Sarah Liljegren.
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My name is Sarah and I grew up in the plains of rural Missouri among the oak trees and little rivers. I was always something of an introvert and found deep connection running through cornfields, watching sunsets with my dogs, and singing at church. As a child, one particular thunderstorm changed my life when I spent hours examining the puddles in my backyard, feet covered in mud, as I could feel the vibration of the earth with each thunder roll as I watched the sky change colors until dark. I have always loved the natural world, and found humans to be the most interesting part of it.
I was raised with a love for art, but after experiencing several health issues by my late teens, I became more interested in science as a pathway toward healing. After getting my associates degree I focused on nutrition and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Dietetics from the University of Central Missouri in 2015. I got married on Halloween later that year to my best friend, and we had a giant masquerade ball for our reception - in a "haunted" mansion in Kansas City! We've been together for over a decade now, and have been through several healing journeys together. My biggest journey began the following year, when I started plant medicine school (the perfect blend of art AND science!) with Wise Woman Herbalist Kahla Rowan. She founded PrairieWise Herbal School over 30 years ago and still teaches across the Midwest. I apprenticed with her for 3 years before assisting her in program management and teaching her nutrition classes for a few years - until I moved to Washington! In that transition, I completed a year long apprenticeship with Jim McDonald, an amazing herbalist in Michigan who deeply impacted how I see patterns at the intersection of plants and people. I began a little herb business in 2018 going to local farmers markets and pop up shops to share knowledge and products I made with wildcrafted or organic herbs, which followed me here.
I continued my plant connection journey at Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, WA where I completed the 9-month Immersion program in Naturalist Studies in June 2022. The following year I completed the Youth Apprenticeship at WAS to become a Nature Instructor and taught several monthly programs as a lead instructor and began teaching the plant classes for the Wild Women's weekend Spring/Fall programs (and hope to continue to do so)! In September 2023, I partnered with Wilding Education as a co-mentor and couldn't be more excited to bring out the Wild in every one of our students!
I must acknowledge other mentors in my life, like Kyoshi at Wilcox Karate Academy in Independence, MO, who gave me the self confidence to teach kids how to pass their white belt exam - and the inspiration to continue empowering youth to feel strong and safe in their bodies. Thanks to my high school band, choir, and theater teachers for bringing out the extrovert in me! I can't thank enough my personal mentors Paul Linden and Mark Walsh, who I've studied trauma-informed embodied therapies with for the past 5 years. Thanks to all the restaurant managers and owners I've worked with, for teaching me how to work hard and remain compassionate while under intense pressure. And it all began with Jen at Boulevard Yoga in Kansas City, who taught me how to slowly come into my body during her yoga teacher training and find deep connection within myself. Most importantly, I want to acknowledge my parents, sister, and family for continuing to support and inspire me with their love for nature and co-creating the Wild Woman I am today.
These days, when I'm not teaching with Storm at Wilding Education, you can find me making waves in the real estate industry! I became a licensed WA Real Estate Agent in 2022 in tandem with my land stewardship education at WAS, and aim to weave together holistic solutions for the convergence of crises we find ourselves in today. Food systems, education, housing, nature connection, mental health, finance, trade, medicine and healthcare... are all related. I used my herbal biz experience to revamp my herb shop with a new name: HomeBodyHerbals, which I debuted Summer 2023 at two King County farmers markets to raise money for eco-intensive housing projects. I hope to continue this work as a land/plant lady to reconnect people to their natural environment and communities. Help me build homes that house more than our bodies, but our souls and spirit of future generations as well. Learn more about my work as a Holistic Realtor at HomeForMyHumanity.com.