Fields Insurance Moves To Wesley Chapel To Help With Home, Auto & More 

When you trust Fields Insurance to find you the right home, auto or other insurance policy, you’ll deal with the married team of Nancy & Michael Fields. Their office is located in the Medallion Corporate Park just north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

As the owner of five insurance agencies in Tennessee, and with more than two decades of experience, Michael Fields knows his way around the insurance business. 

When their only daughter, Bethany, graduated from Ole Miss University and took a job in Tampa, Michael and his wife Nancy decided to move to the area, too. 

In 2021, Michael acquired a Brandon-based insurance agency and Nancy retired after 33 years as a schoolteacher to help her husband with the newest branch of the family business. 

Over the past two years, they have bought a home in Grand Hampton and decided to move the agency to the Medallion Corporate Park, just north of S.R. 56 and east of I-75. 

Now, they have set down roots, are leaning in to their new community and are excited to help their neighbors. 

“We treat people like they want to be treated,” says Michael. “It’s important to be a person of integrity, and a person who can be trusted.” 

Fields Insurance helps people with personal and commercial property and casualty insurance. That’s primarily auto, home, renter, boat and motorcycle insurance, although they also write some life insurance policies, as well. Michael says that, since coming to Florida, he’s also written a lot of policies for vacation homes, condos and mobile homes. His agency helps both individuals and businesses, including offering business property and liability insurance. 

One designation that sets Fields Insurance apart is being recognized as a “Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider.” Dave Ramsey is an author and radio host who offers financial advice. While he’s recognized nationwide, he’s based out of Nashville, so Michael says Ramsey is extremely popular in his home state. People who take Ramsey’s classes and want to be connected with a trusted partner can be directed to Fields Insurance. 

“It puts us in a category that says we are an agency of integrity,” says Michael. “We always try to give you the insurance you need at a price that best fits within your budget.” 

While Michael will always strive to get his clients the best possible insurance at the lowest possible price to fulfill their needs, he says the most important thing is that he finds them the right insurance. 

“We are educational in the way we approach business,” he says. “We make sure people don’t sacrifice coverage to get the lowest rate.” 

The Challenges Of Florida 

Michael says that right now, prices across the board for auto and especially, homeowners insurance in Florida are very high, and that’s something that is out of his control. However, he says you can trust his agency to work with you and always act in your best interest. 

He adds that as an independent agency, Fields Insurance is able to work with a number of different top-rated companies, including Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Nationwide, Progressive, Safeco, Florida Peninsula, Slide, Cabrillo Coastal and more, although the companies that are writing new homeowners policies in Florida right now are definitely limited. 

A Little History 

Michael started out in the insurance business in 1999 in Memphis as an associate agent with Nationwide Insurance. In 2011, he went through a three-year training program as a “replacement agency executive” and became the primary agent at that location in 2014. 

In 2017, Nationwide made all of its agents independent, so he no longer sells exclusively Nationwide products. Since then, Michael has opened four more agencies in Tennessee and one in Florida. 

Wade and Pamela Simpson, who live in Seffner, were at a loss when they inherited a family home in Dunellon that was built in 1986 and still had its original roof. 

“I had been with State Farm for 25-30 years and they couldn’t help me,” says Wade. “I couldn’t even get other companies to talk with me. I was calling everyone and someone suggested this new company in the area, Fields Insurance. So I called, and Michael answered the phone.” 

Wade adds that he couldn’t believe the west Tennessee dialect he was hearing — which sounded exactly like his own — and that he and Michael discovered they were born and raised in neighboring towns in Tennessee. 

While it was fun to discover that connection, Wade says that what really stood out was how Fields Insurance was able to get a policy for his newly inherited home when others couldn’t. 

“I have recommended Fields Insurance to two dozen people in the last six months,” says Wade. “I say, ‘Quit calling everybody. Call Fields!’” 

Wade says that his State Farm agent later told him that his policy on a home he owns in Tennessee was going to be cancelled, so he reached out to Fields Insurance again, and again, Michael was able to help. 

“I saved tons of money,” Wade says, so he also switched his policy on his Seffner home to Fields Insurance, as well. “What a relief!” 

Wade also says that, for many years, he has rented a parking lot to park cars in during the Plant City Strawberry Festival. Last year, the doctor he rents the parking lot from told Wade he needed to have a $1-million liability policy. 

“I didn’t have a clue who to talk to about that,” Wade says, “so I called Fields and they had a policy for me within a week.” 

And, Wade adds, “Talk about customer service! They called me again (a few weeks ago) to ask if I need another policy for this year’s Strawberry Festival” (which begins Feb. 29). 

Michael says he invites those who are insurance price shopping or who have questions about insurance to give him a call anytime. 

“Quotes are free,” he says, “and it doesn’t hurt to get a quote. We try to work with everyone the best we possibly can and make it as simple as possible.” 

And, Nancy adds that they love serving the communities of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. 

“We love the community connection here,” she says. “We’ve gotten season tickets to the Bucs and we’ve gone to Lightning games with our daughter. We love all the restaurants and how close everything is to us here.” 

Fields Insurance is located at 2600 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Ste. C1, in Wesley Chapel. For more information or for a quote on your home, auto, business or other property insurance needs, call (813) 651-0094, visit FieldsInsuranceAgency.com.

Army Vet’s O.M. Yoga & Training Teaches Mindfulness, Mobility & More 

Alan Torres (Center) of O.M. Yoga & Training is certified as both a personal trainer and a yoga instructor, and he is happy to come to your home or office or a park. (Photo provided by Alan Torres)

Alan Torres was studying business at Cleveland State University in Ohio in 2014 when he says moving in with his uncle changed his life.

Alan’s uncle talked about his days in the U.S. Army, and it inspired Alan to “be all that he could be” by enlisting, as well.

“I always cared about people and I wanted to serve,” says Alan, “and I wanted to max out my own potential and give myself a challenge.”

The Army gave Alan the opportunity to do just that. He served in field artillery with the Army from 2014-18.

Alan was based out of Fort Bragg, NC, and was deployed for nine months to northern Syria.

“It was the biggest experience of my life,” he says. But, he decided one deployment was enough for him, so he left the Army when his contract ended.

Alan says that time in his life, after his service, was difficult. He didn’t have any direction, started gaining weight, didn’t want to leave the house and noticed changes in the way he was handling himself. He says he had a lot of fear and aggression and began boiling over at simple things.

He realized that he was navigating the difficult experiences he had while deployed, and he wanted to change.

“When I came back to yoga, it was a last resort trying to manage myself,” he says. “It gave me the ability to manage my emotions and thoughts, and space to heal.”

Alan had been introduced to yoga back in his college days, and when he needed it most, he says yoga helped him learn to turn his reactions into response.

Three years ago, he moved to Fort Myers, FL, to live near his mom, then decided to continue his studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Communication in 2021.

“I had no plans at all post-graduation,” he says, “but somehow, it all lined up.”

He realized his passion for yoga could help others like himself who wanted to be more mindful.

He began taking classes and eventually was certified with a 200-hour yoga instructor certificate from My Vinyasa Practice in Austin, TX. He also earned a certification in Pranayama, which is an ancient Indian practice that focuses on breathing techniques.

Alan also earned a personal training diploma and certification from the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) in Tampa in 2022.

The yoga and personal training certifications, along with his communication degree, made his next step feel natural.

He launched an insured mobile business offering one-on-one and group yoga instruction, mobility training, traditional personal training sessions and workout programs.

Why Is It Called ‘O.M.?’

Alan says his business is named “O.M.” Yoga & Training for multiple reasons. One is the military term, “Oscar Mike.” When used as a call sign, “Oscar Mike” is interpreted as code for “On the Move.”

“Being that we are a mobile and veteran-owned company that promotes holistic wellness through intentional body movement, staying ‘On the Move’ is a vital part of our mission,” says Alan. “Addition- ally, O.M. also pays tribute to the roots and history of yoga. In the yoga realm, ‘om’ is recognized as the highest vibration and purest energy that connects all things in existence. ‘Om’ symbolizes the positive experiences and meaningful connections we aim to cultivate.”

He brings his classes to you, whether you want to practice in your home, office, or a nearby park.

“I bring everything you need,” he says. “If you don’t have a mat, I bring the mat. I bring props, bolsters, straps, a speaker, my playlist, even aromatherapy. I bring a full yoga studio to your location.”

He says this is especially helpful for people like him, who don’t feel they fit in at the typical yoga studio.

“I want to help people who want to gain confidence and build the fundamentals,” he says, “then they can do their own thing, if they want.”

Besides the mindfulness that yogis learn, the practice of yoga offers other benefits, as well. Alan says his instruction also focuses on stress reduction and the need to decompress through everyday life. Every class opens and closes with meditation, which helps yoga practitioners come into the present moment, leaving behind the chaos of work or traffic or whatever their lives have just thrown at them.

He says yoga also helps with mobility. He teaches people to have better movement quality so they set themselves up to age more gracefully. He is careful to teach the correct alignment for every yoga pose so his clients don’t risk being injured.

Alan says he typically first works with people once or twice to be sure he’s a good fit, then offers packages of eight classes.

Most people prefer classes once or twice a week. After they’ve finished their packages with Alan, they might feel more comfortable going to a local studio or practicing yoga on their own.

He also offers group lessons for anyone who has a group of friends or family members who want to learn together, but emphasizes that individual lessons go much deeper.

“I pride myself on connecting,” Alan says, “especially when it’s one-on-one. It’s amazing to watch people change.

Sometimes when I first meet them, they’re down, they’re quiet, but, in a month or two, there’s a big change. That’s so rewarding.”

He says his prices are based on how far he has to travel from his home, so while he travels as far as Sarasota, clients in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area will find his fees more affordable.

Although O.M. Yoga & Training is a fairly new company that doesn’t have many Google reviews yet, every single review Alan has received is five out of five stars.

For example, Jessica Washington says, “Alan can change your life, whether it be in gaining strength, learning to breathe and release tension, setting intentions or simply learning mobility through his well thought out yoga classes.”

Aaron Baca’s review says Alan is a “phenomenal teacher. (His) explanations during each session (are) second to none. Five stars each time he comes out and gives a class!”

It’s incredibly meaningful for this Army veteran to connect with people who benefit from learning yoga.

“I’m very passionate about what I do,” says Alan. “I’ve learned how to manage my- self and I want to share that with people.”

For more information about O.M. Yoga & Training, visit OMYogaandTraining.com or email AlanatOscarMikeYT@gmail.com.

You also can call or text him (813) 334-6336.

These Seniors At Wesley Chapel’s High Schools Were Voted As Outstanding! 

It’s that time of year again, when high school seniors approach the finish line, reflecting on all that they’ve accomplished in high school and getting ready for graduation. Valedictorians at each school will be named and will receive accolades for having their school’s highest grade point average. 

Wesley Chapel’s public high schools also each honor an overall outstanding senior, recognized for being well-rounded leaders on campus, while also maintaining excellence academics. At each school, students vote for who they think should represent their class as their school’s most outstanding senior, and then the faculty votes to choose the winner. 

Please note that one of Wesley Chapel’s high schools — the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation — doesn’t have a senior class this year, so no Kirkland student is featured below. Even so, we offer our congratulations to the outstanding seniors at each of the other three high schools in Wesley Chapel. 

Cypress Creek High 
Katya La Costa 

Katya La Costa maintains a 4.4 GPA, is an athlete who captains the varsity volleyball team and was a track & field Regional qualifier. She also leads key events and clubs, and is her school’s go-to videographer. 

She started a spirit club to organize dress up days, decorates for games and even started away game buses for students, explains Cassie Adley, Cypress Creek High’s college and career specialist. 

Katya also started a brunch for new students, where they are invited to share a meal and make connections. 

“She advertises everything on social media with clever posts and phenomenal videography,” Cassie explains. “At the start of the brunch, Katya plays her video which introduces key people at the school, clubs, school spirit, online platforms and more.” 

Katya plans to pursue nursing and participated in a pilot internship program at the University of South Florida while still a student at Cypress Creek. While maintaining impressive grades, extracurricular leadership, sports and an internship, she also worked part-time at Ice Dreammm Shop. 

“Katya is one of a kind,” says Cassie. “She is intelligent…motivated….respectful… hard- working…kind-hearted…and diligent.” 

Wesley Chapel High 
Joshua Moua 

Joshua Moua is an Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma candidate, which means he not only took rigorous AP classes, but went above and beyond to earn the Capstone designation by taking designated AP classes that develop skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing and presenting. 

Beyond the classroom, Joshua is president of Wesley Chapel High’s Student Government, National Spanish, National English and National Honor Societies, and secretary of the school’s National Social Studies Honor Society. He is a graduate of Youth Leadership Pasco County, founded and serves as president of the school’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) club and is the co-founder and co-president of the school’s first ever Asian Student Association. 

“We are so pleased to have Joshua represent our class,” says Kelly Faysash, Wesley Chapel High’s college and career specialist. “He is a dynamic, motivated young man who truly recognizes the importance of education. He is a model for our students in perseverance, responsibility, initiative and creativity.” 

His nomination letter calls him “a friend to everyone,” saying he “sets the standard” for other students to look up to as an example of good citizenship. 

“Joshua has a very bright future ahead of him and we are thrilled to call him a Wildcat,” adds Kelly. 

Wiregrass Ranch High 
Tanmay Patil 

Tanmay Patil’s rigorous academic classes have included many Advanced Placement courses, and despite the challenge, he has maintained a perfect, unweighted 4.0 grade point average. 

“Throughout his high school career, he has taken honors, dual enrollment and AP level coursework,” explains Diamela Vergne, assistant principal at Wiregrass Ranch High. “For this school year, Tanmay was the only student at the school who qualified as a National Merit Scholar semifinalist.” 

He did that by scoring an impressive 1480 on his PSAT exam, a score he later topped by earning a near-perfect 1560 on the SATs. 

While his academic record is impressive, Tanmay also serves as president of one of the largest clubs in the school, the service-oriented Key Club, with 115 members. He also is his school’s ambassador for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In addition, Tanmay also volunteers at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hospital as part of his school’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. 

“Tanmay embodies exemplary scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and service,” says Diamela. 

SOHO Wellness Med Spa Brings A South Tampa Experience To Wesley Chapel 

Becky (left) and her mother Debbie Dubikas are the owners of two SOHO Med Spas, including the location in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Long-time former aesthetician Becky Dubikas and her mom, certified hypnotherapist Debbie Dubikas, came up with the idea to collaborate and open a business together in 2014, providing their services to clients in South Tampa at their SOHO Wellness Med Spa on S. Blvd. 

Over the past nine years, they have added services and considered how to make the experience of visiting SOHO Wellness Med Spa more relaxing and sensual as they offer personalized treatments in cosmetics (also known as cosmetic services) for skin and for body. 

Becky and Debbie have lovingly built up their business — even as they have stepped away from providing services at their med spa themselves — so much that they knew they needed to open a second location to keep up with demand. 

They chose Wesley Chapel, opening a new med spa this past May in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off of S.R. 56, between I-75 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. 

They named their med spa SOHO, for the “South Howard” (Ave.) area of Tampa, a part of the Hyde Park neighborhood that is home to the pair’s original location. Becky and Debbie recognized that areas of large cities also called SOHO are often the most high-end areas of those cities throughout the world, and Becky and Debbie want their clients to know that SOHO Med Spa is a high-quality boutique spa that brings an abundance of services together. 

What started as a mother and daughter merging their specialties together has evolved into a relaxing, luxurious med spa that has any service you need in skin care, cosmetics and body treatments all under one roof. 

“Today we offer a wide range of services from each category,” says Becky, “From injections and Botox to cosmetic machines, body treatments such as wraps and scrubs and basic facials to dermaplaning, microneedling, and peels — even laser hair removal.” 

Becky says clients love that the place they go to get their monthly massage also can be the place they get a facial or even Botox or facial fillers. 

Laser hair removal with the Soprano ICE Platinum machine by Alma is quick and painless.

She says laser hair removal is a new service being rolled out at both locations. Debbie and Becky have held off on offering the service as they were evaluating the very large number of machines available on the market to ensure they chose the very best one for their clients — the Soprano ICE Platinum by Alma. 

“The machine is awesome,” Becky says. “It’s absolutely painless and we’re excited to launch it in both locations.” 

Becky says the Wesley Chapel location of SOHO Wellness Med Spa was designed to create a clean, modern space that is relaxing and calming, while their South Tampa location is a little more “homey.” 

Both locations feature a relaxation lounge, showers and an infrared sauna. Anyone taking advantage of the spa’s packages can use the relaxation lounge to wait between services. 

Anytime a client is scheduled for more than one service, they are given a robe so they don’t have to get dressed and undressed as they move from room to room. 

Use of the infrared sauna is complimentary with the purchase of spa services, along with extras such as champagne, wine or a mimosa, hot tea or coffee, and snacks. 

Amazing Reviews… 

Becky also says the Wesley Chapel location is growing and getting busier, and that people have had wonderful things to say about it when they come in. 

In fact, every Google review posted for SOHO Wellness Wesley Chapel so far has been five out of five stars. 

“I went in for a glow facial, infrared sauna and therapeutic massage and had the most relaxing experience,” says Emmalee Gregory in her Google review. “The spa was beautiful and decorated to perfection. The girls at SOHO all had a great attitude and I can’t wait to go back!” 

A review from Darieliz Lopez echoes Emmalee’s compliments. 

“This new location is so beautiful and I absolutely loved my experience,” Darieliz says. “The front desk staff were very welcoming and made me feel at home before my services. My aesthetician and massage therapist were so sweet and very knowledgeable, too. I can’t wait to book again!” 

Lip fillers are a popular service at the Wesley Chapel location of the SOHO Wellness Med Spa 
(Photo from SOHO-Wellness.com). 

Becky wants everyone who walks through the doors to feel comfortable and have as wonderful an experience as Emmalee and Darieliz did. 

“We want to provide people in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area with excellent services so they will hopefully find their home with us,” Becky says. 

She describes SOHO Wellness as “kind of an oasis of wellness where cosmetics and relaxation combine.” She believes so strongly in this idea that she and her mom made “Where Cosmetics and Relaxation Combine” their tagline for the spa. 

Becky explains that means your cosmetic procedures are provided as part of a spa experience. You won’t be rushed in and out for a 15-minute appointment like you might be at a clinical facility such as a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office. 

All medical procedures are performed by a nurse practitioner and overseen by medical director Joseph Castellano, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon who also has his own practice in Tampa. 

If you have questions about the wide variety of services, discounts and specials, or how to address a specific skin, cosmetic, or body issue, the friendly staff at SOHO Wellness Med Spa is happy to take your phone call and discuss the many options available. 

Every service starts with a consultation to make sure the staff understands each client’s goals and is ready to meet his or her expectations. 

There also is a variety of packages that are designed to help clients save money, or you can “buy and bank” services, such as purchasing a package of five services, for example, and get one free. 

Appointments can be made quickly and easily online at SOHO-wellness.com. Also, be sure to check the website for specials, which change every month. 

For those who read this article, Becky and Debbie are offering a new client special of $10 off any service at the Wesley Chapel location if you mention that you saw this story in the Neighborhood News. 

To make an appointment or for more information about SOHO Wellness Med Spa’s Wesley Chapel location (2008 Ashley Oaks Cir.)., call (813) 512-6920 or visit SOHO-wellness.com. 

Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Moves To Raymond James Stadium! 

For many years, New Tampa’s annual “Relay For Life” would bounce back and forth between Freedom and Wharton high schools, raising funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. (ACS). 

Coming out of Covid, when the event had to be held virtually, organizers have had to consider new ways to make the event exciting and increasingly successful. 

Last year, New Tampa joined forces with other areas to host the North Tampa Relay For Life, and this year, North/New Tampa has combined with South Tampa, East Hillsborough, and the Fishhawk/ Bloomingdale area to form one giant event. 

Called the “Relay For Life of Greater Tampa Bay,” this year’s event will be held at Raymond James Stadium beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, carrying on throughout the night, and ending at 5 a.m. on Sunday, March 3. 

Relay for Life is always a free event to attend, where the community comes together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against this dreaded disease. 

While this year’s Relay will be a large combination of people and events that have previously taken place all over the Tampa Bay area, New Tampa still will be well represented. 

“We have 19 schools from North Tampa participating, plus businesses, churches and community partners,” says Tori Millington, one of the event leads. 

Tori is a 2017 graduate of Freedom High. She has been participating in Relay For Life since she was just a kid. It was 12 years ago when she first walked alongside her mom, Carol, whose childhood best friend was battling cancer at that time. 

“I fell in love with the event,” says Tori. “And more and more people in my life were affected by cancer.” 

Unfortunately, Carol’s best friend, Claire, ultimately lost that battle, as did Tori’s grandfather. 

Those events — and the influence of Relay For Life — have touched Tori deeply. So much so, in fact, that she is now a medical student at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, studying to be an oncologist. 

“We say we Relay for a world with more birthdays,” says Tori. “Right now cancer is a big deal and scary, and holds a lot of meaning. But one day, we’ll live in a world where cancer is in the history books.” 

She says money raised from the event not only funds research, but also services for patients, such as transportation to appointments, wigs and makeup, and even hotels for family members while they are undergoing treatment. 

“Participating in Relay has made me realize how much work needs to be done and how it takes every dollar we’re raising to help every single person along the way,” says Tori. “They don’t need to worry about treatments while they’re going through them.” 

As an undergraduate honors student at UCF, she started doing research to fight cancer in new and innovative ways. In April, she’ll present that research in San Diego, CA, at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research. 

She explains that her research looks at a molecule that has a high level of cancer cells and identifies the genes that transport it. Hopefully, this could lead to a therapeutic drug that would block the transport system, depleting the cells of that molecule. 

“I’m very proud of Tori,” says Carol. “She’s always known that she wanted to be a doctor and she’s followed through and become so involved.” 

Carol and Tori (photo, above left) emphasize that the Relay is not a race — it’s more like an all-night party. While some team members do walk the track throughout the event, for the community, it’s a free event with performances, games and food, plus a free dinner for survivors and their caregivers and a ceremony to honor those who have been lost. 

Survivors and their caregivers also walk the first lap (top photo), and a luminaria ceremony is held at 9 p.m. 

While the Relay will run all night, there are security checks as it gets later into the evening, so it’s recommended that the general public come out to experience all the fun from 3 p.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday. 

(L.-r.) Abby, Natalie & A.J. Glass at the 2023 Relay for Life at Freedom High. All photos provided to the Neighborhood News.

One of the many team members who will be out at the event is Freedom High senior A.J. Glass, who is heading up the school’s team sponsored by its Math Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta. 

Like Tori, A.J. has been involved with the event for years, first participating when he was just nine years old. 

Back then, his aunt Kimberly Gonzalez led a team of participants at Clark Elementary, so he joined her team. Now, Kimberly and A.J.’s mom, Natalie Glass, lead a team at Freedom together, and A.J. is the captain of the team.

“The event itself is so fun and exciting,” says A.J. “It really is a celebration and [the goal is] to fundraise as much as possible. It brings people back year after year. This year, being at RayJay, it will be on a much larger scale and hopefully it will be that much more fun.” 

He says that while some high school students only show up because they are looking for service hours, they can’t help but leave with an appreciation for both survivors and caregivers and a better understanding of the ultimate goal of all the fund raising. 

Relay For Life of Greater Tampa Bay is free and open to the public. For more information, visit RelayforLife.org/tampabayfl.