Welcome to the 2026 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast Men on a Mission feature, a biennial multimedia series highlighting a diverse group of men helping shape more proactive and innovative approaches to health and well-being across the region. Extending beyond the print issue to NAGulfCoast.com and the magazine’s social media platforms throughout June, this special section offers readers multiple ways to engage with the stories, perspectives and expertise shared by this year’s featured practitioners, professionals and community leaders.
Carefully chosen by Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast publisher Michelle Smith—a board-certified functional medicine health and wellness coach—this year’s edition brings together individuals from a wide range of disciplines, including financial wellness, physical therapy, expert farm-fresh chefs, functional neurology, holistic and natural medicine and faith-based leadership. While their professional paths differ, they share a commitment to helping others build healthier, more balanced and purpose-driven lives.
Across the Gulf Coast, conversations surrounding wellness continue to evolve beyond symptom management alone, placing greater emphasis on prevention, resilience, education and whole-person care. The men featured in this year’s series reflect the growing shift through work that supports physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, spiritual connection and nourishing lifestyle choices.
More than a collection of professional profiles, Men on a Mission highlights educators, innovators and advocates whose work has positively impacted individuals, families and communities throughout the region. Through research, leadership, hands-on care and service-centered businesses, these practitioners help Natural Awakenings fulfill its mission of connecting, educating and empowering readers to live healthier and more fulfilled lives.
Readers are encouraged to explore this year’s Men on a Mission feature, discover new perspectives and connect with professionals and resources that support informed, intentional and life-enhancing approaches to well-being.
S. WESLEY CARPENTER
MANAGING DIRECTOR
MANAGING DIRECTOR, The Harty Carpenter Group,
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Fairhope, AL
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and member SIPC. MLPF&S is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. The Bull symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.
S. Wesley Carpenter is a wealth management adviser with The Harty Carpenter Group at Merrill Lynch, in Fairhope. He works with a select group of professionals, business owners and retirees, helping them build long-term strategies focused on wealth preservation and growth across their financial lives.
Carpenter is co-founder of The Harty Carpenter Group, one of the preeminent wealth advisory teams in the Southeast. Over the past two decades, he has built a team that emphasizes honest, upfront advice and highly customized planning. The group has been named to Forbes’ “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list for the past four years.
Carpenter has been recognized by numerous industry publications. He was named to Barron’s “Top 1,500 Financial Advisors” list from 2021 to 2026 and to Forbes’ “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list for the seventh consecutive year in 2026. Earlier in his career, he was honored by Financial Planning magazine as one of the “Top 40 Advisors Under 40” in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to his advisory role, Carpenter serves as the senior resident director of Merrill Lynch’s Fairhope office, providing leadership, mentorship and oversight within the local market.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in commerce and business administration, with a concentration in finance and a minor in economics, from the University of Alabama.
Outside of work, Carpenter enjoys Alabama football, offshore fishing, golf and spending time with his wife, Aeana, and their two sons, Quin and Wells.
He is active in the community and has served in leadership and board roles with several local organizations including the Community Foundation of South Alabama, Coastal 150, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Leadership Initiative, Leadership Baldwin County, Business Council of Alabama, St. Lawrence Catholic Parish, the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, Mobile Touchdown Club, Red Elephant Club and the Sigma Nu Alumni Association.
Merrill Lynch, The Harty Carpenter Group
251-990-2361 • ML.com
DR. JIMMY STEGER ND, PhD, DNM
Dr. Jimmy Steger’s Wholistic Healthcare
Mobile, AL
Naturopathy was the earliest known healing system. Before surgery and synthetic isolation of chemical substances, foods, water and whole herbs were used for a wide range of issues. Dr. Jimmy Steger employs natural medicine protocols in his wholistic approach to health care.
Dr. Jimmy Steger is a world-renowned naturopathic doctor, nutritionist and doctor of natural medicine with more than 45 years in natural medicine. As the president and CEO of J.S. Training Systems in Mobile, Steger offers a comprehensive approach to wholistic health care through his health club, martial arts training facility and wholistic clinic. He specializes in nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, iridology and professional training.
Steger’s clinic integrates naturopathy, orthomolecular medicine, nutrition, and herbal and homeopathic remedies to promote healing of body and mind. Customized nutrition is the cornerstone of his approach, which focuses on restoring the body’s optimal environment by correcting biochemical imbalances with natural substances, including vitamins, minerals and amino acids, to support patients’ long-term health.
Inspired by his grandfather, the first medical doctor in Arkansas, Steger’s interest in wellness began at age 5. By age 12, he had eliminated all refined sugar, white flour and junk food from his diet, a foundational step in his lifelong commitment to health.
Steger has authored three books: Nutrition Factor, Better Health Secrets and Nutrition and Disease. His global clientele—90 percent of whom consult with him online—seek his expertise for a variety of diseases. He employs a range of natural medicine protocols, starting with nutrition and extending to herbal medicine, homeopathy, iridology, CranioSacral Therapy, shiatsu and reflexology.
One notable case involved a patient facing a double-leg amputation due to gangrene. Through a stringent nutritional regimen, the patient experienced a remarkable recovery, regaining full health within 90 days.
Steger’s dedication to providing “real answers” to those who have had it with pharmaceuticals and are “sick and tired of being sick and tired” underscores his holistic approach to health care. “This is why I get out of bed in the morning: to help everyone have the best health possible,” says Steger.
Those interested in Steger’s programs are encouraged to call for a consultation to discuss their individual needs, ask questions and learn how the Steger Health Care Systems approach can benefit their overall health, naturally.
Dr. Jimmy Steger’s Wholistic Healthcare
251-660-1240 • DrJimmySteger.com
DR. J. DOUGLAS BROWN
DC, DACNB NEUROLOGY, FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Mind Performance Center Foley, AL
Specializing in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and brain disorders, Dr. J. Douglas Brown provides a comprehensive approach to conditions such as dementia and treatment-resistant depression, with lifelong results, using the combined disciplines of dTMS BrainsWay and functional medicine to correct brain pathway imbalances.
Dr. J. Douglas Brown, a board-certified neurologist and diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, serves patients with a dedication to enhancing mental clarity and brain functionality. His passion for neuroscience led him to obtain a doctor of chiropractic degree in 1994 and further his studies in neurology in the late 1990s and 2000s, completing two fellowships in neurology. Within the last 15 years, Brown has completed additional fellowships in integrative psychiatry and functional medicine. By merging functional medicine, neurology, functional neurology and deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), he has developed treatment approaches tailored to individual patients.
Brown was the first practitioner to introduce TMS therapy in Alabama, helping expand access to noninvasive therapies focused on improving brain function and neurological recovery. His practice integrates the ReCODE protocol developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen with Deep TMS technology from BrainsWay to support neural pathways and encourage the brain’s ability to adapt and heal.
Believing that effective neurological care requires a comprehensive approach, Brown combines functional medicine, neurological rehabilitation and nutraceutical support to address conditions such as anxiety, ADD, ADHD, autism, traumatic brain injuries, dementia and memory-related disorders. He treats a wide range of patients, from children experiencing developmental challenges to adults recovering from accidents, cognitive decline and severe mood disorders.
Rather than focusing on symptom management, Brown works to identify and address underlying neurological imbalances that may be contributing to diminished quality of life. He has helped patients regain cognitive function, improve mobility and restore independence, often after exhausting conventional options. His goal is to improve quality of life not only for patients, but also for the families and caregivers supporting them. “Medication may help manage symptoms, but true healing requires addressing the brain pathways and root causes involved,” Brown says. He continues to serve patients throughout Foley, Daphne, Fairhope and Gulf Shores, plus nationwide through telemedicine. S
Mind Performance Center • 251-597-8787
DR. ERIC HANKINS PhD, LEAD PASTOR
First Baptist Church, Fairhope, AL
Dr. Eric Hankins pastors a group of believers who are first loved and motivated to love first. Through compassionate leadership and faith-centered teaching, his mission at First Fairhope is to help individuals and families grow in purpose, hope and spiritual connection.
Dr. Eric Hankins has spent decades guiding individuals and families through faith-centered leadership, compassionate care and a commitment to spiritual growth. As lead pastor of First Baptist Church Fairhope, also known as First Fairhope, Hankins continues to make a meaningful impact across the Gulf Coast through ministry focused on discipleship, encouragement and community connection.
Raised in southwest Louisiana, Hankins felt called into ministry at age 18 and began serving churches while completing his education. His academic path culminated in a Ph.D. in theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Over the years, he has served churches in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, bringing a steady, relationship-centered approach to pastoral leadership rooted in both biblical teaching and personal connection.
Since arriving at First Fairhope in 2016 following 12 years as pastor of First Baptist Church Oxford, Mississippi, Hankins has emphasized expository preaching, Spirit-led leadership and shepherding care for individuals and families. His ministry vision centers on helping the church fulfill what he describes as its “world-changing, disciple-making kingdom purpose.”
Beyond the pulpit, Hankins has also connected with audiences through podcasts as well as several inspirational articles published in Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast. His writing reflects the same thoughtful, grounded and encouraging perspective that defines his ministry and leadership style.
Married for 33 years to Janet, his middle school sweetheart, Hankins values faith, family and service above all else. Together they have three children and four grandchildren. Whether preaching, mentoring, traveling on mission trips or simply walking alongside members of the community through life’s challenges, Hankins remains passionate about helping others discover purpose, hope and deeper spiritual connection.
One guiding principle continues to shape his ministry: “If you please God, it doesn’t matter who you displease.”
First Baptist Church Fairhope • 251-928-8685 • FirstFairhope.org
DR. DANIEL BISHOP
DPT, OWNER
Bishop Physical Therapy & Complex Spine Therapy
Daphne, AL
Helping patients restore mobility and reduce chronic pain through advanced physical therapy and integrative spine care, Daniel Bishop, DPT, specializes in nonsurgical approaches for complex spine disorders, orthopedic injuries, balance and vestibular conditions, concussions and long-term musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Dr. Daniel Bishop, founder of Complex Spine Therapy and Bishop Physical Therapy, is helping Gulf Coast patients rethink what is possible when it comes to chronic spine conditions and long-term pain recovery. A doctor of physical therapy with more than 23 years of experience, Bishop specializes in nonsurgical treatment approaches for complex spine disorders, including degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis and sciatica.
His passion for healing is deeply personal. After suffering a traumatic car accident in high school that resulted in a spinal fusion and lengthy rehabilitation, Bishop experienced firsthand the challenges of recovery. That experience shaped his commitment to helping others avoid unnecessary surgeries and dependence on pain medications.
Bishop combines advanced physical therapy with regenerative and integrative techniques, including dry needling, high-intensity laser therapy, PEMF therapy, decompression, Advanced Postural Biomechanical Correction and lifestyle guidance. His patient-centered approach focuses on restoring function, reducing inflammation and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.
Known for his compassionate and determined approach, Bishop has treated more than 20,000 complex spine cases. Many patients who arrive after exhausting conventional treatment options report significant reductions in pain, improved mobility and a renewed quality of life through his comprehensive care model.
Bishop Physical Therapy
251-626-7778
DR. ROBERT WAYNE MASHBURN
HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER
Foley Thyroid Center
@enrG Wellness, Foley, AL
Transforming lives and promoting lifelong health through a holistic, functional medicine approach, Dr. Robert Wayne Mashburn focuses on identifying root causes of illness and disease using testing and therapeutic tools.
Dr. Robert Wayne Mashburn is recognized for his expertise in applied kinesiology and his commitment to helping patients uncover the root causes of chronic health concerns. Using a functional medicine and holistic approach, he works with individuals who often continue experiencing symptoms despite being told that conventional testing shows little or nothing wrong.
By combining applied kinesiology with functional medicine principles, Mashburn evaluates a wide range of potential contributors to illness, including heavy metals, bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, chemical toxins and genetic factors. His goal is to identify underlying imbalances that may be interfering with the body’s ability to heal and function optimally.
Known for his thorough approach, Mashburn develops personalized wellness strategies tailored to each patient’s needs. One of the tools he incorporates into his care plans includes custom tinctures designed to support the body’s natural healing processes. He also emphasizes the importance of nutrition, lifestyle factors and targeted supplementation.
Many patients seek out Mashburn after years of unresolved symptoms and limited success through conventional medical channels. Individuals dealing with chronic fatigue, unexplained symptoms and persistent health challenges often report renewed hope and meaningful improvements.
Located inside enrG Wellness, Mashburn’s practice emphasizes whole-person wellness by considering the physical, emotional and environmental factors that may impact health. Through compassionate care and detailed evaluations, he continues helping patients pursue long-term wellness.
Foley Thyroid Center @enrG Wellness
251-943-9355 • FoleyThyroidCenter.com
HUNTER HARRIS
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Press & Co.
Daphne, AL
Creating a healthy and restorative atmosphere at Press & Co., in the heart of Olde Towne Daphne, Executive Chef Hunter Harris presents a clean-eating café and juicery experience centered around fresh, seasonal cuisine designed to feel both nourishing and satisfying.
Hunter Harris, executive chef of Press & Co., is known for creating ingredient-driven menus rooted in thoughtful sourcing, hospitality and health-conscious cooking.
At the organic-focused café and juicery in Olde Town Daphne, Harris leads the culinary vision behind a menu designed to make healthy eating feel both approachable and genuinely satisfying. From vibrant seasonal dishes to organic coffee, smoothies, fresh-pressed juices and house specialties, every detail centers on quality ingredients and intentional preparation.
Press & Co. proudly cooks using only avocado oil, focusing on clean, high-quality ingredients guests can feel good about. Harris is also known for accommodating a wide range of dietary needs, working closely with guests to create meals that fit their lifestyle without sacrificing flavor, experience or portion size.
Since Press & Co. opened in 2023, Harris has consistently created weekly specials to feature a new entrée and chef side. Guests have come to know Press & Co. for consistent quality and food that feels nourishing and craveable.
“I’ve always believed food should feel both nourishing and memorable,” Harris says. “We care deeply about where our ingredients come from and the experience guests have when they walk through our doors. Whether it’s locally sourced seafood, organic produce or fresh-baked sourdough, every ingredient has a purpose.”
Today, Press & Co. continues to evolve as a reflection of what matters most to Harris: great food, meaningful hospitality, faith, family, community and health. His wife, Amber Harris, works alongside him as Press & Co.’s general manager.
Press & Co.
251-314-0778 • PressNCo.com
ERNIE FOUNDAS
EXECUTIVE CHEF, CO-OWNER
Suis Generis & Tiki Food Lab
New Orleans, LA
Pearlington, MS
Ernie Foundas is the executive chef and co-owner of Suis Generis restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Tiki Food Lab on the SG Tiki Farm in Pearlington, Mississippi. He is an expert in fermentation, zero-waste cooking and culinary farming.
Sharing knowledge of delicious healthy living is a primary mission of Suis Generis and the Tiki Food Lab. The Bywater restaurant features a weekly-changing menu loaded with beneficial microbe-rich foods. The Tiki Food Lab is a learning center and special events venue with cooking classes, farm tours and chef-curated tasting menus. Events focus on farm-fresh probiotic-rich foods, techniques to lower salt content and the creation of complex vegan “fish” sauces. Exotic ingredients from the SG Tiki Farm are cultivated and incorporated into an array of misos, koshos, jangs, soy sauces, tofu, wines, vinegars, and other lacto and amino ferments. These types of fermented foods nourish the microbiome and are easy to make at home.
Minimizing waste in times of high food costs is essential. Each weekly menu at Suis Generis dictates the next, driving innovation in fermentation, food preservation, and composting practices that minimize food waste and maximize resourcefulness. The zero-waste program and Tiki Food Lab provide an ideal platform for community outreach and education on kansha—respect for ingredients.
Probiotics are the rage. People pay big money for probiotic supplements manufactured by chemical companies. Suis Generis, through its Tiki Food Lab and Umami Research Center, produces a mind-blowing range of fermented foods bursting with microbiome-boosting probiotics. Food experiences can be booked on the Tiki Food Lab website, and private events can be scheduled by contacting Chef Ernie directly. A day at the SG Tiki Farm is like being swept away on a South Pacific vacation, right down the road.
Suis Generis & Tiki Food Lab
504-338-2986 • TikiFoodLab.com
DR. PHILLIP GREER
DDS, FOUNDER
Sweet Water Dentistry
Fairhope, AL
For Dr. Phillip Greer, dentistry is about building trust, serving wholeheartedly and helping patients experience better health through compassionate care. As founder of Sweet Water Dentistry, he has created a practice that combines advanced dental technology with a relationship-centered environment inspired by faith, wellness and service.
A native of Mobile, Greer earned a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Auburn University before pursuing his doctor of dental surgery degree at Meharry Medical College. His professional path was influenced by the late Dr. John Morgan, a respected Mobile Bay orthodontist whose mentorship and service-minded example inspired Greer to pursue dentistry and continue a legacy of compassionate care.
Established in 2012 and nestled along Sweet Water Creek, the practice was designed to feel welcoming, surrounded by natural cold-water springs that help create a serene, relaxing atmosphere. Greer believes patients should feel informed, comfortable and genuinely cared for. His team emphasizes preventive dentistry, patient education and long-term wellness while offering family, cosmetic and implant dentistry supported by continuing education in laser and CEREC technology as well as implantology.
Patients frequently praise the compassionate environment Greer and his team have cultivated. Online reviews highlight the friendly staff, calming atmosphere and how patients feel genuinely cared for throughout their visits. One reviewer described the office as “beautiful and peaceful,” while others noted how welcomed and comfortable they felt during treatment.
Beyond the office, Greer has participated in dental mission work throughout Latin America, serving communities in Mexico, Honduras and Peru. His faith also plays a central role in the philosophy of Sweet Water Dentistry, where kindness, gentleness and encouragement are woven into the patient experience.
Sweet Water Dentistry • 251-210-2773
DAVID POPE
LMT #3956, CO-OWNER
Holding Space Healing Arts
Daphne, AL
Holding Space Healing Arts provides therapeutic bodywork and nervous system regulation in Daphne that supports pain-free movement and sustainable strength. Each session is tailored to address stress, chronic tension, burnout and pain. Skilled touch, breath and presence are used to help clients reconnect.
For Holding Space Healing Arts co-owner David Pope, helping others reconnect with their bodies and move through life with less pain is both a profession and a calling. A licensed massage therapist and corrective exercise specialist with background in both personal training and yoga therapy, Pope brings a whole-body approach to wellness that blends movement, recovery and mindful healing.
Working alongside his wife and co-owner, Joni Waites Pope, they create a calming, supportive environment where clients can slow down, reset and focus on long-term well-being. Their Daphne studio emphasizes nervous system regulation, therapeutic bodywork and personalized care designed to meet people where they are.
Pope’s background reflects a lifelong passion for movement and human performance. A former athlete with a degree in natural science from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, he later pursued advanced training in massage therapy, corrective exercise and performance enhancement. His work today integrates deep tissue therapy, mobility training, breathwork and restorative practices aimed at improving strength, flexibility and recovery.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Pope tailors each session to the individual, whether supporting athletes, active adults or those navigating chronic pain and stress. His goal is simple: to help clients build sustainable movement, reduce discomfort and experience a greater sense of balance in everyday life.
Call for a consultation to ask questions and discuss goals.
Holding Space Healing Arts
251-422-5101
@HoldingSpaceHealingArts
