Kellie Cooney
Kellie Murphy Cooney, DAc, MS, EMT-P
Founder and Executive Director
Kellie's story began as a firefighter and field paramedic in Cincinnati, Ohio way back in 1995. This is where she learned life-saving medical skills treating everything from minor accidents to major traumas. In her time off work, you could find her backpacking with her daughter through the gorges of Kentucky and into the Smokey Mountains. She was an avid skier frequenting New England, Utah, and Colorado. She set a world record in climbing and rappelling El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and loves the mountains of Mexico where you can find her caving, rappelling, and rope-climbing with friends.
Kellie spent over two decades traveling the back-country of the United States, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and Africa and has worked as a medical missionary in Uganda for the past 16 years. Using these opportunities, she established relationships with NGOs and government officials and has been able to establish ongoing support for children and communities in need by teaching others how to build sustainable communities.
When her daughter was just a small child she became very ill leaving Kellie with no choice but to evaluate alternative medicines to treat her. After years of research on certain disease processes and on the topics of nutrition and plant medicine, she concluded; plants are medicines and they are effective at healing the body. Thus, Wellness Warrior, the company was born.
"This company is more than just an herbal or essential oil business. It's a company built on a lifetime of precise moments that shaped the future of many people whose stories, when put together, just make sense. Herbal medicines compliment our bodies and provide a solid basis for the healing process to begin. Our team believes this and it is the core of who we are as a business."
Kellie holds a bachelor of science degree in fire and safety engineering, a master of science degree in complementary alternative medicine, three master's certificates in herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and botanical safety, and a doctorate degree in traditional naturopathy. In 2018, Kellie & her husband relocated to Arizona so she could complete dual-doctorate degrees from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine as a naturopathic physician & as a doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine from Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA). After her initial year at SCNM, Kellie decided to only continue at PIHMA as her love for Chinese Medicine had overcome her desire to also study as a naturopath. Kellie graduated from PIHMA in December, 2022 with her doctorate degree in Acupuncture and is currently completing her board certifications and her second doctorate degree in oriental medicine.
In addition to her work with Wellness Warrior, her love for the indigenous people of Africa and the lack of healthcare options for indigenous people turned into an opportunity to bring plant medicines to vulnerable children in Uganda. In 2015, Kellie founded Wellness Warrior's 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, Wellness Warrior Foundation and currently serves as the Executive Director and Chair of the Board. Currently, they are raising funds to build sustainable communities in vulnerable communities worldwide. Please visit the website for more information and learn how you can be involved.
Kellie is passionate about sustainability and is excited to one day live off the grid.
Kellie climbing in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park, California
2016 herbal medicine mission trip to Uganda, Africa where Kellie worked with God's Care Community Ministries providing herbal medicine clinics to over 40 orphaned children in multiple communities.
2018 herbal medicine mission trip to Uganda, Africa. Kellie led this trip to care again for the vulnerable children in these communities. Four free herbal medicine clinics were provided aiding 1200 children and 600 adults covering a variety of medical issues.