Jordan utilizes this same type of philosophy in her life.

Every two months, she will track the number of calories she consumes in a day for one week if she is trying to reach a certain goal for her body. Or she will track her calories to make sure that what she is eating corresponds to what she knows her body needs regarding carbohydrates, calories, and proteins. Jordan creates her own recipes, but also finds ideas on Pinterest and Epicurious.com. “Epicurious.com is a great tool, because you can pick a recipe based on the ingredients you have at home,” she says.

Tammy left a corporate job when she felt her own life was changed with nutrition and fitness. She believes that changing your eating habits is all about progress, not perfection. Though she keeps up her good habits most of the time, this doesn’t stop her from enjoying the occasional night out with her family at their favorite Mexican restaurant.

“I think of this [health] journey like the path of a rocket.

Most of the time the rocket is off course, it's the gyroscope that monitors the constant course corrections. That's what I like to picture. Every day presents a challenge, a choice — eat this, eat that — I find my personality (and everyone is different) is like inertia...a good choice leads to another good choice, or a body in motion likes to remain in motion.”

Tammy describes herself as being extremely disciplined regarding what she eats. She focuses on portion control.

Instead of categorizing meals into breakfast, lunch or dinner, she thinks about the foods she needs to eat to maintain energy, feel good and look good. She also plans meals and snacks based around where she’ll be and what she’ll be doing for the day. Tammy’s daily food selections include three vegetables, four proteins, two carbohydrates, one serving of a healthy fat like a nut and two teaspoons of an oil fat, e.g. extra virgin olive oil, almond butter or peanut butter.

JORDAN’S MENU FOR THE DAY Meal 1: Oatmeal with blueberries, a banana and almond butter. “Some days, I’ll eat one or two eggs with this,” Jordan says. Later in the day, she’ll eat an orange or apple as a snack.

Meal 2: Spinach salad with black beans or garbanzo beans, cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots. She uses Herbes de Provence salad dressing from Whole Foods. For a snack, she will either eat another fruit or a Larabar.

Meal 3: Roasted vegetables with rice or quinoa and fish. Or she might prepare a pasta dish with vegetables.

TAMMY’S MENU FOR THE DAY Meal 1: A half cup of oatmeal and adds 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, and sunflower. She’ll add ¾ cup of Greek yogurt with one cup of mixed berries.

Meal 2: Protein shake with a teaspoon of peanut butter and another fruit.

Meal 3: Spinach salad with red pepper, purple onions, and an egg white. She makes her own salad dressing using a teaspoon of olive oil and vinegar.

Meal 4: Half of a sweet potato, five brussels sprouts, and chicken. She eats a certain number of nuts as a snack to get in a serving of healthy fats.

Read more about Tammy on page 38.

“

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE IT SLOW WHEN IT COMES TO

JORDAN IS WEARING: dress, $23, shoes – Sam Edelman Pumps, $60, both from Nordstrom Rack; necklace, $28, J. Nicole.

Makeup by Isidro Valencia

MAKING THE SWITCH TO PLANT-BASED.

” Today’s Woman / January 2019

25

WO M EN I N

FITNESS

From left to right: Stephanie Tisone, Lisa Groft, and Maria Bernard

RELATIONSHIPS FOSTER FITNESS SUCCESS

BY JESSICA ALYEA // PHOTO BY MELISSA DONALD

T

here’s a reason why nearly 6,000 people spanning six generations work out at Baptist Health/Milestone Wellness Center.

“What makes us different is definitely that when you come in our club, we’re a community,” says Stephanie Tisone, membership director at Milestone. “We have people of all fitness levels, from people training for a marathon to people in their 90s who want to be involved in a healthier lifestyle.”

Everyone’s fitness journey is different, Stephanie says, and the community and accountability that can be found at Milestone are what help people succeed in reaching their goals. Group classes ranging from Zumba to kickboxing are tailored with differences that keep workouts fresh; for example, cycling lovers can choose from a class focusing on outdoor cycling or on one that incorporates hand weights. For those who prefer more individualized guidance, one-on-one or small-group personal training are options that foster camaraderie and motivation. Milestone offers over 270 group fitness classes between land and aqua.

“We work to pair people up with the right trainer for them, someone who will match their personality and goals,” says Lisa Groft,

fitness co-director and personal trainer.

“And when we do that, it creates a lasting relationship. I have a client I’ve met with three days a week since 2004.”

Milestone offers special fitness challenges to both members and non-members three times a year, with the New Year New You six-week challenge starting in January. Participants can win weekly and grand prizes in the friendly competitions.

Members can also take advantage of MyZone, a tool that helps people achieve the target heart rate for their fitness level via a heart rate monitor and phone app, enabling them to work out smarter and even connect with friends.

“You’re challenging each other, and it’s a neat way to work out with partners to help hold you accountable,” Stephanie says.

It’s all about creating the motivation that makes a fitness lifestyle stick. Finding something to help you maintain consistency is key, says Maria Bernard, fitness co-director alongside Lisa and personal trainer. “For example, if you’re a tech person, look for a fitness gadget that will motivate you,” she says. “I’m one of those people, so I have a heart rate monitor, Fitbit and Apple Watch.”

Stephanie stresses making realistic goals: “If you make one big goal, then focus on making little goals to get to that big goal. It’s more achievable, and the journey is more rewarding.”

Enjoy relationships that will help you, Lisa says.

“If all you do is come in, walk on the treadmill and leave, you will miss out on the community.

If you get involved with a fitness challenge or group exercise class or personal training, you’re more likely to stay with it and get results.”

750 Cypress Station Dr Louisville, KY 40207

502.896.3900

baptistmilestone.com

WO M EN I N

FITNESS Beth Mans, The J

FINDING COMMUNITY THROUGH FITNESS

BY JESSICA ALYEA // PHOTO BY MELISSA DONALD

W

hether women are working full-time, looking for family fun, seeking out friendships, recovering from an injury — even fighting cancer — The J has something to offer to help them find a fitness lifestyle.

Beth Mans, fitness instructor and The J’s member services director, knows this firsthand.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2018 and now in the midst of chemotherapy, Beth continues to teach group exercise classes and coordinate The J’s variety of workout programs. She both finds inspiration and creates it in the close-knit community at The J. “So many members come in and ask how I’m doing,” she says. “[When I start radiation] I will create a paper chain to let members write to me, then every day I’ll pull off one chain so that people can see where I am in my journey. That’s all part of The J. It’s like a big family here.”

Often from her chemo chair, Beth advocates for The J’s Fit to Fight classes, a free program for cancer fighters and survivors as well as their caregivers.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to come together and work out in an easier environment, realizing we’re in the middle of treatment,” Beth says. “What better place to be than with other people who understand how crummy you feel, but that exercise is so important and you feel better after you do it. To take our minds away from the stress and anxiety over the unknown of tomorrow through Fit to Fight is great.”

Beth also stresses how important exercise is for all women, from those who are aging to retain muscle mass to mothers who need to care for themselves. The J’s daily childcare services and weekly family fun events such as Bounce House Night make it easier for entire families to pursue fitness together. Peloton exercise bikes, a new offering at The J, allow those with even the craziest of schedules to fit in a workout.

“You can hop on this bike and watch an instructor on-screen anytime you want — come in at 8pm if that’s your only time,” Beth says. “It’s all about working when you can work and having things to be on, not just the treadmill or elliptical.”

Beth recommends mixing up high-impact land workouts with the low-impact possibilities of the pool. The J’s no-impact Deep Water program and Water in Motion shallow-water workout are offerings you can hardly find anywhere else, she says.

There’s no need to be intimidated by the gym, she finishes. “Here at The J, you can come see me, and I will walk you through the equipment and introduce you to people. We just want you to feel comfortable and feel like you’re seeing your family when you come to The J.”

JEWISH COMMUNITY OF LOUISVILLE 3600 Dutchmans Lane Louisville, KY 40205

502.459.0660

https://jewishlouisville.org/the-j

GETTING THE EXERCISE HIGH

By Jamie Lober

Choosing to exercise can lead to good feelings and other good choices. These two women have found relief in different ways.

One finds running with her dogs keeps her mind clear and the other fought pain and anxiety with breathing techniques and yoga.

Lee Schardein was in a car accident seven years ago that left her with back, neck, and anxiety issues, and it was yoga that was her saving grace. “The regular practice of yoga and learning breathing techniques helped me get over a lot, both physically and emotionally,” Lee says. Though she had a background in dance, it was hard to find adult dance classes, and yoga was easier on the joints. It was carving out set times to practice that made all the difference, even if it meant waking up a little earlier.

The benefits were instantaneous. “Some people experience immediate relief. You are strengthening the mind-body connection; you are releasing endorphins; sleep might improve; there is emotional stability and stress relief,” Lee says about yoga. She says you can expect ups and downs, but consistency is the key to success. Lee loves being a student and aspires to take the next step by becoming a 300-hour certified teacher in 2019.

One thing Lee emphasizes is that anyone can work activity into her schedule if they prioritize. “Schedule it and think of it is as self-care and an investment in yourself, because we only have one body and need to give it love and respect,” Lee says.

There is no shortage of yoga offerings in Louisville, and age and body type do not matter. “The main thing is that it tunes you in more with your thought processes. For example, when you may be frustrated, you can work through it,” Lee says.

PAGE 30 >>

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“

THE REGULAR PRACTICE OF YOGA AND LEARNING BREATHING TECHNIQUES HELPED ME GET OVER A LOT, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

”

LEE IS WEARING: dress, $248, earrings, $58, fur coat, $88, all from House of K. Hair by Krista Nenni, J. Estell Salon Makeup by Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

29

<< PAGE 28 Amy Siegel was stuck in a rut, and it was exercise that propelled her to get motivated again. “If I can start my day refreshing and energizing my body, then typically my frame of mind follows,” Amy says. Although she had been in collegiate sports and was involved with youth coaching, it is running with her four dogs that brings her the most clarity. During workouts she thinks about spirituality, wellness, and helping a neighbor in need. “Fitness and taking care of your body on a consistent basis make you feel good, and then you can function better,” Amy says.

Amy likes to switch up her physical activities, whether she is strength training, working with a personal trainer, or hiking a trail. “Even on a cold day you can layer up, which will require your heart to pump to keep you warm,” Amy says. She encourages people to stay away from technology and news that can be discouraging and affect their mental status in a negative way. “You need to have the right frame of mind to stay motivated,” Amy says. If you work out with others you can share your positive mentality about fitness.

“You need to look at yourself and have shortterm goals and monthly goals, because shortterm ones keep you motivated and long-term see results,” Amy says.

Right now Amy says her most fulfilling goal would be to inspire others to be active. “I am disciplined enough in my routine that I feel good where I am and can help someone who has not been active, if that means going for a walk or helping them walk dogs,” Amy says.

She repeatedly credits her dogs for keeping her in motion. “Go rescue an animal, and walking it will keep you active,” Amy says.

“

FITNESS AND TAKING

CARE OF YOUR BODY ON A CONSISTENT BASIS AMY IS WEARING: top, $50, leggings, $20, booties, $70, all from J. Nicole; heels, $47, Nordstrom Rack.

Hair and makeup

by Emily Roberts and Amber May, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique

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January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, AND THEN YOU CAN FUNCTION BETTER.

”

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

31

27 THINGS (Why 27? Because we are 27 years old!)

Happenings, news, and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month

1-13

By Anita Oldham

THEY LOOK GREAT DRESSED UP TOO

Nancy Millard Erwin

Who better to go to for advice on how to commit to a change then Today’s Woman former Best Bodies champions? We asked the hard questions: how to commit and keep going — many we hadn’t seen in two years and their positive, realistic approaches to emotional and physical health has kept them in top condition.

Amy Siegel

Lee Schardein

Shemaine Bridges

Debbie Nutt Stein

JoEllyn McAtee Maggie Harlow Tracy Green Meredith Walston

Jordan Parker Means

Katrina Kaufman

Shalita Ford

14.

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Jordan Rose Wiehebrink

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January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Join our Best Bodies Challenge and be featured in our August Best Bodies issue! Sign up at TodaysWomanNow.com or go to page 43 to get the details. Individuals or groups: #BestBodiesChallenge or #BestBudBodies

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

33

27 THINGS

six te en

15

NEED A PEP TALK? We asked Colene Elridge, who wrote a book called Monday Morning Pep Talks, to give us some encouragement. We thought in a month of us pushing change, you also need to realize that change is not a reason to accept yourself where you are right now.

HERE’S AN EXCERPT: You Are Enough!

Hi friend — Your focus this week is being enough.

Sometimes we need a reminder that we are enough just as we are. This week, I want you to remember that you are enough for anything that the week may throw at you.

Photo Agapa Photography

You are enough: Even when you feel ugly.

Even when you feel sad.

Even when the dress is a little too tight.

Even when you are doubtful.

Even when you feel jealous of others.

Even when you don’t know what to do next.

Even when you feel overwhelmed.

Even when someone makes you feel small.

Even when you don’t exercise.

Even when you eat the extra scoop of ice cream.

Even when you aren’t the perfect parent.

Even when you wake up late.

Even when...

You are always enough!

START YOUR JANUARY OFF HERE

What a year she has had! Last January Megan Bell started a nonprofit organization with the mission of helping women enhance their social, health, and economic situation. “We are teaching women how to be accountable, set goals, uplift their self-esteem, and give them consistent support,” Megan says. This month, VWEL, Inc. will be have its first Women of Virtue Winter Brunch on January 5 at Chandelier Main Event from 10:30am-3pm. The event will feature six speakers including Sadiqua Reynolds, president of the Louisville Urban League; Metro Council member Jessica Green; and Andrena Phillips who is life coach and motivational speaker. Megan says she wanted to have a panel of speakers who represent diversity on all levels, because she believes differences unify women. Register at womenofvirtuebrunch.org.

17. KEEP THE GIVING SPIRIT GOING

Butterfly Backpacks assembles and hand delivers backpacks full of toiletries and encouraging notes and letters to the women at The Healing Place. According to the organization, they hope the women going through addiction recovery will see just how much they are loved when they open the backpack. Donate by going to butterflybackpacks.com or calling Tina Mills at 502.494.0400.

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January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

The book is available at MondayMorningPepTalks.com

18

SUDDENLY A CAREGIVER? If you attended a holiday gathering that made you realize a special person in your life needs more care, we can help.

We provide the only comprehensive list of care communities and home health in this region. Go to TodaysTransitionsNow.com for more information or call us at 502.327.8855.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

35

27 THINGS 19–21 MY MOTHER IS SO STRONG...

These previous Best Bodies winners all talked about their daughters when we featured them two years ago, so we thought it would be great to get a picture of them together with their girls. (See page 38.)

Tammy Hubbard

Shannon Kessler

23 Know a Great Local Artisan?

If you’re a Kentucky or Southern Indiana artisan or craft business, we want to feature your art in an upcoming issue. Men and women are creating great things, and we want to highlight the best products in four categories: Home • Jewelry • Style • Art Go to TodaysWomanNow.com to enter!

24. While you at TodaysWomanNow.com, sign up for our BEST BODIES CHALLENGE, and be featured in our August Best Bodies issue.

January 2019 Today’s Woman Manifesto I AM SMART, I AM KIND, I AM WORTHY.

WELCOME TO

2019: 26

R e w a rd “ n o n- s c a l e v i c t o r i e s ” l i ke l o o s e r f i tt i n g c l o t h e s , g re a t e r e n e r gy a n d b e tt e r s l e e p .

I c a n’ t c h a n g e t h e p a s t or predict the future.

AT FITNESS CLASSES: You make RELATIONSHIPS that ENCOURAGE, MOTIVATE, keep you ACCOUNTABLE, and fill your cup EMOTIONALLY when you leave.

“The stresses of the world are forgotten.”

Intimidation with any new experience is “ inevitable.”

“Think of it is as an investment in yourself.”

It tunes you in more with your thought “ processes.”

Did you notice on page 4 that we shared our January manifesto? What is a manifesto? It is a declaration of values and beliefs, and how we intend to live this month (and after). It functions both as a statement of principles and as a call to action. We hope you will enjoy it, and it will help keep you and us on track for Try out-loud, sit-down conversations with friends in which this month.

Ifthing youabout want each woman describes her favorite herself. to make your own manifesto for the month, tag us @TodaysWomanNow on instagram or #MonthlyManifesto

YEAR OF CHANGE

36

“There are times I had to push

myself, and it hurt to move, but the more I moved the

better it got to

where the pain was practically gone.”

WHAT IS CATHY’S RESOLUTION? We asked Publisher Cathy Zion for her 2019 Resolution: “I admit I don’t usually make New Year’s Resolutions...I get discouraged when I don’t achieve them.

However, for 2019, I resolve to say ‘no’ respectfully but resolutely to make a bit more ‘me’ time. Too often, when asked to do something I say ‘yes’ because I have nothing else scheduled that day or time.

Rather, I will now be considering that unscheduled time “me” time so I don’t end up feeling overwhelmed with everything.

So I’m giving myself permission to say ‘no’ in 2019.”

FUN KID THINGS

for the Winter

Check out the My Big Little Adventure (MyBigLittleAdventure.com) designed to help parents and caregivers find easy ways to play and learn together with children up to age five.

The free website is a local collaboration of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Community Coordinated Child Care, Family Scholar House, Kentucky Science Center, the Louisville Zoo and StageOne Family Theatre.

25

LET’S MAKE 2019 THE START OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL!

WHY A MONTHLY MANIFESTO? “I step outside of myself and think about how I would talk to one of my best friends if they were saying the negative things that are in my head.”

State something that you know to be true about yourself —

Alison Cardoza

22

27 On page 54 we feature my own daughter’s wedding. What fun we had planning and creating that day! The Start of Something Beautiful in this photo was a timeline showing the lives of the couple’s individual milestones and then when they met (on an airplane!) up until the wedding day. Guests could then write on the wall when their lives intersected with the couple.

If you know someone whose wedding we should feature, write Jill@TodaysMediaNow.com.

January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

37

like mother, like daughter S E T T I N G A L I F E L O N G E X AM P L E

By Tiffany White

Tammy Hubbard makes fitness a priority for her entire family.

She and her husband AJ exercise every day at 6am, and both of her daughters participate in athletics at school. Kaylyn, 14, plays basketball, and Jasmine, 13, is on a soccer team. “I want them to see that it [exercise] is a choice and that it is a hard choice … it isn’t just going to be a physical look that they go for. It will be, ‘How do you feel as you’re turning 51?' Are you feeling the aches and pains of getting out of the bed?’”

Tammy, who is a fitness and nutrition coach and owner of Phitnut, tells her clients perfection isn’t a necessary part of fitness. Instead, she stresses the importance of starting a fitness regimen and setting realistic goals.

TAMMY IS WEARING: Dress, $942, shoes, $38, earrings, $26, all from House of K. JASMINE (LEFT) IS WEARING: Dress, $276, shoes, $38, earrings, $24, all from House of K. KAYLYN (RIGHT) IS WEARING: Dress, $212, shoes, $17.97, earrings, $26, all from House of K. Hair by Krista Nenni, J. Estell Salon Makeup by Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon & Threadz Boutique

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January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

like mother, like daughter

FO L L OW T H E L E AD E R Shannon Kessler’s daughters, Ruby Jane, 8, and Eleanor,6, are accustomed to seeing their mom leave the house to attend a yoga class or to work out with her personal trainer.

“Both of my girls know that working out makes mommy happy, and they are always asking, ‘How was your class today?’ My husband is a runner and is usually on the treadmill before they get up at 6:45am,” she says.

Watching their parents’ fitness regimen also motivates their daughters to stay active. Both girls swim, play tennis, and golf. Eleanor also participates in ballet, tap, and basketball.

Shannon, who is owner of Primp Style Lounge, is devoted to making time for her workouts and says exercising is a form of relaxation for her. “I work out with my trainer Mondays at 8am. I know that I am not going to schedule anything else at 8am or 9, because I know that is the time I’ve carved out for the workout. I need to have those workouts so that I can have a release for all of the other things going on — I need it for my own sanity.”

SHANNON IS WEARING: Jumpsuit, $44.97, and jacket, $59.97, both from J. Nicole; shoes, $64.99, Off Broadway Shoe Store.

RUBY JANE IS WEARING: Dress, $12.97, jacket, $20.98, Adidas shoes, $34.97, all from Nordstrom Rack.

ELEANOR IS WEARING: Top, $18.97, leggings, $17.97, shoes, $34.97, all from Nordstrom Rack.

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January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

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like mother, like daughter

ALISON IS WEARING: Shirt, $14.97, leggings, $28.97, both from Nordstrom Rack; shoes, $29.99, Payless Shoe Store.

ALEXA IS WEARING: Shirt, $7.90, leggings, $29.99, both from Justice; shoes, Converse, $35, model’s own.

Hair and makeup

by Hot Locks Salon

STRENGTHEN THE BOND Alison Cardoza, a certified personal trainer and hip hop group exercise instructor at Baptist Health/ Milestone Wellness Center, and her daughter Alexa, 12, have turned fitness into an opportunity for them to strengthen their bond.

“She inspires me every day. She is a cheerleader, she eats healthy, so she keeps me going and she says I am her role model, which inspires me to

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January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

want to be healthy and live the best lifestyle I can to continue to be a role model to her,” Alison says.

Alison being a personal trainer also has a major influence on how Alexa views fitness, and she is eager to help others live a healthier life.

Sometimes, after school, Alexa will assist Alison with leading a hip hop class for kids ages 2-5.

Occasionally, Alison’s busy schedule prevents her from getting in a full workout for the day, but when she misses a workout, she will make time to fit in a quick fitness session with the family before bedtime.

GET YOUR BEST BODY WAN T T O B E H E L D AC C O U N TAB L E FO R YO U R F I T N E S S G OAL S ? L E T T O DAY’ S W O M A N H E L P. We are looking for women of all sizes, ages and fitness levels to participate.

Already in great shape? You can also be featured in Best Bodies by nominating yourself at TodaysWomanNow.com/Nominate.

Sign up at TodaysWomanNow.com How to Enter: 1. Sign up at TodaysWomanNow.com/nominate and send us your photo.

2. Post updates on social media with the hashtag #BestBodyChallenge.

3. Or, gather a group (2 or more) together at your gym (or in your neighborhood) to hold each other accountable and register at TodaysWomanNow.com/nominate.

!

JOINwUomSen

First 30 who register receive a free Today’s Woman BEST BODY Challenge T-shirt!

4. You have between January-May to get in tip top fitness shape (just in time for summer!).

What Do You Win? 1. You will look great (and feel better, sleep better, have more energy)!

2. Winners will be featured in our annual Best Bodies issue, in one of the seven categories — or even on the cover.

3. We will send you updates of free places to workout or invite you to join us at certain events.

4. Special giveaways will be available only to participants who have signed up.

5. Mini-contests will be held throughout for specific things: biggest non-scale change, morning workouts, evening workouts.

BEST BODY

Challenge

Best Body 2018 Stephanie Richie

Today’s Woman / January 2019

43

IS IT TIME TO GO?

By Megan M. Seckman Photo submitted

KIM’S TRAVEL ADVICE:

Beginning with her seventh grade class, Kim Joiner stands in front of a map of the world and assigns her students the homework of looking at the globe and choosing one location they’d like to visit. The trips are planned two years out, in order to allow for plenty of time to save the money.

• Don’t spend more than $2000 on a trip if you can avoid it. Kim networks with friends to share rooms and cost. In the summer of 2008 (she calls this her Eat, Pray Love tour of California), she spent the entire summer in California without paying for one single hotel room.

• Get a spa service wherever you go. Kim had a Turkish bath in Turkey, a cane sugar scrub in Hawaii, and a healing eucalyptus massage in Switzerland.

SEARCH: Kim Joiner

K

im Joiner’s zest for travel is contagious.

This middle school drama teacher is setting the lofty goal of touching every continent before “[she’s] too old or it becomes unsafe.” And let me tell you folks she’s on her way.

Kim didn’t begin her passion for international travel until she was 40, but she’s made up a lot of ground since then. When she left her career in television broadcasting to pursue teaching, she needed to take some prerequisites to teach in Kentucky. Instead of enrolling locally, she found a program through Murray State that allowed her to study in Costa Rica for the summer and earn the credits she needed to begin her new career.

“It was my first foray into international travel. My husband at the time didn’t like to travel and my children were 16 and 18. I thought, ‘You know what? It is time —I can go!’

And I did. From that point on, I had the fever!”

Kim says, eyes wide with fervor.

Since her first trip abroad, she’s seen 20 different countries and has schlepped 10 middle school travel groups across the world.

SHOWING HER STUDENTS THE WORLD For a decade, Kim, an Excel Award winner and Kentucky teacher of the year nominee, has opened up the world to her students.

Her students have participated in a servicelearning project in Peru, toured the rich history of drama in London, Hollywood, and New York City, experienced the U.K., Paris, Australia,

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January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

New Zealand, and Hawaii. This year, Japan and Australia/New Zealand are on the table.

“Kids set me on fire with their enthusiasm for discovery. You can actually witness them broadening their horizons right in front of your eyes. It makes giving up part of my summer absolutely worth it.”

Speaking of Kim’s summer...during the summer of 2018, you would only find Kim home for 12 days. As soon as school let out, she jumped on a plane with six students and three adult chaperones and headed to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.

At the beginning of July, she was home for a week where she spent some quality time with her six grandsons and was then off again to Puerto Vallarta. There she met her girlfriends, one who is sailing around the world. In Mexico, they sailed to the Bay of Banderas and Punta Meada. The group traveled by paddle board to remote towns that were well off the tourist map, hiked the local townships, and sampled local cuisine and margaritas straight out of the locals’ homes.

WHAT’S ON HER BUCKET LIST? There are many places left on Kim’s bucket list: Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, Russia, and Antarctica (this last one is inspired by one of her grandsons —they’ve started an “Antarctica jar” to save for the trip). There is no doubt in my mind, after witnessing Kim’s passion for travel, that she won’t check off every single trip on her list.

• Buy a few bottles of beer, candy, or local snacks for souvenirs. Instead of sharing loads of photos with her family when she returns home, she hosts a dinner of regional fare. That way, she doesn’t dominate the conversation; her family tastes the cuisine and asks questions about the trip.

• Don’t let fear hold you back. However, Kim cautions travelers to pay attention to the international security levels (she never travels to places with a 3 or higher level) and to always listen to your instincts.

• Use a travel agent. They are free and will save time and frustration when you are trying to plan international travel.

• Don’t be afraid to do some of the touristy things.

A great balance between “touristy” and “off-thebeaten-path” will provide you with the best travel experience.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

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What Works for This CEO

By Lucy M. Pritchett Photo Patti Hartog

L

ike the ducks serenely swimming in the lakes outside her office window at Cave Hill Cemetery, Gwen Mooney moves calmly on the surface of her days, but underneath she is briskly paddling.

Paddling, because there is a lot to oversee as president and CEO of the historic, 170-year-old cemetery. Considering she has only been in that position for three-and-a-half years, Gwen has managed to accomplish quite a lot.

But first, how did she get here?

“When I was in high school, five family members and two friends died in a space of four years. I thought I could really make a difference as a female in the industry working with widows and mothers who have lost loved ones,” she says.

She made good on that intention.

Gwen came to Louisville from Cincinnati where she was president of Gwen Mooney Funeral Homes and an officer of Spring Grove Cemetery. She graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science — she was one of three females in her class — and has been working in the cemetery and funeral home business for the past 26 years as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Ohio and Kentucky.

She oversees the Cave Hill Cemetery Company, Cave Hill Investment Company, and the Cave Hill Heritage Foundation, which makes sure that the cemetery never falls into disrepair and sees to the restoration and replacement of statues.

When she came to Cave Hill she brought with her Otis, a grief therapy service dog. When Otis passed away, Beau, a Fox Red Labrador, came to stay and goes with Gwen everywhere. “During family conferences, he is especially calming and comforting to children who have lost a parent or sibling.”

For daily decisions, her go-to resource is Cave Hill’s book of rules and regulations that were formulated in 1848. “I have to make sure of the right of burial and often have to research the original deeds to make sure that someone is entitled to be buried in a family plot. A lot of my time is spent doing that.”

She is delighted that she made the move from Cincinnati to Louisville.

“Cave Hill is a beautiful cemetery. The people who work here — we have 75 employees — treat Cave Hill as if they have ownership. It is really a jewel for the city.”

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SEARCH: Gwen Mooney

What works for this woman who is entrusted with the care of Cave Hill?

WHITE CHEVY SUBURBAN I'm constantly driving around the cemetery’s 300 acres touching base with supervisors, assessing what's happening, looking at projects, and attending events. Beau is always with me, and there is plenty of room in the Suburban for him.

WELLIES AND UMBRELLA I have two pairs of wellies. The more casual pair are green Hunters and are for tromping over muddy ground. The other pair are Tommy Hilfiger black patent leather rubber boots for a little more formal look. I also carry with me a big black umbrella with the Cave Hill swan logo. All my shoes have a wedge heel. I couldn’t wear high heels because I would just be sinking down into the ground.

CURRY SPICE I came to the curry scene 13 years ago. National Geographic followed me around for a week when I was at the funeral home in Cincinnati. They were filming a program on death and dying taboos comparing funeral traditions and rites in different cultures.

That's how I got onto curry. Everyday, the camera crew wanted to go to Indian and Thai restaurants.

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A CHAT WITH KELLY VON BUSCH

By Lucy M. Pritchett Photo Patti Hartog

ABOUT COMMUNITY “In education, having a community is just as important as the academic piece,” Kelly Von Busch says. “It is important to create a community where kids can learn from mistakes, grow in self-awareness and social connection, and acquire different strategies to self-regulate along with opportunities to practice those strategies. Walden School’s environment supports that goal,” adds Kelly, who is the director of The Lower School at Walden School.

ABOUT GETTING THROUGH THE DAY Kelly says mindfulness practices have become an important tool in her tool box. From the calming mat and pillows in the corner of her office to the use of the colorful geodesic domeshaped breathing ball, there are all sorts of techniques and styles to teaching mindfulness that help the students keep their focus and make better decisions.

ABOUT IMAGINATION

SEARCH: Kelly Von Busch

Kelly also championed the creation of the school’s playground of the imagination. “Not all children enjoy tag or soccer or other sporting activities. It is important to have areas where children can be engaged in imaginative play outside such as our fairy garden, the sand table, the fossil bed, or the vegetable garden. Children are creative and love imaginary play, and this area gives them space to create and use their imagination.”

ON BEING KIND TO OURSELVES “I’ve learned that we are all so hard on ourselves. We want to be happy individuals and be a part of a community or group. We are all on different places on the path. Some are just beginning and some are far ahead, and we need to be kind to ourselves and to each other.”

JUST ASK JOYCE:

Ask a question by sending it to justaskjoyce@ gmail.com. Read the whole answer at TodaysWomanNow.com.

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“The last five years have been the worst. Many of my relationships have gone awry — girl and guy friends, as well as my two-year fiancé. I lost both of my parents three years apart. I feel abandoned and isolated.

I keep my head above water by investing in my career.

Any ideas on how to make this new year better?”

January 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

The fairy tree house is part of the fairy garden.

l Kelly Von Busch says the birth of her daughter helped her realize that children are so aware of everything from conversations around them to visual stimuli.

JOYCE: If this year is to be more promising than the past five, it will take one main ingredient: your determination. With that as your jump-start, incorporate the following ideas into your days.

1. FIND A DREAM. Passion is an incredible driving force. When we become passionate about a goal — a special project, a promotion, a trip abroad, running a marathon, remodeling a house, whatever it is we desire to do — our dream drives us.

2. FUND A CHARITY. I’m thinking more of donating your time, energy, and efforts to provide a helping hand to an entity working with impaired or underprivileged children, stray animals, pregnant unwed moms, homeless individuals, or creative artists. I strongly believe you will find investing in a worthy cause will be an outlet you’ll enjoy. It’s no substitute for your losses, but definitely a compensation.

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“DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WHAT FASHION SHOULD BE...”

Story and Photo by Miranda Popp

SEARCH: Barbara Lynne Jamison

This Musical Woman Loves the Warmth of Louisville

By Bella Portaro-Kueber Photo Melissa Donald

“W

e learn meaning of words from how they’re presented to us through rhythm and melody; that’s universal to all languages, says Barbara Lynne Jamison, the Kentucky Opera’s new general director.

“We’ve learned language through musical building blocks, which is why we express ourselves through music in so many heightened ways.

We don’t say ‘Happy Birthday!’ over and over again to someone, we sing it. Not chanting — singing. It shows how the important things we all share are expressed through songs with melody and rhythm.”

Barbara is interested in the cognitive effects of music and how the opera can impact our city. “I was taken by the [Kentucky Opera] board’s understanding of how important it was for this company

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to continue more deeply into community responsibility,” she says.

“So often boards are thinking about the product on the stage and the quality of that, which is important, but it’s equally important for that product to be of a quality that the community can appreciate and resonates with them.”

She was also taken by the city.

“When my husband and I visited the city we were really taken by the warmth of the community, how the people are so community centered and socially conscious as they care about each other,” Barbara says.

“There are so many opportunities for people to get together. Togetherness is important, and I’m coordinating that to continue to connect people to an idea and one another through open hearts and minds.”

“Makeup found me,” says Lorie Karnes. She has been a professional makeup artist for 17 years, and she even worked for Universal Studios as a makeup and special effects artist.

Although she still does makeup with her team during Louisville’s event seasons, she’s now firmly anchored at The Lash Lounge St. Matthews as the salon manager.

“DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WHAT FASHION SHOULD BE,” LORIE SAYS. “ALWAYS BE COMFORTABLE SO YOU CAN BE THE BOSS BABE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE.” SEARCH: Lorie Karnes

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THE JOURNEY INWARD

By Megan M. Seckman Photo Melissa Donald

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ravel changes you. The late and lovely Anthony Bourdain said, “The journey is part of the experience —an expression of the seriousness of one’s intent. One doesn’t take the A train to Mecca.” California was the place that changed the lives of the mother-daughter duo behind The Inner Warrior Boutique, Sabine and Gabriella Gaona. It was their Mecca, so to speak.

Sabine’s youngest daughter, 16-year-old Gabriella (now 24), also going through a rough patch. A close friend of hers had committed suicide, and Gabriella found herself consumed with grief and feelings of discontentment.

Inspired by her mother, she began daily yoga practice. The two women began centering their entire day around their yoga classes and found that after yoga, they felt they could take on the world.

In the summer of 2014, Sabine decided to forge unknown territory and open a yoga boutique that sustained itself on environmentally conscious yoga accessories while offering free yoga to the community. The Gaona’s traveled to Los Angeles to immerse themselves in the research needed to open a business. Getting out of town allowed them to be free from the distractions of home and see how similar business models worked on the West Coast.

Sabine did not want to profit off the yoga classes, as she felt in her heart that yoga should be accessible to all and those who need the healing of yoga the most sometimes struggle to afford it.

“If people have a wonderful experience here, they take it home to their family,” Sabine says.

“How can you turn anyone away from that experience?”

SEARCH: Anthony Bourdain

The Inner Warrior boutique is located in the recently-renovated Distillery Commons. Gabriella sought more training at age 21 and brought her newfound mindfulness back to The Inner Warrior and founded “My Path,” a three-day yoga, meditation, and camping retreat.

FOLLOW US AND WIN! You could win one of these amazing prizes for yourself or someone else!

Follow @TodaysWomanNow on Instagram for exclusive giveaways this month. Our featured prizes include a free 10-class package from B.You Fitness and fitness clothing from IOGA Activewear. *These giveaways are in no way sponsored, administered or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm they are 18+ years of age, reside in the Louisville area, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / January 2019

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Photos by Trina Whalin, LuLu Photography

CELEBRATIONS Note: This bride is Editor in Chief Anita Oldham’s daughter.

T

his bride was determined to create a different wedding experience. “I wanted it to be meaningful to us, but also fun for all our guests,” says Kayla Oldham Hammitt. Since this bride is a landscape architect, she specializes in space and people movement and designed the day and venue with that in mind.

m The bride’s bouquet was created with redbud branches and the attendants carried a mixture of spring branches mixed with evergreens. The overall theme was Spring Emerging from Winter which was accomplished with a Nature Glam look using black, white, gold and some green.

Once the almost-spring date was set, the venue was located, along with the decision to have the ceremony and the reception all in the same location. “I didn’t want people to have to leave after the ceremony. I think you lose some of the magical feel of the evening,” says Kayla.

So guests moved from the ceremony space to a cocktail and honey tasting time before the dinner of chicken and waffles was served.

Each space in the large venue was subtly divided to change the mood. After the dinner, the couple moved into a first dance under lights, which defined the third area along with a stage with a band. The first-dance tradition was one of the few that Kayla and her husband Nate did participate in: “There were many traditions that we bucked — sometimes against the advice of family members — we didn’t have the same number of bridesmaids as groomsmen and they sat during the ceremony. We didn’t toss a bouquet or a garter, we wrote our own vows, and many other details. And, it was the right thing for us.”

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SEARCH: Celebration

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CELEBRATIONS: WEDDING INSPIRATION << PAGE 54

Read details at TodaysWomanNow.com.

The private venue in Southern Indiana was a long modern industrial barn that the bride designed into three areas: This ceremony space was created with draped fabrics and boxwood hedges. Boxwoods and fabrics from Events, Etc., a mantel from Architectural Salvage, flower design from Lavender Hill.

Early sketches Kayla made for the ceremony area.

See above for finished setup.

One of the overall design elements was a floral black and white ink sketch by the bride which was then printed on everything from table runners to invitations.

Honey tasting from Crigger Farms offered three different honey harvests paired with nuts and cheese.

The dining section featured a mix of wooden farm tables and round tables with bamboo chairs with candles and grapevine nests made by the bride and family. Each nest had locally made macarons.

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If you know someone whose wedding we should feature, write Jill@TodaysMediaNow.com.

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