Meet the contributors!
We believe local experiences are important. With that in mind, we’ve partnered with local contributors for their perspectives on a variety of healthy living topics. Here are the writers who helped make this issue possible.
Dr. Hojat Askari
Founder & Medical Director, Thumb Butte Medical Center
Dr. Hojat Askari, or “Dr. A,” is founder and medical director of Thumb Butte Medical Center at 3124 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, with over 20 medical professionals specializing in family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, allergy treatment, and foot and ankle surgery.
Dr. Robert Benhuri
D. Ac, Synergy Wellness Center
Robert Benhuri, D. Ac, has been a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist since 2008. He moved to Prescott with his wife and three children from the New York metro area in 2014. He treats patients with a focus on pain relief, PTSD and autoimmune conditions for veterans and seniors.
Lynell Cavner
Owner & Master Certified Bowen Practitioner, Llynell & Company
Lynell Cavner is the founder and owner of Lynell & Company, a Body & Nerve Restoration Center in Prescott.
She’s a master certified Bowenwork practitioner, trained in Thai/stretch massage and has a bachelor’s in holistic nutrition. Her book “Her Father’s Hands” was recently released.
Cathy Clements
Nutritionist & Life Coach, NASM, CNC, CPT, FNS, WFS
Cathy Clements is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. She has experienced challenges in her fitness and nutrition and is helping women over 40 regain their youthful energy. She will meet you where you are on your journey.
Dr. Marla Jirak
Owner, CoachSmart Consulting, LLC
Dr. Marla Jirak assists clients with life transitions with expertise in the areas of caregiving, career, relationships
and traumatic brain injury. She has an extensive background
in understanding stress, health and behavior change to achieve success toward specified goals.
Carl Johns
LMT, Director, Asis Massage Education
Carl Johns has been a massage therapist and educator for 25 years. He practices and teaches many Eastern and Western bodywork styles and has specialized throughout his career in working with people with disabilities and complex health conditions.
Ken Lain
Owner, Watters Garden Center
Ken Lain, known as “The Mountain Gardener,” writes weekly columns that are featured nationally. His podcast and YouTube channel by the same name have millions of downloads. During the week he can be found at Watters Garden Center in Prescott.
Carol Lucia Lopez
CHt, PSYCH-K Facilitator
Carol Lopez guides individuals through self-discovery and self-healing using a variety of tools including Beyond Quantum Healing
(BQH), PSYCH-K®, and hypnotherapy. She is a Certified Hypnotherapist, PSYCH-K® Facilitator, BQH Practitioner, and MBA. She sees beauty and potential in every individual.
Lauri Mackey
CCHC, Positivity Podcaster & Speaker for Women, and Author at Lauri’s Lemonade Stand
Lauri Mackey, CHHC, is the proprietor of Lauri’s Lemonade Stand, a Positivity Podcast for Women and author of Positivity Happens, Creating Happiness and Finding Hope through The Art of Holiatry (hoh-lee-a-tree).
John Murphy
Chair, Prescott Commission on Well-Being
John Murphy is chairman of the Prescott Commission on Well-Being and founder of the Make 100 Healthy Foundation, whose mission is to reduce diabetes and obesity though nutrition and gardening education. He’s a proud husband, father and real estate agent.
Elisa Oliver-Nielsen
MA, Registered Dietician Nutritionist
As a registered dietician nutritionist for over 20 years with a master’s in food management from New York University, Elisa Oliver-Nielsen employs her knowledge and expertise to see her clients healed and thriving, so that wellness becomes achievable, sustainable and long-lasting.
Carolyn Ramirez
Workforce Development Program Coordinator, The LaunchPad Teen Center
Carolyn Ramirez is the workforce development program coordinator at The Launch Pad Teen Center. She has a passion for holistic wellness, which she strives to incorporate into her work with teens. She believes that success goes beyond a career.
Chrissie Seals
WHNP, Salud Spa
Chrissie Seals, WHNP, is a women’s health nurse practitioner with 25 years’ experience. She is an advanced esthetic injector and medical director for laser services at Salud Spa. She has co-owned Salud Spa since 2009.
Blayne Soriano
Level 2 Crossfit Coach and Crossfit Kids Coach
Coach Blayne Soriano is a Level 2 Crossfit Coach and Crossfit Kids Coach at Redtail Crossfit. She does one-on-one training and helps her clients with meal prep using her PN-L1 nutrition certification. She carries other certifications including Olympic lifting. Photo: Kai York
Loree Walden
Marketing Manager, Yavapai Humane Society
Loree is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to Prescott in 2010. Her background spans a variety of careers, including 20 years of tax preparation, eight years of radio traffic and her current position as marketing manager for Yavapai Humane Society, where she is able to do what she loves by helping animals through advocating for them to help them find their furever homes!
Dr. Karissa Walton
Founder & Medical Director, The Mobile Health Doc
Dr. Karissa Walton is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor (NMD) who specializes in treating chronic pain and neurological conditions. She is passionate about teaching her patients how to optimize their health and performance so they can live the life they love.
Aymee Wilson
Owner & Founder, Wilson Aesthetics
Aymee Wilson is an RN and aesthetic injector and owns Wilson Aesthetics. She graduated from Estrella Mountain Community College in 2010 and found a passion for the aesthetic industry and creating a space where patients can be treated with the utmost kindness and respect.
Bailey Zygutis
Nutritionist and Personal Trainer, Vitruvian Fitness
Bailey Zygutis is a nutritionist and personal trainer with Vitruvian Fitness. With a passion for holistic health, she works with individuals in person and online to create customized programs that teach them to more fully enjoy the benefits of good health.