Training offered

Online birth doula training • JumpStart Your Doula Career 9-month business coaching program • Advanced Doula Trainings: Placenta Encapsulation, Powerful Prenatals, TENS Unit Training • Business coaching for birth professionals • Marketing and writing for birth professionals •

Summary of qualifications

Owner of Big Belly Services, 2001-2018 Co-owner of Birthing From Within International, 2018-2021 I've taught over 1,000 families as a childbirth educator I've attended more than 350 births as a doula I'm a former DONA-approved doula trainer, 2004-2018 I've trained over 2,000 birth doulas Former Adjunct Faculty at Bastyr University Guest lecturer, University of Washington I've trained at colleges, universities, in communities around the country, and as a federally-approved trainer for military dependents Business and marketing coach for birth professionals since 2006 Certified StoryBrand Guide, 2020-2023 Author, editor, copywriter, and ghostwriter In the past, I've been an urban farmer, musician, ceramic artist, painter, illustrator, project manager, business process engineer, systems analyst, data analyst, and healthcare receptionist. I'm a mother of 3 sons, grandmother to 9 glorious beings, and great-grandmother to 3 whom I hope to pass on the best of our family legacy.

Style of teaching

I believe that doulas can change the world — not just by improving birth outcomes for childbearing families, but by creating a culture of compassion, listening, kindness, and service to heal what ails our sick world. One of the unique differences in my work is that my trainings are oriented to social and racial justice. I was the first white doula trainer way back in 2005 to focus on the context of racism as an influence on birth outcomes and to include that in my doula training. I use inclusive language and speak to systemic oppression and marginalization in healthcare. I try to do all my work through an anti-racism lens and am constantly learning how to be a better anti-racist in the world. My mission is to create trainings that are affordable and accessible to anyone who wants to become a doula or build and grow their doula business. So many times, I heard my doula students tell me that after their training, they realized they couldn't lead an on-call lifestyle. They had just invested all that time and money and now couldn't work as a doula. No one ever said they regretted taking the training (everyone LOVED it!), but they spent a lot of money for something they couldn't use. I want people to learn how to be a doula inexpensively so 1) they can find out if they like it, and 2) so there will be more doulas in the world. I offer an online birth doula training based on the 42-hour curriculum that I used to offer in person. It's super comprehensive and has everything they need to know to start going to births and practice as a doula. It's very affordable, and they don't have to travel, get childcare, miss work, or pay for transportation and lodging to get it. My higher-priced business coaching program has a 9-month payment plan to make it affordable, and just one extra client will pay for the entire investment. I'm funny, often irreverent, outspoken, badass, compassionate, and dedicated to eradicating as much oppression in my lifetime as possible.

Years offering training

20

Profile last updated: 2/22/2024 7:48:17 AM