About Andi Locke Mears
1st Board Certified Colon Hydrotherapist in the state of Maine!
My interest in holistic health began in the mid 1970’s when I learned Transcendental Meditation. I had several spiritual experiences that left me with a sense of awe and with a clearer connection with my higher power and guides. I felt drawn to become a vegetarian in the late 1970’s at the ripe age of 18. Intuitively, I thought I would be a healthier person and I figured it wouldn’t hurt the cows and pigs, either! Several years later, I realized that refined sugar was at the root of my life-long sleeping challenges so I began to cut that out of my diet and as I did, I began sleeping better than ever. This was a process that took several years since I first had to learn how to recognize all the different names of processed sugar.
My daughter was born in 1983 and that began the next journey towards healthy living. I was determined to raise her as naturally as possible with home-cooked meals of whole grains, organic vegetables, and as few processed foods as possible. I began to use herbs and homeopathy when we became sick.
In the early 1990’s I became trained as a Certified Transformational Facilitator. I had a private practice for many years using healing tools such as Transformational Breathwork, Kinesthetic Associative Reprogramming, body mapping, sound, and chakra work. This was deep, rewarding work and I was able to assist many people on their healing journeys. I also completed a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.
I then began more work with nutrition. I attended nutrition workshops and learned the importance of superfoods, probiotics, and enzymes. My work gradually shifted from energy work to holistic nutrition as I helped many people overcome digestive issues.
We also became vegan, a diet that was devoid of all animal products. It was challenging for several reasons but we stayed mostly vegan for about 8 years, through my daughter’s teen years. At this time, I also received a Masters degree in Peace and Humane Studies from the University of Maine.
As with many mothers, our lives change when our children grow up and leave home and mine was no exception. I decided to return to school to increase my knowledge so I could expand my holistic health practice. I obtained a certificate as a Nutritional Consultant from the Global Institute for Alternative Medicine. I studied with Dr. Theresa Dale’s then International College of Naturopathy and received a diploma as a Holistic Health Practitioner. I became a Master Iridologist at the School of Natural Medicine and completed seminars in Living Foods, Naturopathy, and Herbal Medicine. I also studied at the Awareness Institute for Wellness, Inc. to become a Certified Colon Hydrotherapist. I attended the Ann Wigmore Institute in Puerto Rico and earned certification in Living Foods. Currently, I am attending the National Institute of Whole Health in Boston, ME to earn certification in Whole Health Education which is a service reimbursable through insurance.
I am a member of the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy, the American College of Iridology, the International Iridology Practitioners Association, the American Holistic Health Association and the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce. I continue to increase my knowledge for my family, my clients, and my own health.
My own personal health was good but not great by the time I began my advanced studies. I decided the vegan, carbohydrate rich diet was taking a greater toll on my pancreas and blood sugar. I also had chronic eczema on my lower legs and despite assisting other people for years with their health issues, I realized I still had some that I had not addressed.
I then healed myself of chronic eczema following a raw, Living Foods diet, by cleaning my colon, using botanical formulas, and traditional naturopathic treatments. My body went through a major shift during these few months. My eczema cleared off of my nerve endings which was the final phase of healing my legs. I was ecstatic but after several months on a raw, living foods diet, I was also weak. I had lost weight which I couldn't afford to lose. I knew I needed to rebuild my body.
I had previously studied the seminal work of Weston A. Price and decided it would be a grand experiment to give it a try so I switched from a raw, vegan, living food diet to a Weston Price diet literally overnight. I began to incorporate small amounts of high quality animal protein into my diet and greatly reduced the carbohydrates from grains. I began eating foods I hadn't eaten in 30 years. It was scary at first - change often is and I didn't know how my body was going to react. I did not have to worry - my body knew better what it needed than my thoughts and beliefs did.
I also delved deeper into the mind/body connection. I continued to work on my own emotional body with different modalies such as EFT, EMDR, breathwork, yoga, etc. I have always believed in the mind/body connection as do many others. I was an avid fan of Louise Hay and often carried my copy of Heal Your Body around with me!
I took this knowledge to another level by getting trained in German New Medicine - a new modality discovered by a doctor who can literally look at a CT scan of your brain and tell you what organs have been compromised and/or healed. It takes the mind/body connection to an entirely different layer that is verifiable in brain scans and is traced to embryology.
As you can see, as I evolve and learn, I am more able to help others with increasingly positive results. It is my passion! I love what I do and I hope that shines through to everyone who knows me.
I do not believe there is one diet or one way of living that fits all people. I do believe that everyone needs to discover which foods, beliefs, and activities support them and which ones don’t. When that is discovered, adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle can empower each person to create true health for themselves. I invite you to join me!!
Updated: October 26, 2010
