Meet Sage Coughlin | Certified herbalist, regenerative gardener, and creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sage Coughlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sage, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is something we are all faced with at times in life; a moment when we stand at the edge of a decision, opportunity, or new experience. From the strong-willed teenager I was to the entrepreneurial person I am today, risk has played a prevalent role in my life and work. As a creative person running their own business, I perceive my work as the application of my unique set of gifts and skills; my purpose. From my perspective, taking a risk in favor of my career feels like an act of devotion to my life’s calling.
At times, the risk has been an adrenaline-filled leap of faith, such as when I left a consistent, yet passionless, job to commit to the field of work I loved. Other times, the risk has been intentional and calculated, such as bypassing the higher education system to pursue experiential and alternative education. Throughout my journey, I’ve battled doubt, fear, and self-sabotage when faced with a risky decision that aligns with my career. It all seems to come down to trust. Each risk taken has required deep trust in my inner sense of purpose. A trust that each intentional move made holds the potential to bring me closer to my individual purpose, and you to yours.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have worked as a gardener since 2015 in settings varying from biodynamic farming to urban landscape gardening. After completing a permaculture intensive in 2017, I began the first iteration of my business offering organic landscaping services around Boulder county. This business ebbed and flowed over the years, as I gave it varying levels of commitment between other work to maintain a consistent income. In 2021, I found the right opportunity at the right time to really direct my creative forces towards my business. Thus came Vital Hearth Collective, a space within which I can conduct herbalism and wellness coaching services, offer handcrafted products, permaculture design, and garden consulting services. Since attending herbalism school (2016-2018), my vision has been to marry my parallel passions of regenerative solutions/gardening and vitalist herbalism. In addition to being a space for my own myriad of offerings, Vital Hearth Collective is intended to collaborate with and uplift other creatives, small-time makers, and holistic wellness and earth workers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When visiting me in my home state of Colorado, you must be prepared for some scenic mountain driving, local brews, and adventure. One of the places I hold most dear to my heart is Valley View hot springs in the San Luis Valley. This is a very special place, from the beauty of the surrounding peaks to the coziness of the facilities. This hot spring is located on Orient Land Trust, where acres of beautiful land and wildlife are protected. Orient Land Trust also runs a farm on the protected land that is using regenerative methods and teaching guests about sustainability. Naturally, I love knowing that my money is going towards these beautiful efforts to protect wilderness while teaching and sharing beauty with people.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to acknowledge my mother Jeanne, first and foremost, who has always supported my vision and celebrated my small victories along the way. Secondly, I would like to shoutout the woman whose teachings changed my life, Lisa Ganora. Lisa was the wise director of Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism when I was a student from 2016-2018. Her passion, expansive knowledge, and wild spirit has taught me so much over the years. These days, Lisa is running Elderberry Farms in Paonia, CO teaching and hosting herbal workshops on the land. She also shares her herbal knowledge on their Instagram page @elderberrysfarm.
Lastly, I must acknowledge the many wildly talented, creative, and hard-working people in my life. Every friend passionately dedicated to their creative pursuits in life greatly inspire me to remain devoted to my own path.

Website: vitalistearthwork.com

Instagram: @vitalhearthcollective