While crafting my own body care, I encountered a glaring absence: representation of my Latin culture, it's efficacious botanicals and its rich traditional knowledge.

Knowledge and practices that are passed down from generation to generation and advocates that true wellness is impossible unless every aspect of a person can be healed mind, body and spirit.

In 2021, at the young age of 39, I faced a diagnosis that changed everything: Stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. With no family history to prepare me, it was my own intuition—feeling a lump in my breast during one of my monthly breast rituals that I had created 4 years prior—that guided me towards diagnosis. Despite skepticism from the medical community, I trusted my body and its signals, insisting on additional tests and treatments. That summer, a bilateral mastectomy became a life-saving necessity.

Thinking my breast cancer journey was behind me, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Ductal Invasive Carcinoma, December 2022, after another small bump on my breast raised my concerns. The doctors were hesitant, but my inner voice remained resolute. My continued detection and survival underscores the power of listening to your body, trusting your intuition, and advocating fiercely for your well-being.

My journey with breast cancer is a testament to the incredible strength we possess within our minds and bodies. It reinforces Sanara’s mission: to create a space where people can reconnect with themselves and tap into their inner resilience. Sanara is not just skincare; it’s about fostering a vital dialogue between the mind and body. Your body is your life partner, and sometimes it whispers secrets you mustn’t ignore. Through Sanara, we aim to empower you to trust those whispers, honor your journey, and embrace the beauty of self-care.

Unbeknownst to me, the creation of Sanara was laying the groundwork for a deeply personal odyssey, one that transcended skincare and ventured into the realm of self-love and advocacy. The rituals of mind-body connection that Sanara encourages weren’t just beneficial for my clients; they were a lifeline for me, a quiet preparation for the challenges that lay ahead.

Learning to listen to my body through the practices that Sanara promotes has been an integral part of my journey through breast cancer. The brand embodies my belief in the healing power of nature and self-care—principles that have been life-affirming for me in the most literal sense. Sanara was not just preparing my skin for a brighter, healthier future; it was teaching me to attend to my body’s subtle messages, honor its wisdom, and heed its calls for care.

At the heart of it all, Sanara is a tribute to my ancestors and their infinite wisdom of the unbreakable bond between our physical and emotional selves. It's a call to nurture that connection every day, to give ourselves the love and attention we so freely give to others. As I continue on this life journey, I am more committed than ever to Sanara's mission—to help you forge that indelible link with your truest self, for it is in that connection that healing, both physical and emotional, becomes possible.