If you had told me a few years ago that I would be running a wellness practice focused on helping people navigate and release stress more effectively, I might not have believed you. But life has a way of guiding us toward what we need most—and for me, that journey began in one of the most challenging times: the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like so many, I found myself overwhelmed by the uncertainty and stress of the situation. The responsibility of caring for my children and maintaining a sense of normalcy felt heavier than ever. I had always been active, relying on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to cope with stress. But during this time, I began to realize that rather than relieving stress, I was amplifying it. The intensity I was cultivating in my workouts mirrored the intensity I felt in my daily life. My body was constantly in a state of high alert, and I knew something needed to change.

That’s when I returned to yoga.

Through yoga, I rediscovered the power of slowing down. Instead of pushing myself harder, I focused on doing less—but with more awareness. The breath work, meditation, and gentle movement not only calmed my mind but also transformed my interactions with my children and family. I was able to leverage tools that helped me to be more patient, more present, and more attuned to their needs. My stress levels decreased, and I saw firsthand how implementing skills to regulate my own nervous system on the yoga mat had a direct impact on the peace and connection within my family off the mat as well.

This realization sparked a deeper curiosity. I dove into learning more about the nervous system, and the profound ways our bodies store and process stress. I gained certifications in breath work, meditation, somatic practices, advanced yoga trainings and became a licensed Massage Therapist. I’m also working on furthering my yoga training through a yoga therapy certification program and Craniosacral Therapy. I recently earned certifications in Manual Lymphatic Drainage as well as advanced applications for MLD to support post-operative care. From my perspective, these are all not just standalone practices but as interwoven modalities that could help others access the same healing I had found.

This journey led to the creation of Retreat Forward, Bodywork and Wellness—a space dedicated to empowering individuals with the tools to increase patience, presence, foster deeper resilience, better stress management, and overall, stronger relationships. I love the idea that I’m contributing to our world by helping people become “peacemakers.” I know that when we learn how to shift from survival mode into a state of rest and repair, we create space for growth, healing, deeper connection, patience, kindness and SO many other good things. I hope that what you’re hearing is that I absolutely love what I do.

My approach is unique because I don’t just offer massage therapy; I integrate breathwork, bodywork, functional, dynamic and static cupping, meditation, and somatic awareness to help people regulate their nervous systems holistically.

Through Retreat Forward, my goal is to guide others toward not just relief, but transformation—so they can move forward in life with greater ease, balance, and intention.

I invite you to join me on this journey. Whether through massage, yoga, breathwork, or a combination of these modalities, I’d love to help you discover the tools that work best for you.

Do you need to retreat to move forward? What helps you feel most grounded during stressful times? Let’s start the conversation.