www.gatherlaquinta.com 760.219.7953 78010 Main Street Suite 201 gatherlaquinta.com yoga barre breathwork core Pilates sound baths strength & sculpt Scan to view schedule There are many reasons people are drawn to Palm Springs. Ted Gibson and Jason Backe seem to encompass them all. The creative and colorful souls were called to trade the spotlight for inner light and the fast track for a path to wellness that led them here. As life and business partners for over 30 years, these beauty industry leaders pour passion into everything they do. During their illustrious careers, they have introduced cuttingedge salons in New York and Los Angeles, starred on multiple reality TV shows, launched top beauty product lines and continue to manage a clientele list that has included Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway and Renée Zellweger. Backe is also an awardwinning hair colorist and past educator for global beauty brands. But throughout their travels, no place has held the special connection they feel to Palm Springs, and the celebrity hairdressers are here to stay. “When we came to Palm Springs, it was an immediate love affair,” says Backe. “The inspiration we feel here has just been incredible.” They bought in 2018 and, in 2024, decided to call Palm Springs home. Driven by their newfound dedication to wellness, they are already making an impact in our community. Last year, they introduced Ascension, a functional mushroom blend additive available in neighborhood shops and online (try the Ted Gibson® Cloud 9 at Coffeeism), and began clinical trials on Hyper Shroom Complex, a groundbreaking wellness hair care line. This year, they are also launching the Convergence Beauty Wellness Science Summit at the Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs in May. Their wellness inspiration Ten years ago, Gibson’s beloved mother developed dementia. As they considered her care, they began to contemplate their own longevity. Through research, they discovered the cognitive benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms, incorporating a daily dose into their morning routine. Impressed by the results, they further researched chaga mushrooms for immunity, reishi for beauty, tremella for skin care, and then blue-green algae for both brain and beauty. All these adaptogens make up the superfood powder blend of Ascension, which can be added to coffee, smoothies ¿ even baking. Backe, also a talented cook, adds it to his zucchini bread. They both start their day with the product. “Our morning wellness practices and rituals have become such an important part of our lives,” he says. “Experiencing the impact these adaptogens were having led us to Ascension.” “The fans and followers we have built over the last 30 years together would expect us to launch a shampoo or styling product,” adds Gibson, “but we really wanted them to know that we are now taking our health, our community's health and our world’s health seriously. It is a big part of our lifestyle now.” Sharing meals strengthens happiness. Sharing meals with others is shown to boost social connection and emotional wellbeing. It’s not just about food, it’s about belonging. Living with others matters. Household size and family bonds play a significant role in happiness. Living with others, whether family, friends or partners, tends to increase life satisfaction. Social trust is a critical predictor of wellbeing. Trusting others and feeling trusted in return are major drivers of happiness. Low trust correlates with higher levels of unhappiness. Helping others reduces “deaths of despair.” Prosocial behavior—volunteering, supporting others, showing compassion—is linked to lower rates of depression, addiction and suicide. Caring literally saves lives. Practical ways to increase your own happiness The beauty of the 2025 findings is that they translate into simple, actionable steps you can incorporate into your daily life. Here’s how to apply the science of happiness to your own world: Strengthen your social connections. Invite someone to share a meal, even a simple coffee counts. Reconnect with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Join a club, class or community group where you can meet people regularly. Practice small acts of kindness. Kindness doesn’t need to be grand. These micro moments of generosity accumulate into measurable boosts in wellbeing. Hold the door for someone. Send a supportive message to a lonely neighbor. Offer help before someone asks. Build trust in your relationships. The WHR shows that trust is a happiness multiplier; it deepens relationships and reduces stress. Trust grows through consistency, so keep your promises, be reliable in small ways and communicate openly. Create a supportive living environment. Spend more time with the people you live with. Establish shared rituals: weekly dinners, movie nights or morning walks. If you live alone, intentionally schedule social time to balance solitude with connection. Engage in prosocial behavior. Giving your time or attention is often more impactful than giving money. Helping others is one of the most powerful happiness strategies. Volunteer locally. Support a cause you care about. Offer mentorship. Prioritize shared experiences over material things. The WHR reinforces that experiences, especially shared ones, create lasting happiness. Plan outings with friends or family. Try new activities together. Celebrate small milestones. www.DesertHealthNews.com March/April 2026 Natural Options The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 10 Continued on page 11 Continued on page 15 Ted Gibson (left) and Jason Backe Gibson and Backe’s first wellness passion project is Ascension, a mushroom blend additive. www.acqpoint.com Get relief from pain and stress now! Acupuncture • Electro Acupuncture Cupping • Chinese Herbs K-Laser • Cold Laser For appointments, book online at AcQpoint.comor call 760.345.2200 Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc ACUPUNCTURE CHINESE HERBS Dr. Sheppard is a California state-licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbologist. She earned her Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine degree from the oldest school of Chinese medicine in the United States – Samra University. She also holds a Ph.D. in Eastern Medicine. www.onelifenaturopathic.org 10 minute Discovery Call for all new patients Naturopathic Primary Care Holistic Treatment Plans Individualized Guidance Preventive Medicine Biofeedback Training Craniosacral Therapy Dr. Shari Jainuddin, NMD, BCB Licensed Naturopathic Doctor | Board Certified in Biofeedback 442.256.5963 onelifenaturopathic.org Scan me! What Makes Us Happy? Continued from page 1 Beauty from the Inside Out Celebrity hairstylists find purpose in Palm Springs By Lauren Del Sarto
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