Originally a native of Southern California, Shauna Young has also lived in San Antonio, TX, and Nashville, TN before settling in Durango, CO in 1999. When asked about her somewhat nomadic life she says, “I always tell people that I have a low threshold of boredom, but the truth is I’ve been looking for something truly meaningful to do with my life and I have definitely found it.” The result was the Assertive Wellness Center, which she has owned and operated since 2001. AWC now sees clients who have traveled to the center from all across the U.S. and even from several foreign countries. 

Shauna holds a degree as a Naturopathic Doctor from the Herbal Healer Academy, a Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Sciences (PhD(c) from the University of Natural Medicine, certifications in Clinical Microscopy and Blood Cell Analysis in Biological Medicine using Dark Field Microscope Technology, and is a Certified Bio-feedback Technician (CBT) with both the Academy of Applied Quantum Bio-Technologies and the IMMUNE University. In addition to general naturopathic and nutritional counseling, she also holds separate certifications in the use of Herbal, Homeopathic and Flower Remedies.

Shauna is a Certified Traditional Naturopath (CTN) with both the Natural Therapies Certification Board (NTCB) and the American Naturopathic Certification Board (ANCB). She holds professional memberships with the American Association of Nutritional Consultants (AANC) and The Coalition for Natural Health, and serves as Chairperson of the Legislative & Legal Fund of the Colorado Naturopathic Medical Association. Shauna is also a member of the Medical Advisory Board for MiraMed Corporation, a not-for-profit organization with the mission of promoting worldwide advancement and education in natural medicine. Her teaching credits include instructing a PhD course on her manganese research for the International University IMMUNE and she is an adjunct Professor in the New York College of Podiatric Medicine’s newly forming Department of Integrative Medicine affiliated with Columbia University.

In 2005 Shauna began her research regarding the effects of excess manganese on the neurological and sensory input systems and the symptomatic connection to Autism and other neurological conditions. The success of this line of research, referred to as “The Popeye Protocol”, led to her receiving International Distinguished Awards of Excellence in both May of 2006 and May of 2007 from the Open International University of Complementary Medicine. She is an international lecturer on “The Popeye Protocol” and many other health related topics, and is currently finishing her first book, which is both a realistic and humorous look at life as a Naturopath practicing in the United States today.