The Lakelander

06/12/2026

You might have noticed No Limits SportsPlex has grown from a dream into a powerhouse for competitive volleyball with nearly 20 teams and 200 athletes.

But for its founders, Steve and Jena Ousley, success is measured less by the number of trophies and more by the opportunities the clubs provide athletes to grow and the character of the players leaving their gym.

Hear from some of the club's former athletes who are now playing collegiate and see how the Ousleys are putting no cap on what the future holds --> https://www.thelakelander.com/the-lakelander-issue-124/no-limits

06/09/2026

The competition for garnering the top competitive soccer players in Lakeland is fierce—but it's also purposeful.

Florida Tropics Academy, Kings Hammer Swan City and Lakeland Premier FC all offer their own brands, landscapes and cultures to build better soccer players who dream of playing at the next level.

If you're interested in the Wild West of the various levels of club soccer in Lakeland, we've put together a guide to help simplify the complex world of competitive soccer for players, parents and fans.

Go pick up a copy of our latest issue at a local stand or read the story online --> https://www.thelakelander.com/the-lakelander-issue-124/built-to-compete

💬 What's your experience navigating the competitive soccer landscape? SHARE YOUR STORY IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

06/04/2026

The sport of mountain biking often conjures images of steep, rocky climbs and epic downhill descents in places like Colorado or Utah. In Central Florida, however, the challenge is different, forcing a unique kind of creativity and grit from its riders.

This spirit defines the Lakeland Composite Mountain Bike Team, a youth club that is less about Olympic dreams and more about transforming lives, one rooted, flat, but challenging, singletrack loop at a time.

Get in the action by going into the woods with us to see the revolution taking place at Loyce E. Harpe Park --> https://www.thelakelander.com/the-lakelander-issue-124/the-island-of-misfit-toys

06/02/2026

The Rock Sports Lab didn't launch just to build better, stronger, smarter athletes—although the team is certainly doing that. Robby and Sherrie Sampson opened this grand venture to help shape athletes into the people God has created them to be with a faith-forward approach that includes personal training, group classes, camps and more.

Staffed by some of the leading trainers in the state, The Rock is for youth players, high school athletes and college athletes who are looking for high-end development of their bodies, minds and souls without leaving Lakeland.

Read what inspired this couple to go all-in on this dream --> https://www.thelakelander.com/the-lakelander-issue-124/building-better-humans

⚾ Check out their baseball and softball camps, coming June 8-11 and July 13-16 --> www.therocksportslab.com

05/27/2026

Strawberry Milkshake filling? Yes, please. In a world enamored with food art, Andrea Reed is just as meticulous about dialing in mouth-watering flavor as she is about perfecting details on cakes that are truly showstoppers.

The sweat equity she puts in with SweetCakes Bakery has created sweet results that put her in a tier of her own.

Get acquainted with the successful business owner and discover what could be a centerpiece for your next celebration --> https://www.thelakelander.com/the-lakelander-issue-123/as-good-as-it-looks

05/18/2026

When you buy local, you support success stories of businesses like Polk County Window & Door, LLC who have overcome extraordinary challenges to offer high quality products with top-notch customer service for more than 15 years now!

Whether you're looking for new installs or repairs, the company owned by Lakelanders Bill and Susan McCeldry offer American-made windows and doors with lifetime warranties.

Go behind the scenes with the business owners to hear how they've built something worth taking notice of --> https://www.thelakelander.com/the-lakelander-issue-123/framing-success-differently

05/14/2026

Whether crafting SPAM Mai Tai cocktails for a celebration w/ Ripley's Believe It or Not! or serving a buffet style meal at the 50-yard line of "The Swamp" football stadium at University of Florida, Chef Lo and his team are on a mission to bring people's visions to life so that they can make memories that last a lifetime.

Find out how Millenia Catering has used the ingredient of trust to create a catering and venue empire right here in the heart of Polk County that extends far beyond its boundaries --> https://www.thelakelander.com/the-lakelander-issue-123/the-heart-of-hospitality

Also, check out their venues:
The Manor On Lake Juliana
Dr. Phillips House
Idlewood Events - Weddings & Events

05/12/2026

Our Wedding issue provides 116 pages that showcase some of the top local vendors, pull on your heartstrings with Real Lakeland love stories and whet your appetite for incredible meals and the most delicious cakes made by Lakelanders.

FLIP THROUGH IT TODAY 💍🤍🕊️

From the engagement to remembering the beautiful moments of the Big Day, we've got you covered. We take you inside wedding trends, reveal a vendor showcase of some of Lakeland's best service providers, tell real Lakeland love stories, dive into a booming catering and event business and find the swee...