A life built around helping others.

My career has always centered on helping people improve their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Over the years, I have worked as a psychotherapist, licensed addiction counselor, and currently as a Wellness Coach. Throughout each role, I have been passionate about empowering individuals to live healthier, more balanced lives.

I was first introduced to Tai Chi in the early 2000s while attending classes at the medical fitness center affiliated with the psychiatric hospital where I worked. A psychiatrist colleague, who faithfully spent his lunch hour practicing Tai Chi for his own well-being, encouraged me to attend. Even then, I found that each class left me feeling refreshed, energized, and better prepared for the rest of my day.

In 2017, I joined that same medical fitness center as a Certified Clinical Wellness Coach. One of my colleagues was the center’s Tai Chi instructor, and I attended many of her classes until her retirement in 2020. Inspired by the positive impact Tai Chi had on my own life and wanting to ensure the program continued, I decided to become a certified Tai Chi instructor.

I completed my certification through the Tai Chi for Health Institute founded by Dr. Paul Lam, the same organization through which my colleague had been trained.

In 2023, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services approached me about becoming a Master Trainer to help train and certify Tai Chi instructors throughout the state. After researching the requirements through the Tai Chi for Health Institute, I began the journey toward advanced certification.

By 2025, I had achieved Senior Trainer status and am currently on track to become a Master Trainer by the end of 2026.

I chose to pursue certification through the Tai Chi for Health Institute because of its evidence-based philosophy and teaching methods. The Institute has been involved in extensive research demonstrating the benefits of Tai Chi and offers programs that are internationally recognized for their effectiveness.

Its Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention and Tai Chi for Diabetes programs have received recognition from the CDC and comparable health organizations around the world.

My decision to pursue Master Trainer certification was driven by witnessing the profound physical and mental benefits Tai Chi has provided both for myself and for my students. I also wanted to help expand access to qualified Tai Chi instruction throughout Montana.

Currently, I am certified to teach Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention and Tai Chi for Diabetes. As a Senior Trainer, I am also qualified to teach Sun Style Tai Chi, including the Sun 73 Forms.

In addition, I have further knowledge of Yang Style and Chen Style Tai Chi forms. I know and practice the Popular Yang 24 forms.

Teaching has been a consistent thread throughout my life. As a young person, I taught friends how to water ski and cross-country ski. Later, I became a certified Alpine Ski Instructor and taught for ten years.

Today, I teach Tai Chi, Nordic Walking, and Pickleball through the medical fitness center where I work.

To further expand access to Tai Chi beyond my workplace, I founded Stillwater Tai Chi. My vision is to bring the benefits of Tai Chi to surrounding communities and, ultimately, to a broader audience through online instruction.

I currently facilitate a successful monthly Zoom session that provides support, continuing education, and skill development opportunities for certified Tai Chi instructors throughout Montana.

This experience has demonstrated the effectiveness of virtual learning and strengthened my commitment to making Tai Chi accessible to anyone interested in improving their health and well-being.

I believe Tai Chi is one of the most effective and accessible practices for promoting lifelong wellness. Whether helping someone improve balance, manage chronic conditions, reduce stress, or simply feel more connected to themselves, I am honored to share this practice and its many benefits with others.