ZEN:MNM
Pronounced ZEN M-N-M (like the popular candy or rapper from Detroit), the name derives from finding a sense of peace, or zen through mindfulness, nature and movement.
ZEN MISSION
Our mission is to promote creative wellness as a lifestyle–utilizing mindfulness, nature and movement as our foundation.
ZEN VISION
Our vision is to offer people of the global majority a safe space to reconnect with themselves and the greater-than-human world.
ABOUT US
Marcus and Miranda Lattimore married on December 19, 2015 in their home state of South Carolina. In 2019, the couple made plans to uproot their comfortable lives in Columbia, embracing discomfort through the un-learning and re-learning of systems and patterns instilled throughout their lives (and genetically through ancestral memory). During the historic summer of 2020 in the new vicinity of Portland, Oregon Miranda and Marcus found themselves more intentional than ever 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 contributing to the most peaceful, harmonious 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, the ZEN:MNM creative lifestyle brand 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, and completed her drug and alcohol counseling certification in 2023 (CADC). She currently offers private, group and corporate 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 a writer and spoken word poet in the United States. He was crowned the 2024 Grand Slam Poetry Champion of Oregon and enjoys teaching creative writing classes. He 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.