Get to Know Alight Wellness

My journey into healing began from a place of personal struggle. There was a time when I felt deeply unwell—constantly exhausted, dealing with persistent digestive discomfort, emotionally depleted, and disconnected from the person I knew I was meant to be. I was getting through each day, but I wasn’t truly living.

Deep down, I knew there had to be more.

With the right support, I began to heal. I reclaimed my strength, my vitality, and—over time—my sense of self. That experience changed everything. It became the foundation of my life’s purpose: to help others find their way back to health, wholeness, and joy.

My passion for wellness began early. As early as fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be a healer. But the loss of my mother profoundly shaped my calling. She was deeply devoted to her work and to caring for others, often placing her own needs last. In doing so, her health was neglected. Losing her far too soon was devastating, and it remains a daily reminder of how essential it is to care for ourselves before it’s too late.

I went on to earn my Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University, one of the nation’s leading institutions for integrative and functional medicine. I am a licensed physician, trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease, with a strong emphasis on identifying and addressing root causes rather than simply managing symptoms.

For over two decades, I have practiced as a functional medicine physician, helping patients uncover what is truly driving their health concerns and guiding them toward sustainable, whole-body healing. I believe we are each here for a reason—and to fully live that purpose, to love deeply, connect meaningfully, and create a life we’re proud of, we need our health. We need energy, clarity, resilience, and to feel truly at home in our bodies.

Movement—especially strength training—has been an integral part of my own healing journey. It’s about far more than physical strength; it’s about confidence, grounding, and feeling capable in your body. Movement has helped me reconnect with myself, build resilience, and show up more fully in every area of life.

That belief is what led me to create Alight Wellness—a space where healing is approached with compassion, curiosity, and whole-person care. We focus on the foundational pillars of health, including nutrition, movement and strength, detoxification, gut health, hormone balance, mindset, and lifestyle support.

At Alight Wellness, we are here to walk alongside you with steady guidance and genuine care. Healing is deeply personal—but you don’t have to do it alone. With the right support, it is possible to reconnect with your body, restore your vitality, and step back into life feeling more like yourself—strong, vibrant, and whole.

In 2016 I left my hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, and set my sights on Portland, Oregon. This move signaled for me the start of a healing journey I was in much need of.

Over the years it proved to be harder than I could have ever imagined. The first steps were more like face plants than they were steppingstones. However, through those challenges, I learned a lot about myself, and I never gave up! With the help and support of close friends along with my own grit and determination, I was able to shed my addiction to tobacco and alcohol while improving my health through nutrition and meditation. Inspired to help others with their wellness journey, I went back to school for health and lifestyle coaching.

As a wellness assistant, my dream has become a reality. I am able to collaborate with a team of individuals who share the same heart-centered approach to health and wellness! I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Hudson and Laura and to empower you on your journey to health, happiness, and abundance within. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Hudson, Dr. Rhodes, and Laura and to empower you on your journey to health, happiness, and abundance within.

What makes you tick? What does it mean to be human? How can we live our best lives without shame or judgment? How can we connect to our purpose, joy, and inner calm?

These kinds of philosophical questions set me on fire!

Watching my family struggle with physical and mental health issues turned on a part of my brain that is obsessed with scientific research and, at the same time, traditional practices that have helped people to thrive for thousands of years. I funneled this energy into my education in Health Coaching from Duke Health & Well-Being Coach Training.

As a Health Coach, I am here as a partner in your journey, to help you discover your own passions and goals and work through challenges as they arise. Your goals are unique to you and so are the ways in which you will approach and achieve them.

In my previous life, I graduated from UCLA’s School of Arts and Architecture magna cum laude and was part of a team that ran the art foundation of one of the world’s top ten art collectors.

I love to help others find meaning, purpose, and vitality. As a practitioner, I blend rigorous science with time-honored traditions, partnering with my patients to uncover the root causes of their challenges and build lasting foundations for lifelong wellness.

My journey into holistic medicine began with a deeply personal experience—supporting my mother during her 10-year battle with ovarian cancer, which unveiled the profound potential of integrative care to heal and empower. This pivotal moment set me on a path to explore the intersections of science, compassion, and nature, ultimately shaping my philosophy of care: a collaborative alliance between patient and practitioner rooted in education, empowerment, and a commitment to structure, safety, curiosity, and service.

I earned my Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine, along with a master’s degree in Integrative Mental Health. During my academic career, I immersed myself in the study of behavioral science, trauma, therapeutic alliance, mindfulness, neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, and methods to optimize brain health, while also deepening my awareness of holistic medical approaches. 

I am an avid outdoorswoman, embracing tree and plant identification and amateur birding as hobbies that deepen my connection to the natural world. A transplant from Pittsburgh, PA—who has fallen in love with the PNW—I now share my life with a loving husband and four cats.