March 3, 2020, is a day many Nashvillians will never forget. The night of the tornado destroyed many homes in North Nashville, East Nashville, Germantown, and surrounding areas. High Garden Tea, located on Woodland St. in East Nashville, unfortunately, did not remain untouched. 

High Garden Tea is a social enterprise, founded by Leah and Joel Larabell. The mission of High Garden is to reconnect us with the plant wisdom we instinctively hold. Many became familiar with High Garden for ten years through the herbal and tea shop. The shop was an experience like no other in Nashville. You could walk in the shop and mix some of your favorite herbs and enjoy a flight of kombucha, among many other offerings. That was until the tragic tornado struck. 

Leah and Joel first received news that the tornado damaged their building from their landlord. At that point, their brains would not allow them to imagine anything more than a few broken windows. However, when they arrived at the location, their eyes met the unimaginable. More than broken windows, the building had merely crumbled to pieces. If you saw the images circulating social media, you can attest that it's a scene you can't forget. Though unforgettable, it's not the thing Leah remembers most about that morning. 

What she remembers most is beauty.

When Leah and Joel arrived at High Garden, at least thirty people had already beat them there. They showed up with care and love to help recover and clean up what survived the storm. That's the beauty Leah remembers! She describes, "at that moment, I think I truly learned how to love people." Leah grew up more connected to her squirrel and plant families, so it was easier for her to relate to nature than people outside of her immediate circle. However, that morning of the tornado revealed the beauty in humanity she had never seen before.  

"That's the main thing I remember about that morning. That piece of my heart getting filled up." - Leah Larbell

When it crumbled, Leah and Joel knew they were not going to be able to rebuild ten years of what they grew for a long time. The tornado forced them to begin a new path. As they stepped back a little from the "business" side of things, the next path for High Garden began to be revealed. 

With lots of patience and humility, Leah and Joel are slowly learning and understanding this new path for High Garden. Their goal is to make plants and herbalism more accessible to everyone. They envision a world where there's a plant person in everyone's home.  They are making it happen. Today you can experience the many offerings of High Garden in many ways. Here's how:

__High Garden Online Store:__ Via the High Garden online store, you can find a wide range of herbal infusions and teas. Their products are more than just items; they are creations that grew out of years of study. They hope that through these offerings, they can shine a light on the power and benefit within the world of plants.  

__High Garden’s School of RootWisdom:__ To dive deeper into herbalism education, you can take a deeper dive by enrolling in High Garden’s School of RootWisdom. The first year of the herbalism program is titled PlantFolk Herbalism. This program is at student capacity, but there are more programs to come, so stay connected. 

__Upcoming Podcast:__ Leah and Joel announced to us that they are working on a podcast. No official premiere date has been released yet, but I'm excited for the fact that we will literally be able to learn about herbs on our commute to work! 

There's purpose in pain, and while hearing the recovery and resiliency story of Leah and Joel, it's hard to argue otherwise. Purpose isn't revealed at once; it's revealed in moments. That morning of the tornado was just the beginning of a greater purpose being revealed. Through the pain of the tornado, they could reimagine this vision and purpose of High Garden in more incredible ways.

Be sure to keep up with all the latest news and High Garden's journey by subscribing to their mail list at highgardentea.com and by following them on Instagram @highgardentea.


Beauty Along A New Path

High Garden Tea

March 3, 2020, was a night Nashville won’t forget. A deadly tornado ripped through much of Middle Tennessee, destroying many homes and businesses, and unfortunately taking lives. That night seven tornadoes swept through Middle TN. The EF-3 Tornado struck at 12:30 in the morning and brought much damage to Davidson County. At a traveling rate of 57.3 mph, the tornado spanned a total of 60 miles impacting the John C. Tune Airport area, buildings from Cockrill Bendray and Briley Parkway, TN State Prison,  TSU, and Germantown. The tornado only intensified as it made its way towards East Nashville, causing unthinkable damage. There was EF-3 damage to businesses and other buildings in the Five Points area and EF-2 damage to homes in the Lockeland Springs and Barclay Drive neighborhoods. While many could only imagine how devastating such an experience could have been, others didn’t have to imagine it; it was their lived through experience.

Though tragic, it warms my spirit to hear how business owners were so resilient afterward. 

Among these stories of resiliency is  Gym 5, one of the first businesses in East Nashville. Gym 5 is East Nashville’s original locally-owned and operated full-service fitness club. On the night of the tornado, GYM 5 suffered an estimated half million-plus in property damages. Everything from the floors was destroyed, only the original flooring from half the building remained. Because of the extreme damages, GYM 5, which had been in operation for 15 years, was forced to temporarily shut down. This put a strain on the local business owner, Adam Wright.

During the shutdown, they did not charge their members monthly fees; at the same time, they also lost existing members. Thankfully, they were still able to keep and pay all of their employees. Wright goes on to highly esteem his employees as being an essential part of overcoming these challenging times. The tornado and the shutdown, put GYM 5 in a tough situation, but they weathered the storms. With the support of the community and employees, GYM 5 was ready to reopen with a smaller version of the gym after 1.5 months. By August, they were ready to fully open, ahead of the mandates inflicted by the pandemic. 

One of the biggest changes that the new GYM space has seen is an upper-level cardio mezzanine. Gym goers can now enjoy their workout with an East Nashville view overlooking downtown Nashville through the large garage windows. Additionally, the GYM offers an abundance of other spaces and equipment to fit your interests in staying fit and active.For instance, their outdoor workout space was one of my favorites! This was one of the first parts of the Gym to reopen. Move Nashville got on the scene on a beautiful 60 degree winter day, and I can say we all wanted to enjoy a workout in the outdoor space. 

Gym 5 also offers workout programs, which include: boxing boot, boxing, spin class, power lunch, TRX Cross-Training, and Strength and Conditioning. 
Wright and many others are glad that the Gym is back up and running. Amid the pandemic, it’s been a space to help the Nashville community stay active and healthy. Gym 5 is not just a reputable gym in East Nashville; it can now be seen as a symbol of the strength and resiliency in Nashville. 


Weathering the Storm

gym 5

Can you remember the first time you ever set foot in a gym? My first time went something like this: My eyes met marathon trainers going full speed on the treadmill, guys were huddled at the squat racks, and I heard heavyweights hit the floor mat. I then became full of even more anxiety. But I had made it that far, so I could not turn back. The only problem was, I did not know where to begin. And when I did begin, I felt judged for misusing the equipment. 

Am I the only one who has been there before?

Thankfully, all of those insecurities, anxieties, and reluctance that could accompany a new gym visit go out the window at URBN fitness. URBN Fitness is a new and trendy gym located in East Nashville. Urban Fitness was once your local CrossFit gym, but it has since evolved! High-Intensity CrossFit workouts aren't for everyone, so Urbn Fitness coaches are proud to have created goal-focused workouts that are energetic, fun, and dynamic in movement pairings. You can experience one of these workouts in one of URBN Fitness' core group classes. 

The coaches also develop personal programs for clients interested in more specific coaching and training. An "In Body" machine is used to capture lean body mass, body fat percentage, BMR, and intra and extracellular hydration levels to develop specific client lifestyle guidelines. The coaches would rather “assess and not guess” about what each client needs to reach their particular goals. 

Speaking of the coaches, URBN Fitness comes to life through the leadership of dedicated and passionate coaches, so let's meet them!

__Brandon Koechlin__ practices what he preaches and will help you balance life and fitness. His mission is to present fitness to you for its life-changing abilities. Fitness has changed his life, and he is confident it will change yours too. His motto is #MoveWellFirst

__Celia Stefanini__ loves to have fun while moving with a great workout and encourages everyone who steps foot into Urbn Fitness to do the same. She helps you find fulfillment and freedom through workouts. She believes you can fulfill that craving for health and strength through movement. 

__Kyle Lampi "Lampsauce"__ brings some extra musicality to the group. You can find him practicing his handstands or working on music in the studio outside of the gym. He has a strong background in sports, CrossFit, and weightlifting.

All the coaches are dedicated to helping you "feel your best and look good naked"! 

Now imagine an Urbn Fitness Gym experience. You walk through the gym doors of Urbn Fitness, and you’re greeted by a crew member in the new lobby. As a spectator in the lobby, you would see ahead of you Nashville locals enjoying an energetic group workout, thanks to the lively coaches and the music from the new surround sound! - That sounds way better than my first-time gym experience! 

Are you ready to check it out for yourself? Good news, Urbn is currently offering Free trial classes so that you can start movin' at no cost! Also, there is no commitment to join, it’s month to month.  

Visit their website for more information. Let's start movin'! [www.urbnfitness.com ](https://www.urbnfitness.com)


Urban Fitness is a great east Nashville Crossfit Box!

Urbn Fitness

weight lifter

As I pass the blue wall, which is home to the iconic, colorful hot air balloon, I take time for a photo op. I also leap for joy because I know that just a few steps ahead of me is one gym I’ve been longing to visit – that is 80/20 fitness! 80/20 fitness is a local gym studio owned by couple Kevin and Jade Bazille. 80/20 Fitness was founded on the ideals that a healthy lifestyle requires 80 percent nutrition and mindset and 20 percent fitness.  The Bazille’s ditch the fad diets and shortcuts to encourage their clients to achieve sustainable lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes require more than just a good workout regimen and meal prepping. The Bazille’s agree it takes accountability, focus, intentionality, and a positive MINDSET. In fact, they know first hand what an impact a shift in mindset can make!

Kevin admits that before 80/20 was born, his focus was everywhere. Though he has always had a passion for fitness, which stemmed from his love for sports, fitness wasn’t always his focus. Before 80/20 fitness was established, Kevin had multiple jobs or side hustles. He was even selling hair at one point! The entrepreneurial spirit was deep in him, but for him to be fulfilled and make a significant impact, the first mindset that he had to shift was his own. Kevin gladly credits Jade with helping him make that shift. His partner in crime, business partner, and wife supported him as he narrowed his focus and chose his calling.  They both believe changing lives is their calling, and 80/20 fitness is the outlet in which they do so!

The accountability they have established in their relationship is undoubtedly reflected in their business practice.  Each 80/20 fitness client can count on the support of their coaches, Kevin and Jade. It is their priority that they develop a client-coach relationship with everyone who walks into their doors. From sending accountability texts throughout the week to encouraging monthly weigh-ins, these are just a couple of ways the Bazille’s will keep you accountable. Additionally, the workout space is filled with visual reminders that will encourage you to maintain a positive mindset. Upon entering, to the right, you will see their word wall. The wall is filled with quotes from clients to inspire themselves and others. On the other side of the room is the selfie wall. After each workout, the client takes a picture, and it is later posted to the wall. The wall is a visual example of each client’s transformation. More motivation!

Clients aren’t the only ones who need motivation. With the ups and downs that come with running a business and just navigating 2020, Kevin and Jade make sure they also put certain practices in place that will ensure they maintain a positive mindset. When asked about things they do to maintain positivity, they expressed similar interest. They meditate, have date-nights, work out, and keeping the end goal end mind when things get hectic. 

Their positive attitude is definitely contagious and showed during my visit! I got to sample the 80/20 Fitness experience with a few exercises. Kevin and Jade took me through Deadlift Hammer Curls, Kneeling Rotation Shoulder Press, Weighted Lunges, and Squat Jump Ab Crunches. Through the demonstrations, each coach was very detailed, as well as informative. I learned that many of the exercises engage the core and also promote good posture. I also appreciated the positive feedback when my technique improved! You will appreciate the expertise they both share. 
Kevin and Jade are accepting clients for group classes and personal training.  COVID-19 protective measures are in place for in-person training. Masks are available, and chairs are located in between each workout mat to ensure everyone remains socially distanced. If you are not quite ready to hit the gym in-person, virtual classes are also available. Visit their Instagram page @80_20fitness to preview some of their workouts!


As I pass the blue wall, which is home to the iconic, colorful hot air balloon, I take time for a photo op. I also leap for joy because I know that just a few steps ahead of me is one gym I’ve been longing to visit – that is 80/20...

Video

Beauty Along A New Path

Weathering the Storm

Urbn Fitness

80/20 Fitness