Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Milligan.
Hi Molly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in rural eastern Nebraska. My father was a farmer and rancher and my mother stayed home with my brother and me. For elementary school I attended a two-room schoolhouse in the country that we would walk a mile to and from each school day. It was very Little House on the Prairie and quite idyllic and magical, really. For the most part I lived a relatively simple childhood, with my feet in the dirt and eyes to the sky, contemplating the earth’s rotation and constantly exploring, creating and reading. In those days, most kids had a lot of time explore and we often would make something out of nothing from the resources we had access to and that we found, and by nature kept me curious and creative. I loved exploring the great outdoors, whether it be the magnificent Sandhills in western Nebraska where my dad worked or simply in my backyard. If I wasn’t out exploring, I most likely had a crayon in my hand or my nose in an encyclopedia or book. I was often asking “why”, such as how outer space/the universe may be infinite and what would be beyond it, how it could be contained, etc. (I was fascinated with the cosmos in my youth and still am) and blowing my young mind.
Earlier in my life, when traditional Western medicine did not provide a full spectrum healing solution for one of my family member’s facing a serious auto-immune disease, they embarked and holistic healing journey with natural and homeopathic medicine. When I witnessed their disease nearly go into remission, it piqued my interest and curiosity, opening my mind to there being more healing options out there to compliment Western medicine. This would be something that I would keep with me and revisit a bit later in life.
I attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in Graphic Design. I then moved to Dallas, TX and enjoyed years of working as a designer, as well as the robust live music and arts scene that Dallas had to offer— and the warmer weather! During this time I began to commit myself to the path of natural medicine, diet and spiritual practice to support my health and the health of my loved ones. It was during this time as well that I was introduced to the healing method of Reiki through a healer and teacher, and her profound capacity to understand the human ego and soul opened a portal to my personal healing journey and forever shaped my approach to self-love, healing and humanity. In the future this would help to shape my professional holistic healing practice.
I loved the excitement and opportunity of a large city but was a country kid at heart. After a few years, I returned to Lawrence, KS to begin a family and to be closer to family. The birth of my daughter and journey of motherhood strengthened my commitment to holistic health through growing and preparing my young daughter’s baby food and using natural remedies when possible. When my daughter entered school, my love of natural medicine and community led me to a part time position in the Wellness department of Lawrence’s local food co-op, The Merc. There, I loved listening and connecting with customers to serve and educate them about plant medicine, diet and healing in general. In this position, I learned everything I could about plant medicine from the many trainings held there, and I used this education as a stepping off point for making my own plant medicine and eventually breaking out into my own independent studies. It was here that I also met a co-worker and friend with whom I would soon co-create a local shop and gallery that carried local and independent artists’ works.
Our shop began as a small working studio and shop in which we made an entire line of natural bath and body care products and had a retail shop in which we carried a variety of local and independent artists’ works and participated in Final Fridays Art Walks monthly. When my friend moved back to the west coast, and I made the somewhat daunting decision to move the shop forward into its next chapter, in a new location. Fast forward eight years, the shop a gallery (named Essential Goods + Sparrow Gallery) grew to representing over 250 artists, mostly being local and regional. I absolutely loved being a part of a community that so strongly supported the arts and being able to share artists’ work with our customers. My staff felt more like family and played such an integral part in the success of my business. I learned so incredibly much throughout that time. Once the pandemic hit, however, I realized how tired I was, and my building lease was about to expire. I knew it was time to make a change, as my health was suffering. Long story short, I decided to shift to an online only presence with my shop for two years, operating it out of a little office on Mass. St. This also allowed me to be very present for my daughter during the year and a half of mostly online school during the pandemic.
Once things slowed down for me, I came back home to what I had put on the shelf for a bit: holistic health and healing. It was calling my heart and soul strongly and I decided to start listening again. I began taking online and in person classes and started the journey of becoming certified in Reiki with the goal of eventually becoming a Reiki practitioner. Along with becoming a certified Reiki Master, I continued studying other holistic healing modalities such as working with the Human Energy Field, as well as facets of Shamanism (Foundation for Shamanic Studies). This led me to take the plunge into establishing my own practice named Inner Alchemy as a certified Reiki practitioner in downtown Lawrence, KS. I knew eventually I would like to expand my knowledge of herbalism in both my personal life and practice and discovered a renowned clinical herbalist (North Star Herbal Studies) who taught a 2-year intensive to become a certified herbalist and knew this was another facet of my path forward as a holistic healer. I recently earned my title as a Certified Herbalist and am now pursuing becoming a Clinical Herbalist, along with continuing education in meditation, breath work and holistic nutrition. While on this path of building my holistic healing practice, I realized something was missing: creating! My passion for plant medicine and creating in general inspired me to create Inner Alchemy Apothecary. I am building the apothecary slowly, first starting with handcrafted soy candles (using only essential oils), herbal tea blends, bath and body care and eventually herbal medicine.
All my life adventures and experiences have led me to the path I am on now and I am so grateful for everything – big and small – that has led me to the journey I am on now.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Regarding starting my holistic healing practice, making a huge career change was a bigger shock to my system than I had expected. I didn’t realize how much I had identified as being an artist or being in the art scene. While I was still doing freelance design to earn income, I had the goal of solely being a holistic healer in the future. Building a private practice is a whole different beast than owning and operating a retail shop or being a graphic designer.
Following my heart and knowing that I was on the right path was the easy part, for several reasons. A big career change took some time to adapt to, however. I remember hearing a world-renowned graphic designer from Germany that had changed his career from being a businessman to graphic design in his 40s. He mentioned that most people end up changing their career three times in their life. I never forgot this, finding it admirable that he pursued his dream and his passion mid-life and was clearly listening to his heart, given where it took him. I have used this as a guidepost in life and as a reminder to how important it is to follow YOUR heart and YOUR passion, trusting in the process, surrendering.
Building clientele was something I felt nervous about in the beginning. I then decided to trust the process, offer free sessions to friends and others, and word of mouth proved to be a great way to build my client base. I also trusted that those who are seeking holistic guidance and that I would be a good match, and vice versa— that we will find one another. It has worked out well thus far.
Marketing and social media was another interesting challenge. With my retail shop, I marketed through social media multiple times a day for ten years. After a break from constantly being on social media for that purpose, I found myself hesitant to jump back on that train. Also, marketing a healing practice is a completely different beast than a retail shop representing artists. A healing path is incredibly personal. Ultimately, I realized the only path forward was being only and truly authentically me. When I decide to share something, I trust that it will find its way to the right person(s). I enjoy sharing things I have created, such as something inspirational I may have overheard, discovered or scene by being present. I also enjoy sharing things I have created, such as guided meditations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The name of my holistic healing practice is Inner Alchemy. I am a certified Reiki Master and Certified Herbalist. I offer a variety of energetic holistic healing services, such as Reiki and Chelation Therapy. In addition to energetic healing, I also offer options such as meditation and breath work, dreamwork, classes and collaborations with fellow holistic practitioners as well as presenting and local and regional retreats. I also offer Reiki attunement courses so that one may become certified as a Reiki practitioner. A bit on Reiki… Reiki is a spiritual healing art with its roots in Japanese origin and means “Universal Life and “Energy” and is not affiliated with any particular religion or religious practice, nor is it based on belief or suggestion. It is a subtle and effective form of energy work using spiritually guided life force energy that flows through all living things. A Reiki session can help ease tension and stress and can help support the body to facilitate an environment for healing on all levels— physical, mental and emotional.
I have had a fascination with holistic healing through my life. I enjoy providing the space and opportunity for my clients to connect with and remember their higher/divine self through the breath and being present with and for themselves during their healing session. I believe that this connection is a tool that they can then take with them to use whenever needed. One of my goals with my practice is to support and empower my clients into alignment toward healing by transforming their energy and their consciousness and learning to live from a place that is inherently more whole, joyful and fulfilling. I encourage my clients to be exactly who they are and heal from where they stand, rather than placing benchmarks or hurdles. My hope is that my clients feel as calm and serene as I do every time I walk into Inner Alchemy’s studio. I have created a space in which I hope every client feels comfortable, safe and empowered to begin or continue their healing journey. I believe— to quote Poet, Rumi: “The universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you already are”.
Throughout my journey an important lesson in my path of healing has been learning how to listen. Sometimes, we simply need to be seen and heard. I enjoy helping others and giving them a sense of helping themselves— teaching empowerment on some level. The ultimate goal is self-empowerment and self-love. I am just a tool in that purpose. I am very grateful for my clients’ trust in me.
Inspired by my studies to become an herbalist and my desire to create, I recently opened up Inner Alchemy Apothecary within my business. I offer soy candles fragranced only with essential oils, bath and body products, herbal teas and eventually herbal remedies.
I recently wrapped up an amazing two-year intensive to become a certified herbalist and am excited to now be working towards becoming a Clinical Herbalist. I will be incorporating my passion and knowledge of plant medicine into both my apothecary and holistic practice offerings, and my approach will be more of a Traditional Chinese Medicine approach in which the individual’s whole constitution is addressed.
What makes you happy?
The simple act of being present makes me happy because of what you observe and discover. Rabbits playing in the yard, the laughter of a child, a profound message in a song that was meant for you to hear, acts of kindness; so, so many things. I love hearing the joy in my daughter’s laughter, spending time with my daughter and my husband, creating in our home studio with my husband, community, long walks in the Baker Wetlands, connecting to myself and all that is through music and the arts, connecting with Mother Nature and the never-ending journey of learning and exploring and spending time with dear friends and family. I am very grateful to be doing what I love as my profession!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inneralchemyholistic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inneralchemyholistic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inneralchemyholistic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/InnerAlchemyHolistic
