About us
Eduardo & Nance: A Story of Connection & Purpose
We met 25 years ago, and from the very beginning, our connection was undeniable. Through the years, we’ve not only grown together but have remained intentional about nurturing our love, respecting our bond, and continuing to date each other. It’s been a long, beautiful journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, and yet, here we are – still choosing each other every day.
This past year was especially significant for us. It tested us deeply, but it also brought us closer than ever. Through shared challenges, the support and guidance of wise mentors, and a willingness to look inward together, we learned more about each other in ways we didn’t think possible. What we found is that our love and partnership are stronger because of it.
As co-directors of Once Upon a Trauma Storytelling and Speaking is Medicine™, we’ve been given the opportunity to use our shared story and passion to help others find connection and healing through the power of storytelling. Taking on this role at the end of a year that asked so much of us felt like a gift – a way to transform the challenges we faced into something purposeful.
Our mission is simple but profound: to create spaces where stories are shared, hearts are heard, and transformation can take place. We believe in the resilience of the human spirit, and through this work, we hope to inspire hope and healing in others.
Our journey together has always been about discovery – of ourselves, of each other, and of the world around us. And now, as a team, we step into this new chapter with gratitude, purpose, and a deep commitment to continuing to learn, grow, and serve.
Nance’s Story: Finding Belonging Through Storytelling
My story is one to urge many to come forward.
Life is about belonging. When we give our energy, love, and passion, we want to feel like we’re part of something meaningful. None of us want to feel like we have to fit in or that we’re being treated as if we don’t belong. At the heart of it, we all want connection, a sense of purpose, and a place to share who we are.
For over 15 years, I’ve worked as a massage practitioner, holding space for individuals on their own healing journeys. My work has taught me about resilience, the power of connection, and the importance of creating safe spaces for transformation. But this understanding didn’t come without my own journey of pain. There was a time when I felt lost, disconnected, and weighed down by my own story – a story marked by trauma. I’ve known what it’s like to carry pain that feels too big to share, to wonder if healing is possible. Over time, I came to see that my scars were not signs of weakness but reminders of strength. That realization has guided me in my work and my life. It’s also what drew me to Once Upon a Trauma (OUAT).
My introduction to OUAT came through a source of light – a person who made me feel seen, appreciated, and loved in my work. This source told me about OUAT, and a few weeks later, I visited for the first time. I was struck by the energy of the space: it held so much pain, resilience, and passion, but most of all, faith. That first night, I knew I wanted to be part of this organization. I saw how it created a space for people to transform their pain into strength, their stories into healing. I gave my name that night, but I didn’t hear back right away. It wasn’t the right time yet. When I returned later, I stood on stage and shared my story – a story of pain and transformation, the story that made me who I am today. That night, I felt the same energy: a space held together by faith, resilience, and the desire to help each other grow. I gave my name again, determined to belong.
This time, a kind soul welcomed me with open arms. I attended my first team meeting, filled with excitement about being part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to help others who struggled with their stories, to help them see the strength that comes from within. Yet as time passed, I realized I still felt on the edges. I wanted to do more, to give more, to belong in a deeper way. So, I reached out to the team and shared my feelings. I explained that when I give my energy to something, I want it to be meaningful, to truly make a difference.
Not long after, I got a call: “Nance, we’ve heard you. Would you be willing to lead the next event?” And that’s where my real journey with OUAT began.
I took on the challenge, even though it felt daunting. I organized the event, found an MC, and invited guest speakers. I was nervous, but I knew this was the step I needed to take. The MC for that event was my husband, Eduardo – my partner in life for over 25 years. He’d always said he would never speak in front of a crowd, but there he was, standing beside me, sharing his voice. Eduardo will tell you his own stories someday, in his own way, but for now, I can tell you that his willingness to step into this space with me is a reflection of the heart of OUAT: it’s about courage, connection, and the healing power of storytelling.
Today, Eduardo and I co-direct Once Upon a Trauma Storytelling and founded Speaking is Medicine™ as its parent organization, providing a broader platform for storytelling, healing, and community connection. Together, we hold space for others – a space where pain is acknowledged, resilience is honored, and healing begins. This is not about fixing wounds but embracing the scars, those sensitive places that remind us where we’ve been and how far we’ve come.
This is the heart of OUAT: a place where stories are shared, connections are made, and healing becomes possible.
Eduardo’s Story: Reclaiming My Voice
I am a strategist, lifelong learner, and emerging storyteller who is rediscovering the power of my own voice. Having spent much of my life analyzing patterns – both in data and in human behavior, I am now leaning into the most personal pattern of all: the stories we tell ourselves and the ones we choose to share with others.
For years, I saw myself as a listener, an observer. Public speaking felt foreign, and storytelling was something I admired from the sidelines. But as I began to unravel my own past, I realized that my hesitation and fear of speaking weren’t just personal preference – they were programmed silence. Through deep reflection, I uncovered the ways childhood experiences had shaped my hesitation, and in doing so, I found a new path forward: one where sharing stories became not just an act of bravery but a tool for transformation.
This journey led me to co-lead Once Upon a Trauma Storytelling with my wife, Nance, and to create Speaking is Medicine™, an initiative dedicated to using storytelling as a bridge between personal healing and collective connection. Through these projects, I am actively developing my ability to tell and hold space for powerful stories – knowing that storytelling, like healing, is a process, not a destination.
Beyond storytelling, I am drawn to patterns in all their forms – whether in numbers, human nature, or the unexpected ways life unfolds. My work in education, functional medicine, strategy, and data analysis has always been about uncovering meaning in complexity, but my greatest lesson has been learning that meaning isn’t just found – it’s created, shaped, and shared.
At my core, I am a bridge-builder – between logic and intuition, knowledge and wisdom, silence and voice. Whether I am developing learning experiences, exploring investment strategies, or stepping onto a stage to tell a story, my mission remains the same: to help others see their own narratives in a new light and reclaim the power in their own voices.
Stay tuned – more of the team to come! We’re excited to share the stories of the incredible people who make this work possible. Check back soon to meet more of our team and the journeys that brought them here.