Often, the things that knock us down are catalysts for our most important journeys…

A teen pregnancy launched me on the journey of motherhood.  Marital discord ushered me onto a path of self-discovery and relational growth.  Religious disillusionment ignited my passion for spiritual freedom, expanded thought, and authentic connection.  An inoperable tumor in my back invited me to recognize and heal the neglected areas of my life.

When I had my first child, I had no idea how to practice self-care while caring for my family.  While juggling family life and college, I put my needs on the backburner.  After college, I worked as an obstetric nurse, caring for mothers and babies during and after delivery.   I saw first-hand the importance of healthy foundations for families.  Then, in 2014, finding a tumor was a wake-up call to prioritize my own health, so that I could be there for my family.  This turning-point in my life prompted the deconstruction and reconstruction of my way of living.  I examined old ways of thinking and acting and began replacing them with thoughts and practices that aligned with who I want to be.  I explored many healing avenues, both conventional and alternative, and made substantial lifestyle changes.  Through trial and error, I found that an integrative approach was key to my healing and well-being. 

Through my experiences as both a nurse and a patient, I became acutely aware of the need for a more comprehensive, patient-centered approach to healthcare.  This awareness compelled me to study integrative medicine and direct my focus on the pillars of longevity.  After training through Duke University’s Integrative Health Coaching Program, I developed my coaching practice, Align Integrative Health.  My mission is to partner with individuals to achieve alignment between their daily actions and their life vision.  I take a whole-life approach to health, working with clients to identify root-causes of illness and implement changes to improve their well-being.  I have particular interest in nutrition, fitness, relationships, spiritual freedom, and family foundations.  My goal is to equip my clients with the tools to maximize their health-span and to empower them to develop practices that are sustainable, meaningful, and fun.

Healing is rarely a linear journey; it’s a process of exploration and discovery.  Instead of ignoring or masking symptoms, we can listen to our bodies with compassion and learn to trust our intuition.  There are many things in life that are out of our control, and some health conditions we must learn to live with.  But we don’t have to give our power away.  We don’t have to let fear take the reins and steal our joy.   We can always choose love—the antidote to fear, the ultimate medicine, our guiding truth.  Through the highs and lows, we can choose to say, Yes life, I’m in.  Let’s dance!

~ Jessie