Heber Valley Life

Author: Elle Taylor

  • Healing Mind, Body and Spirit

    Healing Mind, Body and Spirit

    Since opening their doors in early 2021, mental health clinic, Heber Valley Healing, has been an invaluable resource in guiding Heber Valley residents along their mental health journeys.

    Sisters, Cheryl McBride and Marci Heugly, opened the clinic together with a simple but powerful goal to “provide exceptional mental health services to those in the Heber Valley and surrounding areas.” Their full schedules and client success demonstrate that they are doing just that.

    Bridging a Gap in Heber Valley

    Heber Valley Healing is located within the Lifestyle Chiropractic office on Gateway Drive. The clinic offers outpatient mental health counseling for depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, women’s issues, marital and family issues, youth struggles and more. The clinicians offer both in-person and virtual talk therapy appointments, and have found great success with both formats.

    While visiting families in Midway a few years ago, McBride quickly observed that there were not enough mental health resources for such a fast-growing valley. This seems to have been an accurate observation. After opening their doors, referrals from physicians and word-of-mouth recommendations quickly brought in many Heber Valley residents seeking therapy. McBride has been grateful to work with clients from a diverse range of racial identities, religious backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.

    A Loving Foundation

    McBride and Heugly spent most of their childhood years in Sandy, in a large family of eleven children. The sisters agree that their father’s fulfilling career as a social worker paved the way for them both to pursue careers in the field.

    “Therapy was normalized in our home,” shares McBride, “and watching the way our dad helped people gave us an underlying love for all people, and a willingness to help.” This familial foundation of love and service is evident in both McBride and Heugly’s therapeutic philosophies.

    “It feels like such a privilege to be in this role,” shares Heugly, “creating safe and vulnerable spaces for people to find resources within is so powerful.”

    McBride believes strongly that “every person has the tools within themselves to heal,” and feels that the role of a therapist is “to help you believe that, and to guide you toward your fullest potential.” After nearly 30 years of experience in the field, McBride has seen countless people overcome life challenges and crises, and truly believes that every person is capable and deserving of healing.

    Mental Health in Modern Times

    In recent years, more and more people in the US have been seeking mental health services. Heugly and McBride agree that this is due to the increased psychological distress in the wake of  Covid-19, as well as the increased normalization of therapy.

    “The biggest growth in demand has been among youth,” Heugly says, “so many messages youth are getting these days is that they are not capable, and that they have some void to be filled. I am passionate about helping young people reclaim their power early on, so that it isn’t so challenging later in life.” For people of all ages, Heugly wants to reframe the act of asking for help as one of strength and bravery rather than one of weakness. She feels that this shift can be revolutionary for the future of mental health.

    Challenges as a Mental Health Professional

    Being a committed practitioner in the mental health field comes with its own set of challenges. Heugly is grateful for the ways her educational programs emphasized self-care and awareness of burnout. “In order for this career to be sustainable, I can’t try to be perfect,” says Heugly, “we have to realize that this is not just happening to our clients; this is happening to all of us.”

    McBride shares that she had to do the work of processing the trauma of her past before she felt capable of being a good clinician, “the drowning can’t save the drowning,” she says. She has worked in many different settings within the field, but has found most fulfillment and stability in her work at Heber Valley Healing, where “people come in voluntarily, ready to put in the work to heal.” McBride prioritizes self-care and personal joy through nature, family, and community.

    Looking Ahead

    The spread of alternative, somatic therapies has exploded in recent years, and though Heber Valley Healing primarily focuses on talk therapy, they are continuing to learn about developments in the field, and hope to expand the breadth of their work. The clinicians frequently refer their clients to utilize modalities such as trauma-informed yoga, equine therapy, art therapy, creative writing, nutrition, massage, chiropractic therapy, sleeping patterns and more.

    Though they are not sure of their next steps at this point, they are dreaming of creating a wellness center in the valley that would offer these alternative techniques independent of or along with talk therapy. Both McBride and Heugly feel that these body-based and creative activities lead to more holistic, sustainable healing, and believe that these methods are made more powerful when done in community.

    Words of Wisdom

    I asked the pair their advice for people in our community who are struggling with their mental health, but may not feel ready to reach out for help.

    “There is a lot of stigma and fear about asking for help, especially if you have been in a home that emphasizes independence,” says McBride, “I encourage people to first and foremost create meaningful connections in their lives, that support is essential.” She encourages people to step into a moment of courage to ask for help and recognizes that therapy can be a new and scary experience. “Bring your safe person with you for the first few sessions if you need, take your time, be patient with yourself as you build your trust and confidence in your healing process.”

    McBride also recognizes that not everyone has the resources for therapy, and encourages folks to utilize the suicide and crisis hotline (988), free online support networks such as SafeUT, and free podcasts exploring mental health topics.

    Heugly reminds us that “healing is a forever process that requires grace and compassion along the journey. No matter where you are at right now, give yourself gratitude throughout the process, no matter how slow or incremental.”

    If you or a loved one may benefit from mental health services, visit HeberValleyHealing.com

  • Prioritizing Well-Being at The Sundance Art Studio

    Prioritizing Well-Being at The Sundance Art Studio

    “The purpose of the Sundance Art Studio & Gallery is to promote creativity and connection with nature,” says the passionate Sundance Art Studio and Gallery Manager, Bre Elzey. The Art Studio is an integrated part of the Sundance Mountain Resort, located in Sundance, Utah.

    With unique art classes year-round as well as an ever-changing art gallery, the Sundance Art Studio has been enriching the Utah community for close to 20 years. Elzey shared that the Studio began with globally renowned artist, Jann Haworth. In its beginnings, the Studio was Haworth’s personal studio, where she spent time creating her own art as well as teaching children. From the start, the Sundance Art Studio was deeply connected to, and inspired by, nature and has continued to hold this value dear. Over time, more varied art mediums have become available at the Art Studio.

    The classes currently offered at the Sundance Art Studio cover a wide range of artistic mediums. Available classes include: Pottery, Silversmithing, Acrylic, Watercolor, Encaustic (hot wax painting), Drawing, Leather Journal Burning & Bookbinding, Soapmaking, and Printmaking. Elzey personally enjoys the chemistry involved in the Soapmaking class where students pick their scents, colors, and exfoliants to create a personalized two-pound batch of soap. The most popular classes at the studio are the hands-on Silversmithing and Pottery classes. The Studio also offers “Make & Take” projects where guests can stop in for a quick project to take home, such as candle-making or beading.

    Trying a new art form can be intimidating; the welcoming environment at the Sundance Art Studio is a wonderful place to start. All skill levels are encouraged to attend Sundance Art Studio’s classes, “from absolute beginners to experts,” says Elzey, “our instructors cater to all skill levels.” The instructors at the Studio are experts in their fields who are passionate about sharing the gift of creativity with their students.

    The Sundance Art Studio not only supports the creative growth of community members trying something new, but through their Visiting Artist program, provides a platform for local professional artists to create and promote their artwork. Throughout the year, The Gallery features local artists for four-week shows. These artists do not arrive with finished works to show, but “are encouraged to be inspired by the nature at Sundance and to have a relaxing experience creating,” says Elzey. On the first day of their show, the artists demonstrate a creation process in action, connecting gallery guests to the creative experience of the visiting artist. It can be challenging for growing artists to find opportunities to create and share their art with their community. The Visiting Artist program gives emerging local artists a platform to do so, ultimately enriching the Utah art community at large.

    In addition to their year-round classes and Visiting Artist program, the Sundance Art Studio brings in master glassblowers from Guadalajara, Mexico to create recycled glass products. According to Elzey, most glassblowers do not know how to work with recycled glass due to the higher heat necessary and quicker cooling rate than non-recycled glass. The glass recycling program at Sundance is important and unique. The Sundance Resort recycles all the glass on property, giving it to the master glassblowers to create new glassware with. This reduces the waste production of the resort as a whole in a beautiful, creative way. The recycled glass pieces are used around the resort and sold at the Art Studio & Gallery. The glass kiln is located right next to the Art Studio, giving guests the opportunity to witness the exciting and inspiring process of glassblowing.

    Elzey shares that the core values at the Studio are: Art, Nature, and Community. Students and visiting artists at the Sundance Art Studio are encouraged to create through the inspiring lens of the nature that surrounds them. “The Art Studio and Gallery staff has a wide range of skills and backgrounds, but we all can agree that Art heals and creates connection,” says Elzey. The Sundance Art Studio team believes that individuals’ untapped creative potential can be accessed by trying the new and unique mediums offered. They see the inner artist within all individuals and consider creativity to be vital to finding the joy in life.

    Visit sundanceresort.com/art-studio

    Come and let nature inspire.

  • Authenticity

    Authenticity

    Nourishing the bodies and souls of Heber Valley

    Gloria Grass and her son, David Perez-Medina, have been nourishing the bodies and souls of residents and visitors for decades. Their unique origin story and outlook on the food business has helped this duo run two successful restaurants in Midway; their delicious food keeps the crowds coming back for more.

    David was just 15 years old when he and his single mother, Gloria, immigrated to Utah from Mexico in 1997. On their journey to Wasatch County, they brought along their traditional Mexican recipes, passion for food and people, and their unique perspectives and values that have enriched the Heber Valley and Midway communities.

    Gloria had only planned to stay in the United States for six months, but, “God had different plans for us,” she explains. In 1997, Gloria met her husband, Greg Grass, at the Yarrow Hotel in Park City. Gloria’s traditional Mexican cooking background and Greg Grass, formal culinary education created the perfect combination. Together the Grass’ opened Tarahumara in Midway. Their commitment to fresh food and authentic service gave them enough common ground to develop a successful, community building business. Gloria shared, “At Tarahumara, we were trying to give Americans a taste of our rich culture, with love and pride.”

    Gloria attributes her skills and passion for cooking to her aunt, who she calls her Nina. Gloria lovingly recalls, “She was the best cook, and made delicious meals with very little money. I know she put a lot of love into everything she cooked.” Her Nina helped to raise her after Gloria’s mother passed away. Gloria’s mind is still fresh with memories of waking up every morning to the smell of homemade tortillas, and coming home from school to smell her Nina’s cooking from outside the house. These memories have stayed with her as a chef and business owner at Tarahumara.

    David worked in many different restaurants before joining Gloria and Greg as they opened Tarahumara. During his nine year tenure there David hoped to go to culinary school, but felt that he could not afford it and should focus on working as much as possible. “I used to believe that without school, I could never be great at this stuff,” says David, “but I’ve had the best teachers; my mom, Greg, and my Nina. I don’t know where I would be without them.”

    Today, David and Mandy Perez-Medina, are the owners of Lola’s Street Kitchen, a wildly popular street food restaurant on Midway’s Main Street. However, they didn’t start out as a restaurant. After the Grass’ sold Tarahumara in 2015, David and Mandy, opened the Lola’s Street Kitchen food truck. To them, a food truck seemed much less demanding than a restaurant. Gloria and Greg were extremely involved with the food truck business helping with recipes, cooking, preparation, and service. Lola’s was a hit and customers repeatedly asked for a restaurant location, which led the Perez-Medinas to open a permanent Lola’s on Midway Main Street.

    Lola’s Street Kitchen

    David is grateful for loyal Lola’s customers, but he made it clear that he and his wife do not prioritize numbers or profit. They care deeply about having real relationships with customers that go beyond the surface level of typical restaurant service. In his many years working in the high-pressure restaurant industry, David has experienced various negative encounters with customers. He believes that these can be attributed to the lack of respect the general public has historically had toward restaurant workers. “People still carry those entitled attitudes. I’ve always had a hard time with that, and it goes back a long time,” he says. He feels that this perspective has given Lola’s a unique integrity that attracts the right kind of customers. “One of the biggest draws is the energy at Lola’s,” says Grace Bingham, current Lola’s manager, “I also think the care put into sourcing and making the food is difficult to find anywhere else.”

    David Perez-Medina
    (Left to right) David Medina, Gloria Grass and Gregg Grass

    The food found at Lola’s does not resemble the traditional Mexican cuisine Tarahumara was known for. But the Grass’ priorities of quality food and a welcoming environment were central to David as he and Mandy developed Lola’s. As David expertly sliced and shaped organic hamburger bun dough using Greg’s recipe, he explained, “we really believe if you’re eating good food that is real and good for you, you do everything better,” he says, “from a simple bun right here to the herbs we grow out back, there’s thought in all of it.”

    This mindset has translated directly from his mother. “Good and healthy food nourish not just the body, but our souls too,” Gloria expresses. The integrity, commitment, and authenticity that this family has held through their restaurant careers has indeed nourished the bodies and souls of all those who have visited Tarahumara and Lola’s.

    “We’re hoping to inspire you, be a part of your daily life,” says David, “I believe that we’re helping each other and I want to spread that mentality.”

  • Ice, Ice, baby

    Ice, Ice, baby

    The popularity of outdoor cold-water exposure surges in the Heber Valley. Are you ready to take the plunge?

    My history with intentional cold-water exposure began the summer of 2009 while growing up in Midway. My older sister and I would fill a 10-gallon bin with cold water from the hose in our backyard. We would squeeze into the container — squealing and giggling we’d stay in as long as we could stand it — we called this activity ‘cold bravery’. As I got older, my family and I continued to get in cold water wherever we could find it; in the Uinta Mountains, Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park, and in the Provo River here in Heber Valley. I knew that these experiences connected me to nature and generally felt great but beyond that I never thought much of it. That is, until I began to notice people in the Heber Valley community mindfully and regularly swimming, standing, sitting, and dunking in the Provo River entrance across the street from Legacy Bridge.

    I’ve discovered that quite a few community members take part in this activity year-round, especially during the winter months. Some go solo, others in pairs, and many in large groups of fifteen or more people. These cold-water experiences range from frantic polar plunges to mindful, meditative dips. The practice of the latter initially piqued my curiosity. As it turns out, a calm dip in cold winter water is not an uncommon or new phenomenon for humans. According to Heber Valley resident, Yoga Therapist and meditation teacher, Elise Jones; calmly submerging oneself in a frozen body of water and slowing the breath is an ancient yogic practice, modernly referred to as ‘cold hydrotherapy’. For many people, myself included, mindful, outdoor cold hydrotherapy has become a ritual, and an important component in maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual health. I spoke to a few residents about how they started and what keeps them coming back.

    Cindy Eggertz is a nine-year resident of Heber Valley, and an avid enthusiast of outdoor cold-water exposure. It wasn’t a health article or Instagram post that instigated her first river dip, but a prompting from God. “I have always struggled with depression, but around January of 2019, the thought of living seemed impossible. I prayed to God again and again, asking for this burden to be lifted. One night, I was kneeling there listening, and God told me I needed to get in the river.”

    Without any prior knowledge of cold hydrotherapy, this felt like a strange answer to Eggertz. But she promptly reached out to her circle of girlfriends. With deep snow on the riverbank, this group of women timidly plunged in the cold winter waters of the Provo River. This first experience consisted of getting in and out of the water as fast as possible, shrieking, giggling, and running back to the comfort of blasting car heaters — a common response to one’s first polar plunge experience. After a few more frenzied attempts, the group of women considered the benefits of taking a slower, more mindful approach. Among this group was Sheena Jibson, who continues to practice consistent river dips. Jibson shared that these experiences have profoundly deepened her connection with her friends, nature, and herself. She has also experienced a newfound sense of steadiness. “When you’re in that situation and you’re in freezing cold water and it’s taking the breath out of your body, you have to focus on your breath, and then you settle down your body and mind and realize you are okay. I try to apply that to everyday life, coming back to my breath and finding that ‘okayness’ within.”

    Cold water meditation has become popularized in recent years by a Dutch man named Wim Hof, a motivational speaker also known as “The Iceman”. He is best known for calmly withstanding extreme cold temperatures and developing the Wim Hof Method, a meditation technique characterized by specific breath patterning, cold water exposure, and mindful focus. Hof asserts that increased energy, better sleep, a stronger immune system, reduced stress levels, heightened focus, and increased mental control are benefits of meditative cold hydrotherapy1.

    “Something about the cold water resets my system, and I just feel clear again every single time.”

    In developing a consistent practice of this ritual, Wasatch County river-goers have chiefly experienced the mental benefits. Eggertz shared what three-years of consistent cold water hydrotherapy has done for her: “It pulled me from the darkness. Something about the cold water resets my system, and I just feel clear again every single time.”

    Scott Whitaker, Heber Valley resident of 32 years, gets in rivers all around the valley. He immerses himself weekly and has noticed clarity of thought and heightened physical sensations that make him crave the cold water.

    For me [Elle Taylor] personally; Both my mother, Joni Taylor, and I have found consistent river dipping to be an anchor through the challenges of life and a connective force to nature and each other. My mother, Joni, explained, “I have noticed a significant difference in my reactivity, there is something about having to control my response and knowing that I can get through something difficult over and over.” She and I, like Whitaker, feel a physical and mental craving for the river, and have engaged in this ritual dozens of times in the past year.

    Jibson described a kind of post-river euphoria, marked by an intense sensation of heat and exhilaration. It turns out the science behind cold water exposure supports this description. When getting in extremely cold water, the initial cold shock releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, kicking on the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response. As the shock subsides, the body then releases endorphins and serotonin; chemicals that stabilize mood and increase feelings of happiness. The recommended time frame to stay in extremely cold winter water is between 5-10 minutes. This range is considered to be an adequate amount of time for these processes to safely occur. These chemical releases lead to the post-river euphoria and craving, similar to the rush one feels after intense exercise2.

    Photo Courtesy of Cindy Eggertz

    Mindful, outdoor cold hydrotherapy has become a ritual, and an important component in maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual health.

    For Whitaker, getting in water outdoors has always felt instinctual. “Growing up, if there was water, I was gonna get in it,” said Whitaker. He has translated this mindset into his relationship with his wife and three boys, and considers water to be a central piece of their memories together. “Water is a great teacher, and it teaches you something new each time you get in.”

    Our biological need for water innately connects us to it, but these days, we are not all instinctually connected to natural water like Whitaker and his family. According to the 2021 Valuing Water Initiative, “Our profligate use of water as a resource, along with our technological membrane that separates us from the outdoors, keeps us out of touch with the deep connections available to us in nature. Across countless religions and cultures globally, humans have historically held ritualistic, spiritual relationships with bodies of water3.” Mindful, intentional outdoor cold-water experiences have the potential to reconnect people with the sacredness humans have previously found in relationship to water and nature.

    The overwhelming consensus, among the Heber Valley river-goers I spoke with, was that there is something special and important about breathing through things that we naturally resist. Whitaker describes each river dip as a “mini-death,” and feels empowered by the feelings of overcoming such a thing. Jibson has come to see the presence of discomfort in our lives as fundamental stating that, “Everything in our lives right now is so comfortable. In the winter, we can sit in our houses by the fire, turn up the heat, put our socks on — and I do. But it’s in uncomfortable moments that you feel alive, and I think we’re meant to feel alive.”

    1 Wim Hof Method, n.d.   2 Straight Line Swimming, n.d.   3https://valuingwatrinitiative.com)

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