About Marian

I’ve been passionate about health and healing my entire life. In the early 1990’s, I was a bodyworker at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, and immersed myself in studying a broad range of healing arts. Through the practice of Qigong, I discovered Chinese medicine and felt instantly aligned with its holistic approach. I earned a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University and then became a diplomate of the National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics in 1999. I have been an acupuncturist in private practice serving the Monterey Peninsula since 1999.

Since good nutrition is essential to wellness, eating a healthy diet has been another passionate interest. In 2007, I saw research showing the health benefits of a mostly plant-based diet. Since eating plant-based was also aligned with my values of compassion and sustainability, I whole-heartedly made the shift to a whole foods plant-based diet. Wishing to inform my acupuncture clients about plant-based eating, I earned a certificate in plant-based nutrition from eCornell in 2015.

I saw many clients in my acupuncture practice who knew they wanted a healthier lifestyle but who found it difficult to make changes sustainable. I wanted to do more to support them. So, since 2012 I’ve studied how to do this. I became a Certified Health and Wellness Coach through both Wellcoaches and Wellstart Health. In 2021, I earned the national board certification as a health and wellness coach from NBHWC. Recently I’ve been teaching in coach trainings for Wellstart Health Coaching Academy and also the Food Revolution Network. Guiding folks to make enduring positive lifestyle changes is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done!

I’m a lifelong learner, committed to growing my knowledge and skills, both as an acupuncturist and as a wellness coach. When I’m not doing acupuncture or coaching, you might find me on the beach, in the woods or the garden, reading non-fiction voraciously, experimenting in the kitchen or practicing Tai Chi. I live with my partner in Watsonville, California.