But my first twenty years I learned it wasn't safe to be seen as I fought to survive in a world that made me feel I wasn't invited and didn't belong. From deep in my mother's womb, my twin and I held close for our lives in a violent and unpredictable home. My sister Heather protected me in the womb but left her physical form before we were born. Despite her passing, she stayed with me in spirit during tumultuous times growing up. Together we found solace outside with the plant and animal spirits.

Yet through conscious daily practice over the next twenty years I discovered strength in surrounding myself with the community of others (including people, plants and pollinators) that helped me feel a sense of belonging — re-membering how to feel safe in my skin and embedded in the natural world. Finding that alchemical gold buried deep within the hard rocks of violence, abuse and neglect became my resilience superpower.

I was the first in my family to go to college (while also a single mom of two by the time I was 18), I was the first Latina (of indigenous Mayan ancestors) to serve as Vice Mayor of Petaluma, California, I’ve run for Congress and I’ve mentored other women who were running for office or running their own business . . .

Which is why I have 35 years of practice in consciousness exploration, meditation, feminist-based self-development and intuitive-based action and I bring it all to my work with change-making womxn leaders.

I also hold a Masters degree from the California Institute of Integral Studies (with a focus on Integral Ecology) and a B.A. in Gender Studies from Mills College, and a Permaculture Design Certificate. PLUS, I am Fellow of the Leadership Institute for Just and Resilient Communities.

My zone of genius is at the intersection of: plant-based and ancestral diets, Kundalini Yoga, plant medicine and ritual, feminism, political consciousness and Mayan Cosmology. When you work with me, I bring you to this intersection through intuitive-listening, deep experience and practical wisdom.

As a peak performance coach, medicinal garden author and meditation teacher, I blend leading neuroscience + ancient healing practices to help today’s visionary changemakers develop daily rituals that allows you to continue thriving in work and life so you can make an impact and live your legacy without the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Yet through conscious daily practice over the next twenty years I discovered strength in surrounding myself with the community of others (including people, plants and pollinators) that helped me feel a sense of belonging — re-membering how to feel safe in my skin and embedded in the natural world. Finding that alchemical gold buried deep within the hard rocks of violence, abuse and neglect became my resilience superpower.