MANSFIELD – Ontario City Council member Eddie Gallo, who turned 50 last October, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last year. After a long period of living in denial and avoiding the doctor like the plague, entering the Strive to Thrive contest and becoming a finalist gave him the push he needed to take his […]
Tierra Thomas, Thrive Reporter
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The evolution of play: Children benefit more from imaginative play than tech
MANSFIELD – In the past, parents would urge their children to get outside and interact with the outside world in terms of play, but today more caution and wariness of the dangers that come from the outside have had more parents thinking their kids are better off playing inside. With common occurrences such as kidnapping […]
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Strive to Thrive contestant breaks her own barriers despite what she’s lost
MANSFIELD – Rachel Barr’s life changed dramatically when she lost her leg from neurofibromatosis, but it’s never stopped her from doing the best she can with everything she still has. When Barr saw a post on Facebook from Richland Source about the Strive to Thrive contest, she did not hesitate to enter. “I don’t think […]
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The price of fame— Aaron Rhodes reflects on viral video five years later
MANSFIELD – On Jan. 13, 2015, Aaron and Austin Rhodes shook up the internet when they released a video on YouTube coming out to their father. Five years later, the twin brothers have used their platform to reach new levels of success and be firm advocates of the LGBTQ community. No one ever said going […]
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Mediterranean vs. Keto diet—Which is better for you?
MANSFIELD – Breaking a diet can leave a feeling of hopelessness in the pit of the stomach, but it doesn’t mean all hope to losing weight is lost. Baylee Leonhardt, registered dietitian nutritionist at OhioHealth, firmly advocates for the food plate method and highlights the importance of eating each of the five food groups a […]
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Parkrun celebrates three years in Mansfield
MANSFIELD – Three years ago, parkrun came to Mansfield. Since then, the level of outreach has rallied a community together to reach goals, get healthy and meet new people. “When we started parkrun, I knew two people that started with us, and now I have—we call it our ‘parkrun family’—that I’ve known only because of […]
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Strive to Thrive competition kicks off
MANSFIELD – The Strive to Thrive competition has officially begun, giving the contestants a more detailed framework of what’s to come. The first event on Jan. 13 invited the nine contestants to meet each other for the first time, learn more about nutrition and participate in their first team competitions. Carol Mabry, exercise physiologist at […]
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Ashland woman celebrates 1,000 days of sobriety
MANSFIELD – In 2013, Nikki McBride dropped out of college, had a DUI on her record and crashed her car due to intoxication. Today, she’s celebrating being over 1,000 days sober. Working as a personal fitness trainer while being a mom to a six-month-old gives McBride enough purpose to not satisfy any urges she has […]
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Head of Discovery School achieves successful work-life balance
MANSFIELD – Julie Schwartz, head of Discovery School, wakes up every morning at 5 a.m. for a cup of hot tea and breakfast. Afterward, it’s a couple of miles on the treadmill, and then a shower before waking up her two kids. Once ready, they all leave together for their separate days at Discovery School. […]
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Give love, get love—The emotional benefits of adopting a pet
MANSFIELD – Whether they’re big or small, an animal’s love can be all a person needs for their emotional well-being. Jennifer Kime, CEO of Downtown Mansfield Incorporation, owns two dogs. After one of her children had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, she and her husband decided to search for some additions to their family. […]