I worked for years as a nurse working in detox and rehabilitation while quietly struggling myself. I understood addiction clinically, but not how to rebuild trust in my own body.
Change came through learning to sit with discomfort, regulate my nervous system, and work with my brain rather than against it. Dharma in the Dirt grew from this intersection of training and lived experience, created to support people in early recovery through neuroscience education, nervous system regulation, and embodied practice—without quick fixes or bypassing. My role isn’t to fix anyone, but to support reconnection, stability, and purposeful living.
My Story
I spent many years living in survival mode, driven by a deep need for connection and relief from internal overwhelm.
I began using substances and alcohol early, not as a choice toward destruction, but as a way to escape discomfort and to feel regulated. Over time, coping became conditioning, and addiction took hold.
When I attempted to get sober, I came face-to-face with the impact this had on my body—especially my nervous system. It felt constantly activated, as if my body were on fire or electrically charged.
Neuroscience gave language to what compassion made possible:
Addiction isn’t a personal flaw. It’s an adaptive response to chronic stress. Understanding what was happening in my body became the first step toward real healing.