1105 7th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Holding Space
Over the last ten years, co-creating the Sacred Fire and Drum Tribe at local transformational festivals has shaped me in ways I never expected. It challenged my patience, my boundaries, my leadership, and my understanding of what it truly means to hold space. It's one thing to support a single person in the safety of a treatment room. It's another to help hold space for hundreds of people around a fire, each arriving with their own stories, emotions, celebrations, and struggles.
Community
This experience taught me the true meaning of community building. It wasn't just about creating an event, it was about creating a space where people felt safe, welcomed, and connected. I learned how to organize alongside a team, communicate clearly under pressure, and work with the larger festival community to keep everything moving toward a shared vision.
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Partnership
Together, my partner and I built a team—a tribe—that came together to create a space where festival-goers could gather after dark, when the night could sometimes feel lonely, overwhelming, or even frightening.
Around the fire, we created a place of connection and belonging.
We shared fireside stories brought to life by fire performers, held ceremonies honoring the Earth and the elements, and welcomed people from all walks of life into a space where they could simply be.
Along the way, we stood beside Indigenous water protectors from Black Rock during the pipeline protests, witnessing firsthand the strength, resilience, and unity that can emerge in difficult times.
Over those ten years, we experienced more than I could ever capture in a few short paragraphs. Those experiences shaped my leadership, deepened my compassion, and taught me how to remain grounded while holding space for both individuals and communities.
Vending & Workshops
My journey through transformational festivals has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. For nearly ten years, my partner and I helped create community spaces where people could gather, connect, and find support during their festival experience.
In the later years, our fire team had grown into such a strong and capable community that I was finally able to step away from tending the fires and spend more time sharing my own work.
I opened a healing arts booth where festival attendees could receive therapeutic bodywork, learn simple self-care techniques, and experience a quiet space to slow down amidst the excitement of the event. I never imagined how much I would love connecting with people in this setting. It allowed me to share my work with people from all walks of life and witness the profound impact that even a short session could have.
Occasionally, I also offered workshops such as Dancing with the Elements, an experiential class that blended movement, mindfulness, and connection with nature. Rather than focusing on performance, these gatherings invited participants to explore creativity, presence, and self-expression through the qualities of earth, air, fire, and water.
These experiences brought my transformational journey full circle. After years of helping create spaces where others could gather, I discovered the joy of facilitating healing and education in a way that was both accessible and deeply personal.
Today, I continue to welcome opportunities to bring wellness experiences to festivals, retreats, community gatherings, and special events.
