For some men, getting older can be an exciting time where years of hard work culminate into a fun, fruitful transition into retirement. It's a time to cross off bucket-list items and live life to the fullest, without the stress kids or business getting in the way. However, aging is a scary prospect for other men, filled with exhaustion, depression, and inability to perform in the bedroom.
If you're over the age of 40 and have noticed increased irritability and low sex drive, the world is not ending; chances are, you have low testosterone. Fortunately, advances in male health medicine mean you don't have to settle for a lackluster life with low T. If you're among the 39% of men that suffer from hypogonadism, don't lose hope - contact Better Life Age Management Wellness Center to discover the amazing benefits of TRT in Monroe, NC.
At Better Life, we help men just like you decide how they want to address the aging process. Will you settle for a slow decline or enjoy a fulfilling, normal life? If you wait too long, the choice will be made for you, and you might not like the results.
At Better Life, we believe you can influence your genetic potential through lifestyle. Whether you want to keep up with your teenagers on the basketball court or rediscover passion with your partner, our team of testosterone replacement therapy experts can show you the way.
Better Life was founded to give men with low testosterone a new lease on life - one that includes less irritability, less body fat, and more energy. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider testosterone replacement therapy. Our TRT treatments are safe, effective, and personalized to your body and your goals. That way, you can keep loving life as you age, on your own terms.
For many men, TRT bridges the gap between their old, unsatisfying life and the more vibrant one they experience with hormone therapy. After all, you deserve to be in charge of your health and wellness, especially during middle age and beyond. With Better Life by your side, you have the chance to fight back against low testosterone with tools backed by science and research.
Unlike some other TRT clinics in the Carolinas, we aren't trying to treat our clients like they're on an assembly line. We don't cater to the masses - we help heal men who are serious about reclaiming their lives. Our patients choose Better Life because we:
If you're ready to live a more energetic, youthful life, know that it's never too late or too early to do so. But, how do you know you are a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy? Like most things in life, your body will do its part in letting you know.
Over the years, researchers have discovered that the prevalence of low testosterone in men increases from about 20% of men older than 60 to 50% of men older than 80.
To make matters worse, about 40% of men with high cholesterol and blood pressure levels also have low T. Additionally, about 50% of obese men experience low testosterone. If you fall into any of these categories, you should begin to think about ways to change your life, like diet, exercise, and TRT.
If erectile dysfunction has put a cold blanket over the spark between you and your partner, it's time to make a change. About half of men between 35 and 65 deal with erectile dysfunction and its frustrations daily. Fortunately, at Better Life, we have effective solutions to get you back to a place where spontaneity is welcomed and peak performance is common.
Better Life Carolinas provides the most advanced, non-invasive ED treatments available, like testosterone replacement therapy in Monroe, NC. Our TRT treatments have the potential to correct underlying changes in your body instead of just treating symptoms. We feel this approach is a more realistic option rather than taking a pill every time you need to perform. Check out the reviews on our website - Better Life patients with ED couldn't be happier with our treatments.
Testosterone has a role in many body functions, including the production of hair follicles. Many men lose hair and begin balding as they age; however, men with low testosterone can also suffer from loss of body hair. While there is an inherited component to balding, you should be wary of hair loss, especially if hair loss is not common in your bloodline.
Let's be honest here: a man's sex life can be thrown into ruin when they get fat. This is especially true when a man has low T and develops symptoms like gynecomastia or large breasts. Of course, getting fatter means you're looking at a litany of new health problems like high cholesterol and diabetes. It seems like middle-aged men just accept the fact that they're going to get fat. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Men who find themselves developing more fat around their stomachs can correct their testosterone imbalance with TRT from Better Life.
Have you noticed that you feel sluggish, tired, or apathetic on your days off? Men with low testosterone have reported lower energy levels and extreme fatigue, even when not working full time. You might have low T if you're constantly tired despite getting eight hours of sleep or more.
Many men experience changes in concentration, focus, and productivity as they age. Though it's not a serious medical condition, brain fog is usually a symptom of other medical problems, like low testosterone. Men with brain fog experience a lack of mental clarity, problems with memory, lack of focus, and poor concentration. This problem interferes with everyday tasks at work and home, but with hormone therapy, it doesn't have to be an ongoing problem in your life.
Before we dive into the many benefits of testosterone replacement therapy from Better Life, it's important that you understand how TRT works.
Testosterone was initially lab synthesized way back in 1935. Since then, it has been used in clinical settings to help address low test levels. Over the last couple of decades, testosterone has become one of the most common medications in the U.S.
TRT works by restoring healthy testosterone levels in men that suffer from low T. TRT is not too different from insulin needed by diabetics. Essentially, the body lacks a healthy production of a necessary hormone, so it needs to be "replaced" with an exogenous source - in this case, testosterone.
While most men start taking TRT after 50, more men in their 30s and 40s are having their testosterone levels checked at clinics like Better Life Carolinas. If you think you're "too young" to try testosterone replacement therapy but find yourself suffering from symptoms like ED, it wouldn't hurt to have a doctor measure your T levels.
If you're looking for TRT in Monroe, NC, it's easy to understand why. Hundreds of thousands of men have reclaimed their vigor and youth with regular testosterone replacement therapy. With Better Help to guide the way, you too can experience the many benefits of TRT.
A healthy heart pumps blood throughout your body, giving organs and muscles the oxygen they need to perform. Testosterone helps red blood cell production through the bone marrow. When you have low T levels, your muscles and organs will often suffer. Low T levels have been attributed to a number of cardiovascular problems, which is cause for concern.
However, a study of 83,000 men found that males whose testosterone levels returned to normal were 36% less likely to experience a stroke 24% less likely to experience a heart attack. This promising sign shows that TRT can actually help keep your heart and blood healthy.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in bone density. Bone mineral density decreases as men get older and T levels drop. This drop in testosterone raises the risk of developing osteoporosis. Strong bones help support your organs and muscles, boosting quality of life and even athletic performance. Research shows that bone density increases with higher doses of TRT. Some clinical trials recently found that testosterone also increases hip and spinal bone density.
One of the most popular reasons why men choose TRT from Better Life Age Management Wellness Center is to enjoy increased libido. Testosterone levels rise in response to sexual activity and arousal. It's well known that men with higher levels of testosterone have more sexual activity. However, older men need more testosterone for healthy erectile function and libido. TRT is often a viable solution for older men who are looking to reignite that special spark with their spouse.
Additional benefits of using TRT can include:
A: Testosterone is a hormone found in both men and women. Also referred to as an androgen, testosterone is a hormone that helps the formation of male body characteristics. Normal testosterone levels for men are between 300 to 1,010 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). As men and women age, they can expect their testosterone levels to decrease naturally. However, conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes and injuries to the testicles can affect T levels. Whether from natural causes or injury, testosterone levels can become abnormally low in some individuals, which is often when TRT is the most helpful.
A: Clinical trials show that TRT is both safe and effective for men with hypogonadism and abnormally low levels of testosterone. When prescribed by a doctor, TRT is very safe so long as there are no external risks present. Clinics like Better Life offer comprehensive health plans that include TRT and other revolutionary treatments to improve quality of life. These treatments are only conducted after rigorous testing to ensure treatment is necessary. However, TRT is not for everyone. Generally speaking, testosterone replacement therapy is not a good idea for people with diabetes, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
A: There are several TRT options on the market today, including injections, gels, implants, pills, and patches. After your free consultation and testing, the Better Life team of doctors and specialists will speak with you about the best options for your unique needs.
The days of "living with it" are over. Today, we're able to treat most symptoms of low testosterone with non-surgical, pain-free solutions like TRT in Monroe. There's never been a better time to reclaim your life and face the issues preventing you from being the best you.
Better Life offers several customized health plan options catered to your needs. We make it easy to supplement your testosterone treatments with our in-house scans, peptides, pharmaceutical-grade supplements, and IV hydration services. Don't delay - schedule your free consultation today!
"The kids circle around one kid and the kid in the middle has to fight for his life," one parent said.More VideosMONROE, N.C. — Multiple parents have come forward with allegations of child abuse at a day care center in Monroe, prompting an internal investigation and staff changes at the facility.The allegations surround Childtime Learning Centers on North Charlotte Avenue in Monroe. Parents told WCNC Charlotte that they received ca...
"The kids circle around one kid and the kid in the middle has to fight for his life," one parent said.
MONROE, N.C. — Multiple parents have come forward with allegations of child abuse at a day care center in Monroe, prompting an internal investigation and staff changes at the facility.
The allegations surround Childtime Learning Centers on North Charlotte Avenue in Monroe. Parents told WCNC Charlotte that they received calls from employees informing them of alleged abuse taking place at the childcare center. The accusations include physical harassment and inappropriate disciplinary measures against children.
"They would thump the kids on the head if they're not listening," Adelle Matthews, a parent, said. "She sprays the kids in the face with disinfectant spray. The kids know it as 'the spray bottle.'"
Alexus Brown, a parent, alleges her child faced similar mistreatment and claims the abuse was deliberately concealed.
"They were spraying his clothes making it seem like he was peeing himself, and having other children surround my child to have him fight and defend himself," Brown said.
She noted surveillance limitations at the facility, adding, "We can watch the cameras 24/7 but there's no audio and there are no cameras outside where the fighting and everything took place."
The allegations have prompted formal complaints to state authorities. Robin Horace, a parent, contacted the Division of Child Development and Early Education, requesting them to "review the facility's policies, staff training, and overall practices to determine how these incidents could have occurred and how similar occurrences can be prevented in the future."
A former employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the abuse was reported to the facility's director in November, but claimed no action was taken at that time.
The learning center has recently issued a statement to parents confirming that one staff member has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of the claims. The statement also indicated that other staff members allegedly involved in the incidents are no longer employed at the facility.
One couple confronted Lottman in person last week, capturing the exchange on videoPublished: Jan. 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM PST|MONROE, N.C. (WBTV) - In an update to an ongoing story in Monroe, NC the owner of the Champagne Manor, a wedding venue in Monroe, has responded to WBTV’s request for comment on why the venue closed and left customers without plans o...
Published: Jan. 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM PST|
MONROE, N.C. (WBTV) - In an update to an ongoing story in Monroe, NC the owner of the Champagne Manor, a wedding venue in Monroe, has responded to WBTV’s request for comment on why the venue closed and left customers without plans or refunds.
As reported last week, we spoke to multiple couples who had weddings planned at the venue in 2025 and found out in recent weeks that the venue had been foreclosed upon and closed.
The couples were left without much communication or direction, and none of them said they had received any refunds for their expensive deposits.
Clara Vengoechea and her fiancé, Will Adams, are one of those couples. They had planned their wedding at the venue in May. They were blindsided by an email from Lottman on January 2, informing them of the foreclosure and closure. Despite a promise to issue refunds, the couple has yet to receive any of their $30,000 deposit back.
“We don’t think we’re going to get any of that money back at all,” Vengoechea said.
Following the initial report, Lottman responded with a statement explaining the situation.
He revealed that the property was financed using bridge loans during the pandemic, but the venue was never able to secure a long-term loan. Additionally, a rent increase rendered the operation unsustainable.
“The increased rent amount was not sustainable for 2025,” Lottman wrote, adding that he was working to notify affected couples and arrange refunds. The full text of his statement can be found at the bottom of this article.
WBTV reached back out to the customers with Lottman’s statement and received multiple statements in response. Many have joined a support group to share experiences and updates.
One couple set to marry in June said they only discovered the cancellation through their florist.
Another couple, with an April wedding planned, reported limited communication from Lottman, who mentioned liquidating assets to issue refunds but provided no concrete details.
You can see statements from multiple couples below.
Hoping to get answers, Vengoechea and Adams confronted Lottman in person last week, capturing the exchange on video.
In the video, the couple ask Lottman if he is refunding anyone yet. Lottman says “Yes…partially.” They ask him how he’s selecting couples to receive the funds and Lottman says back: “I don’t think there’s a way to choose.”
The couple asks if Lottman is lying. He says he is not and insists that he is working to make the situation right, adding that he may be slow to respond because he’s suffering mental health issues from the situation.
Lottman also suggests that couples could get some of their deposits back quicker by disputing charges with their banks or credit card companies, stating, “I urge you to dispute your card. We will literally accept it right away.”
Despite Lottman’s assurances, none of the couples WBTV spoke with have received refunds.
Requests for further answers and clarification for Lottman were not answered as of the writing of this article.
Jason Lottman’s statement in full:
“Nearly 4 years ago, we purchased the Manor on a short term bridge loan- due to Covid making it near impossible to find conventional financing for a wedding venue. After some extensions and other moves over the last few years, in hopes to one day find permanent long-term financing, the fund that the Manor was in was no longer allowing us to extend. Unfortunately, after exhausting all efforts, and after a very challenging 2024, we were unable to bridge the gap between our loan balance and what our approved new funding would allow. Despite a major increase in mortgage/rent from our lender, we were able to rent the property back from them at a premium to make good on our fall 2024 events, but the increased rent amount was not sustainable for 2025.
We’ve reached out to all weddings notifying them of the closure, and are working with each one of them individually to figure out how we can refund them. This is an absolutely heartbreaking time for all of us, and we plan to make things right with everyone involved as quickly as we can."
Jason Lottman, Owner - Champagne Manor
Statement from Shann Fulton. He and his Fiance Michele were set to be married at Champagne Manor on April 25th, 2025:
“My fiancé and I haven’t told our had our story covered yet. Our wedding date was supposed to be 4/25/25! After searching for weeks, we knew Champagne Manor was our dream venue. It cemented our vision. Our theme is “The Royal Wedding”! 150 guests to include family and friends were all overjoyed for us and ready to celebrate. Our Wedding party has purchased items and money was pod for hotel rooms and flights to attend. Our Bachelor and bachelorette parties were already booked. We had our wedding shower on 11/2 to lead up to our wedding. The disappointment and heartbreak has been insurmountable.
Jason Lottman is a con artist. He took a payment from us as recent as November. He made promises of cottages and a glass ballroom being built and groomsmen suite being updated and the whole time he knew these things weren’t going to happen. There must be recourse for his actions.”
Shann Fulton
Statement from Amber Wells. She and her fiancé were set to be married at the Champagne Manor on June 28th, 2025:
“I am writing to tell you our Champagne manor story, or as I now call it, our spilled champagne saga. Jeff and I signed our contract with Champagne Manor on July 4th 2024. We were so excited to have found a venue that offered literally everything we wanted for not just one day, but a whole weekend of weeding festivities. We were told we could have the manor starting on Thursday afternoon all the way through late Sunday morning. We were also told that there would be multiple cabins available on the property to accommodate many of our guests for the weekend. Since almost 100% of our guests will be coming from out of town, his was a HUGE deal to us! We were stretching our budget a little bit, but since the Manor was offering an all inclusive experience, we decided it was totally worth it. We took advantage of Jason’s offer to receive a bigger discount for a bigger deposit and wired our deposit to him that day.
Throughout the entire process of working with Jason, we were constantly receiving “pay early promos” which started to make us feel uneasy about the apparent cash-flow problem Jason must have been dealing with, but we were in for so much money already we kept telling ourselves that we were just being paranoid. Jason always had good reasons for why he wanted us to pay early ie a “final payment on the glass ballroom” or an “exciting fountain” that they had decided to add behind the alter. I got so uneasy with what was going on that I even made up an excuse to tour the manor again on December 11th, telling Jason my mom wanted to see the venue. Really, we wanted to see for ourselves what was being done, and to talk to him face to face about the fact he had not connected us with one single vendor. Even then, he was such a good liar that we left feeling at ease about everything. In fact, we felt so at ease that we even agreed to one of his “pay early” scams for December, and sent an extra payment the week of Christmas. The same week Jason handed the keys over to the bank.
Jason was supposed to connect us with our vendors that were to be booked through the manor on our behalf. The only vendor that I was connected to was the florist, who emailed me on Jan 2nd with the news of the Foreclosure on Champagne Manor. At first I thought it had to be some mistake or misinformation. To this day we still have not heard directly from Jason. All of the news we have received came from our own research and reaching out to the vendors we found who worked with the Manor ( all of whom have been incredibly helpful and empathetic to our situation) as well as a group text with some of the other couples affected.
To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. The vision that we had for our perfect weeding weekend to share our love with family and friends has been taken away. We are trying to wrap our heads around what kind of person Jason must be to knowingly ruin what is supposed to be the happiest time of our lives for not just us but so many couples. We do have faith and believe that because of our love for each other and the support from our friends and families we will still have an amazing wedding day and our happily ever after somehow.”
Amber Wells
Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.
The ‘Champagne Manor’ closed their doors just days after the New Year startedMONROE, N.C. (WBTV) - Dozens of couples eagerly planning their dream weddings at the Champagne Manor in Monroe have been forced to start over after the venue abruptly announced its closure.Those who had weddings booked there have only been told that the venue closed after financial issues and that a refund of their money is in the works.The Champagne Manor, known for its “distinguished European style” and picturesque gr...
MONROE, N.C. (WBTV) - Dozens of couples eagerly planning their dream weddings at the Champagne Manor in Monroe have been forced to start over after the venue abruptly announced its closure.
Those who had weddings booked there have only been told that the venue closed after financial issues and that a refund of their money is in the works.
The Champagne Manor, known for its “distinguished European style” and picturesque grounds, has been a popular wedding destination.
Couples like Clara Vengoechea and her fiancé, Will Adams, were captivated by its charm. They booked the venue more than a year ago, aiming for a stress-free, long engagement. However, their plans unraveled last week when they received a late-night email from the venue’s owner, Jason Lottman.
“He wasn’t home when I read it,” Vengoechea said about her fiancé. “He walked through the door like, right after I read it. And I was like, ‘we’re not getting married.’…I was mostly just in shock.”
In the email, Lottman explained that financial struggles led to the foreclosure of the property earlier this year, forcing him to close the venue and cancel all weddings.
For Clara and Will, who had invested over $30,000 into their May wedding, the news was devastating.
“It really sucks because our parents helped us a lot to pay for this wedding,” Clara shared. “I know my mom worked so hard to be able to save that money. It’s something that she’s been saving for and it sucks.”
The couple is not alone.
Other affected couples have formed a network, sharing stories of canceled weddings and lost deposits. Many are now considering legal action to recover their funds. Court documents reveal that Lottman and his company have faced multiple lawsuits in recent years, including allegations of breach of contract.
Vengoechea and Adams say that in hindsight, there were red flags. According to them, Lottman had made many promises that he never delivered on.
For instance, when they booked the venue – Lottman promised them that by the time their wedding happened, there would be new cabins built on property to house guests and a new ballroom for the reception. Neither of those promises ever happened.
“We kind of saw a lot of the red flags and things after we had, you know, already given him some money,” Adams said. “and then you feel like you’re locked in a little bit.”
For now, the couples are scrambling to find new venues and vendors on short notice. The emotional and financial toll is immense, with many fearing they may never see their money again.
“This is always going to kind of taint the experience,” Vengoechea said. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
Lottman did not respond to a request for comment from WBTV. According to Vengoechea, Adams and other couple impacted, Lottman has not been in touch with any of them since the original email. And while Lottman wrote that he plans to refund the couples, none of them had seen and money sent back yet.
Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.
Two JOANN fabric stores in the Charlotte region are among the ones that will be closing as the popular arts and crafts retailer grapples with bankruptcy and an expected sale.JOANN at 221 Norman Station Blvd. in Mooresville and...
Two JOANN fabric stores in the Charlotte region are among the ones that will be closing as the popular arts and crafts retailer grapples with bankruptcy and an expected sale.
JOANN at 221 Norman Station Blvd. in Mooresville and E132 Morganton Heights Blvd. in Morganton are among about 500 “underperforming” stores the company wants to begin closing, according to a motion filed Wednesday seeking court approval in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Four other North Carolina stores on the list are in Asheville, Hendersonville, Goldsboro and Rocky Mount. In South Carolina, stores are in Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Florence and Spartanburg.
“A careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time,” JOANN’s court motion stated.
The 82-year-old, Ohio-based company has more than 800 stores in 49 states, according to JOANN’s website.
Two JOANN fabric stores will remain for now in the Charlotte region at 9523 South Blvd. and in Monroe Crossing Mall at 2115 W. Roosevelt Blvd. in Monroe.
JOANN officials declined to answer how many employees will be affected in the Charlotte region, referring to the court motion statement.
On Jan. 15, JOANN filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and initiated the process for a sale.
The bid deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 12, with Boston-based asset liquidation firm Gordon Brothers Retail Partners as the only bid on record as of early afternoon. Gordon Brothers bought Big Lots last month.
JOANN filed for bankruptcy in March 2024, emerging a month later as a private company with all of its stores remaining open.
Last month, JOANN said six stores would close, which included one North Carolina store at 2102 US Hwy 70 SE in Hickory, local and national news outlets reported.
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