Essential Ingredients Podcast 073: Planting Self-Care: How Lavender Teaches Rest, Renewal, And Joy with DeAnna Schaefer
"There is something missing in modern medicine that's not just about the therapy and exercises or about empowering the patient, but getting the patient to really choose self-care." —DeAnna Schaefer
Stillness doesn't just happen; it's created. Between deadlines, worries, and daily noise, most of us forget what it's like to truly breathe. But when we give ourselves permission to pause, we begin to heal in ways no medicine alone can.
After decades of treating pain through physical therapy, Point Reyes Lavender Co. Founder, DeAnna Schaefer, saw the missing piece: people weren't just aching in their bodies, they were worn thin in spirit. So she turned to lavender and the land of Point Reyes, blending science, nature, and soul to help others rediscover calm and care.
Step into this conversation where business meets purpose, as DeAnna shares her journey of building a sustainable lavender farm, crafting healing products, and redefining what it means to choose joy, rest, and intentional living.
Meet DeAnna:
DeAnna Schaefer is the founder of Point Reyes Lavender Company and a seasoned physical therapist with over 25 years of experience. Combining her passion for healing with her love for agriculture, DeAnna transitioned from a successful career in physical therapy to establish a sustainable lavender farm in Point Reyes, California. Drawing on her scientific background and entrepreneurial spirit, she has developed a unique line of natural wellness products that emphasize self-care and community connection. DeAnna is dedicated to fostering a joyful, regenerative future through innovative business practices and meaningful collaborations within her local community.
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Episode Highlights:
02:54 Starting the Lavender Farm Post-COVID
06:12 Learning About Lavender: Agricultural Challenges, Medicinal Benefits, & Product Development
10:56 Lavender Effects
19:00 Entrepreneurship Journey: The Importance of Passion and "Feel"
22:34 Sustainability and Product Packaging
26:41 Future Plans and Expansion