Yes, you can call me Auntie. It's informal because many have felt they can come to me to tell me their story, feeling as if I'm their Auntie.

 

My journey in sleep medicine began in 2006. During that time, I worked at the Cancer Care Center at Multicare Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, doing office administration, developing and hanging x-rays for the physicians after being a stay-at-home mom for my two daughters, now 22 and 24 years old. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology at Washington State University in 1998. After going through a divorce and trying to support my daughters as a single mom, I went to the hospital's Human Resources department and asked how to earn more money. She said, "Sign up for this 3-month Polysomnographic Technologist course. Just pay $3,000 for the fees." The instructor told me, "Now it's tough to get a job in this industry as it is new." I graduated on a Sunday, and the following Wednesday, I started working at Sound Sleep Health and Providence Medical Sleep Disorder's Center. I drove for an hour and a half to and from work, and yes, I was sleep-deprived at times (I will share my story with you in the future book I am writing). I found another sleep gig near me and began working at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington in 2010. In 2015, I decided to take a different career path of becoming a Cardiovascular Cath Lab Tech, where I would help those with heart health issues such as heart attacks by putting in stents. One day, during class, I stated, "But if the patient had CPAP, he wouldn't have to undergo a heart procedure." My professor looked at me and said in front of the class, "Michelle, it's about job security." It was then I decided to leave the program. My professor was obese and stated he has heart health issues, and his wife says he stops breathing in his sleep at night but refuses to use CPAP and change his lifestyle habits. 

 

I went back to working in the sleep lab, even more, curious than ever since learning more about the heart and wanting to help others bypass undergoing heart procedures and using unnecessary medications. 

 

I was born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii. My mother died at 39 years old from breast cancer (I was only nine years old), and my father died at 67 years old from Polycystic Kidney Disease. As far as I can remember, my dad was overworked, overstressed, and consumed whatever foods he could on a budget since he was raising three kids as a single dad when my mother died. My mom and dad did not smoke or drink alcohol. I believe what killed my mom and dad was poor lifestyle choices of putting money first as their priority. 

 

Since my father's passing in 2006, watching my mom and him suffer, I decided to continue my academic curiosity, trying to help find a cure for their chronic diseases. I was bound and determined not to live my life working so hard that most of my earnings were given to the hospital. I received my second Bachelor of Science Degree in Neurodiagnostic and Sleep Sciences in 2021 through the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. My curiosity still did not stop. Within a few months after graduating, I enrolled in Creighton University School of Medicine's Master's of Integrated Health and Wellness; I have two more classes to complete and will graduate at the end of this year, 2023. If that was not enough to fulfill my curiosity, I am also earning my Postgraduate Degree in Sleep Medicine through Oxford University in England! The plan is to receive my Ph.D. in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy while maintaining my good health. As of date, I have not been diagnosed with any chronic diseases!

 

Why all of this education? I want to understand as much as I can about sleep medicine to shed light through my studies: Why are we looking for a cure for cancer or polycystic kidney disease when the real question we should be asking is, "Why not prevent these chronic diseases from happening in the first place?" Much scientific-based evidence shows that quality sleep decreases risk factors for chronic diseases. I believe quality sleep is medicine: While juggling two Master's, I'm still working full-time at the sleep lab; don't worry, my kids joined the Navy- is my idea of empty nester syndrome. I'm putting myself through school and wanting to help others make healthier lifestyle choices while continuing to learn about longevity for myself. I want to play with my grandchildren one day!

 

Why the need for a sleep coaching health and wellness business website? My patients have repeatedly asked me to open up my business website, take a more holistic approach to sleep medicine, and write my book on my experience and knowledge in sleep medicine. Many patients have said, "Please give me your card and information. Once you publish your book, I will be purchasing it." I will watch podcasts and YouTube videos and read published research articles and books on sleep medicine, but none of these researchers I know of have worked the night shift as long as I have and have heard these many stories from patients with sleep issues. Many researchers use mice models to make their claims. I learn from my human patients, their successes and failures. I am here to share with you what has worked for patients still living in their 80s or 90's plus.

​

Optimal health surrounds quality sleep. My motto is: "You fix your sleep. You fix your health." I not only teach health and wellness, I also live this lifestyle. 

​

If it's more energy you are looking for, I am what you need. I combine personalized nutrition and exercise plans, focusing more on your sleep needs according to your lifestyle. No sleep needs are the same. We are all different ages, sexes, ethnicities, and have other careers and family demands. My job is to tailor your needs to your schedule, not taking the "blanket" approach (as the English say from Oxford University) of utilizing medications. I want to empower you to keep your retirement savings for your fun dreams, not spend your non-working years at hospital appointments. Please invite me to be your health and wellness sleep coach — your Auntie!

​