Meet Amanda - Modern Mystic, Erotic Energy Worker & BDSM Practitioner
I consider myself a weaver of worlds — exploring the dichotomy between the sacred and profane, light and dark, and what is known and unknown. My work is grounded in lifelong spiritual practices that keep me connected and open to the magic and mystery of life.
THE CALL OF THE SPIRITUAL PATH
My first spiritual awakening happened when I was around 12 years old. We were in a large auditorium with my church youth group, singing songs when I audibly heard the voice of God say, “You are home.” At that time, my faith was based in Judeo-Christian practices and provided a foundation for understanding our true nature of being made in the likeness and image of God, and honoring the sacredness of our human experience.
I continued to follow this path, and found my way to converting to Catholicism when I was 18, as my soul deeply resonated with the universality of the teachings that said “all are welcome.” It was in this time that I also began to grow in awareness of power dynamics and the abuse of power, which ignited a curiosity that continues to this day.
A WINDING PATH OF THE UNKNOWN
As I went off to college, I was still deeply unclear about my path and passion. Without clarity and direction, I listened to the voices of others that said “Get a business degree. You can always do something with a business degree.” I followed this direction instead of my own insight and wisdom and used my elective classes to continue my exploration of religion, spirituality and sexuality.
I now have the understanding that my upbringing deeply impacted my ability to feel confident in my own choices, decisions and desires. I was raised by two recovering alcoholics and despite their best of intentions and healing process, still provided an environment of uncertainty where I would feel shame when expressing my own desires.
FINDING IDENTITY AND PURPOSE IN A CAREER
This beautiful mess led me to a career in advertising and marketing, and I used this career path as a guiding light to prove my value, worth and identity. For over a decade I dedicated my life to this career, always fighting my own cognitive dissonance around the nature of this work. As a strategist, I am to know and understand “what makes people tick” and how to connect or exacerbate their unmet needs and use the brand, product, or service as an antidote to this need. I had to make people feel bad, broken or fragmented so that we could sell more of whatever we were trying to sell.
Throughout this career, I worked on some of the world’s most well-known and desired brands. I developed campaigns that reached millions of people all over the world. I traveled near and far researching people, communities and culture.
THE SHIFT THAT BROUGHT US HERE
It is also through this work that I learned of the real impact of power dynamics within the workplace and made the choice to speak out about my experience while working at Vice Media, which would forever alter my life’s work and mission. It is in the aftermath of this decision that I developed and launched The Shift Work Shop, a HR consultancy designed to prevent sexual harassment by creating company cultures grounded in safety, care and respect for all with a keen awareness and understanding of power dynamics within the workplace.
Perhaps even more remarkable is that while developing a career in marketing, I continued to feel the call of Spirit and found my way to learning about reiki as a healing modality and meditation practice. It was within this strand of life that I also was proudly ordained under the Order of Melchizedek by Sanctuary of the Beloved to offer spiritual counseling (and marriage officiating!)
An image of hope the day I was let go from my job.
In August of 2018 I was abruptly let go from my job in advertising which shattered my sense of identity and purpose. In the chaos and fear of this moment I could feel a stillness and a knowing in my heart that trusted this process and was able to see this moment as a welcomed reset that was so deeply needed.
THE PATH TO PLEASURE & FREEDOM
It was in this journey that I began to explore and prioritize my pleasure. Connecting with my sense of pleasure and purpose lead me to new spaces, environment and communities that would inspire and inform the next chapter of life. Soon I landed a gig as Director of Partnerships at a “social club for the adventurous” (ahem…a sex club), and began the real work of coming fully into my path and purpose.
Four years later, and through a global pandemic, I now feel more aligned and clearer than ever. I have helped thousands of people from all over the world uncover their pleasure within and develop practices that cultivate personal safety, care and respect. I have worked with organizations like Sentientfest and the National Center for Trans Equality to provide consent education & harm-reduction in addition to training and advising companies both large and small. I’ve used my experience with pleasure to provide brand & marketing strategy for new brands like Petit Mort Magazine within the sexual wellness space as well as established brands including Womanizer, Motorbunny & Brazzers, among others.
It my life’s work to help individuals, organizations and companies to embrace all that life has to offer through meaningful dialogue, transformative change and the pursuit of pleasure.