About
Hi,
I'm Eleanor!
Welcome, and thank you for being here.
It’s an honor to share a glimpse of who I am and where I come from. In the words of my teacher, Andrew Wayne Thomas Ecker, this is my 'Sacred Introduction.'
I am Eleanor Evans Medina. My last name reflects the lineage of my husband, Jon Medina, whose ancestors are Native American and Mexican. I come from a rich tapestry of heritage: my mother, Barbara Tracy Bagli, and my father, Henry Evans Hooper. My maternal grandmother, Barbara LaPorte, a French and German woman from Louisiana, and her husband, Anthony Ipsaro, helped raise me. My paternal grandmother, Eleanor Evans, an Irish and Welsh woman from Maryland. My maternal grandfather, Vincent Bagli, an Irish and Italian man from Maryland. My paternal grandfather, Laurence Hooper, an English and Irish man from Maryland.
I hold deep reverence for my ancestors—their struggles, resilience, and privilege that have shaped my life and opened the path I walk today.
My purpose in life and work...
"I am an Earth Guardian, here to reconnect us with the our Earth Mother. When we are connected with her, we remember our pure, divine, loving nature."
When I was a baby, I am told I cried until I could talk. I was sweet and overwhelmed being in a human body; a sensitive little one. The only time I would quiet down was when I was in the garden with my dad, Henry.
I had so much energy as a child. The trampoline was my best friend.
In elementary school I could not sit still, and struggled in school. I was put on pharmaceuticals for ADHD. My parents and doctors thought that would help with my learning disability.
Eye specialists informed us time and time again, "Eleanor, you have perfect vision. It's 20-15, known as 'Eagle Eye'".
Yet, despite this, I could not read. By the time I reached the sixth grade, I was reading at a second grade level.
I felt anxious and overwhelmed all the time. I felt stupid and I really believed I was. The only place I felt calm was in nature.
My parents put me into therapy at age 6 and I didn't like it. It felt stuffy in an office. I thought to myself, "I'm going to be a good therapist some day like my grandfather Anthony and see people outside."
I was told by doctors I would never read normally, and not get into college. Thank goodness, my parents didn't believe them.
When I was 11, my parents, 2 sisters and I moved across the United States to Oregon. My mom hired a tutor to work with me every day after school. She recommended I see a vision therapist.
Then everything changed...
After some tests, the vision therapist told me, “Oh honey, there's nothing wrong with you. You simply were born with weak eye muscles. You can do some exercises and make them stronger.”
My mom and I burst into tears.
My sweet mother Tracy did those eye exercises with me every night before bed. I was determined to learn to read and she was determined to help me.
In six months, I was reading at grade level and finding my confidence! It was a miracle. I still had to work SO hard in school and remained in special education but I put everything into studying and I was determined to go to college.
In high school, I really started to come into myself and I started to notice that people I would meet would really open up to me. Regularly people would share with me things they said 'they had never told anyone that before.'
I went to the University of Denver and ironically studied the most reading heavy classes possible; psychology, philosophy and religion with the support of the Learn Effectiveness Program (LEP) where they scanned my books into a computer, so the computer could read them out loud to me.
Then I went on to earn a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Regis University.
In 2018, around the time I was writing my Master Thesis and launching my nature-based private practice, The Makaranda Method and I met my now husband, Jon Medina. He asked if I had ever heard of psychedelic therapy. I hadn’t really…
Jon told me, when he was 19, he experienced a mushroom trip that transformed his life. He was headed down a dark path of addiction and destruction. He says the psilocybin mushrooms, along with yoga and meditation gave him his life back.
Curious about nature-based healing, I naturally wanted to find out more. So I asked around to see who I could learn from.
Then, I started exploring...
Right away, the teachers appeared. I learned more about myself in that first medicine retreat than I had in 10 years of undergrad and graduate school combined.
I learned how to be present for the first time in my life. For once, the anxiety that lived in my body since infancy vanished. I felt presence; peace in my body and mind. It was astounding.
I also realized that all of the judgement that I had for others was judgement that I had for myself. This realization has allowed for me to have so much more compassion for myself and others.
As a life-long learner, I dove deep into the study of master plants and fungi. Many teachers from different lineages and schools of thought took me under their wings and taught me what they knew.
From 2021 to 2023, Jon and I lived in Mexico, immersing ourselves in learning from local teachers. We also value traveling internationally to study with teachers in Peru and other parts of South America, especially those working with master plants. These sacred medicines of the Earth have guided me through the most profound transformations of my life.
In addition, I completed the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, which deepened my understanding of Buddhist practices for quieting the mind and cultivating presence. I’ve also participated in numerous trainings with Animas Valley Institute, exploring the imaginal realm, dream work, and the subconscious, enriching my connection to the deeper layers of inner and outer life.
Through my studies, church, readings, songs, work with clients, students, friends, and personal experiences, I’ve come to understand that with humility, trust, honor, respect, and the right tools, setting, and guidance, for some of us, working intentionally with certain psychedelics can open a path for healing ourselves and the Earth simultaneously.
My purpose in life and work...
Taking the leap...
My practice grew SO FAST. I didn't have an office but instead I was meeting clients outside for walk and talk therapy sessions. I was working with them spiritually and offering them tools like meditation, body awareness, exercises for the body, and nature connection for real, sustained growth.
Over the years, I have adapted to my learning disability and come to understand I am a multifaceted learner; visual, auditory and experiential work best for me. I use these modalities when I teach my students as well.
I have now supported thousands of people as they release depression, anxiety and self-doubt opening to trust the unfolding of life as it is. That is my wish for you as well. I believe peace is possible right now if we choose to live in moment with nature.
Thanks for reading a piece of my story! Now it's your turn... I look forward to hearing from you soon!
1. Questioning God my whole life has lead me to become a Spiritual Teacher.
2. Jon and I converted a van, worked and traveled around Mexico for 2 years.
3. Only 5 months into dating, Jon and I eloped. We got married at Burning Man!
4. To me a teacher means forever being a student, and simply sharing what I learn.
Our Mission
The Makaranda Method was created to inspire, empower & transform the life of every single person who comes across this community.
We create programs that are designed for each person individually but the pillars of The Method are the same.
Our pillars::
- Mindset
- Movement
- Nurture
- Nature
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