About

My Training
I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Northern Arizona University in May of 2006 and obtained a certificate in holistic health coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in July of 2019. Currently, I am working to obtain my board certification from the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches, and plan to take the qualifying exam as soon as I have acquired the appropriate number of sessions.

Prior to obtaining my health coaching certificate and starting Spirit-Led Wellness, I spent a decade in science education. I worked as a high school teacher for a few years and spent over 6 years as a science curriculum developer. And a few years before I entered the education field, I worked in various laboratories– a crime lab, a pathology lab, and a research lab.

My Spirituality
The God of my understanding does not belong to a particular faith walk. Throughout my life, I have explored philosophies from various faith traditions and sources. I have a lot of experience with Christian ritual and worship, which I chose as an adult. My parents did not choose to raise me with any particular dogma or faith walk other than the golden rule– “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” They exposed me to the ritual and practice of various spiritual walks (Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, etc.). In addition, my science training and work experience play a large role in my understanding of God. I often use Spirit as the name of God because I feel it encompasses what I have learned about energy and emotion from a physical standpoint.

At 21, I was baptized as a Christian, became a member of a church near wherever I lived, and practiced the faith in the expected way. For over a decade after being baptized, I identified as a Christian. However, over the last six years, I have been working on letting go of religion and its labels, rules, and expectations. Now, my focus is on relationship and connection with God. Prayer and meditation are the foundation of how I connect with God. I still primarily practice my spirituality using much of the Christian tradition and ritual, but over the last three years, my beliefs have shifted toward a more expansive view of God. I have shifted from primarily corporate practice of my spirituality to primarily private practice. I do still gather and fellowship, but I am finding new ways to do that.

I believe God is a loving, intelligent presence in my life. And, when I choose to believe in and receive that love, it frees and empowers me to love myself and love others well. I believe in the unity of the Spirit throughout humanity– among me and you– regardless of our particular religion, spirituality, or faith walk.

I choose to focus on the similarities that I have with others rather than the differences. I choose to have an open mind about all spiritual matters and to always seek Truth. I believe that the Spirit moves and speaks to all people regardless of their beliefs.

My Philosophy
I believe that true wellness depends on two aspects: primary food and secondary food. Primary food consists of four key areas: spirituality, relationships, career, and physical activity. Secondary food is all the stuff that people eat. I believe (and there is science to show) that primary food is what truly nourishes a person. When primary food is in balance, then the stuff a person eats can fuel the body well and maintain physical health. However, when primary food is unmanageable in some way, then it doesn’t matter how clean or nutritious secondary food is– the food that is eaten will fail to be a fuel that supports wellness.

My approach to health is holistic. I focus on the whole person: mind, body, and spirit and I find I have the greatest wellness when my life is led by the Spirit. This is why I named my website Spirit-Led Wellness.