"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort."
~ Paul J. Meyer

ANGELA NEEDHAM, Co-Founder

Angela Needham is a passionate champion for a healthy environment, body and lifestyle.
Angela Needham is a passionate champion for a healthy environment, body and lifestyle. A daughter of five generations of teachers and organic farmers, her commitment to knowledge and an organic lifestyle is deep rooted. Angela advocates personal accountability, taking pride in our commitments and allowing people the space and resources they need to find their authentic selves. Since 1993, Angela has spoken to audiences in all 50 states advocating environmental stewardship. Angela's varied background not only includes expertise in publishing and marketing, but morale and leadership, as well as natural healing and Reiki therapy....read more | close


DEANA DUFFEK, Co-Founder

Deana has maintained her passion for motivational leadership, art and a natural lifestyle by continuing to cleanse, paint, meditate and share her experience with others.
Deana Duffek is a creative visionary and inspirational leader with a passion for exploring uncharted modalities. A true creative enthusiast, her ability to help people to focus on the positive, live in the present and get past the ongoing challenges of life is inspirational. Deana has a passion for setting and achieving goals within herself and inspiring other people and companies to do the same. "I believe it is imperative for us as human beings to set goals and have a clear direction. It is so easy to get caught up in the 'busyness' that sometimes we forget to stop and reflect on who we are as opposed to what we do. I believe we can achieve a harmonious balance between our mind, body and spirit through the work we do," says Duffek....read more | close




 

 

 

Dr. Edward A. Taub
MD, FAAP
Dr. Taub helped pioneer Integrative Medicine and gained national prominence as the first Integrative Medicine Director for organized Labor. He was also the first Wellness Medicine Director of a major hospital in the U.S. He has appeared on the NBC Dr. Taub helped pioneer Integrative Medicine and gained national prominence as the first Integrative Medicine Director for organized Labor. He was also the first Wellness Medicine Director of a major hospital in the U.S.Today Show, the CBS Morning Show, The O'Reilly Factor, ABC's Good Morning America Show and he has hosted his own TV show on the QVC network. His book, "Balance Your Body, Balance Your Life," was made into a national PBS Special. Another book "The Wellness Solution," was co-authored with Dr. Ferid Murad, a Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine, and David Oliphant.

Three decades ago, as Medical Director of the Tustin-Irvine Pediatric Medical Group and Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the UCI Medical School, Dr. Taub founded and introduced the field of Integrative Medicine to the Institute of Medicine in an address entitled (1980): "A Biosocial and Psychospiritual Approach to Health and Healing." ...read more | close

Dr. Kaisa Lopes
Nutrition Specialist and Acupuncturist
Dr. Lopes has over fifteen years experience in the health care industry. Dr. Lopes' journey began at UCLA where she was a pre-med student and studied biology, nutrition, and anthropology. Dr. Lopes took a position at UCLA's Venice Family Clinic as a nutrition specialist and focused on education to Dr. Lopes has over fifteen years experience in the health care industry. Dr. Lopes' journey began at UCLA where she was a pre-med student and studied biology, nutrition, and anthropology.patients and families regarding pediatric nutrition, diabetes, and weight management. It was at UCLA where she designed and implemented a weight loss and management program.

Dr. Lopes graduated with a Masters degree in Chinese Medicine from South Baylor University in Anaheim, California after accepting a job relocation with the health education department of Kaiser Permanente Orange County. Dr. Lopes decided to further her studies in Chinese medicine and completed her doctoral degree with a focus on the endocrine system and the role of diet and Chinese medicine in the treatment of Diabetes....read more | close

James Sanders, LMFT
Therapist, Author, Public Speaker
Over twenty-five years experience as a psychotherapist, author and public speaker. James is the President–Elect of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). Since Over twenty-five years experience as a psychotherapist, author and public speaker. James is the President–Elect of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).1985 James has been assisting people in turning the key to heal them selves. His specialty is helping people heal from betrayal and other forms of abuse with self and others. James has a passion and genuine love for assisting people to heal from the inside out. According to James, "the best change is self-change - healing is the letting go of fear." It is a matter of unlocking wonderful thoughts and feelings that already exist within you. You can turn the key better and faster when you are given the proper tools and guidance. James will help you learn to live your best life - a harmonious life. For more information about James and a complete bio please visit: www.SandersTherapy.com.

Stephanie Leftwich, MA
Creative Writing and Art Facilitator

Stephanie Leftwich discovered the magic of stories as a girl, reading on the kitchen floor while her mother cooked dinner. She began journaling and writing poetry at a young age (though she'd probably be mortified to read any Stephanie Leftwich, MA. Creative Writing and Art Facilitatorof that now). Her passion for reading and writing lead to a Masters degree in English, and she taught Rhetoric and Writing for many years at the college level. Though she loved analyzing texts and helping her students figure out the most persuasive ways to construct their ideas, she felt like something was missing, both creatively and spiritually.

The daughter of parents in caregiving professions, Stephanie can't deny a nearly genetic desire to help people. Yet, she's also been drawn to a purely creative life. For too long, she saw those impulses as oppositional. Then she discovered Women Writing for (a) Change, an organization committed to helping people develop their voices and life stories through the art of writing and the creation of community. A graduate of their Feminist Leadership Academy, Stephanie holds safe spaces for self-expression, enhancing well-being, and empowering individuals to create positive change.

Wanting to expand her means of exploration and healing, Stephanie is taking art classes and beginning the work toward a degree in Art Therapy. She lives in Norfolk, Virginia with her husband and two young sons.

Steven Ybarra
Guitarist, Vocalist, Songwriter

Steven Ybarra is an award winning singer, songwriter, producer and composer. Having composed over three hundred songs and worked with dozens of professional studio engineers and producers,Steven Ybarra, Guitarist, Vocalist, Songwriter his style of teaching comes from an artistic background. Steven is a meteor of musical talent showering us with a heartfelt group of songs from his just-released new album "Love Love Love." The San Diego Music Awards has honored him more than three times, and he is a platinum prize-winner at the San Diego Songwriter's Guild for his cross-genre songs that span from Christian Pop to Adult Contemporary. Steven's singing has been on MTV's Road Rules, ESPN's Surfer Magazine Live, Beyond the Boundaries, the soundtrack from Wanted, and the Sycuan Casino TV Commercial. He has played with national acts such as Sugar Ray, Vertical Horizon, The Calling, Five For Fighting, Gin Blossoms, Lit, Hootie and the Blowfish, Dishwalla, Switchfoot, Jason Mraz, The Pat McGee Band, A.J. Croce, the highly-touted top comedian Carrot Top, and many others. Steven's outstanding musicianship and vocal nuancing make him shine among contemporary artists: listen closely, then become a believer. To learn more about Steven please
visit www.stevenybarra.com.

Eric Tochterman
Head Chef

Eric's culinary career began in Pennsylvania where he graduated from The Philadelphia Restaurant School in 1993. Prior to graduating Eric trained in Eric Tochtermans culinary career began in Pennsylvania where he graduated from The Philadelphia Restaurant School in 1993. Prior to graduating Eric trained in France for a brief period and then went on to immediately hone his skills as a chef at the prestigious Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania.France for a brief period and then went on to immediately hone his skills as a chef at the prestigious Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Throughout the following decade Eric further developed his techniques as a chef by creating menus and working as a TV Food Stylist for QVC and The Discovery Channel. He has now worked for over 15 years in studio kitchens and on remote location broadcasting shows with a live studio audience.

In 2003, Eric accepted an offer to run the Broadcast Kitchen for HSN and the sister network Americas Store, (AS). Eric went on to become the Culinary Supervisor, in charge of the culinary staff and food stylists. Eric managed all cooking programming for both 24/7 live networks. He has worked with dozens of celebrity chefs including: Wolfgang Puck, Roy Yamaguchi, Todd English, and Gordon Ramsay.

Eric has a passion for food and as the Head Chef for Replenish he is dedicated to bringing life to his culinary art. Eric intends to use his experience in the kitchen and on the stage to demonstrate the art of cooking for healthy living. In addition to his role at Replenish, he continues to cater parties, work as a Network Food Stylist and work on the completion of his long awaited cookbook! Eric lives in Clearwater Florida with his beautiful wife of 6 years, Sharon, and their son Finn.

Cami Hamann, MA
Health and Fitness

Cami Hamann is a health and fitness enthusiast. She has an unwavering passion for helping others find their best self.  Cami has a passion for three things: nutrition, exercise, and making others happy.  Cami Hamann is a health and fitness enthusiast. She has an unwavering passion for helping others find their best self. Cami has a passion for three things: nutrition, exercise, and making others happy.She enjoys educating herself and others on how to live a natural, healthy lifestyle through both nutrition and exercise. 

Cami understands that everyone's life is different - with varying degrees of demands and time constraints.  She knows it can be difficult to stay healthy in the corporate world or when life 'in general' gets hectic; she also know it's not impossible! If you are healthy on the inside and out - you feel better, you look better, you perform better and ultimately are a happier person! Cami shares her life passions through her healthy living blog called Health & Happiness.  She understands that everyone wants to be healthy, but many are simply unaware of the abundance of healthy resources and possibilities at their very own fingertips.

She created her blog to help those who may feel overwhelmed, but also to give people a fun place to find tools and inspiration for achieving or maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle.  Her intention is to make being healthy easy and fun! Cami earned a Masters degree from Texas Christian University and lives with her husband in Ft. Worth, Texas. To learn more about her story, visit her blog:  http://letsbehealthyandhappy.blogspot.com/

Jeffrey Briar
Yoga Instructor

Mr. Briar leads workshops in Hasya Yoga, a form of 'Laughter Yoga' that is a revolutionary new technique whereby anyone can laugh, without the need for comedy, jokes, or humor. Yogic breathing is integrated with laughter as a form of exercise; the Jeffrey Briar leads workshops in Hasya Yoga, a form of 'Laughter Yoga' that is a revolutionary new technique whereby anyone can laugh, without the need for comedy, jokes, or humor. Yogic breathing is integrated with laughter as a form of exercise; the resultant practice delivers numerous health benefits.resultant practice delivers numerous health benefits.

In addition to his work in Hasya Yoga, Jeffrey Briar has over 35 years of experience as a teacher of traditional Yoga. He first studied under Swami Turiyananda, Director of the Integral Yoga Institute of Santa Cruz; and later taught on the staff of the University of California, Santa Cruz. Briar also has more than 20 years of training in the Integral/Satchidananda, Sivananda, Kundalini, Iyengar and Ashtanga schools. He has led yoga classes and master classes for teachers throughout the USA, Canada and Europe and is on the faculty of Irvine Valley College. Note: On days Jeffrey is unavailable there will be another exceptional Yoga Facilitator from the staff of the acclaimed Laughter Yoga Institute. For more information please visit: http://www.lyinstitute.org

Kathy Gordon
Organic Food Director

Kathy's love of food began in her childhood home in Michigan foraging for wild blackberries and raspberries. This love has evolved into an Kethy Gordon - Honing her skills through cooking classes at the Laguna Culinary School of Arts, where she also earned a certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Kathy brings her passion to you as our Organic Foods Director.understanding and appreciation of the importance of treating our food as well as our bodies with care and respect. Kathy has spent years exploring local farmers markets, testing recipes, and learning how the environment affects the foods we eat. Honing her skills through cooking classes at the Laguna Culinary School of Arts, where she also earned a certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Kathy brings her passion to you as our Organic Foods Director. Kathy is a member of the Orange County Slow Food Group, Center for Science in the Public Interest, and Local Harvest CSA.