Patty Purpur de Vries: Embracing Nature, Empowering Minds

In today’s interconnected world, the need for wellness leaders has never been greater. These leaders are beacons of light, guiding individuals towards holistic well-being in the midst of modern life’s challenges.

They play a crucial role as promoters of holistic well-being, community builders, and advocates for personal growth. By creating nurturing environments, they empower people to thrive emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Patty Purpur de Vries, the Chief Wellness Officer of Living Well USA, is one such leader who offers a holistic perspective on well-being that aligns with nature, the seasons, and human consciousness. Living Well USA integrates positive psychology, spirituality, and the science of well-being to provide a new way of experiencing the world from a place of peace.

From Empty Nest to Nature's Best

In 2021, Patty Purpur de Vries made the life-changing decision to leave her full-time job and embark on a new adventure with her husband. Together, they envisioned and brought to life a sanctuary for both people and wildlife nestled in the breathtaking Santa Cruz Mountains. Having raised their four children here, they wanted to open up this beautiful space to others as empty nesters.

To kickstart their venture and sustain it, they began by offering weddings at very affordable rates, channeling the proceeds back into the venue. Today, at Living Well USA, their primary focus is on nature-based leadership and alignment. The venue spans 4.5 acres, providing ample space for both individual and group exploration. Their philosophy revolves around the belief that each of us is complete and yet an integral part of the living entity we call ‘Earth.’

Empowering Minds to Thrive in the Digital Age

Our brains are currently processing an overwhelming amount of information every day, which they were not designed for. Patty believes that as we become more aware of this, we will start using technology more purposefully and take regular breaks to reconnect with nature. As part of Living Well USA’s offerings, Patty teaches neuro-literacy, a new science that helps us understand and manage our brains and their patterns.

Patty began delving into neuro-literacy in the fall of 2023 and now shares her knowledge with several organizations, helping people become observers of their own lives. Through neuro-literacy, individuals can understand their triggers and behaviors, gaining insight into their personal operating system. Patty is dedicated to sharing this valuable skill with others for the rest of her life.

Journey to Self-Awareness

Over the years, Patty faced several challenges. At any given time, if asked, she would have gladly shared information about her current nemesis or others who “didn’t like her” or were “roadblocks” to her grand ideas. Now, she realizes that all of the challenges in her life were due to her own thoughts about each situation. Spending time in nature has helped her understand that there is a season for all things and that the only constant in life is change.

“We never wake up to the same life twice, just as we can never walk into the same forest twice. If we don’t like our life but don’t know what to do, take a pause and listen to your heart. Feel into HOW you wish to feel in your life. It’s not the material possessions that bring us joy and satisfaction,” says Patty.

Accolades of Excellence

Patty has been recognized with several prestigious awards for her outstanding contributions, including:

WELCOA (Wellness Council of America) Top 10 Wellness Professionals (2016)
‘Key to The City’ by Mayor Brown, Grand Forks, North Dakota (2009)
North Dakota High School Sports Hall of Fame inductee (2007)
INC. Magazine Top 5000 Honoree (2007)
Business Journal Top 50 Women-Owned Business Silicon Valley (2006)
Top 50 Most Influential Women in Silicon Valley (San Jose Business Journal) (2004)

Embers of Insight

Over time, Living Well USA has expanded its offerings and hosted over 52 Fireside Chats with remarkable guests, including renowned figures such as:

Emma Seppala, PhD ’09, psychologist, author, international speaker

Kim Cameron, PhD, author of “Positive Leadership”

BJ Fogg, MA ’95, PhD, author of “Tiny Habits”

Robert Emmons, PhD, author of “Thanks!”

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, PhD

Tom Rath, author of “Life’s Great Question”

Barbara Fredrickson, PhD ’90, author of “Positivity”

Byron Katie, author of “Loving What Is”

James Doty, MD, author of “Into The Magic Shop”

John L. Hennessy, PhD, author of “Leading Matters”

Monica Worline, PhD, author of “Compassion at Work”

Lakiba Pittman, Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) instructor, author of “Bread Crumbs from the Soul”

Kristin Neff, PhD, researcher, professor and author of “Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself”

Fredrick Luskin, PhD ’98, author of “Forgive for Good”

Tina Seelig, PhD ’85, author of “Creativity Rules”

David Burns, M.D., author and adjunct clinical Professor Emeritus of psychiatry and behavior science

Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD, founder of Abbot and head teacher of Upaya Zen Center

Harmony on the Mountains

Patty and her husband are deeply fulfilled by stewarding their 4.5 acres of land in the Santa Cruz Mountains. By prioritizing self-care and land stewardship, they are attracting people from their past careers, leading to new opportunities that align with their evolving needs. They are currently collaborating with several Bay Area organizations to organize impactful events for their teams this fall.

Their dedication to personal and organizational growth is unwavering, and they are eager to connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for self-nurturing and supporting others.

Unlocking the Power Within

Patty advises others to find their JOY! “Your most important job is to create the environment for your soul to thrive. We’ve heard the old saying, ‘Give yourself oxygen first.’ We need more than oxygen. Love yourself, all of you, everything in and around you without judgement of any kind. Every cell in our bodies is energized by source energy. When we are able to understand this, the energy we can then give away is immeasurable,” she concludes.  