In the early 2000s, while managing the U.S. operations for an Australian herbal company, I lived in Madison, Wisconsin, with my young family. Over those seven years, I developed a deep appreciation for North America’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and the traditional medicines of its first peoples. Since then, I’ve traveled regularly, working extensively across nearly all 50 states, teaching and helping practitioners integrate Western Herbal Therapy. My recent North American tour, my first as Real Mushrooms' Chief Medical Herbalist, felt like a homecoming, filled with familiar faces, new connections, professional growth, and, of course, an abundance of mushrooms.
Kicking off the tour in Berkeley felt perfect—a city I love for its vibrant and eclectic character, progressive and intellectual spirit, and diverse food scene. I found a cozy Airbnb near Strawberry Creek Park and was excited to revisit The Berkeley Bowl, a renowned grocery store with a legendary selection of mushrooms. I picked up a fantastic mix: Maitake, Cauliflower, golden chanterelles, and three varieties I had never tried before—Chicken of the Woods, Chestnut Royale (Xerula radicata), and Matsutake. Chicken of the Woods lived up to the hype with its meaty, rich flavor and unique crunchy texture. I fried the Chestnut Royale in butter and garlic, and they had a sensational flavor and texture! Matsutake, also known as the Pine Mushroom, is highly regarded but didn’t quite do it for me—and given the price, I didn’t mind!
The highlight in Berkeley however, was Real Mushrooms' first practitioner event. We held the seminar at a unique venue, Sway, nestled in a lively neighborhood on San Pablo Avenue. After presenting in countless hotels and corporate settings, it was refreshing to host in a local, more intimate environment. We welcomed 30+ healthcare professionals who were keen to dive into the latest research on Ergothioneine (Ergo) — a mushroom-derived nutrient that’s highly underrated, relatively unknown, and potentially transformative in health. Ergo almost meets the definition of a vitamin and Dr Bruce Ames, a legendary researcher in the field, proposes it be named Vitamin L.
Next, I flew to Vancouver with my colleague, Real Mushroom’s Marketing Manager, Mieke Westenbroek. We met up with Adam Chilton, Head of Brand at Real Mushrooms, for a delicious lunch, then drove to the Sunshine Coast, via the biggest ferry I have ever boarded. We were off to visit the famed Nammex facility and meet Skye Chilton, CEO of Real Mushrooms and Nammex. The facility is centered around the original Chilton family home, now a guest house and office space, which added a personal touch to our stay.
The morning after we arrived, we set off foraging just steps from the guest house and stumbled upon an abundance of lobster mushrooms—a first for me. We gathered a basket-full, only to have Skye Chilton sort through and “curate” our finds. That night, we prepared a rich vegetable bisque with lobster mushrooms and foraged chanterelles, giving us a true taste of the Canadian wilderness.
You can replicate the lobster mushroom bisque we made with the recipe found here.
At Nammex, we toured the facility, met the dedicated staff, and observed their rigorous testing methods. Their beta-glucan testing and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis ensure product consistency, quality, and bioactivity. Witnessing these processes firsthand underscored the depth of expertise and dedication within Nammex, whose commitment to mushroom quality has set the industry standard.
From Vancouver, I flew to Reno for the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) conference. On the second day, I presented to a full room on topics close to my heart: Tremella: The Tantalizing Jelly Fungus, The Mushroom Medicine Cabinet, and Ergothioneine: Mushroom’s Longevity Superstar. It was wonderful to see the audience’s enthusiasm and genuine interest in exploring the potential applications of medicinal mushrooms in animal health.
It’s always a pleasure connecting with professionals eager to learn, and this group did not disappoint. I felt honored to be the “Aussie” bringing new insights into mushrooms, longevity, and cellular health. And who knew that veterinarians could be so much fun!
After the conference, I returned to Berkeley with my colleague, Real Mushrooms’ Director of the Pets and Practitioner Departments, Joni Kamlet. I stayed at the same Airbnb and made another essential trip to Berkeley Bowl for my exotic mushroom fix. I hosted a small study group in Alameda, where I delved into the clinical applications of Ergothioneine with a group of engaged practitioners.
That afternoon, Joni, Mieke, and I visited the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic in Oakland, a non-profit that has been providing pro-bono holistic care to women for over 30 years. Real Mushrooms donated 5000 dollars and provided nearly 50 bottles of Turkey Tail capsules. Clinic director Mary Lynn Morales guided us through the facility, which offers crucial support for women who might otherwise struggle to access holistic health services.
My last stop was the Feed Real Summit in Torrey Pines, San Diego, hosted by the Feed Real Institute, founded and run by Ruby and Turk Balaram. This annual conference brings together pet parents, health coaches, and veterinarians with a focus on optimal pet health through raw and home-prepared pet food. It was an exciting experience—I met an incredible range of personalities, including well-known figures like veterinarians Karen Becker and Rodney Habib, who even invited me to join their Facebook Live show, Inside Scoop, in February 2025! I also connected with the dynamic, funny, and brilliant trio from the UK and Ireland, known as The Raw Pet Medics: Dr. Brendan Clarke, Dr. Nick Thompson, and Dr. Conor Brady, whose commitment to pet health is truly inspiring.
The journey home was, as it often is, a grueling 25-hour ordeal, from the conference in San Diego to Brisbane in Queensland, with a stopover in San Francisco. Yet despite the travel fatigue, I returned home feeling grateful and inspired by the people I met, including the incredible Real Mushrooms team, the mushrooms I discovered, and the experiences that reminded me why I do this work.
This North American tour rekindled my love for a continent so rich in natural beauty, innovation, and connection. Here’s to the next adventure!
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