Meet Brittnie : Seattle Acupuncturist

Meet OMC Collective Member Brittnie of Esva Healing. Brittnie is an acupuncturist with a master’s in East Asian medicine and mother to 2 feisty daughters, Esme & Minha. She has overcome her difficulties with female health and hopes to share her experience and knowledge with others with similar stories.

How long have you lived in the Seattle area? Where are you from/why did you move here? What do you do for a living? Have you always done this? 

I have lived in Seattle for almost 11 years. I am from Minnesota originally but we moved out here so that my husband could attend grad school for education at UW. I am now an acupuncturist and Lamaze educator but originally I was a teacher and a parent educator. 

How would you describe your work? What does this mean to you?

I would describe my work as being one part healer and one part friend. Since so much of what I do is hands on, I get to talk to my patients and really get to know them. Everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes and since so much of acupuncture involves finding the emotional root of most problems, this is incredibly synergistic. This also means I often view my patients as friends, and as such feel more personally vested in their health. I love that acupuncture allows me to treat every patient as an individual and that I get to take into account both their emotional and physical wellbeing. 

Why did you decide to pursue this career?

Originally both my husband and I were teachers. When we started talking about having kids of our own, I felt like it might be hard for both of us to work with kids all day and then to also come home to them. Acupuncture had profoundly changed my life when I began seeking treatment for severe endometriosis. It was the only thing that had ever kept the pain at bay. When I began trying to decide on a new career path, it was the first thing that came to mind. I wanted to be able to help people the way I had been helped.

Recently I also decided to become a Lamaze educator. I missed teaching and I love birth and pregnancy so it seemed like a great decision. Many of my patients start coming to me when they are pregnant so it is also a great way to offer them more tools for their pregnancy.

What does the term “Boss Mom” mean to you?

I recently read a quote saying that a “Boss Mom” is an ambitious, highly driven, fierce, and outspoken mother who gets the job done, no matter what the job is. I feel this is a true summation of what being a “Boss Mom” means to me. You have to be all those things to survive and succeed when you have little ones depending on you. I currently have my two little girls all day and then when my husband gets home I go straight to work to see patients. I have had to find ways to complete my charts, correspond with patients, order supplies, etc… at the same time as dealing with two wonderful but needy children, making meals, doing laundry, and cleaning my house. Then I spend nights and weekends attending to the needs of patients. But at the same time, knowing that I can manage all these things makes me feel like a total badass and fills me with pride.

What does success mean to you?

All I ever really want in life is to be loved and to make sure those around me feel loved as well. My husband and I aren’t terribly well off (shocker that a teacher and an acupuncturist aren’t loaded I’m sure) but we have everything we need. And our two girls are happy and our family is surrounded by an incredible community of friends and family that make all of us feel loved and cared for. I have a job that I thoroughly enjoy and so does my husband. That to me is a success. Would it be nice to own a fancy house and take all the vacations we wanted? Sure, but I honestly don’t think I’d be any more content or fulfilled than I already am. 

How do you balance being an entrepreneur & a mom?

Balancing being an entrepreneur and a mom is a little bit laughable. I would say I work it all out, but not always in a balanced manner. Sometimes my daughter’s favorite outfit isn’t clean and sometimes I submit a bill a day later than I planned. Often I am up until 2 am finishing lesson planning for a Lamaze class or finishing charts but it’s worth it since usually, it’s because I made time to read books and snuggle before my daughters went to bed. I am not sure if that is balanced, but at the end of the day, I prioritize as best I can and try my hardest to cut myself some slack when I need to.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a teacher or an artist.

What is your greatest personal skill/trait? 

I care deeply for people. 

What is your favorite gift to give? To receive? 

I love being able to cook and bake for people. Whenever someone is sick, sad, given birth, etc. I love being able to make a bunch of food that they can put in their freezer to use as they need to. I think this is one of my favorite things to receive as well, which is probably why I do it for others. It is so nice to have healthy, homemade, tasty food ready for you without having to worry about dishes, groceries, or expensive takeout.

What is your favorite activity to do with your kid in Seattle?

Before COVID we loved going to see live music. Seattle has so many kid-friendly concerts, especially in the summer, and my whole family loves to dance. But we also love climbing and camping in the Seattle area.

 When you get a quiet moment, what do you like to do the most?

Make stuff. I love to draw, sew, crochet, etc. Basically, anything that allows me to be creative.

How do you practice self-care?

Self-care is not something I am stellar at. I have found that listening to audiobooks while getting tasks done is one way I feel like I am doing something for myself, without feeling guilty about all the stuff on my to-do list.

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you? 

“My parents appreciated my feistiness and I’m glad for it. It was a flame inside me they wanted to keep lit.” – Michelle Obama. This quote inspires me to have more patience with my VERY “feisty” daughters. I often say that they are frustrating to parent now but I am glad that no one will ever mess with them or hold them back as adults. 

Learn more about Brittnie & Esva Healing by following them on Instagram!