Meet The Team

Life Coach
Evelyn Hawkins
Evelyn is the Founder of Valor & Bloom Coaching, a Master Certified Professional Coach (MCPC), and has completed the Peer & Family Specialist (CPFS) training through COPA with over 25 years’ experience as a Certified Neuromuscular Therapist (CNMT).
She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Grand Canyon University, and her work draws on lived experience and professional training.
After 23 years on Klonopin left her facing severe neurological challenges, she reclaimed her life—and now blends deep clinical expertise with genuine empathy.
A devoted mom and grandma, Evelyn treasures backyard fun with her grand babies, big Italian family dinners, and drawing strength from her faith in Jesus. She believes life is possible after BIND—and is committed to guiding you every step of the way. Buckle up—she coaches with heart, hope, and a whole lot of grit.
Disclaimer: This coach provides services exclusively in a coaching or peer-support capacity through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC and does not offer medical, psychological, or therapeutic care.

Fluoroquinolone Recover Coach
Talia Smith
Talia holds a Master’s degree in Technology Management and brings over 20 years of experience in Information Technology, including serving as a senior manager and liaison between technical teams and executive leadership at a leading healthcare organization.
In April 2021, Talia’s life and career changed when she became disabled from the adverse effects of a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, Ciprofloxacin. What began as a health crisis became a calling—to bring awareness, advocacy, and hope to others walking a similar path.
Since then, Talia has become a passionate advocate for Fluoroquinolone Toxicity. She contributed to securing CDC-approved diagnostic codes for fluoroquinolone-related adverse effects, spearheaded Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Awareness Day—a global initiative recognized each October—and continues to promote informed consent for fluoroquinolone antibiotics through education and outreach.
Talia also hosts This is Floxed on the USA Global TV & Radio Network, amplifying stories of those affected and driving global awareness.
As the Fluoroquinolone Recovery Coach at Valor&Bloom, Talia combines her professional expertise, personal journey, and deep empathy to guide others toward recovery and restoration—transforming adversity into advocacy and inspiring hope along the way.
Disclaimer: This coach provides services exclusively in a coaching or peer-support capacity through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC and does not offer medical, psychological, or therapeutic care.

Peer Support Specialist & Benzo Coach
Rachel Mascaro
Rachel is the Managing Director of Uneven and has partnered with D.E. Foster on its evolution since the community’s launch in October 2024. She is a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) focusing on benzodiazepine tapering, withdrawal, post-discontinuation care, and the deeper process of rebuilding life after medication harm.
She holds a B.A. from Antioch College, and her work draws on lived experience and benzo specific training. Her coaching is grounded in peer training and more than thirty years of firsthand experience with psychiatric medications. Rachel’s work is further informed by specialized education in benzodiazepine discontinuation, including Recovery from Benzodiazepines for Peer Specialists—a course developed by the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group and the Colorado Consortium—as well as completion of the full Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) curriculum.
Rachel's earlier professional background includes direct care, peer mental health support, and family coaching. These roles have provided a strong foundation for her work today, shaping the depth, empathy, and insight she brings to each coaching relationship. Her approach is person-centered—respecting autonomy, adapting to each individual, and valuing presence over prescription.
Disclaimer: This coach provides services exclusively in a coaching or peer-support capacity through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC and does not offer medical, psychological, or therapeutic care.

Holistic Wellness Specialist & Benzo Coach
Rebecca Ruchames
Born and raised in New York, Rebecca brings over 15 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT-200) with a deep commitment to emotional wellness and whole-person healing.
She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, specializing in Clinical Mental Health, and a B.A. in Social Sciences and Community Mental Health from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Throughout her career, Rebecca has served in a variety of settings—from private practice and community mental health to correctional and forensic environments. Her background includes specialized training in Crisis Intervention, Functional Family Therapy, and trauma-informed care, equipping her with a deep understanding of human resilience and recovery.
Having walked through the challenges of medication harm and withdrawal herself, Rebecca discovered a passion for health, wellness, and fitness that now infuses her work with authenticity and hope. Her approach is rooted in compassion and balance, blending evidence-based therapeutic practices with holistic methods that honor the mind, body, and spirit.
Disclaimer: This coach provides services exclusively in a coaching or peer-support capacity through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC and does not offer medical, psychological, or therapeutic care.

Nutritional Specialist & Benzo Coach
Katherine Peeler
Katherine's path to holistic wellness began in emergency medicine, where she served for more than a decade as a paramedic after earning her National EMT certification through Greenville Technical College. She later spent five years as a certified health coach with Take Shape for Life, guiding clients toward sustainable lifestyle changes and improved wellbeing through balanced nutrition and mindful habits.
After nearly two decades of benzodiazepine use and the complex challenges of recovery, Katherine turned her own healing journey into a purpose-driven mission to help others. She understands firsthand the physical, emotional, and spiritual layers of medication harm and approaches each client with empathy, respect, and deep compassion.
Currently expanding her education through Ritually Rooted to pursue additional holistic healthcare certifications, Katherine brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. Her coaching approach blends practical nutritional guidance with nervous system support, emphasizing gentle progress, self-trust, and nourishment of the whole person—mind, body, and soul.
Disclaimer: This coach provides services exclusively in a coaching or peer-support capacity through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC and does not offer medical, psychological, or therapeutic care.

Expressive Art Coach
Renée A. Schuls-Jacobson
While homebound with Benzo Induced Neurological Dysfunction, Renée turned to painting as a form of healing. After a long career as an English teacher, she felt called to express herself in color, creating whimsical, impressionistic portraits filled with affirmations and hope.
By 2017, Renée had emerged from an invisible injury as a full-time artist. Her vibrant work now lives in private collections worldwide, and she offers both in-person and online art classes that nurture creativity, connection, and emotional resilience. Her sessions welcome artists of all levels — especially those navigating chronic illness, trauma, or neurological recovery.
As a Certified Peer Recovery Advocate and Holistic Mental Health & Brain Recovery Coach, Renée blends lived experience with evidence-based tools for emotional regulation and neuroplasticity. She is the author of Psychiatrized: Waking Up After a Decade of Bad Medicine and has been featured on Mad in America and The Gaslit Truth Podcast.
From her home studio in Rochester, New York, Renée continues to create, teach, and inspire others to rediscover joy and self-expression through the power of art.
Disclaimer: This coach provides services exclusively in a coaching or peer-support capacity through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC and does not offer medical, psychological, or therapeutic care.

Expressive Art Coach
Morgan Steffey
Born in Dallas, Texas, Morgan discovered her artistic spark at an early age—often using her younger sister as her first “canvas.” What began as playful creativity soon evolved into a lifelong passion for art, design, and expression. After studying at El Centro College and later at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she focused on Art and Interior Design, Morgan continued to expand her creative horizons.
Morgan’s artistic journey took root in a small Dallas mosaic studio, Smashing Times, under the mentorship of Robin Oldham, who introduced her to the world of mosaics and mixed media. From there, her curiosity flourished as she explored painting, collage, pyrography, clay, and experimental forms of visual storytelling. She later moved to Las Vegas, studying studio art at UNLV and working in art framing—further refining her eye for detail and composition.
Now based in Texas, Morgan is both a devoted mother and a passionate artist who integrates somatic awareness with creativity. Her sessions blend movement, mindfulness, and art-making to help individuals reconnect with their bodies, emotions, and imagination. Through her “whimsical and weird” artistic style, she invites others to experience art as a meditative and healing journey—one that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.
Disclaimer: This coach provides services exclusively in a coaching or peer-support capacity through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC and does not offer medical, psychological, or therapeutic care.
Schedule Today
Thank you for taking a moment to get to know us. We’re just real people who understand how hard this road can be—because we’ve lived it too. Each of us comes with our own story, our own scars, and a deep respect for yours. However you found your way here, we’re glad you did!
Disclaimer: The coaches featured on this page serve in a coaching or peer-support capacity through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC.
While some of our coaches hold—or have previously held—professional licenses in fields such as psychology, social work, or healthcare, they are not providing those licensed services here.
All sessions and programs offered through Valor&Bloom Coaching LLC are educational and coaching-based, not medical, psychological, or therapeutic treatment.





