ZEN MISSION
Our mission is to promote wellness through a creative lens with mindfulness, nature and movement as our foundation.
ZEN VISION
Our vision is to offer safe spaces for community to connect with themselves and others on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level through workshops, classes and experiences that foster wellness–all offered by people of color.
ABOUT US
Marcus and Miranda Lattimore have been married since December 19, 2015 and love being dog-parents to their standard-size poodle, Mocha. In early 2020, the couple made plans to uproot their comfortable lives in South Carolina to embrace discomfort by un-learning and re-learning systems and patterns that had been instilled over their lives (and historically through ancestral memory). Through the privilege of uninterrupted time in their new setting of Portland, Oregon, Miranda and Marcus became intentional about self-actualization and procuring peace along the way–finding their own version of Zen.
Inner work is never finished, but their observations were clear. Mindfulness, nature and movement were the largest factors that contributed to the most peaceful moments in their lives. Garnering their skillsets, Miranda and Marcus envisioned spaces where people could experience the insight gained through mindfulness, the healing powers of nature, and the freedom to be found through movement–the practices they have acquired on their self-growth journey. Once they found zen, they Founded ZEN. In 2022, ZEN:MNM was formed.
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Founder, Creative Director, Yoga Teacher
Miranda graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Public Health and a minor in Women and Genders Studies. With the goal of bringing healing and wellness to communities of color, Miranda became a certified yoga teacher in 2020. She currently offers private, group and corporate yoga classes in Portland, Oregon and online.
Miranda’s role as Creative DIrector at ZEN includes curating wellness experiences for businesses, community members, and non-profit organizations.
Miranda finds her version of zen through the practice and study of yoga, the stillness of nature photography, journaling, and therapy.
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Wellness Director, Writer
Marcus is a former collegiate and professional football player, coach, and Director of Student Athlete Development with over 12 years of experience in public speaking. After retiring from the NFL and earning his Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Marcus became the wellness director for Select Health of South Carolina, a medicaid provider, where he led wellness camps for 8 years.
Marcus is currently a writer and spoken word poet in the Portland metro area, and serves as the wellness director for ZEN:MNM.
Marcus attributes finding zen to the wilderness of the great Northwest, exercise, writing, and his spiritual practice of yoga.
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Emotional Support Specialist
Mocha is a fierce, playful, intelligent force with a kind spirit and sense of humor. She is a six-year-old standard poodle and loves ear and belly rubs. When she isn’t napping or eating, her favorite things to do are chase squirrels and fetch tennis balls.
Enjoy a #ZenMoment
poem written and narrated by Marcus: