Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy DeAnda.
Hi Amy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My life took a had a huge shift ten years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I spent a year going through surgeries and chemo. It changed me… it changed my life.
After nearly 15 years working in project management (Dell) and then event management (Region 13 Education Service Center), I decided to change career paths to the health and wellness industry. Cancer had changed my priorities. I wanted a career in alignment with being more grounded and the ability to live a slower-paced life. I graduated from Lauterstein Conway School of Massage Therapy in 2015 and have practiced massage for seven years now, with a specialty in lymphatic care. My work put me in line with meeting spiritual and health-minded people at a time when my own personal life had me truly looking inward and stepping toward living with purpose. In 2016, I began an online Facebook discussion space called The Garden of The Goddesses, a safe place for women to share feelings about specific topics related to self-love and self-empowerment. At the time, it felt huge to throw myself out there like that! When the pandemic happened, it seemed everyone wanted to at least “feel” closer to each other so my women’s group experience blossomed into small group gatherings via Zoom, 1:1 empowerment coaching sessions and, beginning in 2021, weekend women’s retreats.
The pandemic did not allow for me to do massage so it seemed like no better time for me to (nearly single-handedly!) remodel my beautifully secluded little cottage in Bastrop County into the retreat center where I’d dreamed of holding women’s retreats. The outcome is that I am the proud owner of a small heath and wellness center created by my own hand. Very empowering!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road! I have a lot of ideas for someone who doesn’t have a lot of money! I was unable to get a loan to do the remodel on my house because the pandemic meant I had no income. I was devastated! I felt very blessed that my dad came to the rescue by co-signing for me on a Home Depot line of credit to allow me to fulfill my wishes.
Also, although I come from a long line of do-it-yourself types, tearing my house apart inside and out and then re-designing it was a way bigger chunk than I imagined. There were a lot of bruises, tears, sweat and learning curves!
I’m also not a techie person so learning how to create my own website was almost a bigger personal challenge than the remodel!!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a gatherer! I am a connector! While it doesn’t seem like much, it’s really what we need right now in the world, isn’t it?
Through my coaching, group sessions and retreats, I bring women together on their journey of self-discovery. In my healing journey, what has stood out to me most is the great need for connection between women. The relationships I have cultivated with women in the last decade have been imperative to my well-being. It is an honor to bring women together. I specialize in providing a safe environment in which women can come together, be vulnerable, and lift each other up.
I am also a very successful planner and organizer. My work allows me to use all my best skills.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Empathy, intuition, compassion, excellent listening skills, the ability to accept others as they are
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goddesses.garden/
- Instagram: @gardenofthegoddesses
- Other: https://www.kovarsanctuary.com/
