Meet the Collective
Who We Are
Nicole Teal
Artist, Massage Therapist, She-E-O of Well Connected DMV
Nicole has over 15 years of massage experience, graduating from the Potomac Massage Training Institute in 2004. Building on her foundation in Swedish and Deep Tissue massage, she pursued advanced study in Neuromuscular Therapy, developing a clinical approach that addresses trigger points and long-term muscle holding patterns with precision and care.
To balance this Western style, Nicole also practices Thai-on-the-table massage, an adapted form of Thai massage that incorporates rhythmic stretching and compression for a meditative, yoga-like experience. By blending these approaches, she creates sessions that support both body and mind, always tailoring her work to each client’s needs and enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal and adapt.
Gabby Nobody
Elevated Thoughts Activist, a Creative Being, and one grateful M*therf*cker
Gaby’s art centers on the personal and collective experience of healing. Through layers of bright, cheerful colors, her work reflects resilience and renewal, while her use of acrylics, water, and upcycled materials captures the raw, unrefined nature of recovery. The messiness of her medium symbolizes both the struggle and the beauty of reclaiming one’s narrative, mirroring the turbulence and eventual peace found in healing. Influenced by a deep desire for inner tranquility and a commitment to supporting survivors, her art stands as a testament to the courage and strength of those who endure and overcome trauma.
Her practice seeks to foster empathy and understanding, drawing attention to rape culture and the need for open, often difficult conversations. Gaby’s work aims to normalize these dialogues while offering validation and solidarity to survivors and insight for allies. Each piece honors the layered journey of healing, inspiring deeper listening and appreciation for the stories that shape human experience. Through her art, Gaby uplifts resilience, amplifies silenced voices, and creates space for both personal and collective renewal.
Alicia Barmon
devotee of the breath and a weaver of interbeing
Alicia is a former psychotherapist with 18 years of experience who has shifted her focus from traditional trauma therapy to liberation work rooted in sacred community. She is committed to remembering and embodying our deep interconnection—believing that when one person suffers, all suffer, and when one heals, all heal. Her path is shaped by her experiences as a mother, wounded healer, and devotee of the breath, weaving practices of interbeing to counter the pressures of dominant culture.
Grounded in the understanding that nothing is separate, Alicia views healing as relational—found in being seen, felt, and held with tenderness. She believes that symptoms often labeled as individual disorders are instead reflections of systemic and cultural wounds, and that true well-being arises when we recognize our interconnectedness with each other and the natural world. Through relationship, Alicia creates space for repair, play, and renewal, inviting herself and others back to their true nature with compassion and care.