12 JANUARY 2025 By Rachael Bouley An Arcadia resident is joining forces with those who want to live longer, healthier lives and not let their age slow them down. Scott Jagodzinski is the man behind Argent Alpha, a workout group for men over 50 that combines mindset, health, training, and personal development into one cohesive approach. So far, men across 10 states have signed up to “stop acting their age” and hold each other accountable in a like-minded community where they see physical and mental results. For Jagodzinski, a fitness enthusiast and entrepreneur, the inspiration for Argent Alpha came during a personal wake-up call. In 2019, he developed a severe bone-on- bone knee issue that caused constant pain and limited his mobility. “My knee couldn’t bend enough to ride a bike. Three orthopedic surgeons recommended knee replacement surgery, but at 55, I refused to accept that as my only option,” Jagodzinski said. “Over the next year, I researched, tested, and experimented. The result? I regained about 90 percent of my knee’s range of motion and eliminated the chronic pain – without surgery. This taught me the power of persistence, experimentation, and addressing root causes.” Reflecting on his experience helped him apply the same principles to broader health challenges. He developed the Alpha 5 framework: Mindset, Sleep, Nutrition, Fitness, and Hydration, using body composition as the primary metric to measure progress. “The goal was to burn fat, maintain or add muscle, and avoid the weaknesses that come with aging,” he explained. After seeing the results, Jagodzinski was curious to find out if these protocols would work for others and invited a small group of friends (all men over 50) to test the framework. “The outcomes were remarkable. They all burned fat, gained muscle, and transformed their health. It changed their lives for the better,” Jagodzinski said. “These men became the foundation of Argent Alpha and are still active members today.” Since then, the workouts have become much more than a fitness plan. It’s a movement, not for quick fixes but for permanent identity shifts and lifelong learning. Every month, guest speakers and subject matter experts including authors, physicians, professional athletes and former military leaders visit to educate and inspire members. Jagodzinski partnered with Director of Training Brock Harling to create a system. It’s rooted in Dr. Peter Attia’s 4 Pillars of Fitness for Longevity – stability, strength, Zone 2 cardio, and Zone 5 cardio – with an important addition: mobility. With a tagline of “Helping Men Over 50 Become Harder to Kill”, Argent Alpha uses intentional and measurable workouts to improve range of motion, prevent injuries, and unlock strength gains. The A³ system, Argent Alpha Athlete, relies on recurring accountability drivers to measure progress and make course corrections. “We face unique challenges. Career and family responsibilities often come at the expense of men’s health. Many have spent decades focused on external success, unintentionally neglecting their well- being,” Jagodzinski explained. “The shared commitment and accountability within the community makes this work. Members see what’s possible through others’ successes, inspiring them to stay on the path.” Members are encouraged to think of the habits of the healthiest men and athletes as motivation to make fitness, diet, and lifestyle choices to fuel their bodies and minds. Jagodzinski and the Argent Alpha community are eager to expand their membership and help more men across the Valley. “We’re primarily a virtual community but believe in the power of real-life connections: meeting, moving, and learning together. We host live events in Phoenix and Scottsdale and plan to expand to four events yearly,” Jagodzinski said. Arcadia is close to his heart, and he wants to welcome more locals as Argent Alpha guides men on the journey to reclaim their health and vitality. “My mission is to help 100,000 men over 50 become harder to kill. In 2025, we’re launching additional products and services to expand our reach and impact,” Jagodzinski said. “We hold immense influence as fathers, grandfathers, business leaders, and role models. When men lead from the front and prioritize health, their families, friends, employees, and communities notice.” argentalpha.com Empowering men over 50 to help them ‘become harder to kill’ The Argent Alpha Live III event included an intensive four hour “Crucible” workout. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCOTT JAGODZINSKI

13 JANUARY 2025 l’ By Lauren Geiser Six years ago, Takael Clement faced a challenge many moms may relate to: finding stylish earrings that didn’t create discomfort for her six-year-old daughter. Takael was determined to find a solution, but options were limited. Rather than give up, she turned her frustrations into a creative opportunity. The idea for Oh Clementine (also known as Oh Clem) was formed when Takael teamed up with her sister-in-law, Alexis. Together, they set out to create hypoallergenic, stylish jewelry that started with earrings designed for children. Their goal was simple: making safe, comfortable, fashionable jewelry for youngsters. They quickly realized they were tapping into a much larger market than anticipated. Oh Clem soon made its way into the adult market, with many mothers reaching out to request the same colorful designs as their kids. “For the past four years, we were primarily selling earrings for young ears, but then we started noticing that moms with sensitive ears were reaching out to ask for the same designs,” Alexis said. “Over the past year and a half, we shifted to selling to everyone.” Today, Oh Clem creates a wide range of earrings – from oversized hoops to delicate floral pieces. One of the top- selling designs, the Chunky Checkered Huggies, is bold and eye-catching. Another popular design is the 3D Huggy Hoops, which feature small fruit shapes along the earring. These designs showcase the brand’s ability to merge modern trends with thoughtful craftsmanship. One of the most unique features is their flat-back screw-backs to secure the jewelry. This design ensures wearers can swim, sleep, and play without discomfort – and comfort is a key selling point for the brand, since it allows customers to enjoy stylish jewelry without worrying about irritation or sensitivity. For children, Oh Clem offers earrings that are both safe and fashionable, with miniature hoops and studs designed to be gentle on delicate ears while still making a statement. Two years ago, Alexis and Takael relocated their warehouse from St. George, Utah, to the Arcadia neighborhood. This transition has significantly supported the brand’s growth, offering a new creative hub in the Valley. “The support here and how the community has embraced us has been unreal,” Alexis said. While Oh Clem continues to operate primarily online, their unique pieces are also featured in select boutiques across the country. This expansion has helped the brand gain national recognition, and they are constantly exploring new ways to reach a broader audience. Alexis and Takael plan to expand the collection and collaborate with local businesses in the new year. Oh Clem continues to innovate, offering new designs that combine style and comfort for everyone. ohclem.com Sisters turn sensitive ears into a successful business Takael and Alexis Clement. PHOTO COURTESY OF TAKAEL CLEMENT