THE
SPECIALISTS

Ron's passion is helping others become the best version of themselves, by overcoming trauma, self-doubt and limiting beliefs.  Ron and Lisa have helped hundreds of people through NeuroBalanced and have a heart for helping others, thus the creation of NeuroBalanced.

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In 2013, he and his wife Lisa sold all of their companies and "retired."  

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In 2018 they sold their dream home, moved and created Back Forty Farms, a 42-acre ranch and is also the home of NeuroBalanced.  This slice of heaven includes many therapy horses, a variety of farm animals, wildlife, and a large creek nestled along the property, and even a couple of kangaroos!  All of this in a safe, quiet and peaceful environment that is optimal for healing.

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On a personal level, Ron's passion is the American Revolution.  His 5th Great-Grandfather fought in it, he and Lisa are teachers at a Christian co-op, hosts the Patriot Power Podcast and much more.  He is often found listening to audio books or interviews, reading, or researching anything related to the Revolution. 

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Ron is author of Love Your Work - Unlock Your Potential, Love Your Life 

 

Ron and Lisa have two amazing children and have been married for 31.5 years.

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TI-EAL (Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Learning) • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Certification • Certified in PLT (Polychromatic Light Therapy) • Professional Behaviors Analyst (CPBA) • Driving Forces Analyst (CPDFA) • Entrepreneurship Master Coach • Leadership & Development Master Coach • Personal Success Master Coach • Principles of Christian Life Coaching • Communication and Interview Mastery • Certified Business Strategy & Growth Expert • Go-Giver Life & Business Master Coach

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Lisa spent many years as a group fitness instructor and throughout the years has had an extensive interest in nutrition and cooking.

 

After selling their business in 2013, where Lisa was CFO and managed Human Resources, Ron and Lisa started their non-profit LIMBitless, which inspires the adaptive community, including veterans, to become more active. She is an avid cook and gardener at their beautiful property,  

 

Lisa is currently pursuing a certification in Functional Nutrition and plans to offer farm-to-table cooking classes to share her love of both cooking and nutrition!

 

Lisa received her certification from Natural Lifemanship in 2019 and loves to share the trauma-healing power of horses with anyone who needs it.  

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TI-EAL (Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Learning) • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Certification • Certified in PLT (Polychromatic Light Therapy)

Vanessa was born and raised in Bronx, New York and started her journey in serving others in the field of physical therapy.  She received her Master of Science degree in physical therapy in 2000 and has worked in multiple healthcare settings; acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, home care treating diverse patient populations.  Vanessa values education and has earned a wide array of other certifications. including Casely-Smith Lymphedema, Mat Pilates and Cranial Sacral therapy.

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Choosing a new direction to help others, she completed certification in Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Learning.  Now she uses her skills to help guide her clients to a road of healing and recovery, having a horse as co-pilot.

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Vanessa is pursuing further education and certifications in Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises, Neurofeedback, Breath work and the healing power of Rhythm and Movement.

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She enjoys dancing, ballet, baking, volunteering at school/church, traveling, gardening and having fun with others.  Vanessa is happiest when her clients find joy in life and when they achieve their goals.  She resides in Meridian, Idaho with her husband and two daughters, 

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Ron Kern says, "Watching Vanessa with her clients is truly magical.  She has an amazing gift that allows her to sincerely connect with them which fosters trust, growth and their future success."

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Trina brings amazing experience and knowledge to our team, which she joined in 2022.  Trina understands the journey of healing can often feel isolating and leave us wandering. Her approach to building a therapeutic relationship is meeting you where you are at and accompanying you on your restorative path. She believes people need a safe space to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. Trina loves being able to incorporate the outdoors where you can connect with nature and face your challenges. Her approach is Client Centered Therapy and Mindfulness which fosters personal insight and growth. 

 

Over her career, Trina has worked with families, children and adults who have a variety of challenges and traumas including PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. Through her skills, experience and expertise, it's been her privilege to see clients strengthen their skills and thrive.  

 

Being an Idaho native she is passionate about the outdoors, hiking with her dogs and being at the baseball field. As a wife and mother of 3 young men, her family spends a lot of time enjoying Idaho's beautiful landscape - both on and off the baseball field. 

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You can view her practice details on her website.

Heather is Ron and Lisa's daughter who works full-time on the family farm. Born and raised in Idaho, Heather is passionate about animals and the healing abilities of nature. 

 

After surviving severe domestic violence that included arsenic poisoning, she started a podcast and is now an advocate for helping those who have experienced domestic violence and the difficult mental health battles that follow. 

 

Heather recently married the love of her life, Skyler, and lives with him and their 2 fur babies, Kenya and Rhino in Nampa. 

 

Heather received her certification from Natural Lifemanship in April 2019 and her Meditation Guide certification in August of 2021. 

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TI-EAL (Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Learning) • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Certification • Certified in PLT (Polychromatic Light Therapy)

An Idaho native, Tara is passionate about our youth.  For five-years she worked at detention centers, group homes, Intermountain Hospital and in the adolescent psychologic unit.  During these years Tara helped develop a horse therapy program at a group home in Utah. 

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Tara has worked with developmentally delayed children and adults and has an amazing way to connect with our clients.  Dedicated to education, she created a "Micro-School" and is on the board of an educational non-profit foundation.  She is actively involved with current legislation for educational reform and innovation.

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Bringing both horse and people experience together, she has helped transform many of our clients to the best version of themselves.

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Tara is married, mother of five and although she never boasts about it, is an exceptional photographer. 

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Johnny U. is a certified Level II equine specialist through EAGALA, a model of equine-assisted psychotherapy services which focuses on growth and learning.  He also trains in diaphragmatic breathing and movement and meditation.  He is also certified through Natural Lifemanship.

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Throughout his years the only constant in Johnny’s life has been horses. His love of horses helped him connect with his father, which led to Johnny becoming a professional rodeo cowboy.  After high school in Shoshone, Idaho, Johnny attended Idaho State University on a track scholarship. Following graduation, he became a high school math teacher. But it wasn’t the algebra or geometry that motivated Johnny. “My favorite part of teaching was the counseling,” he says. “Some kids have come back and said, ‘You saved my life because you let me spend time to visit with you.’ That is the best thing.”

 

In the fall of 1983, Johnny began down a new road and launched a successful music career. For 15 years Johnny U and the Dodge Country Band toured the nation 300 days out of the year. Throughout his music career Johnny recorded 10 albums, his first single, “He’s a Cowboy,” charted in 1984, and he had six top-10 songs in Europe.  If you ask Johnny he says he "dabbled" in music, however opening for Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson is a bit more than dabbling.

 

As country music evolved Johnny U always stayed true to his roots. “I’m very western and very cowboy. That’s who I am. That’s what I do best.”  Working in the EAP field has provided a great opportunity for Johnny to combine his love of horses, desire to help youth, and even bridging in things he learned along the way through his music career. 

 

Of the work with the horses and youth Johnny facilitates and witnesses, he has this to say, “It is the most wonderful and powerful thing I’ve ever seen.”