We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karineé Lopez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karineé below.

Karineé, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

If there was a moment in my life that changed the trajectory of my career it would have to be when I became a mother. Prior, to having kids I worked at a hospital in NYC. I was involved in the programming world because my degree is in Computer Science. After having my kids, I found myself ,like many new moms, trying to figure out childcare and work. Becoming a mom showed me and opened me to the opportunity to become a teacher. It was the beginning of a big passion that I never knew I had. I loved the creativity involved, but most importanly I loved making an impact in children’s lives. Teaching opened the door to what I’m called to do in this world. Being a Medicine Woman is about making an impact in people’s life and teaching about herbs and plant medicine as a herbalist is a more refined path of my teaching experience. I believe once a teacher always a teacher. There’s nothing more rewarding to see how you can change someone’s life just because you shared and taught something from your heart. I wouldn’t have become a teacher if it wouldn’t have been for my kids.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Where I am today is due to being diagnosed with a chronic condition called endometriosis. Endometriosis is an abnormal tissue growth outside of the uterus. I fell into deep depression because of this condition and it affect my family as whole. I frankly felt defeated, and like a failure to my own body, I felt endometriosis had won. These feelings were the catalyst moment that I needed to see I needed to making a shift in my life. I embarked on a healing journey and since conventional medicine wasn’t working for me, I proceeded to give the unconventional and holistic healing approach a try.

Through this journey, not only was I able to find peace mentally, spiritually and physically but I was able to find my calling. Although I was not a novice on herbal remedies because as a Dominican, this was a norm growing up, I never paid much attention and disqualified its validity. As I explored different modalities to heal my body, I found a strong connection with my spirituality and the power of herbs and plants. This love for herbal teas opened my curiosity to healing medicinal plants and to work sacredly with them. Soon after, I started to offer my blends to friends and family, which led for me to decide to start an Etsy Shop and my official website to offer my healing blends and grow on my advocacy for Endometriosis and guiding women connect within.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey suffering from endometriosis hasn’t been easy but it showed me to be resilient. Before being properly diagnosed with endometriosis, I spent years going from doctors to doctors trying to find out a proper diagnosis. I went through a 12 hours surgery, colon resection, two IVF (in-vitro fertilization), hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of ovaries). Just experiencing the physical pain in my body brought a strength within me that I didn’t know it existed. Although there were times I just wanted to give up and literally die, I knew that I was put on this Earth to make a change and my life matters. Endometriosis helped me build the resilience I need for growing my business now. Because it takes a lot of inner strength to pursue what you love.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I believe life is just like the ocean. There are times of strong waves that take your life in different route and not where you were intending to go and to which calls you to pivot all together from your plans. That has happened to me plenty of times. I have gone from being a makeup consultant, to fitness consultant, computer IT, to teacher. I see that during these pivoting moments of my life and career, I have seen my growth and I have learned lessons that have been essential for me growing my business today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sanateherbals.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sanateherbals
• Other: www.karineelopez.com

Image Credits
@jessicafredericks