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My Journey

My Journey to Become a Wellness Coach started several years ago when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicoya Costa Rica, one of the Blue Zones.

Blue Zones is an anthropological concept that describes the characteristic lifestyles and the environments of the world’s longest-lived people. The term first appeared as an international concept in the November 2005 National Geographic Magazine cover story “The Secrets of a Long Life”[1] by Dan Buettner. He offers an explanation, based on empirical data and first hand observations, as to why these populations live healthier and longer lives.
Nicoya Costa Rica – My Peace Corps Experience

Nicoya was a distance from the Central Ministry and Peace Corps Offices in San Jose. At the time, my fellow volunteers felt sorry for me being sent so far away from them and having to do without modern conveniences. I didn’t realize how fortunate I was to be selected to work in a blue zone! Not only did I have an outstanding Peace Corps assignment, I learned how to live a healthy happy lifestyle.

Peace Corps Prepared Me for My Future

A teacher attending my classes

As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicoya, I worked for two years in one of the country’s largest educational regions. Traveling six days a week on horseback and by motorcycle, I supervised and trained K-6 elementary school administrators and teachers in remote and rural areas which included 162 schools and 536 personnel. The linguistic and cultural lessons I learned about Costa Rica could never have been learned from a college course or a textbook. Coming to understand what was important in peoples’ lives and how to “fit in” as a member of the community, I developed sensitivity to cultural issues and the needs of those from diverse backgrounds. I was very fortunate to live and work in Nicoya with so many kind and gracious people. https://www.peacecorps.gov/costa-rica/