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Natural AwakeningsSJ Behind the Scene Jan2026

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Welcome to this Behind-the-Scenes look at those in the community that help people on their journey to mind-body-soul balance.

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BEHIND THE SCENES


That turning point led her to getting into retail—and, by chance, into the mattress industry. “I’m a very relational person,” Kelly explains. “Back then, we had what was called ‘lay down sales’ where a customer came in, described what they wanted and the sales person ordered it, even if it was wrong for them. But I wanted to go deeper. I wanted to understand how people ‘felt’ when they woke up, how their bodies responded to rest.” This people-centered approach became her signature. Kelly began asking questions, listening carefully to her customers’ stories and matching them with the right sleep surface for their needs. The results were transformative. “Clients would come back in tears, saying their lives had changed,” she shares. “To know I could make that kind of difference was humbling—and it pushed me to keep learning.” As her reputation grew, she soon caught the attention of a luxury retail store that invited her to design a custom mattress line. “That was the moment everything clicked,” Kelly says with a smile. “I realized sleep is not a commodity—it’s a wellness practice.”

K E L LY W E R N E R S B A C H ADJUST YOUR SLEEP MATTRESS BOUTIQUE

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hose that step inside Adjust Your Sleep Mattress Boutique will quickly sense that there’s more happening here than just selling mattresses. Behind the serene showroom and natural fabrics lies the passionate heartbeat of founder and owner Kelly Wernersbach—a woman whose mission goes far beyond helping people choose a healthy place to sleep and rest. What most visitors don’t see is the personal story that shaped her calling: Years ago, an unexpected heart condition sidelined her husband, pushing Kelly—then a stay-at-home mom of four—into the role of provider. “I didn’t plan to run a business,” she shares with a laugh, “but life has a way of nudging you toward your purpose.” That purpose, it turns out, became helping others find deeper, healthier sleep—one mattress at a time.

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Today, as the owner of the Adjust Your Sleep Mattress Boutique, in Marlton, Kelly has taken her vision even further. Most mattresses offered are all natural, many handcrafted from materials like natural latex, wool and hemp. She also sells all-natural bedding. “When you sleep well, you live well,” she says. “Your mattress should support your health, not work against it.” Kelly is passionate about educating the public about the dangers of toxic chemicals in conventional mattresses, many of which emit harmful gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene—chemicals that many studies have linked to respiratory issues, headaches and long-term organ damage and cancer. “You can eat organic food, exercise, meditate, and keep a positive mindset,” she says, “but if you’re sleeping on a mattress filled with toxins, your body never truly rests.” Investing in a clean, supportive mattress is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself.” Kelly’s story is one of resilience, reinvention and radiant purpose—proof that even in life’s most challenging seasons, something beautiful can take shape. Adjust Your Sleep Mattress Boutique is located at 888 Rte. 73N in Marlton. For more information, call 856-357-3640 or visit www.AYSMattress.com.

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SHEILA CUMMINGS ROOT & FLOURISH WELLNESS as divinely orchestrated. “It seemed the universe created a space for me during the pandemic,” she shared. After years in a traditional family practice, she found herself home full time with her then-8-year-old son—an unexpected pause which opened the door to her next chapter. “I began training in functional medicine and launched my own telehealth practice,” she says. “It was the beginning of a completely new way of serving.”

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heila Cummings is helping to redefine modern healing by fusing ancient wisdom with the most advanced tools in modern technology. From analyzing DNA and gut microbiome health to uncovering hormone patterns, toxin exposures and the emotional echoes of past trauma, she brings a powerful, multidimensional approach to wellness. A seasoned nurse practitioner, Cummings describes her entry into holistic wellness

For Cummings, conventional medicine felt increasingly limiting. “I was frustrated and not making a big enough impact on my patients. We were more interested in putting a bandage on an illness than finding a root cause.” Her own health journey only deepened that realization. She began to embrace more nutrient-dense food, mind-body practices and a lifestyle grounded in presence and self-love. “I took a deep dive into creating a new lifestyle, and now I help my clients do the same,” she explains. In her hybrid program—available online and in person from her Moorestown Township practice—Cummings guides clients to transform their physical, emotional and spiritual health from the inside out. Through personalized functional medicine consultations, she helps clients uncover the origins of their symptoms, develop a customized plan and build daily habits that support transformation. Her online Root & Flourish Functional Wellness Shop offers products created or curated by her, including her own cookbook. Location: 714 East Main St. in Moorestown Township. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-650-7308 or visit www.RootAndFlourishWellness.com.

D R . D E A N N A N E L S O N , P h . D . ACTIVESR

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ith a storied career grounded in decades of discovery— Dr. Deanna Nelson, Ph.D., researcher and founder of ActiveSr—stands at the intersection of scientific rigor, compassionate innovation and heart-centered care. “Whenever I see a challenge, I feel a personal drive to dig into the data to try and understand what’s really happening and create an effective, science-backed answer,” Nelson says. “That’s just how I’m made, it’s part of my DNA,” she says, chuckling. And, that’s how the impressive line of ActiveSr supplements have become a cornerstone in a holistic approach to supporting immunity, bone health, mobility and overall vitality. From noticing morning stiffness and everyday joint discomfort beginning to ease to moving through the day with more energy and a renewed sense of well-being, many clients report that ActiveSr supplements have made transformative differences in their sense of comfort and their ability to lead a more active and engaged lifestyle. Nelson’s determination to finding better ways to healthy aging is rooted in her mother’s late-life struggle with brittle bones. “My mother was prescribed bisphosphonates, which is often the first choice for osteoporosis treatment,” Nelson explains. “The side effects of those drugs caused jaw-bone issues resulting in my mother losing her teeth as well a spontaneous break in her thigh bone.” This devastating experience sparked in Nelson a deep reevaluation of conventional bone-health protocols and inspired 46

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years of research into safer, more effective approaches found in ActiveSr supplements. “I began to realize that so much of what we were being told about bone health simply wasn’t supported by the science,” she says. In addition to taking higher quality supplements, Nelson recommends the importance of weight-bearing exercises and adopting a healthy lifestyle along with good nutrition. “Our supplements lay the foundation which enable individuals to be proactive in embracing their own wellness goals.” Today, she is putting the finishing touches on a ground-breaking supplement line set to launch this year—carefully crafted to support the health and vitality of pregnant women and new moms. “There is never a more important time for a woman to nourish her body and protect her well-being,” Nelson explains. “These formulations were developed with the unique needs of motherhood in mind, offering gentle, science-backed support during one of life’s most life-changing seasons.” For consultations, Dr. Nelson is available via email at DNelson@ ActiveSenior.com. For more information, visit www.activesr.com.

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L Y N N O ’ M A L L E Y PRIME IV HYDRATION MARLTON

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or Lynn O’Malley, the journey to wellness leadership has always centered on service, curiosity and a genuine desire to help people thrive. She began her career as a family nurse practitioner, fascinated by how daily choices, environment and lifestyle can influence long-term health. That instinct to look beyond the surface quickly became her guiding thread. Already established in her career, O’Malley felt a strong emotional calling to deepen her service and joined the U.S. Navy. Over the next 20 years, she cared for service members and their families while living in Norfolk, Virginia. These experiences strengthened her leadership, broadened her clinical perspective, and deepened her commitment to purposeful, patient-centered care. She retired as a Navy Captain, carrying forward the discipline and heart that shaped her work. A defining moment arrived in 2016 with an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. It opened an entirely new chapter in how O’Malley understood health and healing. She immersed herself in functional medicine, studying nutrition, environmental toxins, microplastics, movement and other modifiable factors that influence disease. This exploration reshaped her philosophy toward root-cause healing, prevention and empowered living. As she incorporated these principles into her clinical work, her

longtime friend, Eileen Propp, invited her to become a partner at Prime IV Hydration. It offered a natural extension of her passion: pairing medical insight with education and whole-person wellness. Today, as co-owner of Prime IV Marlton, O’Malley helps lead a center offering IV hydration, nutrient therapies, immune and weight-support programs, athletic performance enhancements, hormone wellness including BRITE therapy by Daved Rosensweet, M.D., and peptides delivered through buccal strips. The practice also recently added Niagen as part of its longevity-focused services. For O’Malley, the future of Prime IV is rooted in empowerment: helping individuals understand their bodies, elevate their well-being, and live with more clarity and vitality. Prime IV Marlton is located at 300 Rte. 73 S., Marlton, NJ. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-334-3084 or visit PrimeIVMarlton.com.

C O R Y O W L E S THE CENTER FOR LIVING “I’m a daydreamer and a night thinker,” Cory says with a laugh. “It works for me. My ideas never clock out.” That’s a good thing, because her world is a blend of the mystical and the wildly practical. As she recently became the owner of The Center for Living—a beloved hub for healing, workshops, community and transformation—Owles is constantly switching hats. One minute she’s a healer tuning into the energy of the space and the next she’s an event planner juggling schedules, updating the website or calming a client in crisis. Add in a fullscale renovation of the historic house—still filled with generational stories and spirits— and her days are anything, but predictable.

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ach morning, well before sunrise, Cory Owles slips into the quiet of her rural neighborhood for a brisk walk with her dog. It’s her daily reset—a chance to breathe in the stillness, gather her thoughts and charge up before diving into a day that balances intuition, logistics and the lively energy of The Center for Living, in Medford.

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She describes her role as “a strange, but wonderful duality”—part spiritual caretaker, part CEO. The building itself adds to the fun. With its long history, creaky charm and what she cheerfully calls “a few mischievous house ghosts,” the center keeps her on her toes. “It really is like tending both the seen and the unseen at once,” she says. But Owles thrives in the mix. She loves the problem-solving, the surprises, the fresh ideas that show up out of nowhere, and the personal connections she forms with guests and clients. Launching in January, her new podcast, Life in the Center, carries a beautiful double meaning. “It’s a nod to the physical space so many have grown to love, while also pointing to the inner place we all seek—where hope returns, safety is felt and our sacred stories are woven into the tapestry of our community.”

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D A N A R E Y N O L D S MOUNT MERU HOLISTIC our upbringing,” Reynolds says. “And we were always expected and encouraged to study or take part in different modes of consciousness transformation and energetic healing.” And, that’s just what Reynolds has been doing for the last 35 years. Today, she works virtually and in clients’ homes, offering 40- to 50-minute energy-based sessions. “Many clients experience a rush of euphoria and well-being after their sessions.” Her work mostly centers on Chunsu (energetic acupressure treatments), a 6,000-yearold Korean method of channeling vital Ki heaven-earth energy from nature through acupressure and sound vibration. The treatments are traditionally used to restore family harmony, prosperity and well-being by dispersing ancestral energy blockages. They act as an internal cleansing, clearing toxins from the chakras and organs, reducing pain, rejuvenating body cells and bringing balance to the mind and emotions.

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or metaphysical healer and educator Dana Reynolds, the spiritual energy world has never been an abstract concept. Since early childhood, she has been immersed in learning and practicing spiritual traditions, various world cultures and esoteric philosophies. “I was born into a family where things like metaphysical awareness, clairvoyance, reincarnation and spiritual awakening was taken for granted. It was foundational to

However, Reynolds’ gift doesn’t end when the session does. She leaves each client with personalized tools—chants and curated nature sounds—to help them continue cleansing ancestral, spiritual and physical dis-ease from daily life. “It’s been quite amazing to see what comes up during our session; often, it’s past generational experiences the client isn’t even aware [that] exist.” Her organization, Mount Meru Holistic, reflects her lifelong mission to support global well‑being while honoring the interconnectedness of cultures, traditions and the natural world. Guided by ancestral insight, global wisdom traditions and a profound respect for the Earth, Reynolds offers clients not just relief—but a pathway back to balance, clarity and spiritual renewal. For more information, call 856-993-1786 or visit www.mtmeruholistic.com.

A N D R E A R O S T MSN, RN D A W N P A L M E R - V A C C H I A N O MSN, RN iNNERPHUEL “We’ve known each other for 20 years and we were both beginning to experience real burnout especially after Covid,” Dawn says of their partnership. Both still work fulltime in the field. Dawn as a hospice nurse and Andrea as a nurse consultant. Together they are building a new platform for wellness with innerPhuel. “It was very important to us that we give back to our own community,” Andrea says. “So among innerPhuel’s services, we are accredited CE providers who approve and offer continuing education courses for nurses.” Additionally, experiential group workshops and individual training designed to cultivate resilience, clarity, and meaningful change are also provided.

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s health care leans into personalization and prevention, innerPhuel is leading the charge. Founded by seasoned nurses Andrea Rost, MSN, RN, and Dawn Palmer-Vacchiano, MSN, RN, the practice blends science-backed medicine with proven whole-person wellness. Rooted in three decades of clinical experience, the founders built innerPhuel with a bold vision: to place transformative, heart-centered and evidence-based approaches at the forefront of modern health. 48

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Aptly named, InnerPhuel’s focus is to help clients realize the power to heal lies within. “If you’re looking somewhere on the outside for ways to improve your health, your relationships, your career, you’re not going to find it,” Andrea says. “Health care deserves a model that honors both rigorous science and the human experience,” Dawn adds. “When people understand how change actually happens—physiologically and emotionally—they can rewrite their health, their relationships and their future.” Both trained under globally renowned Dr Joe Dispenza and hold certificates as Neuro Change Solutions (NCS) consultants as well as certified HeartMath® trainers. These two trailblazers, who are redefining wellness, will be holding in-person workshops at the Center for Living, 45 S. Main St., Medford, January 10-11. To learn more, visit www.InnerPhuel.com.

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GENEVIEVE BROOMES

LIFEVANTAGE

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enevieve Broomes has spent more than two decades helping people heal. As a speech therapist, pediatric registered nurse and holistic life coach, she has seen firsthand how many individuals quietly struggle in unhealthy states. Her dynamic yet gentle presence has made her a trusted rehabilitation provider for over 20 years—but more recently, she has expanded her mission.

For the past three and a half years, she has been a passionate LifeVantage distributor, guiding clients toward science-supported solutions designed to nurture cellular wellness and healthy aging. “I believe the body is always trying to move toward healing,” Broomes shares. “Sometimes we just need the right tools to help the cells wake back up and do what they were created to do.” She was drawn to LifeVantage because of its focus on activation—supporting the body’s natural pathways for resilience and repair. “When I learned about oxidative stress and how it impacts everything from energy to vitality, I knew this was something people deserved to understand,” she says. “Helping someone feel hope again is the greatest gift.” For Broomes, empowering wellness is more than a profession— it’s a calling. “I want people to know they’re not powerless,” she adds. “Your body remembers how to be healthy. I’m just here to help you reconnect with that truth.” Call 215-906-5027 or visit www.Wilsong.LifeVantage.com.

JUDY DINGLER

SEEKING SERENITY

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t the heart of Seeking Serenity is Judy Dingler, a compassionate and seasoned healer with nearly three decades of experience guiding clients toward achieving balance, clarity and renewed energy. Her gentle presence and deep spiritual insight create a sanctuary for anyone ready to transform their well-being from the inside out. “Whether you’re dealing with emotional stress, generational trauma or just feeling lost, there’s always a path back to peace,” she says. “You don’t have to walk it alone.” As an ordained minister, Dingler blends spiritual wisdom with powerful healing modalities. A Reiki Master and Teacher, psychic medium, hypnotist and both an Integrative Energy Therapy and a Path to Heal practitioner, she offers a truly holistic, soul-centered approach to mind-body-spirit harmony. Her connection to spirit began early. “From the time I was a little girl, growing up Roman Catholic, I felt this strong pull toward the saints and the world of spirit,” she says. “I always knew there was a loving presence watching over me.” She carries that reverence into her work today. “I honor all faiths, all traditions. Spirit speaks many languages, and they all lead back to love.” Seeking Serenity is located at 4501 Rte. 42S, Ste. 3, Turnersville. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-236-6059 or visit www.YourGuideToSerenity.com.

As this Behind the Scenes section comes to a close, we hope these conversations offered more than a business snapshot. Each story shared here is rooted in lived experience—the moments that shaped direction, ignited passion, and ultimately gave purpose to the work these owners bring into the world. What stood out most in these interviews wasn’t growth metrics or polished plans, but heart. Many of these journeys began not with certainty, but with curiosity, challenge or a quiet nudge toward something more meaningful. Their businesses were built from resilience, intuition and a genuine desire to serve. This section exists to honor the people behind the work. It’s easy to see the services or storefronts; what’s less visible is the courage to pivot, the vulnerability to begin, and the commitment to stay aligned while evolving. These local businesses are doing more than offering solutions—they are creating spaces for connection, care and transformation within our community. We invite you to support the individuals featured here by visiting their businesses, sharing their work, and exploring the many others highlighted throughout this magazine. Every story you read and every business you support helps strengthen the community we’re building together.

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