We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Monee Dulay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Monee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My parents did many things right and what really stands out to me are their bravery, grit, and determination. They immigrated to the United States in the 1980s, leaving everything that they know to fulfill their “American Dream.” Once in America, they would each work 2, sometimes 3, jobs at a time to achieve their goals. Eventually, they dove into the world of entrepreneurship opening a business serving elderly people with Alzheimer’s Disease and early stages of dementia. The business thrived for 23 years and my parents were highly regarded in their industry.
They would always say that their job was not glamorous, with many restless nights, unpredictable client behavioral changes, and the physical burden of assisting their clients with activities of daily living. Yet, it allowed them to build an amazing life for our family. We did not go on many big family vacations nor had a Super Nintendo (no matter how many times I asked for one), but my parents would always say “yes”‘ to any sports and activities we were interested in as they knew it would help build our character. With their business they ensured their life goals were reached, and that my sister and I were well provided for. Some of my favorite childhood memories come from spending time at the home with the clients and helping my parents “manage” the business. The biggest thing I remember from my childhood is my parents being present for every competition, game, performance, etc, which the flexibility of owning the business allowed them to do.
My mom and dad were great examples of successful business owners that it inspired me to follow in their footsteps. I was in awe of the joy brought to my parents by being of service to others and how their clients and their families quickly became a part of our family. Because of this, I knew from a young age that I wanted a profession to serve others. It is an interesting parallel that I took the leap of faith opening my own practice at the same age my parents were when they opened their care home. Now as a mother myself, I truly understand the importance of showing up for my children and appreciate having the flexibility and control of how I run my business. I am thankful for the experiences that my parents provided me, and I hope to be able to provide the same or similar opportunities for my own children.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My health journey with Chinese Medicine began as a teenager when a family friend, who is an acupuncturist, would treat me for sports related injuries. These treatments sparked my interest and I began to work in her clinic as a front desk associate. Over the years, I would turn to Chinese Medicine for injuries, menstrual health, and anxiety.
I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, but did not want to have a traditional Western medicine profession. I appreciated how Chinese Medicine approaches health with a holistic lens and treating people as unique individuals. After getting my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and working in the Biotech industry for several years, I decided to pursue my true passion and went back to school to be come a Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
More specifically, the reason I became a Cosmetic Acupuncturist specializing in holistic aesthetics stems from personal childhood experiences. As the daughter of immigrant parents, my youth was a confusing time. There was a tug-of-war between learning and appreciating my Filipino culture while being American born and assimilating to Western lifestyle. Most notably, was the paradigm of what I was being taught to be considered “beautiful.”
I grew up with a beauty standard that was very Westernized and in order to be accepted, I should desire to have light colored eyes and a fairer skin tone. I knew I would never be able to achieve that standard leading to insecurities. Not to mention that I have a unique name that was commonly mispronounced, which made me even more insecure and desired to be like everyone else. I was told to not be in the sun too long or I’d get too dark, or to use a specific soap to lighten my skin, or to do a specific make up technique so my nose wouldn’t look so “flat.”
As I got older, I began to shift my mindset to reframe what beautiful meant. I began to love my name and how I looked as it is a reflection of two strong women who come before me (I am named after my maternal grandmother and look like my paternal grandmother). I wanted to create my own beauty standards that is unique to me not based on what society or others old me I should look like. The prouder I was of my background, the stronger my Spirit grew, the more confident and radiant I became.
My passion as a Cosmetic Acupuncturist is to empower people to have autonomy over how they define beauty and become confident in themselves regardless of race, age, gender, or “less desirable” features they may have. More importantly, having two young daughters, I aspire for them to be bold, positive, and assertive in who they are naturally. My wish for them is to not have to grow up hearing a list of “dos and don’ts” or feeling less than others because they may look different. But more so to embrace their own unique beauty and appreciate others. Chinese Medicine views our outwardly appearance as a reflection of our inner health. Beauty truly is a reflection of the inward self radiating out. That radiance comes from experience life, loving it, and loving yourself.
Utilizing the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine, I guide my clients to achieve this radiance through individualized treatments to help them look and feel their best, naturally. Because I address aesthetics from a holistic lens, I am able to tie in my other interests and specialties of orthopedics and women’s health (the two reasons I started receiving acupunture) into the skincare sessions. I founded Rooted Flow Wellness to provide personalized holistic care for people to find optimized health and happiness. The services offered at Rooted Flow Wellness include Traditional Acupuncture, Glass Fire Cupping, Cosmetic Acupuncture Facial, Holistic Microneedling, Facial Gua Sha & Cupping Massage, and Herbal Medicine.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
Without a question, I would absolutely choose the same profession and specialties. Chinese Medicine and acupuncture have played a key role for me personally, helping me navigate through many chapters of my life. Because of the impact it has had for me, I will always advocate for this medicine and continue to share its beauty with others.
Though my specialties and interests of aesthetics, women’s health, and orthopedics seem unrelated, I am actually able to utilize my knowledge and techniques of these three areas in a single treatment. It truly showcases the versatility of Chinese Medicine and how taking the holistic approach can be beneficial. Being able to think through a treatment plan and making necessary changes (sometimes on the fly mid-treatment!), stimulates my mind and fuels my passion for this profession. It is a fulfilling feeling when I get to observe client wins, ranging from small to big, because of the work we do with Chinese Medicine.
Most importantly, I have the deepest gratitude and appreciation to my clients for entrusting me in guiding them through their health and beauty journeys. It is a humbling feeling knowing that I have created a space where people feel safe to share intimate details of their health, spirit, and life. The alchemy of healing that takes place at Rooted Flow Wellness is magical and an honor to witness. I am forever thankful to my clients present and past for being a part of my journey and allowing me to be a part of theirs.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
I think the most helpful for succeeding as an acupuncturist is truly having an appreciation of the culture from which this medicine comes from. Chinese Medicine comes from a long standing history with deep roots in the Chinese culture. As a licensed practitioner, I have a responsibility to pay homage to the ancestry and culture not only through what I do, but how I do it. This is of importance to me as a person of color and especially because I am of a different culture.
Much of the medicine has become appropriated, whether it be facial gua sha, cupping, or even needling. In my practice, I educate clients about the process of their treatments with relatable analogies and still utilizing the proper Chinese Medicine terminology. It is important to me and is respectful to the culture of this medicine to not dilute or convolute its essence.
For example, one of my most popular services is the Facial Gua Sha & Cupping Massage. Facial gua sha has become a “trend” because of the mainstream beauty industry and social media, with its biggest emphasis on lymphatic drainage. When a client is on my table receiving this service, we talk about how we are moving Qi (vital energy) and Blood (liquid life force) and improving its circulation to help relax and nourish the muscles of the face to restore its vitality. We have a deep conversation on why and how tension and features (lines/markings/etc) appear in certain areas of the face, and possibly connecting them to other concerns such as digestive issues, sleep issues, stress, and period health. When clients have a deeper understanding of their self through a holistic approach, it empowers them to advocate for better choices that fit their needs. Also, this understanding awakens their Shen, or Spirit, which can be vibrantly seen at the end of the service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rootedflow-wellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedflowwellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootedflowwellness
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/monee-dulay
Image Credits
Kristina Ebert