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LIFESTYLE LETTER

JANUARY 2021 PUBLISHER

Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Matthew Endersbe

Five, Four, Three, Two, One!

L AYO UT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor

AS WE REFLECT ON 2020, I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT 2020 SHOWED US A YEAR OF ADVERSITY TO THE LIKES OF WHICH WE HAVE RARELY SEEN AS A NATION, AND ADMITTEDLY MANY WILL FOLLOW US IN TO 2021. We learned a lot through this last year. We learned to hold gratitude more sacred and to not take for granted the little things such as gathering with friends and family or gathering as a community. As we begin 2021, though, we get to reset and take a new, fresh look on our perspective, our lives and the way we will change in the new year. This is my favorite thing about starting a New Year, we get to use a new lens and set goals for our mind, body, spirit and the world we hope for! For myself I will focus on Love, Grace and Personal wellness, and the idea that none of us are as good as all of us, for I feel there is no problem we face as a community that can’t be made better with these in place. With this time of year having so much focus on our own wellness goals we have put together some of our favorite local companies, led by local heroes, that are helping Austinites achieve personal wellness through nourishment, fitness, toning and repairing inside and out!

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

We thank you Austin Lifer’s for being part of our community and going on this Journey

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

with us over the last year as we brought you stories, faces, charities and brands con-

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

tributing to our local life. As we move into 2021 we invite you to engage with our family, our team, and share your experiences.

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Share your intentions and goals for the new year or share the brands and people you love in Austin at howdy.austinlife@gmail.com or find our Insta @austinlifemagazine . Happy New Year, Austin, thank you for being part of our story and we look forward to the new chapter we all write together this year!

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

Joe Kerby, Publisher

CityLifestyle.com/Austin ON THE COVER Enamel Dentistry PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG DAILY 6

Austin Life | January 2021

TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

Proverbs 3:5-6 Austin Life™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Austin area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Austin Life™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

NEW YE AR NEW GOAL S CRUSHED PRIVATE , SA FE , ONE ON ONE TR A INING US ING CUT TING E DGE INNOVATION S FAT BURNING | MUSCLE TONING B ODY SCULPTING EFFICIENT 2 0 M I N U T E SE S SIONS LOW IMPAC T S AFE FOR ALL AGE S & SKILL LE VEL S

MODERN CUT TING EDGE ME THODS L I P O M E LT | N O N - I N VA S I V E A LT ER N AT I V E TO M ELT AWAY S T UB B O R N FAT E M S | EL EC T R O MUS CL E S T IMUL AT I O N WO R KO U T EWOT | EXERCISE WITH OGYGEN THER APY C O V I D F R I E N D LY | P R I VAT E O N E O N O N E S E S S I O N S

AU S T I N S C U L P TA N D T O N E . C O M —

3 42 5 B EE C AV E R OA D , AU S T IN —

5 1 2- 9 9 4 -74 8 5

MENTION THIS AD IN AUS TIN LIFE FOR A NO COMMITMENT INTRODUC TORY E XPLOR ATORY SESSION

INSIDE THE ISSUE JANUARY 2021

FEATURES 10 Audacious Wellness Redefining the General Dentist

18 Spinach Soups that Satiate This Cool Season Crop Goes Great in Cozy Winter Soups

24 Prep to Your Door The Only Zero-Waste Delivery Offers Meals With No Chopping, No Shopping & No Dishes

26 Simone Biles on Strength & Motivation Heading into the Tokyo Olympics, Simone

10 26

Biles shares how she stays on the top of her game despite a challenging 2020.

24 DEPARTMENTS 6

Lifestyle Letter

Local Limelight

Culinary Creations

32 Inspired By 38 Page Turners 42 DIY

LOCAL LIMELIGHT

AUDACIOUS

WELLNESS

REDEFINING THE GENERAL DENTIST

ARTICLE ROSLYN BOND | PHOTOGRAPHY GREG DAILY

Austin Life | January 2021

Management

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED)

GETTING DENTAL WORK IS NOT KNOWN TO BE

practice. The team is important, but the brand of the

FUN, RIGHT? Sometimes there is a relief from know-

practice really winds up being, ‘Do I like the doctor?’

ing that your oral hygiene will be tended to, yes, and

From bitching in a corporate break room to dancing

you can live to see another day with a clean mouth;

with their very own Enamel resident DJ in their hip

however, what if, hear me out, people did not go to the

Austin Dentis offices, Dr. C and Dr. Patel have broken

dentist simply because of the eerie feeling that often

the mold in the dentist industry, and the key ingredient

accompanies when going?

for this was just to have fun!

If this stigma could be removed somehow, would it

Enamel Dentistry has more technology at their

make a difference? Would we go to the dentist more reg-

disposal, not just in dentistry but in marketing as

ularly? Would children and husbands gleefully attend their

well. Their talented and dedicated brand director,

appointments when they are set without discord?

Alex Strubbe, has contributed to the development

What if I told you there’s a place like this right here

and success of Enamel Dentistry’s vision and mis-

in Austin. 5 of them! Where the common belief is about

sion over the years and continues to implement new

having fun, because we all know that fun creates enthu-

ways to gain positive exposure for Enamel Dentistry’s

siasm and energy, and enthusiasm is the cornerstone of

unique twist on the dentistry. Alex has always had

great leadership; personal or in an organization.

a passion for fitness and community. Growing

Not hesitating to break the rules of propriety, in

up, when he wasn’t out working odd jobs to earn

October 2016, co-founders - Dr. Hardik Chodavadia

money, he was training for track. Alex discovered

and Dr. Devish Patel, opened their own first local

his true calling during his Sophomore year at The

dentist office on South Lamar after experiencing the

University of Texas at Austin- when he overcame an

monotonous effects and underlying woes of working

80-pound weight gain by taking his first spin class.

a corporate job.

The combination of community and fitness was

Having a guiding philosophy of care along with a spirit

where Alex discovered his strengths to overcome

that belongs on the Las Vegas strip, you’ll be sure to find

his internal conflicts. Alex joined Enamel Dentistry

the most happening spot for your dental work at Enamel

in early October 2019 as a marketing consultant.

Dentistry, where the Austin vibes keep coming!

Alex later joined Enamel in a full-time capacity in

Enamel Dentistry’s vision is to make their patients

May 2020, where he currently serves as the Head of

feel at ease and comfortable, so what better way to

Brand and People Operations for the organization.

accomplish that endeavor than to offer beer, wine, and

In this role, Alex oversees all marketing, internal and

netflix and chill of course!

community-facing as well as all internal operations,

Another truth behind dentistry is that the doctor, whether they like it or not, is the rock star of the

South Lamar Office

Austin Life | January 2021

including company culture, growth projection and business development.

CONTINUED >

Left to right: Dr. Jade Wylie, Dr. Ashwin Gulati, Dr. Jennifer Chau, Dr. Devish Patel, Dr. Hardik Chodavadia

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED)

Austin Life | January 2021

In the end, it will all come back to believing in the care

Not only did this make the process of changing schools

the dental office provides, because your patients will

easier, but it continues to be a valuable skill he uses

notice. This has certainly been the case with Enamel

today. Dr. Patel exudes positive, fun-loving energy that’s

Dentistry’s bold and modern approach to general den-

utterly contagious – even the most nervous patients are

tistry in the Austin area, and they expect the concept

quick to feel comfortable and relaxed during their visits.

to catch on and expand for promising growth and cre-

We’re sure you’ll agree that an appointment with him

ating a new perception of the general dentist so they

feels more like a visit to a friend!

can continue showing gratitude to the community and demonstrating to younger generations what it means to

SOUTH LAMAR OFFICE:

be able to break out of the norm, thrive and contribute

2717 South Lamar Blvd

to the world we live in.

Suite 1086 Austin, Texas 78704

DR. HARDIK CHODAVADIA Dr. Chodavadia spent most of his life here in

(512) 717-5315 southlamar@enameldentistry.com

Texas, aside from the years he attended college in Pennsylvania. When his college roommate sug-

LANTANA OFFICE:

gested that he might enjoy a career in dentistry, Dr.

7415 Southwest Parkway

Chodavadia decided to shadow a dentist to see what

Building 6 #200

it’s all about. He quickly realized how fulfilling dental

Austin, Texas 78735

work can be, and that it offers the opportunity to talk

(512) 648-6115

to people all day while improving their smiles and their

lantana@enameldentistry.com

lives. He was immediately hooked. Dr. Chodavadia earned his DDS from the University of Texas Health

PARMER PARK OFFICE:

Science Center in San Antonio.

1606 E Parmer Lane

During dental school, Dr. Chodavadia had a brief

#125

stint as a stand-up comedian, so he’s been known

Austin, Texas 78753

to crack a few jokes during appointments to help

(512) 572-0215

comfort patients through the power of laughter. His

parmerpark@enameldentistry.com

approachable, light-hearted personality puts patients at ease, so you’ll always feel like a friend when you’re

DOMAIN OFFICE:

in his chair. You’re in good hands with Dr. Chodavadia

11005 Burnet Road

at Enamel Dentistry!

#100 Austin, Texas 78758

DR. DEVISH PATEL Dr. Patel attended UT Austin for his undergradu-

domain@enameldentistry.com (512) 646-0815

ate studies, later going on to complete dental school at UTHSC-San Antonio. After gaining clinical expe-

SALTILLO OFFICE:

rience in Dallas, he eventually relocated to Austin,

901 E 5th Street

where he provides highly-skilled, individualized

Suite 170

dental care. He loves being able to help others have

Austin, Texas 78702

a healthier, happier smile!

saltillo@enameldentistry.com

Dr. Patel is happy to be settled down, as he spent

(512) 649-7510

many years relocating with his family as a child. Although he often didn’t attend the same school for

Instagram: @ enameldentistry

very long, the process of moving around made him a

Facebook: facebook.com/enameldentistry

pro at getting to know new people and making friends.

Website: www.enameldentistry.com

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

Austin Life | January 2021

WWW.ANGELHOUSE.ME CityLifestyle.com/Austin

CULINARY CREATIONS

spi nach soups t hat sat iate ARTICLE JESSICA FITCH

FOR THOSE OF US LOOKING FOR A HEALTHIER DIET IN THE NEW YEAR, WE OFTEN TURN TO LEAFY GREENS - BUT THESE GREENS ARE GREAT IN MORE THAN JUST SALAD. Leafy greens can be implemented into your hot meals, too! As the weather remains chilly in January, we’re going to want to stay warm, so we’ve turned to a winter classic: soup. Spinach happens to be the hardiest, most versatile, and one of the most popular leafy greens available in stores. As a cold-weather crop, spinach stays available and fresh year-long. Mature spinach can survive temperatures to 0° and even gets sweeter as the weather gets colder. Spinach is also a well-known superfood, and known to be a fantastic source of Vitamin A and K. Some of the health benefits credited to spinach are better skin, eyesight, and blood pressure. It’s also known for improving your bones, muscles, diabetes, and heart! So to celebrate spinach and the New Year, we’ve compiled these soups for you to try that go great with spinach in them. Whether you choose to puree it or add it to your already hearty soups, Popeye would be proud.

Austin Life | January 2021

THIS COOL SEASON CROP GOES GREAT IN COZY WINTER SOUPS

Avocado & Spinach Cream Soup + 2 avocados, freshly peeled, pitted and sliced + 10 oz of fresh spinach + 3 TBS olive oil + ½ c. chopped onion + 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic + 3 ½ c. chicken (or vegetable) broth + ½ c. light cream Saute the onion and garlic in a pot, add spinach and toss until wilted. Add the broth and avocado and bring to a simmer. For extra flavor, add lemon juice and cumin. Cover and reduce the heat, cooking for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add the cream. Puree the soup in a blender to get that creamy consistency. Serves 4, warm or chilled.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

White Bean & Spinach Soup

+ 1 TBS olive oil + 1 onions, chopped + 1 c. chopped celery + 2 cloves of finely chopped garlic + 2 c. vegetable (or chicken) broth + 2 c. water + ½ lb of white beans + Dash each of dried thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes

+ 6 oz baby spinach, chopped + 2 TBS of lemon juice + Salt and pepper to taste

Rinse and sort the beans. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium. Saute the onion and celery for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and saute for 1 minute more. Add the broth, water, beans and seasonings and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir in the spinach and lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for one minute more. Serves 4. Delicious when paired with chicken or eat solo with some bread.

Austin Life | January 2021

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

Hearty Spinach & Millet Soup + 2 TBS olive oil + 1 medium onion, chopped + 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic + 28 oz can crushed tomatoes + 2 TBS each of lemon juice and water + 15.5 oz can of white or red beans, rinsed and drained

+ ¾ c. millet + 1 bag baby spinach, chopped + 6 c. vegetable broth + ½ c. Parmesan cheese + ¼ c. parsley, chopped Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium high heat. Saute the onion and garlic. If you want some extra veggies, you can add celery and carrots. Add the lemon juice and water and cook for another 2 minutes. Add everything else but the parsley and bring the soup to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Add the parsley, salt and pepper to taste before serving. Serves 4.

Austin Life | January 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

THE ONLY ZERO-WASTE DELIVERY OFFERS MEALS WITH NO CHOPPING, NO SHOPPING & NO DISHES

P R E P T O Y O U R D O O R and includes such delicious dishes as jackfruit jambalaya, kale power salad, borscht beet soup, chickpea chana masala, siete enchiladas, roasted veggies with a curcuma dressing and earl grey lavender oats. Prep To Your Door also offers ready-to-blend smoothies, nut milks, cookies and specialty items from local partners. Partners Heather Emerson and Faiez Rana met while attending Harvard University, sharing a passion for sustainability, food and education. Faiez’s drive for social entrepreneurship and Heather’s interest in sustainable business were a perfect fit to build a culinary brand that makes a positive impact. PREP TO YOUR DOOR IS TEXAS’ NEWEST, TIME-SAVING

The idea for sustainable packaging emerged when

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE THAT OFFERS HEALTHY, READY-

Heather began creating zero-waste lunches to get

TO-EAT MEALS, SOURCED PRIMARILY FROM LOCAL

her through her fast-paced New York City life. When

TEXAS FARMS, IN SUSTAINABLE ZERO-WASTE PACKAG-

the co-founders moved back to Austin, Faiez began

ING DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME OR OFFICE IN AUSTIN

perfecting plant-based meals with organic ingredi-

AND HOUSTON, MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON LOCAL

ents, sourcing primarily from Texas farms.

FOOD AND THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT. Every meal from Prep To Your Door is local, organic and responsible.

The fast-growing company, with a staff of 20, has delivered more than 15,000 pounds of locally-grown,

Prep To Your Door (PTYD) users, affectionately dubbed

organic produce and saving over a quarter million

“Prepsters,” can order 5, 10, 15 or 20 seasonal meals per week

plastic containers from ending up in landfills and

- perfect for an individual or a family of any size. The weekly

negatively impacting the environment. The company

menu that includes 2 entrees, 2 salads, a breakfast and a soup,

now serves Central Texas (Austin, Round Rock,

is completely customizable, and can be modified, skipped or

Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, San Marcos,

cancelled at any time with no commitment. Best of all, the meals

Kyle, Buda, Lakeway, Manor, Dripping Springs,

are pre-prepared and delivered in mason jars and insulated bags

Westlake, Driftwood and Bee Caves), Houston

that are collected for extensive cleaning and future reuse.

(inside the 610 loop) and will be expanding within

Every Prep To Your Door meal is 100% organic, gluten-free

Texas in 2021. The cost for a week of meals begins

and plant-based (animal products contribute over 80% of the

at $75 including a delivery fee, with PTYD Points

greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production)

lowering delivery fees for regular Prepsters.

Austin Life | January 2021

R S F E H CityLifestyle.com/Austin

simone biles on streng th & motivation ARTICLE GABI DE LA ROSA | PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS SPICKS PHOTOGRAPHY

Austin Life | January 2021

HEADING INTO THE TOKYO OLYMPICS, SIMONE BILES SHARES HOW SHE STAYS ON THE TOP OF HER GAME DESPITE A CHALLENGING 2020.

ON A RAINY SATURDAY MORNING, SIMONE BILES WALKED INTO HER GYM, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRE, OFFERED EVERYONE A SMILE AND DID A QUICK TWIRL. Watching her talk to her mom about her schedule for the morning, it is easy to forget that the petite 23-year-old is a household name, an icon in her However, just like the rest of us, Biles, who has

challenge was walking into the gym each day, not

dominated her sport for decades, has been grap-

knowing how long the postponement would last.

pling with all the issues that have plagued 2020.

“It has been hard both mentally and physically,”

Poised to go to Tokyo for the summer Olympics

said Biles. “It has been a little bit harder men-

last year, she was favored to win the second

tally because I was ramping up my body and my

consecutive Olympic all-around title. Biles was

mind to compete in the Olympics last summer.

devastated, however, when the games were

Everyone was gearing up to be at the top of their

postponed because of the coronavirus. She was

game, and then we just got shut down and had to

very open with the media in the spring of last year

start that process all over again. Everyone thinks

regarding her indecision about returning to train-

it is a one-year process, but it is a four-year pro-

ing after the announcement. She said the biggest

cess, so to add one more year to that is difficult.” Once the International Olympic Committee announced that the games would resume on the same dates in 2021, Biles felt more assured. They have since stated that the games will occur even if there isn’t an audience in attendance. After watching the NFL, NBA, MLB, and other professional sports resume their seasons, Biles has settled in with the knowledge that even if things look a little different, she will be competing. “We will have to be secluded in a bubble, which is hard mentally, but we have to make it happen because the Olympics only happens every four years,” she says. “Everyone around the world has trained for these moments since they were little, and this is how some people make their living. We just have to go on with it even if there is no audience.” When Texas opened back up after a seven-week mandatory shut down of all non-essential business due to coronavirus, Biles got to work

BILES

sport, and the most decorated gymnast of all time.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

SIMONE BILES ON STRENGTH & MOTIVATION (CONTINUED)

Austin Life | January 2021

and ramped up her training once again. Six days per week for six to seven hours per day, Biles works with her coaches at her self-proclaimed “home away from home” World Championship Centre gym. Biles, who has been training this way since she was 13 years old, has a strong support system both in and outside the gym. The 52,000 square foot training facility is a family business run by Biles’ parents Ron and Nellie Biles. Her brother Adam is the general manager and says Simone is treated just like any other gymnast there. Working with athletes from all over the country, Nellie Biles firmly believes that education is a large part of the training process and is currently working on getting the homeschooling portion of the gym certified as a private school. She guided Simone through her educational decisions and knows how important it is for elite athletes to

happen to me, or my boyfriend, or my brothers. It is

have a good scholastic foundation. “We are help-

really sad, and it just hits on a different level.”

ing them realize two dreams at once,” she says of her academic programming.

With only six months left for training, Biles has put all distractions aside and has her sights set on

Although Simone hasn’t had to deal with aca-

Tokyo 2021. She self-motivates by testing her limits

demic issues for quite some time, she has had to

in the gym. “Yeah, I have all the medals, but just

deal with the political and racial tensions that trou-

seeing how far I can go is what keeps me moti-

bled the country in 2020. As an African American

vated and keeps me going.” When asked about

athlete, Biles knows many turn to her as a role

retirement, which she has hinted at several times

model, and she is often looked to as the spokes-

over the past few years, Simone just smiles and

person for her sport. Although many professional

says no firm plan is in place. Thanks to COVID-

athletes see being a role model as a disadvantage,

19, there is only a three-year gap until the next

Biles says she is grateful for the platform she has

Olympics in Paris 2024, so she is leaving the door

been given and uses it to be a voice for the voice-

open for future competition. “I actually feel like I

less. While she didn’t participate in any in-person

am aging like a fine wine – it is so crazy,” says the

protests because of the pandemic, she did partici-

gymnast. “I really feel like each year I get physically

pate in peaceful protests through social media. “To

better and mentally stronger, so I am excited to see

see everything that has happened has deeply sad-

what I can do this year. I have to go into each com-

dened me,” says Biles. “It has been hard because I

petition like it might be my last, though, because

am African American, so this sort of injustice could

you never know – it might be.”

“Seei n g how fa r I ca n go is what keeps m e m o t i v a t e d a n d k e e p s m e g o i n g.” CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

SIMONE BILES ON STRENGTH & MOTIVATION (CONTINUED)

Austin Life | January 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

INSPIRED BY

C H

YO U A R E T H E C ATA LY S T F O R CHANGE

ARTICLE DR. JOHN C. MAXWELL IF SOMEONE WERE TO ASK YOU, “WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?” how would

you reply? Would you talk about your job or your family? Would you tell them about a dream you’re chasing or a goal you’re trying to meet? What we give our lives to says a lot about who we are. For forty years now, I’ve gotten out of bed in the morning with one single focus: adding value to leaders

I’ve spent decades learning what it takes to trans-

who will multiply value to others.

form communities and countries, and with my

Because of that focus, I’ve authored over 80 books

writing partner, Rob Hoskins, have produced a

on relationships, equipping people, attitude, and lead-

book that offers step by step instruction on how

ership, all with the purpose of expanding my reach to

leaders—people who care to make a difference—

add value to leaders.

can produce transformation in their own backyard.

Four decades, dedicated to making better leaders.

It’s a book written for everyone—including you.

But now, as I enter into my fifth decade, my purpose

You are a potential catalyst for change in your

has expanded. I still get of bed with the goal of adding

community, no matter where you live, no matter

value to leaders who will multiply value to others, but

what you do. All it takes is your willingness to

there’s an even greater purpose behind it all.

step up as a leader. Harriet Tubman once said,

Transformation. I want to see our world transformed

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always

into one where every human being is encouraged and

remember, you have within you the strength, the

allowed to live to their full potential. Imagine what it would

patience, and the passion to reach for the stars

be like to live in a world where everyone—men, women,

and change the world.”

children—were equipped and empowered to live a life of deep purpose. We would truly see a transformed world.

RENOWNED LEADERSHIP COACH DETAILS HOW CHANGE IN A COMMUNITY CAN START WITH ONE PERSON: YOU

If you dream of changing your community, or city, or country, you must not only dream, you must

That’s the message of my latest book, Change Your

also act. Many things in life just happen, but pos-

World: How Anyone, Anywhere Can Make a Difference.

itive change isn’t one of them. Changing anything

Austin Life | January 2021

in our world requires someone to be the catalyst. Someone like you.

N Dr. John C. Maxwell

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED)

A 34

Austin Life | January 2021

Leaders like you become catalysts for change when they do three things: pick a problem to address, invite others to join them, and do what they can where they are.

CONTINUED >

1. Pick a Problem to Address A leader can never become a catalyst until he or she first takes ownership of the problem they wish to solve. You cannot rally people to a cause that you aren’t willing to own, especially these days; people know when a leader is being half-hearted, and they don’t respect it. When you pick a problem to solve or a cause to rally around, you must have conviction in order to succeed. Over the years, I’ve learned that whenever I feel a sense of conviction about an issue, I need to start moving in the direction I believe I should go, even if I’m uncertain. Action creates ownership, and ownership creates credibility with people. And you need that credibility because transformation cannot be done by one person alone—we all need people to join us on the journey.

2. Invite Others to Join You When you’ve settled on the problem you want to tackle you should immediately begin looking for others to join you. In the book, Rob and I recommend starting with friends and family; you already have influence with them, and chances are you’re of like mind in many areas. Go to those family members who frequently ask you for advice or seek your opinion on personal matters, as you likely have greater influence with them. To move beyond family, however, you’ll need to take a leap of faith and begin sharing your passion for solving the problem with other people. Passion attracts, and when people come to you with interest, don’t be afraid to ask them what they think or invite them to improve your ideas. Empowering people to help you creates a bond, and once that bond is established, you will quickly discover who you can truly work with and invite them to take action with you. CityLifestyle.com/Austin

INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED)

3. Do What You Can Where You Are Action is the final step. It doesn’t have to be big or grand; it doesn’t even have to be guaranteed of success. Nothing happens in life until someone does something, and once you take your first step, the next step will come into focus. Remember that transformation is a process, not an event. It takes time and repeated action to bring about positive change. So focus on purpose, not perfection, and do what you know to do. These three steps may seem too simple, but I assure you they work. The

Austin Life | January 2021

goal of all transformational movements is making things better however possible. Incremental change is better than the status quo; and when you’re truly committed to making your community a better place, you know that any improvement is a significant improvement.

C If you’d like to learn more about transformation

No matter what problems or challenges face your

and how to become a leader of transformation, then

community, you are the catalyst for change that can

I encourage you to pick up my book, Change Your

make all the difference. But you must choose to get

World, from your favorite bookstore or online retailer.

involved; transformation won’t choose you—you

If you’re concerned about making the world a better

must choose transformation.

place, then you know that now is the best time for leaders like us to make that dream a reality.

For the sake of your community and mine, I sincerely hope you do.

Inspired by Community

It’s time to think

PUT YO U R CIT Y ON O U R MAP.

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PAGE TURNERS

2021'S BOOKSHELF

Austin Life | January 2021

BOOKS TO INSPIRE, MOTIVATE, HELP, AND SHAPE YOU

BOOKS SHAPE US. Their words can bring about a plethora of responses. They can inspire and motivate us. They can cause us to reflect upon ourselves and the world around us. They can challenge us and spur us to action. They can make us feel, help us heal, and change the way we live. The following selections address a wide range of topics to help shape us into the people we want, or may even need, to be as we strive to be the best versions of ourselves. We hope you enjoy!

01 UNTAMED BY GLENNON DOYLE Both an intimate memoir and a galvanizing wake-up call, Untamed is the story of how one woman learned that a responsible mother is not one who slowly dies for her children, but one who shows them how to fully live. It is the story of how each of us can begin to trust ourselves enough to set boundaries, make peace with our bodies, honor our anger and heartbreak, and unleash our truest, wildest instincts so that we become women who can finally look at ourselves and say: There She Is.

02 THE PATH BETWEEN US BY SUZANNE STABILE Most of us have no idea how others see or process their experiences. And that can make relationships hard, whether with intimate partners, with friends, or in our professional lives. Understanding the motivations and dynamics of these different personality types can be the key that unlocks sometimes mystifying behavior in others―and in ourselves. This book from Stabile on the nine Enneagram types and how they behave and experience relationships will guide readers into deeper insights about themselves, their types, and others’ personalities so that they can have healthier, more life-giving relationships.

03 THE FRIENDSHIP FORMULA BY CAROLINE MILLINGTON Friendship is a beautiful thing but there are lots of difficult times in life where it can be tricky to navigate: when friendship becomes toxic; how to break up with a friend; what to do if a friend 'ghosts' you and surviving friendship betrayal; how motherhood can impact female friendships; friendship grief and how to cope with losing a friend. This book shows you how applying kindfulness to the difficult side of friendship can help you mend your heart, move on and get the best out of those friendships that really matter.

04 GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD BY JENNIE ALLEN Are your thoughts holding you captive? Do you what it is like to swirl in a spiral of destructive thoughts? Do you ever want out of the trap of toxic thoughts? Freedom comes when we refuse to be victims to our thoughts and realize we have already been equipped with power from God to fight and win the war for our minds. In Get Out of Your Head, Jennie inspires and equips us to transform our emotions, our outlook, and even our circumstances by taking control of our thoughts.

05 READER, COME HOME BY MARYANNE WOLF The ways we process written language have changed dramatically and new research on the reading brain chronicles these changes in the brains of children and adults as they learn to read while immersed in a digitally dominated medium. Wolf draws on neuroscience, literature, education, technology, and philosophy and blends historical, literary, and scientific facts with downto-earth examples and warm anecdotes to illuminate complex ideas that culminate in a proposal for a biliterate reading brain. Provocative and intriguing, Reader, Come Home is a roadmap that provides a cautionary but hopeful perspective on the impact of technology on our brains and our most essential intellectual capacities—and what this could mean for our future.

06 IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS WAY BY LYSA TERKEURST Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness. However, our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God. In this book, the New York Times bestselling author unveils her heart amid shattering circumstances and shows readers how to live assured when life doesn't turn out like they expected.

07 THE ALCHEMIST BY PAULO COELHO A modern classic, Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.

08 EAT THAT FROG! BY BRIAN TRACY There’s an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re done with the worst thing you’ll have to do all day. For Tracy, eating a frog is a metaphor for tackling your most challenging task. Eat That Frog! shows you how to organize each day so you can zero in on these critical tasks and accomplish them efficiently and effectively. The core of what is vital to effective time management is: decision, discipline, and determination.

09 ATOMIC HABITS BY JAMES CLEAR No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. It reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits.

CityLifestyle.com/Austin

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Austin Life | January 2021

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CityLifestyle.com/Austin

DIY

DIY VANILL A OR ANGE SUGAR SCRUB CREATE YOUR OWN DIY SUGAR SCRUB

To make one 8 ounce mason jar of vanilla orange sugar scrub, you need: + 1/4 cup of coconut oil + 3/4 cup of sugar + 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract + 10 drops of orange essential oil

DIRECTIONS Soften the coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds. Next add the vanilla extract and the orange essential oil. Then, stir in the sugar, a little at a time. Print off a fun label or attach a ribbon to the jar, and your sugar scrub is ready.

ENJOY!

Austin Life | January 2021