Fitness

Back in the Race

Local Triathlete Maria Pinder’s Comeback Starts at Home Article by Megan Ewing When Maria Pinder crossed the finish line at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, she should have felt nothing but triumph. Instead, she could barely walk. The Cypress triathlete had spent years working toward the most prestigious race in endurance sports, earning her spot among the world’s top amateur athletes after qualifying at IRONMAN Arizona in 2024. But behind the excitement of competing in Kona...

Food + Beverage

A Seat at Mel’s Table

Chef Mel brings intention, creativity, and connection to every plate Article by Laura SanchezQuan After a shift in her 9–5 career, Melissa Helton was prompted to reevaluate what she wanted her life to look like. Cooking had always been a significant part of her life, with both her grandmother and her father shaping her love for food. “Cooking has always been a huge part of my story,” she says. Their influence ultimately led her to fully pursue the culinary world and turn that passion into a...

Education

The Modern Guide to Personal Safety

Confidence, awareness, and protection: the self-defense skills everyone should know in every stage of life Article by Laura SanchezQuan We sat down with local personal safety expert Robert Webre, owner of Silverback Self Defense. Read on as he tackles common misconceptions, reveals crucial skills, and details the common mistakes to avoid when it comes to self-defense and personal safety. What are the most important self-defense principles every person should know? Awareness is the...

Shopping

Beauty In The Grain

Phoenix Woodworks owner Shawn Jackson turns a passion for craftsmanship into one-of-a-kind creations Article by Stephanie Parnell  | Photography by Sunny Rajabi Some businesses are born from opportunity. Others are born from necessity, and are then shaped into something far greater than their origins. For Shawn Jackson, founder of Phoenix Woodworks, woodworking wasn't a career he planned. It was a lifeline that became a legacy. After years working as a commercial driver, Jackson suffered a...