Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Collins.
Laurie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up as a chronically ill child, I was taken to several specialists to treat my migraine headaches, chronic leg pain, severe allergies, chronic fatigue, regular sprains and fractures, etc. My mother did all she could to find answers, but the doctors weren’t communicating with each other. Each and every one of them threw their hands up and gave me more narcotic medications to stop the pain. It wasn’t working. As I grew into my teens, I started researching holistic medicine, buying and reading everything I could find on healing with whole foods and herbs, meditation and breathwork, etc. I went on to earn my BA in holistic nutrition and started my career with a well-known grocery chain that was just opening their natural food sections.
Life took me away from that path for a few years when I chose to stay at home with my children and open a daycare in my home. I continued to study and apply what I’d learned to my business. I earned my Yoga Teacher certification and started incorporating yoga into our daily routine, as well as making healthy food choices a part of our daily schedule. The children helped me in our learning garden, giving them the opportunity to feel the accomplishment of growing and eating healthy foods. I had kitchen helpers who assisted in preparation of our healthy meals.
As life took me on my journey, I began working for a local hospital as a maternal/child health case manager. During these years, I earned my Doula and lactation counselor certifications. Helping other moms and their families was very rewarding but very stressful and difficult for my health. I went back to school to earn my Massage Therapy License and began my business with the goal to help others like me.
It’s my mission and passion to support people, meeting them where they are in life with compassion and respect. I offer wellness modalities that support the whole person to meet their goals.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My road has been a very bumpy one, but I’ve found that those bumps are learning moments. Moments that have propelled me into the next level of awareness for myself as well as my business. For years I was a single mom with two young children, struggling to make ends meet. I worked a full-time job and taught yoga classes in the evenings, made and sold handcrafted jewelry and art. It was draining on my body and mind. I realized that my own health was deteriorating quickly as my stress level increased. Battling the anxiety and depression that comes with chronic pain and lack of support from the allopathic medical community, I tried anti-depressants, which only made things worse. Having several connective tissue and autoimmune disorders, I was often brushed off by doctors, being told to lose weight and exercise. They didn’t take the time to actually research my disorders to help me find the right ways of doing those things. I did the research myself and brought it back to them. I found support groups for my disorders online, finding resources and some of the best friends I’ve never met.
I had to make a change, but how? I found a community of healers to support me and started trusting my own gut and knowledge. I began to apply all of the things I believe in into my own life and started seeing positive changes. I started working for someone else part-time as I grew my business. I met my husband six years ago. He’s been my greatest support and cheerleader. Having that support has enabled me to not only grow my business but do the work I need to do to take care of me. It’s a bumpy road, but I’ve made it through to being completely self-employed again, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My middle name is Hope. My practice and business are about Hope. So many of my clients come to me saying that they’re just exhausted by allopathic medicine. They’ve been discriminated against for their body, their gender. They want a way to become well. They’ve tried every fad out there and just want a way to move forward in a way that works for them. When I work with a client, we start with where they are in life. I’m often asked why I do so many things in my business. The answer is simple. I know what has worked for me and many others, and I’ve focused my practice on the modalities that have been successful. Massage, Reiki, Nutrition, Yoga, and Art may sound like an unusual combination, but when a veteran comes to me with ptsd and can’t handle being touched, we start with reiki or art therapy coaching. We work on trust in our relationship until they’re ready for touch, ready to look at their diet and how it affects their mood and body, ready to move their body and breath in yoga. It’s such a personal journey for anyone with trauma.
I’m most proud of the work I’ve done with my clients, the success stories I’ve seen unfold right on my table. Helping others sleep at night, reduce their migraines, increase mobility, let go of trauma. These stories are my motivation to keep doing what I do. Having many similar experiences with doctors, chronic pain and trauma has enabled me to work with my clients from a unique perspective and have a very unique approach to our wellness plan.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to listen and trust my gut. It’s never let me down.
Pricing:
- Most modalities $80/hr
- Private Yoga $60/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: hopespringsarts.wellness@gmail.com
- Website: www.HopeSpringsAW.com
- Instagram: lauriehope_lmt
- Facebook: @hopespringsarts.wellness
- Twitter: @HopeSpringsAW
- Yelp: yelp.com/hopespringsartsandwellness
