About Us

About Ramona

Ramona is a "retired" award winning newspaper journalist. She found journalism in High School, as she loved listening to people's stories and sharing them. She then went on to getting her degree in journalism from San Jose State University and worked in TV, radio, news wire and, finally, full circle back to newspaper. 

She quit journalism the first time in 2005 because of burnout -- Long work hours; calls while on vacation about stories written weeks before; and the demand to crank out more stories despite being one of the top reporters. The stress caused her to have frequent nosebleeds in 2003/04, an eye-opening experience into how her body was manifesting stress.

 And that's when massage therapy found her by way of a "chance" meeting at a store one weekend with a veteran massage therapist. They struck up a conversation that quickly turned into a commercial for massage -- "what have you got to lose?," the veteran massage therapist concluded.

 That started Ramona's journey to helping others find inner peace during adversity. 

In 2008/09, the economy tanked, people stopped getting massage, and Ramona's spa job since 2005 stopped direct deposit, started issuing paper checks, and told employees NOT to cash them until they were told to do so. Stress reared its ugly head, again, and Ramona was weighing her options.

 Not knowing her struggles, Ramona's former boss at the newspaper reached out and asked if she would come back as a freelancer. At the time, one of Ramona's former coworkers was on pregnancy leave, opening up the door for her return to the newsroom. 

Going Back to the Newsroom 

Was THE Hardest

Upon walking through the newsroom door, anxiety smacked her in the face with all the reasons why she fled the field all those years ago. Using positive self-talk, Ramona pressed through, remembering why she was drawn to journalism in the first place: Everyday was different, she met new people daily, listened to their stories, sometimes participated in their activities, and then told the world about them and why they and/or their cause was worth knowing about.

Fast forward to today. Ramona is no longer in the newsroom but she has created a way to merge the journalist in her with the stress releasing massage therapist she had become. 

While the natural progression for journalists is to go into Public Relations, Ramona created her own Public Relations company of sorts -- helping promote local small holistic businesses through A Healing Place, this website, social media, and wellness events.

(By the way, the awards she has tucked away at home are not from her journalism peers. Rather, they are from the community members she wrote about. Her work created change in the community back then. And her work now seeks to bring about change in the community, as well.)

In opening A Healing Place, Ramona's goal was to teach people how to write their next chapter in a positive light, despite the adversity in their lives. She used networking, Reiki, breathwork, energy crystals, and positive self-talk to manifest and grow her business into what it is today. 

And more is on the horizon!

She is available for Coaching and Public Speaking opportunities.

Questions?

Would you like a session with Ramona?

Choose from:

• Reiki

• Sound Healing

• Meditation

• Restorative Yoga

• Retreats

• Destination Retreats

• Mentoring

• Public Speaking

To book, schedule a 30-minute free introduction, message her here.

Please, no soliciting, scams, or spam.

Ramona's PROJECTS

• In October of 2025, Ramona and some friends launched Healing Oasis of the Soul, a nonprofit that aims to bring wellness services and workshops to everyone, despite their ability to pay. She also seeks to start a sustainable retreat center that included earth, cob-style bungalows, a community garden, hiking trails, a labyrinth, and more. Volunteers needed. Donate here.

• In late 2024/early 2025, she began working with David Moore of Certain Together Village Hubs to ensure every neighborhood has the tools it needs to survive and thrive on its own after disaster strikes. In major disasters, it takes time for first responders and government agencies to arrive. The goal is to teach neighbors to be a hub of information, as well as use what -- and who -- they have to save lives and thrive. This endeavor is based on a 20+-year-old program in Seattle, WA. David's goal is to have similar programs everywhere.

• In late 2025, Ramona joined a group of people seeking to link volunteerism with wellness services geared toward middle school and high school-aged youth. The goal is to help stave off the rapidly rising existence of anxiety and depression in our young people. By combining the empathy of volunteerism with grounding activities, such as yoga and meditation, we hope to grow more compassionate and resilient generations.