07/13/2026
My Leona turned 9 this year ... the same age I am in this picture.
When I see my 9-year-old self, I have mixed emotions. I see a precious light, beaming with excitement for life. I also see glaring airway struggles that will only get worse before intervention happens.
I see a too-small mouth, a tight upper lip, a restricted tongue, facial asymmetry, and all the swallowing and breathing issues that come with them.
I see the mouth breathing she thought was normal. I see the recurrent ear infections she’ll get. I see the pills she won’t be able to swallow. I see the restless nights from upper airway resistance. I see the nasal congestion that won’t go away.
And I see love and hope and strength to keep showing up just as she is.
Because you can’t address an issue you don’t know you have.
I know now those struggles were meant for me. Those challenges were mine to overcome. Those obstacles were the building blocks to become who I am today … so I can share with conviction and passion why BREATHING WELL is fundamental to BEING WELL.
I’ve spent the last 41 years learning how to do these things for myself, so I can now guide you through them.
I’ve spent the last 11 years recovering from a decade of Adderall abuse to better understand what can go wrong when airway and mindset issues are overlooked.
I’ve spent the last 9 years learning how to grieve a loss and be kind to myself simultaneously.
And I’ve spent the last 4 years building a business that informs, empowers, and supports those I serve and my younger self who needed this help.
Whether you know me from growing up, my family, as your speech pathologist—myofunctional therapist, your yoga teacher, your workshop instructor, your neighbor, your friend, from rehab, from the gym, from spiritual groups, from a podcast interview, from Instagram, or from my new book …
Know that you can change, always.
You are not broken.
Your body is talking to you all the time.
You can learn the language of your body and breath.
I’m here to help you, Leona, and myself … breathe + be.
📸 Cred:
Camp Illahee
Nice Life Photography