Past Fellows
Jasmine Janaye
Jasmine (she/her) is a student of tantra, vibrational medicine, and other modes of heightening our awareness of the mind-body-spirit connection. While Atlanta is home base, she's currently living the digital nomad life and roaming the warm side of the world.
In our 2022 season, Jasmine offered their Cuddlesage practice with the Apogeo Guest House community. Developed by the Atlanta Institute of Tantra, Cuddlesage (pronounced like cuddle + massage) is a specific form of cuddle therapy honoring the sacred nature of human connection and the healing power of human touch. It is a somatic practice that incorporates meditation, affirmation, and intentional loving touch. Think of it as a physical, spiritual, and emotional massage designed to bring you deeper into your body and sense of self. They offered this in both group and 1:1 formats.
Rae Landingin
Rae Landingin (they/them) is a writer, poet, educator, photographer, and scholar-activist. Originally from Manila, raised in New Jersey, and based in Brooklyn, they’re a leatherdyke, interior design nerd, and kitchen top who only knows how to cook a giant feast.
In our 2022 season, they offered “Awakening the Erotic,” a two-part workshop inspired by the “Uses of the Erotic” by Audre Lorde and Pleasure Activist, adrienne maree brown. Part 1 was an invitation to tune into our senses, investigate the ways we witness our bodies, and discuss the ways we are witnessed. Through a drawing exercise, we practiced letting go of the things our bodies carry that no longer serve us and make space for tapping into our emotional and erotic desires. Part 2 was a Pleasure Poetry workshop where we looked into poetry and its potential for inspiring orgasms of the body, mind, and spirit. Through writing, we got in conversation with our lustful imaginations and conjured our own definitions of pleasure and pleasure manifestos.
Ari Schill
Ari (they/them) is a Black, gender expansive, queer mixgenre writer, facilitator & personal trainer whose writing highlights themes of queerness, family and self-discovery. Their work can be found in Stellium Literary Magazine, Alchemy & Prevention at the Intersection and they have attended artist residencies at Caldera Arts in Oregon & 2727 in California.
During our 2022 season, Ari offered a creative writing workshop. Participants were given prompts and readings from women & queer authors of color to spark inspiration & exploration for their own writing.
jo Valdés
jo Valdés (they/she) is a writer, DJ, curator, DIY organizer and Intimacy Coordinator in training. They are from The Boogie Down Bronx so they rep the Yankees really hard even though they don't know shit about baseball.
In our 2022 season, jo brought a two-part offering to the Apogeo community that included building out an Herbal Apothecary in the space and co-hosting a dinner & poetry reading with Rae.
Chef Kattttt
Chef Kattttt (He/They) is a Professional Musician and Chef originally from Kingston Jamaica, now based in Los Angeles. They own and operate a catering and events company called The Gro House, which focuses on uplifting and empowering the Black LGBTQIA+ community through multiple mutual aid efforts, and culinary events.
In our 2022 season, Chef Kattttt hosted a dinner experience inspired by their travels and Caribbean heritage. While the dishes were being prepared, guests had the opportunity to watch and engage with questions and conversations of their own travels and how food brings people together. This gathering was an opportunity to build community among the guests at Apogeo, while showcasing their talents as a Chef.
Maya Celeste
Maya Celeste (they/she) is a writer, poetic observationist, ecophile, and founder of Hyphaerie — a queer wellness practice providing consultation and private tutoring in the medicinal and spiritual use of fungi. Their work in all realms focuses on radical story(re)telling and queer reclamation of self.
In our 2021 season, Maya used their time studying the use and Indigenous histories of therapeutic fungi. They also designed (and sourced) our plantscaping for our newly renovated space.
Francine Mends
Francine (she/her) is a writer, lover of guacamole, a recovering doctor, and a long-time New Yorker turned digital nomad. She helps curious thinkers who love discussing the big questions of life but occasionally struggle to get past small talk. Francine’s courses, online community forum, and in-person, small group conversation events help people to better connect with family, coworkers, or new friends/romantic partners.
In our 2020 season, Francine curated small-group conversation events designed to help us get past the small talk into meaningful, memorable conversations with new friends at Apogeo. More about her conversation series can be found here.
Donna Myers
With a diversified background in hospitality, entertainment and corporate environments, Donna Myers (she/her) followed her passions and crafted a career that promoted a healthier and happier lifestyle. In 2005, Donna graduated from the prestigious Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences. She has worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2006 and was NSCA certified as a Personal Trainer in 2007. In 2017, Donna continued her personal and professional growth by completing a 200 Hour Registered Teacher Training in accordance with Yoga Alliance.
With over a decade working full time as a LMT, coupled with her sister’s recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Donna’s path lead her to find new and alternative treatments for self care and pain management.
In our 2020 season, Donna provided personalized touch therapy and pressure point workshops to our guests. If you’ve stayed at Apogeo and are interested in booking one-on-one NY-based home sessions with Donna, please reach out to us directly to connect with her.
Adaobi Mozie
Adaobi Mozie (she/her) is a doula trained energy healer and chef/owner of Cosmic Kichin, an electric based food and wellness company. Being born in Nigeria, her strong cultural background fuels her practice as she draws from ancient knowledge and wisdom to guide the healing process. One of the most fundamental components to any healing journey is self-care. Chef Adaobi uses several natural mediums such as art, reiki, crystals, herbs, and nutrition to restore balance and clarity that empowers individuals to put in the focus and work needed to reconnect to their higher selves.
In our 2020 season, Adaobi provided thoughtfully-created meals for our guests, sharing more about the benefits of different ingredients that guests could find both in Nicaragua and at home. You can learn more about her offerings here.
Marisa Hall
Marisa (she/her) is a writer, yoga teacher, and herbalist from Berkeley, California and based in Brooklyn. She offers tools for sustainable inward exploration, balance, and greater joy through heat-building movement and plant medicine. Her hope for anyone she works with is for them to walk away feeling grounded and empowered in their healing journey, excited to see what's to come. At Apogeo, she will contribute yoga (vinyasa, restorative, yin), herbal medicine, guided meditation (stationary or walking), and full moon rituals if timing aligns.
In our 2020 season, Marisa provided guests with yoga & movement offerings as well as herbal medicine remedies. You can find her plant medicine offerings list as well as more information about her upcoming classes + workshops here.
