From mindfulness apps to diet hacks, Dallas' grounded gurus have a wealth of wellness knowledge to share.
Co-founders of The GEM Mary Kathryn Bass and Leslie Needleman
Co-founder of The GEM
insidethegem.com
"Just show up.” This is one of the best pieces of advice Leslie Needleman, co-founder—or rather, chief GEMologist—of The GEM has ever received. As the city’s first free-standing organic juice bar, The GEM is loved by all. "We’ve all been hooked since its doors first opened in 2012,” Needleman says. This summer, our favorite health hub will be celebrating its new location in Preston Center—setting up shop at 6102 Luther Lane, next to Susie Cakes. What to expect? The signature staples we have come to know and love throughout the years include the Golden Glow, Shine & Sparkle, Silver Bullet smoothie and more.
Needleman's ideal escape is beachside in Turks and Caicos.
WAKE-UP TIME: 5:10AM
BREAKFAST: Organic celery juice
DOPPELGANGER: Quincy Jones told me once I looked like Celine Dion.
WEAKNESS: Too much transparency and organic marshmallow cream
LAST MEAL: At Louie’s: martini made by Casey, Caesar salad, large pizza
PHILANTHROPY: Dwell with Dignity
MANTRA: Peace begins with me. Peace begins with me. Peace begins with me.
COCKTAIL: Day: Casamigos reposado, fresh grapefruit, lime, sparkling water. Night: Tito’s martini, straight up with olives.
DINNER: Anything from Alex Snodgrass
BEDTIME: Cocooned in Peacock Alley sheets
BOOK AT BEDSIDE: Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon by Kate Anderson Brower
ESCAPE: Beachside with a dirty pina colada in Pine Cay/Turks & Caicos
WORKOUT PLAYLIST: Old-school funk or R&B
STREAMING NOW: The Queen's Gambit
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE: ‘In Spite of Ourselves,’ John Prine
MENTOR: My husband, my adviser. MK, my challenger.
Founder Megan Smyth
Founder and CEO, FitReserve
fitreserve.com
"Undeniably, the pandemic has forever changed the where, when and how of working out, revealing an unprecedented demand for making your workout routine more flexible, convenient and affordable,” says Megan Smyth, founder of FitReserve. "With people increasingly returning to in-person workouts, we are excited to help members in even more major markets discover new ways to get active.” With a presence in markets including San Francisco, Miami, Denver, Charlotte and more, this spring marks FitReserve’s foray into Dallas. Smyth is redefining the fitness game—one click at a time.
The FitReserve app helps fitness enthusiasts find the best classes around town.
BREAKFAST: Greek yogurt or a protein shake with berries
DOPPELGANGER: Megan Boone
WEAKNESS: Going to bed late
LAST MEAL I HAD... Sweetgreen salad
PHILANTHROPY: Year Up
BEST ADVICE: Go with your gut.
MANTRA: Variety is the new routine.
COCKTAIL: Hugo Spritz
DINNER: Tacos
YESTERDAY I... Went skiing in Maine!
ZODIAC: Scorpio
WORKOUT SHOES: On Cloudrunner
WORKOUT PLAYLIST: 2022 Super Bowl Halftime playlist
STREAMING NOW: Ted Lasso
Lissette Waugh
Founder, L Makeup Institute
lmi.edu
For L Makeup Institute founder Lisette Waugh, beauty is both business and pleasure. After opening her first location at Tivoli Village in Las Vegas back in 2010, Waugh recently expanded her portfolio with the debut of her second flagship beauty school in Southlake Town Square. "L Makeup Institute opened as the first of its kind in Las Vegas and Dallas to offer an in-depth curriculum developed specifically for students pursuing a career in the makeup and special effects industries. The institute is focused on creating the professionals of tomorrow while strengthening the skills of today’s working makeup artists,” says Waugh, a celebrity makeup artist and licensed esthetician. "Wellness is a priority and a way of life for me. As a business owner, it manifests in increased productivity and concentration and helps me start each day feeling like I can conquer the world!”
Kiwis are a healthy weakness for Jones.
WAKE-UP TIME: 5AM
BREAKFAST: A cafe con leche latte with two scoops of collagen
DIET: Mediterranean
DOPPELGANGER: Kim Kardashian or Nicole Scherzinger
NEMESIS: Linguine and clams
ESCAPE: Mexico
HOTEL: Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
LAST MEAL ON EARTH: Paella
SUPPLEMENTS: Barlean’s mango peach smoothie fish oil and vitamin D3
WELLNESS APP: Peloton
MENTOR: Kevin Aucoin
WORKOUT OUTFIT: Fabletics or Alo Yoga
WORKOUT BUDDY: Hubby
BEST ADVICE: Live every day like it’s your last.
PHILANTHROPY: Make-A-Wish
MANTRA: Have faith.
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE: ‘Work Bitch’ by Britney Spears
GYM BAG: Gucci Ophidia GG tote
Roots Food Group founder and CEO Robert Jones
Founder and CEO, Roots Food Group
rootsfoodgroup.com
Eternal optimism—this is the mantra that Robert Jones carries throughout his life. The founder and CEO of Roots Food Group, Jones constantly strives to support healthcare companies and affiliated systems, communities and beyond to bring healthy food products and medically-tailored meals to those in need. With the mission to advocate and provide change through investment, education, policy and research, Roots Food Foundation is at the forefront of change within the Texas market and beyond.
Roots Food Group strives to be the world’s leading producer of high-quality, earthmade, clean-label food products.
WAKE-UP TIME: 3 to 5AM
DIET: Whole, unprocessed foods
WEAKNESS: Vine-ripened kiwi fruit
LAST MEAL: Lentil, mushroom, kale and pork bowl
MENTOR: My father
PHILANTHROPY: Better to give than receive, Roots Food Foundation and Feeding the Blind - Vision Nutrition
BEST ADVICE: The harder you work, the luckier you get.
COCKTAIL: Water is my favorite libation.
BOOK AT BEDSIDE: White Noise
BEDTIME: 9:30 to 10PM
YESTERDAY I... Can confirm it was a beautiful day in America.
ESCAPE: Fly fishing
STREAMING NOW: ‘Believe’ by Brooks and Dunn
Marisa Wayne brings years of experience and skill to the new Dallas studio.
Sabrina Roy
Co-owners, Coast
coastcycle.com
"Don’t hurry, don’t worry and don’t forget to smell the roses,” shares Marisa Wayne when asked about one of the best pieces of advice ever given to her. As the co-founder of Coast—an indoor cycling studio—she’s ready to get riders hooked on this electric experience. Partnering with one of her former spin students, Sabrina Roy, the two quickly hit it off upon initially meeting and sharing a love for cycling and fitness. Now, in a full-circle moment, the two, alongside fellow co-founder Bill Gorman, have opened the doors to Coast and, let’s just say, everyone who enters one of the curated classes can feel the energy ignite in an instant.
MARISA
BREAKFAST: Gold Handle coffee, hard-boiled egg and on a good day... crispy bacon
DOPPELGANGER: I used to get Bridget Fonda but recently used an app which suggested Kevin Hart.
WEAKNESS: Potato chips and puppies
LAST MEAL ON EARTH: Steak bites, sauteed mushrooms, garlic cheese bread and an ice-cold martini and chocolate souffle with whipped cream
MENTOR: Dolly Parton
PHILANTHROPY: Spokeswoman for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
BEST ADVICE: Don’t hurry, don’t worry and don’t forget to smell the roses.
MANTRA: I’m here to kick ass and drink whiskey, and pilgrim, I’m all outta whiskey
COCKTAIL: Duke Reposado Tequila with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and a splash of sparkling water
BOOK AT BEDSIDE: The John Wayne Code and the Holy Bible
YESTERDAY I... Drank too much wine.
ZODIAC: Pisces
ESCAPE: Palmilla (Mexico), Meadowood (Napa) and The Drover Hotel in Fort Worth and anytime I play pickleball
STREAMING NOW:1923, Ted Lasso, The Crown, The Great
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE: ‘It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,’ Travis Tritt
SABRINA
BREAKFAST: Every morning, without fail, a banana with crunchy peanut butter and honey
DOPPELGANGER: My mama :)
WEAKNESS: See’s Candy is my Kryptonite
MENTOR: Miss Marisa Wayne of course
BEST ADVICE: The day I found out the studio I worked at closed, I told my mom and she looked me dead in the eyes and said, ‘So what? Start your own.’ The rest is history!
MANTRA: Don’t settle.
COCKTAIL: So tough! Let’s say if it’s cold out, a gin Old-Fashioned, and if it’s warm out, a skinny marg.
DINNER: If I could have sushi for every dinner, I would.
YESTERDAY I... Taught the most amazing International Women’s Day Girl Power ride! Such a gift to be surrounded by such strong and empowered women.
ESCAPE: (Surprise) Spin class!
WORKOUT SHOES: Nike Pegasus, and for spin class, my Pearl Izumis
WORKOUT PLAYLIST: I enjoy a good mix-up of genres, and you will most often always find a country song or two sprinkled in.
STREAMING NOW: 'Ceilings,’ Lizzy Mcalpine
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE: 'Long Live,’ Taylor Swift
Photography by: KATHY TRAN; ISTOCK.COM; COURTESY OF FITRESERVE; COURTESY OF FITRESERVE; DARNELL PORTER; EMILIA-ZABROCKA; TAMYTHA CAMERON; ISTOCK.COM; COURTESY OF COAST; COURTESY OF COAST; JULIA MANGA AND RIDOFRANZ CIA/ISTOCK.COM;
