Certified as a meditation teacher through the School of Positive Transformation, which was valuable and informative. Like becoming and EMT or Medic in the sense that the education and certification is just a start and the true benefits and expertise are gained more through the actual practice.

My personality type for those that love the assessment stuff is ENFP, borderline on the extrovert / introvert scale but pretty off the chart on the intuition, feeling and perceiving ones. Which essentially means I’m a huge empath. All of that to say, the draw to both the Coast Guard and EMS for me is the people, the patient. While I do find medicine and our body’s function and healing fascinating, the driver, for me, is still the person.  Meeting people where they are and hopefully bringing healing in whatever form they need at the time.  Delivering medicine, mental health help or plain old fashioned physical trauma treatment with rapid transport to the hospital.

I view much of my role as a medic is beyond emergency medicine. At its heart we are supposed to bring calmly and decision-making to inherently chaotic situations. If meditation helps bring my mindset to do this more effectively then it’s time well spent. 

Some years ago, now, I initially pursued a certification in meditation to try and find peace from the wreckage of a destroyed life. What resulted was the practice became a key part of my mental health journey and recovery. 

The rest of the biographical stuff: Currently working as a paramedic first responder responding in the 911 system in Arizona, having worked across many systems and cities. I had a lengthy corporate marketing career as a Brand Manager and Marketing Manager with the requisite MBA degree from California State Polytechnic University. For first careers, I was fortunate enough to earn acceptance into and graduate from the US Coast Guard Academy. Then spent much of my 6 year operational time at sea on a 270’ medium endurance cutter. A military brat, I grew up as a geographic nomad across the Middle East, Europe, Asia. Extensively travelled having walked on every continent including Antarctica. I currently live a minimalist lifestyle between a 30’ sailboat and a tiny tear drop trailer. A self described bougie vagabond (who doesn’t like nice stuff!) with a huge passion for the arts, learning, adventure and all things outdoors. A published poet and artist, I continue to create, read and pursue many athletic endeavors with @Mia_the_adventure_husky by my side.

As always…much love and namaste!