Family Week

Tamara Duker Freuman, MS, RDN, CDN

Tamara Duker Freuman, MS, RDN, CDN is a New York-based registered dietitian, author and America’s Trusted Digestive Nutrition Expert. A nationally-known authority on nutrition therapy for digestive diseases, Tamara is a member of New York Gastroenterology Associates, a private Manhattan-based practice. She earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and completed her training at Mount Sinai Medical Center. In addition to her clinical work, Tamara is a high-profile nutrition writer whose advice on healthy living and dietary management of digestive disease is read by hundreds of thousands of people each month via leading online media platforms. She has been featured in leading TV, print and radio/podcast media, including TV’s Good Morning America, Live with Kelly & Ryan, Inside Edition, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, Prevention, Women’s Health, The Huffington Post, CNN.com, SELF.com, and Business Insider. She is the author of the acclaimed book, The Bloated Belly Whisperer(St. Martin’s Press, 2018).

River Morgan

River Morgan is a third-generation mindfulness instructor. A lifelong study of movement and the body has guided her over 25 years of teaching. River has been featured in many publications for her yoga classes and retreats, including Yoga Journal, Forbes magazine, Elephant Journal, Aspen Peak Magazine and as a model for the Gaiam and Jade Catalogs and products. She authored a wellness column for The Aspen Daily News and her classes are featured on Deepak Chopra’s Jiyo app as well as Golf Forever, Healthy Backs Forever, Aspen82, and The Healthy Life channels.

River has presented at conferences such as The American Renewable Energy Summit, the Aspen Idea Festival, The Aspen Security Forum, and The Aspen Environmental Forum. She also taught Yoga for Cyclists workshops and retreats at the Carmichael Training Center in Santa Barbara and the Snowmass Wellness Conference, and has been a guest presenter at Rancho La Puerta over 30 times, as well as at the Golden Door, and on the “The World” ship.

River is a certified yoga, meditation & Gyrotonic instructor, and holds the credentials to lead teacher trainings for yoga and meditation through Yoga Alliance. She holds a BFA in Dance & toured internationally with two professional dance companies. River has also served as assistant director of TheFarmCollabortive.org for the past 14 years.

River’s classes encourage you to be fully in the moment and dive into your body, mind & spirit as they truly are.

Eden Vardy

Eden Vardy is dedicated to doing his part in solving climate challenges so that future generations can thrive. With that goal, in 2008 he founded The Farm Collaborative (www.farmco.org), “a collaboration for regeneration” that focuses on regenerating the local food system, one community at a time.

Under Vardy’s leadership, the organization made 0% interest loans to over 50 burgeoning farmers and food entrepreneurs through a pioneering “gift- circle investment club” model, launched a multi- stakeholder support ecosystem to grow new farmers, took ownership of the award winning edibleAspen magazine (where Vardy served as publisher), and hosted a program focused on innovating in crop production and stewarding regenerative agriculture regionally. The Farm Collaborative is now building a first of its kind learning campus in Aspen that will showcase integrated agriculture while pioneering a farmer”renaissance” of young leaders dedicated to a better future.

In 2019 Colorado Governor Jared Polis appointed and the senate confirmed Vardy to the state’s Parks and Wildlife Commission to represent agriculture. Vardy was appointed for a second term in July 2022, and confirmed with rare bi-partisan support unanimously by Colorado’s congress. In 2021, Vardy was selected as the Eisenhower Agricultural Fellow and met with policy makers, farmers, and community leaders in the EU and Brazil to exchange ideas for best practices to support the next generation of small holder farmers. In 2022, Vardy was selected as a “Food Leaders Fellow” as part of the inaugural cohort by the Aspen Institute. Vardy has presented at over 30 conferences and consulted community organizations across the globe, including in Israel, Uganda, France, Brazil, Mexico, and around the United States. Vardy is an avid percussionist and a proud father.

Alex Freuman

Alex Freuman, MS, BA, is a high school STEM teacher who holds a BA in mathematics from Oberlin College and an MS in mathematics education from Hunter College in New York City.   At Oberlin, Alex was a founding member of the Juggling Club, where he honed many circus skills, including fire juggling, fire eating and balancing tricks. Also, a long-time chess and puzzle enthusiast, Alex coaches the chess team at Nyack Highschool (Nyack, NY), is faculty advisor for the Nyack Highschool Puzzle Club, is the founder and President of the Rockland County Chess Club, and is a certified US Chess Tournament Director.  His current United States Chess Federation (UCSF) rating is 1900, and he hopes to break 2000 before his children beat him to it. Alex is passionate about creating community and fostering multi-generational connections through the joy of chess.

Aakansha Maheshwari

Los Angeles-based choreographer and instructor Aakansha Maheshwari created BollyPop with the intention to spread happiness through dance. Growing up in India, Aakansha trained in various Indian dance forms—from ancient classical dance of the temples to gypsy folk dance of the snake charmer community. Aakansha has spent years training with the masters and brings different styles together in her program, BollyPop, which is currently offered in California, Utah, and India. She has choreographed for The Academy Museum, Clippers games, LA Kings games, and was one of the choreographers of Disney’s Freakier Friday. Her business was recently selected as one of the six Asian businesses in Los Angeles to be featured in a Google commercial. Aakansha works with a few non-profit organizations in India and spends time with children in underprivileged communities, teaching dance and music. Her devotion to her art is solely for the purpose of spreading happiness.
www.bollypopla.com

Cheryl Lin Fielding

Cheryl Lin Fielding is an inspiring Vocal Coach and Continuing Lecturer at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music and works with Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. She is also the Artistic Director of the Parnassus Society, as well as a distinguished pianist, collaborative artist, and concert producer. Cheryl has performed at renowned venues including Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, and the Tanglewood Music Center  — but what she loves most is helping young singers discover their unique voice and step confidently into the spotlight.

Mario Boschi

Mario Boschi is a highly experienced and passionate coach dedicated to developing both talent and character through sport. His proven coaching methods have led to exceptional outcomes, including two former students earning scholarships to the Macclesfield FC International Academy Residency Programme in Manchester, UK—a testament to his ability to cultivate top-tier talent. The son of Italian immigrants, Mario grew up in Ontario, Canada, where his natural athleticism showed early across multiple sports. He earned a college basketball scholarship and continued playing premier soccer for his province.  Before transitioning fully into coaching, Mario managed and operated a Honda/Acura powerhouse dealership for over 27 years, earning the Honda Council of Excellence Award for his leadership and excellence. In 2018, Mario relocated to the United States to be with his wife, Jen. Together, they founded The Boschi Pickleball Group in 2019, a career coaching and consulting firm.  Expanding his athletic pursuits, Mario earned his elite Level II Pickleball Instructor Certification (IPTPA) in 2020 and has since taught in Steamboat Springs and Denver, Colorado. He currently serves as Head Pickleball Pro at Club Greenwood in Greenwood Village, Colorado, and leads clinics in Key Biscayne, Florida; Aspen, Colorado; Ontario, Canada; and now Mexico.  Mario and Jen are owners of the Denver Iconics, a professional pickleball team within the National Pickleball League, a 50+ senior pro champions league where he also competes as a senior pro player.

Liam Fielding

Liam Fielding is a highly versatile and passionate volleyball athlete known for his competitive presence, joy on the court, and strong game awareness. He currently competes as an outside hitter and opposite hitter with the Pulse 16-1 team, coached by Silila “Lila” Tucker, and is also an outside hitter on the Beckman High School Boys Junior Varsity team.

Liam has trained with and been mentored by celebrated coaches and athletes, including Olympians Reid Priddy and Raul Papaleo, as well as respected coaches Daniel Hart, Brad Powell, Teagan DeFalco, and Maya Young. He has participated in advanced training at UCLA and USC volleyball camps, further strengthening his experience in collegiate-style environments.

Beyond the court, Liam is deeply curious and creative. He loves to sing, enjoys learning to cook, and finds genuine joy in sharing what he loves, whether that means helping others grow in volleyball or connecting through music, food, and shared experience. He brings an open heart, enthusiasm, and a love of learning into everything he does.

Mitch Foster

Mitch Foster is a PPR Pro Level Pickleball Instructor with over 15 years of competitive experience. Mentored from an early age by his mother, a multi-time national champion, he went on to secure several junior national titles. He now serves as resident professional at the JW Marriott in Phoenix, coaching players of all ages and skill levels.

Matt Roben

Matt Roben spent 25 years as a professional circus artist performing around the world before serving as a Chicago police officer and bagpiper. Now known as the “Kilted Auctioneer,” he continues to entertain and inspire while raising millions for charitable causes.

Tom Birmingham

Tom Birmingham is an artist and teacher with a vast experience leading family enrichment programs. As a founding director of the Big Sur Arts Initiative, Tom has provided instruction and enrichment in the creative arts in a variety of mediums. For ten years he led the art department in the summer children’s theater program, StageKids in Big Sur. For over fifteen years Tom has taught photography and drawing at Rancho La Puerta. Along with his wife, Erin Lee Gafill, he’s been a part of The Ranch’s Family Week since its start. Tom was the director of the Big Sur JazzFest, founding member of Big Sur’s Hidden Garden’s Tour, and currently manages Studio One – Big Sur. Tom is the founder of 26Letter Press, a small press dedicated to printed materials celebrating and inspiring creative expression.

Jenny McTaggart

Jenny McTaggart is a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Coach, TRX & Yoga Instructor who brings serious energy and good vibes to everything she teaches. She leads Bootcamps, Yoga, and TRX at The Bay Club Marin in the San Francisco area, and she’s all about helping people make fitness feel fun.

The Ranch has been part of Jenny’s life since 1993, and it’s still one of her favorite places to reset, recharge, and reconnect. When she’s not training clients or teaching classes, you’ll find her hiking, lifting weights, doing yoga, or hanging out with her three awesome kids — Ethan, Camilla, and Charlie.

Erin Gafill

Erin Gafill is an award-winning painter, author, and founder of the Big Sur Arts Initiative. Known for her vibrant use of color and community-centered teaching, she inspires artists of all ages to paint boldly and joyfully. She is the author of a coffee-table art book, Color Duets, with Kaffe Fassett, and a memoir about life/work balance, Drinking from a Cold Spring, a Little Book of Hope.

Jake Rainey

Jake Rainey is an experiential educator, leadership specialist, and practitioner of human development dedicated to helping individuals and teams reach their sustainable peak. With a Master’s Certificate in Experiential Teaching & Learning and certification as a Life & Engagement Coach, Jake’s work is grounded in the belief that real growth happens when people are safely supported beyond their comfort zones. His commitment to holistic safety is reinforced by dual certifications as both a Wilderness First Responder and a Behavioral First Responder, allowing him to thoughtfully manage both physical and emotional risk in dynamic environments.

Currently serving as Student Life and Leadership Director at Key School and Program Manager for ISEEN, Jake has facilitated high-impact learning experiences around the world. From navigating the Colorado Rockies to leading cultural immersions in Ecuador, his work uses the “ultimate interruption” of adventure to spark deep self-awareness and meaningful growth. A former Colorado State Coach of the Year for Boys Soccer, Jake has a proven ability to transform groups into cohesive, high-performing teams by helping them resolve friction points and align around shared values. In addition to his work at Key School, Jake leads Living At Peak, an organization that designs customized retreats and transformative experiences for teams, groups, and individuals.

Through his Leading Together workshops, Jake brings these leadership principles into the family setting. Using hands-on challenges and reflective dialogue, he guides families in exploring their communication patterns and problem-solving styles. Rather than traditional lectures, Jake emphasizes active engagement, helping families identify their core values, create meaningful mission statements, and build the resilience needed to navigate challenges together.

Grounded in curiosity, wisdom, and practical tools, Jake’s mission is to equip families and leaders with frameworks they can carry forward long after the experience ends.

Timothy Hinchliff

Timothy Hinchliff is a master yarn painter whose work has been part of the artistic and spiritual landscape of Rancho La Puerta for over three decades. Inspired by traditional Huichol art, he is known for his Circle of Angels paintings in the Ranch dining hall and for founding the beloved Prayer Arrow tradition.