Our Vision & Values
Co-creating resilient and sustainable communities around the world!
WE CARE
Wellbeing Ethics
Compassion Accountability Resiliency Effectiveness
Introduction
Aloha,
This is Dr. Valerie Simonsen, founder of You Know More.
In the 1980s, I experienced a series of near-death experiences. After the final one in 1989, I awoke from surgery inspired to serve as a bridge between traditional and conventional medicines. As a result, I decided then to expand my practice to include international crisis relief work.
My background as an Emergency Medical Technician and first responder, followed by decades of experience as a naturopathic physician, prepared me with valuable tools to help with the healing process.
In 2010, while volunteering at the Bumi Sehat clinic in Bali, I was introduced to a woman who had been paralyzed for ten years due to a massive stroke. She was 35 at the time and existed in a crystalline fetal state, unable to walk, talk and even swallow. Within weeks of restorative care at the clinic, she started to recover her abilities, which amazed her family, friends, and even the medical team. As she continued to recover, I realized that the source of her healing was our shared belief that she could heal. Looking back, it is clear that this experience was the conception of You Know More.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I witnessed too many of my peers struggling and dying from overwork and burnout. And I saw in myself the same tendency to sacrifice my own self-care. It was clearly the time for You Know More to be born.
You Know More values the innate wisdom of the body, mind and soul that is our birthright. Through the You Know More program, we offer restorative support for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. We invite you to join us on this journey.
Thank you very much for your interest in our mission and vision.
Our Team
Vice President
Suzie Nixon
Secretary, Practitioner
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Dr. Valerie, serving a woman in Bali that was paralyzed by a stroke, witnessed in a few weeks time, an amazing restoration of the woman’s ability to swallow, talk, & walk. Another practitioner asked her “how did she achieve such a feat”.
Dr Valerie returned to her internal knowing & honored the woman’s innate wisdom, understanding the client knew on some level that she could restore her own wellbeing. The client became the “midwife” that escorted Dr. Valerie to birth a new lease in life & the non-profit YOU KNOW MORE!
As the president of YOU KNOW MORE, Dr Valerie is an humanitarian, human rights activist, evolutionary activist, philosopher, and philanthropist with 40 years of medical service with 26 years as a licensed naturopathic physician. As a global citizen, she has distinguished herself as an international expert in integrative functional wellness, integrative medicine, disaster relief through natural medicine, & ecological medicine to reconcile the care & health of ecosystems, populations, communities, & individuals. She believes in you and is excited to support you as you return to the nature of your nature and have a personal renaissance. Yes! You Know More!
Maria Knauer is a renowned holistic health care practitioner and therapeutic spa expert with over 38 years of experience. She has built a strong reputation working with clients from all corners of the globe, offering a wide range of healing modalities tailored to their unique needs.
With licenses in massage therapy and esthetics, Maria's expertise extends beyond traditional spa treatments. She has received extensive training in various healing practices, including classical homeopathy from the American Medical College of Homeopathy. Maria's knowledge in this field led her to write the acclaimed "ABC's of Homeopathy" article series for Maui Mama Magazine.
Maria's qualifications also include a diploma in Ayurvedic medicine and certification as a Healing Touch practitioner. For a decade, she dedicated her skills at Kaiser Permanent's volunteer Healing Touch clinic on Maui. Additionally, Maria is an accomplished aromatherapist, reflexologist, and Reiki practitioner.
Before relocating to Hawai'i in 2000, Maria owned and operated her own spa in the United Kingdom, where she served more than 35,000 clients. She then joined the Four Seasons Resort Maui Spa, where she worked for 21 years. In 2021, Maria launched Maria Gold Wellness, her own wellness company..
In 2022, Maria underwent Atma Kriya Yoga teacher training and initiation on the enchanting island of Mauritius. She became an initiated devotee under the guidance of her Guru, Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda, in 2021, and in 2017, she became an Om chanting leader with Bhakti Marga.
Maria's dedication to personal growth led her to complete the Leadership in Health and Well-Being program at Duke University in 2023, through Duke Integrative Medicine. Her commitment to advancing her skills and knowledge allows her to provide cutting-edge wellness solutions to her clients.
In 2023, Maria leads transformational wellness retreats on the picturesque island of Maui, immersing participants in a rejuvenating experience. Looking ahead, she plans to expand her retreats internationally in 2024, sharing her expertise and passion for holistic health on a global scale.
Maria is currently serving as the Vice President of the nonprofit organization "You Know More." She combines her extensive experience in holistic wellness with a passion for social change to empower individuals and communities with knowledge and resources for personal growth and well-being. Maria's commitment to promoting holistic health and her role as Vice President exemplify her dedication to making a positive impact and transforming lives.
Maria also nurtures her spirit through global travels, visiting sacred temples and sites alongside her clients and Guru, creating memories and enriching her understanding of the world's diverse spiritual traditions.
Beyond her professional achievements, Maria cherishes her role as a mother to her two beautiful children, Zak and Anela. She resides on the slopes of Haleakalā on Maui, where she finds solace and joy surfing in Hawaii’s blissful waves.
Suzie brings over 30 years of career experience in the nonprofit field to You Know More. From helping to initiate new programs and partnerships to bringing established organizations to new heights, she directed the programs and development with Girls Incorporated of Carpinteria for 10 years, co-founded and directed programs with the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation for 7 years, devised new approaches and growth for The Thacher School's alumni fund and network for 10 years, and directed development of alternative PE programs and funding for school across the country with Kids in the Game for 2 years.
More recently, her passion is to lend her support through corporate consulting with businesses with shared values such as the Franciscan Sisters and Flourish Ojai.
The possibility of inclusive, integrated communities and organizations inspires her imagination as does entrepreneurial approaches to solutions for big challenges. With You Know More, Suzie currently serves as a co-founding member of the Board of Directors and offers her healing service to the program offerings through Biofield Harmonizing and reflexology.
Prior to retiring in 2020, Craig was a senior director of product management at a large aerospace corporation located in Southern California, using the power of data to enhance commercial airline safety and improve operational efficiency. He has extensive experience in creating innovative products and solutions and bringing them to market and was responsible for the financial performance of projects, programs, and product team building.
One of his favorite projects was leading the development of a simulation of the International Space Station’s power system. Earlier in Craig’s career he was an accountant and financial auditor for a worldwide accounting firm, Coopers & Lybrand.
Our Team
Grace brings a diverse professional background to the table with experience in non-profit programming with Girl Scouts of Western Washington, equine-assisted studies and therapies, and building games for education, management, and social change. She is passionate about art, people, connection and community.