Our Experts
Eva Barrows, Editor-in-Chief
Eva Barrows is a San Francisco Bay Area writer and editor. In 2007 she created Imitation Fruit Literary Journal (www.imitationfruit.com) to showcase fun and upbeat short stories, poetry, and artwork. She blogs about the craft of writing and local historical places. www.evabarrows.com
Dr. Laurel Mines
A physical therapist working in the San Francisco Bay Area. She sees patients at Agile Physical Therapy in San Carlos and has a private practice. She received her degree from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute and specializes in orthopedics with a focus on the metaphysical aspect of healing.
Dr. Nirali Patel
Dr. Nirali Patel is an acupuncturist and skincare specialist with a practice in Foster City, California, with over 12 years of experience. She is the founder of Unique Remedy Skincare, a line of handcrafted, organic products targeting problematic skin. Connect with her on Instagram @twigs.tansy
Carmen Milagro
An entrepreneur, art lover, international entertainer and philanthropist, Carmen Milagro is the founder of Borbón, a premium skin care brand with products made from the world’s finest exotic raw ingredients and inspired by homeopathic traditions.
Pat Obuchowski
Pat Obuchowski is CEO, Chief Empowerment Officer, of inVisionaria, an Executive and Leadership coaching company. She is the founder of Gutsy Women Win (www.GutsyWomenWin.com), an organization that supports women leaders; a best selling and award winning author; and a public speaker. Connect with her at Pat@GutsyWomenWin.com
Jennifer Slaboda
Jennifer Slaboda is passionate about helping people live healthier through better food, personal care products, and exercise. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with Fitphoria, an Independent Consultant with Arbonne, fitness instructor at Pilates ProWorks of Burlingame, and a mom of two teenagers. http://www.Fitphoria.com
Shelley Golden
Shelley Golden is an International Personal Branding Image Consultant, Fashion Stylist and Certified Color Consultant with more than 20 years of experience and is the owner of Shelley Golden Style.
Lauren Brollier
Lauren Brollier is an inspirational speaker and transformational life coach. She has studied under and taken the stage with such names as Mary Morrissey and best-selling author Mathew Boggs. With over a decade of experience in education, Lauren brings easy, practical applications to spiritual principles. Her own experience with grief, betrayal and loss is what fuels her to help others dust themselves off and reach their highest potential. Through her speaking and coaching, she has inspired thousands of people to live a life they love.
Kate Branson
Kate Branson is a certified Qigong and Tai Chi instructor and a Master Mindfulness Practitioner. She has taught private, group and corporate sessions for over 20 years. She is dedicated to these health and well-being practices and committed to sharing them with everyone.
Caron Shahrestani
Caron Shahrestani is the founder and director of Caron Modern Media, a video marketing, photography and social media training company based in Silicon Valley. Caron worked as a newspaper reporter and volunteered with the Peace Corps in West Africa before starting her own business. A former group fitness instructor and video model for The Bar Method, Caron prioritizes her health by taking a variety of exercises classes and eating a balanced diet.
Tiffany Toney
Tiffany Toney is a former pro softball player with a background in fitness and journalism. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, she has traveled to Europe and all over the U.S. for her work in sports and entertainment. She’s worked for America’s Most Wanted, NBC, and recently launched her own YouTube series called “The Cheat Day” about sports and food. Her mission is to empower women by creating content that no longer forces them to choose between their strength and their beauty.
Wendy Quaccia
Wendy Quaccia is a Professional Organizer who takes pride in showing people how to live comfortably in their home through organization. Helping to make decisions, relocate items to more convenient locations within the home and offering storage ideas is fun for Wendy.
Rick Green
Rick Green has over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industries. He is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, licensed USA boxing coach level 3 and owner of Force Fitness in San Jose, CA.
Debbie Gisonni
Debbie Gisonni fits right into the Live & Thrive CA culture. As the General Manager of CanyonRanch Wellness Retreat – Woodside, author, and speaker, Debbie inspires women to make simple changes that radically improve their self-awareness, well-being and success. She is the author of The Goddess of Happiness, Vita’s Will and Note to Self: Love. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration, and is certified in Board Education, Integrative Health & Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy.
Sarah Wilson
A native New Englander recently relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband. Sarah’s childhood in Vermont fuels her passion for local organic food and outdoor lifestyle. After graduating from Wesleyan University, she obtained her Health Coach certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
Shelley Karpaty
Shelley Karpaty is a recruiter, career coach, and writer with over 15 years’ experience in the Bay Area. She enjoys connecting people to the right opportunities and inspiring people to believe in themselves with the right amount of direct communication and thoughtfulness. Shelley writes about her spirituality through yoga, meditation as well as finding ways to have an impact using the reported essay to open people’s minds and hearts.
Ali Lee
Ali Lee recently graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Journalism. Her interests in both writing and fitness led her to become an editorial intern for Live & Thrive CA. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys going on hikes, spending time with friends and family, and eating at healthy food spots around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Jamie Nease
Jamie Nease is a portrait photographer located in San Francisco. She is on a mission to help women see their unique beauty. Jamie creates a safe and welcoming environment for her clients to be seen. What she loves most is connecting with her clients to help them transform the way they see themselves. Jamie enjoys getting outside in nature with her boyfriend and her dog.
Ilana Shapiro Yahdav, MPA
Ilana Shapiro Yahdav, MPA, is an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, passionate about healing the world, one heart at a time. Ilana founded, The Non-Linear Journey, LLC, named for her father who, as he was dying, often said, “time is non-linear, I’ll always be with you.” Her focus is to meet grieving people exactly where they are and support and guide them through their grief journey.
Esther Ekhart
Esther Ekhart, face and founder of EkhartYoga, brings years of personal yoga and meditation practice, therapy training and study of yoga philosophy into her teaching. She loves teaching dynamic styles like Hatha or Vinyasa Flow, focusing on strength, stability and fitness, along with slower practices such as Yin Yoga and Meditation that allow you to drop in and get to know yourself better. http://www.ekhartyoga.com
Dr. Katerina Rozakis
Dr. Katerina Rozakis is the CEO of Insight for Wellness Center (InsightForWellness.com) in San Ramon,CA. She is a Natural Health Educator, CBD Therapist, Psycho-oncologist, and Contributing Writer focusing on wellness and how to release your inner goddess. Dr. Rozakis is committed to helping individuals achieve a balanced lifestyle. She is a Certified Diplomate in Psychotherapy with the American Psychotherapy Association and is Board Certified in Integrative Medicine.
Bernadette McBurnie
As a Success Coach, Entrepreneur and Speaker, Bernadette McBurnie empowers her clients to thrive in their personal and professional life, health and fnances. Her holistic approach founded on Integrated Success Coaching is a proven method to elevate success in all areas of life. As a strong advocate of healthy living, Bernadette has made Nikken her brand of choice.
SISSFiT
Meet Lauren and Kelly; sisters, certified fitness trainers, models, and former Division 1 Track and Field athletes. Their extensive background in sports and fitness paired with demanding careers, the sisters have joined forces to create HIIT strength and cardio guides for busy women on-the-go.
Jeanette Ortega
Jeanette Ortega is a Health and Wellness Expert in the fitness industry for over 25 years. She is the creator of her own trademarked fitness method called Bootoga® (fusion of Boot camp, yoga and meditation). She is a three time Best Selling Author with her latest book, The Little Black Book of Fitness, hitting #1 Best Seller on Amazon. Jeanette is a Certified Trainer, Yoga Instructor, Health and Wellness Life Coach, Speaker, celebrity trainer, and has been featured in “The Chad loves Michelle” Show on the OWN Network and “Flipping Out” on BravoTV. Jeanette is also the creator of her own online wellness membership site, a WBFF (World Beauty Fitness and Fashion) Bikini Pro and loves to guide people to live the life of their dreams.