About me Stories
About Me — Dana Leigh Lyons
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Minimalist, Sober, Queer
***Update (April 28, 2023): Find all my most intimate posts over on Substack, right this way.
Hey, I’m Dana. I’m on the far side of my mid-40s, sober, queer, and prefer more time alone than anyone I know.
Heck, I’m married but choose to live alone. Well, sort of. There are some new developments in that story.
I keep my belongings simple, and some might consider me minimalist to the extreme. I own one spoon, one fork, two bowls, less than 30 items of clothing — that sort of thing. When I move homes, everything comes with in my two-seater MINI (a 2013 John Cooper Works limited edition with racing stripes, if you’re into that sort of thing).
But…I’m not really alone.
For one, I share my life with two energetically maximalist, shamelessly narcissistic Siamese cats.
For another, we’re surrounded by very lively, very alive woods, water, and sky. Nature here is extra immediate. Its constant company reminds me of the point to…anything.
My morning routine
Each day, I rise around dawn and practice the 5 Tibetans (a yogic breath, movement, and longevity practice).
Then, I write. No matter what. Before getting online. Before checking my phone. Before anything. This, like the yogic practice just before, is non-negotiable. Zero exceptions and zero days off.
Last year, writing this way, I wrote a book. This year, I’m writing another one. In brief, it delivers spiritual truths with a side of scandal.
My day job
I consider writing my most important vocation. Even though I don’t get paid much for it. Even though I’m still courting literary agents with shameless abandon.
But…I also do other stuff. I’m a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Dean of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific Rim College, in Victoria, BC. It’s one of the biggest acupuncture programs — if not the biggest — in North America.
I also founded Alchemist Academy, where I sell online courses on Chinese Medicine.
Yoga, sobriety, other stuff
I’d be remiss if I didn’t add yoga here. I’ve been practicing for two decades, usually twice a day (always at home solo these days).
For me, yoga is far more than physical asanas and stretchy pants. For me, yoga is everything.
And…I’m sober from alcohol, cocaine, and anorexia. I write lots about that, including in this post — one of my highest-earning articles on Medium:
If you’re even the teeniest bit sober curious or in any way questioning your relationship to drinking, I encourage you to read a paragraph or three. Warning though, it’s slightly provocative.
How to contact me
Please reach out! Though I’m a hardcore introvert, I love connecting online! Here are all the ways…
Subscribe to my Substack newsletter. (Where I share personal letters that I don’t post elsewhere, including on Medium.)
Follow me on Medium. (Lately, I’ve been diving into brain science and neuroplasticity meets Taoism.)
Follow me on Instagram. (Lately, I’ve been posting yoga and home videos.)
Connect with me on LinkedIn. (I don’t love this platform, but pop by on occassion.)
Shoot me an email: [email protected] (Just don’t spam please — it’s not cool, and I block first, ask questions…never.)
If you’d like to get to know me better, here are some curated reads to get you started: