My passion is supporting others' recovery and wellness, because my own lived experience that has shown me recovery is real. During my teen years, I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, heavily medicated and hospitalized many times. For a long time, I believed that the diagnosis, symptoms, and side effects of various medications had ruined the best part of me. My recovery journey began when I was able to see a broader picture and recognize that I still had inner gifts and resources that could help me have a meaningful life. Over the past 4 decades, I have worked as a Chaplain in community mental health centers and a state hospital; as a yoga and meditation teacher; as a Certified Peer Specialist; and as a trainer, supervisor, and educator in the areas of recovery and wellness. The opportunity to become a CPMC is a great gift because Personal Medicine, and the values and principles of this approach, align perfectly with my own experience of many "best practices" supporting recovery and holistic wellness. This is a valuable resource I want to offer to others!