02/16/2021
I originally encountered nutrition at age 21, in my earliest days of recovery, when my Grandma “Rose” nourished me back to good health, through her simple, natural, delicious meals. She taught me to snack on fruits and nuts, and for main meals, cooked me brown rice with seamed vegetables, and baked chicken. I thrived with this. Overtime, I began to lighten my animal food consumption. Through the inspiring influence of my adventurous Uncle Bobby, I eventually became vegetarian. He encouraged me to try it, and ensured me that I could achieve greater health through this approach. I ate way to many eggs at first in this transition, so I wanted to find another way with food. Grandma and I then learned how to make home-made veggie burgers from the local health food café, along with hummus, and nutritious smoothies. I soon found myself, on the vegan path. I liked it so much. I felt so healthy, until months in, I when I became malnourished. Thankfully, then I was graced with meeting a health guru friend, “Jason”, who taught me his wise vegan ways of how to thrive with this approach. I have been mostly vegan since, enjoying vibrant health, through eating plant-based whole foods, reaching out to the animal kingdom as needed, when the body asks for deeper nourishment.
In 2010, I was infected with a crippling case of Lyme Arthritis. The pain of this was so great, that I was limping around, moaning and groaning in greatest pain. Thankfully, with the help of my friend Jason, I learned how to reduce this pain with Nettle urtication, along with herbal compresses of Comfrey, Mugwort, and Ginger. When my body allergically reacted to the prescribed pharmaceuticals, it sent me on journey, to seek healing more naturally. I took two rounds of a homeopathics for Lyme, and drank Japanese Knotweed root, everyday with everything. I even bathed with the tea of it in hot baths, where I seemed to sweat out the disease, and noticed biggest improvements. I gave up sugar to overcome Lyme, and I truly adopted life-long “food as medicine” through this healing process. Lyme was the greatest arm-wrestle of my life, that I almost lost, but I ultimately won. I am grateful for the “crazy medicine” of Lyme, in the sense that it has sent me out stronger and healthier than I have ever been. I now feel like anything is possible through me, with the help of healing plants, food as medicine, and the holistic wellness modalities.
At age 36, I now live in the Asheville, NC area. I love to actively adventure in nature, through hiking up mountains to beauteous views, and to many picturesque waterfalls. I enjoy road biking on scenic byways, and mountain biking on a variety of flowy and challenging terrains. I am a skateboarder in the process of filming for a local video with friends. I am a creative, who likes to make inspirational, positive message, art from the heart, through collage, song, and rhyme poetry. I am currently, a “Master Guide” with Red Oak Recovery, where I facilitate meaningful, transformational, and healing experiences for young adult men in recovery, through adventure, wellness activities, and Vision Quest. I am also a Mindfulness and Wellness Guide with FireBird Transformations, where I facilitate Yoga, Qi Gong, and Calisthenics, along with Guided Meditations and Smoothies. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Integrative Studies from Marist College, along with a Master's in Divinity from All Faith's Seminary. I have a Two-Year Certification in Spiritual Guidance Training from the Unitarian Universalist Rowe Center. I am with a 6-Month Badge from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN), to begin offering Health Coaching. I will be fully certified in July 2021.
I am passionate about health, and I love to give back in ways that others have once given to me. I love being in support of personal growth and positive change. I am very helpful and resourceful toward healthful transformation. Please consider health coaching with me, as a catalyst toward your thriving more optimally, with greater capacity, joy, balance, and harmony in your life. Let's create the healthy life that you love together. Let's share the journey of wellness toward your best health and happiness. I am here for you. Let's do this :)
