Q: What is your real name?  Who or what is Kateri?
My name is Raquel A. Rodriguez.  I was raised roman catholic and took the confirmation name Kateri after the first Native American saint, St. Kateri Tekakwitha.  I grew up outside of Cahokia mounds, the largest pre-Columbus settlement north of Mexico, and studied specifically their religious practices.  So I felt drawn to St. Kateri of the Mohawks.  Despite my solid Catholic upbringing and my occasional attendance at mass, I do not consider myself religious but rather spiritually eclectic.  She has continued to serve as my guiding light decades later.  The courage she had to follow her convictions, find her way after loss and trauma, choose her own happiness over societal obligations, and become a nun.  It's why I named my company after her.  It reminds me of my focus to bring people back to nature, help them find or enhance their spiritual connection with themselves and the greater universe no matter what they believe in, and that I can help many more people if I don't hide away.  She reminds me to not forget where I came from while feeling free to pursue my spiritual calling.

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Q: Where are you from?  Do you speak Spanish?
I was born outside of Philadelphia, my father was mixed Puerto Rican and Jewish, and my mother is an American mix, primarily Polish.  I was raised in St. Louis, the middle of seven kids.  My parents didn't speak Spanish, and neither did I.  I am fluent in Italian, so can understand about 40% of Spanish.

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Q: What school did you go to?  What degree do you have?
Growing up, I switched schools frequently due to health reasons.  At 12, they finally diagnosed me with Sensory Processing Disorder.  Unfortunately, at the time, they didn't understand anything about it, besides that it made me hypersensitive.  I'll skip the long medical saga.  You can read my timeline and list of studies below.  I do not have any formal degree.

I am an open book.  Our work is intimate, and I honor your trust in me.