Jean-Paul Thuot R.Ac, KOHP
Jean-Paul has been in practice since 1998,when he graduated from the CCAOM here in Victoria. His studies have taken him to as far away as Taiwan, where he practiced at the T’zu Chi hospital for 2 years. He is a lifelong learner who is fascinated with all the ways humans can be broken, and all the ways we can put them back together.
What is your favourite vacation, or to relax?
When I lived in Taiwan I traveled to Thailand a number of times. Lying on the white sand beach at my favourite family-run resort getting a massage is an experience I’d like to have over and over.
Any pet peeves?
I have a hard time with being late for things.
Favourite Muppet
Animal. Definitely Animal.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Not a fan of cleaning the bathroom. At the clinic I find it difficult to stay focused on charting my patient’s treatments after they’ve left.
Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
I leave my wallet in the car when I go to Lee Valley, or MEC, because it’s hard to maintain my self control in those stores.
What celebrity do you get mistaken for?
I have never been mistaken for a celebrity, but a random stranger once told me I looked like Norm Macdonald. I wasn’t sure how to take that.
What is your earliest childhood memory?
When I was two years old we lived on farmland outside of Ottawa. I remember sitting on the back porch at night, listening to the whippoorwills calling to each other in the bush.
What did you want to be when you were little?
My mom recently gave me a booklet I had made on the first day of Grade One. In it I said that I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. I guess I’ve never really deviated from that desire
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“I have found the missing link between higher ape and civilized human: it is us.” Konrad Lorenz, an Austrian zoologist. I like it because I can see we still have so far to go towards being truly civilized.
Morgan Cross, R.Ac
Morgan (she/her) is a Registered Acupuncturist who believes that acupuncture can be a potent tool in helping us heal ourselves. Our bodies innately know what we need, and needles— like tiny but powerful flags — redirect our healing attention to where we need it most.
Coming from a background in writing and animal care, Morgan approaches every session with compassion, creativity, and an open mind. She initially tried acupuncture herself for chronic lower back pain and, finding it very effective, returned many times for mental-emotional support, where acupuncture brought her out of her head and into her body.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Relax in the forest, sing when nobody’s listening, read, write.
Q: Who is a hero of yours?
A: My mum, for pursuing her dreams while helping me achieve mine. She is my confidante, sounding board, and inspiration.
Q: What’s something quirky about you?
A: I have time-space synesthesia, which means I “see” time. Trust me, it’s not as cool as it sounds.
Q: What are you most passionate about professionally? What most excites you about your work and the contribution you can make?
A: Increasing accessibility to this natural, effective, extremely versatile, and fun form of healthcare. Acupuncture is such a treat (ment) to be able to offer to others.
Q: What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
A: Cleaning gunk out of sink drains.
Q: What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?
A: Sweet Thing by Van Morrison, Deep in Love by Bonny Light Horseman, anything by Fleetwood Mac or Fleet Foxes (apparently I like the word fleet).
Q: What sound do you love?
A: Coffee brewing. Stormy weather. When I come home and my dog happy-howls.
Q: What is one of your favourite quotes?
A: “If there were a bird who first wanted to examine the size of the sky, or a fish who first wanted to examine the extent of the water – and then try to fly or swim, they would never find their own ways in the sky or water.” – Alan Watts.
Q: What do you miss most about being a kid?
A: Getting the entire summer off to play on the beach.
