My dedication to myofunctional therapy is deeply rooted in my personal journey - a journey that has profoundly shaped my understanding of health and my commitment to helping others.

From birth, my body faced unique challenges. I was born a twin, breech, with my umbilical cord wrapped around my neck. I was breastfed for only three months, sucked my thumb until age 6 or 7, and underwent extensive orthodontic treatment, including headgear, starting at age 7. At 13, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, adding another layer to my developmental and structural history. At the time, I had no idea how these early-life factors - feeding patterns, oral habits, body alignment, and skeletal growth - were intricately connected, or how they would impact my jaw development and airway function years later.

At 28, my health reached a breaking point. I began experiencing debilitating jaw joint pain, insomnia, and a deepening sense of physical and emotional exhaustion. I was eventually diagnosed with condylar resorption, a degenerative joint disease affecting my jaw joints, and later, obstructive sleep apnea - both of which underscored the importance of jaw position, airway health, and proper structural support. These diagnoses made sense of symptoms I had lived with for years: forward head posture, breathing dysfunction, chronic fatigue, and alignment issues. Everything was connected - and it all traced back to the foundations laid early in life.

To reclaim my health, I underwent bilateral total jaw joint replacement surgery - a life-changing procedure that required deep, full-body rehabilitation and immense personal resilience. I’m also preparing for my own tongue tie release as part of my ongoing journey to restore optimal function. Through this process, I’ve learned firsthand how vital the tongue, jaw, posture, and breath are in our daily function and overall quality of life. This experience hasn’t just transformed my body - it has redefined my purpose.

Now, through Revive & Thive, I bring this lived experience to my work as an occupational therapist and myofunctional therapist. I offer holistic, personalized care that addresses the whole person - not just symptoms. My goal is to empower clients with the tools and support they need to improve breathing, sleeping, eating, posture, and overall vitality - helping them restore function from the inside out.

Outside of my work, I enjoy exploring the natural beauty of the Santa Cruz mountains, spending time with family, and throwing clay on my pottery wheel. I believe healing is both personal and powerful - and that when we tend to the root of dysfunction, we can truly thrive.