When I was 19, I had back surgery, a laminectomy – that didn’t go as planned. That was in 1991, and from that point until 2016, I lived with relentless chronic back pain.

I tried everything: physiotherapy, chiropractic, athletic therapy, pain medications, countless rounds of rehab, and more specialists than I can remember – neurologists, urologists, orthopaedic surgeons, pain clinics. If there was a treatment, I likely tried it. If there was a medication, I probably took it.

But nothing brought lasting relief. And over time, the constant physical pain – along with some real-life struggles – began to take a serious toll on my mind and spirit. I sank into some very dark places. I won’t go into all the details, but I know what it’s like to lose hope – and how that kind of hopelessness can shape you.

As a result of the back surgery, I developed chronic pelvic pain syndrome – though it went undiagnosed for decades, from my 20s into my 40s. Doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause and kept referring me to one specialist after another. Eventually, a close friend in the medical field began digging into research based on my symptoms and concerns. What we discovered was that the surgery had altered how my muscles functioned, especially in my lower back and pelvis. My body was constantly compensating – and seizing up as a result.

The pain was real, but the uncertainty and lack of answers brought a heavy layer of mental anguish. And when you add real-life stress and life altering events to that kind of chronic struggle, it doesn’t take much to spiral. I know firsthand how easy it is to lose hope when nothing makes sense – and nothing seems to help.

Around that same time, I knew I needed to work on my mental and emotional health too. Practices like yoga and Block Therapy helped ease the physical stress, but I was looking for something deeper – something to help me grow into the best version of myself.

A friend suggested I look into Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), thinking it might resonate with me. I started doing the research, and before long, I was signed up for a class. Something about it just clicked. NLP gave me the tools to reframe trauma, release limiting beliefs, and take real steps forward – not just in my healing, but in how I live and lead. It also sharpened how I communicate, navigate conflict, and connect with others – skills that have made a powerful difference in both my corporate career and personal relationships.

Alongside NLP, I also began exploring energy work and eventually trained in shamanic healing practices. These spiritual tools opened up an entirely new dimension of self-awareness and transformation – helping me tap into the emotional and energetic layers that talk therapy alone couldn’t reach.

Together, these modalities form the foundation of how I now support others – blending mind, body, and energy for healing that’s grounded, practical, and deeply personal.

I was first introduced to Reiki through the wellness and yoga circles I’ve always been a part of, but it wasn’t until a conversation with a Reiki Master that I truly felt its depth. What began as curiosity soon became a calling, and I decided to pursue formal training. I became a certified Reiki Master and instructor, and the more I dove into the practice, the more I saw its transformative power - not just for physical pain, but also for emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and spiritual alignment.

At the same time, I’ve always felt a deep spiritual connection and a pull towards deeper wisdom. This led me to explore Shamanic practices, which felt like a natural extension of my healing journey. What started as self-study eventually led me to train as a Universal Shamanic Practitioner. This combination of Reiki and Shamanic work has opened new dimensions of healing for me, guiding me to offer both subtle energy work and profound spiritual insight for others on their own transformative paths.