MY BACKGROUND

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I've had the gift of touch since childhood. As a young girl, I massaged my mother, who experienced chronic pain, and slowly became known around the neighborhood for my generosity and my soothing hands.

At eight years old,I began working regularly with neighbor Mallie Johnson, who mentored me as I developed my skills. “Mallie had chronic lymphedema and circulation issues that caused her ankles to swell at the end of the day, so I’d go to her house and rub her feet. Looking back, I was facilitating lymphatic drainage without even realizing it. There is not a day that goes by that I am not grateful to both my mom and Mallie for helping me cultivate my gift.”

I volunteered to participate in a study on the effects of massage therapy for stress and anxiety. After earning her license and participating in several other Atlanta-based studies (including a study on whether massage can calm overactive nerves in Fibromyalgia patients and a study on whether cranial massage facilitates digestion in IBS patients), 

For me, the most exciting development in my business also reveals the depth of my passion for helping those in need. In 2017, I started Healing Hands, a 5013c nonprofit massage program specifically catering to cancer patients and survivors, helping facilitate lymphatic drainage, support recovery, and maintain wellness for those currently battling cancer or in remission. “Ongoing treatment takes a toll on the body, and in the case of survivors, our work can help support their system while in remission.”