Tracy has been practicing massage and bodywork professionally since 1999. Her first passion in healing came from her love for nature, and just appeciating a connection with the beauty and wonder of the natural world. However, after studying wildlife ecology and feeling overwhelmed by the dire forecasts of the environment, she landed a desk job (marketing, proof reading, bookkeeping, supervising) with a book publisher. During this time, she realized the suffering of the world would not be lessened by her own feelings of burden about the health of the planet. She believes, “Peace in the world begins with peace in ourselves.” She started pursuing her own healing experiences, including massage and bodywork. After a few years at the desk job, she felt called to pursue her interests in the healing arts profession. This came naturally since she had first started giving massages when she was a kid and teenager to friends and family.

It was during the last period of her desk job and directly before seeking massage training that she got to experience first hand the benefits of therapeutic massage. One morning she woke up from her bad bed with what started as a kink in her low back. As the week progressed, the kink rippled up her spine to the point she was having difficulty turning her neck. This was the most pain she could ever remember experiencing. She received a few chiropractic adjustments, which helped, but didn’t hold. She slept with a heating pad. She did some stretches. The pain was not subsiding. She wasn’t sure what to do, but remembered how good she felt from some massages she had previously received. Her massage therapist, Elizabeth Eve, was able to squeeze her in for a 40 minute massage session. Two days later, she met with her family for Christmas at the Wintergreen ski resort, and skied mogules and triple black diamonds! From this dramatic experience of debilitating pain to full function, Tracy knew she had to learn more about this powerfully healing work.

While cultivating her skills as a massage therapist for 14 years, she is also a community herbalist and aromatherapist, having studied with many different talented teachers, including the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, Floracopeia, and the East-West School of Herbal and Aromatic Studies, and numerous classes, conferences, workshops, and online courses. Her clients know best that she is always learning, always in self-study mode. Early in her career she was particularly interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine, studying Qi Gong, the meridians, and acupressure points, while developing her skills in medical massage (pnf -proprioneuromuscular facilitation, myofascial release, neuromuscular and trigger point therapy), including a Kinesiology Movement class at UNCA with Dr John Faherty.

Later, her interests broadened to include the wisdom of the ancient teachings of Ayurveda (the sister science to yoga) which she uses as a lense to understand the subtle energy patterns of plants, people, and the seasons of life. At the foundation of her healing work is her mindfulness practice, or meditation practice, and she sees massage as a form of meditation, for both herself and the client. For the past several years she has helped facilitate a weekly meditation group.

“I feel deep gratitude for being able to blend both my personal and professional interests. I am continuously inspired by my clients as they aspire to better themselves in their lifestyle choices, deepen their understanding and compassion for themselves and their world, and from their own healing and transformations.”

Tracy has been fortunate to call Asheville home for the past 22 years, enjoying a strong foundation of community in friends and family. Her small family of brother Patrick (who owns and operates Affordable Bedding and Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures), and mother (retired but you’d never know it by seeing her schedule of Pilates, hiking, book making, fresh local cooking, and operating her vrbo), and soon-to-be 21 year old niece, Christina, whose beautiful photography adorns these web pages, and attends UNCA as a student in International Studies…all reside in Asheville.

For fun,Tracy attends herb walks and the like but for other fun, she cycles, hikes, and backpacks with some gypsy girlfriends and her dog, Zinc. When she’s in running mode, she enjoys an occasional 5k or 10k. She loves unique experiences, like jumping out of an airplane (only once), or other things closer to the ground like live arts performances and art gallery shows. Among her meditation friends, she’s been called a “Laughing Buddha” due to her spontaneous humor; on a backpack trip in the Grand Canyon she was called “Hawk Eye” since she could spot the trail disguised among the rock; many people take note of her inquisitive nature and ability to pick up new skills quickly, so “Jill of All Trades” has come up; her gypsy backpack friends know her as a “Mountain Woman;” and a regular client calls her the “Medicine Woman,” and she doesn’t mind being called “Trace.”

I’m very fortunate and grateful to be doing work which I truly enjoy. My work doesn’t feel like “work” because it provides an outlet for me to share my interests, talents, and skills, with lovely, amazing people…my clients! I am continuously inspired by my clients who allow me to be of witness to them as they navigate through their personal transformations, in their joys, healing, and challenges along life’s journey. It is personally healing and nourishing for me to be around such strength, wisdom, and grace! I am blessed and grateful for my community of family, friends, and clients, who all honor me with their kindnesses and generosity of heart and friendships. When it comes down to it, all we really have to offer one another is a quality of presence, like a tree: calm, comforting, and strong.

Deep gratitude to all my relations, all my community, past, present and future. You are my garden and I am so grateful to be in yours!