our staff
Monika is Thrive’s creator, the magical miracle maker, the woman behind the curtain, the voice of unreasonableness, the “Big Bang” that lit the fierce flame behind what is now Thrive. Monika is a lover and a creator and likes to do things that make her happy. Beyond the immediate world of Thrive, the epicenter of Monika’s Universe, she keeps herself balanced with family and friends, healthful activities, travel, weekend trips, raw foods, and music.
Brian is Thrive’s web designer, menu maker, voicemail voicer, in-bulk-juice-consumer, vitality-assimilator, and generator of bold love and magic. He started working at the cafe in late July 2009 and lost 30 lbs. in 3 months. He now owns a Vita-Mix and a gorgeous, stainless steel Breville juice machine. He’s a fan of completely disregarding any on-repeat-old-broken-record-recordings that say repeatedly that a body can be only this way or that way. In the cafe, he generates pride of body, drunken joy, grace & compassion, fierce love, awe and wonder. He’s recently engaged and creating a relationship of Love with no ceiling and no floor, always growing and always falling into. www.brianenriquez.com
<– This is a photograph of her gorgeously growing baby. Megan is waiting for God to breathe her through the cracked windows of the world as she holds on to her camera, some blank pages, and a pen. She thrives on the poetry of human connections as we all weave through the doorways and building blocks of life, forever tangling ourselves in the beautiful mess of each other. Her yoga and Ayurveda practice keep her in the spirit of radiating God’s love as she tries to always be the best version of herself.
Allison is a goddess and provides the structure that fulfills the demand that our customers are to learn how to prepare vivacious raw, living foods. Allison’s background is deep and expansive, and she has a passion for being in community – it feeds her.
Is a “brownie bonus happy smiley face good job kind of a guy.” Kimo is out living a life in constant soliloquy, so don’t be surprised to find him talking to himself. He’s say what’s on his mind all the time, (all the time) a ‘talent’ that has rubbed more than one with a little bit of ‘400′ grit sand paper (for those of you who aren’t fabrication fans… that’s a joke), at first, but do not fear patience will find you in good standing! Kimo is a native of the beautiful islands of Hawaii, but find the cool climate and similar culture of Seattle more to his liking. Being a “Community, Environment, Planning” major at University of Washington finds him in constant contact with important people from various backgrounds. So, that being said, use him up; use him at Thrive to help get your body what it needs, use him in community to help you get the people you need, just let him be of service….. Love…..
David arrived in Seattle from Tennessee not too long ago with a pack of clothes, a Southern drawl, and oodles of humor in tote. As a recent college graduate with a degree in biochemistry, David conducted research in a dental medicine lab at Tufts University. During his stint in research, a yearning for fulfillment and knowledge crept upon him, and here he is working at Thrive now. He enjoys plant-based scrumptiousness, dancing the nights away, reveling in the goodness of libraries, basking in the beauty of nature, experiencing his life as it has yet to be experienced…. and he is a Facebook junkie.
Erik is a college student with a lust for healing. Since we are all part of the greater human organism, to help and heal oneself truly means to help heal others. Eating food is of utmost importance to living – yet people choose foods that rob them of themselves. Erik works and volunteer his time at Thrive to help himself and society by providing organic, high-quality, alive food. Erik says, “Please join me in my quest as I learn about myself and grow both emotionally and spiritually. You can be a part of this too. If you want to volunteer to help this “real food” movement, come on in and ask for Erik.” Or email: erik@generationthrive.com
Lindsey is a 5-year Raw Foodie who enjoys learning and sharing about her passion to live with health and vigor, and to help others along their own journey to health. Lindsey is also a Personal Raw Food Coach and is always excited to begin investing in new people! She also enjoys bringing her degree in Art into her work with food by creating beautiful masterpieces and new recipes. Lindsey truly believes in the way she lives out her life and strives to show to others by example how health has changed and shaped her!
Dale is one of our newest Staff Members and is someone who finds the good in life even when life can bring tough challenges. You can count on Dale to find the good in any circumstances. Dale now enjoys International Ballroom Dancing and thrives on sharing his love of dance with others.
Kate is a joyous person, who is filled with a passion for extraordinary health. She is a novice in the live food movement, but began the new year going 100% RAW! She is thrilled to be on a journey of healing and growth! Kate is a graduate student in nutrition at Bastyr University with interest in food sovereignty, childhood nutrition, and community education. She is grateful for the opportunity to work at Thrive and serve the community through SUNFOOD! If you’re looking to re-discover your health and happiness, Kate suggests 1) Eating organic, whole, plant-based, living food 2) Connecting with Nature 3) Living in this moment! She says, “Let your light SHINE and the world will shine with you!”
Originally from Seattle, Annika Knepper has a passion for organic foods, following her instincts about health, cleansing, learning, teaching, and the raw revolution. Annika is always looking to create gardens of personal growth and discover the truth in healing ourselves and thus healing the world around us! Her favorite quotes from Paul Hawkens is, “The earth is hiring!!! It couldn’t afford to send you recruiters or limos to your school, instead it sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint. Don’t be put off by people who think this task of healing the planet is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible after you are done.” Annika encourages you to test the waters within RAW LIVING foods from the earth and reconnect with your vital roots in every way. Welcome home!
