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About Stephanie Petersen
Stephanie Petersen MSOM, LMT
Stephanie Petersen is a Sarasota native, mother, combat veteran, healer, leader, mentor, massage therapist, ordained minister, advocate, and pioneer. Her life story is a testament to resilience, determination, and an unwavering will to overcome adversity.
Early Life & Military Service
Stephanie's journey began with an early passion for healthcare, obtaining her Certified Nursing Assistant license while still in high school. However, during her first semester in college, she made a life-changing decision to join the Marine Corps with just a day's notice. Stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Stephanie was deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Serving as a logistics maintenance manager, she reported maintenance readiness to the battalion commander and also drove on convoys.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Returning home from active duty, Stephanie faced a nearly deadly transition marked by severe mental illness and suicidal ideation. Her struggles were compounded by a challenging upbringing, having been kicked out of both her father's and mother's houses before she turned 18. Despite these hardships, she graduated high school with honors, demonstrating a resilience that would define her future endeavors.
Finding Her True Calling
After her military service, Stephanie initially pursued pre-nursing studies but soon discovered her true calling. A profound experience in a psychiatric ward at Bay Pines led her to enroll in massage therapy school, where she experienced significant healing and a spiritual awakening. Embracing natural medicine, she discontinued pharmaceuticals and began her journey as a holistic healer.
Educational & Professional Achievements
Stephanie's dedication to healing and personal growth led her to enroll in a dual Bachelor's and Master's degree program in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Despite the challenges of motherhood and a global pandemic, she graduated in March 2020. Throughout her educational journey, Stephanie faced and overcame numerous obstacles, including homelessness, which fueled her passion for advocating for women veterans and improving access to support services.
Current Endeavors & Achievements
Today, Stephanie holds a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Studies, and a License in Massage Therapy. She is also Reiki Level II attuned and an Ordained Minister with the Universal Life Church. Stephanie's diverse skill set and profound life experiences make her a unique and powerful advocate for holistic healing and veteran support.
Legacy of Resilience
Stephanie Petersen is a go-getter with an unbreakable spirit. Her life's mission is to heal, inspire, and lead others toward a path of wellness and empowerment. As a Sarasota native, her roots run deep in the community, where she continues to make a significant impact.
Stephanie's story is one of triumph over adversity, and her unwavering determination is a beacon of hope for all who face challenges.
Her journey from a troubled youth to a respected healer and advocate exemplifies the power of resilience and the human spirit.
Warrior | Medicine | Mama
Warrior
As a United States Marine Corps Combat Veteran, Sergeant Stephanie embodies the traits of a warrior through her resilience in the face of adversity, an unwavering determination to overcome challenges, and her fierce dedication to advocating for others.
Medicine
Stephanie embraces holistic healing arts and warrior medicine, combining traditional and natural therapies to promote wellness, resilience, and to promote optimal health. Her background in healthcare began her junior year in high school when she became a Certified Nursing Assistant, as a stepping stone in pursuing he dream goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. She is currently a Licensed Massage Therapist (MA#100032) and a former Licensed Acupuncturist holistic mental health telehealth provider. She is attuned to Reiki level II. Stephanie is also an Ordained Minister with Universal Life Church. She loves to blend East and West principles in her healing and restorative methodologies. She believes healing is not linear, it is cyclical and multidimensional. Holistic mental health is her jam. Her ideal client is a woman who struggles with chronic mental health and physical health problems. She believes in a Higher Power and has faith that miracles happen, and is ready to witness it firsthand, coupled with quantum leaps in growth and evolution.
Mama
As a proud mother of three beautiful children, Stephanie understands the unique benefits and challenges of motherhood. Her story is that of a combat veteran who went to war, came back, and started to have babies. Spoiler alert, all her mental health issues got progressively worse with each child. Stephanie has committed her life to reduce the stigma around maternal mental health, and to educate others on the unique challenges women veteran mothers face, and to bridge that gap.