Wellness Team
Lizz Lewis / Lizzperation Lewis
Founder and Host of
NW Wellness Retreats
Lizz Lewis is the founder and host of NW Wellness Retreats. She has spent years of her life re-inventing herself and reflecting on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle of both mind and body. Over the years her journey inspired many others and "Lizzperation Lewis" was born; a way to keep herself accountable and share in her abundant knowledge of health, fitness, and becoming your best self. Even more anxious to share her passion for a better lifestyle with others she created NW Wellness Retreats. Side by side her and her team inspire, relieve, and encourage others to embrace their own journey.
Heidi Stockbauer
Yoga & Guided Meditation
Meet Heidi, the ultimate yogi, who does it all. Not only is she the queen of all of those beautiful inversions we all wish we could do, she also dabbles in fencing, hiking, the trapeze, slack lining and lifting. Her sense of adventure and spontaneity is what inspires her classes. If the word empowerment could become incarnate, Heidi, would appear. She fully embraces the privilege of helping women open their hearts to healing their bodies. She breaks down barriers and exposes your raw beauty. Heidi loves her three children. Between their busy schedules and hers, she has miraculously found a balance between chaos and flow. Her secret weapons: lip gloss, water and gum. Who knew?
Patricia Rubke
Holistic Life Coach & Barre/Kickboxing Instructor
Patricia Rubke began teaching in the Tacoma/Puyallup area in 1998. She studied and performed as a classical ballet dancer for 18 years, and supported her love for movement as a certified kick boxing instructor for 13 years. Having over a decade of experience with the body and a true value for relieving stress from her environment, Patricia encourages a mind body spirit connection in everything she does. She values a positive mindset and works with women daily encouraging their self love through cosmetology and daily exercise. As a certified barre instructor, licensed cosmetologist and holistic life coach she is able to work with women ranging from image appreciation to self love. She is an energetic and motivating individual that will challenge you to your true potential. Her favorite saying is, "if you're tired of starting over, stop giving up!"
Rick Rice
Licensed Massage Therapist
Ricky Rice is a licensed massage therapist and has been practicing for over 17 years. Ricky knew from a young age that he had healing hands and would one day use them to help others. He specializes in deep tissue and treatment work. His number one goal in massage is to help you achieve your wellness goals by working with you to lengthen and loosen the muscle tissues in order to achieve maximum flexibility. This will relieve strain and tension on joints and nerves caused by muscle tension. Relieving this tension allows for better circulation, better range of motion, and overall better functionality. Massage is great for relieving general stress, headaches, and chronic pain as a result of injury. Ricky looks forward to helping you achieve all of your wellness needs.
Heidi Brower
Personal Trainer / Kickboxing Instructor / Warrior
Heidi Brower first found her love for weightlifting and fitness twenty years ago, as a freshman in high school. She was one of only three girls in a class filled with guys. It was there that she realized that she could do anything she wanted to. She continued to lift weights through high school, played basketball, and enjoyed hiking with the football team during the summer. In college, Heidi discovered her love for Kickboxing and vowed that she would teach a class someday. That dream came true seven years ago when she taught her very first Kickboxing class at the YMCA. She has continued to teach Kickboxing and other high impact classes over the past seven years. As a mother of 4, she continually works on finding balance between, self-care, being a wife and mother and working as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and fitness instructor. She also has found a love for nutrition and believes that living your best life includes fueling your body with the right foods. She is also a firm believer that healthy food does not have to be boring! Heidi is a tough trainer with a goofy side. Helping women feel empowered and strong is her passion.
Mary Mulkey
Art Instructor
Mary Mulkey was the visual art specialist for the Dieringer School District in Sumner, Washington. As a thirty-year teacher in many art mediums, she attracts a wide range of students: amateur to professional and pre-school to adult. A graduate in art education from Seattle University and a master's degree in integrating the arts, Mary has taught through Seattle Pacific University, The Heritage Institute and at St. Martin's College in Olympia, as well as in the public schools of Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Renton, Enumclaw, Burien, Sumner and Auburn. She has had many articles published in education magazines. Her varied talents and capable teaching methods provide for a high degree of success from students. Mary’s high energy and unmatched sense of humor will keep you on your toes! With her easy to follow instruction, you’ll leave with your own masterpiece.
Joe Minkler
Private Culinary Specialist
Joe Minkler, a native to Alaska, moved to Washington to pursue the culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu. During his time at culinary school he raised to each challenge with determination, humor, and excitement. His final externship project put him in the kitchen of McNamaras, where he's been since graduating with honors in 2012. Today Joe aspires to create a healthier version of himself starting with his relationship with food. Lizz Lewis, a friend and mentor, has been an inspiration for better health and wellness so working together was a natural fit. She has provided him an opportunity to share with others not just delicious healthy foods but an experience to nourish the mind and body.
Joe with Patricia Rubke
Summer 2017 NW Wellness Retreat