My story begins January 27th, 1971, on the North Oregon Coast. Up the North Fork of the Nehalem River, where the Pacific Ocean fog settles in around the giant Sitka Spruce and mossy Douglas Fir woods. Born to an absent father and a Bipolar/Schizophrenic mother, I found myself in and out of foster homes, then living with various relatives throughout my early years. Not fun.
Yet, I learned to trust in myself in a way many other strong women have, knowing I was one of the few people on which I could truly rely. Lucky for me, the North Coast's woods and waters offered solace and escape, where I could appreciate the potency of my natural surroundings, the energy of plants and healing power of meditation.
In my late teens, I took up an apprentice position in an herbal shop. There, I immersed myself in the teachings of medicinal plants and aromatherapy. In my mind, I believe I was trying to find a natural cure for my mother's ailments; to find some way I could help her through endless harsh medications and the struggle of her disease.
Time led me to Portland, Oregon, where I became a trained massage therapist, nutritionist and licensed facial esthetician. In 2001, I opened Spa Willamina, now one of the Northwest's most successful spas. In doing so, it's given me the motivation to create beauty products for my clients that help and heal through the use of that wonderful natural world I discovered as a child. People now come to me from all over the world, having become cherished friends and family.
In the last 20 years, I've become a healer and holistic practitioner of many sorts. I understand, perhaps more than anyone, the basic premise of life: People need love. And love comes from within. It is through this understanding that the power of healing touch, health, herbal remedies and good old-fashioned nurturing creates a life well worth living.