My name is Michael Nead.  I am the cousin of Kyle and Mackenzie, the founders of WellBeyond.

I grew up in suburban Indianapolis and went to IUPUI, now known as IU Indy, majoring in political science.  During my high school and college years I worked in the restaurant industry and held every imaginable title, busboy, bartender, cook, manager; I did it all.  After graduation I hired on to a business consulting firm and have assisted dozens of small and medium sized businesses in a wide variety of industries.  My position allows me to wear many hats, and while juggling it all can be difficult, each day brings a new and often different challenge.

My interests outside of work are as varied as my roles at the office.  I enjoy the sport of weightlifting, eating far too richly at interesting and quirky restaurants, or cheering on my beloved Liverpool FC surrounded by some of my closest friends.  I also occasionally disgrace the game of golf with my attempts at stringing a few pars together.  As cliché as it may sound, I truly enjoy traveling and seeing the world, and have recently returned from quite the adventure with my brother Matthew, along with cousins Kyle and Mackenzie.

I’ve been involved with a multitude of charitable organizations over the course of my life and run an annual charitable drive with my soccer buddies to support a local group serving the unhoused and their animal companions. 

My life has been touched by several examples of the kind of loss and health issues that the foundation is looking to impact through its mission and charitable endeavors.  My grandfather on one side of the family underwent a quadruple bypass, the other a quintuple, and cancer has taken more than a few relatives far too early. 

I’m excited to see how WellBeyond can impact the lives of young people not only during the course of our work with them, but throughout their lives as we encourage and empower people of all ages to make healthier choices in the pursuit of healthier outcomes.

My name is Gary Nead. I’m the proud father of Michael and Matthew, and proud uncle to Kyle and Mackenzie who have inspired me deeply through the creation of the WellBeyond Foundation.

I grew up on a farm in North Central Indiana and graduated from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne in 1980. I started my career in the corporate world with a large drugstore chain but transitioned into entrepreneurship in 1995. Since then, I’ve worked with many small and medium-sized businesses, primarily in financial operations.

My heart has always been in service. I’ve been involved in global missions through the North Central Church of Christ in Indianapolis, leading trips to Honduras and co-founding Breaking Chains Ministry, where I served on the board for many years. I also served as President of the Fishers Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and continue to support several nonprofit boards today.

My personal journey has also been marked by love and loss. My wife Michelle passed away in 2022 after a nearly four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. More recently, in 2025, my partner Sharon was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. We are walking through that journey together now.

I still work quite a bit, but I enjoy it. When I’m not working, I love walking, playing pickleball, and eventually hope to play more golf.

I believe deeply in the mission of the WellBeyond Foundation. With the hearts and purpose behind it, I know it will create lasting impact.

My name is Lars Frederiksen. I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas (and have continued to endure being a Cowboys fan). I attended Texas A&M University, where I majored in Mechanical Engineering with a Business minor. After graduation, I moved to Houston, and after seven years there, my family and I returned to Dallas. I’m lucky enough to have made this move with my wonderful wife, Jordan, our perfect daughter, Nora (slightly less perfect at bedtime), and another daughter on the way, Caroline.

As a kid, I stayed busy playing multiple sports (some better than others), spending time with neighborhood friends, going to family events, and even taking ballet lessons (you can thank my sister for that one). While these experiences shaped who I am today, no influence was greater than my parents, Patsy and Jan Frederiksen. My dad taught me that character is measured by how you treat others, and he treated everyone with respect. When he passed away in 2004, I saw firsthand how many lives he had touched. The sheer number of people at his service, even some he had fired, was unforgettable.

That experience taught me a lesson I carry with me today: you never truly know what someone is going through, and a little respect and kindness can go a long way.

So when Kyle asked me to be a part of the WellBeyond Foundation, it was an easy yes. This is exactly the kind of mission my dad would have supported empowering young people to push themselves and achieve their goals. I’m blessed to be part of this foundation and beyond excited for the impact we can make together.

Hi! I’m Sydney Ungar and I’m so excited to be a part of the WellBeyond Foundation. I’m originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and yes I proudly question my life decisions every year between December and March!

I grew up in a family that prioritized service, whether it was volunteering at the local food shelf with my mom, helping kindergartners learn to read, or supporting youth sports alongside my siblings. These experiences taught me that caring for others is core to who we are as people.

In 2015, I moved to Indianapolis to attend Butler University (go Dawgs!) and pursue a degree in Health Sciences. It was there that I met Mackenzie, and my life immediately changed for the better. I still smile thinking about her cowgirl boots tucked in her dorm closet and the first time she braved a Midwest freeze without a proper winter coat.

I had the privilege of living with Mackenzie and her mom, Nancy, during PA school. Saturdays were for farmer’s markets and patio chats, and their warmth left a lasting mark on my heart.

After graduating, I returned to Minneapolis and now work as a Physician Assistant at a safety-net hospital downtown. I specialize in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and I’m deeply passionate about equitable healthcare and meeting patients where they are.

Outside of work, you’ll find me at hot yoga, exploring new coffee shops, walking around the lakes, or catching up with my book club. I live with my partner, Nathan, and we dream of traveling the world (and getting a puppy one day soon!).

Hi, my name is Mackenzie Phillips. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Though I left for college, I eventually found my way back home – Houston has always had my heart.

From a young age, I had a deep desire to help others. When I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a doctor or veterinarian. While the exact path shifted over time, the vision of working in the medical field never changed. I was involved in many charitable organizations growing up, including the National Charity League with my mom, Nancy Phillips.

In 2015, I moved to Indianapolis to attend Butler University, where I earned my degree and became a certified physician assistant.

After graduation, I moved back to Houston and began working at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in gastrointestinal medical oncology. It’s been an incredible opportunity to combine my love for medicine with a passion for sharing knowledge around health and wellness both physical and mental.

In my free time, you’ll usually find me hanging out with my dog Remi and whatever foster dog I have at the time. I love reading, traveling, spending time with friends and I have a serious sweet tooth that makes it hard to say no to dessert or candy.

My name is Kyle Phillips. I was born in Dallas, Texas, but spent most of my life growing up in Houston until recently, when I moved to the mountains of Colorado to embrace a new chapter.

From a young age, I had a deep love for sports, but basketball truly captured my heart. Following in the footsteps of my grandfather, Orville, I poured myself into the game playing competitively in high school and spending summers on the AAU circuit. Those years instilled a strong work ethic, a love for competition, and a drive to always push beyond limits.

After high school, I chose to hang up my competitive shoes and focus on academics. I attended Texas A&M University (Whoop!), where I earned my degree and began shaping my professional journey.

After graduation, I returned to Houston and discovered a new passion: endurance sports. What started as a curiosity quickly evolved into a lifestyle, a commitment to testing my limits physically and mentally.

Today, that same drive fuels the mission of the WellBeyond Foundation to challenge myself for something greater and empower others to live a life well beyond what they imagined possible.

In my free time, you can find me training, skiing or snowboarding in the winter, attempting to play golf in the summer, spending time with my dog Louie, camping in my van “Roamer,” attending church, watching Aggie sports, traveling, or enjoying time with friends.