For me, it always comes down to one simple question. Why? The answer usually isn’t quite as simple.
I’ve always been driven to have a deeper understanding of the human body. The intricate network of systems within the body reflected through everyday health is fascinating to me, and it led me to become a holistic esthetician more than twenty-seven years ago. My passion for the skin and body didn’t stop there - I became certified in Aromatherapy, Thai Body Massage and Reflexology, Advanced Skincare, and I’m a Certified Podologist through the North American School of Podology.
Since opening the award-winning Richmond spa, Tao Day Spa, I’ve helped hundreds of clients achieve their goals and improve their overall health and well-being through coaching, skin transformation through our services, and maintenance with organic products. By finding the root cause of any skin reactions, we can find the solution and provide preventative measures. I’m passionate about helping women heal their skin holistically, but nine years ago, my journey in holistic health became personal in ways I never could have imagined. It’s what has led me here today.
I’ve been mindful of my health for as long as I can remember. As an adult, I ate well and exercised often - I’ve climbed the Grouse Grind more times than I can count. (For those of you who don’t call Vancouver home, it’s known as ‘Mother Nature’s Stairmaster). It was during one of these hikes up to the peak of that it really hit me that something was wrong.
There were warning signs, of course. There always are. In my late thirties, I had developed asthma and eczema. My collagen production had also decreased, but all tests said I was the picture of health. It wasn’t until I found myself halfway up a mountain with unusual pain in my sides that I was confronted with the fact that the tests had to be wrong. I insisted on seeing a specialist and one week later I was diagnosed with cancer. Mere days after that I underwent a full hysterectomy.
As I lay in bed recovering, the same question kept coming back to me - why? I wanted to find out why I had cancer at 40 years old in the first place. Why I needed a surgery that left me struggling with severe temperature fluctuations, sweating, depression, and hormonal imbalances that usually come with menopause. Not to mention, extreme changes to my skin, collagen, and body. I decided to try and heal my body holistically.