Summer 2018: On Location
Check out behind the scenes of the swimwear shoot at H-Town's most expensive home on the market.
Jun. 5, 2018
How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.
Who do you credit? I credit my family, my community, and my spiritual connection. Houston is a place where opportunities exist. I did my MBA at Rice University and my Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology at UPenn. I am so grateful for the enriching communities of Rice and UPenn where they genuinely want to see their students thrive. These institutions have become my springboard from which I feel I could jump with the knowledge and confidence to launch the concept of Define Living. And, without any doubt, I give credit to my family and friends. I used to get a lot of inquisitive looks when I would talk about launching a fitness brand or a franchise brand. However, I now feel very loved and supported by the people closest to me when I tell them about a new project that I am focusing on. They can sense my passion, and that is contagious.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others?
Here are several:
1) Swim in your own lane.
2) Learn as much as you can about your industry while getting paid by someone else.
3) Starting your own business is risky, time-consuming, and challenging, but your passion will take you far.
4) It’s okay to be skeptical, but avoid becoming cynical.
5) As Mother Theresa stated, “What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.”
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? I am so happy with how well our first Define Living has been received. I worked hard to build a program that was transforming and accessible. To know that we are attracting a group of people who are diverse in every sense of the word while elevating their wellbeing is incredibly motivating for me each day. This inspires me to bring this concept nationwide and add more health and wellbeing to communities across the globe!
The tip and, at right, Renee Brown and Post Malone
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, Post Malone and Shaboozey hung out at neighborhood-y bar The Railyard in the Galleria area before joining Beyonce for her Christmas Day halftime performance, which was livestreamed on Netflix.
Post Malone left a big surprise for Renee Brown in form of a $20,000 tip. "I try to go above and beyond to take care of all of our customers, and loved seeing them interact with Post Malone when he visited — he was so genuine and made everyone feel comfortable," says Brown. As a single mother, Brown works two jobs when she isn't homeschooling her daughter. "His generosity with this life-changing gift blew me away. This definitely wasn't the Christmas Eve I was expecting, but one I'm forever thankful to have had."
The Railyard is no strander to hosting celebs; it’s also been visited by David Spade and Keifer Sutherland.
"One of the most amazing things about this bar is that you never know who is going to walk through the door,” says Trey Melcher, owner of The Railyard. “In the past we've had visits from celebrities, but this unexpected act of kindness made all of our holiday seasons brighter."
ARTIST AND ARTS activist Sarah Sudhoff created her vibrant and playful piece The Reading Brain as a response to a San Antonio museum exhibit about dyslexia. She was inspired also by her son, who has dyslexia, loves sculptures, and whose favorite color is red.
“Even though your brain works differently, it still lights up and is beautiful to watch, a wonderful machine you have. It just means you have to navigate and pivot a little differently,” says Sudhoff, who collaborated with doctors to collect data for the multisensory installation. She colorfully depicts the intersection of art and science in The Reading Brain, which generates a real-time, changing visualization of brain activity produced by dyslexic children reading.
The Reading Brain was acquired by The Health Museum though its Healing Arts Initiative, and is now a permanent fixture. For her part, Sudhoff is a multidisciplinary artist whose work frequently questions societal norms.