Vanessa holds a Master of Theological Studies and certification in Bereavement Education. Vanessa broadened her skill set in psycho-spiritual care through completion of a Clinical Pastoral Education unit in partnership with Wilfred Laurier University and Hamilton Health Sciences (attending to grief and loss with patients, families and staff at Hamilton General Hospital). Vanessa has recently earned qualifications to teach an evidence-based mindfulness curriculum designed for young adults (www.korumindfulness.org ). She is passionate about women’s spirituality which she believes is uniquely embodied and authentic and messy and comforting and creative.
Vanessa is married, is the mother of 3 sons and is most at home playing on the water (driving the boat or wake-surfing with her boys at the cottage). Vanessa loves to sing and gigs locally; she works out at CrossFit FirePower in Milton as well as with her mates at a boot camp in her neighbourhood; Vanessa has a not-so-secret addiction to funky belt buckles and rock’n’roll boots, and, she happily bakes triple batches of chocolate chip cookie dough, preferably after midnight.
Vanessa has been compassionately facilitating soul-centred conversations for years: with her students when she was a high school theology teacher and as the originator of a “Women’s Wellness” club for students; as the Team Leader instructor/mentor at Echo Lake Youth Camp (www.echolakecamp.ca ); as the Soulace Circle mediator for Spring Fit Mexico as well as at Mighty Girls Camp; and, as the Spirit Walk facilitator at Fall Fit Women’s Weekend (www.shegetaways.com ). Vanessa engages with the fitness community through her provision of wellness coaching for the members at Reebok CrossFit FirePower in Milton (https://www.teamfirepower.com/firepower-cares ).
Vanessa firmly believes the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social facets of the human person are of equal value and deserve equal attention; but, it may take a lifetime to figure out how to balance each of these areas of import.
Ride the Wave, friends!
"Vanessa, I attended your labyrinth workshop and your Spirit Walk this weekend at Fall Fit and both were simply life altering for me. I guess you were speaking to wherever I am right now because WOW--it's like this baggage I've been carrying finally got released; I didn't know what I needed until I got it! Thank you, thank you, thank you."
-C.S. (Labyrinth workshop and Spirit Walk participant)