When Amy Smith began searching for an End-of-Life Doula program in October 2024, she didn’t expect to find a path that would transform every area of her life. What she discovered at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts was more than an education—it was a calling fully realized.
Enrolling in the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program with the End-of-Life Doula certification, Amy stepped into a journey that would affirm what her heart had known for years.
A Calling Rooted in Love and Loss
Before SWIHA, Amy was already a caregiver in every sense of the word.
“Prior to SWIHA, I cared for my family and friends, along with helping many folks in our community.”
Yet her generosity came at a cost.
“I lacked boundaries to the extent that I was becoming burnt out caring for everyone and working jobs that didn't seem fit for me.”
Amy’s passion for end-of-life work was deeply personal. Eight years ago, she cared for her husband as he passed away from cancer at home. Years earlier, she had worked in a hospital Labor and Delivery ward, where she witnessed both the joy of birth and the heartbreak of loss. Life and death were not abstract concepts to her—they were lived experiences.
“One thing after the next attempted to keep me from my calling,” she shares.
It wasn’t until March 2024, when she cared for her ex-partner after he suffered a stroke, that clarity came. She began searching for online programs. When SWIHA’s Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program repeatedly appeared in her search, she felt it was the perfect fit.
A Defining Moment in the Midst of Grief
Amy’s time at SWIHA was marked by profound personal trials. In February 2025, she separated from her boyfriend. Just days later, one of her “dearest soul daughters” died by suicide.
It was a devastating season. Yet even in the depths of her own grief, something powerful emerged.
“Realizing I was able to hold space for her parents and meet them where they were in their grief while carrying my very own helped me realize even more, I was on the right path to help others as we navigate this world of grief.”
In that moment, Amy saw clearly: this was her work. This was her calling. Not because she was untouched by pain— because she could remain present within it.
Growth, Strength, and Crossing Thresholds
Amy describes her life since enrolling at SWIHA as changed “for the better.”
“I have found so much growth and strength in my healing, to the point where it has helped me navigate some rough roads. I have crossed thresholds I never thought I would cross to be able to be open to stronger and better possibilities. I have more confidence and meet challenges with an attitude of gratitude.”
Through modalities like Energetic Healing, Toe Reading, End-of-Life Doula studies, and even Yoga Nidra, she learned to return to herself—body, mind, and spirit—again and again.
One of her greatest lessons?
“The importance of remembering to reach out to your Student Advisor, classmates, and instructors when you are feeling overwhelmed and stuck. You are not alone, even when you feel like you are being online. They are all there like a giant family.”
Infinite Breath, LLC: Serving Through Grief and Transition
On February 5, 2025, Amy officially registered her business, Infinite Breath, LLC, with the State of Montana.
Today, she balances caring for a disabled Vietnam veteran with building her private practice as an End-of-Life Doula, Grief Coach, and Intuitive Guide. She offers:
- - End-of-Life Care Planning
- - Spiritual and Grief Coaching
- - Intuitive Guidance
- - Virtual and in-person services
She is also launching a community grief support group that will meet twice a month, creating a safe space for individuals navigating loss. Beyond her client work, Amy is illustrating a book on dementia for a local author and creating jewelry and art that reflect both her personal healing and professional mission.
“Learning to ‘Just Be and Just Breathe’ has helped me through so many trials I have experienced since starting my program with SWIHA.”
This simple mantra has become both her anchor and her offering.
Advice for Future Students: Just Be and Just Breathe
When asked what guidance she would offer to future SWIHA students, Amy shares:
“Just Be and Just Breathe. Remember to grant yourself some time and some grace for the moments that you face challenges and uncertainty. Learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable within adversity.”
Her words reflect the essence of end-of-life work: presence. Not fixing. Not rushing. Simply being.
Amy’s journey is a testament to what happens when we finally answer the call that has been whispering to us for years. Through grief, growth, and grit, she has stepped fully into her purpose—supporting others at the thresholds of life with compassion, steadiness, and infinite breath.
At SWIHA, we are honored to walk alongside students like Amy Smith—healers who transform their lived experience into loving service for the world.
