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 GM, 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, trust & fath. He’s recently engaged and creating a relationship of Love with no ceiling and no floor, always growing and always falling into.
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…..
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. Megan gave birth to a baby boy on Mother’s Day and is continuing her work with Thrive from home.
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!
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!
Colleen exhibits love for art and nature through singing, writing and harvesting health and laughter in Thrive’s garden of agricultural sincerity. This lucky girl looks forward to continuing Geography studies next Fall, though her Washington roots will blossom always in her heart. She adores her family and thanks them eternally for raising her with music.
Defying the stereotype of the introverted artist, Alisha loves being around people as much as she loves to paint. She’s been inspired by the Seattle community for years in the coffee shops where she’s worked, and in return has shared her paintings in over twenty shows at local venues. Now she’s excited to be witnessing a cultural shift firsthand as she interacts with the growing tide of people choosing to make a stand for their health and their world.
Learning and sharing about raw food and having the experience of working alongside great people is fuel to her creative fire.
Claire is passionate about geography and … maps. Yes, maps. She likes eating food, learning about food, caring about food, mapping food, preparing food, spelling F-O-O-D. She hosts Southern Comfort, a Country and Bluegrass internet radio station through UW’s RainyDawg Radio. She loves birds; but has no birds. She’s full of Minnesota Nice and Seattle Happiness. When in surplus, she passes both on to other people in Mason Jars.
Teresa loves to love people! And does so in all the little ways she knows how. She has a passion for social justice and is a determined advocate and activist! She is committed to spending her life ensuring that all people have a chance to live to their fullest potential in the way that they see fit! In her mind, everyone should have the opportunity to thrive physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally with out barriers. One of her life goals is to create spaces for people to do so!
