Mary is the co-founder of Samara Retreats. Born in Kentucky, she was raised alongside a willow tree and a babbling creek tangled with poke, blackberries, and wild mint. As a child, Ranger Rick taught her how to eat from her lawn- wild onion soup and violet sandwiches. Mary began her career as a nurse and worked in various fields including stints abroad in Honduras and Peru. Eventually she realized that life was calling her, not only to the healing of bodies, but also to the healing of humanity’s relationship with the Earth. Mary went on to earn her master’s degree in Philosophy, Consciousness, and Cosmology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her work is informed by the Earth itself and her time in wild places, especially her thru hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Long Trail. Mary has trained as a Kentucky Master Naturalist, has served as faculty for the Earth and Spirit center, and currently volunteers as an ambassador for the Kentucky Wild program.

Mary currently lives and breathes in Louisville, KY on the hallowed land of the Cherokee, Osage, and Shawnee. She feels the most alive when she is surrounded by trees and mountains. You can usually find her running, hiking, reading, or deep in meditation.