Growing up in Montesano, WA, Bri has lived in multiple cities/towns in Washington, Sacramento, and Costa Rica but settled in Olympia. There, she has raised three kids, two dogs, four cats, 16 chickens, three ducks, and one lizard with her husband, Jay. Bri loves gardening, food preservation (canning, fermenting, etc), camping, mushroom and plant foraging, reading, and watching British murder mystery shows. 

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Bri attended the University of Washington and studied Psychology to understand her struggles with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and PTSD. She started peer coaching with Peer Olympia and realized peer work allowed her to draw on her education but, more importantly, utilize her lived experiences to help others. Bri now serves on the Pregnant and Parenting Work Group for the Thurston County Opioid Response Task Force and facilitates support groups at Peer Olympia, including Parents in Recovery. 

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Bri started binge drinking at 14 to cope with PTSD and anxiety. At 21, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and started using opiates and cocaine. Eventually becoming unhoused, Bri became pregnant with her first child and moved back to Olympia. She was able to quit abusing drugs and alcohol during her pregnancy, but her mental health challenges carried on for many years. She eventually found peace through meditative and mindfulness practices, DBT, therapy, and support from her family and friends. While she still struggles with her PTSD, Bri has never experienced joy and contentment the way she does now.