ABOUT ME
Your health is in your hands.
Photo by Brittany King
I strive to be an eternal student of life. I don't ever want to stop learning. That's one of the things that attracted me to herbal medicine in the first place. Every person I meet, every client I talk to has something to teach me. My desire is to give back, and that means that I want to teach you something, too. I want to teach you how to live a healthy, energetic and enjoyable lifestyle. I want you to feel better, and I want you to thrive. I started this journey by improving my own health, and now I want to share what I've learned with you!
I Believe…
…that we can and should be responsible for our own health. We all need help sometimes, but there are so many things we can do for our families and ourselves. We just need to remember how. In the past, most of our healthcare came from our mothers and grandmothers – knowledge passed down through generations. The majority of us have lost that knowledge and have forgotten even the basics. Learning how to live in a healthy way is something we can do to empower ourselves and increase our own vitality. Knowledge is the key!
I believe that reconnecting with nature is a very important part of this, whether through our food, with plant medicine, or even just going for a walk in the woods. Busy city life has made it difficult to stay connected to the natural world and our health and happiness can suffer as a result.
Finally, I believe in the plants. Medicinal herbs have helped us for thousands of years, and modern science is beginning to confirm what we have known for so long: herbs can be very powerful healers.
How It All Began
I first knew that I wanted to be a herbalist when I took a step back from a 20 year career as a professional musician and realized that something needed to change. I realized that I wanted to do something with my life that would really help people.
I grew up with medical parents – a father who was a doctor and a mother who was a nurse. Despite my interest in medicine at a young age, my father warned me to avoid it. When it came time to choose this new path, I found that my hesitation toward modern medicine lingered, and that’s when my love of nature stepped forward. The idea of becoming a herbalist came to me in a dream, and I have always been an advocate of following one’s dreams. So, with the guidance of some kind and generous members of the local herbalist community, I found my way.
Before That…
As a musician, I saw the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle firsthand. For years I was surrounded by people who don’t sleep enough, eat poorly, feel stressed and anxious and don’t take proper care of themselves. In fact, for a long time, I was just like them. I know what that feels like.
Fortunately, I have learned an awful lot about how to correct the health issues that arise from such circumstances and it’s time to share. One of the best things about music is that it taught me how to listen. I’ve found that one of the most important things about being an effective practitioner is listening to people, and really hearing them.
I am a graduate of an intense 3 year program at the International College of Herbal Medicine, founded by world-renowned herbalist Isla Burgess. I supplemented my education with an 11 year apprenticeship under a master herbalist in Toronto that was focused on the preparation and application of herbal remedies.
When I'm Not At The Clinic...
I enjoy playing the drums with various bands around Toronto, spending time in the woods with my son learning about all the amazing plants that grow there, and working to become a better chef.
