“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” - Thomas Edison

GROWING UP “GRANOLA”

I grew up in a small suburb outside of Montréal, Québec, where Complementary and Alternative Medicine did not really exist, but I was fortunate enough to be exposed to various healing practices by my mom and grandma at a young age. I remember receiving reiki and homeopathic remedies, being given homemade bone broth, bitter concoctions, garlic cloves to chew on, and royal jelly to eat as a child for preventive measures and during active infections. My grandma was mentored by the town’s naturopath for most of her life and shared her knowledge with her daughters as they grew up, which they passed on the children! My mom then applied everything she knew about integrative medicine and homemade remedies within our family, and taught me how to use nature’s gifts to better our health. Little did I know, this turned into my life’s passion!

PRACTICING MEDICINE 

Although I was fortunate enough to receive alternative care and witness its wonders, I am aware that medical doctor’s visits, most often than not, end up with a pharmaceutical prescription. I believe these have their place in medicine, but so few patients are actually heard for their concerns, referred out to other practitioners for complementary care, presented with alternative therapies, and most definitely not often shown how to preventatively care for their physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. 

Medical practitioners too often try to “fix” patients, which leaves them passively receiving care, instead of playing an active part in their healing journey. I believe that we have the innate ability to heal ourselves. Healthcare practitioners should provide patients with tools to stimulate their own healing mechanisms, guide them towards self-awareness, and facilitate the removal of blockages preventing their energy to properly move within the body. We should remember that we cannot take the first step for someone else. The patient has to find their own inner balance, at their own pace.

JOURNEY INTO HEALTH

I started my journey into the worlds of movement, nutrition, and health when I was 16 years old. After a childhood and young adult life of training and competing in various sports, I decided to get my certification to become a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. I then completed my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a major in Health and Wellbeing, from Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, in hopes to fulfill my dream of opening my own training facility. After a few years of working with athletes, doing private sessions, teaching workshops, and leading group training, I decided to take a hiatus from work to travel for a few years. I am very grateful for the self-discovery journey I chose to take, as it opened my path to finding my deeper calling. 

Fast-forward a few years, after reconnecting with an old friend (now husband!), I decided to take a leap of faith and move across North America to Seattle. Having to rebuild my life from scratch, learn about who I wanted to become in this new environment, and let my body heal after many years suffering from chronic diseases, I allowed myself to explore new realms of healing.

I was fortunate enough to discover the healing worlds of massage therapy, acupuncture, cupping, Chinese herbal medicine, homeopathy, meditation, and naturopathic medicine during my years of recovery, which were filled with knowledge. I also discovered a renewed love for training in a way that is supportive of my body and health.

FINDING EASTERN MEDICINE

My first encounter with Eastern medicine was in university when I took Qi Gong and Tai Qi elective classes. I was blown away by the strength, grace, and meditative aspects of these practices, which brought feminine energy, flow, and peace to my life.

A few years later, I received my first acupuncture session. I was recommended treatment by a friend to balance out my hormones and energy. I started seeing a local acupuncturist weekly and was then exposed to Chinese herbs and other therapeutic modalities to further my healing. Within a few weeks of consistent care, I experienced a huge amount of relief from my concerns, a sense of calmness, and noticeably increased energy. It was such a powerful experience for me!

I started reading more about Eastern medicines, asking questions, and seeking recommendations to deepen my knowledge. This led me to embark on and complete a four-year Masters's degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Bastyr University, which I graduated from in September 2020. I plan on continuing my education with a Doctoral degree in this medicine in the next years to further specialize in women’s health and digestive health.

I am extremely grateful to have been put on the path of many other incredible healers in our local Seattle community. Each has contributed to my understanding of what balance truly means, and I am forever grateful to their commitment and love of these medicines!